 During the French Revolutionary Wars, when there was fear of both a French invasion, and popular unrest, he became chaplain to two regiments.The "2nd Regiment of Loyal Glasgow Volunteers", raised in 1797, had 800 paid rank and file soldiers with volunteer officers from the Glasgow merchant classes.The "Royal Glasgow Volunteer Light Horse", also raised in 1797, had 60 rank and file volunteers each with his own horse, arms and equipment, who elected their officers by ballot.