He was devoted to his office, jealous of its dignity, and strenuous in his opposition to all innovations in connection with the Service of Praise.

He was especially opposed to the introduction of those "new-fangled ranting" tunes which were being taught the young people by John "Alec" Fraser in the weekly singing-school in the Nineteenth, and which were sung at Mrs.Murray's Sabbath evening Bible class in the Little Church.

Straight Rory had been educated for a teacher in Scotland, and was something of a scholar.
He loved school examinations, where he was the terror of pupils and teachers alike.

His acute mind reveled in the metaphysics of theology, which made him the dread of all candidates who appeared before the session desiring "to come forward." It was to many an impressive sight to see Straight Rory rise in the precentor's box, feel round, with much facial contortion, for the pitch--he despised a tuning-fork--and then, straightening himself up till he bent over backwards, raise the chant that introduced the tune to the congregation.

But to the young men under the gallery he was more humorous than impressive, and it is to be feared that they waited for the precentor's weekly performance with a delighted expectation that never flagged and that was never disappointed.