congregation. One of these was much
addicted to dram
drinking, and, though seldom going
great lengths in public, went so far as to become the object of serious
advice, remonstrance, reproof, and threat from the kirk session, all of
which had been tried in turn, and for a time had their effect.
Exclusion, at last, from the
privileges of the church was threatened if another instance of indulgence
was proven against him, and the defaulter promised implicit obedience in
future, and did keep his promise for some time, which gladdened the
benevolent heart of Mr. Pringle, who hoped that he had been the means of
reclaiming the unfortunate man from vicious indulgence, and of restoring
his usefulness to his family.
• One day Mr. Pringle was passing
along the main street of the then village, when whom should he see
exhibiting unequivocal symptoms of intoxication but his irreclaimable
member, describing his course of regular angles, and making towards him as
rapidly as the frequent adjustment of the centre of gravity permitted. The
offender noticed his minister, who could not be avoided, and made a lurch,
somewhat lengthening the limb of the angle, into a recess, and put his
back against the wall till Mr. Pringle came up to him. And when he did so,
took the first word, quoting, with knowing emphasis, standard authority as
his apology for his failings, namely:
"No mere man since the fall is able
perfectly to keep the commandments, but doth daily break them in thought,
word, and deed."
