Free Church of Scotland
Hymns #15, 84, 319, Appendix 26, 73.
This hymn writer was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, December 19, 1808. His deliverance from the power of sin is fully expressed in those well known gospel hymns, “I heard the voice of Jesus say, Come unto Me and rest,” and “I was a wandering sheep, I did not love the fold.” The grace of God led him to say in faith:
‘Jesus my shepherd is:
‘Twas He that loved my soul,
‘Twas He that washed me in His blood,
‘Twas He that made me whole.”
He took up the work of the “ministry” at Kelso in 1837 so that he must have been brought to Christ before that date to actually serve the Lord. In 1843 he attached himself to the Free Church of Scotland. He preached with great earnestness and did house-to-house visitation. He spared not himself to bring the gospel to the perishing. Many were led to Christ through his efforts. Thus he lived for several score of years to serve the Lord in the gospel.
He passed on to glory July 31, 1889 and now rests from his labors, but his works follow him.