WESTRUTHER  p. 535

Original Sin, Edin. 1824, 12mo; Review of Barzillai the Gileadite, Edin. 1827; Association for the Improvement and Encouragement of Servants in the Border Districts, Edin. 1827, 12mo; On Voluntary Church Association. Illustrations of Faith, Edin. 1839, 12mo; Memoir of the Rev. William Stark (Stark's Sermons), Account of the Parish (New St. Acc. i.), many contributions to the Edinburgh Christian Instructor; Translations from the French Fenelon's Lives of  the Ancient Philosophers, 2 vols., Lond. 1803, 12mo; The Church of Rome Examined by C. Malan, D.D., 1840, fcp. 8vo.-[Reg. Laur. Univ. Edin., Presb. Reg., New St. Acc. i., &c.]

WESTRUTHER, FORMERLY BASSENDEAN.

Previous to the Reformation the church belonged to the Cistertian nunnery at Coldstream. It was united to Gordon by the Plat in 1617, but again disjoined, and after the Presb. had found it expedient that the kirk of Bassendean should be disunited and separated from Gordon, this being recommended by the Synod, and advised by the Gen. Assembly 16th June 1646, it was erected by the Commissioners for Plantation of Kirks 30th June 1647, and "the parishioners, or some of the best affected, had bigged a kirk instead of that, which was altogether ruinous and fallen down." The kirk was ordered to be transported from Bassendean to Westruther by Act of Parliament 2d March 1649.

1574. NINIAN BORTHWICK, trans. from Lauder, having Lidgertwood and Ersiltoun also under his care, with a stipend of lxvj li xiij s. iiij d. beside the kirk-lands. He continued in 1578.-[Reg. Assig., Wodrow Miscell.]

1597. THOMAS STORIE, trans. from Hutton, when Gordoun was also under his charge, Ares. to the Vicarage by James VI. 20th Dec. 1598. Continued in 1608.-[Reg. Assig., and Pres. Test. Reg.]

1648. JOHN VETCHE, A.M., son of Mr John V., min. of Roberton, took his degree at the Univ. of Glasgow in 1639, pres. by Charles II. 29th Dec. 1647, and adm. in May succeeding. He had a church built in terms of the Act of Parliament in 1649, and had an Act of Parliament in his favour 2d July 1661, but was removed on refusing to conform to Episcopacy in 1662.-[Mem. of W. Veitch, Mun. Univ. Glasg. iii., Reg. Pres., and Old Dec. i., Acts Parl. vii., Wodrow's Hist., Fountainhall's Dec. i., Livingston's Life, New St. Acc. ii.]

16-. , died.-[Wodrow’s Hist., Mem. of W. Veitch.]

1680. JOHN VETCHE, A.M., above noticed, returned on an indulgence, but was summoned before the Privy Council 5th Oct. 1680, and not appearing was denounced and put to the horn. He was subsequently taken, and kept close prisoner at Edinburgh, under great privations, being neither allowed fire nor candle, nor could his wife have access to speak to him except in presence of witnesses, all on account of his return without licence. He was deprived for not taking the Test. When obliged to leave he pointed out to his successor a peat stack, requesting him to leave one similar to him should he return again.-[Wodrow's Hist., Mem. of W. Veitch, Reg. Sec. Sigill., &c.]

1683. GEORGE WILSONE, trans. from Simprim, adm. in 1683, pres. by Charles II. 26th March 1684; deprived by the Act of Parliament 25th April 1690 restoring the Presbyterian ministers-[Reg. Sec. Sigill., Min.-book, Reg. Priv. Seal, MS. Acc. of Min. 1689.]