Page:Life of Robert Burns.pdf/7

 7 15th, 16th, and 17th verses of the seventh chapter of Revelations, than with any ten times as many verses in the whole Bible, and would not exchange the noble enthusiasm with which they inspire me for all that this world has to offer."* Had Burns always acted up to the dictates of his better judg- ment and feelings, he would have been a much more happy and prosperous man: But, alas, for human nature with much that was truly noble and generous, he inherited also much of the frailty incident to fallen man: " At Irvine," says Gil- bert, “'he contracted some acquaintance of a freer manner of thinking and living than he had been used.to, whose society prepared him for overleap- ing the bounds of rigid virtue which had hitherto restrained him." The misfortunes of his father reached their crisis about the time of Robert's re- turn from Irvine, and he did not live long after- wards. About this time Burns had to undergo the pen- ance then awarded by the discipline of the Church of Scotland for the birth of an illegitimate child. His conduct on this occasions was marked by a le- -15. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and her that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 16. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them. : nor any heat. 17. For the Lamb, that is in the midst of the throne, shall feed them, and shall lead then unto living fountains of waters and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
 * These verses are as follows: