442 The Little Minister

Another said, “‘ That’s a man.’

Another said, «cL hatanan-nasig Agia to last
him all through. ie

A fourth said, “ Behold, the Kingdom of
Heaven is at feed: 7

A fifth said, “That’s our minister. He’s the
minister o’ the Auld Licht kirk o’ Thrums.
Woe is me, we're to lose him.”

Many cried, “Our hearts was set hard against
him, --O Lord, are You angry wi’ Your servants
that You’re taking him frae us just when we ken
what he is?”

Gavin did not hear them, and again he spoke :

“My brethren, God is good. I have just
learned that my wife is with my dear mother at
the manse. I leave them in your care and in
lis.

No more he said of Babbie, for the island was
become very small.

“The Lord calls me hence. It is only for a
little time I have been with you, and now I am
going away, and you will know me no more.
‘Too great has been my pride because I was your
minister, but He who sent me to labour among
you is slow to wrath ; and He ever bore in mind
that you were my first charge. My people, I
must say to you, ‘ Farewell.’”

Then, for the first time, his voice faltered, and
wanting to go on he could not. “ Let us read,”
he said, quickly, “in the Word of God in the
fourteenth of Matthew, from the twenty-eighth
verse.”

He repeated these four verses :

“<« And Peter answered Him and said, Lord,