History of Prasbytert’anism

in the religious and political world at home and abroad, always being careful to show the tendency of these events in the accomplishment of God’s pur- poses in the government of the church and of the world. Then followed the sermon, which generally occupied the best part of an hour in its delivery. The writer never enjoyed the pleasure of hearing Mr. McDonald, but competent judges speak of him as having been a clear, logical preacher of great power and thoroughly Calvinistic. He preached without manuscript, and did not even use notes, but at the same time his discourses were always care- fully thought out. He spoke both English and Gaelic with equal fluency. On a warm summer’s day in those times of plain, honest, unsophisticated common sense, it was no uncommon thing to see the preacher throw Off his coat, his necktie and collar and preach in his shirt sleeves. To do this now would be an unpardonable breach of decorum, but then it was all right. “Tempores mutantur et nos in illis.”

Our notice of this congregation would be very incomplete did we not refer to the bodily exercise, or outward manifestation of many of the hearers during the time of religious services. As noticed by the writer, it generally commences with a sort of spasmodic motion or jerk of the head, accompa— nied by a peculiar sound. As the truths spoken or sung operated upon the intellect and feelings the action becomes more marked and the sound louder and more definite, until the subject springs to his or

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