Appendix B, p. 87.

The expression in the text may seem strong, but it is deliberately chosen. It applies, of course, only to some individuals, not by any means to a whole party. There are facts, known on perfectly good authority, though they appear in no life of Burns, connected with one or two periods in his history when his mind seemed open to the influence of earnest religious convictions, which would justify much harsher epithets. If all that could be charged against the Moderate ministers concerned, were merely that they sought to determine him in favour of some opinions divergent from my own, I should use no epithets. But what is to be charged against them is sheer treason to their trust as ministers of Christ.

My assertion in p. 86, line 9 and following, has been questioned on the ground of statements contained in Burns' letters. In the face of those statements (and remembering some others) I abide by the assertion in the text.