John Howie of Lochgoin

JOHN HOWIE OF LOCHGOIN 21
Faithful Witness-Bearing Exemplified fill ten double-col-
umned pages. The first name under Kilmarnock is : "Rev-
erend Mr. John Russell, minister of the Gospell." This is
the Russell who figures in five of Burns' poems, viz., in "The
Twa Herds," the "Epistle to John Goldie," "The Holy
Fair," "The Ordination," and "The Kirk of Scotland's
Alarm." In the first of these he is thus referred to : —
"What herd like Russell tell'd his tale?
His voice was heard thro' muir and dale."
Howie also took part in the "lifting controversy," which
controversy led to a split in the Anti-Burgher branch of the
Secession Church. The disruption was led by David Smy-
ton, the aged minister of Kilmaurs congregation. Howie
took Smyton's side in the dispute, that is, he maintained that
in the administration of the Lord's Supper the minister
ought to take or touch or lift the elements before giving
thanks, as Christ had done. Smyton's case was set forth
in a pamphlet entitled :• —
"An Apology and Vindication, or the practice and bind-
ing obligation of following Christ's institution and example
in the administration of the Supper asserted and defended.
To which is added, an appendix, containing copies of some
original papers, with some short account of what transpired
at last meeting of Synod in the case of the Rev. Mr. David
Smyton, and a copy of his Declaration of Secession from
them, and his reasons for so doing. Published by a com-
mittee appointed hy (sic) order and in name of the Petition-
ers and Remonstrators in the Associate Congregations in
Kilmaurs, Beith, Paisley, and Kilwinning. [Num. ix. 2,
Luke xx. 19, I Cor. xi. 2 quoted.] Glasgow: Printed
by John Bryce for the authors, and sold by G Caldwell,
Paisley; G. Laird, Greenock; and J. Wilson, Kilmarnock;
etc. M.DCC.LXXXIII."
Howie's share in this pamphlet seems to have cost him
more thought and study than any volume which he wrote
or edited. His name does not appear in it; but the portion
entitled, "The practice and binding obligation of following