REMINISCENCES OF THE EARLY TIMES OF THE SECESSION-
HISTORICAL, BIOGRAPHICAL, AND TRADITIONAL.

THE REV. WILLIAM WILSON.

(Continued from Volume v., page 667.)

In the month of November, 1716, Mr Wilson entered on his public duties as one of the ministers of the city of Perth. He had encountered painful opposition from a party in the Church in respect of his license as a preacher, and also in the call from Dalry; but he had much ground for thankfulness at these orderings in providence, as he now found himself comfortably settled-happy with his colleagues in the ministry, with his brethren in the Presbytery, and with the people over whom he had been placed. His opponent, Professor Simson, ramarked, in a letter to the Presbytery of Irvine, that, if the people of Dalry got Mr Wilson, there would be such a run after him that the ministers of the surrounding parishes might shut their churchdoors. Mr Wilson desired no such result; and if we were to judge from his own estimate of himself, the reverse was more likely to be the case. On the Sabbath following his ordination, he preached from these words" Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." The week after, he records in his diary, "Oh, what To-morrow I deadness do I feel! Have mercy upon me, O Lord! am called to preach; but, alas! I have no frame for preaching. I cannot apply my mind to preach. O Lord, come! make me to live before thee; let me not have the curse and woe of an unfaithful shepherd." He was very sensible of his weakness and inability for the great work of teaching immortal souls in the things that pertained to their salvation; but this was only known to himself; and the esteem in which he was held, as a preacher, in Perth and wherever he went, greatly supported him in his public ministrations. Although he never courted popularity for himself, nothing delighted him more than to hear of the If Christ were purely and faithfully success and the praises of others. preached, the desire of his soul was attained, and all other interests might fall in the dust. In 1721, one of his colleagues was removed by death. His successor, a Mr Stewart, supported the ruling party in the Church, of whose sentiments Mr Wilson did not approve. The following entry in his diary, relative to this circumstance, reveals this happy disposition of his mind :-" Mr Stewart is to be settled here shortly. Oh, that he may come in the fulness of the blessings of the gospel of Christ, and that he may be an instrument of much good in this place!"

In the first part of this sketch, we had occasion to notice how Mr Wilson had been unjustly deprived of his maternal inheritance. On the demise of his uncle in 1713, he had been advised to assert his legal rights. For this purpose he went to Edinburgh to consult Mr Alexander, an advocate, on the subject; but, on calling at the house of this gentleman, he was informed by the servant that he had just that moment expired. This solemn and striking circumstance made a

deep impression on Mr Wilson's mind, and was attended with important results-first, in leading him to see more clearly the vanity and uncertainty of earthly riches; and, afterwards, to an intimate acquaintance with Mr Alexander's family, one of whom became Mrs Wilson. He had yielded to the advice of his friends, with much reluctance, to take legal proceedings. He now resolved to abandon them, and was brought to confess his sin "before the Lord for meddling with a matter of this kind at all." The matter was afterwards amicably arranged, on terms proposed by himself.

This spirit of peace and self-denial, which predominated in Mr Wilson's character, was beautifully illustrated by an event which occurred shortly after his settlement in Perth, and showed that he could trust God for the consequences of his conduct, if that were in the way of duty. In sanctioning a third charge, the municipal authorities of Perth overlooked the important fact that a stipend would be required. To meet the difficulty, they had recourse to a trust fund, lying dormant in their hands, but which had been destined for other purposes. Mr Wilson, of course, was ignorant of this; but, on coming to know it, he was so indignant, that he absolutely refused to receive his stipend from such a source. This led to a legal inquiry, and the Court of Session found the magistrates in the wrong. On giving judgment, the presiding judge remarked, "that Mr Wilson must be a noble character, as his conduct was a singular proof of integrity and disinterestedness, and that he ought to be well provided for." The stipend was afterwards paid out of the proper funds of the city.

In 1721, Mr Wilson married Miss Margaret Alexander, a member of the family already referred to. By both parents she had most respectable connections, being nearly related to the Earl of Stair and the illustrious house of Argyle; but, what was far better, she was a young lady of decided piety, intelligent and accomplished, and every way fitted to be the companion and comfort of his life. She proved herself a true helpmate. While sharing with him their family afflictions and bereavements, which were many and severe, she did much to solace and comfort his wounded spirit; and, when ready to faint under his load of public work and overwhelming difficulties, she cheered him onward in the path of duty.

Through the corruptions and unfaithfulness of her leaders, the Church of Scotland at this period was running rapidly into the deep and dead sea of Moderatism, Arminianism, and other gross doctrinal errors. A few noble spirits were vainly striving to stem the current; but so few were they, that in one General Assembly, when the eternal Sonship of Christ was called in question, a single voicethe voice of Thomas Boston alone-let it be said to his everlasting honour-was raised in defence of this fundamental truth. The subject of our sketch was always found associated with this little band as opportunities permitted. His name was identified with the reforming party over all the Church; and, wherever he went, his ministrations were greatly prized by the friends of evangelical truth. Meanwhile, he laboured in his ordinary sphere with untiring zeal, not only in season, but out of season. Wherever an opportunity offered, public

or private, of commending Christ to some poor soul, he never failed to embrace it; and in every good work, within or without his congregation, he was ready to lend his aid. When vice of any kind came under his observation, he was certain to reprove it; and, from his commanding, yet affectionate and winning manner, he seldom failed in securing at least the respect of the offender. One evening, as he was passing along the streets of Perth, three soldiers, walking behind him, were indulging in profane and blasphemous language. About some frivolous matter, one of them invoked God to damn his soul to all eternity. Mr Wilson immediately turned round, and, with a look of dignity and pity, said, "Poor man, what if God should say, Amen! and answer that ?" and then walked on. prayer The arrow of conviction pierced the blasphemer's soul, and, by the time he reached his quarters, he was bordering on distraction. A violent fever followed; and under the awakenings of a guilty conscience, and the awful forebodings of eternal misery, he declared to those about him that God had sent His angel to warn him of his doom. The messenger was more than an angel. Mr Wilson's words were directed by the Holy Spirit to his soul as a shaft from heaven. The true cause having been ascertained, Mr Wilson was soon at the afflicted man's bedside, pointed out to him the way of salvation through a crucified Saviour, and encouraged him to flee to Christ, who had died for the very chief of sinners. His words were accompanied with divine power; the poor soldier was enabled to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and found peace to his troubled soul. Through the same instrumentality he was discharged from the service, became an exemplary Christian and a member of Mr Wilson's congregation, and maintained, through the rest of his life, a highly consistent profession.

Such talents, popularity, and deep concern for the best interests of his flock, riveted Mr Wilson in their affections. An attempt to translate him to the parish of Rhynd afforded them an opportunity of manifesting the strength of their attachment. With reference

to this, we find him saying "I am in great perplexity. The whole people of the town of Perth cleave to me with the utmost affection. All of them, in the strongest manner, express their unwillingness to part with me. The serious people are very anxious for my continuance; and it would be a hard matter to put my thoughts against the general voice of the people." He expressed his willingness to go if it should be the mind of the Presbytery; yet he adds, "All this did not, for anything I know, lessen their esteem and affection for me."

It must not be imagined, however, that Mr Wilson's path was one of uninterrupted sunshine. When a mere youth, he was subjected to trials for conscience sake which few have been called to endure. Those who should have acted to him as fathers in the Church oppressed him, and the persecution experienced at their hands is still associated with his memory. In his family, the Lord saw meet to lay His hand heavy upon him. Nine of his children were removed, one after another, by the hand of death. "In the month of August, 1729," he writes, "There was great distress in my family. Some time in July, Mr Ebe

nezer Erskine's daughter came to my family sick. Her sickness proved to be small-pox. As she recovered, all my four children fell sick. They were all very ill, and the Lord was threatening to bereave me of all my children at once. On Sabbath morning, 24th August, the Lord was pleased to remove by death my son George. The night before, I was helped to pray, with some earnestness, for his eternal salvation, and to part with him to the Lord." In the prospect of being written childless, under a deep conviction of his own unworthiness, and amidst overwhelming grief, he was enabled to say, "Let the Lord do what seemeth right in His eyesight, only give them their souls for a prey." After dedicating his son William to the service of the Lord, if he should be spared, he says, "I came from prayer no more uneasy about my children. I preached that evening with some measure of enlargement, and buried my son George the next day. Oh, that they may live before the Lord!" Mr Wilson was naturally of tender feelings and affectionate disposition, and lived much in the love and enjoyment of his own family. He knew they were but gifts from the Lord, and, when removed, he meekly resigned them into the hands of their heavenly Father. These trials, while sanctified in promoting grace in his own soul, were blessed to his people, in his increased earnestness for the spiritual welfare of them and their children.

About this time (1730), events of a public and painful character were beginning to press on his attention. It was now becoming evident that the infatuated course which had been pursued for years by the dominant party in the Church was fast hastening to a crisis. The decisions of the General Assembly in the "Marrow controversy,' and on the writings and teaching of Professor Simson, gave sad proof of the extent to which the ministry had been leavened with error; and the following incident shows how unblushingly this spirit was exhibited in the church courts:-"At the opening of our synodical meeting at Perth," says Mr Wilson, "Mr Thomas F- minister at Dumbarnie, preached a very loose, general sermon, with a sneer, and some invectives, against serious ministers. 'Some,' said he, 'loved a popular cant, and affected to make grimaces in preaching.' This man, some short time after, when Mr Moncrieff of Abernethy remarked, on a young man's discourse before the Presbytery of Perth, that there was nothing of Christ in it,' had the assurance to reply, 'And must Christ still be the burden of the song?' Yet the Presbytery took no notice of the scandalous expression—a sad swatch of the spirit that prevails amongst us.”

This was the iron age of the Church of Scotland. The law of patronage was rigorously applied, even in cases where the patrons were willing to concede their legal rights to the people. In numerous instances, ministers were ordained to the spiritual oversight of parishes without the shadow of a call; in others, the farce was performed to empty benches, or at the point of the bayonet. The question with the people was not, "Whom shall we call?" but "Who shall we get?" Protests and dissents were frequently lodged against this despotical administration of a law essentially evil; but, instead of being listened to, they led to an enactment by the General Assembly, that such

expressions of discontent should not be received-an enactment subversive of the fundamental principles of liberty. The pulpit was now the only medium by which a faithful minister could proclaim the truth, condemn these monster evils, warn the people, or exonerate his own conscience; and, as we shall immediately see, even that inalienable right in every Christian church was to be invaded and denied. Mr Ebenezer Erskine, of Stirling, had long taken an active part in opposing this downward course. His eminent powers of argument and eloquence rendered him an object both of dread and dislike in the church courts, and an opportunity was eagerly sought which might render him liable to discipline. This was ultimately attained. In October, 1732, it fell to Mr Erskine to open the Synod of Perth and Stirling. In concluding the sermon he then delivered-a sermon which is still famous in the history of that period,―he freely adverted to those evils of which we have been speaking, and pointed out, in a manner that could not be gainsaid, how opposed they were both to the word of God and the standards of the Church. For this act of ministerial faithfulness, he was immediately called to the bar of the Synod, and, although his keenest opponents could not lay their finger on a single misstatement, he was sentenced to be rebuked and admonished. These proceedings were the first step in a process which resulted in a "secession" from the Established Church of Scotland the following year.

The subsequent details of Mr Erskine's case belong to the history of the period. Throughout the whole of the proceedings he was supported by three of his brethren, of whom Mr Wilson was one. They adhered to his protests before the Assembly and its Commission; suffered along with him in the sentences of suspension and deposition; and finally united with him in a formal separation from the judicatories of the Church, "until they should see their sin, and amend their ways." In this important business, Mr Wilson's conduct was characterized by great prudence as well as faithfulness. Deeply attached to the Church of his fathers, the burden of his soul was that she might be brought back to reformation attainments. A sense of duty to God and His public cause alone furnished the warrant for the step he had now taken. He had not the remotest design or wish to form a permanent secession; and even after his seceding brethren had despaired of the General Assembly opening a way for their return to the Church, he was not free of doubts as to the path of duty, and, in deference to his views as to the acts of the Assembly of 1734, they delayed another year in proceeding to judicial acts as a Presbytery. "I own," he says, "that after the meeting of Assembly, 1731, I was in much perplexity about our continuing in a state of secession. It occasioned many thoughts of heart unto me to understand what was my duty in the present case; but as I had no hesitation about my duty, when I did, together with my three brethren, declare a secession from the judicatories of this Church in November, 1733, so, when I have observed the conduct of the said judicatories since the year 1734, I have been gradually cleared, and more and more confirmed that it is our duty to continue in a state of secession." And on this he makes the following reflection :-"Oh, for grace to credit more His faithful pro