Strathendrick, and its inhabitants from early times

THE ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY OF BALFRON 37
receive the Sacraments dispensed by him " They and the others
who left the church further published in the following year a little book, now
very scarce, entitled " A True and Ingenuous Representation and Declaration
of the State of the Parish of Ba/fron, and of the unaccountable steps taken for
settling Mr. George Sinclair Minister there. Published by those of the Parish
who cannot adhere nor submit to him." It is a curious little tract, and one
sentence, on page 24, is sufficient to show the feelings of its authors : " From
all that is said, and as the matter now stands, this parish wherein we live, is laid
under a most lamentable case which is clear without contradiction, a man thrust
in upon this congregation in such a manner, as if the inhabitants had been Pagans
or Heathens, whom they can find no edification by, contrary to their inclinations,
contrary to the word of God, contrary to Presbyterian principles, contrary to
the Constitution of this Church, contrary to the National Covenant and Solemn
League and Covenant, where we bind ourselves against all that is contrary to
Sound Doctrine and the Power of Godliness. If this Settlement in Balfron be
not contrary to the Power of Godliness, we know not what is contrary to it."
The neighbouring parishes also resented Mr. Sinclair's settlement. Wodrow 1
relates how in July of the same year " Mr. Sinclair in Balfrone was invited to
the Sacrament by Mr. Edmistoun in Cardross, and preached on the Fast Day.
When he came up the most part of the people went away, and left the place.
He was to have assisted the whole time; but next day the Elders came in a
body to Mr. Edmistoun, and told him, that if Mr. Sinclair was imployed on
that occasion they would by no means Serve at the Tables. Upon which he
thought it advisable voluntarly to withdraii and go home."
The Presbytery of Dunbarton made many efforts to restore peace to the
parish, and induce the elders to reassume office, and the people who had left
to return to the church, but they had little or no success ; and finally they
reconstituted the Session by appointing as colleagues to George Galbraith of
Balgair the solitary elder who remained, William Cunninghame of Bandalloch,
John Galbraith in Middle Kilfasset, Andrew Ure in Balgair, and John
Gilfillan in Ballaferk.
The elders and people who left the church were the founders of the Holm
Church of Balfron, of which we shall give some account when we have
finished our history of the Parish Church.
On the 4th July 1732 it was reported to the Presbytery that the church
and manse were both ruinous. The lairds of Balglass, Culcreuch, and others
craved an act of the Presbytery for rebuilding the church and transporting it
to a place more convenient for the parish. Cunninghame of Bandalloch and
other heritors also craved for a new church, but in the same place as it then
1 Analecta, Vol. IV., p. 273.