Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-17

The Rev. John Watson-the Ian
Maclaren" whose books and their
dramatized versions are widely known
verywhere-declared that he had an
inner guidance" which he was, always
Justified in following. He had many
psychic experiences of most interest
ing character
For many years ne was Presby-
terrain minister in Liverpool. One att
ernoon he went out to make his sick
calls" but had only completed the f1rst
when he felt a strong urge TO turn down
a side street and call on family lfv-
ing in it in which there was, so lar as
he knew, no case of illness.
The feeling was so strong he obeyed
1t. but when the door was opened in
response to his ring, he was met by
strangers. In response to his inquiries
for his friends, he was told:
They no longer live here-though
they have taken house somewhere
in the street"
No address had been left. Ordinarily,
as Rev. Watson says this would have
been enough Ito turn one from aimless
visiting" However, he continued 10 be
irresistIbly impelled to look for his
friends.
lie knocked at four different doors
without getting the slightest tnforma-
ton regarding them. by this time the
memory that he had large number of
other calls 10 make revived and he de-
cided to abandon his search.
The next morning the head OF the
missing family came into his study.
sorrow written on his face. Rev. Wat
son FASTENED to make anxious inquiries.
Yes. we are in great trouble" re-
piled his visitor. Yesterday our baby
took suddenly Ill and died in the after
noon My wife was utterly overcome.
We would have sent for you, but had no
messenger wish you had been there
if you had only known!"
And the time?" asked the minister.
About half-past 3"
1t was the hour at which Rev. Wat
son had felt his strange urge to call.
He was sorry that he had relinquished
his search TOO soon.
But he had an even more remark
able experience Years before, In Glas-
gov, he had been The colleague of an
older minister, To whom he was greatly
indebted Tor many kindnesses. There
had been a strong attachment between
them, and after they had separated and
the younger man had removed to Liver
pool they kept up a constant corre-
Spondence.
One day word reached Rev. Watson
that his venerable friend was danger
ously ill., Deep anxiety seized him. but
toward the end of the week he was
greatly relieved to learn that the illness
had greatly abated.
On Sunday morning a letter arrived
saying that his friend was assured OF
recovery.
This was cheering, but by afternoon
gloom again attacked him. Gradually
conviction grew in him that the aged
minister not only was worse, but was
actually dying.
Il felt that l would never see him
again and that If l hoped TO receive
his blessing l must make haste" he
says.
He concluded he must go to Glasgow
at once. His sense that this was SO was so
imperative that he wrote letters cancel
ling two engagements Tor Monday and
departed on the midnight train.
During the night lie marvelled at
himself for thus embarking on the
journey when he had been assured
that all was well. But in the morning
he was not aStoniShed when the servant
that greeted him at his friends home
was In tears.
He had a relapse yesterday after
noon" he was told, and he is dying
now"
In the death chamber no one seemed
surprised to see him. The dying man
was begond speech. but appeared to