The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-09-06

ethgy, hnoX often spoke 10 Une PeoPle' An'
house is tenanted by some poor families
while the first story is occupied as snuff
store and pawn shop In the rear of St
Giles few yards behind the pulpit where
he used to preach in what is now Parliament
Square, small square stone is inscribed
81. K, 1872" and inserted in the pave
ment, marks the spot where his body was
laid to rest His imperishable record is on
high, free Scotland is his monument, but
men trample upon, and carriages rattle over
his dust heedlessly. All this, however, is a
depression, into which l have been lead by
the mention of st. Giles most famous
preacher. The original church was built in
the 18th Century In 1866 it contained
forty affairs and the arm-bOne of st. Giles
During the Reformation the edifce was
divided into four churches or places of wor-
ship, and Knox was made pastor of the east
wing, now called the High Church where
DR.. Card preached Here the Magistrates
attend, here James vi. sat and rebuked
preachers who spoke unpleasant things; here
too he bade the people farewell when he
went to assume the English Crown. 1t was
made an Episcopal Diocesan Cathedral by
Charles l., restored to Presbyterianism by
Cromwell, again made Episcopal by Charles
H. The last attempt to introduce the
Liturgy was overthrow by the afore-men-
toned Jenny Geddes. When the reverend
Dean began to read the Collect for the day,
the outraged Presbyterian dame hurled her
camp stool at the Deans Episcopal head, and
suiting the word to the action, cried out,
''Cohc, said ye? the Dell Colo the wame
o'ye! Wud ye say Mass in my lug?" This
set the wind in motion Episcopacy could
not stand the storm, and in 1913 the Solemn
League and Covenant was sworn to within
the walls of st. Giles. The building, used
for various purposes, not always ecclesiaSti-
cal, fell into decay; many shops or booths
were built up around it, and men bought
and sold and worked under the caves of the
Cathedral. In 1829-32, with the aid of a
grant from Parliament of 1000, the build
ing was restored, renovated, and made to as
sumo its present appearance. 1t is cruci-
form, Gothic structure, 206 feet in length and
from rs to 129 in breadth, having square
central tower, covered with lofty spire,
and divided into three church buildings, the
places of worship for three separate congre-
cations. As you enter through the main
portal, the door on the right leads into the
New north or west St. Giles, that immedi-
n ts-04s Ss.he Ola CT
inferred the Regent Murray and the Marquis
of Montrose, while the door to the left is
the entrance to the High Church or Parish
Church of Edinburgh.
When l reached the entrance it wanted
half an hour to the time of service. Yet
the hall or vestibule was filed with people
pressing in to the High Church, or turned
back by the policemen because they did not
have tickets. 1t seems that 900 special
tickets had been issued to members of the
British Association, and no other persons
could enter until the bell began to ring for
service. In a few moments the place be
came so crowded, absolutely blocked with
people, that there was neither entrance nor
exit possible, and then began turbulent
scene. The crowd pressed against the door
which the policemen shut in their faces.
Then arose Kisses, cries Of "Shame -
SHANE >" You shut up the way to Gods
house" &c. The ladies were crushed and
pressed into the smallest compass One be-
gan to shrek Historically, men and women
murmured indignantly, until at last the door
was opened, and holy mob Of worSbippers,
we were forced into the Sanctuary Of God
with heat, and some bitterness and 8oiled
garments. went up into the gallery and
was about to enter vacant pew when a lit
tie, shrivelled, yellow-faced woman with spec
tacles on her head, who had ensconced her
self in good seat, cried out, You can't 90
there; it is for the officers" There was a
long line of velvet chairs reserved also.
was about to sit down upon the floor when a
Briton, who had less regard for church
authorities than stranger possessed, march
ed into the forbidden pew, in spite of the
protestations Of the female pew-opener-
Many followed in his train, and | with them.
At the end of the pew sat wealthy Scotch
man. You must get out, it is for the
Magistrates, whined the sextoness from her
seat" don't care if it is for all the Maj
istrates in the Kingdom, or for her Majesty
herself, was the fual answer of the sturdy
Scot. The Church is large but very plain
in its furnishing. The pews are square,
high-backed, the galleries long, broad and
high; there is kind of raised Pagoda under
which the preacher stands, which has its
counterpart in similar structure over the
gallery opposite. The first line of pews in
the side galleries is handsomely covered with
crimson velvet and furnished with large pull
pit chairs, while in front of two of the seats
are velvet cushions. I suppose that it was
from one of these James VI used to rebuke
offensive preachers. At the beginning of
the services the magistrates of the city en-
tered, clothed in crimson robes with tippets