'of Dreams upon the wall,
And visions passing up the shadowy stair and through the vacant
hall.'"
"I am glad you told me of Ian's dream. I understand him better now."
"And like him better?"
"Yes, but I have always loved Ian above all others."
"Then be patient with him now. It is hard for mortals to live when their
moments are filled with eternity."
CHAPTER XI
LOVE IS THE FULFILLING OF THE LAW
"Then, as the veil is rent in twain,
From unremembered places where they lay
Dead thoughts, dead words arise and live again,
The clouded eyes can see, the lips can pray.
A purer light dawns on the night of pain,
And, on the morrow, 'tis the Sabbath day."
The love of God, which passeth all understanding.
For a few days Dr. Macrae was seen frequently about the streets of
Glasgow. Some bowed to him, some passed by on the other side. He was
also generally accompanied by Major Macrae or by a certain well-known
lawyer, neither of them men partial to greetings in the market place or
conversations at the street corners. So in a manner he was protected by
his companions and his preoccupation. In his home all knew that he was
going away, but no one named the circumstance to him. It was not an easy
thing to talk to Macrae on subjects he did not wish named.
Indeed, it was four days after his public resignation from the ministry
before the Church of the Disciples ventured to make any movement
signifying their acceptance of his withdrawal. Then a little company of
church officials called on him to exchange some necessary papers and pay
the salary which was due. Thomas Reid's name was among those of the
visitors, and for a moment Ian resolved not to meet them. But it was
Jessy Caird who brought him their request, and she looked so
persuasively at Ian that he answered:
"Very well, Jessy, if you think so, send them in here."
When the little band entered his study his heart melted at the sight of
these old associates of his dead life. They had honored and loved him
for many years, and his miserable state was not their fault. Only Elder
Reid had ever offended, and he had always regretted the trouble and been
glad when it was removed. So Ian looked at them with his heart in his
eyes, and they looked at him and could not utter a word.
For this man was not their long-beloved Minister. He was even outwardly
so changed they could not for a few moments accept him. That very day
Ian had taken off his "blacks" forever. The long black broadcloth coat
and vest and the snow-white band around his throat had been replaced by
a very handsome suit of dark tweed, such as they were themselves
wearing. And this change in his dress--so totally unexpected--moved
them beyond all reason. They looked at him in silence, and their hearts
and eyes were full of unshed tears.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account