in some places, tumbled down, and is lying in scattered fragments, like the broken arches and colonnades of some magnificent temple. A place like this, even among the splendid scenery of the mountains, could not pass without admiration; but when it is met with in the heart of an uninteresting moor, it is like an oasis in the desert. It does not appear, however, that the Pamphy Linns-supposing them a resort of the persecuted adherents of the covenant-were so much a place of security from their enemies as of shelter from the tempest. Every hole and crevice in the locality are discoverable on the first inspection, so that no individual could possibly effect a sufficient concealment; but then, as a place of protection from the wind and the rain, to which these houseless wanderers were so often exposed, it would be eagerly sought.

Among the curious hiding-places to which the worthies resorted, the cave of Garrick Fell is not the least interesting. Garrick Fell is a hill in the parish of Closeburn in Nithsdale, and lies to the east of the ancient parish of Durisdeer, famous for its Roman antiquities, and more famous still as the scene of Christian martyrdom. The cave of Garrick Fell was known to only a very few; and so complete is its seclusion, that even now the shepherds who daily traverse the locality in which it is situated, cannot discover its entrance. It is likely, however, that the rocks and loose stones have of late fallen down, and closed the aperture, as a worthy man, who died a few years ago, was well acquainted with it in his younger days. It was in this cave, as tradition affirms, that Peden occasionally concealed himself; and a story of some interest is told of him connected with it. The house of Gilchristland Shiel, in Closeburn, it appears, was frequently visited by this zealous and unwearied preacher. Under its hospitable roof he many times rested and was refreshed, after his exhaustion and watchings among the mountains. The providence of that God who watches over all, and especially over those who trust in him and do his work, furnished for his servants who, in those times of trial had left all for his truth's sake, even in the remotest solitudes, a friendly abode, in which the kindest treatment was experienced. These places of rest and entertainment, like the inns which everywhere meet the wayfaring man, were more numerous than we are at first ready to imagine. Every glen, and moor, and hill, and forest, had its hut, whose door was ever open for the reception of those who were scattered abroad by persecution. There is to be met with, in the pastoral dis

tricts, a hospitality to which inhabitants of towns are in a great measure strangers. There is an honest kindness of heart unostentatiously displayed by the ruder occupants of the desert, which may well put to shame the more ceremonious politeness of the urbane part of the community. The hospitality of those days, however, was not simply that of a natural benevolence, or merely conventional custom-it was the hospitality of principle-it was beneficent treatment for Christ's sake; for they looked on the men who bespoke their sympathy as sufferers, especially in the cause of the Gospel.

Mr Peden, during his temporary residence at Gilchristland Shiel, was not idle; for as this pious household failed not to minister to him in temporal things, he did not fail to minister to them in spiritual things. To minister in the Gospel was his work and his delight, and for the truth's sake he endured the loss of all things, and subjected himself to hardships of every description. One day he was engaged in his spiritual vocation, expounding the Scriptures to the family, and probably to a few of the neighbours met with them. He enlarged on the precious truths of the Gospel, and his little audience were intent on the weighty matters presented to their notice, and were happy in listening to the joyful sound. They were assembled in a retreat where little danger was anticipated, and therefore, without much anxiety about their safety, they gave their minds entirely to the religious exercise in which they were employed. The apparent eagerness with which this little flock in the wilderness received the doctrine of Christ, filled the breast of the preacher with a heavenly satisfaction, and imparted a holier earnestness to his address. To the man whose great object is to win souls to Christ, nothing is more gladdening than to witness the truth taking effect on those to whom it is propounded. And in what blessed circumstances must that company of worshippers be, on whom the Spirit in his saving influences has descended, softening the heart, and uniting the soul to Christ, in a relation never to be dissolved!

As Mr Peden and his company were thus engaged, a sound like the wailing of an infant, and then like the soft bleating of a sheep, was heard not far from the house. Nobody took notice of it, nor was it necessary, as every one knew what it was. In a little the same sound was heard again, but in rather a stronger tone. No one stirred. At last the sound was heard, with startling violence, close at the door, and then louder still within the door, and so impatiently incessant, that the shepherd rose to drive away the

intruder that had come so unseasonably to disturb their serious thoughts. It was a large sheep that, without any apparent cause, sought, on a fine day, when the rest of the flock were grazing tranquilly on the bent, shelter about the door. The shepherd instantly turned it out to the heath, and following it a short distance from the house, discovered, to his surprise, a party of moss-troopers advancing in the direction of his cottage. All within was consternation, and the poor sheep, whose obtrusive bleatings were considered as a special annoyance, was now regarded as a harbinger of mercy, sent to warn them of their approaching danger. Whatever cause may be assigned for the visit of the poor animal on this occasion, it is obvious that Providence made use of it as a means of rescue to the equally helpless sheep of his fold, who were convened within. The Lord is never at a loss for instruments when he has work to perform, or deliverances to accomplish; "for all are his servants."

The meeting was instantly dispersed, and Mr Peden hastened to the cave of Garrick Fell. The dragoons, disappointed in their object, returned without perpetrating any act of violence, and the honest shepherd and his household gave thanks to Him who had provided for them a feast of good things in the wilderness, and who had not permitted the enemy to mingle their blood with their sacrifice. Their spiritual meal was sweet, and sweet also was the deliverance vouchsafed. Meanwhile, the venerable servant of God reached his cavern with safety, and there praised and honoured Him who had added this one deliverance more to the many formerly experienced. This cave, the roof of which was the superincumbent mass of the mighty mountain, was capable of accommodating with ease several persons at once. Its entrance, which was narrow, was concealed by a special provision of nature- a large bush of heather growing from the turf on the upper part of the aperture, and spreading downwards like a thick veil, covered the upper half of the opening; and the lower part was screened by a green bracken bush, which, springing from the bottom, spread itself like a feathery fan, till it met the pendent heather, and then the two, like the folding-doors of an inner chamber, closed the entrance in such a way that no individual in passing could possibly recognise the existence of any such place, however near he might approach it. What a slender barrier sometimes serves as a complete protection to those whom Providence would shield from harm! Here the good man was as safe in God's keeping as if he had been encompassed

angry

by the impenetrable walls of the solid mountain; and his enemies might pass and repass full in his view, without the slightest suspicion on their part that he was actually within their reach. It is easy to conceive the state of mind with which Mr Peden must have looked through the heathery curtain which formed the door of his cell, on those who sought his life, as they marched in order immediately before his face, noticing their menacing aspect, hearing their words, and observing at leisure the deadly weapons which were prepared for his destruction. The feelings of a person in this situation must be somewhat akin to those of the man who, from his well-sheltered and comfortable chamber, contemplates the storm as it rages without. The cave of Garrick Fell might be cold and damp-still it was not cheerless, for God was there, and its occupant enjoyed both personal security and peace of mind. We need not be afraid of suffering for Christ's sake; for in proportion to our outward afflictions is our inward consolation : "As thy day is, so shall thy strength be." Some of those who outlived the long period of the Church's distress in Scotland, declared, in testimony of their Master's kindness to them in the days of their trial, that the happiest season of their life was the season of their persecution.

CHAPTER XXI.

Campbell of Lochbruin-William Good.

THE village of New Cumnock is pleasantly situated on the banks of the Nith, a short way from its source, and about twelve miles to the west of Sanquhar. It stands at the head of a beautiful plain, through which the river pursues its serpentine course with many a graceful sweep, resembling, as has often been observed by travellers, the links of the Forth at Stirling, though on a much smaller scale. Each side of the stream below the village is walled in by a chain of mountains, extending many miles in an easterly direction. The range on the south side appears to be the eastern spur of the Urellum Montes of Richard, which formed the line of demarcation between the ancient Novantes and the Damnii. The line of mountains on the north, commencing with the greenclad hill of Corsancone, is supposed to form the western extremity of Ettrick forest; and this supposition seems to receive countenance from the fact that the name Ettrick is occasionally to be met with in the chain-as Loch Ettrick, Ettrick Stane.

It appears that the district round New Cumnock was a field much frequented by our suffering ancestors. In their days it was in a much wilder state than it is now, and afforded in its woody coverts a comparatively safe retreat from their pursuers. The stream of the Afton issues from among the dusky mountains on the south, and mingles with the Nith near the village. The grandeur of its scenery is the boast of the people of the neighbourhood; and it was in its deep recesses, and among its rugged and inaccessible steeps, when the Church was driven to the wilderness, that many a faithful witness for God's truth, and for Christ's kingly supremacy, sought a refuge; and far from the dwellings of men, the hawk and the erne were their companions, the cranberries gathered