John Robertson (minister)

John Robertson, (1768 - 1843) was Minister of Cambuslang from 1810 until his death. He was responsible for that Parish’s entry in the Second Statistical Account of Scotland dated 1836, though he did not write it himself. (The text modestly contrasts “"the author of the present text"” (actually, the Rev. William Patrick) with “"the present venerable and learned incumbent of Cambuslang"”) He was nephew of the Scottish Enlightenment historian William Robertson, Principal of Edinburgh University.Robertson was born circa 1768, he was licensed by the Presbytery of Lanark on the 8th of May, 1795, when he was made assistant to Dr Meek , his predecessor. He was ordained as assistant minister on 22nd August, 1797 and took over the Parish as Minister in 1810 on the death of Dr Meek. His one publication, "Lay Preaching indefensible on Scriptural Principles"," appeared in octavo form, in Glasgow, 1800 followed swiftly by a pamphlet rebutting criticism of his arguments. In 1813 he married "Sarah", eldest daughter of "William Shaw", bookseller, Glasgow. He had two sons, both educated at Glasgow University. The elder, "William", was Minister of Monivaird in Strathearn from 1843 until his death in 1864. He was a composer of many hymns, including "A little child the saviour came". The younger son, ‘‘Alexander’’, became a "clerk" in the Glasgow Royal Infirmary, and later died from a wound he received while assisting at a dissection. He also had four daughters one of whom, "Elizabeth" died along with her mother, in 1831, possibly of cholera. We know the name of another daughter, "Joanna", who survived and married.
Glasgow University conferred the degree of D.D upon "Mr Robertson" in 1826, possibly in recognition of his work among the poor. In 1826, he argued for and secured a contract to improve the Turnpike Road giving work to the unemployed. He was in ill health from at least 1833 and often had to call on fellow ministers for help. The last Kirk Session which he chaired personally was 2 January 1842. He died 2nd February, 1843, some four months before an historical split in the Church of Scotland. He had received his own post as minister from the Patronage of the Duke of Hamilton, so he may not have been in sympathy with those who left the Church on this issue. Neither do his publications seem to indicate he would have been on the side of the secessionists. These became the Free Church of Scotland part of which eventually re-united with the Church of Scotland in 1929. He is buried in the churchyard.

The current Church building - "Cambuslang Old Parish Church" - was built during his ministry. (The entry in the Statistical Account complains about the state of the church and manse in 1836 ). There were also extensive alterations in 1896.

"Dr Robertson's" assistant was the "Rev William Bain" - a versifier given to making fun of the church members.

Bibliography

* Robertson, John "Lay-preaching indefensible on Scripture principles; being remarks on the sacred history of the Apos"tles 92pp David Niven, Glasgow 1800
* Robertson, John "Reply to Mr. Ewing's animadversions on a pamphlet, entitled, lay-preaching indefensible on Scripture principles. In a letter to the author". 39pp David Niven Glasgow 1800

* Porter, Wm Henry "Cambuslang and its Ministers" (in Mitchell Library - Glasgow Collection, reference GC941.433 CAM 188520 Box 952)