His conversation was not unsuitable to his appearance. I lost some
of his good-will, by treating a heretical writer with more regard
than, in his opinion, a heretick could deserve. I honoured his
orthodoxy, and did not much censure his asperity. A man who has
settled his opinions, does not love to have the tranquillity of his
conviction disturbed; and at seventy-seven it is time to be in
earnest.
Mention was made of the Earse translation of the New Testament,
which has been lately published, and of which the learned Mr.
Macqueen of Sky spoke with commendation; but Mr. Maclean said he
did not use it, because he could make the text more intelligible to
his auditors by an extemporary version. From this I inferred, that
the language of the translation was not the language of the Isle of
Col.
He has no publick edifice for the exercise of his ministry; and can
officiate to no greater number, than a room can contain; and the
room of a hut is not very large. This is all the opportunity of
worship that is now granted to the inhabitants of the Island, some
of whom must travel thither perhaps ten miles. Two chapels were
erected by their ancestors, of which I saw the skeletons, which now
stand faithful witnesses of the triumph of the Reformation.
