Blair Collection > Celtic magazine > Volume 12

314 The Celtic Magazine.
Severe to himself, unpitying of the weakness that lies in his own
heart, but infinitely forgiving to poor humanity. Do you know
the look ? Have you seen it ? That expression which was upon
Christ's face at the supremest moment of all the world's
history, when we see amidst the agony of a great agony pity for
those who did the wrong shine from Him who felt it, like a sun to
lighten aright all the ages of humanity. Such a look is in this
man's eyes. He has been a famous student in a great university.
Every profession wooed him. The logic of a mind chrystal-clear
promised the riches and honours of the bar. A sweet and fluent
eloquence promised him one of those churches where the
wealthiest and the fairest load a preacher with their homage.
His friends spoke with enthusiasm of what he was to be, and all
the burden of their eloquence was to show how quickly and how
completely he would certainly attain ease with honour. And he
answered them never a word, but as the years went on grew
more silent — thoughtful. At last he spoke. He would give
himself to a missionary's life. In vain his friends protested.
Missions, those good folk said, were excellent things, to which we
should contribute blankets and tracts and spare coppers, and
"stickit ministers," but to throw away upon them the ability and
the zeal of tJiis, why it was absurd, as absurd say as asking the
great merchant to interpret the Bible literally and apply to
himself its remarkably socialistic teachings. For what would
become of the Stock Exchange if the Bible were kept for Monday
practising and not for Sunday reading .? Opposition made no
imprint upon his resolution. Mildly and firmly — for gentleness
covered his stern nature as the green turf sometimes covers the
iron rock — he put all objections aside, and took his course well
knowing whither and into what toilsome perils it would lead him.
As sternly as he resolved so sternly did. Between his purpose
and its execution he allowed nothing to come. The wearisome
task of acquiring difficult and intricate languages did not daunt
him, and persecution will not shake his resolve to preach the
whole and pure Gospel. He is a type of many a Scottish student.
One more, one last picture. A small house in a great city,
and in a part of that city where genteel poverty holds its frigid
sway. A house as neat and clean as a daisy, newly dry after its