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But they prudently observed； that the days of religious persecution were
past； and it was a comfort to see mankind cherishing any sense of religion
at all； after the vehement infidelity that had been sent abroad by the French
Republicans； and to this opinion； now that I have had years to sift its
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wisdom； I own myself a convert and proselyte。
Fortunately； however； for my peace of mind； there proved to be but
five Roman Catholics in Cayenneville； and Father O'Grady not being able
to make a living there； packed up his Virgin Marys； saints； and painted
Agneses in a portmanteau； and went off in the Ayr fly one morning for
Glasgow； where I hear he has since met with all the encouragement that
might be expected from the ignorant and idolatrous inhabitants of that
great city。
Scarcely were we well rid of Father O'Grady； when another interloper
entered the parish。 He was more dangerous； in the opinion of the session；
than even the Pope of Rome himself； for he came to teach the flagrant
heresy of Universal Redemption； a most consolatory doctrine to the sinner
that is loth to repent； and who loves to troll his iniquity like a sweet morsel
under his tongue。 Mr Martin Siftwell； who was the last ta'en on elder；
and who had received a liberal and judicious education； and was；
moreover； naturally possessed of a quick penetration； observed； in
speaking of this new doctrine； that the grossest papist sinner might have
some qualms of fear after he had bought the Pope's pardon； and might
thereby be led to a reformation of life； but that the doctrine of universal
redemption was a bribe to commit sin； the wickedest mortal； according to
it； being only liable to a few thousand years； more or less； of suffering；
which； compared with eternity； was but a momentary pang； like having a
tooth drawn for the toothache。 Mr Siftwell is a shrewd and clear…seeing
man in points of theology； and I would trust a great deal to what he says；
as I have not； at my advanced age； such a mind for the kittle crudities of
polemical investigation that I had in my younger years； especially when I
was a student in the Divinity Hall of Glasgow。
It will be seen from all I have herein recorded； that； in the course of
this year； there was a general resuscitation of religious sentiments； for
what happened in my parish was but a type and index to the rest of the
world。 We had； however； one memorable that must stand by itself； for
although neither death nor bloodshed happened； yet was it cause of the
fear of both。
A rumour reached us from the Clyde； that a French man…of…war had
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appeared in a Highland loch； and that all the Greenock volunteers had
embarked in merchant vessels to bring her in for a prize。 Our volunteers
were just jumping and yowling； like chained dogs； to be at her too； but the
colonel； Sir Hugh； would do nothing without orders from his superiors。
Mr Cayenne； though an aged man above seventy； was as bold as a lion；
and came forth in the old garb of an American huntsman； like； as I was
told； a Robin Hood in the play is； and it was just a sport to see him；
feckless man； trying to march so crousely with his lean； shaking hands。
But the whole affair proved a false alarm； and our men； when they heard it；
were as well pleased that they had been constrained to sleep in their warm
beds at home； instead of lying on coils of cables； like the gallant Greenock
sharp…shooters。
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CHAPTER XLVI YEAR 1805
For some time I had meditated a reformation in the parish； and this
year I carried the same into effect。 I had often noticed with concern； that；
out of a mistaken notion of paying respect to the dead； my people were
wont to go to great lengths at their burials； and dealt round short…bread and
sugar…biscuit； with wine and other confections； as if there had been no ha'd
in their hands； which straitened many a poor family； making the
dispensation of the Lord a heavier temporal calamity than it should
naturally have been。 Accordingly； on consulting with Mrs Balwhidder；
who has a most judicious judgment； it was thought that my interference
would go a great way to lighten the evil。 I therefore advised with those
whose friends were taken from them； not to make that amplitude of
preparation which used to be the fashion； nor to continue handing about as
long as the folk would take； but only at the very most to go no more than
three times round with the service。 Objections were made to this； as if it
would be thought mean； but I put on a stern visage； and told them； that if
they did more I would rise up； and rebuke and forbid the extravagance。
So three services became the uttermost modicum at all burials。 This was
doing much； but it was not all that I wished to do。
I considered that the best reformations are those which proceed step by
step； and stop at that point where the consent to what has been established
becomes general； and so I governed myself； and therefore interfered no
farther； but I was determined to set an example。 Accordingly； at the very
next dregy； after I partook of one service； I made a bow to the servitors
and they passed on； but all before me had partaken of the second service；
some； however； of those after me did as I did； so I foresaw that in a quiet
canny way I would bring in the fashion of being satisfied with one service。
I therefore； from that time； always took my place as near as possible to the
door； where the chief mourner sat； and made a point of nodding away the
second service； which has now grown into a custom； to the great
advantage of surviving relations。
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But in this reforming business I was