150 Some Incidents in Troqueer Parish. 



2. Great worldliness is to be found amongst us, minding and 

 speaking most about the things of this life, being busied about 

 many things but forgetting the main. 



3. Slighting of God's worship in their Families, and there- 

 fore no cordial urging it upon others : yea, altogether awanting 

 of it in some, if it be credible. 



4. Want of Gravity in Carriage and apparel, dissoluteness 

 in Hair, and shaking about the Knees, lightness in the apparel 

 of their wives and children. 



5. Tippling and bearing company in untimeous drinking in 

 Taverns and Ale Houses, or any where else, whereby the Ministry 

 is made vile and contemptible. 



6. Discountenancing of the godly, speaking ill of them, 

 because of some that are unanswerable to their profession. 



7. The Sabbath not sanctified after Sermons, which maketh 

 People to think that the Sabbath is ended with the Sermon. 



8. There are also found amongst us who use small and 

 minced oaths. 



9. Some so great Strangers to Scripture that except in their 

 publick Ministry, tho' they read many things, yet they are little 

 conversant in the Scripture and in Meditation thereof. A duty 

 incumbent to all People of God. 



Mr Somerville appears to have been respected and well 

 liked. He was appointed to perform some delicate tasks, on one 

 of which he is "ordered to take his own prudent way ;" and he 

 held some responsible positions such as moderator of the Presby- 

 tery and Commissioner to the Assembly. His position could not 

 have been an easy one, so much so that in 1695 he represents 

 " his great discouragements because the peoples not attending 

 ordnances and proposing his desire to be loosed from his 

 charge." The people, however, "declare their satisfaction 

 with, purpose to adhere to, and earnest desire to have Mr Somer- 

 vell to continue their minister and assure him of their most 

 tender affection to him." We noted how Tie reciprocated their 

 attachment in the terms of his will. 



He started his ministry without elders " throw the unfitness 

 of the people," but these he gets shortly, the following appearing 

 in the records — Adam Kennan, Robert Pain, John Martin, John 

 Shortrig, Richard Newall, Wm. Cumnock, and John Gordon. 

 He does nol seem to have resided in the parish, the manse not 



