John McLeod Campbell
John R. H. Cormack
This subject finds a place here, not through his
fame in Scotland as theologian and churchman, but on account of his Kintyre
links. His father was the Reverend Donald Campbell, Minister of Southend
from 1794 to 1798 and his grandfather was Kenneth Campbell of the Campbells
of Scalpa who claimed to have been settled in Harris for some ten generations.
Of the same stock were the McLeod Canpbells of Saddell, (his namesake John
McLeod Campbell of Saddell being the last of the male line) and Dr. Norman
McLeod of the Barony, born in Campbeltown in 1812 when his father Dr. Norman
McLeod, the elder, was minister of the Highland Church. Lord MacLeod of Fuinary
is the grandson of Norman of the Barony.
John McLeod Campbell was born on 4 May 1800 at Ardmaddy House, Kilninver, of which parish his father was then minister. His studies between 1811 and 1820 took him to both Glasgow and Edinburgh. Licensed to preach in 1821, he was presented by the patron, the Duke of Argyll, to the Parish of Row (now Rhu) in Dunbartonshire in 1825. He was deposed in 1831 on a charge of teaching doctrines contrary to the standards of the Church. Soon afterwards he began to preach in Glasgow, where he gathered an influential congregation which shared his views. Ill health caused his retirement in 1859. He recommended his congregation to join that of his close friend and kinsman at the Barony. He went to reside at Achnashie, Rosneath, on the opposite side of the Gare Loch from his old parish. He died on 27 February 1872.
We must now go back to hear something of the controversy surrounding his deposition. A doctrinal matter cannot be simplified very far, and, even if it could, would be out of place in this magazine. It will be sufficient to state here that McLeod Campbell preached Universal Atonement, which was not exactly orthodox. Rhu was, as it still is, a popular holiday resort, where some city business men had second homes (shades of a different cause celebre), and soon reports of what was being taught there reached Glasgow ,and met with disfavour on the part of the Establishment. Word travelled further, while the persuasive Andrew Thomson, of St. George's Edinburgh (incidentally composer of the Handelian Psalm tune with that name) was giving sermons, later published in book form, defending the opposite, or conventional, viewpoint. McLeod Campbell was summoned before the Presbytery of Dumbarton, which found his teaching to be heretical. On his appealing, the decision was upheld by the Synod of Glasgow and Ayr, and then by the General Assembly of 1831 by a majority of 119 to 6. He accepted the sentence gracefully, and without bitterness.
As above indicated, a new era of usefulness and influence now opened up before him. Glasgow University honoured him with the degree of D. D. in 1868. An address and testimonial were presented to him on 13 April 1871, the fortieth anniversary of the day on which he had stood at the bar of the Synod of Glasgow and Ayr. The later years were also spent in writing, including "Thoughts on Revelation" and that monumental book which sets forth his views with such power and sincerity, "The Nature of the Atonement", undoubtedly Scotland's greatest contribution to theology.
No 25 Spring 1989
AN APPRENTICE AGREEMENT - OF A HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEARS AGO
Peter S. Armour.
It is Contracted and Agreed upon between the parties following Via ROBERT ARMOUR COPPERSMITH in Campbeltown On the One Part and JOHN FERGUSON Son to James Ferguson Cooper in Campbeltown on the other part in Manner following, That is to Say the said John Ferguson of his own free Will and Accord and with the Special Advice and Consent of his Said father hereby becomes bound as an Apprentice and Servant to the said Robert Armour in his art and Calling of a Coppersmith. And that for the space of Four years and three Months from and after the Twenty Ninth day of August last which is hereby Declared to be the date of his entry during which Space the said John Ferguson as principal and David Campbell Ship-master in Campbeltown as Cautioner with and for him Bind and oblige them their Heirs and Successors, that he the said Apprentice shall serve his said Master by Night or by Day when required (Sickness excepted) without Liberty first asked and obtained under the penalty of Serving two days for each day he shall so absent himself, That he shall not embezzle his Said Masters gear either in Name or goods Nor be in the least accessory thereto but shall timeously conceal the same and prevent it to the utmost of his power under the penalty of paying double the Avail of the loss his Said Masters goods or gear Shall not frequent idle or debauched Company, but that he shall in every respect behave himself as an honest dutifull and obedient Servant towards the Master, And that Said John Ferguson Apprentice hereby Binds and Obliges himself and his foresaids to furnish himself in Boarding during the first Twelve Months of these Indentures.
FOR THE WHICH CAUSES the said Robert Armour and with him John Armour Merchant in Campbeltown as Cautioner and Surety for him in the premises Bind and oblige themselves to furnish the said Apprentice Bed and Board Suitable to him during the Three last years and three months of his Apprenticeship, And further they Bind and oblige themselves and their foresaids to teach and instruct the said John Ferguson in his said Art and trade of a Coppersmith in all its various Branches As practiced by the Said Robert Armour, And that he shall not Conceal Any part from him So far as he Knows himself or his said Apprentice is able to uptake. And the Said Robert Armour and John Ferguson As Principals Binds and Obliges themselves to free and relieve their said Cautioners of their Cautionary for them in the premisses, And of all damages they may Sustain thereby, Lastly Both Parties Bind and Oblige themselves to perform their respective part of the premisses to each other under the penalty of TEN POUNDS STERLING to be paid by the party failling to the party Observing or Willing to Observe. AND THEY CONSENT TO THE REGISTRATION hereof in Books of Council and Session or others Competent therein to remain preservation And if Needful that Letters of Horning on Six days Charge And all other Execution Necessary May pass and be directed thereupon in form as essors (?) And thereto CONSTITUTE
PRORS In Witness whereof these present Written on Stamped Paper by John Dunlop Clerk to Arch. McMurchy Writer in Campbeltown are subscribed by the Said Parties at Campbeltown the Thirtieth Day of November Eighteen Hundred and Twenty Six years before these Witness Samuel Kilpatrick Esquire of Cheskan and the said John Dunlop.
| Sam Kilpatrick Witness | Signed | Robert Armour |
John Dunlor Witness |
John Ferguson | |
| John Armour | ||
| David Campbell |
COPIED from the original Indenture Manuscript in be possession of Mrs. E. B. Ferguson, 1964, by Peter S. Armour.
No 6 Autumn 1979
Page 2: Janet and Marie Morrison's 1993 Trip to Scotland - Part 2
Page 3: David Whitehead's Genealogy Special - Part Three
Page 4: John and Mary Morrison of Rocky River - The Second Part
Page 5: Three Brothers from Drumalea // The Keprigan Hen
Page 6: The Vegetation of Kintyre - Part Two
Page 7: The Churches of Campbeltown Since the Reformation // The Norwegian Connection
Page 8: By Hill and Shore - Part 1