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I. The Coming of the Minister
David,"criedMr.Muirheadinhighgood-humour,"thisisagreatdifferfromthedaysofyourpredecessor.WorthyMr.Macmichaelhadnevermucklebutbannockstosetbeforehisfriends.Butyou’vemadeusafeastoffatthings."
Davidinquiredabouthispredecessor,whomheremembereddimlyfromhisboyhoodasamaneventhenveryold,whoambledabouttheparishonawhiteshelty.
"Hewasapiousanddiligentminister,"saidMr.Muirhead,"butsinceeverIkennedhimhewassorefalleninthevaleofyears.Hewouldsticktothesame’ordinary’tillhehadthrasheditintostour.I’veheardthathepreachedforayearandsaxmonthsonExodusfifteenandtwenty-seven,thetwelvewellsofwaterandthreescoreandtenpalmtreesofElim,aSabbathtoilkawellandilkatree.I’veanotionthathewasneververystrongintheintellectuals."
"Hewrestledmightilyinprayer,"saidMr.Proudfoot,"andhewasgreatatfencingtheTables.Ay,sirs,hewasatrumpetforthepureGospelblast."
"Idoubtnothewasagoodman,"saidMr.Fordyce,"andisnowgonetohisreward.Buthewasowerauldandfeebleforasinfulcountryside.Ifearthattheparishwasbutillguided,and,asyeken,therewaswhilestalkofaPresbyteryvisitation."
"Idiffer!"criedMr.Muirhead."Idifferintoto.Woodileehasayebeenfamousforitsgodlyelders.HasitnotEphraimCaird,whowasamemberofAssemblyandhadahandinthatpreciousworkofgracedoneintheEastKirkofSt.Giles’stwoyearssyne?HasitnotPeterPennecuik,whohasagiftofsupplicationlikeMr.
