_In the Church._
In the notice of Bernard Gilpin, March 4, (p. 332,) it is said, “another
incident further illustrating the manners of the _Northern Borderers_
will be mentioned below.” The observation refers to a _singular
challenge_, which the arrangements of that day could not include, and is
now inserted.
On a certain Sunday Mr. Gilpin going to preach in those parts wherein
_deadly feuds_ prevailed, observed a glove hanging up on high in the
church. He demanded of the sexton what it meant, and why it hung there.
The sexton answered, that it was a glove which one of the parish hung up
there as a challenge to his enemy, signifying thereby, that he was ready
to enter combat hand to hand, with him or any one else who should dare
to take the glove down. Mr. Gilpin requested the sexton to take it down.
“Not I, sir,” replied the sexton, “I dare do no such thing.” Then Mr.
Gilpin, calling for a long staff, took down the glove himself, and put
it in his bosom. By and by, when the people came to church, and Mr.
Gilpin in due time went up into the pulpit, he in his sermon reproved
the barbarous custom of challenges, and especially the custom which they
had, of making challenges by the hanging up of a glove. “I hear,” said
he, “that there is one amongst you, who, even in this sacred place, hath
hanged up a glove to this purpose, and threateneth to enter into combat
with whosoever shall take it down. Behold, I have taken it down myself.”
Then plucking out the glove, he showed it openly, and inveighing against
such practices in any man that professed himself a Christian,
endeavoured to persuade them to the practice of mutual love and charity.