f the reformed church, and designed
me for his assistant and successor in the holy office. I missed no
opportunity of perfecting myself particularly in all the minute points
of theology in which my reverend father and mother took great delight;
but at length I acquired so much skill that I astonished my teachers,
and made them gaze at one another. I remember that it was the custom,
in my patron's house, to ask questions of the Single Catechism round
every Sabbath night. He asked the first, my mother the second, and so
on, everyone saying the question asked and then asking the next. It
fell to my mother to ask Effectual Calling at me. I said the answer
with propriety and emphasis. "Now, madam," added I, "my question to you
is: What is Ineffectual Calling?"

"Ineffectual Calling? There is no such thing, Robert," said she.

"But there is, madam," said I, and that answer proves how much you say
these fundamental precepts by rote, and without any consideration.
Ineffectual Calling is the outward call of the gospel without any
effect on the hearts of unregenerated and impenitent sinners. Have not
all these the same calls, warnings, doctrines, and reproofs, that we
have? And is not this ineffectual Calling? Has not Ardinferry the same?
Has not Patrick M'Lure the same? Has not the Laird of Dalcastle and his
reprobate heir the same? And will any tell me that this is not
Ineffectual Calling?"

"What a wonderful boy he is!" said my mother.

"I'm feared he turn out to be a conceited gowk," said old Barnet, the
minister's man.

"No," said my pastor, and father (as I shall henceforth denominate
him). "No, Barnet, he is a wonderful boy; and no marvel, for I have
prayed for these talents to be bestowed on him from his infancy: and do
you think that Heaven would refuse a prayer so disinterested? No, it is
impossible. But my dread is, madam," continued he, turning to my
mother, "that he is yet in the bond of iniquity."

"God forbid!" said my mother.

"I have struggled with the Almighty long and hard," continued he; "but
have as yet no certain token of acceptance in his behalf, I have indeed
fought a hard fight, but have been repulsed by him who hath seldom
refused my request; although I cited his own words against him, and
endeavoured to hold him at his promise, he hath so many turnings in the
supremacy of his power, that I have been rejected. How dreadful is it
to think of our darling being still without the pale of the covenant