Having been asked to prepare a short paper for this Centenary Meeting, I decided to write about the formation of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland Congregation in Greenock and about the two worthy men mostly involved.
The first one I wish to mention is Mr John Urquhart, who was a most useful and faithful Elder of the Greenock congregation for almost 40 years.
John belonged to the Island of Rona and came to a saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ early in life and was kept by the power of God through faith to the end of his days. He came to live in Greenock some time before May, 1893, and was a member in the Free Church Gaelic Congregation in the town.
The late Rev. James MacLeod, in the excellent obituary he wrote of him, tells us that John Urquhart “was a very shrewd observer of the times in which he lived, and we seldom, if ever, met a man who had such a clear discernment as to the conduct of men . . . He was seeing, along with many others, that the Church to which he belonged and of which he was a professed member, namely, the Free Church of 1843 was going to wreck
and ruin by the destructive doctrines and practice of that Church long before 1893. It is very remarkable that our worthy friend made up his mind, not rashly nor hastily, but thoughtfully and prayerfully and by the guidance of the Word and Spirit, that if the Declaratory Act was to be passed by the Supreme Court of the Church — he would sever, as long as he was left in this world his connection with the Free Church.” As we know, the Assembly of 1893 confirmed the Act by a large majority and consequently on the first Sabbath after the 25th of May, 1893, John Urquhart remained at home with his Bible. “He was a man of action and not of words.” His absence from the Church was noticed by several of his friends in the congregation who called at his house to see if he was well. John then explained to them why he was absent and told them that he would never again worship in the Free Church. There being several Elders among those who called, they, along with the members present arranged there and then to have a Prayer Meeting that evening in John’s house at 12 Lynedoch Street. In the words of the obituary, “this was the first Free Presbyterian Prayer Meeting held in Greenock and they continued worshipping together until they were officially incorporated into the Free Presbyterian Church.”
To begin with and until the congregation was properly established, a committee was formed to look after the affairs of the congregation. This committee was later on called, “The Managing Committee of the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland Congregation in Greenock.” Not much is now known about this committee, but in the good Providence of the Lord the name of one of its members has come to light recently, namely, that of William Campbell, a native of Nigg, Easter Ross, and who was one of the men who joined with John Urquhart in the formation of the Greenock Congregation. According to a tribute to his memory, written in September 1894, it would appear that Mr Campbell was a man who truly feared the Lord, and like John Urquhart, was very concerned about what was going on in the Free Church. He was, “of a clear understanding and quick discernment in Spiritual things, he was grieved at the tendency in Scotland to present a diluted theology. Having been not only a man of true and personal piety, but also of principle, to Reformation and Disruption principles he steadfastly, tenaciously and unflinchingly adhered. Consequently, he deeply deplored the abandonment, by many, of the principles contended for in the past by our Godly forefathers and used his influence, both by precept and example, to defend them. With that end in view, he took an active and prominent part in the formation of this committee and the congregation that it represents, in which he was a most
respected and beloved Elder. As an Elder and as a member of this committee he rendered the congregation invaluable services.”
What is so very interesting about the step taken by John Urquhart and his friends in Greenock in May 1893 is that they acted on their own — it was not a case of following Mr MacFarlane — in fact they did not know that Mr MacFarlane had left the Free Church till some time afterwards, as the following quotation from John Urquhart’s Obituary makes clear. “Great was the joy of John Urquhart and the rest of the Lord’s people in this town, who had separated from the Declaratory Act Free Church, when they became acquainted with the fact that the late Rev. Donald MacFarlane had also severed his connection with that Church.”
After formation of the congregation, John Urquhart continued to live in Greenock and was for almost 40 years its mainstay. During those years many of our young people were employed in the Greenock area and found in John Urquhart a true and loving friend. In January, 1932, Rev. James MacLeod was inducted as minister of the Congregation and Mr Urquhart passed away to his everlasting rest in February, 1934, aged 72 years.
As we look back today with thankfulness over the past 100 years of the History of our Church, let us not forget the very important part played in that History by men like John Urquhart and William Campbell. God has been pleased to raise up, generation after generation, and has continued to so do to this day, godly and able laymen who have proved of great usefulness in connection with His Cause in our midst. This has been true, not only in this country but in all the other parts of the World where our witness has been raised — in Canada, Australia and New Zealand and in our Missions in Africa.
May the Lord, Who in His infinite mercy and compassion has helped us hitherto, continue to do so. And may our prayer be “Let the whole earth be filled with His glory.”
TRIBUTE to the MEMORY of the late WILLIAM CAMPBELL, recorded in the MINUTES of the MANAGING COMMITTEE of the FREE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SCOTLAND CONGREGATION in GREENOCK — September, 1894.
The Committee record with deep regret the lamented death of Mr William Campbell, one of its most respected members since its formation. Brought under the influence of the truth at a very early age, he adorned his public profession of religion by maintaining to the end a most consistent Christian character. Naturally of a gentle and peaceable disposition, he was eminently distinguished for Christian simplicity and genuine
godliness. In life and conversation, as well as in his public devotions, he savoured much of the unction that is from the Holy One.
Sympathetic, affectionate, and warm hearted, he commanded the respect of all who came into contact with him; while his many excellent qualities which had brilliantly shone forth in private and public, much endeared him to those who have had both the privilege and pleasure of forming his acquaintance. Of clear understanding and quick discernment in spiritual things, he was much grieved at the tendency in Scotland to present a diluted Theology. Having been not only a man of true and sincere personal piety, but also of principle, to Reformation and Disruption principles he steadfastly, tenaciously, and unflinchingly adhered. Consequently, he deeply deplored the abandonment, by many, of the noble principles contended for in the past by our godly forefathers, and used his influence, both by precept and example, to defend them. With that end in view, he took an active and prominent part in the formation of this Committee and the Congregation that it represents, in which he has been a most respected and beloved elder. As an elder and as a member of this Committee he rendered the Congregation invaluable services, the welfare and prosperity of which he was much concerned for. His death that took place at an age comparatively young, has effected a blank in this Committee that is heavily felt. The Committee desire to record their deep sense of the unspeakable loss sustained by the Congregation through his removal. They seek to be greatly humbled in presence of the solemn dealings of the Lord with them in the dispensations of His providence, and they hope and pray that the Lord may be graciously pleased to raise up others whom He shall animate with such holy zeal on His side, as to fearlessly stand forth in defence of His word and the principles that are in accordance with it.