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
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 and Glas
