Works of Chalmers -
Description
THE PUBLISHED WRITINGS OF THOMAS
CHALMERS, DD., LLD.
Known and prized throughout Europe and
America, the works of Dr. Chalmers have taken that elevated place in our
permanent national literature which, while putting them above the need of any
encomium of ours, must always command for them the study and admiration of
every person whose range of reading is meant to embrace the higher classes of
the country. Whether considered as a poet, orator, philosopher, or divine, the
Doctor is, beyond all question, one of the most remarkable men of his age and
what should greatly commend his publications as furnishing an excellent and
varied training to the youthful mind, is, that independently of the practical
and useful way in which he has discussed the important topics that engage his
genius, he has invested them with such charms of original argument and
felicitous illustration as not only inveigle the reader into the most subtile
and profound analytical processes, but leave him unconscious all the while that
he is perusing anything more abstruse than one of Sir Walters novels -
Times.
BY SUTHERLAND AND KNOX, EDINBURGH.
HAMILTON, ADAMS, &
CO., LONDON.
UNIFORM EDITION OF DR.
CHALMERS WORKS.
RE-PUBLISHED BY HIMSELF.
"We look upon it as
nothing else than a national blessing, that so great an ornament of our country
as the distinguished author of these volumes should have been led to apply his
powerful mind while still in the full vigour of its faculties, to the
collecting and arranging of his voluminous and varied works, in order to
deliver them intp the hands of his countrymen in that form and in that state in
which he would desire them to descend to posterity. We have been all along both
interested and delighted spectators of the progress of the undertaking; and we
now intend, in this and a few successive articles, to do our part to press its
important claims on the attention of the religious public."
- Extract from
critique in Edinburgh Christian Instructor, 1837.
POSTHUMOUS WORKS.
EDITED BY DR. HANNA.
"To commend these works is superfluous; they have
met with universal approbation from the British Press and public. That the
periodical press, representing so great a variety of religious and political
opinion, should have so generally noticed them, and that too with high
commendation, is a circumstance exceedingly rare, if not altogether
unparalleled. They have charms for the merely literary man, and they will
obtain a hearing for evangelical truth in quarters from which it would
otherwise be excluded."
- - Kitto's Journal.
. ORIGINAL WORKS.
AS REPUBLISHED BY DR. CHALMERS.
25 Vols. l2vo, Price
£5.
THE DIFFERENT SUBJECTS SOLD SEPARATELY AT 4s. PER VOLUME.
This Edition is not composed of mere reprints of the 8vo Works previously issued under titles somewhat similar. In every instance, the l2vo Editions were thoroughly revised, and, in most cases, new matter added or incorporated.
NATURAL
THEOLOGY.
2 VOLS., PRICE 8s.
This comprises the BRIDGEWATER
TREATISE, with about one-half more of new matter.
VOL
1. BOOK I. - Preliminary Views..
I. Distinction between the Ethics
and Objects of Theology.
II. On the Duty which is laid upon men by the
Probability or even the imagination of a God.
III. Of the Metaphysics which
have been resorted to on the side of Theism.
DR. CLARKE'S A PRIORI
ARGUMENT ON THE BEING OF A GOD.
MR. HUME'S OBJECTION TO THE A
POSTERIORI ARGUMENT, GROUNDED ON THE ASSERTION THAT THE WORLD IS A SINGULAR
EFFECT.
IV. On the Hypothesis that the World is Eternal.
. BOOK
II. - Proofs for the Being of a God in the Dispositions of Matter.
I.
Distinction between Laws and Dispositions of Matter.
II. Natural and
Geological Proofs.
III. Evidences in the Phenomena of Visible and External
Nature.
BOOK III -- Proofs for the being and character of God in the
Constitution of the Human Mind.
I. General considerations.
II. On the
Supremacy of Conscience.
III. Pleasure of the Virtuous, and Misery of the
Vicious Affections.
IV. The Power and Operation of Habit.
VOL. II.
BOOK lV. - Evidences for a God In the
Adaptation of External Nature to the moral Constitution of Man
I, On the
General Adaptation.
II. On Special and Subordinate Adaptations.
III. On
the Civil and Political Wellbeing of Society.
IV. On the Economic Wellbeing
of Society.
V. Adaptations to the Moral and Intellectual Constitution of
Man.
VI. On the Capacities of the World for making a Virtuous Species
happy.
BOOK. V. - On the inscrutability of the Divine Counsels and Ways;
and on Natural Theology viewed as an imperfect System., and as a Precursor to
the Christian Theology.
I. On Man's Partial and Lhited Knowledge of Divine
Things.
II. On the Use of Hypotheses in Theology.
LEIBNITZ'S THEORY OP
THE ORIGIN OF EVIL.
III. On the Doctrine of a Special Providence and the
Efficacy of Prayer.
IV. On the Defects and the Uses of Natural
Theology.
EVIDENCES OF
CHRISTIANITY.
2 VOLS., PRICE 8s.
Contains the original
publication on the Evidences, and new matter to the extent of three- fourths of
the two Volumes.
VOL. I.
BOOK l. -
Prelhininary Considerations.
I. On the Cognizance which the Understanding
takes of its own Processes.
II. On Man's Instinctive Belief in the
Constancy of Nature.
III. On the Sufficiency of Human Testimony for the
Proof of Miracles.
Mr.Hume's Objections to the Truth of Miracles.
I. On
the Origin of our Belief in Testimony.
II. On the Power of the Evidence of
Testimony.
III. On the Power of a Single Testimony.
IV. On the
Concurrence of Distinct Testimonies.
BOOK 11. - On the Miraculous Evidence
for the Truth of Christianity.
I. On the Historical Evidence.
II. On
the Genuineness of the different Books of the New Testament.
III. Internal
Marks of Truth in New Testament.
IV. Original Witnesses to the Truth of the
Gospel Narrative.
V. On the Testimony of Subsequent Witnesses.
VI.
Impregnable Character of the Historical Argument.
VII. Remarks on the
Argument from Prophecy.
VIII. Connexion between Miracles and Doctrines.
VOL.II.
BOOK III - On the Internal
Evidence of Christianity.
I. Consistency of Scripture with Itself.
II.
On the Moral Evidence for the Truth of the New Testament.
III. On the
Expeimental Evidence for the Truth of Christianity.
IV. Portable Character
of the Christian Evidences.
BOOK IV. - On the Books of the Jewish and
Christian RevelatIon, and the Degree of Authority which belongs to them.
I.
On the Canon of Scripture; and, more especially, of the Old Testament,
II.
On the Inspiration of the Old and New Testaments.
III. Internal Evidence
for Inspiration.
IV. On the Supreme Authority of Revelation.
MORAL AND MENTAL PHILOSOPHY.
I VOL., PRICE 4s.
This work was not
previously published.
I. On the Distinction between the Moral and Mental
Philosophy.
II. On the peculiar Difficulty in the Study of Mind.
III.
On the Emotions.
IV. On the Command which the Will has over the
Emotions.
V. On the Morality of the Emotions.
VI. On the Undue Place
which is often given to the Emotions.
VII. On the Final Causes of the
Emotions.
VIII. On the Phenomena of Anger and Gratitude.
IX. On the
Duties of Perfect and hperfect Obligation.
X. On Diversities of Statement
in regard to General Questions.
COMMERCIAL
DISCOURSES.
1 VOL., PRICE 4s.
The Sermons marked * did not appear in the original editions of the Commercial
Discourses.
I. Mercantile Virtues which Exist without Christianity, Phil.
iv. 8.
II. Influence of Christianity on the Mercantile Virtues, Rom. xiv.
18.
III. Selfishness as promoting the Honesties of Commerce, Luke vi.
33.
IV. Guilt of Dishonesty not to be Estimated by its Gain, Luke xvi.
7.
V. Christian Law of Reciprocity between Man and Man, Matt. vii. 12.
VI. On the Dissipation of Large Cities - Ephes. v. 6.
VII. Vitiating
Influence of the Higher on the Lower Orders, Luke xvii. 1, 2.
VIII. On the
Love of Money Job xxxi. 24~28.
*IX. The Expulsive power of a New Affection
1 John ii. 15.
*X The Restlessness of Human Ambition Ps. xi. 1; lv. 6.
*XI. Advantages of Christian Knowledge to Lower Orders, Eccles. iv.
13.
*XII. Duty and the Means of Christianizing our Home Population Mark
xvi.15.
*XIII. On the Honour due to all Men I Peter ii. 17.
*XIV. On
the Moral Influence of Fidelity. Titus ii. 10.
*XV. The importance of
Civil Government to Society, Rom. iii. 9-19
ASTRONOMICAL DISCOURSES.
1 VOL.,
PRICE 4s.
The last seven Discourses were not in the original edition.
I. A Sketch of the Modern Astronomy
II. The Modesty of True Science
III. On the Extent of the Divine Condescension,
IV. Knowledge of Man in
Distant Places of Creation,
V. Sympathy for Man in Distant Places of
Creation,
VI. Contest for Ascendency over Man amongst the higher Orders of
Intelligence Col.2.15.
VII. Influence of mere Taste and Sensibility in
Religion,
APPENDIX of Scripture Notes.
Discourses of a Kindred
Character with the preceding.
I. The Constancy of God in His Works an
Argument for the Faithfulness of God in His Word,
*11. On the Consistency
between the Efficacy of Prayer and the Uniformity of Nature
*111. The
Transitory Nature of Visible Things,
*IV. On the New Heavens and the New
Earth,
V Nature of the Kingdom of God
*VI. Heaven a character and not
a Locality,
VII. On the Reasonableness of Faith
CONGREGATIONAL SERMONS.
3 vols., Price 12s.
A considerable number of the Sermons appeared in these volumes for the first
the.
VOL. I.
I. Necessity of the Spirit
to give Effect to Preaching, I Cor. ii. 4, 9.
11. Mysterious Aspect of the
Gospel to Men of the World, Ezek. xx. 49.
III. Preparation necessary for
understanding the Gospel, Matt. xiii. 11, 12.
IV. The Morality that is
without Godliness Job ix. 30-33.
V. Judgment of Men compared with Judgment
of God, I Cor. iv. 3, 4.
VI. The Necessity of a Mediator between God and
Man, Job ix. 33.
VII. Folly of Men measuring themselves by themselves, 2
Cor. x. 12.
VIII. On the Paternal Character of God Matt. vii. 11.
IX.
Christ the Wisdom of God 1 Cor. i. 24.
X. The Principle of Love to God Jude
21.
XI. Gratitude not a Sordid Affection I John iv. 19.
XII. The
Affection of Moral Esteem towards God, . . . Psalm xxvii.
XIII. The
Emptiness of Natural Virtue John v. 42.
XIV. The State of the Unconverted
Eph. ii. 12.
XV. The Evils of False Security Jer. vi. 14.
XVI. The
Goodness and Severity of God - Rom. xi. 22.
VOL.
II.
I. On the Universality of Spiritual Blindness,...Is. xxix. 9-12.
II. Distinction between Knowledge and Consideration, Is. i. 3.
III.
The Natural Enmity of the Mind against God
IV Power of the Gospel to
dissolve the Ennmity of the Human Heart against God
V. The Union of Truth
and Mercy in the Gospel, . . Psalm lxxxv. 1 0.
VI. The Purifying Influence
of the Christian Faith, . . Acts xxvi. 1 8.
VII. Salvation scarcely
obtained even by the Righteous, I Peter iv. 18.
VIII. On the Doctrine of
Predestination Acts xxvii. 21.31.
IX. On the Nature of the Sin against the
Holy Ghost, Matt. xii. 3, 32.
X. On the Spirit's Striving with Man Gen. vi.
3.
Xl. On the Nature of the Sin unto Death I John v. 16.
XII. On the
Christian Sabbath Mark ii. 27.
XIII. The Christianity of the Sabbath Is.
lviii. 13, 14.
XIV. The Advantages of a fixed Sabbath Gal. iv. 10.
XV.
The Accommodating Spirit of Christian Charity to the Scruples of the Weak
XVI. On the Amusements and Companies of the World,. 2 Cor. vi. 14.16.
XVII.
On Christian Conversation Col. iv. 5, 6.
XVIII. On Christian Casuistry
Rom.
VOL. III.
I. Of the Flesh and the
Spirit Gal. vi. 8.
II. On the Knowledge of Christ and Him Crucified, . 1
Cor. ii. 2. 7
III Danger of Neglecting the Gospel -. Heb. ii. 3.
IV
The Relation of the Law to the Gospel,
V. On Faith and Repentance Acts xx.
21.
VI. The immediate Reward of Obedience Psalm xix. 11.
VII. The
Necessity of a Personal Meetness for Heaven, Col. I. 12.
VIII. Singleness
of Aim and Spiritual Discernment, . Matt. vi. 22.
IX. The Second Coming of
Christ 4cts 1. 1l.
X. God is Love John iv. 16.
XI. Fear of Terror and
Fear of Reverence 1 Peter i.17.
XII. Immortality brought to light by the
Gospel, 2 Th. i. 10.
XIII. The Brevity of Human Life I Cor vii. 29.
XIV. The Faith of the Patriarchs Heb. xi. 14.
XV. Incipient Duties and the
Subsequent Experiences Luke xxiv. 49. of a Christian
XVI. Connexion between
Faiths and Peace Rom. v. 1.
XVII. Analogies between the Natural and the
Spiritual Husbandry
XVIII. On the Universality of the Gospel Offer Luke
ii. 14.
SERMONS ON PUBLIC OCCASIONS.
1 Vol., price 4s.
Some of the
Discourses in this Volume were not previously published.
I. On the Death
of the Princess Charlotte Is. xxvi. 9.
11. Thoughts on Universal Peace Is.
ii. 4.
III. Doctrine of Christian Charity Matt. vii.3-5.
IV. On the
Respect due to Antiquity Jer. vi. 16.
V. Man's Wrath in Religious
Controversies James i. 20.
VI. On the Death of the Rev. Dr. Andrew Thomson,
Heb. xi. 4.
VII. The Utility of Missions ascertained by Experience,John i.
46.
VIII. On Cruelty to AnIMals Prov. xii. 10.
IX. The Blessedness of
Considering the Case of the Poor, Psalm xli. 1.
X. The Two Instruments
appointed for the Propagation of the Gospel
XI. On Preaching to the Common
People Mark xii. 37.
XII. Superior Blessedness of the Giver to the
Receiver, Acts xx. 35.
XIII. On Religious Establishments 2 Th ii. 2.
TRACTS AND ESSAYS.
1 VOL., PRICE 4s.
Comprises the Author's
principal Contributions to the Periodicals of the day.
Christ a Guide in
the Establishment of Charitable Institutions.
On Prayer and Performance
for the success of Missions.
The Duty of Diligence in the Christian
Life.
Parochial Associations For moral and spiritual good
On the
Consistency of Legal and voluntary principles.
Parochial Schools and their
Advantages in Large towns.
On the Technical Nomenclature of Theology
On
the Efficacy of Missions as Conducted by the Moravians
On the Style and
Subjects of the Pulpit.
On the Difference Between Spoken and Written
Language
On Cuvier's Theory of the Earth
Speech on a Proposed
Modification of Patronage.
On the Abolition of Colonial Slavery
INTRODUCTORY ESSAYS TO SELECT CHRISTIAN
AUTHORS.
1 Vol. Price 4s
These
Essays formed Prefaces to Mr.Collin's Series of Christian Authors
On
the Imitation of Christ
On Romaine's Treatises on the Life, Walk and
Triumph of Faith
0n Serle's Christian Remembrancer.
On Guthrie's
Christian's Great Interest.
On Owen's Grace and Duty of Being Spiritually
Minded.
On Baxter's Call to the Unconverted.
On Scudder's Christian's
Daily Walk
On Tracts by the Rev. Thomas Scott
On Beveridge's Private
Thoughts.
On Booth's Reign of Grace.
On Shower's Serious
Reflections
On Treatises against Infidelity - by Leslie, Lyttleton etc.
On Howe'e Living Temple
On Romaine's Select Letters
On Hall's Treatise
on the Faith and Influence of the Gospel
CHRISTIAN AND ECONOMIC POLITY OF A NATION
Contains the original work on the Christian and Civic Economy.
Vol I.
Prefaces.
I Advantages of
Assiimlating a Town to a Country Parish
II. On the influence of Locality
in Towns
III. Principle of Locality in Towns to the Work of a Minister.
IV. Effect of Locality in a Town
V.and VI. On Church Patronage,
VII.
On Church Offices.
VIII. On Sabbath Schools
IX On the Christian and
Civic Economy of Towns
X On the Bearing of Christian Economy on
Pauperism
VOL.II
Xl. On the Bearing
which a right Civic Economy has upon Pauperism.
XII. State and Prospects of
Pauperism in Glasgow.
XIII.0n the Difficulties and Evils of Scottish
Pauperism.
XIV. On the Abolition of Pauperism in England.
XV. On
Parliamentary Means for its Abolition in England.
XVI. On Parochial Means
for its Abolition in England.
XVII. On the Wages of Labour.
XVIII. On
Poor Rates in aid of Defective Wages.
XIX. On Savings Banks.
XX., XXI.
On the Combinations of Workmen for raising Wages.
VOL.III.
XXII. On Errors in regard to Labour
and Labourers.
XXIII. On the Effect of High Prices on Foreign Trade.
XXIV. Political Economy as a Branch of Popular Education.
APPENDIX ON
PAUPERISM.
I. Measures pursued in Glasgow for Extinction of Pauperism.
II. Pauperism of Glasgow, from the Experience of Eight Years.
III.
Evidence before House of Commons on Irish Poor-Law.
IV. Protracted
Experience of Pauperism in Glasgow.
CHURCH
AND COLLEGE ESTABLISHMENTS.
1
VOL.,PRICE 4s.
Includes the Treatise on Literary and Ecclesiastical
Endowments, and the Lectures delivered in London on Church Establishments.
Part 1. - On the Use and Abuse of Literary and Eceleslastical Endowments.
I. General Argument in favour of Endowments.
II. Special application of
the Argument to Colleges.
III. On Church Endowments.
IV. On the Abuse
of Endowments.
APPENDIX.
NOTES.
Part 11. - Lecture, on the
Establishment and Extension of National Churches.
I. Statement of the
Question, and Exposure of Misconceptions.
II. Vindication in opposition to
the Economists.
III. Vindication in opposition to the Voluntary Principle.
IV. Circumstances which determine the selection of one Denomination.
V. On a Territorial Establishment, and the Reasons of its Efficacy.
VI.
Abiding by the Selection of one Denomination.
CHURCH EXTENSION.
1
VOL., PRICE 4s.
PREFACE.
The Right Ecclesiastical Economy of a
Large Town.
Churches and Chapels.
The Question stated between
Churchmen and Dissenters.
Evils which Edinburgh Suffers in virtue of
Seat-letting.
Re-Assertion of Evils of Edinburgh System of Seat-letting.
The Proceedings of the Church Deputation in London.
Duty which the
Church owes to the People of Scotland.
Example of the Apostles in
Administration of Public Charities.
POLITICAL ECONOMY.
2 VOLs.,
PRICE 8s.
VOL. I.
I. On the Increase and Limit of Food.
II. On the Increase and Limit of Employnment.
III. On the Increase
and Limit of Capital.
IV. Parallel between Population and Capital.
V.
On the Possibility of Over-production, or of a General Glut.
VI., VII. On
the Limits of Foreign Trade.
VIII., IX. Effect of Taxes on the Labouring
Classes.
X. On Tithes.
XI.Distinction between Productive and
Unproductive Labour.
XII. On the Law of Primogeniture.
XIII. On
Emigration.
XIV. On a Compulsory Provision for the Indigent.
VOL. II.
XV. 0n the Christian Education of
the People.
XVI. Conclusion.
APPENDIX.
On the Rent of Land. - On
Machinery. - On Home Colonization. - On the National Debt. - On Profit - On
Free Trade. - On Corn Laws - On the gradual Reform of our Financial System. -
Synoptical View of the Political Economy of this Volume.
Observations on a
Criticism in the Edinburgh Review.
Connexion between the Extension of the
Church and Pauperism.
Comparison of Scotch and English Pauperism.
Management of the Poor in Glasgow.
State and prospects of
Manufactures.
SUFFICIENCY OF A PAROCHIAL
SYSTEM.
1 VOL., PRICE 4s.
I.
On Intercourse with the Common people.
II. On the office of Almoner to a
given Population.
III. On Visitations by Office-bearers in the Church,.
IV. Eighteen Years Experience in St. John's Glasgow.
V. Ethical view
of the Question.
VI. Scriptural view of the Question.
VII. Medical
view of the Question.
VIII. Historical view of the Question.
IX.
Political Economy of the Question.
X. Politics of the Question.
XI.
Statistics of the Question.
XII. Recent Authorship of the Question.
XlII. Application of Argument, particularly to Scotland.
Copious Appendix
of Illustrative Documents.
LECTURES ON THE
ROMANS.
4 VOLS., PRICE 16s.
VOL. I
- -LECTURE I. TO LECTURE XXV.
R0MAn5, CHAP.I. TO V.
VOL. II. - LECTURE XXVI. TO LECTURE L.
R0MANS. CHAP. VI. - VIII.
VOL.III - LECTURE
LI. TO LECTURE LXXV. ROMANS, Chap.VIII. - IX.
VOL.
1V. -LI - LECTURE LXXVI. TO LECTURE C. Roms, CHAP. X. - XVI.
" We
know few volumes in our language which could stand a comparison with these
Lectures. We well remember with what profound interest they were listened to by
crowded audiences, and with what energy of physical exertion and moral
earnestness they were delivered by the distinguished author; and now that we
can more leisurely review them in their present form, we find in them not
indeed a minute or methodical exposition of the Epistle, but a most vigorous
elucidation of its leading principles, and a most powerful application of them
to the practical purposes of public instruction." - Presbyterian
Review
"Of Dr. Chalmers Lectures on the Romans, it is difficult to
pronounce an opinion. They are the productions of a philosopher, and one of the
highest grade, who, at the same time, possessed the heart and the experience of
an humble Christian. He expatiates over the whole field of truth with the eye
of an eagle, and with the docility of a child, without ever overleaping the
boundaries of revelation. He was evidently a man by himself, taller by his
shoulders than most men, either in this or in any other age, having a mind as
sound as it was vigorous, an imagination as sober as it was creative, and a
capacity to illustrate and to amplify quite unequalled."
- Translation
of Calvin on the Romans,
PART II
POSTHUMOUS WORKS.
EDITED BY DR. HANNA.
9
Vols. 8vo, price £4, 14s. 6d.
SEPARATE VOLUMES AT lOs. 6d. EACH.
DAILY SCRIPTURE READINGS.
3 Vols. 8vo,£1, 11s. 6d.
THIS work was
commenced by the Author in October 1841, and continued till the time of his
decease. A portion of Scripture, extending generally from ten to twenty verses,
was read daily, and the reflections which it suggested were embodied in a few
brief paragraphs. Dr. Chalmers own description of the work was, that it
comprised his first and readiest thoughts upon the passage coming daily under
review. The READINGS, beginning with Genesis, are carried down to the end of
Jeremiah.
"We shall receive these volumes as a precious legacy to the
Church of God; and if we may judge of what is yet to come, by what has been
already furnished in the present volume, we shall read them not once or twice,
but recur to them again and again, and linger over them as in hallowed
fellowship with the mind that produced them, and devoutly rejoicing that, great
as may be the intellectual disparity between the writer and the reader, when
they come into the presence of ETERNAL TRUTH, ;the brother of low degree is
exalted, and the brother of high degree is made low, and both stand on the
basis of a common redemption, and exult in the possession of a common
hope."Evangelical Christendom.
"In a manner the most simple and
artless, Dr. Chalmers throws a light upon expressions, upon customs, upon
passages, the elucidation of which we have often sought for in vain in works of
professed criticism Were we to quote each particular instance in which the
author has most felicitously drawn out the peculiar features of the transaction
he dwells upon, our remarks would reach to an extent inconsistent with our
present thesis. The work itself we can confidently recommend to our readers, as
conveying to us the most interesting and instructive comments upon the
transactions recorded in Holy Writ ; as affording the purest and most
consolatory views of the Divine Governor of the world and as holding out the
most powerful persuasives to a holy and religious life." - Morning
Chronicle.
"We must express our high sense of the value of this
publication, believing it to be much calculated to benefit those who peruse it.
The gratification we have already received, even from a cursory glance at its
contents, induces us to commend it to others with our warmest recommendation.
We are delighted to think into how many circles of society it will penetrate,
which the productions of other men, however excellent, but with an inferior
name, cannot be expected to reach - there to exert a useful and lasting
influence. May our anticipations be realized." Eclectic Review.
SABBATH SCRIPTURE READINGS.
2 VoLs.8vo, £1, 1
Two chapters, one in
the Old the other in the New Testament, were read by Dr. Chalmers each Sabbath,
and those trains of meditative thought, passing frequently into ejaculatory
prayer, which the reading of each chapter suggested, were committed to writing.
This Work is mainly though not exclusively devotional. The Sabbath Readings
begin with Genesis, and are continued down to the 2nd Book of Kings. They
embrace the whole of the New Testament.
"There is in this volume, the
personal interest, the distinct individual characterization, formed as with the
very breath of the living Chalmers. The man himself is here, in almost every
page - so devout, so simple, so ingenuous, yet so large-minded in his
lowliness. The work, indeed, is a journal of devotion and self-examination
rather than a fasciculus of Scriptural commentaries. Commentary there is, but
it is the mere rind, the husk the fruit itself lies beneath - Which cut down
through the middle, Shews a heart blood tincturcd with a veined humanity. It is
the frequent revelation of the inmost humanity of the mail which renders the
book so profoundly touching." - Atlas.
"We have perused them with
delight, and we trust with profit. We admire the style beautifully simple, yet
nervous. Much more do we admire the spirit, its holy breathings, its devout and
lofty aspirations. The inner man of Chalmers stands revealed. We find ourselves
admitted into that awful sanctuary, with which only his God and hhself had
hitherto been acquainted ; and with feelings not to be described, we gaze upon
the spiritual sacrifice that is there presented, and listen to the heavenly
comnmunings there vouchsafed. it is truly a precious book; having all the
interest of a diary or autobiography, and containing a noble but most
unostentatious manifestation of the sincere faith and piety of one whose name
has already become symbolical of whatever is most dazzling in eloquence, and
exalted in philanthropy." - &Scottish Press.
POSTHUMOUS SERMONS.
ILLUSTRATIVE OF DIFFERENT
STAGES IN THE MINISTRY OF DR.CHALMERS FROM 1798-1847.
1 Vol. 8vo, lOs. 6d.
THE above volume differs from
all previous collections of Discourses by Dr. Chalmers, not merely in being
posthumous, but as comprising Sermons written at all stages of his Ministry,
the selection and order of insertion being regulated with a view to the
exhibition of the progressive development of Christian Truth in the mind of the
author. The volume contains thirty-three Sermons now for the first time
published, and embraces amongst other interesting compositions, a Presbyterial
exercise written before he had completed his eighteenth year; Farewell
Discourses at Cavers, Kilmany, and Glasgow; Address to Dr. Duff; Opening Sermon
at St. John's Free Church, Glasgow; Sermon to the Young, and a variety of
Discourses preached on Fast-day and Communion occasions. "This volume is meant
to exhibit the theological views and pastoral character of the distinguished
author from the beginning to the end of his ministry. Except in relation to the
mighty change which, in the year 1810, passed on his moral nature and his
doctrinal creed, several of the Sermons here given ought certainly to have been
withheld. But it is greatly by the help of these that the extent and grandeur
of the change appears, and the elegant Preface and Notes of Dr. Hanna guard the
Tender against acquiescence in the doctrinal heresy, and undue admiration of
the terrestrial ethics which characterize the earlier part of the volume. Most
of the doctrines propounded in the evangelical portion of the series may be
found in the formerly published discourses of Dr. Chalmers. But it is grateful
to have the same momentous truths illustrated, in a variety of forms, by such a
master of truth and eloquence ; it is instructive to observe the firmness and
consistency with which he held the peculiar doctrines of Christianity from the
year of his conversion to the day of his death ; and the chronological
arrangement which the editor has so judiciously adopted, enables the reader to
trace the germ and first development, in the mind and ministry of Chalmers, of
certain subordinate but important views which ultimately assumed, in his hands,
the form of stately theories or dogmatic principles." - Scottish Guardian.
INSTITUTES OF THEOLOGY.
2 VOLS. 8vo, £1, 1s.
In 1841,
Dr.Chalmers commenced re-writing and re-moulding his Theological Lectures into
the form of a complete and comprehensive Treatise on Systematic Divinity. To
this work all his leisure time was given. None of his published writings
received a larger, if so large a measure of the author's care and thought in
their preparation. He looked forward to it himself; when completed, as his
largest and most matured contribution to the Science of Theology; and he has
left it nearly in the state in which he designed to present it to public
notice.
CONTENTS. - BOOK I. Introductory - Three Chapters - II. Natural
Theology - Three Chapters. - III. Christian Evidences - Ten Chapters. -
Subject-Matter OF Christianity - The Disease for which the gospel provides -
Eight Chapters.
The Second Volume, amongst other topics, embraces the
treatment of the ATONEMENT, FAITH, SANCTIFICATION, PREDESTINATION, THE TRINITY,
&c.; "We think this course of lectures a most valuable addition to our
theological literature, which - from its elementary nature, and from the
clearness and force which characterizes it - will be very highly prized by the
intelligent portion of the laity; and which, from its broad and candid spirit,
may be used by young men who are preparing themselves for the ministry of the
Gospel, though not of the same communion with the author, but belonging to the
Church of England or any orthodox body ; and we have little doubt that its
sterling weight will render it the most esteemed, and, therefore, the most
enduring legacy that its illustrious author has left for the benefit of
posterity." - Church of England Quarterly Review.
LIFE OF DR.
CHALMERS.
MEMOIRS OF THE LIFE AND WRITINGS
of THOMAS CHALMERS D.D., LLD.
by HIS SON-IN-LAW, THE REV.
WILLIAM HANNA, LLD.
CONTENTS.I.
Birtbplace- - Genealogy - The School-room
and Play-ground - University of St. Andrews - Intellectual Birth-time -
Character of Dr. James Brown - Enters the Divinity- Hall - Twelvemonth of
Mental Eleysium - College Compositions - Theological Society - Tutorship -
License.
Chapter II
Family History - Arrival at Liverpool - First
Sermon, preached at Wigan - Winter in Edinburgh - The Clerical Review - Dr.
Brown , Speech - Second Session at Edinburgh - Professors Hope, Stewart, and
Robison - State of Philosophical Scepticism - Mental History - The Door of
Escape - A Month in Teviotdale - Assistantship at Cavers - Mathematical
Lectureship at St Andrewe - Extracts from Lectures - His Father's Proposal
rejected.
Chapter III
Ordination at Kilmany - The Church at Fern -
Mathematical Lectures resumed - Commotion at St. Andrews - A Winter of Conflict
- Journal - Commencement of Chemical Lectures - Antiquity of the Globe -
Defence before the Presbytery - Attachment of his Students.
Chapter IV.
Chemical Lectures resumed at St Andrews - Presbyterial Interference -
Candidate for the Natural Philosophy Chair at St Andrews,, and for the
Mathematical Cbair at Edinburgh - First Pamphlet - Chemical Lectures at Kilmany
and Cupar - Double Commission in the Volunteers - Incident at Kirkaldy - His
Father'e Character - His Brother George's Death.
Chapter V
Journal of
First Visit to London - Liverpool - Woodstock - Oxford - Wilkie's Picture -
Speech of Sheridan - Windsor, and the Royal Family - Cambridge-York.
Chapter VI
Publication of an Inquiry into the Extent and Stability of
National Resources - Pamphlet by Mr. Spence - Best Mode of Levying an Income-
Limited Enlistment - Specimen of his powers as a Military Engineer - Proposed
Visit to London - Change of Purpose - His Sister's Death.
Chapter VII.
Winter at Woodsmuir - First Speech in the General Assembly - Becomes a
Contributor to the Edinburgh Encyclopedia - Effect of Butler's Analogy - Early
Religious Opinions - Evangelism condemned - Long and severe Illness-Its
Effects.
Chapter VIII.
The Sick-Chamber - The Transition-Period - The
Effort after Moral and Spiritual Perfection - Commencement of Journal - The
Failure - The Reading of Wilbcrforce's Practical View - His own Account of the
great Change.
Chapter IX
Gas-Tubes - Garden-Beds - Hospitality of the
Manse - Supremacy of the Imagination over the Senses-Preparations for the
Article "Christianity" - Correspondence with Dr. Andrew Thomson - Contribution
to the Edinburgh Christian Instructor - Journal of 1811.
Chapter X.
Correspondence with Mr. James Anderson. Chapter XI - Readings of the
Bible-The Bible Society - His Sister's Marriage - His own Marriage - Journal of
1812.
Chapter XII
The Edinburgh Review on Missions in India - The
Serampore Missionaries - Dr. Carey - Sermen at Dundee - Visit of Andrew Fuller
- The Trial of Extempore Preaching - Journal of 1813.
Chapter XIII
Family Correspondence.
Chapter XIV.
Publication of "The Evidences
and Authority of the Christian Revelaiion" - Progress of Opinion as to the
Internal Evidences of Christianity - Origin of his Views on Pauperism -
Pamphlet on The Influence of Bible Societies on the Temporal Necessities of the
Poor - Review of Cuvier's Theory of the Earth - The Indefinite Antiquity of ths
Globe reconcilable with the Mosaic Narrative-Contribution to the Eclectic
Review on the Moravians as Missionaries.
Chapter XV
Appearances in
Church Courts - Presbytery of Cupar - Alterations and Repairs upon Manses -
Synod of Fife - Case of Mr. Ferrie - Speech before the General Assembly.
Chapter XV
Ministry at Kilmany - Its first Seven Years-The Change-The
Sick- Room - The Visitation - The Examination - The Class for the Young - The
Pulpit - The Results.
Chapter XVI
Funeral Sermen at Bendochy - The
Canvass at Glasgow - Letter from Dr. Jones - Removal from Kilmany.
Appendix.
The Second Vol. come will be issued with as little delay as
possible, and the work is expected to be completed in three volumes.
Home | Biography | Literature | Letters | Interests | Links | Quotes | Photo-Wallet