Page:Life of the martyr, John Brown, of Priesthill, in the parish of Muirkirk, Ayrshire (3).pdf/14

14 seperate paths they would take home, to prevent them fron being seen, wien they were struck silent by a voice, sweeter than any thing they had ever heard, passing over the ravine, singing these words ;-

Oh ! let the prisoners' sighs ascend Before thy sight on high ; Preserve those by thy mighty power, That are ordained lo die.

And again, while they still stood speechless, another voice sung, in tones of exultation ;-

Though ye have lain among the pots, Like doves ye shall appear, Whose wings with silver, and with gold Whose feathers covered are.

After standing for some time looking at one another, some of them thonglt they had left other worshippers in the moss hag. Others thought that the sound echoed from a greater distance. " Whoever or wherever the words come from, we trave little concern,” said John Brown; one thing we may take comfort" from; they are God's words to his church in afiliction ; and that is our situation Who lye among the pots? We scullions, black in the opinion of our enemies. But God sees us not as man sees us, but compares us to doves; doves on the wing, whose feathers of gold and silver are best seen while they fly. It may be, we are on the wing to an eternal world, and this Bethel meeting is preparing us to mount up with wings like eagles. If so, let us keep in mind, that we have nothing to boast of, but grace, grace ; unto it is our acknowledgement." While he spoke, his countenance beamed the pleasantest ever they had seen; and when he parted from them, they stood and looked after him. It was the last time they saw him in life, and the last time they heard him speak. "He had a most uncommon talent in communicating