按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
was then wroth without judgment； and by my heat hastened into an open division the flaw that a more considerate manner might have healed。 But I confess my fault； and submit my cheek to the smiter； and now I see that the finger of Wisdom was in that probation； and it was far better that the weavers meddled with the things of God； which they could not change； than with those of the King； which they could only harm。 In that matter； however； I was like our gracious monarch in the American war； for though I thereby lost the pastoral allegiance of a portion of my people； in like manner as he did of his American subjects； yet； after the separation； I was enabled so to deport myself； that they showed me many voluntary testimonies of affectionate respect； and which it would be a vain glory in me to rehearse here。 One thing I must record； because it is as much to their honour as it is to mine。
When it was known that I was to preach my last sermon； every one of those who had been my hearers； and who had seceded to the Canaille meeting； made it a point that day to be in the parish kirk； and to stand in the crowd； that made a lane of reverence for me to pass from the kirk…door to the back…yett of the manse。 And shortly after； a deputation of all their brethren； with their minister at their head； came to me one morning； and presented to me a server of silver； in token； as they were pleased to say； of their esteem for my blameless life； and the charity that I had practised towards the poor of all sects in the neighbourhood； which is set forth in a well…penned inscription； written by a weaver lad that works for his daily bread。 Such a thing would have been a prodigy at the beginning of my ministry； but the progress of book…learning and education has been wonderful since； and with it has come a spirit of greater liberality than the world knew before； bringing men of adverse principles and doctrines into a more humane communion with each other； showing that it's by the mollifying influence of knowledge the time will come to pass； when the tiger of papistry shall lie down with the lamb of reformation； and the vultures of prelacy be as harmless as the presbyterian doves； when the independent； the anabaptist； and every other order and denomination of Christians； not forgetting even those poor wee wrens of the Lord； the burghers and anti…burghers； who will pick from the hand of patronage； and dread no snare。
On the next Sunday； after my farewell discourse； I took the arm of Mrs Balwhidder； and with my cane in my hand； walked to our own pew； where I sat some time； but； owing to my deafness； not being able to hear； I have not since gone back to the church。 But my people are fond of having their weans still christened by me； and the young folk； such as are of a serious turn； come to be married at my hands； believing； as they say； that there is something good in the blessing of an aged gospel minister。 But even this remnant of my gown I must lay aside； for Mrs Balwhidder is now and then obliged to stop me in my prayers； as I sometimes wanderpronouncing the baptismal blessing upon a bride and bridegroom； talking as if they were already parents。 I am thankful； however； that I have been spared with a sound mind to write this book to the end； but it is my last task； and； indeed； really I have no more to say； saving only to wish a blessing on all people from on high； where I soon hope to be； and to meet there all the old and long…departed sheep of my flock； especially the first and second Mrs Balwhidders。
Footnotes：
｛1｝ Dreghorn； Ayrshire； two miles from Irvine。
｛2｝ Irvine； Ayrshire。
｛3｝ Cognac。
End