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(Laud.), Reg. Collat.,, and Old Dec., i, MS. Acc. of Min. 1689, Mem. of G. Bryson, Peterkin's Constitution of the Church.]

1687. james balfour, AM., a native of Dunse, obtained his degree at the Univ. of Edin­burgh, 7th Jan. 1681, attended the first meeting of Presbyterian ministers after the liberty had been granted, 6th July 1687, and was settled in the meeting-house at Mersington, was one of the original members of the United Presb., 7th Aug. 1690, and a member of the first Gen. Assembly after the Revolution, but was deposed 17th Feb. 1691, for adultery. He was pro­posed as catechist at Dunse in 1700, but his appointment did not take place. — Edin. Grad., Presb., and Lothian Syn. Reg., Boston's Mem., Reg. Gen. Ass. 1690, S. Presb. Eloq]

1691. john lauder, called 14th April, and ord. 28th May. While Mr. Robert Wilson, min. of Melrose, was proceeding in the service, " compeared the lairds of Kames, Belchester, Newland, Newtown and others, with Ninian Mercer, notar-publick, and in the time of ordina­tion made public interruption, by taking instruments in the hands of the foresaid nottar, utter­ing reproachful expressions and threatenings to resist in case of procedure, which occasioned some clamour and noise amongst the people in the time of divine worship, upon which disorder my lord Mersington (Sir Alex. Swinton), took instruments, notwithstanding of all which the ministers present proceeded to ordination, after the people settled and composed, and thereafter appointed collation and institution to be given as usual." Mr. L. got the stipend of Lilliesleaf for 1690, having served there on the call of sundry parishioners, was a member of the Assembly 1692, and died in July 1729, in 39th min. His books, pictures, and pamphlets amounted to £99 18s. Jd. sterling. He marr. Margaret Borthwick, and had a daugh. Margaret, who marr. Mark Sandilands, merchant in Edinburgh.—Presb., and Test. Reg. (Laitd.), Reg. Gen. Ass., and Old Dec. i., Fountainhall's Dec. i., New St. Acc. ii.]

1731. matthew dysart, A.M., obtained his degree at the Univ. of Glasgow, 20th Oct. 1724, licen. by the Presb. of Chirnside 29th Oct. 1728, pres. by William, Earl of Home, and by George II. in 1729, had his settlement appointed by the Commission of Assembly 12th Aug. 1730, and was ord. 4th Feb. 1731, assumed the name of Sandilands on getting the entailed estate of Couston, in right of his mother. He attended the theatre in Edinburgh at the first perform­ance of Douglas, 14th Dec. 1756, for which he expressed regret, and was rebuked. He died 13th June 1773, in his 69th year, and 43d min. He marr. Jean Hume, who died 6th April 1789, and had Matthew, writer to the signet, Elizabeth, who marr. Patrick Smith, Esq., and Mary. — [Mun. Univ. Glasg. iii., Presb. Reg., Acts of Ass., Douglas's Peer, ii., Tombst., New St. Acc. ii., &c.]

1774. adam murray, trans, from Abbey St Bathan's, pres. by Geo. III. in 1773, adm. 10th March 1774; died 19th Jan. 1797, in 71st age, and 41st min. He marr. and had a son Thomas, min. of Channelkirk; 2dly, 25th Aug. 1779, Christian Bell, who died at Birgham 30th June 1818, aged 90.—[Presb. Reg., New St. Acc. ii. &c.]

1797. james baird, trans, from Legerwood, pres. by George III. in April, and adm. 20th July; trans, to Swinton 19th March 1805.—[Presb. Reg., New St. Acc. ii.]

1805. james thomson, a native of Crieff, licen. by the Presb. of Haddington 6th Aug. 1793, pres. by George III. in Aug., and ord. 26th Sept. 1805; had D.D. conferred by the Univ. of St Andrews 16th July 1842, and died at London 28th Nov. 1855, in his 88th year, and 51st min. With a clear and vigorous understanding, he had an affectionate heart, and