30 October–5 November 1871

At a little before twelve, went to kirk with Baby and Janie Ely, for the first time after a very severe illness — a great pleasure to me who am so fond of going to the dear little church here. Brown helped me up and down the steep stair- case, but I found no great difficulty. Dr. Mac- leod (who arrived yesterday evening at the Castle) performed the service, which he made purposely rather short for me. He gave us a beautiful sermon, the text from St. Matthew vi. 9 : " Our Father, who art in heaven ; ,! and he preached upon the great importance, as well as comfort, of our looking on God as a Father, and not as a judge or " magistrate," to use a homely phrase. He also gave an admirable explanation of the Sacrament, which he announced was to be given next Sunday, explaining that it was not a miracle, which people often consider it to be. Back by a quarter-past one, much edified. He came to see me before dinner.