William Anderson (minister)
William Anderson | |
---|---|
Church | Relief Church United Presbyterian Church |
Personal details | |
Born | 1799 |
Died | 1872 |
William Anderson (1799–1872) was a Scottish theological writer and preacher. He was born at Kilsyth and studied at Glasgow University. He was the Presbyterian minister of John Street Relief Church, Glasgow in 1822. As an author he published The Mass, Penance, Regeneration and other theological works. He died near Glasgow, aged 72.[1]
Life
Anderson was born on 6 January 1799, at
As a preacher he was popular, but his powers were more forcibly displayed on public platforms. He was an uncompromising opponent of slavery, an enthusiastic supporter of oppressed nationalities, an eager advocate of political reforms in the interest of the people, and a cordial supporter of liberal measures generally. He was likewise a strenuous advocate for the separation of church and state. On one occasion in London, in pleading the anti-slavery cause, he appeared on the same platform with Daniel O'Connell, and made so favourable an impression that O'Connell and the audience urged him to continue his speech when the time allotted to him came to an end.[2]
Anderson was a favourite with the community of Glasgow, and, in a sense, held a similar position to that of Dr. Chalmers before him, and that of Norman Macleod after him. He encouraged independence of thought and action, and had no was a strenuous opponent of the Church of Rome. He was a strong millenarian, and in early life had come under the influence of Edward Irving and Mr. Cunninghame of Lainshaw.[2]
Anderson published many pamphlets and several books. His larger productions were two volumes of sermons, a volume on Regeneration, one on the ‘Filial Honour of God,’ and two volumes on the Mass and Penance. His theological position was that of a moderate
He died on 15 September 1872 and was buried in the Glasgow Necropolis. The distinctive grave (though lacking its bronze portrait medallion) stands towards the south-west of the upper section.
References
- ^ Irving 1881.
- ^ a b c d e Blaikie 1885.
- Blaikie, William Garden (1885). "Anderson, William (1799-1873)". In Stephen, Leslie (ed.). Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 1. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
- Gilfillan, George (1873). Life of the Rev. William Anderson, LLD., Glasgow. London: Hodder and Stoughton.
- Gilfillan, George (1852). A second Gallery of literary portraits. Edinburgh: J. Hogg. pp. 227-235.
- Irving, Joseph (1881). The book of Scotsmen eminent for achievements in arms and arts, church and state, law, legislation, and literature, commerce, science, travel, and philanthropy. Paisley: A. Gardner. p. 10. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- Mackelvie, William (1873). Annals and statistics of the United Presbyterian Church. Edinburgh : Oliphant and A. Elliot ; Glasgow : D. Robertson. p. 302.
- Mitchell, Rosemary (2004). "Anderson, William (1799–1872)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/506. ((subscription or UK public library membershiprequired))
- Small, Robert (1904a). History of the congregations of the United Presbyterian Church, from 1733 to 1900. Vol. 1. Edinburgh: David M. Small.
- Small, Robert (1904b). History of the congregations of the United Presbyterian Church, from 1733 to 1900. Vol. 2. Edinburgh: David M. Small. pp. 47-50.
- Thomson, Andrew; Struthers, Gavin (1858). Historical sketch of the origin of the Secession Church and the History of the rise of the Relief Church. Edinburgh and London: A. Fullerton and Co.