370 MEMOIR OF GEORGE WILSON. CHAP. IX- 



It was not well to judge thy fellow-men, 



Thou wert a sinful mortal like us all ; 

 Vengeance is God's ; none but Himself doth know 



On whom the terrors of His wrath will fall. 



But it was well, believing as thou didst, 



Like standard-bearer with thy flag unfurled, 

 To blazon on thy banner those brave words, 



" I, Athanasius, against the world." 



Thy faith is mine ; but that is not my theme : 



'Tis thine example I would preach to all ; 

 Whatever each believes, and counts for true 



Of things in heaven or earth, or great or small, 



If he believe it, let him stand and say, 

 Although in scorn a thousand lips are curled ; 



" Though no one else believe, I '11 hold my faith, 

 Like Athanasius, against the world." 



To Dr. Cairns, George writes in May 1851, "I am sure you 

 cannot have more pleasing, and certainly not more profitable re- 

 membrances of your visit than we have of your sojourn. I am 

 always quickened spiritually by intercourse with you ; always 

 grateful for a word in season. I wish I could see in myself 

 greater growth in grace. It is very slow. I seem to see some 

 loss of downward tendencies, yet I am like a balloon which, in 

 spite of casting out its ballast, does not rise. I cling now little 

 to this earth, and sometimes ask myself, suppose all your bright 

 youthful visions were fulfilled, w T ould you be happy? and I 

 answer emphatically, No ! I have had more pleasure in teach- 

 ing for a friend a Bible class for three Sabbaths, than I have 

 had in anything for a long season. I had longed and prayed for 

 a more direct way of serving God, and being comparatively well 

 this summer, had secretly resolved to ask this friend to let me 

 address his class one evening, when, lo ! he came and besought 

 me as a favour to take charge of it in his absence from home. 

 Surely there is a God that answereth prayer." 



It vas the custom of Dr. Cairns and himself to exchange 

 letters at the close of each year, reviewing the past, and glancing 

 to the future. In that of December 28, 1851, George says, 

 " There are white hairs in both our beards, and we are growing 

 graver, as we should do if we were mere animals. Yet I hope 

 I sit looser to the world, and nearer to Christ ; but not near 



