As the vase in which roses have once been distilled;
You may break, you may ruin the vase if you will,
But the scent of the roses will hang round it still.”
Thomas Moore.
NOTICE of the meeting that had been resolved on in the manse was given in the village and parish, chiefly by one telling another of it; and so effectively was this done, that not a few who had given the day to the work of announcing it, felt disappointed at finding the news had preceded them.
Before the hour of meeting there was an unusual bustle in the streets, even for a Saturday, and the folks seemed all to have on their Sabbath-day clothes. As soon as the doors of the Beltane Hall, the public hall of Blinkbonny, were opened, a stream of people flowed into it, leaving the streets with scarcely a human being on them. Mr. Barrie entered very fully into the history of the “Ten Years’ Conflict.” He was calm, self-possessed, and impressive. His references to the opposite side were marked by caution and Christian courtesy. When speaking of himself, he did so with great modesty; but he was high in his praise of the leaders of the movement, and of the determined attitude they maintained against all interference with the rights of the Christian people, for these alone were the true Christian Church. He pressed on the attention of all the duty of considering prayerfully the whole question; that they should not be influenced by any motive of mere human friendship or partiality or partisanship, but should bring the light of Scripture and conscience to bear on the path of duty, and walk in it and along it through good and bad report.
Before concluding, he thanked them all for their presence and manifest attention to his statement, and most touchingly for all their loving kindnesses to him: “As the minister of the Established Church of Blinkbonny, I must now say to you ‘Farewell,’ but I fervently add the prayer, ‘The God of peace be with you.’ By whatever distinctive name the Churches to which we shall henceforth belong may be called, may we all be members of the ‘Church of the firstborn, whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life,’ and be found in Him here, complete in Him, and for ever with Him yonder; and as we have this hope in us, let us, as far as we are agreed, walk by the same rule, mind the same thing, and live at peace one with another.”
RING IN THE NEW.
He then told that he did not feel himself at liberty to occupy his old pulpit next day; that as far as he knew, no one had been appointed to preach in it; but that he would preach on the green by the burn-side at the usual hour in the forenoon, and at six o’clock in the evening. And he hoped his former (with a slight hesitation on his part, and a responsive sigh from the meeting) congregation would join in the service, and not be deterred by the fear that their presence would be construed as committing them to his views of the Church question. No such conclusion would be drawn. He would endeavour by God’s help to preach the gospel. Let them come to hear it, not him. He also expressed a willingness to answer any questions, or give further explanations, or to confer with any who might prefer a private interview.
There was a long silence; at length old George Brown rose and said: “My friends, it’s Saturday nicht. Mr. Barrie’s haen a sair week, an’ doubtless mony o’ ye hae come here this day upon account o’ the occasion, when but for it ye wad hae been at hame at your proper duties; and ye’ll a’ hae to get things weel forrit[6] to get to ordinances the morn, so I think we’ll be maist in the way o’ our duty if we think weel aboot what we’ve heard, and meditate on it.” Then looking round the audience, he asked, “What say ee, my friends?” As there was no reply, George looked to Mr. Barrie, and said, “I think, sir, ye should just conclude wi’ praise and prayer; and if I may venture, I would say, gie oot the Forty-third Psalm an’ the 3d verse. If we all sing the first four lines frae the heart, there will be a time o’ refreshin’ the morn.”