Shelaybackinthebigchair，lookingsopaleandwearythatHarryhardlybelieveditwasthesamewomanthathadjustbeenkeepingahundredandfiftypeoplekeenlyalertforanhourandahalf，andleadingthemwithsuchintellectualandemotionalpower。
\"Thatclassistoohardforyou，auntie，\"hesaid。\"IfIwereyourhusbandIwouldnotletyoukeepiton。\"
\"Butyouseemyhusbandisnothere。Heistwelvemilesaway。\"
\"ThenIwouldlockyouup，ortakeyouwithme。\"
\"Oh！\"criedHughie，\"IwouldmuchratherteachtheBibleclassthanlistentoanothersermon。\"
\"Somethinginthat，\"saidhiscousin，\"especiallyifIwerethepreacher，eh？\"atwhichtheyalllaughed。
ItwasahappyhourforRanald。Hehadbeentooshytojointhesingingschool，andhadneverheardanypartsingingtillhebegantoattendtheBibleclass。Therehemadethedelightfuldiscoverythat，withoutanyinstruction，hecouldjoininthebass，andhadmade，also，thefurtherdiscoverythathisvoice，whichhehadthoughtroughandcoarse，andforayearpast，worsethanever，couldreachtoextraordinarydepths。OneSabbathevening，itchancedthatJohn\"Aleck，\"whoalwayshadanearopenforagoodvoice，heardhimrollingouthisdeepbass，andseizinghimonthespot，hadmadehimpromisetojointhesingingschool。Therehediscoveredatalentanddevelopedatasteforsingingthatdelightedhisleader\'sheart，andopenedouttohimselfanewworld。Thepiano，too，wasanewandraretreattoRanald。Inallthecountrytherewasnoother，andeveninthemanseitwasseldomheard，forMrs。Murrayfoundlittletime，amidthemultitudeofhouseholdandcongregationalduties，tokeepupherpianopractice。
Thatpartofherlife，withothersoflikekind，shehadbeenforcedtolose。
ButsinceMaimie\'scoming，thepianohadbeenindailyuse，andevenontheSabbathdays，thoughnotwithoutdangertothesensibilitiesoftheneighbors，shehadusedittoaccompanythehymnswithwhichthedayalwaysclosed。
\"Letushavetheparts，\"criedHughie。\"MaimieandIwilltaketheair，andRanaldwilltakethebass。CousinHarry，canyousing？\"
\"Oh，I\'llhum。\"
\"Nonsense，\"saidMaimie，\"hesingstenorsplendidly。\"
\"Oh，that\'sfine！\"criedHughie，withdelight。Hehimselfwasfullofmusic。\"Comeon，Ranald，youstandupbehindMaimie，youwillneedtoseethenotes；andIwillsithere，\"plantinghimselfbesidehismother。
SoHughiearrangeditall，andforanhourthesingingwenton，thefavoritehymnsofeachbeingsunginturn。Forthemostpart，Mrs。
Murraysatsilent，butnowandthenshewouldjoinwiththeothers，singingaltowhenshedidso，byHughie\'sspecialdirection。Hervoicewasnotstrong，butitwastrue，mellow，andfullofmusic。
Hughielovedtohearhersingalto，andmoreespeciallybecausehelikedtojoininwithher，whichhewastooshytodoalone，eveninhishome，andwhichhewouldneverthinkofdoingintheBibleclass，orinthepresenceofanyoftheboyswhomight，forthisreason，thinkhim\"proud。\"WhentheycametoHughie\'sturn，hechosethehymnbyBliss，recentlypublished，\"Whosoeverwill，\"thewordsseemtostrikehimtonight。
\"Mother，\"hesaid，aftersingingitthrough，\"doesthatmeaneverybodythatlikes？\"
\"Yes，mydear，anyonethatwishes。\"
\"Pharaoh，mother？\"
\"Yes，Pharaoh，too。\"
\"But，mother，yousaidhecouldnotpossibly。\"
\"Onlybecausehedidnotwantto。\"
\"Buthecouldnot，evenifhedidwantto。\"
\"IhopeIdidnotsaythat，\"saidhismother，smilingattheeagerandearnestyoungface。
\"No，auntie，\"saidHarry，takingupHughie\'scause，\"notexactly，butsomethingverylikeit。YousaidthatPharaohcouldnotpossiblyhaveactedinanyotherwaythanhedid。\"
\"Yes，Isaidthat。\"
\"Notevenifhewantedto？\"askedHughie。
\"Oh，Ididnotsaythat。\"
\"TheLordhardenedPharaoh\'sheart，\"quotedRanald，whoknewhisBiblebetterthanHarry。
\"Yes，thatisit，\"saidHarry，\"andsothatmadeitimpossibleforPharaohtodoanythingelse。Hecouldnothelpfollowingafterthosepeople。\"
\"Whynot？\"saidMrs。Murray。\"Whatmadehimfollow？Nowjustthink，whatmadehimfollowafterthosepeople？\"
\"Why，hewantedtogetthemback，\"saidHughie。
\"Quitetrue，\"saidhismother。\"Soyousee，hedidexactlyashewantedto。\"
\"ThenyoumeantheLordhadnothingtodowithit？\"askedRanald。
\"No，Icouldnotsaythat。\"
\"Then，\"saidHarry，\"Pharaohcouldnothelphimself。Now，couldhe？\"
\"Hedidwhathewishedtodo，\"saidhisaunt。
\"Yes，\"saidRanald，quickly，\"butcouldhehelpwishingtodowhathedid？\"
\"Ifhehadbeenadifferentman，morehumbleminded，andmorewillingtobetaught，hewouldnothavewishedtodowhathedid。\"
\"Mother，\"saidHughie，changinghisgroundalittle，andloweringhisvoice，\"doyouthinkPharaohislost，andallhissoldiers，and——andallthepeoplewhowerebad？\"
Mrs。Murraylookedathiminsilenceforafewmoments，thensaid，verysadly，\"Ican\'tanswerthatquestion，Hughie。Idonotknow。\"
\"But，mother，\"persistedHughie，\"arenotwickedpeoplelost？\"
\"Yes，Hughie，\"repliedhismother，\"allthosewhodonotrepentoftheirsinsandcrytoGodformercy。\"
\"Oh，mother，\"criedHughie，\"forever？\"
Hismotherdidnotreply。
\"WillHeneverletthemout，mother？\"continuedHughie，inpiteousappeal。
\"Listentome，Hughie，\"saidhismother，verygently。\"Weknowverylittleaboutthis。Wouldyoubeverysorry，evenforverybadmen？\"
\"Oh，mother，\"criedHughie，histenderlittleheartmovedwithagreatcompassion，\"thinkofawholeyear，allsummerlong，andallwinterlong。IthinkIwouldletanybodyout。\"
\"Then，Hughie，dear，\"saidhismother，\"rememberthatGodismuchkinderthanyouare，andhasaheartfarmoretender，andwhileHewillbejustandmustpunishsin，Hewilldonothingunjustorunkind，youmaybequitesureofthat。DonotforgethowHegaveupHisowndearsonforus。\"
PoorHughiecouldbearitnolonger。Heputhisheadinhismother\'slapandsobbedout，\"Oh，mother，Ihopehewillletthemout。\"
Asheutteredthispitifullittlecry，hiscousinHarrygotupfromhischair，andmovedacrosstothewindow，whileMaimieopenlywipedhereyes，butRanaldsatwithhisfacesethard，andhiseyesgleaming，waitingeagerlyforMrs。Murray\'sanswer。
ThemotherstrokedHughie\'sheadsoftly，andwhilehertearsfellonthebrowncurls，saidtohim，\"Youwouldnotbeafraidtotrustyourmother，Hughie，andourFatherinheavenlovesusallmuchmorethanIloveyou。\"
AndwiththatHughiewascontent。
\"Nowletussingonemorehymn，\"saidhismother。\"It\'smychoice。\"Andshechoseoneofthenewhymnswhichtheyhadjustlearnedinthesingingschool，andofwhichHughiewasveryfond，thechildren\'shymn，\"CometotheSaviour。\"WhiletheyweresingingtheyheardMr。Murraydriveintotheyard。
\"There\'spapa，\"saidMrs。Murray。\"Hewillbetiredandhungry，\"
andshehurriedouttomeetherhusband，followedbyHarryandHughie，leavingRanaldandMaimieintheroomtogether。Ranaldhadneverbeenalonewithherbefore，norindeedhadheeverspentfiveminutesofhislifealonewithanygirlbeforenow。Buthedidnotfeelawkwardorshy；hewasthinkingnow，ashehadbeenthinkingnowandthenthroughthewholeevening，ofonlyonething，thatMaimiewasgoingaway。Thatwouldmakeagreatdifferencetohim，sogreatthathewasconsciousofaheart-sinkingatthemerethoughtofit。Duringthelastweeks，hislifehadcometomoveaboutacenter，andthatcenterwasMaimie；andnowthatshewasgoingaway，therewouldbenothingleft。Nothing，thatis，thatreallymattered。Butthequestionhewasrevolvinginhismindwas，wouldsheforgetallabouthim。Heknewhewouldneverforgether，thatwas，ofcourse，impossible，forsomanythingswouldremindhimofher。Hewouldneverseethemoonlightfallingthroughthetreesasitfellthatnightofthesugaring-off，withoutthinkingofher。Hewouldneverseetheshadowsintheevening，orhearthewindintheleaves，withoutthinkingofher。
Thechurchandtheminister\'spew，themanseandallbelongingtoitwouldremindhimofMaimie。Hewouldrecallhowshelookedatdifferenttimesandplaces，theturnofherhead，thewayherhairfellonherneck，herlaugh，thelittletossofherchin，andthecurveinherlips。Hewouldremembereverythingabouther。Wouldsherememberhim，orwouldsheforgethim？Thatwasthequestionburninginhisheart；andthatquestionhemusthavesettled，andthiswasthetime。
Butthoughthesethoughtsandemotionswererushingthroughhisbrainandblood，hefeltstrangelyquietandself-controlledashewalkedovertoherwhereshestoodbesidethepiano，andlookingintohereyeswithanintensityofgazeshecouldnotmeet，said，inalow，quickvoice：\"Youaregoingaway？\"
\"Yes，\"shereplied，sostartledthattheeasysmilewithwhichshehadgreetedhimfadedoutofherface。\"IntwoweeksIshallbegone。\"
\"Gone！\"echoedRanald。\"Yes，youwillbegone。Willyouforgetme？\"Histonewasalmoststern。
\"Why，no，\"shesaid，inasurprisedvoice。\"Ofcoursenot。Didnotyousavemylife？Youwillbefarmorelikelytoforgetme。\"
\"No，\"hesaid，simply，asifthatpossibilityneednotbeconsidered。
\"Iwillneverforgetyou。Iwillalwaysbethinkingofyou。Willyouthinkofme？\"hepersisted。
\"Why，certainly。Wouldn\'tIbeaveryungratefulgirlifIdidnot？\"
\"Ungrateful！\"exclaimedRanald，impatiently。\"WhatIdidwasnothing。Forgetthat。Doyounotunderstandme？Iwillbethinkingofyoueveryday，inthemorningandatnight，andIneverthoughtofanyoneelsebeforeforaday。Willyoubethinkingofme？\"
Therewasamovementinthekitchen，andtheycouldheartheministertalkingtoHarry；andsomeonewasmovingtowardthedoor。
\"Tellme，Maimie，quick，\"saidRanald，andthoughhisvoicewasintenseandstern，therewasappealinitaswell。
Shetookastepnearerhim，andlookingupintohisface，said，inawhisper，\"Yes，Ranald，Iwillalwaysrememberyou，andthinkofyou。\"
Swiftly，almostfiercely，hethrewhisarmsabouther，andkissedherlips，thenhestoodbacklookingather。
\"Icouldnothelpit，\"hesaid，boldly。\"Youmademe。\"
\"Madeyou？\"exclaimedMaimie，herfacehotwithblushes。
\"Yes，youmademe。Icouldnothelpit，\"herepeated。\"AndIdonotcareifyouareangry。IamgladIdidit。\"
\"Glad？\"echoedMaimieagain，notknowingwhattosay。
\"Yes，glad，\"hesaid，exultantly。\"Areyou？\"
Shemadenoreply。Thedooropenedbehindthem。Shesankdownuponthepiano-stoolandletherhandsfalluponthekeys。
\"Areyou？\"hedemanded，ignoringtheinterruption。
Withherheadlowdown，whileshestruckthechordsofthehymntheyhadjustsung，shesaid，hesitatingly，\"Iamnotsorry。\"
\"Sorryforwhat？\"saidHarry。
\"Oh，nothing，\"saidMaimie，lightly。
\"Nobodyis，ifhehasgotanysense。\"
ThenMrs。Murraycamein。\"Won\'tyoustayforsupper，Ranald？Youmustbehungry。\"
\"No，thankyou，\"saidRanald。\"Imustgonow。\"
Heshookhandswithaneaseandfreedomthattheministerhadneverseeninhim，andwentout。
\"Thatyoungmaniscomingon，\"saidtheminister。\"Ineversawanyonechangeanddevelopashehasinthelastfewmonths。Letmesee。Heisonlyeighteen，isn\'the，andhemightbetwenty-one。\"
TheministerspokeasifhewerenottoowellpleasedwiththisprecocityinRanald。
ButlittledidRanaldcare。Thatyoungmanwasstridinghomewardthroughthenight，hisheadstrikingthestars。Hispathlaythroughthewoods，andwhenhecametothe\"sugarcamp\"road，hestoodstill，andletthememoriesofthenightwhenhehadsnatchedMaimiefromthefiretroopthroughhismind。SuddenlyhethoughtofAleckMcRae，andlaughedaloud。
\"PoorAleck，\"hesaid。Aleckseemedsoharmlesstohimnow。Andthenhestoodsilent，motionless，lookingstraighttowardthestars，butseeingthemnot。HewasrememberingMaimie\'sfacewhenshesaid，\"Yes，Ranald，Iwillalwaysrememberyouandthinkofyou\"；andthenthethoughtofwhatfollowed，sentthebloodjumpingthroughhisveins。
\"Shewillnotforget，\"hesaidaloud，andwentonhisway。Itwashishappynight，thehappiestofhislifethusfar，andhewouldalwaysbehappy。Whatdifferencecouldanythingmake？
CHAPTERXV
THEREVIVAL
ThoselastdaysofMaimie\'svisitspedbyonwingedfeet。ToRanaldtheywerebrimmingwithhappiness，everyoneofthem。Itwastheslacktimeoftheyear，betweenseedingandharvest，andtherewasnothingmuchtokeephimathome。Andso，withHarry，hisdevotedcompanion，Ranaldroamedthewoods，hitchingupLisetteinYankee\'sbuckboard，putherthroughherpaces，andwouldnowandthengetupsuchburstsofspeedastookHarry\'sbreathaway；andmorethanall，therewasthechanceofawordwithMaimie。Hehadlostmuchofhisawkwardness。Hewentaboutwithanairofmastery，andwhynot？Hehadentereduponhiskingdom。Theministernoticedandwondered；hiswifenoticedandsmiledsometimes，butoftenersighed，wiselykeepingsilence，forsheknewthatintimeslikethisthebestwordswerethoseunspoken。
ThehappiestdayofallforRanaldwasthelast，when，afteralongtrampwithHarrythroughthewoods，hedrovehimbacktothemanse，comingupfromthegatetothedoorlikeawhirlwind。
AsLisettestoodpawingandtossingherbeautifulhead，Mrs。
Murray，whostoodwithMaimiewatchingthemdriveup，criedout，admiringly：\"Whatabeautysheis！\"
\"Isn\'tshe！\"criedHarry，enthusiastically。\"Andsuchaflyer！
Getin，auntie，andsee。\"
\"Do，\"saidRanald；\"Iwouldbeveryglad。Justtothechurchhillandback。\"
\"Go，auntie，\"pleadedHarry。\"Sheiswonderful。\"
\"Yougo，Maimie，\"saidheraunt，towhomeveryofferedpleasuresimplyfurnishedanopportunityofthoughtforothers。
\"Nonsense！\"criedHarry，impatiently。\"Youmightgratifyyourselfalittleforonceinyourlife。Besides，\"headded，withtruebrotherlyblindness，\"it\'syouRanaldwants。Atleasthetalksenoughaboutyou。\"
\"Yes，auntie，dogo！Itwillbelovely，\"chimedinMaimie，withsuspiciousheartiness。
So，withmanyprotestations，Mrs。MurraytookherplacebesideRanaldandwaswhirledofflikethewind。Shereturnedinaveryfewminutes，herhairblownloosetillthelittlecurlshungaboutherglowingfaceandhereyesshiningwithexcitement。
\"Oh，sheisperfectlysplendid！\"sheexclaimed。\"Andsogentle。
Youmustgo，Maimie，ifonlytothegate。\"AndMaimiewent，butnottoturnateventhechurchhill。
ForamiledowntheconcessionroadRanaldletLisettejogataneasypacewhilehetoldMaimiesomeofhisaimsandhopes。Hedidnotmeantobeafarmernoralumberman。Hewasgoingtothecity，andtheremakehisfortune。Hedidnotsayitinwords，buthistone，hismanner，everythingabouthim，proclaimedhisconfidencethatsomedayhewouldbeagreatman。AndMaimiebelievedhim，notbecauseitseemedreasonable，orbecausethereseemedtobeanygroundforhisconfidence，butjustbecauseRanaldsaidit。Hissuperbself-confidencewroughtinherassurance。
\"Andthen，\"hesaid，proudly，\"Iamgoingtoseeyou。\"
\"Oh，Ihopeyouwillnotwaittillthen，\"sheanswered。
\"Idonotknow，\"hesaid。\"Icannottell，butitdoesnotmattermuch。Iwillbealwaysseeingyou。\"
\"ButIwillwanttoseeyou，\"saidMaimie。
\"Yes，\"saidRanald，\"Iknowyouwill，\"asifthatwereathingtobeexpected。\"Butyouwillbecomingbacktoyouraunthere。\"ButofthisMaimiecouldnotbesure。
\"Oh，yes，youwillcome，\"hesaid，confidently；\"Iamsureyouwillcome。Harryiscoming，andyouwillcome，too。\"Andhavingsettledthispoint，heturnedLisetteandfromthatoutgavehisattentiontohisdriving。Thecoltseemedtorealizethenecessityofmakingadisplayofherbestspeed，andwithoutanyurging，shewentalongtheconcessionroad，increasingherspeedateverystridetillshewheeledinatthegate。ThenRanaldshookthelinesoverherbackandcalledtoher。MagnificentlyLisetteresponded，andsweptuptothedoorwithsuchsplendiddashthatthewholehouseholdgreetedherwithwavingapplause。Asthecoltcametoastand，Maimiesteppedoutfromthebuckboard，andturningtowardRanald，saidinalow，hurriedvoice：\"O，Ranald，thatwassplendid，andIamsohappy；andyouwillbesuretocome？\"
\"Iwillcome，\"saidRanald，lookingdownintotheblueeyeswithalooksolongandsteadyandsofullofpassionatefeelingthatMaimieknewhewouldkeephisword。
Thenfarewellsweresaid，andRanaldturnedaway，HarryandMrs。
Murraywatchinghimfromthedoortillhedisappearedoverthechurchhill。
\"Well，that\'sthefinestchapIeversaw，\"saidHarry，withemphasis。\"Andwhatabodyhehas！Hewouldmakeagreathalf-
back。\"
\"PoorRanald！Ihopehewillmakeagreatandgoodman，\"saidhisaunt，witharingofsadnessinhervoice。
\"Whypoor，auntie？\"
\"I\'msureIdonotknow，\"shesaid，withaveryuncertainsmileplayingabouthermouth。ThenshewentupstairsandfoundMaimiesittingatthewindowoverlookingthechurchhill，andoncemoresheknewhowgoldenissilence。SoshesettoworktopackMaimie\'strunkforher。
\"Itwillbeaveryearlystart，Maimie，\"shesaid，\"andsowewillgeteverythingreadyto-night。\"
\"Yes，auntie，\"saidMaimie，goingtoherandputtingherarmsabouther。\"HowhappyIhavebeen，andhowgoodyouhavebeentome！\"
\"AndhowgladIhavebeentohaveyou！\"saidheraunt。
\"Oh，Iwillneverforgetyou！YouhavetaughtmesomuchthatI
neverknewbefore。Iseeeverythingsodifferently。Itseemseasytobegoodhere，and，oh！Iwishyouwerenotsofarawayfromme，auntie。Iamafraid——afraid——\"
Thetearscouldnolongerbedenied。Sheputherheadinheraunt\'slapandsobbedoutherheart\'soverflow。Foranhourtheysatbytheopentrunk，forgettingallaboutthepacking，whileheraunttalkedtoMaimieasnoonehadevertalkedtoherbefore；andoften，throughthelongyearsofsufferingthatfollowed，thewordsofthateveningcametoMaimietolightenandtocomfortanhouroffearandsorrow。Mrs。Murraywasofthosetowhomitisgiventospeakwordsthatwillnotdiewithtime，butwilllive，forthattheyfallfromlipstouchedwiththefireofGod。
BeforetheyhadfinishedtheirtalkHarrycamein，andthenMrs。
Murraytoldthemabouttheirmother，ofherbeautyandherbrightnessandhergoodness，butmostlyofhergoodness。
\"Shewasadear，deargirl，\"saidtheiraunt，\"andhergoodnesswasofthekindthatmakesonethinkofafreshspringmorning，sobright，sosweet，andpure。Andshewasbeautiful，too。Youwillbelikeher，Maimie，\"and，afterapause，sheadded，softly，\"And，mostofall，shelovedherSaviour，andthatwasthesecretofbothherbeautyandhergoodness。\"
\"Auntie，\"saidHarry，suddenly，\"don\'tyouthinkyoucouldcometousforavisit？Itwoulddofather——Imeanitwouldbesuchagreatthingforfather，andforme，too，forusall。\"
Mrs。Murraythoughtofherhomeandallitsties，andthensaid，smiling：\"Iamafraid，Harry，thatcouldhardlybe。Besides，mydearboy，thereisOnewhocanalwaysbewithyou，andnoonecantakeHisplace。\"
\"Allthesame，Iwishyoucouldcome，\"saidHarry。\"WhenIamhereIfeellikedoingsomethingwithmylife，butathomeIonlythinkofhavingfun。\"
\"But，Harry，\"saidhisaunt，\"lifeisaverysacredandverypreciousthing，andatallcosts，youmustmakeitworthyofHimwhogaveittoyou。\"
Nextmorning，whenHarrywassaying\"Farewell\"tohisaunt，sheputherarmsroundhim，andsaid：\"Yourmotherwouldhavewishedyoutobeanobleman，andyoumustnotdisappointher。\"
\"Iwilltry，auntie，\"hesaid，andcouldsaynomore。
Forthenextfewweekstheministerandhiswifewerebothbusyandanxious。Formorethaneightyearstheyhadlaboredwiththeirpeoplewithoutmuchsignofresult。Weekafterweektheministerpouredintohissermonsthestrengthofhisheartandmind，andthengavethemtohispeoplewithallthefervorofhisnature。
Weekafterweekhiswife，inherwomen\'smeetingsandinherBibleclass，lavishedfreelyuponthemthesplendidrichesofherintellectualandspiritualpowers，andtogetherinthehomesofthepeopletheywroughtandtaught。Attimesitseemedtotheministerthattheywerespendingtheirstrengthfornaught，andatsuchtimeshebitterlygrudged，nothisowntoils，butthoseofhiswife。Noneknewbetterthanhehowwellfittedshewas，bothbythenativeendowmentsofhermindandbythegracesofhercharacter，tofillthehighestsphere，andhesometimesgrewimpatientthatsheshouldspendherselfwithoutstintandreapnoadequatereward。
Thesewerehisthoughtsashelayonhiscouch，ontheeveningofthelastSabbathintheoldchurch，afteraday\'sworkmorethanusuallyexhausting。Thenewchurchwastobeopenedthefollowingweek。Formonthsithadbeentheburdenoftheirprayersthatatthededicationoftheirchurch，whichhadbeenbuiltandpaidforatthecostofmuchthoughtandtoil，thereshouldbesome\"signalmarkofthedivineacceptance。\"Nowondertheministerwasmorethanusuallydepressedto-night。
\"Thereisnotmuchsignofmovementamongthedrybones，\"hesaidtohiswife。\"Theyareasdryandasdeadasever。\"
Hiswifewassilentforsometime，forshe，too，hadhermomentsofdoubtandfear，butshesaid：\"Ithinkthereissomesign。Thepeoplewerecertainlymuchimpressedthismorning，andtheBibleclasswasverylarge，andtheywereveryattentive。\"
\"Sotheyareeveryday，\"saidtheminister，ratherbitterly。\"Butwhatdoesitamountto？Thereisnotasignofoneoftheseyoungpeople\'comingforward。\'Justthink，onlyoneyoungmanamemberofthechurch，andhehasn\'tgotmuchspunkinhim。Andmanyoftheoldermenremainashardasthenethermillstone。\"
\"Ireallythink，\"saidhiswife，\"thatanumberoftheyoungpeoplewould\'comeforward\'ifsomeonewouldmakeabeginning。Theyareallveryshy。\"
\"Soyoualwayssay，\"saidherhusband，withatouchofimpatience；
\"butthereisnoshynessinotherthings，intheirfrolicsandtheirfightings。Iamsurethislastoutrageousbusinessisenoughtobreakone\'sheart。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"saidhiswife。
\"Oh，Isupposeyouwillhearsoonenough，soIneednottrytokeepitfromyou。ItwasLongJohnCamerontoldme。ItisstrangethatHughiehasnotheard。Indeed，perhapshehas，butsincehisbelovedRanaldisinvolved，heiskeepingitquiet。\"
\"Whatisit？\"saidhiswife，anxiously。
\"Oh，nothinglessthanaregularpitchedbattlebetweentheMcGregorsandtheMcRaesoftheSixteenth，andallonRanald\'saccount，too，Ibelieve。\"
Mrs。Murraysatinsilentandbitterdisappointment。ShehadexpectedmuchfromRanald。Herhusbandwentonwithhistale。
\"ItseemstherewasanoldquarrelbetweenyoungAleckMcRaeandRanald，overwhatIcannotfindout；andyoungAngusMcGregor，whowilldoanythingforaMacdonald，mustneedstakeRanald\'spart，withtheresultthatthathot-headedyoungfire-eaterAleckMcRaemustchallengethewholeclanMcGregor。Soitwasarranged，onSundaymorning，too，mindyou，twoweeksago，aftertheservice，thatsixofthebestofeachsideshouldmeetandsettlethebusiness。OfcourseRanaldwasboundtobeintoit，andbeggedandpleadedwiththeMcGregorsthatheshouldbeoneofthesix；andI
hearitwasbyYankee\'sadvicethathisrequestwasgranted。Thatgodlessfellow，itseems，hasbeengivingRanalddailylessonswiththeboxing-gloves，andtosomepurpose，too，asthefightproved。
ItseemsthatyoungAleckMcRae，whoisaterriblefighter，andmustbefortypoundsheavierthanRanald，was，byRanald\'sespecialdesireandbyYankee\'sarrangement，pittedagainsttheboy，andbythetimethefightwasover，Ranald，althoughbeatenandbruisedtoa\'bloodypulp，\'asLongJohnsaid，hadAleckthoroughlywhipped。
Andnobodyknowswhatwouldhavehappened，sofiercewastheyoungvillain，hadnotPeterMcGregorandMacdonaldBhainappeareduponthescene。ItappearsAleckhadbeensayingsomethingaboutMaimie，LongJohndidnotknowwhatitwas；butRanaldwasdeterminedtofinishAleckupthereandthen。Itmusthavebeenadisgustingandterriblesight；butMacdonaldBhainapparentlysettledtheminahurry；andwhatismore，madethemallshakehandsandpromisetodropthequarrelthenceforth。IfancyRanald\'shandlingofyoungAleckMcRaedidmoretobringaboutthesettlementthananythingelse。Whatalotofsavagestheyare！\"continuedtheminister。\"Itreallydoesnotseemmuchusetopreachtothem。\"
\"Wemustnotsaythat，mydear，\"saidhiswife，buthertonewasnonetoohopeful。\"ImustconfessIamdisappointedinRanald。
Well，\"shecontinued，\"wecanonlywaitandtrust。\"
FromHughie，whohadhadthestoryfromDon，andwhohadbeenpledgedtosaynothingofit，shelearnedmoreaboutthefight。
\"ItwasAleck\'sfault，mother，\"hesaid，anxioustoscreenhishero。\"HesaidsomethingaboutMaimie，thatDonwouldn\'ttellme，attheblacksmithshopintheSixteenth，andRanaldstruckhimandknockedhimflat，andhecouldnotgetupforalongtime。Yankeehasbeenshowinghimhow。Iamgoingtolearn，mother，\"interjectedHughie。\"AndthenAngusMcGregortookRanald\'spart，anditwasallarrangedafterchurch，andRanaldwasboundtobeinit，andsaidhewouldstopthewholethingifnotallowed。Donsaidhewasjustterrible。Itwasanawfulfight。AngusMcGregorfoughtPeterMcRae，Aleck\'sbrother，youknowand——\"
\"Nevermind，Hughie，\"saidhismother。\"Idon\'twanttohearofit。Itistoodisgusting。WasRanaldmuchhurt？\"
\"Oh，hewashurtawfulbad，andhewasgoingtobelicked，too。Hewouldn\'tkeepcoolenough，andhewouldn\'tusehislegs。\"
\"Usehislegs？\"saidhismother；\"whatdoyoumean？\"
\"That\'swhatDonsays，andYankeemadehim。Yankeekeptcallingtohim，\'Nowgetaway，getawayfromhim！Useyourlegs！Getawayfromhim！\'andwheneverRanaldbegantodoashewastold，thenhegotthebetterofAleck，andhegaveAleckaterriblehammering，andDonsaidifMacdonaldBhainhadnotstoppedthemAleckMcRaewouldnothavebeenabletowalkhome。HesaidRanaldwasawful。
Hesaidheneversawhimlikehewasthatday。Wasn\'titfine，mother？\"
\"Fine，Hughie！\"saidhismother。\"Itisanythingbutfine。Itissimplydisgustingtoseemenactlikebeasts。Itisvery，verysad。IamverymuchdisappointedinRanald。\"
\"But，mother，Ranaldcouldn\'thelpit。Andanyway，IamgladhegavethatAleckMcRaeagoodthrashing。Yankeesaidhewouldneverberightuntilhegotit。\"
\"YoumustnotrepeatwhatYankeesays，\"saidhismother。\"Iamafraidhisinfluenceisnotofthebestforanyofthoseboys。\"
\"Oh，mother，hedidn\'tsetthemon，\"saidHughie，whowantedtobefairtoYankee。\"ItwaswhenhecouldnothelpitthathetoldRanaldhowtodo。Iamgladhedid，too。\"
\"Iamvery，verysorryaboutit，\"saidhismother，sadly。Itwasagreaterdisappointmenttoherthanshecaredtoacknowledgeeithertoherhusbandortoherself。
Butthecommotioncausedinthecommunitybythefightwassoonswallowedupintheinterestarousedbytheopeningofthenewchurch，aneventforwhichtheyhadmadelongandelaboratepreparation。Thebigbazaar，forwhichthewomenhadbeensewingforayearormore，washeldonWednesday，andturnedouttobeagreatsuccess，sufficientmoneybeingrealizedtopayforthechurchfurnishing，whichtheyhadundertakentoprovide。
Thedayfollowingwasthefirstofthe\"CommunionSeason。\"InaHighlandcongregationtheCommunionSeasonsarethegreatoccasionsoftheyear。Forweeksbefore，thecongregationiskeptinmindoftheapproachingevent，andontheThursdayofthecommunionweektheseasonopenswithasolemnfastday。
TheannualFastDay，stillanationalinstitutioninScotland，althoughithaslostmuchofitssolemnityandsacrednessinsomeplaces，wasoriginallyassociatedwiththeLord\'sSupper，andwasobservedwithgreatstrictnessinthematterofeatinganddrinking；andinIndianLands，asinallcongregationsofthatpartofthecountry，thecustomofcelebratingtheFastDaywaskeptup。
Itwasadayofgreatsolemnityinthehomesofthepeopleofagodlysort。Therewasnocookingofmealstillafter\"theservices，\"andindeed，someofthemtastedneithermeatnordrinkthewholedaylong。Totheyoungerpeopleofthecongregationitwasadayofgloomandterror，akindofdayofdoom。Eventothoseadvancedingodlinessitbroughtsearchingsofheart，minuteanddiligent，withagoniesofpenitenceandremorse。Itwasaday，inshort，inwhichconsciencewasinvitedtotakecommandofthememoryandtheimaginationtothescourgingofthesoulforthesoul\'sgood。Thesermonforthedaywassupposedtostimulateandtoaidconscienceinthiswork。
ForthecommunionserviceMr。Murrayalwaysmadeitapointtohavetheassistanceofthebestpreachershecouldprocure，andonthisoccasion，whenthechurchopeningwascombinedwiththesacrament，byaspecialefforttwopreachershadbeenprocured——afamousdivinefromHuronCounty，thatstrongholdofCalvinism，andacollegeprofessorwhohadbeenrecentlyappointed，butwhohadalreadygainedareputationasadoctrinalpreacher，andwhowas，asPeterMcRaereported，\"grandontheAttributesandterriblefineontheLaw。\"TohimwasassignedthehonorofpreachingtheFastDaysermon，andofdeclaringthechurch\"open。\"
Thenewchurchwasverydifferentfromtheold。Insteadofthehighcrow\'snest，withthewonderfulsounding-boardoverit，thepulpitwassimplyaraisedplatformpartlyinclosed，withthedeskinfront。Therewasnoprecentor\'sbox，overthelossofwhichStraightRorydidnotgrieveunduly，inasmuchasthesingingwastobeled，intheEnglishatleast，byJohn\"Aleck。\"Henceforththeelderswouldsitwiththeirfamilies。Theelders\'seatwasgone；
PeterMcRae\'swrathatthisbeingsomewhatappeasedbyhissecuringforhimselfoneoftheshortsideseatsattherightofthepulpit，fromwhichhecouldcommandaviewofboththeministerandthecongregation——apositionwithobviousadvantages。Theminister\'spewwasattheverybackofthechurch。
Itwasagreatassemblagethatgatheredinthenewchurchtoheartheprofessordiscourse，asdoubtlesshewould，itbeingtheFastDay，uponsomethemeofjudgment。Withagreatswingoftriumphinhisvoice，Mr。MurrayroseandannouncedtheHundredthPsalm。Anelectricthrillwentthroughthecongregationas，withawaveofhishand，hesaid：\"Letusriseandsing。Now，John，OldHundred。\"
NeverdidJohn\"Aleck\"andthecongregationofIndianLandssingastheydidthatmorning。Itwasthefirsttimethatthecongregation，asawhole，hadfollowedtheleadofthatgreatringingvoice，andtheyfollowedwithajoyous，triumphantshout，asofmencometovictory。
\"Forwhy？TheLordourGodisgood，\"
rolledoutthemajesticnotesofOldHundred。
\"What\'sthematter，mother？\"whisperedHughie，whowasstandingupintheseatthathemightlookonhismother\'sbook。
\"Nothing，darling，\"saidhismother，herfaceradiantthroughhertears。Afterlongmonthsoftoilandwaiting，theywereactuallysingingpraisetoGodinthenewchurch。
Whentheprofessorarose，itwasaneager，responsivecongregationthatwaitedforhisword。Thepeoplewerefullypreparedforasermonthatwouldshakethemtotheirsouls\'depths。Theyoungerportionshiveredandshrankfromtheordeal；theolderandmoreexperiencedshiveredandwaitedwithnotunpleasinganticipations；
itdidthemgood，thatremorselessexaminationoftheirhearts\'
secretdepravities。Tosomeitwasakindofsatisfactionofferedtoconscience，afterwhichtheycouldmoreeasilycometopeace。
Withothersitwasanhonest，heroicefforttoknowthemselvesandtorightthemselveswiththeirGod。
Thetextwasdisappointing。\"Aboveallthesethings，putoncharity，whichisthebondofperfectness，\"readtheprofessorfromthatexquisiteandtouchingpassagewhichbeginsatthetwelfthverseofthefifteenthchapterofColossians。\"Love，thebondofperfectness，\"washistheme，andinsimple，calm，lucidspeechhedilateduponthebeauty，theexcellence，andthesupremacyofthisChristiangrace。ItwasthemostGodlikeofallthevirtues，forGodwaslove；andmorethanzeal，morethanknowledge，morethanfaith，itwas\"themark\"ofthenewbirth。
PeterMcRaewasevidentlykeenlydisappointed，andhiswholebearingexpressedsterndisapproval。Andastheprofessorproceeded，extollingandillustratingthesupremegraceoflove，Peter\'shardfacegrewharderthanever，andhiseyesbegantoemitbluesparksoffire。Thiswasnodayforthepreachingofsmooththings。ThepeopleweretheretoconsiderandtolamenttheirOriginalandActualsin；andtheyexpectedandrequiredtohearofthejudgmentsoftheLord，andtobesummonedtofleefromthewrathtocome。
DonaldRosssatwithhiskindlyoldfaceinaglowofdelight，butwithalookofperplexityonitwhichhisfurtiveglancesinPeter\'sdirectiondidnothelptolessen。Thesermonwasdelightingandtouchinghim，buthewasnotquitesurewhetherthiswasagoodsigninhimorno。Hesethimselfnowandthentofindfaultwiththesermon，butthepreacherwassohumble，sorespectful，andaboveall，soearnest，thatDonaldRosscouldnotbringhimselftocriticise。
Theapplicationcameunderthethirdhead。Asarule，theapplicationtoaFastDaysermonwasdeliveredinterrifyingtonesofthunderorinanawfulwhisper。Butto-daythepreacher，withoutraisinghisvoice，begantoforceintohishearers\'heartsthemessageoftheday。
\"Thisisadayforself-examination，\"hesaid，andhisclear，quiettonesfellintotheearsofthepeoplewithpenetratingpower。
\"Andself-examinationisawiseandprofitableexercise。Itisanexerciseofthesouldesignedtoyieldadiscoveryofsinintheheartandlife，andtoinducepenitenceandcontritionandsosecurepardonandpeace。Buttoooften，myfriends，\"andherehisvoicebecameashadesofter，\"itresultsinaself-righteousandsinfulself-complaisance。Whatisrequiredisasimplehonestyofmindandspiritualillumination，andthelattercannotbewithouttheformer。Therearethosewhoareeversearchingfor\'themarks\'
ofagenuinelygodlystateofheart，andtheyhavetheideathatthesemarksareobscureanddifficultforplainpeopletodiscover。
Makenomistake，mybrethren，theyareaseasilyseenasaretheapplesonatree。Thefruitsofthespiritareasdiscernibletoanyonehonestenoughandfearlessenoughtolook；andthefirstandsupremeofallisthatwhichwehavebeenconsideringthismorning。Thequestionforyouandforme，mybrethren，issimplythis：Areourlivesfullofthegraceoflove？Donotshrinkfromthequestion。Donotdeceiveyourselveswithanysubstitutes；
therearemanyofferingzeal，thegiftofprayerorofspeech，yea，thegiftoffaithitself。Noneofthesewillatoneforthelackoflove。Leteachaskhimself，AmIalovingman？\"
Withquietpersistencehepursuedthemintoalltheirrelationsinlife——husbandsandwives，fathersandsons，neighborandneighbor。
Hewouldnotletthemescape。Relentlesslyheforcedthemtoreviewtheirhabitsofspeechandaction，theirattitudetowardeachotheraschurchmembers，andtheirattitudetoward\"thosewithout。\"Behindallrefugesandthroughallsubterfugeshemadehismessagefollowthem，searchingtheirdeepesthearts。Andthen，withhisfaceilluminedaswithdivinefire，hemadehisfinalappeal，whileheremindedthemoftheInfinitelovethathadstoopedtosave，andthathadwroughtitselfoutintheagoniesofthecross。Andwhilehespokehislastwords，alloverthechurchthewomenwereweeping，andstrongmenweresittingtremblingandpale。
Afterashortprayer，theprofessorsatdown。Thentheministerrose，andforsomelittletimestoodfacinghispeopleinsilence，thegleaminhiseyesshowingthathisferventHighlandnaturewasonfire。
\"Mypeople，\"hebegan，andhismagnificentvoicepealedforthlikeasolemnbell，\"thisisthemessageoftheLord。Letnonedarerefusetohear。Itisamessagetoyourminister，itisamessagetoyou。Youareanxiousfor\'themarks。\'Searchyouforthismark。\"Hepausedwhilethepeoplesatlookingathiminfixedandbreathlesssilence。Then，suddenly，hebrokeforthintoaloudcry：\"Whereareyourchildrenatthissolemntimeofprivilege？
Fathers，whereareyoursons？WhyweretheynotwithyouattheTable？Areyoumenoflove？Areyoumenoflove，orbylackofloveareyoushuttingthedooroftheKingdomagainstyoursonswiththeirfightingsandtheirquarrelings？\"Then，raisinghishandshigh，heliftedhisvoiceinakindofwailingchant：\"Woeuntoyou！Woeuntoyou！Yourhouseisleftuntoyoudesolate，andthevoiceofloveiscryingoveryou。Yewouldnot！Yewouldnot！
O，LambofGod，havemercyuponus！O，Christ，withthepiercedhands，saveus！\"Againhepaused，lookingupward，whilethepeoplewaitedwithupliftedwhitefaces。
\"Behold，\"hecried，inasoul-thrillingvoice，\"Iseeheavenopen，andJesusstandingattherighthandofGod，andIhearavoice，\'Turnye，turnye。Whywillyedie？\'LordJesus，theywillnotturn。\"Againhepaused。\"Listen。Departfromme，yecursed，intoeverlastingfire。Departye！Nay，LordJesus！notso！Havemercyuponus！\"Hisvoicebrokeinitspassionatecry。Theeffectwasoverwhelming。Thepeopleswayedastreesbeforeamightywind，andavoicecriedaloudfromthecongregation：\"Godbemercifultome，asinner！\"
ItwasMacdonaldDubh。Atthatloudcry，womenbegantosob，andsomeofthepeoplerosefromtheirseats。
\"Bestill，\"commandedtheminister。\"Rendyourheartsandnotyourgarments。Letuspray。\"Andasheprayed，thecriesandsobssubsidedandagreatcalmfelluponall。Afterprayer，theminister，insteadofgivingoutaclosingpsalm，solemnlychargedthepeopletogototheirhomesandtoconsiderthattheLordhadcomeverynearthem，andadjuredthemnottogrievetheHolySpiritofGod。Thenhedismissedthemwiththebenediction。
Thepeoplewentoutofthechurch，subduedandastonished，speaking，ifatall，inlowtonesofwhattheyhadseenandheard。
Immediatelyafterpronouncingthebenediction，theministercamedowntofindMacdonaldDubh，buthewasnowheretobeseen。TowardeveningMrs。Murrayrodeovertohishouse，butfoundthathehadnotreturnedfromthemorningservice。
\"Hewillbeathisbrother\'s，\"saidKirsty，\"andRanaldwilldriveoverforhim。\"
ImmediatelyRanaldhitchedupLisetteanddroveovertohisuncle\'s，butashewasreturninghesentinwordtothemanse，hisfacebeingnotyetpresentable，thathisfatherwasnowheretobefound。ItwasMacdonaldBhainthatfoundhimatlastinthewoods，proneuponhisface，andinanagony。
\"Hugh，man，\"hecried，\"whatailsyou？\"Buttherewereonlylowgroansforanswer。
\"Riseup，man，riseupandcomeaway。\"
Thenfromtheprostratefigurehecaughtthewords，\"Departfromme！Departfromme！ThatisthewordoftheLord。\"
\"Thatisnottheword，\"saidMacdonaldBhain，\"foranylivingman，butforthedead。Butcome，rise，man；theneighborswillbehereinameenute。\"AtthatBlackHughrose。
\"Letmeaway，\"hesaid。\"Letmenotseethem。Iamalostman。\"
Andsohisbrotherbroughthimhome，shakeninspiritandexhaustedinbodywithhislongfastandhisoverpoweringemotion。Allnightthroughhisbrotherwatchedwithhimalone，forMacdonaldDubhwouldhavenooneelsetoseehim，till，fromutterexhaustion，towardthedawningoftheday，hefellasleep。
Intheearlymorningtheministerandhiswifedroveovertoseehim，andleavinghiswifewithKirsty，theministerpassedatonceintoMacdonaldDubh\'sroom。But，inspiteofallhisreasoning，inspiteofallhisreadingsandhisprayers，thegloomremainedunbrokenexceptbyoccasionalparoxysmsoffearandremorse。
\"Thereisnoforgiveness！Thereisnoforgiveness！\"wastheburdenofhiscry。
InvaintheministerproclaimedtohimthemercyofGod。Atlengthhewasforcedtoleavehimtoattendthe\"QuestionMeeting\"whichwastobeheldinthechurchthatday。Buthelefthiswifebehindhim。
Withoutaword，Mrs。Murrayproceededtomakethepoormancomfortable。Shepreparedadaintybreakfastandcarrieditintohim，andthenshesatbesidehimwhilehefellintoadeepsleep。
ItwasafternoonwhenMacdonaldDubhawokeandgreetedherwithhiswontedgravecourtesy。
\"Youarebetter，Mr。Macdonald，\"shesaid，brightly。\"AndnowI
willmakeyouafreshcupoftea\"；andthoughheprotested，shehurriedout，andinafewmomentsbroughthimsometeaandtoast。
Then，whilehelayingloomysilence，shereadtohim，asshedidoncebeforefromhisGaelicpsalmbook，withoutawordofcomment。
Andthenshebegantotellhimofallthehopesshehadcherishedinconnectionwiththeopeningofthenewchurch，andhowthatdayshehadfeltatlasttheblessinghadcome。
\"And，O，Mr。Macdonald，\"shesaid，\"Iwasgladtohearyoucry，forthenIknewthattheSpiritofGodwasamongus。\"
\"Glad！\"saidMacdonaldDubh，faintly。
\"Yes，glad。ForacrylikethatnevercomesbutwhentheSpiritofGodmovesintheheartofaman。\"
\"Indeed，IwillbethinkingthatHehascastmeoffforever，\"hesaid，wonderingatthisnewphaseofthesubject。
\"ThenyoumustthankHim，Mr。Macdonald，thatHehasnotsodone；
andthesureprooftoyouisthatHehasbroughtyoutocryformercy。Thatisagladcry，intheearsoftheSaviour。Itisthecryofthesheepinthewilderness，thatdiscovershimtotheshepherd。\"Andthen，withoutargument，shetookhimintoherconfidenceandpouredouttohimallherhopesandfearsfortheyoungpeopleofthecongregation，andespeciallyforRanald，tillMacdonaldDubhpartlyforgothisownfearsinhers。Andthen，justbeforeitwastimeforKirstytoarrivefromthe\"QuestionMeeting，\"
shetookherGaelicBibleandopenedattheLord\'sPrayer，asshehaddoneoncebefore。
\"Itisaterriblethingtobeunforgiven，Mr。Macdonald，\"shesaid，\"bymanorbyGod。AndGodisunwillingthatanyofusshouldfeelthatpain，andthatiswhyheissofreewithhisofferofpardontoallwhocomewithsorrowtohim。Theycomewithsorrowtohimnow，buttheywillcometohimsomedaywithgreatjoy。\"Andthenshespokealittleofthegreatcompanyoftheforgivenbeforethethrone，andattheverylast，afewwordsaboutthegentlelittlewomanthathadpassedoutfromMacdonaldDubh\'ssightsomanyyearsbefore。Then，fallingonherknees，shebeganintheGaelic，\"OurFatherwhichartinHeaven。\"
EarnestlyandbrokenlyMacdonaldDubhfollowed，whisperingthepetitionsafterher。Whentheycameto\"Forgiveusourdebts，asweforgiveourdebtors，\"
MacdonaldDubhbrokeforth：\"Oh，itisalittlething，whatever！
ItislittleIhavetoforgive。\"Andthen，inaclear，firmvoice，herepeatedthewordsafterhertothecloseoftheprayer。
ThenMrs。Murrayrose，andtakinghimbythehandtobidhimgoodby，shesaid，slowly：\"\'Forifyeforgivementheirtrespasses，yourheavenlyFatherwillalsoforgiveyouyourtrespasses。\'Youhaveforgiven，Mr。Macdonald。\"
\"Indeed，itisnothing，\"hesaid，earnestly。
\"Then，\"repliedMrs。Murray，\"theLordwillnotbreakhispromisetoyou。\"Andwiththatshewentaway。
OnSaturdaymorningthesessionmetbeforetheservicefortheday。
InthemidstoftheirdeliberationsthedooropenedandMacdonaldBhainandhisbrother，MacdonaldDubh，walkedinandstoodsilentbeforetheelders。Mr。Murrayroseastonished，andcomingforward，saidtoMacdonaldBhain：\"Whatisit，Mr。Macdonald？Youwishtoseeme？\"
\"Iamhere，\"hesaid，\"formyownsakeandformybrother\'s。Wewishtomakeconfessionofoursins，inthatwehavenotbeenmenoflove，andtoseektheforgivenessofGod。\"
Theministerstoodandgazedathiminamazedsilenceforsomemoments，andthen，givinghishandtoMacdonaldDubh，hesaid，inavoicehuskywithemotion：\"Comeaway，mybrother。TheLordhasawelcomeforyou。\"
AndtherewerenoquestionsthatdayaskedinthesessionbeforeMacdonaldDubhreceivedhistoken。
CHAPTERXVI
ANDTHEGLORY
Thefirstcommunioninthenewchurchwasmarkedbyverygreatsolemnity。Therewerefewnewmembers，butamongtheoldermenwhohadhithertokept\"backfromthetable\"therewasamanifestanxiety，andamongtheyoungerpeopleaverygreatseriousness。
The\"comingforward\"ofMacdonaldDubhwasaneventsoremarkableastomakeagreatimpressionnotonlyuponalltheMacdonaldmenwhohadbeenassociatedwithhimsomanyyearsinthelumbering，butalsouponthewholecongregation，towhomhisrecordandreputationwerewellknown。Hischangeofattitudetothechurchandallitsinterests，aswellashischangeofdispositionandtemperament，weresostrikingastoleaveinnoone\'smindanydoubtastothegenuinenessofhis\"changeofheart，\"andeveryweekmadethismoreapparent。Asolemnsenseofresponsibilityandanintensityofearnestnessseemedtopossesshim，whilehishumilityandgentlenessweretouchingtosee。
OntheeveningofMonday，thedayofthanksgivingintheSacramentWeek，agreatcongregationassembledfortheclosingmeetingoftheCommunionSeason。Duringtheprogressofthemeeting，Mr。Murrayandtheministersassistinghimbecameawarethattheywereinthepresenceofsomeremarkableandmysteriousphenomenon。ThepeoplelistenedtotheWordwithanintensity，response，andeagernessthatgavetokenofastateofmindandheartwhollyunusual。Hereandthere，whilethepsalmswerebeingsungorprayersbeingoffered，womenandmenwouldbreakdowninaudibleweeping；andinthepreachingthespeakerwasconsciousofapowerpossessinghimthathecouldnotexplain。
Atlengththelastpsalmwasgivenout，andthecongregation，contrarytotheirusualcustom，bytheminister\'sdirection，rosetosing。AsJohn\"Aleck\"ledthepeopleinthatgreatvolumeofpraise，theministersheldahastyconsultationinthepulpit。Theprofessorhadneverseenanythingsomarvelous；Mr。MurraywasremindedofthedaysofW。C。Burns。Thequestionwas，Whatwastobedone？Shouldthemeetingsbecontinued，orshouldtheyclosetonight？Theyhadagreatfearofreligiousexcitement。Theyhadseensomethingofthedreadfulreactionfollowingastateofexaltedreligiousfeeling。Itwasthebeginningofharvest，too。
Woulditbeadvisabletocallthepeoplefromtheirhardworkinthefieldstonightlymeetings？
Atlength，asthecongregationwerenearingthecloseofthepsalm，theprofessorspoke。\"Brethren，\"hesaid，\"thisisnotourwork。
LetusleaveittotheLordtodecide。Putthequestiontothepeopleandabidebytheirdecision。\"
Afterthepsalmwassung，theministermotionedthecongregationtotheirseats，andwithoutcommentorsuggestion，putbeforethemthequestionthathadbeendiscussedinthepulpit。Wasittheirdesirethatthemeetingsshouldbecontinuedornot？Adeep，solemnsilencelayuponthecrowdedchurch，andforsometimenoonemoved。ThenthecongregationwerestartledtoseeMacdonaldDubhriseslowlyfromhisplaceinthemiddleofthechurch。
\"Mr。Murray，\"hesaid，inavoicethatvibratedstrangely，\"youwillpardonmeforlettingmyvoicebeheardinthisplace。Itisthevoiceofagreatsinner。\"
\"Speak，Mr。Macdonald，\"saidtheminister，\"andIthankGodforthesoundofyourvoiceinHishouse。\"
\"Itisnotformetomakeanyspeecheshere。Iwillonlymakeboldtogivemywordthatthemeetingsbecontinued。ItmaybethattheLord，whohasdonesuchgreatthingsforme，willdogreatthingsforothersalso。\"Andwiththathesatdown。
\"Iwilltakethatforamotion，\"saidtheminister。\"Willanyonesecondit？\"
KennyCrubachatonceroseandsaid：\"WearealwaysslowatfollowingtheLord。Letusgoforward。\"
TheministerwaitedforsomemomentsafterKennyhadspoken，andthensaid，inavoicegraveandwithafeelingofresponsibilityinit：\"Youhaveheardthesebrethren，mypeople。Iwaitfortheexpressionofyourdesire。\"
Likeonemanthegreatcongregationrosetotheirfeet。Itwasasceneprofoundlyimpressive，andwiththeseserious-minded，soberpeople，onethatindicatedoverwhelmingemotion。
Andthusthegreatrevivalbegan。
Foreighteenmonths，nightafternight，everynightintheweekexceptSaturday，thepeoplegatheredinsuchnumbersastofillthenewchurchtothedoor。Throughoutallthebusyharvestseason，inspiteoftheautumnrainsthatfilledtheswampsandmadetheroadsalmostimpassable，inthefaceofthedrivingsnowsofwinter，throughthemeltingiceofthespring，andagainthroughthefollowingsummerandautumn，thegreatrevivalheldon。Nofictitiousmeanswereemployedtostirtheemotionsofthepeopleortokindleexcitementamongthem。Therewereneitherspecialsermonsnorrevivalhymns。Theolddoctrineswereproclaimed，butproclaimedwithafullnessandpowerunknownatothertimes。Theoldpsalmsweresung，butsungperhapsastheyhadneverbeenbefore。ForwhenJohn\"Aleck\'s\"mightyvoicerolledforthinitsfullpower，andwhenhisbandoftrainedsingersfollowed，liftingonwardwiththemthegreatcongregation——foreveryman，woman，andchildsangwithfullheartandopenthroat——theeffectwassomethingaltogetherwonderfulandworthhearing。Eachnighttherewasasermonbytheminister，who，forsixmonths，tillhishealthbrokedown，hadsolechargeofthework。Thenthesermonwasfollowedbyshortaddressesorprayersbytheelders，andafterthattheministerwouldtakethemen，andhiswifethewomen，forcloserandmorepersonaldealing。
Astherevivaldeepeneditbecamethecustomforothersthantheelderstotakepart，byreadingapsalmorotherScripture，withoutcomment，orbyprayer。Therewasashrinkingfromanythinglikeaviolentdisplayofemotion，andfromanyunveilingofthesacredsecretsoftheheart，butScripturereadingorquotingwassupposedtoexpressthethoughts，thehopes，thefears，thegratitude，thedevotion，thatmadethereligiousexperienceofthespeaker。Thiswasasfarastheyconsidereditsafeorseemlytogo。
Oneofthefirst，outsidetheranksoftheelders，totakepartinthiswaywasMacdonaldDubh；thenLongJohnCameronfollowed；thenPeterMcGregorandothersofthemenofmatureryears。AdistinctstageintherevivalwasreachedwhenyoungAleckMcRaerosetoreadhisScripture。HewasquicklyfollowedbyDon，youngFindlayson，andothersofthatage，andfromthattimeonwardtheoldlinethathadsoclearlydistinguishedagefromyouthinrespecttoreligiousdutyandprivilege，wasobliteratedforever。
Ithadbeenastrange，ifnotverydoubtful，phenomenontoseeayoungman\"comingforward，\"orinanywaygivingindicationofreligiousfeeling。Butthiswouldneverbeagain。
ItwasnosmallanxietyandgrieftoMrs。MurraythatRanald，thoughheregularlyattendedthemeetings，seemedtoremainunmovedbythetideofreligiousfeelingthatwaseverywheresurgingthroughtheheartsofthepeople。Theministeradvisedlettinghimalone，butMrs。MurraywasanxiouslywaitingforthetimewhenRanaldwouldcometoher。Thattimecame，butnotuntillongmonthsofwearywaitingonherpart，andofpainfulstruggleonhis，hadpassed。
Fromtheveryfirstofthegreatmovementhisfatherthrewhimselfintoitwithalltheearnestintensityofhisnature，butatthesametimewithahumilitythatgavetokenthatthememoryofthewilddaysofhisyouthandearlymanhoodwereneverfarawayfromhim。Hewaseagertoserveinthework，andwasaconstantsourceofwondertoallwhohadknownhiminhisyouthandearlymanhood。
Atallthedifferentmeetingshewaspresent。Nothingcouldkeephimaway。\"Nightcometh，\"hesaidtohisbrother，whowasremonstratingwithhim。Hisday\'sworkwasdrawingtoitsclose。
ButRanaldwouldnotlethimselfseethefailingofhisfather\'shealth，andwhen，intheharvest，theslightestworkinthefieldswouldsendhisfatherpantingtotheshade，Ranaldwouldsay，\"Itisthehotweather，father。Whenthecooldayscomeyouwillbebetter。Andwhyshouldyoubebotheringyourselfwiththework，anyway？SurelyYankeeandIcanlookafterthat。\"Andindeedtheyseemedtobequitefittotakeofftheharvest。
DaybydayRanaldswunghiscradleafterYankeewithallaman\'ssteadinesstillallthegrainwascut；andbythetimetheharvestwasover，Ranaldhaddevelopedastrengthofmuscleandaskillintheharvestworkthatmadehimequalofalmostanymaninthecountry。Hewasallthemoreeagertohavetheharvestworkdoneintime，thathisfathermightnotfretoverhisowninabilitytohelp。ForRanaldcouldnotbeartoseethelookofdisappointmentthatsometimesshoweditselfinhisfather\'sfacewhenweaknessdrovehimfromthefield，anditwasthisthatmadehimthrowhimselfintotheworkashedid。Hewascarefulalsotoconsultwithhisfatherinregardtoallthedetailsofthemanagementofthefarm，andtotellhimallthathewasplanningtodoaswellasallthatwasdone。HisfatherhadalwaysbeenakindofherotoRanald，whoadmiredhimforhisprowesswiththegunandtheax，aswellasforhisgreatstrengthandcourage。Buteversincecalamityhadbefallenhim，theboy\'shearthadgoneouttohisfatherinanewtenderness，andthelastmonthshaddrawnthetwoveryclosetogether。ItwasadarkdayforRanaldwhenhewasforcedtofacethefactthathisfatherwasgrowingdailyweaker。
Itwashisuncle，MacdonaldBhain，whofinallymadehimseeit。
\"Yourfatherisfailing，Ranald，\"hesaidonedaytowardthecloseofharvest。
\"Itisthehotweather，\"saidRanald。\"Hewillbebetterinthefall。\"
\"Ranald，myboy，\"saidhisuncle，gravely，\"yourfatherwillfadewiththeleaf，andthefirstsnowwilllieuponhim。\"
AndthenRanaldfairlyfacedthefactthatbeforelonghewouldbealoneintheworld。Withoutanyexchangeofwords，heandhisfathercametounderstandeachother，andtheybothknewthattheywerespendingtheirlastdaysonearthtogether。Ontheson\'sside，theyweredaysofdeepeningsorrow；butwiththefather，everydayseemedtobringhimagreaterpeaceofmindandaclearershiningofthelightthatneverfades。Tohisson，MacdonaldDubhneverspokeofthedeaththathefelttobedrawingnearer，butheoftenspoketohimofthelifehewouldlikehissontolive。Hisonlyotherconfidantinthesematterswastheminister\'swife。ToherMacdonaldDubhopeneduphisheart，andtoher，morethantoanyoneelse，heowedhisgrowingpeaceandlight；anditwastouchingtoseethedevotionandthetendernessthatheshowedtoherasoftenasshecametoseehim。Withhisbrother，MacdonaldBhain，hemadeallthearrangementsnecessaryforthedisposalofthefarmandthepaymentofthemortgage。
Ranaldhadnodesiretobeafarmer，andindeed，whenthemortgagewaspaidtherewouldnotbemuchleft。
\"Hewillbemyson，\"saidMacdonaldBhaintohisbrother；\"andmyhomewillbehiswhileIlive。\"
SoineverywaytherewasquietpreparationforMacdonaldDubh\'sgoing，andwhenatlastthedaycame，therewasnohasteorfear。
ItwasintheafternoonofabrightSeptemberday，asthesunwasnearingthetopsofthepine-treesinthewest。Hisbrotherwassupportinghiminhisstrongarms，whileRanaldkneltbythebedside。Nearhimsattheminister\'swife，andatalittledistanceKirsty。
\"Liftmeup，Tonal，\"saidthedyingman；\"Iwillbewantingtoseethesunagain，andthenIwillbegoing。Iwillbegoingtothelandwheretheywillnotneedthelightofthesun。Tonal，bhodaich，itisthegoodbrotheryouhavebeentome，andmany\'sthegooddaywehavehadtogether。\"
\"Och，Hugh，man。Areyougoingfromme？\"saidMacdonaldBhain，withgreatsorrowinhisvoice。
\"Aye，Tonal，foralittle。\"ThenhelookedforafewmomentsatKirsty，whowasstandingatthefootofthebed。
\"Comenearme，Kirsty，\"hesaid；andKirstycametothebedside。
\"Youhavealwaysbeenkindtomeandmine，andyouwerekindtoHER
aswell，andtherewardwillcometoyou。\"ThenheturnedtoMrs。
Murray，andsaid，withagreatlightofjoyinhiseyes：\"ItisyouthatcametomeastheangelofGodwithawordofsalvation，andforevermoreIwillbeblessingyou。\"Andthenheadded，inavoicefulloftenderness，\"Iwillbetellingheraboutyou。\"HetookMrs。Murray\'shandandtremblinglyliftedittohislips。
\"Ithasbeenagreatjoytome，\"saidMrs。Murray，withdifficultysteadyinghervoice，\"toseeyoucometoyourSaviour，Mr。
Macdonald。\"
\"Aye，Iknowitwell，\"hesaid；andthenheadded，inavoicethatsankalmosttoawhisper，\"Nowyouwillbereadingtheprayer。\"
AndMrs。Murray，openingherGaelicBible，repeatedinherclear，softvoice，thewordsoftheLord\'sPrayer。Throughallthepetitionshefollowedher，untilhecametothewords，\"Forgiveusourdebts。\"Therehepaused。
\"Ranald，myman，\"hesaid，raisinghishandwithdifficultyandlayingitupontheboy\'shead，\"youwilllistentomenow。Somedayyouwillfindthemanthatbroughtmetothis，andyouwillsaytohimthatyourfatherforgavehimfreely，andwishedhimalltheblessingofGod。Youwillpromisemethis，Ranald？\"saidMacdonaldDubh。
\"Yes，father，\"saidRanald，liftinghishead，andlookingintohisfather\'sface。
\"And，Ranald，you，too，willbeforgivinghim？\"Buttothistherewasnoreply。Ranald\'sheadwasburiedinthebed。
\"Ah，\"saidMacdonaldDubh，withdifficulty，\"youareyourfather\'sson；butyouwillnotbelayingthisbitternessuponmenow。Youwillbeforgivinghim，Ranald？\"
\"Oh，father！\"criedRanald，withabreakingvoice，\"howcanI
forgivehim？HowcanIforgivethemanwhohastakenyouawayfromme？\"
\"Itisnoman，\"repliedhisfather，\"buttheLordhimself；theLordwhohasforgivenyourfathermuch。Iamwaitingtohearyou，Ranald。\"
Then，withagreatsob，Ranaldbrokeforth：\"Oh，father，Iwillforgivehim，\"andimmediatelybecamequiet，andsocontinuedtotheend。
Aftersomemomentsofsilence，MacdonaldDubhlookedoncemoretowardtheminister\'swife，andaradiantsmilespreadoverhisface。
\"Youwillbefinishing，\"hesaid。
Herfacewaswetwithtears，andforafewmomentsshecouldnotspeak。Butitwasnotimetofailinduty，so，commandinghertears，withaclear，unwaveringvoiceshewentontotheendoftheprayer——
\"Forthineisthekingdomandthepowerandtheglory，foreverandever。Amen。\"
\"Glory！\"saidMacdonaldDubhafterher。\"Aye，theGlory。Ranald，myboy，whereareyou？Youwillbefollowingme，lad，totheGlory。SHEwillbeaskingmeaboutyou。Youwillbefollowingme，lad？\"
TheanxiousnoteinhisvoicestruckRanaldtotheheart。
\"Oh，father，itiswhatIwant，\"hereplied，brokenly。\"Iwilltry。\"
\"Aye，\"saidMacdonaldDubh，\"andyouwillcome。IwillbetellingHER。Nowlaymedown，Tonal；Iwillbegoing。\"
MacdonaldBhainlaidhimquietlybackonhispillow，andforamomenthelaywithhiseyesclosed。
Oncemoreheopenedhiseyes，andwithatroubledlookuponhisface，andinavoiceofdoubtandfear，hecried：\"Itisasinfulman，OLord，asinfulman。\"
HiseyeswanderedtilltheyfellonMrs。Murray\'sface，andthenthetroubleandfearpassedoutofthem，andinagentlervoicehesaid：\"Forgiveusourdebts。\"Then，feelingwithhishandtillitrestedonhisson\'shead，MacdonaldDubhpassedaway，atpeacewithmenandwithGod。
TherewaslittlesadnessandnobittergriefatMacdonaldDubh\'sfuneral。Thetoneallthroughwasoneoftriumph，fortheyallknewhislife，andhowsorethefighthadbeen，andhowhehadwonhisvictory。Hishumilityandhisgentlenessduringthelastfewweeksofhislifehadremovedallthedistancethathadseparatedhimfromthepeople，andhaddrawntheirheartstowardhim；andnowinhisfinaltriumphtheycouldnotfinditintheirheartstomourn。
ButtoRanaldthesadnesswasmorethanthetriumph。Throughthewild，ungovernedyearsofhisboyhoodhisfatherhadbeenmorethanafathertohim。Hehadbeenafriend，sharingacommonlot，andwithoutmuchshowoftenderness，understandingandsympathizingwithhim，andnowthathisfatherhadgonefromhim，agreatlonelinessfelluponthelad。
Thefarmanditsbelongingsweresold。KirstybroughtwithherthebigboxofblanketsandlinenthathadbelongedtoRanald\'smother。
Ranaldtookhismother\'sGaelicBible，hisfather\'sgunandax，andwiththegreatdeerhound，Bugle，andhiscolt，Lisette，leftthehomeofhischildhoodbehindhim，andwithhisAuntKirsty，wenttolivewithhisuncle。
Throughouttheautumnmonthshewasbusyhelpinghisunclewiththeplowing，thepotatoes，andthefallwork。Soontheairbegantonip，andthenight\'sfrosttolastthroughouttheshorteningday，andthenMacdonaldBhainbegantopreparewoodforthewinter，andtomakeallthingssnugaboutthehouseandbarn；andwhenthefirstfallofsnowfellsoftly，hetookdownhisbroad-ax，andthenRanaldknewthatthegangwouldsoonbeoffagainfortheshanties。
Thatnighthisuncletalkedlongwithhimabouthisfuture。
\"Ihavenoson，Ranald，\"hesaid，astheysattalking；\"and，foryourfather\'ssakeandforyourown，itismydesirethatyoushouldbecomeasontome，andthereisnoonebutyourselftowhomthefarmwouldgo。AndgladwillIbeifyouwillstaywithme。
But，stayornot，allthatIhavewillbeyours，ifitpleasetheLordtospareyou。\"
\"Iwouldwantnothingbetter，\"saidRanald，\"thantostaywithyouandworkwithyou，butIdonotdrawtowardthefarm。\"
\"Andwhatelsewouldyoudo，Ranald？\"
\"Indeed，Iknownot，\"saidRanald，\"butsomethingelsethanfarming。