Men's minds were not _allowed_ to remain in the torpid condition of a past generation.2d.The aesthetic movement in religion, which some years since was made in England, has, of course, had its influence in Scotland; and many who showed little concern about religion, whilst it was merely a question of doctrines, of precepts, and of worship, threw themselves keenly into the contest when it became associated with ceremonial, and music, and high art.

New ecclesiastical associations have been presented to Scottish tastes and feelings.

With some minds, attachment to the church is attachment to her Gregorian tones, jewelled chalices, lighted candles, embroidered altar-cloths, silver crosses, processions, copes, albs, and chasubles.
But, from whatever cause it proceeds, a great change has taken place in the general interest excited towards ecclesiastical questions.

Religion now has numerous associations with the ordinary current of human life.
In times past it was kept more as a thing apart.

There was a false delicacy which made people shrink from encountering appellations that were usually bestowed upon those who made a more prominent religious profession than the world at large.
A great change has taken place in this respect with persons of _all_ shades of religious opinions.