At this period religion
must have been at a very low ebb - almost extinct among the
inhabitants; and, to revive Christianity among them, his Lordship
selected and took along with him the Rev. Farquhar Macrae, a native
of Kintail and minister of Gairloch, [He brought with him Mr
Farquhar Macrae, who was then a young man and minister of Gairloch
and appointed by the Bishop of Ross (Lesley) to stay with Sir George
Hay and the Englishmen that were with him in Letterewe, being
a peaceful and eloquent preacher. - "Ardintoul MS."] who had been
recommended to the latter charge by the bishop of Ross. Mr Macrae
found quite enough to do on his arrival in the island, but he appears
to have been very successful among the uncivilised natives; for
he reports having gained many over to Christianity; baptised a
large number in the fortieth year of their age; and, to legitimise
their children, marrying many others to those women with whom they
had been for years cohabiting. Leaving the reverend gentleman in
the prosecution of his mission, his Lordship returned home, having
established good order in the island, and promising to return
again the following year, to the great satisfaction of the people.
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