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did not make so many complaints of his parishioners as some did: nor was be like his brother curate of Blantyre, who, one Sabbath, just as he rose to pronounce the blessing, exclaimed, "Devil nor ane o' you see beltane!" At which is congregation were panic-struck, thinking they were betrayed into the hands of the Highland Host, then ravaging the country; but were relieved of their fears by his next bawling out, with an oath, to the door-keeper, "Jamie, rin an' a sorrow to yon, and put thae sheep out o' my kail yard.” This was nothing to the scandalous lives of others, who were guilty of such things as are not even to be named.—It was impossible the well-informed people of Scotland could hear such men, setting their unscriptural will-worship aside.
John Brown's good education was not lost. To counteract the bad example of the wicked, who now walked on every side, since vile men were in high place, every Monday night he met with some young persons, and instructed then from the Bible and the Confession of Faith. In summer, they assembled in a sheep-bught ; and in winter, they formed a circle wide around a large fire of peats and candle coal, that blazed in the middle of the spence floor, John Brown was not alone in this good work, David and William Steel were help-mates.
It was about the year 1680, that Priesthill got acquainted with Isabell Weir, in the parish of Sorn. She was a very superiour woman, though her disposition was the very reverse of his. She was lively and humorous, and could cheer up his grave countenance, till he was as animated as herself: at other times, she would sit and listen to the good sense of his conversation with the simplicity of a child. She saw him often, for he had frequently business to transact with her father, when he passed to and from Ayr. They often talked of Zion's trouble; and, what was remarkable, when he sought her in
