William Wilson (Secession minister)

rdf:langString William Wilson (Secession minister)

rdf:langString William Wilson

rdf:langString William Wilson

rdf:langString Scottish

rdf:langString Church of Scotland

rdf:langString Secession Church

rdf:langString Professor of Theology

rdf:langString of the Secession Church in Scotland

rdf:langString William Wilson was born in Glasgow, on 9 November 1690. He was the son of Gilbert Wilson, proprietor of a small estate near East Kilbride. (Gilbert forfeited this for his adherence to the Presbyterian cause; he went to Holland, but returning at the Revolution, was appointed Comptroller of Customs at Greenock). William Wilson's mother was Isabella, daughter of Ramsay of Shielhill. William was named after William of Orange and was educated at University of Glasgow, graduating with an M.A. in 1707. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Dunfermline on 23 September 1713 and called unanimously on 21 August 1716. He was ordained on 1st November 1716. He had a call to Rhynd, but was continued by the Presbytery in Perth. Associating with the supporters of the Marrow of Modern Divinity, he with three others Ebenezer Erskine, Alexander Moncrieff , and James Fisher laid the foundation of the Secession Church, for which they were suspended by the Commission of Assembly 9 August, and declared no longer ministers of the Church 12 November 1733. He was deposed by the Assembly 15 May 1740. He and his people erected a meeting-house, and the Associate Presbytery appointed him their Professor of Divinity, 5 November 1736, but he sank under his contentions and labours and died 8 October 1741. He is said to have combined "the excellencies of both Erskines, with excellencies peculiar to himself."