annals of the parish(教区年鉴)-第1节
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
ANNALS OF THE PARISH
ANNALS OF THE
PARISH
by John Galt
1
… Page 2…
ANNALS OF THE PARISH
INTRODUCTION
In the same year； and on the same day of the same month； that his
Sacred Majesty King George； the third of the name； came to his crown and
kingdom； I was placed and settled as the minister of Dalmailing。 ｛1｝
When about a week thereafter this was known in the parish； it was thought
a wonderful thing； and everybody spoke of me and the new king as united
in our trusts and temporalities； marvelling how the same should come to
pass； and thinking the hand of Providence was in it； and that surely we
were preordained to fade and flourish in fellowship together； which has
really been the case： for in the same season that his Most Excellent
Majesty； as he was very properly styled in the proclamations for the
general fasts and thanksgivings； was set by as a precious vessel which had
received a crack or a flaw； and could only be serviceable in the way of an
ornament； I was obliged； by reason of age and the growing infirmities of
my recollection； to consent to the earnest entreaties of the Session； and to
accept of Mr Amos to be my helper。 I was long reluctant to do so； but the
great respect that my people had for me； and the love that I bore towards
them； over and above the sign that was given to me in the removal of the
royal candle…stick from its place； worked upon my heart and
understanding； and I could not stand out。 So； on the last Sabbath of the
year 1810； I preached my last sermon； and it was a moving discourse。
There were few dry eyes in the kirk that day； for I had been with the aged
from the beginningthe young considered me as their natural pastorand
my bidding them all farewell was； as when of old among the heathen； an
idol was taken away by the hands of the enemy。
At the close of the worship； and before the blessing； I addressed them
in a fatherly manner； and； although the kirk was fuller than ever I saw it
before； the fall of a pin might have been heardat the conclusion there was
a sobbing and much sorrow。 I said；
〃My dear friends； I have now finished my work among you for ever。
I have often spoken to you from this place the words of truth and holiness；
2
… Page 3…
ANNALS OF THE PARISH
and； had it been in poor frail human nature to practise the advice and
counselling that I have given in this pulpit to you； there would not need to
be any cause for sorrow on this occasion the close and latter end of my
ministry。 But； nevertheless； I have no reason to complain； and it will be
my duty to testify； in that place where I hope we are all one day to meet
again； that I found you a docile and a tractable flock； far more than at first
I could have expected。 There are among you still a few； but with grey
heads and feeble hands now； that can remember the great opposition that
was made to my placing； and the stout part they themselves took in the
burly； because I was appointed by the patron； but they have lived to see
the error of their way； and to know that preaching is the smallest portion of
the duties of a faithful minister。 I may not； my dear friends； have applied
my talent in the pulpit so effectually as perhaps I might have done；
considering the gifts that it pleased God to give me in that way； and the
education that I had in the Orthodox University of Glasgow； as it was in
the time of my youth； nor can I say that； in the works of peace…making and
charity； I have done all that I should have done。 But I have done my best；
studying no interest but the good that was to rise according to the faith in
Christ Jesus。
〃To my young friends I would； as a parting word； say； look to the lives
and conversation of your parentsthey were plain； honest； and devout
Christians； fearing God and honouring the King。 They believed the Bible
was the word of God； and； when they practised its precepts； they found； by
the good that came from them； that it was truly so。 They bore in mind
the tribulation and persecution of their forefathers for righteousness' sake；
and were thankful for the quiet and protection of the government in their
day and generation。 Their land was tilled with industry； and they ate the
bread of carefulness with a contented spirit； and； verily； they had the
reward of well…doing even in this world； for they beheld on all sides the
blessing of God upon the nation； and the tree growing； and the plough
going where the banner of the oppressor was planted of old； and the war…
horse trampled in the blood of martyrs。 Reflect on this； my young
friends； and know； that the best part of a Christian's duty in this world of
much evil； is to thole and suffer with resignation； as lang as it is possible
3
… Page 4…
ANNALS OF THE PARISH
for human nature to do。 I do not counsel passive obedience： that is a
doctrine that the Church of Scotland can never abide； but the divine right
of resistance； which； in the days of her trouble； she so bravely asserted
against popish and prelatic usurpations； was never resorted to till the
attempt was made to remove the ark of the tabernacle from her。 I
therefore counsel you； my young friends； not to lend your ears to those
that trumpet forth their hypothetical politics； but to believe that the laws of
the land are administered with a good intent； till in your own homes and
dwellings ye feel the presence of the oppressorthen； and not till then； are
ye free to gird your loins for battleand woe to him； and woe to the land
where that is come to； if the sword be sheathed till the wrong be redressed。
〃As for you； my old companions； many changes have we seen in our
day； but the change that we ourselves are soon to undergo will be the
greatest of all。 We have seen our bairns grow to manhoodwe have seen
the beauty of youth pass awaywe have felt our backs become unable for
the burthen； and our right hand forget its cunning。Our eyes have become
dim； and our heads greywe are now tottering with short and feckless
steps towards the grave； and some； that should have been here this day； are
bed…rid； lying； as it were； at the gates of death； like Lazarus at the
threshold of the rich man's door； full of ails and sores； and having no
enjoyment but in the hope that is in hereafter。 What can I say to you but
farewell！ Our work is donewe are weary and worn out； and in need of
rest may the rest of the blessed be our portion！and in the sleep that all
must sleep； beneath the cold blanket of the kirkyard grass； and on that clay
pillow where we must shortly lay our heads； may we have pleasant dreams；
till we are awakened to partake of the everlasting banquet of the saints in
glory！〃
When I had finished； there was for some time a great solemnity
throughout the kirk； and； before giving the blessing； I sat down to
compose myself； for my heart was big； and my spirit oppressed with
sadness。
As I left the pulpit； all the elders stood on the steps to hand me down；
and the tear was in every eye； and they helped me into the session…house；
but I could not speak to them； nor them to me。 Then Mr Dalziel； who
4
… Page 5…
ANNALS OF THE PARISH
was always a composed and sedate man； said a few words of prayer； and I
was comforted therewith； and rose to go home to the manse； but in the
churchyard all the congregation was assembled； young and old； and they
made a lane for me to the back… yett that opened into the manse…garden
Some of them put out their hands and touched me as I passed； followed by
the elders； and some of them wept。 It was as if I was passing away； and
to be no more verily； it was the reward of my mi
