William Gibson's calm preaching despite mob interference in Clackmanan

In Clackmanan, a mob led by an apostate named Hepburn attempted to force Elder William Gibson to engage in a debate. Gibson refused to debate a man he identified as a drunkard and a liar. When the mob broke into the meeting room and staged false testimonies—including claims that Gibson had been in prison and was seen drunk—Gibson remained calm and unmoved, fulfilling a promise made to Brother Adamson that he would preach despite the opposition.

Fuller account of this event (in the witness’s own words):

I had been preaching in Clackmanan, and had been much annoyed by a man named Hepburn, who had been a member of the Church, but was cut off for his wickedness. He was a man of great influence among the lower classes, and he used all his influence to stop me. He challenged me to a debate, but I told him I would not debate with a drunkard and a liar. This made him very angry, and he swore he would stop me from preaching. I had promised Brother Adamson that I would preach, and I felt that I must fulfill my promise. When I went to the meeting-room, I found it crowded with a mob, led by Hepburn. They had brought a man with them, and they asked me, 'What do you know about Gibson?' 'I know that he was so drunk last night that it took four of us to carry him home to his lodgings,' was the reply. This continued for some time. I stood perfectly calm and undisturbed, and still determined to preach, as there were many strangers present besides the mob. On seeing me standing thus, one of the mob hissed out: 'D—n you, why don't you speak?' but I only smiled at him. At this point an old gentleman arose. He did not belong to our Church, but he spoke in my defense. 'Put him out,' cried the mob; but no one offered to lay a finger on him. Then one of our sisters by the name of Mrs. Scott, who was a very bold woman, stood up and said, 'I know Mr. Gibson, and I know that he is a man of God, and that you are all a set of liars.' This had a great effect on the people, and the mob began to disperse. I then stood up and preached the Gospel to the people, and we had a good meeting.