Grampian Club > Scotland, social and domestic

Introduction. 27
in the hands of the church. John Graham, of Claver-
house, was not originally a man of blood. When he
held the office of Constable of Dundee, he obtained per-
mission from the Privy Council to inflict on delinquents
milder punishments than those prescribed in the statute-
book. But Graham possessed implicit faith in the
episcopal clergy, and persuaded himself that the execu-
tion of a refractory Presbyterian was a,n act useful to
society, to religion, and the church. In reference to
this portion of the national history, we quote from the
" History of Moray. "*
" In time of presbytery, after the year 1638, ministers
who would not subscribe the Covenant, or who con-
versed with the Marquis of Huntly or the Marquis of
Montrose, or who took a protection from them, were
suspended, deprived, or deposed ; and gentlemen who
took part with Huntly or Montrose were tossed from
one judicatory to another, made to undergo a mock
penance in sackcloth, and to swear to the Covenant.
Under Prelacy, on the other hand, after the Restoration,
the Presbyterians, and all who opposed court measures,
had no enemies more virulent than the clergy. They
informed against them, made the court raise a cruel per-
secution, and made insidious and sanguinary laws for
fining, imprisoning, intercommuning, and hanging them."
At the Revolution in 1688, Presbyterianism was re-
established, while those who adhered to the Episcopal
church, by strongly attaching themselves to the cause
of the exiled Stuarts, lost the favour of the court, and
were not even permitted to assemble for worship.
In February, 1712, an Act was passed, which secured
* " History of the Province of Moray." By the Eev. Lachlan
Shaw. Elgin, 1827. 4to.