Christian Cyclopedia

(1680–1754). B. Berwickshire, Scot.; educ. Edinburgh; ordained by Kirkcaldy presbytery 1703; minister Portmoak 1703–31; refused to take Oath of Abjuration (see Abjuration, 2); minister Sterling and moderator Sterling and Perth 1731; opposed 1732 Patronage Act of Assem. (see Presbyterian Churches, 1), which ignored rights of laity in elections to vacant chs.; suspended from ministry by Gen. Assem. 1733; with William Wilson of Perth, Alexander Moncrieff of Abernethy, and James Fisher of Kinclaven formed an Associate Presbytery 1733; formally deposed from the est. ch. and formed Secession Ch. 1740. See also Associate Reformed Church; Scotland, Reformation in, 1.