BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 245
Edinburgh, the duties of which office he performed with the utmost fidelity.
While holding this situation, the Associate Union was accomplished-a measure
in which he greatly rejoiced, and was one of the committee appointed to
negotiate the conjunction.
Mr. Culbertson is known to the religious world as a writer of considerable
merit. He was one of the original editors of the Christian Magazine, of which
the following account is given by his biographer, Mr. Duncan of Mid-Calder :-
'' Among some brethren who were assisting in the dispensation of the Lord's
Supper at Craignailing, in the year 1796, the Evangelical Magazine, then the
only religious periodical publication, having become the subject of conversation,
the project of setting on foot a work of the same description in Scotland was
conceived, discussed, and resolved upon, provided proper and steady coadjutors
could be found. With Mr. Culbertson, the Rev. Messrs. Black of Dunfermline,
(one of the projectors), Peddie, M'Crie, and Moore, of Edinburgh, Whytock of
Dalkeith, and others, were associated as editors ; and under their management,
with a respectable body of contributors, that valuable repository of theological
and biblical knowledge commenced. After being carried on for seven or eight
years, it was left in the hands of Mr. Whytock of Dalkeith and (the late) Dr.
RI'Crie. At the close of 1806, one year after the demise of the former, the
work was given up by the latter. It was then claimed by Mr. Culbertson, as
one of the original editors; and, in 1807, a new series was commenced by
him, in conjunction with Mr. Black of Dunfermline, and the writer of this
memoir. The Rev. Afr. Simpson, once ministe? at Thurso, who had been
brought up under the pastoral care of Mr. Culbertson, having been admitted
to the charge of the Associate Congregation, Potterrow, Edinburgh, was assumed
next year into the editorship, and constituted chief conductor of the work. To
this Magazine Mr. Culbertson contributed largely, both in the old and in the
new series. At length, when occupied with his Lectures on the Revelation,
he retired, together with Dr, Black, and left the work to the two remaining
editors, by whom, with the help of respected brethren, it was carried on till the
union of the two great bodies of Seceders, when it was conjoined with the
Christian Repository, under the title of the Christian Monitor."
The various publications by Mr. Culbertson appeared in the following order:-
In 1800, "Hints on the Ordinance of the Gospel Ministry"-an exposure of
lay-preaching, and the inconsistency of latitudinarian fellowship. The same
year, "A Vindication of the Principles of Seceders on the Head of Communion
j " and, in 1808, " The Covenanter's Manual, or a short Illustration of
the Scripture Doctrine of Public Vows." Besides two sermons entitled " Consolation
to the Church," Mr. Culbertson published, in 1817, "The Pillar of
Rachel's Grave, or a Tribute of respect to departed Worth "-a sermon on the
death of the Princess Charlotte, and her infant son ; and, in 1820, on the demise
of George III., '' The Death and Character of Asa, King of Judah."
His chief work-" Lectures, Expository and Practical, on the Book of
Revelation ''-was fist published in two volumes, a few years prior to his death.