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NGv  V. 
 
 Annals  and  Statistics 
 
 Original  Secession  Church 
 
 TILL  ITS  DISRUPTION  AND  UNION  WITH  THE  FREE  CHURCH 
 OF  SCOTLAND  IN   1S52. 
 
 CHIEFLY  COMPILED  FROM  OFFICIAL  RECORDS. 
 
 BY  TH^ 
 
 T 
 
 Rev.    DAVID    SCOTT,    F.S.A.Sc, 
 
 MINISTER  OK  FREE  CHURCH,  SALTCOATS, 
 
 EDINBURGH:  ANDREW  ELLIOT,   17  PRINCES  STREET. 
 GLASGOW:    DAVID    B  R  Y C  E    &    SON. 
 
 ABERDEEN:   A.    &    R.    MILNE.  ^ 
 
PKEFACE. 
 
 Eespecting  the  principles  and  history  of  the  several  branches 
 of  the  Original  Soceders  or  Old  Lights,  much  ignorance  pre- 
 vails. As  illustrative  of  this,  Dr  Chas.  Rogers,  on  page  151 
 of  Vol.  II.  of  his  recent  interesting  work,  "  Social  Life 
 in  Scotland,"  gives  unintentionally  quite  a  travesty  of  their 
 history. 
 
 The  primary  object  of  the  author  was  to  do  for  the  Original 
 Secession  what  Dr  Hew  Scott  had  done  for  the  Established 
 Church  in  his  Fasti  Ecclesice  Scoticance,  and  Avhat  Dr  Wm, 
 Mackelvie  had  done  for  the  United  Presbyterian  Church  in 
 his  "  Annals  and  Statistics  ;  "  but  in  the  course  of  his  research 
 he  came  into  the  possession  of  materials  by  which  he  has  been 
 enabled  to  exhibit  the  ecclesiastical  procedure  as  well  as  the 
 personal  characteristics  of  the  Original  Secession  ministry. 
 In  the  compilation  of  this  work,  the  author  has  had  peculiar 
 advantages  arising  from  early  training,  and  personal  acquaint- 
 ance with  not  a  few  of  the  ministers  referred  to  in  it.  For 
 several  years  prior  to  the  Disruption  of  the  Original  Secession 
 and  its  subsequent  union  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland, 
 he  attended  the  meetings  of  Synod  as  an  interested  spec- 
 tator, and  as  the  circle  of  his  friends  embraces  individuals 
 belonging  to  all  the  different  sections  of  the  Old  Lights,  he 
 has  had  every  inducement  to  write  impartially.  To  ensure 
 correctness,  all  the  official  records  of  the  various  sections  of 
 the  Old  Lights,  whether  Presbyterial  or  Synodical,  besides 
 other  important  papers  of  a  more  private  kind,  have  been 
 carefully  perused,  and  their  principal  contents  noted.      These 
 
VI  PREFACE. 
 
 are  numerous,  and  embrace  the  records  of  the  Original 
 Burgher  Synod  from  1799  to  1839;  the  Eemanent  Synod, 
 from  1839  to  1842;  the  Antiburgher  Constitutional  Pres- 
 bytery, from  1806  to  1827  ;  the  Associate  Synod  of  Pro- 
 testers, from  1820  to  1827  ;  the  Associate  Synod  of  Original 
 Seceders,  from  1827  to  1842  ;  and  the  Synod  of  United 
 Original  Seceders,  from  1842  to  its  disruption  in  1852  and 
 union  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland.  Contributions 
 from  unpublished  manuscripts  by  the  late  Prof.  Mitchell, 
 D.D.,  Glasgow,  Principal  Brown,  D.D.,  Aberdeen,  and  Dr 
 Wylie,  Edinburgh,  have  also  been  incorporated,  besides 
 extracts  which  have  been  taken  with  permission  from  the 
 "  United  Presbyteriaa  Annals  and  Statistics "  by  the  late 
 Dr  Mackelvie. 
 
 In  all  early  dates  the  author  has  followed  Dr  Mackelvie, 
 wherein  he  did  not  disagree  with  a  Manuscript  Roll  of  the 
 ministers  of  the  Associate  Synod,  with  the  dates  of  their 
 ordination,  written  by  the  famous  Adam  Gib,  Edinburgh,  in 
 1769,  and  continued  by  the  Rev.  George  Whytock  of  Dal- 
 keith, till  8th  April  1783.  This  list,  which  is  probably 
 the  original  Fasti  of  the  Antiburgher  Secession,  contains 
 143  names  of  ministers,  and  states  not  only  the  dates  of  their 
 ordination,  but  their  charges,  the  Presbyteries  to  which  they 
 belonged,  and  what  became  of  them.  It  was  copied  at 
 Haddington,  apparently  by  the  Rev.  Robert  Chalmers,  in 
 September  1822,  and  is  now  in  the  possession  of  the  Rev. 
 John  M'Knight,  M.A.,  Brucefield  Manse,  Whitburn. 
 
 The  present  being  the  third  Jubilee  year  since  the  publica- 
 tion by  the  first  quaternion  of  Seceders  of  their  Judicial  Testi- 
 mony, and  the  appointment  of  their  first  Professor  of  Divinity, 
 as  well  as  the  eightieth  anniversary  of  the  formation  of  the 
 Constitutional  Presbytery  by  a  second  quaternion  of  Old 
 Lights,  and  the  professorial  centenary  of  their  leader,  it  may 
 
PREFACE.  Ml 
 
 not  be  deemcil  an  inappropriate  year  for  tlic  publication  of 
 this  volume. 
 
 The  statistics  have  been  taken  from  the  published  returns 
 given  to  the  Supreme  Church  Courts  at  their  last  aunual 
 meetings  in  1885,  and  are  designated  as  being  for  1884, 
 since,  strictly  speaking,  they  show  the  condition  of  the  several 
 congregations  during  that  year. 
 
 To  all  friends  who  have  kindly  assisted  him,  including 
 Revs.  Dr  Wylie,  E.  A.  Thomson,  Wm.  Scott,  and  Jas. 
 Kennedy,  B.D.,  Edinburgh  ;  Dr  Taylor,  Flisk  ;  Ex-Provost 
 Johnston,  Bathgate  ;  A,  S.  Coulson,  and  J.  0.  Mitchell,  Glas- 
 gow, and  the  Librarians  of  the  Free  and  United  Presbyterian 
 Church  Colleges,  the  author  gives  cordial  acknowledgments, 
 whilst  he  devotes  this  work  (the  fruit  of  several  years'  labour) 
 as  a  contribution  to  the  history  of  a  branch  of  the  Christian 
 Church  which,  though  not  infallible,  has  done  good  service  in 
 days  gone  by,  and  many  of  whose  departed  Avorthies  he 
 holds  in  high  veneration. 
 
 Free  Manse,  Saltcoats, 
 April  1886. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER  I. 
 
 INTRODUCTORY,  SHOWING  THE  CONNECTION    RETWIXT  THE  COVENxVNTERS  AND 
 THE  ORIGINAL  SECEDERS, 
 
 TAG  F. 
 
 Christianitj-  in  Scotland  at  an  early  Period— Ninian—Columba— Culdees— 
 Da%'id  I.— Bishop  of  Dunkold— Witnesses  for  Truth— Laurence  Lindors— 
 Patrick  Hamilton— Paul  Craw— Lollards— First  Reformation— Wishart— 
 Knox— Melville — National  Covouants— First  General  Assembly— Books 
 of  Discipline— Reformation  from  Prelacy— Renewal  of  Covenant— Scottish 
 Magna  Charta— Revival  of  Religion— Reforming  Glasgow  Assembly  of 
 1638 — Alexander  Henderson — Solemn  League  and  Covenant— Its  Blessed 
 Effects  as  stated  by  Kii-kton — Original  Seceders  follow  the  Example  of 
 their  Covenanting  Ancestors  —  Erskines  —  Wilson  —  Seceders  renew 
 Covenants  in  a  Bond  suited  to  their  Circumstances,  1743 — Obligation  of 
 National  Covenants  a  term  of  Communion— Mode  of  Covenanting  .  1 
 
 CHAPTER  II. 
 
 REMINISCENCES  OF  SECEDERS  DURING  THE  LATTER  PART  OF  THE  EIGHTEENTH 
 
 CENTURY. 
 
 Depressed  State  of  Religion — Winter  of  Church  of  Scotland— Dr  Hamilton's 
 Picture  of  Affairs  in  Prose — Professor  Bruce's  Poetical  Picture  of  Young 
 Moderate — Assembly's  Debate  on  Missions  in  1796 — Religious  Ignorance 
 in  Western  Highlands — Reminiscences  of  Seceders  by  late  Prof.  Mitchell, 
 D.D. — Their  Religious  Characteristics — Secession  Eldership — Public  Minis- 
 tration of  Seceding  Ministers — Their  Private  Character — Rev.  Andrew 
 Mitchell,  Beith — Rev.  William  Jameson,  Kilwinning — Rev.  James  Taylor, 
 Ayr^Rev.  William  Brown,  Craigdam — Family  Religion  and  Congrega- 
 tional Classes    .........        13 
 
 CHAPTER  III. 
 
 ANNALS  OF  THE  ORIGINAL  BURGHER  SYNOD  FROM  THE  BREACH  OF  1799  TILL 
 ITS  UNION  WITH  THE  CHURCH  OF  SCOTLAND  IN  1839  ;  TOGETHER  WITH 
 AN  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  REMANENT  SYNOD  FROM  1839  TILL  ITS  UNION  WITH 
 THE  ORIGINAL  SECESSION  SYNOD  IN  1842. 
 
 Origin  of  Moderate  Party — Growing  Corruption  in  Church —Secession  cf  1733 
 — Noble  Quaternion — Temporizing  Concession  by   Moderates  Refused  — 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 Burgess  Oath  Controversy,  1747— Seceders  are  divided  into  Burghers  and 
 Antiburghers— Introduction  of  New  Light  or  Voluntaryism  into  Burgher 
 Synod,    and  subsequent   Controversy — Old    Lights    separate,    and   form 
 Presbytery — Mr  Willis  appointed  Professor  of  Divinity — Congregations 
 increase— Mr  Hill  appointed  Professor  of  Divinity— Synod  formed,  1805— 
 Vindication  of  Adherence   published,  1809— Stipend  of  Preachers— Ap- 
 pointment of  Precentors.     1809  to  1819  :  Warlike  State  of  Country,  and 
 Preaching  to   the   Times— Salary   of   Divinity   Professor— Presbytery  of 
 Stirling  and  Falkirk  formed— Correspondence  with  New  Light  Synod,  and 
 renewed  Controversy— Presbytery  of  Down  and  Derry  formed— Mr  Taylor 
 appointed  Professor  of   Divinity— Donation  by  Miss   Ross.     1819-1829  : 
 Prospects  of  Reunion  amongst  Seceders — Negotiations  with  Constitutional 
 Presbytery — Negotiations  with  Church  of  Scotland  begun— Annoyances 
 caused  by  Refractory  Students,  Preachers,  and  Congregations.     1829  to 
 1839  :  Voluntary  Controversy,  Old  Lights  aid  the  Church  of  Scotland  in 
 the   Conflict — Presbyterian  Arrangements  in  Ireland— Failure  of  Union 
 Negotiations  with  Antiburghers — Dispute  anent  Reading  of  Line  in  Praise 
 —Foreign  Missions  to  be  supported— Dr   Willis   appointed   Professor  of 
 Divinity — Synodical   Records  purged — Progress  of    Union    Negotiations 
 with  Church  of  Scotland — Moderates  in  Establishment,  and  Antiunionists 
 in   Secession,    hostile   to   Proposal  —  Act  anent   Reunion  with   Seceders 
 passed  by  Assembly— Resolution  to  return  to  Church  of  Scotland  carried 
 in  Synod — Remanent  Party  ultimately  unite  with  Original  (Antiburgher) 
 Secession  Synod  ........         34 
 
 List  of  Pamphlets  relating  to  New  Light  Controversy  in  the  Associate  Burgher 
 Synod,  and  the  formation  of  the  Associate  Presbytery  (Old  Light)  of 
 Original  Burghers,  1799  .......         76 
 
 CHAPTER  IV. 
 
 ANNALS  OF  THE  CONSTITUTIONAL  (aNTIBURGHER)  PRESBYTERY,  FROM  THE 
 BREACH  IN  1806  TILL  ITS  UNION  WITH  THE  SYNOD  OF  PROTESTERS  IN 
 1827. 
 
 Origin  of  New  Light  Controversy  in  General  Associate  Synod — Overtures  from 
 Presbyteries  of  Glasgow  and  Forfar — Narrative  and  Testimony  drawn  up 
 — Professor  Bruce  and  other  Old  Lights  object  to  its  being  a  Church 
 Standard — Formation  of  Constitutional  Presbytery — Distinction  betwixt 
 Old  and  New  Lights — First  Minute  of  Constitutional  Presbytery,  with 
 Supplementary  Declaration  of  their  Distinctive  Principles — Intolerance  of 
 the  General  Associate  or  New  Light  Synod — Deposition  of  the  Old  Lights 
 and  Exclusion  of  Messrs  M'Crie  and  Aitkenfrom  their  Churches — Sabbath 
 Scene  at  Kirriemuir — Comparison  betwixt  the  First  and  Second  Quater- 
 nions— Divinity  Hall  Arrangements  and  Students — Rabbi  Duncan — Death 
 of  Professor  Bruce — Dr  M'Crie  declines  the  Professorship  of  Divinity — 
 Great  Principles  and  Small  Stipends — Intelligence  and  generally  Consis- 
 tent Deportment  of  Pastors  and  People — Carefulness  to  observe  Purity  of 
 Church-Fellowship  —  Desires  for  Union  —  Negotiations  with  Original 
 Burghers  and  Synod  of  Protesters,  and  Union  with  latter  Body      .  ,         80 
 
 List  of  Pamphlets  relating  to  the  New  Light  Controversy  in  the  General 
 Associate  (Antiburgher)  Synod,  and  the  Formation  of  the  Constitutional 
 Presbytery,  1806  ........        97 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER  V. 
 
 ANX^iLS  OF  THE  SYNOD  OF  PROTESTERS  FROM  ITS  SEPARATION  FROM  THE 
 GENERAL  ASSOCIATE  (anTIHURGIIER)  SYNOD  IN  1820  TILL  ITS  UNION 
 WITH  THE  CONSTITUTIONAL  PRESBYTERY  IN  1827. 
 
 PAOK 
 
 Desires  for  Ecclesiivstical  Peace  ponerally  felt — Union  of  Burijhers  and  Anti- 
 burghers  in  Nova  Scotia  and  Ireland — Numerous  Overtures  for  llnion  in 
 both  the  New  Light  Synods — Union  Committee  appointed — Burgher 
 Ministers  unanimous  for  Union,  but  not  so  with  Antiburghers — Protesters 
 separate  and  form  a  Synod — First  Minute  containing  Grounds  of  Separa- 
 tion— Farther  Accessions,  and  fonnation  of  Presbyteries  of  Perth,  Ayr, 
 and  Aberdeen — After  Delay  agree  to  negotiate  for  Union  with  the  Con- 
 stitutional Presbytery — Friendly  Epistles  exchanged — Minutes  of  Joint 
 Committees  on  Union — Further  Correspondence  and  Conferences — Drs 
 M'Crie  and  Stevenson  apjwintcd  to  draw  up  Testimony,  and  Dr  Puxton 
 to  aid  in  compiling  the  Acknowledgment  of  Sins — Procedure  of  Synod 
 towards  a  Probationer  who  had  left  the  Body — Accession  of  Mr  Murray, 
 Divinitj-  Student,  from  Church  of  Scotland — Final  Arrangements  ere 
 uniting  with  the  Constitutional  Presbytery  .....       100 
 
 List  of  Pamphlets  relating  to  the  Union  of  Associate  (New  Light)  Burgher  and 
 General  Associate  (New  Light)  Antiburgher  Synods  in  1820,  together  with 
 the  formation  of  the  Synod  of  Protesters      .....       118 
 
 CHAPTER  VI. 
 
 ANNALS  OF  THE  ORIGINAL  SECESSION  SYNOD  FROM  1827  TILL  THE  UNION 
 WITH  THE  REMANENT  SYNOD  OF  BURGHERS  IN  1842  ;  TOGETHER  WITH 
 AN  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  REMANENT  ASSOCIATE  PRESBYTERY. 
 
 Celebration  of  Union — Attempt  to  unite  with  Old  Light  Burghers  a  failure — 
 Correspondence  with  Associate  Synod  of  North  America — Synod  renew 
 National  and  Solemn  League  Covenants  in  a  Bond  suitaltle  for  their  cir- 
 cumstances— Jlode  of  conducting  the  Solemn  Service — Peculiar  Exercises 
 prescribed  to  Divinity  Students,  and  their  ultimate  effects — Mode  of 
 dealing  with  Persons  guilty  of  "  Occasional  Hearing  " — Giving  up  reading 
 the  Line  in  Praise — Mission  to  Hebrides — Death  of  Dr  M'Crie  and 
 resignation  by  Dr  Paxton  of  Professorship  of  Divinity— Rev.  Thomas 
 M'Crie  appointed  Successor — Extreme  Views — Case  of  Witchcraft — Nego- 
 tiations for  Union  with  Remanent  Original  Burgher  Synod — Declinature, 
 with  Reasons,  of  Messrs  Wright  and  Lambie,  who  separate  from  Sj'nod 
 and  form  a  Presbytery — Their  subsequent  Career — Consummation  of  Union, 
 with  its  Basis    .........       120 
 
 List  of  Pamphlets  relating  to  the  Union  betwixt  the  Constitutional  Presbj'- 
 tery  and  the  Synod  of  Protesters  in  1827,  and  their  subsequent  History 
 tilll842 145 
 
 List  of  Pamphlets  relating  to  the  Union  of  Burghers  and  Antiburghers  in  1842, 
 and  the  subsequent  history  of  the  United  Synod  till  1852,  together  with 
 the  Pami)hlets  issued  by  the  two  Ministers  and  Party  who  refused  to  take 
 part  in  said  Union        ........       14t) 
 
Xll  CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER  VII. 
 
 ANNALS  OF  THE  UNITED  ORIGINAL  SECESSION    CHURCH    FROM    1842   TILL   ITS 
 DISRUPTION  AND  UNION  WITH  THE  FREE  CHURCH  OF   SCOTLAND  IN  1852. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 Sympathy  of  Original  Seceders  with  Evangelicals  in  Chiirch  of  Scotland — 
 Church  History  Catechisms — Disruption  of  Church  of  Scotland — Deputa- 
 tion from  Synod  express  sympathy  with  Free  General  Assembly — Speeches 
 of  Messrs  Shaw,  M'Crie,  Wylie,  and  White,  of  Original  Secession 
 Church;  and  Mr  Guthrie  and  Dr  M'Farlan,  of  Free  Church— Union 
 Committees  appointed  by  Free  and  Original  Secession  Churches — Efforts 
 to  obtain  a  Testimony  from  Free  Church  in  behalf  of  National  Covenants 
 l^rove  abortive — Memorable  Words  of  Dr  Candlish — Temporary  suspension 
 of  Union  Negotiations — Act  and  Declaration  ordered  to  be  preilxed  to 
 Authoritative  Standards  of  the  Free  Church  revive  Hopes  of  Union — 
 Growth  of  Catholicity  of  Spirit— O^'iginal  Secession  Magazine  published — 
 Mutual  Assistance  Fund  formed — Spiritual  Supervision  of  Congregations 
 and  Queries  to  be  given  to  Office-Bearers — Negotiations  for  Union  with 
 Keformed  Presbyterian  Church — Dissolution  of  Calvinistic  Secession  and 
 proposed  Accession  of  two  of  its  Members — Efforts  for  imj^roving  Church 
 Finances — Debate  respecting  the  expediency  of  resuming  Union  Negoti- 
 ations with  Free  Church  —Amusing  Overture  from  Aberdeen  Presbytery — 
 Abrupt  close  of  efforts  for  Union  with  the  Pvcformed  Presbyterians — Act 
 of  Synod  respecting  Papal  Aggression — Conference  on  Foreign  Missions 
 with  Dr  Duff — Preparations  for  Union  with  Free  Church  of  Scotland  — 
 Brief  but  sharp  Controversy — Sy nodical  Conference — Overture  for  Union 
 with  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  and  Resolutions  opposing  the  movement, 
 are  laid  on  Synod's  Table — Protracted  Debate— Union  Overtui-e  carried — 
 Protest  of  Minority — Disruption  of  Synod — Representation  and  Appeal 
 presented  to  Free  General  Assembly —Joint  Committees  appointed  to 
 arrange  Basis  of  Union — Last  Meeting  of  Synod — Dr  Candlish  proposes  to 
 Free  General  Assembly  a  Basis  of  Union,  which  is  carried  by  acclamation — 
 Speeches  by  Drs  Candlish,  Begg,  Gibson,  and  Clason — Synod  unanimously 
 accepts  Union  Basis  and  makes  its  Final  Arrangements — Thanks  given  to  its 
 Officials-— Consummation  of  Union  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  and 
 Speeches  delivered  by  Dr  Candhsh,  Sir  George  Sinclair,  Drs  M'Crie  and 
 Shaw,  Mr  White,  Drs  Duff  and  Makellar,  together  with  circular  letters 
 sent  to  Free  Church  and  United  Original  Secession  Congregations  .       143 
 
 List  of  Pamphlets  relating  to  the  Disruption  of  the  Original  Secession  Church, 
 
 and  its  subsequent  Union  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  in  1852  .       233 
 
 CHAPTEE  VIII. 
 
 STATISTICS  OF  THE  SEVERAL  CONGREGATIONS  OF  THE  ORIGINAL,  OR  OLD 
 LIGHT  SECEDERS. 
 
 Aberdeen:  Melville,  Belmont  Street,  Skene  Terrace— Airdrie— Alloa —Alyth, 
 two  congregations — Arbroath  :  Maule  Street  and  High  Street — Auchin- 
 leck  — Ayr— Balfron — Balmullo  —  Ballynahinch — Ballylintagh— Bannock- 
 burn — Bathgate — Birsay — Blairgowrie,  two  congregations — Boardmills — 
 Bolay  and  Myroe — Brechin — Burntshields  or  Bridge  of  Weir — Burrelton 
 — Bushiel  —  Cabrach  —  Carluke  —  Carnoustie  —  Carnwath  —  Clola  —  Col- 
 monell — Coui^ar  -  Angus — Crieff — Cumbernauld — Cupar  -  Fife — Dalkeith — 
 
CONTENTS.  XIU 
 
 pa<;k 
 Dairy — Dollar — Douno  -Dunblane — Dundee  :  Barrack  Street,  Duilhopo, 
 Euclid  Crescent  —  Dunfermline — Dunninj? — Edinbur^^h  :  South  Gray's 
 Close  or  Free  Tron,  M'Crie  Church,  Infirmary  Street  or  I^iuriston  Street, 
 Heriot's  Bridjjfe,  Adam's  Sijuare  or  Victoria  Terrace,  South  Clerk  Street — 
 Elgin — Falkirk — Falkland — tJiu-vaj;h — Glasgow  :  l-jist  Caniiibell  Street, 
 Renfield,  Mains  Street — Grallagh  or  Ballymogra — Greenlaw— Greenock — 
 Haddington  —  Helensburgh —  KeLso  —  Kennoway  —  Kilkinaniurray —  Kil- 
 marnock :  Henderson,  Fowlds  Street — Kilpatrick-Cniigs — Kilwinning — 
 Kincardine-on- Forth — Kirkcaldy  :  Dunnikior  and  I'ortbrae — Kirkintilloch, 
 two  congi-egjitions  —  Kirkwall  —  Kirriemuir  —  Lanark —  Loith  —  Lesma- 
 hagow  —  Leslie  —  Midholm  —  Midmar  —  Milnathort  or  Orwell  —  Paisley : 
 George  Street  and  Free  Martyr's— Perth  :  High  Street,  Kinnoul  Street, 
 and  South  Street — Pitcairngreen — Pollokshaws  :  East  Free  and  Cogan 
 Street — Ronton  or  Levenside — Rj'an — Shotts  or  Shottsburn — Stewarton — 
 Stirling  —  Stranraer  —  Strathkinness — Swinton — Thurso  :  and  Free  West 
 Cliurch — Toberdoney — Tullibody — West  Linton — Whitburn  and  Long- 
 ridge— Whitby— Wick— Yetholm      ......       240 
 
 CHAPTER  IX. 
 
 THE  INNER  WORKING  OF  OLD  LIGHT  CONGREGATIONS  AS  EXHIBITED  IN 
 SESSIONAL  RECORDS. 
 
 Excerpts  from  Session  Records  of  M'Crie  Church :  Dealings  with  Members 
 connected  with  Free  Masonry,  the  Incorporation  of  Trades,  and  also  with 
 Elders  who  had  become  Bankrupt — Fraternal  Intercourse  with  Professor 
 Paxton — Praying  Societies  in  New  Town — Collections  for  Public  Objects — 
 Week-day  Services  in  connection  with  Communion  —Sessional  dealing  with 
 Member  for  jaunting  on  Fast  Day — Queries  by  House  of  Commons  respect- 
 ing Congregation,  with  the  Session's  Replies — Death  of  Dr  M'Crie  senior 
 — Mode  of  dealing  in  cases  of  family  feuds,  and  with  persons  leaving  the  de- 
 nomination— Petition  respecting  repeating  Tunes — Last  Sessional  Minute 
 prior  to  Union  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland — Excerpts  from  Records 
 of  Eiist  Campbell  Street  Church,  Glasgow  :  Admirable  management  of 
 financial  affairs — Triumvirs — Liberality  in  Contributions — Communion  Ser- 
 vices— Death  of  Mr  Watson,  and  generous  Donation  given  to  his  Relict  — 
 Burial  Ground  acijuired  in  Rainshom  Churchyard — Gifts  to  Mr  TumbuU 
 — Crowded  state  of  Church,  and  contentions  respecting  sitting  accommo- 
 dation— Law-plea — Disjunction  given  to  the  originators  of  Renfield  Church 
 — Mode  of  collecting  Pew-rents — Death  of  Mr  Tumbull,  and  Annuity  given 
 to  his  Widow — Abstract  of  Church-door  Collections,  the  control  of  which  is 
 claimed  by  Session — Variety  of  opinion  respecting  the  Election  of  Precen- 
 tors— Mode  of  electing  Elders  and  Ministers — Illustrations  of  Church  Dis- 
 cipline :  Builders  of  L^nitarian  and  Romish  Churches,  an  Ishmaelite  and 
 the  Dying  Elder— Contributions  for  Religious  and  Benevolent  Schemes, 
 and  exhortations  to  increased  liberality — Improvements  on  Place  of 
 Worship  .........      447 
 
 CHAPTER  X. 
 
 LISTS  OF  OLD  LIGHT  DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS, 
 WITH  AN  EPITOME  OF  THEIR  SUBSEQUENT  CAREER. 
 
 Burgher  Section  :  John  Jarvie — Robert  Shirra,  M.A.,  primus— John  Thomson 
 — George  Thomson— David  Walker — Thomas  Porteous — George  William- 
 
XIV  CONTENTS. 
 
 PACK 
 
 son — James  Russell — John  Ronald — Francis  Archibald — Ebenezer  Hislop 
 — Professor  William  Willis — Professor  Geortje  Hill,  senior, — William 
 Watson — Professor  William  Taylor — Robert  Shirra,  secundus, — Patrick 
 Connel — Thomas  Milne — George  Moscrip — Alexander  Brown — William 
 Graham — John  Inglis  -  William  Raeburn — James  Watson — James  Gardner 
 — David  Jardine-  -Francis  Pringle — John  Campbell — John  Mackinlay — 
 William  Primrose — Finlay  Stewart — Robert  Torrance — Alexander  Dawson — 
 James  Ferguson — Thomas  Hall — Alexander  Stark,  M.  A. — William  Callen- 
 der  —  Ebenezer  Dawson  —  James  Smith  —  Robert  Aitken  —  Alexander 
 M'Wattie — John  Tindal — John  Watson— Samuel  Armour — William  Hood 
 • — Alexander  Turnbull — John  Shaw — William  Dalziel— Thomas  Hislop — 
 Laurence  Porteous — Peter  Campbell — James  Russell — James  Thornton — 
 George  Hill,  junior — John  Russell — Duncan  Stewart — James  Anderson — 
 
 Thomas  Main — William  Stewart Parker — John  Adams — Ebenezer 
 
 Anderson — Peter  Currie — Thomas  Gordon — William  Scott-Hay — William 
 Logan — William  Murray — Professor  Michael  Willis,  D.  D.,  LL.D. — 
 Hutcheson  Perry — John  Downs,  A.M. — George  Legate — James  Angus — 
 James  Brand— John  H.  Garven— David  Lynch — John  Macmillan — Ralph 
 Robb— Walter  Smith— James  Sawers — Andrew  Thomson — John  Waddell — 
 John  Eadie— William  Mackray,  M.A. — Matthew  Turnbull — William  Walker 
 ■ — James  Duncan — David  Headrick — James  M'Lachlan— William  Tannahill 
 — John  Taylor — John  Anderson — John  Cochrane — John  Gilruth — James 
 Mushet — Thomas  Dove — Clement  Moscrip — James  Paterson — William 
 Simpson — William  Stevenson — James  Cleland — William  Graham — James 
 M'Gown — Robert  M'Indoe — Robert  Lindsay — James  Thomson — John 
 Wright — James  Cullen — Andrew  Mackenzie — James  Taylor — William  Tor- 
 rance— James  Young — .John  Hastie — Robert   Hosie — Peter   Macarthur — 
 
 William  Bruce — John  Dunn — James  Stark — William  Elder Somer- 
 
 ville — James  Finday,  A.M. — Peter  R.  Sawers — Robert  Smith — James  W. 
 Taylor,    D.D. — James    Falconer — William    Graham — Adam    Ross — John 
 
 Turnbull —    Brown — Thomas    Meharry — James    Bennett,    D.D. — 
 
 Robert  Irvine,  D.D. — JohnReid.  Antiburgher  section  :  Prof essor  Archd. 
 Bruce — George  Whytock — James  Aitken — Robert  Chalmers — James  Hog 
 — Thomas  M'Crie,  senior,  D.D. — John  Turnbull — Andrew  Arret — James 
 Andrew-  -Archibald  Willison — William  Wilkinson — Andrew  Dickenson — 
 John  Davies — John  Aitken—  Patrick  Mackenzie — William  Duncan — Robert 
 Shaw,  D.D. — James  Cairncross — John  Duncan,  LL.D. — David  Lundie — • 
 Alexander  Duncan — Professor  Benjamin  Laing,  D.D. — John  Miller — 
 Professor  Thomas  M'Crie,  junior,  D.D.,  LL.D. — James  Beattie — William 
 Mitchell — Richard  Black — John  Macdonald — Professor  George  Paxton, 
 D.D. — James  Gray — Robert  Smith — George  Stevenson,  D.D. — James 
 Templeton — Thomas  Gray — William  Beath — Peter  M'Derment — James 
 Whyte — John  Barnett,  D.D. — William  Brown — Thomas  Manson,  D.D. 
 — James  Meek — Ebenezer  Ritchie — John  Burnfield — Professor  Matthew 
 Murray,  D.D. — John  Grahum,  primvs — Robert  Brown — Thomas  Brown — 
 Andrew  Lambie — James  Wright — Archibald  Brown,  M.A. — James  Ander- 
 son— James  A.  Wylie,  M.A.,  LL.D. — David  Burn— John  Graham,  seen ndns 
 — Robert  Auld — George  Roger,  M.A. — David  A.  Sturrock — John  Sandison 
 — Cunninghame  Aitcheson — John  M'Crie — David  Gray — David  Matheson — 
 Robert  M.  Cochrane  —  James  M'Geoch  —  Thomas  Callander — -James 
 Williamson — William    White — Andrew    Wood — Joseph     Wilson — James 
 
 Lawson — Alexander  Brown,  A.M. — Francis  M'Bean Young — Chas. 
 
 Keir — David  Smith — David  Irons — George  Stevenson — Robert  Mackay — 
 George  M'Crie — James  Black,  M.A. — William  Matthews — John  Robertson 
 
CONTENTS.  XV 
 
 -James  M'Lcnn— Rolx;rt  John  Watt— ,Tohn  Clark— Jamos  M.  Smith- 
 Edward  A.  Thomson — Andrew  Ross— James  Kilj^our— Jamos  Aitkon, 
 A.M. — James  Younp — Roliert  Uuchanan — Alexander  Hurns-llaifj: — John  I). 
 Paston— John  Blakoly,  D.D.— David  Walker— William  Marshall— (Jeor^'o 
 R.  Somer\-illo — William  Sloan— David  Simpson — Robert  Stevenson- David 
 
 Kay — James  Smellie Bonnet— Robert  Brash — Andrew  Anderson — 
 
 Richard  Waterston— Andrew   M 'Lean— John  Shaw —    Fogo— John 
 
 Ritchio— William  F.  Aitken,  M.  A. —Samuel  Pettigrew— William  Robertson      469 
 
 CHAPTER  XI. 
 
 CHARACTERISTICS    OF    OLD    LIGHT    SECEDERS,    WITH    AN    ACCOUNT    OF    THEIR 
 THEOLOGICAL  TRAINING. 
 
 Indinduality—Strife  betwixt  Biirghers  and  Antiburghers— Amusing  Anec<loto 
 —Description  of  Old  Light  Churches  —  Devoid  of  Ornament  —  East 
 Campbell  Street  Church,  Glasgow,  in  1816— Hats  in  Church- Ministerial 
 Attire — Poetical  Effusion  against  Pulpit  Gowns— No  Hymns  or  Para- 
 phrases-Prefacing Psalm— Reading  of  Line  in  Praise— I'rofessor  Taylor's 
 effort  to  abolish  Reading  of  Line— Objectors  to  reading  Chapter— Mode  of 
 Preaching— Burghers  appeal  to  feelings— Antiburghers  address  the  in- 
 tellect—Dr  Fleming's  description  of  Dr  M'Crie— Popular  Gifts  of  TurnbuU, 
 of  Glasgow,  and  Paxton,  of  Edinburgh— Wright,  of  Edinburgh,  as  a 
 Lecturer — Reproofs  from  Pulpit — Communion  Services — Large  Gatherings 
 — Christian  Hospitality — Boiled  Blades— Idiosyncrasies  of  Ministers- 
 Preach  Memoriter— Ministers'  Classes— Methods  pursued  by  Dr  Willis  and 
 Mr  Wright— Beneficial  results  of  Pa.storal  Teaching— A  Competent  Portion 
 —  Duties  of  Precentors— Mr  Shirra,  of  Kirkcaldy — Introduction  of  New 
 Tunes — Beadles— Thomas  Lee  and  his  peculiarities— Pecuniary  Difficulties 
 of  Ministers  and  Congregations— Union  Ditficulties,  specially  those  in  1842 
 —Burgher  and  Antiburgher  Extremists— Theological  Tuition  of  Old 
 Lights— Methods  of  Instruction  pursued  by  Professors  Taylor,  of  Perth, 
 and  Willis,  of  Glasgow— Description  of  Plans  followed  by  Professors 
 Bruce,  Paston,  M'Crie,  and  Laing    .  .  .  .  .  .591 
 
 CHAPTER  XII. 
 
 LIST  OF  MODERATORS  AND  OTHER  PROMINENT  OFFICIALS  OF  THE  SEVERAL 
 BRANCHES  OF  THE  ORIGINAL  SECESSION  CHURCH. 
 
 Moderators  of  Associate  (Burgher)  Sj-nod  from  1805  till  1S39— Moderators  of 
 Remanent  Sjmod  from  18.39  till  1842— Moderators  of  Synod  of  Protesters 
 from  1S21  till  1827— Moderators  of  Original  Secession  Synod  from  1827  till 
 1842— Moderators  of  United  Original  Secession  Synod  from  1842  till  1852 
 —Professors  of  Theology  and  BibHcal  Criticism— Synod  Clerks,  Treasurers, 
 and  Officers 608 
 
CHAPTER  I. 
 
 INTRODUCTORY,  SHOWING  THE  CONNECTION  BETWIXT  THE 
 COVENANTERS  AND  THE  ORIGINAL  SECEDERS. 
 
 Scotland  at  an  early  period  appears  to  have  been  favoured 
 with  the  light  of  the  glorious  gospel.  TertuUian  speaks  of 
 remote  parts  of  Britain  having  become  subject  to  Christ,  and 
 later  historians  give  an  account  of  the  evangelistic  labours  of 
 Ninian  in  the  south,  and  Columba  in  the  western  parts  of 
 the  country.  The  Culdees,  as  these  early  Scottish  Christians 
 were  called,  held  not  only  the  grand  leading  Bible  doctrines 
 now  spoken  of  as  Protestant,  but  their  form  of  Church  govern- 
 ment was  essentially  Presbyterian.  Vigorous  efforts  having 
 been  made  by  the  Church  of  Rome,  then  dominant  in  Europe, 
 to  subject  the  Culdees  to  its  sway,  a  protracted  struggle 
 ensued.  With  tenacity  of  purpose  many  Culdees  clung  to  the 
 truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  but  their  opponents  were  powerful. 
 Popery  having  as  its  ally  King  David  I.,  who,  by  the  liberality 
 of  his  gifts  to  all  who  favoured  Romish  views,  Avas  afterwards 
 designated  "  a  sair  sanct  for  the  crown,"  made  sad  progress  in 
 the  land,  and  death  and  persecution  having  removed  the 
 bravest  of  the  Culdees,  gross  darkness  and  superstition 
 covered  the  people.  As  illustrative  of  this,  the  historian 
 Buchanan  states  that  Romish  priests  in  the  early  part  of  the 
 fifteenth  century  objected  to  the  New  Testament  under  the 
 belief  that  it  was  a  book  written  by  Martin  Luther,  and  the 
 Romish  Bishop  of  Duukeld,  glorying  in  shameful  ignorance, 
 exclaimed,  "  I  thank  God  I  have  lived  well  these  many  years, 
 and  never  knew  either  the  Old  or  the  New  Testament." 
 
 In  great  mercy  to  Scotland,  however,  God  raised  up  during 
 successive  epochs  witnesses  for  the  truth.  Amongst  these 
 were  Laurence  Lindors,  who,  for  stating  that  the  Pope  was 
 not  the  Vicar  of  Christ,  was  burnt  in  1422  ;  Patrick  Hamilton, 
 also   burnt   in   1528;   Paul   Craw,    who  was  martyred   at  St 
 
 A 
 
2  ANNALS  OF  OEIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Andrews  in  1431  ;  and  the  Lollards  of  Kyle  in  Ayrshire,  who 
 maintained  the  doctrines  taught  by  the  English  Reformer 
 Wycliffe. 
 
 As  is  well  known,  the  First  or  Reformation  from  Popery  was 
 accomplished,  through  the  Divine  blessing,  by  the  labours  of 
 Wishart,  Knox,  and  Melville — a  noble  triumvirate,  of  whose 
 achievements  M'Crie  proved  himself  an  able  historian.  In 
 connection  with  this  Reformation,  sacred  bonds  or  covenants 
 were  entered  into.  The  object  of  these  was  to  remind  the 
 Reformers  of  their  fealty  to  God  and  their  fidelity  to  one 
 another.  And  as  the  English  boast  of  their  Magna  Charta, 
 so  also  may  Scotsmen  be  thankful  for  their  National  Cove- 
 nants, since  these  were  largely  instrumental  in  securing  to 
 the  Scottish  people  civil  and  religious  liberty. 
 
 As  witnessing  for  the  obligation  of  these  solemn  deeds  upon 
 the  nation  was  a  special  characteristic  of  Original  Seceders, 
 it  is  proper  to  mention  the  occasions  on  which  the  principal 
 of  these  covenants  were  entered  into. 
 
 On  3rd  December   1557,  several   noblemen,  including  the 
 Earls  of  Argyll,  Glencairn,  and  Morton,  called  God  to  witness 
 their   bond   to  uproot   Romish  idolatry,  and  to  promote  the 
 blessed   Word  of   God.      The   next  Covenant  was   sworn   at 
 Perth  on  31st  May  1559,  in  which  the  Scottish  Church  and 
 nobles  agreed   "  to  destroy  and  put  away  all  things  that  dis- 
 honour God's  name,  so  that  God  may  be  truly  and   purely 
 worshipped."       On  1st  August   1559,  in  consequence  of  the 
 crooked  and  malignant  policy  of  Mary  of  Guise   (the  Queen 
 Regent),  the   nobles  entered   into   a   bond   to   stand   by  one 
 another  in  the  maintenance  of  the  true  religion.      At  Leith, 
 on   the    27th    April   of  the   subsequent  year,   the   reforming 
 party  again  covenanted,  and  declared   "  that  we  together  in 
 general,  and  every  one   of  us  in  special  by  himself,  with  our 
 bodies,  goods,  friends,  and  all  that  we  can  do,  shall  set  for- 
 ward the  Reformation  of  Religion  according  to  God's  Word." 
 The  result  of  engaging  in  these  federal  transactions  was,  that 
 notwithstanding  royal  and  priestly  opposition,  Romish  error  was 
 overthrown  in  Scotland,  and    on    20th  December   1560,  the 
 first  meeting  of  the  General  Assembly  was  held  in  the  Mag- 
 dalene Chapel,  Edinburgh.       Its  beginnings  were  small,  since 
 
CONNECTION  BETWIXT  COVENANTERS  AND  SECEDERS.        3 
 
 it  consisted  of  only  forty  members,  of  which  six  were  min- 
 isters. This  Assembl3^  as  is  well  known,  framed  the  First 
 Book  of  Discipline,  and  replaced  the  Church  of  Scotland  upon 
 that  Presbyterian  basis  which  it  had  occupied  prior  to  the 
 Romish  usurpation.  Sub.sequcntly  in  1578,  the  Second 
 Book  of  Discipline  was  framed  and  sanctioned  by  the  General 
 Assembly.  As  dangerous  and  treacherous  efforts  were  being 
 made  by  Romanists  to  overthrow  the  Reformation,  King 
 James  VI.,  his  household,  and  the  nation  in  1580-81  swore 
 the  National  Covenant.  This  document,  which  is  appended 
 to  the  Westminster  Confession  of  Faith,  plainly  abjures  the 
 Romish  Creed,  and  binds  its  supporters  to  uphold  and  pro- 
 mote the  doctrine  and  discipline  of  the  Reformed  Church  of 
 Scotland.  This  Covenant  was  renewed  by  the  General 
 Assembly  on  30th  March  1596,  and  again  by  the  King  and 
 others  at  the  General  Assembly  which  met  at  Burntisland  in 
 May  1601.  But  this  was  not  all,  since  thirty-six  years  later, 
 when  repeated  and  vigorous  attempts  were  made  by  King 
 Charles  I.  to  introduce  a  Romish  Praycr-Book  into  the 
 Scottish  Church,  the  National  Covenant  which  had  been  so 
 useful  during  the  Reformation  from  Popery,  was  found  to  be 
 as  useful  in  welding  Christians  in  opposing  Prelacy.  This 
 epoch  formed  the  Second  Reformation,  and  dates  from  1038. 
 The  leader  of  this  movement  was  Alexander  Henderson, 
 minister  of  Leuchars,  a  man  of  renown. 
 
 Of  this  renewal  of  the  Covenant  the  younger  M'Crie  gives 
 the  following  account : — 
 
 "  The  Covenant  was  sworn  and  subscribed  with  much  solemnity 
 in  the  Grejfriars'  Churchyard  at  Edmburgh  on  1st  March  1638. 
 A  fast  was  appointed.  After  sermon  the  Covenant  was  read  ;  upon 
 which  the  Earl  of  Loudoun,  whose  manner  was  peculiarly  impres- 
 sive, made  an  address  to  tlie  assembled  multitude,  dwelling  on  tlie 
 importance  of  this  bond  of  union  in  present  circumstances,  and  ex- 
 horting all  to  zeal  and  perseverance  in  the  cause  of  the  Lord. 
 Thereafter  Mr  Alexander  Henderson,  then  minister  at  Leuchars, 
 offered  up  an  impassioned  prayer  for  the  Divine  blessing ;  when  the 
 noblemen  present  stepped  forward  to  the  table,  subscribed  the 
 deed,  and,  with  uplifted  hands,  swore  to  the  observance  of  its 
 duties.  After  them  the  gentry,  the  ministers,  and  thousands  of 
 every  rank,  subscribed  and  swore.  The  immense  sheet  of  parch- 
 ment was  speedily   filled,  and   numbers,  for   want  of  room,  were 
 
4  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 obliged  to  sign  only  with  tbeir  initials.  The  enthusiasm  was 
 universal  ;  it  seemed  as  if  a  new  era  had  dawned  on  them  ;  every 
 face  beamed  with  joy,  and  the  city  presented  one  scene  of  devout 
 congi-atu.lation  and  rapture.  '  Behold,'  says  a  writer,  speaking  of 
 that  time,  '  the  nobility,  the  barons,  the  burgesses,  the  ministers,  the 
 commons  of  all  sorts  of  Scotland,  all  in  tears  for  their  breach  of 
 covenant,  and  for  their  backsliding  and  defection  from  the  Lord  ;  and, 
 at  the  same  time,  returning  with  great  joy  unto  their  God,  by  swear- 
 ing cheerfully  and  willingly  to  be  the  Lord's.  It  may  well  be  said 
 of  this  day,  Great  was  the  day  of  Jezreel.  It  was  a  day  wherein 
 the  arm  of  the  Lord  was  revealed — a  day  wherein  the  princes  of  the 
 people  were  assembled  to  swear  fealty  and  allegiance  to  that  great 
 King  whose  name  is  the  Lord  of  Hosts.'  "  ^ 
 
 "  To  this  much  vilified  bond  "  (says  Aikman,  the  historian) 
 "  every  true  Scotsman  ought  to  look  back  with  as  much 
 reverence  as  Englishmen  do  to  their  Magna  Charta.  It  was 
 what  saved  the  country  from  absolute  despotism,  and  to  it  we 
 may  trace  back  the  origin  of  all  the  efforts  made  by  the  in- 
 habitants of  Britain  in  defence  of  their  freedom  during  the 
 succeeding  reign  of  the  Stuarts." ' 
 
 "  But  it  must  be  viewed  "  (continues  M'Crie)  "  in  a  still  more 
 sacred  light.  It  was  the  *  oath  of  God,'  sworn  in  His  name,  in 
 agi'eement  with  His  word,  and  in  defence  of  His  cause ;  and  the 
 effects  bear  a  striking  resemblance  to  those  recorded  in  holy  writ, 
 as  the  native  fruits  of  similar  exei'cise  in  ancient  Israel.  The  minds 
 of  the  people  were  at  once  solemnized  by  the  service,  and  cemented 
 in  defence  of  their  religious  privileges.  They  felt  themselves  bound 
 to  God  and  to  one  another  not  only  by  the  common  obligations  of 
 the  Divine  law,  which  lie  upon  all  men  independent  of  their  own  con- 
 sent, but  by  the  superadded  obligation  of  a  voluntary  oath — an  oath 
 sworn  by  the  nation,  and  registered  in  heaven.  They  looked  on 
 themselves  as  embarked  in  a  holy  cause,  in  which  it  was  an  honour 
 to  suffer,  and  martyrdom  to  die." 
 
 The  National  Covenant  was  not  only  sworn  by  the  nobles 
 and  others  in  the  Scottish  metropolis,  but  also  throughout  the 
 land.  No  compulsory  means  were  at  all  used  to  obtain 
 signatures,  for  the  people  came  forward  so  willingly  that  means 
 required  to  be  taken  that  none  should  subscribe  but  those  who 
 fully  understood  the  nature  of  the  document  to  which  they 
 were    appending    their   names.      And,    as    on   former  similar 
 
 1  M'Crie's  "  Story  of  the  Scottish  Church,"  pp.  145,  14G. 
 ^  Aikman's  "  History  of  Scotland,"  ill.  445. 
 
I     • 
 
 '<9 
 
 'B 
 
 ^ 
 
CONNECTION  BETWIXT  COVENANTERS  AND  SECEDERS.        0 
 
 occasions,  the  swearing  of  the  Covenant  was  accompanied  by  a 
 season  of  revival. 
 
 "  'The  matter  was  so  holy,'  says  the  Earl  of  Rothes,  'that  they 
 held  it  to  be  in-eligious  to  use  violent  means  for  advancing  such  a 
 work.'  '  I  was  present,'  says  Livingstone,  '  at  Lanark  and  sevei'al 
 other  parishes,  when,  on  Sabbath,  after  the  forenoon's  sermon,  the 
 Covenant  was  read  and  sworn  ;  and  I  may  truly  say  that  in  all  my 
 lifetime,  excepting  at  the  Kirk  of  Shotts,  I  never  saw  such  motions 
 from  the  Spirit  of  God.  All  the  people  generally  and  most  willingly 
 concurred.  I  have  seen  more  than  a  thousand  persons  all  at  once 
 lifting  up  their  hands,  and  the  tears  falling  down  from  their  eyes  ; 
 so  that  through  the  whole  land,  excepting  the  professed  Pai)ists,  and 
 some  few  who  adhered  to  the  j)relates,  people  universally  entered 
 into  the  Covenant  of  God.' '"  ^ 
 
 The  beneficial  results  of  this  renewal  of  the  National  Cove- 
 nant are  well  known.  The  faithful  and  reforming  General 
 Assembly  which  met  at  Glasgow  in  1638,  not  only  asserted 
 its  freedom  from  Royal  Supremacy  for  Christ  as  the  alone 
 Head  of  the  Church,  but  it  also  purged  out  the  prelatic  corrup- 
 tions which  had  been  obtaining  ground  in  the  Church  during 
 the  preceding  thirty  years.  Nor  was  this  all,  since  the  tyran- 
 nical Charles  I.  was  at  this  time  also  taught  that  the  Scottish 
 people  had  civil  rights  and  liberties,  which  they  were  both 
 able,  willing,  and  ready  to  defend. 
 
 But  as  Original  Seceders  have  always  held  that  not  only 
 the  National,  but  also  the  Solemn  League  and  Covenant  are 
 binding  on  the  nation,  it  is  desirable,  briefly,  to  mention  the 
 circumstances  connected  with  the  swearins:  of  this  latter 
 deed. 
 
 Owing  to  the  tyranny  of  Charles  I,,  who  ruled  without  a 
 parliament  for  upwards  of  a  quarter  of  a  century,  as  well  as 
 to  his  untruthfulness,  by  which  he  deceived  many  times  his 
 subjects  in  the  three  kingdoms,  the  Solemn  League  and  Cove- 
 nant was  called  into  existence.  This  famous  deed  was  the 
 composition  of  the  celebrated  Alexander  Henderson,  who  was 
 then  for  the  third  time  Moderator  of  the  Scottish  General 
 Assembly.  It  was  first  submitted  to  a  joint  committee,  repre- 
 senting the  English  Parliament,  the  Scottish  Convention  of 
 Estates,  and  the  General  Assembly,  and  after  being  slightly 
 
 '  M'Crie's  "  Story  of  the  Scottish  Church,"  p.  149. 
 
6  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 modified,  was  adopted.  This  was  in  August  1643.  The 
 object  of  the  Solemn  League  was  not  only  the  reformation 
 and  defence  of  religion,  but  also  "  to  bring  the  Churches  of  God 
 in  the  three  kingdoms  to  the  nearest  conjunction  and  unifor- 
 mity in  religion,  confession  of  faith,  form  of  Church  govern- 
 ment, directory  for  worship,  and  catechising."  Into  this  grand 
 scheme  of  religious  union  the  Scottish  people  entered  with 
 genuine  enthusiasm.  "  When  the  draught  was  read  to  the 
 General  Assembly,"  Blair,  an  eyewitness,  declares,  "  it  was  so 
 heartily  embraced,  and  with  such  a  torrent  of  affectionate  ex- 
 pressions, as  none  but  eye  and  ear  witnesses  can  conceive. 
 When  the  vote  of  some  old  ministers  was  asked,  their  joy  was 
 so  great  that  tears  did  interrupt  their  expressions."  ^ 
 
 "  On  25th  September  1643  "  (as  M'Crie  relates),  "  both  houses  of 
 pai'liament,  with  the  Westminster  Assembly  of  Divines  and  the 
 Scottish  Commissioners,  met  in  St  Margaret's  Church,  London, 
 After  divine  seiwice  the  Solemn  League  was  read,  article  by  article, 
 in  the  pulpit,  from  a  parchment  roll,  the  whole  assembly  standing 
 uncovei^ed,  and  swearing  to  it  with  their  hands  lifted  up  to 
 heaven."  ^ 
 
 Thereafter  two  prominent  ministers,  Philip  Nye,  an  English- 
 man, and  Alexander  Henderson,  a  Scotchman,  delivered 
 inspiriting  and  eloquent  addresses,  which  were  afterwards 
 published.  This  Covenant  was  sworn  and  subscribed  by  all 
 ranks  in  Scotland  and  England  during  1G43,  and  ratified  by 
 the  Scottish  Parliament  in  the  following  year,  whilst  four 
 years  later  it  was  renewed  by  all  ranks  in  Scotland  with  an 
 Acknowledgment  of  Sins  and  Engagement  to  Duties. 
 
 But  not  only  in  Britain,  but  in  Ireland  also  was  the 
 Solemn  League  Covenant  agreed  to. 
 
 "  The  Covenant,"  says  Adair,  the  Presbyterian  historian,  "  was 
 admuiistered  in  Ulster  by  four  ministers  sent  from  Scotland  to 
 supply  the  want  of  preaching  in  Ireland.  Two  of  them  went  into 
 the  county  of  Down,  and  the  other  two  into  the  county  of  Antrim. 
 Not  a  shadow  of  force  or  constraint  was  employed.  The  officers 
 and  soldiers  and  inhabitants  in  general  testified  the  greatest 
 alacrity  in  entering  into  the  Covenant.  It  Avas  carefully  explained 
 to  them  before  they  were  required  to  swear   it ;    and  such  as  had 
 
 1  Blair's  "  Memoir,"  p.  98. 
 
 2  M'Crie's  «'  Story  of  the  Scottish  Church,"  p.  196. 
 
CONNECTION  BETWIXT  COVENANTERS  AND  SECEDERS.        7 
 
 been  involved  in  any  uath  inconsistent  with  it,  were  required 
 previously  to  confess  their  sorrow  for  this.  The  only  complaint  on 
 the  pai-t  of  the  people  was  that  the  ministers  were  '  over  scrupu- 
 lous '  as  to  those  whom  they  admitted  to  swear  and  subscribe."  ^ 
 
 The  results  of  the  Solemn  League  on  the  manners  and 
 habits  of  the  Scottish  people  at  least,  were  plainly  marked 
 and  highly  benertcial,  as  appears  amongst  others  from  the 
 statements  of  Kirkton,  the  historian,  who  lived  at  the  time, 
 passed  through  the  subsequent  persecution,  and  witnessed  the 
 revolution  of  1GS8.  This  writer  declares  that  "  the  ministry 
 was  notably  purified,  the  magistracy  altered,  and  the  people 
 strangely  refined."  And  of  the  period  preceding  1600,  he 
 says : — 
 
 ''  I  verily  believe  there  were  more  souls  converted  to  Christ  in 
 that  short  period  of  time,  than  in  any  other  season  since  the  Refor- 
 mation, though  of  treble  its  duration ;  nor  was  there  ever  greater 
 purity  and  plenty  of  the  means  of  grace,  than  was  in  that  time. 
 Every  ])arish  had  a  minister,  every  village  had  a  school,  every 
 family  almost  had  a  Bible — yea,  in  most  of  the  country,  all  the 
 children  of  age  could  read  the  Scriptures,  and  were  provided  of 
 Bibles,  either  by  their  parents  or  their  ministers.  I  have  lived 
 many  years  in  a  parish,  where  I  never  heard  an  oath,  and  you 
 iiiight  have  rode  many  miles  before  you  had  heard  any.  Also  you 
 Nsould  not,  for  a  great  part  of  the  country,  have  lodged  in  a  family 
 where  the  Lord  was  not  worshipped,  by  reading,  singing,  and  prayer. 
 Nobody  complained  more  of  our  church  government  than  our 
 taverners,  whose  ordinary  lamentation  was,  their  trade  was  broke, 
 people  were  become  so  sober."  ^ 
 
 Now,  it  is  a  remarkable  fact  that  exactly  one  hundred 
 years  after  the  Solemn  League  had  been  sworn,  the  Original 
 Seceders  renewed  both  it  and  the  National  Covenant  in  a 
 bond  suited  to  their  circumstances.  By  this,  not  only  was 
 the  centenary  of  the  Solemn  League  appropriately  commemo- 
 rated, but  the  Seceders  showed  practically  that  they  were 
 desirous  of  being  served  heirs,  in  the  right  sense  of  the  term, 
 to  the  noble  spirit  and  heroic  deeds  of  the  worthies  of  the 
 Second  Eeformation.  That  according  to  the  flesh  the 
 Seceders  were  descended  from  the  persecuted  Covenanters  is 
 
 1  Adair's  "  History  of  Presbyterians  in  Ireland." 
 
 -  Kirkton's  "  History  of  Church  of  Scotland,"  pp.  54,  C4. 
 
8 
 
 ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Thum'bkins  by  which  Covenanters  were  tortured. 
 
 well  known.     Thus,  Ebenezer  and  Ralph  Erskine  were  the  sons 
 of  the  Rev.  Henry  Erskine  of  Chirnside,  who  was  a  sufferer 
 
 during  the  persecution  ;  and 
 William  Wilson  of  Perth 
 was  the  son  of  Gilbert  Wilson 
 of  East  Kilbride,  who,  for 
 conscience  sake,  lost  his  pro- 
 perty, and  almost  his  life  at 
 the  same  period.  But  not 
 only  physically  but  also  men- 
 tally, and  in  respect  to  moral 
 and  religious  principle,  the 
 Seceders  were  the  descend- 
 ants of  the  persecuted 
 Covenanters.  Hence  the 
 brothers  Erskine  reciprocated  the  spirit  of  their  father's  reply 
 to  Sir  George  M'Kenzie  (Bloody  M'Kenzie),  the  King's  advo- 
 cate, who,  when  he  asked  Mr  Erskine  if  he  was  willing  to  give 
 bond  to  preach  no  more  at  conventicles,  nobly  responded — 
 "  My  lord,  I  have  my  commission  from  Christ,  and  though  I 
 were  within  an  hour  of  my  death,  I  durst  not  lay  it  down  at 
 the  feet  of  any  mortal  man."  Then,  as  with  the  Erskines  so 
 with  Professor  Wilson  of  Perth,  who,  on  the  morning  of  that 
 eventful  Sabbath,  when  in  the  support  of  Christ's  cause  he 
 was  forcibly  excluded  from  St  John's  Church,  had  the  follow- 
 ing suggestive  words  addressed  to  him.  An  aged  domestic, 
 long  an  inmate  of  the  family,  who  had  served  his  father  in 
 earlier  times,  and  supplied  him  with  daily  nourishment,  when 
 he  was  driven  from  his  house  and  his  property,  by  the 
 violence  of  the  persecution,  ventured  thus  to  accost  him  in 
 language  of  friendly  caution,  "  Tak'  care  what  ye're  doin',  Mr 
 William,"  said  she,  for  so  from  early  habit  she  still  some- 
 times called  him,  "  tak'  care  what  ye're  doin',  for  I  fear  if 
 things  gang  on  in  this  way,  I'll  get  ye're  food  to  carry  to  the 
 muir,  as  I  did  ye're  father's  before  ye."  And  on  the  evening 
 of  the  same  day  this  Secession  worthy  thus  addressed  his 
 daughter,  then  twelve  years  of  age,  and  who  never  afterwards 
 forgot  his  words — '*  Isabella,"  said  he,  "  this  has  been  a  day 
 of  trial,  but  we  have  reason   to  be  thankful  that  it  has  not 
 
CONNECTION  BETWIXT  COVENANTERS  AND  SECEDERS.        9 
 
 been  a  day  of  shame.  If  auy  oue  ask  you  why  your  father 
 lost  his  kirk,  you  may  just  say,  as  good  James  Guthrie,  the 
 martyr,  before  liis  death  directed  my  mother  to  say  of  him, 
 if  she  were  asked  why  he  lost  his  head — that  it  was  in  a 
 good  cause."  ^ 
 
 The  Maiden,  used  for  beheading  the  Covenanters. 
 
 Following  then  in  the  footsteps  of  revered  Covenanting 
 ancestors,  whose  principles  as  well  as  memory  were  dear  to 
 them,  the  Original  Seceders,  on  the  28th  day  of  December 
 1743,  renewed  the  National  and  Solemn  League  Covenants 
 in  a  bond  united  to  their  circumstances.  This  bond,  which 
 reduplicates  on  the  above  national  deeds,  was  sworn  with 
 uplifted  hands,  and  concludes  with  these  words  :  — 
 
 "  And  in  regard  we  are  taught  by  the  word  of  God,  and  bound 
 by  our  Covenants,  National  and  Solemn  League,  to  live  together  in 
 the  fear  of  God,  and  in  love  one  to  another,  and  to  encourajre  one 
 another  in  the  work  and  cause  of  the  Lord  ;  and  that,  denying  all 
 ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts,  we  should  live  soberly,  righteously, 
 and  godly  in  this  present  world  :  therefore,  in  a  dependence  on  the 
 Lord's  grace  and  strength,  we  in  the  same  manner  do  j^romise  and 
 swear,  that  we  shall,  in  our  several  places  and  callings,  encoui-age 
 and  strengthen  one  another's  hands  in  pursuing  the  end  and  design 
 
 '  "  Wilson's  Memoirs,"  by  Ferrier,  pp.  337,  343. 
 
10  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 of  this  our  solemn  Oath  and  Covenant ;  and  that  we  shall  endeavour 
 a  life  and  conversation  becoming  the  gospel  of  Christ.  And  that, 
 in  our  personal  callings,  and  particular  families,  we  shall  study  to 
 be  good  examples  to  one  another  of  godliness  and  righteousness  ; 
 and  of  every  duty  that  we  owe  to  God  and  man  :  And  that  we  shall 
 not  give  up  ourselves  to  a  detestable  iudifferency  and  neutrality  in 
 the  cause  of  God ;  but,  denying  ourselves  and  our  own  things,  we 
 shall,  above  all  things,  seek  the  honour  of  God  and  the  good  of  His 
 cause  and  people  :  and  that  through  grace  forsaking  the  counsels  of 
 flesh  and  blood,  and  not  leaning  upon  cai'nal  confidences ;  we  shall 
 endeavour  to  depend  upon  the  Lord,  to  walk  by  the  rule  of  His 
 word,  and  to  hearken  to  his  voice  by  His  servants.  In  all  which, 
 professing  our  own  weakness,  we  earnestly  pray  to  God,  who  is  the 
 Father  of  mercies,  through  His  Son  Jesus  Christ,  to  be  merciful 
 unto  us ;  and  to  enable  us  by  the  power  of  His  Holy  Spirit,  that  we 
 may  do  our  duty,  unto  the  praise  of  His  grace  in  the  Churches.   Amen. "  ^ 
 
 This  Bond  or  Covenant  was  subscribed  on  the  date  above 
 mentioned  by  fifteen  ministers,  and  on  the  14th  March  there- 
 after by  other  five,  or  by  a  total  of  twenty  ministers.  But 
 this  was  not  all,  since  to  show  the  complete  identity  in 
 principle  betwixt  the  Covenanters  of  the  seventeenth  century 
 and  themselves,  both  as  office-bearers  and  members  of  the 
 Church,  the  Original  Seceders,  on  1  4th  February  1744,  agreed, 
 resolved,  and  determined — 
 
 "  That  the  renovation  of  the  National  Covenant  of  Scotland,  and 
 the  Solemn  League  and  Covenant  of  the  three  nations,  in  the 
 manne^'  now  agreed  upon,  and  proposed  by  the  Presbytery,  shall  be 
 the  term  of  ministerial  communion  with  this  Presbytery  ;  and  like- 
 wise of  Christian  communion,  in  the  admission  of  people  to  sealing 
 ordinances ;  secluding  therefrom  all  op2)osers,  contemners,  and 
 slighters  of  the  said  renovation  of  our  Covenants.  And,  moreover, 
 as  the  Presbytery  judge  that  much  tenderness  and  lenity  is  to  be 
 used  with  the  weakest  of  Christ's  flock,  who  ai-e  lying  open  to  light 
 and  minting  to  come  forward  in  the  said  cause  ;  that  they  may  not 
 be  at  first  instance  secluded  from  sealing  ordinances  :  so  they  agree 
 that  all  such  are  to  be  secluded,  who,  after  deliberate  pains  taken 
 for  their  information,  with  all  due  meekness  and  patience,  shall  be 
 found,  by  the  session  or  superior  jvidicatories  they  are  in  subjection 
 unto,  to  be  neglectors  and  shifters  of  this  important  moral  duty  ;  or 
 not  to  be,  themselves,  m  the  d%ie  use  of  means,  for  light  and  satis- 
 faction thereanent. ' '  - 
 
 That  the  historic  link  of  continuity  betwixt  the  Covenanters 
 
 ^  Gib's  "Display  of  Secession  Testimony,"  vol.  i.  p.  250. 
 -  Gib's  "  Display,"  i.  p.  252. 
 
ADAM  GIB 
 
CONNECTION  BETWIXT  COVENANTERS  AND  SECEDEKS.      11 
 
 of  the  sixteenth  and  seveuteeuth,  and  the  Original  Sceeders 
 of  the  eighteenth  and  nineteenth  centuries  is  clear  and 
 unbroken,  not  only  the  above  extracts  but  also  the  subsequent 
 history  of  the  Church  clearly  demonstrate. 
 
 Though  in  the  opinion  of  some,  the  conduct  of  Seceders  in 
 making  this  mode  of  Covenanting  a  terra  of  Ministerial  and 
 Christian  commuuiou  is  indefensible,  since  the  power  of 
 Church  Courts  being  administrative,  and  not  legislative,  none 
 should  add  to  the  terms  of  Christian  fellowship  which  Christ 
 the  head  of  the  Church  has  prescribed,  yet,  as  respects 
 Church  members,  it  is  proper  to  say,  that  much  wisdom  and 
 liberality  of  judgment  were  showu.  Hence  Adam  Gib  (the 
 John  Knox  of  the  Secession)  declares  in  1773 — 
 
 "  That  so  far  as  he  knows,  or  can  remember,  there  has  been  no 
 uistance  (now  after  the  course  of  about  thirty  yeai-s)  of  any  of  the 
 people  being  kept  back  from  sealing  ordinances,  for  not  joinmg  in 
 covenantLng  work  ;  while  none  of  them  have  been  found  as  is  above 
 expressed ;  but  they  have  always  been  waited  for,  till  willingly 
 offering  themselves  upon  occasions  of  that  solemn  work  in  their- 
 several  congregations."^ 
 
 In  order  that  some  idea  may  be  formed  of  the  manner  in 
 which  the  solemn  service  of  Covenanting  was  observed  in  the 
 Secession,  the  following  particulars  may  be  mentioned. 
 
 The  service  was  only  occasional,  and  not  stated  ;  or,  in 
 other  words,  it  was  not  observed  at  stated  periods  like  the 
 Lord's  Supper,  but  only  at  rare  periods,  of  say  twenty  or 
 thirty  years,  or  immediately  after  some  ecclesiastical  epoch — 
 of  a  disruption,  or  a  union.  Intimation  of  the  approaching 
 solemnity  was  given  months  beforehand,  and  discourses  were 
 delivered  from  the  pulpit  on  Sabbaths,  and  instructions  given 
 during  week-days,  bearing  on  not  only  the  duty  of  consecra- 
 tion to  God,  but  also  conveying  intelligence  of  what  both 
 ancient  Israel  and  the  Scottish  Covenanters  had  achieved  in 
 connection  with  similar  deeds.  All  intending  Covenanters 
 were  conversed  with  by  the  minister,  and  required  to  be 
 approven  by  both  him  and  the  Session. 
 
 As  Covenanting  was  to  be  associated  with  fasting,  the  day 
 selected  was  usually  the  Fast  Day,  preparatory  to  the  Com- 
 munion. 
 
 1  Gib's  "Display,"  i.  p.  253. 
 
12  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 When  the  appointed  day  for  the  service  arrived,  the  in- 
 tending Covenanters  usually  occupied  the  central  area  of  the 
 church,  and  the  presiding  minister,  after  delivering  an  appro- 
 priate sermon,  read  out  their  names.  Thereafter  he  read  the 
 National  Covenant  of  1580-81,  without  the  bond  wherein  it 
 was  renewed  in  1638,  in  this  following  the  example  of  the 
 Reformers  of  the  Second  Reformation,  who  renewed  the  Na- 
 tional Covenant  in  a  bond  united  to  their  circumstances.  Next 
 was  read  the  Solemn  League  and  Covenant  of  1643. 
 
 This  was  followed  by  the  reading  of  the  Acknowledgment 
 of  Sins,  and  the  Engagement  to  Duties,  which,  being  a  lengthy 
 document,  was  read  in  divisions  by  the  assisting  ministers  in 
 rotation,  each  commonly  beginning  with  a  brief  prayer. 
 
 The  pastor  of  the  congregation,  or  presiding  minister,  then 
 offered  the  confessory  prayer,  and  after  a  few  verses  of  an  ap- 
 propriate psalm  had  been  sung,  he  administered  the  solemn 
 oath  of  the  Bond,  all  the  Covenanters  standing  and  holding  up 
 their  right  hands. 
 
 A  suitable  address  to  the  Jurants  was  then  given,  after 
 which,  during  the  singing  of  psalms,  the  Covenanters  came 
 forward,  and  subscribed  with  the  hand  unto  the  Lord.  The 
 service  was  very  impressive,  many  of  the  audience  were  occa- 
 sionally in  tears,  and  the  result  was  usually  a  deeper-toned  reli- 
 gious life,  a  revival  of  the  work  of  grace  in  the  congregation, 
 and  the  strengthening  of  that  high-toned  religious  principle 
 for  which  Original  Seceders  have  oftentimes  been  distinguished. 
 
 Sufficient,  then,  has  been  stated  to  show  the  connection  that 
 obtains  betwixt  the  Covenanters  of  the  sixteenth  and  seven- 
 teenth, and  the  Original  Seceders  of  the  eighteenth  and  nine- 
 teenth centuries,  and,  respecting  them,  how  appropriate  are 
 the  lines  of  Ps.  ciii.  17,  18,  as  given  in  the  old  Scottish  ver- 
 sion in  use  in  1580  : — 
 
 "  But  yet  the  goodnesse  of  the  Lord 
 With  his,  shall  ever  stand  : 
 Their  children's  children  do  receive 
 His  righteousnesse,  at  hand. 
 I  mean,  who  keepe  his  Covenant, 
 With  all  their  whole  desire, 
 And  not  forget  to  do  the  thing 
 That  hee  doth  them  require." 
 
'JDf 
 
 ■^ 
 
 Q 
 
CHAPTER    II. 
 
 REMINISCENCES    OF    SECEDERS    DURING   THE    LATTER    PART 
 OF    THE    EIGHTEENTH    CENTURY. 
 
 As  from  the  publislied  biographies  of  founders  of  the  Secession 
 Church,  such  as  the  brothers  Erskine,  Wilson  of  Perth,  and 
 ]\Ioncrieff  of  Abernethy,  the  state  of  religion  amongst  the  first 
 Seceders  is  well  known,  it  is  desirable  that  a  brief  outline  of 
 the  leading  features  of  their  immediate  successors  should  be 
 preserved. 
 
 In  order  that  the  picture  of  religious  life  during  this  por- 
 tion of  the  century  may  be  complete,  it  may  be  well  briefly  to 
 glance  at  the  then  prevailing  state  of  religion  in  the  Estab- 
 lished Church.  True  religion  in  it  was  certainly  at  this  time 
 at  a  low  ebb.  This  is  shown  not  only  from  the  biographies  of 
 Drs  Carlyle  of  Inveresk,  and  Somerville  of  Jedburgh,  but  also 
 from  Struthers'  "  History  of  Scotland,"  M'Crie's  "  Story  of  the 
 Scottish  Church,"  Struthers'  "  History  of  the  Relief  Church," 
 the  biography  of  the  Haldanes,  &c. 
 
 In  his  autobiography,  Dr  Hamilton  of  Strathblane  gives  the 
 following  picture  of  this  dark  epoch,  which  has  been  truly 
 called  the  winter  of  the  Church  of  Scotland  :  — 
 
 "  Principal  Hill  and  Dr  Finlaysou  ruled  the  Assemblies,  and  the 
 parishes  were  occupied  by  the  pupils  of  such  divines  as  Simpson, 
 Leishman,  Baillie,  and  Wight.  Many  of  them  were  genuine  Soci- 
 nians.  Many  of  them  were  ignomnt  of  theology  as  a  system,  and 
 utterly  cai-eless  about  the  merits  of  any  creed  or  confession.  They 
 seemed  miserable  in  the  discharge  of  any  ministerial  duty.  They 
 eagerly  seized  on  the  services  of  any  stray  preacher  who  came  within 
 their  reach.  When  tliey  preached,  tlieir  sermons  generally  turned 
 on  honesty,  good  neighbourhood,  and  kindness.  To  deliver  a  gospel 
 sermon,  or  to  preach  to  the  hearts  and  consciences  of  dying  sinners 
 was  as  completely  beyond  tlieir  power  as  to  speak  in  the  language  of 
 angels.  And  while  their  discourses  were  destitute  of  everythin<' 
 that  a  dying  sinner  needs,  they  wei-e  at  the  same  time  the  most 
 
14  ,  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 feeble,  empty,  and  insipid  things  that  ever  disgraced  the  venerated 
 name  of  sermons.  The  coldness  and  indifference  of  the  minister, 
 while  they  pi'oclaimed  his  own  aversion  to  his  employment,  were 
 seldom  lost  on  the  people.  The  congregation  rarely  amounted  to  a 
 tenth  of  the  parishioners,  and  the  one-half  of  this  small  number  were 
 generally,  during  the  half-hour's  sopoidfic  harangue,  fast  asleep. 
 They  were  free  from  hypocrisy.  They  had  no  more  religion  in  pri- 
 vate than  in  public.  They  were  loud  and  obstreperous  in  declaiming 
 against  enthusiasm  and  fanaticism,  faith  and  religious  zeal.  But 
 though  frightfully  impatient  of  everything  which  bore  the  semblance 
 of  seriousness  and  sober  reflection,  the  elevation  of  brow,  the  expan- 
 sion of  feature,  the  glistening  of  the  eye,  the  fluency  and  warmth  of 
 speech  at  convivial  parties,  showed  that  their  heart  and  soul  were 
 there ;  and  that  the  pleasures  of  the  table,  and  the  hilarity  of  the 
 light-hearted  and  the  gay,  constituted  their  paradise,  and  furnished 
 them  with  the  perfection  of  their  joy."  ^ 
 
 Such  being  a  picture  in  prose  of  that  degenerate  age  as 
 drawn  by  a  minister  of  the  Establishment,  subjoined  is  a 
 picture  in  verse  of  a  "  Moderate "  as  given  m  the  satirical 
 poem  the  "  Kirkiad,"  by  Professor  Bruce  of  the  Old  Light 
 Seceders. 
 
 "  Observe  that  youth,  upon  whose  cheek 
 Sits  rosy  health,  so  fat  and  sleek ; 
 His  dress  so  ti'im,  so  gay  his  air ; 
 So  jolly,  spruce,  and  debonair. 
 He  makes  no  sour  or  whining  faces. 
 Wastes  not  the  time  in  prayers  and  graces ; 
 Nothing  ere  gives  him  so  much  fear 
 As  lest  he  should  a  saint  appear  ; 
 Although,  such  is  his  happy  lot. 
 This  name  he  never  yet  has  got. 
 He  learns  from  ge'men  of  the  sword 
 To  grace  his  speech  with  Jove  or  L — d  ; 
 Thinks  that  a  cold  and  awkward  truth 
 That  wants  the  sanction  of  an  oath. 
 He  loves  to  hear  the  whisper  spread,  • 
 That  he  inclines  to  sceptic  side  ; 
 Doubts  of  the  odds  'twixt  good  and  evil, 
 Believes  no  heaven,  hell,  or  devil. 
 This  reputation  will  secure 
 And  make  his  future  fortune  sure."  ^ 
 
 1  "  Autobiography  of  Dr  Hamilton  of  Strathblane, "  by  his  son,  Dr  Jas. 
 Hamilton  of  Kegent  Square,  London. 
 
 2  "The  Kirkiad,"  by  Rev.  Archd.  Bruce,  Whitburn.     Edin.,  1774. 
 
REMINISCENCES  OF  EARLY  SECEDERS.  1 5 
 
 In  his  account  of  the  debate  on  missions  in  the  General 
 Assembly  of  1790,  Hugh  Miller  gives  a  vivid  description  of 
 the  worldlincss  and  apathy  respecting  true  religion  which  then 
 prevailed  when  that  court  came  to  the  infamous  decision  not 
 to  take  part  in  foreign  mission  enterprise.  Then  it  was  that 
 Dr  John  Erskine,  after  uttering  the  words,  "  Rax  me  that 
 Bible,"  proved  conclusively  that  the  closing  command  of  the 
 Lord  Jesus  to  his  Church  was,  "  Preach  the  gospel  to  every 
 creature."  But  all  was  in  vain,  since  the  mildew  of  blitrhtinij 
 moderatism  overspread  the  Establishment.^ 
 
 As  a  further  proof  of  this,  the  Rev.  John  Campbell  of 
 Kingsland  Chapel,  London,  when  he  visited  Argyllshire  at 
 this  period  found  that  the  natives  there  were  in  a  pitiable  con- 
 dition of  ignorance  on  religious  subjects,  and  throughout  an  area 
 of  seventy  miles  he  believed  that,  except  in  the  town  of  Camp- 
 beltown, there  was  not  one  minister  who  preached  the  gospel.^ 
 
 The  Relief  Church  sent  missionaries  to  the  Western  Hisfh- 
 lands,  and  in  this  way  the  gospel  was  published.  The  people 
 came  out  in  large  numbers  and  heard  the  Word  gladly.  True, 
 the  moderate  pastors  used  means  to  keep  the  people  from  attend- 
 ing the  field  preachings.  Thus  on  one  occasion  an  emissary  from 
 the  manse,  standing  in  the  outskirts  of  the  crowd,  made  the 
 following  proclamation  in  Gaelic  : — "  This  is  to  give  notice  to 
 you,  the  folk  of  this  parish,  tiiat  if  any  of  you  hear  this  man 
 to-day,  you  will  receive  neither  baptism,  marriage,  nor  com- 
 munion from  Mr  Ali.ster."  But  all  was  in  vain.  The  people 
 stood  and  heard  the  gospel  in  many  cases  with  eyes  bedewed 
 with  tears,  and  at  the  close  numbers  were  overheard  to  say, 
 "  The  Lord  pity  us ;  we  have  been  all  our  days  in  ignorance."^ 
 
 Such,  then,  was  the  deplorable  condition  of  the  Church  of 
 Scotland  at  the  close  of  the  eighteenth  century.  Socinianism 
 and  irreligion  prevailed  within  her  borders.  In  some  instances, 
 indeed,  persons  were  ordained  to  the  ministry  and  eldership 
 without  their  being  called  on  to  subscribe  the  Formula  or 
 Confession  of  Faith,*  and  licentiousness  of  conduct  on  the  part 
 of  many  parish  ministers  was  notorious. 
 
 1   "  Heatlship  of  Christ,"  pp.  130-186. 
 
 -  "Life  and  Times  of  John  Campbell,"  p.  285. 
 
 »  Struther's  "History  of  the  Relief  Church,"  p.  .S9S. 
 
 ■•  Struther's  "History  of  Scotland,"  vol.  ii.  p.  614. 
 
16  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 But  leaving  the  gloomy  picture  of  the  religious  apathy, 
 heresy,  and  ungodliness  that  now  was  so  prevalent  in  the 
 national  church,  it  is  pleasing  to  observe  the  evangelical  zeal 
 and  comparative  purity  of  manners  which  marked  the  Seceders, 
 who,  along  with  other  non- conformists,  formed  at  that  period 
 the  preserving  salt  of  the  nation. 
 
 The  following  observations  are  from  an  unpublished  volume 
 of  personal  reminiscences  of  this  period  by  the  late  venerable 
 John  Mitchell,  D.D.,  Glasgow,  one  of  the  theological  Professors 
 of  the  United  Secession  Church. 
 
 Kespecting  the  Seceders  of  that  day,  he  states  that  "  their 
 zeal  was  honest,  but  at  the  same  time  perhaps  too  hot  occa- 
 sionally in  its  manifestations  and  expressions.  Attached  to 
 forms,  they  were  apt  to  magnify  things  indifferent  into  undue 
 importance.  Strictly  orthodox,  and  specially  called  forth,  as 
 they  conceived,  to  contend  for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the 
 saints,  they  could  hardly  bear  a  deviation  from  the  accustomed 
 expressions  which  were  wont  to  be  used  by  sound  divines  in 
 treating  of  certain  doctrines.  Perhaps  there  might  be  detected 
 occasionally  in  their  aspect  and  manner  too  much  of  severity, 
 their  temper  in  religious  controversy  might  betray  forgetful- 
 ness  of  the  Divine  declaration — '  that  the  wrath  of  man 
 worketh  not  the  righteousness  of  God,'  while  their  love  of  the 
 truth,  and  their  desire  to  convince  an  adversary,  might  induce 
 them  to  commence  controversy  at  unsuitable  times  and  in 
 unfit  places,  as  well  as  to  continue  it  too  long  and  too 
 vehemently.  Cherishing  great  seriousness  of  soul  in  matters 
 of  religion,  these  exercises  were  intense  and  scrutinizing,  and 
 they  were  apt  not  only  to  be  dissatisfied  and  humbled 
 deeply  with  their  imperfections,  depravities,  evil  biases,  and 
 mixed  motives  inseparable  from  the  constitution  and  actings 
 of  the  best  in  this  present  state,  but  to  draw  from  these  cir- 
 cumstances conclusions  adverse  to  their  own  hopes  and  happi- 
 ness, as  well  as  to  fix  the  evidence  of  personal  religion  higher 
 than  Scripture  examples  and  intimations  would  warrant,  and 
 the  scheme  of  grace  would  justify.  Hence  they  were  often 
 sorrowful,  when  they  might  have  been  glad ;  despondent, 
 when  they  might  have  been  hopeful ;  bowed  down  and  full  of 
 heaviness,  when  they  might  have  been  rejoicing  in  the  Lord, 
 
REMINISCENCES  OF  EARLY  SECEDERS.  17 
 
 and  borne  up  by  the  faith  of  the  gospel.  They  were  apt  also 
 to  appeal  to  their  feelings  and  frames  more  than  was  meet, 
 and  to  resort  to  these  as  the  criteria  of  a  personal  interest  in 
 Christ,  rather  than  directly  to  the  Word  of  God  and  the 
 testimony  of  Jesus ;  the  truth  of  which  they  did  not  doubt, 
 and  a  profound  interest  in  which  they  always  obviously 
 cherished,  even  in  their  moments  of  greatest  alarm,  discomfort, 
 despondency,  or  even  despair. 
 
 "  To  this  unhappy  and  erroneous  leaning  they  were  in  part, 
 it  may  be,  inclined  not  only  by  the  train  of  public  discussions, 
 but  by  the  trials  of  profession  involved  in  the  state  of  the 
 times ;  by  the  controversies  in  which  they  were  often  engaged ; 
 by  the  character  and  exercises  of  the  great  and  good  men 
 whom  they  admired  in  a  period  not  long  passed,  as  well  as 
 by  the  tenor  of  the  books  with  which  they  were  most  con- 
 versant, such  as  '  The  Cloud  of  Witnesses,'  '  Guthrie's  Trial 
 of  a  Saving  Interest  in  Christ,'  '  Rutherfurd's  Letters,' 
 '  Wellwood's  Glimpse  of  Glory,'  '  Pike's  Cases  of  Conscience,' 
 with  the  writings  of  other  Puritan  divines  of  a  similar  class. 
 At  the  same  time  these  men,  so  apt  to  be  despondent  and 
 mournful,  or  even  melancholy,  were  most  estimable  in  them- 
 selves, and  in  general  most  exemplary  in  the  discharge  of 
 duty,  given  to  holy  retirement,  to  the  reading  of  the  Word  of 
 God,  and  to  secret  prayer,  exact  in  their  attendance  on  public 
 ordinances,  walking,  as  far  as  human  infirmity  would  permit, 
 with  perfect  heart  within  their  houses  at  home,  devoted  there 
 to  the  worship  of  God,  and  to  the  pious  instruction  of  their 
 families,  and  in  general  diligent  in  the  other  business  of  life. 
 
 "  The  elders  of  the  Secession  were,  at  least  ostensibly,  of 
 pious  and  sober  character;  chosen  by  the  people,  and  as  par- 
 ticular districts  were  assigned  to  them,  they  were  supposed  to 
 watch  over  those  portions  of  the  congregation  committed  to 
 them  with  care,  and  as  they  met  frequently  in  session,  not 
 only  for  religious  exercises,  but  also  to  consult  about  the 
 practical  deportment  and  the  spiritual  concerns  of  the  members 
 of  the  congregation,  they  were  excited  to  diligence  and  zeal 
 in  fulfilling  the  appropriate  functions  of  their  office  by  this 
 indirect  superintendence,  as  well  as  more  directly  and  power- 
 fully   by   the   prayers,   the   example,    the    advice,   and  even, 
 
 B 
 
1  8  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 when  necassary,  the  admonitions  and  reproofs  of  their  breth- 
 ren. There  was  besides  what  was  called  an  exercise  of 
 private  censure,  which  was  a  part  of  the  institution  of  the 
 Church  of  Scotland,  and  was  observed  from  time  to  time  in 
 sessions,  and  by  it  the  administration  and  conduct  of  each 
 elder  was  brought  successively,  as  well  as  solemnly,  under 
 review,  and  if  found  faulty,  subjected  the  person  to  the 
 affectionate  remonstrance  and  reprehensions  of  his  brethren. 
 
 "  The  elders  were  besides  in  the  latter  case  considerably 
 numerous,  usually  men  advanced  in  life,  and  frequently 
 persons  of  respectable  standing  in  society,  so  that  no  sight 
 could  be  more  august  than  to  behold  in  some  places  a  large 
 session  consisting  of  a  number  of  grey-haired  respectable  men 
 of  venerable  aspect,  convened  in  their  appropriate  apartment 
 for  grave  consultation,  or  surrounding  in  the  church  the  table 
 of  the  Lord,  bearing  along  the  vessels  of  the  sanctuary,  and 
 distributing,  evidently  with  deep  interest,  the  sacramental 
 elements  and  the  symbols  of  salvation  amongst  their  private 
 brethren  who  were  seated  there  to  participate  of  them  at  their 
 hands. 
 
 The  Public  M migrations  of  Seceding  Ministers. 
 
 "  The  reputation  of  Secession  ministers  has  suffered  some- 
 what, partly  by  hostile  writers,  whose  aim  it  was  to  disparage 
 them,  and  partly  by  their  own  controversial  writings,  which, 
 tino-ed  by  the  spirit  of  the  times,  do  not  reflect  a  clear  and 
 correct  portraiture  of  their  true  character,  but  tend  rather  to 
 darken  and  distort  them.  They  have  been  represented  as 
 proud,  sanctimonious  and  pharisaical,  demure  and  sour,  surly 
 and  wrathful;  disdaining  others,  repelling  them  from  them  with 
 scorn,  loving  to  drink  '  the  waters  of  strife,'  unhappy  them- 
 selves and  indisposed  to  minister  to  the  happiness  of  others. 
 
 "  Than  this  picture  nothing  can  be  more  unlike  the  original. 
 They  were  doubtless  not  without  human  infirmities,  and  as 
 Paul  confessed  concerning  himself  and  his  brethren,  men  of 
 like  passions  with  others.  But  they  were  men  of  God,  lovers 
 of  what  was  true  and  good,  and  endeavoured  to  follow  out  in 
 their  own   lives   the   faith   and    practice    which    they  recom- 
 
REMINISCENCES  OF  EARLY  SECEDERS.  10 
 
 iiiondeil  to  others  tVoiii  tlio  pulpit.  Tlicy  were  tirm  in  prin- 
 ciple, but  they  were  not  sour  bigots.  They  coukl  not  bear 
 that  which  was  evil,  while  impiety,  blasphemy,  and  wickedness 
 shrunk  from  their  presence  and  frown.  But  they  were 
 contented,  at^able,  cheerftd,  and  even  facetious  in  spirit  and 
 converse,  disposed  to  indulge  in  innocent  mirth,  and  studying 
 .to  make  every  company  into  which  they  entered  the  wiser, 
 the  happier,  and  the  better  for  their  presence  and  conversa- 
 tion. Their  income  was  comparatively  small,  and  their 
 general  fare  very  plain,  but  there  was  no  want  at  home,  and 
 their  attire,  when  they  went  abroad,  was  always  neat,  clean, 
 and  clerical.  With  slender  means  they  also  exercised  hospi- 
 tality without  grudging  ;  and  a  preacher  or  minister  would  be 
 entertained  cordially  and  cheerfull}^  with  the  best  they  could 
 afford  for  days  or  even  at  times  for  weeks  together.  Their 
 private  ministrations,  especially  at  the  sick-bed,  and  in  family 
 visitation,  were  most  active,  unwearied,  faithful,  and  full  of 
 zealous  interest  to  promote  the  present  edification  and  the 
 eternal  welfare  both  of  their  people  and  of  all  others  to  whom 
 they  might  with  propriety  extend  them.  They  never  in- 
 truded into  the  families  of  those  who  did  not  belong  to  their 
 tlocks  when  uncalled,  and  where  their  services,  they  had 
 reason  to  suppose,  would  be  unwelcome.  At  the  same  time, 
 although  they  had  usually  enough  to  do  in  personal  study  and 
 congregational  labours,  yet  they  were  often  asked  to  visit  others 
 in  bodily  sickness  or  perjDlexit}^  of  soul,  as  well  as  officiate  on 
 funeral  occasions  ;  and  though  the  call  might  come  from  a 
 distance,  and  involve  a  considerable  consumption  of  time,  they 
 Were  not  accustomed  to  decline  it. 
 
 "  In  general,  their  preparations  for  public  duty  were  also 
 active,  assiduous,  and  appropriate.  They  were  studious  of 
 the  Word  of  God  in  divine  things.  They  were  devout  in 
 spirit,  and  prayerful  in  exercise.  They  were  firm  in  faith, 
 sincere  as  well  as  zealous  in  profession,  and  mainly  anxious  to 
 direct  sinners  to  the  Saviour,  and  guide  saints  to  their  eternal 
 rest. 
 
 "  If  they  erred  in  anything,  I  apprehend  it  was  in  consulting 
 human  writings  and  human  commentaries  too  much,  and 
 giving  too  little   scope   to   their  own  independent  researches, 
 
20  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 reflections,  and  discussions.  That,  however,  was  the  time  for 
 following  an  approved  example,  rather  than  for  prosecuting 
 personal  enquiry. 
 
 "  It  is  easy  to  conceive  that  the  public  nainistrations  of 
 seceding  ministers  would  be  modified  by  the  above  circum- 
 stances ;  by  the  spirit  of  the  times,  the  frequent  calls  of  duty 
 at  a  distance,  and  the  approved  jDatterns  which  they  followed. 
 The  last  consisted  of  some  foreign  authors,  such  as  Calvin  and 
 Witsius ;  domestic  writers  such  as  the  Erskines  and  Boston  ; 
 British  authors  such  as  Owen,  Howe,  Flavel,  Henry,  Poole, 
 and  the  other  Puritanical  divines. 
 
 "  As  the  necessities  of  the  crisis  and  the  avidity  of  the  people 
 to  receive  instruction  required  not  only  frequent  but  j)rolonged 
 discussion,  the  religious  services  of  Seceders  were  neces- 
 sarily lengthy  ;  and  as  the  ministers  had  not  leisure  for  exact 
 preparation,  their  method  was  minutely  detailed,  and  their 
 illustrations  frequently  desultory,  while  the  application  of  their 
 discourses  was  extended,  faithful,  varied,  and  pointed,  and 
 usually  distributed  into  various  uses  of  information,  of  self- 
 examination,  of  reproof,  and  so  on. 
 
 "  Their  delivery  was  sometimes  uncouth,  but  always  earnest ; 
 their  language  necessarily,  and  even  of  purpose  (as  they 
 studied  great  plainness  of  speech),  was  unpolished.  The  essay 
 form  of  preaching  was  discarded,  or  rather  unknown  among 
 them,  as  not  adapted  for  popular  instruction.  Their  discourses, 
 though  not  very  compact,  were  replete  with  gospel  truth  and 
 scriptural  references,  which  last  were  generally  quoted  chapter 
 and  verse. 
 
 "  Public  worship  was  frequently  opened,  after  reading  the 
 psalm,  with  what  was  called  a  preface  or  descant  on  its  mean- 
 ing. No  hymns  or  pious  songs,  no  poetical  jjaraphrases,  or 
 translations,  were  used,  the  psalms  of  inspiration  being  alone 
 employed  in  public  worship.  The  morning  prayer  was 
 usually  long,  and  embraced  a  variet}^  of  general  topics  of 
 public  interest.  The  lecture,  or  exposition  of  Scripture  which 
 followed,  and  which  in  a  stated  ministry  was  usually  taken 
 from  a  particular  book  of  the  Bible  in  regular  order,  was  fre- 
 quently divided  into  the  exjDository  part,  and  its  practical 
 applications. 
 
ItKMINISCENCE.S  OF  EAT^LY  SECEDERS.  21 
 
 "  No  peculiar  pulpit  garb,  gown,  or  bands  were  used,  altbough 
 the  attire  of  the  minister  was  always  appropriate,  and  might 
 be  thought,  in  some  respects,  to  be  finical. 
 
 "  Their  deaths  corresponded  to  their  lives.  The  affections  of 
 their  flocks  were  concentrated  ardently  upon  their  pastors  in 
 the  close  of  life.  God  himself  eminently  owned  His  servants 
 in  their  dying  hour,  not  only  upholding  them  by  His  grace,  but 
 enabling  them,  in  many  instances,  to  preach  from  their  dying 
 bed,  and  thus  to  close  their  ministry  in  a  manner  the  most 
 appropriate  and  the  most  influential.  The  sun  of  heaven 
 shone  upon  their  evening  hours,  and  after  departure  the  odour 
 of  sanctity  and  usefulness  perfumed  the  places  where  they  had 
 lived,  and  laboured,  and  died. 
 
 "  No  cloud  rested  upon  their  character,  and  after  their 
 decease,  demonstrations  of  respect  the  most  touching  and  the 
 most  undoubted,  were  shown  b}^  all  classes  of  persons  to  their 
 memory. 
 
 "  In  short,  they  were  unwearied  in  labours,  greatly  self- 
 denied,  loving  to  spend  and  be  spent  for  Christ  and  for  the 
 good  of  others.  And  so  far  from  being  cringing  and  ser- 
 vile, they  were  alwa,ys  dignified  in  deportment,  independent 
 in  administration,  and  impartial  in  their  judicial  procedure, 
 both  in  sessions  and  higher  courts.  Indeed,  their  authority 
 and  influence,  so  far  from  being  prostrated  to  the  popular  will, 
 rather  leant  to  the  opposite  extreme.  They  were  all,  though 
 distinguished  by  several  characteristics,  faithful  and  dis- 
 interested men,  holy  and  pious  in  their  lives,  mainly  desirous 
 of  saving  souls,  and  seeking  not  their  own,  but  the  things  that 
 belonged  to  Christ." 
 
 As,  however,  it  may  be  desirable,  after  speaking  generally 
 of  the  Secession  ministers  of  this  period,  to  refer  briefly  to  the 
 excellencies  of  particular  individuals,  the  following  notices  of 
 three  Secession  pastors  in  Ayrshire  and  one  in  Aberdeenshire 
 are  appended. 
 
 Rev.  Andrew  Mitchell,  Beith. 
 
 "  Mr  Mitchell's  talents  and  acquirements  were  respectable, 
 his  administrations  were  active,  prudent,  and  faithful ;  his 
 manners  urbane  and  affable,  and  his  conversation  cheerful,  and 
 
22  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 even  facetious.  His  conduct  was  eminently  prudent  and  cir- 
 cumspect, exemplary,  and,  in  the  eyes  of  men,  even  faultless. 
 Though  conscientiously  faithful  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty, 
 according  to  the  ride  of  the  apostle,  he  gave  no  offence  in  any- 
 thing, that  the  ministry  might  not  be  blamed.  His  temper 
 was  mild  and  ^benignant — he  ever  preserved,  even  in  the 
 midst  of  the  freest  conversation,  a  sort  of  sacred  dignity. 
 He  ruled  well  his  own  family,  but  it  was  with  a  gentle 
 authority,  an  authority  supported  by  preserving  a  due  dis- 
 tance, rather  than  by  the  exercise  of  stern  severity.  In  his 
 intercourse  with  his  people,  and  with  others,  though  he  was 
 by  no  means  starch,  yet  he  never  forgot  the  decorum  due  to 
 his  office,  or  permitted,  even  in  persons  belonging  to  the  upper 
 class  of  the  community,  aught  that  was  indecent,  or  calumni- 
 ous, or  profane,  to  escape  unreproved.  Such  was  the  hal- 
 lowed respect  somehow  thrown  around  him  that  those  who 
 were  addicted  to  blasphemy  refrained  in  his  hearing,  and 
 especially  in  conference  with  him.  Evil  doers  of  every  class, 
 especially  the  desecrators  of  the  Stibbath,  shunned  his  sight, 
 and  vanished  as  he  approached,  that  they  might  escape  his 
 frown  and  rebuke,  which  they  were  sure  to  incur. 
 
 "  Aware  from  paralytic  strokes  that  his  latter  end  was 
 drawing  nigh,  he  embraced  a  resolution  which  deserves  to  be 
 recorded  for  the  Christian  courage  and  ministerial  faithfulness 
 which  it  implied,  and  which  was  in  some  measure  character- 
 istic of  the  age,  spirit,  and  manner  of  the  servants  of  God  at 
 that  period.  He  caused  himself  to  be  carried  to  the  church 
 as  well  as  helped  into  the  pulpit.  There  follows  an  affecting 
 transaction,  which  pictures  before  the  eye  of  the  mind  a  very 
 dignified,  as  well  as  solemn  scene,  which  could  not  fail  under 
 God  to  deepen  the  impression  and  extend  the  influence  of  all 
 his  previous  ministry.  Imitating,  but  not  emulating,  the 
 example  of  such  servants  of  the  Lord  as  Samuel,  Moses,  and 
 Paul,  not  doubtless  to  magnify  himself  in  His  services,  and 
 indeed  it  is  probable,  without  adverting  to  their  examples, 
 urged  only  by  a  conscious  sense  of  general  faithfulness,  as  well 
 as  a  desire  to  benefit  his  people  to  the  last,  he  gave  them, 
 first,  a  summary  of  the  doctrine  he  had  preached  to  them, 
 confessing  his  weakness  and  unworthiness,  and  acknowledging 
 
KK.MINISOENCES  OF  KAIUA'  SECKDEnS.  2.*^ 
 
 tliat  all  he  said  ov  did  well,  was  tliroiigh  the  aid  of  l)i\iiie 
 grace,  he  appealed  to  Iheiu  suleniuly  whether  ho  had  not 
 thus  ]n-eached  the  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God  amongst  them, 
 '  warning  every  man,  and  teaching  every  one  '  in  public  and 
 private,  that  '  he  might  present  every  man  perfect  in  Christ 
 Jesus  ; '  and  amid  '  weakness  and  fear  and  tremhling/  testi- 
 fying the  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God  amongst  them  ;  and  he 
 took  them  to  record  that  he  was  free  from  the  blood  of  all  of 
 them,  and  calling  upon  them  most  earnestly  and  affectionately 
 to  improve  his  past  ministry  among  them,  to  secure  its  saving 
 results,  as  they  would  have  to  answer  to  God  at  the  great  day  of 
 final  judgment,  and  the  glorious  appearing  of  tlieir  and  his  Lord. 
 
 "  Thus  the  pulpit  labours  of  this  good  and  faithful  servant 
 of  the  Lord  were  closed,  and  crowned  in  a  manner  of  suitable 
 dignity,  and  although  his  life  was  for  years  prolonged  in 
 feebleness,  and  soon  after  in  seclusion  from  the  sanctuary  by 
 his  removing  to  live  amongst  his  children  in  Glasgow,  yet  this 
 last  appearance  and  appeal  could  hardly  be  forgotten  by  the 
 most  heedless  and  reckless,  or  fail  to  produce  a  salutary 
 impression  upon  all  who  were  present." 
 
 "  His  spirit  partook  much  of  the  meekness  and  gentle- 
 ness of  his  Great  Master.  His  administrations,  when  it  was 
 practicable,  were  always  the  fruit  of  close  and  jirayerful  study. 
 His  discourses  were  replete  with  scriptural  truth  and  illustra- 
 tions of  the  grace  of  the  gospel,  while  they  were  composed 
 and  delivered  with  much  plainness  and  sincerity,  as  well  as 
 earnest  and  affectionate  pleading.  '  He  was  the  servant  of 
 (jrod  and  the  friend  of  man.'  He  was  contented  with  his  lot, 
 though  by  no  means  affluent,  loved  his  work,  which,  while 
 honourable,  was  yet  incessantly  laborious,  and  having  preached 
 the  grace  of  God  on  earth  he  is  now  enjoying,  amidst  several 
 of  his  spiritual  offspring,  its  blessed  fr.iits  in  glory.  To  him 
 amongst  others  may  be  applied  the  sublime  benediction  of  the 
 last  of  the  seers  of  Israel  :  '  Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die 
 in  the  Lord,  from  henceforth  ;  yea,  saith  the  spirit,  that  they 
 may  rest  from  their  labours  ;  and  their  works  do  follow 
 them.'  " 
 
 Mr  Mitchell  died  8th  February  1812,  in  the  seventy-third 
 year  of  his  age  and  the  forty-seventh  of  his  ministry. 
 
24  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Bev.  William  Jameson,  Kilwinning. 
 
 "  Mr  Jameson  had  a  patriarchal  appearance,  his  voice  was 
 soft,  sweet,  and  unaffectedly  musical  in  its  tones,  his  manner 
 was  grave  and  affectionately  kind.  He  spoke  with  apostolic 
 grace  ;  his  whole  manner  was  attractive  and  winning,  yet  dig- 
 nified and  commanding ;  in  short,  he  was  simply  eloquent. 
 He  was,  indeed,  a  godly  man  ;  and  one,  who  did  not  always 
 speak  favourably  of  his  brethren,  said  of  him,  '  that  he  lived 
 more  in  heaven  than  any  man  he  knew.'  He  was  also  ex- 
 tremely acute  as  well  as  subtle,  insomuch  that  another  said  of 
 him,  that  '  if  he  had  not  been  controlled  by  principle,  he  would 
 have  been  one  of  the  greatest  and  most  successful  of  rogues,' 
 
 "  In  common  life  he  was  very  affable  and  condescending, 
 full  of  shrewd  remarks,  and  in  his  conversation  sometimes 
 indulged  sharp  wit  or  good-humoured  repartee. 
 
 "  When  travelling,  which  he  usually  did  in  later  years,  slowly 
 on  horseback,  he  loved  to  accost  any  decent  stranger  who 
 might  be  going  the  same  road,  and  to  enter  into  conversation 
 with  them.  On  one  occasion,  having  fallen  in  with  a  house- 
 hold servant  of  the  Earl  of  Eglinton,  and  proceeded  to  chat 
 with  him,  and  having  observed  that  he  used  the  expression 
 '  deil '  very  frequently,  thinking  a  rebuke  might  be  useful,  if 
 adroitly  administered,  at  the  parting  of  their  respective  roads 
 he  turned  off  for  a  little  way,  and  then  returning,  rode  up  to 
 him  quickly,  and  with  an  air  of  w^ell-assumed  curiosity  and 
 interest,  asked  him,  '  Who  is  that  ye  spake  of  so  frequently  ? ' 
 'To  whom  do  you  refer?'  the  man  replied.  'It  was  somebody 
 ye  ca'ed  the  deil,'  responded  Mr  Jameson ;  '  and  I  thought  he 
 might  be  one  of  your  particular  acquaintances  or  friends,  as 
 ye  made  so  free  wi'  his  name.'  The  man,  who  had  stopped  to 
 receive  him,  as  if  he  had  indeed  seen  the  person  alluded  to, 
 instantly  clapped  spurs  to  his  horse  and  rode  off  at  the  gallop." 
 
 Mr  Jameson  died  23rd  November  1792,  in  the  fifty-seventh 
 year  of  his  age  and  the  thirtieth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Rev.  James  Taylor,  Ayr. 
 
 "  Mr  Taylor  was  a  native  of  Stirlingshire,  and  from  convic- 
 tion a  strict,  almost  stern,  Seceder  of  the  old  school.  He  was 
 also  an  excellent  man,  of  sound  understanding,  but  little  fancy, 
 
M^^  c/M^yvcnru//^ 
 
RKMINISCENCES  OF  EARLY  SECEDE RS.  25 
 
 acceptable,  tliougli  iu)t  popular  as  a  preacher,  digiiiHed  and 
 gentlemanly  in  his  manners,  firm  and  independent  in  the  dip- 
 charge  of  his  duties  as  a  pastor  and  preshyter.  In  chnrcli 
 courts  he  was  an  enlightened  and  uncompioniising  judge,  whose 
 speeches,  delivered  before  tlu"  General  Associate  Synod  in 
 Edinburgh,  it  was  reported,  drew  even  advocates  occasionally 
 to  listen  to  them,  and  were  admired  by  all  for  their  correct- 
 ness of  elocution,  manliness  of  spirit,  clearness,  consecutive- 
 ness,  and  concentration  of  argument.  As  his  neighbour  and 
 friend,  Mr  Jameson  of  Kilwinning,  had  been  married  to  the 
 <laughter  of  Mr  William  Wilson  of  Perth,  one  of  the  first  four 
 ministers  of  the  Secession,  and  the  first  Professor  of  Divinity 
 to  the  body,  so  he  was  connected  in  the  same  intimate  alli- 
 ance with  a  grand-daughter  of  the  Rev.  Alex.  Moncrieflf  of 
 Culfargie — another  of  these  illustrious  men — and  daughter  of 
 the  Rev.  W^m.  Moncrietf  of  Alloa,  also  a  professor  of  theology 
 to  a  portion  of  the  same  body,  after  they  had,  unhappily,  be- 
 come disunited.  This  breach  has  since,  in  the  good  providence 
 of  God,  been  healed  ;  but  Mr  Taylor  was  destined  to  endure 
 another,  which  admits  of  no  reparation.  This  separation 
 deeply  pained  his  heart,  infusing  somewhat  of  mournful  melan- 
 choly into  the  temperament  of  his  spirit,  and  it  is  said  he 
 retired  often  to  her  resting-place,  which  was  near  the  manse, 
 that  he  miglit  meditate,  and,  doubtless,  mourn  and  pray  over 
 her  remains,  while  he  sat  upon  her  tombstone,  nor  did  he  long 
 survive.  The  circumstances  of  his  death  were  singular  and 
 affecting.  Having,  in  compliance  with  an  appointment  of  the 
 General  Associate  Synod,  gone  to  Kendal  to  supply  a  vacant 
 charge  for  a  certain  time,  he  was  there  seized  with  fever,  of 
 which  he  died,  and  there  also,  like  Rachel,  he  was  buried.  It 
 is  affecting,  but  consolatory,  to  state  that  during  the  reveries 
 of  the  distemper  he  was  heard  praying  fervently  and  affection- 
 ately for  his  beloved  people,  whom  he  had  left,  as  well  as, 
 no  doubt,  for  his  family  and  friends,  thus  manifesting  at  once 
 the  predominance  of  piety  in  his  exercise,  as  well  as  the  tran- 
 scendency of  his  pastoral  and  domestic  interests  in  his  heart. 
 His  mind  was  also  strong,  his  resolution  firm,  and  his  inde- 
 pendence undoubted  ;  while  his  urbanity  of  manners  and  the 
 intelligence  of  his  conversation  recommended  him  to  all.    Two 
 
26  ANNALS  OF  ORI&INAL  SECESSION. 
 
 anecdotes  will  illustrate  these  traits.  Having  announced,  as 
 he  regularly  did,  the  public  examination  of  a  particular  por- 
 tion of  his  congregation,  when  the  hour  was  come,  as  he  was 
 very  punctual,  he  went  into  the  church,  the  ordinary  place  of 
 meeting,  which  had  been  prepared  for  the  reception  of  himself 
 and  the  persons  who  might  attend,  by  opening  the  shutters 
 which  closed  in  the  windows.  Having  waited  a  very  consider- 
 able time,  and  no  one  appearing,  he  called  the  doorkeeper,  and 
 ordered  him  to  close  the  shutters.  This  done,  he  went  down 
 the  street  into  the  body  of  the  town.  On  the  way  he  met 
 those  whose  earlier  attendance  he  had  expected,  moving  to- 
 wards the  church.  They  expressed  their  surprise,  asking  if 
 this  were  not  examination  day  ?  '  Yes,'  replied  he  ;  '  but  it  is 
 long  past  the  hour,  and  I  would  have  you  to  know  that  James 
 Taylor  has  business  as  well  as  any  of  you,'  and  moved  on- 
 ward ;  thus  showing  the  fact  that  Seceding  ministers  then,  as 
 well  as  now,  so  far  from  being  subservient,  as  may  be  thought. 
 or  has  been  asserted,  to  the  will  or  caprice  of  their  people, 
 always  acted  independently,  and  exercised  due  authority  over 
 them.  They  acted  as  wise  and  dignified  parents,  ruling  their 
 own  households, 
 
 "  Mr  Taylor  was  wont  to  dine,  by  particular  invitation,  with 
 the  Presbytery  of  the  Established  Church,  after  its  ordinary 
 meetings  in  Ayr.  On  one  occasion  of  this  sort,  a  young 
 minister  of  the  National  Church,  probably  not  aware  of  the 
 presence  of  Mr  Taylor,  broke  out  into  a  philippic  against  the 
 people  of  the  Secession.  His  brethren,  knowing  well  the  spirit 
 of  the  latter,  as  well  as  his  ability  to  rebut  and  retaliate  the 
 charge,  were  painfully  affected  with  the  fear  of  an  explosive 
 response,  which  might  disturb  the  harmony  of  the  meeting. 
 He,  however,  soon  relieved  their  minds  by  saying,  in  a  gentle- 
 manly, yet  waggish  strain,  '  My  young  brother  does  not  know 
 these  people  so  well  as  I  do,  else  he  might  have  said  much 
 worse  of  them.'  This  repartee,  so  forbearing  and  so  considerate, 
 called  forth  the  laugh  against  the  reckless  youth,  while  it  inspired 
 sentiments  of  admiration  towards  his  sage  but  kind  reprover. 
 
 "  Such  also  was  Mr  Taylor's  habits  of  order,  as  well  as  his 
 knowledge  of  books,  that  it  is  said  the  public  library  of  Ayr 
 was  placed  under  his  care,  though  a  Seceder,  by  the  votes  of 
 
KK.MINlSCKNCliS  OF  KAKLY  SECJKDEKS,  J,  i 
 
 the  subscribers.  He  died  in  l7i>2  ;  and  his  name  among  all 
 classes  of  persons  iu  that  place,  and,  indeed,  by  all  who  knew 
 him,  has  never,  probably,  been  mentioned  or  recollected  there 
 or  elsewhere  without  atlection  or  veneration. 
 
 But  winlst  referring  to  Secession  ministers  who  laboured  at 
 this  period  in  the  south-west,  it  is  proper  to  mention  a  few 
 facts  concerning  a  cotemporary  whosL-  fruitful  niinistry  was 
 exercised  in  the  north-east  of  Scotlantl,  viz.,  the 
 
 iiVr.  ]\'m.  Brown  of  Craigdarn ,  Aberdeenshire, 
 
 one  of  whose  sons  became  Lord  Provost  of  Aberdeen,  and  two 
 of  whose  grandsons,  Rev.  Dr  Chas.  J.  Brown  of  Edinburgh, 
 and  Dr  David  Brown,  I*rincipal  of  the  Free  Church  College  of 
 Aberdeen,  were  not  onh'  honoured  in  suffering  for  the  cro'.vn 
 rights  of  Christ  as  Disruption  ministers,  but  afterwards  received 
 from  their  brethren  the  highest  honour  they  could  bestow  in 
 being  chosen  as  Moderators  of  the  Free  General  Assembly. 
 The  following  interesting  reminiscences  have  been  courteously 
 furnished  by  the  latter  (who  was  also  the  elder)  of  these  dis- 
 tinguished brothers  : — 
 
 "That  Mr  Brown,  my  honoured  grandfather,  w^as  the  first 
 Secession  minister  who  was  settled  as  far  north  as  Aberdeenshire, 
 is  well  enough  known  ;  but  how  this  was  brought  about  is  not 
 so  well  known.  The  whole  region  of  this  and  the  adjoining 
 county  of  Banff  was,  generally  speaking,  in  a  state  of  great 
 spiritual  torpor  when  the  Secession  began.  But  there  were 
 exceptions  ;  for,  besides  one  or  two  ministers  who  dissented 
 and  protested  against  the  proceedings  which  gave  rise  to  the 
 Secession,  a  number  of  families  who  still  kept  up  the  form  had 
 something  of  the  life  of  reli<don.  Bv  such  families,  evan- 
 gelical  preaching,  if  it  could  be  had,  would  naturally  be 
 welcomed,  ami  Mr  Ferguson  of  Kinmund}',  great-great-grand- 
 father of  the  present  esteemed  proprietor,  was  the  instrument 
 in  providence  of  bringing  it  to  them. 
 
 "  This  Mr  Ferguson's  parish  minister,  Mr  Forbes  of  Old  Deer, 
 was  one  of  those  faithful  ministers  who  protested  against  the 
 measures  of  the  General  A.ssembly  which  led  to  the  Secession, 
 and  created  among  some  of  his  parishioners  deej)  dissatisfaction 
 with  the  Church  itself  on  this  account.    Mr  Feroruson  was  one  of 
 
28  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 these,  and   having  gone  to  Burntisland  in   the  year    17-il  for 
 change  of  air,  he  at  once  joined  himself  to  the  Secession  congre- 
 gation which  had  been  formed  there.     The  accession  to  a  small 
 struggling  cause  of  one  in  Mr  Ferguson's  position  and  of  his 
 character  was   of  some  importance  ;    and    as  another  landed 
 proprietor,  Mr   Moncrieff  of   Culfargie,  and   at  the  same  time 
 parish   minister  of  Abernethy  (Perthshire) — one   of  the  four 
 ministers  Avho  formed  the  first  Secession  from  the  Church  of 
 Scotland — happened  to  be  then  at  Burntisland,  assisting  at  the 
 communion   in  the  Secession  congi-egation,  Mr  Ferguson  per- 
 suaded him  to  come  to  Peterhead  that  autumn  for  sea-bath- 
 incr.    During^  that  and  some  succeeding  seasons,  when  his  visits 
 were  repeated,  Mr   Moncrietf  preached  every  Lord's    day  at 
 Kinmundy  House  (eight  miles  from  Peterhead)  to  considerable 
 numbers,  gathered  from  all  the  neighbouring  parishes.    In  this 
 way  Seceders  sprang  up  apace  in  Old  and  New  Deer,  Tarves, 
 and  Methlic,  necessitating  steps  for  providing  them  a  minister 
 of  their  own,  and  Mr  Brown  (from  Forgandenny,  not  far  from 
 Perth)  was   fixed  on.      He  was  a  licentiate,  belonging  to  the 
 Perth  Secession  congregation,  then  full   of  life  and   strength. 
 About    twenty-five     years     of    age,     small     of    stature,    but 
 full   of  energy,  he  went  north   de^termined    to   do  his  utmost 
 for  the  cause  he  had  at  heart.      Auchnagatt,  in  the  parish  of 
 Methlic,  and  now  one  of  the  stations  on  the  North  of  Scotland 
 Eailv^ay,  was  the  first  place  where  he  tried  to  gather  a  con- 
 gregation,  but  the   attempt   proved  fruitless,   chiefly  through 
 the   apathy  of  the    people,  but  partly  from  the  difiiculty  of 
 obtaining  a  site  for  a  church.     That  Mr  Brown's  ministrations, 
 however,    had  nothing   to   do   with   this   failure   may  well  be 
 concluded   from  the  last    sermon  which   he   preached    there. 
 It    was    printed   and   published   by  my  maternal  grandfather 
 (Mr  Chalmers),  and   I  possessed  a  copy  of  it  till  lately,  when 
 somehow    it  disappeared.      The  text  of  it  was  that  striking 
 verse,  Ezek,   ii.    5,    '  And    they,  whether   they    will    bear  or 
 whether  they  will  forbear,  shall    know  that  there  hath  been  a 
 prophet   among  them,'      On  leaving  Auchnagatt   (I   learned 
 from  my  mother,  who  was  herself  of  the  Secession),  Mr  Brown 
 had  stones  thrown  at  him  ! 
 
 "  Where  was  he  next  to  go  ?   was  a  question  soon   settled. 
 
REMINISCENCES  OF  EARLY  SECEDERS.  29 
 
 Yov  L'vaigdixm,  in  the  purisli  of  Taivcs,  and  nuar  tlio  village  of 
 that  name — the  property  of  the  Earl  of  Aberdeen,  whose  man- 
 sion-house is  in  the  immediiite  vicinitv — was  the  natural  centre 
 of  the  Seceding  families  of  the  whole  Buchan  region.  And  as 
 they  got  speedily  consolidated,  the  then  Earl  gave  them  a  site 
 for  the  erection  of  a  church.  The  next  step  was  the  ordination 
 of  Mr  Brown,  upon  the  call  of  the  people  who  waited  on  his 
 ministry,  and  on  the  promi.se  of  a  stipend  of  £1 5,  which,  trusting 
 in  his  Master  and  the  goodwill  of  his  ])uor  people,  he  accepted.' 
 
 "  But  Craigdam  was  only  the  centre  of  his  labours.  He  had 
 been  instructed,  indeed,  to  preach  in  other  localities  where  an 
 opening  could  be  found,  and  he  so  laid  himself  out  for 
 itinerating  work  that  there  was  scarcely  a  district  within 
 twenty  miles  of  Craigdam  where  the  pure  gospel  did  not  .sound 
 forth  from  his  lips,  and  this  with  such  success  that  knots  of 
 Seceders  sprang  up  who  formed  the  nucleus  of  future  charges  ; 
 insomuch  that  it  was  said  of  him  and  his  Craigdam  people 
 that  they  had  made  more  congregations  than  some  ministers 
 had  made  members.  In  no  fewer  than  tliree  of  these  I  wor- 
 shipped in  my  early  days  during  my  holidays — at  Clola  in  the 
 parish  of  Old  Deer,  at  Shiels  in  the  parish  of  Belhelvie  (ten 
 miles  from  Aberdeen),  and  once  at  Whitehill  in  the  parish  of 
 New  Deer,  when  the  communion  service  Avas  being  held  there. 
 There  was  an  immense  gathering,  and  the  whole  scene  was 
 full  of  life  in  the  best  sense.  . 
 
 "  What  was  the  characteristic  of  Mr  Brown's  preaching  ?  it 
 may  be  asked.  To  that  cjucstion  I  happen  to  have  got  an  answer 
 once  from  a  very  unexpected  quarter.  When  the  seven  minis- 
 ters of  the  Presbytery  of  Strathbogie  were  suspended  by  the 
 General  Assembly  for  having,  by  order  of  the  Court  of  Session 
 and  in  disobedience  to  the  A.ssembly,  ordained  a  presentee 
 to  the  parish  of  Marnoch — whose  call  had  been  signed  by 
 only  one  parishioner  and  so  adjudged  invalid  ;  and  since 
 the  suspended  ministers,  ignoring  the  Assembly's  act,  had 
 continued  to  otficiate,  puljtit  supply  had  to  be  regularly  sent 
 to  those  parishes  by  a  committee  of  the  General  Assembly, 
 All  who  went  had  an  interdict  of  the  Court  of  Session  served 
 
 '  It  was  Mr  Moncrieff,   of  Culfargie,  so  well  known  there  already,   who 
 ordained  Mr  Brown,  23d  July  175-'. 
 
30  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 upon  them  against  officiating  in  those  parishes.  I  was  one  of 
 those  sent  to  officiate  in  the  parish  of  Glass  for  two  Sabbaths, 
 and  to  do  there  all  the  good  I  could  during  the  intervening  days. 
 On  the  first  Sabbath,  though  the  snow  lay  on  the  ground  (it 
 was  the  month  of  March),  the  sunshine  was  bright,  and  the 
 crowd  being  too  great  to  be  accommodated  save  in  the  open 
 air,  a  tent  was  provided,  and  I  was  told  that  if  I  would  preach 
 from  it  the  people  would  gather  around  me  near  the  banks  of 
 the  river  Deveron,  which  flowed  in  a  winding  stream  below. 
 Of  course  I  did  so,  and  the  picture  was  to  me  enchanting. 
 At  the  conclusion  of  the  service,  being  invited  by  the  principal 
 farmer,  Mr  Smart,  of  the  '  Mains,'  to  step  into  his  house,  I 
 there  found  three  or  four  stalwart  men,  who  warmly  thanked 
 me.  '  0  sir,'  said  one  of  them,  '  if  we  had  got  "  the  like  of 
 that"  in  our  parish  churches  there  never  would  have  been  a 
 Seceder  nor  an  Independent  in  this  quarter,  and  those  who 
 still  remain  in  the  church  would  have  known  no  discontent.' 
 After  more  to  this  effect,  Mr  Smart  said  to  me,  '  Did  you 
 ever  hear  the  saying  about  your  grandfather?'  "No,'  I 
 said.  '  Well,  sir,  you  see  the  two  greatest  preachers  in  all 
 the  north  were  Mr  Cowie  of  Huntly,  and  Mr  Brown  of 
 Craigdam,  but  they  were  very  different.  Mr  Cowie  was  great 
 upon  the  depravity  of  human  nature,  but  Mr  Brown's  greatness 
 was  on  the  love  of  Christ ;  and  the  saying  ran  this  way  :  "  Mr 
 Cooie  o'  Huntly  upon  hlack  naiur,  and  Mr  Broon  o'  Craig- 
 dam upon  the  love  of  Christ,  and  they  canna  be  dung  (cannot 
 be  excelled)." '  A  curious  illustration  of  this  is  the  fact  that 
 the  only  other  sermon  of  Mr  Brown's  which,  so  far  as  I  know, 
 was  printed  and  published  was,  virtually,  on  the  love  of  Christ. 
 It  was  preached  in  the  parish  of  Lonmay  (in  the  northern  part 
 of  Aberdeenshire),  on  1st  October  1758,  on  Matt.  xxii.  42, 
 '  What  think  ye  of  Christ  V  It  is  long,  full,  and  very  rich 
 in  the  exhibition  of  all  the  truths  that  cluster  around  the 
 name  and  work  of  Christ;  and  the  preacher  so  warms  in  his 
 appeals  to  his  hearers  as  to  what  they  think  of  Him  in  each 
 successive  view  of  his  subject,  that  the  interjection  '  0,'  by  its 
 frequent  occurrence,  put  my  maternal  grandfather,  when  print- 
 ing it,  at  a  loss  for  that  interjection,  his  type  being  exhausted 
 and  being  of  a  joky  nature,  he  said   to   my  father  or  mother 
 
REMINISCENCES  OF  EARLY  SECEDERS.  31 
 
 (porliai's  li\  perboliciilly),  tliut  lu'  liail  to  send  to  Newcastlo  for  a 
 pound  of  'O's.' 
 
 "  Wlien  I  was  at  my  first  charge  ('The  Orel,'  in  the  west 
 end  of  the  parish  of  Banti",  one  of  the  new  churches  built  for 
 the  people  of  four  parishes  who  were  too  far  from  their  own 
 chuiches),  I  found  a  Seceder  of  seventy-seven  years  of  age, 
 who  told  me  he  had  seen  and  heard  my  grandfather.  I 
 catechised  him  about  his  reminiscences  of  him.  '  Well,  sir,  the 
 best  thing  I  mind  about  him  was  an  address  which  he  gave  at 
 the  communion  table  at  the  "Knockhill  "  (a  hill  I  often  crossed 
 in  those  days  on  my  way  from  Cullen,  to  the  west  of  the  little 
 town  of  Portsoy).  You  see,  the  churches  being  small,  they  had 
 the  communion  table  spread  (on  a  good  day)  in  the  open  air, 
 and  ^Ir  Brown,  speaking  at  the  one  end  of  the  long  table,  took 
 for  his  subject  Simeon  with  the  infant  Saviour  in  his  arms — 
 "  Now,  Lord,  lettest  Thou  Thy  servant  depart  in  peace,  for 
 mine  eyes  have  seen  Thy  salvation."  After  showing  how  faith 
 sees  ami  lays  hold  of  Christ — suiting  the  action  to  the  word, 
 till  you  almost  felt  he  was  himself  laying  hold  of  Him  (for, 
 you  see,  Mr  Brown,  though  he  was  a  little  man,  was  all  life) — he 
 stretched  out  his  long  arms  and  exclaimed,  in  that  Scotch  way 
 which  they  sometimes  used  when  they  would  put  their  whole 
 heart  into  a  thing,  "  Noo,  sirs,  hae  ye  a  grip  o'  Hhn  ? "  ' 
 He  added,  what  I  had  been  told  by  my  mother,  that  he  never 
 preached  without  having  straightway  to  change  all  his  inner 
 clothing,  so  profuse  was  his  perspiration. 
 
 "  Wlien  he  was  dying,  he  spoke  much  in  an  exalted 
 strain,  and  a  medical  man,  who  entered  his  chamber  (probably 
 unperceived  by  the  dying  man)  having  listened  to  some 
 of  these  strains,  asked  his  tlaughter  (jMrs  Brown,  a  sister 
 of  my  father,  whose  husband's  name  was  the  same),  '  Pray, 
 when  did  your  father  become  delirious  ? '  '  My  father,  sir, 
 was  never  delirious  ! '  was  her  indignant  reply.  He  died 
 in  the  year  1801,  after  a  ministry  of  all  but  fifty  years.  At 
 his  funeral  the  whole  road,  from  his  manse  to  the  churchyard, 
 was  lined  with  mourners.  One  of  his  elders,  too  frail  to  join 
 the  procession,  watched  it  with  eager  gaze  till  it  disappeared 
 at  the  descent  of  the  hill,  and  then  exclaimed,  '  He's  gone  to 
 the    muntin    o'    spices  ! '      In  fact,  that  kind    of  Biblical    Ian- 
 
32  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 guage  he  seems  to  have  made  current  coin  among  his  best 
 people.  For  example,  another  of  his  elders,  John  Clark,  who 
 at  a  later  period  had  come  to  Aberdeen  to  spend  his  closing 
 days  with  a  married  daughter  near  the  Bridge  of  Don,  used  to 
 be  visited  by  the  excellent  Secession  minister  of  Aberdeen  after 
 each  Communion,  to  give  him  some  account  of  the  services 
 which  he  was  too  feeble  to  be  present  at.  On  one  of  these 
 occasions  my  mother  told  me  the  Rev.  Mr  Aitkeu  said  to  him, 
 '  Well,  John,  I  hope  this  has  not  been  a  dull  time  to  you.' 
 With  an  eye  uplifted  and  beaming,  he  said,  '  He  went  up  from 
 me  in  the  place  where  He  talk — ed  with  me!'  (Gen.  xxxv.  13)." 
 Such  is  a  fourfold  portraiture  of  the  Secession  ministry  at 
 the  close  of  last  century  :  and  the  following  are  Dr  Mitchell's 
 recollections  of  scenes  then  prevalent  in  the  households  of 
 private  members  of  the  Secession  Church  : — 
 
 "  Pious  parents  on  the  eveniug  of  the  Lord's  Day  gathered 
 their  families  around  them,  and  after  careful  examination,  not 
 only  on  the  Shorter  Catechism  and  the  discourses  heard  in  the 
 church  during  the  day,  they  brought  the  instructive  proceed- 
 ings to  an  appropriate  close  by  engaging  in  family  worship. 
 On  Aveek-day  evenings  it  was  not  unusual  for  Secession  families 
 to  sit  around  the  hearth,  and  after  some  telling  biography 
 from  the  Scots'  Worthies  had  been  read,  such  as  that  of 
 Guthrie  of  Stirling,  Alex.  Peden,  or  Brown  of  Priesthill,  to 
 talk  about  the  troublous  times  during  which  these  Christian 
 heroes  had  lived,  and  the  importance  of  imitating  their 
 conduct  by  handing  down  unimpaired  the  principles  of  civil 
 and  religious  liberty.  In  the  week-day  congregational  class 
 it  was  also  sometimes  the  case  that  ministers,  after  expound- 
 ing a  portion  of  the  Westminster  Confession,  asked  the  young 
 people  to  read  aloud  in  rotation  such  narratives  as  the  Battles 
 of  Drumclog  and  Bothwell  Bridge,  after  which  such  historical 
 explanations  would  be  made  as  stirred  deeply  the  spirit  of 
 religious  patriotism,  and  gave  the  young  an  abhorrence  of 
 popery  and  prelacy  which  never  afterwards  forsook  them. 
 
 "  Occasionally  at  these  advanced  classes  the  doctrinal  part 
 of  the  Secession  Testimony  was  read  and  explained  in  lieu  of 
 the  Confession,  and  so  clearly  stated  and  edifying  were  its 
 statements,   that  frequently  a  goodly  number   of  aged  elders 
 
REMINISCENCES  OF  EARLY  SECEDERS.  33 
 
 and  members  attended  the  classes,  as  spectators  who  desired 
 to  be  sharers  in  the  edification  that  was  to  be  received. 
 
 "  Though  the  books  belon<,nng  to  the  peasantry  who 
 were  Old  Light  Seceders  might  not  be  numerous,  they  were 
 usually  very  select,  and  showed  the  spirit  of  their  possessors. 
 In  addition  to  the  '  big  Ha'  Bible,'  which,  in  the  case  of 
 exemplary  members,  was  daily  used  at  family  worship,  such 
 works  as  the  Confession  of  Faith,  Scots  Worthies,  Cloud  of 
 Witnesses,  Bunyan's  Pilgrim's  Progi-ess  and  Holy  War  were  to 
 be  found,  besides  many  of  the  works  of  the  Erskines,  Boston, 
 Flavel,  and  Rutherfurd." 
 
 At  burials  among  the  Old  Lights  there  was  no  religious 
 service  at  the  grave,  and  it  was  very  unusual  that  any  funeral 
 sermon  should  be  delivered  in  which  pointed  reference  was 
 made  to  any  departed  member.  To  do  this  was  regarded  as 
 deviating  from  the  great  aim  of  Gospel  preaching,  and  even 
 when  prominent  ministers  expired,  no  eulogistic  references 
 were  made  in  church  records  respecting  them,  but  whilst 
 their  decease  was  minuted,  it  was  usually  only  added  that 
 their  names  were  dropped  from  the  roll.  Indeed,  whilst  in 
 some  denominations  fulsome  eulogiums  are  recorded  in  minute 
 books  concerning  office-bearers  who  were  not  always  worthy  of 
 them,  amongst  the  Old  Lights  the  opposite  extreme  was 
 reached,  in  that  too  little,  and  generally  nothing,  was  recorded 
 respecting  standard-bearers  whose  usefulness  and  praise  were 
 recognised  far  beyond  the  bounds  of  their  own  section  of  the 
 Church. 
 
CHAPTER     III. 
 
 ANNALS  OF  THE  ORIGINAL  ASSOCIATE  BURGHER  SYNOD  FROM 
 THE  BREACH  OF  1799  TILL  ITS  UNION  WITH  THE  CHURCH 
 OF  SCOTLAND  IN  1839;  TOGETHER  WITH  AN  ACCOUNT  OF 
 THE  REMANENT  SYNOD  FROM  1839  TILL  ITS  UNION  WITH 
 THE  ORIGINAL  SECESSION  SYNOD  IN   1842. 
 
 To  trace  a  tributary  stream  from  its  source  to  its  junction  with 
 an  important  river  is  highly  interesting,  and  in  a  higher  sense 
 is  it  full  of  interest  and  instruction,  to  trace  the  origin  and 
 career  of  a  branch  of  the  Church  of  Christ,  which,  though 
 small,  has  not  been  insignificant,  either  as  regards  the  truths 
 for  which  it  testified,  or  the  part  it  has  borne  in  the  history 
 of  the  Covenanted  Church  of  Scotland.  As  is  well  known, 
 that  Church,  when,  after  a  protracted  and  fierce  persecution  of 
 twenty-eight  years,  it  was  re-established  in  1690,  found  that 
 the  basis  was  far  from  being  satisfactory.  Moreover,  many  of 
 the  Erastian  time-servers  who  had  truculently  accepted  Epis- 
 copacy rather  than  leave  their  stipends  and  play  the  men  with 
 the  Covenanters  of  pious  memory,  were  permitted  on  too  easy 
 terms  to  share  in  the  benefits  of  the  Revolution  settlement. 
 And  these  men  who  have  now 
 
 "  Gone  down  to  the  vile  dust  from  whence  they  sprung 
 Unwept,  unhonoured,  and  unsung," 
 
 were  the  nucleus  of  the  Moderate  party  who  have  ever  since 
 proved  a  curse  to  the  land. 
 
 Owing  to  notable  corruptions  such  as  the  re-introduction  of 
 pcttronage  in  1712,  and  the  tyrannical  act  of  1732  forbidding- 
 dissents  to  be  marked  against  what  Members  of  Church 
 Courts  might  consider  as  sinful  maladministration,  the  Seces- 
 sion Church  had  its  origin  in  1733.  Its  original  members, 
 though  small  in  number,  were  a  noble  band,  which  God  used 
 in  spreading  the  Gospel  in  many  parts  of  the  country,  which, 
 
r^ J^^-uj^y^-<M^  A  ^h&^£^^-u^ 
 
BURGHER  SYNOD,  179.0  TU  1839.  35 
 
 but  for  their  laboms,  would  liavo  been  enshrouded  in  the  dim 
 religious  light  of  a  philosophy  falsely  so-called.  At  this  timo 
 the  fine  gold  of  scripture  doctrine  had  become  changed.  The 
 preceding  forty  years  of  ease  from  persecution,  and  contamina- 
 tion with  unprinci})k'd  Moderates  had  produced  a  very  un- 
 favourable effect  on  the  descendants  of  the  worthies  who  had 
 suffered  persecution  for  their  adherence  to  Christ's  Crown  and 
 Covenant.  Instead  of  fervour  of  spirit  in  preaching  the 
 gospel,  the  opinion  was  prevalent  that  such  was  undignified, 
 and  betrayed  weakness  of  intellect.  And,  instead  of  the 
 gospel  being  presented  in  its  beauteous  simplicity,  it  was  so 
 adulterated  with  Arminian,  Pelagian,  and  even  Socinian 
 errors,  that  in  many  parishes  it  was  but  a  shadow  without  the 
 substance. 
 
 But  as  an  atom  of  diamond  is  more  precious  far  than  the 
 earthy  mass  in  which  it  has  been  encrusted,  so  was  it  with 
 the  famous  band,  who  heroically  separated  from  the  now 
 corrupted  Church,  and  formed  the  Secession.  For  noble 
 chivalry  of  spirit,  they,  though  few  in  number,  differed  as 
 much  from  remanent  brethren  in  the  Establishment  as 
 <  jideon's  famous  three  hundred  did  from  the  motley  crowd  of 
 Israelites,  who  were  like  those  of  whom  the  Psalmist  sings — 
 
 The  tribe  of  Ephraim  who,  nor  bows, 
 
 Nor  other  arms,  did  lack  ; 
 But  when  the  day  of  battle  was 
 
 They  faintly  turned  back. 
 
 The  first  Seceders  formed  a  quaternion  of  Christian  soldiers 
 who  endured  hardness  in  their  Master's  service,  and  whose 
 names  have  ever  since  been  precious.  They  were  Ebenezer 
 Erskine  of  Stirling,  Alexander  Moncrieff  of  Abernethy, 
 William  Wilson  of  Perth,  and  James  Fisher  of  Kinclaven.  To 
 the  standard  which  tiiey  were  thus  enabled  to  raise  in  behalf 
 of  truth,  not  a  few  ministers,  elders,  and  people  rallied,  inso- 
 much that  an  effort  was  made  by  the  alarmed  Moderates  in 
 1739  to  tempt  them  back,  but  fortunately  without  efifect. 
 The  Seceders  had  now  tasted  freedom  from  an  Eiastian 
 yoke  of  bondage,  and  found  it  to  be  sweet,  and  though 
 they  were  willing,  nay,  pledged  themselves  to  return  to  the 
 first  free,    faithful,    and    reforming   General   Assembly   of  the 
 
oG  A^'NALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Church  of  Scotland,  they,  like  the  men  of  Issachar,  knew  the 
 signs  of  the  times,  and  were  fully  aware  that  the  offers  of 
 conciliation  proposed  were  merely  a  feint.  The  sequel  proved 
 their  judgment  in  the  matter  to  be  correct,  since  whenever 
 the  prevailing  party  saw  that  in  vain  their  net  had  been 
 spread,  than  they  cast  away  the  mask  of  apparent  contrition, 
 and  returned  to  their  unrighteous  career. 
 
 The  first  Seceders,  then,  like  the  Scripture  worthies,  were 
 men  who  were  truly  resolute  in  what  they  believed  to  be 
 obedience  to  Divine  truth  and  duty,  for  "  truly  if  they  had 
 been  mindful  of  that  country  from  whence  they  came  out  they 
 might  have  had  opportunity  to  have  returned." 
 
 The  first  temptation  to  break  the  ranks  of  the  Secession 
 having  proved  futile  at  the  close  of  the  seventh  year  from  its 
 formation,  it  is  remarkable  that  after  another  seven  years  of 
 unbroken  prosperity  had  elapsed,  a  fresh  effort  was  made  to 
 mar  the  spread  of  the  cause.  The  enemy  of  the  Church  is 
 ever  the  same  demon  of  discord,  and  when  one  species  of 
 tactics  proves  abortive,  he  is  ever  ready  to  follow  with  another. 
 Thus,  whilst  the  former  temptation  to  the  Seceders  to  cease 
 from  testifying  against  error  in  doctrine  came  from  an  outside 
 source,  the  latter  was  from  quite  the  opposite  quarter,  being 
 of  an  internal  kind.  This  was  the  Burgess  Oath  Controversy, 
 which  occurred  in  1747.  The  merits  of  the  dispute  may 
 thus  be  briefly  stated.  Persons  who  became  burgesses  in  the 
 cities  of  Glasgow,  Perth,  and  Edinburgh  were  required  to  take 
 the  following  oath,  viz.  : — 
 
 "  Here  I  protest  before  God.  and  your  lordships,  that  I  profess, 
 and  allow  with  my  heart,  the  true  religion  presently  professed  within 
 this  realm,  and  authorised  by  the  laws  thereof ;  I  shall  abide  thereat, 
 and  defend  the  same  to  my  life's  end  ;  renouncing  the  Roman  reli- 
 gion ealled  papistry." 
 
 Now,  as  this  was  a  matter  of  practical  importance,  since  there 
 were  large  Secession  congregations  in  these  three  cities,  the 
 matter  came  before  the  Synod  as  to  whether  or  not  Seceders 
 could  consistently  with  their  religious  profession  take  this 
 oath.  Whilst  all  parties  were  agreed  that  it  was  wrong  for 
 them  to  swear  to  uphold  a  Church  which  was  so  corrupt  that 
 they  had   seceded  from  it,  nevertheless  some   (afterwards  de- 
 
RALPH     ERSKINE 
 
BURGHEK  SYNOD,  1709  TO  1839.  'M 
 
 nominated  Burghers)  declared  tliat  if  persons  were  to  regard 
 the  oath  in  the  light  of  the  time  when  it  was  originally  framed, 
 viz.,  the  Revolution  period,  when  the  Church  was  C(nnpara- 
 tively  pure,  there  need  be  no  difficulty,  or  at  least  those  who 
 took  the  oath  should  not  be  debarred  from  church-fellowship. 
 On  the  other  hand,  however,  others  (denominated  Anti- 
 burghers)  declared  that  since  every  oath  should  be  taken  in 
 the  sense  of  the  imposer,  and  since  the  words  "  'presently  ■pro- 
 fessed i^ithin  this  realm"  occur  in  it,  therefore  it  was  not 
 only  inconsistent  for  any  Seceder  to  swear  it,  but  it  was, 
 moreover,  highly  culpable,  since  any  other  view  was  but 
 trifling  with  the  solemn  nature  of  an  oath.  On  this  subject, 
 then,  a  division  with  very  acrimonious  results  took  place. 
 Prof.  Wm.  Wilson  having  now  expired,  two  of  the  three 
 remanent  Original  Seceders,  viz.,  Rev.  Messrs  Ebenezer 
 Erskine  and  Jas.  Fisher,  adhered  to  the  Burghers,  and  Rev. 
 Alex.  Moncrieff,  of  Abernethy,  who  was  now  Professor  of 
 Theology,  to  the  Antiburghers.  This  rupture  was  healed 
 after  the  greater  part  of  a  century  by  the  abolition  of  the 
 oath.  During  its  existence,  however,  not  only  were  bitter 
 words  used,  but  ecclesiastical  censures  were  inflicted  by  the 
 dissentients  upon  each  other,  of  which  the  representatives  of 
 both  sections  are  now  heartily  ashamed. 
 
 But  though  there  were  now  two  opposing  bands  in  the 
 Secession,  and  the  great  Arch-enemy  might  be  inclined  to 
 think  that  the  Nonconformist  kingdom  being  now  divided, 
 would  not  lonjj  stand,  this  result  of  alienation  did  not  ensue. 
 The  Lord  on  this,  as  on  other  occasions,  turned  the  curse  into 
 a  blessing,  and  the  spirit  of  rivalry  having  been  provoked, 
 more  Secession  coucn'esrations  were  founded  in  Scotland  than 
 would  otherwise  have  been  the  case.  Each  of  these  bands, 
 moreover,  viz.,  the  Burgher  and  the  Antiburgher,  were  fully 
 half  a  century  later  subdivided  into  the  Old  and  New  Light 
 Burghers  and  Old  and  New  Light  Antiburghers.  It  is  the 
 liistory  of  the  two  smaller,  or  Old  Light  sections,  that  we 
 purpose  briefly  to  trace,  and  as  the  Burghers  were  the  first 
 to  experience  the  brunt  of  the  controversy,  we  shall  narrate 
 concern  inof 
 
38  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 I. — The  Old.  Light  Burghers. 
 
 As  one  result  of  the  spread  of  the  so-called  rational  opinions 
 which  sprang  from  the  French  Revolution  of  1793,  and  which 
 were  widely  disseminated  in  this  country,  not  a  few  connected 
 with  both  branches  of  the  Secession  Church  began  to  com- 
 plain that  in  their  view  the  Westminster  Standards  were  too 
 stringent,  the  power  ascribed  to  the  civil  magistrate  was 
 Erastian,  and,  in  short,  civil  governments  had  only  to  attend 
 to  civil  or  secular  matters,  and  had  nothing  whatever  to  do 
 with  religion. 
 
 This  opinion,  which  when  afterwards  more  fully  developed 
 was  styled  voluntaryism,  was  opposed  not  only  to  the  prin- 
 ciples of  the  Secession,  which  were  those  of  the  Church  oF 
 Scotland  at  the  Second  Reformation,  but  was  also  contrary  to 
 Scripture,  which  frequently  refers  to  nations  in  their  corporate 
 capacity  as  subject  to  the  Divine  government,  and  thus  under 
 obligation  to  serve  Jehovah  as  God  of  nations.  References  to 
 this  truth  are  not  unfrequent  in  Scripture,  which,  whilst  it 
 declares  that  kings  shall  be  nursing  fathers,  and  queens 
 nursing  mothers  to  the  church,  and  that  the  nation  that  will 
 not  serve  God  shall  be  utterly  wasted,  also  predicts  concerning 
 the  Lord  Jesus  as  Messiah  the  Prince,  that  "  the  kings  of 
 Tarshish  and  of  the  Isles  shall  bring  presents  :  the  kings  of 
 Sheba  and  Seba  shall  offer  gifts.  Yea,  all  kings  shall  fall 
 down  before  him  :  all  nations  shall  serve  him." 
 
 Indeed,  no  one  can  read  history  with  a  philosophic  eye 
 without  perceiving  that  nations,  like  individuals,  have  a  birth, 
 a  career,  and  a  death,  since  one  thousand  years  is  the  three 
 score  and  ten  of  nations,  and  therefore  since  they  must  have  a 
 character,  it  behoves  that  it  be  of  a  moral  and  religous  kind. 
 In  their  public  capacity  legislators  and  magistrates  ought  to 
 acknowledge  the  God  of  nations,  and  base  their  statutes  upon 
 the  dictates  of  His  revealed  will  as  recorded  in  the  Bible. 
 True,  the  language  of  the  Confession  of  Faith,  when  taken  in 
 a  fragmentary  form,  may  seem  to  favour  Erastian  and  persecut- 
 ing principles,  but  when  the  statements  of  the  various  chapters 
 are  compared  and  viewed  in  the  light  of  the  declaration  made 
 by  the  General  Assembly  in  adopting    the   Confession  as   a 
 
BURGHER  SYNOD,  17U9  TO  1839.  .'^9 
 
 standard  of  unitonuity,  it  will  be  perceived  that  the  Scottish 
 Reformers  had  a  better  understanding  of  liberty  of  conscience, 
 and  of  tlie  whole  subji'ct  of  personal  and  national  obliiijation 
 to  serve  God,  than  has  generally  been  supposed.  In  addition, 
 moreover,  to  certain  parts  of  the  Confession  of  Faith,  some 
 objected  to  the  obligation  of  the  National  (\)venants  on  p(»s- 
 terity  being  continued  as  a  terra  of  church  fellowship.  Now 
 whilst  covenants  to  serve  God  are  as  binding  on  a  nation  as 
 are  treaties  of  amity  and  pecuniary  bonds  upon  those  nations 
 who  contract  them,  since  to  maintain  the  contrary  would  be 
 to  disorganise  society,  it  is  matter  of  regret  that  in  this  con- 
 troversy extreme  views  prevailed  on  both  sides.  Whilst  the 
 New  Lights,  as  they  were  termed,  went  to  the  extreme  of 
 acting  as  if  they  were  in  this  matter  much  more  enlightened 
 than  their  fathere,  who,  from  their  peculiar  training,  were 
 undoubtedly  giants  in  theological  attainments,  it  is  quite 
 possible  that  some  of  the  Old  Lights  had  too  high  a  reverence 
 for  the  opinions  of  ancestors,  who,  though  able  and  wi.sc  above 
 many,  were  not  infallible.  Moreover,  it  should  be  borne  in 
 mind,  that  the  power  of  church  courts  is  not  legislative,  but 
 administrative,  since  it  is  not  their  duty  to  prescribe  approval 
 of  politico-ecclesiastical  transactions  as  terms  of  Christian  Com- 
 munion, but  only  to  enforce  those  terms  of  Christian  fellow- 
 ship which  the  Lord  Jesus  has  appointed  in  His  Word,  and 
 to  which  nothing  is  to  be  adiled  or  taken  away.  Certainly 
 the  words  of  Vitringa  which  Dr  Lawson  adopted  as  his  motto 
 are  true  and  worthy  of  notice  : — 
 
 "  Majoribus  nostiis  earn  debemus  reverentiam,  ut  quae  tiadit  aat 
 ipsis  posteritati  sunt,  ante  nou  rejiciantur,  quaiu  diligenter  et  accu- 
 rate expensa  fuerint.  Quo  tamen  officio  si  quis  probe  defuiictus  ex 
 certissiniis  nihilo-minus  argumentis  colligat  eos  errasse,  turn  existi- 
 mamus,  vilissimi  ac  ignobilis  animi  esse,  vel  in  iisdem  cum  ipsis 
 erroribus  pertinaciter  perseverare,  vel  eos  quovis  inodo  velle  pal- 
 liare.'' ' 
 
 The  first  note  of  controversial  war  was  sounded  by  the  Rev. 
 John  Frazer  of  Auchtermuchty,  who,  in  May  1795,  petitioned 
 the  Associate  Synod  to  modify  subscription  to  the  Standards. 
 The  result  was  a  very  keen  series  of  discussions  at  that  meet- 
 
 '  "  Vitr.  obser.  aacr.,"  lib.  i.  cap.  1. 
 
40  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 ing,  and  during  the  four  subsequent  years.  The  champions 
 of  the  New  Light  party  were  Professor  George  Lawson,  D.D., 
 of  Selkirk,  who  published  "  Considerations  on  the  Overture 
 lying  before  the  Associate  Synod  respecting  some  Alterations 
 in  the  Formula  concerning  the  Power  of  the  Civil  Magistrate 
 in  Matters  of  Religion  ;  and  the  Obligation  of  our  Covenants' 
 National  and  Solemn  League  on  Posterity,"  and  the  Eev. 
 John  Dick  of  Slateford  (afterwards  Dr  Dick  of  Glasgow),  who 
 preached  a  Synod  sermon  from  the  text,  "  Hold  fast  the  form 
 of  sound  words,"  and  afterwards  published  it ;  whilst  those  of 
 the  Old  Light  were  the  Rev.  William  Willis  of  Greenock,  who 
 penned  two  pamphlets,  viz.,  "  Three  Small  Stones  from  the 
 Brook,"  and  "  Little  Naphtali,"  the  Rev.  William  Taylor  of 
 Levenside,  the  author  of  "  An  Effectual  Remedy  to  the  Dis- 
 putes presently  existing  in  the  Associate  Synod  regarding  the 
 Formula,"  "  Resistance  to  Modern  Innovation  no  Schism,"  &c., 
 and  the  Rev.  George  Thomson,  formerly  minister  at  Rathillet, 
 but  having  resigned  his  charge,  was  now  living  in  retirement 
 in  Calton,  Glasgow,  who  wrote  a  spirited  pamphlet  of  128 
 pages,  entitled,  "  The  Confession,  Covenants,  and  Secession 
 Testimony  vindicated  and  defended,"  embracing  letters  to 
 Rev.  Messrs  Fraser,  Dick,  and  Lawson,  and  concluding  with 
 the  following  lines  : — 
 
 "  0,  Fraser,  Dick,  and  Lawson  you  have  spread 
 Your  snares  o'er  Tabor  Mount  and  Mispeh's  head, 
 Secession  principles  and  solemn  vows, 
 Which  once,  with  lieart  and  hand,  you  did  espouse, 
 You've  much  obscur'd,  deserted,  and  opposed; 
 Inconstancy  in  all,  you  have  disclosed. 
 (3ur  Bethels  now  into  Bethavens  turn'd ; 
 At  covenants  and  testimonies  you  have  spurn'd. 
 Oh  !  turn  to  Scotland's  covenanted  cause, 
 Embrace  the  Mediator's  truths  and  royal  laAvs ; 
 Acknowledge  Him  as  universal  King 
 O'er  all  things  to  the  Church,  to  rule  and  bring 
 Good  and  advantage  to  her  out  of  all, 
 To  pave  the  way,  and  spread  the  Gospel  call. 
 Like  saints  of  God  most  cheerfully  confess 
 The  truths  you  have  injured,  lest  that  distress 
 Should  come  with  famine,  pestilence,  or  sword, 
 To  avenge  our  land  when  none  can  help  afford. 
 
BURGHER  SYNOD,  1790  TO  1830.  41 
 
 Thiit  in  Uod's  siglit  at  last  you  may  tind  grace, 
 And  in  the  Church  may  cause  a  smiling  face, 
 Now,  brethren,  dear,  your  answei-s  soon  produce 
 To  Rutherford,  Moncrieff,  and  Brown,  and  Bruce, 
 To  Crofton,  Dickson,  Baillie,  Beza  too, 
 All  orthodox  confessions,  systems  you 
 Have  heard  or  read;   (.jillespio's  Aaron s  rod 
 Or  London  niinistei's,  all  faithful  men  to  God. 
 These  all  with  carefulness  do  you  consult. 
 That  so  from  thence  much  good  may  soon  result 
 To  Church  and  State,  not  to  youi-selves  alone, 
 But  to  posterity  when  you  are  gone." 
 
 lu  addition  to  the.se  writers,  however,  two  combatants 
 appeared,  whose  brochures  excited  considerable  attention. 
 These  were  the  Rev.  Drs  Wm.  Porteous  and  Ja.s.  Peddle. 
 The  former,  who  was  connected  with  the  Established  Churcli 
 in  Glasgow,  wrote  "  The  New  Light  Examined,  or  Observa- 
 tions on  the  Proceedings  of  the  Associate  Synod  against  their 
 own  Standards  ;  "  and  the  latter,  who  was  a  Secession  mini.ster 
 in  Edinburgh,  published  "  A  Defence  of  the  Associate  Synod 
 against  the  Charge  of  Sedition,"  addressed  to  William  Porteous, 
 D.D.  Without  going  into  the  merits  of  the  controversy,  the 
 nature  of  which  has  been  already  adverted  to,  it  may  be 
 stated  that  eventually  it  was  moved  and  earned  in  the  Synod 
 of  1799,  that  there  should  be  prefixed  to  the  Formula  a 
 declaration  disowning  all  compulsory  measures  in  religion  ; 
 and,  whilst  acknowledging  the  obligation  of  the  Covenants, 
 giving  every  one  the  fullest  liberty  to  put  his  own  construction 
 upon  the  nature  of  such  obligation.  This  declaration  was 
 prefixed  to  the  Formula,  and  received  the  title  of  the  Pre- 
 amble, and  from  it  the  minority  or  Old  Lights,  having  dis- 
 sented, withdrew,  and  on  2ud  October  1799  constituted 
 themselves  into  a  Presbytery,  prefixing  to  their  official  records 
 the  following  statement  : — 
 
 "By  means  of  a  circular  letter  the  friends  of  our  Scriptural  Seces- 
 sion Principles  were  invited  to  a  general  meeting  at  Glasgow,  on 
 the  second  of  October,  for  prayer  and  consultation.  Accordingly  a 
 meeting  took  place.  From  many  places  numbers  attended.  Some 
 time  was  spent  in  prayer  and  praise,  during  wliich  the  sj)irit  of  grace 
 and  supplication  was  poured  down,  it  is  hoped,  in  some  measure 
 upon  us,  to  the  comfort  of  many.      When  we  came  to  consult  what 
 
42  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 was  necessary  to  be  done  in  our  peculiar  circumstances,  thei'e  was, 
 through  the  Divine  Compassion,  a  most  beautiful  unanimity  in 
 sentiment.  The  disciples  were  of  one  mind,  firmly  united,  we  trust, 
 in  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.  They  seemed  to  he  sweetly  joined  in 
 Christian  love  and  under  affection  to  one  another. 
 
 "  In  the  afternoon  of  that  day  the  ministers  and  elders  who  had 
 protested  against  the  Synod  for  refusing  to  dismiss  tlie  Preamble  to 
 the  Formula,  and  declined  the  authority  of  the  apostate  judicatories 
 in  the  Secession,  retired  by  themselves.  After  solemn  prayer  for 
 counsel  and  direction,  they  agreed  unanimously  to  constitute  them- 
 selves immediately  into  a  Presbytery  in  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus 
 Christ,  and  that  they  would  take  the  name  of  the  Associate 
 Presbytery. 
 
 "Glasgow,  October  ^nd,  1799. 
 "  The  Associate  Presbytery  was  constituted  by  the  Rev.  Wm. 
 Watson ;  were  present,  Messrs  Ebenezer  Hislop  and  William 
 Willis,  Ministei's ;  together  with  James  Dick  from  Pollokshaws, 
 John  Black  from  Shotts,  and  Archibald  Campbell  from  Gi'eenock, 
 Ruling  Eldei-s.  Mr  Hislop  was  chosen  to  be  Moderator,  and  took 
 the  chair  accordingly.  Mr  Watson  was  chosen  to  be  Clerk. 
 Adjourned  constitute  to  Eraser's  Hall.'' 
 
 The  Old  Light  Burgher  Presbytery  having  thus  been  formed 
 speedily  grew  as  accessions  were  received,  both  from  ministers 
 without  charges  and  congregations  without  ministers,  as  well 
 as  from  regularly  constituted  sessions  with  ministers  presiding 
 over  them. 
 
 Of  the  ministers  without  charges  were  E,ev.  Messrs 
 Robert  Shirra,  formerly  of  Kirkcaldy ;  Jas.  Russell,  George 
 Thomson,  John  Thomson,  George  Williamson,  and  Francis 
 Archibald.  Of  the  congregations  without  pastors  were  East 
 Campbell  Street,  Glasgow,  which  in  1800  had  upwards  of 
 five  hundred  members ;  Carluke,  Kirkintilloch,  and  Pollok- 
 shaws, whose  aged  pastor  was  nearly  ah  agendo  from 
 infirmity ;  and  of  the  ministers  who  along  with  their  flocks 
 united  with  the  Presbytery,  were  the  Rev.  Robert  Shirra  of 
 Yetholm,  and  the  Rev.  George  Hill  of  Cumbernauld,  who 
 acceded  in  November  1799  ;  the  Rev.  Patrick  Connal  of 
 Bathgate,  in  March  1800;  and  the  Rev.  Wm.  Taylor  of 
 Levenside  ;  and  John  Jervie  of  Perth,  towards  the  close  of  that 
 year. 
 
 Mr    John    Ronald,    probationer,    and   Geo.    Moscrip,   Alex 
 
BrRGHER  SYNOD.  1791)  TO  1S30.  43 
 
 Brown,  and  Win.  Graham,  stutlents  of  iHviuity,  who  soon 
 afterwards  were  licensed,  having  also  adhered  to  the  Presby- 
 tery, there  was  thus  an  abundant  supj)ly  of  preaching  powei 
 for  vacancies.  Mr  Moscrip  was  the  earliest  licentiate  of  the 
 Presbytery,  and  Mr  Brown  was  the  first  that  was  ordained  by 
 the  Old  Lights  to  the  ministry. 
 
 As  it  was  rc(|uisite  that  a  professor  of  divinity  should 
 be  appointed,  Messre  Willis  and  Hill  were  proposed  for  that 
 office,  with  the  result  of  the  former  being  elected  on  17th 
 June  1800.  The  position  of  professor  in  the  circum- 
 stances was,  no  doubt,  difficult  to  fill,  since  several  of  the 
 students  had  been  formerly  under  the  tuition  of  Dr  Lawson, 
 the  Selkirk  Socrates,  but  tliough  no  record  of  the  way  in 
 which  either  Mr  Willis  or  his  successor,  Mr  Hill,  con- 
 ducted their  classes,  has  been  handed  down,  there  can  be 
 little  doubt  that  though  the  Old  Light  Hall  might  be  smaller 
 than  its  New  Light  cotemporary,  the  students  that  issued 
 from  it  would  be  equally  well  furnished  for  the  work  of  the 
 ministr}'. 
 
 At  the  close  of  the  first  year  of  its  existence,  the  Presbytery 
 for  the  first  time  granted  the  moderation  of  a  call.  The 
 congregation  was  Pollokshaws,  and  the  stipend  offered  was 
 £70,  which,  though  insufficient  now,  was  then  regarded  as 
 fair,  considering  the  scarcity  of  money.  A  few  months  later, 
 how^ever,  on  a  moderation  being  granted  to  East  Campbell 
 Street  Congregation,  Glasgow^  whicli  was  by  far  the  largest 
 and  most  influential  in  the  connection,  the  stipend  offered 
 was  £180. 
 
 In  1801  the  Presbytery  had  two  ministers  added  to  their 
 number,  viz.,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Porteous  of  Orwell,  who 
 acceded  with  his  congregation  in  January ;  and  the  Rev. 
 Alex.  Brown,  who  was  ordained  at  Burntshields  on  20th 
 October.  With  the  exception  of  several  calls  having  been 
 moderated,  and  Messrs  Jas.  Gardner  and  George  Moscrip  being 
 ordained  to  the  ministry,  the  year  1802  was  not  remarkable  ; 
 but  the  year  following  w'as  signalised  by  the  ordination  of  Mr 
 Wm.  Graham  at  Carluke  in  June,  whilst  on  the  10th  of  the 
 following  August,  Mr  \\'illis,  having  resigned  the  Professorship 
 of   Divinity,    the    Rev.    George    Hill    of    Cumbernauld    was 
 
44  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 appointed  in  his  room.  After  repeated  deliberations  during 
 the  year  1804,  it  was  agreed  on  3rd  September  1805,  that 
 owing  to  the  increase  of  the  body,  a  Synod  should  be  formed, 
 consisting  of  three  presbyteries,  viz.,  the  Presbytery  of  Glas- 
 gow, the  Presbytery  of  Edinburgh,  and  the  Presbytery  of 
 Perth  and  Dunfermline. 
 
 In  this  deed  history  may  be  said  to  have  repeated  itself, 
 since  the  same  presbyterial  division  of  the  country  had  been 
 made  by  the  first  Seceders  in  1745,  exactly  sixty  years  before. 
 In  the  Edinburgh  and  Glasgow  Presbyteries  there  were  in 
 each  six  ministers  ;  and  in  the  Presbytery  of  Perth  and  Dun- 
 fermline there  were  three,  or  fifteen  ministers  in  all.  The  Con- 
 stitution of  these  Presbyteries  was  carried  out  in  the  Session 
 Houses  attached  to  East  Campbell  Street  Church,  Glasgow  ; 
 and  the  Synod  thereafter  duly  met  in  that  church  on  the  same 
 day,  and,  hiter  alia,  appointed  John  Sommerv^ail  to  be  Synod 
 Officer. 
 
 Whilst  in  1806  the  newly  formed  "Original  Associate 
 (Burgher)  Synod  "  weue  in  the  happy  condition  of  having  no 
 annals,  very  different  was  the  position  of  their  Old  Light 
 brethren  in  the  Antiburgher  branch  of  the  Secession,  who 
 were  for  their  adherence  to  their  principles  suffering  ecclesi- 
 astical censures  of  the  most  severe  kind.  In  1807,  however, 
 "  the  Synod  agreed  to  reprint  the  Judicial  Testimony,  with  a 
 front  note  informing  the  public  that  they  may  expect  an 
 appendix  containing  a  narrative  of  the  rise,  progress,  and  con- 
 sequences of  the  innovations  of  the  Synod,  with  whom  we 
 were  lately  connected,  as  soon  as  Providence  shall  put  it  in 
 our  power.  1000  fine  and  1000  coarse,  2000  in  all,  the 
 Rev.  Wm.  Willis  of  Stirling  to  correct  the  sheets."  This 
 appendix  was  afterwards  carefully  prepared  jointly  by  Messrs 
 Hill,  Willis,  and  Taylor,  though  the  last  named  had  the  chief 
 hand  in  it,  and  the  Synod  authorised  its  publication  in 
 1809.  The  title  is,  "A  Vindication  of  Adherence  to  the 
 Principles,"  &c. 
 
 Preachers  then  as  still  were  not  oftentimes  sufficiently 
 remunerated  for  their  labour,  and  hence  in  1809  "the  Synod 
 received  a  petition  from  a  preacher  stating  his  difficulties 
 from  the  smallness  of  the  sums  paid  by  the  vacancies  in  the 
 
BUROHER  SYNOD,  1799  TO  1839.       4r> 
 
 name  of  stipeud.  The  Syuod  recommend  to  the  different 
 [)resbyteries  under  their  inspection  to  recommend  it  to  such 
 vacancies  as  they  know  are  able  to  give  a  guinea  each  Sab- 
 bath to  the  preacher,  it  being  understood  that  the  presbyteries 
 shall  not  send  any  such  recommendation  to  such  as  they 
 know  are  not  able."  This  decision  on  the  part  of  the  Synoil 
 was  certainly  very  judicious,  since  some  vacancies  were  not 
 sufficiently  mindful  of  the  statement,  that  they  that  preach 
 the  gospel  should  live  of  the  gospel,  and  when  probationers 
 were  married  men,  with  fomilies  to  support,  as  was  some- 
 times, though  happily  not  frequently,  the  case,  the  remunera- 
 tion was  oftentimes  insufficient  for  their  maintenance.  Some- 
 times, indeed,  the  preacher  when  aged  and  infirm  was 
 reduced  to  penury,  and  hence  the  Synod  had  at  this  period 
 to  recommend  each  session  "  to  give  one  pound  sterling  per 
 annum  towards  the  support  of  a  minister  without  a  charge  in 
 his  present  afflicted  situation."  True,  indeed,  presbyteries, 
 whilst  they  endeavoured  to  enforce  liberality  on  the  part  of 
 congi'egations,  were  not  ungenerous  or  forgetful  of  the 
 straitened  pecuniary  condition  of  some  of  them,  since  several 
 years  subsequent  to  the  Synod's  decision  Greenlaw  congrega- 
 tion was  allowed  during  the  illness  of  their  minister  to  get 
 preachers  for  ten  shillings  per  Sabbath.  From  this,  however, 
 one  minister  dissented,  on  the  reasonable  ground  that  that 
 sum  was  too  small  for  the  payment  of  travelling  expenses.  But 
 not  only  were  probationers  sometimes  sutt'erers  from  inadequacy 
 of  remuneration,  this  was  occasionally  also  the  case  with  the 
 ministers  of  congregations,  and  hence  in  1809  the  following 
 suggestive  minute  was  inscribed  in  a  Presbytery  Record: — 
 
 "Tlie  Presbytery,  understanding  that  through  the  neglect  of  a  con- 
 gregation in  a  sister  Presbytery  to  make  punctual  jjayuients  of  the 
 stipend  of  their  minister,  such  consequences  have  arisen  as  to  terminate 
 in  a  dissolution  of  that  relation  ;  and  expecting  that  the  Supreme 
 Court  will  institute  such  inquiries  through  the  connection  as  shall  pre- 
 vent similar  evils  in  future,  enjoin  all  sessions  within  their  bounds  to 
 take  care  that  the. seat  books  in  their  respective  congregations  be 
 regular,  marking  the  terms  of  drawing  their  seat  rents  ;  and  if  tlieir 
 memV)ei-s  and  others  attending  ordinances  with  them  be  punctual  i?i 
 their  payments  at  said  terms;  and  that  the  collection  book  be  dis- 
 tinct, and  the  minister's  stipend  paid  when  due,  that  when  called 
 
46  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 upon  to  produce  such  vouchers  they  may  be  in  a  correct  state,  and 
 that  sessions  be  served  with  a  copy  of  this  regulation." 
 
 But  not  only  did  conjvregations  cause  trouble  as  regards 
 pecuniary  matters  to  presbyteries,  but  sometimes  both  sessions 
 and  presbyteries  took  it  upon  them  to  act  with  rigour  against 
 church  members  in  matters  of  doubtful  disputation.  One  of  these 
 was  the  appointment  of  a  precentor,  which  some  of  the  members 
 of  congregations  thought  should  not  be  made  by  kirk-sessions 
 without  consulting  the  wishes  of  the  congregation.  On  this  sub- 
 ject, indeed,  much  might  be  said,  since  as  both  the  minister 
 and  the  session  are  responsible  for  the  proper  conduct  of  the 
 worship  of  God,  it  would  be  improper  that  an}'  one  should 
 lead  the  service  of  praise  with  whose  character  and  quali- 
 fications they  were  not  satisfied  ;  but  then,  on  the  other 
 hand,  it  was  only  reasonable  that  the  congregation  to  whom 
 the  precentor  was  to  officiate,  and  whose  edification  might  to 
 some  extent  be  affected  by  his  services,  should  have  some 
 voice  in  his  election.  Moreover,  it  might  be  legitimately 
 pled  that  several  of  the  arguments  which  were  in  use  in  be- 
 half of  popular  rights  respecting  the  election  of  ministers, 
 were  valid  with  regard  to  the  leader  of  praise.  But  in  these 
 days  (1809)  presbyteries  were  not  so  compliant  as  now,  as  is 
 apparent  from  the  following  excerpt: — "The  Presbytery  of 
 Glasgow  called  for  the  report  of  the  committee  appointed  to 
 
 converse  with .      The  committee  reported  *that  they  met 
 
 with  prayer  and  conversed  with  him,  but  find  that  he  ob- 
 stinately persists  in  maintaining  that  a  congregation  should 
 be  consulted,  and  their  consent  obtained  before  any  precentor 
 can  be  appointed  by  minister  and  session.  The  presbytery 
 find  his  conduct  in  this  irregular,  and  may  have  a  pernicious 
 influence  in  the  congregation,  and  until  he  shall  show  con- 
 trition of  his  mistake,  he  shall  not  receive  church  privileges." 
 
 The  conservatism  of  the  Old  Light  Burghers  of  these  days 
 was  not  only  of  an  ecclesiastical  but  also  of  a  political  kind, 
 since  two  years  before,  notwithstanding  the  troubled  state  of 
 Europe  and  the  dangerous  circumstances  of  Great  Britain, 
 owing  to  the  dread  of  a  French  invasion,  they  agreed  "  to 
 send  an  address  to  His  Majesty  expressing  the  high  sense 
 which  they  entertain  of  the  benefit  done  to  the  British  Islands, 
 
BURGHER  SYNOD,  1781)  TO  1839.  47 
 
 and  to  the  interests  of  true  religion  by  His  Majesty's  refusal 
 to  put  the  sword  into  the  hands  of  Catholics  by  adtnitting 
 them  into  places  of  trust  and  power  in  his  fleets  and  armies, 
 as  by  the  bill  lately  introduced  into  Parliament  was  intended." 
 
 But  that  those  Seceders,  whatever  may  now  be  tlionght  of 
 their  ecclesiastical  or  political  opinions,  were  at  least  far  in 
 advance  of  many  who  have  succeeded  them  in  later  years  is 
 apparent  in  that  they  showed  a  laudable  desire  that  the  records 
 of  church  courts  should  be  kept  decently  and  in  order.  Hence 
 on  28th  April  1807  the  Synod  recommended  to  the  different 
 presbyteries  to  call  up  for  inspection  the  records  of  the  different 
 congregations  within  their  bounds.  Committees  were  also 
 appointed  to  examine  presbytery  records. 
 
 During  the  first  decade  therefore  of  this  Synod's  history  it 
 is  evident  there  was  nmch  outward  prosperity.  The  three 
 ministers  who  had  cmistituted  the  court  in  1799  were  now, 
 along  with  tlieir  brethren,  about  twenty  in  number  ;  and  pro- 
 bably when  they  contrasted  their  prosperous  with  their  for- 
 merly adverse  circumstances,  they  woidd  feel  inclined  with 
 God's  ancient  people  to  exclaim  : 
 
 "  When  Sion's  bondage  God  turned  back, 
 
 As  men  that  dreamed  were  we  ; 
 Then  filled  with  laughter  was  our  mouth. 
 
 Our  tongue  with  melody  : 
 They  'mong  the  heathen  said,  The  Lord 
 
 Great  things  for  them  hath  wrought; 
 The  Lord  hath  done  great  things  for  us, 
 
 Whence  joy  to  us  is  brought." 
 
 1809-1819. 
 
 Amid  much  that  was  exciting  both  on  the  continent  of 
 Europe  and  in  Britain,  the  Original  Burghers  durin<''  the 
 second  decade  of  their  existence  as  a  Synod  pursued  quietly 
 and  prosperously  the  even  tenor  of  their  way.  Certainly  there 
 were  wars  and  rumours  of  wars  in  abundance,  for  Napoleon 
 the  First  was  now  pursuing  his  recklessly  ambitious  career, 
 and  Lord  Wellesley  had  been  despatched  to  checkmate  him  in 
 the  Peninsula;  but  though  the  people  were  much  impoverished 
 by  the  greatly  increased  prices  demanded  for  provisions,  and 
 
48  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAl.  SECESSION. 
 
 frequently  discouraged  moreover  by  their  brothers  and  sons 
 being  compelled  by  the  dreaded  press-gang  to  enter  the  navy, 
 yet  on  the  whole  the  feeling  of  patriotism  then  was  much 
 stronger  than  possibly  it  has  ever  been  since.  In  order  to 
 preserve  the  country,  then  threatened  with  invasion,  no  less 
 than  300,000  volunteers  were  enrolled.  Fuel  heaps  were 
 placed  on  the  tops  of  hills  and  mountains,  and  whenever  ships 
 of  larger  size  than  ordinary  were  descried  by  watchers  on  the 
 coast,  a  beacon  fire  was  lit,  with  the  result  that  quickly  the 
 fiery  signal  flew  from  peak  to  peak,  and  the  volunteers  were 
 quickly  gathered  to  march  on  the  foe.  In  preaching  to  the 
 times,  as  it  has  been  termed,  Old  Light  Seceders  have  ever 
 been  ready  ;  and  a  specimen  of  the  way  in  which  this  was 
 then  done  has  been  handed  down.  The  preacher  was  an  old 
 minister  without  a  charge,  who  was  so  frail,  that  generally, 
 like  the  Orientals,  he  sat  whilst  he  taught  the  people.  He 
 sometimes  preached  in  Falkirk,  but  his  manner  in  the  pulpit 
 was  so  conversational  that  it  resembled  a  "  ae  haunded  crack 
 wi'  the  kirk  fouk."  Mr  Stark,  who  was  pastor  to  the  Burgher 
 Congregation  there,  has  thus  related  what  this  venerable 
 preacher  said  from  the  pulpit  i-especting  the  threatened  French 
 invasion  : — 
 
 "  They  say  the  French  are  gan'  tae  invade  the  kintra,  but  allouan' 
 they  dae  come  owre  the  saut  sea  in  their  bits  o'  cockle  boats,  puir 
 silly  bodies  1  dae  they  no  ken  that  God  is  the  God  o'  the  dry  Ian'  as 
 weel  as  o'  the  sea  ;  and  sayin'  they  dae  Ian',  God  covild  sen'  ae  nicht 
 o'  glide  Scotch  cranreucli,  that  wad  mak'  them  a'  sleep  in  their 
 tents." 
 
 The  allusion  here  is  apparently  to  the  Divine  judgment  upon 
 Sennacherib's  army. 
 
 In  the  year  1812  the  Synod  had  a  proposal  brought  before 
 it  to  the  effect  that  a  salary  should  be  given  to  the  Professor 
 of  Divinity.  This  was  not  designed  at  all  as  an  adequate  re- 
 muneration for  his  labour,  but  merely  that  the  Professor,  who 
 was  the  pastor  of  a  country  charge  with  only  a  small  stipend, 
 should  be  furnished  with  the  means  of  procuring  such  books 
 as  he  might  judge  necessary  to  aid  him  in  his  professorial 
 work.  This  was  indeed  a  very  reasonable  proposal,  and  one 
 which  would  commend  itself  to  every  judicious  office-bearer. 
 
BURGHEK  SYNOD,  1799  TU  1S39.  49 
 
 Besides,  though  for  several  years  after  tlie  origin  of  the  Seces- 
 sion in  1733  no  salary  had  been  given,  this  was  owing  to  the 
 earliest  occupants  of  the  Divinity  chair — Messrs  Wilson  and 
 Moncrieff — being  in  comparative  affluence.  But  as  Professor 
 Hill  had  no  private  fortune,  and  as  his  cotenipor.uies,  Pro- 
 fessors Lawson,  Bruce,  and  Paxton,  had  been  in  receipt  of 
 salaries,  the  proposal  was  after  a  year's  meditation  (for  the  Old 
 Lights  did  nothing  rashly)  carried  into  effect,  and  a  salary  of 
 .£25  annually  was  voted  for  the  Professor,  which  sum  was  to 
 be  collected  by  ^Ir  Stewart  of  PoUokshaws  acconling  to  a  scale 
 of  rates  from  the  ditlerent  congregations.  Unfortunately,  how- 
 ever, this  system  of  taxing  the  Church  was  not  found  to  hn 
 satisfiictory,  and  hence  years  afterwards,  grievous  heartburnings 
 flowed  from  it. 
 
 In  the  same  year  the  Edinburgh  Presbytery  exhibited  a 
 commendable  spirit  respecting  the  stipends  of  their  ministerial 
 members,  by  passing  a  resolution  that  the  different  sessions  in 
 their  bounds  be  enjoined  to  send  up  to  next  Presbytery  tlie 
 receipts  for  the  last  stipend  paid  to  their  ministers.  That 
 tliis  hint  would  be  needed  by  sessions  there  is  no  reason  to 
 doubt,  since,  alas  !  it  was  not  uncommon  for  conjireorations  to 
 forget  that  the  labourer  is  worthy  of  his  hire. 
 
 The  year  181G  was  memorable  by  the  formation  of  a  new 
 Presbytery  in  connection  with  the  Synod.  This  was  the  Pres- 
 bytery of  Stirling  and  Falkirk,  which  Avas  formed  on  tlie  18th 
 September,  and  consisted  of  Messrs  Willis  of  Stirling,  Hill  of 
 Cumbernauld,  Raeburn  of  Bannockburn,  Stark  of  Falkirk, 
 Smith  of  Alloa,  and  Armour  of  Donne  and  Dumblnne, 
 ministers ;  with  Messrs  Wm.  Jaffrey  from  Stirling,  Robt. 
 Galloway  from  Cumbernauld,  Robert  Bums  from  Bannock- 
 burn, Alex.  Stark  from  Falkirk,  Thos.  Millar  from  Alloa, 
 and  Wm,  M'Keudrick  from  Doune  and  Dumblane,  ruling 
 elders  ;  and  to  have  the  vacancies  of  Kincardine  on  Forth  and 
 Denny  under  their  inspection.  The  first  moderator  of  this 
 presbytery  was  Rev.  Wm.  Willis,  and  Rev.  Wm.  Ritburn 
 was  for  many  years  its  clerk,  but  unfortunately,  notwith- 
 standing a  prolonged  and  careful  search,  its  records  cannot 
 now  be  found.  From  a  document,  however,  found  among  tlie 
 papers  of  the  .synod-clerk,  the  exact  dates  of  the  ministerial 
 
 D 
 
50  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 ordinations  that  took  place  in  connection  with  it  have  been 
 ascertained,  and  it  is  satisfactory  to  know  that  with  the 
 exception  of  those  of  this  presbytery,  all  the  Presbyterial  and 
 Synodical  Records  of  the  Original  Burgher  Synod  are  now  care- 
 fully preserved  in  the  archives  of  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland. 
 The  New  Light  Burghers  having  published  in  the  previous 
 year  a  pamphlet  of  fifty-five  pages,  stating  evidence  that  in 
 their  transactions  respecting  the  Formula  they  have  not  aban- 
 doned the  original  principles  of  the  Secession,  the  Old  Lights 
 appointed  a  committee  to  prepare  an  overture  with  the  view 
 to  bring  about  a  union  of  the  two  Synods.  This  committee 
 consisted  of  Messrs  Willis,  Gardner,  and  Stewart,  ministers  ; 
 and  Wm.  Jafifray,  ruling  elder  ;  and  in  the  following  April 
 1817  it  reported,  requesting  the  Synod  to  send  to  the  Mode- 
 rator of  the  Synod  from  which  they  had  separated  (viz.,  the 
 New  Lights)  the  following  letter,  which  was  agreed  to  :  — 
 
 "  Dear  Sir, — In  the  statement  of  evidence  by  your  Committee  of 
 Synod  you  have  said  that  the  Associate  Synod  held  the  very  same 
 principles  which  have  been  professed  by  them  in  all  periods  of  their 
 history.  Will  you  have  the  goodness  to  communicate  the  following 
 question  to  your  Synod,  and  favour  us  with  a  reply  at  as  early  an 
 hour  to-morrow  as  you  can  find  convenient  1  Are  your  Brethren 
 of  the  Synod  now  ready  to  remove  the  Preamble  prefixed  to  the 
 Formida  which  was  the  ground  of  offence  and  cause  of  separa- 
 tion 1  " 
 
 To  this  communication  the  following  reply  was  received: — 
 
 "  PORTSBURGH  MEETING  HoUSE, 
 
 "Edinburgh,  1st  May  1817. 
 
 "  Rev.  Sir, — I  have  received  letter  dated  Gray's  Clo.se  Meeting 
 House,  30th  April  1817,  and  signed  by  you  as  Moderator,  and  have 
 taken  the  liberty  to  lay  it  before  the  Associate  Synod. 
 
 "  The  Associate  Synod  regret  that  your  communication  does  not 
 enable  them  to  form  any  precise  idea  of  its  object.  But  although 
 they  had  been  distinctly  informed  of  your  design  in  requesting  a 
 categorical  answer  to  it  in  the  coiu-se  of  the  day,  it  was  impossible  for 
 them,  as  the  court  was  engaged  in  other  important  business,  to  have 
 given  an  answer  within  so  short  a  space  to  a  question  relating  to  a 
 subject  which  has  been  matter  of  discussion  for  twenty  years. 
 
 "  The  assertion  which  you  quote  from  the  statement  of  evi- 
 dence, that  the  Associate  Synod  hold  the  very  same  pi'inciples  at 
 this  moment  which  have  been  professed  by  them  in  all  periods  of 
 their  history,  was  not   then   made   for   the  first  time,  but   will  be 
 
BURGHER  SYNOD,   l7l)9  TO   183'J.  51 
 
 found    in   the  Synod's   address    to  tlio    people    under    their   charge, 
 publLslied  many  years  lieforo. 
 
 "The  Synod  hiuient  the  nuniUer  of  divisions  which  prevail  iji  the 
 Church  of  Chiist,  especially  among  persons  who  are  agreed  in  their 
 views  of  Doctrine  and  C'hurch  order,  and  will  always  be  reaily  to 
 adopt  such  measures  for  promoting  union  among  Christians  as  are 
 consistent  with  truth,  and  calculated  to  serve  the  ends  of  public 
 edification. — Meanwhile  I  am.  Rev.  Sir,  yours  respectfully, 
 
 "  Andrew  Lothiax, 
 
 Moderator  P.  T. 
 
 "  P.S. — The  lateness  of  the  hour  prevented  this  being  sent  you  as 
 was  intended  last  night." 
 
 The  result  of  this  correspondence  however  was,  that  instead 
 of  negotiations  for  union  going  on,  the  Old  Lights  in  the 
 following  year  held  a  iiro  re  nata  meeting  of  Synod  at 
 Falkirk,  at  which  it  was  agreed  to  publish  a  reply  to  the 
 statement  of  the  New  Light  Synod,  Messrs  Taylor  and  Willis 
 to  superintend  its  publication.  This  was  accordingly  done, 
 and  in  181  8  a  pamphlet  of  eighty-two  pages  appeared,  entitled, 
 "  A  Statement  of  Evidence  that  the  Burgher  Synod  generally 
 called  New  Light  have  abandoned  the  Original  Principles  of 
 the  Secession  Church,  in  answer  to  a  pamphlet  lately  pub- 
 lished by  them  in  which  the  contrary  is  asserted." 
 
 But  whilst  defending  themselves  from  their  former  breth- 
 ren, the  Old  Light  Seceders  shewed,  that  though  isolated, 
 they  shared  in  the  feelings  of  gratitude  to  God  which  Protest- 
 ants heartily  expressed  in  1817,  being  the  three  hundredth 
 anniversary  of  the  Reformation  in  Germany.  Hence  the 
 Synod  unanimously  appointed  a  day  of  thanksgiving  in  com- 
 memoration of  that  blessed  event,  but  left  it  with  the 
 different  presbyteries  to  fix  upon  what  day  they  judge 
 to  be  most  convenient  for  the  congregations  within  their 
 bounds. 
 
 In  1818,  in  compliance  with  the  request  of  ministers  in 
 Ireland,  the  Synod  appointed  the  brethren  there  to  form  a 
 presbytery  to  be  called  the  Associate  Presbytery  of  Down  and 
 Derry.  This  was  accordingly  done,  and  the  first  members  of 
 the  presbytery  were  Messrs  John  Shaw  of  Boardmills,  and 
 Wm.  Stewart  of  Garvagh  and  Ballylintagh,  ministers  ;  with 
 William  Shaw  and  Joseph  Warden,  ruling  elders. 
 
52  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 A  pro  re  nata  meeting  of  Synod  was  held  at  Alloa  on 
 22ud  July  this  year  to  consider,  inter  alia,  the  propriety  of 
 appointing  an  Interim  Professor  of  Divinity,  as  it  was  almost 
 certain  the  Rev.  Professor  Hill  would  not  be  able  to  take 
 charge  of  the  students  for  this  season,  being  in  such  a  state  of 
 affliction,  when  the  Rev.  Wm.  Taylor  of  Perth  was  appointed 
 Interim  Professor,  and  ultimately,  on  the  decease  of  Professor 
 Hill,  he  was  appointed  permanently  to  the  office. 
 
 In  closing  the  second  decade  of  the  Original  Burgher 
 Synod  we  see  the  denomination  going  on  prosperously,  having 
 during  this  period  increased  from  three  to  five  presbyteries, 
 and  as  in  1817  the  Perth  and  Dunfermline  Presbytery 
 received  a  donation  of  £500  from  Miss  Mary  Ross  of  Aber- 
 deen, "  for  the  purpose  of  sending  the  gospel  in  a  great 
 measure  free  of  expense  at  the  beginning,  where  any  opening 
 occurs,"  there  was  encouragement  for  the  planting  of  preach- 
 ing stations  in  suitable  localities,  and  thus  the  lengthening  of 
 the  Synod's  cords. 
 
 1819-1829. 
 
 The  early  part  of  the  nineteenth  centur}'  was  noted  for  mis- 
 sionary enterprise.  In  this  respect  it  was  evident  the  Church 
 was  awakening  to  a  sense  of  her  responsibility  with  respect  to 
 the  heathen.  When,  in  1  796,  the  subject  of  Foreign  Missions 
 was  introduced  into  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Church  of 
 Scotland,  the  opposition  which  it  evoked  is  now  scarcely 
 credible.  One  minister  deemed  Foreign  Missions  visionary  ; 
 another  held  that  the  duty  of  the  Church  was  to  sit  still,  and 
 pray,  and  wait ;  whilst  others  feared  that  if  the  project  was 
 entered  into  the  result  would  be  injurious  to  the  constitution 
 of  the  Church. 
 
 Missionary  effort,  howevei',  continued  to  expand  in  different 
 sections  of  the  Protestant  Church,  and  as  the  expense  of 
 sending  out  qualified  agents  was  oftentimes  larger  than  any 
 single  denomination  could  undertake,  Christians  of  different 
 sections  of  the  Church  united  in  the  formation  of  Missionary 
 Societies  for  the  furtherance  of  the  Gospel.  This,  of  course, 
 tended    to    promote  brotherly  afl'ection    amongst    Christians, 
 
BURGHER  SYNOD,    170*)  TO   18.'>0.  53 
 
 and  as,  siuce  the  overthrow  of  Napoleou  at  Waterloo,  peace 
 and  amity  prevailed  amongst  nations,  it  was  considered  only 
 becoming  that  iVatcrnal  feelings  should  obtain  amongst  the 
 professed  followers  of  Christ.  Hence,  at  this  time,  negotia- 
 tions for  the  union  of  the  different  sections  of  the  Secession 
 Church  were  proposed,  and  were  hailed  with  great  cordiality 
 by  warm-hearted  Christians. 
 
 Amongst  the  bodies  to  whom  the  proposal  of  union  was 
 made  was  the  Original  Burgher  Synod,  and  it  is  pleasant  to 
 note  that  the  proposal  was  at  once  responded  to;  since,  on  the 
 12th  May  1819,  the  Synod  appointed  a  Committee  to  collect 
 information,  and  correspond  with  all  the  branches  of  the 
 Secession,  with  a  view  to  union,  and  the  Synod  Record 
 states  that,  on  the  following  day, 
 
 *'  The  Rev.  "William  Willis  of  Stirling  suggested  the  propriety  of 
 ])utting  some  things  in  the  public  papers  showing  our  approbation  of 
 the  conduct  of  the  petitioners  respecting  an  union  among  Seceder.s, 
 and  also  to  show  tlie  public  that  we  are  so  far  from  being  against  an 
 xinion,  tliat  it  is  the  desire  of  our  hearts  to  have  one  among  the 
 general  friends  of  Christ,  but  that  with  respect  to  our  received  prin- 
 ciples we  liave  nothing  to  compromise.  A  scroll  of  a  representation 
 was  then  presented  and  read,  which  was  adopted.  The  tenour  whereof 
 follows — '  The  Associate  Synod  of  Original  Burglier  Seceders 
 being  met,  there  were  presented  a  number  of  petitions  from  con- 
 gregations in  their  Church  fellowship  resjtecting  an  union  among 
 Seceders.  These  petitions  being  read,  they  met  with  the  luiited 
 approbation  of  the  Synod.  In  all  of  them,  say  the  Synod,  the 
 following  things  were  observable:  1st,  A  conscientious  regard  for, 
 and  firm  attachment  to,  our  received  principles.  2nd,  A  fervent 
 desire  of  union  and  Church  fellowship  with  their  Christian  brethren 
 — "  O  House  of  Jacob  come  ye  and  let  us  walk  in  the  light  of  the 
 Lord."  ord,  A  becoming  respect  for  the  courts  of  Christ  over  them 
 in  the  Lord.  The  Synod  enter  most  completely  into  the  views  of 
 these  petitioners.  With  respect  to  our  received  principles,  we  have 
 nothing  to  compromise.  But  we  are  cordially  willing  to  unite,  and 
 walk  together  in  Church  fellowship  with  all  the  professed  friends  of 
 our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  sliall  see  it  their  duty  to  join  the  banner 
 for  truth  and  attained  to  refoi  luation,  displayed  by  the  first  Sece- 
 ders. The  first  Seceders  adopted  no  new  principles  distinct  from, 
 far  less  inconsistent  with,  the  principles  of  the  Presbyterian  Cove- 
 nanted Church  of  Scotland  contained  in  her  standards  supreme  and 
 sidjordinate.  These  principles  we  hold  uncoutaminated,  and,  to 
 show  to  all  our  desire  to  accomplish  an   union  among  Seceder.s,  we 
 
54  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 have  appointed  a  committee  to  collect  information,  and  to  coiTespond 
 with  these  bodies  in  the  Secession  that  are  at  present  using  means 
 for  that  important  purpose.'  " 
 
 Again  the  Synod  Record  states  that,  on  29th  September 
 1819, 
 
 "  A  lengthened  report  from  the  Committee  for  Union  with  the 
 Constitutional  Presbytery  was  given  in.  The  committee  consisted 
 of  Rev.  Messrs  Hislop,  Gardner,  Watson,  and  TurnbviU,  and  Mr 
 Alex.  Paterson,  elder.  Burghers ;  and  of  Constitutional  Pi'esby- 
 tery  the  Rev.  Messrs  Chalmers,  M'Ci'ie,  and  Shaw.  The  meetings 
 were  held  in  Dr  M'Crie's  session-house,  and,  inter  alia,  they  agreed, 
 that  in  reference  to  the  religious  clause  in  some  burgess  oaths  which 
 was  the  cause  of  the  breach,  in  consequence  of  its  abolition,  they 
 consider  it  unnecessary  to  enter  on  the  discussion  of  that  subject, 
 and  agree  to  drop  the  whole  conti-oversy  on  both  sides.  In  order, 
 howevei',  to  provide  against  the  interruption  of  the  peace  of  the 
 united  body,  they  consider  it  proper  that,  should  this  oath  be  again 
 revived,  none  of  their  members  take  it  till  such  measures  were 
 adopted  as  might  then  be  deemed  necessary  to  satisfy  the  scruples  of 
 brethren.  Second,  that  in  reference  to  the  religious  clause  in  some 
 burgess  oaths  which  was  the  original  cause  of  the  breach,  as  there 
 is  every  prospect  of  the  imposition  of  it  being  dropped,  they  agree 
 not  to  enter  into  the  discussion  of  it,  but,  with  the  view  of  provid- 
 ing against  the  interruption  of  the  peace  of  the  united  body,  it  shall 
 be  understood  that  if  it  shall  hereafter  be  enacted  in  any  burgh,  it 
 shall  not  be  taken,  at  least  until  such  alterations  be  made  on  it  as 
 shall  remove  the  objections  which  were  entertained  against  it  at 
 the  time  of  the  breach." 
 
 That  the  effort  now  made  to  unite  the  two  Old  Light 
 branches  of  the  Secession  was  hearty  and  protracted,  appears 
 from  another  Synodical  minute  of  8th  May  1821,  viz.  : — 
 
 "  It  was  repoi'ted  that  the  jomt  Committee  on  union  with  the 
 Constitutional  Presbytery,  viz. — Rev.  Messrs  Hislop,  Watson, 
 Stewart,  Smith,  Aitken,  and  Turnbull,  ministers,  and  Mr  Alex. 
 Paterson,  elder,  Bui'ghers ;  and  Rev.  Messrs  M'Crie,  Shaw,  and 
 Duncan,  ministers,  and  Mr  George  Knox,  elder,  of  Constitutional 
 Presbytery,  had,  inter  alia,  agreed  to  the  following  resolutions,  viz.  : 
 — That  the  Committee  agree  in  proposing  it  as  their  opinion  that  it 
 would  be  highly  desirable  that  all  the  ministers  in  the  united  body 
 should,  as  soon  after  the  union  as  may  be  convenient,  join  together 
 in  entering  into  the  Bond  with  the  view  of  setting  an  example  to  the 
 people.  That  with  respect  to  those  who  shall  afterwards  be 
 admitted  to  public  office  in  the  united  body,  the  Committee,  while 
 
BURGHER  SYNOD,    170'.)  T«)  1839.  5."» 
 
 deeply  sensible  of  tlie  ijreat  importance  of  re(|uiiing  from  such 
 pei"sons  this  solemn  pledge  of  theii-  fidelity  to  the  common  cause, 
 an«l  of  their  i-eadiness  to  co-operate  in  promoting  it,  are  at  the 
 same  time  sensil)le  of  tlifficiilties  that  are  in  the  way  of  at  present 
 proceeding  according  to  the  Act  of  the  Associate  Presbytery  in 
 1744  respecting  the  terms  of  Ministerial  Communion  (particularly 
 as  the  practice  of  covenanting  has  been  so  long  disused  in  one  of  the 
 societies  composing  the  union),  the  Committee  would  therefore 
 proi>ose  that  there  should  be  a  temporary  suspension  of  that  Act,  so 
 as,  that  students  may  be  for  some  time  licenced,  and  ministeis 
 ordained,  although  they  may  not  have  actually  joined  in  the  Bond, 
 while  it  is  provide<l  that  all  proper  means  shall  be  \ised  by  the 
 courts  in  the  meantime  to  inform,  and  excite  young  men  to  this 
 duty,  and  that  the  united  Synod  shall  determine  as  to  the  time 
 when  this  suspension  shall  cease." 
 
 Further,  in  the  following  year  the  Synod,  in  reply  to 
 a  letter  from  the  Constitutional  Presbytery,  expressed  their 
 willingness  to  renew  the  National  Covenants  in  a  bond  in  the 
 event  of  a  union  being  formed  with  the  Antiburghers,  whilst 
 a  few  years  later  the  Rev.  Messrs  Hill,  Anderson,  and  Head- 
 rick,  with  John  Jaffray,  elder,  who  had  been  appointed  to 
 examine  the  testimony  recently  published  by  the  Synod  of 
 Original  Seceders,  reported  that  "  the  general  tenor  of  the 
 testimony  is  truly  excellent,  and  such  as  the  Committee  have 
 no  hesitation  in  approving.  A  few  parts  in  it  at  the  same 
 time  must  necessarily  undergo  revision  and  alteration,  before 
 we  can  adopt  it  as  the  testimony  of  our  body." 
 
 Whilst  these  negotiations  betwixt  the  two  bodies  of  Old 
 Lights  were  being  carried  on  prosperously,  a  circumstance 
 occurred,  which  attracted  the  attention  of  the  Original 
 Burgher  Synod,  and  caused  its  members  to  think  that  possibly 
 they  might  effect  a  union  with  a  Church  mucli  larger  and 
 more  influential  than  tlio  Constitutional  Antiburgher  Presby- 
 tery. This  was  the  Church  of  Scotland,  the  growing  evan- 
 gelical portion  of  which  was  now  looking  with  friendly  eyes 
 upon  Old  Light  Seceders,  who,  amid  many  trials,  liad  faith- 
 fully maintained  the  principle  of  the  duty  of  nations,  as  such, 
 to  acknowledge  God,  and  take  an  interest  in  the  religious,  as 
 well  as  the  temporal  interests  of  their  subjects.  As  a  union 
 with  the  Church  of  Scotland,  if  it  could  be  effected  on  a 
 satisfactory  basis,  was  always  recognised  as  a  duty  by  Seceders, 
 
56  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 since  the  founders  of  the  denomination  had  in  17315  appealed 
 to  the  first  free,  faithful,  and  reforming  General  Assembly  of 
 the  Church  of  Scotland,  the  Original  Burgher  Synod  hailed 
 the  prospect  with  delight,  and  on  9th  May  1821  passed  the 
 following  decision : — 
 
 "  In  consequence  of  a  notice  in  the  newspapers  of  a  conversation 
 that  has  taken  place  in  the  (Established  Church)  Presbytery  of 
 Ghisgow  in  regard  to  a  union  with  Seceders,  the  Synod  deem  it 
 their  duty  to  meet  it  with  tlie  following  notice  in  reply  : — '  That  the 
 Associate  Synod  observe  with  much  pleasure  a  proposition  made  in 
 the  Presbytery  of  Glasgow,  at  a  late  meeting,  of  an  earnest  wish 
 that  something  might  be  done  to  bring  back  to  the  bosom  of  the 
 Church  those  who,  agreeing  with  her  in  every  material  particular, 
 had  been  too  long  estranged  from  her  communion  upon  one  point, 
 that  of  Patronage  ;  are  happy  to  embrace  this  early  opportunity  of 
 meeting  this  earnest  wish  with  equal  earnestness  on  their  side,  and 
 in  virtue  of  their  protest,  secession,  and  appeal  to  the  first  free  and 
 faithful  reforming  General  Assembly  of  our  Mother  Church,  they 
 stand  upon  these  very  principles  to  this  day,  and  shall  be  happy  to 
 return  into  her  bosom  as  soon  as  the  impediments,  particularly 
 Patronage,  shall  be  rolled  out  of  the  way.  And  while  they  desire 
 to  bless  God  for  putting  it  into  the  hearts  of  these  rev.  gentlemen 
 to  make  this  advance,  they  pledge  themselves  to  give  every  facility 
 to  any  motion  or  r  ture  for  their  return  which  shall  come  from 
 the  Church  of  Scotland,  of  which  they  consider  themselves  as  an 
 integral  part,  and  shall  use  their  influence  with  the  Christian  people 
 under  their  inspection  to  accomplish  such  an  important  event.'  " 
 
 The  result  of  beginning  negotiations  for  union  with  the 
 Established  Church  was  a  cooling,  perhaps,  of  fervour  in 
 carrying  on  proposals  of  union  with  the  Antiburghers.  True, 
 it  is  stated  that  on  10th  May  1827  the  Synod  agreed  to 
 send  communications  to  the  Associate  Synod  of  Protesters 
 and  the  Constitutional  Pi'esbytery,  for  a  Union  Conference  to 
 be  held  on  the  10th  October  following,  in  Edinburgh — said 
 communications  to  be  addressed  respectively  to  Rev.  Professor 
 Paxton  and  Rev.  Dr  M'Crie  ;  and  true  it  is,  that  (ni  the  day 
 named  the  Burgher  Synod  adjourned  to  Infirmary  Street 
 Church,  to  hold  an  extra-judicial  conference  with  the  two  before- 
 mentioned  bodies  of  Antiburghers,  who  were,  however,  no  longer 
 twain,  since  having  united  in  the  interval  they  had  now 
 adopted  the  name   of   Original   Secession  Synod;  but  though 
 
BURGHER  SYNOD,  1  T'JO  TO  1830.  57 
 
 this  cotifercncc  took  place,  and  was  renewed  on  the  following 
 day,  it  proved  abortive.  But  whilst  endeavouring  to  promote 
 the  good  cause  of  union  among  the  scattered  friends  of  truth, 
 the  Burgher  Synod  were  also  mindful  of  matters  which 
 affected  not  only  the  well-being  of  the  British  Empire,  but 
 also  the  well-being  of  the  world  at  large.  As  etforts  were 
 now  being  made  to  admit  Romanists  to  Parliament,  the 
 Burgher  Seceders  emitted  no  uncertain  sound  as  to  their 
 opinion  on  this  subject,  since  on  9th  May  1827,  their 
 "  Synod  petitioned  the  House  of  Lords  against  the  Catholic 
 Emancipation  Bill  in  the  following  terms,  inter  alia"  : — 
 
 "  They  earnestly  entreat  your  Right  Honourable  House,  and  ooa- 
 Jure  you  hy  all  that  is  sacred  m  religion  and  valuable  in  liberty,  to 
 be  in  proportion  more  watchful  and  more  decided,  as  the  cause  of 
 Catholic  Euiancipatioii  may  .seeui  to  have  receiveil  a  more  jjowerful 
 accession  of  influence.  The  bitter  experience  of  i)ast  ages,  conflrmed 
 by  no  unequivocal  indications  in  our  ovni,  convince  us  that  emanci- 
 pation once  granted  will  only  be  tiie  step  to  more  e.Ktensive  and 
 more  dangerous  encroachments." 
 
 And  as  at  this  time  also,  the  Apocrypha  was  being  printed 
 and  published  along  with  the  Scriptures,  as  if  it  formed  a  part 
 of  the  sacred  canon,  the  Synod  in  1827  unanimously  agi'eed 
 to  thank  the  Committee  of  the  Edinburgh  Bible  Society,  and 
 particularly  the  Rev.  Dr  Andrew  Thomson  (St  George's,  Edin- 
 burgh) and  Robert  Haldane,  Esq.,  for  their  invaluable  ser- 
 vices in  vindicating  the  purity,  and  promoting  the  unadulter- 
 ated circulation  of  the  "Word  of  God. 
 
 In  common  with  other  sections  of  the  Cliurcli,  the  Synod 
 had  its  annoyances  from  the  conduct  of  its  divinity  students, 
 preachers,  and  ministers  ;  but  instead  of  ignoring  these,  the 
 court  endeavoured  judiciously  to  preserve  due  order  within  its 
 pale.  Thus,  in  1820,  complaint  having  been  made  of  some 
 occurrences  that  had  taken  place  in  the  Divinity  Hall,  the 
 Synod,  after  investigation,  dismissed  the  matter.  Five  years 
 later,  however,  "  the  Glasgow  Presbytery  having  been  informed 
 by  the  Professor  of  Divinity  that  five  students  had  during  the 
 last  session  of  the  Divinity  Hall  attended  the  theatre  at  Perth, 
 they  were  conversed  with  respecting  this  matter,  and  the 
 Presbytery  being  satisfied  with  their  contrition,  they  were 
 rebuked  by  the  Moderator." 
 
58  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Then  though  mandating,  or  committing  discourses  to  memory, 
 had  been  hitherto  the  rule  among  those  who  appeared  before 
 the  Secession  Presbyteries  with  tiie  view  of  obtaining  licence,  it 
 appears  that  in  1825  some  students  felt  the  yoke  to  be 
 grievous  and  wished  to  avoid  it,  but  in  vain,  since  the  Glas- 
 gow Presbytery  Record  states   that  "  remarks   on    Mr 's 
 
 (a  student)  discourse  being  called  for,  the  members  refused  to 
 make  any  remarks  on  it,  especially  as  he  had  read  the  most 
 of  it,  of  which  they  highly  disapproved."  But  preachers,  as 
 well  as  divinity  students,  were  also  sometimes  troublesome,  as 
 is  evident  from  the  conduct  of  one,  who  not  only  in  1820 
 got  a  protest  taken  in  his  case  at  the  bar  of  the  Synod  by  a 
 notary  public,  but  three  years  later  appeared  at  the  Edinburgh 
 Presbytery,  and  requested  that  court  to  order  their  clerk  to 
 furnish  him  with  an  extract  of  his  appointments  to  preach 
 in  Shotts  and  Edinburgh,  from  March  1815  to  May  1820. 
 The  Presbytery,  however,  agreed  to  delay  the  consideration  of 
 
 this  to  their  next  meeting,  against  which   Mr protested, 
 
 and  appealed  to  a  civil  court. 
 
 And  that  ministers  and  congregations  had  also  their  vari- 
 ances, and  were  inclined  to  adopt  legal  measures,  is  manifest 
 from  the  following  statement : — 
 
 "The   minister   of congregation  not   having   received  any 
 
 stipenl  from  Dec.  1819  to  Uth  April  1823,  when  he  demitted  his 
 charge,  having  complained  to  the  Synod,  that  court  agreed  'that 
 the  minister  was  very  unhandsomely  used  by  the  portion  of  the  con- 
 gregation who  abandoned  his  ministry,  at  the  same  time  tbey  dis- 
 approve of  the  mode  in  which  he  acted  in  having  recourse  to  legal 
 rather  than  to  ecclesiastical  proceedings  in  the  Supreme  Court  for 
 stipend.  They  also  find  the  minority  who  remained  with  him  to 
 have   acted   commendably,  and   encourage  them  to  proceed   in  their 
 
 attempts  to  revive  our   cause  in ,  and   they  assure  them,  that 
 
 they  will  meet  with  no  further  trouble  in  relation  to  the  arrears  of 
 stipend,  which  their  former  minister  might  be  supposed  to  have 
 against  them.'  " 
 
 Comparative  peace  and  prosperity  not  unchequered  by 
 trials  and  disappointments  characterise  this  third  epoch  of 
 Burgher  Secession  history,  and  these  proved  the  prelude  to 
 the  stirring  events  which  were  speedily  to  follow. 
 
BURGHER  SYNOD,  1799  To  1839.         59 
 
 1829-1839. 
 
 This,  the  closing  epoch  of  the  history  of  the  Old  Light 
 Burgher  Synod,  w<as  begun  at  a  period  when  the  ecclesiastical 
 atmosphere  of  Scotland  was  surcharged  with  electricity.  The 
 Evangelical  Party  in  the  Church  of  Scotland  had  largely  in- 
 creased, and  was  soon  to  have  the  ascendency  in  her  councils. 
 The  Holy  Spirit  was  now  refreshing  many  parts  of  that 
 church,  and  hence  not  only  were  the  truths  of  the  Gospel 
 preached  with  fidelity  in  many  of  her  pulpits  throughout 
 Scotland,  but  urgent  efforts  were  being  made  for  the  spread  of 
 the  Kingdom  of  Christ  throughout  the  world.  It  was  at  this 
 time  that  Dr  Alexander  Duff,  the  apostle  of  India,  began  his 
 great  work  in  that  empire,  and  Dr  Chalmers,  after  having 
 done  good  work  in  home  evangelisation  in  Glasgow,  was  seated 
 in  the  Divinity  Chair  of  the  Metropolitan  T^niversity,  giving 
 lectures  to  hundreds  of  admiring  students,  and  imparting  to 
 them  mucli  of  his  fervent  evangelistic  spirit.  Then  the  two 
 New  Light  sections  of  the  Secession  having  joined  in  forming 
 the  United  Secession  Church  in  1820,  along  with  the  Relief 
 Synod,  began,  through  many  of  their  members,  to  wage  war 
 against  civil  establishments  of  religion.  This  controversy, 
 which  was  keen  and  protracted,  was  named  the  Voluntary 
 Controversy,  and  exhibited  in  development  the  principle,  the 
 bud  of  which  the  Old  Lights  had  detected  tliirty  years  before. 
 As  might  be  expected,  the  Old  Light  Seceders  combined  with 
 the  Church  of  Scotland  defenders  against  the  voluntary  foe, 
 and  from  their  training,  and  experimental  knowledge  of  the 
 subject  of  controversy,  were  found  to  be  very  valuable  allies. 
 This  was  specially  the  case  with  Dr  Michael  Willis  of  Glasgow, 
 to  whom  the  Synod  recorded  thanks  for  his  able  and  excellent 
 treatise  in  defence  of  civil  establishments  of  religion.  Of 
 course  the  friendly  feelings  which  had  formerly  obtained  be- 
 twixt the  Seceders  and  the  church  of  their  fathers  were  thus 
 deepened,  and  the  result  was,  that  overtures  for  alliance  were 
 continued,  until  at  length  the  desired  union  which  had  been 
 looked  forward  to  by  the  first  Seceders  took  place  in  1839. 
 
 Before,  however,   giving  the  detailed  account   of  this,  the 
 closing  historical  scene  of  the  Associate  Burgher  Synod,  it  is 
 
60  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 desirable  to  enumerate  some  of  the  principal  deeds  which  were 
 done  during  the  last  decade  of  its  history. 
 
 As  there  were  now  about  half-a-dozen  conofreffations  in 
 Ireland  belonging  to  the  Synod,  and  as,  possibly,  their  ideas 
 of  ecclesiastical  order  might  be  somewhat  in  harmony  with 
 those  of  a  political  kind  which  have  been  long  prevalent  in 
 that  country,  the  Synod,  in  1830,  enjoined  the  Presbytery  of 
 Down  and  Derry  to  use  all  prudential  means  to  raise  the 
 pecuniary  allowance  to  preachers ;  to  see  that  appointments 
 be  regularly  sent  them ;  that  one  of  the  ministers,  at  least, 
 attend  each  meeting  of  Synod,  and  that  by  rotation,  and  to 
 bring  the  records  of  presbytery  along  with  them. 
 
 In  the  following  year  the  Synod  agreed  that  the  Presbytery 
 of  Down  and  Derry  be  divided  into  two  presbyteries,  viz.,  the 
 Presbytery  of  Down,  and  the  Presbytery  of  Derry ;  which 
 division  was  duly  carried  into  effect.  But  whether  or  not  the 
 other  injunctions  of  the  Synod  were  attended  to  is  doubtful, 
 since  in  1833  the  Synod  reduced  the  number  of  their  com- 
 mands by  agreeing  that  the  Irish  Presbyteries  send  at  least 
 one  member  annually  to  the  Synod,  leaving  all  other  arrange- 
 ments to  be  settled  by  themselves.  At  the  constitutional 
 close  of  the  Burgher  Synod  in  1839,  the  number  of  congrega- 
 tions in  Ireland  was  seven,  of  which  five  had  ministers,  and 
 two  were  vacant. 
 
 As  it  was  still  deemed  very  desirable  to  effect  a  union,  if 
 practicable,  with  the  Antiburgher  or  Origmal  Seceders,  the 
 Synod  agreed,  on  16th  May  1832,  to  hold  a  conference  the 
 same  evening  with  the  Original  Secession  Synod.  The  place 
 of  meeting  was  Davie  Street  Church,  Edinburgh  (Dr  M'Crie's), 
 and  the  hour  6.30  P.M.  ;  but,  alas  !  it  proved  unsuccessful. 
 
 How  this  was  the  case  is  thus  described  by  Dr  James 
 Taylor  of  Flisk  : — 
 
 "  The  old  ground  of  difterence  there  was  no  getting  over.  The 
 Burgess  Oath  always  emerged  as  a  subject  of  dispute,  although,  by 
 the  interference  of  Mr  Ewing  of  Strathleven  at  the  meeting  of 
 Burghs,  the  objectionable  clause  was  repealed.  Every  concession  the 
 Burghers  were  willing  to  make,  short  of  calling  the  oath  sinful.  Dr 
 M'Crie  and  Dr  Stevenson  of  Ayr  were  the  apostles  and  the  advo- 
 cates of  union.  But  there  was  a  small  party  whose  feelings  were 
 strong  on  the  subject  of  the  defunct  oath,  and  who,  when  all  things 
 
BURGHER  SYNOlt,  1799  TO  1839.  01 
 
 seemed  ready  for  the  givinf;  of  the  right  hand  of  fellowship,  inter- 
 l)Osed,  and  brought  things  back  to  tlie  starting  point.  Dr  Paxtoii 
 was  tlie  holder  of  this  stern  band.  It  was  either  a  duty,  or  a  sin,  to 
 swear  that  oath.  If  a  duty,  then  it  was  to  be  commended  ;  and  if 
 a  sin,  then  it  must  be  condemned.  And  betwixt  the  horns  of  that 
 dihnnma  was  the  subject  left  imi»aled.  The  writer  was  present  at 
 one  of  these  conferences,  and  his  remembrances  are  lively,  for  it  was 
 then  he  fii-st  witnessed  a  meeting  of  Synod.  In  the  foreground  of 
 his  memory  are  the  appearances  of  I)r  iM'Crie  and  Dr  Paxton,  both 
 veneiable  men.  The  former  earnest  and  conciliatory,  the  latter  un- 
 bending and  obstnictive.  When  things  were  uttered  which  made 
 union  hopeless,  the  aged  Dr  Stevenson  of  Ayr  was  seen  to  retire  to 
 the  vestry,  and  there  to  shed  tears."  ' 
 
 The  only  other  reference  in  the  Burgher  Records  respecting 
 the  Antiburgher  Seceders  occurs  on  l.'ith  May  1835,  in  the 
 following  words,  viz.  : — 
 
 ''  Kegarding  the  proposed  union  with  the  Original  Seceders,  the 
 Synod  found  that  it  would  be  more  agreeable  to  retain  the  judicial 
 testimony  emitted  by  the  Associate  Presbytery  in  173G,  and  still  in 
 u.se  by  the  Associate  Synod,  taking  such  measures  as  are  necessary 
 for  bringing  it  down  to  the  present  time,  than  to  recognise  any  other 
 document,  however  valuable,  as  the  ground  of  union  between  the 
 two  bodies  ;  and  inasmuch  as  this  affects  the  leading  articles  in  the 
 pro])osed  basis,  they  judge  it  unnecessary  to  comnumicate  to  their 
 brethren  of  the  other  Synod  any  definite  judgment  on  these  points." 
 
 During  this  period  several  motions  carried  in  the  Pre.sby- 
 teries  and  Synod  give  a  glimpse  of  the  customs  of  tlie  age. 
 and  the  changes  which  time  and  experience  usually  effect  on 
 all  human  arrangements.  Thus,  in  1830,  the  Edinburgh 
 Presbytery  agreed  to  give  intimation  to  all  the  vacancies  under 
 their  inspection  that  every  letter  to  their  clerk  upon  business 
 be  prepaid,  otherwise  it  will  not  be  attended  to,  and  in  the 
 following  year  it  was  unanimously  agreed  that  students  of 
 divinity,  previous  to  their  application  to  the  Presbytery  to  be 
 examined  for  licence,  should  visit  the  members  of  Presbytery 
 individually,  and  undergo  a  private  examination.  Though, 
 however,  these  resolutions  evinced  a  proper  and  kindly  feeling 
 to  their  clerk  and  their  divinity  students,  a  petition  they  made 
 to  the  Synod  in  1832  for  the  division  of  their  Presbytery  into 
 two  courts,  to  be  designated  the  Presbytery  of  Edinburgh  and 
 '  Taylor's  "  Biographical  Notices, "  p.  1G7. 
 
62  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 the  Presbytery  of  Lanark,  did  not  commend  itself  to 
 the  supreme  court  as  judicious,  and  hence  its  prayer  was 
 refused. 
 
 About  this  period,  owing  to  tlie  progress  of  education  and 
 the  beginnings  of  a  revival  in  the  study  and  practice  of  sacred 
 music,  a  desire  began  to  prevail  for  the  abolition  of  the  vener- 
 able and  time-honoured  custom  of  the  precentor  reading,  or 
 rather  chanting,  each  line  of  the  psalm  previous  to  its  being 
 sung  by  the  congregation.  Though  this  practice  was  not 
 originally  Scottish,  but  had  come  from  England,  where  non- 
 readers  were  more  numerous,  yet  its  long  continuance  had 
 made  it  customary,  and  it  had  become  so  hallowed  by  sacred 
 associations  that  its  desuetude  was  regarded  by  many  as  a 
 hateful,  if  not  sinful  compliance  with  the  times,  and  an  inno- 
 vation which  should  be  strongly  resisted.  Hence  heart-burn- 
 ings and  strifes  arose  on  this  account  in  congregations  which 
 were  so  grievous  that  the  aid  of  the  Presbytery  was  some- 
 times invoked.  A  decision  of  the  Edinburgh  Presbytery  on 
 this  subject,  of  date  25th  February  1834,  is  instructive  and 
 interesting.      It  is  as  follows  : — 
 
 "  Regarding  the  giving  up  tlie  practice  of  reading  out  the  line 
 during  the  praise  in  public  worship,  the  Edmburgh  Pi'esbytery  feel 
 themselves  called  on  to  make  the  following  declaration  on  a  subject 
 which  is  not  merely  producing  disagi'eeable  efl'ects  in  many  congre- 
 gations, but  is  acting  injuriously  on  the  religious  interests  and  unity 
 of  the  body.  Therefore  the  Presbytery  do  declare  that  though  it 
 must  be  left  to  Sessions  and  congregations  to  act  as  they  see  cause 
 in  a  matter  which  ought  to  be  a  subject  of  forbearance,  and  as  shall 
 most  tend  to  general  edification,  still  they  consider  singing  without 
 the  line  as  not  only  not  in  opposition  to  any  part  of  the  Confession  of 
 Faith,  but  perfectly  agreeable  to  it.  That  the  mode  of  singing  in 
 any  particular  way  was  never  a  part  of  the  principles  of  the  Asso- 
 ciate Synod,  and  that  it  is  quite  I'ight  for  Sessions  and  congregations 
 to  act  in  this  matter  as  they  shall  see  cause.  The  Presbytery  are 
 also  of  opinion  that,  though  from  a  desire  to  promote  peace,  Sessions 
 in  some  cases  have  not  interfered  with  congregations  in  determining 
 questions  as  to  singing,  that  in  point  of  fact  and  law,  that  right 
 belongs  exclusively  to  Sessions  themselves." 
 
 Whilst  the  Synod  in  1834  showed  a  commendable  public 
 spirit  in  appointing  thanksgiving  for  the  late  national  enact- 
 ment abolishing  slavery,  it  in  the  same  year  gave  proof  of  its 
 
BURGHER  SYNOD,  1799  TO  1839.         63 
 
 Cliristian  desirr  to  hold  forth,  as  well  as  hold  fast,  the  truth,  by 
 resolving  to  raise  funds  for  missiuuary  enterprise. 
 
 On  lotli  September  1835  the  Rev.  Michael  Willis,  of 
 Renfield  Street  Church,  Glasgow,  was  appointed  Professor  of 
 Theology,  and  in  addition  to  thanking  the  Synod  for  the 
 honour,  lie  offered  in  the  most  handsome  manner  to  perform 
 the  duties  connected  with  the  professorship  gratis  for  three 
 years,  and  the  Synod  agreed  to  thank  Mr  Willis  for  his  offer. 
 Owing  to  the  approaching  union  with  the  Church  of  Scotland, 
 it  is  not  probable  that  Professor  Willis  ever  received  any 
 salary  for  presiding  over  the  school  of  the  prophets.  But  he 
 did  not  fail  in  thus  honouring  God  to  receive  honour,  since 
 .shortly  afterwards  he  received  the  degree  of  D.D.,  a  distinction 
 which  was  not  enjoyed  by  any  other  minister  of  the  Original 
 Burgher  Synod  during  the  entire  course  of  its  existence. 
 
 About  this  jDcriod  the  Synod  gave  evidence  that  its  career 
 was  soon  to  terminate  happily,  by  growth  in  Christian  charity, 
 and  not  only  confessing  the  mistakes  of  its  earlier  days,  but 
 also,  as  far  as  possible,  endeavouring  to  remedy  these.  Several 
 specimens  of  this  honourable  dealing  might  be  given,  but  one 
 will  suffice.  ord  October  1834 — "  It  having  been  represented 
 that  there  are  some  things  in  the  Synod's  Minutes  of  an  ex- 
 ceptional nature,  a  Committee  was  appointed  to  examine  the 
 Minutes  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  those  proceedings  and 
 decisions  in  the  Synodical  Records  affecting  character  and 
 conduct  which  ought  to  be  expunged."  And  it  may  be 
 added  that  the  Records  bear  visible  marks  of  this  Committee 
 having  done  its  work. 
 
 The  closing  years  of  the  Original  Burgher  Synod  had  now 
 come,  and,  as  was  to  be  expected,  its  members  were  very 
 much  occupied  in  making  due  preparations  for  the  expected 
 union  with  the  Church  of  Scotland.  As  the  course  of  true  love 
 is  said  seldom  to  run  smoothly,  so  the  progress  of  the  union 
 negotiations  was  no  exception  to  the  proverb.  There  were 
 parties  on  each  side  who  were  ready  to  hinder  the  o-ood  work. 
 These  were  the  Moderates  in  the  E.stablishment,  who  had  no 
 love  for  evangelical  preaching,  and  the  Conservatives  in  the 
 Synod,  who  considered  that  their  strength  was  to  sit  still.  But 
 though  sitting  still  may  be  a  duty  at  one  period,  it  is  not  so 
 
64  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 at  all  times,  since  Moses  was  commanded  to  speak  to  the 
 people  that  they  go  forward.  Progression  then  being  felt  to 
 be  duty  by  the  large  majority  of  the  Synod,  we  shall  now 
 proceed  to  give  an  account  of  the  union  betwixt  the  Burgher 
 Seceders  and  the  Church  of  Scotland  in  1839. 
 
 On  2nd  October  1834,  the  Synod  authorised  a  letter  to  be 
 sent  to  the  Moderator  of  the  General  Assembly,  expressing  the 
 favourable  feeling  which  prevailed  in  the  Body  towards  the 
 Church  of  Scotland,  its  decided  attachment  to  the  cause  of 
 National  Establishments,  and  the  pleasure  which  it  would 
 give  to  this  Synod  to  contemplate  the  probability  of  reunion 
 on  consistent  grounds  with  the  National  Establishment.  This 
 letter  was  sent  by  the  Rev.  Ralph  Robb  of  Strathkinnes, 
 Moderator,  on  14th  May  1835,  and  Dr  William  Thomson,  the 
 Moderator  of  the  General  Assembly,  having  brought  the 
 matter  before  the  Court,  a  Committee  was  appointed  to  con- 
 fer with  a  similar  Committee,  which  had  been  appointed  by 
 the  Burgher  Seceders.  Of  these  Committees  the  Rev.  Dr 
 Patrick  M'Farlan  was  the  Convener  of  the  former,  and  Rev. 
 Michael  (afterwards  Dr)  Willis  of  the  latter.  A  joint  meet- 
 ing was  held  on  4th  November  1835,  and  the  matter,  owing 
 to  its  importance  and  complexity,  having  been  relegated  to 
 sub  -  committees,  consisting  of  Drs  M'Farlan,  Thomson, 
 Lee,  Gordon,  the  Procurator,  Dr  Welsh,  and  Alex.  Dunlop, 
 Esq.,  on  the  one  side,  and  Messrs  Willis,  Mackray,  John 
 Anderson,  Jas,  Anderson,  Thornton,  Wright,  ministers,  and 
 Mr  Rattray,  elder,  on  the  other,  several  queries  were  sub- 
 mitted by  the  Assembly's  Committee  relating  to  the  course 
 of  study  required  before  liceuce,  the  formula  imposed,  and  the 
 manner  in  which  the  stipends  of  ministers  are  secured  to 
 them.  On  all  these  points  very  full  and  satisfactory  replies 
 were  given,  and  in  addition  a  very  comprehensive  statement 
 •of  sentiments  was  given  by  the  Synod  Committee,  in  which 
 they  referred  to  the  principles  of  Seceders  respecting  the 
 obligation  of  the  National  and  Solemn  League  Covenants,  the 
 lawfulness  of  Church  Establishments,  the  free  election  of 
 elders,  purity  of  Church  Discipline,  the  importance  of  an  act 
 prohibitory    of    Private    Baptisms,    the    Marrow    Controversy, 
 
BURGHKK  .SYNOD,    1799  TO   1839.  65 
 
 On  10th  ami  11th  May  1830,  the  Sub-Committees  met 
 and  unanimously  agreed  to  six  resolutions  referring  to  the 
 formula,  &c.,  and  the  General  Assembly's  Committee,  in  their 
 report,  expressed  the  "  hope  that  the  further  points  of  differ- 
 ence (Covenanting  and  Patronage)  may  be  adjusted  without 
 the  sacrifice  of  principle  on  either  side,  and  trust  that  the 
 negotiations  may  terminate  in  the  reunion  of  our  Seceding 
 brethren  with  the  Church  of  Scotland  on  sound  and  constitu- 
 tional principles,  and  on  terms  honourable  to  both  parties,  and 
 such  as  shall  tend  to  the  glory  of  God,  the  extension  and 
 greater  usefulness  of  our  Church,  and  the  spiritual  improvement 
 and  real  welfare  and  happiness  of  the  people  under  our  care." 
 
 After  some  correspondence  betwixt  the  two  Conveners,  and 
 meetings  of  the  several  Committees,  the  Synod  met  on  10th 
 May  1837,  when,  as  the  Edinburgh  Courant  states,  the  chief 
 business  of  the  court  was  concerning  the  negotiation  with  the 
 Church  of  Scotland.^  The  latest  report  of  the  General  Assem- 
 bly's Committee  having  been  laid  upon  the  table  by  the  Rev. 
 Michael  Willis,  Convener  of  the  Committee  of  Synod,  a  long- 
 discussion  ensued,  terminating  in  the  proposal  of  a  condition 
 of  reunion  with  the  Assembly,  to  the  effect  that  the  National 
 Church,  while  not  as  yet  ready  to  go  as  far  as  the  Secession 
 party  in  the  doctrine  of  Xatioual  Covenanting,  should  declare 
 generally  in  favour  of  the  ancient  vows  of  the  nation.  The 
 general  sentiment  of  the  Synod  seemed  to  be  that  many 
 lesser  matters  of  difference  might  be  adjusted  after  union,  if 
 this  great  principle  were  secured  ;  a  principle,  it  was  argued, 
 assuming  increased  importance  from  the  aspect  of  the  times. 
 A  division,  however,  ultimately  took  place  on  the  question, 
 whether  on  the  subject  of  patronage,  also,  a  greater  concession 
 should  not  be  insisted  on  than  the  veto  law  affords.  A  large 
 proportion  of  the  Synod  were  willing  to  forego  this,  and  to 
 accept  the  liberty  afforded  by  the  General  Assembly  to  contend 
 constitutionally  within  the  pale  of  the  Establishment  for  popu- 
 lar rights.  On  a  vote  being  taken,  the  Synod,  by  a  majority 
 of  two,  agreed  to  urge  as  a  sine  qua  Twn  at  least,  the  adop- 
 tion by  the  General  Assemby  of  the  course  long  pursued  by 
 
 '  See  docuiueuts  pertaining  to  Negotiation  between  the  General  Assembly 
 and  Associate  Synod,  1834-37,  and  Synod  Minutes. 
 
 E 
 
66  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 it,  of  remonstrating  respectfully  with  the  Legislature  for  the 
 abolition  of  Patronage.  It  was  agreed  by  those  in  favour  of 
 this  decision,  that  thereby  the  hands  of  the  Reforming  party 
 in  the  ISTational  Establishment  would  be  strengthened,  while 
 by  the  opposite  side  it  was  held  that  thereby  the  union  and 
 co-operation  of  those  of  Anti-patronage  views,  within  and 
 without  the  Establishment,  might  be  with  injury  delayed. 
 As  the  motion,  which  was  thus  carried  by  a  small  majority, 
 was  apparently  unfavourable  to  reunion,  the  Rev.  Dr 
 M'Farlan  of  Greenock,  on  the  26th  May  following,  when  he 
 moved  in  the  General  Assembly  the  reappointment  of  the 
 Committee  in  case  of  the  Synod's  reconsidering  the  said  re- 
 solution, and  expressing  their  willingness  to  resume  their 
 negotiations  with  the  Church  of  Scotland,  expressed  his  deep 
 regret  that  there  was  so  little  prospect  of  a  reunion  betwixt 
 the  Church  of  Scotland  and  the  Associate  Synod,  especially  as 
 in  these  times  the  object  was  so  very  desirable.  His  fears, 
 however,  were  disappointed,  for  on  28th  September  1837, 
 the  Synod,  feeling  that  progress  should  be  made  with  the 
 negotiations,  deliberated  on  the  followinoj  motion  and  two 
 amendments,  one  of  which  was  afterwards  withdrawn. 
 The  discussion  was  protracted,  and  adjourned  to  the  fol- 
 lowing meeting  in  May.  Meanwhile  a  joint  meeting  of 
 the  Committees  was  held  on  14th  March,  at  which  satis- 
 factory explanations  were  given  to  the  Seceders,  and  on 
 the  9th  of  May  1838  the  debate  was  resumed,  with  the 
 result  of  the  amendment  being  carried  by  a  majority.  The 
 motion  and  amendment  then  voted  on  were  as  follows  : — 
 
 Motion — "That  in  the  judgment  of  the  Synod,  the  time  contem- 
 plated by  the  Secession  Fathers,  when  a  retnrn  to  the  communion  of 
 the  Church  of  Scotland  might  consistently  be  made,  is  now  fully  come  : 
 That  the  explanations  obtained  by  the  labours  of  the  Committee  of 
 Synod  are  in  all  points  of  difference  satisfactory  except  two,  viz., 
 that  of  Lay  Patronage  and  the  National  Covenants.  As  to  Lay 
 Patronage,  their  principles  lead  them  to  seek  its  entire  abolition. 
 Inasmuch,  however,  as  the  great  principle  is  now  established  that  no 
 minister  be  ordained  to  the  pastoral  chai'ge  of  a  people  without  their 
 consent,  the  Synod  consider  it  to  be  so  far  modified,  as  that  it  no 
 longer  presents  an  insuperable  obstacle  in  the  way  of  reunion.  As 
 for  the   other  point,   the  descending  obligation    of   the   Covenants, 
 
BUKGHEK  SYNOD,  1799  TO  1839.  07 
 
 National  and  Solemn  League : — as  this  iliil  not  enter  into  the 
 grounds  of  Secession  as  originally  stated,  neither,  in  this  Synod's 
 judgment,  ought  it  to  be  regarded  lus  an  obstacle  in  tlie  way  of 
 reunion."  Amendment — "That  the  Synod,  considering  that  the 
 majority  who  voted  for  the  Resolutions  of  last  May  on  the  subject 
 of  the  proposed  union  with  the  National  Church  was  so  doubtful, 
 agree  to  give  opportunity  by  repeating  the  vote,  for  :isoertaining  the 
 decided  sentiment  of  the  Ijody  on  this  question  :  and  inasmuch  as 
 the  present  uncertain  state  of  the  Patronage  question  makes  a 
 degree  of  delay  advisable  ;  and  considering  the  desirableness  of  the 
 whole  body  being  duly  informed  of  the  present  state  or  final  issue 
 of  the  negotiation  between  the  Committees  of  tiie  Synod  and  General 
 Assembly,  agree  to  give  0])portunity  to  Presbyteries  and  Sessions  to 
 have  the  whole  documents  under  consideration  till  next  raL-eting  of 
 Synod  ;  requiring  their  opinion  how  far  the  terms  finally  obtained 
 from  the  General  Assembly,  and  about  to  be  embodied  in  an  over- 
 ture to  be  brought  before  that  venerable  court,  are  satisfactory,  it 
 being  understood  that  in  case  the  Synod  shall  decide  in  favour  of 
 reunion  on  the  basis  of  the  General  Assembly's  overture,  the  Synod 
 shall,  preparatory  to  the  union,  subscribe  a  bond,  pledging  itself  by 
 the  use  of  every  constitutional  liberty  secured  to  it,  to  folio ^v  out 
 the  design  of  its  testimony,  and  the  cause  of  reformation  sworn  to 
 in  our  National  Covenants." 
 
 This  amendment  having  been  carried,  the  Rev.  George 
 Moscrip  of  Greenock,  protested  in  his  own  name  and  in  the 
 name  of  all  who  should  adhere  to  him,  "  and  reserving  to  him- 
 self and  them  full  liberty  to  proceed  farther  in  this  matter  as 
 they  should  see  cause."  The  said  protesters  held  a  meeting 
 immediately  after  the  adjournment  of  Synod,  at  which  it  was 
 unanimously  agreed,  "  That  an  immediate  application  should 
 be  made  to  the  Assembly's  Committee,  for  themselves  and 
 their  brethren  who  adhere  to  them,  and  that  they  should 
 express  their  readiness  to  accept  the  preamble  to  the  proposed 
 overture  agreed  upon  by  the  Assembly's  Committee  as  a  most 
 satisfactory  basis  of  union."  In  view  of  these  circumstances, 
 the  As.sembly's  Committee,  on  22nd  May  1838,  resolved  to 
 recommend  the  General  Assembly  to  prepare  and  send  down 
 to  Presbyteries  an  overture,  having  for  its  object  the  reception 
 of  the  ministers  and  congregations  of  the  Associate  Synod  into 
 connection  and  full  communion  with  the  Church  of  Scotland. 
 This  the  General  Assembly  did,  and  on  26th  May  follow- 
 ing transmitted    the   following  overture   to   Presbyteiies,  and 
 
68  ANNALS  OF  OKIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 which,  having  received  the  approbation  of  a  majority  of  the 
 Presbyteries,  was  enacted  on  25th  May  1839  into  a  standing 
 law  of  the  Church,  and  so  formed  the  basis  on  which  the 
 Associate  (Burgher)  Seceders  returned  to  the  Church  of 
 Scotland. 
 
 Regarding  reunion  with  the  Seceders,  however,  it  is  worthy 
 of  remark  that  the  Moderate  Party  in  the  General  Assembly 
 had  no  sympathy,  for  during  the  debate  which  preceded  the 
 reappointment  of  a  committee  on  union  in  1837,  Dr  Geo. 
 Cook  of  St  Andrews  stated  that  he  considered  the  proposal 
 of  union  with  the  Seceders  as  altogether  chimerical,  but 
 declined  dividing  the  House  on  the  subject,  and  several  mem- 
 bers on  the  same  side  of  the  Church  expressed  themselves  to 
 the  like  effect.  The  Union  Committee  were  then  named,  Dr 
 Cook's  friends  having  successively  requested  to  have  their 
 names  withdrawn.  Again,  when  the  Assembly  in  1838 
 agreed  to  send  down  the  overture  on  union  to  Presbyteries,  Dr 
 Cook  again,  in  a  lengthy  speech,  declared  the  idea  of  union 
 altogether  chimerical,  and  as  unapproachable  as  the  philoso- 
 pher's stone.  He  was  followed  by  Mr  W.  R.  Pirie  of  Dyce, 
 afterwards  Principal  Pirie  of  Aberdeen,  who  also  opposed  the 
 overture,  which  he  considered  to  be  the  most  revolutionary 
 proposal  ever  made  within  the  walls  of  that  venerable  Assem- 
 bly. Mr,  afterwards  Dr,  Buchanan  of  Glasgow,  however,  ably 
 spoke  on  the  other  side,  and  was  supported  by  Dr  Clason  and 
 Messrs  Davidson  of  Broughty-Ferry  and  Dempster  of  Denny, 
 whilst  Dr  Brunton,  Professor  of  Hebrew  in  the  Edinburgh 
 University,  declared  that  he  felt  it  due  to  the  Associate  Synod 
 to  state  that  he  found  their  standard  of  education  for  their 
 young  men  as  high  as  in  the  Church  of  Scotland. 
 
 When  the  Associate  Synod  met  in  Glasgow  in  May  1830, 
 the  Rev.  Wm.  Mackray  of  Stirling  moved  the  observance  of  a 
 diet  of  prayer  for  the  General  Assembly  about  to  meet  for 
 inter  alia  finally  deciding  on  the  question  of  union,  in  which 
 he  was  supported  by  Messrs  Gordon  of  Falkirk  and  Anderson 
 of  Helensburgh,  which  proposal  was  unanimously  agreed  to. 
 
 When  the  Assembly  met,  Mr,  afterwards  Dr,  Candlish,  on 
 25th  May  1830,  moved  that  the  overture  for  union  having 
 received   the   approbation    of   a  majority  of  Presbyteries,  be 
 
bur(;heu  .synod,  17f)9  to  183i>.  69 
 
 enacted  as  a  staiulino;  Act  of  the  Climoh,  when  he  expressed 
 the  hope  that  this  was  hut  the  first  fruits  of  the  ingathering 
 of  their  Israel,  so  that  once  more  their  Church  might  be  the 
 Church  of  all  the  people  of  the  land,  which  motion  was 
 unanimously  agreed  to. 
 
 Session  Eleven,  May  25,  1839. — Act  anent  Reunion  with  Seceders. 
 
 "  The  General  Assembly,  on  tlie  Report  of  the  Conmiittee  for  class- 
 ing Returns  to  Overtiu-es,  having  found  that  the  Overture  anent 
 Reunion  with  Secedei-s  has  received  tlie  approbation  of  a  majority 
 of  the  presbyteries  of  the  church,  did,  and  hereby  do,  enact  the 
 Siud  Overture  into  a  standing  law  of  the  Church,  as  follows  : — 
 
 "  Whereas  proposals  have  been  made  by  the  Associate  Synod  for  a 
 reunion  with  the  Church  of  Scotland,  and  a  considerable  number 
 of  overtures  have  been  sent  at  the  same  time  to  the  General 
 Assembly  from  the  synods  and  presbyteries  of  the  Church  favourable 
 to  that  object  ;  and  it  has  been  ascertained  by  a  committee  of  the 
 General  Assembly,  that  the  course  of  study  required  for  a  long  time 
 past  of  students  in  divinity  in  connection  with  said  Synod  is  quite 
 satisfactory,  and  that  their  ministers  and  elders  do  firmly  adhere  to 
 the  Westminster  Confession  of  Faith,  the  Larger  and  Shorter 
 Catechisms,  and  other  Standards  of  our  Church  ;  and  whereas  the 
 membei-s  of  the  Associate  Synod  do  heartily  concur  with  us  in  hold- 
 ing the  great  principle  of  an  Ecclesiastical  Establishment,  and  the 
 duty  of  acknowledging  God  in  our  national  as  well  as  our  individual 
 capacity  ;  and  we,  on  the  other  hand,  do  heartily  concur  with  the 
 members  of  the  Associate  Synod  in  confessing  the  great  obligations 
 under  which  we  lie  to  our  forefathers  in  the  year  1G38,  and  several 
 years  of  that  century  immediately  following,  and  the  duty,  in 
 particular  circumstances,  of  uniting  together  in  public  solenui 
 engagement  in  defence  of  the  Church,  and  its  doctrine,  discipline, 
 and  form  of  worship  and  government ;  and  whereas  our  brethren  of 
 the  Associate  Synod  have  declared  then-  willingness,  in  the  event 
 of  a  reunion,  to  sid^mit  to  all  the  laws  and  judicatories  of  this 
 Church,  reserving  only  to  themselves  the  right  which  the  members 
 of  the  Established  Clnu-ch  enjoy  of  endeavouring  to  coi-rect  in  a 
 lawfid  manner  what  may  appear  to  them  to  be  faulty  in  its  con- 
 stitution and  government. 
 
 "  The  General  Assembly,  with  the  consent  of  the  presbyteries  of 
 this  Church,  enact  and  ordain,  that  all  the  ministers  of  the  Associate 
 Synod  and  their  congregations  in  Scotland,  desirous  of  being  admitted 
 into  connection  and  full  communion  with  the  Church  of  Scotland, 
 be  received  accordingly,  and  that  the  following  rules  be  strictly 
 obsei-ved  by  the  presbyteries  of  this  church  relative  to  this  subject  : — 
 
70  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 "  I.  Ministers  of  the  Associate  Synod  and  their  congregations 
 shall  be  received  into  connection  with  the  presbyteries  in  whose 
 bounds  their  churches  are  situated,  on  their  laying  before  the  said 
 presbyteries  respectively  a  representation  or  memorial,  subscribed 
 in  name  of  the  kirk-sessions  of  said  congregations,  by  their 
 moderator,  or  other  persons  appointed  by  them  ;  and  if  there  be 
 managers  of  said  congregations,  by  the  preses  of  said  managers,  or 
 other  person  in  their  name  and  by  their  authority,  as  also  by  the 
 preses  of  a  meeting  of  the  members  of  the  congregation,  setting  forth 
 the  desire  of  said  ministers  and  congregations  to  be  received  into 
 connection  with  the  Church  of  Scotland.  On  such  representation 
 or  memorial  being  presented,  the  presbytery  shall,  subject  to  the 
 condition  above  specified,  receive  and  admit  the  memorialists  ;  and 
 in  the  event  of  the  presbytery's  refusing  to  do  so,  it  shall  be  com- 
 petent to  the  memorialists  to  appeal  to  the  General  Assembly. 
 
 "  2.  On  the  reception  of  a  minister  and  congi'egation  of  the 
 Associate  Synod  into  connection  with  a  presbytery  of  this  church, 
 the  managers  of  said  congregation,  or  the  kirk-session  and  deacons, 
 if  managers,  shall  forthwith  take  the  steps  necessary  for  procuring 
 a  constitution  for  the  newly-admitted  church,  and  having  a  terri- 
 torial district  assigned  thereto. 
 
 "  3.  Every  minister  of  the  Associate  Synod,  at  his  admission  as 
 a  member  of  Presbytery,  and  every  ruling  elder  of  said  Synod,  before 
 taking  his  seat  as  a  member  of  Presbytery  or  Synod,  or  General 
 Assembly,  shall  subscribe  the  Westminster  Confession  of  Faith, 
 and  the  Formula  of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  and  shall  enjoy  all  the 
 rights  and  privileges  of  ordained  ministers  and  elders  of  the  Church 
 of  Scotland. 
 
 "  4.  The  integrity  of  the  kirk-sessions  and  existing  congregations 
 of  the  Associate  Synod  admitted  into  the  Church  of  Scotland,  and 
 the  right  of  said  kii'k-sessions  to  grant  sealing  ordinances  to  the 
 present  members  of  their  said  congregations,  though  not  residing 
 within  the  bounds  of  the  parish  which  may  be  allotted  to  them,  shall 
 be  distinctly  and  practically  recognised  by  the  other  kirk-sessions  and 
 the  presbyteries  of  this  Church  ;  provided  always  that  this  provision 
 shall  in  no  respect  apply  to  non-residents  who  are  not  at  the  date  of 
 this  Act  members  of  the  existing  congregations  as  aforesaid. 
 
 ."5.  Presbyteries  shall  not,  at  or  after  the  admission  of  ministers 
 of  the  Associate  Synod  and  their  congregations  into  connection  with 
 the  Church  of  Scotland,  require  any  provision  to  be  made  for  the 
 said  ministers  by  the  managers  of  said  congregations  difl'erent  from 
 existing  arrangements  ;  but  the  laws  now  in  force  in  this  Church,  or 
 hereafter  to  be  enacted,  shall  be  observed  with  regard  to  all  future 
 intrants. 
 
 "  6.  The  licentiates  or  probationers  of  the  Associate  Synod  shall 
 
BURGHER  SYNOD,  1790  TO  1830.  71 
 
 lie  received  ami  treated  as  other  prohatiouers  within  the  bounds  of 
 the  presbytery,  on  tlieir  makini;  application  to  the  presbytery  to  that 
 edect,  and  on  their  subscribing  tlie  Westminster  Confession  of  Faith, 
 and  Formula  of  the  Church  of  Scothind,  and  shall  be  held  equally 
 capable  with  them  of  receiving  a  presentation,  or  of  being  elected 
 and  called  to  a  vacant  congregation  within  the  l)Ounds  of  this  Church. 
 
 "  7.  The  students  of  divinity  of  the  Associate  Synod  at  the  time 
 of  the  passing  of  this  Act  shall,  on  producing  certificates  of  their 
 having  finished  their  theological  course,  under  the  Professor  of  the 
 Associate  Synod,  be  taken  on  trials  for  licence  by  the  presbytery  of 
 the  bounds.  Those  of  the  existing  students  of  said  Synod  who  have 
 commenced,  but  have  not  finished  their  theological  studies,  shall 
 complete  their  curriculum  with  him  or  in  the  Divinity  Halls  of  the 
 Scottish  Universities  ;  and  their  sessions  of  regular  attendance  on 
 the  lectures  of  the  Professor  of  Theology  of  the  Associate  Synod 
 shall  be  counted  as  sessions  of  regular  attendance  in  the  Divinity 
 Hall. 
 
 "  8.  Ministei-s  and  their  congregations  out  of  Scotland,  belonging 
 to  the  Associate  Synod,  and  expressing  their  desire  of  being  recog- 
 nised by  the  Church  of  Scotland  as  connected  with  her,  shall  be  held 
 as  standing  in  the  same  relative  positions  as  ministers  and  congi-ega- 
 tions  in  England,  Ireland,  and  the  Colonies,  whose  connection  with 
 this  Church  has  been  acknowledged." 
 
 Before,  however,  the  General  Assembly  met  which  passed 
 the  above  overture  into  a  law  of  the  Church,  the  Associate 
 Synod  met  in  Glasgow  with  the  design  of  testing  the  state  of 
 opinion  on  union,  when  the  following  motion  and  amendment 
 were  proposed  and  discussed  on  16th  May  1839,  viz.  : — It  was 
 moved  by  the  Rev.  Dr  Willis  of  Glasgow,  and  seconded  by  the 
 Rev.  John  Anderson  of  Helensburgh  : 
 
 "  That  this  Synod,  on  a  full  consideration  of  the  results  of  the 
 correspondence  held  with  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Church  of 
 Scotland,  and  having  afforded  opportunity  to  presbyteries  and 
 sessions,  with  congi'egations,  of  acquainting  themselves  with  the 
 whole  documents  connected  with  this  business,  do  now  resolve,  that 
 a  basis  of  warrantable  reunion  has  been  found  as  set  forth  in  the 
 General  Assembly's  overtures,  and  the  accompanying  explanations  of 
 the  committees ;  and  that,  partaking  in  the  concern  with  which  the 
 National  Church  finds  some  of  its  attempts  to  establish  the  principle 
 of  non-intrusion,  in  regard  to  the  pastoral  charge,  discountenanced 
 by  the  civil  power,  the  Synod  does  yet  entertain  such  full  confidence 
 that  the  General  Assembly  will  hold  with  becoming  firmness  to  that 
 great  principle,  as  well  as  other  kindred  important  principles  which 
 
72 
 
 ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 it  has  been  enabled  to  assert  in  the  face  of  opposition  and  repi-oach ; 
 that  the  Synod  does  not  feel  warranted  to  recede  from  the  contem- 
 plated alliance  with  their  brethren  in  this  day  of  trial  and  peril. 
 And,  in  the  faith  of  such  adherence  by  the  National  Church  to  a 
 faithful  course  of  policy,  tending  towards  what  this  Synod  has  ever 
 desired  in  respect  of  the  liberties  of  the  Church  of  Christ,  appoints 
 a  meeting  of  Synod  to  be  held  at  Edinburgh,  on  an  early  day,  for 
 the  final  adjustment  of  this  cause." 
 
 It  was  also  moved  by  the  Rev.  James  Thornton  of  Milnathort, 
 and  seconded  by  the  Rev.  Peter  Currie  of  Glasgow  : 
 
 "  That  the  Synod  delay  the  further  consideration  of  the  overture 
 till  next  meeting,  in  order  to  ascertain  the  mind  of  the  General 
 Assembly  with  reference  to  it,  trusting  they  will  maintain  and  carry 
 out  the  great  principle  of  non-intrusion,  already  declared  to  be  a 
 fundamental  law  of  the  Church." 
 
 The  vote  being  called,  showed  the  cause  of  union  to  be  now 
 in  the  ascendant,  thirty- six  having  voted  for  Dr  Willis's 
 motion  and  twenty-six  for  the  amendment  of  Mr  Thornton, 
 the  motion  thus  being  carried  by  a  majority  of  nine. 
 
 The  Synod  having  therefore  in  conformity  with  the  above 
 resolution  appointed  its  next  meeting  to  be  held  in  South 
 Gray's  Close  Church,  Edinburgh,  in  the  month  of  July,  when 
 it  would  be  definitely  known  what  was  the  finding  of  the 
 General  Assembly  on  the  subject  of  union  with  the  Seceders, 
 and  the  General  Assembly  having  meanwhile  passed  as  an  act 
 of  the  Church  the  deliverance  of  25th  May  1839,  the  Associate 
 Synod  met  accordingly  on  31st  July  1839,  and  having  been 
 constituted  by  the  Rev.  John  Wright  of  Alloa,  moderator, 
 entered  on  the  question  of  union  with  the  Church  of  Scotland. 
 After  a  lengthened  discussion,  it  was  moved  by  the  Rev.  Dr 
 Willis  of  Glasgow,  and  seconded  by  the  Rev.  Thos.  Hislop  of 
 Doune  : 
 
 "  That  the  Synod  having  by  a  considerable  majority  declared  at 
 last  meeting  its  satisfaction  with  the  General  Assembly's  overture 
 on  reunion,  as  affording,  along  with  the  explanations  of  the  com- 
 mittees, a  ground  of  consistent  accession  by  this  body  to  the  Estab- 
 lished Church,  and  having  appointed  the  present  meeting  for  a  final 
 adjustment  of  this  business  in  the  expectation  that  the  General  As- 
 sembly, which  was  to  meet  in  the  interval,  would  steadily  follow  out 
 its  laudable  endeavours  to  establish  the  principle  of  non-intrusion, 
 and  maintain  the  spiritual  independence  of  the  church  :  Resolve — 
 
REy°     MICHAEL     WILLIS.    D.  D. 
 
BURGHER  SYNOD,  1791)  TO  J  839.  73 
 
 "  I.  That  the  oxpoetation  of  the  Synod  has  in  respect  of  these  con- 
 ditions of  union  been  realised,  and  its  confidence  in  the  General 
 Assembly  justified,  and  that  in  such  circumsttinces  as  to  confirm  the 
 opinion  of  this  Synod  as  to  the  progressive  revival  of  our  National 
 Church. 
 
 "II.  That,  remembering  that  the  first  Seceders  contemplated  a 
 day  of  reunion  with  the  Church  of  Scotland  when  such  revival 
 should  be  manifest,  and  that  they  left  on  record  their  appeal  to  some 
 future  Assembly,  the  Synod  only  act  in  the  spirit  of  their  predeces- 
 sors in  taking  the  earliest  opportunity,  consistent  with  truth,  and 
 with  the  protection  of  the  rights  of  all  parties,  to  heal  a  division, 
 the  necessity  for  which  was  from  the  beginning  deplored. 
 
 "  III.  That  with  the  view  of  accomplishing  this  union  according 
 to  the  terms  agreed  upon — terms  which  admit  of  their  carrying 
 within  the  pale  of  the  National  Church  that  testimony  for  the  con- 
 stitutional principles  and  standards  of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  which 
 they  have  long  borne  in  a  state  of  separation — they  agree  that  the 
 Moderator  shall  be  warranted,  at  the  close  of  the  final  sederunt  of 
 the  ju-esent  Synod,  to  declare  that  its  constitution  as  a  separate  judi- 
 catory, in  its  present  extended  form,  and  that  of  the  presbyteries 
 composing  the  Synod,  shall  cease  from  and  after  the  date  of  this 
 meeting  ;  and  that  the  ministers  and  elders  of  the  various  presby- 
 teries shall,  as  early  as  may  be  practicable  and  orderly,  annex  them- 
 selves to  the  presbyteries  of  the  National  Church  in  their  respective 
 bounds,  according  to  the  late  Act  of  Assembly. 
 
 IV.  "That  while  agreeing  to  cease  from  its  actings  in  a  separate, 
 associated  capacity,  the  Synod  takes  the  opportunity  of  expressing 
 its  unabated  attachment  to  the  Westminster  Confession  of  Faith, 
 and  Catechisms  Larger  and  Shorter,  as  received  and  approved  by  the 
 Acts  of  Assembly  of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  1G47  and  1648,  as 
 being  founded  on  the  Word  of  God  ;  its  high  approbation  of  that 
 Reformation  work  which  the  General  Assembly  of  1G38  was 
 honoured  to  carry  forward ;  its  belief  in  the  obligation  of  our 
 National  Covenants,  and  its  desire  and  resolution  to  follow  out, 
 though  not  in  the  same  associated  capacity,  the  same  great  cause, 
 by  such  Christian  and  constitutional  means  as  shall  be  in  their 
 power. 
 
 "  V.  That  reviewing  the  history  of  the  Synod's  contendings,  they 
 have  reason,  while  called  to  bewail  manifold  imperfections  and 
 shortcomings  of  their  own,  to  recognise  the  Divine  mercy  manifested 
 to  this  religious  body,  in  enabling  it  to  witness  socially,  as  they  still 
 are  bound  to  do  individually,  for  injured  tnith,  preserving  and 
 transmitting  a  testimony  for  doctrines  much  neglected  and  corrupted, 
 during  a  declining  period  of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  and  latterly,  in 
 enabling  it  also   to   adhere    to  those  principles  of  national  religion 
 
/  4  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 extensively  relinquished  throughout  the  Secession,  and  the  denial  of 
 which  by  many  the  Synod  feels  to  constitute  a  special  call  for 
 reunion  among  the  friends  and  defenders  of  those  truths. 
 
 "  VI.  That  the  Synod,  while  it  has  long  testified  against  the 
 corruptions  of  the  National  Churcli,  rather  than  praised  the  actings 
 of  many  in  the  conduct  of  its  affairs,  sincerely  rejoices  in  recognising 
 that  spirit  of  fervent  zeal  in  proclaiming  Gospel  truth  so  largely  pre- 
 valent within  its  communion  now,  and  its  anxious  labours  for  the 
 extension  of  the  Gospel  abi-oad  as  well  as  at  home,  which,  as  well  as 
 its  maintenance  of  the  principles  of  non-intrusion  and  spiritual 
 independence,  indicate  the  presence  and  power  of  the  Spirit  of  God 
 within  the  parent  Church,  and  give  encouragement  to  believe  that 
 with  so  many  true-hearted  associates  in  the  service  of  the  common 
 Redeemer,  our  efforts  may  be  moi-e  effectual  for  good,  by  the  Divine 
 blessing,  than  in  our  sepai'ate  and  unaided  capacity. 
 
 "VII.  That,  inasmuch  as  a  minority  of  the  Synod  may  not  yet 
 see  their  way  clear  to  accede  to  the  union  in  the  meantime,  the 
 Synod  desires  to  regard  with  all  Christian  consideration  any  difficul- 
 ties that  may  be  in  their  path  :  And,  understanding  that  these 
 brethren  contemplate  to  act  still  in  an  associated  capacity,  the 
 Synod,  while  not  merging  its  powei's  as  a  Synod  in  the  minority, 
 do  leave  the  books  of  Synod  and  of  Presbyteries  in  their  hands,  with 
 authority  to  take  all  use  of  them  consistent  with  their  i-emaining  the 
 property  of  the  majority  in  common  with  the  minority,  and  so  as 
 to  be  accessible  to  them  when  required ;  and  do  not  object  to  their 
 taking  the  designation  of  the  Associate  Presbytery,  or,  if  they  see 
 cause,  of  the  Associate  Synod,  while  maintaining  the  common 
 interests  of  truth  and  of  attained  to  reformation  in  the  manner  they 
 prefer.  And  the  majority  and  minority  shall  both  be  understood 
 as  pledging  themselves  to  encourage  no  violent  proceedings  affecting 
 tlae  conscientious  liberty  of  one  another ;  nor  litigations  in  respect 
 of  civil  property  ;  and  that  in  case  of  any  difficulties  arising  in 
 questions  of  that  kind,  the  same  shall  be  settled  by  Christian 
 arbitration." 
 
 To  this  motion  the  following  amendment  was  moved  b}' 
 the  Rev.  James  Anderson  of  Carluke,  and  seconded  by  Mr 
 James  M'Kinlay,  ruling  elder  from  Kirkintilloch  :■ — • 
 
 "  That  this  Synod  reverse  the  decision  of  its  last  meeting  approv- 
 ing the  Overture  of  the  General  Assembly  anent  reunion  with 
 Seceders,  and  resume  the  position  occupied  previously  to  that 
 meeting — delay  the  proposed  union  with  the  National  Church  till 
 the  ends  of  the  Judicial  Testimony  shall  have  been  more  effectually 
 attained  ;  it  being  understood,  that  if  the  resolutions  proposed  by 
 the  Eev.  Dr  Willis   shall  be  adopted  by  this  Synod,  there  shall  no 
 
BURUHEll  SYNOD,  1799  TO  1839.  75 
 
 protest  bo  taken  by  the  minority,  but  that  a  separation  shall  be 
 amicably  etTected  in  terms  of  these  resolutions  ;  and  that  measures 
 shall  immediately  be  adopted  by  the  minority  for  conducting  the 
 public  cause  of  the  Associate  body,  as  heretofore  it  has  been 
 conducted." 
 
 The  circumstances  beinor  solemn,  and  tlie  decisioa  that 
 hung  in  the  balance  of  groat  importance,  a  member  of  court 
 prayed  for  light  and  directiou.  It  was  then  agreed  that  the 
 state  of  the  vote  be  first  or  second  motion  ;  and  the  roll 
 being  called  and  the  votes  marked,  it  carried  first  motion  ; 
 the  numbers  being  thirty-nine  to  thirteen,  which  motion  to 
 return  to  and  unite  with  the  Church  of  Scotland  the  Synod 
 adopted  accordingly  by  the  overwhelming  majority  of  three  to 
 one. 
 
 Of  the  forty-one  ministers  in  Scotland,  twenty-nine  acceded 
 at  once  to  the  Church  of  Scotland,  viz.  : — Rev.  Dr  Willis, 
 Glasgow  ;  and  Messrs  John  Reid,  Bathgate  ;  Andrew  M'Kenzie, 
 Edinburgh  ;  James  Young,  Greenlaw  ;  Peter  Sawers,  Lanark  ; 
 Wm.  Logan,  Lesmahagow  ;  James  Findlay,  Airdrie  ;  William 
 Hay,  Bridge  of  Weir  ;  James  Mushet,  Dairy  ;  James  Stark, 
 Greenock  ;  John  Anderson,  Helensburgh  ;  Peter  Campbell, 
 Kilmarnock  ;  James  Falconer,  Paisley ;  James  Cleland, 
 Stewarton  ;  William  Primrose,  Aberdeen ;  Jolm  Waddell, 
 Burrelton  ;  William  Elder,  Cupar-Fife ;  William  Dalziel, 
 Dunfermline;  Robert  Macindoe,  Kirkcaldy;  James  Macgown, 
 JMidmar  ;  James  Thornton,  Milnathort  ;  John  Turubull, 
 Perth  ;  Ralph  Robb,  Strathkinnes ;  John  Wright,  Alloa  ; 
 John  Cochrane,  Cumbernauld ;  Thomas  Hislop,  Doune  ; 
 Thomas  Gordon,  Falkirk  ;  James  Duncan,  Kincardine-on- 
 Forth  ;  William  Mackray,  Stirling.  Those  who  declined 
 acceding  were  the  Rev.  James  Anderson,  Carluke ;  Wm. 
 Tannahill,  Kirkintilloch;  Finlay  Stewart,  PoUockshaws ;  Robert 
 Shirra,  Yetholm  ;  John  Hastie,  Yetiiolm  ;  George  Hill, 
 Shottsburn  ;  David  Headrick,  Longridge  ;  Adam  Ross,  Kenno- 
 way ;  Peter  Currie,  East  Campbell  Street,  Glasgow  ;  Robert 
 Aitken,  Dundee  ;  John  M'Kinlay,  Ronton ;  and  James 
 Gardner,  Kilpatrick.  Of  these  the  first  four  died  connected 
 with  the  Secession,  the  next  four  joined  the  Free  Church  of 
 Scotland  in  1852,  and  of  the  last  four,  two,  Messrs  Currie  and 
 
76  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Aitken,  united  with  the  Establishment  shortly  after  their 
 brethren  in  1839,  whilst  Mr  M'Kinlay  united  with  the 
 Reformed  Presbyterians,  now  in  the  Free  Church,  and  Mr 
 Gardner  went  to  the  United  Secession,  now  the  United 
 Presbyterian  Church. 
 
 Of  the  five  ministers  in  Ireland,  viz. : — The  Rev.  Wm. 
 Stewart  of  Ballylintagh ;  George  Legate,  Kilkinamurray  ; 
 David  Lynch,  Bolay ;  John  Downs,  Boardmills  ;  and  Andrew 
 Thomson,  Garvagh.  The  first  named  died  shortly  afterwards, 
 and  a  section  of  his  congregation,  now  called  Dromore  Church, 
 remains  connected  with  the  United  Original  Secession  Church, 
 the  next  two  at  once  united  with  the  Synod  of  Ulster,  and  the 
 last  two,  after  uniting  with  the  Original  Secession  or  Anti- 
 burgher  Synod  in  1842,  finally  united  with  the  Free  Church 
 of  Scotland,  and  were  afterwards  transferred  to  the  Irish 
 Presbyterian  Church. 
 
 Thus  was  consummated  the  first  union  betwixt  the  Church 
 of  Scotland  and  a  section  of  those  Seceders  who  above  a 
 century  before  had  separated  from  her,  and  thus  ended  the 
 career  of  the  Synod  of  Original  Burghers ;  for  though  the 
 remanent  party  which  declined  to  unite  with  the  Church  of 
 Scotland  managed  to  exist  for  other  three  years,  yet,  as  is 
 apparent  from  their  records,  they  were  in  a  very  feeble  condi- 
 tion, and,  though  not  without  difficulty,  they  gradually  and 
 almost  unanimously  united  with  the  Old  Light  Antiburghers 
 on  18th  May  1842,  in  forming  the  United  Original  Secession 
 Church. 
 
 For  an  account  of  this  union,  see  Chapter  VL 
 
 Pamphlets  relating  to  the  New  Light  Controversy  in  the 
 Associate  Burgher  Synod,  and  the  Formation  of  the 
 Associate  Presbytery  (Old  Light)  of  Original  Burghers, 
 1799. 
 
 Proceedings  of  the  Associate  Synod  respecting  Alterations  on  the 
 Formula  of  Questions  put  to  Px-obationers,  Ministers,  and  Elders. 
 Glasgow,  1796. 
 
BURGHER  SYNOD,  1791)  To  1839.  77 
 
 All  Epitome  of  Religion  agreeable  to  Scrii)ture  aiul  lleason,  drc, 
 by  Eov.  John  Tlioiuson,  late  of  Kirkintilloili,  and  now  residing  in 
 King  Street,  Glasgow.     Glasgow,  1796. 
 
 On  Alterations  in  the  Formula  concerning  the  Power  of  the 
 Civil  Magistrate  in  matters  of  Religion,  itc.      Edin.,  1797. 
 
 Considerations  on  the  Overture  lying  before  the  Associate  Synod 
 respecting  some  Alterations  in  the  Formula  concerning  the  Power  of 
 the  Civil  Magistrate  in  matters  of  Religion,  by  Rev.  Professor  Law- 
 sou.      Edin.,  1797. 
 
 On  the  Dispute  in  the  Associate  Synod  respecting  the  Formula. 
 Glasgow,  1799. 
 
 The  Good  Old  Way  Sought  Out  and  Defended,  by  Rev.  Robert 
 Shirra.      Glasgow,  1799. 
 
 A  Smooth  Stone  from  the  lirook  ;  a  Letter  to  Rev.  George  Ljiw- 
 son,  by  Rev.  William  Willis,  Greenock.       Glasgow,  1799,  pp.  G4. 
 
 Address  to  Rev.  Messrs  Pii'ie,  Kidston,  Hall,  and  Peddie,  by 
 Rev.  William  Willis.     Glasgow,  1799. 
 
 Address  by  the  Associate  Synod  on  the  subject  of  the  Preamble 
 to  the  Fornmla.     Edin.,  1799,  pp.  27. 
 
 Testimony  to  the  Original  Principles  of  the  Secession,  by  a  Society 
 of  Seceders  in  Glasgow.      Glasgow,  1799. 
 
 The  Importance  of  Religious  Establishments,  by  Rev.  Alexander 
 Raiiken.      Gla.'^gow,  1799. 
 
 Evil  and  Danger  of  Schism  ;  a  Letter  to  the  Congi-egations  of 
 the  Associate  Burgher  Synod,  with  an  Appendix  containing  the 
 Synod's  Defence,  by  Rev.  William  Fletcher,  Bridge  of  Teith.  Stir- 
 ling, 1800. 
 
 The  New  Light  Examined ;  or,  Observations  on  the  A.ssociate 
 Synod,  by  Rev.  Wm.  Porteous,  D.D.      Glasgow,  1800,  pp.  55. 
 
 Apology  for  Seceders,  by  Rev.  John  Thomson,  formerly  of  Kirk- 
 intilloch.     Glasgow,  1798. 
 
 Defence  of  tlie  Associate  Synod  against  the  Charge  of  Sedition, 
 in  Replv  to  the  Pamphlet  of  Dr  Porteous,  by  Rev.  James  Peddie, 
 D.D.      Edin.,  1800. 
 
 Little  Naphtali,  by  Rev.  William  Willis,  Greenock.  Glasgow, 
 1800. 
 
 Confession,  Covenants,  and  Secession  Testimony  Vindicated  and 
 Defended  ;  or,  Letters  to  Rev.  John  Fraser,  John  Dick,  and  George 
 Lawson,  by  Rev.  George  Thomson,  Calton,  formerly  of  Rathillet. 
 Glasgow,  1799,  pp.  128. 
 
 Etiectual  Remedy  ;  or,  Letters  to  Professor  Lawson,  by  Rev. 
 William  Taylor  of  Levenside.     Glasgow,  1799,  pp.  136. 
 
 Lettei-s  to  the  Rev.  William  Taylor  of  Renton,  on  the  only  Effec- 
 tual Remedy  for  Healing  the  Divisions  in  the  Church,  by  Rev. 
 George  Paxton,  Kilmaurs.      Glasgow,  1802. 
 
78  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Presbyterian  Covenants  Defended,  and  the  Impostor  Convicted, 
 by  Rev.  John  Thomson,  formei-ly  of  Kirkintilloch. 
 
 Compendious  View  of  the  Connection  betwixt  Church  and  State, 
 by  Rev.  George  Tliomson,  formerly  of  Rathillet. 
 
 Sermon  on  Isaiah  xlix.  23,  "  And  kings  shall  be  thy  nursing 
 fathers,  and  their  queens  thy  nursing  mothers,  &.C.,"  by  Rev.  George 
 Hill,  Cumbernauld.      Glasgow,  1808,  pp.  49.      Glasgow,  1806. 
 
 Vindication  of  Adherence  to  the  Principles  and  Constitution  of 
 the  Church  of  Scotland  in  her  Purest  Times  ;  or,  An  Appendix  by 
 the  Associate  Synod  to  the  Act,  Declaration,  and  Testimony,  lately 
 republished  by  their  order,  &c.      Perth,  1809,  pp.  108. 
 
 Legal  Papers  in  Craigdaillie  versus  Aikman  ;  or,  The  Perth  Church 
 Property  Case.      1803,'' 1804,  &c. 
 
 A  Statement  of  the  Evidence  that  the  Associate  Synod,  in  their 
 late  Transactions  respecting  the  Formula,  have  not  abandoned  the 
 Original  Principles  of  the  Secession,  by  a  Committee  of  said  Synod, 
 and  printed  by  order.      Edin.,  1815,  pp.  82. 
 
 Statement  of  Evidence  that  the  Burgher  Synod,  generally  called 
 New  Light,  have  abandoned  the  Original  Principles  of  the  Secession 
 Church,  in  answer  to  a  pamphlet  lately  published  by  them,  in  which 
 the  contrary  is  asserted,  by  a  Committee  of  the  Original  Burgher 
 Associate  Synod,  and  published  by  order.      Glasgow,  1818,  pp.  82. 
 
 Address  Delivei'ed  to  the  Associate  Congi*egation  of  Campbell 
 Street,  on  the  Proposed  Union  of  New  Light  Synods.  Glasgow, 
 1820. 
 
 The  Perth  Cause,  by  the  Associate  Session  of  Perth.    Edin.,  1821. 
 
 New  Light  Vindicated,  by  Galvino.      Glasgow,  1805. 
 
 A  Vindication  of  the  Burgher  Synod  from  the  Charge  of  Schism, 
 in  a  Letter  to  Rev.  Dr  Belfrage  of  Falkirk,  by  Rev.  Wm.  Mackray, 
 Stirling.      Stirling,  1826,  pp.  86. 
 
 "  Hidden  Things  Brought  to  Light  ; "  or,  The  Inconsistency  of 
 Seceders  becoming  Voluntaries,  by  Rev.  William  Taylor.  Perth, 
 1833,  pp.  19. 
 
 Discourse  on  National  Establishments  of  Christianity,  illustrating 
 their  Consistency  with  the  Spiritual  Nature  of  Christ's  Kingdom, 
 their  Warrant  from  the  Word  of  God,  and  their  Necessity  to  the 
 Safety  of  States,  by  Michael  Willis,  D.D.      Glasgow,  1833. 
 
 Pamphlets  relating  to  the  Union  of  the  Majority  of  the 
 Original  Burgher  Synod  with  the  Church  of  Scotland  in 
 1839. 
 
 Union  of  the  Old  Light  Seceders  with  the  Established  Church,  by 
 Rev.  Thomas  Manson,  Perth.     Edin.,  1835. 
 
 Remarks  on  the  Union  between  the  Church  of  Scotland  and  the 
 
BURGHER  SYNOD,   1799  TO  1839.  79 
 
 Associate  Synod,  in  Oj>position  to  certain  Statements  of  tlje  Dean 
 of  Faculty,  l>y  Rov.  Dr  Willis,  with  an  appendix,  ijivin^  tin;  docii- 
 inents  relating  to  the  Union  from  1834-39.  Glasgow,  1840,  i)p.  f)]. 
 Pastoral  Address  by  the  Associate  Synod  to  the  Congiegations 
 under   their   Charge,   prepared   by  a   Committee.      (Jla-sgow,    1838, 
 
 "  Considerations  on  the  Question  of  Re-union,"  by  several  Mem- 
 bers of  the  Associate  Synod.      1838. 
 
 Church  of  Scotland  ]\Iagazine,  1834-37,  edited  ])y  Rev.  James 
 Gibson,  D.D.,  (Glasgow,  contains  numerous  references  to  Old  Lights, 
 including  "Account  of  Introduction  of  New  Light  into  the  Secession 
 Synod,"  by  Senex ;  and  "  Perjury  and  Apostasy  of  Voluntary  Se- 
 ceders,"  by  Rev.  William,  afterwards  Principal  Cunningham, 
 Edinbuigh. 
 
 Documents  (printed)  pertaining  to  the  Negotiation  betwixt 
 the  General  Assembly  and  the  Associate  Synod,  embracing  the 
 following  : — 
 
 Letter  of  Associate  Synod  to  General  Assembly,  14th  May  1 835. 
 Minute  of  Joint  Committee,  4th  November  1835. 
 Answers    by   the    Sub-Committee   of  the    Associate    Synod   to 
 certain  Queries  of  the  Committee  of  the  General  Assembly, 
 with  the  Queries  on  the  Synod's  part. 
 Resolutions  agreed  to  at  Meetings  of  Sub -Committees  of  General 
 Assembly  and  A.ssociate  Synod  on  10th  and  1 1th  May  1836, 
 and  adopted  by  the  Committees. 
 Declaration  on  Covenanting,  itc,  proposed  by  the   Assembly ',s 
 Committee   to   be   inserted   in  an   Overture  which  shall  also 
 embody  the  Resolutions  of  the  two  Committees,  1 1  th  August 
 1836. 
 Letter   from    the   Convener  of   the   Committee   of  Synod,   Dr 
 
 Willis,  with  Supplementary  Queries,  12th  January  1837. 
 Letter    (extra-judicial)    in   Reply   from   the  Convener  (Dr.  P. 
 
 M'Farlan)  of  the  Assembly's  Committee,  8th  March  1837. 
 Minute  of  General  Assembly's  Committee,  21st  A\n'i\  1837. 
 Resolutions  of  the  Associate  Synod.    Edinburgh,  1  0th  May  1  837. 
 Minute  of  Assembly's  Connnittee  on  Re-union  with  the  As.sociate 
 
 Synod.      Edinburgh,  22nd  May  1838,  with  their  Report. 
 Overture   anent   Reunion   with    Seceders.       Edinburgh,    26th 
 
 May  1838. 
 Motions  anent  Union  with  the  Churcli   of  Scotland,  made  at 
 
 Meeting  of  Synod  in  Glasgow,  1 6th  May  1839. 
 Final  Resolutions  of  the  Associate  Synod  anent   Reunion  with 
 the    National    Church.       Edinburgh,    South    Grav's     Clo.se 
 Church,  31st  July  1839. 
 Dispute  between  the  Rev.  Peter  Currie  and  the  East  Campbell 
 Street  Associate  Congregation,  Glasgow.      Glasgow,  1841. 
 
CHAPTER  IV. 
 
 ANNALS  OF  THE  CONSTITUTIONAL  (ANTIBURGHER)  PRESBYTERY, 
 FROM  THE  BREACH  IN  180G  TILL  ITS  UNION  WITH  THE 
 SYNOD  OF  PROTESTERS  IN   1827. 
 
 The  history  of  the  Old  Light  Controversy  amongst  the 
 Antiburghers  began  in  1791,  when  two  overtures,  one  from 
 the  Presbytery  of  Glasgow,  and  the  other  from  the  Presbytery 
 of  Forfar,  were  laid  upon  the  table  of  the  General  Associate 
 Synod.  The  former  of  these  documents  referred  to  Chapter 
 20  and  23  of  the  Westminster  Confession  as  requiring  cor- 
 rection, and  the  latter  to  the  alleged  need  of  simplifying  and 
 modernising  the  Secession  Testimony.  Without  entering 
 minutely  into  the  procedure  of  the  Church  Courts,  it  may  be 
 stated  that  it  was  agreed  that  a  New  Testimony,  suitable  to 
 the  times,  should  be  drawn  up,  and  a  committee  was  appointed 
 for  this  end.  A  draught  having  been  duly  prepared,  the 
 Synod  spent  many  sederunts  betwixt  October  1796  and  May 
 1804  in  revising  it,  so  that  it  might  be  enacted  as  a  standard 
 of  Church  fellowship.  To  various  statements  in  this  work, 
 which  was  called  "the  Narrative  and  Testimony,"  several 
 ministers,  subsequently  called  Old  Lights,  objected.  These 
 pastors,  though  not  numerous,  were  respectable  in  talent  and 
 erudition,  and  esteemed  for  their  piety.  They  were  the  Rev. 
 Messrs  Archd.  Bruce,  Whitburn  ;  George  Whytock,  Dalkeith  ; 
 Jas.  Aitken,  Kirriemuir  ;  James  Hog,  Kelso  ;  Thos.  M'Crie, 
 Edinburgh  ;  and  Robert  Chalmers,  Haddington.  As  Mr 
 Bruce,  their  leader,  was  not  only  venerated  for  his  learning, 
 but  was  also  Professor  of  Divinity  to  the  body,  the  Synod,  from 
 deference  to  him  and  to  the  others,  did  not  at  first  act  hastily 
 in  adopting  this  new  Church  standard.  At  length,  however, 
 it  was  enacted,  notwithstanding  numerous  protests  on  the  part 
 of  the  above  named  and  other  sympathisers.  The  result  was 
 the  formation   of  the  Constitutional  Presbytery.      This  took 
 
constiti:tioxal  piiksbytery,  1806  to  1827.        «1 
 
 place  at  Whitburn  on  28th  August  ISOO.  Its  original 
 members  were  Messrs  Bruce,  Aitken,  Hog,  and  M'Crie.  Mr 
 Whytock  had  died  a  few  months  previously,  and  Mr  rhalmers 
 did  not  join  the  Presbytery  at  its  first  meeting,  though  he  soon 
 afterwards  did  so. 
 
 The   chief  point    of  tlift'orence  betwixt  the   Old   and    New 
 Lights,  as  they  were  called,  related  to  the  connection   betwixt 
 Church  and  State.      Whilst  the  New  Lights,  or  Voluntaries  as 
 they  have  been  since  designated,  denied   that  civil  rulers   had 
 anything  to  do  with   religion,  the  Old   Lights   held   that   the 
 Church  and  the  State  had   duties  to  perform   to  each  otlier. 
 Civil  rulers  should  recognise  the  Divine  Being  a.s  the  God   of 
 nations,  and  base  their  laws  upon  the  decalogue.      But  whilst 
 the    State    should    thus    openly   acknowledge    the    Christian 
 Church,  it  must  on  no  account  interfere   in   its   internal   man- 
 agement, since  the  Lord   Jesus  is  its  only  King.      Respecting 
 Pecuniary   Endowments    the   Old    Lights  always    held    it   an 
 open  question  as  to  whether  or  not  these  .should  be  given   or 
 received.     The  Christian  people  were  under  solemn  obligation 
 to  give  for  the  support  and  spread  of  the  gospel  as  the  Lord 
 had  prospered  them,  and  whether  or   not   State  funds  should 
 also  be  given  for  the  support  of  the   Church,  was   a   question, 
 the  proper  solution  of  which  depended  on  circumstances.      In 
 any  case,  Old  Lights  held  the  Churcli  must  not  submit  to  an 
 Erastian  yoke.      A  national  recognition  and   establishment  of 
 religion    on    a    scriptural    basis    they  uniformly   and    disin- 
 terestedly contended    for,   as   an    abstract    principle,    but    the 
 concrete  thing  as  existing  in  the  National   Churches  of  Great 
 Britain  and  Ireland  they  repudiated  as  Erastian,  and  bring- 
 ing   the    Church    under    subjection    to    an    earthly   monarch 
 and    government.      That    the   Constitutional    Presbytery   may 
 speak    for   itself,   its   deed  of   constitution    is    herewith    sub- 
 joined. 
 
 Deed  by  tvhich  the  Protestiiif/  Ministers  constituted  themselves  into  a 
 Fresbyteri/,  with  their  Reasons  for  doiiKj  so. 
 
 At  Wliitbum,  the  twenty-eiglit  day  of  August,  one  tliousaiul 
 eight  hundred  and  six  years. — Which  day  and  place,  the  following 
 Ministers,    viz. — Messrs    Archibald     Bruce     in    Whitburn,    James 
 
 F 
 
82  AKXALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Aitken  in   Kirrierauir,  James  Hog   in   Kelso,  and  Thomas  M'Crie 
 in  Edinburgh,  protestors  against  certain  kite  deeds  of   the  General 
 Associate  Synod,  being  in  providence  convened  together,  and  having 
 spent  part  of  this  and  the  two  preceding  days  in  conference  and 
 prayer,  took  into  particular  and  serious  consideration  the  peculiar 
 state  into  wliich  the  religious  profession  and  Testimony,  formerly 
 maintained   by   the  General  Associate   Synod,    is  now  brought,  in 
 consequence  of  that  Synod  having  adopted  a  New  Testimony  and 
 declaration  of  principles,  an  altered  Bond  for  public  covenanting,  and 
 a  New  Formula  of  questions  for  all  who  shall  hereafter  be  admitted 
 to  office  among  them ; — by  which  deed,  some  important  doctrines  con- 
 tained in  the  Confession  of  Faith,  and  difierent  articles  in  their  Testi- 
 mony and  principles  formerly  subscribed,  are  renounced  and  dropped, 
 and  opposite  sectarian  errors  introduced  ;  particularly,  the  duty  and 
 warrantableness   of    civil   rulers   employing   their    authority   in   an 
 active  support  of  the  intei-ests  of  religion  and  the  kingdom  of  Christ, 
 and  in  promoting  reformation  (which  was  an  eminent  part  of  the 
 testimony  and  contendings  o\'  the  church  of  Scotland,  in  behalf  of 
 the  Reformation  of  our  native  land,  civil  and  ecclesiastic,  explicitly 
 approved  in  the   Secession),  are  by  the  new  deeds  denied   and  set 
 aside  ;  as  also,  that  all  covenants  of  a  religious  nature,  entered  into 
 by  nations  in  their  public  capacity,  or  in  conjunction  with  churches, 
 and  in  so  far  the  National  Covenant  of  Scotland,  and  the  Solemn 
 League  and  Covenant  of  the  three  kingdoms,  in  their  proper  import, 
 matter,  and  form,  as  well  as  in  the  manner  of  ratifying  and  enjoin- 
 ing them,  are  either  directly  or  by  native  consequence  condemned  : 
 Against  which  new  acts,  the  foresaid  ministers  had,  on  these  and 
 other   grounds,  given   into   the   Synod  repeated  remonstrances  and 
 protestations,  particularly  against  making  an  approbation  of  them  a 
 term    of   ministerial  or  Christian  communion, — but  without  effect. 
 Having  considered,  further,  the  situation  in  which  they,  and  others 
 who   cannot  approve   of    these  deeds,  now  stand,    with  respect   to 
 communion  with  the  Synod,  in  consequence  of   this  refusal  ;  par- 
 ticularly, having   declared,   in  a  paper  which    they  gave   into  the 
 Synod,  in  May  last,  that  they  found   themselves  vii-tually  secluded 
 both   from  Ministerial  and   Christian  communion,  while  they  could 
 not  with  a  good  conscience,  and   consistently  with  the  vows  which 
 they  were  previously  under,  comply  with  these  new  terms,  nor  con- 
 cur with  their  brethren  in  can-ying  them  into   execution,  or  in  ad- 
 ministrations  wherein   an   approbation   of  them  is  necessarily  im- 
 plied ;  and  at  the  same  time,  having  protested,  in  their  own  name, 
 and   in  the   name  of  all  who  should  adhere  to  them,  that,  in  this 
 state  of   seclusion  and  separation  to   which   they   were  reluctantly 
 driven,  it  should  be  warrantable  for  them  to  maintain  communion 
 with  such  ministers  and  people  as  might  still  be  disposed  to  adhere 
 
CONSTITUTIONAL  PRESBVTKItY,   180G  TO   ib27.  .S3 
 
 to  their  foriuer  profession,  on  the  terms  settled  in  the  Associate 
 I>ody  from  the  beginning;  and  they  shouhl  have  a  right,  as  they 
 might  have  a  call,  to  exercise  all  the  parts  of  their  ministerial  oflice, 
 individually  or  in  a  judicative  capacity,  in  support  of  their  common 
 profession,  without  any  regard  to  tliese  innovating  acts  ;  and  that 
 they  should  not  be  responsible  to  the  Synod,  or  inferior  judicatories, 
 as  presently  constituted  and  acting  according  to  these  deeds,  but 
 would  hold  any  censures  as  null  and  ^•oid  that  might  be  pronounced 
 against  them  by  these  judicatories,  for  their  conduct  in  this  matter, 
 while  acting  according  to  Presbyterian  principles  and  their  ordina- 
 tion-vows. The  foresaid  ministej-s  having  considered  these  things, 
 and  also,  that  they  had  waited  for  some  time  longer  to  see  if  there 
 might  be  any  jHosjiect  of  a  door  being  opened  for  their  return  to 
 take  their  seats  in  Synod  or  presbyteries,  in  consistency  with  truth 
 and  duty ;  but  finding,  on  the  contrary,  an  increasing  eagerness  to 
 propagate  and  impose  their  new  principles  with  rigour,  and  a  dis- 
 position to  suppress  ministerial  freedom  in  testifying  against  these, 
 and  to  enforce  attendance  upon  judicatories, — they  proceeded  to 
 deliberate  on  the  question,  Whether  it  is  their  duty,  as  mattei-s 
 stand,  now  to  constitute  themselves  into  a  Presbytery,  distinct  and 
 separate  from  the  present  Associate  Judicatories  with  whom  they 
 have  been  hitherto  connected  1  After  every  one  had  spoken  his 
 mind  freely  on  this  question,  and  reasons  and  difficulties  on  both 
 sides  had  been  weighed,  aiid  after  one  had  been  again  emi)l()yed  in 
 px-ayer  for  divine  direction  in  this  important  step,  it  was,  by  a  vote, 
 unanimously  agreed  and  resolved,  That  as  tliey  had  a  right,  and 
 appeared  to  have  a  call,  they  should  presently  p'oceed  to  constitute, — 
 for  the  following  among  other  reasons  : 
 
 I.  As  they  have  already,  upon  the  matter,  found  and  declared, 
 That  the  General  Associate  Synod,  and  inferior  judicatories  con- 
 curring with  it  (by  departing  from  their  ordination-vows  and 
 covenant-engagements,  adopting  a  ditierent  scheme  of  pi-inciples, 
 imposing  new  and  unwarrantable  terms  of  communion,  and  pei^sist- 
 ing  in  their  course  of  defection  and  mal-administration,  notwith- 
 standing all  regular  means  used,  in  a  state  of  communion,  for 
 reclaiming  them),  could  no  longer  be  acknowledged  as  faithful, 
 or  rightly  constituted  courts  of  Christ  ; — and  that  they  could  take 
 no  share  with  them  in  the  exercise  of  government  and  discipline  ; — 
 it  is  warrantable  and  needful  for  them  to  associate  together,  not 
 only  for  the  administration  of  the  word  and  sacraments,  and  for 
 occasional  consultations,  but  also  for  the  regular  exercise  of  govern- 
 ment and  discipline  (which  is  a  part  of  the  office  and  duty  of  all 
 who  are  appointed  pastors  and  ovei-seei-s  of  Christ's  flock),  as  Provi- 
 dence may  give  them  an  opportunity,  for  mutual  help  and  encour. 
 
84  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 agement ; — that  neither  they,  nor  tljeir  people  cleaving  to  them 
 may  be  altogether  destitute  of  the  benefit  of  any  of  those  institutions 
 wliich  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  hath  appointed  for  the  edifying 
 of  his  body. 
 
 II.  Their  acting  in  this  capacity  appears  to  be  no  less  needful 
 for  the  support  of  the  public  cause  for  which  they  are  contending ; 
 as  otherwise  the  Reformation-testimony,  in  various  articles  of  it — 
 for  the  maintenance  of  which  the  Associate  Judicatories  were  first 
 constituted, — would  be  in  great  danger  of  being  dropped  and  lost 
 for  the  present  in  the  Associate  Body,  Thus  united,  they  may  with 
 greater  effect  plead  the  cause  of  opposed  truth ,  and  give  an  oppor- 
 tunity to  its  remaining  friends^,  who  may  be  disposed  to  adhere  to 
 their  former  profession  and  engagements,  to  appear  and  assert  their 
 violated  rights  and  privileges.  Thus  also,  through  the  Divine 
 blessing,  a  body,  however  small,  may  be  kept  organized,  and  in 
 adherence  to  the  principles  of  the  reformed  church  of  Scotland,  in  a 
 time  of  general  defection,  and  when  sectarian  tenets  are  so  rapidly 
 increasing ;  and  the  original  constitution  of  the  Associate  Judi- 
 catories may,  as  far  as  lies  in  their  power,  be  asserted,  maintained, 
 or  restored. 
 
 III.  Though  there  are  some  other  bodies  of  Presbyterians  in  this 
 land  who  jwofess  adherence  to  the  whole  doctrine  of  the  Westminster 
 Confession  of  Faith,  and  other  subordinate  standards,  and  who  may 
 be  in  the  main  hearty  friends  to  the  Reformation  Testimony,  and  to 
 those  articles  which  are  now  in  a  special  manner  attacked ;  yet,  as 
 thei-e  are  none  with  whom,  according  to  the  known  state  of  their 
 public  profession,  they  have  freedom  presently  to  form  a  junction, 
 they  reckon  themselves  shut  up  to  the  necessity  of  meeting  apart ; 
 waiting  for  the  time  of  healing,  if  haply  some  bars  and  offences 
 subsisting  among  the  remaining  friends  of  evangelical  truth  and  the 
 Reformation-interest  may  be  removed  ;  for  which  desirable  object 
 their  prayers  and  endeavours  shall  not  be  wanting.  In  the  mean- 
 time, where  two  or  three  are  met  together  in  the  name  of  Christ, 
 they  may  claim  the  promise,  "There  am  I  in  the  midst  of  them." — 
 Nor  can  this  their  deed  of  constitution  prove  a  hindrance  in  the 
 way  of  returning  to  a  cordial  union  with  their  former  connections, 
 when  obstructions  shall  Ije  removed ;  or  of  following  the  things  that 
 make  for  peace  with  any  friends  of  the  Redeemer's  cause,  con- 
 sistently with  edification. 
 
 IV.  They  consider  their  ordination-vows  as  laying  them  undei 
 obligations  to  the  step  which  they  are  now  taking.  By  these  they 
 acknowledged  Presbyterian  church-government  and  discipline  to  be 
 of  Divine  institution,  and  promised  "  never  to  endeavour  directly, 
 or  indirectly,  the  prejudice  or  subversion  thereof,  but  that  they 
 would,  to  the  utmost  of  their  power,  in  their  station,  during  all  the 
 
CONSTITUTIONAL  PRESBYTEKY,   ISOG  TO   1827.  85 
 
 ihiys  of  tlu'ir  litV,  maintain,  support,  anil  dcti-nd  tlu^  same,  against 
 every  other  form  of  government ; "  which  they  couhl  not  be  said  to 
 do,  if  they  were  to  continue  in  a  practical  neglect  of  it  ;  especially 
 in  a  time  when  Indei»entlency,  in  various  shapes,  so  greatly  prevails 
 ill  this  land.  They  also  solemnly  promised, — "to  the  utmost  of 
 their  power  to  assert,  maintain,  and  deft-nd,  the  whole  doctriiic  of 
 the  Confession  of  Faith  and  Catechisms,  against  all  doctrines,  tenets, 
 and  opinions  whatsoever,  contrary  to  or  inconsLstent  with  the 
 same  ;  "  as  likewise,  to  maintain  the  Judicial  Testimony,  emitted  by 
 the  Associate  Presbytery,  with  the  Declanition  of  their  principles  on 
 the  head  of  civil  government ; — which  they  could  not  bt-  said  to  have 
 done,  to  the  extent  here  promi.sed,  if,  after  endeavouring  to  assei-t 
 and  maintain  them  in  the  way  of  contending  with  the  judicatories 
 in  a  state  of  connection  with  them,  they  should  not  continue  to  do 
 so  jointly  and  in  a  judicative  capacity,  when  Providence  puts  it  in 
 their  power  thus  to  act.  Their  engagement  to  be  subject  to  the 
 admonitions  of  brethren  in  presbytery,  as  constituted  for  maintain- 
 ing the  Keformation-cause,  and  to  jjreserve  the  spiritual  unity  and 
 ])eace  of,  and  to  folK)w  no  di\  isive  course  from,  the  Reformed  and 
 Covenanted  Church  of  Scotland, — implies  the  same  thing ;  as  this, 
 in  the  present  state  of  matters,  seems  to  be  the  only  practicable  and 
 warrantable  way  in  which  they  can  discharge  this  part  of  their 
 engagements,  from  which  they  cannot  be  released,  "whatever  trouble 
 or  persecution  they  may  meet  with  in  essaying  the  faithful  discharge 
 of  their  duty  herein." 
 
 V.  Lastly,  In  maintaining  the  public  Testimony  for  the  interest 
 of  Christ,  and  a  dispensation  of  all  his  ordinances  in  conformity 
 to  this,  a  regard  must  be  had  to  the  time  to  come.  According  to 
 the  charge  given  to  Israel  of  old,  when  "  he  established  a  testimony 
 in  Jacob,  and  appointed  a  law  in  Israel,  which  he  commanded  our 
 fathers  ;  that  they  should  make  them  known  to  their  children ;  that 
 the  generation  to  come  might  know  them,  even  the  children  which 
 should  be  born,  who  should  arise  and  declare  them  to  their 
 children,"  Psal.  Ixxviii.  5,  6.  As  those  wlio  are  now  engaged  in  con- 
 teiulLng  for  truth  may  soon  finish  their  course,  it  is  incumbent  on  them 
 to  consider  to  whom  the  same  trust  may  lie  committed,  and  how  pro- 
 vision Ls  to  be  made  for  those  who  are,  or  may  be  destitute  of  the 
 dispensation  of  public  ordinances,  agreeable  to  the  Testimony 
 which  they  have  espoused,  and  to  which  they  can  submit  with  a 
 good  conscience.  Although  they  have  not  hitherto  intended,  nor 
 have  yet  resolved  to  send  supply  of  sermon  to  tho.se  who,  in 
 different  places,  have  signitied  their  resolution  to  adhere  to  their 
 profession  ;  yet,  if  they  should  find  themselves  called  to  this,  and  if 
 the  Lord  see  meet  to  prosper  their  present  attempt,  and  excite  young 
 men,  of  a  faithful   and   zealous  spirit,  to    offer  themselves   willingly 
 
86  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 for  the  piiblic  service  of  Christ  and  his  scattered  flock,  they  may, 
 by  the  step  which  they  are  now  taking,  be  in  a  situation  to  carry 
 into  execution  the  apostolic  charge,  "The  things  that  thou  hast 
 heard  of  me  among  many  witnesses,  the  same  commit  thou  to 
 faithful  men,  who  shall  be  able  to  teach  others  also,"  2  Tim.  ii.  2. 
 They  would  think  that  they  had  failed  in  their  duty,  if  they 
 declined  a  measure  conducive  to  the  gaining  of  this  important 
 end. 
 
 Whereupon  the  Rev.  Mr  Bruce,  being  unanimously  chosen  for 
 this  purpose,  did,  as  their  mouth,  by  solemn  prayer,  constitute  the 
 Presbytery  in  the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  the  alone  King 
 and  Head  of  his  church. 
 
 Appointed  next  meeting  of  Presbytery  to  be  in  Edinburgh, 
 on  Tuesday,  the  11th  of  November  ensuing — Closed  with 
 prayer. 
 
 Edinburgh,  Nommher  11,  1806. 
 
 The  Associate  Presbytery  met,  and  was  constituted  with 
 prayer  by  the  Rev.  Archibald  Bruce,  Moderator.  Sederunt 
 with  him  Messrs  James  Aitken,  James  Hog,  and  Thomas  M'Crie, 
 Ministers. 
 
 The  Minute  of  the  Deed  of  Constitution  was  read,  corrected  and 
 ordered  to  be  recorded.  The  Presbytery  agreed  that  the  following 
 Declaration  should  be  added,  as  a  Supplement  to  that  minute, 
 expressing  more  fully  their  sentiments  respecting  some  things  con- 
 tained in  it.      Accordingly  they  declare — 
 
 I.  Tl  at,  as  it  has  been  the  principal  ground  of  complaint  against 
 the  General  Synod,  that  they  have  I'elinquished  the  subordinate 
 standards  of  the  reformed  church  of  Scotland,  the  Testimony  and 
 other  public  papers,  containing  the  declared  principles  of  the 
 Associate  Body,  as  formerly  I'eceived  by  them,  which  appears  from 
 the  preamble  of  the  foregoing  deed,  and  more  fully  from  the  papers 
 of  remonstrance  and  protestation  given  in  to  the  Synod  in  the 
 course  of  their  procedure  in  this  cause  (some  of  whicli  may  here- 
 after be  publislied),  in  all  of  which  the  brethren  declared  their 
 satisfaction  with  the  principles  contained  in  these  standards  and 
 jniblic  papers,  and  with  the  terms  and  constitution  of  the  Associate 
 judicatories  therein  declared ;  so  the  Presbytery  think  scarcely  any 
 thing  more  necessary,  to  satisfy  all  as  to  the  ground  on  which  they 
 stand,  than  to  renew  their  adherence  to  the  system  already  adopted, 
 with  regard  to  doctrine,  worship,  church-government,  and  discipline; 
 professing  that  tliey  continue  on  the  same  ground  as  formerly,  and 
 that  they  have  no  new  principles  to  declare. 
 
CONSTITUTIONAL  riJKSBYTHKY,    180G  TO  lSl27  87 
 
 II.  That  their  coiitinuoil  iittiichnient  to  the  Coiifessioii  of  Fiiith, 
 and  other  standards  of  the  church  of  Scothmd,  arises  not  from  an 
 iindne  veneration  for  any  i>articular  ff)rni  of  words,  or  the  authority 
 of  those  wlio  compiK'd  and  have  adopted  them,  hut  from  a  conviction 
 of  the  exceHence  of  the  doctrines  containetl  in  them,  and  tlicir 
 being  well  adapted  for  the  jmrpose  for  which  they  were  designed  ; 
 })articularly  from  the  considenition  of  their  having  been  received 
 and  ratified  as  a  part  of  the  uniformity  engaged  to  by  solenni 
 covenant  between  the  three  kingdoms,  which  purpose,  no  new  com- 
 pilations by  an  Associate  Judicatory,  whatever  excellent  truths  they 
 might  contain,  can  equally  answer. 
 
 III.  That  their  resolution  to  abide  by  the  former  Judicial 
 Testimony,  instead  of  adopting  the  new  one  framed  by  the  Synod, 
 does  not  proceed  from  any  opposition  to  the  design  of  an  explicit 
 application  of  what  is  contained  in  the  former  to  more  recent 
 occurrences,  and  the  progress  of  public  evils,  or  to  necessary 
 additions  unto  it,  which  have  been  made,  or  might  have  been  made; 
 but  from  its  containing  a  more  distinct,  explicit,  full,  and  faithful 
 statement  of  the  Reformation-principles  and  attainments  of  the 
 church  of  Scotland  and  of  the  Secession,  than  is  to  be  found  in  the 
 new  Narrative  and  Testimony  ;  from  its  being  yet  in  some  measure 
 a  remaining  bond  of  union  between  different  bodies  of  Seceders,  in 
 as  far  as  they  profess  to  adopt,  and  still  continue  to  adhere  to  it ; 
 more  especially,  on  account  of  the  inconsistency,  in  several  things 
 apparent,  between  the  new  testimony  and  the  former  one,  with  other 
 public  deeds  of  the  Secession.  Their  resolution  is  confirmed  by  tlif 
 consideration,  that  these,  as  well  as  the  Confession  and  other 
 standards,  had  been  already  adopted,  and  that  adherence  to  them 
 had  become  the  matter  of  solemn  jjromise  and  vows  in  the  Associate 
 Body,  from  which  they  are  not  at  freedom  to  recede  at  the  pleasure 
 of  men. 
 
 IV.  That  they  think  the  composing  of  new  formulai-ies  of  ])ublic 
 authority,  to  supersede  the  use  of  those  already  received,  neither 
 needful  nor  seasonable  :  but  they  see  an  urgent  call  to  declare  more 
 explicitly  their  adhei-ence  to  those  doctrines,  or  articles  of  testimony 
 contained  in  them,  which  are  particularly  attacked,  dropped,  rendered 
 dubious,  obscured  or  misrepresented  in  the  new  books  and  other 
 writings  of  the  time,  and  to  endeavour  their  maintenance  and 
 vindication  against  the  specious  scheme  of  opposite  errors,  to  which 
 duty,  according  to  their  ability  and  opportunity,  they  shall  reckon 
 themselves  in  a  special  manner  bound  to  attend. 
 
 V.  That  although  some  may  affect  still  to  be  ignomnt  of  theii- 
 views  and  principles  (notwithstanding  the  repeated  and  open  declara- 
 tion which  they  have  made  respecting  them,  in  conformity  to  what 
 is  stated  above)  ;   and   although,  in  a  time  when  unusual  liberty  is 
 
88  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 taken  to  misrepresent  and  falsify,  some  may  talk  at  random  of  new 
 and  strange  principles  being  adopted  on  their  side  ;  and  insinuations 
 of  this  kind  have  been  made  by  members  and  committees  of  Synod 
 to  serve  their  own  pui-pose  ; — yet  they  desire  to  sit  easy  under  this, 
 and  other  calumnies  liberally  thrown  upon  them ;  as  they  are  con- 
 fident that  a  serious  charge  of  this  kind  cannot  be  supported  ;  and 
 as  it  was  never  made  by  the  Courts,  although  they  were  required  to 
 do  so  (if  they  had  any  such  charge);  the  citations  served  upon  them 
 and  the  censures  inflicted,  being  founded  solely  upon  the  steps 
 which  they  found  themselves  obliged  to  take,  in  opposition  to  the 
 innovations  introduced,  particularly  upon  the  paper  given  in  by  them 
 in  May  last,  and  their  acting  agreeably  to  it. 
 
 VI.  That  though  the  brethren  had  not  formed  the  resolution  of 
 acting  separately  from  the  Synod  {of  which  they  gave  abundant 
 evidence  by  their  continuing  for  a  course  of  years  to  hold  all  the 
 communion  with  them  which  they  could  do,  consistently  with  their 
 oi)position  to  the  acts  protested  against),  yet  they  found  this  unavoid- 
 able, and  sufiiciently  justified  by  the  reasons  already  given,  after  the 
 Synod  had  settled  their  deeds  as  terms  of  communion,  without  any 
 hope  of  reversal ;  and  additional  grounds  have  been  given  for  this 
 by  the  violent  measures  which  have  been  pursued  during  the  course 
 of  this  yeai-,  in  attempting  to  suppress  due  ministerial  freedom,  and 
 violating  justice,  constitutional  principles,  the  Presbyterian  order,  in 
 the  processes  managed  by  the  Associate  Judicatories,  and  the 
 censures  which  they  have  pretended  to  inflict  upon  the  protesting 
 ministers,  merely  for  adherence  to  their  profession,  and  taking 
 measui-es  to  support  it  after  it  was  relinquished  by  the  Synod  ; 
 against  which  censures  they  had  previously  protested,  and  continue 
 to  protest,  as  null  and  void,  and  such  as,  with  resj^ect  to  gi'ounds, 
 manner,  and  some  circumstances  accompanying  them,  will  be  found 
 imequalled  in  the  Presbyterian  church,  as  a  detail  of  facts  (were  it 
 proper  here  to  give  it)  would,  they  doubt  not,  make  evident  to  the 
 impartial  world.  By  their  conduct  in  this  matter,  the  guilt  of  the 
 judicatories  has  been  highly  aggravated ;  they  have  crowned  their 
 defection  by  persecuting  those  who  opposed  it,  and  have  aimed  a 
 deadly  stroke  not  only  against  the  character  and  usefulness  of  a 
 few  ministers,  but  against  the  public  cause  for  which  they  were 
 contending. 
 
 VII.  That  they  are  fully  convinced,  as  this  is  not  the  personal 
 caiase  of  any  of  the  ministers,  but  a  public  cause,  in  which  all 
 Associate  congregations,  and  the  principles  and  privileges  of  every 
 church-member,  are  especially  concerned,  that  it  was  the  duty  of 
 sessions,  and  of  the  people  at  large,  to  have  appeared  more  early,  in 
 expressing  their  disa))probation  of  the  intended  innovations,  when 
 communicated  to  them  as  overtures  or  finished  deeds  ;  and  that  it 
 
CONSTITUTIONAL  PRESBYTERY,  I8OG  TO  1827.     S9 
 
 was  their  right,  as  well  as  tlieir  duty,  when  these  were  settled  as 
 the  terms  of  comnuinion,  to  have  stood  up  as  one  man  in  declaring 
 their  adherence  to  their  profession,  and  in  keeping  themselves  free 
 from  the  imposed  yoke,  from  whicii  tliey  cannot  now  so  easily  he 
 released.  But,  tliough  they  have  lost  the  most  proper  opportunity, 
 it  is  still  competent  for  them,  or  any  number  of  them,  to  disclaim 
 the  obtruded  innovations,  and  to  support  the  former  profession  of 
 the  body,  according  to  the  manifold  obligations  under  which 
 they  lie,  and  from  which  no  authority  on  earth  can  absolve 
 them. 
 
 VIII.  That,  from  the  representations  and  petitions  laid  l)efore 
 the  Presbytery  at  their  present  meeting,  from  various  places,  tiit-y 
 are  afiected  to  learn  the  perplexed  and  distressed  situation  in  which 
 members  are  now  placed,  with  whom  they  cordially  sympathise. — To 
 such  as  have  already  seen  it  their  duty  to  make  a  formal  separation, 
 they  regret  that  they  cannot  at  present  atibrd  the  supplies  for  the 
 dispensation  of  public  ordinances  which  they  crave  :  Preachei-s  and 
 students  of  divinity,  being  swept  away  by  the  prevailing  tide,  and 
 tiie  constituent  members  of  this  Presbytery  being  fixed  to  particular 
 charges,  within  which,  while  a  competent  number  of  their  people 
 continue  to  adhere  to  their  fii-st  profession,  they  are  bound  chiefly  to 
 appropi-iate  their  labours.  Even  though  they  were  able,  and  at 
 liberty  to  itinerate,  they  could  atibrd  but  very  incompetent  provision. 
 If  occasional  visitations  and  services  be  given  to  some  of  them,  it  is 
 all  that  can  reasonably  be  expected  in  present  circumstances.  What 
 can  they  say  more  to  them,  than  that  they  should  wait  on  the  Lord, 
 study  to  edify  one  another,  and  pray  the  Lord  of  the  harvest  to 
 thrust  out  labourers  into  his  vineyard  J  In  the  meantime,  it  is 
 recommended  to  members  of  Presbytery,  to  convei-se  with  such 
 persons  as  they  may  have  access  to  know,  who  have  been  engaged 
 in  studies  with  a  view  to  the  ministry,  to  learn  their  mind  as  to 
 submitting  to  be  emi»loyed  in  public  work. 
 
 As  there  are  others  of  the  people  who  have  not  yet  seen  meet  to 
 take  such  a  decided  step,  restrained  chiefly  by  the  apprehension  of 
 their  being  for  a  time  deprived  of  public  ordinances,  the  Presbytery, 
 without  condemning  those  who,  in  such  circumstances,  have  had 
 freedom  to  attend  upon  the  dispensation  of  the  gospel,  are  free  to 
 intimate  their  judgment,  that,  as  communion  is  now  stated  upon 
 sinful  terms,  a  silent  compliance,  even  in  so  far,  can  hardly  consist 
 with  their  duty  of  testifying  against,  and  keeijing  themselves  free  of 
 a  share  in  the  public  evils.  Such  steps  as  will  discover  their 
 disapprobation  of  the  new  constitution,  and  of  their  purpose 
 regularly  to  countenance,  when  they  can  attain  them,  administmtions 
 upon  the  former  principles,  and  in  maintenance  of  the  original  constitu- 
 tion of  the  Associate  Judicatories,  seem  indispensably  incumbent,  in 
 
90  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 the  present  state  of  things,  upon  all  who  shew  themselves  faithful  to 
 their  profession. 
 
 IX.  That,  as  inconveniences  often  arise  from  the  circumstance  of 
 the  same  name  being  applied  to  different  religious  bodies,  and  as 
 there  are  already  Associate  Presbyteries  in  different  connections,  to 
 avoid  confusion,  and  distinguish  them  from  others,  they  think  it  not 
 improper  to  join  the  term  Constitutional  with  that  of  Associate;  as 
 this  also  may  serve  to  express  their  adherence  to  the  true  constitu- 
 tion of  the  Eeformed  Church  of  Scotland,  as  stated  in  her  standards 
 and  reformation-acts,  and  to  the  original  Constitution  of  the  Associate 
 Presbytery  and  Synod. 
 
 This,  and  the  preceding  Minute,  are  extracted  by 
 
 Tho.  M'Crie,  CI.  Pres. 
 
 Strange  it  is,  though  true,  that  for  thus  adhering  to  the 
 original  principles  of  the  Secession  Church,  the  General 
 Associate,  or  New  Light  Synod,  summarily  deposed  these  four 
 ministers  from  the  ministry.  They  had,  when  ordained, 
 vowed  to  maintain  the  original  principles  of  the  Secession, 
 and  because,  declining  to  change  their  views  along  with  the 
 Synod,  they  resolved  to  associate  together  for  upholding  their 
 principles,  grievous  church  censures  were  inflicted  on  them. 
 Of  such  conduct  the  descendants  of  the  New  Lights  may 
 justly  feel  ashamed.  Such  intolerance  can  now  scarcely  be 
 credited.  But  deposition  was  not  all,  since  for  their  fidelity 
 to  their  religious  principles,  Messrs  M'Crie  and  Aitken  were 
 deprived  of  their  churches.  Though  professing  that  civil 
 rulers  had  nothing  to  do  with  religion,  the  agents  of  the  New 
 Light  Synod  did  not  scruple  to  invoke  their  help  to  exclude 
 Old  Light  brethren  from  their  places  of  worship.  By  a  legal 
 interdict  Mr  M'Crie  was  prohibited  from  using  his  church  on 
 a  part  of  every  Sabbath,  even  though  the  majority  of  his 
 congregation  adhered  to  him,  and  eventually  both  lie  and  his 
 flock  were  compelled  to  build  in  1813  a  new  place  of  worship 
 in  Davie  Street,  though  it  is  but  right  to  add  that  a  sum 
 of  money  by  way  of  solatium  was  given  to  them  by  the 
 minority. 
 
 Respecting  the  seizure  of  the  church  of  Mr  Aitken  of 
 Kirriemuir,  it  appears  that  to  avoid  an  unseemly  collision 
 of  parties   on   the   Lord's  day,  Mr  Aitken  withdrew  with   his 
 
CONSTITUTIONAL  PRESBYTERY,  1806  TO  1827.  01 
 
 congregation  to  a  tiohl,  there  (juietly  to  engage  in  public-  wor- 
 ship. As  he  was  popuhir,  and  persons  had  come  long  distances 
 to  see  the  fray,  the  multitude  that  worshipped  in  the  field 
 with  the  oiited  pastor  was  very  hirge.  Of  the  procedure  on 
 that  memorable  Sabbath  Mr  Aitken  has  given  the  following 
 account  : — 
 
 "  The  gi'eat  body  of  the  people  immediately  followed  hiiu.  In 
 his  way  to  the  tent,  he  met  the  Synod's  minister,  accompanied  hy 
 the  prociu'ator  and  live  or  six  sheriff-oHicers,  with  a  crowd  of  chil- 
 dren at  their  heels.  Upon  their  arrival  at  the  meeting-honse,  various 
 methods,  it  is  said,  were  suggested  for  getting  access.  A  blacksmith, 
 noted  in  the  place,  and,  it  is  supposed,  the  only  person  who  could 
 have  been  prevailed  upon  to  undertake  such  a  business,  was  em- 
 ployed to  pick  the  lock.  In  thi.s  he  either  was  unsuccessful,  or 
 pretended  to  be  so,  for  the  purpose  of  affording  some  more  enter- 
 tainuient  to  the  attending  mob.  Some  proposed  sealing  the  uppei- 
 windows  by  means  of  a  ladder.  An  attempt  was  made  to  get  in  at 
 a  lower  window,  and  a  pane  of  glass  was  broken  for  that  jnirjiose. 
 These  methods  proving  ineffectual,  the  blacksmith  went  to  the  other 
 end  of  the  town  for  his  forehammer,  by  repeated  strokes  of  which 
 on  the  door,  it  was  at  last  laid  oiien.  This  scene,  you  may  believe, 
 occupied  no  short  time,  during  all  which  the  minister  was  a  spec- 
 tator, if  not,  as  some  rei)ort,  a  principal  director  of  the  measures. 
 You  will  naturally  ask  how  many  members  of  the  congregation  were 
 there  who  had  endiraced  the  Synod's  new  pi-ineiples,  in  whose  name 
 and  for  whose  sake  all  this  violence  and  profanation  of  the  Lord's 
 day  took  place  1  Only  twenty-four  or  twenty-five  persons,  men  and 
 women  included.  No  more  belonging  to  the  congi-egation  entered 
 the  meeting-house  that  day.  Such  was  the  nuudjcr  of  persons, 
 who,  having  first  relinquished  their  former  religious  profession  and 
 solemn  vows,  did,  with  the  countenance,  and  under  the  influence 
 and  direction  of  the  Synod,  sacrilegiously  and  violently  tiike  posses- 
 sion, on  the  Lord's  day,  of  the  meeting-house  of  a  congregation  con- 
 tinuing to  adhere  to  every  part  of  the  common  ]»rofession  for  which 
 that  house  was  erected,  and  give  their  countenance  to  a  daring 
 profanation  of  the  name,  ordinances,  and  day  of  the  Lord,  by 
 the  reading  of  a  sentence  of  deposition  and  excommunication 
 against  their  minister,  pa.ssed  solely  on  the  ground  of  his  adher- 
 ing to  his  ordination  vows,  and  acting  in  correspondence  to  them. 
 *  Father,  forgive  them,  for  they  know  not  what  they  have 
 done.'  " 
 
 Such,  then,  was  the  origin   of  the  Constitutional  Associate 
 
92  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Presbytery,*  and  the  following  are  its  annals.  After  the 
 formation  of  the  Constitutional  Presbytery,  its  members 
 set  themselves  to  the  work  of  organization.  Mr,  afterwards 
 Dr  M'Crie,  was  appointed  Presbytery  Clerk,  which  office  he 
 held  till  succeeded  by  Mr  Chalmers  in  May  1808,  Wm. 
 Brown  was  appointed  Presbytery  Officer,  and  last,  though 
 certainly  not  least,  Mr  Bruce,  who  had  been  Theological 
 Professor  to  the  Synod  they  had  left,  was  unanimously  re- 
 cognized as  their  Professor  of  Divinity.  True,  the  theological 
 students  were  not  so  numerous  as  formerly,  but  lodgings  in  the 
 *'  Students'  Barrack  "  at  Whitburn  were  the  more  easily  ob- 
 tained on  that  account,  whilst  the  zeal  of  the  professor  would 
 probably  receive  a  fresh  impetus  from  the  struggles  through 
 which  himself  and  his  brethren  had  recently  j^assed.  These 
 four  brethren,  who  were  now  witnessing  for  the  principles 
 which  the  first  four  seceders  had  avouched  seventy-three  years 
 before,  were  in  many  respects  remarkable  men.  The  second 
 quaternion  in  some  respects  resembled  the  first.  Erskine  and 
 Fisher  were  represented  by  Messrs  Aitken  and  Chalmers,  who 
 like  their  forbears  were  popular  preachers  ;  and  whilst  the 
 erudite  Professor  Wilson  with  his  able  "  Defence  "  was  repro- 
 duced in  Professor  Bruce  v/ith  his  elaborate  "Review,"  Mon- 
 crietf  of  Culfargie,  the  aristocrat  of  the  first  quaternion,  was 
 rivalled  by  M'Crie  of  the  second.  But  whilst  excluding 
 theology,  the  wealth  of  the  former  was  in  land,  that  of  the 
 latter  was  in  literature. 
 
 The  meetings  of  Presbytery,  when  held  in  Edinburgh,  were 
 at  first  held  in  Potterrow  Session-house,  and  latterly  in  the 
 Session-room  of  Davie  Street  Church,  a  place  henceforth  hal- 
 lowed by  precious  memories.  In  default  of  a  Hebrew  Profes- 
 sor, Divinity  students  were  consigned  to  the  care  of  Rev. 
 John  Turnbull,  a  teacher  of  languages  in  Glasgow,  whose 
 class-room  in  Havannah  Street  was  the  original  place  of  wor- 
 ship for  the  Old  Antiburglier  Lights  of  the  western  metropo- 
 
 *  For  full  particulars  respecting  the  origin  and  principles  of  the  Constitu- 
 tional Associate  T'reshytery,  the  reader  is  referred  not  only  to  the  pamphlets 
 of  tiie  i)eriod  enumerated  at  the  close  of  this  chapter,  but  also  to  the  following 
 works,  viz.  : — Dr  M'Kerrow's  "History  of  the  Secession  Church,"  cap.  xiii.  ; 
 Dr  Smeaton's  preface  to  Second  Edition  of  "M'Crie's  Statement;"  Adam's. 
 "Religious  World  Displayed,"  vol.  iii.  ;  "  Life  of  Dr  M'Crie,"  by  his  Son, 
 caps.  ii.  and  iii.  ;  and  Gardner's  "Faiths  of  the  World,"  vol.  i.,  pp.  22(3-228. 
 
CONt^TITUTlONAL  PUESBYTEllY,  180G  TO  1827.  03 
 
 lis.  The  services  of  Profcs.sor  Bnico  to  the  Hall  were  in<il)al>ly 
 gratuitous,  and  those  of  Mr  TurnhuU  were  recompenst-d  b}' 
 three  guineas  being  given  him  'lor  his  troubh-  whilst  Messrs 
 M'Kenzie  and  Davies  attended  the  study  of  (Jreek  and  Hebrew 
 with  him."  But  the  tuition  in  Divinity  and  Languagt-s,  which 
 received  so  slight  a  reconipence  of  a  pecuniary  kind,  was  better 
 far  than  what  was  then  obtained  in  some  of  the  National 
 Universities.  Thus  in  Glasgow  University  at  this  time  the 
 lucubrations  of  the  Divinity  Professor  were  so  wordy  and  long 
 spun,  that  a  student  declared  the  Professor  had  only  gone  over 
 the  quarter  of  an  attribute  betwixt  the  beginning  of  the 
 Session  and  the  New  Year's  Holidays,  and  the  instruction  in 
 Hebrew  was  so  deficient,  that  whilst  the  students  paid  their 
 fees  in  order  that  they  might  formally  attend  the  class,  and 
 receive  the  necessary  tickets,  those  who  wished  to  make  pro- 
 gress in  the  language  hastened  to  the  adjoining  Havannah,  to 
 enjoy  the  benefit  of  the  tuition  which  had  been  given  to  the 
 students  of  tlie  Constitutional  Presbytery.  Some  of  these 
 students  afterwards  became  men  of  mark  as  linguists,  among 
 Avhom  were  Andrew  Dickinson  and  William  Duncan,  whose 
 names  are  still  familiarly  associated  with  an  edition  of  the 
 Greek  Testament,  and  Dr  John  Duncan,  or  Rabbi  Duncan  as 
 he  was  familiarly  called,  tiie  distinguished  Hebrew  Professor  of 
 the  New  College,  Edinburgh. 
 
 Whilst,  like  the  Original  Burijhcrs,  the  Constitutionalists 
 had  at  first  the  benefit  of  the  preaching  services  of  some  minis- 
 ters who  were  without  charges,  the  young  men  whom  they 
 afterwards  licensed  contained  among  them  some  preachers  of 
 very  superior  gifts.  Among  these,  Messrs  Aitken  and  M'Crie, 
 both  sons  of  the  manse,  and  Alexander  Duncan,  may  be 
 reckoned  as  the  first  three. 
 
 The  first  great  bereavement  which  the  Presbyteiy  had,  with 
 the  exception  of  the  decease  of  Mr  Hog  of  Kelso,  who  expired 
 at  the  origin  of  the  court,  was  the  death  of  Professor  Bruce, 
 who  suddenly  departed  this  life  on  18th  February  1816. 
 Though  the  Presbytery  was  still  small,  yet  the  Professor  had 
 the  satisfaction  of  seeing  it  make  progress,  and  take  root  in 
 the  land.  Besides,  the  Presbytery  had  always  due  regard  to 
 ministerial  consistency,  and  hence,  on  this  account,  applica- 
 tions for  ministerial  fellowship  were  in  several  cases  declined. 
 
94  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Reo-arding  the  filling  up  of  the  Professorship  on  the  death 
 of  Rev.  Archibald  Bruce,  there  was  perfect  unanimity  in  the 
 appointment  of  Dr  Thomas  M'Crie,  but,  though  again  and 
 again  appointed,  he  declined,  whilst  promising  to  aid  in  the 
 theological  oversight  of  the  students.  This  was  a  work  which 
 required  the  various  talents  of  the  Fathers  of  the  Court,  since, 
 occasionally,  they  had  delicate  as  well  as  onerous  duties  to 
 fulfil.  Thus  the  hint  was  given  to  one  student  to  turn  his 
 attention  to  some  other  employment,  whilst  another  was  sent 
 to  the  minister  at  Haddington  that  he  might  learn  to  "  com- 
 mand "  (commit  to  memory)  his  discourses.  When  young 
 men  were  settled  in  charges,  it  occasionally  happened  that 
 either  the  pastor  elect,  or  the  presbytery,  would  make  certain 
 stipulations,  which  indicated  that  though  the  principles  con- 
 tended for  were  great,  yet  temporally  they  lived  in  a  day  of 
 small  things.  A  few  instances  of  this  may  be  stated.  In 
 January  1810  the  Congregation  of  Glasgow  was  refused  a 
 moderation  owing  to  the  insufficiency  of  stipend.  And  that 
 the  sum  reckoned  sufficient  by  the  Presbytery  was  not  large, 
 may  be  seen  from  the  fact,  that  two  distinguished  ministers, 
 who  afterwards  became  eminent  as  authors,  and  attained  the 
 good  degree  of  D.D.,  were,  sixty  years  ago,  settled  with 
 stipends  of  £80,  with  a  manse.  In  the  case  of  large  towns, 
 however,  the  Presbytery  had  special  respect  to  the  minister's 
 position,  since,  in  1818,  they  informed  the  Dundee  Congrega- 
 tion that,  in  addition  to  the  stipend  offered,  they  expected 
 them  to  give  £10  yearly  towards  paying  the  rent  of  a  house 
 for  their  minister. 
 
 It  must,  however,  be  borne  in  mind  that  money  then  was 
 of  much  greater  value  than  now,  and  that,  in  addition  to 
 stipend,  ministers  were  frequently,  at  communion  and  other 
 seasons,  the  recipients  of  presents  of  a  miscellaneous  nature, 
 but  which  were  always  very  acceptable.  No  doubt  occasions 
 did  arise  where  an  illiberal  and  captious  spirit  pervaded  office- 
 bearers, as  in  a  certain  congregation,  the  pastor  of  which  had 
 to  complain,  nearly  seventy  years  ago,  that  his  people  did  not 
 give  him  sufficient  stipend,  and  whose  successor,  some  seven 
 years  afterwards,  got  the  Presbytery  to  rebuke  one  of  his  elders 
 for  interfering  in  the  domestic  affairs  of  the  manse  ;  but  these 
 
CONSTITUTIONAL  PRESBYTERY,    180(j  TO  1827.  95 
 
 were  exceptional,  since  it  was  customary  lor  the  people  to 
 respect  and  love  those  who  were  set  over  them  in  the  Lord. 
 
 Ko  doubt,  the  congregations  adhering  to  the  Presbytery 
 were  not  largely  attended,  but  then  the  members  were  usually 
 of  a  very  sedate  and  intelligent  class,  well  versed  in  theology, 
 specially  in  Relonnation  principles,  and  consistent  in  outward 
 -conduct. 
 
 Family  worship  with  them  was  the  rule,  and  Church 
 discipline  was  in  use  for  offences,  regarding  which,  probably, 
 no  notice  would  now  be  taken  by  Church  Courts.  Thus,  a 
 member  of  the  Glasgow  Congregation  who,  in  182  I,  had  been 
 denied  a  token  for  the  communion,  appealed  to  the  Presby- 
 ter}',  who  so  dealt  with  him  that  (as  the  record  expresses  it), 
 "  he  regrets  the  step  he  took  in  withdrawing  from  public  wor- 
 ship so  abruptly  when  Adam  was  employed  to  precent, 
 
 and  that  he  should  have  taken  some  regular  method  of  testi- 
 fying his  dissatisfaction  with  Adam's  being  so  employed.  The 
 Presbytery  agree  in  testifying  their  disapprobation  of  with- 
 drawing from  public  worship  on  account  of  a  jjei-sonal  offence." 
 Fortunately  discipline,  as  regarded  students,  probationers,  and 
 ministers,  was  almost  unknown  in  the  Constitutional  Presby- 
 tery. This  was  not  owing  to  religious  apathy,  as  was  too 
 much  the  case  at  this  time  in  the  Established  Church,  but  to 
 the  excellent  morale  and  sterling  principles  of  its  adherents. 
 Still,  however,  there  was  one  case,  that  of  a  bachelor  minister 
 in  the  far  north,  who,  after  the  regular  formalities,  which  were 
 attended  to  with  much  sorrow,  was  duly  deposed  in  1818. 
 This  was  a  blow  that  was  felt  all  the  more  keenly  in  that  the 
 wound  caused  by  the  decease  of  Professor  Bruce  was  still 
 open,  and  pious  members  felt  that  there  was  breach  upon 
 breach. 
 
 But  whilst  desirous  that  pulpit  vacancies  should  speedily  be 
 filled,  the  members  of  Presbytery  were  not,  Jeroboam  like, 
 careless  as  to  the  manner  of  men  they  admitted  either  to 
 their  Divinity  Hall  or  their  pulpits.  Hence  a  would-be 
 theological  student  they  requested  to  turn  his  attention  to 
 some  other  calling,  and  several  ministers  who  desired  to  join 
 them,  but  concerning  whose  views  and  conduct  they  were  not 
 perfectly  satisfied,  were  politely,  though   ^rmly  informed,  that 
 
96  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 their  accession  could  not  be  received.  Among  these  was  one 
 from  a  minister,  and  another  from  a  congregation  who  had 
 taken  part  in  the  Smyton  Controversy  concerning  the  uplift- 
 ino-  of  the  elements  at  the  communion  table,  but  in  respect  to 
 which  the  Presbytery  wisely  declared  "  that  with  regard  to  the 
 taking  or  not  taking  of  the  elements  before  communicating, 
 they  consider  that  to  determine  anything  on  either  side  as  to 
 this  practice,  would  be  making  a  new  term  of  communion  in 
 the  Secession  body." 
 
 In  the  year  1819,  owing  to  the  negotiations  for  union  that 
 were  going  on  betwixt  the  two  larger,  or  New  Light  branches 
 of  the  Secession,  it  is  not  surprising  that  the  contagion  spread, 
 and  a  similar  desire  was  felt  and  expressed  for  at  least  union 
 between  the  Old  Light  portions.  The  terms  in  which  some 
 of  these  petitions  were  expressed  show  clearly  that  the 
 Seceders  of  those  days  were  neither  uncharitable,  nor  destitute 
 of  sanctified  common  sense.  We  shall  give  as  a  specimen 
 part  of  a  petition  from  the  Associate  (Burgher)  Congregation 
 of  Shottsburn. 
 
 "  Unto  the  Rev.  the  Moderator  and  remanent  Members  of  the 
 Associate  Synod  to  meet  at  Glasgow  in  May  1819.  The 
 petition  of  the  undersigned  Members  and  Adherents  of  the 
 Shottsburn  Congregation, 
 "  Humbly  sheweth, — That  your  petitioners  hail  those  indications 
 of  i;nity  and  reconciliation  which  have  been  lately  manifested 
 among  the  various  branches  of  the  Secession  Church,  and  were  glad 
 indeed  to  be  told  that  this  Synod  a  considerable  while  ago  proposed 
 terms  of  peace  and  agreement  to  the  Synod  with  whom  they  were 
 formerly  in  connection,  and  also  recommended  the  propriety  of 
 endeavouring  to  effect  a  union  with  the  Members  of  the  Constitu- 
 tional Presbytery,  and  in  order  to  evince  that  desires  still  exist 
 among  some  of  the  people  under  your  inspection,  that  something 
 further  may  yet  be  done  in  a  deliberate  and  Christian  and  constitu- 
 tional manner  towards  the  accomplishment  of  such  a  desirable 
 object,  have  presented  you  this  petition.  Your  petitioners  do  not 
 wish  to  give  you  any  advice  respecting  the  particular  bodies  of 
 Seceders  with  whom  union  ought  to  be  obtained,  but  in  the  iirst 
 place  would  specially  request  that  the  Synod  would  give  the  prefer- 
 ence to  their  former  brethren,  and  continue  to  propose  in  a  meek 
 and  Christian  spirit  to  that  numerous  class  of  Seceders  terms  of 
 peace  and  reconciliation.  Your  petitioners,  though  they  would 
 particularly  rejoice  could  reconciliation  be  obtained  betwixt  this  and 
 
CONSTITUTIONAL  PUESBYTEUY,   180G  Tu  1827.  !)7 
 
 the  former  Synod,  yet  by  no  means  wish  to  restrict  union  to  anv 
 one  body  of  Secedei-s,  but  should  be  happier  still,  wen^  it  possibh^ 
 to  unite  all  Secedei-s  in  the  bonds  of  an  extensiv(>,  Christian,  and 
 affectionate  brotherhood,  as  luis  been  accomplished  in  Ireland  and 
 America.  But  supposing  it  impracticable  to  attain  a  junction  with 
 our  former  brethren  at  present,  we  earnestly  hope  some  efforts  may 
 be  made  to  accomplish  this  object  with  the  Membera  of  the 
 Con.stitutional  Presbytery,  and  thus  by  a  partial  re-union  encourage 
 us  to  anticipate  that  general  union  which,  if  we  l/elieve  the 
 Scriptures,  will  ultimately  take  place." 
 
 In  response  to  such  Catholic  breathings  of  their  people 
 union  negotiations  were  begun  on  19th  July  1S19  by  a  com- 
 munication from  the  Rev.  Alex.  Turnbull  of  Glasgow  (Burgher), 
 to  the  Rev.  Dr  M'Crie,  being  considered  by  the  Constitutional 
 Presbytery,  and  in  the  following  month  a  committee  on  union 
 with  the  Original  Burghers  was  appointed.  These  negotia- 
 tions, however,  were  for  a  few  years  dropped,  in  order  that  a 
 union  might  be  effected  with  the  Synod  of  Protesters,  or 
 party  which  had  separated  from  the  General  Associate  Synod 
 owing  to  their  union  with  the  New  Light  Burghers  in  1820. 
 This  union  of  the  Constitutional  Presbytery  with  the  Synod  of 
 Protesters  took  place  on  17th  May  1827,  an  account  of 
 which  naturally  falls  to  be  given  under  the  head  of  Synod  of 
 Protesters. 
 
 During  the  twenty-one  years  of  its  existence  the  Constitu- 
 tional Presbytery  had  increased  to  eleven  ministerial  members, 
 viz.: — Rev.  Messrs  M'Crie,  D.D.,  sen.  and  jun.  ;  Aitkeu,  sen. 
 and  jun. ;  Chalmers,  M'Kenzie,  Shaw,  Cairncross,  Duncan, 
 Laing,  Beattie,  and  Mr  John  Miller,  preacher. 
 
 Pamphlets  relating  to  the  New  Light  controversy  in  the 
 General  Associate  (Antiburgher)  S3mod  and  the  formation  of 
 the  Constitutional  Presbytery,  180G. 
 
 Defence  of  Covenanting,  by  Rev.  George  Whytock,  Dalkeith. 
 Glasgow,  1780. 
 
 Act  of  General  Associate  Synod  respecting  the  jnjwer  of  the 
 Civil  Magistrate  in  Matters  of  Religion.      Edin.,  1799,  pp.  82. 
 
 G 
 
98  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Act  of  the  General  Associate  Synod  concerning  an  Acknow- 
 ledgment of  Sins,  &c.,  together  with  an  Act  respecting  the  power 
 of  the  Civil  Magistrate  in  Matters  of  Religion.  Edin.,  1799, 
 pp.  32. 
 
 Testimony  by  the  General  Associate  Synod,  16th  October  1801. 
 Edin.,  pp.  104. 
 
 Narrative  and  Testimony  by  General  Associate  Synod.      Edin., 
 1804,  pp.  256. 
 
 Address  to  the  Associate  Congi-egation,  Kelso,  by  Rev.  Jas. 
 Hog,  1806,  pp.  36,  having  on  title,  Jer.  vi.  16,  "Thus  saith  the 
 Lord,  Stand  ye  in  the  ways,  and  see,  and  ask  for  the  old  paths, 
 where  is  the  good  way  and  walk  therein,  and  ye  shall  find  rest  for 
 your  souls.  But  they  said,  We  will  not  walk  therein.''  Second 
 edition,  1808. 
 
 Old  Light  better  than  pretended  New,  by  Rev.  John  Turnbull, 
 having  on  title,  Luke  v.  39,  "  No  man  also  having  drunk  old  wine, 
 straightway  desireth  new  ;  for  he  saith  the  old  is  better."     Glasgow, 
 
 1806,  pp.  116. 
 
 Minutes  of  the  Constitutional  Associate  Presbytery,  contain- 
 ing the  Deed  of  Constitution,  with  the  Reasons,  &c.  Edin., 
 1807. 
 
 Consolation  to  the  Church,  &:c.,  by  Rev.  Robt.  Culbertson.     Leith, 
 
 1807,  pp.  52. 
 
 Address  to  the  Associate  Congregation  of  Haddington,  shewing 
 the  departure  from  the  Reformation  Principles  of  the  Church  of 
 Scotland  and  of  the  Secession  by  the  present  General  Associate 
 Synod,  in  their  Narrative  and  Testimony,  Arc.  Having  on  title, 
 Ps.  Ix.  1,4,  "  O  God,  thou  hast  cast  us  off,  thou  hast  scattered  us — 
 Thou  hast  given  a  banner  to  them  that  fear  thee,  that  it  may  be 
 displayed  because  of  the  truth."      Edin.,  1807,  pp.  140. 
 
 The  Power  of  the  Civil  Magistrate  in  matters  of  Religion,  and 
 the  Nature  of  Religious  Covenanting,  considered  by  Rev.  Alex. 
 Allan,  Coupar-Angus.      Edin.,  1807. 
 
 Statement  of  the  Difference  between  the  Profession  of  the 
 Reformed  Church  of  Scotland  as  adopted  by  Seceders  and  the 
 Profession  contained  in  the  New  Testimony  and  other  Acts  lately 
 adopted  by  the  General  Associate  Synod,  particularly  on  the  power 
 of  Civil  Magistrates  respecting  Religion,  &c.,  by  Rev.  Thos,  M'Crie^ 
 D.D.      Edinburgh,  1807,  pp.  234. 
 
 An  Abridgement  of  the  above  was  published  during  the  Voluntary 
 controversy.     Glasgow,  1832,  pp.  52. 
 
 A  New  Edition  of  M'Crie's  Statement,  with  preface  by  Rev.  Dr 
 Smeaton,  New  College,  Edinburgh,  was  published  in  1871. j 
 
 Essence  of  ()ld  Light  Principles,  extracted  by  Rev.  Robt. 
 Culbertson,  Leith,  having  on  title,  Luke  ix.  55,  "  But  he  turned  and 
 
CONSTITITIONAL  PRESBVTEUY,   180G  To    1827.  90 
 
 rebuked  them,  and  said,  Ye  know  not  what  manner  of  si.irit  ve  are 
 of."     Edin,  1808,  pp.  53. 
 
 A  Review  of  the  Proceedings  of  the  General  Associate  Synoil, 
 and  of  some  Presbyteries,  in  reference  to  the  ministers  who  protested 
 against  the  imposition  of  a  New  Testimony,  hy  Rev.  Professor 
 Archd.  Bruce,  Whitburn.     Edin.,  1808,  pp.  421.  * 
 
 Act  by  the  Constitutional  Associate  Presbytery  for  a  Pul.lic 
 Thanksgiving.     Edin.,  1815. 
 
CHAPTER    V. 
 
 ANNALS  OF  THE  SYNOD  OF  PROTESTERS  FROM  ITS  SEPARATION 
 FROM  THE  GENERAL  ASSOCIATE  (ANTIBURGHER)  SYNOD  IN 
 1820,  TILL  ITS  UNION  WITH  THE  CONSTITUTIONAL  PRES- 
 BYTERY IN   1827. 
 
 During  the  second  decade  of  the  nineteenth  century,  Great 
 Britain,  which  had  long  been  harassed  with  foreign  wars,  began 
 to  cultivate  the  peaceful  arts.  Napoleon,  the  disturber  of 
 Europe,  had  been  crushed  at  Waterloo  in  1815,  and  the 
 adherents  of  the  several  brandies  of  the  Secession  having 
 tasted  the  blessings  of  political  peace,  showed  symptoms  of  an 
 earnest  desire  to  enjoy  also  that  of  an  ecclesiastical  kind. 
 That  the  feud  which  had  long  existed  betwixt  the  Burghers 
 and  Antiburghers  was  extinguishable  was  evident  from  the 
 fact,  that  in  Nova  Scotia,  and  also  in  Ireland,  the  breach  had 
 been  healed.  Indeed,  with  characteristic  fervour,  the  two 
 representative  Hibernian  Synods  agreed  "  to  cancel  the  name 
 of  Burgher  and  Antiburgher  for  ever,  and  to  unite  the  two 
 Synods  into  one,  to  be  known  by  the  name  'The  Presbyterian 
 Synod  of  Ireland,  distinguished  by  the  name  Seceders.' "  As 
 this  latter  union  had  taken  place  in  1818,  it  was  not  sur- 
 prising that  in  the  following  year  not  only  were  eighty-eight 
 overtures  for  union  placed  before  the  Associate  (New  Light) 
 Burgher  Synod,  but  seventy-four  petitions  of  similar  impoit 
 were  laid  on  the  table  of  the  General  Associate  (or  Anti- 
 burgher) Synod. 
 
 As  the  union  of  professing  Christians  is  desirable,  pro- 
 vided the  basis  be  good,  both  Synods  appointed  represen- 
 tative committees  to  negotiate  suitable  articles  of  agreement. 
 The  committees  were  of  equal  size,  viz.,  sixteen  ministers 
 and  five  elders  from  each  Synod,  and  the  rtpresen- 
 tatives  from  the  Antiburghers  had  in  their  number  the  Revs. 
 George    Paxton,   Divinity    professor,    Edinburgh,    and    George 
 
SYNOD  OF  I'KOTESTKKS,  1820  TO  1827.       101 
 
 Stevenson,  minister.  Ayr.  Whilst  all  matters  appeared  to  hr 
 progressing  lavDurably,  and  in  order  to  remove  the  great 
 stumbling-block  of  separation,  the  Convention  of  Royal  Burghs 
 had  unanimously  recommended  the  abolition  of  the  Burgess 
 Oath,  which  recommendation  was  afterwards  carried  into  etfect 
 by  the  legislature,  it  began  to  appear  that  entire  unanimity  in 
 the  Antiburgher  committee  was  not  to  be  attained.  Messrs 
 Paxton  and  Stevenson  being  unable  conscientiously  to  agree 
 to  the  proposed  basis  of  union,  the  latter  presented  the 
 following  document  to  the  General  Associate  Synod,  which 
 was  duly  recorded  in  the  minutes. 
 
 "  I,  George  Stevenson,  minister  of  the  Gospel  at  Ayr,  do  solemnly 
 protest  against  this  deed  of  Synod,  respecting  the  Basis  of  Union 
 in  its  present  form,  and  against  proceeding  to  union  with  our 
 brethren  of  the  Associate  Synod  upon  said  basis  for  the  following, 
 among  other  reasons,  to  be  given  in  to  this  Synod  more  in  detail  at 
 a  subsequent  meeting  if  found  necessary.  First :  because  accord- 
 ing to  said  basis,  our  relation  to,  and  connection  with  the  covenant- 
 ing Church  of  Scotland  are  not  i-ecugnised  as  in  the  former  consti- 
 tutional documents  of  the  Secession  Church.  Secondly  :  because 
 it  is  understood  that  the  Narrative  and  Testimony  from  the  moment 
 of  union  ceases  to  be  of  public  authority  as  a  standard-book  among 
 us ;  while  at  the  same  time  we  have  no  testimony  substituted  in 
 its  room,  recognising  the  attainments  of  our  refonuiug  ancestors, 
 and  condemning  the  several  steps  of  defection,  from  their  attain- 
 ments, both  in  present  and  former  times.  Thirdly  :  because  no 
 suitable  provision  is  made  by  this  basis  for  guarding  the  union 
 church  against  what  is  called  free  communion  ;  and  because  the 
 purity  of  her  fellowship  is  not  protected  by  a  pointed  testimony 
 against  several  sinful  and  ensnaring  oaths,  and  against  those 
 fashionable  amu.sements  so  inconsistent  with  Christian  sobriety, 
 which  were  formerly  condemned  by  this  church.  Fourthly  :  as  it 
 lays  an  insuperable  bar  in  the  way  of  proceeding  in  the  duty  of 
 public  religious  covenanting  as  heretofore ;  since  we  are  not 
 warranted  to  expect  a  bond  for  that  purpose,  authorised  by  the 
 supreme  court  of  the  union  church.  Lastly  :  because  sufficient 
 time  has  not  been  given,  nor  means  employed  for  informing  the 
 church  diffusive  of  the  important  change  about  to  take  place  in 
 their  public  profession,  so  as  to  enable  them  to  act  with  judgment 
 in  a  matter  in  which  their  consciences  are  so  deej)ly  interested  ; 
 and  I  do  protest  that  I  shall  be  at  liberty,  notwithstanding  this 
 vote,  or  the  proceedings  arising  out  of  it,  on  all  proper  occasions,  in 
 the  discharge  of  all  my  official  duties  to  maintain  and  propagate  the 
 
102  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 principles  of  the  Secession  Church,  as  laid  down  in  her  testimonies, 
 and  recognised  in  ray  ordination  vows  ;  on  all  which  I  take 
 instruments  and  crave  extracts. 
 
 "  George  Stevenson." 
 "Edinburgh,  28th  April  1820. 
 
 To  this  protestation  was  added  the  following  adherence 
 paper  with  the  names  of  the  undersigned  annexed  : — 
 
 "  We,  subscribers,  having  engaged  in  the  same  protestation,  do 
 hereby  adhere  to  the  above  reasons,  and  claim  the  same  privileges. 
 
 "  George  Paxton,  Minister. 
 Robert  Smith,  Minister,  Kilwinning. 
 Thomas  Gray,  Minister,  Kirkcaldy. 
 Peter  M'Derment,  Minister,  Auchinleck. 
 Richard  Black,  Minister,  Perth. 
 James  Gray,  Minister,  Brechin. 
 James  Aird,  Minister,  Rattray. 
 Wm.  M'Ewan,  Minister,  Howgate." 
 
 Notwithstanding  the  above  Protest  the  proposed  Union 
 was  consummated  on  Friday  the  8th  September  1820,  in 
 Bristo  Street  Church,  Edinburgh,  where  the  breach  had  ta  k 
 place  seventy-three  years  before.  Thus  was  formed  the  United 
 Secession  Church.  The  Court  having  adjourned  till  Tuesday 
 1 2th  September,  the  following  documents,  which  plainly  showed 
 that  conscientious  scruples  had  not  been  removed,  were  read 
 to  the  Synod  and  placed  on  record,  viz  : — 
 
 "  The  subscriber  declares  that  he  has  not  freedom  to  enter  into 
 the  Union  Church  at  present,  but  is  to  be  considered  as  standing 
 under  his  protest,  and  reserving  to  himself  all  the  right  with  which 
 that  protestation  at  present  invests  him. 
 
 "  George  Stevenson." 
 
 This  paper  was  also  subscr-ibed  by  Peter  M'Derment  and 
 George  Paxton.  The  following  paper  was  also  read  and 
 agreed  to  be  inserted  : — 
 
 Edinburgh,  8th  September  1820. 
 
 "  The  subscribers  of  this  paper,  for  reasons  which  they  presume 
 are  obvious  to  the  Court,  beg  leave  to  withdraw  their  subscription 
 from  the  paper  presented  in  their  name  and  in  the  name  of  some 
 othei's  yesternight,  but  crave  that  it  may  be  marked  that  they  do 
 not  fall  fi'om  their  protest,  and  have  not  freedom  in  their  own  minds 
 to  enter  immediately  into  the  measure  of  union  as  proposed  in  the 
 
SYNOD  OV   I'KUTKSI'KKS,  ISl'O  TO  1827.       103 
 
 basis.  On  some  points  thoy  find  tlu>ir  raimls  niucli  reliovcrl,  under- 
 standing that  prudent  discussion,  not  tendin<,'  to  animosity  and 
 strife,  respecting  the  original  grounds  of  diflVrcnce  between  tlie  two 
 branches  of  the  Secession  now  to  l>e  united  is  not  to  be  prohibited  ; 
 that  the  members  of  the  United  Church  are  to  be  tried  by  the 
 (•onfession  of  Faith,  to  wliich  accessions  as  fonncrly  may  bo  received, 
 and  that  the  United  Church  is  to  raaintjiin  the  Divine  right  of 
 presbytery.  On  some  other  points  stixted  in  their  protest,  their 
 minds  are  not  yet  satisfied.  At  tlie  sjime  time  they  beg  leave  to 
 explain  that  they  intend  not  V»y  this  paper  to  state  a  separation 
 from  theii-  brethren,  with  whom  they  have  lived  in  fellowship,  nor 
 to  shut  the  door  against  their  own  concurrence  in  th(>  union  which 
 afterwards  may  ai)pear  to  them  satisfactory.  And  they  hope  that 
 their  brethren  will  use  all  proper  means  to  remove  any  obstruction 
 that  may  be  in  the  way  of  the  desired  object.  In  the  meantime 
 they  claim  all  the  rights  which  they  may  hold  in  virtue  of  their 
 protestation. 
 
 "  Wm.  Beath.  Jas.  Aikd. 
 
 Saml.  Gilfillan.  Tugs.  Gray." 
 
 Jas.  Gray. 
 
 On  2Gth  April  1821  two  papers  from  the  protesting  breth- 
 ren were  laid  upon  the  Synod's  table.  These  stated  the  diffi- 
 cnlties  they  had  respecting  the  basis  of  the  recently-formed 
 union.  The  United  Synod  appointed  a  committee  to  converse 
 with  these  brethren.  Their  objections,  however,  were  not 
 removed,  and  hence  on  the  following  day  the  committee  re- 
 ported "  that  they  had  conversed  with  them  at  considerable 
 length,  and  endeavoured  to  convince  them  that  it  cannot  be 
 expected  that  the  Synod  will  at  present  re-consider  the  terms 
 of  the  union,  or  give  any  further  pledge  as  to  the  particulars 
 which  the  proi)osed  testimony  .shall  contain  ;  and  that  it  would 
 be  proper  for  them,  instead  of  requiring  the  Synod  to  answer 
 their  queries  to  state  in  as  few  words  as  possible,  their  senti- 
 ments concerning  the  subjects  on  which  they  entertain  doubts, 
 and  the  terms  essential  to  their  acceding  to  the  union  ;  and 
 that  if  the  Synod  shall  agree  to  record  their  statements,  and 
 shall  allow  them  to  hold  and  to  act  on  their  own  principles 
 (of  which  there  is  no  reason  to  entertain  any  doubt)  that  they 
 may  conscientiously  join  the  United  Church,  and  that  in  this 
 case  they  will  have  an  opportunity  to  a.5sist  in  the  formation 
 of  the  testimony." 
 
104)  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 This  request  of  the  United  Synod,  however,  was  not  com- 
 plied with  by  the  protesting  brethren,  who  felt  that  to  state  in 
 writing  the  principles  they  believed  had  been  compromised  by 
 the  union  would  not  be  satisfactory  to  their  consciences,  even 
 though  the  document  were  recorded  in  the  minutes,  and  hence 
 on  2nd  May  1821  they  sent  the  following  epistle  to  the 
 Moderator  of  the  United  Associate  Synod  ; 
 
 "  Reverend  and  Dear  Sir, — We,  subscribers,  are  very  sensible  of 
 the  kindness  and  attention  we  have  experienced  from  the  United 
 Synod,  but  ai-e  obliged  to  say  that  no  personal  exoneration  can 
 satisfy  iis,  as  it  does  not  afford  sufficient  security  for  the  maintenance 
 of  the  public  cause  of  the  Secession.  We  beg  leave  to  add,  that  so 
 soon  as  the  United  Synod  shall  exhibit  a  testimony,  embodying  the 
 principles,  and  carrying  forward  the  avowed  design  of  the  judicial 
 testimony,  as  the  term  of  fellowship  in  the  body,  whatever  steps  we 
 may  find  ourselves  obliged  to  take  in  the  meantime,  we  shall  be 
 ready  in  that  case  to  accede  to  the  union. — We  are  most  respectfully 
 yours, 
 
 "  George  Stevenson.       "  James  Aird. 
 
 William  Beath.  Robert  Smith. 
 
 James  Gray.  Thomas  Gray. 
 
 Jas.  Templeton.  Peter  M'Derment." 
 
 This  final  declaration  of  the  Protesters,  as  they  were  called, 
 was  received  by  the  United  Synod,  who  parted  from  them  in 
 sorrow,  and  expressed  deep  regret  at  the  separation. 
 
 As  the  Rev,  George  Paxton  was  one  of  the  Protesters,  and 
 had  on  5th  December  1820  resigned  his  office  as  Professor  of 
 Divinity,  it  was  agreed  not  only  that  a  deputation  wait  on  Mr 
 Paxton,  and  give  him  the  Synod's  best  thanks  for  his  past 
 services,  but  it  was  also  agreed  on  2nd  May  1821  that  the 
 following  statement  be  recorded  in  the  minutes  concerning 
 him,  viz.  :  "  The  Synod  hereby  express  their  well-founded  ap- 
 probation of  the  laborious,  faithful,  and  disinterested  manner 
 in  which  the  Rev.  Mr  Paxton  fulfilled  his  duties  as  theological 
 tutor  under  the  late  General  Associate  Synod  ;  and  they 
 declare  their  fullest  conviction,  that  an  unfeigned  regard  to 
 the  best  interests  of  his  pupils,  and  the  welfare  of  the  Seces- 
 sion Church  alone,  in  opposition  to  any  undue  attachment  to 
 the  emoluments  of  office,  engaged  him  to  continue  in  the  dis- 
 charge  of  its  functions  until  the  period  at  which  he  resigned 
 
SYNOD  OF  PROTESTERS,  1820  TO  1827.      105 
 
 it  into  the  hands  of  the  United  Associate  Presbytery  of  Edin- 
 burgh, and  through  them  into  tlie  hands  of  the  United  Asso- 
 ciate Synod  ;  and  that  the  above  paragraph  of  the  minutes 
 be  sent  to  the  Rev.  Mr  Paxton." 
 
 It  is  worthy  of  remark  that  whilst  not  a  single  dissent 
 was  recorded  against  the  basis  of  union  in  1820  by  any  belong- 
 ing to  the  Burgher  Synod,  not  fewer  than  nineteen  members 
 of  the  Anti-biirgher  Synod  recorded  their  dissent  on  ditlerent 
 grounds.  The  greater  number,  however,  contenting  them- 
 selves with  their  exoneration,  acceded  to  the  union,  including 
 Mr  Aird  of  Kattray,  whilst  all  the  other  ministers  who  sub- 
 scribed the  declinature  withdrew  from  the  United  Synod,  to- 
 gether with  Professor  Paxton,  and  the  Rev.  Messrs  William 
 Mitchell  of  Clola,  and  Richard  Black  of  Perth. 
 
 During  the  same  month,  as  the  following  minutes  show, 
 those  protesting  saw  it  to  be  their  duty  to  form  a  Synod,  and 
 act  in  a  corporate  capacity. 
 
 Their  judicial  record  is  not  lengthy,  since  it  begins  on  29th 
 May  1821  and  closes  on  l7th  May  1827. 
 
 The  following  is  their  deed  of  constitution  : 
 
 "  At  Edinburgh,  ^lay  29,  1821,  a  number  of  Ministers,  members 
 of  the  General  Associate  Synod,  who  could  not  accede  to  the  late 
 Union,  in  pursuance  of  a  former  agreement  met,  to  spend  the  day 
 in  humiliation  with  a  view  to  obtain  direction  in  tlieir  distre.ssed 
 circumstances,  and  to  resume  the  exercise  of  their  judicial  powi-rs, 
 and  the  judicial  exhibition  of  their  principles  ;  unless  insurmount- 
 able obstacles  .should,  in  Divine  Providence,  be  thrown  in  their 
 way. 
 
 "  In  the  forenoon  the  Rev.  Richard  Black,  Pertli,and  the  Rev. 
 James  Gray,  Brechin,  were  employed  in  j)rayer,  and  the  Rev.  Pro- 
 fessor Paxton  preached  from  Nehemiah  ii.  17,  'Then  said  I  unto 
 them,  ye  see  the  distress  that  we  are  in,  how  Jerusalem  lieth  waste, 
 and  the  gates  thereof  are  burnt  with  fire  ;  come  and  let  us  build  nj* 
 the  wall  of  Jerusalem  that  we  be  no  more  a  reproach.'  In  the 
 evening  the  Rev.  Messrs  Stevenson  and  Smith  were  employed  in 
 pi-ayer,  A  deed  containing  our  reasons  for  resuming  the  exercise 
 of  our  judicial  powers  was  read  and  approved  without  a  vote,  of 
 which  the  following  is  a  copy. 
 
 "'At  Edinburgh,  29th  May  1821,  the  following  ministers,  mem- 
 bers of  the  General  Associate  Synod — viz.,  Mr  Richard  Black, 
 Perth  ;  Mr  George  Paxton,  Edinburgh  ;   Mr  James  Gray,  Brechin  ; 
 
106  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Mr  Eobert  Smith,  Kilwinning;  Mr  George  Stevenson,  Ayr;  Mr 
 James  Templeton,  Aberdeen ;  and  Mr  Peter  M'Derment,  Auchin- 
 leck  ;  with  the  following  Elders  : — Alex.  Grimmon,  Perth  ;  Samuel 
 Paxton,  Edinburgh  ;  Peter  Spence,  Brechin  ;  Andrew  Smith,  Ayr ; 
 and  George  Smith,  Aberdeen  ;  finding  that  the  majority  of  their 
 bx"ethren  once  associated  with  them  under  the  Banner  of  a  Testi- 
 mony for  the  covenanted  principles  of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  have 
 dropt  that  testimony  by  adopting  the  terms  of  the  late  Union 
 between  them  and  the  Associate  Synod.  In  particular  that  they 
 have  suspended  their  adherence  to  any  defined  testimony — Have 
 relinquished  the  avowal  of  the  obligation  of  the  Covenants  of  our 
 Ancestors  in  behalf  of  Reformation — Have  withdrawn  their  testi- 
 mony in  behalf  of  the  duty  of  public  covenanting  as  seasonable  in 
 present  times,  and  make  no  suitable  provision  for  the  revival  of  the 
 practice  of  that  important  service — Give  no  pledge  that  it  is  their 
 intention  to  exhibit  a  Testimony  sufiiciently  extended  in  favour  of 
 the  Covenanted  Reformation,  in  the  way  of  duly  exposing  defections 
 from  the  same,  or  enforcing  the  duties  which  we  owe  to  the  Cause 
 of  God  in  present  times — Considering  that  there  is  on  the  one  hand 
 an  unwarranted  exercise  of  forbearance,  and  on  the  other,  an  un- 
 due restraint  of  ministerial  libei'ty,  with  regard  to  matters  of  oiir 
 profession,  and  that  sufiicient  means  are  not  employed  to  guard 
 against  the  practice  of  what  is  called  Free  Communion. 
 
 "  '  Considering  farther,  that  the  means  which  they  have  employed 
 at  difierent  times  to  obtain  the  recognition,  or  the  promise  of  the 
 recognition  of  former  principles  have  been  inefiectual,  and  that  the 
 offer  of  personal  exoneration,  in  whatever  manner  it  might  have 
 been  allowed,  does  not  provide  for  the  maintenance  of  the  public 
 cause.  Considering,  in  fine,  that  the  Church's  Lord  says,  "  Hold 
 fast  that  which  thou  hast,"  and  that  they  have  solemnly  promised 
 to  follow  no  divisive  course  from  the  Covenanted  cause.  As  thus 
 bound  by  the  Word  of  God  and  our  solemn  Covenant  and  Ordina- 
 tion vows  ;  in  the  exercise  of  the  rights  secured  to  them  by  their 
 solemn  protestation  at  the  bar  of  the  General  Associate  Synod,  and 
 in  order  that  they  may  be  in  condition  to  exercise  all  the  parts  of 
 the  ministerial  office,  may  be  able  to  maintain  proper  order  among 
 themselves,  may  leave  their  Congregations  when  their  course  is 
 finished  to  men  of  like  principles,  together  with  the  great  cause  of 
 the  Covenanted  Reformation  which  they  are  solemnly  bound  to 
 maintain  and  pi'opagatej  may  be  in  a  better  capacity  for  giving  heljj 
 and  relief  to  those  in  various  parts  of  the  country  who  are  still 
 desirous  of  cleaving  to  their  principles,  and  that  they  may  have  a 
 more  special  claim  to  the  promise  of  the  Divine  presence  among 
 them.  Having  spent  a  considerable  time  at  this  and  former  meet- 
 ings in  prayer  for  the  countenance  and  direction  of  the  Great  Head 
 
SYNOD  OF  PROTESTERS,    1820  TO  1827.  107 
 
 of  the  Church,  Uu-y  <-hi  resume  tin;  exorcise  of  their  judicial  jtoweni 
 secured  to  them  by  repented  and  solemn  protestation,  in  n  way 
 suited  to  their  reduced  circumstances  as  to  numhers,  by  constituting^ 
 themselves  into  a  court  in  the  name  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  to 
 retain  the  denomination  of  the  Associate  Synod,  commonly  called 
 Antiljurghers.' 
 
 '*  In  taking  this  step,  they  deeply  regret  the  want  of  the  co-oper- 
 ation of  former  brethren,  and  nothing  could  sup|)ort  their  minds 
 tinder  their  present  difficulties,  but  a  persuivsion  of  the  goodness  of 
 their  cause,  and  the  expectation  that  the  necessity  of  making  a 
 separate  appearance  for  that  cause  may  not  be  of  long  duration. 
 They  rejoice  to  think  that  there  are  many  sincere  friends  to  the 
 principles  of  the  Reformation  in  the  United  Church,  and  among 
 other  denominations,  who  feel  themselves  under  deep  obligations 
 from  the  Word  of  God,  from  their  own  vows,  and  the  vows  of  their 
 Ancestors,  to  maintain  that  cause,  and  transmit  to  succeeding  gen- 
 erations a  faithful  testimony  on  its  behalf.  Their  object  in  making 
 this  separate  appearance  is  to  maintjiin  their  ground  as  witnesses 
 for  that  cause,  and  in  order  to  this,  they  must  adhere,  in  the  mean- 
 time, to  their  present  statements  of  principles  ;  but  they  avow  their 
 determination  to  employ  every  Scriptural  and  reasonable  means  for 
 uniting  with  all  the  friends  of  the  Reformation  interest  under  the 
 exhibition  of  such  a  testimony,  as  shall  secure  a  decided  and  effec- 
 tive appearance  in  behalf  of  Reformation  principles.  And  in  the 
 very  hour  of  resuming  the  exercise  of  their  judicial  powers,  they 
 solicit  the  co-operation  of  all  who  wish  well  to  the  great  cause  of 
 the  Reformation,  in  order  that  they  may  be  all  united  under  one 
 banner.  Nor  do  they  reckon  it  unseasonable  to  declare  that  they 
 shall  be  willing  to  redeem  the  pledge  they  gave  to  the  United  Synod, 
 when  they  stated  '  that  as  soon  as  they  shall  come  forward  with  a 
 testimony  embracing  the  principles,  and  following  up  the  avowt-d 
 design  of  the  Judicial  Testimony,  as  a  term  of  Ministerial  and 
 Christian  Fellowship  in  the  United  Body,  they  will  accede  to  their 
 Communion." 
 
 To  the  above  mentioned  ministers  ot"  Synod,  tlie  Rl*vs.  Wni. 
 Mitchell,  Clola ;  John  M'Donald,  Thurso  ;  and  Thos.  Gray, 
 Kirkcaldy,  gave  tlieir  accession  ;  and  also  Mr  John  Barnett, 
 probationer,  formerly  connected  with  the  General  Associate 
 Synod.  Three  Presbyteries  were  then  formed,  viz.: — Perth 
 Presbytery,  comprehending  Perth,  Edinburgli,  Brechin,  ami 
 Kirkcaldy.  Ayr  Presbytery,  comprehending  Ayr,  Kilwinning, 
 and  Auchinleck.  Aberdeen  Presbytery,  comprehending  Aber- 
 deen, Clola,  and  Thurso.  Brechin  was  transferred  to  this  last 
 Presbytery  the  year  following. 
 
108  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 The  history  of  the  Synod  of  Protesters  after  the  events 
 connected  with  its  formation  is  not  of  a  stirring  nature.  The 
 members  of  the  Court  were,  as  became  their  years  (for  they 
 were  nearly  all  old  men),  sedate,  and  occasionally  they  held 
 their  Synodical  meetings  "  at  the  voice  of  the  bird."  Thus  on 
 26th  September  1822  the  Court  had  three  sederunts,  viz.,  in 
 Professor  Paxton's  house  at  7  A.M.,  then  in  Infirmary  Street 
 Church  at  11  A,M.,  and,  further,  in  Professor  Paxton's  house 
 at  7  P.M.  It  is  also  recorded  that  a  Synodical  Fast  was 
 appointed,  but  in  conformity  with  the  senile  weakness  of  the 
 members,  it  was  judiciously  stated  that  it  was  only  to  continue 
 from  2  P.M.  till  night.  It  may  also  be  stated  that  the  Court 
 was  not  large,  on  some  occasions  there  being  only  eleven 
 members  present.  The  principal  business  of  the  Synod  during 
 the  six  or  seven  years  of  its  existence  was  the  promotion  of  a 
 union  betwixt  the  Constitutional  Presbytery  and  themselves. 
 The  Presbytery  of  Ayr  having  overtured  the  Synod  to  open 
 negotiations  for  union  with  the  Constitutional  Presbytery,  the 
 Synod,  on  25th  September  1822,  took  this  important  ques- 
 tion under  consideration.  The  matter,  however,  was  deemed 
 premature,  though,  to  show  their  catholicity  of  spirit,  the 
 Synod  appointed  Professor  Paxton  as  correspondent  to  continue 
 epistolary  intercourse  with  the  Secession  Synod  of  North 
 America. 
 
 In  May  1823  Messrs  Barnett  and  Meek,  probationers, 
 overtured  the  Synod  respecting  union  with  the  Constitutional 
 Presbytery,  but  like  the  similar  movement  from  the  Ayr 
 Presbytery,  it  proved  abortive.  This  was  not  however  of  long 
 continuance,  for  whilst  on  the  14th  of  the  following  October 
 the  Synod  was  strengthened  by  the  accession  of  the  Rev.  Wm. 
 Beath  of  Pitcairngreen  and  his  congregation,  on  the  following 
 day,  after  considerable  discussion,  it  was  agreed  without  a 
 vote  to  send  the  following  epistle  to  the  Constitutional 
 Presbytery. 
 
 Edinburgh,  October  15,  1823. 
 "  To  the  Rev.  Moderator  and  Rev.  Members 
 of  the  Constitutional  Presbytery. 
 "  Rev.    and    Dear   Brethren, —  Assured   that   we    shall   find   you 
 meeting  us  with  cordiality  toward  every  measiu-e  which  you  conceive 
 
SYNOD  OF  PROTESTERS,  1820  TO  1827.      109 
 
 calculated  to  proinoti!  the  great  cause  of  Covenanted  conjunction  and 
 uniformity,  we  request  your  attention  to  the  enquiry,  whether  it  is 
 practicable  to  heal  the  breach  wliich  liath  divided  ur,  and  to  reston; 
 to  us  mutually  the  good  ami  pleasant  unity  of  profession  and 
 fellowship. 
 
 "  We  feel  it  altogether  unnecessary  to  attempt  an  enumeration  of 
 the  ever  multiplying  reasons  for  union  among  the  true  friends  of  the 
 Reformation  cause.  The  events,  and  the  signs  of  the  tiraeji  are 
 constantly  deepening  on  our  minds  an  imj^re.ssion  of  the  value  and 
 peculiar  seasonableness  of  this  blessing,  and  nothing  wo  think  could 
 more  advance  the  interest  we  all  profess  to  favour,  than  our  united 
 appearance  in  behalf  of  the  princijiles  received  from  our  fathei-s  in 
 the  Secession,  and  a  hearty  co-operation  in  order  to  adrainisU^ring 
 them  faithfully,  wisely,  and  etficiently. 
 
 "  We  do  not  shut  our  eyes  on  the  difficulties  and  dangers  which 
 may  oppose  the  good  work  of  healing  divisions,  but  cherishing 
 confidence  in  Him  who,  as  he  hath  scattered  us,  alone  can  gather  us 
 into  one,  we  would  engage  in  the  undertaking,  resolved  to  do  all 
 that  in  disintei'estedness  and  honesty  we  dare  to  do,  that  there  may 
 be  truth  and  peace  in  our  day. 
 
 "  Any  communication  in  return  with  which  you  may  favour  u«; 
 will  receive  our  dutiful  consideration. 
 
 "  With  all  Christian  wishes  for  your  comfort  and  success  in  the 
 Lord's  work, — We  are.  Rev.  and  Dear  Brethren,  youi-s  very 
 respectfully, 
 
 "  Signed  in  name  and  by  the  ajjpointment  of  Associate  Synod, 
 
 "Geohge  Stevenson, 
 "  Moderator  pro  tempore." 
 
 Though  the  conflict  through  which  the  Synod  had  passed  in 
 getting  this  excellent  letter  agreed  to  had  been  severe,  yet  it 
 was  not  over,  for  on  the  following  day  Professor  Pax  ton  pro- 
 posed to  amend  in  some  instances  its  phraseology,  but  was 
 opposed  on  the  alleged  ground  that  the  letter  was  finally 
 agreed  to  the  night  before.  Whereupon  he  requested  that  it 
 might  be  marked  in  the  minutes,  "  That  he  is  not  to  be  con- 
 sidered as  approving  of  this  letter,  but  only  in  deference  to 
 the  desire  and  feelings  of  his  brethren  making  no  opposition." 
 As  the  feelings  engendered  by  the  Old  Light  Controversy  of 
 seventeen  years  before  were  still  unforgotten,  at  leiust  on  the 
 part  of  Professor  Paxton,  the  negotiations  for  union  were  gone 
 about  with  very  great  caution.  Thus  the  Synod  agreed  that 
 no   steps   be    taken    inconsistent  with    due   deliberation    and 
 
110  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 tenderness  to  absent  brethren.  Further,  that  no  union  shall 
 be  finally  agreed  upon  till  the  Church  diffusive  shall  have 
 sufficient  time  for  consideration  so  as  to  be  able  to  form  a  con- 
 scientious judgment  about  the  matter,  and  in  fine  that  any 
 negotiation  that  shall  be  the  result  of  this  letter  shall  be  as 
 much  as  possible  carried  on  in  writing. 
 
 Mr  Stevenson  of  Ayr,  whose  Catholic  and  Christian  spirit 
 is  so  commendable,  was  not  satisfied  with  merely  negotiating 
 with  the  Constitutional  Presbytery,  but  at  the  same  meeting 
 of  Synod  he  was  desirous  the  Court  should  endeavour  to  unite 
 with  the  Reformed  Presbyterians,  and  therefore  he  moved, 
 "  That  agreeably  to  our  deed  of  constitution  in  which  we 
 pledged  ourselves  to  seek  union  with  the  friends  of  the 
 Reformation  interests,  a  friendly  letter  be  sent  to  the 
 Reformed  Synod,  expressive  of  our  good  will,  and  intimating 
 our  readiness  to  listen  to  any  friendly  measure  they  may  be 
 pleased  to  suggest  to  have  existing  differences  between  us  and 
 them  removed,  so  as  to  bring  about  a  co-operation  in  support 
 of  the  great  common  cause." 
 
 This  motion  though  approved  of  in  spirit,  was  for  a  time 
 allowed  to  lie  on  the  table,  but  on  the  subject  being  resumed 
 at  the  following  Synod,  it  was  agreed  to,  though  Mr  Temple- 
 ton  of  Aberdeen  dissented,  and  Jonathan  Angus,  elder  from 
 Infirmary  Street,  Edinburgh,  requested  that  it  might  be 
 marked  in  the  minutes  that  he  did  not  approve  of  the  letter 
 being  sent. 
 
 To  the  communication  which  had  been  sent  them  the  Con- 
 stitutional Presbytery  returned  the  following  friendly  epistle  : 
 
 "Edinburgh,  I'ith  November  1823 
 
 "  To  tlie  Reverend  the  Moderator  and  other 
 Members  of  the  Associate  Synod. 
 "  Reverend  and  Dear  Brethren, — We  have  received  with 
 much  satisfaction  the  very  gratifying  communication  with  which  you 
 were  pleased  to  favour  tis,  and  in  which  you  request  our  attention 
 to  the  enquiry — whether  it  is  practicable  to  heal  the  breach  which 
 hath  divided  us,  and  to  restore  to  us  mutually  the  good  and  pleasant 
 unity  of  profession  and  fellowship  ?  Being  impressed  with  a  sense 
 of  the  value  and  peculiar  seasonableness  of  union  among  the  true 
 friends  of  the  Reformation  cause,  we  feel  cordially  disposed  to  exert 
 ourselves  in  removing  any  ditfei-ences  existing  between  us  and  others 
 
SYNOD  OF  PROTESTEHS,  1820  TO  1827.      Ill 
 
 Avlio    are   apiH'ariiig   for   that   cause,   more  especially  bretln-en   with 
 whom  we  formerly  held  sweet  fellowship. 
 
 "  After  having  given  the  subject  our  serious  deliberation,  we  trust 
 that  by  meeting  together  in  a  spirit  of  Christian  love  and  candour, 
 with  dependence  on  Him  who  is  wonderful  in  counsel,  and  who  has 
 promised  that  the  watchmen  on  Sion's  walls  'shall  see  e3'e  to  eye,' 
 a  union  may  be  happily  aeeomplisiied  consistent  with  truth,  to  the 
 glory  of  God,  and  to  the  good  of  the  Church. 
 
 "Convinced  that  this  good  work  will  be  mo.st  successfully  pro 
 nioted  by  pei-sonal  intercoui-se,  and  anxious  to  aflbrd  every  facility 
 ill  our  power  for  attaining  its  accomplishment,  we  have  unanimously 
 agreed  to  appoint  a  committee  to  meet  with  any  committee  which 
 you  may  judge  it  proper  to  appoint. 
 
 "  An  extract  from  the  minutes  of  the  Presbytery  containing  this 
 appointment  will  be  transmitteil  to  you  by  the  Clerk. 
 
 "  Wishing  you  all  encouragement  in  the  Lord's  work,  and  suppli- 
 cating for  you  as  well  as  for  ourselves  Divine  countenance  and  direc- 
 tion in  this  important  affair, — We  are,  reverend  and  dear  brethren, 
 yours  with  sincere  regard,  in  name  and  by  appointment  of  the  Con- 
 stitutional Associate  Presbytery, 
 
 "  (Signed)         Robert  Shaw,  Moderator." 
 
 "  Exti-act  from  the  minutes  of  the  Constitutional  Associate  Pres- 
 bytery. At  Edinburgh,  Nov.  11th,  1823. — The  Constitutional  As- 
 sociate Presbytery  being  met  and  constituted  with  prayer,  tkc, 
 agreed  to  appoint  the  following  members  as  a  committee  to  meet 
 with  any  committee  that  the  Associate  Synod  may  be  pleased  to 
 apjxtint,  viz.  :  Messrs  Chalmers,  M'Crie  of  Edinburgh,  John  Aitken, 
 Shaw,  and  Duncan,  ministers  ;   Mr  M'Crie  to  be  convener. 
 
 "  Extracted  by  RoBT.  Chal.meks,  Presbytery  Clerk." 
 
 The  13th  May  1824  was  in  several  respects  a  notable  day 
 in  the  annals  of  the  Protesting  Synod  since,  first,  Mr  James 
 Whyte,  probationer  from  the  United  Secession  Church  gave 
 in  his  accession.  He  was  truly  an  eloquent  and  popular 
 preacher,  both  in  Scotland  and  afterwards  at  Salem  in  America, 
 since  during  his  brief  ministerial  life  he  had  no  fewer  than 
 fourteen  calls  addressed  to  him.  Second,  it  was  agreed  that 
 the  friendly  letter  previously  spoken  of,  to  the  Ileformed  Pres- 
 byterian Synod  should  be  sent.  In  this  epistle  the  Protesters 
 expressed  the  hope  "  that  by  the  spirit  of  truth  and  love 
 accompanying  our  Christian  intercourse,  and  the  interchange 
 of  friendly  offices,  our  correspondence  may  ere  long  ripen  into 
 all  the  intimacy  of  ecclesiastical  fellowship."     And  last,  though 
 
112  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 not  least,  the  Synod  appointed  the  Rev.  Messrs  Black  of  Perth, 
 Jas.  Gray  of  Brechin,  Smith  of  Kilwinning,  Stevenson  of  Ayr, 
 Thos.  Gray  of  Kirkcaldy,  and  Beath  of  Pitcairngreen ;  Mr 
 Thomas  Gray,  convener ;  to  meet  with  the  Constitutional 
 Presbytery  with  the  view  of  forming  an  incorporating  union. 
 From  this  proposal,  however,  as  from  the  preceding,  the  Rev. 
 James  Templeton  of  Aberdeen  dissented.  Evidently  he  had 
 no  threat  sympathy  with  Old  Light  views,  since,  as  shall 
 afterwards  be  seen,  he  returned  to  the  New  Light  Synod. 
 
 That  this  union  committee  obtempered  the  instructions  laid 
 upon  them  appears  from  the  following  minutes  of  joint  com- 
 mittees, viz.  : 
 
 "  Edinburgh,  I5th  September  1824. 
 
 "  In  Mr  M'Crie's  Session-house,  Richmond  Street,  met  members 
 of  the  committee  of  the  Associate  Synod  :  Rev.  Messrs  James  Gray, 
 Robert  Smith,  George  Stevenson,  and  Thomas  Gray;  and  of  the 
 committee  of  the  Constitutional  Associate  Presbytery  :  Rev.  Messrs 
 Thomas  M'Crie,  John  Aitken,  Robert  Shaw,  and  Alexander  Duncan. 
 Mr  James  Gray  was  requested  to  take  the  chair,  and  opened  the 
 meeting  with  prayer.  Mr  Shaw  was  appointed  clerk.  Such  of  the 
 members  as  were  forward,  having  spent  some  time  the  preceding 
 evening  in  prayer,  it  was  now  agreed  to  proceed  to  business.  The 
 Rev.  Geoi'ge  Paxton  being  present,  was  desired  to  take  part  in  the 
 conversation. 
 
 "  The  joint  committee  had  some  convei'sation  with  respect  to  the 
 correspondence  which  had  taken  place  betwixt  their  respective  con- 
 stituents and  other  religious  societies.  The  committee  of  the  Con- 
 stitutional Associate  Presbytery  stated,  that  they  have  not  judicially 
 sanctioned,  nor,  as  a  presbytery,  proposed  to  the  Original  Burgher 
 Synod  any  basis  of  union  ;  that  a  correspondence  was  opened  betwixt 
 them  and  that  Synod  in  1819,  with  a  view  to  the  attainment  of  a 
 union  betwixt  the  two  bodies  ;  that  a  joint  committee,  which  met 
 both  in  that  and  the  subsequent  year,  had  drawn  up  certain  proposi- 
 tions as  part  of  the  basis  of  the  proposed  union  ;  that  the  Constitu- 
 tional Associate  Presbytery  have  not  given  judgment  upon  any  of 
 these  propositions,  but  that  in  1821  they  proposed  a  preliminary 
 question  to  the  Original  Burgher  Synod,  which  is  still  sub  judice  in 
 that  Synod,  and  that  they  are  not  pledged  to  that  Synod  in  any 
 degree. 
 
 "  The  committee  of  the  Associate  Synod  stated  that  they  had  de- 
 clared to  the  United  Synod  their  readiness  to  join  that  Synod  upon 
 their  publishing  a  testimony,  embracing  the  principles  of  the  judicial 
 testimony,  but  that  they  consider  this  declaration  as  implying  not 
 
SYNOD  OF  PKOTESTEUS,  1820  TO  1827.       113 
 
 only  an  aclhereTico  to  the  principles  of  the  judicial  testimony,  l.ut 
 also  a  following  up  of  its  design  liy  pul)lic  covenanting.  Further, 
 that  they  consider  some  arrangement  with  respect  to  the  lUirgess 
 Oath  necessary  previous  to  such  an  accession.  With  legard  to  the 
 Reformed  Synod,  they  also  declared  that  the  letter  .sent  by  them  to 
 that  Synod  contained  no  pledge  with  respect  to  speciOc  measures 
 being  taken  for  eflecting  an  union  with  that  body. 
 
 "The  joint  committee  had  some  conversation  respecting  the  dis 
 tinct  and  independent  nature  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ ;  the  duty  of 
 nations  and  of  their  rulers  in  reference  to  religion  ;  also  respecting 
 covenanting  and  toleration,  the  result  of  which  was  an  impression 
 upon  the  minds  of  all  the  membei*s  that  they  were  in  harmony  in 
 the  views  which  they  expressed  upon  these  ]>oints.  They  agi-eed  to 
 adjourn  to  Mr  M'Crie's  house,  to  meet  at  half-piust  six  o'clock.  Mr 
 M'Crie  closed  with  prayer. 
 
 "  Same  day,  half-past  six  o'clock. 
 
 "  In  Mr  M'Crie's  house  met  the  joint  committee  of  the  Associate 
 Synod  and  of  the  Constitutional  Associate  Presbytery — members 
 present  as  formerly.  Mr  Thomas  Gray  opened  the  meeting  with 
 prayer.  The  committee  spent  some  time  in  further  conversation 
 upon  the  subjects  introduced  at  the  former  sederunt,  and  other 
 matters  relating  to  the  general  object.  Agreed  to  adjourn  to  meet 
 in  Mr  M'Crie's  Session-house,  to-morrow,  at  ten  o'clock.  Mr  Shaw 
 closed  with  prayer. 
 
 "  September  Idt/t,  1824,  ten  o'clock: 
 
 "  In  Mr  M'Crie's  Session-house  met  the  joint  committee  of  the 
 As.sociate  Synod  and  the  Constitutional  Associate  Presbytery — mem- 
 bers present  as  formerly.  Mr  M'Crie  was  requested  to  take  the 
 chair,  and  ]\Ir  Duncan  opened  the  meeting  with  prayer.  On  a  ques- 
 tion being  proposed  as  to  adhering  to  the  original  rule  which 
 required  young  men  to  enter  the  Bond  before  license,  membei-s  of 
 the  committee  fi'om  the  Associate  Synod  declared  that  it  wa-s  their 
 belief  that  there  would  be  no  objection  to  this  on  the  part  of  that 
 Synod.  There  was  a  considerably  long  conversation  as  to  the  pro- 
 jiriety  of  drawing  up  a  new  statement  of  principles,  embracing  the 
 principles  of  the  judicial  testimony,  the  Act  concerning  the  Doctrine 
 of  Grace,  and  the  answers  to  Nairn's  rea.sons  of  di.ssent,  and  apply- 
 ing them  to  the  present  times,  which  seemed  to  meet  the  approbation 
 of  all  the  members  of  the  joint  committee.  The  committee  of  the 
 Constitutional  Associate  Presbytery  promised  to  do  their  endeavour 
 to  reduce  the  subjects  conversed  about  yesterday  forenoon  into  the 
 form  of  propositions,  and  to  give  them  into  the  conunittee  of  the 
 Associate  Synod,  if  possible,  before  the  next  meeting  of  that  Synod. 
 Mr  M'Crie  closed  with  prayer.  Robert  Suaw,  Clerk." 
 
 H 
 
114  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 The  Union  committee  having  reported  progress  to  the 
 Synod  which  met  in  the  following  month,  the  Court  after  de- 
 liberation resolved  to  take  another  step  in  advance  by  appoint- 
 ing the  Rev.  Messrs  Stevenson,  of  Ayr,  and  Thomas  Gray,  of 
 Kirkcaldy,  to  meet  with  a  committee  of  two  from  the 
 Constitutional  Presbytery  in  order  to  draw  up  a  basis  of  Union. 
 
 That  the  negotiations  were  making  satisfactory  progress,  and 
 that  the  spirit  of  brotherly  love  was  asserting  its  presence  in 
 both  parties  appears  from  friendly  letters  having  been  ex- 
 changed by  them  ;  the  Rev.  Ben.  Laing,  of  Arbroath,  the 
 Moderator  of  the  Constitutional  Presbytery,  having  sent  on 
 11th  May  1825  a  friendly  letter  to  the  Protesters,  and  the 
 Rev.  Peter  M'Derment,  Moderator  of  the  Synod,  having  on  the 
 following  day  sent  an  equally  friendly  reply.  That  obstacles 
 however  had  gradually  to  be  overcome,  and  much  wise  for- 
 bearance required  to  be  exercised  in  their  removal,  appears 
 from  sundry  statements  in  the  records.  Thus  on  1  4th  Sept. 
 1825  Prof.  Paxton  moved,  and  Mr  Thomas  Gray,  of  Kirkcaldy 
 seconded,  that  instead  of  going  over  all  the  articles  of  basis  of 
 union,  and  adopting  them,  the  Synod  declare  their  adherence 
 to  the  Confession  of  Faith,  the  Catechisms,  Larger  and  Shorter, 
 the  answers  to  Nairn's  reasons  of  dissent ;  and  to  accept  the 
 first,  second,  and  seventh  articles  as  the  articles  of  basis,  but 
 in  deference  to  wish  of  Court  this  was  not  pressed. 
 
 On  16th  September  1825,  however,  it  was  moved  by  Rev. 
 George  Paxton  that  the  assertory  articles  be  now  approved  by 
 the  Synod,  and  transmitted  along  with  the  explanatory 
 articles  for  the  acceptance  of  the  brethren  of  the  Constitutional 
 Associate  Presbytery.  This  was  cordially  agreed  to,  and  Rev. 
 G.  Paxton,  who  was  moderator,  sent  the  following  brotherly 
 and  cordial  epistle  to  Rev.  Dr  M'Crie  : — 
 
 "Edinburgh,  16th  September  1825. 
 "  Dear  and  Rev.  Brother, — It  is  with  unfeigned  pleasure  I  by 
 the  appointment  of  the  Associate  Synod  have  to  inform  you  that  the 
 Synod  have  finished  their  discussions  on  the  whole  explanatory  and 
 assertory  articles  in  the  overture  transmitted  to  them  by  the  joint- 
 committee,  and  most  harmoniously  adopted  them,  and  it  is  fondly 
 hoped  any  alterations  they  have  made  will  meet  with  the  approba- 
 tion of  your  Presbytery.  The  Associate  Synod  will  therefore  wait 
 the  discussion  of  their  brethren  respecting  the  articles  as  accom- 
 
SYNOD  OF  PROTKSTEHS,   1820  TO    1  S27.  11'. 
 
 panied  with  the  alterations,  and  as  they  think  that  tlie  appointment 
 of  a  new  committee  to  settle  anything  connected  with  saitl  articles 
 or  other  jireliininaries  niiglit  retard  the  business,  they  would  prefer 
 an  extrajudicial  conversation  between  the  niemhrrs  of  the  two 
 Courts  at  the  time  of  their  next  meeting  in  May,  if  the  Constitu- 
 tional Presbytery  can  make  it  convenient  to  meet  at  the  sahu;  time. 
 
 The  articles,  with  the  altei-jitions  made  by  the  Synod,  will  be  sent 
 to  you,  to  be  communicated  to  your  Presbytery,  l)y  our  clerk,  as  soon 
 as  a  fair  copy  can  be  made  out. — I  am,  dear  Rev.  Brother,  your.-< 
 sincerely,  (Signed)  "  Geokue  Paxton. 
 
 "To  the  Rev.  Dr  :M'Crie." 
 
 To  be  communicated  to  the  Constitutional  Associate  Presbytery.' 
 
 Oil  10th  May  182G  the  Moderator,  the  *Rev.  James  Gray, 
 of  Brecliiii,  reported  that  he  liad  met  witli  Dr  M'Crie,  and 
 that  the  members  of  that  Court  were  desirous  that  the  proposed 
 extrajudicial  conversation  should  take  place  that  evening  at 
 six  o'clock  in  any  place  the  Associate  Synod  sliould  appoint. 
 After  some  conversation,  the  Synod  agreed  to  meet  with  their 
 brethren  at  the  hour  mentioned  in  Dr  M'Crie's  mcetiug-house. 
 Having  read  over  the  proposed  basis  of  union,  the  Synod  re- 
 solved to  meet  again  that  evening  in  Dr  M'Crie's  session-house 
 immediately  after  the  conference. 
 
 On  the  day  following  the  Synod  met  in  Infirmary  Street 
 Church,  and  cordially  adopted  the  following  minute  : — 
 
 "  The  Synod  heard  the  report  of  the  committee  of  the  whole  house 
 of  the  conference  with  the  brethren  of  the  Constitutional  Associate 
 Presbytery.  That  the  meeting  had  been  most  amicable.  That 
 respecting  the  articles,  their  views  were  one,  and  that  in  the  con- 
 ference both  had  agreed  to  them.  Further,  that  both  have  agi-eed  to 
 recommend  to  their  respective  Courts  that  each  Court  should  ap- 
 point a  member  to  superintend  the  printing  of  the  articles  as  now 
 agreed  to,  and  that  each  should  ajipoint  a  member  for  drawing  uji  a 
 new  statement  of  principles  to  l>e  laid  before  the  Courts." 
 
 The  articles  as  corrected  were  read,  and  then  agreed  to 
 without  a  vote.  Prof.  Paxton  was  appointed  to  represent  the 
 Synod  in  printing  the  articles,  and  Rev.  George  Stevenson 
 Avas  appointed  as  their  member  of  committee  to  draw  up  a 
 new  statement  of  principles  along  witli  any  member  the  Con- 
 
 ^  Much  light  on  the  tender,  wise,  and  prayerful  dealing  of  parties  in  these 
 union  negotiations  is  shown  in  a  series  of  jirivate  letters  written  at  the  time, 
 but  afterwards  published  in  a  pamphlet,  viz.  :  "Dr  JrCrie  and  Profes-sor 
 Paxton,  Edin.  187"2,  by  the  Rev.  James   Black,  A.M.,"  Kirkcaldy,  p.  12. 
 
116  ANNALS  OF  OllIiUNAL  SECESSION. 
 
 stitutional  Associate  Presbytery  might  appoint.  Thus  Dr 
 M'Crie  having  been  appointed  by  the  one  Court  and  George 
 Stevenson  by  the  other  to  draw  ujd  a  new  statement  of  prin- 
 ciples, the  result  was  the  Original  Secession  Testimony,  the 
 historical  part  of  which  was  the  composition  of  the  former, 
 and  the  doctrinal  that  of  the  latter. 
 
 Towards  the  close  of  the  year  repeated  conferences  were 
 held  by  the  negotiating  bodies.  All  went  on  prosperously, 
 and  Professor  Paxton  was  appointed  to  aid  in  drawing  up  the 
 "Acknowledgment  of  Sins,"  and  also,  along  with  Dr  MCrie, 
 to  superintend  the  draught  of  the  Original  Secession  Testimony. 
 
 But  whilst  these  union  negotiations  were  going  on  har- 
 moniously, and  apparently  soon  to  become  fruitful,  two  in- 
 cidents of  a  personal  kind  occurred,  the  former  of  which 
 exhibits  the  peculiar  spirit  in  which  Old  Light  Seceders  have 
 acted  towards  those  who  have  thought  fit  to  withdraw  from 
 their  communion.  To  avoid  partiality  of  statement  the 
 minutes  (omitting  the  name)  shall  speak  for  themselves. 
 
 "  On  12th  May  1826,  the  Synod  finding  from  a  letter  addressed 
 
 to  the  Presbytery  of  Ayr  that  Mr ,  lately  one  of  our  preachers, 
 
 had  declared  liimself  no  longer  of  our  communion,  and  was  negotiat- 
 ing a  connection  with  another  society  in  Ireland,  unanimously 
 agreed  to  direct  their  clerk  to  write  Mr ,  and  require  his  ap- 
 pearance at  their  bar  to  answer  for  his  conduct  at  next  meeting  of 
 Synod  to  be  held  at  Edinburgh  on  Tuesday  the  ]  4th  day  of  Nov. 
 next. 
 
 On  15th  November  1826,  "the  Synod  proceeded  to  consider  the 
 
 case  of  Mr ,  and  at  the  Synod's  order  read  that  part  of  it  which 
 
 Mr wished  to  be  communicated,  stating  generally  '  that  from 
 
 a  variety  of  circumstances,  uninteresting  to  Huy  but  himself,  it  was 
 impossible  for  him  to  leave  Ireland  at  present,  and  stated  this 
 was  the  leason  he  wished  to  be  given  to  the  Synod  for  his  non-attend- 
 ance at  their  order.'  After  considerable  discussion  the  Synod 
 agreed  that  from  all  that  is  before  them  they  cannot  but  express 
 their  decided  disapprobation  of  his  conduct.  They  do  not,  however, 
 wish  to  preclude  him  from  an  opportunity  of  appearing  before  them 
 at  some  future  period  to  give  them  the  satisfaction  to  which  they 
 are  entitled,  and  I'eserve  to  themselves  the  right  of  ado])ting  such 
 ulterior  measures  as  they  shall  judge  proper.  They  at  the  same  time 
 ordered  their  clerk  to  transmit  to  Mr an  extract  of  this  minute." 
 
 Owing,  however,  to  the  consummation  of  the  Union 
 negotiations    shortly    afterwards,    the     Protesters    appear    to 
 
SYNOD  OV  I'KDTKSTEUS,   1820  TO   1S'J7.  1  17 
 
 have  dropt  further  proccidings  against  this  prohatioiar  for 
 daring  to  leave  their  conunuuiou.  Probably  they  felt  that 
 having  by  the  Union  ciianged  their  standpoint,  they  could 
 hardly  blame  the  preacher  for  changing  hi'^.  Union  with 
 another  Presbyterian  Denomination  they  had  considered  to  be 
 their  duty  in  Scotland,  and  to  unite  with  another  body  of 
 Presbyterians  he  believed  to  be  his  duty  in  Ireland. 
 
 The  other  personal  incident  is  very  gratifying,  since  it  refers 
 to  the  accession  from  the  Established  Church  of  one  who  was 
 destined  to  become  afterwards,  not  only  a  distinguished 
 minister,  but  also  a  Professor  of  Divinity. 
 
 On  "2 3rd  November  1826,  "Mr  Muiray,  formerly  a  student  in 
 the  Church  of  Scotland,  appeared  with  the  view  of  acceding  to  our 
 principles,  and  also  of  being  put  on  trials  for  license  for  the  ministry. 
 After  conversation  with  Mr  Murray,  it  was  agreed  that  the  Mode- 
 rator (Rev.  K.  Smith,  Kilwinning)  put  to  him  the  usual  questions, 
 and  receive  his  accession.  Mr  Miuiay  declai-cd  his  apjjrobation  of 
 ■our  principles,  and  his  readiness  to  join  in  sealing  ordinances  jus 
 soon  as  an  opportunity  may  occur.  Ou  some  convei*sation  relative 
 to  his  studies,  Mr  Murray  presented  ample  certificates  of  his  regular 
 and  successful  attendance  upon  the  Univereity  classes,  and  of  his 
 attendance  iipon  the  Divinity  Hall  of  the  Church  of  Scotland. 
 Professor  Paxton  also  certified  Mr  Murray's  attendance  upun  his 
 lectiu-es  during  the  last  two  sessions. 
 
 "  Proceeded  to  examine  Mi-  Murray  on  Practical  Divinity,  also 
 in  i-eference  to  his  motives  in  desiring  to  enter  the  office  of  the  Holy 
 Ministry.  With  the  statements  of  Mr  Murray  in  reference  to  both, 
 the  Synod  expi-essed  full  satisfaction.  Proceeded  to  examine  him 
 on  Theology  ;  and  with  the  specimens  given  of  !Mr  Murray's  know- 
 ledge and  attainments,  the  Synod  expressed  equal  satisfaction.  The 
 Synod  referred  Mr  ^lurray  to  the  Presbytery  of  Perth,  and  enjoined 
 said  Presbytery  to  proceed  quant  ^yrimum  with  the  usual  trials." 
 
 May  1827  was  fixed  as  the  month  when  the  union  betwixt 
 the  Constitutional  Presbytery  and  the  Associate  Synod  of 
 Protesters  should  take  place,  and  betwixt  the  8th  and  l7th 
 days  cf  that  month  many  conferences  were  held  by  the 
 negotiating  Bodies  in  order  to  arrange  as  far  as  possible  all 
 the  terras  of  the  marriage  settlement.  At  length  the  much 
 looked  and  prayed  for  17th  day  of  May  1827  arrived,  and 
 the  Protesters  having  risen  betimes,  resolved  that  during  an 
 early   sederunt   they   would,  if  practicable,   complete  all   the 
 
118  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 remaining    business    that     was     peculiar     to     their    separate 
 positions.      The  principal  items  were  as  follows,  viz  : — 
 
 "  A  petition  from  Rev.  Richard  Black,  Perth,  was  read,  desiring 
 
 that  a  dechiration  shoukl    be  made   by  this  Synod   respecting  the 
 
 censures  passed  upon  some  of  our  brethren  by  the  General  Associate 
 
 Synod,  expressive  of  our  judgment  '  that  from  their  ministerial  and 
 
 Christian  conduct  the  censures  had  been  improper.'     But  the  Synod 
 
 after  consideration  agreed  unanimously  that  having  recognised  these 
 
 brethren  at  the  time  they  entered  into  negotiations  with   them  as 
 
 possessing    all    the    ministerial    powers  they  themselves    possessed, 
 
 judged  it   unnecessary,  informal,  and   inexpedient,  to   take   up  the 
 
 subject,  more  especially  as  it  is  stated  in  the  Testimony,  that  it  is 
 
 not  expedient  that  we  enter  further  into  the  grounds  of  diiference. 
 
 It  was    then  moved   and   seconded   that   the   Synod   agree   to   the 
 
 Testimony  as  corrected,  to  be  enacted  as  the  Testimony  of  the  United 
 
 Body.       On   this   question   being  put.  Rev.  Thos.  Gray,  Kirkcaldy, 
 
 requested    that  it  might    be    marked    '  that   in   his  judgment   the 
 
 references  to  toleration  in  the  Testimony  should  have  been  omitted, 
 
 as   being  somewhat   obscure,  and  having   the  appearance  of  being 
 
 inconsistent  with  the  principles  on  the  point  of  liberty  of  conscience 
 
 that  are  stated  in  the   articles  and  other  parts  of  the  Testimony.' 
 
 And  he  is  to  be  understood  as  agreeing  to  these,  so  far  only  as  they 
 
 are  reconcilable   with    said    principles.       And    Mr   Gray  claims   the 
 
 privilege  if  he  thinks  proper  of  stating  his  views  more   at  large  on 
 
 these  subjects,   and  of  taking  all  regular  steps  to  have  the  above 
 
 mentioned  passages  amended.'     This  marking  being  granted  to  be 
 
 inserted  in  the  minutes,  the  motion  was  unanimously  agreed  to.'' 
 
 After  having  preferred  the  call  from  Kirkwall  to  Mr  Eben. 
 Ritchie,  probationer,  to  that  which  he  had  received  from 
 Toberdoney,  which  was  apparently  the  last  judicial  act  of  the 
 Synod  of  Protesters,  it  is  recorded,  "  the  hour  appointed  for 
 the  Union  with  the  Constitutional  Associate  Presbytery  being 
 at  hand,  the  Synod  adjourned  their  meeting  for  a  few  minutes." 
 Which  words  form  the  conclusion  of  the  Record  of  the  Asso- 
 ciate Synod  of  Protesters. 
 
 Pamphlets  relating  to  the  Union  of  Associate  (New  Light) 
 Burgher  and  General  Associate  (New  Light)  Antiburgher 
 Synods  in  JSilO,  together  with  the  formation  of  the  Synod  of 
 Protesters. 
 
 The  Peace  of  Zion  ;  a  Sermon,  by  Alex.  Duncan,  D.D.  Edin., 
 1819. 
 
SYNOD  OF   I'llOTESTERS,    1820  TO   1827.  HO 
 
 Observations  on  tho  proposed  Union  of  SoLVtl<'i-s,  1)V  a  Scoeder 
 (Dr  11.  Jamiesoa).      FMin.,  I  819. 
 
 Excelloncy  of  Brotherly  Ihiity,  by  .Tt)hn  Juniioson,  l>.I>.  Kdin., 
 1819. 
 
 Reunion  among  Socedors,  by  Rov.  Adam  Blair,  of  Ferry- Tort-on- 
 Craig.      Dundee,  1819. 
 
 Sermon  on  Union,  by  Dr  Janiieson  of  East  Linton.     Edin.,  1820. 
 Conduct    suited    to    Secodei-s    on    their    Union,  by  H.    Janiieson, 
 D.D.     Edin.,  1820. 
 
 Addresses  on  the  Proposeil  Union  between  the  two  large  Bodies 
 of  the  Secession  Church,  by  Rev.  Alex.  Turnbull,  Campbell  Street, 
 Glasgow.      1820.     Pp.  r^G. 
 
 Key  to  the  Basis  of  Union,  by  Rev.  Richard  Black,  Perth.  1820. 
 Summary  of  Principles  agreed  ui)ou  by  the  United  Associate 
 Synod  of  the  Secession  Church,  1  3th  Sept.  1820.  Edin.,  1 820 ;  pp.  1 8. 
 Basis  of  Union  agreed  upon  by  the  Associate  and  General  Asso- 
 ciate Synods,  28th  April  1820;  together  with  the  draughts  of  a 
 proposed  Formula  for  Ordination,  and  of  a  Summary  of  the 
 Principles  of  the  Secession  Church.      Edin.,  1820  ;   pp.  22. 
 
 The  Basis  calmly  consiilered  ;  a  series  of  papers  on  the  Union 
 between  the  two  Synods.      Edin.,  1820  ;  pp.  68. 
 
 Address  of  the  United  Associate  Synod  to  the  People  under  their 
 charge,  occasioned  by  the  late  Union  of  the  two  larger  Bodies  of 
 Seceders.      Glasgow;  1820,   pp.  23. 
 
 Sermons  on  the  Unity  of  the  Church,  by  Dr  ^I'Crie  ;  with  :ui 
 appendix.      Edin.,  1821,  pp.  174. 
 
 Examination  of  Charges  brought  against  the  General  Associate 
 Synod,  by  a  member  of  the  United  Synod.      E<lin.,  1821. 
 
 The  Examination  Examined ;  or,  a  Vindication  of  the  Charges 
 brought  against  the  Basis  of  Union,  by  a  Protester.  Edin.,  1822, 
 pp.  53. 
 
 The  Protesters  no  Separatists,  by  a  Member  of  the  Associate 
 Synod.     Edin.,  1822,  pp.  15. 
 
 An  Address  by  the  Associate  Synod  (of  Protesters)  to  the  people 
 under  their  inspection  ;  containing  reasons  of  non-accession  to  the 
 late  Union;  with  an  Appendix,  by  a  Committee.      Edin.,  1823. 
 
 Address  to  Infirmary  Street  Congregation,  Edinburgh,  by  Professor 
 Paxton.      Edin. 
 
 Plea  for  the  Covenanted  Reformation  in  Britain  and  Ireland,  by 
 Rev.  Geo.  Stevenson,  D.D.,  Ayr.  Glasi^ow,  1824,  pp.  95.  3rd 
 PMition  was  publi.shed  in  Edin.,  1844,  pp.  96. 
 
 Printed  Minutes  of  the  United  Associate  Synod.  Sept.  1820  ; 
 April  and  May  1821. 
 
CHAPTER    VI. 
 
 ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION  SYNOD  FROM  1827  TILL  THE 
 UNION  WITH  THE  REMANENT  SYNOD  OF  BURGHERS  IN  1842; 
 TOGETHER  WITH  AN  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  REMANENT  ASSOCIATE 
 PRESBYTERY. 
 
 This  Synod  was  formed  by  the  union,  on  17th  May  1827,  of 
 the  Constitutional  Antiburgher  Presbytery,  which  had  been 
 originated  on  28th  August  1806,  and  the  Associate  Synod  of 
 Protesters  (also  Antiburghers),  which  had  begun  its  separate 
 existence  on  29th  May  1821. 
 
 The  place  in  which  the  vmion  was  consummated  was 
 Infirmary  Street  Church,  Edinburgh,  and  though  the  alliance 
 did  not  at  all  excite  the  public  interest  which  had  been  shown 
 in  the  metropolis  by  the  union,  seven  years  before,  of  the  two 
 New  Light  Branches  of  the  Secession,  yet  it  was  undoubtedly 
 a  time  of  prayerful  joy  and  thankfulness  to  many  pious  people 
 throughout  Scotland. 
 
 The  order  of  service  on  the  occasion  was  the  following : — 
 The  Rev.  Messrs  Stevenson  of  Ayr,  and  Laing  of  Arbroath, 
 the  Moderators  of  the  respective  bodies,  prayed,  after  which 
 Psalm  cxlvii.  1-5  was  sung,  containing  the  appropriate  lines: — 
 
 "  Praise  ye  the  Lord;  foi-  it  is  good 
 Praise  to  our  God  to  sing; 
 For  it  is  pleasant,  and  to  praise 
 It  is  a  comely  thing ; 
 God  doth  build  up  Jerusalem, 
 And  he  it  is  alone, 
 That  the  dispersed  of  Israel 
 Doth  gather  into  one." 
 
 The  two  Moderators  read  the  minutes  of  their  respective 
 Courts  agreeing  to  unite.  They  then  gave  to  each  other  the 
 right  hand  of  fellowship,  and  were  followed   by  all  the   mem- 
 
HISTORY  OF  SYNOD,  1827  TO  1842.       121 
 
 bers  of  both  Courts.      Psalm  cii.  13-18  was  theu  sung,  begin- 
 ning with  the  inspiriting  words — 
 
 "  Thou  shalt  aii.so  and  mercy  have 
 Upon  thy  Sion  yet ; 
 The  time  to  favour  her  is  come 
 The  time  tlutt  thou  hast  set." 
 
 The  Rev.  James  Aitken  of  Kirriemuir,  the  senior  minister 
 present,  was  called  to  the  chair,  and  constituted  the  Synod, 
 and  the  Rev.  Peter  M'Derment,  Auchiuleck,  was  chosen  clerk. 
 The  Synod  thus  formed  contained  twenty  ministers,  besides 
 elders,  and  of  these  at  its  first  meeting  there  were  present 
 twelve  ministers,  and  eisjjht  rulinjj  elders. 
 
 Among  the  first  items  of  Syucxlical  business  was  the 
 appointment  of  a  Professor  of  Divinity,  when  the  Rev.  Dr 
 Thomas  M'Crie  gracefully  moved  that  the  Rev.  George  Paxton 
 be  appointed  to  the  office,  which  motion,  it  needs  hardly  be 
 said,  was  carried  by  acclamation. 
 
 The  Members  of  Synod  present  were  as  follows,  viz.,  the 
 Rev.  Messrs  James  Aitken,  Kirriemuir  ;  George  Paxton, 
 Infirmary  Street,  Edinburgh  ;  Thomas  M'Crie,  D.D.,  Davie 
 Street,  Edinburgh  ;  James  Gray,  Brechin  ;  Robert  Smith,  Kil- 
 winning ;  George  Stevenson,  Ayr ;  Thomas  Gray,  Kirkcaldy  ; 
 John  Aitken,  Skene  Terrace,  Aberdeen  ;  Robert  Shaw,  Whit- 
 burn ;  Peter  M'Derment,  Auchinleck  ;  Alexander  Duncan, 
 Dundee ;  Benjamin  Laing,  Arbroath  ;  James  Beattie,  Bal- 
 mullo,  ministers ;  and  Alexander  Ingram,  Infirmary  Street, 
 Edinburgh  ;  George  Knox,  Davie  Street,  Edinburgh  ;  Matthew 
 Heron,  Kilwinning ;  Alexander  Dalrymple,  Ayr ;  William 
 Dick,  Kirkcaldy  ;  James  Morrison,  Whitburn  ;  James  Salmond, 
 Arbroath  ;   David  Waterston,  Haddington,  ruling  elders. 
 
 The  ministers  of  Synod  who  were  absent  were  the  Rev. 
 Messrs  William  Mitchell,  Clola;  Richard  Black,  Perth;  Robert 
 Chalmers,  Haddington  ;  John  M'Donald,  Thurso  ;  *Jamcs 
 Templeton,  Belmont  Street,  Aberdeen ;  Patrick  M'Kenzie, 
 Kelso ;  James  Cairncros-s,  Birsay  ;  Thomas  Maa.son,  Perth 
 
 Besides  the  Rev.  Thomas  M'Crie,  formerly  of  Crieff,  a 
 minister  without  a  charge,  the  following  preachers  were  con- 
 
 *  Mr  Templeton  withclrew  t<>  tlic  United  S  .ctssion  CI)urch. 
 
122  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 nected  with  the  Synod,  viz.,  Messrs  John  Millar,  James  Meek, 
 Ebenezer  Ritchie,  John  Bui-nfield,  and  Matthew  Murray.  And 
 the  following  were  at  this  time  divinity  students,  viz.,  Messrs 
 James  A.  Wylie,  A.M.,  and  James  Anderson  from  Kirriemuir  ; 
 George  Roger,  A.M.,  from  Aberdeen,  and  Robert  Auld  from  Ayr. 
 
 Immediately  on  the  consummation  of  the  Union,  the  Ori- 
 ginal Secession  Synod  showed  considerable  zeal,  not  only  in 
 filling  up  Synodical  appointments,  but  also  in  making  such 
 arrangements  as  might  tend  to  promote  the  benefits  of  union 
 to  other  bodies  of  Christians.  It  was  also  agreed  that  a  Con- 
 ference be  held  with  the  Associate  Burgher  Synod  in  the  fol- 
 lowing October  with  the  view  of  union. 
 
 This  Conference  was  held  accordingly,  but  proved  abortive.^ 
 
 But  though  the  failure  of  these  union  negotiations  was  a 
 ground  of  sorrow  to  several  catholic  spirited  members,  a 
 communication  was  at  this  period  received  which  afforded 
 much  satisfaction  to  the  whole  Synod.  This  was  a  letter  from 
 the  Associate  Synod  of  North  America,  stating  that  that 
 Church  disapproved  of  the  Union  of  the  New  Light  branches 
 in  1820,  and  recognised  the  Original  Secession  Synod  as  the 
 body  with  which  they  shall  continue  the  fraternal  epistolary 
 intercourse  which  had  begun  in  1783. 
 
 On  the  18th  September  of  the  following  year  the  National 
 and  Solemn  League  Covenants  were  renewed  by  the  Synod  in 
 a  Bond  suitable  for  their  circumstances.  As  the  exercises 
 connected  with  Covenanting  were  similar,  whether  done  by 
 the  Synod  or  individual  congregations,  a  general  description 
 of  the  ceremony  may  be  given.  After  devotional  exercises, 
 including  the  delivery  of  a  discourse  suitable  for  the  occasion, 
 the  National  Covenant  of  Scotland  and  the  Solemn  League 
 and  Covenant  of  the  Three  Nations  were  read,  after  which  was 
 gone  over  the  Acknowledgment  of  Sins,  a  lengthy  document, 
 sanctioned  by  the  Court  on  the  loth  May  preceding,  and 
 which  states  and  laments  the  defections  from  Reformation 
 attainments  that  had  taken  place,  and  then,  after  solemn 
 prayer,  was  read  "  The  Engagement  to  Duties,"  during  the 
 reading  of  which  the  Covenanters  stood  and  with  their  right 
 hands  uplifted  took  the  following  Oath  or  Bond  : — 
 '  An  account  of  this  conference  is  given  on  page  60. 
 
HlSTDliY  OK  SYNon,   1^-27  To    1842.  123 
 
 "  We,  all  and  evory  one  of  us,  though  .sinsibli-  of  thi'  iloceitfulucss 
 and  unbelief  of  our  own  hearts,  and  frequently  perplexed  with 
 doubts  and  feai-s  about  our  actual  believing  ;  yet,  desiring  in  the 
 Lord's  strength,  anil  in  obedience  to  his  command,  to  glorify  God,  by 
 believing  his  word  of  grace,  contained  in  hLs  covenant  of  promise,  and 
 in  the  faith  of  his  promise  to  devote  oui-selves  to  the  Lord  in  a 
 Cove7iant  of  Duty:  We  do,  with  our  hands  lifted  up  to  the  Most  High 
 liod,  hereby  profess,  and  before  God,  angels,  and  men,  solemnly 
 declare :  That,  through  the  grace  of  God,  and  according  to  the  measure 
 of  liis  gi'ace  given  unto  us,  we  di'sire  with  our  whole  hearts,  to  take 
 hold  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  as  the  only  propitiation  for  our  sins  ; 
 his  Righteousness  as  the  only  foundation  of  our  acci-ss  to  God,  and 
 acceptance  with  Him  ;  hLs  Covenant  of  free  and  rich  promises,  as 
 our  only  charter  for  the  heavenly  inheritance  ;  his  Word,  for  our 
 l)erfect  and  only  rule  of  faich  and  practice  ;  his  Spirit,  for  our  sole 
 guide,  to  lead  us  into  all  truth  revealed  in  his  Holy  Word,  to  which 
 nothing  is  at  any  time  to  be  added,  either  hy  new  revelations  of  the 
 Spirit  or  traditions  of  men.  We  avouch  the  Lord  to  be  our  God  ; 
 and,  in  the  strength  of  His  promised  grace,  we  ])romise  and  swear,  by 
 the  Great  Name  of  the  Lord  our  God,  that  we  shall  walk  in  His  way, 
 keep  His  judgments  and  commandments,  and  hearken  to  His  voice  ; 
 and,  particularly,  that  we  shall,  by  the  Lord's  grace,  continue  and 
 abide  in  the  profession,  faith,  and  obedience  of  the  true  reformed 
 religion,  in  doctrine,  worship,  presbyterial  church-government  and 
 discipline ;  and  that  we  shall,  according  to  our  several  stations, 
 places,  and  callings,  and  according  to  the  measure  of  our  knowledge, 
 contend  and  testify  against  all  contrary  evils,  errors,  and  cor- 
 ruptions ;  particularly  Popery,  Deism,  Socinianism,  Arianism, 
 Arminianism,  and  every  error,  subversive  of  the  doctrine  of  grace, 
 as  also  Prelacy,  Independi-ncy,  Latitudinarian  tenets,  and  the  other 
 evils  mentioned  in  the  preceding  Acknowledgment  of  Sins. 
 
 In  like  manner,  we  proimse  and  swear,  that,  by  all  means  which 
 are  lawful  and  warrantable  for  us,  according  to  the  word  of  God,  the 
 approved  and  received  standards  of  the  reformed  Church  of  Scot- 
 land, and  our  known  principles,  we  shall,  in  our  several  stations  and 
 callings,  and  according  to  our  opportunities  in  Providence,  endeavour 
 the  reformation  of  religion  in  Britain  and  Ireland,  in  doctrine, 
 worship,  discipline,  and  government,  according  to  the  word  of  God  ; 
 and  to  promote  and  advance  our  covenanted  conjunction  and 
 uniformity  in  religion.  Confession  of  Faith  and  Catechisms,  Form  of 
 Church-government,  and  Directory  for  Worship,  as  these  were 
 received  by  this  Church.  We  likewise  engage,  by  all  lawful  means, 
 and  according  as  a  door  may  be  opened  to  us  in  Providt^nce,  to 
 promote  the  genuine  interests  of  the  Kingdom  of  Christ  in  every 
 part  of  the  world. 
 
124  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 "  And  in  regard  we  are  taught  by  the  Word  of  God,  and  bound 
 by  our  Covenants,  National  and  Solemn  League,  to  live  together  in 
 the  fear  of  God,  and  in  love  one  to  another,  and  to  encourage  one 
 another  in  the  work  and  cause  of  the  Lord  ;  and  that,  denying  all 
 ungodliness  and  worldly  lusts,  we  should  live  soberly,  righteously 
 and  godly  in  this  jjresent  world  :  Therefore,  in  dependence  upon  the 
 Lord's  grace  and  strength.  We,  in  the  same  manner,  do  promise  and 
 sivear.  That  we  shall,  in  our  several  places  and  callings,  encourage 
 and  strengthen  one  another,  in  pursuing  the  end  and  design  of  this 
 our  Solemn  Oath  and  Covenant ;  and  shall  endeavour  a  life  and 
 conveisation  becoming  the  gospel  of  Christ ;  And,  in  our  personal 
 callings  and  particular  families,  we  shall  study  to  be  good  examples 
 to  one  another  of  godliness  and  righteousness,  and  of  every  duty 
 wliich  we  owe  to  God  and  man  :  And  that  we  shall  not  give  up 
 ourselves  to  a  detestable  indifference  and  neutrality  in  the  cause  of 
 God  ;  but,  denying  ourselves  and  our  own  things,  we  shall  seek 
 first  the  honour  of  God,  and  the  good  of  his  cause  and  people  :  And 
 that  through  grace  forsaking  the  counsels  of  flesh  and  blood,  and 
 not  leaning  upon  carnal  confidence,  we  shall  endeavour  to  depend 
 upon  the  Lord,  to  walk  by  the  rule  of  his  word,  and  to  hearken  to 
 his  voice  in  the  dispensation  of  the  gospel.  In  all  which,  pro- 
 fessing our  own  weakness,  we  earnestly  pray  to  God,  who  is  the 
 Father  of  Mercies,  tln-ough  his  Son  Jesus  Christ,  to  be  merciful 
 unto  us,  and  enable  us  by  the  power  of  his  Holy  Spirit,  that  we 
 may  do  our  duty,  unto  the  praise  of  his  grace  in  the  Churches. 
 Amen." 
 
 Having  taken  the  oath  involved  in  the  above  bond,  the 
 Covenanters  went  forward  one  b}^  one,  whilst  appropriate 
 psalms  were  being  sung  by  the  people  present,  and  adhibited 
 their  names  to  the  deed,  thus  subscribing  with  their  hands  to 
 the  Lord. 
 
 After  an  exhortation  to  the  Covenanters  to  remain  stead- 
 fast to  the  vows  that  now  devolved  upon  them,  the  solemn, 
 interesting,  and  instructive  service  was  brought  to  a  close  with 
 devotional  exercises. 
 
 Sometimes,  no  doubt,  there  were  some  slight  variations  in 
 conducting  the  service,  since  occasionally  intending  Covenanters, 
 whether  male  or  female,  had  to  res^Dond  to  their  names  by 
 standing  up  in  the  church  for  a  few  seconds,  in  order  that  it 
 might  be  ascertained  if  all  expected  were  forward,  before  the 
 bond  was  sworn  ;  and  as  married  women  had  to  respond  to 
 their  maiden  names,  this  portion  of  the  procedure  was  slow, 
 
HlSTOllY  OF  SYNOD,   1S27  TO   lS-l:2.  125 
 
 owing  to  some  of  tliem  havini;  almost  forgotten  their  youthful 
 jippellations.  Still  the  leading  features  of  the  religious  ser- 
 vice were  the  same,  and  the  sight  of  hoary-headed  veterans, 
 staid  men  and  women  in  middle  life,  and  younger  persons, 
 some  with  the  dew  of  youth  upon  them,  standing  side  b\'  side, 
 and,  amid  deep  emotion,  holding  up  their  right  hands  and 
 swearing  allegiance  to  God  and  His  truth,  was  di'eply  impres- 
 sive, and  not  likely  ever  to  be  ettaced  from  the  memory  of  any 
 onlooker.  At  the  renovation  of  the  Covenants  in  a  bond 
 suited  to  their  circumstances,  sworn  by  the  Synod  in  Infirmary 
 Street  Churcli,  Edinburgh,  on  ISth  September  1828,  the  Cove- 
 nanters included  nineteen  ministers  in  charges,  two  ministers 
 without  charges,  seven  probationers,  and  eleven  divinity 
 students,  and  amongst  these  jurants,  with  tears  streaming 
 down  his  cheeks,  was  the  renowned  Dr  M'Crie,  the  biographer 
 of  Knox  ;  besides  his  talented  son,  afterwards  Professor  to 
 the  English  Presbyterian  Church  ;  Dr  Wylie,  the  author  ol' 
 "  The  History  of  Protestantism,"  not  to  mention  others  who 
 bave  left  their  imprint  in  the  religious  literature  of  Scotland. 
 
 That  in  every  respect  the  opinions  and  judgment  of  the 
 Original  Seceders  at  this  period  can  be  justified,  is  not  held, 
 since  there  were  some  amongst  them  whose  views  on  denomi- 
 national points  were  extreme,  and  had  an  unfavourable  influ- 
 ence on  aspirants  to  the  ministr}'.  And  as  Dr  Chalmers  de- 
 clared that  the  men  of  the  west  were  peculiarly  conservative 
 of  old  customs  and  opinions,  so  was  it  in  the  Original  Seces- 
 sion Church,  as  is  apparent  from  the  records  of  the  Ayr 
 Presbytery. 
 
 Thus,  on  3rd  December  1827,  Mr  Andrew  Lambie,  student 
 in  divinity,  who  had  concurred  in  the  Union  of  1820,  but 
 afterwards  resiled,  appeared  before  tlie  Presbytery,  and  stated 
 "  that  his  former  conduct  in  leaving  our  communion  had  not 
 proceeded  from  conviction  that  our  principles  were  wrong,  but 
 from  inattention  to  the  question,  and  that  his  ottering  himself 
 for  communion  with  us  was  the  result  of  much  consideration 
 and  conviction,  and  a  desire  to  appear  for  the  Reformation 
 cause  as  witnessed  for  by  us."  On  making  this  statement,  the 
 Presbytery  received  Mr  Lambie  into  church  fellowship;  but 
 in    order,   apparently,   to   make    sure    that    he  and   a    fellow- 
 
126  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 student  (James  Wright)  should  receive  such  tuition  as  would 
 keep  them  from  entertaining  lax  views  on  denominational 
 points,  they  prescribed  to  them  the  following  topics,  on  which 
 to  prepare  written  exercises,  viz.,  to  Mr  Lambie  :  "Is  free 
 communion  consistent  with  the  Word  of  God,  and  with  the 
 Scriptural  Order  of  the  Church  ?  "  And  to  Mr  Wright :  "  Is 
 it  consistent  to  attend  upon  any  one  ordinance  in  a  church 
 with  which  we  cannot  hold  fellowship  in  all  the  ordinances  of 
 religion  ? "  or,  "  Does  an  attendance  upon  any  one  ordinance 
 in  a  church  constitute  the  attender  a  member  of  that  church?" 
 Of  course  the  negative  of  both  propositions  was  to  be  main- 
 tained by  these  students,  and  that  they  did  so  is  stated  in  the 
 presbyterial  minute  of  20th  April  1828, 
 
 And  it  is  worthy  of  remark,  as  illustrative  of  the  adage, 
 "  As  the  twig  is  bent,  so  is  the  tree  inclined,"  that  these  two 
 students,  in  after  years,  Avhen  in  the  ministry,  became  so 
 hyper-strict,  that  they  formed  a  presbytery  of  their  own,  and 
 denounced  their  former  brethren  as  sailing  down  the  stream  of 
 defection,  whilst  they  remained  faithful  amongst  the  faithless. 
 
 The  efforts  which  were  made  to  keep  Original  Seceders 
 from  worshipping  occasionally  in  the  churches  belonging  to 
 other  denominations  of  Christians  were  frequent,  and  some- 
 times severe  ;  yet  that  they  were  not  efficacious,  appears  now 
 and  again  in  both  sessional  and  presbyterial  records.  Thus, 
 on  8th  March  1831,  it  is  stated,  "That  in  consequence  of  a 
 paper  given  in  to  the  Ayr  Presbytery  from  a  kirk-session  re- 
 questing advice  as  to  how  they  should  proceed  in  discipline  in 
 regard  to  occasional  hearing  with  persons  who,  in  forming 
 civil  connections,  leave  the  communion  of  the  church,  &c.,  the 
 Presbytery,  from  the  conviction  that  the  evils  referred  to  are 
 on  the  increase  in  the  body  generally,  and  not  confined  to 
 one  congregation,  and  that  uniformity  in  the  discipline  of  the 
 church  is  of  great  importance,  agreed  to  transmit  a  petition  on 
 the  subject  to  the  Synod  at  its  next  meeting.  That  this 
 Presbytery  was  correct  in  their  remark  that  "  occasional  hear- 
 ing "  was  on  the  increase,  appears  from  a  minute  so  recent  as 
 18th  August  ]  835,  to  this  eftect  : — 
 
 "  It  was  reported  to  the  Ayr  Presbytery  that  a  rumour  had  gone 
 abroad  that  Mr ,  preacher,  had   on  the   first  Sabbath  of  May 
 
HISTOKV  OF  SYNUU,  1827  TO  1842.        127 
 
 lust,  not  only  preached  in  tlie  Kstablislied  Cliurdi  of  Sanquhar  with- 
 out authority  of  the  I'resbytery,  but  heard  sermon  through  tlie  day 
 in  one  of  the  Secession  meeting  liouscs.  Tlie  PresV)ytery  having 
 taken  the  matter  under  consideration,  and  finding  that  said  rumour 
 liad  been  widely  spread,  and  liad  given  great  oflence  to  many  in  our 
 
 communion,  and  must  mar  Mr 's  usefulness  in  this  part  of  the 
 
 country,  till  the  matter  be  cleared  up,  judge  it  proper  to  lay  before 
 the  Committee  of  Supplies  what  they  had  heard,  and  the  Presbytery 
 
 humbly  suggest  that  the  committee  should  converse  with   ]\Ir 
 
 about  these  reports,  and  as  to  liis  views  with  respect  to  occasional 
 communion,  or  refer  the  matter  to  the  Pi-esbytery  in  whose  bounds  he 
 may  be  for  the  pi-esent.      This  Presbytery  are  not  to  be  understood 
 
 as  laying  any  bar  in  the  way  of  Mr being  continued  on  the 
 
 list  of  preachers,  provided  that  he  does  not  defend  principles  opposed 
 to  strict  connnunion,  and  is  resolved  in  future,  as  a  preacher,  to  act 
 more  consistently  with  presl)yterian  order.  " 
 
 This  matter  was  considered  so  grave  as  to  be  brought  before 
 the  Synod,  which  in  the  following  September  arrived  at  this 
 finding,  viz.  : — 
 
 "  That  from  the  e.xplanations  given  by  Mr as  to  the  circum- 
 stances relating  to  his  preaching  in  the  Established  Church,  the 
 committee  found  that  no  blame  attached  to  him  in  that  matter,  and 
 with  respect  to  his  heai-ing  sermon  in  one  of  the  United   Secession 
 
 (or  New  Light)  meeting-houses,  Mr readily  acknowledged  the 
 
 fact,  expressed  his  sorrow  for  the  oflence  thereby  given,  and  ex- 
 plicitly stated  his  disaj)proval  of  the  practice  of  occasional  hearing, 
 and  his  resolution  to  aljstain  from  it  in  future,  with  which  acknow- 
 ledgment the  committee  were  entirely  satisfied." 
 
 And  that  precentors  as  well  as  preachers  were  called  in 
 question  for  "  occasional  hearing"  appears  from  the  session 
 records  of  Davie  Street  Church,  Edinbuzgh,  of  which  Dr 
 M'Crie,  sen.,  was  then  the  pastor.      Hence  in  July   1830,  it 
 
 appears  that  "  the  Session  had  some  conversation  about , 
 
 the  precentor,  who  had  left  the  desk  on  a  particular  Sabbath, 
 
 and  preccnted  in  one  of  the  Established  Churches.      Mr 
 
 was  appointed  to  desire  him  to  attend  next  meeting.  At  next 
 meeting  he  accordingly  attended,  and  was  dealt  with  at  some 
 length  about  the  impropriety  of  his  conduct,  for  which  he  ex- 
 pressed his  sorrow  ;  and  after  deliberation  it  was  agreed  that 
 he  should  be  admonished   by  the  moderator,  which   was  done 
 
128  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 accordingly  ;"  and  thereafter  for  several  months  he  was  pro- 
 hibited from  officiating  in  church  as  precentor.-^ 
 
 About  this  time,  moreover,  the  spirit  of  innovation  in  public 
 worship  began  to  assert  itself.  For  instance,  the  clerk  of  the 
 Session,  of  which  Dr  M'Crie  was  moderator,  records  that  on 
 10th  January  1834 — 
 
 "  A  memorial  was  given  in  and  read  ft-om  a  number  of  the  mem- 
 bers and  seatholders  in  the  congi-egation,  praying  that  the  Session 
 would  take  into  consideration  the  propriety  of  discontinuing  the 
 practice  of  reading  the  psalm  line  by  line  before  being  sung,  and  also 
 a  communication  from  Mr  Thomas  Grieve  recommending  caution 
 and  delay," 
 
 when  the  Session  deferred  the  consideration  of  the  matter 
 to  a  future  opportunity.  Though,  however,  the  Davie  Street 
 Church  Session  acted  prudently  in  this  matter,  the  Kirriemuir 
 congi'egation  did  not  adopt  the  Fabian  policy  of  delay,  but 
 brought  up  the  matter  by  appeal  to  the  supreme  court  of  the 
 Church  in  the  following  September,  when  the  following  de- 
 liverance on  the  subject  was  given,  viz,  : — 
 
 "  That  while  the  Synod  see  no  reason  to  disapprove  of  the  mode 
 of  singing  by  not  reading  the  line,  and  apprehend  no  injurious  con- 
 
 ^  That  occasional  or  promiscuous  hearing  had  also  been  regarded  in  the 
 earlier  days  of  the  Secession  as  an  ecclesiastical  offence  appears  from  the  fol- 
 lowing amusing  incident  recorded  by  J.  0.  Mitchell,  Esq.,  of  Glasgow  : — "A 
 member  of  the  Antiburgher  Session  of  Beith  (John  King,  of  GifiFen-Miln,)  had 
 a  son,  John,  coming  out  for  the  Antiburgher  ministry.  When  a  student, 
 young  John  had  at  one  time  from  convenience  attended  a  Burgher  Church. 
 This  was  to  commit  the  offence  of  '  promiscuous  hearing, '  and  when  young 
 John  came  on  for  his  trials,  his  Presbytery  refused  him  licence  unless  he 
 should  first  underlie  discipline.  Young  John  declined,  crossed  the  road  to 
 the  Burghers,  and  was  by  them  licensed,  and  soon  after  sent  to  preach  near 
 Beith.  There  his  father  went  to  hear  him,  and  for  yielding  to  this  family 
 failing  he  was  forthwith  had  up  by  his  kirk-session.  But  the  miller  was  equal 
 to  the  occasion.  He  owned  the  act,  and  acknowledged  the  jurisdiction,  but 
 by  evil  arts  he  got  his  unsuspecting  judges  to  agree  that  the  Decalogue  con- 
 tained the  sum  of  human  duty,  and  then  he  claimed  to  know  which  of  the  ten 
 commandments  forbade  'promiscuous  hearing.'  This  point  had  not  been 
 considered.  One  said  the  hrst,  another  the  second,  several  the  fourth,  alto- 
 gether they  '  had  not  clearness, '  and  the  offender  declining  to  underlie  dis- 
 cipline till  the  court  should  define  his  crime,  escaped  from  the  very  hands  of 
 justice,  abiit,  eva-sit,  erupit.  John  King,  the  son,  became  the  Burgher  minister 
 of  John  Street,  Montrose,  and  was  the  father  of  David  King,  D.D.,  of  Grey- 
 friars  United  Presbyterian  Church,  Glasgow. 
 
HISTORY  OF  SYNOD,   1827  TO   1842  ll'D 
 
 sequences  from  tlio  iniuleiit  inlioduction  ot'  an  alteration  which  wa.s 
 undoubtedly  contemplated  by  the  compilers  of  the  Directory,  yet 
 considering  that  the  opi)osite  pmctice  has  so  long  obtained  in  our 
 body,  they  would  earnestly  recommend  to  those  members  of  the 
 congi-egation  of  Kirriemuir  who  are  desirous  for  the  change,  to 
 abstain  from  unduly  pushing  it  to  the  wounding  of  the  feelings  of 
 their  brethren,  and  disturl)anoe  of  the  peace  of  the  congi-egation  ; 
 and  they  hope  that  in  the  exercise  of  a  Christian  si)irit  an  arrange- 
 ment may  be  made  under  the  sanction  of  the  Session  which  will  meet 
 the  minds  of  all  parties." 
 
 After  tlie  opinion  of  the  Synod  had  thus  been  so  freely,  and 
 at  the  same  time  so  wisely  expressed,  Dr  M'Crie's  kirk-session 
 again  took  the  Psalmody  question  into  consideration.  Hence 
 it  is  recorded  that  on  23d  January  1835 — 
 
 "The  Session  had  some  convei-sation  on  the  subject  of  the 
 memorial  that  was  presented  a  year  ago  relative  to  the  practice  of 
 reading  the  psalm  line  by  line  in  singing  ;  and  while  they  expressed 
 theii-  ajiprobation  of  the  proposal  of  giving  up  reading  the  line  as 
 one  to  which  there  could  be  no  valid  objections,  they  agreed  to  delay 
 making  the  alteration  at  present,  understanding  that  a  similai- 
 change  is  contemplated  in  the  other  (Infirmary  Street)  congregation 
 in  this  city.'' 
 
 The  contemplated  change  in  Infirmary  Street  congregation, 
 however,  never  took  place.  It  is  true  some  of  the  members 
 of  that  congi-egation  were  favourable  to  the  change,  and 
 amongst  these  was  the  precentor,  who,  of  his  own  accord,  in- 
 troduced a  compromise  by  one  Sabbath  reading  out  two  lines 
 of  the  psalm  together,  but  all  was  in  vain.  Dr  Paxtou,  who 
 was  then  officiating,  leaning  over  the  pulpit,  chastised  the  in- 
 subordinate official  by  striking  him  on  the  head  with  the  psalm- 
 book,  and  some  of  the  fragmentary  portions  into  which  that 
 congregation  has  now  been  divided,  to  this  day  tenaciously 
 cling  to  the  old  custom  of  reading  the  line  in  praise.  As 
 further  illustrative  of  the  pertinacity  which  still  obtains  to 
 some  extent  among  Seceders  on  disputed  points,  it  may  be 
 mentioned  that  thirty  years  after  the  Synod's  judgment  on  the 
 Kirriemuir  case,  an  o!d  woman  in  that  congregation  continued 
 practically  to  protest  against  the  innovation  by  regularly  leav- 
 ing the  church  duiing  the  service  of  praise,  and  returning 
 to  listen  to  the  prayers  and  preaching.     As  usually  three  Psalms 
 
 I 
 
130  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 were    sung    at   every   diet    of  worship,   tins    testimony-bearer 
 became  well  schooled  in  peripatetics. 
 
 The  congregation  to  which  the  biographer  of  Knox  had 
 ministered,  and  whose  pulpit  was  now  occupied  by  his  talented 
 son,  resolved  however  to  abandon  a  practice  which  they 
 believed  had  no  Avarrant  in  Scripture,  nor  ground  of  necessity 
 in  the  educational  condition  of  the  country,  and  hence  on 
 24th  October  1836  it  is  recorded  that  "  at  a  meeting  of  the 
 congregation  held  this  evening  in  Davie  Street  Meeting 
 House,  they  unanimously  gave  it  as  their  opinion  that  the 
 practice  of  reading  the  line  in  the  praise  of  the  Church  should 
 be  given  up,  and  resolved  that  the  same  shall  be  laid  before 
 the  Session,  requesting  their  concurrence  therein,  and  hope 
 that  it  will  be  proceeded  in  as  soon  after  the  ensuing  com- 
 munion as  possible,  agreeably  to  the  wishes  of  the  congregation 
 now  and  formerly  expressed  to  the  Session."  It  remains  only 
 to  be  added  that,  in  compliance  Avith  this  memorial,  the 
 Session,  after  deliberation,  unanimously  agreed  that  the 
 practice  of  reading  the  line  of  the  Psalm  in  jDublic  worship  be 
 discontinued,  and  that  intimation  of  the  change  be  made  on 
 25th  December  1830,  to  take  place  on  the  following 
 Sabbath. 
 
 Mission  to  the  Hebrides. 
 
 As  it  is  not  only  the  Church's  duty  to  hold  fast,  but  also  to 
 hold  forth  the  truth,  and  as  in  its  earlier  years  the  Secession 
 had  been  instrumental  in  promoting  the  Gospel  in  Ireland 
 and  also  America,  the  conviction  was  felt  that  it  would  be 
 well  the  Synod  should  do  something  more  than  simply  testify 
 against  the  defections  of  other  denominations  of  Christians. 
 There  being  a  famine  of  the  word  of  life  in  the  Western 
 Highlands,  and  Mr  Francis  Macbean,  a  Gaelic-speaking 
 preacher  in  connection  with  the  Synod,  it  was  resolved  to 
 send  him  as  an  itinerating  preacher  to  the  Western  Islands. 
 By  doing  this  not  only  was  the  Original  Secession  Church 
 doing  something  towards  fulfilling  the  commission  to  preach 
 the  Gospel  to  every  creature,  but  it  was  at  the  same  time 
 procuring  suitable  employment  for  a  Gaelic-speaking  proba- 
 tioner,  whose    highland    accent    was    not   very   acceptable    to 
 
lIISTOliV  OF  SYNOD,    1827  TO    Ks4l2.  131 
 
 lowland  ears.  In  his  missionary  tour  Mr  Macln'an  appears  to 
 have  been  blessed,  tor  in  the  autumn  of  1S3.')  a  call,  addressed 
 to  him,  signed  by  thirty  persons,  together  with  an  adherence 
 paper  subscribed  by  179  males  and  209  females,  was  laid  on 
 the  Synod's  table.  The  island  of  Harris  was  the  locality 
 where  these  persons  resided,  and  in  their  poverty  they  offered 
 £20  as  supplement  to  the  grant  of  £40  or  thereby  given  by 
 the  Synod. 
 
 As  the  circumstances  were  peculiar,  the  opinion  of  Presby- 
 teries was  asked,  and  on  23rd  December  1S35  the  Presbytery 
 of  Ayr  passed  the  following  resolution  : — 
 
 "  As  the  people  in  tlio  Hebrides  are  iu  the  meantime  destitute  to 
 a  great  extent  of  evangelical  preaching,  and  as  one  important  object 
 of  the  Secession  was  to  ati'ord  relief  to  persons  so  circimistanced,  the 
 Ayr  Presbytery  think  that  they  cannot  withhold  that  relief  from 
 those  wlio  have  applied  for  it.  At  the  same  time  they  think  it 
 proper  to  add  that,  in  the  event  of  the  mission  taking  place,  Mr 
 Macbean  should  be  instructed  to  exei'cise  great  prudence  in  the  way 
 of  confining  his  labours  to  those  places  where  the  Gospel  is  not 
 pi'eached,  and  avoiding  as  much  as  possible  any  interference  with  the 
 ministerial  labours  of  the  more  faithful  pastors.  Tiiough  some  of 
 the  latter  may  have  carried  the  principle  of  strict  communion  to  an 
 extreme,  yet  it  might  be  inexpedient  for  Mr  Macbean  to  admit  to 
 .sealmg  ordinances  any  whom  these  mmisters  have  rejected." 
 
 On  1st  March  1830  Mr  Francis  Macbean  was  ordained  iu 
 Infirmary  Street  Church,  as  Missionary  to  the  Hebrides,  when 
 the  Rev.  Jas.  Wright  of  Edinburgh  preached  from  2  Thess. 
 iii.  1,  and  presided  at  the  ordination,  and  the  Rev.  Robt. 
 Shaw  of  Whitburn  gave  a  suitable  address  to  Mr  ^lacbean, 
 who  was  missioned  generally  to  such  parts  of  the  Hebrides 
 and  W^estern  Hij^hlands  as  he  shall  find  most  destitute  in 
 respect  of  hearing  sound  evangelical  doctrine.  The  result  of 
 this  mission  was,  that  when  the  Disruption  of  the  Church  of 
 Scotland  took  place  seven  years  later,  Mr  Macbean  and  Wis 
 adherents  were  absorbed  by  the  Free  Church,  and  having 
 been  afterwards  located  at  Fort  Augustus,  ^Ir  Macbean  died 
 there  in  1869. 
 
 Drs  M'Crie  and  Paxton,  who  were  both  eminent  in  Edin- 
 burgh, the  former  as  a  lecturer,  and  the  latter  as  a  ])reacher, 
 began    about  the    same    time    to    show    symptoms    of  failing 
 
132  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 health.  Hence,  on  1st  July  1835,  Dr  Paxton  resigned  the 
 professorship  of  Divinity,  whilst  on  the  5th  day  of  the  follow- 
 ing month  Dr  M'(Jrie  somewhat  suddenly  expired.  This 
 period  was  felt  to  be  a  time  of  perplexity  and  sadness  in  the 
 Church,  but  though  distinguished  standard-bearers  were  not 
 allowed  to  remain  by  reason  of  death,  the  Captain  of  Salva- 
 tion, the  Church's  Head,  was  felt  to  be  ever  the  same. 
 Hence  the  Synod,  after  expressing  their  gratitude  and  deep 
 obligations  to  Dr  Paxton  for  his  long  and  valuable  labours  as 
 Professor  of  Divinity,  resolved,  on  13th  May  1836,  to  appoint 
 a  successor  to  him.  For  the  professorial  office  three  were 
 nominated,  viz.,  the  Rev.  Thos.  M'Crie  of  Clola,  whose  induc- 
 tion to  Davie  Street  Church,  Edinburgh,  was  to  take  place  on 
 9th  June  following  ;  the  Rev.  Robt.  Shaw,  Whitburn,  the 
 successor  to  Prof.  Bruce  as  pastor  there  ;  and  the  Rev.  Matthew 
 Murray  of  Glasgow  ;  and  Mr  M'Crie  having  been  chosen  by 
 a  great  majority,  was  appointed  to  the  chair. 
 
 In  the  following  year  Dr  Paxton  was  removed  by  death, 
 and  as  a  token  of  affection  and  respect  for  the  Church  he 
 loved,  he  bequeathed  his  library  for  the  use  of  the  students  at 
 the  Theological  Hall.  Thus  was  founded  the  Divinity  Hall  or 
 Sj'nod  Library,  which  in  August  1840  was  augmented  by  the 
 addition  of  the  library  of  the  Rev.  Richard  Black  of  Perth, 
 who  had  also  bequeathed  his  books  to  the  Synod.  By  the 
 removal  of  eminent  leaders,  and  the  feeble  health  of  other 
 prominent  ministers,  together  with  the  troubled  state  of  the 
 ecclesiastical  firmament,  since  both  the  Voluntary  Controversy 
 and  the  Ten  Years'  Conflict  were  raging,  and  the  Synod  during 
 the  previous  year  had  resolved  to  suspend  union  negotiations 
 with  the  Old  Light  Burghers  who  were  actively  engaged  iu 
 forwarding  their  union  with  the  Church  of  Scotland,  it  was 
 felt  that  times  were  troublous  ;  and  hence,  on  13th  September 
 18.37,  "it  was  agreed  that  the  Synod  shall  begin  to-morrow, 
 with  a  conversation  respecting  the  internal  and  external 
 state  of  the  body,  accompanied  with  devotional  exercises." 
 
 That  such  a  conversation  was  desirable  appears  from  events 
 which  transpired  during  subsequent  years,  but  the  elements 
 of  which  were  then  working.  Thus  some  congregations,  or 
 at  least  prominent   members    in  them,   held    extreme   views 
 
llISTOilY  OF  SYNOD,    1827  TO   1842.  133 
 
 respecting  matters  of  public  principle  and  financial  practice. 
 Hence  there  was  laid  on  the  Synoil's  table  a  reprt'scntation 
 and  petition  fioin  Tntirinary  Street  Session,  Edinburgh, 
 relating  and  objecting  to  occasional  hearing,  granting  certifi- 
 cates of  moral  character  to  nu'tnbors  leaving  their  profession, 
 and  supporting  various  religious  societies,  or  societies  having 
 religious  objects  in  view  ;  and  Toberdoney  congregation  shortly 
 afterwards  overtured  the  Synod  to  make  attendance  on 
 Congregational  praying  societies  a  term  of  church  com- 
 munion. With  these  repre.seiitations,  however,  the  Supreme 
 Court  acted  wisely,  since  whilst  they  enjoined  kirk-sessions  to 
 prevent  by  every  suitable  means  occasional  hearing,  they  con- 
 sidered it  unnecessary  to  pronounce  at  present  any  judgment 
 respecting  the  gi'anting  certificates  of  moral  character  to 
 members  leaving  their  profession,  and  they  also  declined  the 
 request  respecting  making  attendance  at  Congregational 
 praying  societies  a  term  of  communion.  And  the  extreme 
 parsimony  with  which  some  congregations  treated  their 
 pastors  is  apparent  from  the  fact  that  the  allowance  which  an 
 invalided  minister  received  when  retiring  from  his  charge  was 
 £10  from  the  congregation,  1*10  from  the  Synod  Fund,  and 
 £10  from  his  brethren.  But  though  poor  in  purse,  and 
 feeble  in  health,  this  minister  could  wield  the  pen  to  purpose, 
 since  by  it  he  not  only  supported  himself,  but  also  gained 
 eminence  as  an  author  before  his  death. 
 
 Witchcraft. 
 
 As  illustrative  of  the  superstition  which  lingered  in  the 
 North  of  Ireland  amongst  Seceders  even  about  fifty  years  ago, 
 we  shall  here  insert  the  following  extract  from  the  liecords 
 of  the  Ayr  Original  Secession  Presbytery,  within  whose 
 jurisdiction  several  congregations  in  Ireland  had  been  placed, 
 and  which  minute  shows  the  thorough  manner  in  which  that 
 court  not  only  investigated,  but  also  adjudicated  on  the  sulject. 
 
 At  Ayr,  21st  May  1839,  the  Original  Secession  Presbytery 
 having  met  and  been  duly  con.stituted,  inter  alia — 
 
 "  Eead  again  the  reference  fioni  the  Session  of  Toberdoney 
 reqiiesting   advice  as   to   how   tboy  should  proceed  with  one  of  the 
 
l:U  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 elders  whose  cows  were  believed  to  be  bewitched,  and  who  had 
 applied  to  an  individual  supposed  to  have  the  power  of  curing 
 bewitched  cows  l^y  certain  charms  ;  and  also  how  they  should  proceed 
 against  the  individual  who  attempted  the  cure,  he  being  a  member 
 of  the  congregation,  and  in  the  habit,  tho'  unknown  to  them,  of 
 giving  himself  out  as  one  who  could  perform  such  cures.  The 
 Presbytery,  after  due  deliberation,  were  of  opinion  that  both  the 
 persons  referred  to  are  highly  culpable,  though  not  in  the  same 
 degree ;  that  the  elder  (the  proprietor  of  the  cows)  should  have 
 considered  whether  the  disease  among  his  cows  did  not  proceed  from 
 natural  causes,  and  was  to  be  referred  to  the  providence  of  God, 
 and  not  to  the  infliience  of  witchcraft ;  and  that  even  upon  the 
 supposition  that  it  did  proceed  from  witchcraft,  he  should  have 
 seen  that  the  means  resorted  to  by  the  man  to  whom  he  applied 
 for  a  cure  had  no  warrant  or  reason,  but  amounted  to  the  employ- 
 ment of  a  diabolical  act  to  cast  out  Satan,  and  that  not  only 
 charmers  but  those  who  employ  such  are  pointedly  condemned  in 
 Scripture  (Isaiah  viii.  19,  Lev.  xix.  31).  But  considering  that  he 
 was  drawn  into  the  snare  by  improper  advice,  and  the  painful  feeling 
 of  the  loss  sustained,  and  that  he  stopped  short  in  the  applications 
 made,  or  ordered  to  be  made  by  him,  when  he  saw  them  involving 
 a  profane  use  of  the  sacred  name  of  God,  his  case  might  be 
 terminated  on  his  signifying  his  deep  sorrow  for  the  length  he  went 
 in  the  matter,  and  his  promise  of  avoiding  anything  of  the  kind 
 in  future,  by  a  Sessional  rebuke  to  be  intimated  to  the  congregation 
 or  not,  as  the  Session  may  find  most  for  public  edification. 
 
 "  With  regard  to  the  other  man  who  performed  the  charms,  the 
 Presbytery  find  that  he  has  been  guilty  of  a  practice  greatly 
 aggra\ated  by  the  repeated  profane  use  of  the  name  of  God,  and  are 
 of  opinion  that  he  should  be  suspended  from  communion,  and 
 publicly  rebuked  before  the  congregation  in  the  meantime,  and  that 
 he  could  not  be  absolved  till  after  giving  ample  evidence  of 
 repentance." 
 
 Union  betwixt  the  Original  {Ant'iburgher)  Seceders  and  the 
 Original  Burghers. 
 
 For  several  years  subsequent  to  1S20  negotiations  for 
 union  betwixt  the  Constitutional  Antiburgher  Presbytery  and 
 the  Original  Burgher  Synod  had  been  in  operation,  and  after 
 the  former  body  had  become  in  1827  united  to  the  Synod  of 
 Protesters,  and  the  Original  Secession  Synod  was  formed,  the 
 hope  of  uniting  the  Burgher  and  Antiburgher  Synods  was 
 still  fondly  entertained.      Accordingly,  in  1832,  articles  were 
 
HISTOUY  OF  SYNOD,  1827  TO  1842.        135 
 
 agreed  upon  by  a  joint  ouiuinittee  of  the  Syiiuil  of  Burgliers 
 and  the  Synod  of  ( )iiginal  Secedere  with  a  view  to  union, 
 Init  as  has  been  aheady  inilicated  this  proposed  union  was 
 hindered  b}'^  l)r  Paxtou  and  others,  who  insisted  that  the 
 Burghere  shouUl  acknowledge  plainly  the  sinfulness  of  Secedors 
 swearing  the  Burgess  Oath,  a  concession  which  they  declined 
 to  make.  In  consequence  of  this,  negotiations  were  broken 
 ott'  for  about  eight  years,  when  they  were  again  resumed. 
 During  the  interval,  however,  great  changes  had  occurred 
 in  both  Synods.  The  gi'eat  majority  of  the  Burghers  had 
 united  in  18:30  with  the  Church  of  Scotland,  and  several 
 prominent  fathers  among  the  Antiburgher  Scceders  had 
 departed  this  life.  But  though  Dr  Willis  was  no  longer  in 
 the  Secession  to  lead  the  Burgher  brethren,  the  Rev.  James 
 Anderson  of  Carluke  remained,  and  though  Dr  Pa.xton  was  now 
 no  more,  the  Rev.  James  Wright  of  Infirmary  Street  Church, 
 Edinburgh,  was  ready  to  oppose  the  desired  consummation. 
 
 In  September  1841  a  proposed  basis  of  union  was  prepared, 
 which,  in  an  amended  form,  though  substantially  the  same  as 
 that  of  1833,  was  published  early  in  the  following  year. 
 
 On  12th  January  1842,  when  the  Original  Secession  Synod 
 agreed  to  unite  with  the  remanent  Burgher  Synod  on  this 
 basis,  the  Rev.  James  Wright  of  Edinburgh,  and  Andrew 
 Lambie  of  Pitcairngreen,  dissented,  and  on  the  17th  May 
 following,  left  the  Synod,  declined  its  authority,  and  there- 
 after constituted  themselves  along  witli  William  Snodgrass, 
 elder,  the  Associate  Presbytery  of  (Original  Seceders.  Their 
 reasons  for  doing  so,  and  a  sketch  of  their  subsequent  history 
 are  subjoined. 
 
 "  The  following  is  a  Copy  of  Declinature  read  and  given  in  to  the 
 Associate  Synod  of  Original  Seceders  : — 
 
 "  Act  of  the  Under.signed,  Associuted  together  for  the  Exercise  of 
 Church  Government  and  Discipline,  in  the  way  of  Maintaining 
 the  Profession  of  Original  Seceders,  in  a  Presbyterial  Capacity. 
 
 "  At  Edinburgh,  the  seventeenth  day  of  May,  one  thousand,  eight 
 hundred,  and  forty-two  years  :  Which  day,  the  Presbytery  being 
 met  and  constituted,  itc,  taking  into  their  serious  consideration, 
 the  circumstances  in  which,  in  God's  providence,  they  are  placed,  in 
 consequence  of  the  deed  of  the  Associate  Synod  of  Original  Seceders, 
 
136  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 at  their  last  meeting  in  January  1842,  in  regard  to  union  with  the 
 Synod  of  Original  Burghers,  find  themselves  called  upon,  as  the  only 
 Coiirt  judicially  maintaining  the  Secession  cause  in  its  entireness, 
 to  decline,  as  they  hereby  do  decline,  all  authority,  powei-,  and 
 jurisdiction,  that  the  Synod  of  Original  Seceders  may  claim  to 
 themselves  over  the  said  Presbytery,  or  any  of  the  members  thereof, 
 or  over  any  under  their  inspection,  or  over  any  that  may  adhere  to 
 them  ;  and  particiilarly  declining  the  authority  of  the  meeting  of 
 said  Synod,  now  held  at  Edinburgh,  this  seventeenth  day  of  May 
 1842,  for  the  following  reasons  : — 
 
 "  Reason  First.  That  this  Synod,  by  agreeing  to  the  Articles  as 
 exhibiting  their  plan  of  union  with  the  Synod  of  Original  Burghers, 
 has  materiallj'  dropt  the  whole  Secession  testimony.  The  Synod, 
 Ijy  this  i)lan  of  union,  gives  up  with  the  testimony  against  the  re- 
 ligious clause  of  the  Burgess  Oath,  as  receiving  its  meaning  from  its 
 necessary  application,  and  also  against  the  swearing  of  said  clause 
 by  Seceders,  as  well  as  defenders  of  the  same  ;  and  in  order  to  pre- 
 serve their  sinful  position  regarding  said  testimony,  the  Synod  has 
 judicially  agreed  to  drop  the  last  question  of  the  Formula ;  as  also, 
 the  only  part  of  the  testimony  which  can  properly  be  called  testi- 
 mony on  the  subject  in  dispute,  seeing  whatever  is  to  be  found  in 
 other  parts  of  the  testimony  or  acknowledgment  of  sins  upon  this 
 question,  must  of  necessity  be  interpreted  by  the  Resolution  and 
 Explanatory  Declarations  of  the  Articles  of  Union ;  as  also,  whilst 
 the  ends  of  the  testimony  in  accordance  with  the  decision  of  1746 
 are  not  gained,  this  Synod  implicates  itself  in  the  guilt  incurred  by 
 the  defection  of  the  Burghers,  which  Antiburghers  have  hitherto 
 declared  was  the  guilt  of  virtually  dropping  the  whole  testimony. 
 '  He  that  is  not  with  me  is  against  me.' 
 
 "  Reason  Second.  As  the  Constitution  of  the  Antiburgher  Synod 
 was  right  and  lawful  only  in  the  way  of  testifying  against  the 
 material  dropping  of  the  Secession  testimony  by  the  Burghers,  so 
 this  Synod,  by  now  ceasing  thus  to  testify,  has  lost  its  right  and 
 lawful  constitution  as  a  Court  of  Christ,  by  adopting  the  Articles  of 
 Union  as  explanatory  of  the  sense  in  which  they  hold  said  testi- 
 mony. 
 
 "  Reason  Third.  The  Synod,  by  agreeing  to  unite  with  the 
 Burghers,  has  yielded  the  obviously  Scriptural  and  acknowledged 
 Protestant  principle  of  the  Church's  duty  to  hold  fast  all  her  attain- 
 ments of  whatever  nature,  and  this  conduct  of  the  Synod  is  specially 
 criminal  in  regard  to  an  attainment  which  affected  and  still  affects 
 the  whole  profession  of  religion,  made  with  the  solemnity  of  an  oath. 
 '  But  that  ye  have  already,  hold  fast  till  I  come.'  As  by  di-opping 
 one  attainment  there  is  no  security  against  giving  up  another,  so 
 this  principle,  if  practically  carried  out,  would  issue  in  the  destruc- 
 
HISTORY  OF  SYNOD,  1827  TO  1S42.        137 
 
 tion  of  all  testimony  beiiriii<,'.  '  He  tliat  is  fuitliftil  in  that  whicli  is 
 least,  is  faithful  also  ia  much  ;  and  lit-  that  is  unjust  in  tho  least,  is 
 unjust  also  in  much.' 
 
 "  Reason  Fourth.  This  Synod  has  apjn-opriated  to  tho  presfnt 
 National  Church  of  Scotland  the  title  and  character  of  the  Coven- 
 anted Church  of  the  Second  Reformation,  thereby  declaring  tliem- 
 selves  schismatics,  in  o]»position  to  their  sworn  obligations  in  ques- 
 tion  6th  of  the  Fonnnla.  which  says — '  Do  you  promise  that  you 
 will  maintain  the  spiritual  unity  and  j)eace  of,  and  that  you  will 
 follow  no  divisive  course  from,  the  Reformed  and  Covenanted 
 Church  of  Scotland,  either  by  falling  in  with  the  defections  of  the 
 times,' «fcc.  In  the  Synod's  Address,  1841,  p.  18,  it  is  declared, 
 clearly  in  reference  to  the  present  Established  Church,  that  '  the 
 Secession  have  all  along  dissented  from  the  opinion  of  those  who  hold 
 that,  in  consecpience  of  the  defective  civil  settlement  which  then 
 took  place,  the  Church  of  Scotland  became  essentially  a  different 
 <Jhni-ch  frojii  what  she  had  been  during  the  period  of  the  Secon<l 
 Reformation  ; '  and  in  the  next  sentence,  that  she  is  not  an  essenti- 
 ally different  Church  '  from  what  she  was  during  the  second  '  period 
 of  Reformation.  Neither  was  this  declaration  made  through  inad- 
 vertence, but  in  the  face  of  strong  opposition.  From  all  which,  it 
 appears  that  the  Synod  has  given  up  its  claim  to  be  the  successors 
 and  representatives  of  the  Covenanted  and  Reformed  Church  of 
 Scotland. 
 
 *' Re.\son  Fijlh.  The  Synod  has  encouraged  the  present  prevailing 
 party  in  the  Established  Church  of  Scotland  to  prosecute  Reforma- 
 tion within  her  own  pale,  instead  of  calling  on  them  to  own  and 
 cleave  to  the  Lord's  cause,  as  e.Khibited  in  the  Secession  testimony, 
 according  to  the  command  of  God — '  Let  them  return  unto  thee,  but 
 return  thou  not  unto  them  ;'  an<l  in  prosecution  of  the  declinature 
 of  the  first  Seceders.  The  Synod,  in  their  Vindication  of  1834,  p. 
 36,  after  giving  their  reasons  for  remaining  in  a  state  of  secession 
 ii'ora  the  Established  Church,  '  wish  all  success  in  the  Lord  to  those 
 in  the  National  Church  who  are  honestly  desirous  to  see  '  our  present 
 grounds  of  secession  removed,  '  and  are  using  means  to  bring  it 
 about.'  In  the  Address  of  1841,  pages  il),  ',,0,  21,  directions  arc 
 given  to  the  National  Church  how  to  proceed  in  her  present  circum- 
 stances in  regard  to  her  Reformation.  The  same  has  been  reiterated 
 in  speeches  from  platforms  by  membei-s  of  this  Court,  and  prayers 
 in  agreeableness  thereto  have  been  offered  up  from  the  pul|)its,  and 
 that  very  frequently,  without  being  taken  congnizance  of  by  the 
 Synod. 
 
 "  Re.\sON  Sicth.  The  Synod  has  refused  to  revive  and  enforce  tiie 
 application  of  the  law  of  Christ's  house,  in  regard  to  the  countenanc- 
 ing of  the  preaching  of  the  gospel,   by  those  who  are   following  a 
 
138  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 divisive  course  from  the  Covenanted  and  Keformed  Church  of  Scot- 
 land. It  is  well  known  that  tliis  subject  was  broiight  before  the 
 court  by  overtures  at  different  times,  when  after  discussing  the  low 
 fp'ound  of  the  seasonableness  of  considering  the  question  at  all,  the 
 meagre  and  unfaithful  finding,  as  we  must  call  it,  was  to  the  efiect, 
 that  the  respective  sessions  should  do  what  was  in  their  power,  to 
 counteract  the  practice  complained  of ;  and  this  was  the  finding, 
 although  the  Synod  knew  well  that  said  practice  existed  to  a  great 
 extent  throughout  the  Body,  especially  in  some  large  towns. 
 
 "  For  these  reasons  sevei-ally,  but  especially  when  combined,  which 
 corruptions  that  have  been  long  in  operation  in  this  coui-t,and  through- 
 out the  Body,  have  now  called  foi'th  in  this  shape,  as  testifying  in 
 some  degree  against  them  in  connection  with  the  Synod,  has  hitherto 
 proved  unavailing ;  and  considering  that  the  Synod,  has  now 
 actually  involved  itself  in  the  guilt  of  those  whose  defection  pre- 
 vented them  from  having  any  lawfully  constituted  courts  ;  and  as 
 there  is  no  prospect  of  the  Synod's  reti'acing  its  steps  :  we  find  our- 
 selves under  the  painful  necessity  of  ceasing  to  remonstrate  any 
 longer  against  said  corruptions  in  connection  with  the  Synod,  and  to 
 decline,  as  we  hereby  do  decline,  all  authority,  &c.  And  further, 
 we  hereby  assert  and  declare,  our  right  to  exercise  the  keys  of  the 
 kingdom  of  heaven,  committed  to  us  by  Christ  the  Head  of  His 
 Church,  as  the  Lord  may  gi'ant  opportunity  and  aid,  notwithstand- 
 ing any  censure  that  may  be  passed  upon  iis  ;  and  in  conclusion, 
 we  hereby  solemnly  call  upon  and.  obtest,  in  the  name  of  our  Lord 
 Jesus  Christ,  those  who  have  come  under  the  same  solemn  obliga- 
 tions as  ourselves,  of  adherence  to  the  Covenanted  Reformation 
 attained  to  in  these  lands,  in  imminent  peril  at  the  present  time,  to 
 own  and  cleave  to  the  said  cause,  by  taking  part  with  us  associated 
 as  a  Presbytery  for  its  maintenance,  and  transmissioii  to  posterity ,^ 
 as  the  Lord  Himself  may  be  pleased  to  vouchsafe  his  countenance 
 and  blessing. 
 
 "  (Signed)      Andrew  Lambie,  Minister. 
 
 James  Wright,  Minister. 
 
 William  Snodgrass,  Riding  Elder.'" 
 
 The  subsequent  history  of  this  Remanent  Presbytery  may 
 be  briefly  told.  Mr  Callender,  a  probationer,  having  cast  in. 
 his  lot  with  the  dissentient  ministers  was  located  in  Dundee, 
 but  his  ministry  there  was  short.  Afterwards  the  Rev. 
 David  Berry  was  Hcensed  by  them,  and  subsequently  ordained 
 at  Dundee.  The  congregation  there,  however,  was  very 
 small,  and  Mr  Berry  united  with  the  Reformed  Presbyterian 
 Church.        After    his    departure     a     misunderstanding    arose 
 
HISTORY  OF  SYNOD,   1S:27  To    Is  I  J.  I'M) 
 
 betwixt  Missis  Laiubi,'  and  Wright,  ami  the  o»iilenlion  being 
 sharp  betwixt  them,  they,  in  1851,  separated  from  each  other. 
 The  former  still  survives  and  resiiles  in  Edinburgii,  the  hitter 
 died  in  1879,  and  his  congregation  having  become  subdivided, 
 part  of  it  worships  in  a  church  in  Liuriston  Street,  Edinburgh, 
 under  the  care  of  Mr  Walter  Macleoil,  whilst  the  other  portion 
 has  its  place  of  worship  in  .South  Clerk  Street,  Ediidjurgh, 
 under  the  care  of  Mr  William  Scott. 
 
 With  the  design  of  removing  scruples  which  any  Anti- 
 burghers  might  have  respecting  this  union,  all  the  membei-s  of 
 the  uniting  synods  preparatory  to  the  alliance  agreed  to  the 
 following  resolution,  which  was  duly  recorded  in  their  minutes 
 on  18th  May  1842,  the  day  of  union,  viz.  : — "  In  consequence 
 of  certain  misapprehensions  having  gone  abroad  respecting  the 
 Articles  of  Union,  it  is  declared  by  this  (Original  Se'ce-ssion) 
 Synod,  with  full  concurrence  of  the  Associate  Synod,  that  every 
 person  who  subscribes  the  Articles,  necessarily  holds  on  the  foot- 
 ing of  that  agreement,  that  the  swearing  of  the  Burgess  Oath  is 
 sinful."  Along  with  this  excellent  resolution,  however,  the 
 Synod  passed  sentence  on  the  two  separating  ministers,  not  only 
 declaring'  them  no  longer  ministers  or  members  of  the  Original 
 Secession  Church,  but  also  dissolving  tlie  connection  betwixt 
 them  and  their  congregations,  the  latter  part  of  which  decision 
 was  not  only  regarded  as  inept  and  null  ab  inilio  by  these 
 congregations,  but  considered  by  them  as  an  illustration  of 
 the  aphorism.  Confession  of  Faith,  cap.  xxxi.,  sec.  4,  "  All 
 Synods  or  Councils  since  the  apostles'  times,  whether  general 
 or  particular,  may  err,  and  many  have  erred  ;  therefore  they 
 are  not  to  be  made  the  rule  of  faith  or  practice,  but  to  be 
 used  as  an  help  in  both." 
 
 Thereafter  the  Union  was  consummated  in  Davie  Street 
 Church  (now  M'Crie  Church),  Edinburgh,  in  the  following  man- 
 ner : — The  Moderators  of  the  respective  Synods,viz.,Rev.  Jam.s 
 A.  Wylie,  M.A.,  representing  the  Original  Secession,  or  Anti- 
 burgher  Synod,  and  the  Rev.  Adam  Ross,  representing  the  Asso- 
 ciate or  Burgher  Synod,  read  tlie  minutes  of  their  Courts, 
 agreeing  to  the  union,  and  tlie  members  gave  to  each  otlier  the 
 right  hand  of  fellow.ship.  The  Rev.  John  Aitken  of  Aberdeen 
 engaged   in  prayer,  and  after  praise,  the   Rev.  James  Oray  ol 
 
140  ANNAL8  OF  OEIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Brechin  (being  the  oldest  minister)  was  chosen  Moderator, 
 with  the  Rev.  James  Anderson  of  Carhike  as  Assessor.  Only 
 five  Burgher  ministers  took  part  in  the  union  that  day,  viz., 
 Rev.  Messrs  Anderson,  Tannahill,  Downs,  Headrick,  and  Ross, 
 but  the  other  remanent  Burgher  ministers,  with  the  exception 
 of  the  Rev.  John  M'Kinlay  of  Renton,  who  joined  the  Re- 
 formed Presbyterian  Church,  afterwards  gave  in  their  adhe- 
 sion. 
 
 On  that  same  day  the  United  Original  Secession  Presbytery 
 of  (ilasgow  was  constituted,  and  the  United  Original  Secession 
 Presbytery  of  Down  and  Derry  recognised. 
 
 The  union  was,  on  the  next  day,  followed  by  Synodical 
 Covenanting,  when  the  Rev.  Professor  M'Crie  preached,  and 
 the  Bond  was  subscribed  thereafter  by  thirty  ministers,  one 
 ordained  missionary,  seven  probationers,  six  students,  and 
 thirty-three  ruling  elders. 
 
 The  Basis  of  the  Union,  now  concluded,  is  subjoined : — 
 
 "  APv,TICLES  agreed  upon  by  ;i  Joint  Committee  of  the  Synod  of 
 Burghers  and  the  Synod  of  Original  Secedeks,  held  at  Edin- 
 burgh in  June  1841,  with  a  view  to  Union  ;  with  the  altera- 
 tions proposed  by  the  Synod  of  Original  Seceders,  at  their 
 meeting  in  Edinburgh,  Sept.  7,  1841  and  Jan.  12,  1842. 
 
 "  It  was  proposed  by  the  Committee  of  the  Synod  of  Original  Sece- 
 ders, and  agreed  to  by  the  Committee  of  the  Burgher  Synod,  that,  in 
 the  event  of  Union,  the  Testimony  lately  adopted  by  the  Synod  of 
 Original  Seceders,  with  the  insertion  in  it  of  any  alterations  about 
 present  existing  differences,  shall  be  held  as  the  Testimony  of  the 
 United  Synod,  and  be  made  a  term  of  religious  fellowship  in  the 
 Body.  It  is  also  understood,  that  the  Burgher  Synod,  in  approving 
 of  the  Testimony,  approve  also  of  the  Acknowledgment  of  Sins  and 
 Bond  appended  to  the  Testimony. 
 
 "  [Proceeding  on  the  supposition  that  the  above  agreement  shall  be 
 sanctioned  by  the  Burgher  Synod,  the  Committee  have  drawn  up 
 what  follows,  as  to  the  Burgess  Oath,  and  the  general  resolution  as 
 to  the  seasonableness  of  Covenanting,  with  the  view  of  its  being 
 introduced  into  the  foresaid  Testimony,  in  the  place  of  what  is  con- 
 tained in  pages  58-60  and  66-68  small  edition,  beginning  with  the 
 words,  'As  it  is,  and  late  as  it  is,'  and  ending  with  the  woi'ds,  'by 
 an  amicable  conference.'      They  also  propose  that  the  short  para- 
 
HISTORY  OK  SYNOD,   1827  TO   1842.  Ul 
 
 grapli  in  pages  GO  ami  G8  small  cilition,  b.'^iiuniig  with  the  words. 
 '  The  Synod  consisting  of,'  shall  be  added  to  tlu-  i»an«<;nii>h  closing: 
 at  the  top  of  pages  58  and  05  small  edition,  after  tin-  words  '  hi-Thest 
 censures  of  the  Church.'] 
 
 Impressed  with  these  views  ami  feelings,  two  of  the  religious 
 Bodies  which  this  (piestion  had  hithert(t  kept  asunder,  judged  it  their 
 duty  to  take  the  subject  under  their  serious  consideration.  The 
 Synod  of  Original  Seceders,  in  their  Testimony  publisiied  in  18'J7, 
 after  stating  their  reasons  for  continuing  to  approve  of  the  decision 
 condemning  the  swearing  of  the  Oath  by  Secedei-s,  suggested  it  lus 
 their  opinion,  that  an  arrangement  might  be  u'ade  as  to  the  subject  of 
 difference,  which  would  be  at  once  honourable  to  truth  an<l  not  hurt- 
 ful to  the  conscience  of  any.  This  suggestion  was  readily  and  cor- 
 dially met  by  the  Synod  of  Original  Burghers,  and  joint  measures 
 were  in  consequence  adopted  with  the  view  of  ascertaining  the  pnicti- 
 cability  of  such  an  arrangement.  In  conducting  the  negotiation,  both 
 parties  proceeded  on  the  principle,  that  desirable  as  union  is,  if  the 
 reality  of  the  thing  is  to  be  sought  and  not  the  appearance  merely, 
 this  will  be  secured  more  effectually,  and  with  more  honour  to  trutli, 
 by  candid  explanations  on  the  points  in  question,  than  by  studiously 
 avoiding  the  agitation  of  them,  a  plan  which,  while  it  makes  greater 
 pretensions  to  charity  and  peace,  lays  a  ground  for  sulisequent  irri- 
 tation and  dissension. 
 
 "  '  In  the  course  of  explanation,  it  was  found  that  the  only  differ 
 ence  of  opinion  between  the  two  bodies  related  to  the  exact  meaning 
 and  necessary  application  of  certain  terms  in  the  Oath,  which,  as  the 
 question  originally  came  before  the  Secession  Courts  as  a  question  of 
 practice,  did  not  appear  to  be  an  insuperable  obstacle  to  a  Scrip- 
 tural adjustment  of  the  dispute.  After  repeated  conferences,  i'.,  was 
 satisfactorily  ascei'tained,  that  the  members  of  both  Synods  wei-e 
 agreed  on  all  points  with  the  Judicial  Testimony  of  the  first 
 Seceders,  particularly  in  its  approval  of  the  profession  of  religion 
 made  in  this  country,  and  authorised  by  the  laws  between  1G38  and 
 1650,  on  the  one  hand  ;  and  in  its  disapproval  of  the  defects  in  the 
 settlement  of  leligion  made  at  the  Revolution,  on  the  other. 
 Encouraged  by  this  harmony  of  sentiment  as  to  the  great  cause  of 
 Reformation,  so  much  forgotten,  and  so  keenly  oppo.sed  from  various 
 quarters,  in  the  present  time,  and  feeling  deeply  the  solemn  obliga- 
 tions under  which  they  in  common  lie  to  support  and  advance  that 
 cause,  the  two  Synods  agreed  to  unite  upon  the  following  resolu- 
 tions and  ex])lanatory  declarations,  calculated,  in  their  judgment,  to 
 remove  the  bars  in  the  way  of  harmonious  fellowship  and  co-oj»eni- 
 tion,  and  to  prevent,  through  the  Idessing  of  Uod,  the  recurrence  of 
 any  similar  difference  for  the  future.* 
 
]-i2  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 "  Resolution  concerning  the  Burgess  Oath. 
 
 "  '  That  the  Burgess  Oath — the  original  ground  of  separation — 
 being  now,  in  the  providence  of  God  abolished*— and  both  parties 
 having  now,  for  various  reasons,  seen  it  to  be  their  duty  to  refrain 
 from  swearing  that  Oath  should  it  be  re-enacted,  they  agree  to  unite 
 upon  the  following  explanatory  declarations,  calculated,  in  their  judg- 
 ment, to  remove  the  bars  in  tlie  way  of  harmonious  fellowship  ami 
 co-operation,  and  to  prevent,  through  the  blessing  of  God,  the  recur- 
 rence of  any  similar  difference  for  the  future.' 
 
 "  Explanatory  Declarations. 
 
 "  '  1 .  That  when  the  Church  of  Christ  is  in  danger  from  adver- 
 saries who  hold  persecuting  principles,  or  who  are  employing  violence 
 or  insidious  arts  to  (n-erturn  it,  the  Legislatui'e  of  a  country  may 
 warrantably  exact  an  oath  from  those  who  are  admitted  to  official  and 
 influential  stations,  calculated  for  the  security  of  the  true  religion  ; 
 and  that,  in  these  circumstances,  it  is  lawful  and  proper  to  swear  it. 
 
 "  2.  That  no  Christian,  without  committing  sin,  can  on  any 
 consideration  swear  to  maintain  or  defend  any  known  or  acknow- 
 ledged corruption  or  defect  in  the  profession  or  establishment  of 
 religion. 
 
 "  '  3.  That  a  public  Oath  can  be  taken  only  according  to  the 
 declared  and  known  sense  of  the  Legislature,  or  enacting  authority, 
 and  no  person  is  warranted  to  swear  it  in  a  sense  of  his  own,  con- 
 trary to  the  former. 
 
 "*  4.  That  no  churcli  court  can  wai-rantably  give  a  judicial  tolera- 
 tion or  allowance  to  do  what  they  declare  to  be  sinful,  or  what  there 
 is  sufficient  evidence  from  the  word  of  God  is  siuful.' 
 
 "  Resolution  concerning  Covenanting. 
 
 "  '  That  the  renewing  of  our  covenants  in  a  bond  suited  to  the 
 times,  is  a  seasonable  duty,  and  that  means  shall  be  used  for  having 
 that  solemn  exercise  performed  throughout  the  United  Body.' 
 
 "  [In  proposing  the  following  resolutions,  the  Committee  leave  it 
 to  the  Synods  to  determine,  whether,  if  adopted,  they  should  form  a 
 .separate  act;  or  whether  some  parts  of  them  should  be  embodied  in 
 the  Testimony  of  the  United  Synods.] 
 
 "  On  Procedure  in  Covenanting. 
 
 "  1.  The  morality  of  Public  Covenanting  being  taken  for  granted, 
 and  its  seasonableness  having  been  declared  in  a  preceding  article,  we 
 
 *  15y  the  Royal  T.urghs  Reform  Act,  it  is  "  Provided  always  that  the  Oath 
 termed  tlie  15ur<,'lier  Oath  .shall  in  no  case  liereafter  be  required  to  be  taken  in 
 any  Burgh."'     (3il  and  4th  William  IV.,  cap.  70,  §  36.) 
 
HISTORY  OF  SYNOD.    1827  TO   1842.  14.". 
 
 further  doolari',  that,  iigreoably  to  the  Act  of  the  Associate  ProsKy- 
 tery  1743,  and  also  to  their  Act  in  17  44,  the  renovation  of  our 
 Covenants,  National  and  Solemn  League,  shall  be  a  term  of  Minis- 
 terial Connnunion  in  the  United  Boily,  and  also  of  Christian  Com- 
 munion, so  far  as  that  none  can  be  admitted,  who  are  ojiposers, 
 conlemnei-s,  or  slighters  of  the  duty. 
 
 "  2.  That  the  union  betwixt  the  two  Bodies  shall  be  consum- 
 mated by  such  of  the  Ministers  and  Preachers  as  have  not  already 
 joined  in  covenanting,  engaging  in  that  duty  together,  with  such 
 Students  of  Divinity  ivs  may  offer  themselves  ;  their  brethren 
 who  have  lately  entered  into  the  bond  signifying  their  adher- 
 ence, by  holding  up  their  hands  after  the  otliers  have  sworn.  None 
 shall  subsequentlj'  be  licensed  to  ])reach  the  Gospel  in  the  Body, 
 who  liave  not  joined  in  the  bond,  or  at  least  given  a  solemn  pledge 
 to  do  so  when  an  opportunity  is  offered.  But,  in  this  last  case, 
 it  is  understood  that  the  Synod  shall  be  consulted,  and  its  consent 
 obtained. 
 
 "  3.  It  is  agreed  that,  according  to  an  Act  of  the  Associate  Pres- 
 bytery in  1744,  concerning  the  order  to  be  observed  in  Covenanting, 
 '  the  soleuni  acknowledgment  of  the  ])ublic  sins,  and  breaches  of 
 our  Covenants,  shall  be  publicly  joined  in  and  made  ;  whereupon 
 these  covenants  shall  be  publicly  sworn  and  subscribed  in  the  Bond, 
 by  all  such  as  shall  willinf/Iy  offer  themselves  unto  the  Lord  in  this 
 solemn  work  and  duty  ; '  and  '  that  none  shall  be  admitted  to  swear 
 and  subscrilje  the  Covenants  but  such  as  have  a  competent  measure 
 of  knowledge,  are  free  of  all  known  .scandal,  and  have  a  convex'sation 
 becoming  the  Gospel;  as  these  only  can  make  a  credible  profession 
 of  willingly  offering  themselves  unto  the  Lord.'  It  is  also  agreed, 
 that,  while  all  proper  means  are  used  for  stirring  up  and  preparing 
 the  people  in  their  respective  congregations  to  engage  in  this  import- 
 ant and  seasonable  duty,  there  should  be  no  undue  haste  in  those 
 congregations  whei-e  it  has  not  been  formerly  practised. 
 
 "  On  Commuxion  axb  Practical  Religion. 
 
 "  Deeply  sensible  of  the  importance  of  preserving  the  purity  of 
 church  fellowship,  and  of  adopting  such  means  as,  by  the  Divine 
 blessing,  may  be  most  calculated  to  promote  the  revival  of  religion 
 in  general  among  them,  the  Synods  uniting  declare,' — 
 
 "  1.  That,  though  it  appears  both  Bodies  have  hitherto  proceeded 
 on  the  same  general  plan  in  the  admission  of  members  into  their 
 communion,  they  are  sensible  that  additional  attention  is  due  to  this 
 subject,  and  agree  in  earnestly  recommending  that  greater  care  be 
 taken  by  Ministers  and  Sessions,  that  all  persons  admitted  to  the 
 enjoyment  of  sealing  ordinances  shall  have  made  themselves 
 acquainted  with  the  doctrines   of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  as  exhibited 
 
144  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 in  the  Westminster  Confession  of  Faith,  and  vindicated  in  the 
 Testimony  of  the  Associate  Body ;  as  well  as  that  they  maintain  a 
 becoming  moral  and  religious  character. 
 
 "  2.  Whereas,  in  some  parts  of  the  Uniting  Bodies,  many  indivi- 
 duals, without  adverting,  we  are  })ersuaded,  to  the  injurious  effects 
 of  the  pi-actice  as  tending  to  neutralize  the  influence  of  their  testi- 
 mony, and  operating  unfavourably  on  the  unity  of  the  Church,  have 
 indulged  in  a  habit  of  occasionally  joining  in  public  worship  and 
 hearing  the  word,  under  Ministers  of  the  Gospel,  and  with  religious 
 bodies,  from  whom,  though  they  hold  much  of  the  truth,  we  have 
 scriptural  grounds  of  separation  ; — the  Synod  do  earnestly  recom- 
 mend and  iwge  greater  strictness  in  this  matter ;  as  believing  it  to 
 be  more  conducive  to  edifying  and  consistent  fellowship,  more  fitted 
 to  excite  to  serious  efibi-ts  for  the  healing  of  existing  divisions, 
 and,  therefore,  more  accordant  with  the  spirit  even  of  a  true 
 and  enlarged  charity,  to  refrain  (until  such  differences  shall  have 
 been  adjusted  on  scriptural  grounds)  from  every  thing  that 
 would  imply  a  slight  estimate  of  matters  of  difference,  or  incline 
 to  a  resting  contented  with  a  partial,  instead  of  a  real  and  thorough 
 union. 
 
 "  3.  In  addition  to  these  z^esolutions  tending  to  promote  strictness 
 of  admission  and  purity  of  fellowship,  the  Synods  uniting  are 
 strongly  impressed  with  the  duty  in  coming  together,  of  using  all 
 likely  methods  of  furthering  vital  and  practical  godliness.  They 
 would  seek  the  increased  efficiency  of  religious  ordinances,  either  by 
 adopting  the  obsolete  practice  of  Presbyterial  Visitations,  or,  if  that 
 shall  be  judged  inexpedient,  by  substituting  in  its  room  some  other 
 means  of  encouraging  Pastors,  Elders,  and  private  Christians  in 
 their  respective  duties,  and  exciting  and  keeping  alive  a  suitable 
 interest  in  each  other,  and  in  the  work  of  the  Lord  among  their 
 hands.  They  feel  it  will  be  important  to  exercise  a  vigilant  care  in 
 exciting  to  the  indispensable  duty  of  family  worship,  and  in  urging 
 [•arents  to  ply  earnestly  the  work  of  domestic  instruction.  They 
 will  seek  to  call  greater  attention  to  the  practice  of  personal  and 
 fiimily  fasting  and  thanksgiving,  and  to  stimulate  the  formation  and 
 promote  the  increase  of  meetings  for  prayer  and  private  fellowship. 
 In  fine,  sensible  of  the  necessity  of  Divine  influences  to  render 
 their  endea\ours  for  these  ends  effectual,  they  would  earnestly 
 entreat  the  people  under  their  inspection,  to  join  with  them  in  seek- 
 ing of  the  God  of  Ziou  an  abundant  eff"usion  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
 according  to  His  promise." 
 
 N,B.-It  was  agreed  to  by  the  Synod  of  Original  S'ecedens,  that  if  the 
 negotiation  with  the  Synod  of  Original  Burgliers  shall  be  successful  and  a  union 
 l.e  effected,  the  question  in  the  Formula  regarding  the  Burgess  Oath  shall 
 he  dropped. 
 
HISTORY  OF  .SYNOD,  1827  TO  1842.        145 
 
 Pamphlets  relating  to  the  Union  betwixt  the  Constitutional 
 rresbyterv  ami  the  Synod  of  Protesters  in  1827,  and  tlieir 
 subsequent  history  till  1842. 
 
 Articles  agreed  on  by  the  Associate  Synod  and  Constitutional 
 Presbytery  in  May  182G,  with  a  view  to  Union,  witli  preface  .sub- 
 scribed by  Geo.  Paxton  and  Thos.  31'Crie,  1st  Jinie  1826.  Edin., 
 1826,  pp.  19. 
 
 Overture  of  a  Testimony  under  the  consideration  of  the  Associate 
 Synod  and  the  Constitutional  Associate  Presbytery,  with  a  view  to 
 Union  between  these  two  bodies.      Edin.,  1827. 
 
 Dr  31'Crie  and  Professor  Paxton,  or  Letters  relating  to  the  Basis 
 of  the  above  Union,  by  Rev.  Jas.  Black,  M.A.,  KLrkcaldy.  Edin., 
 1872,  pp.  12. 
 
 Testimony  of  the  Associate  Synod  of  Original  Seceders,  enacted 
 on  18th  May  1827.  Several  editions.  1st  edition,  1827,  pp.  176  ; 
 2nd,  1829,  pp.  200;  3rd,  1839. 
 
 Act  for  renewing  our  Covenants,  &c.      Edin.,  1828,  })p.  27. 
 
 Addi-ess  to  the  People  in  connection  with  the  Associate  Synod 
 of  Original  Secedei'S  on  the  Duty  of  Public  Covenanting,  and  on 
 Practical  Religion,  by  a  Committee  of  Synod.      Edin.,  1830. 
 
 Vindication  of  the  Principles  of  the  Church  of  Scotland  in 
 relation  to  questions  presently  agitated,  an  Address  by  the  Associate 
 Synod  of  Original  Seceders.      Edin.,  1831,  pp.  47. 
 
 Reasons  of  a  Fast  appointed  by  the  Synod  of  Original  Seceders 
 by  a  Committee,  of  whicli  Dr  Stevenson  was  Convener.  Ayr,  1835, 
 pp.  12. 
 
 Question  of  the  Return  of  the  Original  Seceders  to  the  Fellowship 
 of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  with  an  Appendix  by  Rev.  Thos.  Manson, 
 Perth.      Edin.,  1835. 
 
 Act  for  a  Public  Fast  by  the  Associate  Synod  of  Original 
 Seceders.     Dundee,  1837. 
 
 What  ought  the  Church  and  People  of  Scotland  to  do  now  ? 
 Edin.,  1840. 
 
 Address  on  the  Position  of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  and  the  Duty 
 of  Seceders  at  the  present  time.  Published  by  authority  of  tlie 
 Synod  of  Original  Seceders.     Edin.,  1841. 
 
 K 
 
14G  ANXALS  OF  OKIGINAL  SECESSIOX. 
 
 Pamphlets  relating  to  the  Union  of  Burghers  and  Anti- 
 burghers  in  1842,  and  the  subsequent  history  of  the  United 
 Synod  till  1852,  together  with  the  pamphlets  issued  by  the 
 two  Ministers  and  party  who  refused  to  take  part  in  said 
 Union. 
 
 Articles  agreed  upon  by  a  Joint  Committee  of  the  Synod  of 
 Biu-ghers  and  the  Synod  of  Original  Seceders  held  at  Edinburgh  in 
 June  1841,  with  a  view  to  Union,  to  be  submitted  to  the  two 
 Synods  at  their  first  meeting.      Pp.  8. 
 
 Do.,  do.,  with  the  alterations  proposed  by  the  Original  Secession 
 Synod  on  7th  September  1841  and  12th  January  1842.      Pp.  4. 
 
 Address  to  the  Associate  Congregation,  Infirmary  Street,  on  the 
 [>rojected  Union  between  the  Synod  of  Burghers  and  the  Synod  of 
 Original  Seceders,  by  the  Pev.  James  Wright.      Edin.,  1842,  pp.  17. 
 
 Remarks  on  Address  by  Rev.  James  Wright,  by  Rev.  Robert 
 Shaw,  Whitburn.     Edin.,  1842,  pp.  15. 
 
 Letter  to  Rev.  Mr  Shaw,  Whitburn,  occasioned  by  his  Remai-ks  on 
 the  Rev.  Mr  Wright's  address,  by  an  Elder.      Edin.,  1842,  p.  16. 
 
 Address  to  the  Associate  Congregation  of  Pitcaii-ngreeu,  showing 
 that  the  Antiburgher  Profession  has  been  given  up  by  the  Synod  of 
 Original  Seceders  in  their  late  union  with  the  Original  Burghers,  by 
 Rev.  Andrew  Lambie,  Pitcairn green.      Perth,  1842,  pp.  14. 
 
 Act  for  a  Public  Fast,  by  the  Associate  Presbytery  of  Original 
 Seceders.  Act  is  dated  Dundee,  22nd  December  1842,  and  sub- 
 scribed by  James  Wright,  Presbytery  Clerk.  Date  of  Fast,  Thurs- 
 day, 19th  January  1843. 
 
 Address  by  the  Associate  Presbytery  of  Original  Seceders  to  the 
 People  under  their  inspection.      Dundee,  1844,  p.  10. 
 
 Address  to  his  Congregation,  showmg  the  Reason  of  his  With- 
 drawment  from  Communion  with  tlie  Rev.  James  Wright,  Edin., 
 by  Rev.  Andrew  Lambie  of  Pitcairngreen.      Perth,  1851,  p.  26. 
 
 "  The  Ark,"  a  Monthly  Tract  of  eight  pages,  and  edited  by  Rev. 
 James  Wright,  was  begun  in  December  1857,  and  was  continued 
 for  several  years. 
 
 Appendix  containing  Notes  on  the  Testimony  of  1827.  A  plain 
 Statement  of  Facts,  showing  the  cause  of  Separation  from  Mr  James 
 Wright,  Minister  of  Lauriston  Street  Congregation,  by  a  majority  of 
 the  Members  of  his  Session,  and  a  considerable  number  of  the  Con- 
 gregation, and  also  the  basis  on  which  the  Session  was  constituted, 
 and  with  them  the  Congregation  now  meeting  at  Forrest  Road. 
 Edin.,  187  4,  pp.  ,32. 
 
 A  printed  Address  of  the  Associate  Session  of  Original  Seceders 
 to  the  Congregation  under  their  charge  was  issued  on  2Gth  Julv 
 1883 
 
HISTORY  OF  8YN01),  1  S27  To    1842.  1  t7 
 
 In  Chrt'slian  Leu(/er  horn  27th  Di-ceml>«n-  1883  till  14tli  Febnmiy 
 1884,  a  brief  but  spirited  Controversy  was  waged  respecting  the 
 Ecclesiastical  standing  of  this  minor  section  of  Original  Soceders. 
 
 Address  delivered  at  the  Kenovation  of  the  Covenants,  by  the 
 Synod  of  United  Original  Seceders  at  K.linburgh,  19th  May  1842, 
 by  Rev.  JJenjamin  Laing,  Coluionell.      Edin.   1843. 
 
 Day  and  Duty,  the  late  Disruption  of  the  Chui-ch  of  Scotland 
 and  the  present  duty  of  the  Fre(>  Church  and  Original  Seceders,  by 
 Rev.  James  Gray,  Brechin.      Edin.  1843. 
 
 Address  to  the  Peo]>le  under  the  Inspection  of  thf  Unite<l 
 Original  Secession  Synod  on  the  subject  of  Missions,  by  a  Committee 
 of  Synod.      Edin.,  1844. 
 
 Clirist's  Covenant  the  Best  Defence  of  Christ's  Crown,  by  the 
 Rev.  Wm.  White,  Haddington.      Edin.,  1844. 
 
 What  ought  the  Reformed  Presbyterians  and  tlie  Original 
 Secedei-s  to  do  now  ?   by  Rev.  B.  Laing,  Colmonell.      Edin.,  1846. 
 
 Pastoral  Address  by  United  Original  Secession  Synod  to  their 
 People,  but  especially  the  Young.      Glasgow,  1845,  pp.  20. 
 
 Abstract  of  Synod  Minutes.      1845. 
 
 Abstract  of  Synod  Minutes.      1846. 
 
 Address  to  the  People  under  the  charge  of  the  United  Original 
 Secession  Church  respecting  the  necessity  of  a  more  liberal  provision 
 for  the  sujiport  of  Ministers,  by  a  Conunittee  of  Synod.  Edin., 
 1847,  pp.  10. 
 
CHAPTER    VII. 
 
 ANNALS  OF  THE  UNITED  ORIGINAL  SECESSION  CHURCH  FROM 
 1842  TILL  ITS  DISRUPTION  AND  UNION  WITH  THE  FREE 
 CHURCH  OF  SCOTLAND  IN   1852. 
 
 During  the  year  subsequent  to  the  union  now  consummated, 
 the  attention  of  the  United  Original  Secession  Church,  as  it 
 was  now  designated,  was  closely  occupied  in  gazing  on  the 
 closing  incidents  of  what  has  well  been  styled  the  Ten  Years' 
 Conflict  of  the  Church  of  Scotland.  The  ecclesiastical  atmo- 
 sphere was  then  at  fever  heat,  the  clash  of  controversial  arms 
 in  the  shape  of  pamphlets,  speeches,  &c.,  in  Church  Courts, 
 and  leading  articles  in  the  Edinburgh  Witness  and  Glasgow 
 Scottish  Guardian,  was  loud,  and  it  was  evident  to  all  candid 
 observers  that  an  ecclesiastical  crisis  of  great  magnitude  and 
 importance  was  at  hand. 
 
 Of  this  interesting  spectacle  the  Old  Light  Seceders,  as 
 they  were  called,  were  not  silent  observers.  Their  fathers, 
 eleven  decades  before,  when  compelled  to  secede  from  the 
 Church,  had  appealed  to  the  first  free,  faithful,  and  reforming 
 General  Assembly,  and  now  their  successors  wondered  where- 
 unto  this  Non-Intrusion  controversy  and  war  for  spiritual 
 independence  would  grow. 
 
 The  Old  Light  Seceders  had,  shoulder  to  shoulder,  aided 
 the  Evangelicals  in  the  Establishment  in  combating  Voluntary- 
 ism, i.e.,  the  opinion  or  theory,  that  neither  nations  nor  civil 
 rulers,  as  such,  have  anything  to  do  with  religion  ;  and  their 
 Church  Standards,  together  with  the  bulky  pamphlet,  entitled, 
 "  M'Crie's  Statement,"  formed  a  chief  armoury  whence  the 
 champions  of  the  Establishment  principle  obtained  their 
 controversial  weapons.  Their  co-operation  in  the  conflict  was 
 indeed  highly  valued,  since  that  field  of  controversy  was 
 familiar  ground  to  Old  Lights,  who  on  that  subject  had  not 
 
HISTORY  OF  UNITED  SYNoK,    184-2  TO  1852.  1  4!> 
 
 only  been  warriors  from  their  youth,  hut  who,  as  all  admitted, 
 had  no  pecuniary  consideration  to  swerve  their  judgment  on 
 the  subject.  And  now  that  the  Original  Seceders  saw  that 
 their  Evangelical  friends  in  the  Church  of  Scotland  (with  the 
 ]\loderate  party  they  had  no  sympathy)  were  at  war  with  the 
 State,  which  sought  to  rivet  anew  the  fetters  of  ecclesiastical 
 bondage,  they,  by  their  writings  and  speeches,  encouraged 
 them  to  continue  the  struyiile  for  freedom  at  all  costs,  since 
 "  he  who  would  be  free,  himself  must  strike  the  blow,"  At 
 this  period  Dr  M'Crie,  jun.,  delivered  as  lectures,  and  after- 
 wards published  his  "  Sketches  of  Scottish  Church  History," 
 and  thus,  by  following  in  the  steps  of  his  honoured  father, 
 aided  the  cause  of  spiritual  independence,  by  spreading  in  a 
 popular  style  the  historical  knowledge  of  former  struggles  in 
 the  cause  of  civil  and  religious  liberty,  for 
 
 "  Freedom's  battle  once  begun, 
 Is  ever  lost,  is  ever  won." 
 
 Then  in  their  several  localities  the  Original  Secession  minis- 
 ters, by  training  up  their  young  adherents  in  the  knowledge 
 of  Scottish  Church  History,  rendered  not  only  aid  to  the 
 Church  of  Scotland  whilst  struggling  for  freedom,  but  also 
 created  and  fostered  friendly  and  brotherly  feelings  betwixt 
 their  adherents  and  those  of  the  Establishment. 
 
 The  Catechisms  which  were  then  in  use,  and  which  were 
 highly  appreciated,  were  Laing's  Catechism  of  the  History  of  the 
 Church  of  Scotland,  and  Sturrock's  Catechism  for  the  Times, 
 both  of  which  manuals  show  considerable  ability  on  the  part  of 
 their  authors,  who  belonged  to  the  Original  Secession  ministry. 
 
 On  4th  May  1843  the  Synod,  prior  to  the  Disruption  of 
 the  Church  of  Scotland,  passed  the  following  resolution 
 encouraging  the  Evangelical  party  in  that  Church  to  maintain 
 their  principles  at  all  costs  during  the  impending  crisis. 
 
 The  Synod  of  United  Original  Seceders  being  met  and 
 constituted,  unanimously  agreed  to  the  following  resolution  : — 
 
 "That  this  Synod  decidedly  condemn  the  late  encroaclnnents  of 
 the  Civil  Courts  on  the  spiritual  jurisdiction  and  independence  of 
 the  Church  of  Scotland,  and  deeply  deplore  the  sanction  given  to 
 these  encroachments  by  the  Government  and  legislature  of  the 
 country ;     that    tbey    approve    of     the    resistance    made    to    these 
 
150 
 
 ANNAL8  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 encroachments  by  the  National  Church,  and  of  tlie  late  contendings 
 of  the  reforming  party  within  her  pale,  so  far  as  these  have  gone,  in 
 behalf  of  the  Headship  of  oui-  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  the  spiritual 
 liberties  of  the  Christian  people  ;  that  they  do  sincerely  and  cordially 
 sympathise  with  those  of  her  ministers  who  have  nobly  resolved  to 
 sacrifice  theii-  emoluments  and  abandon  the  Establishment  rather 
 than  submit  to  be  the  slaves  and  tools  of  the  Civil  Courts,  and  they 
 would  fondly  hope  and  fervently  pray,  that,  since  these  devoted 
 men  are  about  to  suffer  for  some  of  the  most  important  principles  of 
 the  Reformation,  they  may  be  honoured  fully  to  unfold  the  banner 
 for  '  Christ's  Crown  and  Covenant,'  and  assume  the  position  of  the 
 Reformed  and  Covenanted  Church  of  Scotland. 
 
 ^'And  the  Synod  appoint  a  Deputation,  consisting  of  the  Rev. 
 James  Anderson,  their  Moderator,  the  Rev.  Robert  Shaw,  their 
 Clerk,  with  the  Rev.  Thomas  M'Crie,  Rev.  James  A.  Wylie,  and 
 Rev.  Wm.  White,  to  present  this  their  Resolution  to  the  Assembly 
 of  the  Free  Chnrch  of  Scotland,  at  their  ensuing  meeting,  in  the 
 event  of  a  Disruption,  in  any  way  they  may  see  fit. 
 
 "  (Signed)  James  Anderson,  Moderator. 
 
 Robert  Shaw,  Synod  Clerk.'' 
 
 The  Disruption  of  the  Church  of  Scotland  having  taken 
 phice  on   the  memorable    18th   of  May  1843,  and   the  noble 
 
 TiiiificUl  Hall,  whci-e  Deed  of  Dcniission  wiis  siibsci-ibcd  niid  Union  -with  Original  Sccedcrs 
 took  place. 
 
 band  that  separated  from  the  State  having  on  the  23rd  day 
 of  the  same  month,  within  Canonmills  Hall,  subscribed  the 
 famous   Deed   of  Demission   by  which  they  renounced  their 
 
HISTORY  OF  rMTKI)  SYNOD,    1S4-J  To  18.VJ.  IT.l 
 
 State  enuilumeutis,  tlio  dcpntics  tiom  the  United  Original 
 Secession  Church  appeared  in  the  General  Assembly  of  the 
 Free  Protesting  Chureli  of  Scotland,  and  their  Synodical 
 Resolution  having  been  read,  they,  amid  the  enthusiasm  of 
 the  large  audience,  deUvered  the  following  addresses  ■} — 
 
 "Rev.  (Dv)  Robt.  Shaw,  Wliitl.urn,  said  :— I  feel  tliat  at  this 
 inoinent  I  occupy  an  honourable  position,  aiid  it  is  with  no  sruall 
 diffidence  I  rise  to  address  this  vast  assembly.  I  will  not  detain 
 you  many  moments.  I  appear  before  you  as  a  representative  of  the 
 Synod  of  United  Original  Seceders, — a  body  who,  I  beg  to  say, 
 have  always  felt  the  deepest  interest  in  the  late  contest  within  the 
 pale  of  the  Establishment,  and  have  deemed  it  their  duty  and  their 
 jiiivilege  to  encourage  your  hearts  and  strengthen  your  hands  in  the 
 vindication  of  the  noble  ])rinciples  for  which  you  have  been  con- 
 tending. Those  principles  involve  the  honour  of  Christ  as  King  of 
 Ziou.  You  have  asserted  them  within  His  own  house, — you  have 
 contended  for  the  liberty  wherewith  Cluist  makes  His  })eople  free, 
 and  you  have  secured  that  librrty  for  the  members  of  Christ's 
 Church.  The  prmciples  for  which  you  have  been  contending,  are 
 the  principles  of  the  Confession  of  Faith  and  the  Standards  of  the 
 Church  for  which  our  forefather's  contended, — for  which  they  were 
 persecuted  and  suffered  as  you  have  been.  While  we  cordially 
 agi-ee  with  you  in  the  maintenance  of  these  principles,  and  regret 
 that  the  Legislature  did  not  see  it  to  be  their  duty  and  their 
 privilege  to  concede  your  claims,  we  agree  also  that  you  did  right  in 
 separating  yourselves  from  the  Establishment,  and  that  you  are  to 
 mamtain  Establishmeaat  principles  still.  We  had  pleasure  in 
 hearing  the  Moderator  with  such  admirable  precision  lay  it  down, 
 that  on  this  ground  you  seceded  ;  for  we  have  always  held  that  it 
 is  the  duty  of  nations,  through  the  constituted  authorities,  to  make 
 provision  for  the  maintenance  and  extension  of  .sound  religious 
 instruction  in  the  land.  We  regret  the  dLsiiiption  that  has  taken 
 place  ;  but  we  rejoice  to  think,  that  when  you  found  that  you  could 
 not  maintain  your  principles  within  the  Church,  you  resolved  nobly 
 to  sacrifice  your  emoluments — your  all,  and  proclaim  them  where 
 none  dare  to  make  you  afraid.  You  have  resolved  to  sutler  in 
 defence  of  tint  spiritual  jurisdiction  of  the  Christian  Church,  and 
 the  libei-ties  of  the  Christian  peoi)le  ;  and  allow  me  to  say,  that  the 
 body  to  which  I  belong  suffered  not  a  little  for  the  defence  of  the 
 principles  which  we  now  maintain.  They  were  cast  out  of  the 
 Establishment ;  and  the  illustrious  biographer  of  Knox — to  whose 
 Church  I  have  the  honour  to  belong — not  only  lost  a  portion  of  his 
 people,  but  was  dej)0sed  from  the  ministry,  in  consequence  of  his 
 adhering    to     the    principle     of    an    Establishment,    and    his    firm 
 
 ^  Proceetliuga  of  Free  General  Assembly,  M.iy  184'". 
 
l')2  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  .SECESSION. 
 
 adherence  to  the  National  Covenants.  I  rejoice  in  the  demon- 
 stration of  the  power  of  Christian  piinciple  which  you  have  given, 
 — in  the  proof  that  you  have,  by  your  Act  of  Separation,  afforded 
 of  tlie  power  of  religion  in  the  heart.  Many  would  not  believe, 
 until  the  last,  that  you  were  prepared  to  exhibit  so  miich  self- 
 deuial  and  Christian  heroism  as  you  did,  when  you  resolved  to 
 sacrifice  your  all, — but  the  fact  of  Thursday  last  must  convince  the 
 most  .sceptical,  that  there  is  a  reality  in  Christian  principle,  a.s 
 exemplified  in  your  experience  and  action,  of  which  previously  they 
 had  no  idea.  The  effect  of  the  noble  deed  of  Thursday  will  be  felt 
 throughout  Christendom.  The  principles  will  not  merely  cross  the 
 border,  but  they  will  .spread  to  every  land,  and  bless  the  nations  of 
 the  earth.  We  date  the  secord  Reformation  from  the  sitting  of  the 
 General  Assembly  at  Glasgow  some  two  hundred  years  ago — That 
 was  a  glorious  reformation.  The  secession  of  Thursday  last  was 
 the  beginning  of  a  third  Reformation,  which  will,  under  the  blessing 
 of  God,  be  more  glorious  still.  Looking  to  the  numbers  alone  which 
 constitute  the  Secession,  their  comparison  with  those  you  have  left 
 behind  is  worthy  of  note  ;  but  when  I  look  at  the  parties  you  have 
 left,  and  consider  the  principles  they  have  proclaimed  and  defended, 
 I  say  they  are  not  to  be  numbered,  but  weighed.  When  I  consider 
 the  piety  and  talent  of  the  ministers  and  office-bearers  who  have 
 seceded,  I  anticipate  not  only  a  Free  Presbyterian  Church,  on  which 
 will  be  emblazoned  Christ's  crown  and  Christ's  covenant,  but  the 
 revival  of  virtue,  and  truth,  and  righteousness,  and  the  spread  of 
 I)ractical  godliness  throughout  the  land. 
 
 "  Rev.  (Dr)  Thomas  M'Crie  then  spoke  as  follows  : — It  is  with  no 
 ordinary  feelings,  that  I  rise  on  this  occasion,  and  assure  you  it 
 requires  some  effort  of  self-denial  to  repress  these  feelings  within 
 the  bound.s  of  moderation,  which  is  demanded  by  my  present  position, 
 and  my  respect  for  this  venerable  A  ssembly.  Among  the  mysterious 
 ways  of  heaven,  which  have  been  so  conspicuous  during  these  stirring 
 and  eventful  times,  it  appears  none  of  the  least  striking  to  me,  that 
 it  should  have  been  left  to  us,  the  unworthy  representatives  of  our 
 fathers  in  the  Secession,  to  witness  and  welcome  a  scene,  Avhich  they 
 (unconsciously  it  may  be)  did  so  much  to  bring  about.  There  are 
 hearts  now  mouldering  in  the  dust,  which  would,  I  am  sure,  have 
 been  tilled  with  as  much  genuine  delight  as  astonishment,  liad  they 
 lived  to  see  what  we  have  seen,  and  to  hear  what  we  have  heard ; 
 and  tongues  now  mute  in  death,  which  would  have  borne  more 
 expressive  testimony  than  we  can  do,  to  the  noble  stand  which  has 
 beeji  made  by  the  office-bearers  of  the  Church  of  Scotland.  None, 
 however,  can  be  more  sincerely  your  well-wishers  than  the  small 
 section  of  the  Church  to  which  I  belong.  We  all  felt  that,  in  the 
 e\ent  of  such  a  step  being  taken  by  you  (and,  allow  me  to  say,  that 
 
HisTOiiY  OF  i'NiTi:i)  svNoi*.  1842  TO  1852.       ir.:> 
 
 jiui<,'ing  by  the  ciivumstances  in  which  you  were  placecl,  ami  by  what 
 we  knew  of  your  personal  worth,  as  well  as  our  sympathy  with  you 
 in  these  conscientious  convictions  which  have  issued  in  this  disrup- 
 tion, we  entertained  no  doubt  you  would  take  this  step,  and 
 calculated  on  you  doing  so  with  almost  as  much  certainty  as  tin- 
 asti-onomer  calculates  an  eclipse  ;)  I  say,  we  all  felt  what  high  honour 
 would  be  done  in  the  event  of  this  taking  jdace,  to  our  common 
 Head  in  heaven,  by  the  assertion  of  His  supi'emacy,  as  sole  IMaster 
 in  His  own  house,  and  sole  Monarch  in  His  own  kingdom  ;  and 
 "what  a  splendid  demonstration  would  be  given  of  the  power  of 
 Christian  principle,  in  the  surrender  of  so  many  secular  advantages, 
 and  the  breaking  up  of  so  many  dear  ties  and  associations,  for  the 
 sake  of  truth  and  a  good  conscience.  We  have  been  accustomed, 
 Sir,  to  regard  ourselves  as  a  branch  of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  to 
 recognise  her  as  our  mother  Church,  to  take  a  filial  interest  in  her 
 prosj)erity,  to  pray  for  her  reformation,  and  to  look  forward  with 
 hope  and  delight  to  the  time,  when  we  might  be  at  liberty  to 
 re-enter  her  i)ale,  and  return  to  her  communion.  It  was  not  indeed 
 fi'om  the  Church  of  Scotland,  but  from  the  prevailing  party  in 
 her  communion — that  is, — the  Modei'ate  party, — that  our  fathers 
 declared  a  secession.  Now,  however,  when  that  party  who  drove  out 
 our  fathei-s,  and  drove  them  out  because  they  protested  against  them 
 for  intruding  ministers  upon  reclaiming  congregations — has,  with  the 
 aid  of  the  civil  power,  driven  out  you  also,  and  for  the  same  reason 
 — now  that  they  are  the  only  party  in  the  Establishment — now  that 
 they  have,  not  by  the  temporary  ascendancy  of  a  party,  but,  after 
 going  through  the  farce  of  a  discussion,  by  what  may  be  considered 
 a  unanimous  vote,  surrendered  the  liberties  of  the  Church  into  the 
 hands  of  the  civil  power, — the  case  is  considerably  altered.  I  must 
 regard  you  as  the  true  rejn-esentatives  of  the  Church  of  Scotland. 
 Much  as  I  admire  the  delicacy  shown  by  the  members  of  this 
 Assembly  in  their  allusions  to  their  former  brethren,  it  can  hardly 
 be  expected  that  I  should  display  the  same  reserve.  And  you  will 
 permit  me  to  say,  that  I  for  one  cannot  and  loill  not  recognise  that 
 painty  you  have  left  behind,  as  my  mother  Church.  I  cannot  pray 
 for  its  prosperity  as  an  Establishment, — I  have  no  hope  of  its 
 reformation, — I  will  not  deei)ly  ileplore  its  downfall.  I  will  only 
 add,  and  in  doing  so  I  am  confident  that  I  express  the  general 
 sentiment  of  Scotland,  a  feeling  which  will  deepen  and  widen  every 
 day  after  this  disruption, — that  it  will  be  felt  as  an  intolerable 
 burden  and  foul  disgrace  if  we  should  be  compelled  to  support  such 
 an  Establishment.  We  rejoice  to  see  such  a  goodly  number  of  the 
 ministers  of  the  Church  of  Scotland  taking  this  noble  and  decided 
 step.  Had  the  numbers  been  anything  like  what  some  calculated 
 upon  as   likely  to  leave  the   E.stablishment, — I   know  not  on  what 
 
154  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 principles  the  calculation  was  made, — but  1  voukl  have  been 
 ashamed  of  my  country.  Nothing  like  this  has  taken  place  in  the 
 history  of  the  Churcli  of  Scotland.  To  find  a  parallel  to  it,  we 
 require  to  go  back  to  ancient  and  sacred  history.  Our  secession 
 was  like  Jacob's  departure  from  his  father's  house,  in  looking  back 
 to  which  he  said,  '  With  my  staff  I  passed  over  this  Jordan,  and 
 now  I  am  become  two  bands.'  This,  again,  resembles  the  marching 
 forth  of  the  children  of  Israel  from  the  land  of  bondage, — wlien  the 
 two  bands  had  grown  into  a  great  nation,  and  '  the  children  of 
 Israel  went  up  harnessed  out  of  the  land  of  Egypt.'  Ours  was  but 
 the  Genesis,  yours  has  been  an  Exodus.  From  all  tliat  has  taken 
 ])lace  we  may  augur  the  best  results  for  the  interests  of  truth,  and 
 the  union  of  all  the  friends  of  the  constitutional  principles  of  the 
 Ohui'ch  of  Scotland.  We  do  not  envy  the  success  that  attends  your 
 labours, — we  are  labourers  in  the  same  field.  Meanwhile,  accept  of 
 our  humble  tribute  of  sympathy  and  admiration.  We  bid  you  God 
 speed  in  your  praiseworthy  undertakings  ;  and  in  the  prospect  of 
 tlie  glorious  harvest  that  waits  you,  we,  as  humble  fellow -reapers, 
 would  say,  in  passing  by,  '  The  blessing  of  the  Lord  be  upon  you, 
 we  bless  you  in  the  name  of  the  Lord.'  " 
 
 "  Rev.  (Dr)  J.  A.  Wylie  of  Dollar  then  rose  and  said  : — Sir,  I 
 appear  here  with  great  humility ;  indeed,  I  could  not  have  had  the 
 courage  to  appear  at  all,  as  a  deputy  from  a  small  body,  had  I  not 
 full  confidence  in  the  noble  men  who  compose  this  Assembly,  that 
 they  will  view  our  demonstration  in  their  fovour,  not  so  much  in 
 reference  to  the  size  of  the  body  from  which  it  comes,  as  in  reference 
 to  the  principles  and  character  of  that  body.  We  have  always 
 viewed  ourselves  as  a  part  of  the  Reformed  Church  of  Scotland.  It 
 is  true  that  for  a  century  back  we  have  neither  appeared  in  her 
 pulpits  nor  sat  in  her  courts  ;  nevertheless,  the  banner  beneath 
 which  we  have  stood  is  the  old  banner  of  that  Churcli,  the  same 
 that  rallied  her  so  oft  in  the  day  of  war,  and  beneath  whicli  her 
 heroes  fought,  and  her  martyrs  died.  A  body  so  small  as  ours  is  in 
 some  danger  of  being  mistaken  for  a  sect.  But  I  humbly  submit 
 that  the  question  of  sectarianism  is  to  be  tried,  not  on  the  ground 
 of  the  numbers  of  a  body,  whether  many  or  few,  but  on  the  ground 
 of  its  tenets  and  opinion  ;  if  tried  on  this  ground,  in  the  present 
 case,  it  will  be  found  that  the  term  sect  is  one  not  applicable  to  us. 
 When  we  retired  from  the  pale  of  the  Establishment,  and  from 
 connnunion  witli  the  then  prevailing  party  in  the  judicatories  of  the 
 Church  of  Scotland,  we  took  up  a  most  catholic  position, — it  was  no 
 narrow  or  sectarian  ground.  One  main  distinguishing  cliaracteristic 
 of  our  position  as  seceders  has  all  along  been  its  nationality — the 
 discipline  and  government  of  the  Churcli  of  Scotland  as  by  law 
 established.      Tlie  ground  on  which  we  took  up  our  standing  was 
 
HISTOIIY  OF  TNITKI)  SVNoD.    1S42  TO    18.VJ.  ]'>o 
 
 that  of  tlif  Wcstiiiiiistor  Stiiudanls.  Tlu-s*'  .Staiiilar.ls  wcir  fianifil 
 as  terms  of  uniformity  for  the  tliree  kingdoms, — thoy  were  conlially 
 antl  joyfully  embmeod  by  one  of  these  kingdoms,  they  wen^  partially 
 received  by  the  other  two,  they  were  ratified  by  the  govi'rnnient  of 
 the  country  and  faitliful  to  '  the  brotherly  covenant,'  we  have  stead 
 fastly  maintained  our  position  on  this  ground,  in  the  assured  hope 
 and  faith,  that  God  in  His  providence  will  yet  cause  these  Stjvndards 
 to  become  what  they  were  designed,  wjien  framed,  to  be — a  rallying 
 point  to  all  Presbyterians.  With  regard  to  the  feelings  we  hav.' 
 entertained  towards  the  Church  of  Scotland,  it  often  happens,  I 
 might  say  it  almost  always  happens,  that  distance  produces  estrange- 
 ment— the  pai-ties  forget  their  common  origin  and  their  common  cause 
 — from  friends  they  become  rivals,  and  from  rivals  open  and  avowed 
 enemies.  But  such  has  not  been  the  result  in  our  case.  The  long 
 period  of  an  hundred  years,  and  the  painful  things  that  took  place 
 between  us  at  parting,  have  not  l^een  able  to  diminish  in  the  least 
 our  attachment  to  that  Church.  The  God  of  our  fathers  only  knows 
 how  oft,  and  with  what  fervour,  both  in  our  fiimilies  and  our 
 sanctuaries,  we  have  prayed  for  the  Church  of  Scotlantl,  that  God's 
 love  and  faithfulness  might  never  fail  her,  and  that  God  would  look 
 down  from  heaven  and  behold  and  visit  His  vine  ;  and  who  can  tell 
 what  benefit  the  Church  of  Scotland  may  be  i-eaping  at  this  day 
 from  these  i:)rayers — prayers  offered  from  the  hearts  of  yearning 
 sons,  who,  although  themselves  painfully  separated  from  her  com- 
 munion, went  down  to  their  graves  cherishing  the  hope,  that  her 
 children,  and  their  children's  children,  would  sit  beneath  tin- 
 shadow  of  that  noble  vine  which  their  fathere  planted  and 
 reared.  Oh,  Sir,  as  has  been  already  remarked,  there  are  hearts 
 in  the  dust,  I  cannot  say  how  they  would  have  beat  had  they 
 lived  to  this  day ;  there  are  eyes  now  closed  for  ever,  I 
 cannot  tell  with  what  delight  they  would  have  beamed  had  they 
 witnessed  this  sight.  They  have  gone  to  a  brighter  assembly  ;  but 
 sure  I  am,  if  they  are  allowed  any  knowledge  of  things  on  earth, 
 it  is  on  your  Assembly  that  they  look  down :  and  while  they  con- 
 template the  act  of  homage  you  have  been  enabled  to  render  to  Him 
 who  is  King  and  Head  of  His  own  house,  they  turn,  and  with 
 increased  ardour,  weie  that  possible,  they  cast  their  own  crowns 
 down  before  the  Lamb,  saying,  'Thou  art  worthy.'  In  fine,  Sir,  we 
 recognise  in  your  Assembly  the  representative  of  the  ancient  Church 
 of  Scotland — of  that  Church  from  which  God  took  His  martyrs  in 
 times  past,  and  from  which  it  may  be  His  holy  pleasure  to  take  His 
 mai-tyrs  in  times  to  come.  We  liail  you  as  the  inheritor  of  her 
 virtues,  and  the  heir  of  her  renown;  and  surely  this  consideration 
 is  well  fitted  to  cheer  you  amid  the  laboui-s  and  sufierings  of  the 
 l)ath  on  which  you  have  now  entered.  With  regard  to  the  other 
 society — that   from   which  you   have  separated — we  know  her  not. 
 
156  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 She  may  call  herself  the  Chui-ch  of  Scotland  ;  but  Scotland  disowns 
 her,  and  the  martyrs  of  Scotland  disown  her ;  for  the  tenet  she  has 
 now  adopted  as  her  leading  and  distinguishing  tenet,  is  one  wdiich 
 these  holy  confessors  '  resisted  unto  blood,  striving  against  sin.* 
 But  to  you  we  fondly  turn,  and  in  you  we  recognise  the  church  of 
 our  fathers,  and  of  our  fathers'  God.  And  what  a  proud  spectacle 
 do  you  present !  The  thrones  that  warred  with  you  in  former  ages 
 are  fallen — the  princes  that  said  unto  you,  '  Bow  down  that  we  may 
 go  over,'  have  themselves  been  made  to  bow  their  own  discrowned 
 heads  down  even  to  the  dust.  But  you  are  still  holding  your  solemn 
 Assembly — you  are  still  sitting  under  the  shadow  of  your  veneralile 
 chief,  and  still  ruling,  by  your  righteous  law,  a  pious  and  devoted 
 people.  '  So  let  thine  enemies  perish,  0  Lord  ;  but  let  them  who 
 love  thee  be  as  the  sun  when  he  goeth  forth  in  his  strength.' 
 
 "  Rev.  Wm.  White,  Haddington,  next  spoke  : — I  rejoice  in  being 
 permitted  to  addx-ess  the  Free  Presbyterian  Church  of  Scotland. 
 You  adhere  to  the  whole  doctrine,  worship,  discijiline,  and  govei'n- 
 ment  of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  and  I  rejoice  to  recognise  in  you 
 tliat  cause  which  God  has  maintained  in  Scotland,  ever  since  the 
 reformation  from  Popery.  I  recognise  in  you,  not  the  prevailing 
 party  from  which  our  fathers  seceded,  but  that  free,  faithful,  and 
 reforming  General  Assembly  to  which  they  appealed.  The  principles 
 of  non-intrusion  and  spiritual  independence  for  which  you  have  been 
 contending,  are  neither  new  nor  peculiar.  They  are  laid  down  in 
 the  word  of  God,  and  are,  therefore,  as  ancient  as  Christianity,  and 
 common  to  all  churches  formed  according  to  the  pattei'n  shown  in  the 
 Scriptures.  They  have  a  place  in  the  Standard  Books  of  the  Church 
 of  Scotland,  were  contended  for  by  her  worthies,  suffered  for  by  her 
 martyrs,  and,  excepting  in  those  periods  where  aliens  had  the 
 ascendancy  in  her  councils,  they  have  been  the  uniform  law  of  her 
 administration  ever  since  the  first  Reformation.  An  Establishment, 
 formed  upon  the  opposite  principles,  would  be  a  coalition  between 
 apostacy  on  the  part  of  the  Church,  with  tyranny  on  the  part  of  the 
 state ;  and  the  administration  of  it  would  tend  to  injure  religion — 
 to  nuiltiply  division  in  the  Church — to  increase  the  hostility  between 
 the  higher  and  the  lower  classes  of  society — until  at  length  it 
 l)ecame  one  of  the  worst  foes  of  godliness,  and  the  upholding  of  it 
 one  of  the  most  difficult  problems  of  government.  The  Court  of 
 Session  found,  and  the  House  of  Lords  confirmed,  that  you  were 
 bound  to  ordain  an  unacceptable  presentee,  when  you  had  nothing 
 to  object  to  in  his  life,  his  literature,  his  doctrine — and  in  their  sub- 
 sequent decisions  they  have  claimed  every  power  peculiar  to  a  church 
 coui-t,  except  the  very  menial  one  of  carrying  their  ecclesiastical 
 decrees  into  execution — the  Government  and  Legislature  of  the 
 country  having  sanctioned  their  encroachments.      If  the  Church  had 
 
HISTORY  OF  UNITED  SYNoD.  1S42  TO  1SJL>.  loT 
 
 consentcil  to  tliLMu,  she  would  Imve  l)i;cu  fuslaved  to  tlio  civil  courts, 
 and  enjoyed  Just  so  much  liberty  as  her  mastera  saw  meet  to  allow. 
 Had  she  consented  to  these  terms,  the  famous  Church  of  Scotland — 
 the  fairest  dannhtfr  of  the  Reformation — the  noblest  institution  in 
 the  world — would  have  been  d<'j,naded  I)eneath  the  condition  of  a 
 slave.  A  man  may  have  a  freeman's  heart,  tli«m;L;h  he  be  bound 
 with  the  chain  of  a  slave  ; — but  if  the  Church  had  a<,'reed  to  these 
 terms,  she  would  have  agreed  to  become  a  slave — she  would  have 
 become,  what  is  a  thousand  times  more  infamous  than  .slavery — a 
 tool  for  oppressing  the  Christian  people  of  the  land.  Yes,  an 
 Establishment  framcil  according  to  the  principles  contained  in  her 
 Miijesty's  Letter,  would  exhibit  to  the  world  the  twofold  character 
 of  a  *-/rtiv;  and  a  tyrant — the  humble,  heartless  slave  of  the  civil 
 courts — the  cold,  indiflerent,  heartless  oppressor  of  a  heartless  people 
 — for  none  but  a  heartless  people  will  be  oppressed  by  them.  The 
 decision  of  the  Legislature,  refusing  the  claims  of  the  Church,  and 
 sanctioning  the  encroachment  of  the  Court  of  Sesssion,  is  impolitie 
 in  every  point  of  view  in  which  it  can  be  viewed.  The  reforms 
 which  you  introduced  into  the  Ciiurch  of  Scotland  were  not  only  in 
 accordance  with  the  word  of  God,  they  were  imperatively  called  for 
 by  the  circumstances  in  which  you  were  placed.  They  were 
 necessary  in  order  to  conciliate  the  people  of  Scotland  towards  the 
 Establishment,  and  enable  you  to  defend  it  from  the  word  of  (Jod. 
 By  what  they  have  done,  the  Legislature  have  rendered  it  impossible 
 to  defend  the  Establi.shed  Church  of  Scotland  ;  and  by  driving 
 away  the  people  from  its  pale,  I  say  they  have,  in  fact,  disestablished 
 the  Church ;  for  if  any  man  will  look  into  the  revolution  laws,  he 
 will  find  that  Prelacy  was  abolished  because  it  was  opposed  by  the 
 generality  of  the  people,  and  the  present  Establishment  put  in  its 
 place,  because  it  was  agreeable  to  the  generality  of  the  piiople.  And 
 unless  a  law  can  remain  when  the  reason  for  it  ceases,  luiless  a  le^al 
 building  can  stand  witliout  its  foundation, — by  driving  awav  the 
 generality  of  the  people,  they  have  cancelled  what  was  framed  for 
 the  generality  of  the  people.  All  your  difficulties  have  arisen  from 
 your  resolution  to  defend  the  rights  of  the  peo])le  ;  and  this  ^reat 
 sacrifice  you  have  made  in  the  people's  cause.  Your  own  jurisdic- 
 tion, it  is  true,  has  been  recently  tiie  great  subject  of  contest,  and 
 there  can  be  no  doubt  that  this  is  a  more  sacred  and  es.sential  mattei- 
 even  than  the  rights  of  the  people  ;  but  it  is  pro2)er  to  be  borne  in 
 mind,  that  your  jurisdiction  has  been  as.sailed,  simply  becau.se  it 
 was  exercised  to  defend  the  Christian  ])eople  from  oppre,ssion.  The 
 powers  you  are  now  refused  were  never  tlisputed  so  long  as  thev 
 were  exercised  to  oppress  the  people, — they  were  never  disputed  so 
 long  as  they  were  a  terror  to  them  that  did  well,  ami  a  shield  to  evil 
 doers.     It  must  be  very  gratifying  to  reflect  they  attempted  to  make 
 
158  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 the  Cliurch  a  slave,  for  no  other  reason  than  because  she  woukl  no 
 longer  be  a  tyrant.  I  believe  that  the  civil  courts  have  in  effect 
 repealed  the  law  by  their  interpretation  of  it ;  and  deranged  the 
 constitution  by  destroying  the  checks  intended  to  promote  harmony 
 among  its  several  parts  ;  and  believing  the  constitution  and  laws  of 
 our  countiy  to  be  the  grand  safeguards  of  our  liberties,  I  consider 
 these  encroachments  hostile  to  civil  freedom.  And  h.\  resisting  these 
 eircroachments,  I  cannot  but  consider  that  you  have  been  defending 
 the  law  of  the  land,  as  well  as  the  law  of  the  Church, — that  you 
 haA'e  been  contending  for  the  supremacy  of  the  British  constitution, 
 as  well  as  for  the  suj^remacy  of  Christ.  Our  Divine  Master 
 triumjjhcd  for  His  people,  by  bowing  His  head  to  the  great  sacrifice; 
 and  the  greatest  triumph  allotted  to  the  sons  of  men  is  to  be  enabled 
 to  suffer  and  sacrifice  for  His  sake.  Viewing  the  matter  thus,  I 
 consider  your  abandonment  of  the  Establishment  as  a  victory  ;  I 
 consider'  it  as  a  glorious  ti'iumph.  Taking  all  the  circumstances 
 into  consideration,  perhaps  it  is  the  most  wonderful  testimony  for 
 God  and  truth  that  ^\'as  ever  received  since  the  beginning  of  the 
 world  ;  for  I  know  of  no  instance  in  which  such  sacrifices  have  been 
 made  with  so  little  outward  pressure  on  the  will.  After  some 
 further  remarks  upon  the  proof  afforded,  that  the  woik  was  from 
 God,  by  the  fact  that  He  had  raised  up  so  many  men  of  so  great 
 and  so  varied  talents,  the  reverend  gentleman  concluded  thus  : — By 
 your  testimony,  God  has  vindicated  the  part  of  the  men  of  1  638, 
 whose  principles  you  have  been  defending ;  and  they  and  you  will 
 be  fully  vindicated  in  providence, — vindicated,  probably,  in  the  first; 
 instance,  by  the  sad  consequences  that  will  result  to  tlie  land  from 
 these  infatuated  counsels;  and  vindicated  perfectly  at  that  illustrious 
 period  when  all  the  crowns  of  earth,  as  all  the  crowns  of  heaven, 
 shall  be  cast  at  the  Eedeemer's  feet.  Whatever  trials  may  await 
 you,  we  trust  you  will  be  enabled  to  hold  fast  what  you  believe — 
 that  you  will  be  enabled  to  comfort  yourselves  in  that  position 
 where  you  stand  as  a  spectacle  to  God,  and  angels,  and  men — so  as 
 that  you  may  add  another  chapter  to  the  worthies  and  confessors  of 
 Scotland  ;  being  remembered  in  future  days  with  hallowed  feelings, 
 such  as  those  with  which  you  now  look  back  upon  our  godly 
 patriots  and  holy  martyrs;  being  remembered  as  the  men  who 
 accomplished  a  Tliird  Reformation  in  Scotland,  as  the  Church  which 
 God  honoured  to  commence  a  movement,  the  sound  of  which  has 
 already  been  heard  through  the  world ;  and  the  result  of  which,  we 
 trust,  will  be  in  the  kingdom  and  the  dominion,  and  the  greatness, 
 and  the  glory  of  the  kingdom  under  the  whole  heaven,  being  given 
 to  the  people  of  the  saints  of  the  Most  High." 
 
 Rev.    (Dr)    Thos.    Guthrie    then    came    forward,  and    was 
 received  with  general  applause.    "Moderator  (he  said),"  "I  have 
 
HLSTOUY  OV  I'MTKl)  SYNOD,    lS42  TO   IS.") J.  loD 
 
 always  great  pleasuiv  iu  apj)L'aiiug  before  this  A.sseinl)ly  when 
 required  ;  but  especially  to-night  after  the  addresses  which 
 we  have  just  heard,"  ami  then  in  the  coui*se  of  an  eloquent 
 and  impressive  speech  he  thus  referred  to  the  Original 
 Seceders  : — 
 
 "  1  rejoice  in  the  testimony  home  to  o»u-  pi-iiiciplcs,  nnd  to  our 
 couiluct,  and  to  our  Siurilices,  by  the  l»iind  of  noble  brethren 
 bolouguig  to  the  ijure  and  licjly  church  who  have  now  addressed  this 
 house.  I  rejoice  to  see  tlie.se  men  with  all  my  heart  ;  I  feel  for 
 them  a  brother's  feeling,  and  look  on  them  with  a  brother's  eye.  I 
 rejoice  in  their  testimony,  above  all  other  testuuonies  ;  through  fair 
 weather  and  foul,  through  sunshine  and  storm,  they  have  remained 
 uiunoveably  the  same.  Indeed  I  sometimes  think  they  are  too 
 inuuoveable.  They  have  adhered  most  faithfully  amid  all  the 
 changes  in  Churches  and  states  to  their  original  principles,  and  I 
 know  no  party  in  all  the  Christian  world  more  deserving  the  respect 
 of  Chi-istian  men  than  the  body  to  wliich  they  ))elong,  I  sjiy  again 
 I  rejoice  iii  their  testimony.  ...  I  know  that  some  friends  would 
 have  us  go  farther  than  we  have  done.  We  have  testified  for  the 
 Crown,  and  there  was  to-night  a  gentle  insinuation  that  we  had  not 
 testified  for  the  Covenant.  Let  them  bide  their  time.  If  this  work 
 goes  on,  we  may  go  farther  than  we  have  done.  The  breeze  has 
 unfurled  our  banner  far  enough  to  enaljle  lis  to  read  the  Crown 
 upon  it ;  if  that  breeze  swell  into  a  hurricane,  then,  Sir,  it  will 
 unfuid  our  flag  so  much  the  fartiier,  that  the  world  will  see  ujion 
 that  wide  spread  banner  both  the  Covenant  and  the  Crown. 
 (Tremendous  applause.)  I  propose  that  the  Assembly  express  the 
 high  gratification  which  they  have  experienced  in  receiving  the 
 Deputation  from  the  Synod  of  Original  Seceders  at  this  Assembly 
 of  their  Free  Church,  and  in  listening  to  the  addresses  which  have 
 been  delivered,  antl  that  the  Moderator  be  requested  to  return  the 
 thanks  of  the  ALSsembly  to  the  Deputation." 
 
 The  motion  was  adopted  unanimously. 
 
 The  Moderator  (Dr  M'Farlan)  addressing  the  deputation, 
 said — 
 
 "  After  the  very  able  speech  whicii  has  just  I>een  delivered  by  our 
 reverend  friend,  Mr  Guthrie,  and  the  clear  and  eloquent  manner  in 
 which  he  has  shown  the  deep  obligatioiLS  under  which  we  lie  to  you 
 for  your  appearance  in  this  Assembly  this  evening,  it  will  l»e 
 unneces.sary  for  me  to  detain  you  for  many  moments,  by  att<>mpting 
 to  add  anything  to  what  has  been  already  so  well  and  so  ably 
 expressed.  I  may,  however,  be  allowed  to  ex[jress  the  high  satis- 
 faction and  delight  with  which  I  have  this  evening  witnessed  your 
 
160  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 ultroneous  appearance  among  xis.  It  must,  indeed,  be  highly 
 <rratif5'ing  to  this  large  audience,  and  more  especially  to  the  members 
 of  this  General  Assemby  of  the  Protesting  Presbyterian  Church  in 
 Scotland,  to  see  among  us  the  son  of  the  late  venerable   Dr  M'Crie 
 
 tlje   illustrious    historian    of   the    Church    of  Scotland — the    able 
 
 vindicator  of  Knox  from  the  aspersions  and  calumnies  of  other 
 historians, — and  the  biographer  of  the  great  and  distinguished 
 Andrew  Melville.  And  when  we  consider  that  you,  Mr  M'Crie, 
 are  arduously  engaged  in  the  prosecution  of  the  same  studies  as  your 
 venerable  father,  and  find  you  employed  in  works  of  the  same  inter- 
 esting character  as  were  his,  we  cannot  but  anticipate  with  gratitude 
 the  o-reat  advantages  which  the  cause  of  true  religion  and  the  Pres- 
 byterian Church  of  this  country  will  receive  at  your  hands.  But 
 while  I  thus  thank  you  individually  for  the  reasons  to  which  I  have 
 just  now  referred,  I  must  also  express  the  very  high  delight  and 
 satisfaction  with  which  I  have  this  evening  listened  to  the  addresses 
 of  your  colleagues  in  the  deputation.  It  is  truly  gj-atifying  to  us 
 that  we  have  the  pleasure  of  seeing  the  descendants  of  the  Original 
 Seceders,  who  Avere  cast  out  of  the  Church  of  Scotland  for  their 
 defence  of  the  same  principles  and  the  same  cause  which  we  are 
 defending,  making  their  spontaneous  appearance  at  the  very  first 
 General  Assembly  of  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  and  giving  us 
 their  countenance  and  encouragement  in  the  prosecution  of  the  good 
 woi'k.  I  sincerely  trust  that  your  appearance  here,  and  the 
 sentiments  which  you  have  expressed,  will  not  be  lost  upon  us ;  and 
 that  we  shall  never  cease  to  appreciate  the  support  you  have  given 
 to  the  principles  for  which  we  are  contending.  I  trust  that  in  our 
 future  actings,  we  shall  never  cease  to  remember  that  all  our  exer- 
 tions ought  to  be  devoted  to  the  promotion  of  the  glory  of  God,  and 
 the  maintenance  of  the  supremacy  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  as  the 
 King  and  Head  of  the  Church  ;  and  I  hope  we  shall  always  maintain 
 the  same  great  princijiles,  so  as,  by  the  Ijlessing  of  God,  to  promote 
 the  glory  of  His  great  name." 
 
 But  the  brotherly  sympathy  of  the  Original  Seceders  was 
 appreciated  not  only  in  words  but  also  in  corresponding  deeds, 
 since,  on  2nd  May  1844,  Drs  Clason,  Candlish,  C.  J.  Brown, 
 and  Begg  attended  the  Secession  Synod,  and  in  appropriate 
 terms  reciprocated  the  kindness  which  had  been  shown  to  the 
 Free  Church  of  Scotland  in  its  day  of  trial. 
 
 Negotiations  for  union  were  now  carried  on,  and  whilst 
 the  Original  Seceders  chose  their  most  prominent  ministers  as 
 representatives,  that  the  Free  Church  did  the  same  is  evident 
 from  the  following  beino;  in   their   committee   to   confer   with 
 
HISTuliV  OF  UNITED  SYNOD,   1842  TO   185:2.  1(11 
 
 the  Original  Secoders,  viz.,  Dr  Patrick  M'Farlan,  Mclcrator, 
 l)r  Thus.  Brown,  Dr  Ciialmors,  Dr  Alakellar,  Dr  Diiutan,  Dr 
 Gordon,  Dr  R.  Buchanan,  Dr  Clason,  Dr  Chas.  J.  Brown,'  Mr 
 Wallace  (Hawick),  Dr  Landsborough  (Saltcoats),  Dr  Smith 
 (Lochwiuuoch),  iMr  Buchan  (Hamilton),  Dr  Gibson,  Dr  Mackay, 
 Dr  Beith,  Mr  Cupples,  Mr  Stirling,  Dr  Hetherington,  Mr  Miller 
 (Monikie),  Mr  Gentle.  Dr  Begg,  Mr  Sorley,  Dr  Candli.sh,  Dr 
 runningham,  Dr  Macfarlan  (Dalkeith),  Dr  Wilaon,  Mr  Ander- 
 son (Helensburgh),  Dr  Lorimer,  Mr  E.  B.  Wallace,  Mr  Andrew 
 ( Jray,  Mr  Andrew  Melville,  Mr  Waters  (Burghhead),  Dr  David 
 Brown,  Ministers, — Dr  Clason,  and  afterwards  Dr  Cunningham, 
 Convener. 
 
 In  these  negotiations  efforts  were  made  by  the  Seceders  to 
 get  their  brethren  of  the  Free  Church  to  raise  their  standard 
 from  the  comparatively  low  level  of  the  Revolution  Settlement 
 
 to  the   higher  platform   of  the   Second   Reformation  period 
 
 from  1G3«-1G6(),  and  this  desire  was  reciprocated  by  not  a 
 few  Free  Church  leaders,  and  hence  on  1st  June  1846  the 
 matter  was  remitted  by  the  General  Assembly  "  to  the  Com- 
 mittee appointed  to  confer  with  the  Original  Seceders,  witli 
 instructions  to  consider  whether  any  or  what  testimony  this 
 Church  might  adopt  in  regard  to  the  former  contendiJigs  of 
 the  Church  of  Scotland,  and  her  efforts  to  promote  a 
 Covenanted  Reformation."  ^ 
 
 At  the  following  Free  General  Assembly  a  goodly  number 
 '  On  30th  AiTil  1845  the  Unite.l  Original  Secession  Synod  a.l..pte.l  the  follow- 
 ing motion  :—"  The  Synod,  after  hearing  the  report  of  the  (Union  with  Free 
 Church)  Committee,  and  after  serious  and  prayerful  consideration  of  the  cir- 
 cumstances in  which  they  are  placed,  an-l  understanding  that  overtures  are  to  be 
 brought  before  the  ensuing  (ieneral  A.'^sembly  of  the  Free  Churcli,  having  for 
 their  object  the  publication  by  that  Church  of  a  judicial  declaration  of  tlicir 
 principles,  identifying  themselves  with  the  Church  of  the  fii-st  and  second  Ue- 
 formation,  they  agree,  in  the  meantime,  to  await  with  hopeful  anxiety  the 
 decision  to  which  the  Assembly  may  come  ;  and  they  reappoint  tlieir  Com- 
 mittee, with  instructions  to  embrace  every  opportunity  that  may  occur  of 
 further  conference  with  the  Committee  of  the  Free  Church,  and  to  report 
 to  ne.xt  meeting  of  Synod. " 
 
 On  iUth  August  1846  a  letter  was  read  in  the  Secession  Synod  from  Dr  Cun- 
 ningham, Convener  of  the  Free  Church  Comnnttee,  intimating  that  that  Com- 
 mittee had  met  and  adopted  a  resolution  "to  prepare  a  historical  testimony  in 
 regard  to  the  former  contendings  of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  and  her  efforts 
 to  promote  a  Covenanted  Reformation,"  which  information  was  received 
 with  approval  by  the  Synod. 
 
 L 
 
162  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 of  overtures  in  favour  of  a  Testimony  for  the  Free  Church 
 were  presented,  and  at  the  evening  sederunt  of  28th  May 
 1847,  Dr  Candlish  delivered  an  able  and  lengthy  speech  in 
 behalf  of  such  a  Testimony  being  adopted.  Opposition,  how- 
 ever, manifested  itself  on  the  part  of  Sheriff  Monteith,  Dr 
 Keith,  and  others,  and  Dr  Candlish,  whilst  stating  his  con- 
 viction that  only  more  time  and  consideration  were  needed  to 
 remove  objections,  closed  the  discussion  with  the  following 
 ■words  : — "  Let  it  be  remembered,  however,  that  the  subject 
 was  one  which  was  not  to  be  regarded  as  a  novelty  in  the 
 Church  of  Scotland.  Let  it  be  remembered  also,  that  the 
 subject  was  one  which  they  could  scarcely  avoid,  if  they  were 
 really  in  good  faith  to  maintain  their  testimony  in  the  land. 
 That,  at  least,  was  his  solemn  impression;  but  on  that  very 
 account  he  acquiesced  all  the  more  readily  in  the  postponement 
 of  the  matter;  and  was  perfectly  willing  that  the  document 
 should  be  recommitted  to  the  Committee  of  Assembly,  that 
 they  might  deliberate,  and  report  to  a  future  Assembly."^ 
 At  the  Assembly  of  1848,  however,  in  resuming  the  subject 
 Dr  Candlish  only  moved  that  all  the  ministers  be  appointed 
 to  preach  on  the  subject  of  the  Church's  testimony  to  the 
 Headship  of  Christ  on  the  second  Sabbath  of  July,  and  when 
 the  same  Assembly  called  for  the  report  on  union  with  the 
 Original  Seceders,  Dr  Cunningham  stated  he  had  none  to 
 give,  and  further  recommended  that  in  respect  of  the  existence 
 of  a  Committee  on  Christian   Union,  the  Committee  for  con- 
 
 ^  The  proposed  Free  Church  Testimony,  together  with  a  trenchant  reply  to 
 Dr  Keith's  criticisms  by  Rev.  Wm.  White,  Haddington,  are  given  in  the 
 Ori(jiiial  Secession  Magazine,  vol.  i.,  First  Series.  As  explanatory  of  the  cir- 
 cumstances connected  with  the  debate,  the  Free  Church  Magazine,  vol.  vi.  p. 
 347,  has  the  following  statement :  "  The  excellent  document  in  question  was 
 brought  before  the  Assembly  at  a  very  late  hour,  when  the  house  was  nearly 
 worn  out,  and  when  some  of  the  members  who  felt  a  deep  interest  in  it  were 
 necessarily  absent.  It  so  happened  that  a  respected  minister  (Dr  Keith), 
 whose  view  in  regard  to  the  covenants,  and  to  all  covenants,  is,  so  far  as  we 
 know,  peculiar,  spoke  very  strongly  on  that  subject ;  and  a  respected  elder 
 caught  at  the  notion,  that  the  Assembly  was  about  to  be  committed  hastily, 
 and  beyond  recall,  to  every  jot  and  tittle  of  the  covenants.  A  confused  and 
 hurried  debate  sprung  up  under  this  erroneous  impression,  whilst  the  scope 
 and  substance  of  the  document  was  overlooked  and  forgotten.  The  evening 
 was  far  spent,  and  the  matter  was  brought  to  a  hurried  and  very  unsatisfac- 
 tory termination." 
 
HISTOHY  OF  INITEI)  SYNuD,   1842  TO  1  8.V2.  lO:' 
 
 ferring  with  the  Original  Seccders  shoul.l  he  <lischarge(l,  which 
 motion  was  agreeil  to. 
 
 On   olst   May  1851,  however,  the  Free  General  Assembly 
 unanimously  agreed  not  only  to  sanction  the  publication  of  a 
 volume    containing    the    Subordinate    Standards,    aod    other 
 authoritative  documents  of  this  Church,  with  a  suitable  Act 
 and  Declaration  prefixed  to  the  same,  but  the  General  Assem- 
 bly, also  with  the  view  of  directing  more  special  attention  to 
 "  all  the  way  by  which   the  Lord  has  led   us,"  and  the  testi- 
 mony  which   He   has   honoured   this   Church    to  bear  for   the 
 whole   truth    of  God    regarding    His  Church,   and   His  Glory 
 therein,  adopted    an   Act  and   Declaration.      This  document, 
 which    is    lengthy    and     interesting,     contains     a     historical 
 epitome  of  the  Church  of   Scotland   from   its  earliest  times, 
 mcludiug   the    first   Reformation    from   Popery  in   lotiO,  the 
 second    Reformation    from    Prelacy    in    1638,    and    the    thiid 
 Reformation     from     Patronage    in    1834,    with    the    Bonds, 
 Covenants,  and  Deeds  of  Demission  belonging  to  these  respec- 
 tive epochs.     The  document  then  concludes  with  the  following 
 words,  which  were  specially  gratifying  to  all  Scottish  ecclesias° 
 tical  patriots,  including  the  Original  Seceders  : — 
 
 "In  deep  luimiliation,  therefore,  but  at  tlie  same  time  in  the  holy 
 Loldness  of  faith  unfeigned,  she  (the  Free  Cliurch  of  Scotland)  would 
 stdl  seek  to  retain  and  occupy  the  position  which  tlie  foregoing  .sum- 
 mary of  her  histoiy  assigns  to  her;  humbly  claiming  to  be  id<°itified 
 with  the  Church  of  Scothmd,  which  solemnly  bound  herself  to  the 
 Reformation  from  Popery,  and  again  similarly  pledged  lierself  to 
 tlie  Reformation  from  Prelacy  ;  deploring  past  shortcomings  from 
 the  principles  and  work  of  these  Reformations,  as  well  as  past 
 secessions  from  her  own  communion,  occasioned  by  tyranny  and 
 coiTuption  in  her  councils  ;  and,  finally  resolved  and  determined, 
 as  in  the  sight,  and  by  the  help  of  God,  to  prosecute  the  ends  con- 
 templated from  the  beginning  in  all  tli<!  acts  and  deeds  of  hei- 
 reforming  fathers,  until  the  errors  wliich  they  renounced  shall  have 
 disappeared  from  the  land,  and  the  true  system  which  they  upheld 
 shall  be  so  universally  received  that  the  wliole  people,  lightlv 
 instructed  in  the  faith,  shall  unite  to  glorify  God  the  Father  in  the 
 full  acknowledgment  of  the  kingdom  of  His  Son,  our  blessed  Lord 
 ;ind  Saviour,  Jesus  Christ,  to  whose  name  be  praise  for  ever  and 
 ever,  Amen."' 
 
 After  this  declaration   was  jjublished,  the  majority  of  the 
 
1  64  ANNALS  OF  ORICxINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Original  Secession  ministers  in  the  following  year  united  with  the 
 Free  Church  of  Scotland;  but  meanwhile  it  is  needful  to  record 
 the  chief  incidents  connected  with  the  United  Original  Secession 
 Synod  during  the  brief  period  which  preceded  that  union. 
 
 As  coming  events  frequently  cast  shadows  before,  so  it  is 
 evident  from  the  changed  practice  in  Secession  Church  Courts 
 that  union  with  the  Free  Church  was  looming  in  the  future. 
 Thus,  on  30th  June  1845,  the  Congregation  at  Kennoway 
 resolved  to  unite  with  the  Free  Church,  and  when  their 
 quondam  pastor  subsequently  resolved  to  follow  their  example, 
 instead  of  being  suspended,  or  at  least  declared  no  longer 
 connected  with  their  Church,  as  had  been  the  use  and  wont 
 procedure  in  former  times,  the  Secession  Presbytery  actually 
 gave  him  a  certificate  of  disjunction.  And  this  sensible  and 
 Christian  way  of  acting  was  extended  to  probationers  who 
 sought  a  larger  field  of  usefulness.^ 
 
 In  August  1846  the  Synod  resolved  to  originate  the 
 Original  Secession  Magazine,  in  order  not  only  that  the  views 
 of  Seceders  might  be  heard  and  known  in  the  stirring  times 
 which  succeeded  as  well  as  preceded  the  Disruption  era,  but 
 also  that  it  might  tend  to  strengthen  the  esprit-de-corps 
 amongst  Seceders.^ 
 
 '  This  Catholic  spirit,  moreover,  pervaded  congregations  as  well  as  presby- 
 teries, since  on  25th  October  1847,  Mains  Street  Congregation,  Glasgow,  passed 
 the  following  resolution,  viz.  :  "That  considering  the  little  prospect  which 
 seems  at  present  to  exist  of  procuring  agents  in  our  own  connection  for 
 missionary  work,  and  considering,  further,  the  disadvantages  at'all  times  con- 
 nected with  the  working  of  missionary  operations  on  a  small  scale,  the  meet- 
 ing recommend  the  (Synod's)  Committee  in  Edinburgh,  seriously  to  consider 
 the  propriety  of  applying  their  funds  to  the  support  of  a  missionar}'  or 
 missionaries,  who  shall  correspond  with  them,  but  who  shall  be  provided  by 
 and  be  under  the  control  and  inspection  of  the  Committee  on  Missions  of  the 
 Free  Church ;  thereby  procuring  at  once  efficient  and  expressly  trained 
 agents,  and  the  occupation  of  a  field,  the  disadvantages  of  which  have  been 
 already  somewhat  overcome,  and  the  prospects  of  success  in  which  are  there- 
 fore the  nearer  and  more  likely.  And  this  meeting  further  recommend  that 
 such  agents  be  selected  in  India  and  among  the  Jews,  one  or  more  in  each 
 scheme  as  the  funds  at  the  disposal  of  the  Connnittee  will  admit. " 
 
 -  Proposkd  Periodical— 20^/i  Amjuxt  1846. — "  The  Synod  next  called  for  the 
 Report  of  the  Committee  appointed  to  consider  ways  and  means  for  the  estab- 
 lishment of  a  Magazine  in  connection  with  the  body,  which  had  been  brought 
 before  the  Court  by  petitions  from  Mains  Street,  Glasgow,  and  Ayr.  The 
 Committee  reported  as  follows  :  In  the  first  place,  they  would  propose  the 
 following  rules  to  be  observed  in  the  conducting  of  such  a  periodical :  1.  That 
 
HISTORY  OK  UNITED  SYXoD,    LS42  TO   IS5'2.  IC') 
 
 That  both  of  those  enils  wore  gainotl  is  well  known,  ami 
 tlio  enthusiasm  that  prevailed  at  the  approaching  advent  of 
 this  periodical  is  evident  from  the  appended  circular,  which 
 shows  that  Mr  William  Ferguson,  now  so  well  known  as 
 William  Ferguson,  Es({.  of  Kinmundy,  was  intimately  con- 
 nected with  it. 
 
 "Frospi'ctiiii  of  a  jyroposcd  Magazine,  in  connection  with  thf  Synod  of 
 United  Original  Seceders,  issued  by  the  Glaagow  Section  of  th' 
 Financial  Committee  of  the  Magazine. 
 
 "The  Meeting  of  Synod  for  this  year  has  recently  taken  place. 
 By  those  who  were  present  it  will  not  speedily  be  foi'gotten.  A 
 consciousness  of  our  individuality  and  distinct  standing  as  a  Church 
 of  Christ,  and  the  privileges  and  duties  flowing  therefrom,  gave  the 
 tone  to  all  our  delil)eratious  ;  and  tlie  liearts  of  all  appeared  to  be 
 nuicli  enlarged  in  zeal  for  the  preservation  and  the  fruitfulness  of 
 the  work  of  God  amongst  us, 
 
 the  Magazine  be  published  every  alternate  month.  2.  That  an  editor  be  ap- 
 pointed, wlio  shall  be  granted  a  sum  for  defraying  expenses.  3.  That  the 
 fundamental  aim  of  the  Magazine  shall  be  to  illustrate  and  defend  the  prin- 
 ciples of  the  Synod.  4.  That  it  shall  not  be  exclusivelj'  devoted  to  this 
 object,  but  shall  embrace  a  discussion  of  the  great  moral  questions  of  the  day, 
 and  contain  carefully  prepared  reviews  of  sucli  important  works  as  bear 
 generally  upon  the  interests  of  society.  A  due  proportion  of  every  Number 
 shall  also  be  appropriated  to  missionary  intelligence.  5.  That  it  is  especially 
 desirable  that  the  articles  be  of  a  superior  order  ;  and  as  far  as  possible  to 
 secure  this,  a  small  Committee  shall  be  appointed,  to  whom  the  Editor  may 
 refer  articles  which  appear  to  him  to  be  unsuitable,  and  whose  decision  shall 
 relieve  him  from  responsibility.  G.  That  the  Synod,  while  concurring  in  the 
 establishment  of  such  a  Magazine,  and  pledging  tliemselves  to  its  support,  are 
 not  to  be  held  responsible  for  the  sentiments  which  it  may  contain.  7.  That 
 the  Magazine  consist  of  forty-eight  pages,  or  thereabouts,  ordinary  octavo,  and 
 sell  at  the  price  of  si.xpence.  8.  That  in  order  to  secure  the  regular  appear- 
 ance of  the  Magazine,  it  be  understood  that  ministers  come  forward  with 
 contributions,  and  that  in  case  the  Editor  request  an  article  from  a  brother, 
 he  shall  consider  himself  bound  in  duty  to  comply,  if  at  all  in  his  power. 
 !•.  That,  in  order  to  secure  a  sufticient  circulation,  ministers,  sessions,  and 
 deacons'  courts,  be  recommended  to  use  every  effort  to  obtain  subscribers  in 
 their  respective  congregations  and  localities.  The  Committee  further  recom- 
 mend the  itev.  William  White  to  be  Editor,  and  the  Rev.  Professor  M'Crie, 
 Matthew  Murray,  and  John  Sandison  to  form  the  Committee  of  Consultation, 
 'i'hey  also  consider  it  desirable  to  grant  a  remuneration,  iiowever  small  at 
 first,  to  contributors  ;  and  recommend  that  the  Magazine  commence  on  the  Ist 
 of  January  1847.  This  Report  was  approved  of.  Mr  Wiiite  being  requested 
 to  accept  tiie  Editorship,  agreed  to  do  so,  and  the  Synod  engaged  to  stand 
 between  him  and  pecuniary  loss. 
 
IGG  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 "  A  full  account  of  the  proceedings  will  .soon  be  in  your  hands. 
 We  come  before  you  at  present  for  a  special  jiurpose. 
 
 "The  Synod, amongst  other  measures  for  promoting  our  ecclesiastical 
 efficiency,  have  resolved  upon  commencing  a  Alagazine  in  connection 
 with  the  body.  Its  First  Number  will  appear  on  the  first  of  January 
 ensuing,  and  thereafter  on  every  alteriuite  Month,  at  the  price  of 
 Sixpence.  For  a  summary  of  its  leading  features  we  may  quote 
 from  the  Synod's  Resolutions  regarding  it  : 
 
 "  '  That  while  the  fundamental  aim  of  the  Magazine  shall  be  to 
 illustrate  and  defend  the  principles  of  the  Synod,  it  shall  not  be 
 exclusively  devoted  to  this  object,  but  shall  expound  and  enforce  the 
 claims  of  practical  religion,  and  likewise  embrace  a  discussion  of  the 
 great  moral  questions  of  the  day,  and  contain  cai-efully  prepared 
 Reviews  of  such  important  works  as  bear  generally  upon  the 
 interests  of  society.  In  every  number  will  be  furnished  an  Abstract 
 of  the  current  Missionary  Intelligence." 
 
 "  Again :  '  In  order  to  secure  the  regular  appearance  of  the 
 INlagazine,  it  be  understood  that  ministers  come  forward  with  con- 
 tributions, and  that  in  case  the  Editor  request  an  article  from  a 
 brother,  he  shall  consider  himself  bound  in  duty  to  comply,  if  at  all 
 in  his  power." 
 
 "  As  a  farther  arrangement  for  carrying  on  the  work,  a  standing 
 Literary  Committee  has  been  appointed  to  co-operate  with  the 
 Editor,  the  Rev.  William  White  of  Haddington,  and  a  Financial 
 Committee  to  superintend  the  pecuniary  department  of  the 
 Magazine. 
 
 "  You  must  now  see  that,  whilst  there  is  suitableness  in  the  plan 
 of  the  proposed  publication  to  the  situation  of  our  Church  and  to 
 the  times,  there  is  a  promise  of  earnestness  in  the  execution.  And 
 such  being  the  case  so  far  as  Ministers  are  concei'ned,  what  is  the 
 duty  devolved  upon  Members  of  the  body  1 
 
 "  You  already  perceive,  we  are  persuaded,  the  importance  of  a 
 Magazme.  We  are  at  present  a  section  of  the  visible  church 
 without  a  voice  in  the  press,  which  is  now  the  great  channel  of 
 communication  between  man  and  man,  and  is  every  day  growing 
 in  its  moral  influence  for  good  or  evil.  Every  other  religious 
 denomination  has  its  organ,  not  excluding  the  Church  of  Rome, 
 while  we  are  unrepresented  as  a  religious  body  in  the  literature  of 
 the  country.  In  our  present  condition  we  are  not  only  impotent  for 
 any  good  in  the  vaiious  deliberations  of  society  upon  the  great 
 questions  which  affect  the  community,  but  we  can  give  no  general 
 direction  to  the  views  of  our  own  people  ;  no  simultaneous  and 
 timely  impulse,  when  such  may  be,  as  it  often  is,  eminently  i-equired. 
 If  assailed,  we  are  defenceless,  unless  when  at  a  solitaiy  time  we 
 choose  to  claim  the  indulgence  of  a  corner  in  the  journal  of  some 
 
HISTORY  OF  UNITED  SYNOD,  1842  TO  1852.    1G7 
 
 other   party.       And    whoreforo  should    \vt'   be    thu.s   dL'pendt'Ut   and 
 intrusive  upon  the  courtesy  of  othei-s  1 
 
 "  Practical  ideas,  too,  which,  if  tnin.sferred  to  the  columns  of  a 
 Magazine,  might  be  fostered  by  the  genial  sympatliy  of  othera  into 
 useful  schemes,  by  remaining  alone  in  the  mind  of  the  originator, 
 are  lost  to  the  community,  and  perhaps  speedily  fade  away  from  the 
 recollection  of  the  individual  himself. 
 
 "'These  things  ought  not  .so  to  be.'  Nor  let  them  longer  be! 
 Let  us  have  a  Magazine  which  we  can  call  our  own,  and  whose 
 pages  shall  at  all  times  invite  our  communications.  It  will  be  a 
 symbol  of  union;  a  faithful  expression  of  the  Synods  mind  from 
 time  to  time  ;  a  constant  medium  of  recognition  between  the  more 
 distant  of  our  ^liuisters  and  Congregations  and  their  brethi'en, 
 transmitting  to  the  furthest  extremities  of  our  ecclesiastical  organiza- 
 tion the  vitality  and  interest  which  pervade  the  centre ;  it  will 
 serve  as  a  rallying  point  to  ns  in  every  exigency  ;  it  will  contribute 
 to  the  development  of  our  mental  and  spiritual  resources,  and  will 
 serve  to  evoke  our  pecuniaxy  and  other  pi'actical  capabilities  into 
 the  general  field  of  co-operation ;  and,  whilst  sustaining  public 
 spirit  amongst  ourselves,  its  appeai'ance  will  be  to  others  a  token, 
 '  that  the  good  hand  of  the  Lord  our  God  is  yet  upon  us,'  and  that 
 he  means  still  to  acknowledge  us  for  a  i)eople  '  among  the  many 
 thousands  of  Israel.' 
 
 *'  We  beg  now  to  call  your  attention  to  another  of  tlie  Synod's 
 Resolutions  regarding  the  proposed  periodical.     It  is  as  follows  : — 
 
 "  *  That,  in  order  to  secure  a  sufficient  circulation,  Ministers, 
 Sessions,  and  Deacons'  Courts  be  recommended  to  use  every  eflbrt  to 
 obtain  Subscribers  in  their  respective  Congregations  and  localities.' 
 
 "  You  see  then  what  is  to  be  done.  Canvass  the  Congregation 
 itself,  and  that  thoroughly,  but  do  not  contine  yourselves  to  it.  Take 
 in  the  locality.  Our  Magazine  is  not  simply  for  ourselves  ;  we  aim 
 at  having  it  diffused  through  the  wide  circle  of  the  Christian  public. 
 We  send  you  Subscription  Lists,  which  will  explain  themselves. 
 
 "A  word  of  explanation  with  reference  to  the  Donnllon  column. 
 However  the  Magazine  may  eventually  succeed,  there  must  be  a 
 j)reliminary  outlay.  The  design  of  the  donations  is,  to  allow  the 
 ^Magazine  to  start  free  by  meeting  this  outlay,  and  thus  guarantee 
 those  immediately  responsible  against  all  personal  loss. 
 
 "  Please  return  the  number  of  your  Subscribei-s,  and  the  Donations 
 for  the  Guarantee  Fund,  and  also  the  name  and  address  of  some 
 individual  in  the  Congregation  with  whom  the  Committee  may 
 correspond,  and  to  whose  charge  the  supply  of  the  Magazines  can  be 
 confided,  on  or  before  the  \st  of  October,  to  William  Ferguson,  56 
 //{//  Street,  Garnethill,  to  whom  all  communications  or  inquiries 
 respecting  the  financial  department  of  the  Magazine  may  be 
 addressed. 
 
108  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 "  Friends  and  Brethren, — With  one  exception  we  are  a  Committee 
 of  Elders  and  Laymen.  Your  interest  and  ours  are  one.  Support 
 us,  we  pray  you,  in  this  effort  to  secure  for  our  intended  periodical 
 a  sufficiently  solid  and  extensive  basis  of  pecuniary  encouragement. 
 By  so  doing,  you  will  be  responding  to  the  call  of  our  Synod  and 
 the  overtures  of  our  Ministers;  and  you  will  perform  your  part  in 
 maintaining  the  credit  and  interest  of  the  cause  which  we  are  united 
 to  honour  and  defend. 
 
 "  B])  the  Autliority  of  the,  Committee, 
 
 "  David  Ram  age,  Convener  ^ 
 "  Glasgow,  2Sth  Augunt  1846." 
 
 The  magazine  accordingly  appeared  in  January  1847,  and 
 under  the  able  editorship  of  the  Rev.  Wna.  White,  was  found 
 to  be  an  excellent  champion  of  Reformation  truths  as  applicable 
 to  modern  times.  The  life  of  this  series  of  the  Original  Seces- 
 sion Magazine,  however,  was  brief,  since  it  terminated  with 
 the  union  with  the  Free  Church  in  1852, 
 
 In  April  1847  the  Synod  agreed  to  several  measures  which 
 were  afterwards  found  to  be  highly  useful  to  the  Church.  One 
 of  these  was  a  series  of  lectures  on  the  history  of  the  Church 
 of  Scotland,  which  tended  to  increase  the  information  of  ad- 
 herents who  already  possessed  great  intelligence  on  ecclesiasti- 
 cal matters,  and  another  was  the  formation  of  a  Mutual 
 Assistance  Fund,  by  which  strong  congregations  might  aid  the 
 weak  in  their  financial  concerns.  It  was  proposed  also  to 
 revive  the  ofifice  of  Deacon  in  all  the  congregations,  to  use  means 
 to  make  the  ruling  eldership  more  efficient,  to  liquidate  all 
 congregational  debts,  and  as  soon  as  possible  to  take  part  as  a 
 church  in  supporting  a  foreign  missionary,  until  which  is  done 
 £100  be  given  for  the  support  of  colporteurs  in  France. 
 
 At  this  same  meeting  the  Synod's  Committee  proposed 
 that — 
 
 "Taking  the  Frith  of  Forth  as  dividing  Scotland  into  north 
 and  south,  two  of  the  ministers  in  the  body  be  aj)pointed 
 annually  for  the  south,  and  two  for  the  north,  as  visitors ;  that 
 they  be  required,  at  a  stated  time,  to  visit  the  different  churches, 
 giving  previous  intimation  of  their  visit,  and  so  arranging  as 
 to  preach  in  two  of  the  adjoining  congregations,  giving  intima- 
 tion from  each  pulpit  of  their  intention  to  meet  with  the  con- 
 gregation   on  a  certain   day   of  the    week,   when  minister,    elders. 
 
HISTORY  OF  UNITED  SYNOD,   1842  To   1  8.V2.  IGl) 
 
 deacons,  or  maiiagei-s,  and  peoiile,  young  anil  old,  wvvr  cxjioctod 
 and  desired  to  be  present.  That  the  meeting  might  be  opened 
 with  a  biief  discourse  from  one  of  the  visitors,  on  a  subject  referring 
 to  practical  religion,  or  the  duties  of  Christians  in  tlieir  various 
 stations  and  relations — that,  thereafter,  the  visitors  put  such  cpu^s- 
 tions  as  the  following  : — 
 
 "7'u  the  JJiniiter. 
 
 "  1.  Reverend  and  dear  brother.  Do  you  endeavour  to  preach  the 
 gospel  of  Christ  from  Sabbath  to  Sabljath,  and  at  other  times  as  God 
 gives  you  opportunity,  being  instant  in  season  and  out  of  setison  ? 
 Do  you  i"eprove,  rebuke,  exhort,  with  all  long-suffering  and  doctrine  I 
 Do  you  watch  for  souls  as  one  that  must  give  an  account  1  and,  as 
 far  as  lies  in  your  power,  do  you  not  shun  to  declare  the  whole 
 counsel  of  God,  that  you  may  be  free  from  the  blood  of  all  men  ? 
 
 "  2.  Do  you  not  only  preach,  but  also  lecture  to  your  })eople, 
 txplaining  the  Word  of  God  1  and,  do  you  follow  any  regular  course 
 of  lecturing  ? 
 
 "  3.  Do  you  make  conscience  of  visiting  the  sick,  devoting  a  por- 
 tion of  every  week,  so  far  as  God  has  given  you  opportunity  1  " 
 
 '*  4.    Have  you  any  classes  for  the  instruction  of  the  young  ? 
 
 "  5.  Have  you  any  stated  meetings  for  prayer  during  week  days, 
 or  missionary  meetings  ?  and  how  do  you  usually  conduct  such  meet- 
 ings ? 
 
 "  6.  Are  you  careful  to  maintain  family  worship  at  home,  regu- 
 larly morning  and  evening,  and  is  it  your  study,  in  general,  to  walk 
 prudently  and  circumspectly,  and  maintain  a  conscience  void  of 
 offence  toward  God  and  toward  man? 
 
 "  7.  Are  you  living  at  peace  with  all  men,  and  more  especially 
 with  the  members  of  your  flock  ? 
 
 "  8.  Have  you  rea-son  to  I)e  satisfied  generally  with  the  attendance 
 of  your  people  upon  ordinances  1 
 
 "  9.  Have  you  any  reason  to  think  that  the  work  of  the  Lord  is 
 prospering  in  your  liaiid  ? 
 
 "  To  the  Elders. 
 
 "1.   Dear  brethren  in  the  Lord,  How  often  do  you  meet  in  session  ? 
 
 "  2.  Are  you  generally  harmonious  in  session,  and  are  you  living 
 in  peace  among  yourselves  ? 
 
 "  3.  Do  you  endeavour,  as  faithfully  and  assiduously  as  you  can, 
 to  discharge  your  duties  in  visiting  the  sick,  and  in  exhorting  and 
 admonishing  in  private  as  God  gives  you  opportunity  ] 
 
 "  4.  How  many  prayer  meetings  are  in  the  congregation,  and  how 
 are  they  attended  1 
 
 "  5.   Have  you  many  scandals  in  the  congi'egatiou  ? 
 
170  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 "  6.  Are  you  careful  to  have  scandals  removed  when  they  occur, 
 by  the  faithful  and  impartial  adiuinistration  of  discipline  1 
 
 "  7.  Is  the  congregation  generally  living  in  peace  1  and  the  work 
 of  the  Lord  i)rospering  among  you  1 
 
 "  To  the  Deacons. 
 
 "  1.  Dearly  beloved  brethren,  Are  you  endeavouring,  with  all 
 fidelity  and  affection,  to  discharge  the  duties  of  deacons  in  the  con- 
 gregation 1 
 
 "  2.  Have  you  many  poor  on  your  roll  1  and  are  you  carefully 
 looking  after  their  wants  to  the  utmost  of  your  ability  1 
 
 "  3.  Is  the  minister's  stipend  regularly  paid,  and  at  what  periods 
 and  proportions  1 
 
 "  4.    What  is  the  amount  of  stipend  you  pay  him  1 
 
 "  5.  Is  there  any  debt  lying  on  the  congregation  1  What  is  the 
 amount  1  and  how  incurred  1 
 
 "  6.  Are  you  using  any  means  to  liquidate  the  debt,  and  with 
 what  success  1 
 
 "  7.  Upon  the  whole,  are  the  pecuniary  affairs  of  the  congregation 
 in  a  flourishing  or  declining  condition. 
 
 "  8.  V/hat  is  the  amount  of  your  collections  and  seat  rents  1 
 
 "  9.   Have  you  a  library  connected  with  the  congregation  ? 
 
 "  10.   Have  you  any  class  for  the  improvement  of  the  psalmody  '? 
 
 "11.  Do  you  think  the  people  are  doing  their  utmost  for  the 
 support  of  ordinances,  or  have  you  any  plans  for  increasing  that 
 support." 
 
 The  Synod  which  met  in  May  1848,  besides  deciding  in 
 calls  which  had  been  given  by  the  congregations  of  Kirkin- 
 tilloch and  East  Campbell  Street,  Glasgow,  gave  donations 
 from  their  Foreign  Mission  Fund  to  the  Belgian  and  Geneva 
 Evangelical  Societies,  together  with  £100  for  the  employment 
 of  catechists  and  teachers  in  Ireland.  And  by  these  gifts,  as 
 well  as  by  the  re-appointment  of  a  committee  to  negotiate  union 
 with  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church,  it  was  evident  that 
 Seceders  were  growing  in  true  catholicity  of  spirit,  and 
 were  moreover  desirous,  according  to  their  ability,  not  only 
 to  hold  fast,  but  also  to  hold  forth  the  glorious  truths  of  the 
 Gospel.^      A   controversy  having  arisen  in    the  United  Seces- 
 
 ^  On  20th  August  1S4G,  the  Original  Secession  Synod's  Committee  for 
 Correspondence  with  a  Coniniittee  of  the  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian 
 Churcii  in  Scotland,  gave  in  their  Report,  which  is  as  follows  : — "  Somerville 
 Flace,  Olasfjmv,  April  14,  1S4G.— The  Committee  appointed  by  the  Synod  to 
 confer  with  the  Synod  of  Reformed  Presbyterians,  met  here  immediately  at 
 
HISTORY  OF  UNITED  SYNOD,  1842  TO  1852.    171 
 
 sion  (New  Light)  Cliurch,  respecting  the  orthodoxy  of  the 
 teaching  of  several  of  its  Divinity  professors,  and  several 
 ministers  having  separated  from  that  Synod,  and  formed  a 
 presbytery  of  brief  existence,  termed  the  Calvinistic  Secession  ; 
 two  of  its  members,  tlie  Rev.  \Vm.  Marshall  of  Leith,  and  his 
 father,  the  Rev.  Dr  Wm.  Marshall  of  Kirkintilloch,  separately 
 applied  for  admission  into  the  United  Original  Secession 
 Church.      The  former  having  declared   his  acceptance  of  the 
 
 the  close  of  the  second  ami  final  conference  with  these  brethren.  Present 
 were  Professors  M'Crie  and  Laing,  Messrs  Tannahill,  Graham,  Stevenson, 
 Shaw,  Murray,  Roger,  and  Clark  ;  Mr  Dron,  elder.  The  meeting  ^vas  opened 
 with  prajer  by  Mr  Murraj',  Convener,  and  the  Committee  agreed  to  report  to 
 the  Synod  as  follows  : — That  the  Committee  had  met  at  two  different  times, 
 at  Glasgow,  with  the  Committee  of  the  Reformed  Synod,  namely,  on  the  8tli 
 January,  and  a^ain  this  day.  Tliat  they  had  entered  into  conference  witli 
 them  upon  various  points,  including  both  those  on  which  we  were  supposed 
 to  agree  and  tliose  on  which  we  were  supposed  to  differ,  and,  in  particular,  on 
 Christ's  mediatorial  dominion,  the  revolution  settlement,  and  our  relations  to 
 the  present  civil  Government.  The  discussions  were  conducted  throughout  in 
 the  most  amicable  manner.  A  gxeat  harmony  of  view  was  found  to  prevail  on 
 many  of  the  points  introduced  ;  but  on  the  subject  of  our  relation  to  the 
 present  civil  Government,  in  particular,  it  was  considered  I)y  the  brethren  of 
 the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church  tiiat  the  original  grounds  of  difference 
 still  remained,  and  that  there  was  no  present  prospect  of  union  between  the 
 two  bodies.  Your  Committee  express  their  regret  at  this  termination  of  the 
 conference.  They  were  at  much  pains  to  bring  the  views  of  the  Synod  before 
 the  Reformed  Presbyterian  brethren.  An  excellent  paper,  prepared  by  Pro 
 fessor  Laing,  was  also  read,  bearing  on  the  controverted  points,  for  his  care 
 and  attention  in  drawing  up  which,  the  Committee  feel  deeply  indebted  to 
 him.  And  your  Committee  feel  it  due  to  themselves  to  state,  that  they 
 omitted  no  effort  to  promote  the  object  of  the  negotiations.  Your  Committee, 
 after  making  this  report,  leave  it  to  the  Synod  to  judge  how  far  it  may  be 
 expedient  and  dutiful  to  continue  friendly  correspondence  vsith  the  brethren 
 of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church,  and  how  far  we  may  be  free  to  co- 
 operate with  them  in  the  promotion  of  common  objects.  The  Clerk  also  read 
 a  communication  from  the  Clerk  of  the  Reformed  Synod,  containing  an  ex- 
 tract from  the  minutes  of  tliat  Court,  which  is  as  follows:  'The  Court 
 agrees  to  re-appoint  the  Committee,  with  the  addition  of  Dr  Bates,  to  meet 
 ■with  a  similar  Committee,  if  it  shall  be  appointed  by  that  body  (the  Synod  of 
 United  Original  Seceders),  for  friendly  conference,  and  for  conversation  on 
 the  points  of  difference.  Dr  Andrew  Symington,  Convener.'  After  delibera- 
 tion, it  was  unanimously  agreed  to  re-appoint  the  former  Committee,  with 
 the  addition  of  Mr  David  Ramage,  Mr  James  M'Kinlay,  and  Mr  Tliomas 
 Baird,  ruling  elders,  to  meet  for  friendly  conference  with  the  Committee  which 
 lias  been  appointed  by  the  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Presbyteriar.  Church  in 
 Scotland.  The  Rev.  Matthew  Murray,  Glasgow,  was  continued  Convener  of 
 the  Committee.  The  Clerk  is  instructed  to  communicate  this  decision  to  the 
 Clerk  of  the  Synod  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church  in  Scotland." 
 
172  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 principles  of  the  Church,  and  his  readiness  to  take  the 
 formula,  was  received  by  the  Edinburgh  Presbytery  on  21st 
 November  1848,  and  afterwards  by  the  Synod  in  May  1849; 
 but  the  latter,  though  received  by  the  Glasgow  Presbytery, 
 was,  owing  to  his  Voluntary  views,  declined  admission  by  the 
 Synod  in  May  1851.  As  showing  the  energy  and  progress 
 that  Avere  now  being  developed  by  the  Seceders,  the  Synod 
 appointed,  in  May  1849,  Mr  Wm.  Ferguson  of  Glasgow, 
 afterwards  Wm.  Ferguson,  Esq.,  of  Kinmundy,  as  their  agent,  to 
 conduct  and  manage  the  various  schemes  of  the  Church. 
 This  appointment  was  wise,  since  Mr  Ferguson  from  his  youth 
 had  shown  great  zeal  and  practical  sagacity  in  Sabbath  School 
 teaching  and  kindred  work,  and  had  from  its  origin  managed 
 with  tact  and  success  the  financial  affairs  of  the  Original 
 Secession  Magazine.  This  office  Mr  Ferguson  held  with  much 
 acceptance  till  30th  April  1851,  when  he  resigned,  and  the 
 Rev.  James  Meek  of  Carnoustie  was  appointed  his  successor.^ 
 
 ^  That  there  was  need  for  financial  improvement,  is  evident  from  an  elaborate 
 report  presented  to  the  Synod  on  1st  May  1845,  in  which  it  is  stated  that  out 
 of  40  congregations  to  whom  circulars  were  issued,  39  have  made  returns, 
 from  which  it  appears,  1st,  That  there  are  6939  communicants  in  all  the  39 
 congregations,  both  settled  and  vacant,  or  178  to  each  on  an  average. 
 2nd,  That  there  is  raised  annually  £4726,  7s.  Id.,  or  £121  by  each  congrega- 
 tion on  an  average.  3rd,  That  36  settled  congregations  pay  in  the  name  of 
 stipend  £3189,  or  £89,  14s.  on  an  average, — the  smallest  being  £45,  and  the 
 largest  £'740.  In  some  cases  there  are  manses,  but  in  every  one  the  value  of 
 these  is  not  stated.  There  are  3  under  £50,  5  under  £60,  4  under  £70,  5 
 under  £80,  1  under  £90,  3  under  £100,  7  under  £110,  2  under  £120,  3  under 
 £130,  2  under  £140,  and  1  at  £240— total,  36.  Consequently,  there  are  18 
 under  the  average  of  £89,  14s.,  and  18  above  it.  4th,  That  there  are  arrears 
 of  stipend  due  by  9  congregations,  amounting  to  £258,  18s.,  or  £28,  15s.  4d. 
 due  by  each  on  an  average.  It  is  proper  to  state,  under  this  branch,  that  in 
 some  of  the  returns,  the  annual  arrears  are  mentioned,  in  others  the  accumu- 
 lated amount  is  stated,  but  the  period  over  which  these  extend  is  omitted,  so 
 it  is  impossible  for  the  Committee  to  say  what  is  the  exact  annual  deficiency. 
 In  most  cases  the  arrears  occur  in  those  congregations  where  the  stipend  is 
 under  £70,  in  one  or  two  instances  where  it  is  above  £70,  and  not  above  £117. 
 5th,  That  on  .35  congregations  there  is  a  debt  of  £11, ,357,  or  £324,  lis.  to 
 each.  The  amount  on  each  varies  from  £20,  the  lowest,  to  £1170,  the  highest. 
 The  annual  interest  amounts  to  £477,  or  £13  to  each  congregation.  In  one 
 case  the  debt  is  not  yet  ascertained,  and  in  another  it  has  been  omitted  to  be 
 stated.  The  following  is  an  abstract  of  the  whole  debt :  5  congregations  under 
 £100,  7  under  £200,  4  under  £300,  9  under  £400,  4  under  £50U,  2  under  £600, 
 2  between  £700  and  £800,  1  at  £950,  and  1  at  £1170— total,  35.  The  amount 
 of  debt  on  those  9  congregations  that  are  in  arrears  is  £1627,  or  about  £180  on 
 
HISTORY  OF  UNITED  SYNOD,  1842  TO  1852.    173 
 
 When  the  Synod  met  in  May  1850,  an  overture  subscribed 
 by  Wui.  M'Crie  and  other  elders  of  Davie  Street  Session,  was 
 placed  on  the  table.  Along  with  other  suggestions,  it  pro- 
 posed "  that  the  Synod  consider  the  present  position,  prin- 
 ciples, and  prospects  of  the  body,  anil  whether  negotiation  for 
 union  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scothmd,  on  terms  honourable 
 to  truth,  and  consistently  with  the  principles  held  by  Original 
 Seceders,  ought  not,  under  existing  circumstances,  to  be  re- 
 newed and  prosecuted  by  the  Synod."  The  debate  whicli 
 ensued  was  both  protracted  and  lively,  and  the  audience,  which 
 was  large,  included  the  Rev.  Dr  Begg. 
 
 Wm,  M'Ci'ie,  Esq.,  who  had  now  obtained  much  promi- 
 nence amongst  Edinburgh  politicians,  supported  the  overture 
 in  a  lengthy  speech,  in  which  he  dwelt  on  the  desirableness 
 of  union  and  the  duty  of  Seceders  to  avoid  the  conduct  of  the 
 Resolutioners  and  Protesters  of  former  days.  Several  of  the 
 overturists  having  been  heard,  the  Rev.  John  Aitken,  the 
 oldest  minister  of  the  Synod,  whose  venerable  appearance  in- 
 spired reverence  and  respect,  counselled  delay,  and  was  sup- 
 ported in  his  views  by  Mr,  afterwards  Dr,  Manson.  Mr 
 Thomson,  who  had  then  the  dew  of  youth  upon  him,  in  an 
 energetic  and  rapidly  delivered  speech,  moved  that  union 
 negotiations  with  the  Free  Church  be  resumed.  Mr  Wliite 
 delivered  in  his  broad  Lanarkshire  accent  a  characteristic  and 
 able  speech,  which  was  fully  rejiorted  in  the  Original 
 iSecc'fision  Magazine,  and  finally  the  following  motion,  proposed 
 by  Mr,  afterwards  Dr,  Shaw,  was  carried  by  a  large  majority, 
 viz.  : — 
 
 ''  That  while  sympathising  with  the  spirit  of  tlie  overture,  so  fai- 
 as  it  manifests  a  desire  for  union  with  all  the  friends  of  the  Cove- 
 nanted Reformation,  and  pai-tiouhiriy  with  the  Free  Church  of 
 Scotland,  the  Synod  do  not  judge  that  it  would  conduce  to  that 
 object  to  renew,  at  pi-esent,  negotiations  with  that  Church  ;  and  as 
 there  is  a  Committee  already  existing  for  carrying  on  correspondence 
 with  other  churches,  in  I'eference  to  union,  leave  it  to  that  Committee 
 to  renew  correspondence  with  the  Free  Church,  if  a  favourable 
 opportunity  occur." 
 
 each,  and  the  number  of  coninuniicants  1271.  Lastly,  the  whole  contribution.'! 
 to  charitable  and  religious  purposes  by  27  congregations  are  i'2S2,  or  £10,  lOs. 
 on  an  average  bv  each. 
 
174  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 As  explanatory  of  the  above  debate,  and  the  decision  which 
 was  agreed  to,  it  is  proper  again  to  mention  that  the  Free 
 Church  two  years  before  had  discharged  their  Committee  on 
 Union  with  the  Original  Seceders,  on  the  ground  that  they 
 had  already  a  general  Committee  on  Christian  Union  ;  and  in 
 this  apparent  coolness  in  the  negotiations,  the  Seceders  resolved 
 to  imitate  the  example  given  them.  In  this  an  illustration 
 is  shown  of  the  fact  that  in  ecclesiastical,  as  well  as  in  other 
 kinds  of  courtship,  the  current  of  true  love  never  runs 
 smoothly. 
 
 Notwithstanding,  however,  the  above  decision,  and  as 
 evincing  the  great  interest  Seceders  had  in  Foreign  Mission 
 enterprise,  as  well  as  with  their  Free  Church  brethren  in  this 
 department  of  Church  work,  it  was  moved  by  the  Rev.  George 
 M'Crie  of  Clola,  that  a  definite  sum  should  be  allocated  to 
 the  Foreign  Mission  Committee  of  the  Free  Church  for  the 
 support  of  a  native  missionary  in  India,  who,  being  in  com- 
 munication with  our  church,  would  be  a  distinct  object  of 
 interest  and  sympathy  to  us  all."  Though  this  motion  was 
 not  carried  however,  the  Synod  agreed  "  that  the  Hev.  Dr  Duff 
 be  requested  to  meet  with  the  Mission  Committee  of  this 
 Synod,  at  an  open  meeting,  which  all  members  shall  be 
 invited  to  attend,  to  ascertain  whether  we  could  have  an 
 agent  in  India,  who  would  be  under  the  superintendence  of 
 this  court,  and  that  the  Committee  shall  report  to  next 
 Synod." 
 
 A  somewhat  amusing  overture  was  afterwards  brought  up 
 by  the  Aberdeen  Presbytery,  which,  if  adopted,  would  doubt- 
 less have  acted  as  a  formidable  barrier  to  the  translation  of 
 pastors  from  one  charge  to  another.      It  was  the  following : — 
 
 "  That  in  future  a  congregation  giving  a  call  to  the  minister  of 
 another  congrega'^ion,  shall  be  considered  liable  for  the  necessary 
 expenses  incurred  by  that  congregation  in  defending  their  cause 
 before  the  chui-ch  courts ;  and  in  case  of  the  translation  being 
 ■effected,  for  tlie  additional  expense  of  a  new  ordination  in  the  con- 
 gregation deprived  of  their  pastor." 
 
 Respecting  this  rather  novel  proposal,  the  Synod,  as  might 
 have  been  expected,  judged  it  inexpedient  to  lay  down  any 
 general  rule  on  the  subject.      The  negotiations  which  had  for 
 
HISTORY  OF  UNITED  SYNOD,  1842  TO  1852.    175 
 
 years  l>oen  canietl  on  betwixt  the  Ret'onuotl  rrcsbytciijui  and 
 Original  Secession  Churches  came,  in  1850,  to  an  abrupt 
 termination.  In  order  to  facilitate  these  it  was  agrectl  that 
 both  Synods  should  meet  in  the  same  city,  and  at  the  same 
 time ;  but  owing  to  some  misunderstantiing  the  two  Synods 
 met  for  several  years  in  different  cities,  and  thus  the  treaty 
 of  union  was  never  completed.  It  is  interesting  to  learn, 
 however,  that  the  larger  portion  of  both  Synods  have  since, 
 by  their  union  witli  the  Free  Church,  mot,  and  held  ecclesias- 
 tical fellowship  with  each  other. 
 
 As  exhibiting  the  public  spirit  of  the  Original  Secedei-s, 
 and  their  cognisance,  not  only  of  predominating  evils,  but  also 
 of  their  duty  with  respect  to  them,  it  may  be  mentioned  that 
 they  were  accustomed,  when  circumstances  warranted  it,  to 
 appoint  days  to  be  set  apart  for  humiliation,  and  also  for 
 thanksgiving,  on  Avhich  occasions  their  churches  were  opened 
 for  appropriate  religious  services.  In  this  way  the  God  of 
 nations  was  honoured  ;  and  Seceders,  as  constituent  parts  of 
 the  nation,  humbled  themselves  ;  whilst  they  gave  thanks  to 
 Jehovah  for  national  mercies  received.  The  last  Act  for  fast- 
 ing and  thanksgiving  passed  by  the  Secession  Synod  before  the 
 union  with  the  Free  Church  is  dated  27th  November  1850. 
 It  specially  laments  the  Papal  agression  of  that  year,  and 
 amongst  other  evils  thus  refers  to  Erastianism  : — 
 
 "  We  have  to  moui-n  over  the  vices  which  attach  to  the  constitu- 
 tion of  Church  and  State.  We  recognise  a  signal  dishonour  to  th«; 
 crown  of  Christ  in  the  investiture  of  the  Queen  with  the  headship 
 of  the  Church  of  England,  and  the  arrogation  virtually  by  Parlia- 
 ment of  the  head.ship  of  the  Church  of  Scotland.  We  look  nj)ou  it 
 as  an  ominous  thing  that  the  nation  should  have  tlius  declared  that 
 it  will  only  recogni.se  the  Church  of  Christ  upon  tlic  ignominious 
 condition  of  surrendering  her  independence,  and  tliat  it  should 
 demand,  in  barter  for  its  temporalities,  lier  unpurcha.sal)le  and 
 inalienable  liberties.  The  submission  of  both  the  Established 
 Churches  to  this  Erastianism  we  deplore  as  a  public  evil. 
 
 "The  Synod  appointed  tlie  9th  January  1851,  or  such  other  day 
 as  may  be  found  convenient  liy  sessions,  to  be  observed  as  a  d.iy  oi 
 public  fasting  and  humiliation,  with  thanksgiving  and  prayer  ;  and 
 that  this  Act  be  read  in  the  different  congregations  under  their 
 inspection,  upon  the  Lord's  day  preceding." 
 
176  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 It  is  pleasing  also  to  record  that  at  the  same  meeting  of 
 Synod  in  November   1850,  it  was  reported 
 
 "  That  Dr  Duff  had  kindly  met  with  the  Mission  Committee,  and 
 had  given  a  most  affectionate  and  practical  address  in  respect  to  the 
 means  by  which  the  Synod  may  take  part  in  the  great  missionary 
 enterprise ;  that  the  members  had  expressed  the  high  delight  with 
 which  they  had  listened  to  Dr  Duff's  address,  and  it  having  been 
 moved,  and  cordially  agreed  to,  that  the  thanks  of  the  Committee 
 should  be  conveyed  to  Dr  Duff;  this  was  done  by  the  chairman, 
 and  the  conference  was  closed  by  prayer." 
 
 The  following  resolutions  were  read  and  considered,  and  being 
 adopted  by  the  Synod,  it  w^as  agreed  that  they  be  inserted  in 
 the  Original  Secession  Magazine  ;  and  also,  that  a  copy  of  them 
 be  transmitted  to  each  minister  for  the  purpose  of  being  read  to  the 
 congregation  : — 
 
 Resolved — 
 
 "  1.  That  this  Synod  recognises  evangelisation,  comprising  the 
 support,  ordination,  and  inspection  of  missionaries,  to  be,  by  the 
 authority  of  her  ascended  Lord,  the  indispensable  duty  and  proper 
 function  of  the  Church. 
 
 "  2.  That  in  discharging  this  duty,  particular  churches  must  be 
 guided  by  the  call  of  God,  and  the  door  which  He,  in  His  Holy 
 Sovereignty,  may  be  pleased  to  open  up  to  them,  and  that  a  trained 
 native  agency  is  the  most  appropriate  means  for  communicating  to 
 heathen  nations  the  knowledge  of  the  gospel. 
 
 "  3.  That,  as  in  carrying  on  this  work,  the  Church  ought  to  teach 
 all  nations,  and  teach  them  all  things,  so,  from  the  wide-spread 
 activity  of  the  emissaries  of  the  Man  of  Sin,  and  the  sad  effects  of 
 Britain's  defection  from  her  ancient  Reformation  attainments,  felt 
 over  the  world,  it  is  necessary  that  the  British  churches  carry  every- 
 where an  unmutilated  Reformation  testimony. 
 
 "  4.  That  the  Synod  rejoices  in  the  opportunity  now  afforded 
 of  hailing  the  arrival  of  Dr  Duff  in  his  native  land,  in  whose 
 enterprise,  in  British  India,  all  these  principles  regarding  Missions 
 were,  for  the  first  time,  embodied  in  the  history  of  modern 
 evangelisation. 
 
 "  5.  That  having  embraced  this  opportunity  of  enjoying  the 
 advantage  of  his  counsel,  we  find  that  he  is  able  to  point  out  a  way 
 by  which  the  evangelistic  efforts  of  our  people  might  be  elicited  and 
 concentrated  on  a  station  in  the  vicinity  of  Calcutta,  Bengal,  which 
 may  be  supplied  with  native  teachers  from  the  Free  Church  Insti- 
 tution there.  The  expense  of  such  a  station,  superintended  by  an 
 ordained  European  agency  of  our  own,  amounting  to  £500  or  £600 
 per  annum,  this  Synod  will  not  fear  to  undertake,  having  confidence 
 
HISTORY  OF  IXITEl)  SYNOD,   1^42  TO   1852.  177 
 
 in  the  often  expressed  iiiul  ardent  desires  of  the   people  uudtir  their 
 eharge,  for  the  spread  of  the  Redeemer's  kingdom. 
 
 '*  6.  That  after  liaving  resolved  itito  a  Committoc  on  Missions,  and 
 enjoyed  a  lengthened  and  interesting  brotherly  conference  with  I)r 
 Duti",  they  rejoice  to  tind,  that  within  a  reasonable  distance  of  Cal- 
 cutta, and  within  reach  of  the  friendly  and  cordial  correspondence, 
 counsel,  and  direction  of  the  Missionaries  of  the  Five  Church  of 
 Scotland,  there  are  several  stations  standing  by  themselves,  some  one 
 of  which  Dr  Duff  would  recommend  this  Synod  to  occupy,  and,  in 
 the  meantime,  he  will  communicate  with  the  Free  Church  Mission- 
 aries at  Calcutta,  who  will  make  enipuries  there,  while  this  Synod 
 is  seeking  to  jn-epare  the  means  at  home  ;  and  they  desire  to  stir  up 
 themselves  and  all  the  people  under  their  eharge,  earnestly  to  pray 
 the  Lord  of  the  harvest  that  lie  may  send  forth  labourers  into  his 
 harvest,  and  put  it  into  the  heart  of  some  one  well  qualified  to 
 embark  in  this  holy  enterprise." 
 
 The  Synod  of  April  1851,  though  lively  in  debate,  was 
 improductive  of  much  good,  save  in  the  Foreign  Mission 
 department,  the  rest  of  the  discussions  being  chiefly  of  a 
 personal  and  unprofitable  nature. 
 
 Preparations  for  Union  loith  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland. 
 
 The  General  Assembly  of  the  Free  Church  having, 
 in  May  1851,  adopted  an  Act  and  Declaration,  which  docu- 
 ment was  a  modification  of  the  Testimony  proposed  several 
 vears  previously  by  Ur  Candlish,  and  was  designed  to  show 
 the  identity  of  the  Free  Church  with  the  Historic  Church  of 
 Scotland  during  the  Reformation  period,  its  appearance  was 
 regarded  as  a  harbinger  of  union  by  many  Original  Seceders. 
 
 Among  these  was  the  Rev.  William  White  of  Haddiugton, 
 who,  with  a  knowledge  of  Secession  principles  second  to  none 
 of  his  brethren,  combined  with  mental  acumen  and  literary 
 ability  of  a  high  order,  edited  the  Original  Secession  Maga- 
 zine, the  organ  of  the  church. 
 
 Though  previously  to  this  Act  being  passed  he  opposed 
 union  with  the  Free  Church,  on  the  ground  that  that  deno- 
 mination had  not  clearly  espoused  the  ground  of  the  Second 
 Reformation,  yet  on  the  appearance  of  this  Act  and  Declaration, 
 which  was  prefixed  to  the  Authorised  Standards  of  the  Free 
 
 M 
 
178  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Church,  embracing  the  Westminster  Confession  of  Faith,  &c., 
 he  at  once  adopted  the  view  that  union  negotiations  should 
 be  resumed. 
 
 The  support  he  gave  to  his  views  was  powerful,  owing  to 
 his  large  information  and  the  versatility  of  his  talents.  And  as 
 the  magazine  was  under  his  control,  he  had  a  vantage-ground 
 over  those  of  his  brethren  who  differed  from  him  in 
 opinion. 
 
 Among  these  Avere  the  Rev.  Messrs,  afterwards  Drs,  Murray 
 and  Manson,  who  wrote  able  pamphlets  on  the  other  side. 
 And  though  the  controversy  was  short,  lasting  little  more  than 
 seven  brief  months,  it  was  both  acrimonious  and  fiery,  and 
 ended  in  the  disruption  of  the  Synod,  the  major  part  uniting 
 with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  and  the  minor  portion  re- 
 maining in  an  isolated  condition. 
 
 After  publishing  in  full  the  Act  and  Declaration  or  Historical 
 Testimony  of  the  Free  Church,  with  remarks  upon  it,  in  the 
 September  number  of  the  Original  Secession  Magazine,  Mr 
 White  wrote  in  the  November  number  an  elaborate  article  of 
 thirty-seven  pages,  entitled  "  Historical  View  of  the  Grounds 
 on  which  the  Secession  from  the  Established  Church  of  Scot- 
 land was  originally  stated  and  defended  ; "  and  in  the  follow- 
 ing January  he  caused  an  article  to  appear,  ten  pages  in  length 
 less,  but  equally  able,  under  the  heading,  "  The  Act  and 
 Declaration  of  the  Free  Church  viewed  in  relation  to  the 
 Secession  Testimony  and  the  Second  Reformation."  But 
 whilst  these  brochures  were  leavening  the  minds  of  many,  able 
 pamphlets  on  the  opposite  side  appeared.  The  foremost 
 amongst  these  were  by  Drs  Murray  and  Manson,  the  former 
 of  whom  addressed  to  the  editor  of  the  magazine  a  goodly 
 letter  of  twenty-eight  pages,  in  which  he  carefully  examined 
 and  criticised  the  editorial  "  Historical  View  of  the  Grounds 
 of  the  Secession,"  &c.,  whilst  the  latter,  in  several  pamphlets, 
 gave  a  "  Review  of  the  Act  and  Declaration  of  the  General 
 Assembly  of  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  or  Union  with  the 
 Free  Church  on  the  ground  of  her  recent  Act  and  Declara- 
 tion shown  by  documentary  evidence  to  be  inconsistent  with 
 the  principles  hitherto  held  by  Seceders." 
 
 Meanwhile  a  conference  of  the    members   of  the   Original 
 
HISTORY  OF  UNITED  SYNOD,    1842  TO   1852.  iTl) 
 
 Secession  Synod,  calK-tl  by  rciiuisition.  was  hold  in  the  session 
 room  or  hall  of  Davie  Street  (now  MCrie)  Church.  Edinburgh, 
 on  the  27th  and  28tli  days  of  January  1852.  It  was  felt 
 tliat  a  crisis  was  approacliing,  and  it  was  well  that  brethren 
 should  express  their  views  frankly,  and  without  tiie  restraint 
 incident  to  an  open  meeting  of  Synod.  Of  this,  two  accounts 
 have  been  given  by  the  Rev  ^lessrs  White  and  Robertson, 
 from  which  it  appears  that  whilst  the  majority  of  ministers 
 were  for  immediate  union  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland, 
 as  representing  the  Church  to  which  their  fathers  had,  one 
 hundred  and  nineteen  years  before,  appealed,  a  goodly  minority 
 of  ministers  were  opposed  to  this  step,  wiiilst  others  were 
 doubtful  respecting  the  path  of  duty.  Of  the  ruling  elders 
 present,  it  is  believed  the  majority  were  opposed  to  immediate 
 union.  This  Conference  was  well  attended,  since  of  the  thirty- 
 seven  ministers  belonging  to  the  Synod,  thirty-one  were 
 present  in  person,  and  several  of  the  absentees  sent  a  written 
 statement  of  their  views  on  the  question  of  union.  The  chief 
 obstacle  to  the  contemplated  alliance  was,  whether  or  not  the 
 continued  obligation  of  the  National  Covenaiits  on  posterity 
 should  be  insisted  on  by  Seceders  as  a  fundamental  article  of 
 union.  The  minority  held  that  as  that  principle  had  for 
 many  years  been  reckoned  as  a  term  of  ministerial  and  Chris- 
 tian Communion  in  the  Secession,  it  .should  be  regarded  tis  a 
 sine  qua  non  in  the  basis,  and  argued  that  as  the  obligation 
 of  the  National  Covenants  had  formed  an  element  in  the 
 union  of  the  Constitutionalists  and  Protesters  in  1827,  and  the 
 Antiburgher  and  Burgher  Synods  in  1  84<2,  so  that  opinion  or 
 belief  should  continue  to  form  an  essential  element  in  any 
 alliance  that  might  be  formed  with  the  Free  Church. 
 
 On  the  other  hand  the  majority,  whilst  they  cordially 
 admitted  and  were  resolved  to  continue  to  hold  the  Obligation 
 of  the  National  Covenants,  did  not  consider  that  they  had  any 
 Scripture  warrant  for  insisting  on  such  a  historico-ecclesias- 
 tical  fact  as  a  term  of  ministerial  and  Christian  fellowship. 
 In  support  of  this  it  may  be  argued  that  since  the  power  of 
 the  Church  is  merely  administrative,  for  legislative  power 
 belongs  only  to  the  Lord  Jesus,  her  glorious  Head,  therefore 
 it   is   improper   to   add,  or   attempt  to  add   to  the  terms  of 
 
180  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Christian  communion  which  Christ  has  enacted.  Besides,  as 
 the  obligation  of  the  National  Covenants  did  not  form  one 
 of  the  original  groimds  of  the  Secession  on  its  separation  from 
 the  Church  of  Scotland  in  1733,  so  the  said  obligation  of  the 
 Covenants  should  not  be  insisted  on  as  necessary  for  the 
 Free  Church,  ere  the  Seceders  returned  to  her,  as  represent- 
 ing the  Free,  Faithful,  and  Reforming  General  Assembly,  to 
 which  their  fathers  had  appealed.  Moreover  it  was  hardly 
 correct  to  say  that  the  Free  Church  did  not  acknowledge  the 
 obligation  of  the  National  Covenants,  since  not  only  did  many  of 
 her  ministers  and  members  openly  avow  their  obligation,  but  the 
 Free  General  Assembly  had,  in  1851,  "resolved  and  determined, 
 in  the  sight,  and  by  the  help  of  God,  to  iwosecute  the  ends 
 contemplated  from  the  beginning,  in  all  the  acts  and  deeds  of 
 her  reforming  fathers,  until  the  errors  which  they  renounced 
 shall  have  disappeared  from  the  land,  and  the  true  system 
 which  they  upheld  shall  be  universally  received." 
 
 Such  then  was  in  substance  the  chief  point  in  the  contro- 
 versy which  occupied  the  minds  of  Original  Seceders  during 
 the  early  part  of  1852,  and  though,  as  was  to  be  expected, 
 ministerial  writers  had  a  jirominent  share  in  it,  yet  elders 
 took  part  in  it  also,  since  Mr  Wm.  M'Crie  of  Edinburgh,  a 
 unionist,  may  be  said  to  have  begun  the  conflict  by  publishing 
 the  first  pamphlet,  and  Mr  George  Jack  of  Dundee,  an  anti- 
 unionist,  to  have  sounded  one  of  its  last  notes.  All  the 
 belligerents  were  professedly  pious  and  excellent  men,  endowed 
 with  a  considerable  knowledge  of  Scottish  Church  History, 
 who  believed  that  they  were  earnestly  contending  for  the 
 faith  once  delivered  to  the  Saints.  "  For  the  divisions  of 
 Reuben  there  were  great  searchings  of  heart,"  and  doubtless 
 many  prayers  were  ascending  from  the  secret  chamber,  the 
 family  altar,  the  fellowship  prayer  meeting,  and  the  sanctuary, 
 for  light  and  direction  in  the  path  of  duty.  But,  as  two  can- 
 not walk  together  unless  they  are  agreed,  so  at  length  in  the 
 Secession  Church  the  day  of  separation  came. 
 
 Disruption  of  Synod. 
 
 "  The  annual  meeting-  of  the  Synod  of  United  Original  Seceders 
 took  place  on  Monday,  the  26th  April  1852,  in  East  Campbell  Street 
 
HISTORY  OF  INITKD  SYNOD,   1842  TO   18.'32.  ISl 
 
 C'luuch,  Glasgow,  wlion,  after  a  discourse  by  the  Rev.  John  Miller, 
 Toberdoney,  the  i-etiring  Moderator,  from  Hebrews  xiii.  17,  the 
 Synod  was  constituted,  and  the  Rev.  David  Burn,  Thm-so,  Wiis 
 elected  Moderator  for  the  ensuing  year.  Afti-r  some  routine  busi- 
 ness the  Synod  adjourned  till  Tuesday." 
 
 When  the  Court  again  met,  Dr  M'Crie  moved  the  adoption 
 of  the  following  Overture  proposing  union  witli  the  Free 
 Church  : — 
 
 "  Whereas  our  Fathers  were  actuated  l)y  a  laudable  desire  to  pro- 
 tect the  general  interests  of  Protestantism  against  the  encroachments 
 of  Popery,  and  especially  to  jtreserve  the  Reformation  attainments 
 of  the  Church  of  Scotland  : 
 
 "  And  wherea-s  dear-bought  experience  had  convinced  them  that 
 these  would  ever  be  in  danger  so  long  as  the  Church  of  England 
 remained  uni-efonned  in  her  government  and  discipline : 
 
 ''And  whereas,  in  order  to  avert  this  evil,  they  earnestly  wi.shed  to 
 see  all  the  Churches  of  God  in  these  kingdoms  united  on  the  basis  of 
 one  Confession,  Catechism,  Form  of  Govei'nment,  and  Directory  for 
 Worship  : 
 
 "And  whereas  they  did  enter  into  a  solenm  League  and  Covenant 
 expressly  binding  themselves  to  endeavour  to  promote  union  and 
 *  conjunction  among  all  the  Churches  of  God  in  the  kingdoms  in 
 Confession  of  Faith,  Form  of  Government,  Catechisms,  and  Directory 
 for  Worship  : ' 
 
 "  And  whereas,  in  pursuance  of  the  ends  of  this  Covenant,  the 
 Westminster  Assembly  prosecuted  its  labours,  and  produced  the 
 formularies  known  by  the  name  of  '  The  Westminster  Stjindards,' 
 viz.,  The  Confession  of  Faith,  Catechism,  Dii-ectory  for  Woi-ship, 
 and  Form  of  Chui-ch  Government: 
 
 "And  whereas  these  Standards  were  all  approved  of  by  the  General 
 Assemblies  of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  *  as  parts  of  the  Covenanted 
 Uniformity  in  religion  betwixt  the  Churches  of  Christ  in  the  king- 
 doms of  Scotland,  England,  and  Ireland  : ' 
 
 "  And  whereas  these  Stiindards  are  Scriptinal  in  themselves,  and 
 the  truths  which  they  contain  in  Doctrine,  Woi-ship,  Discijdine,  and 
 Government  foinn  a  lawful  basis  of  union  : 
 
 "  And  whereas  these  Standards  represent  that  Confession,  Cate- 
 chism, Directory  for  Worship,  and  Foi-m  of  Church  Government,  on 
 the  basis  of  which,  our  fathers  by  the  Solemn  League  and  Covenant, 
 bound  themselves,  '  really,  sincerely,  and  constantly,  to  endeavour 
 to  bring  all  the  Churches  of  God  in  the  three  kingdoms  into  a  state 
 of  conjunction  and  uniformity  :  ' 
 
 "  And  whereas  the  Solemn  League  and  Covenant  is  of  perpetual 
 
182  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 obligation,  and  perpetually  binds  all  classes  to  prosecute  the 
 grand  end  conteuiplated  by  our  Fathers,  of  endeavouring  to  bring  all 
 the  Churches  of  God  into  a  state  of  conjunction,  on  the  basis  of  the 
 Westminster  Confession,  Catechism,  Directory  for  Worship,  and 
 Form  of  Church  Government  :  ' 
 
 "  And  whereas  our  Fathers  continued  in  the  fellowship  of  the 
 Church  of  Scotland  so  long  as  she  adhered  to  the  Doctiine,  Worship, 
 Discipline,  and  Government  of  the  Church  of  Scotland  as  laid  down 
 in  the  Westminster  Standards  : 
 
 "And  whereas  they  seceded  from  the  prevailing  party  in  the 
 judicatoi-ies  solely  because  they  had  piactically  departed  from  the 
 aforesaid  Standards,  and  stated  their  testimony  for  these  in  a  separ- 
 ate state,  plainly  avowing  '  that  they  did  not  secede  from  the 
 Reformation  Principles  of  the  Church  of  Scotland  laid  down  in  the 
 Westminster  Confession  of  Faith  and  Catechisms,  Directory  for 
 Worship,  and  Form  of  Presbyterian  Church  Government,  but  from 
 a  backsliding  Church,  which  had  violated  her  standards  by  corrupt- 
 ing her  Doctrine,  Worship  and  Discipline  : ' 
 
 "  And  whereas  our  fathers  always  declared  themselves  '  willing 
 to  hold  communion  with  all  who  were  found  consistently  adhering  to 
 these,  and  to  them  as  a  subordinate  test,  were  ready  to  submit  the 
 decision  of  eveiy  point  which  forms  the  subject  of  dispute  between 
 them  and  others  :  ' 
 
 "  And  whereas  it  was  certainly  meant  that  when  the  abuses 
 against  which  they  testified  were  rectified,  and  whenever  the  Church 
 of  Scotland  returned  to  a  state  of  pui-ity  according  to  her  Standards, 
 our  Fathei-s  would  most  cheerfully  have  i-eturned  to  her  com- 
 munion : 
 
 "And  whereas  we  and  our  Fathers  have  adhered  to  the  WesL- 
 luinster  Standaixls  without  any  reservation,  for  this  among  other 
 reasons,  because  we  looked  on  them  as  '  books  of  public  authority, 
 which  had  been  formally  agreed  on  for  settling  and  preserving 
 religious  unity  on  the  most  extended  scale  : ' 
 
 "  And  whereas,  amid  many  difiiculties.  Original  Seceders  have 
 '  encouraged  themselves  to  maintain  this  ground  by  the  hope  that 
 the  God  of  their  Fathers,  and  their  vows,  would  yet,  in  His  merciful 
 jnovidence,  bring  round  a  reformation  ;  and  that,  when  this  period 
 of  reformation  shall  have  arrived,  the  Westminster  Standards  may 
 form  a  rallying  point,  around  which  the  scattered  friends  of  religion 
 in  this  laud  shall  meet  again,  and  happily  combine  :  ' 
 
 "  And  whereas,  in  mercy  to  the  land,  the  Lord  has  been  graciously 
 pleased  to  visit  the  Church  of  Scotland,  to  recover  her  fi-om  that 
 state  of  defection  and  apathy  into  which  she  had  fallen  at  the 
 period  of  the  Secession  ;  and  whereas,  by  the  grace  of  God,  she  was 
 enabled    to    raise    a    noble    Testimony    for    the    Headship    of    the 
 
HISTOKV  UF   I  NITED  SYNOD,    1842    ID   1852.  IfS;-. 
 
 Redeemer,  for  the  [ndependence  of  tlie  Cliurch,  and  the  Liberties  of 
 His  people,  and  to  adhere  to  it  in  the  face  of  all  Cliristendoin,  at 
 the  cost  of  the  hononi-s,  emoluments,  and  status  arising  from  her 
 connection  with  tlie  St;ite  : 
 
 "  And  whereas,  in  seceding  from  the  prevailing  jtartv  in  tin- 
 judicatories  of  the  Establishment,  our  Fathers  appealed  to  the  Fii-st 
 Free,  Faithful,  and  Reforming  General  Assembly  of  the  Church  of 
 Scotland  : 
 
 "  And  whereas  the  Church  of  Scotland  as  she  existed  unbroken 
 in  1842,  undoubtedly  represented  that  Church  to  which  our  Fathers 
 appealed,  and  as  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  now  undoubtedly 
 represents  the  Church  of  Scotland  in  1842,  which  presented  the 
 Claim,  Declaration,  and  Protest  to  her  Majesty's  Government 
 against  the  encroachments  of  the  Court  of  Session,  it  must  therefore 
 be  the  Church  to  which  our  Fathers  appealed  : 
 
 "  And  whereas  the  Church  of  Scotland  is  altogether  free  from  the 
 yoke  of  Lay  Patronage — upholds  in  its  integrity  the  whole  of  our 
 beautiful  Presbyterian  Constitution — has  put  away  from  her  all 
 Ai-ian,  Pelagian,  Arminian,  Socinian,  and  other  en'Oi-s — is  zealously 
 opposed  to  Popeiy,  Prelacy,  and  Erastianism,  the  gi-jind  evils  against 
 which  our  National  Covenants  were  directed  —  has  x'eceived  the 
 whole  of  the  Westminster  Standards  as  received  by  the  Church  of 
 Scotland  iii  her  purest  times — has  identified  hei"self  with  the  Church 
 of  the  Fii-st  and  Second  Reformation,  and  is  pledged  to  carry  out 
 all  the  ends  contemplated  in  all  the  acts  and  deeds  of  our  Reforming 
 Fathers  : 
 
 "  It  is  therefore  humbly  overtured  by  the  undei-signed,  to  the 
 Synod  of  Original  Seceders,  now  met  in  Glasgow  on  this  twenty- 
 seventh  day  of  April,  eighteen  hundred  and  fifty-two  yeai-s,  that,  in 
 consideration  of  the  jiremises,  this  Reverend  Court  do  now  recognise 
 the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  as  being  constitutionally,  both  by 
 divine  and  human  light,  the  Church  of  Scotland,  to  which  our 
 Fatliers  appealed  ;  and  also  that  this  Synod  do  atfectionately  and 
 respectfully  propose  to  unite  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  on 
 the  basis  of  the  Westminster  Standards,  held  in  integrity  and 
 .suitably  applied  in  the  way  of  '  prosecuting  the  ends  of  our  National 
 Covenants,'  to  which  we  are  bound  by  our  ordination  vows — in  the 
 way  of 'abhorring  and  detesting  all  contrary  religion  and  doctrine, 
 but  chiefly  all  kinds  of  Papistry  in  general,  and  particular  heads, 
 even  as  they  are  now  condemned  by  the  Word  of  God  and  Kirk  of 
 Scotland,'  which  is  the  end  to  wliich  we  are  bound  by  the  National 
 Covenant  of  Scotland.  And  more  jmrticularly,  that  we  propose  to 
 unite  with  them  in  the  way  of  'endeavouring  to  promote  the 
 Reformed  religion  in  the  Churcli  of  Scotland  in  Doctrine,  Worship, 
 I'iscipline,    and    Government,     against     our     conmion     enemies  — 
 
184 
 
 ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 the  Reformation  of  Religion  in  the  kingdoms  of  England  and 
 Ireland  ;  and  in  endeavouring  to  bring  the  Churches  of  God  in  the 
 three  kingdoms  to  the  nearest  conjunction  and  uniformity  in 
 Religion,  Confession  of  Faith,  Form  of  Government,  Directory  for 
 Worship  and  Catechisms  :  also  in  the  way  of  "  extii-pating,"  that  is, 
 endeavouring  to  root  out  Popery,  Prelacy,  Superstition,  Schism, 
 Profaneness,  and  whatsoever  shall  be  found  contrary  to  sound  doctrine 
 and  the  power  of  godliness ' — the  ends  which  we  are  bound  to 
 prosecute  by  the  Solemn  League  and  Covenant ;  it  being  under- 
 stood that  these  ends  are  to  be  prosecuted  in  a  suitableness  to 
 present  circumstances,  and  only  by  such  means  as  are  competent  for 
 a  Church  of  Christ  to  employ  ;  it  being  also  distinctly  understood 
 that  we  hold  by  the  Standards  and  Constitution  of  the  Church  of 
 Scotland,  not  as  these  may  have  been  explained  in  any  Act  or  Acts 
 of  the  Free  Church,  but  as  they  are  stated  and  defended  in  our  own 
 Testimony.  In  fine,  it  is  humbly  submitted  to  this  Reverend 
 Court,  that  the  Prayer  of  this  Overtui-e  be  duly  enacted,  and  that  a 
 Representation  and  Appeal  embodying  the  above  principles  be 
 drawn  out,  and  signed  by  the  Moderator  and  Clerk  in  the  name 
 of  this  Synod,  and  transmitted  to  the  next  meeting  of  the  General 
 Assembly  of  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland, — intimating  our  readi- 
 ness, on  a  favourable  reception  being  given  to  its  terms,  forth witli 
 to  terminate  our  Secession,  according  to  the  original  design  of  our 
 Fathers. 
 
 "  David  Burn,  Minister. 
 Robert  Shaw,  Minister. 
 Thomas  M'Crie,  Minister. 
 James  Beattie,  Minister. 
 John  Millar,  Minister. 
 James  Meek,  Minister. 
 John  Sandison,  Minister. 
 Andrew  Thomson,  Minister. 
 William  White,  Minister. 
 George  M'Crie,  Minister. 
 
 "  James  Black,  Minister. 
 Edward  A.  Thomson,  Minister. 
 Robert  Auld,  Minister. 
 William  Mathews,  Minister. 
 John  Dunlop  Paxton,  Minister. 
 David  Walker,  Minister. 
 David  Simpson,  Minister. 
 John  Hastie,  Minister. 
 David  Headrick,  Minister." 
 
 In  the  course  of  an  eloquent  and  lengthy  speech,  given  in 
 Witness  newspaper  of  1st  May  1852,  Dr  M'Crie  made  the 
 following  remarks  : — He  owed  all  the  knowledge  he  pos- 
 sessed of  Secession  principles  to  his  revered  father,  to  whom 
 he  naturally  looked  up  as  a  guide  in  this  matter,  and  he  felt 
 that  he  was  just  following  out  the  principles  in  which  his 
 father  indoctrinated  him  in  early  youth — that  he  felt  himself 
 placed  in  the  circumstances  in  which   these  principles  were 
 
HISTORY  OF  INITED  SYNOD,    184l2  TO  180*2.  185 
 
 now  brought  out,  so  that,  as  a  SecoiU'V,  he  was  bound 
 in  present  circuuistances  to  go  forwai'd  and  seek  union 
 with  tin-  C'huivh  of  Scotland  as  represented  by  the  Free 
 Church.  He  would  direct  attention  to  the  overture  on  the 
 table,  and  woulil  have  them  to  observe  that  this  overture 
 might  be  considered  as  constituting  a  regular  syllogism.  It 
 had  its  major  proposition,  its  minor  proposition,  and  its  eon- 
 elusion.  The  major  proposition  was  this — That  Seceders  had 
 all  along  held  no  peculiar  principles,  in  other  words,  the  prin- 
 ciples of  the  Secession  were  neither  more  nor  less  than  the 
 principles  of  the  old  Reformed  Church  of  Scotland,  as  these 
 were  contained  in  the  Confession  of  Faith,  the  Catechisms, 
 Directory,  and  Form  of  Church  Government.  He  considered 
 the  obligation  of  the  Covenants  just  as  an  obligation  to  hold 
 by  these  principles  of  the  Reformed  Covenanted  Church  of 
 Scotland,  and  that  this  very  obligation  bound  him  to  unite 
 with  all  who  held  these  principles.  The  minor  proposition 
 was — That  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  had  now  taken  up 
 the  principles  of  the  Reformed  Covenanted  Church  of  Scot- 
 land. The  Free  Church  had  certainly  taken  up  all  the  prin- 
 ciples involved  in  the  Covenants,  having  taken  up  all  the 
 standards  of  the  Reformed  Church  of  Scotland  in  all  their 
 purity  and  entireness.  And  therefore  as  the  grand  aim  of 
 the  Covenants  was  to  effect  union  among  all  the  friends  of  the 
 Reformation,  upon  the  ground  of  the  Westminster  Standards, 
 we  were  bound  to  seek  reunion  with  the  Free  Church  of 
 Scotland  as  representing  the  Church  from  which  our  fathers 
 seceded,  and  to  which  they  appealed. 
 
 Mr  \Vm,  Salmond,  elder,  from  Ai'broath,  seconded  the  adop- 
 tion of  the  overture. 
 
 Rev.  Jas.  Anderson,  of  Carluke,  next  submitted  the  foll<t\v- 
 ing  Series  of  Resolutions  opposed  to  the  overture  : — 
 
 "  First,  This  Synod,  while  deeply  impi-essed  with  the  evils  result- 
 ing to  tlie  cause  of  religion  from  the  present  divided  stute  of  the 
 church,  and  with  the  obligation  lying  upon  them  as  Protestants  and 
 as  Seceders,  to  use  every  means  in  their  power  for  promoting  union 
 among  Christians,  are,  at  the  same  time  ecjually  convinced  that  no 
 church  is  warranted  for  tlie  sake  of  that  end  to  relinriuish  any  of 
 her  Scriptural  principles  and  attjiinments  in  the  way  of  dropping 
 these  from  her  public  profession. 
 
186  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 "  Secondly,  Secedei's  claim  to  be  a  branch  of  the  Reformed  and 
 Covenanted  Church  of  Scotland,  witnessing  in  a  state  of  secession  for 
 her  Reformation  principles;  more  particularly,  they  profess  adherence 
 to  the  whole  of  the  Westminster  Standards,  as  subordinate  standards 
 of  doctrine,  worship,  and  government,  and  as  parts  of  the  covenanted 
 uniformity  for  the  churches  in  the  three  kingdoms,  as  well  as  to  the 
 Covenants  themselves,  National  and  Solemn  League,  in  the  way  of 
 explicitly  asserting  their  perpetual  and  inviolable  obligation  on  all 
 ranks,  and  testifying  against  the  breaches  of  them,  and  the  indigni- 
 ties done  to  them,  as  a  standing  ground  of  the  Lord's  controversy 
 with  the  land.  This  was  the  position  taken  up  by  the  fathers  of 
 the  Secession — it  is  the  position  which  their  successors  and  repre- 
 sentatives of  both  sections  of  the  Original  Secession  have  always 
 held,  and  have  bound  themselves  by  many  solemn  pledges  to  main- 
 tain ;  and  being  thoroughly  persuaded  that  it  is  ascriptui-al  position, 
 and  the  only  one  on  which  an  effective  resistance  can  be  made  by 
 the  friends  of  religion  and  liberty  to  the  '  Man  of  Sin,'  this  Synod 
 are  fully  resolved,  through  the  grace  of  God,  still  to  occupy  it,  and 
 to  form  no  union  with  any  other  section  of  professing  Christians  by 
 which  it  would  in  any  degree  be  compromised. 
 
 "  Thirdly,  While  the  Synod  regard  the  Free  Church  as  an 
 important  section  of  the  historical  Church  of  Scotland,  and  while 
 they  cordially  acknowledge  the  valuable  services  she  has  done  to 
 truth  by  her  late  contendings  against  the  Erastian  encroachments  of 
 the  civil  power,  they  deeply  regret  that  she  has  hitherto  failed  to 
 identify  herself  as  fully  and  explicitly  with  the  Church  of  the  Second 
 Reformation  as  was  done  by  the  founders  of  the  Secession  :  she 
 neither  occupies  nor  professes  to  occupy  higher  ground  than  the 
 Established  Church  did  previous  to  the  Disruption.  Accordingly, 
 there  is  no  explicit  reference  in  her  Claim  of  Right  and  Protest,  or 
 in  her  Ordination  Formula  to  our  National  Covenants,  or  to  any  of 
 the  Westminster  Standards,  except  the  Confession  of  Faith,  -which 
 is  the  only  subordinate  standard  there  expressly  owned,  and  to 
 which  ministers  and  elders  are  taken  bound  to  adhere.  Nor  can  the 
 Synod  view  the  late  Declaratory  Act  of  the  Free  Church  as  having 
 made  any  material  change  for  the  better  on  her  position  ;  inasmuch 
 as  there  is  in  that  document  no  clear  and  unambiguous  declaration 
 of  adherence  to  the  Westminster  Standards,  either  as  standards  of 
 conjunction  and  uniformity  for  the  three  kingdoms,  or  even  as  tests 
 with  the  single  exception  of  the  Confession  of  Faith  ;  and  inasmuch 
 as  there  is  no  explicit  acknowledgment  of  the  proper  and  continued 
 obligation  of  our  National  Covenants,  nor  explicit  condemnation  of 
 the  breach  of  them  as  a  public  sin  and  ground  of  God's  displeasure 
 against  the  church  and  nation  ;  and  inasmuch  as  the  act  itself  has 
 not  been  made,  nor  is  intended  to  be  made,  a  term   even  of  minis- 
 
HISTORY  OF  INITKI)  SYNOD,    1842  TO   185'J.  187 
 
 ttrial  fellowship  in  the  liody,  livit  is  merely  |>ieHxe(l  to  a  new  e<iitiou 
 of  the  Confession,  un<ler  the  title  of  '  an  Act  and  Deelaration  aneut 
 the  publication  of  the  subordinate  Standards,  and  other  AutliDritative 
 Documents  of  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland.'  On  these  i;rounds  we 
 cannot  regard  it  as  an  adequate  and  proper  testimony  for  the  cause 
 of  the  Covenanted  Reformation,  or  as  identifying  the  Free  Church 
 more  fidly  with  that  cause  than  she  was  previous  to  the  pass- 
 ing of  the  act.  It  leaves  her — so  far  as  the  St^indards  and  the 
 Covenants  are  concerned  —  precisely  where  she  was  before  the 
 Disruption. 
 
 *'  Fo7trthly,  Although  Seceders  might  be  allowed  in  the  Free  Church 
 to  hold  and  testify  for  all  their  principles  as  individuals,  and 
 although  they  might  even  obtain  a  formal  declaration  from  her 
 supreme  court,  recognising  them  ;is  a  body  of  ministers  and  people 
 who  are  pledged  to  the  support  of  these  princii)les,  and  granting 
 them  full  liberty  to  employ  all  constitutional  means  for  promoting 
 them,  still,  as  the  i)rinciples  in  question  would  not  be  adopted  by  the 
 Free  Church  herself,  an  ecclesiastical  testimony  for  them  would 
 cease  to  be  maintained.  Secedere  would  no  longer  have  it  in  their 
 power  to  make  a  judicial  and  united  ajipearance  in  behalf  of  their 
 principles,  nor  would  they  be  able  even  as  individuals  to  carry  them 
 out  in  practice — they  might  teach,  but  they  could  not  rnh'  according 
 to  them  ;  so  that  both  the  principles  themselves,  and  their  own  con- 
 sistency would  be  conqiromised  :  nor  would  the  opportunity  atibrded 
 to  them  of  testifying  individually  for  their  principles  in  a  larger 
 church  compensate  for  the  withdrawment  of  a  joint  ecclesiastical 
 testimony  in  behalf  of  them.  Such  a  testimony  consistently  main- 
 tained by  Seceders,  as  a  separate  church,  will  have  gi-eater  moral 
 weight  in  the  eyes  of  the  religious  part  of  the  community, 
 and  receive  more  resjiectful  attention  from  the  Free  Church 
 hei-self,  than  any  testimony  they  could  bear  to  the  Covenants 
 and  the  covenanted  cause  as  isolated  indi\iduals  within  her  own 
 pale. 
 
 '^  Finally,  The  Synod  judge  that  by  uniting  with  the  Free  Church 
 in  present  circumstances,  whether  on  the  ground  of  her  late  Act  ami 
 Declaration,  or  under  a  protest  to  the  eflect  that  they  ai*e  still  to  be 
 undei-stood  as  holding,  and  as  having  full  liljerty  to  testify  for,  their 
 old  principles,  Secedei-s  would  be  abandoning  the  ground  on  which 
 the  Ciuirch  of  Scotland  stood  at  the  second  period  of  Reformation, 
 sacrificing  the  special  ends  of  the  Secession,  disregarding  those  pre- 
 cepts of  Scripture  which  enjoin  Churches,  as  well  as  individuals,  to 
 hold  fast  their  attainments  in  religion,  and  violating  their  own 
 engagements  which  they  came  under  when  they  acceded  to  the 
 Secession  Te.stimony,  and  at  their  ordination  when  they  bound  them- 
 selves,  '  as  they  would  be  answerable  at  the  coming  of  the  Lord 
 
188  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Jesus  Christ  witli  all  His  saints,'  to  'follow  no  divisive  course  from 
 the  Refonned  and  Covenanted  Church  of  Scotland,  either  by  falling 
 in  with  the  defections  of  the  times  or  giving  themselves  up  to  a 
 detestable  indifferency  and  neutrality  in  the  foresaid  covenanted 
 cause.' 
 
 "And  as  this  Synod  are  not  prejjared  to  unite  with  the  Free 
 Church,  while  she  continues  in  her  present  position,  so  they  do  not 
 feel  themselves  called  upon,  at  the  present  juncture,  to  take  any 
 steps  for  reopening  negotiations  with  her  on  the  subject  of  union, 
 more  especially  as  she  has  discharged  her  Committee  on  union,  and 
 thereby  virtually  declared  that  she  does  not  wish  to  hold  any  further 
 correspondence  with  Original  Seceders  about  the  various  points  of 
 difference  between  herself  and  them.  At  the  same  time,  should  the 
 Free  Church  see  meet  to  reappoint  her  Committee,  and  to  express  a 
 desire  that  the  former  correspondence  be  renewed,  the  Synod's  com- 
 mittee, which  has  never  been  discharged,  will  be  ready  to  meet  with 
 them,  and  do  what  in  them  lies,  by  friendly  and  candid  explanations, 
 to  effect,  if  possible,  through  the  Divine  blessing,  a  satisfactory  and 
 scriptural  adjustment  of  existing  differences  between  themselves  and 
 their  brethren  of  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland." 
 
 In  supporting  these,  Mr  Anderson  stated  reasons  why  he 
 could  not  agree  to  the  motion  for  union  with  the  Free  Church. 
 He  would  like  to  know  what  the  Free  Church  would  do  with 
 a  person  brought  before  one  of  her  courts  for  perjury  ?  and 
 was  perjury  in  a  nation  less  sinful  than  in  an  individual  ?  It 
 had  been  said  that  the  Free  Church  acknowledged  the  obliga- 
 tion of  the  Covenants  implicitly.  The  answer  to  this  was 
 very  simple.  If  they  acknowledged  it  implicitly,  why  not 
 acknowledge  it  explicitly  ?  Knowing,  as  he  did,  that  scores 
 and  hundreds  of  her  ministers  scouted  the  idea  of  the  binding 
 obligation  of  the  Covenants,  he  could  but  regard  her  refusal  to 
 acknowledge  them  explicitly,  as  a  proof  that  they  did  not 
 recognise  them  as  a  body.  All  the  knowledge  he  (Mr  Ander- 
 son) had  of  Secession  principles  was  founded  on  the  writings 
 of  the  late  Dr  M'Crie,  and  if  he  was  wrong  in  taking  up  these 
 principles,  and  pleading  for  them,  Dr  M'Crie,  now  gone,  had 
 led  him  wrong.  The  continued  obhgation  of  the  Covenants 
 had  always  been  a  term  of  communion  in  the  Secession 
 Church,  and  if  they  laid  it  down  as  a  term  of  communion, 
 they  gave  up  their  testimony  for  the  principle. 
 
 Rev.  John  Aitken,  Aberdeen,  seconded  the  adoption  of  Mr 
 
HISTOHY  OF  INITED  SYNOD,    1842  TO  IS.VJ.  189 
 
 Anderson's  losolutiuns,  imd  in  doing  so  rclbiivil  toudiiiigly  tu 
 his  position  as  senior  minister  in  the  Synod.  He  had  been 
 now  over  forty  years  a  minister  of  the  Original  Secession,  and 
 during  that  long  period  it  had  been  his  delight  to  preach 
 Jesus  Christ  and  Him  crucified.  Having  been  educated  in 
 connection  with  a  testimony  for  truth,  and  having  carefully 
 examined  the  matter  and  gi'ounds  of  it,  he  had  never  seen  it 
 his  duty  to  resile  from  it,  neither  did  he  now  feel  himself  at 
 liberty  to  leave  his  position,  and  join  himself  to  another 
 church.  If  he  was  now  compelled  to  part  with  some  of  his 
 brethren,  it  would  not  be  owing  to  want  of  affection  on  his 
 part,  since  with  many  of  them  he  had  long  lived  in  the  most 
 endeared  intercourse.  If  a  separation  took  place  it  would  not 
 be  because  he  had  any  hostility  to  the  Free  Church,  which  he 
 always  regarded  with  esteem  and  affection.  He  had  no  sym- 
 pathy with  the  Erastian  Established  Church,  and  he  did  not 
 V)elieve  that  any  of  his  brethren  had  any  such  sympath}'. 
 After  negotiations  had  been  carried  on,  it  was  intimated  that 
 no  testimony  was  to  be  issued  by  the  Free  Church,  which  they 
 knew  was  not  prepared  to  own  the  obligation  of  our  National 
 Covenants.  Now,  the  obligation  of  these  Covenants  ran  like 
 the  woof  through  the  whole  web  of  the  Secession  Testimony, 
 and  so  such  obligation  could  not  properly  be  made  an  open 
 question.  He  afterwards  made  quotations  from  the  Synod's 
 address  in  1841,  in  support  of  his  views,  and  concluded  by 
 asking  if  they  could  find  it  in  their  heart  rashly  to  tear  the 
 brotherly  covenant  which  they  had  sworn  to  observe,  and  thus 
 wound  and  crush  the  hearts  of  many  of  God's  people. 
 
 After  a  few  remarks  from  Rev.  Jas.  Beattie  ot  Balmullo, 
 in  favour  of  the  overture,  the  Synod  adjourned  till  the 
 following  day  (Wednesday,  28th  April),  when  the  di.scussiori 
 was  resumed  by  the  Rev.  Geo.  M'Crie,  Clola,  who  main- 
 tained that  it  was  not  because  the  Free  Church  was  opposed 
 to  the  Covenants  that  she  did  not  view  them  in  the  same 
 light  as  Original  Seceders,  but  because  they  had  not  been 
 led  by  circumstances  into  the  same  position.  Neither  nations 
 nor  churches  had  ever  had  their  attention  drawn  to  the  duty 
 of  covenanting  till  great  emergencies  and  great  calamities 
 impelled  them  to  it. 
 
190  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Rev.  John  Graham,  Kilmaruock,  acknowledged  and  rejoiced 
 in  the  ffood  which  the  Free  Churcli  had  been  honoured  to 
 accomplish,  and  would  have  been  glad  to  see  a  wa}'^  of 
 consistently  entering  her  communion,  but  as  Original  Seceders 
 held  the  principles  of  the  Reformed  Church  of  Scotland,  and 
 the  Free  Church  had  not  come  up  to  these  principles,  he 
 could  not  agree  to  unite,  and  he  could  not  see  how  this 
 Synod  could  consistently  ask  the  Free  Church  to  take  up  a 
 judicial  testimony  for  the  Covenants,  were  they  to  lay  down 
 such  a  testimony  for  the  sake  of  Union. 
 
 Rev.  Dr  Shaw,  Whitburn,  challenged  any  man  to  show  that 
 there  was  the  slightest  difference  betwixt  the  Free  Church 
 and  Original  Seceders  in  regard  to  the  use  of  the  Westminster 
 Standards.  The  propositions  about  Church  government, 
 though  mentioned  in  the  third  question  of  the  Original 
 Secession  Formula,  were  only  referred  to  as  an  evidence  that 
 Presbytery  was  the  form  of  government  received  by  the  Church 
 of  Scotland,  and  they  were  not  required  to  express  their 
 approbation  of  everything  it  contained. 
 
 Rev.  Thos.  Mansou,  Perth,  maintained  that  the  Seceders 
 had  not  only  taken  up  a  profession,  but  they  had  vowed  that 
 they  would  abide  by  and  uphold  that  profession,  and  especiall)^ 
 that  they  would  adhere  to  the  Covenants,  and  maintain  the 
 principles  of  the  Reformed  and  Covenanted  Church  of  Scot- 
 land. The  Synod  could  not  do  better  to  the  Free  Church  of 
 Scotland  than  show  her  that  they  felt  she  was  deficient 
 before  God  and  man,  whilst  she  refused  to  lift  up  a  testimony 
 against  the  violation  of  the  Solemn  League. 
 
 Rev.  Jas.  Meek,  Carnoustie,  was  of  opinion  that  the 
 difference  betwixt  the  profession  of  the  Free  and  Original 
 Secession  Churches  was  now  reduced  to  one  point,  viz.,  the 
 continued  obligation  of  the  Covenants.  He  had  tried 
 covenanting  in  his  oAvn  congregation,  but  he  confessed  that  it 
 took  a  gi-eat  deal  of  trouble  to  indoctrinate  his  people  with 
 the  duty  of  doing  so,  and  one  of  his  brethren  had  told  him 
 that  when  he  proposed  to  have  covenanting  in  his  congrega- 
 tion, he  could  not  get  his  elders  to  come  forward.  When  he 
 saw  a  man  like  Dr  Candlish,  with  his  European  fame,  coming 
 forward  in  the  Free  Assembly,  and  tabling  an  overture  for 
 
HISTORY  OF  UNITED  SYNOD,   1842  TO   1852.  UH 
 
 the  recognition  of  the  obligation  of  tlic  Covenants  in  these 
 lands,  ami  pleading  for  it  tis  strongly  and  as  powcrfnlly  as 
 ever  Seceder  did,  he  looked  upon  that  as  true  moral  courage, 
 and  he  longed  to  shake  hands  with  him.  He  thought  that 
 they  had  already  been  coquetting  with  the  Free  Church,  and 
 he  would  like  to  see  these  negotiations  completed  by  ;in 
 honourable  marriage. 
 
 Rev.  D.  Headrick,  Longi'idge,  made  a  few  remarks,  after 
 which  Rev.  Geo.  Roger,  Auchinleck,  said  that  whilst  he  felt 
 the  most  cordial  atiectiou  to  the  Free  Church,  and  admired 
 the  noble  stand  she  had  made  at  the  Disruption,  he  held  that 
 unless  the  Free  Church  acknowledged  the  Covenants  as  well 
 as  the  Confession  of  Faith,  she  did  not  identify  herself  with 
 the  Covenanted  Church  of  Scotland,  and  ther<ifore  that  union 
 with  her  by  Seceders  was  unwarrantable. 
 
 Rev.  E.  A.  Thomson,  Dundee,  held  that  the  Free  Church 
 did  not  occupy  a  position,  which  either  constitutionally  or 
 scripturally  warranted  Seceders  in  standing  aloof  from  that 
 body.  Either  Shields  and  others  who  acceded  to  the 
 Revolution  Church,  notwithstanding  her  many  defects  and 
 shortcomings,  were  right,  or  wrong.  The  Reformed  Pres- 
 byterians held  that  they  were  wrong,  but  those  members  of 
 Synod  opposed  to  union  maintained  they  were  right,  antl  if 
 they  were  right,  then  that  answered  all  that  had  been  said  on 
 this  question.  Unless  they  united  with  tiie  Free  Church, 
 Seceders  would  be  shut  up  either  to  organise  themselves  into 
 a  distinct  independent  Church,  having  no  historical  or  con- 
 stitutional relation  to  any  of  the  other  Churches  in  this 
 country,  or  instead  of  forming  a  new  society  accede  to  the 
 Free  Church,  which  was  scripturally  constituted,  and  the 
 largest  section  of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  and  although  not 
 perfect — no  Church  was  so — was  eminently  faithful  in  point 
 of  practical  administration. 
 
 Rev.  Alex.  Brown,  Coupar  Angus,  held  that  the  Free  Church, 
 so  long  as  she  refused  to  own  the  Solemn  League  and  Cove- 
 nant, could  not  in  any  proper  sense  declare  the  Westminster 
 Standards  to  be  standards  for  uniformity  in  religion  in  the 
 three  kingdoms,  and  so  they  .should  not  unite  with  that 
 denomination. 
 
192  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Kev.  Wm.  White,  Haddingtou,  declared  that  after  serious 
 consideration,  he  did  not  think  there  were  such  ditiferences 
 betwixt  them  and  the  Free  Church,  but  that  they  might 
 unite  with  her  without  compromising  any  truth,  or  the 
 necessary  testimony  for  the  Covenants.  The  object  of  their 
 ancestors  in  entering  into  the  Solemn  League  and  Covenant 
 was  to  make  one  Confession  of  Faith  for  the  three  kingdoms, 
 as  a  necessary  means  for  preserving  peace.  If  the  Westminster 
 Standards  were  in  themselves  a  lawful  basis  of  union  according 
 to  the  Word  of  God,  they  never  could  cease  to  be  a  lawful 
 basis.  The  Solemn  League  and  Covenant  Avas  the  offspring 
 of  a  desire  for  union,  and  surely  it  would  be  very  strange  to 
 find  the  offspring  turning  round  and  destroying  the  parent. 
 If  their  fathers  had  the  courage,  and  hope,  and  charity,  to 
 attempt  a  union  with  the  Church  of  England  ;  if  their  faith  was 
 presumptuous  enough  to  attempt  to  remove  a  mountain  ;  was 
 it  so  presumptuous  in  Seceders  of  the  present  day  to 
 endeavour  to  remove  a  mole-hill,  by  proposing  union  with 
 the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  ?  The  position  in  which  the 
 brethren  on  the  other  side  were  placed  was  that  of  a  man 
 who  had  accepted  a  bill,  and  upon  its  becoming  due,  should 
 say  that  he  admitted  his  obligation  and  was  willing  to  renew 
 the  bill,  but  would  not  pay  it.  The  brethren  on  the  other 
 side  acknowledged  the  obligation  of  the  Covenants,  but  opposed 
 a  movement  for  carrying  out  their  end  and  design — one  of 
 these  ends  being  to  endeavour  after  unity  and  uniformity  in 
 religion  in  the  three  kingdoms. 
 
 Kev.  John  Blakely,  Kirkintilloch,  declined  to  unite  with 
 the  Free  Church  for  various  reasons,  including  the  tolera- 
 tion by  that  Church  of  free  communion,  the  singing  of  para- 
 phrases, &c. 
 
 Rev.  J.  D,  Paxton,  Campbell  Street,  Glasgow,  was  not 
 astonished  that  having  been  so  long  habituated  to  their  own 
 little  hamlet,  many  Seceders  should  feel  something  like  a 
 home-sickness  stealing  over  them  when  a  movement  was  made 
 towards  a  larger  community.  But  these  feelings  must  not  be 
 allowed  to  become  prejudices.  When  popery,  infidelity,  and 
 gross  immorality  were  spreading  fearfully  in  the  land,  was  this 
 a  time  to  give  way  to  hair-splitting  niceties  about  differences 
 
HISTOKY  OF  UNITED  SYNOD,    1S42  To    ISTyl.  193 
 
 betwixt  the  Secessiou  Cliuioli  and  a  climvli  which  had  <,^onc  on 
 to  the  fight  before  tlieni,  resolved  to  carry  out  the  eiuls  and 
 designs  of  the  Covenants  ?  If  they  wished  to  consult  their 
 own  ease,  let  them  keep  in  their  retirement,  and  pore  over 
 old  theological  books,  racking  their  ingenuity  microscopically 
 to  discern  objections  to  union.  If  tluy  entered  the  Free 
 Church,  they  would  require  to  furbish  up  and  brighten  their 
 old  armour,  and,  instead  of  lagging  tar  behind,  as  heretofore, 
 they  would  require  to  go  forward  under  the  banner  of  the 
 Covenants,  to  conquer  or  die. 
 
 Rev.  George  Stevenson,  Kilwinning,  replied  to  previous 
 speakers,  and  held  that  the  overture  for  union  should  not  be 
 agreed  to. 
 
 Dr  M'Crie,  in  closing  the  discussion,  took  occasion  to  say 
 tliat  he  deeply  sympathised  with  those  who,  in  prosecution  of 
 their  conscientious  convictions,  that  it  was  their  duty  to  unite 
 with  the  Free  Church,  might  be  called  upon  to  resign  their 
 situations  in  the  places  where  they  had  long  laboured,  and 
 perhaps  be  cast  adrift  upon  the  world. 
 
 On  the  motion  of  Dr  Shaw,  Synod  Clerk,  prayer  was  offered 
 up  by  the  Rev.  James  Beattie  of  Balmullo,  after  which  the 
 vote  was  taken,  with  the  following  result  : — Tliirty-tw(i  voted 
 in  favour  of  Dr  M'Crie's  motion,  viz.,  18  ministers  and  14 
 elders  ;  and  ol  voted  in  favour  of  Mr  Anderson's  amend- 
 ment, viz.,  lo  ministers  and  18  elders.  A  list  of  the  names 
 is  subjoined. 
 
 For  Dr  M'Crie's  Motion: — 
 
 Ministers.  Ridinr/  Ehlers. 
 
 EoBERT  Shaw,  D.D.,  Whitburn.  James  Nasmvth,  Whitburn. 
 
 Thomas  M'Crie,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  William  Bremxer,  Davie  Street, 
 
 Edinburgh.  Edinl  mrgh. 
 
 James  Beattie,  Balmullo.  Arthur  Terras,  Balnndlo. 
 
 David  Headrick,  Longi-idge.  Alexaxder  Russell,  Longridge. 
 
 John  Miller,  Toberdoney  (Ire-  Alexander  Lyle,  Toberdoney. 
 
 land).  John  Smith,  Carnoustie. 
 
 James  Meek,  Carnoustie.  William  Salmond,  Arbroath. 
 
 John  Sandison,  Arbroath.  Alexander  Paterson,  Hadding- 
 JoHN  Hastie,  Yetholm.  ton. 
 
 William  White,  Haddington.  David  Woodend,  Garvagh. 
 
 N 
 
194 
 
 ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Mmiste7's. 
 Andrew    Thomson,    Garvagh 
 
 (Ireland). 
 George  M'Crie,  Clola. 
 James  Black,  Kirkcaldy. 
 William    Mathews,    Ballylin 
 
 tagh  (Ireland). 
 Robert  Auld,  Birsay. 
 Edward  A.  Thomson,  Dundee. 
 John  D.  Paxton,  Glasgow. 
 David  Walker,  Kirkwall. 
 David  Simpson,  Brechin. 
 
 Foi-  Mr  Anderson's  Amendment  : — 
 
 Riding  Elders. 
 Thomas  Eoeertson,  Clola. 
 Young    Johnston    Pentland, 
 
 Leith. 
 John  Crowlie,  Dundee. 
 Daniel  Simpson,  East   Campbell 
 
 Street,  Glasgow. 
 Peter  Fee,  Kirkwall. 
 
 Ministers. 
 John  Aitken,  Aberdeen. 
 James  Anderson,  Carluke. 
 Thomas  Manson,  Perth. 
 Matthew  Murray,  Glasgow. 
 Archibald  Brown,  Edinburgh. 
 David  Sturrock,  Midholm. 
 John  Graham,  Kilmarnock. 
 Alex.  Brown,  Coupar- Angus. 
 George  Roger,  Auchinleck. 
 George  Stevenson,  Kilwinning. 
 John  Robertson,  Ayr. 
 James  Smith,  Pdllokshaws. 
 John  Blakely,  Kirkintilloch. 
 
 Riding  Elders. 
 
 John  Nicol,  Adam  Square,  Edin- 
 burgh. 
 
 Robert  Moodie,  Midholm. 
 
 James  Buyers,  Aberdeen. 
 
 John  Spence,  Birsay. 
 
 John  Barr,  Kilmarnock. 
 
 James  Thomas,  Ballylintagh. 
 
 John  Reid,  Ayr. 
 
 John  Knox,  Kilwinning. 
 
 Thomas  Laurie  Craigie,  Perth. 
 
 James  Cullkn,  Carluke. 
 
 John  Mitchell,  Coupar  Angus. 
 
 John  Robertson,  Stranraer. 
 
 David  And  kr son,  Kirkcaldy. 
 
 William  M'Gavin,  Auchinleck. 
 
 William    Howie,   Main   Street, 
 Glasgow. 
 
 John  Mackay,  Kirkintilloch. 
 
 Thomas  Brownlie,  PoUukshaws. 
 
 James  Anderson,  Brechin. 
 For    Dr  M'Crie's    motion,     18    ministers    and     14    elders. — For 
 amendment,  13  ministers  and  18  elders.      The  Moderator  remained 
 with  the  Synod. 
 
 The  following  members  of  Synod  were  absent  or  did  not  vote  : — 
 George  Hill,  Shottsburn  ;  Dr  B.  Laing,  Colmonell  ;  John  Downes, 
 Boardmills  ;  William  Marshall,  Leith  ;  and  Robert  John  Watt, 
 Stranraer.  All  of  these  members  were  favourable  in  judgment  to 
 the  union,  and  adhered  to  the  Synod,  and  upon  the  decision  being  in- 
 timated, the  Rev.  John  Aitken  immediately  produced  and  read  the 
 following  protest,  signed  by  the  same  ministers  and  elders,  last  elder 
 excepted,  who  had  voted  in  favour  of  Mr  Anderson's  amendment : — 
 
HISTORY  OF  INITKl)  SYNOi>,  184:i  TO   1852.  1'.'") 
 
 TIi>:  J' ml  est. 
 
 "  At  (Glasgow,  aiul  within  t'aiii|)l>ell  Street  Church,  this  twenty- 
 ninth  (Uvy  of  April,  eighteen  liundred  and  fifty-two  yeai-s  : 
 
 "  We,  the  undersigned  minister  and  eldei-s,  raembei-s  of  the 
 Synod  of  United  Original  Secedei-s,  in  our  own  name,  and  in  the 
 name  of  all  adhering  to  us,  do  hereby  protest  ag-.iinst  the  resolution 
 now  come  to  by  the  majority  of  this  Court,  to  unite  with  the  Free 
 Church  on  the  grounds  stated  in  their  overture,  ami  Representation 
 and  Appeal  ;  and  seeing  that  they  have  resolved  to  drop  a  judicial 
 testimony  for  the  Covenanted  Reformation,  and,  in  particular,  for  the 
 continued  obligation  of  oiir  National  Covenants,  and  against  the 
 violation  of  them,  as  a  standing  ground  of  the  Lord's  controversy 
 with  the  church  and  nation,  we  do  hereby  protest  and  claim  for  our- 
 selves, and  for  those  adhering  to  us,  to  be  C(mstitutionally  the  Synod 
 of  United  Original  Seceders. — Resolved,  in  the  strength  of  divine 
 grace  to  fultil  our  vows  in  abiding  by  and  maintaining  that  Testi- 
 mony on  behalf  of  the  principles  and  attainments  of  the  Reformed 
 and  Covenanted  Church  of  Scotland,  which  the  Original  Secession 
 has  from  the  beginning  accounted  both  its  duty  and  honour  to  up- 
 hold ;  and  we  do  also  protest  and  claim  all  the  powers,  rights,  and 
 privileges  of  said  Synod,  and  resolve  to  meet  as  a  Synod  in  Mains 
 Street  Church,  Glasgow,  this  forenoon,  at  half-past  ten  o'clock,  being 
 Thursday." 
 
 When  the  Synod  met  on  Thui-sday  forenoon,  Dr  M'Crie  moved 
 the  adoption  of  the  following  resolutions  : — 
 
 Disjwsal  of  the  Protest. 
 
 "  That  tlie  Synod,  without  entering,  in  the  meantime,  into  the 
 questions  raised  by  the  terms  of  the  Protest,  have  no  hesitation  in 
 jtronouncing  it  to  be  totally  inept  and  unfounded,  and  regard  the  step 
 taken  by  their  brethren,  in  leaving  this  Synod,  and  proposing  to  con- 
 stitute in  its  name,  as  rash,  unwarrantable,  and  unconstitutional  : 
 
 "That  the  majority  of  this  Synod  having  carried  a  motion  pro- 
 posing union  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  on  certtiin  terms, 
 their  protesting  brethren  were  quite  at  liberty  to  have  entered  their 
 dissent  against  this  decision  ;  but  as  the  Synod  have  not  yet  taken 
 any  step  in  the  prosecution  of  that  motion,  and  as  it  yet  remains  to 
 be  seen  whether  any  union  with  the  Free  Chiu'ch  can  be  effected  on 
 the  terms  proposed,  the  step  of  these  brethren  in  leaving  the  com- 
 munion of  the  Synod  ajjpears  to  be  quite  premature  and  uncalled 
 for: 
 
 "  That  as  this  Synod  still  occupy  the  same  ground  in  point  of 
 public  profession  as  ever,  and  no  change  has  been  made  on  their 
 
196  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 constitution,  tliey  are,  without  doubt,  tlie  only  true  constitutional 
 Synod  of  United  Original  Seceders,  and,  as  such,  entitled  to  the 
 name  and  designation,  as  well  as  to  all  the  rights,  property,  and  pre- 
 rot^atives  of  the  said  Synod  ;  and  this  Synod  consider  their  protest- 
 ing brethren  as  having  no  right  to  claim  that  designation,  in  what- 
 ever way  they  may  constitute  themselves,  and  as  ha^-ing  no  claim  to 
 the  powers,  rights,  or  privileges,  the  funds,  property,  official  books, 
 or  any  part  of  the  prerogatives  or  jurisdiction  of  this  Synod  : 
 
 "  That  this  Synod,  therefore,  holding  the  protest  null  and  void, 
 resolve  to  proceed  with  their  ordinary  business  as  if  no  such  protest 
 had  been  laid  on  their  table,  only  expressing  theii*  deep  regret  that 
 their  brethren  should  have  considered  it  necessary  to  adopt  a  step 
 so  unconstitutional  and  unprecedented,  and  that  this  Synod  is  thus 
 deprived  of  their  counsel  and  fellowship  : 
 
 "  That,  considering  the  Synod  was  so  equally  divided  in  point  of 
 numbers  in  the  vote  which  has  led  to  this  separation,  although  a 
 considerable  majoi'ity  of  the  ministers  of  this  church  are  still  con- 
 nected with  it  ;  considering  also  that  the  money  collected  for  the 
 Mutual  Assistance  Fund  of  the  Synod  was  partly  contributed  by 
 or  for  the  use  of  those  who  have  seceded  from  us,  the  Synod  agree, 
 ex  gratia,  to  pi-opose  an  amicable  arrangement  with  them  in  regard 
 to  these  funds,  and  appoint  their  committee  of  funds  to  correspond 
 with  their  protesting  brethren  on  this  subject,  and  come  to  such  an 
 arrangement  with  them  as  may  appear  most  reasonable,  reserving 
 the  consideration  of  the  mode  of  disposing  of  the  other  funds  to 
 another  meeting  of  Synod." 
 
 After  some  conversation  these  resolutions  were  unanimously 
 adopted.  A  committee,  consisting  of  Dr  M'Crie,  Dr  Shaw, 
 Mr  White,  and  Mr  Paxtou,  was  appointed  to  take  all  proper 
 steps  for  bringing  the  Eepresentation  and  Appeal  before  the 
 ensuing  Assembly  of  the  Free  Church  ;  and  with  the  view 
 of  facilitating  negotiations  with  the  Free  Church,  it  was 
 resolved  to  hold  the  next  meeting  of  Synod  in  Davie  Street 
 Church,  Edinburgh,  on  Monday  the  24th  May  next,  at  half- 
 past  six  o'clock. 
 
 It  was  agreed  to  unite  the  following  Presbyteries,  viz.,  the 
 Presbytery  of  Perth  with  the  Presbytery  of  Aberdeen  ;  the 
 Presbytery  of  Ayr  Avith  the  Presbytery  of  Glasgow ;  and  that 
 the  Presbytery  of  Down  and  Deny  and  the  Presbytery  of 
 Glasgow  and  Ayr  be  merged  into  one. 
 
 After  some  other  business  of  no  public  interest,  the  Synod 
 was  closed  with  prayer,  praise,  and  the  apostolic  benediction. 
 
HISTORY  OF  UNITi:i)  SYNOD,  1842  TO   ISfrJ.  107 
 
 Tims  was  ruptured,  by  the  narrow  inaJDrity  of  one,  tlic 
 United  (Original  St.'Cossion  (^hurch.  But  wlulst  the  Tuajority 
 was  small,  it  is  remarkable  how  that  the  same  narrow  majority 
 has  sometimes  decided  grave  ([uestions,  both  in  the  political 
 and  the  ecclesiastical  world.  Thus,  a  majority  of  one  united 
 Scotland  to  England ;  the  same  majority  in  the  British 
 Parliament  carried  the  Reform  Bill  of  18.S2;  and  now 
 the  same  meagre  majority  decided  that  the  Secession 
 Synod  should  unite  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland.  But 
 though  the  numerical  majority  in  the  Synod  was  small,  the 
 ministerial  majority  was  large,  since  reckoning  those  who 
 were  absent,  some  twenty-two  or  twenty-three  ministers 
 acceded  to  the  Free  Church,  whilst  thirteen  chose  to  remain 
 in  a  state  of  secession.  Moreover,  all  the  officials  of  the  Synod, 
 down  to  the  officers,  with  only  one  exception  (the  Treasurer 
 to  the  Magazine)  adhered  to  the  Synod. 
 
 In  compliance  with  the  decision  of  Synod,  the  following 
 document  was  duly  transmitted  to  the  ensuing  Free  General 
 Assembly,  viz.  : — 
 
 Represext.^tion  and   ArrE.\L, 
 
 *'  To  the  Reverend  the  General   Assembly  of  the   Free   Church   of 
 Scotland,  to  meet  at  Edinburgh,  May  20,  1852  : 
 
 "  The  Synod  of  United  Original  Seceders  wish  grace,  and  mercy,  and 
 peace,  fi-om  God  the  Fatht-r,  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 
 
 "  Reverend  Fathers  and  Brethren, — As  tlu'  representatives  of 
 the  Original  Seceders  from  the  Church  of  Scotland  in  the  year  173.'5, 
 deeply  impressed  with  the  duty  of  '  endeavouring  to  keep  the  unity 
 of  the  Spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace,'  and  more  especially  with  our 
 duty  to  unite  with  all  the  friends  of  the  Reformation,  and  recognis- 
 ing in  you  the  representatives  of  that  church,  from  the  prevailing 
 party  in  whose  judicatories  our  fathers  declared  a  secession,  we  con- 
 sider ourselves  called  upon,  in  the  adorable  providence  of  God,  to 
 seek  reunion  with  the  church  of  our  fathers.  In  thus  redeeming 
 the  pledge  which  they  gave  to  return  to  the  communion  of  the 
 mother  church,  by  appealing  to  '  the  first  free,  faithful,  and  reform- 
 ing Assembly  of  the  Church  of  Scotland,'  we  trust  you  will  bear 
 with  us,  while  we  state,  as  briefly  as  possible,  in  this  our  representa- 
 tion and  appeal,  the  i-easons  which  have  induccJ   us  to  adopt  this 
 
108  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 step,  and  the  terms  on  which  we  would  be  willing  to  accede  to  your 
 communion. 
 
 "  Oui'  fathers  did  not  leave  the  communion  of  the  National 
 Church  from  any  dissatisfaction  either  with  her  standards  or  her  re- 
 formed constitution.  On  the  contraiy,  their  avowed  design  was  to 
 maintain  these  standards  in  all  their  original  entireness  ;  and  their 
 main  quarrel  with  the  prevailing  party  was,  that  in  their  administra- 
 tion, they  were  guilty  of  a  practicnl  defection  from  the  principles  of  the 
 Reformed  Church  of  Scotland.  This  charge  they  advanced  while  in 
 communion  with  the  Established  Church  ;  and  they  might  have  con- 
 tinued to  testify  for  these  principles  within  its  pale,  had.  they  not 
 been  driven,  by  the  tyrannical  procedure  of  the  Church  Courts  at  that 
 time,  into  a  state  of  secession.  The  reasons  which  they  assigned  for 
 their  being  compelled  to  take  this  step  were  bi-iefly  these : — '  That 
 the  prevailing  party  in  the  Assembly  were  breaking  down  our  beau- 
 tiful Presbyterian  constitution ;  that  they  were  pursxxing  such 
 measures  as  corrupted,  or  had  a  tendency  to  corrupt,  the  doctrine 
 contained  in  our  excellent  Confession  of  Faith  ;  that  they  were  im- 
 posing new  terms  of  ministerial  communion,  by  restraining  minis- 
 terial freedom  and  faithfulness  in  testifying  against  those  sinful  and 
 soul-ruining  courses,  and  all  this  contrary  to  the  solemn  engagements 
 they  had  come  under  at  their  ordination  to  the  holy  ministry  ;  that^ 
 these  corrupt  courses  wei'e  carried  on  with  a  high  hand,  notwith- 
 standing that  the  ordinary  means  had  been  used  to  reclaim  them, 
 and  to  stop  the  current  of  their  defection  ;  and  that  at  length  matters 
 were  come  to  such  a  height,  that  they  were  excluded  from  keeping 
 up  a  standing  testimony  against  their  backslidings  and  defections, 
 in  the  way  of  ministerial  communion  with  them.' 
 
 "  Thus  providentially  brought  into  the  position,  not  of  dissent 
 from  the  principles,  but  of  secession  from  the  judicatories  of  the 
 National  Church,  our  fathers,  seeing  no  prospect  of  being  allowed  to 
 keep  up  a  standing  testimony  within  the  pale  of  the  Establishment, 
 resolved  to  constitute  themselves  in  a  judicial  capacity,  and  to  testify 
 in  a  state  of  separation.  With  this  view,  they  passed  a  judicial  deed 
 in  173G,  entitled,  '  Act,  Declaration,  and  Testimony  for  the  doctrine, 
 worship,  discipline,  and  govei-nment  of  the  Church  of  Scotland, 
 agreeable  to  the  Word  of  God,  the  Confession  of  Faith,  the  National 
 Covenant  of  Scotland,  and  the  Solemn  League  and  Covenant  of 
 the  three  nations  ;  and  against  several  steps  of  defection  from  the 
 same,  both  in  former  and  present  times.' 
 
 "  To  the  leading  principles  of  that  testimony  we,  with  our  more  im- 
 mediate fathers,  have  steadily  adhered,  notwithstanding  the  various, 
 changes  which  have  occurred  in  the  Secession.  Our  present  testi- 
 mony, though  it  comes  down  to  later  times,  and  embraces  vai-ious 
 questions  which  have  since  arisen,  is  substantially  the  same  with  the 
 
HISTOKV  OK  I'NITEI)  SVNUD,  1842  TO  l8o2.    109 
 
 Judicial  Act  and  TeNtiiuony  of  1736,  and  reduplicates  upon  it.  It 
 was  enacted  May  18,  1827,  and  is  entitled.  'A  Testimony  to  the 
 Truths  of  Christ.  a<,M-ecal>ly  to  the  Westminster  Standards,  as  i-e- 
 ceived  by  tlie  Reformed  (Miureh  of  Scotland  ;  and  in  opposition  to 
 defections  from  the  Reformation  sworn  to  in  Britain  ami  Ireland.' 
 A  brief  view  of  the  leading  and  characteristic  principles  of  this  testi- 
 mony may  suffice  to  show  tlieir  identity  with  those  of  the  Free 
 Church. 
 
 "  We  hold  no  peculiar  principles  dilierent  from  thos<^  which  were 
 held  by  the  Church  of  Scotland  in  fornier  times,  but  consider  our- 
 selves identical  in  principle  with  the  Church  of  the  First  and  Second 
 Reformation,  and  bound  to  maintain  and  prosecute,  in  suitableness 
 to  present  circumstances,  the  whole  work  of  reformation  which  our 
 fatheis,  by  the  good  hand  of  God  upon  them,  were  enabled  to 
 attain. 
 
 In  jtarticular,  we  adhere  to  that  constitution  wliii-h  the  Church  of 
 Scotland  framed  for  herself,  in  the  exercise  of  her  own  free  and  in- 
 dependent jurisdiction,  and  are  opposed  to  all  encroachments  made 
 upon  it  by  the  Erastianism  of  the  State,  and  the  sinful  submission 
 of  the  Church  in  former  or  more  recent  times. 
 
 While  we  regard  the  Revolution  as  a  glorious  work  of  God,  effect- 
 ing a  blessed  deliverance  for  this  Church  and  country,  and  while  we 
 sympathise  with  the  good  men  who  acijuiesced  in  the  settlement  of 
 the  Church  then  made,  as  the  best  that  could  he  obtained  at  the 
 time,  we  lament  the  defects  of  that  settlement  ;  jjarticularly  its 
 leaving  the  Second  Reformation  to  lie  dishonoured  under  the  in- 
 famous Act  Rescissory,  and  going  back  for  the  model  of  its  consti- 
 tution to  the  year  1592,  thus  overlooking  many  of  the  attainments 
 of  the  Second  Reformation. 
 
 "  While  we  believe  the  Word  of  God  to  be  the  sole  and  supreme 
 standard  in  all  matters  of  faith  and  practice,  we  receive  the  West- 
 minster formularies — viz.,  the  Confession  of  Faith,  Catechisms 
 Larger  and  Shorter,  Directory  for  Worship,  and  Form  of  Presby- 
 terial  Church  Government,  as  these  were  originally  received  l)y  the 
 Acts  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  in  1645 
 and  subsequent  years. 
 
 "  We  lament  the  defections  that  have  been  made  from  these 
 standards,  in  doctrine,  woi-ship,  discipline,  and  government,  and 
 particularly  all  Socinian,  Arminian,  or  Pelagian  tenets  ;  and  testify 
 against  the  many  acts  of  tyrannical  government  by  the  judicatories 
 of  the  Church,  in  the  restraint  of  due  ministerial  freedom,  and  in 
 the  intrusion  of  ministers  upon  reclaiming  congregation.s. 
 
 "  We  look  upon  lay  patronage  as  contrary  to  the  Word  of  God, 
 to  the  headship  of  Cln-ist,  to  the  independence  of  the  Church,  to  the 
 liberties  of  His  redeemed  people,  and  as  being  fraught  with  danger 
 to  ministerial  elficiencv  and  the  interests  of  vital  godliness. 
 
200  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 "  We  believe  that  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is  the  sole  King  and 
 Head  of  His  own  Church,  and  that  no  law,  institution,  or  ceremony 
 can  bind  the  conscience,  unless  it  bear  on  it  the  stamp  of  His 
 authority.  And  we  regard  this  head  of  testimony  as  of  the  first 
 importance — as  the  vital  element  which  pervades  and  dignifies  every 
 other,  and  which,  therefore,  ought  to  be  maintained  at  whatever  cost 
 of  sacrifice  and  sufiering. 
 
 "  We  believe  that  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  as  the  only  King  in  His 
 own  spiritual  kingdom,  has  appointed  therein  a  government  in  the 
 hands  of  church  office-bearers,  distinct  from,  and  not  subordinate  to 
 the  civil  magistrate,  and  that  it  is  the  imperative  duty  of  the  Church 
 to  maintain  the  independent  jurisdiction  conferred  on  her  by  Christ 
 the  Lord,  and  to  refuse  to  form  her  intex*nal  constitution  and 
 administration  in  accordance  with  the  laws  of  the  land,  when  these 
 are  contrary  to  the  laws  of  Christ. 
 
 "We  believe  that  nations,  in  their  national  capacity,  and  rulers 
 as  rulers,  ai-e  subject  to  His  authority,  and  bound,  according  to  the 
 nature  of  the  powers  bestowed  on  them,  to  do  what  in  them  lies  to 
 promote  His  cause  and  glory. 
 
 '  We  believe  that  the  Church  and  the  State  being  equally  oi-din- 
 ances  of  God,  equally  subject  to  Christ's  authority,  and  equally 
 bound  to  advance  His  interests,  ought,  in  accordance  with  the 
 respective  powers  conferred  on  them,  to  support  one  another  in 
 promoting  whatever  is  good ;  and  especially  that  they  ought  to 
 co-operate  together  for  promoting  the  glory  of  God  and  the  real 
 welfare  of  man. 
 
 "Nations  and  their  riders  being  subjects  of  Christ,  we  believe  it 
 is  lawful  for  them  to  swear  allegiance  to  Him  by  entering  into 
 solemn  covenants  or  confederations  to  defend  His  cause,  and  that  it 
 is  seasonable  and  dutiful  to  do  so  nationally  when  the  religion  and 
 liberties  of  a  nation  may  be  in  danger. 
 
 "  While  we  do  not  affirm  that  there  was  nothing  culpable  or 
 defective  in  the  measures  adopted  by  our  fathei's  in  prosecuting  the 
 work  of  reformation,  we  believe  that  the  Covenants  entered  into  by 
 them  were  in  the  circumstances  lawful  and  laudable  deeds,  and  that 
 great  injury  has  resulted  to  the  interests  of  religion  and  liberty  from 
 not  carrying  out  the  ends  which  they  contemplated,  in  opposition  to 
 Popery,  Prelacy,  and  Erastianism. 
 
 In  fine,  looking  upon  society  as  possessed  of  a  permanent 
 identity  in  the  sight  of  God,  and  on  each  succeeding  age,  as  bound 
 to  implement  the  unexhausted  obligations  contracted  by  national 
 oaths,  we  believe  that  the  covenants  of  our  ancestors, — viz.,  the 
 National  Covenant  of  Scotland,  and  the  Solemn  League  and  Cove- 
 nant of  the  three  Kingdoms — are  still  binding,  and  that  by  them 
 we,  as  a  nation,  are  laid  under  an  additional  obligation  to  maintain 
 the  principles  and  cause  of  the  Reformation. 
 
HISTORY  OP  rXITED  SYNOD,    lS4ll  TO    1852.  201 
 
 "  Holding  such  principles,  iiml  anxiously  chcrisliing  the  hopt;  of  a 
 return  to  the  fellowship  of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  as  the  enviable 
 tornunation  of  all  our  separate  c<intendini(s,  it  may  be  easily  con- 
 ceived that  we  watched  with  no  ordinary  interest,  the  struggles  of 
 the  reforming  party  in  the  National  Church  during  the  wliole  of 
 their  progi-ess,  and  more  especially  those  of  the  Church  herself  which 
 issued  in  her  memorable  Disruption  from  the  State  in  1843.  While 
 unsatisfied  with  the  '  Act  anent  calls,'  viewed  as  a  settlement 
 of  the  ecclesiastical  question,  we  made  all  allowance  for  the 
 ditficulties  which  stood  in  the  way  of  its  right  adjustin«Mit,  so  long 
 a-s  the  law  of  patronage  remained  in  force.  With  the  '  Claim, 
 Declaration,  and  Protest,  anent  the  encroachments  of  the  Court  of 
 Session,'  emitted  in  1842,  we  cordially  acquiesced  ;  and  when,  in 
 the  May  of  next  year,  the  Modei-ator  and  Commissioners  of  the 
 Church  of  Scotland  met  at  Canonmills,  under  their  unanswei-able 
 protest,  and  signed  their  self-denying  demission,  our  Synod,  carried 
 forward  by  deep-felt  sympathy  with  this  noble  apperinince  in  behalf 
 of  the  cro%vu  rights  of  our  common  Lord  and  Redeemer,  were  prepared 
 to  welcome  you  as  brethi-en,  and  by  a  deputation  of  their  number 
 to  I'ecognise  in  you  the  genuine  representatives  of  the  Church  of 
 our  fathers.  To  have  recognised  that  poi-tion  of  the  Church  which 
 remained  in  the  legal  Establishment  as  the  true  Church  of  Scotland, 
 merely  because  the  courts  of  law  recognised  it  as  such,  we  felt  then, 
 as  we  feel  still,  would  have  been  virtually  to  homologate  the 
 Erastianism,  which  ignored  the  Church  of  Scotland  in  her  lawfully 
 constituted  Assembly,  and  would  have  been  inconsistent  with  the 
 whole  spirit  and  principles  of  our  fathers  iu  former  days,  who 
 always  looked  to  the  spiritual  element  of  the  truth,  and  not  to  the 
 mere  legal  sanction  of  the  State,  as  deciding  the  true  character  of 
 the  Church. 
 
 "  The  essential  identity  of  our  sentiments  on  all  the  leading 
 principles  of  our  profession,  with  those  of  the  evangelical  party  in 
 the  National  Church,  developed  during  the  struggles  preceding  the 
 Disruption,  was  attested  by  that  event  in  a  manner  so  unequivocal 
 that  even  then  an  honourable  union  was  supposed  to  be  practicable, 
 and  negotiations  for  that  purpose  were  attemi)ted,  by  the  mutual 
 appointment  of  committees.  As  it  was  iindei-stood,  however,  that 
 overtures  were  to  be  brought  before  the  Assembly  of  the  Free 
 Chui'ch,  urging  the  propriety  of  her  identifying  herself,  by  some 
 formal  declaration,  with  the  Church  of  the  Firet  and  Second  Refor- 
 mation, these  negotiations  were  discontinued  ;  and  thus,  instead  of 
 discussing  terms  of  union,  which  are  ai)t  to  involve  one  or  other  of 
 the  parties  in  ambiguous  statements,  or  in  avowed  concessions  of 
 tnith  for  the  sake  of  peace,  time  was  allowed  to  the  Free  Church  of 
 Scotland  to  mature  and  put  oji  record  her  convictions  as  to  present 
 
202  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 truth  and  duty,  leaving  it  to  us  to  judge  when  we  could  consistently 
 accede  to  her  communion.  Meanwhile,  on  every  public  question 
 connected  with  the  cause  of  the  Reformation,  the  harmony  of  our 
 views  became  more  and  more  apparent.  The  '  Pastoral  Address  ' 
 issued  by  the  General  Assembly  in  1845,  breathed  a  spirit  entirely 
 in  unison  with  our  own,  and  in  point  of  public  profession,  expressed 
 in  substance  almost  everything  that  we  could  desire.  Many  laudable 
 Acts  of  Assembly  have  been  passed,  indicating  at  once  faithful  adher- 
 ence to  former  attainments,  and  a  desire  for  further  reformation.  The 
 missionary  efforts,  and  other  schemes  of  the  Church,  so  vigorously 
 sustained,  argued  her  vitality,  and  pointed  her  out  as  '  a  field  which 
 the  Lord  had  blessed.'  And  if  any  doubt  remained  as  to  the 
 principles  of  the  Free  Church,  these  have  been  removed  by  the  late 
 '  Act  and  Declaration  '  passed  by  the  last  General  Assembly,  and 
 prefixed  to  their  authorised  edition  of  the  Standards ;  the  appear 
 ance  of  which  we  hail  chiefly  as  serving  to  identify  the  Free  Church 
 with  the  Church  of  the  First  and  Second  Reformation  ;  on  account 
 of  its  distinct  avowal  of  all  the  Westminster  Standards  as  the 
 Standards  of  the  Free  Church,  and  its  receiving  these,  not  as  was- 
 done  by  the  old  formula  of  the  Established  Church,  which  merely 
 i-ecognised  the  Confession  of  Faith,  and  that  as  '  ratified  by  lavv  in 
 the  year  1690' — but  fully  and  unreservedly,  as  they  were  received 
 by  the  Church  of  Scotland  in  her  best  and  purest  times,  by  virtue 
 of  her  own  authority ;  and  on  account  of  the  explicit  pledge  which 
 it  contains,  '  to  prosecute  the  ends  contemplated  from  the  beginning 
 in  all  the  acts  and  deeds  of  her  reforming  fathers,  until  the  errors 
 which  they  renounced  shall  have  disappeared  from  the  land,  and  the 
 true  system  which  they  upheld  shall  be  universally  received.' 
 
 "  This,  and  other  acts  of  the  Free  Church,  we  regard,  not  as 
 grounds  of  union,  but  simply  as  data,  from  which  we  may  judge 
 whether  the  time  has  come  when  we  may,  with  honour  and  con- 
 sistency, drop  our  position  of  secession,  and  maintain  our  principles 
 in  communion  with  the  Church  of  Scotland. 
 
 "  After  sei'ious  and  prayerful  consideration,  we  have  been  led  to 
 the  conclusion,  that  it  is  no  longer  dutiful  or  desirable  to  maintain 
 a  separate  judicial  organisation,  but  that  it  is  at  once  our  duty,  and 
 for  the  interests  of  the  great  cause  which  we  have  at  heart,  to  pro- 
 pose uniting  ourselves  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland.  To  this 
 conclusion  we  have  been  led,  Vjy  considering  that  the  Free  Church 
 now  occupies  such  a  position,  in  respect  of  her  constitution  and 
 administration,  as  renders  it  unwarrantable  in  us  to  maintain  and 
 prosecute  an  active  and  positive  secession  from  her  communion, 
 and  that  she  is  the  true  representative  of  that  Chui'ch,  from  the 
 prevailing  party  in  whose  judicatories  our  fathei-s  declai-ed  a  seces- 
 sion.     Believing  also  that  she  not  only  profet-sedly  but  practically 
 
HISTORY  OF  UNITED  SYNOD,  1842  TO  1852.    '20:i 
 
 adheres  to  the  Westminster  formularies,  as  her  subordinate  standards 
 of  doctrine,  worship,  discipline,  and  governuient,  jvs  these  were 
 ratified  with  certain  explanations,  by  di\ers  Acts  of  Assembly  in 
 the  years  1G45,  1047,  and  1G48,  we  are  fully  satisfied  that  all  the 
 gi-ounds  of  secession  as  oiiginally  stated  have  been  removed,  and 
 that  all  the  ends  of  that  Testimony  hitherto  held  by  us  in  a  state  of 
 separation,  may  be  now  warrantably  and  faithfully  prosecuted  in 
 communion  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotlaml. 
 
 "  With  this  view  the  following  Kcsolution,  forming  the  substance 
 of  an  overture  for  union  witii  the  Free  Church,  signetl  by  nineteen 
 of  our  ministers,  was  moved  and  carrietl  at  our  late  meeting  of 
 Synod,  viz  : — 
 
 " '  That  this  Synod  do  now  recognise  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland 
 as  being  constitutionally,  both  by  Divine  and  human  right,  the 
 Church  of  Scotland,  to  which  our  fathers  appealed  ;  and  also,  that 
 the  Synod  do  aflectionately  and  respectfully  propose  to  unite  with 
 the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  on  the  basis  of  the  Westminster 
 Standards,  held  in  integrity,  and  suitably  applied  in  the  way  of 
 ]>rosecuting  the  ends  of  our  National  Covenants,  to  whicli  we  are 
 bound  by  our  ordination  vows,  namely,  "  in  the  way  of  abhorring 
 and  detesting  all  contrary  religion  and  doctrine,  but  chiefly  all  kinds 
 of  Papistry,  in  general  and  particular  heads,  even  as  they  are  now 
 condemned  by  the  Word  of  God  and  Kirk  of  Scotland,"  which  is 
 the  end  to  which  we  are  bound  by  the  National  Covenant  of  Scot- 
 land ;  and,  more  pai-ticularly,  that  we  propose  to  unite  with  them 
 in  the  way  of  "  endeavouring  to  maintain  the  Eeformed  Religion  in 
 the  Church  of  Scotland,  in  doctrine,  worship,  discipline,  and  govern- 
 ment, against  our  common  enemies — to  promote  the  reformation  of 
 religion  in  the  kingdoms  of  England  and  Ireland,  and  to  luring  the 
 Churches  of  God  in  the  three  kingdoms  to  the  nearest  conjunction 
 and  uniformity  in  Religion,  Confession  of  Faith,  Form  of  Govern- 
 ment, Directory  for  Worship,  and  Catechisms,"  and  in  the  way  of 
 "  extirpating,''  that  is,  endeavouring  to  root  out,  "  Popery,  Prelacy, 
 Sujjerstition,  Schism,  Profaneness,  and  whatever  shall  be  found 
 contrary  to  sound  doctrine  and  the  power  of  godliness," — the  ends 
 which  we  are  bound  to  i)i-osecute  by  the  Solemn  League  and  Cove- 
 nant ;  it  being  undei-stood  that  these  ends  are  to  be  j)rosecuted  in  a 
 suitableness  to  present  ciicumstiinces,  and  only  by  such  means  as  are 
 competent  for  a  Church  of  Christ  to  employ  ;  it  being  also  distinctly 
 understood,  that  we  hold  by  the  Standards  and  Constitution  of  the 
 Church  of  Scotland,  not  only  as  these  may  have  been  explained  in 
 any  Act  or  Acts  of  the  Free  Church,  but  also  as  they  are  stated  and 
 defended  in  our  own  Testimony.  In  tine,  it  is  hereby  moved,  that 
 a  Representation  and  Appeal,  embodying  the  above  principles,  be 
 drawn  out  and  signed  by  the  Moderator  and  Clerk  in  the  name  of 
 
204  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 this  Synod,  and  transmitted  to  the  next  meeting  of  the  General 
 Assembly  of  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  intimating  our  readiness, 
 on  a  favourable  reception  being  given  to  its  terms,  forthwith  to 
 terminate  our  Secession  according  to  the  original  design  of  our 
 fathers.' 
 
 "  We  liave,  on  these  grounds,  agreed  to  propose,  and  we  hereby 
 most  respectfully  and  affectionately  would  propose,  union  with  our 
 brethren  of  the  Free  Church.  Our  sentiments  may  be  stronger  on 
 some  points  than  tliose  judicially  avowed  by  the  Fi'ee  Church,  but 
 they  are  not  hostile  to  any  of  them  ;  there  may  be  a  want  of  entire 
 identity  between  us,  but  there  is  nothing  like  reptignance  or  incon- 
 gruity ;  we  are  aiming  at  the  same  ends,  guided  by  the  same 
 standards,  and  animated  by  the  same  spirit.  While,  therefore,  we 
 freely  accede  to  all  the  principles  of  the  Free  Church  as  ours,  we 
 beg  it  to  be  understood  that  we  desire  to  be  received  as  adhering  to 
 the  original  standards  and  constitution  of  the  Church  of  Scotland, 
 not  only  as  asserted  and  vindicated  in  any  of  the  acts  or  declara- 
 tions of  the  Free  Church,  but  also  as  asserted  and  vindicated  in  our 
 own  Testimony,  to  all  the  principles  of  which  we  still  adhere.  These 
 we  have  already  stated  in  the  fullest  and  frankest  manner ;  and  it 
 remains  now  for  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Free  Church  to  say, 
 whether  they  are  prepared  to  receive  a  body,  holding  themselves 
 bound  by  their  ordination  vows  to  these  principles,  and  determined, 
 through  the  gi-ace  of  God,  to  maintain  them  in  union  with  the  Free 
 Church,  as  they  have  hitherto  done  in  a  state  of  Secession.  We 
 claim  it  as  our  right  to  be  recognised  as  the  representatives  of  the 
 first  Seceders,  who  now  return  to  the  Church  of  our  fathers,  on  the 
 understanding  that  she  has  i-eturned  to  her  adherence  to  the  great 
 cause  oi  the  Reformation,  and  that,  in  acceding  to  her  communion, 
 we  shall  continue,  in  our  several  congregations,  to  administer 
 ordinances  and  discipline  as  we  have  hitherto  done.  We  also 
 request  that  this  our  Appeal  may  be  inserted  in  the  minutes  of  the 
 General  Assembly,  signed  by  our  names,  in  perpetual  memory  of  the 
 transaction. 
 
 "  Waiting  the  reply  of  the  General  Assemblj-^  to  this  our  repre- 
 sentation and  Appeal,  and  earnestly  entreating  for  you,  as  for  our- 
 selves, the  guidance  of  the  Holy  Spirit  in  this  interesting  crisis  of 
 our  history^  we  remain,  Reverend  and  Dear  Bi'ethren,  yours  in  the 
 Lord." 
 
 Deputation  to  the  Free  Church  General  Assembly. 
 
 A  deputation,  consisting  of  Rev.  Drs  M'Crie  and  Shaw,  and 
 Messrs  William  White,  Haddington,  and  John  Dunlop  Paxton, 
 
HCSTORY  OF  INITKI)  SYNUD.    1842  To    1  STrJ.  '20f> 
 
 Glasgow,  was  appoiutcJ  to  lay  this  i\'j)rcseiitation  licioru  the 
 General  Assembly  of  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland. 
 
 The  appeal  was  presentetl  on  the  evening  of  Friday,  the 
 21st  of  May  185  2,  by  Dr  M'Crie,  who  said  that  in  this  re- 
 jiresentation  from  the  Synod  of  United  Original  Seceders  would 
 bo  found  a  general  summary  of  their  distinctive  principles,  and 
 the  terms  on  which  they  sought  ailmission  to  the  Free  Church, 
 that  they  regarded  the  Free  Church,  not  as  a  mere  branch  of 
 the  Church  of  Scotland,  but  •constitutionally  as  that  church 
 itself,  and  hence  as  their  own  mother  church. 
 
 He  then  presented  the  Representation  and  Appeal  to  the 
 Moderator,  who,  having  caused  the  same  to  be  read,  Dr  Cand- 
 lish  moved  the  appointment  of  a  Committee  to  consider  the 
 document,  and  form  a  suitable  deliverance,  to  be  afterwards 
 submitted  to  the  General  Assembly.  In  doing  so  he  stated 
 that  he  attached  very  great  value  indeed  to  the  unequivocal 
 testimony  borne  by  the  Original  Seceders  to  the  Free  Church 
 as  being  truly  the  Church  of  Scotland.  He  felt  both  gratified 
 and  strengthened  by  this  testimony.  Referring  to  Dr  M'Crie, 
 he  said,  his  distinguislied  father,  the  biographer  of  Knox, 
 had  contributed  fully  as  much  as  any  other  man  raised  up  by 
 God  to  the  resurrection  and  advancement  of  Reformation 
 principles. 
 
 The  motion,  which  was  unanimously  agreed  to,  was  seconded 
 by  Alex.  Murray  Duulop,  Esq.  (the  franier  of  the  famous  Free 
 Church  Claim  of  Right),  whorenmrked  that  the  Assembly  must  all 
 hail  with  joy  the  prospect  of  seeing  restored  to  it  those  whom 
 the  misdeeds  of  their  fathers  had  driven  from  the  church  ; 
 and  he  rejoiced  to  see  the  Original  Seceders  represented  by  a 
 son  of  the  historian  of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  in  regard  to- 
 whom  he  concurred  most  cordially  with  Dr  Candlish  in  think- 
 ing, that  no  man  had  done  more  to  raise  again  from  the 
 oblivion  into  which  they  had  fallen,  the  glorious  princijjles  of 
 the  First  and  Second  Reformations,  than  the  late  Dr  M'Crie, 
 He  could  say  for  himself  that  it  was  the  reading  of  M'Crie's 
 History  of  the  Reformers  that  first  raised,  or  at  least  revived, 
 in  his  own  heart  those  feelings  of  love  and  affection  for  Pres- 
 byterian principle  and  polity,  and  that  enthusiastic  admira- 
 tion of  the  deeds  of  their  forefathers  which  had   \vd  him  into 
 
206  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 the  course  he  had  since  pursued.  He  believed,  moreover,  that 
 he  was  but  a  unit  among  thousands  on  whom  the  same  influ- 
 ence had  operated,  and  it  could  not  but  be  to  them  a  source  of 
 great  satisfaction,  that  this  proposition — a  proposition  so  de- 
 lightful in  itself — had  been  made  to  them  now  by  the  son  of 
 the  crreat  historian  of  the  Scottish  Church. 
 
 Whilst  the  General  Assembly's  Committee,  along  with 
 Representatives  from  the  Original  Seceders,  were  preparing  a 
 suitable  basis  of  union,  the  Synod  of  United  Original  Seceders 
 held  its  last  meeting  on  Monday,  24th  May  1852,  in  Davie 
 Street  Church,  Edinburgh.  The  proceedings  were  opened  by  a 
 suitable  discourse  from  2  Sam.  xv.  2.5,  delivered  by  the  Rev. 
 Jas.  Beattie  of  Balmullo,  after  which  the  Synod  was  duly 
 constituted,  and  chose  Rev.  Dr  M'Crie,  Edinburgh,  as 
 Moderator. 
 
 The  Synod  having  called  for  the  Report  of  the  Deputation 
 which  had  been  appointed  to  bring  the  Representation  and 
 Appeal  of  the  Synod  before  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Free 
 Church,  it  was  stated  by  Dr  M'Crie  that  the  deputation  had 
 been  received  by  the  Free  Assembly  at  their  first  sederunt 
 for  public  business,  that  the  Representation  and  Appeal  pre- 
 sented by  them  in  name  of  this  Synod  had  been  read  by  the 
 Clerk  of  the  Assembly,  and  that  a  large  Committee  had  been 
 appointed  to  take  it  into  consideration,  to  confer  with  the 
 deputation  in  regard  to  it,  and  report  to  the  Assembly  as  soon 
 as  possible. 
 
 This  report  was  approved  of,  and  the  members  of  the  de- 
 putation, with  the  addition  of  Rev.  Jas.  Beattie,  and  Messrs 
 Wm.  M'Crie,  Richard  Whytock,  Wm.  Bremner,  Wm.  Salmond, 
 and  Andrew  Meek,  were  continued  as  a  Committee,  throusfh 
 whom  any  communications  with  the  Committee  of  the  Free 
 Church  might  be  conveyed.  The  Synod's  Committee  having 
 held  a  conference  with  the  Committee  of  the  Free  Assembly, 
 chiefly  in  regard  to  financial  arrangements,  the  Synod,  at  a 
 subsequent  sederunt,  agreed  to  send  the  following  minute  to 
 the  Committee  of  the  Free  Assembly  : — 
 
 "  That  in  proposing  union  with  the  Free  Church,  this  Synod  has 
 been  actuated  solely  by  a  regard  to  public  principle,  and  is  willing 
 and  desirous  that  tlie  union  be  consummated  jjurely  on  tlie  ground 
 
HISTORY  OF  UNITED  SYNOD,    18-12  TO   1852.  207 
 
 of  j»iiiifij)le,  iiTe.si)ectivt'ly  of  tcnii)oral  arriingciiionts  ;  and  liiiving  no 
 expectation,  as  a  SynotI,  of  being  placed  on  the  Sustentation  Funil 
 of  the  Free  Churcli  of  Scotland,  thoy  li'avo  these  anangcnicnts  to  he 
 afterwards  anncahly  adjusted." 
 
 Whilst  the  Original  Seceders  were  engatjed  setting  their 
 ati'airs  iu  order  in  the  prospect  of  their  early  di.ssolution  as  a 
 branch  of  the  Christian  Church,  let  a  glance  now  be  taken  of 
 the  Free  Church  Assembly  and  the  progress  union  negotia- 
 tions were  making  there.  On  Thursday,  27th  May,  an  interim 
 report  on  the  Original  Seceders'  Representation  and  Appeal  was 
 given  in  by  Dr  Caudlish.  This  report,  which  was  agi'eed  to 
 with  acclamation,  contained  the  propo.sed  deliverance,  which, 
 along  with  a  supplementary  act,  formed  the  basis  on  which  the 
 Original  Seceders  united  with  the  Free  Church  on  the  1st 
 June  following,  and  which  basis  is  given  in  the  account  of  the 
 proceedings  of  that  eventful  day. 
 
 The  presentation  of  this  interim  re})ort,  however,  afforddl 
 an  opportunity,  which  was  gladly  embraced  by  Free  Church- 
 men, of  testifying  their  high  esteem  for  Old  Light  Seceders, 
 and  the  good  work  they  had  been  enabled  to  accomplish. 
 
 Dr  Candlish  said  tiie  Assembly's  Committee,  as  well  as  that 
 of  the  Original  Seceders,  had,  after  repeated  conferences, 
 agieed  to  a  report  or  basis,  which  made  way  for  the  happy 
 consummation  of  the  propo.sed  union. 
 
 The  principle  upon  which  this  document  had  been  carefully 
 framed,  was  that  of  frankly  conceding  to  the  United  Original 
 Seceders  what  was  conceded  to  the  Old  Light  Burgher  Synod 
 that  joined  the  Church  in  1839,  viz. : — full  liberty  to  maintain 
 their  own  opinions  upon  the  subject  of  the  descending 
 obligation  of  the  Covenants ;  but  the  document  had  been 
 framed  also  upon  the  principle  of  carefully  excluding  the  idea 
 of  committing  the  Free  Church  to  any  opinion  in  any  way 
 upon  that  subject. 
 
 In  that  point  of  view,  he  thought  the  basis  of  union  would 
 be  found  to  be  thoroughly  unexceptionable,  going  the  length 
 of  simply  saying,  that  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  recog- 
 nise the  brethren  proposing  to  join  them,  as  representing 
 the  Oricrinal  Seceders  from  the  Ciiurch  of  Scotland  upwards 
 of  a  centurv  before  ;   not,  of  course,  as  being  the  sole  represen- 
 
208  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 tatives  of  those  Seceders,  for  they  had  ah-eady  admitted  a 
 body  of  them  (the  Old  Light  Burgher  Synod  iu  1839),  but 
 as  representing  the  Seceders  ;  and  the  document  had  been 
 framed  upon  the  principle  of  acknowledging  them  as  repre- 
 senting the  Seceders,  and  allowing  them  the  liberty  which  the 
 Church  should  have  allowed  them  more  than  a  century  ago — 
 before  it  drove  them  into  a  state  of  separation.  They  were 
 bound  also  to  acknowledge  the  services  generally  which  the 
 Original  Seceders  had  rendered  to  religion,  and  to  say  that 
 they  united  with  them  in  recognising  the  obligation  lying 
 upon  us  to  prosecute  Reformation  principles,  with  a  view  to 
 the  preservation  of  which,  the  Covenants  were  entered  into ; 
 and  above  all,  to  oppose  in  all  its  forms  the  system  of  Popery 
 and  all  its  tendencies  and  iuflueuces,  wherever  they  may  be 
 found. 
 
 This  union  was  perhaps  the  most  important  matter  that  this 
 Assembly  had  to  transact,  for  when  they  considered  what  it 
 implied  in  reference  to  the  whole  past  history  of  this  Church  : — 
 what  it  implied  in  regard  to  the  important  testimony  now 
 borne  to  the  great  principles  for  which  they  were  contending  ; — 
 the  principles  involved  in  the  acknowledgment  of  Christ's 
 Headship  over  the  Church  and  over  the  Nations  ; — and  when 
 they  considered  all  the  bearings  of  this  transaction,  they  must 
 feel  it  to  be  by  far  the  most  important  transaction  about 
 which  this  Assembly  had  to  concern  itself. 
 
 Having  made  this  statement,  Dr  Candlish  proposed  that 
 the  deliverance,  or  basis  of  union,  he  had  read  be  approved, 
 and  printed,  with  the  view  of  its  being  passed  into  an  Act  at 
 the  closing  diet  of  Assembly  on  1st  June,  when  the  union  of 
 the  Original  Seceders  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  was 
 (D.V.)  to  be  consummated. 
 
 Rev.  Dr  Begg  expressed  great  pleasure  in  seconding  the 
 motion,  and  said  they  were  enacting  a  part  of  history,  since 
 this  pioposed  union  was  in  reality  a  most  important  step  in 
 the  progress  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  Scotland.  He  was 
 satisfied  that  had  Knox,  and  Henderson,  and  Melville  lived 
 now,  they  would  at  once  see,  in  the  great  earnestness  with 
 which  the  Free  Church  was  pursuing  the  objects  they  had  in 
 view,  an   evidence  of  that  real   succession  which  can  be  dis- 
 
IIISTOKV  OF  UNITED  SYNOD,  1842  TO   1852.  20f) 
 
 tiuguished  apart  altogL'thcr  from  mere  teclmicalitics  ;  ami  it 
 seemed  to  him  a  most  important  matter  that  this  union  was 
 to  be  ettectod.  This  union  was  founck'd  on  principles  honour- 
 able, noble,  and  entirely  scriptural,  and  was  a  union  with  men, 
 many  of  whom  he  had  the  pleasure  of  reckoning  amongst  his 
 most  valued  and  most  endeared  friends,  some  of  whom  he 
 was  satisfied  would  be  found  foremost  and  most  vif'orous  in 
 the  eontendings  to  which  they  might  have  to  resort  in  fight- 
 ing the  fight  of  Faith,  as  good  soldiers  of  the  Cross. 
 
 Rev.  Dr  Gibson  declared  his  deliglit  in  this  proposetl  union, 
 which  compromised  no  principle  on  the  part  of  the  Free 
 Church,  and  which  on  the  other  hand  did  not  in  any  way 
 compromise  the  body  proposing  to  nnite  with  them.  He 
 must  say  that,  if  on  the  one  side  or  the  other  any  principle 
 had  been  compromised,  he  would  not  have  considered  the 
 union  safe  or  honourable,  either  for  the  one  or  for  the  other. 
 It  was,  however,  matter  of  congratulation  and  delight,  that 
 they  could  welcome  their  brethren  into  their  ranks,  and 
 receive  them  as  a  constituent  portion  of  the  Church  of  Scotland. 
 He  approved  of  the  testimony  borne  to  the  faithfulness  of 
 their  Seceding  brethren.  Some  considered  that  it  was  a  sort  of 
 unintelligible  crotchet  that  distinguished  the  Seceders,  that 
 they  were  a  small,  scrupulous,  crotchety  body,  who  held 
 opinions  that  nobody  understood.  But  when  important  prin- 
 ciples came  to  be  at  stake,  affecting  the  constitution  of  the 
 Church  of  Christ,  the  duty  of  the  State  towards  the  Church,  and 
 the  duty  of  nations  to  Christ,  then  they  found  the  importance 
 of  the  testimony  which  their  Seceding  brethren  maintained. 
 
 After  some  laudatory  remarks  from  the  Rev.  j\rr  Duncan  of 
 Ceres,  the  Rev.  Dr  Clason  said  that  as  one  of  the  old  ministers 
 who  sat  in  that  Assembly,  he  could  assure  them  that  the 
 prospect  they  had  of  union  with  their  Secession  brethren  had 
 awakened  in  his  heart  the  tenderest  recollection  of  former  days, 
 when,  in  his  hearing,  a  minister  of  the  church,  under  whose  roof 
 he  was  educated,  spoke  of  the  Seceders  just  as  brethren,  and 
 cherished  fondly  the  hope  that  the  day  would  come  when  a 
 union  might  be  effected  with  them. 
 
 The  motion  was  then  put  formally  from  the  Chair,  and 
 adopted. 
 
210  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Leaving  the  Free  General  Assembly,  with  its  multitudinous 
 business,  it  will  be  well  to  revisit  the  United  Original  Seces- 
 sion Synod,  which,  on  receiving  a  copy  of  the  Free  General 
 Assembly's  deliverance  anent  the  Representation  and  Appeal 
 from  the  Original  Secede rs,  unanimously  adopted  the  follow- 
 ing minute  : — 
 
 "  '  The  Synod  having  heard  the  proposed  Deliverance  of  the 
 General  Assembly  of  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  anent  the  Re- 
 presentation and  Appeal  of  this  Synod,  after  serious  consider- 
 ation of  the  same,  unanimously  express  their  cordial  satisfaction 
 with  it.  The  Synod  then  appointed  a  brother  to  engage  in  prayer ; 
 and  the  question  being  put,  Does  the  Synod  now  consider  the 
 Avay  ojien  to  accede  to  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  in  the  event 
 of  that  Deliverance  being  passed  as  an  Act  of  the  Genei'al  Assembly 
 of  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  1  it  was  carried  unanimously — 
 accede.  Wherefore,  this  Synod  did,  and  hereby  do  agree,  in  that 
 event,  to  accede,  as  a  Synod,  to  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  and 
 thiis  fulfil  the  design  of  their  fathers  in  stating  the  Secession.  The 
 Synod  fiu-ther  agree  that,  after  constituting  on  Tuesday  next,  the 
 l.st  day  of  June,  the  following  members  shall  appear  before  the 
 General  Assembly  of  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  as  representa- 
 tives of  this  Synod,  viz.,  Dr  Thomas  M'Crie,  Edinburgh,  moderator  ; 
 Dr  Robert  Shaw,  Whitburn,  Synod  clerk;  Mr  William  White, 
 Haddington  ;  Mr  James  Black,  Kirkcaldy  ;  and  Mr  Edward  Ander- 
 son Thomson,  Dundee,  ministers  ;  with  Mr  William  Bremner,  and 
 Mr  George  Shirra  Gibb,  elders,  to  announce  the  final  decision  of 
 this  Synod  to  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Free  Church  of 
 Scotland.' 
 
 "  The  Synod  agreed  that  all  the  members  of  this  present  Synod 
 be  appointed  a  standing  committee,  to  manage  any  of  the  temporal 
 affairs  connected  with  this  Synod  which  may  require  to  be  after- 
 wards adjusted,  and  to  settle  these  as  they  may  see  cause  ;  and  that 
 the  following  memlters  be  appointed  a  sub-committee,  viz.,  Dr 
 M'Ciie,  Dr  Shaw,  Rev.  William  White,  and  Rev.  James  Black, 
 along  with  Messrs  Richard  Whytock,  William  M'Crie,  Andrew 
 Meek,  William  Brenmer,  and  David  Waterston — Dr  M'Crie  to  be 
 convener  ;  Dr  Shaw,  clerk  ;  and  Mr  Waterston,  treasurer.  This 
 committee  to  be  continued  as  long  as  may  be  considered  necessary. 
 
 "  The  al>ove-mentioned  sub-committee  was  appointed  to  nieet  with 
 a  deputation  from  the  protesting  brethren,  when  their  Synod -meets 
 in  the  month  of  June  next,  or  at  such  other  time  as  may  be  agreed 
 upon,  in  order  to  come  to  an  equitable  arrangement  respecting  the 
 Mission  Fund,  and  other  property  of  the  Synod  ;  and  the  Synod 
 now  resolved  that  the  amount  of  the  Mission  Fund,  which  shall 
 
HLSTOKY  OF   INITKI)  .SYNOD,   184-J  TO    1852.  '2\  I 
 
 pertain  to  them,  be  convcyoil  over  to  the  Foreign  Mission  Fund  of 
 the  Free  Chmvh,  and  that  it  be  recommench'd  to  sucli  of  our  con- 
 givgations  as  Iiave  formed  ji-ssociations  for  the  support  of  an  Indian 
 ^Mission,  and  have  funds  already  collected  for  tiiis  suliject,  that  they 
 do  now  transmit  these  funds  to  the  Foreign  Mission  Fund  of  tlie 
 Free  Church,  and  earnestly  recommmd  them  to  maintain  the  asso- 
 ciations already  organised. 
 
 *'  The  General  Assembly  having  remitted  the  farther  eonsidei-ation 
 of  financial  arrangements  to  a  committee,  the  Synod  authorised  the 
 above  sub-committee  to  confer  with  this  committee  of  the  Assembly, 
 and  make  such  arrangements  as  may  be  deemed  i)ro[)er. 
 
 "The  Spiod  again  met,  and  was  constituted  on  the  1st  day  of 
 June  ;  and  in  winding  np  the  business  of  the  Synod,  it  was  con- 
 sidered as  an  act  both  of  courtesy  and  justice,  to  have  recorded  in 
 their  miiuites  the  high  estimate  enteitained  by  the  meml)ers  of  this 
 conrt  of  the  character  and  talents  of  Dr  ^M'Crie,  their  theological 
 professor  ;  Dr  Shaw,  their  clerk  ;  and  the  Rev.  Mr  White,  editor  of 
 the  Original  Secession  Mar/azine.  Accordingly,  it  was  moved, 
 seconded,  and  unanimously  agreed  to, — First,  That  the  thanks  of 
 the  Synod  be  given  to  Dr  ]\I'Crie,  the  Theological  Professor  of  this 
 body,  for  the  ethL-ient  manner  in  which  he  has  discharged  the  duties 
 of  his  responsible  situation  since  the  time  of  his  appointment  as 
 Professor ;  second/ 1/,  That  the  thanks  of  the  Synod  be  given  to  Dr 
 Shaw  for  the  ability,  accuracy,  and  fidelity  with  which  he  hiUi 
 discharged  the  duties  of  Synod  Clerk  ;  and,  thirdly,  That  the  thanks 
 of  the  Synod  be  given  to  the  Rev.  Mr  White  for  the  talented, 
 energetic,  and  judicious  manner  in  which,  as  Editor,  he  has  con- 
 ducted the  Original  Secession  Magazine,  since  its  connnencement ; 
 and  j)articularly,  for  the  able  manner  in  which  he  has  ex]»lained  and 
 advocated  the  principles  of  the  Reformed  and  Covenanted  Church  of 
 Scotland,  and  elucidated  the  design  and  objects  of  the  Secession,  in 
 a  variety  of  articles,  which  have  materially  tended  to  bring  about 
 the  Union  v.ith  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  now  about  to  be 
 consummated. 
 
 "  The  business  being  closed,  the  members  formerly  appointed  as 
 the  rejjresentatives  of  the  Synod,  with  Dr  M'Crie,  as  Moderator,  at 
 their  head,  now  proceeded  to  Tanfield  Hall,  to  announce  the  final 
 ■decision  of  this  Synod  to  the  Free  Assembly,  and  consummate  the 
 Union  of  this  Synod  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland. 
 
 Consuni)pation  of  the  Union  hetv:een   the   Oriijinal  Scceders  and  the 
 
 Free  Church. 
 
 "This  auspicious  event  took  j^lace'on  the  evt-ning  of  Tuesday,  the 
 1st  day  of  June  1852.  The  capacious  hall  of  the  Assembly  was  filled 
 in  every  part  long  before  the  hour  of  meeting,  and  the  passages  were 
 
212  ANNALS  OF  ORKUNAL  SECESSION. 
 
 crowded.  At  a  few  minutes  before  seven  o'clock,  tlie  deputatit  u 
 from  the  Synod  of  Original  Seceders,  consisting  of  the  Eev.  Dr 
 M'Crie,  Moderator  of  the  Synod  ;  Dr  Shaw  of  "Whitburn,  Clei'k  of 
 the  Synod  ;  Mr  "White,  Haddington ;  Mr  Black,  Kirkcaldy ;  and 
 Mr  E.  A.  Thomson,  Dundee ;  with  Mr  "William  Bremner  and  M  r 
 George  Shirra  Gibb,  elders,  headed  by  Dr  Duft"  entered  the  Hall, 
 and  were  received  with  loud  applause.  Di-  Makellar,  the  Moderator, 
 presided.  After  singing  the  first  portion  of  the  cxxxiii.  Psalm,  and 
 engaging  in  devotional  exercises,  the  Clerk,  amid  applause,  intimated 
 that  they  would  now  take  up  the  matter  relative  to  union  with  the 
 Original  Seceders,  and  the  acts  relative  thereto. 
 
 "  Dr  Candlish  then  rose  and  said,  I  hold  in  my  hand  the  two  Acts 
 which  I  now  request  this  Assembly  to  pass.  They  have  been 
 printed  in  terms  of  the  standing  orders.  The  one  of  them, — 
 the  principal  and  fundamental  Act — was  in  substance  approved  of, 
 or  rather  was  in  effect  approved  of,  at  a  former  diet  of  this 
 Assembly.  The  second,  and  supplementary  Act,  was  also  in  sub- 
 stance a2Dpro\"ed  of.  In  regard  to  the  first  and  principal  A  ct,  I  have 
 no  alteration  to  propose,  and  I  do  not  suppose  that  any  one  here 
 has  any  change  to  propose  upon  it.  In  regard  to  the  second  Act, 
 which  was  jjresented  yesterday,  which  relates  to  the  manner  of  the 
 admission  of  our  brethren,  and  the  financial  arrangement  upon 
 which  their  congregations  are  to  be  placed,  I  have  no  alteration  to 
 submit,  except  a  mere  verbal  one,  which  is  occasioned  by  the  circum- 
 stance that  the  document  was  framed  under  the  impression  that  all 
 the  brethi-en  had  already  sigiied  the  Representation  and  Appeal ; 
 whereas  we  now  find  that  this  is  not  the  case ;  and  therefore  it  is 
 necessary  to  make  provision,  not  merely  for  the  admission  of  those 
 who  up  to  this  date  have  subscribed,  but  for  those  who  may 
 subscribe  that  Representation  and  Appeal ;  and  also  because  I  think 
 it  desirable  that  in  this  way  we  should  leave  an  open  door  for  the 
 admission  of  any,  if  any  there  should  be,  who  may  apply  as 
 individuals,  after  the  Synod,  as  a  body,  has  been  received,  to  any  of 
 the  Presbyteries  of  the  Church.  I  am  not  altogether  without  hope 
 that,  even  after  we  have  consummated  this  union,  there  may  be 
 individual  brethren  who  may  see  their  way  to  join  us  substantially 
 on  the  same  footing  ;  and  I  have  no  doubt  that,  in  terms  of  the  Act, 
 which  we  are  about  to  pass  to-night,  any  such  brethren  coming  to 
 us,  even  after  this  union  is  consummated,  will  find  ready  access 
 through  the  Presbyteries  of  the  Church  ;  and  I  do  not  doubt  that, 
 HI  the  event  of  any  difliculty  occvii-ring  in  any  of  the  Presbyteries  of 
 this  Church,  so  applied  to,  they  will  obtain  the  advice  of  the  Com- 
 mission at  any  of  its  stated  diets.  Having  made  this  explanation, 
 I  have,  in  the  first  place,  to  move  the  passing  of  the  first  Act — that 
 anent   the   Representation   and  Appeal   of    the    Original    Secession 
 
Hisroi;Y  OK  rxiTKi)  s^^(H),  IS-li!  lo  1852.       21:3 
 
 iSyuoil — wliicli  was  rcml  in  the  Assembly  at  an  early  stajjo  of  its 
 proceedings,  and  wliieh  has  been  in  print  before  the  Assembly  for 
 several  days.  That  Act  divides  itself  into  two  jiarts,  which  I  will 
 take  the  liberty  of  reading  sej)arat<-ly,  with  ])erhaps  a  remark  or 
 two  in  passing.  The  lirst  jiart  is  the  snl)stantial  part  of  it  ;  and  is 
 as  follows : — 
 
 "  '  Whereas,  ;w//Hf),  the  Synod  of  United  Original  Seceders  profes-ses 
 to  represent  the  brethren  who,  upwards  of  a  century  ago,  protested 
 against  the  course  of  defection  pursued,  and  tyrannical  procedure 
 adopted  by  tlu>  party  then  i)revai]ing  in  this  Church,  and  seceded 
 from  the  said  paity  on  the  ground  thereof;  aiijiealing,  at  the  same 
 time,  against  the  censures  pronounced  upon  them  "  unto  the  first  free, 
 faithful,  and  reforming  General  Assembly  of  the  Church  of  Scotland:" 
 
 "  '  Whereas,  secimdo,  the  said  Synod,  following  out  the  aforesaid 
 Appeal,  have  made  a  Representation  and  Appeal  to  this  present 
 Genei-al  Assembly,  with  a  view  to  re-union  with  this  Church,  on  the 
 basis  of  the  Westminster  Standards  : 
 
 "  '  Wliereas,  fcrtio,  the  (Jeneral  Assembly  recognise  the  said  Synod 
 as  representing  the  said  seceding  brethren,  and  not  only  condemn 
 and  deplore  the  coui*se  of  defection  and  tyrannical  procedure  which 
 led  to  their  original  separation,  but  disaprove  of  and  disown  the 
 censures  against  which  they  felt  themselves  constrained  to  appeal ;  and, 
 
 "  '  Whereas,  quarto,  the  said  llepresentation  and  Appeal  is  in  no 
 respect  inconsistent  with  the  Standards  of  this  Church,  or  with  the 
 principles  for  which  she  has  been  honoured  to  contend  in  the  best 
 and  purest  periods  of  her  history, 
 
 " '  The  General  Assembly  cordially  agree  to  the  proposal  of 
 re-union  made  in  the  said  Representation  and  A})peal,  and  fully 
 consent  that  their  brethren  continue  free  to  hold  the  views  tlierein 
 set  forth,  and  to  enjoy  the  liberty  therein  claimed,  in  suborilination 
 to  the  discipline  and  government  of  this  Church.' 
 
 "  This  is  the  substantial  part  of  the  Act  ;  and,  in  passing  it,  we 
 are  in  one  sense  sitting  as  a  jiidicial  court  in  judgment.  We  are 
 judging  a  case  of  Appeal.  Our  brethi-en  have  brought  to  us  the 
 Appeal  which  the  bi-ethren  they  represent  lodged  with  the  General 
 Assembly  of  the  Church  of  Scotland  u[)wards  of  a  century  ago. 
 That  is  the  attitude  in  which  they  come  to  us.  We  are,  as  it  were, 
 transported  backwards  along  the  stream  of  time  for  more  than  a 
 century.  We  recognise  this  night  events  its  if  they  wei'e  fresh, 
 ■which  are  now  matter  of  history  more  than  a  hundred  years  old. 
 We  take  up  this  night,  virtually  and  sub.st;\ntially,  an  appeal  lodged 
 with  the  General  Assend)ly  more  than  a  century  ago,  and  we  dispose 
 of  that  appeal.  Our  bi-etlncn  come  to  us  professing  to  rei'resent  the 
 brethren  who  then  laid  that  a])peal  upon  the  table  of  the  General 
 Assembly.      We  i-eceive  them  in  that  character.      It  is  a  historical 
 
214  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 transaction  whicli  is  this  night  to  be  consummated.  They  come  to 
 us,  tracing  their  histoi-ical  descent  from  the  brethren  who  laid  that 
 a2ipeal  on  the  table  of  the  Church.  We  receive  them,  tracing  our 
 historical  descent  from  the  Church  with  which  they  lodged  that 
 appeal.  It  was  an  appeal,  not  against  the  Church,  but  against  the 
 prevailing  party  in  the  Church.  It  was  an  appeal  against  a  party 
 who  were  transgressing  the  laws,  and  who  were  compromising  the 
 principles  of  the  Church — to  the  Church  as  she  should  be  seen  and 
 be  found  represented  in  a  fi"ee,  faithful,  and  reforming  Assembly. 
 This  is  the  character  in  which  our  brethren  come  to  us,  and  we 
 receive  them,  claiming  for  ourselves  to  be,  what  they  recognise  us 
 to  be,  the  Church  to  which  they  appealed  against  a  prevailing- 
 majority  —  the  Church  as  repi'esented  in  a  free,  faithful,  and 
 reforming  Assembly.  We  mutually  claim,  as  in  the  sight  of  each 
 other,  historical  descents  and  historical  identities.  They  come  to  us 
 claiming  a  historical  character  to  themselves,  and  owning  a  historical 
 character  in  us ;  and  as  they  own  our  historical  character,  we  have 
 no  hesitation  in  acknowledging  theirs.  And  so  we  are  now  sitting, 
 as  we  would  have  been  sitting  somewhat  about  a  century  ago,  and 
 are  virtually  and  substantially  taking  up  that  appeal.  What  we 
 are  doing  this  night  in  substance  is,  that  we  reverse  the  sentences 
 against  which  they  appealed — we  sustain  the  appeal  of  these 
 brethren — we  reverse  the  sentences  of  which  they  complained.  We 
 sustain  that  appeal  ;  and,  in  virtue  of  sustaining  it,  assoilzie  them 
 of  all  offences,  and  recognise  them  as  ministers  of  the  Church  of 
 Scotland.  And  when  we  come  down  to  the  more  immediate  ground 
 of  this  i-e-union — for  a  breach  which  has  lasted  for  more  than  a 
 century  cannot  well  be  healed  without  some  ground  of  common 
 understanding — we  not  merely  sustain  the  appeal  of  these  brethren, 
 reverse  the  sentences  appealed  against,  and  repone  them  to  the 
 office  from  which  they  were  unrighteously  deposed,  or  rather 
 substantially  declare  the  sentences  to  be  null  and  void, — while  we 
 do  this,  we  also  say,  that,  as  regards  the  particular  document  upon 
 the  ground  of  which  they  propose  to  unite  with  us,  we  are  thoroughly 
 satisfied  that  this  union  involves  no  compromise  whatever  on  their 
 part,  and  no  compromise  at  all  upon  ours.  It  is  not  a  union,  or  a 
 re-union  rather,  based  on  compromise,  but,  on  the  contrary,  in  this 
 age  in  which  the  Church  is  rather  apt  to  be  drawn  in  a  line  of 
 defection  towards  a  spurious  liberality,  and  latitudinarianism,  and 
 indifference  to  great  and  essential  truths — I  hail  this  union  or 
 re-union  as  the  lifting  up  of  a  standard  which  will  rally  Scottish 
 Presbyterians  again  on  the  old  ground  on  which  they  stood  and 
 fought  before.  I  hail  this  union  or  re-union  as  the  erecting  a 
 platfcjrm,  upon  which  we  can  anew,  as  it  were,  rally  our  ranks 
 against    all     tendencies     to     defection.      This     union    or    re-union 
 
HiSTOKV  OF  iNrrKi)  svxoi),  184:2  to  185-2.        21') 
 
 is,    in    my    niind,    vitv    valiuiblo    us    a    noblo    tcstimcuy    to    great 
 essential    Chnstiau    truths.       It     is    not    merely    a    mutual    com- 
 plimenting of  one  another  between  two  bnmches    of  the  Church  of 
 Christ  in  this  land.      Tt   is  not  merely  that  they  acknowledge  our 
 claims,  and   that   we  acknowledge   theirs,   historically   viewed, — wo 
 unite,  not  merely  upon  historical   identity,  but  we   unite  upon  the 
 identity  of  gi-eat  principles.      We  unite  on  the  ground  of  being  of 
 one    mind    and    of    one    heart    in    holding,  and    maintaining,  and 
 practically  carrying  out  great  and  fundamental  truths  of  the  Word 
 of  God,  which  to  a  large  extent  are  compromised   in   this  ago   of 
 compromise.      In    particular,  we    unite    upon    the    high    ground    of 
 ChrLst's  glorious  and  sovereign  Headship  over  the  Church,  which  He 
 hath  purchased  with  His  own  blood.      We  unite  upon  the  ground 
 of  His  sole  and  exclusive  government  of  the  Church,  which  is   His 
 body ;  and,  more  than  that,  we  unite  upon  the   ground   of  Christ's 
 glorious  and  sovereign  Headshii)  over  the  nations.     We  unite  in 
 ONvning  Him  to  be  King  of  kings,  as  well  as  King  of  saints.      It  is 
 the  noble  testimony  of  what  we  have  been  accustomed  to  call  the 
 principle  of  national  establishments  of  I'eligion,  that  is  this  night  to 
 be  borne ;  and  it  is  all  the  more  noble,  because  that  testimony  is  to 
 be   borne   by  those  who   have   been  wrongfully  and   unrighteously 
 deprived   of  the   benefits  of  the   National  Establishment.      It  is  a 
 noble  testimony  borne  to  what  I  will  not  merely  call  the  principle 
 of  a  national  establishnieul:  of  religion,  but   it   is   the   doctrine   that 
 Christ  reigneth  as  King  of  kings  and  Lord  of  lords  ;  that  He  is  the 
 Prince  of  the  kings   of  the    earth  ;  that  by  Him   kings   reign,  and 
 pnnces  decree  justice  ;  and  that  all  who  hold  authority,  and   who 
 wield  any  influence  in  the  affiiirs  of  men,  are  bound  to  exercise  that 
 authority,  and  to  use  that  influence,  for  advancing  Christ's  glory  and 
 the  good  of  His  Church,  and  for  the  overthrow  of  all  that  is  hostile 
 to  them.      I  rejoice  in  this  union,  as  a  union  efiected  not  upon  the 
 low  ground  of  compromise,  but  upon  the   high   ground   of  connnou 
 principle.     These  are  the  only  safe  unions  in  days  like  the  presiMit, 
 — unions  effected,  not  in  giving  and  taking — not  by  word-catching 
 and    syllable-splitting — not    by   any   expedients    of   that    sort,  but 
 unions  eflected  upon  the  ground  of  our  agreeing  upon  great  common 
 principles, — union  all  the  more  close — all  the   more  endearing, — all 
 the  more  safe,  and  all  the  more  enduring,  if  the  principles  upon  the 
 ground  of  which  we  unite  be  principles  that   the   world   is   apt  to 
 contemn  and  despise,  and  that  even  Christian  Churches  are  beginning 
 to  overlook  and  forget.     To-night  we  stand  out  as  uniting  upon  the 
 ground     of    opposition     to    Erastianism     on     the     one    hand,    and 
 Voluntaryism    on    the    other.       This    is,   in    substance,  —  in    short 
 compass, —  the  ground  and  foundation  of  our  present   union.      We 
 stand    out    as    united    together    upon    this   common   opposition   to 
 
216  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Erastianism  on  the  one  Land,  and  Voluntaryism  on  the  other.  If 
 we  had  not  been  opposed  to  Erastianism, — if  we  had  not  been 
 piacticallj  testifying  against  Erastianism,  our  brethren  would  not 
 have  been  prepared  to  join  with  us, — and  if  tliey  had  not  beeii 
 piactically  testifying  against  Voluntaryism,  and  that  in  circumstances 
 of  peculiar  difficulty  and  trial,  I  venture  to  say,  we  would  not  have 
 been  prepared  to  unite  with  them.  There  is  yet  one  other  view  of 
 this  contemplated  union,  — which,  before  an  hour  is  gone,  I  trust  we 
 will  be  able  to  talk  of  as  a  consummated  union — there  is  yet  one 
 other  ground  of  satisfaction  to  my  mind  in  it.  We  unite  upon  the 
 piinciple  of  recognising  the  identity  of  nations,  and  the  identity  of 
 Chm-ches,  before  the  Lord  our  God.  What  shades  of  difference  of 
 opinion  there  may  be  between  our  brethren  and  ourselves, — what 
 shades  of  difference  of  opinion  there  may  be  among  our  brethren  or 
 among  ourselves, — for  I  believe  there  are  various  shades  of  opinion, 
 both  among  the  brethren  who  join  us,  and  among  the  brethren  of 
 our  own  Church, — shades  of  opinion  chiefly  in  reference  to  the 
 application  of  the  great  truth  upon  which  we  unite  in  acknow- 
 ledging together — not  so  much  shades  of  opinion  in  reference  to  the 
 truth  itself,  as  in  reference  to  the  application  of  that  truth — what- 
 ever these  may  be,  I  rejoice  that  we  are  of  one  mind  and  of  one 
 heart  in  owning  the  identity  of  this  Church  with  the  Church  of  the 
 First  and  Second  Reformations ;  and  in  owning,  moreover,  the 
 identity  of  the  nation  with  the  nation  of  other  days,  when  it  was 
 led  to  make  high  attainments  as  a  nation  in  the  sight  of  God,  and 
 to  enter  into  solemn  engagements  before  God.  We  do  differ,  we 
 may  differ,  and  we  must  difler,  as  to  the  practical  a]iplication  of  a 
 truth  like  this  ;  but  we  are,  I  believe,  earnest  and  sincere  in  holding 
 the  trut!i  itself.  Our  brethren  unite  with  us  upon  the  footing  of 
 the  Representation  and  Appeal,  which,  this  act  declares,  contains 
 nothing  that  is  not  in  accordance  with  the  Standards  of  this  Church, 
 and  the  principles  for  which  it  was  honoured  to  contend  in  the  best 
 and  purest  periods  of  its  history.  Upon  the  particular  views  which 
 our  brethren  may  hold,  or  which  any  of  them  may  hold,  in  regard  to 
 the  matter  of  debate  as  to  the  descending  obligation  of  those  engage- 
 ments, this  act  of  ours  pronounces  no  o])inion  one  way  or  the  other. 
 But  the  satisfactory  feature  of  this  union  is,  that  we  can  meet  before 
 God,  and  in  the  face  of  all  men,  and  solemnly  declare  that  there  is 
 not  one  single  individual  on  either  side  who  is  compromised,  or  who 
 has  consented  to  any  abatement  or  qualification  of  the  principles 
 which  he  has  been  accustomed  to  hold  and  maintain,  and  that  we 
 can  meet  on  the  basis  of  the  great  common  truths  founded  on  the 
 Word  of  God,  and  contained  in  the  Standards  of  the  Church  to 
 which  both  profess  to  belong.  We  propose  no  terms,  we  accept 
 them    upon    their    own    terms    and     conditions,    they    themselves 
 
HISTORY  01'    INirKI)  SYNOD,    1842  To    1  Sf)*2.  217 
 
 declaring  they  can  come  in  upon  these  terms  and  conditions,  in 
 entire  subordination  to  the  discipline  and  government  of  this  Church. 
 The  Act,  however,  contains  something  more  ;  and  the  reason  why,  in 
 framing  it,  we  thought  it  necessary  to  add  a  little  more  than  merely 
 the  bald  and  bare  admission  of  our  brethren  is,  that  their  document, 
 is  a  pretty  long  one,  adverting  to  historical  facts  and  events,  and  to 
 principles  maintained  in  former  times,  and  also  contjiining  expressions 
 founded  on  that  record,  which  we  would  not  altogether  overlook. 
 Accordingly,  the  second  ]»art  of  the  Act  has  reference  to  these.  It 
 states — 
 
 "  '  The  General  Assembly,  in  agreeing  to  this  proposal,  feel  it 
 their  duty  to  acknowledge  the  services  rendered  by  the  brethren  of 
 the  Secession  to  the  caust^  <ti  evangelical  religion  in  this  land,  in  the 
 capacity  of  witnesses  for  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus,  and  earnest 
 contenders  for  their  country's  hereditary  faith  and  church  polity. 
 And  the  General  Assembly  cannot  but  own  the  hand  of  God  in  the 
 influence  exerted  by  the  Synod  as  a  body,  and  l)y  some  of  its  most 
 honoured  members,  in  promoting  the  revival  of  a  true  Protestant 
 and  evangelical  spirit  in  our  Church  and  country  ;  as  well  as  in 
 upholding  the  sci'iptural  doctrine  concerning  Christ's  glorious  and 
 sovereign  Headship,  alike  over  the  Church,  and  over  the  nations  on 
 the  Chui-ch's  l)ehalf. 
 
 "  '  In  regard  to  the  events  and  transactions  of  the  First  and 
 Second  Reformations,  to  which  the  Synod  refer  in  theii-  Representa- 
 tion and  Appeal,  the  General  Assembly  agree  with  their  brethi'en  in 
 ow-ning  the  special  grace  of  God  vouchsafed  to  our  fathers  on  these 
 critical  occasions  ;  when  the  Lord  was  pleased  to  order  his  Providence 
 in  a  manner  specially  calling  for  faithfulness,  zeal,  and  union ;  and 
 when  He  enabled  the  Church  and  nation  to  make  high  attainments, 
 and  dis[)osed  them  to  enter  into  solenni  vows  and  engagements  for 
 the  advancement  of  His  cause,  and  the  overthrow  of  all  that  was 
 opposed  to  it  within  these  realms.  The  General  Assembly  agree 
 also  in  confessing  and  lamenting  the  defection  from  these  attain- 
 ments, and  the  breach  of  these  public  promises  and  engagements.  And 
 they  fully  and  unreservedly  acknowledge  the  obligation  to  prosecute 
 the  ends  of  the  Covenants,  in  the  Reformations  which  these  ( 'ovenants 
 were  designed  to  advance  and  perpetuate  ;  and,  in  particular,  to 
 oppose  Popery  in  all  its  forms,  and  Popish  institutions,  influences, 
 and  tendencies,  wherever  they  may  be  found  ;  and  to  aim  at  a 
 scriptural  union  and  unifonnity  in  doctrine,  worship,  and  discipline, 
 among  the  Churches  of  these  lands ;  in  the  use  of  all  competent 
 means,  suitable  to  present  circumstances,  and  consistent  with  the 
 Word  of  God  and  the  functions  and  spirit  of  a  Church  of  Christ.' 
 
 "  I  have  only  to  say  that,  in  my  oiiinion,  this  j)art  of  the  act  is 
 very  valuable,  chiefly  for  two  reasons  : — First  of  all  because  it  very 
 
218  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 frankly  and  fully  recognises,  as  I  tbink  this  Church  is  bound  to  do, 
 the  services  rendered  by  our  brethren  who  seceded  from  the  Church 
 of  Scotland,  and  by  their  successors,  to  the  caiise  of  evangelical 
 religion  and  scriptural  truth  in  this  land.  Of  course,  we  are  not 
 now  to  enter  ui^on  any  question  touching  all  the  steps  which  our 
 seceding  brethren  so  long  ago  took,  iind  we  are  not  committing  our- 
 .selves  on  any  point  to  the  full  approval  of  all  that  they  did.  We 
 may  have  differences  of  opinion  upon  that  point.  I  am  not  called 
 upon  to  go  back  and  pronounce  an  opinion,  to  the  effect  that  all  they 
 did  in  the  way  of  separation  from  the  Church  of  Scotland  was 
 strictly  correct,  any  more  than  we  are  called  upon  to  pronounce  an 
 opinion  as  to  all  that  the  Church  of  Scotland  did  in  the  way  of 
 seeking  and  opening  the  way  for  their  re-admission.  Upon  all  these 
 points  we  have  nothing  to  say ;  but  this  we  are  entitled  to  say — 
 this  we  are  bound  to  say,  and  to  say  it  with  deep  humility  before  God, 
 that  at  a  time  when  the  Church  of  Scotland  was  unfaithful,  when 
 even  evangelical  religion  was  at  a  great  disadvantage  within  the 
 Establishment,  at  a  time  when  scriptural  truth  was  not  very 
 commonly  to  be  found  preached  within  the  walls  of  the  parish 
 churches, — at  a  time  when  the  liberties  of  the  Christian  people  were 
 trodden  under  foot  by  the  high-handed  tyranny  of  Presbyteries 
 and  Commissions  of  Assembly,  backed  by  the  bayonets  and  swords 
 of  the  military,  — at  a  time  when  the  whole  authority  of  Christ  in 
 his  own  house  was  compromised,  and  when  there  was  a  tame 
 ti-uckling  to  Caesar  in  all  things, — at  snch  a  time  when  there  was 
 but  little  evangelical  light  in  the  ministry,  little  evangelical  truth  in 
 the  j)ulpit,  and  little  of  faithfulness  and  freedom  either  in  Presbyteries 
 or  in  congregations,  our  brethren  fought  the  battle  outside  the 
 Establishment,  and  the  Seceders  maintained  the  cause  of  Christ. 
 The  Seceders  were  the  men  who  preached  the  pure  gospel, — the 
 Seceders  were  the  men  who  diffused  the  true  light  and  the  principles 
 of  the  Church  of  Scotland ;  and  it  was  in  a  large  measure  to  the 
 Seceders  that  we  may  trace,  under  God,  that  revival  of  religion  within 
 our  own  borders  which  led  first  to  the  reform,  then  to  the  Disrup- 
 tion, and,  last  of  all,  to  the  Establishment  of  the  Free  Church  of 
 Scotland.  And  then,  to  come  down  to  later  times,  and  if  we 
 consider  the  particular  body  that  is  now  proposing  to  unite  with  us, 
 can  we  forget  that  at  the  beginning  of  this  century,  in  this  very 
 city,  an  event  took  place,  which,  I  believe,  very  few  indeed  in  the 
 Established  Church  of  Scotland  were  able  to  comprehend, — an  event 
 very  different  indeed  from  that  which  is  to  take  place  to  night — and 
 which,  in  the  eyes  of  most  of  the  inhabitants,  was  absolutely 
 insignificent,  which  no  man  noted  or  marked,  —  an  event 
 passing,  not  in  a  large  and  crowded  Assembly,  and  amid  the 
 enthusiasm,  I  may  almost  say,  of  an  entire  city ;  but  an  event  in 
 
HISTORY  OF  UNITED  SYNOK,   1842  TO  1852.  219 
 
 legaicl  to  which  1  suppose,  very  few  of  tlio  city  hud  any  knowh'<l;(<' 
 of  at  all  as  to  its  real  meaninji;,  or  took  any  concern  in  its  real 
 bearing ;  but  that  event,  I  will  venture  to  say,  although  com- 
 paratively clone  in  a  corner,  was  greatly  more  important  in  the  siglit 
 of  Heaven,  and  in  relation  to  Heaven's  truth,  than  even  the  union 
 now  to  be  consunnnated  in  this  large  and  crowded  Assembly  ;  1 
 i*efer,  of  coiii-se,  to  the  separation  of  the  late  Dr  M'Crie  from  the 
 Secession  body,  and  to  the  testimony  which  he  bore,  and  which  he 
 bore  to  the  extent  of  being,  at  all  events,  a  confessor,  if  not  a 
 martyr,  for  the  truth  of  God.  I  refer  to  his  being  cast  out,  and 
 cast  out  too,  in  defence  of  a  principle  which,  I  venture  to  say, 
 few  within  the  Esta1)lishment  then  intelligently  understood  ;  for 
 little  importance  was  attached  to  it ;  but  it  was  as  the  little  cloud 
 betokening  the  coming  shower, — it  was  as  the  beginning  of  great 
 things, — it  was  almost,  I  think  I  may  say  it  with  all  truth,  the 
 beginning  of  a  revived  testimony  for  the  pi-inciple  of  a  National 
 Establishment,  rightly  understood,  as  I  said  befoi-e,  for  the  principle 
 of  Christ's  sovereign  Headship  over  the  nations,  as  well  as  over  the 
 Church.  But  the  other  reason  why  T  rejoice  at  the  i)assing  of  this 
 part  of  the  act  is,  that  it  recognises  our  thorough  agreement  as  to 
 the  practical  work  which  we  have  to  do  in  these  days  of  darkness 
 and  l)acksliding.  We  are  not  met  to  discuss,  as  intellectual 
 gladiators,  subtle  points  of  theory  ;  but  we  are  met  to-night  to 
 swear,  hand  to  hand,  and  heart  to  heart,  that  we  will  prosecute  a 
 noble  practical  work.  We  are  not  met  to  split  hairs,  or  to  discuss 
 theoretical  points,  but  to  declare  in  the  face  of  one  another,  and  in 
 the  face  of  God,  and  before  the  whole  country,  that  we  agree  in 
 considering  ourselves  bound  to  prosecute  the  ends  which  our  fathei-s 
 prosecuted  by  all  legitimate  means,  until  Popery,  and  all  that  tends 
 to  it,  be  thitist  out  of  this  land,  and  the  Churches  shall  be  wor- 
 shipping God  as  in  one  spirit,  and  as  according  to  one  form,  after 
 the  truth  of  God's  Word,  and  through  the  outpouring  of  God's  Holy 
 Spirit.  This,  I  think,  gives  to  our  union  a  noble  character,  that  we 
 agree  to  prosecute  these  ends  as  vigorously,  as  uncompromisingly, 
 and  as  preseveringly  in  our  state  of  union  as  in  our  state  of  separa- 
 tion ;  nay  to  prosecute  them  with  tenfold  more  energy,  and  may  we 
 not  hope,  through  the  blessing  of  God,  with  tenfold  more  success. 
 I  move  the  passing  of  this  act;  and  I  also  move  the  passing  of  the 
 supplementary  act  founded  on  it,  which  is  as  follows  : — 
 
 "  '  Whereas,  the  Assembly,  by  their  act  anent  the  Representation 
 and  Appeal  of  the  Synod  of  Original  Seceders,  have  agreed  to  an 
 incor])orating  union  between  the  said  Synod  and  this  Church  :  and 
 whereas,  it  is  necessary  to  provide  for  carrying  that  Union  into  full 
 effect:  Whereas,  also  the  Act  viii.  Ass.  185U,  "  anent  the  aduiis 
 sion  of  ministers  and  probationers  from   other  Churches,"  does  not 
 
220  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 ii])ply  to  the  case  of  an  iucorpoi-ating  union  with  another  Church  : 
 The  General  Assembly  ordain,  that  the  pastors  of  the  said  Synod 
 who  have  subsciibed,  or  shall  subscribe,  the  said  Representation  and 
 Appeal,  and  the  congregations  adhering  to  the  said  pastors,  along 
 with  the  Kirk  Sessions  thereof,  shall  be  i-eceived  and  admitted  by  the 
 Presbyteries  of  the  bounds  respectively,  as  pastors,  congregations,  and 
 Kirk  Sessions  of  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland.  The  General  Assembly 
 also  hereby  recognise  and  declare  such  ministers,  belonging  to  the 
 said  Synod,  and  not  having  pastoral  charges,  and  such  elders  and 
 pi'obationers  belonging  to  the  same,  as  have  subscribed,  or  shall 
 subscribe  as  aforesaid,  to  be  ministers,  elders,  and  probationers  of 
 this  Church.  And  the  Assembly  direct  their  Clerks  to  transmit 
 the  names  of  the  said  pastoi-s,  ministers,  elders,  and  probationers, 
 along  with  the  printed  copy  of  this  Act,  to  the  Presbyteries  of 
 the  bounds  within  which  they  severally  reside.  Farther,  the 
 General  Assembly  resolve,  with  regard  to  the  congregations 
 that  shall  be  received  under  this  Act — (I.)  That,  whereas  the 
 said  congregations  have  not  any  claim  upon  the  General  Susten- 
 tation  Fimd,  in  virtue  of  this  Act,  they  shall  be  at  liberty 
 to  retain  their  own  financial  arrangements,  relative  to  the 
 .sui)port  of  the  ministry  at  their  discretion.  (II.)  That  in  the  case 
 of  any  of  the  said  congregations  which  may  be  vacant  at  the  time  of 
 the  union,  it  shall  be  competent  to  the  Presbytery  of  the  bounds, 
 with  the  concurrence  of  the  Sustentation  Committee,  to  require  that, 
 before  calling  a  minister,  the  said  congregation  shall  undertake  to 
 be  no  burden  on  the  Sustentation  Fund.  (III.)  That,  in  the  case 
 of  any  vacancy  occurring  after  the  union  in  the  said  congregations, 
 the  entire  question  of  the  continued  subsistence  of  the  vacant  con- 
 gregation, aud  the  terms  on  which  it  is  to  be  allowed  to  call  a 
 ministei-,  shall  be  regulated  exactly  as  in  the  case  of  any  vacancy  in 
 the  congregations  now  belonging  to  this  Church.  (IV,)  That,  inas- 
 much as  it  is  desirable  that  the  said  congregations  should  be  brought, 
 as  soon  as  possible,  to  assimilate  their  system  of  ministerial  support 
 to  that  which  is  in  use  in  this  Church,  it  be  remitted  to  the  Susten- 
 tation Committee  to  consider  the  subject,  with  due  regard  to  the 
 interests  of  existing  ministers,  and  to  report  thereon  to  next 
 General  Assembly.' 
 
 "  The  reverend  Doctor,  in  conclusion,  stated  it  was  honourable  to 
 the  friends  of  the  Original  Secession  Church  that  they  joined  them 
 frankly  and  unreservedly  on  the  ground  of  principle,  and  that  no 
 (juestion  as  to  financial  arrangements  had  been  raised  between  them. 
 The  Acts  he  had  read  had  been,  by  the  authority  of  the  Assembly, 
 connnunicated  to  the  brethren  sitting  in  Synod  ;  and  he  understood 
 that  they  had  been  satisfactory  to  them,  but  that,  of  course,  they 
 would  themselves  declare.  He  would  move  the  passing  of  the  Acts 
 he  had  read." 
 
HISTORY  OF  rNITKl)  SVNoD,   1  S4'J  TO   1852.  2LM 
 
 "Sir  George  Sinclair,  iifti-r  expressing  the  sense  he  had  of  his 
 inability  to  give  ade(|uate  expression  to  his  own  feelings,  or  those  of 
 the  Assembly  on  this  important  occasion,  proceeded  :  —  This, 
 Moderator,  is  the  consummation  to  wliitli  devoted  and  anxious 
 Presbyterians,  during  four  successive  generations,  have  looked  for- 
 ward and  rejoiced.  Had  such  a  meeting  as  this  taken  place  lliO 
 years  ago,  in  pursuance,  no  doubt,  of  the  earnest  wishes  and  prayer 
 of  those  who  were  the  involuntary  fathers  of  the  Secession,  I  mav 
 with  great  tiiith  express  my  conviction  that  the  Free  Church  would 
 never  have  existed,  because  there  must  have  been  such  a  spirit  in 
 the  Assembly,  had  such  counsels  prevailed,  that  Moderatism  would 
 have  obtained  an  earlier,  though  not  a  premature  discomfiture.  I 
 cannot  express  to  you  the  sentiments  of  joy  with  which  I  contem- 
 plate this  glorious  event.  I  estimate  the  importance  of  the  vener- 
 able and  excellent  body  "which  has  united  itself  to  ours,  by  their 
 excellence,  and  not  by  their  numbers.  In  the  days  of  ancient  war- 
 fai-e,  any  general  gifted  with  skill  and  sagacity,  and  all  the  officers 
 and  soldiers  who  were  ranged  under  his  command,  would  liave  hailed 
 with  much  more  satisfaction  the  junction  to  their  ranks  of  3()(> 
 Spartans,  with  Leonidas  at  their  head,  than  if  some  purse-proud 
 Mardonius  had  presented  liimself  with  100,000  followers.  And 
 thus,  when  we  see  the  worthy  son  of  a  worthy  father  at  the  head  of 
 his  venerated  and  consistent  brethren,  I  am  sure  that  this  Assembly 
 feel  much  more  hai>]iin('ss,  and  much  more  satisfaction,  tlian  if  ten 
 times  the  number  of  worldly-minded  formalists  had  sought  what 
 they  would  not  have  got.  I  feel  the  inexpressible  importance  of 
 this  most  glorious  event,  and  I  cannot  help  bearing  my  testimony 
 to  the  excellence  which  characterises  all  the  ministers  of  the  Seces- 
 sion body  with  whom  I  have  the  happiness  of  being  acquainted. 
 We  had  a  church  connected  with  that  denomination  in  Thurso  ; 
 and  at  a  time  when  the  lamp  of  evangelical  truth  burned  dimh 
 during  three  or  four  successive  genci-ations  in  our  parish  church, 
 the  light  of  truth  was  held  forth,  acknowledged,  and  rejoiced  in,  in 
 the  district  to  which  I  belong,  under  the  faithful  ministrations  of 
 the  ministers  of  the  Original  Secession  Church,  one  of  whom — the 
 Rev.  Mr  Burn,  whose  name  is  in  all  the  Churches — liad  the  honour 
 and  happiness  of  being  tlie  Moderator  of  the  Synod  at  tJie  time 
 when  the  Union  was  projected.  But,  in  speaking  of  the  living,  I 
 hope  I  may  be  forgiven  if,  in  the  spirit  of  friendly  and  grateful 
 veneration  I  make  a  brief  and  inadequate  allusion  to  the  dead.  I 
 cannot  mention,  without  feelings  of  deep  emotion,  the  veneratetl 
 name  of  M'Crie — a  man  gifted  with  the  most  powerful  intellect, 
 and,  at  the  same  time,  with  the  most  profound  humility — a  man  wlio 
 pos.sessed,  at  the  same  tinu\  the  most  undaunted  courage,  and  the 
 most  unostentatious  simplicity.    Never  was  tliere  a  nuin  .so  qualified 
 
222  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 to  delineate,  for  tlie  admiration  and  example  of  every  subsequent 
 generation  of  Scotclimen,  the  virtues,  the  sufferings,  the  trials,  and 
 the  triumphs  of  our  ancestors.  Never  was  there  a  man  so  admir- 
 ably adapted,  had  the  circumstances  of  the  age  required  it,  to  have 
 put  himself  at  the  head  of  a  similar  movement,  and"  to  have  acted 
 again  himself  the  part  of  a  Knox,  or  a  Melville,  while,  at  the  same 
 time,  that  great  man — great  as  he  was  in  the  estimation  of  every 
 one  but  himself — might  have  been  seen  walking  unostentatiously 
 through  the  streets,  and  seeking  the  cabin  of  his  humblest  auditor, 
 in  order  to  administer  to  him,  although  labouring  under  the  most 
 infectious  disease,  the  last  consolations  and  comforts  of  religion. 
 When  I  speak  of  this,  my  heart  overflows  the  more,  when  I  remem- 
 ber how  much  I  have  been  indebted  myself  to  Dr  M'Crie,  under 
 circumstances  of  peculiar  trial  and  difficulty.  I  was  honoured  in 
 1823  to  lift  up  the  banner  of  anti-patronage  under  the  auspices  of 
 that  great  good  man,  Andrew  Thranson,  and  at  that  time,  and 
 throughout  the  whole  of  the  contest  for  the  abolition  of  patronage 
 — one  object  of  which  was  to  facilitate  the  very  reunion  which  has 
 now  taken  place — Dr  M'Crie  was  ever  ready  with  his  counsel ;  and 
 not  only  so,  but  he  was  also  ever  ready  to  appear  amongst  us.  I 
 remember  that,  on  one  occasion,  I  took  the  liberty  of  predicting,  in 
 the  fulness  of  my  heart,  that  I  hoped  I  would  live  to  have  the 
 happiness  of  welcoming  him  as  Moderator  of  the  General  Assembly 
 of  the  Church  of  Scotland.  Dr  M'Crie  replied,  that  he  had  no 
 expectation  of  seeing  such  an  event  take  place.  Unhappily  his 
 prediction  has  been  verified,  and  not  mine  ;  and  yet,  without  pre- 
 tending to  anything  like  clairvoyance,  or  second  sight,  I  will 
 hazard  a  second  prediction,  which  is,  that  the  prophecy  which  I 
 made  regarding  the  father,  will,  erelong,  be  accomplished  in  the  son. 
 It  is  a  great  happiness  to  me  to  have  witnessed  this  day  of 
 espousals  ;  and  I  confess,  however  gratified,  I  am  nevertheless  not  a 
 little  surprised  that  I  should  have  been  pitched  upon,  from  among 
 all  your  lay  elders,  to  be  the  '  best  man '  on  this  occasion — an 
 honour  of  which  I  acknowledge  myself  to  be  utterly  unworthy  ;  but 
 which,  so  long  as  I  live,  I  never  shall  forget.  I  may  also  refer  to  a 
 circumstance  which  was  absolutely  necessary — the  circumstance  that 
 this  marriage  was  preceded  by  a  divorce.  If  there  had  been  no 
 divorce  from  Moderatism,  there  could  have  been  no  marriage  here. 
 I  trust,  sir,  that  as  there  is  no  doubt  of  the  fact  that  the  divorce  is 
 for  ever,  so  the  marriage  will  be  equally  durable.  Another  reason 
 besides  my  intimate  friendship  witli  the  late  Eev.  Dr  IM'Ci-ie,  as 
 well  as  the  regard  and  esteem  which  I  cherish  for  his  illustrious  son 
 —  another  reason  why  this  honour  may  have  been  entrusted  to  me, 
 so  consciously  unworthy,  is  ])erhaps  this — that  the  last  admission 
 which  took  place  into  the  pale  of  this  Church,  before  that  glorious 
 
msTonV  OF   I MTKl*  SYNOD,    1842  TO    LS.VJ.  '2'2:\ 
 
 consuinniiition  ^vllicll    \v»>   witness  this  day,  was  tliat  ot'    tlii'  liumlilc 
 iiulividual    who  has   now   the   honour   of    addressing   you.      I    am 
 tlierefore  tlie  more  fully  enter  into  the  sentiments  of  liappiness,  and 
 consolation,   and   encouraj,'ement    which    eacli    of    our    friends    must 
 experience — which  I  myself  felt  in  similar  circnmstunces — when  the}' 
 hnd  themselves  admitted   into  this   Church,  and   i)erceive  that  they 
 are  not  children  of  the  bond-woman,  but  uf  the  free,  and   that  we 
 are  now  fellow-citizens  and  fellow-heirs — and  fellow-citizens  of  no 
 mean  city,  even  of  tliat  Jerusalem  which  is  from  above,  and  which 
 is  the  mother  of  us  all.     Each  of  our  excellent  brethren  may  say,  '  I 
 was  born  free.      I   inherited   through  several   successive  genei-ations 
 the  rights,  and    liberties,  and    i)rivileges   which    I    now  enjoy.'      My 
 reverend  fatliers  and  brethren  who  left  the  Established  Cliurch  at 
 the  Disruption  max  say,  on   the   other  hand,    '  With   a   great   sum 
 purchased  I  this  freedom.'     And  yet  I  believe  I  may  say,  witli  the 
 very  same  truth,  that  there  is  not  one  minister  who  thinks  the  price 
 paid  for  it  was  too  large.     I   do   not  believe  there   is  one  of   them 
 who,  if  the  step  was  to  be  taken  over  again,  would  not  be  prepai-ed 
 to  take  it.     The  hon.  baronet  then  referred  to  the  circumstance  that 
 this  transaction  aiforded  an  additional  confirmatory  evidence  to  the 
 claim  of  the  Free  Church   to  be  regarded  as  indeed   the    Church  of 
 Scotland.     He  then  proceeded  :   It  has  often  been  said.  Behold  how 
 good  and  pleasant  a  thing  it  is  for  brethren   to  dwell   togethei-  in 
 unity.      I  woidd  also  remark — How  extremely  painful  and  disgrace- 
 ful a  thing  it  is  for  brethren  to  dwell  together  who  are  not  in  unity. 
 Those  who,    now-a-days,  uphold,  as   we  all   do,   the  ])rincij)le  of   a 
 national  establishment,  are  obliged,  I  am  afraid,  to  walk  by  faith, 
 and  not  by  sight.      I  am  afraid  we  are  compelled  to  swallow  a  great 
 number  of  camels,  and   find   them  very  difficult  of   digestion.      For 
 whether  we  look  to  the  one  side  of  the  Tweed  or  the  other,  we  see 
 but  little  to  encourage  us — we  see  but  little  to  illustrate  the  import- 
 ance of  the  princijde,  which,  hoping  against  hope,  we  still  continue 
 to    hold.     Sir   George   then   expressed    his    ardent  ho])e,    that    the 
 ministers  and  membei"s  of  this  Church  might  continue  to  be  perfectly 
 joined  together  in  the  same  mind  and  the  same  judgment ;  and 
 instanced  the  dispute  which  arose  between  Paul  and  Barnabas,  as  a 
 wai'ning  and  a  beacon  to  all  to  take   heed  that  they  fell  not  out  by 
 the  way.      He  then  concludi'd  by  seconding  the  motion." 
 
 "  The  motion  was  passe<l  by  acclamation. 
 
 "  Dr  M'Crie  then  advanced  to  the  table  before  the  Moderator, 
 and  was  received  with  loud  and  prolonged  applause.  On  its  sub- 
 siding, he  said.  Moderator,  and  Rev.  Fathers  and  Brethren,  as 
 Moderator  of  the  Synod  of  United  Original  Seceders,  I  have 
 the  honour  of  appearing,  along  with  my  bicthren  now  ))resent,  as 
 representatives  of  the  Synod,  to  convey  to  you  their  tinal  decision. 
 
224  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 which  shall  be  read  by  our  Clerk,  expressing  the  cordial  and  unani- 
 mous satisfaction  of  our  Synod  with  the  deliverance  of  the  Assembly 
 on  our  Eepresentation  and  Appeal,  and  agreeing  to  an  incorporating 
 union  as  a  Synod  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland.  In  making 
 this  announcement,  allow  me  to  say  that,  convinced  as  I  have  always 
 been  of  our  substantial  and  essential  -  agreement  in  all  matters 
 affecting  Bible  principle,  and  public  duty,  this  deliverance  is  enough 
 to  convince  all  that  there  can  be  no  serious  difference  between  us, 
 and  no  point,  however  important  in  itself,  or  worthy  of  being  con- 
 tended for,  sufficient  to  warrant  our  continuing  in  a  state  of  separa- 
 tion. Permit  me,  sir,  to  acknowledge,  as  I  do  with  all  my  heart, 
 the  kindly  and  respectful  alhisions  in  this  deliverance  to  the  body 
 w^hich  1  represent.  Our  Synod  is  small — smaller,  I  regret  to  say, 
 than  I  once  fondly  anticipated  ;  but  we  are  strong  in  principle  ; 
 and  I  cannot  help  regarding  our  present  accession  as  the  precursor 
 of  a  series  of  similar  movements  among  all  the  genuine  friends  of 
 the  Eeformation.  We  come  to  aid  you  in  every  good  work — in 
 waging  war  with  every  form  of  error — and  especially  to  do  battle 
 with  that  arch-enemy  of  Christ,  and  His  Church,  who  is  coming  in 
 like  a  flood,  and  who  has  sworn  enemies  amongst  us,  seeking  to 
 regain  his  former  ascendancy,  but  whose  system  we  have  sworn  to 
 extirpate  from  these  lands.  I  cannot  trust  myself  to  express  the 
 feelings  which  have  been  elicited  by  the  honourable  references  made 
 in  this  Assembly  to  one  closely  related  to  myself,  and  whose  name 
 I  never  hear  associated  with  my  own  without  a  poignant  sense  of 
 my  unworthiness,  amounting  to  shame  and  humiliation.  Not  that 
 this  arises  from  supposing  that  he  would  have  acted  otherwise  than 
 I  am  doing  this  night ;  for  it  is  my  solemn  and  decided  conviction, 
 from  all  I  know  of  his  private  sentiments  and  public  declarations, 
 that  no  man  would  have  experienced  gi-eater  delight  than  my  late 
 father  in  uniting  himself  with  the  Church  of  Scotland,  and  uniting 
 himself  to  it  as  we  do  this  day,  when  that  Church  is  guided  by  the 
 councils,  and  animated  by  the  spirit,  of  such  men  as  I  see  around 
 me — such  men  as  Mr  Dunlop,  who  has  so  handsomely  acknowledged 
 his  services,  and  Dr  Cunningham,  and  our  honourable  friend  Sir 
 George  Sinclair,  and  others,  with  whom,  side  by  side,  he  contended 
 for  the  rights  of  that  Church  against  the  encroachments  of  patronage 
 and  Erastianism.  For  myself,  I  shall  only  say,  that  much  as  I 
 respect  the  memory  of  the  Erskines,  the  Fishers,  and  the  Moncrieffs 
 of  the  Secession,  still  deeper  is  my  veneration  for  the  worthies  who 
 have  adorned  the  history  of  the  Church  of  Scotland.  And  I  con- 
 fess that  my  heart  rejoices,  I  may  say  leaps  for  joy,  in  the  act  of 
 returning,  as  I  do,  to  the  Church  of  Knox,  and  Melville,  and 
 Henderson — the  Church  of  Thomas  Boston,  of  Andrew  Thomson, 
 and   of    Thomas    Chalmers.       Towards  the   ministers   of   the   Free 
 
HISTORY  OF  UNITKD  SYNOD,    1S42  TO  1852.  L'2"» 
 
 Clnircli  I  buve  long  felt  attached  as  hretliren  in  tlie  Lt>n\.  Sonif 
 of  them  I  am  proud  to  rank  among  my  private  friends,  whom  I 
 love  as  much  as  I  admire.  '  For  my  brethren  and  companions' 
 sakes,  I  will  now  say,  ])eace  \io  within  tliee  ;  Itecausa  of  the  house  of 
 the  Lord  our  God,  I  will  seek  Thy  good.' 
 
 "  Dr  Shaw,  who  was  also  greeted  with  louil  clieers,  read  the  Una! 
 deliverance  of  the  Synod  of  United  Original  Secedera,  us  stated 
 on  page  I'lO,  and  afterwards  said — In  i»resenting  this  document 
 to  this  veueruble  Assembly,  1  gladly  enda-jice  the  opportunity  of 
 expressing  my  heartfelt  sense  of  our  deep  obligation  to  this  General 
 Assembly  for  the  early  reception  they  were  j (leased  to  grant  to  our 
 representation,  for  the  mature  consideration  bestowed  upon  it, 
 notwithstanding  the  midtiplicity  of  business  which  has  occupied 
 the  attention  of  this  Assembly,  and  for  the  highly  favourable  deliver- 
 ance pronounced  upon  it  which  has  led,  more  speedily  than  might 
 have  been  anticipated,  to  our  re-union  with  the  Church  of  our 
 fathers.  On  Friday  last,  when  the  decision  which  I  have  read  was 
 adopted,  the  Synod  could  only  ileclare  their  readiness  to  accede  to 
 the  Free  Church  in  tlie  event  of  the  deliverance  then  proposed  being 
 passed  as  an  Act  of  the  Genei'al  Assembly.  That  being  now  done, 
 the  Synod  of  course  now  actually  accede  to  the  Free  Church,  and* 
 our  separate  existence  as  a  Synod  is  henceforth  terminated.  This 
 happy  consummation  has  been  etiected  without  any  compromise  of 
 principle  on  either  side  ;  and  on  all  the  })ractical  questions  of  the 
 present  time  we  can  most  cordially  concur.  We  are  thoroughly  at 
 one  with  this  venerable  Assembly  in  oppcsing  the  aggressions  of 
 Popery,  in  pleading  for  the  withdi'awment  of  the  Maynooth  Grant, 
 and  in  striving  for  the  better  observance  of  the  Sabbath.  It  has 
 been  candidly  and  generously  acknowledged  tliat  the  Original 
 Secession  Church,  .small  as  that  body  was,  lia-s  done  some  good  service 
 in  reviving  the  principles  of  the  Reformation,  and  es])ecially  that' 
 the  late  Dr  M'Crie,  so  long  the  ornament  of  that  Ijody,  by  his 
 writings,  had  no  small  influence  in  promoting  the  revival  of  these 
 principles.  The  joy  with  which  that  eminent  man  hailed  the  first 
 .symptoms  of  a  resuscitation  of  the  principles  of  the  Fii-st  and  Second 
 Reformations  within  the  National  Church,  is  well  known;  but  he 
 was  not  spared  to  witness  the  Thiid  Reformation.  It  cannot,  how- 
 ever, be  surprising  that  we,  who  were  trained  in  such  a  school, 
 when  we  now  perceive  these  grand  princijjles  distinctly  inscribed  on 
 the  banner  of  the  Free  Church,  should  have  felt  it  our  imperative 
 duty  to  quit  our  position  as  Seceders,  and  arrange  oui-selves  under 
 that  banner.  We  amnot,  in  my  opinion,  more  effectively  uphoM 
 and  diffuse  these  principles  which  we  have  so  long  maintained,  than 
 by  relinquishing  the  isolated  and  comparatively  obscure  position  we 
 have  hitherto  occupied,  and  contending  for  the  same  princii)les  on 
 
226  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 the  more  elevated  and  conspicuous  platform  occupied  by  a  body  so 
 numerous  and  influential  as  the  Free  Cliurcli  of  Scotland.  Without 
 farther  tres})assing  on  the  time  of  the  Assembly,  I  shall  only  add, 
 as  this  is  a  union  in  truth — a  union  founded  on  principle — I  fondly 
 hope  it  will  be  cemented  by  love,  and  that  we  shall  feel  how  good 
 and  how  pleasant  it  is  for  brethren  to  dwell  together  in  unity. 
 
 "Rev.  Wm.  White  of  Haddington,  on  rising,  was  also  received 
 with  applause.  He  said,  I  have  great  pleasure  in  appearing  in  the 
 Genei-al  Assembly  of  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  on  this  auspicious 
 occasion.  That  pleasure  is  heightened  by  addressing  yourself  as 
 Moderator.  I  believe  the  Secession  to  have  been  an  instrument  of 
 God  for  good  ;  and  he  has  granted  the  heart's  wish,  and  fulfilled  the 
 believing  hopes,  of  our  seceding  fathei's,  by  bringing  it  this  evening 
 to  an  honourable  close.  If  there  be  joy,  even  when  the  prodigal 
 retixrns  to  his  father's  house,  ought  there  not  to  be  still  more 
 rejoicing  on  all  sides  when  God  brings  back  those  who,  at  His  call, 
 went  forth  in  faith  from  their  kindred  and  their  father's  house,  not 
 knowing  whither  they  went  ]  To  every  religious  Scotsman  whose 
 pulse  beats  with  Reformation  feelings — which  are  patriotic  as  well 
 as  pious  feelings — it  is  surely  matter  of  unfeigned  thankfulness  to 
 Almighty  God,  that  the  Church  of  Scotland,  after  having  existed 
 so  long  in  a  torpid  condition,  should  have  been  so  remarkably 
 revived.  It  is  surely  matter  of  unfeigned  gratitude  that  the 
 Moderate  mildew — which  during  last  century  descended  on  all  the 
 Churches  of  the  Reformation — which  was  everywhere  accompanied 
 by  the  prostration  of  spiritual  influenza — and  which  on  the  Conti- 
 nent, has  issued  in  rationalism,  and  j^^i'^tlieism,  and  revived 
 Romanism — it  is  matter  of  unfeigned  thankfulnes.s,  that  in  this 
 land  it  has  been  followed  by  a  glorious  resurrection  of  a  dead  chiirch 
 and  of  buried  truth,  and  that  the  Church  of  Scotland  has  attained 
 to  such  a  state  of  reformation,  purity,  and  beauty,  that  all  who  truly 
 adhere  to  the  principles  of  the  worthies  and  martyrs  of  old  can 
 now  honourably  enter  her  communion,  and  help  her  to  maintain  the 
 same  cause  which  God  has  watched  over  and  preserved  in  Scotland 
 since  the  beginning  of  the  Reformation.  I  am  happy  that  T  have 
 lived  to  see  the  day  when  Seceders  can  return  to  the  bosom  of  their 
 mother  Chiirch  on  the  broad  highway  of  truth  and  duty.  The 
 fathers  of  the  Secession,  in  all  their  public  papers,  expressed  their 
 believing  confidence  that  God  would  one  day  vindicate,  by  the  hands 
 of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  that  step  which  they  were  reluctantly 
 compelled  to  take  for  the  maintenance  of  the  truth.  The  last  words 
 of  their  reasons  of  Secession  were  these  : — '  However  low  this 
 Church  may  be  brought,  yet  we  hope  that  the  Lord  will,  in  his  own 
 good  time,  raise  up  a  General  Assembly  in  the  Church  of  Scotland 
 that  shall  condemn  the  present  sinful  and  unwarrantable  proceedings.' 
 
msTuKV  OF   rNITKl)  SVNol),    lS4ll    I'd    18.VJ.  L'27 
 
 And  do  wo  not  see  these  words  fultilKil  this  evening  I  Has  not 
 God  raiseil  uj)  a  General  Assembly  in  the  Churcli  of  Seothmd,  thai 
 lias  unreservedly  and  cordially  eoiideimied  thf  sinfid  anil  iinwar- 
 i-antable  proeeedings  of  that  tyrannical  ]irevailiii<;  party  I  An<l, 
 next  to  (Jod  fullillini,'  His  j)ronuses,  what  is  more  interestini^  than 
 to  s"e  Him,  after  long  intervals,  fulfilling  the  believing  expectations 
 of  His  people  i  Faith  has  the  essence  of  propliecy  in  her  nature. 
 She  is  '  the  substance  of  things  hoped  for,  and  the  evidence  of  things 
 not  seen.'  And  especially  self-sacrificing  faith,  with  the  Cross  on 
 her  back,  with  the  world  Ijehind  her,  with  the  sanctuary  lamp  in  her 
 hand,  and  the  glory  of  CJod  in  her  eye,  self-sacriticing  faith  is 
 especially  of  a  prophetic  nature.  She  is  in  harmony  with  the 
 purposes,  and  the  plans,  and  the  i)rovidence  of  God  ;  and  the  Lord 
 makes  her  like  Samuel,  none  of  whose  words  fell  to  the  ground.  I 
 rejoice  with  a  great  joy,  that  He  who  vindicated  th(^  name  of  John 
 Knox,  the  founder  of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  by  the  hands  of  a 
 Seceder,  has  this  evening  vindicated  the  believing  hf)pes  of  tin- 
 founders  of  the  Secession,  by  the  honouraVtle  hands  of  this  venerable 
 Assembly  of  the  Free  Protesting  Church  of  Scotland.  And  why 
 do  I  so  greatly  rejoice  ]  Is  it  because  I  am  a  Seceder  1  No,  I  have 
 ever  been  far  more  in  heart  and  soul  a  Church  of  Scotland  man  thaji 
 ever  I  was  a  Secession  man.  I  became  a  Seceder  just  because  1  w.is 
 a  Church  of  Scotland  man,  and  I  cease  to  be  a  Seceder  just  because 
 I  can  be  a  Chui'ch  of  Scotland  man  out  and-out  within  the  Church 
 of  Scotland.  I  believe — and  the  House  will  excuse  it  if  it  be  a 
 Seceder  prejudice — I  believe  that  Knox,  and  Melville,  and  Hender- 
 son, if  they  had  lived  in  the  days  of  the  Erskines,  would  have 
 become  Seceders  ;  and  I  believe  that  Ebenezer  Erskine  and  William 
 Wilson,  if  they  had  been  living,  would  this  evening  have  ceased  to 
 be  Seceders,  by  joining  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland.  I  reciprocate 
 the  sentiments  of  Dr  Candlish,  that  this  union  is  matter  of  rejoicing, 
 chiefly  because  it  is  a  union  in  the  truth.  I  feel  that  in  this 
 Assembly  there  is  a  love  to  truth — a  universal,  disinterested,  and 
 gi-owing  love  to  the  truth.  And  I  hope  it  will  be  so  for  ever.  Love 
 to  the  truth  of  God  is  the  thews  and  sinews  of  the  Church,  just  as 
 faith  in  God  Himself  is  its  pith  and  marrow.  Love  to  the  truth 
 is  the  place  wheie  the  Church's  great  strength  lies.  It  is  the  con- 
 secrated lock,  preserving  which  she  is  invincible  ;  but  if  she  fall 
 asleep  on  any  Delilah's  lap — whether  on  the  lap  of  lil)eralism,  or 
 the  lap  of  tradition,  or  the  downy  lap  of  sentimentalism,  or  the 
 perfumed  lap  of  pietism — in  losing  her  love  to  truth,  she  surrendei-s 
 the  heavenly  symbol  of  her  jjower,  and  liecomes  the  slave  of  ht-r 
 enemies.  But  the  beauty  of  this  union  lies  in  this,  thar;  it  is  a 
 temple  to  concord,  resting  on  the  rock  of  Scrijiture,  and  built,  from 
 the    foundation   to   tin-   jiinnacle,   with   .stones   of   truth.       It   is   a 
 
21^8  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 jnnction  of  hands  proceeding  from  a  previous  union  of  hearts  and 
 minds  respecting  the  doctrine,  worship,  discipline,  and  government 
 of  the  Church.  This  is  not  a  nominal,  but  a  real  union.  It  is  not 
 merely  a  real — it  is  to  some  extent  alieady  a  tested  union.  During 
 the  whole  of  your  recent  struggles  we  were  as  you  were,  our  people 
 as  your  people,  our  horses  as  your  horses,  and  our  chariots  as  your 
 chariots.  We  did  not  feel  fw  you.  Sir  ;  we  felt  with  you.  There 
 was  a  pre-established  harmony  between  us.  We  felt  that  yonr 
 voang  enthiisiasm  was  a  chip  of  the  old  block — or  rather,  as  was 
 said  of  the  genius  of  the  younger  Pitt,  that  it  was  the  old  block 
 itself.  As  a  body  it  was  not  ours  to  join  with  you  in  the  central 
 conflict ;  but  in  aflairs  of  outposts,  not  a  few  volunteer  riflemen 
 tried  to  do  you  all  the  sei-vice  in  their  power.  From  the  mountain- 
 pass  which  it  had  been  commissioned  to  guard,  the  Original  Seces- 
 sion looked  with  unenvying  admiration  on  your  heroic  achievements 
 in  the  plain.  And  on  that  day,  ever  memorable — that  l)lack,  bright 
 day,  when  you  went  forth,  not  in  flight  nor  in  fear,  but  in  faith — 
 for  God's  people  retire  in  faith  as  well  as  advance  in  faith — on  that 
 day,  when,  like  Moses,  you  forsook  Egypt  in  faith,  and  not  because 
 you  feared  the  wrath  of  the  King,  our  hearts  went  along  with  you, 
 and  from  that  time  Seceders  have  turned  their  backs  on  the  Establish- 
 ment, and  regarded  you  as  being  constitutionally,  both  by  Divine 
 and  human  right,  the  true  historical  Church  of  Scotland.  We  had 
 no  difficulty  in  knowing  where  the  right  Chui'ch  was.  We  knew 
 that  the  Church  of  Christ  was  free-born,  and  we  covild  not  doubt 
 that  those  who  sacrificed  all  for  the  liberties  of  Zion  were  alone  the 
 Free  Church  of  Christ.  We  knew  that  the  Church  of  Scotland  in  her 
 best  days  had  always  scorned  to  be  a  creature  of  the  State.  We 
 knew  that  the  Church  of  the  First  Reformation — the  Church  which 
 sprang  out  of  the  seed  of  God's  Word,  quickened  by  the  ashes  of 
 Hamilton  and  Wishart — the  Church  which  Knox  founded,  which 
 Melville  defended,  which  was  pi-esided  over  by  the  wisdom  of 
 Henderson,  our  Scottish  Daniel,  till  the  First  Reformation  issued  in 
 the  Second — we  knew  that  that  Church  had  always  spurned  the 
 idea  of  State  control,  and  refused  to  allow  even  ornaments  of  gold 
 to  be  put  round  her  neck  in  tokens  of  her  vassalage.  We  knew 
 that  the  Church  of  the  Second  Reformation — the  Church  which 
 signed  the  Covenant  in  the  Greyfriars — the  Church  of  the  Glasgow 
 Assembly,  which  sat  in  the  name  of  Christ,  after  it  had  been  dis- 
 solved in  the  name  of  the  King — we  knew  that  the  Church  of  the 
 Second  Reformation  took  her  stand,  and  staked  her  all  for  the  head- 
 ship of  her  Lord,  and  her  own  independence  ;  and  we  could  not 
 help  seeing  who  were  the  successors  of  that  Church.  We  knew 
 that  the  Church  of  the  Persecution — the  Church  of  Scotland's 
 heathy  hills   and  mountain  glens — that  Church  whose  leaves  were 
 
HISTORY  OK   IMTKD  SVNo|>,    184-J    i'o    1  S.VJ.  '22\) 
 
 watered  with  the  pni3-ers  of  confessoi"s,  and  whoso  roots  were 
 moistened  with  the  blood  of  niartyi's — liad  sacrificed  her  rarthly  all  in 
 maintaining  her  testimony  for  Christ's  i-rown  and  covenant  ;  and  it 
 would  have  heen  something  like  judicial  blindness  not  to  see  who 
 were  the  successors  of  the  Church  of  the  l*ei"s»'cntion.  Some  goo<l 
 men  have  difficulties  in  finding  a  Church  of  Scotland  no\v-a-days, 
 but  the  Original  Secession  never  had  any.  "We  knew  that  the  ark 
 of  the  Covenant  was  the  rallying  point  of  the  Church  ;  and  that  it 
 was  so,  not  only  when  it  dwelt  auiid  the  golden  radiance  of  the 
 National  Temple  on  the  top  of  Zion's  hill  ;  that  it  was  so  e(puilly 
 when  it  dwelt  in  the  huuible  tabernacle  in  the  wilderness,  which 
 was  covered  with  rams'  skins  dyed  red,  and  badgers'  skins,  and 
 shittim  wood.  And  we  look  upon  the  Church  of  Scotland  as  going 
 wherever  an  independent  Chui'ch  found  it  necessary,  to  carry  it.s 
 testimony  for  the  truth  of  God  and  the  headship  of  Christ.  Believ- 
 ing you  to  be  identified  with  the  Church  of  the  First  and  Second 
 Eeformations,  I  rejoice  that  God,  in  His  mercy,  has  spared  me  to 
 see  the  day  when  the  Secession  is  terniinateil  by  a  most  honounibli! 
 union  with  the  Church  of  Scotland. 
 
 "  Dr  Duff  begged  to  submit  the  following  motion  : — '  That  the 
 Moderator  be  requested  to  express  the  cordial  delight  of  the 
 Assembly  in  welcoming  their  brethren,  and  to  give  to  them  the 
 right  hand  of  fellowship  in  the  name  of  the  Assembly.'  He  said,  our 
 respected  friend,  Dr  ]M'Crie,  stated  that  his  heart  leaped  for  joy 
 this  evening  when  he  stood  up  to  address  the  Assembly  ;  I  confess 
 for  myself  that  my  heart  has  also  leaped  for  joy ;  and  that  I  felt 
 this  night  as  if  it  had  been  worth  while  to  come  all  the  way 
 from  the  banks  of  the  Ganges  to  witness  this  scene.  And  I 
 can  declare,  moreover,  that  there  are  hearts  even  yonder,  on  the 
 banks  of  the  Ganges,  that  will  vibrate  with  a  thrilling  response 
 when  they  learn  the  tidings  of  the  consummation  of  this  ecclesias- 
 tical marriage. 
 
 "  Dr  Duff  then  delivered  an  able,  instructive,  and  eloquent 
 address,  which  he  closed  by  saying — 
 
 "There  is  one  reason  of  a  peculiar  kind,  into  which  many 
 here  may  not  fully  enter,  on  account  of  which  I  rejoice  in  the 
 accession  which  we  have  received  this  night  to  a  Church  which, 
 though  strong  in  faith  and  love,  has  of  late  years  been  deprived  of 
 many  of  its  most  noted  champions.  When  I  came  back  to  Edin- 
 burgh, after  an  absence  of  twenty  years,  and  missed  from  our  streets 
 and  squares  the  familiar  forms  I  had  been  wont  to  see,  of  Dickson. 
 M'Crie,  Andrew  Thomson,  Welsh,  Chalmers,  and  other  men  of 
 renown,  I  felt  as  if  I  had  entered  a  realm  of  sepulchres.  A  feeling 
 of  indescribable  loneliness  crept  over  my  spirit.  By  the  force  of 
 association  there  came  irresistibly  into  my  mind  the  following  lines, 
 
230  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 tlian  -svliicli  [I  know  of  none  more  plaintive,  except  the  strain  of 
 Heljrew  captives  l)y  the  livers  of  Babylon : — 
 
 *  The  flowers  of  the  forest  that  aye  fought  the  foremost, 
 
 The  prime  of  our  laud  are  now  cold  in  the  clay  ; 
 There's  sighing  and  moaning  in  ilka  green  loaning  : 
 The  flowers  o'  the  forest  are  a'  wed  away.' 
 
 I  cannot  tell  you  the  intensity  of  feeling  with  which  these  lines 
 were  revived  in  my  memory,  after  being  for  years  forgotten.  I  do 
 rejoice  that  our  great  men  are  not  literally  all  wed  away.  Though 
 there  has  been  such  a  felling  in  our  ranks,  we  have  still  amongst 
 us,  thanks  be  to  God,  the  Gordons,  the  Henry  Greys,  the  Makellars, 
 and  other  venerable  fathers,  and  among  a  junior  class  of  champions, 
 we  have  still  among  us  the  Buchanans,  the  Cunninghams,  and  the 
 Candlishes.  And  this  night  I  do  rejoice  that  these  our  ranks  are 
 now  augmented  and  strengthened  by  the  accession  of  a  new  race,  as 
 it  were — men  too,  of  renown — renowned  as  authors,  some  of  them, 
 and  some  of  them  renowned  as  being  really  among  the  foremost,  the 
 prime  of  our  land,  in  fighting  in  the  battles  of  our  faith.  I  rejoice  that, 
 by  their  accession,  that  Church  which  we  and  they  maintain  to  be 
 the  ancient,  veritable.  Reformed,  and  Covenanted  Church  of  Scotland 
 — the  Church  founded  by  Scotland's  dauntless  Reformers,  fed  and 
 noui-ished  by  Scotland's  holiest  confessors,  and  cemented  by  Scot- 
 land's noble  army  of  martyrs,  shall  be  consolidated  and  perpetuated 
 as  the  greatest  of  blessings  to  generations  yet  unborn. 
 
 "  Mr  Duulop  said — I  second  with  all  my  heart  the  motion  which 
 has  now  been  proposed.  1  shall  not  interpose  any  remarks  of  mine 
 between  the  House  and  that  sight  which,  I  am  sure,  they  must  be 
 most  impatient  to  witness,  and  which  I  know  they  will  hail  with 
 grateful  joy  and  thanks  to  Almighty  God,  your  completing  the 
 consummation  of  this  happy  and  honourable  union,  by  giving  the 
 right  hand  of  fellowship  to  the  representatives  of  that  body  of  men 
 who,  for  more  than  a  hundred  years,  have,  under  trials,  and  diffi- 
 culties, and  sorrows,  and,  beyond  all,  amid  ntter  and  perfect  indiffer- 
 ence and  disregard,  maintained  a  faithful  testimony  for  the  truth  of 
 God.  I  will  only  say,  that  it  is  a  fitting,  and  most  appropriate, 
 and  blessed  conclusion  to  an  Assembly,  marked  as  this  has  been, 
 witli  peciiliar  harmony,  and  love,  and  union,  within  our  borders, 
 that  we  should  be  privileged  to  see  completed  this  happy  and  joyoiis 
 union,  by  reuniting  to  ourselves  a  faithful  and  true  branch  of  the 
 Church  of  the  living  God. 
 
 '*  The  motion  was  carried  by  acclamation. 
 
 "  The  M  oderator  then  addressed  the  members  of  the  Deputation 
 as  follows :  — 
 
 "Honoured    and    Beloved    Brethren — It    is    with    emotions    of 
 
HISTOKY  OF  INITED  SYNOD,    1S42  TO    1  So2.  '2'M 
 
 no  onlinaiv  kiiul  that  you  and  we  are  met  together  ou  this  occasion. 
 It  natunxlly  suij<;;csts  to  our  minds  the  recollection  of  the  period 
 when  your  fatluM-s  withdrew  from  tlie  communion  of  the  ChurcU  of 
 Scotland,  and  entered  into  a  state  of   separation    that  has   now  con- 
 tinued for  more  than  a  hundred  years.      In   my  ))resent  condition  it 
 would  be  unseasonable  to  enlarge  upon  the  circumstances  of  that 
 memorable  event,  further  than  to  say,  that  tliey  did  so,  not  willingly, 
 but  by  consti-aint.     After  struggling  long,  and   bearing  testimony 
 against    the    defections    of    its    Courts   and   the    oppression   of    its 
 measures,  they  removed  from  the  connection  of  a  Clnn-ch  that  was 
 <lear  to  them,  with    their   hearts  woundeil    anil   their  spirits  bowe«l 
 down,  taking  a  solemn  appeal  to  the  tirst  free,  faithful,  and  reform- 
 ing General  Assembly.     In  the  recollection  of  that  sad  event,  it  is 
 consoling  to  know  that,  although  lost  to  the  Establishment,    they 
 Avere  not  lost  to  their  country  and  to  the  Church  of  their  fathers. 
 On  the  contrary,  they  carried  with  them  into  their  new  position  that 
 love  to  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus  that  was  rooted  and   grounded  in 
 their  hearts — that  conviction  of  the  indt'j)endence  and  spirituality  of 
 the  Church,  without  which  it  is  but  the  contrivance  of  man,  instead 
 of  the  ordinance  of  God,  and  that  faithful  ministration  of  the  gospel 
 on   which   He   has   promised  His  effectual  blessing.      Through  the 
 combined  intiuence  of  these  causes,  accompanied  by  their  invaluable 
 writings  and  godly  lives,  they  contributed  mucli  to  keep   alive  the 
 love  of  the  truth  and  the  practice  of  godliness  in  the  land  ;  and  to 
 prepare  for  the  return  of  better  times,  they  served  God  in  holiness 
 and  righteousness  before   Him    all   the   days  of  their   life,  and  be- 
 queathed love  to  the  Church  of  Scotland  as  a  precious  inheritance 
 to  theii'  posterity.      Dear  brethren,  you  have  made  it  manifest  that 
 you   are  the  sons  and  successors  of  these  godly  men.      You  have 
 ai)proved  yourselves  faithful  in  the  trust  committed  to  you,  and  you 
 li  ive  now  come  to  us,  whom   you   recognise    as    the    true    Church  of 
 Scotland,  with  the  heritage  of  your  fathers,  not  to  give  it  up,  but 
 that  we   may  strive  together  in   showing  foi-th    its   excellency,  and 
 preserving  it  as  the  highest  distinction  and  glory  of  our  land.      We 
 can  truly  say,  that  if  we  had  lived  in  the  days  of  your  fathers,  we 
 would  have  joined  ourselves   to   their   company,  and   cast  in  our  lot 
 witli  them.      But  the  gracious  Disposer  of  all  events  was  pleased  to 
 appoint  it  otherwise.      In    the    course    of   His    providenct;   it   was 
 brought   about   that,    through   your   contendings  without,  and   ours 
 within  the  Established  Church,  we  have  been  mutually  trained  and 
 fitted  for  joining  tegether  in   a  well-ordered  and  settled   covenant, 
 that  shall  not  be  forgotten.      This  we  do,  as  in  the  sight  of  God  and 
 of  men,  with  an  approving  mind,  a  pure  conscience,  and  an   upright 
 lieart — not  surrendeiing  any  principle,  or  incurring  any  obligation 
 that  would  frustrate  the  pui-poses  of  God's  grace.     Finding  that, 
 
232  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 tlirough  the  mercy  of  God,  the  causes  of  our  sei)aration  as  members 
 of  tlie  Church  of  Scothuid  have  passed  away,  we  now  return  to  our 
 first  love  as  members  of  the  Free  Church  of  Scothind.  May  the 
 Lord  hallow  our  union  with  His  blessing,  and  may  yon  and  we  have 
 grace  given  ns  so  to  act,  as  that  the  world  shall  be  constrained  to 
 say,  '  Behold  how  good  and  how  pleasant  it  is  for  brethren  to  dwell 
 in  unity.'  And  may  oui's  be  the  earnest  of  a  still  more  compre- 
 hensive union  among  the  Churches  of  Christ — the  dawn  of  that 
 blessed  day  when  there  shall  be  nothing  to  hurt  or  to  oflend  in  all 
 God's  holy  mountain.  The  Moderator  concluded  by  giving  the 
 members  of  the  deputation  the  right  hand  of  fellowship,  amidst  the 
 reiterated  applause  of  the  Assembly  and  the  vast  audience,  who  had 
 risen  to  their  feet  as  by  a  common  impulse. 
 
 "  At  the  I'equest  of  the  Assembly,  Dr  Clason  then  engaged  in 
 prayer. 
 
 Circular  to  Ministers  anent  the  Union. 
 
 "  The  following  Cii'cular,  on  the  Suliject  of  the  Union,  was 
 addressed  to  every  Minister  of  tlie  Free  Church  of  Scotland  : 
 
 "  Edinburgh,  'ird  June  1852. 
 
 "  Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, — On  the  part  of  several  of  our  brethren, 
 as  well  as  ourselves,  we  take  the  liberty  of  suggesting  to  you,  that 
 the  event  of  Tuesday  night — the  consummation  of  the  return  of  our 
 brethren  of  the  '  Synod  of  United  Original  Seceders '  to  the  Church 
 from  which  their  fathers  separated  themselves  iipwards  of  a  century 
 ago — ought  not  to  pass  without  notice  in  our  congregations,  see- 
 ing that  it  awakened  so  much  interest  in  our  Assembly.  We  are 
 far  from  presuming  to  dictate  to  you  ;  but  we  venture  to  name  the 
 first  Sabbath  of  July  as  a  day  on  which  it  may  be  convenient  and 
 suitable  for  the  ministers  of  our  Church  generally  to  read  to  their 
 people  the  Act  of  Union,  and  to  explain  the  meaning  of  the  trans- 
 action which  it  ratified. 
 
 "  The  occasion  seems  to  iis  to  be  one  which  may  be  improved  for 
 \arioits  imj)ortant  ends  ;  among  whicli  we  may  be  permitted  to 
 specify  the  following  : — 
 
 "1.  It  obviously  leads  all  who  love  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and 
 who  enter  into  the  spirit  of  His  last  intercessory  prayer  for  His 
 disciples  upon  earth  (John  xvii.),  to  hail  this  healing  of  a  long  out- 
 standing breach  as  a  token  of  His  favour,  and  a  pledge  and  pre- 
 cursor of  other  similar  unions,  upon  sound  scriptural  principles,  and 
 with  an  entire  absence  of  all  doubtful  compromises  or  concessions 
 on  either  side. 
 
 "  2.  It  is  a  historical  event,  fitting  in  the  present  to  the  past, 
 and  connecting  our  Church,  in  the  position   we  now  hold,  witli  the 
 
HISTOIJY  OF  rXITKl)  SYNOD,   1S4'J  TO    KS52.  2'M'> 
 
 Church  to  whosf  'liist,  free,  faithful,  uiid  n-furniinj^'  ({cucnil 
 Assembly,'  thii  Originiil  Sece(hTs  apju'alotl,  against  tho  tyniniiical 
 procedmc  autl  unjust  sentences  of  the  'prevailing  piirty.'  There  Is 
 a  continuity  here  that  makes  us  feel  as  if  a  whole  t-entury  were 
 obliterated.  "We  virtually  sustain  the  appt-al  ut'  our  brethren, 
 reverse  the  sentences  appealed  against,  and  restore  tlu'  appellants  to 
 the  phice  from  which  'the  prevailing  party'  thrust  tliem  out  in 
 these  dark  and  evil  days. 
 
 "  3.  But  the  e\ent  has  a  still  higher  siguiticancy  in  reference  to 
 the  men  and  the  measures  of  the  olden  time.  It  symbolises  and 
 seals  our  Church's  identity  with  the  Church  of  the  First  and  Second 
 Reformations.  It  is  a  renewed  pledge  on  our  i)art,  of  our  adhering 
 to  the  principle  of  a  National  Estai)lishmeiit.  It  is  a  \inii)n  on  the 
 basis  of  the  great  doctrine  of  Christ's  Headsliip  as  King  of  nations, 
 as  well  as  King  of  Saints.  And  tracing  as  it  does,  our  unbroken 
 eccle.siastical  and  national  descent  from  the  Church  and  Nation 
 whose  attainments  and  engagements  are  to  be  ever  gratefully 
 remembered,  it  ought  to  move  us  to  acts  and  exercises  of  humiliation 
 for  the  past — thankfulness,  with  fear  and  trembling,  for  the  present 
 — and  faith  and  high  hope  for  the  future. 
 
 "  -t.  Nor  is  it  to  be  overlooked  that  this  is  a  union  formed  in  the 
 spirit  of  a  heart-hatred  of  Popery,  and  of  all  Popish  tendencies  and 
 influences.  Vii-tually  and  substantially  our  brethren  join  with  us, 
 as  in  a  sworn  confederacy  and  league,  to  oppose  the  Man  of  Sin, 
 and  seek  his  utter  discomfiture  and  overthrow.  And  connecting  the 
 ruin  of  Antichrist  with  the  unity,  prospeiity,  and  peace  of  Christ  s 
 Church,  our  brethren  and  ourselves  are  alike  bent  upon  the  accom- 
 plishment of  tliose  scriptural  and  evangelical  ends,  for  which  our 
 fathers  consulted  and  comljined  together,  and  for  which  they  toiled 
 and  testified,  and  suflered  and  died,  in  order  that  these  kingdoms 
 might  be  rescued  from  Popish  and  semi-Popish  thraldom,  and 
 brought  to  '  the  unity  of  the  spirit  in  the  bond  of  peace.' 
 
 "  On  these  and  other  grounds,  we  consider  this  event  as  deserving 
 special  notice  in  all  our  congregations.  And  we  beg  to  propose;, 
 that,  on  the  day  already  named,  4th  July,  all  our  ministers  should 
 read  from  their  pulpits,  the  Act  of  Union  passed  on  Tuesday,  the 
 1st  of  June;  and  should  make  it  the  occasion,  not  only  of  earnest 
 prayer,  but  also  of  a  brief  explanatory  address  on  the  subject  of  the 
 testimony  which  the  Disruption  Church  has  been  called  to  bear,  and 
 which  o\ir  seceding  brethren  are  now  to  help  us  to  bear  still  more 
 emphatically  in  the  time  to  come. — We  are,  yours  faithfully, 
 
 A.   MaKELLAR.  KoB.    IJUCHANAX. 
 
 KouERT  Gordon.  Wm.  Cunninoha.m 
 
 Alexander  Duff.  Rob.  S.  C.\ndlish. 
 
 Patrick  Cl.\.son.  Tho.mas  Pitcairx." 
 
2:J4  ANNALS  OF  OKIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 The  subjoined  Pastoral  Letter  to  the  Cougregations  of  the 
 United  Original  Seceders  on  the  union  of  the  Synod  with  the 
 Free  Church  of  Scotland,  which  was  subscribed  by  the  Kev. 
 Drs  M'Crie  and  Shaw,  was  also  published  at  this  interesting 
 period. 
 
 "Dear  Bhethhen, — The  Synod  of  United  Original  Seceders,  at 
 their  late  meeting,  previous  to  their  union  with  the  Free  Church  of 
 Scotland,  which  is  now  so  happily  consuiu mated,  agi-eed  to  issue  a 
 Pastoral  Letter  under  the  direction  of  a  Committee,  to  be  read  in 
 their  various  congregations,  detailing  the  steps  which  have  led  to 
 this  event,  and  accompanied  with  such  reflections  and  directions  as 
 the  interesting  occasion  may  suggest. 
 
 "  The  Synod  met  on  the  24111  of  May  last,  and  was  opened  with  a 
 sermon  by  Mr  Beattie,  Balumllo,  from  2  Samuel  xv.  25,  26,  'And 
 the  king  said  unto  Zadok,  Carry  back  the  ark  of  God  into  the  city  : 
 if  I  shall  find  favour  in  the  eyes  of  the  Lord,  he  will  bring  me 
 again,  and  show  me  both  it  and  his  habitation.  But  if  he  thus  say, 
 1  liave  no  delight  in  thee ;  behold,  here  am  I,  let  him  do  to  me  as 
 seemeth  good  unto  Him."  During  the  subsequent  days  of  that 
 week,  the  Synod  was  anxiously  engaged  in  winding  up  their  affairs, 
 in  communicating  with  the  Committee  of  the  Assembly  of  the  Free 
 Church,  and  in  making  arrangements  preparatory  to  the  contem- 
 plated union.  The  General  Assembly  manifested  throughout  the 
 utmost  desu-e  to  facilitate  this  event.  To  avoid  all  unnecessary  delay, 
 and  at  the  same  time  to  allow  full  leisure  for  deliberation,  they  had 
 appointed  the  evening  of  the  Friday  preceding  their  first  diet  for 
 business,  to  receive  our  Representation  and  Appeal.  That  document 
 was  presented  by  the  Dejnitation  appointed  at  the  meeting  of  Spiod 
 in  Glasgow,  and  was  received  with  a  cordiality  and  respect  which 
 augured  most  favourably  for  the  happy  issue  of  the  movement.  A 
 large  and  influential  Committee,  consisting  of  members  of  all 
 supposed  shades  of  opinion  in  the  Assembly,  was  appointed  to  draw 
 up  a  Delivei'ance  in  answer  to  the  Representation  and  Appeal  of 
 our  Synod.  This  deliverance  was  produced  before  the  Assembly  on 
 Wednesday,  thus  affording  our  Synod  an  opportunity  of  expressing 
 their  mind  in  regard  to  it,  before  it  was  passed  into  a  judicial 
 deed  or  Act  of  Assembly.  On  this  occasion,  also,  the  Assembly  took 
 an  opportunity  of  declaring  themselves  freely  and  unreservedly  on 
 the  whole  subject.  The  question  was  fully  canvassed,  and  amidst 
 many  expressions  of  encouraging  concurrence  with  our  principles, 
 not  a  single  dissenting  or  protesting  voice  was  uttered  against  them 
 or  in  opposition  to  the  pi-oposed  union.  That  deliverance  was  to 
 the  following  effect.* 
 
 *  See  pp.  213,  217,  or  Act  IX.  of  General  Assembly  of  the  Free  Church  of 
 Scotland,  1852. 
 
HISTOKY  OF  IMTKl)  sVNOl),    l:s4'J  To    18.)2.  'loo 
 
 "  Our  Synod  on  receiving  this  Deliveninee,  after  the  most  seriouH 
 Uelibei-ation  and  fr»'(|uent  supplications  for  direction  to  the  tlirone  of 
 grace,  i)assed  a  resolution  declaring  their  cordial  and  unanimous 
 satisfaction  with  it,  and  their  readiness  to  accede  to  tlie  connnunion 
 of  the  Five  Church  of  Scotland  as  a  Synod,  in  the  event  of  that 
 Di'liverance  being  passed  in  its  judicial  form. 
 
 "  Having  thus  declared  the  way  open  to  their  union  with  tlie  Free 
 Church,  and  agi'eed  to  drop  their  position  of  Secession,  the  grounds 
 of  the  Original  Secession  lieing  now  fully  and  formally  removed,  the 
 Synod  ])roceeded  to  take  into  consideration  the  Financial  Arrange- 
 ments which  had  been  submitted  to  them  by  the  Committea  of  the 
 Gener;\l  Assembly.  Conscious  of  being  actuated  by  no  selGsh  or 
 interested  motives  in  seeking  this  union,  and  anxious  that  the  fact 
 should  be  made  to  appear  as  it  really  stood,  they  made  no  stipula- 
 tions to  the  effect  of  their  being  entitled,  in  virtue  of  the  union,  to 
 a  participation  in  the  benefits  of  the  Sustentation  Fund.  On  the 
 contrary,  they  agreed  that  their  ministers  should  in  tiie  meantime  be 
 su])ported,  as  before,  by  their  own  congregations,  aided,  in  the  case 
 of  the  weaker  congregations,  by  the  Mutual  Assistance  Scheme, 
 which  they  were  still  willing  to  keep  in  operation.  On  the  other 
 liand,  while  full  credit  was  given  to  the  Synod  for  their  disinterested- 
 ness in  this  matter  by  our  bnjthren  of  the  Free  Church,  the  heartiest 
 assurances  were  offered  on  tlieir  part  that  they  would  endeavour  to 
 make  such  arrangements  as  would  secure  that  none  of  our  ministers 
 would  be  losers  in  a  tempoi*al  sense  by  this  union.  Independent 
 of  all  such  assurances,  which  the  well-known  liberality  of  the  Free 
 Church  leaves  us  no  room  to  doubt,  the  ministers  of  our  Synod  felt 
 that  it  was  their  duty  to  cast  themselves  on  the  good  providence  of 
 God,  which  has  never  failed  them  hitherto,  and  which  they  trust 
 will  not  fail  them  now,  when,  in  obedience  to  the  dictates  of  pure 
 l)rinciple,  they  place  their  reliance  solely  upon  Him  who  sends  none 
 a  warfare  upon  his  own  charges.  The  following  are  the  Financial 
 Ari-angements  to  which  we  refer,  along  with  the  regulations  for  the 
 arl mission  of  ministers  and  congregations,  as  finally  passed  into  an 
 Act  by  the  General  Assembly.* 
 
 "  In  order  to  carry  out  these  arrangements,  as  well  as  to  transact 
 any  matter  affecting  the  temporal  interests  of  their  congregations,  the 
 Svnod  appointed  a  Standing  Committee,  composed  of  all  the 
 members  of  Synod,  with  the  addition  of  some  other  members  of 
 our  body  who  take  an  interest  in  its  affairs,  with  powers  to  meet 
 and  settle  these  matters  as  they  shall  see  cause.  Of  this  Committee 
 of  the  whole  Synod,  Dr  M'Crie  was  appointed  Convener,  Dr  Shaw, 
 
 •  See  pp.  219,  220,  or  Act  X.  of  General  Assembly  of  Free  Clnncli  of  Scot- 
 land, 1S52. 
 
23 G  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Whitburn,  Clerk,  and  Mr  Diivid  Waterston,  Etlinburgli,  Treasurer. 
 A  Sub-Committee  in  Edinburgh  was  appointed  to  transact  any 
 business  which  may  be  required,  in  i-egard  to  the  equitable  adjust- 
 ment of  the  funds  and  property  of  the  Synod,  with  powers  to  call 
 the  larger  Committee  when  necessary. 
 
 "Matters  having  been  thus  arranged  in  the  prospect  of  the  proposed 
 union,  and  several  of  the  brethren  being  obliged  to  return  home,  the 
 Synod  appointed  five  of  their  number  as  tlieir  representatives,  to 
 convey  to  the  General  Assembly  their  final  decision.  On  the 
 evening  of  Tuesday,  the  1st  of  June,  these,  with  other  bi-ethren 
 in  town,  having  constituted,  proceeded  with  their  Moderato)", 
 Dr  M'Crie,  to  the  Assembly  at  Tanfield,  where,  after  the  passing  of 
 the  Deliverance  of  the  Assembly  into  an  Act  of  the  Church,  the 
 Deputation,  amidst  the  most  cordial  greetings  of  the  whole  House, 
 and  of  the  vast  audience,  who  appeared  to  be  animated  with  but 
 one  spirit,  that  of  Christian  joy  and  gratulation,  presented  the  final 
 decision  of  the  Synod,  and  were  formally  admitted  into  the  Free 
 Church,  the  Moderator  giving  them  the  right  hand  of  fellowship. 
 
 "  It  is  not  our  intention  to  dwell  in  this  Letter  on  the  principles 
 upon  which  this  harmonious  and  auspicious  union  has  been  accom- 
 plished. Suffice  it  to  say,  that  not  only  has  the  General  Assembly 
 cordially  received  us  on  the  terms  which  we  proposed,  but  pro- 
 ceeding beyond  what  we  demanded  or  anticipated,  they  have 
 formally  condemned  and  disavowed  the  censures  passed  upon  the 
 fathers  of  the  Secession, — they  have  acknowledged  our  Representa- 
 tion as  in  accordance  with  the  principles  for  which  the  Church  of 
 Scotland  has  been  honoured  to  contend  in  the  best  and  purest 
 periods  of  her  history  ;  and  after  heartily  acknowledging  the  services 
 of  the  Secession,  they  recognise  the  solemn  vows  and  engagements 
 of  our  fathers,  confess  and  lament  the  defection  from  their  attain- 
 ments and  the  breach  of  these  engagements,  and  own  the  obligation 
 to  prosecute  the  ends  of  the  Covenants  in  the  Reformations  which 
 they  were  designed  to  advance  and  perpetuate.  These  declarations 
 of  attachment  to  the  good  old  cause,  which  we  have  so  long 
 endeavoured,  while  in  our  separate  state,  to  vindicate  and  uphold, — 
 declarations  made  with  so  much  frankness  on  their  part,  and 
 without  any  proposal,  prompting,  or  solicitation  on  ours, — have 
 filled  the  hearts  of  your  pastors,  as  they  are  sure  they  must  the 
 hearts  of  their  people,  with  unspeakable  joy.  Taken  in  connection 
 with  all  the  speeches  delivered  in  the  Assembly  on  the  subject,  more 
 especially  those  on  the  evening  of  our  admission,  they  argue  the 
 most  blessed  harmony  of  sentiment  on  the  great  cause  of  the 
 Reformation,  which  promises  the  most  perfect  unanimity  in  carrying 
 forward  that  work  to  the  great  ends  contemplated  by  our  fathers. 
 The  whole  transaction  is  fitted  to  form,  and  we  humbly  trust  will 
 
HISTORY  t)l-  UMTKl)  SYNOD,   lS  +  2  T(»    IS52.  2:!7 
 
 iictually  fonu,  the  closing  cliapter  in  tlu'  history  of  the  Secession. 
 Strictly  speaking,  the  Secession  must  teqninate  when  the  great  work 
 in  which  it  was  engaged,  and  the  ends  for  which  it  was  formed, 
 have  l)een  taken  up  by  the  C'Imrch  from  which  it  was  declared.  Tiie 
 acclamations  of  one  of  the  largest  an<l  most  enthusiastic  meetings 
 ever  held  in  the  capital,  fiisetl  as  they  wx-re  for  the  time  into  one 
 glowing  mass  of  rapturous  delight,  proclaimed,  not  merely  the 
 triumph  of  Christian  love  in  the  healing  of  one  of  the  breaches  of 
 our  Zion,  but  the  triumph  of  truth  and  principle  in  the  mode  of  its 
 accomplishment.  The  characters  and  contendings  of  our  fathers, 
 both  immediate  and  more  remote,  have  been  ami)ly  vindicated  ;  and 
 while  no  compromise  of  divine  truth  has  been  made,  the  principl<!S 
 for  which  we  ha\c  so  long  contended,  in  the  form  of  testimony, 
 have  been  placed  on  a  pinnacle  of  observation,  and  brought  more 
 prominently  and  effectively  before  the  eyes  of  the  Christian  woi-ld, 
 than  ever  they  have  been  before. 
 
 "  We  cannot,  dear  brethren,  refrain  from  noticing  tlu'  hand  of  God 
 .so  clearly  displayed  in  all  the  steps  which  have  led  ti>  this  desirable 
 consummation.  Even  those  incidents  which,  viewed  in  themselves, 
 we  cannot  but  de})lore,  and  those  measures  taken  in  opposition  to 
 our  proposed  union  which  we  considei-ed  rasli  and  unadvised,  have 
 conduced  to  facilitate  our  ])rogress.  God  has  indeed  '  led  us  in  a 
 way  which  we  knt^w  not,  and  in  paths  which  we  had  not  known  ;' 
 He  has  '  made  darkness  light  before  lis,  and  crooked  things 
 straight.'  '  These  things  hath  He  done  '  unto  us,  and  our  hope 
 therefore  is  that  He  *  will  not  foi-sake  '  us.  Truly  we  may  say, 
 '  When  the  Lord  turned  again  the  captivity  of  Zion,  we  were  like 
 them  that  dream.  Then  was  our  mouth  filled  with  laughter,  and 
 our  tongue  with  singing.  The  Lord  hath  done  great  things  for  us  ; 
 whereof  we  are  glad.' 
 
 "In  these  circumstances,  dearly  beloved,  we  trust  that  you  will  see 
 it  your  duty  to  acquiesce  in  the  important  step  which  has  been  taken 
 by  those  who  are  over  you  in  the  Lord  ;  that  you  will  continue  to 
 adhere  to  their  ministry,  and  support  them  as  hitherto  in  the 
 administration  of  word  and  ordinances  ;  that  you  will  cordially  join 
 with  them  in  every  good  work  in  which  they  may  be  called  to 
 engage,  in  the  more  enlargetl  sphere  of  operations  ojiened  up  to  them 
 in  Providence  ;  and  that  you  will  show  by  your  liberality,  your 
 activity,  your  zeal  and  charity,  that  the  principles  which  we  hold, 
 and  which  we  are  still  resolved  to  maintain,  are  combined  with  the 
 exercise  of  every  Christian  virtue.  Pray  that  the  Lord  may 
 sanctify  this  accession  to  the  Church  of  our  fathers,  by  making  it 
 the  occasion  of  a  revival  of  practical  godliness  among  ourselves,  a." 
 well  as  of  the  cause  of  religion  and  reformation  in  our  land. 
 '  Finally,    beloved    brethren,    be    ye    steadfast,    immovable,   always 
 
238  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 abounding  in  the  woi-k  of  the  Lord,  forasmuch  as  ye  know  that  your 
 hibour  is  not  in  vain  in  the.  Lord.' 
 
 "We  are,  dear  brethren,  yours  in  the  bonds  of  the  gospel, 
 "  In  name  and  by  apj)ointment  of  Synod, 
 
 Thomas  M'Crie. 
 
 Edinburgh,  June  2,  1852.  Robert  Shaw." 
 
 Pamphlets  relating  to  the  Disruption  of  the  Original  Seces- 
 sion Church  and  its  subsequent  Union  with  the  Free  Church 
 of  Scotland  in  1852  : — 
 
 Remarks  on  the  Position,  Principles,  and  Present  Duty  of  Original 
 Seceders,  by  the  Rev.  M.  Murray.  (Two  editions.)  Glasgow,  1849. 
 Fp.  24. 
 
 Union  with  the  Free  Church.  Observations  on  the  Pamphlet  of 
 the  Rev.  M.  Murray,  with  Strictures,  tfec,  by  a  Member  of  the 
 United  Original  Secession  Church  (Wm.  M'Crie,  Esq.).  Two  edi- 
 tions, pp.  32  and  pp.  35.      Edinburgh,  1849. 
 
 Reply  to  a  Pamphlet  entitled  Union  with  the  Free  Church,  itc, 
 by  the  Rev.  Matthew  Murray.      Edinbui-gh,  1849.      Pp.  24. 
 
 An  Historical  View  of  the  various  Settlements  of  the  Church  of 
 Scotland,  &c.,  by  Rev.  Wm.  White,  Haddington.  Edinburgh,  1850. 
 Pp.  32. 
 
 Letter  to  the  Rev.  James  Lumsden,  with  Remarks  upon  his 
 Speech  on  the  Covenants,  by  Rev.  Wm.  White,  Haddington.  Edin- 
 burgh, 1850.     Pp.  29. 
 
 Speeches  by  the  Rev.  Edward  A.  Thomson,  Dundee,  and  Mr  Wm. 
 M'Crie,  Edinburgh,  on  Union  with  the  Free  Church,  with  Appendix 
 by  Mr  Thomson.      Edinbui-gh,  1850.      Pp.  75. 
 
 Free  Churchmen  and  Seceders,  or  an  Examination  of  Plans  pro- 
 posed for  Union  between  them,  by  Rev.  Archd.  Brow^n,  M.A. 
 Edinburgh,  1851.     Pp.  58. 
 
 What  is  the  Duty  of  Seceders  in  reference  to  Union  with  the 
 Free  Church  1  by  a  Working  Man  (Thos.  Robertson,  Tailor,  Elder  at 
 Clola).     Edinburgh,  1851.      Pp.  16. 
 
 Letter  to  the  Editor  of  the  Original  Secession  Magazine,  contain- 
 ing an  Examination  of  an  Article  entitled  Historical  Grounds  of  the 
 Secession,  by  the  Rev.  Matt.  Murray,  Glasgow.  Glasgow,  1852. 
 Pp.  28. 
 
 Re})ly  to  the  foregoing  Pamphlet,  by  the  Rev.  Wm.  White,  Had- 
 dington.    Edinburgh,  1852.      Pp.30.' 
 
 Strictures  on  the  foregiong  Reply,  by  the  Rev.  M.  Murray,  Glas- 
 gow.    Glasgow,  1852.     Pp.  40. 
 
 Free  Church  Door  for  Seceders,  by  the  Rev.  Archd.  Brown,  M.A., 
 Edinburgh.      Edinburgh,  1852.      Pp.  51. 
 
DIAGRAM  OF  SCOTTISH 
 
 1858 
 
 1868 
 
 1878 
 
 1888 
 
 PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH  HISTORY 
 / 
 
 OtI>y<  »ruLUl  01u(> 
 
HISTORY  OF  UXITED  SYNOD,   1842  TO  185-J.  2:\'.) 
 
 DialoL(u.'  on  Freo.Cliurch  Door  betwmi  Rev.  A.  I'.icwn,  M.A., 
 uiul  Nomiiiis  LTmbm  (Rov.  Win.  Wliitc).      K.linl.iii -li.      T]..  31. 
 
 Thouyhts  on  Union  with  the  Frei*  Church  of  Scotland,  I. \  Thomas 
 M'Cric,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  Edinlmrgli.      Eainl)uri,'h,   1S:)2. 
 
 Review  of  tlie  Act  and  Dechuation  of  the  Free  e'hurch  of  Scot 
 land,  sliowini;  that  Union  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland, 
 whilst  she  liohls  her  present  position,  is  inconsistent  with  the  Prin- 
 ciples held  by  Secedei-s,  by  Rev.  Tbos.  ifanson,  Perth.  Part  I. 
 Glasgow,  185l>.      Pp.  36.      Part  II.      Ghisgow.      Pp.  04. 
 
 Review  of  Discussions  on  Union  between  the  Original  Secession 
 and  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  bv  Rev.  John  Sandison,  Arl>roath. 
 Edinburgh,  1S52.      Pji.  32. 
 
 Review  of  the  Account  of  the  late  Conference  given  in  the  Ori,/; 
 nal  Secessioa  Mafj/azine,  by  the  Rev.  Jolm  Robertson,  Ayr.  Edin- 
 burgh, 1852.      Pp.  8. 
 
 Free  Church  and  Original  Secession,  by  CJeorge  Jack,  i:idt'i-,  Dun- 
 dee.    Dundee,  1852.      Pp.  23. 
 
 The  National  Covenants  in  their  liearing  on  Union  with  the  Free 
 Churcli,    by   Rev.  Edward  A.  Thomson,    Dundee.      Dundee     18.")'> 
 Pp.  54. 
 
 Pastoral  Letter  to  the  Congi-egations  of  tlie  United  Original 
 Seceders,  on  the  Union  of  the  Synod  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scot- 
 land. Signed,  by  appointment  of  Synod,  by  Thos.  M'Crie,  D.D., 
 LL.D.,  Moderator,  and  Robt.  Shaw.  D.D.,  Synod  Clerk.  Edinl)ur"-h' 
 1852.      Pp.  7. 
 
 Letter  to  the  Rev.  Dr  Candlish  on  Extinction  of  the  Secession  in 
 Scotland,  by  Rev.  A.  Brown,  M.A.      Edinburgh,  1852. 
 
 The  Work  of  the  Lord  declared  in  Sion,  a  Sermon  occasioned  by 
 the  accession  of  the  Original  Seceders  to  the  Free  Church  of  Scf)t- 
 land,  by  Re\ .  Wm.  Marshall,  Leith.      Edinburgh,  1852. 
 
 A  Full  Account  of  the  Union  of  the  United  Original  Secession 
 Church  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  is  given  in  last  nmnber 
 of  the  Original  Secession  Magazine,  1st  series  ;  and  also  in  the 
 Appendix  to  the  Free  General  Assembly  Proceedings,  1852. 
 
 The  following  refer  not  to  the  subject  of  the  above  contro- 
 versy, but  to  side  i.ssues  : — 
 
 Should  the  Original  Secedei-s  continue  their  Secession  from  the 
 Established  Church,  by  an  Old  Seceder.      Dublin,  1844. 
 
 Historical  Notices  of  the  Ecclesia.stical  Divisions  in  Scotland, 
 with  Suggestions  for  Reunion,  by  Benj.  Laing,  D.D.,  Colmonell 
 Edinburgh,  1852.      Pp.  110. 
 
 Free  Clnn-chmen  and  Voluntaries,  may  they  honourably  and 
 consistently  seek  a  Union,  by  an  Old  Light  Voluntary  (Archd. 
 GilUe.s,  Journalist,  Dundee).      Dundee,  1852.     Pp.  15. 
 
CHAPTER  VIII. 
 
 STATISTrCS  OF  THE  SEVERAL    CONGREGATIONS  OF  THE    ORIGINAL 
 OR  OLD  LIGHT  SECEDERS. 
 
 Aberdeen  (^Burgher),  now  Melville  Free  Church. 
 
 Aberdeen  is  a  populous  city  in  the  north  of  Scotland, 
 111  miles  north  from  Edinburgh. 
 
 The  history  of  this  congregation,  for  which  we  are  chiefly 
 indebted  to  the  late  Thos.  Primrose,  Es(|.,  advocate,  is  as 
 follows  : — 
 
 On  2d  November  1756  the  Rev.  John  Bisset  died.  He 
 had  been  for  upwards  of  thirty  years  minister  of  the  East 
 Parish  Church  of  Aberdeen.  He  was  of  the  Evangelical 
 party  in  the  Church  of  Scotland,  and  a  man  of  ability  and 
 influence.  He  had  taken  an  active  part  as  a  supporter  of 
 Government  in  Aberdeen  during  the  Rebellion  of  1745-46, 
 and  suffered  accordingly  at  the  hands  of  the  rebels.  See  his 
 "  Diary"  in  the  "  Miscellany  of  the  Spalding  Club." 
 
 The  Town  Council,  as  patrons,  appointed  as  Mr  Bisset's 
 successor  the  Rev.  George  Campbell,  afterwards  known  as 
 Principal  Campbell  of  Marischal  College,  a  leader  of  the 
 "  Moderate  party"  in  the  Church,  and  an  author  of  theological 
 works.  A  portion  of  the  congregation  of  the  East  Church, 
 dissatisfied  with  the  appointment  of  Mr  Campbell,  left  the 
 East  Church,  and  having  fitted  up  a  chapel  in  Virginia  Street, 
 known,  says  Kennedy  in  his  "  Annals  of  Aberdeen,"  as  the 
 "  Seceder  Church,"  connected  themselves  with  the  Burglier 
 Secession  Synod.  This  was  the  first  Secession  congregation 
 in  Aberdeen. 
 
 On  7th  December  1758  the  Rev.  Alexander  Dick  was 
 ordained  the  first  minister  of  the  congregation.  He  died  on 
 the  17th  February  1793  in  the  sixty-fourth  year  of  liis  age, 
 and  during  the  thirty-four  years  of  his  ministry  the  congrega- 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  241 
 
 tiou  was  progressive  iu  miinbors,  and  many  merchants  ami 
 others  in  good  social  position  joined  it. 
 
 On  24'th  May  1772  the  congregation  took  possession  of  tin- 
 church  they  had  erected  on  the  site  of  the  cliapel  which  had 
 been  founded  in  1459  and  dedicated  to  St  Thomas,  but  which 
 had  since  the  Reformation  been  used  as  a  hospital  for  decayed 
 burgesses  of  Guild.  This  building,  having  become  ruinous, 
 was  with  the  site  sold  by  the  Town  Council  to  the  congrega- 
 tion, who  forthwith  erected,  at  a  cost  of  £800,  a  church 
 containing  about  GOO  sittings. 
 
 On  the  death  of  Mr  Dick  in  l79o  a  division  took  place  in 
 the  selection  of  his  successor.  The  majority  chose  the  Rev. 
 Wm.  Bruutou,  who  was  ordained  on  2 2d  April  1795  Second 
 Minister,  and  the  minority  withdrew  and  formed  another 
 congregation  in  Belmont  Street,  but  which  has  since  removed 
 to  St  Nicholas  Lane. 
 
 The  Old  Light  controversy  having  extended  to  this  congre- 
 gation, the  majority  adhered  to  the  original  principles  of  the 
 church,  whilst  the  minority,  along  with  the  minister,  adopted 
 New  Light  views.  Being  unable  to  worship  harmoniously 
 together  the  Sheriff  was  appealed  to,  who  adjudicated  the 
 property  to  the  Old  Lights,  on  the  gi'ound  that  they  formed  the 
 majority  of  the  congregation.  The  case  was  appealed  to  the 
 Court  of  Session,  the  judges  of  which  were  much  divided  in 
 opinion,  but  the  majority  adhered  to  the  Sheriff's  judgment, 
 so  that  the  case  "  Dunn  and  others  versus  Brunton,  lOth  May 
 1801,"  is  often  referred  to  as  a  precedent  in  questions  affect- 
 ing church  property. 
 
 The  remanent  congregation  then  applied  to  the  Original 
 Burgher  Presbytery  for  sermon,  which  was  granted,  the  Rev. 
 Ebenezer  Hyslop,  of  Shottsburn,  having  been  appointed  to 
 preach  on  the  first  Sabbatli  of  March  1800.  It  was  after- 
 wards arranged  that  the  preacher  who  officiated  at  Aberdeen 
 should  also  visit  Linturk,  in  the  parish  of  Tough,  and  preach 
 there. 
 
 On  11th  January  1803  applied  for  a  moderation  ;  stipend 
 offered  £00,  with  manse  and  pertinents,  and  the  expectation 
 of  the  stipend  being  afterwards  increased.  The  petition  was 
 granted,  and  the  moderation  was  appointed  to  take  place  on 
 
 Q 
 
242  ANNALS  OF  OEICxlNAL  SECESSION. 
 
 the  second  Thursday  of  February  following — the  Rev.  Alex. 
 Brown,  of  Burntshields,  to  preach  and  preside.  The  Rev. 
 Wm.  Taylor,  of  Levenside,  Avas  called,  the  call  being  signed 
 by  ]  37  members  and  17  adherents  ;  but  on  12th  April  1803 
 the  Presbytery  declined  to  translate  Mr  Taylor. 
 
 On  1st  May  1804  the  congregation  again  applied  for  a 
 moderation,  stipend  offered  £100  and  the  manse,  which 
 petition  was  granted,  and  the  Rev.  James  Gardner,  of  Kil- 
 patrick,  was  appointed  to  moderate  on  4th  July.  The  call 
 was  for  Mr  James  Watson,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed  by 
 152  meml^ers  and  13  adherents,  but  he  having  received 
 among  other  calls  one  to  Edinburgh,  that  city  was  preferred, 
 and  the  call  from  Aberdeen  set  aside  on  4th  December 
 1804. 
 
 On  4th  February  180C,  petitioned  for  a  moderation,  stipend 
 to  be  £100,  with  a  manse,  and  the  stipend  to  be  increased  as 
 congregation  increases.  The  Presbytery  having  expressed  the 
 hope  that  travelling  expenses  of  minister  to  Presbytery  and 
 Synod  meetings  would  also  be  allowed  by  the  congregation, 
 appointed  Tuesday,  18th  February,  for  the  Moderation,  which 
 day  shall  be  observed  in  fasting  till  public  worship  be  con- 
 cluded, or  longer,  if  members  can  observe  it,  and  that  the 
 Rev.  Wm.  Taylor  of  Perth  shall  preach  and  preside  on  the 
 occasion.  The  result  was  that  Mr  Wm.  Primrose,  Probationer, 
 was  called,  the  call  having  been  subscribed  by  145  members 
 and  19  adherents. 
 
 Third  Minister,  William  Primrose.  Ordained  13th  August 
 180G,  when  the  Rev.  Thos.  Porteous  of  Milnathort  began  the 
 service  by  preaching  from  Eph.  iii.  8,  "  Unto  me,"  &c.  ;  the 
 Rev.  Wm.  Taylor  of  Perth  preached  the  ordination  sermon 
 from  Phil.  ii.  29,  "  Receive  him  therefore,"  &c.,  ordained  Mr 
 Primrose,  and  thereafter  addressed  pastor  and  people. 
 
 On  3rd  September  1839,  in  terms  of  Act  of  General  Assem- 
 bly of  the  Church  of  Scotland,  25th  May  1839,  and  of  Re- 
 solution of  the  Original  Burgher  Synod,  31st  July  1839, 
 and  a  resolution  of  the  congregation,  26th  August  1 839, 
 together  with  a  memorial  presented  to  the  Established  Presby- 
 tery of  Aberdeen,  the  Rev.  Wm.  Primrose  and  his  congrega- 
 tion were  admitted  into  the  Church  of  Scotland,  and  a  quoad 
 
STATISTICS  OF  OONGREOATIONS.  243 
 
 sacra  parish  allocated  to  the  church,  which    was   thorcaltor  to 
 be  designated  Melville  Church. 
 
 On  12th  June  1843,  in  conse(|Ucnce  of  the  Disruption  of 
 the  Church  of  Scotland,  the  minister  and  congregation  unani- 
 mously resolved  to  adhere  to  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland. 
 
 The  Rev.  Wm  Primrose  died  on  23r(l  May  ISGG,  in  the 
 eighty-third  year  of  his  age,  and  the  sixtieth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 In  January  18G6  the  Rev.  Jas.  H.  Collie,  who  had  for 
 some  time  been  assistant  to  Mr  Primrose,  was  ordained  his 
 colleague  and  successor.  In  1875,  Mr  CoUie  was  translated 
 to  York,  and  was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  Jas.  Masson,  who, 
 after  a  pastorate  of  several  years,  was  removed  to  Coupar- 
 Angus,  and  was  succeeded  by  the  present  incumbent,  the  Rev. 
 David  Eaton,  who  was  ordained  on  loth  December  1884. 
 
 Monuments  in  St  Nicholas  Churchyard,  and  mural  tablets 
 in  Melville  Church,  have  been  erected  to  the  memory  of  the 
 Rev.  Alex.  Dick  and  the  Rev.  Wm.  Primrose. 
 
 The  church,  erected  in  1772,  although  several  times 
 modified  in  internal  arrangements,  was,  on  3rd  March  1878, 
 reopened  for  public  worship  after  undergoing  an  entire  re- 
 modelling, which  cost  about  £1200. 
 
 Statistics  of  congretjation  in  1884: — Members,  458;  ad- 
 herents,  42  ;  average  attendance,  400  ;  total  income,  £429  ; 
 stipend,  without  manse,  £259. 
 
 Belmont  Street  (AntiburgJier),  now  U.P.  Church. 
 
 "Seven  persons  belonging  to  Mr  Bisset's  congregation  acceded 
 to  the  General  Associate  (Antiburgher)  Synod,  when  the  other 
 Seceders  in  Aberdeen  obtained  supply  of  sermon  from  the 
 Associate  (Burgher)  branch  of  the  Secession,  and  formed  them- 
 selves into  an  association  for  prayer  and  mutual  exhortivtion. 
 They  attended  public  worship  at  Craigdam,  eighteen  miles 
 distant  from  Aberdeen,  in  fiivourable  weather ;  but  met  on 
 other  occasions  in  an  upper  room  in  the  city,  which  they  had 
 hired  for  the  purpose.  Their  number  having  increased,  though 
 still  small,  they  removed  to  a  larger  room  in  1772;  and 
 applied  to  the  Synod  for  supply  of  .sermon  once  a  month, 
 which  was  granted.      In   1775   they  removed    to  a  room   in 
 
244  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Spittal,  which  was  always  crowded,  but  few  members  were 
 added  to  the  church.  On  12th  November  1777,  they  were 
 disjoined  at  their  own  request  from  Craigdam,  and  formed 
 into  a  separate  congregation,  the  communicants  amounting  at 
 the  time  to  40.  Church  built,  1779;  sittings,  800.  A 
 new  church  was  opened  10th  January  1869,  with '  sittings  for 
 C94  ;  cost,  £3100,  5s.  6d."  ^ 
 
 First  Minister,  Michael  Arthur,  previously  of  Peebles.  In- 
 ducted 2Gth  June  1772.      Resigned  8th  February  1786. 
 
 Second  Minister,  William  M'Caul  from  Sanquhar.  Ordained 
 8th  April  1789.  Resigned  on  ground  of  ill  health,  20th 
 November  1798. 
 
 Third  Minister,  James  Templeton,  from  Kilmaurs.  Ordained 
 2d  September  1801. 
 
 Owing  probably  to  the  bonds  of  relationship,  he  being  son- 
 in-law  to  Rev.  Wra.  Mitchell  of  Clola,  Mr  Templeton  declined 
 to  unite  with  the  Burgher  Synod  in  1820,  and  thus  became 
 associated  with  the  Protesters  from  that  date  till  they  united 
 with  the  Constitutional  Presbytery  in  1827,  when  he  and  the 
 congregation  acceded  to  the  United  Secession  Church  on  10th 
 July  of  that  year.  The  latter  part  of  Mr  Templeton's  career, 
 however,  was  not  free  from  trouble,  since,  owing  to  a  diverg- 
 ence of  view  on  doctrinal  points  betwixt  his  colleague  and  him- 
 self, he  felt  necessitated  to  originate  a  preaching  station  in 
 Gallowgate,  and  which  afterwards  became  Charlotte  Street 
 U.P.  Church.  Mr  Templeton  expired  on  11th  August  1840, 
 in  the  seventieth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  thirty-ninth  of  his 
 ministry. 
 
 The  statistics  of  Belmont  Street  congregation  for  1884 
 are  as  follows  : — Members,  482  ;  total  income,  £700  ;  stipend, 
 £350  ;   average  contribution  per  member,  £1,  10s.  l|d. 
 
 Skene  Terrace  {Constitutional),  noiv  United  Original 
 Secession  Church. 
 
 This  congregation  was  formed  by  members  of  the  Secession 
 Church  resident  in  Aberdeen  and  neighbourhood,  who  were 
 opposed  to  the  Narrative  and  Testimony  of  1804   being  en- 
 
 1  "M'Kelvie's  Annals,"  p.  54. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  245 
 
 acted  as  a  tenn  uf  Coiniuunidii.  Its  begimiiiigs  wore  small. 
 In  1808  the  Presbytery  agreed  that  Mr  Win.  Edwards  from 
 Shiels  congre«,^atiou  be  admitted  as  elder,  and  on  10th  May 
 of  .same  year  granted  the  congregation  supply  of  sermon. 
 
 On  a  moderation  having  been  subsequently  applied  for  and 
 gi-anted,  Mr  John  Aitkcn,  Probationer,  w;is  called.  The  call 
 was  subscribed  by  nineteen  members  and  eleven  atlherents. 
 The  congregations  of  Glasgow,  Dundee,  and  Kelso  having  also 
 called  Mr  Aitken,  these  competing  calls  were  referred  to  the 
 Constitutional  Presbytery,  which  on  15th  May  1810  decided 
 in  favour  of  Aberdeen. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  John  Aitkon  from  Kirriemuir,  of  which 
 his  fjither  was  minister.  Ordained  2.5th  July  1811,  when 
 the  Rev.  James  Andrew,  formerly  of  Shiels,  opened  the 
 services  with  praise  and  prayer,  the  Rev.  Robt.  Chalmers  of 
 Haddington  preached  from  1  Thess.  ii.  4,  put  the  questions  of 
 the  Formula,  and  Mr  Aitken  having  been  thereafter  ordained, 
 the  Rev.  Thos.  M'Crie  of  Edinburgh  preached  from  Phil.  ii.  1  0, 
 and  closed  the  services. 
 
 On  lOtli  September  1850,  the  congregation  presented 
 their  pastor  with  a  purse  containing  sixty-three  sovereigns  as 
 a  mark  of  their  esteem  and  jrratitude  on  his  cnterin<f  the 
 fortieth  year  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Mr  Aitken  died  on  the  21st  July  1857,  in  the  sixty-eighth 
 year  of  his  age,  and  the  forty-sixth  of  liis  ministry,  and  his 
 successors  in  the  ministry  have  been  the  Rev.  John  Mackay, 
 now  in  United  Original  Secession  Church,  Bridgeton,  Glasgow, 
 and  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Ritchie. 
 
 The  statistics  of  the  congregation  are,  for  1884: — Mem- 
 bers, 67;  adherents,  13  ;  total  income,  £138  ;  stipend  with 
 manse,  £103  ;  average  per  member,  £2,  Is.  5 id. 
 
 Airdrie  {Burgher),  now  Broomknoll  Free  Church. 
 
 Airdrie  is  a  burgh  town  in  the  parish  of  New  Monkland, 
 Lanarkshire,  thirty-one  miles  west  from  Edinburgh  and  eleven 
 east  from  Glasgow. 
 
 This  congregation,  which  appears  to  have  originated  in  an 
 offshoot  from  Well  Wynd  Congregation,  acceded  to  the  Original 
 Burgher   Presbytery    on    7th   January    1800,  and    the    tirst 
 
246  ANNALS  OF  OKIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 supply  of  sermon  given  them  was  on  the  third  Sabbath  of  the 
 same  month,  when  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Hyslop  of  Shottsburn 
 officiated  by  appointment  of  Presbytery. 
 
 On  the  7th  May  1805,  the  congregation  petitioned  for 
 a  moderation  for  elders,  which  having  been  granted,  the  Kev. 
 E.  Hyslop  was  appointed  to  preside  on  the  13th  June  follow- 
 ing. The  result  was  that  Messrs  James  Hill,  Peter  Reid, 
 Robert  Watt,  James  Cross,  and  Matthew  Miller  were  elected, 
 all  of  whom  were  appointed  to  be  ordained  to  office  by  the 
 Rev.  Mr  Hyslop  on  the  third  Sabbath  of  September. 
 
 On  31st  December  1805  the  congregation  applied  for  a 
 moderation  ;  stipend  offered,  £70  with  a  house  for  minister. 
 The  Rev.  Wm.  Watson  of  Campbell  Street  Church,  Glasgow, 
 was  appointed  to  moderate  on  23rd  January  1806,  when  the 
 call,  which  was  in  favour  of  Mr  Robert  Torrance,  Probationer, 
 was  subscribed  by  eighty  members  and  eighteen  adherents. 
 
 On  13th  August  1806  the  Rev,  Robert  Torrance  was 
 ordained  as  First  Minister,  when  the  Rev.  Jas.  Gardner,  of 
 Kilpatrick,  began  the  services  in  the  tent  by  preaching  from 
 2  Tim.  iv,  2.  The  Rev.  Wm.  Willis,  of  Stirling,  preached 
 the  ordination  sermon  from  Numbers  xxvii.  16,  17,  ordained 
 Mr  Torrance,  and  thereafter  addressed  suitable  exhortations  to 
 pastor  and  people. 
 
 The  Rev.  Robert  Torrance  died  21st  March  1834,  in  the 
 fifty-fourth  year  of  his  age,  and  twenty-eighth  of  his  ministry. 
 His  funeral  sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev,  George  Hill,  of 
 Shottsburn,  from  Heb.  xiii.  7,  8. 
 
 On  14th  April  1835  the  congregation  petitioned  for  a 
 moderation;  stipend  offered,  £70  with  manse  and  garden, 
 together  with  £4  for  Sacramental  expenses.  This  petition 
 having  been  granted,  the  Rev.  Michael  Willis  of  Renfield 
 Street  Church,  Glasgow,  was  appointed  to  moderate  on  the 
 Thursday  after  the  fourth  Sabbath  of  May,  The  call,  which 
 was  in  favour  of  Mr  James  Findlay,  Probationer,  was  sub- 
 scribed by  214  Members  and  36  Adherents. 
 
 On  11th  August  1835,  the  Rev.  James  Findlay  was  ordained 
 Second  Minister,  when  the  Rev.  James  Stark  of  Greenock 
 began  the  services  by  preaching  from  Psalm  xxvi.  8  ;  the 
 Rev.  Jas.  Cleland  of  Stewarton  then  delivered  the  ordination 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  L'47 
 
 sermon  from  Luke  i.  34,  urdaiiiod  Mr  Fiudhiy,  and  tin  iv- 
 after  addressed  minister  and  congregation. 
 
 This  congregation,  together  witli  its  pastor,  acceded  to  the 
 Chiircli  of  Scothmd  in  1S31),  and  continued  with  tlio  Free 
 Church  of  Scotland  after  the  Disruption  of  1843. 
 
 Mr  Findhxy  having  been  transhited  to  Candachie  Free 
 Church,  Glasgow,  on  3rd  October  1844,  the  llev.  James 
 M'Gowu  from  Midmar  was  inducted  as  Third  Minister  in  184G, 
 and  died  2nd  June  1SG4,  in  the  thirty-.second  year  of  his 
 ministry.  The  present  pastor  is  the  Rev.  Wm.  Reid,  who 
 was  ordained  in  18G7. 
 
 Statistics  of  congregation  for  year  1884  : — Members,  404  ; 
 average  attendance,  455  ;  total  income,  ,£913  ;  stipend,  Hi'll 
 with  manse. 
 
 Alloa  (Burgher),  now  East  Free  Church. 
 
 Alloa  is  a  town  on  the  Forth,  in  Clackmannanshire,  30 
 miles  N.W.  from  Edinburgh,  and  7  from  Stirling. 
 
 This  congregation  was  formed  by  a  section  of  the  Rev. 
 Thos.  Waters'  congregation,  who  sympathised  with  the  stand 
 made  for  Old  Light  principles  by  the  Original  Ikirgher  Pres- 
 bytery. Application  was  made  for  supply  of  sermon  on  30th 
 June  1801,  and  on  28th  February  1804  the  congregation 
 petitioned  for  a  moderation,  the  stipend  ottered  being  £80, 
 and  also  £10  for  house  rent.  The  petition  was  granted,  and 
 the  Rev.  Wm.  Taylor,  of  Levenside,  was  appointed  to  mode- 
 rate on  10th  April  following.  The  call  was  for  Mr  James 
 Watson,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed  by  25G  members. 
 
 On  4th  December  1804,  the  Presbytery  set  aside  this  call, 
 and  ai)pointed  that  Mr  Watson  should  be  ordained  at  Edin- 
 burgh, to  which  he  had  also  been  called. 
 
 On  11th  March  1800,  the  congregation  petitioned  for  a 
 moderation.  Stipend  offered  £100,  including  a  dwelling- 
 house,  with  the  promise  of  increasing  the  stipend  as  the  con- 
 o-regation  increased.  The  petition  was  granted,  and  the  Rev. 
 Thos.  Porteous,  of  Milnathort,  was  appointed  to  moderate  on 
 the  2nd  April.  Mr  John  Macklnlay  was  then  chosen,  the 
 call  havincr  been  subscribed  by  310   members  and   IGO  ad- 
 
24-8  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 licreiits,  but  he  having  also  been  called  to  Levenside,  the 
 latter  congregation  was  preferred  by  the  Synod. 
 
 On  14th  July  1806,  a  moderation  was  again  applied  for, 
 the  stipend  offered  to  be  as  formerly.  The  Rev.  Thos. 
 Porteous,  of  Milnathort,  was  appointed  to  moderate  on  28th 
 August,  with  the  result  that  Mr  John  Mackinlay,  Probationer, 
 was  again  chosen,  the  call  being  subscribed  by  241  members 
 and  30  adherents,  but  the  Synod  declined  to  sustain  it. 
 
 Having,  on  loth  March  1808  again  requested  a  modera- 
 tion, offering  as  stipend  £90,  and  a  dwelling-house,  the  Pres- 
 bytery granted  the  moderation,  but  with  the  following  re- 
 marks to  be  communicated  to  the  congregation,  and  an  answer 
 desired  to  be  returned  to  them  with  the  call.  "  A  living  of 
 £90  subjects  the  possessor  to  a  taxation  of  £9.  The  mini- 
 ster, in  virtue  of  his  ofifice,  is  subjected  to  riding  charges  to 
 sacraments,  to  Presbyteries  and  Synods,  to  the  amount  of 
 ,£10  or  £15  at  least.  From  his  station,  too,  as  an  example 
 of  hospital ty,  he  incurs  an  expenditure  of  at  least  £1 5  or 
 £20,  which  in  private  life  would  be  avoided.  The  Presby- 
 tery would  wish  this  congregation  to  make  a  separate  allow- 
 ance for  such  necessary  expenses  as  these,  and  say  what  net 
 income  for  his  real  support  in  his  labours  among  them  they 
 allow  their  minister,  in  order  that  he  may  not  be  subjected 
 to  a  tax  for  such  outlays  as  can  be  of  no  benefit  to  him  in 
 point  of  real  support.  And  whatever  is  stipulated  as  stipend 
 now  be  increased  as  the  congregation  increases."  The  Pres- 
 bytery then  appointed  the  moderation  to  be  upon  Thursday, 
 the  31st  current,  the  Rev.  Wm.  Raeburn,  of  Bannockburn,  to 
 preside.  The  call  was  for  Mr  Alex.  Stark,  M.A.,  Probationer, 
 and  was  subscribed  by  245  members,  but  as  he  had  also  been 
 called  to  Falkirk,  Kirkintilloch,  and  Carluke,  the  matter 
 was  referred  to  the  Synod,  which  decided  in  favour  of 
 Falkirk. 
 
 In  reply,  however,  to  the  above  remarks  of  the  Presbytery, 
 the  commissioner  from  the  cono^resfation  said  he  was 
 authorized  to  report  that  the  congregation  had  made  their 
 offer,  and  the  Presbytery  might  consider  and  divide  it  for  the 
 object  of  their  call  in  any  light  they  chose.  On  29th  March 
 1809,  the  congregation  petitioned  for  an   addition  to  their 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  249 
 
 Session.      Three   persons  Avcre  afterwards  ordained   as  ciders, 
 tliough  seven  had  been  chosen  and  examined. 
 
 On  Gth  February  1810,  the  congregation  applied  tor  a 
 moderation,  stipend  ollered  £*)(),  also  .£20  lor  hoii.se  rent,  and 
 £10  for  sacramental  charges — £120  in  all,  with  hope  of 
 increase,  and  if  the  Presbytery  see  meet  to  model  the  .£90 
 any  other  way  to  ease  their  minister  of  public  taxes,  they 
 may  do  it.  The  moderation  was  granted  for  22nd  February, 
 the  Rev^  Wm.  llaeburn  to  preside,  when  Mr  James  Smith, 
 Probationer,  was  chosen,  the  call  being  signed  by  228 
 members. 
 
 On  14th  August  1810,  the  Pev.  James  Smith  was  ordained 
 First  Minister,  when  the  Pev.  Wm.  Paeburn  preached  from 
 Prov.  xi.  30,  the  Rev.  Thos.  Porteous  preached  the  ordination 
 sermon  from  the  same  text,  ordained  Mr  Smith,  and  there- 
 after addressed  minister  and  congregation  on  their  respective 
 duties. 
 
 The  united  congregations  of  Ballylintagh  and  Garvagh 
 having  called  Mr  Smith,  the  matter  was  referred  to  the 
 Synod  of  1814,  which  decided  that  he  should  remain  in  this 
 conojreo^ation. 
 
 The  Rev.  James  Smith  died  in  1827,  and  thereafter,  owing 
 to  disagreement  about  a  probationer,  several  withdrew  from 
 the  congregation.  Hence,  in  records  of  the  Antiburghcr 
 Seceders,  it  is  stated  that  on  18th  August  1829,  a  number 
 of  persons  formerly  in  connection  with  the  Burgher  Congrega- 
 tion at  Alloa,  petitioned  the  Edinburgh  Original  Secession 
 Presbytery  for  supply  of  sermon,  which  was  granted  on  first 
 Sabbath  of  October.  But  this  was  only  for  a  brief  period, 
 since,  on  12th  May  1830,  they  requested  the  Presbytery  to 
 withdraw  their  appointments  owing  to  their  inability  to  main- 
 tain ordinances. 
 
 On  the  24th  August  1830,  the  Pev.  John  Wright  was 
 ordained  Second  Minister,  and  retired  Emeritus  1875,  a 
 colleague  and  successor  having  been  allowed  him  by  Free 
 General  Assembly. 
 
 During  his  ministry  there  were  hckl  yearly  diets  of 
 examination,  which  were  well  attended  by  old  and  young, 
 and  which  were  found  extremely  pleasant  and  profitable.      A 
 
250  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 weekly  Prayer  Meeting  was  begun  at  the  time  of  the  Dundee 
 Itevival,  when  M'Cheyne  was  in  Palestine,  and  which  after- 
 wards became  a  permanent  institution.  Mr  Wright  was  the 
 last  moderator  of  Burgher  Synod  before  its  accession  to  the 
 Church  of  Scotland  in  1839,  and  after  he  and  his  congrega- 
 tion were  annexed  to  the  Establishment,  a  parish  quoad  sacra 
 was  assigned  them.  Mr  Wright  was  the  last  moderator  of 
 the  unbroken  Established  Synod  of  Perth  and  Stirling,  and 
 in  1843  had  the  honour  of  opening  the  Free  Synod  of 
 Stirling,  he  and  his  congregation  having  adhered  at  the 
 Disruption  to  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland.  His  colleagues 
 have  been  successively,  the  Eevs.  James  Wallace,  George 
 Milne,  and  John  M'Alpine,  which  last  was  ordained  in  188.5. 
 The  church  at  its  erection  cost  about  £800.  Subsequently  a 
 gallery  was  introduced,  and  other  expensive  improvements 
 made.  An  excellent  manse  was  built  in  1848,  costing  about 
 £700. 
 
 Statistics  for  1884  : — Members,  166  ;  adherents,  18  ; 
 average  attendance,  180  ;  total  funds  raised,  £314  ;  stipend, 
 £243  with  manse. 
 
 Alyth  {Burgher)  noiv  extinct. 
 
 Alyth  is  a  village  on  the  confines  of  Forfar  and  Perthshire, 
 17  miles  north-west  of  Dundee  and  12  west  of  Forfar. 
 
 The  Burghers  here  were  few  in  number,  and  never  were 
 abie  to  call  a  pastor.  They  applied  for  sermon  on  4th 
 October  1803,  and  in  response  the  Rev.  George  Williamson 
 was  appointed  to  officiate  on  2nd  December  following. 
 
 On  the  31st  December  1803,  they  petitioned  for  a  modera- 
 tion for  elders,  when  the  Rev.  Wm.  Raeburn  was  appointed 
 to  preach  and  preside,  and  Messrs  James  Elliot  and  John 
 Gilruth  or  M'Gilchrist  having  been  chosen,  the  Presbytery  on 
 22nd  April  1806  appointed  the  Rev.  Wm.  Taylor  of  Perth 
 to  ordain  them  on  a  convenient  day. 
 
 Their  funds  being  low,  they  got,  in  September  1807,  from 
 Synod  the  sum  of  £2,  17s.  6d.  to  help  them,  with  the 
 promise  of  more  assistance. 
 
 On    29th    April    1818    they    once    more    applied    to    be 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  2.')  I 
 
 recognised  as  a  vacaucy,  the  supply  of  sermou  to  !»«•  one 
 Sabbath  per  month  or  six  weeks,  but  no  further  record  of 
 them  is  extant. 
 
 AbjOi  {Coiistiiutionnl)  nmu  exthict. 
 
 This  congregation  originated  in  an  offshoot  from  the  Anti- 
 burgher  Congregation  (Rev.  James  Hay's)  in  180G.  Preach- 
 ing was  applied  for  to  tlie  Constitutional  Presbytery  on  10th 
 May  1808,  and  elders  were  ordained  by  the  Rev.  Anilrew 
 Arrott  on  the  first  Sabbath  of  March  1800. 
 
 The  Seceders  here  having  been  associated  with  tliose  of 
 Coupar-Angus  and  Rattray  in  forming  one  congregation,  on 
 IGth  January  1810  petitioned  the  Constitutional  Presbytery, 
 in  which  they  state  "  that  having  met  to  consult  about  asking 
 a  moderation,  they  found  that  they  would  be  able  to  ati'ord  a 
 competent  support  for  one  to  labour  among  them,  but  they 
 judged  it  inexpedient  to  ask  any  moderation  until  the  Lord 
 be  pleased  to  send  forth  more  labourers  into  his  vineyard, 
 and  therefore  express  a  hope  that  the  Presbytery  will  see 
 good  cause  not  to  grant  any  moderation  at  this  time  to  any 
 place,  as  a  step  of  this  kind  would  do  more  hurt  to  the  public 
 cause,  than  the  Presbytery  would  remedy  in  many  years." 
 
 They  having  subsequently,  however,  petitioned  for  a 
 moderation,  the  Presbytery,  on  13th  July  1812,  judged 
 that  the  congregation  was  not  in  present  ripeness  for  a 
 settlement. 
 
 On  21st  July  1815  the  congregation  elected  as  elders 
 David  Clyde,  James  Duncan,  and  Thomas  Smith,  and  desired 
 that  Robert  Millar,  formerly  an  elder  of  Synod,  should  be 
 admitted  to  the  Session. 
 
 On  10th  May  1819  a  moderation  was  applied  for,  but  as 
 the  stipend  offered  was  only  £G0  and  a  house,  the  Presbytery 
 were  unanimously  of  opinion  that  what  the  congregation 
 proposed  was  quite  inadequate  for  supporting  a  fixed  dispensa- 
 tion of  the  gospel  in  present  times,  and  delayed  giving  a 
 moderation.  After  a  delay,  however,  of  fourteen  years  (viz., 
 on  1st  May  1833),  a  call  was  given  to  Mr  Cunningham 
 Aitcheson,  Probationer.      The  stipend  promised  wa.s  £G5   with 
 
252  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 a  house.  Mr  Aitcheson,  however,  having  been  also  called  to 
 Arbroath,  and  the  United  Congregations  of  Crieff,  and  Dunning, 
 the  case  was  referred  to  the  Synod,  which  on  15th  May  1833 
 preferred  Al^^th,  and  the  Rev.  Cunningham  Aitcheson  was 
 therefore  ordained  Minister. 
 
 Early  in  the  spring  of  1837  Mr  Aitcheson  resigned  his 
 charge,  but  in  the  following  May  agreed  to  recall  his  resigna- 
 tion for  a  year.  Ultimately,  however,  his  demission  Avas 
 accepted. 
 
 After  this  period  the  gradual  decay  of  this  congregation 
 increased,  as  is  evident  from  a  paper  sent  to  the  Presbytery 
 on  24th  September  1889,  stating  that  unless  preachers  are 
 willing  to  accept  the  collection  as  a  remuneration  for  their 
 services  the  congregation  cannot  employ  them." 
 
 Arhroath    (Constitutional),    noiu    Maule    Street    Original 
 Secession  Church,  and  High  Street  Free  Church. 
 
 Arbroath  is  a  populous  manufacturing  town  in  Forfarshire, 
 17  miles  north-east  from  Dundee. 
 
 The  first  congregation  of  Seceders  in  Arbroath  originated 
 in  3  782,  and  was  an  offshoot  from  the  Secession  congrega- 
 tion of  Dumbarrow,  which  church  was  7  miles  distant  from 
 town. 
 
 The  first  meeting-place  of  the  congregation  was  a  building 
 on  the  site  of  which  the  Police  Office  now  stands,  and  the 
 congregation  worshipped  there  till  1791,  when  it  removed  to 
 a  meeting-house,  in  North  Grimsby  Street.  A  Session  had 
 been  constituted  in  1784,  and  five  years  later  Mr  James 
 Miller  was  ordained  as  pastor,  viz.,  on  14th  July  1789. 
 
 In  1806,  though  the  minister  remained  with  the  Synod, 
 or  New  Light  section,  about  a  half  of  the  membership  of  the 
 congregation,  together  with  two  of  the  elders,  adhered  to  the 
 Constitutional  Presbytery,  whom  they  petitioned  for  supply  of 
 sermon  on  10th  May  1808. 
 
 Until  the  church  in  Maule  Street  was  erected  in  1821,  the 
 congregation  worshipped  in  the  Long  Row  School. 
 
 Having,  in  1820,  petitioned  for  a  moderation,  the  Rev. 
 Alex.  Duncan  of  Dundee  preached  and  presided  on   7th  June 
 
STATISTICS  OK  COXGREOATIONS.  253 
 
 1820,  when  Mr  Boiij:uniu  Lainy;,  PiobatiouL-r,  was  talk-d. 
 This  call  was  siistaiiuil  by  the  Presbytery,  ou  condition  that 
 a  place  of  Avorship  shall  be  speedily  provided,  and  also  that 
 the  stipend  be  raised  to  .£90. 
 
 The  Rev.  Benjamin  Laing,  their  First  Minister,  was  ordained 
 on  19th  July  1821,  whon  the  Rev.  Robert  Shaw,  of  Whit- 
 burn, preached  from  Luke  xii.  42,  presided,  and  addressed 
 pastor  and  congregation,  whilst  the  Rev.  Alex.  Duncan,  of 
 Dundee,  concluded  the  service  by  preaching  from  Isaiah 
 liii.  10. 
 
 Owing  to  difficulties  inn\  discouragements,  Mr  Lain^  dc- 
 mitted  his  charge,  which  demission  was  acct-pted  by  the 
 Synod  on  IGth  September  1829. 
 
 In  1831  the  congregation  called  Mr  David  Burn,  Proba- 
 tioner, but  he  having  been  also  called  to  Thurso,  the  Synod 
 appointed  his  settlement  at  the  latter  place. 
 
 On  6th  March  1832,  the  Perth  Presbytery  agreed  to 
 allow  the  congregation  a  moderation,  on  condition  that  after 
 two  years  the  stipend  shall  be  raised  to  £80  per  annum.  Mr 
 Cunningham  Aitcheson,  Probationer,  was  then  chosen  Jis 
 pastor,  but  as  he  had  also  been  called  by  the  combined  con- 
 gregation of  Crieff,  Dunning,  and  Alyth,  the  Synod  preferred 
 the  last-named  congregation,  and  the  Arbroath  call  was  set 
 aside. 
 
 In  1834  the  congregation  called  Mr  John  Sandison,  Pro- 
 bationer, which  call  was  subscribed  by  twenty-five  members 
 and  twenty-five  adherents,  but  as  he  had  also  been  called  to 
 Auchinleck,  the  matter  was  referred  to  the  Synod,  which  pre- 
 ferred Arbroath,  and  thus  the  Rev.  John  Sandison,  the  Second 
 Minister  of  the  congregation,  was  ordained  in  1834. 
 
 In  1852,  along  with  the  majority  of  the  congregation,  Mr 
 Sandison  agreed  to  the  union  of  the  Original  Secession  Synotl 
 with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  but  the  minority  having 
 legally  retained  the  property,  the  congiegation  purchased  a 
 church  formerly  used  by  the  Episcopalians  in  High  Street, 
 which  was  afterwards  designated  High  Street  Free  Church. 
 Mr  Sandison,  shortly  before  his  death  (which  took  place  in 
 Edinburgh  on  2Gth  October  1871,  in  his  sixty-ninth  year), 
 was  presented   in  the  Arbroath  Town  Hall  with   his  portrait. 
 
254  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 ill  testimony   of  the  esteem   in  which  he   was  held  by   the 
 public  generally. 
 
 Mr  Sandison's  successors  in  Maule  Street  Church  have 
 been  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Kirkwood,  who  died,  and  the  Rev. 
 Alex.  Stirling,  who  was  ordained  in  1869,  and  his  suc- 
 cessor in  High  Street  Church  is  the  Rev.  Frank  Mudie, 
 ordained  1869. 
 
 The  statistics  of  the  two  congregations  into  which  this 
 congregation  became  subdivided  are  as  follows,  for  1884  : — 
 Maule  Street  United  Original  Secession  Church — Members, 
 14.5  ;  adherents,  40  ;  total  raised  for  all  purposes,  £207  ; 
 stipend,  £153,  with  manse ;  average  per  member,  £1,  8s. 
 6|d.  High  Street  Free  Church — Members,  802  ;  adherents, 
 12  ;  average  attendance,  283  ;  total  raised  for  all  purposes, 
 £395  ;  stipend,  £272,  without  manse. 
 
 Auchinleck  (Antiburgher),  noiv   United  Original  Secession 
 
 Church. 
 
 Auchinleck  is  a  village  in  Ayrshire,  15  miles  east  from  Ayr 
 and  16  south-east  from  Kilmarnock. 
 
 "  This  congregation  originated  with  a  praying  society  which 
 met  in  Wallacetown,  a  sequestered  spot  on  the  Water  of 
 Glenmuir  and  north  side  of  Airsmoss,  where  the  Rev.  Richard 
 Cameron  fell,  with  eighty  of  his  adherents,  in  a  skirmish  with 
 the  King's  troops  on  the  20th  of  July  1680.  This  society 
 had  existed  from  the  times  of  the  Solemn  League  and  Cove- 
 nant, and  had  in  common  with  many  others  in  Ayrshire, 
 Nithsdale,  Annandale,  and  Galloway,  been  under  the  inspection 
 of  the  Rev.  Mr  Hepburn,  of  Urr.  These  societies,  in  four 
 different  papers  in  which  they  designated  themselves  '  The 
 Societies  of  the  South  and  West,'  publicly  declared  their 
 adherence  to  the  Testimony  emitted  by  the  Associate 
 Presbytery  in  April  1738.  The  Rev.  Messrs  Nairn  and 
 Mair  preached  at  Wallacetown,  the  meeting-place  for  the 
 Societies  in  Ayr,  Cumnock,  and  surrounding  district,  on  the 
 last  Sabbath  of  June  1788,  This  station  was  afterwards 
 supplied    alternately   with    the    station    at    Kirkconnel,   the 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  255 
 
 general  meeting-place  of  the  Socedors  in  Nithsdalo,  on  .ui 
 average  once  in  three  months.  Mr  Siiiyton  was  ordained  at 
 Kilmaurs  in  1740,  and  was  reqnired  to  preach  four  Sabbaths 
 in  the  year  at  Wallaootown  ;  but  the  Trcsbytery  at  the  .sanu; 
 time  agreed  '  that  the  said  Correspondence  of  WaUacctown 
 (comprehending  Ayr  and  intennediatc  phaces)  shall  be  con- 
 sidered only  so  far  under  Mr  Smytou's  iu.'^pection  for  some 
 time,  that  they  shall  have  access  to  be  represented  by  their 
 elders  in  the  session  of  Kilmaurs  for  the  removing  of  sc;indals 
 that  may  fall  out  among  them,  or  when  there  are  additional 
 elders  chosen  among  them,  that  he  may  keep  session  with  said 
 elders  as  his  convenience  can  allow  ;  but  that  he  be  not 
 obliged  to  visit  the  sick,  or  visit  families  in  that  corner,  and 
 that  it  shall  be  optional  to  him  to  examine  some  days  when 
 he  goes  there  to  preach  ;  and  that  the  said  Correspondence  of 
 Wallacetown  shall  endeavour  to  lay  tliomselves  out  to  have  a 
 minister  to  themselves,  if  it  shall  please  the  Lord  to  increase 
 their  number,  and  they  shall  have  a  supply  of  young  men  from 
 the  Presbytery  if  demanded.' 
 
 "This  demand,  however,  was  not  made  till  175G,  when  the 
 Society  of  Wallacetown  obtained  a  disjunction  from  the  con- 
 gi'egation  of  Kilmaurs,  and  was  formed  into  a  separate  con- 
 gregation. The  station  at  Wallacetown  was  then  abandoned, 
 and  a  place  of  worship  was  built  at  Rigg,  a  retired  spot  about 
 half  a-mile  south-east  of  the  village  of  Aueliinleck,  from  which 
 village  the  congregation  took  its  name. 
 
 "First  Minister,  Robert  Smith,  from  ^lidealder.  Ordained 
 30th  Nov.  17G3.  Resigned  31st  January  IbU.O.  Removed  to 
 Kilwinning,  where  he  died,  12th  June  1817,  in  the  eighty- 
 fourth  year  of  his  age.  Author  of  a  pam])lilet,  entitled  "  Self- 
 Inconsistency  Exemplified,  wherein  Burgliers'  Opposition  to 
 their  own  Profession  is  Exemplified;'  and  a  treati.se  'On 
 Original  Sin.' 
 
 "  This  congregation  engaged  in  Covenanting  on  4th 
 July  1771." 
 
 "The  congregation  called  Mr  Isaac,  who  died  while  under 
 call ;  2d,  Mr  Smith,  son  of  the  former  minister,  who  died 
 while  on  trials  for  ordination. 
 
 "  Second    Minister,   Robert    Crawford,    from    Craigmailen. 
 
256  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Ordained  29th  October  1811.  Resigned  1813.  Admitted  to 
 Elgin  (First),  2d  January  1817. 
 
 "  The  congregation  called  Mr  A.  Scott,  who  was  appointed 
 by  the  Synod  to  Crieff. 
 
 "  Third  Minister,  Peter  M'Dermeut,  from  Ayr.  Ordained 
 3d  April  1816.  Mr  M'Derment  was  one  the  protesters 
 against     the     union     of    the    two    great     branches     of    the 
 
 Secession    in    1820,    and,    with    his    congregation    remained 
 
 J. "  1 
 apart. 
 
 Mr  M'Derment  was  Clerk  to  the  Synod  of  Protesters  from 
 its  formation  in  1820  to  its  union  with  the  Constitutional 
 Presbytery  in  1827,  and  was  subsequently  Clerk  to  the 
 Original  Secession  Synod  to  the  period  of  his  death,  which 
 took  place  on  2Gth  September  1833,  in  the  fiftieth  year  of  his 
 age,  and  the  seventeenth  of  his  ministry,  Author  of  "  Pro- 
 gressive Holiness,"  a  sermon  on  2  Peter  iii.  18. 
 
 On  28th  February  1834  the  congregation  applied  for  a 
 moderation,  which  was  granted,  and  the  Rev.  Robert  Smith, 
 of  Kilwinning,  was  appointed  to  preach  and  preside  on  11th 
 March.  The  call  was  for  Mr  John  Sandison,  Probationer,  and 
 was  subscribed  by  fifty-three  members  and  ten  adherents, 
 but  as  he  had  also  been  called  to  Arbroath,  the  matter 
 was  referred  to  the  Synod,  which  preferred  the  latter 
 congregation. 
 
 On  24th  December  1834  application  was  again  made  for  a 
 moderation,  when  the  Rev.  George  Stevenson,  of  Ayr,  was 
 appointed  to  preach  and  preside  on  5th  January  1835.  Mr 
 William  White,  Probationer,  was  then  elected  pastor,  but  as 
 he  had  also  been  called  by  the  Haddington  congregation,  the 
 Synod  on  13th  May  preferred  that  congregation. 
 
 On  23rd  June  1835  applied  for  a  moderation,  when  the 
 Rev.  Benjamin  Laing,  of  Colmonell,  was  appointed  to  moderate 
 on  15th  July.  This  call  was  in  favour  of  Mr  Alexander 
 Brown,  Probationer,  who  having  also  been  called  to  Coupar- 
 Angus,  the  Synod  appointed  his  ordination  to  be  at  that  place. 
 
 On  27th  July  1836  application  was  made  for  a  modera- 
 tion, when  the  Rev.  Dr  Stevenson  of  Ayr  was  appointed  to 
 preside   on    2'l:th  August.      Mr  Joseph  Wilson,  Probationer, 
 
 1  "M'Kelvie's  Annals,"  p.  404, 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS. 
 
 L'.»/ 
 
 was  then  called,  but  having  also  been  calk>d  to  Elgin,  the  Synoii 
 appointed  him  to  that  congregation.  Mr  Wilson,  however, 
 whose  choice  was  to  accept  the  call  to  Auchink-ck,  dcrlined  to 
 go  to  Elgin,  and  thereafter  resigned  all  connection  with  the 
 Secession,  since  he  held  the  decision  in  competing  calls  should 
 be  given  by  the  person  called,  and  not  by  the  Synod.  He 
 joined  the  Reformed  Tresbyterians,  and  eventually  united  with 
 the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  and  was  inducted  to  Abernyte, 
 near  Dundee,  where  he  died: 
 
 On  21st  March  1837  the  congregation  was  visited  Prcsby- 
 terially,  and  sympathised  with,  owing  to  their  numerous 
 disappointments. 
 
 On  12th  June  1837  application  was  made  for  a  modera- 
 tion, Avhen  the  Rev.  Dr  Stevenson,  of  Ayr,  was  appointed  to 
 preach  and  preside  on  3d  July.  The  call  was  in  favour  of  ^Mr 
 George  Roger,  M.A.,  from  Aberdeen,  Probationer,  and  was 
 sustained  and  accepted. 
 
 On  8th  November  ]837  the  Rev.  George  Roger,  M.A.,  was 
 ordained  Fourth  Minister,  when  the  Rev.  Matthew  Murray,  of 
 Glasgow,  preached  from  Psalm  Ixxxvi.  3  ;  the  Rev.  John 
 Graham,  of  Kilmarnock,  addressed  pastor  and  people  ;  and  the 
 Rev.  George  Stevenson,  of  Kilwinning,  concluded  the  service 
 by  delivering  a  sermon  from  1  Cor.  iii.  7. 
 
 Mr  Roger  was  for  many  years  clerk  to  the  local  Presbytery, 
 and  after  the  union  of  the  Original  Secession  with  the  Free 
 Church  of  Scotland  in  1852,  he  was  appointed  Clerk  to  the 
 remanent  Synod,  Avhich  office  he  held  till  his  death  on  4th 
 April  1870,  in  the  sixtieth  year  of  his  age  and  the  thirty-third 
 of  his  ministry. 
 
 Fifth  Minister,  Rev.  Prof.  Spence. 
 
 Statistics  of  congregation,  1884  : — Members,  28  ;  ad- 
 herents, 5  ;  total  income,  £49  ;  stipend,  £40,  with  manse  ; 
 average  contribution  per  member,  £1,  15s.  Gd. 
 
 Ayr  {Antiburrjher),  noiu  United  Original  Secession  Church. 
 
 Ayr  is  the  county  town  of  Ayrshire,  and  is  77  miles 
 W.S.W.  from  Edinburgh  and  33  S.W.  from  Glasgow. 
 
 This  congregation,  which  was  the  first  of  the  Secession  in 
 Ayr,  had   (says  Dr  M'Kelvie)  a  common  origin  with   that  of 
 
 R 
 
258  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Auchinleck.  The  first  supply  of  sermon  to  the  Seceders  in 
 Ayr  was  in  1755,  at  which  time  it  was  difficult  for  them  to 
 obtain  a  piece  of  ground  on  which  to  erect  a  tent,  and  it  was 
 not  till  fifteen  years  afterwards  that  they  were  disjoined  from 
 Kilmaurs,  ]  4  miles  off,  and  formed  into  a  separate  cougrega- 
 tion.  Their  first  church  was  built  in  1770.  After  the  lapse 
 of  thirty  years,  however,  the  building  was  taken  down,  and 
 the  site,  along  with  some  adjacent  ground,  was  converted  into 
 a  place  of  sepulture,  where  are  interred  many  of  the  original 
 members  of  the  congregation  and  their  relatives. 
 
 The  second  church  was  built  in  1799-1800,  and  cost  about 
 £740,  but  about  sixty  years  afterwards  it  was  repaired,  and 
 the  area  reseated.  Sittings  about  470,  Before  obtaining  a 
 fixed  pastor  the  congregation  called  Mr  Thomas  Darg,  who 
 was  appointed  by  the  Synod  to  Wick. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  John  Clarksoii,  from  Craigmailen,  of 
 which  his  father  was  pastor.  Ordained  21st  April  1772. 
 During  his  ministry  the  congregation  engaged  in  Covenanting 
 for  the  first  time  on  31st  December  1778.  Mr  Clarkson  died 
 on  13th  August  1780,  in  the  thirty- third  year  of  his  age  and 
 ninth  of  his  ministry.      Author  of  "  Gallio,"  a  sermon. 
 
 On  24th  February  1781  the  congregation  called  Mr  Alex. 
 Allan,  who  was  appointed  by  the  Synod  to  Coupar-Angus,  and 
 in  autumn  of  the  same  year  they  called  Mr  James  Taylor, 
 Probationer. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  James  Taylor,  from  Stirling.  Ordained 
 14th  November  1781.  The  congregation  engaged  in  Covenant- 
 ing for  the  second  time  on  14th  March  1793.  Mr  Taylor 
 expired  suddenly  at  Kendal  on  his  way  to  Liverpool,  13th 
 August  1793,  in  the  twelfth  year  of  his  ministry. 
 
 The  congregation  then  called  Mr  James  Watt,  Probationer, 
 who  was  also  called  to  Hillhall  and  Dublin,  Ireland  ;  but  he 
 having  written  a  pamphlet  containing  sentiments  alleged  to  be 
 at  variance  with  the  principles  of  the  Secession,  was  deprived 
 of  his  license.  He  afterwards  became  a  surgeon  in  Ireland, 
 and  joined  the  Baptists. 
 
 Third  Minister,  George  Stevenson,  D.D.,  from  Morebattle. 
 Ordained  2 2d  February  1797.  Congregation  engaged  for 
 third  time  in  Covenanting,  26th  October  1809,  and  for  fourth 
 time  in  1832. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONCJlU-XJATlONS.  L'.j!) 
 
 On  3d  May  1S3G  the  congroijatioD  oallod  Mr  (n-or^'e 
 Stevenson,  Probationer,  to  be  ctjUeague  to  liis  father,  wliicli 
 call,  however,  the  Synod  set  aside  on  12th  May  183G,  and 
 appointed  him  to  be  onh^inod  at  Kilwinning,  to  whicli  place  Ik; 
 had  also  been  called. 
 
 Along  with  Professor  Paxton  and  others,  Dr  Stevenson 
 and  his  congregation  protested  against  the  nnion  with  tlie 
 Burghers  in  1820,  but  afterwards  united  with  the  Constitu- 
 tional Presbytery  in  forming  the  Original  Secession  Synod  in 
 1827.  Dr  Stevenson  wrote  the  doctrinal  part  of  the 
 Original  Secession  Testimony,  and  was  author  of  "A  Dis- 
 sertation on  the  Atonement,"  "  A  Treatise  on  the  Offices  of 
 Christ:"  "A  Plea  for  the  Covenanted  llefonnation  in  (Ircat 
 Britain  and  Ireland  ;"  and  "The  Grace  of  Christ  lUustrated  : 
 a  Sermon  on  2  Cor.  viii.  9,"  He  died  5th  May  1841,  iu 
 the  seventieth  year  of  his  age  and  the  forty-fourth  of  his 
 ministry. 
 
 On  14th  December  1841  the  congregation  applied  for  a 
 moderation,  which  being  granted,  Mr  Jolin  Robertson,  Proba- 
 tioner, was  called  ;  but  as  he  had  also  been  called  to  Dally- 
 lintagh,  the  case  was  referred  to  the  Synod,  whieh  on  ISth 
 May  1842  preferred  the  latter  congregation,  against  which 
 decision  the  commissioners  from  Ayr  offered  their  protest. 
 
 On  the  27th  June  1842  the  congregation  again  applied  for 
 a  moderation,  when  the  Rev.  George  Roger,  of  Auchinleck, 
 was  appointed  to  preach  and  preside  on  14th  July.  This  call 
 was  also  for  Mr  John  Robertson,  and  was  subscribed  by  78 
 male  members  and  ill  male  hearers  ;  but  the  Synod  being  still 
 in  favour  of  his  settlement  at  Ballylintagli,  the  congregation 
 again  applied  for  a  moderation,  which  was  granted,  and  the 
 Rev.  John  Graham,  of  Kilmarnock,  was  appointed  to  preach 
 and  preside  on  20th  October  1842,  when  for  the  third  time 
 Mr  John  Robertson  was  chosen,  the  call  being  subscribed  by 
 77  male  members  and  28  male  hearers.  The  Ballylintagli  call 
 having  been  withdrawn,  Mr  Robertson,  on  3d  May  1843,  had 
 the  call  to  Ayr  put  into  his  hand,  and  accepted  the  same. 
 
 Fourth  Minister,  Rev.  John  Robertson,  from  Infirmary  Street, 
 Edinburgh.  Ordained  29th  June  1843,  when  the  Rev. 
 John  Graham    of  Kilmarnock    preached   from    1    Tim.  iii.  1. 
 
260  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Rev.  George  Roger,  of  Auchinleck,  offered  the  ordination 
 prayer  ;  Rev.  Benjamin  Laing,  of  Colmonell,  addressed  pastor 
 and  congregation,  and  the  Rev.  Robert  J.  Watt,  of  Stranraer, 
 concluded  the  service  by  delivering  a  sermon  from  Ps.  li.  1 8. 
 
 Mr  Robertson  and  the  great  majority  of  his  congregation 
 havinsf  declined  to  unite  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  in 
 1852,  form  part  of  the  remanent  United  Original  Secession 
 Synod. 
 
 The  statistics  for  1884  are: — Members,  160;  adherents, 
 30;  total  income,  £315;  stipend,  £190,  without  manse; 
 average  contribution  per  member,  £1,  1 9s.  5d. 
 
 Balfron  {Burgher),  novj  extinct. 
 
 Balfron  is  a  village  in  the  parish  of  the  same  name,  1 9 
 miles  north  from  Glasgow. 
 
 Though  application  for  sermon  was  made  to  the  Original 
 Burgher  Presbytery  on  30th  October  1804,  and  to  the  Con- 
 stitutional Presbytery  on  10th  May  1808,  yet  no  regular 
 consresration  was  formed  till  1829,  when,  on  3rd  November, 
 the  Glasgow  Burgher  Presbytery  received  and  read  a  petition 
 from  the  congregation  in  Balfron  lately  under  the  inspection 
 of  the  Associate  United  Secession  Church,  and  agreed  to  give 
 them  sermon  for  two  Sabbaths,  according  to  their  request. 
 
 On  13fch  April  1830  a  petition  for  regular  supply  of  ser- 
 mon was  received  by  the  Glasgow  Presbytery.  On  21st 
 December  1830  applied  for  a  moderation,  but  finding  that 
 the  congregation  had  no  elders,  the  Presbytery  appointed  the 
 Rev.  John  Anderson,  of  Helensburgh,  to  preside  at  an  election 
 of  elders  to  be  held  on  the  Monday  after  the  third  Sabbath  of 
 January  1831.  At  this  election  Messrs  Hugh  Wishart, 
 David  Stewart,  and  Thomas  Paterson  were  duly  chosen,  but 
 as  Mr  Paterson  had  not  been  in  the  eldership  before,  the  Rev. 
 Michael  Willis,  of  Glasgow,  was  appointed  to  examine  him. 
 The  congregation  having  offered  a  stipend  of  £60,  exclusive 
 of  sacramental  expenses,  with  promise  of  increase,  the  Presby- 
 tery appointed  the  Rev.  Andrew  Thomson,  of  Paisley,  to 
 moderate  on  the  Monday  after  the  second  Sabbath  of  February 
 1831.    David  Stewart  having  declined  to  accept  the  eldership. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  2G1 
 
 Hugh  Wisbait  was  lulmittod,  and  Tliuinas  Pali  rson  onlainecl  to 
 that  office  by  the  Rev.  A.  Thomson.  The  call  to  the  ministry 
 was  for  Mr  Robert  ]\rindoe,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed 
 by  thirty  members  and  tive  adherents,  but  he  having  also  been 
 called  to  Kirkcaldy,  the  matter  was  referred  to  the  Synod, 
 which  preferred  the  latter  jjlaoe. 
 
 Having  on  13th  September  ]S;3J  applied  lor  a  Presbyterial 
 visitation,  the  Rev.  Messrs  Stewart,  M'Kinlay,  and  Willis, 
 along  with  Alex.  Park,  elder,  were  appointed  to  visit  the  con- 
 gregation. Their  report  having  been  given  to  the  Presbytery 
 on  8th  November  1831,  that  court  counselled  the  congregation 
 to  be  united  in  their  interest  in  the  place  of  worship  lately 
 erected. 
 
 On  28th  April  1835,  ]\Ir  Dove  agreed  to  tjike  the  property 
 at  the  valuation  put  on  it  by  Messrs  Douglas  &  Taylor,  on  the 
 understanding  that  he  is  willing  to  give  up  the  property  to 
 the  members  of  the  congregation  if  they  choose  to  pay  the 
 sum  paid  by  him  for  it.  As  no  further  notice  appears  in  the 
 records  of  Presbytery  or  Synod  respecting  this  congregation, 
 in  all  likelihood  it  speedily  was  dissolved. 
 
 Balmullo  {Constitutional),  now  extinct. 
 
 Balmullo  is  a  small  village  in  the  parish  of  Leuchars,  Fife- 
 shire,  about  5  miles  N.-E.  from  Cupar. 
 
 This  congregation  was  formed  with  the  consent  of  Ceres 
 congregation,  from  which  it  was  an  otTshoot,  in  1787.  The 
 church,  containing  about  300  sittings,  was  built  in  1790, 
 and  a  manse  and  glebe  were  afterwards  annexed. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  Jas.  Methven,  from  Nicolson  Street, 
 Edinburirh.  Called  to  Montrose  and  Balmullo.  Ordained 
 2 2d  Aug.  1797.  Resigned  1800.  Admitted  to  Stewarton 
 1803. 
 
 This  congregation  adhered  to  the  Constitutional  Presbytery, 
 and  petitioned  for  supply  of  sermon,  10th  May  1808.  After 
 a  protracted  vacancy,  ^Ir  James  Beattic,  Probationer,  from 
 Arbroath,  was  called  and  ordained  Second  Minister,  19th  July 
 182G.  In  1852,  along  with  the  great  majority  of  the  con- 
 ffresratiou,  Mr  Beattie  acceded  to  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland, 
 
262  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 lait  the  minority  haviDg  stood  aloft,  claimed  the  church, 
 manse,  and  glebe,  which,  in  order  to  avoid  litigation,  were 
 surrendered  to  them.  The  minister  having  retired  to  Cupnr, 
 where  he  still  resides,  the  members  of  the  congregation  associ- 
 ated themselves  with  the  other  Free  Church  congregations  in 
 the  vicinity,  and  the  remanent  party  having  in  the  course  of 
 years  died  out,  the  congregational  properties  Avere  sold,  and 
 the  balance,  amounting  to  £300  or  thereby,  was  handed  over 
 to  the  United  Original  Secession  Sjmod. 
 
 BallynoJiincli,  Ireland  {Burgher),  now  Irish  Presbyterian 
 
 Church. 
 
 This  congregation  was  formed  in  J  830  by  persons  who 
 were  formerly  connected  with  the  Second  Presbyterian  Con- 
 gregation in  that  town.  Being  dissatisfied  with  the  settle- 
 ment of  a  minister  they  withdrew,  and  formed  a  charge  in 
 connection  with  the  Original  Burgher  Synod. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  James  Thomson,  ordained  31st 
 December  1830,  and  who  was  on  26th  February  1840  trans- 
 lated to  Magherally,  Banbridge. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Robert  Irvine,  ordained  3rd  November 
 1840,  but  who  after  a  few  years  left  for  America,  where  he 
 has  since  ministered  to  several  congregations. 
 
 Third  Minister,  Rev.  John  Davis,  ordained  1st  October 
 1844,  and  who  still  remains  in  office. 
 
 The  church  was  built  immediately  after  the  induction  of 
 the  first  minister,  but  was  rebuilt  in  1847  at  the  cost  of 
 £1000,  and  has  550  sittings.  It  was  during  the  incum- 
 bency of  Rev.  J,  Thomson  that  this  congregation  united  with 
 the  Synod  of  Ulster,  and  it  is  now  known  as  the  Third 
 Presbyterian  Congregation  of  the  town.  On  31st  December 
 1880  there  were  250  communicants,  and  during  that  year 
 they  raised  for  all  purposes  £286. 
 
 Ballylintagh,  Ireland  (Burgher),  now  Irish  Preshyterian 
 Church. 
 
 This  congregation  was  formed  in  1820,  and  the  Rev.  Wm. 
 Stewart,  their  pastor,  who  had  been  ordained  in  1820,  died 
 on  11th  November  1845. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  2G3 
 
 The  congregation  applied  to  tlic  Scottish  Original  Secession 
 Synod  for  supply  of  sermon  on  28th  April  1841,  which 
 request,  which  was  made  through  the  instrumentality  of  Rev. 
 J.  ]\Iillar,  of  Tobcrdoney,  was  granted. 
 
 On  the  IGth  November  following,  the  congregation  unani- 
 mously agreed  to  unite  with  the  Original  Secession  Synod, 
 and  apply  to  Ayr  Presbytery  to  constitute  the  ruling  elders 
 among  them  as  a  Session  under  their  inspection,  in  subordi- 
 nation to  the  Synod.  The  petition  was  granted,  and  the 
 Rev.  John  Millar,  of  Toberdoney,  was  appointed  to  con.stitute 
 the  elders  into  a  Session. 
 
 On  14th  December  1841  a  moderation  was  applied  for, 
 which  Avas  granted,  when  Mr  John  Robertson,  Probati<5ner, 
 was  called,  but  as  he  was  also  repeatedly  called  by  the  Ayr 
 congregation,  he  was  eventually  settled  at  that  place. 
 
 On  9th  June  1843  applied  for  a  moderation,  stipend 
 offered  £60,  when  the  Rev.  John  Downs  of  Boardmills  was 
 appointed  to  preside.  The  call  was  in  favour  of  the  Rev. 
 Wm.  Mathews  of  Dunning,  who  was  afterwards  duly  in- 
 ducted on  Gth  September  1843. 
 
 Mr  Mathews  and  a  section  of  the  congregation  united  with 
 the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  in  1852,  and  retained  the 
 church.  Ultimately  they  were  merged  in  the  Irish  Presby- 
 terian Church.  The  non-union  party,  however,  built  a  new 
 church  on  the  townland  of  Dromorc,  and  adhere  to  the  United 
 Original  Secession  Church.  The  statistics  of  the  Dromore 
 section  of  the  conorreoration  for  1884  are: — ^Members,  112  ; 
 adherents,  60  ;  total  income,  £7o.  At  present  the  charge  is 
 vacant. 
 
 Ballymogra,  Ireland  (Burgher),  see  Grallagh. 
 
 Bannochhurn  {Burgher),  now  United  Presbyterian  Church. 
 
 Bannockburn  is  a  village  in  the  parish  of  St  Ninians,  about 
 2  miles  south-east  from  Stirling. 
 
 This  congregation  was  formed  in  1797  by  members  of  the 
 Burgher  Congregation  of  Stirling,  of  which  the  Rev.  Robert 
 Campbell,  M.A.,  was  then  minister.  These  members  being 
 resident  in  Bannockburn  and  neighbourhood,  desired  to  have 
 
264  ANNALS  OF  OEIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 a  meeting-house  convenient  to  their  dwellings.  They  first 
 called  Mr  Thos.  Brown,  Probationer,  but  the  Synod  appointed 
 his  ordination  to  take  place  at  Dalkeith.  Being  a  vacant 
 charge  at  the  period  of  the  Old  Light  Controversy,  the  con- 
 gregation acceded  to  the  Original  Burgher  Presbytery  on  7th 
 January  1800,  and  the  Lord's  Supper  was  dispensed  to  them 
 on  the  first  Sabbath  of  July  following  by  the  Rev.  Wm. 
 Watson  of  Kilpatrick,  assisted  by  the  Rev.  George  Hill  of 
 Cumbernauld,  and  the  Rev.  Patrick  Connal  of  Bathgate. 
 
 On  5th  June  1802,  the  congregation  petitioned  for  a 
 moderation,  stipend  offered  £70  and  a  house.  This  was 
 granted,  and  the  Rev.  Wm.  Willis  of  Stirling  was  appointed 
 to  moderate  on  22nd  July.  Owing  to  the  absence  of  Mr 
 Willis,  the  Rev.  Wm.  Watson  of  Glasgow  officiated  in  his 
 room,  and  the  call  was  in  favour  of  Mr  Wm.  Graham,  Pro- 
 bationer. Though  subscribed  by  ninety-four  members,  the 
 call  was  set  aside  as  not  sufficiently  hearty. 
 
 On  28th  September  1802,  the  congregation  again  applied 
 for  a  moderation.  Stipend  offered  £70.  The  moderation  was 
 appointed  for  19th  October,  the  Rev.  Wm.  Willis  to  officiate. 
 Owing,  however,  to  a  public  market  being  held  on  that  day, 
 the  moderation  was  postponed  to  21st  October,  when  Mr 
 Wm.  Graham,  Probationer,  was  again  chosen,  and  the  call 
 subscribed  by  121  members.  As,  however,  Mr  Graham  was 
 also  called  to  Carluke,  the  matter  was  referred  to  the  Presby- 
 tery, who  appointed  Mr  Graham  to  be  ordained  at  the  latter 
 place. 
 
 On  28th  February  1804  the  congregation  again  petitioned 
 for  a  moderation.  Stipend  offered  £80  and  £10  for  house 
 rent.  The  Rev.  Wm.  Willis  was  appointed  to  preside  on  3rd 
 April,  when  the  call  was  for  Mr  Wm.  Raeburn,  Probationer, 
 and  was  signed  by  153  members. 
 
 On  2Gth  December  1804,  the  Rev.  Wm.  Raeburn  was 
 ordained  First  Minister,  when  the  Rev.  Wm.  Willis  began  the 
 service  by  preaching  from  Jer.  xxxi.,  C  ;  the  Rev.  Thos. 
 Porteous  preached  the  ordination  sermon  from  Isaiah  Ix.  22, 
 ordained  Mr  Raeburn,  aad  thereafter  addressed  pastor  and 
 jseople. 
 
 Mr  Raeburn  was  Clerk  to  the  Presbytery  of  Stirling  and 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  205 
 
 Falkirk  iluring  nearly  tlio  Avhole  term  of  its  existence,  but 
 his  congregation  having  become  reduced,  he  demitted  his 
 charge  in  1837,  after  which  the  church  propi-rty  passed  into 
 the  hands  of  a  congregation  now  in  connection  with  the 
 United  Presbyterian  Church. 
 
 Bdthgate  {Burgher),  now  extinct. 
 
 Bathgate  is  a  town  in  Linlithgowshire,  nearly  midway 
 betwixt  Edinburgh  and  Glasgow,  being  18  miles  west  of 
 former,  and  24  east  of  latter. 
 
 This  congregation  originated  in  17G3,  when  a  place  of 
 worship  containing  400  sittings  was  erected  in  town.  Previ- 
 ously the  Seceders  of  Bathgate  had  worshipped  at  Torphichen, 
 which  Avas  inconvenient. 
 
 "  First  Minister,  Archibald  Hall,  from  Penicuik.  Ordained 
 as  minister  of  the  Associate  Congregation,  Torphichen,  1 3th 
 February  17 GO,  Became  minister  of  the  united  congregations 
 of  Torphichen  and  Bathgate  1764.  Translated  to  Wells 
 Street,  London,  1705. 
 
 "After  Mr  Hall's  translation,  Torphichen  and  Bathgate  be- 
 came separate  congi-egations,  with  a  minister  to  each. 
 
 "  Second  Minister,  William  Hall.  Ordained  26th  August 
 1760.  Died  17th  October  1771,  in  the  sixth  year  of  his 
 ministry. 
 
 "  The  congregation  called  Mr  Richardson,  who  was  appointed 
 by  the  Synod  to  Greenock, 
 
 "  Third  Minister,  John  Jamieson.  Called  to  Longridge 
 and  Bathgate.  Ordained  February  1770,  Resigned  14th 
 August  1783,  Emigrated  to  America,  and  became  minister 
 of  a  congregation,  and  died  there  in  1819,  in  the  seventieth 
 year  of  his  age,  and  forty-fourth  of  his  ministry, 
 
 "Fourth  Minister,  James  Forrester,  from  Stirling  (First). 
 Called  to  St  Andrews  and  Bathgate.  Ordained  12thAi)ril 
 1785.      Died  1786,  in  the  first  year  of  his  ministry. 
 
 "  Fifth  Minister,  Patrick  Connel.  Ordained  23rd  August 
 1787.  Mr  Connel  withdrew  from  the  Associate  Synod  at 
 the  division  caused  by  the  Old  Light  Controversy,  1799,  and 
 became  a  member  of  the  Original  Associate  (Burgher)  Synod, 
 
266  AXNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 then  formed.  The  majority  of  his  congregation  withdrew 
 with  him,  and  retained  possession  of  the  property.  The 
 minority  took  no  steps  to  recover  possession,  trusting  to  the 
 decision  of  the  Court  in  tlie  case  of  Perth,  which  had  been 
 already  raised,  and  which  would  settle  the  question  in  all 
 parallel  cases.  The  case  of  Perth  was  decided  by  the  House 
 of  Lords  in  1819,  in  favour  of  the  party  which  adhered  to 
 the  Associate  Synod.  On  the  ground  of  this  decision,  the 
 minority  of  Bathgate  congregation  claimed  to  be  put  in  pos- 
 session of  the  place  of  worship  retained  by  the  majority,  which 
 was  yielded  up  to  them  on  their  issuing  a  summons  of 
 removal.  Mr  Connel  died  23rd  January  1820,  in  the  fifty- 
 sixth  year  of  his  age,  and  thirty-third  of  his  ministry."  ^ 
 
 The  congregation  having  resolved  to  erect  a  new  place  of 
 worship,  and  being  straitened  for  lack  of  funds,  the  Presby- 
 tery, at  their  request  on  29th  November  182.5,  agreed  to 
 reduce  the  stipend  of  preachers  to  fifteen  shillings  to  this  con- 
 gregation, now  that  they  have  commenced  to  build  a  church. 
 As,  however,  the  building  was  not  gone  on  with,  the  Presby- 
 tery afterwards  appointed  a  committee  to  inquire  anent  the 
 reduction  of  the  preacher's  fee,  who  reported  that  it  should 
 continue  at  the  rate  of  fifteen  shillings. 
 
 On  23rd  September  1828,  the  Congregation  applied  for 
 a  moderation,  stipend  to  be  £75,  with  hope  of  increase,  and 
 £4  every  communion.  The  Rev.  David  Headrick,  of  Long- 
 ridge,  was  appointed  to  moderate  on  25th  October.  The  call 
 was  for  Mr  Clement  Moscrip,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed 
 by  seventy-one  members  and  ten  adherents. 
 
 Sixth  Minister,  Clement  Moscrip.  Ordained  2nd  June  ]  829, 
 when  the  Rev.  Wm.  Logan  of  Lesmahagow  began  the  services 
 by  preaching  from  Acts  xxvi.  9.  The  Rev.  Jas.  Anderson  of 
 Carluke  preached  the  ordination  sermon  from  2  Cor.  x.  4,  5  ; 
 ordained  Mr  Moscrip,  and  thereafter  gave  suitable  exhorta- 
 tions to  minister  and  congregation.  Mr  Moscrip  having  after- 
 wards retired  and  constituted  the  session,  John  Dunlop  was 
 returned  as  their  representative,  and  his  name  was  accordingly 
 added  to  the  roll  of  the  Presbytery. 
 
 Mr    Moscrip    having    fallen   into    bad    health,   and    being 
 
 1 "  M'Kelvie's  Annals,"  pp.  225,  226. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGHKGATIONS.  2G7 
 
 unable  to  prcacli  for  a  considerable  time,  it  was  agi-ced  thai 
 he  resign  the  charge,  and  an  effort  would  be  made  to  pay  up 
 arrears  of  stipend,  and  also  procure  him  an  annuity.  On 
 19th  April  1836  he  accordingly  demitted  his  charge,  which 
 was  accepted. 
 
 On  Gth  March  1838  the  congregation  applied  for  a 
 moderation,  stipend  to  be  in  all,  £65,  with  the  promise  of 
 increase  as  the  congregation  increases.  The  Rev,  D.  Headrick, 
 of  Lougridge,  was  appointed  to  moderate  on  21st  March.  The 
 call  was  for  Mr  John  Turnbull,  Probationer,  and  was  signed 
 by  102  members  and  32  adherents.  Mr  Turnbull  having 
 accepted  a  call  from  Perth,  the  congregation  called  the  Rev. 
 John  Reid  of  Heriot's  Bridge,  Edinburgh,  who  was  regularly 
 inducted,  and  afterwards,  along  with  the  congregation,  joined 
 the  Church  of  Scotland  in  1839.  Mr  Reid  having,  however, 
 in  the  following  year,  been  translated  to  the  quoad  sacra 
 parish  of  Johnstone,  the  congregation  applied  to  the  United 
 Secession  Synod  for  supply  of  sermon  ;  and  after  having  as 
 their  pastors  the  Rev.  Dr  Andrew  M'Farlane  and  the  Rev, 
 Alex.  Cuthbert,  M.A.,  the  congregation  gradually  declined 
 and  became  extinct.  The  church  is  now  used  as  a  Romish 
 Chapel. 
 
 Birsay  (Constitutional),  noiv  United  Origiwd  Secession 
 
 Church. 
 
 Birsay  is  a  parish  in  Orkney,  220  miles  north  from  Edin- 
 burgh by  sea.  This  congregation  was  one  of  many  fruits  of  a 
 revival  of  religion  in  the  Orkney  Islands  at  the  close  of  the 
 eighteenth  century. 
 
 This  congregation  having  given  a  reneweil  call  to  the  Rev. 
 Arch.  Willison,  formerly  of  Montrose,  the  Constitutional 
 Presbytery,  on  13th  May  1811,  sent  said  call  to  Mr  Willison, 
 desiring  him  to  return  it  with  a  letter  declaring  his  acceptance 
 of  it,  which,  after  some  delay,  was  done  ;  and  on  11th  August 
 1812,  the  following  overture  by  Profcs.sor  Bruce  of  Whitburn 
 was  carried  in  the  Presbytery,  as  in  the  circumstances  the  only 
 feasible  way  of  terminating  the  matter  : — 
 
 "  Whereas  the  Rev.  Arch.  Willison,  formerly  a  member  of 
 
2G8  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 the  General  Associate  Synod,  had  received  an  nnaniinous 
 call  from  the  Associate  Congregation  of  Birsay  to  be  their 
 minister,  while  under  the  inspection  of  said  Synod  ;  though  it 
 was  not  carried  into  effect  before  the  change  that  took  place 
 in  the  Principles  and  State  of  the  Testimony  of  the  General 
 Synod,  and  the  consequent  separation  and  constitution  of  this 
 Presbytery,  to  which  the  said  congregation,  together  with  Mr 
 Willison,  adjoined  themselves  ;  and  whereas  he  had  continued 
 to  officiate  afterwards  by  desire  among  the  people  there,  and 
 repeated  applications  had  been  made  by  that  congregation  to 
 the  Presbytery  to  have  the  pastoral  relation  fixed  between 
 him  and  them — the  Presbytery  in  order  to  this  appointed 
 the  congregation  to  signify  in  writing  their  adherence  to  and 
 renewal  of  their  former  call,  which  was  unanimously  done 
 accordingly,  and  sustained  by  the  Presbytery  ;  and  Mr  Willi- 
 son also  having  declared  his  acceptance  of  the  call,  the 
 Presbytery  proceeded  to  take  some  farther  steps  towards  his 
 admission  to  the  ministerial  charge  among  them.  An  Edict 
 was  accordingly  appointed  to  be  served  at  Birsay  by  Mr 
 M'Kenzie,  Preacher  of  the  Gospel,  intimating  that  if  any  had 
 objections  against  the  doctrine  or  life  and  conversation  of  Mr 
 Willison,  they  would  have  access  to  represent  the  same  to  the 
 Presbytery,  to  meet  at  Kirriemuir,  the  13th  of  July  last.  The 
 return  of  the  Edict  as  served  was  made  to  that  meeting  when 
 no  objections  were  offered,  at  which  time,  also,  a  petition 
 from  the  Congregation  of  Birsay  was  presented,  requesting 
 Mr  Willison's  speedy  admission  among  them.  The  Presby- 
 tery finding  that  it  was  impracticable  to  have  a  meeting  of 
 Presbytery  at  Birsay,  or  even  to  send  over  one  of  their  number 
 there  at  that  time,  judged  it  expedient  in  such  circumstances 
 to  proceed  to  his  admission  without  the  same  formality,  which 
 otherwise  might  have  been  observed. 
 
 "  In  order  to  this  Mr  Willison  was  required  to  transmit  to 
 the  Presbytery  at  next  meeting  a  written  declaration  of  his 
 continued  adherence  to  the  profession  of  faith  he  had  made, 
 and  the  engagements  he  had  come  under  when  he  was  formerly 
 ordained  a  minister  in  answering  the  questions  of  the  formula 
 agreed  upon  by  the  Original  Associate  Presbytery,  and  after- 
 wards by  the  Associate  Synod,  and  his  readiness  to  subscribe 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONOKEOATIONS.  '2GU 
 
 when  required  by  tlii'  Presbytery  the  foresaid  formula.  Mi 
 Willison,  in  compliance  herewith,  sent  up  to  the  present 
 meeting  a  dechu'ation  in  writing  of  his  adherence  to  fornirr 
 professions  and  engagements  as  required  ;  which  declaration 
 the  Presbytery,  after  deliberation,  agreed  to  accept  of  as 
 satisfactory  for  paving  the  way  for  fixing  the  relation,  as  much 
 as  if  the  same  had  been  made  by  him  personally  in  presence 
 of  the  Presbytery,  and  the  congregation  of  Birsay  ;  and  that 
 the  answers  made  to  some  of  the  questions  in  the  saitl 
 formula  declaring  the  ends  and  motives  in  closing  with  a  call, 
 and  expressing  a  promise  to  discharge  the  duties  of  the 
 ministerial  office,  are  in  this  case,  of  course,  to  be  understood 
 as  applying  to  Mr  Willison  closing  with  the  call  from,  and 
 taking  the  inspection  of,  the  foresaid  congregation  of  Birsay, 
 and  as  expressing  his  resolution  and  solemn  promise,  through 
 grace  to  discharge  faithfully  ministerial  duties  to  it  in  parti- 
 cular, as  made  in  the  presence  of  God,  and  to  a  Court  of  Ciirist. 
 Whereupon,  after  one  had  been  employed  in  prayer,  the  Pres- 
 bytery proceeded  to  put  the  question.  Agree  now  to  admit 
 Mr  Willison  to  the  ministerial  charge  of  the  foresaid  congrega- 
 tion or  not  ?  and  it  carried  unanimously  Agree  :  wherefore 
 the  Presbytery  did,  and  hereby  do,  in  the  name  and  by  the 
 authority  of  the  Lord  Jesus,  the  alone  King  and  Head  of  His 
 Church,  admit  him  accordingly,  and  constitute  a  pastoral 
 relation  betwixt  him  and  that  congregation,  enjoining  both  him 
 and  the  people  committed  to  his  charge  to  the  mutual  and 
 faithful  discharge  of  the  duties  to  which  they  have  engaged  in 
 the  presence  of  God,  and  as  they  shall  answer  at  the  coming 
 of  the  Lord  Jesus,  ]iraying  God  to  confer  His  Holy  Spirit  to 
 enable  them  to  this,  and  that  a  blessing  may  attend  the 
 ministrations  of  their  brother  to  the  great  benefit  and  edifica- 
 tion of  those  among  whom  he  is  called  to  labour  ;  recom mend- 
 ing him  and  them  to  God  and  the  Word  of  His  grace,  which 
 is  able  to  build  them  up  and  to  give  them  an  inheritance 
 among  them  that  are  sanctitied  ;  and  praying  that  the  God  of 
 Peace  which  brought  again  from  the  dead  our  Lord  Jesus, 
 that  Great  Shepherd  of  the  sheep,  through  the  blood  of  the 
 everlasting  covenant,  may  make  them  perfect  in  every  good 
 work    to    do    His    will.      And    they  appoint    Mr    M'Kenzie, 
 
270  ANNALS  OF  OKIUINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 preacher  under  their  inspection,  to  preach  at  Birsay  on  the 
 fourth  Sabbath  of  August,  and  to  read  the  minute  of  this  deed 
 in  presence  of  the  congregation  met  for  public  worship  on  that 
 day,  or,  if  necessarily  prevented  from  being  present  on  that 
 day,  that  he  intimate  the  same  on  the  first  day  after  his 
 arrival  on  which  the  congregation  may  be  assembled  for  public 
 worship.  And  they  appoint  an  extract  of  this  deed  to  be 
 accordingly  sent  for  that  purpose." 
 
 On  10th  February  1814  there  was  given  in  and  read  to  the 
 Presbytery  a  letter  from  Mr  Willison,  of  Birsay,  complaining 
 of  the  distressed  condition  of  himself  and  family  owing  to  the 
 undutiful  neglect  of  his  session  and  congregation  as  to  the 
 proper  support  of  the  Gospel  among  them  ;  and  that  although 
 their  ability  to  render  their  minister's  circumstances  in  some 
 measure  comfortable  could  not  be  denied,  yet  they  had  been 
 very  deficient  in  their  regard  to  such  a  plain  scriptural  duty, 
 and  had  not  afforded  to  him  the  means  of  support  which  they 
 had  engaged  to  do  at  his  settlement  among  them.  The 
 Presbytery  appointed  the  Clerk  to  send  a  representation  of  the 
 substance  of  Mr  Willison's  complaint  to  be  laid  before  the 
 Session  of  Birsay,  and  require  them  to  send  an  answer  to  the 
 same,  giving  such  an  account  of  their  management  in  dis- 
 charging the  duty  of  supporting  the  Gospel  Ministry  among 
 them  as  may  enable  the  Presbytery  to  judge  whether  there  be 
 just  ground  for  such  complaint  or  not. 
 
 On  12tli  May  1814  the  Presbytery  received  a  letter  from 
 Birsay  subscribed  by  some  of  the  elders  there,  and  agreed 
 that,  as  it  contained  a  promise  to  render  their  minister's  situa- 
 tion more  comfortable,  to  let  this  matter  rest  for  the  present. 
 
 On  10  th  November  1817  a  communication  from  elders 
 and  congregation,  of  date  4th  September  1817,  was  received, 
 stating  that  Mr  Archibald  Willison  had  deserted  his  charge, 
 and  removed  with  his  family  from  that  part  of  the  country, 
 and  that  he  was  guilty  of  the  sin  and  scandal  of  fornication. 
 Mr  Wm.  Duncan,  preacher,  was  sent  up.  Mr  Willison,  who 
 had  gone  to  reside  at  Denny,  was  cited  to  appear  by  Mr  Peter 
 Burn,  stampmaster  in  Falkirk,  acting  as  Presbytery  officer. 
 Mr  Willison  was  ultimately  deposed,  and  excommunicated 
 2d  March  1818. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  L'71 
 
 lu  December  1818  the  Hlv.  r.-itriek  M'Kcnzie  of  Kelso 
 presided  at  the  moderation  of  a  call,  which  was  in  favour  of 
 Mr  James  Cairncross,  Probationer,  and  was  signed  in  all  by 
 forty  persons. 
 
 On  13th  May  1819  the  Rev.  Jas.  Cairncross  was  ordained. 
 The  liev.  Patrick  M'lvenzie  of  Kelso  preached,  presided,  and 
 addressed  minister  and  people,  and  the  liev.  Robt.  Shaw  of 
 Whitburn  preached  the  closing  sermon. 
 
 On  9th  August  183C  the  Rev.  Jas.  Cairncross  being,  from 
 smallness  of  stipend,  in  pecuniary  difficulties,  the  Presbytery 
 instructed  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Ritchie  of  Kirkwall  to  converse 
 with  the  leading  members  of  the  congregation,  representing  to 
 them  that  it  is  their  duty  to  increase  the  stipend  as  the  con- 
 gregation has  considerably  increased  since  Mr  Cairncross' 
 settlement  among  them,  and  endeavour  to  prevail  with  them 
 at  least  to  divide  the  surplus  of  their  funds  with  Mr  Cairn- 
 cross. 
 
 In  July  1842  the  Presbytery  visited  this  congregation, 
 and  afterwards  recommended  Mr  Cairncross  voluntarily  to 
 demit  his  charge,  and  at  the  same  time  express  their  sympathy 
 wuth  him  in  the  painful  circumstances  in  which  he  is  placed. 
 This  recommendation  of  the  Presbytery,  Mr  Cairncross  com- 
 plied with  on  ICth  September  1842,  and  demitted  his 
 charge,  the  congregation  agreeing  to  give  him  £10  annually 
 till  he  was  otherwise  provided  for.  Mr  Cairncross  emigrated 
 to  Wisconsin,  America,  and  died  at  Blandford  in  1851. 
 
 On  1st  May  1843  the  congregation  petitioned  for  a  moder- 
 ation, which  was  granted,  and  the  Rev.  E,  Ritchie  of  Kirk- 
 wall was  appointed  to  officiate.  The  call  was  for  Mr  Robert 
 Auld,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed  by  ninety-eight  members 
 and  fifteen  hearers. 
 
 The  stipend  was  to  consist  of  manse,  and  £60,  with  hope 
 of  increase,  together  with  two  stacks  of  peats  of  diffi-'rent  kinds 
 annually,  each  stack  to  be  30  feet  in  length,  8  feet  in  breadth, 
 and  6  feet  in  height ;  and  to  provide  him  with  a  garden,  and 
 either  to  rent  the  park  below  the  manse  for  him,  or  pay  him 
 the  value  of  the  rent  of  it,  in  lieu  of  a  cow's  grass ;  and  to 
 bear  sacramental  e.vpenses  as  they  have  been  accustomed. 
 On  24th  July  184:3  the  Jlev.    Robert  Auld   was   ordained, 
 
272  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 when  the  Eev.  D.  Burn,  of  Thurso,  preached  from  Jer.  iii.  15, 
 presided,  and  addressed  pastor  and  people,  and  the  Eev. 
 George  M'Crie  of  Clola  conckided  the  service  by  preaching 
 from  2  Cor.  xi.  15. 
 
 In  1852,  along  with  a  section  of  the  members,  Mr  Auld 
 united  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  but  as  the  large 
 majority  of  the  congregation  who  retained  the  ecclesiastical 
 buildings  were  resolved  to  abide  with  the  residuary  Synod,  he 
 retired   to  Ayr,  his  native  town,   and  eventually  died  there. 
 
 Statistics  of  1884  : — Members,  190  ;  adherents,  40  ;  total 
 income,  £156;  stipend,  £86,  Avith  manse;  average  contri- 
 bution per  member,  16s.  5M. 
 
 Blairgowrie  or  Rattray  {Constitutional),  now  extinct. 
 
 Blairgowrie  is  in  Perthshire,  5  miles  west  from  Alyth,  and 
 4 1  miles  north  from  Coupar- Angus. 
 
 Petitioned  for  sermon  10th  May  1808,  when  the  Eev. 
 Jas.  Aitken,  of  Kirriemuir,  was  appointed  to  preach.  Having 
 united  with  members  residing  in  the  towns  of  Alyth  and 
 Coupar-Angus  in  order  to  form  a  congregation,  they  called  Mr 
 C.  Aitcheson  as  their  pastor,  and  at  his  resignation  the  station 
 became  extinct.      (See  Alyth.) 
 
 Blairgoivrie  {Burgher),  noiv  extinct. 
 
 Applied  for  sermon,  24th  August  1830,  which  was  granted 
 gladly. 
 
 On  12th  April  1831  the  Presbytery  appointed  Eev.  John 
 Waddell  of  Burrelton  to  organise  the  congregation  on  Monday 
 after  the  fourth  Sabbath  of  May,  and  constitute  a  session  as 
 he  shall  see  cause. 
 
 Messrs  John  Gilruth  and  John  Lawson  were  elected  eldeis, 
 and  as  they  had  formerly  been  ordained  to  the  eldership,  the 
 session  was  constituted. 
 
 On  3rd  July  1832  a  moderation  was  applied  for,  stipend 
 offered  being  £75,  with  hope  of  increase,  when  the  Eev.  J. 
 Waddell  was  appointed  to  moderate  on  the  Thursday  after  the 
 third  Sabbath  of  July  at  12  noon.  The  call  was  for  Mr 
 Peter  Macarthur,  Probationer,  and  was  accepted. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGKEGATIONS.  27.' 
 
 On  KJth  February  1S3;1  the  Rev.  Peter  Macartlnir  was 
 ordained  to  the  ministry.  The  Rev.  Robert  M'Indoo  of 
 Kirkcaldy  began  tlic  services  by  jjrcaehing  from  Jer.  x.xvi.  2. 
 The  Rev.  Ralpli  IJobb  of  Stratlikiniies  j^reaehed  tlie  ordination 
 sermon  from  2  Cor.  iv.  7,  orthiined  Mr  Macarthur,  and  there- 
 after addressed  suital)lc  exhortations  to  minister  and  conf^re- 
 gation. 
 
 On  28th  September  1837  a  Committee  of  Presbytery  was 
 appointed  to  keep  the  congregation  from  selling  the  church, 
 but  they  were  unable  to  do  anything  to  prevent  the  sale. 
 The  building  afterwards  became  connected  with  the  Established 
 Church. 
 
 In  consequence  of  a  "  fama  "  of  intemperance  against  the 
 minister,  the  congregation  became,  in  December  1837, 
 greatly  reduced,  about  one  half  of  the  members  having  left, 
 and  the  remainder,  viz.,  about  fifty  members  and  two  elders, 
 continued  to  worship  with  ]\Ir  Macarthur  in  the  Town  Hall. 
 He  eventually,  however,  dt-serted  his  charge,  and  was  sus- 
 pended from  the  ministry  on  18th  July  1838.  Shortly  after- 
 wards the  congregation  was  dissolved. 
 
 Boardmills,  Ireland  (Burr/her),  nmo  Irish  Preshyterian 
 Church. 
 
 On  7th  August  1811,  the  Rev.  Prof.  Taylor,  of  Perth,  pre- 
 sented to  the  Glasgow  Burgher  Presbytery  a  petition  for 
 supply  from  two  congregations  in  the  county  of  Derr}',  and 
 another  from  three  congregations  in  County  Down,  Ireland, 
 when  it  was  agreed  that  one  or  two  ordained  men  be  sent 
 them  about  the  end  of  September  or  beginning  of  October. 
 
 This  congregation,  which  was  originally  called  Kileny,  peti- 
 tioned for  supply  of  sermon  on  3rd  November  1811.  On 
 I7th  November  1812,  application  was  made  for  a  modera- 
 tion, but  as  the  Presbytery  learned  that  there  was  no  kirk- 
 session,  they  declined  the  request  until  a  session  be  constituted. 
 
 On  5th  January  1813,  petitionctl  for  an  election  of  elders, 
 which  the  Presbytery  granted,  and  appointed  the  Rev.  Robert 
 Aitken,  of  Kirkintilloch,  to  preach  and  preside.  The  result 
 was    that   Messrs  John   Rogers,  Samuel   Abernethy,    William 
 
 S 
 
274  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Shaw,  David  Shaw,  William  Martin,  John  Pettigrew,  and 
 William  Warrick  were  elected,  and  were  thereafter  ordained 
 to  office  in  May  1813,  by  the  Rev.  Robert  Torrance,  of 
 Airdrie. 
 
 On  4th  August  1813,  petitioned  for  a  moderation.  Stipend 
 offered,  £80.  This  petition  the  Presbytery  agreed  to  grant, 
 on  the  understanding  that  the  sum  be  in  British  currency, 
 and  that  a  convenient  house  be  given  to  the  minister.  The 
 Rev.  Alex.  Brown,  of  Burntshields,  was  appointed  to  preach 
 and  preside.  The  call  was  for  the  Rev.  Robert  Aitken,  of 
 Kirkintilloch,  and  was  subscribed  by  112  members  and  22 
 adherents. 
 
 The  Presbytery  having  declined  to  translate  Mr  Aitken, 
 the  congregation  on  12th  April  1814,  applied  again  for  a 
 moderation,  stipend  to  be  as  formerly  offered,  when  the 
 Presbytery  appointed  the  Rev.  Patrick  Connal,  of  Bathgate, 
 to  preach  and  preside.  At  the  request  of  the  congregation, 
 however,  the  moderation  was  postponed  till  8th  September 
 1814,  when  the  Rev.  John  M'Kinlay,  of  Renton,  officiated. 
 The  call  was  for  Mr  John  Shaw,  Probationer,  and  was  sub- 
 scribed by  seventy-three  members  and  four  adherents. 
 
 On  18th  March  1816,  the  Rev.  John  Shaw  was  ordained 
 to  the  ministry,  when  the  Rev.  Robert  Aitken,  of  Kirkintil- 
 loch, began  the  services  by  preaching  from  Matt.  xvi.  18,  last 
 clause,  the  Rev.  Robert  Torrance,  of  Airdrie,  preached  the 
 ordination  sermon  from  Acts  xxvi.  16,  and  addressed  pastor 
 and  people,  and  thereafter  the  services  were  closed  by  the 
 Rev.  Alex.  Stark,  of  Falkirk,  delivering  a  discourse  from 
 Heb.  X.  27. 
 
 The  death  of  the  Rev.  John  Shaw  having  been  intimated 
 to  the  Synod  in  1826,  his  name  was  dropped  from  the  roll. 
 
 The  congregation  afterwards  called  Mr  John  Downs,  Pro- 
 bationer, but  he  having  also  been  called  to  Longridge  and 
 Kennoway,  the  matter  was  referred  to  the  Synod,  which,  on 
 10th  May  1826,  preferred  Boardmills,  and  appointed  his 
 ordination  to  be  gone  about  in  due  form,  and  thus  the  Rev. 
 John  Downs  was  ordained  Second  Minister  in  1827.  Along 
 with  the  congregation  he  joined  the  Irish  General  Assembly, 
 but  in  1854  he  emigrated  to  Australia,  where  after  some 
 years  he  died. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREOATIONS.  275 
 
 Bolay  and  M^iroe,  Irelaiul  (Burgher),  now  Irish 
 Presbyterian  Church. 
 
 The  Kev.  David  Lynch  wtus  onhiined  First  .Minister,  and  his 
 name  added  to  the  Synod  Roll  in  May  1S20,  but  the  congre- 
 gation along  with  its  pastor  having  withdrawn  from  the  Pres- 
 bytery of  Derry  and  united  with  the  Synod  of  Ulster,  its 
 connection  with  the  Synod  was  declared  at  an  end  in  May 
 1N26. 
 
 At  a  subsequent  period,  liowever  (13tli  April  1S41),  a  con- 
 nection with  the  remanent  lUirgher  Synod  was  again  formed, 
 and  on  19th  May  1841,  the  Rev.  Thos.  Meliarry  was  ordained 
 to  the  pastorate  of  the  congregation,  when  the  Rev.  Andrew 
 Thomson  began  the  services  with  a  sermon  from  Acts  v.  8, 
 the  Rev.  George  Hill  suitably  addressed  pastor  and  })eople, 
 and  the  Rev.  David  Heatlrick,  of  Lougridge,  concluded  the 
 services  by  delivering  a  sermon  from  Rev.  xiv.  1. 
 
 Bredun  (Antiburgher),  noiv  United  Presbyterian  Church. 
 
 Brecliin  is  a  burgh  town  in  Forfarshire,  about  27  miles 
 north  from  Dundee,  and  70  from  Edinburgh. 
 
 This  congregation  was  formed  in  17G5,  when  their  first 
 church  was  built,  which  contained  573  sittings. 
 
 First  Minister,  John  Gray  (from  Nicolson  Street,  Edin- 
 burgh), failed  to  Elgin  and  Brechin,  and  ordained  at  latter 
 place  on  27th  December  1768.  Died  8th  September  1802, 
 in  the  thirty-fourth  year  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Second  Minister,  James  Gray,  who  was  ordained  colleague 
 and  successor  to  his  father,  IGth  April  1794. 
 
 Along  with  a  minority  of  his  congregation,  j\Ir  Gray  re- 
 fused to  accede  to  the  union  with  the  Burghers  in  1820,  and 
 having  obtained  from  the  majority,  who  retained  the  place  of 
 worship,  a  sum  equivalent  to  half  its  value,  another  church  at 
 South  Port  was  erected,  where  he  preached  till  his  ileath,  on 
 5th  July  1848,  in  the  seventy-seventh  year  of  his  age,  and 
 the  fifty-fifth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Having,  on  13tli  February  18.')0,  called  ^Ir  David  Simp- 
 son, Probationer,   who  was  also  called  to  Dollar,  the  Synod, 
 
276  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 on  26th  November  1850,  preferred  Brechin,  and  appointed 
 his  ordination  there. 
 
 At  this  time  the  congregation  consisted  of  twenty- seven 
 male  and  fifty-seven  female  members,  of  whom  twelve  males 
 and  thirty-one  females  signed  the  call,  and  the  stipend  offered 
 was  £60,  and  £8  for  sacramental  expenses.  Both  pastor  and 
 people  having  united  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  in 
 1852,  Mr  Simpson  was,  in  1854,  translated  to  the  Free 
 Church  of  Laurencekirk,  after  which  the  majority  of  the  con- 
 gregation re-united  with  the  brethren  from  whom  they  had 
 separated  in  1820,  and  consequently  are  now  in  the  United 
 Presbyterian  Church. 
 
 Statistics  for  188-1:  are: — Members,  331;  total  income, 
 £453;   stipend,  £280. 
 
 Burntshields  (Burgher),  noiu  Bridge  of  Weir  Free  Church. 
 
 Burntshields  is  the  name  of  a  farm  in  Kilbarchan  parish, 
 1  mile  west  of  the  village. 
 
 "  The  congregation,  the  late  Mr  Matthew  Oemmell  states, 
 had  its  origin  in  the  parish  of  Kilmalcolm  in  the  year  1738, 
 in  this  way.  That  parish  became  vacant  by  the  death  of  the 
 Bev.  Robert  Maxwell  in  the  year  1785.  The  Earl  of  Glen- 
 cairn,  patron,  presented  INlr  John  Fleming,  a  young  preacher, 
 to  the  charge.  The  people  refused  him  and  opposed  his 
 settlement.  A  great  struggle  ensued,  which  lasted  for  two 
 years.  The  patron  and  his  presentee  prevailed,  Mr  Fleming  was 
 forced  hi,  and  a  large  number  of  the  parishioners  came  out, 
 and  applied  to  Ebenezer  Erskine,  then  at  Stirling,  for  supply 
 of  sermon. 
 
 "  The  Secession  of  the  Four  Brethren  had  taken  place  in 
 1733.  About  the  year  1737  almost  all  the  adherents 
 of  the  Secession  throughout  the  country  had  formed  them- 
 selves into  associations  for  prayer  and  religious  conference, 
 and  corresponded  with  each  other,  and  also  with  the  Associate 
 Presbytery. 
 
 "  The  usual  place  of  meeting  for  the  Kilmalcolm  Society  was 
 at  the  farm  house  of  '  Killochries,'  belonginof  to  Mr  William 
 Clark,  a  staunch  Seceder.  He  was  '  Laird '  of  four  con- 
 tiguous farms,  viz.,  Killochries,  Pomillan,  and  the  two 
 Newtouns,  all  in  the  parish  of  Kilmalcolm. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  277 
 
 "The  'Society'  pctitioucil  tlio  Associate  Presbytery  in  July 
 1738,  praying  to  be  taken  under  the  inspection  of  the 
 Presbytery,  as  persons  adopting  their  '  Testimony.'  The 
 prayer  of  the  petition  was  granted,  and  the  Rev.  Messrs 
 MoncriefF,  of  Abernethy,  and  Thomson,  of  Burntisland,  were 
 appointed  to  observe  a  Fivst  at  '  Tiie  Mearns,'  in  Renfrew- 
 shire, on  the  2-tth  of  August  following,  witli  the  Seceders 
 now  in  accession,  resident  in  the  counties  of  Renfrew  and 
 Ayr,  and  then  to  preach  at  Kilmalcolm  the  .Sabbath  after, 
 being  the  fourth  Sabbath  or  27th  ilay  of  the  month.  All 
 this  was  done  accordingly,  so  that  the  origin  of  the  con- 
 gregation dates  from  27th  August  1738,  and  from  the  above 
 circumstances. 
 
 "  The  congregation  increased,  and  met  at  the  Killochries 
 farm,  open  air  or  barn,  according  to  weather,  from  1738 
 to  174<5.  People  gathered  from  surrounding  parishes — 
 Kilbarchan,  Kilmalcolm,  Port-Glasgow,  Greenock,  Paisley, 
 Neilstou,  Beith,  Dairy,  Kilbirnie,  Lochwinnoch,  Kilellan, 
 Houston,  Erskine,  and  '  The  Shore.'  They  shifted  sometimes 
 to  accommodate  parishes,  as  Port-Glasgow,  Gourock,  Kil- 
 barchan, (Sic.  In  1745  they  built  two  places  of  worship  as 
 centres — Burntshiekls  in  Kilbarchan  pari.sh,  and  Cartsdyke  at 
 Greenock.  These  held  about  600  each.  Cost  not  now  known. 
 Burntshields  Avas  left  in  May  182G.  New  church  at  Bridge 
 of  Weir  opened  in  May  182G.  Held  about  600.  Cost  of 
 church  and  manse  about  £1000. 
 
 "First  Minister,  the  Rev.  Jolm  M'Ara,  ordained  in  the  'open 
 air'  at  Burntshields,  12th  September  1744.  The  church  was 
 not  then  built.  Mr  M'Ara  preached  two  Sabbaths  at  Burnt- 
 shields and  the  third  at  Greenock,  for  the  people  as  forming  one 
 charge,  till  Greenock,  or  Cartsdyke,  obtained  a  minister.  At 
 the  'Breach'  in  1747  Mr  M'Ara  went  with  the  Burgher 
 party.  In  1767  he  resigned  his  charge,  and  soon  after 
 retired  to  Stirling,  where  he  died.  He  had  no  charge  there. 
 Publication — Mr  M'Ara  was  charged  in  conjunction  with  Mr 
 Fisher,  '  of  framing  and  publishing  a  pamphlet,  entitled,  "  A 
 Review  of  a  Pamphlet "  (A  Serious  Inquiry  into  the  Burgess 
 Oaths  of  Edinburgh,  Perth,  and  Glasgow).' 
 
 "Second  Minister,  the  Rev.  John  Lindsay,  ordained  at  Burnt- 
 
278  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 shields,  1  4th  April  1773.  Kemoved  to  Johnstone  in  February, 
 and  inducted  minister  on  14th  April  1792.  Died  24th  March 
 1806,  in  seventy-second  year  of  his  age,  and  thirty-fourth  of  his 
 ministry.  The  Johnstone  congregation  was  formed  off  Burnt- 
 shields  in  1791.  Mr  Lindsay  had  it  in  his  option  to  remain 
 at  Burntshields  or  remove  with  the  new  congregation  to 
 Johnstone.  He  chose  the  latter,  and  went  to  the  '  little 
 village'  in  February  1792. 
 
 "Third  Minister,  the  Re  v.  David  Stewart  Wylie,  ordained  19  th 
 March  1  793,  resigned  September  1795.  Adopted  Independent 
 views.  Became  pastor  of  a  Baptist  Church,  first  in  Paisley, 
 afterwards  in  Liverpool.  Died  6th  August  1856,  in  eighty- 
 sixth  year  of  his  age,  and  sixty-fourth  of  his  ministry.  He 
 was  a  native  of  the  parish  of  Biccarton.  Brought  up  in  Secession 
 Congregation  of  Kilmarnock,  under  the  ministry  of  Bev.  Mr 
 Jaffray.  Studied  at  Glasgow  College,  and  at  Selkirk  under 
 Professor  Lawson  for  Theology.  He  was  licensed  by  the 
 Secession  Presbytery  of  Glasgow.  He  had  left  the  Secession 
 before  the  division  into  '  Old  and  New  Lights.'  It  was 
 because  he  became  opposed  to  the  '  Imposition  of  the  Cove- 
 nants '  that  he  left  the  Secession.  Publications — A  Treatise 
 entitled,  '  The  Kingdom  of  Christ  not  of  this  world ; '  a 
 Pamphlet  on  the  Baptism  Controversy,  in  answer  to  one 
 by  Mr  Stewart  of  Liverpool  ;  Strictures  on  a  Sermon 
 by  a  previous  Bishop  of  Chester,  and  some  papers  in 
 Magazines,  &c.,  &c." 
 
 The  congregation  having  applied  for  a  moderation,  stipend 
 offered  £60  with  house  and  garden,  the  23rd  December 
 1800  was  appointed  for  the  election,  when  Mr  George 
 Moscrip,  Probationer,  was  chosen,  and  his  call  subscribed  by 
 eighty-one  persons.  This  call  having  proved  abortive,  another 
 moderation  was  granted  for  30  th  April  1801,  the  Rev. 
 Ebenezer  Hyslop,  of  Shottsburn,  to  preach  and  preside,  when 
 Mr  Alex.  Brown,  Probationer,  was  elected,  and  his  call  signed 
 by  113  members. 
 
 Fourth  Minister,  the  Rev.  Alexander  Brown,  ordained  20th 
 October  1801,  when  the  Rev.  Patrick  Connal,  of  Bathgate, 
 began  the  service  by  preaching  from  2  Cor.  iv.  7,  the  Rev.  E. 
 Hyslop  preached  the  ordination  sermon  from  Col.  iv.  17,  and 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  279 
 
 the  Rev.  Win.  Willis,  of  Greenock,  ordained  and  addicsscd 
 pastor  and  people.  This  occasion  was  interesting  as  being  the 
 first  ordination  by  the  Old  Light  Burgliers. 
 
 Mr  Brown  died  on  February  25th,  181i),  and  at  his  desire 
 his  remains  were  interred  in  the  church,  under  the  Communion 
 table.  He  was  the  author  of  "An  Essay  on  Britain's  Sin  and 
 Britain's  Danger,  1809."  Also  a  series  of  Letters  to  the 
 Rev.  Neil  Douglas,  who  had  adopted  Universalist  views. 
 
 On  11th  April  1819  applied  for  a  moderation,  stipend 
 offered  £G0  with  house  and  garden,  but  the  Presbytery 
 judging  the  amount  inadequate,  referred  the  matter  to  the 
 congregation  with  the  view  of  increasing  it.  The  result  was 
 that  £5  additional  having  been  promised,  the  moderation 
 was  appointed  to  be  on  13th  July  1820,  the  Rev.  Robert 
 Torrance,  of  Airdrie,  to  preside.  The  call  was  for  Mr  Wm. 
 Scott-Hay,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed  by  eighty-two 
 members  and  thirty  adherents. 
 
 Fifth  Minister,  Rev.  Wm.  Scott-Hay,  ordained  20th  March 
 1821,  when  the  Rev.  Jas.  Gardner,  of  Kilpatrick,  began  the 
 services  by  preaching  from  Eph.  iv.  11-13,  the  Rev.  Peter 
 Campbell,  of  Kilmarnock,  preached  the  ordination  sermon 
 from  Acts  xiii.  2,  and  thereafter  addressed  minister  and 
 congregation. 
 
 On  24th  July  1832  this  congregation  petitioned  the 
 Glasgow  Presbytery  to  inform  them  "  Whether  did  our  Lord 
 in  the  dispensation  of  the  Supper,  bless  the  bread  and  wine 
 separately  or  together  ? "  and  the  Court,  after  taking  the 
 subject  ad  avizandum,  replied  on  the  11th  September  1832, 
 that  they  were  not  competent  as  a  Presbytery  to  give  a 
 decision  on  the  point. 
 
 On  8th  May  1838  the  congregation  petitioned  the 
 Synod  in  favour  of  union  with  the  Church  of  Scotland. 
 
 The  Church,  manse,  and  glebe  at  Burntshields  were  sold  on 
 20th  March  1826,  and  the  congregation  removed  to  a  new 
 church  which  they  had  erected  in  Bridge  of  Weir,  and  which 
 was  opened  for  public  worship  in  June  following. 
 
 Along  with  the  congregation  Mr  Hay  united  with  the 
 Church  of  Scotland  in  1839,  and  adhered  to  the  Free  Church 
 of  Scotland  in  1843.      He  afterwards  retired  "  Emeritus,"  and 
 
28  0  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 was  subsequently  inducted  to  the  Bankhead  or  Midmar 
 congregation,  Aberdeenshire,  where  he  died  on  15th  December 
 1851,  in  the  thirty-first  year  of  his  ministry. 
 
 The  subsequent  pastors  of  the  congregation  have  been — 
 
 Rev.  James  Findlay,  ordained  5th  November  1846,  died 
 1847. 
 
 Rev.  Andrew  L.  Peock,  ordained  23rd  September  1847, 
 died  1851. 
 
 Rev.  Geo.  C.  M.  Douglas,  D.D.,  ordained  1851,  and  re- 
 moved in  1856  to  Glasgow  Free  Church  College,  of  which  he 
 is  now  Principal. 
 
 Rev.  John  F.  M'Gregor,  ordained  1857,  and  translated  to 
 Free  St  Luke's  Church,  Glasgow,  in  1867. 
 
 Rev.  Thos.  Carruthers,  M.A.,  the  present  incumbent,  who 
 was  ordained  in  1868. 
 
 Statistics  for  1884: — Members,  176; adherents,  75;  average 
 attendance,  200  ;  total  raised,  £324  ;  stipend,  £203  with 
 manse. 
 
 Burrelton  {Burgher),  noiv  Free  Church. 
 
 Burrelton  is  a  village  in  Perthshire,  10  miles  east  by  north 
 from  Perth. 
 
 This  congregation  originated  about  the  year  1821,  since  on 
 28th  February  of  that  year,  twenty-six  families  not  only 
 petitioned  the  Perth  and  Dunfermline  Presbytery  for  supply  of 
 sermon,  but  also  desired  that  they  might  be  regarded  as  a 
 vacancy.  The  building  of  a  church  was  begun,  and  on  14th 
 September  1823  they  requested  the  aid  of  the  Presbytery  in  its 
 erection,  when  they  were  encouraged  to  go  on  with  the  promise 
 that  as  far  as  their  respective  congregations  can  assist,  the 
 Presbytery  shall  be  glad  that  immediate  aid   be  afforded. 
 
 On  8th  June  1824,  the  Rev.  Professor  Taylor  of  Perth  was 
 appointed  to  moderate  in  the  election  of  two  elders  and  one 
 deacon  on  the  22nd  curt,  with  the  result  that  John  Bruce 
 and  Peter  Dewar  were  chosen  for  elders,  and  Alexander 
 Anderson  as  deacon.  The  two  former  were  ordained  to  the 
 eldership  on  the  first  Sabbath  of  the  following  September  by 
 Mr  Taylor. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  281 
 
 On  1st  Fv.liru;iry  1825,  tlio  congregation  applioil  for  a 
 moderation,  stipend  oftered  £70,  with  liouse  and  garden, 
 together  with  £rt  for  communion  expenses,  when  Professor 
 Tayh)r  was  appointed  to  officiate  on  2.">rd  inst.  The  call  was 
 for  Mr  John  Waddel,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed  by 
 twenty-one  members  and  seven  adherents. 
 
 On  20th  July  1825  the  Rev,  John  Waddel  wa.s  ordained 
 First  Minister,  when  the  llev.  Wm.  Dalziel  of  Dunferndine 
 began  the  services  by  ])reacliing  from  Prov.  xi.  30,  last  clause, 
 and  the  Rev.  Wm.  Taylor  of  Perth  delivered  the  ordination 
 sermon  from  Phil.  ii.  -29,  presided  at  the  ordination,  and 
 thereafter  addressed  minister  and  congregation.  Along  with 
 the  congregation  jMr  Waddel  united  with  the  Chuich  of 
 Scotland  in  1839,  and  adhered  to  the  Free  Church  of 
 Scotland  in  1843,  but  ultimately  he  was  deposed  for  intem- 
 perance on    19th    November   184'o,  and  removed    to  Ireland. 
 
 The  Rev.  Alex.  Robertson,  the  present  Minister,  was 
 ordained  in  1853. 
 
 Statistics  for  188  4  : — Members,  152  ;  adherents,  8  ;  total 
 income,  £184;  stipend,  £232  with  manse. 
 
 Bufihiel  {Constitutional),  iiovj  extinct. 
 
 This  preaching  station,  which  first  petitioned  for  supply  on 
 10th  May  1808,  was  at  the  farm  steading  of  Mr  Hood, 
 Bushel  Hill,  near  Grant's  House,  Berwickshire  ;  and  for  a 
 period  formed  an  appropriate  centre  for  the  Old  Lights  in 
 that  part  of  the  country. 
 
 Cabrach  {Aniihurglter),  now  extinct. 
 
 Cabrach  is  a  district  in  Aberdeenshire,  about  20  miles 
 from  the  town  of  Huntly,  the  Seceders  in  which  had  occasional 
 supply  of  sermon  from  1827  till  December  1829,  when  all 
 mention  of  them  drops  from  the  records, 
 
 Carluke  {Burgher),  now  United  Original  Secession  Church. 
 
 Carluke  is  a  town  in  Lanarkshire,  5  miles  north-west  from 
 Lanark  and  20  south-east  from  Glasgow, 
 
282  ANNALS  OF  ORICrlNAL  SECESSION. 
 
 This  congregation,  wliich  is  a  branch  from  that  of  Davies 
 Dykes/  originated  in  1798. 
 
 On  7th  January  1800  application  was  made  for  supply  of 
 sermon,  which  was  appointed  accordingly  for  the  third  Sabbath 
 of  that  month,  when  the  Rev.  James  Eussel,  of  Townhead  of 
 Mearns,  preached. 
 
 In  compliance  with  a  request  for  a  moderation  for  elders, 
 the  Presbytery  appointed  the  Eev.  Ebenezer  Hyslop  to  preach 
 and  preside  on  the  28th  of  April  following,  when  Walter 
 Stark,  formerly  an  elder  in  Lanark  congregation,  William 
 Wallace,  and  James  Inglis  were  elected. 
 
 On  25th  November  1801  the  congregation  petitioned  that 
 a  member  of  Presbytery  be  appointed  to  preside  among  them, 
 and  give  them  direction  in  taking  measures  towards  an 
 election  of  elders.  This  was  done,  and  the  congregation 
 having  further  petitioned  for  one  to  preside  in  an  election  of 
 elders,  the  Rev.  Patrick  Connal  of  Bathgate  was  appointed  in 
 February  1802. 
 
 On  27th  April  following  application  was  made  to  have  the 
 elders-elect  ordained,  and  also  to  have  a  moderation  in  a  call 
 for  a  minister,  the  stipend  offered  being  £70,  with  a  house 
 and  garden.  These  requests  were  granted,  and  the  Rev.  E. 
 Hyslop  was  appointed  to  preach  and  preside  on  9  th  June, 
 whilst  on  the  da}^  preceding  the  moderation  he  was  appointed 
 to  admit  Walter  Stark,  James  Young,  and  Thomas  Gilchrist 
 to  the  Session,  and  also  ordain  Alexander  Smellie  and  William 
 Jack  to  the  eldership. 
 
 The  moderation  proved  to  be  in  favour  of  Mr  James 
 Gardner,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed  by  128  members, 
 but  as  he  had  also  been  called  to  Kilpatrick,  the  matter  was 
 referred  to  the  Presbytery,  which,  on  3rd  August,  decided  in 
 favour  of  Kilpatrick. 
 
 On  11th  January  1803  the  congregation  again  petitioned 
 for  a  moderation,  which  was  appointed  to  be  on  the  first  Tues- 
 day of  February  next,  the  Rev.  Eben.  Hyslop,  of  Shottsburn, 
 to  preach  and  preside,  and  to  observe  a  Fast  and  Thanksgiv- 
 ing with  said  congregation  on  the  Friday  preceding.  The 
 call  was   for  Mr    William    Graham,  Probationer,  who  at   the 
 
 1  See  "  M'Kelvie's  Annals,"  p.  461. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  28S 
 
 time  was  under  call  to  Bannockburn,  and  was  subscribed  by 
 138  members.  On  its  being  .sustained  by  the  Presbytery, 
 Mr  Alex.  Smellie,  elder  and  commissioner  from  the  congre'^a- 
 tion,  craved  an  extract  from  the  Presbytery's  minute. 
 
 On  12th  April  180.3  the  Presbytery,  after  hearing  com- 
 missioners from  Bannockburn  and  Carluke,  unanimously  pre- 
 ferred the  latter,  and  on  14t]i  June  appointed  Mr  Graham  to 
 be  ordained  on  the  29th  iust.,  public  worship  to  begin  at  12 
 noon,  that  said  day  be  observed  as  a  day  of  fasting  till 
 public  worship  is  over,  and  that  this  be  intimated  to  the  con- 
 gregation of  Carluke, 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  Wm.  Graham.  Ordained  29th  June 
 1803,  when  the  Rev.  Jas.  Gardner  of  Kilpatrick  began  the 
 service  by  preaching  from  Gal.  i.  20  ;  the  Rev.  Patrick 
 Connal  of  Bathgate  then  preached  tlie  ordination  sermon  from 
 2  Cor.  V.  20,  presided  at  ordination,  and  thereafter  addressed 
 pastor  and  people. 
 
 Mr  Graham  died  in  Glasgow,  I7th  September  ISOG,  and 
 the  congregation  on  20tli  January  1807  applied  for  a  moder- 
 ation, offering  as  stipend  £80,  with  house  and  garden,  and 
 all  the  minister's  "  taxations  "  to  be  paid. 
 
 The  petition  was  granted  on  the  understanding  that  the 
 congregation  shall  in  addition  furnish  their  ministerwith  a  horse, 
 and  the  Rev.  E.  Hyslop  was  appointed  to  moderate  on  2d 
 March.  The  call  was  for  the  Rev.  James  Watson  of  Edin- 
 burgh, and  was  subscribed  by  221  members;  but  the  Synod 
 having  declined  to  translate  him,  the  congregation,  on  1st 
 March  1808,  again  applied  for  a  moderation,  otl'ering  as 
 stipend  £95,  with  house  and  garden,  and  the  Rev.  E.  Hyslop 
 was  appointed  to  officiate  on  2 2d  March.  Mr  Alex.  Stark, 
 Probationer,  was  elected,  the  call  being  signed  by  225  mem- 
 bers, but  as  he  had  been  also  called  to  Falkirk,  Alloa,  and 
 Kirkintilloch,  the  matter  was  referred  to  the  Synod,  wliich 
 preferred  Falkirk. 
 
 On  25th  July  1808  the  congregation  petitioned  the  Synod, 
 through  the  Presbytery,  to  have  Carluke  disjoined  from  the 
 Presbytery  of  Edinburgh,  and  annexed  to  the  Presbytery  of 
 Glasgow,  but  the  Presbytery  refused  to  transmit  the  peti- 
 tion. 
 
284  ANNAL8  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 On  15th  November  1808  applied  for  a  moderation,  offering 
 as  stipend  £85,  with  a  house  and  garden,  but  the  Presbytery, 
 considering  that  "whereas  they  had  formerly  offered  £95, 
 witli  house  and  garden,  agree  to  let  their  petition  lie  on  their 
 table  till  next  meeting  of  Presbj^tery,  and  instructed  the  com- 
 missioners to  inform  his  constituents  that  the  Presbytery  wish 
 the  congregation  to  furnish  their  minister  with  a  horse,  and 
 report  at  their  next  meeting."  This  application  was  at  length 
 dropped. 
 
 On  6th  February  1810  application  for  a  moderation  was 
 renewed,  stipend  offered  £80,  with  house  and  garden,  and  £15 
 for  a  horse,  when  the  Rev.  P.  Connal  was  appointed  to  preside 
 on  15th  March.  The  call  was  for  Mr  Ebenezer  Dawson,  Pro- 
 bationer, and  was  subscribed  by  253  members,  but  as  Mr 
 Dawson  was  also  under  call  to  Dalkeith  and  Kirkintilloch, 
 the  matter  was  referred  to  the  Synod,  which  preferred  Carluke. 
 
 Second  Minister,  E,ev.  Ebenezer  Dawson.  Ordained  18th 
 September  1810,  when  the  Rev.  P.  Connal  of  Bathgate  began 
 the  services  by  preaching  from  Eph.  iii.  8,  the  Rev.  Robt. 
 Shirra  of  Yetholm  preached  the  ordination  sermon  from  1 
 Tim.  V.  17,  presided  at  ordination,  and  thereafter  gave  suit- 
 able exhortations  to  both  minister  and  congregation.  Mr  Daw- 
 son having  retired,  and  the  Session  having  been  constituted, 
 Mr  William  Forrest,  elder,  was  returned  as  their  represen- 
 tative to  the  Presbytery,  and  his  name  was  accordingly  added 
 to  the  Presbytery's  roll.  Mr  Dawson  died  30  th  April  1817, 
 in  the  thirty- fourth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  seventh  of  his 
 ministry,  and  the  congregation  was  declared  vacant  on  9th 
 June  1817. 
 
 On  24th  February  1818  application  was  made  for  a  mode- 
 ration, the  stipend  to  be  £115,  with  a  free  house,  and  the 
 gardens  possessed  by  their  former  minister,  when  the  Rev. 
 Jas.  Watson  of  Edinburgh  was  appointed  to  preach  and  pre- 
 side on  26th  March.  The  call  was  for  Mr  John  Russell,  Pro- 
 bationer, and  was  signed  by  324  members  and  48  adherents, 
 but  as  he  had  also  been  called  to  Cupar,  Paisley,  Lesmaha- 
 gow,  and  Kirkintilloch,  the  matter  was  referred  to  the  Synod, 
 which  decided  in  favour  of  the  last  mentioned  congregation. 
 
 On  13th  October  1818  a  moderation  was  asked,  but  owing 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  285 
 
 to  lack  of  liaimouy  in  the  congregation,  the  luattcr  was 
 delayed. 
 
 On  9th  December  1<S18  a  moderation  was  again  desired, 
 stipend  to  be  as  formerly  ;  and  though  tlic  congregation  was 
 not  unanimous,  yet  as  a  considerable  majority  requested  a 
 moderation,  the  Rev.  George  Hill  of  Shottsburn  was  appointed 
 to  moderate  on  the  Thursday  after  the  second  Sabbath  of 
 March  1819,  when  the  Rev.  P.  Connal  of  Bathgate  would  be 
 present  to  assist.  The  call  was  for  Mr  James  Anderson, 
 probationer,  and  was  subscribed  by  233  members  and  42 
 adherents. 
 
 Third  Minister,  Rev.  James  Anderson.  Onlained  27th 
 October  1819,  when  the  Rev.  James  Watson,  of  Edinburgh, 
 began  the  service  by  preaching  from  Eph.  iv.  11,  12  ;  the 
 Rev.  John  Inglis  of  Greenlaw  delivered  the  ordination 
 sermon  from  Acts  xx.  28,  presided  at  the  ordination,  and 
 thereafter  addressed  suitable  exhortations  to  pastor  and  people. 
 Mr  Anderson  having  retired,  and  the  session  having  been 
 constituted,  Mr  Wm.  Jack  was  returned  as  their  representa- 
 tive, and  his  name  added  to  the  roll  of  Presbytery. 
 
 That  this  congregation,  like  some  others,  was  disturbed  by 
 innovations  in  the  service  of  praise,  appears  from  the  following 
 document  : — 
 
 "  To  the  Associate  Presbytery  of  Edinburgh,  to  meet  at  Lonn:ridge 
 on  the  25th  February  1834,  the  As.sociate  iSessiou  of 
 Carluke  beg  leave  to  refer  the  following  case  for  advice  :-- 
 "  In  the  month  of  June  last  year  the  A.s.sociate  congregation  of 
 Carluke  held  tlieir  usual  annual  meeting,  at  which  it  was  agreed 
 that  till  the  following  June  the  reading  of  the  line  in  singing  of 
 psalms  should  be  discontinued  twice  a  day.  This  decision  gave 
 much  offence  to  a  considerable  number  of  the  congregation,  and  of 
 these  a  small  nunil)er  held  a  meeting,  at  which  a  pajier  of  resohitions 
 was  presented,  and  nearly  unanimously  agi-ee<l  to,  one  of  which  was 
 that  till  the  congregation  returned  to  the  old  practice  in  singing 
 they  (the  subscribers  of  these  resolutions)  woidd  neither  jiay  seat- 
 rents  nor  give  collection.  The  session  are  well  assured  that  this 
 resolution  was  written  out  by  one  of  the  members  of  the  congi-ega- 
 tion,  although  on  his  being  examined  in  relation  to  it  he  declared 
 that  he  did  not  recollect  whether  it  was  or  not,  and  they  crave 
 advice  from  the  Presbytery  how  to  deal  with  those  in  tlic  congrega- 
 tion  who  arc   acting   on   this   resolution,  and  especially  with   that 
 
28G  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 member  who  wrote  out  the  resolution,  and  whom   they  consider  as 
 the  instigator  of  all  the  mischief  resulting  from  that  measure.'' 
 
 Along  with  the  congregation  Mr  Anderson  united  witli  the 
 Original  Seceders,  or  Antiburgher  Synod,  in  1842,  and  died 
 21st  March  ]861,  in  the  sixty-seventh  year  of  his  age,  and 
 the  forty-second  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Fourth  Minister,  Rev.  Thos.  Hobart,  M.A.     Ordained  1  856. 
 
 First  church  was  built  in  1801,  and  contained  about  440 
 sittings.  This  building  was  removed,  and  on  its  site  a  new 
 church,  containing  about  500  sittings,  has  been  erected, 
 which  was  opened  on  28th  October  1881.  During  the 
 demolition  of  the  old  building  the  remains  of  Mr  Graham,  the 
 First  Minister,  which  had  been  buried  under  the  communion 
 table,  were  removed,  and  interred  in  the  graveyard  plot  in 
 which  his  successors  in  office,  Messrs  Dawson  and  Anderson, 
 had  been  buried. 
 
 Statistics  for  1884: — Members,  256;  adherents,  30; 
 total  income,  £378;  stipend  £207,  with  manse;  average 
 contribution  per  member,  £1,  9s.  6^d. 
 
 Carnoustie  (Constitutional),  noiu  United  Original  Secession 
 
 Church. 
 
 Carnoustie  is  a  village  in  Forfarshire,  about  10  miles  east 
 from  Dundee,  and  7  miles  south-west  of  Arbroath. 
 
 This  congregation,  which  was  never  large,  applied  to  the 
 CWstitutional  Presbytery  for  sermon  in  1809,  and  on  23d 
 July  of  the  following  year  that  a  session  should  be  constituted. 
 
 On  29th  January  1828  a  moderation  was  applied  for,  when 
 the  stipend  offered  consisted  of  £70,  with  manse  and  all  the 
 communion  collections.  The  Rev.  Alex.  Duncan,  of  Dundee, 
 was  appointed  to  officiate  on  13th  February,  with  the  result 
 that  Mr  James  Meek,  Probationer,  was  called. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  James  Meek.      Ordained  1828. 
 
 On  10th  May  1837  the  Synod  cancelled  a  bill  for  £30 
 which  it  held  against  this  congregation. 
 
 Along  with  the  great  majority  of  the  congregation  Mr  Meek 
 united  with  the  Free  Ohurch  of  Scotland  in  1852,  and  on 
 18th  June  1859  he  died,  in  the  thirty-first  year  of  his  ministry. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  287 
 
 This  congregation  subsequently  from  1<SG2  to  liS75  was  in 
 union  with  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church,  but  is  now  in 
 connection  with  the  United  Original  Secession  Synod. 
 
 The  pastors  subsequent  to  Mr  Mock  are  as  follows  : — 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  Mr  Whyte,  removed  to  Pitrodic 
 United  Presbyterian  Church. 
 
 Third  Minister,  Rev.  Alex.  D.  King,  now  pastor  of  Brachead 
 Free  Church,  Kilmarnock. 
 
 Fourth  Minister,  Rev.  James  Patrick,  formerly  of  Dromore. 
 
 The  church,  which  was  erected  in  1810,  and  which  con- 
 tains about  200  sittings,  was  the  subject  of  a  famous  law  plea, 
 which,  after  reaching  the  House  of  Lords,  was  decided  against 
 the  minority,  who  declined  uniting  with  the  Free  Church,  on 
 the  ground  that  they  had  not  objected  to  the  union  in  due 
 form  at  the  proper  time,  and  thus  had  no  title  to  sue.  It  is 
 worthy  of  remark  that  after  more  had  been  spent  in  fruitless 
 litigation  than  probably  the  property  Avas  worth,  the  congrega- 
 tion of  their  own  free  will  united  with  the  party  who  had  been 
 contending  with  them,  and  the  property  is  again  used  in  con- 
 nection with  the  United  Original  Secession  Church 
 
 Statistics  for  1884  : — Members,  67  ;  adherents,' 1 3  ;  total 
 income,  £99;  stipend,  £77  with  manse;  average  contri- 
 bution per  member,  £1,  9  s.  9^d. 
 
 Carnwath  (Burgher),  now  extinct. 
 
 Carnwath  is  a  village  in  Lanarkshire,  6  miles  east  from 
 Lanark,  and  27  east-south-east  from  Glasgow. 
 
 The  first  supply  of  sermon  that  was  given  to  this  preaching 
 station  was  in  September  1831,  and  on  11th  December  1832 
 a  petition  from  forty-five  individuals  friendl}'  to  the  cause  was 
 read  to  the  Edinburgh  Presbytery,  which  requested  continued 
 supply  of  sermon,  but  stated  that  they  could  not  give  the 
 preachers  more  than  ten  shillings  per  Sabbath.  The  Presby- 
 tery, whilst  they  felt  inclined  to  encourage  and  assist  the 
 Carnwath  people  as  much  as  they  can,  considered  the  sum 
 they  i^roposed  to  give  too  small.  They  granted  them,  how- 
 ever, continued  supply  of  sermon,  but  enjoined  tham  to  pay 
 the  preachers  as  formerly  until  next  meeting  of  Presbytery, 
 when  this  subject  shall  be  resumed. 
 
288  ANNALS  OF  OKIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 On  2(jtli  February  1833  they  petitioned  the  Presbytery  to 
 discontinue  sending  preachers,  inasmuch  as  their  funds  were 
 in  such  a  reduced  state  that  they  found  it  impossible  to  sup- 
 port the  Gospel  among  them.  After  deliberation,  the  Presby- 
 tery appointed  the  Rev.  William  Logan,  of  Lesmahagow,  to 
 preach  on  Sabbath  first,  and  hold  a  meeting  with  the  people 
 on  the  following  Monday  to  inquire  into  the  state  of  their 
 funds,  and  to  give  a  report  of  his  proceedings  at  next  meeting 
 of  Presbytery.  Mr  Logan  accordingly  reported,  and  the  Pres- 
 bytery, on  4th  March  1833,  agreed  to  continue  sermon  at 
 Carnwath  for  some  time  longer,  and  to  fall  upon  ways  and 
 means  to  refund  Mr  William  Russell,  treasurer  to  the  vacancy, 
 for  the  arrears  into  which  the  vacancy  has  fallen  to  this  date. 
 The  Presbytery  did  not  promise  them  any  more  assistance, 
 and  stated  that  they  would  not  be  responsible  for  any  future 
 debt  that  might  be  incurred  by  them. 
 
 Instructions  to  this  effect  were  given  to  the  Commissioners, 
 followed  up  with  a  recommendation  that  they  stir  up  the 
 people  to  increased  liberality. 
 
 On  the  16th  May  following,  however,  the  Presbytery  de- 
 clared that  they  deemed  it  inexpedient  to  continue  sermon 
 any  longer  at  Carnwath.  But  at  the  same  time  they  enjoined 
 each  of  the  ministers  connected  with  the  Presbytery  to  make 
 uj)  the  sum  due  to  Mr  William  Russell,  treasurer  of  the 
 vacancy  at  Carnwath,  either  by  collections  or  otherwise,  with 
 all  convenient  speed. 
 
 Clola  {Antibiirghcr),  now  Free  Church. 
 
 Clola  is  a  hamlet  in  the  parish  of  Old  Deer,  Aberdeenshire, 
 about  IG  miles  east  of  Craigdam,  and  2  south-east  of  Stewart- 
 field. 
 
 This  congregation  originated  through  a  visit  wLicli  was  paid 
 by  James  Ferguson,  Esq.,  of  Kinmundy,  and  his  wife,  Mrs 
 Elizabeth  Dean,  to  Burntisland  in  1741.  Whilst  there, 
 they  worshipped  with  the  congregation  of  Rev.  Jas.  Thomson, 
 of  the  Secession  Church,  at  whose  communion  in  spring  that 
 year  the  Rev.  Alex.  Moncrieff,  of  Abernethy,  was  an  assistant. 
 Mr  and  Mrs  Ferguson  having  then  become   acquainted  with 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONOREGATIONS.  289 
 
 Mr  Moncrieff,  cordially  invited  him  to  visit  Aberdeenshire, 
 which  he  diil  the  same  year,  and  preached  several  Sabhaths  in 
 Kinmundy  House,  as  well  as  in  otlier  parts  of  the  county. 
 The  result  was  the  formation  of  the  Secession  Church  at 
 Craigdam,  whose  First  Ministt-r,  the  Rev.  William  Bnnvn,  was 
 ordained  on  the  23d  July  1752,  with  a  stipend  of  only  £15. 
 
 As  a  goodly  number  of  this  congregation  came  from  the 
 district  of  Clola  and  Whitehill,  the  praying  societies  of  these 
 places  in  July  17G9  sent,  through  the  Session  of  Craigdam,  a 
 petition  asking  the  Presbytery  to  constitute  them  into  a 
 separate  congregation,  which  was  granted  in  the  following 
 month,  when  supply  of  sermon  was  sent  them. 
 
 In  April  1770,  application  was  made  for  a  moderation,  with 
 the  result  that  ^Ir  William  Mitchell,  Probationer,  was  calleil. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  William  Mitchell,  from  Old  Deer. 
 Ordained  lith  or  19th  November  1770,  when  the  Rev.  Wm. 
 Brown,  of  Craigdam,  preached  and  presided. 
 
 Though  the  beginning  of  this  congregation  w^as  not  large, 
 consisting  as  it  did  of  about  100  members,  it  rapidly  in- 
 creased, since  four  years  after  the  settlement  of  their  minister 
 their  numbers  were  upwards  of  250. 
 
 Mr  Mitchell's  labours,  preaching  as  he  did  for  upwards  of 
 fifty  years  three  times  every  Sabbath,  besides  pastoral  visita- 
 tion and  congregational  examinations,  were  very  abundant, 
 and  the  fruits  of  his  ministry  were  numerous. 
 
 On  four  different  occasions  during  his  ministry  Covenant- 
 ing was  solemnly  engaged  in  by  the  congregation. 
 
 In  1820,  along  with  the  majority  of  his  flock,  Mr  Mitchell 
 declined  uniting  with  the  New  Light  Burgher  Synod,  and 
 cast  in  his  lot  with  the  ten  brethren  who  formed  the  Synod 
 of  Protesters.  Those  of  his  congregation  who  approved  of  the 
 union  then  separated,  and  formed  the  Stewartfield  congrega- 
 tion, now  in  the  United  Pre.sbyterian  Church. 
 
 In  1827,  owing  to  the  union  of  the  Protesters  and  the 
 Constitutional  Presbytery,  in  which  Mr  Mitchell  and  his  flock 
 cordially  concurred,  the  Fergusons  of  Kinmundy  and  other 
 Old  Lights  were  again  annexed  to  the  congregation. 
 
 Regarding  Mr  Mitchell,  who  was  in  many  respects  a  re- 
 markable man,    it    is   narrated    that   he   occupied    his   pulpit 
 
 T 
 
290  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 about  five  hours  every  Sabbatli  in  expounding  the  Scriptures 
 and  preaching  therefrom.  He  would  not  consent  to  pubHsh 
 any  of  his  sermons,  stating  that  Christ  had  sent  him  to  preach 
 and  not  to  publish.  Considering  that  purity  of  doctrine  could 
 do  little  good  without  purity  of  Church  fellowship,  he  upheld 
 and  encouraged  his  elders  in  strictness  of  discipline,  though  at 
 the  same  time  he  declared  that  if  we  wished  to  have  a  Church 
 perfectly  pure  we  must  wait  till  we  get  to  heaven.  He  was 
 a  man  of  prayer,  loved  Christians  of  all  denominations,  and 
 was  a  diligent  observer  of  Providential  dealings.  Some  people 
 thought  he  read  too  much,  but  certainly  he  did  not  think 
 little,  since  meditation  was  with  him  a  familiar  duty. 
 
 His  appearance  in  the  pulpit  was  apostolical,  or  rather 
 patriarchal — tall,  portly,  ruddy  complexioned,  with  hair  silvered 
 with  age.  He  was  truly  venerable  in  aspect  as  he  stood  in 
 the  pulpit,  with  his  left  hand  leaning  on  the  side  of  it,  or  on 
 the  top  of  his  staff,  if  he  felt  the  pulpit  too  low,  and  some- 
 times he  leant  over  the  side  of  the  pulpit  shaking  with  emo- 
 tion, the  energies  of  his  mind  and  the  sympathies  of  his  soul 
 beaming  in  his  countenance,  and  expressing  themselves  by  the 
 tremulous  sounds  of  his  broken  voice.  Mr  Mitchell  loved  his 
 children,  but  this  fondness  was  tempered  by  discretion,  and 
 on  beholding  the  children  of  his  children's  children  even  to 
 the  fourth  generation,  he  exclaimed  :  "  How  encouraging  it  is 
 that  the  entail  of  God's  mercy  is  not  cut  off,  but  descends 
 even  to  thousands  of  generations  of  them  that  love  Him  and 
 keep  His  commandments." 
 
 In  his  dotage  he  believed  every  day  was  the  Sabbath,  and 
 would  go  out  into  the  fields  and  reprove  the  people  for  work- 
 ing, saying,  "  Things  had  come  to  a  pretty  pass  when,  within 
 sisfht  of  a  Secession  church  such  conduct  could  be  tolerated." 
 He  would  go  up  to  the  church,  too,  that  he  might  preach,  and 
 sit  down  and  weep  when  he  could  not  obtain  entrance. 
 
 As,  owing  to  the  infirmities  of  old  age,  it  was  now  neces- 
 sary that  a  colleague  to  their  minister  should  be  obtained,  the 
 congregation,  on  5th  February  1828,  petitioned  for  a  modera- 
 tion, which  was  granted  for  Thursday,  28th  inst.,  the  Rev. 
 Benjamin  Laing  to  preach  and  preside.  The  call  was  for  Mr 
 Matthew  Murray,  Probationer,   and  was  subscribed  by  thirty- 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONCiUEGATIONS.  'J'M 
 
 two  male  niombors,  but  as  he  had  been  appointed  by  th(> 
 Synod  to  Glasgow,  to  which  congregation  he  had  also  been 
 called,  another  moderation  took  place  on  9th  October  182S, 
 the  Rev.  John  Aitken,  of  Aberdeen,  liaving  preached  and  pre- 
 sided. The  stipend  otiered  was  £G0,  so  long  as  the  senior 
 colleague  survives,  but  on  his  death  £90,  with  a  house  and 
 ten  acres  of  ground.  The  Rev.  Thos.  M'Crie,  formerly  of 
 Crieff,  was  then  elected  pastor. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  Thomas  M'Crie.  Inducted  IGlli 
 April  1829,  when  the  Rev.  Alex.  Duncan,  of  Dundee,  con- 
 ducted the  opening  devotional  services,  the  Rev.  James  Meek, 
 of  Carnoustie,  preached  from  Isaiah  xi.  9,  the  Rev.  John 
 Aitken,  of  Aberdeen,  put  the  Questions  of  the  Formula,  in- 
 ducted Mr  M'Crie,  and  thereafter  addressed  minister  and 
 congregation,  and  the  Rev.  Benjamin  Laing,  of  Arbroath, 
 concluded  by  preaching  from  Ps.  xlix.  8. 
 
 During  his  ministry  of  seven  years,  the  two  most  notable 
 events  were  the  death  of  the  senior  colleague  on  IGth  April 
 1832,  aged  eighty-four,  and  the  observance  of  Covenanting  by 
 the  congregation. 
 
 Having  been  called  to  succeed  his  father  as  minister  of 
 Davie  Street  Church,  Edinburgh,  in  March  183G,  and  the 
 Synod  having  on  lltli  May  following  sanctioned  the  transla- 
 tion, it  was  carried  into  effect  on  9th  June  1836. 
 
 Application  having  been  made  for  a  moderation,  stipend 
 offered  £70,  with  manse  and  glebe,  and  £10  for  communion 
 expenses,  the  Rev.  John  Aitken  was  appointed  to  officiate  on 
 IGth  February  1837,  when  Mr  George  M'Crie,  Probationer, 
 was  called. 
 
 Third  Minister,  Rev.  George  M'Crie.  Ordained  lUtJi 
 August  1837,  when  the  Rev.  Alex.  Brown,  of  Coupar- Angus, 
 conducted  the  opening  devotional  exei'cises,  the  Rev.  James 
 Anderson,  of  Kirriemuir,  preached  from  Jer.  iii.  15,  the  Rev. 
 John  Aitken  presided  at  ordination,  the  Rev.  James  Meek,  of 
 Carnoustie,  addressed  minister  and  people,  and  the  Rev.  John 
 Sandison,  of  Arbroath,  concluded  by  preaching  from  Psalm 
 xlv.  17. 
 
 In  1852  both  pastor  and  congregation,  with  only  a  few  ex- 
 ceptions, united    with    the   Free  Church  of  Scotland,  and   Mr 
 
292  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 M'Crie  died  on  1st  June  1878,  in  the  sixty-eighth  year  of  his 
 age,  and  the  forty-first  of  his  ministry. 
 
 The  present  pastor  is  the  Rev.  W.  M.  Sutherland,  B.D., 
 who  was  ordained  in  1879. 
 
 The  first  church,  which  was  thatched  with  heather,  was 
 built  in  1770.  A  more  comfortable  building,  however,  was 
 erected  in  1784,  and  this  has  been  supplanted  by  the  present 
 church,  which  cost  £1  500,  and  was  opened  for  divine  wor- 
 ship on  17th  March  1804. 
 
 Statistics  for  1884  : — Members,  131  ;  adherents,  13  ; 
 average  attendance,  180  ;  total  income,  £2'29  ;  stipend,  £190, 
 with  manse. 
 
 Colmonell  {Antiburgher),  now  extinct. 
 
 Colmonell  is  a  village  5  miles  north-east  of  Ballantrae,  and 
 about  1 2  south  of  Girvan. 
 
 This  congregation  was  an  offshoot  from  the  Secession  Church 
 of  Kilmaurs,  which  is  many  miles  distant,  and  was  constituted 
 into  a  separate  charge  in  1750.  The  first  church  was  at  the 
 Ford,  on  the  south  side  of  the  river  Stiuchar,  near  the  original 
 manse,  and  was  built  in  1755.  The  second  church,  which  is 
 in  the  village,  and  now  unoccupied,  was  erected  in  1799-1800, 
 and  has  nearly  200  sittings. 
 
 Before  obtaining  a  minister  the  congregation  called  Mr 
 Henderson,  who  had  been  licensed  while  only  a  fourth  year's 
 theological  student,  with  a  view  of  emigrating  to  America, 
 and  consequently  the  Synod  declined  to  permit  his  settlement. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  Thomas  Russell.  Ordained  21st  May 
 1760  ;  translated  to  Dunblane,  24th  July  1769,  where  he 
 died  on  13th  February  1803,  in  the  eightieth  year  of  his  age, 
 and  thirty- fourth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 The  congregation  then  called  Mr  James  Pattison,  Proba- 
 tioner, who  was  afterwards  ordained  at  Moniaive. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  John  Blair.  Ordained  19  th  April 
 1780. 
 
 Along  with  his  congregation,  Mr  Blair  declined  to  unite 
 with  the  New  Light  Burgher  Synod  in  1820,  and  adhered 
 to  the  Synod  of  Protesters.      He  died  in  1824. 
 
 On  7th  May  1830  the  congregation  applied  for  a  moderation, 
 
STATLSTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  293 
 
 which  after  hesitancy  about  the  smalhicss  of  the  stipend 
 ot!ered,  was  agiveil  to,  and  the  Rev.  Peter  M'Derment,  of 
 Auchiuleck,  was  appointed  to  preach  and  preside  on  the 
 Tuesday  after  the  hist  Sabbatli  of  May.  The  call  was  unani- 
 mous, and  in  favour  of  Rev.  B.  Laing. 
 
 Third  ^Minister,  Rev.  Benjamin  Laing,  formerly  of  Arbroath, 
 who  was  inducted  24th  November  18. SO,  when  the  Rev.  P. 
 M'Derment  preached  from  John  xxi.  15-17,  and  inducted  Mr 
 Laing.  The  Rev.  Robert  Smith,  of  Kilwinning,  addressed 
 pastor  and  people,  and  the  Rev.  George  Stevenson,  of  Ayr, 
 couchuled  the  service  with  a  sermon. 
 
 On  13th  May  1831,  the  Synod  granted  £5  to  aid  in  reseat- 
 ing the  church. 
 
 In  1839  he  was  appointed  Professor  of  Hebrew  in  the 
 Original  Secession  Hall,  and  afterwards  received  the  degree  of 
 D.I),  from  an  American  College. 
 
 Having,  along  with  a  portion  of  his  congregation,  united 
 with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  in  1852,  and  having  been 
 called  by  the  Colmonell  Free  Church  congregation,  which  was 
 then  vacant,  he  was  inducted  thereto  on  27th  January  1853, 
 and  died  12th  October  18G2,  in  the  forty-second  year  of  his 
 ministry. 
 
 The  remaining  section  of  the  congregation  which  adhered  to 
 the  remanent  United  Original  Secession  Synod,  and  had  sub- 
 sequently two  ministers — viz.,  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Ritchie, 
 formerly  of  Kirkwall,  who  died  on  15th  May  18C9,  and  the 
 Rev.  Benjamin  Brown,  who  leaving  the  district  joined  the 
 Established  Church  in  1877 — is  now  extinct. 
 
 Coupar-Angus   {Constitutional),    now    United  OHginal 
 Secession  Church. 
 
 Coupar-Angus  is  a  town  partly  in  the  shires  of  Forfar  and 
 Perth,  15  miles  north-west  from  Dundee,  and  12^  miles  north- 
 east from  Perth. 
 
 The  first  petition  for  sermon  was  made  to  the  Constitutional 
 Presbytery  on  10th  May  1808,  but  this,  along  with  Alyth 
 and  Rattray,  were  regarded  as  only  preaching  stations,  which, 
 when  united,  formed  one  congregation. 
 
 A  number  of  Seceders  who  declined  to  unite  with  the  New 
 
294  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Light  Burgher  Synod  having  applied  to  the  Synod  of  Pro- 
 testers for  sermon  on  13th  October  1824,  and  whose  petition 
 was  signed  by  four  elders,  twenty-four  members,  and  four 
 adherents,  were  united  to  the  Constitutional  party  in  1827, 
 and  formed  into  a  regular  congregation,  which  thereafter 
 erected  a  church. 
 
 On  9th  January  1828,  application  was  made  for  a  modera- 
 tion ;  stipend  offered,  £70,  a  house,  £10  for  sacramental 
 expenses,  and  a  promise  to  drive,  free  of  charge,  the  minister's 
 coals.  The  Rev,  Alex.  Duncan,  of  Dundee,  was  appointed  to 
 officiate  on  22nd  inst.,  when  the  call  was  for  Mr  Matthew 
 Murray,  Probationer,  but  he  having  been  also  called  to 
 Pitcairngreen  and  Glasgow,  the  matter  was  referred  to  the 
 Synod,  which  preferred  Glasgow.  On  18th  March  1829,  the 
 congregation  again  applied  for  a  moderation,  stipend  offered, 
 £80,  and  £12  for  sacramental  expenses,  when  the  Rev.  Jas. 
 Beattie,  of  Balmullo,  was  appointed  to  moderate  on  1st  April. 
 The  call  was  for  Mr  James  Wright,  Probationer,  but  as  he 
 had  been  also  called  to  Midholm,  the  matter  was  referred  to 
 the  Synod,  which,  on  13th  May,  preferred  Coupar- Angus. 
 On  the  17th  June  following,  therefore,  the  call  was  presented 
 to  Mr  Wright  at  the  Perth  Presbytery,  but  he  declined  it, 
 though  offered  him  three  times,  owing  to  his  unwillingness 
 to  undertake  to  preach  three  times  every  Sabbath  ;  but  on 
 this  difficulty  being  removed,  he  was  duly  ordained. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  James  Wright,  ordained  3rd  February 
 1830,  when  the  Rev.  Thos.  Manson,  Perth,  preached,  the 
 Rev.  Richard  Black,  Perth,  presided  at  ordination,  the  Rev. 
 Jas.  Beattie,  of  Balmullo,  addressed  pastor  and  people,  and  the 
 Rev.  Andrew  Lambie,  of  Pitcairngreen,  concluded  the  service 
 by  delivering  a  sermon. 
 
 Mr  Wright,  having  been  called  on  29th  April  1834  to  be 
 colleague  and  successor  to  the  Rev.  Professor  Paxton,  of 
 Infirmary  Street  Congregation,  Edinburgh,  the  case  came 
 before  the  Synod,  which,  on  the  14th  May  following,  con- 
 tinued him  at  Coupar  Angus.  Mr  Wright,  however,  was 
 again  called  to  Edinburgh  on  8tli  July  1834,  and  on  the  case 
 being  remitted  to  the  Synod,  that  court,  on  11th  September, 
 sanctioned  the  translation. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  205 
 
 The  congregation  then  calleil  Mr  AKxandi-r  Brown,  Pro- 
 bationer, who  was  also  called  by  the  Aiicliinleck  congregation, 
 but  the  Synod  on  11th  May  183G  })referred  Coupar-Angus. 
 
 Second  ^Minister,  Rev.  Alexander  Brown,  M.A.,  ordained 
 November  183G. 
 
 Along  with  the  congregation  Mr  Brown  declined  to  unite 
 with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  in  1852.  He  died  on  S+th 
 April  ISo-l-.  His  successors  have  been  the  Revs.  John  Barr, 
 Peter  M'Vicar,  and  George  Anderson,  which  last  was  ordained 
 in  1881. 
 
 Statistics  for  1884-  : — Members,  50  ;  adherents,  3  ;  total 
 income,  £95  ;  stipend,  .£70,  without  manse  ;  average  contri- 
 bution per  member^  £1,  18s.  O^d. 
 
 Crieff  {Constitutional),  now  extinct. 
 
 Crieff  is  a  town  in  Perthshire,  G^  miles  cast  from  Comrie, 
 and  17  west  from  Perth. 
 
 This  congreojation,  which  was  an  offshoot  from  that  of  Rev. 
 Jas.  Barlas',  applied  to  Constitutional  Presbytery  for  sermon 
 on  9th  May  1808,  when,  in  response,  the  Rev.  Dr  M'Crie 
 was  appointed  to  preach  on  the  first  Sabbath  of  June  following. 
 
 On  loth  November  1820,  a  moderation  was  applied  for, 
 stipend  offered,  £80,  with  a  house  for  minister,  when  the 
 Rev.  Alex.  Duncan,  of  Dundee,  was  appointed  to  preach  and 
 preside  on  14th  February  1821.  The  call  was  for  Mr  Thos. 
 M'Crie,  Probationer,  was  subscribed  by  forty-eight  men,  and 
 on  7th  May  was  sustained  by  the  Presbytery,  and  accepted 
 by  Mr  M'Crie,  on  the  condition  that  the  congregation  enlarge 
 their  meeting-house. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  Thos.  M'Crie.  Ordained  1821,  but 
 loosed  from  his  charge  19th  July  182G. 
 
 On  3rd  August  1829  Messrs  Alex.  M'Glashan  and  Duncan 
 M'Laren  were  ordained  to  the  eldership. 
 
 On  8th  August  1831,  the  Perth  Presbytery  appointed  the 
 Rev.  Messrs  Richard  Black,  James  Bcattie,  and  Thomas 
 Manson,  to  ero  to  Crieff  and  settle  affairs  there. 
 
 This  congregation  having  agreed  to  co-operate  with  the 
 Dunning  congregation,  in  order  to  have  a  pastor  settled  over 
 
296  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 them  jointly;  in  February  1833  called  Mr  Cunningham 
 Aitcheson,  Probationer,  the  stipend  offered  being  £30  from 
 each  congregation,  or  £60  in  all.  Owing,  however,  to  Mr 
 Aitcheson  having  been  called  also  to  Arbroath  and  Alyth, 
 the  Synod  appointed  his  settlement  to  be  at  the  place  last 
 named. 
 
 Gradually  this  congregation  became  extinct,  and  its  meeting- 
 house having  passed  into  the  possession  of  the  Free  Church 
 Congregation,  was  familiarly  designated  "  the  Wee  Kirk,"  and 
 was  used  for  prayer-meetings  and  evangelistic  purposes. 
 
 Ciimbernauld  (Burgher),  now  Free  Church. 
 
 Cumbernauld  is  a  village  in  Dumbartonshire,  14  miles 
 east  from  Glasgow,  9  west  from  Falkirk,  and  13  south  from 
 Stirling. 
 
 This  congregation  originated  from  the  servile  compliance  of 
 ministers  of  the  Established  Church  in  reading  the  notorious 
 Porteous  Act  from  their  pulpits  every  Lord's  Day,  though 
 they  well  knew  that  their  doing  so  was  derogatory  to  the 
 honour  of  the  Lord  of  the  Sabbath,  and  offensive  to  the 
 religious  convictions  of  pious  members  in  their  congregations. 
 For  about  six  years  the  Seceders  of  this  district  worshipped  in 
 connection  with  the  Falkirk  congregation,  till  in  1743  they 
 were  disjoined  by  the  Presbytery,  and  constituted  into  a 
 separate  congregation,  when  they  erected  a  church,  which  was 
 rebuilt,  however,  in  1825. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  Andrew  Black.  Ordained  7th  November 
 1744.  Adhered  with  the  majority  of  the  congregation  to 
 the  Burgher  Synod  at  the  breach  in  1747.  Called  to 
 Killeny,  Ireland,  in  1749,  but  declined.  Called  a  second 
 time  to  Ireland  in  1759,  and  was  translated  thither.  The 
 congregation  called  the  Bev.  John  Johnston  of  Ecclefechan  in 
 1763,  and  on  the  Synod  declining  to  translate  him,  Mr 
 Eobert  Campbell,  M.A.,  Probationer,  was  called,  but  the 
 Synod  appointed  him  to  Stirling. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  James  Moir,  who  had  been  called  to 
 Dunbar,  Cambusnethan,  Lochgelly,  Tough,  Torphichen,  and 
 Cumbernauld.      Ordained   9th  September   1766,  but  resigned 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  2!) 7 
 
 las  charge  5th  Soptomber  1774.  Thereafter  he  was  calleJ  to 
 West  Liuton  and  Tarbolton,  and  inducted  to  the  latter  con- 
 gregation on  2Gth  August  1778. 
 
 Third  Minister,  Rev.  George  Hill,  who  had  been  called  to 
 Perth,  Shotts,  and  Cumbernauld.  Ordained  IGth  May  1782. 
 Called  to  Kilpatrick  in  1783,  but  remained  at  Cumbernauld. 
 Along  with  his  congregation  Mr  Hill  acceded  to  the  Original 
 Burgher  or  Old  Light  Presbytery  on  20th  November  1799. 
 
 On  10th  August  1803  he  was  elected  Profes.sor  of 
 Divinity,  and  for  a  time  fulfilled  the  duties  of  that  office. 
 
 On  8th  September  1806,  ]\[r  Hill  was  called  by  the 
 Falkirk  congregation,  but  the  Synod  in  April  1807  refused 
 to  translate  him.  He  died  on  2Gth  June  1819,  in  the 
 sixty-ninth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  thirty-seventh  of  his 
 ministry. 
 
 Fourth  Minister,  Rev.  Peter  Currie,  ordained  1820.  In 
 July  ]  834  JSlr  Currie  was  called  by  the  East  Campbell  Street 
 congregation,  Glasgow,  and  the  matter  having  been  referred  to 
 the  Synod,  that  Court  on  the  1st  October  following,  in  com- 
 pliance with  his  own  recjuest,  continued  him  at  Cumbernauld, 
 but  the  Campbell  Street  congregation  having  renewed  their 
 call  to  Mr  Currie  in  June  1835,  the  matter  was  again  brought 
 before  the  Synod,  which,  learning  that  Mr  Currie  was  now- 
 favourable  to  the  translation,  on  IGth  September  1835 
 appointed  it  to  be  carried  into  effect. 
 
 The  cono-reaation  on  22nd  March  183G  called  Mr  AVilliam 
 Elder,  Probationer,  whose  call  was  subscribed  by  180  members 
 in  full  communion,  and  98  adherents;  but  as  Mr  Elder  had 
 also  been  called  to  Cupar-Fife,  the  matter  was  referred  to  the 
 Synod,  which  on  11th  May  1836  decided  in  favour  of  Cupar. 
 
 The  consfregation  next  called  the  Rev.  John  Cochrane  of 
 Kennoway,  the  call  being  subscribed  by  168  members  and 
 65  adherents,  and  as  on  the  matter  being  brought  before  the 
 Synod  on  5th  October  1836,  Mr  Cochrane  expressed  a  desire 
 for  the  translation,  it  was  agreed  without  a  vote  to  carry  it 
 into  effect. 
 
 Fifth  Minister,  Rev.  John  Cochrane,  inducted  1836. 
 Along  with  the  congregation  ]\Ir  Cochrane  united  with  the 
 Church  of  Scotland  in  1839.      He  continued  with  the   Free 
 
298  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Church  at  the  Disruption  iu  1843,  and  thereafter  was  trans- 
 lated to  Grangemouth,  where  he  died  on  19th  January  1869. 
 
 The  subsequent  ministers  have  been  the  Revs.  D.  K. 
 M'Meikan,  M.A.,  ordained  5th  December  1844,  and  Thos, 
 Adam,  M.A.,  ordained  colleague  in  1883. 
 
 Statistics  of  congregation  for  1884  : — Members,  IGO  ; 
 adherents,  21  ;  average  attendance,  195  ;  total  raised,  £279  ; 
 stipend,  £193  with  manse. 
 
 Cwpar-Fife  {Burgher),  now  extinct. 
 
 Cupar  is  the  county  town  of  Fifeshire,  and  is  about  21 
 miles  north-east  from  Kirkcaldy,  and  12  south  from  Dundee. 
 
 This  congregation  which  branched  from  that  of  Kennoway, 
 originated  in  1815,  when  a  petition  signed  by  thirty-seven 
 persons,  asking  supply  of  sermon,  was  presented  to  the  Perth 
 and  Dunfermline  Presbytery  by  John  Hodge,  commissioner. 
 This  was  granted,  and  on  20th  June  1816  they  requested 
 that  they  might  be  constituted  into  a  congregation  having 
 four  elders  and  two  deacons,  which  was  also  agreed  to.  The 
 congregation  then  elected  as  elders,  John  Hodge,  formerly  an 
 elder  at  Kennoway ;  George  Girdwood,  John  Smith,  and 
 Eobert  Cairns  ;  and  as  deacons,  Messrs  Goodsir  and  Ealph 
 Russell.  The  Presbytery  appointed  the  induction  of  the  first 
 and  the  ordination  of  the  others  to  take  place  on  the  third 
 Sabbath  of  November  following,  the  Rev.  Alex.  M'Wattie,  of 
 Kennoway,  to  preach  and  preside. 
 
 On  7th  April  1817  the  congregation  applied  for  a  modera- 
 tion, offering  £100  as  stipend,  with  hope  of  increase.  As  the 
 meeting  of  congregation,  however,  had  been  called  on  the 
 Tuesday  after  an  intimation  made  only  on  the  preceding 
 Sabbath,  the  Presbytery,  on  account  of  the  undue  haste  of 
 this  meeting,  and  no  attention  having  been  paid  to  the  legal 
 time  of  ten  free  days  between  the  call  and  the  meeting, 
 refused  the  petition,  recommending  to  the  commissioners  that 
 their  congregation  ponder  well  the  path  of  their  feet  in  their 
 outset  on  such  a  great  concern,  and  to  be  strictly  attentive  to 
 form  in  all  their  proceedings. 
 
 Again    on    14th    July   1817,  application   was  made  for  a 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  201) 
 
 moileiatiou,  but  the  above  recoinmendation  of  Presbytery  not 
 having  been  attended  to,  the  application  was  refused. 
 
 On  IGth  Marcli  1818,  applied  for  a  moderation,  stipend 
 offered  XllO,  with  £9  for  sacramental  expenses,  and  a  pro- 
 mise to  pay  the  minister's  taxes,  when  the  Rev.  Alex. 
 M'Wattie  was  appointed  to  preside  on  the  Thursday  after  tlie 
 fifth  Sabbath  of  March.  The  call,  which  was  subscribed  by 
 116  members  and  G7  adherents,  was  for  Mr  John  Russell, 
 Probationer,  who  was,  however,  appointed  by  the  Synod  to 
 Kirkintilloch. 
 
 On  .5th  April  1819,  applied  for  a  moderation,  offering  for 
 stipend  what  was  formerly  promised.  The  Rev.  Alex. 
 M'Wattie  was  appointed  to  moderate  on  2  2d  April,  and  the 
 call  was  in  favour  of  Mr  Ebenozer  Anderson,  Probationer  ; 
 119  members  and  82  adherents  subscribed  it. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  Ebenezer  Anderson.  Ordained  19th 
 October  1819,  when  the  Rev.  Jas.  Thornton,  of  Milnathort, 
 began  the  services  by  preaching  from  Ezekiel  xxxiii.  7-9  ;  the 
 Rev.  Wm.  Dalziel,  of  Dunfermline,  delivered  the  ordination 
 sermon  from  1  Thess.  v.  12,  13,  presided  at  ordination,  and 
 thereafter  addressed  pastor  and  people. 
 
 On  14th  July  1835  the  Presbytery,  because  of  a  "  famn 
 clamosa"  involving  the  charge  of  fornication,  suspended  Mr 
 Anderson,  and  on  his  afterwards  confessing  his  sin,  they,  on 
 2.3th  August  following,  deposed  him  from  the  ministry. 
 
 On  2d  October  1836,  applied  for  a  moderation,  the  total 
 sum  offered  as  stipend  being  «£90.  The  petition  was  com- 
 plied with,  and  the  Rev.  Ralph  Robb,  of  Strathkinnes,  was 
 appointed  to  officiate  on  Tuesday  after  the  third  Sabbath  of 
 February  1837.  Mr  Wm.  Elder,  Probationer,  was  then 
 chosen,  and  the  call  signed  by  117  members  and  36  adher- 
 ents. As  he  had,  however,  been  also  called  to  Cumbernauld, 
 the  matter  was  referred  to  the  Synod,  which  decided  in 
 favour  of  Cupar. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  Wm.  Elder.  Ordained  25th 
 August  1836,  when  the  Rev.  Peter  Macarthur  of  Blairgowrie 
 opened  the  services  by  preaching  from  2  Cor.  iv.  7;  the  Rev. 
 Robt.  M'Indoe,  of  Kirkcaldy,  preached  the  ordination  sermon 
 from  Isaiah  Ixii.  6,  7,  after  which  the  Rev.  John  Cochrane,  of 
 
300  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Kennoway,  presided  at  ordination,  and  gave  suitable  addresses 
 to  minister  and  congregation. 
 
 Along  with  the  congregation  Mr  Elder  united  with  the 
 Church  of  Scotland  in  1839,  and  after  the  Disruption  of  1843 
 was  translated  to  the  parish  of  Tealing,  near  Dundee. 
 
 The  congregation,  which  was  now  considerably  weakened, 
 returned  to  the  Secession,  and  on  18th  August  1844  sent  to 
 the  Presbytery  asking  advice,  as  in  consequence  of  not  being 
 regularly  supplied  with  sermon  their  attendance  had  fallen  off 
 so  greatly  that  they  were  running  into  arrears.  The  Presby- 
 tery in  reply  promised  to  give  as  regular  supply  as  possible, 
 and  reminded  them  that  the  Synod  would  aid  in  defraying 
 their  arrears.  On  2 2d  December  ]844,  however,  commis- 
 sioners from  the  congregation  attended  the  Presbytery,  and 
 represented  that  they  could  no  longer  continue  to  receive 
 supply  of  sermon,  owing  to  their  inability  to  support  ordin- 
 ances, and  the  Court  accordingly  withdrew  their  preachers 
 from  the  congresfation.  which  thereafter  was  dissolved. 
 
 Dalkeith  {Burgher),  noiu  extinct. 
 
 Dalkeith  is  a  town  in  Midlothian,  about  6  miles  S.-E.  from 
 Edinburgh. 
 
 This  congregation  originated  in  a  secession  from  the  New 
 Light  Burgher  Congregation,  of  which  the  Rev.  Dr  Thomas 
 Brown  was  minister,  and  in  compliance  with  a  petition  the 
 Presbytery,  on  28th  December  1803,  appointed  the  Rev. 
 Robert  Shirra,  of  Yetholm,  to  constitute  the  elders  who  had 
 seceded  from  Dr  Brown's  congregation  into  a  session  on  the 
 5th  January  1804. 
 
 On  2d  October  1804  the  congregation  petitioned  for  a 
 moderation,  offering  as  stipend  ,£60,  with  house  and  gar- 
 den. The  Rev.  Robert  Shirra  was  appointed  to  officiate  on 
 18th  October,  when  Mr  James  Watson,  Probationer,  was 
 elected,  and  the  call  subscribed  by  twenty-eight  members 
 and  twenty  adherents.  As  Mr  Watson  had,  however,  been 
 called  to  other  charges,  including  Edinburgh,  the  Presbytery, 
 on  4  th  December,  preferred  Edinburgh. 
 
 On  3rd  September  1806,  applied  for  a  moderation,  offering 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  301 
 
 £(iO,  with  house  and  garden,  or  £70  without  house,  as  stipend, 
 but  owing  to  lack  of  harmony  in  the  congregation  the  niuder- 
 ation  was  not  granted.  On  11th  November  1800,  Innvever, 
 the  Rev.  John  IngHs  of  Greenlaw  was  appointed  to  moderate 
 on  the  23rd  December,  when  the  call  proved  in  fovour  of  Mr 
 Inglis  himself.  It  was  subscribed  by  si.xty-three  persons,  but 
 the  Synod  declined  to  translate  Mr  Inglis. 
 
 On  10th  November  1807,  applied  for  a  moderation,  stipend 
 offered  £70,  with  a  house,  and  a  promise  to  increase  the 
 stipend  as  soon  as  able  to  do  so.  The  Presbytery  appointed 
 the  Eev.  Ebenezer  Hislop,  of  Shottsburn,  to  officiate  on  1st 
 January  1808,  when  the  Rev.  John  Inglis,  of  Greenlaw,  was 
 again  elected,  and  the  call  subscribed  by  forty-nine  members. 
 The  Synod,  however,  still  declined  to  translate. 
 
 On  3rd  January  1809  again  applied  for  a  moderation, 
 stipend  to  be  what  was  formerly  offered,  when  the  Rev.  James 
 Watson,  of  Edinburgh,  was  appointed  to  moderate  on  18th 
 January.  This  call,  which  was  for  Rev.  Ebenezer  Hislop,  of 
 Shottsburn,  and  was  subscril^ed  by  sixty  members,  jjroved 
 abortive. 
 
 On  6th  February  1810,  applied  for  a  moderation,  stipend 
 offered  £70,  with  house  and  garden,  and  the  promise  of  the 
 use  of  a  horse  when  necessary.  The  Rev.  John  Inglis  was 
 appointed  to  oflBciate  on  24th  March,  when  Mr  Ebenezer 
 Dawson,  Probationer,  was  chosen,  and  the  call  subscribed  by 
 sixty-four  members  and  twenty-five  adherents,  but  as  he  had 
 also  been  called  to  Kirkintilloch  and  Carluke,  the  matter  was 
 referred  to  the  Synod,  wjiich  preferred  Carluke. 
 
 On  1  Gth  October  1810,  applied  for  a  moderation,  the 
 stipend  to  be  what  was  formerly  offered,  when  the  Rev.  James 
 Watson,  of  Edinburgh,  was  appointed  to  officiate  on  31st 
 October.  The  call  was  for  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Hislop,  late  of 
 Shottsburn,  and  was  subscribed  by  fifty-four  members  and 
 eighteen  adherents. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  Ebenezer  Hislop,  formerly  of  Shotts- 
 burn. Inducted  28th  November  1810,  when  the  Rev.  John 
 Inglis,  of  Greenlaw,  began  the  services  by  preaching  from 
 Luke  viii.  18;  the  Rev,  Patrick  Connal,  of  Bathgate,  deli- 
 vered the  induction  sermon  from   2   Cor.  iv.  7,  admitted  Mr 
 
302  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Hislop  to  the  pastoral  charge,  and  thereafter  addressed  suit- 
 able exhortations  to  him  and  the  congregation. 
 
 "On  28th  December  1819,  the  Edinburgh  Presbytery,  in 
 compliance  with  the  recommendation  of  Synod,  met  with  some 
 of  the  elders  and  managers  of  the  congregation  of  Dalkeith, 
 when  they  informed  them  that  about  nine  years  ago,  when 
 their  minister  was  settled  among  them,  their  number  in  full 
 communion  did  not  exceed  fifty ;  that  at  present  they  have 
 about  sixty  communicants  and  eighty  examinable  persons ; 
 that  the  average  sum  of  their  weekly  collections  is  about  los., 
 and  their  quarterly  public  collections  about  30s.  ;  that  last 
 year  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's  Supper  was  twice  dispensed 
 among  them,  when  after  paying  necessary  expenses  they  had 
 an  overplus  of  about  £6  ;  and  that  last  half-year  they  had  let 
 about  sixty-three  seats,  the  average  of  which  is  about  5s.  6d. 
 per  annum,  so  that  the  income  of  the  congregation  amounts 
 to  about  £66,  16s.  6d.  The  congregation  have  about  £-50 
 of  debt  on  the  meeting-house,  but  are  of  opinion  the  property 
 belonging  to  them  is  worth  £130.  The  Presbytery  find  that 
 their  minister's  stipend  is  not  regularly  paid,  and  that  they 
 owe  him  at  present  about  £80.  Agreed  to  report  to  the 
 Synod." 
 
 For  several  years  this  congregation  was  in  troubled  waters, 
 and  four  of  the  elders,  viz.,  Messrs  Thomas  Smith,  Robert 
 Grieve,  Andrew  Alexander,  and  Alex.  Paterson,  having,  on 
 20th  June  1828,  applied  for  a  disjunction,  the  Presbytery 
 granted  their  request. 
 
 On  22nd  July,  the  Presbytery  met  and  effected  reconcilia- 
 tion and  peace  in  the  congregation,  and  on  5th  May  1830, 
 the  Presbytery  received  Mr  Hislop's  demission  of  his  charge, 
 owing  to  the  increasing  infirmities  of  old  age.  He  afterwards 
 endeavoured,  by  legal  measures,  to  recover  the  arrears  of  his 
 stipend,  and  eventually  died  on  the  22nd  January  1831,  in 
 the  eightieth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  fiftieth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 On  22nd  February  1831,  the  congregation  applied  for  a 
 moderation,  offering  as  stipend  £60,  with  the  promise  of  in- 
 creasing it  as  soon  as  they  were  able.  The  Rev.  D.  Headrick, 
 of  Longridge,  was  appointed  to  officiate  on  the  Monday  after 
 the  third  Sabbath   of  April.      The   call  was   for   Mr  Robert 
 
8TATIST1CS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  'MV.i 
 
 Lindsay,  Probationer,   and   was  subscribed   by   forty   nu'inbcrs 
 and  seven  adherents. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  Robert  Lindsay.  Ordained  3Lst 
 August  1S31,  when  the  Rev.  John  F.  Garven,  of  Lanark, 
 began  the  services  by  preaching  from  2  Cor.  ii.  lo,  IG  ;  the 
 Rev.  Clement  Moscrip,  of  Bathgate,  delivered  the  ordination 
 sermon  from  Col.  iv.  12,  presided  at  ordination,  and  there- 
 after gave  suitable  addresses  to  him  and  the  congregation. 
 The  Rev.  John  Garven  having  retired  and  constituted  the 
 session,  Mr  Alex.  Paterson  was  returned  as  representative 
 elder,  and  his  name  was  accordingly  added  to  the  Roll  of 
 Presbytery. 
 
 On  8th  December  1835,  the  Rev.  Robert  Lindsay  resigned 
 his  charge  for  two  reasons,  viz.,  the  weak  and  dying  state  of 
 the  congregation,  and  their  growing  inability  to  fulfil  their 
 pecuniary  engagements.  On  22nd  December  1835,  the  con- 
 gregation reported  to  the  Presbytery  that  there  was  no  hope 
 of  their  keeping  together,  and  requested  the  Presbytery  to 
 settle  the  arrears  of  stipend  due  to  Mr  Lindsay  until  tlie  con- 
 gregation got  the  church  property  disposed  of,  when  they 
 would  refund  the  Presbytery.  On  the  same  day,  however, 
 the  Presbytery  agreed  not  to  loose  Mr  Lindsay  from  his  charge 
 until  the  said  arrears  are  paid,  and  therefore  instruct  their 
 Clerk  to  inform  the  Dalkeith  congregation  that  the  sooner 
 they  pay  the  arrears  the  better,  inasmuch  as  interest  will 
 accumulate  thereon  until  paid. 
 
 The  church  was  afterwards  sold,  and  thereafter  used  as  a 
 smith's  workshop,  whilst  the  Rev.  Robert  Lindsay  went  to 
 Canada. 
 
 Dairy  {Burgher),  noio  extinct. 
 
 Dairy  is  a  town  in  Ayi-shire,  about  14  miles  north-west 
 from  Kilmarnock,  and  22  south-west  from  Glasgow. 
 
 The  first  supply  of  sermon  that  was  granted  to  this  congre- 
 gation was  on  the  fourth  Sabbath  of  January  1828,  when  Mr 
 Clement  Mo.scrip,  Probationer,  preached,  and  on  the  8th  April 
 following  a  petition  for  continued  supply  of  sermon,  subscribed 
 by  ninety-two  persons  in  Dairy  and  neighbourhood,  was  laid 
 on  the  Presbytery's  table. 
 
304  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 On  3rd  February  1829,  the  Rev.  Finlay  Stewart,  of  Pol- 
 lokshaws,  reported  that  he  had  gone  to  Dairy  according  to 
 appointment,  and  had  conversed  with  the  people  respecting 
 their  getting  sermon,  and  that  he  had  examined  twenty  per- 
 sons with  the  view  of  their  being  admitted  members  of  said 
 congregation.  The  Presbytery  agreed  that  they  should  be 
 admitted. 
 
 On  14th  April  1829,  the  congregation  applied  for  an  elec- 
 tion of  elders,  which  the  Presbytery  appointed  to  be  on  the 
 Monday  after  the  third  Sabbath  of  May  next,  the  Rev.  James 
 Gardner,  of  Kilpatrick,  who  was  to  preach  on  the  previous 
 Sabbath,  to  preside  on  the  occasion.  The  following  were 
 elected,  viz.,  Messrs  Br3'ce  Kerr,  James  Orr,  Robert  Kerr, 
 James  Laird,  James  Barr,  William  Alexander,  William  Craw- 
 ford, William  Anderson,  and  William  Kerr.  Mr  Gardner 
 also  reported  that  he  had  examined  James  Orr,  Robert  Kerr, 
 James  Laird,  William  Alexander,  and  William  Crawford,  and 
 was  satisfied  with  their  knowledge,  and  the  Presbytery  ap- 
 pointed their  edict  to  be  served. 
 
 On  Wednesday  after  the  first  Sabbath  of  August  at  6  p.m., 
 the  Rev.  Michael  Willis,  of  Renfield  Street  Church,  Glasgow, 
 ordained  Messrs  Robt.  Kerr,  William  Alexander,  William 
 Crawford,  and  James  Orr ;  the  others  who  were  also  chosen 
 having  declined  to  accept  office. 
 
 On  11th  March  1830  the  congregation  applied  for  a 
 moderation,  stipend  offered  £70,  with  a  promise  of  increasing 
 it.  The  Rev.  Wm.  Scott- Hay  of  Burntshields  was  appointed 
 to  preach  and  preside  on  Thursday  after  the  third  Sabbath  of 
 March.  The  call  was  for  Mr  James  Mushet,  Probationer, 
 and  was  subscribed  by  forty-seven  members  and  forty-seven 
 adherents. 
 
 First  and  only  Minister,  Rev.  James  Mushet.  Ordained 
 4th  August  1830,  in  a  tent  near  the  church.  The  Rev, 
 M.  Willis  of  Glasgow  began  the  services  by  preaching  from 
 Col.  iv.  17.  The  Rev.  William  Tannahill,  of  Kirkintilloch, 
 delivered  the  ordination  sermon  from  Luke  xi.  5-14,  put  the 
 questions  of  the  Formula,  and  thereafter  addressed  suitable 
 exhortations  to  minister  and  congregation. 
 
 On  15th  January  1833  the  congregation  applied  for 
 sermon,  as  Mr  Mushet,  from  illness,  was  unable  to  preach. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  L'ONGltKCATIOXS.  305 
 
 On  11th  July  1838  several  members  of  tlie  congregation 
 petitioned  the  Presbytery  to  appoint  a  Committee  to  enquire 
 into  the  circumstances  of  the  congregation.  This  was  done, 
 when  it  appeared  that  for  some  time  the  congregation  had 
 been  in  pecuniary  dithculties.  These  were  alleged  to  be 
 caused  by  the  intemperance  of  the  minister.  Mr  Mushet 
 was  accordingly  libi'lU'd,  and  having  been  found  guilty,  was 
 deposed  from  the  ministry  on  19th  March  1839. 
 
 Afterwards  the  congregation  was  dissolved,  and  the  church, 
 which  for  some  time  after  the  Disruption  of  1843  was 
 occupied  by  the  Free  Church  during  the  erection  of  their 
 own  place  of  worship,  was  finally  sold  to  the  Established 
 Church,  who  erected  on  its  site  a  Chapel  of  Ease. 
 
 Dollar  (Antihitrgher),  iunu  Free  Church. 
 
 Dollar  is  a  village  in  Clackmannanshire,  about  12  miles 
 north-east  from  Stirling. 
 
 This  congregation  was  originated  by  a  schism  in  Dollar 
 Parish  Church,  then  under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  Dr 
 Milne,  and  on  the  settlement  of  its  first  pastor,  several  fomilies 
 from  the  Original  Burgher  Congregation  of  Alloa  joined  it. 
 
 A  petition,  signed  by  ten  persons  desiring  supply  of  sermon, 
 was  presented  to  the  Original  Secession  Presbytery  of  Edin- 
 burgh on  19th  June  1827,  and  in  response  the  Rev.  Prof. 
 George  Paxton  was  appointed  to  jireach  at  Dollar  on  the  third 
 Sabbath  of  July. 
 
 On  the  11th  October  following  a  petition  for  continued 
 supply  of  sermon  was  presented,  which  was  subscribed  by 
 forty-nine  Seceders  and  sixty-five  other  persons. 
 
 An  election  of  elders  was  appointed,  and  Messrs  Andrew 
 Malloch,  David  Drysdale,  and  (Jeorge  Young  having  been 
 chosen,  they  were  ordained  to  office,  and  the  Session  con- 
 stituted by  Professor  Paxton  on  the  third  Sabbath  of 
 February  1829. 
 
 On  1st  April  1829  the  congregation  petitioned  for  a 
 moderation,  offering  as  stipend  £90,  but  hoping  soon  to 
 increase  it.  The  Rev.  Robert  Shaw  of  Whitburn  was 
 appointed    to    officiate    on    the    Tuesday    after     the     second 
 
 U 
 
306  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Sabbath  of  April,  and  the  call,  which  was  for  Mr  James 
 Wright,  Probationer,  was  subscribed  in  all  by  forty-nine 
 members  and  forty-one  ordinary  hearers, 
 
 Mr  Wright  having  been  appointed  to  Coupar- Angus,  the 
 congregation  again  applied  for  a  moderation  on  4th  August 
 1830,  stipend  to  be  £90,  inclusive  of  sacramental  expenses. 
 The  Rev.  Archd.  Brown,  M.A.,  of  Leslie,  was  appointed  to 
 preside  on  Tuesday,  81st  Augu.st,  and  the  call  was  for  Mr 
 Jas.  Aitken  Wylie,  M.A.,  Probationer. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  Jas.  A.  Wylie,  M.A.  Ordained  20th 
 April  1831,  when  the  Rev.  Thos.  Gray,  of  Kirkcald}^,  preached 
 from  Jer.  xv,  19,  and  presided  ;  the  Rev.  Dr  M'Crie  of  Edin- 
 burgh addressed  minister  and  people,  and  the  Rev.  Archd. 
 Brown,  A.M.,  closed  by  preaching  from  1  Cor.  i.  23. 
 
 On  27th  April  1846  Mr  Wylie  demitted  his  charge  to 
 the  Presbytery,  and  the  commissioners  from  the  congregation 
 gave  in  a  written  representation,  in  which  the  Memorialists 
 express  their  regret  that  from  the  smallness  of  their  number, 
 they  have  not  been  able  to  give  their  pastor  anything  like  a 
 competency,  and  thereby  secure  a  continuance  of  his  valuable 
 services  among  them,  and  that  the  circumstances  in  which  he 
 has  been  recently  placed  render  it  impossible  for  him  to 
 continue  among  them.  The  demission  was  accepted  on  21st 
 August  following,  the  Presbytery  expressing  their  deepest 
 sympathy  with  him  and  the  congregation. 
 
 On  10th  June  1850  the  congregation  again  petitioned  for  a 
 moderation,  stipend  to  be  £65,  with  £5  for  sacramental 
 expenses.  The  Presbytery  recommended  the  congregation  to 
 give  £10  additional  for  a  house  for  the  minister,  and  appointed 
 the  moderation  to  take  place  on  27th  June  at  12  noon.  The 
 call  was  for  Mr  David  Simpson,  Probationer,  and  was  sub- 
 scribed by  twenty-four  male  and  nineteen  female  members, 
 but  as  he  had  also  been  called  to  Brechin,  the  matter  was 
 referred  to  the  Synod,  which  preferred  the  latter  place. 
 The  union  of  the  Original  Secession  with  the  Free  Church  of 
 Scotland  having  taken  place  shortly  afterwards,  and  the  Free 
 Church  congregation  of  Muckhart  having  migrated  to  Dollar, 
 this  congregation  united  with  them  in  forming  what  is  now 
 known  as  Dollar  Free  Church. 
 
STATlslK  S  OF  CC>N(inEGAT10NS.  307 
 
 Stalistics  of  18M4  :  —  Members,  302;  adherents,  3.')  ; 
 average  attendance,  400;  total  raised,  £470,  Is.  Od  ;  sti])end, 
 £304  with  manse. 
 
 Donne  (Burgher),  noiv  la  Kilmadock  Free  Church. 
 
 Donne  is  a  viUage  in  Pertlisliiro,  about  i>  miles  north-west 
 from  Stirlino-. 
 
 This  congregation,  which  was  also  designated  Bridge-of- 
 Teith,  was  formed  by  an  offshoot  from  the  New  Light  congre- 
 gation, of  which  the  Rev.  Wm.  Fletcher  was  minister.  Four 
 elders  besides  members  having  seceded,  application  was  made 
 for  sermon  on  l7th  June  1800,  and  the  Rev.  Jas.  Russell  was 
 appointed  to  preach  to  them  on  the  third  Sabbath  of  July 
 following.  The  session  was  thereafter  constituted  on  the  third 
 Sabbath  of  October  1801,  by  the  Rev.  Francis  Archibald. 
 
 On  28th  February  1804  application  was  made  for  a 
 moderation,  the  stipend  promised  being  £60,  with  a  house 
 for  the  minister.  The  Rev.  Wm.  Willis,  of  Stirling,  was 
 appointed  to  preside  on  1  7tli  April,  when  the  call,  which  was 
 for  Mr  John  Inglis,  Probationer,  was  subscribed  by  122 
 members.  The  Presbytery,  however,  preferred  Greenlaw,  to 
 which  Mr  Inglis  had  also  been  called. 
 
 On  2otli  February  ISOG,  applied  for  a  moderation,  stipend 
 to  be  £60,  with  a  house  and  garden.  The  Rev.  Wm,  Willis 
 was  appointed  to  moderate  on  24th  March.  The  call  was  for 
 Mr  David  Jardinc,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed  by  127 
 members. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  David  Jardine.  Ordained  10th 
 September  180G.  The  Rev.  Wm  Watson  of  Glasgow  began 
 the  services  by  preaching  from  Isaiah  Hi.  7  ;  the  Rev.  Wm. 
 Willis  preached  the  ordination  sermon  from  Acts  xxvi.  16, 
 presided  at  ordination,  and  thereafter  addressed  minister  and 
 congregation. 
 
 A  member  having  complained  repeatedly  to  the  Presbytery, 
 the  congregation  was  presbyteriaily  visited  on  18th  July  1809, 
 when  the  said  member  was  admonished.  The  funds  of  the 
 church,  showed,  however,  that  whilst  the  past  year's  income 
 was  £GG,  the  expenditure  was  £82. 
 
308  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 On  3rd  October  1809,  with  the  consent  and  at  the  request 
 of  the  congregation  and  minister,  the  pastoral  relation  between 
 the  Rev.  D.  Jardine  and  the  congregation  was  dissolved  ;  but 
 as  Mr  Jardine  desired  to  remain  in  connection  with  the 
 Synod,  his  name  was  placed  on  the  Preachers'  list. 
 
 The  Dunblane  congregation  having  been  united  to  this 
 congregation  in  1812,  a  petition  for  a  moderation  was  made 
 on  14th  April  1812  ;  stipend  offered  £75,  but  afterwards 
 raised  to  £80,  with  ,£10  for  house  rent.  The  Rev.  Alex. 
 Stark  of  Falkirk  was  appointed  to  moderate  on  12th  May. 
 The  call  was  for  Mr  Samuel  Armour,  Probationer,  and  was 
 subscribed  by  140  members.  As  he  had  also  been  called  to 
 Dunfermline,  the  matter  was  referred  to  the  Synod,  which, 
 however,  preferred  this  congregation. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  Samuel  Armour.  Ordained  25th 
 August  1813.  The  Rev.  Alex.  Stark  of  Falkirk  began 
 the  services  by  preaching  from  Ezekiel  iii.  17  ;  the  Rev. 
 Wm.  Willis  of  Stirling  delivered  the  ordination  sermon  from 
 Jeremiah  iii.  15,  put  the  questions  of  the  Formula,  and  there- 
 after addressed  pastor  and  people. 
 
 Mr  Armour  having-  demitted  his  charge  and  left  the  church, 
 the  Synod,  in  May  1820  dropped  his  name  from  the  roll. 
 
 Third  Minister,  Rev.  Thos.  Hyslop,  formerly  of  Kirkcaldy. 
 Inducted  1824. 
 
 Along  with  its  minister,  this  congregation  united  with  the 
 Church  of  Scotland  in  1839,  and  adhered  to  the  Free  Protest- 
 ing Church  in  1843. 
 
 In  1871  Mr  Hyslop,  owing  to  age  and  infirmities,  retired 
 from  the  active  duties  of  the  pastorate,  retaining  his  minis- 
 terial status  and  emoluments,  and  at  the  same  time,  by  Act  of 
 General  Assembly,  the  congregation  was  united  to  Kilmadock 
 congregation,  the  other  Free  Church  of  Doune. 
 
 Mr  Hyslop  died  9th  September  1879,  in  the  ninetieth 
 year  of  his  age,  and  the  sixty-third  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Dunblane  (Burgher),  noiu  extinct. 
 
 Dunblane  is  in  Perthshire,  6  miles  north-west  from 
 Stirling,  and  4  miles  east  from  Doune. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  309 
 
 This  congregation,  wliich  was  originally  an  oftslioot  from 
 the  New  Light  congregation  (Rev.  ^liehael  GilHIlan's),  and 
 was  afterwards  united  to  the  Original  Burgher  congregation 
 of  Donne,  received  its  first  supply  of  sermon  on  the  third 
 Sabbath  of  August  1800,  when  the  Rev.  Francis  Archibald 
 officiated. 
 
 On  2nd  February  1808  ap])lication  was  made  for  an 
 election  of  elders,  which  was  appointed  to  be  on  28th  March, 
 when  the  Rev.  David  Jardine  of  Doune  was  appointed  to 
 preach  and  preside.  ^Messrs  "Walter  Lennox,  James  ^Morrison, 
 Thomas  Bayne,  AVilliam  ^I'Leau,  and  James  Patrick,  having 
 been  duly  elected,  examined,  and  found  qualified,  their  edict 
 was  issued,  and  they  were  appointed  to  be  ordained  to  the 
 eldership  by  the  Rev.  Francis  Archibald  on  the  second 
 Sabbath  of  July  1808. 
 
 On  8d  March  1812  the  congregation  petitioned  to  be 
 united  to  the  Doune  congregation,  which  was  granted  ;  and  on 
 the  14th  April  following  the  united  congregations  called  Mr 
 Samuel  Armour,  Probationer,  who  was  duly  ordained  as  their 
 pastor  on  2.5th  August  1813. 
 
 In  1818,  however,  this  congregation  was  disjoined  from 
 that  of  Doune,  and  speedily  thereafter  became  extinct. 
 
 Dundee  (Burgher),  now  Willison  Free  Church. 
 
 Dundee  is  a  large  town  in  Forfarshire,  28  miles  east  from 
 Perth,  and  43  north-east  from  Edinburgh. 
 
 This  congregation  was  formed  in  1808  by  an  offshoot  from 
 the  New  Light  congregation  of  School  Wynd,  of  which  the 
 Rev.  James  Black  was  then  minister.  For  a  time  it  met  in 
 an  old  factory,  but  in  1814  a  church  was  erected  in  Barrack 
 Brae,  which  place  of  worship  was  in  18G8  almost  rebuilt, 
 and  is  now  Willison  Free  Church,  so  named  from  the  Rev. 
 John  Willison,  Avhose  theological  writings  are  well  known  in 
 Scotland. 
 
 On  8th  November  1808  Messrs  William  Taylor  and  Thomas 
 Millar,  commissioners  from  the  congregation,  attended  the 
 Original  Burgher  Presbytery  of  Perth  and  Dunfermline  with  a 
 petition   from     eleven    elders   and  above     two- thirds    of    the 
 
310  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 members,  together  with  about  forty  adherents  of  the  Burgher 
 congregation  there,  asking  supply  of  sermon.  The  petition, 
 moreover,  stated  a  difference  that  existed  betwixt  them  and 
 the  Courts  of  their  former  connection,  in  consequence  of  com- 
 plaints preferred  by  them  against  their  minister.  In  response 
 to  this  application  the  Presbytery  declared  that,  whilst  they 
 do  not  interfere  with  these  disputes,  either  with  their  former 
 minister,  or  the  Courts  they  have  left,  they  admit  the 
 petitioners  to  the  enjoyment  of  gospel  ordinances  under  their 
 inspection,  solely  upon  their  attachment  to  the  principles  of 
 the  Covenanted  Church  of  Scotland,  in  the  maintenance  of 
 which  the  Original  Seceders  lifted  up  their  testimony,  and 
 which  is  still  maintained  as  at  the  beginning  by  this  associa- 
 tion, and  grant  them  supply  accordingly.  The  Rev.  William 
 Taylor  of  Perth  was  then  appointed  to  preach  to  them  on  the 
 third  Sabbath  of  November. 
 
 On  6th  December  1808  a  paper  of  accession  to  the  Body 
 was  presented  from  Dundee  to  the  Presbytery,  signed  by  eight 
 elders,  174  members,  and  88  adherents. 
 
 On  8th  April  1811  the  congregation  applied  for  a  modera- 
 tion, stipend  offered  £140,  including  a  dwelling-house, 
 which  moderation  was  granted  for  22d  April,  the  Rev.  William 
 Taylor  to  officiate.  The  call  was  for  Mr  Robert  Aitken, 
 Probationer,  and  was  signed  by  251  members  and  132 
 adherents ;  but  the  Synod  having  appointed  him  to  be 
 ordained  at  Kirkintilloch,  the  concjregation  on  2d  December 
 1811  again  applied  for  a  moderation,  stipend  to  be  £90, 
 with  ,£50  for  house  rent  and  other  expenses.  This  was 
 granted,  and  the  Rev.  Alex.  M'Wattie  of  Kennoway  was 
 appointed  to  preside  on  19th  December.  The  result  was 
 that  the  Rev.  Robert  Aitken  of  Kirkintilloch  was  called  by  272 
 members  and  159  adherents.  The  Synod,  however,  declined 
 to  translate. 
 
 On  23d  February  1813,  applied  for  a  moderation.  Stipend 
 to  be  £150,  with  hope  of  increase. 
 
 The  Rev.  Alex.  M'Wattie  was  appointed  to  officiate  on  2  2d 
 March.  Mr  Alex.  Turnbull,  Probationer,  was  then  elected, 
 and  the  call  was  subscribed  by  259  members  and  210 
 adherents  ;  but  as  Mr  Turnbull  had  also  been  called  by  the 
 
STATISTICS  OF  (.•ONGllEliATlONS.  311 
 
 CarapbcU   Street  congregation,  Glasgow,  tlie   Synod   appointed 
 his  settlement  there. 
 
 On  7th  Augnst  1M15  application  was  again  made  for  a 
 moderation  ;  stipend  to  be  what  was  formerly  offered.  This 
 was  granted,  and  the  Rev.  Alex.  M'Wattie  was  appointed  to 
 preside  on  19th  September.  The  call  was  again  for  Rev. 
 Robert  Aitken  of  Kirkintilloch,  who  had  thns  thrice  been 
 chosen  by  the  congregation,  and  was  signed  by  269  membei-s 
 and  2(33  adherents.  The  matter  having  again  been  referred 
 to  the  Synod,  the  translation  was  sanctioned. 
 
 First  J\[inister,  Rev.  Robert  Aitken,  formerly  of  Kirkin- 
 tilloch. Inducted  ilth  June  1816,  when  the  Rev.  William 
 Primrose  of  Aberdeen,  began  the  services  by  preaching  from 
 Jer.  iii.  15 — "And  I  will  give  you  pastors,"  &c.  ;  and  was 
 succeeded  by  the  Rev.  William  Taylor  of  Perth,  who  preached 
 from  2  Cor.  ii.  16 — "And  who  is  sutiicient,"  &c.  ;  and  there- 
 after having  inducted  Mr  Aitken,  he  suitably  addressed  pastor 
 and  people. 
 
 Along  with  its  minister  this  congregation  acceded  to  the 
 Church  of  Scotland  shortly  after  the  Associate  (Burgher) 
 Synod  had  done  so  in  1839,  and  at  the  Disruption  in  1843 
 both  minister  and  congregation  adhered  to  the  Free  Church, 
 
 Mr  Aitken  died  1st  July  1845,  in  the  fifty-eighth  year  of 
 his  age,  and  the  thirty-fourth  of  his  ministry,  and  was  suc- 
 ceeded by  the  present  incumbent,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Hill,  who 
 was  ordained  in  1846. 
 
 Statistics  for  1884  : — Members,  520  ;  adherents,  77  ; 
 average  attendance,  500  ;  total  raised,  £672  ;  stipend,  £417, 
 without  manse. 
 
 Dundee  (Constitutional),  noiu  part  in  Free  Church,  and 
 part  in  United  Original  Secession  Church. 
 
 This  conOTesration  was  formed  by  a  few  members  who  had 
 separated  from  the  Autiburgher  congregation,  of  which  the 
 Rev.  James  M'Ewan  was  then  minister.  Their  first  place  of 
 meeting  was  a  Masonic  Hall  in  Overgate.  The  old  Relief 
 Church  in  New  Inn  Entry  was  then  occupied  by  them,  but  on 
 the  opening  of  Reform   Street,  it  was  sold  and   taken  down. 
 
312  ANNAL8  OF  OEIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 whilst  a  new  church  was  built  in  Eeform  Street.  In  order  to 
 procure  funds  for  its  erection,  the  then  pastor  (Rev.  Alex. 
 Duncan)  went  through  the  country  collecting  subscriptions, 
 but  so  larsfe  was  the  debt  that  remained  on  the  building,  that 
 the  congregation  was  nearly  ruined.  It  was  sold  to  the 
 Mariners'  Free  Church,  by  whom  it  was  afterwards  sold  to  the 
 Evangelical  Union  denomination,  who  in  their  turn  sold  it, 
 and  now  it  is  let  in  flats  as  offices.  After  the  sale  of  the 
 church  the  congregation  met  for  some  time  in  the  High 
 School,  but  removed  to  the  Watt  Institution  Hall,  where 
 they  called  the  Rev.  E.  A.  Thomson.  In  November  1850 
 the  congregation  leased  the  old  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church 
 in  Meadowside,  and  removed  there.  In  1852  the  union 
 with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  took  place,  when  the 
 portion  of  the  congregation  acceding  to  the  Free  Church  along 
 with  minister,  remained  in  the  building  till  he  was  called  and 
 inducted  to  the  neighbouring  Dudhope  Free  Church,  when  the 
 two  congregations  were  thus  united.  The  other  portion  of 
 the  congregation  which  declined  to  unite  with  the  Free 
 Church,  ultimately  built  a  new  church  in  Euclid  Crescent, 
 where  they  still  worship. 
 
 On  10th  May  1808  the  Constitutional  Presbytery  was 
 petitioned  for  supply  of  sermon,  and  on  15th  May  1810  a 
 moderation  was  requested,  which  was  granted,  and  the  Rev. 
 Thos.  M'Crie,  of  Edinburgh,  was  appointed  to  preach  and 
 preside  on  19th  July.  The  call  was  for  Mr  John  Aitken, 
 Probationer,  but  owing  to  an  informality  occurring  through 
 the  illness  of  the  Rev.  James  Andrew,  who  had  been  appointed 
 to  intimate  it,  the  call  was  set  aside. 
 
 On  12th  November  1810  the  Presbytery  read  a  petition 
 from  Dundee,  expressing  their  dissatisfaction  with  the  deed  of 
 last  ordinary  meeting  laying  aside  their  call,  but  the  Presby- 
 tery, after  hearing  the  people's  complaint,  agreed  to  make  no 
 reply. 
 
 The  Rev.  James  Aitken,  of  Kirriemuir,  was  appointed  by 
 the  Presbytery  to  preach  on  the  second  Sabbath  of  November 
 1816,  and  ordain  four  elders. 
 
 Application  having  been  made  for  a  moderation,  the  Rev. 
 James  Aitken  was  appointed  to  officiate  on  IGth  June  1818, 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  313 
 
 and  the  Presbytery  at  the  same  time  stated  that  in  addition 
 to  the  stipend  promised,  they  expected  the  congregation  to 
 give  £10  sterling  yearly  towards  paying  the  rent  of  a  house 
 for  their  minister.  The  call,  which  was  for  Mr  Alex.  Duncan, 
 Probationer,  was  sustained  on  20th  July,  and  the  stipend 
 promised  was  £100. 
 
 Fir.st  Minister,  Rev.  Alexander  Duncan.  (~)rdained  in  New 
 Inn  Entry  Meeting  House,  25th  March  1>S1D.  The  Rev. 
 James  Aitken  conducted  the  opening  devotional  exercises, 
 the  Rev.  John  Aitken,  of  Aberdeen,  preached  the  ordination 
 sermon,  the  Rev.  James  Aitken  addressed  minister  and  con- 
 gregation, and  the  Rev.  Robert  Shaw,  of  Whitburn,  preached 
 the  concluding  sermon.  Mr  Duncan,  on  14th  February  1843, 
 demitted  his  charge,  and  though  subsequently  called  to  Kirk- 
 wall, was  from  illness  never  located  there,  and  died  in 
 Edinburgh,  6th  June  1845. 
 
 On  0th  February  1844  the  congregation  applied  for  a 
 moderation,  which  was  appointed  to  take  place  on  19th  inst., 
 the  Rev.  James  Beattie,  of  JialmuUo,  to  preach  and  preside. 
 The  call  was  in  favour  of  Mr  Edward  A.  Thomson,  Probationer, 
 but  as  he  had  also  been  called  to  Kirriemuir,  the  matter  was 
 referred  to  the  Synod,  w^hich  appointed  his  ordination  to  take 
 place  at  Dundee. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  Edward  Anderson  Thomson,  ordained 
 15th  August  1844,  when  the  Rev.  James  Beattie,  of  Balmullo, 
 preached  from  Eph.  iii.  8,  the  Rev.  Alex.  Brown,  of  Coupar- 
 Augus,  put  the  questions  of  formula,  the  Rev.  James  Gray,  of 
 Brechin,  addressed  pastor  and  congregation,  and  the  service 
 was  concluded  by  the  Rev.  Thomas  Manson,  of  Perth,  preach- 
 ing from  2  Thess.  iii,  1,  "  Brethren,  pray  for  us." 
 
 In  September  1848  and  March  1849,  Mr  Thomson  was 
 called  to  the  second  congregation  of  Kirkintilloch,  but  the 
 Synod  on  both  occasions  declined  to  translate  him. 
 
 From  February  185o  he  was  pastor  of  Dudhope  Free 
 Church  till  18th  October  1859,  when  in  consequence  of  the 
 state  of  his  health  he  demitted  his  charge,  but  on  his 
 recovery  he  was  inducted  to  Free  St  Stephen's  Church,  Edin- 
 burgh, on  10th  April  18G2. 
 
 As  stated  above,  whilst  the  minister  and   a  portion  of  the 
 
314  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 congregation  united  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  ia 
 1852,  the  other  section  chose  to  abide  with  the  remanent 
 Synod,  and  have  had  as  pastors  the  Revs.  Wm.  Robertson 
 and  Peter  M' Vicar,  Their  statistics  for  1884  are: — Mem- 
 bers, 126;  adherents,  24;  total  income,  £242;  stipend, 
 <£l74,  with  manse  ;  average  contribution  per  member, 
 £1,  18s.  5d. 
 
 Dunfermline  (Burgher),  noiv  in  Free  Church. 
 
 Dunfermline  is  a  town  in  Fifeshire,  16  miles  north-west 
 from  Edinburgh,  and  15  west  from  Kirkcaldy. 
 
 This  congregation  was  an  offshoot  from  the  New  Light 
 Burgher  congregation  of  the  town,  of  which  the  Rev.  James 
 Husband  was  then  pastor. 
 
 The  church  was  built  in  Canmore  Street  at  the  foot  of 
 Open  Yards  Close  in  1800,  and  had  600  sittings.  In  1841, 
 however,  owing  to  its  insecure  condition,  the  congregation  left 
 it  and  worshipped  in  a  hall  in  town,  till  on  the  Disruption  of 
 1843  the  building  and  feu  were  acquired  by  the  Free  Abbey 
 congregation,  who,  removing  the  edifice  and  using  the 
 materials,  erected  on  its  site  the  Free  Abbey  Church,  which 
 in  its  turn  was  demolished  in  1882,  and  a  new  church  for 
 the  same  congregation  was  erected  in  its  room. 
 
 The  first  supply  of  sermon  was  granted  by  the  Presbytery 
 to  the  congregation  in  1799,  when  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Hislop, 
 of  Shottsburn,  was  appointed  to  preach  on  the  fourth  Sabbath 
 of  November. 
 
 The  Rev.  Francis  Archibald  was  appointed  to  preside  at  an 
 election  of  elders  to  be  made  on  25th  August  1800,  when 
 Messrs  Thomas  Wilson,  David  Martin,  Peter  Macnaughton, 
 sen.,  David  Reid,  Thomas  Chalmers,  and  John  Hutton,  were 
 unanimously  chosen.  They  were  ordained  to  office  on  the 
 third  Sabbath  of  November  1800,  by  the  Rev.  Thomas 
 Porteous,  of  Milnathort. 
 
 On  3rd  August  1802,  the  congregation  applied  for  a  modera- 
 tion, stipend  offered  £90,  when  the  Rev.  Thomas  Porteous 
 was  appointed  to  preach  and  preside  on  31st  August.  Tiie  call, 
 which  was  for  the  Rev.  Robert  Shirra,   of  Yetholm,  was  sub- 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATION.'-^.  o  1  '» 
 
 scvibeil  by  108  members  ami  58  atlhereuts.      The  I'resbytery, 
 however,  on  9th  November,  declined  to  transhitc  hin». 
 
 On  11th  January  1803,  petitioned  for  a  moderation,  which 
 was  agreed  to,  and  the  Rev.  Thomas  Porteous  was  appointed  to 
 officiate  on  the  second  Tuesday  of  February.  The  Rev.  Robert 
 Shirra  was  again  elected,  anil  the  call  signed  by  200  members, 
 but  the  Presbytery,  on  12th  April,  continued  him  at  Yetholm. 
 
 On  9th  August  1803,  applied  for  a  moderation,  stipend 
 to  be  £80.  The  Rev,  Patrick  Connal,  of  Bathgate,  wa-s 
 appointed  to  preach  and  preside  on  20th  September.  Mr 
 John  Inglis,  Probationer,  was  chosen,  and  his  call  subscribed 
 by  148  members,  but  on  his  being  appointed  to  Greenlaw,  to 
 Avhich  place  he  had  also  been  called,  the  congregation  again, 
 applied  for  a  moderation,  stipend  to  be  what  was  formerly 
 otfered.  Rev.  P.  Connal  was  appointed  to  officiate  on  2tith 
 July,  This  call  was  for  Mr  James  Watson,  Probationer,  and 
 was  subscribed  by  182  members,  but  as  Mr  Watson  had  also 
 been  called  by  other  congregations,  the  matter  was  referred 
 to  the  Presbytery,  which,  on  4th  December  1804,  appointed 
 him  to  Edinburgh. 
 
 On  11th  March  1806,  applied  for  a  moderation,  stipend 
 t<^  be  £90,  a  dwelling-house  included,  and  salary  to  increase 
 as  coniirecration  increases.  The  Rev.  Wm.  Raeburn,  of  Ban- 
 nockbum,  was  appointed  to  moderate  on  Thursday,  27th  inst, 
 Mr  John  Campbell,  Probationer,  was  then  chosen,  and  his  call 
 subscribed  by  221  members,  but  as  he  had  been  also  called 
 to  Falkirk  and  Linton,  the  matter  was  referred  to  the  Synod, 
 which,  on  7tli  May,  preferred  Dunfermline. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  John  Campbell.  Ordained  1st  Sep- 
 tember 180G,  when  the  Rev.  Wm.  Raeburn,  of  Bannockburn, 
 began  the  services  by  preaching  from  2  Cor.  v.  20,  "  Now, 
 then,  we  are  ambassadors,"  &c.  ;  the  Rev.  Wm.  Taylor,  of 
 Perth,  delivered  the  ordination  sermon  from  2  Cor.  ii.  IG, 
 put  the  Questions  of  the  Formula,  and  addressed  pastor  and 
 congrecration. 
 
 Mr  Campbell  died  7th  January  1810,  in  the  twenty- 
 eighth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  fourth  of  his  ministry,  much 
 lamented,  and  his  saintly  character  and  devoted  ministry  were 
 long  remembered  in  the  locality. 
 
316  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 On  8th  April  1811,  the  congregation  applied  for  a  modera- 
 tion, offering  £120  as  stipend,  besides  the  promise  of  defray- 
 ing travelling  expenses.  The  Eev.  Wm.  Raeburn  was 
 appointed  to  officiate  on  25th  April.  The  call  was  for  Mr 
 Robert  Aitken,  Probationer,  and  was  signed  by  284  members, 
 but  the  Synod  having  appointed  him  to  Kirkintilloch,  the 
 congregation  again  applied  for  a  moderation  ;  stipend  to  be 
 £90,  and  £20  for  house  rent.  The  Rev.  Wm.  Raeburn  was 
 appointed  to  moderate  on  14th  May.  The  call  was  for  Mr 
 Samuel  Armour,  and  was  subscribed  by  111  members  and 
 38  adherents,  but  at  the  same  time  a  petition  was  lodged 
 desiring  the  Presbytery  not  to  sustain  the  call.  The  case  was 
 referred  to  the  Synod,  which  appointed  Mr  Armour  to  be  or- 
 dained to  the  united  congregation  of  Doune  and  Dunblane, 
 which  had  also  called  him. 
 
 On  28th  September  1813,  the  Presbytery  visited  the  con- 
 gregation, and  after  repeated  sederunts,  ''  were  happy  in 
 getting  all  differences  composed,  and  recommended  it  to  the 
 session  and  congregation  that  the  order  of  deacons  be  intro- 
 duced with  all  convenient  speed,  as  the  likeliest  method  of 
 preserving  a  good  understanding  among  all  concerned  in  time 
 coming." 
 
 On  4th  April  1814,  applied  for  a  moderation,  the  stipend 
 promised  being  £90,  with  £20  for  house  rent,  and  all  taxes 
 to  be  also  paid  by  the  congregation.  The  moderation  was 
 appointed  to  be  on  21st  April,  but  owing  to  an  informality 
 the  call  was  not  sustained.  The  session  then  sent  a  letter  to 
 the  Presbytery,  for  which  they  were  reprimanded. 
 
 On  4th  July  1814,  a  moderation  was  again  applied  for, 
 the  stipend  to  be  the  same  as  ioimerly  oflered.  The  Rev. 
 James  Smith,  of  Alloa,  was  appointed  to  preside  on  11th 
 August.  The  call,  which  was  for  Mr  William  Dalziel,  Pro- 
 bationer, was  subscribed  by  110  members  and  41  adherents; 
 but  as  he  had  also  been  called  by  the  congregations  of  Milna- 
 thort and  Shottsburn,  the  matter  was  referred  to  the  Synod, 
 which  preferred  Dunfermline. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  WilHam  Dalziel.  Ordained  11th 
 October  1815,  when  the  Rev.  Alex.  M'Wattie,  of  Kennoway, 
 began   the   service  by  preaching   from    Matt,  xxviii.    20,  and 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  I?  17 
 
 was  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  James  Sniitli,  of  Alloa,  who  delivered 
 the  ordination  sermon  from  2  Cor.  iv.  1,  '2,  offered  the  onlin- 
 ation  prayer,  and  thereafter  gave  suitable  addresses  to  mini- 
 ster and  congregation.  Alonjj  with  tl)e  conjjrejTfation  Mr 
 Dalziel  united  with  the  Church  of  Scotland  in  183!),  but 
 though  he  in  the  following  year  subscribed  a  declaration 
 against  Lord  Aberdeen's  Bill,  he  remained  in  the  Establish- 
 ment after  the  Disruption  of  1843,  and  accepted  a  presenta- 
 tion to  Thurso,  where  he  ministered  till  his  death  on  lOth 
 October  1859. 
 
 After  his  removal  from  Dunfermline,  most  of  the  conffrejra- 
 tion  adhered  to  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  and  became 
 members  of  the  Free  Abbey  Congregation,  which  occupies  the 
 site  of  the  Old  Light  Secession  Church. 
 
 Statistics  for  1884: — Members,  519;  adherents,  150; 
 total  raised  for  religious  purposes,  £2037  ;  stipend,  with 
 manse,  £331. 
 
 Dunning  (Antiburgher),  novj  extinct. 
 
 Dunning  is  a  village  in  Perthshire,  about  9  miles  south- 
 west from  Perth,  and  5  east  from  Auchterarder 
 
 This  conoreofation  originated  in  1820,  and  was  formed  of 
 about  fifty  or  sixty  persons,  who  separated  from  the  Dalreoch 
 congregation,  about  two  miles  distant,  and  joined  the  Protes- 
 ters. The  church  was  built  in  1825,  and  was  used  till  1852, 
 when  the  Synod  acceded  to  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland.  It 
 was  then  adapted  to  private  purposes. 
 
 This  congregation  having  united  with  that  of  Crieff,  gave, 
 in  1833,  a  call  to  Mr  Cunningham  Aitcheson,  Probationer, 
 who  had  also  been  called  to  Arbroath  and  Alyth,  and  was 
 appointed  by  the  Synod  to  the  last  named  place. 
 
 That  the  congregation  was  pecuniarily  straitened  is  evident 
 from  a  document  sent  to  the  Presbytery  on  26th  March 
 1833,  which  stated  that  "they  declined  to  gave  the  usual 
 talent  to  preachers,  but  offered  instead  to  give  them  as  pay- 
 ment for  their  services  all  that  was  collected  at  the  churcli 
 door  on  the  Sabbaths  they  preached." 
 
 First  and  only  Minister,   Picv.    Wm.    Mathews.      Ordamed 
 
318  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 20th  May  1841,  when  the  Eev.  J.  A.  Wylie,  M.A.,  of  Dollar, 
 preached  from  Zech.  iv.  6,  the  Eev.  Thos.  Manson,  of  Perth, 
 put  questions  of  Formula,  and  offered  the  ordination  prayer, 
 the  Eev.  James  Beattie,  of  Balmullo,  addressed  pastor  and 
 congregation,  and  the  Eev.  Alex.  Brown,  M.A.,  of  Coupar- 
 Angus,  concluded  with  a  sermon  from  Eev.  li.  1. 
 
 Having  been  called  to  Ballylintagh,  Ireland,  Mr  Mathews 
 was  translated  thither  on  l7th  August  1843,  and  after  his 
 removal  the  congregation  gradually  declined  till  it  was  dis- 
 solved in  1852,  though  a  few  persons  who  were  resolved  to 
 adhere  to  the  remanent  Synod  placed  themselves  in  connec- 
 tion with  the  United  Original  Secession  Congregation  of 
 Perth. 
 
 Edinhiirgh,  South  Grays  Close  (Burgher),  noiv  Free  Tron 
 
 Church. 
 
 Edinburgh,  the  metropolis  of  Scotland,  is  392  miles  north 
 from  London. 
 
 On  5th  August  1800  the  founders  of  this  congregation 
 made  their  first  application  for  sermon  to  the  Original  Burgher 
 Presbytery,  which  was  granted  by  the  appointment  of  the 
 Eev.  Francis  Archibald  to  preach  to  them  on  the  fifth 
 Sabbath  of  that  month. 
 
 On  9th  January  1801  it  appears  from  the  Session  Eecord 
 that  "  a  number  of  people  of  the  Secession  in  and  about 
 Edinburgh,  well  satisfied  with  the  original  principles  of  the 
 Secession  as  a  religious  body,  and  resolved  to  abide  by  them 
 in  opposition  to  the  system  of  innovation  pursued  by  the 
 Associate  Synod,  applied  to  the  Presbytery  that  meets  at 
 Glasgow  to  be  taken  under  their  inspection,  and  have  supply 
 appointed  them  as  one  of  their  vacancies." 
 
 This  meeting  was  held  in  the  house  of  Mr  Finlayson,  was 
 constituted  with  prayer  by  the  Eev.  Wm.  Taylor,  and  consisted 
 besides  him  of  the  following  individuals,  viz.,  Eobert  Brown, 
 George  Deas,  Francis  Pringle,  Eobert  Duncan,  Alex.  Finlay- 
 son, Alex.  M'Lennan,  Eobert  Cossar,  James  Murray,  James 
 Watson,  George  Millar,  George  Duncan,  John  Paterson,  Claud 
 Cunningham,  and  Alexander  Gibson.      They   also  agreed   at 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONCREGATlUXS.  'Mi) 
 
 the  same  meeting  to  apply  to  the  (Original  Burgher  Presbytery 
 at  their  first  meeting  to  admit  members,  and  take  the  neces- 
 sary steps  towards  tiie  constitution  of  a  Session.  Signed, 
 Wm.  Taylor,  Prcses. 
 
 An  old  Communion  Roll,  written  on  the  tly-lcat  of  the 
 Minute  Book,  shows  that  the  membership  about  that  time 
 must  have  been  from  sixty  to  seventy  persons,  many  of  whom 
 came  from  Leith,  and  some  from  the  surrounding  district,  in- 
 cluding the  towns  of  Dalkeith,  Slateford,  and  Katho.  They 
 then  rented  and  afterwards  purchased  a  place  of  worship  in 
 Skinner's  or  South  Gray's  Close.  The  sum  that  was  paid  for 
 it  was  £490,  and  this  building,  when  removed  from  by  the 
 congregation  subsequently  became  a  low  theatre,  then  a 
 mission  church  in  connection  with  Broughton  Place  and  Rose 
 Street  U.P.  congregations,  and  ultimately  it  was  demolished 
 by  the  City  Improvement  Commissioners. 
 
 On  27th  January  the  petition  referred  to  above  was 
 granted  by  the  Presbytery,  and  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Hislop,  of 
 Shotts,  was  appointed  to  constitute  a  Session  in  tlu'  usual 
 manner. 
 
 On  27th  April  1802  application  was  made  for  a  modera- 
 tion, the  stipend  offered  being  £100,  but  the  matter  was 
 delayed.  Having,  however,  on  15th  June  renewed  the  appli- 
 cation, with  the  promise  of  £12  additional  "to  help  to  pay  the 
 rent  of  an  house,"  the  moderation  was  granted  for  Uth  July, 
 the  Rev.  Patrick  Connal  of  Bathgate  to  preach  and  preside. 
 The  call  was  for  the  Rev.  Wm.  Taylor,  of  Levenside,  and  was 
 subscribed  by  seventy-six  members  and  forty-one  adherents. 
 The  stipend  offered  was  afterwards  raised  to  £130,  but  on 
 28th  September  the  Presbytery  refused  to  translate. 
 
 On  9th  November  1<S02  the  congregation  again  applied  for 
 a  moderation,  but  the  I'resbytery  repeatedly  delayed  acceding 
 to  the  request  till  the  22d  February  1803,  when  the  Rev. 
 George  Hill,  of  Cumbernauld  was  appointed  to  preach  and 
 preside  on  1 0th  March.  The  Rev.  Wm.  Taylor  was  again 
 called,  the  call  having  been  subscribed  by  103  members  and 
 90  adherents. 
 
 Ml-  Taylor,  having  been  also  called  by  the  Perth  con- 
 gregation,   the    case    was     decided     by    tlie     Presbytery    on 
 
320  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 14th  June,    setting  aside  both  calls,  and   continuing  him   at 
 Levenside. 
 
 On  9th  August  1803,  application  was  again  made  for  a 
 moderation,  the  stipend  offered  being  £130.  After  delibera- 
 tion,this  was  granted  by  a  majority,  and  the  Rev.  Ebenezer 
 Hyslop  was  appointed  to  officiate  on  20th  September.  The 
 Rev.  Wm.  Taylor  was  for  the  third  time  chosen,  and  the  call, 
 which  was  signed  by  IIG  members  and  lOu  adherents,  was 
 sustained  by  the  Presbytery  on  4th  October  1803,  whilst  on 
 the  29th  November  following,  the  same  Court  declined  to 
 translate,  the  Rev.  Messrs  Hill  and  Watson  dissenting. 
 
 The  conoreo-ation,  however,  once  more  applied  for  a  modera- 
 tion, offering  as  formerly  £130  as  stipend,  when  the  Rev.  P. 
 Connal  was  appointed  to  preach  and  preside  on  Srd  April 
 1  804.  This  call  was  for  Mr  James  Watson,  Probationer,  and 
 was  subscribed  by  114  members  and  84  adherents,  but 
 as  Mr  Watson  had  also  been  called  to  Pollokshaws,  Alloa, 
 Aberdeen,  Dunfermline,  Kennoway,  and  Dalkeith,  the  Presby- 
 tery, after  deliberation,  on  the  4th  December  preferred 
 Edinburgh,  and  thereafter  appointed  his  ordination  to  be  on 
 Gth  March  1805,  which  day  was  to  be  observed  by  the  congrega- 
 tion as  a  day  of  solemn  fasting  till  the  public  service  is  over. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  James  Watson.  Ordained  Gth  March 
 1805.  The  Rev.  Wm.  Taylor  of  Levenside  began  the  service 
 by  preaching  from  Romans  x.  1  5.  The  Rev.  Wm.  Watson  of 
 Glasgow  preached  the  ordination  sermon  from  Exodus  iii.  14, 
 ordatned   his  nephew,    and    thereafter  addressed    pastor   and 
 
 people. 
 
 On  2nd  March  1807  Mr  Watson  was  called  to  Carluke 
 and  also  to  Kennoway,  but  both  calls  were  set  aside.  On 
 10th  November  following,  however,  the  Presbytery  agreed 
 "  to  ask  the  Session  and  Managers  to  be  in  readiness  to  give 
 information  to  the  Presbytery  at  its  next  meeting  as  to  the 
 real  state  of  their  Congregation,  and  their  prospects  as  to 
 obtaining  a  proper  place  of  worship."  The  meeting  accord- 
 ingly took  place  on  5th  January  1808,  when  it  was  learned 
 "that  the  congregation  was  considerably  increased  as  to 
 number,  that  they  had  punctually  paid  up  their  minister's 
 stipend     and     the    rent    of    the    Meeting-house;    that   their 
 
STATISTICS  OF  OONCJHEfJATIONS.  o'll 
 
 subscriptions  for  bulKliiin  a  new  house  anionnted  to  al)uut  £14.S  ; 
 that  their  situation  with  respect  to  temporalities  was  easier 
 than  ever ;  that  any  debt  they  owe  is  to  members  of  the 
 congregation  ;  and  that  no  demands  arc  made  upon  thiin. 
 When  they  consider  the  expense  of  materials  they  deem  it 
 inexpedient  to  build  a  House  at  present,  but  that  they  intend 
 to  obtain  a  proper  Place  of  Worship,  as  soon  as  public  aftairs 
 shall  take  a  favourable  turn."  Whilst  this  excerpt  gives  us  a 
 lucid  description  of  the  financial  state  of  this  congregation  in 
 its  early  history,  it  may  be  stated  that  from  the  following 
 extracts  from  the  congregational  records,  a  glimpse  is  obtained 
 of  the  religious  habits  of  the  people  about  the  same  period. 
 Thus,  before  sending  representatives  to  the  I'resbytery  in  con- 
 nection with  Mr  Taylor's  call,  it  is  minuted  that  the  congre- 
 gation "  resolved  to  spend  the  night  in  prayer,"  and  when  the 
 call  was  set  aside  by  the  Presbytery,  the  congregation  resolved 
 "  to  devote  a  day  to  humiliation,  fasting,  and  prayer." 
 
 Mr  Watson,  whose  dwelling-house  at  one  time  was  in  West 
 Richmond  Street,  died  8th  March  1830,  in  the  forty-ninth 
 year  of  his  age,  and  the  twenty-sixth  of  his  ministry.  When 
 dying  he  bequeathed  £195  to  the  congregation;  ami  his 
 flock,  who  deeply  lamented  his  loss  erected  a  monument  to 
 his  memory  in  the  churchyard  of  Gargunnock,  near  Stirling, 
 where  his  remains  arc  interred. 
 
 On  29th  March  1831  the  congregation  applied  for  a  nioileja- 
 tion,  stipend  offered  £100,  with  sacramental  expenses.  The 
 Rev.  David  Headrick  was  appointed  accordingly  to  officiate  on 
 the  Monday  after  the  third  Sabbath  of  April,  at  six  o'clock  p.m. 
 Mr  Andrew  Mackenzie,  Probationer,  was  then  elected,  and  his 
 call  subscribed  by  lOG  members  and  15  adherents. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  Andrew  Mackenzie.  Ordained  30th 
 August  1831.  The  Rev.  Clement  Moscrip,  of  Bathgate,  began 
 the  services  by  preaching  from  Col.  ii.  6,  7.  The  Rev.  David 
 Headrick,  of  Longridge,  deliver(5d  the  ordination  sermon  from 
 Psalms  Ixxxvii.  3,  offered  the  ordination  prayer,  and  thereafter 
 addressed  minister  and  congregation.  The  Rev.  !Mr  Garven,  of 
 Lanark,  having  retired  and  constituted  the  session,  Mr 
 Watson  was  returned  as  Representative  Elder,  and  his  name 
 was  added  to  the  Roll  of  Presbytery. 
 
 X 
 
322  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 On  14tli  August  1835,  the  Presbytery  received  a  letter 
 from  the  Session  of  this  congregation,  stating  "  that  one  of 
 their  number  had  avowed  himself  a  voluntary,  and  craving 
 advice  how  to  deal  with  him.  The  Presbytery  were  unani- 
 mously of  opinion  that  no  avowed  voluntary  can  hold  office  in 
 our  Church,  and  therefore  remit  the  case  to  the  Session  to 
 deal  with  him  in  such  a  manner  as  shall  maintain  the  purity 
 of  the  principles  of  the  Body." 
 
 The  income  of  the  congregation  about  this  period  was 
 £250  per  annum,  which  was  made  up  of  seat  rents  and 
 church  door  collections.  The  former  were,  for  sittings  in 
 gallery,  8s.,  and  in  area,  2s.  per  half-year,  whilst  the  collec- 
 tions at  door  amounted  to  about  £80  annually. 
 
 Along  with  the  congregation  Mr  M'Kenzie  united  with  the 
 Church  of  Scotland  in  1839,  after  which  the  name  of  the 
 meeting-house  became  Henderson  Church. 
 
 At  the  Disruption  in  1843  both  pastor  and  congregation 
 cast  in  their  lot  with  the  Free  Protesting  Assembly.  Mr 
 M'Kenzie  shortly  after  this  event  was  translated  to  the  Free 
 Church  congregation  of  Penicuik,  and  died  18th  March  1871. 
 
 After  being  some  time  vacant,  during  which  they  formed 
 a  union  with  a  small  congregation  worshipping  in  Leith 
 Wynd,  under  the  pastorate  of  the  Eev.  James  Simpson,  who 
 now  retired,  they  gave  a  call  to  the  Ptev.  Andrew  Milroy,  the 
 Disruption  minister  of  Crailing.  He  accepted  the  call,  was 
 inducted  on  11th  April  1844,  and  the  congregation  removed 
 to  the  old  Commercial  Bank  buildings  in  the  High  Street. 
 The  name  of  the  congregation  became  henceforth  Tron  Free 
 Church. 
 
 The  Rev.  John  Fleming,  of  Forfar,  was  afterwards  admitted 
 colleague  and  successor  to  Mr  Milroy,  and  at  his  death  in 
 1875  became  sole  pastor. 
 
 In  1877,  having  again  disposed  of  their  place  of  worship, 
 the  congregation  removed  to  the  church  in  which  they  now 
 worship  in  Chambers  Street,  and  which  has  been  erected  at 
 the  cost  of  £8000. 
 
 Statistics  for  1884  : — Members,  250  ;  total  raised  for 
 religious  purposes,  £455  ;  stipend,  with  manse,  £191. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  323 
 
 Edinburgh,  Davie  Street  (Constitutional),  now  M'Cric- 
 Jioxhurgh  Free  Church. 
 
 This  congrej,fation  was  formed  by  a  section  of  the  late  Rev. 
 Adam  Gib's  congregation,  which,  owing  to  a  division  of 
 sentiment  in  the  calling  of  a  minister,  separated  from  the 
 Nicolson  Street  congregation,  and  erected  a  meeting-house  for 
 themselves  in  what  was  afterwards  called  Simson's  Court, 
 Potterrow.  The  church,  which  was  built  in  179G,  contained 
 885  sittings  and  cost  £1290,  but  was  sold  and  demolished  in 
 1807. 
 
 First  Minister,  Kev.  Thomas  M'Crie,  D.D.  Ordained  26th 
 May  179C.  Having  united  with  those  who  formed  the 
 Constitutional  Presbytery  in  180C,  and  the  majority  of  the 
 congregation  having  resolved  to  continue  with  him  to  maintain 
 the  original  principles  of  the  Secession  in  opposition  to  the 
 new  or  voluntary  views  that  had  then  become  prevalent,  a  law 
 plea  for  the  possession  of  the  church  Avas  for  several  years 
 carried  on  betwixt  them  and  the  minority,  which  had  resolved 
 to  abide  with  the  General  Associate  Synod. ^  On  20th 
 February  1809  the  Court  of  Session  decided  that  the  minister 
 and  his  party  should  be  ejected  from  their  church,  though  they 
 were  not  only  the  majority,  but  had  also  clearly  shown,  what 
 indeed  was  never  denied,  viz.,  that  they  continued  to  adhere 
 to  the  principles  hitherto  held  by  the  congregation.  An  appeal 
 was  therefore  made  to  the  House  of  Lords,  but  before  the 
 case  was  carried  thither  the  matter  was  compromised  by  the 
 minority  paying  a  sum  of  money  to  the  minister  and  congrega- 
 
 '  The  following  note  appears  in  the  Session  Record,  and  indicates  that 
 though  the  majority  of  the  congregation  adhered  to  Mr  MCrie,  it  was  not  so 
 with  the  session  : — 
 
 "At  the  breach  which  took  place  in  September  1806  only  three  elders 
 remained  witli  their  minister,  viz.,  James  Aitken,  John  Paterson,  and  Thomas 
 Oaig  ;  while  the  following  elders  deserted  him,  viz.,  James  Wright,  James 
 
 I'illans,   Andrew  Ewart,  James  Ramage,  John  Roxburgh,  Mein,  John 
 
 Mitchell,  session  clerk,  and  John  M'Intyre. 
 
 "At  the  Sacrament  in  November  1806  Matthew  Stobie,  lately  a  member  of 
 Dalkeith  session,  and  William  Chisholm,  lately  a  meiiiljer  of  the  session  at 
 Leith,  were  assumed  by  the  session,  and  in  May  1807  there  was  an  ordination 
 of  five  new  elders,  viz.,  George  Caw,  John  Hay,  Thomas  Grieve,  Thomas 
 Laidlaw,  and  Alexander  Robb," 
 
324  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 tion,  who,  after  worshipping  temporarily  in  Whitefield  Chapel, 
 Carrubber's  Close,  removed  in  May  1813  to  the  church  they 
 had  built  at  corner  of  Davie  and  West  Richmond  Streets,  and 
 which  is  now  designated  M'Crie  Free  Church. 
 
 After  an  honoured  and  eminently  useful  career,  Dr  M'Crie, 
 whose  place  of  residence  was  successively  in  Buccleuch  Street, 
 Pleasance,  Nicolson  Street,  South  Gray  Street,  and  Salisbury 
 Place,  died  on  5th  August  1835,  in  the  sixty-third  year  of  his 
 age,  and  the  fortieth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 On  1st  March  1836  the  congregation  applied  for  a 
 moderation,  which  was  appointed  to  take  place  on  the 
 Tuesday  after  the  third  Sabbath  of  that  month,  the  Rev. 
 James  A.  Wylie  to  preach  and  preside.  The  Rev.  Thomas 
 M'Crie  of  Clola,  son  of  the  former  minister,  was  chosen,  and 
 the  call  subscribed  by  95  male  members,  165  female  members, 
 and  73  ordiuary  hearers.  The  stipend  promised  was  £200. 
 The  matter  having  been  referred  to  the  Synod,  that  Court,  on 
 11th  May,  sanctioned  the  translation. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  Thomas  M'Crie,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  for- 
 merly of  Crieff  and  Clola.  Inducted  9th  June  1836.  The 
 Rev.  Robert  Shaw,  of  Whitburn,  preached  from  Col.  i.  7,  and 
 presided,  the  Rev.  James  A.  Wylie,  of  Dollar,  addressed 
 minister  and  congregation,  and  the  Rev.  James  Wright,  of 
 Infirmary  Street,  Edinburgh,  concluded  the  services  by 
 preaching  from  Luke  viii.  18. 
 
 Along  with  the  congregation  Dr  M'Crie  united  with  the 
 Free  Church  of  Scotland  in  1852. 
 
 In  October  1856  he  demitted  his  charge,  and  removed  to 
 London  to  act  as  a  Theological  Professor  in  the  English  Presby- 
 terian College,  where  he  laboured  for  ten  years,  after  which  he 
 returned  to  Edinburgh,  and  resided  there  till  his  death  on 
 9th  May  1875.  His  place  of  residence  in  Edinburgh  was 
 successively  George  Square  and  Minto  Street. 
 
 Third  Minister,  Rev.  Robert  Philip,  formerly  of  Ellon. 
 Inducted  1857,  and  retired  in  1880. 
 
 Fourth  Minister,  Rev.  Neil  P.  Rose,  formerly  of  Rousay, 
 who  was  inducted  9th  September  1880,  but  retired  with  an 
 allowance  in  August  1885,  when  the  charge  was  reduced  to  a 
 preaching  station. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CUNGllEGATIONS.  325 
 
 On  10th  January  ISSG  a  union  was  formed  with  Roxburgh 
 congregation,  the  members  of  which,  along  with  their  pastor, 
 Rev.  G.  Macauh^y,  came  to  M'Crie  Cliurch,  when  appropriate 
 services  were  conducted  by  Rev.  Dr  Laidlaw  in  forenoon,  Rev. 
 G.  Macaulay  in  afternoon,  and  Rev.  E.  A.  Thomson  in 
 eveninji. 
 
 In  this  church  the  Original  Secession  Synod  usually  met  ; 
 and  in  the  session-house  was  held  for  many  years  the  Theo- 
 logical Hall,  which  was  successively  presided  over  by  Drs 
 Paxton,  M'Crie,  sen.  and  jun.,  with  the  last  of  whom  was 
 associated  Dr  Laing,  of  Colmonell.  The  remains  of  the 
 Theological  chair  or  pulpit,  with  the  canopy  of  that  of  the 
 church,  were  removed  to  the  John  Knox  House  Museum, 
 where  they  are  preserved. 
 
 The  records  of  this  congregation  have  been  accurately  kept, 
 and  are  in  excellent  preservation.  The  following  elders  suc- 
 cessively held  the  office  of  session-clerk,  viz.  : — Mr  George 
 Caw,  from  1808  till  his  death  on  7th  May  1823  ;  William 
 Whytock,  writer,  Register  House,  from  12th  July  1823  till 
 his  resignation  owing  to  ill-health,  1st  March  18-i2,  when 
 Robert  Halley  was  appointed  his  successor.  Amongst  many 
 interesting  items  they  note  Robert  (afterwards  Dr  Shaw,  of 
 Whitburn)  joining  the  congregation  on  7th  November  1811  ; 
 Thomas  (afterwards  Dr  M'Crie,  jun.,  of  Edinburgh)  also  doing 
 so  on  9th  May  1816  ;  and  that  owing  to  illness  Dr 
 M'Crie,  sen.,  had  to  cease  from  pastoral  work  for  six  weeks  in 
 1822. 
 
 The  Register  of  Baptisms,  which  consists  of  two  volumes, 
 begins  in  1796  and  closes  in  1857.  For  the  most  part  the 
 entries  in  it  are  by  the  pens  of  Drs  M'Crie,  father  and  son ; 
 and  the  register  has  not  only  been  admirably  kept,  but  the 
 volumes  are  also  in  good  preservation.  In  these  lists  are  names 
 of  persons  who  afterwards  rose  to  eminence  in  the  Church  and 
 the  world. 
 
 Statistics  for  1884  : — Members,  159  ;  average  attendance, 
 80  ;  total  raised  for  religious  purposes,  £174  ;  stipend,  with 
 manse,  £207. 
 
326  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Edinburgh,  Infirmary  Street  (Antihurgher),  noio  Lauriston 
 Street  Original  Secession  Church. 
 
 This  congregation  was  formed  by  the  Rev.  George  Paxton, 
 Professor  of  Theology  to  the  Genera]  Associate  Synod,  who, 
 having  united  with  others  in  1821  to  form  the  Synod  of 
 Protesters,  was  requested  by  sixteen  members  of  different 
 congregations  to  preach  to  them  and  take  them  under  his 
 pastoral  care.  This  request  he  complied  with,  and  the  old 
 Gaelic  Chapel  in  Castle  Wynd  having  been  rented,  he 
 delivered  to  them  a  sermon  from  Dan.  vi.  22 — "  My  God 
 hath  sent  His  angel  and  hath  shut  the  lions'  mouths  that 
 they  have  not  hurt  me." 
 
 Owing  chiefly  to  the  Divine  blessing  on  the  natural  fervid 
 eloquence  of  Professor  Paxton  as  a  preacher  of  the  gospel,  the 
 congregation  rapidly  increased,  and  though  Dr  Paxton  never 
 was  regularly  inducted  over  them,  the  Synod  on  30th  May 
 1821  approved  of  the  connection  which  had  thus  so  peculiarly 
 been  formed  betwixt  Dr  Paxton  and  this  congregation.  A 
 church  at  the  east  end  of  Infirmary  Street,  containing  980 
 sittings,  having  been  erected,  the  congregation  removed  to  it, 
 and  the  audiences  that  were  attracted  thither  by  the  fame  of 
 the  preacher  were  frequently  so  large  that  standing  room 
 could  scarcely  be  had. 
 
 In  this  church,  moreover,  the  union  of  1827  betwixt  the 
 Constitutional  Presbytery  and  Synod  of  Protesters  was  con- 
 summated, and  the  Synod  of  Original  Seceders  formed,  who  in 
 the  same  place  gave  their  imprimatur  to  the  historico-doctrinal 
 declaration  entitled  the  Original  Secession  Testimony. 
 
 On  22d  April  1834,  in  consequence  of  the  advanced  age 
 and  infirmities  of  their  pastor,  the  congregation  petitioned  the 
 Presbytery  for  a  moderation  for  a  colleague  and  successor  to 
 him.  Stipend  offered,  £150,  and  Dr  Paxton's  stipend  not  to 
 be  interfered  with.  This  was  granted,  and  the  Rev.  Thomas 
 Gray,  of  Kirkcaldy,  was  appointed  to  preach  and  preside  on 
 29th  inst.  The  Rev.  James  Wright,  of  Coupar- Angus,  was 
 elected,  the  call  having  been  signed  by  106  members  and  151 
 adherents.  This  call  was  sustained,  and  referred  to  the 
 Synod,  which  continued  Mr  Wright  at  Coupar-Angus. 
 
Pawed  Vr^Crurlioljon 
 
 Eag^rftndWVS  luian 
 
 WiEm  I^IS*^?  ^3S.©I?IS^sg'.DiE  I?AS'2''Drf 
 
^1 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  .*)27 
 
 Oil  17tli  Juno  \So4f  the  congregation  again  applied  for 
 a  moderation,  which  was  granted  for  8th  July,  the  llev. 
 James  A.  W3die,  of  Dollar,  to  officiate.  The  Rev.  James 
 Wright  was  again  elected,  and  the  call  subscribed  ultimately 
 by  385  members  and  G8  adherents.  The  matter  was  referred 
 to  the  Synod,  which  sanctioned  the  translation. 
 
 Second  Minister — Rev.  James  Wright.  Inducted  2d 
 October  1834;,  when  the  Rev.  James  A.  Wylie,  of  Dollar, 
 preached  from  Jer.  xxiii.  22,  and  presided,  the  Rev.  Robert 
 Shaw,  of  Whitburn,  addressed  minister  and  people,  and  the 
 Rev.  David  Sturrock,  of  Mid  holm,  concluded  the  service  by 
 preaching  from  Psalm  cxxxii.  8. 
 
 The  Rev.  Prof.  George  Paxton,  D.D.,  the  founder  and  first 
 minister  of  the  congregation,  died  on  9th  April  1837,  in  the 
 seventy-fifth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  forty-eighth  of  his  minis- 
 try. His  successive  places  of  residence  were  in  St  Leonard's 
 Street  and  1 2  Archibald  Place,  and  his  remains  were  interred 
 in  St  Cuthbert's  churchyard,  where  a  monument  erected  by 
 the  congregation  marks  the  spot. 
 
 In  May  1839,  the  Session  sent,  via  the  Presbytery,  a 
 representation  and  petition  to  the  Synod  relating  to  "  Occa- 
 sional hearing,"  "  Granting  certificates  to  members  leaving 
 their  profession,  and  supporting  certain  societies."  The 
 Presbytery  agreed  to  transmit  the  petition  with  the  observa- 
 tion, "  that  they  cannot  recommend  it  to  the  consideration  of 
 the  Synod,  as  they  view  the  discussion  of  the  subjects  therein 
 mentioned  as  unseasonable  and  unprofitable." 
 
 On  27th  April  1840  a  petition  was  read  in  the  Presbytery 
 from  a  member  of  this  congregation,  which  stated  that  the 
 petitioner  thought  himself  unjustly  denied  the  privilege  of 
 baptism  for  his  child,  inasmuch  as  he  could  not  comply  with 
 the  form  proposed  to  be  used  in  laying  on  the  vows,  that  is, 
 absolutely  to  hold  up  family  worship  morning  and  evening, 
 which  professional  and  other  unavoidable  circumstances  might 
 at  times  prevent,  though  he  did  not  decline  the  duty  of  hold- 
 ing up  the  worship  of  God  morning  and  evening  in  his  family 
 as  God  in  his  providence  gives  him  oi:)portunity.  Parties  were 
 heard,  and  the  case  was  amicably  settled  by  mutual  explana- 
 tions being  given. 
 
328  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 On  4th  April  1842  a  disruption  of  this  congregation  took 
 place,  the  minister  and  major  part  of  Session  and  congregation 
 having  resolved  to  stand  out  against  the  decision  of  Synod  to 
 unite  with  the  Original  Burghers,  and  three  elders  and  the 
 minor  portion  of  congregation  having  resolved  to  adhere  to  the 
 Synod,  which  had  resolved  to  unite  with  the  remanent  Synod 
 of  Original  Burghers  in  May  following. 
 
 There  being  considerable  debt  and  other  burdens  on  the 
 congregational  property,  matters  were  thus  arranged,  viz., 
 that  the  majority  shall  retain  the  church  with  these  burdens, 
 and  that  the  minority,  on  payment  of  a  stipulated  sum,  shall 
 receive  the  congregational  library. 
 
 In  the  following  year  the  majority  sold  Infirmary  Street 
 Church  to  the  Free  Tolbooth  congregation,  and  after  worship- 
 ping temporarily  in  Free  Mason's  Hall,  Niddry  Street,  they 
 removed  to  a  new  church  which  they  had  erected  in  Lauriston 
 Street  in  1844.  In  this  place  of  worship,  Mr  Wright  minis- 
 tered to  the  reduced  congregation,  which  experienced  another 
 disruption  shortly  before  his  decease,  which  took  place  at 
 Trinity,  near  Edinburgh,  on  24th  February  1879,  in  the 
 seventy-sixth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  forty-ninth  of  his 
 ministry.  His  places  of  residence  were  successively,  Lauriston, 
 Kankeillor  Street,  Montague  Street,  Buccleuch  Place,  Park 
 Street,  Argyle  Square,  Loanhead,  Trinity. 
 
 Infirmary  Street  Church  was  afterwards  sold  by  the  Free 
 Tolbooth  congregation  to  the  Protestant  Institute  for  £1750, 
 and  was  resold  in  18  5G  to  the  Cowgate  United  Presbyterian 
 congregation  for  £1500.  It  is  now  designated  Infirmary 
 Street  United  Presbyterian  Church. 
 
 After  removing  to  Lauriston  Street  Church^  the  congregation 
 had  a  varied  career,  for  although  for  several  years  subsequent 
 to  1850  the  building  was  crowded  to  excess  on  Sabbath  even- 
 ings, whilst  lectures  on  the  Apocalypse  were  being  delivered, 
 
 'According  to  title-deeds,  dated  4th  February  1845,  Lauriston  Street 
 (Church  belongs  to  "  the  members  who  adhere  to  and  maintain  the  testimony 
 eioitted  by  the  Associate  Synod  of  Original  Seceders  in  the  year  18*27,  and 
 now  held  by  the  Associate  Presbytery  of  Original  Seceders  for  the  Second 
 Keformation  of  the  Covenanted  Church  of  Scotland  attained  unto  between 
 1638  and  1650,  and  against  the  several  steps  of  defection  therefrom  both  in 
 former  and  in  present  times." 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONCIREOATIONS.  '^2I» 
 
 no  marked  increase  of  the  membership  took  phice,  ami  by  the 
 renewed  disruption  above  referred  to,  tlie  congregation  wivs 
 rendered  very  small.  The  dissentients  removed  first  to  the 
 Oddfellows'  Hall,  Forrest  Road,  where  they  were  ministered  to 
 by  the  Rev.  Andrew  Lambie,  of  Pitcairngreen.  Here,  how- 
 ever, they  were  subdivided,  and  whilst  the  minority  remained 
 under  the  pastorate  of  Mr  Lambie,  the  majority  removed  to  a 
 small  church  or  hall  in  South  Clerk  Street,  which  had  formerly 
 been  occupied  by  the  late  Rev.  Archibald  Br-iwn's  congrega- 
 tion. 
 
 On  Sabbath,  9th  January  1882,  the  attendance  at  public 
 worship  of  the  various  sections  into  which  Infirmary  Street 
 Original  Secession  congregation  has  now  been  divided  was  as 
 follows  : — Lauriston  Street,  representing  original  congregation, 
 59  ;  Victoria  Terrace,  representing  first  disruption  party,  152  ; 
 South  Clerk  Street,  representing  second  disruption  party,  34  ; 
 Oddfellows'  Hall,  representing  minority  of  second  disruption 
 party,  probably  20. 
 
 Edinburgh,  Heriot's  Bridge  (Burgher),  now  extinct. 
 
 This  congregation  was  originated  by  the  Rev.  John  Reid, 
 formerly  minister  of  the  United  Secession  Church,  Dairy, 
 Kirkcudbrightshire,  where  he  liad  been  ordained  on  8th 
 October  1829.  Owing  to  an  alleged  breach  of  promise  of 
 marriage  he  had  been  suspended  by  the  United  Secession 
 Synod  in  1833,  and  on  refusing  to  submit,  was  declared  to  be 
 no  longer  connected  with  that  church.  Having  come  to  Edin- 
 burgh (to  the  Cowgate  United  Secession  Congregation  of 
 which  city  he  had  several  years  previously  been  called),  he 
 originated  this  congregation,  and  applied  to  the  Associate 
 Burgher  Synod  for  admission  on  29th  September  1837. 
 After  some  delay  he  and  this  congregation  were  admitted  to 
 fellowship  by  the  Edinburgh  Presbytery  on  23rd  January 
 1838,  when  the  Rev.  Peter  Sawers,  of  Lanark,  preached  from 
 Acts  xi.  23,  and  the  Rev.  Andrew  Mackenzie,  of  South  Gray's 
 Close,  detailed  the  procedure  in  Mr  Reid's  case.  The  ques- 
 tions of  the  Formula  were  then  put  to  Mr  Reid,  the  right 
 hand  of  fellowship  given  him,  and  suitable  exhortations  were 
 
330  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 addressed  to  him  and  the  congi-egation.  The  Session  having 
 afterwards  been  constituted,  Mr  John  Sutherland  was 
 returned  as  Presbytery  elder,  and  his  name  was  added  to  the 
 Roll  of  Presbytery. 
 
 In  1838  the  Rev.  John  Reid  was  translated  to  Bathgate, 
 and  after  his  removal,  the  congregation  which  had  acceded  to 
 the  Church  of  Scotland  in  1839,  united  with  West  Port  in 
 giving  a  call  to  the  Rev.  Thos.  Davidson,  Probationer,  wdio, 
 however,  declined  the  call,  and  was  settled  at  Musselburgh. 
 The  congregation  then  became  extinct,  though  a  few  years 
 afterwards  the  Rev.  Dr  Chalmers  commenced  in  that  district 
 the  famous  West  Port  Mission,  and  gathered  a  large 
 congregation. 
 
 Edinburgh,  Adam  Square  (Antihurgher),  noiv  United  Original 
 Secession  Church,  Victoria  Terrace. 
 
 This  congregation  was  formed  by  the  minority  that 
 separated  from  Infirmary  Street  Congregation  on  4th  April 
 1842.  A  pro  re  nata  meeting  of  Presbytery  having  been 
 hurriedly  called  on  the  8th  inst.,  that  Court  appointed  the 
 Rev.  Wm.  White,  of  Haddington,  to  give  them  supply  of 
 sermon  on  the  following  Sabbath  (10th  April). 
 
 This  congregation  first  met  in  School  of  Arts,  Adam 
 Square  ;  and  afterwards  in  Merchant's  Hall,  Hunter  Square ; 
 till  the  erection  of  their  church  in  Adam  Square. 
 
 On  19th  July  1842  the  congregation  applied  to  the 
 Presbytery  for  a  moderation,  when  they  stated  their  member- 
 ship to  consist  of  sixty  males,  and  ninety-eight  females,  or  158 
 in  all,  and  that  they  offer  as  stipend  £120  and  £10  for 
 sacramental  expenses,  with  the  hope  of  increasing  said 
 stipend.  The  petition  was  granted,  and  the  Rev.  Jas.  Black, 
 of  Kirkcaldy,  was  appointed  to  preach  and  preside  on  28th 
 inst.  at  6.30  p.m.  The  call  was  for  the  Rev.  Archd.  Brown, 
 M.A.,  Kirriemuir,  and  was  subscribed  by  126  members  and 
 29  hearers.  This  call  having  proved  abortive,  application 
 was  again  made  on  21st  November  1842  for  a  moderation, 
 the  stipend  to  be  what  was  formerly  offered.  The  Rev. 
 Adam   Ross,   of  Kennoway,   was   appointed   to   moderate   on 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  331 
 
 Thursday,  8tli  December,  at  G.3()  v.u.  The  Rev.  Archibald 
 Brown,  M.A.,  was  again  called.  His  induction,  however,  was 
 delayed  by  the  Presbytery  until  appointed  to  do  so  by  the 
 Synod,  when  it  was  carried  into  eftect. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  Archd.  Brown,  M.A.  Inducted  24th 
 May  1843,  when  the  Rev.  Jas.  Black,  M.A.,  preached  from 
 Luke  vi.  20,  and  presided.  Rev.  Professor  Thos.  M'Cric 
 addressed  minister  and  people,  and  the  Rev.  Adam  Ross,  of 
 Kennoway,  concluded  the  service  by  preaching  from  Ps.  xx.  5. 
 
 Owing  to  a  diversity  of  sentiment  respecting  the  lawfulness 
 of  Sabbath-schools  and  other  matters,  this  congregation  became 
 divided  in  1857,  when  one  section,  after  worshipping  for 
 about  six  years  in  a  hall  in  Infirmary  Street,  and  three  years 
 in  Temperance  Hall,  Nicolsou  Street,  removed  in  July  18G(j 
 to  a  church  which  they  had  erected  in  Victoria  Terrace  at  a 
 cost  of  £1935,  and  where  they  have  been  ministered  to  by 
 the  Rev.  Jas.  Smellie,  who  died  in  1875,  and  subsequently  by 
 their  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  John  Sturrock. 
 
 The  remanent  section  after  some  years  sokl  their  church  to 
 the  Improvement  Commissioners,  who  required  it  for  the 
 formation  of  Chambers  Street,  and  removed  to  a  new  church 
 or  hall  which  had  been  erected  for  them  in  South  Clerk 
 Street,  where  Mr  Brown  ministered  till  his  death  on  5th 
 February  187.9,  in  the  seventy-fifth  year  of  his  age,  and  the 
 fiftieth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 After  this  event,  the  congregation,  which  was  very  small, 
 dissolved,  several  of  its  members  uniting  with  their  former 
 brethren  in  Victoria  TeiTace,  and  the  place  of  worship  was  let 
 to,  and  is  now  occupied  by  the  party  which  had  separated 
 from  the  Oddfellows'  Hall  section. 
 
 Statistics  of  Victoria  Terrace  Church  for  1884:  — 
 Members,  154  ;  adherents,  40  ;  total  income,  £554  ;  stipend, 
 £232,  with  manse  ;  average  contribution  per  member, 
 £3,  12s.  Ofd. 
 
 Elgin  (Antihurgher),  noiu  extinct. 
 
 Elgin  is  the  county  town  of  Morayshire,  and  is  38  milts 
 east  from  Inverness,  and  64  west  of  Aberdeen. 
 
332  ANNALS  OF  OETGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 This  congregation  was  originaied  by  a  portion  of  the 
 United  Secession  congregation  of  South  Street,  who  being 
 dissatisfied  with  the  decision  of  the  Church  Courts  in 
 an  ecclesiastical  case,  separated,  and  applied  to  the  Original 
 Secession  Synod  for  sermon.  This  was  granted  in  1829,  and 
 they  were  sanctioned  as  a  vacant  congregation  in  September 
 1833.  They  then  rented  a  disused  Baptist  chapel,  and  in 
 May  1836  gave  a  call  to  Mr  Joseph  Wilson,  Probationer, 
 which  he  accepted  on  18th  July  following.  As,  however,  Mr 
 Wilson  was  afterwards  called  to  Auchinleck,  the  matter  was 
 referred  to  the  Synod,  which  decided  in  favour  of  Elgin.  Mr 
 Wilson  being  dissatisfied  with  the  Synod's  judgment,  left  the 
 Original  Seceders  and  joined  the  Reformed  Presbyterian 
 Synod,  for  which  he  was  censured  by  the  Original  Secession 
 Presbytery  of  Aberdeen  in  1839.  This  congregation,  always 
 small,  became  discouraged,  and  ceased  to  exist  in  1840. 
 Their  place  of  worship  was  burnt  some  years  after. 
 
 Falkirk  (Burgher),  now  in  West  United  Presbyterian 
 
 Church. 
 
 Falkirk  is  a  town  in  Stirlingshire,  24  miles  west  from 
 Edinburgh,  and  24  miles  east  by  north  from  Glasgow. 
 
 This  congregation  was  an  offshoot  from  the  Erskine  Church  of 
 which  the  Rev.  Henry  Belfrage,  D.D.,  was  then  minister.  Its 
 members  desired  to  cleave  to  the  original  principles  of  the 
 Secession,  in  opposition  to  the  new  or  voluntary  views  which 
 had  been  adopted  by  the  majority  of  the  Synod. 
 
 On  9th  August  1803,  application  was  made  by  them  to 
 the  Original  Burgher  Presbytery  for  sermon,  which  was 
 granted .  Having  applied  for  a  moderation  for  elders,  the 
 Rev.  Patrick  Connal  of  Bathgate  was  appointed  to  officiate  on 
 30th  April  1804,  and  on  the  following  day  it  was  reported 
 to  the  Presbytery  that  Messrs  Robert  Hodge,  John  Hamilton, 
 William  Dow,  James  Rattray,  Thomas  Aitken,  and  Alexander 
 Stark,  had  been  elected  to  office.  The  Presbytery  thereupon 
 appointed  their  edict  to  be  served  by  the  Rev.  Jas.  Russell  at 
 Falkirk  on  Sabbath  first,  and  they  were  subsequently  ordained 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  :33.S 
 
 to  the  ckicr.ship  by  the  liev.  Win.  Willis,  of  KStirliiig,  uii  tlio 
 second  Sabbath  of  August  1804. 
 
 On  25th  February  180G  the  congn-gation  applied  for  a 
 moderatiou,  ofteriug  as  stipend  £100,  when  the  liev.  George 
 Hill  was  appointed  to  preach  and  preside  on  24tli  March. 
 The  call  was  for  ]\Ir  John  Campbell,  I'robationer,  and  was 
 subscribed  by  155  members  and  4:J  adherents  ;  but  as  Mr 
 Campbell  had  also  been  called  to  Dunfermline,  the  case  was 
 referred  to  the  Synod,  which  preferred  Duiifennline. 
 
 On  22nd  July  180G,  applied  for  a  moderatiou,  stipend  to  be 
 as  formerly — £100,  but  the  Presbytery  delayed  their  decision 
 till  next  meeting,  when  the  moderation  was  appointed  to  take 
 place  on  Sth  September,  the  Eev.  \Villiam  Watson,  of  Campbell 
 Street,  Glasgow,  to  preach  and  preside.  The  call  was  for  tlje 
 Eev.  George  Hill  of  Cumbernauld,  and  was  subscribed  by  141 
 members.  The  matter  was  referred  to  the  Synod,  which,  in 
 April  1  807,  declined  to  translate. 
 
 On  2nd  February  1808,  applied  for  a  moderation,  stipend 
 to  be  £90.  This  was  agreed  to  by  the  Presbytery,  who  at  the 
 same  time  recommended  that  £10  be  added  to  the  stipend. 
 The  Eev,  Wm.  Willis  was  appointed  to  moderate  on  20th  inst. 
 Mr  Alexander  Stark,  Probationer,  was  called,  the  document 
 being  subscribed  by  173  members;  but  as  he  had  also  been 
 called  to  Kirkintilloch,  Alloa,  and  Carluke,  the  matter  wa.s 
 referred  to  the  Synod,  which  preferred  Falkirk. 
 
 First  Minister,  Eev.  Alex.  Stark,  M.A.  Ordained  lOtl. 
 August  1808.  The  Eev.  Eobert  Torrance  of  Airdrie  bewail 
 the  services  by  preaching  from  2  Tim.  iv.  2  ;  the  Eev. 
 George  Hill  of  Cumbernauld  delivered  the  ordination  sermon 
 from  Phil.  ii.  29,  ottered  the  ordination  prayer,  and  thereafter 
 gave  suitable  exhortations  to  pastor  and  people. 
 
 Mr  Stark  having  demitted  his  charge  in  1817,  the  Synod 
 after  some  delay  agreed  to  accept  the  same.  He  after- 
 wards joined  the  Church  of  Scotland,  and  became  minister  of 
 Sandwick,  Shetland,  in  1830.  Having  subscribed  the  deed  of 
 demission  in  1843,  he  was  afterwards  translated  to  Closeburn, 
 which  charge  he  resigned  in  1849,  and  retired  to  Tighua- 
 bruich,  where  he  died  12th  August  1881,  in  the  ninety-sixth 
 year  of  his  age,  and  the  seventy-fourth  of  his  minibtry. 
 
*334  ANNALS  OF  OEIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Having  applied  for  a  moderation,  the  congregation  called 
 Mr  John  Eussell,  Probationer,  but  as  he  had  been  also  called 
 to  Kincardine-on-Forth,  Lesmahagow,  Carluke,  Cupar,  Paisley, 
 and  Kirkintilloch,  the  case  was  referred  to  the  Synod,  which, 
 in  April  1818,  preferred  Paisley.  This  call  from  Falkirk  to 
 Mr  Eussell  had  been  subscribed  by  214  members  in  full  com- 
 munion, 140  members  not  in  full  communion,  and  65 
 adherents. 
 
 A  moderation  having  again  been  applied  for  and  granted, 
 a  call  was  given  to  Mr  William  Logan,  Probationer,  which 
 was  subscribed  by  193  members  in  full  communion,  and  140 
 members  not  in  full  communion  ;  but  as  Mr  Logan  had  also 
 been  called  to  Lesmahagow,  the  matter  was  referred  to  the 
 Synod,  which,  on  12th  May  1819,  preferred  the  latter 
 congregation. 
 
 A  moderation  having  been  once  more  obtained,  a  call  was 
 given  to  Mr  Thomas  Gordon,  Probationer. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Eev.  Thomas  Gordon.  Ordained  1819. 
 Along  with  the  congregation  Mr  Gordon  united  with  the 
 Church  of  Scotland  in  1839,  and  continued  with  the  Free 
 Church  of  Scotland  in  1843,  after  the  Disruption. 
 
 Mr  Gordon  removed  to  Eaglesham  Free  Church,  where  he 
 ministered  till  his  death  on  22nd  July  1869,  in  the  fortieth 
 year  of  his  ministry.  The  congregation  afterwards  blended 
 with  that  of  the  West  United  Presbyterian  Church. 
 
 Falkirk  {Constitutional),  now  extinct. 
 
 This  congregation  was  formed  in  1756,  and  originally 
 belonged  to  the  General  Associate,  or  Antiburgher  Synod. 
 Along  with  the  Eev.  Josiah  Hunter,  their  minister,  they 
 separated  from  the  Synod  in  1781,  and  their  pastor,  along 
 with  the  Eev.  Messrs  Smyton,  of  Kilmaurs,  and  Proudfoot,  of 
 Leith,  formed  a  Presbytery,  the  distinguishing  tenet  of  which 
 was  the  lifting  of  the  Bread  and  Cup  before  the  thanksgiving 
 prayer  in  the  administration  of  the  Lord's  Supper. 
 
 This  Presbytery  was  formed  in  1785,  but  soon  ceased  to 
 exist.  Mr  Proudfoot,  of  Leith,  having  expired  after  attending 
 its    first  meeting,  and   Mr  Smyton    having   died    in    1789, 
 
STATTSTRS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  335 
 
 leaving  ^Ir  Hunter  alone,  who,  uloug  witii  his  congregation, 
 on  lOtli  August  1812,  applied  for  admission  into  tiie  Consti- 
 tutional Presbytery.  On  9th  November  LSI  2,  the  llev. 
 liobert  Chalmers,  of  Haddington,  was  appointed  to  give  a 
 day's  preaching  to  the  congregation,  and  converse  with  the 
 people.  During  the  progress  of  the  negotiations  Mr  Hunter 
 died  on  24th  February  IS  13,  in  the  eighty-fifth  year  of  his 
 age,  and  the  tifty-fifth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 On  16th  June  1813  the  Rev.  Dr  M'Crio,  of  Edinburgh, 
 was  appointed  to  hold  a  Fast  Day  with  the  congregation, 
 and  in  the  evening  to  converse  with  the  peoi)le  regarding  the 
 mode  of  administering  the  Lord's  Supper. 
 
 On  9th  August  1813  the  Presbytery  agreed  to  receive  the 
 petitioners  under  their  care. 
 
 On  9th  Xovember  following  the  congregation  petitioned  that 
 a  Session  be  constituted,  but  though  compliance  with  this 
 request  was  for  a  time  delayed,  the  Presbytery  on  9th 
 February  1814  appointed  the  Eev.  Professor  Archibald  Bruce 
 of  Whitburn,  "  to  preach  at  Falkirk  on  the  first  Sabbath  of 
 March,  and  to  constitute  the  two  elders  there,  together  with 
 Thomas  Stark,  into  a  Session,  after  satisfying  himself  by  con- 
 versing with  them  that  they  had  formerly  taken  the  Formula 
 agreed  upon  by  the  xVssociate  Presbytery  and  Synod,  and 
 presently  in  use  among  us  ;  and  that  he  appoint  a  sermon  on 
 Monday  for  giving  the  congregation  an  opportunity  to  elect 
 one  or  more  to  be  added  to  the  number  of  elders."  This 
 effort  on  the  part  of  this  congregation  appears  to  have  been 
 like  the  flicker  of  the  flame  in  the  socket,  since  speedily 
 afterwards  it  became  extinct. 
 
 Falkland  (Biirf/her),  aoiv  extinct. 
 
 Falkland  is  an  ancient  burgh  in  Fifeshire,  23  miles  south 
 from  Dundee,  and  15  south-east  from  Perth. 
 
 On  10th  February  1830  several  Seceders  in  this  district 
 petitioned  the  Perth  and  Dunfermline  Presbytery  for  supply 
 of  sermon,  which  was  gi'anted  with  grateful  thanks  to  the 
 magistrates   of   that  burgh,  for  the   countenance  and    favour 
 
836  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 they  have  shown  to  our  ministers  and  preachers,  who  have 
 delivered  unto  them  the  Word  of  Life. 
 
 On  9th  March  1830  the  same  Presbytery  recorded  their 
 thanks  to  the  councillors,  as  well  as  to  the  magistrates,  for 
 the  handsome  manner  in  which  they  have  accommodated  the 
 audience  under  our  care  with  the  Town  House  for  Divine 
 service,  and  for  all  the  other  attentions  experienced  by  those 
 whom  they  have  sent  to  them. 
 
 On  12th  April  1831  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Anderson,  of 
 Cupar,  was  appointed  to  organise  this  congregation  on 
 Tuesday  after  the  fourth  Sabbath  of  April,  and  on  the  4th 
 October  following  the  Eev.  Robert  Macindoe,  of  Kirkcaldy, 
 was  appointed  to  ordain  Messrs  James  Muckersie,  Robert 
 Stevens,  Robert  Hislop,  and  Peter  Johnston,  to  the  elder- 
 ship   on    the    Wednesday  preceding   the   second    Sabbath  of 
 
 November. 
 
 On  9th  July  1883  a  moderation  for  a  minister  was 
 requested.  Stipend  offered  £60,  and  £8  for  sacramental 
 expenses.  This  petition  was  granted  on  the  understanding 
 that  a  manse,  or  a  sum  for  house  rent  be  added,  with  the 
 hope  of  increasing  the  stipend.  The  Rev.  James  Thornton, 
 of  Milnathort,  was  then  appointed  to  preach  and  moderate  on 
 Monday  after  the  second  Sabbath  of  May.  The  call  was  for 
 Mr  James  Stark,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed  by  fifty- 
 nine  members  and  twenty-four  adherents,  but  as  Mr  Stark 
 had  also  been  called  to  Greenock,  he  was  appointed  by  the 
 Synod  to  be  ordained  there. 
 
 After  the  union  with  the  Church  of  Scotland  in  1839,  this 
 congregation  collapsed. 
 
 Garvagh,  Ireland  (Burgher),  now  in  Irish  Presoyterian 
 
 Church. 
 
 This  congregation,  now  known  as  the  third  congregation  of 
 Garvagh,  Presbytery  of  Coleraine,  in  connection  with  the 
 Irish  Presbyterian  Church,  originated  in  consequence  of  the 
 Burgher  Secession  Synod  accepting  the  '' Regium  Donum " 
 on  the  principles  of  classification  in  1809.  The  party  form- 
 ing it  withdrew   from  the  congregation,  now  known  as  second 
 
STATISTICS  OF  cu^'(ji:k(;atiuns.  337 
 
 Garvagh,  which  was  in  connection  with  the  Secession  Synod, 
 before  the  nnion  of  that  Synod  with  the  Synod  of  Ulster. 
 They  erected  a  church,  which  still  is  occupied  by  them,  and 
 which,  with  additional  imjn-ovenu'nts,  can  now  accunmiodati' 
 about  500  persons. 
 
 On  ord  November  1811  the  Glasgow  Burgher  Presbytery 
 received  a  petition  for  supply  of  sermon  from  the  United 
 Congregations  of  Crossgates  and  Garvagh. 
 
 On  4th  August  1813  the  United  Congregations  of  Garvagh 
 and  Ballylintagh  applied  for  a  moderation,  the  stipend  offered 
 being  .£80.  To  this  retjuest  the  Presbytery  agreed,  on  con- 
 dition that  the  stipend  be  paid  in  British  currency,  and  also 
 that  a  convenient  house  be  given  to  tlie  minister.  The 
 Rev.  Alex.  Brown,  of  Burntshields,  was  appointed  to  preach 
 and  preside.  The  call  was  for  Rev.  James  Smith,  of  Alloa, 
 and  was  subscribed  by  238  members  and  IG  adherents.  The 
 Synod  having  declined  to  translate  him,  the  congregation  on 
 16  th  August  1814  again  applied  for  a  moderation,  the  stipend 
 to  be  what  was  formerly  offered.  The  Rev.  John  M'Kinlay, 
 of  Rcnton,  was  appointed  to  officiate  on  22nd  September. 
 Mr  Thomas  Hislop,  Probationer,  was  elected,  and  the  call 
 signed  by  180  members  and  59  adherents.  Tliough,  how- 
 ever, Mr  Hislop  delivered  his  trial  discourses  for  ordination, 
 he  declined  accepting  the  pastoral  charge  of  the  congregation, 
 and  having  afterwards  been  called  to  Kirkcaldy,  he  was 
 ordained  then.',  and  eventually  died  Free  Church  minister  of 
 Doune,  Scotland,  in  1879. 
 
 On  14th  January  1817  applied  for  a  moderation,  offering 
 as  stipend  £80  in  British  currency,  when  the  Rev.  John 
 Shaw,  of  Boardmills,  was  appointed  to  moderate  on  28th 
 February.  The  call  was  for  ]\Ir  William  Stewart,  Probationer, 
 and  was  subscribed  by  207  members  and  10  adherents. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  William  Stewart.  Ordained  in  East 
 Campbell  Street  Church,  Glasgow,  9th  October  1817,  to  the- 
 pastorate  of  Garvagh  congregation.  The  Rev.  Peter  Camp- 
 bell, of  Kilmarnock,  began  the  services  by  preaching  from 
 Acts  XX.  22-24.  The  Rev.  John  M'Kinlay,  of  Renton, 
 delivered  the  ordination  sermon  from  Acts  xx.  28,  and  after 
 the  ordination  gave  Mr  Stewart  suitable  exhortations.     The 
 
338  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Rev.  John  Shaw,  of  Boardmills,  was  afterwards  appointed  to 
 introduce  the  Rev.  Wm.  Stewart  to  the  united  congregations 
 of  Garvagh  and  Ballylintagh. 
 
 Mr  Stewart's  ministry  having  been  closed,  probably  by  his 
 decease,  the  congregation,  in  1833,  gave  a  call  to  Mr  Robert 
 Hosie,  Probationer,  from  Pollokshaws,  but  this  proving  abor- 
 tive, the  congregation  next  elected  Mr  James  Young,  Proba- 
 tioner, whose  call  was  subscribed  by  150  members  in  full 
 communion.  As,  however,  Mr  Young  had  also  been  called  by 
 the  Greenlaw  congregation,  the  matter  was  referred  to  the 
 Synod,  which,  on  14th  May  1834,  notwithstanding  the  de- 
 clared preference  of  Mr  Young  for  Garvagh,  appointed  him  to 
 be  ordained  at  Greenlaw. 
 
 The  congregation  thereafter  elected  Mr  John  Hastie,  Pro- 
 bationer,  whose  call  was  subscribed  by  192  persons,  but  as  he 
 had  also  been  called  to  Yetholm,  the  matter  was  referred  to 
 the  Synod,  which  preferred  the  latter  congregation.  The  con- 
 gregation once  more  applied  for  a  moderation,  and  called  the 
 Rev.  Andrew  Thomson,  formerly  of  Paisley,  which  call  was 
 accepted. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  Andrew  Thomson,  formerly  of 
 Paisley,  whose  induction  was  reported  to  Synod  in  May  1835. 
 
 This  con^^resfation,  together  with  their  minister,  after  some 
 years'  isolation,  united  with  United  Original  Secession  Synod 
 on  2nd  October  1844,  and  afterwards  in  1852  with  the  Free 
 Church  of  Scotland.  After  a  time,  on  the  advice  of  the  Glas- 
 gow Free  Church  Presbytery,  they  joined  with  the  Irish 
 Presbyterian  Church,  at  the  expense  of  a  schism  in  the  con- 
 Qfregatioh,  when  the  non-unionists  withdrew  and  cast  in  their 
 lot  with  the  Irish  Reformed  Presbyterians. 
 
 Mr  Thomson  died  on  20th  June  1871,  and  was  succeeded 
 by  the  Rev.  James  O.  Moore. 
 
 Statistics  of  congregation  for  1882 — Members,  about  180  ; 
 total  contributions,  £112,  8s.  Gd. 
 
 Glasgow,  East  Camphell  Street  (Burgher),  now  Free  Church. 
 
 Glasgow  is  a  city  in  Lanarkshire,  the  commercial  metro- 
 polis of  Scotland,  and  44  miles  west  from  Edinburgh. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  V,\9 
 
 This  congi-cgation  was  chiefly  formed  by  an  offshoot  of  (.)I<1 
 Lights  from  tlic  Associate  Coujrretration  of  Shuttle  Street,  of 
 which  the  Rev.  Alex.  Piric  was  then  minister,  who  afterwards 
 erected  for  themselves,  in  ISOO,  the  capacious  meeting-house, 
 oiiginally  containing  I  GOO  sittings,  hut  now  much  curtailed 
 internally,  and  known  as  East  Campbell  Street  Free  Church. 
 
 From  the  congregational  records,  it  appears  that  for  nearly 
 a  year  prior  to  the  separation  of  the  Old  Lights  from  the 
 Synod,  on  2nd  October  1799,  there  had  been  meetings  held 
 by  sympathisers,  doubtless  for  prayer  and  conference,  on  week- 
 day evenings.  The  place  of  rendezvous  was  the  Laigh  or  Tron 
 Kirk  Session  House. 
 
 As  they  were  in  the  habit  of  having  a  collection  at  all  their 
 meetings,  it  appears  that,  previous  to  9th  October  1799,  they 
 had  collected  £8,  8s.  Od.  ;  and  when,  in  response  to  their 
 application  to  the  Associate  Presbytery,  the  Rev.  Wm.  AVat- 
 son  preached  to  them  on  1  3th  October  following,  the  collec- 
 tion amounted  to  £\2,  15s.  Cd.  Their  place  of  meeting  was 
 originally  a  tent,  and  it  is  interesting  to  observe  among  the 
 items  of  expenditure  5s.  being  given  to  the  officer  or  beadle 
 for  setting  the  seats,  and  going  about  the  tent ;  whilst  from 
 the  Gorbals  officer  receiving  2s.  Gd.  for  attending  one  after- 
 noon at  the  tent,  &c.,  and  Is.  3d.  being  paid  for  bringing 
 "  tent  over  and  tolls,"'  it  is  not  unlikely  that  it  was  hired 
 from  Gorbals  Parish  Church  authorities.  Though,  however, 
 the  Established  Church  favoured  the  Old  Lights,  in  whose 
 views  they  sympathised  with  the  use  of  some  of  their  eccle- 
 siastical structures,  this  was  not  done  gratuitously,  since  Is.  Gd. 
 was  paid  every  time  the  Laigh  Kirk  Session  House  was  used 
 for  a  meeting,  and  two  guineas  were  given  for  the  tent.  The 
 Trades  Hall  was  next  used  by  the  congregation  as  their  place 
 of  worship  at  a  rent  of  £40  per  annum,  until  7th  December 
 1800,  when  the  church  in  East  Campbell  Street  was  opened. 
 This  was  done  by  the  Rev.  George  Hill,  of  Cumbernauld,  who 
 preached  at  the  regular  Sabbath  diets  of  worship,  when  the 
 collection  amounted  to  £9,  lOs.  cSd.  Previous  to  the  settle- 
 ment of  a  pastor,  the  fee  of  30s.  was  given  to  a  preacher  for 
 a  Sabbath's  services,  and  when  an  ordained  minister  officiated, 
 not  only  was  one  guinea  given  him,   but  the  preacher  who 
 
340  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 occupied  his  pulpit  during  liis  absence  was  paid  SOs.  The 
 horses  of  the  itinerant  preachers  were  properly  housed  at  the 
 expense  of  the  congregation,  and  the  preachers  themselves 
 were  boarded  with  an  aged  minister,  as  appears  from  the 
 treasurer's  statement  of  24th  July  1800,  "By  Rev.  John 
 Thomson,  for  keeping  ye  ministers,  £10." 
 
 The  first  supply  of  sermon  was  given  by  the  Rev.  Wm. 
 Watson,  of  Kilpatrick,  who  preached  on  the  second  Sabbath  of 
 October  1799  ;  and  that  the  nucleus  of  this  congregation  was 
 large  is  evident  from  the  report  given  to  the  Presbytery  on 
 7th  January  1800,  which  stated  543  as  the  number  of  their 
 membership. 
 
 On  the  21st  January  the  Rev.  William  Willis,  of 
 Greenock,  preached  and  presided  at  an  election  of  elders, 
 when  the  following  were  chosen,  viz.,  Messrs  Peter  Stewart, 
 John  Lockhart,  and  James  Morrison,  formerly  elders  of  the 
 body,  together  with  James  Leek,  Robert  Rattray,  William 
 Hill,  John  Stewart,  Archibald  Cassils,  George  Dennie,  and 
 James  Cowan. 
 
 On  the  third  Sabbath  of  the  following  April,  the  Rev. 
 William  Watson,  of  Craigs,  Kilpatrick,  accordingly  inducted 
 Messrs  Stewart,  Lockhart,  and  Morrison,  and  ordained  all  the 
 rest,  save  Messrs  Leek  and  Rattray,  to  the  eldership  in  the 
 congreg^ation. 
 
 On  27th  January  1801  the  congregation  applied  for  a 
 moderation,  offering  £180  as  stipend,  the  granting  of  which 
 petition  was  delayed  by  the  Presbytery  till  l7th  Mnrch,  when 
 the  Rev.  Wm.  Willis  was  appointed  to  preach  and  preside  on 
 the  14th  April.  The  call  was  for  the  Rev.  Wm.  Watson,  of 
 Craigs,  Kilpatrick,  and  was  subscribed  by  G57  members  and 
 112  adherents.  This  call,  however,  proved  abortive,  since 
 the  Presbytery,  on  30th  June,  refused  to  translate  Mr  Watson. 
 
 Another  moderation  having  been  granted  for  22nd  Decem- 
 ber, when  the  Rev.  George  Hill,  of  Cumbernauld,  was  ap- 
 pointed to  officiate,  the  Rev.  Wm.  Watson  was  again  chosen, 
 the  call  being  signed  in  all  by  G91  members  and  70  ad- 
 herents. On  23rd  February  1802,  the  Presbytery  agreed  to 
 translate  ]\Ir  Watson,  and  his  induction  was  appointed  to 
 take  place   on  the    23rd  March,    which  day  the   Presbytery 
 
STATISTICS  OF  C0X(;UK(;ATI0NS.  341 
 
 appointed  slioukl  be  observed  by  the  congregation  Jis  a  Fast 
 till  the  public  work  is  over. 
 
 First  ^Minister,  Rev.  William  Watson,  formerly  <»f  ('raigs, 
 Kilpatrick.  Imhicted  2.1rd  :March  1.S02,  wlien  the  Rev. 
 George  Hill,  of  Cumbernauld,  preached  from  Phil.  ii.  '29, 
 the  Rev.  William  Willis,  of  Greenock,  then  preached  the 
 admission  sermon  from  2  Cor.  v.  :^0,  i)ut  the  Questions  of  the 
 Formula,  and  addressed  pastor  and  jjeople. 
 
 On  3rd  November  1807,  the  Presbytery  of  Glasgow  "  nad 
 a  reference  from  the  Session,  bearing  that  Mr  William  Robi-rt- 
 son,  a  lay  member  of  the  congregation  of  Glasgow,  had  been 
 employing  himself  in  preaching  on  Sabbath  evenings  for  some 
 months  past.  The  Presbytery  unanimously  referred  the  case 
 to  the  Synod,  and  Mr  Robertson  was  summoned  apud  acta  to 
 attend  the  Synod  meeting." 
 
 :Mr  Watson  died  on  10th  March  1811,  in  the  fifty-fourth 
 year  of  his  age,  and  the  twenty-ninth  of  his  ministry,  and  the 
 Presbytery,  on  9th  April,  appointed  the  congregation  to  be 
 preached  vacant  on  Sabbath  first. 
 
 On  4th  February  1812,  the  congregation  petitioned  for  a 
 moderation,  stipend  offered  <£180,  with  £30  for  house  rent. 
 The  Rev.  Alex.  Brown,  of  Burntshields,  was  appointed  to 
 moderate  on  20th  inst.  The  call  was  for  the  Rev.  Robert 
 Aitken,  Kirkintilloch,  and  was  subscribed  by  744  members 
 and  42  adherents.  The  matter  was  referred  to  the  Synod, 
 and  meanwhile  the  Presbytery  appointed  the  Rev.  Alex. 
 Brown  to  dispense  the  Lord's  Supper  to  the  congregation  at 
 the  nsual  time  (viz.,  the  second  Sabbath  of  April),  when  they 
 also  appointed  the  Rev.  Messrs  Gardner,  Stewart,  Stark,  and 
 Jardine  to  assist. 
 
 The  Synod  having  declined  to  translate  Mr  Aitken,  the 
 congregation  again,  on  5th  January  1813,  applied  for  a 
 moderation,  the  stipend  to  be  what  was  formerly  offered,  when 
 the  Presbytery  appointed  the  Rev.  Finlay  Stewart,  of  Pollok- 
 shaws,  to  preach  and  preside  on  21st  inst.  The  call  was  fur 
 Mr  Alexander  Turnbull,  Probationer,  and  was  signed  by  1020 
 members  and  150  adherents,  but  as  Mr  Turnbull  had  also 
 been  called  to  Dundee,  the  matter  was  referred  to  the  Synod, 
 which  preferred  Glasgow. 
 
342  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  Alexander  Turnbull.  Ordained 
 14th  September  1813.  The  Eev.  John  Mackinlay,  of  Ren- 
 ton,  began  the  services  by  preaching  from  Psalms  cxxxii.  1 0  ; 
 the  Rev.  James  Gardner,  of  Kilpatrick,  delivered  the  ordina- 
 tion sermon  from  Heb.  xiii.  17,  offered  the  ordination  prayer, 
 and  thereafter  addressed  suitable  exhortations  to  pastor  and 
 people. 
 
 During  Mr  Turnbull's  ministry  the  congregation  increased 
 so  greatly  that  the  church  was  insufficient  to  contain  the 
 people,  and  hence  in  1819  the  Presbytery,  with  the  hearty 
 concurrence  of  the  Session,  sanctioned  the  disjunction  of  a 
 goodly  number  of  members  into  a  separate  charge,  afterwards 
 known  as  Renfield  Street  congregation. 
 
 Mr  Turnbull  died  31st  December  1833,  in  the  forty-third 
 year  of  his  age,  and  the  twenty-first  of  his  ministry,  and  was 
 buried  in  the  congregational  lair  in  the  Ramshorn  Burial 
 Ground,  Glasgow.  His  residence,  like  that  of  his  predecessor, 
 who  was  his  father-in-law,  was  in  Bellgrove  Street,  Glasgow, 
 but  the  house  has  now  been  removed. 
 
 On  16th  June  1834  the  congregation  applied  for  a  modera- 
 tion, offering  as  stipend  c£210,  together  with  sacramental  ex- 
 penses, when  the  Rev.  Finlay  Stewart  was  appointed  to  moderate 
 on  the  Tuesday  after  the  first  Sabbath  of  July  at  twelve  noon, 
 and  be  assisted  by  the  Rev.  James  Gardner.  The  call  was 
 for  the  Rev.  Peter  Currie,  of  Cumbernauld,  and  was  subscribed 
 by  660  members  and  113  adherents;  but  in  compliance 
 with  Mr  Currie's  request,  this  call  was  set  aside  by  the  Synod. 
 
 On  16th  June  1835  the  congregation  again  petitioned  for 
 a  moderation,  the  stipend  to  be  the  same  as  formerly  offered, 
 when  the  Rev.  William  Scott-Hay,  of  Bridge  of  Weir,  was  ap- 
 pointed to  moderate  on  the  Thursday  after  the  fourth  Sabbatli 
 of  June  current.  The  Rev.  Peter  Currie  was  again  elected, 
 and  the  call  was  subscribed  by  772  members  and  250 
 adherents. 
 
 Third  Minister — Rev.  Peter  Currie,  formerly  of  Cumber- 
 nauld. Inducted  6th  October  1835,  when  the  Rev,  John 
 Mackinlay,  of  Ronton,  began  the  services  by  preaching  from  1 
 Cor.  vii.  25,  last  clause  ;  the  Rev.  James  Gardner,  of  Kilpatrick, 
 then  preached  the  admission  sermon  from  Num.  xiv.    24,  put 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  343 
 
 the  Questions  of  Formula,  and  thereafter  aJth-essed  suitable 
 exhortatious  to  minister  and  conureixatiou. 
 
 On  14th  October  1S40  a  petition  from  the  Session  was 
 read  to  the  Presbytery,  stating  that  as  the  majority  of  the 
 congregation  had  voted  against  the  Session  recommending  the 
 adoption  of  measures  for  etfectiug  union  with  the  Church  of 
 Scotland,  the  Session  were  of  opinion  that  they  could  not  any 
 longer,  with  comfort  to  themselves,  or  for  the  edification  of 
 the  majority,  exercise  their  office  in  the  congregation,  and 
 craving  a  disjunction.  Another  paper  was  also  read  from  the 
 majority  of  the  congregation  acceding  to  the  petition  from  the 
 Session  craving  a  disjunction,  and  craving  a  regular  supply  of 
 sermon,  and  the  dispensation  of  the  sacrament  of  the  Lord's 
 Supper  at  the  usual  time.  The  Presbytery  having  by  a 
 majority  agreed  to  delay  the  matter  till  a  2^?'o  re  mda  meeting 
 of  the  S}Tiod  be  called,  the  Rev.  Finlay  Stewart,  of  Pollok- 
 shaws,  dissented,  and  the  Rev.  Peter  Currie,  of  Gla.sgow,  pro- 
 tested in  the  following  terms,  viz.,  "  Mr  Currie  in  his  own 
 name,  and  in  the  name  of  his  Session,  and  of  all  who  may 
 adhere  to  him,  protests  against  this  deed  of  Presbytery,  and 
 holds  himself  at  liberty  to  adopt  what  course  may  seem  in 
 Providence  called  on,  and  holds  himself  free  of  all  the  conse- 
 quences that  may  ensue." 
 
 On  27th  October  1840  application  was  made  for  the 
 Records  of  Session  which  were  now  in  possession  of  the  Rev. 
 Peter  Currie  and  those  adhering  to  him,  when  the  Presbytery 
 instructed  their  Clerk  to  attend  to  this  application,  and  report 
 at  a  future  meeting. 
 
 j\Ir  Currie,  the  Session,  and  a  number  of  members  having 
 separated  from  the  congregation,  united  with  the  Church  of 
 Scotland  on  4th  November  1840,  and  after  worshipping  tem- 
 porarily in  the  Trades  Hall,  and  a  church  in  Blackfriar's  Street, 
 founded  the  Stockwell  Street  Church,  where  Mr  Currie 
 laboured  till  his  death  on  30th  September  18.59,  in  the  sixty- 
 third  year  of  his  age,  and  the  thirty-ninth  year  of  his  ministry. 
 
 On  13th  April  1841  the  congregation  apphed  for  a 
 moderation,  stipend  offered  £1.50,  with  promise  of  increase. 
 The  Presbytery  appointed  Rev.  John  ^PKinlay,  of  Renton,  to 
 preach  and  preside  on  the  Thursday  after  the  fourth   Sabbath 
 
344  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 of  April.  The  congregation  called  the  Rev.  Adam  Ross,  of 
 Kennoway,  the  call  being  subscribed  by  302  members  and  60 
 adherents.  This  call  having  proved  abortive,  another  modera- 
 tion was  applied  for  on  24th  August,  and  granted,  with  the 
 result  that  on  27th  September  following,  a  call,  subscribed  by 
 283  members  and  84  adherents,  in  behalf  of  the  Rev.  Adam 
 Ross  was  again  sustained.  The  translation,  however,  was  not 
 effected. 
 
 In  May  1842,  along  with  the  remanent  Original  Burgher 
 Synod,  this  congregation  united  with  the  Original  Secession 
 Synod. 
 
 In  August  1842  the  Rev.  Robert  J.  Watt,  of  Stranraer, 
 was  elected  pastor,  stipend  offered  £160,  with  hope  of  in- 
 creasing it,  and  the  call  subscribed  by  300  members  and  100 
 adherents  ;  but  on  the  recommendation  of  the  Synod,  the  call 
 was  on  1.5th  September  withdrawn. 
 
 In  March  1843  the  Rev.  R.  J.  Watt  was  again  called  to 
 the  pastorate,  but  the  Synod,  at  his  request,  declined  to 
 translate  him  from  Stranraer.  The  congregation  then  gave  a 
 call,  signed  by  207  members  and  50  adherents,  to  Mr  John. 
 Clark,  Probationer,  which  was  accepted,  the  stipend  to  be 
 £130,  with  sacramental  expenses. 
 
 Fourth  Minister,  Rev.  John  Clark.  Ordained  14th  Sep- 
 tember 1843.  The  Rev.  William  Tannahill,  of  Kirkintilloch, 
 preached  from  2  Thess.  iii.  1,  and  presided,  and  the  Rev. 
 Clement  Moscrip,  of  Pollokshaws,  addressed  pastor  and  people. 
 
 A  contention  having  arisen  in  the  congregation,  the  minister 
 and  a  minority  of  the  people  withdrew,  and  Mr  Clark  demitted 
 his  charge  on  30th  March  1847. 
 
 On  14th  July  1847  the  Synod,  whilst  censuring  the  con- 
 duct of  the  majority  of  the  congregation,  who  continued  to 
 occupy  the  church,  agreed  to  give  them  supply  of  sermon. 
 
 The  congregation,  for  the  third  time,  on  26th  February 
 1848,  elected  the  Rev.  R.  J.  Watt  to  be  their  minister,  this 
 call  having  been  subscribed  by  200  members  and  73  adher- 
 ents, and  the  stipend  offered  being  £180,  together  with  £12 
 for  communion  expenses  ;  but  the  Synod,  on  3rd  May  1848, 
 again  declined  to  translate. 
 
 On    26th   September    1848,  application   was   made   for   a 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONCUEGATIONS.  345 
 
 nioderatiou,  StiiJcml  otVficil,  XI  .30,  together  with  I'  I  0  for  coni- 
 munion  expenses.  The  Rev.  David  Headrick  wa,s  appointed 
 to  preside  on  loth  October.  Tlie  Rev.  Joliu  D.  Paxton, 
 of  Kimemuir,  was  elected,  and  the  call  subscribed  by  IG.') 
 members  and  -yli  adherents.  The  Synod,  to  wiiich  the  case 
 was  referred,  continued  Mr  Paxton  at  Kirriemuir. 
 
 The  congregation  again,  on  2()th  February  1849,  appliid 
 for  a  moderation  on  the  same  terms  as  formerly  offered,  and 
 the  Rev.  D.  Headrick  was  appointed  to  officiate  on  IGth 
 March.  The  Rev.  J.  1).  Paxton  of  Kirriemuir  was  again 
 chosen,  and  on  the  case  being  carried  to  the  Synod,  that 
 court  agreed  to  his  translation. 
 
 Fifth  Minister,  Rev.  John  Duulop  Paxton,  formerly  oi' 
 Kirriemuir.  Inducted  23rd  May  1849,  when  the  Rev.  John 
 Blakely,  Kirkintilloch,  preached,  and  the  Rev.  (ieorge  Hill  of 
 Shottsburn  inducted  Mr  Paxton,  and  gave  suitable  addresses 
 to  minister  and  congregation. 
 
 Along  with  the  congregation  ]\rr  Paxton  united  with  the 
 Free  Church  of  Scotland  in  1852,  and  though  subsequently 
 called  to  Kirkintilloch,  Forfar,  and  Toronto,  he  remained  with 
 the  congregation,  till,  in  January  1858,  he  was  translated  to 
 Musselburgh  Free  Church,  where  he  laboured  till  his  death 
 on  10th  January  18G4,  in  the  forty-fourth  year  of  his  age, 
 and  the  eighteenth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Sixth  ]\Iinister,  Rev.  Wm.  Rossborough,  from  Rathfriland. 
 Inducted  5th  August  1858. 
 
 Seventh  Minister,  Rev.  David  Brown  from  Kimberley. 
 Inducted  as  colleague  lOtli  January  1882,  and  translated  to 
 Lyon  Street  Free  Church,  Glasgow,  21st  January  188G. 
 
 The  church,  which  was  frequently  the  meeting-place  of  the 
 Original  Burgher  Synod,  and  in  which  the  Disruption  of 
 Synod  in  1852  took  place,  is  externally  comparatively 
 untouched,  though  internally  it  has  been  greatly  abridged 
 and  improved. 
 
 The  Deacons'  Court  having  procured  a  new  set  of  com- 
 munion plate,  gifted,  in  1885,  the  communion  vessels  formerly 
 used  by  the  Seceders  to  the  Free  Church  Congregation  of 
 Landash. 
 
 Statistics  for  1884  :— Members,  350  ;  total  income,  £43!)  ; 
 stipend,  £3G2,  without  manse. 
 
346  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Glasgoiv,  Benjield  Street  {BiLvgher),  now  Renjield  Free 
 Church. 
 
 This  congregation  branched  from  that  of  East  Campbell 
 Street,  as  is  evident  from  the  following  statements  : — 
 
 On  13th  May  1819  the  Associate  Burgher  Presbytery  of 
 Glasgow  read  a  petition  from  a  number  of  persons  connected 
 with  East  Campbell  Street  Congregation,  requesting  sermon 
 in  another  place  of  worship,  as  they  could  not  get  seats  in 
 the  present  one,  while  they  were  unwilling  to  abandon  their 
 principles.  The  Presbytery,  after  hearing  the  commissioners, 
 unanimously  approved  of  the  sjiirit  of  the  petition,  and  the 
 Session's  conduct  in  this  business  ;  and  understanding  that 
 they  had  got  a  temporary  place  of  worship,  agreed  to  give 
 them  sermon  without  a  disjunction  till  next  meeting  of 
 Presbytery. 
 
 On  loth  June  1819  the  Presbytery  read  a  petition  from 
 eighty-three  persons,  all  members  in  full  communion  with  the 
 Associate  Congregation  of  East  Campbell  Street,  Glasgow, 
 stating  that  owing  to  the  overcrowded  state  of  the  congrega- 
 tion they  could  not  get  seats,  and  craving  a  disjunction  and 
 supply  of  sermon  as  a  distinct  congregation.  Bead  also  an 
 extract  from  the  minutes  of  the  Associate  Session  of  Glasgow, 
 transmitting  said  petition,  and  expressing  their  hearty  con- 
 currence in  it.  The  Presbytery  unanimously  granted  the  dis- 
 junction, and  agreed  to  receive  them  under  the  designation  of 
 the  Second  Associate  Congregation,  Glasgow. 
 
 The  first  meeting-place  of  the  congregation  was  in  the  Old 
 Grammar  School,  now  Andersonian  University,  East  George 
 Street,  from  which  they  shortly  afterwards  removed  to  the 
 church  in  North  Albion  Street,  vacated  by  the  congregation 
 of  the  Eev.  Dr  Wardlaw,  which  had  removed  to  the  building 
 now  occupied  as  offices  by  the  North  British  Eailway,  at  their 
 Queen  Street  terminus. 
 
 On  l7th  August  1819  they  petitioned  for  an  election  of 
 elders,  when  the  Eev.  Peter  Campbell,  of  Kilmarnock,  was 
 appointed  to  preside  at  an  election  to  be  made  on  2nd 
 September,  and  Messrs   James   Douglas,  John  Gleudinning, 
 
REN  FIELD  CHURCH 
 
 (Built  at  Hortk-tvest  center  of  Renfield  and  Gordon  Streeti,  in  iSij,  taiten  do^tm  in  /Sj6). 
 
 IV/tere  the  Original  Burgher  Synod  latterly  held  icvtral  of  it%  Meetings 
 
STATISTICS  UF  CUNCiULIei ATIONS.  347 
 
 John  Musliot,  Jolm  Scott,  and  George  Smellio  having  been 
 elected,  were  afterwards  dnly  constituted  into  a  Session. 
 
 On  11th  April  1820  the  congregation  applied  for  a 
 moderation,  offering  as  stipend  .£1G0,  with  £35  for  huusi' 
 rent,  and  £1.")  for  travelling  expenses.  Rev.  Alexander 
 TurnbuU  was  appointed  to  officiate  on  27th  April,  when  Mr 
 Michael  Willis,  M.A.,  Probationer,  then  in  the  twenty-first 
 year  of  his  age,  was  chosen,  and  the  call  subscribed  by  1  (i7 
 members  and  94  adherents. 
 
 A  second  disjunction  was  given  from  Campbell  Street 
 Congregation  to  members  desirous  of  joining  this  congregation 
 in  1820. 
 
 First  ^Minister,  Rev.  Michael  Willis,  M.A.,  from  Stirling, 
 of  which  his  father  was  minister.  Ordained  23rd  January 
 1821. 
 
 The  Rev.  John  Russell,  of  Kirkintilloch,  began  the  services 
 by  preaching  from  Ezekiel  iii.  17  ;  the  Rev.  Alex.  TurnbuU, 
 of  East  Campbell  Street,  then  preached  the  ordination  ser- 
 mon from  2  Cor.  ii.  14,  offered  the  ordination  prayer,  and 
 thereafter  gave  suitable  exhortations  to  pastor  and  congrega- 
 tion. 
 
 Under  the  ministry  of  Mr  Willis  the  congregation  so 
 prospered  that  it  w'us  soon  resolved  to  build  a  church  for 
 themselves,  and  a  site  was  obtained  at  the  west  corner  ot 
 Renfield  and  Gordon  Streets,  on  which,  at  a  cost  of  about 
 £2000,  a  church  containing  looO  sittings  was  erected,  and 
 there  the  congregation  worshipped,  till,  after  disposing  of  the 
 building  and  site  for  commercial  purposes,  they  in  1856 
 removed  to  their  jjresent  place  of  worship  in  Bath  Street, 
 called  Renfield  Free  Church. 
 
 On  loth  September  1835  the  Rev.  Mr  WiUis,  who  shortly 
 afterwards  received  the  degree  of  D.D.,  was  chosen  Professor  oi' 
 Theology  to  the  Synod,  but  still,  as  was  usual  in  the  Seces- 
 sion, he  retained  the  pastorate  of  his  congregation. 
 
 Dr  Willis  took  a  leading  part  in  urging  on  tlie  union  of 
 the  Original  Burgher  Synod  with  the  Church  of  Scotland, 
 which  took  place  in  1839,  and  in  1843,  with  his  whole 
 consrecration,  he  continued  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland. 
 Fortunately  they  were  not  disturbed  in  the  occupancy  of  their 
 
348  ANNALS  OF  OEIGINAL  SECESSION 
 
 place  of  worship  by  the  Disruption,  as  so  many  other  congrega- 
 tions were,  since,  through  the  caution  of  Dr  Willis,  a  clause 
 securing  the  church  to  the  congregation  was  inserted  in  the 
 deed  of  union  with  the  Establishment. 
 
 Dr  Willis  had  many  difficulties  to  contend  with  in  the 
 early  days  of  his  ministry.  The  congregation  was  poor,  and 
 occasionally  was  unable  to  pay  him  jounctually  his  full 
 stipend.  But  the  cheerfulness  with  which  he  stated  his 
 willingness  to  take  what  they  could  give  him,  and  await  their 
 ability  to  pa}^  him  all,  only  showed  more  clearly  his  attach- 
 ment to  his  people,  and  bound  him  more  closely  to  their 
 affections.  He  had  also  a  good  deal  of  trouble  with  many  of 
 the  older  members  of  his  congregation,  owing  to  the  stiffness 
 with  which  they  insisted  on  the  old  forms  and  customs  being 
 observed  in  worship,  and  their  intolerance  of  any  changes. 
 The  gown  was,  for  instance,  looked  on  with  great  dislike,  and 
 on  the  first  occasion  on  which  Dr  Willis  appeared  in  the 
 pulpit  with  it,  one  of  the  original  elders  left  the  church  with 
 his  family.  When  a  paraphrase  was  given  out,  it  was 
 invariably  followed  by  the  Bibles  of  a  few  old  people  being 
 closed  violently.  Dr  Willis  was  minister  of  this  congregation 
 for  twenty-seven  years,  and  when  in  November  1847  he 
 removed  to  Toronto,  Canada,  to  become  a  Theological  Pro- 
 fessor in  Knox's  College,  he  left  a  congregation  very  warmly 
 attached  to  him,  and  each  member  felt  that  they  were  losing 
 a  personal  friend. 
 
 After  acting  as  Professor  of  Divinity  and  Principal  of  the 
 Knox  College  from  1847  to  1871,  Dr  Willis  retired  to 
 London,  and  expired  suddenly  at  Aberlour,  Banffshire,  on  the 
 19th  August  1879,  in  the  eighty-first  year  of  his  age  and  the 
 fifty-ninth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 The  congregation  has  since  been  ministered  to  successively 
 by  the  Rev.  John  Bonar  and  the  Rev.  Duncan  M'Nab,  and  is 
 now  presided  over  by  the  Rev.  Dr  Marcus  Dods. 
 
 Statistics  for  1884: — Members,  605;  adherents,  150; 
 average  attendance,  650;  total  raised,  £2756;  stipend, 
 £800. 
 
STATISTICS  UF  (  ONCKKOATIONS.  349 
 
 Glri!*gou\  Mains  Street  (Constitutional),  n<nv  United 
 Original  Secession  Church. 
 
 This  congregation  ^Ya.s  formed  by  some  members  of  the 
 Duke  Street  and  Cheapside  Street  congregations,  among 
 whom  was  the  Rev.  John  Tunibull,  formerly  Secession 
 minister  at  Ayton,  but  then  a  teacher  of  languages  in 
 Glasgow.  His  class-room  in  Havanna  Street  was  for  a  period 
 their  place  of  meeting.  Their  number  was  always  small,  and 
 they  never  had  a  stated  pastor. 
 
 During  1807,  whenever  supply  of  preaching  could  be  had 
 from  any  of  the  ministers  of  the  Constitutional  Presbytery,  the 
 nucleus  of  this  congregation  rented  the  Trades'  Hall,  and  in 
 that  place  accordingly  there  was  sometimes  preaching  during 
 two,  and  occasionally  during  three.  Sabbaths  in  a  month. 
 
 The  consfre^ation  was  constituted  in  1808.  The  Rev. 
 Robert  Chalmers,  of  Haddington,  preached  on  14th  February, 
 and  moderated  in  an  election  of  elders,  when  Dr  James  Steel 
 and  William  Struthers  (both  formerly  in  the  office  of  elder- 
 ship), Alexander  Miller,  Walter  Hamilton,  and  John  Gardiner 
 were  unanimously  chosen.  Their  ordination  (with  the  excep- 
 tion of  J.  Gardiner,  who  declined  office)  took  place  on  8th 
 June  1808,  when  the  Rev.  Thomas  M'Crie,  of  Edinburgh, 
 presided  and  preached  from  Ps.  l.Kxvi.  11. 
 
 In  1820  another  party  or  congregation  was  formed  by 
 those  members  of  the  Antiburgher  Secession  who  disapproved 
 of  the  union  that  took  place  betwixt  the  New  Light  Burgher 
 and  Antiburgher  Synods  in  that  year.  This  party  of  seceders 
 was  also  small,  and  regarding  them  it  is  recorded  that,  on 
 15th  November  182G,  "the  Synod  of  Protesters  proceeded 
 to  consider  a  petition  which  was  laid  upon  their  table  from 
 one  of  their  friends  in  Glasgow,  stating  the  condition  of 
 those  adhering  to  the  Synod  in  tliat  place,  and  from  their 
 circumstances  craving  some  pecuniary  aid.  After  consider- 
 ing the  case,  the  Synod  agreed  to  recommend  to  the 
 members  of  court  that  the  sum  required  be  made  up  as 
 soon  as  possible,  in  whatever  manner  each  member  shall 
 find  most  convenient.  That  this  be  intimated  to  our  friends 
 in  Glasgow,  informing  them   that  the  Synod  deeply  sympa- 
 
350  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 thise  with  them  in  their  present  circumstances,  and  that 
 they  strongly  recommend  them  to  sell  the  property  at  the 
 earliest  opportunity,  Mr  Paxton  was  appointed  to  com- 
 municate the  above  to  our  friends  in  Glasgow." 
 
 By  the  union  of  the  Synod  of  Protesters  with  the  Constitu- 
 tional Presbytery,  the  parties  who  represented  these  bodies  in 
 Glasgow  were  combined,  and  acquired  as  their  place  of 
 worship  an  old  building  in  M'Alpine  Street,  which  had 
 formerly  been  used  as  a  Lancasterian  School.  This  meeting- 
 house, however,  was  afterwards  sold,  and  is  now  used  as  a 
 store,  and  the  congregation  for  several  years  met  in  different 
 halls,  among  which  were  the  Andersonian  University,  East 
 George  Street,  and  the  Mechanics'  Institution,  North  Hanover 
 Street. 
 
 In  the  year  1837,  however,  a  church  was  erected  by  the 
 congregation  at  the  north-western  corner  of  Mains  and  Holm 
 Streets,  Anderston,  in  which  they  worshipped  for  over  forty 
 years.  This  building  was  removed  in  1881,  and  an 
 improved  and  more  capacious  church  now  occupies  the  same 
 .site. 
 
 On  17th  January  1810  the  congregation  petitioned  for  a 
 moderation,  with  the  view  of  calling  one  to  be  their  minister, 
 which  petition  the  Presbytery  granted,  whilst  at  the  same 
 time  they  reserved  to  themselves  the  liberty  of  conversing 
 with  the  congregation  of  Glasgow  respecting  the  sum  offered 
 by  them  for  supporting  the  gospel,  and  do  not  pledge  them- 
 selves to  proceed  to  a  settlement  there  on  what  is  presently 
 offered.  The  Rev.  Professor  Bruce,  of  Whitburn,  was  then 
 appointed  to  preach  in  Glasgow  on  the  third  Sabbath  of 
 March,  and  moderate  in  a  call  on  any  convenient  day  that 
 week. 
 
 On  15th  May  following  the  Rev.  Professor  Bruce  reported 
 a  call  from  Glasgow  congregation  to  Mr  John  Aitken, 
 Probationer,  subscribed  by  seventeen  men,  and  an  adherence 
 paper  subscribed  by  five  men,  all  in  full  communion,  with 
 another  paper  subscribed  by  four  men,  not  in  full  communion. 
 As,  however,  the  congregations  of  Aberdeen  and  Kelso  had 
 also  called  Mr  Aitken,  the  matter  was  seriously  considered 
 by  the  Presbytery,  who  ultimately  decided  in  favour  of 
 Aberdeen. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGUEGATIOXS.  351 
 
 On  12th  May  1  s  1  t  the  Presbytery  rccommerKkd  the  Rev. 
 John  Turnbnll,  if  recovered  from  distress,  to  preach  as  often 
 at  Glasgow  as  he  can. 
 
 That  the  party  connected  with  the  Constitutional  Presbytery 
 was  becoming  very  feeble  appears  from  a  paper  which  they 
 sent  to  the  Presbytery  on  8th  May  1819,  in  whicli  they  state 
 that  they  had  given  up  their  place  of  worship,  but  at  the 
 same  time  petitioned  that  a  minister  miglit  be  sent  them  to 
 preach  on  the  third  Sabbath  of  May,  and  baptize  a  child. 
 Just  at  the  time,  however,  when  the  prospects  of  the  Con- 
 stitutional party  in  Glasgow  were  becoming  very  gloomy 
 a  brightening  beam  cheered  their  horizon  in  18  20,  by  the 
 springing  up  of  a  party  of  Antiburghers,  who  protested 
 against  the  union  of  the  General  Associate  (Antiburgher)  ami 
 the  Associate  (Burgher)  Synods,  which  had  been  consummated 
 that  year. 
 
 This  new  Protesting  party  appears  to  have  been  supported 
 to  some  extent  by  the  now  much  enfeebled  Constitutionalists, 
 since  on  18th  May  1822  Adam  Ferguson  and  others  applied 
 to  the  Synod  of  Protesters  for  sermon.  And  though,  as  stated 
 above,  they  were  in  the  year  1826  greatly  discouraged,  yet 
 in  the  following  year  after  the  union  of  tlie  Synod  of  Protesters 
 with  the  Constitutional  Presbytery,  they  were  so  cheered  by 
 symptoms  of  prosperity  as  to  use  efforts  for  the  calling  of  a 
 minister.  Hence  on  2Gtli  December  1827  the  now  combined 
 congregations  petitioned  the  Presbytery  for  a  moderation  to 
 call  a  pastor.  '•'  The  commissioner  (Mr  Scott)  stated  that 
 the  congregation  propose  as  pecuniary  support  the  sum  of 
 £100  for  the  first  year,  with  board  and  lodgings  to  the 
 minister  for  the  first  three  months,  that  he  may  have  time  to 
 look  out  for  a  proper  situation,  at  the  same  time  adding  that 
 the  congregation  were  satisfied  that  this  was  inadequate  as  a 
 permanent  stipend  for  a  minister  in  Glasgow,  and  that  they 
 entertained  good  hopes  that  they  would  be  able,  and  were 
 resolved  according  to  their  ability  to  increase  it." 
 
 "  After  deliberating  on  the  subject  the  Presbytery  agreed 
 to  grant  the  prayer  of  the  petition,  and  accordingly  appoint 
 Rev.  Robt.  Shaw,  of  Whitburn,  to  moderate  in  a  call  in 
 Glasgow  congregation  on  Tuesday  1st  January  1828,  to  preach 
 
352  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 there  on  the  Sabbath  preceding,  and  previously  to  meet  vvitli 
 the  two  elders  and  constitute  the  Session,  to  admit  members, 
 or  do  any  other  competent  business." 
 
 The  call  "was  for  Mr  IMatthew  Murray,  Probationer,  and 
 was  subscribed  by  seventeen  members,  but  a  paper  of 
 adherence  was  also  produced,  signed  by  seventy  persons,  of 
 whom  fourteen  were  members  in  full  communion.  As  Mr 
 Murray  had  been  also  called  by  the  congregations  at  Pitcairn- 
 o-reen,  Coupar- Angus,  and  Clola,  the  matter  was  referred  to  the 
 Synod,  which  preferred  Glasgow,  and  so  on  18th  June  1828 
 he  formally  accepted  the  call  from  that  congregation. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  Matthew  Murray,  from  North  Berwick, 
 of  which  his  father  had  been  parish  minister.  Ordained  11th 
 November  1828,  when  Rev.  Professor  Paxton,  of  Edinburgh, 
 preached  from  Rev.  xiv.  G,  and  presided.  The  Rev.  Dr 
 M'Crie,  sen.,  of  Edinburgh,  addressed  pastor  and  congregation, 
 and  the  Rev.  Robert  Shaw,  of  Whitburn,  closed  the  service  by 
 preaching  from  Col.  i.  7.  The  Rev.  Messrs  Stevenson  of  Ayr, 
 Smith  of  Kilwinning,  and  M'Derment  of  Auchinleck,  having 
 been  present,  were  associated  with  the  Presbytery  on  the 
 occasion. 
 
 Having  petitioned  for  aid  in  building  a  meeting  house,  the 
 Synod,  on  18th  May  183G,  appointed  £20  to  be  given  to  this 
 congregation  for  that  purpose. 
 
 In  1842,  along  with  the  congregation,  Mr  Murray  united 
 with  the  remanent  Synod  of  Original  Burghers,  and 
 in  1852  both  they  and  he  dechned  uniting  with  the  Free 
 Church  of  Scotland.  From  the  latter  date  till  his  death,  Mr 
 Murray  held  the  ofhce  of  Theological  Professor  to  the  remanent 
 Synod.  In  18 08  he  had  the  degree  of  D.D.  conferred  on 
 him  by  the  Glasgow  University.  He  died  on  2nd  May  1S7G, 
 in  the  seventy-second  year  of  his  age,  and  forty-eighth  of  his 
 ministry.  Two  years  prior  to  his  decease  the  Rev.  Wm.  F. 
 Aitken,  M.A.,  of  Midholm,  who  now  ministers  to  the  con- 
 o-reseation,  was  inducted  as  his  colleague. 
 
 Statistics  for  1884  : — Members,  253  ;  adherents,  43  ;  total 
 income,  £531  ;  stipend,  £305,  without  a  manse  ;  average 
 contribution  per  member,  £2,  2s. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  353 
 
 GralliKjk  or  BaUymofjra,  Ireland  {Burr/her). 
 
 It  was  reported  to  the  Original  Burgher  Synod  on  30th 
 September  lNo4,  that  the  Presbytery  of  Down  had  ordained 
 Mr  James  Patterson  minister  of  this  congregation,  and  his 
 name,  and  that  of  Mr  James  Little,  ruling  elder,  had  been 
 added  to  the  roll  of  Presbytery,  and  it  was  again  reported  to 
 the  Synod,  on  2Gth  September  1837,  that  the  Rev.  James 
 Patterson  had  demitted  to  the  Presbytery  of  Down  his  charge 
 at  Grallagh. 
 
 Greenlaw  (BiLrgher),  noiv  in  Free  Church. 
 
 Greenlaw  is  a  burgh  in  Berwickshire,  about  37  miles  south- 
 east from  Edinburgh,  and  20  west  from  Berwick. 
 
 This  congregation  acceded  to  the  Original  Burgher  Pres- 
 bytery on  17th  July  1800,  the  Rev.  George  Moscrip  having 
 preached  to  the  people  there  on  the  fourth  Sabbath  of  the 
 preceding  June. 
 
 Having  petitioned  for  an  election  of  elders,  the  Presbytery 
 appointed  an  election  to  take  place  on  22nd  March  1803, 
 and  that  the  Rev.  Robert  Shirra,  of  Yetholm,  shall  preach 
 and  preside  on  the  occasion.  Messrs  John  Charters,  Thomas 
 Stobo,  Robert  Lauder,  Thomas  Hume,  and  William  Nisbet 
 were  then  elected,  and  their  edict  having  been  afterwards 
 .served,  and  no  objections  offered,  they  were  appointed  by  the 
 Presbytery  to  be  ordained  to  the  eldership  on  the  first 
 Sabbath  of  July  following  by  the  Rev.  Robert  Shirra. 
 
 On  29th  November   1803  the  congregation  applied  for  a 
 moderation,  stipend  offered  £Go  and  a  house,  which   modera 
 tion  was  granted  for   15th  December,  the  Rev.  R.  Shirra  to 
 officiate. 
 
 The  call  was  for  Mr  John  Inglis,  Probationer,  and  was 
 subscribed  by  si.xty-eight  members. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  John  Inglis.  Ordained  31st  October 
 1804.  The  Rev.  Wm.  Graham,  of  Carluke,  began  the 
 service  by  preaching  from  1  Cor.  iv.  17,  the  liev.  Robert 
 Shirra  preached  the  ordination  sermon  from  2  Cor.  iv.  5,  and 
 after  the  ordination  addressed  minister  and  congregation. 
 
 z 
 
854  ANNALS  OF  OEIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 On  23rd  December  ISOG,  Mr  Ingiis  having  been  called  to 
 Dalkeith,  the  matter  was  referred  to  the  Synod,  which 
 declined  to  translate. 
 
 On  13th  October  1818  a  complaint  was  made  to  the 
 Presbytery  that  the  Session  did  not  pay  to  their  pastor  the 
 stipend  that  had  been  promised,  when  the  Presbytery  re- 
 quested that  the  last  receipt  given  for  stipend  should  be  laid 
 on  their  table. 
 
 On  9th  May  1820  the  congregation  applied  to  the  Presby- 
 tery for  pecuniary  aid,  and  on  Gth  March  1821  a  letter  from 
 the  elders  and  managers  of  the  congregation  was  read  to  the 
 Presbytery,  from  which  it  appeared  that  at  present  they  have 
 about  seventy  communicants  ;  that  the  average  sum  of  their 
 weekly  collections  is  about  twelve  shillings ;  that  they  let 
 about  seventy  seats,  the  average  of  which  is  seven  shillings 
 per  annum ;  that  the  total  income  of  the  congregation  is 
 about  £5G,  14s.;  that  they  have  settled  with  their  minister 
 up  to  the  10th  October  last,  and  that  they  are  making 
 exertions  according  to  their  ability  to  liquidate  debt  con- 
 tracted by  repairing  their  church. 
 
 On  9th  April  1821  the  Rev.  John  Ingiis  confirmed  the 
 above  report,  and  added  that  whilst  the  membership  was 
 sixty  at  his  ordination  sixteen  years  before,  it  was  now 
 seventy,  together  with  eighty  examinable  persons.  The  total 
 annual  income  was  about  £G7,  6s.  per  annum,  and  it  was 
 also  learned  that  the  meeting  house  is  the  property  of  the 
 minister. 
 
 The  Rev.  John  Ingiis  died  in  the  beginning  of  the  winter 
 of  1832. 
 
 On  loth  January  1833  the  Presbytery  agreed  that,  in 
 consequence  of  the  pecuniary  difficulties  of  this  congregation, 
 they  shall  be  allowed  to  pay  the  probationers  with  twelve 
 instead  of  fifteen  shillings  each  Sabbath,  until  their  circum- 
 stances assumed  a  more  favourable  aspect. 
 
 On  10th  September  1833  the  congregation  applied  for  a 
 moderation.  Total  stipend  offered  <£60,  with  the  promise 
 that  they  shall  willingly  add  to  it  when  circumstances  assume 
 a  more  prosperous  appearance.  This  was  granted,  one 
 minister  dissenting  on  the  ground  that  the  stipend  was  too 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  355 
 
 small  to  meoi  a  minister's  expenditure,  and  the  Rev.  David 
 Headrick,  of  Longridgo,  was  appointeil  to  moderate  on  tin.- 
 Friday  after  the  fourth  Sabbath  of  the  month.  The  call  was 
 for  Mr  James  Stark,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed  by  forty- 
 five  members  and  forty  adherents,  but  as  he  had  also  been 
 called  to  Falkland  and  Greenock,  the  matter  was  referred  to 
 the  Synod,  which  preferred  the  last  named  congregation. 
 
 On  28th  November  1833  the  congregation  again  petitioned 
 for  a  moderation,  offering  £G5  as  stipend,  when  the  Rev, 
 Robert  Lindsay,  of  Dalkeith,  was  appointed  to  officiate  on 
 Thursday  after  the  second  Sabbath  of  December.  The  call 
 was  for  Mr  James  Young,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed  by 
 forty-three  members  and  fifteen  adherents,  but  as  he  had  also 
 been  called  to  Garvagh,  Ireland,  the  matter  was  referred  to 
 the  Synod,  which,  on  14th  May  1834,  preferred  Greenlaw. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  James  Young,  ordained  3rd  June 
 1834.  The  Rev.  David  Headrick  of  Loufaidcje,  berjan  the 
 services  by  preaching  from  Ps.  cxxii.  9,  the  Rev.  Andrew 
 Mackenzie,  of  Edinburgh,  delivered  the  ordination  sermon 
 irom  Acts  xvi.  17,  offered  the  ordination  prayer,  and  there- 
 after gave-  suitable  exhortations  to  pastor  and  congregation. 
 Mr  Young  having  retired  and  constituted  the  session,  Mr 
 Robert  Lauder  was  returned  as  representative  elder,  and  his 
 name  was  added  to  the  Roll  of  Presbytery. 
 
 Along  with  his  congregation  ]Mr  Young  united  with  the 
 Church  of  Scotland,  and  shortly  after  the  uniun  he  demitted 
 his  charge,  and  emigrated  in  1841  to  Berbice,  and  on  return- 
 ing to  Scotland  in  1844  eventually  made  his  residence  at 
 Broughty  Ferry.  At  tlie  Disruption  of  1843  the  members  of 
 this  congregation  united  with  those  parishioners  who  formed 
 the  Free  Church  congregation  of  Greenlaw,  who,  having 
 rebuilt  the  Old  Light  Church,  now  occupy  it  as  their  place  of 
 worship. 
 
 Greenock  {Bargher),  now  Well  Park  Free  Church. 
 
 Greenock  is  a  seaport  in  Renfrewshire,  about  22  miles  west 
 from  Glasgow,  and  15  west  from  Paisley. 
 
 This  congregation  was  originally  a  part  of  the  syndicate  of 
 
356  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 congregations  known  as  the  Correspondence  of  Kilmalcolm. 
 Along  with  the  congregation  of  Burntshields,  with  which  it 
 was  united,  it  had  as  its 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  John  M'Ara,  ordained  12th  Septem- 
 ber 1744,  and  who  for  eight  years  preached  alternately  at 
 Bm-ntshields  and  Greenock.  In  1752,  however,  the  congre- 
 gations were  disjoined  by  the  Presbytery,  and  whilst  Mr 
 M'Ara  continued  at  Burntshields,  the  Greenock  congregation 
 called  Mr  D.  Cock,  Probationer. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  Daniel  Cock.  Ordained  25th  March 
 1752  ;  missioned  by  the  Synod  to  America,  1769  ;  became 
 minister  of  a  congregation  in  Truro,  Nova  Scotia,  3rd  ]March 
 1771  ;  and  died  there  l7th  March  1805,  in  the  eighty-eighth 
 year  of  his  age,  and  the  fifty-third  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Third  Minister,  Rev.  Wm.  Richardson.  Ordained  11th 
 March  1773,  and  died  in  March  1780,  in  the  seventh  year 
 of  his  ministry. 
 
 Fourth  Minister,  Rev.  Wm.  Willis.  Ordained  16th 
 August  1780.  Was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Original 
 Burgher  Presbytery  in  1799,  and  was  chosen  Professor  of 
 Theology  to  their  students  on  17th  June  1800. 
 
 On  2nd  September  1801  Mr  Willis  was  called  to  Stirling, 
 but  the  Presbytery,  on  25th  November  following,  declined  to 
 translate  him.  The  Stirling  congregation  having  again,  on 
 4th  February  1802,  called  Mr  Willis,  the  Presbytery,  on 
 27th  April,  agreed  to  the  translation,  and  appointed  the 
 Greenock  congregation  to  be  declared  vacant  by  the  Rev. 
 Wm.  Taylor,  of  Levenside,  on  the  fourth  Sabbath  of  May. 
 
 On  3rd  August  1802,  the  congregation  applied  for  a 
 moderation  ;  stipend  offered,  £80,  and  £12  for  house-rent. 
 The  Rev.  Wm.  Taylor  was  appointed  to  moderate  on  24tli 
 August.  The  call  was  for  Mr  George  Moscrip,  Probationer, 
 and  was  subscribed  by  201  members  and  94  adherents. 
 
 Fifth  Minister,  Rev.  George  Moscrip.  Ordained  24  th 
 November  1802,  when  the  Rev.  Patrick  Connal  of  Bathgate 
 opened  the  service  by  preaching  from  Eph.  iii.  8  ;  the  Rev. 
 Wm.  Willis  of  Stirling  then  preached  from  Acts  xxvi.  16, 
 and  after  the  ordination  addressed  pastor  and  people. 
 
 On  11th  June  1833  the  congregation  applied  for  a  supply 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  357 
 
 of  preachers  with  the  view  ul'  having  a  colleague  to  Mr  Mos- 
 crip,  their  present  minister,  which  was  granted. 
 
 On  3rd  September  1833  application  was  made  for  a 
 moderation  for  a  colleague,  the  stipend  to  the  junior  colleague 
 to  be  £80,  but  when  he  succeeds  to  the  whole  charge,  the 
 stipend  to  be  £150,  with  travelling  expenses  ;  and  the  stipend 
 to  the  senior  colleague  to  be  as  originally  promised,  viz., 
 £80,  and  £12  for  house-rent.  The  Rev.  Jas.  Gardner,  of 
 Kilpatrick,  was  appointed  to  moderate,  assisted  by  the  Rev. 
 Finlay  iStewart  of  Pollokshaws,  on  the  Thursday  after  the 
 third  Sabbath  of  September  1833.  The  call  was  for  Mr 
 James  Stark,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed  by  242 
 members  and  99  adherents  ;  but  as  Mr  Stark  was  under  call 
 to  two  other  congregations,  viz.,  Falkland  and  Greenlaw,  the 
 matter  was  referred  to  the  Synod,  which  preferred  Greenock. 
 
 Sixth  Minister,  Rev.  James  Stark.  Ordained  as  colleague 
 to  Mr  Moscrip,  22nd  January  1834.  The  Rev.  Jas.  Cleland, 
 of  Stewarton,  began  the  services  by  preaching  from  Isaiah  xi. 
 10  ;  the  Rev.  Jas.  Mushet,  of  Dairy,  delivered  the  ordination 
 sermon  from  Isaiah  Ixii.  G,  7,  and  after  the  ordination  ad- 
 dressed suitable  exhortations  to  the  minister  and  congregatiou. 
 
 On  27th  October  1835,  the  Presbytery  appointed  that 
 several  of  the  minutes  of  the  Session  Record  be  amended. 
 ]\Ir  Moscrip  the  senior  colleague  died  21st  September  1838, 
 in  the  thirty-sixth  year  of  his  ministry,  and  Mr  Stark 
 succeeded  to  the  full  charge  of  the  congregation. 
 
 Along  with  the  congTegation  Mr  Stark  united  with  the 
 Church  of  Scotland  in  1839,  and  continued  with  the  Free 
 Church  of  Scotland  after  the  Disruption  of  1843.  In  1854 
 the  congregation  removed  to  the  church  which  they  had 
 erected  in  Well  I'ark,  and  in  1873  Mr  Stark,  owing  to  infirm 
 health,  obtained  the  Rev.  ]\Iatthew  Reid,  M.A.,  B.D.,  the 
 present  incumbent,  as  colleague,  and  retired  to  Gourock. 
 
 Statistics  for  1884  : — Members,  399  ;  adherents,  GO;  average 
 attendance,  320  ;  total  raised  £5C0 ;  stipend,  £375  with  manse. 
 
 Haddington  (Constitutional),  now  extinct. 
 
 Haddington  is  the  county-town  of  East  Lothian,  and  is 
 about  17  miles  east  from  Edinburgh,  and  38  north-west  from 
 Berwick-upon-Tweed. 
 
*^58  ANNALS  OF  OEIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 This  congregation  was  origiuated  in  October  1737  by  one 
 of  a  number  of  praying  societies  which  were  designated  "  the 
 Correspondence  of  East  Lothian."  The  meeting-place  was  in 
 the  open  air  during  summer,  and  in  some  barn  during  winter, 
 till,  in  1743,  they  took  possession  of  a  place  of  worship  they 
 had  just  erected. 
 
 First  Minister,  Eev.  Eobert  Archibald.  Ordained  19th 
 September  1744.  Having,  along  with  the  minority  of  the 
 congregation  adhered  at  the  Breach  of  1747  to  the  General 
 Associate,  or  Antiburgher  Synod,  Mr  Archibald  was  deprived 
 of  his  church,  and  had  for  a  time  to  worship  in  the  open  air. 
 In  1752,  however,  the  congregation  bought  a  malt  barn,  and 
 fitted  it  up  as  a  church,  to  contain  385  sittings,  and  to  this 
 building  the  congregation  eventually  removed. 
 
 Mr  Archibald  died  in  1762,  in  the  fifty-eighth  year  of  his 
 age,  and  the  nineteenth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Eev.  Laurence  Wotherspoon.  Ordained 
 10th  July  177G,  and  died  in  1779,  in  the  thirty-seventh 
 year  of  his  age,  and  the  thirteenth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Third  Minister,  Eev.  Eobert  Chalmers.  Ordained  l7th 
 August  1780. 
 
 Having,  along  with  the  majority  of  the  congregation,  refused 
 to  accept  the  Narrative  and  Testimony  as  a  term  of  com- 
 munion, Mr  Chalmers  united  with  the  Constitutional  Presby- 
 tery in  1806,  and  in  consequence,  he  and  his  adherents  were 
 subjected  to  a  law  plea  for  the  church  property,  which 
 ultimately  resulted  in  their  retaining  it  on  payment  of  £350 
 to  the  minority,  who  withdrew  to  another  place  of  worship. 
 
 On  26ch  August  1834  the  congregation  petitioned  for  a 
 moderation  in  a  call  for  one  to  act  as  colleague  and  successor 
 to  Mr  Chalmers,  stipend  offered  £70,  whilst  the  senior 
 colleague  shall  have  the  same  sum,  besides  house  and  garden  ; 
 and  in  the  event  of  there  being  only  one  minister,  the  stipend 
 shall  be  £100,  together  with  the  manse  and  garden  as  at 
 present.  The  moderation  was  appointed  to  take  place  on 
 Tuesday,  9th  September,  the  Eev.  Thomas  Gray,  of  Kirk- 
 caldy, to  officiate.  The  call  was  for  Mr  William  White, 
 Probationer,  and  Avas  subscribed  in  all  by  105  members  and 
 56  adherents. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  ^5!) 
 
 Fourth  Minister,  Rov.  William  White.  Ordained  1st  July 
 1835,  when  the  Rev.  Archibald  Brown,  A.l\[.,  of  Leslie, 
 preached  from  Matt,  xxviii.  20,  and  presided  ;  the  Rev.  Dr 
 M'Crie,  of  Edinburgh,  addressed  minister  and  congregation  ; 
 and  the  service  Avas  closed  by  the  Rev.  Robert  Shaw,  of 
 Whitbnrn,  preaching  from  1  Cor.  iii.  7. 
 
 Mr  Chalmers  died  29th  December  1837,  in  the  fifty- 
 eighth  year  of  his  ministry,  leaving  Mr  White  in  full  charge 
 of  the  congregation. 
 
 In  February  1838  Mr  White  was  called  to  Kirkcaldy,  and 
 though  desirous  of  accepting  said  call,  the  Synod,  on  4tli  May 
 following,  declined  to  translate  him. 
 
 In  1849  the  church  was  taken  down,  and  a  new  one 
 containing  300  sittings  was  erected  on  its  site,  which  was 
 opened  on  17th  February  1850. 
 
 In  1852,  alons:  with  the  congregation,  Mr  White  united 
 with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  and  remained  in  that 
 communion  till  his  death  on  13th  October  1871,  in  the 
 sixtieth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  thirty-seventh  year  of  his 
 ministry. 
 
 After  Mr  White's  decease  an  attempt  was  made  to  have 
 another  minister  settled,  which  did  not  succeed.  In  1873 
 the  church  was  discontinued  as  a  pastoral  charge  and  erected 
 into  a  preaching  station  under  the  charge  of  the  Presbytery. 
 The  station  was  at  length  discontinued  in  1876  (the  last 
 minute  of  congregation  bearing  date  l7th  September),  and 
 the  congregation  dispersed.  The  church,  which  is  in  imme- 
 diate proximity  to  St  John's  Free  Church,  was  thus  altogether 
 closed.  At  the  union  with  the  Free  Church  in  1852  no 
 alteration  had  been  made  in  the  title-deeds,  nor  had  they 
 been  given  up  to  the  Presbytery,  but  remained  in  the 
 possession  of  the  members  of  the  congregation.  Some  of 
 these  were  dissatisfied  with  the  procedure  which  had  resulted 
 in  the  closing  of  the  church,  and  retained  the  property,  till  in 
 1881  they  disposed  of  the  church  and  manse  to  the  Town 
 Council  for  a  sum  of  money  which  they  divided  amongst 
 themselves.  The  church  has  now  been  converted  into  a 
 public  library  and  reading-room  for  the  community. 
 
•300  AKNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Helensburgh  (Burgher),  noiu  Free  West  Church. 
 
 Helensburgh  is  a  town  in  Dumbartonshire,  on  the  opposite 
 bank  of  the  Clyde  from  Greenock,  and  23  miles  west-north- 
 west from  Glasgow. 
 
 The  first  supply  of  sermon  was  given  to  this  congregation 
 on  the  second  Sabbath  of  June  1822  ;  and  the  people  having 
 applied  for  an  election  of  elders,  the  Presbytery,  on  9th 
 November  1824,  appointed  the  Rev.  George  Moscrip,  of 
 Greenock,  to  examine  those  who  wish  to  connect  themselves 
 with  the  congregation  previous  to  the  election,  and  report  at 
 next  meeting. 
 
 On  19th  January  1825  the  Presbytery  appointed  the  Rev. 
 John  Mackinlay,  of  Ronton,  to  preside  at  an  election  of 
 elders  to  be  made  on  the  Monday  after  the  third  Sabbath  of 
 March  1825. 
 
 On  13th  May  following  it  was  reported  to  the  Presbytery 
 that  Messrs  Henry  Colquhoun,  James  Breingan,  Archibald 
 Turner,  and  Patrick  Houston  had  been  duly  elected,  and  that 
 after  examination  by  Mr  Mackinlay  they  had  been  found 
 qualified.  Their  edict  having  been  duly  served  and  returned, 
 the  Rev.  Alex.  Turnbull,  of  East  Campbell  Street  Church, 
 Glasgow,  was  appointed  to  admit  Mr  Henry  Colquhoun,  and 
 ordain  Messrs  James  Breingan,  Archibald  Turner,  and  Patrick 
 Houston  to  the  eldership  on  the  second  Sabbath  of  July  1825. 
 
 The  Rev.  John  Mackinlay  was  appointed  to  dispense  the 
 Lord's  Supper  to  the  congregation  on  the  first  Sabbath  of 
 September  1825. 
 
 On  14th  February  182G  the  congregation  applied  for  a 
 moderation,  stipend  offered  £90  annually  for  three  years,  it 
 being  understood  that  after  that  period  they  are  to  increase  it 
 according  to  the  increase  of  the  congregation.  The  Presbytery 
 agreed  to  grant  the  moderation,  but  at  the  same  time  recom- 
 mended the  conOTesration  to  s^ive  £10  in  addition  to  the  sum 
 specified  in  name  of  sacramental  expenses.  The  Rev.  John 
 Mackinlay  was  appointed  to  moderate  on  28th  March.  The 
 call  was  for  the  Rev.  George  Legate,  of  Kilkinamurray, 
 Ireland,  and  was  subscribed  by  thirty  members  and  thirteen 
 adherents. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  3G1 
 
 This  call  bavin-;  proved  abortive,  the  congregation,  on  27tli 
 February  1827,  again  applied  for  a  moderation;  stipend 
 offered  £70,  with  £]  0  for  houoc  rent  and  £10  for  sacramental 
 expenses.  The  petition  was  granted  on  the  distinct  iinder- 
 standing  that  the  congregation  shall  increase  the  stipend  as 
 soon  as  circumstances  shall  permit ;  and  the  Rev.  Finlay 
 Stewart,  of  Pollokshaws,  was  appointed  to  moderate  on  the 
 Tuesday  after  the  third  Sabbath  of  March.  The  call  was  for 
 Mr  John  Anderson,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed  by 
 thirty-nine  members  and  thirty-six  adherents. 
 
 First  Minister,  Eev.  John  Anderson.  Ordained  13th  June 
 1827,  when  the  Glasgow  Original  Burgher  Presbytery  met  in 
 Mr  Breingan's  house,  and,  when  constituted,  thereafter 
 adjourned  to  the  church,  when  the  public  services  were  begun 
 by  the  Eev.  Wm.  Tannahill,  of  Kirkintilloch,  preaching  from 
 Rev.  xiv,  13,  last  clause.  The  Rev.  Andrew  Thomson,  of 
 Paisley,  then  preached  the  ordination  sermon  from  Acts 
 viii.  5-8,  and  after  Mr  Anderson's  ordination  addressed 
 suitable  exhortations  to  minister  and  congregation. 
 
 This  congregation  having  along  with  its  pastor  united  with 
 the  Church  of  Scotland  in  1839,  remained  with  the  Free 
 Protesting  Church  of  Scotland  in  1843,  and  is  now  known  as 
 the  Free  West  Church. 
 
 The  Rev.  John  Anderson  died  on  10th  January  18G7,  and 
 the  subsequent  pastors  have  been  the  Rev.  Alex.  Anderson 
 and  the  Rev.  Wm.  Leitch,  B.A. 
 
 Statistics  for  1884  : — Members,  402  ;  adherents,  80  ; 
 average,  500;  total  raised,  £1023;  stipend,  £577,  with 
 manse. 
 
 Kelso  (Constitutional),  noiu  extinct. 
 
 Kelso  is  a  burgh  town  in  Roxburghshire,  about  1 0 
 miles  north-east  from  Jedburgh,  and  42  south-east  from 
 Edinburgh. 
 
 This  congregation  was  originated  by  a  branch  of  the 
 Stitchel  congi'egation  in  1747,  when  they  erected  a 
 place  of  worship  in  the  village  of  Hume.  As,  however, 
 owing    to    a    variety  of   circumstances    the    Secession    cause 
 
362  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 did  not  prosper  there,  the  meeting  house  was  demolished,  and 
 the  materials  of  it  were  used  in  the  erection  of  the  church  in 
 Kelso, 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  John  Muirhead.  Ordained  2nd 
 September  1772.      Resigned  1785. 
 
 Second  Minster,  Rev.  James  Hog.  Ordained  1st  August 
 1786.  Assisted  in  the  formation  of  the  Constitutional 
 Presbytery  on  28th  August  1806,  and  died  in  1807,  in  the 
 fifty-third  year  of  his  age,  and  the  twenty-second  of  his 
 ministry. 
 
 Having  applied  for  a  moderation,  and  the  petition  having 
 been  complied  with,  the  Rev.  Thos.  M'Crie,  of  Edinburgh, 
 reported  to  the  Presbytery  on  15th  May  1820,  that  he  had 
 duly  presided  at  Kelso,  when  Mr  John  Aitken,  Probationer, 
 had  been  chosen,  and  the  call  had  been  subscribed  by  thirty- 
 six  men  in  full  communion,  and  an  adherence  paper  had 
 been  signed  by  eleven  men  and  five  women,  not  in  full 
 communion.  As  the  congregations  of  Glasgow,  Dundee,  and 
 Aberdeen  had  also  called  Mr  Aitken,  the  matter  on  being 
 referred  to  the  Presbytery  was  decided  in  favour  of  the  last 
 named  congregation. 
 
 The  congregation  having  again  applied  for  a  moderation, 
 the  Rev.  Dr  M'Crie,  of  Edinburgh,  was  appointed  to  preach 
 and  preside  on  the  29th  September  1812.  Mr  Patrick 
 Mackenzie,  Probationer,  was  chosen,  and  the  call,  which  was 
 subscribed  by  twenty-two  persons,  was  reluctantly  accepted  on 
 10th  May  1813. 
 
 Third  Minister,  Rev.  Patrick  Mackenzie.  Ordained  12th 
 May  1814,  when  the  Rev.  James  Aitken,  of  Kirriemuir, 
 preached  and  presided,  and  the  Rev.  Robt.  Chalmers,  of 
 Haddington,  closed  the  services  by  preaching  a  sermon. 
 
 On  8th  May  1820  the  Constitutional  Presbytery  received 
 a  petition  from  the  congregation,  representing  that  owing  to 
 the  removal  of  a  considerable  number  of  the  congregation  by 
 death  and  other  ways,  they  are  reduced  to  a  state  of  inability 
 for  supporting  their  minister,  and  praying  for  the  counsel  and 
 advice  of  the  Presbytery.  An  interim  meeting  of  Presbytery 
 was  appointed  to  meet  at  Kelso  on  26th  June,  and  converse 
 with  the  congregation.      The  congregation  having  appointed 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  30" 
 
 Messrs  William  Little,  John  Thomson,  and  Wm.  Gray,  they 
 stated  to  the  Presbytery  that  as  the  annual  scat  rents  were 
 £SS  or  £34,  and  the  church  door  collections  were  £30 
 annually,  they  could  not  give  their  minister  the  £80  promised 
 as  stipend. 
 
 On  19th  July  1821  the  congregation  having  addressed  a 
 paper  to  the  Presbytery,  representing  their  inability  to  support 
 the  gospel  among  them,  according  to  their  engagements  to  the 
 Presbytery,  the  following  judgment  was  passed: — "That  an 
 iutimation  shall  be  made  to  the  session  and  congregation, 
 that  unless  a  petition  from  them  expressing  their  desire  for 
 Mr  M'Kenzie's  continuance  among  them  as  their  pastor  shall 
 be  sent  up  to  the  Presbytery  at  their  meeting  in  November 
 next,  they  will  then  consider  of  loosing  his  pastoral  relation." 
 
 With  the  consent  of  all  parties  the  pastoral  tie  was  loosed 
 on  27th  June  1837,  and  the  Rev.  Patrick  M'Kenzie  was 
 missioned  to  the  Hebrides,  and  died  about  two  years  after  his 
 removal  from  Kelso. 
 
 On  5th  November  1838  the  conffreration  informed  the 
 Presbytery  that  they  deem  it  unnecessary  to  have  any  more 
 preachers  during  the  winter,  and  the  last  recorded  supply  was 
 given  them  in  1840. 
 
 On  15th  May  1840  it  was  stated  in  the  Original  Secession 
 Synod  that  there  was  a  probability  of  the  congregation  at 
 Kelso  being  soon  dissolved,  and  a  committee,  consisting  of  the 
 Rev.  Messrs  Shaw  and  M'Crie,  and  Mr  Kemp,  Treasurer,  with 
 Mr  Wm.  M'Crie,  ruling  elder,  were  appointed  to  watch  over 
 the  interests  of  the  Synod  in  that  affair.  The  result  was, 
 that  in  1843  the  church  and  manse  were  sold,  and  the 
 proceeds  given  to  the  Synod  fund.  The  church  building  is 
 now  occujDied  as  a  printing  office. 
 
 Keniioway  (Burgher),  now  in  Free  Church. 
 
 Kennoway  is  a  village  in  Fifeshire,  8  miles  north-east  from 
 Kirkcaldy. 
 
 This  congregation  was  formed  by  a  section  leaving  the  New 
 Light  Burgher  Congregation  of  which  the  Rev.  Donald 
 Fraser,  D.D.,  was  minster,  and   whose  father,  the  Rev.  John 
 
364  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Fraser,  M.A.,  of  Auchtermuclity,  was  the  origiuator  of  the 
 overture  proposing  an  alteration  in  the  preamble  to  the 
 Formula ;  the  adoption  of  which  by  the  Burgher  Synod  led  to 
 the  controversy  which  issued  in  its  division,  and  the  formation 
 of  the  Original  Associate  (Burgher)  Synod.  Their  first  supply 
 of  sermon  was  given  them  on  the  fifth  Sabbath  of  March  1800, 
 by  the  Kev.  Francis  Archibald,  formerly  of  Newtonards, 
 Ireland.  On  application  the  Presbytery  appointed  an  election 
 of  elders  to  take  place  on  ISth  April  J  803,  the  Rev.  Patrick 
 Conual,  of  Bathgate,  to  preach  and  preside. 
 
 On  10th  July  1804  the  congregation  petitioned  for  a 
 moderation  ;  stipend  offered  £70,  with  a  house  and  garden. 
 The  Rev.  Thomas  Porteous  was  appointed  to  moderate  on 
 28th  August.  The  call  was  for  Mr  James  Watson,  Preacher, 
 and  was  subscribed  by  ninety-six  members  and  five  adherents. 
 On  4th  December  this  call  was  set  aside  by  the  Presbytery, 
 which  appointed  Mr  Watson's  ordination  to  be  to  the  Edin- 
 burgh congregation. 
 
 On  22d  April  1806  the  congregation  applied  for  a  modera- 
 tion, but  the  matter  was  delayed  till  3d  March  1807,  when 
 the  stipend  offered  being  £70,  with  a  house  for  the  minister, 
 and  the  promise  of  increasing  the  stipend  as  the  congregation 
 increases,  the  Presbytery  appointed  the  Rev.  Thomas  Porteous 
 to  preach  and  preside  on  24th  inst.  The  call  was  for  the 
 Rev.  James  Watson,  of  Edinburgh,  and  was  subscribed  by 
 eighty  members  and  sixteen  adherents,  but  the  Synod  declined 
 to  translate  him. 
 
 On  27th  February  1810  petitioned  for  a  moderation, 
 oflfering  as  stipend  £90,  which  the  Presbytery  granted  ;  whilst 
 at  the  same  time  they  stated  "that  they  expect  the  congrega- 
 tion, if  at  all  in  their  power,  to  make  the  living  better  than 
 they  have  offered."  The  Rev.  Wm.  Taylor,  of  Perth,  was 
 appointed  to  officiate  on  ]  5th  March.  The  call  was  for  Mr 
 James  Smith,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed  by  ninety-three 
 members  and  twenty-seven  adherents. 
 
 Mr  Smith  having  been  appointed  by  the  Synod  to  Alloa, 
 to  which  he  had  also  been  called,  the  congregation,  on  8th 
 April  1811,  again  applied  for  a  moderation ;  stipend  offered 
 £90  and  a  dwelling-house,  with  the  hope  of  increasing  the 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  •'^C') 
 
 stipend.  The  Rev.  James  Smith,  of  AUoa,  was  appointed  to 
 officiate  on  2."Sth  April.  The  call  was  for  Mr  Alex.  M'Wuttie, 
 Probationer,  and  was  signed  by  ninety-fonr  members  and 
 eleven  adherents. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  Alexander  M'Wattie.  Ordained  Dtli 
 October  1811,  when  the  Rev.  James  Smith,  of  Alloa,  began 
 the  service  by  preaching  from  1  Cor.  iv.  1  ;  the  Rev.  Wm. 
 Raeburn,  of  Bannockbnrn,  preached  the  ordination  sermon  from 
 Prov.  xi.  30,  and  offered  the  ordination  prayer  ;  after  which 
 the  Rev.  Wm.  Taylor,  of  Perth,  addressed  pastor  and  people. 
 
 On  2d  November  1818  the  congregation  petitioned  the 
 Presbytery  to  dissolve  the  relation  between  them  and  their 
 minister,  and  on  Sth  ^March  1820  Mr  M'Wattie  was  suspended 
 6"ine  die  for  drunkenness,  and  the  congregation  declared  to  be 
 at  liberty  to  call  another  pastor. 
 
 On  8d  December  1822  the  congregation  applied  for  a 
 moderation,  but  the  matter  was  delayed  by  the  Presbytery. 
 
 On  24th  January  1826  application  was  made  for  a 
 moderation  ;  stipend  to  be  £75,  with  £7  additional  for 
 sacramental  expenses.  The  Rev.  James  Thornton,  of  ]\Iilna- 
 thort,  was  appointed  to  moderate  on  21st  February,  with  the 
 Rev.  Ebenezer  Anderson,  of  Cupar,  to  assist.  The  call  was 
 for  Mr  John  Downs,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed  by  sixty- 
 three  members  and  thirteen  adherents  ;  but  as  he  had  also  been 
 called  to  Longridge  and  Boardmills,  Ireland,  the  matter  was 
 referred  to  the  Synod,  which  preferred  the  last-named 
 conjirejTation. 
 
 On  9th  April  1827  a  moderation  was  again  applied  for  and 
 oTanted  ;  stipend  what  was  formerly  offered — £75,  and  £7 
 for  sacramental  expenses.  The  Rev.  Wm.  Dalziel,  of  Dun- 
 fermline, was  appointed  to  officiate  on  3d  May,  with  the  Rev\ 
 James  Thornton  to  assist.  The  call  was  for  Mr  John 
 Cochrane,  Probationer,  and  was  accepted. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  John  Cochrane.  Ordained  2d 
 October,  1827  when  the  Rev.  John  Waddell,  of  Burrelton, 
 began  the  services  by  preaching  from  Ezekicl  xxxiii.  33  ;  the 
 Rev.  Ebenezer  Anderson,  of  Cupar,  preached  the  ordination 
 sermon  from  Luke  xii.  42,  43,  and  after  the  ordination 
 addressed  minister  and  congregation. 
 
■366  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 lu  August  1886  Mr  Cochrane  was  called  by  the  Cumber- 
 nauld congregation,  and  on  the  matter  coming  before  the  Synod 
 his  translation  was  appointed  on  5th  October  1836. 
 
 On  4th  July  1837  the  congregation  requested  a  modera- 
 tion ;  stipend  offered  "£70  per  annum,  including  all  charges, 
 with  a  house,  garden,  and  every  conveniency  which  the 
 locality  of  the  situation  can  possibly  admit,"  The  Rev. 
 Robert  M'Indoe,  of  Kirkcaldy,  was  appointed  to  officiate  on 
 Monday,  24th  inst.,  at  3  p.m.  The  call  was  for  Mr  James 
 Falconer,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed  by  ninety-four 
 members  and  twenty-four  adherents ;  but  as  he  had  also  been 
 called  to  Paisley,  the  Synod  preferred  that  congregation. 
 
 On  13th  December  1837  applied  again  for  a  moderation; 
 stipend  offered  £70,  and  £5  for  sacramental  expenses,  with 
 house,  garden,  and  other  conveniences.  The  Rev.  Ralph 
 Robb,  of  Strathkinnes,  was  appointed  to  moderate  on  Monday 
 after  the  first  Sabbath  of  January  1838.  The  call  was  for 
 Mr  Adam  Ross,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed  by  100 
 members  and  24  adherents. 
 
 Third  Minister,  Rev.  Adam  Ross.  Ordained  2d  May  1838, 
 when  the  Rev.  James  M'Gown,  of  Midmar,  began  the  services 
 by  preaching  from  Rom.  iii.  31  ;  the  Rev.  Robert  M'Indoe 
 delivered  the  ordination  sermon  from  Isaiah  Iii.  8,  presided  at 
 ordination,  and  thereafter  gave  suitable  exhortations  to  pastor 
 and  people. 
 
 In  1841  Mr  Ross  was  twice  chosen  pastor  by  the  Campbell 
 Street  congregation,  Glasgow,  but  the  translation  was  not 
 effected. 
 
 Along  with  his  congregation,  Mr  Eoss  in  1842  united  with 
 the  Original  Seceders  in  forming  the  United  Original  Secession 
 Synod. 
 
 On  30th  June  1845  it  was  reported  to  the  Presbytery 
 that  this  congregation  having  resolved  to  enter  the  Free 
 Church,  the  Rev.  Adam  Ross  felt  himself  under  the  necessity 
 of  tendering  his  resignation  of  the  charge.  The  congregation 
 having  declined  the  Presbytery's  authority,  the  Presbytery,  on 
 5th  July,  felt  that  they  were  shut  up  to  accept  of  Mr  Ross's 
 resignation,  and  expressed  the  high  sense  which  they  entertain 
 of  the  honourable  and  consistent  manner  in  which  Mr  Ross 
 has  acted  in  the  whole  of  this  matter. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  3G7 
 
 Mr  Ross  subsequently  joined  the  Free  Church,  and  wus 
 inducted  to  the  congregation  of  Rattray,  Perthshire. 
 
 The  church  was  built  in  1802,  and  the  manse  in  1831. 
 The  church  being  heavily  burdened  with  debt,  and  the 
 congregation  having  resolved  to  join  the  Free  Church,  the 
 Free  Church  congregation  rented  the  Old  Light  church  for  a 
 time  till  the  new  Free  Church  was  finished,  the  first  service 
 in  connection  with  the  Free  Church  being  held  in  it  on  20th 
 July  1845.  Afterwards  persons  connected  with  the  Esta- 
 blished Church  rented  it  for  about  eighteen  months,  and  it 
 was  then  sold  for  about  £290,  which  sum  was  insufiicient  to 
 meet  the  pecuniary  claims  resting  on  it.  Ultimately  the 
 building  was  taken  down,  and  the  manse  was  sold  to  a 
 farmer. 
 
 Kilh'inamarray,  Ireland  {Burgher),  now  Irish 
 Presbyterian  Church. 
 
 This  congregation  was  formed  about  the  year  1820.  The 
 period  was  one  marked  by  great  declension  in  doctrine  and 
 practice  in  connection  with  the  Synod  of  Ulster,  and  the  zeal 
 of  the  Original  Burgher  Seceders  of  Scotland  had  a  consider- 
 able  reward.  For  a  considerable  time  the  people  met  together 
 in  a  tent,  but  in  1821  they  erected  a  place  of  worship  of  a 
 very  primitive  kind,  .since  it  had  neither  ceiling  nor  wooden 
 flooring,  and  in  lieu  of  the  latter  the  people  used  either  sods 
 or  stones  as  they  felt  inclined.  The  more  earnest  class  of 
 Christians  flocked  to  the  small  and  obscure  glen  of  Kilkina- 
 murray,  and  the  humble  church  became  a  centre  of  great 
 blessing  in  the  district. 
 
 First  ^[iuister.  Rev.  George  Legate.  Ordained  1824.  Ou 
 28th  March  1826  he  was  called  to  Helensburgh,  Scotland, 
 but  the  translation  was  not  effected.  Author  of  a  Tractate  or 
 Sermon  against  the  Irish  National  School  System.  In  1852, 
 along  with  his  congregation,  Mr  Legate  united  with  the  Irish 
 Presbyterian  Church,  and  thus  became  a  receiver  of  the 
 Regium  Donum,  which  he  and  his  people  had  for  many  years 
 condemned  and  testified  against.  In  1872  he  retired  from 
 the  active  duties  of  the  ministry,  and  died  in  1875. 
 
368  ANIMALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Eev,  Lawson  Burnett,  who  Avas  ordained 
 near  the  close  of  1872. 
 
 Statistics  of  congregation  for  1881  : — Sittings  in  church, 
 250;  number  of  communicants,  120;  total  raised  for  all 
 purposes,  £90.  , 
 
 Kilmarnoclc  {Burgher),  noiv  Henderson  Free  Church. 
 
 Kilmarnock  is  a  large  town  in  Ayi'shire,  about  seven  miles 
 east  from  Irvine,  and  21  south-west  from  Glasgow. 
 
 This  congregation,  which  had  its  first  place  of  worship  at 
 Gallows-knowe  or  Galahill,  separated  from  the  New  Light 
 Burgher  Synod  owing  to  their  having  twice  called  the  Rev. 
 Andrew  Young,  afterwards  of  Lochmaben  and  Lanark,  but 
 whom  the  Synod,  notwithstanding  Mr  Young's  desire  to 
 accept  said  call,  refused  to  locate  at  Kilmarnock. 
 
 Being  chagrined  at  this  decision  of  Synod,  a  congregational 
 meeting  was  held  on  12th  September  1814,  when  three  voted 
 for  delay,  six  to  continue  with  the  New  Light  Synod,  and 
 234  to  join  the  Old  Light  Burghers.  The  minority,  seventy- 
 seven  in  number,  being  desirous  to  retain  the  property,  the 
 church  was  eventually  given  them  on  their  paying  £265. 
 The  majority  then  erected  the  meeting-house  now  called 
 Henderson  Church  in  1817. 
 
 On  28th  September  1814  they  applied  to  the  Original 
 Burgher  Presbytery  of  Glasgow  for  supply  of  sermon.  Their 
 number  was  nearly  600,  and  their  petition  was  unanimously 
 responded  to.  The  Rev.  Jas.  Gardner,  of  Kilpatrick  Craigs,  was 
 appointed  to  preach  to  them  on  the  first  Sabbath  of  October. 
 
 On  8th  March  1815  application  was  made  for  a  modera- 
 tion ;  stipend  offered  £  1 6  0,  with  a  house  and  garden  ;  and  in 
 response  the  Rev.  Alex.  Brown,  of  Burntshields,  was  appointed 
 to  preach  and  preside  on  23d  March.  The  call  was  for  Mr 
 Peter  Campbell,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed  by  376 
 members  and  94  adherents. 
 
 First  Minister,  Eev.  Peter  Campbell.  Ordained  2 2d 
 November  1815,  when  the  Rev.  Robert  Aitken,  of  Kirkin- 
 tilloch, began  the  services  by  preaching  from  1  Thess.  v.  12  ; 
 the  Rev.  George   Moscrip,  of  Greenock,  preached  the  ordina- 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  860 
 
 tioQ  sermon  from  Acts  xiii,  31,  last  clause,  offered  the 
 ordination  prayer,  and  addressed  suitable  exhortations  to 
 pastor  and  congregation  ;  after  which  the  Rev.  George  Hill,  of 
 Cumbernauld,  concluded  the  services  by  preaching  from 
 Ps.  1.  7. 
 
 On  30th  April  1817  the  congregation  petitioned  the  Synod 
 to  aid  them  in  a  law  plea  in  which  they  were  engaged.  In 
 reply  the  Synod  "  agreed  to  inform  their  friends  in  Kilmarnock 
 that  they  sympathize  with  them  in  their  present  circum- 
 stances, request  of  them  to  ponder  the  path  of  their  duty,  and, 
 if  they  consider  it  a  matter  of  magnitude,  to  carry  on  the  law 
 process  ;  they  recommend  it  to  the  ditierent  congregations 
 under  their  inspection  to  have  a  collection  for  their  support. 
 It  is  at  the  same  time  to  be  understood  that  the  Synod  do  not 
 pledge  themselves  to  support  the  Kilmarnock  congregation 
 any  further." 
 
 Along  with  the  congregation  Mr  Campbell  united  with  the 
 Church  of  Scotland  in  1839,  and  continued  with  the  Free 
 Protesting  Church  of  Scotland  after  the  Disruption  of  1843. 
 The  church,  which  at  the  union  was  designated  Henderson 
 Church  in  memory  of  the  notable  Rev.  Alex.  Henderson  of 
 the  seventeenth  century,  has  been  since  reseated  and  greatly 
 improved,  and  is  still  in  possession  of  the  congregation. 
 
 Mr  Campbell  died  on  I'Jth  March  1850,  in  the  fifty-eighth 
 year  of  his  age,  and  the  thirty-fifth  of  his  ministry,  and  has 
 been  succeeded  by  the  Rev.  David  Landsborough,  who  was 
 ordained  on  31st  July  1851,  and  still  ministers  to  the 
 congregation. 
 
 Statistics  of  congregation  for  1884  : — Members,  268  ; 
 adherents,  54  ;  average  attendance,  400  ;  total  raised,  £359  ; 
 stipend,  £187,  with  manse. 
 
 Kilmarnoch,  Foivlds  Street  {Antihurgher),  now  United 
 Original  Secession  Church. 
 
 This  congregation  was  originated  in  1821  by  two  elders 
 and  a  few  members  of  the  Clerk's  Lane  congregation,  of  which 
 the  Rev.  Dr  John  Ritchie  was  then  minister.      These  persons 
 
 2  A 
 
370  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 objected  to  the  union  which  had  in  1820  been  formed  betwixt 
 the  New  Light  Burgher  and  Antiburgher  Synods,  and  applied 
 for  sermon  to  the  Synod  of  Protesters  on  30th  October  1821. 
 That  their  number  and  finances  were  small  may  be  inferred 
 from  the  Synod  in  1827  giving  them  a  donation  of  £5. 
 
 On  23d  February  1836  a  petition  was  laid  before  the  Ayr 
 Presbytery  by  a  few  persons  in  and  about  Kilmarnock,  request- 
 ing to  be  formed  into  a  congregation,  and  to  have  elders  ap- 
 pointed over  them,  which  request  was  granted,  and  the  Rev. 
 Dr  Stevenson,  of  Ayr,  was  appointed  to  preach  and  preside  at 
 an  election  on  13th  March. 
 
 On  2d  May  1836  the  congregation  called  Mr  John  Graham, 
 Probationer,  to  be  their  pastor,  which  call  was  accepted. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  John  Graham.  Ordained  1  st  September 
 1836,  when  the  Rev.  Robert  Shaw,  of  Whitburn,  preached 
 from  Rev.  i.  16,  the  Rev.  Matthew  Murray,  of  Glasgow,  pre- 
 sided at  ordination,  and  addressed  pastor  and  people,  and  the 
 service  was  concluded  by  the  Rev.  J.  A.  Wylie,  of  Dollar,  de- 
 livering a  sermon  from  Psalm  cxxxvii.  1. 
 
 After  meeting  for  several  years  in  various  halls,  and  also  in 
 the  old  Kilmarnock  Academy,  the  congregation  erected  a 
 church  in  Fowlds  Street  in  1857,  and  here  Mr  Graham  con- 
 tinued his  ministry  till  1863,  when,  owing  to  feeble  health 
 and  bodily  infirmity,  he  demitted  his  charge. 
 
 Two  ministers  were  subsequently  appointed,  but  the  congre- 
 gation, which  was  always  small,  is  now  vacant. 
 
 Statistics  for  1884 — Members,  10  ;  adherents,  0. 
 
 Kilpatrick-Craigs  (Burgher),  now  United  Presbyterian 
 
 Church. 
 
 Kilpatrick  is  a  village  in  Dumbartonshire,  about  10  miles 
 north-west  from  Glasgow,  and  5  east  from  Dumbarton. 
 
 This  congregation  was  formed  in  1776  by  a  secession  from 
 the  Parish  Church,  owing  to  the  appointment  of  an  unaccept- 
 able assistant  to  the  parish  minister,  and  after  meeting  for 
 about  five  years  frequently  in  the  open  air  at  Sandy  flats  and 
 Craigs,   the   church  was   built   in    1781.      The    cost    of   the 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  371 
 
 erection  cannot  well  be  stated,  since  the  stones  were  mostly 
 quarried  by  colliers  belonging  to  the  congregation,  women 
 carried  lime  on  their  backs,  and  the  wood  was  got  in  the 
 neighbourhood,  and  "  baurled  "  to  the  church.  The  attend- 
 ance on  ordinances  at  communion  seasons  was  frequently  very 
 large,  since  not  only  did  the  people  come  in  goodly  numbers 
 from  Milngavie  and  Strathblane,  which  were  cou»,a*efjational 
 districts  under  the  inspection  of  elders,  and  having  their  pray- 
 ing societies,  but  on  extra  occasions  Seceders  travelled  in  large 
 numbers  from  the  Glasgow  and  other  concn-eijations. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev,  Archibald  Wood.  Ordained  28th 
 August  1787.  Died  28th  February  1788,  in  the  twenty- 
 eighth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  first  of  his  ministry. 
 
 The  congregation  called  the  Rev.  George  Hill,  of  Cumber- 
 nauld, but  no  translation  was  effected. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Eev.  "William  Watson,  formerly  of  Largs. 
 Inducted  18th  March  1789. 
 
 Mr  Watson  having  in  1799  assisted  in  the  formation  of 
 the  Original  Burgher  Presbytery,  and  the  majority  of  the 
 congregation  having  resolved  to  abide  with  him  and  withdraw 
 from  the  Synod,  which  had  now  adopted  New  Light  views, 
 the  minority  of  members  appealed  to  the  civil  courts  for  the  pos- 
 session of  the  church  property.  After  thirty  years'  contention, 
 in  which  the  minority  expended  fully  £1G00,  being  far  more 
 than  the  worth  of  the  meeting-house,  the  matter  was  amicably 
 settled  in  1829  by  the  majority  giving  to  the  minority  £200 
 as  their  share  in  its  value.  And  Avhat  is  further  suggestive, 
 not  only  did  the  minister  and  people  return  to  the  New  Lights 
 eleven  years  later,  but  on  13th  April  1869  the  congregation 
 was  reunited  to  the  section  tliat  had  separated  from  them 
 seventy  years  before,  and  against  whose  views  and  conduct 
 they  had  so  vigorously  and  continuously  contended.  They 
 now  unitedly  possess  the  church  property  they  had  so  long 
 disputed  the  possession  of,  and  form  what  is  now  called 
 the  United  Presbyterian  congregation  of  Craigs  and  Dun- 
 tocher. 
 
 On  14th  April  1801,  Mr  Watson  was  called  to  East  Camp- 
 bell Street  Church,  Glasgow,  but  the  Presbytery  on  30th  June 
 
372  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 declined  to  translate  him.  On  his  being  again  called  by  that 
 congregation,  however,  the  Presbytery,  on  the  23d  March  1802, 
 not  only  translated  him,  but  also  agreed  that  Mr  Gardner, 
 Probationer,  shall  on  Sabbath  first  intimate  the  church 
 vacant. 
 
 Having  on  27th  April  applied  for  a  moderation,  stipend  to 
 be  £70,  with  manse,  garden,  and  glebe,  the  Rev.  William 
 Taylor,  of  Levenside,  was  appointed  to  preach  and  preside  on 
 the  9th  June.  The  call  was  for  Mr  James  Gardner,  Pro- 
 bationer, and  was  subscribed  by  219  members  and  39 
 adherents.  As,  however,  Mr  Gardner  had  also  been  called  to 
 Carluke,  the  matter  was  referred  to  the  Presbytery,  which  on 
 3d  August  preferred  Kilpatrick-Craigs. 
 
 Third  Minister,  Rev.  James  Gardner.  Ordained  23d 
 November  1802,  when  the  Rev.  Alexander  Brown,  of  Burnt- 
 shields,  opened  the  service  by  preaching  from  1  Cor.  iv.  2  ; 
 the  Rev.  William  Taylor,  of  Levenside,  preached  the  ordination 
 sermon  from  Rom.  x.  15,  presided  at  ordination,  and"  there- 
 after addressed  minister  and  congregation. 
 
 On  5th  May  1838  the  Session  petitioned  the  Synod 
 against  union  with  the  Church  of  Scotland.  The  Glasgow 
 Presbytery  agreed  to  transmit  the  petition,  but  disapprove 
 strongly  of  a  great  portion  of  it  as  being  utterly  opposed 
 to  the  principles  of  the  Associate  Synod,  in  so  far  as  it  seems 
 sweepingly  to  condemn  all  State  endowments  for  the  support 
 of  true  religion. 
 
 Mr  Gardner,  along  with  the  congregation,  not  only  declined 
 to  unite  with  the  Church  of  Scotland  in  1839,  but  also  to  con- 
 tinue with  the  remanent  Synod.  Having  applied  to  the 
 United  Secession,  or  New  Light  Synod,  he  and  the  congregation 
 were  received  into  fellowship  on  14th  July  1840. 
 
 Mr  Gardner  died  on  28th  October  1851,  in  the  forty-ninth 
 year  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Fourth  Minister,  Rev.  Robert  Mitchell.  Ordained  as 
 colleague  to  Mr  Gardner,  30th  January  1849,  and  died  on 
 6th  January  1869,  in  the  forty-ninth  year  of  his  age,  and  the 
 twentieth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 On  13th  April   1869  the  congregation  was  reunited  to  the 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  373 
 
 section  that  !iad  separated  from  them  seventy  years  before, 
 under  the  desitrnatiou  of  "  Craios  and  Duntocher  United 
 Presbyterian  Church." 
 
 Statistics  for  1884  : — Members,  17!)  ;  total  income,  £380  ; 
 stipend,  .£150  ;  average  contribution  per  member,  £2,  Ss.  2:|;d. 
 
 Kilwinning  (Anfiburgher),  now  United  Original  Secession 
 
 Church. 
 
 Kihvinning  is  a  town  in  Ayrshire,  about  3  miles  north- 
 west from  Irvine,  and  24  south-west  from  CJlasgow. 
 
 The  Secession  cause  in  Kilwinning  originated  (says  the 
 late  Rev.  Wm.  Orr,  of  Fen  wick)  as  far  back  as  1738  (five 
 years  after  the  four  "  Fathers  "  had  seceded),  when  a  number 
 of  the  people  joined  the  congregation  of  Kilmaurs,  then  being 
 formed  because  of  the  forced  settlement  of  a  minister  in  this 
 parish,  and  which  drew  its  members  at  the  first  from  Kilmar- 
 nock, Fenwick,  Stewarton,  Dreghorn,  Beith,  Dairy,  Ardrossan, 
 Kilbarchan,  Lochwiunoch,  Kilwinning,  Dundonald,  Ayr, 
 Loudoun,  Strathaven,  Old  and  New  Cumnock.  The  minister 
 of  Kilmaurs  was  required  to  preach  two  Sabbaths  in  the 
 year  at  Kilwinning  ;  but  at  all  other  times  the  people 
 travelled  to  Kilmaurs,  about  nine  miles  distant.  In  1758 
 there  was  formed  a  separate  congregation  at  Kilwinning,  to 
 which  came  members  from  the  parishes  also  of  Irvine,  Dreg- 
 horn,  Stewarton,  Dairy,  Ardrossan,  and  West  Kilbride,  in  all 
 of  which  moderatism  reigned,  and  a  cold  rationalism  in 
 religion  prevailed.  The  few  who  remained  faithful  to  evan- 
 ofelical  truth  soucfht  connection  with  the  Secession  Church. 
 The  church  erected  in  the  Green  at  Kilwinning  in  1759 
 became  the  rallying  point  of  the  lovers  of  evangelical  preach- 
 ing. The  first  Minister  was  Mr  William  Jameson,  who  was 
 ordained  in  17C3.  He  was  a  native  of  Alloa,  and  was 
 married  to  a  daughter  of  the  Rev.  William  Wilson,  of  Perth, 
 one  of  the  first  four  seceding  ministers.  Mr  Jameson  had  but 
 a  small  stipend,  and  to  eke  out  their  small  income  Mrs 
 Jameson  manufactured  thread  and  sold  it.  Their  son  was  the 
 well-known  Rev.  John  Jameson,  of  Methven,  who  was  father 
 of   the    Rev.    William    Jameson,  pioneer    missionary   of   the 
 
374  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 United  Presbyterian  Church  in  Calabar.  The  great-grandson 
 of  Mr  Jameson,  of  Kilwinning,  the  Rev.  A.  P.  Calabar 
 Jameson,  is  a  missionary  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Church 
 in  Ulwar,  India.  The  Rev.  Mr  Banks,  Antiburgher  minister, 
 Nicolson  Street,  Edinburgh,  successor  to  the  Rev.  Adam  Gib 
 there,  was  brought  up  under  Mr  Jameson.  Mr  Banks  was  the 
 son  of  a  weaver,  and  a  weaver  himself,  and  fought  hard  with 
 poverty,  till  he  reached  the  ministry.  While  he  was  driving 
 the  shuttle  he  contrived  at  the  same  time,  by  the  help  of  an 
 apparatus  to  hold  his  book,  to  carry  on  his  studies  for  the 
 college.  Under  the  direction  of  Mr  Jameson,  Mr  Banks 
 turned  out  an  eminent  minister  of  the  Secession  in  Edin- 
 burgh, and  afterwards  in  Philadelphia. 
 
 Large  audiences  assembled  at  communion  times  on  the 
 Green  at  Kilwinning.  On  one  occasion  of  that  kind  the  Rev. 
 James  Robertson,  Kilmarnock,  occupied  the  tent,  and  dwelt 
 largely  and  long  on  the  impossibility  of  a  sinner  of  mankind 
 obtaining  eternal  life  on  the  ground  of  his  fancied  goodness. 
 Rising  to  the  importance  of  the  subject,  so  frequently  mis- 
 understood by  Gospel  hearers,  with  the  Arran  hills  in  his 
 view,  and  pointing  across  the  Firth  of  Clyde,  he  exclaimed — 
 "  Ye  talk  of  your  good  works,  as  if,  forsooth,  you  had  ony 
 claim  to  God's  free  grace  by  your  ain  merit !  I  tell  you,  my 
 frien's,  it's  a  delusion,  a  diabolical  delusion  ;  ye  may  as  weel 
 attempt  to  sail  owre  to  Arran  there  on  a  hen's  feather  as  to 
 get  into  the  kingdom  o'  heaven  by  your  good  works  ;  this  is 
 by  no  means  the  case — everything's  bonnie  in  its  ain  place  ; 
 water,  for  instance,  is  good  for  mony  a  purpose,  although  ye're 
 a'  aware  we  canna  theek  kirks  wi't  !"  The  illustration  was 
 striking,  and  is  remembered  in  the  district  to  this  day.  Mr 
 Jameson's  preaching  was  of  the  same  kind,  and  produced  a 
 salutary  effect  in  the  neighbourhood. 
 
 A  poor  but  pious  woman  in  Saltcoats  was  a  member  of  the 
 Kilwinning  congregation.  She  struggled  hard  with  poverty 
 and  a  sense  of  her  own  unworthiness,  yet  believing  that, 
 through  the  goodness  of  God,  she  would  not  be  forsaken. 
 One  day  her  resources  failed,  and  to  all  appearance  starvation 
 was  staring  her  in  the  face.  Suddenly  she  remembered  these 
 words  of  Scripture,  "  Thou  shalt  have  plenty  of  silver."      Soon 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  37o 
 
 after  a  friend  called  and  put  money  into  her  hanil,  wliicli 
 relievetl  her  from  want  at  the  time.  She,  along  with  others, 
 travelled  far  to  hear  the  Gospel  at  communion  times,  besides 
 regularly  worshipping  at  Kilwinning.  It  was  the  custom,  on 
 sacramental  occasions,  for  these  good  people  to  travel  as  far  as 
 Kilmarnock  and  Kihnaurs  in  little  groups,  and,  that  they 
 might  be  well  occupied  on  the  way,  they  put  the  questions 
 of  the  Shorter  Catechism  to  one  another,  with  scriptural 
 proofs — thus  profitably  varying  the  monotony  of  their  long 
 journey. 
 
 Another  member  of  the  Kilwinning  congregation,  but  of  a 
 difterent  cast  of  mind,  resident  in  Irvine,  which  was  at  the 
 end  of  last  century  within  the  bounds  of  the  Kilwinning 
 Secession  conjjreiration,  seemed  to  have  been  regfular  in  her 
 attendance  at  church  every  Sabbath  day.  Having,  however, 
 four  miles  to  walk  to  the  church,  and  having  dairy  work  on 
 hand,  she  generally  arrived  late  at  church  on  Sabbath  morn- 
 ing. She  was  found  fault  with  for  thus  disturbing  the 
 congregation.  The  Session  found  it  necessary  to  appoint  one 
 of  their  number  to  speak  with  her  on  the  subject,  and  to 
 .nduce  her  to  arrive  in  time  for  the  commencement  of  public 
 worship.  Mr  Howie,  who  was  the  elder  employed,  found  it 
 difficult  to  convince  her  of  her  error,  for  she  made  various 
 excuses — for  instance,  the  length  of  road,  and  her  dairy 
 work,  and  if  she  appeared  at  all,  she  did  not  see  the  harm  of 
 being  a  little  late.  Mr  Howie  reasoned  with  her  still  further, 
 but  she  still  vindicated  her  conduct  by  saying  that  the  Saviour 
 did  not  refuse  any  who  came  at  the  eleventh  hour,  and  surely 
 the  Session  would  excuse  her  coming  late.  Mr  Howie  replied, 
 "  We  do  not  find  fault  with  you  for  coming  at  the  eleventh 
 hour,  but  it's  near  tinelve  when  you  come" — at  which  the 
 woman  was  silenced,  if  not  convinced. 
 
 The  congregation  in  Kilwinning  refused  for  years  to  allow 
 the  Saltcoats  portion  of  the  church  to  obtain  a  disjunction,  and 
 it  was  not  till  the  death  of  Mr  Jameson  that  the  Presbytery 
 granted  the  disjunction  of  those  members  to  form  a  congrega- 
 tion in  Saltcoats  of  the  Antiburgher  denomination. 
 
 All  that  was  mortal  of  Mr  Jameson  was  committed  to  dust 
 on  the  south  side  of  the  church  in  which  he  so  long-  laboured. 
 
876  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 The  grave  is  marked  by  a  table  stone,  which  bears  the  follow- 
 ing inscription  : — 
 
 The  Associate  Congregation  of  Kilwinning, 
 
 Erected  this  stone, 
 
 In  memory  of  their  beloved  pastor, 
 
 William  Jameson, 
 
 a  man  whose  mind,  manners,  and 
 
 ministrations  were  characterised  by 
 
 a  simplicity,  sweetness,  and  sagacity, 
 
 and 
 
 Savour  of  Piety,  seldom  so  happily  united. 
 
 He  died,  November  23rd,  1792, 
 
 in  the  57th  year  of  his  age,  and  30th  of  his  ministry. 
 
 The  present  church,  which  was  built  upon  the  site  of  the 
 former  meeting-house,  was  erected  in  1825,  and  contains 
 about  550  sittings.  There  is  also  an  excellent  and  com- 
 modious manse,  which  was  acquired  about  the  year  1861. 
 
 The  congregation,  on  19th  November  1760,  called  Mr 
 Thos.  Herbertson,  Probationer,  who  was  appointed  by  the 
 Synod  to  Dumfries. 
 
 On  5  th  May  1762,  a  call  was  given  to  Mr  William  Jame- 
 son, Probationer,  which  was  accepted. 
 
 First  Minister,  Eev.  William  Jameson.  Ordained  6th 
 April  1763.  Died  23rd  November  1792,  in  the  fifty- 
 seventh  year  of  his  age,  and  the  thirtieth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  Robert  Smith,  from  Auchinleck,  of 
 which  his  father  was  minister.  Ordained  loth  June  1796. 
 Mr  Smith  and  the  majority  of  the  congregation  having  de- 
 clined to  unite  with  the  New  Light  Burgher  Synod  in  1820, 
 were  connected  with  the  Synod  of  Protesters  from  that  date 
 till  it  united  with  the  Constitutional  Presbytery  in  1827,  and 
 thus  formed  the  Synod  of  Original  Seceders. 
 
 Mr  Smith  died  on  22nd  June  1835,  in  the  sixty-sixth 
 year  of  his  age,  and  the  thirty-ninth  of  his  ministry,  and  his 
 remains  were  interred  beside  those  of  his  ministerial  prede- 
 cessor beside  the  church. 
 
 On  29th  March  1836,  the  congregation  applied  for  a 
 moderation,  when  the  Rev.  Matthew  Murray,  of  Glasgow,  was 
 appointed  to  preach  and  preside  on  14th  April.  The  call  was 
 for   Mr   George   Stevenson,    Probationer,  who   had  also  been 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  377 
 
 called  to  be  colleague  and  successor  to  his  father,  the  Rev. 
 Dr  Stevenson,  of  Ayr,  but  whicli  latter  call  was  set  aside  by 
 the  Synod. 
 
 Third  Minister,  Rev.  George  Stevenson.  Ordained  21st 
 December  1836,  when  the  Rev.  Matthew  Murray,  of  Glas- 
 gow, preached  from  2  Cor.  iii.  11,  and  presided,  the  Rev. 
 Professor  M'Crie,  of  Edinburgh,  addressed  pastor  and  people, 
 and  the  Rev.  John  Graham,  of  Kilmarnock,  concluded  the 
 service  by  delivering  a  sermon  from  Isaiah  Ixii.  0. 
 
 Mr  Stevenson  died  on  1st  June  18.59,  in  the  forty-eighth 
 year  of  his  age,  and  the  twenty-third  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Fourth  Minister,  Rev.  Andrew  Anderson,  formerly  of 
 Dromore,  Ireland.  Inducted,  24th  July  18(50.  Demitted 
 his  charge,  IStli  May  18G3,  and  emigrated  to  New  Zealand, 
 but  returned  to  Scotland,  and  was  inducted  to  Free  Church, 
 Cowdenbeath. 
 
 On  22nd  IMarch  1864,  the  congregation  called  ]\Ir  Wm.  B. 
 Gardiner,  Probationer,  but  he  having  been  also  called  to 
 Pollokshaws,  the  Synod  appointed  his  ordination  to  that  con- 
 gregation. On  22nd  March  1865,  Mr  John  Sturrock,  Pro- 
 bationer, Avas  called  to  the  pastorate,  but  having  on  the  same 
 day  been  called  to  Stranraer,  he  was  ordained  there. 
 
 Fifth  Minister,  Rev.  Thomas  Robertson.  Ordained  12th 
 July  1866,  when  the  Rev,  Wm.  Robertson,  of  Dundee,  con- 
 ducted the  opening  devotional  exercises.  The  Rev.  John 
 Sturrock,  of  Stranraer,  preached  from  Matt.  xxiv.  14,  the 
 Rev.  George  Roger,  M.A.,  of  Auchinleck,  presided  at  the  ordi- 
 nation, and  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Ritchie,  of  Colmonell,  addressed 
 minister  and  congregation. 
 
 Statistics  for  1884: — Members,  90;  adherents,  20;  total 
 income,  £189;  stipend,  £]o3,  with  manse;  average  contri- 
 bution per  member,  £2,  2s.  Ofd. 
 
 Kincardine -on- Forth  {Burgher),  now  in  Free  Church, 
 Tulliallan. 
 
 Kincardine-on-Forth  is  a  village  in  Perthshire,  on  the 
 north  bank  of  the  Forth,  5  miles  north  from  Alloa,  and  1 0 
 west  from  Dimfermline. 
 
378  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 This  congregation  was  originated  by  persons  who  separated 
 from  the  Alloa  congregation,  and  who,  along  with  some  resi- 
 dents at  Tulliallan,  applied  for  supply  of  sermon  on  2nd  July 
 1810. 
 
 Regarding  them  the  Presbytery  Record  states  "  that  the 
 people  of  Kincardine  having  written  the  Presbytery  in  their 
 petition  for  supply  that  they  will  rather  want  sermon  than 
 hear  one  of  their  preachers,  the  Presbytery  desire  their  Clerk 
 to  advise  that  people  that  they  either  prefer  the  objections 
 they  have  against  said  preacher  in  a  regular  manner,  or  not 
 presume  to  dictate  to  them  what  preachers  they  shall  send  or 
 not  send." 
 
 On  28th  June  1813,  the  Presbytery,  "in  relation  to  the 
 state  of  the  vacancy  at  Kincardine,  aj)point  Mr  M'Wattie  to  go 
 there  betwixt  this  and  next  meeting  to  receive  accessions,  and 
 to  point  out  to  them  the  regular  steps  to  have  a  Session 
 formed,  and  themselves  organised  as  a  regular  congregation, 
 and  to  report." 
 
 On  2nd  August  181-3,  Mr  M'Wattie  reported  that  there 
 were  two  elders  and  twenty-five  members,  besides  twenty- 
 seven  who  intended  to  become  members  as  soon  as  oppor- 
 tunity offered.  He  constituted  the  two  elders  into  a  Session, 
 and  the  congregation  was  thereupon  regarded  as  a  regular 
 vacancy. 
 
 In  1818  this  congregation  gave  a  call  to  Mr  John  Russell, 
 Probationer,  subscribed  by  eighty-one  members  and  forty-eight 
 adherents,  but  as  Mr  Russell  had  also  been  called  by  the  con- 
 gregations of  Lesmahagow,  Carluke,  Cupar,  Falkirk,  Kirkintil- 
 loch, and  Paisley,  the  Synod  on  29  th  April  preferred  Paisley. 
 
 In  1824  Mr  Ralph  Robb,  Probationer,  was  called,  but  he 
 declined  acceptance. 
 
 The  congregation  afterwards  called  Mr  James  Duncan,  Pro- 
 bationer, which  call  was  accepted. 
 
 First  Minister,  Eev.  James  Duncan.      Ordained  1825. 
 
 In  1839  Mr  Duncan  and  the  congregation  united  with  the 
 Church  of  Scotland,  and  at  the  Disruption  of  1843  separated 
 from  the  Establishment ;  and  he  having  shortly  afterwards 
 been  translated  to  Temple  and  Carrington  Free  Church,  a  new 
 church  was  built  by  the  Free  Church  people  of  Tulliallan,  who 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  3-79 
 
 had  now  united  with  this  conjjresfatiou,  ami  who  had  assisted 
 in  defraying  the  debt  on  tlie  former  Secession  Church.  Mr 
 Duncan  died  11th  December  1879,  in  tlie  seventy-eighth 
 year  of  his  age,  aod  the  fifty-fourth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Statistics  of  TulHallan  Free  Church,  1884  :— Members, 
 148  ;  adherents,  24  ;  average  attendance,  150.  Total  raised, 
 £197  ;  stipend,  £185,  with  manse. 
 
 Kirkcaldy  (Antiburgher),  noiu  Dunnikier  Free  Church. 
 
 Kirkcaldy  is  a  seaport  in  Fifeshire,  on  the  north  shore  of 
 the  Frith  of  Forth,  about  G  miles  east  from  Burntisland,  and 
 14  north  from  Edinburgh. 
 
 This  congregation  was  formed  in  1747  by  the  minority  of 
 the  Abbotshall  Secession  congregation,  who  at  the  breach  cast 
 in  their  lot  with  the  General  Associate  or  Antiburgher  Synod. 
 
 Their  first  place  of  worship  was  built  at  the  East  Bridge 
 of  Kirkcaldy  in  1748.  This  meeting  house  was  superseded 
 by  another  subsequently  erected  at  Pathhead  in  1703,  and 
 containing  795  sittings. 
 
 First  minister,  Rev.  David  Wilson.  Ordained  7th  June 
 1748;   translated  to  Bow  Lane  Church,  London,  1752. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  David  Kay.  Ordained  21st  Nov. 
 1752  ;  died  1755,  in  the  third  year  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Third  Minister,  Rev.  Thomas  Thomson.  Ordained  2  2d 
 November  1757;  died  1789,  in  the  thirty-second  year  of 
 his  ministry. 
 
 Fourth  Minister,  Rev.  James  Thomson,  son  of  the  former 
 minister.  Ordained  19tli  August  1789  ;  died  1801,  in  the 
 thirty-sixth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  twelfth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Fifth  Minister,  Rev.  Thomas  Gray.  Ordained  27th  June 
 1802.  Along  with  the  majority  of  his  congregation,  Mr  Gray 
 declined  uniting  with  the  Burghers  in  1820,  and  hence  he  and 
 they  adhered  to  the  Synod  of  Protesters  from  that  date  till 
 1827,  when,  owing  to  the  union  with  the  Constitutional 
 Presbytery  in  which  they  concun'cd,  the  Original  Secession 
 Synod  was  formed. 
 
 Mr  Gray  died  2d  July  1837,  in  the  sixty-sixth  year  of  his 
 age,  and  the  thirty-fifth  of  his  ministry. 
 
380  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 On  2d  January  1838  the  congregation  petitioned  for  a 
 moderation,  offering  as  stipend  £100.  Tliis  was  granted,  and 
 the  Rev.  Prof  M'Crie  was  appointed  to  preach  and  preside  on 
 the  Monday  after  the  first  Sabbath  of  February.  The  call 
 was  for  the  Rev.  William  White,  of  Haddington,  and  was  sub- 
 scribed by  54  persons.  In  addition,  a  paper  of  adherence  was 
 signed  by  124  persons,  most  of  whom  were  members.  The 
 Presbytery  having  urged  that  £10  additional  for  house  rent  be 
 given,  this  was  agreed  to.  The  case  having  been  referred 
 to  the  Synod,  that  Court,  though  Mr  White  was  desirous  of 
 accepting  the  call,  declined  to  translate  him. 
 
 On  oth  March  1839  the  congregation  again  applied  for  a 
 moderation,  which  was  complied  with.  Stipend  to  be  £110. 
 The  Rev.  David  Sturrock,  of  Midholm,  was  appointed  to 
 oflSciate  on  Monday  after  the  fourth  Sabbath  of  March. 
 
 The  call  was  for  Mr  James  Black,  M.A.,  Probationer,  and 
 was  subscribed  in  all  by  216  members  and  52  adherents. 
 
 Sixth  Minister,  Rev.  James  Black,  M.A.  Ordained  14th 
 August  1839,  when  the  Rev.  Prof  M'Crie,  of  Edinburgh, 
 preached  from  Matthew  iv.  19,  and  presided  ;  the  Rev.  John 
 Aitken,  of  Aberdeen,  addressed  minister  and  people,  and  the 
 Rev.  David  Sturrock,  of  Midholm,  concluded  the  service  by 
 preaching  from  Psalm  xlv.  1 7. 
 
 Along  with  his  congregation,  Mr  Black  united  with  the 
 remanent  Synod  of  Original  Burghers  in  1842,  and  ten  years 
 later,  along  with  the  great  majority  of  the  congregation  who 
 retained  the  church,  he  united  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scot- 
 land. The  church,  which  has  been  considerably  improved  and 
 modernized,  is  now  called  Dunnikier  Free  Church.  Mr  Black 
 died  suddenly  on  10th  December  1880,  in  the  sixty-first  year 
 of  his  age,  and  the  forty-second  of  his  ministry,  and  has  been 
 succeeded  by  the  seventh  minister.  Rev.  William  Fairweather, 
 M.A.,  who  was  ordained  in  1881. 
 
 Statistics  of  congregation  for  1884: — Members,  314; 
 adherents,  40;  total  raised,  £321;  stipend,  £207,  with 
 manse. 
 
 The  members  of  this  congregation  who  declined  to  accede 
 to  the  Free  Church  afterwards  built  for  themselves  a  place 
 of    worship,    and    had  a   pastor,    the    Rev.    Wm.    Hamilton, 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATCONS.  381 
 
 ordained  over  them  iu  1874.  They  arc  at  present  without  a 
 minister,  and  the  following  are  the  statistics  for  1884  : — 
 Members,  23  ;  adherents,  7  ;  total  income,  £88  ;  average 
 contribution  per  member,  £3.  17s.  l^d. 
 
 Kirkcaldy  {Burgher),  noiu  Port  Brae  Estahllshed  Church. 
 
 This  congregation  originated  in  1811,  since,  on  December 
 31st  of  that  year,  a  petition  from  twenty-three  heads  of 
 families  iu  and  about  Kirkcaldy  was  read  to  the  Perth  and 
 Dunfermline  Presbytery,  stating  their  destitute  situation 
 through  innovations  in  Doctrine  and  Worship  contrary  to  the 
 Confession  of  Faith,  and  craving  to  be  taken  under  the 
 inspection  of  this  Court  as  a  vacancy,  for  such  supply  of 
 sermon  as  they  can  atford,  which  petition  was  granted. 
 
 On  Gth  April  1812  it  was  reported  to  the  Presbytery  that 
 the  congregation  consisted  of  two  elders,  two  deacons,  and 
 seventy-one  members. 
 
 On  7  th  August  1815  they  applied  for  a  moderation, 
 stipend  offered,  £90,  with  £15  for  house  rent,  and  to  pay  all 
 taxes,  with  sacramental  expen.ses.  The  Rev.  Mr  M'Wattio, 
 of  Kennoway,  was  appointed  to  preside  on  5  th  September, 
 but  before  moderating  he  was  instructed  to  ascertain  that  the 
 stipend  shall  increase  as  the  congregation  increases.  The  call 
 was  for  Mr  Thomas  Hislop,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed 
 by  106  members  and  9  adherents  ;  but  as  he  was  under 
 call  to  the  united  congregations  of  Bally] intagh  and  Garvagh, 
 the  matter  was  referred  to  the  Synod,  which  at  first  preferred 
 the  latter  congregation,  but  eventually,  in  deference  to  the 
 wish  of  the  Probationer  and  others,  appointed  his  ordination 
 to  be  at  Kirkcaldy. 
 
 On  6th  November  1815  the  Perth  and  Dunfermline 
 Presbytery  recorded  the  following  minute,  viz.,  "  The  paper 
 from  Kirkcaldy  having  charged  this  Court  with  partiality  in 
 the  distribution  of  preachers,  the  Presbytery  express  their 
 marked  disapprobation  of  such  an  unjust  and  rude  accusa- 
 tion, and  order  the  commissioner  from  that  congregation  to 
 assure  his  constituents  if  ever  such  a  paper  come  from  them 
 in  future,  it  will  not   be    received  ;  and    that  the  Presbytery 
 
382  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 cannot  listen  to  the  distinction  of  acceptable  and  unacceptable 
 preachers." 
 
 First  Minister,  K,cv.  Thomas  Hislop,  from  Shottsburn,  of 
 which  his  father  had  been  minister.  Ordained  20th  June 
 1816,  when  the  E,ev.  Wm.  Dalziel,  of  Dunfermline,  began  the 
 services  by  preaching  from  Mark  xvi.  15,  "  And  He  said  unto 
 them,  go  ye,"  &c.  ;  the  Rev.  Alex.  M'Wattie,  of  Kennoway, 
 preached  the  ordination  sermon  from  2  Cor.  iv.  5,  "  For  we 
 preach  not  ourselves,"  &c.,  presided  at  ordination,  and  there- 
 after addressed  pastor  and  people. 
 
 On  28th  December  1819  the  Perth  and  Dunfermline 
 Presbytery  gave  this  congregation  the  loan  of  £200  from  the 
 donation  of  Miss  Ross,  on  the  security  of  their  meeting-house. 
 
 On  10th  May  1820  the  congregation  petitioned  the 
 Presbytery,  offering  to  that  Court  that  their  minister  shall  be 
 contented  with  what  stipend  they  can  give  him  after  paying 
 all  other  expenses  without  any  future  claim,  or  that  the 
 relation  between  them  shall  be  dissolved.  The  Presbytery 
 could  not  listen  to  such  a  petition  in  either  case,  but  order 
 that  congregation  to  pay  up  all  their  arrears  due  their  minister, 
 as  the  first  necessary  step  toward  any  final  arrangement 
 which  may  afterward  be  judged  meet. 
 
 After  much  altercation  among  themselves,  and  with  the 
 Presbytery,  the  Rev.  Thos.  Hislop  demitted  the  charge  of  the 
 congi-egation  to  the  Presbytery  on  14th  April  1823,  he  hav- 
 ing obtained  no  stipend  since  December  1819. 
 
 On  3rd  November  the  Presbytery  learned  that  the  congre- 
 gation at  Kirkcaldy  is  in  a  distracted  state. 
 
 On  29th  January  1828  certain  persons  in  and  about 
 Kirkcaldy  applied  for  sermon,  which  was  granted,  and  on  4th 
 November  following  the  debts  of  the  congregation  were 
 reported  to  the  Presbytery  as  £542,  10s. 
 
 On  23rd  June  1829  the  Presbytery  visited  the  congrega- 
 tion. All  parties  were  present,  were  heard,  and  made 
 explicit  acknowledgment  of  their  faults  towards  one  another. 
 
 On  10th  February  1830  the  Presbytery  granted  the  con- 
 gregation a  moderation  for  electing  elders  and  deacons. 
 These  were  appointed  to  be  ordained  on  Thursday  before  the 
 last  Sabbath  of  July  1830. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  383 
 
 On  1st  March  18:U  application  was  made  for  a  moderation, 
 which  was  granted  for  Tuesday  after  the  third  Sabbath  of 
 Jilarch,  at  '2  P.M.,  the  Rev.  John  Cochrane,  of  Kennoway,  to 
 preach  and  preside.  The  call  was  for  Mr  Robert  Macindoe, 
 Probationer,  and  was  subscribed  by  fifty-eight  members  and 
 seventeen  adherents,  but  as  he  had  been  also  called  to  Balfron, 
 the  case  was  referred  to  the  Synod,  which  preferred  Kirkcaldy. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  Robert  Macindoe.  Ordained  IGth 
 August  1831,  when  the  Rev.  Ralph  Robb,  of  Stratlikinnes. 
 began  the  service  by  preaching  from  2  Cor.  ii.  15,  IG  ;  the 
 Rev.  John  Waddcll,  of  Burrelton,  preached  the  ordination 
 sermon  from  Ezckiel  iii.  17-19  ;  and  after  the  ordination, 
 addressed  minister  and  congregation. 
 
 Along  with  his  congregation  Mr  Macindoe  united  with  the 
 Church  of  Scotland  in  1839,  and  afterwards  built  the  quoad 
 sacra  church  of  Port  Brae.  At  the  Disruption  of  1843  he  and 
 they  adhered  to  the  Free  Protesting  Church  of  Scotland,  and 
 accordingly  were  shut  out  from  the  church  they  had  newly 
 erected.  Mr  jMacindoe  was  translated  to  Free  Church,  Galston, 
 on  28th  February  1844,  and  died  there  on  10th  March  1877, 
 in  the  seventy-third  year  of  his  age,  and  the  forty-sixth  of  his 
 ministry,  and  the  congregation  became  merged  in  Kirkcaldy 
 Free  Church. 
 
 KirJcintilloch  {Burgher),  now  United  Original  Secession 
 
 Church. 
 
 Kirkintilloch  is  a  burgh  town  in  Dumbartonshire,  7  miles 
 north  from  Glasgow,  and  40  west  from  Edinburgh. 
 
 This  congregation  was  originated  by  a  diversity  of  opinion 
 in  the  Burgher  congregation  of  the  town,  which  was  then 
 vacant.  The  ground  of  controversy  was  the  duty  of  the 
 State  respecting  religion,  and  as  those  who  held  the  old  light, 
 or  original  views  of  the  Secession  on  this  point  were  in  a 
 minority,  they  withdrew  from  the  other  congregation,  and  on 
 IGth  April  1800  appHed  for  sermon  to  the  Original  Burgher 
 Presbytery.  A  church  was  afterwards  built,  which  is  still  used 
 by  the  congregation. 
 
 On  8th  April  180G  they  applied  for  a  moderation  for 
 elders,  which   being   granted,  the   Rev.  Jas.  Russell   (minister 
 
384  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 without  a  charge)  was  appointed  to  preach  and  preside  on  5th 
 May.  The  following  were  then  elected,  viz.,  Messrs  John 
 Graham,  .las.  Jlcury,  Archibald  Buchanan,  Matthew  Stirling, 
 Walter  M'Xinlay,  Jas.  M'liuat,  and  .James  Allan.  The  Rev. 
 George  Hill,  of  Cumbernauld,  was  appointed  to  admit  the 
 three  first  mentioned,  and  ordain  the  remaining  four  to  the 
 eldership  on  the  secontl  Sabbath  of  October   I  80G. 
 
 On  2d  February  1808  a  moderation  was  requested. 
 Stipend  offered  £G0,  with  ,£l  T)  for  travelling  expenses,  and 
 £!>)  for  a  house,  total,  £90.  The  IVesbytery  granted  the 
 application  with  the  recommendation  that  £10  be  added  to 
 the  stipend.  The  Rev.  Wm.  Watson,  of  Glasgow,  was 
 ai)pointed  to  ofliciate  on  29  th  February.  The  call  was  for  Mr 
 Alex.  Stark,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed  by  109  members 
 and  52  atlherents,  but  as  Mr  Stark  had  also  been  called  to 
 Falkirk,  Alloa,  and  Carluke,  the  matter  was  referred  to  the 
 Synod,  which  preferred  Falkirk, 
 
 On  13th  February  1810  application  was  made  for  a 
 moderation,  stii)end  to  be  in  all  .£90,  when  the  Rev.  Robt. 
 Torrance,  of  Airdrie,  was  appointed  to  preach  and  preside  on 
 1st  March.  The  call  was  for  Mr  Ebeuczer  Dawson,  Proba- 
 tioner, and  was  subscribed  by  ninety-six  members  and  lorty- 
 two  adherents,  but  as  he  had  also  been  called  to  Carluke  and 
 Dalkeith,  the  case  on  being  refcrretl  to  the  Synod  was  decided 
 in  favour  of  Carluke. 
 
 On  13th  February  1811  application  was  again  made  for 
 a  moderation,  the  congregation  offering  as  stijiend  £G0,  with 
 £20  for  house  rent,  other  £20  for  travelling  expenses,  with 
 the  use  of  a  horse  when  needed.  The  Rev.  Jas.  Gardner,  of 
 Kilpatrick,  was  appointed  to  officiate  on  2Gth  February.  The 
 call  was  for  Mr  Robert  Aitkcn,  Probationer,  and  was  sub- 
 scribed by  122  members,  but  as  Mr  Aitken  had  also  been 
 called  by  the  congregations  at  Dundee,  Dunfermline,  and 
 Shottsburn,  the  matter  was  referred  to  the  Synod,  which 
 preferred  Kirkintilloch. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  Robert  Aitken.  Ordained  5th  Sep- 
 tember 1811,  when  the  Presbytery  having  repaired  con- 
 stitute to  the  Tent,  the  Rev.  Finlay  Stewart,  of  PoUokshaws, 
 began  the  services  by  preaching  from  Luke  xii.  42,  43.      The 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  385 
 
 Rev.  Jas.  Gardner,  of  Kilpatrick,  delivered  the  ordination 
 sermon  from  Mark  xvi.  15,  presided  at  the  ordination,  and 
 thereafter  addressed  pastor  and  people. 
 
 In  February  1812  Mr  Aitken  was  called  to  Dundee,  and 
 the  matter  wa.s  referred  to  the  Synod.  On  tiiis  call  being  set 
 aside,  he  was  called  to  Shottsbiirn,  and  afterwards  in  181. 'J  to 
 Boardmills,  Ireland,  which  two  calls,  however,  the  Synod 
 negatived,  by  continuing  him  at  Kirkintilloch. 
 
 On  llJth  September  ISl.'j  Mr  Aitken  was  again  called  to 
 Dundee,  and  the  matter  being  as  usual  referred  to  the  Synod, 
 he  was  translated  thither  on  .5th  -June  181C. 
 
 On  20th  August  181G  the  congregation  applied  for  a 
 moderation,  oflFering  as  stipend  £110,  with  house  and  glebe, 
 when  the  Rev.  Robt.  Torrance,  of  Airdrie,  was  appointed  to 
 officiate  on  ."ith  September.  The  call  was  for  Mr  George 
 Hill,  Probationer,  and  was  sub-scribed  Vjy  141  members  and 
 ?,7  adherents,  but  as  Mr  Hill  had  also  been  called  by  the 
 Paisley  and  Shottsburn  congregations,  the  Synod,  on  tlie  matter 
 being  remitted  to  them,  preferred  Shottsburn. 
 
 On  18th  February  1818  applied  for  a  moderation,  stipend 
 offered,  £120,  with  a  house  and  glebe,  when  the  Rev.  Jas, 
 Gardner,  of  Kilpatrick,  was  appointed  to  preach  and  preside 
 on  IGth  March.  The  call  was  for  Mr  John  Russell,  Proba- 
 tioner, and  was  subscribed  by  190  members  and  8G  adherents, 
 but  an  he  had  also  been  called  to  Cupar  and  Paisley,  the 
 Synod,  after  consideration,  decided  in  favour  of  Paisley. 
 
 On  IGth  June  1818  applied  for  a  moderatiorL  Stipend  to 
 be  what  wa.s  formerly  promised,  when,  after  delay,  the  Rev. 
 Alex.  Turnbull,  of  Glasgow,  was  appointed  to  moderate  on 
 1  3th  Augu.st.  The  call  was  again  for  Mr  John  Russell,  Pro- 
 bationer, but  as  the  Synod  harl  appointed  him  to  be  ordained 
 at  Paisley,  the  moderator  sistc-d  procedure. 
 
 On  13th  May  1810  application  was  again  made  for  a  mode- 
 ration, stipend  to  be  £120,  with  house  and  glebe,  and  also 
 £.5  for  travelling  expenses.  The  Rev.  Alex.  Turnbull,  of 
 Glasgow,  was  appointed  to  officiate  on  3rd  June.  ]Mr  John 
 Rus.sell,  Probationer,  was,  for  the  third  time,  elected,  and  the 
 call,  which  was  sub.scribed  by  103  members  and  72  adherents, 
 was  accepted. 
 
 2  B 
 
386  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  John  Russell.  Ordained  9  th 
 November  1819,  when  the  Rev.  Robert  Torrance  began  the 
 services  by  preaching  from  Matt,  xxviii.  19,  20,  the  Rev. 
 Finlay  Stewart  delivered  the  ordination  sermon  from  Rom.  x. 
 15,  presided  at  ordination,  and  thereafter  addressed  suitable 
 exhortations  to  minister  and  congregation.  Mr  Russell's 
 ministry  was  brief,  and  was  closed  by  his  death  on  25th 
 February  1824,  in  the  thirty-sixth  year  of  his  age  and  the 
 fifth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 On  18th  June  1826  applied  for  a  moderation,  stipend 
 to  be  £120,  with  manse  and  glebe,  £6  each  time  the  Lord's 
 Supper  is  dispensed,  together  with  £5  for  travelling  expenses. 
 Tlie  Rev.  Peter  Campbell,  of  Kilmarnock,  was  appointed  to 
 officiate  on  the  Tuesday  after  the  third  Sabbath  of  March 
 182G.  The  call  was  for  Mr  William  Tannahill,  Proba- 
 tioner, and  was  subscribed  by  240  members  and  100  ad- 
 herents. 
 
 Third  Minister,  Rev.  Wm.  Tannahill.  Ordained  10th 
 October  182G,  when  the  Rev.  Alex.  Turnbull,  of  Campbell 
 Street,  Glasgow,  began  the  services  by  preaching  from  Isaiah 
 Ixii.  G,  7,  the  Rev.  Wm.  Scott-Hay,  of  Bridge  of  Weir,  delivered 
 the  ordination  sermon  from  Acts  viii.  5,  presided  at  ordination, 
 and  thereafter  addressed  minister  and  congregation. 
 
 Along  with  the  congregation  and  the  remanent  Original 
 Buro-her  Synod,  Mr  Tannahill  united  with  the  Antiburghers,  or 
 Synod  of  Original  Seceders,  in  1842.  He  died  on  27th 
 November  184G,  in  the  fiftieth  year  of  his  age,  and  the 
 twentieth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 On  13th  September  1847  the  congregation  applied  for  a 
 moderation,  offering  as  stipend  £100,  together  with  £10  for 
 communion  expenses.  The  Presbytery,  however,  owing  to  an 
 informality,  appointed  another  congregational  meeting  to  be 
 duly  held,  and  also  that  certain  questions  respecting  finances 
 be  replied  to. 
 
 On  2Gth  October  1847  a  petition  for  a  moderation  was 
 again  laid  on  the  Presbytery's  table,  together  with  a  docu- 
 nient  containing  the  following  congregational  statistics,  viz., 
 Membership,  240;  gross  average  annual  income  during  the 
 previous   three  years  is  £1GG,  IGs.  4d.  ;  the  average  annual 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  387 
 
 burdens,  £50,  Os,  8d.,  which  leaves  average  annual  income  of 
 £107,  15s.  8d.  The  collections  average  annually  £81,  7s., 
 and  the  seat  rents  £G4,  .Ss.  7d.  During  the  three  years  the 
 income  has  rather  diminished,  and  there  are  one  third  more 
 sitters  than  there  are  of  sittings  let. 
 
 The  Presbytery,  after  recommending  strongly  that  £lo 
 additional  should  be  given  to  the  minister  for  house  rent, 
 appointed  Rev.  D.  Headrick  to  moderate  on  Monday,  2 2d 
 November,  at  the  conclusion  of  the  Communion  Thanksgiving 
 service. 
 
 The  moderation  accordingly  took  place,  when  Messrs  E.  A. 
 Thomson,  J.  D.  Paxton,  and  John  Blakely  were  duly  nomin- 
 ated, and  had  respectively  18,  55,  and  103  votes,  and  on 
 the  name  of  Mr  Thomson  being  withdrawn,  78  voted  for  Mr 
 Paxton,  and  109  for  ]\Ir  Blakely,  so  that  the  last  named  had 
 a  majority  of  31. 
 
 On  7th  December  there  was  laid  on  the  Presbytery's  table 
 the  call  to  Mr  John  Blakely,  Probationer,  subscribed  by  141 
 members  and  35  adherents,  together  with  reasons  of  protest 
 against  Mr  Blakely 's  election  subscribed  by  79  members. 
 Among  these  reasons  is  the  following  : — 
 
 "  Because  at  a  meeting  of  the  members  of  the  said  congre- 
 gation, held  in  the  Kirkintilloch  Meeting  House  on  14th 
 October  last,  it  was  resolved  that  a  list  of  members  not  hold- 
 ing seats  and  of  members  in  arrears  of  seat  rents  should  be 
 submitted  by  the  managers  to  the  Session  of  the  said  con- 
 gregation, and  that  the  Session  should  give  judgment  in  re- 
 gard to  such  members,  whether  they  should  be  admitted  to 
 vote  at  the  election  of  a  minister.  We  have  to  state  to  the 
 Presbytery  that  in  compliance  with  this  resolution  the  mana- 
 gers met  and  prepared  a  list  which  was  duly  handed  in  to  the 
 Session,  but  which  it  appears  they  have  not  acted  upon.  In 
 these  circumstances  we  think  the  Session  ought  to  be  made 
 to  do  their  duty,  either  by  being  called  to  your  bar,  or  in 
 whatever  other  way  may  seem  fitting  to  your  reverend  Court, 
 as  we  are  evidently  not  in  a  state  at  present  to  call  until  the 
 Roll  of  Members  is  corrected." 
 
 On  21st  December  the  Presbj^ery  agreed  to  visit  the  con- 
 gregation on  4th  January,  in  order,   if  pos.sible,   to  unite  the 
 
388  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 two   parties    into  which  they  were   unhappily  divided,    and 
 which  were  nearly  equally  numerous. 
 
 At  the  time  appointed  the  congregational  meeting  was  held, 
 and  after  the  moderator  (Rev.  Jas.  Smith,  of  Pollokshaws)  had 
 preached  from  the  text,  "  Follow  peace  with  all  men,"  it  was 
 moved  by  Mr  M'Kinlay  that  both  parties  give  up  their  candi- 
 dates, and  Mr  Mackay  proposed  as  an  amendment  that  the 
 supporters  of  Mr  Blakely  adhere  to  their  nominee,  which 
 amendment  was  carried  by  sixty-two  votes  against  fifty. 
 
 On  8th  February  1848  a  petition,  subscribed  by  130 
 members  and  44  adherents,  was  presented,  asking  that  the 
 call  to  Mr  Blakely  be  not  sustained.  On  a  division  the 
 matter  was  referred  to  the  Synod. 
 
 On  20th  April  the  divided  congregation  held  two  meetings 
 in  the  church  at  the  same  time,  one  of  these  being  held  in 
 the  area,  and  the  other  in  the  gallery.  The  former  of  these 
 meetings  unanimously  agreed  to  withdraw,  or  pass  from  the 
 call  to  Mr  Blakely,  and  apply  for  another  moderation,  offer- 
 ing as  stipend  £140,  whilst  the  other  meeting,  which  consisted 
 of  Mr  Blakely's  supporters,  appointed  Messrs  J.  Mackay, 
 senior  and  junior,  to  prosecute  the  call  before  the  Synod,  and 
 also  that  if  practicable  £15  be  added  to  the  £110  formerly 
 offered. 
 
 The  Synod,  after  hearing  both  parties,  decided  in  favour  of 
 Mr  Blakely's  settlement. 
 
 Fourth  Minister,  Eev.  John  Blakely,  D.D.  Ordained  2d 
 August  1848.  Called  to  Edinburgh,  but  remained  at  Kirkin- 
 tilloch till  his  death,  on  27th  November  1866,  in  the  fifty- 
 first  year  of  his  age,  and  the  eighteenth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 On  80th  November  the  congregation  called  Mr  Thomas 
 Gilchrist,  Probationer. 
 
 Fifth  Minister,  the  Rev.  Thos.  Gilchrist.  Ordained  29th 
 April  1869,  when  the  Rev.  John  Robertson,  of  Ayr,  conducted 
 the  opening  devotional  exercises,  the  Rev.  Wm.  B.  Gardiner,  of 
 Pollokshaws,  preached  from  Col.  iv.  12,  the  Rev.  Jas  Smellie, 
 of  Edinburgh,  presided  at  ordination,  the  Rev.  John  Ritchie, 
 of  Shottsburn  addressed  pastor  and  congregation,  and  the 
 Rev.  John  Mackay,  of  Aberdeen,  conducted  the  concluding 
 devotions. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  389 
 
 After  a  brief  luiuistry  Mr  Ciilclirist  expired,  and  lias  been 
 succeeded  in  1S73  by  the  Rev.  Andrew  Millar,  who  is  thus 
 the  Sixth  Minister  of  the  congregation. 
 
 Statistics  of  congregation  for  1884;  : — Members,  170  ; 
 adherents,  40;  total  income,  £260;  stipend,  £150,  with 
 manse  ;  average  contribution  per  member,  £1,  lis.  4|d. 
 
 Kirkintilloch  Second  Congregation  {United  Original 
 Secession),  now  in  Free  Church. 
 
 This  congregation  was  originated  by  a  breach  in  the  First 
 or  Townhead  Congi'egation  (sec  above)  in  connection  with  the 
 settlement  of  a  minister. 
 
 On  13th  June  1848  a  petition  was  laid  on  the  Glasgow 
 Presbytery's  table,  desiring  that  the  seceding  members  be 
 formed  into  a  separate  congregation.  This  was  agreed  to, 
 and  the  Rev.  James  M.  Smith,  of  Pollokshaws,  was  appointed 
 to  preach  to  them,  and  afterwards  constitute  them  into  a 
 separate  congregation,  on  the  Thursday  before  the  second 
 Sabbath  of  July  1848. 
 
 Having  applied  for  and  obtained  a  moderation,  the  Rev. 
 E.  A.  Thomson,  of  Dundee,  was  chosen  as  pastor,  and  the  call 
 subscribed  by  ninety-three  members  and  forty-three  adherents. 
 The  matter  having  been  referred  to  the  Synod,  which  con- 
 tinued Mr  Thomson  in  Dundee,  the  congregation,  on  Gth 
 February  1849,  again  applied  for  a  moderation,  offering  as 
 stipend  £150.  The  Rev.  D.  Headrick,  of  Longridgc,  was 
 appointed  to  preach  and  preside  on  23  rd  February.  The 
 Rev.  E.  A.  Thomson,  of  Dundee,  was  again  elected,  but 
 the  Synod  refused  to  translate  him.  On  1st  April  1851  it 
 was  reported  that  the  congregation  had  united  with  the  con- 
 gregation of  the  Rev.  Dr  Andrew  Marshall,  who,  on  doctrinal 
 grounds,  had  separated  from  the  United  Secession  Church, 
 and  who  afterwards  applied  for  admission  into  the  United 
 Original  Secession  Church,  though  the  application  proved 
 unsuccessful.  Dr  Marshall's  congregation  afterwards  united 
 with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  and  is  now  known  as 
 Free  St  Andrew's. 
 
390  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Kirkwall  (Antihurgher),  noiv  extinct. 
 
 Kirkwall  is  a  burgh  town  and  seaport  in  the  mainland  of 
 Orkney,  211  miles  north  from  Edinburgh  by  sea. 
 
 This  congregation  was  originated  by  persons  who  had 
 formerly  been  connected  with  the  New  Light  Antiburgher 
 Congregation,  of  which  the  Eev.  Dr  Eobert  Paterson  was 
 minister,  but  who  disapproved  not  only  of  the  union  with  the 
 Burgher  Synod  in  1820,  but  also  of  the  voluntary  opinions 
 which  were  now  prevalent.  Hence,  on  12th  May  1824,  a 
 petition  for  sermon,  subscribed  by  eleven  members  and  fifty- 
 three  adherents,  was  laid  by  them  on  the  table  of  the  Synod 
 of  Protesters,  and  in  October  following  the  Rev.  John 
 M'Donald,  of  Thurso,  was  appointed  to  preach  to  them,  ordain 
 elders,  and  constitute  a  Session. 
 
 In  1827  the  congregation  called  Mr  Ebenezer  Ritchie, 
 Probationer ;  but  as  he  had  also  been  called  to  Toberdoney, 
 Ireland,  the  case  was  referred  to  the  Synod,  which,  on  l7th 
 May  1827,  preferred  Kirkwall,  which  decision  was  probably 
 the  last  piece  of  business  the  Synod  of  Protesters  did  prior  to 
 its  union  with  the  Constitutional  Presbytery. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  Ebenezer  Ritchie.  Ordained  21st 
 November  1827,  when  the  Rev.  James  Cairncross,  of  Birsay, 
 preached  from  Jer.  xxiii,  22,  presided  at  ordination,  and 
 addressed  pastor  and  people  ;  and  the  Eev.  Robert  Shaw,  of 
 Whitburn,  closed  the  service  by  preaching  from  1  Cor.  iii.  7. 
 
 On  7th  April  1840  Mr  Ritchie  demitted  his  charge  owing 
 to  insufficiency  of  stipend,  and  the  congregation,  which  could 
 not  guarantee  more  than  £55  per  annum,  expressed  their 
 unfeigned  sorrow  at  the  distressing  prospect  of  losing  their 
 esteemed  minister. 
 
 On  15th  June  1840  Mr  Ritchie  withdrew  his  demission  for 
 a  time,  but  afterwards  renewed  it  on  1st  May  1843,  when  it 
 was  accepted,  and  the  pastoral  tie  was  loosed  by  the  Presby- 
 tery ;  the  Clerk,  moreover,  being  instructed  to  write  to  the 
 congregation  of  Kirkwall,  recommending  them  for  the  honour 
 of  the  cause  to  do  all  in  their  power  to  pay  the  Rev.  Mr 
 Ritchie  the  sum  of  £2.3  which  he  claims  as  arrears. 
 
 On   30th    October   1843  the  congregation   petitioned  the 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  '^JH 
 
 Presbytery  for  a  moderation  ;  stipend  to  be  £54  and  £G  tor 
 house  rent,  or  £G0  in  all,  which  request  was  granted  on  the 
 understanding  that  the  Presbytery  shall  aid  the  congregation 
 pecuniarily  for  a  few  years,  and  the  Rev.  Robert  Auld,  of 
 Birsay,  Avas  appointed  to  preach  and  preside. 
 
 The  call  was  for  the  Rev.  Alex.  Duncan,  formerly  of 
 Dundee,  and  was  accepted  on  the  above  conditions.  The 
 settlement,  however,  never  took  place,  owing  to  the  serious 
 illness  of  ^Ir  Duncan. 
 
 On  28th  October  184-4,  Mr  Duncan,  who  was  afflicted  with 
 paralysis,   demitted   his  acceptance   of  the   call   to   Kirkwall, 
 and,  owing  to  the  scarcity  of  probationers,  the  Presbytery  was 
 unable  to  give  supply  to  Kirkwall  during  the  following  winter. 
 On  1st  May  184.")   a  moderation  was  again  asked  for  and 
 granted,  as  the  Synod  had  agreed  to  aid  this  congregation  for 
 two   or   three   years  with    £20   annually.      The  Rev.  Robert 
 Auld,  of  Birsay,  was  appointed  to  preach  and  preside.      The 
 call  was  for  Mr  James  M'Lean,  Probationer,  and  was  accepted. 
 Second    Minister,    Rev.    James   M'Lean.      Ordained    14th 
 August    1845,  when   the  Rev.    Robert  Auld  preached  from 
 2   Cor.   iv.  7,   and   the   Rev.  Alex.  Brown,  of  Coupar-Angus, 
 addressed  pastor  and   congregation.      Mr  M'Lean  having  de- 
 mitted his  charge  in  1849,  the  congregation  called  Mr  David 
 Walker,  Probationer,  on  7th  February  1850. 
 
 Third  Minister,  Rev.  David  Walker.  Ordained  25th  July 
 1850,  when  the  Rev.  Robert  Auld,  of  Birsay,  preached,  pre- 
 sided, and  addressed  minister  and  people,  whilst  the  Rev.  John 
 Downes,  of  Boardtnills,  concluded  the  service  by  delivering  a 
 sermon. 
 
 Along  with  the  congregation,  Mr  Walker  united  with  the 
 Free  Church  of  Scotland  in  1852.  In  the  following  year, 
 however,  he  demitted  his  charge,  and  emigrated  to  Port  Samia 
 in  Canada  in  1854,  Avhere  he  died  in  1861. 
 
 After  Mr  Walker's  demission,  the  congregation  dispersed. 
 
 Kirriemuir  {Constitutional),  noiv  United  Original  Secession 
 
 Church. 
 
 Kirriemuir  is  a  town  in  Forfarshire,  G  miles  north-west 
 from  Forfar,  and  18  north-west  from  Dundee. 
 
892  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 This  congregation  was  one  of  the  offshoots  from  that  of  Dum- 
 barrow,  which  being  11  miles  from  Kirriemuir,  was  incon- 
 veniently far  for  worshippers  who  were  accustomed  to  wait  on 
 divine  ordinances  there  regularly  every  Sabbath. 
 
 Application  was  made  for  sermon  to  the  Antiburgher  Pres- 
 bytery of  Perth  in  1772,  and  a  meeting  house,  containing  500 
 sittings,  was  erected  in  the  following  year. 
 
 The  congregation  having  applied  for  and  obtained  a  modera- 
 tion, called  Mr  James  Punton,  who  having  been  also  called  to 
 Hamilton,  was  ordained  there. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  James  Aitken.  Ordained  29  th 
 December  1778. 
 
 Having  objected  to  the  imposition  of  the  Narrative  and 
 Testimony  as  a  term  of  Communion,  and  assisted  in  the  for- 
 mation of  the  Constitutional  Presbytery  in  1806,  Mr  Aitken 
 and  the  majority  of  his  congregation  separated  from  the 
 General  Associate  Synod.  Though  the  church  was  claimed 
 and  retained  by  the  Synod  party,  Mr  Aitken  and  his  adherents 
 kept  possession  of  the  manse.  A  new  church  was  therefore 
 erected  in  1806,  which  is  still  used  by  the  congregation. 
 
 On  10th  November  1829  the  congregation  petitioned  for  a 
 moderation  in  a  call  to  a  colleague  to  the  Rev.  James  Aitken. 
 Stipend  to  be  £60,  the  half  of  which  the  aged  colleague  gives 
 from  his  own  stipend,  with  the  hope  by  and  bye  to  provide  a 
 house,  or  give  an  equivalent.  The  Rev.  James  Meek,  of  Car- 
 noustie, was  appointed  to  preach  on  10th  February  18-30,  after 
 which  the  Rev.  James  Gray,  of  Brechin,  was  to  moderate. 
 The  call  was  for  Mr  James  Anderson,  Probationer,  and  was 
 accepted  on  the  understanding  that  he  was  not  to  be  expected 
 to  preach  three  times  every  Sabbath. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  James  Anderson.  Ordained  26th 
 October  1830,  when  the  Rev.  James  Meek  preached  from  2 
 Cor.  ii.  16,  the  Rev.  James  Gray  presided  at  ordination,  and 
 addressed  minister  and  people,  and  the  Rev.  John  Aitken,  of 
 Aberdeen,  concluded  the  service  by  delivering  a  sermon  from 
 Heb.  xiii.  17. 
 
 Mr  Aitken,  the  senior  colleague,  during  whose  ministry  the 
 consrreo-ation  had  on  four  occasions  renewed  the  National 
 Covenants  in  a  bond  suited  to  the  times,  died  24th  September 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  393 
 
 1834,  in  the  seventy -eighth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  fifty- 
 sixth  of  his  minist^3^ 
 
 Mr  Anderson,  owing  to  bad  health,  haviugon  15th  October 
 1839  retired  ou  a  pension  of  £10  annually  from  the  congrega- 
 tion, and  gone  to  Edinburgh  to  pui-sue  a  literary  career,  the 
 congregation  applied  for  a  moderation,  offering  as  stipend,  in 
 addition  to  the  annuity  above  mentioned,  £70,  with  the  manse. 
 The  Rev.  John  Sandison,  of  Arbroath,  was  appointed  to  preach 
 and  preside  on  0th  May  1  840.  The  call  was  for  Rev.  Archi- 
 bald Brown,  A.M.,  Leslie,  and  was  signed  by  twenty-seven 
 male  members  and  eleven  adherents.  The  matter  having 
 been  referred  to  the  Synod,  that  Court  on  19th  August  agreed 
 to  his  translation. 
 
 Third  Minister,  Rev.  Archibald  Brown,  A.M.,  formerly  of 
 Leslie.      Inducted  1840. 
 
 The  congi-egation  of  Adam  Square,  Edinburgh,  having 
 called  Mr  Brown  to  be  their  minister,  the  Synod  on  15th 
 September  1842  refused  to  translate  him,  whereupon  Mr 
 Brown  demitted  his  charge,  which  demission,  after  delay,  was 
 accepted,  and  he  having  been  again  called  to  Adam  Square, 
 Edinburgh,  was  inducted  there. 
 
 In  1844  the  congregation  presented  a  call  to  Mr  Edward 
 A.  Thomson,  Probationer,  but  as  he  had  also  been  called  to  Dun- 
 dee, the  Synod  on  1st  ]\Iay  appointed  him  to  the  latter  charge. 
 
 On  19th  December  1844  the  congregation  called  Mr  James 
 Aitken,  M.A.,  Probationer,  who,  however,  shortly  after  the  call 
 was  given,  was  removed  by  death. 
 
 The  congregation  next  gave  a  call  to  Mr  John  D.  Paxton, 
 Probationer,  which  was  accepted. 
 
 Fourth  Minister,  Rev.  John  Dunlop  Paxton.  Ordained 
 March  1840.  Mr  Paxton  having  been  called  to  East  Camp- 
 bell Street,  Glasgow,  the  Synod  on  1st  November  1848 
 declined  to  translate  him,  but  on  his  having  again  been  called 
 by  the  same  congregation,  the  Synod  on  2nd  May  1849 
 agreed  to  the  translation. 
 
 Fifth  Minister,  Rev.  Robert  Craig.  Ordained  14th 
 February  1855.  In  1800  he  was  called  to  Thurso,  but 
 declined.  Died  14th  March  18G9,  in  the  forty-second  year 
 of  his  age,  and  the  fifteenth  of  his  ministry. 
 
394  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 On  8th  March  1871  the  congregation  elected  the  Rev, 
 A.  T.  M'Clennaghan,  of  Kilmarnock,  the  call  being  sub- 
 scribed by  four  elders,  seventy-one  members,  and  twenty-six 
 adherents. 
 
 Sixth  Minister,  Rev.  Andrew  Thomson  M'Clennaghan, 
 formerly  of  Kilmarnock.  Inducted  31st  May  1871.  Resigned, 
 afterwards  joined  the  Established  Church,  went  abroad,  and 
 died. 
 
 Seventh  Minister,  Rev.  William  W.  Spiers.  Ordained 
 1878,  and  after  several  years'  service  he  was  translated  to 
 Darvel,  Ayrshire. 
 
 Statistics  for  1884  : — Members,  47  ;  adherents,  8  ;  total 
 income,  £78  ;  at  present  without  a  minister ;  average  con- 
 tribution per  member,  £1,  13  s.  2fd. 
 
 Lanark  {Burgher),  noiv  in  Free  Church. 
 
 Lanark  is  the  county  town  of  Lanarkshire,  and  is  32 
 miles  south-west  from  Edinburgh,  and  25  south-east  from 
 Glasgow. 
 
 The  first  supply  of  sermon  was  given  to  this  congregation 
 on  the  third  Sabbath  of  November  1799,  by  the  Rev.  George 
 Williamson,  and  on  5th  April  1800  they  reported  to  the 
 Presbytery  that  they  had  sixty  members. 
 
 On  the  5th  August  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Hislop,  of  Shotts- 
 burn,  constituted  the  session. 
 
 Owing  to  a  disruption  in  the  New  Light  Burgher  Congre- 
 gation of  Lanark,  the  Edinburgh  Presbytery  on  27th  December 
 1827  received  a  petition  from  a  number  of  persons  in  and 
 about  that  town  requesting  sermon,  when  the  Rev.  Jas. 
 Watson,  of  Edinburgh,  was  appointed  to  preach  to  them  on 
 the  second  Sabbath  of  January  1828.  The  Presbytery  after- 
 wards appointed  the  Rev.  David  Headrick  to  constitute  the 
 persons  applying  for  membership  into  a  congregation,  on  the 
 Monday  after  the  third  Sabbath  of  April,  also  to  moderate  in 
 an  election  of  elders  among  them,  and,  moreover,  the  Presbytery 
 agreed  that  for  a  time  the  stipend  paid  to  preachers  by  this 
 congregation  shall  be  fifteen  shillings  per  Sabbath. 
 
 Messrs  Archibald  Davidson,  William  Russell,  and  Thomas 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  395 
 
 Walker  having  been  chosen  for  eklcrs,  the  Presbytery  on  20th 
 June  1828  appointed  their  edict  to  be  served  in  due  form, 
 which  having  been  returned,  the  Rev.  Wm.  Logan,  of  Lcsma- 
 hagow,  was  appointed  to  ordain  them  on  the  foiirth  Sabbath  of 
 October. 
 
 On  19th  October  18:10  the  congregation  applied  for  a 
 moderation,  stipend  offered  £G0,  with  the  promise  of  increas- 
 ing it  as  soon  as  it  is  in  their  power  to  do  so.  The  Rev. 
 Clement  Moscrip,  of  Bathgate  was  appointed  to  officiate  on 
 the  Tuesday  after  the  first  Sabbath  of  December.  The  call 
 was  for  Mr  John  H.  Garven,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed 
 by  fifty-seven  members  and  adherents. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  John  H.  Garven.  Ordained  4th  May 
 1831,  when  the  Rev.  David  Headrick,  of  Longridge,  began 
 the  services  by  preaching  from  Ezekiel  xxxiii.  1-9,  the  Rev. 
 William  Logan,  of  Lesmahagow,  delivered  the  ordination 
 sermon  from  1  Cor.  iv.  1,  2,  presided  at  the  ordination,  and 
 thereafter  gave  suitable  addresses  to  the  minister  and  con- 
 gregation. The  Kev.  Jas.  Anderson  having  retired,  and  the 
 Session  having  been  constituted,  Mr  William  Piussell,  elder, 
 Avas  returned  as  their  representative,  and  his  name  was  added 
 to  the  Roll  of  Presbytery. 
 
 On  22nd  May  1834,  Mr  Garven  demitted  his  charge,  owing 
 to  the  poverty  of  the  congregation  and  other  cognate  reasons, 
 which  resignation  was  reluctantly  accepted.  He  afterwards 
 proceeded  to  Australia,  became  the  pastor  of  the  Presbyterian 
 Church  of  Maitland,  in  New  South  Wales,  whence  he  was 
 transferred  to  the  seaport  town  of  Shoalhaven,  in  that  colony, 
 where  he  died. 
 
 On  5th  April  183G,  applied  for  a  moderation,  stipend  to  be 
 XGO,  when  the  Rev.  David  Headrick  was  appointed  to  officiate 
 on  the  Tuesday  after  the  fourth  Sabbath  of  April.  The  call 
 was  for  Mr  Peter  R.  Sawers,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed 
 by  fifty-two  members  in  full  communion,  and  nine  adherents  ; 
 but  as  he  had  also  been  called  to  Loughbrickland,  Ireland,  the 
 matter  was  referred  to  the  Synod,  which  preferred  Lanark. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  Peter  R.  Sawers.  Ordained  29th 
 November  1836,  when  the  Rev.  George  Hill,  of  Shottsburn, 
 preached  the  ordination  sermon  from  1  Tim.  iv.  IG,  and  pre- 
 
396  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 sided  at  ordination,  after  which  the  Rev.  Andrew  M'Kenzie, 
 of  South  Gray's  Close,  Edinburgh,  gave  suitable  exhortations 
 to  minister  and  congregation.  Mr  Sawers  having  retired  and 
 constituted  the  Session,  Mr  Thomas  Lang  was  returned  as  re- 
 presentative elder,  and  his  name  was  accordingly  added  to  the 
 roll  of  Presbytery. 
 
 Along  with  the  congregation,  Mr  Sawers  united  with  the 
 Church  of  Scotland  in  1839,  and  shortly  afterwards  he  was 
 translated  to  High  Bridge,  Newcastle,  and  after  the  Disrup- 
 tion of  1843  became  minister  of  the  Free  Church  of  Gar- 
 gun  nock,  Stirlingshire. 
 
 After  the  removal  of  Mr  Sawers,  the  conOTeffation,  which 
 was  never  large,  rapidly  dissolved.  The  church  was  built  in 
 1829,  at  a  cost  of  about  £360,  and  contained  ''27 o  sittings. 
 After  the  dissolution  of  the  congregation  it  stood  unoccupied 
 for  several  years,  and  had  a  debt  of  about  £80  resting  on  it. 
 Subsequent  to  the  Disruption,  the  Free  Church  Congregation 
 purchased  it  for  £100,  and  after  extensive  repairs  and  im- 
 provements, costing  about  £150,  occupied  it  as  their  place  of 
 worship  till  1883,  when  they  removed  it  and  erected  a  larger, 
 more  beautiful,  and  much  more  expensive  church  on  its  site. 
 
 Leith    (United    Original    Secession),    noiv    Trinity 
 Free  Church. 
 
 Leith  is  a  seaport  of  Edinburgh,  and  is  contiguous  to  the 
 city. 
 
 This  congregation  was  originated  by  the  Doctrinal  Contro- 
 versy, which  raged  in  the  United  Secession  Church  during  the 
 years  1845-46.  It  was  an  offshoot  from  Kirkgate  United 
 Secession  Congregation,  whose  pastor,  the  Rev.  Wm.  Marshall, 
 was  much  dissatisfied  with  the  mode  in  which  the  controversy 
 was  settled  in  the  Synod.  Along  with  his  father,  Eev.  Dr 
 Wm.  Marshall,  of  Kirkintilloch,  and  the  Eev.  Wm.  Scott,  of 
 Leslie,  he  was  a  member  of  a  church  which  had  a  brief  exist- 
 ence, viz.,  the  Calvinistic  Secession,  but  on  2nd  November 
 1848,  along  with  his  congregation,  which  had  erected  a  church 
 in  Junction  Eoad,  he  applied  for  admission  into  the  United 
 Original  Secession  Church.      After  conversation  and  delay  this 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  397 
 
 was  granted  on  21st  November  1848.  Along  with  lii.s  con- 
 gregation be  united  witb  the  Free  Cburcb  of  Scotland  in 
 1852,  and  was,  in  1850,  translated  to  bis  late  father's  con- 
 gregation in  Kirkintilloch,  where  he  died  in  18 GO.  This 
 congregation  afteiwards  removed  to  a  church  which  they  had 
 erected  near  the  foot  of  Leith  Walk,  and  which  bears  the 
 name  of  Trinity  Free  Church.  The  Rev.  A.  S.  Muir,  D.D., 
 is  its  pastor. 
 
 Total  income  of  congregation  for  1882,  £214. 
 
 Lesmahagow  (Burgher),  now  extinct. 
 
 Lesmabagow  is  a  village  in  Lanarkshire,  6  miles  south- 
 west from  Lanark,  and  23  south-east  from  Glasgow. 
 
 This  conoTCfjation  was  an  offshoot  from  the  Original  Buroher 
 Congregation  of  Carluke,  and  its  formation  was  designed  for 
 the  convenience  of  those  members  of  the  Carluke  congregation 
 who  resided  in  Lesmabagow  and  neighbourhood,  and  thus  were 
 far  from  their  place  of  worship. 
 
 On  28tb  April  1814,  the  Presbytery  of  Edinburgh  read  a 
 petition  from  forty  persons  in  and  about  Lesmahagow,  craving 
 the  Presbytery  "  to  take  their  clamant  state  into  considera- 
 tion, and  grant  them  supply  of  sermon  ;"  but  the  Presbytery 
 found  that  the  petition  was  informal,  being  subscribed  by 
 many  who  were  members  of  Carluke  congregation.  The  Pres- 
 bytery wished  to  give  them  all  encouragement  when  they 
 applied  in  a  legal  manner,  and  recommended  them  to  apply 
 to  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Dawson,  of  Carluke,  for  wdiat  advice, 
 assistance,  and  encouragement  they  find  necessary. 
 
 On  19th  July  1814  the  petition  having  been  renewed,  the 
 Presbytery  agreed  to  grant  them  supply  of  sermon. 
 
 On  12th  March  1816  they  petitioned  the  Presbytery  that 
 Messrs  Wm.  Miller,  Jas.  Greenshields,  and  John  Hogg, 
 formerly  elders  in  Carluke  congregation,  should  be  constituteil 
 into  a  Session,  when  the  Presbytery  ordered  that  their  edict 
 be  served  on  fourth  Sabbath  of  ]\Iarch.  No  objections  having 
 been  offered,  the  Rev,  John  Inglis,  of  Greenlaw  was  appointed 
 to  constitute  them  into  a  Session  on  the  first  Sabbath  of 
 May. 
 
398  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 On  1st  May  1817  the  congregation  applied  for  a  modera- 
 tion, stipend  to  be  £70  with  a  house  and  garden,  but  the 
 application  was  not  granted,  because  the  said  stipend  was  by 
 far  too  small. 
 
 On  9th  June  1817  they  again  applied  for  a  moderation, 
 offering  £5  additional  as  stipend,  but  the  Presbytery  still 
 refused  to  grant  their  request,  owing  to  the  smallness  of  the 
 stipend  offered. 
 
 On  21st  July  1817  the  congregation  again  applied  for  a 
 moderation,  offering  other  £5  additional,  that  is  in  all  £80, 
 with  house  and  garden,  as  stipend.  The  Presbytery,  how- 
 ever, delayed  the  matter,  whilst  they  appointed  a  committee 
 to  enquire  into  the  circumstances  of  the  congregation. 
 
 On  24th  February  1818  applied  for  a  moderation,  stipend 
 to  be  £100  with  sacramental  expenses,  and  a  house  and 
 garden,  when  the  Rev.  Jas.  Watson  of  Edinburgh  was 
 appointed  to  preach  and  preside  on  27th  March.  The  call 
 was  for  Mr  John  Russell,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed  by 
 97  members  and  120  adherents,  but  Mr  Russell  having  been 
 also  called  to  Carluke,  Cupar,  Paisley,  and  Kirkintilloch,  the 
 matter  was  referred  to  the  Synod,  which  preferred  Kirkin- 
 tilloch. 
 
 On  6  th  April  1819  applied  for  a  moderation,  offering  as 
 stipend  £100  with  house  and  garden,  and  a  promise  to 
 increase  the  stipend  as  soon  as  Providence  puts  it  in  their 
 power.  The  Rev.  George  Hill,  of  Shottsburn,  was  appointed 
 to  officiate  on  22nd  April.  The  call  was  for  Mr  W.  Logan, 
 probationer,  and  was  subscribed  by  104  members  and  148 
 adherents,  but  as  he  had  also  been  called  to  Falkirk,  the 
 matter  was  referred  to  the  Synod,  which  decided  in  favour  of 
 Lesmahagow, 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  William  Logan.  Ordained  1st  March 
 1820,  when  the  Rev.  George  Hill,  of  Shottsburn,  began  the 
 service  by  preaching  from  2  Cor.  iv.  5  ;  the  Rev.  Jas.  Watson, 
 of  Edinburgh,  then  delivered  the  ordination  sermon  from 
 2  Tim.  iv.  5,  presided  at  ordination,  and  thereafter  addressed 
 pastor  and  people.  Mr  Logan  having  retired  and  constituted 
 the  Session,  Mr  John  Hogg  was  returned  as  their  representa- 
 tive, and  his  name  added  to  the  Presbytery  roll. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  399 
 
 In  1839  this  congregation,  along  with  their  pastor,  united 
 with  the  Church  of  Scotland,  and  at  the  disruption  of  1843 
 adb.ered  to  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland.  On  the  translation 
 of  Mr  Logan  to  Free  Church,  Sanquhar,  it  was  considered 
 undesirable  to  have  two  Free  Church  conorresfations  in  the 
 same  village.  A  portion  of  this  congregation,  therefore, 
 united  with  Lesmahagow  Free  Church,  whilst  those  remaining 
 united  with  the  Iieformed  Presbyterians,  who,  with  the  Rev. 
 Ml-  Milwain  removed  from  a  neighbouring  village  to  their 
 church.  After  Mr  Milwain's  decease,  the  Rev.  Mr  M'Meekin 
 became  pastor,  but  owing  to  imfavourable  circumstances,  the 
 congregation  gi'adually  diminished  and  became  extinct,  and 
 the  meeting-house  was  gifted  to  the  minister,  who  afterwards 
 sold  it. 
 
 Leslie  (Antiburgher),  now  extinct. 
 
 Leslie  is  a  town  in  Fifeshire,  3  miles  west  from  Markinch, 
 and  9  miles  north-west  from  Kirkcaldy. 
 
 The  first  recorded  supply  was  given  to  this  congregation  by 
 Mr  John  Millar,  Probationer,  on  the  fourth  Sabbath  of  February 
 1828. 
 
 On  l7th  March  1829  application  was  made  for  a  modera- 
 tion, stipend  offered  £80,  without  a  house,  or  £70,  Avith  a 
 house.  The  Rev.  Thomas  Gray,  of  Kirkcaldy,  was  appointed 
 to  preach  and  preside  on  30th  March. 
 
 The  call  was  for  Mr  Archibald  lUown,  Probationer,  and  was 
 subscribed  by  sixteen  members. 
 
 First  and  only  Minister,  Rev.  Archibald  Brown,  M.A.  Or- 
 dained 10th  November  1829,  when  the  Ifev.  Dr  M'Crie,  of 
 Edinburgh,  preached  from  Eph.  iv.  1 2  ;  the  Rev.  Thos.  Gray, 
 of  Kirkcaldy,  presided  at  the  ordination  ;  the  Rev.  Robert 
 Shaw,  of  Whitburn,  addressed  pastor  and  congregation,  and 
 the  Rev.  Matthew  JNIurray,  of  Glasgow,  concluded  the  service 
 by  preaching  from  Psalm  Ixxxix.  15. 
 
 Mr  Brown  having  been  in  May  1840  called  to  Kirriemuir, 
 was  translated  thither  by  the  Synod  in  the  following  Auf^ust, 
 and  on  the  7  th  December  of  the  same  year  a  paper  was  read 
 at    the    Presbytery   from    this   congregation,  expressing    their 
 
400  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 willingness  to  receive  regular  supply  of  sermon,  but  also 
 stating  their  inability  to  support  ordinances.  Shortly  after- 
 wards the  congregation  became  extinct. 
 
 Midholm  {Antiburgher),  now  United  Original  Secession 
 Church. 
 
 Midholm,  or  Midlera,  is  a  village  in  Bowden  Parish,  Eox- 
 burghshire,  4  miles  south-east  from  Selkirk,  and  4  south- 
 west  from  Melrose. 
 
 This  congregation  originated  from  the  forced  settlement  of 
 an  unpopular  presentee  to  the  Parish  Church  of  Bowden. 
 
 Application  having  been  made  for  sermon  to  the  Associate 
 Presbytery  during  the  controversy  connected  with  the  above 
 case,  Mr  Andrew  Clarkson,  Probationer,  but  afterwards  Seces- 
 sion minister  of  Craigmailen,  preached  at  Midholm,  on  the 
 last  Sabbath  of  June  1740,  and  supply  of  sermon  was  given 
 alternately  at  Midholm  and  Ettrick,  till  a  minister  was  settled 
 at  Midholm,  when  the  Seceders  in  Ettrick,  Yarrow,  and  Ash- 
 kirk  were  regarded  as  belonging  to  the  congregation. 
 
 The  church,  which  was  built  in  1746,  is  still  occupied  by 
 the  congregation,  and  although  now  more  comfortable  than 
 formerly,  had  in  1860  its  sitting  accommodation  reduced  to 
 250. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  Patrick  Matthew.  Ordained  14th  May 
 1742.  Adhered  with  the  majority  of  the  congregation  to  the 
 General  Associate  (Antiburgher)  Synod  at  the  Breach  of 
 1747,  but  in  1751  his  opinion  became  changed,  and  he  joined 
 the  Burghers.  In  1752  he  was  translated  to  Auchtermuchty, 
 and  ultimately  emigrated  to  America,  where  he  died. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  Andrew  Arnot.  Ordained  8th  July 
 1752  ;  died  24th  May  1803,  in  the  eighty-first  year  of  his 
 age,  and  the  fifty-first  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Mr  Arnot,  in  compliance  with  the  request  of  the  Synod 
 about  the  year  1754,  went  to  America  to  aid  in  supplying 
 Gospel  ordinances  to  the  early  settlers  there.  After  labouring 
 for  about  twelve  months,  he  returned  to  his  charge. 
 
 Third    Minister,    Rev.    Laurence    Glass.       Ordained    11th 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  401 
 
 January  1803;  deposed  1800,  and  became  a  farmer  near 
 Melrose. 
 
 Fourth  Minister,  IJev.  James  Inglis.  Ordained  28th  February 
 1809  ;  resigned  24th  July  1828. 
 
 The  congregation  then,  on  4th  August  following,  applied  to 
 the  Original  Secession  Presbytery  of  Edinburgh  for  supply  of 
 sermon,  which  was  granted,  and  the  Rev.  Robert  Shaw,  of 
 Whitburn,  was  appointed  to  preach  to  them  on  the  third  Sab- 
 bath of  August. 
 
 On  I7th  March  1829  application  was  made  for  a  modera- 
 tion. Stipend  offered  £80,  together  with  manse,  garden,  and 
 glebe,  and  if  their  funds  admit,  to  make  their  minister  a 
 present  at  each  sacrament.  The  Presbytery,  however,  recom- 
 mended them  that  a  certain  sum  should  be  given  for  sacra- 
 mental expenses. 
 
 The  Rev.  Patrick  M'Kenzie,  of  Kelso,  was  appointed  to 
 preach  and  preside  on  24th  March.  The  call  was  for  Mr 
 James  Wright,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed  in  all  by 
 fifty-two  members  and  eleven  adherents. 
 
 On  11th  May  following  they  promised  £10  to  the  proposed 
 stipend,  making  it  £90,  and  promised  also  to  give  at  least  £2 
 at  every  sacrament  for  sacramental  expenses. 
 
 As  Mr  Wright  had,  however,  been  also  called  to  Coupar- 
 Angus,  the  matter  came  before  the  Synod,  wliich  preferred  the 
 latter  congregation. 
 
 On  8th  June  1830  applied  for  a  moderation.  Stipend 
 offered  £70  with  manse,  garden,  and  glebe,  but  will  increase 
 the  stipend  if  circumstances  permit.  The  Rev.  Prof.  Paxton, 
 Edinburgh,  was  appointed  to  officiate  on  first  Sabbath  of  July. 
 The  call  was  for  the  Rev.  Thomas  M'Crie,  of  Clola,  but  owinf»\ 
 inter  alia,  to  his  desire  to  remain  at  Clola,  this  call  proved 
 abortive. 
 
 On  24tli  January  1832  a  moderation  in  a  call  Avas  again 
 applied  for,  the  stipend  offered  being  on  this  occasion  £00, 
 with  manse,  garden,  and  glebe.  The  Presbytery,  while  trust- 
 ing that  the  stipend  will  increase,  granted  the  request,  and 
 appointed  the  Rev.  Patrick  M'Kcnzie  to  preach  on  the  second 
 Sabbath  of  February,  and   moderate  in  a  call  on  the  Monday 
 
 2  c 
 
402  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 following.  The  call  proved  to  be  in  favour  of  Mr  David 
 Sturrock,  Probationer. 
 
 Fifth  Minister,  Rev.  David  A,  Sturrock.  Ordained  3rd 
 October  1832,  when  the  Rev.  Patrick  M'Kenzie,  of  Kelso, 
 conducted  the  opening  devotional  exercises;  the  Rev.  Robt. 
 Shaw,  of  Whitburn,  preached  from  Rev,  i.  16,  and  presided  at 
 the  ordination ;  the  Rev.  Thos.  Gray,  of  Kirkcaldy,  addressed 
 minister  and  congregation,  and  the  Rev.  Jas.  A.  Wylie,  of  Dol- 
 lar, concluded  the  service  by  delivering  a  discourse  from  Jer.  i.  7. 
 
 Mr  Sturrock  died  on  12th  February  1853,  in  the  twenty- 
 first  year  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Sixth  Minister,  Rev,  Wm.  F,  Aitken,  M,A,  Ordained  28th 
 June  1854.      Translated  to  Glasgow,  June  ]874. 
 
 Seventh  Minister,  Rev.  Thomas  Matthew.  Ordained  12th 
 May  1875. 
 
 The  parents  of  Thomas  Aird,  the  poet,  lived  and  died  in 
 connection  with  this  congregation,  so  that  in  his  early  years 
 he  must  have  attended  the  place  of  worship,  though  it  is 
 unlikely  he  ever  was  in  full  membership.  The  church  is 
 probably  the  oldest  Secession  meeting  house  in  Scotland. 
 
 Statistics  for  1884:  —  Members,  63;  adherents,  10; 
 total  income,  X150  ;  stipend  £120,  with  manse;  average 
 contribution  per  member,  £2,  7s.  8^d, 
 
 Midmar  {Burgher),  noiu  Bankhead  Free  Church. 
 
 Midmar  is  a  parish  in  Aberdeenshire,  between  the  Dee  and 
 the  Don,  about  15  miles  west  from  Aberdeen, 
 
 This  congregation  was  formed  by  persons  who  had  formerly 
 been  members  of  the  Associate  Burgher  Congregation,  of 
 which  the  Rev.  Jas.  Paterson  was  then  pastor,  and  who  being 
 dissatisfied  with  the  new  or  voluntary  views  which  prevailed 
 in  that  congregation  separated,  and  for  a  time  travelled 
 regularly  every  Sabbath  to  the  church  in  Aberdeen  where  the 
 Rev.  Wm.  Primrose  ministered. 
 
 Having  on  13th  July  1818  petitioned  for  supply  of 
 sermon,  they  stated  that  they  numbered  twenty-one,  and 
 desired  to  be  recognised  as  a  vacancy.  The  Presbytery  there- 
 upon appointed  Mr  Anderson,  Probationer,  to  preach  to  them 
 on  the  first  and  second  Sabbaths  of  August. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  403 
 
 On  19th  December  1820  they  applied  to  have  a  modera- 
 tion for  elders,  which  being  granted,  the  Rev.  Wm.  Primrose, 
 of  Aberdeen,  was  appointed  to  preside  on  11th  January  1(S21, 
 and  at  the  same  time  the  Court  recommended  them  to  elect 
 deacons.  Messrs  James  Leith,  Alex.  Taylor,  John  Urquhart, 
 and  "Wm.  M'Combie  were  chosen  for  the  eldership,  and  James 
 Taylor,  John  Barnet,  and  Alex.  Reid  were  chosen  to  be 
 deacons. 
 
 On  4tli  October  1831  the  congregation  again  petitioned 
 for  an  election  of  elders,  when  the  Rev.  Wm.  Primrose  was 
 appointed  to  preach  and  preside  on  the  Tuesday  after  the 
 fourth  Sabbath  of  October.  The  result  was  that  Messrs  Alex. 
 Reid,  Andrew  Reid,  James  Taylor,  Alex.  Coupar,  and  John 
 Urquhart  were  ordained  to  the  eldership,  and  George  Allan  to 
 the  deaconship. 
 
 On  10th  April  1832  the  congregation  applied  for  a  modera- 
 tion in  a  call  for  a  minister.  Stipend  offered  £60,  with 
 liouse,  and  three  acres  of  land,  together  with  £5  for  sacra- 
 mental expenses.  The  Rev.  Wm.  Primrose  was  appointed  to 
 officiate  on  the  first  Wednesday  of  May.  The  call  was  for  Mr 
 James  M'Gown,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed  by  forty- 
 seven  members  and  thirteen  adherents. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  Jas.  M'Gown.  Ordained  29  th 
 August  1832,  when  the  Rev.  John  Cochrane,  of  Kennoway, 
 began  the  service  by  preaching  from  1  Tim.  iv.  16  ;  the  Rev. 
 Wm.  Primrose,  of  Aberdeen,  delivered  the  ordination  sermon 
 from  1  Thes.  v.  25,  presided  at  ordination,  and  thereafter  gave 
 suitable  exhortations  to  pastor  and  people. 
 
 Along  with  the  congregation  Mr  M'Gown  united  with  the 
 Church  of  Scotland  in  1839,  and  at  the  Disruption  of  1843 
 they  all  continued  with  the  Free  Protesting  Church  of  Scot- 
 land. In  1845  Mr  M'Gown  was  translated  to  the  Free 
 Church  of  Bervie,  and  subsequently  to  Broomknoll  Free 
 Church,  Airdrie,  where  he  ministered  till  his  death. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  Wm.  Scott-Hay,  formerly  of  Bridge- 
 of-Weir.  Inducted  1845,  and  died  15th  December  1851,  in 
 the  thirty-first  year  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Third  Minister,  Rev.  Thomas  Murray,  ordained  1857. 
 
 The  first  place  of  meeting  this  congregation  had  was  the  barn 
 
404  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 of  Mr  James  Leith,  but  afterwards  a  church  containing  about 
 350  sittings  was  erected  in  1832,  and  which  building  is  still 
 occupied  by  the  congregation. 
 
 Statistics  for  1884: — Members,  128;  adherents,  18; 
 average  attendance,  150;  total  funds  raised,  £162;  stipend, 
 £177,  with  manse. 
 
 Milnathort  or  Orwell  {Burgher),  noiv  Free  Church. 
 
 Milnathort  is  a  village  in  the  parish  of  Orwell,  and  county 
 of  Kinross,  1^  miles  north-east  from  Kinross,  and  14  south 
 of  Perth. 
 
 This  congregation  was  formed  by  the  secession  of  the  Rev, 
 Thos.  Mair,  the  parish  minister,  and  the  majority  of  his 
 parishioners  from  the  Establishment  on  18th  February  1737. 
 
 For  about  three  years  they  continued  to  worship  in  the 
 Parish  Church  along  with  the  adherents  of  the  Establishment, 
 till  they  were  ejected  from  it  in  1740,  when  they  v^'orshipped 
 in  the  open  air,  till,  in  1742,  they  took  possession  of  a  meet- 
 ing-house which  they  had  erected,  and  which  was  long  and 
 widely  known  as  the  Muckle  Kirk.  This  name  was  given  to 
 it,  not  only  because  of  its  great  size,  for  it  could  accommodate 
 2000  sitters,  but  also  because  it  had  in  its  rear  large  folding 
 doors,  which,  when  opened,  caused  a  vast  body  of  people 
 seated  on  the  brae  face  behind  the  church  to  hear  and  take 
 part  in  divine  ordinances.  As  illustrative  of  the  large  gather- 
 ings that  took  place  there  in  early  Secession  times,  the  Rev. 
 Ralph  Erskine  states  in  his  diary  as  follows  : — "  Sabbath,  6th 
 August  1738.  I  was  present  at  the  Sacrament  at  Orwell, 
 where  a  vast  multitude  were  gathered,  and  upwards  of  5000 
 persons  did  communicate." 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  Thos.  Mair.  Ordained  minister  of 
 the  parish  of  Orwell  1727.  Seceded  from  the  Establishment 
 and  joined  the  Associate  Presbytery,  1737.  Adhered  with 
 the  majority  of  his  congregation  to  the  General  Associate 
 (Antiburgher)  Synod  at  the  breach  in  1747.  Deposed  for 
 heresy,  April  ]757.  Died  14th  February  1768,  in  the 
 sixty-eighth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  forty-first  of  his  ministry. 
 After   Mr  Mair's  decease   the   congregation   united   with  the 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  405 
 
 Burghers,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  who  returned  to  the 
 Establishment. 
 
 Secoud  Minister,  Rev.  Thos.  Porteous.  Ordained  23rd 
 October  1771.  Being  along  with  his  congregation  dissatisfied 
 with  the  "  Preamble "  and  the  views  contained  therein  as 
 contrary  to  the  original  principles  of  the  Secession,  he,  in 
 September  1800,  renounced  connection  with  the  New  Light 
 Synod,  and  on  27th  January  1801,  along  with  James  Deas, 
 David  Readdie,  David  Coventry,  John  Henderson,  and  George 
 Simson,  elders,  acceded  to  the  Original  Associate  Burgher 
 Presbytery.  Owing  to  Mr  Porteous  having  been  afflicted  with 
 a  dumb  palsy,  the  Perth  and  Dunfermline  Presbytery,  on  3rd 
 November  1812,  agi'eed  to  supply  his  pulpit  every  alternate 
 Sabbath,  which  was  done  till  his  death,  which  took  place  on 
 11th  November  1812,  in  the  sixty-seventh  year  of  his  age, 
 and  the  forty-second  of  his  ministry. 
 
 On  4th  July  1814  the  congregation  applied  for  a  modera- 
 tion, stipend  offered  £110  with  house  and  garden.  This 
 request  was  granted  on  the  understanding  that  all  the 
 minister's  taxes  shall  be  paid  ;  and  the  Rev.  Alex.  M'Wattie, 
 of  Kennoway,  was  appointed  to  officiate  on  22nd  July.  The 
 call  was  for  Mr  Wm.  Dalziel,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed  by 
 246  members  and  26  adherents,  but  as  Mr  Dalziel  had  also 
 been  called  to  Dunfermline,  the  matter  was  referred  to  the 
 Synod,  which  preferred  the  latter  congregation. 
 
 On  11th  March  1816  again  applied  for  a  moderation. 
 Stipend  offered,  £110;  sacramental  expenses,  with  house 
 and  garden,  and  to  defray  the  minister's  taxes.  The  Rev. 
 Alex.  M'Wattie  was  appointed  to  officiate  on  5th  April.  The 
 call  was  for  Mr  James  Thornton,  Probationer,  and  was  sub- 
 scribed by  248  members  and  56  adherents. 
 
 Third  Minister,  Rev.  James  Thornton.  Ordained  27th 
 August  1816,  when  the  Rev.  Thos.  Hislop,  of  Kirkcaldy, 
 began  the  service  by  preaching  from  Rom.  i.  15  ;  the  Rev. 
 Robert  Aitken,  of  Dundee,  preached  the  ordination  sermon 
 from  2  Tim.  ii.  15,  "  Rightly  dividing  the  word  of  truth,"  pre- 
 sided at  ordination,  and  thereafter  addressed  pastor  and  people. 
 
 Along  with  the  congregation  Mr  Smith  united  with  the 
 Church  of  Scotland   in    1839,  and   also  continued   with  the 
 
406  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Free  Protesting  Church  of  Scotland  after  the  Disruption  of 
 1843.  After  having  in  his  latter  years  several  colleagues 
 successively,  he  died  on  3rd  September  1874,  in  the  fifty- 
 fifth  year  of  his  pastorate. 
 
 Fourth  Minister,  Rev.  Walter  C.  Smith.  Ordained  1850, 
 and  translated  to  Roxburgh  Free  Church,  Edinburgh. 
 
 Fifth  Minister,  Eev.  Alex.  Mitchell,  M.A.  Ordained  18.59, 
 and  died  l7th  June  1882. 
 
 Sixth  Minister,  Rev.  Alex.  M.  Sutherland.  Ordained  2 2d 
 February  1883. 
 
 Statistics  for  1884: — Members,  216;  adherents,  20;  average 
 attendance,  200;  total  raised,  £21 9;  stipend, £19 7,  with  manse. 
 
 Paisley  (Burgher),  now  George  Street  United  Presbyterian 
 Church,  and  Minority  in  Martyrs  Free  Church. 
 
 Paisley  is  a  large  town  in  Renfrewshire,  7  miles  south- 
 west from  Glasgow,  and  17  north-east  from  Greenock. 
 
 This  congregation  was  founded  by  Ralph  Fergus,  Elder, 
 and  other  thirty  persons  who  obtained  their  first  supply  of 
 sermon  as  a  congregation  on  the  second  Sabbath  of  January 
 1800,  when  the  Rev.  Wm.  Willis,  of  Greenock,  preached  to 
 them. 
 
 Near  the  beginning  of  their  career  they  had  a  congrega- 
 tional dispute,  which  was,  hov/ever,  settled  on  7th  December 
 1802. 
 
 On  14th  April  1807  application  was  made  for  an  election 
 of  elders,  which  was  granted,  and  the  Rev.  Jas.  Gardner,  of 
 Kilpatrick,  with  the  Rev.  Alex.  Brown,  of  Burntshields,  were 
 appointed  to  preach  and  preside  on  4th  May. 
 
 Messrs  John  Watson,  Matthew  Brown,  John  Baton,  James 
 Hamilton,  and  William  Foot  having  been  elected,  their  edict 
 was  duly  served,  with  the  result  that  objections  were  lodged 
 against  them  all,  save  Matthew  Brown.  The  Presbytery, 
 however,  regarding  these  objections  invalid,  appointed  James 
 Hamilton  to  be  admitted,  and  the  rest  to  be  ordained  to  the 
 eldership  on  27th  October,  when  the  Eev.  Alex.  Brown  shall 
 preach,  and  the  Eev.  Jas  Gardner  shall  ordain. 
 
 On  3rd  November  Mr  Gardner  reported  that  he  had 
 ordained  Messrs  John  Watson,  John  Paton,  and  Wm.  Foot  to 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  40  7 
 
 the  eldership,  but  James  Hamilton  ilid  not  offer,  and  Matthew 
 Brown  would  not  submit  to  ordination. 
 
 On  8th  ]\Iarcli  1815  petitioned  for  a  moderation,  stipend 
 offered,  £140,  when  the  liev.  Robert  Aitken,  of  Kirkintilloch, 
 was  appointed  to  ofHciate  on  23rd  March.  The  call  was  for 
 Mr  William  Dalziel,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed  by  sixty- 
 one  members  and  forty-one  adherents,  but  as  he  had  also 
 been  called  to  Shottsburn,  Milnathort,  and  Dunfermline,  the 
 Synod  preferred  the  last  named  congregation. 
 
 On  16th  July  181G  applied  for  a  moderation.  Stipend 
 offered,  £90,  with  £30  for  house  rent,  and  £15  for  travelling 
 expenses,  or  £135  in  all,  when  the  Rev.  Finlay  Stewart,  of 
 Pollokshaws,  was  appointed  to  moderate  on  2d  August.  The 
 call  was  for  Mr  George  Hill,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed 
 by  seventy-five  members  and  fifty  adherents,  but  as  he  had  also 
 been  called  to  Kirkintilloch  and  Shottsburn,  the  Synod  pre- 
 ferred Shottsburn. 
 
 On  17th  February  1818,  applied  for  a  moderation,  stipend 
 offered  £130,  with  £30  for  house  rent,  when  the  Rev.  John 
 M'Kinlay,  of  Rentou,  was  appointed  to  officiate  on  IGth 
 March.  The  call  was  for  Mr  John  Russell,  Probationer,  and 
 was  subscribed  by  117  members  and  116  adherents;  but  as 
 he  had  also  been  called  to  Carluke,  Kincardine,  Falkirk, 
 Lesmahagow,  Kirkintilloch,  and  Cupar  congregations,  the 
 matter  was  referred  to  the  Synod,  which  decided  in  favour  of 
 Paisley. 
 
 No  settlement,  however,  then  took  place,  since  Mr  Russell 
 firmly  declined  to  be  settled  at  Paisley,  because,  intej'  alia, 
 the  congregation,  though  numbering  only  116  persons,  pro- 
 pose to  build  a  church  to  contain  1200  people,  and  he  was  of 
 opinion  he  Avas  not  the  man  to  gather  such  a  congregation  in 
 Paisley.  The  Synod  eventually  reversed  their  decision,  and 
 allowed  him  to  be  ordained  at  Kirkintilloch,  to  which  he  had 
 again  been  called. 
 
 After  repeated  applications,  the  Presbytery  appointed  an 
 election  of  elders  to  take  place  on  the  Monday  after  the  third 
 Sabbath  of  February  1820,  the  Rev.  Robert  Torrance,  of 
 Airdrie,  to  preach  and  preside.  Messrs  Peter  Paul,  Robert 
 M'Lure,  Andrew  Gray,  Alex.   M'Fee,   Duncan  Buchanan,  and 
 
408  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 John  Mack  were  then  elected,  and  the  four  first  named  were 
 appointed  to  be  ordained  by  the  Eev.  Finlay  Stewart  on  the 
 fourth  Sabbath  of  May  1820. 
 
 On  16th  September  1823,  applied  again  for  a  moderation, 
 stipend  to  be  £100,  with  £40  for  house  rent  and  travelling- 
 expenses.  This  request  was  granted  on  the  understanding 
 that  sacramental  expenses  are  not  included  in  this  sum,  and 
 the  Rev.  John  Russell,  of  Kirkintilloch,  was  appointed  to 
 officiate  on  2nd  October.  The  call  was  for  Mr  Andrew  Thom- 
 son, Probationer,  and  was  subscribed  by  161  members  and 
 105  adherents,  and  though  he  had  also  been  called  to  Stir- 
 ling, the  Synod  appointed  him  to  be  ordained  at  Paisley. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  Andrew  Thomson.  Ordained  18th 
 November  1824,  when  the  Rev.  Wm.  Scott  Hay,  of  Burnt- 
 shields,  began  the  services  by  preaching  from  1  Pet.  v.  4, 
 the  Rev.  Michael  Willis,  of  Renfield  Street  Church,  Glasgow, 
 delivered  the  ordination  sermon  from  Matt,  xxviii.  20,  pre- 
 sided at  ordination,  and  thereafter  addressed  suitable  exhor- 
 tations to  minister  and  conoreoation. 
 
 On  26th  November  1823,  unfavourable  reports  regarding 
 Mr  Thomson  having  been  circulated,  the  matter  came  before 
 the  Presbytery,  and  after  repeated  and  protracted  meetings, 
 Mr  Thomson  was  loosed  from  his  charge,  16th  June  1834. 
 
 On  14th  April  1835,  the  congregation  petitioned  for  ser- 
 mon, when  after  considerable  discussion  it  was  agreed  "  to  grant 
 the  prayer  of  the  petition,  but  the  Presbytery  regret  that  ex- 
 pressions should  be  used  in  the  body  of  it,  which  there  is 
 reason  to  construe  as  breathing  animadversion  on  this  body 
 for  opening  a  negotiation  (for  no  more  has  been  done)  with 
 the  Established  Church ;  and  the  Presbytery  trust  that  the 
 congregation  of  Paisley  will  be  careful  to  maintain  the  great 
 principles  of  national  religion  transmitted  to  us  from  our  fore- 
 fathers, and  founded  on  the  Word  of  God." 
 
 As  is  apparent  from  the  above  extract,  the  voluntary  con- 
 troversy, which  was  now  rampant,  had  infected  this  congrega- 
 tion, and  the  result  was  a  disruption.  The  majority  being 
 New  Light,  retained  the  place  of  worship,  and  applied  to  the 
 United  Secession  Church  for  admission  in  April  1835,  and 
 the  minority  withdrawing  to  a  hall,  after  the  union  with  the 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  -iOO 
 
 Establishment,  worshipped  iu  Martyrs'  Cliurch.  The  church, 
 which  was  the  original  place  of  worship  of  the  congregation, 
 was  erected  in  George  Street  in  1822,  at  a  cost  of  about 
 £1700,  and  held  1058  sitters.  It  is  now  a  United  Presby- 
 terian Church. 
 
 On  1  3tli  June  1837,  the  remanent  congregation  (or  mino- 
 rity as  mentioned  above)  applied  for  a  moderation,  stipend  to 
 be  £70,  with  £5  for  sacramental  expenses.  This  request 
 was  granted,  but  the  Presbytery  strongly  recommended  the 
 congregation  to  make  the  stipend  £80  at  least.  The  Rev. 
 John  M'Kinlay  was  appointed  to  moderate  on  29th  inst.,  at 
 twelve  noon.  The  call  was  for  Mr  James  Falconer,  Proba- 
 tioner, and  was  subscribed  by  sixty-five  members  and  seven 
 adherents,  but  as  he  had  also  been  called  to  Kennoway,  the 
 case  was  referred  to  the  Synod,  which  decided  for  Paisley. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  James  Falconer.  Ordained  12  th 
 December  18.37,  when  the  Rev.  James  Finlay,  of  Airdrie, 
 began  the  services  by  preaching  from  Luke  xxii.  .54!-62  ;  the 
 Rev.  James  Stark,  of  Greenock,  then  delivered  the  ordination 
 sermon  from  John  xxi.  17,  presided  at  ordination,  and  there- 
 after addressed  minister  and  congregation. 
 
 Alonsr  with  the  conocresfation  Mr  Falconer  united  with  the 
 Church  of  Scotland  in  1839,  and  was  removed  to  Levern  and 
 afterwards  to  Martyrs'  Church.  He  continued  with  the  Free 
 Protesting  Church  of  Scotland  at  the  Disruption  of  1843. 
 He  was  translated  to  Wigtown,  and  afterwards,  in  18.)1, 
 emigrated  to  Canada,  where  he  died  in  1856. 
 
 Statistics  for  1884  : — Members,  248  ;  adherents,  243  ; 
 average  attendance,  450  ;  total  funds  raised,  £335  ;  stipend, 
 £204,  with  manse. 
 
 Perth  {Burgher),  noiu  extinct. 
 
 Perth  is  the  county  tOAvn  of  Perthshire,  2  2  miles  west  from 
 Dundee,  and  46  north  from  Edinburgh. 
 
 This  congregation  was  originated  by  the  Rev.  William 
 Wilson,  A.M.,  one  of  the  founders  of  the  Secession  Church, 
 who  separated  from  the  Church  of  Scotland  in  1733.  For 
 some  time  he  and  his  congregation  continued  to  worship  along 
 with    the  adherents  of  the  Establishment  in  the  old  parish 
 
410  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 church,  till,  on  17th  May  1740,  they  were  excluded  by  the 
 civil  power,  and  withdrew  to  the  Glovers'  Yard,  where  they 
 worshipped  till  in  November  following  they  met  in  the  church 
 now  called  "  Wilson  Church,"  which  had  been  erected  by  them. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  William  Wilson,  A.M.  Ordained  as 
 Third  Minister  of  the  city  of  Perth,  1st  November  1716  ; 
 seceded  from  the  Church  of  Scotland,  16th  November  1733; 
 appointed  Professor  of  Theology  by  the  Associate  Presbytery, 
 November  1736  ;  died  14th  November  1741,  in  the  fifty- 
 second  year  of  his  age,  and  the  twenty-sixth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  George  Brown.  Ordained  26th 
 August  1742.  Having  along  with  a  large  portion  of  the 
 congregation  adhered  to  the  Antiburgher  or  General  Associate 
 Synod  at  the  breach  in  1747,  he  and  his  followers  withdrew 
 in  that  year  from  the  remanent  congregation  which  continued 
 in  the  meeting-house,  and  founded  what  is  now  called  the 
 North  United  Presbyterian  Church. 
 
 Third  Minister,  Rev.  John  Jervie.  Ordained  24th  March 
 1751. 
 
 Fourth  Minister,  Rev.  Jedidiah  Aikman.  Ordained  as 
 colleague  to  Mr  Jervie,  3rd  June  1783. 
 
 During  the  progress  of  the  controversy  respecting  the  duty 
 of  civil  rulers  towards  religion,  the  collegiate  ministers  of  the 
 congregation  held  opposite  views ;  for  whilst  the  junior 
 colleague  adopted  the  new  views  that  were  then  prevalent, 
 the  senior  minister  continued  to  abide  by  the  original  prin- 
 ciples of  the  Secession.  The  result  was,  that  when  Mr  Jervie 
 and  those  who  adhered  to  him  declined  the  authority  of  the 
 New  Light  Synod,  and  on  4th  November  1800  acceded  to  the 
 Associate  or  Old  Light  Presbytery,  a  schism  in  the  congrega- 
 tion took  place,  and  each  of  the  pastors  with  their  respective 
 followers  claimed  the  exclusive  possession  of  the  church. 
 
 A  law  plea,  known  as  "  Craigdaillie  (who  was  senior  elder 
 of  the  Session)  versus  Aikman,"  was  the  consequence  ;  and 
 after  a  protracted  litigation  extending  over  nearly  twenty 
 years,  which  was  twice  appealed  to  the  House  of  Lords,  and 
 in  which  had  been  expended  upwards  of  £2300,  being 
 probably  more  than  the  property  was  worth,  the  result  was 
 that   the    New   Light  party   continued    in   possession  of  the 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  411 
 
 church.  Duiiijg  the  contiiiuauce  of  the  legal  strife  both  the 
 Old  and  New  Light  sections  of  the  congregation  worshipped  in 
 the  same  building  on  Sabbaths,  but  during  different  portions 
 of  the  day,  and  after  the  settlement  of  the  dispute  in  1819 
 the  Old  Light  congregation  withdrew  and  erected  a  church  for 
 themselves  in  Kinnoul  Street. 
 
 The  Rev.  John  Jervie  having  died  19th  November  1801, 
 in  the  seventy-sixth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  fifty-first  of  his 
 ministry,  the  congregation,  on  8rd  August  1802,  applied  for 
 a  moderation,  offering  as  stipend  £100.  The  Rev.  Patrick 
 Connal,  of  Bathgate,  was  appointed  to  officiate  on  7th 
 September.  The  call  was  for  the  Rev.  Wm.  Taylor,  of 
 Levenside,  and  was  subscribed  by  190  members,  but  the 
 Presbytery,  on  9th  November,  declined  to  translate. 
 
 On  11th  January  1803  again  petitioned  for  a  moderation, 
 offering  as  stipend  £120,  but  the  Presbytery  delayed  the 
 matter  till  2 2d  February,  when  they  appointed  the  Rev.  Thos. 
 Porteous,  of  Milnathort,  to  moderate  on  1.5th  March.  The 
 call  was  again  for  the  Rev.  Wm.  Taylor,  and  was  signed  by 
 192  members. 
 
 As  Mr  Taylor  had  also  been  called  to  Edinburgh,  both  calls 
 were  adjudicated  upon  by  the  Presbytery  on  14th  June,  with 
 the  result  that  they  were  both  set  aside,  and  Mr  Taylor  was 
 continued  at  Levenside. 
 
 Having  again  applied  for  a  moderation,  offering  £100  as 
 stipend,  the  Presbytery  appointed  the  Rev.  Thos.  Porteous  to 
 preach  and  preside  on  3d  April  1804.  The  call  was  for  the 
 third  time  in  favour  of  the  Rev.  Wm.  Taylor,  and  was  sub- 
 scribed by  177  members,  but  the  Presbytery  still  continued  to 
 decline  the  translation. 
 
 The  congregation  again  applied  for  a  moderation,  offering 
 once  more  £100  as  stipend,  and  the  Rev.  Patrick  Connal  was 
 appointed  to  officiate  on  16th  January  1805.  For  the  fourth 
 time  Rev,  Wm.  Taylor  was  elected,  and  the  call  was  sub- 
 scribed by  185  members.  On  7th  May  the  Presbytery  con- 
 sented to  the  translation. 
 
 Fifth  Minister,  Rev.  Wm.  Taylor,  formerly  of  Levenside, 
 Inducted  8th  August  1805,  when  the  Presbytery  met,  and 
 being  excluded  by  an  interdict  of  the  Lord  Ordinary  from  the 
 church,  they  repaired  constitute  to  the  Antiburgher  Church, 
 
412  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 where  the  public  work  of  the  day  was  begun  by  the  Rev. 
 Wm.  Watson,  of  Glasgow,  preaching  from  2  Cor.  v.  10,  first 
 clause.  The  Rev.  George  Hill,  of  Cumbernauld,  preached  the 
 admission  sermon  from  Phil.  ii.  29,  inducted  Mr  Taylor,  and 
 addressed  pastor  and  people. 
 
 On  29th  May  1810  Mr  Taylor  resigned  the  pastorate  of 
 the  congregation,  because  the  Synod  had  refused  the  con- 
 tinuance of  a  committee  of  their  number  to  advise  and  direct 
 the  congregation  of  Perth  in  their  appeal  to  the  House  of 
 Peers,  declaring  himself  incapable  of  acting  in  such  a  difficult 
 station,  if  the  Synod,  contrary  to  their  own  engagement,  should 
 thus  desert  him.  Mr  Craigdaillie  and  the  rest  of  the  Session 
 also  appeared  at  the  Presbytery  on  the  subject,  but  the 
 matter  was  delayed.  This  congregation  repeatedly  applied  to 
 the  Synod  and  the  other  congregations  of  the  body  for 
 assistance  to  enable  them  to  defray  the  legal  expenses  of  their 
 protracted  property  case,  until  21st  February  1815,  when  the 
 Presbytery  minutes  state,  "  that  there  appeared  the  Session  of 
 Perth  in  a  body,  and  submitted  the  Interlocutor  of  the  Court 
 of  Session  respecting  their  meeting  house  as  altogether  against 
 them,  and  declaring  that  it  was  entirely  beyond  their  ability 
 to  proceed  one  step  further.  The  Presbytery  were  much 
 afflicted  for  them,  encouraged  them  with  their  counsel,  and 
 very  readily  promised  to  bear  their  part  with  their  congrega- 
 tions to  carry  it  by  appeal  rather  than  such  a  sentence  should 
 be  acquiesced  in.  Mr  Taylor  declaring  the  inability  of  his 
 congregation  to  do  anything  more,  promised  ten  guineas  on 
 his  own  account,  with  all  the  service  which  it  was  in  his  power 
 otherwise  to  afford." 
 
 On  22d  August  1820  the  congregation  applied  to  the 
 Presbytery  for  aid  in  building  a  new  place  of  worship,  they 
 having,  by  a  decision  of  the  Court  of  Session,  lost  their  former 
 church,  when  much  sympathy  was  expressed  with  them. 
 
 On  2d  April  1821  the  congregation  got  the  loan  of  £200 
 from  the  Ross  Donation  Fund. 
 
 In  September  1835  Mr  Taylor  demitted  his  charge,  which 
 was  accepted,  and  after  a  protracted  paralytic  illness  he  died 
 on  20th  December  183G,  in  the  seventy- eighth  year  of  his 
 age,  and  the  fiftieth  of  his  ministry.      In  Minutes  of  Synod  of 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  4-13 
 
 10th  May  183G  it  is  recorded  that  it  was  stated  and  admitted 
 by  the  congregational  commissioners  tliat  the  congregation 
 was  due  Mr  Taylor  for  arrears  of  stipend,  &c.,  £5G9,  13s.  6d. 
 The  whole  congregational  property,  was  on  the  other  hand, 
 valued  at  £1100. 
 
 On  14th  February  1837  Commissioners  represented  to  the 
 Presbytery  that  the  congregation  was  so  reduced  by  death, 
 that  they  could  not  go  on  as  a  congregation  without  immediate 
 and  effectual  pecuniar}^  aid. 
 
 On  13tli  March  1838  application  was  made  for  a  modera- 
 tion. Stipend  oftcrcd,  £70,  witli  £5  for  communion  ex- 
 penses. The  Picv.  James  Thornton,  of  Milnathort,  and  Hew. 
 John  Waddell,  of  Burrelton,  were  appointed  to  preach  and  pre- 
 side on  Thursday,  29th  March,  at  6  p.m.  The  call  was  for 
 ]\Ir  John  Turnbull,  Probationer,  and  was  signed  by  fifty-three 
 members  and  ten  adherents.  As,  however,  he  had  also  been 
 called  to  Bathgate,  the  case  was  referred  to  the  Synod,  which 
 preferred  Perth. 
 
 On  18th  July  1838  he  was  accordingly  ordained.  The 
 Rev.  Wm.  Elder,  of  Cupar,  began  the  services  by  preaching 
 from  1  John  ii.  1  ;  the  Pev.  Jas.  ]\I'Gown,  of  Midmar,  preached 
 the  ordination  sermon  from  Col.  i.  19,  ordained  Mr  Turnbull 
 as  Sixth  Minister,  and  thereafter  addressed  suitable  exhorta- 
 tions to  pastor  and  people.  In  1839  both  pastor  and  con- 
 gregation united  with  the  Church  of  Scotland,  and  shortly 
 afterwards  Mr  Turnbull  emigrated  to  St  John's,  New  Bruns- 
 wick, and  became  pastor  of  St  James'  Church  of  that  place, 
 where  he  ministered  many  years,  but  ultimately  he  returned 
 to  Scotland,  where  he  died  on  2d  June  1881. 
 
 Seventh  Minister,  Rev.  John  Young  Walker.  Ordained 
 1842.  During  his  ministry,  and  posterior  to  the  Disruption, 
 the  church  was  seized  by  the  Residuary  Established  Church, 
 owing  to  a  clause  of  the  title  deed  being  in  their  favour,  and 
 the  congregation  having  been  ejected  as  belonging  to  the 
 Free  Church,  the  Established  Church  closed  the  building  for 
 several  years,  and  boarded  up  the  windows.  Owing  to  its 
 desolate  appearance  it  was  afterwards  known  as  St  Sepulchre's. 
 At  length  it  Avas  sold  and  transformed  into  a  printing  office,  and 
 the  proceeds  were  devoted,  in  1 882,  to  the  payment  of  a  church 
 
414  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 that  had  newly  been  sanctioned  by  the  Perth  Established 
 Presbytery,  and  which  was  opened  in  1885.  After  worship- 
 ping for  many  years  in  a  hall  with  his  congregation,  Mr  Walker 
 demitted  his  charge,  which  was  thenceforth  dissolved,  and  he 
 retired  to  Edinburgh,  where  he  died  suddenly  at  Broughton 
 Hall  on  9th  July  1880. 
 
 Perth  Constitutional. 
 
 Several  members  of  the  Antiburgher  congregation  having 
 disapproved  of  the  decision  of  the  Synod  respecting  the  Old 
 Light  controversy  in  1806,  formed  a  preaching  station  in  con- 
 nection with  the  Constitutional  Presbytery.  In  1810  they 
 applied  for  a  moderation  for  elders,  when  the  Eev.  James 
 Andrew  was  appointed  to  preside  at  an  election  to  be  made 
 "  on  some  day  of  the  week  after  the  fourth  Sabbath  of 
 December,"  and  thereafter  he  was  appointed  to  ordain  those 
 who  had  been  elected  on  the  2d  Sabbath  of  May  1811. 
 This  congregation,  which  was  always  small,  was  afterwards,  in 
 1827,  blended  with  the  South  Street  Original  Secession 
 Church. 
 
 Perth  {Antiburgher),  now  United  Original  Secession  Church. 
 
 This  consresation  was  an  offshoot  from  what  is  now  called 
 the  North  United  Presbyterian  Church.  The  Rev.  Richard 
 Black,  one  of  the  collegiate  ministers  of  that  church,  and  a 
 minority  of  the  membership  having  protested  against  the 
 union  with  the  Burgher  Synod  which  was  accomplished  in 
 1820,  on  the  21st  November  formed  themselves  into  a  separ- 
 ate congregation,  and  erected  a  place  of  worship  in  South 
 Street.  For  the  rearing  of  this  edifice,  the  pastor  (Mr  Black) 
 contributed  £500,  and  probably  it  would  not  cost  much  more. 
 In  1868-69  alterations  were  made  on  the  building,  so  that 
 the  lower  part,  or  area  of  the  church,  was  disused,  and  in 
 1881  the  interior  was  renewed  at  a  cost  of  above  £500. 
 The  sittings  now  number  420.  Having  applied  for  a  col- 
 league, the  Eev.  Thos.  Manson  was  ordained,  25th  July 
 1826. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  415 
 
 In  1827  both  the  pastors  aiul  the  cougregation  concurred 
 vnth  the  Sjniod  of  Protesters  in  uniting  with  the  Constitu- 
 tional Presbytery,  and  thus  forming  the  Original  Secession 
 Synod.  Mr  Black  died  in  18:U),  in  the  fiftieth  year  of  his 
 ministry,  and  bequeathed  his  books  to  the  Divinity  Hall 
 Library,  and  Mr  jManson,  who  had,  in  1807,  received  the 
 degree  of  D.D.  from  Glasgow  University,  died,  universally 
 respected  for  his  literary  labours  and  Christian  consistency,  on 
 Slst  March  187G,  in  the  eighty-third  year  of  his  age,  and  the 
 fiftieth  of  his  ministry.  His  colleagues  were  the  Revs.  A.  J. 
 Yuill  and  R.  Morton,  which  latter  was  ordained  in  1872  and 
 is  still  pastor. 
 
 Statistics  of  congregation  for  1884  : — Members,  140  ; 
 axlherents,  30;  total  income,  £200;  stipend,  £160,  without 
 a  manse  ;  average  contribution  per  member,  £1,  8s.  7|d. 
 
 Pitcaiimgreen  (Antihurgher),  now  extinct. 
 
 Pitcairngreen  is  a  village  in  the  parish  of  Redgorton, 
 Perthshire,  and  4i  miles  from  Perth.  The  Congregation  was 
 formed  in  1797  by  several  members  who  had  previously 
 belonged  to  the  Perth  congregation,  and  who,  having  been 
 regularly  congregated  by  the  Presbytery,  erected  a  place  of 
 worship  containing  300  sittings. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  John  Brown.  Ordained  2.5th  June 
 1800.  Deposed  30th  April  1802.  Removed  to  Perth, 
 where  he  afterwards  died. 
 
 Second  ^Minister,  Rev.  William  Beath.  Ordained  1st 
 November  1803.  Along  with  his  congregation  Mr  Beath 
 declined  to  unite  with  the  Burghers  in  1820,  and  assisted  in 
 the  formation  of  the  Synod  of  Protesters.  He  died  after  a 
 brief  illness  at  Edinburgh,  on  the  21st  May  1827,  in  the 
 fifty-fifth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  twenty-fourth  of  his  ministry. 
 In  the  same  year  the  congregation  became  connected  with  the 
 Original  Secession  Synod. 
 
 On  9th  January  1828  the  congregation  applied  for  a 
 moderation,  stipend  offered  £70,  with  a  manse,  and  the 
 promise  to  drive  their  minister's  coals  free  of  charge.  The 
 Rev.  Richard  Black  was  appointed  to  moderate  on  22nd  inst. 
 The   call  was   for   ^Ir   Matthew   Murray,   Probationer,  but  he 
 
416  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Laving  been  also  called  to  Coupar- Angus,  Clola,  and  Glasgow, 
 the  Synod  preferred  the  last  named  congregation. 
 
 A  moderation  was  again  applied  for  and  granted,  with  the 
 result  that  Mr  Andrew  Lambie,  Probationer,  was  called. 
 
 Third  Minister,  Rev.  Andrew  Lambie.  Ordained  29th 
 April  1829,  when  the  Rev.  Jas.  Beattie,  Balmullo,  preached 
 the  ordination  sermon,  the  Eev.  Alex.  Duncan,  of  Dundee, 
 addressed  pastor  and  people,  and  the  Rev.  Thos.  Manson,  of 
 Perth,  preached  in  the  evening.  In  September  1838  the 
 congregation  was  in  financial  diflSculties. 
 
 The  Synod  having,  on  12th  January  1842  decided  to 
 unite  with  the  remanent  Synod  of  Original  Burghers  in  the 
 following  May,  Mr  Lambie,  along  with  the  Rev.  Jas.  Wright, 
 of  Infirmary  Street  Church,  Edinburgh,  and  Wm.  Snodgrass, 
 ruling  elder,  declined  the  authority  of,  and  separated  from 
 the  Synod,  by  forming  a  Presbytery  called  the  Associate 
 Presbytery  of  Original  Seceders.  Three  days  after,  the  Synod 
 appointed  the  Rev.  Messrs  Meek,  of  Carnoustie,  and  Brown, 
 of  Kirriemuir,  to  converse  with  Mr  Lambie,  and  endeavour  to 
 get  him  to  return  to  the  Synod,  but  all  efforts  proved  unavail- 
 ing. In  1850  Messrs  Lambie  and  Wright  having  disagreed, 
 the  Presbytery  was  dissolved,  and  this  congregation  stood 
 apart.  It  gradually  declined  in  numbers  and  resources,  and 
 the  Church  was  sold  and  taken  down.  Mr  Lambie,  after 
 being  employed  in  teaching  in  Glasgow  for  some  years,  went 
 ultimately  to  Edinburgh  to  minister  to  a  section  of  Mr 
 Wright's  congregation  Avho  had  separated  from  their  pastor. 
 Occasionally,  however,  he  visited  Pitcairngreen  and  dispensed 
 ordinances  to  the  residue  of  his  former  flock,  until  they  became 
 extinct. 
 
 PolloJcshavjs  {Burgher),  now  East  Free  Church. 
 
 Pollokshaws  is  a  town  in  Renfrewshire,  about  2  miles 
 south  from  Glasgow. 
 
 A  Praying  Society  in  the  Parish  of  Eastwood  acceded  to 
 the  Associate  Presbytery  in  1739,  and  helped  to  form  the 
 first  Secession  Congregation  in  Glasgow.  Their  survivors,  repre- 
 sentatives, and  other  Seceders,  who  had  subsequently  settled  in 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  41 7 
 
 the  district  were  disjoined  from  the  Ghisgow  congregation  in 
 1763,  and  erected  a  church  containing  770  sittings  in  the 
 following  year. 
 
 First  ^Minister,  Rev.  David  Walker.  Ordained  5th  May 
 1769.  Along  with  the  majority  of  the  congregation  Mr 
 Walker  disapproval  of  the  Synod's  conduct  in  the  Old  Light 
 Controvei'sy  of  1799,  and  acceded  to  the  Original  Burgher 
 Presbytery  on  l7th  June  1800.  The  minority  having  raised 
 an  action  at  law  for  possession  of  the  church  property,  the 
 matter  was  compromised  by  their  receiving  £350  from  the 
 majority,  which  helped  them  to  erect  another  place  of 
 worship. 
 
 A  colleague  to  Mr  Walker  having  been  desired,  a  modera- 
 tion  was  appointed  to  take  place  on  23rd  December  1800. 
 The  stipend  offered  was  £70,  to  be  increased  on  Mr  Walker's 
 death,  but  the  colleague  shall  have  no  claim  to  the  manse, 
 garden,  and  churchyard,  while  Mr  Walker  lives.  Mr  George 
 Moscrip,  Probationer,  was  chosen,  and  the  call  signed  by  307 
 persons,  but  as  he  had  also  been  called  to  Burntshields,  the 
 matter  was  referred  to  the  Presbytery,  which,  on  27th 
 January  1801,  decided  in  favour  of  Pollokshaws.  Mr  Mos- 
 crip being  unwilling  to  accept  the  call,  the  congregation  on 
 25th  November  unanimously  withdrew  it. 
 
 On  28th  February  1804  the  congregation  petitioned  for  a 
 moderation,  offering  as  stipend  £100,  with  the  manse,  garden, 
 and  churchyard,  when  the  liev.  Wm.  Watson  of  Glasgow  was 
 appointed  to  moderate  on  20th  March.  The  call  was  in 
 favour  of  Mr  James  Watson,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed 
 by  403  members,  but  the  Presbytery,  on  the  4th  December, 
 set  aside  the  call  and  preferred  Edinburgh,  to  which  Mr 
 Watson  had  also  been  called. 
 
 On  25th  February  180G,  applied  for  a  moderation,  offering 
 as  stipend  £100,  with  manse  and  garden,  and  the  Rev.  Wm. 
 Watson  was  appointed  to  preach  and  preside  on  27th  ]\Iarch. 
 The  call  was  for  Mr  Finlay  Stewart,  Probationer,  and  was 
 subscribed  by  383  members. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  Finlay  Stewart.  Ordained  28th 
 August  1800.     The  Rev.  Alex.  Brown,  of  Burntshields,  began 
 
 2  D 
 
418  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 the  services  by  preaching  from  Acts  xx.  28,  the  Rev.  Wm. 
 Watson,  of  Glasgow,  delivered  the  ordination  sermon  from 
 Ex.  iii.  14,  and  afterwards  gave  suitable  exhortations  to 
 pastor  and  congregation. 
 
 Mr  Walker,  the  senior  minister,  died  on  27th  April  1810, 
 in  the  seventy-sixth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  forty-first  of  his 
 ministry. 
 
 On  8th  May  1838  the  Session  petitioned  the  Synod  against 
 immediate  union  with  the  Church  of  Scotland,  and  in  the 
 following  year  the  congregation  along  with  the  pastor  de- 
 clined to  unite  with  the  Church  of  Scotland. 
 
 The  Rev.  Finlay  Stewart  died  4th  February  1841,  in  the 
 fifty-sixth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  thirty-fifth  of  his  ministry. 
 On  3rd  May  1841,  the  congregation  applied  for  a  modera- 
 tion, offering  as  stipend  £100,  with  manse  and  glebe,  and 
 the  usual  sum  for  sacramental  expenses,  when  the  Rev.  Wm. 
 Tannaliill,  of  Kirkintilloch,  was  appointed  to  preach  and  pre- 
 side on  the  Thursday  after  the  third  Sabbath  of  the  same 
 month.  The  call  was  for  the  Rev.  Adam  Ross,  Kennoway, 
 but  proved  abortive. 
 
 On  27th  July  1841,  applied  again  for  a  moderation,  stipend 
 to  be  what  was  formerly  offered,  when  the  Rev.  John  M'Kinlay, 
 of  Renton,  was  appointed  to  officiate  on  Monday  after  the 
 fourth  Sabbath  of  August  next.  The  call  was  for  the  Rev. 
 John  Downs,  M.A.,  of  Boardmills,  and  was  subscribed  by  128 
 members,  but  this  call  was  set  aside  by  the  Synod  in  Novem- 
 ber following. 
 
 On  28th  September  1841  a  petition,  asking  delay  in  sus- 
 taining the  call,  was  presented  to  the  Presbytery. 
 
 On  8th  February  1842  the  congregation  again  applied, 
 but  not  unanimously,  for  a  moderation,  the  stipend  to  be 
 what  was  formerly  offered.  This  was  granted,  and  the  Rev. 
 Wm.  Tannahill  was  appointed  to  officiate  on  5th  April  1842. 
 The  Rev.  Messrs  Clement  Moscrip  and  John  Downs  having 
 been  proposed  as  suitable  for  the  pastorate,  the  former  was 
 elected  by  a  small  majority.  As,  however,  the  minority  was 
 large,  and  comprised  the  elders,  a  petition  was  on  the  follow- 
 ing day  sent  to  the  Presbytery,  stating  their  disapproval  of 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  419 
 
 the  proposed  settlement,  and  asking  delay.  On  the  11th 
 April  the  Presbytery  found  that  the  call  for  Mr  Moscrip  had 
 been  subscribed  by  221  members  and  120  adherents,  and 
 also  that  two  petitions  for  delay  were  before  them,  one  of 
 these  being  from  the  elders,  and  the  other  from  160  mem- 
 bers of  the  con(jre£:ation,  tofrether  with  105  adherents.  After 
 consideration  the  Presbytery  referred  the  case  simjiliciter  to 
 the  Synod. 
 
 On  28th  June  1842,  applied  for  a  moderation  for  elders. 
 This  was  granted,  and  on  12th  July  the  Rev.  \Vm.  Tannahill 
 preached  and  presided,  when  Messrs  Wm.  Telford,  Peter 
 ^I'Farlane,  Archd.  Burnside,  Archd.  M'Intyre,  James  Hosie, 
 and  Peter  Salmon  were  elected. 
 
 On  yth  August  1842  the  congregation  by  a  majority 
 applied  for  a  moderation. 
 
 On  25th  October  1842  a  petition  from  fifty  members, 
 asking  for  the  settlement  of  Mr  Moscrip  to  be  expedited,  was 
 placed  on  the  Presbytery's  table. 
 
 Third  Minister,  Rev.  Clement  Moscrip,  formerly  of  Bath- 
 gate. Inducted  1st  December  1842,  and  died  20th  Septem- 
 ber 1848,  aged  forty-two  years. 
 
 A  section  of  the  consTeu'ation  havins^  been  dissatisfied  with 
 this  settlement,  separated  and  formed  another  or  second  con- 
 gregation in  the  town,  and  the  remanent  portion  having  thus 
 been  reduced  in  numbers,  and,  moreover,  displeased  with  the 
 supply  of  preachers  which  had  been  sent  them  during  the 
 subsequent  vacancy,  resolved,  in  December  1848,  to  leave  the 
 Secession  and  seek  admission  to  the  Free  Church,  which  was 
 done  accordingly,  though  the  United  Original  Secession  Pres- 
 bytery expressed  their  strong  disapprobation  of  the  manner 
 in  which  the  conrjrefjation  had  acted. 
 
 Another  church  having  been  built,  to  which  the  congrega- 
 tion removed,  the  old  building  was  used  for  several  years  as  a 
 temperance  hall,  and  ultimately  was  destroyed  by  fire,  13th 
 March  1883. 
 
 Statistics  of  congregation  for  1884: — Members,  202;  ad- 
 herents, 54  ;  average  attendance,  200  ;  total  raised  for  all 
 purposes,  £705  ;  stipend,  with  manse,  £189. 
 
420  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Pollokshmvs,  Cogan  Street  (Burgher),  now  United  Original 
 Secession  Church. 
 
 This  congregation  originated  in  a  dispute  in  the  First 
 Secession  Congregation,  owing  to  the  settlement  of  a  mini- 
 ster. On  the  dissension  having  been  made  known  to  the 
 Synod,  that  Court,  on  15th  September  1842,  sanctioned  the 
 congregation,  and  agreed  to  give  a  moderation  in  a  call  for  a 
 minister. 
 
 On  1st  December  1842  the  congregation,  in  a  petition 
 subscribed  by  John  Henry  and  others,  applied  to  the  Presbytery 
 to  effect  for  them  an  amicable  settlement  with  the  First  Con- 
 gregation, so  that  no  recourse  might  be  had  to  law  proceedings. 
 
 First  Minister,  Eev.  James  M.  Smith.  Ordained  3rd 
 August  1843,  when  the  Rev.  James  Anderson,  of  Carluke, 
 preached  and  presided,  and  the  Rev.  George  Hill,  of  Shotts- 
 burn,  addressed  pastor  and  people. 
 
 In  April  1863  Mr  Smith  demitted  his  charge,  and  along 
 with  several  elders  and  members  of  the  congregation  emi- 
 grated to  Auckland,  New  Zealand,  in  order  to  found  a  colony 
 there,  to  be  called  the  Pollok  Settlement. 
 
 On  16th  February  1864  the  congregation  called  Mr  Wm. 
 B.  Gardiner,  Probationer,  but  as  he  had  also  been  called  to 
 Kilwinning,  the  matter  was  referred  to  the  Synod,  which 
 decided  in  favour  of  this  congregation. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  Wm.  B.  Gardiner.  Ordained  28th 
 July  1864,  when  the  Rev.  Thos.  Manson,  of  Perth,  conducted 
 the  opening  devotional  exercises  ;  the  Rev.  John  Ritchie,  of 
 Shottsburn,  preached  from  Hosea  xii.  4;  the  Rev.  Dr  Blakely, 
 Kirkintilloch,  delivered  an  address,  proving  the  "  Jus  Divinum" 
 of  Presbytery;  Prof  Murray,  Glasgow,  put  the  Questions  of 
 the  Formula,  and  ordained  Mr  Gardiner,  and  suitable  addresses 
 were  afterwards  given  to  pastor  and  people  by  Dr  Blakely. 
 
 Since  Mr  Gardiner's  settlement  the  congregation  has  greatly 
 increased,  and  the  church  has  been  enlarged  by  the  erection 
 of  a  gallery,  and  otherwise  improved. 
 
 Statistics  for  1884: — Members,  423;  adherents,  110; 
 total  income,  £408  ;  stipend,  £240,  without  a  manse;  aver- 
 age contribution  per  member,  £0,  19s.  3^d. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  421 
 
 Benton  {Burgher),  now  Levenside  Free  Charch. 
 
 Ronton  is  a  village  in  tlie  V^ale  of  Leven,  Dumbartonsliire, 
 about  2i  miles  north  from  Dumbarton^  anJ  17  north-west 
 from  Glasgow. 
 
 Owing  to  the  erection  of  extensive  calico-printing  and 
 bleaching  establishments  in  the  neighbourhood  of  this  village, 
 a  number  of  Secedei's  became  resident  in  the  locality,  who 
 applied  for  sermon  to  the  Glasgow  Burgher  Presbytery  in  1  783, 
 and  built  a  church  in  17SG,  containing  500  sittings,  but  now 
 reduced  to  430. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  William  Taylor.  Ordained  3d  January 
 17SG.  This  congregation  having  along  with  their  pastor 
 disapproved  of  the  action  of  the  Synod  respecting  the  Old 
 Light  controversy,  on  1  Gth  September  1800  united  with  the 
 Piesbytery  of  Original  Burghers.  Their  paper  of  adherence 
 was  subscribed  by  William  Taylor,  minister,  and  Daniel 
 ]\Iackay,  Mungo  Lindsay,  John  M'Keim,  James  M'Kechnie, 
 Matthew  Turnbull,  John  Barton,  John  Buchanan,  elders ;  and 
 Robert  Gleon,  Robert  Nairn,  and  James  M'Intyre,  deacons. 
 
 On  Gth  July  1802  Mr  Taylor  was  called  to  Edinburgh,  but 
 the  Presbytery  declined  to  translate.  He  was  also,  on  7th 
 September  following,  called  to  Perth,  but  the  Presbytery  still 
 refused  to  remove  him.  In  February  1803  he  was  called  to 
 Aberdeen,  but  the  Court  still  continued  him  at  Levenside. 
 On  10th  March  1803  he  was  called  to  Edinburgh,  and  five 
 days  thereafter  to  Perth,  when  the  Presbytery  on  13th  April 
 appointed  the  congi'egation  again  to  be  summoned  by  the 
 officer  on  the  fourth  Sabbath  of  April,  and  delivered  the  reasons 
 of  transportation  from  Edinburgh  and  Perth  to  John  Buchanan, 
 elder,  from  Levenside.  On  14th  June,  however,  the  Presby- 
 tery set  aside  both  calls,  and  again  decided  that  Mr  Taylor 
 should  be  continued  at  Levenside.  Mr  Taylor  having  been 
 again  called  to  Edinburgh,  the  Presbytery  on  29  th  November 
 1803  again  declined  to  translate.  Afterwards  he  was  again 
 called  to  Perth,  and  the  Presbytery,  on  10th  July  1804, 
 refused  to  translate,  the  Rev.  Messrs  Watson  and  Hill  dissent- 
 ing ;  and  when  ^Ir  Taylor  was  once  more,  on  IGth  .January 
 1805,  called  to  Perth,  the  Court  eventually  agreed,  on  7th 
 May,  to  his  transportation,  which  accordingly  took  place. 
 
422  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 On  25th  February  1806  the  congregation,  now  vacant, 
 applied  for  a  moderation,  offering  as  stipend  £90,  with  manse 
 and  garden,  when  the  Rev.  James  Gardner,  of  Kilpatrick,  was 
 appointed  to  moderate  on  ]  1th  March.  The  call  was  for  Mr 
 John  Mackinlay,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed  by  260 
 members  and  102  adherents,  but  as  he  had  also  been  called 
 by  the  Alloa  congregation,  the  matter  was  referred  to  the 
 Synod,  which  decided  in  favour  of  Ronton. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  John  Mackinlay.  Ordained  2d 
 October  1806,  Avhen  the  Rev.  George  Moscrip,  of  Greenock, 
 began  the  services  by  preaching  from  Acts  i.  8  ;  the  Rev, 
 Alexander  Brown,  of  Burntshields,  delivered  the  ordination 
 sermon  from  Acts  xx.-  28,  and  also  gave  suitable  exhor- 
 tations to  pastor  and  people. 
 
 Mr  Mackinlay  declined  to  join  the  majority  of  the  Synod  in 
 uniting  with  the  Church  of  Scotland  in  1839,  or  along  with 
 the  minority  to  unite  with  the  Original  Secession  in  1842, 
 but  after  having,  toijether  with  his  congregation,  stood  alone 
 for  a  few  months,  he  and  they  in  1843  joined  the  Reformed 
 Presbyterian  Church.  On  attaining  his  ministerial  jubilee, 
 Mr  Mackinlay  received  at  a  public  meeting  an  address  from 
 his  congregation,  accompanied  with  a  purse  containing  seventy- 
 five  sovereigns.  He  died  l7th  November  1856,  in  the 
 seventy-fifth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  fifty-first  of  his  ministry. 
 
 The  congregation  in  1876  united  with  other  congi^egations 
 of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church  in  joining  the  Free 
 Church  of  Scotland,  and  its  pastors  have  been  as  follows  : — 
 
 Third  Minister,  Rev.  John  Hamilton.  Ordained  25th 
 August  3  857,  and  translated  to  Free  West  Church,  Glasgow, 
 4th  June  1874. 
 
 Fourth  Minister,  Rev.  George  Davidson.  Ordained  18th 
 May  1875,  and  translated  to  Free  Barony,  Glasgow,  19th 
 October  1876. 
 
 Fifth  Minister,  Rev.  Archibald  Bell.  Ordained  2  2d 
 February  1877. 
 
 Statistics  for  1884: — Members,  228;  adherents,  32; 
 average  attendance,  272  ;  total  raised  for  all  purposes,  £314  ; 
 stipend  with  manse,  £177. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  423 
 
 Ryan,  Ireland  {Burgher),  now  hi  Irish  Presbyterian 
 
 Church. 
 
 On  12th  ^lay  1835  it  was  reported  to  the  Original 
 Burgher  Synod  that  the  Presbytery  of  Down  liad  recently 
 ordained  the  Rev.  Mr  Stevenson  to  the  pastoral  charge  of  this 
 congregation,  and  on  2Gth  September  1837  it  was  again 
 reported  to  the  Synod  that  the  Rev.  Mr  Stevenson  and  the 
 congregation  of  Ryan  had  left  the  Presbytery  of  Down,  and 
 had  united  themselves  to  the  Synod  of  Ulster. 
 
 Shotts  or  Shottsburn  {Burgher),  noiu  United  Original 
 Secession  Church. 
 
 Shotts  is  a  parish  in  Lanarkshire,  12  miles  north-east  of 
 Hamilton,  and  about  G  south-east  of  Airdrie. 
 
 The  origin  of  this  congregation,  according  to  Dr  M'Kelvie, 
 was  as  follows  : — 
 
 "In  May  1738  Mr  David  Orr  was  ordained  minister  of 
 Shotts,  while  a  large  portion  of  the  parishioners  were  protest- 
 ing against  his  settlement  among  them.  Among  these 
 protesters  were  Mr  Walker,  proprietor  of  the  lands  of  Hawk- 
 Avoodburn  ;  Mr  John  Wardrope,  and  Mr  John  Scott,  elders ; 
 and  several  private  persons,  parishioner^  of  Shotts,  who,  because 
 their  protest  was  not  sustained,  withdrew  from  the  Established 
 Church  and  acceded  to  the  Associate  Presbytery.  The  Rev. 
 Messrs  Erskine,  of  Dunfermline,  and  Thomson,  of  Burntisland, 
 and  Mr  Hunter,  Probationer,  observed  a  fast  with  these  parties 
 on  the  4th  of  May  1739,  the  first  two  preaching  at  the  Kirk  of 
 Shotts,  and  the  third  at  Dewshill,  a  farm-house  in  the  parish. 
 Sermon  was  supplied  to  them  as  the  Presbytery  could  afford 
 it,  till  174)2.  Mr  Horn  was  ordained  at  Cambusnethan,  in 
 the  parish  adjoining  Shotts  on  the  south,  when  they  were 
 included  in  his  congregation,  the  three  elders  named  above 
 also  constituting  part  of  his  session. 
 
 "In  1762  the  trustees  of  the  Duke  of  Hamilton  presented 
 Mr  Laurence  Wells  to  the  church  and  parish  of  Shotts,  then 
 vacant.  At  the  moderation  of  his  call,  on  the  9th  of  June 
 17 Go,  objections  were  taken  to  Mr  Wells'  settlement  as 
 minister     of    Shotts,    and     a     paper     containing    allegations 
 
424  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 materially  affecting  his  moral  character  was  laid  on  the 
 Presbytery's  table.  Mr  Wells  confessed  to  the  most  serious 
 charges  contained  in  the  paper,  but  produced  evidence  show- 
 ing that  he  had  been  absolved  by  the  Church  at  least  six 
 years  before  he  was  licensed.  The  Presbytery  finding 
 insuperable  difficulties  in  the  way  of  Mr  Wells'  settlement, 
 agreed  to  lay  a  fair  representation  of  the  case  before  the  Duke 
 of  Hamilton's  trustees,  and  request  them  to  drop  the  presentee 
 and  present  another.  With  this  request,  the  trustees  refused 
 compliance.  The  case  then  came  before  the  Church  Courts. 
 The  General  Assembly,  1764,  ordered  the  Presbytery  to 
 proceed  with  Mr  Wells'  settlement.  The  Presbytery,  after 
 hearing  Mr  Wells  deliver  his  trials  for  ordination,  agi'eed, — 
 "  Upon  mature  deliberation,  though  they  will  not  take  upon 
 them  to  say  that  Mr  Wells  is  wholly  deficient  in  point  of 
 knowledge,  yet  they  are  of  opinion  that  his  knowledge, 
 particularly  of  divinity,  is  very  low  and  mean,  and  far  short 
 of  that  degree  of  understanding  which  is  necessary  to  one  who 
 takes  upon  him  to  be  a  teacher  of  others  ;  and  in  such  a 
 situation,  too,  where  the  greatest  abilities  are  required  to 
 overcome  the  universally  rooted  prejudices  which  the 
 parishioners  of  Shotts  have  against  him.  They  judge  him, 
 also,  to  be  very  much  unacquainted  with  the  rules  of 
 composition,  and  greatly  wanting  in  the  talents  necessary 
 for  communicating  knowledge  and  making  suitable  impressions 
 upon  the  minds  of  common  and  ordinary  hearers ;  to  excite 
 them  to  a  sense  of  their  duty,  and  persuade  them  to  the 
 practice  of  it ;  and  that  he  does  not  come  up  to  the  character 
 which  the  apostle  gives  of  the  Gospel  minister,  that  he  is  apt 
 to  teach  ;  and  therefore  the  Presbytery  did,  and  hereby  do, 
 find  him  not  qualified  to  be  a  minister  of  the  numerous  and 
 extensive  parish  of  Shotts."  Against  this  decision,  the  agent 
 for  the  patron  protested  and  appealed  to  the  next  General 
 Assembly.  That  court,  in  1765,  ordered  the  Presbytery  "to 
 proceed  with  Mr  Wells'  trials  of  qualification,  and  appointed 
 them  to  take  down  their  questions  and  his  answers  in  writing; 
 and  in  case  they  should  proceed  to  a  sentence  from  which  an 
 appeal  should  be  taken, — that  the  said  questions  and  answers, 
 together  with  all  the  discourses  delivered  by  him  as  parts  of 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  425 
 
 his  trials,  with  the  Presbytery's  remarks,  which  also  should  be 
 taken  down  in  writing,  should  be  submitted  to  the  Supreme 
 Court."  The  Presbytery  took  ]\Ir  Wells  on  trial  a  second 
 time,  but  referred  the  whole  case  to  the  General  Assembly 
 (17 60)  to  judge  in  it  as  they  thought  fit.  The  Commission 
 of  Assembly  to  which  the  case  was  referred  ordered  the 
 Presbytery  to  proceed  with  Mr  Wells'  settlement ;  but  the 
 Presbytery  disregarded  this  injunction,  and  sent  back  the  case 
 to  the  Assembly  in  1707.  That  Assembly  peremptorily 
 ordered  the  Presbytery  to  ordain  Mr  Wells  on  the  first 
 Thursday  of  July  following.  When  the  Presbytery  met  at 
 Shotts  to  fulfil  this  injunction,  they  found  that  the  minister 
 appointed  for  the  purpose  had  not  served  the  edict,  and  that 
 they  could  not  legally  proceed.  They  therefore  referred  the 
 case  to  the  General  Assembly,  l708,  which  fixed  the  20th  of 
 May  for  his  settlement.  When  the  Presbytery  met  on  the 
 day  appointed,  they  could  not  get  admission  either  to  the 
 church  or  churchyard,  and  had  to  disperse  without  effecting 
 the  object  of  their  meeting.  The  General  Assembly  Avas  still 
 sitting,  and  on  learning  what  had  happened,  appointed  the 
 Presbytery  to  meet  again  at  Shotts  on  Thursday  following, 
 and  intimated  that  they  should  have  the  protection  of  the 
 civil  power  in  the  execution  of  the  mandate.  The  Presbytery 
 met,  but  finding  no  civil  power  to  protect  them,  would  not 
 proceed  to  the  ordination.  They  agreed  to  meet  the  Thursday 
 following.  The  Sheriflt"  of  Lanarkshire,  and  a  party  of  dragoons 
 from  Glasgow,  attended,  but  not  the  Presbytery.  At  length 
 Mr  Wells  was  ordained  minister  of  Shotts  at  the  Presbytery's 
 table  in  Hamilton  on  the  10th  August  1708,  six  years  after 
 receiving  his  presentation,  not  one  of  his  parishioners  being  in 
 attendance  to  witness  the  ceremony. 
 
 "  At  the  first  meeting  of  the  Associate  (Burgher)  Presbytery 
 of  Edinburgh  held  after  Mr  Wells'  ordination,  a  petition  signed 
 by  a  large  portion  of  the  parishioners  of  Shotts  was  presented, 
 craving  supply  of  sermon,  which  was  granted.  The  Seceders 
 previously  residing  in  the  parish  of  Shotts  were  now  disjoined 
 from  Cambusnethan,  and  with  those  who  had  recently  with- 
 drawn from  the  Established  Church  were  formed  into  a  con- 
 gregation.     Church  built,  1771." 
 
426  ANXALS  OF  OJRTGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  John  Scott  from  West  Linton. 
 Ordained  13th  April  1774,  and  died  October  1776,  in  the 
 third  year  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  Ebenezer  Hislop.  Ordained  1st 
 May  1780.  Having  withdrawn  from  the  New  Light  Party,  he 
 on  2nd  October  1799  assisted  at  the  formation  of  the  Associate 
 Burgher  Presbytery.  Owing  to  congregational  disputes  he  on 
 28th  August  1810  demitted  his  charge,  which  after  delay 
 was  accepted  on  16th  October,  and  the  congregation  recom- 
 mended to  give  him  an  annuity  of  £oO  or  £20.  Mr  Hislop 
 was  on  28th  November  following  inducted  to  the  pastoral 
 charge  of  Dalkeith  congregation. 
 
 On  2nd  April  1811  applied  for  a  moderation,  offering  £90; 
 £15  for  a  horse,  £15  for  travelling  expenses,  a  house  and 
 garden,  and  other  things  as  possessed  by  their  former  minister, 
 per  annum,  as  stipend.  The  moderation  was  appointed  to  be 
 on  ISth  April,  the  Rev.  Patrick  Connal  to  preach  and 
 preside.  The  call  was  for  Mr  Robert  Aitken,  Probationer,  and 
 was  subscribed  by  415  members,  but  as  he  was  also  under 
 call  to  Dunfermline,  Dundee,  Glasgow,  and  Kirkintilloch,  the 
 matter  was  referred  to  the  Synod,  which  preferred  the  last 
 mentioned  place. 
 
 On  5th  January  1813  applied  for  a  moderation,  stipend 
 as  formerly,  when  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Dawson,  of  Carluke, 
 was  appointed  to  preach  and  preside  on  4th  February.  The 
 call  was  again  for  Rev.  Robert  Aitken,  Kirkintilloch,  and  was 
 subscribed  by  395  members.  This  call  having  proved 
 abortive,  the  congregation,  on  1st  February  1814,  again 
 applied  for  a  moderation,  stipend  as  formerly  offered,  when 
 the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Dawson  was  appointed  to  moderate  on  1st 
 March.  The  call  was  for  Mr  William  Dalziel,  Probationer, 
 and  was  subscribed  by  190  members,  and  59  adherents,  but 
 as  some  objected  to  his  settlement,  and  Mr  Dalziel  was  also 
 called  to  Orwell  and  Dunfermline,  the  Synod  appointed  that 
 he  be  ordained  at  the  place  last  mentioned. 
 
 On  2nd  April  1816  again  applied  for  a  moderation,  stipend 
 to  be  £90,  £15  for  a  horse,  £15  for  travelling  expenses,  a 
 house  and  garden,  and  all  other  things  that  were  possessed  by 
 their  former  minister,  when  the  Rev.  Patrick  Connal,  of  Bath- 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  427 
 
 gate,  was  appointed  to  moderate  on  18th  April,  when  lie 
 would  be  assisted  by  Rev.  Ebenezer  Dawson,  of  Carluke. 
 This  call  was  for  the  Ivov.  Wm.  Dalziel,  of  Dunfermline,  and 
 was  subscribed  by  13o  members  and  59  adherents,  but  was 
 not  sustained  by  the  Presbytery. 
 
 On  26th  August  1810  again  applied  for  a  moderation, 
 stipend  to  be  as  formerly,  when  the  Rev.  Patrick  Connal,  of 
 Bathgate,  was  appointed  to  moderate  on  12tli  September.  It 
 was  also  reported  at  this  meeting  that  the  protracted  dispute 
 betwixt  this  conoreaation  and  their  former  minister  (Rev. 
 Ebon.  Hislop)  had  now  been  settled  by  the  congregation 
 paying  him  £25  for  bygone  stipend.  On  12th  September 
 181 G  Mr  George  Hill,  Probationer,  was  called,  the  call  being 
 signed  by  216  members  and  69  adherents,  but  as  he  had  also 
 been  called  by  the  congregations  of  Kirkintilloch  and  Paisley, 
 the  matter  was  referred  to  the  Synod,  which  preferred 
 Shottsburn. 
 
 TliLi-d  Minister,  Rev.  George  Hill.  Ordained  10th  December 
 1817.  The  Rev.  Jas.  Watson,  of  Edinburgh,  began  the 
 services  by  preaching  from  1  Tim.  iv.  Ki.  The  Rev.  Patrick 
 Connal,  of  Bathgate,  delivered  the  ordination  sermon  from 
 Psalm  xlviii.  12-13,  ordained  Mr  Hill,  and  thereafter  addressed 
 suitable  exhortations  to  him  and  the  congregation. 
 
 In  1839  this  con^recjation  declined  to  unite  with  the 
 Church  of  Scotland,  and  in  1843,  after  standing  apart  for  a 
 few  months,  became  connected  with  the  United  Original  Seces- 
 sion Church.  The  Rev.  George  Hill  having  demitted  his 
 charge  in  June  1852,  owing  to  bodily  infirmity,  died  on  31st 
 January  1850,  in  the  thirty-fifth  year  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Fourth  Minister,  Rev.  John  Ritchie.      Ordained  1855. 
 
 Statistics  for  1884: — Members,  117;  adherents,  19; 
 total  income,  £181;  stipend,  £132,  with  manse;  average 
 contribution  per  member,  £1,  10s.  ll^d. 
 
 Stewarton  (Burgher),  now  Free  Church. 
 
 Stewarton  is  a  town  in  Ayrshire,  about  5  miles  north  from 
 Kilmarnock,  and  8  east  from  Irvine. 
 
 First  supply  of  sermon  was  given  on  fourth  Sabbath  of 
 June  1825  by  Mr  James  Duncan,  Probationer. 
 
428  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 On  3rd  February  1829  the  Glasgow  Presbytery  received 
 and  read  a  paper  subscribed  by  a  number  of  persons  in  and 
 about  Stevvarton,  craving  to  be  taken  under  their  inspection  as 
 a  congregation,  and  to  have  supply  of  sermon.  The  Presbytery 
 agreed  to  receive  their  accession,  and  to  give  them  as  much 
 sermon  as  their  circumstances  would  jDermit.  They  also 
 petitioned  the  Presbytery  that,  as  they  had  lately  built  a 
 place  of  worship,  the  different  congregations  would  give 
 them  a  collection.  The  Presbytery  unanimously  recom- 
 mended a  collection  to  be  made  as  soon  as  possible  by  those 
 congregations  who  found  themselves  in  circumstances  to  do  it. 
 
 On  2oth  August  1829  applied  for  a  member  of  Presbytery 
 to  moderate  in  the  election  of  persons  for  the  eldership,  when 
 the  Rev.  Peter  Campbell,  of  Kilmarnock,  was  appointed  to 
 moderate  on  the  Tuesday  after  the  third  Sabbath  of  September. 
 Mr  Campbell  having,  however,  failed  (probably  through  illness) 
 to  fulfil  this  appointment,  the  Presbytery  appointed  the  Rev. 
 Wm.  Hay,  of  Burntshiekls  or  Bridge  of  Weir,  to  moderate  on 
 the  Friday  after  the  second  Sabbath  of  November  1829.  It 
 having  been  reported  that  Messrs  James  Brown,  John  Mont- 
 gomery, William  Craig,  Matthew  Paton,  Alexander  Lauchlane, 
 and  James  Orr  had  been  duly  elected,  the  Presbytery  appointed 
 their  edict  to  be  served.  The  Rev.  John  M'Kinlay,  of  Ronton, 
 was  appointed  to  admit  James  Brown,  and  ordain  the  five 
 others  elected  to  eldership,  on  the  fourth  Sabbath  of  March 
 1830  ;  but  on  11th  May  1830  Mr  M'Kinlay  reported  that  in 
 addition  to  James  Brown,  whom  he  had  admitted,  only 
 William  Craig  had  been  ordained  to  the  eldership. 
 
 On  4th  May  applied  for  a  moderation,  stipend  offered  £50. 
 The  Presbytery  were  unanimously  of  opinion  that  the  stipend 
 offered  is  by  far  too  little  ;  at  the  same  time  they  agreed  to  grant 
 the  moderation  on  condition  that  they  give  £60  per  annum, 
 and  increase  it  in  due  proportion  as  the  congregation  increases, 
 as  stated  in  their  petition,  and  that  unless  this  be  complied 
 with  it  will  be  a  bar  in  the  way  of  the  sustaining  of  the  call. 
 The  Rev.  Michael  Willis,  of  Renfield  Street  Church,  Glasgow, 
 was  appointed  to  moderate  on  Tuesday  after  the  fifth  Sabbath 
 of  May,  at  6  p.m.  The  call  was  for  Mr  James  CI  eland,  Proba- 
 tioner, and  was  subscribed  by  twenty-three  members  and 
 forty-nine  adherents. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  429 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  James  Cleland,  who  was  ordained  26th 
 October  1830.  The  Presbytery,  after  meeting  in  Stewarton 
 Parisli  Sossion-liouse,  repaired  constitute  to  the  Secession 
 Church,  when  the  Rev.  Michael  Willis,  of  Renfield  Street 
 Church,  Glasgow,  began  the  services  by  preaching  from  Luke 
 vii.  47.  The  Rev.  John  Anderson,  of  Helensburgh,  preached 
 the  ordination  sermon  from  1  Peter  ii.  5,  first  clause,  ordained 
 Mr  Cleland,  and  tliereafter  addressed  suitable  exhortations  to 
 the  minister  and  the  congregation. 
 
 In  1S39,  along  with  its  pastor,  this  congregation  united 
 with  the  Church  of  Scotland,  and  on  a  new  church  having 
 been  erected,  to  which  the  congregation  removed,  and  a 
 district  or  parish  "  Quoad  Sacra"  having  been  assigned  by  the 
 General  Assembly  to  them,  objection  was  taken  to  this  pro- 
 cedure by  Mr  Ounninghamc  of  Lainshaw,  one  of  the  heritors, 
 who  also  objected  to  the  minister  having  a  seat  in  the  Pres- 
 bytery, and  carried  his  appeal  to  the  Civil  Courts.  This 
 controversy,  subsequently  well  known  as  the  Stewarton  case, 
 and  which  involved  the  question  whether  or  not  the  Church  of 
 Scotland  had  freedom  in  regulating  ecclesiastical  affairs, 
 became  one  of  the  grounds  which  led  to  the  Disruption  of 
 1843.  The  church,  then  newly  erected,  and  which  has  been 
 recently  much  improved  at  an  expense  of  £590,  is  still  the 
 property  of  the  congregation  wdio  separated  from  the  Establish- 
 ment, and  is  called  Stewarton  Free  Church.  The  original 
 church,  which  was  claimed  by  a  fraction  of  the  congregation 
 Avho  objected  to  the  union  of  1839,  was  sold  to  defray  legal 
 expenses,  and  is  now  occupied  by  the  Evangelical  Union 
 conorresration. 
 
 Mr  Cleland  was  translated  to  Bolton. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  David  Arthur.  Ordained  1842, 
 and  translated  to  Belize. 
 
 Third  INIinister,  Rev.  Samuel  Kennedy.  Ordained  loth 
 July  1852,  and  translated  to  Cruden,  February  1859. 
 
 Fourth  Minister,  Rev.  James  Clugston.  Ordained  1st 
 September  1859. 
 
 Statistics  for  1884: — Members,  204;  adherents,  48; 
 average  attendance,  200  ;  total  raised  for  all  purposes,  £267  ; 
 stipend,  with  manse,  £217. 
 
430  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Stirling  [Burgher),  now  extinct 
 
 Stirling  is  the  chief  town  of  the  county  of  that  name,  and 
 is  35  miles  north-west  from  Edinburgh,  and  28  north-east 
 from  Glasgow. 
 
 This  congregation  was  originated  by  the  Rev,  Robt.  Shirra, 
 who  had  retired  from  his  charge  at  Kirkcaldy,  and  who 
 preached  in  his  house.  The  Presbytery  gave  their  first  supply 
 of  sermon  on  fourth  Sabbath  of  April  1800,  when  the  Rev. 
 George  Williamson  preached. 
 
 On  5th  May  1801  petitioned  for  a  moderation,  stipend 
 offered  £100.  This  was  granted  for  2nd  September,  Rev. 
 \Vm.  Watson  of  Kilpatrick  to  preach  and  preside.  Rev,  Wm. 
 Willis  of  Greenock  was  called,  the  call  being  signed  by  228 
 persons;  but  the  Presbytery,  on  25th  November  1801, 
 refused  to  translate  him.  Having  again  petitioned  for  a 
 moderation  it  was  granted  for  4th  February  1802,  Rev. 
 Ebenezer  Hislop  of  Shottsburo  to  preach  and  preside.  Rev. 
 Wm.  Willis  was  again  chosen,  the  call  being  signed  by  in  all 
 317  members.  On  27th  April  the  Presbytery  agreed  to 
 translate  Mr  Wm.  Willis,  who  was  thereafter  appointed  to  be 
 inducted  on  20th  May  next,  said  day  to  be  observed  by  the 
 congregation  as  a  day  of  fasting  till  the  public  work  is  over. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  Wm.  Willis,  formerly  of  Greenock. 
 Inducted  20th  May  1802.  Rev.  Wm.  Watson,  of  Glasgow, 
 preached  from  Song  iv.  4,  the  Rev.  Geo.  Hill,  of  Cumber- 
 nauld, preached  the  admission  sermon  from  Acts  x.  29, 
 inducted  Mr  Willis,  and  addressed  minister  and  people. 
 
 On  15th  May  1821  it  was  agreed  that  Mr  Willis  should, 
 on  retiring  from  the  charge,  receive  £50  annually,  and  the 
 congregation  should  be  at  liberty  to  call  a  successor.  This 
 arrangement  proved  unsatisfactory,  and  after  some  controversy 
 the  pastoral  tie  was  dissolved  by  the  Synod  in  May  1822. 
 This  resolution,  however,  the  Synod  afterwards  regretted,  and 
 Mr  Willis  died  1829. 
 
 Having  obtained  a  moderation,  Mr  Andrew  Thomson, 
 Probationer,  was  called  by  248  members  and  57  adherents, 
 but  he  having  also  been  called  to  Paisley,  the  Synod  on  1 2th 
 May  1824  preferred  the  latter  congregation. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  431 
 
 Second  Minister,  IJev.  Wm.  ]\[ackray,  M.A.,  wlio  was 
 ordained  29  th  December  18:i4. 
 
 In  1839,  along  with  their  niiiiister,  tliis  congregation 
 united  with  the  Church  of  Scothmd,  and  in  1843  separated 
 with  the  Free  Church.  In  the  ecclesiastical  arrangements 
 made  subsequent  to  the  Disruption,  it  was  agreed  that  of  the 
 four  Disruption  ministers  in  Stirling,  two  should  leave  for  more 
 necessitous  districts,  and  two  remain  to  uphold  the  banner. 
 
 The  Rev.  Wm.  Mackray  having  been  translated  to  Free 
 Church,  Huntly,  and  the  congregation  being  greatly  reduced 
 and  in  debt,  the  ecclesiastical  buildings  were  sold  for  £480 
 to  the  Free  South  congregation,  of  which  Rev.  Alex.  Leitch 
 was  minister,  and  the  Burgher  congregation  was  dissolved. 
 
 In  its  most  prosperous  days  this  congregation  consisted  of 
 about  400  members  besides  adherents,  which  came  from  a 
 radius  of  several  miles. 
 
 Stranraer    {Original    Secession),    novj    United   Original 
 Secession  Church. 
 
 Stranraer  is  a  town  in  Wigtownshire,  about  28  miles  west 
 from  Wigtown,  50  south-west  from  Ayr,  and  81  south-west 
 from  Glasgow. 
 
 This  congregation  was  the  result  of  a  disruption  in  the 
 Reformed  Presbyterian  congregation  of  the  town.  The 
 Reformed  Presbyterian  Synod  having  refused  to  induct  the 
 Rev.  Robt.  John  Watt,  of  Belfast,  who  had  been  called  by 
 the  congregation  to  be  their  pastor,  a  large  number  of  the 
 members  on  30th  August  1841  petitioned  the  Original  Seces- 
 sion Presbytery  of  Glasgow  and  Ayr  for  supply  of  sermon, 
 which  was  granted,  and  the  Rev.  Matthew  Murra3%  of  Glasgow, 
 was  appointed  to  preach  to  them  on  the  following  Sabbath. 
 
 On  12th  October  following  the  congregation  resolved  to 
 unite  with  the  Original  Secession  Synod,  and  on  loth  October 
 Messrs  Peter  Wither,  John  Wither,  Thomas  Bisset,  and 
 Thomas  Morland,  elders,  were  constituted  as  a  session  by  the 
 Rev.  Benjamin  Laing  of  Colmonell. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  Robert  John  Watt,  formerl}'  of  Reformed 
 Presbyterian  Church,  Belfast.  Inducted  4th  May  1842.  In 
 the  following  August  Mr   Watt  was  called  to  East  Campbell 
 
432  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Street  Church,  Glasgow,  the  call  having  been  subscribed  by  SOO 
 members  and  100  adherents.  Again,  in  March  1843,  he 
 was  called  to  East  Campbell  Street  by  300  members,  but  at 
 his  request  the  Synod  declined  to  translate  ;  and  the  Campbell 
 Street  Congregation,  Glasgow,  having  once  more  called  Mr 
 Watt,  which  last  call  was  subscribed  by  200  members  and 
 73  adherents,  the  Synod,  on  third  May  1848,  refused  to 
 transport  him. 
 
 Having  become  vacant  by  the  accession  of  Mr  Watt  to  the 
 Free  Church  of  Scotland  in  June  1852,  and  his  subsequent 
 induction  to  the  Free  High  Church,  Elgin,  the  congregation 
 on  9th  November  applied  for  a  moderation,  when  the  Rev. 
 George  Roger,  M.A.,  of  Auchinleck,  Avas  appointed  to  preach 
 and  preside  on  the  Tuesday  after  the  third  Sabbath  of 
 December.      The  call  was  for  Mr  Jas.  Smellie,  Probationer. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  Jas.  Smellie.  Ordained  6th  October 
 1853.      Translated  to  Edinburgh,  1864. 
 
 Third  Minister,  Rev.  John  Sturrock.  Ordained  12  th  Octo- 
 ber 1865,  and  translated  to  Edinburgh. 
 
 Fourth  Minister,  Rev.  Alex.  Smellie,  M.A.    Ordained  1880. 
 
 Statistics  for  1884:  —  Members,  190;  adherents,  35; 
 total  income,  £560  ;  stipend,  £180,  with  manse  ;  average 
 contribution  per  member,  £2,  18s.  llfd. 
 
 Strathkinnes  (Burgher),  noiu  Free  Church. 
 
 Strathkinnes  is  a  village  about  3  miles  from  St  Andrews, 
 in  Fifeshire. 
 
 The  Relief  Presbytery  of  Dysart  having  planted  a  station  in 
 Strathkinnes  in  1799,  a  church  was  erected  by  the  people 
 soon  after,  and  they  had  as  their  pastors  the  Rev.  G.  Buchanan, 
 who  officiated  from  1800  till  his  resignation  in  1809  ;  and 
 the  Rev.  Wm.  Boag,  who  was  ordained  in  1811,  and  resigned 
 in  1816. 
 
 The  congregation  not  prospering  became  extinct  in  1816. 
 The  Methodists  bought  the  church  in  1820,  but  they  failed 
 to  gather  a  congregation.  The  Original  Burghers  then  pur- 
 chased the  edifice. 
 
 This  congregation  was  originated  by  a  few  Old  Light 
 families  in  St  Andrews  and  neighbourhood,  twelve  persons  of 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGKEGATIONS.  433 
 
 whom,  on  l.'Uli  July  1818,  petitioned  the  Perth  and  Dun- 
 fermline Presbytery  for  supply  of  sermon.  This  re{[uest  was 
 gi-anted,  and  Mr  Anderson,  Probationer,  was  appointed  to 
 preach  to  them  on  the  tifth  Sabbath  of  August,  whilst  the 
 Rev.  Robert  Aitken,  of  Dundee,  promised  to  give  them  a  ser- 
 mon on  a  week-day  evening  soon. 
 
 On  19th  August  18:^3,  Strathkiunes  was  acknowledged  as 
 a  vacant  congregation,  and  on  the  8th  June  of  1824,  the  Rev. 
 Eben.  Anderson,  of  Cupar,  reported  to  the  Presbytery  that  he 
 bad  ordained  elders  to  supervise  them. 
 
 On  8th  November  1824,  application  was  made  for  a 
 moderation,  the  people  offering  as  stiiiond  £00,  together  with 
 £G  for  sacramental  expenses,  and  a  house,  or  £10  in  lieu  of 
 one.  The  moderation  was  granted  on  1st  February  1825, 
 for  23d  March  following,  the  Rev.  Eben.  Anderson  to  preside. 
 The  call  was  for  Mr  Ralph  Robb,  Probationer,  but  owing  to 
 the  election  having  been  carried  by  a  majority  of  one,  the  call 
 was  not  sustained  by  the  Presbytery. 
 
 On  9th  April  1827,  application  was  again  made  for  a 
 moderation  ;  stipend  offered  £70,  with  £G  for  sacramental 
 expenses,  and  a  house  and  garden  as  soon  as  the  congregation 
 is  able.  The  moderation  was  appointed  to  be  on  1st  May, 
 the  Rev.  Robert  Aitken,  of  Dundee,  to  preside,  and  be  assisted 
 by  the  Rev.  Messrs  E.  Anderson  and  John  Waddell.  The 
 call  was  for  Mr  Ralph  Robb,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed 
 by  forty-four  members  and  thirteen  adherents. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  Ralph  Robb.  Ordained  24th  July 
 1827,  when  the  Rev.  Eben.  Anderson,  of  Cupar,  began  the 
 services  with  a  sermon,  the  Rev.  James  Thornton,  of  Milna- 
 thort, preached  the  ordination  sermon  from  Matt,  xxviii.  19, 
 20,  and  after  the  ordination,  addressed  pastor  and  people. 
 
 Along  with  the  congregation,  Mr  Robb  united  with  the 
 Church  of  Scotland  in  1839,  and  adhered  to  the  Free  Church 
 at  the  Disruption  of  1843.  He  afterwards  demitted  his 
 charge,  emigrated  to  Halifax,  and  became  minister  of  the  Free 
 Colonial  Church,  Hamilton. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  Adam  Thorburn.  Ordained  14th 
 December  1843.      Died  31st  October  1855. 
 
 2  E 
 
434  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Third  Minister,  Eev,  James  B.  Irvine.  Ordained  10th 
 August  1854. 
 
 The  original  church  having  been  sold,  a  new  one  was  erected 
 in  its  room  in  1867,  costing  about  £1200,  and  containing 
 upwards  of  300  sittings. 
 
 Statistics  for  1884  : — Members  139  ;  adherents,  19  ; 
 average  attendance,  108  ;  total  raised  for  all  purposes,  £146  ; 
 stipend,  with  manse,  £208. 
 
 Siuinton  {Original  Secession),  noiv  extinct. 
 
 Swinton  is  a  village  in  Berwickshire,  37  miles  south-east 
 from  Edinburgh. 
 
 Some  Seceders  in  this  district  having,  on  25th  June  1833, 
 applied  for  supply  of  sermon,  the  Edinburgh  Presbytery 
 appointed  the  Rev.  David  Sturrock  to  preach  to  them  on  the 
 first  and  second  Sabbaths  of  August ;  but  as  the  petitioners 
 sent  a  letter  to  the  Presbytery  on  10th  September  following, 
 declining  to  receive  more  preachers  at  present,  the  station 
 appears  to  have  become  extinct. 
 
 Thurso  {Antihurgher),  no-w  Free  West  Church  and  United 
 Original  Secession  Church. 
 
 Thurso  is  a  town  in  Caithness,  21  miles  north-west  of 
 Wick,  and  290  north  from  Edinburgh. 
 
 This  congregation  is  said  to  have  been  originated  through 
 the  evangelistic  tours  of  the  Rev.  Mr  Buchanan,  of  Nigg, 
 about  the  year  1772.  Application  was  made  to  the  Anti- 
 burgher  Seceders  for  sermon  in  1773,  and  a  church  contain- 
 ing about  590  sittings  was  built  in  1777,  but  which  edifice 
 has  now  been  removed. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  Robert  Dowie.  Ordained  11th  Sep- 
 tember 1777.  Died  11th  June  1797,  in  the  fiftieth  year  of 
 his  age,  and  the  twentieth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  James  Simson.  Ordained  2 2d 
 April  1801.  Resigned  1807,  and  inducted  on  7th  June 
 1808  to  Potterrow  Church,  Edinburgh,  which  had  formerly 
 been  occupied  by  the  Rev,  Dr  M'Crie,  senior. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  435 
 
 At  tliis  period  the  congregation,  who  had  become  dissatisfied 
 with  the  "new  views,"  applied,  on  10th  May  1808,  to  the 
 Constitntional  Presbytery  for  supply  of  sermon,  and  in  the 
 same  month  the  Rev.  Wm.  Wilkinson  was  appointed  to 
 preach  to  them.  On  13th  August  1811  the  same  Presbytery 
 appointed  their  Clerk  to  inform  the  people  of  Thurso,  that 
 owing  to  the  lateness  of  the  season  they  could  not  send  them 
 any  preacher  this  year,  and  that  they  should  endeavour  to 
 get  the  Rev.  Archibald  Willison,  of  Birsay,  if  practicable,  to 
 come  over  to  them  for  some  time. 
 
 On  12th  May  1813  the  Presbytery  appointed  Mr  Willison, 
 of  Birsay,  to  supply  at  Thurso  three  or  four  Sabbaths  in  the 
 course  of  the  summer,  as  may  be  most  convenient  for  himself 
 and  the  people. 
 
 As  this  meagre  supply  of  sermon  was  not  satisfoctory,  the 
 congregation  again  united  with  the  General  Associate  Synod. 
 
 Third  Minister,  Rev.  John  M'Donald,  previously  of  Dubbie- 
 side.  Inducted,  October  1817.  Alonof  with  the  conirreira- 
 tion  Mr  ^M'Donald  declined  uniting  with  the  Burghers  in 
 1820,  and  in  that  year  became  connected  with  the  Associate 
 Synod  of  Protesters,  and  on  uniting  with  the  Constitutional 
 Presbvterv  in  1827  aided  in  the  formation  of  the  Orioiual 
 Secession  Synod. 
 
 On  2Gth  December  1827  the  congregation  petitioned  the 
 Presbytery,  asking  that  the  pastoral  relation  betwixt  them 
 and  Mr  M'Donald  be  dissolved,  and  promising  to  give  him 
 £25  yearly  during  the  continuance  of  his  bodily  distress,  but 
 before  complying  with  their  request  the  Presbytery  required 
 the  congregation  to  give  information  of  their  procedure  to 
 their  pastor. 
 
 On  the  5th  February  1828  the  people  further  i^romised 
 to  pay  their  arrears  of  stipend,  but  before  the  matter  was 
 concluded  Mr  M'Donald  died  in  August  following. 
 
 On  21st  September  1830  application  was  made  for  a 
 moderation,  the  stipend  offered  being  £70.  The  liev.  Jas. 
 Cairncross,  of  Birsa^',  was  appointed  to  preach  and  preside  on 
 7th  October.  Mr  David  Burn  was  called,  but  as  he  had  also 
 been  called  to  Arbroath,  the  matter  was  referred  to  the  Synod, 
 which  preferred  Thurso. 
 
436  ANNALS  OF  ORIftlNAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Fourth  Minister,  Rev.  David  Barn,  Ordained  21st  July 
 1831,  when  the  Rev.  Eben.  Ritchie,  of  Kirkwall,  preached 
 from  Ps.  xl.  9,  10,  and  presided,  and  the  Rev.  Thos.  Manson, 
 of  Perth  (in  lieu  of  Dr  M'Crie,  of  Edinburgh,  who  was  absent), 
 addressed  minister  and  people.  After  an  interval  the  con- 
 gregation again  met,  and  the  Rev.  Jas.  Cairncross  preached 
 from  2  Cor.  vi.  1. 
 
 In  1852  Mr  Burn  and  a  portion  of  the  congregation  hav- 
 ing united  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  a  protracted 
 lawsuit  for  possession  of  the  church  property  took  place.  The 
 case  at  first  was  decided  in  favour  of  the  union  party,  but  on 
 appeal  the  decision  was  reversed,  the  judges  holding  that  so 
 long  as  even  four  of  the  members  of  the  congregation  remained 
 together,  the  church  property  was  legally  theirs.  On  this 
 the  Free  Church  party  erected  a  new  church  in  1860,  and  of 
 it  Mr  Burn  was  minister,  though  latterly  with  a  colleague  (the 
 Rev.  John  C.  Connell,  ordained  1876),  till  his  death  on  29th 
 April  1882. 
 
 The  remanent  party,  after  some  years,  demolished  the  old 
 place  of  worship  and  erected  a  new  church.  Their  ministers 
 have  been  the  Rev.  Ebenezer  Ritchie,  ordained  1855,  and 
 translated  to  Toberdoney,  Ireland,  1858,  and  the  Rev.  Charles 
 S.  Findlay,  ordained  on  29th  August  1861. 
 
 Statistics  of  West  Free  Church  for  1884  : — Members  and 
 adherents,  433  ;  total  raised,  £336  ;  stipend,  with  manse, 
 £190. 
 
 Statistics  of  United  Original  Secession  Church  for  1884  : — 
 Members,  50  ;  adherents,  30  ;  total  income,  £128  ;  stipend, 
 with  manse,  £94  ;  average  contribution  per  member,  £2, 
 lis.  5d. 
 
 Toberdoney,  Ireland  {Antihurglter),  now  United  Original 
 Secession  Church. 
 
 Toberdoney  is  a  hamlet  in  the  county  of  Antrim. 
 
 This  congregation  was  formed  in  1808,  and  their  church 
 was  built  in  1813.  Having  requested  supply  of  sermon 
 from  the  Synod  of  Protesters,  Mr  John  Barnett,  Preacher, 
 was  sent  to  officiate  among  them  in  August  1821. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  437 
 
 Oil  20tli  September  182G,  Mr  Ebenezcr  Ritchie,  Pro- 
 bationer, was  called  by  them,  but  owing  to  his  having  been 
 appointed  to  Kirkwall  by  the  Synod,  no  settlement  took 
 place. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  John  Miller.  Ordained  3rd  July 
 1828,  when  the  Rev.  George  Stevenson,  Ayr,  prcaclicd  from 
 John  XX.  21,  and  presided  at  ordination,  after  which  the  Rev. 
 Robt.  Shaw,  of  Whitburn,  addressed  pastor  and  people,  and 
 the  service  was  concluded  by  the  Rev.  Peter  M'Derment  of 
 Auchinleck  delivering  a  sermon  from  Matt,  xxviii.  19. 
 
 In  1844  this  congregation  petitioned  the  Ayr  Presbytery 
 that  attendance  on  Praying  Societies  should  be  made  a  term 
 of  religious  or  church  communion,  but  the  Presbytery  declined 
 to  comply  with  their  request. 
 
 The  roof  of  the  church  having  been  blown  off,  the  Synod, 
 on  1st  May  1850,  recommended  that  a  collection  be  made 
 throughout  the  church  to  aid  this  congregation. 
 
 ]\lr  Miller  and  a  portion  of  the  congregation  joined  the 
 Free  Church  of  Scotland  in  1852,  and  eventually  the  Irish 
 Presbyterian  Church.  The  place  of  worship  was  retained  by 
 them  till  1855,  when  the  Irish  Court  of  Chancery  decided 
 that  the  building  belonged  to  the  section  that  declined  the 
 union.  Those  who  adhered  to  Mr  Miller  thereafter  removed 
 to  Benvarden,  and  those  who  retained  the  church  called  the 
 Rev.  Ebenezer  Ritchie  of  Thurso,  who  was  inducted  4th 
 August  1858,  but  afterwards  removed  to  Aberdeen. 
 
 Statistics: — Members,  134;  adherents,  35;  have  at 
 present  no  minister. 
 
 Tullibody  {Burgher),  extinct. 
 
 Tullibody  is  a  village  in  Clackmannanshire,  about  2  miles 
 west  from  Alloa. 
 
 This  preaching  station  acceded  to  the  Presbytery  on  4th 
 November  1800,  but  on  4th  August  1801  agreed  to  unite 
 with  the  congregation  at  Alloa. 
 
 West  Linton  (Burgher),  now  extinct 
 
 West  Linton  is  a  village  in  Peeblesshire,  16^  miles  south- 
 west from  Ediubun,'h,  and  1 1  north-east  from  Bi;;gar. 
 
43S  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 This  congregation  appears  to  have  been  formed  by  persons 
 who  had  left  the  congregation  of  Rev.  Jas.  M 'Gilchrist,  owing 
 to  their  dissatisfaction  with  the  New  Light  views  prevalent 
 in  the  Synod.  As  it  never  had  a  settled  ministry,  the  history 
 of  the  congregation  or  station  is  brief 
 
 On  l(Jth  September  1800,  a  paper  of  accession  was  laid 
 on  the  Presbytery's  table,  and  the  E,ev.  Jas.  Russell,  formerly 
 of  Mearns,  was  appointed  to  preach  to  them  on  the  third 
 Sabbath  of  October. 
 
 On  7th  May  1805  they  petitioned  for  a  moderation  in  an 
 election  of  elders,  when  the  Rev.  Robt.  Shirra,  of  Yetholm, 
 was  appointed  to  preside  on  18th  June.  Messrs  George 
 Lawson,  Thomas  Noble,  Peter  Porteous,  William  Ker,  and 
 Alex.  Wilson  were  elected,  and  their  edict  having  been  served 
 they  were  all  appointed  to  be  ordained. 
 
 On  11th  March  1806,  application  was  made  for  a  modera- 
 tion ;  stipend  offered,  £70,  with  a  house  and  garden,  and 
 the  promise  to  increase  the  emoluments  when  able.  The 
 Rev.  Wm.  Graham,  of  Carluke,  was  appointed  to  preach  and 
 preside  on  24th  April.  The  call  was  for  Mr  John  Campbell, 
 Probationer,  and  was  subscribed  by  forty-four  persons,  but  as 
 he  had  also  been  called  to  Dunfermline  and  Falkirk  the 
 matter  was  referred  to  the  Synod,  which  preferred  Dunferm- 
 line.     The  conofreo^ation  thereafter  became  extinct. 
 
 WJtithur7i  {Constitutional),  now  Free  Church. 
 
 Whitburn  is  a  villaofe  in  Linlithgowshire,  4  miles  south- 
 west  from  Bathgate,  2 1  miles  south-west  from  Edinburgh,  and 
 23  east  from  Glasgow. 
 
 About  the  year  1766  a  number  of  persons  in  Whitburn, 
 who  had  contributed  to  the  rebuilding  of  the  parish  church, 
 were  refused  the  privilege  of  voting  in  the  election  of  a 
 minister.  Shortly  afterwards,  Mr  Wardrop,  of  Cult,  offered  a 
 site  for  a  church  to  the  An ti -Burgher  Seceders,  who  had 
 hitherto  travelled  for  worship  to  Craigmailen,  12  miles 
 distant ;  and  this  offer  having  been  gladly  accepted,  a  congre- 
 gation was  speedily  sanctioned. 
 
 First    Minister,  Rev.   Archibald    Bruce.       Ordained    24th 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  439 
 
 August  1768.  Appointed  Professor  of  Divinity  by  the 
 General  Associate  Synod  in  ITiSG. 
 
 Along  with  his  congregation,  Professor  Bruce  withdrew  in 
 IMOG  from  the  New  Light  Synod,  and  aidrd  in  the  formation  of 
 the  Constitutional  Presbytery;  died  18th  February  181G,  in  the 
 seventietli  year  of  his  age,  and  the  forty-eightli  of  his  ministry. 
 
 The  ordination  of  Professor  Brace  was  in  the  open  air. 
 Because  of  a  vote  which  lie  gave  on  a  political  question,  his 
 stipend,  never  large,  was  reduced  to  £50  annually,  and  it  is 
 said  that  at  his  death  the  congregation  were  in  arrears  of 
 stipend  for  two  and  a  half  years. 
 
 On  24th  September  1816,  application  was  made  for  a 
 moderation,  offering  as  stipend  £60,  with  the  manse  and  glebe, 
 now  let  for  £80.  Rev.  Dr  M'Crie  was  appointed  to  preach 
 and  preside  on  loth  October,  and  Mr  Robert  Shaw,  Proba- 
 tioner, was  elected. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  Robert  Shaw,  D.D.  Ordained  14th 
 May  1817,  when  Rev.  Dr  M'Crie,  of  Edinburgh,  preached 
 and  presided  at  the  ordination  ;  the  Rev.  James  Aitken,  of 
 Kirriemuir,  addressed  minister  and  people ;  and  the  Rev. 
 Patrick  M'Kenzie,  of  Kelso,  concluded  the  services  by 
 delivering  a  sermon. 
 
 Along  with  the  congregation,  Dr  Shaw  took  part  in  three 
 unions — viz.,  the  union  with  the  Synod  of  Protesters  in  1327, 
 the  union  with  the  Original  Burghers  in  1842,  and  with  the 
 Free-  Church  of  Scotland  in  1852.  He  died  10th  January 
 1863,  in  the  sixty-seventh  year  of  his  age,  and  the  forty- 
 sixth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Third  Minister,  Rev.  John  M'Knight,  A.M.  Ordained 
 l7th  September  1863. 
 
 A  new  church  has  been  erected,  and  the  manse  and  glebe 
 are  now  known  by  the  name  of  Brucefield. 
 
 Statistics  : — Members,  122  ;  adherents,  50  ;  average  at- 
 tendance, 100;  total  raised,  £100;  stipend,  £177,  with 
 manse. 
 
 Whitburn  or  Longridge  {Burgher),  now  in  Crofthead 
 Free  Church. 
 
 Longridge  is  a  village  in  the  parish  of  Whitburn,  Linlith- 
 gowshire, 6  miles  S.  from  Bathgate,  and  7  N.E.  from  Shotls. 
 
440  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 This  congregation  was  formed  by  those  members  of  Eev. 
 John  Brown's  flock  who  were  dissatisfied  with  the  New  Light 
 views  which  were  prevalent  in  the  Burgher  Synod.  Hence  it 
 is  recorded  that  John  Hastie  and  others  petitioned  the  Old 
 Light  Burgher  Presbytery  for  supply  of  sermon  for  one 
 Sabbath,  that  they  might  have  an  opportunity  of  intimating  a 
 congregational  meeting,  to  take  place  on  some  day  of  the 
 week,  that  they  may  consult  what  measures  they  should  take 
 in  their  present  circumstances.  This  petition  was  granted, 
 aud  the  congregation  acceded  on  30th  June  1801. 
 
 On  7th  January  1806  the  Presbytery  met  in  Longridge 
 Church,  and  the  congregation  having  applied  for  a  moderation 
 for  elders,  the  Piev.  Eben.  Hislop,  of  Shottsburn,  was  appointed 
 to  preach  and  preside  on  11th  February.  Messrs  James 
 Paton,  John  Waddel,  Piobert  Waddel,  William  Murray,  John 
 Eussell,  John  Hastie,  John  Donglas,  and  Peter  Walker  were 
 elected,  and  their  edict  having  been  afterwards  duly  served, 
 the  Rev.  Robert  Shirra,  of  Yetholm,  was  appointed  to  ordain 
 them  on  the  fourth  Sabbath  of  June. 
 
 On  10th  June  1806  application  was  made  for  a  modera- 
 tion, stipend  to  be  £60  with  a  glebe,  or  £80  without  a  glebe, 
 with  the  promise  of  increasing  it  as  soon  as  they  were  able,  but 
 owing  to  the  elders  not  yet  having  been  ordained,  and  a 
 Session  formed,  the  matter  was  delayed.  It  having  been 
 afterwards  reported  that  only  John  Waddel,  Peter  Walker,  and 
 John  Hastie  had  submitted  to  be  ordained  to  the  eldership, 
 and  that  the  congregation  was  still  desirous  of  a  moderation 
 for  a  pastor,  the  Presbytery  appointed  the  Rev.  E.  Hislop  to 
 moderate  on  10th  July.  The  call  was  for  the  Rev.  Robert 
 Shirra,  of  Yetholm,  and  was  subscribed  by  sixty  persons,  but 
 the  Synod  refused  to  translate. 
 
 On  3d  Sei3tember  1806  the  Presbytery  appointed  Rev.  R. 
 Shirra  to  ordain  Mr  James  Paton  as  elder  on  the  following 
 Sabbath. 
 
 On  15th  November  1808  applied  for  a  moderation,  offering 
 £70,  and  ten  acres  of  land  per  annum  as  stipend,  and  that 
 they  will  accommodate  their  minister  with  a  proper  house  and 
 offices,  it  being  understood  that  he  is  to  pay  the  interest 
 to  whatever  length  he  wishes  the  consreiration  to  ^o  in  build- 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  441 
 
 ing.  The  Eov.  E.  Hislop  was  appointed  to  moderate  on  loth 
 December.  The  call  was  for  Mr  James  Ferguson,  Proba- 
 tioner, and  was  subscribed  by  fifty  members  and  twelve 
 adherents. 
 
 First  Minister,  Piev.  James  Ferguson.  Ordained  24th 
 August  1809.  The  ordination  had  been  appointed  for  the 
 precoiling  day,  but  was  postponed  owing  to  many  of  the  mem- 
 bers of  congregation  being  at  Carnwath  fair.  The  Ecv.  John 
 Inglis,  of  Greenlaw,  began  the  services  by  preaching  from  1 
 Tim.  iv.  IG  ;  Rev.  E.  Hislop  delivered  the  ordination  sermon 
 from  Ct)l.  iv.  17,  and  also  addressed  suitable  exhortations  to 
 pastor  and  people. 
 
 On  29th  April  1813  the  Presbytery  finding  that  this  con- 
 gregation was  not  regular  in  paying  stipend,  agreed  that  they 
 should  fall  on  a  regular  way  and  means  for  paying  what  they 
 owe  him,  and  if  they  do  not  find  it  convenient  to  pay  a  half 
 year's  stipend  in  advance,  that  they  pay  a  quarter  of  a  year, 
 and  that  they  report  to  the  Presbytery. 
 
 On  19th  July  1814  Mr  Ferguson,  on  account  of  the  con- 
 gregation's depressed  condition  in  pecuniary  affairs,  demitted 
 his  charge,  when  after  delay  and  deliberation,  the  Presbytery 
 referred  the  matter  to  the  Synod,  and  on  8th  November  the 
 demission  was  accepted. 
 
 On  16th  July  1821  petitioned  for  a  moderation,  stipend  to 
 be  £G0  Avith  a  house,  and  £2  every  time  the  Lord's  Supper 
 is  dispensed  for  sacramental  expenses.  After  delay.  Rev. 
 George  Hill,  of  Shottsburn,  was  appointed  to  preside  on  30th 
 October.  Mr  William  ]\Iurray,  Probationer,  was  called  by 
 thirty-eight  members  and  eleven  adherents  ;  but  as  he  de- 
 clined acceptance,  the  call  was  set  aside.  On  21st  October 
 !Mr  Murray  was  again  called,  but  as  this  call  was  only  sub- 
 scribed by  eighteen  persons  it  was  not  sustained. 
 
 On  13th  June  1825  application  was  again  made  for  a 
 moderation,  stipend  offered  £50  with  house  and  garden,  or 
 £60,  without  a  house.  A  promise  was  also  made  of  £2  every 
 time  the  Lord's  Supper  is  dispensed,  and  that  the  minister's 
 coals  shall  be  carted  free.  The  Rev.  G.  Hill  was  appointed  to 
 officiate  on  18th  July.  The  call  was  for  Mr  David  Lynch, 
 Probationer,  and  was  subscribed  by  twenty-nine  members,  but 
 
442  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 the  Presbytery  having  delayed  the  matter,  and  Mr  Lynch 
 having  meanwhile  been  called  and  ordained  to  the  ministry  in 
 Ireland,  the  congregation,  on  7th  November  1825,  applied 
 for  another  moderation,  the  stipend  to  be  50s.  more  than 
 what  was  formerly  offered.  The  "Rev.  James  Anderson,  of 
 Carluke,  was  appointed  to  officiate  on  24th  November.  The 
 call  was  for  Mr  John  Downs,  Probationer,  and  was  subscribed 
 by  thirty-one  members  and  ten  adherents,  but  as  he  was  also 
 under  call  to  Kennoway  and  Boardmills,  the  matter  was  re- 
 ferred to  the  Synod,  which  preferred  the  last-mentioned  con- 
 gregation. 
 
 On  19th  September  1826,  application  was  once  more  made 
 for  a  moderation,  stipend  to  be  what  was  formerly  offered,  and 
 to  be  increased  as  soon  as  the  congresfation  is  able  to  do  so. 
 Rev.  James  Anderson  was  appointed  to  officiate  on  9th  Octo- 
 ber. The  call  was  for  Mr  David  Headrick,  Probationer,  and 
 was  signed  by  twenty-six  members  and  six  adherents. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  David  Headrick.  Ordained  29th 
 May  1827,  when  the  Rev.  James  Anderson  began  the  ser- 
 vice by  preaching  from  2  Cor,  viii.  23  ;  the  Rev.  G.  Hill  de- 
 livered the  ordination  sermon  from  Phil.  ii.  29,  and  afterwards 
 gave  suitable  exhortations  to  pastor  and  people.  Mr  Headrick 
 having  retired,  and  the  Session  having  been  constituted,  Mr 
 William  Scobie  was  returned  as  their  representative,  and  his 
 name  was  added  to  the  roll  of  the  Presbytery. 
 
 Along  with  the  congregation  Mr  Headrick  united  with  the 
 Original  Secession  Synod  in  1842,  and  with  the  Free  Church 
 of  Scotland  in  1852.  He  was  for  several  years  Clerk  to  the 
 Original  Burgher  Synod,  and  from  1842  to  1852  Clerk  to 
 the  United  Original  Secession  Presbytery  of  Glasgow.  He 
 died  10th  September  1865,  in  the  thirty-ninth  year  of  his 
 ministry,  and  his  congregation,  after  subsisting  for  a  time  as 
 a  preaching  station,  became  merged  in  the  newly  formed  con- 
 gregation of  Crofthead,  and  the  meeting-house  was  sold.  The 
 statistics  of  Crofthead  for  1884  are: — Members,  130;  ad- 
 herents, 41  ;  average  attendance,  190  ;  total  raised  for  all 
 purposes,  £100;  stipend,  £177,  with  manse. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  443 
 
 Whitby  {Burgher),  extinct 
 
 AVhitby  is  a  town  in  the  North  Riding  of  Yorkshire,  5G 
 miles  north-east  from  York. 
 
 Some  persons  in  Whitby  petitioned  the  Burgher  Synod  for 
 supply  of  sermon  in  1810,  and  also  in  1811,  and  obtained 
 for  a  brief  period  preaching  on  one  Sabbath  in  the  mouth. 
 The  following  extract  from  Presbytery  Record  is  interest- 
 ing : — "On  7th  February  1810,  the  Edinburgh  Presbytery 
 received  and  read  some  letters  from  Mr  Amos,  of  Whitby, 
 giving  a  representation  of  his  situation  as  to  his  religious 
 couuections,  earnestly  requesting  the  Presbytery  to  think  of 
 his  situation,  to  send  up  one  of  their  number  as  soon  as  pos- 
 sible to  preach  a  few  Sabbaths,  and  to  inform  themselves 
 about  matters.  Having  considered  these  missives,  the  Pres- 
 bytery agreed  to  grant  him  his  request,  and  appointed  the 
 Rev.  Ebenezer  Hislop,  of  Shottsburn,  to  preach  at  Whitby 
 the  two  last  Sabbaths  of  February  and  the  first  three  Sabbaths 
 of  March." 
 
 The  effort  to  found  a  preaching  station,  however,  proved 
 abortive. 
 
 Wick  (Original  Secession),  novj  extinct. 
 
 Wick  is  the  county  town  of  Caithness,  and  is  21  miles 
 south-east  from  Thurso. 
 
 On  12th  May  1835,  in  response  to  an  application  that  had 
 been  made,  the  Original  Secession  Synod  agreed  to  grant 
 supply  of  sermon  to  friends  of  the  cause  in  that  place. 
 
 Hence,  inter  alios,  Mr  John  Graham,  Probationer,  was  ap- 
 pointed to  preach  to  them.  On  7th  November  183G  they 
 received  a  donation  of  £o  from  the  Edinburgh  Presbytery,  to 
 assist  them  in  defraying  expenses,  but  on  7th  March  1837, 
 they  sent  a  letter  to  the  Presbytery,  intimating  their  inability 
 to  support  preaching  there  any  longer. 
 
 Yetholm  (Burgher),  now  Free  Church. 
 
 Yetholm  is  a  village  in  Roxburghshire,  5  miles  north-east 
 from  Morebattle,  and  7^  miles  south-east  of  Kelso. 
 
444  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 This  congregation  originated  in  the  intrusion  of  an  un- 
 acceptable minister  into  the  parish  of  Yetholm  in  1786. 
 The  church  was  built  the  same  year,  but  a  new  one  was,  in 
 1881,  erected,  costing  £1200,  and  having  about  300  sittings. 
 
 First  Minister,  Rev.  Robert  Shirra.  Ordained  1787. 
 Being  dissatisfied  with  the  New  Light  views  prevalent  in 
 the  Associate  Burgher  Synod,  Mr  Shirra  and  his  congregation 
 acceded  to  the  Original  Burgher  Presbytery  on  12  th  Novem- 
 ber 1799. 
 
 Mr  Shirra  was  repeatedly  called  by  other  congregations. 
 Thus,  in  August  1802,  and  in  February  1803,  he  was  called 
 to  Dunfermline,  and  in  July  1806  to  Whitburn,  but  the 
 Synod  declined  to  translate  him. 
 
 Owing  to  cases  of  discipline,  the  Edinburgh  Presbytery 
 held  various  meetings  in  this  congregation,  and  once,  on  8th 
 December  1807,  they  were  hindered  from  meeting  "on  ac- 
 count of  the  storm  of  snow  that  covered  the  earth." 
 
 On  29th  April  1813  the  Edinburgh  Presbytery  enjoined 
 the  session  and  managers  to  pay  their  minister  a  half-j^ear's 
 stipend  in  advance.      The  Clerk  to  inform  them  of  this. 
 
 On  23rd  August  1814  petitions  were  read  to  the  Presby- 
 tery from  the  minister  and  several  members  of  session,  which 
 showed  a  considerable  lack  of  harmony  in  the  congregation, 
 some  alleging  that  the  ground  of  dispute  was  opposition  to 
 the  prmciples  of  the  church,  and  others  that  it  was  the  effects 
 of  humour  and  personal  pique.  The  result  of  this  schism  was 
 that  about  200  persons  withdrew  from  the  congregation,  and 
 founded  what  is  now  the  United  Presbyterian  Congregation  of 
 the  village. 
 
 On  loth  July  1834  application  was  made  for  a  colleague 
 and  successor  to  Mr  Shirra,  stipend  offered  <£60  with  a  free 
 house,  and  £10  for  sacramental  expenses.  This  was  granted, 
 and  the  Rev.  Andrew  Mackenzie,  of  Edinburgh,  was  appointed 
 to  officiate  on  the  Tuesday  after  the  first  Sabbath  of  August. 
 
 The  call  was  for  Mr  John  Hastie,  Probationer,  and  was 
 subscribed  in  all  by  100  members  and  9  adherents. 
 
 Second  Minister,  Rev.  John  Hastie.  Ordained  15th 
 October  1834.  The  Rev.  Geors^e  Hill,  of  Shottsburn,  began 
 the  services  by  preaching  from  Phil.   ii.    29,  the  Rev.  Robt. 
 
STATISTICS  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  445 
 
 Lindsay,  of  Dnlkeitli,  delivered  tlie  ordination  scnnun  frDin 
 1  Cor.  iii.  23,  and  afterwards  gave  suitable  exhortations  to 
 pastor  and  people. 
 
 Mr  Shirra,  the  senior  colleague,  died  1  Gth  November  1840, 
 in  the  eighty-second  year  of  his  age,  and  the  fifty-third  of 
 his  ministry,  and  Mr  Hastie  and  the  congregation  united  with 
 the  Original  Secession  Synod  on  13th  September  1842,  and 
 with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  in  185  2.  Mr  Hastie  died 
 4th  July  18G3. 
 
 Third  ^Minister,  Rev.  James  Coventry.  Ordained  colleague 
 28th  May  18G2,  and  resigned  on  accepting  an  appointment 
 to  Gibraltar,  Gth  April  18G9. 
 
 Fourth  Minister,  Rev.  Alexander  M'Millan.  Ordained 
 30th  September  18G9.  Translated  to  Baillieston,  18th  April 
 1878. 
 
 Fifth  Minister,  Rev.  Norman  M'Pherson.  Ordained  20  th 
 August  1878. 
 
 Statistics  for  1884  : — Members,  180  ;  average  attendance, 
 ]  GO  ;  total  raised,  £140  ;  stipend,  £177,  wdth  manse. 
 
 A  congregational  correspondent  states  the  following  :  — 
 
 "  In  this  lovely  and  secluded  parish  then  numbering  1200 
 souls,  the  young  minister  (Mr  Shirra)  and  his  young  congie- 
 gation  had  a  career  of  usefulness  and  spiritual  prosperity  not 
 altogether  unchequered.  The  old  meeting-house  was  seated 
 for  GOO,  and  such  was  Mr  Sliirra's  joopularity  that  it  was 
 generally  filled,  and  often  crowded.  He  was  well  read  in 
 geography,  the  history  and  usages  of  ancient  nations,  but  he 
 excelled  in  the  knowledge  of  the  Scriptures,  and  in  applying 
 them  to  the  heart  and  conscience. 
 
 "  Education  being  at  a  low  ebb  he  devoted  much  time  to 
 visiting  and  catechising,  especially  in  the  hill  districts.  On 
 these  journeys  he  was  wont  to  think  out  his  sermons,  and 
 was  often  heard  speaking  aloud  to  himself.  Along  with  all 
 faithful  ministers  of  that  time,  Mr  Shirra  had  many  ecclesi- 
 astical offences  to  deal  with,  chiefly,  however,  '  irregular 
 marriages.'  Offenders  of  this  class,  and  indeed  of  all  classes, 
 before  being  re-admitted  to  sealing  ordinances,  had  first  of  all 
 to  give  satisfaction  to  the  kirk-session,  and  afterwards  to  com- 
 pear before  the  congregation  at  an  ordinary  diet  of  worship, 
 
446  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 for  one  or  more  Sabbaths  according  to  the  heinousness  of  the 
 offence,  to  be  i3ublicly  rebuked  and  absolved.  There  was  a 
 seat  set  apart  for  such  offenders,  called  the  '  ordinary  seat.' 
 
 "  In  those  more  patriarchal  times  any  quarrel  or  misunder- 
 standing among  neighbours  was  generally  settled,  or  attempted 
 to  be  settled,  by  the  minister.  This  was  called  'agreeing 
 them.'  Mr  Shirra  was  often  resorted  to  as  a  peacemaker 
 after  this  fashion.  In  certain  cases,  however,  the  pious  effort 
 was  fruitless.  '  Letters  of  lawburrows  '  were  taken  out.  The 
 offences  of  '  Monopolizing,'  '  Contrabanding,'  *  Slandering,' 
 *  Hamesucken,'  were  expiated,  partly  if  not  entirely  as 
 ecclesiastical  offences. 
 
 "  Before  ordination,  elders  were  examined  and  catechised  as 
 to  the  knowledge  of  the  doctrine,  discipline,  and  worship  of 
 this  church.  The  meetings  of  kirk-session  were  wont  to  be 
 opened  with  '  family  worship  '  by  the  moderator,  or  one  of 
 the  elders.  Then  a  text  or  Scripture  question  was  given  out, 
 and  spoken  to  by  every  member  before  the  business  came  on." 
 
CHAPTER    IX. 
 
 TnE  INNER  WORKING  OF  OLD  LIGHT  CONGREGATIONS  AS 
 EXHIBITED  IN  SESSIONAL  RECORDS. 
 
 Respecting  the  church  discipline  that  obtained  among 
 Original  Seceders,  and  the  supervision  which  kii-k-sessions 
 exercised  over  their  respective  congregations,  a  few  specimens 
 from  the  Session  Records  of  the  M'Crie  Church,  Edinburgh, 
 are  here  given,  and  in  accordance  with  the  ancient  adage, 
 "  Ex  uno  disce  omnes,"  they  may  be  regarded  as  fair  samples 
 of  the  manner  in  which  Seceders  were  attended  to  ecclesiasti- 
 cally. Though  there  may  be  a  variety  of  opinion  respecting 
 the  wisdom  of  some  of  their  decisions,  there  cannot  be  two 
 views  respecting  the  desire  of  both  pastors  and  ruling  elders 
 to  deal  faithfully  with  souls,  as  those  who  must  render  an 
 account  of  their  stewardship  to  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church. 
 Let  it  also  be  borne  in  mind  that  the  cases  here  enumerated 
 were  under  the  cognizance  of  the  illustrious  biographer  of 
 Knox,  and  his  worthy  son  and  successor,  Thomas  M'Crie,  D.D., 
 LL.D. 
 
 5th  October  1808. — "To  the  great  grief  of  the  Session, 
 information  was  communicated  that and ,  both  mem- 
 bers of  the  congregation,  had  been  in  a  late  public  procession  of 
 the  Mason  Lodges  in  this  city.  Such  conduct  being  directly 
 contrary  to  the  principles  long  and  openly  avowed  by  the 
 Secession,  it  was  agreed  that  these  persons  should  be  inti- 
 mated to  attend  the  next  meeting  of  Session,  that  they  might 
 be  dealt  with  according  to  the  nature  of  their  offence.  It  was, 
 however,  judged  prudent,  and  what  affection  to  our  offending 
 brethren  required,  to  appoint  a  member  previously  to  wait 
 upon  each  of  them  for  conversation,  and  to  acquaint  them  with 
 the  resolution  of  Session.  James  Aitken  was  appointed  to 
 call  upon ,  and  Thomas  Laidlaw  upon .     Appointed 
 
44S  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 also   Thomas  Grieve  to   converse   with ,  who   for    some 
 
 time  past  had  been  observed  to  be  irregular  in  his  attendance 
 on  public  ordinances.  These  members  to  report  at  next 
 meeting." 
 
 On  3d  November,  one  of  these  offenders  waited  on  the 
 Session.  He  professed  his  grief  for  having,  without  due  con- 
 sideration, joined  in  the  late  public  Masonic  procession,  and 
 promised  to  abstain  in  future  from  like  conduct ;  also  from 
 partaking  in  or  witnessing  the  entry  of  new  members,  and  from 
 accepting  any  public  office  in  the  lodges.  After  receiving  a 
 suitable  exhortation  from  the  Moderator,  he  was  served  with  a 
 token  of  admission  to  the  Lord's  table. 
 
 After  conversing  individually  with  all  the  intending 
 Covenanters,  and  bringing  their  names  before  the  Kirk-Ses- 
 sion for  approval,  Dr  M'Crie,  his  Session,  and  congregation  on 
 7th  May  1812,  and  in  the  Potterrow  Church,  renewed  with 
 uplifted  hands  the  National  Covenant  of  Scotland  in  a  bond 
 suited  to  their  circumstances. 
 
 One  of  the  elders  having  as  a  deacon  of  the  Incorporation  of 
 Trades  attended  public  worship  with  the  craft  in  the  Canon- 
 gate  Established  Church,  was  dealt  with  privately,  and  then 
 cited  to  the  Session  on  9  th  October  1812.  He  attended, 
 and  admitted  "  that  when  coming  to  attend  worship  with 
 us  as  usual  in  the  afternoon,  he  was  met  by  some  of  his 
 brethien  of  the  incorporation,  who,  in  a  manner,  forced  him 
 along  with  them  to  the  Canongate  Church.  Since  that  time, 
 however,  as  an  evidence  of  dissatisfaction  with  his  own  con- 
 duct, he  had  abstained  from  all  public  appearances  with  the 
 corporation  in  their  formal  churchings,  and  was  resolved  through 
 the  strength  of  grace  to  continue  the  same  line  of  conduct 
 while    in    office    in    the    incorporation.      After    members    had 
 
 spoken    their    minds    as    to    Mr 's    conduct,    and    the 
 
 declaration  .he  had  now  made,  the  Session  agreed  to  proceed 
 to  judgment,  and  the  vote  being  put,  it  carried,  admonish. 
 Upon  which  an  admonition,  with  suitable  exhortations,  was 
 tendered  by  the  moderator." 
 
 It  appears  that  during  the  trying  period  of  the  Napoleonic 
 war,  when  trade  in  Britain  was  in  a  very  depressed  state,  two 
 of  Dr  M'Crie's  elders  became  bankrupt,  and  as  illustrative  of 
 
INNER  WORKING  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  449 
 
 the  fidelity,  combined  witli  tenderness  of  the  Session,  and  the 
 honourable  conduct  of  the  two  unfortunate  elders,  the  follow- 
 ing extracts  are  made  : — 
 
 "  Gth  October  INlo. — The  Session,  taking  into  considera- 
 tion that   the   worlilly   affairs   of  and  had    lately 
 
 fallen  into  a  state  of  embarrassment,  and  they  had  for  some 
 time  abstained  from  acting  as  elders,  agreed  to  desire  them  to 
 attend  for  conversation  with  the  Session  at  their  next  meeting, 
 which  they  appointed  to  be  on  Friday,  the  20th  inst.,  at  five 
 o'clock  afternoon." 
 
 "  Session-House,  October  20,  1815. — Agreeably  to  intima- 
 tion   and attended  this  meeting.      ]\Ir stated 
 
 that  his  affairs  had  become  deranged  by  the  impropriety 
 of  his  partner  in  Manchester  in  making  purchases,  granting 
 bills,  and  going  into  other  speculations  without  his  knowledge. 
 Two  letters  addressed  to  the  Moderator  were  read,  one  from 
 the  attorney  and  the  other  from  the  accountant  employed  in 
 
 arranging  ^\t 's  affairs,"      Though  both   are  .satisfactory, 
 
 and  are  minuted,  one  shall  suffice.  "Manchester,  2Gth 
 August  1815. — Rev.  Sir, — I  have  the  honour  to  address  you 
 
 on  behalf  of  Mr  of  your  city,  whose  late  misfortunes 
 
 have  come  under  my  professional  notice  and  inspection  ;  and 
 though  I  cannot  but  sincerely  deplore  the  calamities  which  are 
 consequently  connected  with  his  situation,  yet  the  friends  of 
 moral  rectitude,  in  conjunction  with  myself,  must  be  highly 
 
 gratified  in  the  case  of  Mr ,  to  find  that  in  the  pressing 
 
 necessities  in  which  he  was  imperiously  involved  by  an  unfor- 
 tunate speculation  of  his  brother's  residing  in  Manchester, 
 there  has  not  been  the  least  suspicion  of  fraud  or  duplicity 
 chargeable  upon  him,  but  he  has  fully  evinced  (to  his  creditors 
 and  the  world)  himself  to  be  '  an  honest  man,  the  noblest 
 work  of  God,' — I  remain,  &c.,  Robert  Barnes." 
 
 The  other  insolvent  elder  having  also  given  explanations 
 which  were  deemed  satisfactory,  including  a  report  from  the 
 trustee  on  his  affairs,  "  the  Session  were  of  opinion  that  there 
 appeared  to  be  nothing  in  their  conduct  which  rendered  it 
 improper  for  them  to  act  as  elders,  and  therefore  desired  them 
 to  resume  the  exercise  of  their  office." 
 
 After  referring  with  thankfulness,  on   2oth  May  1827,  to 
 
 2  F 
 
450  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 the  union  which  had  recently  been  formed  betwixt  the 
 Constitutional  Presbytery  and  the  Synod  of  Protesters,  the 
 friendly  feeling  that  obtained  betwixt  the  two  Edinburgh 
 pastors  is  shown  in  the  following  proposal : — 
 
 "  10th  January  1828. — The  Moderator  stated  that  he  had 
 some  conversation  with  Professor  Paxton  about  the  two 
 congregations  observing  the  Synod's  Fasts  together  in  the 
 way  of  meeting  alternately  in  each  of  the  places  of  worship. 
 The  Session  signified  their  cordial  approbation  of  this  plan, 
 and  left  it  to  the  Moderator  to  settle  time  and  place," 
 
 As  in  addition  to  the  congregational  prayer  meeting,  which 
 was  generally  held  monthly  in  the  church,  it  was  usual  in  the 
 Secession  to  have  district  fellowship  prayer  meetings,  the 
 followiuer  entries  evince  the  care  which  the  Session  had  in  the 
 formation  of  these  : — - 
 
 "  28th  May  1829. — The  Session  spent  some  time  in 
 conversation  as  to  the  practicability  of  establishing  some 
 additional  praying  societies,  particularly  one  in  the  New 
 Town — appointed  Messrs  Lunn,  Hogue,  and  Whytock  as  a 
 committee  to  forward  the  measure. 
 
 "  13th  August  1829. — The  Session  called  for  the  report 
 of  the  committee  appointed  at  last  meeting.  Mr  Lunn 
 reported  that  he  had  spoken  to  a  number  of  persons  in  the 
 north  side  of  the  town,  whom  he  found  agreeable  to  the 
 measure,  and  that  it  was  proposed  that  a  fellowship  meeting 
 be  established,  to  meet  in  his  house.  Mr  Hogue  stated  that 
 Edward  Thomson  was  willing  to  accommodate  in  his  house 
 the  individuals  residing  in  the  south  and  east  parts  of  the 
 New  Town  who  were  willinsf  to  form  themselves  into  a  fellow- 
 ship  meeting.  The  Session  approved  of  the  diligence  of  the 
 committee,  and  agreed  that  intimation  of  the  places  and  times 
 of  meeting  be  made  from  the  pulpit  on  Sabbath  eight  days." 
 
 Collections  for  benevolent  and  ecclesiastical  objects,  both  of 
 a  public  and  denominational  kind,  were  not  unfrequent  in  Dr 
 M'Crie's  congregation;  thus,  on  28th  February  1830,  there 
 was  collected  for  the  Eoyal  Infirmary,  £10,  6s.  3^d.  ;  and  on 
 25tK  September  1831,  for  the  Original  Secession  Congrega- 
 tion of  Glasgow,  £11,  12s.  6d. 
 
 In  connection  with   every  Communion  not  only  were  there 
 
INNER  WORKING  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  451 
 
 public  religious  services  on  the  preceding  Thursday,  or  Fast 
 Day,  but  there  were  also  lengthened  diets  of  worship  on  the 
 Saturday  and  the  Monday,  at  each  of  which  two  sermons  were 
 delivered.  These  special  services  were  well  attended,  the 
 numbers  who  worshipped  on  the  Thursday  being  nearly  as 
 large  as  the  usual  Sabbath  attendance ;  and  when  it  became 
 known  that  any  members  were  jaunting  on  the  Fast  Day, 
 their  conduct  was  taken  under  the  cognizance  of  the  Session, 
 as  appears  from  the  following  : — 
 
 "8th  May  1834. — It  was  stated  by  a  member  of  Session 
 
 that had    been   seen  this  morning  setting  off  to  the 
 
 country  by  the  railway  coaches.  Mr  Gibson  was  appointed  to 
 call  for  him  and  ascertain  his  reason  for  absenting  himself 
 from  ordinances." 
 
 "  10th    May    1834. — Mr    Gibson    reported    that    he   had 
 
 seen ,  who  admitted  being  in  the  country  along  with  his 
 
 brother  on  Thursday ;  that  they  went  to  see  a  friend  who  had 
 lately  met  with  an  accident.  He  declined  waiting  on  the 
 Session,  but  left  it  with  them  to  give  or  withhold  a  token  as 
 they  saw  cause.  It  was  agreed  he  should  not  be  admitted 
 (to  the  Communion)  at  present." 
 
 The  size  of  Dr  M'Crie's  congregation  appears  from  the 
 following  statistics,  which  were  a  few  weeks  before  his  death 
 transmitted  to  the  Sheriff  of  the  county. 
 
 "  In  the  Session  House,  29th  June  1835. — The  committee 
 gave  in  their  report,  containing  answers  to  the  queries  by  the 
 House  of  Commons,  which,  after  being  corrected,  was  approved 
 and  subscribed  by  the  Moderator  and  Clerk,  and  ordered  to 
 be  sent  to  the  Sheriff.  The  queries  with  the  answers  given 
 to  them  follow  : — 
 
 "  1.  What  is  the  name  of  your  church  or  chapel  ?  Rich- 
 mond Street  Church  or  Chapel. 
 
 "  2.   Is  it  of  the  Established  Church  or  not  ?     Not. 
 
 "3.  If  not  of  the  Established  Church,  of  what  sect  or 
 denomination  is  it  ?      Original  Seceders. 
 
 "  4.   Is  it  endowed  or  not  ?     Not. 
 
 "  0.  "What  is  the  exact  number  of  sittings  it  contains  ? 
 7G0. 
 
 "  G.   How  many  of  the  sittings  are  let  ?     4 GO. 
 
452  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 "  7.   How  many  are  unlet  ?      300. 
 
 "  8.  Of  the  unlet  sittings  (a)  How  many  are  free  or  set 
 apart  for  the  poor  ?  Fifty.  (6)  How  many  are  occupied  by 
 proprietors  and  those  holding  under  them, — corporations,  the 
 families  of  clergymen,  or  persons  officially  connected  with  the 
 church  or  chapel,  or  in  virtue  of  other  rights  ?  Ten  by  the 
 minister's  family,  (c)  How  many  are  set  apart  for  letting, 
 but  not  let?      240. 
 
 "9.  What  is  the  highest  rent  charged  for  any  sitting? 
 15s.  per  annum. 
 
 "  1 0.   How  many  sittings  are  let  at  that  rate  ?    Forty-four. 
 
 "11.  How  many  sittings  for  which  that  rent  is  charged 
 are  unlet  ?      Eighteen. 
 
 "  12.  What  is  the  lowest  rent  charged  for  any  sitting  ? 
 8s.  per  annum. 
 
 "  13.   How  many  sittings  are  let  at  that  rate  ?      110. 
 
 "  14.  How  many  sittings  for  which  that  rent  is  charged 
 are  unlet  ?      140. 
 
 "15.  What  are  the  names  of  the  ministers  or  preachers 
 officiating  in  your  congregation  ?     The  Rev.  Dr  M'Crie. 
 
 "  16.  What  is  the  number  of  the  services  of  public  worship 
 on  each  Sabbath  ?     Two. 
 
 "  17.  What  is  the  number  of  week-days  in  the  course  of 
 the  year  in  which  there  is  public  worship  ?     Six. 
 
 "  18.  What  is  the  total  number  of  services  on  week-days 
 in  the  whole  year.      Twelve. 
 
 "  19.  What  is  the  number  of  examinable  persons  in  the 
 the  congregation  ?  [iVbie.]  By  examinable  persons  are  meant 
 persons  above  twelve  years  of  age.      450. 
 
 (Signed)     "Tho.  M'Crie,  Minister. 
 
 "  Wm.  Whytock,  Sess.  Clerk. 
 
 "29th  June  1835." 
 
 The  biographer  of  Knox  and  Melville  having,  after  a  brief 
 illness,  departed  this  life,  the  Session  at  its  first  meeting 
 thereafter  inscribed  the  following  in  their  records : — 
 
 "5th  October  1835. — It  is  with  the  deepest  sorrow  the 
 Session  have  to  record  the  death  on  5th  August  of  their 
 faithful  and  beloved  pastor,  the  Rev.  Dr  M'Crie,  in  the  sixty- 
 
INNER  WORKING  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  453 
 
 fourth  year  of  his  age  and  fortieth  of  his  ministry.  Acutely 
 as  they  feel  the  heavy  loss  they  have  sustained,  the  Session 
 wish  to  record  their  gratitude  to  God  for  the  enjoyment  of 
 his  ministry  for  such  a  length  of  time,  for  the  agreeable 
 intercourse  they  as  a  Session  have  had  with  him,  and  for  all 
 the  good  he  may  have  been  made  the  instrument  of  doing  to 
 his  flock,  the  Church  of  God,  and  to  the  generation  at  large." 
 
 Respecting  family  feuds  it  is  worthy  of  notice  that  instead 
 of  ignoring  these,  Original  Secession  elders  endeavoured  to 
 remove  them,  and  when  unsuccessful  in  thus  making  peace, 
 they  had  recourse  to  church  discipline,  from  a  conviction  that 
 such  unpleasant  disputes  were  highly  pernicious  to  the 
 Christian  profession.  The  following  is  a  siiecimen  of  how 
 cases  were  dealt  with  : — 
 
 "  It  having  been  reported  that and  his  wife,   both 
 
 members  of  the  congregation,  had  been  living  on  no  very 
 amicable  terms  for  some  time,  and  that  several  members  of 
 Session  had  endeavoured,  without  success,  to  effect  a  recon- 
 ciliation, Mr was  appointed  to  inform  them  that  neither 
 
 of  them  can  be  admitted  to  the  Lord's  table  at  this  time." 
 After  an  interval  of  two  months   the   Session  appointed  two 
 
 elders  to  visit and  his  wife,  and  if  they  find  them  still 
 
 at  variance,  to  desire  them  to  come  together  to  the  Session. 
 The  result  was  beneficial,  since   in   the  following  month  the 
 
 elders  reported  that  they  had  met  with  and  his  wife, 
 
 and  had  found  them  disposed  to  forget  their  quarrels,  and  they 
 promised  to  live  in  harmony,  when  the  Session  expressed  their 
 satisfaction  with  the  report." 
 
 Occasionally  it  happened  that  Seceders  from  a  change  in 
 their  ecclesiastical  views  applied  for  certificates  of  church 
 membership,  with  the  design  of  joining  some  other  denomin- 
 ation. In  such  cases  there  was  a  diversity  of  practice  in  the 
 church,  since  whilst  some  ministers  at  once  gave  disjunction 
 certificates,  others  could  not  conscientiously  give  any  help 
 to  persons  forsaking  the  Covenanted  Cause,  which  they  had 
 sworn  to  maintain. 
 
 Subjoined  is  an  extract  showing  the  mode  in  which  one 
 such  case  was  treated. 
 
 "  Received  and  read  a  communication  from  ,  a  mem- 
 
454  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 ber  of  the  congregation,  intimating  his  dissatisfaction  with  our 
 principles,  on  the  obligation  of  the  Solemn  Covenants,  and  his 
 determination  to  leave  the  communion  of  the  body,  with  a  re- 
 quest to  grant  him,  through  our  Clerk,  a  certificate  of  the 
 general  propriety  of  his  conduct  since  the  time  when  he  came 
 under  our  superintendence.  The  Session  unanimously  agreed 
 to  remit  to  the  Moderator  to  grant  him,  if  he  shall  see  cause, 
 the  certificate  of  membership  usually  given  to  those  who 
 desert  their  profession." 
 
 As  showing  the  extreme  conservative  tendency  of  some 
 Original  Seceders  against  innovations  in  public  worship  by 
 whomsoever  made,  whether  by  minister  or  precentor,  the 
 following  petition  to  the  Session  is  a  specimen  : — 
 
 "  That  your  petitioners  take  the  liberty  of  addressing  the 
 Session  on  the  subject  of  the  introduction  of  repeating  tunes 
 into  public  worship.  They  are  happy  to  state  that  the  occa- 
 sional attempts,  made  at  various  times,  on  the  part  of  the  pre- 
 centor to  introduce  these  tunes  have  not  been  renewed  for  a 
 considerable  time  past,  and  hope  that  they  will  not  be  renewed 
 in  time  coming.  But  having  scruples  of  conscience,  resting 
 on  various  grounds,  against  the  use  of  such  tunes  in  Divine 
 worship,  and  as  some  of  your  petitioners  (though  the  scruples 
 of  all  do  not  go  the  same  length)  have  felt  so  much  aggrieved 
 as  to  have  withdrawn  from  public  worship  on  that  account. 
 Your  petitioners  therefore  pray  the  Session  to  give  such  a 
 deliverance  on  the  subject  as  shall  afford  security  against  the 
 introduction  of  this  new  practice. 
 
 "  That  the  spirit  of  love,  of  power,  and  of  a  sound  mind 
 may  guide  the  Session  in  all  their  deliberations  and  decisions 
 is  the  prayer  of  your  petitioners." 
 
 In  response  the  Session  instructed  their  Clerk  to  send  the 
 petitioners  the  following  extract  from  their  minutes,  viz.  : — 
 
 "  The  Session,  while  they  regret  that  offence  should  have 
 been  taken  by  any  at  the  mode  of  singing  referred  to,  and 
 while  anxious  that  peace  and  nmtual  forbearance  should  be 
 exercised  by  the  members  of  the  congregation  on  this  subject, 
 do  not  think  they  are  called  on  to  pronounce  any  formal 
 deliverance  on  the  matter." 
 
 The  following  is  the  last  Sessional  minute   of  the    M'Crie 
 
INNER  WORKING  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  455 
 
 Church  prior  to  the  uuioii  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scothiiul, 
 on  1st  June  1852: — 
 
 "  In  Dr  M'Crie's  house,  George  Square,  Edinburgh,  on  the 
 morning  of  the  Gth  May  1852,  the  Session  met,  having  been 
 called  together  by  the  church  officer,  and  was  constituted  with 
 prayer  by  the  Moderator.  Present  with  him  all  the  elders, 
 and  after  a  lengthened  conversation  on  the  subject  of  union 
 with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  it  was  agreed  that  at  the 
 congregatioual  meeting  in  the  evening,  the  Moderator  should 
 merely  give  explanations  relative  to  the  transactions  of  the  late 
 meeting  of  Synod  at  Glasgow,  and  that  none  of  the  members 
 of  the  congregation  should  be  required  to  state  their  minds  on 
 the  subject  of  union  till  the  matter  was  decided  one  way  or 
 other  by  the  Synod,  and  that  then  a  congregational  meeting 
 should  be  called,  when,  in  the  event  of  union  with  the  Free 
 Church  being  consummated,  the  members  would  have  an 
 opportunity  of  saying  whether  they  agreed  or  not  with  the 
 uniting  parties.      Closed  with  prayer." 
 
 Having  given  specimens  of  the  Sessional  working  of  Dr 
 M'Crie's  (Antiburgher)  congregation  in  Edinburgh,  it  is 
 desirable  now  to  present  a  brief  view  of  the  internal  admin- 
 istration of  the  most  prominent  congregation  amongst  the 
 Burghers,  viz., — that  of  East  Campbell  Street,  Glasgow.  As 
 in  the  former  excerpts,  matters  of  church  discipline  were 
 primarily  noticed,  those  of  a  financial  and  secular  kind  shall 
 now  chiefly  be  referred  to. 
 
 In  conducting  their  pecuniary  affairs  the  Campbell  Street 
 congregation  showed  much  business  talent.  The  Treasurer's 
 books  and  Manager's  minute  books  have  been  admirably 
 kept,  and  for  the  safe  keeping  of  important  documents  an  iron 
 box  was  provided.  This  box  required  three  keys  to  open  it, 
 and  as  each  of  these  keys  was  given  by  the  congregation  to 
 some  trustworthy  member,  it  is  obvious  that,  since  each  of  the 
 triumvirs  required  to  be  present  at  its  opening,  the  people 
 had  by  this  arrangement  a  threefold  cord  of  hope,  that  no 
 important  document  would  be  lost. 
 
 Collections  were  made  not  only  on  Sabbaths  and  at  prayer 
 meetings,  but  also  at  meetings  of  Presbytery.  Those  which 
 were    made    in    1799   were    usually  betwixt   two   and   three 
 
45  6  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 pounds  on  Sabbaths  ;  and  at  Presbytery  meetings,  which  were 
 often  held  in  the  Methodist  Church,  six  shillings  was  the 
 average  sum  raised,  which  shows  that  the  esprit  de  corps  being 
 strong,  the  people  countenanced  with  their  presence  the 
 ministers  in  their  judicial  functions. 
 
 As  showing  the  largeness  of  the  congregation  before  the 
 settlement  of  its  first  minister,  it  appears  that  at  the  October 
 communion  of  1801,  ten  loaves  of  bread,  at  7^d.  each,  were 
 needed,  and  wine  to  the  amount  of  £2,  15s. 
 
 As  was  to  be  expected,  the  congregation  increased  both  in 
 numbers  and  liberality  after  the  Eev.  William  Watson's  induc- 
 tion in  March  1802.  On  the  first  Sabbath  thereafter,  £31 
 w^as  given  at  the  church  doors,  and  the  average  collection 
 thereafter  was  upwards  of  £3.  At  the  communion  in  October 
 1802,  the  bread  cost  7s.  4d.,  and  the  wine  £4,  4s.  Much  out- 
 ward prosperity  was  enjoyed,  and  in  addition  to  £90  for  his 
 half-year's  stipend,  the  pastor  received  £8  for  sacramental 
 expenses,  and  also  20  guineas  as  a  compliment.  Certainly, 
 as  respects  outward  prosperity,  the  Glasgow  Old  Light  con- 
 gregation was  in  clover,  since  money  was  of  much  greater 
 value  then  than  now.  But  as  even  in  these  halcyon  days  the 
 Session  records  show  that  perfection  did  not  obtain  in  the 
 morals  of  the  people,  so  the  Treasurer's  accounts  exhibit  a 
 similar  lack  with  respect  to  the  coins  cast  into  the  offering 
 plate,  since  not  only  is  there  an  occasional  reference  to  a 
 shilling  being  found  bad,  but  in  November  1801,  accumulated 
 bad  coppers  to  the  amount  of  £2,  9s.  lOd.  were  sold  in  weight 
 for  17s.  5d.  With  all  defects,  however,  the  spirit  of  liberality 
 had  been  largely  bestowed.  Thus,  at  the  April  communion 
 of  1802,  being  the  first  after  Mr  Watson's  settlement,  the 
 following  collections  were  made  : — 
 
 Thursday  (Fast-day),    . 
 Friday  and  Saturday,   . 
 Sabbath, 
 Monday, 
 
 Total, 
 Though  certainly  at  this  time,  and  for  many  years  there- 
 
 £8 
 
 4 
 
 0 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 10 
 
 6 
 
 H 
 
 4 
 
 9 
 
 0 
 
 £22 
 
 4 
 
 H 
 
INNER  WORKING  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  457 
 
 after,  communion  seasons  were  periods  when  brethren  came 
 from  a  distance,  and  showed  practically  their  belief  in  the 
 doctrine  of  the  communion  of  saints,  and  provision  required  to 
 be  made  for  such,  yet  that  the  Old  Lights  were  "  ready,  aye 
 ready  "  for  a  numerous  gathering  is  seen  from  the  fact  that 
 in  March  1802,  no  fewer  than  1400  communion  tokens  were 
 prepared,  and  the  moulds  preserved  so  that  more  might  be 
 made  when  necessary. 
 
 That  the  church  might  be  sufficiently  lighted  for  evening 
 worship,  £5  2  were  paid  on  Sth  April  1803  for  candlesticks, 
 and  during  the  following  winter  collections  were  made  on 
 Sabbath  evenings  for  defraying  the  outlay.  These,  however, 
 were  never  very  large,  being  only  about  £2  each  on  an 
 average.  In  addition  to  the  services  of  John  Somerville, 
 the  beadle,  who  had  a  salary  of  £4  annually,  there  were  three 
 doorkeepers — viz.,  James  Scott,  James  Orneil,  and  William 
 Andrew,  who  each  received  £1  yearly  ;  though  it  is  but 
 proper  to  add,  that  both  they  and  the  chief  beadle  had  regular 
 gratuities  at  seat-lettiufj  and  other  times.  J.  Somerville  died 
 in  1824,  and  Thomas  Hill  was  appointed  his  successor.  In 
 November  1810  Mr  Watson  received,  in  addition  to  his  stipend, 
 £70  as  a  "compliment"  from  the  congregation;  and  it  is 
 worthy  of  remark  that  this  was  not  only  the  largest  pecuniary 
 gift  he  ever  received,  but  it  also  proved  to  be  the  last,  since 
 in  the  following  March  he  departed  this  life  amid  the  regrets 
 of  his  numerous  and  attached  flock,  who  further  showed  their 
 respect  for  their  deceased  pastor  by  voting  in  the  following 
 November  100  guineas  to  his  widow. 
 
 As  showing  kindly  consideration  for  the  feelings  of  poor 
 members,  a  collection  was  regularly  made  to  assist  them  in 
 defraying  seat  rents.  The  amount  of  this  varied,  though  on 
 16th  April  1811,  it  amounted  to  £14. 
 
 On  14th  September  1813,  when  the  Rev.  Alex.  TurnbuU 
 was  ordained  as  the  Second  Minister  of  the  congregation,  he 
 not  only  received  his  half-year's  stipend  of  £90  prepaid,  but 
 also  £15  for  house  rent  for  half-year;  and  in  addition  to  the 
 suit  of  black  clothes  then  given  by  the  ladies  to  the  new 
 pastor,  in  lieu  of  the  gown  and  cassock  given  in  more  modern 
 
458  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 times,  the  Treasurer's  book  shows  that  12s.  were  paid  for  a 
 pair  of  shoes  to  Mr  Turnbull.  Afterwards,  like  his  prede- 
 cessor, Mr  Turnbull  had  £40  given  him  annually  as  a  "com- 
 pliment." But  whilst  attending  to  the  living  pastor,  the 
 congregation  paid  due  respect  to  the  remains  of  Mr  Watson, 
 whose  burial-place  in  the  Ramshorn  Churchyard  they  not  only 
 purchased,  but  placed  a  "  through-stone "  thereon  at  a  total 
 expense  of  over  £30. 
 
 As  over  26s.  had  recently  been  paid  for  repairing  church 
 and  session-house  windows,  which  had  been  broken  by  children 
 while  at  play,  the  Managers,  in  May  1815,  gave  3s.  to  the 
 public  crier  for  proclaiming  prohibition  from  diversion  opposite 
 the  church  windows. 
 
 Whilst  Secession  congregations  throughout  the  country 
 were  frequently  but  poorly  attended,  this  was  so  far  from 
 being  the  case  in  Campbell  Street,  that  the  Managers  had 
 recourse  to  very  unusual  efforts  to  decrease  the  attendance. 
 Not  only  were  all  the  sittings  in  church  let,  and  a  book  kept, 
 in  which  was  contained  a  list  of  applicants  for  accommodation, 
 but  so  acceptable  were  Mr  Turnbuli's  pulpit  services,  that  the 
 bench,  or  platform,  surrounding  the  pulpitwascrowded,and  when 
 a  seat-holder  died,  his  heirs,  in  some  cases,  did  not  hesitate  to 
 claim  a  right  to  use  his  sittings  upon  paying  the  rent  thereof, 
 even  though  such  persons  were  not  members  of  the  congrega- 
 tion. A  glimpse  of  the  state  of  matters  ma}''  be  had  from 
 the  following  excerpts  from  the  Record  of   Managers  : — 
 
 "  20th  April  1818. — It  having  been  represented  that 
 parents  with  their  children,  and  those  along  with  them,  were 
 greatly  embarrassed  by  the  bench  of  the  meeting-house  being 
 crowded  with  people  who  have  no  right  there,  besides  the 
 oppression  to  our  minister,  the  Managers  enjoined  the  officer 
 to  prevent  such  inconvenience  in  future  by  keeping  said  bench 
 clear,  particularly  in  the  afternoon,  at  the  same  time  allowing 
 convenient  room  for  the  elders  who  may  collect  for  the 
 time." 
 
 The  same  minute  also  states  that  "on  account  of  the  death 
 of  the  late  George  Thomson  and  his  widow,  and  George 
 Smith — said    to    be    a    grandson    of    the    deceased — having 
 
INNER  WORKING  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  459 
 
 applied  for  the  seats  of  his  grandfather,  the  Managers  decided 
 by  vote  that  said  George  Smith  had  no  legal  claim  on  the 
 footing  of  the  Articles  of  Association  of  the  congregation,  and 
 of  course  disposed  of  two  of  the  three  seats  claimed,  no 
 member  of  the  congregation  having  applied  for  the  same  as 
 heir  of  the  deceased.  At  the  same  time,  as  a  mark  of  respect 
 for  the  deceased  George  Thomson,  they  granted  one  seat  per 
 favour,  but  not  on  the  footing  of  any  legal  right,  to  the  above 
 George  Smith."  Four  days  afterwards,  however,  when  the 
 Managers  were  called  together,  there  was  laid  before  them  a 
 summons  at  the  instance  of  George  Smith  and  sisters,  calling 
 themselves  heirs  of  the  late  deceased  George  Thomson,  and 
 claiming  three  sittings  in  the  church,  when  the  Managers 
 agreed  "that  inasmuch  as  George  Smith  nor  sisters  are  not, 
 nor  ever  were  known  in  any  manner  of  way  as  members  of 
 our  congregation,  they  cannot  possibly  have  any  manner  of 
 claim,  without  violating  in  the  most  open  manner  the  Articles 
 of  our  Association,  none  of  the  claimants  having  received 
 baptism  in  our  connection,  besides  even  his  mother  was  no 
 member  with  us.  As  also  the  son  of  the  deceased  George 
 Thomson,  though  residing  in  the  place,  never  made  any  claim 
 for  the  above  seats  Avhich  his  father  possessed,  he  being  con- 
 nected with  a  very  different  communion.  And  in  addition  to 
 the  above,  it  can  be  established  as  a  fact  that  some  years  ago 
 the  widow  of  the  deceased,  so  far  from  considering  the  above 
 applicants  to  have  any  legal  claim  to  the  seats  in  dispute, 
 came  to  the  meeting-house  on  the  day  of  letting  of  the  seats, 
 and  offered  to  give  away  two  of  the  seats  then  in  her  possession 
 to  a  person  in  the  congregation,  with  which  negotiation  the 
 Managers  did  not  think  it  proper  to  comply,  for  reasons  which 
 they  thought  sufficient.  And  from  these  considerations  the 
 Managers  appointed  several  of  their  number  with  powers  to 
 employ  a  man  of  business  to  defend  the  above  processes.  At 
 the  same  time  it  was  the  wish  of  a  number  then  present,  for 
 the  preventing  of  litigation,  to  submit  the  wliole  affair 
 to  referees,  providing  the  pursuers  are  agreeable  to  the 
 same." 
 
 The  matter   having  been  decided  by  the  Town  Court  of 
 
460  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Glasgow  against  the  Managers,  they  reclaimed,  but  again  the 
 decision  of  the  Court  was  against  them.  Another  lawyer  was 
 employed,  but  the  congregation  when  consulted  resolved  by  a 
 majority  to  decline  litigation,  and  allow  the  pursuers  to  occupy 
 the  three  sittings  claimed.  Though  at  a  subsequent  date  the 
 congregation  vindicated  the  conduct  of  the  Managers  in  this 
 affair,  yet  in  addition  to  the  precious  time  and  Christian 
 temper  lost  in  the  dispute,  upwards  of  £12  for  expenses 
 had  to  be  paid  to  the  lawyers. 
 
 As  owing  to  the  popularity  of  the  minister  quarrels  about 
 seats  still  continued,  efforts  were  made  to  obtain  a  larger 
 place  of  worship,  and  these  being  unavailing,  a  disjunction 
 afterwards  took  place,  which  led  to  the  formation  of  a  second 
 congregation  and  the  erection  of  Renfield  Church. 
 
 In  connection  with  the  seat-letting,  the  custom  of  the 
 Managers  was  to  meet  twice  annually  on  a  Wednesday  night 
 to  receive  the  names  of  new  applicants,  and  on  the  following 
 Monday  they  met  at  10  A.M.  in  the  church,  and  several 
 having  been  appointed  to  officiate  in  the  area,  and  others  in 
 the  gallery,  they  were  occupied  in  seat-letting  till  3  P.M.  At 
 5  P.M.  the  church  was  again  opened,  and  at  the  close  of  the 
 day  the  funds  collected,  usually  amounting  to  about  £194, 
 were  handed  to  the  Treasurer. 
 
 But  not  only  was  the  attendance  in  East  Campbell  Street 
 Church  large  on  Sabbaths,  but  also  on  week-days  during  the 
 meetings  of  Synod.  Hence  on  7th  May  1819,  the  Managers 
 "  agreed  to  appoint  a  man  to  attend  at  the  meeting  of  Synod 
 for  the  purpose  of  preventing  any  injury  being  done  to  the 
 seats  of  the  meeting-house  by  people  standing  on  the  same. 
 They  also  appointed  the  Clerk  to  send  a  card  to  the  Moderator 
 of  Synod,  requesting  that  he  will  enjoin  the  people  not  to 
 stand  on  said  seats." 
 
 Though  the  Managers'  Record  states  repeatedly  the  repairs 
 which  were  needed  for  the  church  in  consequence  of  the 
 effects  of  time  and  the  weather,  a  peculiar  circumstance  is 
 noted  on  19th  March  1827,  viz.,  "that  a  considerable  depre- 
 dation had  been  made  in  the  church  by  the  stripping  three  of 
 the  lustres  of  the  whole  of  their  branches."  Arrangements 
 were  accordingly  made  for  the  renewal  of  the  stolen  candle- 
 
INNER  WORKING  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  4G1 
 
 sticks,  and  the  windows  of  the  church  were  ordered  to  be 
 secured  against  further  depredations. 
 
 On  New  Year's  day  of  1834,  the  Managers  met  in  con- 
 sequence of  the  death  of  their  much  Lamented  pastor,  which 
 had  occurred  the  preceding  day,  and  agreed  not  only  to  drape 
 the  pulpit  and  galleries  with  black  cloth,  but  also  to  act  as 
 had  been  done  when  their  first  pastor  had  died,  viz.,  defray 
 the  funeral  charges.  And  this  was  not  all,  for  the  congrega- 
 tion having  been  convened  on  the  13th  of  the  same  month, 
 the  following  excerpt  of  their  minute  shows  the  practical  way 
 in  which  the  people  showed  their  respect  for  their  late  worthy 
 minister,  and  their  sympathy  with  his  bereaved  family : — 
 
 "  A  motion  was  made  and  seconded  that  this  conj^regation 
 grant  an  annuity  of  £50  per  annum  for  ten  years,  from  April 
 next,  payable  half  yearly,  for  the  benefit  of  our  late  pastor's 
 family,  and  that  said  annuity  shall  be  paid  into  the  hands  of 
 three  trustees,  of  whom  the  Rev.  Mr  Stewart,  of  Pollokshaws, 
 shall  be  one,  the  other  two  to  be  chosen  by  the  Session  and 
 Managers  respectively,  and  said  trustees  to  see  the  annuity 
 applied  for  the  benefit  of  the  family. 
 
 "Another  motion  was  made  and  seconded,  embracing  all  the 
 particulars  of  the  former,  with  the  exception  of  the  time  the 
 annuity  should  continue,  viz.,  that  the  proposed  annuity  be 
 granted  and  paid,  aye  and  until  revoked  by  a  congregational 
 meeting,  which  was  carried  by  a  majority.  The  sum  of  £70 
 sterling  was  also  voted  by  a  great  majority  to  be  paid  into 
 the  hands  of  the  trustees  for  the  immediate  use  of  the  family 
 of  our  late  pastor." 
 
 Shortly  afterwards  Thos.  Hill,  the  beadle,  having  resigned 
 his  office,  John  Mills  was  duly  elected  his  successor  at  a  salary 
 of  £1G  yearly. 
 
 Whilst  the  Managers  of  this  congregation  collected  the  seat 
 rents,  from  which  they  paid  the  minister's  stipend,  kept  the 
 church  buildings  in  repair,  and  defrayed  the  interest  of  the 
 debt  resting  on  the  congregation,  the  Session  received  all  the 
 church  door  collections,  and  their  Treasurer  usually  once  in 
 two  years  gave  an  account  of  his  intromissions,  which  were 
 duly  examined  and  recorded  in  the  Session  Minutes.  The 
 following  abstract  shows  not  only  the  largeness  of  the  church 
 
462 
 
 ANNALS  OF  OEIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 door    collections,    but    the    channels    by    which    they    were 
 distributed. 
 
 3/r  James  Cowan,  Treasurer. 
 
 1814. 
 
 May    1.  To  Cash  on  hand,  £52 
 ,,       To  Gift  from  Mr 
 Lawrence  Mar- 
 shall, 
 
 1816. 
 
 Nov.  17.  Collected  at  the 
 Church  door  be- 
 twixt the  dates 
 stated,     . 
 
 Dr. 
 7    U 
 
 18    0    0 
 
 781    0    9i 
 
 Contra 
 
 Cr 
 
 By    Cash    collected    for 
 
 Airdrie  Congregation, 
 
 £30 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 By  do.  collected  for  Perth 
 
 Congregation, 
 
 34 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 By  do.  for  Dunblane  Con- 
 
 gregation,   . 
 
 24 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 By  do.  for  Campbell  St. 
 
 Congregational  funds. 
 
 72  16 
 
 Si 
 
 By  do.  Royal  Infirmary, 
 
 52 
 
 lU 
 
 0 
 
 By  Mr  Hill,    . 
 
 12 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 By    Expense    at    Sacra- 
 
 ments, 
 
 110 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 By    Cash   given    to    tlie 
 
 Poor,  .... 
 
 422 
 
 8 
 
 0 
 
 Incidental  expenses, 
 
 61 
 
 0 
 
 1 
 
 By  Cash  on  hand,   . 
 
 32 
 
 13 
 
 n 
 
 £851 
 
 7 
 
 m 
 
 £851     7  lOf 
 
 From  the  above  tabular  statement  it  is  evident  that  the 
 support  of  their  poor  members  was  felt  to  be  a  prominent  duty 
 by  the  elders  of  East  Campbell  Street,  who  declined  to  be 
 restricted  in  this  matter  by  the  congregational  Managers,  as 
 appears  from  the  following  excerpt  from  Session  Record  of  4th 
 February  1806  : — 
 
 "  While  the  Session  wish  to  pay  all  due  attention  to  the 
 temporal  interest  of  the  congregation,  yet  as  they  learn  that 
 in  the  infant  state  of  this  congregation  the  Managers  had 
 agreed  that  one-third  part  of  the  ordinary  collection  should  be 
 given  to  the  poor,  they  think  that  no  agreement  of  the 
 Managers,  especially  at  that  time,  can  be  any  rule  to  the 
 Session  in  the  present  state  of  the  congregation,  and  lest  any 
 should  think  that  the  Session  are  restricted  by  any  such 
 agreement,  they  hereby  declare  that  agreeable  to  the  Word  of 
 God  and  our  subordinate  standards,  the  Session  are  the  sole 
 trustees  of  the  ordinary  collection,  under  the  inspection  of 
 their  superior  courts." 
 
 This  Session  was  also  in  the  habit  of  paying  out  of  their 
 funds  the  precentor,  who  was  appointed  to  his  office  without 
 consulting  the  congregation  or  managers.  Desires  for  popular 
 rights  and  their  results  are  thus  stated. 
 
 "  10th  May  1809. — The  Session  being  informed  by  several 
 
INNER  WORKING  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  463 
 
 of  tlicir  members  that a  memLer  of  this  congregation,  luid 
 
 used  some  expressions  respecting  a  precentor  at  a  meeting  of 
 the  congregation  in  November  last,  wliich  they  thought  not 
 only  contrary  to  our  received  principles,  but  had  a  direct 
 tendency  to  subvert  the  Presbyterian  system  of  govern- 
 ment, inasmuch  as  he  had  used  his  endeavour  to  bring 
 the  conduct  of  this  Session  before  the  congregation  as  a 
 matter    of   public  discussion.      But    this    being   opposed   by 
 
 several  members,  the  said publicly  declared  that  whoever 
 
 occupied  the  place  or  acted  as  a  precentor  in  this  congregation 
 (unless  it  was  as  a  candidate),  was  an  intruder,  and  whoever 
 put  him  in  that  place  was  a  patron.  He  also  said  he  would 
 defy  the  Session  to  prove  that  the  congregation's  choosing  a 
 precentor  was  contrary  to  our  received  principles,  all  which 
 expi'essions,  or  words  to  that  eflfect,  used  by  him  at  the  public 
 meeting  had  a  direct  tendency  to  hurt  the  peace  of  the 
 congregation,  and  render  the  Session  odious  to  the  meeting, 
 wherefore  the  Session  (after  dealing  with  him  extrajudicially 
 but  without  effect)  summoned  him  to  appear  before  them, 
 and  he  being  called,  compeared,  and  his  paper  having  been 
 read,  the  Session  agreed  unanimously  to  refer  the  same  to  the 
 Associate  Presbytery  of  Glasgow,  and  summoned  him,  apud 
 acta,  to  attend  said  meeting  of  Presbytery."  The  manner  in 
 which  the  superior  courts  dealt  with  this  "  John  Hampden  " 
 of  popular  rights  is  not  stated  in  the  Sessional  record,  which 
 only  once  more  refers  to  the  case  by  stating  three  years  after, 
 
 that  the   said having  petitioned  the   Synod   requesting 
 
 that  he  be  restored  to  his  privileges,  that  Court  agreed  to 
 grant  his  request,  and  on  sending  an  extract  of  their  decision, 
 the  Session  (two  elders  dissenting)  admitted  him  to  the  enjoy- 
 ment of  his  former  privileges. 
 
 In  electing  elders  the  members  residing  in  particular 
 districts,  or  proportions  as  these  were  called,  nominated  those 
 whom  they  considered  suitable,  but  which  nomination  required 
 to  be  confirmed  by  the  vote  of  the  whole  congregation  duly 
 assembled. 
 
 In  choosing  ministers  the  practice  of  this  congregation  was 
 not  uniform.  On  20th  February  1812  the  Eev.  Alex, 
 Brown,  of  Burntshields,  who  presided  at  a  moderation  in  a  call. 
 
464  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 "  informed  the  meeting  that  all  persons  who  were  brought  up 
 in  the  Secession  to  the  age  of  fourteen  years  would  be  admitted 
 to  vote  and  subscribe  the  call,  although  they  were  not  in  full 
 communion  with  this  congregation."  On  the  21st  January 
 of  the  following  year,  however,  the  Rev.  Finlay  Stewart,  of 
 Pollokshaws,  when  moderating  in  a  call  stated  "  that  all  the 
 adult  members  of  the  congregation  should  vote  by  holding  up 
 their  right  hands,"  which  latter  practice  was  general  amongst 
 the  Burghers,  though  the  voting  was  restricted  to  male 
 members  in  several  Anti-burgher  congregations. 
 
 In  church  discipline  this  congregation  was  not  negligent, 
 since  the  Session  not  only  dealt  rigorously  with  the  sins  of 
 intemperance  and  uncleanness,   but  also  took  cognizance   of 
 bankruptcy,    dealing     deceitfully    with    neighbours     in    civil 
 affairs,    gambling,    quarrelling,    wrangling,    selling    spirituous 
 liquors   on   Sabbaths,   and    other    scandals    too    numerous    to 
 mention ;   and  the  ordinary  mode  of  administering  discipline 
 was  by  solemnly  rebuking  in  church  at  .the  close  of  public 
 worship,  in  conformity  with  the  exhortation,   "  Them  that  sin 
 rebuke  before  all  that  others  may  fear"  (1  Tim.  v.  20).     It 
 is  highly  probable  that  there  may  be  a  variety  of  opinion 
 respecting  some  matters  which  were  then  regarded  as  public 
 scandals.       Thus,   when  in  order  to   marriage,  persons   were 
 proclaimed   three  times  on  one  Sabbath,  instead  of  once  on 
 each   of  three  successive    Sabbaths,    they   were  admonished, 
 though  generally  only  before  the  Session,  for  the  irregularity. 
 In  1812  two  masons  were  brought  before  the  Session,  the 
 one  being  charged  with  aiding  in  the  building  of  a  Unitarian, 
 and  the  other  of  a  Romish   meeting-house.      They  were  both 
 regularly    dealt    with,     and    though    at    first    they    declared 
 they  had  done  no  wrong,  they  eventually  acknowledged  that 
 they   believed   their   conduct   to   be   inconsistent   with    their 
 Christian  profession,  and  after  suitable  exhortations  were  re- 
 admitted  to   Church  fellowship.      A  member  of  a  somewhat 
 different  disposition  was,  however,  in  1813,  accused  of  fight- 
 ing,  of  having   been   imprisoned,    and   of  not   having    dealt 
 fairly  with  his  creditors.      On  being  dealt  with,  "  he  confessed 
 that  he  had  struck  a  man,  but  he  was  so  far  from  being  sorry 
 for  it,  that  he  was  sorry  that  he  did  not   strike  him  more 
 
INNER  WORKING  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  465 
 
 ■when  lie  was  at  it."  As  might  he  expected,  this  Ishmaelite 
 was  at  once  suspended,  and  his  case  delayed  till  he  was 
 brought  to  a  better  frame  of  spirit.  The  most  touching  case 
 of  Church  discipline,  however,  was  that  of  an  elder,  who  was 
 charged  with  taking  away  his  stock  and  crop  from  his  farm 
 under  cloud  of  night,  with  the  apparent  design  of  defrauding 
 the  proprietor  of  his  rent.  It  was,  indeed,  with  sorrow  the 
 elders  dealt  with  this  fallen  brother,  who  at  once  resigned  his 
 office,  and  declared  tliat  he  had  taken  away  his  stock  in  order 
 to  pay  other  creditors,  who  he  believed  had  a  prior  claim. 
 No  difficulty  had  the  Session  evidently  in  getting  him  to 
 acknowledge  his  offence.  "  Being  asked  if  he  thought  there 
 was  any  evil  in  his  conduct  ?  he  rei)lied  there  was  great  evil 
 in  it,  if  it  was  no  more  than  the  disgrace  it  brought  upon 
 religion."  Of  course  he  was  at  once  suspended  ;  and  a  few 
 months  afterwards,  when  he  lay  on  his  dying  bed — from  an 
 illness,  probably  partly,  if  not  chiefly,  caused  by  a  deep  sense 
 of  his  sin  and  its  consequences — he  sent  to  the  Session 
 expressing  an  earnest  desire  to  be  purged  of  the  scandal 
 under  which  he  lay.  In  order  to  this,  with  the  concurrence 
 of  the  Session,  the  pastor  and  four  elders  visited  the  chamber 
 of  the  dying  man,  and  after  duly  constituting  the  court  by 
 prayer,  asked  him  if  he  was  convinced  of  the  evil  of  his 
 conduct  in  using  dissimulation  and  fraud  with  his  landlord  ? 
 when  he  answered,  he  was,  and  hoped  to  obtain  the  pardon  of 
 these  and  all  his  other  sins  by  the  blood  of  Christ,  and  ex- 
 pressed himself  so  much  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  committee, 
 that  they  unanimously  agreed  to  rebuke  him  for  said  sin  and 
 scandal  of  dissimulation  and  fraud,  and  absolve  him  from  said 
 scandal  privately,  as,  in  his  present  state  of  health,  it  could 
 not  be  done  in  public.  This  was  done  accordingly  by  the 
 Moderator,  who  closed  with  prayer.  At  next  meeting  the 
 Session  approved  of  what  had  been  done  in  this  sad  case,  and 
 caused  due  intimation  thereof  to  be  made  to  the  congrega- 
 tion on  the  following  Sabbath  at  the  close  of  the  forenoon 
 service. 
 
 As  probably  some  may  be  inclined  to  think  that  Old  Light 
 Seceders,  who  were  so  stringent  in  church  discipline,  would 
 be    also   penurious  in    their  contributions    for    religious    and 
 
 2  G 
 
466  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 benevolent  objects  outside  their  own  denomination,  a  few 
 extracts  from  printed  congregational  reports  shall  be  given, 
 to  correct  any  such  impression.  Indeed,  to  thoughtful  persons 
 it  is  well  known  that  those  who  are  most  liberal  in  giving 
 away  Divine  truths,  which  are  not  theirs  to  bestow,  are 
 often  very  niggardly  in  giving  of  their  means  for  religious  and 
 charitable  objects  ;  whilst  those  who  are  justly  conservative  of 
 Scripture  doctrines,  are  not  unfrequently  most  liberal  in  giving 
 money  for  the  promotion  of  missionary  and  benevolent 
 schemes. 
 
 In  1820,  when  money  was  not  so  plentiful  as  now,  nor 
 liberality  in  contributions  so  common,  East  Campbell  Street 
 Congregation  gave  £85,  5s.  6d.  for  religious  objects,  entirely 
 outside  their  own  communion.  Let  the  following  specimens 
 suffice : — 
 
 British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society, 
 Scottish  Missionary  Society, 
 London  Hibernian  Society, 
 Glasgow  Gaelic  School  Society, 
 Glasgow  Missionary  Society, 
 
 And  as  years  advanced,  so  did  not  only  the  range  of  reli- 
 gious and  benevolent  objects,  but  also  the  amount  of  contri- 
 butions which  were  made  to  these. 
 
 Tuus,  in  1837,  there  was  raised  for  objects  outside  the 
 congregation,  £118,  Is.  4d.,  and  in  1838,  £103,  lis.  ll^d. 
 
 Finally,  as  exhibiting  the  spirit  in  which  the  office-bearers 
 stimulated  this  congregation  to  greater  zeal  in  promoting  the 
 Gospel,  the  following  extracts  from  the  printed  reports  of  the 
 above  yeais  are  annexed  : — 
 
 "  Since  the  year  1800,  we  have,  as  a  body,  had  to  contend 
 every  inch  of  our  ground  ;  and  though  some  congregations 
 never  wholly  recovered  from  the  efifects  of  the  first  struggle, 
 it  is,  nevertheless,  matter  of  gratulation  that  through  the 
 perseverance  of  our  Synod  for  the  last  thirty  years,  our  con- 
 gregations have  increased  at  the  average  rate  of  one  every 
 3^ear.  For  various  reasons,  many  of  these  must  be  compara- 
 tively weak,  so  long  as  indifference  to  our  principles  is  mani- 
 fested on  the  one  hand,  and  avowed  opposition  on  the  other  ; 
 
 £18 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 18 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 18 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 10 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
 8 
 
 0 
 
 0 
 
IN.NKR  WORKING  OF  CONGREGATIONS.  4G7 
 
 but  let  us  remember  that  we  have  the  cause  of  truth  auiong 
 our  hands,  and  that  it  is  our  highest  honour  to  hold  it  fast. 
 
 "  God  has  raised  us,  by  His  word  and  onlinances,  above  all 
 nations,  in  moral  and  religious  intelligence,  and,  as  the  natu- 
 ral as  well  as  promised  effect,  crowned  us  with  national  pros- 
 perity and  honour.  Let  us,  therefore,  instead  of  betraying  a 
 cold  indifference  in  the  noblest  of  all  undertakings,  listen  to 
 the  voice  of  God,  '  Freely  ye  have  received,  freely  give.'  The 
 great  mass  of  our  brethren  of  mankind,  and  many  of  our 
 fellow-countrymen,  are  going  down  to  the  grave  with  a  lie  in 
 thuir  right  hand  ;  and  if,  under  the  influence  of  selfishness,  or 
 the  cold  principles  of  a  worldly  calculation,  you  do  not  give  a 
 sum  of  that  property  ivhich  God  has  first  given  yotv,  to  send 
 the  Gospel  to  the  heathen,  He  may  justly  require  their  blood 
 at  your  hands.  Let  it  never  be  said  of  you  that  you  can  hear, 
 with  unconcern,  of  a  world  lying  in  Avickedness.  Placed  on 
 the  Rock  of  Ages  yourselves,  stretch  out  the  hand  of  mercy 
 to  rescue  those  who  are  sinking  into  destruction." 
 
 Such,  then,  was  the  noble  spirit  manifested  by  these  Old 
 Lights  fifty  years  ago  for  the  spread  of  the  Gospel,  and  it  is 
 well  to  remember  that  whilst  they  were  thus  devising  liberal 
 things  for  Missionary  objects,  they  were  comparatively  careless 
 respecting  the  appearance  and  comfort  of  their  place  of  wor- 
 ship, since  it  was  only  in  1S36  that  they  bethought  them- 
 selves of  the  improvement  of  plastering  the  ceilmg  under  the 
 church  gallery,  and  also  of  introducing  gas  into  the  building 
 in  lieu  of  the  candles  to  which  they  had  hitherto  been  accus- 
 tomed. As  for  the  modern  luxury  of  having  the  church 
 heated  on  Sabbaths,  the  Old  Lights  were  hardy,  and  needed 
 no  such  appliances  to  make  them  comfortable  during  public 
 worship.  Their  fervour  of  spirit  kept  them  warm.  Indeed, 
 when  it  was  proposed  to  introduce  a  stove  into  one  of  their 
 churches  in  the  country,  firm  opposition  was  given  by  an 
 elder  to  the  innovation,  on  the  ground  that  the  minister  with 
 his  hearty  preaching  was  the  right  stove,  whilst  that  of  black- 
 ened iron  was  a  limb  of  the  apocalyptic  beast  which  should 
 be  excluded  from  the  sanctuary.  And  finally,  whilst  Old 
 Lights  strove,  through  testifying  to  the  obligation  of  national 
 
4G8  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 covenants,  to  show  their  allegiance  to  Sion's  King,  they,  by 
 draping  their  pulpits  with  black  cloth  on  the  death  of  King 
 William  in  1837,  showed  that  as  loyal  British  subjects  they 
 were  desirous  of  rendering  honour  to  whom  honour  was  due. 
 Though  certainly  neither  faultless  nor  free  from  idiosyncrasies, 
 the  Old  Lights  had  great  excellencies  which  are  worthy  of 
 remembrance  and  imitation. 
 
CHAPTER  X. 
 
 LISTS  OF  OLD  LIGHT  DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS, 
 AND  MINISTERS,  WITH  AN  EPITOME  OF  THEIR  SUBSEQUENT 
 CAREER. 
 
 Burgher  Section. 
 
 John  Jarvie,  from  Stirling,  eutered  the  Divinity  Hall  in 
 1742,  then  under  the  tuition  of  Professor  Alex.  MoncriefF, 
 M.A.,  of  Aberuethy ;  was  called  to  Balbea  in  Ireland,  and 
 Perth,  and  ordained  at  latter  place  24'th  March  1751.  On 
 4th  November  1800  he  acceded  to  the  Associate  Presbytery, 
 but  his  junior  colleague,  the  Rev.  Jedidiah  Aikman,  con- 
 tinued with  the  New  Lights.  The  congregation  as  Avell  as 
 the  pastors  being  divided  in  sentiment,  a  dispute  arose 
 regarding  the  church,  which  was  claimed  by  both  parties,  and 
 which  became  Avell  known  in  legal  circles  as  the  case  "  Craig- 
 daillie  versus  Aikman,"  At  first  each  of  the  litigant  parties 
 waft  allowed  the  use  of  the  building  for  one  of  the  services 
 on  Sabbath  ;  then,  as  the  Old  Lights  were  the  larger  part  of 
 the  congregation,  the  property  was  legally  assigned  to  them. 
 But  as  the  New  Lights  were  in  the  majority  in  the  Synod,  the 
 former  decision  was  reversed,  and  the  property  declared  to 
 belong  to  those  members  of  tiie  congregation  Avho  adhered  to 
 the  opinions  and  judgment  expressed  by  the  majority  of  the 
 Synod,  or  New  Lights.  This  decision  being  appealed  against, 
 it  was,  after  a  protracted  struggle,  declared  by  the  House  of 
 Lords  that  the  building  was  the  property  of  the  party  in  the 
 congregation  which  adhered  to  the  New  Light  Synod.  This 
 legal  strife  lasted  for  about  twenty  years,  and  much  more 
 money  was  spent  in  legal  expenses  than  the  building  was 
 really  worth.  The  expenses  of  the  New  Lights  were  con- 
 siderable ;  and  those  of  the  Old  Lights,  together  with  the 
 additional  expense  of  building  a  new  church,  were  so  great  as 
 to  prove  very  detrimental  to  the  congregation. 
 
470  AXNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Mr  Jarvie  died  19  th  JSTovember  1801,  in  the  seventy-sixth 
 3'^ear  of  his  age,  and  the  fifty-first  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Robert  Shirra,  bora  at  Stirling,  March  1721;  ;  entered 
 Divinity  Hall  (Professor  Alex.  Moncrieff,  M.A.,  Abernethy), 
 1746  ;  ordained  at  Kirkcaldy,  2Sth  August  1750  ;  called  in 
 1756  and  1757  to  be  the  successor  of  the  Rev.  Ralph 
 Erskine,  of  Dunfermline,  but  continued  at  Kirkcaldy ;  de- 
 mitted  his  charge,  19th  June  1798,  and  removed  to  Stirling; 
 adhered  to  the  Original  Burghers;  and  died  12th  September 
 1803,  in  the  eightieth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  fifty-fourth  of 
 his  ministry.  Author  of  numerous  Sermons  printed  at  dif- 
 ferent times,  and  three  small  treatises  entitled  —  1.  "  A  Death- 
 bed Dialogue  between  Mr  Shirra  and  Mr  Lister,  late  Minister 
 at  Dundee  ; "  2.  "  The  Good  Old  Way  sought  out  and  de- 
 fended ;  "   3.  "  The  Church  and  State  Government." 
 
 Mr  Shirra  was  in  many  respects  a  very  notable  Old  Light.  An 
 excellent  memoir  of  him,  by  Dr  Brown  Johnston,  was  published  in 
 1850.  In  appearance  he  was  tall  and  portly,  and  bis  private  char- 
 acter showed  that  be  was  a  godly  as  well  as  a  goodly  man.  Being 
 well  acquainted  with  Scripture,  its  language,  to  a  large  extent,  was 
 the  medium  of  his  every-day  reflections.  A  praying  frame  of  mind 
 was  with  him  habitual,  and  hence  a  large  part  of  his  life  was  spent 
 in  the  exercise.  Whilst  walking  on  the  road,  or  having  intercourse 
 with  his  friends,  he  would  occasionally  ask  them  to  unite  with  bim 
 in  the  blessed  and  profitable  exercise  of  prayer.  As  is  well  known, 
 in  1779,  the  noted  pii-ate,  Paul  Joues,  who  with  his  fleet  designed 
 mischief,  were  driven  out  of  the  Frith  of  Forth  by  a  gale,  which,  it 
 is  believed,  was  sent  by  God  in  answer  to  Mr  Shirra's  earnest 
 prayers. 
 
 Many  anecdotes  are  related  of  Mr  Shirra's  eccentricities  and 
 quaint  sayings.  Thus,  in  quoting  Phil.  iv.  11,  "I  have  learned  in 
 whatsoever  state  I  am,  therewith  to  be  content,"  Mr  Shirra  added, 
 "  Ay,  Paul,  ye  have  learned  well ;  ye  have  got  far  on  ;  but  let  us 
 be  thankful  we  are  at  the  schule." 
 
 On  the  separation  of  the  Old  Lights  from  the  Synod  in  1799,  Mi' 
 Shirra,  who  had  then  retii-ed  to  Stirling,  resumed  his  ministry  by 
 preaching  in  his  dwelling  to  those  who  sympathised  with  his  views, 
 and  thus  was  formed  the  nucleus  of  the  Old  Light  Bui-gher  congre- 
 gation  of  that  town. 
 
 John  Thomson,  from  Greenock,  entered  Divinity  Hall 
 (Professor  James  Fisher,  Glasgow),  I7o0  ;  ordained  at  New- 
 
JAMES      FISHER 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    471 
 
 bliss,  Irelaud,  1754;  resigned,  17G8  ;  imluctoJ  to  Kirkin- 
 tilloch, 24th  August  17G9  ;  demitted  his  charge  on  account 
 of  loss  of  voice,  29th  July  1790  ;  removed  to  Glasgow;  where 
 he  lived  in  retirement  till  his  death.  Author  of  several 
 pamphlets. 
 
 George  Thomson,  from  Orwell,  entered  Divinity  Hall 
 (Professor  Alex.  Moncrietf,  Alloa)  in  1759,  but  joined  the 
 Burgher  Hall  (Professor  James  Fisher,  Glasgow)  1762  ; 
 ordained  at  Rathillet,  2 2d  February  17G4;  called  three 
 times  to  Milnathort,  but  the  Synod,  notwithstanding  his 
 desire  to  accept  the  call,  refused  to  translate  ;  resigned  his 
 charge,  2d  April  177G,  and  acted  as  a  Probationer;  united 
 with  the  Old  Light  Presbytery  in  1799,  and  supplied  vacancies 
 till  his  death  on  18th  January  1812.  Author  of  some 
 Sermons  entitled  "  The  Church's  Song  of  Triumph ;  with 
 Christ's  Remarkable  Reign  ; "  also  "  The  Confession,  Cove- 
 nants, and  Secession  Testimony  Vindicated  and  Defended, 
 including  Letters  to  Rev.  Messrs  Fraser,  Dick,  and  Law^son," 
 Glasgow,  1799,  pp.  128;  "New  and  Old  Light  Principles 
 Compared,  a  Compendious  View  of  the  connection  betwixt 
 Church  and  State,"  Glasgow,  180G. 
 
 David  Walker,  from  Shotts,  entered  the  Burgher  Divinity 
 Hall,  then  under  the  professorial  care  of  the  Rev.  John 
 Swanston,  of  Kinross,  in  17G5.  Was  called  to  Dunblane  and 
 Pollokshaws,  and  ordained  at  latter  place  on  5th  May  17 G 9  ; 
 He  acceded  to  the  Associate  Presbytery  on  17th  June  1800, 
 but  owing,  apparently,  to  delicacy  of  health,  seldom  or  never 
 took  part  in  presbyterial  work.  He  died  on  27th  April 
 1810,  in  the  seventy-sixth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  forty-first 
 of  his  ministry.  Author  of  a  pamphlet  entitled  "  The 
 Morality  and  Obligation  of  Public  Religious  Vows  or  Cove- 
 nants Illustrated  ;  and  a  Candid  Examination  of  the  Rev.  P. 
 Hutchison's  Animadversions." 
 
 Thomas  Porteous,  from  Biggar,  entered  Divinity  Hall,  then 
 taught  by  Professor  Swanston,  in  17G7  ;  ordained  at  Orwell 
 or  ]\Iilnathort,  23d  October  1771  ;  acceded  to  Associate 
 Presbytery,  27th  January  1800.  After  being  afflicted  with 
 a  dumb  palsy,  he  died  on  11th  November  1812,  in  the  sixty- 
 seventh  year  of  his  age,  and  forty-second  of  his  ministry. 
 
472  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 George  Williamson,  from  Alloa,  entered  Divinity  Hall, 
 then  under  the  tuition  of  Professor  John  Brown,  of  Hadding- 
 ton, in  1769  ;  ordained  at  Hawick,  27th  September  1774; 
 resigned  1783,  but  afterwards  called  and  inducted  at  St 
 Andrews,  24th  November  1789  ;  demitted  his  charge,  4th 
 August  1795  ;  acceded  to  Presbytery,  12th  November  1799  ; 
 and  died,  without  being  again  in  a  charge,  26th  November 
 1817,  in  the  seventy-sixth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  forty-third 
 of  his  ministry. 
 
 James  Russell,  from  Pollokshaws,  entered  Divinity  Hall 
 (Professor  Brown,  of  Haddington),  1770  ;  ordained  at  Tor- 
 phichen,  2nd  May  1782;  demitted  his  charge,  11th  December 
 1787,  after  which  the  congregation  became  extinct;  acceded 
 to  Associate  Presbyter}',  2nd  October  1799  ;  and  after  exer- 
 cising his  ministry  several  years,  retired  to  a  paternal  inherit- 
 ance in  parish  of  Mearns,  where  he  died  26  th  September 
 1817.  Author  of  "The  Perseverance  of  the  Saints  ;  with  a 
 Few  Observations  on  the  Formula." 
 
 John  Ronald,  from  either  Tough  or  Shottsburn,  entered 
 Divinity  Hall  (Professor  John  Brown,  of  Haddington),  1770  ; 
 acceded  as  a  Probationer  to  Associate  Presbytery,  7th  May 
 1800,  and  laboured  in  connection  with  the  Body  till  22nd 
 May  1803,  when  he  gave  up  taking  preaching  appointments. 
 
 Francis  Archibald,  from  Abernethy,  entered  Divinity 
 Hall  (Rev.  Professor  Moncrieff,  of  Alloa),  1771  ;  ordained  at 
 Newtonards,  Ireland,  1777  ;  demitted  his  charge,  and 
 acceded  to  the  Original  Associate  Presbytery,  5th  February 
 1800. 
 
 Ebenezer  Hislop,  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Professor  John 
 Brown,  of  Haddington),  1773  ;  ordained  at  Shottsburn,  1st 
 May  1780;  assisted  in  the  formation  of  Original  Associate 
 Presbytery,  2nd  October  1799,  and  demitted  his  charge  16th 
 October  1810  ;  inducted  to  Dalkeith,  28th  November  1810, 
 the  charge  of  which  congregation  he  resigned,  5th  May  1830, 
 and  died  at  Doune,  22nd  June  1831,  in  the  eightieth  year  of 
 his  age,  and  the  fifty-first  of  his  ministry. 
 
 William  Willis,  from  Linlithgow,  entered  Divinity  Hall 
 (Professor  John  Brown,  of  Haddington).  ]  775  ;  ordained  at 
 Cartsdyke,    Greenock,    16th  August    1780;   assisted    in    the 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    473 
 
 formation  of  the  Associate  Presbytery,  2nd  October  1799; 
 chosen  Professor  of  Divinity,  17th  June  1800  ;  translated 
 to  Stirling,  20th  May  1802;  retired  from  charge,  28th  May 
 1823  ;  and  died  1st  October  1827,  in  the  seventy-ninth 
 year  of  his  age,  and  the  forty-seventh  of  his  ministry. 
 Author  of  "  Three  Small  Stones  from  Brook,"  and  "  Little 
 Naphthali ;  "  two  pamphlets.  "  A  View  of  Mount  Calvary  : " 
 several  Sermons.      Stirling,  1822,  pp.  32. 
 
 George  Hill,  from  Shotts,  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Professor 
 John  Brown,  of  Haddington),  1776  ;  called  to  Perth,  Shotts, 
 and  Cumbernauld,  and  ordained  at  last  mentioned  place,  IGth 
 May  1782;  joined  Original  Associate  Presbytery,  20th 
 November  1799  ;  and  was  elected  Professor  of  Divinity,  10th 
 August  1803.  Died  2Gth  June  1818,  in  the  si.xty-ninth 
 year  of  his  age,  and  the  thirty-seventh  of  his  ministry. 
 Author  of  "  The  Character  and  Office  of  the  Gospel  Minis- 
 try :  "  Discourses,  1798;  "Christian  Magistrates  Nursing 
 Fathers  to  the  Church:"  a  Synod  Sermon,  1807;  "The 
 Death  of  a  Faithful  Minister  in  obedience  to  the  Will  of  God," 
 being  the  funeral  sermon  of  the  Rev.  Wm.  Watson,  of 
 Glasgow,  1811. 
 
 William  Watson,  from  Kincardine-on -Forth,  entered 
 Divinity  Hall  (Piev  Professor  Brown,  of  Haddington),  1777  ; 
 licensed  by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  1782  ;  ordained  at  Largs,  15th 
 January  1783  ;  called  to  Cumnock,  but  continued  at  Largs; 
 translated  to  Craigs,  Old  Kilpatrick,  18th  March  1789; 
 assisted  in  the  formation  of  Original  Associate  Presbytery, 
 2nd  October  1799  ;  was  Clerk  to  Presbytery  and  thereafter 
 to  Synod  ;  translated  to  East  Campbell  Street,  Glasgow,  23rd 
 March  1802.  Died  10th  March  1811,  in  the  fifty-fourth 
 year  of  his  age,  and  the  twenty-ninth  of  his  ministry,  and  was 
 interred  in  the  burial  place  belonging  to  the  congregation  in  the 
 central  aisle  or  division  of  Ramshorn  Burial  Ground,  Glasgow. 
 
 Respecting  the  Rev.  Wm.  Watson, George  Dennie,the  Session- 
 clerk  of  Campbell  Street  Church,  has  recorded  the  following  : — 
 
 "  Our  worthy  Pastor  has  finished  his  course,  he  rests  from  his 
 labours  of  teaching  and  preaching,  visiting  the  sick,  examining  the 
 young  and  the  old,  administering  discipline,  absolving  tlie  penitent, 
 supporting  the  weak,  and  warning  the  wicked.     Tliundering  from 
 
474  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Mount  Sinai,  and  proclaiming  the  word  of  the  Lord  from  Mount 
 Sion ;  in  each  and  all  of  these  he  had  the  tongue  of  the  learned ;  he 
 knew  how  to  speak  a  word  in  season,  but  in  some  he  excelled. 
 Particularly  in  addressing  the  word  of  God,  both  law  and  gospel  to 
 the  consciences  of  men,  in  opening  up  the  word,  and  in  drawing 
 plain  and  striking  practical  observations  from  it.  He  was  a  bold 
 witness  for  Christ  in  the  face  of  all  his  enemies,  one  who  appeared 
 to  take  a  particular  pleasure  in  preaching  the  Gospel,  making  the 
 glorious  person  and  work  of  Christ  the  chief  matter  of  his  discourse, 
 to  exalt  Christ,  humble  men,  and  promote  holiness.  I  had  many 
 opportunities  of  witnessing  his  conduct  in  public  and  in  private  in 
 his  visitation,  examination,  and  presiding  in  the  Session,  and  in  all 
 of  these  different  situations  I  was  led  to  admire  the  singular  grace 
 of  God  in  Him,  being  unable  to  say  wherein  he  most  excelled,  for 
 in  them  all  he  commanded  my  esteem  and  admiration." 
 
 "  A  singularly  faithful,  able,  and  devoted  minister  of  Christ." — 
 (^Inscription  on  Tombstone.) 
 
 William  Taylor,  from  Falkirk,  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Kev, 
 Professor  Brown  of  Haddington),  1779  ;  licensed,  1784  ; 
 called  to  Kilpatrick  and  Levenside,  and  ordained  at  Leven- 
 side  or  Benton,  3d  January  1786  ;  joined  Original 
 Associate  Presbytery,  16tli  September  1800  ;  translated  to 
 Perth,  8th  August  1805  ;  appointed  Professor  of  Divinity, 
 22d  July  1818;  demitted  his  charge,  September  1835; 
 and  died,  20th  December  1836,  in  the  seventy-eighth 
 year  of  his  age,  and  the  fifty-first  of  his  ministry.  Author  of 
 "An  Effectual  Eemedy  to  the  Disputes  presently  existing  in  the 
 Associate  Synod  respecting  the  Formula,"  1799  ;  "Resistance 
 to  Modern  Innovation  no  Schism,"  1813  ;  "  Liberty  without 
 Licentiousness,  in  two  Letters  to  a  Friend,"  1792  ;  "Plea  for 
 our  Scriptural  and  Scottish  Sabbaths,"  Third  Edition,  1847  ; 
 "A  Word  to  the  Wise,  or  a  Summary  Essay  in  Vindication  of 
 the  Presbyterian  Form  of  Church  Government,"  1811  ; 
 Volume  of  Sermons  on  Sacramental  and  other  occasions ; 
 "All  Speaking  the  Same  Thing,"  a  sermon  from  1  Cor.  i.  10, 
 1830,  pp.  36  ;  Letter  to  Rev.  Dr  Peel  die,  Edinburgh,  1833, 
 pp.  19.  His  Memoir  was  published  by  his  son.  Rev.  J.  W. 
 Taylor,  D.D.,  Flisk,  1852. 
 
 Professor  Taylor  was  born  in  the  parish  of  Falkirk,  in  September 
 1759,  and  was  the  son  of  pious  parents.  He  was  educated  at  the 
 Grammar  School  of  Falkirk,  and  in  the  sixteenth  year  of  his  age 
 became  a  student  in  the  University  of  Glasgow.      From  this  stage 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    475 
 
 of  his  career  he  becjan  to  exhilnt  the  methodical  habits  whicl)  after- 
 wards characterised  him,  Ife  retired  to  rest  at  10  p.m.,  and  at 
 5  A.M.  he  rose  and  j>repared  for  the  devotions  and  duties  of  the  day. 
 The  following  personal  covenant  shows  his  state  of  mind  during  his 
 student  days  : — 
 
 "Falkirk,  Idth  October  1780. 
 
 "  This  day,  I,  "William  Taylor,  would  essay  in  the  strengtli  of  the 
 Lord  Jesus  Christ,  and  in  the  sight  and  more  immediate  presence 
 of  the  heart-searching  and  rein-trying  God,  to  dedicate  myself  and 
 my  services  unto  the  Lord,  and  would  wish  that  my  life  as  a 
 Christian,  and  my  labours  as  a  student,  may  have  a  mutual  ten- 
 dency to  promote  Tiiy  glory  and  my  own  growth  in  gi-ace.  As  the 
 heart  is  deceitful  above  all  things,  and  desperately  wicked,  I  would 
 hold  it  up  to  Thee,  and  earnestly  beseech  Thee  that  thou  wouldst  so 
 circumcise  it  to  love  Thee,  as  that  these  words  which  I  mark  with 
 the  pen  may  be  expressive  of  the  genuine  desires  of  my  heart.  As 
 youth  is  so  prone  to  pride,  ostentation,  and  vainglory,  I  would  com- 
 mit myself  to  Thee  at  this  age  in  a  particular  manner,  to  be  so 
 sanctitied  and  denied  to  myself  and  to  the  world,  that  humilitij  may 
 be  promoted  in  my  soul,  and  I  myself  made  to  join  with  the  holy 
 apostle — '  God  forbid  that  I  should  glory  save  in  the  cross  of  our 
 Lord  Jesus  Christ.'  As  the  devil  is  still  going  about  like  a  roaring 
 lion,  seeking  whom  he  may  devour,  and  as  I  have  for  several 
 months  been  greatly  harassed  by  him,  and  tempted  to  disbelieve  the 
 Holy  Sci-iptui-es,  and  everything  that  is  sacred,  the  good  Lord  pity 
 me, repel  these  horrid  temptations,  and  give  me  such  a  savincj  knowled'/e 
 of  himself,  and  the  irresistible  power  of  divine  grace,  as  will  make 
 me,  with  a  truly  Christian  heroism,  to  set  at  nought  these  armies  of 
 the  aliens.  As  the  tvork  in  which  I  have  engaged  is  so  great,  as 
 my  strength  is  so  small,  and  as  I  rely  upon  Thy  promise  for  encour- 
 agement— that  i)romise  which  encouraged  me  to  undertake  it — '  my 
 grace  is  suthcient  for  you,  for  my  strength  is  made  perfect  in  weak- 
 ness,'— I  commit  myself  in  my  farther  advancement  in  my  studies 
 to  Thy  specifd  care,  and  if  my  heart  deceive  me  not,  would  earnestly 
 beg  with  Moses  in  another  case,  '  if  Thy  presence  go  not  with  me, 
 carry  me  not  up  hence  ;'  strengthen  me  with  all  might  in  the 
 inward  man,  and  let  my  experience  as  a  Christian  go  hand  in  hand 
 with  my  increase  in  the  knowledge  of  divine  things  as  a  student. 
 Loi'd  I  have  vowed  to  Thee,  let  me  not  draw  back  !  While  I  live 
 and  breathe  and  have  a  being,  I  wish  to  be  Thine  ;  and  when  I  die 
 it  is  my  earnest  desire,  and  I  hope,  well-grounded  faith,  for  ever  to 
 be  with  Thee,  my  Lord  and  my  God." 
 
 In  1784  Mr  Taylor  was  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Stirling, 
 and  his  ordination,  like  that  of  Adam  Gib,  took  place  during  a  .snow- 
 storm, though  whilst,  in  the  absence  of  a  church,  that  of  the  former 
 
476  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 took  place  in  the  open  air,  the  latter  had  the  advantage  of  a  drying- 
 shed.  His  sermons  were  always  carefully  written  out  and  com- 
 mitted, but  his  lectures  were  the  extemporaneous  utterances  of  a 
 mind  that  had  been  previously  stored  with  the  remarks  of  the  best 
 commentators. 
 
 He  loved  the  Sabbath,  and  so  sacred  did  he  esteem  its  hours,  that 
 in  his  younger  years,  though  he  habitually  retired  on  other  nights  at 
 ten  o'clock,  he  remained  in  the  enjoyment  of  its  religious  exercises 
 till  the  clock  warned  him  that  "the  Sabbath  was  past."  At  Leven- 
 side,  his  first  charge,  many  looked  back  to  Mr  Taylor  as  their 
 spiritual  father,  their  kind  instructor,  and  faithful  friend. 
 
 In  Perth,  in  addition  to  ministerial  duties,  Mr  Taylor  had  to  pre- 
 side over  the  school  of  the  prophets,  and  a  truly  diligent  and  ftiith- 
 ful  professor  he  proved,  as  his  students  have  testified. 
 
 In  connection  with  the  famous  Perth  Church  law  plea,  in  which 
 the  Old  Lights  were  losers,  he  had  so  much  labour  and  anxiety,  that 
 his  nervous  system  became  shattered.  Still  he  toiled  on  amid  many 
 discouragements,  till  a  stroke  of  paralysis  prostrated  him.  For 
 about  two  years  he  was  disabled,  and  eventually  he  finished  his 
 course.  He  feared  the  Lord  greatly,  was  a  faithful,  laborious, 
 and  able  minister  of  the  New  Testament,  and  strove  through  life 
 to  preserve  the  historical  features  of  his  church. 
 
 Egbert  Shirra,  from  Stirling,  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Rev. 
 Professor  Brown,  of  Haddington),  1710  ;  called  to  Fenwick 
 and  Yetholm,  and  ordained  at  the  latter  place  in  1717; 
 joined  Original  Associate  Presbytery,  12th  November  1799  ; 
 died  IGth  November  1840,  in  the  eighty-second  year  of  his 
 age,  and  the  fifty-third  of  his  ministry. 
 
 "  Mr  Kobert  Shirra,  minister  of  Yetholm,  was  the  nephew  of  Mr 
 Robert  Shirra,  M.A.,  minister  of  Kirkcaldy,  1750-1799,  who  has 
 been  called  the  Rowland  Hill  of  Scotland,  for  his  wit,  his  popular 
 sayings,  his  privilege  for  doing  and  saying  eccentric  things,  no  less 
 than  for  his  piety.  Both  uncle  and  nephew  were  from  the  First 
 Associate  Congregation,  Stirling. 
 
 "  Mr  Shirra,  jun.,  entered  the  Divinity  Hall,  along  with  other  ten 
 students,  in  1780,  being  the  twelfth  session  of  Professor  John 
 Brown  of  Haddington.  He  was  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of 
 Stirling  on  the  4th  of  January  1786  ;  called  to  Fenwick  and 
 Yetholm,  and  ordained  at  the  latter  place  on  the  1st  of  August 
 1787.  The  following  ministers  were  present  and  took  part  in  his 
 ordination,  viz.  :  Messrs  William  Elder,  Newtown,  1782-1819,  who 
 preached  and  presided  ;  George  Coventry,  Stitchell,  1755-1795  ; 
 William  Kidston,  of  Stow,  1756-1808  ;  Alexander  Shanks,  Jed- 
 burgli,  1760-1795;  George  Bell,  Wooler,  1778-1800;  John  Black- 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    477 
 
 hall,  Berwick,  1782-1813;  John  Eiddoch,  Coldstream,  1768-1804. 
 Mr  Shirra,  of  Kirkcaldy,  resignod  his  charge  on  account  of  declin- 
 ing health,  and  removed  to  Stirling,  where  he  died  on  the  1  2th  Sep- 
 tember 1803,  in  the  eightieth  year  of  his  age,  and  fifty-fourth  of  his 
 ministry. 
 
 "  At  the  end  of  the  century,  what  was  called  the  Old  Light  Con- 
 troversy arose  in  the  Synod,  and  Mr  Shirra,  of  Yetholm,  with  the 
 minority,  withdrew  from  the  Associate  or  Burgher  Synod,  and 
 formed  the  Original  Associate  Synod  in  1799.  His  congregation 
 adhered  to  him  as  the  minister  of  this  Synod  while  he  lived.  He 
 died  on  the  16th  November  1840,  in  the  eighty-second  year  of  his 
 age,  and  fifty-fourth  of  his  ministry,  and  was  buried  with  his  fore- 
 fathers at  Stirling." — From  Border  Advertiser,  contributed  by  Rev. 
 Mr  Robson,  U.P.  Church,  Lauder. 
 
 Patrick  Connel,  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Eev.  Professor 
 BroNvn,  of  Haddington)  1782;  ordained  in  Livery  Street 
 Church,  Bathgate,  23d  August  1787  ;  joined  Original  Associate 
 Presbytery,  18th  March  1800  ;  and  died  23d  January  1820, 
 in  the  fifty-sixth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  thirty-third  of  his 
 ministry. 
 
 Thomas  Milne,  from  Dunfermline,  entered  Antiburgher 
 Divinity  Hall  (Rev.  Professor  Bruce  of  Whitburn),  1793  ; 
 ordained  at  Peterhead  Antiburgher  Church,  14th  July  179G  ; 
 resigned,  12th  December  1815  ;  acceded  to  the  Original 
 Burgher  Synod,  4th  December  1832  ;  and  lived  privately  at 
 Dunfermline  till  his  death. 
 
 George  Moscrip,  from  Jedburgh,  entered  Divinity  Hall 
 (Rev.  Prof.  Lawson,  of  Selkirk),  1793  ;  acceded  whilst  a 
 divinity  student,  12th  November  1799  ;  licensed  18th 
 March  1800  ;  called  to  Pollokshaws  and  Greenock,  and 
 ordained  at  latter  place,  24th  November  1802,  died  21st 
 September  1838,  aged  seventy-five. 
 
 Mr  Moscrip  was  the  son  of  pious  parents,  and  was  bom  in  17G3. 
 His  college  trainmg  was  i-eceived  in  Edinl^urgh.  "  As  a  man " 
 (says  the  late  Rev.  John  Andei-son,  of  Helensburgh),  "  Mr  Moscrip 
 ■was  remarkable  for  simplicity,  gentleness,  and  gravity.  In  him 
 there  was  nothing  affected  or  artificial ;  whatever  he  did  was 
 natural.  Such  was  the  gentleness  of  his  disposition,  no  one  could 
 know  him  and  not  love  him.  Such  was  his  gravity  of  appearance, 
 no  one  could  see  him  and  not  respect  him.  In  the  pulpit  or  tlie 
 parlour,  in  the  house  or  by  the  way,  his  appearance  was  that  of  a 
 man  of  God.  Yet  with  all  his  gravity  no  one  could  be  more  cheer- 
 ful,— the  element  in  which  he  moved  was  delight.     In  the  searness 
 
478  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 of  age  he  had  all  the  freshness  of  youth,  all  the  joyoiisness  of  a 
 child.  As  a  Christian  his  religion  consisted  not  of  acts, — it  was 
 one  continued  action.  It  was  not  a  passion, — it  was  a  principle. 
 As  a  minister  he  was  diligent,  devoted,  and  unwearied.  His  preach- 
 ing, as  to  its  matter,  was  purely  evangelical,  and  richly  experimental 
 — as  to  manner  it  was  solemn  and  striking.  He  was  a  missionary 
 and  catechist  as  well  as  a  minister.  Above  all  he  was  attentive  to 
 the  young  of  his  congregation,  whom  he  loved  and  taught  as  his 
 own  children,  while  they  revered  and  rejoiced  in  him  as  a  father. 
 Being  asked  what  were  his  views  of  death,  he  said,  "  I  have  no  fear 
 of  death.  I  have  been  in  Christ  since  I  was  ten  years  of  age.  I 
 was  brought  to  Christ  under  a  sermon  preached  from  that  text,  '  I 
 sat  under  his  shadow  with  great  delight,  and  his  fruit  was  sweet 
 unto  my  taste.'  " 
 
 "At  length  the  evening  came,  and  he  went  home.  If  'his  eyes 
 were  not  kept  from  tears,'  '  his  feet  were  kept  from  falling ; '  and  at 
 his  memory  there  lives  not  one  to  cast  a  stone." 
 
 PiioFESsoR  Wm.  Willis's  Class. 
 
 The  Rev.  William  Willis  of  Greenock,  afterwards  of 
 Stirling,  was  appointed  Professor  of  Divinity  l7th  June  J  800, 
 which  office  he  held  till  his  resignation  in  1  808. 
 
 Session  1800. 
 
 Alexander  Brown,  from  Shotts,  who  had  entered  Divinity 
 Hall  (Rev.  Prof.  Lawson)  1797,  but  had  joined  the  Associate 
 Presbytery  when  a  student;  licensed  27th  January  1801; 
 called  to  Burntshields,  30th  April  1801,  and  ordained  there 
 20th  October  1801,  being  the  first  minister  whom  the 
 Original  Associate  Presbytery  had  ordained  ;  died  25th 
 January  1819. 
 
 Mr  Brown  is  said  to  have  been  a  good  man,  a  sovuid  divine,  a 
 faithful  preacher,  and  an  affectionate  pastor.  He  was  interred, 
 as  he  requested,  under  the  communion  table  within  the  church. 
 The  church  having  been  taken  down  in  1859,  his  grave  has  almost 
 been  forgotten,  but  not  so  his  memory,  for  the  righteous  shall  be 
 held  in  everlasting  remembrance. 
 
 William  Graham,  from  Kirkintilloch,  who  had  entered 
 Divinity  Hall  (Rev.  Prof.  Lawson)  1797,  but  had  joined  the 
 Associate  Presbytery  when  a  student;  licensed  27th  January 
 1801  ;  called  to  Bannockburn  and  Carluke,  and  ordained  at 
 latter  place  29th  June  1803;  died  at  Glasgow,  l7th  Sep- 
 tember 1806. 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PEOBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTEIIS.    479 
 
 Tradition  states  that  Mr  Graham  was  an  earnost  and  instinctive 
 preacher,  and  hifi;hly  estt'enied  by  liis  congivj^atiuu.  lit^  tlicd  of 
 consumption  in  Uhisgow,  and  at  liis  own  special  request  his  remains 
 were  interred  under  the  communion  table  in  church,  because  that 
 he  believed  he  had  been  savingly  changed,  or  at  least  greatly  revived, 
 whilst  addressing  the  participants  of  the  Lord's  Supper. 
 
 John  Inglis,  who  had  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Rev.  Prof. 
 Lawson)  in  1798,  but  who  had  joined  the  Original  Associate 
 Presbytery  while  a  student;  licensed  13th  April  1803; 
 called  to  Greenlaw,  Dunfermline,  and  Doune ;  ordained  at 
 Greenlaw,  31st  October  1804  ;  died  in  winter  of  1832. 
 
 William  Raeburn,  licensed  28th  December  1803;  or- 
 dained at  Bannockburn,  2Gth  December  1804  ;  was  clerk  for 
 many  years  to  Presbytery  of  Stirling  and  Falkirk  ;  his  con- 
 gregation having  become  reduced,  he  demitted  his  charge  in 
 1837,  and  in  October  1844  desired  admission  to  the  United 
 Original  Secession  Church.     Probably  he  soon  afterwards  died. 
 
 James  Watson,  from  Kilpatrick  Craigs,  licensed  28th 
 December  1803;  called  to  Pollokshaws,  Edinburgh,  Alloa, 
 Aberdeen,  Dunfermline,  Kennoway,  and  Dalkeith  ;  ordained 
 in  South  Gray's  Close  Church,  Edinburgh,  6th  March  1805  ; 
 Clerk  to  Edinburgh  Presbytery  from  1805  to  1830,  and 
 Clerk  to  Synod  from  April  1810  to  May  1829  ;  died  8th 
 March  1830,  in  the  forty-ninth  year  of  his  age,  and  the 
 twenty-sixth  of  his  ministry,  and  when  dying  bequeathed 
 XI 9 5  to  his  congregation. 
 
 The  Edinhurffh  Courant  of  20th  March  1830  has  the  followino- 
 paragraph : — "  Died  at  Edinburgh,  on  8th  inst.,  the  Rev.  James 
 Watson,  minister  of  the  Associate  Burgher  Congregation,  and  Clerk 
 to  the  Associate  Synod,  having  just  completed  the  forty-eighth  year 
 of  his  age  and  the  twenty-fifth  of  his  ministry.  His  retired  lial)its 
 prevented  him  from  being  generally  known  in  the  Christian  public. 
 The  fidelity,  however,  with  which  he  discharged  his  ministerial 
 duties,  and  the  peacefulness  and  kindliness  of  his  disposition  had 
 greatly  endeared  him  to  the  small  but  respectable  congregation  over 
 which  he  presided  ;  and  whilst  by  them  his  death  is  deejtly  deplored, 
 it  is  at  least  equally  lamented  on  the  same  ground  by  his  co-pres- 
 byters. The  state  of  his  mind  when  dying  was  truly  serene, — a  belief 
 of  the  doctrines  of  that  Gospel  he  had  so  long  and  so  faithfully 
 preached,  produced  in  him  its  legitimate  effect ;  and  of  him,  accord- 
 ingly, if  of  any,  it  might  be  said,  '  his  latter  end  was  peace.*  "  Dr 
 Chrystal,  rector  of  High  School,  Glasgow,  who  was  drowned  near 
 Roseneath  in  June  1830,  was  ]\[r  Watson's  cousin. 
 
480  ANXALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Session  1801. 
 James  Gardner,  from  Shotts,  who  had  entered  Divinity  Hall 
 (Rev.  Professor  Lawson)  1798,  and  joined  the  Original  Asso- 
 ciate Presbytery  whilst  a  student;  licensed  23rd  February 
 1802  ;  called  to  Carluke  and  Kilpatrick  Craigs,  and  ordained  at 
 latter  place  23rd  November  1802.  When  the  majority  of 
 Synod  returned  to  Church  of  Scotland  in  1839,  he,  instead 
 of  either  going  with  the  majority  or  abiding  with  the  mino- 
 rity, applied  to  the  United  Associate  Synod  (New  Light),  who 
 admitted  him  14th  July  ]  840.  Died  28th  October  1851, 
 in  the  fiftieth  year  of  his  ministry.  Author  of  "  The  Duty 
 of  Parents  and  others  to  the  Rising  Generation  explained  and 
 enforced,  a  Sermon."      Edin.  1817.      Pp.  20. 
 
 Sessio7i  1802. 
 
 David  Jardine,  licensed  5  th  December  1804;  ordained 
 at  Doune,  10th  September  1806,  and  demitted  his  charge,  8rd 
 October  1809. 
 
 Francis  Pringle,  from  Yetholm,  licensed  5th  December 
 1804. 
 
 Professor  George  Hill's  Class. 
 
 The  Rev.  Wm.  "Willis,  of  Stirling,  having  resigned  the 
 Professorship  of  Divinity,  the  Rev.  George  Hill  of  Cumber- 
 nauld was  appointed  professor  10th  August  1803,  which 
 office  he  held  till  his  death,  2Gth  June  1818. 
 
 Session  1803. 
 
 John  Campbell,  licensed  by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  12th 
 November  1805  ;  called  to  Dunfermline,  Falkirk,  and  Linton  ; 
 ordained  at  Dunfermline,  1st  September  1806  ;  died  7th 
 January  1810,  in  the  twenty-eighth  year  of  his  age,  and  the 
 fourth  of  his  ministry.  An  eminently  pious  and  faithful  mini- 
 ster, whose  memory  was  long  fragrant  in  Dunfermline. 
 
 John  Mackinlay,  from  Kincardine-on -Forth  ;  is  said  also 
 to  have  attended  Professor  Lawson's  Hall  in  1804  ;  licensed 
 by  Presbytery  of  Perth  and  Dunfermline,  12th  November 
 1805  ;  called  to  Alloa,  and  Levenside  or  Renton,  at  which 
 latter  place  he  was  ordained  2nd  October  1800  ;  united  with 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    481 
 
 the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Synod  in  1843  ;  and  died  17th 
 November  1856,  in  the  seventy-fifth  year  of  his  age,  and 
 the  fifty-first  of  his  niinistry. 
 
 Mr  Maekinlay  was  born  at  Kincariline  in  1802,  and  studied  at 
 Glasgow  Univei-sity.  In  ])ulj)it  and  pastoral  duties  he  excelled,  and 
 his  deportment  was  in  harmony  with  the  Gospel  doctrines  he 
 preached.  He  avoided  controversy,  was  of  a  retiring  disposition, 
 aud  was  highly  esteemed  by  all  denominations  in  the  Valley  of 
 Leven,  where  for  o\er  fifty  years  he  exercised  his  ministry,  "  In 
 person,"  says  the  author  of  "  Our  Scottish  Clergy,"  "  he  was 
 tall  and  of  full  habit,  with  a  peculiarly  reverend  and  ministerial 
 aspect.  Thouf^h  in  his  later  years  time  denuded  the  brow  of  its 
 natural  covering,  and  left  only  a  few  white  locks  as  a  crown  of 
 glory,  thei'e  were  few  lines  of  care  or  anxiety  in  his  pale  and  vener- 
 able countenance,  which  was  highly  expressive  of  a  well-spent  life. 
 His  aspect  in  the  pulpit  reminded  one  of  the  waning  of  a  sei-ene 
 and  quiet  summer  day — cloudless,  solemn,  and  hopeful.  Though 
 his  manner  in  the  pulpit  was  in  general  quiet  and  unassuming,  he 
 occasionally  kindled,  and  spoke  with  considerable  fervency  and  ani- 
 mation. On  2nd  October  1856  Mr  Mackinlay's  ministerial  jubilee 
 was  celebrated  in  the  church,  when  he  was  presented  with  an  address 
 of  congratulation,  together  with  a  purse  containing  £75.  For 
 about  five  Sabbaths  thereafter  he  ministered  to  his  people,  and  then 
 the  end  came  suddenly,  for,  when  sitting  at  table  with  the  design  of 
 taking  tea  with  his  family,  the  summons  came.  '  It  is  all  over;  do 
 not  put  youi-self  about,'  he  calmly  said  to  his  wife,  and  in  a  few 
 minutes,  without  a  struggle,  he  fell  asleep.  '  Mark  the  perfect  man, 
 and  behold  the  upright,  for  the  end  of  that  man  is  peace.'  " 
 
 William  Primrose,  from  Kincardine-on-Forth  ;  licensed  by 
 Presbytery  of  Perth  and  Dunfermline,  12th  November  1805  ; 
 ordained  at  Aberdeen,  13th  August  180G,  and  died  23rd 
 May  18GG,  in  the  eighty-third  year  of  his  age,  and  the 
 sixtieth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Mr  Primrose  was  assiduous  in  his  pastoral  duties,  and  exem- 
 plary in  attending  church  courts.  In  the  pulpit  he  had  not  only 
 clear  views  of  the  gospel,  but  was  correct  in  expression,  and 
 very  fervent  in  delivery.  He  evidently  knew,  j)ersonalIy,  what  he 
 preached,  and  was  highly  esteemed.  About  four  years  before  his 
 decease  his  eyes  began  to  fail,  but  his  mental  faculties  were  bright 
 to  the  last.  On  the  evening  of  his  last  day  on  earth  he  con- 
 ducted family  worship,  and  then  shortly  afterwai'ds  he  calmly  fell 
 asleep, 
 
 2  H 
 
482  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 FiNLAY  Stewart,  licensed  by  Presbytery  of  Perth  and  Dun- 
 fermline, 12tli  November  1805,  and  ordained  at  PoUokshaws 
 28th  August  1806  ;  was  Clerk  to  Glasgow  Presbytery  from 
 9th  April  1811  till  his  death,  which  took  place  on  4th  Feb- 
 ruary 1841,  in  the  fifty-sixth  year  of  his  age  and  the  thirty- 
 fifth  of  his  ministry.  Author  of  Funeral  Sermon,  from  Heb. 
 vii.  8,  of  Rev.  Alex.  Turnbull,  of  East  Campbell  Street,  Glas- 
 gow, 1834,  pp.  30. 
 
 Mr  Stewart  was  a  native  of  Kincardine-on-Forth,  and  was  in 
 early  life  devoted  to  the  office  of  the  holy  ministry.  His  ministerial 
 career  was  laborious,  since  the  duties  of  his  sacred  calling  seemed  to 
 occupy  his  whole  time,  talents,  and  attention.  His  theology  was 
 Biblical,  Calvmistic,  and  thoroughly  evangelical.  In  pastoral  work 
 he  excelled,  and  during  a  visitation  of  cholera  he  added  to  his  faith 
 a  holy  courage,  and  was  continually  on  the  alert,  visiting  the  dying 
 and  comforting  mourners.  His  visits  were  by  no  means  confined  to 
 his  congregation,  but  extended  over  the  entire  town  and  district. 
 So  highly  were  his  services  at  this  time  esteemed,  that,  after  the 
 plague  ceased,  he  was  publicly  presented  by  his  townsmen  with  a 
 gratifying  mark  of  their  respect  and  affection.  He  was  singularly 
 free  from  the  spirit  of  detraction,  and  had  no  envy  or  jealousy  of 
 superior  merit.  To  the  young  of  his  flock  he  devoted  much  atten- 
 tion, and  not  only  superintended  the  Sabbath  school,  but  also  taught 
 an  advanced  class  on  Monday  evenings.  His  last  illness  (inflam- 
 mation of  the  stomach)  was  brief.  He  had  prepai-ed  a  discourse 
 from  the  words,  "  O  death,  where  is  thy  sting  1  O  gi-ave,  where  is 
 thy  victory  1  The  sting  of  death  is  sin,  and  the  strength  of  sin  is 
 the  law.  But  thanks  be  to  God,  which  giveth  us  the  victory, 
 through  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ;"  but  owing  to  his  becoming  un- 
 well on  Sabbath  morning,  it  was  never  delivered.  As  the  Eev.  John 
 Anderson,  of  Helensburgh,  remarked,  "  the  triumph  which  he  was 
 to  have  described  in  the  pulpit,  he  was  to  exemplify  in  his  own  per- 
 son, and  to  win  in  his  own  experience.  And  this  triumph,  through 
 faith  in  that  mighty  Redeemer,  on  the  glories  of  Whose  person,  and 
 the  riches  of  Whose  grace  lie  had  so  often  loved  to  expatiate,  win 
 he  did.  His  funeral  was  largely  attended,  and  by  his  decease  the 
 people  of  the  town  realised  that  they  had  not  only  lost  a  minister 
 but  also  a  friend. 
 
 Robert  Torrance,  licensed  by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  12th 
 November  1805;  ordained  at  Airdrie,  13th  August  1800; 
 and  died  21st  March  1834,  in  the  fifty-fourth  year  of  his 
 age,  and  twenty-eighth  of  his  ministry.      The  Rev.  Geo.  Hill, 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    483 
 
 of  Shottsburn,   delivered  liis  fimeral  sermon  from  Heb.   xiii. 
 7,8. 
 
 ]\Ir  Ton-ance  was  a  good  classical  scholar,  but  wliat  was  of  greater 
 importance,  he  had  a  good  knowledge  of  the  Cospel  of  Christ,  and 
 jireachetl  it  with  great  faithfulness.  He  was  also  of  a  very  bene- 
 volent disposition.  "  In  the  pulpit  (says  Dr  Taylor,  of  Flisk),  wlien 
 he  warmed  up  in  his  suhject,  either  in  preaching  or  in  praying,  he 
 was  accustomed  to  give  exjjresaion  to  the  thoughts  that  moved  his 
 heart  in  homely  j)opular  Scotch.  For  a  day  or  two  dining  harvest 
 he  had  been  visiting  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Shotts.  On  the  Sab- 
 bath after  his  return,  he  was  ])raying  for  genial  weather,  so  that  the 
 crops  might  be  cut  down,  and  gathered  into  the  stackyard  in  good 
 condition.  The  season  had  been  a  late  one,  and  the  good  man's 
 mind  w^as  exercised  by  the  backward  condition  of  the  crops  as  he 
 had  seen  them  about  Shotts.  He  went  on  thus  in  his  prayer,  '  But, 
 Lord,  what  can  we  think  or  say  1  Unless  Thou  come  to  our  help 
 quickly,  the  state  of  some  parts  of  the  country  will  be  very  sad,  for 
 as  I  passed  by  Shotts  the  other  day  the  oats  there  were  us  green  as 
 leeks.'" 
 
 A  giandson  of  this  Secession  woi-thy  is  Dr  Torrance,  the  Free 
 Church  Medical  Missionary  at  Tiberijvs. 
 
 Session  1804. 
 
 Alexander  Dawson,  did  not  prosecute  his  studies. 
 
 James  Ferguson,  licensed  by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  1st 
 December  1807  ;  ordained  at  Longridge,  near  Whitburn, 
 24th  August  1809,  but  demitted  his  charge,  8th  November 
 1814. 
 
 Thomas  Hall,  from  Yetholm,  does  not  appear  to  have 
 prosecuted  his  studies. 
 
 Alexander  Stark,  M.A.,  bom  2nd  February  1T8G; 
 licensed  by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  1st  December  1807;  called 
 to  Falkirk,  Alloa,  Kirkintilloch,  and  Carluke ;  ordained  at 
 Falkirk,  10th  August  1808,  but  demitted  his  charge,  29th 
 April  1818  ;  joined  the  Church  of  Scotland,  and  had  to  at- 
 tend its  Divinity  Hall ;  was  admitted  minister  of  Parliament- 
 ary Church,  Sandwick,  Shetland,  in  1830;  subscribed  Deed  of 
 Demission,  1843;  was  translated  to  Closeburn,  which  charge 
 he  resigned,  21st  November  1849,  and  retired  to  Tighna- 
 bruaich,  where  he  died  12th  August  1881,  in  the  ninety-sixth 
 year  of  his  age,  and  the  seventy-fourth  of  his  ministry.  His 
 memoir  was  published  privately  in  1882. 
 
484  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 "  Mr  Stark  (says  the  London  Weekly  Review)  was  a  true  Scot. 
 In  familiar  converse  his  doric  was  rich  and  rare,  alike  in  accent  and 
 in  wealth  of  words.  His  English  diction  notwithstanding  was  pure 
 and  effective,  his  sermons  carefully  prepared,  and  not  left  to  the 
 inspiration  of  the  moment,  a  practice  of  modem  preachers  he  was 
 wont  unsparingly  to  condemn.  He  preached  long,  and  on  more 
 than  one  occasion  we  have  indulged  a  smile  on  hearing  the  good 
 man  after,  say,  forty  minvites  over  five,  six,  or  more  '  heads,'  remark, 
 pulling  out  his  watch  from  its  old-fashioned  fob,  '  this  shall  suffice 
 for  a  short  illustration  of,'  itc,  and  then  wind  up  with  twenty 
 minutes  more  '  by  way  of  practical  application.'  Worthy  man  !  he 
 was  in  his  element.  It  was  strong  meat — the  very  marrow  of 
 divinity — and  had  we  paid  more  heed  to  the  exhortation,  our  life 
 had  been  the  better.  If  any  man  had  a  clear,  definite  conception  of 
 what  the  Gospel  of  Jesus  Chi-ist  is,  it  was  Alexander  Stark.  His 
 theology  was  definite  in  an  age  indefinite.  He  knew  where  he  was, 
 and  the  Shorter  Catechism  was  to  him  a  thing  of  life  and  power. 
 It  is  refreshing  to  have  had  converse  with  a  man  so  made  up  on 
 every  point  (even  though  in  minor  matters  one  might  differ)  in  these 
 easy  days,  when  the  vague,  the  indefinite,  are  so  cherished — the 
 Church  and  the  world  so  little  dissimilar.  To  this  firmness  of 
 Christian  character  was  joined  a  most  unmistakealjle  humility.  He 
 sat  at  the  feet  of  Christ.  His  first  sermon,  away  back  in  1807,  was 
 from  words  that  formed  the  keynote  of  his  whole  life — '  This  is  a 
 faithful  saying,  and  worthy  of  all  acceptation,  that  Christ  Jesus  came 
 into  the  woi-ld  to  save  sinners.' 
 
 "  In  physique  Mr  Stark  resembled  Dr  Chalmers,  for  whom  he  was 
 sometimes  mistaken.  He  had  a  strong  constitution,  and  never  had 
 any  disease  since  he  was  at  college.  On  being  '  interviewed '  as  to 
 the  secret  of  his  health  and  long  life,  he  gave  the  laconic  reply  '  regu- 
 larity.' 
 
 "  He  never  was  married,  and  for  many  years  prior  to  his  disease 
 resided  in  the  manse  of  his  brother,  the  Rev.  Joseph  Stark,  M.A., 
 the  Disruption  minister  of  Kilfinan,  Argyllshire.  He  had  consider- 
 able aptitude  in  the  acquisition  of  languages ;  was  an  ardent  de- 
 fender of  the  sanctity  of  the  Sabbath,  and  when  he  died  was 
 probably  the  oldest  minister  in  Scotland.  His  j-emains  lie  interred 
 in  the  central  division  of  the  Southern  Necropolis,  Glasgow." 
 
 Session  1805. 
 
 William  Callender,  licensed  by  Presbytery  of  Perth  and 
 Dunfermline,  27th  December  1808  ;  never  called,  and  gave 
 up  preaching,  February  1814. 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    485 
 
 Session  180G. 
 
 Ebenezer  Dawson,  liccnsetl  by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  2Sth 
 November  1809  ;  c:illei.l  to  Kirkintilloch,  Cavluke,  and  Dal- 
 keith ;  ordained  at  Carluke,  ISth  September  1810;  died 
 30th  April  1817. 
 
 "  Mr  Dawson  (says  the  Rev.  Thomas  Hobart,  M.A.,  Carluke)  was 
 a  native  of  Aberdeenshire.  He  seems  to  have  been  a  clear-headed 
 and  populai'  preacher,  and  to  have  possessed  much  of  the  milk  of 
 lunnau  kindness.  The  Carluke  congregation  was  very  prosperous  in 
 all  senses  of  the  term  during  his  ministry.  After  the  last  meeting 
 of  Session  at  which  he  presided  (6th  April  1817),  the  Session  Clerk 
 recorded  that  '  the  Moderator  informed  the  members  that  finding 
 himself  becoming  weaker  under  the  afflicting  hand  of  God, 
 which  for  three  months  past  he  had  been  labouring  under,  and 
 having  no  great  hopes  of  seeing  them  together  again  in  their  present 
 capacity,  he  expressed  his  regard  for  the  Session  and  congregation, 
 the  pleasure  he  had  experienced  during  the  few  years  he  had  laboured 
 among  them,  his  willingness  to  submit  to  the  will  of  Providence, 
 and  in  a  very  affecting  manner  took  farewell  of  the  members.'  " 
 
 James  Smith,  licensed  by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  2Sth 
 November  1809  ;  called  to  Alloa  and  Kennoway,  and  ordained 
 at  Alloa,  14th  August  1810  ;  called  to  Garvagh,  Ireland, 
 1813,  but  not  translated;  and  died  in  1828.  Author  of 
 "  Ministerial  Qualitication :  a  Synod  Sermon,"  Edinburgh, 
 1818,  pp.  51. 
 
 Session  1807. 
 
 PiOBERT  AiTKEN,  from  East  Campbell  Street,  licensed  by 
 Glasgow  Presbytery,  20th  November  1810;  called  to  Dun- 
 fermline, Dundee,  Kirkintilloch,  and  Shotts ;  ordained  at 
 Kirkintilloch,  oth  September  1811  ;  called  to  Dundee,  Shotts, 
 Boardmills,  Ireland,  and  Campbell  Street,  Glasgow ;  translated 
 to  Dundee,  .5th  June  181G,  and  died  pastor  of  Willison  Free 
 Church,  Dundee,  1st  July  1845,  in  the  fifty-eighth  year  of  his 
 age,  and  the  thirty-fourth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Alexander  ]\I'\Vattie,  licensed  by  Glasgow  Presbytery, 
 20th  November  1810  ;  ordained  at  Kennoway,  9th  October 
 1811  ;  suspended,  8th  March  1820;  emigrated  to  Canada, 
 where  he  died  suddenly. 
 
486  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 John  Tindal,  appears  not  to  have  prosecuted  his  studies. 
 John  Watson,  appears  not  to  have  prosecuted  his  studies. 
 
 Session  1808. 
 
 Samuel  Armour,  licensed  by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  3d 
 December  1811  ;  called  to  Dunfermline  and  the  united  con- 
 gregations of  Doune  and  Dunblane  ;  ordained  to  latter  charge, 
 25th  August  1813,  which,  however,  he  afterwards  demitted, 
 and  left  the  church  in  1820  ;  emigrated  to  Canada,  and  be- 
 came an  Episcopalian  pastor. 
 
 William  Hood,  appears  not  to  have  prosecuted  his  studies. 
 
 Session  1809. 
 
 Alexander  Turnbull,  from  Renton,  licensed  l7th 
 November  1812  ;  called  to  Dundee  and  East  Campbell  Street, 
 Glasgow,  and  ordained  at  latter  place,  14th  September  1813  ; 
 was  Synod-CJlerk  from  11th  May  1830  till  his  decease,  31st 
 December  1833,  in  the  forty-third  year  of  his  age,  and  the 
 twenty-first  of  his  ministry.  Author  of  "Addresses  to  East 
 Campbell  Street  Congregation,"  1820,  pp.  5  6  ;  "Sermon  ou 
 John  xiv.  28,  on  occasion  of  Death  of  Rev.  James  Watson," 
 Edinburgh,  1830,  pp.  40. 
 
 "  An  eminently  talented,  affectionate,  and  popular  minister 
 of  the  Gospel." — (Inscription  on  tombstone.) 
 
 "  The  funeral  of  this  highly  popular  and  much  esteemed  minister 
 took  place  from  his  residence  in  Bellgrove  Place  on  Tuesday,  7th  Janu- 
 ary, and  the  scene  which  it  presented  afforded  an  affecting  proof  of  the 
 high  esteem  in  which  he  was  universally  held.  His  remains  were 
 followed  to  their  long  home  by  almost  all  the  ministers  of  his  own 
 denomination,  a  considei-able  number  of  the  city  clergy,  and  upwards 
 of  500  male  members  and  adherents  of  his  own  congregation.  A 
 very  great  concourse  of  spectators  lined  the  streets  on  botli  sides,  as 
 the  mournfid  procession  moved  along,  and  many  a  sorrowfid  coun- 
 tenance and  weeping  eye  bore  testimony  to  the  worth  of  the  de- 
 parted. Funeral  sermons  were  preached  to  a  crowded  congregation 
 on  the  following  Sabbath  by  the  Rev.  Finlay  Stewart,  of  Pollok- 
 shaws,  and  the  Rev.  Wm.  Mackray,  of  Stii-ling ;  the  former  from 
 Heb.  vii.  8,  and  the  latter  from  1  Thess.  iv.  18.  As  a  Christian, 
 Mr  Turnbull's  piety  was  serious,  solemn,  conscientiovis — but  un- 
 ostentatious— unobtrusive  ;  as  the  head  of  a  family,  he  was  faith- 
 ful   and    affectionate,    eloquent,  and    deeply    impressive.      He    was 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    487 
 
 euiiiiontly  pnulent  and  judicious,  and  was  much  esteemed,  not  only 
 by  liis  own  Session,  Imt  also  in  the  Synod,  He  sometimes  visited 
 and  exhoi-ted  as  a  pastor  in  twenty  houses  in  a  day,  and  then  in  the 
 evening  visited  several  sick  persons.  Occasionally  he  was  known  to 
 preach  ten  or  twelve  times  during  one  week  without  neglecting  his 
 regular  official  duties.  He  never  boasteil.  Though  he  was  for  years 
 the  subject  of  enlargement  of  the  liver,  which  disease  eventually 
 cut  him  off,  he  was  wonderfully  patient  iind  even  cheerful,  whilst  he 
 thus  laboured  in  Christ's  service  in  painfulness  and  weariness." 
 
 John  Shaw,  from  Boardniills,  educated  under  Professor 
 Rogers,  Ireland  ;  licensed  by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  4th  August 
 1813;  ordained  at  Boardmills,  Ireland,  18th  March  181 U, 
 and  his  death  intimated  to  Synod,  182G. 
 
 Session  1810. 
 
 William  Dalziel,  from  Shotts,  licensed  by  Edinburgh 
 Presbytery,  30th  November  1813  ;  called  to  Shotts,  Milna- 
 thort, and  Dunfermline;  ordained  at  Dunfermline,  11  til 
 October  1815  ;  united  with  the  Church  of  Scotland  in  1839, 
 but  though  in  1840,  he  subscribed  the  declaration  against  Lord 
 Aberdeen's  Bill,  he  remained  in  the  Establishment  after  the 
 Disruption,  and  accepted  a  presentation  to  the  parish  of 
 Thurso,  which  had  been  vacated  by  a  Disruption  minister,  and 
 died  10th  October  1«59. 
 
 Thomas  Hislop,  from  Shotts,  licensed  by  the  Edinburgh 
 Presbyter}'-,  30th  November  1813;  called  to  the  united  con- 
 gregations of  Ballyliutagh  and  Garvagh,  Ireland,  and  Kirk- 
 caldy ;  ordained  at  Kirkcaldy,  20th  June  181G,  but  de- 
 mitted  his  charge  14th  April  1823;  he  was  afterwards 
 inducted  at  Doune,  9th  December  1823,  and  having  united 
 with  the  Establishment  and  separated  along  with  the  Free 
 Church,  he  died  9th  September  1879,  in  the  ninetieth  year 
 of  his  age,  and  the  sixty-third  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Respecting  Mr  Hislop,  the  Rev.  John  Wright,  Minister  Emeritus 
 of  East  Free  Church,  Alloa,  states  the  following : — "  Mr  Hislop 
 was  born  at  the  Kirk  of  Shotts  (famous  for  the  revival  under 
 Livingston),  where  his  father  was  Secession  minister,  in  1790. 
 Having  passed  through  the  usual  college  course  at  Glasgow,  and  hav- 
 ing become  a  licentiate  of  one  of  the  older  branches  of  the  Secession, 
 he  was  ordained  at  Kirkcaldy  in  1816,  and  subsequently,  in  1823, 
 
488  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 was  settled  over  a  long-established  congregation  at  Doune,  in  the 
 parish  of  Kilmadock. 
 
 "  The  trumpet  with  him  gave  no  uncertain  sound ;  so  that  if  any- 
 remained  ignorant  the  fault  lay  not  in  him.  Mr  Hislop  made  good 
 use  of  his  valuable  library,  rich  especially  with  the  works  of  the 
 Puritans,  and  histories  of  the  Church  of  Scotland. 
 
 "  Mr  Hislop  was  in  the  habit,  from  the  fii'st,  of  visiting  his  con- 
 gregation pastorally,  and  according  to  the  old  and  admirable  custom 
 of  holding  district  diets  of  catechising,  at  which  old  as  well  as  young 
 attended.  He  was  faithful  and  iinwearied  in  visiting  the  sick,  not 
 confining  his  attention  to  his  own  flock,  but  at  all  times  in  readi- 
 ness to  call  for  any  who  requested  sick  or  death-bed  ministrations. 
 Being  almost  invariably  in  vigorous  health,  those  services  were 
 continued  till  within  a  few  years  of  his  death,  when  old  age  and 
 frailty  compelled  him,  in*  1871,  to  resign  his  charge,  the  Free 
 Assembly  honouring  him  in  retiring  with  the  full  dividend  of  the 
 Sustentation  Fund. 
 
 *'  It  was  deemed  expedient  that  the  congregation  should  then 
 unite  itself  with  the  other  in  the  parish. 
 
 "  The  section  of  the  Secession  with  which  Mr  Hislop  was  con- 
 nected joined  the  Established  Church  in  1839.  He  took  part  in 
 the  Disruption  of  1843,  always  stoutly  maintaining  that  both  in  the 
 Secession  and  Free  Church  he  adhered  strictly  to  the  principles  of 
 the  real  Church  of  Scotland. 
 
 "  Mr  Hislop  married  Miss  Charlotte  Murdoch,  who  died  long 
 before  him,  leaving  no  children.  He  died  in  great  peace,  the  oldest 
 minister  in  Scotland,  and  was  buried  in  the  venerable  churchyard  of 
 Kilmadock." 
 
 Laurence  Porteous,  probably  from  Milnathort,  does 
 not  appear  to  have  prosecuted  his  studies. 
 
 Session  1818. 
 
 Peter  Campbell,  licensed  by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  27th 
 December  1814  ;  ordained  at  Kilmarnock,  2  2d  November 
 1815  :  united  with  the  Church  of  Scotland  in  1839  :  sisfned 
 the  Deed  of  Demission  in  1843,  and  died,  minister  of  Hen- 
 derson Free  Church,  19th  March  1850,  in  the  fifty-eighth 
 year  of  his  age,  and  thirty-fifth  of  his  ministry.  Author  of 
 pamphlet  on  Non-Intrusion  Controversy,  1835,  pp.  80. 
 
 "  Mr  Campbell  (writes  the  Eev.  D.  Landsborough,  Kilmarnock) 
 was  ordained  in  the  twenty-third  year  of  his  age.  He  was  then  a 
 fresh-coloured,    vigorous    man.      The    congregation    was    large,   the 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  TROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    480 
 
 cliurcli  being  completely  filled.  The  membera  were  also  much 
 scattered,  as  in  addition  to  those  residing  in  Kilmarnock,  many  camo 
 from  the  surrounding  district,  including  Troon,  Saltcoats,  Stewarton, 
 <tc.  Study  and  toil  proved  too  much  for  the  young  minister,  who 
 in  a  few  years  became  delicate,  and  this  delicacy  reacted  upon  his 
 preaching,  depriving  it  of  much  of  its  vigour  and  popular  attinictiona, 
 though  it  was  ever  scriptural,  evangelical,  earnest,  and  practical. 
 
 "  ^Ir  Campbell  was  of  a  pleasant  and  genial  disposition,  and  in- 
 clined to  judge  charitably  of  his  neighbours.  Yet  when  he  saw 
 what  was  evil  he  rebuked  it,  and  was  able  to  do  so  in  a  way  to 
 make  his  rebuke  memorable.  An  instance  may  be  given.  A  small 
 congi-egation  was  vacant,  and  at  the  meeting  of  Presbytery,  as  was 
 the  custom  in  those  days,  arrangements  were  being  made  for  the 
 supply  of  the  pulpit.  It  so  happened  that  it  was  the  turn  of  a 
 popular  young  minister  to  give  supply,  but  upon  his  name  being 
 mentioned,  he  petulantly  exclaimed,  '  I  can't  go — I  cannot  jjreach 
 to  a  handful.'  Mr  Campbell,  now  an  old  man,  rose,  and  turning  to 
 the  Moderator,  calmly  said,  '  Send  me  ;  like  our  Master,  I  can  preach 
 to  many  and  to  few.' " 
 
 Session  1812. 
 
 James  Russell,  licensed  by  Edinburgh  Presbytery,  March 
 7,  1815  ;  left  the  church  in  May  1820. 
 
 James  Thornton,  from  East  Campbell  Street,  Glasgow  ; 
 licensed  by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  12  th  December  1815; 
 ordained  at  Milnathort,  27th  August  181G;  Avas  Clerk  to 
 Perth  and  Dunfermline  Presbytery  for  several  years  ;  united 
 ■with  Church  of  Scotland  in  1839  ;  subscribed  Deed  of  De- 
 mission, 1843  ;  and  died  3rd  September  1874,  in  the  eighty - 
 third  year  of  his  age,  and  fifty-filth  year  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Mr  Thornton  was  a  native  of  Glasgow,  where  he  had  been  born 
 on  24:th  December  1791.  He  was  an  alumnus  of  Glasgow  Univer- 
 sity, and  sat  under  the  impressive  ministry  of  Mr  Watson,  of  East 
 Campbell  Street  Church.  He  was  a  goodly  man  physically,  and  a 
 godly  man  spiritually.  In  pulpit  ministrations  he  excelled,  and  in 
 hospitality,  specially  to  itinerating  ])robationers,  he  was  noted,  some- 
 times boarding  two,  and  even  three  of  them  at  one  time.  His  death 
 was  very  sudden.  After  having  returned  from  his  usual  "  constitu- 
 tional '*  walk,  without  making  any  complaint,  and  while  conversing 
 with  some  friends  on  family  business,  he  fell  back  upon  his  chair, 
 and  expired  in  a  moment.  Living  near  to  God,  and,  as  it  were,  in 
 the  atmosphere  of  heaven,  his  whole  life  was  remarkably  calm  and 
 serene,  and  the  closing  scene  was  so  short,  and  so  entirely  free  from 
 pain,  that  it  may  well  be  said  he  did  not  taste  of  death  at  all. 
 
490  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 George  Hill,  from  Cumbernauld  ;  licensed  by  Glasgow 
 Presbyter}^,  11th  June  1816  ;  called  to  Paisley,  Kirkintilloch, 
 and  Shotts,  and  ordained  at  Shottsburn,  10th  December  1817 ; 
 united  with  the  Synod  of  Original  Seceders  in  1842.  Hav- 
 ing demitted  his  charge  in  June  1852,  owing  to  bodily  in- 
 firmity, he  died  on  81st  January  1856,  in  the  thirty-ninth 
 year  of  his  ministry.  Author  of  sermon  Hebrew  xiii.  7,  8, 
 on  occasion  of  death  of  Rev.  Robt.  Torrance,  Airdrie. 
 
 Mr  Hill  was  a  son  of  the  Eev.  Professor  George  Hill,  of  Cum- 
 bernauld, and  was  trained  for  the  ministry  at  Glasgow  University,  as 
 also  in  the  Divinity  Hall,  presided  over  by  his  father.  His  ministry 
 was  much  esteemed  by  his  people.  In  1839  he  declined  acceding 
 to  the  Church  of  Scotland,  and  in  1842  he  declined  for  a  time  to 
 unite  with  the  Antiburgher  section  of  the  Secession  Church.  His 
 ailment,  which  was  a  form  of  spinal  disease,  began  to  affect  him  in 
 ly51,  and  hence  at  the  disruption  of  the  Synod  in  the  subsequent 
 year  he  was  too  feeble  to  take  part.  His  sentiments,  however, 
 respecting  union  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  as  ngreed  to  by 
 the  United  Original  Secession  Synod  in  April  1852,  were  thus 
 frankly  given  in  a  letter  to  Dr  Shaw,  the  Synod  Clerk,  dated  on 
 14th  May  following. 
 
 "  My  dear  Sir, — In  reply  to  your  last  communication,  in  which 
 you  request  me  to  inform  you  whether  I  wish  to  have  my  name  still 
 continued  on  the  roll  of  Synod,  1  beg  to  inform  you  that  in  so  far 
 as  I  am  personally  concerned  I  not  only  have  no  oVijection  but 
 would  earnestly  desire  it." 
 
 Finding,  however,  that  his  congregation  were  unwilling  to  enter 
 into  the  union,  and  feeling  his  infirmities  increasing  without  hope 
 of  amendment,  besides  being  unwilling  to  acknowledge  the  remanent 
 Synod  as  the  church  to  which  he  belonged,  Mr  Hill  in  the  following 
 month  resigned  his  charge  to  the  Kirk  Session  and  people  among 
 whom  he  had  laboured  for  thirty-four  and-a-half  years,  and  solemnly 
 and  affectionately  bade  them  farewell.  Dnring  the  three  years  and 
 a  half  which  elapsed  ere  death  terminated  his  sufferings,  however, 
 he  had  much  friendly  intercourse  with  his  former  brethren  and 
 people,  including  his  successor  in  the  ministry,  and  after  expressing 
 his  faith  in  Christ,  fell  on  sleep. 
 
 Session  1813. 
 
 John  Russell,  licensed  by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  10th  June 
 1817  ;  called  to  Cupar,  Kincardine-on-Forth,  Falkirk,  Paisley, 
 Kirkintilloch,  Carluke,  and  Lesmahagow  ;  ordained  at   Kirk- 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    491 
 
 intilloch,  9th  November  1810,  and  died  2r)tli  February 
 1824,  in  the  thirty-sixth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  fifth  of  liis 
 ministry. 
 
 Duncan  Stewart,  wlio  had  previously  attended  two 
 Sessions  at  the  Established  Church  Hall,  licensed  11th  April 
 ISlo. 
 
 Session,  1814. 
 
 James  Anderson,  from  East  Campbell  Street,  Glasgow ; 
 licensed  by  Presbytery  of  Glasgow,  14th  April  1818  ;  ordained 
 at  Carluke,  27th  October  1819  ;  united  with  Original  Seces- 
 sion Synod,  18th  May  1842.  Died  21st  March  18G1,  in 
 the  sixty-seventh  year  of  his  age,  and  the  forty-second  of  his 
 ministry.  Author  of  "  Lecture  on  Connection  of  Church  and 
 State,"  1835  ;  "Synod's  Pastoral  Address,"  1852. 
 
 Mr  Anderson  was  bom  at  Shettleston,  a  village  near  Glasgow,  in 
 1795,  and  received  his  college  training  in  Glasgow  University.  In 
 appearance  he  was  portly,  and  in  his  temperament  he  was  warm  and 
 energetic.  During  his  ministry  he  did  valiant  service  in  behalf  of 
 divine  truth,  having  taken  an  active  part  in  controversies  connected 
 with  Arianisra,  Yoluntaryisni,  and  Arniinianism.  He  was  an  acute 
 metaphysician,  and  had  considerable  logical  ability.  As  a  preacher 
 of  the  gospel  he  excelled,  and  frequently  at  the  close  of  communion 
 services  he  would  so  address  the  hearers  that  deep  and  abiding 
 impressions  would  be  made. 
 
 Though  to  strangers  he  was  somewhat  reserved,  he  was  frank  to 
 friends  ;  and  so  great  was  his  judiciousness  in  the  management  of 
 congregational  affairs,  that  throughout  his  entire  ministry  there 
 never  was  a  vote  taken  in  his  Session.  It  was  his  habit  not  only  to 
 visit,  but  to  examme  his  congregation  annually.  Pastoral  visitation 
 was  attended  to  in  summer,  whilst  diets  of  catechising  were  held 
 during  winter.  Being  strongly  conservative  in  all  ecclesiastical 
 matters,  he  not  only  declined  to  take  part  in  the  unions  of  1839 
 and  1852  ;  but  owing  to  his  recognised  ability,  he  was  chosen  to 
 lead  the  forlorn  hope  on  each  of  these  occasions.  This  he  did  ably, 
 and  thus  was  highly  respected  V)y  all,  whether  they  agreed  with  his 
 sentiments  or  not.  In  1854  he  was  seized  witli  paralysis,  and 
 though  able  for  a  time  to  do  a  ]»art  of  his  ministerial  work,  his  debility 
 so  increased  that  for  years  before  his  decease  he  was  incapacitated 
 for  further  service.  To  the  poor  he  was  generous,  and  to  his  con- 
 victions of  truth  and  duty  he  was  true ;  and  over  his  grave  no  one 
 can  say,  "  Here  lie  the  remains  of  a  miiiister  who  deserted  his 
 principles." 
 
492  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Thomas  Main,  licensed  by  Edinburgh  Presbytery,  29th 
 November  1819;  quarrelled  with  Perth  and  Dunfermline 
 Presbytery  anent  appointments,  and  left  the  Church  in  1829; 
 became  teacher  of  a  school  at  Banton,  Kilsyth,  and  died  near 
 Falkirk. 
 
 William  Stewart,  from  East  Campbell  Street ;  called  to 
 united  congregations  of  Ballylintagh  and  Garvagh,  Ireland,  and 
 was  ordained  their  pastor  at  Glasgow,  9  th  October  1817. 
 
 Parker,  who  had  previously  attended  four  sessions 
 
 at  the  Established  Hall. 
 
 Session  1815. 
 
 John  Adams,  from  Ireland,  but  was  licensed  by  Glasgow 
 Presbytery;  left  Church  in  1832,  and  went  to  Canada. 
 
 Ebenezer  Anderson,  licensed  by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  19th 
 January  1819  ;  ordained  at  Cupar-Fife,  19th  October  1819, 
 and  deposed  25th  August  1835  ;  emigrated  to  America. 
 
 Peter  Currie,  licensed  by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  19th 
 January  1819;  ordained  at  Cumbernauld,  7th  December 
 1819  ;  translated  to  East  Campbell  Street,  Glasgow,  6th 
 October  1835  ;  on  4th  November  1840  united  with  the 
 Church  of  Scotland,  and  removed  to  Stockwell  Church, 
 Glasgow;  subscribed  Deed  of  Demission  in  1843,  and  died 
 30th  September  1859,  in  the  sixty-third  year  of  his  age,  and 
 the  thirty-ninth  of  his  ministry.  Mr  Currie  was  an  excellent 
 preacher,  excelled  in  prayer,  and  was  also  noted  for  his  dili- 
 gence in  pastoral  visitation.  To  the  last  he  collected  and 
 kept  together  a  very  numerous  and  influential  congregation. 
 
 Thomas  Gordon,  from  Ireland,  licensed  by  Glasgow  Pres- 
 bytery, 23rd  March  1819;  ordained  at  Falkirk,  19th  Sep- 
 tember 1820  ;  united  with  the  Church  of  Scotland  in  1839  ; 
 subscribed  the  Deed  of  Demission  in  1843,  and  died  22nd 
 July  18G9,  in  the  fortieth  year  of  his  ministry. 
 
 William  Scott-Hay,  from  Paisley,  who  had  attended  Pro- 
 fessor Lawson's  class  during  Session  of  1814,  but  had  joined 
 the  Original  Associate  Synod  whilst  a  student  ;  licensed  by 
 Edinburgh  Presbytery,  9  th  December  1818  ;  ordained  at 
 Burutshields,  20th  March  1821;  united  with  the  Church  of 
 Scotland,  1839  ;  subscribed  tlie   Deed   of  Demission,    1843  ; 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    493 
 
 translated  to  Bankhead,  Aberdeenshire,  1845  ;  and  diid  15th 
 December  1851,  in  the  fifty-third  year  of  his  ago,  and  the 
 thirty-first  of  his  ministry. 
 
 William  Logan,  liceused  by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  19th 
 January  1819  ;  called  to  Falkirk  and  Lesmahagow,  and 
 ordained  at  latter  place  1st  March  1820  ;  united  with  the 
 Church  of  Scotland,  1839  ;  subscribed  the  Deed  of  Demission, 
 1843  ;  and  died  minister  of  Sanquhar  Free  Church,  3d 
 February  18G3,in  the  forty-fifth  year  of  his  ministry.  Author 
 of  Sermon  in  connection  with  Bible  Society. 
 
 Mr  Logan  Avas  born  in  1798.  After  lie  joined  the  Church  of 
 Scotland  he  was,  in  1840,  elected  minister  of  the  parish  of  Lesma- 
 hagow, hut  the  patron  declined  to  present  him.  He  always  held  the 
 principles  of  the  Evskines.  Lesmahagow,  the  scene  of  his  earlier 
 pastoral  labours,  had  long  been  blighted  by  Moderatism,  and  the 
 Gospel  as  preached  by  the  Old  Light  miiiister  was  precious.  He 
 was  a  good  minister  and  a  faithful  pastor.  In  his  closing  years  at 
 Sanquhar  he  beheld  a  gi-eat  revival  in  his  flock,  and  was  glad.  He 
 left  to  his  sons  and  brethren  in  the  ministry  an  excellent  example  of 
 what  a  minister  of  Christ  ought  to  be. 
 
 William  Murray,  licensed  by  Edinburgh  Presbytery,  9th 
 December  1818  ;  was  called  to  Longridge,  Whitburn,  on 
 30tli  October  1821,  but  he  declined  acceptance,  and  in 
 1825  resigned  taking  preaching  appointments  owing  to  feeble 
 health. 
 
 Session  181G. 
 
 Michael  Willis,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  from  Stirling ;  licensed 
 by  Presbytery  of  Stirling  and  Falkirk  ;  ordained  to  Albion 
 Street,  afterwards  Renfield  Congregation,  Glasgow,  23rd 
 January  1821  ;  appointed  Professor  of  Theology,  15th  Sep- 
 tember 1835  ;  united  with  the  Church  of  Scotland  1839,  and 
 subscribed  Deed  of  Demission  1843.  Having  been  appointed 
 Professor  of  Theology  in  Knox  College,  Toronto,  of  which  he 
 afterwards  became  Principal,  he  demitted  his  charge  in  Glasgow 
 in  November  1847,  and  sailed  for  Canada.  In  1871  he 
 resigned  the  Principalship  and  returned  to  Great  Bi'itain, 
 making  London  his  home.  Died  at  Aberlour,  19th  August 
 1879,  in  the  eighty-first  year  of  his  age,  and  the  fifty-ninth 
 of  his  ministry. 
 
494  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Author  of  Funeral  Sermon  for  his  Father,  1827  ;  "The  Religious 
 Question  involved  in  the  Proposed  Concessions  to  Roman  Catholics," 
 1829,  pp.  38;  "Discourse  on  National  Establishments  of  Chris- 
 tianity," 1833,  pp.  95;  "National  Responsibility  and  National 
 Covenanting  ;  being  the  Third  Lecture  on  Chvii-ch  Establishments 
 in  Glasgow,"  1835  ;  "Remarks  on  the  late  Union  between  the 
 Church  of  Scotland  and  Associate  Synod,"  1840,  pp.  51  ;  "Speech 
 on  the  Case  of  the  Rev.  William  Scott,  of  Free  St  Mark's,  Glasgow," 
 1845;  "Two  Brothers:  a  Biography  of  John  and  James  More," 
 1846  ;  "  Collectanea,  or  Selections  from  the  Greek  and  Latin  Fathers, 
 with  Notes,"  Toronto,  1865  ;  "Pulpit  Discourses  and  College  Ad- 
 dresses," 1873,  pp.  451.  A  short  memoir  of  Dr  Willis  was  pub- 
 lished by  Rev.  J.  W.  Taylor,  D.D.,  of  Flisk,  in  1880. 
 
 Of  Dr  Willis  the  Rev.  Dr  Taylor,  of  Flisk,  furnishes  the  following 
 account : — "  Dr  Willis  was  born  in  Greenock  in  1799.  His  father. 
 Rev.  W.  Willis,  was  one  of  a  little  band,  who,  in  their  desire  to  conserve 
 the  principles  of  the  Covenanted  Reformation,  i-efused  to  go  into 
 changes  which  were  introduced  into  the  Secession  Church  in  1795, 
 and  who  formed  the  Burgher  Associate  or  Old  Light  Burgher 
 Synod.  In  1802  the  Rev.  W.  Willis  was  translated  to  Stirling. 
 There  Michael's  educational  training  began  under  his  father's  care. 
 His  mind  was  a  nimble  one,  and  could  readily  take  in  all  that  was 
 agoing  at  school.  From  school  he  was  transferred  to  the  College  of 
 Glasgow.  In  his  eighteenth  year,  his  philosophy  course  finished,  he 
 found  himself  face  to  face  with  the  first  really  earnest  and  perplexing 
 practical  question  to  the  youthful  mind,  What  am  I  to  be  1  What 
 is  to  be  my  occupation  in  life  ? 
 
 "  He  had  discovered  classical  tastes,  standing  high  both  in  Latin 
 and  Greek.  Some  of  his  pi-ofessors  were  interested  in  him,  and 
 advised  him  to  give  himself  to  scholarship  as  his  lifework.  Some 
 years  after  they  offered  to  support  him  in  a  candidature  for  the 
 professorship  of  Greek  in  St  Andrews,  which  was  expected  to  be 
 vacant.  The  offer  was  tempting ;  but  by  this  time  he  had  chosen 
 what  he  afterwards  felt  to  be  a  better  and  a  higher  service — the 
 ministry  of  the  Gospel  in  an  obscure  denomination. 
 
 "  When  licensed,  he  was  chosen  to  be  pastor  in  a  new  congrega- 
 tion, which  latterly  worshipped  in  Renfield  Street,  Glasgow.  There 
 he  gathered  a  membership,  drawn  very  much  by  his  style  of  preach- 
 ing, which  differed  in  many  particulars  from  what  prevailed  in  the 
 denomination. 
 
 "In  1833  Mr  Willis  appeared  as  an  author.  The  engrossing 
 topic  of  the  day  supplied  the  subject,  and  the  title  was,  '  A  Discourse 
 on  National  Establishments  of  Christianity.'  The  scope  of  the 
 treatise  was  to  illustrate  the  consistency  of  National  Establishments 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.     495 
 
 with  tlie  spiritual  nature  of  Christ's  kingdom,  tlu'ir  warrant  from 
 the  Word  of  God,  and  tlu'ir  m-eessity  to  tlio  safety  of  8tat(>.s. 
 
 "Betwixt  the  years  1837  and  1839  Dr  Willis  and  tlic^  hody  to 
 which  he  belonged  were  worthily  engaged  in  getting  a  bi-each  in  the 
 Scottish  Church  healed.  They  had  been  joyful  observers  of  the  ten 
 years'  conflict — probably  the  most  memorable  ten  years  in  the 
 religious  history  of  the  country  during  the  century.  They  saw  that 
 under  the  double  professorsliip  of  Chalmers  in  philosopliy  and  in 
 divinity  a  revived  evangelism  had  taken  possession  of  the  pulpits, 
 and  from  the  pulpits  had  spread  over  the  parishes  of  Scotland.  The 
 more  thoughtful  ministers  and  membei"s  asked  each  other,  Is  not 
 this  the  very  thing  which  the  fii\st  seceders  desired  ?  Here  we  have 
 in  the  Established  Church  of  Scotland  *  a  free  chui-ch  '  and  '  a 
 faithful  church.'  The  negotiations  were  not  begun  by  Dr  Willis, 
 but  latterly  he  was  appointed  Convener  of  the  Committee  by  whom 
 the  business  was  wisely  and  successfully  concluded. 
 
 "  In  18-47  Dr  Willis  sailed  for  Toi'onto,  having  been  appointed 
 Professor  of  Theology  in  Knox  College,  of  which  he  afterwards  became 
 Principal.  The  duties  of  his  professorship  he  pursued  with  great 
 skill  and  enthusiasm.  His  labours  as  a  minister  in  Glasgow  formed, 
 in  one  respect,  his  highest  qualification,  for  in  preaching  the  Gos])el, 
 and  in  his  daily  pastorate,  he  saw  with  a  keen  eye  the  Word  of  God 
 brought  into  contact  with  human  nature  in  all  its  aspects.  He  was 
 thus  equipped  as  professor  both  in  the  theory  and  practice  of 
 divinity. 
 
 "  The  following  testimony,  inter  alia,  appears  in  a  Minute  of  the 
 Senate  of  Knox  College  after  his  death  : — '  The  influence  exerted  by 
 him  has  entered  indelibly  into  the  history  of  Presbyterianisra  in 
 Canada.'  All  the  time  of  his  professorship,  like  masters  and  pro- 
 fes.sors  in  medicine,  he  kept  his  own  ward  in  the  Inflrmary,  having, 
 in  imitation  of  Dr  Chalmers  in  the  West  Port,  a  mission  station  in 
 the  neighbourhood  of  Toronto,  where  he  regularly  ])reached  every 
 Sabbath.  And  during  the  college  vacation  he  was  constantly 
 traversing  the  province,  visiting  his  former  students,  and  preaching 
 as  occasion  offered  in  the  backwoods,  in  the  villages,  or  in  the  city." 
 
 His  remains  were  buried  in  the  Glasgow  Necropolis. 
 
 Session  1817. 
 
 HuTCHESON  Perry,  from  Ireland  ;  licensed  by  Glasgow 
 Presbytery,  28th  February  1821  ;  became  minister  of  the 
 Presbyterian  Church,  Portlegone,  Ireland. 
 
496  ANNALS  OF  OKIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Professor  Taylor's  Class. 
 
 Owing  to  the  protracted  illness  of  Professor  Hill,  the  Synod, 
 on  22nd  July  1818,  appointed  the  Rev.  William  Taylor,  of 
 Perth,  to  act  as  interim  Professor  of  Divinity,  which  appoint- 
 ment on  the  solicitation  of  the  students  was  made  j)ermanent 
 after  the  death  of  Professor  Hill. 
 
 Session.  1818. 
 
 John  Downs,  A.M.,  from  Falkirk  ;  called  to  Longridge, 
 Kennoway,  and  Boardmills,  and  ordained  at  Boardmills,  1827  ; 
 called  to  Pollokshaw  in  1841 ;  united  with  the  Original  Secession 
 on  ISth  May  1842  ;  joined  the  Irish  General  Assembly,  and 
 emigrated  to  Australia  in  1854,  where  after  some  years  he 
 died. 
 
 George  Legate,  from  Ireland  ;  called  to  Helensburgh  and 
 Kilkinamurray ;  ordained  at  latter  place  in  Ireland,  24th 
 August  1824. 
 
 Session  1819. 
 
 James  Angus,  licensed  by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  25th  Feb- 
 ruary 1823,  died  in  early  manhood. 
 
 James  Brand,  from  Edinburgh  Presbytery,  does  not  aj^pear 
 to  have  completed  his  course  of  study. 
 
 John  Hill  Garven,  licensed  by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  4th 
 March  1823  ;  ordained  at  Lanark,  4th  May  1831  ;  resigned 
 his  charge,  22nd  May  1834,  and  went  to  Australia;  became 
 minister  of  Maitland,  New  South  Wales,  and  subsequently  of 
 Shoalhaven. 
 
 David  Lynch,  licensed  by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  31st 
 December  1822  ;  called  to  Longridge,  and  Bolay,  Ireland, 
 and  ordained  at  latter  place  in  1825  ;  along  with  his  congrega- 
 tion joined  the  Synod  of  Ulster  in  1838. 
 
 John  Macmillan,  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Stirling 
 and  Falkirk  ;  became  minister  of  the  English  Presbyterian 
 Church,  Crookham. 
 
 Ealph  Eobb,  from  Alloa ;  licensed  by  Presbytery  of  Stir- 
 ling and  Falkirk  ;  ordained  at  Strathkinnes,  24th  July  1827  ; 
 united  with  the    Church   of  Scotland   in    1839  ;    subscribed 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    497 
 
 Deed  of  Demission,  1843,  and  emigrated  to  Halifax,  when  he 
 afterwards  became  minister  of  Free  Colonial  Church,  Hamilton, 
 and  died  in  July  1850. 
 
 At  Sti-athkinnes  Mr  Robb  had  a  useful  career.  He  took  an 
 imjiortant  part  in  uniting  the  Burgher  Synud  with  the  Church 
 of  Scotland.  Immediately  after  tlie  Disruption  of  1843  he  sailed 
 for  Nova  Scotia,  and  -vvjus  the  first  Free  Church  unnister  who 
 visited  the  western  world.  His  labours  first  at  Halifax,  and 
 latterly  at  Hamilton,  are  identified  with  the  history  of  the  Colonial 
 Free  Church ;  and  many  will  bless  the  memory  of  this  good 
 man,  called  away  in  the  midst  of  his  days  and  usefulness. 
 
 Walter  Smith,  does  not  appear  to  have  completed  Lis 
 course  of  study. 
 
 James  Sawers,  from  Shotts,  died  whilst  a  Student. 
 
 Andrew  Thomson,  licensed  by  Edinburgh  Presbytery,  18th 
 December  1822  ;  called  to  Stirling  and  Paisley,  and  ordained 
 at  latter  place,  18th  November  1824  ;  loosed  from  his  charge, 
 16th  June  1834,  and  inducted  to  Garvagh,  Ireland,  in  1835  ; 
 united  with  the  Original  Secession  Synod,  1 8tli  May  1842, 
 and  with  the  Free  Church,  185  2,  and  died  27th  June 
 1871. 
 
 John  Waddell,  from  Linton,  licensed  by  Edinburgh 
 Presbytery,  18th  December  1822;  ordained  at  Burrelton, 
 Perthshire,  20th  July  1825  ;  united  with  the  Church  of 
 Scotland  in  1829;  subscribed  Deed  of  Demission,  1843; 
 deposed  for  intemperance,  19th  November  1845,  and  went  to 
 Ireland. 
 
 1820. 
 
 John  Eadie,  licensed  by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  13th  April 
 1824;  after  a  time  gave  up  preaching,  and  betook  himself 
 to  a  mercantile  profession. 
 
 William  Mackray,  A.M.,  from  Aberdeen,  licensed  by 
 Perth  and  Dunfermline  Presbytery,  8th  June  1824  ;  ordained 
 at  Stirling,  29th  December  1824  ;  united  with  Church 
 of  Scotland,  1839  ;  subscribed  Deed  of  Demission,  1843, 
 and  was  translated  to  Huntly,  which  charge  he  resigned 
 in  1849,  when  he  retired  to  Edinburgh,  where  he  died  on 
 25th  June  1870. 
 
 2  I 
 
498  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Respecting  his  revered  father,  William  Mackray,  Esq.,  has 
 fixrnished  the  following  biographical  notice  : — 
 
 The  Rev.  Mr  Mackraj  was  a  native  of  Aberdeen,  and  was  born  there 
 about  the  year  1800.  His  parents  were  ardent  Old  Light  Seceders. 
 They  intended  him  for  a  commercial  life,  but  his  love  of  an  academi- 
 cal course  of  study  was  too  strong  to  be  restrained  :  and  accordingly 
 he  entered  on  the  curriculum  of  Arts  in  Marischal  College  and 
 University,  Aberdeen,  where  he  soon  rose  to  a  foremost  place  among 
 the  students.  In  1822,  before  he  had  completed  the  usual  college 
 course,  he  was  selected  by  Professor  Stewart  (then  Professor  of  Greek) 
 to  fill  his  chair  dui'ing  the  declining  years  of  his  life,  and  to  superin- 
 tend the  three  Gi'eek  classes  in  the  University.  This  he  did  for 
 several  years,  receiving  at  the  close  a  substantial  testimonial  from 
 all  the  students,  not  a  few  of  whom  became  eminent  ministers  of  the 
 Established  Church,  and  others  took  prominent  places  in  professional 
 life.  The  names  of  Professor  W.  Spalding,  St  Andrews  University  ; 
 Professor  Forbes  Falconer,  London  Univei'sity ;  and  John  F.  Leith, 
 Esq.,  Q.C.,  may  be  mentioned. 
 
 The  testimony  of  tlie  late  Rev.  Andrew  Gray,  of  Perth,  was  : — "  By 
 his  learning  and  accomplisliments  Mr  Mackray  was  an  ornament  to 
 the  University,  and  the  highest  reward  of  literary  eminence  fell  to 
 his  share.  Although  some  years  his  junior,  I  remember  to  have  been 
 stirred  to  gi-eater  effort  through  emulation  of  the  celebrity  he  had 
 acquired."  And  the  late  Rev  Dr  A.  D.  Davidson,  of  Aberdeen,  saiel  : 
 "  There  never  was  more  enthusiasm  excited  among  the  students  than 
 while  Mr  Mackray  tilled  the  Pi'ofessor's  chair." 
 
 It  was  during  this  period  that  he  gained  the  Blackwell  prize  of 
 £50  for  an  essay  on  "The  Eflect  of  the  Reformation  on  Civil 
 Society  in  Europe,"  which  was  afterwai-ds  enlarged  and  published. 
 
 Having  taken  his  degree,  he  resolved,  contrary  to  the  advice  of 
 Professor  Stewart  and  friends,  to  devote  himself  to  the  ministry  of 
 the  Gospel  in  connection  with  the  Oiiginal  Bui'gher  Synod.  Thus 
 early  was  it  manifested  that  the  noble  contendings  of  the  Covenan- 
 ters and  their  successors  had  taken  a  firm  hold  on  his  mind,  so  as 
 to  lead  to  this  decision,  even  as  in  later  years  his  pen  was  ever  ready 
 for  their  praise  and  defence.  After  a  coui'se  of  theological  study  at 
 Perth  he  was  licensed  to  pi-eacli  the  Gospel,  and  was  called  to  be 
 minister  of  the  Burgher  congregation  (commonly  known  as  "  Old 
 Light  ")  assembling  in  Spittal  Square  Church,  Stirling.  His  ordina- 
 tion took  place  on  29th  December  182-lr. 
 
 It  is  ditficult  at  this  distance  of  time  to  ascertain  the  size  of  the 
 congregation.  The  likelihood  is  tliat  it  numbered  about  400 
 members  and  adherents,  gathered  from  the  town  of  Stirling  and 
 neighbourhood,  within  a  distance  of  four  miles,  and  drawn  largely  from 
 the  farming;  trading,  and  working  classes.     A  large  proportion  of  these 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.     499 
 
 was  from  the  country  districts.  Their  love  of  princijile  and  attach- 
 ment to  Mr  Mackray  made  tlieni,  in  spite  of  distance,  willing  attend- 
 ants on  his  ministry.  This  attachment  pi-rvaded  the  whole  coni,'re- 
 g-ation,  not  only  on  account  of  his  excellence  as  a  preacher,  wliich 
 was  acknowledged  throughout  the  whole  body,  but  also  because  of  the 
 characteristic  ardour  with  which  he  threw  himself  into  the  religious 
 controversies  then  prevalent,  and  his  ready  and  noble  defence  of  the 
 attitude  of  his  own  denomination.  His  ministerial  visits  were 
 prized  by  tiie  families  of  the  congregation,  especially  those  resident 
 in  the  country,  and  were  long  rememl)ered  ;  as  well  as  the  district 
 catechisings,  which  were  held  at  the  beginning  of  his  ministry,  and 
 were  continued  for  some  years. 
 
 It  was  Mr  Mackiay's  habitual  practice  to  write  out  in  full  (partly 
 shorthand),  and  with  great  care,  his  sermons,  and  to  commit  them 
 to  memory,  using  no  paper  in  their  pulpit  delivery.  His  custom  oi  pre- 
 fachuj  the  first  psalm  of  praise  at  the  morning  service  was  very  dear  to 
 the  Seceders.  The  Psalms  were  taken  in  rotation,  and  his  remarks 
 were  always  judicious  and  helpful,  and,  as  a  consequence,  the  sing- 
 ing, if  not  of  a  high  order,  was  certainly  with  the  understandinff. 
 
 Of  his  qualities  and  gifts  as  a  preacher,  it  may  be  said  that,  while 
 thoroughly  loyal  to  the  Calvinistic  theology,  and  giving  supreme 
 place  and  power  to  the  doctrines  of  Grace,  he  cultivated,  mo)-e  than 
 was  generally  done,  an  accurate  exegesis,  and  made  his  preaching 
 overlap  the  daily  life  of  his  hearei-s.  His  graceful  and  perspicuous 
 style,  matured  by  his  many  literary  undertakings,  gave  a  special 
 charm  to  his  method  of  consecutive  exposition  of  tlie  Scriptures. 
 And  many  testimonies  have  been  given  to  the  exceptional  degree  in 
 which  his  sermons  were  fragrant  with  that  "  unction  "  which  was 
 then,  more,  it  is  to  be  feared,  than  now,  the  test  of   good  preaching. 
 
 Outside  his  own  congregation  Mr  Mackray  was  not  slow  to 
 engage  in  svork.  He  rendered  good  service  to  the  Stirling  School  of 
 Arts  by  his  lectures,  and  justified  his  cla.ssical  reputation.  In  con- 
 junction with  the  Rev.  A.  Bennie,  of  the  Established  Church,  he 
 esjtoused  the  cause  of  the  Edinburgh  Bible  Society,  and  warndy 
 advocated  its  principles.  Ry  the  part  which  he  took  in  the 
 Apocryphal  controver-sy  he  was  thrown,  we  believe,  into  very  inti- 
 mate relations  with  Dr  A.  Thomson,  of  St  George's,  Edinburgh. 
 
 An  attempt  to  organise  Unitarian  services  in  the  town  of  Stir- 
 ling was  mainly  defeated  by  the  spirited  manner  in  which  he  met 
 the  lecturer's  stateuients,  and  refuted  them  in  presence  of  large 
 evening  congregations. 
 
 During   his  residence  in  Stirling  Mr  Mackray  published   a  con- 
 siderable  number  of  pamphlets  and  sei-mons,   besides  contributing 
 articles  to  the  Church  of  Scotland  and  other  magazines.      The  ])ro- 
 .  duct  of  the  times  in  which  he  lived,  these  were  mainly  controversial, 
 
500  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 and  in  defence  of  Old  Light  principles.  His  "  Sermon,  preached  at 
 the  opening  of  the  Synod  of  Burgher  Seeeders  in  Glasgow,  Sep- 
 tember 18.34,"  is  noticed  in  the  Church  of  Scotland  Magazine  as 
 being  "remarkable  for  the  rich  Scriptural  illustration,  and  pious 
 and  affectionate  spirit  of  the  olden  time,  and  characterised  by  Mr 
 Mackray's  usual  beauty  and  simplicity  of  illustration,  by  tenderness 
 of  feeling,  and  fervent  attachment  to  the  Church  of  Scotland, 
 which  distinguishes  all  genuine  Seeeders."  The  pamphlet  entitled, 
 "  A  Defence  of  Civil  Establishments  of  Religion,"  and  the  one  on 
 "  The  Causes,  Influence,  and  Prospects  of  the  Secession,"  received  the 
 approval  of  the  Rev,  W.  Cunningham  (afterwards  Principal),  then 
 engaged  in  the  Voluntary  controversy,  and  were  recommended  for 
 perusal  by  him  as  being  "  two  excellent  and  valuable  pamphlets  " 
 {Church  of  Scotland  Magazine,  October  1835). 
 
 And  in  a  similar  manner  Professor  Smeaton,  of  the  New 
 College,  Edinburgh,  in  his  treatise  published  during  the  recent 
 "  Union  "  controvei'sy,  specially  points  out  Mr  Mackray's  "  Defence 
 of  Establishments,"  and  recommends  it  for  republication. 
 
 In  1829  Mr  Mackray  published  his  "  Essay  on  the  Effect  of  the 
 Reformation  on  Civil  Society."  It  was  very  well  received  as  a  work 
 of  "  profound  research,  ingenious  and  skilful  reasoning,"  and  as 
 directing  attention  to  the  Reformation  in  a  light  seldom  considered 
 {Ed.  Christian  Instructor,  November  1829). 
 
 The  Essay  was  published  in  America  in  1832  by  the  editor  of 
 the  New  York  Protestant,  who  appended  a  chapter  relative  to  his 
 own  country. 
 
 When  the  Old  Light  Burghers  rejoined  the  Established  Chui-ch, 
 Mr  Mackray  and  his  congregation  cordially  welcomed  the  union. 
 Even  the  members  who  had  begun  to  entertain  Voluntary  ideas 
 went  with  him.  Only  a  few  withdrew ;  and  to  such  an  extent 
 were  the  hearts  of  the  congregation  his,  that  those  who  came  from  a 
 distance,  and  who  might  now  have  found  a  reason  for  withdrawing 
 in  the  fact  that  their  distinctive  position  as  Seeeders  had  ceased, 
 still  worshipped  in  the  old  sanctuary,  and  continued  to  do  so  till 
 1843,  when  the  pastoral  tie  was  severed,  and  the  congregation 
 became  dispersed. 
 
 The  year  of  the  Disruption  necessitated,  in  some  parts  of  Scot- 
 land, a  redistribution  of  the  ministers  who  seceded  from  the  Estab- 
 lished Church.  In  the  case  of  Stirling  it  was  arranged  that  of  the 
 four  ministers  who  came  out  two  should  remove  to  a  fresh  sphere  of 
 labour,  and  Mr  Mackray,  though  with  much  hesitation,  and  feeling 
 keenly  the  pain  of  separation,  consented  to  be  one  of  them.  From 
 his  session  and  congregation  he  received  several  proofs  of  their 
 "  high  regard  and  esteem,"  exemplified  in  the  gift  of  a  considerable 
 sum  of  money,  and  subsequently  by  a  numerously  signed  testimonial, 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    501 
 
 expressing  tlie  "  attachinciit  and  respect  wliicli  liis  long  and  faitliful 
 ministerial  labours  had  procin-ed  him."  Of  the  nine  elders  and  tive 
 managers  who  signed  this  address,  only  two  elders  survive,  and  hut  a 
 few  of  the  other  niembei-s.  All  of  them  cherish  the  memory  of  their 
 Old  Light  minister,  and  speak  of  hiiu  with  the  kindliest  ati'ection. 
 
 In  the  coui-se  of  the  autumn  of  1843,  Mr  Mackray  received  a 
 Cixll  from  two  congregations,  and  accepted  the  one  given  by  the  con- 
 gregation at  Huntly,  to  which  place  he  removed  towards  the  end  of 
 that  year.  As  in  the  district  he  had  left,  so  now  in  this  new  sphere, 
 his  abilities  as  a  preacher  were  widely  ailmired.  He  soon  acquired 
 and  i-etained  the  respect  and  esteem  of  the  majority  of  the  large  and 
 influential  congregation  who  remained  stedfast  in  their  attachment. 
 But  in  the  course  of  a  few  yeai-s  a  separation  took  place,  which  led 
 to  Mr  Mackray "s  resignation.  He  retired,  in  1849  or  1850,  to  Edin- 
 burgh, with  the  full  status  and  emolument  of  an  ordained  Disrup- 
 tion minister  of  the  Free  Church,  his  purpose  being  to  devote  himself 
 chiefly  to  literary  or  professorial  occupation.  It  is  believed  that 
 an  appointment  of  the  latter  kind  was  put  within  his  acceptance, 
 but  declined,  as  it  involved  leaving  this  country.  While  in  Ediu 
 burgh  he  wrote,  besides  minor  articles,  two  lengthened  treatises  on 
 Popery  and  Presbytery.  To  the  Eii'jlisli,  PresbyleHaii  Messenger  he 
 contributed  papers  extending  over  three  years,  of  which  a  series  on 
 "  Christian  Liberality  on  behalf  of  the  Ordinances  of  the  Gospel," 
 deserves  to  be  specially  noted. 
 
 In  1860  he  was  a  second  time  successful  in  obtaining  the 
 Blackwell  Prize.  The  subject  was  "  The  Causes  that  have  retarded 
 the  Progress  of  the  Reformation."  The  Essay,  when  printed,  was 
 most  favourably  received  in  England  and  Scotland  as  a  work  of 
 "  superior  intelligence  and  extensive  study." 
 
 HLs  death  took  place  at  Edinburgh  on  25th  June  1870.  Dur- 
 ing his  liist  illness  he  received  much  attention  from  Professor  Smea- 
 ton  and  the  Rev.  Mr  Smellie.  For  their  kind  Christian  visits  he 
 himself,  and  his  family  then  living,  felt  profoundly  grateful. 
 
 The  following  is  a  list  of  Mr  Mackray  s  publications,  not  includ- 
 ing his  magazine  articles  : — 
 
 A  Vindication  of  the  Burgher  Synod  from  the  Charge  of  Schism. 
 1826. 
 
 Blackwell  Prize  Essay — On  the  Efl"ect  of  the  Reformation  on  Civil 
 Society  in  Europe.  Published  by  W.  Blackwood,  Edinburgh,  1829. 
 Pp.  .320. 
 
 The  Character  and  Prospects  of  the  Church  of  Rome  :  In  Two 
 Discourses.      Published  by  Hewit,  Stirling,  1830. 
 
 Blackwell  Prize  Essay,  abridged,  American  Edition,  with  chapter 
 appended  on  the  Eflect  of  the  Reformation  in  America,  by  the 
 Editor  of  Xeiv  York  Protestant.      1832. 
 
502  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 A  Defence  of  Civil  Establishments  of  Religion,  particularly  in 
 their  bearing  on  the  History  of  the  Church  of  Scotland  and  on  the 
 Secession.      Published  by  Clark,  Aberdeen,  1833.      Pp.  116, 
 
 The  Causes,  Influence,  and  Prospects  of  the  Secession,  in  connec- 
 tion with  the  Prospects  of  the  Church  of  Scotland.  Published  by 
 Collins,  Glasgow,  1833.      Pp.  47. 
 
 Discourse  on  occasion  of  the  Death  of  the  late  Rev.  Alexander 
 Turnbull,  Minister  of  Campbell  Sti-eet  Burgher  Congregation,  Glas- 
 gow.     Published  by  request  of  the  Congregation.      1834. 
 
 The  Church  Suffering  and  Delivered  :  a  Sermon  preached  before 
 the  Synod  of  Burgher  Seceders,  Glasgow.  Published  by  request  of 
 Synod.      1834.      Pp.  32. 
 
 Considerations  on  the  Question  of  Re-union  with  the  Church  of 
 Scotland.      1838. 
 
 God's  People  waiting  for  Him  in  the  way  of  His  Judgments:  A 
 Discourse  preached  in  Stockwell  Free  Church,  Glasgow,  on  the  Day 
 of  the  National  Fast.      Published  by  Shepherd,  Edinburgh,  1855. 
 
 Blackwell  Prize  Essay — On  the  Causes  that  have  retarded  the 
 Progress  of  the  Reformation.  Published  by  Marlborough,  London, 
 1860. 
 
 Matthew  Turnbull,  from  East  Campbell  Street,  Glasgow, 
 licensed  by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  10th  May  1824;  united 
 with  Presbyterian  Church  of  Ireland,  and  was  ordained 
 minister  at  Ringsend, 
 
 William  Walker,  from  Edinburgh  Presbytery,  joined  the 
 Established  Church,  and  was  ordained  minister  at  Midcalder 
 in  1843  ;  died  suddenly  on  his  way  to  church,  2nd  Novem- 
 ber 1882,  in  the  eighty-first  year  of  his  age,  and  fortieth  of 
 his  ministry. 
 
 Session  1821. 
 
 James  Duncan,  from  East  Campbell  St.,  Glasgow,  licensed 
 by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  14th  June  1825  ;  ordained  at  Kin- 
 card  ine-on-Forth,  13th  March  1826  ;  united  with  the  Church 
 of  Scotland,  1839  ;  subscribed  Deed  of  Demission,  1843  ; 
 translated  to  Free  Church,  Temjjle  and  Carrington,  23rd 
 January  1844;  and  died  11th  December  1879,  in  the 
 seventy-eighth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  fifty-fourth  of  his 
 ministry.      Author  of  A  Sermon  in  Scottish  Pulpit. 
 
 Of  Mr  Duncan,  the  Rev.  John  Wright,  of  Alloa,  thus  writes  : — 
 "  Mr    Duncan    was    born    in    Glasgow,    it    is    understood,    in    the 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    503 
 
 lieginning  of  1802,  and  was  oducated  there  at  school  and  college. 
 Rev.  Dr  Nixon,  of  Montrose,  a  school-fellow  of  seventy  years  back, 
 was  able  to  attend  his  funeral.  ^Nlr  Duncan's  intimate  friends  at 
 Kincardine  were  the  late  Dr  :M'Farlane,  latterly  of  Cla))hani, 
 London,  and  Dr  Gardner,  now  of  Edinl)urgh,  who,  like  Dr  Nixon, 
 was  present  at  the  funeral.  At  his  last  interview  with  Dr  M'Far- 
 lane  he  said,  '  I  hope,  Mr  Duncan,  that  our  mansions  in  the 
 Father's  house  will  be  near  each  other.' 
 
 "  3Ir  Duncan  was  in  the  habit  for  many  years  of  taking  an 
 autumnal  excursion,  sometimes  to  the  Continent.  One  year  he 
 visited  the  Waldenses,  when  one  of  the  pastors  said,  *  You  seem  to 
 know  as  much,  or  more,  about  places,  events,  and  persons  in  the 
 Valleys  than  we  do.* 
 
 "  On  completion  of  the  fiftieth  year  of  Mr  Duncan's  ministry,  his 
 brethren  of  the  Dalkeith  Presbytery  ])resented  him  with  a  most 
 respectful  and  loving  address. 
 
 "  Mr  Duncan  was  twice  married,  but  left  no  children,  an  only 
 child  by  the  first  marriage  having  died  in  infancy.  For  the  last  two 
 or  three  years  he  was  able  to  preach  only  partially,  and  at  last  not 
 at  all. 
 
 "  Mr  Duncan  was  confined  to  bed  only  a  fortnight,  having  left 
 the  house  of  the  writer  of  this  notice  (a  friend  of  fifty  years'  stand- 
 ing) a  few  days  before.  He  was  a  true  friend,  a  genuine  God-fearing 
 man,  and  a  laborious  and  faithful  pastor.  There  was  nothing  flimsy 
 in  his  preaching,  as  he  never  failed  to  bring  forth  stores,  old  and 
 new,  from  a  well-furnishf^d  mind.  The  late  Dr  Goi'don  remarked, 
 after  hearing  Mr  Duncan,  that  he  had  never  listened  to  a  better 
 Synod  Sermon. 
 
 "His  latter  end  was  peace.  He  was  buried  on  Tuesday,  16th 
 December,  in  the  churchyard  of  Temple,  much  lamented  by  people 
 of  evei'v  denomination. 
 
 Session  lb22. 
 
 David  Headrick,  licensed  by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  18th 
 January  182G  ;  ordained  at  Longridge,  Whitburn,  21)th  May 
 1 827  ;  was  Clerk  to  Edinburgh  Presbytery  from  30th 
 March  1830  till  1839;  was  Synod  Clerk  from  13th  May 
 1834  till  1842  ;  united  with  the  Original  Secession  Synod 
 in  1842,  and  was  Clerk  to  the  United  Original  Secession 
 Presbytery  of  Glasgow  from  1842  till  1852;  united  with  the 
 Free    Church    of  Scotland,    1st   June   1852,   and    died    10th 
 
504  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 September  ISC 5,  in  the  sixty-fifth  year  of  his  age,  and  the 
 thirty-eighth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Mr  Headrick,  as  a  preacher,  is  said  to  have  been  plain,  pointed, 
 evangehcal,  and  iinctional,  but  it  was  in  the  work  of  pastoral  visita- 
 tion that  he  was  distinguished.  Besides  visiting  the  sick  of  his  own 
 congregation,  he  visited  afflicted  persons  wherever  he  found  them. 
 Many  a  long  journey  he  had  in  tlie  performance  of  pastoral  duties, 
 and  it  was  a  cold  he  caught  whilst  visiting  during  a  snow-storm 
 that  was  the  cause  of  his  death.  Prior  to  his  decease  he  had  pro- 
 longed sickness,  but  stated  that  he  had  had  a  blessed  time  during  it. 
 
 James  M'Lachlan,  licensed  by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  14th 
 February  1826  ;  ordained  to  Foreign  Mission  field,  7th 
 November  1826;  left  Secession  Synod,  1.5th  January  1833, 
 and  removed  to  Canada,  but  returned  to  Scotland  and  became 
 a  city  missionary  in  Glasgow. 
 
 William  Tannahill,  licensed  by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  18th 
 January  1826;  ordained  at  Kirkintilloch,  10th  October  1826; 
 united  with  the  Original  Secession  Synod,  18th  May  1842, 
 and  died  27th  November  1846,  in  the  fiftieth  year  of  his  age, 
 and  the  twentieth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Mr  Tannahill  was  a  man  of  a  peaceable  disposition,  and,  more- 
 over, one  who  was  a  peacemaker,  whose  labours  in  the  healing  of 
 dissensions  were  not  without  good  fruit.  The  charm  of  his  pulpit 
 cUscourses  lay  not  in  their  elegance  or  eloquence,  but  in  their  suitable- 
 ness to  commend  the  truth  to  his  hearers.  With  apostolic  simplicity 
 and  plainness  he  preached  the  gospel.  In  sick  visitation  and 
 speaking  to  those  who  were  weary  he  excelled. 
 
 His  removal  was  sudden.  Though  slightly  unwell  he  preached 
 on  one  Sabbath,  and  two  days  before  the  next  Sabbath  dawned  he 
 had  entered  on  that  sleep  from  which  there  is  no  awakening  till  the 
 great  trump  shall  sound.      His  ministry  was  much  esteemed. 
 
 John  Taylor,  does  not  appear  to  have  completed  the 
 theological  curriculum. 
 
 Session  1823. 
 
 John  Anderson,  from  Pollokshaws,  born  in  1804  ;  licensed 
 by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  9th  January  1827;  ordained  at 
 Helensburgh,  13th  June  1827  ;  united  with  Church  of  Scot- 
 land, 1839  ;  subscribed  Deed  of  Demission,  1843,  and  died 
 10th  January  1867.     Author  of  "Patrick  Wellwood,"  1839  ; 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    505 
 
 "Precept  and  Example,"  1S41;  "Footsteps  of  the  Flock," 
 1843;  "Lays  and  Laments  for  Israel,"  1845;  "Luther's 
 Hymns  in  English,"  1S4G  ;  "Chronicles  of  the  Kirk,"  1849  ; 
 "  I'eucillings  in  Talcstine,"  1851;  "Wanderings  in  Israel," 
 1852;  "Bible  Light  from  Bible  Lands,"  1855;  "Life  of 
 Christ,  from  Cradle  to  the  Cross,"  18G2  ;  Sermons  in 
 Scottifsh  Pulpit;  "Notes  of  an  Invalid,"  published  post- 
 humously, 1807. 
 
 Mr  Anderson,  who  was  a  native  of  the  parish  of  Eastwood,  in 
 Renfrewshire,  possessed  good  attainments,  and  hatl  in  preaching  great 
 pathos  and  natural  eloquence.  He  was  so  benevolent  that  he  would 
 part  witli  his  last  sixpence  to  help  the  distressed,  and  so  highly 
 esteemed  were  his  ministrations  that  many  Glasgow  families  ])re- 
 ferred  Helensburgh  for  their  summer  resilience,  because  of  the  edifica- 
 tion they  derived  from  his  ministry  duiing  their  sojourn.  His  con- 
 gregation, which  grew  from  small  beginnings  under  his  fostering  care, 
 is  still  noted  in  the  district  for  the  large  number  of  its  membership, 
 and  the  generosity  of  their  contributions.  He  had  a  fine  poetic 
 taste,  and  his  discriminating  judgment  is  seen  from  the  fact  of  his 
 being  amongst  the  first  to  a])preciate  the  excellencies  of  the  then 
 youthful  Spurgeon,  whom  he  coidially  invited  to  proclaim  tlie  gospel 
 at  Helensburgh,  and  whose  kindness  to  him  in  youth  the  celebrated 
 preacher  never  forgot.  For  many  years  he  was  in  delicate  health 
 owing  to  a  weakness  of  chest,  and  sometimes  he  requii-ed  to  winter 
 in  sunny  climes.  When  dying  a  friend  repeated  to  liim  the  words, 
 "  In  my  Father's  house  are  many  mansions,''  when  the  expiring  pastor 
 responded,  "  It  is  all  right,  I  am  going  home." 
 
 John  Cochrane,  from  Bannockburn,  licensed  by  the  Stir- 
 ling and  Falkirk  Presbytery,  1827  ;  ordained  at  Kennoway, 
 2nd  October  1827;  translated  to  Cumbernauld,  October 
 183G;  united  with  the  Church  of  Scotland,  1839;  sub- 
 scribed Deed  of  Demission,  1843  ;  inducted  to  Grangemouth, 
 8th  March  1844,  and  died  19th  January  1869. 
 
 Mr  Cochrane,  who  was  born  at  St  Ninians  in  180.5,  attended 
 the  Glasgow  Univereity,  and  the  Secession  Divinity  Hall  under 
 Prof.  Taylor. 
 
 His  talents  were  good,  and  in  preaching  he  had  great  unction, 
 earnestness,  and  power.  The  sweetness  of  his  voice  and  the  musical 
 intonation,  which  in  common  with  many  old  Secedei's  he  employed, 
 enhanced  the  force  and  impression  of  his  discourses.  He  was  a 
 good  pastor,  was  much  given  to  pmyer,  and  paid  much  attention  to 
 the  young.      He  was  Clerk  to  his  Presbytery  in  the  Free  Church. 
 
506  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 About  two  years  prior  to  his  death  his  health  begiin  to  fail.  The  close 
 of  his  life  was  characteristic,  for  after  praying  that  his  congregation 
 might  obtain  a  more  able  minister  than  he  conceived  himself  to 
 have  been,  he  committed  his  flock  and  family  to  God,  and  amid 
 expressions  which  showed  his  confidence  in  God,  departed  this 
 life. 
 
 John  Gilruth,  from  Alyth,  did  not  complete  his 
 theoloo^ical  curriculum,  but  became  a  teacher  of  writing^  in 
 Edinburgh. 
 
 James  Mushet,  from  East  Campbell  Street,  Glasgow, 
 licensed  by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  9th  January  1827  ; 
 ordained  at  Dairy,  4th  August  1830;  deposed  19th  March 
 1839  ;  joined  the  Established  Church  after  the  Disruption, 
 and  was  emj^loyed  as  a  preacher  in  that  denomination. 
 
 Session  1824, 
 
 Thomas  Dove,  from  East  Campbell  Street,  licensed  by 
 Glasgow  Presbytery,  26th  February  1828;  emigrated  to  New 
 South  Wales,  where  he  was  ordained  to  the  ministry  in 
 Great  Swan  Port,  Flinders  Island,  Tasmania,  1859,  and  died 
 at  Swansea,  Tasmania,  on  27th  August  1882,  in  the  eightieth 
 year  of  his  age. 
 
 Clement  Moscrip,  from  Greenock  congregation,  of  which 
 his  father  was  minister,  licensed  by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  1.5th 
 January  1828;  ordained  at  Bathgate,  2d  June  1829;  de- 
 niitted  his  charge,  19th  April  1886;  suspended,  14th  May 
 1839,  but  had  the  censure  removed,  3d  May  1841  ;  united 
 with  Original  Secession  Synod,  1842,  and  was  inducted  at 
 Pollokshaws,  1st  December  1842  ;  died  20th  September 
 1848,  in  the  forty-fourth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  twentieth  of 
 his  ministry. 
 
 Session  1825. 
 
 James  Paterson,  from  Milnathort,  ordained  at  Grallagh, 
 Ireland,  1st  July  1834,  and  became  minister  of  Irish  Pres- 
 byterian Church,  Richhill. 
 
 William  Simpson,  from  Stirling,  licensed  by  Presbytery  of 
 Stirling  and  Falkirk  ;  emigrated  to  Canada,  and  was  ordained 
 to  ministry  there. 
 
DIVIXITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    507 
 
 William  Stevenson,  from  CumbcniauUl,  licensed  by- 
 Stirling  and  Falkirk  Presbytery,  and  ordained  at  Ryan, 
 Ireland,  1835;    united  with  the  Irish  Presbyterian  Church. 
 
 Session  1826. 
 
 James  Cleland,  from  Carluke,  ordained  at  Stewarton, 
 2 Gth  October  ISoO  ;  united  with  the  Church  of  Scotland, 
 1889,  and  was  translated  to  Bolton,  then  to  Isle  of  Man, 
 and  thence  to  English  Presbyterian  Church,  Risley,  near  War- 
 rington. In  January  1881,  the  Presbytery  of  Manchester 
 presented  him  with  a  memoiial  of  their  respect  ami  affection 
 on  the  occasion  of  his  jubilee,  and  testified  tliat  he  had  been 
 a  faithful  advocate  of  that  i»urity  of  doctrine,  that  spiritual 
 independence  of  the  Church,  and  that  reverence  for  "  Christ's 
 Crown  and  Covenant  "  which  had  ever  been  the  glory  of 
 Presby  te  r  iani  sra . 
 
 William  Graham,  does  not  appear  to  have  completed  his 
 theological  course. 
 
 James  M'Gown,  from  East  Campbell  Street,  licensed  by 
 Glasgow  Presbytery,  19th  January  1830  ;  ordained  at  Mid- 
 mar,  29th  August  18:"! 2  ;  united  with  the  Church  of  Scotland 
 in  1839  ;  subscribed  the  Deed  of  Demission,  1843  ;  translated 
 first  to  Bervie  and  then  to  BroomknoU  Free  Church,  Airdrie, 
 in  1S4G,  and  died  2d  June  1864. 
 
 Robert  ]\I'Indoe,  from  Glasgow,  licensed  by  Glasgow  Pres- 
 bytery, 19th  January  1830  ;  called  to  Balfron  and  Kirkcaldy, 
 and  ordained  at  latter  place,  16th  August  1831  ;  united  with 
 the  Church  of  Scotland  in  1839  ;  subscribed  tiie  Deed  of 
 Demission,  1843  ;  translated  to  Free  Church,  Galston,  28th 
 February  1844,  where  he  died,  10th  March  1877,  in  the 
 seventy-third  year  of  his  age,  and  the  forty-sixth  of  his  minis- 
 try. Author  of  Communion  Address  in  iScotfish  Christian 
 Herald,  1841. 
 
 Mr  M'Indoe  was  born  at  Partick,  near  Glasgow,  in  1804,  and 
 was  an  alumnus  of  Glasgow  University.  In  temperament  he  was 
 diligent  and  laboriou.s,  and  like  many  others  lie  supported  himself 
 during  his  studentship.  After  the  union  witli  the  Church  of  Scot- 
 land, he  was  instrumental  hi  getting  the  Port  Brae  Churcli  erected, 
 a  commodious  edifice,  costing  £2000,  to  which  the  quondam  Seced- 
 ers  removed.     A.s,  after  the  Disruption  of  1843,  there  was  a  great 
 
508  ANNALS  OF  OEIGINAL  SECESSION, 
 
 scarcity  of  ministers,  Mr  M'Indoe  agreed  that  his  congregation 
 should  be  blended  with  that  of  Kirkcaldy,  whilst  he  would  assist  in 
 organising  congregations  at  Coatbridge,  Houston,  &c. 
 
 "  In  Galston,  where  he  was  afterwards  located  (says  his  friend, 
 the  Rev.  D.  Landsborough,  Kilmarnock),  he  was  distinguished  for 
 the  faithful  and  conscientious  discharge  of  all  his  pastoral  and  pres- 
 byterial  duties.  He  had  a  very  minute  and  accurate  acquaintance 
 with  the  Word  of  God,  which  he  quoted  aptly,  copiously,  and  im- 
 pressively. In  preaching  he  delighted  to  speak  of  the  covenant  of 
 grace,  dwelling  upon  Christ  Jesus  its  Mediator,  and  was  emphati- 
 cally a  son  of  consolation.  He  was  conspicuous  for  sterling  integrity, 
 of  which  the  following  instance  may  be  given.  Towards  the  close 
 of  the  Union  movement,  to  which  he  was  opposed,  a  friend  of  the 
 writer  said  to  hiin,  '  What  will  you  do  should  the  union  take  place, 
 and  your  congregation  be  in  favour  of  it  ? '  Mr  M'Indoe  at  once 
 replied,  '  I  have  already  given  up  a  congregation  for  my  principles, 
 and  I  can  do  so  again.' 
 
 "  Mr  M'Indoe,  though  in  his  seventy-third  year,  was  remarkably 
 strong  and  healthy,  and  appeared  as  if  he  had  many  years  on  earth 
 before  him ;  yet  it  seems  as  if  God  had  been  saying  to  him,  '  Be 
 thou  ready,'  for  on  Monday,  the  5th  of  March,  he  went  to  Glasgow 
 and  arranged  his  worldly  affairs.  He  returned  home  at  night,  and 
 continued  seemingly  in  his  usual  health,  going  on  Thursday  to 
 examine  schools  at  a  distance.  On  Friday  night  he  became  unwell, 
 and  died  about  noon  on  the  following  day,  his  last  words  being  : 
 '  Our  times  are  wholly  in  God's  hands.     It  is  all  well.' 
 
 "  He  was  married  to  Miss  Willis,  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Mr  Willis, 
 of  Stirling,  and  sister  to  the  well-known  and  distinguished  Professor 
 Willis.      She  and  a  daughter  survive." 
 
 Robert  Lindsay,  licensed  by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  19  th 
 January  1830;  ordained  at  Dalkeith,  31st  August  1831; 
 demitted  his  charge,  8th  December  1835,  and  went  to  Canada. 
 
 James  Thomson,  licensed  by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  19th 
 January  1830  ;  ordained  at  Ballynahinch,  Ireland,  31st 
 December  1830  ;  united  with  the  Irish  Presbyterian  Church, 
 and  was  inducted  to  Magherally,  2Gth  February  1840  ;  died 
 November  1883,  in  the  fifty-third  year  of  his  ministry. 
 
 John  Wright,  from  Doune,  licensed  by  Stirling  and  Fal- 
 kirk Presbytery  in  December  1829  ;  ordained  at  Alloa,  24th 
 August  1830  ;  united  with  Church  of  Scotland,  1837  ;  sub- 
 scribed Deed  of  Demission,  1843  ;  having  obtained  a  colleague 
 on  31st  October  1878,  he  retired  from  the  active  duties  of 
 the  ministry,  and  took  up  his  residence  at  Lasswade,  whence 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTEIIS.    509 
 
 he  afterwards  removed  to   Musselburgh.      Author   of  Sermon 
 in  Scottish  Christian  Herald  of  1837. 
 
 Sin£rular  to  relate,  ^Fr  Wriijflit,  wivs  not  only  the  last  iModerator 
 of  the  Associate  Burgher  Synod  prior  to  its  union  with  the  Church 
 of  Scotland  in  1839,  but  he  was  also  the  last  Moderator  of  the 
 Syiiod  of  Perth  and  Stirling  jirior  to  the  disruption  of  the  Cliurch  of 
 Scotland  in  1843.  In  addition  to  in-esentations  made  in  1863  to 
 him  and  his,  as  tokens  of  his  congregation's  esteem  for  his  unwearied 
 and  faithful  labours  as  a  uiiuister  of  the  Gospel,  the  Free  Presbytery 
 of  Stirling,  on  the  occasion  of  his  iul)ilee,  presented  hini  in  July 
 1881  with  the  following  congratulatory  address: — 
 
 "Reverend  and  De.'VK  Siu, — The  Presbytery  beg  to  congratulate 
 you  on  your  attaining  your  fiftieth  year  as  an  ordained  minister  of 
 the  Word,  and  especially  to  express  their  sense  of  gratitude  to  the 
 God  of  Providence  who  has  spared  and  sustained  you  so  long. 
 
 "  They  highly  appreciate  your  estimable  character,  and  your  faith- 
 ful and  long-continued  services  in  the  ministry  of  the  Gospel  in  Alloa. 
 They  have  marked  with  interest  your  constancy  and  devotedness  in 
 prosecuting  the  work  of  pastoral  visitation  in  the  congregation  to 
 which  it  was  your  privilege  to  minister. 
 
 "  They  have  much  approved  the  labours  to  which  you  heartily 
 gave  yourself  as  an  Evangelist  in  connection  with  the  Home  Mission 
 of  the  Free  Church.  At  the  same  time  they  do  not  forget  that  these 
 and  other  labours  did  not  abate  your  ardour  in  the  pursuit  of  theo- 
 logical learning,  and,  in  particular,  of  the  study  of  the  Old  and  New 
 Testaments  in  the  original  languages. 
 
 "As  one  of  their  own  number,  and  as  a  regular  attender  of  the 
 meetings  of  Presbytery,  wdiose  oi)inion  was  much  valued  by  the 
 brethren,  the  Presbytery  regard  the  services  •vvdiich  you  rendered  as 
 worthy  of  grateful  recognition  and  remembrance.  Besides  under- 
 taking your  fidl  share  of  the  work  of  the  Court,  you  proved  yourself 
 to  be  consistent  in  maintaining  the  cause  of  Truth,  and  zealous  in 
 defending  it  when  it  was  assailed. 
 
 "  Your  recent  illness  has  called  forth  the  deep  sympathy  of  the 
 Presbytery  with  you  and  your  household  ;  they  are  gratified  to  learn 
 that  you  have  considerably  recovered  ;  and  they  fervently  pray  thau 
 the  God  of  all  grace  may  bestow  upon  you,  and  those  who  are  dear 
 to  you,  the  present  and  the  enduring  benefits  of  sanctified  affliction. 
 "  Signed,  on  behalf  of  the  Presbytery,  by 
 
 "  George  Milne,  Moderator. 
 James  Drummond,  Clerk.'^ 
 
 Session  1827. 
 
 James    Cullen,  from   Renfield   Street,   Glasgow,   licensed 
 by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  15th  March  1831;    united  with  the 
 
510  ANNALS  OF  OEIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Church  of  ScoUand,  1839  ;  was  for  a  time  chaplain  iu 
 Edinburgh  Prison  ;  separated  from  the  Establishment  with 
 Free  Church  in  1843  ;  ordained  at  Kelty,  2 2d  August  1844  ; 
 resigned  his  charge  owing  to  bodily  infirmity,  1875,  and  re- 
 moved to  UddingstoD, 
 
 Andrew  Mackenzie,  from  Greenock,  licensed  by  Glasgow 
 Presbytery,  8th  February  1831  ;  ordained  in  South  Gray's 
 Close,  Edinburgh,  30th  August  1831  ;  united  with  Church 
 of  Scotland,  1839  ;  subscribed  Deed  of  Demission,  1843  ; 
 translated  to  Penicuik,  and  died  loth  March  1871. 
 
 Mr  Mackenzie  was  born  at  Greenock  in  1801,  and  was  educated 
 at  Glasgow  University.  During  the  voluntary  controversy  he  aided 
 the  Established  Church  party.  His  sermons  were  said  to  have  a 
 strong  flavour  of  the  Erskines.  In  his  two  congregations  he  was  a 
 laborious  pastor  so  long  as  he  had  health.  Seven  years  before  his 
 decease  a  colleague  was  ordained  to  aid  him  in  his  ministry,  so  in- 
 firm had  he  become.  The  last  few  months  of  his  life  were  literally 
 labour  and  sorrow,  but  at  the  appointed  time  he  was  called  thence. 
 This  pastor  was  noted  for  hospitality,  being  always  careful  to  enter- 
 tain strangers,  specially  those  of  tlie  household  of  faith. 
 
 James  Taylor,  from  Alloa,  licensed  by  Presbytery  of 
 Stirling  and  Falkirk  ;  devoted  his  attention  to  business,  and 
 afterwards  joined  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church. 
 
 William  Torrance,  does  not  appear  to  have  completed  his 
 theological  course. 
 
 James  Young,  from  Dundee,  licensed  by  Perth  and 
 Dunfermline  Presbytery,  12th  April  1831  ;  called  to  Greenlaw, 
 and  Garvagh,  Ireland,  and  ordained  at  former  place,  3rd 
 June  1834;  united  with  the  Church  of  Scotland  in  1839  ; 
 was  translated  to  Berbice  in  1841,  and  returned  to  Scot- 
 land in  1844,  when  he  finally  settled  at  Broughty  Ferry, 
 and  fulfilled  preaching  appointments  till  his  death  on  2d 
 November  1883. 
 
 Sesdon  1828. 
 
 John  Hastie,  from  Longridge,  called  to  Garvagh,  Ireland, 
 and  Yetholm,  and  ordained  at  latter  place,  loth  October 
 1834;   united  in    1842   with   the   Original    Secession   Synod, 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS,     oil 
 
 ami  witli  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  in  1852,  ami  died  4th 
 July  1SG3. 
 
 Mr  Hastie  was  liorn  at  Whitburn  in  1800.  His  studies  for  the 
 church,  wliich  he  began  snniewliat  hite  in  life,  were  carried  on  at 
 Edinburgh.  His  mini.stry  was  faithfid  and  useful,  especially 
 amongst  tlie  yomig.  He  was  of  an  accessible  disposition,  and  from 
 his  frank  syini)athising  manner  was  much  beloved  beyond  the  bounds 
 of  his  Congregation.  For  about  two  years  prior  to  his  decease  he 
 was  in  intirm  health.  The  close  of  his  life  was  very  sudden. 
 Whilst  visiting  an  invalid  he  was  seized  with  a  fit  of  coughing, 
 ■which  brought  on  hemorrhage,  and  in  a  few  moments  he  who  had 
 been  trying  to  speak  a  word  in  season  to  the  weary,  breathed  his 
 last. 
 
 Robert  Hosie,  from  Polloksliaws,  licensed  by  Glasgow 
 Presbytery,  10th  April  1832  ;  was  called  to  Garvagh,  Ireland, 
 in  1833,  but  no  settlement  took  place. 
 
 Peter  jMacarthur,  from  Stirling,  ordained  at  Blairgowrie, 
 13th  February  1833,  and  was  suspended  from  ministerial 
 functions,  18th  July  1838. 
 
 Sessio7i  1829. 
 
 William  Bruce,  from  Dundee,  but  who  does  not  appear 
 to  have  completed  his  theological  curriculum. 
 
 John  Dunn,  from  Campbell  Street,  Glasgow,  died  whilst 
 a  student. 
 
 James  Stark,  from  Cumbernauld,  licensed  by  Presbytery 
 of  Stirling  and  Falkirk  in  summer  of  1832  ;  called  to  Green- 
 law, Falkland,  and  Greenock,  and  ordained  at  last  place,  2 2d 
 January  1834  ;  united  with  the  Church  of  Scotland,  1839; 
 subscribed  Deed  of  Demission,  1843  ;  and  having,  owing 
 to  feeble  health,  retired  from  the  active  duties  of  tb.e  pastorate 
 of  Wellpark  Free  Church  in  1873,  he  removed  to  Gourock. 
 
 Author  of  "  Correspondence  witli  the  Rev.  Dr  Ritcliie,  of  Edin- 
 burgh, in  reference  to  the  Discussion  at  Kirkintilloch  on  Ecclesias- 
 tical Establishments,"  18.3G  ;  "Sermon  at  the  Oidination  of  Rev. 
 Jas.  Falconer,  Paisley,  with  the  Addresses  to  Minister  and  People," 
 1837;  "Re-union  of  Seceders  with  the  Church  of  Scotland 
 defended,"  1838;  "Sermon  on  the  Death  of  the  Rev.  Geo.  Moscrip, 
 Greenock,"    1838;   "Fermented    Wine,  its   use   in    the   Sacrament 
 
512  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 right  and  Scriptural,"  1839;  "The  Duty  of  the  Secession  Church 
 to  Petition  for  the  Abolition  of  Patronage,  proved  from  their  own 
 Principles,"  1841;  "Church  Question  briefly  considered,"  184:3, 
 pp.  40 ;  "  The  Ascension  and  the  Advent  :  a  Sei'mon  on  the  Death 
 of  the  Rev.  Thos  Stark,  Lanark,"  1870,  and  also  Sermons  in 
 the  Scottish  Pulpit  and  the  Olive  Branch. 
 
 In  his  youth  Mr  Stark  was  regarded  as  one  of  the  rising  stars  of 
 the  Associate  Synod,  and  hardly  had  he  entered  the  ministry  than 
 he  showed  his  prowess  in  defending  the  Establishment  from  the 
 attacks  of  prominent  Voluntaries,  such  as  Dr  John  Ritchie,  of  Edin- 
 buro-h.  To  great  readiness  of  speech  he  combined  such  accuracy  of 
 historical  detail,  and  logical  acumen,  as  rendered  him  a  powerful 
 champion  in  debate,  whether  on  the  public  platform,  in  the  Presby- 
 tery, Synod,  or  General  Assembly.  For  many  years  he  was  Clerk 
 to  the  Free  Presbytery  of  Greenock,  but  this  office,  owing  to  increas- 
 ing deafness,  he  has  now  resigned. 
 
 Session  1830. 
 
 William  Elder,  from  Dundee,  licensed  by  Perth  and 
 Dunfermline  Presbytery,  1  2th  August  1834  ;  called  to  Cumber- 
 nauld and  Cupar- Fife,  and  ordained  at  latter  place,  25  th 
 August  1836  ;  united  with  the  Church  of  Scotland  in  1839, 
 but  although  he  subscribed  the  solemn  engagement,  and  both 
 series  of  Resolutions  of  Convocation,  he  did  not  leave  the 
 Establishment  in  1843,  and  afterwards  obtained  a  Crown 
 presentation  to  the  parish  of  Tealing,  which  had  been  vacated 
 by  a  Disruption  minister. 
 
 SoMERViLLE,  from  bounds  of  Edinburgh  Presbytery, 
 
 but  who  died  whilst  a  student. 
 
 Session  1831. 
 
 James  Findlay,  A.M.,  from  Kirkintilloch,  born  12th  July 
 1809  ;  licensed  by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  13th  January  1835  ; 
 ordained  in  Broomknoll  Church,  Airdrie,  11th  August  1835  ; 
 united  with  Church  of  Scotland  in  1839  ;  subscribed  Deed  of 
 Demission,  1843  ;  translated  to  Camlachie  Free  Church, 
 Glasgow,  3rd  October  1844;  retired  owing  to  infirmities  of 
 age  from  active  duties  of  the  pastorate,  14th  March  1878  ;  and 
 died  24th  July  1881,  in  the  seventy-third  year  of  his  age,  and 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    513 
 
 the  forty-sixth  of  his  ministry.  Author  of  "  Three  Lectures 
 on  the  Rule  of  Faith  and  Transubstantiation."  Glasgow, 
 1839,  pp.  71. 
 
 Respecting  him,  the  Rev.  Alex.  Wilson,  of  Bridgcton,  states 
 the  following  : — 
 
 "  J\Ir  Fimllay  was  born  at  Kirkintilloch,  of  Gotl-foaring  parents. 
 His  early  education  was  received  in  his  native  town  ;  and  when 
 about  eighteen  yeai-s  of  age,  he  entered  the  University  of  Glasgow, 
 and  having  applied  himself  assiduously  to  his  various  studies, 
 at  the  close  of  his  curriculum  he  took  the  degree  of  M.A. — a 
 rarer  attainment  in  those  days  than  now.  In  revival  and 
 evangelistic  work,  both  in  his  own  district  and  in  other  parts 
 of  the  country,  he  took  a  special  interest,  and  was  thereby  stirred 
 up  to  great  zeal  and  fervour  in  his  ministry.  Mr  Findlay's  dis- 
 courses were  well  arranged — thoughtful,  instructive,  and  evangelical, 
 delivered  with  fervour  and  unction,  and  well  fitted  to  reach  the 
 hearts  and  the  consciences  of  his  hearers.  As  a  theologian  he  stood 
 high  in  the  estimation  of  all  the  brethren  who  knew  liim  ;  and  he 
 possessed  the  rare  gift  of  bringing  difficult  things  into  simjjlicity. 
 In  every  relationship  of  life  Mr  Findlay's  whole  deportment  was 
 becoming  the  gospel  of  Jesus  Christ — an  excellent  exhibition  of  the 
 doctrines  which  he  taught,  and  an  earnest  endeavour  to  follow  the 
 example  and  precepts  of  the  Master  whom  he  loved  so  well.  He  left 
 a  family  of  three  sons  and  three  daughters. 
 
 Peter  Russell  Sawers,  from  Shotts  ;  licensed  by 
 Glasgow  Presbytery,  13th  January  183.5  ;  called  to  Lough- 
 brickland,  Ireland,  and  Lanark;  ordained  at  latter  place,  29th 
 November  183C  ;  united  Avith  Church  of  Scotland,  1839  ; 
 translated  to  Scotch  Presbyterian  Church,  High-Bridge,  New- 
 castle, on  11th  March  1840,  and  thence  to  Free  Church, 
 Gargunnock  ;  declared  by  the  General  Assembly  to  be  no 
 longer  a  minister  or  member  of  the  Free  Church,  31st  ]\Iay 
 1873  ;  and  died  in  Edinburgh,  19th  June  1885. 
 
 Robert  Smith,  from  Campbell  Street,  Glasgow ;  licensed 
 by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  13th  January  183.5;  became  mis- 
 sionary in  Greenock,  and  was  afterwards  chaplain  to  the  town's 
 Hospital,  Glasgow. 
 
 James  W.  Taylor,  D.D.,  from  Perth,  where  his  father  was 
 minister  ;  united  whilst  a  student  with  the  Church  of  Scotland  ; 
 was  ordained  at  Grangemouth,  9th  May  1839;  and  translated  to 
 parish  of  Flisk,  April  1843;  subscribed  Deed  of  Demission,  1843. 
 
 2  K 
 
514  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Author  of  several  articles  iii  "  Scottish  Christian  Herald,"  and 
 also  of  the  following  : — 
 
 A  few  Words  to  the  Fai-ishioners  of  Flisk  in  reply  to  Dr  Ander- 
 son's (of  Newburgh)  Induction  Address, 
 
 Considerations  for  the  Conscientious. 
 
 Hints  for  the  Considerate. 
 
 What  shall  be  the  end  of  these  things  1  An  inquiry  as  to  the 
 probable  results  of  the  Disruption. 
 
 A  Word  for  the  Way  ;  or,  Hints  for  Travellers  and  Tourists. 
 
 Mr  Faithful  and  his  Family  :  a  Disruption  story  for  the  young. 
 
 Household  Tracts  on  Fopery. 
 
 A  brief  Memoir  of  George  Waddell,  Esq.,  of  Ptashiehall,  a 
 Comptroller  of  Customs  at  Grangemouth. 
 
 Plain  Persuasives  for  the  Peasantry,  or  Something  for  the 
 Ploughman. 
 
 AMonth's  visit  to  Connaughtand  its  Mission  Stations,  1849  ;  pp.76. 
 
 Biographical  Notices  of  his  Father,  the  Rev.  Wm.  Taylor,  of  Perth. 
 
 Memoir  of  David  Maitland  Makgill  Crichton,  of  Pankeillour. 
 
 Historical  Antiquities  of  Fife,  chiefly  Ecclesiastical.  Two  volumes. 
 
 An  Historic  Plea  for  Ecclesiastical  and  Educational  Unity  ;  or, 
 the  Westminster  Assembly  and  its  Standards ;  what  they  have 
 done  for  Scotland  and  what  they  may  yet  do  for  Unity  among 
 Evangelical  Churclies. 
 
 The  Broad  School. 
 
 The  Religion  of  Scotland,  the  Religion  of  the  Bible,  and  of 
 Sanctified  Common  Sense. 
 
 Thoughts  for  Church  Attenders  and  for  Church  Neglecters. 
 
 The  Establishment  Principle  demanding  Disestablishment  in 
 Scotland,  1885. 
 
 Contributions  to  F.C.  Record,  etc.,  etc. 
 
 In  many  respects  Dr  Taylor  is  a  model  pastor,  since,  in  addition 
 to  fidelity  in  the  discharge  of  his  official  duties,  lie  possesses  exact 
 scholarship,  literaiy  taste,  and  a  facile  pen.  His  numerous  works 
 have  been  highly  prized,  and  his  alma  mater  (St  Andrews)  in  the 
 bestowal  on  him  of  the  degree  of  D.D.  conferred  honour  on  itself  as 
 well  as  on  the  recipient. 
 
 On  15th  May  1833  the  Synod  suspended  the  operations 
 of  the  Divinity  Hall  during  the  following  session,  and  remitted 
 to  the  presbyteries  the  care  of  students  within  their  bounds. 
 
 Professor  Willis'  Class. 
 The  Rev.  Michael  Willis,  D.D.,  of  Renfield  Street  Church, 
 Glasgow,  having,  on  15th  September  1835,  been  appointed  to 
 the  Professorship  of  Divinity,  held  that  office  till  the  Synod 
 united  with  the  Church  of  Scotland  in  1839. 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    515 
 
 Session  1835, 
 
 James  Falconer,  from  United  Secession  Church  Hall, 
 ■where  he  had  been  under  the  theological  tuition  of  Rev. 
 Professors  Dick  and  Mitchell  ;  licensed  by  Glasgow  Presby- 
 tery, Gth  December  183G  ;  calleil  to  Keunoway  and  Paisley, 
 and  ordained  at  latter  place,  12th  December  1837  ;  united 
 with  the  Church  of  Scotland  in  1839  ;  became  minister  of 
 ]\Iartyrs  Church,  Paisley ;  subscribed  Deed  of  Demissior), 
 1843  ;  was  translated  to  Wigtown;  and  emigrated  to  Canada 
 in  1851,  where  he  died  in  autumn  of  1856. 
 
 William  Graham,  from  Cumbernauld;  licensed  by  Glasgow 
 Presbj^tery,  11th  April  1837. 
 
 Adam  Ross,  from  Aberdeen  ;  licensed  by  Perth  and  Dun- 
 fermline Presbytery,  7th  November  1837  ;  ordained  at 
 Kennoway,  2nd  May  1838  ;  united  with  the  Original  Seces- 
 sion Synod  in  1842  ;  demitted  his  charge  on  30th  June 
 1845  ;  acceded  to  the  Free  Church,  and  was  inducted  to  the 
 Free  Church  Congregation  of  Rattray. 
 
 John  Turnbull,  licensed  by  Glasgow  Presbytery,  21st 
 November  1837  ;  called  to  Bathgate  and  Perth,  and  ordained 
 at  latter  place,  18th  July  1838  ;  emigrated  shortly  afterwards 
 to  St  John's,  New  Brunswick,  where  he  ministered  for  many 
 years  to  St  James'  Congregation  ;  returned  to  Scotland  in 
 1874,  and  was  admitted  by  Free  Church,  May  187G.  Died 
 at  Ardeer  House,  Bonhill,  Dumbarton,  2nd  June  1881. 
 
 Brown,    from    Ballynahinch,    Ireland ;    licensed    by 
 
 Glasgow  Presbytery,  30th  October  1838. 
 
 Thomas  Meiiarry,  from  Boardmills,  Ireland  ;  licensed  by 
 Glasgow  Presbytery,  28th  July  1840,  and  ordained  at  Myroe 
 and  Bolay,  Newtownlimavady,  19th  August  1841. 
 
 James  Bennet,  D.D.,  from  Boardmills,  Ireland  ;  licensed 
 by  Edinburgh  Presbytery,  1840  ;  ordained  at  St  John's,  New 
 Brunswick.      Author  of  "  Studies  in  Ecclesiastes,"  1870. 
 
 RuBERT  Irvine,  D.D.,from  Ballynahinch,  Ireland;  licensed 
 by  Edinburgh  Presbytery,  1840;  ordained  over  Third  Congre- 
 gation of  Ballynahinch,  1st  November  1840  ;  in  1844 
 emicfrated,  and  was  inducted  at  St  John's,  New  Brunswick  ; 
 in  1853  he  was  translated  to  Hamilton  in  Canada  West,  and 
 
516  ANNALS  OF  OKIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 in  1870  was  again  translated  to  Augusta,  in  the  Southern 
 State  of  Georgia,  where 'he  ministered  till  his  death  on  8th 
 April  1881,  in  the  sixty-seventh  year  of  his  age,  and  the 
 forty-first  of  his  ministry. 
 
 John  Reid,  from  the  United  Secession  Church,  was  admitted 
 with  his  congregation  at  Heriot's  Bridge,  Edinburgh,  into  the 
 Original  Burgher  Synod  on  23rd  January  1838  ;  was  trans- 
 lated the  same  year  to  Bathgate  ;  united  with  the  Church  of 
 Scotland  in  1839,  and  was  inducted  on  22nd  April  1841  to 
 quoad  sacra  parish  of  Johnstone  ;  from  thence  he  was 
 translated  to  Liverpool,  and  afterwards  emigrated  to  Australia, 
 where  he  died. 
 
 Antiburgher  Section. 
 The  Constitutional  Presbytery. 
 
 Respecting  this  Presbytery  and  the  principles  maintained 
 by  it,  the  Rev.  James  Aitken  Wylie,  LL.D.,  Professor  to 
 the  Protestant  Institute  of  Scotland,  has  contributed  the 
 following  : — 
 
 "  It  is  not  easy  now  so  to  state  the  distinctive  ground  of  the 
 '  Constitutional  Presbytery '  as  to  make  it  clear  and  intelHgible 
 to  the  existing  generation.  The  '  Constitutional  Presbytery '  pro- 
 fessed to  be  in  1806  what  the  first  Seceders,  the  Erskines  and 
 otherr,  had  been  in  1733.  They  had  seceded,  not  from  the  doc- 
 trine or  govei-nment  of  the  Reformed  Established  Church  of 
 Scotland,  but  simply  from  the  administration  of  a  prevailing  party 
 in  that  Church. 
 
 "  Their  protest,  not  against  the  Church,  but  against  this  party  in 
 her,  lay  on  the  Assembly's  table,  and  beside  it  lay  their  '  Appeal ' 
 to  the  first  free,  faithful,  and  reforming  Assembly  of  the  Church 
 of  Scotland.  They  regarded  themselves  as  still  part  of  the  National 
 Church  of  Scotland,  though  outside  the  Established  pale.  This 
 was  the  position  which  the  Constitutional  Presbytery  took  up, 
 and  in  prosecution  of  their  ancient  *  Appeal'  they  (now  represented 
 by  the  United  Original  Secession  Church)  wei-e  the  first  of  all  the 
 Secession  bodies  to  appear  by  deputation  before  the  General 
 Assembly  of  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  (1843),  and  in  a  few  years 
 thereafter  they  joined  the  communion  of  that  Church,  a  minority 
 refusing  to  go  along  with  them.  But  why  did  the  Constitutional 
 Presbytery  separate  from  the  main  body  of  the  Secession  1  They 
 split    on    the    question    of    civil    establishments    of   religion.      The 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    517 
 
 Secession  had  begun  to  dcnibt  the  expediency  and  even  tlie  lawful- 
 ness of  Establishments.  The  Constitutional  Presbytery  felt  that 
 this  was  to  take  new  grounil  from  that  whicli  the  first  Seceders  hud 
 occupied,  and  gi'ound  which  shnt  them  out  from  the  prosecution  of 
 their  appeal  and  their  return  to  the  Reformed  Church  of  Scotland 
 ■when  the  time  for  doing  so  should  arrive.  Besides,  though  holding 
 the  inexpediency  of  religions  establishments  in  existing  circum- 
 stances, they  did  not  admit  that  in  all  circumstances  they  were 
 inexpeilient  and  unlawful.  The  progress  of  events  has  since  tended 
 to  harmonize  the  views  of  all  Seceders  on  a  question  on  which, 
 though  they  theoretically  dittei-ed,  they  were  practically  at  one. 
 The  views  set  forth  by  Dr  M'Crie  on  this  subject  in  his  'Statement 
 of  the  Difference'  (1807),  would  be  cordially  concuiTcd  in,  we 
 believe,  by  almost  all  intelligent  Seceders  of  the  present  day.  The 
 principles  expounded  in  that  treatise,  and  yet  more  fully,  clearly,  and 
 beautifully  in  his  '  Life  of  Andrew  ISIelville,'  are  substantially  the 
 principles  embodied  in  the  Articles  on  the  right  relation  of  Church 
 and  State,  and  the  duty  of  the  civil  magistrate  touching  religion, 
 which  were  drawn  up  as  a  proposed  basis  of  union  between  the 
 United  Presbyterian  Church  and  the  Free  Chxirch  of  Scotland. 
 
 "  This  Presbytery  was  the  least  of  all  the  sections  of  the  Secession, 
 and  yet  out  of  it  came  the  man  (Dr  M'Crie)  who  was  the  first  to 
 sound  the  knell  of  the  revival  of  the  Scottish  Reformation. 
 
 "  Of  this  little  band,  so  diversified  in  talent,  and  all  animated  by 
 an  ardent  love  of  liberty  and  inspired  by  genuine  piety,  Professor 
 Bruce  was  the  first  to  depart ;  Mr  Chalmers,  of  Haddington,  was  the 
 last.  He  survived  all  his  brethren.  None  of  them  lived  to  see  the 
 rise  of  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland.  They  all  passed  from  oS"  the 
 scene, — Professor  Bi-uce  excepted,  who  went  early, — just  as  that 
 great  conflict  was  beginning  for  the  constitutional  rights  and  ancient 
 liberties  of  the  Reformed  Kirk  of  Scotland,  for  which  they,  and  in 
 particular  he  who  was  chief  among  them,  had  done  so  much  to 
 prepare  the  way." 
 
 Archibald  Bruce,  born  at  Broomhall,  near  Denny, 
 Stirlingshire,  in  174G  ;  entered  the  Divinity  Hall,  then  under 
 the  care  of  Rev.  Professor  Alex.  Moncrieff,  of  Abernethy,  in 
 1761,  but  owing  to  that  minister's  death  in  October  of  the 
 same  year,  completed  his  theological  studies  under  his  son,  the 
 Piev.  Professor  William  Moncrieff,  of  Alloa  ;  ordained  at 
 Whitburn,  24th  August  17G8  ;  appointed  by  the  General 
 Associate  Synod  Professor  of  Theology,  September  178U; 
 after  repeated  remonstrances  and  protests  against  the,  then, 
 New   Narrative   and    Testimony   of    1804<    which   had    been 
 
518  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 enacted  by  the  Synod  as  a  term  of  communion,  but  all  in  vain, 
 he,  on  28th  August  1806,  assisted  in  the  formation  of  the 
 Constitutional  Associate  Presbytery  or  Old  Light  Antiburgher 
 Church,  to  which  denomination  he  adhered  till  his  death  on 
 18th  February  1816,  in  the  seventieth  year  of  his  age,  and 
 the  forty-eighth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Author  of  The  Formidable  Triumvirate  ;  or,  The  Malignant  Club 
 (iu  the  Hudibrastic  manner).     [^?io?i.]    Edin.,  1770,  pp.  16,  12mo. 
 
 The  Kirkiad  ;  or,  Golden  Age  of  the  Church  of  Scotland.  [A 
 Satire  of  Moderatism.      Anon.]     Edin.,  1774,  pp.  44,  8vo. 
 
 Free  Thoughts  on  the  Toleration  of  Popery.  By  Calvinvis  Minor, 
 Scoto-Britannus.     Edin.,  1780,  pp.  463,  8vo. 
 
 Strictures  on  the  Form  of  Swearing  by  Kissing  the  Gospels. 
 [Ano7i.]     London  [1782],  8vo. 
 
 True  Patriotism ;  or,  A  Public  Spirit  for  God  and  Religion 
 Recommended.     A  Synod  Sermon.     Edin.,  1785,  pp.  182,  8vo. 
 
 Annus  Secularis ;  or.  The  British  Jubilee.  By  Calvinianus  Pres- 
 byter.    Edin.,  1788,  pp.  231,  8vo. 
 
 An  Overture  of  an  Act  of  the  Synod  concerning  the  Sacramental 
 Test.      [Anon.]     Edin.,  1790,  8vo. 
 
 The  Catechism  Modernized.  [A  Satire  on  Patronage.]  Eleu- 
 theropolis,  i.e.,  Edinburgh,      [4?^o?^.]      1791,  pp.  51,  12mo. 
 
 Reflections  on  the  Freedom  of  Writing  and  the  Impropriety  of 
 attempting  to  suppress  it  by  Penal  Laws.  [^Tion..]  Edin.,  1794, 
 pp.  168,  8vo. 
 
 Serious  View  of  Remarkable  Providences  of  the  Times,  with  a 
 Warning  to  British  Protestants,  [il?^o?^.]  Glasgow,  1795,  pp. 
 82,  8vo. 
 
 Queries  Addressed  to  the  Gentry,  Clergy,  and  People  of  Scotland 
 on  the  Commemoration  of  the  Revolution  in  1788.  By  Calvinianus 
 Presbyter.      1797,  pp.  12,  8 vo. 
 
 A  Peaceable  Declaration  of  some  Presbyterians  anent  the  French 
 War.      [Anon.]     p.l,  1797,  8vo. 
 
 A  Penitential  Epistle  to  the  Pope.  [A  Satire.  Anon.]  Edin., 
 1797,  pp.  46,  12mo. 
 
 Pictet's  Discourses  on  the  True  and  False  Religion.  Translation 
 from  the  French.      Edin.,  1797,  pp.  340,  8vo. 
 
 The  Principal  Difference  between  the  Religious  Princij^les  of  the 
 Anti-government  Party  and  other  Presbyterians,  [-i/jon.]  Edin., 
 1797,  8vo. 
 
 Lectures  to  Students.  Vol.  L  Whitburn,  1797,  pp.  212,  8vo. 
 The  second  volume  was  published  posthumously,  Edin.,  1817. 
 
 A  Full  and  Particular  Account  of  the  Trial  and  Condemnation  of 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    519 
 
 Mess  Joliii   Presbytery,   who   is  to  be  hanged  on   or   before 
 
 day    of   May    17 US     by    Cousin-German.       Ediu.,    1798,    pp.    17, 
 12  mo. 
 
 Memoii-s  of  James  Hog  of  Curnock,  ic.  [Edited  by  A.  Bruce.] 
 Edin.,  1798,  pp.  142,  8vo. 
 
 A  Brief  Statement  and  Declaration  of  the  Genuine  Principles  of 
 Seceders  respecting  Civil  Government,  the  Duty  of  Subjects,  and 
 National  Reformation.     Edin.,  1799,  pp.  94,  8vo. 
 
 A  llistorico-Politico-Ecclosiastical  Dissertation  on  the  Sui)remacy 
 of  Civil  Powei-s  in  mattei-s  of  Keligion,  particularly  the  Ecclesiastical 
 Supremacy  annexed  to  the  English  Crown.  Edin.,  1802,  pp. 
 152,  Svo. 
 
 Review  of  the  Proceedings  of  the  General  Associate  Synod. 
 Edin.,  1808,  pp.  421,  Svo. 
 
 Two  Sermons  on  Amos  iv.  11  and  Matt.  xv.  13.  1812,  pp. 
 118,  Svo. 
 
 Poems,  Serious  and  Amusing,  by  a  Rural  Divine.  [^•l7io?i.J 
 Edin.,  1812,  pp.  172,  12mo. 
 
 Life  of  Morus,  with  a  Selection  of  Sermons.  Edin.,  1813,  pp. 
 172,  Svo. 
 
 Interest  and  Claims  of  the  Church  and  Nation  of  Scotland  in  the 
 Settlement  of  Religion  in  India.  By  a  North  British  Protestant. 
 [.4?io».]      Edin.,  1813,  pp.  52,  Svo. 
 
 Nine  Practical  Discourses.      [No  title.]      1816,  pp.  258,  Svo. 
 
 Historical  Account  of  Eai-thquakes.  [Published  posthumously.] 
 Whitburn,  1820,  pp.  356,  12mo. 
 
 Dr  M'Crie,  jun.,  gives  the  following  description  of  Professor 
 Bruce,  whose  theological  tuition  he  had  enjoyed : — "  In  his 
 personal  appearance  Mr  Bruce  was  remarkably  dignified  and 
 venerable.  With  a  spare,  erect  figure  of  the  middle  size,  and  a 
 noble  cast  of  countenance,  resembling  the  Roman,  dressed  with 
 scrupulous  neatness,  and  wearing  the  full-bottomed  wig,  long  cane, 
 and  large  shoe-buckles  of  the  olden  time,  he  presented  to  the  la.st 
 the  polite  bearing  of  the  gentleman  with  the  sedateness  of  the  scholar 
 and  the  minister.  And  yet  with  all  his  graveness  of  a.spect  and 
 demeanour,  he  had  an  unconmion  fund  of  wit,  which  he  could  indulge 
 in  playful  humour  or  poignant  satire,  and  which  rendered  his 
 company  peculiarly  engaging." — }PCrie's  Memoir. 
 
 '■  Professor  Bruce,"  says  the  Rev.  Dr  Wylie,  "  was  one  of  the  most 
 remarkable  men  of  his  age.  He  had  been  Professor  of  Theology  to  the 
 Anti-Burgher  Secession  Synod,  and  he  discharged  the  same  office  to 
 the  Constitutional  Presbytery.  In  person  he  was  tall  and  spare  ; 
 in  carriage,  erect  and  graceful ;  he  was  scrupulously  neat  in  his 
 dress,  and  wore  cane  and  powdered  full-bottomed  wig.  He  was 
 chivalrously  ])olite,  and  when  he  came  to  Edinburgh  his  aristocratic 
 
520  ANJJALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 bearing,  as  seen  on  the  street,  so  struck  the  crowd  that  few  coukl 
 resist  turning  round  to  watch  his  retreating  figure.  But  tliese  were 
 only  the  exterior  and  minor  endowments  of  Professor  Bruce.  He 
 possessed  a  mind  singularly  versatile,  elegant,  and  powerful. 
 
 "  With  the  laboui's  of  his  professorship  he  united  the  charge  of  a 
 congregation.  Living  in  a  sequestered  part  of  the  country,  his  flock 
 small,  and  his  privacy  subject  to  few  interruptions,  he  gave  his  days  and 
 nights  to  study.  His  reading  was  vast.  He  knew  the  classics  well, 
 and  could  adoi-n  his  own  pages  with  apt  quotations  from  the  ancients. 
 Histox-y  had  nothing  instructive  or  wonderful  which  was  not  known 
 to  him.  He  had  conned  the  times  of  the  Patristic  writers,  but  he 
 venerated  still  more  the  works  of  the  great  doctors  of  the  Reforma- 
 tion era.  Augustine  was  great,  but  Calvin  was  greater-.  His  library 
 was  stored  with  the  sermons  and  theological  treatises  of  the  French 
 divines,  which  it  was  his  delight  to  peruse.  He  was,  moreover, 
 familiar  with  the  whole  vast  field  of  Papal  theology  and  history — 
 no  man  of  his  time  nearly  so  much  so. 
 
 "  Since  the  days  of  Barrow,  Stillingfleet,  and  the  wi-iters  of  that 
 age,  there  had  arisen  no  such  erudite  and  masterly  champion  in  con- 
 nection with  the  Romish  controversy  as  Professor  Bruce.  He 
 seemed,  by  an  instinct  peculiar  to  himself,  to  fathom  the  genius  and 
 spirit  of  the  Papacy.  His  *  Free  Thoughts  on  the  Toleration  of 
 Popery '  is  a  perfect  quarry  of  facts  illustrative  of  the  history,  the 
 maxims,  and  the  intrigues  of  the  Church  of  Rome.  It  remains  to 
 this  day  an  unrivalled  treatise  on  the  question.  It  is  argumentative, 
 eloquent,  trenchant,  scathing.  We  can  fancy  the  venerable  man 
 looking  forth  from  his  countiy  manse  on  the  broad  area  of  Christen- 
 dom, and  marking  with  a  shudder  the  ruin,  temporal  and  eternal, 
 this  system  had  wrought,  and  then  sitting  down  in  righteous,  burn- 
 ing indignation  to  edit  this  terrible  indictment  against  her  who  had 
 wrought  that  ruin.  He  published  his  book  under  the  assumed 
 name  of  '  Calvinus  Minor.'  He  feared  that  the  age  was  not  tolerant 
 enough  to  tolerate  his  work.  Had  he  been  an  Anglican  clergyman, 
 his  name  would  have  been  a  household  word  all  over  the  realm. 
 
 "  Professor  Bruce  loved  liberty  with  the  passionate  ardour  of  an  old 
 Roman.  But  the  times  were  unhappy.  Opinions  which  are  now 
 freely  uttered  and  published  every  day  were  in  those  times  bringing 
 men  to  the  gallows.  Professor  Bruce  might  think  as  freely  as  he 
 pleased,  but  he  must  be  careful  what  he  put  in  print.  For  some  of 
 his  treatises  on  the  subject  of  political  and  religious  rights  he  could 
 find  no  publisher  ;  they  were  too  outspoken  and  bold .  Nevertheless, 
 he  detei-mined  that  his  sentiments  should  reach  the  public,  which 
 needed  so  much  to  hear  them.  He  bought  a  printing-press  in 
 Edinburgh,  and  had  it  conveyed  to  Whitburn.  He  hired  an  old 
 printer  to  work  it,  and  in  this  way  some  of  his  books  were  ushered 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    521 
 
 into  tho  world.  Tlie  printing  was  Itad,  tlie  papor  was  execrable, 
 but  the  matter  made  amends.  His  style  was  fluent,  yet  incisive. 
 It  was  always  luciil,  and  ever  and  anon  it  shot  up  into  noble  bursts 
 of  classic  eloquence.  The  faidt  of  his  writings  was  their  great  dif- 
 fusiveness. Tills,  in  Professor  Bruce,  was  the  etibrt  of  a  mind 
 filled  to  overflow,  and  which  naturally  strove  to  disburden  itself  of 
 its  vast  stores  of  information,  and  being  intent  u[)on  its  subject, 
 continued  to  pour  out  its  riches  without  pausing  to  reHect  that 
 already  a  superabundance  of  argument  and  illustration  had  beea 
 forthcoming,  and  that  more  w'ould  but  cloy. 
 
 "  Such  was  the  man  who  passed  all  his  days  in  the  Secession 
 Manse  of  Whitburn.  In  addition  to  his  great  literary  labours,  he 
 faithfully  discharged  the  duties  of  pastoral  visitation,  of  catechising, 
 and  of  ministry  to  the  sick.  His  sermons,  loaded  with  matter, 
 occupied  sometimes  a  couple  of  hours  in  the  delivery.  His  manse 
 — the  hallowed  scene  of  i)rayer  and  study — stood  apart ;  a  two- 
 storey  house  with  thatched  roof,  and  a  garden  in  front,  past  which 
 flowed  a  streamlet,  whose  gentle  ripple  pleasantly  relieved  the  still- 
 ness of  the  place.  One  night,  as  he  sat  engrossed  in  study,  a 
 burglar  entered  the  house  unheard  by  him.  The  man  made  his  way 
 upstairs,  and  strode  into  the  library,  where  the  Pi-ofessor  sat  at 
 table,  with  a  lamp  burning  before  him.  It  was  past  midnight. 
 The  stillness  of  the  chamber,  and  the  venerable  solitary  figure  that 
 occupied  it,  arrested  the  man.  Professor  Bruce  looked  up,  and, 
 fixing  his  keen,  searching  eyes  upon  the  robber,  he  proceeded,  in  the 
 calmest  manner,  to  address  him  on  the  iniquity  of  the  life  he  was 
 leading,  and  the  enormity  of  the  crime  he  meditated,  and  warned 
 him  of  the  consequences.  The  robber  stood  riveted  to  the  spot. 
 When  the  Professor  had  finished,  opening  his  desk,  he  took  out  ten 
 shillings,  and  giving  them  to  the  man,  bade  him  depart,  and  hence- 
 forth lead  a  more  honest  life. 
 
 "  Professor  Bruce  had  neither  wife  nor  daughter,  having  never 
 married.  It  was  often  a  matter  of  anxious  concern  to  his  friends 
 how  he  should  be  suitably  cared  for  when  he  should  come  to  the 
 helplessness  of  old  age.  W^ho  shall  smooth  his  pillow  and  watch  by 
 his  dying  bed  ]  The  "  Brother  liorn  for  adversity  "  had  considered 
 all  this,  and  arranged  that  he  should  need  neither  nurse  nor  cordial 
 in  his  last  illness.  One  Sabbath  in  the  February  of  181G  he 
 preached  to  his  congi-egation  as  usual.  The  service  ended,  the  flock, 
 who  so  dearly  loved  and  so  greatly  venerated  their  pastor,  saw  him 
 take  his  way  down  the  pathway  that  led  through  the  little  glebe  to 
 the  manse.  After  his  fiiigal  dinner  and  tea,  he  sat  down  to  spend 
 the  evening  in  readmg.  As  he  read  he  drojjped  his  head  upon  the 
 book,  and  breathing  out  his  spirit,  he  ascended  to  his  Father." 
 
 George  Whytock,  bom  at  Tippermuir,  Perthshire,  1750  j 
 
522  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 entered  Divinity  Hall  (Professor  William  MoncriefF,  of  Alloa), 
 1771  ;  ordained  at  Dalkeith,  l7th  April  1776  ;  remonstrated 
 and  protested  against  the  imposition  of  the  Narrative  and 
 Testimony  of  1804,  as  a  term  of  communion,  but  died  24th 
 October  1805,  a  few  months  before  the  formation  of  the  Con- 
 stitutional Presbytery,  in  the  fifty-fifth  year  of  his  age,  and 
 the  thirtieth  of  his  ministry.  Author  of  "  A  Short  Vindica- 
 tion of  Presby terial  Church  Government,"  1799;  Essays  on 
 the  Church,  a  series  of  contributions  to  the  Christian 
 Magazine,  and  articles  on  Baptism  and  Lay  Preaching,  all 
 of  which  were  republished  and  edited  by  Rev.  Dr  M'Crie,  jun., 
 in  1843.  Was  also  joint-compiler,  with  Rev.  Dr  M'Crie,  sen., 
 of  "  A  Conversation  between  John,  a  Baptist,  and  Ebenezer, 
 a  Seceder,  on  the  Faith  of  the  Gospel,"  Edin.,  1798. 
 
 "  Mr  George  Whytock  was  noted  for  his  cool  judgment  and  power 
 of  discrimination.  Though  capable  of  examining  a  subject  with 
 ])hilosophical  accuracy,  there  was  no  appearance  of  abstraction  or 
 refinement  of  ideas  in  his  discourses  from  the  pulpit,  but  through- 
 out a  plainness  and  simplicity,  level  to  a  common  capacity.  His 
 prudence,  sagacity,  and  cool  dispassionate  temper  qualified  him  for 
 being  eminently  useful  as  a  member  of  ecclesiastical  judicatories. 
 Nor  ought  it  to  be  omitted  that  Mr  Whytock  was  proverbially  a 
 man  of  peace,  and  possessed  no  common  talents  for  composing  differ- 
 ences, both  private  and  public.  Such  was  the  confidence  placed  by 
 his  brethren  in  this  part  of  his  character,  that  some  have  hazarded 
 the  corjecture,  that  had  he  been  spared  a  little  longer,  he  would 
 have  prevented  the  bi-each.  The  train,  we  fear,  was  too  deeply 
 laid  for  any  to  have  prevented  the  explosion  ;  but  he  was  called 
 to  his  rest  before  his  brethren  took  their  final  step." — M'Crie' s 
 Memoir. 
 
 James  Aitken  ,bom  at  Forgandenny,  Perthshire,  4th  Jan. 
 1757  ;  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Professor  William  Moncriefif,  of 
 Alloa),  1772;  ordained  at  Kirriemuir,  29th  December  1778; 
 assisted  in  the  formation  of  the  Constitutional  Presbytery, 
 28th  August  1806  ;  and  died  24th  September  1834,  in  the 
 seventy-eighth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  fifty-sixth  of  his 
 ministry,  A  volume  of  his  Sermons,  with  a  Memoir,  was 
 published  by  his  son,  Rev.  John  Aitken,  of  Aberdeen,  in 
 1836. 
 
 Respecting  Mr  Aitken,  the  Rev.  Dr  Wylie  states  : — "  There  were 
 not  a  few  notable  men  in  the  ministry  of  the  Secession  in  Forfar- 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    523 
 
 shire  in  the  end  of  last  century  and  the  beginning  of  this.  These 
 were  Hay,  of  Alyth,  Jamiesox,  of  Forfar,  afterwards  of  Edinburgh, 
 Gray,  of  Brochin,  and  others.  They  were  famous  in  their  day  ; 
 their  names  were  household  words  in  tliat  part  of  Scothind  ;  they 
 were  a  pious,  hiborious,  schohirly  race,  and  by  the  ability  and  zeal 
 "with  which  they  preached  the  gospel,  they  redeemed  the  ])ulpit  from 
 the  contempt  into  which  a  cold  and  unintellectual  moderatism  was 
 bringing  it.  They  shone  as  lights  in  the  midst  of  a  dai'kness  that 
 covered  all  the  land,  l)ut  which,  from  particular  causes,  was  excep- 
 tionally deep  in  the  county  of  Forfar.  But  a  new  generation  has 
 arisen  to  whom  these  men  are  little  more  than  a  tradition,  and  from 
 whose  knowledge  the  services  they  rendered  in  the  i-eligious  train- 
 ing of  their  fathers  is  fast  fading  away.  Not  the  least  notable  of 
 these  worthies  was  the  Rev.  James  Aitken  of  Kirriemuir. 
 
 "  No  one  could  meet  Mr  Aitken,  if  but  for  only  a  few  minutes, 
 without  feeling  that  he  was  in  the  presence  of  no  ordinary  man. 
 His  personal  appearance  was  imposing.  His  figure  was  tall  and 
 robust,  but  finely  moulded.  When  he  appeared  in  the  streets  of 
 the  little  town  which  had  the  happiness  to  enjoy  his  labours,  it  was 
 always  in  full  clerical  costume.  He  walked  erect,  with  firm  and 
 measured  step,  and  carrying  a  gold-headed  cane,  firmly  grasped  in 
 his  right  hand  by  the  middle.  His  face  was  open  and  manly,  the 
 certain  index  of  his  courageous  spirit,  for  while  he  was  respectful  to 
 all,  it  may  be  said  of  him  as  of  Knox,  that  he  feared  the  face  of  no 
 one. 
 
 "  Among  his  other  endowments  was  a  remarkably  fine  voice.  It 
 was  deep,  strong,  harmonious,  A  voice  of  such  compass  and  power, 
 united  to  a  portly  figure,  made  his  jnilpit  appearances  impressive  in 
 no  ordinary  degi-ee.  Its  solemn  and  finely  modulated  tones  gave  a 
 meaning  and  beauty  to  common  truths,  and  statements  as  they  came 
 from  him  had  an  emphasis,  a  clearness,  and  a  point,  which  they 
 seemed  to  lack  when  spoken  by  others  less  gifted  in  utterance.  Not 
 unfrequently,  when  he  warmed  with  his  subject,  would  he  break 
 into  a  chant  in  the  delivery  of  his  sermon.  It  was  like  the  roll  of 
 a  great  organ  suddenly  pealing  out,  and  filling  the  edifice  with 
 music,  and  the  congregation  would  listen  entranced,  as  to  an  anthem 
 played  on  some  instrument  of  surpassing  sweetness.  The  p;issages 
 of  Scripture,  often  in  themselves  choice,  seemed  doubly  so  when 
 chanted  in  this  fashion.  They  became  full  of  an  inexpressible  ten- 
 derness and  grandeur.  It  wa-s  as  if  a  gale  of  celestial  fragrance  had 
 breathed  over  the  audience,  refreshing  and  exhilarating  their  souls. 
 The  fii-st  preaching  of  the  gospel  was  in  song  ;  and  we  all  know 
 what  a  wave  of  sacred  melody  passed  over  Christendom  in  the  morn- 
 ing of  the  Reformation. 
 
 "Mr  Aitken  gave  himself  wholly  to  his  ministry.   History  was  the 
 
52  i  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 favourite  reading  of  his  leisure  hours  ;  but  theology  was  the  study 
 of  his  life.  Calvin,  Poole,  Henry,  the  Puritan  Divines,  with  all  he 
 was  familiar,  but  high  above  all  these  men  he  reverenced  and  studied 
 the  Word  of  God,  the  teacher  of  all  these  great  masters.  He  was 
 mighty  in  the  Scriptures.  In  his  sermons  the  Divine  element 
 bulked  far  more  largely  than  the  merely  human.  His  method  in 
 the  pulpit  was  this.  He  read  out  his  text,  and  after  a  brief  and 
 simple  preface,  he  stated  the  doctrine  or  doctrines  deducible  from  it. 
 This  was  the  backbone  of  his  sermon.  The  doctrine  he  divided  into 
 heads,  and  each  head  he  illustrated  in  subdivisions  or  particulars, 
 numbering  each  as  he  went  on.  Each  particular  was  introduced 
 by  a  statement  or  two  in  his  own  words,  after  which  came  an  array 
 of  Scripture  quotations,  so  that  he  kindled  a  galaxy  of  Divine  lights 
 around  his  central  light,  which  was  his  text,  till  it  seemed  as  if  the 
 rest  of  the  Bible  was  written  to  throw  light  upon  that  one  passage 
 or  docti'ine  which  was  at  the  time  the  theme  of  discourse.  His 
 method  may  be  said  to  be  mechanical,  but  it  was  clear,  perfectly 
 logical,  and  a  great  aid  to  the  memory.  He  had  no  idea  of  going 
 to  sea  without  chart  or  compass.  He  never  aimed  at  rhetoric.  He 
 never  indulged  in  figure  or  metaphor ;  he  had  no  genius  for  that. 
 But  his  style  was  chaste,  thoroughly  Saxon,  and  formed  on  the 
 model  of  Addison,  and  the  writers  of  his  age.  We  have  heard 
 preachers  more  eloquent,  more  profound,  but  none  who  could  better 
 '  divide  the  Word  of  God,'  and  give  '  to  each  his  portion  of  meat.' 
 
 "  He  had  a  singular  insight  into  the  heart,  and  especially  the 
 heart  of  the  Christian.  He  knew  profoundly  the  trials  and  doubts, 
 the  joys  and  sorrows,  with  which  the  Christian  is  exercised.  His 
 people  came  often  to  the  manse  with  the  tale  of  their  spiritual  condi- 
 tion, and  to  receive  advice  and  sympathy.  Never  came  trouble  to 
 their  homes  without  bringing  an  early  visit  fi'om  their  pastor.  His 
 very  presence  was  a  solace,  it  sanctified  the  dwelling.  His  prayers 
 and  counsels  how  consolatory  !  Happy  tribulation  they  felt  which 
 had  brought  such  comfort.  He  went  among  his  people  like  a  ten- 
 der yet  faithful  physician,  administering  the  Divine  medicine  which 
 each  i-equired,  but  never  healing  a  wound  till  he  had  probed  it. 
 
 "How  intimately  he  knew  the  spiritual  condition  of  each  individual 
 member  of  his  flock  was  strikingly  shown  on  the  approach  of  the 
 communion.  On  the  Fast-day  preceding  the  communion  Sabbath  it 
 was  his  custom  to  give  a  '  token '  from  his  own  hand  to  every 
 member  of  the  congregation.  On  this  occasion  the  whole  congrega- 
 tion passed  in  line  before  him,  Mr  Aitken  addressing  them  suitably 
 the  while.  Along  with  his  '  token,'  each,  as  he  came  up  in  the 
 procession,  got  a  passage  of  Scripture,  or  a  '  counsel,'  or  a  '  rebuke  ' 
 tendered  him,  marvellously  apt,  and  suitable  to  his  circumstances. 
 While  speaking  to  the  man  who  chanced  at  the  moment  to  be  before 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    525 
 
 him,  Mr  Aitken  kept  scanning  the  aii})roaching  lino,  and  liad  liis 
 passage  of  Scripture  or  exhortation  ready  for  each  as  he  came  for- 
 ward. How  exactly  the  case  of  each  was  hit  was  often  the  subject 
 of  remark  and  surprise.  It  was  a  process  of  trying  and  sifting.  It 
 was  as  if  a  Kotiner  sat,  fan  in  hand,  purging  his  bavn-tloor. 
 
 "  Equally  jiointed,  and  wisely  considered  and  applicable,  was  the 
 sermon  on  Sabbath.      The  subject  w;ui  always  chosen  with  reference 
 to  the  circumstances  of  the  congregation  as  a  whole,  or  of  some  par- 
 ticular members  of  it.     The  sermon   was  a  piece  of  pharmacy  in 
 which  not  only  was  the  case  in  eye  skilfully  treated,  but  the  whole 
 congregation  profited  by  it.     No   event  of  note   hap])ened  in  the 
 little  town  without  having  its  moral  and  spiritual  lesson  read   out 
 from  the  pulpit  on  the  following  Sabbath.      It  often  amazed  one  to 
 find  how  pat  the  text  was  to  the  occasion.    It  happened  that  a  wealthy 
 citizen  had  died ;  on  the  following   Sabbath    Mr   Aitken   preached 
 from  the  words,   '  The  rich  man  died  and   was   buried.'        On   the 
 week  following  a  }>oor  man  who  had  begged  his  bread  from  door  to 
 door,  was  laid  in  his  grave.      Whei-e   now   will   Mr   Aitken    find   a 
 text?   it  was  asked.      The  doubt   was  solved  on   Sabbath,  when    Mr 
 Aitken  read  out  the  words,  '  It  came  to  pass  that  the  beggar  died.' 
 But  the  pastor  looked  beyond  the  provincial  town  that  was  the  scene 
 of  his  labours,  and  watched  events  as  they  passed  on  the  stage  of 
 tlie  world,  and  no  afiair  of  moment  could   transpire  in  the  nation 
 without  receiving  suitable  comment  in  the  sermon,   or   appropriate 
 reference  in  the  prayer.    To  be  abreast  of  the  news  for  Sabljath  use, 
 it  was  Mr  Aitken's  custom  to  read  the  newsj^aper,  which  came  only 
 once  a-week,  at  supper  time  on   Saturday.      On   one   occasion   the 
 servant    being    asked    to    go    and    fetch  the  newspapei*,  somewhat 
 nettled,  the  night  perhaps  was  dark,  or  the  weather  foul,  '  I  believe,' 
 said    she,    "  ]\Ir    Aitken    cannot    preach    without    the   newspaper.' 
 '  Yes,'  replied  he,   when  the  servant's  observation  was  told  him,  '  I 
 could  preach  without  my  newspaper,  but  I  could  not  pray  without 
 it.' 
 
 "  He  was  suspicious  of  novelties.  He  loved  to  stand  in  '  the  old 
 paths.'  He  stood  in  doubt  even  of  the  Sabbath-school  when  it  was 
 tii-st  introduced.  He  watched  its  working,  however,  and  when  he 
 saw  that  it  w-as  accomi)lishing  good,  he  fell  in  with  it,  though  as 
 a  necessary  evil.  He  himself  opened  a  week-day  school  for  the  in- 
 struction of  young  men  and  women,  and  he  encouraged  his  elders  to 
 commence  a  Sabbath-school  for  the  younger  portion  of  the  congrega- 
 tion. He  persevered  in  the  practice  of  household  visitation,  once 
 a-year,  till  age  incapacitated  him  for  the  labour.  He  regularly 
 catechised  the  members  of  his  flock,  holding  the  diets  in  public,  and 
 making  '  Fisher's  Catechism  '  his  text-book.  No  one  was  admitted 
 into  the  congregation  without  Ijeing  strongly  exhorted  to  join  one  of 
 
526  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 the  weekly  prayer  meetings,  of  which  there  were  some  dozen  in  the 
 congregation.  The  members  conducted  the  service  themselves,  each 
 taking  his  turn.  After  prayer  and  praise,  a  text  was  proposed,  a 
 doctrine  founded  upon  it,  and  all  contributed  their  share,  according 
 to  their  ability,  towards  its  elucidation.  By  these  various  means 
 the  congregation  was  built  up,  in  measure  far  beyond  the  average 
 in  knowledge  and  piety,  and  became  a  powerful  civilising  and 
 christianising  agency  in  a  place  which,  till  it  came  to  enjoy  Mr 
 Aitken's  ministry,  had  been  noted  for  its  rudeness  and  wickedness. 
 "  For  well-nigh  fifty  long  years  Mr  Aitken  continued  to  write, 
 week  by  week,  two,  and  sometimes  three,  sermons.  Not  once  in  his 
 lifetime  did  he  read  his  sermon ;  he  always  recited,  adhering  some- 
 what too  slavishly  to  his  notes.  And  till  he  came  to  be  an  old  man 
 never  did  he  preach  a  sermon  over  again.  '  Never  venture  to  leave 
 your  notes  in  pi-eaching,'  said  he  to  a  young  minister,  *  for  ever  so 
 short  a  time,  till  you  have  been  twenty  years  a  minister.*  We 
 would  tender  the  same  advice  to  all  young  preachers,  only  substitut- 
 ing ten  for  twenty  years.  That  term  should  suffice  for  the  forma- 
 tion of  the  habit  of  accurate  thinking  and  correct  address. 
 
 "  Mr  Aitken  never  spared  rebuke  where  rebuke  was  needed.  It 
 mattered  not  who  the  offender  was ;  the  reproof  was  not  less  severe 
 because  he  was  rich,  nor  more  severe  because  he  was  poor.  His  re- 
 proofs were  spoken  with  authoi-ity,  but  never  in  passion,  and  being 
 l)rompted  by  the  obvious  desire  of  reclaiming  the  offender,  they  sel- 
 dom failed  to  gain  their  object.  In  his  deportment  Mr  Aitken 
 finely  blended  dignity  with  suavity.  He  bore  himself  with  the 
 same  easy,  gracious  yet  dignified  manner  to  all  classes,  to  the  hum- 
 ble as  well  as  to  those  of  rank  and  station.  He  himself  never  for- 
 got, and  he  never  permitted  others  to  forget,  that  he  filled  an  office 
 which  equally  forbade  him  to  be  haughty  to  the  poor  or  obsequious 
 and  crinofing  to  the  great. 
 
 *'  He  reached  the  age  of  seventy -eight,  his  ministry  having  ex- 
 tended more  than  half  a  century.  He  '  died  in  faith,'  by  which  we 
 mean  that  the  peace  he  enjoyed  on  his  death-bed  rested  not  on  any 
 past  experience  nor  on  any  feeling  of  present  joy,  but  on  the  promise 
 of  the  Word.  Forgetting  all  else,  he  laid  firm  hold  of  it.  His  com- 
 munion with  God  in  his  last  illness  was  maintained  mainly  through 
 the  book  of  Psalms.  In  this  respect  it  may  be  said  that  he  went 
 singing  all  the  way  through  the  dark  valley." 
 
 Regarding  Mr  Aitken's  style  in  pulpit  delivery,  the  Rev.  Dr  John 
 Duncan,  of  New  College,  Edinburgh,  writes: — "Some  Highland  minis- 
 ters chant  parts  of  their  sermon  and  prayers ;  and  the  Old  Seceders 
 
 used  to  sing  them.      Old  A ,  of  K ,  sang  like  a  very  mavis. 
 
 He  had  two  tunes;  his  quotation  tune  (in  quoting  Scripture),  which  he 
 used  as  often  as  he  could ;   and  his  ordinary  one  for  his  own  words. 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    527 
 
 I  have  liearcl  lain  siny,  '  The  Lord  G(m1  of  gotls,  the  Lord  God  of 
 gods,  He  knowetli,  and  Israel  He  shall  know,'  as  splendidly  as  they 
 do  it  in  the  synagogue.'' 
 
 Robert  Chalmers,  from  Dennyloanhead  ;  entered  Divinity 
 Hall  (Rev.  Professor  Wm.  Moncrietf,  of  Alloa),  177G  ;  ordained 
 at  Haddington,  l7th  August  17tS0  ;  joined  the  Constitutional 
 Presbytery,  1807;  and  died,  29th  December  1887,  in  the 
 eighty-second  year  of  his  age,  and  the  fifty-eighth  of  his 
 ministry.  Author  of  "Synod  Sermon,"  1790;  a  "Tract  on 
 Missionary  Societies,"  1798;  a  volume  of  Sermons,  1798; 
 and  "Address  to  his  Congregation,"  1807,  pp.  140. 
 
 Respecting  Mr  Chalmers,  the  Rev.  Dr  Wylie,  states  as  follows  : — 
 "  When  one  is  sent  forth  to  do  a  special  service,  it  is  rare  that  he 
 is  left  to  woi-k  alone.  A  little  band  is  commonly  given  him  as 
 associates  and  fellow- labourers.  Their  share  in  the  work  may  be 
 very  small,  but  even  while  they  act  very  subordinate  parts,  their  pres- 
 ence is  heljiful,  and  in  some  respects  essential.  They  mitigate  the 
 isolation  and  solitariness  of  the  chief  actor — an  isolation  to  whicli' 
 the  peculiarity  of  his  work  exposes  him — they  hold  up  his  hands  by 
 their  prayers,  they  aid  him  by  their  counsels,  and  they  cheer  him 
 by  their  sympathy. 
 
 "  JM'Crie,  in  the  great  task  to  which  he  was  called,  of  re-habili- 
 tating the  Scottish  Reformation  in  public  sentiment,  would  have 
 been  placed  in  utter  isolation,  but  for  a  small  band  of  congenial  men 
 ■who  "wei-e  placed  around  him  as  associates  in  the  work.  Though 
 following  him  at  a  considerable  distance,  they  were  all  men  of  large 
 capacity,  and  of  rich  spiritual  gifts.  They  steadily  devoted  their 
 lives  to  the  maintenance  of  the  same  principles,  and  they  strove 
 with  singleness  of  aim,  entire  devotion,  and  at  the  cost  of  many 
 sacrifices,  to  bring  back  the  nation  to  a  more  intelligent  ai)preheu- 
 sion,  and  a  more  faithful  adherence  to  the  cause  of  the  Reforniation. 
 We  have  sketched  the  character  and  career  of  most  of  the  members 
 of  this  little  band  ;  there  remains  yet  one  other  of  Dr  M'Crie's 
 a-'<sociates  to  be  briefly  portrayed,  the  Rev.  Robert  Chalmers,  of 
 Haddington. 
 
 "  The  special  woi'k  of  Mr  Chalmei"s  was  done  in  the  pulpit.  Of 
 these  four  men,  who  had  separated  themselves,  and  covenanted  to 
 one  another — in  manner  not  unlike,  yet  in  spirit  and  aim  widely 
 different  from,  the  three  Fathers  of  the  Tractarian  movement  in 
 England  at  a  later  period — to  bring  back  the  nation  to  Reformed 
 principles — of  these  four  men,  we  say,  Bruce  and  M'Crie  added  to 
 the  influence  of  their  pulpit  the  yet  mightier  influence  of  their  pens. 
 Aitken  and  Chalmers  fulfilled  their  part  of  the  compact   simply  as 
 
528  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 pastors  and  preachers.  But  both  exerted  a  wide  and  lasting 
 influence  in  this  character  in  the  districts  where  they  laboured. 
 Mr  Aitken  wrought  a  moral  reformation  in  Kirriemuir,  and  vilti- 
 mately  succeeded  in  planting  a  number  of  congregations  north  of  the 
 Tay,  wliicli,  ministered  to  by  able  pastors,  became  flourishing.  Mr 
 Chalmers  was  accounted  the  most  popular  preacher  of  his  day  in 
 East  Lothian. 
 
 "  His  appearance  helped  not  a  little  the  effect  of  his  preaching. 
 He  was  a  tall,  strong-built  man,  self-possessed,  and  dignified  in 
 bearing,  with  a  sonorous  voice,  as  befitted  the  strong  frame  from 
 which  it  issued,  but  withal  sweet  and  musical  in  its  cadences.  His 
 method  in  the  pulpit  was  eminently  clear  and  logical.  He  laid 
 much  stress  on  this  as  a  help  towards  rendering  his  sermons  easily 
 intelligible,  and  capable  of  being  recalled  by  the  memory  of  the 
 hearer,  and  fed  upon  throughout  the  week  ;  a  use  to  which,  we  feai*, 
 it  is  not  so  easy  to  turn  the  modern  essay  which  has  been  substitu- 
 ted for  the  '  heads  and  particulars  '  of  the  sermons  of  former  days. 
 Mr  Chalmers  showed  fire  at  times,  never  vehemence.  The  grace  and 
 solemnity  of  his  delivery,  and  the  weight  of  his  matter,  made  liis  dis- 
 courses always  impressive.  Quiet  in  gesture,  and  earnest  in  tone, 
 he  maintained  an  unbroken  flow  of  racy  and  elegant  diction,  of 
 varied  and  rich  thought,  full  of  Bible  imagery  and  Bible  phraseology, 
 never  at  a  loss  for  a  word  or  an  idea,  and  with  a  fluency  which 
 made  it  easy  to  listen,  but  which  never  cloyed,  never  wearied.  There 
 was  at  times  a  homely  wisdom  in  his  observations,  and  a  quaintness 
 in  his  illustrations  which  was  quite  refreshing,  savouring,  as  it  did, 
 of  originality.  But  the  arsenal  from  which  he  drew  his  sharpest 
 weapors  for  the  heart  and  conscience  was  the  Word  of  God.  He 
 seemed  to  have  i-ansacked  the  whole  Scriptures,  and  culled  their 
 choicest  passages  to  give  point  and  beauty  to  the  sermon  which  they 
 entwined.  We  remember,  long  years  ago,  hearing  him  preach  on 
 '  The  Walk  through  the  Valley  of  the  Shadow  of  Death,'  we  felt 
 as  if  it  was  John  Bunyan  who  occupied  the  pulpit.  The  sermon 
 unrolled  itself  in  a  quaint  simplicity,  a  pictured  beauty,  and  a 
 dramatic  grandeur  not  unworthy  of  the  great  Puritan  allegorist. 
 *  All  walks  here,'  said  the  preacher,  '  are  on  the  same  earth,  but  this 
 is  a  walk  between  two  worlds,  it  is  a  walk  of  only  two  landings,' 
 and,  concluding  solemnly,  '  it  is  a  walk  from  which  there  is  no  return.' 
 "  Mr  Chalmers  possessed  an  insight  of  character  which  gave  him 
 great  influence,  not  only  in  the  town  of  Haddington,  but  throughout 
 the  county  of  Midlothian.  Portly  in  person,  frank,  open,  courteous, 
 with  just  as  much  bluflness  as  gave  zest  to  his  courtesy,  and  always 
 dignified,  his  person  was  respected,  his  society  was  courted,  and  his 
 opinion  was  deferred  to  by  all  ranks.  When  he  came  into  Edin- 
 burgh to  attend  a  meeting  of  Presbytery,  or  to  visit  a  friend,   and 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PllOBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    529 
 
 strode  along  in  his  toi)-boots,  as  his  custom  was,  his  bulky  frame 
 surmounted  by  a  face  redolent  of  health,  the  minister  mii;ht  easily 
 be  mistaken  for  the  county  sijuire.  When  he  set  out  ou  his  return 
 home,  he  would  shout  from  the  pavement  in  stentorian  voice  to  the 
 Haddington  stiige  as  it  trundled  past,  '  Stop  !  stop  ! '  elevating,  at  the 
 same  instant,  his  gold-headed  cane.  The  etfect  on  both  coachman  and 
 hoi-ses  was  magical.  Not  a  yard  farther  would  the  vehicle  proceed 
 till  it  had  received,  as  jiart  of  its  freiglit,  the  patriarchal-looking 
 Secession  minister  of  Haddington. 
 
 "  The  Secession  clergy,  as  a  rule,  were  likely  and  presentable  men, 
 no  ways  inferior  either  in  person  or  in  dress  to  their  brethren  in  the 
 Establishment ;  or  if  difference  there  were,  the  superioi-ity  lay  with 
 those  who  possessed  neither  teind  nor  glebe.  We  have  been  told 
 of  an  Established  minister's  wife  in  Forfarshire,  who  was  much 
 exercised  and  perplexed  by  this  strange  phenomenon.  She  beheld 
 to  her  amazement  the  Secession  pulpits  of  her  neighbourhood  filled 
 by  a  race  of  portly  and  stalwart  men,  while  a  group  of  lean,  withered, 
 and  pigmy  folks  did  duty  in  the  pulpits  of  the  Established  Church. 
 Why  the  one  should  thrive  so  well  on  liard  work  and  a  small  stipend, 
 and  the  other  so  ill  on  easy  labour  and  good  pay  was  a  riddle  which 
 she  could  not  solve.'' 
 
 James  Hog,  from  Milnathort,  ordained  1st  August  178G  ; 
 assisted  in  the  formation  of  the  Constitutional  Presbytery, 
 28th  August  1806  ;  died  1807,  in  the  fifty-third  year  of  his 
 age,  and  the  twenty-second  of  his  ministry.  Author  of 
 Address  to  his  Congregation,  180G,  pp.  80. 
 
 "  Mr  James  Hog  (says  Dr  ]\I'Crie,  jun.)  was  a  classical  scholar, 
 an  accurate  divine,  and  a  man  of  determined  resolution.  Pious, 
 luimble,  and  inoffensive  in  his  walk,  he  was  beloved  by  all  around 
 him,  and  it  does  not,  in  our  estimation,  weaken  his  testimony  to 
 the  truth,  that  in  the  warmth  of  his  spirit,  and  honest  zeal  for  civil 
 liberty,  he  at  one  time  appeared  to  cherish  different  views  on  the 
 subject  of  controversy  from  those  which  more  deliberate  examination 
 induced  him  to  adopt." 
 
 Thomas  M'Crie,  D.D.,  born  at  Duns,  November  1772  ; 
 entered  Divinity  Hall  (Eev.  Prof  Bruce,  of  Whitburn),  1790  ; 
 licensed  by  Presbytery  of  Kelso,  9th  September  1795  ;  ordained 
 in  Potterrow  Church,  Edinburgh,  2Gth  May  179G ;  assisted  in  the 
 formation  of  the  Constitutional  Presbytery,  2.Sth  August  180(5; 
 had  D.D.  conferred  upon  him  by  the  University  of  Edinburgh, 
 1813,  being  the  first  Nonconformist  who  had  that  distinction 
 conferred    upon    him    by  that    University ;    united    with    the 
 
 2  L 
 
530  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Associate  Synod  of  Protesters  in  forming  the  Synod  of  Original 
 Seceders,  1827;  appointed  in  1833  to  assist  Professor  Paxtou 
 in  the  Professoriate  of  Divinity,  and  died  5th  August  1835,  in 
 the  sixty-third  year  of  his  age,  and  the  fortieth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Author  of  a  Paper  on  the  Importance  of  Right  Principles  in 
 Keligion,  and  the  Danger  of  those  which  are  False,  which  appeared 
 in  the  Christian  Magazine,  Februaiy  1797. 
 
 Duty  of  Christian  Societies  ;  a  Sermon,  1797. 
 
 Two  Letters  on  Bigotry,  and  signed  Phlegon,  in  Christian 
 Magazine  of  November  and  December  1798. 
 
 Dialogue  between  John,  a  Baptist,  and  Ebenezer,  a  Seceder,  which 
 publication  was  partly  contributed  by  Bev.  Geo.  Whytock,  of 
 Dalkeith. 
 
 Statement  of  the  Difference  between  the  Profession  of  the 
 Reformed  Church  of  Scotland,  as  adopted  by  Seceders,  and  the  New 
 Testimony  of  the  General  Associate  Synod,  particvdarly  on  the  power 
 of  Civil  Magistrates  respecting  Religion.      Eclin.,  1807,  pp.  234. 
 
 An  Abridgement  of  the  above  w^as  published  in  1832  by  J. 
 Wi-ight,  jun.,  Glasgow,  and  a  new  edition  of  M'Crie's  Statement, 
 with  preface  by  Rev.  Dr  Smeaton,  New  College,  was  published  in 
 Edinburgh  in  1871. 
 
 Articles  in  the  Christian  Magazine. 
 
 Life  of  Alex.  Henderson,  &.c.      1806. 
 
 Letters  on  Catholic  Bill.      1807. 
 
 Life  of  John  Knox,  1812. 
 
 Articles  in  Christian  Instructor,  viz.,  Review  of  Tales  of  My 
 Landlord;  or.  Vindication  of  the  Covenanters.      1817. 
 
 Free  Thoughts  on  the  late  Religious  Celebration  of  Funeral  of 
 Princess  Charlotte.      1817,  pp.  78. 
 
 Life  of  Andrew  Melville.      2  vols.      1819. 
 
 Two  Discourses  on  Unity  of  the  Church,      1821,  pp.  174. 
 
 Memoirs  of  Yeitch,  Brysson,  ikc.      1825,  pp.  540. 
 
 Historical  Part  of  Original  Secession  Testimony.      1827. 
 
 History  of  Progress  and  Suppi-ession  of  Reformation  in  Italy. 
 1827,  pp.  496. 
 
 History  of  Progress  and  Suppression  of  Reformation  in  Spain. 
 1829,  pp.  424. 
 
 Article  on  Sir  Jas.  Turner's  Memoirs  in  Edinburgh  Review,  April 
 1830. 
 
 Account  of  the  Controversy  regarding  the  Marrow  of  Modern 
 Divinity  in  Christian  Instructor.      1831. 
 
 What  ought  the  General  Assembly  to  do  1      1833,  pp.  58. 
 
 Article  in  Presbyterian  Review, ^ihlicai  Interpretation, March  1835. 
 
 Sermons,  published  posthumously.      1836,  pp.  393. 
 
 Lectures  on  Esther,  posthumously  published.      1838. 
 
f 
 
 THE    REV°   THOMAS    M^CRIE.D.D. 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    531 
 
 Miscella noons  Writings,  published  pnstlnuuously.      1S41. 
 
 Early  Yeare  of  John  Calvin.  1509-153G;  also  published 
 posthumously,  1880. 
 
 His  Life  was  published  by  his  Son,  Rev.  Thos.  M'Crie,  D.D., 
 LL.D.,  in  1840. 
 
 "Of  Dr  ]NrCrie  (says  the  Rev.  Dr  Wylie),  wo  do  not  intend  to 
 speak  at  any  length.  It  is  not  necessary  we  should  do  so.  He 
 himself  has  written  his  life  and  character  in  the  eyes  of  the  nation, 
 in  his  great  works,  not  to  speak  of  his  published  biogi'aphy  by  his  son, 
 the  younger  M'Ciie.  We  would  add  only  a  few  private  traits  in 
 that  noble  character  and  grand  life,  which  may  have  escaped  others. 
 
 "  Dr  M'Crie  studied  Theology  under  Professf)r  Bruce.  The  master 
 lived  in  the  })iipil,  but  with  powers  more  concentrated  and  with 
 an  aim  more  steadily  dii'ected  to  one  gi-eat  object.  Professor 
 Bruce  spread  abroad  his  powers,  and  scattered  his  efforts  amongst 
 a  multitude  of  suVyects,  drawn  thereto  by  the  richness  and  prolificness 
 of  his  mind,  and  by  the  abundance  of  leisure  which  he  enjoyed  in 
 his  seclusion,  Dr  ]\I'Crie  gathered  in  his  powers.  He  had  not  the  same 
 proliticness  or  luxuriance  of  thonght  that  characterised  his  reverend 
 preceptor  :  his  mind  was  severer,  sterner ;  moreover,  his  leisure  was 
 not  so  ample.  The  claims  of  social  and  public  duty  upon  him  were 
 more  numerous,  and  he  had  to  husband  both  time  and  strength. 
 
 "  But  the  main  explanation  of  that  concentration  of  aim  and  of 
 effort  wherein  lay  one  great  element  of  the  strength  and  success  of 
 M'Crie  is  to  be  found  in  the  constitution  of  his  mind.  It  was 
 endowed,  with  vast  compi-ehensiveness.  He  possessed  that  order  of 
 talent  which  goes  to  make  great  generals.  His  eye  detected  at 
 once  the  essentials  of  a  subject.  He  saw  by  a  sort  of  intuitive 
 sagacity  the  foundation-principle  of  a  system,  the  turning  point 
 of  an  argument.  M'Crie  was  in  his  library  what  Chalmers  was  in 
 the  pulpit,  and  Wellington  in  the  field  ;  he  brought  his  whole  forces 
 to  bear  on  the  enemy's  centre,  he  broke  it  by  the  delivery  of  a  few 
 terrible  blow.s,  and  having  carried  the  central  position  of  the  foe,  he 
 routed  him  right  and  left,  in  short,  he  cleared  the  whole  field.  It 
 was  on  this  principle  that  the  great  orations  of  Chalmers  were 
 constructed,  and  that  the  great  battles  of  Wellington  and  Napoleon 
 wei-e  fought.  The  tactics  of  all  three  lay  in  searching  out  the 
 strong  j)(>int  of  the  enemy,  the  key-stone  of  the  battle,  and 
 vanquLshing  him  where  he  was  strongest,  and  so  vanquishing  him 
 everywhere. 
 
 "  They  said  of  Farel  that  his  sermons  were  battles.  We  may  say 
 of  M'Crie  that  his  booJcs  wei-e  battles.  His  first  battle  was  the 
 Reformation  of  Scotland,  from  which  the  age  had  drifted  away. 
 The  key  of  that  position  was  the  character  and  policy  of  Knox  ; 
 M'Crie  trium])hantly  ^•indicated  both  the  man  and  his  work.  He 
 rehabilitated  the  Reformer.    A  host  of  prejudices  and  misconceptions, 
 
532  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 the  fruit  of  ignorance  and  malignity,  fell  of  their  own  accord,  and 
 the  Reformation  was  once  more  restored  to  its  old  basis  in  the 
 opinion  of  the  nation.  The  work  was  eulogised  by  Francis  Jeflfrey, 
 whose  critical  genius  and  literary  taste  discerned  its  rare  excellence 
 as  a  biography.  But  the  work  was  greater  than  Jeffrey  knew.  It 
 was  not  only  an  important  addition  to  the  historical  wealth  and 
 literary  fame  of  the  country,  it  was  the  recovery  for  Scotland  of 
 that  grand  epoch  of  her  history  which  made  her  what  she  is  among 
 the  nations,  and  the  re-possession  of  which  secures  to  her  the 
 continuance  of  that  proud  position. 
 
 "  The  second  battle  of  M'Crie  was  for  the  God-given  rights  and 
 independence  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Kirk  of  Scotland.  The 
 key  of  this  second  battle  was  Andrew  Melville,  and  his  interviews 
 and  debates  with  King  James  VI.  There  does  not  exist  in  the 
 English  tongue,  nor  in  any  language  that  we  know  of,  so  clear,  so 
 scientific,  and  so  masterly  an  exposition  and  defence  of  what  is 
 known  in  Scotland  as  the  '  Spiritual  Independence,'  and  the 
 '  Co-ordinate  Jurisdiction,'  as  is  coiitained  in  the  '  Life  of  Andrew 
 Melville.'  It  is  the  finest  of  M'Crie's  works.  When  this  work  was 
 given  to  the  world  Dr  M'Crie  had  done  his  special  task.  He  had 
 recovered  for  Scotland  her  Reformation  in  his  '  Life  of  Knox,'  and 
 now  in  his  '  Life  of  Melville '  he  had  laid  down  the  lines  on  which 
 Scotland  must  proceed  in  developing  and  consummating  her  now 
 recovered  Reformation.  In  a  word  he  had  laid  the  foundations  of  the 
 Free  Church  of  Scotland ;  and  he  had  presented  the  basis  on  which, 
 we  trust,  the  emancipated  and  purified  Presbyterianism  of  Scotland, 
 gathering  all  its  dispersions  into  one,  will  rear  anew  the  walls  and 
 bulwarks  of  a  national  church,  stronger  and  statelier  than  ever, 
 and  crowned  with  a  glory  which  no  former  age  has  beheld. 
 
 "  When  from  his  library,  where  he  had  been  hard  at  work  all 
 week,  he  passed  on  Sabbath  morning  to  the  pvilpit,  there  hung 
 around  him  not  a  little  of  the  secluded,  abstracted  air  of  the  scholar. 
 But  the  coldness  and  stiffness  soon  passed  away.  He  read  out  the 
 psalm  with  peculiar  solemnity.  There  was  a  reverence  and  majesty 
 in  his  opening  prayer  which  prepared  the  people  for  all  that  was  to 
 follow.  He  always,  except  on  rai-e  occasions,  lectured  at  the  foi-e- 
 noon  diet,  choosing  his  subject,  especially  towards  the  latter  end  of 
 his  ministry,  from  the  historical  portions  of  the  Old  Testament. 
 These  subjects  afforded  ample  scope  for  his  knowledge  of  human 
 nature,  his  power  of  painting  character,  his  genius  for  throwing 
 events  into  a  dramatic  form,  and  his  wonderful  power  of  making  an 
 ordinary  narrative  rich  in  great  lessons  or  solemn  warnings.  His 
 lectures  were  unique  and  inimitable.  They  were  not  only  historic, 
 but  histrionic.  They  were  great  masterpieces  of  Scripture-painting. 
 The  grander  passages  in  them  were  not  merely  recited,  they  w'ere 
 acted.     It  was  easy  to  see  when  the  inspiration  fell  upon   him — the 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    533 
 
 ti\ll,  worn,  yet  warrior-looking  figure  drew  itself  up  ;  it  becauio  sud- 
 denly clothed  with  a  new  youth,  as  it  were  ;  the  large,  prominent 
 eye  began  to  burn,  and  to  shoot  out  livid  gleams  from  under  the 
 shaggy  eyebrows.  The  voice,  instead  of  rising,  suildenly  dropped 
 into  a  lower  key,  but  continued  distinctly  audible  in  the  deep  still- 
 ness that  reigned  in  the  assembly.  The  tones  were  intensely 
 earnest,  and  had  a  sti*ange,  indescribable  power  of  thrilling  the 
 hearei-s.  The  scene  was  such  as  was  not  to  be  witnessed  in  any 
 other  pulpit  of  the  age.  The  eloquence  of  Dr  M'Crie  was  not 
 characterised  by  that  immense  physical  vehemence  and  Demos- 
 thenic ardour,  and  by  that  gorgeousness  of  imagination  which  gave 
 to  the  oratory  of  Chalmers  its  unquestioned  supremacy  over  all 
 contemporary  eloquence  ;  but  in  its  electrical  intensity  and  brilliance, 
 and  its  spiritual  grandeur  and  force,  it  rose  above  it,  and  above  that 
 of  all  the  great  orators  of  his  day. 
 
 "  Dr  M'Crie's  gi'eat  powers  matured  slowly.  When  he  was 
 young  he  evinced  a  sprightliuess  that  bordered  on  gaiety  ;  he  wore 
 powder,  and  studied  his  pulpit  attitudes.  '  When  1  was  young,'  we 
 once  heard  him  say,  '  I  was  as  hauch  a  creature  as  ever  mounted  a 
 pulpit  ! '  But  when  he  had  come  out  of  the  furnace  of  trouble  into 
 which  he  was  cast,  he  had  left  behind  him  all  these  foibles.  *  No 
 M'Crie,'  we  also  once  heard  him  remark,  '  was  worth  anything  till 
 he  was  forty.'  However  this  may  be,  it  is  a  striking  fact  that  it 
 was  not  till  his  late  age  that  his  imagination  blossomed.  There  is 
 little  fancy  or  poetry  in  his  earlier  writings ;  they  are  characterised 
 by  a  severity  of  taste  that  seems  to  eschew  ornament.  Old  age,  in 
 ordinary  men,  withers  and  kills  the  fancy,  as  the  winter's  frost  does 
 the  summer's  flower.  But  it  was  not  so  with  M'Crie.  After  the 
 great  strain  of  his  labours  was  somewhat  relaxed,  and  he  had  begun 
 to  give  his  powers  more  scope  and  play,  then  it  was  that  his  imagi- 
 nation awoke  ;  and  as  if  to  make  amends  for  its  late  unfolding,  it 
 put  on  a  strength  and  richness  of  colour  which  imparted  to  some  of 
 his  latter  sermons  and  lectures  a  grandeur  almost  Shakspearian. 
 
 "  It  was  delightful  to  listen  to  M'Crie's  table-talk.  At  such  sea- 
 sons his  eye  sparkled  and  his  face  brimmed  over  with  kindliness 
 and  shrewdness.  He  was  unaffected,  familiar,  and,  with  intimate 
 friends,  often  playful,  but  with  an  air  of  dignity  all  the  while  sit 
 ting  easily  upon  him.  He  loved  to  converse,  not  to  argue  or  dis- 
 pute. But  in  his  most  familiar  talk  he  let  drop  his  wisdom  in 
 shrewd  observations  on  men  and  things,  and  often  in  trenchant 
 criticisms  on  public  measures,  or  sagacious  forecasts  with  regard  to 
 passing  events.  He  loved  to  enliven  the  conversation  with  a 
 jjlayful  jest  or  a  humorous  anecdote.  His  humour — piquant,  not 
 broad — cheered  the  circle  of  friends  around  him,  and  at  times  con- 
 vulsed them  with  laughter  ;   but   in  the  pulpit  it  was  ever  firmly 
 
534  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 reined  in,  though  at  times,  even  there,  it  would,  in  spite  of  all  his 
 caution,  well  out  in  quiet,  suppressed  effusion,  and  bring  a  mantling 
 smile  over  the  faces  of  his  congregation.  He  had  other  and  more 
 caustic  qualities,  of  which  he  made  sparing  use  in  private,  but 
 which  he  was  able  at  times  to  turn  to  admirable  account  in  his 
 public  appearances.  Like  his  friend,  Professor  Bruce,  he  possessed 
 a  great  power  of  stinging  satire,  and  could  wield  it  to  purpose  when 
 the  cause  of  truth  was  to  be  served  by  it.  When  it  happened  to 
 liim,  in  the  course  of  his  Sabbath  forenoon  lecture,  that  he  had  to 
 delineate  some  Scripture  character,  unhappily  prominent  for  evil,  or 
 to  reprobate  some  flagrant  iniquity,  then  it  was  that  he  found 
 ample  scope  for  the  exercise  of  this  formidable  weapon.  He  would 
 lay  bare  the  disguises  of  hypoci-isy,  and  the  subterfuges  of  selfish- 
 ness, or  he  would  tear  the  mask  from  the  mock  -  patriot  in  the 
 State,  or  the  mock -reformer  in  the  Church,  with  a  few  quiet  touches 
 of  humour  or  a  few  strokes  of  irony.  At  other  times  it  delighted 
 him  to  overwhelm  the  evil-doer  with  a  perfect  tempest  of  withering 
 scorn  and  moral  indignation. 
 
 "  But  though  at  times  he  descanted  on  public  topics,  finding  in 
 these  an  inviting  field  for  a  public  spirit  which  was  ever  seeking 
 the  welfare  of  the  Church  and  the  nation,  and  a  vent  for  the  stores 
 of  historic  knowledge  with  which  his  mind  was  enriched,  and  a 
 subject  on  which  to  exercise  the  sagacious  forecast  with  which  he 
 was  so  i'eniarkal>ly  endowed,  yet  his  great  aim  in  the  pulpit  was  to 
 *  feed  the  flock.'  He  was  profoundly  versed  in  the  Calvinistic 
 theology  ;  and  even  his  most  ordinary  discourses,  though  entirely 
 without  attempt  at  display  or  rhetoric,  were  pervaded  by  a  quiet 
 power,  and  abounded  in  a  hidden  richness  of  thought.  They  were 
 full  of  beauties  which  were  more  likely  to  be  visible  to  the  theologian 
 and  the  scholar  than  to  the  ordinary  hearer.  As  he  discoursed, 
 ever  in  simple,  yet  chaste  and  classic  langviage,  new  light  fell  upon 
 the  text,  new  meanings  disclosed  themselves,  the  deep  things  of  the 
 Gospel  became  plain,  and  new  light  and  courage  sprang  up  in  the 
 heart  of  the  Christian.  His  sermon  on  the  '  Prayer  of  the  Dying 
 Thief '  is  perhaps  the  most  eloquent  in  the  English  language. 
 
 "  Amid  all  his  labours  he  was  ever  ready  to  discharge  the  humblest 
 service  to  the  poorest  of  his  flock.  As  regards  his  younger  brethren 
 in  the  ministry,  he  made  himself  one  of  them.  He  courted  their 
 acquaintance,  assisted  with  them  on  occasion  of  their  communions  ; 
 talked  freely  with  them  touching  their  difficulties  and  hindi-ances ; 
 he  himself  had  had  experience  at  the  outset  of  his  career  of  the  veiy 
 same  difficulties,  and  was  well  able  to  give  advice  as  to  the  best 
 method  of  overcoming  them,  and  converting  them  into  heljis.  His 
 experience  was  ever  at  the  command  of  younger  ministers  ;  he  told 
 them   what  books  to  read,  what  methods   of  study  to  pursue,  and 
 
DIVINITY  STUDEN.TS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    535 
 
 what  plan  to  adopt  in  tlio  writiiii,'  and  delivery  of  sermons.  Of  the 
 many  wlio  jnutited  by  such  counsels,  so  frankly  and  kindly  ^'iven, 
 the  nunilicr  who  survive  to  acknowledge  the  del)t  are  few  indeed. 
 The  writer  knows  but  of  one  other  besides  himself. 
 
 "  Dr  M'Crie's  departure  was  sudden.  When  a  young  man,  he 
 one  day  narrowly  escaped  drowning  in  the  Tweed,  which  he  had 
 occasion  to  cross.  The  ilay  was  the  5th  of  August,  the  year  we  do 
 not  know.  On  the  same  day  of  the  same  month,  forty  years  after- 
 wards, he  was  fated  to  pass  through  another  rivei',  whose  floods  could 
 not  overflow  him,  though  they  who  saw  him  enter  its  waters  could 
 not  see  his  arrival  on  the  farther  shore,  nor  the  '  shining  ones '  that 
 there  waited  for  him.  On  Sabbath,  the  2d  of  August  1835,  he 
 preached  with  his  usual  imj)ressiveness.  On  IMonday  he  entertained 
 at  dinner  an  American  minister  who  had  brought  a  letter  of  intro- 
 duction to  him.  On  Tuesday  at  live  of  the  afternoon  he  was  seized 
 with  a  fit  of  constipation,  and  soon  became  alarmingly  ill.  The 
 writer  of  this  sketch,  who  was  by  his  bedside,  hastened  for  medical 
 aid.  The  physician,  on  arrival,  administered  a  soothing  draught. 
 He  drank  it  off,  and  straightway  fell  into  a  heavy  sleep  or  rather 
 stu})or,  from  which  he  was  to  awake  no  moi-e  on  earth.  Once  only 
 during  that  awful  night  he  opened  his  eyes,  and  heaved  a  deep  groan, 
 but  no  word  did  he  utter.  His  converse  with  man  had  ended.  On 
 Wednesday,  the  5th  of  August,  at  about  one  of  the  afternoon,  he 
 ceased  to  breathe.  Then  the  traces  of  suffering  were  eflaced ;  the 
 noble  countenance  regained  its  placidity,  and  became  calm  and 
 beautiful,  as  if  chiselled  in  marble,  and  resting  on  its  pillow,  com- 
 manding even  in  death,  lay  the  massy  head,  in  deep  and  majestic 
 repose." 
 
 The   remains  of  Dr  M'Crie  were  interred  on  Wednesday,    12th 
 August.     The  following  was  the  order  of  the  procession  : — 
 
 The  Students  of  the  United  Secession  and  the  Established  Church, 
 
 two  abreast. 
 
 Baton-men  and  mutes. 
 
 The  Body, 
 
 The  relatives  of  the  deceased  and  the  Membei's  of  the  Original 
 
 Secession  Synod, 
 A  Deputation  from  the  Commission  of  the  General  Assembly, 
 
 The  members  of  Dr  M'Crie's  congregation,  and  ministers  and 
 
 friends  of  the  deceased,  who  walked  six  abreast. 
 The  students  of  the  Established  Church  joined  the  pi-ocession  at 
 Newington  Cliurch,  and  the  Secession  students  joined  it  at  Nicolson 
 Street  Secession  Church.  The  funeral  proceeded  from  Minto  Street, 
 along  Clerk  Street,  Nicolson  Street,  College  Street,  and  Lothian 
 Street,  to  the  Greyfriars'  Churchyard,  and  in  all  these  streets  crowds 
 of  spectators  were  assembled  to  witness  the  melancholy  procession. 
 
536  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 On  reaching  the  churchyard  the  students  halted  and  opened  their 
 ranks,  when  the  remains  of  the  deceased,  followed  by  his  relatives, 
 and  the  rest  of  the  procession  walked  forward  betwixt  them  to  the 
 grave  in  the  west  alley  of  the  churchyard. 
 
 John  Turnbull,  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Prof.  William 
 Moncrieff,  of  Alloa),  1767  ;  ordained  at  Ay  ton,  3d  March 
 1779  ;  deposed,  23d  February  1790,  but  restored  in  1792  ; 
 removed  to  Glasgow,  where  he  taught  Hebrew  and  classics  in 
 Havannah  Street  for  many  years  ;  joined  the  Constitutional 
 Presbytery^  and  fulfilled  preaching  appointments  till  his  health 
 gave  way  in  1816,  but  he  continued  to  live  till  1823.  The 
 Old  Light  Antiburgher  congregation  of  Glasgow  met  regularly 
 for  a  time  in  his  class-room  for  public  worship  on  Sabbaths. 
 Had  as  one  of  his  pupils,  Rev.  Dr  William  Fleming,  succes- 
 sively Professor  of  Hebrew  and  Moral  Philosophy  in  the 
 University  of  Glasgow.  Author  of  a  translation  of  the  New 
 Testament  into  Hebrew  for  Jewish  use  ;  a  "  Review  of  the 
 Antigovernment  Scheme  as  it  is  stated  in  what  is  called  the 
 Reformed  Testimony  and  its  Vindications,"  pp.  123,  published 
 anonymously  in  1783  ;  and  of  a  pamphlet,  "  Old  Light  better 
 than  pretended  New,"  with  the  motto,  "  No  man  having  drunk 
 old  wine  straightway  desireth  new  ;  for  he  saith  the  old  is 
 better." 
 
 Andrew  Arrot,  from  Dumbarrow,  of  which  his  father  was 
 minister,  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Prof.  William  Moncrieff,  of 
 Alloa),  1774;  ordained  at  Wick,  12th  December  1780; 
 loosed  from  his  charge,  7th  October  1788,  and  removed  to 
 Ireland,  1789  ;  joined  the  Constitutional  Presbytery,  and  took 
 preaching  appointments  till  26th  July  1814,  when  he  returned 
 to  Ireland. 
 
 James  Andrew,  from  Perth,  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Rev. 
 Prof.  William  Moncrieff,  of  Alloa),  1776  ;  ordained  at  Shiels 
 (now  Belhelvie),  5th  July  1786  ;  left  his  congregation  in 
 1800,  and  after  the  formation  of  the  Constitutional  Presby- 
 tery joined  it,  and  fulfilled  preaching  appointments  till  May 
 1816,  when  he  retired  to  his  native  place  at  Redford,  Mad- 
 derty,  near  Perth,  where  he  became  a  farmer,  and  died  on 
 15th  February  1822,  in  the  sixty-eighth  year  of  his  age. 
 
 Archibald      Willison,     from     Dennyloanhead,     entered 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    537 
 
 Divinity  Hall  (Rev.  Prof.  Bruce,  of  Whitburn),  1791  ; 
 ordained  in  Mill  Street,  Montrose,  14th  March  1798;  re- 
 signed, 25th  June  ISO-t  ;  joined  the  Constitutional  Presby- 
 tery, 20th  ]\Iarch  1810  ;  inducted  to  Birsay  without  the 
 presence  of  the  Presbytery,  11th  August  1812,  and  was 
 deposed  from  the  ministry,  2d  March  1818. 
 
 William  Wilkinson,  from  Ireland,  entered  Divinity  Hall 
 (Rev.  Professor  Bruce,  Whitburn),  179G  ;  ordained  at  Clen- 
 anees,  Ireland,  1801  ;  demitted  his  charge,  and  after  the 
 formation  of  tiie  Constitutional  Presbytery  joined  it,  and  took 
 preaching  appointments  till  1808,  when  he  returned  to  Ire- 
 land;  came  back  to  Scotland  in  1811,  but  appointments 
 were  withheld. 
 
 Andrew  Dickenson,  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Rev.  Professor 
 Bruce,  Whitburn),  180.5,  and  adhered  to  the  Constitutional 
 Presbytery,  but  never  received  licence  ;  conducted  an  aca- 
 demy in  London  for  a  time,  but  subsequently  resided  in  Edin- 
 burjih,  where  he  edited  an  edition  of  the  Classics  and  also  of 
 the  Greek  Testament. 
 
 John  Davies  attended  Divinity  Hall  (Rev.  Professor  Bruce, 
 Whitburn);  licensed  9th  May  1809,  but  never  obtained  a 
 charge;  fulfilled  preaching  appointments  till  14th  November 
 1815,  when  his  name  was  removed  from  the  preachers' 
 list. 
 
 John  Aitken,  from  Kirriemuir,  of  which  his  father  was 
 minister;  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Professor  Bruce,  Whitburn), 
 1807;  owing  to  paucity  of  probationers,  was  licensed  25th 
 July  1809,  and  was  called  to  Kelso,  Glasgow,  Dundee,  and 
 Aberdeen.  The  Presbytery  having  decided  in  favour  of  the 
 last-mentioned  congregation,  he  was  ordained  at  A])erdeen, 
 25th  July  1811.  On  10th  September  1850  Mr  Aitken  re- 
 ceived from  his  congregation  a  purse  containing  sixty-three 
 sovereigns  as  a  mark  of  their  esteem  and  gratitude  for  his 
 long  and  faithful  services,  he  having  entered  on  the  fortieth 
 year  of  his  ministry  ;  died  21st  July  1857,  in  the  sixty- 
 eighth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  forty-sixth  of  his  ministry. 
 Edited  in  183C  a  volume  of  sermons  by  his  father,  the  Rev. 
 James  Aitken,  of  Kirriemuir. 
 
 This  respected  miuister,  who  was  the  first  licentiate  of  the  Constitu- 
 
538  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 tional  Presbytery,  was  born  at  Kirriemuir  on  13th  December  1789, 
 and  died  in  1857.  An  excellent  memoir  of  him  was  shortly  after- 
 wards published  in  the  Oi'iginal  Secession  Magazine.  In  figure  he 
 was  tall,  and  in  old  age  his  appearance  and  speech  wei-e  peculiarly 
 impressive  when  he  spoke  in  the  Synod.  In  voice  and  manner  he 
 was  solemn,  and  his  piety  was  sincere,  as  is  evident  from  the  per- 
 sonal covenant  with  God,  into  which  he  privately  entered  at  the 
 period  of  his  ordination.  This  covenant  is  now  given  as  a  speci- 
 men of  a  form  of  piety  which  was  not  unusual  among  Christians  of 
 that  period,  and  which  under  the  Divine  blessing  they  found  to  be 
 beneficial  to  their  spiritual  growth  ; — 
 
 Personal  Covenant. 
 
 "  0  infinitely  great  and  glorious  Jehovah,  the  God  and  Father  of 
 our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  I  do  this  day  appear  before  thee,  acknow- 
 ledging myself  to  be  a  lost,  ruined  sinner  in  Adam,  my  federal  head 
 and  representative,  and  that  I  have  been  chargeable  with  innumer- 
 able sins  of  heart  and  life,  of  omission  and  commission — yea,  that 
 my  whole  conduct,  since  ever  I  had  a  being  in  the  world,  has  been 
 a  course  of  defection  from  Thee.  From  the  threatenings  denounced 
 in  Thy  pure  and  holy  law  against  transgressors,  I  am  fully  sensible 
 that  I  am,  on  account  of  these  sins,  exposed  to  Thy  awful  wrath  ; 
 for  this  is  its  language,  '  Cursed  is  every  one  that  continueth  not  in 
 all  things  written  in  the  book  of  the  law  to  do  them.'  I  acknow- 
 ledge that  I  deserve  to  fall  under  the  execution  of  the  curse  in  its 
 full  extent,  and  that  Thou  wouldest  be  fully  justified  though  Thou 
 shouldest  utterly  destroy  me.  This  I  would  desire  to  be  deeply 
 sensible  of ;  and  farther,  that  I  am  vitterly  incapable  to  do  anything 
 for  my  deliverance  out  of  this  situation — yea,  that  no  creature  is 
 able  to  help  me.  But  forasmuch  as  Thou,  in  Thy  astonishing  love, 
 resolved  to  save  a  company  of  Adam's  ruined  family,  and  from  ever- 
 lasting entered  into  a  Covenant  with  Thy  Son  on  this  head,  promis- 
 ing deliverance  from  sin  and  wrath,  and  the  possession  of  eternal 
 glory  in  Him,  on  condition  of  His  completely  obeying  Thy  law,  and 
 satisfying  Thy  justice,  in  their  room  and  stead;  and  whereas  Christ, 
 standing  in  the  character  of  the  second  Adam,  agreed  thereto,  and 
 hath,  in  the  fulness  of  time,  actually  appeared  in  our  world,  and  by 
 His  holy  nature,  righteous  life,  and  satisfactory  death,  in  the  most 
 perfect  manner  gone  through  all  that  was  required ;  and  whereas 
 Thou  art  in  Thy  Word  exhibiting  all  this,  and  inviting  me,  a  poor, 
 guilty  sinner,  to  come  and  take  the  benefit  of  what  He  hath  done 
 —to  unite  with  Him  by  faith,  to  put  in  my  claim  to  that  salvation 
 which  He  hath  wrought  out,  to  declare  my  liking  to  this  method  and 
 plan,  and  my  desire  to  be  saved  by  Him  alone,  saying,  '  Incline 
 your  ear,  and  come  unto  me  ;  hear,  and  your  soul  shall  live.' 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    oSO 
 
 "  On  this  as  my  wainint,  I  this  day,  on  my  kiiocs  hefore  Thee, 
 the  searcluT  of  hearts,  solemnly  declare  my  accej)tance  of  Christ 
 with  my  wliole  heart  and  soul,  and  my  perfect  actiiiiesceneo  in  that 
 glorious  plan  devised  by  Infinite  Wisdom  for  the  salvation  of  sinners. 
 I  hereby  renounce  every  other  metliod  of  salvation,  and  take  hold  of 
 Thy  Covenant,  by  closing  with  Christ,  the  head  of  it,  declaring  my 
 resolution  to  rest  thereon  for  time  and  eternity.  I  take  God  the 
 Father  to  be  my  Father;  God  the  Son,  in  evei-y  character  and  office 
 in  which  He  is  exliibited,  as  my  Prophet,  Priest,  and  King,  to  be 
 taught,  saved,  and  ruled  by  Him;  and  God  the  Holy  Ghost  to  be  my 
 sanctifier  and  comforter.  I  take  a  three-one  God,  in  Christ  for  my 
 God,  and  declare  that  '  the  sure  and  well-ordered  Covenant '  is  '  all 
 my  salvation  and  all  my  desire.' 
 
 "  On  the  other  hand,  in  obedience  to  thy  command,  and  a-s  a 
 token  of  gratitude,  I  hereby  give  myself  over  to  Thee,  in  my  soul 
 and  body,  in  all  I  have,  am,  or  can  do,  to  be  employed  in  Thy 
 service,  while  Thou  sparest  me  in  this  world  ;  and  as  Thou  hast 
 been  pleased  to  put  me  into  the  ministry,  to  do  all  in  my  power, 
 constantly  looking  up  for  the  assistance  of  Thy  Spirit,  for  promoting 
 Thy  glory,  and  doing  good  to  immortal  souls. 
 
 "  I  am,  with  my  whole  heart,  content  (Lord,  Thou  knowest !)  to 
 part  with,  and  do  renounce,  every  known  sin,  lust,  or  idol,  and  par- 
 ticularly the  sin  which  doth  most  easily  beset  me,  together  with  my 
 own  foolish  will,  and  all  other  lords  besides  Christ,  without  reser- 
 vation and  without  exception,  against  His  cross.  Protesting,  in 
 Thy  sight,  O  Lord,  that  I  am  (through  grace)  willing  to  have  dis- 
 covered unto  me,  and,  upon  discovery,  to  part  with  every  sin  in  me 
 that  I  know  not ;  and  that  the  doubtings  and  averseness  of  heart, 
 mixed  with  this  my  accepting  of  Thy  Covenant  are  what  I  allow 
 not ;  and  that  notwithstanding  thereof,  I  look  to  be  accepted  of 
 Thee  herein,  in  the  Beloved,  Thine  only  Son  and  my  Saviour,  purg- 
 ing away  therewith  all  my  other  sins  by  His  precious  blood. 
 
 "  Let  it  be  recorded  in  heaven,  O  Lord,  and  let  whatever  is  here 
 present  bear  witness,  that  I,  though  most  unworthy,  have  this  day 
 been  taken  hold  of,  and  come  into  Thy  Covenant  of  grace,  offered 
 and  exhibited  to  me  in  Thy  Gospel ;  and  that  Thou  art  my  God  in 
 the  tenor  of  that  Covenant,  and  I  am  one  of  Thy  people,  henceforth 
 and  for  ever — hereby  renewing  in  writing  what  I  have  formerly 
 aimed  at  both  in  secret  and  in  public. 
 
 "  Signed  in  my  closet,  at  Aberdeen,  this  twenty-ninth  day  of 
 July,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  eleven  years. 
 
 "  John  Aitken." 
 
 In  many  respects  Mr  Aitken  was  a  model  pastor.  In  his  pleach- 
 ing he  exhibited  much  emotion,  in  pastoral  work  he  was  labori- 
 ous, and  from  his  gravity  of  manner  and  consistency  of  conduct,  he 
 
540  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 was  esteemed  and  respected  fai'  beyond  the  bonnds  of  his  church 
 connection. 
 
 At  the  period  of  the  Disruption  of  the  United  Original  Secession 
 Synod  in  1852  he  adhered  to  the  minority,  and  headed  the  protest 
 made  on  the  occasion.  His  undoubted  piety  and  moral  worth 
 always  gave  peculiar  weight  to  his  opinions,  and  those  who  differed 
 from  him  could  not  help  according  him  their  sincere  respect. 
 Amongst  his  dying  expressions  were  the  following,  "  I  must  see 
 Jesus.  O  !  to  see  Him  in  glory,  face  to  face,  and  be  like  Him.  I 
 shall  soon  see  the  King  in  His  beauty,  and  dwell  in  Immanuel's 
 land.  J  forget  many  things,  but  one  thing  I  remember,  that  Jesus 
 Christ  is  tlie  same  yesterday,  to-day,  and  for  ever.  O  !  how  great 
 is  His  goodness  !  O  for  a  heart  to  praise  Him  !  The  Lord  is  my 
 portion,  I  will  trust  in  Him ;   He  is  my  salvation." 
 
 Patrick  M'Kenzie,  from  Inverness,  attended  Divinity 
 Hall  (Rev.  Professor  Bruce,  Whitburn);  licensed  loth  August 
 1811  ;  called  to  Kelso,  but  owing  to  some  persons  at  Nigg, 
 in  Ross-shire,  desiring  him  as  minister,  his  ordination  at 
 Kelso  did  not  take  place  till  12th  May  1814.  The  congre- 
 gation having  gradually  declined,  he  was  missioned  by  the 
 Synod  to  the  Hebrides  on  27th  June  1837,  and  died  in 
 1839. 
 
 William  Duncan,  from  Coupar-Angus,  attended  Divinity 
 Hall  (Professor  Bruce,  Whitburn)  ;  licensed  7th  March  1815, 
 but  resigned  taking  preaching  appointments  owing  to  weak- 
 ness of  voice,  21st  July  1818;  was  appointed  in  1829  to 
 teach  Hebrew  in  the  Original  Secession  Divinity  Hall,  at 
 the  salary  of  five  pounds;  died  of  cholera,  1832.  Edited  a 
 new  edition  of  Greek  New  Testament,  as  published  by 
 Andrew  Dickenson  in  1817,  and  which  is  now  known  as 
 Duncan's  Greek  Testament. 
 
 Robert  Shaw,  D.D.,  attended  Divinity  Hall  (Rev.  Profes- 
 sor Bruce,  Whitburn)  ;  licensed  7th  March  1815;  called  to 
 Whitburn,  15th  October  1816,  and  ordained  there,  14th 
 May  1817  ;  was  for  many  years  Clerk  to  Original  Secession 
 Presbytery  of  Edinburgh,  and  also  Clerk  to  Original  Secession 
 Synod  from  13th  May  1834  till  its  union  with  the  Free 
 Church  of  Scotland,  1st  June  1852  ;  received  the  degree  of 
 D.D.  from  New  Jersey  College,  United  States,  1851  ;  died 
 10th  January  1863,  in  the  sixty-seventh  year  of  his  age,  and 
 the  forty-sixth  of  his  ministry. 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    541 
 
 Author  of  "  Fuuenil  Sermon  of  Dr  MCrie,  sen.,"  1835; 
 "  Remarks  on  Rev.  Jas.  Wright's  Address  to  Infirmary  Street 
 Congregation,"  Edin.,  1842,  pp.  15  ;  "Speech  at  tlie  Bicen- 
 tenary of  Westminster  Assembly,"  1843  ;  "  The  New  Theology 
 Examined":  several  pamphlets,  1843;  "Exposition  of  the 
 Westminster  Confession  of  Faith,"  1845,  pp.  333  ;  and  of 
 several  articles  in  the  Presbyterian  Rev'ieiv. 
 
 "  Dr  Shaw  was  a  native  of  Perth,  was  educated  in  Edinburgh 
 University  ;  excelled  in  Logic,  and  obtained  a  prize  for  a  dis- 
 tinguished essay  on  '  Consciousness.'  Tlioui;h  somewjiat  lacking  in 
 fervour,  he  preached  the  gosjtel  in  its  purity,  freeness,  and  complete- 
 ness. He  was  distinguished  for  solidity  and  accuracy.  His  dis- 
 coui-ses  had  few  or  no  illustrations,  but  they  were  sound,  and  fitted 
 to  edify  Christians.  In  ])rivate  he  was  grave  and  dijjnified,  a  true 
 friend  and  a  man  of  sterling  integiity.  He  was  highly  esteemed  in 
 the  district  in  which  he  lived  and  laboured,  and  also  in  the  Original 
 Secession  Synod  to  which  he  was  Clerk,  as  one  who  would  .su]ji)ort 
 what  he  believed  right,  and  resist  what  he  considered  wronf^.  His 
 death  was  the  result  of  an  accident  received  in  stepping  from  a 
 railway  carriage." 
 
 James  Cairncross,  from  Carnoustie,  attended  Divinity 
 Hall  (Rev.  Professor  Bruce,  Whitburn)  ;  licensed  9th  May 
 1815  ;  called  to  Birsay,  December  1818,  and  ordained  there, 
 13th  May  1819  ;  demitted  his  charge,  16th  September  1842  ; 
 emigrated  to  Wisconsin,  America,  and  died  at  Blandfcjrd, 
 23rd  November  1851,  in  the  sixty-fifth  year  of  his  age,  and 
 the  thirty-third  of  his  ministry. 
 
 John  Duncan,  LL.D.,  born  in  Aberdeen  179G;  entered 
 Divinity  Hall  (Rev.  Professor  Bruce,  Whitburn),  1st  Septem- 
 ber 1813;  but  in  1816,  before  the  completion  of  his  theo- 
 logical studies,  joined  the  Established  Church,  and  was 
 appointed,  in  1830,  to  labour  at  Persie,  whence  he  removed  to 
 Glasgow  Milton  Church,  where  he  was  ordained  in  1836. 
 In  1840  demitted  his  charge  owing  to  his  appointment  to  the 
 Jewish  ]\Iission  Station  at  Pesth,  from  which  he  was  translated 
 to  the  Hebrew  Chair  of  the  Free  or  New  College,  Edinburo-h, 
 in  1843,  which  Professorship  he  held  till  his  death,  26th 
 February  1870,  in  the  seventy-fourth  year  of  his  age,  and  the 
 thirty-fourth  of  his  ministry.  Author  of  "  Colloquia  Peripa- 
 tetica  ;  "  "In  the  Pulpit  and  at  the  Communion  Table  ;  "  a 
 volume    of    Discourses     published    posthumously    in    1874* 
 
542  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 "  Lecture  on  the  Work  of  the  Holy  Spirit ;  "  "  Letter  of  Cou- 
 dolence  to  Congregation  of  Free  West,  Rothesay,  on  the  death 
 of  their  Pastor,"  1849. 
 
 Of  this  student,  subsequently  well  known  in  Scotland  by 
 the  sobriquet  of  Eabbi  Duncan,  Dr  M'Crie,  jun.,  who  was  a 
 fellow  student  with  him  at  the  Hall  in  1815,  thus  writes: — 
 "  He  was  a  slender  youth  of  peculiar  aspect  and  manners,  and 
 was  looked  on  as  very  simple,  and  a  fair  subject  for  those  practical 
 jokes  so  common  in  the  days  of  youthful  folly.  We  were  few  in 
 number,  and  boarded  together  in  a  house  we  called  the  Barracks  ; 
 and,  out  of  mei-e  frolic,  we  had  a  set  of  rules  and  a  sort  of  court  of 
 review.  I  recollect  that  for  som.e  petty  offence,  John  Duncan  was 
 summoned  to  the  tribunal,  and,  being  convicted,  received  the  solemn 
 mockery  of  a  rebuke,  which  he  took  in  serious  earnest,  crying  most 
 bitterly.  My  opinion  now  is,  that  his  mind  had  not  developed 
 itself;  he  was  idle,  or  rather  thoughtful,  and  never  ready  in  time 
 with  his  exercises ;  and  it  can  readily  be  perceived  that  his  peculi- 
 arities, which  grew  on  him  as  he  advanced,  must  have  been 
 singularly  noticeable  before  they  were  redeemed  in  after  life,  in  the 
 estimation  of  all  who  knew  him,  by  the  gifts  and  graces  with  which 
 they  were  accompanied.  But  never  did  he  forget  his  early  com- 
 panions and  experiences  at  Whitburn.  I  remember  that  when  I 
 was  Moderator  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Free  Church  of 
 Scotland  (in  the  year  1856),  he  took  his  seat  one  day  on  the  steps 
 leading  up  to  my  chair ;  and,  struck  apparently  with  the  change  of 
 circumstances,  he  said  to  me  with  his  sei-io-pleasant  look,  '  O  man  ! 
 do  you  mind  about  Whitburn  and  Professor  Bruce  1  He  was  a 
 wonderful  man  that ! '  doubtless  transporting  himself  to  the  days 
 when  the  venerable  Professor  sat  before  us  in  his  full-bottomed  wig 
 and  silver  buckles,  lecturing  to  his  sadly  reduced  numbers  (after  the 
 rupture  in  the  Associate  Synod,  and  deposition  of  tlie  four  brethren), 
 in  the  muffled  tones  of  the  Dead  March  in  Saul,  but  uttering  a 
 depth  of  wisdom  worthy  of  being  listened  to  by  a  whole  conclave  of 
 bishops." 
 
 The  extraordinary  cax'eer  of  this  student,  with  numerous  anecdotes 
 of  his  forgetfulness,  was  published  in  1872 — "  Life  of  the  late  John 
 Duncan,  LL.D.,  Professor  of  Hebi-ew  and  Oriental  Languages, 
 New  College,  Edinburgh,"  by  David  Brown,  D.D.,  Professor  of 
 Theology,  Aberdeen. 
 
 David  Lundie,  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Rev.  Professor 
 Bruce,  Whitburn),  1812,  but  never  received  license. 
 
 Alexander  Duncan,  from  Aberdeen,  licensed  2ud 
 March  1818  :  called  to  Glasgow  and  Dundee,  and  ordained  at 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    543 
 
 lattir  place,  2r)tli  ^Tarcli  1S19;  loosed  from  liis  congronration, 
 1843,  but  called  to  Kirkwall  at  close  of  same  year.  Owing  to 
 an  attack  of  paralysis  tliis  settlement  never  took  place,  and 
 Mr  ])iincau  thereafter  died  at  Edinburgh,  Gth  Juno  ISio. 
 Edited  PveshyteHan  Magazine,  which  was  begun  on  21st 
 January  1832,  and  was  published  on  second  Saturday  of 
 every  month,  its  price  being  4d.  per  number,  or  4s.  per 
 annum,  ]\Ir  Duncan  was  an  orator  of  no  mean  order,  whose 
 fluency  of  speech  was  such  as  would  have  collected  a  crowd  in 
 any  part  of  Scotland. 
 
 Benjamin  Laing,  D.D.,  from  Haddington,  licensed  20th 
 January  1819  ;  called  to  Arbroath,  7th  June  1820,  and 
 ordained  there,  10th  July  1821  ;  resigned  his  charge,  1829  ; 
 inducted  to  Colmonell,  24th  November  1830  ;  was  appointed 
 Professor  of  Hebrew  in  Divinity  Hall,  17th  May  1839,  at  a 
 salary  of  £12  sterling,  out  of  which  he  was  to  pay  the  preachers 
 who  supplied  his  pulpit;  received  the  degree  of  D.D.  from  New 
 Jersey  College,  U.S.,  18.51  ;  united  with  Free  Church  of 
 Scotland,  1852  ;  inducted  to  Free  Church,  Colmonell,  27th 
 January  1853  ;  and  died,  11th  October  18G2,  in  the  forty- 
 second  year  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Author  of  an  Expostidation,  addressed  to  the  Friends  of  the 
 Eefoniiation  in  the  United  Secession  Church,  in  relation  to  the 
 Voluntary  Controversy.      Glasgow,  1838,  pp.  55. 
 
 Address  at  the  Renovation  of  the  Covenants  by  United  3ynod, 
 on  19th  May  1842,  pp.  U. 
 
 Catechism  on  the  History  of  the  Church  of  Scotland. 
 
 What  Ouglit  the  Reformed  Presbyterians  and  the  Original  Sece- 
 ders  to  do  now  ]      Edin.,  184G. 
 
 The  Representative  Character  of  Christ  and  Adam.    Edin.,  1847. 
 
 The  Duty  of  the  State  in  Relation  to  the  Sabbath.     Edin.,  1848. 
 
 Historical  Notices  of  Ecclesiastical  Divisions  in  Scotland,  with 
 Suggestions  for  Re-union.      185  2. 
 
 Letter  to  Editor  of  Scottish  Presbyterian  Mar/azine  on  Review  of 
 "  Hi.storical  Notices,  <fcc."      1853.     Pp.  23. 
 
 Letter  to  Rev.  Professor  Murray,  Glasgow,  showing  that  the 
 Principles  of  Original  Seceders  in  relation  to  National  Covenants, 
 Grounds  of  Ecclesiastical  Separation,  and  Exclusive  Denominational 
 Communion  are  Untenable.      1853,  pp.  40. 
 
 Letters  on  Christian  Communion.      1856. 
 
 Aphorisms,  itc. 
 
544  ANNALS  OF  OKIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Dr  Laing  was  a  native  of  Dims,  where  his  father  was  minister 
 in  connection  with  the  Secession.  He  received  his  theological  training 
 under  Professor  Bruce,  and  was  much  esteemed  for  his  manly  character 
 and  christian  bearing,  in  both  his  spheres  of  labour  at  Arbroath 
 and  Colmonell.  His  published  writings  show  that  he  was  a  logician 
 of  no  mean  order,  and  that  in  many  of  lus  sentiments  he  was  far 
 ahead  of  his  coteniporaries.  As  a  preacher  Dr  Laing  was  distin- 
 guished by  the  clearness  with  which  he  presented  the  truth  to  the 
 understanding,  and  the  faithfulness  with  which  he  applied  it  to  the 
 conscience.  His  intelligence  and  general  faculty  were  extensive, 
 and  his  piety  was  unpretentious,  but  deep  as  unaffected.  Like  a 
 powerful  spring  seated  in  the  heart,  with  steady,  noiseless  pressure, 
 it  moved  the  whole  man,  and  regulated  the  whole  life.  His  latter 
 end  was  peace,  for  gathering  his  family  around  his  dying  bed,  he 
 gave  each  a  farewell  recognition,  and  intimating  his  assured  hope  of 
 a  resurrection  to  eternal  life  through  Christ  Jesus,  he  fell  on  sleep. 
 He  had  been  twice  manied,  and  left  a  widow  and  a  numerous 
 family.  A  notice  of  his  career,  from  the  pen  of  his  friend  Dr 
 Wylie,  of  which  the  above  is  a  summary,  appeared  in  the  WiMess 
 newspaper. 
 
 John  Miller,  from  Glasgow.  Owing  to  death  of  Profes- 
 sor Bruce,  received  part  of  his  theological  training  in  Edin- 
 burgh, to  which  the  Divinity  Hall  had  been  removed  in  Sep- 
 tember 1817,  and  partly  at  Haddington,  to  whose  minister 
 he  was  sent  to  learn  how  to  "  command "  his  discourses. 
 Licensed,  24th  March  1819  ;  called  to  Toberdoney,  Ireland, 
 October  1827,  and  ordained  there,  3d  July  1828  ;  united 
 with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  in  1852,  and  died  1862. 
 
 Thomas  M'Crie,  D.D.,  LL.D,,  from  Davie  Street  Church, 
 Edinburgh,  of  which  his  father  was  minister,  born  7th 
 November  1797  ;  received  his  theological  training  partly 
 under  Professor  Bruce,  Whitburn,  his  father,  and  Rev.  Robert 
 Ch.almers,  Haddington  ;  licensed,  15th  August  1820  ;  called 
 to  Crieff,  14th  February  1821  ;  was  ordained  there  in  June 
 1822  ;  demitted  his  charge,  19th  July  1826  ;  inducted 
 to  Clola,  16th  April  1829  ;  called  to  Midholm,  1831,  but 
 declined  ;  was  translated  to  Davie  Street  Church,  Edinburgh, 
 as  successor  to  his  father,  9th  June  1836  ;  and  on  13th  May 
 of  the  same  year  was  appointed  Professor  of  Divinity,  as  suc- 
 cessor to  Rev.  Professor  Paxton,  D.D.  ;  was  Moderator  of  the 
 United  Original  Secession  Synod,  which  united  with  the  Free 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    545 
 
 Church  of  ScoUand  on  1st  June  lSr)2.  Was  chosen  MtKlora- 
 tor  of  General  Assembly  of  Free  Church,  May  1856  ;  and  in 
 October  of  same  year  demitted  his  charge,  and  removed  to 
 London,  to  succeed  Professor  Hugh  Campbell  in  the  Theolo- 
 gical College  of  English  Presbyterian  Church.  Owing  to 
 ophthalmia  he  resigned  his  chair,  and  returned  to  Scotland  in 
 IS 00,  and  the  rank  of  Emeritus  Professor,  and  a  retiring 
 allowance  to  the  close  of  his  life,  were  voted  him  by  the 
 English  Synod.  Died  in  Edinburgh,  9th  May  1875,  and  on 
 14th  of  same  mouth  was  buried  beside  his  father  iu  the  Grey- 
 friars'  Churchyard,  Edinburgh.  Was  for  several  years  editor 
 of  the  British  ami  Foreign  Evangelical  Revietv,  and  author 
 of  "Life  of  Dr  M'Crie,"  his  father,  1840;  "Sketches  of 
 Scottish  Church  History,"  2  vols,  ;  "  Speech  at  Bicentenary 
 of  Westminster  Assembly,"  1843  ;  Translation  of  "  Provincial 
 Letters  of  Blaise  Pascal,"  1848,  pp.  410  ;  "Memoirs  of  Sir 
 Andrew  Ague w  of  Lochnaw,"  Edin.,  1850,  pp.  442;  "Lec- 
 tures on  Christian  Baptism  ;"  "  Memoir  of  Rev.  J.  D.  Paxton, 
 of  Musselburgh,"  1805  ;  -"Annals  of  English  Presbytery," 
 1872.  Edited  also  a  complete  edition  of  the  works  of  Dr 
 James  Hamilton,  of  Regent  Square,  London,  in  1809-73  ; 
 "  The  Ancient  History  of  the  Waldensian  Church,"  a  Lec- 
 ture. He  farther  edited  "  Barrow  on  the  Supremacy,"  and 
 three  volumes  of  the  Wodrow  Society  Publications,  and  his 
 last  work  was  his  bringing  down  his  Church  History  Sketches 
 to  the  Disruption  of  1843,  under  the  title  of  "  Story  of  the 
 Scottish  Church  from  the  Reformation  to  the  Disruption," 
 London,  1875,  pp.  570. 
 
 Dr  M'Crie,  jun.,  was  the  eldest  son  of  tlie  biographer  of  Knox, 
 and  as  a  preacher  was  noted  for  his  accuracy,  and  the  rich  vein 
 of  Christian  experience  which  permeated  his  discourses.  Always 
 popular  in  the  treatment  of  his  subject,  he  was  sometimes  powerful 
 and  elofjuent.  "Dr  ]M'Crie  (says  liis  friend,  the  late  Rev.  James 
 Black  of  Kirkcaldy)  wielded  a  ready  and  elegant  pen.  His  con- 
 tributions to  periodical  literature,  both  as  editor  and  occasional  con- 
 tributor, were  uniformly  marked  by  an  ardent  attachment  to  the 
 great  truths  of  the  gospel,  and  a  liberal  system  of  church  polity. 
 Perhaps  his  most  extensively  useful  work  is  the  '  Story  of  the  Scot- 
 tish Church.'  Those  who  wish  that  history  eloquently  and  philoso- 
 phically told,  will  turn  to  the  j)ages  of  the  elder  M'Crie ;  those  who 
 
 2  M 
 
540  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 would  read  it  most  graphically,  popularly,  and  continuoixsly  told, 
 will  turn  to  those  of  his  son.  Firm  in  his  grasp  of  the  truth,  there 
 was  nothing  of  sect  or  separatism  in  his  spirit  ;  and  both  in  Scot 
 land  and  England  he  evinced  the  same  comprehensive  aims  as  did 
 Henderson,  Rutlierford,  and  Gillespie,  when  they  went  from  Edin- 
 burgh to  Westminster  more  than  two  centuries  ago.  Dr  M'Crie's 
 personal  Christianity  was  of  a  robust  and  practical  type,  in  which 
 the  cheerful  element  predominated,  characterised  by  habitual  unsel- 
 fishness and  disinterestedness,  and  rendered  attractive  by  a  fine  tiow 
 of  genuine  humour,  which  never  raised  a  blush  nor  left  a  sting.' 
 
 Dr  M'Crie,  jun.,  was  in  many  respects  a  worthy  son  to  his 
 talented  father,  and  excelled  as  a  popular  writer  of  Church  History. 
 In  appearance  and  manner  he  was  dignified,  and  these,  combined 
 with  a  pure  English  accent,  account  for  the  somewhat  expressive 
 comment  of  a  west  country  lady,  who,  on  being  asked  at  the  close 
 of  a  sermon  how  she  liked  the  Doctor,  said,  "  He  reminded  me  of  the 
 words  of  Deborah  concerning  Jael,  '  She  brought  forth  butter  in  a 
 lordly  dish.'  "  On  the  platform,  as  well  as  in  the  pulpit,  he  was 
 frequently  very  eloquent,  and  hence  his  appearance  as  a  speaker  was 
 always  acceptable  to  an  Edinburgh  audience.  By  a  very  happy  hit 
 he  on  one  occasion  roused  the  patriotism  of  a  large  meeting  in  the 
 Edinburgh  Music  Hall  during  the  agitation  regarding  Papal  Aggres- 
 sion by  significantly  appropriating  the  well-known  stanza — 
 
 "  Now's  the  day,  and  now's  the  hour, 
 See  the  front  of  battle  lour  ; 
 See  approach  proud  Papal  power, 
 Chains  and  slavery  !  " 
 
 Aftei-  an  honoured  and  useful  cai-eer  in  the  Secession,  Free,  and 
 English  Presbyterian  Churches,  he  was  gathered  to  his  fathers,  and 
 his  remains  rest  in  the  family  burial  place  in  the  Greyfriars'  Church- 
 yard, not  far  from  the  spot  where  the  National  Covenant  was  sub- 
 scribed in  1638. 
 
 James  Beattie,  from  Arbroath,  licensed,  July  1824  ; 
 ordained  at  Balmullo,  19th  July  1826;  united  with  Free 
 Church  of  Scotland,  1852,  and  thereafter  removed  to  Cupar- 
 Fife,  where  he  has  since  aided  brethren  in  the  Presbytery  in 
 ministerial  and  pastoral  work.  Respecting  him  the  Christian 
 Leader  thus  writes  : — 
 
 "  Mr  Beattie  is  highly  esteemed  throughout  the  county  of  Fife, 
 in  which  he  has  done  much  useful  work  duiing  a  ministry  extending 
 over  sixty  five  years.  Although  now  in  his  tenth  decade,  he 
 enjoys  good  health  and  intellectual  vigour,  and  is  quite  ready  to 
 walk  considerable  distances  in  making  pastoral  visits,  to  which  he 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    547 
 
 lar^ci'ly  devotes  liis  time.  The  evenin<i;  of  his  days  is  thus  at  once 
 peaceful  and  peace-bringing ;  he  is  a  comforter  to  homes  invaded  by 
 sickness,  and  a  welcome  bringer  of  consolation  in  many  a  house  of 
 mourning,  at  once  suiting  himself  to  the  varied  circumstances  of  tiie 
 parties,  and  his  familiar  acqu.iintauoo  with  the  sacred  Word, 
 enabling  him  to  address  a  word  in  sea«on  to  the  weary  soul,  sympa- 
 thising with  parents  over  their  children,  or  with  loving  tenderness 
 sharing  the  sorrows  of  the  widow  and  the  fatherless  ;  at  all  times  a 
 welcome  visitor  in  every  Christian  home.  Mi-  Beattie  is  the  author 
 of  a  volume  published  in  1842,  and  dedicated  to  his  intimate  friend 
 Dr  Thomas  M'Crie,  entitled  '  History  of  the  Church  of  Scotland 
 during  the  Commonwealth.'  Tlie  book  sold  ra]>idly,  and  has  been 
 long  out  of  print.  He  will  enter  on  his  ninety-first  year  in  the  course 
 of  the  approaching  summer,  if  spared.  At  present  he  enjoys  good 
 health,  and  much  vigour  of  mind.  Mr  Beattie  is  the  oldest  survi- 
 vor of  a  race  of  pious,  laborious,  and  scholarly  men,  of  wliom  it  has 
 been  truly  said  that  they  led  '  simple  but  dignified  lives,  serving 
 their  blaster  in  lowliness  of  mind,  and  in  watchfulness  and  ]n-ayer, 
 inculcating  a  high  standard  of  personal  and  family  piety,  striving  to 
 rally  Scotland  once  more  as  a  united  nation  around  the  standard  of 
 that  Reformed  Church  which  they  deemed  the  glory  of  their  land.' 
 Mr  Beattie  was  a  member  of  the  General  Assembly  in  18GI,  when 
 a  debate  arose  upon  a  motion  by  Dr  Cunningham  to  receive  the 
 Presbyterian  Church  of  the  Australian  colonies  into  union  with  the 
 Free  Church.  A  long  and  excited  discussion  was  at  length  summed 
 up  by  Dr  Cunningham  in  his  usual  masterly  and  powerful  way. 
 But  before  the  division  was  called  a  venerable  form  was  seen  to  rise, 
 and  a  clear  musical  voice  at  once  claimed  the  attention  of  the  whole 
 Assembly.  It  was  Mr  Beattie,  who,  with  great  solemnity  of  utter- 
 ance and  with  chai'acteristic  gesture,  suddenly  commenced  and 
 ended  with  a  simple  recitation  of  the  following  lines  from 
 Psalm  cvi.  : — 
 
 '  Then  Phin'has  rose,  and  justice  did, 
 
 And  so  the  plague  did  cease  ; 
 That  to  all  ages  counted  was 
 
 To  him  for  righteousness. 
 And  at  tlie  waters,  where  they  strove, 
 
 Tliey  did  him  angry  make, 
 In  such  sort,  that  it  fared  ill 
 
 \N'ith  Moses  for  their  sake.' 
 
 To  all  present  there  was  a  clear  application  of  the.se  words  to 
 the  hea.ed  dispute  that  liad  been  going  on,  and  after  this  no  one 
 ventured  tD  intrude  another  remark.  It  was  s  lid  that  Mr  Beattie 
 did  more  to  .secure  a  majority  for  Dr  Cunningham's  motion  than 
 any  other  speaker  who  took   part   in   the   seven   hours'  debate.      It 
 
548.  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 may  be  added  that  Mr  Beattie's  two  sons  are  both,  like  their  father, 
 ministers  in  the  Free  Church." 
 
 The  Associate  Synod  of  Protesters  having,  on  l7th 
 May  1827,  united  with  the  Constitutional  Presbytery  in 
 forming  the  ORIGINAL  SECESSION  SYNOD,  the  following 
 are  the  names  of  the  Ministers,  Probationers,  and  Divinity 
 Students  who  thus  became  connected  with  the  Synod,  with 
 the  exception  of  those  before  mentioned,  and  the  Pev,  Messrs 
 Templeton,  Whyte,  and  Barnett,  whose  connection  with  the 
 Synod  of  Protesters  had  ceased  prior  to  the  foresaid  union  : — 
 
 William  Mitchell  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Rev,  Professor 
 William  Moncrieff,  Alloa),  1767  ;  ordained  at  Clola,  14th 
 November  1770;  protested  against  the  union  with  the 
 Burghers  in  1820,  but  united  with  the  Constitutional  Pres- 
 bytery, 1827;  died  16th  April  1832,  in  the  eighty-fifth 
 year  of  his  age,  and  the  sixty-second  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Regarding  the  Rev.  William  Mitchell,  of  Clola,  the  oldest  of 
 the  ministers  of  this  branch  of  the  Secession,  it  is  noticeable  that 
 his  diligence  in  ministerial  and  pastoral  work  were  exemplary.  For 
 the  lengthened  pei'iod  of  fifty-two  years  he  preached  three  times 
 every  Sabbath,  and  every  year  he  had  stated  examinations  in  all  his 
 congregational  districts,  so  that  thus  he  had  evidence  of  the  progress 
 of  his  members  in  religious  knowledge.  But  besides  his  accept- 
 ability as  a  pi'eacher,  one  great  cause  of  Mr  Mitchell's  success  as  a 
 pastor  prose  from  the  peculiar  interest  he  had  in  the  young.  "  This 
 was  shown  (says  one  of  his  hearers)  not  only  in  the  pains  which  he 
 took  with  them  in  his  stated  examinations,  at  which  all  his  members 
 and  adherents,  old  and  young,  were  expected  to  attend,  but  he 
 seldom  pi'eached  a  sermon  in  which  he  did  not  specially  and  aft'ec- 
 tionately  address  the  lambs  of  the  flock.  And  in  the  beginning  of 
 summer,  when  they  were  to  go  out  to  the  herding  of  cattle,  then  far 
 move  common  than  now,  and  again  in  the  end  of  the  season,  he 
 delivered  sjiecial  addresses  to  them  suitable  to  their  circumstances — 
 wai'ning,  counselling,  and  encoui"aging  them  ;  nor  was  the  interest 
 he  took  in  them  mei'ely  general  ;  he  attended  to  individual  cases 
 among  them  as  they  arose  in  the  congregation." 
 
 Owing  to  his  age  and  bodily  infirmities,  Mr  Mitchell  seldom  or 
 never  attended  any  of  the  meetings  of  the  Protesting  Synod,  though 
 he  showed  his  interest  in  its  atfaii's  by  writing  fraternal  letters, 
 which  were  read  in  Conrt.  Towards  the  close  of  his  life,  his 
 memory  having  failed,  he  frequently  mistook  week-days  for  the 
 Lord's  Day,  and,  filled  with  indignation  and  grief,  he  was  heard  to 
 
DIVIXITV  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    o-iD 
 
 inveigh  against  the  degeneracy  of  the  ])eo)»lo  whom  he  lu-hehl  attend- 
 ing to  their  secuhir  work.  Lilcn  thu  Prophet,  "  lie  V)ehehl  trans- 
 gressoi-s,  and  was  grievoil  ;  "  and  his  lamentation  ceased  not  till  Mr 
 M'Crie,  his  colleague,  who  was  like  a  son  to  hira,  convinced  him 
 that  his  reckoning  was  wrong,  and  he  had  niistixken  a  week  day  for 
 a  Sal)l)ath.  It  is  worthy  of  remark,  however,  that  though  he  might 
 err  on  the  one  extreme  he  never  did  so  on  the  other,  as  the  SaUhath 
 never  was  forgotten  by  him,  but  ever  counted  as  the  holy  of  the 
 Lord,  and  honourable.  Full  of  days,  and  after  an  honoured  and 
 useful  career,  he  came  to  the  grave  "  as  a  shock  of  corn  cometh  in 
 his  season." 
 
 Richard  IjLACK,  from  Urr,  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Rev. 
 Profes.sor  William  Moncrieff,  Alloa),  1781  ;  ordained  at 
 Perth,  3rd  April  1787  ;  protested  again.st  union  with 
 Burghers  in  1820,  but  united  with  Constitutional  Pre.sbytery 
 in  1827  ;  died  1839,  in  the  fiftieth  year  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Mr  Black  was  noted  not  only  for  his  ability  as  a  theologian, 
 but  also  for  his  great  generosity ;  since  not  only  did  he  contribute 
 very  largely  to  the  erection  of  the  Old  Light  Secession  Church  in 
 South  Street,  but  also  bequeathed  his  library  to  the  Divinity  Hall. 
 
 For  thirty  -  three  years  prior  to  1820  he  had  been  colleague- 
 pastor  over  one  of  the  largest  congregations  in  the  Secession  Church, 
 and  in  habits  of  study  he  was  very  methodic. 
 
 John  Macdonald,  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Professor  Wm. 
 Moncrieff,  Alloa),  1781  ;  ordained  at  Moira,  Ireland,  but 
 afterwards  translated  to  Dubbieside,  Fifeshire,  8th  November 
 1795  ;  translated  to  Thurso,  October  1817  ;  protested  against 
 the  union  with  Burghers  in  1820,  but  united  with  the  Con- 
 stitutional Presbytery  in  1827  ;    died  August  1828. 
 
 Tradition  relates  that  ]\Ir  Macdonald  was  a  worthy  Christian, 
 and  singularly  unsophisticated  respecting  worldly  affairs. 
 
 George  Paxton,  D.D.,  born  at  Dalgowry,  Haddington- 
 shire, 2nd  April  17C2  ;  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Professor  Wm. 
 Moncrieff,  Alloa),  1784  ;  licensed  by  the  Presbytery  of  Edin- 
 burgh, 18th  March  1788  ;  called  to  Greenlaw,  Craigend,  and 
 united  conrrregations  of  Kilmaurs  and  Stewarton,  and  ordained 
 to  last-mentioned  charge  on  12th  August  1789.  In  1807, 
 having  been  appointed  Professor  of  Theology  by  the  General 
 Associate  Synod,  he  demitted  his  pastoral  charge  and  removed 
 to  Edinburgh,  where  he  superintended  the  studies  of  the 
 divinity  students  till    1820,  wjien,  as  a  protester  against  tiie 
 
550  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 union  with  the  Burghers,  he  separated  from  the  General 
 Associate  Synod,  and  at  the  request  of  a  number  of  people 
 who  sympathised  with  his  views,  he  dispensed  ordinances  to 
 them,  first  in  the  old  Gaelic  Chapel  in  Castle  Wynd,  and  then 
 in  Infirmary  Street  Church,  which  the  congregation,  now  very 
 considerable  in  numbers,  had  erected.  United  with  the  Con- 
 stitutional Presbytery  in  1827  in  the  formation  of  the  Synod 
 of  Original  Seceders,  and  was  Professor  to  the  Synod  till  his 
 resignation  in  18.86  owing  to  bodily  infirmity.  Had  the 
 degree  of  D.D.  conferred  upon  him  by  the  University  of  St 
 Andrews,  1834.  Died  9th  April  1837,  in  the  seventy-fifth 
 year  of  his  age,  and  the  forty-eighth  of  his  ministry.  Author 
 of  "  Sermon  on  the  Office  and  Duties  of  Deacon ;"  "  Con- 
 formity to  Christ  as  the  First-born  :  a  Sermon  ;"  "  Inquiry 
 into  the  Obligation  of  Religious  Covenants  on  Posterity,"  1801  ; 
 "  Letters  to  the  Rev.  W.  Taylor  on  Healing  the  Divisions  in 
 the  Church,"  1802  ;  "The  Villager  and  other  Poems,"  1813; 
 "  Ilhistrations  of  Scripture,"  3  volumes  ;  a  pamphlet  on  "  The 
 AjDOcrypha  Controversy  in  1828;"  and  an  "Address  to 
 Infirmary  Street  Congregation." 
 
 Dr  Paxton  was  born  at  Dalgowry,  in  tlie  pavisli  of  Bolton, 
 Haddingtonshire,  and  was  connected  with  a  humble  but  pious  family. 
 He  was  educated  at  the  scliools  of  Makerston  and  Kelso,  and  there- 
 after at  the  University  of  Edinburgh. 
 
 Throughout  his  entire  ministry  he  was  peculiarly  acceptable  as  a 
 preacher.  "  In  aspect  (says  a  friend)  he  was  animated,  ardent,  and 
 solemn  in  a  high  degree.  His  voice  was  clear,  forcible,  and  impres- 
 sive, without  being  harsh,  and  without  losing  its  sweetness.  His 
 elocution  was  prompt  and  mellifluous ;  most  distinct  and  at  the 
 same  time  most  rapid.  His  language  was  simple,  pointed,  and 
 perspicuous,  tliough  highly  figurative.  His  sentiments  were  scrip- 
 tural, judicious,  original,  inclining  occasionally  to  the  metaphysical ; 
 but,  especially  amid  the  rapidity  of  extemporaneous  utterance,  not 
 always  capable  of  sustaining  that  rigid  criticism  which  he  might 
 otherwise  have  invited.  His  discourses,  in  their  general  structure 
 and  character,  though  didactic  and  somewhat  difliise,  were  strikingly 
 illustrative,  and  pointedly  practical.  Indeed,  no  one  who  has  not 
 seen  or  marked  the  effect  of  natural  and  feiwent  eloquence  can, 
 without  difficulty,  conceive  the  powerful  impression  of  his  address, 
 or  believe  the  anecdotes  that  might  be  related  concerning  its  occa- 
 sional influence.      He  arrested  his  audience  with  delight.      In  listen- 
 
IMVIXITV  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    551 
 
 ing  to  him  they  forgot  the  lapse  of  time,  even  tliough  the  liour  was 
 late,  ami  several  of  them  had  far  to  travel  under  niglit." 
 
 Such  was  his  acceptance  as  a  preaclier  that  Inlirmary  Street 
 Cluirch,  Eiliiihuriih,  which  was  erected  for  him,  was  crowded  at  tlie 
 ordinary  diets  of  worship,  and  his  success  was  liigher  than  that  of 
 an  outward  kinil,  since  to  many  he  was  tlie  messenger  of  life  and 
 siilvation.  It  was  while  in  harness  ])reaching  the  Word  on  the 
 Lord's  Day  that  he  was  overtaken  by  his  fii-st  stroke  of  paralysis, 
 anil  it  was  on  a  spring  Sabbath  morning  that  he  laid  his  armour 
 down  and  entered  into  rest.  When  the  clock  struck  twelve  on  tlie 
 preceding  night  and  the  Sal)bath  began,  the  dying  president  of  the 
 school  of  the  propliets  exclaiuu^d,  "  It  is  now  the  commencement  of 
 the  day  of  rest.  O  !  that  I  were  at  my  rest."  And  after  ])atiently 
 waiting  tUl  the  fleeing  away  of  the  shadows  at  daybi-eak,  he 
 fell  on  sleep,  and  a  gleam  of  heavenly  radiance  was  seen  to  spread 
 over  his  [dacid  countenance. 
 
 In  many  respects  Dr  Paxton  was  the  most  conspicuous  member  of 
 the  Synod  of  Protesters,  ami  certainly  he  was  j'ac'de,  princepn  among 
 tliem  as  i-egards  preaciiing  gifts.  Indeed,  in  some  coteries  it  became 
 a  maxim  to  say  respecting  any  mechanician  who  was  skilful  at  his 
 craft,  that  he  was  as  good  at  his  ))u.siness  as  Dr  Paxton  was  in 
 preaching. 
 
 Dr  l^ixton  bequeathed  his  library  to  the  Synod  for  behoof  of 
 the  Theological  liall,  and  his  remains  were  buried  in  St  Cuthbert's 
 Churchyard  amid  the  regrets  of  his  sorrowing  congregation,  who 
 erected  a  monument  to  his  memory.  A  memoir  of  him  from  the 
 pen  of  his  life-long  friend,  the  late  Professor  John  Mitchell,  D.D., 
 Glasgow,  has  l)een  prefixed  to  a  ])osthuraous  edition  of  his  "  Illustra- 
 tions of  Scripture,'  and  his  likeness  occupies  a  prominent  place  in  the 
 historical  picture  gallery  of  the  United  Presbyterian  Cliurch. 
 
 Ja3IES  Gray,  from  Brccliin,  of  which  liis  father  was  minister, 
 entered  Divinity  Hall  (Rev.  Professor  Bruce,  Wliitburn),  17iS9  ; 
 ordained  as  colleague  and  successor  to  his  father,  IGth  April 
 1794  ;  protested  against  the  union  with  Burghers  in  1820, 
 but  united  with  the  Constitutional  Presbytery  in  1827;  died 
 5th  July  1848,  in  the  seventy-seventh  year  of  his  age,  and  the 
 fifty-fifth  of  his  ministry.  Author  of  "  The  Redeemer's  Last 
 Charge,  a  Mi.ssionary  Sermon  on  Mark  xvi.  15,"  1819  ; 
 "  Uay  and  Duty  ;  or.  The  Disruption  and  the  Present  Duty  of 
 Free  Church  and  Original  Seceders,"  1843. 
 
 Mr  Gray  was  born  22nd  April  1772,  and  was  in  his  youth  a  friend 
 and  associate  of  the  elder  M'Crie,  who,  in  his  student  pei'iod,  taught 
 
552  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 a  school  at  Brechin,  Mr  Gray  was  not  only  ordained  at  an  early 
 age  as  colleague  to  his  father,  but  he  had  so  juvenile  an  appearance 
 that,  when  assisting  at  a  communion  in  Dv  Mitchell's  church, 
 Clieapside  Street,  Glasgow,  the  congregation  was  astonished,  and  the 
 question  was  now  and  again  asked.  Who  is  that  black-headed  boy 
 preacher  1  After  a  few  years,  however,  Mr  Gx-ay,  along  with  many 
 other  Secession  compeers,  was  noted  for  his  bodily  presence  as  well 
 as  his  ministerial  qualifications,  as  is  evident  from  the  statement  of 
 a  United  Presbyterian  minister,  who  says — 
 
 "When  I  was  officiating  in  the  town  of  Forfar  in  1820,  Mrs 
 Guild,  sister-in-law  to  the  Rev.  Mr  Bui.st,  of  Tannadice,  told  me  that 
 members  of  the  Established  Church  said  to  her — '  I  wonder  far  thae 
 Seceders  get  sic  bonny,  braw,  buirdly  ministers,  whereas  our 
 ministers  are  sic  sooty,  smeekit,  ill-clad  craturs.'  The  diilerence 
 may  be  accounted  for  in  two  ways.  One  is,  that  according  to  Mr 
 Ballantine,  of  Stonehaven,  the  early  Seceding  ministers  belonged  to 
 a  higher  class  of  society,  being  sons  of  yeomen  or  substantial 
 farmei's,  merchants,  or  tradesmen,  whereas  the  ministers  of  the 
 Established  Church  belonged  to  a  different  class,  dependent  on 
 patronage,  and  generally  approached  middle  life  ere  they  got  a 
 presentation,  so  that  they  carried  the  slovenly  habits  of  the  old 
 dominie  into  the  Chui-ch.  The  other  is,  that  the  members  of  the 
 Secession  Presbytery  of  Forfar  in  these  days  wei-e  singularly  able  and 
 jjrincely-looking  men,  of  large  minds,  and  bodies  averaging  more 
 than  six  feet  in  height— such  as  Dr  Jamieson,  latterly  of  Edin- 
 burgh ;  Mr  Aitken,  of  Kirriemuir ;  Mr  Hay,  of  Alyth ;  Mr  J. 
 M'Ewen,  of  Dundee  ;  Mr  Gray,  of  Brechin,  and  others.  There  were 
 giants  in  those  days.  Although  they  did  not  ape  the  manners  of 
 the  greaij,  yet  as  able  ministers  and  literary  men  they  were  honoui-ed, 
 and  associated  with  the  greatest  and  best  of  the  land." 
 
 "  Mr  Gray  possessed  (says  a  writer)  an  understanding  at  once 
 acute  and  comprehensive,  a  lively  fancy,  a  tenacious  memory,  and  a 
 warm  heart,  all  of  which  were  under  tlie  guidance  of  high  religious 
 principle.  He  was  a  shrewd  observer,  a  sagacious  judge,  an  ardent 
 admirer  of  what  was  generous  and  praiseworthy,  and  a  cordial  hater 
 of  what  appeared  mean  and  base.  As  a  preacher  of  the  Gospel  Mr 
 Gray  possessed  talents  of  a  high  order,  and  these  he  continued  to 
 the  last  assiduously  to  cultivate.  Thoroughly  imbued  with  the 
 substantial  divinity  of  the  old  school,  intimately  acquainted  with 
 tlie  holy  scriptures,  and  an  accurate  student  of  the  human  heart,  he 
 continued  to  add  to  his  stores  by  diligent  reading  and  careful  obser- 
 vation of  divine  providence  and  human  chai-acter."  In  pastoral 
 work  he  was  both  diligent  and  successful,  and  so  highly  was  he 
 esteemed  by  the  public  generally,  that  on  the  attainment  of  his 
 jubilee  as  a  minister,  the  Provost  of  Brechin  at   a  public   meeting 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTEIIS.    553 
 
 presented  liim  with  a  silver  inkstand  and  a  |)urse  containinfj  220 
 sovereigns.  His  deatli  was  siuldeu,  and  took  place  whilst  fiillilling 
 a  preacliing  appointment,  but  he  gave  evidence  that  he  was  ready. 
 After  praying  for  his  wife  and  family  he  added,  "  Father,  into  Thy 
 hands  1  conmiend  my  spirit,"  and  sliortly  thereafter  expired. 
 
 Among  the  anecdotes  which  tliis  worthy  minister  used  to  relate  con- 
 cerning the  earlier  days  of  the  Secession  were  the  two  following:  — 
 
 When  Adam  Gib  was  holding  converse  with  the  builder  of  the 
 projected  Kirk  or  fleeting  house  in  Nicolson  Street,  Edinlmigli,  on 
 the  estimate  of  the  exjiense  of  the  building,  the  builder  told  him 
 that  for  some  additional  sum  he  could  make  a  more  substantial 
 erection,  Mr  Gib  asked  him  how  long  a  time  he  could  make  it 
 probably  last ;  he  answered,  a  hundred  years.  Mr  Gib,  lifting  up  his 
 hands,  exclaimed,  "  A  hundred  years,  man  !  we  hope  the  cause  of 
 our  Secession  will  be  removed  long  before  that,  and  we'll  be  in  the 
 Kirk  again  :   tifty  yeai-s  is  long  enough,"  or  words  to  that  effect. 
 
 Mr  Gray  also  told  that  he  once  heard  a  debate  of  Synod  in  the 
 same  meeting  house,  when,  commenting  on  some  lax  doctrine  and 
 discipline  countenanced  by  some  of  the  New  Lights  among  them, 
 the  late  Mr  Robertson,  of  Kilmarnock,  said,  "  Moderator,  if  you  go 
 on  at  the  rate  you're  at,  the  Secession  Testimony  will  not  be  worth 
 a  farthing  candle  by  and  bye." 
 
 Robert  Smith,  from  Auchinleck,  of  which  his  father  was 
 minister  ;  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Kev.  Prof.  Bruce,  Whitburn), 
 1790  ;  ordained  at  Kilwinning,  1.5th  June  179G  ;  protested 
 against  the  union  with  the  Burghers  in  1820,  but  united  with 
 the  Constitutional  Presbytery  in  1827  ;  died  22nd  June 
 1835,  in  the  sixty-sixth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  thirty-ninth 
 of  his  ministry. 
 
 Rev,  Robert  Smith,  like  ]\Ir  Gray,  was  a  son  of  the  manse,  and 
 was  born  at  Auchinleck  in  1770.  In  many  respects  he  was  a 
 remarkable  man,  for  whilst  he  was  a  strict  Conservative  in  all 
 religious  matters,  he  was  an  advanced  Libei^al  in  political  aHairs, 
 and  as  his  congregation  sympathised  in  his  views,  their  place  of 
 worship  was  called,  and  still  bears  the  appellation  of  the  Whig 
 Kirk.  As  a  lecturer  on  Scripture  he  excelled,  and  for  him  the 
 elder  Dr  M'Crie  had  a  very  high  regarJ,  and  was  desirous  that  some 
 of  Mr  Smith's  discourses  .should  be  ])ubli.shed  posthumously,  but 
 owing  to  their  having  been  written  in  shorthand  character  and  other 
 causes  this  project  was  abandoned. 
 
 Regarding  Mr  Smith,  the  late  Rev.  Wra.  Orr,  of  Fenwick, 
 records  : — "  In  the  course  of  his  ministry  he  said  many  strange  and 
 startling  things.      The  ordinance  of  the  Lord's  Supper,  he  said,  was 
 
0-34  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 not  a  pi'oof  of  the  dying  love  of  Christ,  for  his  love  to  sinners  is 
 interminable  and  unchangeable,  which  although  a  slightly  out  of 
 the  way  expression,  is  yet  cajiable  of  being  accurately  understood. 
 Again,  he  astonished  his  people  one  day  by  saying  that  Isaiah  was 
 not  the  evangelical  prophet,  as  he  is  commonly  styled,  for  all  the 
 prophets  deserve  the  same  title  equally  with  Isaiah  ! 
 
 "  His  aged  father,  once  minister  of  AuchiiJeck,  and  several 
 bachelor  brothers,  lived  with  him  at  Kilwinning,  and  Iield  the  most 
 rigid  and  exclusive  tenets  of  the  Antiburgher  denomination.  Among 
 others  that  it  was  wrong  to  attend  any  church  v^^hich  was  not  of 
 their  denomination. 
 
 "  Mr  Smith  married  late  in  life,  for  he  held  and  maintained  that 
 there  were  only  two  periods  of  a  man's  life  when  he  was  likely  to 
 marry  at  all.  The  one  period  was  before  he  got  his  senses,  and  the 
 other  after  he  had  lost  them  !  When  accosted  one  day  by  another 
 minister,  who  congratulated  him  on  his  marriajre,  he  asked.  '  How 
 do  you  know  that  I  am  married  at  all  '? '  'I  saw  it  noted  in  the 
 papers,'  was  the  instant  reply.  Mr  Smith  retorted  by  saying  that 
 '  there  is  not  a  foolish  thing  done  in  all  tlie  country  but  it  gets  into 
 the  newspapers  !' 
 
 "  During  Mr  Smith's  ministry  the  union  between  the  two  branches 
 of  the  Secession  took  place  in  1820.  Mr  Smith  was  one  of  the  pro- 
 testers against  that  union,  and  refused  to  acquiesce  in  it.  He  and 
 the  majority  of  his  congregation  retained  the  property,  and  the  church 
 is  now  connected  with  the  Original  Seceders.  The  minority  of  the 
 congregation,  along  with  a  portion  of  the  Burgher  congregations  of 
 Irvine  and  Saltcoats,  resident  in  and  about  Kilwinning,  formed  a 
 new  congregation  in  connection  with  the  United  Secession  Church. 
 
 "  Mr  Smith  died  at  Kilwinning  on  the  22nd  June  1835,  and  was 
 buried  beside  the  remains  of  the  Rev.  Mr  Jameson,  on  the  south 
 side  of  the  church,  in  which  they  both  laboured  long  and  faith- 
 fully." 
 
 George  Stevenson,  D.D.,  from  Morebattle ;  entered 
 Divinity  Hall  (Rev.  Prof.  Bruce,  Whitburn),  1791  ;  oi^dained 
 at  Ayr,  22nd  February  1797  ;  protested  against  the  union  with 
 Burghers  in  1820,  but  united  with  the  Constitutional  Pres- 
 bytery in  1827  ;  obtained  degree  of  D.D.  from  New  Jersey 
 College,  1834  ;  died  5th  May  1841,  in  the  seventieth  year  of 
 his  age,  and  the  forty-fourth  of  his  ministry.  Author  of  "  The 
 Grace  of  Christ  illustrated,  a  Sermon ;  "  ''A  Plea  for  the 
 Covenanted  lieformatiou  in  Great  Britain  and  Ireland,"  Edin., 
 pp.  96;  "Dissertation  on  the  Nature  and  Necessity  of  the 
 Atonement,"  3rd  edition,  Edin.,  1851,  pp.  180  ;  "Treatise  on 
 
DIVINITY  STl'DENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS,    ooo 
 
 the  Offices  of  Christ,"  2ml  edition,  Eilin.,  184.'),  pp.  .').S0  ; 
 "Reasons  of  a  Fast  by  Original  Secession  Synod,"  iNth  July 
 1835,  &c. 
 
 Dr  Stevenson,  who  was  born  at  Morebattle,  Roxburglisliire,  on 
 2nd  May  1771,  was  so  notable  a  member  of  the  Protestei-s  that  for 
 Theological  actiuirements  and  geuei-al  influence  he  wius  undoubtedly 
 among  the  first  three.  Hence  in  the  formation  of  the  Synod,  and  in 
 furtliering  the  cause  of  union  with  the  Constitutional  Presbytery  he 
 was  alike  conspicuous.  He  was  a  man  of  an  amiable  disposition, 
 and  in  brotlicrlykindnoss  and  Christian  charity  he  excelled.  Like 
 others  among  his  brethren  his  fervour  of  spirit  in  preacliing  was 
 more  in  matter  than  in  manner,  and  was  moi-e  calculated  to 
 enlighten  the  undei-^tanding  than  move  the  affections.  In  addition 
 to  Theological  writings  which  form  a  lasting  memorial  of  patient 
 study,  he  wrote  the  Doctrinal  part  of  the  Original  Secession 
 Testimony,  which,  from  its  concise  and  lucid  statements  regarding 
 the  Theological  opinions  of  the  different  Denominati(ms  as  compared 
 with  Scripture,  and  the  Westmini.ster  Standards,  is  not  the  least 
 useful  of  his  publications. 
 
 "  As  a  minister  (says  a  writer)  Dr  Stevenson  possessed  and 
 exhibited,  in  a  high  degree,  many  of  the  most  essential  traits  and 
 qualities  which  constitute  the  apostolic  description  of  a  Christian 
 Bishop.  The  grand  theme  of  all  his  discourses  was  Christ  crucified 
 and  glorified.  While  his  sermons  were  filled  with  the  most  solid 
 and  precious  matter,  they  were  distinguished  by  great  simplicity  and 
 clearness  in  arrangement ;  and  both  in  point  of  language  and 
 delivery,  by  an  miction  of  seriousness  and  solemnity  which  rendered 
 them  deeply  impressive,  and  caused  them  to  be  much  relished  by 
 the  judicious  and  pious,  Dr  Stevenson  was,  perhaps,  of  all  men  the 
 least  inclined  to  indulge  in  the  spirit  of  controversy.  His  constant 
 aim  was  to  seek  peace  and  pursue  it.  He  felt  himself,  however, 
 imperatively  called  upon  to  stand  forth  in  defence  of  the  principles 
 of  the  Covenanted  Church  of  Scotland.  Nothing  lay  nearer  his 
 heart,  or  was  more  the  object  of  his  earnest  prayer  and  endeavour, 
 than  union  among  the  friends  of  Christ.  He  was  equally  distin- 
 guished for  j)ersonal  piety,  and  those  amiable  qualities  which  adorn 
 and  bless  private  life,  aiul  he  was  eminently  a  man  of  prayer.  A 
 memoir  of  Dr  Stevenson  is  given  in  vol.  ix.  of  Oru/inal  Secession 
 Maf/rizine,  2nd  series. 
 
 James  Tkmpleton,  from  Kihnaurs,  entered  Divinity  Hall 
 (Rev.  Prof.  Bruce,  Whitburn),  1796  ;  ordained  in  Belmont 
 Street,  Aberdeen,  2nd  September  1801  ;  protested  against 
 the  union  of  1820,  but  having  declined  to  concur  with  his 
 brethren   in   uniting  with   the    Constitutional   Presbytery,  lie 
 
556  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 returned  to  the  Uuited  or  New  Light  Secession  Church  on 
 10th  July  1827,  and  after  originating  the  Charlotte  Street 
 Uuited  Presbyterian  congregation,  Aberdeen,  died  11th 
 August  1840,  in  the  seventieth  year  of  his  age,  and  the 
 thirty-ninth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Regarding  Mr  Templeton,  who  was  son-in-law  to  the  Rev.  "Wm. 
 Mitchell,  of  Clola,  a  personal  friend  records  that  he  was  of  slender 
 form,  and  in  stature  under  the  middle  size.  His  voice  was  not 
 strong,  but  clear  and  distinct,  and  could  be  heard  witliout  effort  by 
 any  ordinary  congregation.  His  delivery  had  a  plaintive  cadence, 
 and  his  intonation  bore  strong  marks  of  the  Ayrshire  dialect,  of 
 which  county  he  was  a  native.  The  aspect  of  his  countenance  was 
 habitually  placid,  approaching  almost  to  a  smile,  and  was  an  index 
 of  his  temper.  He  mixed  but  little  in  general  society.  His  style 
 of  preaching  was  homely  and  sententious,  like  that  of  the  Puritans. 
 He  abounded  in  striking  pithy  remarks  and  weighty  appeals  to  the 
 conscience,  and  he  entered  deeply  into  the  recesses  of  Christian 
 experience.  In  his  younger  years  at  least,  his  mmistrations  were 
 very  pop)ular. 
 
 Thos.  Gray,  from  Haddington,  entered  Divinity  Hall 
 (Rev.  Prof.  Bruce,  Whitburn),  1797;  ordained  at  Pathhead, 
 Kirkcaldy,  27th  June  1802  ;  protested  against  the  union 
 with  Burghers  in  1820,  but  united  with  the  Constitutional 
 Presbytery  in  1827  ;  died  2nd  July  1837,  in  the  sixty- 
 sixth  year  of  his  age,  and  thirty-sixth  of  his  ministry.  Mr 
 Gra}^  had  a  penchant  for  natural  science,  and  occasionally 
 lectured  on  natural  phenomena  on  week  nights  to  his 
 own  and  other  congregations.  A  son  who  inherited  his 
 tastes,  afterwards  became  a  professor  in  Marischal  College, 
 Aberdeen. 
 
 William  Beath,  from  Leslie,  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Rev. 
 Prof.  Bruce,  Whitburn),  1798  ;  called  to  Newcastle  and 
 Pitcairngreen,  Perthshire,  and  ordained  at  latter  place,  1st 
 November  1803;  united  with  Synod  of  Protesters  in  1823; 
 was  seized  with  illness  whilst  preaching  in  Infirmary  Street 
 Church,  Edinburgh,  and  died  in  that  city,  2 1st  May  1 827,  in  the 
 fifty-fifth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  twenty-fourth  of  his  ministry. 
 Author  of  "The  Source,  Character,  and  Results  of  the  Redeemer's 
 Sufferings,  a  Sermon."  Mr  Beath  was  much  given  to  prayer, 
 and  it  is  related  that  on  the  Sabbath  when  he  was  seized  with 
 his  fatal  illness,  the  preacher  who  occupied  his  pulpit  during 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.      5o7 
 
 hi.s  absL'UCO,  discoursed  to  his  conj^rosration  from  the  text,  "  The 
 prayers  of  David  the  son  of  Jesse  are  ended. 
 
 Petkh  ^I'Dkhment,  from  Ayr,  entered  Divinity  Hall  (licv. 
 Professor  Paxton,  D.D.,  Edinburgh),  1812;  ordained,  3rd 
 April  181G;  protested  against  the  union  with  the  Burghers 
 in  1820,  but  united  with  the  Constitutional  Presbytery  in 
 1827;  died  2 Gth  September  1833,  in  the  fiftieth  year  of 
 his  age,  and  the  seventeenth  of  his  ministry.  Author  of 
 "  Progressive  Holiness,  a  Sermon."  Was  Clerk  to  the  Associ- 
 ate Synod  of  Protesters,  and  thereafter  of  the  Original  Secession 
 Synod  from  1827  till  his  decease. 
 
 James  Whyte,  from  Kinkell,  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Rev. 
 Professor  Paxton,  D.D.),  1815  ;  licensed  while  a  fourth-year's 
 student,  with  the  view  of  proceeding  to  America,  but  having 
 been  allowed  to  take  appointments  as  a  probationer  at  home, 
 so  great  was  his  popularity  that  he  obtained  at  least  eleven 
 calls.  The  United  Associate  Synod  appointed  him  to  Perth, 
 but  Dunfermline  was  his  choice.  The  result  was  that  he 
 united  with  the  Synod  of  Protesters,  but  his  connection  was 
 brief,  since  in  1825  he  emigrated  to  America,  and  on  Gth 
 July,  the  same  year,  was  ordained  at  Salem,  New  York.  He 
 died,  3rd  December  1827,  in  the  thirty-third  year  of  his  age, 
 and  the  third  of  his  ministry.  Author  of  a  volume  of  sermons, 
 published  posthumously. 
 
 John  Barnett,  D.D.,  from  Ireland,  entered  Divinity  Hall 
 (Rev.  Professor  Paxton),  1810  ;  adhered  to  Synod  of  Protes- 
 ters in  1820,  and  remained  with  them  as  a  preacher  till 
 April  182G,  when  he  united  with  the  Irish  Presbyterian 
 Church,  and  was  ordained  at  Monymore,  Ireland. 
 
 William  Brown,  formerly  minister  of  Newarthill  Anti- 
 burgher  Congregation,  to  which  he  had  been  ordained  on  29th 
 January  1803,  and  had  demitted  on  80th  April  18 IG,  when 
 he  retired  to  Perth  ;  gave  in  his  accession  to  Presbytery 
 of  Perth  on  24th  July  1827,  and  assisted  in  supplying 
 vacancies  till  1829,  when  he  died,  in  the  fifty- fifth  year  of 
 his  age. 
 
 Thomas  Manson,  D.D.,  from  Thurso,  born  8th  February 
 1794;  entered  Divinitj'  Hall  (liev.  Professor  Paxton,  D.D, 
 Edinburgh),  1821  ;   licensed  by  Perth  Presbytery,  1825,  and 
 
558  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 ordained  at  Perth,  25th  July  1826;  united  in  1827  with 
 the  Constitutional  Presbytery  in  the  formation  of  the  Synod 
 of  Original  Seceders,  and  in  1842  with  the  Original 
 Burghers  in  the  formation  of  the  Svnod  of  United  Original 
 Seceders.  Was  editor  of  the  Original  Secession  Magazine  for 
 several  years  from  1852  ;  received  in  1867  the  degree  of 
 D.D.  from  Glasgow  University,  and  in  June  1868  the  degree 
 of  D.D.  was  also  conferred  on  him  by  Westminster  College, 
 Pennsylvania;  died  31st  March  1876,  in  the  eighty-third 
 year  of  his  age,  and  the  fiftieth  of  his  ministry.  Author  of 
 "  The  Modern  Theory  of  a  Limited  Deluge  shewn  to  be  con- 
 trary to  the  Scriptuies,  and  without  support  from  Science  ;  " 
 and  of  several  controversial  pamphlets,  including  "  The  Review 
 of  Act  and  Declaration  of  Free  Church,"  1852  ;  and  of  various 
 articles  in  Christian  Instructor,  Original  Secession  Magazine, 
 &c. 
 
 Dr  Manson  was  a  native  of  Olrig  Parish,  in  Caithness,  where  he 
 was  born,  on  8th  February  1794.  He  was  the  worthy  son  of  pious 
 parents,  and  was  throughout  a  lengthened  career  a  useful  and  orna- 
 mental member  of  the  church  and  of  society.  In  prayer  he  deUghted, 
 and  as  he  was  familiar  with  the  names  and  circumstances  of  all  the 
 members  of  his  flock,  it  was  his  habit,  specially  during  his  days  of 
 bodily  infirmity,  to  pray  for  these  in  rotation,  and  thus  by  inter- 
 cession through  the  good  Shepherd,  to  make  up  for  his  lack  of  min- 
 isterial service.  His  intellectual  powers  were  of  a  high  order,  and 
 for  seventeen  years  he  was  editor  of  the  second  series  of  the  Original 
 Secession  Magazine.  In  visiting  the  sick  he  excelled,  and  proved 
 such  a  son  of  consolation  that  his  services  were  sought  and  prized 
 far  beyond  the  bounds  of  his  congregation.  In  gravity  of  demean- 
 our and  Christian  consistency,  he  was  a  model  pastor,  and  so  highly 
 was  he  esteemed,  that  in  1867  a  handsome  testimonial,  including 
 four  hundred  sovereigns,  was  presented  to  him.  Concerning  him  the 
 late  Dr  Barclay,  Sherifi'-Substitute  of  Perth,  has  given  the  following 
 graceful  tribute  : — 
 
 "  It  was  my  great  privilege  to  enjoy  the  friendship  of  that  good 
 man  (Dr  Manson)  for  many  years.  He  was  truly  a  delightful  per- 
 son, a  Nathanael  in  simplicity,  and  without  guile.  He  was  a  ripe 
 scholar,  full  of  varied  information,  but  especially  in  Scriptural  know- 
 ledge. It  was  surprising  and  delightful  with  what  ease  and  pertin- 
 ency he  brought  Scripture  fact  and  text  to  bear  on  passing  events 
 and  prevailing  opinions.  He  was  strongly  attached  to  his  own 
 church,  but  was  most  Catholic  in  his  esteem  of  all  others  who  held 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    5  59 
 
 Christ  not  only  as  TTfa<l  of  the  clmri'li,  Imt  also  as  Kii)g  and  lJul<r 
 of  the  nations.  He  felt  keenly  the  least  deviation  from  the  Stand- 
 iirds  of  tlie  church,  or  any  error  suhversive  of  the  '  truth  as  it  is  in 
 Jesus,'  and  of  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints." 
 
 James  Meek,  from  Muirtown,  Mearns,  of  which  his  father  was 
 minister,  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Rev.  Professor  Paxtou,  D.D., 
 Ediuburgli),  1818  ;  adhered  while  a  student  to  Synod  of  Pro- 
 testers ;  licensed  by  the  Perth  Presbytery,  1821  ;  ordained 
 at  Carnoustie,  182S,  united  with  the  Original  Burghers  in 
 1842  in  the  formation  of  the  United  Original  Secession 
 Synod,  and  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  in  1852  ; 
 died  18th  June  1859.  Author  of  "  Scripture  Emblems," 
 Edinburgh,  1850,  pp.  412,  and  articles  in  Orhjinal  Seces- 
 sion Miujazine  and  Christian  Treasury. 
 
 Mr  Meek  was  an  accomplished  classical  scholar,  and  in  his  youth 
 was  assistant  to  Rector  Pillaus,  of  the  Edinburgh  High  School,  who 
 was  afterwards  Humanity  Professor  in  the  Univei-sity.  His  love 
 for  classical  studies  always  remained  with  him,  and  for  many  years 
 d\u'ing  his  ministry  he  read  the  works  of  Roman  and  Greek  authoi'S 
 with  ]iupils  who  came  to  his  man.se.  He  was  a  good  man,  with  a 
 considerable  share  of  dry  humour,  and  his  speeches  in  the  Synod 
 were  in  consequence  much  lelished  by  his  brethren.  His  work  on 
 "  Scripture  Emblems  "  has  been  justly  admired.  In  his  ministry 
 Mr  Meek  must  have  been  very  laborious,  since  he  usually  preached 
 three  time  on  Sabbaths.  His  morning  lecture  was  fully  written, 
 about  lialf  of  his  afternoon's  discourse  was  also  committed  to  paper, 
 but  his  evening  sermon,  though  the  fruit  of  careful  study,  was  gen- 
 erally entirely  extemporaneous  in  comj)Osition  and  delivery.  His 
 name  is,  and  will  long  continue  to  be,  savoury  in  the  village  where 
 he  exercised  his  ministry. 
 
 Ebenf.ZER  Ritchie,  from  Pitcairngreen  ;  born  18th  Sep- 
 tember 1802  ;  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Rev.  Professor  Paxton, 
 D.D.,  Edinburgh),  1819;  licensed,  December  1823,  and  was 
 thus  a  probationer  at  the  union  with  Constitutional  Presbytery, 
 1827  ;  called  to  Toberdoney,  Ireland,  and  Kirkwall;  ordained 
 at  Kirkwall,  21st  November  1827  ;  demitted  his  charge,  1st 
 May  1843;  inducted  to  Colmonell,  25th  November  185G  ; 
 died  15th  May  180.9,  in  the  sixty-seventh  year  of  his  age, 
 and  the  forty-second  of  his  ministry.  Author  of  "  Lectures  in 
 Defence  of  Civil  Establishments  of  Religion,"  with  appendix, 
 1835,  pp.  145;  and  pamphlets  en  "The   Proper   Sonship   of 
 
5 GO  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 the  Lord  Jesus  Christ;"  "  Schism  ;  or  the  Prevailing  Sin  of 
 the  Church  ; "  "  My  Father,  the  Guide  of  my  Youth,"  a 
 Sermon  ;  "  Conversation  on  the  Crimean  War,  by  a  Cabinet 
 Minister  and  a  Presbyterian  Minister ;  "  "A  Kevival  Beacon," 
 1860;  "Thoughts  on  Providence,"  1867;  "The  Duty  of 
 Nations  to  the  True  Religion  and  the  Church  of  Christ," 
 1868  ;   and  articles  in  the  Presbyterian  Magazbie. 
 
 Mr  Ritchie  was  born  in  Perthshire  on  18th  September  1802,  and 
 was  an  almnnus  of  Edinburgh  Univei-sity.  He  had  a  vigorous  un- 
 derstanding, and  a  facile  pen,  and  hence  through  various  literary 
 channels  he  gave  to  the  world  his  views  regarding  public  questions. 
 He  was  a  solid,  edifying  preacher,  and  his  daily  Christian  walk  con- 
 firmed the  teachings  of  his  ministry.  The  trying  vicissitudes 
 through  which  he  passed  at  different  stages  of  his  earthly  career 
 were  both  numerous  and  severe,  but  the  Lord  delivered  him  out  of 
 tliem  all.  Though  his  piety  both  in  youth  and  manhood  was  un- 
 doubted, yet  he  occasionally  had  great  spiritual  darkness.  He  was 
 an  excellent  specimen  of  a  Covenanter,  being  pious,  and  in  many 
 respects  shrewd  respecting  the  signs  of  the  times.  The  evening  of 
 his  days  was  light.  He  had  three  sons  in  the  ministry  and  had 
 good  hope  res2:)ecting  all  the  members  of  his  household.  His  end 
 was  peace. 
 
 John  Burnfield,  from  Pitcairugreeu,  entered  the  Divinity 
 Hall  (Professor  Paxton,D.D., Edinburgh),  1821, and  was  hcensed 
 by  Presbytery  of  Perth,  1825,  but  never  obtained  a  charge  ;  got 
 a  certificate  on  loth  July  1847,  and  joined  the  Free  Church, 
 in  which  connection  he  died  in  or  about  the  year  1862. 
 
 Matthew  Murray,  D.D.,  entered  the  Edinburgh  Divinity 
 Hall  of  the  Established  Church  (Rev.  Professors  Wm.  Ritchie, 
 Meiklejohn,  and  Brunton),  in  1822  ;  joined  the  Synod  of  Pro- 
 teMers  whilst  a  student,  on  2.3rd  November  1826  ;  licensed  by 
 Perth  Presbytery  in  February  1827  ;  called  to  Clola,  Pitcairn- 
 green,  Coupar- Angus,  and  Glasgow,  and  ordained  at  last-men- 
 tioned place,  11th  November  1828  ;  united  with  the  Original 
 Burghers  in  the  formation  of  the  United  Original  Secession 
 Church  in  1842,  and  after  the  Disruption  of  the  Synod  in 
 1852,  was  appointed  Professor  of  Divinity,  which  office  he 
 held  till  his  death  ;  had  the  degree  of  D.D.  conferred  on  him 
 by  the  University  of  Glasgow  in  1868,  and  died  2nd  May 
 1876,  in  the  seventy-second  year  of  his  age,  and  the  forty- 
 eighth    of    his  ministry.       Author    of   several    Controversial 
 
7*- 
 
 >'\l 
 
 REV°    PROF    MURRAY,    D.  D. 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    561 
 
 Pamplilets,  and  also  articles  in  Original  Secession  Magazine, 
 on  Atonement,  Fast  Days,  and  Fellowship  Meetings. 
 
 Dr  Murray  was  born  at  North  Berwick  Manse  on  12th  Atifjust 
 1804,  his  father,  the  Kev.  George  Mm-ray,  being  minister  of  th:it 
 parish.  For  several  generations  that  incumbency  had  been  in  the 
 Murray  family,  which  was  related  to  the  Hills  and  Cooks,  who 
 for  many  yeare  occupied  a  prominent  place  in  the  Courts  of  the 
 Church  of  Scotland.  At  tlie  age  of  fourteen  he  entered  the 
 Univei-sity  of  Edinburgli,  and  j)assed  tlirougli  the  entire  ciu-riculum 
 required  for  the  ministry  of  the  Established  Church.  During  his 
 student  coui-se,  however,  two  great  events  occurred  which  left  their 
 impress  on  him  as  long  as  he  lived.  The  first  was  his  conversion, 
 which  caused  him  to  abandon  the  lifeless  moderatism  which  pervaded 
 circles  in  which  he  had  hitherto  moved  ;  and  the  second  was  his 
 diligent  study  of  the  works  of  the  elder  M'Crie,  and  the  "  Plea  for 
 the  Covenanted  Reformation,"  by  Dr  Stevenson,  which  caused  him 
 to  see  that  the  Old  Lights,  though  outside  of  the  Establishment, 
 were  really  the  defenders  of  the  principles  held  by  the  Church  of 
 Scotland  in  her  purest  times. 
 
 Convinced  of  this  he  nobly  abandoned  all  connection  with  the 
 State  Church,  with  its  hereditary  associations,  and  hopes  through 
 f^imily  connections  of  speedy  promotion  in  its  borders,  and  cast  in 
 his  lot  with  the  Original  Secession. 
 
 His  congregation  in  Glasgow  was  for  many  years  small  in 
 numbers,  and  poor,  both  in  resources  and  influence,  yet  with  heroic 
 courage  he  laboured  on  till  eventually  he  expired  full  of  days  and 
 honours.  He  was  eminently  a  man  of  prayer,  of  deep  piety,  a  patient 
 and  laborious  student,  and  one  who,  by  his  integrity.  Christian 
 suavity,  and  gentlemanl}'  liearing,  did  much  to  connnend  and  adorn 
 the  Glorious  Gospel,  together  with  the  cause  of  the  Covenanteil 
 Reformation. 
 
 Regarding  Dr  Murray,  of  whose  guileless  simplicity  and  absent- 
 mindedness  many  anecdotes  have  been  told,  it  is  worthy  of  remark 
 that  none  of  these  are  to  his  discredit,  but,  on  the  contrary,  show 
 that  above  many  he  possessed  much  of  that  Nathaniel  childlike  dis- 
 position, without  which  no  one  shall  enter  into  the  Kingdom  of 
 Heaven. 
 
 Two  volumes  of  his  sermons  have  been  puldished  posthumously, 
 to  one  of  which  has  been  prefixed  an  excellent  memoir  of  their 
 author. 
 
 John  Graham  (Primus),  born  at  Montrose,  1794  ;  entered 
 Divinity  Hall  (Professor  Paxton,  D.D.,  Edinburgh),  1824; 
 licensed  by  Presbytery  of  Ayr,  IGth  July  1827,  but  not  obtain- 
 ing a  charge,  emigrated  to  America  in  1831,  and  was  ordained 
 
 2  N 
 
562  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 and  located  at  Bovina,  Delaware,  in  1832,  where  he  laboured 
 till  1853,  when  he  removed  to  Winterset,  Madison  County, 
 Iowa,  where  he  died,  22nd  April  1870,  aged  seventy-six. 
 Wrote  an  interesting  Autobiography. 
 
 Mr  Graham  was  lame  in  body,  but  by  no  means  lame  either 
 intellectually  or  as  a  preacher,  for,  having  emigrated  to  the  United 
 States  of  America,  he  there  became  a  highly  useful  pastor,  and  so 
 far  from  the  then  fathers  of  the  Church,  the  Rev.  Drs  Paxton  and 
 Stevenson  manifesting  any  hostility  towards  him  on  account  of  his 
 leaving  Scotland,  they  maintained  a  friendly  correspondence  with 
 him  as  long  as  they  lived. 
 
 Robert  Brown  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Professor  Paxton, 
 D.D.),  1824,  but  gave  up  study. 
 
 Thos.  Brown  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Professor  Paxton, 
 D.D.),  1824,  but  was  never  licensed. 
 
 Andrew  Lambie,  from  Auchinleck,  entered  the  Divinity 
 Hall  (Rev.  Professor  Dick,  D.D.,  Glasgow),  1822,  but  on  3rd 
 December  1827,  joined  the  Original  Seceders  whilst  a  Divinity 
 student;  licensed  by  the  Ayr  Presbytery,  11th  March  1828, 
 and  ordained  at  Pitcairngreen,  29th  April  1829  ;  declined  to 
 unite  with  the  Original  Burghers  in  1842,  and  separated  from 
 the  Synod,  The  congregation  of  Pitcairngreen  having  died 
 out,  he  ultimately  removed  to  Edinburgh,  where  he  ministers  to 
 a  few  adherents.  Author  of  "  Address  to  his  Congregation, 
 showing  that  the  Antiburgher  Profession  as  such  has  been 
 given  up  by  the  Synod  of  Original  Seceders  in  their  late  union 
 with  the  Original  Burghers,  and  that  that  Profession  ought  still 
 to  be  maintained,"  1842  ;  Pamphlet  on  cause  of  separation 
 from  Rev.  James  Wright,  1851  ;  and  "  The  Bible,  the  World's 
 Age,  the  Old  Paths,  and  Divisive  Courses,"  pp.  135,  1867. 
 
 James  Wright,  from  Ayr,  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Professor 
 Paxton,  D.D.),  1824  ;  licensed  by  Ayr  Presbytery,  9th  June 
 1828  ;  called  to  Midholm,  Dollar,  and  Coupar  Angus,  and 
 ordained  at  last-named  place,  1830;  translated  to  Infirmary 
 Street  Church,  Edinburgh,  to  be  colleague  and  successor  to 
 Rev,  Professor  Paxton,  D.D,,  2nd  October  1834,  Having 
 declined  to  unite  with  the  Original  Burghers  in  1842,  he 
 separated  from  the  Synod  ;  and  the  Infirmary  Street  Church 
 having  been  sold,  he  removed  in  1844  to  a  church  which  the 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    563 
 
 congregation  hatl  erected  in  Lauriston  Street.  Died  24th 
 February  1S79,  in  the  seventy-sixth  year  of  his  age,  and  the 
 forty-ninth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Author  of  "  Address  to  the  Associate  Congregation  of  Infirmary 
 Street,  Edinburgh,  on  the  Projected  Union  between  the  Synod  of 
 Burgl)ers  and  the  Synod  of  Original  Secedei-s,"  1842;  "  Letter  to 
 Rev.  Thomas  Cliahners,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  on  the  Present  Position  of 
 the  Free  Church  of  Scothmd,  by  a  Free  Church  Presbyterian," 
 1844  ;  "  Tlie  Evangelical  Alliance  the  Embodiment  of  the  Spirit  of 
 Christendom,"  1847;  "Britain's  Last  Struggle,  being  Lectures 
 Illustrative  of  the  Chaiucter,  Death,  Resurrection,  and  Ascension  of 
 the  Two  Witnesses,"  pp.  372,  1851  ;  "  Tekel,  or  the  Coming  Struggle, 
 and  its  Reviewers  weighed  and  foiuid  wanting,  by  Knoxite."  Edin- 
 burgh, 1853,  pp.  30;  "Europe's  Crisis,  An  Exposition  of  the 
 Four  Hoi-ses  of  the  Apocalyptic  Vision  of  the  Seals,"  pp.  410,  1856  ; 
 "Thurso  Property  Case — a  Pamphlet,  by  Clericus,"  1857;  besides 
 which  he  edited  a  serial  entitled  I'lie  Ark,  published  monthly,  from 
 January  1858,  and  extending  over  a  period  of  seven  years. 
 
 jNIessrs  Lambie  aiid  Wright  were  in  their  peculiar  and  chequered 
 career  intimately  associated  together.  They  were  licentiates  of  the 
 same  Presbytery  (Ayr)  in  the  same  year  (1828),  were  afterwards 
 ordained  members  of  the  same  Presbytery  (Perth),  and  after  the 
 latter  had  been  ti-anslated  to  Edinburgh,  they  in  company  pi-otested 
 against  the  union  with  the  Remanent  Burgher  Synod  in  1842,  and 
 formed  a  Presbytery  of  their  own.  Before  this  Court  had,  however, 
 reached  the  first  decade  of  its  history  its  members  disagreed  and 
 separated  ;  and  unhappily  separation,  and  not  union,  being  the  moi'e 
 prominent  article  in  the  practice,  of  their  followers,  there  have  been 
 further  sub-divisions  which  it  would  not  tend  to  Christian  edification 
 to  enter  into. 
 
 In  natui-al  talents,  disposition,  and  habits  the  two  witnesses,  as 
 Messrs  Lambie  and  Wright  were  sometimes  called,  were  very  dif- 
 ferent, and,  indeed,  the  antijjodes  of  each  other.  The  former  was 
 remarkably  guileless  and  unobtrusive,  whilst  the  latter  united  to 
 good  natiu-al  talents  not  a  little  subtlety  in  conduct,  the  absence 
 of  which  would  have  been  beneficial  to  him.  In  lecturing  he  ex- 
 celled ;  and  on  Sabbath  evenings,  when  the  subject  of  prophecy  was 
 the  theme,  his  place  of  worship  in  Laiu'iston  Street  was  frequently 
 crowded  to  overflowing,  notably  during  the  winters  of  1849-50  and 
 1850-51.  His  remains  now  lie  in  St  Cuthbert's  Buiial-Ground,  not 
 far  from  the  spot  where  sleeps  his  predecessor,  the  revered  Dr 
 Paxton  ;  and  Mr  Lambie,  the  remaining  witness,  still  survives. 
 
 AiiCHiBALD  Biiowx,  A.M.,  from  Peterhead,  joined  the 
 Original   Secession   whilst   an    Established    Church    student ; 
 
564  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 licensed,  23d  December  1828  ;  ordained  at  Leslie,  10th 
 November  1829  ;  translated  to  Kirriemuir,  1840,  and  thence 
 to  Adam  Square  Congregation,  Edinburgh,  24th  May  1843; 
 was,  owing  to  results  of  a  controversy  on  the  lawfulness  of 
 Sabbath  Schools,  suspended  by  the  Synod,  26th  May  1858; 
 but  this  stretch  of  ecclesiastical  power  was  probably  after- 
 wards regretted,  since  the  Original  Secession  Magazine,  in 
 noticing  his  death,  which  took  place  on  5th  February  1879, 
 in  the  seventy-fifth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  fiftieth  of  his 
 ministry,  states  that,  "  after  a  long  consistent  life  and  faithful 
 ir.inistry,  this  esteemed  servant  of  Christ  has  been  called  to 
 his  rest  and  his  reward." 
 
 Author  of  "The  Strength  of  the  Church,  a  Synod  Sermon," 
 1842  ;  "Two  Sermons,  with  an  Appendix,"  1849,  pp.  42  ;  "  Free 
 Churchmen  and  Seceders,  or  an  Examination  of  Plans  proposed  for 
 Union  between  them,"  1851  ;  "  Free  Church  Door  for  Seceders," 
 1852  ;  "Letter  to  Eev.  Dr  Candlish  on  Extinction  of  Secession  in 
 Scotland,"  1852  ;  "Lord  Ardmillan's  Decision  on  the  Thurso  Pro- 
 perty Case  Examined,"  1857;  "  Eevival  of  Family  Religion  in 
 Opposition  to  the  Sabbath  School  System,"  1857;  "Answer  to 
 Professor  Murray's  Speech  in  Defence  of  the  Sabbath  School 
 System,"  1858  ;  "  Protest  against  Synod  of  United  Original 
 Seceders,  or  Statement  of  the  Difference  between  the  Profession  of 
 the  Reformed  Church  of  Scotland  in  Relation  to  that  of  the  Family, 
 and  that  now  exhibited  by  the  Synod's  New  Deeds,"  1859  ; 
 &c.,  (fej. 
 
 In  combination  with  idiosyncrasies  of  character,  Mr  Brown  had 
 numerous  prominent  excellencies.  That  he  was  generous  is  shown 
 from  his  having  given  to  the  Synod  Fund  for  Poor  Congregations 
 £50  of  arrears  of  stipend  which  the  Leslie  congregaticm,  after  several 
 years'  delay,  paid  him.  He  was  an  attractive  preacher  of  fervid 
 eloquence,  which  so  heightened  his  spirituality  of  soul  on  one 
 sacramental  occasion  that  several  liearers  declared  that  he  spoke  as 
 one  who  had  been  in  the  tliird  heavens.  His  recluse  and  sedentary 
 habits,  however,  not  only  prevented  his  pulpit  gifts  being  known  to 
 the  Edinburgh  public,  but  latterly  interfered  with  his  pastoral 
 efficiency.  After  having  both  sinned  against  and  been  sinned 
 \gainst  by  his  brethren,  he  now  quietly  sleeps  in  the  south-east 
 corner  of  Newington  Burial-Ground  till  that  eventful  morning 
 when  the  Divine  Master  will  rectify  all  that  was  done  amiss,  and 
 render  to  all  parties  their  due. 
 
 James  Anderson,  from  Kirriemuir,  licensed  l7th  August 
 1829;   ordained  at  Kirriemuir,  1830,  and   owing  to  infirmity 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PEOBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    565 
 
 of  vocal  organs,  was  loosed  from  his  chartje  on  15th  October 
 1839  ;  removed  to  Ediiiburgli  ;  united  with  Free  Church  of 
 Scotland,  1852  ;  and  died  in  1877. 
 
 Author  of  Discourse  in  Christian  Herald  of  1838,  and  a 
 volume  of  Sermons,  1841;  joint-editor,  along  with  David  Lainjr, 
 LL.D.,  of  "  Scot  of  Cupur's  Apologetical  Narration,"  and  "  Forb(!s 
 of  Alford's  Records  concerning  the  Church,"  one  of  the  Wodrow 
 Society  volumes,  1846  ;  "  Translation  of  Calvin  on  Psalms,"  5  vols., 
 1845-49  ;  "  Biographical  Notices  of  Correspondents  of  Samuel 
 Rutherford,"  1848;  "The  Martyrs  of  the  Bass  Rock,"  1848; 
 "Ladies  of  the  Covenant,"  1851  ;  "Ladies  of  the  Reformation," 
 1855;  "Ladies  of  the  Reformation  in  Germany,  Switzerland, 
 Fi-ance,  Italy,  and  Spain,"  1857. 
 
 James  Aitken  Wylie,  M.A.,  LL.D.,  from  Kirriemuir, 
 licensed  1st  December  1829  ;  ordained  at  Dollar,  20th  April 
 1831.  Having  been  offered  the  assistant  editorship  of  the 
 Witness  newspaper,  then  edited  by  the  famous  Hugh  Miller, 
 he  resigned  his  charge  on  27th  April  184G,  and  wrote  usually 
 the  alternate  leading  article  of  the  JFitness  from  May  184G 
 onwards  to  the  close  of  its  existence,  or  about  800  leading 
 articles  in  all.  Edited  the  Free  Church  Record  from  1853 
 to  18G0.  In  1858  was  chosen  spokesman  of  a  deputation  of 
 Protestant  noblemen  and  gentlemen  to  the  Prime  Minister 
 (Lord  Derby),  on  grants  to  Roman  Catholics.  In  1800  was 
 appointed  by  the  Free  Church  Presbytery  of  Edinburgh,  Pro- 
 fessor to  the  Protestant  Institute  of  Scotland.  In  18G8  he 
 gave  evidence  before  a  Committee  of  the  House  of  Lords  on 
 the  Ecclesiastical  Titles  Bill  and  the  Canon  Law,  and  in 
 various  journeys  visited  all  the  countries  of  Western  Europe, 
 Norway  and  Russia  excepted. 
 
 Author  of  "  The  Duty  of  Rulers  to  promote  the  Sanotification  of 
 the  Sabbath,"  a  Lecture  in  Scottish  Pulpit,  1833;  "The  Death  of 
 Dr  M'Crie,  a  Poem,"  1835  ;  "The  Modern  Judea,  Amnion,  Moab, 
 and  Edom,  compared  with  Ancient  Prophecy,"  1841  ;  "Importance 
 of  Character,"  1842;  "Scenes  from  the  Bible,"  1843;  "Journey 
 over  the  Region  of  Fulfilled  Prophecy,  or  Ruins  of  Bible  Lands," 
 1845;  "The  Seventh  Vial,"  1848;  '"The  Papacy,  its  HLstory, 
 Dogmas,  Genius,  and  Prosj>ects,"  being  the  First  Prize  Essay  of  the 
 Evangelical  Alliance,  afterwards  translated  into  German  and  Dutch, 
 1851;  "Pilgrimage  from  the  Alps  to  the  Tiber,"  1856;  "The 
 Gospel  Ministry,"  was  translated  into  Welsh  (First  Px'ize  Essay), 
 
566  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 1857  ;  "  Wanderings  and  Mvisings  in  the  Valleys  of  the  "Waldenses," 
 1858;  "The  Great  Exodus,  or  Time  of  the  End,"  1860;  "Rome 
 and  Civil  Liberty,"  1864;  "The  Awakening  of  Italy,"  1866; 
 "  Road  to  Rome,  via  Oxford,  or  Ritualism  identical  with  Roman- 
 ism," 1868;  "Daybreak  in  Spain,"  1870;  "The  Crisis,"  1871; 
 "  Life  and  Missionary  Labours  of  Rev.  John  Fumes  Ogle,  M.A., 
 1873;  "Edition  of  Dictionary  of  the  Bible,  with  Brief  System  of 
 Calvinistic  Theology,"  1873; '"The  History  of  Protestantism,"  3 
 vols.  2000  pp. — an  edition  of  this  history  in  German  has  been 
 published  at  Amsterdam,  1874-1877  ;  "  Edition  of  Scots  Worthies, 
 with  numerous  Lives,"  1876;  "The  Papal  Hierarchy,"  1878; 
 "  The  Jesuits,  their  Plots  against  Kings,  Nations,  and  Churches," 
 1881  ;  "  Egypt  and  its  Future,"  1882  ;  volume  on  "  Visit  to  Pales- 
 tine," 1883;  "The  History  of  Scotland,"  2  vols.,  1886.  Also 
 several  Pamphlets  and  numerous  articles  in  various  periodicals. 
 
 The  Rev.  James  Anderson  and  Rev.  Dr  Wylie  both  hailed  from 
 Kirriemuir,  received  license  during  the  same  year,  and  both  after 
 a  time  retired  from  pastoral  work,  and  betook  themselves  to  litera- 
 ture. In  this  congenial  field  of  usefulness  both  excelled,  and  their 
 religious,  historical,  and  biographical  works  form  a  monument  to 
 their  ability.  The  biographies  of  the  "  Ladies  of  the  Covenant  and 
 Reformation  "  are  the  best  known  writings  of  Mr  Anderson,  whilst 
 Dr  Wylie's  pen  has  been  so  prolific  that  he  may  be  said  to  be  the 
 most  voluminous  writer  the  Secession  has  ever  produced  in  any  of 
 ite  branches.  Both  of  these  brethren  were  early  risers,  and  were 
 accustomed  to  fortify  themselves  for  the  labours  of  the  day  by  a 
 morning  constitutional  in  the  Meadows,  the  Queen's  Park,  or  some 
 of  the  pleasant  walks  in  the  beautiful  environs  of  the  Scottish 
 metropolis.  Specially  was  this  the  case  with  Dr  Wylie,  whose  thin, 
 agile  figure  and  buoyant  step,  combined  with  his  venerable  appear- 
 ance, rendered  him  to  citizens  the  embodiment  of  a  peripatetic 
 l)hilosopher  of  Modern  Athens.  In  different  walks  of  literary  use- 
 fulness Dr  Wylie  has  excelled,  since  he  has  spoken  eSectively  to  the 
 public  for  half  a  century,  not  only  in  his  volumes,  but  also  from  the 
 editorial  stool,  and  the  professorial  chair  of  the  Protestant  Institute. 
 At  his  ministerial  jubilee  held  in  1881,  in  addition  to  other  valu- 
 able gifts,  he  received  a  purse  containing  £300,  so  that  he  might 
 visit  personally  Modern  Judea,  the  scenes  of  which  he  had  pictorially 
 described  in  his  first  volume  published  forty  years  before.  This 
 journey  he  bravely  undertook  and  successfully  accomplished. 
 
 David  Burn,  from  United  Secession  Church,  of  which  he 
 had  been  a  Divinity  student,  licensed  1 8th  October  1829  ; 
 called  to  Arbroath  and  Thurso,  and  ordained  at  latter  place, 
 21st  July  1831  ;  was  Moderator  at  the  Disruption  of  Synod 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    5G7 
 
 in  185  2,  and  uuited  with  tlie  Free  Church  of  Scotland  in  same 
 year.  Owing  to  age  and  infirmity  obtained  a  colleague  and 
 successor,  24th  August  187(5,  and  died  29th  April  1882,  in 
 the  seventy-eighth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  fifty-first  of  his 
 ministry. 
 
 Respecting  the  above  the  Rev.  E.  A.  Thomson,  of  Edinburgh, 
 records  the  following: — "j\lr  Burn  was  bora  at  Stitcliel,  near 
 Kelso,  in  the  year  180-4.  His  parents  were  connected  with  the 
 Antiburixhcr  congregation  of  the  United  Secession,  and  in  early  life 
 he  was  himself  associated  with  that  congregation.  Afterwards,  on 
 coming  to  Edinburgh  to  prosecute  his  studies  at  the  University  with 
 a  view  to  the  ministry,  he  was  attracted  by  the  preaching  of  Pro- 
 fessor Paxton,  who  was  then  in  tlie  zenith  of  his  popularity  as 
 minister  of  Infirmary  Street  Church  ;  and,  along  with  a  numher  of 
 other  students  who  were  similarly  attracted  and  influenced  by  the 
 Professor,  he  joined  the  Original  Secession,  the  Synod  of  which  had 
 just  been  constituted  by  the  union  of  the  Protesters,  as  they  were 
 called,  of  whom  Dr  Paxton  was  perhaps  the  leading  member,  and 
 the  Constitutionalists,  of  whom  Dr  M'Crie,  the  historian,  was 
 certainly  the  leading  member. 
 
 "  From  his  ordination  he  devoted  himself  with  heart  and  soul  to 
 the  work  of  the  ministry  in  connection  with  his  congregation.  Once 
 a  year  he  went  over  to  Orkney  to  assist  at  the  communion  in  Kirk- 
 wall or  Birsay,  but  he  very  seldom  came  south,  and  even  when  he 
 did  come,  he  hardly  ever  preaciied  for  any  of  his  brethren.  His 
 humility  and  modesty  so  commanded  him  that  he  never  ventured  to 
 assert  himself  in  any  way.  Thurso,  therefore,  had  him  almost 
 entirely  to  itself;  and  it  did  appieciate  the  benefit,  as  evmced  by  the 
 excellent  congregation  which  all  along  attended  on  his  ministry. 
 
 "  There  were  few  preachers  who  equalled  him  in  the  warmth  and 
 earnestness  of  his  pulpit  work.  According  to  a  common  saying, 
 '  he  preached  with  his  heart  in  his  mouth,'  and  his  sermons,  which 
 were  carefidly  written  out,  were  at  once  richly  instructive  and 
 powerfully  persuasive.  Unfortunately,  with  his  usual  self-deprecia- 
 tion, he  burnt  his  manuscripts  when  towai'd  the  evening  of  life  he 
 felt  his  strength  begin  to  fail,  so  that  there  are  no  remains  which 
 can  be  published  by  way  of  memoi-ial.  Out  of  the  pulpit  he  was  a 
 pastor  of  the  highest  order.  Regidarly  visiting  the  families  of  his 
 congregation,  he  was  most  faithful  in  ascertaining  that  personal  and 
 family  prayer  were  attended  to  by  all  ;  the  young  were  also  directed 
 and  encouraged  in  the  systematic  reading  of  the  Sci'iptures  ;  and  the 
 sick  were  waited  on  with  an  affection  and  a  sympathy  which  always 
 made  him  the  most  welcome  of  visitors.  There  was  an  miction,  a 
 fervour,  a  tenderness,  heartiness,  and  fulness  of  intercession  in  his 
 prayers  which  had  evidently  power  with  God  and  with  men. 
 
568  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 "  From  the  beginning  of  his  ministry  he  laboured  to  overcome  the 
 scrupulous  reluctance  so  much  evinced  in  the  north  to  become 
 communicants  till  late  in  life.  When  the  writer  first  assisted  him 
 at  the  commvmion  in  1845,  the  number  of  young  persons  at  the 
 communion-table  was  very  small ;  the  only  '  young  communicant '  on 
 the  occasion  was  upwards  of  sixty  years  of  age.  But  in  private  he 
 was  most  hopeful  that  a  different  state  of  things  would  ere  long 
 prevail  ;  and  on  the  next  occasion  that  the  writer  was  with  him, 
 about  fifteen  or  sixteen  years  after,  the  proportion  of  young  persons 
 at  the  communion-table  was  quite  equal  to  that  of  southern  congre- 
 gations, much  to  the  delight  of  the  aged  elders,  by  whom  the  change 
 was  cordially  welcomed  as  indicative  of  evident  religious  progress. 
 His  Bible  classes  were  also  singularly  successful  ;  and  he  had  great 
 influence  with  young  men,  who  were  greatly  attracted  to  him  by  his 
 cordiality  of  manner  and  devotion  to  their  interests.  Some  of  our 
 most  active  ministers  and  missionaries,  as  Messrs  Miller  of  Madras 
 and  Swanson  of  China,  are  his  sons  in  the  Gospel. 
 
 "In  the  year  1852  he  was  Moderator  of  the  Synod  of  United 
 Original  Seceders,  when  the  Synod  agreed  by  a  majority  to  approach 
 the  General  Assembly  of  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  with  the 
 view  of  acceding  to  its  fellowship,  upon  the  acceptance  of  their 
 '  Representation  and  Appeal  ;'  and  he  went  with  the  majority  in 
 their  'Accession.'  On  that  occasion  Sir  George  Sinclair  spoke  of 
 him  in  terms  of  the  highest  eulogy  to  the  General  Assembly.  Lady 
 Camilla,  who  preceded  her  honoured  husband  in  his  abandonment  of 
 the  Establishment,  had  been  for  some  years  a  member  of  Mr  Burn's 
 congregation,  the  great  majority  of  which  accompanied  their  minister 
 and  the  Synod.  Unhappily  a  minority  stood  aloof,  and  in  a  lengthened 
 and  for  them  ultimately  successful  litigation,  contested  his  possession 
 of  the  church  and  manse.  The  costs  of  this  litigation  were  saddled 
 upon  him  and  his  adhering  congregation ;  but  they  loyally  addressed 
 themselves  to  the  emergency,  and  in  the  course  of  a  few  years  suc- 
 ceeded, with  the  help  of  sympathizing  friends,  in  overcoming  all 
 their  difficulties,  paying  the  costs,  erecting  a  handsome  new  cliurch, 
 purchasing  another  and  much  superior  manse,  and  disburdening 
 their  whole  ecclesiastical  property  of  debt. 
 
 "  During  the  last  three  years  of  his  life  he  was  completely  laid 
 aside  from  ministerial  duty  ;  and  latterly  his  general  powers  failed 
 him  ;  but  the  smile,  the  gush  of  tears,  and  the  pressure  of  the  hand 
 continued  to  indicate  his  appreciation  of  the  afiectionate  attentions 
 shown  to  him  by  her  who  is  now  his  widovv,  by  his  esteemed 
 colleague,  and  other  friends. 
 
 "  Mr  Burn  died  on  the  29th  of  April,  and  within  less  than 
 two  months  considerably  upwards  of  £100  were  contributed  to 
 erect    a    monument    over    his  grave,  and   a   tablet  in   the  church. 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    oG9 
 
 But  his  best  menioriiil  is  in  the  hearts  ami  lives  of  the  iK'ople  who 
 benefited  so  long  by  his  faithful  ministry  and  earnest  prayers.  Ho 
 was  '  a  man  in  Christ ' — '  a  good  minister  of  Jesus  Christ.' 
 
 John  Graham  (Socuuilus).  from  Dunning,  entered  Divinity 
 Hall  (Professor  Paxton),  1824  ;  licensed  by  Perth  Presbytery, 
 2.5tli  November  1828  ;  onluiueJ  at  Kilmarnock,  1st  September 
 1S3G  ;  owing  to  bodily  iutirmity,  demitted  his  charge  in  May 
 18G3,  and  retired  to  Dunning,  but  having  partially  recovered 
 strength,  ho  fulfilled  preaching  appointments  till  his  death  on 
 20th  May  1871,  in  the  seventy-fifth  year  of  his  age,  and  the 
 thirty-sixth  of  his  ministry.  Author  of  pamphlet  on  "  Morri- 
 sonianism,"  1841  ;  "  Irenicum  Reviewed,  or  Reply  to  Rev. 
 Dr  Hough's  Inquiry,"  1845;  and  "Oratorios  shown  to  be 
 Sinful." 
 
 Mr  Graham  was  an  excellent  specimen  of  a  Seceder  minister  of 
 the  old  school.  Though  somewhat  unpolished  m  manner  and 
 speech,  he  was  always  highly  esteemed  because  of  the  excellent  matter 
 contained  in  his  discourses.  He  was  well  read  in  theology,  both 
 old  and  new  ;  and  whilst  having  due  esteem  and  affection  for  those 
 who  differed  from  him,  was  "  ready,  aye  ready,"  "  earnestly  to 
 contend  for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints."  He  was  nob 
 only  decidedly  "  Old  Light "  in  his  opinions,  but  having  above  many 
 the  courage  of  his  convictions,  of  him  it  could  be  said  respecting  the 
 Covenanted  cause,  "  Nemo  id  impune  lacessit." 
 
 Robert  Auld,  from  Ayr,  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Professor 
 Paxton,  D.D.),  1827;  licensed  1st  December  1829  ;  ordained 
 at  Birsay,  24th  July  1843  ;  united  with  the  Free  Church  of 
 Scotland  in  1852,  and  afterwards  retired  to  Ayr,  where  he 
 died. 
 
 George  Roger,  A.M.,  born  in  Aberdeen,  1810,  entered 
 Divinity  Hall  (Rev.  Prof.  Paxton,  D.D.),  1828  ;  licensed  May 
 183G,  and  ordained  at  Auchinleck,  8th  November  1837  ;  was 
 appointed  Clerk  to  Ayr  I'resbytery  in  1840,  Synod  Clerk  in 
 1852,  and  joint  editor  of  OrUjinal  Secession  Magazine  in 
 1868  with  Rev.  James  Smellie,  Edinburgh,  which  offices  he 
 held  till  his  death,  4th  April  1870,  in  the  sixtieth  year  of  his 
 age,  and  the  thirty-third  of  his  ministry.  Author  of  "  The 
 Covenanters,  by  an  Original  Seceder,"  1844  ;  "  The  Necessity 
 of  Personal  Religion  for  the  Discharge  of  the  Work  of  the  Minis- 
 try, an  Address  to  the  Students  of  Divinity  Hall,"  pp.  32,  1863. 
 
570  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Mr  Rogei'  was  not  only  a  ripe  scholar  of  antiquarian  tastes,  but  in 
 his  younger  years  was  an  accomplished  teacher  of  mathematics,  &c.,  in 
 the  Commercial  Academy  of  Dunfermline,  which  was  then  one  of  the 
 secondary  schools  of  the  country.  For  years  whilst  he  held  this 
 appointment,  he  travelled  weekly  over  twenty  miles  to  Kirkcaldy, 
 which  was  to  him  the  nearest  town  in  which  an  Original  Secession 
 congregation  was  located.  Thus  he  showed  practically  his  adherence 
 to  the  cause,  and  when  afterwards  he  resigned  his  educational  pros- 
 pects and  emoluments,  because  he  felt  that  necessity  was  laid  upoa 
 him  to  preach  the  Gospel,  he  proved  the  high  appreciation  he  had 
 of  the  Christian  ministry,  even  though  it  was  to  be  exercised  in 
 comparative  obscurity  and  poverty.  la  physique  he  was  possibly 
 the  smallest  man  in  the  Original  Secession  ministiy,  but  in  spirit  he 
 was  head  and  shoulders  above  many  of  his  associates.  Magnanimity 
 of  soul  and  geniality  of  disposition  were  in  him  leading  characteristics, 
 and  hence,  though  he  protested  against  the  passing  of  the  overtui'e 
 for  union  with  the  Free  Church,  he  did  not  fail  to  cherish  love  and 
 esteem  towards  those  fi-om  whose  opinions  he  differed. 
 
 David  Allan  Sturrock,  from  Arbroath,  entered  Divinity 
 Hall  (Rev.  Prof.  Paxton,  D.D.,  Edinburgh),  1828  ;  licensed 
 29th  November  1831  ;  ordained  at  Midholm,  3d  October 
 1832,  and  died  12th  February  1853,  in  the  twenty-first  year 
 of  his  ministry.  Author  of  "Catechism  for  the  Times;  "  "Cate- 
 chism on  Popery  ;  "  "  The  Present  Differences  in  regard  to  the 
 Atonement ;  "  "  Remarks  on  Dr  Wardlaw's  Pamphlet  on  the 
 Atonement,  entitled  Reviewers  Reviewed  ;"  "A  Short  and  Easy 
 Method  with  the  Anabaptists  ; "  "A  Short  and  Easy  Method 
 with  the  Ultra- Millennarians  ; "  "  Secret  Religion  illustrated 
 from  Records  of  Christian  Experience  ; "  "  The  Mystery  of  God- 
 liness Practically  Illustrated  ;  "  "  The  Remembrancer,  or  Essays 
 on  Religious  Subjects." 
 
 Mr  StuiTOck  was  not  only  an  excellent  preacher,  but  from  his 
 rural  mause,  far  from  the  busy  haunts  of  men,  there  issued  volumes 
 which  showed  him  not  only  to  have  been  a  diligent  student  and  an 
 excellent  theologian,  but  also  the  possessor  of  a  piety  the  depth  and 
 fragrance  of  which  are  still  known  m  the  religious  literature  of  Scot- 
 land, 
 
 John  Sandison,  from  Caithness,  entered  Divinity  Hall 
 (Rev,  Prof  Paxton,  D.D.),  1828;  licensed  14th  December 
 1831  ;  called  to  Auchinleck  and  Arbroath,  and  ordained  at 
 latter  place  in  1834;  united  with  Free  Church  of  Scotland, 
 1852,  and  died  26th  October  1871,  in  the  sixty-ninth  year 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    571 
 
 of  his  age,  ami  the  tliirty-seventli  of  liis  ministry.  Author 
 of  "  Review  of  Discussions  of  Union  betwixt  Original  Secession 
 and  Free  Church,"  1852. 
 
 Mr  Sandison  was  an  esteemed  tliough  a  quiet  preacher,  since  be 
 had  a  phiraUty  of  calls  addressed  to  hiui.  During  Iiis  attendance  at 
 the  Divinity  Hall  it  is  related  that  he  stated  to  the  senior  Dr 
 M'Crie  that  he  could  never  ascend  the  pulpit  without  fear  and  trem- 
 bling. *'  Pray  that  the  feeling  may  never  leave  you,"  said  the  vener- 
 able historian,  who  had  a  high  sense  of  the  gravity  of  the  ministerial 
 vocation.  Whether  or  not  the  exhortation  was  complied  with  is 
 not  known,  but  true  it  is  that  during  so  many  years  did  the  trem- 
 bling contmue  that  at  length  he  ventured  to  use  his  manuscri{)t,  and 
 though  brouglit  before  the  local  Presbytery  for  doing  so,  continued 
 to  use  it,  and  thus  was  probably  the  first  in  the  Original  Secession 
 Church  who  from  necessity  deviated  from  the  custom  of  delivering 
 his  discourses  memoriter. 
 
 CUNNINGHAME  AiTCHESON,  from  Ireland,  licensed  1 2th 
 June  1832;  called  to  united  congregation  of  Crieff  and 
 Dunning,  Alyth,  and  Arbroath,  and  ordained  at  Alyth  in  18.33, 
 from  which  he  was  loosed  in  1837,  when  he  emigrated  to 
 Woolomooloo,  Australia. 
 
 John  M'Crie,  from  Davie  Street  Church,  of  which  his  father 
 was  minister,  attended  Divinity  Hall  in  1829,  but  was  never 
 licensed.  Having  devoted  his  attention  to  teaching,  he  became 
 the  first  Kector  of  the  Normal  Seminary,  Glasgow.  He  died  in 
 early  manhood,  and  was  highly  esteemed  for  his  talents  and 
 learning. 
 
 David  Gray,  from  Kirkcaldy,  of  which  his  father  was 
 minister,  attended  Divinity  Hall  in  1829,  but  after  completing 
 his  theolofjical  course,  instead  of  receiving  license,  betook  him- 
 self  to  the  teaching  profession,  in  which  he  excelled  ;  was 
 mathematical  master  in  Dollar  Academy,  and  after  being  for  a 
 time  at  St  John's,  New  Brunswick,  became  Professor  of  Natural 
 Philosophy  in  jMarischal  College,  Aberdeen,  which  position  he 
 held  from  18-50  till  his  death  in  18.55. 
 
 David  Matheson,  from  Ayr,  entered  Divinity  Hall  in  1830, 
 but  died  whilst  a  student. 
 
 lioBERT  Murphy  Cochrane,  from  Infirmary  Street  Church, 
 who,  turning  his  attention  to  medicine,  was  never  licensed,  and 
 afterwards  became  a  surfjeon  in  Edinburijh. 
 
572  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 James  M'Geoch,  from  the  United  States,  who,  when  he  had 
 completed  his  theological  curriculum,  declined  on  8th  June 
 1830  to  take  the  Formula,  and  returned  to  America;  gradu- 
 ated at  Princeton,  New  Jersey,  and  haviug  joined  the  American 
 General  Assembly  Presbyterian  Church,  he  went  as  a  mis- 
 sionary to  the  then  Far  West,  and  settled  at  Bleemington, 
 Illinois,  where  he  died  13th  September  1833,  aged  twenty- 
 eight  years. 
 
 Thomas  Callander,  acceded  to  Secession  from  another 
 denomination,  and  was  licensed  13th  August  1833  ;  was  mis- 
 sionary in  Ayr  for  a  few  months  in  1840;  separated  from 
 Synod,  along  with  Rev.  Messrs  Wright  and  Lambie,  in  1842  ; 
 was  located  for  a  time  at  Dundee  ;  and  then  having  left  the 
 Secession,  died  a  Baptist  minister  at  Rothesay.  After 
 announcing  his  text  this  preacher  usually  closed  the  pulpit 
 Bible,  and  then  delivered  his  discourses  with  such  energy 
 that  the  perspiration  flowed  copiously,  and  his  audience,  which 
 probably  included  no  sleepers,  looked  on  with  more  wonder- 
 ment than  edification. 
 
 James  Williamson,  from  Ayr,  entered  Divinity  Hall 
 (Rev.  Professor  Paxton,  D.D.),  1830  ;  licensed  by  Presbytery 
 of  Edinburgh,  13th  August  1833  ;  resigned  taking  preaching 
 appointments,  May  1836  ;  emigated  to  America,  where  he 
 joined  the  United  Presbyterian  Church,  and  was  ordained  at 
 Sutton,  Massachusetts,  in  1838  ;  was  afterwards  translated  to 
 Wilkinsonville,  Massachusetts,  and  died  3d  March  1866. 
 
 William  White,  born  at  Harthill,  near  Whitburn,  I7th 
 December  1811  ;  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Rev.  Professor 
 Paxton,  D.D.)  1831  ;  licensed  by  Presbytery  of  Ediiiburgh, 
 3d  July  1834  ;  called  to  Auchinleck  and  Haddington,  and 
 ordained  at  latter  place,  1st  July  1835  ;  afterwards  called  to 
 Kirkcaldy,  but  declined  ;  was  editor  of  Original  Secession 
 Magazine,  First  Series,  from  January  1847  till  July  1852; 
 united  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  1852,  and  died 
 13th  October  1871,  in  the  sixtieth  year  of  his  age,  and  the 
 thirty-seventh  of  his  ministry.  Author  of  Three  Sermons  on 
 Sabbath  Question,  1837;  "Lectures  on  National  Establish- 
 ments of  Religion,"  1839,  Haddington,  pp.  60  ;  "Prophecy, 
 Providence,  and   Popery,   or  Lectures   on  Book   of  Daniel ; " 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    573 
 
 "  Christ's  Covenant  the  host  Defence  of  Christ's  Crown,"  1  84'4; 
 Speech  at  Bicentenary  of  Westminster  Assembly,  1843  ; 
 "  The  Principles  of  Christian  Union  as  laid  down  in  the 
 Word  of  God  ;"  "  Memoir  of  Rev.  1).  A.  Sturrock,  :Midholm," 
 1853  ;  "  Scripture  Studies,  or  Things  New  and  Old,"  186G, 
 pp.  303;  "World,  a  School  for  Christ's  People,"  a  Synod 
 Sermon,  18G7  ;  Lectures  and  Sermons,  published  posthu- 
 mously, 1  875,  &c. 
 
 In  many  respects  Mr  White  was  a  remarkable  man.  His  intel- 
 lectual gifts  were  of  a  high  order,  and  these  lie  had  so  cultivated 
 by  study,  and  a  wide  range  of  reading,  that  in  the  earlier  years  of 
 his  ministry  he  appeared  as  an  author,  and  astonished  the  ecclesias- 
 tical world  by  the  extent  of  his  varied  attainments.  He  had  the  pen 
 of  a  ready  wi-iter,  and  lience  the  Original  Secession  Mayazine,  during 
 the  days  of  his  editorship,  was  always  able,  attractive,  and  instructive. 
 His  "  Conversations  betwixt  a  United  Presbyterian,  a  INIorrisonian, 
 and  an  Original  Seceder,"  were  pecidiarly  interesting,  and  brought  out 
 in  a  popular  style  the  doctrinal  controversies  of  his  day.  In  fami- 
 liarity with  Secession  history  he  had  probably  no  superior,  and  hence 
 in  ecclesiastical  controversy  his  partizanship  was  eagerly  sought  and 
 highly  valued.  At  first  he  opposed,  but  latterly  advocated  union 
 with  the  Free  Chiu'ch  of  Scotland,  and  hence  he  lias  Iteen  frequently 
 charged  with  inconsistency.  But  though  inconsistent  with  himself, 
 as  every  imperfect  but  gi-owing  man  must  often  be,  he  tried  to  be 
 consistent  with  what  appeared  to  be  ins  duty  to  God,  to  the  truth, 
 and  the  section  of  the  chui'ch  to  which  he  belonged.  As  it  was 
 largely  through  the  infliience  of  his  writings  that  the  union  with 
 the  Free  Church  was  consummated,  Mr  White  was  placed  in  the 
 awkward  position  of  being  greatly  belauded  by  some,  whilst  he  was 
 grievously  blamed  by  others.  Of  his  remarkable  literary  al)ility, 
 however,  there  Ls  only  one  opinion,  and  his  works  form  a  monument 
 to  his  research  and  laljorious  industry. 
 
 Concerning  Mr  White,  one  of  his  friends  relates  "  that  while  a 
 student  the  elder  M'Crie  expressed  great  hopes  of  his  future.  His 
 appearance  was  plain,  his  speech  rather  uncouth,  witli  a  strong 
 Scotch  accent,  but  he  had  an  eagle  eye  full  of  fire  and  intelligence. 
 He  was  not  seen  to  advantage  in  the  pulpit  on  accoinit  of  a  peculiar 
 nervousness,  which  often  made  him  shorten  his  discourses.  He 
 shone  on  the  platform.  In  debate  he  was  fearless — his  strong 
 argumentative  powers,  keen  sarcasm,  and  accurate  knowledge  of  his 
 subject  all  came  into  play.  His  s|)eech  on  the  union  controversy 
 in  the  Free  Church  Asseml)ly  electrified  the  wliole  house.  On 
 account  of  delicate  health,  Mr  White  has  not  left  anything  worthy 
 of  his  original  mind.      Perhaps  he  frittered  away  too  much  time  iu 
 
574  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 periodical  writing.  "When  editor  of  the  Original  Secession  Magazine 
 he  would  often  write  almost  the  whole  of  the  number,  not  slipshod, 
 but  done  in  a  masterly  and  original  style.  Towards  his  latter  days 
 he  stated  that  he  was  convinced  that  the  creed  of  the  Church  should 
 be  short,  as  large  creeds  tended  to  conti-oversy,  and  were  apt  to 
 make  the  Church  swerve  from  the  simplicity  of  the  apostolical  faith. 
 He  had  dry  humour.  Once  he  was  coming  from  the  General 
 Assembly  of  the  Established  Church,  whex'e  those  who  wanted  to 
 petition  against  patronage  were  left  in  a  minority,  A  friend 
 expressing  to  Mr  White  his  surprise  at  such  a  result,  he  replied, 
 "  Touts,  man,  maist  o'  them  are  like  the  moles,  they're  born 
 blind  !  " 
 
 Andrew  Wood,  acceded  from  United  Secession  Church  ; 
 licensed  15th  July  1834,  but  resigned,  taking  appointments, 
 September  1836  ;  became  a  medical  practitioner  at  Falkirk, 
 and  afterwards  at  Lochee,  where  he  died  in  1850. 
 
 Joseph  Wilson,  born  at  Ayr,  4th  October  1807;  en- 
 tered Divinity  Hall  (Rev.  Professor  Paxton,  D.D.),  1831; 
 licensed  10th  August  1834  ;  called  to  Auchinleck  and  Elgin, 
 Though  he  preferred  the  former,  the  Synod  appointed  him  to 
 be  ordained  at  the  latter  place,  and  as  he  held  that  no  Synod 
 had  a  right  to  decide  in  competing  calls  unless  asked  by  the 
 Probationer  to  do  so,  he  united  with  the  Reformed  Presby- 
 terian Church  in  1839,  and  was  censured  for  doing  so.  Was 
 ordained  minister  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Congregation, 
 Dundee,  but  afterwards  united  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scot- 
 land, and  on  18th  August  1848  was  inducted  at  Abernyte, 
 where  he  died  27th  March  1873,  in  the  sixty-sixth  year  of 
 his  age,  and  the  thirty-second  of  his  ministry, 
 
 "  Mr  Wilson  (says  his  intimate  friend,  Dr  Andrew  Bonar,  of 
 Glasgow)  early  gave  evidence  of  his  evangelistic  tendencies  by  en- 
 gaging in  missionary  work  among  the  navvies  who  were  employed 
 upon  the  Perth  and  Dundee  line  of  railway ;  and  about  that  time 
 it  was  remarked  he  seemed  to  receive  a  new  baptism  of  the  Spirit. 
 He  dealt  not  in  intellectual  discussion,  but  in  word  and  doctrine, 
 applying  the  truth  with  quaint  originality.  Though  never  married, 
 he  had  a  great  love  of  children,  and  took  special  delight  in  preach- 
 ino-  to  them.  His  flock  were  attended  to  assiduously,  and  to  him 
 Christ's  yoke  was  easy.  Revival  work  lay  near  his  heart ;  he  un- 
 ceasingly prayed  for  the  outpouring  of  the  Spirit,  and  looked  for  an 
 answer  to  his  prayers  at  home  and  abroad.  He  was  in  his  element 
 in  such  meetings  as  the  Perth  Conference;  and  it  was  there,  after 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PUOBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    575 
 
 addressing  the  meeting,  that  lie  was  fii-st  taken  seriously  ill,  his  ill- 
 ness showing  symptoms  of  some  disorder  of  the  heart.  Jfe  had 
 singular  access  to  the  xqiper  classes  as  well  as  to  the  poor.  He  was 
 a  determined  ui)hold(.'r  in  practice  of  Total  Abstinence.  His  manner 
 in  the  pulpit  and  in  prayer  was  "often  abrupt ;  his  imitressivenes>j 
 lay  in  his  holy  earnestne.ss.  There  were  many  convei-sions  under 
 his  preaching.  After  a  very  brief  illness  he  died  at  Abcrnyte.  He 
 lies  buried  in  the  old  churchyard,  his  tomb  looking  down  on  the 
 scene  of  his  laboui-s,  till  the  Lord  return,  bringing  his  reward  with 
 Him." 
 
 James  Lawson,  from  Carnoustie,  licensed  1st  October 
 1834.  Owing  partly  to  a  defect  in  his  utterance,  he  was 
 never  ordained.      Died  15tli  March  1854. 
 
 Alexander  Brown,  A.M.,  from  Aberdeen,  attended 
 Divinity  Hall  (Rev.  I'rofessor  Paxton,  D.D.)  ;  licensed  by 
 Aberdeen  Presbytery,  13tb  April  1835  ;  called  to  Auchin- 
 leck  and  Coupar-Angus,  and  ordained  at  latter  place,  Novem- 
 ber 1836,  and  died  24th  April  1854.  Mr  Brown  was  a 
 grandson  of  lie  v.  Wm.  Brown,  of  Craigdara,  and  possessed 
 good  talents  and  much  piety.  Owing  to  delicate  health  he 
 was  not  widely  known,  though  in  pastoral  work  he  was  dili- 
 gent. He  was  very  hospitable,  and  caused  his  dwelling  to  be 
 a  house  of  Gains  to  travelling  preacbers,  to  whom  he  always 
 gave  a  hearty  welcome. 
 
 Francis  M'Bean,  licensed  12th  May  1835,  and  sent  to 
 preach  the  Gospel  to  the  Highlanders  at  Sunart  and  Ardna- 
 murchan.  On  2nd  September  1835  he  was  called  by  thirty 
 persons,  and  on  1st  Mai"ch  183G  he  was  ordained  and  mis- 
 sioned as  above,  the  Synod  allowing  hira  £40  annually,  which, 
 however,  he  found  to  be  inadequate.  At  the  Disruption  of 
 1843  he  was  absorbed  in  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  and 
 inducted  into  the  Free  Church  of  Fort  Augustus,  where  he 
 ministered  till  his  death  on  28th  May  18G9. 
 
 Mr  M'Bean  was  connected  originally  with  the  Gaelic  School 
 Society  as  an  Inspector.  He  had  a  natural  eloquence.  As  he  per- 
 sonally had  felt  deep  convictions  of  sin,  he  could  from  experience 
 speak  faithfully  to  the  unsaved.  His  discourses  wei'e  more  marked' 
 by  fervour  than  by  critical  learning.  Not  a  few  who  have  heard 
 him  expound  Ps.  cvii.,  and  the  Miracles  of  our  Lord,  will  hesitate 
 to  say  that  by  his  decease  the  Church  lost  a  man  of  faith,  prayer, 
 and  fervour.      In  some  of  his  habits  this  good  mau  was  more  easy 
 
576  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 than  cleanly,  since  to  avoid  the  trouble  of  carrying  a  snuff-box  to 
 the  pulpit,  he  frequently  carried  the  stimulating  dust  loose  in  his 
 vest  pocket,  and  thus  with  very  slight  trouble  could  help  himself 
 to  it. 
 
 Young,  from  M'Alpine  Street  Church,  Glasgow,  en- 
 
 tered Divinity  Hall  in  1832,  but  did  not  complete  his  theo- 
 logical course. 
 
 Charles  Keir,  from  Pitcairngreen,  entered  Divinity  Hall 
 (Rev.  Professor  Paxton,  D.D.),  1832.  Did  not  complete  his 
 theological  studies,  and  afterwards  was  Inspector  of  Poor  at 
 Kirkintilloch. 
 
 David  Smith,  from  Ayr,  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Rev.  Pro- 
 fessor Paxton,  D.D.),  1833,  but  after  passing  through  the 
 full  curriculum,  declined  going  forward  for  license,  and  soon 
 afterwards  died. 
 
 David  Irons,  from  Coupar-Angus,  entered  Divinity  Hall, 
 1834,  but  did  not  complete  the  theological  course. 
 
 George  Stevenson,  born  at  Ayr,  where  his  father  was 
 minister,  28th  January  1812;  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Rev. 
 Professor  Paxton,  D.D.),  1831  ;  licensed,  18th  August  1835, 
 by  Ayr  Presbytery  ;  called  to  Kilwinning  on  14th  April  1836, 
 and  on  3rd  May  following,  to  Ayr,  as  colleague  and  successor 
 to  his  father,  but  the  Sjmod  having  set  aside  the  call  to 
 Ayr,  he  was  ordained  at  Kilwinning,  21st  December  1836  ; 
 founder  of  the  Industrial  School  of  Kilwinning.  Author  of  a 
 pamphlet,  "  Burns'  Centenary  :  Are  such  honours  due  to  the 
 Ayrshire  Bard  ? "  and  a  volume  of  sermons  published  posthum- 
 ously. Died  1st  June  1859,  in  the  forty-eighth  year  of  his 
 age,  and  the  twenty-third  of  his  ministry. 
 
 In  several  respects  Mr  Stevenson  was  a  model  minister.  He  was 
 alwavs  grave,  unassuming,  yet  dignified,  and  of  a  very  benevolent 
 disposition.  In  all  the  relationships  of  life  he  proved  himself  affec- 
 tionate, true,  and  steadfast.  In  person  he  was  tall,  and  when  seen 
 in  the  pulpit  with  his  expansive  forehead,  his  right  arm  elevated, 
 with  his  deep  sonorous  voice  proclaiming  the  Gospel,  the  effect  was 
 very  impressive.  Indeed  solemnity  was  a  marked  feature  in  his 
 manner,  and  he  was  always  sincere  in  his  utterances.  With  philan- 
 thropic 7.eal  he  founded,  and  with  the  aid  of  friends  sustained,  two 
 schools  for  destitute  children,  which,  after  his  decease,  were  named 
 the  Stevenson  Industrial  Schools,  and  which,  prior  to  the  passing  of 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    577 
 
 the  Education  Act,  effected  nnich  good  in  Kilwinning.     He  was 
 taken  away  in  the  midst  of  his  days,  and  his  end  was  peace. 
 
 Robert  Mackay,  from  Thurso,  attended  Divinity  Hall 
 (Eev.  Professor  Paxton,  D.D.)  ;  licensed,  11th  July  1836; 
 resigned  connection  with  tlie  Original  Secession  Church  on 
 August  13th  1844,  and  emigrated  to  Canada. 
 
 George  M'Crie,  youngest  son  of  Dr  M'Crie,  son.,  born 
 in  Edinburgh,  ]\Iarch  1811  ;  attended  Divinity  Hall  (Rev. 
 Professors  Paxton  and  M'Crie,  jun.)  ;  licensed,  7th  October 
 1836;  ordained  at  Clola,  10th  August  1837;  united  with 
 the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  1852,  and  died,  1st  June  1878, 
 in  the  sixty-eighth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  forty-first  of  his 
 ministry.  Author  of  "  The  Religion  of  our  Literature,"  1875, 
 and  other  works  in  prose  and  poetry. 
 
 Respecting  Mr  George  M'Crie,  his  friend,  the  Rev.  A. 
 Urquhart,  M.A.,  Old  Deer,  states  : — "  This  much-beloved  minister 
 was  a  son  of  *  the  biographer  of  Knox  and  Melville,'  and  the 
 youngest  of  four  brothers,  all  of  them  notable  men.  He  was  bom 
 in  March  1811.  Both  as  a  school-boy  and  a  youth  at  the  Univer- 
 sity he  evinced  good  natural  endowments,  and  he  took  and  kept 
 a  high  place  among  his  fellows.  A  professor  under  whom  he 
 studied  spoke  of  him  as  the  fii'st  Grecian  of  his  class.  He  gave 
 himself  for  a  time  to  the  study  of  '  law  ; '  but  by-and-bye  abandoning 
 that,  he  prosecuted  a  course  of  divinity  in  connection  with  the 
 Original  Secession  Church.  Soon  after  being  licensed,  he  succeeded, 
 as  minister  at  Clola,  his  brother  Thomas,  on  his  translation  to 
 Edinburgh  to  fill  the  pulpit  left  vacant  by  their  father's  death.  He 
 contiiuied  to  minister  there  from  1837  onwards  to  his  death. 
 
 "  Mr  M'Crie  was  a  student  throughout  his  life.  In  prej)aring  for 
 the  pulpit,  he  adhered  rigidly  to  the  rule  '  not  to  serve  God  with 
 that  which  cost  him  nought ; '  and  he  was  conscientious  in  prepar- 
 ing for  household  visitations,  and  for  all  public  meetings.  His  dis- 
 courses, always  edifying,  were  generally  remaz'kable  for  their  origin- 
 ality. Often  they  were  beautiful  in  diction,  and  gave  evidence  of 
 keenness  and  skill  in  exegesis.  They  testified,  too,  to  breadth  and 
 power  of  intellect,  and  to  accurate  and  extensive  theological  learn- 
 ing. But  invariably  they  bore  the  impress  of  '  Only  truth  '  as  his 
 watchword,  and  that  the  great  end  of  them  was  the  gloiy  of 
 God  in  the  salvation  of  his  people. 
 
 "  Besides  his  necessary  studies,  he  systematically  carried  on  a 
 course  extraneous  to  them  ;  and  he  has  left  behind  him  an  immense 
 
 2  0 
 
578  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 mass  of  manuscripts,  part  of  whicli — a  lengthened  and  careful  study 
 of  Exodus  and  Leviticus — lie  has  entrusted  to  a  literary  friend,  to 
 l»e  dealt  with  according  to  his  judgment. 
 
 "  He  'loved  the  truth.'  He  had  faith  in  its  stability,  and  that 
 it  would  spread  world-wide.  Between  him  and  all  that  tended  to 
 imperil  it  there  was  an  instinctive  repulsion.  Though  he  mourned 
 over  being  morally  timid,  he  was  staunch  and  fearless  in  maintaining 
 and  defending  it.  If  he  manifested  indignation,  it  was  at  hollow 
 and  specious  attempts  to  undermine  it;  and  if  these  were  malicious 
 and  honeyed,  he  became  vehement  and  unsparing  in  his  treatment 
 of  them.  Latterly,  his  spirit  was  grieved  at  the  letting  go  by  some 
 of  truth  concerning  the  future  state,  and  at  what  he  thought  a 
 growing  tendency  towards  the  letting  go  of  such  truth.  Latterly, 
 too,  he  spoke  sadly  and  with  fear  for  the  near  future,  of  the  want 
 of  rigidness  in  the  faith  of  some  in  important  truths,  and  of  their 
 slowness  and  hesitancy  to  condemn  fashionable  heresies. 
 
 "  Yet,  while  an  independent  thinker  and  a  decided  Calvinist,  Mr 
 M'Crie  respected  the  judgment  of  others,  and  was  ready  to  co-oper- 
 ate with  good  men.  His  heart  was  never  more  in  any  work  than 
 in  prayerful  and  combined  effort  for  the  revival  of  true  religion. 
 Extravagances  and  mere  excitement  in  pursuing  it  were  obnoxious 
 to  him,  and  wisely,  kindly,  and  with  known  happy  effect,  he  acted 
 against  them.  But  with  his  whole  soul  he  took  part  in  services 
 suited  to  the  prayer,  '  Revive  Thy  work  in  the  midst  of  the  years.' 
 
 "  He  had  attained  to  a  remarkable  degree  of  self-unconsciousness. 
 He  was  absoi-bed  by  his  duties,  lost  sight  of  himself,  and  was 
 scarcely  known  to  speak  of  his  own  performances. 
 
 "  He  was  manly  and  true  ;  a  man  of  a  large  heart  and  of  great 
 tenderness.  Men  differing  widely  among  themselves  found  in  him 
 congeniality,  brothei-liness,  sympathy, 
 
 "  Through  the  grace  of  God  given  unto  him,  he  for  forty  years 
 went  out  and  in  among  his  people,  leading  a  pure  and  blameless 
 life  ;  he  came  to  secure  the  respect  even  of  many  who  did  not  follow 
 his  faith  ;  he  enjoyed  the  confidence  of  his  people  ;  and  he  was 
 loved,  trusted,  and  honoured  by  his  brethren.'' 
 
 James  Black,  A.M.,  born  at  Aberdeen  in  1819  ;  attended 
 Divinity  Hall  (Rev.  Drs  Paxton  and  M'Crie,  jun.) ;  licensed, 
 3rd  December  1838,  and  ordained  at  Pathhead,  or  Dunnikier, 
 Kirkcaldy,  14th  August  1839  ;  united  with  the  Free  Church 
 of  Scotland  in  1852,  and  died,  after  a  very  brief  illness,  on 
 10th  December  1880,  in  the  sixty-first  year  of  his  age,  and 
 the  forty-second  of  his  ministry.  Author  of  "  Sermon  on 
 Nathaniel,  &c," 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.     579 
 
 Of  Mr  Black,  his  friend,  the  Rev.  E.  A.  Thomson,  of  Eclinburf,'h, 
 records  as  follows  : — "  He  was  reared  in  an  eminently  pious  household, 
 under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  John  Aitken  of  the  Original  Secession, 
 after  whom  his  own  personal  character  and  ministry  appear  to  have 
 been  largely  modelled.  His  progress  at  school  was  so  distinguished 
 that,  at  the  early  age  of  twelve  he  was  induced  to  engage  in  a  public 
 competition  for  a  university  bursary,  which  he  gained  with  ease  and 
 approbation ;  so  that  he  was  but  a  boy  when  he  entered  college. 
 His  univei*sity  course  was  no  less  successful.  In  four  years  he 
 graduated  with  first-class  honours,  and  then  entered  the  Theological 
 Hall  of  the  Original  Secession. 
 
 "  He  was  only  twenty  years  of  age  when  he  was  ordained  to  the 
 ministry  in  the  congregation  of  which  he  lived  and  died  the  jiastor  ; 
 but  his  gifts  and  attainments  wei-e  combined  with  such  maturity 
 and  gi-avity,  that  the  thought  of  his  youth  never  seemed  to  occur  to 
 any.  The  impression  which  his  preaching  produced,  after  he  was 
 licensed  and  ordained,  was  quite  extraordinary.  He  was  full  of 
 fire  and  unction.  The  tones  of  his  voice  were  singidarly  rich,  and 
 he  inflected  them  with  masterful  taste  and  judgment,  while  his 
 manner  of  delivery  combined  animation  with  solemnity  in  a  very 
 remarkable  degree.  Crowds  attended  on  his  ministry,  which  in  every 
 way  promised  to  be  unusually  successful.  Unfortunately  he  over- 
 wrought himself,  and  a  severe  attack  of  hemorrhage  laid  him  aside 
 for  months  from  active  duty.  By-and-bye  he  recovered  ;  but  by  the 
 instniction  of  his  medical  advisers  his  delivery  in  pi-eaching  had  to 
 be  quieted  down,  so  that  it  became  measured  and  in  part  constrained. 
 Still,  his  preaching  itself  was  more  than  fully  sustained  with  increas- 
 ing years  and  experience.  He  continued  to  be  a  most  devoted 
 student  as  well  as  minister,  keeping  himself  abreast  of  the 
 attainments  of  the  day,  and  commending  himself  to  his  congregation 
 and  the  community  l)y  his  sterling  piety  and  his  abundant  ministra- 
 tions in  private  as  well  as  in  public. 
 
 "  The  end  came  suddenly.  He  died  in  harness.  On  his  last 
 Sabbath  he  preached  as  usual  in  Dunnikier,  and  again  on  the  following 
 Wednesday  at  Dairsie  ;  but  that  same  evening,  after  retui*ning  home, 
 angina  2'>ectori8  developed  itself,  and  after  a  few  hours*  suffering  he 
 quietly  fell  asleep.  It  ought  to  be  added  that  he  was  a  Second 
 Reformation  Covenanter  in  his  Church  principles ;  a  robust  Calvin- 
 istic  Puritan  in  his  theology  ;  a  sincere,  consistent,  all-round 
 Christian  in  his  whole  life-history  ;  a  man  greatly  beloved  and  much 
 lamented." 
 
 William  Matthews,  from  Ireland,  attended  Divinity 
 Hall  (Rev.  Professors  Paxtou  and  M'Crie) ;  licensed  3rd 
 January     1839  ;     ordained     at     Dunning     in     1841,     and 
 
580  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 translated  to  Bally lintagh,  Ireland,  in  1843  ;  united  with 
 the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  in  1852  ;  and  was,  along  with 
 his  congregation,  transferred  to  the  Presbyterian  Church  of 
 Ireland  in  1864. 
 
 John  Robertson,  from  Infirmary  Street  Church,  Edin- 
 burgh, entered  Divinity  Hall  1836  (Rev.  Professor  M'Crie, 
 D.D.);  licensed  28th  December  1840  ;  called  to  Ballylintagh 
 and  Ayr,  and  ordained  at  latter  place,  29th  June  1843. 
 Author  of  pamphlet,  "  Review  of  the  Account  of  Conference 
 of  the  Original  Secession  Synod  given  in  the  Original  Secession 
 Magazine  ;  "  and  also  of  two  sermons  published  in  Original 
 Secession  Magazine.  On  6th  September  1866,  received 
 a  testimonial  of  £220,  as  a  public  acknowledgment  by 
 the  Christian  community  of  Ayr,  to  his  worth  and  Christian 
 usefulness;  and  in  May  1882  a  similar  testimonial  of 
 XI 37  was  again  received,  ministers  of  the  Established, 
 Free,  and  United  Presbyterian  Churches  taking  part  at  the 
 ceremony. 
 
 Mr  Robertson  may  be  truly  called  the  Beloved  Jolm  of  the 
 Original  Secession,  since  in  several  respects  he  resembles  the  Apostle 
 of  that  name.  From  the  beginning  and  throughout  his  career  as  a 
 student,  a  preacher^  and  a  minister,  his  Christian  character  and 
 brotherly  love  have  been  such  that  there  has  been  a  danger  of  the 
 woe  of  all  men  speaking  well  of  him  falling  i;pon  him.  Though  in 
 1852  he  adhered  to  the  minority,  yet  he,  and  the  brethren  who 
 united  with  the  Free  Church,  never  ceased  to  regard  one  another 
 with  love  and  esteem.  Mr  Robertson's  pastoral  and  missionary 
 labours  in  Ayr  have  been  such  that  repeatedly  he  has  been  honoured 
 with  valuable  testimonials  from  Christians  of  other  denominations. 
 Indeed,  it  is  within  the  truth  to  say  that  there  is  probably  no  one 
 in  Ayr  more  widely  known,  and  more  highly  esteemed  for  Christian 
 labour  than  himself.  And  as  John  was  the  last  of  the  Apostles  to 
 cross  the  Jordan  of  death,  so  Mr  Robertson  is  the  only  survivor 
 in  the  Secession  of  those  who  declined  uniting  with  the  Free 
 Church  of  Scotland  in  1852. 
 
 James  M'Lean,  from  Coupar-Angus,  attended  Divinity 
 Hall  (Rev.  Professor  M'Crie,  D.D.),  1836;  licensed  20th 
 May  1841;  ordained  at  Kirkwall  14th  August  1845; 
 demitted  his  charge,  1850  ;  united  with  the  English  Presby- 
 terian Church,  and  was  inducted  to  Ancroft  Moor,  Norham, 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    581 
 
 18G0;   died    otli  October   1879,   in    the  thirty-fifth  year  of 
 his  ministry. 
 
 Robert  John  Watt,  minister  from  Irish  Reformed  Presby- 
 terian Church,  was  admitted  to  United  Original  Secession 
 Church,  8th  February  1842,  and  inducted  to  Stranraer  same 
 year.  He  had  been  called  by  the  Stranraer  Reformed 
 Presbyterian  Congregation  to  be  successor  to  Rev.  Dr  \Vm. 
 Symington,  but  owing  to  the  Scottish  Reformed  Presbyterian 
 Synod  being  opposed  to  the  translation  to  Scotland  of  Irish 
 Reformed  I'resbyterian  licentiates  and  ministers,  whose  theo- 
 logical curriculum  was  shorter  than  what  Avas  allowed  by  the 
 Scottish  Synod,  the  result  was  that  a  large  portion  of  the 
 Stranraer  Reformed  Presbyterian  Congregation  acceded  to  the 
 United  Original  Secession  Church  ;  and  Mr  Watt  having  done 
 the  same,  the  above* settlement  was  effected  on  4th  May  1842. 
 United  with  Free  Church  of  Scotland  in  1852,  and  was  in- 
 ducted to  Free  High  Church,  Elgin,  where  he  ministered  till 
 his  death  on  16th  September  18G2,  in  the  forty-ninth  year 
 of  his  age,  and  the  twenty-third  of  his  ministry. 
 
 Mr  Watt  was  born  near  Coleraine,  Ireland,  in  July  1813.  His 
 parents  were  remarkable  for  their  piety,  and  were  familiarly  spoken 
 of  as  "the  praying  Watts."  Robei't  was  their  youngest  child,  and 
 after  undergoing  the  usual  literary  course,  received  his  theological 
 training  from  Dr  Andrew  Symington  of  Paisley.  In  IS 39  he 
 was  ordained  pastor  of  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church,  South 
 College  Street,  Belfast.  At  the  period  of  the  disruption  of  the  United 
 Original  Secession  Synod,  he  was  absent  through  an  illness,  from 
 which  he  was  recovering,  but  adhered  to  the  union  party.  Shortly 
 thereafter  he  was  inducted  to  Elgin  Free  High  Church,  his  call 
 having  been  subscribed  by  1100  persons.  In  1801  he  was  laid 
 aside  by  paralysis.  He  had  uncommon  gifts  as  a  preacher,  and 
 these,  combined  with  his  piety  and  excellent  physicpie,  rendered  him 
 so  popular,  that  repeatedly  he  was  called  to  Glasgow,  but  uniformly 
 declined.  He  had  great  humility,  and  possessed  an  unselfish 
 and  guileless  spirit.  The  last  year  of  hLs  life  may  almost  be  said  to 
 have  been  spent  withm  the  veil  of  communion  with  God. 
 
 John  Clark,  born  in  Edinburgh,  11th  October  1817,  and 
 brought  up  in  connection  with  Davie  Street  congregation 
 (Rev.  Dr  M'Crie's)  ;  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Rev.  Drs  M'Crie 
 and  Laing,  Professors),  1839;  licensed  by  the  Edinburgh 
 Presbytery,  13th  December  1842  ;  ordained  in  East  Campbell 
 
582  ANNALS  OF  OEIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Street  Church,  Glasgow,  14th  September  1843.  Owing  to 
 the  disaffection  of  a  portion  of  the  congregation,  he  demitted 
 his  charge  on  30th  March  1847;  and  the  case  having  been 
 remitted  to  the  Synod,  that  Court,  on  4th  May  following, 
 vindicated  Mr  Clark,  and  recognised  those  who  adhered  to  him 
 as  the  congregation  under  the  Synod's  inspection.  The  dis- 
 affected party,  however,  having  retained  the  church,  Mr  Clark 
 and  his  congregation,  after  meeting  for  several  months  in  the 
 Assembly  Rooms,  agreed  to  separate,  which  they  did  on  2  2d  August 
 1847,  the  people  presenting  him  with  a  parting  testimonial 
 of  esteem  and  affection.  Having  on  14th  July  1847  demitted 
 his  charge  to  the  United  Original  Secession  Presbytery,  that 
 Court,  on  26th  October  following,  gave  him  a  Presbyterial 
 certificate,  in  which  it  was  stated  "  that  he  had  voluntarily 
 demitted  his  charge  for  reasons  which  the  Presbytery  of 
 Glasgow  fully  approved,  but  which  in  no  manner  of  way  re- 
 flected on  his  ministerial  or  Christian  character,  and  that  Mr 
 Clark  left  the  Presbytery,  of  which  he  had  been  for  several 
 years  a  distinguished  member,  with  the  cordial  good  wishes  of 
 all  his  brethren."  On  5th  January  1848  he  acceded  to  the 
 Free  Church  of  Scotland,  and  had  charge  of  the  Free  Church 
 Station,  Nitshill,  near  Glasgow  ;  but  having  been  seized  with 
 cholera,  he  died  in  Glasgow,  l7th  January  1849,  in  the 
 thirty-second  year  of  his  age,  and  the  sixth  of  his  ministry. 
 Author  of  an  article  on  Patronage  in  the  Christian  Instructor 
 of  January  1835.  His  Memoir,  together  with  some  of  his 
 Essays  and  Discourses,  was  published  in  1851,  under  the  title, 
 "  Fragments  of  College  and  Pastoral  Life,"  Edinburgh,  1851, 
 pp.  257. 
 
 Mr  Clark  having  greatly  distinguished  himself  as  a  metaphysician 
 at  the  Edinburgh  University,  and  being  the  intimate  associate 
 of  John  Cairns,  afterwards  the  esteemed  Principal  of  the  United 
 Presbyterian  College,  and  of  A.  C.  Fraser,  afterwards  Professor  of 
 Logic  in  the  Edinburgh  University,  he  was  regarded  as  a  star  of 
 great  magnitude  and  promise.  Being  amiable  and  eminently  pious, 
 he  attracted  around  him  a  band  of  hopeful  students,  and  oftentimes 
 these  met  in  his  father's  house  in  Buccleuch  Place,  to  present  to 
 God  united  supplications  in  behalf  of  themselves  and  the  spread  of 
 the  gospel.  In  1838  he  assisted  at  the  formation  of  the  Meta- 
 physical Society  in  Edinburgh  University,  of  which  "  the  Modern 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.     583 
 
 Aristotle,"  Sir  William  Hamilton,  and  "  Christopher  North,"  Pro- 
 fessor John  Wilson,  were  patrons.  HLs  ministry,  which  was  brief, 
 had  peculiarly  painful  trials,  but  amidst  them  he  ever  exhibited 
 calm  Christian  consistency.  He  anticipated  the  majority  of  his 
 brethren  by  uniting  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  but  ere  the 
 year  of  probation  then  in  force  had  expired,  Mr  Clark  was  suddenly 
 removed  by  cholera  ;  and  in  his  Memoir,  which  jirobably  is  the 
 earliest  literary  ])roduction  of  PriDcii)al  Cairns,  that  eminent  author 
 says  of  him,  "  That  he  has  little  hope  of  ever  seeing  on  earth  a 
 fairer  specimen  of  Christian  excellence  in  which  strength  and  beauty 
 shall  be  more  finely  blended,  or  nature  and  grace  more  admirably 
 harmonised." 
 
 James  Milne  Smith,  from  Carnoustie,  entered  Divinity 
 Hall,  Edinburgh  (Rev.  Drs  M'Crie  and  Laing,  Professors), 
 1839;  licensed  in  1842;  and  ordained  at  Pollokshaws,  3rd 
 August  1843  ;  in  May  18G3  demitted  his  charge,  and, 
 along  with  a  number  of  liis  congregation,  emigrated  to 
 Pollok  Settlement,  near  Auckland,  New  Zealand. 
 
 Edward  Anderson  Thomson,  from  Davie  Street  Church, 
 Edinburgh,  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Rev.  Drs  M'Crie  and 
 Laing,  Professors),  1840;  licensed  by  Edinburgh  Presbytery, 
 28th  November  1843  ;  called  to  Kirriemuir  and  Dundee,  and 
 ordained  at  latter  place,  15th  August  1844  ;  called  to  Second 
 Congregation,  Kirkintilloch,  in  years  1848  and  1849,  but 
 both  calls  Avere  set  aside  ;  united  with  the  Free  Church  of 
 Scotland,  1852,  and  was  inducted  to  Dudhope  Free  Church, 
 Dundee,  in  February  1853  ;  owing  to  infirm  health,  demitted 
 his  charge,  18th  October  1859,  but  having  become  rein- 
 vigorated,  was  inducted  to  Free  St  Stephen's  Church,  Edin- 
 burgh, 10th  April  18G2. 
 
 Author  of— 1st.  "  The  Four  Evangelists,  with  the  Distinctive 
 Characteristics  of  their  Gospels,"  1868  ;  first  edition,  1868;  Ameri- 
 can edition,  1877,  with  several  other  editions.  2nd.  Pamphlets. 
 — "  The  National  Covenants  in  their  Bearing  on  Union  with  the 
 Free  Church,"  1852;  "Speeches  on  Union  in  Original  Secession 
 Synod,  1850,  and  in  Free  Presbytery  of  Edinburgh,  1868;"  "On 
 the  Question  of  Establishments  as  a  term  of  Church  Communion," 
 1870;  and  "The  Uncertain  Theology  in  the  Colleges  of  the  Free 
 Church,"  1880.  3rd.  Sermmis.—"  The  Unsearchaljle  Riches  of 
 Christ,"  1857;  "The  Last  Bles.sing  of  the  Bible,"  1859;  "The 
 Saint's  Epitaph,"  1865;  "Winter  and  War,"  1878;  "The  Soul's 
 Pursuit  and  Support,"  1 880.      4th.  Reviews  and  Magazine  Articles. 
 
584  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 — "  On  the  Mystery  of  Eegeneration,"  and  "  The  Effect  of  Regener& 
 tion,"  Original  Secession  Magazine,  1851-52  ;  "Our  Scottish  Theo 
 logical   History,"   in   Presbyterian,    1872;  "Genesis  and  its  First 
 Four   Chapters,"    British   and  Foreign  Evangelical  Review,  1877  ; 
 "  The  New  Testament  Use  of  the  Saviour's  Names,"  four  articles  in 
 Christian  Monthly  and  Family  Treasury,  1881. 
 
 Mr  Thomson,  of  Edinburgh,  as  a  preacher  is  of  more  than  ordinary 
 acceptability,  as  is  evident  from  the  four  or  five  calls  of  which 
 he  has  been  the  recipient.  Whilst  young  in  years  and  in  the 
 ministry,  he  evinced  his  talents  for  ecclesiastical  affairs  both  in  the 
 Synod,  and  also  by  a  pamphlet  on  the  Covenants  in  relation  to  union 
 with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  ;  and  when  the  union  was 
 efiected,  he  displayed  great  sagacity  in  the  management  of  his 
 divided  congregation  under  very  trying  circumstances.  As  in  the 
 case  of  others,  the  union  brought  Mr  Thomson  into  a  sphere  of 
 much  wider  usefulness ;  and  whilst  exercising  a  very  impressive 
 ministry  in  Free  St  Stephen's  Church,  Edinburgh,  he  has  success- 
 fully wielded  a  prolific  and  skilful  pen  on  Scripture  themes,  which 
 will  ever  be  interesting  to  devout  persons. 
 
 Andrew  Eoss,  from  Pluscarden,  entered  Divinity  Hall, 
 Edinburgh  (Rev.  Drs  M'Crie  and  Laing,  Professors),  184-0  ; 
 licensed  by  Edinburgh  Presbytery,  28th  November  1843  ; 
 resigned,  taking  appointments,  14th  January  1843. 
 
 James  Kilgour,  from  Davie  Street,  Edinburgh,  entered 
 Divinity  Hall  (Rev.  Drs  M'Crie  and  Laing,  Professors),  1840. 
 Does  not  appear  to  have  completed  his  theological  curri- 
 culum, but  to  have  devoted  his  talents  to  the  teaching  pro- 
 fession. 
 
 James  Aitken,  A.M.,  born  at  Aberdeen  (of  which  his 
 father  was  minister),  8th  July  1822  ;  entered  Divinity  Hall, 
 Edinburgh  (Rev.  Drs  M'Crie  and  Laing,  Professors),  1842, 
 and  attended  the  two  sessions  that  were  held  that  year ; 
 licensed  by  Aberdeen  Presbytery,  16th  October  1844  ;  was 
 called  to  Kirriemuir,  19th  December  1844,  but  amid  the 
 lamentations  of  many,  died  28th  December  1844.  An 
 affecting  memoir  of  him  is  given  in  Original  Secession  Maga- 
 zines of  January  and  March  1849. 
 
 James  Young,  formerly  minister  of  the  United  Secession 
 Church,  Tillicoultry,  joined  the  Original  Secession  Church  by 
 becoming  a  member  of  Davie  Street  congregation,  Edinburgh 
 (Rev.  Dr  M'Crie's),  in  1843  ;  and  having  retired  from  the 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    585 
 
 active  ministry,  devoted  his  attention  to  literature.  Author 
 of  "  The  Future  Era  in  the  Mediatorial  Reigns  of  Christ,  a 
 Sermon  ;  "  "  An  Ordination  Charge  to  the  Rev.  John  ^lacin- 
 tyre,  Greenloauing,"  1841  ;  "  Mourners'  Manual,"  1845  ; 
 "  ^Icnioir  of  Rev,  Robert  Buchanan,  of  Dalkeith,"  1853  ; 
 "  Talcs  of  the  Reformation,"  in  Home  and  Foreign  Missionarij 
 Record  of  the  Free  Church,  1854;  "The  Godlie  Band  of 
 December  1557,"  18G0  ;  "Countess  of  Mar's  Arcadia  or 
 Sanctuary,"  18G2  ;  and  "Life  of  John  Welsh,  of  Ayr,"  pub- 
 lished posthumously  in  18GG.  He  united  with  the  Free 
 Church  of  Scotland  in  1852  as  a  minister  without  a  charge, 
 and  died  in  the  sixty-fifth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  thirty-fifth 
 of  his  ministry. 
 
 Mr  Young  was  a  native  of  Kinross,  where  he  was  born  on  30th 
 July  1800.  He  was  educated  at  Edinburgh  University,  and  re- 
 ceived his  theological  training,  partly  under  Dr  Paxton,  hut  chiefly 
 under  Dr  Dick.  He  was  licensed  on  5th  April  1825,  and  ordained 
 at  Tillicoultry  on  18th  August  1831.  He  was  exceedingly  methodic 
 in  his  habits,  and  recorded  minutely  all  his  texts,  the  occasions  on 
 which  he  preached  from  them,  and  he  also  noted  cai'efuUy  all  the 
 marriages  and  baptisms  at  which  he  officiated.  In  his  official 
 duties  he  was  highly  exemplary,  and  liis  private  conduct  was 
 always  in  hai-mony  with  his  profession.  He  venerated  the  Sabbath, 
 and  when  the  Scotsman  newspaper  was  wi-iting  its  diatribes  against 
 the  efforts  made  for  that  divine  institution,  Mr  Young  felt  so 
 aggrieved  that  he  sent  the  following  characteristic  note  to  its  editor  : 
 — "  Sir, — There  is  no  sense  in  me  preaching  up  the  Fourth  Com- 
 mandment on  the  Sabbath,  and  paying  you  for  writing  it  down  on 
 the  week-days,  so  please  stop  my  paper."  After  a  useful  career, 
 both  as  a  preacher  and  an  author,  he  died  peacefully  on  20th  March 
 1865,  and  notices  of  his  death  and  character  appeared  on  the 
 following  day  in  the  Caledonian  Mercury  and  Daily  Review. 
 
 Robert  Buchanan,  formerly  minister  of  the  United  Seces- 
 sion Church,  Dalkeith,  joined  the  Original  Secession  Church 
 by  becoming  a  member  of  Davie  Street  congregation,  Edin- 
 burgh (Rev.  Dr  M'Crie's),  in  184G.  Became  suddenly  ill 
 •whilst  preaching  in  Dr  M'Crie's  church,  and  after  a  few  days 
 died  on  1st  September  1850,  in  the  sixty-eighth  year  of  his 
 age,  and  forty-fifth  of  his  ministry.  Author  of  a  volume  of 
 Sermons  published  posthumously  in  1853. 
 
 Alexander  Burns-Haig,  from  Infirmary  Street  Congrega- 
 
586  ANNALS  OF  OEIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 tion,  Edinburgh,  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Rev.  Drs  M'Crie  and 
 Laing,  Professors),  1842  ;   died  before  receiving  license. 
 
 John  Dunlop-Paxton,  born  at  Edinburgh,  30th  November 
 ]820,  and  brought  up  in  connection  with  Infirmary  Street 
 congregation,  of  which  his  uncle  was  minister,  entered  Divinity 
 Hall  (Rev.  Drs  M'Crie  and  Laing,  Professors),  1842  or  1843  ; 
 licensed  by  Edinburgh  Presbytery,  2d  October  1845  ;  ordained 
 at  Kirriemuir  in  March  1846;  having  been  twice  called  to 
 East  Campbell  Street  congregation,  Glasgow,  he  was  trans- 
 lated thither  on  23d  May  1849  ;  united  with  the  Free  Church 
 of  Scotland,  1st  June  1852,  and  was  afterwards  called  to 
 Forfar,  Knox's  Church,  Toronto,  and  Musselburgh,  to  which 
 last  place  he  was  translated  in  January  1858  ;  died  10th 
 January  1864,  in  the  forty-fourth  year  of  his  age,  and  in  the 
 eighteenth  of  his  ministry.  Author  of  a  volume  of  Sermons 
 published  posthumously  in  1865,  with  a  memoir  of  their 
 author  by  Rev.  Thomas  M'Crie,  D.D.,  LL.D. 
 
 Mr  Paxton  was  a  worthy  nephew  of  Prof,  George  Paxton,  D.D., 
 one  of  the  leaders  of  the  Old  Lights.  "  As  a  preacher  "  (says  Dr 
 Wylie),  "  he  possessed  a  free  and  unembarrassed  eloquence ;  a  de- 
 livery which,  disclaiming  the  trammel  of  notes,  was  lively  and  im- 
 pressive ;  his  language  was  simple,  yet  felicitous  ;  his  fancy  chastened, 
 yet  breaking  out  in  occasional  figure  and  similitude,  in  illustration  of 
 the  truth  he  was  expounding ;  while  the  matter  of  his  discourses, 
 which  exhibited  a  fine  blending  of  the  practical  and  the  doctrinal, 
 was  singularly  apposite,  scriptural,  and  rich.''  He  was  tall,  energetic, 
 and  of  a  highly  nervous  temperament.  He  was  eminently  straight- 
 forward and  fearless,  and  his  honesty  of  purpose  and  Christian  con- 
 sistency were  such  that  he  won  the  esteem  even  of  those  who  were 
 opposed  to  his  ecclesiastical  views. 
 
 His  ministry  in  his  three  scenes  of  pastoral  labour  was  very 
 effective  and  had  much  apparent  success,  but  in  the  midst  of  his 
 usefulness  he  died  after  a  brief  illness  amid  the  regrets  of  his  family 
 and  flock. 
 
 That  preaching  was  a  ruling  employment  with  him  was  apparent 
 during  his  last  illness,  when  in  the  midst  of  delirium,  imagining 
 himself  in  the  pulpit,  he  would  preach  fervently,  and  then  after 
 pronouncing  the  benediction,  lay  his  head  exhaustedly  on  the  pillow. 
 He  left  a  numerous  family,  and  by  his  removal  the  pulpit  power  of 
 the  Free  Church  received  a  great  loss. 
 
 John  Blakely,  D.D.,  born  at  Mossgrove,  County  Down, 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    587 
 
 Ireland,  IGth  May  1816,  cntcrod  Divinity  Hall,  Edinburgh 
 (Rev.  Drs  M'Crie  and  Laing,  Professors),  1844  ;  with  the  view 
 of  his  going  to  the  Foreign  Mission  Field,  he  was  licensed 
 18th  May  184G  by  the  Edinburgh  Presbytery,  but  on  2:kl 
 July  thereafter  expressed  to  the  Presbytery  his  resolution  not 
 to  go  abroad  ;  by  appointment  of  Synod  he  attended  the 
 Divinity  Hall  another  session,  and  thereafter  was  called  to 
 Kirkintilloch,  where  he  was  ordained  2d  August  1848;  in 
 1858  was  appointed  assistant  or  joint  editor  of  the  Orhjinal 
 Secession  Magazine  along  with  Rev.  Dr  Manson  till  Dr  Man- 
 son's  resignation  in  1865,  when  he  became  sole  editor. 
 Author  of  "The  Theology  of  Inventions,"  &c.,  1855,  on 
 account  of  which  he  received  the  degree  of  D.D.  from 
 America;  "Golden  Vials  full  of  Odours:  a  Lecture,"  1861, 
 &c.  Died  27th  November  1860,  in  the  fifty-first  year  of  his 
 age,  and  the  eighteenth  of  his  ministry. 
 
 In  many  respects  Dr  Blakely  was  whilst  he  lived  the  most  pro- 
 minent minister  of  the  Remanent  Synod  after  the  Disruption  of 
 1852.  This  was  owing  not  only  to  his  natural  aptitude  for  church 
 business,  but  also  to  his  excellent  gifts,  and  fluency  as  well  as  fervour 
 of  speech.  He  was  also  very  laborious,  and  was  unsparing  in  his 
 efforts,  whether  by  speech  or  pen,  for  the  furtherance  of  the  cause. 
 Through  his  influence  a  goodly  proportion  of  the  present  ministers 
 of  the  Remanent  Synod  began  their  career  as  students.  He  may  be 
 said  to  have  died  in  harness,  since  notwithstanding  a  painful  ailment 
 he  laboured  to  the  last.  He  possessed  deep  piety,  warm  feeling,  and 
 his  ministry  was  blessed  to  many. 
 
 David  Walker,  from  Boardmills,  Ireland,  attended 
 Divinity  Hall  (Rev.  Drs  M'Crie  and  Laing,  Professors);  licensed 
 23d  July  1848;  ordained  at  Kirkwall,  25th  July  1850; 
 united  with  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  1st  June  1852;  de- 
 mitted  his  charge,  1853,  and  emigrated  to  Port  Sarnia, 
 Canada,  in  1854,  where  he  died  in  1861. 
 
 William  Marshall,  from  the  United  Secession  Church, 
 from  which  he,  along  with  his  father,  Dr  Andrew  Marshall,  of 
 Kirkintilloch,  had  separated,  owing  to  doctrinal  disputes,  in 
 1846 ;  had  been  minister  in  Kirkgate  United  Secession 
 Church,  Leith,  but  was  now  pastor  of  a  congregation  in 
 Junction  Road  ;  applied  for  and  was  admitted  with  his  con- 
 gregation into  the   United   Original   Secession   Church,   21st 
 
588  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 November  1848  ;  united  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland, 
 1852  ;  was  translated  to  Marshall  Church,  Kirkintilloch,  in 
 1856,  and  died  13th  January  1860,  in  the  forty-seventh  year 
 of  his  age,  and  the  twenty-first  of  his  ministry.  Author  of 
 several  pamphlets  entitled  "  The  Claims  of  Missions  enforced 
 by  a  Survey  of  their  Results,"  "  The  Present  State  of  Doc- 
 trine in  the  United  Secession  Church;"  "Popery  in  the  Seed, 
 Blade,  and  Ear,"  1852  ;  "The  Work  of  the  Lord  declared  in 
 Sion,  a  Sermon  occasioned  by  the  accession  of  the  Seceders  to 
 the  Free  Church,"  Edinburgh,  1852. 
 
 George  Reynolds  Somerville,  from  Adam  Square  con- 
 gregation, Edinburgh,  attended  Divinity  Hall  (Rev.  Drs  M'Crie 
 and  Laing,  Professors);  licensed  by  Edinburgh  Presbytery,  29th 
 October  ]849  ;  acceded  to  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  3d 
 September  1850,  and  was  ordained  minister  of  Logie  and 
 Gauldry  Free  Church  on  l7th  May  1852. 
 
 William  Sloan,  from  Bothwell,  formerly  a  Free  Church 
 student,  entered  Divinity  Hall,  1847,  but  never  finished  his 
 theological  curriculum. 
 
 David  Simpson,  from  Boardmills,  Ireland,  attended  Divinity 
 Hall  (Rev.  Drs  M'Crie  and  Laing,  Professors)  ;  licensed  by  the 
 Presbytery  of  Down  and  Derry,  6th  November  1 849  ;  called 
 to  Brechin  and  Dollar,  and  ordained  at  former  place,  1st 
 January  1851  ;  united  with  Free  Church  of  Scotland  in  1852, 
 and  was  translated  to  Laurencekirk,  29th  June  1854. 
 
 Robert  Stevenson,  from  Kilwinning,  entered  Divinity 
 Hall,  1847,  but  after  attending  two  sessions,  left  ,the  Original 
 Secession  Church. 
 
 David  Kay,  from  Carnoustie,  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Rev. 
 Drs  M'Crie  and  Laing,  Professors),  1849  ;  whilst  a  student 
 went  to  Italy,  where  he  was  acting  as  an  evangelist  in  1852, 
 when  the  United  Original  Secession  Synod  united  with  the 
 Free  Church  of  Scotland,  to  which  church  he  also  acceded  ; 
 licensed  by  the  Free  Church  Presbytery  of  Italy,  and  ordained 
 at  Genoa;  resigned  his  charge  in  1859,  and  emigrated  to 
 Australia,  where  he  was  inducted  at  Wycliffe. 
 
 James  Smellie,  born  at  Kirkhill,  Cambusnethan,  2d  July 
 1830  ;  was  brought  up  in  connection  with  Carluke  congrega- 
 tion ;   entered  Divinity  Hall  (Rev.  Drs  M'Crie  and  Laing,  Pro- 
 
DIVINITY  STUDENTS,  PROBATIONERS,  AND  MINISTERS.    589 
 
 fessors),  1849  ;  licensed  by  Glasgow  Presbytery  in  August 
 1852  ;  called  to  Stranraer,  Kirriemuir,  and  Dundee,  and 
 ordained  at  Stranraer,  Gtli  October  1853  ;  in  18G0  and  18G3 
 called  to  Edinburgh,  whither  he  was  translated,  23d  March 
 18C4;  was  in  1868,  along  with  Ifev.  George  Roger,  A.M., 
 Auchinleck,  appointed  joint  editor  of  the  Or'icjhvd  Secession 
 Magazine,  and  on  the  death  of  Mr  Roger,  in  1870,  was  sole 
 editor  till  his  resignation  owing  to  failing  health  in  1874  ; 
 died  18th  November  1875,  in  the  forty-fifth  year  of  his  age, 
 and  twenty-third  of  his  ministry.  Author  of  a  volume  of 
 Sermons  published  posthumously. 
 
 Mr  Smellie's  niind  was  well  balanced  ;  he  was  possessed  of  good 
 talents,  and  was  laborious  in  the  performance  of  his  ministerial 
 duties.  He  was  not  only  respected  for  his  sincere  piety,  but  also  for 
 his  consistent  Christian  conduct.  He  uniformly  acted  as  became  a 
 minister  of  the  Gospel,  and  his  labours  were  not  in  vain.  By  his 
 removal  the  Original  Secession  lost  one  of  its  best  i)astors.  One  of 
 his  sons  now  worthily  occupies  the  pulpit  of  his  father's  first  charge. 
 
 Bennet,  from  Ireland,  entered  Divinity  Hall,   1849, 
 
 but  his  career  has  not  been  ascertained. 
 
 Robert  Brash,  from  Pollokshaws,  entered  Divinity  Hall 
 (Rev.  Drs  M'Crie  and  Laing,  Professors),  1849  ;  licensed  by 
 Glasgow  Presbytery,  September  1852  ;  ordained  at  Birsay, 
 3d  November  1853,  where  he  still  labours. 
 
 Andrew  Andersox,  from  Kirkcaldy,  entered  Divinity  Hall 
 (Rev.  Drs  M'Crie  and  Laing,  Professors),  1850,  but  having 
 adhered  to  the  minority  who  did  not  unite  with  the  Free 
 Church  of  Scotland,  completed  his  studies  under  Professor 
 Murray  ;  licensed  by  Edinburgh  Presbytery,  1855  ;  ordained 
 at  Dromore,  Ireland,  October  1857  ;  translated  to  Kilwinning, 
 18G0  ;  demitted  his  charge.  May  18G3,  and  emigrated  to  New 
 Zealand,  where  he  was  located  at  Whau,  Auckland  ;  returned 
 to  Scotland,  and  having  united  with  the  Free  Church,  was 
 inducted  at  Cowdenbeath. 
 
 Richard  Waterston,  from  Davie  Street  Church,  Edin- 
 burgh, entered  Divinity  Hall  (Rev.  Drs  M'Crie  and  Laing, 
 Professors),  1850  ;  along  with  majority  of  Synod  united  with 
 the  Free  Church  of  Scotland  in  1852,  and  having  thereafter 
 completed  his  Theological  studies  in  New  College,  Edinburgh, 
 
590  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 was  licensed  ;  ordained  at  Forfar,  1858,  whence  he  was,  in 
 1867,  translated  to  Union  Free  Church,  Glasgow,  and  thence, 
 in  1878,  to  Free  St  Pauls,  Dundee. 
 
 Andrew  M'Lean,  from  Coupar-Angus,  entered  Divinity 
 Hall  (Rev.  Drs  M'Crie  and  Laing,  Professors),  1851  ;  and  ad- 
 hered to  the  minority  of  Synod  at  the  Disruption  of  1852  ; 
 afterwards  became  a  writer  in  Dundee,  and  died  in  1880. 
 
 John  Shaw,  from  Whitburn,  of  which  his  father  was 
 minister,  entered  Divinity  Hall,  1851  (Rev.  Drs  M'Crie  and 
 Laing,  Professors);  adhered  to  the  majority  at  the  Disruption 
 of  the  Synod  in  1852;  emigrated  to  New  Zealand  before  com- 
 pleting his  theological  course. 
 
 Fogg,   from   Glasgow,   Mains   Street,    entered   Hall, 
 
 1851,  but  did  not  complete  his  theological  studies. 
 
 John  Ritchie,  from  Kirkwall,  of  which  his  father  had  been 
 minister;  entered  Divinity  Hall,  1851  (Rev.  Drs  M'Crie  and 
 Laing,  Professors) ;  adhered  to  the  minority  at  the  Disruption 
 of  Synod  in  1852,  and  completed  his  theological  curriculum 
 under  Professor  Murray,  D.D.,  Glasgow  ;  ordained  at  Shotts- 
 burn,  February  1855,  where  he  still  labours.  Edited  an  edi- 
 tion of  Sturrock's  "Catechism  for  the  Times." 
 
 William  F.  Aitken,  A.M.,  from  Aberdeen,  of  which  his 
 father  was  minister,  entered  Divinity  Hall  (Rev.  Drs  M'Crie  and 
 Laing,  Professors),  1851  ;  adhered  to  the  minority  at  the  Dis- 
 ruption of  Synod,  1852,  and  completed  his  studies  under  Pro- 
 fessor Murray,  D.D.,  Glasgow ;  ordained  at  Midholm,  28th 
 June  1854;  translated  to  Mains  Street,  Glasgow,  June 
 1874  ;  and  was  afterwards  appointed  Professor  of  Biblical 
 Criticism. 
 
 Samuel  Pettigrew,  from  Ireland,  attended  Divinity  Hall, 
 Edinburgh  (Rev.  Drs  M'Crie  and  Laing,  Professors), 
 
 William  Robertson,  from  Edinburgh,  entered  Hall,  1851, 
 as  a  hearer,  and  completed  his  studies  under  Professor  Murray, 
 D.D.,  Glasgow  ;  licensed,  September  1854  ;  ordained  at  Dun- 
 dee, August  1855,  but  demitted  his  charge  1878,  and  after- 
 wards joined  the  Free  Church. 
 
CHAPTER  XL 
 
 CHARACTERISTICS  OF  OLD  LIGHT  SECEDERS,  WITH   AN    ACCOUNT 
 OF  THEIR  THEOLOGICAL  TRAINING. 
 
 As  the  Old  Lights  iu  their  various  sections  never  were  very 
 numerous,  it  is  not  surprising  that  many  of  them  had  marked 
 idiosyncrasies  of  character.  Indeed,  strong  individuaUty  is  a 
 feature  that  might  be  expected  in  those  who,  though  but  a 
 small  minority  in  the  Christian  community,  believed  the  cause 
 of  God  was  in  their  hands ;  and  that  a  prominent  object  of 
 their  ecclesiastical  existence  Avas  not  only  earnestly  to  contend 
 for  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the  saints,  but  specially  for  the 
 attainments  of  the  Reformed  Church  of  Scotland  at  the  purest 
 period  of  her  history,  betwixt  1638  and  IGoO. 
 
 Though  latterly  with  only  a  few  exceptions  the  Burgher 
 and  Antiburgher  branches  coalesced  and  dwelt  in  harmony, 
 yet  prior  to  the  union  so  keen  was  the  strife  that  families  as 
 well  as  congregations  were  rent  asunder,  and  held  no  ecclesias- 
 tical fellowship  with  each  other.  An  amusing  illustration  of 
 this  may  be  related.  A  Burgher  preacher  who  had  come  to 
 officiate  in  a  vacancy  was  lodged  with  a  family,  the  husband 
 of  which  worshipped  in  the  Burgher  Church,  whilst  his  wife 
 adhered  to  the  Antiburghers.  Being  somewhat  chagrined  at 
 his  landlady's  absence  from  his  ministrations,  he  began  thus  to 
 argue  her  into  the  adoption  of  his  views.  "  Ah  !  madam,"  he 
 said,  "  Paul  was  a  Burgher."  The  lady,  however,  at  once  re- 
 sponded, "  Well,  if  the  Apostle  Paul  was  a  Burgher,  it  must 
 have  been  before  his  conversion,  since  he  makes  no  mention 
 of  Burgher  views  after  that  event." 
 
 On  entering  an  Original  Secession  place  of  worship,  a  visitor 
 would  have  noticed  that,  like  the  Reformed  churches  in  Hol- 
 land, the  building  was  entirely  devoid  of  meretricious  orna- 
 ment.     There  was  no  stained  glass  in  the  Avindows  or  stencilled 
 
592  ANNALS  OF  OKIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 paint  on  the  walls,  but  everything  bore  the  marks  of  severe 
 Presbyterian  simplicity.  Sometimes,  indeed,  an  ornament, 
 such  as  an  artificial  pine  apple  or  a  Noah's  dove,  formed  the 
 apex  of  the  pulpit  canopy,  but  these  were  unpretentious. 
 Speaking  of  Campbell  Street  Church,  Glasgow,  in  1816,  a 
 writer  says  : — 
 
 "  I  well  remember  the  then  unpainted  seats,  clumsy  candle 
 holders  dangling  from  the  roof,  large  wooden  pillars  or  props,  and 
 the  deep  slanting  gallery,  funny-faced  clocks,  which  ticked  and  struck 
 unceasingly,  the  grave  countenances  of  the  hearers,  and  last,  not 
 least,  the  droll  looking  beadles,  one  of  whom  had  a  wry  neck,  and 
 \ised  to  tack  from  side  to  side  of  the  flagged  passage  as  he  essayed  to 
 conduct  the  ungowned  preacher  from  the  still  quainter  session-house, 
 with  its  gauded  floor,  fir  chairs,  and  waterstoup,  up  to  the  poopit, 
 and  who,  after  his  exertions,  fell  into  a  weary  and  by  no  means 
 inaudible  slumber  in  the  bench,  among  the  auld  wives  in  red  duffles 
 and  wliite  mutches,  who,  from  considerate  regard  to  their  auricular 
 infirmities,  were  privileged  to  occupy  that  conspicuous  position. 
 Perched  on  the  top  of  the  pulpit  was  an  artistic  effort  to  convey  the 
 idea  of  Noah's  dove  with  outspread  wings,  and  a  branch  in  its  bill . 
 This  remarkable  ornithological  specimen  was  painted  yellow,  rather 
 corpulent,  and  at  first  sight  might  have  been  mistaken  for  a  member 
 of  the  duck  family,  but  it  improved  on  acquaintance,  and  did  the 
 artist  credit  for  perfect  originality." 
 
 Having  seated  ourselves,  let  us  glance  for  a  few  moments  at 
 the  congregation.  Some  of  the  elderly  males,  either  from 
 innate  rudeness,  or  probably  to  show  in  a  practical  way  their 
 testimony  against  the  idea  that  there  is  anything  sacred  in 
 the  materials  of  the  meeting  house,  keep  on  their  hats  in 
 church,  and  only  remove  them  on  the  entrance  of  the  minister 
 to  begin  public  worship.  To  the  credit  of  the  Old  Lights, 
 however,  be  it  added,  that  eccentricity  among  them  was 
 always  a  vanishing  quantity,  and  that  whilst  all  believed  that 
 the  building  was  not  sacred,  yet  a  sense  of  decorous  propriety 
 in  entering  the  church  was  always  on  the  increase. 
 
 At  length  the  minister  enters  the  pulpit.  He  wears 
 neither  gown  nor  bands,  but  has  a  plain  black  suit,  with  white 
 cravat.  True,  Dr  Willis,  of  Glasgow,  when  ordained  in  1821, 
 received  a  present  of  gown  and  bands,  but  he  in  this  was  an  ex- 
 ception, and  had  to  pay  the  penalty  of  losing  at  least  one  elder 
 and  his   family,  who  protested   against   what   was   generally 
 
CHARACTERISTICS  AND  THEOLOGICAL  TRAINING.       59  3 
 
 esteemed  as  Romish  rags.  Though  written  at  an  earlier  date 
 by  a  New  Light  rhymester,  the  following  verses  exhibit  the 
 opinions  of  Old  Lights  respecting  such  ministerial  habili- 
 ments : — 
 
 "  Ha,  ha  !  Seceders,  brag  nao  mair 
 O'  your  pretended  zeal  and  care. 
 You  hae  o'  pride  as  large  a  share 
 
 As  ither  folk  : 
 Your  piiests  wear  bands  an'  poutlier'd  hair, 
 
 An'  sic  vain  troke. 
 
 *'  Wow  !  what  would  Ralph  and  Eben.  say 
 Had  they  been  living  at  this  day  1 
 To  see  them  clad  in  sic  array, 
 
 Wi'  gown  an'  bands  ; 
 They  would  exclaim  (as  weel  they  may), 
 
 '  Ah  !  siufu'  lands  !' 
 
 "  Sic  trai)pings  do  but  ill  adorn 
 The  vain,  proud  hearts  by  whom  they're  worn  ; 
 But  aff  their  backs  they  should  be  torn 
 
 Wi'  just  disdain. 
 For  meekness  is  man's  uniform 
 
 In  his  mean  frame. 
 
 "  Though  harm  in  gowns  there  were  nane ; 
 Yet  surely  they  are  much  to  blame, 
 When  o'  their  hearers  mony  ana 
 
 By  it's  offended. 
 They  might  hae  letten  them  alane, 
 
 For  weel  they  ken'd  it. 
 
 "  An'  now  about  their  test'mony  blast, 
 For  now  they  ai'e  conforming  fast. 
 They  first  wore  bands,  and,  now  that's  past. 
 
 Each  wears  a  gown  ; 
 Reading  comes  next,  and  then  at  last 
 
 Their  zeal  fa's  down." 
 
 Having  reached  the  pulpit,  the  Old  Light  pastor  with 
 becoming  gravity  begins  public  worship  by  reading  a  few 
 verses  of  a  psalm  to  be  sung  by  the  congregation.  Hymns 
 among  Orifjinal  Seceders  never  were  used  in  the  service  of 
 praise,  and  paraphrases  were  ignored,  except  by  possibly  only 
 l)r  Willis,  of  Glasgow,  and  even  he  only  dared   to  use  them 
 
 2  P 
 
594  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 for  a  few  years  prior  to  the  union  with  the  Church  of  Scotland 
 in  1839.  In  making  this  innovation  he  had  his  troubles, 
 since  Bibles  were  sometimes  closed,  and  indications  given  by- 
 several  in  the  audience  that  they  declined  singing  anything 
 but  the  inspired  psalter. 
 
 Occasionally  the  opening  psalm  was  "  prefaced"  or  explained 
 by  the  minister  before  it  was  sung.  This  being  finished,  the 
 chief  musician,  or  precentor,  led  the  praise  without  assistance 
 from  any  choir.  The  singing,  whilst  hearty,  and  having  a 
 goodly  volume  of  sound,  was  for  many  years  marred  by  the 
 reading  or  chanting  by  the  precentor  of  every  line  prior  to  its 
 being  sung.  Though  this  was  a  custom  which  had  been 
 introduced  into  Scotland  fully  two  centuries  ago  out  of  regard 
 to  the  educational  deficiencies  of  worshippers,  yet  after  the 
 ground  of  it  was  happily  removed,  it  was  with  much  difficulty 
 that  this  hindrance  in  praise  could  be  got  rid  of.  In  some 
 cases,  whilst  the  minister  desired  to  have  uninterrupted  sing- 
 ing, and  the  people  objected,  in  other  cases  the  position  of 
 parties  was  the  reverse.  Thus,  Professor  Taylor,  of  Perth, 
 before  the  singing  commenced,  once  said — "  It  is  a  pity  to 
 mar  the  beauty  of  this  psalm  and  the  harmony  of  the  music 
 by  reading  the  line.  We  will  dispense  with  this  service,  at 
 least  for  this  once  ;  but  if  any  feel  offended  by  what  is  itself 
 an  improvement,  we  will,  in  things  indifferent,  even  sacrifice 
 our  own  tastes,  and  for  the  sake  of  harmony  of  feeling  even 
 make  the  harmony  of  music  to  give  way."  Such  a  gentle 
 appeal  should  have  won  its  end.  But  it  failed.  One  of  the 
 stern  sticklers,  an  old  man  with  a  brown  wig,  rose  in  his  seat, 
 and  looking  up  to  the  pulpit,  said,  "  Na,  sir,  it'll  no  do." 
 And  when  he  found  that  the  precentor  went  into  the  innova- 
 tion, he  redoubled  his  protest  by  shutting  his  book  with  a 
 vengeance  and  refusing  to  join  in  the  service.^ 
 
 After  praise  comes  a  prayer,  which,  owing  to  its  general 
 nature  and  fulness,  is  usually  designated  the  long  prayer.  In 
 it  there  is  reference  made  to  providential  events  of  a  public  and 
 congregational  nature.  The  petitions  presented  show  that 
 during  the  week  the  pastor  has  been  an  intelligent  observer 
 of  what  has  been  transpiring,  and  knows  the  signs  of  the 
 times. 
 
 ^  ' '  Taylor's  Memoir, "  page  209. 
 
CHARACTERISTICS  AND  THEOLOGICAL  TRAINING.      595 
 
 The  reading  of  a  portion  of  Scripture  is  now  engaged  in, 
 and  although  the  practice  be  in  accordance  with  the  West- 
 minster Confession  of  Faith,  yet  in  consequence  of  its  des- 
 uetude during  the  earlier  years  of  the  Secession,  its  revival 
 is  regarded  with  disfavour  as  occupying  time  which  might  be 
 added  to  that  allotted  for  the  sermon.  Dr  Taylor  tells  of  one 
 miniister,  who,  designing  to  read  a  chapter  as  part  of  the 
 church  service  to  a  congregation,  some  of  whom  would 
 probably  object  to  it  as  a  so-called  innovation,  thus  adroitly 
 began  the  practice.  Leaning  over  the  pulpit  he  said  : 
 "  Frietids,  if  we  sing  the  psalms  without  reading  the  line, 
 some  people  raise  loud  objections,  and  exclaim,  '  The  precentor 
 should  read  the  line,  for  there  are  some  who  cannot  read,  and 
 if  they  cannot  read,  how  can  they  sing?'  If  we  read  a 
 chapter  the  same  objectors  are  ready  again  in  finding  fault, 
 and  peevishly  ask,  '  Why  does  the  minister  read  a  chapter  ? 
 I'm  sure  we  can  all  read  at  home.'  I  see  human  nature  is 
 the  same  now  as  in  the  days  of  our  Saviour  :  we  may  pipe  to 
 some  people,  and  they  will  not  dance  ;  we  may  mourn  unto 
 them,  but  they  will  not  weep.  Let  us  read  a  portion  of  God's 
 Word."  ^ 
 
 A  portion  of  Scripture  having  been  read,  and  a  few  verses 
 having  been  sung  by  the  congregation,  the  minister  announces 
 his  subject,  whether  lecture  or  sermon,  and  delivers  without 
 notes  a  discourse  of  nearly  an  hour  in  length.  The  matter 
 and  manner  of  delivery  depend  largely  of  course  on  the 
 calibre  of  the  preacher,  but  the  hearers  are  almost  sure  to 
 receive  an  excellent  exposition  of  the  passage.  Occasionally 
 the  language  may  be  quaint  and  somewhat  diffuse,  but  the 
 tone  is  throughout  evangelical.  Whilst  Burgher  preachers 
 appealed  frequently  to  the  feelings,  the  Antiburglicrs  addressed 
 chiefly  the  intellect,  and  the  warmth  of  their  ministrations 
 came  more  frequently  from  the  matter  of  their  discoiu'ses  than 
 the  manner  of  their  delivery.  Such  at  least  was  the  opinion 
 of  the  late  Dr  Fleming,  Professor  of  Moral  Philosophy  in 
 Glasgow  University,  who,  describing  the  elder  M'Crie,  saiil  : 
 It  was  during  winter  I  heard  him  preach  in  East  Campbell 
 Street  Church,  Glasgow.      He  was  tall,  wore  in  the  pulpit  an 
 
 1  "Taylor's  Memoir,"  page  208. 
 
'596  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 overcoat  of  dark  grey,  and   his   sentences,  though  classic   in 
 their  beauty,  were  without  much  unction." 
 
 But  though  lack  of  fire  might  be  a  feature  with  some  Old 
 Lights,  it  was  by  no  means  the  case  with  all ;  and,  moreover, 
 the  biographer  of  Knox,  and  others,  though  usually  somewhat 
 calm  in  delivery,  had  also  their  rousing  periods,  when  there 
 was  no  lack  either  of  warmth  or  gesticulation.  "  I 
 would  give  a  hundred  pounds  for  that  man's  manner," 
 said  the  late  Dr  Black,  of  the  Barony,  concerning  the  Rev. 
 Alex.  Turnbull,  of  Glasgow ;  and  Dr  Paxton,  of  Edinburgh, 
 had  eloquence  which  poured  forth  like  a  torrent,  and 
 captivated  as  well  as  edified  his  large  auditories. 
 
 Of  different  gifts,  though  possessing  peculiar  talents,  Mr 
 James  Wright,  who  succeeded  the  latter,  gained  some  reputa- 
 tion as  a  lecturer  on  prophecy.  The  year  1850  was  the  acme 
 of  his  fame,  when  his  place  of  worship  was  crowded  to  the 
 door  on  Sabbath  evenings.  His  lectures  were  accompanied 
 with  such  strong  physical  declamation  that  oftentimes  the 
 Psalm  book  was  knocked  over  the  pulpit,  and  on  one  occasion 
 the  pulpit  Bible  followed  suite,  accompanied  by  such  a  noise 
 as  might  have  awakened  sleepers,  had  any  such  been  among 
 the  audience.  During  the  delivery  of  a  discourse  it  was  not 
 unusual  for  some  preachers  to  reprove  on  the  spot  any  wor- 
 shipper whose  drowsy  or  coughing  propensities  might  give 
 them  annoyance.  Hugh  Miller  gives  a  graphic  description  of 
 Dr  M'Crie,  sen.,  suddenly  stopping  in  the  midst  of  his  lecture 
 because  of  the  many  sounds  which  indicated  that  catarrh  was 
 prevalent,  and  then,  after  a  few  moments'  silence  that  might 
 be  felt,  resuming  his  theme  by  saying,  "  I  see  that  when  I  am 
 silent  you  can  be  silent  too." 
 
 Repeatedly  an  Edinburgh  Old  Light  has  been  heard  to 
 interlard  his  discourses  with  practical  directions  to  coughers, 
 such  as,  "  Give  it  up,  sir,"  "  Put  a  sweetie  in  your  mouth," 
 "  I'm  very  much  annoyed,"  "  I'll  thank  you  to  retire,"  &c., 
 &c.  The  discourse  having  been  applied  to  hearers  by  some 
 inferences,  a  brief  prayer  for  a  blessing  on  ordinances  is  offered, 
 and  after  singing  three  verses  of  an  appropriate  Psalm,  the 
 service,  which  has  lasted  about  one  hour  and  three  quarters,  is 
 closed  with  the  benediction. 
 
CHARACTERISTICS  AND  THEC»LOGICAL  TRAINING.      597 
 
 Such,  then,  was  an  ordinary  diet  of  public  worsliip  among 
 the  Old  Lights  fifty  years  ago,  but  it  may  be  well  to  state 
 bricHy  the  mode  of  observing  special  services,  such  as  the 
 
 Dispensation  of  the  Communioyi. 
 
 Preparatory  to  the  celebration  of  the  Lord's  Supper  there 
 was  not  only  the  Fast-day  observed  (usually  a  Thursday),  but 
 also  a  lengthened  service,  containing  two  sermons,  on  the 
 Saturday.  At  the  close  of  the  aftcrnoou  service  on  the  Fast- 
 day,  the  Session  was  constituted,  and  tokens  of  admission  to 
 the  Lord's  Table  were  given  by  the  minister  to  the  members, 
 who  passed  in  single  file  in  front  of  the  bench  or  platform  on 
 which  stood  the  pastor  and  elders.  The  sight  of  so  many 
 grave  men  gathered  together,  a  goodly  proportion  of  whom 
 were  venerable  in  appearance,  was  solemnising,  and  when 
 after  supplying  the  members,  the  pastor  admitted  to  church 
 fellowship  the  candidates  for  communion,  and  gave  them  a 
 suitable  address,  reminding  them  of  Christian  duties  and 
 Covenanting  memories,  the  impression  made  was  often  deep 
 and  permanent.  The  Communion  Sabbath  was,  indeed,  an 
 high  day,  and  it  was  usual  for  Old  Lights  to  travel  many 
 miles  in  order  that  they  might  unite  with  their  brethren  of 
 other  congregations  in  enjoying  the  privileges  of  the  occasion. 
 Owing  to  the  protracted  services,  and  the  different  relays  of 
 communicants  at  the  tables,  several  ministers  were  fre- 
 quently employed  ;  and  as  these  in  putting  forth  their  best 
 efforts  to  edify  had  considerable  unction,  the  results  were  both 
 blessed  and  memorable. 
 
 At  the  conclusion,  the  presiding  minister  not  only  exhorted 
 the  people  to  remember  their  vows,  but  also  to  show  hospi- 
 tality to  brethren  from  a  distance,  and  thus  be  careful  to 
 entertain  strangers,  "  for  many  have  entertained  angels 
 unawares."  In  connection  with  this  it  is  related  that  a  poor 
 member  in  going  to  the  communion  one  Sabbath,  was  requested 
 by  his  wife  not  to  bring  home  any  strangers  with  him,  since  all 
 the  food  she  had  consisted  of  broth  of  boiled  blades.  The 
 good  man  heard  but  answered  not.  At  the  close  of  the  ser- 
 vice, however,  having  observed  that  some  strangers  had  been 
 neglected,  he  cordially  invited   them  to  come  to  his  dwelling 
 
598  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 and  share  such  things  as  he  had.  They  complied.  On  per- 
 ceiving the  troubled  look  of  his  partner,  the  pious  husband 
 put  both  her  and  his  guests  on  their  best  behaviour  by  saying, 
 "  Bring  forth  the  blades  ;  if  these  people  be  the  children  of 
 God  they  will  be  thankful  for  them,  and  if  not,  they  do  not 
 deserve  them." 
 
 Thanksgiving  services  were  held  in  the  evening,  and  also 
 on  the  following  Monday,  when  two  sermons  were  sometimes 
 preached. 
 
 Some  Old  Light  ministers  had  peculiar  idios3mcrasies.  One 
 always  carried  his  hat  with  him  to  the  pulpit,  and  another 
 during  preaching  would  occasionally  take  a  pinch  of  snuff. 
 
 Discourses  were  delivered  memoriter,  and  so  strong  was  the 
 prejudice  against  read  sermons  that  when  an  excellent  pastor, 
 who,  owing  to  failure  of  memory,  required  to  read,  looked  on 
 the  hated  paper,  an  individual  rose  up  in  the  church,  and  after 
 exclaiming,  "  We  have  no  read  sermons  here ;  God  will  not 
 bless  sic  wark,"  left  the  building,  whilst  another  pastor  was 
 brought  before  the  Presbytery  for  the  innovation. 
 
 In  addition  to  preaching  and  pastoral  visitation,  including 
 catechizing,  ministers  had  on  some  week  night  classes  for  in- 
 structing the  young,  not  only  in  religion  but  also  in  church 
 history. 
 
 In  Glasgow,  Dr  Willis  (a  Burgher)  caused  his  pupils  to 
 commit  to  memory  the  Shorter  Catechism,  Brown's  Larger 
 Catechism,  and  portions  of  Scripture,  such  as  Isaiah  li.,  liii., 
 Colossians  iii.,  and  Proverbs  viii.  In  addition  to  explaining 
 these,  which  he  did  in  an  effective  way,  he  encouraged  the 
 young  to  be  attentive  hearers  by  requesting  them  to  furnish 
 him  with  the  texts  and  particulars  of  the  preceding  Sabbath's 
 discourses. 
 
 In  Edinburgh,  Mr  Wright  (Antiburgher)  had  a  junior  and 
 a  senior  division  in  his  class,  and  whilst  the  former  was  care- 
 fully indoctrinated  in  the  Shorter  Catechism,  the  latter  had  as 
 their  text  books  the  Westminster  Confession,  and  the  Original 
 Secession  Testimony,  with  occasionally  the  welcome  addition 
 by  way  of  variety  of  narratives  from  the  "  Scots  Worthies," 
 such  as  the  biographies  of  James  Guthrie,  John  Brown,  of 
 Priesthill,  and  the  battles  of  Drumclog  and  Both  well  Bridge. 
 
CHARACTERISTICS  AND  THEOLOGICAL  TRAINING.      599 
 
 In  this  way,  concerning  doctrinal  standaixls  and  historical 
 traditions,  departed  ministers  attended  to  the  resolution, 
 Psalm  Ixxviii.  4 — 
 
 "  We  also  will  them  not  conceal 
 From  tlu'ir  posterity  ; 
 Them  to  the  generation 
 To  come  declare  will  we." 
 
 These  class  meetings,  though  ostensibly  for  the  young,  were 
 frequently  also  attended  by  the  old,  who  were  doubtless  by 
 their  means  frequently  refreshed  in  spirit.  Sometimes, 
 indeed,  the  instructions  thus  communicated  were  not  only 
 precious,  but  could  never  be  effaced. 
 
 Occasionally  there  were  gleams  of  humour,  such  as  when 
 the  pastor  in  explaining  the  fourth  petition  of  the  Lord's 
 Prayer  asked  what  was  meant  by  "  a  competent  portion  of  the 
 good  things  of  this  life  ? "  when  a  young  girl  in  artless  inno- 
 cence replied,  "  enough  and  a  little  more." 
 
 That  these  classes,  conveying  as  they  did  a  knowledge  of 
 doctrine  and  church  history,  resulted  in  making  many 
 Seceders  adepts  in  these  important  subjects  is  undoubted,  and 
 affords  an  illustration  of  the  proverb,  "  Train  up  a  child  in  the 
 way  he  should  go,  and  when  he  is  old  he  will  not  depart  from 
 it "  (Prov.  xxii.  C). 
 
 Precentors. 
 
 Secession  precentors  required  not  only  to  raise  the  tune,  but 
 for  many  years  they  had  also  to  read  or  chant  each  line  of  the 
 psalm  prior  to  its  being  sung.  They  also  not  only  read  inti- 
 mations respecting  managers  meetings  and  seat-letting,  but 
 also  such  requests  for  prayer  as  had  been  given  them  in  writ- 
 ing. Many  of  them  received  no  remuneration  of  a  pecuniary 
 kind,  and  considered  their  office  an  honour  as  well  as  a  duty 
 they  owed  to  God.  It  is  related  that  on  his  precentor  desir- 
 ing the  prayers  of  the  congregation  in  behalf  of  David  , 
 
 Mr  Shirra,  of  Kirkcaldy,  looked  over  the  side  of  the  pulpit 
 and  said  to  the  chief  musician,  "  Henry,  is  David  ill  ?  "  Hav- 
 ing been  answered  in  the  affirmative,  he  said,  "  Well,  let  us  pray 
 for  him,"  and  forthwith  began  by  quoting  the  first  verse  of 
 Psalm  132,  "Lord,  remember  David,  and  all  his  afflictions." 
 
600  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Reference  having  been  made  in  another  part  of  this  work 
 to  the  conservative  habits  of  Old  Lights  in  adhering  to 
 the  custom  of  causing  the  precentor  to  read  out  the  line 
 during  praise,  it  is  worthy  of  notice  that  not  only  was  this 
 very  generally  given  up  prior  to  the  union  with  the  Free 
 Church,  but  in  December  1850  it  is  recorded  that  the  Man- 
 agers of  one  of  the  Glasgow  congregations  memorialized  the 
 Session  "  to  instruct  the  precentor  to  introduce  some  new 
 tunes,  and  also  a  few  repeating  ones  ; "  and  that  Court,  after 
 deliberation  and  delay,  showed  that  the  spirit  of  the  age  had 
 begun  to  tell  upon  even  them,  since  they  unanimously  agreed 
 to  grant  the  request. 
 
 Beadles. 
 
 These  functionaries  were  oftentimes  characters  in  their  way. 
 
 Of  Thomas  Lee,  who  was  the  first  church-officer  of  Renfield 
 (Glasgow)  congregation,  Mr  Coulson  writes  : — "  Tammy  Lee, 
 as  he  was  usually  called,  was  a  character — by  trade  he  was  a 
 tailor.  A  slender-built  man,  and  quick  in  his  movements, 
 almost  ubiquitous,  at  least  invariably  on  the  spot  when 
 wanted.  He  dressed  in  the  old  Scotch  fashion  with  knee- 
 breeches,  and  in  church  always  wore  slippers.  Fathers  who 
 had  infants  for  baptism  occupied  one  of  the  square  table  seats 
 near  the  pulpit.  On  a  certain  Sabbath  there  were  two  occu- 
 pants of  this  pew  ;  it  was  the  one  to  the  right  of  the  pulpit. 
 Suddenly,  in  the  midst  of  the  sermon,  a  woman  rose  from  her 
 seat  in  the  left  aisle  of  the  church,  crossed  before  the  pulpit, 
 and  struck  with  her  Bible  one  of  the  persons  in  the  square 
 pew  a  violent  blow  on  the  head.  Tableau  !  The  congrega- 
 tion was  in  a  commotion,  and  the  service  was  stopped. 
 Tammy,  without  being  told,  rushed  to  the  rescue,  and  pushed 
 the  disturber  cleverly  down  the  passage  and  outwith  the 
 church.  The  service  was  then  continued  without  further  in- 
 terruption. On  another  occasion  there  was  a  protracted  meet- 
 ing of  Managers  in  the  Session-house  ;  the  hour  was  very  late. 
 Tammy  went  into  the  meeting,  and  thumping  his  fist  on  the 
 table,  gave  a  peremptory  order  for  them  to  dismiss."  ^ 
 
 1  "  Records  of  Renfield,"  by  A.  S.  CouIsoq. 
 
CHARACTERISTICS  AND  THEOLOGICAL  TRAINING.      GOl 
 
 Pecuniary  Diffi.cultle8  of  Congregations  and  Ministers. 
 
 On  page  213  of  Professor  Taylor's  Memoir  it  is  stated 
 tliat  "  the  Old  Light  connection  contributed  to  the  mainten- 
 ance of  evangelical  religion  in  the  land  under  the  pressure  of 
 great  poverty,  and  that,  with  the  exception  of  some  of  the 
 larger  congregations,  there  was  a  constant  struggle  with  pecu- 
 niary difficulties."  The  perusal  of  official  documents  gives 
 evidence  of  the  truth  of  this.  But  whilst,  doubtless,  congre- 
 gations were  sometimes  inconsiderate  of  what  was  due  to  a 
 minister's  position  and  comfort,  it  not  unfrequently  happened 
 that  pastors  were  not  blameless,  since  in  many  cases,  if  there 
 had  been  as  great  zeal  in  holding  forth  the  truth  as  there  was 
 in  holding  it  fast,  the  Divine  Master  would  have  by  His  bless- 
 ing rewarded  these  evangelistic  labours  by  giving  at  least 
 numerical  prosperity  to  Original  Secession  congregations.  The 
 Old  Lights,  however,  generally  regarded  themselves  as  wit- 
 nesses for  past  Reformation  attainments.  They  did  not  take 
 such  aggressive  measures  for  the  sjDread  of  the  gospel  amongst 
 the  careless  as  they  might  have  done,  and  hence  that  pros- 
 perity was  withheld  which  might  otherwise  have  been  enjoyed. 
 True,  there  were,  and  still  are,  notable  exceptions ;  and  in 
 each  of  these  it  has  been  demonstrated  that  God  makes  the 
 liberal  soul  fat,  and  they  who  water  others  shall  be  watered 
 also  themselves. 
 
 Union  Dijfficulties. 
 
 As  the  Old  Lights  had  their  divisions,  which  occasioned 
 deep  searchings  of  heart,  so  they  also  had  their  unions,  which, 
 whilst  rejoiced  over  by  some  as  matters  of  thanksgiving,  were 
 loudly  bewailed  by  others  as  a  compromising  of  Divine  truth, 
 and  an  evidence  of  sad  declension.  Without  referring  amongst 
 others  to  the  union  of  the  Original  Burghers  with  the 
 Established  Church  of  Scotland  in  1839,  and  that  of  the 
 United  Original  Seceders  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland 
 in  1852,  it  may  be  well  to  call  attention  to  a  union  of  Old 
 Lights  among  themselves  in  1842.  The  uniting  parties  were 
 the  Burghers  and  Antiburghers,  and  the  chief  difficulty  to  be 
 surmounted  was  whether  or  not  the  swearing  of  the  Burgess 
 
602  ANNALS  OF  OKIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Oath  by  Seceders  was  sinful.  It  was  not  a  division  of  senti- 
 ment respecting  present  duty,  for  fortunately  more  than 
 twenty  years  previously  that  oath  had  been  abolished,  and  was 
 now  dead.  But  though  dead,  certain  Old  Lights  would  by  no 
 means  allow  it  to  be  buried  in  oblivion,  and  hence  the 
 negotiations  had  to  be  carried  on  warily,  and  with  consider- 
 able caution.  The  strife  which  had  originated  ninety-five 
 years  previously  had  been  very  keen,  and  the  predecessors  of 
 both  parties  had  inflicted  on  each  other  the  highest  censures  of 
 the  church.  Several  Antiburghers  wished  the  Burghers  to 
 acknowledge  that  the  swearing  of  the  Burgess  Oath  had  been 
 sinful,  whilst  the  Burghers  on  the  other  hand  declared  that 
 their  opponents  were  wrong  in  making  a  matter  of  doubtful 
 disputation  a  term  of  communion.  The  middle  men,  who 
 were  the  majority,  having  proposed  that  as  the  Burgess  Oath 
 was  now  abolished,  and  both  parties  having  agreed  that, 
 should  it  ever  be  re-enacted  they  would,  for  various  reasons, 
 refrain  from  swearing  it,  and  the  Original  Secession  Testimony 
 of  1827  with  a  few  requisite  alterations  should  be  the  standard 
 of  the  United  Church,  quite  a  storm  of  acrimonious  feeling 
 was  raised  by  extreme  parties  on  both  sides.  The  documents, 
 both  written  and  printed  in  this  union  controversy,  are 
 numerous,  and  exhibit  a  variety  of  feeling,  which,  though 
 painful  to  contemplate,  cannot  fail  to  be  instructive  to  the 
 student  of  church  history. 
 
 Thus  the  Burgher  Session  of  Yetholm,  inter  alia,  declared — 
 
 "  That  the  acloption  of  the  Antiburgher  Testimony  with  a  few 
 alterations,  as  the  Testimony  of  the  united  body  seems  like  a  virtual 
 declaration  that  the  Burghers  have  hitherto  been  in  the  wrong,  and 
 the  Antibin-ghers  always  in  the  right.  That  in  the  Acknowledge- 
 ment of  Sins  appended  to  the  Antiburgher  Testimony  several  things 
 are  mentioned  as  facts,  and  confessed  as  sins,  whicli  have  been 
 denied  by  writers  of  veracity.  And  in  the  view  of  the  Session,  the 
 most  of  those  who  join  in  said  Bond  (excepting  ministers)  must 
 receive  these  facts  on  implicit  faith.  That  they  must  be  sworn  to 
 as  true,  and  confessed  as  sinful,  on  a  prmciple  somewhat  like  the 
 popish  tenet  that  *  we  must  believe  vihat  the  church  believes,  and  con- 
 fess as  sinful  what  the  church  declares  to  be  sinful.'  Besides  the 
 Session  cannot  see  the  consistency  of  confessing  sins  with  which  we 
 are  but  imperfectly  acquainted,  and  but  remotely  connected,  yet 
 passing  over  other  sins  more  recent  and  more  aggravated." 
 
CHARACTERISTICS  AND  THEOLOGICAL  TIIAIXINC.      G03 
 
 In  somewhat  similar  lanffuajje  the  Burgher  confjreEration 
 of  Glasgow  for  a  time  refused  to  concur  in  the  proposed  union, 
 and  petitioned  the  Synod  that  instead  of  legislating  on  the 
 defunct  oath,  they  should  seek  union  on  the  original  ground  the 
 Seceilers  occupied  prior  to  the  Burgess  Oath  controversy  of 
 IT-iT.  But  whilst  these  extremists  held  that  in  the  negotia- 
 tions the  Antiburghers  were  getting  all  their  own  way,  a 
 section  of  the  opposite  party  not  only  held  quite  the  contrary 
 view,  but  also  separated  from  their  brethren  on  the  ground 
 that  "  the  Synod  by  agreeing  to  the  articles  as  exhibiting 
 their  plan  of  union  with  the  Synod  of  Original  Burghers,  has 
 materially  dropt  the  whole  Secession  testimony,"  &c. 
 
 Being  convinced,  however,  that  it  is  next  to  impossible  to 
 accomplish  a  union  without  at  least  losing  some  dissentients, 
 the  majority  of  the  Antiburgher  Synod  completed  the  negotia- 
 tions by  uniting  with  their  Burgher  brethren,  who  in  their 
 turn  resolved  to  bring  the  extremists  of  their  party  to  reason 
 by  sending  them  the  following  epistle : — 
 
 "Edinburgh,  Davie  Strekt  Session-House, 
 18th  Mai/  1842. 
 
 "  Rev.  and  Dear  Sir, — I  am  authorised  by  the  Associate  Synod 
 duly  met,  time  and  place  as  above,  to  assure  you  that  we  deeply 
 regret  that  you  and  your  congregation  have  not  found  yourselves 
 fully  prejmred  to  go  forward  with  us  on  the  present  intei'esting  occa- 
 sion, in  the  matter  of  the  union.  That  at  the  same  time  we  ten- 
 derly sympathize  with  you  and  your  people  in  your  existing  difficul- 
 ties, but  hope  that  they  shall  soon  ceasa  That  we  painfully  find 
 it  due  to  you  and  ourselves  to  state  that  in  your  present  relative 
 position  we  can  hold  no  ministerial  or  congregational  communion 
 with  each  other ;  and  that  in  the  earnest  hope  that  we  shall  soon 
 again  l)e  one,  we  shall  take  care  to  secure  your  accession  to  the 
 union  on  the  same  terms  on  which  we  this  day  unite." 
 
 This  mode  of  treatment  was  successful  with  all  save  one 
 minister  and  congregation  of  the  Burghers,  who  afterwards 
 joined  the  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church,  though,  as  else- 
 where indicated,  two  Antiburgher  ministers  and  their  congre- 
 gations remained  separate,  the  remnants  of  which  congregations 
 exist  to  this  day. 
 
C04  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Theological  Tuition  of  the  Old  Lights. 
 
 After  attendiag  the  regular  graduate  classes  at  one  of  the 
 Scottish  Universities,  it  was  the  rule  that  divinity  students- 
 should  attend  the  Theological  Hall  for  four  sessions.  These 
 were  usually  held  in  autumn,  and  lasted  about  eight  weeks 
 each. 
 
 Amongst  the  Burghers,  the  Professor's  lectures  embraced 
 both  theoretical  and  practical  divinity.  The  text  book  was 
 the  system  of  divinity  published  by  the  celebrated  John 
 Brown,  of  Haddington.  Though  the  session  was  brief,  much 
 was  done  in  it.  The  principal  and  daily  duty  consisted  in 
 daily  examinations  on  portions  of  the  system,  with  occasional 
 lectures  from  the  Professor.  The  division  of  the  system  was 
 so  arranged  that  within  the  four  years  it  was  twice  gone 
 through.  A  day  in  the  week  was  appointed  for  the  hearing  of 
 discourses.  These  were  the  same  as  those  prescribed  in  the 
 Divinity  Halls  of  the  Establishment,  with  the  addition  of  the 
 Confessional  lecture — a  lecture  in  which  some  portion  of  the 
 Confession  was  the  subject,  and  in  which  it  was  expected  of 
 the  lecturer  not  to  give  a  treatise  of  his  own,  but  to  show  how 
 the  passages  of  Scripture  adduced  support  the  proposition  the 
 compilers  had  laid  down.  On  Saturdays  the  Greek  New 
 Testament  was  read,  and  on  Monday  the  Hebrew  Psalter. 
 This  was  done  critically,  and  the  lessons  of  the  different  verses 
 were  gathered  up  in  the  shape  of  observations. 
 
 Monday  forenoon  was  uniformly  appropriated  to  the  hear- 
 ing of  the  popular  sermon.  Besides  the  Professor  and  the 
 students,  there  was  on  these  occasions  a  small  company  of 
 general  hearers,  and  the  student  who  preached  was  expected 
 to  do  so  without  the  use  of  his  manuscript.  The  students 
 had  their  Theological  and  Debating  Societies  ;  and  thus 
 employment  was  provided  for  all  the  spare  portions  of  time. 
 Before  entering  the  Hall,  students  were  required  not  only  to 
 have  attended  a  University  during  a  full  arts  curriculum,  but 
 in  addition  to  possess  a  competent  knowledge  of  Hebrew.  In 
 these  days  there  was  no  perfunctoriness  on  either  the  part  of 
 professor  or  students,  but  the  sederunts  of  study  were 
 lengthened    accordinor    as    circumstances    demanded.       There 
 
REV.     JOHN      BROWN 
 HADDINGTON 
 
CHARACTERISTICS  AND  THEOLOGICAL  TRAINING.       GOo 
 
 was  ileop  religious  foeling,  as  was  becoming  a  school  of  the 
 Prophets,  and  many  instructions  of  a  practical  kind  were 
 given  with  respect  to  the  preparation  of  discourses  and  pastoral 
 work.  "  Multuni  In  jyan-o  "  seems  to  have  been  the  motto 
 of  the  Secession  Hall,  and  the  ministers  it  produced,  as  a 
 rule,  were  not  only  excellent  preachers,  but  also  good 
 theologians. 
 
 Such,  then,  as  substantially  related  by  Dr  Taylor,  was  the 
 mode  of  theological  tuition  in  use  amongst  the  Old  Light 
 Burghers  during  his  father's  professoriate. 
 
 Dr  Michael  Willis,  who  succeeded  Professor  Taylor,  had, 
 owing  to  the  union  with  the  Church  of  Scotland,  only  a  brief 
 tenure  of  office.  That,  however,  he  was  an  able  theologian, 
 and  of  more  than  ordinary  efficiency,  is  shown  from  the  fact, 
 that  afterwards  he  was  not  only  appointed  a  Professor  of  Theo- 
 logy in  Knox's  College,  Toronto,  but  eventually  became  the 
 Principal  of  that  institution. 
 
 In  the  Old  Litjht  AntiburiT^her  Hall,  the  mode  of  theological 
 tuition,  conducted  by  Professor  Archibald  Bruce,  was  as 
 follows  : — 
 
 "  There  was  at  Whitburn  (says  an  old  student)  generally 
 only  one  meeting  a-day,  and  the  hour  of  meeting  was  twelve 
 o'clock.  The  business  of  each  week  was  as  follows.  On 
 Monday,  a  miscellaneous  lecture  by  the  Professor  ;  on  Tuesday, 
 discourses  by  the  students;  on  Wednesday,  a  lecture  by  the  Pro- 
 fessor on  the  system, — the  system  which  he  used  was  Marckii 
 Medulla.  On  Thursday,  examination  on  the  system;  on  Friday, 
 discourses  by  the  students  ;  on  Saturday,  a  confessional  lecture, 
 together  with  conference  on  some  practical  subject  stated  by 
 the  Professor.  The  duration  of  the  session  was  eight  weeks. 
 Professor  Bruce  was  in  many  respects  highly  qualified,  and 
 by  every  student  greatly  venerated.  His  examinations  and 
 criticisms  were  very  judicious  and  useful,  and  himself  very 
 pious  and  amiable," 
 
 "  Professor  George  Paxton,  D.D.  (a  quondam  student  states), 
 was  versant  in  the  original  languages  of  Scripture,  and  pos- 
 sessed considerable  familiarity  with  the  sources  of  criticism. 
 His  command  of  words,  and  the  rapidity  of  his  utterance  in 
 preaching  and  conversation,  were  singularly  great.  He  was  a 
 man  of  heart,  a  man  of  public  spirit,  evinced  by  his  zeal  at 
 
606  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 once  for  the  purity  and  for  the  extension  of  the  faith  ;  above 
 all  —  and  it  was  this  that  imparted  unction,  earnestness, 
 and  interest  to  all  his  public  appearances — he  was  a  man 
 of  God." 
 
 The  Rev.  P.  Landreth  gives  the  following  description  of 
 Professor  Paxton's  mode  of  tuition,  prior  to  1820  : — 
 
 "  In  carrying  on  the  work  of  the  Divinity  Hall  at  Edin- 
 burgh Dr  Paxton  had  daily  two  meetings  with  his  students, 
 except  on  Saturday,  when  they  met  once  for  devotional 
 services,  and  for  essay-reading  and  general  conversation  on 
 some  practical  question  of  religion.  The  first  meeting  each 
 day  was  early  in  the  forenoon,  when  the  Professor  lectured  on 
 Mark's  '  Medulla,'  which  still  continued  to  be  the  text-book  of 
 systematic  theology,  the  Professor's  lectures  on  this  book 
 stretching  over  the  whole  course  of  five  sessions,  and  going 
 regularly  through  the  doctrines  as  arranged  by  the  Dutch 
 divine.  The  hour  on  Mondays  was  occupied  with  an  exegetical 
 lecture  on  some  difficult  passage  of  Scripture,  along  with 
 readings  by  the  students  in  the  Greek  New  Testament,  and 
 examinations  to  test  the  proficiency  of  the  class  in  the  language. 
 The  second  meeting  each  day  was  of  much  greater  length, 
 and  had  more  miscellaneous  engagements.  Its  main  and  most 
 regular  business  was  the  hearing  of  discourses  and  exercises  by 
 students  ;  after  which  criticism  was  invited  from  the  class,  to 
 be  summed  up  as  well  as  rectified  by  the  Professor's  judgment, 
 Dr  Paxton  also  then  examined  on  his  morning's  lecture." 
 The  substance  of  his  occasional  lectures  is  contained  in  the 
 three  volumes  he  published  entitled  "  Illustrations  of  Scrip- 
 ture." He  also  introduced  the  exercise  of  causing  students 
 to  frame  skeleton  discourses  from  texts  he  prescribed.  Though, 
 when  after  the  year  1820  Dr  Paxton's  students  were  so 
 greatly  reduced  that  oftentimes  they  met  for  instruction  in  his 
 dwelling-house,  12  Archibald  Place,  Edinburgh,  yet  to  a  con- 
 siderable extent  he  continued  to  pursue  the  mode  of  tuition 
 he  had  followed  in  his  earlier  years. 
 
 Dr  Paxton  was  succeeded  as  theological  professor  by  Dr 
 Thomas  M'Crie,  jun.,  whose  lectures  were  highly  evangelical, 
 and  often  accompanied  with  much  unction.  "  At  the  com- 
 mencement of  his  career  as  a  professor  (says  the  late  Rev. 
 
CHARACTERISTICS  AND  THEOLOGICAL  TRAINING.      GOT 
 
 James  Black,  M.A.,  of  Kirkcaldy)  he  followed  the  methods  of 
 his  predecessors  in  the  same  chair.  We  believe,  however, 
 that,  in  the  ardour  of  a  mind  constantly  bent  on  improvement, 
 he  afterwards  adopted  a  course  in  his  treatment  of  the  .system 
 marked  by  originality.  Embracing  a  wide  range  of  study,  his 
 prelections  were  never  superficial,  and  when  most  controversial 
 were  something  more  than  negative.  After  the  manner  of 
 Marckius,  his  method  was  dialectic  rather  than  inductive  ; 
 but  his  accurate  distinctions  between  truth  and  error  were  so 
 justly  and  cleai'ly  drawn  that  they  could  not  be  mistaken,  and 
 were  not  easily  forgotten." 
 
 The  Chair  of  Divinity  Dr  M'Crie  held  till  the  union  of  the 
 United  Original  Secession  Synod  with  the  Free  Church  of 
 Scotland  in  1852.  After  acting  for  a  brief  period  as  Interim 
 Professor  in  the  Free  Church  College,  Aberdeen,  he  was 
 appointed  to  a  similar  chair  in  the  English  Presbyterian 
 College,  London.  In  1839  the  Synod  appointed  Rev.  Dr 
 Laing,  of  Colmonell,  to  aid  in  the  training  of  the  divinity 
 students.  His  department  was  Hebrew  and  Biblical  Criticism, 
 and  he  also  held  office  till  the  union  of  the  Secession  with  the 
 Free  Church. 
 
CHAPTER    XII. 
 
 MODERATORS  AND  OTHER  PROMINENT  OFFICIALS  OF  THE  SEVERAL 
 BRANCHES  OF  THE  ORIGINAL  SECESSION  CHURCH. 
 
 MODEEATOES  OF  ASSOCIATE  (BUEGHEE)  SYNOD 
 
 SINCE  ITS  FORMATION  ON  3d  SEPTEMBER  1805. 
 
 1805,  Sept.,      Glasgow, 
 
 1806,  May,       Edinburgh, 
 
 1806,  Sept.,      Edinburgh, 
 
 1807,  April,      Edinburgh, 
 
 1807,  Sept.,      Glasgow, 
 
 1808,  April,      Edinburgh, 
 
 1808,  Sept.,      Glasgow, 
 
 1809,  May,        Edinburgh, 
 
 1810,  April,      Glasgow, 
 
 1811,  April,      Edinburgh, 
 
 1812,  April,      Glasgow, 
 181,3,  April,      Glasgow, 
 
 1814,  April,      Edinburgh, 
 
 1815,  Ajjril,      Edinburgh, 
 
 1816,  April,      Glasgow, 
 
 1816,  Sept.,      Glasgow, 
 
 1817,  April,      Edinburgh, 
 
 1817,  Sept.,      Falkirk  {pro  re 
 
 nata), 
 
 1818,  April,      Edinburgh, 
 
 1818,  July,       Falkirk  {pro  re 
 
 nata), 
 
 1819,  May,       Glasgow, 
 
 1819,  Sept.,      Edinburgh, 
 
 1820,  May,       Edinburgh, 
 
 1821,  May,       Glasgow, 
 
 1821,  May  15,  Stirling  {in  hunc 
 
 efectum) , 
 
 1822,  May,       Edinburgh, 
 
 1823,  May,        Edinburgh, 
 1823,  May  27,  Stirling  {in  hunc 
 
 efectum). 
 
 Eev.  T.  Porteous,  Orwell  or  Milnathort. 
 Eev.  Ebenezer  Hislop,  Shotts. 
 Eev.  William  Willis,  Stirling. 
 Eev.  George  Hill,  Cumbernauld. 
 Eev.  William  Taylor,  Perth. 
 Eev.  Eobert  Shirra,  Yetholm. 
 Eev.  Patrick  Connel,  Bathgate. 
 Eev.  Alexander  Brown,  Burntshields. 
 Eev.  James  Gardner,  Kiljaatrick. 
 Eev.  George  Moscrip,  Greenock. 
 Eev.  John  Inglis,  Greenlaw. 
 Eev.  William  Eaeburn,  Bannockburn. 
 Eev.  Finlay  Stewart,  Pollokshawa. 
 Eev.  Eobert  Torrance,  Airdrie. 
 Eev.  William  Primrose,  Aberdeen. 
 Eev.  Alexander  Stark,  Falkirk. 
 Eev.  Samuel  Armour,  Doune. 
 Eev.  Samuel  Armour,  Doune. 
 
 Eev.  James  Smith,  Alloa. 
 Eev.  James  Smith,  Alloa. 
 
 Eev.  John  Mackinlay,  Eenton. 
 Eev.  Alexander  Turnbull,  Glasgow. 
 Eev.  Eobert  Aitken,  Dundee. 
 Eev.  James  Thornton,  Milnathort. 
 Eev.  Finlay  Stewart,  pro  tern. 
 
 Eev.  William  Dalziel,  Dunfermline. 
 Eev.  Peter  Campbell,  Kilmarnock. 
 Eev.  William  Eaeburn,  pro  tern. 
 
MODERATORS  AND  OFFICIALS. 
 
 G09 
 
 1824, 
 
 May, 
 
 Glasgow, 
 
 Rev. 
 
 1824, 
 
 Sept., 
 
 Edinburgh, 
 
 Rev. 
 
 1825, 
 
 May, 
 
 Edinburgh, 
 
 Rev. 
 
 1826, 
 
 Mav, 
 
 Glasgow, 
 
 Rev. 
 
 1827, 
 
 May, 
 
 Gla.sgow, 
 
 Rev. 
 
 1827, 
 
 Oct., 
 
 Edinburgh, 
 
 Rev. 
 
 1828, 
 
 Mav, 
 
 Edinburgii, 
 
 Rev. 
 
 1829, 
 
 May, 
 
 Edinburgh, 
 
 Rev. 
 
 1830, 
 
 May, 
 
 Glasgow  (Renfield 
 Street), 
 
 Rev. 
 
 1831, 
 
 May, 
 
 Edinburgh, 
 
 Rev. 
 
 1832, 
 
 May, 
 
 Edinburgh, 
 
 Rev. 
 
 1833, 
 
 May, 
 
 Edinburgh, 
 
 Rev. 
 
 1833, 
 
 Oct., 
 
 Gla.sgow  (Campbell 
 Street), 
 
 I  Rev. 
 
 1834, 
 
 May, 
 
 Edinburgh, 
 
 Rev. 
 
 1834, 
 
 Sept., 
 
 Glasgow  (Renfield 
 Street), 
 
 Rev. 
 
 1835, 
 
 May, 
 
 Edinburgh, 
 
 Rev. 
 
 1835, 
 
 Sept., 
 
 Glasgow  (Campbel 
 Street), 
 
 1  Rev. 
 
 1836, 
 
 ,  May, 
 
 Edinburgh, 
 
 Rev. 
 
 1836, 
 
 ,  Oct., 
 
 Glasgow  (Renfield 
 Street), 
 
 Rev. 
 
 1837, 
 
 May, 
 
 Edinburgh, 
 
 Rev. 
 
 1837, 
 
 ,  Sept., 
 
 Glasgow, 
 
 Rev. 
 
 1838, 
 
 ,  May, 
 
 Ediulnirgli, 
 
 Rev. 
 
 1839, 
 
 .  May, 
 
 Glasgow, 
 
 Rev. 
 
 1839, 
 
 July, 
 
 Edinburgh, 
 
 Rev. 
 
 .luhn  Shaw,  Boardmills. 
 William  Logan,  Lesniahagow. 
 Peter  Currie,  C"unil)ernaidd. 
 Wm.  Stewart,  Garvagh,  Ireland. 
 Thomas  Hislop,  Doune. 
 George  Hill,  Shottsburn. 
 Ebenezer  Ander.son,  Cupar-Fife. 
 •Tames  Anderson,  Carluke. 
 M.  Willis,  Renfield  St.,  Glasgow. 
 
 Thomas  Gordon,  Falkirk. 
 William  Scott  Hay,  ]>urntshield.M. 
 Andrew  Thomson,  Pai.sley. 
 David  Headrick,  Longridge. 
 
 William  Mackray,  Stirling. 
 
 J.  Duncan,  Kincardine-on- Forth. 
 
 Ralph  Robb,  Strathkinnes. 
 .Tolin  Waddell,  Burrelton. 
 
 .Tohu  Anderson,  Helen.sburgh. 
 William  Tannahill,  Kirkintilloch. 
 
 George  Moscrip,  Greenock. 
 John  Cochrane,  Grangemoiitli. 
 •James  Clelaud,  Stewarton. 
 Robert  M'Indoe,  Kirkcaldy. 
 John  Wright,  Alloa. 
 
 REMANEyT  SyXOD. 
 
 1839, 
 
 Aug., 
 
 Ellin.  (Committee 
 
 :),Rev. 
 
 1839, 
 
 Sept., 
 
 Glasgow, 
 
 Rev. 
 
 1840, 
 
 June, 
 
 Ghisgow, 
 
 Rev. 
 
 1840, 
 
 Dec, 
 
 Glasgow  (pro  re 
 nata). 
 
 Rev. 
 
 1841, 
 
 April, 
 
 Glasgow  {pro  re 
 natu), 
 
 Rev. 
 
 1841, 
 
 June, 
 
 Glasgow, 
 
 Rev. 
 
 1841, 
 
 ,  Nov., 
 
 Glasgow, 
 
 Rev. 
 
 1841, 
 
 Dec, 
 
 Glasgow  (pro  re 
 nata), 
 
 Rev. 
 
 1842, 
 
 April, 
 
 Glasgow, 
 
 Rev. 
 
 1842, 
 
 May. 
 
 Edinburgh, 
 
 Rev. 
 
 Finlay  Stewart,  Pollokshaws. 
 Finlay  Stewart,  Pollokshaws. 
 •John  Downs,  Boardmills. 
 .John  Downs,  Boardmills. 
 
 •Tdhn  M'Kinlay,  pro  tern. 
 
 •John  M'Kinlay,  Renton. 
 •John  Hastie,  Yetholm. 
 .John  M'Kinlay,  pro  (em. 
 
 •Tolin  Hastie,  Yetholm. 
 Adam  Ro.ss,  Kennoway. 
 
 2  Q 
 
1821,  May, 
 
 Edinburgh, 
 
 1821,  Sept., 
 
 do., 
 
 1822,  May, 
 
 do., 
 
 1822,  Sept., 
 
 do., 
 
 1823,  May, 
 
 do., 
 
 1823,  Oct., 
 
 do., 
 
 1824,  May, 
 
 do.. 
 
 1824,  Oct., 
 
 do., 
 
 1825,  May, 
 
 do.. 
 
 1825,  Sept., 
 
 do.. 
 
 1826,  May, 
 
 do.. 
 
 1826,  Nov., 
 
 do., 
 
 1827,  May, 
 
 do.. 
 
 610  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 MODERATOES  OF  SYNOD  OF  PEOTESTEES. 
 
 Eev.  Eicliard  Black,  Perth. 
 Eev.  George  Paxton,  Edinburgh. 
 Eev.  James  Gray,  Brechin. 
 Eev.  Eobert  Smith,  Kilwinning. 
 Eev.  George  Stevenson,  Ayr. 
 Eev.  William  Beath,  Pitcairngreen. 
 Eev.  James  Templeton,  Aberdeen. 
 Eev.  Thomas  Gray,  Kirkcaldy. 
 Eev.  Peter  M'Derment,  Auchinleck. 
 Eev.  George  Paxton,  Edinburgh. 
 Eev.  James  Gray,  Brechin. 
 Eev.  Eobert  Smith,  Kilwinning. 
 Eev.  George  Stevenson,  Ayr. 
 
 MODEEATOES  OF  OEIGINAL  SECESSION  SYNOD. 
 
 1827,  May,   Eev.  James  Aitken,  Kirriemuir. 
 
 1827,  Oct.,    Eev.  Prof.  Paxton,  Edinburgh. 
 
 1828,  May,  Eev.  Eobert  Chalmers,  Haddington. 
 
 1828,  Sept.,  Eev.  James  Gray,  Brechin. 
 
 1829,  May,   Eev.  Thomas  M'Crie,  D.D.,  Edinburgh. 
 
 1829,  Sept.,  Eev.  George  Stevenson,  Ayr. 
 
 1830,  May,   Eev.  Eobert  Smith,  Kilwinning. 
 
 1831,  May,   Eev.  Thomas  Gray,  Kirkcaldy. 
 
 1832,  May,   Eev.  John  Aitken,  Aberdeen. 
 
 1833,  May,   Eev.  Eobert  Shaw,  Whitburn. 
 
 1834,  May,   Eev.  Alexander  Duncan,  Dundee. 
 
 1834,  Sept.,  Eev.  Thomas  Manson,  Perth. 
 
 1835,  May,    Eev.  Thomas  M'Crie,  Clola. 
 
 1836,  May,    Eev.  Benjamin  Laing,  Colmonell. 
 
 1837,  May,   Eev.  James  Beattie,  BalmuUo. 
 
 1837,  Sept.,  Eev,  Matthew  Murray,  Glasgow. 
 
 1838,  May,   Eev.  James  Meek,  Carnoustie. 
 
 1839,  May,   Eev.  James  Cairncross,  Birsay. 
 
 1840,  May,   Eev.  Dr  Stevenson,  Ayr. 
 
 1840,  Aug.,  Eev.  James  Wright,  Edinburgh. 
 
 1841,  April,  Eev.  David  Sturrock,  Midholm. 
 
 1841,  Sept.,  Eev.  Archibald  Brown,  M.A.,  Kirriemuir. 
 
 1842,  Jan.,    Eev.  James  A.  Wylie,  M.A.,  Dollar. 
 
 MODEEATOES  OF  UNITED  OEIGINAL  SECESSION  SYNOD. 
 
 1842,  May,   Eev.  James  Gray,  Brechin,  and 
 
 Eev,  James  Anderson,  Carluke,  as  assistant. 
 1842,  Sept.,  (/Vo  re  nata),  as  above. 
 
MODERATORS  AND  »>KKI("I ALS.  Gil 
 
 1843,  May,    liov.  Jiiiiu'4  AiuIithoii,  C'arlukf. 
 184.^  Auj,'.,  Kov.  Oeor^e  Hill,  Shottsbiirii. 
 
 1844,  April,  Rev.  John  SaiilisKii,  Arbroath. 
 
 1845,  April,  licv.  lloU-rt  John  Wutt,  Strannier. 
 184r»,  Aiij^.,  Uvv.  Thoma-s  >Iiiii.soii,  IVrth. 
 
 1S4(>,  Auj;.,  H»'v.  William  Taiiiiahill,  Kirkintilloch. 
 1847,  April,  Rev.  John  Aitken,  Alwrdeen. 
 
 1847,  July,   (I'ro  re  uata),  jus  above. 
 
 1848,  May,    Rev.  James  lU.uk,  M.A.,  Kirkcaldy. 
 
 1848,  Oct.,     (Pro  re  nata),  as  above. 
 
 1849,  M.iy,    Rev.  (Jeorj^'e  M'Crie,  C'lola. 
 18.")(i,  April,  Rev.  Jarae.s  Meek,  Curuou.stie. 
 
 1850,  Nov.,  {Pro  re  nata),  as  above. 
 
 1851,  April,  Rev.  John  Miller,  Toberdoney. 
 
 1852,  April,  Rev.  David  Burn,  Thurso. 
 1852,  May.    Rev.  Dr  M'Crie,  Edinburgh. 
 
 PROFESSORS  OF  THEOL(.m;Y  AND  BIBLICAL  CRITICISM. 
 
 BCRGHKR. 
 
 Rev   William  Willi.-*,  (Jivenock,  apjwinted  June  1800,  resigned  1803. 
 Rev.  George  Hill,  Cuml»ernauld,  appointed  August  1803,  died  June  1819. 
 Rev.  William  Taylor,  IVrth,  appointed  July  1818,  re.signed  18.33. 
 Rev.    Michael   Willis.    D.D.,    LL.D.,   Gla-sgow,    appointed    Sept.     1835, 
 July  1839. 
 
 A.NTIiaROHER  AND  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 Rev.  Archibaltl  Bruce,  Whitbuni,  appointed  Sept.  1786,  died  Feb.  1816. 
 Rev.  George  Paxton,  D.D.,  Edinburgh,  appointed   May  1807,  resigned 
 
 May  1836. 
 Rev.  Thomas  M'Crie,  D.D.,  LL.D.,  Edinburgh,  appointed  May  1836,  till 
 
 the  union  with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  June  1852. 
 Rev.  Benjamin  Laing,  D.D.,  Colmonell,  apiwinted  May  1839,  till  the  union 
 
 with  the  Free  Church  of  Scotland,  June  1852. 
 
 SYNOD  CLERKS. 
 Burgher. 
 
 Rev.  William  Watson,  Gla-sgow,  from  Sept.  1805  till  May  1809. 
 Rev.  James  Watson,  Edinburgh,  „  April  1810  ,,  May  1829. 
 Rev.  Alexander  Turnbull,( il.xsgow,  „  May  1830  „  Dec.  1833. 
 Rev.  David  Headrick,  Longiidge,     „     May    1834    „    May  1842. 
 
 Antibuboheb  Stnods  ok  Protesters  and  Orioikal  Secession. 
 
 Rev.  Peter  M'Derment,  Auchinleck,  from  May  1821  till  Sept.  1833. 
 Rev.  Robert  Shaw,  D.D.,  Whitbuni,     ,,     May  1834    „   June  1852. 
 
CI  2  ANNALS  OF  ORIGINAL  SECESSION. 
 
 SYNOD  TEEASUEEES. 
 
 y'  Eev.  Prof.  Paxton,  Edinburgh,  from  May    1827  till  May   1833. 
 
 Eev.  Thomas  Gray,  Kirkcaldy,  „  May   1833  "„    July   1837. 
 
 Mr  Eobert  Kemp,  Edinburgh,  „  Sept.  1837   „   April  1841. 
 
 Mr  Andrew  Meek,  „  April  1841    „   May    1849. 
 
 Mr  William  Ferguson,  Glasgow,  „  May   1849   „   April  1851. 
 
 Eev.  James  Meek,  Carnoustie,  ,,  April  1851    „   June  1852. 
 
 Mr  David  Waterston  (Mission  Fund),  „  May    1845    „   June  1852. 
 
 SYNOD  OFFICEES. 
 
 Burgher. 
 
 John  Somerville,  Glasgow. 
 Thomas  Hill,  Glasgow. 
 John  Mills,  Glasgow. 
 Thomas  Lee,  Glasgow. 
 Alex.  Maclaren,  Edinburgh. 
 Eobert  Duncan,  Edinburgh. 
 
 Antiburgher  Synods  of  Protesters  and  Original  Secession. 
 
 Peter  Sinton. 
 
 Daniel  Taylor. 
 
 James  Greig,  from  May  1849  till  May  1852. 
 
 TDIINIIULL  AND  SPKAKS.  PRINTERS.  EDINBUKCH. 
 
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 Annals  and  statistics  of  the  original 
 
 Princeton  Theological  Semmary-Speer  Library 
 
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