Sunday 15^th May

In the morning Mr McNeil preached from the 3^rd chapter of Acts from the 1^st to the 11^th verse. In the evening he preached from Ephesians 2^nd chapter 5^th verse Even when we were dead in sins hath quickened us together with Christ by grace ye are saved. In the afternoon I was in the Sabbath School.

Monday 16^th May

I got settlement from Angus for the goods after deducting liabilities £99-11-6, and signed the dissolution of partnership. I was getting shelving into the shop. A number of the fishing boats arrived. I took John Mckenzie with me.

 [Note: The dissolution of the partnership was reported in Perry’s Gazette as follows:

Scotch Partnerships Dissolved

Gazette – May 20, 1864

McDONALD Angus, jun. and Charles Morrison, merchants, Stornoway, 4th May. Debts by A. McDonald jun.]

Tuesday 17^th May

I was going about seeing a number of the fishermen.

Wednesday 18^th May

Not much doing. Robert Gerrie arrived from London. A great number of passengers came by the “Vanguard”. Mr A Malcolm fisherman came. I changed my room in Mr Pope’s.

[Note: Charles had moved from Miss McDonald’s on North Beach to Mr Pope’s in January 1864].

Thursday 19^th May

I wrote Father. I was doing a little today. I got the counter into the shop.

Friday 20^th May

The boats went out to night I had tea in Goathill. There was a concert in the Mason Hall tonight.

[Note: the Stornoway herring fishing season started on this day, as set by an Act of Parliament and closely observed by H. M. Jackal.]

Saturday 21^st May

There was a pretty good fishing today for the commencement and the quality of fish very good. I was doing a little today.

Sunday 22^nd May

In the morning Mr McNeil preached from the 5^th chapter of Romans 1^st & 2^nd verses Therefore being justified by faith we have peace with God through our lord Jesus Christ by whom also we have access by faith unto this grace where in we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. In the evening he delivered a most excellent sermon from the 2^nd chapter of Hebrews 3^rd verse How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation. Mr Paterson preached on the 8^th from the same text and had the same heads. In the afternoon there was a prayer meeting and Sabbath School. The Church today was crowded.

Monday 23^rd May

Received a lot of goods and did a little business. I had a letter from George Phillips.

Tuesday 24^th May

A pretty good fishing.

Wednesday 25^th May

A middling fishing. I had a letter from Robert, he says that Mr McKay is dead. I received meal from Aberdeen.

Thursday 26^th May

A light fishing. I have done very little business today.

Friday 27^th May

A fair fishing. Very little doing.

Saturday 28^th May

A fair fishing. The S.S. “Best Bower” left for Stettin with 2500 barrels of herring. I had a letter from Robert. I was greatly disappointed at Wilson & Matheson not sending me the goods ordered from them. I was pretty busy today.

[Note: Wilson & Matheson were Glasgow warehousemen who supplied waterproofs (‘oiled coats, leggins, South-Westerns’), rubber boots, and other items which Charles would have sold to the fishermen who swelled the population of Stornoway during the herring season. It was probably vital for merchants to have a good stock of equipment at the start of the fishing.]

Sunday 29^th May

In the morning Mr McNeil preached from the 5^th chapter of Romans 3 & 4^th verses And not only so but we glory in tribulations also knowing that tribulations worketh patience and patience experience and experience hope. In the evening he preached from the 1^st verse of the 63^rd Psalm O God thou art my God early will I seek thee my soul thirsteth for thee my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land where no water is. In the afternoon Mr Laing from Wick preached from the 43^rd verse of the 23 chapter of Luke And Jesus said unto him Verily I say unto thee Today shalt thou be with me in paradise. In the evening I had a walk down to the bank along with Robert & Christina Gerrie & Miss Smith.

Monday 30^th May

A heavy fall of snow, the boats could not go out.

Tuesday 31^st May

Very stormy and rained all day the boats did not go out. Mr Malcolm &c & party went to Callenish. The sum I drew since I came down is £29-14-6.