Letters of Samuel Rutherford: (Third Edition)Rutherford, Samuel
Religion
Letters of Samuel Rutherford: (Third Edition)
Rutherford, Samuel
Rutherford, Samuel, 1600?-1661 -- Correspondence
[32] The place is still pointed out by tradition, as "Rutherford's
Walk." It was close to the old manse, which was pulled down many years
ago. It stood about a quarter of a mile from the church, and bore the
name, _Bushy Bield_, or _Bush o' Bield, i.e._, the bush of shelter.
Some make it _Bush o' Biel_, and say it is a corruption of
_Bosco-bello_, fair-wood, _Boscobel_.
[Illustration: BUSH O' BEILD--RUTHERFORD'S HOUSE.]
Scarcely less interesting is the record of another unlooked-for
meeting. Rutherford had one day left home to go to the neighbouring
town of Kirkcudbright, the next day being a day of humiliation in that
place. Having no doubt spent some time with his like-minded brother,
he turned his steps to the house of another friend, Provost Fullerton,
whose wife was Marion M'Naught. While sitting with them in friendly
converse a knock at the door was heard, and then a step on the
threshold. It was worthy Mr. Blair, who, on his way from London to
Portpatrick, had sought out some of his godly friends, that with them
he might be refreshed ere he returned to Ireland. He told them, when
seated, that "he had a desire to visit both Mr. Rutherford at Anwoth,
and Marion M'Naught at Kircudbright; but not knowing how to accomplish
both, had prayed for direction at the parting of the road, and laid
the bridle on the horse's neck. The horse took the way to
Kirkcudbright, and there he found both the friends he so longed to
see." It was a joyful and refreshing meeting on all sides. Wodrow
tells[33] another incident that, in part, bears some resemblance to
this. Rutherford had been reasoning at Stirling with the Marquis of
Argyle, and had set out homeward. But his horse was very troublesome,
and he was feeling in his mind that he should have been more urgent
and plain! He returned, and dealt freely this time. And now his horse
went on pleasantly all the way.
[33] "Analecta," vol. ii. p. 161.
In 1634 he attended the remarkable deathbed of Lord Kenmure, a
narrative of which he published fifteen years after, in "The Last and
Heavenly Speeches and Glorious Departure of John Viscount Kenmure."
The inroads of Episcopacy were at this time threatening to disquiet
Anwoth. His own domestic afflictions were still affecting him; for he
writes that same year, in referring to his wife's death many years
before, "which wound is not yet fully healed and cured." About that
time, too, there was a proposal (never carried into effect) to call
him to Cramond near Edinburgh,[34] and another to get him settled at
Kirkcudbright.
[34] Letter xliii. His friend and neighbour Mr. Dalgleish, minister of
Kirkdale and Kirkmabreck, was translated to Cramond in 1639.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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