John Adamson (minister)
Encyclopedia
John Adamson was a Scottish Minister and Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
. He was the son of Lawrence Adamson, Schoolmaster of Leuchars
. He was educated in St Andrews University where he received the degree of M.A.
in 1757. He was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of St Andrews on 2 March 1753, but it was not until 1764 that he was ordained as Minister of Kilmany
. Eight years later, in 1772 he transferred to the more lucrative post as Minister of the Second Charge of St Andrews
. He also became Professor of Civil History in the United College
in the University there. He was awarded a Doctorate in Divinity by his University in 1777. Two years later, in 1779 he transferred to the even more lucrative First Charge of St Andrews. He was technically presented to this charge by King George III
, but in fact by Henry Dundas, who exercised the royal patronage
in Scotland. He was elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
on 18 May 1797. This was during the French Revolutionary Wars
and the Government in Britain feared political agitation, so the General Assembly was anxious to demonstrate its loyalty and devotion. It voted an address to the King, signed by John Adamson, Moderator, which they assured him that
On 4 July 1765 he married Sophie Kay, daughter of Thomas Kay, Minister of Kilmany, and had a large family. He died of "an apoplexy after preaching on 21 August 1808
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
The Moderator of the General Assembly of Church of Scotland is a Minister, Elder or Deacon of the Church of Scotland chosen to "moderate" the annual General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, which is held for a week in Edinburgh every May....
. He was the son of Lawrence Adamson, Schoolmaster of Leuchars
Leuchars
Leuchars is a small town near the north-east coast of Fife in Scotland.The town is nearly to the north of the village of Guardbridge, which lies on the north bank of the River Eden where it widens to the Edenmouth estuary before joining the North Sea at St Andrews Bay. Leuchars is north-east of...
. He was educated in St Andrews University where he received the degree of M.A.
Master of Arts (Scotland)
A Master of Arts in Scotland can refer to an undergraduate academic degree in humanities and social sciences awarded by the ancient universities of Scotland – the University of St Andrews, the University of Glasgow, the University of Aberdeen and the University of Edinburgh, while the University of...
in 1757. He was licensed to preach the gospel by the Presbytery of St Andrews on 2 March 1753, but it was not until 1764 that he was ordained as Minister of Kilmany
Kilmany
Kilmany is a village in Fife in Scotland.It is notable for being the birthplace of Jim Clark, former world champion Formula One racing-car driver. There is a statue of Clark in the village, unveiled in 1997 by Sir Jackie Stewart....
. Eight years later, in 1772 he transferred to the more lucrative post as Minister of the Second Charge of St Andrews
St Andrews
St Andrews is a university town and former royal burgh on the east coast of Fife in Scotland. The town is named after Saint Andrew the Apostle.St Andrews has a population of 16,680, making this the fifth largest settlement in Fife....
. He also became Professor of Civil History in the United College
United College, St Andrews
The United College is one of the two statutory colleges of the University of St Andrews in St Andrews, Scotland...
in the University there. He was awarded a Doctorate in Divinity by his University in 1777. Two years later, in 1779 he transferred to the even more lucrative First Charge of St Andrews. He was technically presented to this charge by King George III
George III of the United Kingdom
George III was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of these two countries on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death...
, but in fact by Henry Dundas, who exercised the royal patronage
Patronage
Patronage is the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows to another. In the history of art, arts patronage refers to the support that kings or popes have provided to musicians, painters, and sculptors...
in Scotland. He was elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
The Moderator of the General Assembly of Church of Scotland is a Minister, Elder or Deacon of the Church of Scotland chosen to "moderate" the annual General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, which is held for a week in Edinburgh every May....
on 18 May 1797. This was during the French Revolutionary Wars
French Revolutionary Wars
The French Revolutionary Wars were a series of major conflicts, from 1792 until 1802, fought between the French Revolutionary government and several European states...
and the Government in Britain feared political agitation, so the General Assembly was anxious to demonstrate its loyalty and devotion. It voted an address to the King, signed by John Adamson, Moderator, which they assured him that
They continue to feel and to act as becomes Britons, ready to sacrifice every private consideration in behalf of their beloved Sovereign, of the independence of their country, and of their religion and liberties.While our people patiently and cheerfully endure the inevitable toils and burdens of a war, they join with us in cherishing the pleasing hope of peace, when peace can be obtained on terms fair and honourable, such as will give full security for the many blessings by which your Majesty's subjects are distinguished. For the attainment of which most desirable object, we rely, under God, with the most entire confidence on the wisdom and vigour of your Majesty's councils. http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=60199
On 4 July 1765 he married Sophie Kay, daughter of Thomas Kay, Minister of Kilmany, and had a large family. He died of "an apoplexy after preaching on 21 August 1808
Publications
- A Sermon preached on the anniversary of the Revolution 1789 (ie the Glorious RevolutionGlorious RevolutionThe Glorious Revolution, also called the Revolution of 1688, is the overthrow of King James II of England by a union of English Parliamentarians with the Dutch stadtholder William III of Orange-Nassau...
) - Statistical Account of Scotland, Parish, Vol XIII p 187 et seq, Report on the Parishes of St Andrews and St Leonards, Edinburgh 1792
Sources
- Scott, Hew 'Fasti ecclesiæ scoticanæ; the succession of ministers in the Church of Scotland from the reformation' Volume 5: synods of Fife, and of Angus and Mearns, pp 161, 235, 249 Edinburgh 1915
- Acts of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 1638-1842 , Church Law Society, Edinburgh, 1843. (British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/source.aspx?pubid=599
- Grierson, James Delineations of St. Andrews: being a particular account of every thing remarkable in .....(page 188) P Hill, Edinburgh 1807 http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=KxoFAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA188&dq=Dr+Adamson+St+Andrews&ei=mt8QTauGGIO2ywSg7YHVDw&cd=4#v=onepage&q=Dr%20Adamson%20St%20Andrews&f=false