Presbyterian, of pronounced type. He absolutely refused to allow the
priest to cross the threshold again. His brother was "oot"; but he had
left word that he must not be allowed to enter the house. The
minister, as the brother explained, "had been sair angered" on account
of the proceedings of the previous day. He had threatened to remove
Adam from his post of "precentor" should he allow any more intercourse
between his mother and any "popish minister."

Remonstrances, persuasions, entreaties were all unavailing. The man
declared that his mother "didna' wish to see" Mr. McGillivray. The
latter had therefore reluctantly to submit to circumstances and return
home with the Blessed Sacrament, leaving the poor woman
"unhouselled"--although not "unanointed." He feared that she had given
in to the persuasions of the minister to refuse further help. But
after her death, which occurred a few days later, the good priest
ascertained that she had died in most edifying dispositions. The
minister had not visited her, and she had thought it best to wait a
little before seeing the priest again, merely on account of her family.
The McGruers, who were present at the last, assured him that she had
died a good Catholic---her only regret the deprivation of Holy
Communion.

Some remarks dropped by the Free Church minister as to the priest's
"interference" with a member of his congregation drew forth so vehement
a denial from Mr. McGillivray, and a demand for a public contradiction
of the statement from the pulpit on the following Sunday, that the
crestfallen minister had to eat his words.

The priest was indeed a match for any of his opponents in whatever way
they chose to attack him. Once at a dinner, when three ministers were
present as well as Mr. McGillivray, one of them thought to make a butt
of the priest, and during the after-dinner toasts proposed suddenly:
"The Auld Kirk!" But the priest was too quick for him. Raising his
glass, he responded promptly: "The Auld Kirk--the True Kirk!"

"No! No!" cried the entrapped Presbyterian.

"Then I'm sorry for _you_!" was the quiet retort.

One feature in Bell's recollections must not be passed over. The
priest was renowned as a peacemaker. Anything like family strife was
speedily put an end to by his tactful intervention. Even by
Protestants his services were not infrequently asked for in this
respect, and the result was a great popularity with all classes in the
distri