alexander_henderson – The Reformation

ALEXANDER HENDERSON.

Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae, H Scott (1915)  vol 1, p 66 St Giles, 1639 He was born at Luthrie, in the Fife parish of Creich, in 1583. Of his parentage and family history hardly anything is known. Tradition says he was the son of a feuar, and a cadet of the Hendersons of Fordel. In support of the latter statement, his remains lie in the burying-ground of that family in Greyfriars Churchyard, and a contemporary portrait of him is still in possession of a representative of that house.  At the age of sixteen he matriculated at St Salvator’s College, St Andrews, and took his degree of M.A. in 1603. From 1603 to 1611 he was a Regent of Philosophy, and during that period he completed his course in divinity. He adopted strong prelatic principles, and was a staunch upholder of Archbishop Gledstanes, who afterwards became his patron, and presented him to the parish of Leuchars. His settlement was so unpopular that on the day of his ordination, probably in Jan. 1614, the church doors were found securely nailed up, and he and his friends were obliged to enter by the window. A Communion sermon preached in a neighbouring parish by Robert Bruce of Kinnaird, was the means of changing Henderson’s spiritual outlook. Attracted by the fame of the preacher, he slipped (so goes the story) into the darkest corner of the church, hoping to steal out again unrecognised. Bruce chose for his text the words:”He that entereth not by the door,” etc. The effect of his earnest appeal won Henderson to the side of Presbyterianism. His first appearance in that connection was at the Perth Assembly of 1618, when he strenuously opposed the Five Articles, notwithstanding the threats of the Government. In Aug. 1619 he appeared before the Court of High Commission charged with the publication of a pamphlet denouncing the Perth Assembly. But nothing came of the matter, and Henderson returned to his parish. Of the next eighteen years we know little or nothing. With the memorable year 1637 he reappears on the scene, a keen opponent of “Lauds Liturgy”   which King Charles was determined to foist on the Church. Mainly through Henderson’s influence the National League and Covenant was signed, 21st Feb. 1638, and he was Moderator of the Assembly which met at Glasgow, 21st Nov. of the same year. He received calls to St Andrews, and Greyfriars, Edinburgh, and was translated to this charge,10th Jan. 1639. He was appointed a Commissioner for framing a treaty of peace with England, and was again Moderator in 1639. In Jan. 1640 he was Rector of the University of Edinburgh, and held office for the rest of his life. In 1641 he preached before King Charles at Holyrood, and was made Dean of the Chapel Royal. A third time he was Moderator, 2nd Aug. 1643, and was elected a member of the Westminster Assembly of Divines. He declined the principalship of St Mary’s College, St Andrews, and died unmarried 19th Aug. 1646. Next to the Church, Henderson’s greatest service was devoted to the University of Edinburgh. “He was the ablest educationist and the man of clearest insight of all who had to do with the college since its foundation. He saw what was wanted, and had the energy and the tact necessary for securing it. It would have been an inestimable advantage for the universities of Scotland if his life could have been

prolonged for twenty years” (Grant’s Univ. of Edinburgh, 209).