The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-12

FARE YOU WE'LL.

But whilst / had been going about my
work at Earlstoun the enemies had not
been idle. They had deposed me from
abe ministry. They could not depose me
from the hearts of a willing and loyal
people They had invoked the secular
arm, and that had been turned back.
Now they had also by hasty process
appointed one McKie TO succeed me
a young man that had been a helper 10
one of them one harmless enough q
good and quiet lad. Him. for the sake Of
the stipend they had persuaded to be
their cats-paw.
But the folks OF Balmaghie were clear
against giving him any foothold, so that
he made little more Of IL than he had
done at the first.
Then I, who had striven so lately with
the powers OF evil in high places. was
stricken TO the heart al all this strife. and
resolved within me that there should be
an end to 1t.
Who was / that I should thus be
troubler OF Israel and make the hot anger
rise in these quiet hearts? Could l stand
against all Scotland? Nay, could ] alone
be in the right and all the others in the
wrong? There was surely work for me
TO do outside the bounds Of one small
parish. at least few godly folk of the
ancient way to whom could minister.
So resolved then and there. that after
the Sabbath service at which had hidden
Earlstoun TO purge himself by oath ana
public confession. would no more remain
TO stir up wrath but depart over Jor-
dan with no more than my pilgrim sian
In my hand.
So / called the people together end
spoke quietly 10 them.
''This thing" said l. becomes a scandal
and a shaming. This is surely not the
Kingdom Of the Prince of Peace true,
not We but those who have come against
sis began the fray. But when men STUN
BILE over a stone in the path It is time that
1he stone be removed.
''Now l. your minister, am the stone
OF stumbling. and none other. the rock
of offense. / will therefore remove myself.
will cease to trouble Israel
mo, no." they cried "Bide with us,
for YOU are our minister. and We are
your faithful and willing folk"
And this saying of theirs In which
all Joined, moved me much, nevertheless
was fixed in my heart and could make
no more OF Il than that ] must depart.
Which. when they heard they were
grieved very sorely, and appointed GER
tain OF them men of weight and sincerity
to combat my resolution.
But it was not to be. for I had made
mp my mind.
I saw that there might be an open
door elsewhere. and though | would not
abandon my work in Balmaghie yet
neither would any more confine my min
dstrations. i would go out to the Hill
Folk. who. before. had called me; and
II they accepted OF me. WELL And IL not
why. there were heather folk enough I'm
Scotland with none 60 minister to them
and II would be strange II lie who sent
out his disciples two by two. bidding
them take neither purse nor scrip, would
not find bread and water for a wandering
teacher throughout broad Scotland.
The fatefu Sabbath came-a day OF
infinite stiffness. so that from beside the
aombs OF the martyr Hallidays in the
kirkyard OF Balmaghie you could hear
the sheep bleatlng on the hills of Cross
michael the sound breaking mellow and
thin upon the ear over the still and azure
river.
The folks gathered early, clouds upon
clouds OF them. so that J.think every man.
woman and child in the parish was there,
save the children who could not walk and
the aged who dwelt too far away to be
carried.
Alexander Gordon sat at my right hand.
Immediately beneath the pulpit
There seemed an extraordinary graz
ciousness In the singing that day. spec
ial fervor 20 the swell OF the voices.
moro excellent sober sweetness IN the
Sabbath air And was 10 leave all this
20 leave forever the vale OF blessing
wherein had hoped 10 spend my days.
Yes. I would adventure forth. rather
than that loyal folk should suffer any
more because Of me. But first. so far as
In me lay. I would set right the matter
Of Alexander Gordon.
II was the forty-sixth Psalm they were
singing and as they sang the people tell
that herds on the Hill stood still to listen
to the chorus OF that mighty singing.
and. without knowing why the water
stood In their eyes that day. There seemed
20 be something by ordinarily moving In
all that was done that day.
God Is our refuge and our strength,
In straits a present aid.
Therefore although the earth remove,
We viii not be afraid.
And as she sang I saw Mary Gordon
looking past me with the glory OF the
New Song in her eyes. And knew that
her heart. too. was touched
BY the pillar in the arched nook BY
the door stood Hob. my brother. and BY
him ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS They looked upon
one Psalm book. And In that day l was
glad TO think that one man was happy.
Poor lad That which II was laid ui'ch
mo 20 do came as sad surprise TO hlm.
I was ready 10 go-I knew not whittier.
II might be that there was a work greater
and more enduring for me TO do my
pilgrim staff IN my hand, among the
f,owe-mosses and peaty wildernesses OF
the southwest. than here In the we'll
sheltered strath Of Dee
Now. at all events mast face the slast,
the blustsr and the bite OF H. But though
4 vas to lock no more on these we'll
tenned. kindly faces. ! knew that their
hsa<ts would hold BY me, and thsirtips