abstaining from attendance on his ministry. It was found necessary to appoint a committee of Presbytery to meet with the minister and session, and bring about, if possible, a reconciliation between them. This attempt at peacemaking proved unavailing. At length, in 1743, the elders returned, seemingly of their own accord, "under protestation, and in respect" (as the record which they made of the matter runs) "of an acknowledgment Mr Maxton had made, that he would no more justify and defend his conduct in regard to said Act, and that he wished from the bottom of his heart he had never seen it. The elders took this step in their own name, and in the name of all the dissenters of the congregation who shall return, being desirous to prevent the evils that may attend the present state of this congregation, and the interests of peace and religion in the place." Many of the dissenters, however, never returned, and had no wish to do so, for they had not only withdrawn from Mr Maxton's ministry, but from the Established Church itself, having some years previous formally acceded to the Associate Presbytery, and had travelled over the hill every Sabbath afterwards to Abernethy, to attend the ministry of Mr Moncrieff, one of the seceding brethren.

The parish of Auchtermuchty is bounded by that of Collessie on the east. This parish became vacant by the death of the incumbent, Mr Ballingal, in 1744. As in the preceding case, so in this, the patron and the people came into collision in the choice of a successor. The patron presented Mr John Mathie, while the people called Mr George Simpson, to occupy the vacant charge. The Presbytery sustained Mr Simpson's call; but the Assembly, to which the Presbytery's decision was appealed, set it aside, and ordered Mr Mathie's ordination, which took place in due course accordingly. A number of the parishioners, however, would not submit to Mr Mathie's ministry, and chose rather to travel weekly to distant places to hear the Gospel preached by those whose hostility to patronage and other corruptions of the Church of Scotland had led them to abandon it and all its emoluments. Some of the Seceders in the parish of Collessie attended ordinances at Abernethy, some at Ceres, and some at Leslie. It once happened that the ministers of the congregations met accidentally in the course of visitation at Kilwiss, then a small village about 2 miles south from the village of Collessie, but whose site is occupied now only by a farm steading, 8 miles from Abernethy, 8 from Ceres, and 9 from Leslie.

The Breach in 1747 affected the Seceders in Auchtermuchty and Collessie, in common with those everywhere else. Those of them adhering to the General Associate (Antiburgher) Synod continued to form part of the congregations already named, but those of them who adhered to the Associate (Burgher) Synod separated from them, and obtained supply of sermon for themselves at Auchtermuchty. They built a place of worship in 1750, containing 422 sittings, and for want of better material covered it with rushes gathered out of the adjoining marsh, which itself has vanished, being converted into the beautiful estate of "The Myres." This church, which had undergone several alterations, was superseded in 1845 by one containing 600 sittings.

Before obtaining a fixed pastor, the congregation called the Rev. Mr Telfar, who was continued by the Synod in his charge at the Bridge of Teith.

1st Minister. PATRICK MATTHEW, previously of Midholm. Admitted to Auchtermuchty 1752. Deposed 5th May 1767. Emigrated to America, and died there.

2d Minister.-JOHN FRASER, A.M. Seceded from the Established Church while a student of divinity, disgusted, it is said, with the legal doctrine preached in the

pulpits of Aberdeen, while he was attending college there. Ordained 7th July 1768. Resigned on account of declining health, 20th April 1814. Died 18th December 1818, in the 74th year of his age, and 51st of his ministry. Mr Fraser was the originator of the overture proposing an alteration in the preamble to the formula of ordination, the adoption of which by the Associate (Burgher) Synod led to the controversy which issued in its division and the formation of "The Original Associate (Burgher) Synod." A volume of his sermons and essays was published after his death, with a Memoir by his son, Dr Fraser.

The congregation afterwards called Mr George Donaldson, who was appointed by the Synod to Dundee; and Mr Andrew Scott, who was appointed to Cambusnethan.

3d Minister.-ARCHIBALD BAIRD, D.D., from Greyfriars, Glasgow. Called to Dunbar, Dunblane, and Auchtermuchty. Ordained 19th August 1817. Translated to St James' Street, Paisley, July 1825.

4th Minister.-JOHN TAYLOR, M.D., D.D. Called to Lockerbie and Auchtermuchty. Appointed by the Synod to Auchtermuchty. Ordained 15th August 1827. Called by the United Presbyterian Synod of Canada to become its Professor of Divinity, which call he accepted, and removed thither 20th June 1852. (See Busby.)

Author of "A Memoir of the Rev. Alexander Nisbet of Portsburgh, Edinburgh," prefixed to a volume of his Essays; and a Sermon, entitled "The Gospel Ministry, as instituted by Christ, a good work."

5th Minister.-GEORGE BARLAS, from Perth (North). Called to Kettle, Stranraer, and Auchtermuchty. Ordained 12th October 1853. Resigned his charge, 28th September 1858. (See Musselburgh.)

In May 1859, the congregation called Mr James H. Scott, but he preferred a call from Bonkle.

6th Minister.-JOHN F. M'SWAINE, from Bridge of Allan. Called also to Killaig. Ordained 4th July 1860.

AUCHTERMUCHTY (WEST).

The parish church of Auchtermuchty having become vacant in 1762, LieutenantColonel George Moncrieff of Riddie claiming the right of patronage, notwithstanding the Court of Session had set aside a similar claim by his family at the previous nomination of a minister to the parish, presented the Rev. Thomas Milne of Lesswalt to the vacant charge. The Presbytery of Cupar and Synod of Fife both refused to sustain the presentation on the ground stated above; but the General Assembly, to which the case was ultimately appealed, overruled the decisions of both, and ordered the Presbytery to proceed to the admission of Mr Milne as minister of Auchtermuchty without delay. This was accordingly done, but a portion of the parishioners, instead of submitting to his ministry as expected, applied for and obtained supply of sermon from the Relief Presbytery of Edinburgh immediately after the decision was given. Church built, 1763; sittings, 500.

1st Minister.-THOMAS SCOTT, previously minister of a congregation in Hexham, Northumberland. Admitted to Auchtermuchty 1763. Resigned 1786. Removed to Edinburgh, where he lived privately till his death.

2d Minister.-JAMES BONAR, from the Secession congregation of Bucklyvie, in which he held the office of elder previous to his becoming a student. Called to Falkirk and Auchtermuchty. Ordained April 1788. Moderator of Relief Synod in

1801. Died 4th February 1847 in the 97th year of his age and 60th of his ministry. Mr Bonar published a sermon "On the Reformation of Manners," another On the Religious Education of Children," and an essay on "Church Government."

In 1837 the congregation called Mr James Hamilton, afterwards of Largo, to be colleague to Mr Bonar, who declined the call.

3d Minister.-JOHN WISE, from the congregation of which he became minister. Ordained as colleague to Mr Bonar 6th February 1838.

AUCHTERMUCHTY (NORTH).

This congregation was formed by members of the congregation of Abernethy, resident in the parishes of Auchtermuchty and Strathmiglo, who, for convenience sake, and with the consent of all parties, were disjoined from Abernethy, and formed into a separate congregation, 1783. First church built same year; second built, 1850; sittings, 400.

Before obtaining a fixed pastor, the congregation called Mr Biggar, who was appointed by the Synod to Urr.

1st Minister.-JAMES BROWNING, from Kilwinning. Called to Arbroath and Auchtermuchty. Ordained 17th August 1785. Died 29th October 1825, in the 76th year of his age, and 41st of his ministry. Author of Sermons, in three volumes, and some separate ones on controversial points.

2d Minister.-JAMES FORSYTH, from Craigend, of which his father was minister. Called to Tillicoultry and Auchtermuchty. Ordained 18th April 1826. Translated to Craigend 16th December 1841.

3d Minister.-THOMAS STEVENSON, from Clerk's Lane, Kilmarnock. Called to Forres and Auchtermuchty. Ordained 14th June 1842. Resigned his charge 22d April 1856, and proceeded to Canada, where he laboured for several years, and returned to Scotland in 1869.

Author of a pamphlet, entitled "An Exposition of Biblical Doctrine on Christ's Priesthood and Suretyship, in opposition to Modern Errors; or, a new Treatise on the Atonement Controversy."

4th Minister.-DAVID SIDEY, from Methven. Called to Muckart and Auchtermuchty. Ordained 5th August 1857. Translated to West Calder, 27th December 1865.

5th Minister.-JOHN MORISON, from Falkirk, South. Ordained 6th March 1867.

ST ANDREWS.

St Andrews is a well-known city, and seat of a university, in the east of Fife, 11 miles north-east of Cupar, and 29 north-east of Kirkcaldy.

A praying society had existed in St Andrews long prior to the origin of the Secession, and had become part of a still larger association designated "The Correspondence of the East of Fife." The members of this society, in common with all those constituting the correspondence, were strongly attached to the Marrow doctrine, and also to the founders of the Secession, by whom it had been boldly advocated. They, however, stood aloof from them for a considerable time, public feeling being very much against them in St Andrews. This feeling was kept alive by the Rev. Mr Anderson, one of the ministers of the parish, previously a most intimate friend and frequent correspondent of the Erskines, and Dr Haddow the

principal, and Dr Campbell one of the professors, who seized every opportunity to inveigh against the Seceders and their principles. In despite of all these influences, however, this society determined at length to withdraw from the judicatories of the Established Church, and openly take part with the Seceding brethren. The members accordingly petitioned the Associate Presbytery, 21st December 1737, to be taken under its inspection, which step was followed in the succeeding spring by "The Correspondence," of which this society was a part. The Rev. Messrs Nairn and Moncrieff preached to them by appointment of Presbytery at Balone-den, a retired spot about 2 miles south-west of St Andrews, on the second Sabbath of March 1738. After sermon, the ministers and a portion of the people adjourned to the house of Mr Wallace, farmer, in the vicinity of Balone-den, and constituted a session with Mr John Bennet and Mr John Ferney, elders of the Established Church, who had acceded to the Associate Presbytery. Supply of sermon was afforded them only at distant intervals, and at different places in the district, in consequence of the paucity of the preachers at the Presbytery's disposal. When not thus supplied, they travelled to Abernethy, a distance of 22 miles, to attend the ministry of Mr Moncrieff. On these occasions they generally set out on their journey about midnight of Saturday, carrying lanterns with them to light them on their way. These they hid among the furze when the dawn superseded the need of them, and resumed them on their return home, which they usually reached about midnight of the following evening. The accessions made to "The Correspondence" from time to time, by local causes, swelled it ere long into a large congregation, which came to fix its seat in Ceres. This circumstance, as a matter of course, superseded the neces sity for the Seceders in the district travelling any longer to Abernethy, or for supply of sermon being afforded them at other places, save as it could be conveniently done by the minister ordained over them. Of the magnitude of the congregation thus formed, particular notice has been taken under the article Ceres. The Breach in 1747 divided this congregation in common with most others in the connection. A great proportion of the members resident in the parishes of St Andrews, Kingsbarns, and Cameron, adhered to the Associate (Burgher) Synod, and thus came to form a congregation separate from that of Ceres. They met for the first time, in this new relation, in the house of Mr James Chambers, adjoining their previous place of worship, which was built on property belonging to him. But finding upon examination that the majority of the persons moving in the cause resided nearer St Andrews than Ceres, they resolved on making that city the seat of the congregation, and accordingly removed thither. They obtained the use of an old barn in the neighbourhood, and continued to meet there for a considerable time. While there they were much annoyed by students of the university, playing all manner of practical jokes upon them, and assailing them with a variety of opprobrious epithets. They subsequently bought an old house in a back court in the centre of the town, and had it fitted up as a place of worship. Here they grew and prospered. Larger accommodation than this place afforded being required, they feued a piece of ground in North Street, and built a church upon it in 1826; sittings, 440. A new church containing sittings for 750 was opened in the City Road, 15th November 1865, at a cost of £3300.

1st Minister-JAMES BENNET, from Kinross (West). Ordained 1752. Died 1757, in the fifth year of his ministry.

The congregation then called Mr Low, who was appointed by the Synod to Biggar.

2d Minister.—DAVID SMITH. Ordained 1764. Moderator of Associate Synod

in 1766. Resigned 19th March 1771. Sent by the Synod to America. Became minister of a congregation in Londonderry, Nova Scotia. Died there 25th March 1795, in the 63d year of his age, and 31st of his ministry.

The congregation then called, Mr Forrest, who was appointed by the Synod to Bathgate; Mr Aitcheson, afterwards of Leith; and Mr Blyth, afterwards of Fala. The two latter were publicly rebuked by the Synod for refusing to be ordained at St Andrews.

3d Minister.-GEORGE WILLIAMSON, previously of Hawick. Inducted to St Andrews 24th November 1789. Resigned 4th August 1795. Joined the Original Associate (Burgher) Synod as a probationer, at its formation in 1796. Died, without obtaining a settlement, 26th November 1817, in the 76th year of his age and 43d of his ministry.

4th Minister-JOHN RAE, from Stirling (First). Ordained 29th August 1797. Translated to Miles Lane, London, 21st October 1805.

The congregation then called Mr Campbell, who was appointed by the Synod to Irvine.

5th Minister.-JOHN JOHNSTON, from Ecclefechan, of which his father was minister. Ordained 21st November 1809. Translated to Eglinton Street, Glasgow, September 1825.

6th Minister.-EBENEZER HALLEY, D.D., from Kinross (West). Called to Partick and St Andrews.

June 1828.

Ordained 9th August 1826. Translated to Kirkgate, Leith, 5th

The congregation called Mr Robert Wilson, who was appointed by the Synod to Kendal.

7th Minister.-THOMAS AITKEN, from Falkirk (East). Ordained 2d June 1829. Resigned 24th July 1838. Emigrated to America, and became minister of a congregation in Genesse, State of New York.

Ordained 29th

8th Minister.-JAMES TAYLOR, A.M., D.D., from Greenlaw. May 1839. Translated to Regent Place, Glasgow, 26th February 1846.

9th Minister.-JOHN KIDD, from Alloa (West). Ordained 3d November 1846. Called to Bread Street, Edinburgh, but declined the call. Deposed 22d November 1854. Emigrated to America, and became minister of South Milwaukie, or Dundas, Canada West.

The congregation called Rev. A. C. Rutherford, who preferred Buckhaven ; Mr David Duff, who preferred Helensburgh; and Mr George Wade, who preferred Falkirk. 10th Minister.-JAMES BLACK, D.D., formerly of Urr. Translated to St Andrews 26th May 1857. Translated to Glasgow, Wellington Street, 6th February 1868. Author of "The Beginning and End of a Ministry;" funeral Sermon for Rev. D. Hay, Largo: "God's Providential Government of the World, a cause for rejoicing."

11th Minister.-JAMES GRIERSON SCOTT, formerly of Berwick, Church Street. Translated to St Andrews 5th August 1868. Called to Queen Street, Edinburgh, in 1872.

RATHILLET.

Rathillet is a hamlet in the parish of Kilmany, Fifeshire, 5 miles north-east of Cupar and 8 south-west of Ferryport.

The parish of Kilmany having become vacant in 1760, the United College of St Andrews, as patrons, presented Mr William Gib, probationer, to the charge. The Presbytery of Cupar finding that there was no such call to Mr Gib from the parish