IN connection with the article which recently appeared in the Magazine* on this subject a correspondent has sent us some additional notes which we present to our readers. Our correspondent desires to remain anonymous. The Floating Church, as was stated in the above article, was safely anchored off Ardastaing on 10th July, 1846. Our correspondent makes it clear that the verdict on Sir James Riddel, the proprietor, by the people was not so favourable as that of the writer in the Annals of the Disruption. On Sir James refusing a site, the people met on the hillside and were ministered to by Rev. Peter MacLean, Tobermory, and Rev. K. Macrae (MacRath Mór) gave great help to the congregation and it was through his advice the revered Mr. Macqueen took charge of the congregation while Rev. Alexander MacIntyre, latterly of Australia, was a tower of strength to them, conducting prayer meetings all over the district often in the form of family worship in the lobby of his own house with many of his hearers standing outside while the house was filled full. Under these circumstances the idea of a floating church was taken up.
*April, 1846.
Latterly, the Floating Church, during a storm and high tide, was lifted high on the shore.
The Rev. John MacQueen was succeeded by the Rev. Alexander MacLeod, a native of Lewis, who fell in with the suggestion that the Church should be broken up and a new church be erected. The Presbytery of Mull sanctioned this course. It is not known whether the Strontian session was consulted in this as the kirk-session records are lost. Our correspondent is one of the few survivors who were baptized in the church and he remembers being taken to see it before it was broken up.