Page:Life of the martyr, John Brown, of Priesthill, in the parish of Muirkirk, Ayrshire (3).pdf/4

4 the banished ministers. They were there harboured without fear or dread of laws, and kindly entertained. The inhabitants of the heath-covered moors, and the distant isles of the sea were made glad, and blossomed as the rose. Thus, the scattering of the ministers made new inroads upon Satan’s kingdom. The gospel flourished, though driven from temples made with hands. Many date their conversion from the glad tidings they heard in these wilds, saying with the Psalmist, Lo ! we heard of thee at Ephratah, we found thee in the field of the wood.

It was from these banished ministers that John Brown received his superior education. He was intended for the church, had not an uncommon difficulty of expressing his sentiments to strangers prevented him from prosecuting his studies. But what was strange, in prayer be was gifted in an extraordinary measure. In such scriptural language did he pour forth his soul, and at the same time with such variety, fluency and affection, that he appeared like one superhuman. Many have a gift or prayer whose lives bespeak them far from the kingdom of heaven. Such was not Priesthill. His actions with men were just and judicious; so much so, that he was intrusted, when a very young man, with the produce of the neighbouring shepherds, to carry to market, and dispose of, and bring back what they requited in return. In this capacity, he got the name of the Christian Carrier ; and often the first that brought them tidings of the mischief that was framed by law against the Presbyterians.

He was merely a youth at the rising of Pentland and not having been either at the battle of Drumclog or Bothwell, he could evade with ease the insnaring questions that every traveller was required to answer: by which means he passed to and for unmolested; although he did not attend the curate of Muirkirk, who was a silly, easy creature, and