Mr. Sangster rose in reply, saying that before he did so, he desired to understand the nature of the meeting over which he was asked to preside, as he knew nothing about it but the intimation which had been read after the meeting just closed and while it was dispersing.

Ebenezer replied that it was the meeting adjourned from Monday, as agreed on, that they might consult with the two reverend members of Presbytery, who were now kind enough to be present.

The Laird answered that the joint meeting of Session and Deacons' Court on the Monday, had concluded its business and been adjourned sine die by their acting minister who presided, and that when he (the speaker) subsequently conversed on the same evening with his friends, whom he had been happy once more to meet in that place, he had dwelt strongly and without being gainsaid, on the fact that their meeting as a Church Court having been dissolved by the presiding officer, that which they were then holding was merely a friendly conversation, and without authority. And he begged to inform the person, whoever he might be, at whose instance they had now come together, that it was altogether 'ultra vires' (his voice hung emphatically on the Latin words, and they greatly impressed his auditors) for the Session to assemble itself at the pleasure of any of its members, and to act as a court. Mr. Brown as acting minister was 'ex officio' (more emphasis and deep impression) the proper caller and president of such courts; and failing him, it was the ruling elder on whom it devolved to summon and preside over the Court. But the minister had no knowledge of,--far less had he called or sanctioned their meeting,--and for himself he could not, as a constituted authority in the Church, be party to a proceeding so irregular and subversive of all Church government, as the course proposed.

'But Mester Sangster,' put in Ebenezer, 'ye canna but say that we met here on Monday nicht, and gin ye dinna ken that we agreed to come thegither again the day, to consult wi' the twa ministers here present, it's yer ain faut. Ye gaed awa at yer ain wull, an' naebody cud tak on him to bid ye bide.'

'Brethren,' interposed Peter Malloch, with an elated but solemn smile, 'what say ye to ca't a' a meetin' o' the Deacons' Coort? An' we could meenit it a' in our books,--I'm thinkin' that's our plan. I'm the convener, an' I hae a richt to convene my ain coort!'

'Certainly, Mr. Convener,' responded the Laird, 'you may call a Deacons' Court; but on what point is it that you want the advice of the Eldership here present? Will the treasurer's books not balance? Have some of the collectors failed to make their returns? Or what is it?'

'Hoot, Laird! ye ken just fine! The treasurer's a' richt, an' sae are the collectors. It's the minister an' his bairn we're after, as ye ken brawly.'

'I regret then, Mr. Convener, to have to remind you that your court has no jurisdiction. Faith, morals, and discipline, are the exclusive province of the Session; and I for one protest against the Deacons' Court presuming to touch such matters.'

'Presumin'! quotha!' interjected Andrew Semple. 'An' hasna ilka auld wife e'y Glen been presumin', as ye ca' 't, for twa week back an' mair?'

Here Mr. Geddie felt compelled to intervene, and pour the oil of evangelical sweetness on the troubled waters. He was to dine and spend the night along with Mr. Dowlas at Auchlippie, therefore he would fain have agreed with his host; at the same time he had no intention of being balked of a sensation, and what promised to be a most interesting hunt after recent iniquity, at the very outset.