THE Western Presbytery met on Monday the 27th July in Bracadale Free Presbyterian Church for the purpose of ordaining and inducting the Rev. Malcolm Macsween, M.A., to that charge. The Rev. John Colquhoun, Moderator, presided and preached an appropriate discourse from I. Peter, v. 2 and 4. After divine worship the Clerk gave a narrative of the steps which led to the ordination and Mr. Macsween having satisfactorily answered the questions put to him and having signed the formula was ordained to the office of the ministry by prayer and the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery, and, thereafter, inducted to the pastoral charge of the congregation. Afterwards the newly ordained minister was addressed in suitable terms by the Rev. A. F. Mackay and the congregation by the Clerk.
The weather was favourable and there were many present in the old Parish Church—now owned by the Free Presbyterian congregation—to witness the solemn service. It was in this church the Rev. Roderick Macleod, Snizort, used to preach when he was minister of the Parish and was afterwards famous as the great evangelical preacher of Skye. The Call was signed by 267 members and adherants.
The late Mr. Duncan Mackinnon who looked after this congregation for many years single-handed had the satisfaction of seeing it greatly increased before he passed to his rest and had he been living would rejoice to see a minister settled over them. May the Lord bless abundantly both pastor and congregation in all their interests and may the Holy Spirit give him many seals to his ministry! The proceedings were brought to a close by praise and prayer and an opportunity was given to the congregation to shake hands with their minister as they were leaving the church.—D. M. Macdonald, Clerk of Presbytery.