IN some parts of the Highlands it was quite usual for I the fine shepherd dogs to go to kirk with their masters, and to lie quite still during service. On one occasion this admission of dogs seemed quite unseemly to the minister, and he therefore gave forth from the pulpit that he would not allow dogs in kirk any more. The minister had a dog of his own present; and the important animal rose from his place, and succeeded in driving every other from the kirk. On each Sabbath afterward, he took his place at the door of the kirk to keep all good dogs outside.
Well, you will say, ought not dogs to be kept outside? Do we not read in the Bible that “without are dogs”? Yes; but since Bible days there have been many dogs admitted, and there does not appear to be any decrease of canine Christians. A large amount of barking and even biting goes on; and some seem to glory in their ability to bark and bite. They would like to drive away from their presence all who differ from them in the shadow of a shade of an opinion.
These dear friends shall have all the honor that is due to them. They are closely related to the Inquisition of the Roman Catholic church. The Dominicans, the first inquisitors, as the name shows, were Domini Cani, that is, the “dogs of the Lord,” employed to hunt up all heretics, and devour them to death. Perhaps some of them thought they were doing God service; and some dogs, and even puppies, seem to think the same now. But it is all very sad when James and John, disciples of the loving Jesus, call for fire to come down from heaven upon their fellow disciples.
It seems as if religion had given to some little minds a largeness of intolerance and injustice. Such persons must be very far from happy, for they can only enjoy a fancied happiness in smelling error, snapping, snarling, barking, biting, and devouring.
O for more of the spirit of the holy harmless Lamb of God! If God were to let the Inquisition loose upon His real sheep, we should perhaps think less of trifles, and be brought closer together in brotherly love.
We all remember what is written of a quarrel in Germany, in the Reformation days. Two great-little men met at an inn, and began to dispute about their “views”; just as little-great men do now. One said he was of Doctor Luther’s religion; the other maintained that he followed Dr. Martin. Then they began snapping and biting; and in truth there was a mighty conflict. They had not the sense to see that Doctor Martin Luther was only one person. And many of the mighty conflicts of today are just as foolish and just as fruitless. We smile at the folly of these two men, and imitate it in another form. We must fight about our penny articles of Faith, while rejecting the large Bible which God has given us for our instruction.
When the Great Shepherd comes, He will put all things right. But what will become of the dogs?
William Wileman