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David Scott (1794-1871)

Database

David Scott (1794-1871)

James Dodson

Biographical Sketch

Born in Pollackshaws, near Glasgow, Scotland, July 17, 1794. He entered a course of classical study, in preparation for ministry, at an early age. In 1820, after graduating from the University of Glasgow, having spent two years studying medicine, he studied theology in the Paisley Seminary of the Reformed Presbyterian Church and was licensed by the Glasgow Presbytery, June 19, 1824. He preached and taught in Scotland for approximately five years. Afterward, he came to the United States, in the spring of 1829, and preached for three years with much acceptance from the people. He was ordained sine titulo [without a particular ministerial charge] by the Southern Presbytery, as a home missionary, and he itinerated among various mission stations. On June 7, 1836, he was installed pastor of the congregation of Albany, New York, where he remained until he resigned, May 8, 1842. He was installed as the pastor of the Rochester, New York, congregation, July 11, 1844, where he remained until released from that charge, July 19, 1862. In the winter of 1866, he taught at the Theological Seminary, in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, and, then, he returned to work within the bounds of the Rochester Presbytery for the rest of his life. He died at his home in Rochester, New York, of heart disease, March 29, 1871. He was a man well acquainted with the history of the church and, during the controversy with the “New Lights,” in 1833, he stood firmly to the principles of the Covenanter Church. Among his published works were many pamphlets and a book, “Distinctive Principles of the Reformed Presbyterian Church” (1841), which were produced to quell the controversies which swarmed in the church around the time of the division of 1833.

Works:

Featured
Calm Examination of Dr. McMaster’s Letters on Civil Government.
Calm Examination of Dr. McMaster’s Letters on Civil Government.

1832-David Scott.-In this “Calm Examination,” Scott surveys Gilbert McMaster’s “Four Letters on Civil Government,” which was written to give an apology for the defecting party known as “New Lights.” Scott takes McMaster’s arguments seriously and systematically dismantles them. He shows the defects in the thinking of the “New Light” theology and demonstrates that it is contrary to the historic position of the Reformed Presbyterian Church.

An Exposure of Dr. McMaster’s “BRIEF INQUIRY.”
An Exposure of Dr. McMaster’s “BRIEF INQUIRY.”

1833-David Scott.-In this examination of McMaster’s “Brief Inquiry,” Scott shows that the narrative of the “New Lights’ is wrong and even dishonest. He explains that the history which is a term of communion in the Reformed Presbyterian church is that which has the sanction of Synod. This is a very good explanation of the historical roots of political dissent, including voting and serving on juries, in America.

Narrative of the Division of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, U.S., 1833.
Narrative of the Division of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, U.S., 1833.

1863-David Scott.-This pamphlet contains a synopsis of Scott’s earlier works prepared during the controversy with the “New Lights.” It is a good overview of the position of the Reformed Presbyterian church regarding relations to the civil authorities in the United States. It is also notable for its discussion of church authority through its courts.