William Dalrymple (moderator)
Encyclopedia
William Dalrymple D.D.
(29 August 1723 – 28 January 1814) was a Scottish religious writer, minister and moderator of the Church of Scotland
. He is remembered in a poem by Robert Burns
.
. He was born at Ayr on 29 August 1723, and was ordained, in the Church of Scotland
, minister of the second charge in Ayr in 1746, from which he was translated to the first charge in 1756. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity
from the University of St Andrews
in 1779, was elected moderator
of the general assembly of the church of Scotland in 1781, and died on 28 January 1814, having been one of the ministers of Ayr for the long period of sixty-eight years. Dalrymple was the author of several religious works.
' satirical poem The Kirk's Alarm:
The lines indicate that he was accused of holding unsound views on the subject of the Trinity; and the warm admiration which he expressed in the introduction to his History of Christ of a similar work on the death of Christ by his colleague Dr. McGill exposed him to criticism when the latter publication brought upon its author a prosecution in the church courts for heresy
.
, writing in the Dictionary of National Biography
, stated that "Such were, however, the simple piety, meekness, and habitual benevolence of Dr. Dalrymple, that he was universally beloved by his parishioners, and no active proceedings [for heresy] were ever taken against him." Gairdner also gives as an example of his character an anecdote of Dalrymple meeting a beggar in the country who was almost naked, upon which Dalrymple took off his own coat and waistcoat, gave the latter to the beggar; then, putting on his coat again, buttoned it about him and walked home.
According to Gilbert Burns, when a schoolmaster at Ayr, while drunk, said disrespectful things of Dr. Dalrymple, the resulting outrage by the people was so strong that he was obliged to leave the place and go to London.
Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
(29 August 1723 – 28 January 1814) was a Scottish religious writer, minister and moderator of the Church of Scotland
Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland, known informally by its Scots language name, the Kirk, is a Presbyterian church, decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation....
. He is remembered in a poem by Robert Burns
Robert Burns
Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide...
.
Biography
William Dalrymple was a younger son of James Dalrymple, sheriff-clerk of AyrAyr
Ayr is a town and port situated on the Firth of Clyde in south-west Scotland. With a population of around 46,000, Ayr is the largest settlement in Ayrshire, of which it is the county town, and has held royal burgh status since 1205...
. He was born at Ayr on 29 August 1723, and was ordained, in the Church of Scotland
Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland, known informally by its Scots language name, the Kirk, is a Presbyterian church, decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation....
, minister of the second charge in Ayr in 1746, from which he was translated to the first charge in 1756. He received the degree of Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
from the University of St Andrews
University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews, informally referred to as "St Andrews", is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge. The university is situated in the town of St Andrews, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It was founded between...
in 1779, was elected moderator
Moderators and clerks in the Church of Scotland
The Church of Scotland maintains a presbyterian polity and is thus governed by a hierarchy of bodies known as church courts. Each of these courts has a moderator and a clerk.-Moderators:...
of the general assembly of the church of Scotland in 1781, and died on 28 January 1814, having been one of the ministers of Ayr for the long period of sixty-eight years. Dalrymple was the author of several religious works.
Criticism
Dalrymple is chiefly remembered Robert BurnsRobert Burns
Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide...
' satirical poem The Kirk's Alarm:
The lines indicate that he was accused of holding unsound views on the subject of the Trinity; and the warm admiration which he expressed in the introduction to his History of Christ of a similar work on the death of Christ by his colleague Dr. McGill exposed him to criticism when the latter publication brought upon its author a prosecution in the church courts for heresy
Heresy
Heresy is a controversial or novel change to a system of beliefs, especially a religion, that conflicts with established dogma. It is distinct from apostasy, which is the formal denunciation of one's religion, principles or cause, and blasphemy, which is irreverence toward religion...
.
Character sketch
James GairdnerJames Gairdner
James Gairdner was a British historian. Specializing in 15th century and Early Tudor history, he among other tasks edited the Letters and Papers, foreign and domestic, of the reign of Henry VIII series....
, writing in the Dictionary of National Biography
Dictionary of National Biography
The Dictionary of National Biography is a standard work of reference on notable figures from British history, published from 1885...
, stated that "Such were, however, the simple piety, meekness, and habitual benevolence of Dr. Dalrymple, that he was universally beloved by his parishioners, and no active proceedings [for heresy] were ever taken against him." Gairdner also gives as an example of his character an anecdote of Dalrymple meeting a beggar in the country who was almost naked, upon which Dalrymple took off his own coat and waistcoat, gave the latter to the beggar; then, putting on his coat again, buttoned it about him and walked home.
According to Gilbert Burns, when a schoolmaster at Ayr, while drunk, said disrespectful things of Dr. Dalrymple, the resulting outrage by the people was so strong that he was obliged to leave the place and go to London.