e rooms
before the keepers had come with their keys. And they had to tell him
that the candles were to be put out at night before he would go away. He
was always reading, as if he had never read it before, the pedigree of
the Lord of the Hill. Moses' rod, Shamgar's goad, David's sling and
stone, and what not--he laughed and danced and sang like a child around
these ancient tables. The armoury-room also held him, where were the
swords, and shields, and helmets, and breast-plates, and shoes that would
not wear out. You would have thought you had your man all right as long
as you had him alone among these old relics; but, let supper be ready,
and the house gathered, and Mr. Fearing was as dumpish as ever. Eat he
would not, drink he would not, nor would he sit at the same table with
those who ate and drank with such gladness. I remembered Mr. Fearing at
the House Beautiful when I was present at a communion season some time
back in Ross-shire. The church was half full of Mr. Fearing's close
kindred that communion morning. For, all that the minister himself could
do, and all that the assisting minister could do--no! to the table those
self-examined, self-condemned, fear-filled souls would not come. The two
ministers, like Mr. Greatheart's Master, carried it wonderful lovingly
with those poor saints that day; but those who are in deed, and not in
name only, passing the time of their sojourning here in fear--they cannot
all at once be lifted above all their fears, even by the ablest action
sermons, or by the most wise and tender table-addresses. And, truth to
tell, though you will rebuke me all the way home to-night for saying it,
my heart sat somewhat nearer to those old people who were perhaps a
little too dumpish in their repentance and their faith and their hope
that morning, than it did to those who took to the table with a light
heart. I know all your flippant cant about gospel liberty and against
Highland introspection, as you call it--as well as all your habitual
neglect of a close and deep self-examination, as Paul called it; but I
tell you all to-night that it would be the salvation of your soul if you
too worked your way up to every returning Lord's table with much more
fear and much more trembling. Let a man examine himself, Saxon as well
as Celt, in Edinburgh as well as in Ross-shire, and so let him eat of
that flesh and drink of that blood. "These pills," said Mr. Skill, "are
to be taken three at a tim