THE BIBLE IN THE WAVERLEY NOVELS.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1972, 26 February 1885, Page 3

THE BIBLE IN THE WAVERLEY NOVELS.

The knowledge and u^c of the Bible by Shakc-peaio .nc the subject <>f an interesting work of Bi-hcp Word-woith s, and m " The IJiblc in W.nerle\" we have a similar labour of l<i\o pel formed on behalf of the gieate-t novelist of tin; nineteenth century. Mr Dickvm, who has undertaken it, illns trate-, Scott's extiaoidinaiy acquaintance with the Scriptiues by examples almost without numbei, and yet so as to maintain the render's interest throughout. Beginning with Genesis he gues through almost every book in the Bible, gnim? passages in which quotations appear, and to which they impart force or point. In one only of the W.iverley Novels (so far as we can remember) does this facility of quotation ever grate upon the feeling*, and even where poor Mnuse Headrigg describes her bodily achievements in Scriptural term", it must be admitted that the picture which prouikes a laugh is true to n.ituie. As a idle nothing can be happier or less strained than the allusion conveyed from the highest source. Take the following in proof:— "ln support of his exhortation, 'Avenge not yourselves, but rather jrho place unto wrath,' St. Paul quotes thm authonty from Deuteronomy XXXII., dn, 1 Vengeance is mine ; I will repay, saith. the Lord ' In our introductory chapter we ieferred to the latter text as being specially illustrated in tho tragic tale of ' The Bnde of Laiinnennoor.' But in almost every tale that the great novelist wrote, we find this tevt quoted or illustrated in mime way or other. In ' The Heart of Mid-Lothian and ' The Legend of Montnwe ' we see the effects of iudulging the ' monstrous passion ' of revenge ; but we gladly turn from lawless scenes as the execution of Porteous by the mob of Edinburgh, and tho terrible, tenfold rengeance wreaked upon the Children of the %lisc, to those other novels of the seiie-., where the restraining influence of God's grace and His divine government of the world are put forth as a check and resti.unt against tt c wrath and the cruelty of man. Old Balknkeiroch may think, now and again, that the time has at last arrived for t-ikine vengeance on the Baron Bradw.wdine for having slain his fair-haired .son in a Highland foray : Fergus Maclvor m ly let hisfiny against Piinco Chailes subside into feelings of deep ai.d burning vengeance to be graiihed at the hint and eailie^t opportunity; and Helen Macgiegor may declare that everything can be foi gotten but the loss of honour and the desire for revenge. But all these have to leain the lesson that venycance does not belong to them, but to (lud .ilune, q Revenge,' say» the mother of poor Madge Wildfire, 'is the best reward the devil gives us for our hire here and hereafter. I have wrought hard for it ; I have suffered for it ; I have mimed for it ; and I will have it, or there is neither justice in heaven nor in hell.' Vain and impo'ent words for any human being to use ! It is to God alone that vengeance belongs, no matter who has wrought hard for it, suffered for it, or hinned foi it. As George Stauntoti relates to Jeanie Deans the story of Wilson's execution, he remarks, that after his companion's death there remained only one thing to be accomplished, and that was vengeance! 'Oh, sir,' said Jeanie, ' did the Scripture never come into your mind ? '" Vengeance is mine ; and I will lepay it."' But, minister's Mm though he w.lh, Staiinton h-xcl to c<mf«w tint he had nevei opened a Bible for the last fi\e years." The chapter which contains references to the Acts of the Apostles ends with a local allusion which will not be unacceptable :— " One other incident conclude* our Waveily refeieneos to the Acts of the Apostles, and it is in ' The Heart of Mid-Lothun.' On her way to London, Jeanie Deans rests for a shoit time at York. In a letter written to her father from that city Jeanie sajs, ' The folk here arc civil, and, like the barbarians unto the holy apostle, line shown me much kindness.' The citi/ietis of Y«ik may not appreciate the comparison ; but in the simplicity of her heart it was peihaps the best com pi i int»nt that Jeanio Deans could piy them." The value placed by Sir Walter on the Bible as a literary and moral storehouse during a life of unexampled labour was happily not le«s manifest when labour was at an end, life's lamp all but going out, and personal consolation and hope weie «pecinlly needed. Wo arc told :—" Keeling a little brighter and belter one nioining, he desired to bo placed by the centnl window of the library that he might be able to look down upon the Tweed. Pleased with the niphtof the river which he lovnd so well, and soothed by the murmur of its waters, the invalid nc\t eNpresicd a «hli to have something read to him. On being asked what book he would like, 'Need you nsk?' heirplied ' fiere is but one.' The Bible wa« accordingly brought, and the fourteenth chapter of St. John's Gospel was read. • Well, thin is a great comfoit,' Sir Walter remarked as Lockhart closed the book, ' I have followed you distinctly, and feel as if I were yet to be myself again.' In the room wh"rc this incident occurred thcio were neraiy twenty thousand volume-, all carefully clarified and re;'rlarly ariangoJ n> 'vsos ro nid the walls — choice .<nd costly works, n the ricl'e>l/ birdiugs, and mu.i^ or them gifts from the most illustrious men and authors of the time. Surrounded by such a great collection of books, represent ing all that was most interesting in literatmr, Sir Walter felt that, for him at lpast, there was 'but one.' As the days went slowly past, and his weakness increased, the Bible was the only book thiough the reading of which he derived inward strength or consolation. In tho best sense of the expression, it was indeed the means of helping him to feel himself again by freeing his thoughts from all distracting caies, and preparing him for the great change which he calmly and resignedly B et himself to face."

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