April - the Free Presbyterian church of Scotland

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..THEjf'tee lBte~b!'tetian :maga~tntand MONTHLY RECORD.VOL. XLI. Apt'il, 1937. No. 12.One of John Knox's Stamp.WHEN .John Knox had passed to his rest it pleased the Lordto raise up faithful and able men who in fa('.e of muchopposition unfurled the banner of Reformation truth. Amongthese wpre Andl'ew Melville, Robert Bruce, .James Melville, .JohnWelsh, .John Davidson, etc. All these have had their story toldin biographies by competent writers with the exception of .JamesMelville but as long as we have his famous Diary with its graphicsketches of men and events it will keep his memory green. IfDavidson may not stand beside the first three-Andrew Melville,Robert Bruce, and .John vVelsh-yet he has a lligh and honourableplace among the defenders of our Presbyterian faith when atrifling and at times vindictive King endeavoured to barter theliberties so dearly won. .John Davidson had to wait long fora biographer but at last he has found one" who has done fulljustice to his memory. It is the fashion of the day to belittle OUl'Reformers and if now and again their work is recognised itreceives but scant praise and they themselves are referred to withan air of condescension that is worse than no praise at all. Dr.Gillon belongs to another school and one has not to go veryfar through his book to find that he is in hearty sympathy withhis subject. This does not mean that Dr. Gillon sees no faultin Davidson's words and actions for he is quite wide awaketo the worthy man's failings. In his zeal fo~' the good cause---------_.._-----_._-- - ---------------."John Davidson of Prestonpans: Reformer, Preacher, Poet in theGeneration after Knox, by R. .Mofl'at GiIlon, M.A., Ph.D. London:.Tames Clarke & Co. Ltd., 5 Wardrobe Place, London, E.CA. Price 6/-.L2--
;j'~2 Free P1"esbyte1'ian Maqazine.Davidson had not always Discretion nml Prudellce as his companionsand lest anyone may think we are doing him injusticeattention is called to the fact that Andrew Melville had onmore than one occasion to lay a restraint on Mr. John's exuberanceand when ." Mr. Andro's " vehement nature is remembered nothingmore need be said on this subject. Dr. Gillon has given us anexcellent biography and a comprehcnsive account of the stirringevents in which Davidson figured.The Divine Right of Kings and the Crown Rights of JesusChrist were to come into clash before Knox was long in hisgrave. The insistenct' of the Divine Right of Kings was ultimatelyto smash the Stewart dynasty while the defence of theCrown Rights of Christ was to produce a noble band of menwhose names will be held in memory as long as religious libertyis prized. It was a tremendous struggle and cost our forefatherstears and blood before it became the heritage of their children.Andrew Melville was Knox's successor and he proved a worthysuccessor of the great Reformer. He was out and out againstthe mongrel Episcopacy set up by Morton with his TulchanBishops and when J ames began his manoeuvres in setting up an]i}piscopaey of his own. kind in Scotland he found in Andre''lMelville a man who spoke itS straight to him as ever kings wereaccustomed to listen to. In John Davidson Andrew Melville hadone as unbending and as zealous as himself-as unbending insetting aside every pretext for Episcopacy-and as zealous forthe maintenance of the Reformation eause. J ames's leniencyto the Popish lords until their disloyal activities forced him totake action was a great grief to the Presbyterian ministers.In 1592 the General Assembly petitioned the Scottish Parliamcntfor the repeal of the Acts of Parliament which were againstthe libertie:s of the Church and asked that the polity of theChurch should be recognised and ratified. The horror awakenedin the country by the murder of the Good Regent, the Earl ofMoray, made the Court party anxious by every means to conciliatethe ministers and pass measures favourable to the Church. WhenParliament met it passed an Act ratifying the PreBbyterian
Page 4 and 5: One of John Knox's Stamp. 483govern
Page 8 and 9: Sermon. 4872. The word" Church" is
Page 10 and 11: Sermon. 489covenant head. The coven
Page 12 and 13: --'\\Sermon. 491His truth and cause
Page 14: Sermon. 4!}3whether they will hear
Page 17: 496 F1'ee P1'esbyterian Magazine.We
Page 20 and 21: \l'he latl' .i\l1'1'. A1Igu,' JI~{/
Page 22 and 23: Nadu1' an Duine 'na Staid Cheithi1'
Page 24 and 25: N adlM' an D'uine 'nn Staid Cheithi
Page 26 and 27: N ad~t1' an Duine 'na Staid Cheithi
Page 28 and 29: Diterary Notices. 51)7of the Islami
Page 30 and 31: Notes and Comments. 509and cast in
Page 32 and 33: Ch~wch Notes. 511out of the country
Page 34 and 35: A ckno'H'ledgment of Donations. 513
Page 36 and 37: The Maga.zine. 515MacKenzie, Rose C

April - the Free Presbyterian church of Scotland

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