Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-06-11
Ross-ssIaE RELIGION.

"Ross.shire religion" as it has been
called-though, of course, In its essence it
does not differ from true religion anywhere
else--has marked features of its own. 1t
is intensely Calvinistic, and looks upon hu-
man life chiefly from the standpoint of the
sovereignty of God /: man is as clay in the
hands Of the Potter the Judge of all the
earth shall do right. These are among its
fundamental principles. The theology
of the Fatherhood. as it has been called,
has not penetrated much beyond the
Grampians. That of the northern regions
is of sterner and more unbending type.
It tends to run at times into something APP.
preaching fatalism, and is occasionally as
ISOLATED with an ascetism resembling even
that of the Middle Ages. In some parts
of the country it has frowned upon amuse-
ments deemed innocent elsewhere. 1t has
treated literally the injunction, eff any
man is merry let him sing psalms" Dane
ing is regarded as heinous sin, and the
bagpipe has been silenced. Mr.. Haweis
has actually called the bagpipe IAN unut-
terable abomination. Curious that he
should have this point of contact with
northern Calvinism. Let him not dare to
come through the Pass of Killicrankie
without insuring his life A friend of the
writer, once a factor in one of the western
islands of Ross-shire, when collecting
rents, was solemnly waited on by the in
habitants of a township, who told him
there was such heinous wickedness being
committed among them that they feared it
might bring down on them judgment
from above. The wickedness was, that
one in their village played the fiddle, and
the minister could not induce him to part
with it, bring him here, said the factor
sternly, and the culprit was brought in
filled with the fear of immediate eviction.
The worthy factor asked him to play a
strathspey, which he did with trembling
hand. His tremor, however, departed
when his performance was highly applaud
ed by the local authority. He was kept
plying his bow all day, while his discom-
fited enemies were paying their rents, and
was sent home with an ample fee in recog-
milton of his musical powers. This little
incident happened not great many years
ago, and it illustrates severity which has
not yet altogether passed away. But after
all that has been said, ought it not to be
remembered more than it is, that this stern
type of religion has produced, SO history
tells us, grand and brave men in its time p
men of real grit and backbone. Besides,
the tree must be judged by the fruit, aud
not the fruit by the tree, and if we take
this standard, the outcome of Ross-shlre
faith has, in many respects, been good.
In no county in Scotland is there less lille
gitimacy. fragrant crime is almost I'M
known. No householder need have lock
upon his door. Public worship is well at
tended, Family worship is largely prac
ticed. The people are honest hard. work
ing, peaceful; submitting at times to great
hardship and cruelty with patience; faith
full, as servants or friends. These things
are better than bagpipes. though, as Gael,
say nothing against that most admirable
and glorious instrument. -[Good Words.