Begg, James, c 1843-1847

From a typed note pasted on the page: "Begg, James (1808-1883), free church minister; M.A. Glasgow; licensed as preacher, 1829; ordained, 1830; minister at Paisley, 1831, Liberton, 1835-43; and Newington, 1843-83; supported measures of evangelical party in Scotland, and took keen interest in cause of protestantism; moderator of general assembly of the Free church, 1865. [iv. 127]". From a second typed note pasted on the page: "Begg, James, D.D. Born 1808. Son of the parish minister of New Monkland. Studied at Glasgow University. Ordained at Maxwelltown, Dumfries, 1830. Became assistant to Dr. Jones, Lady Glenorchy's Chapel, Edinburgh, 1831. The year following he was inducted to the Middle Parish Church, Paisley. Translated to Liberton parish, 1835. Signed the Act of Separation and Deed of Demission. Soon after the Disruption Dr. Begg and a number of his people removed to Edinburgh, securing a site in Newington on which a handsome church was erected. In 1865 he was Moderator of the General Assembly. Married, 1835, Margaret Campbell; and, in 1846, Maria Faithfull. Dr. Begg was a prominent figure on the Evangelical side in the contendings for the Church's freedom from civil interference, which issued in separation from the State. He was practically the founder of The Scottish Reformation Society and The Protestant Institute of Scotland. The evils of the bothy system, the growth of pauperism and crime through intemperance and thriftlessness, the defects of legislation suitable for the times - these were powerfully enforced in Church courts, on the platform, and through the press. In the Union controversy, in which the Free Church was engaged from 1863 to 1873, Dr. Begg was the leader of the "Constitutional" party. Died, 1883. Publications.- Dr. Begg launched and for twenty-one years edited the Bulwark, or Reformation Journal; he also projected and edited the Watchword . His books were: Handbook of Popery. Happy Homes for Working Men. Free Church Principles. A Treatise for the Times on Worship. Posthumous.- Life of James Begg, D.D. , by Dr. Thomas Smith, 2 vols."