PAMPHLET. 289 



than one channel of communication, that he has been 

 unsparing in his condemnation of my assault on Bishop 

 Gillis. I shall not defend myself in this matter. It has 

 perhaps been my misfortune that, somewhat curious in 

 my reading, I have lived too much in the past, when 

 even the best of men were unconscious of fault in taking 

 liberties equally great with Jesuitical bishops, extreme 

 unction, and the wafer ; and I have, I am afraid, failed 

 to note that the atmosphere of the present time has been 

 materially changed by exhalations blown aslant, over the 

 face of even the Evangelic Churches, from the bogs and 

 fens of a hollow liberalism, that professes to respect all 

 religions, and believes none. I make no defence. I am 

 convinced, too, that were all the errors to which man is 

 liable of the especial character of mine, Dr Candlish 

 might with a clear conscience cast at the peccant Editor 

 the first stone. 



'I have thus stated my views on the general question, 

 in its bearings on the Witness newspaper ; and I must 

 now be permitted to say a few words regarding myself. I 

 am neither in the mood nor the circumstances to act 

 rashly. My health and strength, though gradually im- 

 proving, are not what they have been. I have several 

 poor relatives dependent on me for support. I have a 

 wife and family. I have been doing what little I could 

 for the Church ; and as I have not yet touched a farthing 

 of the profits of the Witness, and, until the debt to the 

 Committee be honourably discharged, never will, I am 

 a poor man.* But though not in a condition, and cer- 

 tainly not in a frame, to act rashly, I trust, with God's 

 help, to be enabled to act firmly, and in a manner not 

 unworthy of the Church of the Disruption. I need not 



* Should not refuse that money subscribers are willing to give 

 up. Note by Dr Chalmers. 



VOL. II. 19 



