Lady Victoria Campbell

280 NIGHEAN AN DIUC
session, appointed "A Thanksgiving for the intro-
duction of the Gospel into our land, to be held on
the 9th of June, 1897, the thirteenth hundred anni-
versary of the death of St. Columba, or on the Sunday
following." A meeting of Churchmen was held in
Edinburgh, and there it was resolved that, whatever
other means should be taken to carry out the injunc-
tion of the Assembly, arrangements should be made
for a special celebration in the island which had been
the headquarters of St. Columba's mission and the
place of his death. Application was made to the
Duke of Argyll, the proprietor of Iona, for access
to the ancient church, built on, or near, the site
of the Columban Monastery.
Although the original building has long since
disappeared, it was felt that the memorial service
would be most appropriately held within the walls
of that which had succeeded it. His Grace, at once
and cordially, agreed to the request. " I shall," he
wrote, " of course, be delighted to help the General
Assembly in any way to celebrate the date at that
spot."
The necessary preparations were accordingly set
about, and, with the hearty and ready assistance of
the minister of Iona, and the concurrence of the Pres-
bytery of Mull, were completed in full time for the
9th of June.
The chancel, choir, and sacristy of the church were
roofed, the windows glazed, a pulpit and harmonium
provided, and benches for a congregation of about
two hundred and fifty fitted up.