ALEXANDER (1583-1646), was a Scotch ecclesiastic, who became professor of rhetoric and philosophy at St. Andrews in 1610. He was presented to the living of Leuchars by archbishop Gladstanes, where as his religious principles were antagonistic to those of his parishioners he was for a long time unpopular, but as he later in life changed his views lie became one of the most influential ministers of Scot land. He took an active part against Episcopal innovations, and was mainly responsible for the "National Convention" which was publicly signed in Greyfriars church, Edin burgh, 1638. During the troubled times of king Charles I. 's reign, Henderson's influence was greatly felt, in the negotiations for peace between the Scottish ecclesiastics and the court, and he had a personal interview with the king, when he accompanied the com missioners to London, and when Charles visited Scotland in state (1641) Henderson attended him as chaplain, and later on went to Oxford to mediate between the king and his parliament. In 1643 Henderson was elected moderator for the third time, in the Edinburgh assembly, and in that capacity presented a draft of the famous "Solemn League and Covenant." He, with Millie, Rutherford, and others, was sent to London
to represent Scotland in the Westminster assembly, when the " Solemn League " with slight modifications passed both houses and became law for the two kingdoms. When in 1646 the king joined the Scottish army and retired with it to Newcastle, he sent for Henderson, and discussed the systems of church government in a number of papers. But Henderson's health was failing; he set off on his return to Scotland, and eight days after his arrival died at Edinburgh, and his death was the occasion of a national mourn ing in Scotland. Henderson is one of the greatest men in Scottish history, and next to Knox the most renowned ecclesiastic of Scotland. His political genius was great, and he was, as prof. Mason observed, "a cabinet minister without He has left a deep mark in the history both of England and Scotland, and the Presbyterian church of to-clay owes much to his influence. He is justly looked upon as the second founder of the Scottish Reformed Church.