XXI. The Going of the Minister

           Woodileewasearlyastir,foritwastobeadayofportentsintheparish.WordhadcomethenightbeforeofthejudgmentofthePresbytery--thattheirministerwasdeposedandexcommunicated,andthatMr.MuirheadofKirkAllerandMr.ProudfootofBoldhadbeendeputedtopreachthekirkvacantthatveryday.Therewaslittleworkonthefarms,forthelambinghadscarcelybegun,theploughingwasfinished,andthegroundwasnotyetdryenoughfortheseedbed;sothewholeparishwaitedatthekirkyardgate.

           Resentmentwasstilldeepagainsttheministerasthecause--underHeaven--ofthepestilence,andforhishigh-handeddealingsduringthattimeoftrial.Therewerealsotheoldgrievancesagainsthim,sothatthosefaithfultohimwereveryfew.IsobelwasatCalidon,Reiverslawhadgonenomanknewwhere,andonlyAmosRitchieandoneortwowomenwerelefttodefendhim.StrangenewshadcomeaboutthetenantofCrossbasket.Therehadbeensoldiersseekinghimwithawarrantforhisapprehension;itseemedthatthedecent,quiet-spokenfarmer-bodywasMarkKerr,akinsmanoftheLordRoxburghe,whosenamehadappearedinmanyproclamationsoftheKirkandtheEstates,andwhosincePhiliphaughhadbeenzealouslysoughtforthroughthelengthofScotland.Menrememberedhismasterfulwaysanddeclaredthattheyhadalwaysknownthathewasgentrice;theyrememberedhishandlingoftheprickerandwereconfidentthattheyhaddetectedhisungodliness.