proceeded to depose him, which sentence was ratified by the Commission and General Assembly of the Church. At an early stage of his ministry he protested against "the corruptions, defections, and errors of the church government", and his relations with the presbytery grew more and more strained, until his brethren found themselves under the necessity of deposing him, 30 December 1703, for disorderly and schismatical practices. There being no question as to M'Millan's morals or orthodoxy, it is doubtful whether the Kirkcudbright presbytery was competent to depose him. The deposition certainly affected him little; his popularity enabled him to retain possession of both church and manse, and he continued in the exercise of his ministry. He appeared before the commission of assembly 9 June 1704, acknowledged a fault, and earnestly desired, but without success, to be "reponed". Two ministers, Mr Monteith, of Borgue, and Mr Hay, of Anwoth, were appointed to preach at Balmaghie, and declare the church vacant; but being denied admission by the populace into the sacred edifice, I Mr Monteith intimated the sentence of the Presbytery on the road, and declared the church of Balmaghie vacant. He next repaired to "the Place of Balmaghie" where he preached to such persons as were present, and again intimated the sentence of deposition. Mr M'Millan officiated that day in the church. The deposed clergyman still continued to perform all the duties of the ministry in the parish of Balmaghie, keeping possession of both church and manse. Mackenzie and Symson also give various extracts from the Presbytery records. Records of the Presbytery of Kirkcudbright.) 22 February 1704, As to the affair of Balmaghie, Mr Monteith reports that he went towards the Kirk of Balmaghie, according to appointment, and James Gordon, Town Clerk, of Kirkcudbright, notary public, together with some witnesses, and that as be was riding towards the Kirk, there came from the kirkyard, about twenty or thirty men who refused to let him go farther, and actually stopped them, by laying hold on the foremost horse's bridle whereupon Mr Monteith finding he was violently withstood in going to the kirk, did take out his commission "from the presbytery, and read it to them, and did intimate the presbytery's sentence of deposition against Mr John Macmillan, and declared the kirk vacant; whereupon he asked and took instruments in the hands of the notary public, above mentioned." John M'Neil Mr. John M'Neil