Mr Hastie, the son of James and Mary Hastie, was born at Edinburgh on 19 May 1879. He was educated at Edinburgh, attending Young Street School and James Gillespie’s School. After gaining a bursary of four hundred pounds he entered Edinburgh University and graduated M.A., with distinction in English Literature, Moral Philosophy and Mathematics.

From his early life, his desire was to study for the ministry. Encouraged by his Minister, the Rev Dr Alexander Whyte of Free St. George’s, he entered New College, Edinburgh, with promise. During the first half of his theological studies, he gained the Ferguson Scholarship.He was licensed by the Presbytery of Edinburgh in June, 1908, and during the period 1908 – 1910 he served as locum tenens at Bonnington Church, Edinburgh. He was Assistant Minister at St. James’ Place Church, Edinburgh for the year 1910 – 1911 in which year he married Mrs Johanna Harper Stern.

He was ordained and inducted to the Chalmers United Free Church, Cockenzie in 1911 and saw service in France with the Y.M.C.A. in 1917. in 1919 he was translated to Renfrew Trinity United Free Church, where he ministered until he was translated to Blairgowrie, St. Andrew’s on 5 July 1923. He remained there until shortly before his death which took place on 16 December 1950.