Запретный лес
IV. The Faithful Servant
Atoneo’clockthepeopledispersed,thosewhocamefromadistancetoLuckyWeir’sale-house;andattwofellthesecondservice,whichconcludedatfourwiththecomingofthedark.Thekirk,withitsearthenfloor,wascoldasacharnel-house,andthedimnessofthelighttriedevenDavid’syoungeyes.Thepeoplesatshiveringontheirlittlestools,eachwiththefrozendecorumandstrainedattentionwhichwastheirSabbathritual.Totheministeritseemedoftenasifhewerespeakingtosheetedtombstones,hefeltasifhishearerswereataninfinitedistancefromhim,andonlyonrareoccasions,whensomeshiningtextofScripturemovedhissoulandhespokesimplyandwithemotion,didhefeelanycontactwithhisflock.
Buthissermonswereapproved.PeterPennecuikgaveitashisverdictthathewasa"deep"preacherandsoundinthefundamentals.Others,rememberingthethrillthatsometimescameintohisvoice,calledhiman"affectionate"preacher,andcreditedhimwith"unction."Butthereweremanythatlongedforstrongerfare,somethingmoremarrowyandawful,picturesofthehelloftormentwhichawaitedthosewhowerenotoftheElect.Hehadthe"sough,"nodoubt,butitwasagentlewestwind,andnotthesternEuroclydonwhichshouldcallsinnerstorepentance.TheirministerwasamanofGod,buthewasyoung;yearsmightaddweighttohimandgivehimthethundersofSinai.
ToDavidtheSabbathservicesweretheleastofhisduties.HehadcometoWoodileewithhisheartfullofthemightybookswhichhewouldwriteinthesolitudeofhisupperchamber.
