parish of Kilmarnock, in the shire of Ayr, being large, and many of
the people, belonging to the said parish, being no less than six or
seven miles distant from their own kirk; for which and other reasons the
heritors and others procured a disjunction, and called the new parish
Fen wick or new Kilmarnock.

Mr. Guthrie was employed to preach at Galston, on a preparation-day
before the celebration of the Lord's supper; and several members of the
new-erected parish, were present at that occasion, who, being greatly
edified by his sermons, conceived such a value for him, that they
immediately resolved to make choice of him for their minister; and in
consequence thereof gave him a very harmonious call, which he complied
with. It is said, that he, along with the people, made choice of the
place of ground for building the church upon, and preached within the
walls of the house before it was completed; which bears the date of
being built _anno_ 1643; and he was ordained unto the sacred office Nov.
7, 1644.

He had many difficulties at first to struggle with; and many
circumstances of his ministry were extremely discouraging: and yet,
through the divine blessing, the gospel preached by him had surprising
success; and became, in an eminent manner, the wisdom and power of God
to the salvation of many perishing souls.

After Mr. Guthrie came to Fenwick, many of the people were so rude and
barbarous, that they never attended upon divine worship; and knew not so
much as the face of their pastor: To such, every thing that respected
religion was disagreeable. Many refused to be visited, or catechised by
him; they would not even admit him into their houses: To such he
sometimes went in the evening, disguised in the character of a
traveller, and sought lodging; which he could not even obtain without
much intreaty; but having obtained it, he would engage in some general
amusing conversation at first, and then ask them, How they liked their
minister? When they told him, They did not go to church, he engaged them
to go and take a trial; others he hired with money to go.--When the time
of family worship came, he desired to know if they made any, and if not,
what reasons they had for so doing.

There was one person, in particular, whom he would have to perform
family worship, who told him That he could not pray; and he asked, What
was the reason? He told him, That he never used to pray any, and so
could not:--He would not take that for a