DICKSON, David, an eminent Presbyterian divine of the seventeenth century,
of whom Wodrow remarks, that, "if ever a Scots Biography and the lives of
our eminent ministers and Christians be published, he will shine there as a
star of the first magnitude." Remarkable not merely for the part he took in
public affairs his preaching produced the most astonishing effects in the early
part of the century in which he lived. Fleming, in his work on the "Fulfilling
of the Scriptures," says of Dickson's pulpit ministrations, "that for a considerable
time few Sabbaths did pass without some evidently converted, or some convincing
proof of the power of God accompanying his Word. And truly (he adds) this
great spring-tide, as I may call it, of the gospel, was not of a short time, but of
some years' continuance ; yea, thus like a spreading moor-burn, the power of
godliness did advance from one place to another, which put a marvellous lustre
on those parts of the country, the savour whereof brought many from other parts
of the land to see its truth." We may be permitted to devote a few pages to the history of a man thus recommended by his great public usefulness, his talents, and virtues.
The subject of our narrative was a native of Glasgow, in which city his father, John Dick, or Dickson, was a merchant. The latter was possessed of considerable wealth, and the proprietor of the lands of the Kirk of the Muir, in the parish of St Miniaits, and barony of Fintry. He and his wife, both persons of eminent piety, had been several years married without children, when they entered into a solemn vow, that, if the Lord would give them a son, they would devote him to the service of his church. A day was appointed, and their Christian townsmen were requested to join with them in fasting and prayer. Without further detail of this story, we shall merely say, that Mr. David Dickson, their son, was born in the Tron street (or Trongate) of Glasgow, in 1583; but the vow was so far forgot, that he was educated for mercantile pursuits, in which he was eminently unsuccessful, and the cause of much pecuniary loss to his parents. This circumstance, added to a severe illness of their son, led his parents to remember their vow; Mr Dickson was then "put to his studyes, and what eminent service he did in his generation is knowen."[1]
Soon after taking the degree of master of arts, Mr Dickson was appointed one of the regents or professors of philosophy in the university of Glasgow; a situation held at that period in all the Scottish colleges by young men, who had just finished their academical career, and were destined for the church. "The course of study which it was their duty to conduct, was calculated to form habits of severe application in early life, and to give them great facility both in writing and in speaking. The universities had the advantage of their services during the vigour of life; when they were unencumbered by domestic cares, and when they felt how much their reputation and interest depended on the exertions which they made. After serving a few years, (seldom more than eight, or less than four,) they generally obtained appointments in the church, and thus transferred to another field the intellectual industry and aptitude for communicating knowledge by which they had distinguished themselves in the university. It may well be conceived, that by stimulating and exemplifying diligence, their influence on their brethren in the ministry was not less considerable than on the parishioners, who more directly enjoyed the benefit of attainments and experience, more mature than can be expected from such as have never had access to similar means of improvement."[2] But we must return
- ↑ Wodrow's Analecta, MS. Advocates' Library, 1. 128. Wodrow's Life of Dickson, prefixed to Truth's victory over Error, p. x.
- ↑ Report of the royal commission for visiting the Scottish universities, 1831, p. 221. Another practice at this period was, that the regents, when they took the oath of office,
