The times., 1897-11-14

life and conduct?r l asked OF them at
last. 'Ye have set spies TO follow me
Iroin place To place ana wrest my words.
fe have spied here and there In the houses
of my people. Ye have tried TO entrap
my elders. Is there no least thing that
ye can allege. For three years have
come and gone in and out among this folk
of Balrnaghie. l have coripanied with
you. have sat in your meetings. Ihave
not been silent. Ye have watched me with
the eyes OF the greedy gisd. X have
harkened and waited, and sharpened claws
for me as cat does at a mouse hole"
VIII ye submit ana sign the submis-
sion here and now?" interrupted Cameron,
who liked not the threatening murmur of
appreciation W hich began TO run among the
folk.
There is one,'' answered I, the words
being as it had been given TO me, whose
praise is perfected out Of the mouths OF
babes. 1t is1trsIe that among you | am
like young child without power or wis
dom. Yeare great and learned, old in years
and full OF reverence. but this one thing
| can do. stand by the truth ye have
deserted, and lit again the banner staff
ye nave cast the mre. IS great kuther-
FORD hath said, Christ may ride upon a
windlestraw and mot stumble. -
Then | turnedabout 10 tue people, when
the Presbytery would have restrained
Inc from further speech TO them.
fe folk OF this parsh, ! SAID, what
think we OF tLis matter? Shall your min
lister be thrust out from among you,
snail he bow theshead and bend the knee?
Must he let Principle ana truth 70 by the
board? | think ye'know him better. Aye,
truly, this parish and people would have
Il bonny bird of him, brave minister, in
deed, il he submit ed before being cleared
OF that which, all unJustly, his enemies
a SpH nm no
presence of his people like felon in tie
dock of judgTnenti"
Then inqeeu there was confusion among
the ravens who had come to glcat over
The feast. | had insulted 50 they criedl
incir honorable and reverent court. had
refused a too lenient and oondesc ending ac-
commodation. SO they spoke, as il long
words would balance the beam Of an un-
just cause.
t5ut at that moment there came a stir
among the folk. | saw the elders of
tine congregation appear at the door Of
the kirk. And as they marched up the
aisle, be hind them thronged all the men
OF the parish, still, stern and compact
mass.
Imen the ruling elder read the protest
of the common people. Ii was simple and
clear. The parish was wholly with me
and not with mine enemies. Almost every
man within the bounds had signed the
paper. The presbytery nigtit deIose the
minister, but the people would uphold
nm. Every man III Halmaghie knew well
that their pastor suffered because he ha d
steadfastly preferred truth to compromise,
honor TO pelf, Conscience to stipend Tie
presbytery themselves had sworn 10 uphold
Cnat whichnow they condemned.
Are We vino present this paper ordained
elders of the kirk2'' asked cameron OF the
leaders, glowering angrily at them.
We are" responded Nathan Gemmell.
stoutly.
And ye dare to bring a railing accusation
against the ministers OF your presbytery?"
We are free men ruling elders. You on
your part are but teaching elders, and, save
for the authority OF the state, We are no
ways in authority over us, was the an
swer.
And who are they for whom ye pro-
fess 20 speak2'' continued Cameron, look
ing fFowningly upon Drumglass and his fel
lows.
.'They'are here to speak for tlemseiyes!''
he cried, and as he waved his hand the
kirk was filled from end 70 end with stal
wart ren, who stood up, rank behind
rank, all very grave and quiet.
saw the ministers cover together This
was net at all what they had bargained
for.
we are to be deforced and overage1,' =
said Cameron. Let US dispeTse today and
meet tomorrow in tile kirk OF CrosSIuicnael
over the water.
And lol It was doue-even as their leader
said. They summoned me to meet them on
the morrow in the Kirk OF CrossInichael
that | might receive my doom.