Strathendrick, and its inhabitants from early times

io HISTORY OF STRATHENDRICK
except that some of the Bishops tried to introduce the more frequent reading of
lessons from the Scriptures, and the use of the Lord's Prayer, the Doxology, and
the Creed ; and Sessions, consisting of the minister and elders, Presbyteries and
Synods, were continued as before, Archbishops and Bishops, in place of General
Assemblies, being over them all.
22 Deer. 1667. — " Compeared Christian Cowan, spous to Alexander Donald-
son in Craigtoune gave in a bill of slander on John Ewing, ther compleaning
the tenor quher of followes : Unto the right reverend the minister and Session
compleanes I, the said Christian Cowane in Craigtoune wpon John Ewing ther,
that he hes slandered me of my good name," and then follow certain charges
he had made against her. The Session took the matter to proof, and next
session John Ewing gave in a counter complaint against Christian Cowane for
some slanders upon him. The matter ended as usual by rebukes before the
congregation.
22 Deer. 1667. — "David Smith being summoned compeired and being
interrogat anent ane scandell verifyed wpon him for going to Edinburgh to
ane David Howat, who is called ane sooth sayer, for some hyds stollin." David's
defence was " that he would not have gone to him if he had not herd tell
that he was approven in Edinburgh and that no minister ther could say
anything to him when he was sumoned to ther sessiones. Lykwayes many
others, both in this parroch, Killearne and Campsie went to him and he told
them of that which they wanted and they wer never challenged — whairfor
the Sessione reffers the samen to the Presbitrie for advyce." The Presbytery
after hearing the case appointed him "to confess his fault befor the congregation
in that he went to one in Edinburgh who hath a familliar spirit."
17 May 1668. — "John Fillan in Broom being sumoned and being interrogat
if he took ane Kow to the Bull on the Lord's day made confession of the samen,
and appointed the nixt Lord's day to evidence his repentance befor the whole
congregation."
24 May 1668. — "Compeared Jonet Miller, now residentcr in the paroch
of Monayaiburghe and demandit ane testimoniall of her lyf and conversation
in this parroch during her abod, quhilk was granted bearing that sho had
fallen in the sin of fornicatioune quhilk sho acknowledged to be the fyft tyme
and that she had satisfied both in penaltie and all wther injunctiones and was
absolved upon the 26 of Janwary last."
4 August 1668. — At a visitation of the Presbytery of Dunbarton to Fintry
this day, it was found as follows : " Anent the publict guids belonging to the
said Church the Presbytery finds by report of the minister and elders that
they have two cups for Communione, table and table cloath, bazon and
a cloath for baptizm and a hand bel, also that there is a box without