but no action taken. The blacksmith of Queenzieburn was an occasion of trouble. Having publicly in his smithy maintained that catechisings or examinations were not warranted by the Word of God, he was summoned before the session. In defence he said he had spoken in point of argument to try what answers those to whom he was speaking could give. He was informed that such expressions were of dangerous consequence and stumbled those that were weak. He was sharply rebuked, and ordered to be more cautious in the future. In a few months the smith was involved in another affair, an attempt to poison the mind of a young woman against the young man to whom she was engaged. John Forrester, the young man, was deeply wounded by the smith's conduct and language. In the libel which he prosecuted, he averred, amongst other things, that the smith said "there was no grace in his face, and that there was no grace of God within the place where he dwells-meaning the toune of Kilsyth-save only three families, and that they worshipped God politically." The smith denied the charges, but the court found the case fully proved, and he was appointed to of public repentance next Lord's day. were of frequent occurrence, and it is how frequently the session were able to reconcile differences and restore broken friendships. That a man should curse his neighbour was rightly regarded as a most heinous offence. The discriminating reader will regard one illustration of this sphere of parochial administration as sufficient. "Walter Zuill complained in his libel against Agnes Hog, making mention that Agnes Hog, in Nether Gavell, abused him after the following manner. First She wishing he might be his own hangman, Secondly; She wishing God's curse upon him.

appear in the place Cases of slander pleasant to read

Thirdly That as many might wonder at him as there are grass piles on the ground. Fourthly: That witches and warlocks might be his company through eternity.. Fifthly That he might be here and hereafter." The case was put to trial, and Agnes was condemned to do public penance.

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In one of these cases there is evidence of the estimation in which Mr. Hay was held. A parishioner, having cursed the minister, "wishing the devil to be both in him and in his words," and having denominated his wife ' a toothless old runt," he was called to answer for the expressions used. The parishioner confessed that he had used part of the language, but that he had received great provocation, as the minister "had taken his maillen. over his head." One of the witnesses called was William Sword of Auchinvole, who had been a tenant of the Kirklands, i.e., Bogside, and he deponed that, than the minister, "he had never lived beside a better neighbour, that he had visited him when he was sick, and had lent him money and other things that he stood in need of." This was a long case, and part of it, as was proper, was heard while another minister-Michael Robe of Cumbernauld-was moderator. Eventually the parishioner was pronounced a malignant and notorious liar. Strange to say, after a long time had passed away he came forward and confessed his fault and was publicly rebuked.

During Mr. Hay's ministry the sum collected at the church door ranged from twenty to forty shillings Scots, and the salary of the kirk officer was ten merks a year and four loads of coals. On the 1st June, 1710, the session having taken into consideration "the valetudinary condition of our minister Mr. James Hay, and the earnest desire he expresses to have an assistant in the

work of the Lord among us, and having several times heard Mr. James Stewart, Preacher of the Gospel, unto our great satisfaction . . . do therefore unanimously concur in chusing the said James Stewart to be assistant to our said minister." The help had come too late to be of service. That was the last session meeting at which this faithful pastor was present. In the month following he passed to his rest in the seventieth year of his age and the twenty-third of his ministry.

CHAPTER X.

Battlefields and Churches-Principal Carstares-Interview with the King-JAMES ROBE-Presented by Lord Kilsyth-Parish Records-New Collections-The Communion Vessels-Church Repaired-Parish Administration Compared with Edward Irving A Faithful Ministry-Societies for Prayer-PleurisySchismatical Controversy―A Period of Dearth—Operation of Holy Spirit-Sermons on Regeneration — Whitefield - The First Kilsyth Revival-Evidences of the Power of the SpiritA Pleasant Work-Communion-A Gracious Time-Results-Testimonials-Opposition of Seceders-A Dignified Reply-Robe's Literary Activity and Death.

WE feel a mantling pride when we point to the places where our fathers fought and fell in the cause of religious freedom. There is the experience of a secret thrill by the rudely lettered slab or grey cairn where the severe and stern Covenanter sleeps his last sleep. To the simple Christian there is, however, a purer joy. We may feel it is a proud thing to be able to say that for the Church this man fought and that man fell, but we also feel it is a far nobler thing that we can point here and there, and aver that this man and that man have been born within her. Scotland is not only a land of battlefields, it is also a procreant spiritual bed. And what is true of Scotland generally is true of the parish of Kilsyth particularly. There is the interest which attaches to the battle of Kilsyth, but there is the graver and deeper interest which attaches to those seasons of

spiritual effluence which have so distinguished its history. The parish has had its Gilboa and its Pentecosts, and with the latter the public attention has been more concerned than the former. If the men of the West fought most stoutly for the cause of religious liberty, it has also been in the West where, by singular manifestations, the power of religion has been most abundantly proved. The very districts the most severely scourged by the troopers of Claverhouse, were in after years the most distinguished for the blessed and gracious visitations of the Holy Ghost. And the parish of Kilsyth

being of all the parishes in Scotland the most heavily drenched with Covenanting blood, there is a certain spiritual propriety that it should also have been the scene of the richest outpourings of the heavenly Grace.

When Robe entered on his ministry, the master-spirit of the Scottish Church was Principal Carstares. When William assumed the reins of Government, the National Scottish party had a king more in sympathy with their political aspirations than any other who had yet ruled. They found, however, a taint of poison in the cup of religious liberty he presented to Scotland, and, notwithstanding all the other good ingredients of which it was composed, they immediately, and without a moment's hesitation, rejected it. They bridled up and were prepared to fight William as stoutly as they had fought the last James and the two Charleses. Having required of the Assembly that the members should take an oath declaring him, both in fact and right, King of Great Britain, and having given orders that the Assembly was to be dissolved if they did not obey, the country received the peremptory order with consternation. The Assembly disobeyed. The Lord High Commissioner dissolved it in the King's name, and refused to name a day for the