Robert Gordon (minister)
Encyclopedia
The Rev. Dr Robert Gordon (1786–1853) was a Scottish minister
and writer. He was a prominent minister in the Disruption
of the Free Church of Scotland
from the Church of Scotland
on18 May 1843.
He was the inventor of a self-registering hygrometer
.
, Dumfriesshire
, where his father was parochial schoolmaster. Aged fifteen, he was appointed parish teacher, his father having died some years before. Gordon decided to enter the ministry, and, after studying for some time at Edinburgh University, migrated in 1809 to Marischal College, Aberdeen, where he proceeded D.D. in November 1823. After holding several tutorships, and acting for a time as master in the Perth Academy
, he was licensed by the presbytery of Perth on 27 July 1814, and was ordained to Kinfauns
, 12 September 1816.
In February 1821 he was promoted to St. Cuthbert's chapel of ease, Edinburgh, and in January 1824 to the Hope Park chapel of ease, which was built for him. In September 1825 he moved to the New North Church, collegiate charge, and in 1830 to the High Church. From 1836 till 28 November 1843 he was collector of the Ministers' Widows' Fund.
When the conflict which led to the disruption of the Scottish church began, Gordon sided with the non-intrusionists, and was one of the committee appointed in 1839 to consider the case of the seven suspended ministers of Strathbogie
; and during the same year he appeared in the court of session to support the presbytery of Dunkeld
, then threatened with censure for disregarding the interdict in the Lathendy case. When the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
met at Edinburgh on 20 May 1841, Gordon was chosen Moderator, both parties uniting in his election; in this capacity he had to pronounce the deposition of the Strathbogie ministers.
Gordon presided at the public meeting in St. Cuthbert's Church, 25 August 1841, and delivered an address. He was one of the deputation which waited on Sir Robert Peel in the following month to state the case for the church. At the general assembly in 1842 Gordon seconded the adoption of the claim of right moved by Thomas Chalmers
. During the convocation held in Roxburgh
Church in the following November, Gordon presided, and delivered a speech, which has been described as the best apology for the Free Church movement.
On the disruption in May 1843, he left the established church, together with almost the whole of his congregation; from this time he was minister of the Free High Church till his death, after a short illness, in Northumberland Street, Edinburgh, on 21 October 1853. Gordon was a member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
, and of the Royal Scottish Society; he was also one of her majesty's master-printers for Scotland.
, and was the author of the articles on 'Euclid,' 'Geography,' and 'Meteorology' in the Edinburgh Encyclopædia. He also wrote introductory essays for The Redeemer's Tears, by John Howe, in 1822, 2nd edit. 1825; for the Mourner's Companion, edited by him, with works by John Flavel
and others; and for 'Emmanuel,' by Samuel Shaw
, in 1829.
A volume of his sermons was published at Edinburgh in 1825, and after his death a selection appeared under the title, 'Christ as made known to the Ancient Church,' vols. i. and ii. on the historical books of scripture in 1854, and vols. iii. and iv. on the prophetic books in 1855. Reports of some of his speeches were also preserved.
Minister of religion
In Christian churches, a minister is someone who is authorized by a church or religious organization to perform functions such as teaching of beliefs; leading services such as weddings, baptisms or funerals; or otherwise providing spiritual guidance to the community...
and writer. He was a prominent minister in the Disruption
Disruption of 1843
The Disruption of 1843 was a schism within the established Church of Scotland, in which 450 ministers of the Church broke away, over the issue of the Church's relationship with the State, to form the Free Church of Scotland...
of the Free Church of Scotland
Free Church of Scotland (1843-1900)
The Free Church of Scotland is a Scottish denomination which was formed in 1843 by a large withdrawal from the established Church of Scotland in a schism known as the "Disruption of 1843"...
from the Church of Scotland
Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland, known informally by its Scots language name, the Kirk, is a Presbyterian church, decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation....
on18 May 1843.
He was the inventor of a self-registering hygrometer
Hygrometer
A hygrometer is an instrument used for measuring the moisture content in the environmental air, or humidity. Most measurement devices usually rely on measurements of some other quantity such as temperature, pressure, mass or a mechanical or electrical change in a substance as moisture is absorbed...
.
Life
He was born 5 May 1786 at Old Crawfordto, GlencairnGlencairn
Glencairn may refer to:* Glencairn, Belfast, an electoral ward in Belfast, Northern Ireland* Glencairn, or John Erwin House, on the National Register of Historic Places in Greensboro, Alabama...
, Dumfriesshire
Dumfriesshire
Dumfriesshire or the County of Dumfries is a registration county of Scotland. The lieutenancy area of Dumfries has similar boundaries.Until 1975 it was a county. Its county town was Dumfries...
, where his father was parochial schoolmaster. Aged fifteen, he was appointed parish teacher, his father having died some years before. Gordon decided to enter the ministry, and, after studying for some time at Edinburgh University, migrated in 1809 to Marischal College, Aberdeen, where he proceeded D.D. in November 1823. After holding several tutorships, and acting for a time as master in the Perth Academy
Perth Academy
Perth Academy is a state comprehensive secondary school in the Scottish town of Perth. It was founded in 1760. The standard week at Perth Academy for students is Monday to Friday from 8.55am to 3.30pm, although this may differ for students taking part in any extra curricula activities. The...
, he was licensed by the presbytery of Perth on 27 July 1814, and was ordained to Kinfauns
Kinfauns
Kinfauns was a bungalow-style house, located at 16 Claremont Drive, Esher, Surrey, England, KT10 9LU, on the Claremont Estate. From 1964 to 1970 it was home of George Harrison, lead guitarist of The Beatles, and was where many of the demo recordings for the White Album were made...
, 12 September 1816.
In February 1821 he was promoted to St. Cuthbert's chapel of ease, Edinburgh, and in January 1824 to the Hope Park chapel of ease, which was built for him. In September 1825 he moved to the New North Church, collegiate charge, and in 1830 to the High Church. From 1836 till 28 November 1843 he was collector of the Ministers' Widows' Fund.
When the conflict which led to the disruption of the Scottish church began, Gordon sided with the non-intrusionists, and was one of the committee appointed in 1839 to consider the case of the seven suspended ministers of Strathbogie
Strathbogie
Strathbogie may refer to:* Strathbogie, the old name of Huntly in Scotland, and the strath to the south of it.* Strathbogie, Victoria, Australia* Shire of Strathbogie, Victoria, Australia* Strathbogie Ranges, Victoria, Australia...
; and during the same year he appeared in the court of session to support the presbytery of Dunkeld
Dunkeld
Dunkeld is a small town in Strathtay, Perth and Kinross, Scotland. It is about 15 miles north of Perth on the eastern side of the A9 road into the Scottish Highlands and on the opposite side of the Tay from the Victorian village of Birnam. Dunkeld and Birnam share a railway station, on the...
, then threatened with censure for disregarding the interdict in the Lathendy case. When the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is the sovereign and highest court of the Church of Scotland, and is thus the Church's governing body[1] An Introduction to Practice and Procedure in the Church of Scotland, A Gordon McGillivray, 2nd Edition .-Church courts:As a Presbyterian church,...
met at Edinburgh on 20 May 1841, Gordon was chosen Moderator, both parties uniting in his election; in this capacity he had to pronounce the deposition of the Strathbogie ministers.
Gordon presided at the public meeting in St. Cuthbert's Church, 25 August 1841, and delivered an address. He was one of the deputation which waited on Sir Robert Peel in the following month to state the case for the church. At the general assembly in 1842 Gordon seconded the adoption of the claim of right moved by Thomas Chalmers
Thomas Chalmers
Thomas Chalmers , Scottish mathematician, political economist, divine and a leader of the Free Church of Scotland, was born at Anstruther in Fife.-Overview:...
. During the convocation held in Roxburgh
Roxburgh
Roxburgh , also known as Rosbroch, is a village, civil parish and now-destroyed royal burgh. It was an important trading burgh in High Medieval to early modern Scotland...
Church in the following November, Gordon presided, and delivered a speech, which has been described as the best apology for the Free Church movement.
On the disruption in May 1843, he left the established church, together with almost the whole of his congregation; from this time he was minister of the Free High Church till his death, after a short illness, in Northumberland Street, Edinburgh, on 21 October 1853. Gordon was a member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
Royal Society of Edinburgh
The Royal Society of Edinburgh is Scotland's national academy of science and letters. It is a registered charity, operating on a wholly independent and non-party-political basis and providing public benefit throughout Scotland...
, and of the Royal Scottish Society; he was also one of her majesty's master-printers for Scotland.
Works
Early in life he devoted himself to scientific studies, invented a self-registering hygrometerHygrometer
A hygrometer is an instrument used for measuring the moisture content in the environmental air, or humidity. Most measurement devices usually rely on measurements of some other quantity such as temperature, pressure, mass or a mechanical or electrical change in a substance as moisture is absorbed...
, and was the author of the articles on 'Euclid,' 'Geography,' and 'Meteorology' in the Edinburgh Encyclopædia. He also wrote introductory essays for The Redeemer's Tears, by John Howe, in 1822, 2nd edit. 1825; for the Mourner's Companion, edited by him, with works by John Flavel
John Flavel
John Flavel was an English Presbyterian clergyman and author.-Life:Flavel was born at Bromsgrove, Worcestershire and studied at Oxford. Ordained as a Presbyterian in 1650, though later a Congregationalist, he held livings at Diptford and Dartmouth...
and others; and for 'Emmanuel,' by Samuel Shaw
Samuel Shaw (minister)
-Life:The son of Thomas Shaw, blacksmith, he was born at Repton, Derbyshire, in 1635. From Repton Grammar School he went to St John's College, Cambridge, where he was admitted sizar, 23 December 1650, and graduated B.A....
, in 1829.
A volume of his sermons was published at Edinburgh in 1825, and after his death a selection appeared under the title, 'Christ as made known to the Ancient Church,' vols. i. and ii. on the historical books of scripture in 1854, and vols. iii. and iv. on the prophetic books in 1855. Reports of some of his speeches were also preserved.