27 September–3 October 1869

At twelve, went with our children to the kirk. Dr. Macleod preached a fine sermon, and gave us two beautiful prayers as usual. The text was from Matthew xxvi. 30. I saw Dr. Macleod before dinner. He is greatly alarmed for the Established Church of Scotland, as he fears that an attempt will be made to pull that down also ; though, thank God, there is no difference of form or doctrine there, and were this to happen, the Free Church and United Pres- byterians, with the present Established Church, would become one very strong Protestant body. I also asked him about Lord Lome, and he said he had a very high opinion of him ; that he had long known him, and had prepared him for con- firmation, that he thought very highly of him, and had a great respect for him, and that he had fine, noble, elevated feelings.