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dim； and our heads greywe are now tottering with short and feckless
steps towards the grave； and some； that should have been here this day； are
bed…rid； lying； as it were； at the gates of death； like Lazarus at the
threshold of the rich man's door； full of ails and sores； and having no
enjoyment but in the hope that is in hereafter。 What can I say to you but
farewell！ Our work is donewe are weary and worn out； and in need of
rest may the rest of the blessed be our portion！and in the sleep that all
must sleep； beneath the cold blanket of the kirkyard grass； and on that clay
pillow where we must shortly lay our heads； may we have pleasant dreams；
till we are awakened to partake of the everlasting banquet of the saints in
glory！〃
When I had finished； there was for some time a great solemnity
throughout the kirk； and； before giving the blessing； I sat down to
compose myself； for my heart was big； and my spirit oppressed with
sadness。
As I left the pulpit； all the elders stood on the steps to hand me down；
and the tear was in every eye； and they helped me into the session…house；
but I could not speak to them； nor them to me。 Then Mr Dalziel； who
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was always a composed and sedate man； said a few words of prayer； and I
was comforted therewith； and rose to go home to the manse； but in the
churchyard all the congregation was assembled； young and old； and they
made a lane for me to the back… yett that opened into the manse…garden
Some of them put out their hands and touched me as I passed； followed by
the elders； and some of them wept。 It was as if I was passing away； and
to be no more verily； it was the reward of my ministrya faithful account
of which； year by year； I now sit down； in the evening of my days； to make
up； to the end that I may bear witness to the work of a beneficent
Providence； even in the narrow sphere of my parish； and the concerns of
that flock of which it was His most gracious pleasure to make me the
unworthy shepherd。
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CHAPTER I YEAR 1760
The Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and sixty； was
remarkable for three things in the parish of Dalmailing。First and
foremost； there was my placing； then the coming of Mrs Malcolm with her
five children to settle among us； and next； my marriage upon my own
cousin； Miss Betty Lanshaw； by which the account of this year naturally
divides itself into three heads or portions。
First； of the placing。It was a great affair； for I was put in by the
patron； and the people knew nothing whatsoever of me； and their hearts
were stirred into strife on the occasion； and they did all that lay within the
compass of their power to keep me out； insomuch； that there was obliged
to be a guard of soldiers to protect the presbytery； and it was a thing that
made my heart grieve when I heard the drum beating and the fife playing
as we were going to the kirk。 The people were really mad and vicious；
and flung dirt upon us as we passed； and reviled us all； and held out the
finger of scorn at me； but I endured it with a resigned spirit；
compassionating their wilfulness and blindness。 Poor old Mr Kilfuddy of
the Braehill got such a clash of glar on the side of his face； that his eye
was almost extinguished。
When we got to the kirk door； it was found to be nailed up； so as by no
possibility to be opened。 The sergeant of the soldiers wanted to break it；
but I was afraid that the heritors would grudge and complain of the
expense of a new door； and I supplicated him to let it be as it was： we
were； therefore； obligated to go in by a window； and the crowd followed
us in the most unreverent manner； making the Lord's house like an inn on
a fair day； with their grievous yellyhooing。 During the time of the psalm
and the sermon； they behaved themselves better； but when the induction
came on； their clamour was dreadful； and Thomas Thorl； the weaver； a
pious zealot in that time； he got up and protested； and said； 〃Verily； verily；
I say unto you； he that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold； but
climbeth up some other way； the same is a thief and a robber。〃 And I
thought I would have a hard and sore time of it with such an outstrapolous
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people。 Mr Given； that was then the minister of Lugton； was a jocose
man； and would have his joke even at a solemnity。 When the laying of
the hands upon me was adoing； he could not get near enough to put on his；
but he stretched out his staff and touched my head； and said； to the great
diversion of the rest； 〃This will do well enough； timber to timber；〃 but it
was an unfriendly saying of Mr Given； considering the time and the place；
and the temper of my people。
After the ceremony； we then got out at the window； and it was a heavy
day to me； but we went to the manse； and there we had an excellent dinner；
which Mrs Watts of the new inns of Irville ｛2｝ prepared at my request； and
sent her chaise…driver to serve； for he was likewise her waiter； she having
then but one chaise； and that no often called for。
But； although my people received me in this unruly manner； I was
resolved to cultivate civility among them； and therefore； the very next
morning I began a round of visitations； but； oh！ it was a steep brae that I
had to climb； and it needed a stout heart。 For I found the doors in some
places barred against me； in others； the bairns； when they saw me coming；
ran crying to their mothers； 〃Here's the feckless Mess…John！〃 and then；
when I went into the houses； their parents wouldna ask me to sit down； but
with a scornful way； said； 〃Honest man； what's your pleasure here？〃
Nevertheless； I walked about from door to door like a dejected beggar； till
I got the almous deed of a civil receptionand who would have thought
it？ from no less a person than the same Thomas Thorl that was so bitte