LIFE AND HABITS AT DROUGHSBURN. 2$$ 



spread open by Him on that day as widely and beautifully 

 as on other days plainly and attractively inviting to study, 

 and chiding all condemnation of it. Hence his ready and 

 willing discourse to the boys about the flowers while going 

 to and returning from church. 



With old George Williams, an office-bearer, " who had 

 a belief in the old botanist when others were inclined to 

 think him daft," he used also to talk about them before and 

 after service, though many of his narrower fellow-worship- 

 pers would most likely have condemned both of them as 

 sabbath-breakers for so doing. John always took some of 

 the wild flowers to church with him, which the boys used to 

 note with surprise were merely weeds, neither rare nor showy, 

 but often the very commonest. These he would spread out 

 on the desk in front of him, the Eyebright (Euphrasia, 

 officinalis) being a special favourite. He did this evidently 

 for the simple joy of seeing them, " looking at them," as Dr. 

 Williams remarks, "just as other people look, and cannot 

 help looking, at those they love." And in all his worship, 

 the flowers were ever present to him, to brighten and 

 inspire the sacred book and its glorious themes. One 

 Sunday, shortly after being licensed, young Williams 

 preached in the church of the village, from the text ( Matt. 

 v. 45 ) " He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the 

 good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." 

 John congratulated the young preacher after service, but 

 added, " When ye ken mair aboot floo'rs, ye'll be able to 

 preach better upo' sick-like texts." 



The boys used to be amused at John's curious old-world 

 attire on Sunday, which was "anything but gaudy." They 

 took special note of his dress hat, "useful, though not 



