Запретный лес
I. The Coming of the Minister
Hisactiveform,hiscolour,histumbledhair,spokeoftheboy,buthisfacewasnotboyish.Initsyoungcontourstherewerealreadythoughtandresolutionandspiritualfineness,andtherewasasteadyardourintheeyes.Ifhischinwasthefighter’s,hismouthwasthecomforter’s.Fiveyearsbeforehehadbeensetonascholar’slife.AtthecollegehehadbeenanotedGrecian,andinRobertBryson’sbookshopattheSignoftheProphetJonahintheWestBowhisverses,LatinandEnglish,hadbeenpraisedbythelearned.Whenreligioncalledhimitwasasachallengenottorenouncebuttoperfecthispast.AhappypreoccupationwithhisdreammadehimblindtotheharshnessandjealousieswhichbesettheKirk,andhesawonlyitsshiningmission.ThebeautywhichwastobefoundinlettersseemedinverytruthapartofthatprofounderbeautywhichembracedallearthandHeavenintherevelationofGod.Hehadnotceasedtobethehumanistinbecomingtheevangelist.Somehadlookedaskanceathimastoofullofcarnallearningforthesacredoffice,someastoocheerfulforashepherdofsoulsinaperishingworld.Buthiscriticsasyetwerefew,forDavidcarriedwithhimalightandwarmthwhichitwashardforthesouresttoresist."Heisagraciousyouth,"anoldministerhadsaidathisordination."MaytheLorddealtenderlywithhim!"
David’seyesfromhisperchonthehilltoprestedfirstonthekirktonofWoodilee.Hesawthemanseamongitstrees,andthechurchwithitsthatchedroof--theroofhadbeenleadtillMortontheRegentstrippeditandmelteditdownforbullets.
