midnight
It may well be supposed that Butler , though not absolutely coinciding in all the good old man 's ideas about church government , had too much consideration and humanity to interrupt him , while he reckoned up with conscious pride his sufferings , and the constancy of his testimony . On the contrary , when he paused under the influence of the bitter recollections of the moment , Butler instantly threw in his mite of encouragement . `` You have been well known , my old and revered friend , a true and tried follower of the Cross ; one who , as Saint Jerome hath it , ' _ per infamiam et bonam famam grassari ad immortalitatem , _ ' which may be freely rendered , ` who rusheth on to immortal life , through bad report and good report . ' You have been one of those to whom the tender and fearful souls cry during the midnight solitude -- ` Watchman , what of the night ? -- Watchman , what of the night ? ' -- And , assuredly , this heavy dispensation , as it comes not without divine permission , so it comes not without its special commission and use . '' `` I do receive it as such , '' said poor Deans , returning the grasp of Butler 's hand ; `` and if I have not been taught to read the Scripture in any other tongue but my native Scottish '' -LRB- even in his distress Butler 's Latin quotation had not escaped his notice -RRB- , `` I have nevertheless so learned them , that I trust to bear even this crook in my lot with submission .