|
 We
propose a series of “quotes” from Archibald McLean, 1733
-1812; for their inherent value, and because they demonstrate
the kind of scriptural exegesis and non-sectarian thinking that
“fathered” the Restoration movement. But first, a quote from
“A Short History of the Baptists” by H. C. Vedder, pp.
272-3, about McLean.
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“The
other church owes its origin to Archibald McLean, who also began
his career in the Scotch church and then became a Glasite,
having been at one time a member of Mr. Carmichael’s church.
Not long after his former pastor, he also became a convert to
Baptist views, and sought baptism on personal profession of
faith...
Archibald
McLean almost deserves to be called the founder of the Scotch
Baptist churches. He was born in 1733, received the rudiments of
a classical education, from which he afterwards advanced by his
own exertions to considerable learning, and became a printer at
Glasgow. He had in early life been much influenced by the
preaching of Whitefield, and was finally constrained himself to
become a preacher. He was even more influential by pen than by
voice, and his collected writings in six volumes are still a
monument to his industry and solidity of mind.
His
membership for a time in a Glasite or Sandeinanian church had
important consequences. It was the special endeavor of that
peculiar sect to return as far as possible to apostolic
simplicity, and to make the churches of today an exact
reproduction of those of the New Testament. From many
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of the Sandemanian notions McLean never
freed himself, and the Baptist churches of Scotland have
perpetuated not a few of these notions, such as insisting on
having a plurality of elders in every church, on the weekly
celebration of the Lord’s Supper, and the like.
Later
investigations of the New Testament period have disclosed the
fact, apparently not suspected by McLean and men of his time,
that no single form of organization was common to all the
churches of that period, and that it is unsafe to assert a
practice found in a single church to be necessarily the norm for
all other churches through all time.”
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Note
— the “later investigations” could not claim to be “of
the N. T.” but of that “period.” A plurality of elders in
every church is certainly not based on practice found in a
single church (see Acts 14:23; 15:2; 20:17, 28; etc.); and the
partaking of the Lord’s Supper every first day of the week,
derives from 1 Cor. 11:24-26 as well as from Acts 20:7, and more
than one church is under consideration. As seen later in Vedder’s
history (pp. 341-f.), he was not too fond of “Speak Where the
Bible Speaks, and Be Silent Where the Bible is Silent”
principles. All the more reason to investigate the writings of
Archibald McLean, a pioneer in such thinking.
Beginning
next month, D.V., we will publish a series of excerpts from
McLean’s studies in the Great Commission. Look for them!
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