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Preface
LITTLE, it may be
thought, considering the wealth of literature upon the subject, remains
to be said of Edinburgh's historic past, that perpetually fascinating
theme, wherein religion and politics are never far asunder.
Yet there is one aspect of it that has as yet been only glanced at, and
that is, the remarkably interesting connection between the Jacobite
party and the old Episcopal Church of the land, which chose, at the
Revolution of 1689, to be disestablished and disendowed rather than deny
its sworn allegiance to the absent King James VII.; and in Edinburgh it
is the congregation of St. Paul s in Carrubber's Close, claiming, as it
does, unbroken descent from that ejected from St. Giles in 1689, that
has reserved through the centuries the memory of that heroic stand. This
is why, while deeply impressed with the evolution of the present
sanctuary, the home of so much that is beautiful in worship and work,
from the despised meeting-house in which the evicted worshippers took
refuge so long ago, I, who have ties with both, have chosen to dwell at
greater length on the earlier part of its history. Round that history,
now for the first time attempted to be fully told, cluster many brave
and gallant memories of the Scottish Nonjurors, among whom were to be
found some of the noblest and best of the land.
This "meeting-house" may truly be described as their rendezvous, and
from it the network of intrigue spread far and wide. Pathetic and quaint
recollections of the risings of 1715 and 1745, and all that came after,
are intertwined with its story, while through the years of gloom and
oppression that followed, and the gradual lifting of the cloud as nobler
counsels prevailed, there are never wanting some features of interest in
the famous personalities of those who, in some way or another, were
connected with it. Among these the name of Samuel Seabury, the first
Bishop of the American Church, holds an honoured place, and many
distinguished in literature, science, and medicine, especially the
latter, are not wanting, while in the long roll of clergy who have
ministered within its walls there are names that will not die.
Very scanty records remain of the early days, and the loss, some years
ago, of a collection of papers made for historical purposes by a
gentleman now deceased, has made my task more difficult. All available
authorities have been consulted, and I have tried to do my best to
ensure accuracy. To all who have aided me with information and advice I
return my grateful thanks. I should especially wish to thank the Bishop
of Edinburgh, the Rev. A. E. Laurie, Rector of Old St. Paul's, for
permitting free access to the books and papers of the Church; the Revs.
J. B. Craven and J. W. Harper; Mr. A. Francis Steuart, Advocate, who has
assisted me with his notes, and with the correction of my proofs; Mr.
James Steuart, W.S., and the Rev. John Anderson, Curator of the
Historical Department, H.M. Register House. I have also to thank the
Rev. P. M. Herford for his kindness in permitting me to reproduce the
engraving of the Rev. William Harper in his possession. Conscious of
many short comings, I yet hope that this little contribution to our
knowledge of bygone days may add one stone to the cairn in memory of
those who have gone before.
MARY E. INGRAM.
EDINBURGH, Martinmas 1906.
A Jacobite Stronghold of the
Church
Being the Story of Old St. Paul's, Edinburgh: its Origin on the
Disestablishment of Episcopacy in Scotland, 1689, through Jacobite years
onward to the Oxford Movement, and its Relation to the Scottish
Consecration in 1784 of the first Bishop of the American Church by Mary
E. Ingram (1907) (pdf) |
