A learned Arian preacher, born at a little village of Berwickshire, in 1734. His father was only a keeper of cattle, and intended James for the same profession. He, meanwhile, having obtained the loan of some books on mathematics, made himself master of geometry and trigonometry, and afterwards taught these sciences, with other branches of mathematics, and assisted some public authors in compiling mathematical works, which have been well received. He joined a party of the ancient Cameronians, and in 1769, at one of their general meetings, was called to be a pastor among them. To qualify himself for this office, he studied the Greek and Hebrew languages, and compiled a Hebrew grammar, which is still in manuscript. These acquisitions led him into the study of the Arian controversy, when finally he adopted the opinions of Arius, and afterwards became preacher to a small Arian congregation in Edinburgh, where he also kept a school and a book-shop, for many years before he died.