The literature of the Highlanders : $b a history of Gaelic literature from the earliest times to the present dayMacNeill, Nigel
History
The literature of the Highlanders : $b a history of Gaelic literature from the earliest times to the present day
MacNeill, Nigel
Scottish Gaelic literature -- History and criticism
REV. HUGH MACDIARMID.—This well known minister of Callander is
the author of a goodly volume of sermons which have had a fair
circulation in the South Highlands. They exhibit no special ability
in the author, but are plain common-sense productions which would not
rouse much holy enthusiasm in the reader, nor make serious demands on
his intellect. At the same time they were often in request in pious
homes, where, on the poor man’s great Day of Rest, they might be
brought forth to be read.
PRINCIPAL DANIEL DEWAR, D.D.—Though the Principal of a Scottish
University, Dr Dewar did not allow himself to get contemptuous
towards the language of his forefathers like many much smaller men
when they get into posts of honour. As pointed out elsewhere, Dewar
published early in the century a fair collection of Gaelic hymns, the
preface to which shows him to be a man of culture and devout spirit.
We find his name also associated with a popular dictionary, and with
all enterprises of his time for the uplifting of Gaelic life. “The
Gaelic Preacher,” a booklet by Dr Dewar, is well-known to the present
generation of Gaelic readers.
REV. JOHN MACMILLAN.—This Arran preacher was one of the ablest men
who occupied Gaelic pulpits in the early part of this century. The
unction and power of his sermons are still remembered by old folks in
his native island, where his labours have been highly esteemed and
loved. “Macmillan’s Sermons” is a posthumous volume issued under the
editorial care of his relative, the Rev. Mr Stewart, who in their
publication has conferred a boon on his Highland fellow-countrymen.
The founders of the great publishing house of Macmillan were not
unrelated to the distinguished preacher of these sermons.
REV. MACKINTOSH MACKAY, LL.D.—This Sutherlandshire divine was the
most distinguished and thorough Gaelic scholar of his time. He
collected and edited Rob Donn’s poems, no small achievement in
itself; had a prodigious share in the production of the Highland
Society’s Dictionary, and published the _Fianuis_ at the time of
the Disruption of the Scottish Establishment—a monument of good
Gaelic prose and powerful exposition of great principles in the
language of the Gael. The pages of the _Fianuis_, however, being
largely controversial, they are now very much forgotten like the
many pamphlets which the Union controversy subsequently brought
forth. For many years Dr Mackay was one of the best-known ministers
of the Scottish Churches at home and abroad. In Australia he helped
divided Presbyterians to unite, but on his return home in his old age
he opposed a similar union in Scotland. He kept up his interest in
Gaelic studies to the very last, and his love of accuracy continued
to the end. Mr William Mackenzie, publisher, of Glasgow, engaged him
to write a Gaelic Church History (1872), which in his last years he
accomplished with all the care and scholarship which distinguished
his work for the great Gaelic dictionary in his younger years.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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