Page:Life of the martyr, John Brown, of Priesthill, in the parish of Muirkirk, Ayrshire (3).pdf/12

12 business of Carrier, though he had no hand in the A pologetic Declaration. His opinion and his conduct was consistent with it, was, that he ought to live as in an enemy's country, and without sin. Yet he was often obliged to betake to the high-lands of Kyle, and of Lanarkshire, and to hear the chilling cold of March and April winds, with the more bitter blast of persecution. Still, however, amidst the storms of nature, and of the political heavens. he had the rainbow of the covenant around his head, and enjoyed a freedom and pleasure that his enemies could not rob him of. On one of those days, when driven from his hone, he fled for relage to a deep ravine, or moss hag, that had been formed by the current of a waterspout, carrying shrubs, soil, moss, and all before it, to the dale land beneath, leaving a frightful chasm, amidst a vast field of heath. Its deep mossy sides made it inaccessible to strangers : only the neighbouring husbandmen knew where the brackens hid the rocks, whose shelvy sides conducted to the bottom. In the sides of this natural alley, were dens and caves, sufficent to hide a large company. In one of these Priesthill intended to spend the day in prayer; and had begun to pour out his soul, in the words of Lamentations iii 40, and downwards, when a sweet sound reached his ear, that seeded to proceed from another part of the moss hag.-- At first it was in a soft under voice, as afraid to be beard, but soon rose above all fear, joined with others; and the cxlii. Psalm was distinctly sung. 'It is the hallowed sound of praising God; and by some fellow-sufferers;' said John Brown, as he arose from his knees, to search them out. And to his no small joy, found out David and William Steel, his neighbours, and Joseph Wilson from Lesmahago, in the cleft of a rock that jutted half-way into the ravine. David Steel had a narrow escape day before this. When just about to begin the