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business with me? he answered, The reason that I want you is, that, I know you are disposed to do for me what none of your brethren in Nithsdale will so much as attempt, though it serve never so good a purpose. I told him I would never refuse to do any thing to serve a good purpose if I thought I was obliged to do it as my duty. He answered, Since I had undertaking what few in Nithsdale would, for he had tried several persons on that subject, who were more obliged to him than I was to any person living. Upon this I drew my bridle-reins, and talked in surprise, asking what I had undertaking? He answered, that on Sabbath last, I heard you condemned Mr Paton, and the other ministers of Dumfries, for dissuading Mr Menzies from keeping his appointment with me:* and if you had been in their place, you would have persuaded the lad to do as I desired, and that you would have gone with him yourself, if he had been afraid; and if you had been in Mr Paton's place, you would have delivered my commissions yourself, since they tended to do several persons justice I asked him, Pray Cool, who informed you that I talked at that rate? To which he answered, You must know that we are acquainted with many things that the living know nothing about; these things you did say, and much more to that purpose. and deliver my commissions to my loving wife. Upon this I said, 'Tis a pity, Cool,
* See note at the bottom of page 5.
