GLENGARRY PRESENTS TO BISHOP M’DONALD THE GOLDEN CHALICE OF IONA—INTERESTING ACCOUNT AND DESCRIPTION OF THIS ANCIENT RELIC— BISHOP M’DONALD BECOMES VICAR—APOSTOLIC OF THE WESTERN DISTRICT—THE COLLEGE OF LISMORE TRANSFERRED TO BLAIRS—BISHOP M’DONALD HIGHLY ESTEEMED—BISHOP SCOTT COADJUTOR—STUDIED AT SCALAN, DOUAI AND ABERDEEN—HIS FIRST MISSION, DEECASTLE—AFTER­WARDS AT HUNTLY—IN 1805 PASTOR OF THE IMPORTANT CONGREGATION OF GLASGOW—THE HONOURABLE AND RIGHT REVEREND BISHOP M’DONALD— RAPID INCREASE OF GLASGOW’S CONGREGATION—HOSTILE PREJUDICES— ARDUOUS AND TRYING LABOURS—MR. SCOTT RESOLVES TO BUILD A CAPA­CIOUS CHURCH—A COMMERCIAL CRISIS IMPEDES THE WORK—THE PERSEVER­ANCE OF MR. SCOTT FINALLY SUCCESSFUL—THE NEW CHURCH FREQUENTED BY GREAT AND IMPOSING NUMBERS.

It was certainly a high privilege to possess a relic of Iona. It was the good fortune of Bishop McDonald to enjoy this privilege. Through the favour of his friend, Alexander Ranaldson McDonell of Glengarry, he became the possessor of a chalice of gold which had served ten centuries, it is believed, in the Monastery of Iona. It must now be shown how the precious relic came into the hands of Glengarry. His ancestor, in the time of King Charles II., was requested by his neighbour, McLean of Dewart, to assist him against some chief with whom he was at war. Glengarry, who, at the time, enjoyed the title of Lord McDonell and Aros, complied with the request, and proceeded, with five hundred of his warriors, to the assistance of his friend. On his arrival in McLean’s country, he was honoured with a banquet, at which were used certain pieces of church plate, and among the rest, the chalice of Iona. Glengarry was shocked at this profana­tion of sacred things, and determined to return home, saying that no success could attend the arms of people who were so profane. McLean, on learning this, sent all the plate, as a present and propitiatory offering to Glengarry, beseeching him to remain and bestow his aid. The offended chief was so far propitiated as to allow his men to stay with McLean, but refused to remain himself, and immediately returned home. The chalice was safely held in the Glengarry family till the time of Alexander, already mentioned, who presented it to Bishop McDonald. A description of this remarkable chalice will be found in Principal Sir Daniel Wilson’s work, “Prehistoric Annals of Scotland.” A letter quoted in that work from the late Rev. William Gordon (the last head of the Glenbucket family) to the writer of these sketches, says that it was of solid gold, and evidently of great antiquity, as could be seen upon it the marks of the hammer which had beaten it into shape. The invaluable relic, associated with which were so many inter­esting memories, continued in the possession of Bishop Ranald McDonald until the end of his days, when it passed to his successor, Bishop Scott.

In 1826, Bishop Paterson had succeeded in obtaining the division of Scotland ecclesiastically into three Vicariates, designated as the Eastern, Western and Northern Districts. This measure, considering the circumstances and state of the missions, had become not only expedient, but necessary. On occasion of the change, Bishop McDonald became Vicar-Apostolic of the Western district, which comprised a considerable portion of the Highlands, which still remained under his jurisdiction. Thus, his title was changed, and, to a certain extent, the scene of his epis­copal labours. About the same time he was relieved of the care of his Seminary at Lismore, that institution becoming united, chiefly through the agency of Bishop Paterson, with the College for the Lowlands, now transferred from Aquorties to Blairs, on the river Dee, near Aberdeen, a property bestowed for the purpose by the late John Menzies, of Pitfodels.

Notwithstanding this partial relief, the labours of the Episcopate were so arduous that Bishop McDonald found it necessary to have a coadjutor. His choice fell on the Rev. Andrew Scott, whose merits were at once recognized by the clergy and the authorities at Rome. He was accord­ingly consecrated Bishop and entered on his duties as coadjutor Vicar-Apostolic of the Western district. Bishop McDonald, meanwhile, by his amiability of manner, and his kindness of heart, had won the esteem and affection of all, whether Catholics or Protestants, who came into rela­tion with him. Such were his benevolence and attention to all around him that his society was much sought, and gave the greatest pleasure. He rejoiced in contributing to render others happy; and he found a source of happiness himself in diffusing cheerfulness and promoting innocent enjoyment. It is easily conceived, as is recorded of him, that he was greatly beloved as well as respected by persons of all persuasions. Some of the most eminent ministers of the established Kirk of Scotland were of the number of his personal and devoted friends. Hence, he did more by his way of life and conversation, as his record bears witness, to do away with religious prej­udices and mitigate theological antipathies than any other man of his time. Towards the close of his life, unfortunately, he became almost totally blind. In consequence of this affliction, his coadjutor came to be invested with independent authority in governing the district. At last came the closing scene. The venerable Bishop departed this life on the l0th September, 1832, at Fortwilliam, Inverness-shire. The Right Reverend Bishop Scott, assisted by several priests of the neighbourhood, paid the last funeral honours and laid his remains at rest within the Catholic Church of Fortwilliam.

ANDREW SCOTT (1828-1846).
“There is the making of a priest in that little fellow.” Such were the words, which proved prophetic, concerning Andrew Scott, when only five years of age, spoken in his father’s house by an elderly missionary priest, The intelligent look of the “little fellow” elicited this remark; and it was to him as an oracle which he treasured up in his mind and never forgot. From that moment he resolved to be nothing less and nothing else than a priest, whatever impediments might be thrown in his way. He was a native of the Catholic Enzie, and born at Chapelford, on the 13th day of February, 1772. His application to study in his earlier years was attended with remarkable success. In February, 1785, he became an alumnus of the Seminary at Scalan, and was soon after sent to continue his ecclesiastical studies in the Scotch College at Douai. He resided there several years, and was distinguished no less by proficiency in his studies than by piety and edifying conduct. The French Revolution came, and he was obliged, along with his fellow students, to return to Scotland. He then once more became an inmate of the only Semi­nary in Scotland, the unpretending House of Scalan. His course of study for the priesthood was, however, completed at Aberdeen, under the guidance of the Rev. John Farquarson, formerly Principal of Douai College. He was ordained priest in that city by the venerable Bishop Hay, on the 25th day of March. 1795.

The missionary labours of Andrew Scott, which were destined to be so important, had a very humble commencement. As soon as he was ordained he was appointed to the retired mission of Dee Castle, in Aberdeenshire. The poor congregation then had, at the time, no suitable place for the celebration of public worship. There were on the banks of the River Dee, the ruined walls of an ancient castle. These walls Mr. Scott contrived to fashion into a church. Having thus gained experience in the art of architecture, he afterwards built a modest, but convenient chapel and dwelling house under the same roof. In 1800 he was removed to the charge of the Huntly mission; and, as if five years were his destined time in each of the minor missions, he was appointed in 1805 to the mission of Glasgow, which, by this time had grown to large propor­tions, and which, through the truly Herculean labours of its new apostle, was destined so soon to surpass in numbers and importance all the missions of the country.

Previously to the appointment of Mr. Scott, the few Catholics of Glasgow were ministered to by the Reverend Alexander McDonell, who afterwards became the founder of a church in the new world, and was long known as the Hon. and Right Rev. Bishop of Kingston, in Canada. When this eminent priest proceeded on his new destination the Glasgow congregation came under the pastoral care of the Rev. John Farquarson. This zealous priest erected a church in the district called “the Calton.” Although, at this time, Catholics were becoming numerous in Glasgow, they were under the necessity of living as retired as possible, such was still the danger, notwithstanding the better feeling towards them of the more intelligent citizens, lest the very fact of their numbers might become a cause of popular excitation. There were no traces of their religion in the villages and counties around the great commercial city, if unless, indeed, we except the wreck of the cathedrals, monasteries, religious and educational houses that once adorned the land.

Meanwhile, Catholic Ireland contributed largely, as it still contributes, to promote the growth and importance of the Glasgow congregation. Mechanics of that country—skilled and unskilled workmen sought the Scotch commercial city in order to find that employment which their native land denied them. The cotton trade had been successfully introduced into Glasgow, and hence those people found the occupation they so much needed. The new trade gave them their bread, and to the city wealth and aggrandizement. The Irish newcomers were at first exposed to much obloquy, not only on account of their country against which there existed an incredible amount of illiberal prejudice, but, more particularly still, on religious grounds, there being nothing so odious as “Popery” to the Presbyterian mind of the time. Such prejudices, however, proved only an ineffectual check; and the industrious Irish, encouraged by the more enlightened manufac­turing citizens, continued to flock into Glasgow, bearing with them the light of their reviled faith, which was destined, ere long, to shine amid the darkness and command universal respect.

To form these ever increasing elements into a well-disciplined, orderly and united congregation, was the gigantic task that lay before the zealous missionary; and he applied to it with all the strength and energy of a giant. The very inadequate church accommodation of that time was a serious impediment. A sort of garret chapel in a miserable, dingy lane connected with a street called the Gallowgate, was all the place of, meeting which the Catholics possessed. Their numbers had increased; but they were far from being the imposing congregation which now consists of so great a proportion of the population of the immense commercial city. The list of Easter communicants amounted only to four hundred and fifty. Not many years had passed when it swelled into a roll of three thousand. This wonderful success was achieved partly by the earnestness and vigour with which Mr. Scott ceased not to preach the word of God; but more, perhaps, by his assiduity in hearing confessions and in visiting the sick. Such duties were far from being easily fulfilled. To sit the whole evening till a late hour, under a damp unwholesome roof, listening to the recital of the sins and cares and sorrows of his people, was sufficiently trying, but it was more so still, through the darkness of night, and often in the most inclement weather, to toil along the streets and lanes to the most wretched hovels of the poor, tend over the fever-stricken, in danger every moment of inhaling the poisoned breath of pestilence, and confronting death itself while mitigating its terrors. It is impossible to imagine a more trying, and at the same time, a more consoling labour. And well it was that it should bear with it its consolation and its fruit; for, in the case of Mr. Scott, the only reward the world offered consisted of the sneers and taunts of bigotry, the scoffing of the ungodly and the hooting of the ignorant rabble. There was no security often against personal violence, except through the escort of some faithful friend. Every day new difficulties arose, but only to be surmounted by undaunted courage and success. Not the least of these was one occasioned by the necessities of the mission, and which it behoved the zealous priest to meet. The Calton Chapel, as it was called, had become too small for the greatly augmented congregation. Thousands of poor Cath­olics were excluded from its narrow precincts, and, as each succeeding Sunday came round, instead of participating along with their brethren in the joyful celebration of the Sacred Mysteries, could think only in sadness and disappointment of the land of their fathers and its numerous altars where so many joyfully partook of the Bread of Life. The narrow and humble chapel must be replaced by a capacious church. But how was this to be done? Only Mr. Scott could conceive the possibility of such a work. Relying on the generosity of his numerous but comparatively poor congregation, his own energy and the aid of Heaven, he undertook the building of St. Andrew’s Church in a conspicuous part of the great city—Great Clyde Street. There were many, meanwhile, who, taking credit to themselves for superior wisdom, condemned the undertaking as rash and inconsiderate, and which could only tend to humiliation and the injury of religion. The goodly work, nevertheless, was boldly undertaken, and proceeded with rapidity and success while scarcely any other aid was bestowed save the pennies of the poor, so liberally offered in ever-increasing abundance. This liberality was the more note­worthy as a great commercial crisis had overtaken Glasgow. Public credit was shaken, business came to a stand, wages were reduced, and the price of food increased. The Catholics were dismayed. They looked with sorrowful eyes on the unfinished walls, and dreaded their becoming a ruin instead of growing into a stately church. One alone was not discouraged. Mr. Scott still persevered, hoping against hope. In a short time, notwithstanding all but insuperable difficulties, the sacred edifice was completed, and stood forth a noble monument of apostolic zeal and the devoted generosity of a Catholic people, while. if it did not excel, it was not unworthy of the splendid minister which survives entire the wear of time and the violence of fanatic rage. There was no mistaking the proof which this labour of love afforded, that the Cath­olics of Glasgow could no longer he treated as outcasts whom it was safe to jeer and insult. They now assembled in imposing numbers. The thousands that poured every Sunday from the grand portal of St. Andrew’s Church, were indeed a type of that Universal Church which the beloved disciple beheld in prophetic vision.