In 1842 he was converted to the principles of the Free Church of Scotland by Rev Dr William Cunningham who became a life-long mentor. In the Disruption of 1843 he joined the Free Church faction and was one of the first ministers ordained directly into that faction without transfer from the Church of Scotland. Licensed to preach by the Free Church in 1843 he was thereafter ordained as minister of Panbride near Carnoustie.
