Page 71 - Availible now from Breton Books" Flora McPherson's Cape Breton Classic: Watchman Against the World The Remarkable Journey of Norman MacLeod & His People From Scotland to Cape Breton Island to New Zealand

ISSUE : Issue 64

Published by Ronald Caplan on 1993/8/1

Women were ill-fitting pieces in the pattern of Norman's life. Often, in writing of religious revivals, orgies of ill-directed enthusiasm which he scorned, he appraised the value of female, conversions. He never failed to imply that they were easy con? verts because they fell in love with the preacher. In one of his letters to a young friend who wrote of tlie large number of con? verts in his home parish he jestingly wrote: "Could the Church but be advised to send forth a parcel of fleshy flippant flashy flirts as Missionaries, in the track of all your male Teachers, I should fondly anticipate and fully insure their proportionate success among our sex. There is an anagogical and a special analogy between the natural and religious influence of sexuali? ty of which, I fear, many of our good clergy are not sufficiently aware; not so much from their lack of learning as from that of reflection. It is almost as rational for you to expect procreation in the animal world without sexual reciprocation as religious conversion among the male of our species • according to the ordinary spirit of our revivals • witiiout sexual community or altemity in the ministry." Behind the facetious tone, is there an undercurrent of per? sonal truth? He was completely aware of the potential attraction of the preacher. He not only scorned to use it, but counteracted it by lashing out in sadistic abuse of women, always focusing his attack on their ways of making themselves physically at? tractive. Intensity and passion which had marked his whole life were intellectually and spiritually acceptable, but in his stem doctrine the flesh was vile and Eve was the temptress. The one attractive girl on whom Norman could without self-reproach lavish his affection was his charming daughter, Peggy. She had all his own fearlessness, and with it the vivacity and charm which endeared her to the whole community. Every? one expected excitement from Peggy McLeod, but it was about Mary, the older and quieter daughter, that there broke one of the most violent storms of the settlement. Not far from the McLeods lived Squire Donald McLeod, Norman's long-time friend and associate in the building of the settlement. Donald McLeod took an important part in the relig? ious affairs of the community, he was one of the three trustees of the school, and, after the rights of clergymen as magistrates were revoked, he succeeded Norman as a magistrate. On busi? ness and as a friend he came frequently to Norman's home and their children, who attended school and church together, had al? ways been friends. In their school days, Mary McLeod would seem a mere child to the Squire's son Luther who was four years older, but the time came when he realized that she had grown up. When he came casually to call at her home there was no chance for even a word widi Mary alone. Her family still treated her as a child, and her father made it obvious that Luther's visits might be with the boys at the bams or on the wharf but they had no place in the house. Mary was a shy timid girl; she would not T. W. Curry AmbulanceService SYDNEY AMBULANCE SERVICE '~ 400 GEORGE ST., SYDNEY, N.S B1P1K3 Telephone 564-8196'539-3002 BE PREPARED in an Emergency • Reliability, Expertise and Response Times can be crucial. Our attendants have been trained to the highest level provided by the N.S. Govemment; plus additional courses in basic trauma life support, advanced cardiac life support and in the use of our Life-Pak 300 Defribrillators. PLEASE REMEMBER... Govemment funding for our service is based on usage. By patronizing Sydney Ambulance you are helping to prevent a downsizing of the service and helping to maintain a I strong response capability for your coverage area. In Sydney and Area call SYDNEY AMBULANCE SERVICE LIMITED ccA Q1 QC SERVING OUR COMMUNITY SINCE 1923 OOhT'O I 'D The survivors of the ship Spray ai the 1903 reunion • one of the six groups that sailed from Cape Breton to New Zealand. BACK ROW: J. McKenzMKau.' Ewen McLean (Wpu.), K. Campbell "Buchan" (Wpu.), . Vpu.), Angus Stewart (Hak.), K. Stewart (Whg. Hds.). FRONT ROW: Mrs. K. McKenzie (Akd.), A. Matheson (Omaha), Mrs. D. Finlay- (Hakaru). Ml [Kau.), M. W. son (Wpu.), Mrs. W. Young (Cm.), Mrs. D. McKay (Wpu.), Mrs. J. J. McKay (Wpu.), Mrs. D. McDonald (Whg.), Mrs. J. McLeod (Wpu.). dare to risk her father's anger by slipping out to meet Luther. Finally, in desperation, Luther told the problem to his father and asked for his help in exchanging letters with Mary. The Squire hesitated at first to deceive Mary's parents, but he knew how many things • often simple, joyful things • had to be concealed from Norman. He knew that there had been times when in his absence the attic of Norman's own house had rocked to his children's dancing feet and the mad music of the fiddle was hear4 even tiirough the tightly closed windows. There had been times when the Squire himself had found it his duty to carry the tales that summoned transgressors for re? proach, but he could not feel that there was anything essentially Overlooking the Margaree Valley at the Junction of Route 19 and the Cabot Trail A full-accommodation Lodge featuring: DINING ROOM LOUNGE SWIMMING POOL SPACIOUS ROOMS Take advantage of nearby recreation: BEACHES GOLF FAIRWAYS CAMPING FRESH AND SALT WATER FISHING HIKING The best of Nova Scotian musicians entertain in our lounge every weekend. Check with us to see who is playing, and drop in for an enjoyable evening. P. O. Box 550 MARGAREE FORKS Nova Scotia BOE 2A0 Phone (902) 248-2193, William F. Maclsaac, Manager RELAX IN THE BEAUTIFUL MARGAREE VALLEY

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