1894 525 to 547 - Electric Scotland

or, Northern Notes and Q^^er^es. 5 1
and the diviner immediately detected the piece of money under one of a
number of hats, but when the operator held the twig or spring with silk
between his fingers the charm was suspended, both with regard to water
and metal. Also when I threw a piece of silk over the money. I think
I told you that the professors of the London University, to whom my
experiments were communicated, pronounced Martin an impostor, and
that I had been deceived. These wise men of the East have since learnt
better, and must now turn their wits to elucidate what they can no longer
deny. The celebrated Hutton wrote against the supposed juggle, but
afterwards witnessed the phenomenon in the hands of a lady of distinc-
tion, and wrote his recantation. So much for divining now for a little
Divinity. Seeing there are so many things in physical nature which we
with our poor and limited senses are incapable of comprehending, how
can we expect to bring within the scope of our understanding the nature
of those things which we cannot see or feel or hear. We may be connected,
and, in my mind, doubtless are, with things and circumstances
"
beyond the limits of our frame," and when God has seen proper to speak
to man upon these hidden subjects, He has required his faith, and has
often given ground by the performance of miracles for believing that He
who condescends to speak knoweth all things and has power over all.
I draw the following conclusion for the purpose of meeting some observations
which you and many others have made upon certain passages in the
Old Testament which appear to our finite conceptions as unjust, but
which are there alleged to be the commands of God. May not the hard
commands alluded to have such a connection with things unseen as
totally to alter their nature, and what may at some future stage of our
existence be made to appear just and good and merciful when it shall
please the Almighty to reveal to us His divine councils ? Ponder these
things in your mind. We know nothing of the hidden things of God,
we can know nothing in our present state but what He sees proper to
impart. He requires our faith, knowing that we cannot understand His
councils "whose thoughts are not as our thoughts," verbum sat. Ever,
dear Christopher, your faithful friend,
T. FALKNER.
and my
* Kind love to mother and Annie. Kind love to my Aunt Margaret,
'
little Caledonia.
Mr. C. P. Bancks, Bewdley, Worcestershire.
'
My father, 1 who lives near Mr. Bancks, says he knows something of
Mr. Falkner, the writer of the above letter. G. H.'
526. THE GROAT TOMBSTONE. The tombstone of which an illustration
is herewith given was found a few months ago under the floor of
the Church of Canisbay, near John o' Groat's House, and by the care of
Rev. James MTherson, minister of the parish, it was successfully photographed
by Mr. Humphrey, photographer, Wick, and is now built into
the wall of the church. The stone is of red sandstone and is six feet four
inches in length, by two feet seven inches in breadth, and four inches in
thickness. The following copy liable to correction of the inscription
'
has been : given Donald Grot sone to Jhone Grot laid me heir April xiii
1 The late George Hallen, Esq., J.P. , Town Clerk of Kidderminster.