118 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
member of the Town Council. He was a warm supporter of Lord Melville.
Among other things which distinguished Mr. Ranken’s career as a city ruler,
was the construction of a chair for the Convener of the Trades, directly opposite
and on a level with the seat of the Lord Provost. In the accomplishment of
this most important affair he experienced considerable opposition, on the ground
that it was absurd to elevate the Convener (whose only title to pre-eminence is
the antiquity of the incorporation of which he is deacon or preses) to a level
with the Chief Magistrate. The opponents of the attempt further declared,
that it was most ridiculous to have apparently two presidents at the board.
Ranken, however, carried his point; and the chair still remains an existing
memorial of his perseverance.
Mr. Ranken retired from business some years prior to his death, which
occurred at his house, Melville Street, on the 15th June 1815. He was twice
married, and had children by both unions.
No. CCXI.
FAITHFUL SERVICE REWARDED.
THIS caricature refers to the unsuccessful issue of a bill proposed in 1793 for
the “ Augmentation of Ministers’ Stipends ”-a subject which had engaged the
attention of the General Assembly for some time prior, In 1788, the “Sket,ch
of a Plan,”’ was drawn up and published by the late Sir Henry Moncreiff
Wellwood, Bart., which met with the general approval of the clergy in so far
that, the year following, a committee was appointed to inquire into the matter,
and to report at next meeting of the Assembly.
In 1790 the Report-founded on the suggestions of Sir Henry-was
accordingly presented, recommending the following proposals :-“ That the fund
for augmentation shall arise out of the unexhausted teinds of each parish : out
of the produce arising from the bishops’ tithes ; out of the vacant stipends of
the several parishes in Scotland j and that, in order to the accomplishment of
this end, each parish shall remain vacant at least for one year after the death
of the last incumbent, Application shall be made to the Crown for the above
tithes ; and a bill brought into Parliament to enable the Lords of Session, as
Commissioners of Teinds, to appropriate the same in terms of the act: the
smallest stipends to be first augmented, and so on in regular order.” After the
reading of this Report, a motion was made, and unanimously agreed to, ‘‘ that
the Report be re-committed, with instructions to the committee to digest and
Sketch of a Plan for Augmenting the Livings of the Ministers of the Established Church of
Scotland, by means of the Vacant Stipends. By Sir K. Monmiff
Wellwood, Bart., D.D. 4t0, 1s. 6d. Creech.
With hbles and Illustrations.