SIR ROBERT ANDERSON
Secret Service
Theologian
BIOGRAPHY
by his son.
Sir Robert Anderson and Lady
Agnes Anderson
by A.P.Moore-Anderson
FOREWORD TO AN EARLIER MEMOIR
by THE LATE REV. J. STUART
HOLDEN, M.A., D.D.
(See below for Contents)
I ESTEEM it no small privilege to be asked for a brief
word of introduction to this Memoir of Sir Robert Anderson, to whom I have long
been indebted, not only for illumination and inspiration in common with
thousands the world over, but for the more intimate and richer gifts also of a
true and loyal friendship.
For he was a man whose genius for comradeship
was by no means the least of his many endowments. To many it was inevitable he
should be known only as the stalwart defender of the Faith, the clear
expositor, the zealous champion of Christian causes, the keen controversialist,
the distinguished public servant. Those who saw merely the externals of a
singularly busy and many-sided life seldom came to a true appreciation of the
man as he was. In his consuming passion for what he regarded as vital to the
Christian Faith, he was often compelled to appear dogmatic to the point of
unsympathy, and narrow-minded to the point of sheer unaccommodation. When, as
sometimes happened, in controversies (not always of his seeking) regarding
modern critical methods of handling the Word of God, or the promulgation of
doctrines subversive of the Gospel of Christ, he stood out as a champion of the
unpopular view of things, he both received and gave hard blows. No one, indeed,
could give harder. But this was a role thrust upon him, and was far from being
a spontaneous expression of the hidden man of the heart. He
disliked intensely the necessity of combat inseparable from his downright
consecration to Christ, and suffered not a little under its consequences to
himself. And never, for a single moment, did he betray the slightest bitterness
of spirit toward an opponent. If he must fight, he fought as a knight of God
and a very perfect gentleman; so that those who opposed him, and finally gave
him up as hopeless, rode off with a fine appreciation of the
character of their opponent. Sincerely convinced, with a strong belief in his
beliefs, and withal an unfailing courtesy and an utter indifference to all
personal considerations, he commended himself to every mans conscience
even when he failed to carry their judgment. It is true to say that no man ever
lived who had so many opponents and so few enemies.
But those who were
privileged to know him at closer quarters will ever think of him, in yet warmer
terms, as one of the most devoted, humble, and kindly of men, and one of the
staunchest of friends. For he never hid himself from those of whose sympathy
and affection he was assured, and they at all times found him true to
friendships every demand. Loving hands have chronicled and compiled the
following short sketch, but in no single line has love outrun sober judgment or
been betrayed into exaggeration. That he taught and proclaimed Christ all men
know. That he very consistently lived Christ and carried about into all the
relationships of life a sweet savour of Him, his family and friends know. And
they are glad to share their knowledge of him, and the inspiration to follow
the Lord as he followed Him which was its fruit, with the larger circle who
honour him for his works sake.
For myself, life will always be richer
for the generous and condescending friendship (from which all evidence of
condescension was strikingly absent) of an old and distinguished servant of
Christ toward a younger and altogether undistinguished one. In the happy
enjoyment of our frequent intercourse I learned, I trust, at least to desire
and strive after something of that loyalty to the Lord Jesus which was the
well-spring of his strength and service. And there is no man whose obedience I
would more earnestly endeavour to emulate in its purity and constancy. From his
writings I came to know something of the unfathomable content of the Gospel.
From his life I came to know far more concerning the possibility and glory of
its ministry. And until my own course is finished, I shall be grateful to him
who has gone from us, and still more to Him Whose best gifts to His people are
men such as he was -"an example of the believers in word, in conversation, in
charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
J. STUART HOLDEN.
ST.
PAULS,
PORTMAN SQUARE, W. October 1919.
CONTENTS.
Chapter One | - Dublin - the beginning and the Call. |
Chapter Two | - Gospel, commando operations in Ireland. |
Chapter Three | - London - the Home Office and Secret Service. |
Chapter Four | - Scotland Yard. |
Chapter Five | - Criminals and Crime, a pioneer. |
Chapter Six | - Friendships. |
Chapter Seven | - Home Life. |
Chapter Nine | - Preacher and Witness. |
Chapter Ten | - Author, Teacher and Defender of the Faith. |
Chapter Eleven | - Counsellor and Helper of Many. |
Chapter Twelve | - Mr. Valiant-for-Truth. |
Chapter Thirteen | - Carrying on to the End. |
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