Reverend James Wood

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Descended from the old and renowned family of the name, James Wood was son of a merchant in St. Andrews. Having acquired distinction at St. Andrews University, he was appointed a regent in St. Salvator's College. In 1640 he was ordained minister of Dunino. To the Greyfriars' Church, Aberdeen, and Professorship of Divinity in Marischal College of that city he was elected in 1644, but in the following year he was inducted as Professor of Divinity in St. Mary's College, St. Andrews. From his early training he had some Episcopal leanings, but he was led, through the conversation of the celebrated Mr. Alexander Henderson, to cordially embrace the Presbyterian doctrines. He took part with the Resolution party, which temporarily estranged him from Rutherford, who was principal of his college. On the recommendation of Mr. James Sharp, the future archbishop, he was in 1657 appointed Principal of St. Salvator's College. When Episcopacy was established at the Restoration, Sharp used every effort to induce Mr. Wood to renounce his opinions, but without success. He caused him to be summoned before the Council in July, 1663, and on his appearing he was deprived of his principalship and ordered to confine himself within the city of Edinburgh. He was afterwards permitted to return to St. Andrews to visit his father, who had fallen sick. He was now seized with illness, and was some time confined to his chamber. By the primate he was frequently visited, and report was assiduously given forth that in the prospect of death he had expressed himself as indifferent about forms of church government, and was content to submit such matters to magisterial authority. Informed of the rumour, Mr. Wood subscribed a declaration, affirming his belief that " Presbyterian government was the ordinance of God ; " that "he never had the least change of thought concerning the necessity of it ; " and that were he to live, he " would account it his glory to seal this word of his testimony with his blood." His declaration was subscribed on the 2nd of March, 1664, and on the 15th day of the same month he breathed his last. One of the witnesses to Mr. Wood's declaration was his brother-in-law, Mr. John Carstairs, minister of the Cathedral Church, Glasgow. This eminent person was eldest son of James Carstairs, merchant and magistrate in St. Andrews.