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ESTATE of THE KIRK of PENICUIK.
George Chalmers, in his well
known Caledonia records a fact that the parish church of Penicuik during the
eighteenth century bore the name of St. Kentigern. This statement has been
repeated by other writers, but the probability is, that they may have taken
their information from Chalmers himself and not from original documents. Had
they, and he from whom they quote, been more particular in their search,
they would not have found, either in parish or presbytery records, any
evidence that for hundreds of years past the church ever bore this name. It
is not impossible, however, that at a very early period some primitive
religious building may have been dedicated to that worthy Culdee preacher,
under his more endearing title of St. Mungo. The spring of water in the
manse garden is known to this day as St. Mungo's Well; and as the names of
places are little liable to change, this fact shows it to be probable that
he visited this neighbourhood, and that his loving disciples may have
connected his name also with the little building erected by them for public
worship.
If a church did exist in
Penicuik in these early times, it is not at all likely that there would be a
permanent or resident clergyman. It was not, indeed, until a much later
period that parishes were laid out and ecclesiastical duties statedly
performed throughout Scotland. The first notice that I have been able to
find of the existence of a church establishment in Penicuik, shows that in
the twelfth century it was an independent rectory, rated at 20 merks, the
advowson belonging to the lord of the manor. At this time, the suppression
of the missionary system and primitive worship of the Culdees had been
completed, and the ecclesiastical system of the Scottish Church assimilated
to that of England, which again was closely formed after the model of Rome.
Prior to the Reformation the Penicuik Rectory
appears to have been a living of some value. This great event, however,
shook the whole fabric of the Scottish Church, and introduced great changes
in its organisation and in the stipends of its clergy. Not a few of the
nobles seized upon its lands and revenues in the vicinity of their
respective castles. Many of the Itoniish bishops and abbots also, when they
began to see that their possessions were likely to go out of their hands,
granted, with the sanction of the Pope, perpetual leases of them to their
relatives or powerful friends. The rector of Penicuik at this period was a
Mr. William Pennyeuke, a far-seeing worldly ecclesiastic, who would not let
such an opportunity as this pass by. I find that, on 7th August 1565, he
granted charter of the kirk lands of Pennycook and Ravensneuk to his
relative, William Pennycook, son of John Pennycook of that Ilk. Eleven years
afterwards, William Penny-cook disposed of these kirk lands to his brother,
Gilbert, who in the year 1590 parted with them to Robert Yuill, residenter
in Pennycook. The location of these lands is not known, but undoubtedly at
some subsequent period they again came into the possession of the Lairds of
Penicuik. The ultimate general settlewent, by which two-tithes of the
ecclesiastical revenues were continued to the Popish clergy, or 'auld
possessors,' as they were called, and the remaining third conferred upon the
Crown, with the understanding that out of it the Protestant ministers should
receive a suitable maintenance, proved highly unsatisfactory. Even the
thirds were not, in many instances, devoted to the purposes intended, and it
required repeated Acts of Parliament to enforce what had been granted. Even
so late as the year 16022, the Protestant clergymen complained to the King,
'that by importune suiting a great part of their third's were disposed in
pension, to the great hindernient of the present provision of ministers.' An
arrangement of this kind appears to have existed in Penicuik parish. The
rector, as we have seen, had already disposed of the temporalities of the
benefice, and, not content with that, had also laid his covetous hand upon
the thirds from which his Protestant successor was to be supported. In the
Book of the Universal Kirk of Scotland there has been preserved the
following extract: 13th Oct. 1383.—The members of the chapter of Halirudibus
[Holvrood] are charged by letters of horning not to subscrive the pension
made to the parson of Penvcuke, his wife and son for their lvfetimes,
against the act which prevents the disposal of all pensions, factories, and
whatsoever dispositions of the benefice or any part thereof, without the
consent of the General Assembly- and that the disponers thereof Salle
incurre the penaltie containit in the act of (late 11th July 1580, and for
the particular observation thereof, Mr. Andrew Blackltall, in name of the
chapter of Haliridbus, is charged not to subscrive the gift of pension given
to the parson of Penycuke by the said Abbot, under the pain containit in the
said act.'By the kindness of Dr. Dickson I was permitted to examine, in the
Register House, the manuscript account of the Collector-General in the year
1580, of the thirds of benefices, and I find that the Penicuik Rectory
showed at that period the sum of £30, 14s. 6d.; but as this was in Scots
money, the value of it in the coin of to-day would only be £7, 13s. 6d. On
this meagre allowance, therefore, the first Protestant clergyman in our
parish would require, for a time at least, to support himself and his
household. Of course the relative purchasing value of that sum has to be
considered. A very little money went a long way in those times, and he might
be passing rich on what would bulk very small to us in these modern days,
when it seems necessary to procure for ourselves in greater plenty the
conveniences and luxuries of life. Although after this time the income of
the parish minister appears gradually to have improved, it continued up to a
very recent (late to be an exceedingly poor one. In the year 1618 a very
interesting statement regarding the poverty of the living and the means
taken to amend it, is contained in a 'Minute of Presbytery, which I give
verbatim. It is as follows:-'The old Kirk of Penyetuke is a laik patronage,
now at the presentation of the Countess of Eglintowne. The parishin thus
constitutet is exceeding spacious and vast, being six miles long, four miles
broad, and about fourteen miles in circuit. 'The church incommodiouslie
situat, being the eistmost house of all the said paroch. In the winter a
part of the people are withholden from it by high and inaccessable
mountaines; another part by manic waters, whereof two are oft impassable
either to foot or Horse. Communicants betwixt 300 and 400. The present
pro-Vision, 720 merks. All means were assayed to better it upon the 21st day
of July 1647. An decreat of augmentation wes obtainet, which addet to ye
former stipend 230 merks, which in the whole made up 950 merks. Afterwards,
sentence of localitie was 1pronouneed to the contentment of all parties, and
decreat of localitie extracted; the cluilk decreat was recalled by moyen of
Sir John Gibson, after he had taken on his proportinall share of the said
augmentation, and obtained a long prorogation of his takes, though the
parishin be so vast, Iputing an minister to extraordinary great paines in
visiting families and sick persons. Yet the church has no grass at all,
either naig or cow's, quilk is an great discouragement to the minister, and
impediment to the work of God there."
The minute further states that the Kirk of
Penicuik, as it is now constituted, is composed of three Kirks—Penicuik, St.
Katherine of the Hoppes, and St. Marie's Kirk in Mount Lothian. The two last
mentioned were kirks of Holyrood House. According to the best authorities,
Mount Lothian, which previously existed as a separate parish, was annexed to
Penicuik in the year 1635. An account of the church, which originally stood
in a field to the east of the farm-house occupied by Mr. Grainger, will he
found in another chapter.
The Chapel of St. Catherine's, according to
trustworthy authorities, belonged, previous to the Reformation, to the abbey
Of Holyrood, and was afterwards annexed to the bishopric of Edinburgh. This
arrangement was also set aside in 1635, When the parish was added to that of
Penicuik. According to Father Hay, in his memorials of the Roslin family,
the chapel was built by Sir William St. Clair in the fourteenth century, in
gratitude for the saint's supposed interference in his favour at the famous
hunt on the Pentland Hills, when he staked his head on the speed of his two
clogs, Help and Hold. I fear, however, that this interesting statement
regarding its foundation cannot, for want of more satisfactory evidence, be
accepted as fact. The ruins of the chapel and burying-ground are now covered
by the waters of Glencorse reservoir, and are seldom visible to the
searching gaze of the student of antiquities. From memoranda made in 1828,
by the late Andrew Kerr, architect, it appears that the chapel was about 40
feet long and 20 feet wide. The walls were built of the local stone in
rubble-work, and the area of the burying-ground extended to fully a quarter
of an acre. Two centuries and a half must now have elapsed since any
worshippers trod the aisles of this ancient and sequestered pile, or since
their voices blended in the stated services of praise and prayer, and about
150 years have passed since any of the parishioners were laid to rest in the
little graveyard surrounding it.
The Minute of Presbytery, previously quoted,
points out the insufficiency of the stipend paid to the minister of Penicuik
at that time, also the steps taken to amend that state of matters. The fact
that the income from all sources only reached the sum of £40, 10s., showed
that their action in this direction was not unreasonable. It is satisfactory
to find that twenty-eight years afterwards it had increased to £54, 12s. 9d.
The heritors of those days, however, were apparently not consumed by their
zeal for ordinances, nor by their desire to attend to the material comfort
of their clergyman; for at a special meeting of Presbytery, called by
warrant of the bishop of the diocese, to consider the church amenities of
Penicuik, it was reported that both church and manse, as well as the
office-houses, were in a most ruinous condition. As a result of this
convocation of the brethren, orders were at once given that this disgraceful
state of matters was to he remedied; and accordingly, George Bell, mason in
Penicuik, James Anderson, Wright, Penicuik, David Tait, Wright at Mosshouses,
and Edward Thomason, Thatcher in Penicuik, were deeply sworn that they
should, according to the best of their knowledge, disclose what was needful
to be repaired, and what money the repairs would require.
In the year 1743 a very interesting memorandum,
relating to the allocation of church seats, was prepared by Sir John Clerk
and sent to the Kirk-session. It gives some valuable information as to the
old church buildings. In this document he says that the property of the
church of Penicuik, as of all others hotly in Scotland and England, belongs
to patron and heritor of Parish, and every one has a right to claim share of
the area according to the extent of their several interests in the parish.
He tells how, at considerable expense to himself, he had in the year 1733
built an aisle in the church, which had proved too small for the
worshippers. This is not surprising when we consider that the whole length
of the church at that time, according to his own measurement, was only 64
feet in length within the walls and 16 feet in breadth. Sir .John claims
two-thirds of this as his own share, and proceeds to object to Mr. Forbes of
Newhall and his successor, Mr. Fisher, taking up too much room. In further
advocation of his rights he tells them that the whole steeple was built by
him at considerable charge, and it was from the church only he could have
access to it; besides this, the bell was itself a present from his
grand-uncle made to the church of Penicuik, and duly recorded in the Session
minutes. I have not seen the minute alluding to this fact, but the date upon
the bell is 1680, and it bears the inscription that it was gifted in that
year. Sir John in his letter goes on to relate that the under part of the
steeple had hitherto served as a prison for rogues and thieves, until they
should be otherwise disposed of by the civil magistrate. He. further directs
James Fairbairn, the session-clerk, to put the document amongst the records
of the Session in futurum rei memoriam. These statements, of course, all
relate to the old church, now used as the burying-places of the Penicuik and
Newhall families. It is difficult for us of to-day to realise that a church
so small could serve a parish so large. The fact, how
ever, that its whole population in 1755 only
numbered 890 souls will be sufficient explanation of the apparent anomaly.
From that date, however, the number of parishioners steadily increased;
indeed, within the next forty years they were exactly doubled. The old
church finally proved too small, and on Wednesday, the 15th August 1770, the
foundation of the present kirk of Penicuik was laid in the schoolmaster's
yard, and the building fully completed in the following year. At a heritors'
meeting, held on November 30, 1770, it was resolved, that in view of the
fact that the area of the old kirk would now be vacant, 16 feet of it at the
east end be given to Sir .James Clerk, as an addition to his burying-ground,
and 16 feet at the west end to Mr. Hay of Newhalll for a similar purpose.
Not a few, therefore, of those who worshipped in it, and who, like modern
church-goers, may, in the warm summer time, have succumbed to the drowsy god
while listening to the firstly, secondly, and thirdly of the preacher, now
'sleep their long sleep within its walls'. The old grey building still
exists in excellent preservation. Many a generation has looked upon its
divided walls and its Romanesque tower, and strangers have come and gone and
wondered what its history has been, and generations yet to come will gaze on
it while they walk amongst the moss-grown stones which surround it in God's
acre, and realise with Schiller
"That Time consecrates:
And what is grey with age becomes religious."
Although a more commodious building was now
provided for the worshippers, the old manse, with its thatched roof and its
tumbledown walls, was still considered good enough accommodation for .Mr.
M'Courty, the venerable incumbent. Shortly after his death, however, a
better spirit seems to have come over the heritors, and in the year 1805 tl^et•
set about remedying this state of matters, and finally accepted the estimate
of Andrew Ritchie, in Peebles, to build a new manse for the sum of £655,
10s. This substantial edifice still remains, and with recent alterations and
improvements continue to be a very comfortable and commodious home for the
Rev. Robert Thomson, its present occupant. After time close of the
Napoleonic wars, time development of time haler manufacturing industry
caused a rapid increase in the population of Penicuik parish, and, had it
not been for the number of Dissenter; attending the United Presbyterian
Churches at Howgate and Bridgend, the accommodation in the new parish church
would have been quite insufficient. Even as matters stood, it became
absolutely necessary in time year 1837 to face enlargement; accordingly, an
addition was made to provide for 300 sittings, at a cost of £600. £400 of
this money was raised by subscription, and the remaining 200 borrowed and
ultimately laid up from the proceeds of pew-rents.
On the 18th May 1843, there occurred the ever
memorable Disruption of the Church of Scotland, and in Penicuik, as
elsewhere, many of the most zealous and high-toned Christian people left for
conscience sake the Church of their fathers, and formed themselves into a
congregation of the Free Protesting Church of Scotland. For many years after
this event, the accommodation in the various churches proved sufficient for
the growing requirements of the district, but about time year 1876, the
Shotts Iron Company having opened pits in the immediate neighbourhood for
the output of iron ore, a rapid increase of population took place in the
parish of Penicuik. As a result of this, a further enlargement was made of
the Established Church in the year 1880, and it was very much owing to the
activity and zeal of the Rev. W. M. Imrie that at the same time much was
done to add to the amenities of time building. The church as it now stands
is described in the Ordnance Gazetteer as 'a plain edifice, with a
tetrastyle Doric portico, a clock, and a stone cross, and sufficiently
commodious for the worshippers attending it.' About the end of last century
the cross narrowly escaped destruction, as many of the over-zealous
parishioners took violent objection to it, owing to its imagined Roman
Catholic significance. The clock was erected from the proceeds of a
subscription initiated by Mr. .John Cowan of Beeslack and others, in the
year 1840. It was handed over to the custody of the Session on 1st November
1844. I have before me now the names of those who, at the cost of £63, 5s.
2d., provided this useful village time-keeper. Strange to say, with few
exceptions, the survivors of those who contributed, and the descendants of
the others still amongst us, are nearly all now members of Dissenting
congregations. The only other matter worthy of chronicle in connection with
the Established Church buildings is the introduction of the organ. This took
place in the year 1887, during the short incumbency of the Rev. Peter Dow.
The instrument itself cost £250, and the fitting up £111, 12s. Id. A large
proportion of this amount was raised by members of the congregation, and the
remainder by generous friends outside. The church living is now a valuable
one, very much owing to the recent feuing of the glebe lands at high rates.
It is augmented by a grant from the Exchequer given in aid of small livings.
The minister also receives an allowance in lieu of the grass sacrificed by
the glebe feus. The total stipend exceeds £300 per annum, With the addition
of the manse. The number of communicants at present on the roll is about
1100. Nearly all of them reside within a reasonable distance from the
church. Very different this from the condition of things in the early part
of the century, when over twenty heads of families were members who lived on
the other side of the Pentland Hills.
I cannot close this chapter on the estate of the
Parish Kirk without an allusion to the Churchyard. Up to comparatively
recent times the area of it was much smaller than at present. Within living
memory the boundary wall, built in 1677, ran quite near the old church,
while a hedge skirted the present road to Kirkhill. The entrance to the
churchyard was by a road past the east side of the church, now covered by
the session-house. Two enlargements of it have taken place within the time
indicated, but the rapid increase of population, combined with a desire to
have popular control of the ground, resulted in the laying out by the
Parochial Board of the Penicuik Cemetery, which was declared it part of the
burying-ground of the parish of Penicuik by Sheriff Rutherfurd on 8th May
1884. The cost of its formation was £1106, 5s. 7d., and the sexton's house
£255, 15s. The old churchyard eras, of course, under the complete control of
the heritors, and, on leaving the Parish, survivors of families who had
relations buried in it had no further claim upon the ground. In the new
cemetery opportunity is given to all to purchase the inalienable right of
sepulchre, and this has already been taken advantage of to a considerable
extent. It must be conceded, however, that few if any cases of harshness in
dealing with the allocation of lairs by either heritors or Session have ever
been known in Penicuik. The spirit displayed by the Kirk-session in the year
1655 seems to have passed down to their successors in authority ever since.
A minute of July 29th of that year records that the Session, I considering
that the ground in the churchyard may be broken for graves to the prejudice
of old inhabitants of the parish who have their friends lying together
therein, do therefore ordain that no ground be broken by any without it be
sighted by two of the most aged of the elders or inhabitants of the parish,
that contention may be avoided which may arise therefrom. In the churchyard
there stands to this day the old hearse-house, built in the year 1800. The
ancient vehicle which it once contained was made in the year 1761.
The old watch-house in the churchyard will also
be remembered by many of the inhabitants. In the times when body-lifting was
so common, to provide subjects for dissection, it was erected at a cost of
£20 by a number of the inhabitants. A Watching Committee was formed, and
each had the right to watch at night after any of their relatives had been
buried. Two guns, with suitable ammunition, were provided, and the watch was
usually kept by two persons. There is no record, so far as I know, of any
resurrectionists visiting our churchyard to carry out their dismal work. The
only tragedy, indeed, which occurred was the shooting of a pig by Henry
Dewar, whose excited imagination, when lie heard it moving about the tombs,
led him to believe that a nocturnal body-snatcher had at last made his
appearance. This watching was discontinued about the year 1840. In
connection with the matter it may be interesting to my readers to learn that
Burke, of infamous memory, lived for a considerable time in Penicuik. He
lodged with Lucky Millar in the High Street, and worked as a labourer at the
mill-lade which was being cut between Lowmill and Esk Mills.
It will have an interest for many to learn that
John Jackson and his wife, the originals of the carrier and his wife in Dr.
John Brown's Rab and his Friends, are buried in Penicuik churchyard.
A great improvement has of late years taken
place in the appearance of the churchyard. Twenty years ago it was covered
by a mass of rank grass and nettles, and presented a most neglected
appearance, while sheep often grazed amidst the tombs. But now the scene is
changed: each one seems to vie with his or her neighbour in keeping their
sacred spot in God's acre as trim and neat as possible, while immortelles,
and flowers, and shrubs in many cases adorn the smoothly cropped turf.
PAROCHIAL CLERGYMEN IN PENICUIK
Great difficulties lie in the way of any parish
historian obtaining the names of the Pre-Reformation clergymen. In the case
of Penicuik, I have only been able to find seven, and these all culled from
different sources, and obtained after very considerable research.
The first of them was Walter Edgar, who, along
with Hugh de Penicok, lord of the manor, swore fealty to Edward I. at
Berwick in 1296. In consequence of this submission he obtained precept to
the Sheriff' of Edinburgh, for the restoration of his rights and privileges,
of which he had apparently been deprived. The next was Ricardus de Suthorpe.
He was presented to the rectory by King Edward II. in the year 1319. A long
hiatus here occurs; for the next parish clergyman whose name I have found,
is that of John Wvnton, who was appointed 16th May 1448. He was succeeded by
Mr. Alexander Vaus, and he again, on 4th June 1472 by John Quitelaw, clerk
of the diocese of St. Andrews. The latter gentleman was presented to the
Iiving by Sir John Penycuke, the patron thereof. Long after him came Sir
Archibald Itoh esoun, who continued rector up to the year 1556, when
Mr.William Penycuke, a relative of the patron, was appointed to the living.
This gentleman was the last Roman Catholic clergyman who occupied the
position of Rector of Penicuik. He appears to have been a man of means and
substance, for on two separate occasions I find that he is accepted as
cantioner for large sums, that certain parties would not commune with Earl
Bothwell. He continued for seven years after the Reformation in apparently
undisturbed possession of his office, and resided in Penicuik until the
close of the sixteenth century. Iii another chapter will be found an account
of how he endeavoured to make arrangements with his ecclesiastical superiors
at Holyrood for a pension for himself and family, and the efforts made by
the General Assembly to set his plans aside. In the Register of the Privy
Council there is a notice of the reverend gentleman's son, which does not
reflect very creditably on the family training in the manse. It is a
complaint by a certain Captain William Rig, that on a particular Sunday in
the year 1608, while he was returning from the preaching in the town of
LeitIh to his own residence in Edinburgh, James Pennycuke, son of the late
William Pennycuke, parson of Pennycuke, Alexander Pennycuke, sometime of
that ilk, Mr. Henry Sinclair, natural son of the late [blank in original]
Sincler of Rosling, and others, armed with swords, daggers, and gauntlets,
fiercely assaulted him between Leith and Edinburgh, wounded him on (livers
parts of his body, and reft from him his purse, cloak, and sword. None of
the defenders appeared to answer to the charge except Mr. Henry Sincler, and
the rest were denounced as rebels.
Thanks to Mr. Scott's Fasti Ecclesice Scoticance
there is no difficulty in tracing the post-Reformation clergymen in any of
the parishes of Scotland. Mr. William Barbour was the first Protestant
minister in Penicuik. In addition to his duties here he had Mount Lothian
also in charge. He left this parish in 1580, and was appointed to that of
Pentland. He subsequently became minister of Newton; but on 8th August 1587,
being convicted of riot in the kirk, and slander, two of the brethren were
appointed to see his desk removed by authority of Gilbert Hay of Monkton,
bailie of the bounds. He in consequence demitted his charge.
Gilbert Tailzeour, his successor in Penicuik,
appears to have eked out his uncertain stipend by school-teaching; and on
being accused by the Presbytery of Dalkeith of frequently absenting himself
from his own flock, he excused himself on account of his scholastic duties,
pleading that he could not otherwise have his sustentation honestly. In the
year 1586 he had to stand his trial for drunkenness, and was finally
transferred to Bathgate in the year 1588. He was succeeded by Mr. Andrew
Forrester, who had also the church of Glencorse in charge. He only remained
about a year in Penicuik. The next appointment was made in 1590. The
clergyman's name was William Gilbraitlh. His career was a most unfortunate
one. He was nine years in our parish, and his ministry could hardly have
been of an edifying kind. In the year 1605, after he had left Penicuik, he
was convicted before the Lords of Council and Session for perjury, and
sentenced to be taken to the market-cross of Edinburgh, and there to stand
for the space of an hour with a paper upon his ]lead, containing in great
letters the words—'Mansworne, perjured, infamous,' and to he banished from
Britain for ever; and should lie be found again within the bounds of the
kingdom, that lie was to be executed to the death without further doom.
This man, whose history was so disgraceful, was
succeeded in 1599 by Mr. James French, A.M., a distinguished student. lie
Was one of those who adhered to the protestation of 27th June 1617, on
behalf of the liberties of the Kirk. This action was rendered necessary
owing to the contest that had arisen between the Kin, and the Church, and
which ended in the temporary overthrow of the Presbyterian constitution and
discipline. In the year 1616 Episcopal authority was indeed firmly
established, although the modes of worship followed in the churches
continued nearly the same as formerly. fling James vi., however, desired
that the Scottish Church should be in all respects the same as that in
England, and proclamation was made at the cross of Edinburgh, commanding
people to prepare for the observance of Easter and other days set apart by
the English Church, under pain of being denounced as rebels and despisers of
his Majesty's authority. Many of the Most faithful and pious ministers
refused to obey, and the reverend incumbent of our own parish appears to
have been in silent sympathy with their attitude. Mr. French died in the
year 1699, aged fifty-six, and was succeeded by Mr. John Sinclair, A.M., who
up to the time of his graduation was porter or janitor in the University of
Edinburgh. After a short ministry of seven years lie died at the early age
of thirty-four. His successor was Mr. Patrick Sibbald. This gentleman was
ordained 25th April 1637. At that time the number of communicants was
between 200 and 300, but eleven years afterwards they are quoted in a minute
of Presbytery as nearly 400. His labours, therefore, appear to have had a
good result in increasing the membership of the congregation. They do not
seem, however, to have been very generous in contributing to his comfort,
for he complains to the Presbytery that they did not think his
Gospel-preaching worth a horse and two cows grass, and that for three whole
years he had received nothing to provide maintenance for his wife and
family. Mr. Sibbald died in 1653. He was succeeded by the Rev. Patrick
Robertson, A.M., who held the living for only two years, and his place was
filled in 1656 by William Dalgarno, A.M. During the incumbency of this
gentleman, the persecution of Presbyterians was very severe, and this
notwithstanding the fact that when Charles II. was restored to his
dominions, the ministers of Scotland, with the majority of their people,
were hearty in his interests. In the roll of ministers who in 1663 were
conformists to Prelacy, there appear the names of eight ministers in the
Dalkeith Presbytery. Six of them were non-conformists, and were accordingly
turned out of their respective parishes. Mr. Dalgarno was one of the
majority, and continued in Penicuik until 1663, when he was translated to
the parish of Kirkmahoe in Dunifriesshire. It is worth recording that while
the minister appeared not in any way to sympathise with his oppressed
bretlhren, one of his elders, John Lowrie at Logan house, Was fined £360 for
the part he took in rendering them assistance. Mr. Dalgarno was succeeded in
the the year 1664 by Mr. William Hamilton, A.M. It was during Mr. Hamilton's
incumbency that the battle of Mullion Green was fought, almost within sight
of the manse windows. Few traces can be found of any sympathisers with the
cause of the Covenanters in Penicuik parish. Local tradition strongly
affirms that several of those firing from the battle were killed by the
inhabitants in the neighbourhood of the Coats farm. Crookshank in his
History of the State and Sufferings of the Church of Scotland indeed affirms
that the natives were cruel to the fleeing army of the Covenanters, many of
whom they killed. In connection with this matter all interesting entry
occurs in the list of disbursements in the Session Minutes. It is there
recorded that a few clays after the battle John Brown, the bellman, was paid
the sum of three shillings and four-pence for digging Westlandmen's graves.
It is more than likely, I fear, that these were some of the unfortunates who
perished in the flight. In the fugitive roll, published May 5th, 1684,
containing the names of those who had themselves been in the risings, or who
had been guilty of alleged reset of persons who had been there, there is
mention made of William Steel, sometime collier at Newhall, Penicuik, and
John Wallace, gardener at Rosehill. These indeed are the only names, so far
as I know, that in any way connect our parish with the cause of religious
liberty. Mr. Hamilton, the minister, although he was not in apparent
sympathy with the Covenanters, nevertheless refused to sign the Test Oath
which King Charles tried to force upon all persons in public trust in the
state, the church, or the army, and he was in consequence deprived of his
charge. A letter was at this time addressed by the Lords of Privy Council to
all patrons, requiring they» to fill up within twenty days the vacancies
thus created. Sir John Clerk accordingly presented Mr. James Mercer, A.M.,
to the living, and his induction took place in the month of May 1682. The
Penicuik people appear to have resented the treatment of their former
minister, for at an election of elders none of those appointed would accept
office, and letters of horning were taken out against them, although, on the
advice of the Bishop, the execution of these was indefinitely postponed.
Matters came to a ]lead a few years afterwards, for on 26th May 1689, when
the reverend gentleman attempted to enter the churchyard on his way to
church, lie was violently interrupted by the rabble and forced back.
Realising apparently that discretion was the better part of valour, Mr.
Mercer voluntarily pemitted his charge immediately afterwards. Great
political changes had meanwhile been taking place, and the Revolution which
drove the Stuarts from the throne brought rest and peace to the Scottish
Church. An Act of Parliament, passed on April 25th, 1690, restored the
Presbyterian form of church-government, and by it all those ministers who
had been thrust from their charges, or banished for not conforming to
prelacy, were forthwith to have free access to their churches, and without
any new call thereto were allowed at once to execute the duties of the
ministry in their old parishes. The first of the unbroken line of
Presbyterian ministers who have occupied the position in Penicuik was a
young man named James Farmer, who was ready to be licensed by his presbytery
when the vacancy occurred. He was ordained on 12th February 1690, and after
a short ministry died in Edinburgh on 25th November 1693 after a short two
months' illness. his successor, Mr. William M'George, A.M., is the first
clergyman whose name is at all familiar to Hi parishioners of to-day, for
his tombstone in the churchyard has been visited by most of them ; on it are
the words, `Here lies the Rev. William M`George, who having; served his Lord
and Master faithfully i» the discharge of his duty for the space of fifty
years, departed this life 6th March 1743, greatly lamented by all good men.'
It is said of him that in his latter years he frequently walked about all
the night through, and when remonstrated with by his friends regarding it,
he always replied, that it was his duty to be awake to watch over his people
who were asleep. Mr. M'George was succeeded by Mr. Ebenezer Brown, who was
ordained on 19th November 1746, and died 4th October 1759. Mr. John Goldie,
A.M., son of Mr. Goldie, tenant of the Firth, was next minister; before
completing his studies he was a teacher in Heriot's Hospitals His ordination
took place 15th .July 1760, and after it residence of eleven years in
Penicutik he was called to the parish of Temple. He was succeeded by Mr.
Thonms M`Courty, formerly minister of Dolphinton, who was inducted 16th
January 1772, and died 28th December 1803, in the 85th year of his age and
45th of his ministry. Two appointments of assistant and successor to him
were made in the later years of his life. 'The first on 2d July 1798 was
that of Mr. David Ritchie, a distinguished student of St. Andrews. This
gentleman demitted on the 2nd day of October of the following year on his
presentation by the Town Council of Edinburgh to be assistant in St.
Andrew's Church. He ultimately became a professor in the University of
Edinburgh. Mr. Thomas Colston was afterwards appointed, and his ordination
took place on 12th March 1799. This worthy is remembered by not a few of the
older inhabitants, and many stories regarding him still linger in the
parish. In height he was middle-sized and of spare build. He constantly
chewed tobacco, and had a habit of twinkling his eyes. He was a man of
undoubted ability, and when he thoroughly prepared his discourses they were
of a high order. Even when quite unprepared, as he frequently was, for his
pulpit work, he often in speaking attained to heights of eloquence. On one
of these occasions the late Mr. Jackson of Planetree Shade accompanied him
into the manse after service and complimented him upon the eloquence of his
discourse, remarking, at the same time, how much trouble and research the
preparation of it must have caused him. 'Trouble, sir,' Mr. Colston replied,
and thumping with his fist the Bible which lay on his study-table. 'There
lies the Bible, I haven't opened it for three months;' a rather sad
confession, my readers will suppose, for a man whose duty it was to
inculcate upon his hearers the duty of the reading as well as listening to
the preaching of the Word. Mr. Colston was one of the most conceited of men.
On the occasion of his supper parties in the manse his old servant, Ann
Hopper, was usually called in to give her toast. It invariably was 'Here's
to the star of the Dalkeith presbytery, and that's yersel', Mr. Colston.'
The story of the blacking of his face in the house of a prominent citizen is
well known. One of the younger members of the household, knowing the
minister's susceptibility to flattery, 'began to praise the beautiful
formation of his features, passing at the same time his finger along the
minister's brow, cheeks, and nose, while describing the perfect outline of
each. As it had been previously dipped in a black adhesive substance the
effect of the reverend victim's appearance upon the astonished passers-by,
when on his way to the manse, may be more easily imagined than described. It
is not surprising to hear that Mr. Colston never forgave this unwise and
cruel practical joke. He had an inveterate jealousy of and even dislike to
Dissenters, and often used to give pennies to the children on the street to
cry `Pawkv Pate ' to his reverend brother at Bridgend. Mr. William Sharp and
others still amongst us assure inc that in the days of their youth they have
often been the recipients of his benefactions for their share in this
performance. On a certain occasion several members of Mr. Cowrie's session
vent to hear Mr. Colston preach; as they sat together he got his eyes upon
them, and immediately introduced into his sermon a rather far-fetched
allusion to the Scribes and Pharisees for their particular benefit. Who, he
asked, were the Scribes and Pharisees? Seceders, Jewish Seceders, a bad
class in every age. For a considerable time before his death, instead of
preaching sermons he just gave references, stringing text after text
together with considerable readiness. On very stormy days it was his
conscious custom to dismiss the congregation without holding service,
repeating to them the exhortation that 'mercy was better than sacrifice'.
One of his last commands was that on his death he should he buried at the
garden late opening into the churchyard, and that on his tombstone there be
engraved the words, ' Here Iies the rare T. C.'
During Mr. Colston's incumbency what used to be
known as tent-preaching was common in the district. At the time of Communion
in Penicuik there was no service field in the neighbouring parishes, the
clergyman and people all coming to unite in the holy ordinance. A similar
assistance was of course rendered to them when the Sacrament of the Supper
was observed in their churches. In those times the Public-Houses were open
on Sundays, and drink obtainable, and many of the light-hearted and profane
were sad to relate, too often in the habit of indulging in levity and
excess, making it a time for the enjoyment of material rather than spiritual
feasting. The Iate Mr. Torrence frequently mentioned the fact that the
custom was stopped, so far as GIencorse was concerned, because of the
unseemly conduct resulting, upon one occasion, from the quantity of whisky
sold and consumed within the walls of the church during the hours of divine
service. Mr. Colston
died 12th March 1829, and was buried in Penicuik churchyard. He was
succeeded by the Rev. William Scott Moncrieff, son of Mr. W. Scott Moncrieff
of Fossaway; the date of his ordination was 4th February 1830. I have in my
possession the copy of the call which was presented to him, signed by
thirty-five heritors, office-bearers, and members. It bears many well-known
names, such as James M'Lean of Braidwood, James Manson, John Disher of
Cornbank, John Lawson, portioner, John Robertson, Thomas Muir,
session-clerk, and Charles Cowan, all now dead and gone. Mr. Scott Moncrieif
was a cultured and gentlemanly man, and highly esteemed by all sections of
the community. During his incumbency, Dr. Chalmers, who was resident in the
district during the summer months of 1829 and 1834, frequently assisted him
in the services of the sanctuary. It is said, indeed, that one of that great
divine's first pulpit appearances was made in Penicuik, he being a regular
visitor at the house of Mr. Alexander Cowan of Valleyfield as far back as
the year 1810. Upon the occasion referred to, a worthy citizen named Lachlan
Finlayson, a great critic in his way, was so dissatisfied with the sermon
that he rose and walked out of church, muttering audibly as lie passed the
pulpit, 'You're mista'en your trade, my mannie, you're mista'en your trade.'
I believe his critic lived to realise how far astray he had been in his
diagnosis of the doctor's abilities as a preacher.
Mr. Scott Moncriefl demitted his charge on
account of ill-health on 18th October 1853, and died in Edinburgh 18th
February 1857. His place was filled by Mr. John M'Alister Thomson, A.M. This
much-esteemed clergyman found the sphere uncongenial, and he only remained
about two years in the charge. His of his people. Much was hoped for from
his ministry, but all too soon the (land of death struck him down on the
very threshold of his career. Few events in our village life have of late
years caused so intense a feeling of regret amongst all classes as Mr. Dow's
premature decease. The handsome memorial stone erected in the churchyard at
a cost exceeding fifty pounds will testify to succeeding generations how
precious was his memory in the hearts of his attached people.
In May 1888 Mr. Robert Thomson, M.A., B.D., the
present much-esteemed minister, was ordained to the vacant charge. This
gentleman had on two previous occasions succeeded. Mr. Dow in temporary
assistantships, first at Boarhills, then at St. Giles, Edinburgh, and now
for the third time, under sadder circumstances, he took his place in
Penicuik. DISSENTING
CONGREGATIONS IN PENICUIK PARISH—HOWGATE.
The oldest of these is the United Presbyterian
congregation at Howgate. This little hamlet, situated about 11 miles to the
south-east of Penicuik village, was at one time a place of much greater
importance than it is now. Prior to the formation of the present main road
from Edinburgh to Peebles, a great part of the traffic between the
metropolis and the south passed through it. The Carlisle and Dumfries
coaches of themselves caused no little stir as their scarlet-coated drivers
pulled up daily at the little inn for refreshment for man and beast. This
hostelry is mentioned by Lockhart in the fifth chapter of his Life of Scott.
While on a fishing expedition to West Loch, along with George Abercromby,
afterwards Lord Abercromby, William Clerk of Penicuik, and his friend
Irving, they spent the night there with Margaret Dods, the landlady. When
St. Ronan's Well was published, Clerk, meeting Scott in the street,
observed, 'That is an odd name you have given the lady of the inn, surely I
have heard it somewhere before.' Scott smiled, and as he passed on said,
'Don't you remember HIowgate? Upon the occasion of this visit the genial
novelist and his friends were induced by William Clerk to visit Penicuik
House. The flattering hospitality and intelligent conversation of Sir John
Clerk and his lady prod need such an impression on Sir Walter that lie was
thereafter a frequent and honoured guest.
The church at Howgate originated in the year
1747, when the breach took place between the Burghers and Anti-Burghers. At
that time the nearest Secession Church to the good people of that persuasion
in our neighbourhood was at West Linton. When the split took place, Mr. Mair,
the minister, and the majority of his people adhered to the Burgher Synod.
Not a few of the members from this parish favoured the Anti-Burgher views.
They accordingly withdrew, and along with others from Dalkeith formed the
congregation of Howgate. It continued, however, for long afterwards to be
mentioned in the Presbytery Minutes as the congregation of Linton. The first
place of meeting was at Halls, but Howgate was finally fixed upon as the
place most central to the majority of the people, and a church was built
there in the year 1751, with accommodation for 390 sitters. The congregation
worshipped in this edifice for over a hundred years, when a new church was
built at a cost of £750. It provided sittings for 408 people, and was opened
on the 9th of November 1856. The debt incurred in its construction was
finally cleared off on 8th February 1865.
Not a few families in Penicuik still continue
with praiseworthy zeal to attend the ministrations at Howgate, and help to
sustain the high average rate of contributions for church and missionary
purposes which so distinguish that congregation. Notwithstanding the
faithful service and ability of the present incumbent, the Rev. David
Thomas, the membership inclines to decrease. This is in a great measure
owing to the grouping of small farms into large holdings, and the consequent
depopulation of the district.
The first minister of the congregation was the
Rev. Andrew Bunyan, ordained November 26, 1754. He died 22d February 1795,
in the seventy-first year of his age and forty-first of his ministry.
Its second minister, the Rev. William M'Ewen,
was ordained 31st May 1796, and died February 1827, in the fifty-eighth year
of his age and thirty-first of his ministry.
Its third minister, the Rev. David Duncan, from
Midcalder, was ordained 3d January 1828, and died 26th June 1866, in the
sixty-second year of his age and thirty-ninth of his ministry. Mr. Duncan
was the first of the Howgate ministers known to the majority of the present
generation. He was an able and public-spirited man, and always to the front
in any movement for the social and intellectual improvement of the
neighbourhood. A volume of his sermons, with a memoir, was published after
his death, the perusal of which will afford evidence of his worth as a man
and his great power as a preacher. He was author of several works: The
Pattern of Prayer, Dissertations on the Evidences of Christianity, The Law
of Moses, etc. The
present highly-respected minister is the Rev. David Thomas, MA. He was
ordained 19th February 1867, and continues to labour With much acceptance to
an attached congregation.
A pleasing feature in connection with Howgate
Church is the number of young men who have from time to time bone from it to
enter upon study for the ministry. I have before me a list of names
approaching twenty, many of whom attained to prominence in the church. Not
the least eminent are some of those who, in our own time, have passed
through their college career with distinction, and are now ministers of
important congregations; of these I need only mention the names of the Rev.
Robert Laurie of James's Church, Dundee, Rev. William Duncan of MaryhilI,
Glasgow, and the Rev. James W. Dalgleish, Newmilns.
DISSENTING CONGREGATIONS - BRIDGEND, NOW
PENICUIK This
congregation originated in the year 1782 with members of the Burgher Church
of west Linton resident in and around PenicuIk. In the interesting account
of that church by its present minister, the Rev. James kinloch, it is stated
that at the period indicated there were in connection with it upwards of 100
examinable persons from Penicuik district. After much serious consideration
these good people finally resolved to have a place of meeting for
themselves, and thus save the long walk of eight miles every Sabbath-clay.
Their first services were held in summer-time down on the flat ground beside
the present railway station, and in a barn at Eskmills in the winter season.
These initial efforts to obtain a site for a church were for some time
unsuccessful. In connection with this it is related how a deputation of
their number waited upon the proprietor at Penicuik House to ask for
sufficient ground on which to erect a place of worship. The Baronet sternly
refused, and afterwards, when in conversation with worthy Andrew Tait of
Lowrie's Den, an old and trusted servant, he related the circumstance,
asking him at the same time what kind of people these Seceders were?' I am
ane o them mysel', and nearly all your servants that are worth onything are
the same,' replied the decent man. The Baronet thereupon sent for the
deputation to return and arrange terms with him for a site, but they had
already entered into negotiations with Mr. Inglis of Redhall, and finally
fixed with him, for the piece of ground at Bridgend, upon which their church
and manse were built. The first minister of the congregation was the Rev.
Patrick Comrie, A.M. This worthy man was ordained 1st June 1784, and died on
22d September 1840, in the eighty-ninth year of his age and the
fifty-seventh of his ministry. He is buried in Penicuik churchyard, and the
inscription on the tombstone erected to his memory by the congregation shows
how much respected and beloved he had been by them. Mr. Comrie was a great
humorist, and many stories are told of him which indicate his readiness of
wit and discernment of character. At an election of elders upon one occasion
at Bridgend he was asked his opinion as to the suitableness of a certain Mr.
Thomas Wilkie for that office. His interrogator at the same time remarked
that the gentleman alluded to had a saintly wife and God-fearing family. Mr.
Comrie's reply was, 'If his saintly wife and God-fearing family could be
made elders I would not wag my tongue against them, but Mr. Wilkie himself
is a curly wurly conglomerate of good and evil, every Sunday in the kirk
listening to the sermon and singing psalms like a perfect saint, while on
the week-days he is at the markets and fairs lying and cheating like the
biggest swindler. No, no, he might do well enough for a stoop in the
Anti-Burgher kirk, but he will never do as a pillar of beauty as a Burgher
elder. One Sabbath evening Mr. Comrie preached the same sermon at Dalmore
that he had given them in his own church in the forenoon. At the close of
the meeting one of his people named Saunders, who had attended both diets,
remarked to him, 'If I had kent that it was to be cauld trail het again, I
wouldna hae been here.' 'Ah! Saunders, Saunders,' answered Mr. Comrie, `you
are wrong again, man. It had never time to get cold.' His kindly assurance
to the another of the tongue-tacked lassie is also very good: 'My good
woman,' he said, `don't distress yourself about the bairnie's tongue, it
will come all right, for experience teaches that it's not within the plan of
Providence to tie any soman's tongue. his quaint conceit comes out in the
following story. having been asked to preach in Bristo Church, Edinburgh, he
happened to meet a member of it, an acquaintance of his own, while walking
on the Saturday afternoon in the city. '['ire latter expressed aloud the
gratification with which he looked forward to hearing him. 'Wlhist man,
whist, speak lower,' said Mr. Comrie in great anxiety, ' I dinna want a
crowd.' He was fond of
the fiddle, and always ready to play any one a tune. His good nature in this
respect enabled his reverend brother at Glencorse rather unfairly to score
against him upon one occasion. They were both at a dinner-party at the In
;lines' of Aucl^endinny house, and a charity ball, which was to be held at
Greenlaw Barracks, being under discussion, the Misses Inglis denounced
dancing in every shape and form, Mr. Comrie joined very heartily with them
in their denunciations, but was put to shame by Mr. Torrence telling them
that at a party in his father's manse a few' nights before Mr. Comrie played
the fiddle most of the night, while the young folks danced.
When age unfitted him for public duty the
financial circumstances of the congregation only permitted of a small
retiring allowance, and the Session at the same time intimated to hint that
they would like his successor to get the manse. 'No, no,' replied Mr. Comrie,
'nothing of the kind, quite time enough to skin an old horse after it is
dead.' His hearty humour made him indeed a great favourite with all. Even at
death the ruling passion was so strong within him that he could not resist
the exercise of it. During the last few moments of his life, when his nurse
was seeking to place a hot application to his feet, and not seeing the
outline of them very readily in the darkness of the chamber, she asked him
where they were. `At the end of my legs as usual, I suppose,' replied the
dying man. Mr. Comrie's
colleague and successor was the Rev. Thomas Gird-Wood, who was ordained 28th
June 1831. He proved a worthy man and faithful pastor, and his memory is
still green in the hearts of many who enjoyed the benefit of his ministry.
He died on 19th June 1861, in the fifty-seventh year of his age and the
thirtieth of his ministry. Like his predecessor, he is buried in Penicuik
churchyard, a small granite stone marking his last resting-place.
His son, Rev. William Girdwood, was ordained his
successor on 18th February 1862. After a short but faithful ministry he was
translated to a congregation in Perth, on 31st January 1865, but soon left
it for the mission field in Kaffraria.
Mr. Girdwood was succeeded by the Rev. John
M'Kerrow, B.A., son of the late Dr. M'Kerrow of Bridge of Teith, the
distinguished historian of the Secession Church. Mr. M'Kerrow was ordained
19th September 1865, and has now laboured faithfully amongst an attached
people for twenty-five years. His semi-jubilee was celebrated on 10th
November 1890, and handsome gifts were presented to him by the congregation
on that occasion. Shortly after Mr. M'Kerrow had entered upon his work at
Bridgend the growth of the congregation and the inconvenience of the church
to the majority of the members caused them to look about for a new site.
This was ultimately fixed, and a new church erected thereon at the north end
of the village of Penicuik. This commodious edifice was opened by the Rev.
Dr. Cairns in July 1867. A comfortable manse was also erected beside the
church, the total cost of both buildings amounting to £2700. The money
obtained by the sale of the old church and manse was devoted to partial
payment of this sum, and the balance was borrowed. The proceeds of an annual
collection were devoted to the liquidation of this indebtedness, but it was
not until the year 1882 that the congregation was finally free of the
incubus. This happy result was accomplished through the medium of a most
successful bazaar field in the Drill Hall in the summer of that year. All
classes of the community and members of every denomination generously aided
the congregation in providing work for sale, and these contributions
ultimately realised the handsome sum of £700 00 sterling.
THE FREE CHURCH
The Free Church congregation in Penicuik was
formed in 1813 by those who adhered to the Disruption testimony of the
Headship of Christ over His own church, even unto separation from the state.
There might be no doubt, among that number sonic who had imperfect views of
the great principles which were involved in the controversy. It is possible
even that others may have acted from selfish and interested motives, but
there is reason for satisfaction and pride that there were so many in
Penicuik ready to sever ties long and fondly cherished, and leave a Church
hallowed with memories of the past, all for conscience sake. The Rev. W.
Scott Moncrieff', minister of the parish, sympathised up to the last with
the non-intrusion party; indeed many believed that he would cast in his lot
with the seceders, but he finally saw it to be his duty to decide otherwise.
The names, however, of five of his elders appeared in the protest by the
Presbytery of Dalkeith against the subversion of the constitution of the
Church of Scotland by the civil power, and these men subsequently gave
evidence of their sincerity in this matter by casting in their lot with the
Free Church. At the first meeting of Mr. Scott Moncrieff"s Session after the
Disruption only two elders were present. These were Mr. John Wilson, farmer
of Eastfield (grandfather of the writer), and Mr. Orrock, cashier at Esk
Mills. The reverend gentleman sorrowfully referred to the fact that Messrs.
Charles Cowan, Robert Mason, Henry It. Madden, M.D., Robert Kilpatrick, and
Robert Keary, had gone from them, and to the consequent need, in view of the
approaching communion, to have new office-bearers elected. The
above-mentioned gentlemen were all subsequently appointed by the Free
Presbytery of Dalkeith to constitute the Session of the Free Church in
Penicuik. The first meetings of the new congregation, the spiritual
oversight of which was thus given them, were held in the Gardeners Hall, and
there they continued until the erection of a permanent place of worship. The
circumstances connected with the obtaining a site for their church are
pretty fully detailed in the Annals of the Disruption, but as many of my
readers may not possess a copy of that work, I herewith give a verbatim
extract from it:- 'At
Penicuik the ground belonged to Sir George Clerk, who held an important post
under Government. He had taken an active part in the ten years' conflict,
but after the Disruption the spirit he displayed was widely different from
that of Lord Aberdeen. On being applied to, he not only refused a site, but,
when the people had bought for themselves an eligible piece of ground, he
interposed, as superior of the Barony, to claim the right of pre-emption,
and so effectually shut them out. At a subsequent period, when they had
purchased a cottage and proposed to enlarge it into a manse, he again
successfully interfered to prevent them adding to the comfort of their
pastor. 'These efforts, however, to put down the obnoxious Free Church were
not successful. A respectable old woman, named Helen Wilson, had died,
leaving a cottage and a garden, and these were put up to public auction. The
purchaser was Charles Cowan, Esq., M.P., who made a present of the garden
and site to the Free Church. The ground was field in lease for Sir George's
estate, but as 400 years of the lease had still to run, it was fortunately a
good way out of reach. As the little garden, however, was triangular in
shape, the church had necessarily to be somewhat similar in form. It was
opened in the month of October. The pulpit was placed behind, near the apex
of the triangle, and the seating was necessarily disposed in the segments of
a circle, the area of the church being somewhat in the form of a fan. The
front is about 100 feet in length, and, considering; the awkward state of
the ;round, the effect of the whole is pleasing.'
Subsequently, Sir George Clerk gave ground
beside the church for a manse, and a commodious building was erected
thereon. In the year
1862, when the increase of the congregation necessitated the provision of a
larger building, Sir George gave further evidence of a more enlightened
policy by granting a site on the West side of time Peebles road, whereon a
handsome Gothic Church Was erected at a cost of £2050, capable of seating
comfortably as many- as 700 worshippers.
The old church in West Street has since been let
by the Deacons' Court as a place for public meetings. It is, indeed, the
only available hall with seats, in the village, suitable for lectures and
concerts, as well as for municipal and political gatherings. The first
minister of the Free Church in Penicuik was the Rev. Andrew Mackenzie. He
was ordained 24th August 1843, but after eleven years of active service
failing health necessitated his asking the Presbytery for the appointment of
a helper and successor. This was granted, and the Rev. Hugh A. Stewart, a
son of Major Ludovic Stewart of Pitovack, ultimately proved the choice of
the congregation. This much-esteemed clergyman was accordingly ordained to
the collegiate charge in the year 1854. During his residence in Penicuik Mr.
Stewart's life and preaching proved a great influence for good in the
parish. In the summer of 1886, feeling himself in failing health, he applied
to be relieved from the active oversight of the congregation, and in the
month of December of the same year the Rev. Samuel Rutherford Crockett was
unanimously called by the congregation to be his colleague and successor.
The number of communicants on the roll of the church at present exceeds 430.
In connection with the congregation there is also a Fellowship Association
with a membership of about sixty, and a large Sabbath-school; weekly
Prayer-meetings and Bible-classes are conducted by Mr. Crockett, who has
also under his immediate charge a successful mission at Fieldsend.
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH
Previous to the year 1860 members of the
Episcopal Communion resident in Penicuik had no nearer place of worship than
one or other of the churches in Edinburgh.
At the time indicated, however, a chaplain was
stationed at Glencorse Barracks, and his services were made available to
those in the vicinity; but on the restoration of Rosslyn Chapel in 1862
these were invited to form part of the congregation worshipping there.
Beyond occasional meetings in the private chapel fitted up in the upper
story of Penicuik House, regular services were not commenced in time village
until time year 1878. A congregation was then formed, and the increase in
its numbers warranted the erection in 1882 of a neat and substantial church
at the west end of the village. The first clergyman placed in charge was the
Rev. John Hammond, and upon his removal after a short incumbency his place
was filled by the Rev. Charles A. Erington, B.A., under whose active
ministry the church has greatly prospered.
In 1887 day-schools were started, and already
over two hundred scholars are in daily attendance under the supervision of
Mr. Elrington, and a sufficient staff' of teachers.
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
Since the development of the mining industry in
our neighbourhood, the Roman Catholic communion has very considerably
increased in numbers. Fifty years ago there were, according to the report of
the parish minister of the time, only eighteen Catholics in the parish. Now
a large congregation meets regularly in the chapel which was built in 1883
to accommodate their ever-increasing membership.
Prior to the erection of this place of worship
Roman Catholics resident in Penicuik were put to the inconvenience of
attending the ministrations of clergymen in Edinburgh or Dalkeith. They have
now an organised congregation, a resident priest, and a well-equipped
clay-school. The mission-station at Rosewell is also in charge of the
Penicuik incumbent. Very much owing to the indefatigable energy of the Rev.
Joseph M'Anna, who for some years was stationed in this parish, a
comfortable church has also been erected at that place.
OTHER RELIGIOUS BODIES.
Since the closing years of last century, when
the brothers Robert and James Alexander Haldane preached to admiring and
appreciative audiences in the open air in West Street, there have been from
time to time earnest and God-fearing men labouring in season and out of
season in Penicuik, outside the churches, who, according to their lights,
have striven to teach and preach the Gospel; but not until the present day
have these agencies been at all numerous.
In recent years a small congregation of
Methodists has been formed, the members of which earnestly and unobtrusively
carry on their good work. The Plymouth Brethren are also represented, and
though few in numbers are zealous and active in their religious teaching.
The most numerous and apparently successful body outside the churches is the
Salvation Army. About two years ago a mission was planted in Penicuik and
placed in charge of regular officers. Upwards of fifty recruits have joined,
many of them being formerly in active connection with the Presbyterian
churches. They have barracks in Band Street, and hold meetings almost daily,
either outside or in-doors. Their frequent processions on Sabbath-day and
week-day are rendered imposing by the carrying aloft of banners and the
accompaniment of instrumental music. |
