Monyabroch when the battle of Kilsyth was fought. He succeeded to the benefice on the 7th June, 1637. Seeing the fate which had befallen his predecessors, and probably being of a timorous spirit, he was deterred from following their resolute example. But be this as it may, he conformed to the Episcopalian regulations, and remained minister of the parish for twenty-nine years, when he died in September, 1665, aged 54 years. His ministry was salutary, and in various ways he made his influence felt for good. Amongst other things he instituted the orderly observance of baptism and the Lord's Supper. As yet there was no Church Bible; the congregation repeated the Creed, said the Lord's Prayer, and sung the doxology after the Psalms. During his incumbency, affairs of momentous importance transpired. Six weeks after his appointment Jenny Geddes flung her stool in St. Giles. Six years later, on the 1st July, 1643, the Assembly of Divines met at Westminster. It contained 151 members, in addition to six Scottish Presbyterians, the rest being Episcopalians, Independents, and English Presbyterians. The labours of the Assembly were destined to influence the Church of Scotland much more largely than the Church of England. The Westminster Divines produced the "Confession of Faith," the "Larger and Shorter Catechisms," and the "Directory of Public Worship." That the Psalmody might be improved they called to their aid two poets, Francis Rous, of the House of Commons, afterwards of the party of Cromwell and an artful political trimmer; and William Barton, a Leicestershire clergyman, who each furnished them with a copy of the Psalms in metre. The Assembly left the Long Parliament to decide between the versions. The Commons chose Rous's copy, the Lords Barton's. Eventually Rous's was adopted, and after having received a few cor

rections, was issued to the Church of Scotland. Although many efforts have been made to supplant this version it still holds the field, and at this hour is as popular as it ever Sir Walter Scott was opposed to altering it, and pronounced it "with all its acknowledged occasional harshness, so beautiful, that any alterations must eventually prove only so many blemishes."

was.

The ministry of James Gartshore, M.A., was of very brief duration. He was in favour with the authorities of his time. Having been minister of Penningham parish, he was admitted minister of Monyabroch in 1666. Having been minister of the parish for seven years, he was translated to Cardross.

The third and last Episcopal minister of Monyabroch was the Rev. Walter M'Gill, M.A., translated from Wigton, and admitted, April, 1675. His ministry of sixteen. years' duration was marked by unobtrusive effectiveness, and illustrated in his own person by the sweetest and gentlest Christian graces. His behaviour was meekness itself, and his counsels moderation. Bad men can ruin good systems, and good men may make even obnoxious systems palatable. Although the people had little regard for prelacy, they still held in good esteem this. clergyman who went out and in amongst them discharging his kindly ministrations. He was popular

amongst all classes, and seems to have given himself with all diligence to the carrying out of his ministry in the spirit of the saintly Robert Leighton. In some respects this prelate was immeasurably superior to the clergy of his time. His intellectual power was acknow

ledged, and his piety undoubted. He possessed an unHe seldom smiled, and was never He was appointed to the See of Dun

ruffled temper.

known to laugh.

blane, and afterwards to the See of Glasgow, that through

to observe whilst acknowledging his charit that Leighton's character was too partial to commend itself strongly to the n Leighton had no want of love to God, bu lacked a real love to man. He was fo templation, and stood aloof from humans ties. In the Scotland of that time there i wondered at that Leighton was misunder energetic ministers of the day thought, wh them to hold sessions and presbyteries, " cream in their mouths," or that "they judged him void of any doctrinal princi much indifferent to all professions which. of Christian." At an earlier date Leight been the Erasmus, never the Luther of th

In devotion and piety Walter M'Gill w of his bishop, but he possessed that w wanted, a sympathetic disposition, a warn a consequence he commended Episcopacy ioners with a success which his ecclesiastic never known. There is undeniable testi far from being misunderstood, M'Gill was ciated. When, after a reign of twen Episcopacy was again thrown off, and the found themselves in the ascendant, they depose the Episcopal clergy wholesale. A sentence was passed on M'Gill, and the Glasgow elected one of their number

church vacant. It was, however, much easier to depose him in the presbytery than to oust him from the parish. The matter was bruited abroad, and when the eventful Sunday came, from far and near the people began to congregate in the churchyard. It soon became apparent from the eager disputations that the crowd were about equally divided into two factions. The one party was for the Presbyterian order, and the other was against the deposition as a harsh and unwarrantable step. The latter not only embracing all the Episcopalians but also those favourable to Mr. M'Gill personally, were probably the larger and stronger party. Again they were led by Lord Kilsyth's chamberlain, and animated by the presence of Lord Kilsyth himself. When the deputy of the presbytery was seen drawing near, the noise of the crowd greatly increased, and a regular hubbub immediately ensued. Those favourable to the new order cheered the advance of the delegate, those in favour of the incumbent greeted his approach with derision. In the excitement men forgot the holy associations of the church and the graveyard. When the emissary of the presbytery approached the church, it was through a lane formed by the factions grouped on either side. When he was nearing the door, Lord Kilsyth's chamberlain stepped forward and stood in front of him. The minister demanded to be allowed to go about his duty, but the chamberlain denied him access to the church. After this altercation the pent-up feelings of the crowd could be no longer restrained, and with such weapons as they could muster, they flew at each other, infuriated by the wildest passion. The shouts of the men, the screaming of the women, the rapid movements of fists and sticks, strong men wrestling together amongst the grave-stones, and all about a form of church government, may all be taken as illustrative of

the presbytery.

Feeling running high, the presbytery from taking further action in the case, an been well if Mr. M'Gill had been allowed remainder of his days in the doing of the so well, and which was so warmly app parishioners. This, however, he was not or rather, could not do after a manner his own honour. The party opposed to of his ministry, smarting under the pain so utterly lost command of themselves personal violence. Not being cast in the he demitted his charge, February, 1691, 1 the rabbling. At this crisis two hundr expelled, but it is matter of regret tha pastor as Walter M'Gill should have bee】 He retired to Edinburgh, but did not l trying ordeal through which he had passe the 20th June, 1694, aged 57. He was First, to Janet Keir, daughter of Capta the 1st April, 1664. Secondly, to Jane 1691. And, thirdly, in the August of th Janet Chein, who survived him and subs the minister of Tranent.

With the resignation of Walter M" came to an end in Monyabroch. It no be represented by a public minister, it b together, and from that time until the tin