Запретный лес
XVI. The Witch Hunt
HehadgoneforAmosRitchietobreakopenthedoor,andthoughAmoshadrefusedtostir,hehadborrowedamellandacrowbar;butwhenhereachedthekirk,theplacewasquietanddarkagain,andthekeyswerelyingonRobb’sdoorstep.
Themanwasreallyshocked,forthiswasasuperfluityofnaughtinessforwhichhehadnotbeenprepared.ToDavid,withamemoryofhisKirkSession,thesacrilegewaslessofasurprise;ifmenandwomencoulddefytheirMakerbysittingatthecommuniontableandbytakinginvaintheGospelwords,theywouldnotshrinkfrompollutingGod’shouse.Butitprovedtheboldnessandsecurityoftheevildoers.ItwasChasehopeofwhomhechieflythought,Chasehope,thatdarlingofthePresbytery,theallyoftheKirkinhuntingdownmalignants,theoneinalltheparishwhoflauntedmosthispiety.Themangrewinstatureashecontemplatedhim.Herewasnofeeblesinner,butaveryprovostinthecraft,whoturnedalltheusesofreligiontohisfoulpurposes.AndatthethoughtDavid,firedbyhisnewhappiness,almostrejoiced;hewasfightingnotwithhumanfrailty,butagainstaresolutewilltodamnation.
ThatdayhereceivedasummonstoattendonthefollowingMondayuponaspecialmeetingofPresbyteryatKirkAllerforapreliminaryexamination.Thethingseemedtohimnowtohavelostallterrors.Hehadnoangeragainsthisaccusers,forweretheynotdulloldmenwhoknewnothingoftheravishingworldthathadbeenopenedtohim?Hewouldbeverymeekwiththem,forhepitiedthem;iftheychosetocensureanddegradehimhewouldbearitpatiently.
