Pirie, Alexander

Alexander Pirie was a Scottish minister whose career was marked by significant shifts in ecclesiastical alignment. He initially served as a minister within the Antiburgher Synod of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. In 1760, he was appointed to teach the Philosophical Class at the Theological Seminary in New York City. However, his tenure there was short-lived, as he was suspended and ultimately expelled from the Antiburgher body shortly after his appointment.

Following his departure from the Antiburgher Synod, Pirie aligned himself with the Burghers. He returned to Scotland to take charge of a congregation in Abernethy. His theological journey took another turn in 1769, when he parted ways with the Secession movement to join the Independents, taking up the pastorate of an Independent congregation at Newburgh in Fifeshire. He continued his ministry in Newburgh until his death in 1804.

Pirie made a lasting contribution to Christian song in 1777 through the publication of his volume, Psalms, or Hymns founded on some important Passages of Scripture. From this collection, two of his hymns achieved lasting prominence in modern hymnals, entering broader liturgical use through their inclusion in the 1794 collection, Sacred Songs and Hymns on Various Passages of Scripture, compiled for the New Relief Church in Campbell Street, Glasgow. The first of these, "Come, let us join in songs of praise, To our ascended Priest," became a recognized hymn for Ascension, while the second, "With Mary's love without her fear," was widely adopted as an Easter hymn.