The Winning Sermon

Charles Edward Stewart, more commonly known as Ned Stewart was a postman in the parish for many years.  On Mondays (the ‘wee day’) he went to the Shiel, Castlemaddie and Braidnough and on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays (known as the ‘Big Day’) he went to all the places before and as far as the Muir.

He was born in the village and spent all his days there.  Just after the Great War with the encouragement of Reverend George MacNaughton he entered a national sermon writing competition.  He won first prize which was five guineas and the sermon was preached at St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh.

Mrs Helen Stewart, Ned’s wife recalled for her grandson Jim Reid that Mr MacNaughton was so excited when he heard that the prize had been won by a member of his congregation that he ran from the Manse to Glenelg (the Stewart’s home) with the piece of paper giving the notification of Ned’s award.