96 REPORT OF MEETINGS FOR 1901 



collection of " Border Tales," mentioned above, Sir George 

 has preserved a gruesome tale in connection with the jougs 

 of Eckford. In the minute-book of the kirk session, under 

 January 3rd 1718, it appears that three elders were "appointed 

 to inform themselves of some boys, who made disturbance in 

 the loft by falling a fighting in the time of sermon, and 

 other miscarriages through some other Sabbath days, and to 

 report to the next session." 



This they did, and the offenders were summoned before 

 the session. 



They appeared, all save one, at a meeting held in Eckford 

 Kirk, on February 23rd 1718. " Being interrogat if they 

 did make that disturbance in the time of sermon, they confessed, 

 whereupon the session judged it proper to give them a sessionail 

 rebuk, with certification of being censured with a censur of 

 a hyer natur, if they should be found guilty again of the 

 leik evil, and ordered the joygs to be made, and put up at 

 the church door." 



Extract from account book of kirk session: 1718, March 

 9th: — "For jugs putting up at the kirk door, £1 lOs." 

 (Scots money.) 



I can find no positive proof that "the jougs" were ever 

 used here. In discipline cases the offenders were sentenced 

 to appear "in the place of public repentance," or "on the 

 repentance stool," or " pillar." There are two or three cases 

 in which the offender had to stand at the church door "in 

 saccloath," but, so far as I am aware, there is no distinct 

 reference to " the jougs " 



Kirk Session Records. 

 We have in our possession the minute and account books 

 of the kirk session, from 1694 to 1754. 



" Deid-bell." 

 This is a hand-bell which was formerly in use by the 

 beadle, when intimating hours of funerals, etc. 



