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(A remarkable story, by Lachlan MacKenzie)
During the height of his fame as a Highland evangelist, Lachlan MacKenzie was asked to visit Aberdeen, and to preach in the Old Parish Church. At the evening service the church was filled to its utmost capacity, and there was eager anticipation on the part of the worshipers. When Mr. MacKenzie ascended the pulpit, a giggle went through the congregation when they beheld a man wearing a rough homespun suit, with long shaggy hair (so unlike the usual clergy of that time). But the moment he gave out his opening Psalm, a solemn stillness seemed to pervade the audience, and his opening prayer solemnized the people. The "reading" was the third chapter of Revelation, and he chose as his text the 20th verse, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hears my voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him and sup with him, and he with me."
Standing erect in the pulpit, Mr. MacKenzie commenced his sermon thus:
ONCE UPON A TIME, there lived in our Highlands, a great Duke. He had a large estate, was very rich, and had everything in this world to make a man happy, if that were possible, so far as worldly matters was concerned. He was a widower, had an only child, a beautiful girl, who had a very sweet disposition, was very kind to the poor, and was beloved by all around.
