Dred: A Tale of the Great Dismal Swamp

Chapter XXV. Lynch Law

CHAPTER XXV Lynch Law THE RAYS OF THEAFTERNOON SUNwere shining through the fringy needles of the pines. The sound of the woodpecker reverberated through the stillness of the forest, answering to thousand woodland notes. Suddenly, along the distant path, a voice is heard singing, and the sound comes strangely on the ear through the dreamy stillness: "Jesus Christ has lived and died— What is all the world beside? This to know is all I need, This to know is life indeed. Other wisdom seek I none— Teach me this, and this alone: Christ for me has lived and died, Christ for me was crucified." And, as the last lines fall upon the ear, a figure, riding slowly on horseback, comes round the bend of the forest path. It is father Dickson. It was the habit of this good man, much of whose life was spent in solitary journeyings, to use the forest arches for that purpose for which they seemed so well designed, as a great cathedralof prayer and praise. He was riding with the reins loose over the horse's neck, and a pocket-Bible in his hand. Occasionally he broke out into snatches of song, like the one which we heard him singing a few moments ago. As he rides along now, he seems absorbed in mental prayer. Father Dickson, in truth, had cause to pray. The plainness of speech which he felt bound to use had drawn upon him opposition and opprobrium, and alienated some of his best friends. The support which many had been willing to contribute to his poverty was entirelywithdrawn. His wife, in feeble health, was toiling daily beyond her strength; and hunger had looked in at the door, but each day prayer had driven it away. The petition, "Give us this day our daily bread," had not yet failed to bring an answer; 476 LYNCH LAW 477 but there was no bread for to-morrow. Many friendly advisers had told him that, if he would relinquish a futile and useless undertaking , he should have enough and to spare. He had been conferred with by the elders in a vacant church, in the town of E., who said to him, "We enjoy your preaching when you let alone controverted topics; and if you'll agree to confine yourself solely to the Gospel, and say nothing on any of the delicate and exciting subjects of the day, we shall rejoice in your ministrations." They pleaded with him his poverty, and the poor health of his wife, and the necessities of his children; but he answered, " 'Man shall not live by bread alone.'1 God is able to feed me, and he will do it." They went away, saying that he was a fool, that he was crazy. He was not the first whose brethren had said, "He is beside himself."2 As he rode along through the forest paths, he talked of his wants to his Master. "Thou knowest," he said, "how I suffer. Thou knowest how feeble my poor wife is, and how it distresses us both to have our children grow up without education. We cast ourselves on thee. Let us not deny thee; let us not betray thee. Thou hadst not where to lay thy head; let us not murmur. The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord." And then he sang: "Jesus, I my cross have taken, All to leave and follow thee; Naked, poor, despised, forsaken, Thou my all henceforth shall be! Let the world despise and leave me— They have left my Saviour too; Human looks and words deceive me— Thou art not, like them, untrue! And, while thou shalt smile upon me, God of wisdom, power, and might, Foes may hate, and friends disown me, Show thy face and all is bright!" And, as he sang and prayed, that strange joy arose within him which, like the sweetness of night flowers, is born of darkness and tribulation. The soul hath in it somewhat of the divine, in that it can have joy in endurance beyond the joy of indulgence. They mistake who suppose that the highest happiness lies in wishes accomplished—in prosperity, wealth, favor, and success. There has been a joy in dungeons and on racks passing the joy of 478 DRED harvest. A joy strange and solemn, mysterious even to its possessor. A white stone dropped from that signet...