The Soul of Scotland

I have come across this book in the Perth Library and although just started I am finding it refreshing and interesting as it tracks some of the ways in Christianity in Scotland.

The Soul of Scotland  by Harry Reid I came across very recently when I was looking for books on Office 365 and Share point. I remember using Share point back in 2002 in the office.

The Soul of Scotland  out in 2016 

I really must get back to sending you some research details like the Balchristies 
and others.

I also last year put up some stuff about  John Glass   which you might want to have a look at.

Glasite John Glas shatters the thinking of the time!!

  John Glas 

Glas "son of the manse" (1696-1773) of Auchtermucty was a person who sought the scriptures and at the time concluded that Christ's kingdom is one that is completely spiritual, and therefore as such should be independent of both state control or support. Educated at Perth Grammar School, he graduated from the University of St Andrews in 1713. Glas married Catharine Black, the eldest daughter of a Perth minister in 1721.

He was a minister from the age of 24 and was the fifth son of the manse. Although he did not want to leave the Church of Scotland he took up a new cause from the parish at Tealing near Dundee and started anew Church known as the Glasite Church. Churches sprung up in Dundee, Perth and with the textile industry flourishing at the time further Churches were set up in Paisley and Dunkeld. They as a Church were never large in number but their influence was great both national and international by the strong promoter John Glas's son in law Robert Sandeman. 

The Church was known for its "foot washing" and "holy kissing" and for its love feasts or communion celebrations that resembled banquets. The local name for the Church was the "Kail Kirk". This communion was only administered by elders. As a Church they preferred "unlearned preachers".

In Perth while the Balchristies (see previous posts) met in 28 South Methven Street under David Bower The Glasite meeting were held firstly in 267 High Street and 232 High Street (1733)(Glas had moved to Perth. The church members were under attack with mud throwing as they went to church) and by 1839 to 1929 in The building at 251 High Street (now a dance hall, below). Interestingly the building appears in a map of 1823 so it must have had a different use prior to 1839. 

 By Kim Traynor - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link

 Sandemanianism

The basis of the Sandemanian Church lies with John Glas the minister of the Church of Scotland devoted to the Church but because of differing opinions at the time forced to leave and set up a Church based on his new found principles.

These services would take no account of the Christian calender

Robert Sandeman (1718-1771) who's family business based in Perth was bleachers of fabrics, took up the leadership of the movement in the 1750s. He had business contacts in London which gave him the opportunities to write and speak in England. He married John Glas Daughter Catherine.

The result was the son in law of Glas became the strongest and most wide spread promoter of Glas theology. The most famous Glasite from the past is Michael Faraday. The Sandemanian Church through its elders demanded total obedience to their decisions from any or all of their congregation. This in the long term caused several splits and was also the downfall of the “Scotch” Baptist Church who followed some of the principles.

The Sandemanian service was one of love and hope with singing of Hymns, yet unaccompanied, at each meeting. A roll call was taken and as well as the prayers and study of the word the preaching was taken by the elders. These services would take no account of the Christian calender in respect to Lent, Easter and Christmas. 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 (see previous posts) in Newburn Parish, on Independent lines, they themselves being appointed the joint pastors, and deacons being appointed for the administrative work. 

Balchristies this blog

Balchristies and Glas

John Glas 

New Glas archives 

Sandermanianism

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.

Balchristies... were mentioned who are they?

I recently mentioned the Balchristies in a post and wanted to start a search on the roots and attributes of them as a church/group. They seem to have a link to the Culdees an Irish group from many years ago,- long before the reformation, who have their roots in Druidism. It would seem that at some point the Catholic Church tried to influence them and make them more mainstream. Culdees had a site in, or near Colinsburgh at Newburn their Chapel is a ruin all underground or indeed flattened. The Culdees had a estate called balchristies and I am assuming that a group was formed in the area and took their name from the estate. " something like those who worship at Balchristie....which becomes Balchristies for short.


So now doing a search on my machine I discover this little bit from a document in 2006.

"

Balchristie, which is close to the eastern side of the parish, and only a mile to the south-west of Colinsburgh, cannot be called a village now. Malcolm Canmore and St Margaret gave the village of Balchristie to the Culdees of Loch-Leven eight hundred years ago. Last century the proprietor "dug up the foundation-stones of an old edifice near the western wall of his garden, and in the very place where, according to the best accounts, the church of the Culdees stood." Mr Laurie was told that "this was the first Christian church in Scotland," and he appears to have thought that the tradition was not baseless; but the more matter-of-fact people of the present day will soon set aside its claims to such antiquity. Ecclesiastical associations of a more recent date are also connected with this place. James Smith—"a well-favoured person, of good manners, unquestionable piety, and good report; of a tender holy walk, and sweet natural temper; zealous and prudent, with a good stock of learning "—having adopted Independent views of church-government, resigned his charge of the parish, after thirty-three years’ faithful service, and, with Robert Ferrier of Largo, started a meeting-house at Balchristie. In 1795, 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."

So now what is the connection to Perth and a group in the town. Now it all comes back to me ....Perth Baptist Church The History the People and or  an extract from a possible new book yet to be published about the Scottish Church..

Perth Baptist Church fire, The old Opera House Tay Street.July 1984

Brian Robertson says,

"David Dale set up a Chapel of ease^* which 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 practise....  Berean Church- John Barclay 1734 1798 John Barclay of  Muthill was from the Church of Scotland and leader of a small connection, Congregational in principle in 1772. It was not great in the national context but, it is worthy to mention that in Perth the gathering, Berean Church based on Acts 17 -  "Mortgaged their meeting place to supply the want of the poor". Churches were also present in Crieff, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Arbroath, Montrose and Brechin."

Further research required!

*Chapels 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.

Who are the Culdees (wiki) general background

Culdees Castle , Methill Perthshire, a "Listed" castle and house for sale on Galbraiths Summer 2018.

Culdees Eco village   Group near Aberfeldy roots unknown but using the name.