17 Facts About Alexander Beith

Alexander Beith is said to have been helped by a servant girl as he sought to improve his Gaelic.

Alexander Beith laboured there until November 1824, when he was transferred to Hope Street Church, Glasgow.

Alexander Beith was married to Julia Robson, whom he had met in Oban when at the age of fifteen she became a communicant member of his congregation.

Alexander Beith was a prolific writer in the course of his long life.

Alexander Beith was presented in 1830, by Lord Glenelg, and Drysdale comments that, special circumstances in each case made it manifest that he should accept the appointments, although he doesn't give his source.

At the time Mr Alexander Beith came to Stirling there were only two Established Churches, the West and the East, and three ministers, the third minister preaching in both churches every Sabbath, and dispensing two Communions every year, while the first and second ministers had only one service each Sabbath, and one Communion.

Alexander Beith was one of the 474 ministers who in 1843 left the established church and formed the Free Church of Scotland.

In 1847 Alexander Beith gave evidence on the question of sites before a committee of the House of Commons, some landowners having refused sites for the erection of buildings in connection with the Free Church.

Alexander Beith took a prominent part in educational and other matters affecting the new religious denomination.

Alexander Beith regularly conducted two lengthy services every Sabbath, together with a week-day lecture, taking, besides, a prominent part, not only in Presbyterial and general ecclesiastical matters, but in public affairs as well, but, in 1869, following upon a severe illness, he was appointed an assistant.

Alexander Beith was a fluent speaker and able preacher; his theological position was broad and liberal.

Alexander Beith retired from the active service of the church in Stirling in 1876 but continued to take part in the general work of the denomination.

Towards the end of 1876 Dr Alexander Beith intimated his intention of retiring from the active duties of the pastorate, and on 26 April 1877, John Chalmers of Ladyloan Free Church, Arbroath, was inducted as colleague and successor.

Dr Alexander Beith having removed to Edinburgh, attached himself to the Free St George's congregation.

Alexander Beith died at Edinburgh on 11 May 1891 in his ninety-third year.

Alexander Beith is buried in Valley Cemetery attaching the Church of the Holy Rude in Stirling near the southern roundel where a very tall obelisk with inscriptions overshadows the statue of James Guthrie.

Alexander Beith was photographed in 1860 at the foot of the steps to New College with several other ex-Moderators of the Free Church.