Eye on Millig: Row Heresy minister John McLeod Campbell is respected now

The case, which grabbed the attention of the whole country, made famous the Row - Rhu - parish minister, the Rev John McLeod Campbell, who was deposed from his living as a minister of the Church of Scotland.

Local historian Alistair McIntyre, a director of Helensburgh Heritage Trust, recently completed a detailed study of the case, and this is the final section of what he has established.

In preparation for the General Assembly hearing, statements were taken from a large number of people who had heard Campbell’s preachings.

Many were critical in nature, but not all, and one of his supporters was recorded as John Battison, Precentor at Row Church.

At a time when many churches had no musical instruments, the precentor held a key role. He led the singing, and Battison may well have been perceived as an obvious person from whom a statement would be expected.

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He conceded that he had taken notes, but these had apparently been removed from his desk by an unknown hand.

He did concede that Mr Campbell held that all in Christ Jesus were pardoned, but he could not say from recollection that Mr Campbell inculcated the Doctrine of Assurance of Faith.

In short, he was a reluctant witness.

There can be little doubt that John Battison the precentor, and John Battison, the teacher of the first known school in Helensburgh, was one and the same person.

Helensburgh Heritage Trust is the proud possessor of the minute book of the managers of this school, where Battison - sometimes spelt Batteson - was appointed master in 1807, the same year that Henry Bell was appointed first Provost.

This school, which was at East King Street, near the site of the Baptist Church, was what was known as an ‘adventure’ school, one which was financed through public subscription, in contrast to parish schools which were financed and run through the Established Church.

Parish schoolmasters were expected to sign up to the Confession of Faith as a matter of course, but among the signatures is that of Battison, dated December 1807, when he describes himself as “Schoolmaster, Hellensburgh”.

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The register contains quite a few other signatories who were not parish schoolmasters, which points to the degree to which the Church sought to extend its influence.

The point of the exercise was undoubtedly one of control; a means of seeking to ensure that schoolmasters did not stray from orthodox religious views. Batteson remained as master until 1834-35, when the school was incorporated under the jurisdiction of the Kirk Session of Row parish.

John Battison would seem to have been something of a character.

The anonymous author of “The Story of Helensburgh” (c.1894), has this to say of him: “Mr Battison was a well-known man, and something of an original, and many reminiscences of his ways and doings are still afloat.”

The book is widely accepted as being the work of long-serving town clerk, George McLachlan.

His son, John Butt McLachlan, was something of a poet, and one of his works happens to be called “Jock Bateson”. Was the title perhaps inspired by the old schoolmaster?

The poem is a humorous one, evidently inspired by Burns’ “Tam O’ Shanter”.

When Campbell’s case came up for consideration at the General Assembly in 1831, debate continued through the night, and posed a considerable test of endurance for those present.

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When the vote finally came up, he was found guilty by 119 to six, but with a huge number of abstentions.

After the sentence was pronounced, his father, the Rev Donald Campbell DD, minister at Kilninver, Argyll, rose and made this statement: “Moderator, I bow to any decision to which you think it right to come. I am not afraid for my son.

“Though his brethren think it right to cast him out, the Master whom he serves may not forsake him and whilst I live, I will not be ashamed to be the father of so worthy and blameless a son.”

These were prophetic words. Before long the Church became uneasy at what it had done, and there were no further persecutions of this kind.

McLeod Campbell never became embittered at what happened to him. His mind was truly Christian and able to soar above the hostile noises all around.

He preached his farewell sermon to a crowd of thousands in August 1831, not in the Church of Row, for that was forbidden to him, but in one of the fields of the parish.

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On this occasion he left doctrine aside and based his words on the Gospel Parable of the Sower, to be enshrined almost a century later in his own lovely memorial window in the present Rhu Church.

Following his deposition he travelled extensively, preaching to vast congregations throughout the land. He later formed a congregation in Glasgow and preached there for years and published two highly acclaimed books - The Nature of Atonement and Thoughts on Revelation.

As a measure of the changing climate, Glasgow University conferred upon him in 1868 the degree of Doctor of Divinity.

He retired to a house called Achnashie (Field of Peace) at Rosneath. Originally known as “The Chateau”, it was gifted to Campbell by a wealthy admirer.

He died at his home in 1872, and he was interred at Rosneath churchyard. His grave became a family grave.

Achnashie was burned to the ground in 1943 while being used to billet serving United States forces.

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In the Chancel of St Modan’s Church there is a large and beautiful stained glass window in memory of Mr Campbell, who was made welcome when shunned by the church at large.

It was installed in 1873 by the Glasgow stained glass artists Clayton and Bell “as a gift of his friends in record of their love and reverence”.

The memorial window in Rhu Church was proposed in 1925 to celebrate the centenary of his induction.

Designed by Louis Davis, it was unveiled and dedicated on October 26, 1926.

The Rev John McLeod Campbell's gravestone

The inscription on his gravestone reads...

In Loving Remembrance of John McLeod Campbell D.D born 4th May 1800 died 27th February 1872

Minister of the Parish of Row 1825-31 erected by his widow his children and his sister

“I Have Fought a Good Fight”

Here also rests by his side his widow Mary Campbell born 8th April 1808 died 18th February 1881

also their son James Macnabb Campbell KCIE.LLD born 4th October 1846.

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If you have a story from Helensburgh and Lomond's past or present you think might be suitable for a future Eye on Millig column, email the details to eyemillig@btinternet.com.