John Barclay

John Barclay AM (1734–1798) was a Scottish minister of religion, and founder of the Bereans. Life Barclay was born at Muthill in Perthshire the son of Ludovic Barclay a farmer and miller. He studied Theology at St. Andrews University, and was highly influenced by the thoughts of Rev Archibald Campbell. After being licensed to preach by the Church of Scotland through the presbytery of Auchterarder in September 1759, he became assistant to Rev James Jobson, the parish minister of Errol in Perthshire. Owing to differences with the minister, he left in 1763 and was then appointed assistant to Antony Dow of Fettercairn in Kincardineshire. During his period here he made several publications, and gained the reputation as a trouble-maker, distancing himself from the established church.