Strathendrick, and its inhabitants from early times

28 HISTORY OF STRATHENDR1CK
REV. DAVID FLECKFIELD.
1691-1729.
The first Presbyterian minister of Balfron after the Revolution was Mr.
David Fleckfield. He was ordained 23rd September 1691.
" The which day the Presbytrie of Dumbartane being frequently conveened
at this Paroch Church of Balfron, they did (after sermon preached by Mr.
Thomas Forrester, minister of the Gospell at Killerne, from I st Tim. 4. 16,
Take heed unto thyself and to thy doctrine, continue in them, for in so doeing
thow shall both save thy self and them that hear thee : To that effect) by
fasting, prayer, and imposition of hands, solemnly ordain and sett apairt Master
David Fleckfield for the worke of the ministrie in the foresaid Paroch." x
Mr. Fleckfield found the parish rather disorganized on his arrival — " The
Kirk goods" consisted of only "an old Bible, an half hour glass, and a mort-
cloath." There were neither flagon nor Communion cups nor linen, so that
either the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper had been seldom or never celebrated,
as was too often the case in Episcopal times, or Mr. Buchanan had taken the
vessels away when he left Balfron. There were in the parish two persons who
had not given obedience to church censures, there was a want of elders, and
the ecclesiastical buildings were not in good repair. Mr. Fleckfield took steps
at once to restore order. He had regular meetings of Session > and kept a
proper Minute Book " shewing the day, month, and year of God when each
Session was holden, who sate, and what acts were done in each Session." He
" exhorted the elders to be careful in noticeing irregular walkers within their
respective bounds, and themselves to be good exemples to others in their life
and conversatione."
The following extracts from the Session Records of the Parish, and from
the Records of the Presbytery of Dunbarton, throw a good deal of light on the
state of the parish during Mr. Fleckfield's incumbency.
21 February 1692. — "The quhilk day delated that Jean More, in the Little
Cambuchall, did carrie offensively in the face of the congregation, by strugling
in the Kirk about a seat before sermon, appointed to be summoned to the next
dyett."
25 February 1692. — "The quhilk day Jean More, being called, compeired,
and being examined anent her unchristian and offensive behaviour on the
Lord's day in the face of the congregatione before sermon, she acknowledged
her sin in so doeing, and, being rebuked before the Session, was absolved."
12 November 1693. — "The Session enquired if William Ferly, elder, did
attend the Presbytery, and also upon the Synod, quhich mett at Glasgow
1 Session Records of Balfron.