Yuille - History of the Baptists in Scotland - Landmark Baptist

others confessed and renounced their errors. The Church, once united, seems
to have had a happy and prosperous time. In 1797 the Baptist cause in Scotland
received a valuable accession to its strength in the person of Mr. James Watt, a
native of Ireland, and a licentiate of the AntiBurgher Church, who, having
adopted Baptist principles, was deprived of his licence, was baptized at
Edinburgh, and was engaged to preach the Gospel in the neighbourhood. He
also went about some of the neglected parts of Scotland, but finally settled in
Glasgow, where he went through a medical course and practised in that
profession after he had received the degree of M.D. He associated himself with
the Church in Glasgow, and in 1802 was elected to the pastorate along with
Mr. David Smith. About this time a very handsome Church building was
erected in George Street, and, as it was situated some distance from the street
frontage and on a higher level, with a grass plot in front surrounded by
railings, it presented a pleasing aspect. It is said that the Magistrates of the city
sent a note to the Church complimenting them on their fine building. About the
year 1808 some 50 members of the Congregational Church (Dr. Wardlaw’s)
broke away on the subject of baptism, and, after meeting for a short time
together, were received into the George Street Church. Among these was Mr.
M’Laren, father of Dr. Alex. M’Laren of Manchester, who died in 1910 in his
84th year. Dr. M’Laren often referred to the old Church where he spent his
early days. With this considerable accession to membership, the Church
numbered about 250 members. They continued to prosper until in 1810 the
Church was rent asunder on the question of attending to the Lord’s Supper in
the absence of an appointed elder. This was the recurrence of a trouble which
exercised the Church as far back as 1784, but seems to have subsided then. The
view advanced by the Church in Edinburgh was that it was necessary that an
elder be present. The majority of the Glasgow Church adopted the opposite
view, with the result that about 160 members with Dr. Watt formed themselves
into a separate body and met in Morrison’s Court for about ten years, when
they rented a hall in North Portland Street till 1841. In the meantime the
Church in George Street continued to meet, having connection with the Church
in Edinburgh, when in 1834 a movement took place which resulted in the
matter in dispute being recognised in a spirit of forbearance, and the two
Glasgow Churches became reconciled. After some years of happy intercourse
a reunion was consummated in 1841, and the united Church met in Portland
Street Hall, the George Street Chapel having been sold to the “Glasites.” Early
in the same year a small Church, which had formerly been under the care of
Mr. Sherriff — a man who nobly gave up his charge of 35 years’ standing as
minister of St. Ninian’s Parish on account of his views on baptism — threw in
their lot with the Church at Portland Street, and the three thus united numbered
287. It was found that the accommodation at Portland Street was inadequate,
and for a short time they met in the Trades’ Hall and later in the Mechanics’