When the Church gets involved in social affairs, it has to pick and choose with care what it can effectively influence, and beware of topics where the odds of success are stacked against it.

This has always been the case, but at the time of the Reformation in Scotland, the new church authorities were so full of enthusiasm for their new regime that they rushed to attempt social control at all levels, leaving themselves open to the later judgment of history, and the ridicule of the common people whom the churchmen were trying to persuade to behave more morally.

One cautionary tale happened in Perth in May 1594, when, as was often the case, rumours and scandal led to a man being compeared [summoned] before the kirk session. Robert Ross, son of William Ross, tailor, was compeared and confessed that at sundry times he had "carnal deal" with Janet Bell, daughter of the late David Bell, quoting times and places. Finally he produced a notebook with the details written down. However, the elders examined the book and found contractictions within it, so they compeared Janet Bell a week later.

Janet Bell completely denied the allegations, protesting "before the living God" that she had not had carnal deal with him, or any other man living. Then she added that she could produce witnesses to back her up. The kirk session asked her to return the next day with her witnesses. She arrived with six witness who each confirmed that she was serving food and wine at her mother's house (probably alehouse) during the times alleged.

Considering these statements, the Session ordered Robert Ross to make public repentance and they declared Janet Bell innocent. So far, so good, you might think. Then in July Alexander Moncrief and Janet Bell give in their banns of marriage to be proclaimed. Even better.

But wait. On 16th December the same year, the kirk session minutes record: "Compears Janet Bell, and confesses the bairn that she bore was to Robert Ross, gotten in fornication with him, notwithstanding of her constant denial of before, with horrible imprecations and oaths; but because the matter is weighty, therefore the Session remits her to the Presbytery to be tried." The Minister and Kirk Session had been properly conned and felt no longer able to cope with this woman, so passed her to Presbytery to deal with.

It is a cautionary tale, no doubt repeated after 1843 when the newly-formed Free Kirk embarked on a similar moral crusade. By all means the Church should give backing and encouragement to people in their homes in the community, but clearly it is better for the Church to stick to quiet words in private and leave the detailed examination of moral cases to the civil organisations.