k. Then, with reverent mind,
the dominie joined in the simple worship of the Kirk.

CHAPTER VIII.

The Services--Nash Routs Rawdon--The Dinner Talk--The Pedestrians
with the Ladies--Singing out of One Hymn-book--Grinstuns Again--The
Female Vagrant and the Idiot Boy--Little Marjorie--Nash's
Thoughts--The Captain and the Plot--Arrival of Rufus and Ben--To
Arms!

Mr. Errol's sermon was on the text, "Lord, I knew thee, that thou art an
hard man." He elaborated the unfaithful servant's harsh opinion of God,
and, before he sat down, completely exonerated the Father in Heaven from
the blasphemous judgment of those who call themselves His children.
There is a thief in the world who comes to steal and kill and destroy;
he is not God, but the enemy of God's children. The dominie's heart
warmed to the man who, though of a different communion, fulfilled St.
Paul's ideal of a clergyman, in that he arrogated no dominion over the
people's faith, but was a helper of their joy. The sermon lifted the
schoolmaster up, and brought God very near; and the hearty hymns and
reverent prayers helped him greatly. When the service was over, he
waited, and soon Carruthers presented his comely, matronly wife, while
Mrs. Carmichael recalled herself to his remembrance; and, finally, the
minister, having divested himself of gown and bands in the vestry, came
down the aisle with cheery step and voice to bid him welcome to
Flanders. Wilkinson was happy--happier than he had been for many a long
year. He seemed to have so many friends, and they were all so cordial,
so glad to see him--not a hard man or woman among them; and, therefore,
God could not be hard. He walked with the minister, who was going to
dine at Bridesdale and then ride five miles to preach at another
station. He thanked him for his sermon, and talked over it with him,
and, of course, quoted "The Excursion":--

If the heart
Could be inspected to its inmost folds,
By sight undazzled with the glare of praise,
Who shall be named--in the resplendent line
Of sages, martyrs, confessors--the man
Whom the best might of conscience, truth and hope,
For one day's little compass, has preserved
From painful and discreditable shocks
Of contradiction from some vague desire
Culpably cherished, or corrupt relapse
To some unsanctioned fear.

"That's just all the trouble, Mr. Wilkinson," s