John MacGowan

One of Wallin's last works was a sermon on the decease of John Macgowan (1726–1780). In 1774 Wallin had preached the sermon at the funeral of MacGowan's sixteen year old only daughter, Elizabeth. He was a Baptist minister and author born and educated in Edinburgh, where he was apprenticed as a weaver but who subsequently settled in Bridge Street, Warrington, as a baker.

He had early become a Wesleyan and in Warrington joined the Methodist movement as a preacher. At a later period he was attracted by the Independents, but finally joined the Particular Baptists. He ministered at the old baptist chapel at Hill Cliff, near Warrington, and then at Bridgnorth, Salop.

In September 1766 he became pastor of the old Baptist meeting-house in Devonshire Square, Bishopsgate, London, opened by William Kiffin in 1687. Here he remained until his death.

His preaching, Calvinistic tone, became popular. His congregation were typically artisans. On its behalf he signed the petition of the Protestant Association of London, in the prelude to the Gordon Riots.

In failing health, he administered the sacrament for the last time on 12 November 1780, and died 25 November. He was buried in Bunhill Fields. He left a widow (his second wife Mary) and four sons.

Macgowan was a caustic controversial writer, who used allegory in devotional works. His books went through many editions in London, the North of England and America. Several were published under pseudonyms such as "The Shaver" and "Pasquin Shaveblock". His major work, Infernal Conferences, or Dialogues of Devils, by the Listener, London, 1772, 2 vols. may have been suggested by The Dialogues of the Dead (London, 1760) of George Lyttelton, 1st Baron Lyttelton.