up, and gave out that anthem of triumph, the 124th psalm, the
singing of which brought the congregation round to themselves; but
still I felt that I could not preach as I had meant to do; therefore
I only said a few words of prayer, and singing another psalm,
dismissed the congregation.



CHAPTER XXIV YEAR 1783



This was another Sabbath year of my ministry. It has left me
nothing to record but a silent increase of prosperity in the parish.
I myself had now in the bank more than a thousand pounds, and every
thing was thriving around. My two bairns, Gilbert, that is now the
merchant in Glasgow, was grown into a sturdy ramplor laddie, and
Janet, that is married upon Dr. Kittleword, the minister of
Swappington, was as fine a lassie for her years as the eyes of a
parent could desire to see.

Shortly after the news of the peace, an event at which all gave
themselves up to joy, a thing happened among us that at the time
caused much talk; but although very dreadful, was yet not so
serious, some how or other, as such an awsome doing should have
been. Poor Jenny Gaffaw happened to take a heavy cold, and soon
thereafter died. Meg went about from house to house, begging dead-
clothes, and got the body straighted in a wonderful decent manner,
with a plate of earth and salt placed upon it--an admonitory type of
mortality and eternal life that has ill-advisedly gone out of