Mr Andrew Simson was master of a school in Perth between 1550-1560 where he taught latin with efficiency. He had sometimes upwards of 300 boys under his charge, among whom were the sons of the principal nobility and gentry of Scotland, and from that school there proceeded many of those, who subsequently became distinguished in the reformation of the church and the management of the state.
An incident on one occasion occurred in connection with Mr Simson’s school, which tends to exhibit the truth that when a reform is to begin nothing can hinder it, every thing helps it on. A friar was preaching one day in the church, where Simson’s scholars attended. In the course of his sermon he inveighed bitterly against the Lutherans, who were by their preaching, withdrawing the people from the popish faith, and amid his invectives a loud hissing arose in that part of the church where the boys to the number of about 300 were seated. The affrighted friar fled from the pulpit. A complaint was made by the magistrates to the master, an inquiry was instituted, and it was found that the disturbance arose from the son of a craftsman in the town, who had a copy of Sir David Lindsay’s “Monarchies” which he read at intervals to his School fellows. When the boy was about to be punished for his misdemeanours he denied that the book was heretical as the friar alleged. He asked his master to read it and declared he would submit to chastisement, were it in reality what it was supposed to be. Mr Simson consented, perused the book, and was convinced of the truth of his pupil’s statement. He made the best excuse he could for the behaviour of his scholars, and from that time, Andrew Simson was friendly to the Reformation. He became a minister at Dunbar. He was also the author of the latin rudiments taught in Scotland till they were supplanted by Ruddiman’s. Andrew Simson’s sons were conspicuous in various departments. Alexander was minister at Dryburgh and Merton. For his faithful preaching he was imprisoned in Dumbarton castle where his prayers and preaching were blessed to the Lady of Sir John Stewart the captain of the castle. He wrote a book entitled “The Christian’s warfare against the bosom enemy.”
Abraham was minister at Norham.
Archibald was minister at Dalkeith. He wrote the life of his brother Patrick dedicated to the Countess of Marr and Lady Erskine both seals of Patrick’s ministry. For vigorously opposing innovations from bishops Archibald was put in ward in Aberdeen.
Patrick was minister of the gospel for over 40 years’ — in Spotkirk 3 years, Cramond 12, then he governed the church in Stirling for 27 years with a great blessing. The most learned scholars with one consent acknowledged that his gift was excellent. The Protest to the Parliament at Perth against Episcopacy was drawn up by him.
William was minister at Dumbarton. He published a work in latin concerning which Dr. McCrie said “He undertook to explain one of the abstrusest parts of Hebrew philosophy in the first work on Hebrew Literature which appeared in Scotland.”
From Biographies by Rev. W. K. Tweedie
for Wodrow Society.