Page:Cuthbert Bede - The White Wife.djvu/239

214 memory were so prodigious, that, when once he had read over a sermon, he could correctly repeat it, without omitting or altering a word. The Rev. Donald Kelly possessed a similarly retentive and powerful memory, by means of which his pulpit preparations were materially lightened.

On a certain occasion he went from Southend to Campbelton, to assist Dr. Allan MacNaughton in the Sacramental services. It was arranged that Mr. Kelly should preach on the Saturday, and Dr. MacNaughton on the Sunday. For this purpose the Southend minister arrived at his colleague's manse on the Friday, and in the evening was sitting in the study with the Doctor, when the latter was called out of the room to attend upon a sick person, and was detained a considerable time. Meanwhile Mr. Kelly had spied a professional-looking manuscript lying on his host's desk, and beguiled the time by reading it. It proved to be a most excellent sermon, prepared by the Doctor with much care and study, and intended for delivery on the ensuing Sabbath. The Doctor returned, and placed his manuscript in his desk, under lock and key, Mr. Kelly keeping silence on the subject.