Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1876-08-10
4 Modern COYcNANtcr.

| II glasgow paper OF july :. has the
following: ''llugh Hart, Il native of
Paisley, and one of that large anu gen.
orally political family called lazy wea.
vers, had enlisted in the army, and,
after some years absence. had return
ed Il full-tledged preacher. He obtain
ed the use of Il pulpit for an evening
service. and thither tlocked many of
his old cronies. On the following
morning some of these. assembled at Il
corner. spied Patrick standing ut his
shop door. and crossing over to him,
opened the conversation with 'Weel
Pate! we saw you at the kirk last
night what did you think of Hugh
sermon!' lie gravely replied waving
his hand toward the shop us Ill illustra-
ton Lads yon sermon was'jist like
a wee grocers stock Il the biscuits
in the window. Perhaps this may be
IL proper place to say Il few words about
Hugh Hart. While in England with
his regiment, Hugh had been very
regular in attendance with some Non
conformist congregation time went
on, opportunities arose, (Which he
seized with avidity.) for holding forth.
Hugh was voluble and energetic, pos.
sibly the contrast between his scarlet
coat and his language c;ptivated them;
the result was. his discharge was pur-
chased, and he himself sent to u dis
Senting college here to be fashioned to
the proper ecclesiastical pattern.
But Hugh had ordination prior to
that conferred by the college, and the
history Of which deserves to live. 1t
happened in the way: His regiment
for some cause had been for some time
without chaplain, and Hugh deter
mined to obtain his colonel's permits
sion to conduct divine service with
such of the soldiers as chose to attend.
More than this he dared not hope for
as not even the colonel could compel
their attendance upon lay ministra-
tons. Hugh spoke to his sergeant ; the
sergeant spoke to the captain, who
brought the matter before the colonel.
The sergeant was set for, and i'll reply
to questions gave Hart high char
lcter; he was sober. clean. Obedient,
diligent-in short what is known
among soldiers as Il good man. Next,
Hart was sent for and questioned.
Hart, l hear from your captain and
sergeant that you wish to lead worship
with any soldiers who may please to
attend! 2 If you please, colonel was
his reply. what education have you
had!' n fair education for Il poor
mans son, might say good educa-
ton You read the bible, of course,
diligently ? Yes and understand
all about it, Yes (Ah, Hugh! if
you had but known that, for all his
tearing. swearing ways, your colonel
read his bible more diligently than
ever you did, and in his heart of hearts
confessed that he did not understand
all about it. you would surely have
avoided that miserable exhibition of
self.conceit.) The colonel's eye fell
cofdly on him, waving his hand in dis
missal. he said, You may go! preach
and be-to YOU \ form of license
quite unique, presbyteries and con.
vocations giving their curses generally
after ordination. Ample justice has
been done to Harris eccentricities by
other writer's, will therefore drop him
after telling one instance heard. One
preparation Saturday afternoon STEP
ped into the Aud Laugh Kirk, then &C.
cupied 10y Harris congregation. A
reverend brother who was to have
officiated had been called home, and
Hart had to take the service. After
preliminary prayer and praise Hart be.
gan in nearly these words: Brethren,
our friend Mr.. Thompson has been call
ed away in consequence of sudden
family bereavement, and I am left to
fill his place. I am not prepared. God
knows it, I know it, and the devil
knows it too -