John Brown of Haddington
I have, lying on top of my piano in Hackett, a large heavy bible titled“ Brown’ s Self Interpreting Bible”. Brown’ s bible with all its footnotes and notations was first published in 1789 and, in the Scotland of that time, many households had a copy. My copy has been handed down from generations of Chisholms from Breakay, Beauly in Inverness Shire. No doubt the bible will find its way to my son, and grandchildren, in due course.
On my recent trip to Scotland I had the notion to see John Brown’ s church at Haddington, which is south east of Edinburgh. The Reverend John Brown ministered at St Mary’ s church at Haddington for 30 years, from 1760 to 1790, during which time he wrote his bible commentaries. He was buried in the Chancel of St Mary’ s where a marble slab indicates the position. There is a beautiful stained glass window depicting the events in his life, some saddle bags, and most importantly, for me, two brass bound copies of his famous bible. St Mary’ s was established in the 12th century and has seen some unruly times. It avoided the worst elements of the reformation, but suffered severely at the time of Cromwell’ s invasion of Scotland.
Young John Brown was born of poor weaver parents, in Fife, and there was no money available for his education after elementary schooling. This did not deter young Brown who taught himself Greek and Latin whilst working as a herd boy on a neighbouring farm. Story goes that he walked to St Andrews to purchase a Greek bible. Not having sufficient money to purchase the bible, the kindly bookseller told the boy that if he could read a random page of the Greek text, he could have the bible. Needless to say Brown walked home with his bible!
It is wonderful that a self-taught boy could easily pass the examination to become a Minister, and then go on to write his bible notes and commentaries in a bible that is used today, in many pulpits throughout Australia.
- Allan Asquith
St Margaret ' s News 8 July 2017