III. PROBATIONERS AND STUDENTS
James Dodson
III. PROBATIONERS ADMITTED
The following were accepted by the Synod, but never succeeded in obtaining charges:—
JOHN AIRD began his theological studies in 1826 in the Secession Hall, and was ordained at Muirkirk in 1832. On January 11, 1841, he asked admission to the Roll of Preachers in the Reformed Presbyterian Church,
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and on the following February 3 was admitted after trials. He accepted engagements until September 1842, and then became a teacher and home missionary at North Queensferry, when his name was removed from the active list. On October 3, 1844, he resigned his connection with the Presbytery, and asked for a certificate as he desired to join the Free Church at Dunfermline. He was dissatisfied with the certificate granted, but no alteration was made on it.
ROBERT DUNCAN. On September 19, 1843, Robert Duncan, described as a preacher of the Free Protesting Church, applied to the Edinburgh Presbytery for admission. He had been licensed by the Church of Scotland Presbytery of Lanark in 1837, but his licence had been suspended owing to some irregularity about his marriage. On March 29, 1843, that suspension had been removed. He declared himself disappointed with the Free Church. The Presbytery went very carefully into his case, and after a thorough examination he was admitted to Church membership, and trials for licence were set him. These he passed satisfactorily, and his case was referred to the Synod, but no more is heard of it.