Scots worthies, 1560-1688

John Crichton,
Parson of Paisley.
THIS distinguished churchman was a graduate of St. Andrews,
and was ordained in 1622. After spending a year as col-
league to William Powrie, vicar of Abercorn, he was presented by
sir William Livingstone of Kilsyth to the parish of Campsie, the
benefice of the chancellor of the archdiocese of Glasgow. In 1629
he became parson of the abbey church of Paisley. He had
received a presentation from the earl of Abercorn, but, " before
collating him, the archbishop of Glasgow directed him to preach two
Sundays in the abbey, that he might know what the parishioners
thought of his doctrine." A meeting was then called by the chief
men of the parish, when " all in one voice gave applause and appro-
bation to the said Mr. John and his doctrine." So a deputation at
once awaited on the archbishop, " earnestly to entreat his lordship
to give him admission." This was granted, and Mr. Crichton duly
" placed," when he was " accompanied with the noblemen, gentle-
men, and bailies of the burgh of Paisley." Several of his pre-
decessors in the abbey church had been eminent ecclesiastics.
Adamson, afterwards archbishop of St. Andrews ; the learned, gentle,
and kindly ex-Jesuit father, Smeton, afterwards principal of Glasgow
university ; Andrew Knox, bishop of the Isles ; Robert Hamilton,
eventually archbishop of Cashel ; the pious and " painful " Robert
Boyd of Trochrig — had all officiated there. Crichton for ten years
worked zealously in Paisley. His teaching was based on true church
principles, and he achieved considerable success in the improvement
of the services. It is well known that at this date, although a
meagre liturgical form was in use in Scotland, seemliness in ritual
and outward reverence — such as we are accustomed to — were little
appreciated. We are told, however, that at the celebration of the
holy communion Mr. Crichton " placed a short table altarwise, with
a fixed rail about it, within which he stood himself, and reached the
elements unto the people kneeling without about the rail." Of the