(Continued from page 36.)
5th July, 1645.—“Forasmuch as it is notoriously known that Sir Lachlan Maclean of Duart and John MacRanald, Captain of Clanranald have most perfidiously and maliciously joined themselves with manifest execrable enemies of this kirk and state, executing all points of cruel hostility against the same, and persisting therein without remorse or appearance of repentance, therefore it is concluded unanimously that the said malicious persons be summarily excommunicated this next Sabbath in this kirk (Inveraray) after divine service as the order is, and that Mr. Donald MacGilvery, minister at Inveraray, and thereafter the said sentence be published in all kirks of this province by every particular minister the first Sabbath that they shall preach.” (I. 98.)
8th September, 1646.—“There is an appointment of a Committee to meet at Inveraray the 27th of October next to consist of these under-written, Presbytery of Inveraray, to whom is to be joined Mr. Ewen Cameron, Mr. Colin MacLachlan, Messrs. Nicol and Archibald MacCalman, and ruling elders, Laird of MacNaughton, George Campbell and Ewen Cameron, baillie of Inveraray, and the quorum to be five ministers and two ruling elders, to whom power is given not only to censure all the compliers and perfidious joiners in rebellion, both ministers and others, who by the ordinance of this Provincial and these presents are appointed to be cited at all the garrisons and parishes within the province to compare the said day before them,
*Extracts from the Records of the Synod of Argyll.
but also their power is extended to all other things of concernment belonging to the assembly (Synod) as they shall conceive to stand in need of present redress and censure. And they have power also to adjourn their diets as the necessity of affairs and exigencies of these troublous times shall require, until the next Provincial.” (I. 101.)
12th October, 1647.—”John MacDugald, of Ardincaple, having compared before us, earnestly and humbly craved relaxation from ex-communication for joining in rebellion with the enemies, the assembly, seeing in him an earnest desire to be received again into the bosom of God’s kirk, ordained him to stand six several Lord’s Days in the kirks of his own Presbytery, that is to say, in his parish kirk the first two Lord’s Days, and in Mr. Archibald MacCalman’s kirk two other Lord’s Days, and as many in Mr. Nicol MacCalman’s kirk, and that in sack-cloth, bare-headed, to stand in the kirk door from the first bell ringing till the text be read, and then to draw near to hear the Word preached, and sermon ended to remove, and is also appointed to repair to the next assembly (Synod) to hear what further censure is to be enjoined.” (I. 104.)
(To be continued.)
The late Mrs. Norman Mackay, Geocrab, Harris.
THE subject of this obituary notice was nearly 89 years of age. She was a member in full communion for a long period of time. Her attendance on the means of grace was most exemplary. In contrast to her husband’s disposition, she was of a very happy, buoyant type. Enjoying invariable health up to the end, she never allowed herself to sink in despondency, owing to the troubles of life. When a person felt gloomy it was always a tonic to meet her. She was not left long to suffer at the end, but had great suffering as her constitution was so strong.
The writer felt sorry to witness the delirium and uneasiness she had in her body. Even Christian did not find it easy to cross Jordan, whereas Ignorance did. She exclaimed, “Oh! am not I miserable!” We believe, however, although the dissolving of her earthly tabernacle was so grievous, that she made use of her days in this world in seeking Christ, and that she is now resting from her labours where “the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick, nor the traveller say that he is weary.” When the Lord’s people are taken away, it is a loss to earth although a gain to the Church above.—D. J. Macaskill.