VI. The Black Wood by Night

           WordcameofagreatrevivalintheparishofBold.Mencalledita"Work,"andspokeofitinhushedvoices,attributingittothezealandgiftsofMr.EbenezerProudfoot,theminister.For,aftermuchpreachingonfast-daysintheshire,Mr.Ebenezerhadfallenintoaraptureandhadseenvisions,andspokenwithstrangevoices.Theterroroftheunknownfelluponhispeople,fastingandprayerbecamethechiefbusinessoftheparish,andthemostcarelessweretransformedintopenitents.ForaseasontherewerenoshortcomingsinBold;penny-bridalsandfiddlingandroysteringatthechange-houseswereforgotten;evenswearingandtipplingwereforsworn;theSabbathwasmorestrictlyobservedthanbyIsraelintheWilderness.TocrowntheWork,agreatfield-preachingwasordained,whenthousandsassembledonBoldMoorandthesacramentwasdispensedamongscenesofwildemotion.InBoldtherewasalonelyfieldofthistles,knownasGuidman’sCroft,whichhadbeenheldtobededicatetotheEvilOne.Theoxenofalltheparishwereyoked,andinanhourortwoitwasploughedupandsownwithbearfortheuseofthepoor,asatonceathankofferingandarenunciation.

           PeopleinWoodileetalkedmuchoftheWorkinBold,andtheSessionsighedforalikeexperience."Wouldbutthewindblowfraethatairtonourfrostitlands!"wastheaspirationofPeterPennecuik.ButDavidhadnoearsforthesethings,forhewasengrossedwiththeconflictinhisownsoul.

           EversincethatafternooninParadisehehadwalkedlikeamanhalfasleep,hiseyesturninginward.