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Free Church of Scotland (post 1900)
Encyclopedia
Free Church of Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: An Eaglais Shaor) is that part of the original Free Church of Scotland that remained outside of the union with the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland
in 1900. It remains a distinct Presbyterian denomination in Scotland
to this day, and is commonly referred to (in Highland English
, and mostly by outsiders) as The Wee Frees, though this nickname is sometimes used for the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland
(also occasionally known as The Wee Wee Frees).
to form the United Free Church of Scotland
. However, a minority of the original Free Church remained outside of this new union.
The protesting and dissenting minority at once claimed to be the legitimate Free Church. They met outside the Free Assembly Hall on October 31, and, failing to gain admission, withdrew to another hall, where they elected Colin A. Bannatyne as moderator and held the remaining sittings of their Assembly.
It was reported that between 16,000 and 17,000 names had been received of persons adhering to the anti-unionist principle. At the Assembly of 1901 it was stated that the Free Church had twenty-five ministers and at least sixty-three congregations with most being found in the Gaelic-speaking districts of Scotland
.
The initial problems were obvious: her congregations soon grew in number, but were far apart; there were not nearly enough ministers; the church was treated in a hostile manner by the United Free Church; work was conducted under considerable hardship and there was little success in appealing to the general popular sentiment of Scotland
. However, the revenue of the church gradually increased; in 1901, the sustentation fund was able to support only 75 ministers, but by 1903 it maintained 167.
was re-established in Edinburgh
and by 1925 there were 91 ministers and 170 congregations in 12 presbyteries. The general magazine of the Free Church is The Monthly Record and there are magazines for young people. Two of the professors in the Free Church College began a theological journal the Evangelical Quarterly
in 1929, but in 1942 control passed outside the church, initially to Inter Varsity Fellowship. Today the College offers degrees in conjunction with the University of Glasgow
.
Post-1945, the Free Church engaged with the wider evangelical cause, but after its growth in the early decades, it began a statistical decline that, except for a short period in the 1980s, has continued. As of 2000, it has a community of about 12,000 including some 5,000 communicants, and is evidencing a greater effort to bring the Gospel
to bear upon an increasingly secular society.
The church maintains its strong commitment to the Westminster Confession and Reformed Theology. A complete psalter
in modern English was published in 2003. Its offices and theological college remain on The Mound, Edinburgh
, although the denomination no longer holds the original Free Church College buildings.
The Free Church continues to be evangelical
in character, presenting its understanding of the Christian
message, namely that Jesus Christ is sole Lord and Saviour
. New churches continue to be planted, most recently in Dunfermline
and St Andrews
in Fife
. There has been an increase in the numbers applying to the Free Church ministry, and studying in its Saturday course (provided by the Free Church College
).
The Free Church of Scotland belongs to the International Conference of Reformed Churches
. It has maintained an extensive missionary commitment for its size, with former missions in India
, Peru
and South Africa
now having self-governing status. There is a close relationship with the Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia
.
, over twenty ministers were removed from their pulpits. These and other ministers formed the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing)
(FCC) and are approximately 20% of the ministerial strength of the pre-2000 Free Church of Scotland.
Following their departure, the Free Church Continuing sought a declarator from the Court of Session
as to ownership of the central funds and properties of the church. In a landmark decision, Lady Paton dismissed their action without granting absolvitor. The Continuing Church then marked their intention to appeal Lady Paton's opinion, but ultimately chose not to proceed. In March 2007, The Free Church of Scotland proceeded to take legal action at Broadford
, in the Isle of Skye, seeking to reclaim the church manse
. Lord Uist decided, after hearing legal argument, that the property belonged to the Free Church of Scotland. Accordingly the Free Church (Continuing) were required to pay the Expenses of the Free Church of Scotland. The Free Church (Continuing) have since launched an appeal
to the Inner House
of the Court of Session
. The Inner House has since upheld the decision of Lord Uist, determining that the self-styled Free Church (Continuing) has no right to the property
assembly took place to debate and vote on allowing the singing of hymn
s and use of musical instruments in Free Church services. The motion was passed by a narrow margin. A number of ministers insisted on recording their dissent over the decision. As of September 2011, three ministers (one retired) have resigned over the decision.
Intimations may be read out before the first psalm (in effect, before the actual service begins) or immediately after the reading.
A 'first' reading may appear between the first psalm and the first prayer. This reading will be of relevance to the 'main' reading.
A message to the children may appear after the first prayer, and children will head off to Sunday school or bible class after the second psalm.
Lay preachers will replace the benediction with a short prayer.
Since its inauguration until the events of 2010, only the psalms
of the Old Testament
(and in a very few instances, paraphrases of other parts of the Bible
) would be sung during the services. Musical instruments were never used. Ostensibly, all but one of the psalms can now be replaced with hymns, and instruments can be used as an accompaniment
.
, five in North America
as well as missions in India
, Peru
and South Africa
.
United Presbyterian Church of Scotland
The United Presbyterian Church of Scotland was a Scottish Presbyterian denomination. It was formed in 1847 by the union of the United Secession Church and the Relief Church, and in 1900 merged with the Free Church of Scotland to form the United Free Church of Scotland, which in turn united with...
in 1900. It remains a distinct Presbyterian denomination in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
to this day, and is commonly referred to (in Highland English
Highland English
Highland English is the variety of Scottish English spoken by many in the Scottish Highlands. It is more strongly influenced by Gaelic than other forms of Scottish English. Island English is the variety spoken as a second language by native Gaelic speakers in the Outer Hebrides...
, and mostly by outsiders) as The Wee Frees, though this nickname is sometimes used for the Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland
Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland
The Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland was formed in 1893 and claims to be the spiritual descendant of the Scottish Reformation...
(also occasionally known as The Wee Wee Frees).
Aftermath of the union of 1900
In 1900 the Free Church of Scotland united with the United Presbyterian Church of ScotlandUnited Presbyterian Church of Scotland
The United Presbyterian Church of Scotland was a Scottish Presbyterian denomination. It was formed in 1847 by the union of the United Secession Church and the Relief Church, and in 1900 merged with the Free Church of Scotland to form the United Free Church of Scotland, which in turn united with...
to form the United Free Church of Scotland
United Free Church of Scotland
The United Free Church of Scotland is a Scottish Presbyterian denomination formed in 1900 by the union of the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland and the Free Church of Scotland...
. However, a minority of the original Free Church remained outside of this new union.
The protesting and dissenting minority at once claimed to be the legitimate Free Church. They met outside the Free Assembly Hall on October 31, and, failing to gain admission, withdrew to another hall, where they elected Colin A. Bannatyne as moderator and held the remaining sittings of their Assembly.
It was reported that between 16,000 and 17,000 names had been received of persons adhering to the anti-unionist principle. At the Assembly of 1901 it was stated that the Free Church had twenty-five ministers and at least sixty-three congregations with most being found in the Gaelic-speaking districts of Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
The initial problems were obvious: her congregations soon grew in number, but were far apart; there were not nearly enough ministers; the church was treated in a hostile manner by the United Free Church; work was conducted under considerable hardship and there was little success in appealing to the general popular sentiment of Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. However, the revenue of the church gradually increased; in 1901, the sustentation fund was able to support only 75 ministers, but by 1903 it maintained 167.
The Free Church case
After the union of 1900, the United Presbyterian Church and the continuing Free Church not only contested the legacy of the Free Church of 1843–1900, but also claimed its assets. After attempts at agreement failed, the matter ended in the Scottish courts. The litigation was initially decided in favour of the Free Church by the House of Lords in 1904, on the basis that in the absence of a power to change fundamental doctrines in the trust deed a dissenting minority retains the property. As it was not possible for the Free Church to utilise all the property, Parliamentary intervention occurred which, in general, secured for the church the congregational property she could effectively use plus a significant share of central assets.The life of the church
In 1906, a Free Church CollegeFree Church College
The Free Church College is a theological seminary in Edinburgh connected to the Free Church of Scotland. It traces its origins back to the foundation of New College, Edinburgh at the time of the Disruption of 1843...
was re-established in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
and by 1925 there were 91 ministers and 170 congregations in 12 presbyteries. The general magazine of the Free Church is The Monthly Record and there are magazines for young people. Two of the professors in the Free Church College began a theological journal the Evangelical Quarterly
Evangelical Quarterly
Evangelical Quarterly is an academic journal covering theology and biblical studies. It was establlished in 1929 by Donald Maclean and J. R. Mackay. The current editors are I. Howard Marshall, John-Paul Lotz, and John Wilks....
in 1929, but in 1942 control passed outside the church, initially to Inter Varsity Fellowship. Today the College offers degrees in conjunction with the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
.
Post-1945, the Free Church engaged with the wider evangelical cause, but after its growth in the early decades, it began a statistical decline that, except for a short period in the 1980s, has continued. As of 2000, it has a community of about 12,000 including some 5,000 communicants, and is evidencing a greater effort to bring the Gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
to bear upon an increasingly secular society.
The church maintains its strong commitment to the Westminster Confession and Reformed Theology. A complete psalter
Psalter
A psalter is a volume containing the Book of Psalms, often with other devotional material bound in as well, such as a liturgical calendar and litany of the Saints. Until the later medieval emergence of the book of hours, psalters were the books most widely owned by wealthy lay persons and were...
in modern English was published in 2003. Its offices and theological college remain on The Mound, Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, although the denomination no longer holds the original Free Church College buildings.
The Free Church continues to be evangelical
Evangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
in character, presenting its understanding of the Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
message, namely that Jesus Christ is sole Lord and Saviour
Redeemer (Christianity)
In Christian theology, Jesus is sometimes referred to as a Redeemer. This refers to the salvation he is believed to have accomplished, and is based on the metaphor of redemption, or "buying back". Although the New Testament does not use the title "Redeemer", the word "redemption" is used in several...
. New churches continue to be planted, most recently in Dunfermline
Dunfermline
Dunfermline is a town and former Royal Burgh in Fife, Scotland, on high ground from the northern shore of the Firth of Forth. According to a 2008 estimate, Dunfermline has a population of 46,430, making it the second-biggest settlement in Fife. Part of the town's name comes from the Gaelic word...
and St Andrews
St Andrews
St Andrews is a university town and former royal burgh on the east coast of Fife in Scotland. The town is named after Saint Andrew the Apostle.St Andrews has a population of 16,680, making this the fifth largest settlement in Fife....
in Fife
Fife
Fife is a council area and former county of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire...
. There has been an increase in the numbers applying to the Free Church ministry, and studying in its Saturday course (provided by the Free Church College
Free Church College
The Free Church College is a theological seminary in Edinburgh connected to the Free Church of Scotland. It traces its origins back to the foundation of New College, Edinburgh at the time of the Disruption of 1843...
).
The Free Church of Scotland belongs to the International Conference of Reformed Churches
International Conference of Reformed Churches
The International Conference of Reformed Churches is a federation of Reformed or Calvinist churches across the world. Its theology is more conservative than the larger World Alliance of Reformed Churches and Reformed Ecumenical Council and is similar to that of the World Reformed Fellowship.-...
. It has maintained an extensive missionary commitment for its size, with former missions in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
and South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
now having self-governing status. There is a close relationship with the Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia
Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia
The Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia is a Presbyterian denomination which was formed in Sydney on 10 October 1846 by three ministers and a ruling elder...
.
2000 events
From the 1980s there was dissatisfaction with the manner in which allegations against Professor Donald Macleod of the Free Church were handled. No allegations were ever proven against Professor Macleod. In January 2000, following charges of contumacyContumacy
Contumacy is a stubborn refusal to obey authority or, particularly in law, the wilful contempt of the order or summons of a court The term is derived from the Latin word contumacia, meaning firmness or stubbornness....
, over twenty ministers were removed from their pulpits. These and other ministers formed the Free Church of Scotland (Continuing)
Free Church of Scotland (Continuing)
The Free Church of Scotland is a Scottish Presbyterian denomination which was formed in January 2000...
(FCC) and are approximately 20% of the ministerial strength of the pre-2000 Free Church of Scotland.
Following their departure, the Free Church Continuing sought a declarator from the Court of Session
Court of Session
The Court of Session is the supreme civil court of Scotland, and constitutes part of the College of Justice. It sits in Parliament House in Edinburgh and is both a court of first instance and a court of appeal....
as to ownership of the central funds and properties of the church. In a landmark decision, Lady Paton dismissed their action without granting absolvitor. The Continuing Church then marked their intention to appeal Lady Paton's opinion, but ultimately chose not to proceed. In March 2007, The Free Church of Scotland proceeded to take legal action at Broadford
Broadford, Isle of Skye
Broadford , together with nearby Harrapool, is the second-largest settlement on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, lying on the SW corner of Broadford Bay, on the A87 between Portree and the Skye Bridge....
, in the Isle of Skye, seeking to reclaim the church manse
Manse
A manse is a house inhabited by, or formerly inhabited by, a minister, usually used in the context of a Presbyterian, Methodist, Baptist or United Church...
. Lord Uist decided, after hearing legal argument, that the property belonged to the Free Church of Scotland. Accordingly the Free Church (Continuing) were required to pay the Expenses of the Free Church of Scotland. The Free Church (Continuing) have since launched an appeal
Appeal
An appeal is a petition for review of a case that has been decided by a court of law. The petition is made to a higher court for the purpose of overturning the lower court's decision....
to the Inner House
Inner House
The Inner House is the senior part of the Court of Session, the supreme civil court in Scotland; the Outer House forms the junior part of the Court of Session. It is a court of appeal and a court of first instance...
of the Court of Session
Court of Session
The Court of Session is the supreme civil court of Scotland, and constitutes part of the College of Justice. It sits in Parliament House in Edinburgh and is both a court of first instance and a court of appeal....
. The Inner House has since upheld the decision of Lord Uist, determining that the self-styled Free Church (Continuing) has no right to the property
Church music
In November 2010, a special plenaryPlenary session
Plenary session is a term often used in conferences to define the part of the conference when all members of all parties are to attend.These sessions may contain a broad range of content from keynotes to panel discussions and are not necessarily related to a specific style of delivery.The term has...
assembly took place to debate and vote on allowing the singing of hymn
Hymn
A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification...
s and use of musical instruments in Free Church services. The motion was passed by a narrow margin. A number of ministers insisted on recording their dissent over the decision. As of September 2011, three ministers (one retired) have resigned over the decision.
Worship
Traditional Free Church services are at 11am and 6:30pm on Sunday Sabbath, or the Lord's Day, and the order of service is:- A singing of praise
- A prayer
- A second singing of praise
- A reading from the bible
- A third singing of praise
- The sermon
- A second prayer
- A fourth singing of praise
- The benediction
Intimations may be read out before the first psalm (in effect, before the actual service begins) or immediately after the reading.
A 'first' reading may appear between the first psalm and the first prayer. This reading will be of relevance to the 'main' reading.
A message to the children may appear after the first prayer, and children will head off to Sunday school or bible class after the second psalm.
Lay preachers will replace the benediction with a short prayer.
Since its inauguration until the events of 2010, only the psalms
Psalms
The Book of Psalms , commonly referred to simply as Psalms, is a book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Bible...
of the Old Testament
Old Testament
The Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
(and in a very few instances, paraphrases of other parts of the Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
) would be sung during the services. Musical instruments were never used. Ostensibly, all but one of the psalms can now be replaced with hymns, and instruments can be used as an accompaniment
Accompaniment
In music, accompaniment is the art of playing along with an instrumental or vocal soloist or ensemble, often known as the lead, in a supporting manner...
.
Congregations
There are over 100 congregations throughout Scotland, two in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, five in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
as well as missions in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Peru
Peru
Peru , officially the Republic of Peru , is a country in western South America. It is bordered on the north by Ecuador and Colombia, on the east by Brazil, on the southeast by Bolivia, on the south by Chile, and on the west by the Pacific Ocean....
and South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.