Balchristies and links to Glas and others continued

Old Scots Independents John Smith, Newburn and Robert Ferrier, Largo having read the papers of Sandeman meet at Balchristie mid point to their parishes to discuss the content. “Like the Secession and Relief Churches this denomination had its origin in Fife. The founders James Smith of Newburn and Robert Ferrier of Largo, were neighbouring ministers of the Church of Scotland, who, on adopting views very similar to those of Glas, resigned from their membership of the National Church in 1768. They organised a congregation at Balchristie, in Newburn Parish, on Independent lines, they themselves being appointed the joint pastors, and deacons being appointed for the administrative work. 

Laurie says:- "It has been often remarked, that Newburn, for many years past, has been a nursery of Seceders; and remarked with surprise, that a small arm of the sea should be the boundary between moderation and fanaticism. Cameronians, Independents, persons belonging to the Burgher Congregation, and also to what is called the Relief Congregation, are to be found here. The number of Independents is about 20. They are the only sect who have a place of meeting for public worship in the parish." In spite of their dissenting propensities the parishioners were sober, regular, industrious, and humane, and their diversity of sentiments did not prevent social intercourse nor mutual good offices. The Seceders had not increased of late, and one of the Relief elders had returned to the Established Church; and so, to Mr Laurie, "rational religion" seemed to be gaining ground, and he fondly hoped that "the small remainder of enthusiasm" would most probably die with those who cherished it. His hopes were so far realised, in 1836, that the Independent Congregation had removed their place of meeting to Earlsferry, their Church at Balchristie being turned into a granary, and there were only three. dissenting families in the whole parish.

In 1768 at about the same time a small group in Glasgow withdrew from the Church of Scotland because of interference by the magistrates and town council in the Congregational choice of a minister, and built for themselves a chapel, long known as "the Candle Kirk." Mr. Ferrier came to Glasgow to be joint pastor with the celebrated Robert Dale, a Glasgow merchant; while a Largo weaver became a colleague at Balchristie of Mr. Smith. Dale was the first layman to officiate as a minister in Glasgow, and some indignation was stirred up in the city against him and their cause. But both survived, and new societies were formed in Montrose, Marykirk, Perth, Methven, Kirkaldy, Hamilton, Paisley, Dundee, Newburgh, Sauchieburn, Edinburgh, Galashields, Airdrie and Earlsferry.” They never became a large body. There was the same divisive tendency as amongst the Glasites. Moreover two other bodies were growing up side by side with them, which drew away many of their members, namely, the Scotch Baptists and the New Independents or Haldaneites. David Dale and set up a Chapel of ease¹which in 1769 became an independent Church with Dale as one of the elders. Both Dale and the Balchristies historically known as Old Scots Independents- small, and sharing Glasite ideas of Church life and practice.

1Chapels of ease were set up and funded by the Church of Scotland and the local Christians. In 1827 there were 55 set apart ministers of Chapels of ease in the Highland Presbyteries.(36 missionaries at the same time) They were set up for the poor and needy and were used for accommodation as well as worship.