ALEXANDER HENDERSON.

Fasti Ecclesiae Scoticanae, H Scott (1915)  vol 1, p 66 St Giles, 1639

He was born at Luthrie, in the Fife parish of Creich, in 1583. Of his
parentage and family history hardly anything is known. Tradition says he
was the son of a feuar, and a cadet of the Hendersons of Fordel. In
support of the latter statement, his remains lie in the burying-ground of
that family in Greyfriars Churchyard, and a contemporary portrait of him
is still in possession of a representative of that house.  At the age of
sixteen he matriculated at St Salvator’s College, St Andrews, and took his
degree of M.A. in 1603. From 1603 to 1611 he was a Regent of Philosophy,
and during that period he completed his course in divinity. He adopted
strong prelatic principles, and was a staunch upholder of Archbishop
Gledstanes, who afterwards became his patron, and presented him to the
parish of Leuchars. His settlement was so unpopular that on the day of his
ordination, probably in Jan. 1614, the church doors were found securely
nailed up, and he and his friends were obliged to enter by the window. A
Communion sermon preached in a neighbouring parish by Robert Bruce of
Kinnaird, was the means of changing Henderson’s spiritual outlook.
Attracted by the fame of the preacher, he slipped (so goes the story) into
the darkest corner of the church, hoping to steal out again unrecognised.
Bruce chose for his text the words:”He that entereth not by the door,”
etc. The effect of his earnest appeal won Henderson to the side of
Presbyterianism. His first appearance in that connection was at the Perth
Assembly of 1618, when he strenuously opposed the Five Articles,
notwithstanding the threats of the Government. In Aug. 1619 he appeared
before the Court of High Commission charged with the publication of a
pamphlet denouncing the Perth Assembly. But nothing came of the matter,
and Henderson returned to his parish. Of the next eighteen years we know
little or nothing. With the memorable year 1637 he reappears on the scene,
a keen opponent of “Lauds Liturgy”   which King Charles was determined to
foist on the Church. Mainly through Henderson’s influence the National
League and Covenant was signed, 21st Feb. 1638, and he was Moderator of
the Assembly which met at Glasgow, 21st Nov. of the same year. He received
calls to St Andrews, and Greyfriars, Edinburgh, and was translated to this
charge,10th Jan. 1639. He was appointed a Commissioner for framing a
treaty of peace with England, and was again Moderator in 1639. In Jan.
1640 he was Rector of the University of Edinburgh, and held office for the
rest of his life. In 1641 he preached before King Charles at Holyrood, and
was made Dean of the Chapel Royal. A third time he was Moderator, 2nd Aug.
1643, and was elected a member of the Westminster Assembly of Divines. He
declined the principalship of St Mary’s College, St Andrews, and died
unmarried 19th Aug. 1646. Next to the Church, Henderson’s greatest service
was devoted to the University of Edinburgh. “He was the ablest
educationist and the man of clearest insight of all who had to do with the
college since its foundation. He saw what was wanted, and had the energy
and the tact necessary for securing it. It would have been an inestimable
advantage for the universities of Scotland if his life could have been
prolonged for twenty years” (Grant’s Univ. of Edinburgh, 209).