ALBANI, CARDINAL PROTECTOR—HIS INJUDICIOUS MEASURE—DIFFICULT TO MAKE A CENSUS OF THE CATHOLICS—THEIR NUMBER DIMINISHED—10,000 COMMUNICANTS—NUMBER OF PRIESTS IN BOTH DISTRICTS—WHERE EDUCATED—SPECIAL MENTION OF MESSRS. HAY AND GODSMAN—DUTIES OF ROMAN AGENT—REV. G. GORDON, PROCURATOR—BISHOP GRANT DANGER­OUSLY ILL—MR. HAYS GREAT LABOURS—HIS ZEAL FOR ECCLESIASTICAL EDUCATION—THE OLD CHURCH OF PRESHOME RESTORED—FALSE ALARM— MR. F. MENZIES AT ACHANACHY—PROPOSAL TO GIVE MR. HAY THE CHARGE OF DOUAI COLLEGE—HIS COMMUNICANTS, 759—24 CONVERTS—DEARTH OF CLERGY—MISSION FUNDS—RENEWAL OF PERSECUTION IN THE HIGHLANDS— THE CATHOLICS STEADFAST—BISHOP HUGH M’DONALD DESIRES THAT EACH PRIEST SHOULD HAVE A HOUSE TO HIMSELF.

Through the interest of the ex-king (Chevalier St. George) Cardinal Albani was now appointed Protector of Scotland. The Scotch had very little to thank their would-be Monarch for in this appointment. Albani was the very opposite of the good Spinelli. It cannot be said that he was unjust; but he knew no mercy. His first measure was as hard, as in the circumstances of the time and country, it was impolitic. He made a condition of the payment of the legacies left to the seminaries by the late Cardinal, which certainly was not in Spinelli’s will. His right to do so, according to our idea of last wills and testaments, may well be questioned. He intimated to the Bishops that the legacies in question would not be paid until a full and exact account or census of the state of seminaries, and of religion in general, should be made out and returned to Rome. As Cardinal Protector, he may have been entitled to command such a measure; but we fail to see that he could make the execution of it a condition of the payment of Spinelli’s bequests. It was highly impolitic, besides, as it was calculated to arouse the jealousy of the Government which still, through the penal laws, held the lash of persecution over the heads of the Catholic people. The Scotch Catholics were so widely scattered, moreover, especially in the Highlands, that it was exceedingly difficult and not without danger, to obtain such a report. The Bishops, however, set to work, and a return of the statistics of the Lowland District was made that same year. But such was the difficulty in the Highlands, where there were only four secular and three Jesuit priests, that it was impossible to enumerate the population scattered throughout the missions till the year 1764. It must be stated that Propaganda also required this census, as a condition of continuing their annual subsidy.

The report of the Bishops made manifest how disastrous to the Catholics the expedition of Prince Charles had been. Their numbers were diminished, in consequence, by at least 1,000. The Government soldiery, the executions, voluntary exile, and transportation to the American colo­nies, had reduced, to that extent, their numbers in the years 1745 and 1746. When war with France broke out in 1756 there was another loss of population, not fewer than 6,000 Scotch Catholics being then, as was calculated, draughted into the army for military service, chiefly in the East and West Indies. The number of communicants in the whole country, as stated in the report, was 18,000, those of the Highlands being double those of the Lowland vicariate. It was otherwise as regarded the number of secular priests in each district, there being only four in the Highlands, while there were twelve in the Lowlands. The latter district possessed, in addition, ten Jesuit Fathers, the former only three. The greater number of the secular clergy had been educated at the Scotch College of Rome, as had been also the Bishop of the Highland District and his coadjutor, together with the coadjutor of the Lowlands.

The report further shows that at the time it was despatched, Mr. Hay, in addition to his mission of Rathven in the Enzie, was charged with the still more laborious mission of Strathisla, of which Keith is the chief town. It was, at the time, without any other pastor. It is noticeable that in the report of the Bishops, Messrs. Hay and Godsman are specially spoken of as being both worthy sons of the Scotch College of Rome, distinguished by great piety, prudence and zeal “according to knowledge.”

We now find Mr. Hay, September, 1763, acting as secretary to a full meeting of all the bishops and administrators at Edinburgh. Abbate Grant, from the nature of his position, was obliged to devote much of his time to the entertainment of the numerous British visitors of distinction who came to visit the Papal city. This led to a certain neglect, as agent of the interests of his constit­uents in Scotland. Mr. Hay, in the name of the administrators, wrote a vigorous but friendly letter, complaining of the agent, and enclosing a copy of the original rules of the administration, framed in 1701, regarding the duties of the Procurator at Rome. Abbate Grant replied, and having made a full explanation and promised amendment, Mr. Hay, whose sincere regard for the agent had never ceased since his student days at Rome, recommended that the administrators should adopt mild measures in regard to him. To this they finally agreed. At this meeting, also, they appointed. a new Procurator for the mission in Scotland, the Rev. G. Gordon, of Stobhall, Mr. Alexander Gordon retiring from the office.

It was a busy time with Mr. Hay on his return home; and his labours were not lessened by a letter which he received from Bishop Smith, requiring him to repair to Aberdeen, where Bishop Grant was lying dangerously ill. It was thought that perhaps the life of the coadjutor depended on the advice which Mr. Hay should give. However this may have been, the Bishop’s health greatly improved on occasion of Mr. Hay’s visit. A favourable report was sent to Bishop Smith by Mr. Hay himself, who, in the same letter, adds: “I have been so hurried about with calls to Banff, Strathisla, Aberdeen, etc., and a crowd of business of one kind or another, at home, that since Bishop Macdonald left the Enzie, I do not remember to have been but two whole days at home all that time.” Many years later he was heard to say that his fatigue, at this time, on Sundays, was so great that, from exhaustion, he was scarcely able to get home.

Notwithstanding his engrossing occupations, such was his zeal for promoting ecclesiastical education, that, he took two boys from the Highlands who had given some proof of a clerical vocation, to, study with him at Preshome and prepare for a foreign college. This proceeding came to the knowledge of his Protestant neighbours who, looking upon it as the commencement of a seminary, which, was against the laws, raised such a clamour, that he was obliged to abandon his laudable design. Notwithstanding Mr. Hay’s unceasing and exhaustive labours, he continued to enjoy good health throughout the winter, as he himself states in a letter to Bishop Smith, of date March 1st, 1764.

As there was only poor accommodation for the congregation at Preshome, Mr. Hay was anxious to restore the ancient chapel of the Craigs, which had never been used since it was pillaged by the Government troops in 1746. Much difficulty, however, was anticipated; and accordingly, Mr. Hay proceeded with the utmost caution and prudence. His first step was to request the influ­ence of his relative, Hay of Rannes, with the minister of the place. Mr. Hay and his family entered cheerfully into the plan of restoration, and, without difficulty, obtained from Mr. Grant, the minister, a cordial promise that he would not only throw no impediments in the way, but would assist with all his power. He began by removing everything about the place which belonged to himself; and said that if any notice was taken of the undertaking in the Presbytery, he would do all he could to prevail on his fellow-Presbyterians to overlook the proceeding. He undertook, also, to give Mr. Hay timely warning if the Presbytery should decide unfavourably to him. He thus showed, in a very marked way, his appreciation of Mr. Hay’s prudence and peaceable demeanour. There, was much deliberation as to whether the arrival of the young Duke of Gordon should be awaited, as he was proprietor of the ground on which the Church stood, and could effectually put a stop to all operations. At first, a few men were set to work repairing the old building, of which the walls still remained, as a monument worthy of being preserved, placing a roof on it, etc. Meanwhile, the sentiments of the neighbours could be ascertained, as the work would necessarily attract attention. Then if no serious objections were made to the Catholics resuming possession of their old Church, it might be opened, at first, on Sunday after­noons, for the catechism class, or the Sunday school, and, afterwards, oftener, as they found encouragement. There would, as a further step, be prayers on some half-holiday, but, without closing the meeting at Preshome, till full possession was secured. Whilst all this was proceeding, friends of the Duke of Gordon were engaged to represent to him that, by favouring the restoration, he would gain the good will of his numerous Catholic tenants, on occasion of his first residence among them. For this end, it was urged, he had merely to overlook their proceeding in regard to the old Church. Labours, so wisely directed, could not well fail to succeed; and the design of Mr. Hay was fully carried out by the end of the following year. On December 3rd, 1765, Mr. Hay wrote to Bishop Smith that their chapel (Church) was now in good order, and an altar erected, with which all were pleased. A circumstance may now be mentioned which shows that Catholics were still in dread of Government persecution. One Sunday, Mr. Hay was standing at the altar in the recently repaired Church, ready to begin Mass, when word was brought to him by some one who had been appointed to keep watch outside, as was still the custom, that a soldier was seen approaching. Mr. Hay immediately withdrew into the adjoining wood; but was speedily informed that the disturbance was caused by a false alarm. The bright scarlet waistcoat of a worthy citizen of Fochabers, the father of the late Rev. G. Mathieson, had been mistaken for the British uniform. The panic, of course, subsided and Mass was proceeded with.

The temporary vacancy of several neighbouring, missions now added considerably to the labours of Mr. Hay. He, in consequence, requested F. Alex. Menzies, who succeeded Mr. Geddes in the Cabrach, to take the station at Achanachy, near Keith, off his hands. F. Menzies replied: “I am very sensible how fatiguing it must be for you to serve both the Enzie, Grange and Achanachy; and you judged well that I would incline to see my friends at Achanachy as often as I can.” (March 30th, 1764.)

An occasion now occurred on which the wonderful ability of Mr. Hay for missionary duty was recognized. The Scotch Bishops were about to recover their college at Douai, in consequence of the expulsion of the Jesuits from France; and it was in contemplation to appoint Mr. Hay to the charge of this institution. Rev. G. J. Gordon, one of the senior missionary priests, opposed this proposal. He speaks of Mr. Hay in the following eulogistic terms: “I have very seriously and attentively considered the proposals about a Master for the House of Douai, if it is obtained. As to Mr. Hay, I think him much better fitted for being more useful as a labourer at home, by his clever, active spirit and great qualifications for doing greater good in the country, than in the narrower sphere of a shop (college) and a few prentices (students). Besides, the place now occu­pied could not be so advantageously filled by any other labourer (missionary priest) we have at present. Moreover, it is of no small consequence to have so near the Duke of Gordon’s door (whose inclinations towards us are yet much in the dark), a person that is much loved and esteemed by every one, and has gained kindly many friends among the better sort, who may be of use to protect him if any danger was threatened. In fine, which with me is of great weight, he is, in my opinion, the only fittest person, among all the missionary priests, to be made a coad­jutor in due time, being neither too young, nor too old, and having abundance of qualifications, both natural and acquired, with much zeal and a great fund of piety. . . So that it would be very unadvisable to let him go out of the country, or from the place wherein he is settled.” Dated Aberdeen, March 12th, 1765.

Bishop Smith, in replying to this letter, alluded to another reason for retaining Mr. Hay in the country, insisting that his medical knowledge was absolutely necessary for preserving Bishop Grant. The idea of his appointment was, therefore, abandoned; and Mr. Robert Grant sent to govern the seminary.

In Lent, 1765, Mr. Hay sent a report of the state of his mission to Propaganda, through Bishop Smith. The number of his communicants was 959, probably including those of a neighbouring mission which he had to attend to at the time. Within the preceding five years, twenty-nine new communicants had been received into the Church, or were in course of preparation.

Bishop MacDonald’s report had awakened the Cardinal to a sense of the want of clergy in Scot­land. Cardinal Catelli, who succeeded Spinelli in Propaganda, felt more particularly this want and the Cardinals of Propaganda held a meeting, on this important subject, with the Protector, Albani, and Cardinal York, who was now Bishop of Frascati. Time only, through the agency of well-directed seminaries, could provide the much-desired remedy.

There were many reasons for desiring a greater number of priests, and the want of them was more felt in the Lowland than in the Highland district. In the Lowlands there were several noble families, each of whom required a missionary priest to themselves such as Traquair, Drummond and Stobhall. In towns where the spirit of persecution still existed, sometimes more, sometimes less active, like a smouldering fire which rises or falls with the changeful gale, a greater number of priests were necessary for supplying the spiritual wants of their flocks, because they were obliged to live very privately, almost in total concealment. In the Lowlands, also, although the number of Catholics was less than in the Highlands, they were more scattered and mixed among Protestants, with whom they were necessarily in relation, and, consequently, in greater danger of perversion than their brethren in the Highlands; and hence the greater need of pastoral super­intendence. It was manifest also, from experience, that wherever a priest was supported, religion prospered, and its decline followed as soon as he was removed. There were several parts of the country where the “Reformation” was not deeply rooted, in which the settlement of a learned and zealous priest might be attended with much good. Such arguments and statements were laid before the Cardinals through the Bishops, and inclined them more and more to give all the assistance in their power.

Meanwhile, Mr. Hay insisted much on a strict investigation and account of the funds of the mission, recommending strongly an endeavour to obtain further assistance. The Bishops, at the same time, were preparing a powerful appeal to Propaganda, and collecting details and opinions from all the more influential priests in order to support their claim for more aid, in both men and money. Mr. Hay wrote once more to Bishop Smith, discussing the whole subject, and earnestly advocating a frank disclosure of all the resources of the mission fund, such as they were. Bishop Smith, in a notice of Mr. Hay’s letter, which he communicated to Mr. G. J. Gordon, April 10th, 1765, says: “He generally writes very judiciously. But, sometimes, pushes things too far.”

Not only was there, as we have just seen, a spirit of persecution in the towns of the Lowlands; this amiable quality appeared anew in the Highlands. It broke out with renewed vigour in the remoter parts of the western Highlands. The Factor on the forfeited estates, while collecting the rents at the end of the year 1764, gave notice at the instigation of some of the more violent minis­ters, to all the tenants, that unless they began immediately to attend public worship in the parish church, they must all leave their farms at the next term. This was a trial of their fidelity to their religion of no ordinary severity. On the one hand, ruin and starvation were imminent if they refused to comply, their farms being their only source of subsistence; whilst on the other, they had lately enjoyed but few opportunities of instruction and encouragement in the practice of their religious duties, owing to the scarcity of missionary priests. Notwithstanding all this, these good people, in the hour of trial, were not wanting in that spirit of Christian fortitude, which animates to martyrdom. They declared to a man that they would never renounce their religion. Government, it appears, had not sanctioned such extreme measures, for, when the case was represented to them, they caused matters to be accommodated without disadvantage to the injured Catholics. It was still necessary, however, for the Catholics to observe the greatest caution and prudence. This is further shown by a communication of Bishop Hugh MacDonald to the Scotch agent at Rome. He gives a full description of the necessities of his mission and of the impossibility off opening a seminary. This was due, partly to the positive want of any one to preside over it, and partly to the strict watch over every movement of his by a number of the ministers who, being without congregations, had nothing better to do than to act as spies on their Catholic neighbours, and by their wicked contrivances, bring them into trouble. “Though the present movement,” says the Bishop, “be visible in that respect, yet under agents, instigated by our enemies, even execute the laws that are in force against us; for which reason we must act wisely and step by step for fear of raising a new storm.”

The Bishop, nevertheless, was determined, as soon as there was any possibility of doing so, to establish a seminary. In the meantime, he sent his “Prentices” to a distance, under the care and direction of Mr. Godsman and Mr. Hay, in the Enzie. He had applied to the latter for a character of the two boys supported by Cardinal Spinelli’s legacy, which had been presented to the Protector with the Bishop’s attestation. It shows both the poverty of the mission and the value of money at the time, that Bishop MacDonald gave it, as his opinion, that a missionary could not have less for a decent maintenance than £20 in the year. He looked forward, hopefully, to the time when each pastor should have a dwelling of his own, however humble, to which he might retire to recollect himself and compose his dissipated spirits in prayer and study; for nothing but danger could result from his going continually from one house to another, with mean accommodation, and no opportunity of seclusion, as was then the case with Highland missionary priests.