tionship to Sir Thomas Gladstone, Bart. of Fasque, whose seat is in the neighbourhood, and whose younger brother, the Right Honourable William Ewart Gladstone, is the present British Prime Minister.

The more recent incumbents of St Laurence Chapel, and the dates of their appointment, are as follow:-Joseph Haskoll, M.A., 1852; Henry St John Howard, M.A., 1854; Joseph William Hunter, 1863; Francis Patrick Flemyng, LL.D.-in whose ministry the present chapel was erected, after plans by Mr Ross, architect, Inverness-1870; William Walker, 1871; and Henry D'Arcy Simpson.

CHAPTER XXXIV.

CHURCHES (continued).

The other religious communities in the parish are, with one exception, of recent origin, and a brief sketch of the respective congregations is all that will be necessary in these pages.

THE BEREANS.

The parish of Fettercairn enjoys the distinction, such as it is, of having been the birthplace of a new sect of religionists. John Barclay, A.M., son of a farmer in Perthshire, was appointed assistant to the

parish minister in 1763. His popular gifts recommended him to the congregation, but his antinomian principles led to his virtual expulsion from the Church. This was hastened by the death of the minister, and the determination of the large body of the people to have him appointed successor. It was not a consequence of the Patronage Act, as has been alleged; for no system of popular election could have effected the settlement of a man not duly accredited by the superior courts of the Church.

Robert Foote having been appointed to the vacant charge, Mr Barclay's followers seceded, to form under his ministry the first Berean congregation. The name was assumed from the ancient Bereans, whose example they professed to follow in building their faith upon Scripture, and Scripture alone. A place of worship was erected at Sauchieburn. The glowing accounts which have been given of its early prosperity may be taken with a discount; but it is certain that the next few years it was a large congregation, gathered from the discontented in Fettercairn and sympathising friends in other parishes.

Mr Barclay continued only a few months in the charge, which was filled in 1775 by James Macrae, a licentiate of the Church, who had imbibed his opinions. Mr Foote's acceptable ministrations, together with the waning enthusiasm of the first Bereans, reduced the congregation very much within a short period; and when Mr Macrae retired from the charge early in the century, he was succeeded by Mr M'Kinnon, a Congregationalist. Mr Macrae took up his residence in Laurencekirk, where there had already been established one of the branches into

which his congregation had been split. He died in 1813. One of his grandsons was afterwards the founder of the Congregationalist body in Laurencekirk. Another, David Macrae, was lately a source of anxiety to the leaders of the United Presbyterian Church, and is now ministering to a congregation in Dundee which as yet has assumed no distinctive name.

The Bereans began about 1801 to meet for worship in a private house. In course of time money was advanced by James Robb, shopkeeper, one of their number, for the building of a chapel, which was erected close upon the site of the present infant school. Mr Robb had succeeded his father in the business. His mother was a Carnegie, daughter of the tenant of Droniemyre. His brother, Dr Robb, was for a number of years a practitioner in the village, and a stanch Berean. He married a Miss Buchanan from Stirling, and his eldest son James became a professor in New York. Dr Robb died about 1820.

The Berean church was a humble edifice, seated for about forty or fifty people, and was never too small for the congregation, which was made up from the parishes of Fettercairn, Marykirk, Garvock, St Cyrus, and Fordoun. Peter Brymer, who executed the carpentry, when he had completed the pulpit was requested by two of the leading members to show them how he could preach. Peter at once gave them a specimen of his oratory, commencing with a text, which he gravely pronounced, pointing meanwhile to the more prominent of his auditors: "Saul, the son of Kish, went out to seek his father's asses, and lo! two of them." The story having reached the ear of

Dr Cook, he saluted Peter the first opportunity, "Well, brother preacher!" "Na, na," replied he; "I leave that to you 'at's got a guid steepin."

Alexander Rae, the first Berean pastor, was a farmer at Law of Craigo. David Low, shoemaker at Laurencekirk, succeeded. When asked by a curious neighbour what stipend the congregation allowed him, he replied, "I get nae steepin; they dinna even come to me for their shoon!"

John Todd, farmer at Butterybraes, was the next pastor. His discourses were alike practical and seasonable. About the time of Yule he never failed to warn his audience: "My frien's, beware o' cairds an' dice, an' that bewitchin' thing the totum.” The majority of his hearers were probably on the safe side of "threescore years and ten" to give the caution due effect.

William Taylor, carrier at Fettercairn, was at first associated with John, and afterwards sole pastor. His services are still lively in the recollection of the older inhabitants. They were of a homely descripton, making up in fervour for any lack of polish. While his colleague survived, the duties of the day were occasionally divided. When William had performed his share, he usually ended with a remark such as, "Noo, John, ye'll come up an' lat's see daylicht through the Romans." His exhortations were not unfrequently varied by questions on the most ordinary subjects, addressed to one or other of the congregation. He was a firm believer in the paramount excellence of Bereanism to the last of his days. He died a few years ago in Fettercairn.

The weekly service was continued until about

1840. Soon afterwards the kirk and site were disposed of for the sum of £14 sterling. The congregation was speedily reduced to two aged females. When one of them had gone to her long home, the other remarked with feeling, "Ah, sir! when I ging too, the Bereans'll be clean licket aff!"

THE CONGREGATIONALISTS.

A congregation was formed in connection with the Congregational Union of Scotland in 1841. The services were held for more than a year in the townhall, and on the 16th October 1842 the present chapel was opened for public worship. The founder

of the congregation was David Moir.

The family to which Mr Moir belonged had for several generations been resident at Waterside of Thornton. His grandfather, David Moir, had been a prominent member of the Berean congregation at Sauchieburn, holding the two offices of deacon and precentor. His father, also David Moir, was at first attached to the same congregation, and married the daughter of Mr Macrae, the pastor. They afterwards joined the United Secession Church, and to that persuasion Mr Moir adhered until a short time previous to his entering on the ministry.

David Moir was born at Waterside in 1817. He received his elementary education chiefly in Laurencekirk, being first under the charge of Mr Wood, and then at the parish school. He gave early promise of good scholarship, and from boyhood he was impressed with a strong desire to be a missionary. When be