REPORTS OF MEETINGS FOR Wll 261 



of the time, and his brother Archibald both suffered imprison- 

 ment for their religious zeal. One of their most famous 

 conventicles was held at Lilsly Moor, a spot about three miles 

 South- West of the village, well suited for the purpose." 



On behalf of the members the President conveyed to the 

 Rev. Mr Sym an expression of their indebtedness for his 

 instructive address. In doing so, he referred to the capture 

 by Colonel Henry Ker of Graden, a pronounced Jacobite, 

 of Archibald Riddell, a celebrated Covenanter, son of Sir 

 Walter Riddell, 2nd Baronet of that Ilk, whose grand-nephew, 

 Rev. Robert Riddell, was inducted into the living of Lillies- 

 leaf in 1736. On leaving the Church the attention of the 

 members was directed to a massive stone font of great antiquity, 

 which stood at the East door of the building, and had been 

 regarded as belonging to the Church. The hope was generally 

 expressed that it might in due time find a station within 

 the sacred edifice, and be re-dedicated to its original use. 



Regarding it, there have since come to light some 

 Ancient interesting particulars. In November, 1480, 



Font. Master John Browne, a canon of Glasgow, took 



possession of the Church, as the minister appointed 

 by the Dean and Chapter, by entering the great gate with the 

 key of the same, and touching the baptismal font and other 

 furnishings of the sacred building. The font must, at a later 

 date, have been removed, and either by accident or of intent 

 been rolled down the steep knoll on which the Church stood 

 to the side of the moss below the graveyard, suffering injury 

 in its descent. For many years it lay neglected and dis- 

 honoured; but in 1883, during the alterations made upon the 

 Church, Rev. Robert Blackstock caused it to be removed to form 

 the terminal of a low retaining wall outside the East door 

 (Plate XIII.). After remaining thirty years in this position, 

 and having been pronounced by an antiquarian of high repute 

 to be of immense age and ecclesiastical value — perhaps the 

 earliest existing font in the South of Scotland — it has been 

 transferred to the interior of the lately added apse. Captain 

 Mark Sprot of Riddell defraying the whole cost of its erection. 

 On Sunday, 5th January, 191 3, it was again commended to 

 God in prayer, and set apart for the sacrament of baptism. 



