Scotland/Scots > Reminiscences of a Highland parish

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A HIGHLAND PARISH.
every man and woman who is able to appear par¬
takes of the holy feast. No wonder, therefore, the
people are grateful for their lovely summer day!
The previous Friday had been, as usual, set
apart for a day of fasting and prayer. Then the
officiating clergy preached specially upon the
Communion, and on the character required in
those who intended to partake of it; and young
persons, after instruction and examination, were
for the first time formally admitted (as at con¬
firmation in the Episcopal Church) into full mem¬
bership.
The old bell, which it is said was once at Iona,
began to ring over the silent fields, and the small
church was soon filled with worshippers. The
service in the church to-day was in English, and
a wooden pulpit, or “ tent,” as it is called, (I
remember when it was made of boat sails,) was,
according to custom, erected near the old arch in
the churchyard, where service was conducted in
Gaelic. Thus the people were divided, and, while
some entered the church, many more gathered
round the tent, and seated themselves on the
graves or on the old ruin.