Dark was the day, darker the night. The matters which had sundered2 me from the Presbytery mended not—nor, indeed, was it possible to mend them, seeing that they and I served different gods, followed other purposes.
It was bleak3 December when the brethren of the Presbytery arrived to make an end of me and my work in the parish of Balmaghie. They came with their minds made up. They alone were my accusers. They were also my sole judges. As for me, I was as set and determined4 as they were. I refused their jurisdiction5. I utterly6 contemned7 their authority. To me they were but mites8 in the cheese, pottle-bellied batteners on the heritage and patrimony9 of the Kirk of Scotland. Siller and acres spelled all their desires, chalders and tiends contained all the rounded tale of their ambitions.{216}
But for all that, now that I am older, I can scarce blame them—at least, not so sorely as once I did.
For to them I was the youngest of them all, the least in years and learning, the smallest in influence—save, perhaps, among the Remnant who still thought about the things of the Kirk and her spiritual independence.
I was to the Presbytery of Kirkcudbright but the troubler of Israel, the disturber of a quiet Zion. Save for poor Quintin MacClellan, the watchman might have gone from tower to tower along ramparts covered and defended, and his challenge of “What of the night?” have received its fitting answer from this point and that about the city, “The morning cometh! All is well!”
Yet because of the Lad in the Brown Coat with his dead face sunk in the Bennan flowe I could not consent to putting the Kirk of Scotland, once free and independent, under the control, real or nominal10, the authority, overt11 or latent, of any monarch12 in Christendom.
More than to my fathers, more than to my elders it seemed to me that the old ways were the true ways, and that kings and governments had never meddled13 with religion save to lay{217} waste the vineyard and mar14 the bridal portion of the Kirk of God.
But all men know the cause of the struggle and what were the issues. I will choose to tell rather the tale of a man’s shame and sorrow—his, indeed, who had taken the Banner of the Covenant15 into unworthy hands, yet time after time had let it fall in the dust. Nevertheless, at the hinder end, I lived to see it set again in a strong base of unhewn stone, fixed16 as the foundations of the earth. Nor shall the golden scroll17 of it ever be defaced nor the covenant of the King of kings be broken.
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
So on the day of trial, from all the parishes of the Presbytery east and west, gathered the men who had constituted themselves my judges—nay, the men who were already my condemnators. For Cameron had my sentence in his pocket before ever one of the brethren set a foot over his doorstep, or threw a leg across the back of his ambling19 sheltie.
I had judged it best to be quiet and staid in demeanour, and had gone about to quiet and persuade the folk of Balmaghie, who were eager to hold back the hunters from their prey20.
The Presbytery had sent to bid me preach{218} before them, even as the soldiers of the guard had bidden Christ prophesy21 unto them, that they might have occasion to smite22 Him the oftener on the mouth. So when I came before them they posed me with interrogatories, threatened me with penalties, and finally set me to conduct service before them, that they might either condemn18 me if I refused, alleging23 contumacy; or, on the other hand, if I did as they bade me, they would easily find occasion to condemn the words of my mouth.
Then I saw that though there was no way to escape their malice24, yet there was a way to serve the cause.
So I went up into the pulpit after the folk had been assembled, and addressed myself to them just as if it had been an ordinary Sabbath day and the company met only for the worship of God.
For I minded the word which my good Regent, Dr. Campbell, had spoken to me in Edinburgh ere I was licensed25 to preach, or thought that one day I myself should be the carcase about which the ravens26 should gather.
“When ye preach,” said Professor Campbell, “be sure that ye heed28 not the five wise men!”{219}
So I minded that word, and seeing the folk gathered together, I cast my heavy burden from me, and called them earnestly to the worship of Him who is above all courts and assemblies.
Then in came Cameron, the leader of their faction29, jowled with determination and rosy-gilled with good cheer and the claret wine of St. Mary’s Isle30. With him was Boyd, also a renegade from the Society Hill Folk. For with their scanty31 funds the men of the moss-hags had sent these two as students to Holland to gather lear that they might thereafter be their ministers. But now, when they had gotten them comfortable down-sittings in plenteous parishes, they turned with the bitter zest32 of the turncoat to the hunting of one who adhered to their own ancient way.
But though I could have reproached them with this and with much else, I judged that because they were met in the Kirk of God no tumult33 should be made, at least till they had shown the length and breadth and depth of their malice.
Then, when at the last I stood single and alone at their bar and was ready to answer their questions, they could bring nothing against me,{220} save that I had refused their jurisdiction. Their suborned witnesses failed them. For there was none in all the parish who wished me ill, and certainly none that dared testify a word in the midst of the angry people that day in the Kirk of Balmaghie.
“Have ye naught34 to allege35 against my life and conduct?” I asked of them at last. “Ye have set false witnesses to follow me from place to place and wrest36 my words. Ye have spied here and there in the houses of my people. Ye have tried to entrap37 my elders. Is there no least thing that ye can allege? For three years I have come and gone in and out among this folk of Balmaghie. I have companioned with you. I have sat in your meetings. I have not been silent. Ye have watched me with the eyes of the greedy gled. Ye have harkened and waited and sharpened claws for me as a cat does at a mouse-hole——”
“Will ye submit and sign the submission38 here and now?” interrupted Cameron, who liked not the threatening murmur39 of approbation40 which began to run like wild-fire among the folk.
“There is One,” answered I, the words being as it had been given to me, “whose praise{221} is perfected out of the mouths of babes. It is true that among you I am like a young child without power or wisdom. Ye are great and learned, old in years and full of reverence41. But this one thing a young man can do. He can stand by the truth ye have deserted42, and lift again the banner staff ye have cast in the mire43. As great Rutherford hath said, ‘Christ may ride upon a windle straw and not stumble.’”
Then I turned about to the people, when the Presbytery would have restrained me from further speech.
“Ye folk of this parish,” I said, “what think ye of this matter? Shall your minister be thrust out from among you? Shall he bow the head and bend the knee? Must he let principle and truth go by the board and whistle down the wind? I think ye know him better. Aye, truly, this parish and people would have a bonny bird of him, a brave minister, indeed—if he submitted before being cleared of that whereof, all unjustly, his enemies have accused him, setting him up in the presence of his people like a felon44 in the dock of judgment45!”
Then indeed there was confusion among the black-coated ravens who had come to gloat over the feast. I had insulted (so they cried){222} their honourable46 and reverend court. I had refused a too lenient47 and condescending48 accommodation. Thus they prated49, as if long words would balance the beam of an unjust cause.
But at that moment there came a stir among the folk. I saw the elders of the congregation appear at the door of the kirk. And as they marched up the aisle50, behind them thronged51 all the men of the parish, in still, stern, and compact mass.
Then a ruling elder read the protest of the common people. It was simple and clear. The parish was wholly with me, and not with mine enemies. Almost every man within the bounds had signed the paper whereon was written the people’s protest. The Presbytery might depose52 the minister, but the people would uphold him. Every man in Balmaghie knew well that their pastor53 suffered because he had steadfastly54 preferred truth to compromise, honour to pelf55, conscience to stipend56. That the Presbytery themselves had sworn to uphold that which now they condemned57.
“Are ye who present this paper ordained58 elders of the Kirk?” asked Cameron of the leaders, glowering59 angrily at them.{223}
“We are,” responded Nathan Gemmell, stoutly60.
“And ye dare to bring a railing accusation61 against the ministers of your Presbytery?”
“We are free men—ruling elders every one. You, on your part, are but teaching elders, and, save for the usurpation62 of the State, ye are noways in authority over us,” was the answer.
“And who are they for whom ye profess27 to speak?” continued Cameron, looking frowningly upon Drumglass and his fellows.
“They are here to speak for themselves!” cried Nathan Gemmell, and as he waved his hand, the kirk was filled from end to end with stalwart men, who stood up rank behind rank, all very grave and quiet.
I saw the ministers cower63 together. This was not at all what they had bargained for.
“We are plainly to be deforced and overawed,” said Cameron. “Let us disperse64 to-day and meet to-morrow in the Kirk of Crossmichael over the water.”
And lo! it was done—even as their leader said. They summoned me to stand at their bar on the morrow in the Kirk of Crossmichael, that I might receive my doom65.
But quietly, as before, I told them that I{224} refused their court, that I would in no wise submit to their sentence, but would abide66 among my people both to-morrow and all the to-morrows, to do the duty which had been laid upon me, in spite of anathema67, deposition68, excommunication. “For,” said I, “I have a warrant that is higher than yours. So far as I may, in a man’s weakness and sin, I will be faithful to that mandate69, to my conscience, and to my God.”
点击
收听单词发音
收听单词发音 |
1
narrative
|
|
| n.叙述，故事；adj.叙事的，故事体的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
2
sundered
|
|
| v.隔开，分开( sunder的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
3
bleak
|
|
| adj.(天气)阴冷的；凄凉的；暗淡的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
4
determined
|
|
| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
5
jurisdiction
|
|
| n.司法权，审判权，管辖权，控制权 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
6
utterly
|
|
| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
7
contemned
|
|
| v.侮辱，蔑视( contemn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
|
8
mites
|
|
| n.（尤指令人怜悯的）小孩( mite的名词复数 )；一点点；一文钱；螨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
9
patrimony
|
|
| n.世袭财产，继承物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
10
nominal
|
|
| adj.名义上的；(金额、租金)微不足道的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
11
overt
|
|
| adj.公开的，明显的，公然的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
12
monarch
|
|
| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
13
meddled
|
|
| v.干涉，干预（他人事务）( meddle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
14
mar
|
|
| vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
15
covenant
|
|
| n.盟约，契约；v.订盟约 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
16
fixed
|
|
| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
17
scroll
|
|
| n.卷轴，纸卷；(石刻上的)漩涡 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
18
condemn
|
|
| vt.谴责，指责；宣判(罪犯)，判刑 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
19
ambling
|
|
| v.（马）缓行( amble的现在分词 )；从容地走，漫步 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
20
prey
|
|
| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
21
prophesy
|
|
| v.预言；预示 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
22
smite
|
|
| v.重击；彻底击败；n.打；尝试；一点儿 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
23
alleging
|
|
| 断言，宣称，辩解( allege的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
24
malice
|
|
| n.恶意，怨恨，蓄意；[律]预谋 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
25
licensed
|
|
| adj.得到许可的v.许可，颁发执照(license的过去式和过去分词) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
26
ravens
|
|
| n.低质煤；渡鸦( raven的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
27
profess
|
|
| v.声称，冒称，以...为业，正式接受入教，表明信仰 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
28
heed
|
|
| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
29
faction
|
|
| n.宗派，小集团；派别；派系斗争 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
30
isle
|
|
| n.小岛，岛 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
31
scanty
|
|
| adj.缺乏的，仅有的，节省的，狭小的，不够的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
32
zest
|
|
| n.乐趣；滋味，风味；兴趣 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
33
tumult
|
|
| n.喧哗；激动，混乱；吵闹 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
34
naught
|
|
| n.无，零 [=nought] | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
35
allege
|
|
| vt.宣称，申述，主张，断言 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
36
wrest
|
|
| n.扭，拧，猛夺；v.夺取，猛扭，歪曲 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
37
entrap
|
|
| v.以网或陷阱捕捉，使陷入圈套 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
38
submission
|
|
| n.服从，投降；温顺，谦虚；提出 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
39
murmur
|
|
| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
40
approbation
|
|
| n.称赞；认可 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
41
reverence
|
|
| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
42
deserted
|
|
| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
43
mire
|
|
| n.泥沼，泥泞；v.使...陷于泥泞，使...陷入困境 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
44
felon
|
|
| n.重罪犯；adj.残忍的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
45
judgment
|
|
| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
46
honourable
|
|
| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
47
lenient
|
|
| adj.宽大的，仁慈的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
48
condescending
|
|
| adj.谦逊的,故意屈尊的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
49
prated
|
|
| v.（古时用语）唠叨，啰唆( prate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
50
aisle
|
|
| n.（教堂、教室、戏院等里的）过道，通道 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
51
thronged
|
|
| v.成群，挤满( throng的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
52
depose
|
|
| vt.免职；宣誓作证 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
53
pastor
|
|
| n.牧师，牧人 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
54
steadfastly
|
|
| adv.踏实地，不变地；岿然；坚定不渝 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
55
pelf
|
|
| n.金钱；财物（轻蔑语） | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
56
stipend
|
|
| n.薪贴；奖学金；养老金 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
57
condemned
|
|
| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
58
ordained
|
|
| v.任命（某人）为牧师( ordain的过去式和过去分词 )；授予（某人）圣职；（上帝、法律等）命令；判定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
59
glowering
|
|
| v.怒视( glower的现在分词 ) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
60
stoutly
|
|
| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
61
accusation
|
|
| n.控告，指责，谴责 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
62
usurpation
|
|
| n.篡位；霸占 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
63
cower
|
|
| v.畏缩，退缩，抖缩 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
64
disperse
|
|
| vi.使分散；使消失；vt.分散；驱散 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
65
doom
|
|
| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
66
abide
|
|
| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
67
anathema
|
|
| n.诅咒；被诅咒的人(物)，十分讨厌的人(物) | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
68
deposition
|
|
| n.免职，罢官；作证；沉淀；沉淀物 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
|
69
mandate
|
|
| n.托管地；命令，指示 | |
参考例句： |
|
|
|
| 欢迎访问英文小说网 |