CHAPTER XI.

GLIMPSES OF INNER LIFE.

A pleasant picture of the great Missionary has been given by one of his converts.

"We joined Dr. and Mrs. Duff, (their children being away in Scotland) at family worship both morning and evening. Duff was punctual as clockwork. At eight in the morning, not one minute before or after, the prayer-bell rang, and we were all in the breakfast-room, where the morning worship used to be held. Duff was always observant of the forms of politeness, and never forget to shake hands with us, asking us the usual question, 'How do you do?' By the way, Duff's shake of the hand was different from that of other people; it was not a mere formal stiff languid shake, but like everything else of him warm and hearty. He would go on shaking, catching fast hold of your hand in his, and would not let it go for some seconds.

"We always began by singing one of the grand old Psalms of David . . . The reading over we all knelt down. Oh! how shall I describe the prayers which Duff offered up both morning and evening! Much as I admired Duff in his public appearances in the pulpit or on the platform, I admired and loved him infinitely more at the family altar, where in a simple and childlike manner he devoutly and earnestly poured out his soul before our common Father in Heaven."

In 1847 Dr. Duff was deeply grieved by news of the death of a dear and revered friend, Dr. Chalmers, who was called the Father of the Free Scotch Church. Dr. Chalmers had indeed held the highest and most influential position of all the church ministers in Scotland, and an anxious question arose as to who would be worthy to succeed him. There was one man indeed, who was felt by many to be most worthy, talented, devoted and wise; that man was Alexander Duff. By vote the opinion of the Free Church was taken in this very important matter; and the result was that Dr. Duff received a call from the General Assembly to come back to his native land, take the Theological chair,—and so in clerical matters hold the position of leader. So certain were some that Dr. Duff would with pleasure accept so highly honourable a post, which would restore him to his country and children, that not only individuals, but writers in newspapers congratulated him upon what they called his promotion.

The young Church of India was struck with alarm at the prospect of losing their teacher and guide. Duff's converts implored him as their much-loved spiritual father in the Lord not to leave them. Even to non-Christian natives the news of Dr. Duff's probable departure came like a blow. A remonstrance was written by eleven learned Brahmans "desirous of the Chief Good," to the people of Scotland. The Hindus pleaded with his countrymen that Dr. Duff might be left to India. They thus wrote, "this illustrious person has devoted his head and heart, and spent large sums of money . . . Such a man as the Reverend Doctor was never seen in this country before . . . Good men have become sad, and bad men are rejoicing. The friends of true religion are praying that God would change the minds of the people of Scotland, and prevent Dr. Duff's recall."

The infant Church had no need to fear that anything short of God's Will would suffice to make their beloved teacher give up his Indian work. Dr. Duff declared that he must die as he had lived, a Missionary.

"The Church of my fathers," he wrote home, "must see it to be right and meet to allow me to retain in the view of all men the clearly marked and distinguishing character 'of a Missionary to the Heathen;' abroad labouring directly amongst them, at home pleading their cause among the Churches of Christendom . . . For the sake of the heathen, and especially of the people of India, let me cling all my days to the Missionary cause."

It must never be thought that it was from indifference to his children that Dr. Duff endured to be parted from them so long. With grief and bursting tears, he received news of the death of his darling little daughter Annie. Long afterwards, he thus wrote of her in a letter to his wife.

"I seldom allude to dear child who bore your name, but the sweet image of her often crosses my mind. She was a perfectly loveable one, and I know not that I ever felt any stroke so acutely as her unexpected death. And even still, when alone by myself, the thought of her cheerful animated countenance, with its sweet expression and lisping tongue, often brings the tear to my eye, as now."

The brave man, the talented scholar, had a tender affectionate heart; he loved to play with little ones. In his kindness, he followed the steps of the Blessed Saviour, who took up children in His arms, and blessed them.

Still less must it be thought that because Dr. Duff was so honoured in lands, near and afar, and had been the means of leading so many converts to Christ, that his heart was lifted up with spiritual pride. Brahmans indeed had declared that there was never such a man seen in the country before, but what did the gifted Missionary think of "himself?" An extract from Dr. Duff's private journal gives us a glimpse of the brave strong Christian, not as he appeared in the school-room, the lecture-hall, or the Church, but as he was when on his knees in his chamber, alone with his God. Read and ponder over what follows, ye who think that a man can be justified by his works.

"All my days I have been a child of Providence, the Lord leading me and guiding me in ways unknown to me, in ways of His own, and for the accomplishment of His own heavenly ends. Oh! that I were more worthy! But somehow I feel as if the more marvellous the Lord's dealings with me, the more cold, heartless and indolent I become. Is not this sad, is it not terrible! All the finer ores are melted by the fire, the earthy clay is hardened. Oh! God, forbid that this should continue to be my doleful case! May I be like the gold and silver ore, when warmed and heated by the fire of Thy loving-kindnesses, may I be melted, fused, purified, refined, assimilated to Thy own holy nature! Oh! Lord, soften, break, melt this hard heart of mine!"

If such a man so wrote, so felt, so condemned himself, what mortal on earth can boast over what he is, or what he has done! The devoted, self-sacrificing Duff trusted in nothing in himself, his only hope of Heaven was in the Saviour who died for sinners, the blood which cleanseth from guilt!

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