PRESBYTERY OF LAUDER p. 524

1704. JOHN GOWDIE, A.M., born in 1682, attained his degree at the Univ. of Edinburgh 30th April 1700, licen. by the Presb. of Kelso 27th Jan. 1702, called 6th April, and ord. 9th Aug. 1704; trans. to Edinburgh (Lady Yester's Ch.) 2d June 1730.-[Reg. Laur. Univ. Edin., Presb. Reg., Boston's Mem., Morren's Ann. i., &c.]

1730. JOHN GOWDIE, son of the preceding, licen. by the Presb. 23d Oct. 1728, pres. by George II. in Aug., and ord. 15th Oct. 1730; he got a church built in 1736, and died at London 6th June 1777, in his 70th year, and 47th min. He marr. Katherine Scott, who died 5th Feb. 1780, and had a son, John, licen. by the Presb. 5th Aug. 1760. It is remarkable that the Johns of three generations all preached in the church of Earlston one Lords day; before twelve months had elapsed, however, both the elder and the younger of the three had been carried to the grave.-[Presb., and Test. Reg. (Lauder), Sinclair's iv., and New St. Acc. ii., &c.]

1778. LAURENCE JOHNSTON, A. M., studied at the United College, and took his degree at the Univ. of St Andrews in 1760, licen. by the Presb. of Turreff 26th Nov. 1766, pres. by George III. 19th June 1777, and ord. 5th May following; died 13th Sept. 1813, in 36th min. Esther Lauriston, his widow, died 15th March 1821.-Publication-Account of the Parish (Sinclair's St. Acc. iv.).-[St Andrew's Univ., and Presb. Reg., &c.]

1813. WILLIAM  SHIELS, A.M., trans. from Westruther, pres. by George, Prince Regent, in July 1812, adm. (assist. and suc.) 1st July 1813, according to the decision of the Gen. Assembly 25th May preceding; he died 15th March 1824, in his 71st year, and 42d min. He regularly wrote and committed to memory his sermons, which were calculated to enlighten the understanding, and persuade the heart. “To a solid judgment were added the powers of a correct taste; he was equally alive to what is beautiful in composition, and amiable in manners and behaviour. As a member of Church courts, his conduct was manly, independent, and conscientious. No partiality to the opinions of others, no fear of giving offence, nor ambition of popularity, ever suspended his steady adherence to such resolutions and decisions as he believed to be conformable to truth and justice. His patriotism and public spirit were displayed in promoting, as far as lay in his power, the most suitable measures for the suppression of popular discontent, and cherishing principles of loyalty, order, and attachment to the laws and constitution “of the country. Such conduct led many of his friends to solicit that he would allow himself to be nominated as Moderator of the Gen. Assembly, a proposal which his extreme modesty, however, would not permit him entertain. He marr., 29th Aug. 1786, Katharine daugh. of Mr James Barclay, rector of the grammar-school Dalkeith, she died 12th Nov. 1835, and had a family, five of whom, viz., John, min. of Westruther, James, George, a preacher, Eliza, and another, were cut off by consumption in the prime of life, while a daughter only survived.-Publications-Sermons, Edin., 1825, 8vo. Account of Westruther (Sinclair's St. Acc. vii.).-[Sermons, Scots Mag. lxxv., Edin. Chr. Inst. vi., Presb. Reg., Connell's Par. Law, &c.]

1824. DAVID WILLIAM GORDON, trans. from Gordon, pres. by George IV. in May, and adm. 15th July. He marr., 24th July 1809, Janet, daugh. of the Rev. Andrew Scott, Stitchell, she died 22d March 1865, leaving issue.-Publications-A Sermon, Lond., , 8vo. Sermons, Leith, 1823, 8vo. Account of the Parish (New St. Acc. ii.).- [Presb. Reg., &c.]