Some Incidents in Troqueer Parish. 149 



ance," and Mr Paton, in July, 1690, "is loosed from Terregles," 

 and goes to Burnwell, in Ayrshire. 



Previous to this Troqueer calls Mr William Somerville, and 

 he is ordained on the 13th October, 1690. 



A curious incident happened eighteen months before Mr 

 Somerville's ordination. " July 12, 1689. There being a flagrant 

 report of one Mr John Dixon, a stranger altogether to the Minrs 

 and people in this corner his design to preach in Troqueer next 

 Sabbath upon ane alleadged call from some few inconsiderate 

 and inconsiderable persones, although he was questioned by some 

 minrs and others anent his Testimonialls and allowance from 

 any pre.sbyterie to preach, he had none to produce. They 

 resolved to write a letter jointly to him narrating some ingadg- 

 ments of his not to preach in thir bounds till he had satisfyed 

 the presbyterie of Drumfreis and requiring him to forbear untill 

 he shewed his licence, with Certification yt they behoved to cite 

 him before the Generall meeting if he continued to be dis- 

 orderly." 



Although Mr John Dixon was not successful in his designs 

 on Troqueer, several similar unlicensed efforts in other parishes 

 were, particularly that of Mr John Hepburn at Urr. 



The ministry in these days was a somewhat more onerous 

 profession than it appears to be now. While having to do his 

 duty by his parishioners .spiritually, the minister had also charge 

 of their morals, doctrines, and education. His behaviour was 

 tested by his reverend brethren by Presbyterial visitations to his 

 parish every few years, and by "privy censures " after the Pres- 

 bytery meetings, when the brethren were " respectively com- 

 mended, exhorted, and admonished as there was cause." The 

 condemnations of the Assembly of 1646 with regard to his per- 

 .sonal appearance and character were not forgotten in this 

 district :^ 



Enormities and Corruptions Observed to be in the 

 Ministry. 



1. Much fruitless conversing in Company, and complying 

 with the sins of all sorts, not behaving ourselves as men of God. 



6. Quoted by Rev. John Pollock of Glencairii in his " Answer to 

 the First Part of Humble Pleadings," pp. 56-7. Dumfries. 

 1718. 



