Transactioiiis. 61 



September, 1662. Bailie Irving was appointed to attend 

 the election of the 'Deacons of Trade and see that they ac- 

 knowledged his Majesty according to act of Parliament. 



29th October, 1662. The Council, considering that the 

 Earl of Middleton, his Majesty's Commissioner for this part 

 of the Kingdom, had discharged Mr Smyth Henderson from 

 preaching in the Burgh because he would not conform to the 

 government of the Kirk as by law established, from their 

 strong affection and desire that he be continued Minister in 

 this burgh, proceeded all in a body to entreat him to conform. 

 This appeal was not successful and the Council entreat the 

 King's Commissioner to appoint Mr James Chalmers, Minis- 

 ter at Collin, to preach until the Burgh be provided with a 

 Minister. 



10 November, 1662. Notwithstanding notice was given 

 to all the inhabitants to frequent the sermons upon the Lord's 

 day yet divers persons to the great scandal of the gospel sCnd 

 breach of the Sabbath day have most contemptuously ab- 

 sented themselves from the Kirk for the last tv>ro sabbaths 

 and either stayed at home or travelled up and dov/n the 

 country during divine service ; it is enacted that every master 

 and mistress of a family in Dumfries on Saturday night and 

 in health shall attend the Kirk of this Burgh on the Sabbath 

 day or pay for each person absent the fine of 40 shillings 

 Scots, 



17 November, 1662. BaiHe Irvine was appointed to go 

 to Edinburgh and supplicate my Lord the Commissioner to 

 appoint James Chalmers Minister without further delay to 

 reclaim the people from principles of rebellion. Those who 

 had been guilty of breach of the sabbath day who confess 

 their fault and promise not to repeat it are ordained to be 

 discharged from the fine. A declaration was taken to this 

 effect and a promise made not to go to other kirks in the 

 country by William Wallace and four others. 



