290 The Buchanites and Crocketford. 



no sale at all.* Several accessions to their original number 

 brought the total membership of the society at New Cample 

 to over sixty. 



As time wore on and funds gave out — the heavens being 

 still as brass — the faith of some began to falter, and a sign 

 was felt to be necessary as a stimulus to waning hope. 

 Accordingly it befell one evening when all was still that a 

 great voice suddenly electrified the whole society ! The chil- 

 dren, who were with Luckie Buchan in the kitchen at the 

 time, at once joined with her in singing — with astonishing 

 readiness and unanimity — 



"Oh, hasten translation and come resurrection; 

 Oh, hasten the coming of Christ in the air." 



Those who happened to be in the garret came tumbling down 

 the ladder in break-neck haste ; shouts, handclappings, and 

 a universal noise disturbed the whole neighbourhood, and 

 brought into this modern Ark the farmer himself and a few 

 others, for safety from the impending Judgment ! The 

 translationists flung from them all encumbering weights, their 

 watches, rings, and jewellery, that nothing might impede 

 their aerial flight. But at length another voice was heard, 

 a quiet, disappointing voice, which addressed itself to the 

 farmer-landlord : — " Be of good cheer; neither you nor any 

 of your friends will suffer damage this night, for my people 

 are not sufficiently prepared for the great change I intend 

 them to undergo." This broke the spell, and Luckie Buchan 



* The Divine Biciinnary : A Treatise indicted (sic) by Holy 

 Inspiration, Containing The Faith and Practice of that People (hy 

 this xcorld) called Buchanites . . . was published in pamphlet 

 form at Dumfries in 1785 at ninepence. It is " dedicated and 

 devoted to the patronization of DnaNE Providence and next to this 

 Highest One to the protection of Mighty Angels," for "none in 

 the family of Adam either will or can patronize it " ! It is signed 

 by Hugh White, and revised and approved of by Elespat Simson 

 ahas Buchan, at New Campel, Oct. 18, 1786. 



This rather acutely written Treatise is in no mundane sense a 

 Dictionary, nor does it substantiate its own claim to have set forth 

 the Faith and Practice of the Buchanites. It is, however, a some- 

 what curious revelation of the obliquity of moral vision developed 

 in a professed logician by contact with Mrs Buchan. 



