Hugh Binning was a son of John Binning of Dalvennan. His mother was Margaret McKell a daughter of Matthew McKell minister at Bothwell and sister of Hugh McKell one of the ministers of Edinburgh. John Binning had a large estate in Ayrshire. His worldly circumstances being good he gave his son Hugh a liberal education. At school this young boy proved himself to be an exceptionally clever scholar. Before he was 14 years of age he began the study of Philosophy in the University of Glasgow. He was not long at university when he was taken notice of by the professors and students. He dived into the abstruse depths of Philosophy without any trouble or difficulty. At the same time he advanced remarkably in true religion. His great acumen and ready apprehension of things enabled him to do more in one hour than others in days. Although he was much respected by the eminent ministers of the city and the learned professors of the university he was always humble. When he finished his course in the university he graduated M.A. with honours.
Shortly after his graduation Mr James Dalrymple, who had been his professor, resigned so that the Chair of Philosophy in the university was vacant. Hugh Binning who had lately been his student, after much entreaty, stood with others (much senior to him) as candidate for the Chair. The eminent, learned, godly ministers of the city of Glasgow seriously advised him to apply for the honourable post. They understood that if Binning were successful in getting the Chair this would be for the interest and good of the Church in Scotland. In 1648, when he was not yet 19 years of age Hugh Binning was elected Regent and Professor of Philosophy. He was among the first in Scotland who began to reform Philosophy which, before them, rather perplexed the minds of the youth than furnished them with solid and useful knowledge. He continued in this profession for three years; and gained the general applause of the university for his gifts and learning. This was the more wonderful because, having a mind for the ministry, he carried on his theological studies at the same time. He was possessed of deep penetration of mind and a memory so retentive that he scarcely forgot anything he had read or heard.
At this time whoever was the Principal of the university was also minister of Govan. Robert Boyd who was then the Principal, and minister of Govan, because of inconvenience, resigned from Govan. Hugh Binning, after his trials and being licensed as a preacher, preached at Govan to the great satisfaction of the people. Shortly afterwards he received a call to Govan; and the Presbytery heartily approving of the call entered him upon trials for ordination when he was 21 years of age. Dr Strang, Principal of the university and a member of the Presbytery, who differed from Binning in some of his theological views, admiring Hugh Binning’s abilities, gifts and learning, said, ‘Where has this young man got all his learning and reading?’ When he had finished his trials he had the unanimous approbation of the Presbytery. At the same time the Masters of the university had in view to bring him back again to their society whenever the Chair of Divinity should become vacant.
It is said of him that he might well have been an ornament in the most famous and flourishing University in Europe. This was the more wonderful when he was not able to read much at one time or to undergo the fatigue of assiduous study. But he had a memory that retained everything he heard or read and he had a solid, penetrating judgment whereby he digested it all and made it his own.
From his childhood he knew the Scriptures and from boyhood had been under much spiritual exercise. At times as a student and sometime afterward he was tried with doubtings regarding his interest in Christ. At the time of his ordination to the ministry he came to a great calm and lasting tranquility of mind. Hugh Binning loved his Saviour and he loved precious souls committed to his charge. Although of a tender and weakly constitution he was most diligent in feeding and caring for the flock and to spend himself in the work of the ministry. While he was most modest and humble and given to self-denial, he had no difficulty to accept an invitation to preach before the most experienced Christians, the eminent ministers of the city and the learned professors of the university. A close friend of his noticing this asked him how it was that he was so easily prevailed upon to preach before such persons whose experimental religion, gifts and learning he highly valued and esteemed. His excellent reply was that when he had a clear call to mention his blessed Master’s name in any place he had no more to say but ‘Here I am send me.’ ‘What am I that I should resist His heavenly call; and when He whose Name is holy and reverend is spoken of and to, and is there present the presence of no other person is to be regarded or dreaded; and under that impression I forget who is present and who is absent.’
He married Barbara Simpson, a virtuous and excellent person, a daughter of James Simpson a minister in Ireland. On his wedding day he arrived at the place where he was to be married on the day of the weekly sermon. Friends accompanied him; some worthy ministers among them. The minister of the parish asked the ministers present that one of them should preach but they all declined. He next tried if he could prevail upon the bridegroom, and succeeded though the invitation was not expected. Having gone aside for a short time for meditation and prayer, he went immediately to the pulpit and preached from I Peter 1:15. ‘But as He who hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of conversation’. He was so remarkably helped that all acknowledged that God was with him by the presence of the Holy Spirit. The people of the parish who came to hear their own minister (a truly pious and excellent man) were much impressed and greatly taken with him.
He was a great student in the books of Creation and Providence. As a reprever he acted in the most prudent and gaining manner, ‘when he did lick with his tongue the mote out of his brother’s eye, he did it with all tenderness and with the tear in his own.’ We are told that he carefully studied to promote love and peace among his brethren in the ministry; never imposing or overbearing upon others, but willingly hearkened to advice and yielded to reason.
After he had laboured four years in the ministry serving God with his spirit in the Gospel of His Son, he died of consumption when he was 25 years of age. He was a young man of singular piety, of a humble, meek and peaceable temper, a judicious and lively preacher. He was a burning and shining light, and now shines in the Kingdom of His Father, even as the brightness of the firmament and the stars forever and ever. He left behind him a disconsolate widow, we are told, and an only son called John after his grandfather. Hugh Binning was buried in the churchyard of Govan.
God is evergiving to His children, yet hath not the less. His riches are imparted, not impaired.
Thos Watson