VII. Alexander McPherson Rev. Alexander McPherson (1915-2000) was ordained in 1961 and was successively Free Presbyterian minister of Dornoch, Farr, London, and Perth. It was in a sermon of his at the Stratherrick communion in 1994 that the present writer first heard the lines under discussion; and Mr McPherson quoted them again in a most moving way YOUNG at a communion in Dornoch in 1999, the year before his death.

VIII. Conclusion Bulwark Rowland Hill’s biographer, Rev. Edwin Sidney, was critical of Gambold’s lines: “Some objections have been made to these lines so often used by Mr Hill; but though, as read by most persons, they would appear to be of too jingling a nature for the truths they contain, yet when repeated by my aged relative, they produced the effect Hugh upon those who heard them that Mr Clayton describes. They were constantly on his Binning lips, because by them he gave utterance to his feelings of entire reliance on Christ, with a sense of his undeserved love, and a Hugh Binning’s family was well off, so By the age of thirteen or fourteen he was consciousness of that spiritual union with they could afford to make sure that such an experienced believer that the David Brown him by faith which is the believer’s truest he had a very good education. Hugh most mature Christians went to him for consolation. As a composition it would be showed that he was good at learning. spiritual help and encouragement. He was in vain to defend them, and I, for one, most In fact, he was so good at learning the not just a genius, he was a godly genius 350) writes as follows: “From April 1897 Dr sincerely wish these sentiments had been Latin language that he was better at who advanced beyond others in spiritual Brown was but little out of bed. It became expressed in a manner more suitable to it than all the older boys in the school. things as well as in learning. He had such evident that he was gradually becoming their dignity.” He proved himself to be what we call an amazing memory that he could listen weaker, and that the end could not be far a genius, someone who has advanced to a sermon and then go away and write off; but at last it came somewhat abruptly. Many would disagree. In speaking of the talents that are out of the ordinary. When it out fully word for word. On the morning of Saturday 3rd July, when redeemed Church’s participation in the the other boys went off to play he would Miss Brown went into his room, she heard life of Christ, George Smeaton, Christ’s either pray to God on his own or go and As you might guess, Hugh went very him repeating the lines in a faint voice: ‘And Doctrine of the Atonement, p. 257, says: find some godly people to talk to. This early to university. He tackled the difficult when I’m to die, …He’ll not live in glory and “The members [of the Church] are one with was what he preferred. It was not that subject of philosophy. This goes very leave me behind.’ He then fell asleep but the Head, and even now live together with he was unsociable or unfriendly, he had deeply into how we think and reason and awoke an hour later…Soon afterwards he him; and so joined, as Gambold expresses a cheerful nature. He just felt drawn what makes a good argument. He was fell unconscious, and remained in that state it, that He will not be in glory and leave then to spiritual things when he was not able to think carefully about the nature of until the end came quietly, a little before six behind.” studying. He found close friendship with reality, science, and things in the natural o’clock in the evening.” God himself in prayer and loved to live in world. The more he understood of the a way that pleased the Lord. world around him, the more it made

24 The Bulwark January - March 2020 25 him wonder at the wisdom and glory of again. She realised that it was not even The Scottish Church had always been sermons. He spoke so clearly, powerfully God. None of it was difficult to him at from a minister at all! governed by ministers and elders in and persuasively that someone said, all. In fact, he was able to do more in one regional and national meetings as “there is no speaking after Hugh hour than others could do in many days He became a minister in a part of well as in congregations. We call this Binning.” You could not add something by hard study. But this did not make called when he was still Presbyterian Church government. that he had missed out and you could him proud; he was always humble, not very young, just 22. As part of becoming Presbyter is the Greek New Testament not argue against what he had said. thinking that he was better than others. a minister he was asked to give a lecture word for elder. But Cromwell thought But he was a humble and godly genius. He started to study theology next, to on a very difficult subject in theology. that he could persuade them to stop Sometimes people tell us the right things learn more about God and the Bible. Dr John Strang, a professor of theology having churches working together in but they do not do them themselves. was someone who had studied this this way. Each congregation would be Hugh Binning was different; he practised At the same time they were looking for a difficult subject for a long time. He was completely from others. what he preached in the way that he new professor of philosophy. People were astonished. “Where has this young man But the Scots had carefully examined lived. As someone said, “He lived as he urging Hugh to apply. He was not sure and got all this learning and reading?”, he the Bible and decided that it was clear spoke, and spoke as he lived.” did not like to make too much of himself. asked. that congregations are to work together. Eventually he agreed. He was clearly Where there is a problem, the elders of But Hugh Binning’s life was going to be the best person for the job. But he was Hugh Binning was humble but that congregations can come together to short. He only lived to be 26. Yet he had actually so young that he was going to be did not mean that he would shy away decide about it. You can read about how lived in such fellowship with God that the same age as his students! They knew, from ever preaching, even if those in this was done in Acts chapter 15. it was a delight for him to be taken to however, that Hugh was wise enough that the congregation were going to be very heaven. He was like Enoch who walked this would not be a problem for him. important or very godly. A friend said To get the Scots to change their minds, with God and then the Lord took him to to him that this was strange since he Cromwell organised a debate at Glasgow be with himself. When he was buried, As well as such a demanding job he was otherwise so humble and did not between some Independents and the they put up a stone that told people managed to complete the theology course. want to put himself forward. Hugh gave Scots Presbyterians. But he had not about his life. The most important words After several years of this important job, the reason. If he was called to preach reckoned on Hugh Binning’s biblical were the last which read: “He changed his he was eager to do what he believed God his master in any place he could not do understanding and clear reasoning. Hugh country, not his company, because when was calling him to and what he wanted to anything else but say, “Here am I, send spoke so powerfully and convincingly on earth he walked with God.” do more than anything. He was going to me. Why should I resist Christ’s call? If that Cromwell was astonished. So were become a minister. Christ is present who is so holy and so the Independent ministers. They did Maybe you like to read books and learn much to be revered, who else am I going not know what to say or how to answer. about people like Hugh Binning. Maybe He had to preach before all the local to dread or be aware of? I forget who is “What’s the name of that learned and you prefer to make things with your ministers so that they could see if he present, and who is absent.” bold young man” asked Cromwell. When hands. It is important to use the gifts was suitable for becoming a minister. he heard his surname it reminded him that God has given us, whatever they may He prepared his sermon and decided to Once he had to speak in front of Oliver of the word binding. So he said “He has be. We may never be a genius like Hugh send it to a friend – a godly lady who was Cromwell who was the ruler of England bound well indeed”, speaking about his Binning. But more importantly, there is in Edinburgh. He did not like to put his and after King Charles had been strong arguments. “But”, said Cromwell no reason why we should not strive to be name on it as this seemed a bit boastful. put to death. Cromwell’s troops were now (laying his hand on his sword), “this will godly as he was. Of course we first need She found it such a precious sermon occupying Scotland after his invasion. loose all again.” to have a new heart that trusts and loves that she showed it to the Lord Provost Cromwell once sent the soldiers into the God above all things and wants to please of Edinburgh who was like the mayor General Assembly of the Church, the With all his learning and ability Hugh him. The Bible tells us that the best life of the city. He immediately said that national meeting of elders and ministers. Binning knew how to make difficult is not the most successful life: it is the whoever this eminent minister was, they They were ordered not to have any more things easy to understand. His sermons most godly life. To be godly and content needed to send a call to him to come to national meetings. Cromwell wanted were actually quite simple. Great crowds is great gain. Godliness benefits us in a congregation in Edinburgh. But then to get the Scots to change the way the wanted to hear him preach because everything in this life and it prepares us Hugh wrote asking for his sermon back Church was governed. they were able to get so much from his for the life to come.

26 The Bulwark January - March 2020 27 Hugh Binning 1627 Hugh Binning is born. Hugh Binning Key 1633 Charles I crowned in Scotland. Word Dates 1637 Scots protest against a prayer-book Search being forced on them. 1638 Can you find all the hidden words Scots begin to sign the in this word search? to prevent changes to the Church. 1639-1640 King Charles I declares war on Scots but is defeated. 1640 Hugh Binning goes to university. 1641 Rebellion breaks out in Ireland. 1642 English Civil War begins. 1643 Solemn League and Covenant is signed between Scots and English 1645 Parliament. The Westminster ’s ‘New Assembly begins. Model Army’ is established. 1646 Hugh Binning begins to teach philosophy. 1646 Charles I surrenders to the Scots. 1649 Hugh Binning becomes minister of Govan. Charles I is executed . Words are hidden and . 1650 Hugh Binning is married. Oliver Cromwell invades CONGREGATION GODLINESS SCIENCE Scotland. 1651 CROMWELL LEARNING STUDENT Hugh Binning debates English ELDERS MINISTER STUDY ministers before Cromwell. 1651 Charles II is crowned king of Scotland. ENOCH PHILOSOPHY SWORD Cromwell defeats Charles II GENIUS PREACH THEOLOGY at the Battle of Worcester. 1653 GIFTS PRESBYTER UNIVERSITY Hugh Binning dies. Oliver Cromwell makes himself Lord Protector. GLASGOW PROFESSOR

28 The Bulwark January - March 2020 29