Maynard says on this point is strikingly characteristic
of Billy: "Many a time, when he and I have been
leaving my home together, he has said to me, ' Now,
friend Maynard, let us pray a minute before we go, op
else the devil will be scratching me on the way. If
I leave without praying, this is the way he serves
me; but when I get on my knees a minute or two
before leaving I cut his ould (old) claws, and then he
can't harm me ; so I always like to cut his claws before

I go/''

There was great excitement and much apparent con-
fusion in some of his meetings, more than sufficient to



30 THE KING'S SON.
shock the prejudices of highly-sensitive and refined, or
over-fastidious persons. Billy could not tolerate " dead-
ness," as he expressively called it, either in a professing
Christian or in a meeting. He had a deeper sympathy
with persons singing, or shouting, or leaping for joy than
he had with

" The speechless awe that dares not move,
And all the silent heaven of love ;"

but his services, with all their simplicity and warmth,
were distasteful only to a few, and many were so far
convinced that his method was right, or were so far
influenced and attracted, as heartily to join with him.
