Kilbirnie West
James Dodson
58
VI
REV. JAMES ANDERSON, M.A.
The death of Mr Gillison allowed the question of union with the East United Free Church to be raised, and the Presbytery sent a representation of their number to bring the matter before the congregation. Several meetings of one kind and another were held, but Session and people alike were unanimous in their desire to maintain their individuality, and “sternly opposed” any change. After some negotiations further proceedings were dropped. However desirable concentrated effort may be, it would have been a pity if the distinctive historic testimony of the old Reformed Presbyterian Church in Kilbirnie had been extinguished.
The congregation were therefore free to proceed with the choice of a minister. In the end only one name was brought forward, and the Rev. James Anderson, M.A., became the unanimous selection of Session and people alike. Mr Anderson is a native of Uplawmoor, Renfrewshire, and at first chose teaching as his life’s work. He went through the whole curriculum necessary to qualify for his profession. He served as a pupil teacher at Barrhead, and thereafter became a student at the Edinburgh Church of Scotland Training College, attending some classes at the
MR ANDERSON ELECTED 59
University there at the same time. After having taught for some years, he returned to the University to complete his course in Arts, graduating M.A. at Glasgow in 1914. During his undergraduate course, and while attending the Divinity Hall, he acted as assistant at Burnbank, Hamilton, and at the Macgregor Memorial United Free Church, Glasgow. Much has been written and spoken of the struggles which many Scottish men have endured so that they might preach the Gospel under the sanction, and by the authority, of the Church. Mr Anderson’s history exemplifies the sacrifices and perseverance that have so often been welcomed in their ministers by the religious people of the land. In all his endeavour he was aided and abetted by his like-minded and devoted wife, for Mr Anderson’s Arts and Divinity courses were passed with a young family growing up around him. She made a missionary-assistant’s meagre salary resemble the widow’s cruse of oil and barrel of meal.
In 1917, the same year in which he finished his Divinity course, Mr Anderson was called to Balgedie and Portmoak United Free Church—a congregation that in former days was associated with the names of Ebenezer Erskine and Dr M‘Kelvie, the historian of the congregations of the United Presbyterian Church. While in Kinross-shire he did much fine service as one of the chaplains who had the spiritual oversight of the shell-shock soldiers in the sanatorium near his manse, besides ministering to the local Church of Scotland congregation and acting for a time as head-master in a Milnathort school.
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His call to Kilbirnie was signed by 129 members and 60 concurrents, and the induction took place on April 29, 1920. The Rev. J. C. B. Geddes of Largs presided and gave the charges, while the Rev. W. B. Hutton of Saltcoats preached from Rom. viii. 9: “Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” On the following Sabbath the new minister was introduced to his congregation by the Rev. William Forbes of Cairneyhill, Mr Anderson conducting the afternoon service and preaching from Luke vii. 47: “Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.”
Since coming to Kilbirnie Mr Anderson has won the good opinion of those with whom he has had public relations. The Salvation Army testify to his zeal for evangelistic work, and his willingness to co-operate in all common efforts for the spiritual advancement of the community. Those in charge of the educational affairs of the district have declared his great usefulness on the Education Authority of which he is a member. He is chairman of the Kilbirnie and Glengarnock Nursing and Ambulance Association, and Hon. Secretary of the Relief Committee of the town and district. His deep interest in the social condition and welfare of the people has thereby found an appropriate outlet.
During the century the congregation have necessarily had much faithful service bestowed upon them—service which never looked for recompense, and whose value seemed to perish with the year that
Illustration: Sabbath School Teachers, 1923.
SOME MEMBERS 61
saw it. What has thus been done, however, has been woven into the texture of the congregation and community as they now exist, and its record is written elsewhere in the permanent book of God’s remembrance. Among family names that stand out in the records are those of Knox, Muir, Martin and Fyfe—families that have belonged to the congregation from the beginning, and have assisted greatly in maintaining their continued prosperity. Within the past few months the whole-hearted service of William Mackie, J.P., has been lost. He was a manager and preses for many years, and was greatly interested in the present Centenary celebrations, but his help was suddenly removed on April 13, to the great sorrow of his fellow-members.
After a century of full activity, the prospects of the congregation are at present brighter than ever during their history. As an indication of the position they hold and the work they are doing, the following may be quoted from the last report made by the Presbytery on the congregation:
“They are greatly gratified to learn, not only of the zeal and vigour with which the new ministry has been entered upon, but of the response made by office-bearers and people, and especially of the large measure of success attending the work among the young. They congratulate minister and people alike on the continued spirit of Christian liberality, on the gratifying attendance at the weekly prayer-meeting, and on the other evidences of increased spiritual interest.”
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All through their existence the congregation have stood for the Crown Rights of the Redeemer, the perfect freedom of the people to worship as conscience dictates, and evangelical truth. Everything indicates that their life is still being maintained in full vigour and energy, and that the spirit of their Covenanting forefathers is still alive among them, even amid all the necessary changes that have taken place since the days of Cameron and Renwick and Peden.
“Ungrateful Country, if thou e’er forget
The sons who for thy civil rights have bled! . . .
But these had fallen for profitless regret
Had not thy holy Church her champions bred,
And claims from other worlds inspirited
The star of Liberty to rise. Nor yet
(Grave this within thy heart!) if spiritual things
Be lost, through apathy, or scorn, or fear,
Shalt thou thy humbler franchises support,
However hardly won or justly dear:
What came from heaven to heaven by nature clings,
And, if dissevered thence, its course is short.”
WORDSWORTH.