History of Presbyteriant'sm

compelled to worship in the open air, until a larger and more commodious schoolhouse was built. Dur— ing the following few years these good men were ably assisted in developing the spiritual life of the new congregation by the late Mr. John McNeill, then of Bannockburn, and the late Mr. Murdoch McLeod (Beag) of New London. The former, being an able expounder of the Scriptures both in English and in Gaelic, made a lasting impression for good on the minds of many of his hearers,and the latter acted as a catechist in the congregation during the win— ter months. He (Mr. M. McLeod) was a truly elo- quent preacher of righteousness, and for hours held his audience spellbound as he expounded the great plan of Salvation, man’s lost and helpless condition, and the love of God in giving his only begotten Son as a sacrifice to save the perishing and rebellious race of man. In expounding the questions of the Shorter Cathechism and the Confession of Faith he had no compeer in those days. It was under his faithful labors that the first revival of religion took place in the congregation, and to this day there are many who look back to him as their spiritual father.

Though then there was no preaching by regu- larly ordained ministers, these good men held quar— terly meetings—comneadh feast—which were at— tended by scores of pious men from Valleyfield, New London and other Highland settlements. These meetings lasted for four or five days and were al- ways looked forward to with peculiar interest. The

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