On the day that the Canaille Meeting-house was opened, which was in the summer, I was smitten to the heart to see the empty seats that were in my kirk for all the thoughtless, and some that I had a better opinion of, went to hear the opening discourse. Balwhidder, who has a very clear understanding, I think I may get through my task in a creditable manner, which is all I aspire after not writing for a vain world, but only to testify to posterity anent the great changes that have happened in my day and generation – a period which all the best-informed writers say, has not had its match in the history of the world since the beginning of time.īy the failure of the cotton-mill company, whose affairs were not settled till the spring of this year, there was great suffering during the winter but my people, those that still adhered to the establishment, bore their share of the dispensation with meekness and patience, nor was there wanting edifying monuments of resignation even among the stravaigers.

But, please God, I will endeavour to fulfil this as I have through life tried, to the best of my capacity, to do every other duty and, with the help of Mrs. Balwhidder says is an admonishment to me to leave off my writing. As I come towards the events of these latter days, I am surprised to find myself not at all so distinct in my recollection of them as in those of the first of my ministry being apt to confound the things of one occasion with those of another, which Mrs.

Annals of the Parish by John Galt