278 REPOET OF THE MEETINGS FOR 1898 



The Eev. Mr Johnston explained that the old bell had rung 

 itself done in the services of the church, and that Mr Greig 

 had had it re-cast and re-hung in its familiar place. The 

 motto on the bell was: — ' Feare God, yee People of Eceles. 

 1659. I.R.' To it the following inscription had been added : — 

 ' Eecast in Commemoration of the Sixtieth Year of the E-eign 

 of Queen Victoria, 1897, by James Lewis Greig of Eceles.' 

 The Dead or Hand Bell, which used to be carried in front 

 of funeral processions, and such as that seen by the Club at 

 Jedburgh, was also shown by Mr Johnston. On it is the 

 simple inscription:— 'For the Parish of Ekkels, 1712.' There 

 was pointed out in the garden what was supposed to have 

 been the old font of Eceles Church. Although, true to its 

 original purpose, the font is still used for holding water, it 

 is no longer consecrated for the use of the church ; but, alas ! 

 simply serves as a drinking trough. After inspecting, with 

 much interest, the church and its old-fashioned system of 

 seating, and the quaint method of distinguishing the pews 

 by painting upon them the initials of the heritors, e.g. 

 S.W.P. for Sir William Purves, the company visited the 

 Purves aisle (which is situated at the north of the church) 

 and the burial places of some of the former ministers of 

 the parish, and also examined some old Norman mouldings 

 which had been built into the walls. The existing ruins 

 of the Nunnery were next inspected. These consist of two 

 vaulted cellars and a lofty wall at the churchyard. The 

 interesting Norman doorways and stone facings also came 

 under observation. The ruins, as they now are, are in 

 good hands, and are sure of preservation. 



The weather, which had been wildly threatening in the fore- 

 noon, cleared by the time the united parties left the house of 

 Eceles, after partaking of an acceptable breakfast, to drive 

 to Hume Castle. On their way they went slightly off the 

 direct road to view a curious ancient cross on the farm of 

 Crosshall. The origin of the cross is shrouded in mystery. 

 It is a heavy sandstone monolith, with heraldic devices, but 

 has no inscription. Various accounts of the origin of the 

 cross were stated, and a tradition was related that a 

 Governor of Hume Castle was killed in a fray at Crosshall^ 



