River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1899-11-09
/ Margaret Mackenzie
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

THE setting sun was slanting redly
over the hills that lowered in the
rear of the valley in a secluded part of
Scotland, where a congregation of Gov
enanters were assembled TO hear Rev.
Dougal Mackenzie preach to them.
Driven from their habitation by perse-
cution, they sought the solitude of the
hills and wales that they might conduct
their worship according TO their ac-
customed usage. But they were not al
ways free from molestation, even when
fleeing to the wilds. Profane and cruel
bands of troopers tracked them from
fastness to fastness, and it was only by
the most strict and untiring vigilance
that they could have any security to
worship in peace.
Rev. Dougal Mackenzie was standing
in the midst of the people, with one
hand upon the sacred Scriptures and
the other raised to Heaven. He had just
concluded his discourse, having taken
as his text the words: For Joshua
drew not his hand back, wherewith he
stretched out the spear, until he had
utterly destroyed all inhabitants of
All"
Looking over his congregation as if
he We're speaking to each in person, he
added: "And such, Heavenly Father,
we pray Thee, may be the slaughter OF
the enemies of Thy servants"
A deep and feryid "Amen" was the
response that came from the lips of his
hearers.
Though Dougal Mackenzie had been
a pastor for more than 80 years, he
looked more like a soldier than one
whose duty it was to proclaim the gos-
pei of peace. Tall, erect and straight as
an arrow. eyes bright and gray, head al
most white and frame compact and well
knit, he was a person that would at
tract attention from the most casual
observer of men. His life had been one
of vicissitude and hardship, but through
all his troubles he always bore brave
heart, looking forward to the day when
he might perchance seal his devotion to
his faith tas his father had done) by
dying in defense of his religion and his
rights.
He was a man of austere department,
but then he was sincere and ardent in
his piety and very tenacious respecting
the tenets of his faith. His hard, dry
theology caused him at times to utter
fierce menaces against those whom he
considered were given over to Belial,
and if anathemas could have availed
many 4 long-haired cavalier would have
gone straight to perdition under his
whitening denunciations.
In the front ranks of the people sat
the pastors daughter, Margaret, who,
with earnest gaze and meek look, had
been awaiting the close of the sermon.
As he raised his hand to pronounce a
blessing there came gallop of horse
hoofs, and the next instant a man was
seen riding at a terrible pace up the val
ley. A few m ,ruents later he sprang
from his steed and stood in the midst of
the people.
What tidings bringest thou, Robert
Lindsay?" inquired the pastor.
There is no time to lose, my friends, :"
cried Lindsay. THE soldiers are at
hand, and, if escape is possible, you
must be off. l have ridden hard, and
only by the aid of the Almighty have l
escaped to warn you.
At the words of the young man the
elders gathered about the pastor to con-
suit for their course of action, while
Lindsay approached Margaret Macken-
zie, and. taking her hand in his own,
whispered TO her that harm never
should befall her while his arm could
WELD sword.
About a half-mile from where the
congregation was assembled there stood
few shepherds cots, and to those the
people hastily retreated, for every man
had brought arms with him, but they
had left their weapons in the huts, I'M
der care of trusty followers.
As place ofdefense this retreat could
offer luz little security, for the ground
was so level that it presented an excel
lent fl Id for invading horsemen. But
toy lad no other alternative, and, hur-
wing to the rendezvous, every man
armed himself to await events.
As Dougal Mackenzie entered the hut
where Lindsay and Margaret had pre-
coded him he called out:
Reach me down my sword, good
daughter. With this weapon" he con-
tinued, did my father STAY five men as
they sought to enter his home, and well
and brave did he fight until the long
bearded Dalyell cleft his skull in twain.
May my hand prove no disgrace to the
hilt that was once clasped by one so
firm
Coming out of the hut he waved his
hand to the people and cried: Let us
pray to the almighty disposer of events,
that He may fight in our cause"
The people reverently knelt while
their pastor invoked aid from on high.
1t was strange sight to see those
men and women gathered there in the
cleaning, the former with stern faces
and uncouth weapons, the latter with
pale and anxious looks. The pastor and
elders encouraged the people to stand
firm and trust in the might of the Lord
In the short period allotted them be-
fore the appearance Of the foe they
made such disposition for defense as
they were best able. Several of the
larger huts we're torn down, and with
the debris they formed a barrieade in
front of the cot where Dougal MaCken-
zie had placed the women. Night was
almost at hand when the work was
hastily completed. and not a moment
too soon were they, for in the distance
the troopers were seen coming, headed
by the wild and goddess Ronshaw.
stand to your arms, brethren" cried
the pastor, who seemed by common
consent to take the direction of affairs
'Stand to your arms, and fear not what
the unrighteous can do. Yield not one
foot of ground 10 the unhallowed in
vaders. The Lord of Hosts is with us.
He ighteth on the side of His servants.
While one warm drop of blood remains
in your hearts resist Think of your
wives and children, think of your reli-
gion and your fame"
Dougal Mackenzie was standing in
the midst of his people grasping his
sword, while he gazed into the distance
with an eager and defiant look. lie APP
peared positively heroic as he awaited
the attack. A deep consciousness that
he was doing his duty in exhorting his
flock TO resistance caused everything
like trepidation to leave his heart. He
stood as firm as the hills, and when his
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