Some time afterwards, when Mr.Shireff met John on the road, he said, "And so, John, I understand you have become an Independent ?" "'Deed, sir," replied John, "that's true." "Oh, John," said the minister, "I'm sure you ken that a rowin' (rolling) stane gathers nae fog" (moss).

"Ay," said John, "that's true too; but can ye tell me what guid the fog does to the stane ?" Mr.Shireff himself afterwards became a Baptist.

The wit, however, was all in favour of the minister in the following:-- Dr.Gilchrist, formerly of the East Parish of Greenock, and who died minister of the Canongate, Edinburgh, received an intimation of one of his hearers who had been exceedingly irregular in his attendance that he had taken seats in an Episcopal chapel.

One day soon after, he met his former parishioner, who told him candidly that he had "changed his religion." "Indeed," said the Doctor quietly; "how's that?
I ne'er heard ye had ony." It was this same Dr.Gilchrist who gave the well-known quiet but forcible rebuke to a young minister whom he considered rather conceited and fond of putting forward his own doings, and who was to officiate in the Doctor's church.

He explained to him the mode in which he usually conducted the service, and stated that he always finished the prayer before the sermon with the Lord's Prayer.