The herald., 1897-11-07

tne evil taint. EarneStneSS in labor
would not avail alone. | must keep
me in subsection to the powers that be.
must purge myself of partial coun-
sci and preach the gospel in modera-
tion-with various other charges which
l pass over in silence.
Yet L had the conceit within me that
knew better than these men could
tell me, what | had come to Balmaghe
10 perform. L minded me every day
OF the Bennan top and of the men that
nad peen slain on the heather-speci-
ally on the poor lad in the brown coat
Ana / was noWays inclined to be over
lenlent with those who had wrought
the damage, nor yet with those who
mad stood by with their hands in their
pockets and Whistled while the deed
was being done.
After the ordination, as was the CHS
tom, there was a great dinner spread
in a long tent, set up by the Kirk
Clachan.
Here the Presbytery, the elders. and
such of the leading men of the parish
as were free of scandal Cfew enough
there were of theseD were entertained
at the expense of the session
one there was among the brethren
who had watched me keenly all the
day. Cameron, minister of Kirkcud-
bright, an unctuously smiling man, but
with side-long and dubious eye that
could not meet yours. He had the re-
pute of great learning, and was be-
sides of highest consideration among
the members, because he was the blood
brother of the famous Richard Cam
eron, who died at Ayrsmoss in the year
of 1880.
AS for me, 1 talked mostly to a lit
tie, wizened, p-shouldered man
with hassock of black hair which
came over his forehead, and great eyes
that looked out on either side of q
sharp nose. A peeping, brdlke man,
l found him to be, one Telfair of Rer-
rick, the great authority in the South
country on ghosts and all manifesto
tions of the devil.
MethinkS the spirit of evil is once
more abroad" l heard Telfair say in a
shrill falsetto. "Rerrick hath seen
nothing like it since the famous affair
of the Ringcroft visitation, so fully re-
counted in my little pamphlet-which,
as you are aware, has run through
land, and also among the wise and
learned folk of London. The late King
even ordered a copy for himself. and
was pleased to say that he had never
read anything like it in all his life be-
fore. And by the Grace of God, he
never would again. Was not that
compliment from so great prince?"
"a compliment indeed" cried Cam
eron of Kirkcudbright. nodding his
head ironically. but watching me all
the time as I talked with Nathan Gem
nell of Drumglass; but what is this
new portent?"
'Tis but the matter of child near
the village of Orraland, which, as all
the world knows. is the heart of my
parish. A BARN, the son of very re-
spectacle folk, looking out upon the
moon, had a vision of a man in red
apparel cutting the moon in two with
a sword of flame. The child screamed
and ran in to it's mother to tell the
marvel. And as soon as they came to
me, I said: There is that to be done
to-day which shall cut the Kirk of God
in twain within the bounds of this
Presbytery'
Cameron, again nodding, as he went
about the ordering of his dinner, and
calling the waiting folk to be quick,
and set clean platters before the Pres
byters.
Now said Telfair, looking straight
at me, there hath nothing happened
this week in the Presbytery save the
ordaining of this young man. Think ye
that through him there will come this
breaking asunder of the Kirk"
Cameron smiled Sardonically.
How can We suppose it for a mo-
ment? Mr. Mac Clellan is youth of
promise and runor. We
have, indeed, yet to learn whether
there be aught behind the sound and
show of religion and respect for the
Kirk"
All this time Drumglass was pour
ing forth, without stint, his joy at my
settlement among them.
"Be never feared for the face o.
man, young sir" he cried; "be bold to
declare what ye think and believe.
and gif ye ken what ye want and
pursue it, there are few
things that ye will not attain in this
world
At long and last the day came to an
end. The ministers of the Presbytery,
one by one, took horse or ferry and so
departed. 1 went with Nathan Gem
nell over to the house of Drumglass.
For l was deadly wearied and the
voice of Nathan uplifted to tell of old
things was like the pleasant lapper-
ng of water on the sides of a boat in
which one rocks and dreams. Indeed,
was scarce conscious of a word he
said till in the gloam of the trees and
he creamy evening light, we met two
asses, Jean and Alexander-Jonita.
AS we came within the shadow they
wo divided the one from the other, the
wild lass going to her fathers side,
lean being left to come to mine.
Il saw you not at the ordination
Alexander-J Jonita." said her father.
mo" she answered sharply, "It was
/ brave day for the nowt to stray, and |
here was never q man, woman, or
oairn about the house. Well might l |
'emain to keep the evil-doers from |
he doors.'
1 felt soft hand touch mine as if |
" accident, and low voice whispered |
lose to my ear.
But I was there. I watched it all,
Ind whel I saw you were kneelng be-
ore them all with the hands of the
upon your head, 1 had al
most swooned away!"
The soft hand was fully in mine
low. I was not conscious of having
AIKEN it, but, nevertheless, it lay trem-