he was educated at perth academy and then studied divinity at university of edinburgh (graduating m.a. in 1883). like his father he became a church of scotland minister. licensed by the presbytery of perth in 1887 he became assistant at st cuthbert's church, edinburgh the same year. he was ordained to newton on 25 september 1888; transferred to tron kirk in edinburgh on 18 may 1897; acting chaplain 9th v.b. (highlanders) the royal scots, 1898–1902, and london scottish, 1903–1922. he was chaplain to the lord high commissioner, 1918–1920, the monarch's representative at the annual, general assembly of the church of scotland. due to his work in serbia during the first world war he was awarded the serbian order of st sava in 1919.