your ears to those that trumpet forth their hypothetical politics;
but to believe that the laws of the land are administered with a
good intent, till in your own homes and dwellings ye feel the
presence of the oppressor--then, and not till then, are ye free to
gird your loins for battle--and woe to him, and woe to the land
where that is come to, if the sword be sheathed till the wrong be
redressed.

"As for you, my old companions, many changes have we seen in our
day; but the change that we ourselves are soon to undergo will be
the greatest of all. We have seen our bairns grow to manhood--we
have seen the beauty of youth pass away--we have felt our backs
become unable for the burthen, and our right hand forget its
cunning.--Our eyes have become dim, and our heads grey--we are now
tottering with short and feckless steps towards the grave; and some,
that should have been here this day, are bed-rid, lying, as it were,
at the gates of death, like Lazarus at the threshold of the rich
man's door, full of ails and sores, and having no enjoyment but in
the hope that is in hereafter. What can I say to you but farewell!
Our work is done--we are weary and worn out, and in need of rest--
may the rest of the blessed be our portion!--and in the sleep that
all must sleep, beneath the cold blanket of the kirkyard grass, and
on that clay pillow where we must shortly lay our heads, may we have
pleasant dreams, till we are awakened to partake of the everlasting
banquet of the saints in glory!"

When I had finished, there was for some time a great solemnity
throughout the kirk; and, before giving the blessing, I sat down to
compose myself, for my heart was big, and my spirit oppressed with
sadness.