THA e air innseadh mu’n Urramach Dimhnull Domhnullach bha’n Shildeag aig aon àm agus e air an rathad dhachaidh bho chomunnachadh na Comraich gu’n d’thàinig e air dithis dhaoine a bhuneadh dhe’n a choimthional aige fhéin agus iad na’n suidhe ri taobh an rathaid ag òl a botul uisge-beatha. Bha an dithis aca air an rathad dhachaidh bho na chomannachadh aig an robh Maighstir Domhnullach. B’e fear dhiubh Donnochadh a’ mhuilleir a bha’n Aird-heisleag. An uair a rainig am minsteir iad bha iad an déidh barrachd ‘s a choir òl as a’ bhotul agus mar a ni an t-uisge-beatha daoine dana an comhnaidh ‘sann a shin fear dhiubh am botul do’n a’ ministeir, aig an aon àm, ag iarraidh air dràm òl as. Ach an aite am botul a’ ghabhail uaith chronaidh am minsteir e gu geur ag ràdh ris, maille ri nithean eile:—”Ma chì mise thusa ris ag òl uisge-beatha air an rathad bho na h-òrduighean bheir mise ort e.”
Chan ‘eil fhios cinnteach có dhe’n dithis a theirg am botul dhà ach bithidh e coltach gu’m b’e Donnochadh a rinn e: oir goirid na dhéidh sin bha coinneamh aig Maighstir Domhnullach an Aird-Heisleag agus an déidh na coinneamh thàinig Donnochadh far an robh e agus thubhairt e ris:—”Fuirichidh sibh comhla rium fhéin an nochd.” “Ni mi sin,” ars’ am minsteir ma gheallas thu dhomh nach fhaic mise ris thu mar a bha thu air an rathad bho’n a’ Chomraich.” Fhreagair Donnochadh ag ràdh:—”Tha mise an dochas nach fhaic sibh mise mar sud tuilleadh oir bha sud fhein searbh gu leòir dhòmhsa.” Agus cha mhò na sin a’ chunnaic, oir a reir a h-uile coltas bha an nì air a’ bheannachadh dhà: do bhrigh bho sin a mach bha e na dhuine cùramach agus bha meas mór aig Maighsteir Domhnullaich air. Is iomadh oidche a chuir iàd seachad cuideachd an déidh sin agus an uair a bhiodh coinneamh aig a’ mhínistir an Aird-heislag is ann an tigh Dhonnochaidh a bha e cuir seachd na h-oidche. Mar dhearbhadh air a’ mheas a bha aig Maighstir Domhnullaich air Donnachadh dh’ iarre gu’m biaodh a chorp air adhlacadh ri taobh corp Dhonnochaidh.
Sound Reasoning.
“WE trust possession on our part, more than law and the fidelity of the promise on God’s part. Feeling is of more credit to us than faith; sense is surer to us than the word of faith. Many weak ones believe not life eternal, because they feel it not: heaven is a thing unseen, and they find no consolation and comfort, and so are disquieted. Should any buy a field of land, and refuse to tell down the money except the party should lay all the ridges, acres, meadows, and mountains on the buyer’s shoulders, that he might carry them home to his house, he would be incredulously unjust. If any should buy a ship, and think it no bargain at all, except he might carry away the ship on his back, should not this make him a ridiculous merchant? God’s law of faith, Christ’s concluded atonement, is better and surer than your feeling. All that sense and comfort saith, is not canonic Scripture. It is adultery to seek a sign, because we cannot rest on our husband’s word.”—Samuel Rutherford.