“Logier ait, Sabbath, September 13th. — The morning was fine, and an immense congregation assembled at twelve o’clock in the churchyard, with whom I continued uninterruptedly until five P.M., singing, praying, and preaching the word of life. The subject was 2 Corinthians v. 19-vi. 2. The people were very solemnly affected, indeed more visibly so than on any previous Sabbath that I have been in the Highlands; at one time many were crying aloud in agony, and tears were flowing plentifully throughout the audience. One of the addresses that seemed most signally blessed originated in a somewhat remarkable way. As I was about to engage in prayer at the middle of the service, I noticed two young gentlemen looking down upon the audience from a little eminence a few hundred yards distant from us; and feeling a strong desire to say something that might arrest them in their carelessness at so awfully solemn a time, I called on the people of God to join me in praying for them, and spoke so loud that they could easily hear me. When I was doing this a third young man ascended to my view and joined his companions. The three put me in mind of the three young men who were so remarkably converted at the Kirk of Shotts when going to Edinburgh to be present at some scenes of public amusement. I told this anecdote, enlarging upon many things which it suggested with much liberty, and the impression seemed to be deeply affecting. The young men in my view, as soon as they heard me speaking of them, and had the eyes of the congregation turned upon them, withdrew from their position and came near, concealing themselves behind the church, where they no doubt heard what was said. The rich people, with very few exceptions, remained to the end; and some of them I thought seemed solemnly affected, at least for the time. Some of the most pointed appeals were addressed specially to them. Mr B. seemed satisfied and gave me encouragement to come to him again. Both he and Mr C. of Moulin expressed themselves as agreeably disappointed, having expected to hear something very exciting, and not solid and sober.
'Memoir of Rev W C Burns', by Islay Burns, page 135-6