The Free Church of Scotland: The Crisis of 1900 (Hardback)

The history of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland, over the last 150 years has been dominated by division and reunion. The dates 1843, 1892, 1900 and 1929 are full of significance to many. The story of why the divisions took place, and why the reunions met with only partial success has been told from different standpoints.

This volume, first published in 1910, seeks to explain why the Free Church of Scotland, which separated from the established Church of Scotland at the historic disruption of 1843, did not enter the union of 1900. The disruption battle was fought on the principle of the spiritual independence of the church over against encroachment of the state in her affairs. Almost 500 ministers gave up their stipends and manses to maintain that freedom. They steadfastly adhered, however, to the Establishment principal. In the years prior to 1900 there were moves in the Free Church not only to modify her testimony to the Establishment Principle, but also to alter relation to the Westminster Confession of Faith in the interests of union with the United Presbyterian church. A minority within the Free Church steadfastly resisted the trend. When the official union took place they did not join and maintained that that they were the representatives of the free church of 1843.

The story of how the despised minority thought further claim to be acknowledged as the true free church, how they took the keys to the house of lords, and how the judgement in their favour caused such a sensation, is all retold here.

The story of how the ‘despised' minority fought for their claim to be acknowledged as the true Free Church, how they took their case to the House of Lords, and how the judgement in their favour, cause such association, is all retold here.