PRINCETON, N. J. BX 9225 .E3 B76 1878 Brown, James, 1835-1890 Life of John Eadie Shelf.. !: U f-^'-f^'^. ""^ tr^sa.^^ •v-,-.^^ LIFE OF JOHN EADIE, D.D, LL.D. LIFE JOHN EADIE, D.D.,LL.D. BY / JAMES BROWN, D.D., ACTFIOR OF THE ' LIFE O? A SCOTTISH PROBATIONER.' SECOND EDITION. MACMILLAN AND CO. 1878. [T/ie right of translation and reproduction is reserved.} "Ho THE VERY REVEREND JAiMES HARPER, D.D., PRINCIPAL OF THK THEOLOGICAL HALL Of THE UKITED PRESBYTERIAN CIll'RCII, WHO WAS ELECTED TO THE PROFESSORSHIP OX THE SAME DAY WITH DR. EADIE, AND WAS ASSOCIATED WITH HhM FOR THIRTY-THREE YEARS IN ONE OF THE CHIEF DEPARTMENTS OF THE WORK OF HIS LIFE, 'Shis Dolumr is ptbir.itcti WITH IlESPECT AND AFFECTlOX. > i)!-0 7 18C3 - ' V ^^ 0.C PE E F A C E. The uneventful life of a pastor and scholar does not generally furnish much material for biography. In Dr. Eadie's case there is a more than usual lack of incident. He never removed from the city where he began his ministry, and he did not connect his name with the controversies of his time. He kept no jour- nal, and he seldom wrote a letter which extended beyond the limits of a hurried business note. It was, nevertheless, believed by those who knew him best, that if the story of his quiet and laborious life could be simply told, the record would be neither uninter- esting nor unprofitable. In arranging the material at his disposal, the author has not followed strictly the chronological order. Dr. Eadie wrought simultaneously in three distinct spheres of labour, and it seemed more convenient to treat X PEEFACE. separately of his pastorate, his professorship, and his literary work ; but, at the same time, care has been taken to trace clearly the line of his personal history. The author returns his heartfelt thanks to all who have aided him in his work. He is under special obligation to Mrs. Eadie for much kind assistance and encouragement. He is deeply indebted to the authors of interesting contributions which will be found in their appropriate places ; to several members of the New Testament Revision Company, not only for leave to make use of letters, but also for valuable informa- tion and advice : to friends in Alva and in Cambridofe Street and Lansdowne Churches, for assistance in col- lecting the facts embodied in the chapters relating to Dr. Eadie's early life and his two pastorates ; to all who have placed letters at his disposal ; and to those who have given unwearied assistance in the work of revising proofs. The Photograph prefixed to this volume is by Mr. Fergus of Largs, to whom thanks are due for the use of the negative. St. James' Manse, Paisley, I9th April, 1S78. — CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. BOYHOOD. County of Stirling—Alva—View from tlie Ochils—Battlefield of Scotland—Influence of Early Scenes—House in Back Eaw ' Eadie's Well'—His Father—His Mother-Early Training— ' A Causeway Saint and a Hoose Deil'—Love of Birds—His First Teacher—Sketch of the Eev. Archibald Browning—A Young Anti-Burgher—Morning Walks to School—Reminiscences of the School Boy—Feats of Memory— Mechanical Skill—Liking for Time-pieces Pages 1—26 CHAPTEE II. STUDENT LIFE. Enters Glasgow University — Blackstone Examination — General Reading—Logic Class—Class of Ethics—Crisis—Light Returns Salutary Influences—The Robertsons of Greenhill—Mr. Brown- ing's Power over Him—Early Poverty—Tutorship at Tillicoultry —Gratitude to Mr. Browning—Temperance Lectures—Reform Bill—Celebration of Victory—Voluntary Controversy—Divinity Hall—Biblical— Literature—Dr. John Brown—Early Exegetical Efforts ^^irst Review : Stuart on the Hebrews—Mr. Gilfillan's Reminiscences—License and First Sermon—His Mother's Death —Baptism of Sorrow, ....... 27—GO —— xii CONTENTS. CHAPTER III. THE CAMBRIDGE STREET MINISTRY. Call to Cambridge Street—Progress of C41asgow—Church Extension in Secession Church— Eich and Poor meeting together—Eadie a Villager—Proud of Great City—His Ordination—His first ' Pres- bytery Elder ' —Trials of a Young Minister—Reminiscences of — his Early Ministry—His Preaching—His 'Lecturing' 'Retros- spect and Memorial ' —Interest in his People—Territorial Work Mr. Cumming, Mr. J'Galloway, and Mr. Robertson— Sabbath Schools, &c. —Unselfishness of the Minister—Call to Pwose Street, Edinburgh—Attachment of Cambridge Street People, 61 — 105 CHAPTER IV. CONTINUATION OF PERSONAL HISTORY. His Marriage—Early Sorrows—Formation of Library—Hebrew- Class —Atonement Controversy—Professorship and Academic Degrees— Visit to Germany and Switzerland—Letter to his Daughter—Trip to London and Paris—Assisting at Country Sacraments — Gathering of Congregation —Appearance of the Minister— 'Action' Sermon— 'Fencing the Tables'—Evening Sermon— 'What an Alva Bairn can do ' —Sujiper in the Manse Monday Dinner—Tuesday Excursion—Return to the City Tidings of Sorrow—Letter of Sympathy—Death of his Wife Invalid's Furlough — Letters — Moderatorship — Model Synod Sermon, 106—143 CHAPTER V. HIS PROFESSORSHIP. Origin of Secession Hall—John Brown and Dr. Lawsou—Eadie's Election—Edinburgh in Autumn—Corstorphine Parties—His Colleagues—His Class-Room—Secret of his Power —Freshness of his Lectures—Dislike of Extremes—Views of Moral Law Letter to Dr. Norman Macleod—Disadvantages and Advantages of Continued Pastorate—Practical Counsels to Students—His Influence as a Professor, ...... 144 — 172 —' CUNTENTiS. CHAPTEE VI. HIS LITEllAKY WOllK. Voluntary Church Magazine '—Contributions to ' Eclectic Review ' and North British Review ' — Biographical Works—Books in illustration of Scripture— Popular Cycloptedias—Other popular Works—Controversial Pamphlet on Marriage Law— Commen- taries—Their Grammatical Analysis— Their Exegeti^cal Power Disadvantages and Advantages of Northern Training—Power of Hard Work—Authorities —Traces of Pastorate— His Position among Biblical Scholars, ...... 173—202 CHAPTER VII. PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND PERSONAL HISTORY. Method in his Work—General Reading—Intercourse with Friends — Early Companions ' Garnethill Presbytery '—Association with Students—Synod Gatherings— Correspondence—Mr. Middleton —His Second Marriage—Family Relations—Dr. Waugh—Mr. Home—Correspondence —Period of Comparative Relaxation, 203—223 CHAPTER VIII. HIS MINISTRY IN LANSDOWNE CHURCH. Further Progress of Glasgow—Origin of Lansdowne Church—Its Cost—Liberality—Care for the Poor—Unselfishness of the Minis- ter—Mission Work—Improvement of Church Service—Frequent Communion—Union Movement—-Letters—Extra Hall Work Visits from English Scholars—Un sectarian Spirit—Home Life, 224—246 — xiv CONTENTS. CHAPTER IX. JUUllNKY TO THE EAST. Travelling Companions—Pi'eparations —Marseilles to Alexandria Cairo and the Pyramids—Desert Encampment—Wilderness of IShur—Elim to Sinai—Northward Journey to Caza—Kuins of Ascalon—Jerusalem—Dead Sea—Journey throiigh Palestine to Damascus—Beyi-out to Constantinople —Athens— Venice—Home —Annual Cathering, 247—299 CHAPTEE X. VISIT TO AMEIIICA. " Commission to Presbyterian Churches— On board the ' Abyssinia First experience of New York—Chi-Alpha and Century Clubs Bryant—Princeton—Tour to the West—Presbyterian Assembly at Baltimore—Visit to the South—United Presbyterian Assembly at Philadelphia—Assembly of Reformed Church at New Bruns- wick—Niagara—Assembly of Presbyterian Church of Canada at Toronto—Visits to Montreal and Quebec—Boston and Harvard — ' University ' Commencement Day at Yale College —Homeward Voyage, ......... 300— 3.'}o CHAPTER XI. HIS WOlUv ON THE REVISION COMPANY. I'esolatiou by Convocation of Canterbury to attempt Revisit)n Invitations to Scholars of other Communions—Members of New Testament Company— Communion Service— Jerusalem Chamber —Westminster Assembly-—Necessity for Revision— Imaginary Dangers- -Necessary Qualifications—Dr. Eadie's Diligence—His Silence—Respect of his Colleagues—Prospects of Success— His ' English Bible ' — Its Thoroughness—Breadth of Treatment— Ex- actness—Relation to Scotland — Dedication to his Colleagues Letters of Ackiiowledgmeut, ..... 3oG— .S57 — CONTENTS. Nv CHAPTER XII. THE END First Symptoms of lUuess—Increased Diligence—Proposed Change in Theological Hall—His Objections—Eesolution to continue in Pastorate —Arrangement with his Congregation—Severe Cold Change in his Appearance—Visit to Berwick—His Last Sermon Rest at Dunblane—Birth-day party —Memories of his Youth —Synod Meeting—Last Communion—Alarming Symptoms—His Death—Widespread Sorrow—The Funeral—Preservation of his Library—Other Monuments to his Memory, . 358—388 Appendix A, 389—404 Appendix B 404--408 — a LIFE OF JOHN EADIE, D.D., LL.D. CHAPTER I. BOYHOOD. County of Stirling—Alva—^View from the Ochils—Battlefield of Scotland—Influence of Early Scenes—House in Back Eaw 'Eadie's Well '—His Father— His Mother—Early Training— ' A Causeway Saint and a Hoose Deil ' —Love of Birds—His First Teacher—Sketch of the Rev. Archibald Browning—A young Anti-Burgher—Morning Walks to School—Eenainiscences of the School Boy—Feats of Memory—Mechanical Skill—Liking for Time-pieces. John Eadie was born at Alva, Stirlingshire, on the 9th of May, 1810. His native county is, alike geographically and historically, the very heart of Scotland. It is the meeting place of highland and lowland. The richest corn-land in the country lies along the foot of rugged hills which rise abruptly from the plain. Rapid mountain streams, coming from highland lakes, through famous passes, have joined to form the Forth, which sleeps through the Carse between sedgy banks, and with so little descent that it can only find its way to the sea by interminable windings, compelling the traveller A It — 2 ALVA. by water to pass over twenty miles in going be- tween places only five miles apart. The plain through which the river winds is the great battle- field of Scotland. The most famous fights in Scottish history—those of them, at least, of which Scotchmen like best to speak—were fought either on or near this Carse of Stirling. In the most picturesque of many sunny nooks at the foot of the Ochils, where the lowland richness touches the hills, the village of Alva has gradually gathered itself around two little streams that have cut their way down the wooded hillside, cleaving it into glens that in a less mountainous country tourists would go far to see.