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his settlement was rescinded by the Gen. Assembly 25th May 1798, he not being qualified according to the laws of the Church. This decision so affected his spirits that he died of a broken heart at Coldstream 23d Jan. 1799, in his 43d year and 18th min.-[Presb., and Northumberland Presb. Reg., Acts of Ass. 1798, Tombst. Hill's Constitution of the Church, Hill's Practice, Scots Mag. Ix., Ixi.]

1799. HENRY GARNOCK, licen. by the Presb. of Dunblane 11th Feb. 1794, pres. by George Ker, Esq., of Moriston 12th Sept. 1798, and ord. 14th March following; trans. to Canongate 11th June 1811.-[Presb. Reg.]

1812. GEORGE CUPPLES, son of the Rev. George C., Swinton, licen. by the Presb. of Dunse 22d Oct. 1807, became assistant to the Rev. Dr Carfrae, Dunbar, pres. by Miss Ker of Moriston in Dec. 1811, and ord. 26th March thereafter; elected Presb. clerk 1st Sept. 1825; trans. to Stirling 2d Charge 19th Dec. 1833.-[Presb. Reg., &c.]

1834. JOHN HUNTER WALKER, pres. by Henry Ker Seymour, Esq. of Moriston, in Feb., and ord. 17th April 1834; trans. to Greenlaw, and adm. 2d Aug. 1844. He married, 28th Aug. 1834, Elizabeth M'Feggan, and has a son, James, min. of Channelkirk, &c.-Publication -Account of the Parish (New St. Acc. ii.)- [Presb. Reg., &c.]

MERTON.

Previous to the Reformation the church belonged to the Abbey of Dryburgh. It was supplied by ROBERT MYLNE, reader, from 1574.

1576. ROBERT KER, reader at Bowden 1574, Maxtoun, Lessudden, and Smailhame, were also under his care; continued in 1579, and was trans. to Mow.-[Reg. Assig., Wodrow Miscell.]

1580. ROBERT RIND, trans. from Ednam; trans. to Fowlis-Easter in 1581. - [Reg. Assig.]

1585. JAMES MENZIES.-[Reg. Assig.]

1586. JOHN SMYTHE, A.M., trans. from Selkirk; he was a member of the Assembly 1590, continued in 1591, and removed to Maxton about 1592.-[Reg. Assig., Booke of the Kirk.]

1593. JOHN HEPBURNE, A.M., trans. from Glenholme, pres. to the vicarage by James VI. before 25th Jan. 1594, continued, and was trans. to Cranshaws in 1596.-[Reg. Assig., and Pres. (Caut.)]

1597. ALEXANDER SYMSONE, A.M., trans. from Alva, admitted in 1597; it was proposed in 1602 to translate him to Tillicoultry, part of his former charge, but the Presb. refused their concurrence. When preaching in Edinburgh, 22d July 1621,"he spared neither king, bishope, nor minister, and found fault with the watchmen of both countries for not admonishing the king to forfeare his oathes, and omitting to put him in mind of the breache of Covenant," for which he was apprehended the following day, carried before the Privy Council, and ordained to be confined to Dunbarton, and live at his own expense. He was released 2d Oct. following, and confined to his own parish 10th of said month. He demitted before May 1632, and died 17th June 1639, aged about 69, in 48th min. He knew and cared little about earthly things, but was unwearied in prayer, and constantly occupied with the Bible.-Publication