BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 155
him to show towards the father. Be this as it may, the fact is undoubted that
the Presbytery of Auchterarder actually postponed consideration of Mr. Lawson’s
claim to be admitted to the ministry, without assigning any ground for so doing,
for the period of six years ! This occurred in 1771 ; and although, three years
afterwards, the Assembly interfered, by an order to the Presbytery to take his
case into consideration, it was not until 1777 that Mr. Lawson became actively
resolute in forwarding his claim to be licensed.
In the General Assembly of that year we find him in the character of “ a
petitioner for justice,” when his (‘ appeal against a sentence of the Presbytery of
Auchterarder, refusing to take him on licentiate trials, with reasons of dissent,
and a complaint by some members of Presbytery, were taken into consideration.”
In the petition it is stated, “that, as soon as the appellant had made his
requisition to be taken on trials, the ministers withdrew from the Presbytery
house without closing the sederunt, to the house in which they were to dine ;
and after dinner they sent their officer for the appellant, and witheut calling for
a single elder upstairs, or assigning any reason at all for their refusal, they (6th
May 1777) did, by a majority, refuse to grant the petitioner’s request.” In
the “reasons of dissent” by certain members of the Presbytery, it is stated-
“ lst, That Mr. Lawson’s moral character was irreproachable ;-that nothing is
alleged against him except some improprieties of behaviour ;-that his recluse
and studious life may have kept him a stranger to the fashion of this world, which
passeth away ; but the want of these superficial accomplishments is. amply compensated
for by a considerable proficiency in human literature and in theologyby
a simplicity, sincerity, and humility of deportment-and, above all, by a
rational and unfeigned devotion ; and that the Presbytery, on the principles
on which they rejected Mr. Lawson, would have rejected John the Baptist, who
was bred a hermit, unfashioned to this world.-2d, that three years have elapsed
since the Assembly ordered the Presbytery to show all charity to Mr. Lawson,
and, though not to be rash in taking him on trials, yet to treat him with all
tenderness and candour ; and that an interval of three years will vindicate the
Presbytery from any charge of rashness ; but it was also their duty to treat him
with tenderness and candour.-And 3d, That the Presbytery refused, simpliciter,
to take him on trials, without assigning any reason for their refusal.” Parties
being fully heard, after long reasoning, the General Assembly reversed the
sentence complained of, and ordered the Presbytery to take Mr. Lawson on
trials, with all convenient speed, and according to the rules of the Church.
The Presbytery, in accordance with the mandate of a higher court, began the
business of the “ trials.” The result may be anticipated when we mention that,
in the General Assembly of the following year (17’78), Mr. Lawson again
appeared in the character of a petitioner, complaining of a sentence of the Presbytery
of Auchterarder, “ rejecting a discourse he had delivered before them as
part of his trials, and remitting him to his studies.” The Honourable Henry
Erskine appeared as his counsel, and Messrs. Scott, Dunbar, and W-right, for the
Presbytery, After both parties were heard, the Assembly agreed to read Mr.