John Urquhart, part 1: Early Years in Perth
John Urquhart (1808-1827)
In 1808, James Madison was president of the United States, George III was king in England, and Napoleon was continuing his conquest of Europe. On June 7, a boy named John was born to Christian parents in the riverside town of Perth, Scotland. His name would never appear in history books, and no great monuments would be built in his honor. His candle would burn out before he passed his teens but the impact of his life would reach several continents and bear fruit for eternity.
Few details have been recorded about John’s family. His last name, Urquhart (pronounced er-cart), is an ancient Scottish name whose roots go back to the tribe of the Picts. John shared his father’s name, and his sister Anne shared their mother’s; he also had two brothers, David and Henry. Their father was a craftsman who owned a jeweler’s shop; except for these details of his vocation, little is known of their family life other than their Christian devotion and diligence. It is true that God gives the increase, but considering how quickly John reached Christian maturity, his parents must have been faithfully planting and watering throughout his early years. When he was five, he began his formal education at a primary school in Perth. William Orme, who wrote his biography, noted that he had a pleasant-sounding voice and soon became one of the finest readers in his age group. His parents, who wanted him to have more religious training, also began to send him to a Sunday school about this same time.
Sunday schools (called sabbath schools at the time) were different than our modern concept of them. Some, like John's, met on Sunday evenings, while others met in the afternoons. They had become popular in the late 1700s as a way of teaching children from the lower classes how to read and write. The Bible was used as a textbook, and the children were taught the Scriptures alongside these practical skills. Orme emphasized how this training proved to be a critical part of his later maturity. He learned so much about the Bible here that would benefit him later. Although he did not become a Christian for nearly a decade later, when he was converted he reached maturity rapidly as the Holy Spirit mixed this early training with spiritual life.
After four years in primary school, he began another four years in grammar school (1817-1821). This was a season of language learning, primarily that of Latin. John was diligent in his studies—he often got up at 4 or 5 to begin his day—but he enjoyed his studies, which also came easy to him. This combination caused him to excel in school and he frequently won prizes for his efforts. A friend later recalled how sharp his mind was, and how quickly he could sort out truth from error.
While in grammar school he met and quickly became friends with Alexander Duff, who was two years older; in time, they would attend the University of St. Andrews together. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:33 that “bad company corrupts good character." The companionship of these two young men proved to be the very opposite. As they matured, they stirred each other up for good and for the cause of missions. As Duff looked back on the early years of their friendship, he said that John was always a good and likeable boy, never one to be involved in an argument or fight, but also not yet a Christian.
John finished grammar school when he was 13. Mentally, he was ready for university, but at this age he was still too young to be sent away from home. It was decided that he would take one more year of schooling at Perth Academy before the next phase of his education. As before, John excelled at the academy in math, chemistry, and other subjects. As he neared the end of that year, his parents needed to decide on the next step. Orme, his biographer, was also his family's pastor, and gave them counsel on this matter. He saw giftings in John that might make him an able pastor one day. But at this point, John still wasn't a Christian. Orme did not want to push an unconverted young man in this direction or give his pride more reasons for growth, but he did tell John's parents his thoughts. He suggested that they provide schooling for him that would set the stage for pastoral training; if God answered their prayers for his salvation, he would already be well on his way.
As Orme recalled, “He always showed great reluctance or aversion to everything except study; so the path of duty to send him to St. Andrew's became at length clear.” This decision proved to be a good one. Shortly before leaving for St. Andrews in the fall of 1822, God used a Sunday night sermon from his pastor to begin to open his eyes to the dangerous condition that his soul was in. He was drawing John to himself.
Perth Academy, where John attended school for the 1821-1822 school year.
