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！
… Page 177…
ANNALS OF THE PARISH
said； that seeing I was now growing old； they thought they could not
testify their respect for me in a better manner than by agreeing to get me a
helper。 But I would not at that time listen to such a proposal； for I felt no
falling off in my powers of preaching； on the contrary； I found myself
growing better at it； as I was enabled to hold forth； in an easy manner；
often a whole half hour longer； than I could do a dozen years before。
Therefore nothing was done in this year anent my resignation； but during
the winter； Mrs Balwhidder was often grieved； in the bad weather； that I
should preach； and； in short； so worked upon my affections； that I began to
think it was fitting for me to comply with the advice of my friends。
Accordingly； in the course of the winter； the elders began to cast about for
a helper； and during the bleak weather in the ensuing spring； several
young men spared me from the necessity of preaching。 But this relates to
the concerns of the next and last year of my ministry。 So I will now
proceed to give an account of it； very thankful that I have been permitted；
in unmolested tranquillity； to bring my history to such a point。
177
… Page 178…
ANNALS OF THE PARISH
CHAPTER LI YEAR 1810
My tasks are all near a close； and in writing this final record of my
ministry； the very sound of my pen admonishes me that my life is a burden
on the back of flying Time； that he will soon be obliged to lay down in his
great storehousethe grave。 Old age has； indeed； long warned me to
prepare for rest； and the darkened windows of my sight show that the
night is coming on； while deafness； like a door fast barred； has shut out all
the pleasant sounds of this world； and inclosed me； as it were； in a prison；
even from the voices of my friends。
I have lived longer than the common lot of man； and I have seen； in
my time； many mutations and turnings； and ups and downs；
notwithstanding the great spread that has been in our national prosperity。
I have beheld them that were flourishing like the green bay…trees； made
desolate； and their branches scattered。 But； in my own estate； I have had
a large and liberal experience of goodness。
At the beginning of my ministry I was reviled and rejected； but my
honest endeavours to prove a faithful shepherd were blessed from on high；
and rewarded with the affection of my flock。 Perhaps； in the vanity of
doting old age； I thought in this there was a merit due to myself； which
made the Lord to send the chastisement of the Canaille schism among my
people； for I 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
178
… Page 179…
ANNALS OF THE PARISH
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 wander
pronouncing the baptismal blessing upon a bride and bridegroom； talking
179
… Page 180…
ANNALS OF THE PARISH
as if they were alread