One of the most hated impositions that the Church in Scotland in a bye-gone day had to tolerate, was that known as “Lay Patronage.”
It was the system whereby the Laird or Duke who owned the land on which a church stood, had the right to place the minister of his own choice, regardless of what the people, or other ministers thought. The mind of the people was made known in no uncertain manner on many occasions; for example:
“When the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery upon me was a-doing,” recalls one of those "imposed ministers, “Mr. Given (the minister of the church at Lugton) could not get near enough to me to lay has hands upon my head; but, stretching out his shepherd's staff, he touched my head, and remarked – to the great diversion of the rest - ‘This will do well enough – timber to timber.’”
“It was an unkindly saying of Mr. Given,” continues the patron's choice, “considering the time, and the place, and the temper of the people.” Another "intruded" pastor had a telling reply to his question, “Who made Paul a minister?” “It wasna the Duke of Queensberry at ony rate,” came the sharp retort, which closed the “catechising session.”
| This Page Title –Patronage, Scotland's Hated Imposition The Wicket Gate Magazine "A Continuing Witness". Internet Edition number 99 – placed on line November 2012 Magazine web address – www.wicketgate.co.uk |