The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

—
The Highland Monthly.
native Presbytery, was shamefully plucked. The Dr, who
prided himself on the attainments of his son, the more so
because he directed his preparatory studies himself, was
wroth at Charlie's failure, and, by a most perverse exercise
of logic, transferred the just wrath of the father and teacher
from his son to me. The animus of the Rev. Dr was quite
apparent on the occasion of the Presbyterial examination,
which students have to undergo previous to entering the
theological hall, and, as I gave, when roused by his unfair
questioning, some saucy answers, his influence in the
Presbytery, from his social connections and falsely reputed
learning, was such that I would have smarted for my
knowledge and my impudence, if it had not been patent.
even to his simple co-presbyters, that I was better posted
up in all subjects than his own son, who was examined the
same day. Besides, the A.M. had an imposing sound for
the five ministers who, along with Dr Lumley, formed the
Presbytery of Glenmorin (it will not be found in the
gazetteers, though all I say is true, notwithstanding).
Three years later, when I came before the Presbytery of
Glenmorin, a candidate for license, the Rev. Dr, who had
nursed his wrath to keep it warm, prepared to smash me ;
but I had anticipated this and was ready for him. His
mode of examination may be shown by two questions in
ecclesiastical history, the first proper enough, the second a
silly trap : Q.— " Who was the mother of Constantine the
Great ?" A.— " Helena." Q.— " Who was the mother of
Helena ?" A.— " As far as it has any bearing on
ecclesiastical history, it is sufficient to say the mother of
Helena was a woman," Upon this saucy answer the
members of the Presbytery laughed, and a shrewd, but
unlearned elder, interrupted the examination by an anecdote,
which I must relate, as it greatly angered the Doctor.
" Weel dune, laddie, I trow ye ha'e fairly coupit the
doctor clean heels ower head. Odds, it reminds me of a
droll story aboot the English Johnson, wha, ye ken, juist
hated honest Scotchmen as if they were reprobates. Weel,