William McCullough, Cambuslang Wark
An absence of heresy
I began looking at William McCullough and the ecstatic revival in the parish of Cambuslang because of a hint of an accusation of heresy in 1740 in the context of a dispute about his appointment to the post of Minister at Cambuslang. Perhaps there was, perhaps it was wishful thinking, but I haven’t found it again.
However, in the process of searching, I collected a range of materials - strictly, links to materials - which are listed below. Someone might find them useful one day, perhaps.
My main biographical source is the introduction to McCullogh’s Sermons on several subjects [Google books] (pp8-10, 14-20)
Wikipedia
Camberslang Wark [work]
Evangelical revival (or the ‘First Great Awakening’) in general, and specifically in Scotland
Also: Cambuslang Revival
Biography
William McCulloch, son to the schoolmaster at Whithorn, was first educated by his father until he entered the University of Edinburgh, and then Glasgow. At the latter he took his degree 26th April 1712.
He was licenced by the Presbytery of Wigton, 28th August 1722, and became chaplain to the laird of Aikenhead. He was called on February 18th, and ordained on April 29th, 1731.
Under his ministry a religious revival took place, known as the ‘Cambuslang Wark’ (work). It continued for six months in 1742 and upwards of thirty thousand people shared worship.
Mr McCullough estimated the number who had been converted during this extraordinary season at four hundred of whom seventy belonged to the parish. This awakening was the more surprising as, before it took place, Mr McCullough was generally known in the neighbourhood as the ‘ale minister’: he was so slow in his delivery that, when he got up to preach in the tent at field meetings, it was taken as a signal for many to leave for the ale house seeking refreshment.
(The congregation met in a tent because the church was in a dilapidated condition. Those responsible for the maintenance of the building had refused to fund repairs.)
He was described as a man of uncommon abilities, knowledgeable in languages, mathematics, algebra, astronomy and geography. He was also modest and humble, spiritual and circumspect in conversation and conduct. Few ever exemplified the character of a Christian with more success and less show. He was described as careful, studious and exact in his preparations for preaching. Even at short notice and always brought forward well digested Scriptural discourses and was described as “an earnest and affectionate preacher of the Gospel and a laborious workman in the Church.”
He married Janet Dinwooddie, 29th April 1736. She died 13th Oct 1779. Their son Robert followed his father into the ministry and served at Dairsie.
McCullough was respected and esteemed for his piety, his diligence and the faithful exercise of his ministry. He died 18th Dec 1771, aged 79 having been a minister for 40 years.
Publications:
The Annual Sermon for Reformation of Manners Glasgow, 1725
An account of some remarkable events at Cambuslang, 1742
A short narrative of the extraordinary work at Cambuslang, 1742
Observations in defence of the work at Cambuslang, 1742
A true narrative of the conversions at Cambuslang, 1742
Sermons on several subjects, Glasgow 1742
Others (1740s)
Robe, J. (1742). A short narrative of the extraordinary work at Cambuslang: In a letter to a friend. With proper attestations. By ministers, preachers and others. Glasgow: Printed by William Duncan. Google Books
Wilson, William (1742). The declaration of the true Presbyterians within the kingdom of Scotland, concerning Mr. George Whitefield, and the work at Cambuslang. Glasgow: publisher not identified. Archive
Waddell, A. (1742). Observations in defence of the work at Cambuslang, against the malicious spirit of the Act of the Associate Presbytery anent their late fast. Glasgow.
1742 Robe, J., M'Culloch, W., O, M., & Robe, J. (1742). A short narrative of the extraordinary work Cambuslang in Scotland: In a letter to a friend : with proper attestations, by ministers and others. Philadelphia: Printed and sold by William Bradford, at the sign of the Bible in Second-Street. [Haithi Trust]
M, O. (1742). A true account of the wonderful conversion at Cambuslang: Contained in a letter from a gentleman in the Gorbals of Glasgow, to his friend at Greenock. This is now published, to expose the falshood of the pamphlet cry'd through the streets of Edinburgh a few days ago, intitul'd, A letter from a gentleman in the West-country to his friend at Edinburgh, giving an account of the remarkable conversions at Cambuslang. Edinburgh: Glasgow, printed.
Webster, A. (1743). Divine influence: The true spring of the extraordinary work at Cambuslang and other places in the west of Scotland. Edinburgh: Reprinted and sold by S. Kneeland and T. Green. Google books
Gillies, J. (1754). Historical collections relating to remarkable periods of the success of the gospel, and eminent instruments employed in promoting it. In two volumes. Glasgow: Printed by R. and A. Foulis [Haithi Trust]
Later publications
1790 James Robe, Narratives of the extraordinary work of the spirit of God, at Cambuslang, Kilsyth, etc., begun 1742 Internet Archive [and 1840, Google Books - where the title page reverses the order of towns to ‘Kilsyth, Cambuslang and other places’]
1818 Moncreiff-Wellwood, H. Account of the life and writings of John Erskine, D.D.: late one of the ministers of Edinburgh. Edinburgh: A. Constable and company. [Haithi Trust]
1842 Narratives of revivals of religion in Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. Philadelphia: Presbyterian Board of Publication. [Haithi Trust]
1847 The revivals of the eighteenth century, particularly at Cambuslang, D. Macfarlan Google books
2003 McCulloch, W., & Beebe, K. E, (2003) The Mcculloch Examinations Of The Cambuslang Revival 1742: Conversion Narratives From The Scottish Evangelical Awakening. Keith Edward Beebe (ed.) 2 vols. [Amazon books]
Theses
Fawcett, Arthur (1952) The Scottish Evangelical revival of 1742 (with special reference to Cambuslang). PhD thesis, University of Glasgow. (Full text downloadable) published
Beebe, Keith Edward (2003) The McCullogh Manuscripts of the Cambuslang Revival, 1742
4. Pamphlets
(For the truly dedicated) a list of 58 pamphlets etc. is in The New Statistical Account of Scotland, Vol. XI, The County of Banff and part of Lanark, 1836, p.428: Observations in defence of the work at Cambuslang
Robe's Narrative of the extraordinary work at Kilsyth and Cambuslang written in parts 1742 [Google books]
W, D. (1742). A short account of the wonderful conversion at Kilsyth: In a letter from a gentleman there, to his friend at Glasgow. With some reflections on the behaviour of the Seceding Bretheren towards this great work, &c. Glasgow: Printed for James Dunsmuir and William Innes, and sold by them in town and country. [not found]
A short Narrative of the extraordinary work of the Spirit of God at Cambuslang 1742 [Google books]
M, O. (1742). A true account of the wonderful conversion at Cambuslang: Contained in a letter from a gentleman in the Gorbals of Glasgow, to his friend at Greenock. This is now published, to expose the falshood of the pamphlet cry'd through the streets of Edinburgh a few days ago, intitul'd, A letter from a gentleman in the West-country to his friend at Edinburgh, giving an account of the remarkable conversions at Cambuslang. Edinburgh: Glasgow, printed. [not found]
A warning against countenancing the ministrations of Mr. George Whitefield, : published in the new church at Bristow, upon Sabbath, June 6. 1742. : Together with an appendix upon the same subject. Wherein are shewn, that Mr. Whitefield is no minister of Jesus Christ; that his call and coming to Scotland are scandalous; that his practice is disorderly, and fertile of disorder; that his whole doctrine is, and his success must be, diabolical; so that people ought to avoid him, from duty to God, to the church, to themselves, to fellow men, to posterity, and to him. [not found]
Mr Adam Gib catechised in a letter etc. 1742 [Not in Worldcat]
A Conference between an elder of the kirk of Shotts and a parishioner of Cambuslang 1742 [not found; not in Worldcat]
Fisher's review of Robe's preface 1742 [Worldcat says this is available as an ebook. I didn’t find it.]
Fisher, J. (1743). A review of the preface to a Narrative of the extraordinary work at Kilsyth, and other congregations in the neighbourhood, written by the Reverend Mr. James Robe, minister at Kilsyth: Wherein the nature of that extraordinary work, and the principles of the promoters thereof are discovered from the said preface and other papers lately published, and likewise the address to the brethren of the Associate Presbytery, anent their late act for a publick fast, is considered. Glasgow: Printed for John Newlands.
Webster's Divine influence etc. 1742 [Google books]
Satan's ape detected, or some observations on a scandalous pamphlet against Mr. Whitefield. A Waddell, 1742 [Not found]
Satan's advocates driven from the bench. A search after truth wherein is enquired whether the charge against Mr Whitefield in Mr A. Gib’s Warning against his ministry be agreeable to truth or not? 1742 [Not found]
A warm and serious Address 1742 [Not found]
A warning and reproof by the same author 1742 [Not found]
Gentleman, . E. (1742). A friendly caution to seceders: In a letter from a gentleman in Edinburgh, to one of the seceding ministers. Edinburgh: Printed in the year. [Not found]
The Declaration of the true Presbyterians within the Kingdom of Scotland concerning Mr. George Whitefield and the work at Cambuslang] by Wilson 1742 [Google books]
A Letter to Mr Wishart to a gentleman from Boston on the state of religion etc. 1742 [Google books]
The state of religion in New England since the Rev arrival there, R Foulis 1742 [Google books]
Trials of the spirit etc. ditto 1742 [Google books]
The wonderful narrative of the French prophets 1742 [Google books]
Edwards's Distinguishing marks of the Spirit prefaced by Willison 1742 [Google books]
The Glasgow Weekly history relating to the late progress of the Gospel at home and abroad ... Being a collection of letters ... For the year 1742. (1743). Glasgow. Ed. William McCullough
Edwards's narrative &c London 1738 [in: Edwards on Revivals, 1834 Google books]
Edwards, J., Guyse, J., Watts, I., & Colman, B. (1738). A faithful narrative of the surprising work of God in the conversion of many hundred souls in Northampton, and the neighbouring towns and villages of the county of Hampshire, in the province of the Massachusetts-Bay in New-England: In a letter to the Reverend Dr. Benjamin Colman, of Boston. Written by the Revd Mr. Edwards, Minister of Northampton, Nov. 6. 1736. Published with a large preface by the Rev. Dr. Watts and Dr. Guyse of London: to which a shorter is added by some of the reverend ministers of Boston. Together with an attestation from some of the reverend ministers of Hampshire. Boston: N.E: Printed & sold by S. Kneeland [and] T. Green, over against the prison in Queen-Street.
Robe's first letter 1742 [in: Narrative, no. 1 above], and second, third and fourth letters, 1743
Erskine's fraud and falsehood &c 1743 in: The Life and diary of the Rev. Ralph Erskine A.M. By Donald Fraser [Google Books]
Truth and innocency vindicated: In a letter to the Reverend Mr. James Robe. (1743). Glasgow: Printed for John Greig.
Willison's letter to Fisher 1743 viz: A letter to James Fisher concerning his unfair dealing in his review of Mr Bobe’s [sic Robe’s] Preface. Second edn, corrected, Edinburgh 1743. Modern reprint various versions available - Amazon.
Kennedy on conversion preface to the Dutch edition of Robe's narrative 1743 [Kennedy, H. (1743). A discourse concerning the nature, author, means and manner of conversion: By H. Kennedy ... Prefixed to the Dutch translation of A faithful narrative of the extraordinary work of the spirit of God at Kilsyth ... Written by J. Robe. Edinburgh: Printed by R. Fleming and A. Alison].
Currie's new test and vindication &c 1743 [Currie, J. (1743). A new testimony unto, and further vindication of the extraordinary work ... at Cambuslang ... in a letter. Glasgow.]
Fisher's review second edition with a preface &c 1743: Fisher, J. (1743). A review of the preface to a Narrative of the extraordinary work at Kilsyth, and other congregations in the neighbourhood, written by the Reverend Mr. James Robe, minister at Kilsyth: Wherein the nature of that extraordinary work, and the principles of the promoters thereof are discovered from the said preface and other papers lately published, and likewise the address to the brethren of the Associate Presbytery, anent their late act for a publick fast, is considered. Glasgow: Printed for John Newlands.
Currie's Plain history of the seceding brethren (1744)
Faith no fancy, or A Treatise of Mental Images Discovering the Vain Philosophy and Vile Divinity of a Late Pamphlet Intitled Mr Robe’s Fourth Letter to Mr Fisher and shewing that an imaginary Idea of Christ as Man when supposed to belong to Saving Faith whether its Act or Object Imports Nothing but Ignorant Atheism, Idolatry, Great Falsehood and Gross Delusion. Against Robe's fourth letter by Ralph Erskine 1745 [Google books]
35 Robe's monthly history 1743 (ie James Robe, Kilsyth) there are several versions - reprints and print-to-order - from Amazon here.
Books & pamhlets (with a link where I’ve found an online edition) include:
Narrative of the Revival of Religion at Kilsyth, Cambuslang, and Other Places, in 1742 by James Robe and Robert Buchanan
A short narrative of the extraordinary work at Cambuslang, four miles from Glasgow: attested by the Rev Mr M'Culloch minister there, and by several of ... Together with a postcript , The second edn. by James Robe
Mr. Robe's Fourth Letter to Mr. Fisher, his Preface to a 2d edition of his Review is Considered; the Promoters of the Divine Work, Opposed by Mr. ... Falshood of the Reverend Mr. Ralph Erskine's by James Robe
A Faithful Narrative of the Extraordinary Work of the Spirit of God, at Kilsyth, ... With a Preface, Wherein There is an Address to the Brethren ... ... J [sic] A. Robe, A.M. ... The Second Edition. by James Robe]; Ditto new series 1745
Burt's narrative of the revival &c 1768
The signs of the times by Dr John Erskine 1742: The Signs of the Times considered or the high probability that the present in New England and the West of Scotland are a prelude to the glorious things to the Church in the latter ages Edinburgh 1742 [Google Books]
A Letter from Mr. Alexander Webster to the Reverend Mr. Ralph Erskine; Containing a Vindication of Mr. Webster's Postscript to His Second Edition of Divine Influence, &c. In Answer to Mr. Erskine's Charge of Fraud and Falshood, &c 1743
An account of some remarkable events at Cambuslang 1742
A warning against the spreading contagion broken out from A Gib 1742
Act of the Associate Synod anent a fast 1742
Brown's An Historical Account of the Rise and Progress of the Secession 6th edn, 1791 [Google Books]
Robe's Narratives of the Extraordinary Work of the Spirit of God, at Cambuslang 1791 [Google Books]
Prince's weekly history published at Boston 1743 The Christian History, containing Accounts of the Revival and Propagation of Religion in Great Britain & America. For the Year 1743. Prince, Thomas, Boston, 1744
Mather's letters on state of religion in New England 1743
Visible signs of the Lord's return to Scotland 1742
Observations in defence of the work at Cambuslang 1742
Remarks on the fast 1742
Remarks on the state of religion in New England 1742
A true narrative of the conversions at Cambuslang 1742
Gillies, Exhortations to the inhabitants of the south parish of Glasgow 1751 [2 vols, published serially 26/9/1750-9/11/1751]
Life of Whitefield 8vo 1773 [Google Books]
Historical collections 2 vols 8vo 1754
Meek's statistical account of Cambuslang 1793 [Google Books p. 241ff]
Moncrieff's life of Erskine 1818 Wellwood, H. M. (1818). Account of the life and writings of John Erskine, D.D: Late one of the ministers of Edinburgh. Edinburgh: Printed by George Ramsay ... for A. Constable ... and Longman, Hurst, London.
A short narrative of the extraordinary work at Cambuslang 1742 [See 1 above]
An apology for the Presbyterians of Scotland who are hearers of the Rev George Whitefield 1742 ~ Modern reprint Creative Media Partners, LLC, 2018 ISBN:1385852712, 9781385852712
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Comments and corrections are welcome. But please note that the focus is on the historical examination of heresy cases, not the rights and wrongs of the theology..