24 St. Conal. 



nucleus of the ancient and royal burgh. Kirkbride stands 

 between the glens of Enterkin and the Lime Cleugh, and from its 

 site a fine view of the whole strath is to be obtained. These 

 churches would likely, like the rest of the churches of that age, 

 be composed of wood and wattle. Thus has the old Saint been 

 remembered by man. He was one of that great multitude which 

 no man can number, who, " unknown to man but known to God," 

 laboured among the heathen of Scotland. He was a pioneer of 

 civilisation, and his work once begun has never ceased. Of him 

 we can sav as another has said of St. Columba — 



He ploughed Thy bare fields. 

 And he drank of Thj- well; 

 He blessed his disciples 

 In kirk and in cell; 

 His gospel of love. 

 His example of toil. 

 Enrolled him the first 

 Christian son of Thy soil. 



The following extract from " Origine's Parochiales Scotiae " 

 may pro\"e interesting : — While Ninian and his followers were 

 preaching the Gospel among the wild Galwegian others of less 

 name along with them and following them were spreading Chris- 

 tianity in every glen where a congregation could be gathered. 

 This is not a matter for speculation. It is proved beyond ques- 

 tion by historians like Bede and biographers like Adamnan. If 

 a notable conversion was effected, if the preacher had or believed 

 he had some direct encouragement from Heaven, a chapel was the 

 fitting memorial of the event. Wherever a hopeful congregation 

 was gathered a place of worship was required. When a saintly- 

 pastor died his grateful flock dedicated a church to his memory. 

 It was built small and rude of such materials as were most readily 

 to be had. The name of the founder, the name of the apostle 

 of the village attached to his church, to a fountain hallowed by 

 his using it in baptism, often furnishes the most interesting and 

 unsuspected corroboration of much of the church tradition and 

 legends, which, though allied with the fables of a simple age, do 

 not merit the utter contempt they have met with. 



