LITERATURE
"Those acquainted with the writings of
Chalmers will know what to expect
from his pen when guided by fervent
devotion." - C.H.Spurgeon.
There is a huge quantity of
material for this page. As far as I am aware, however, not a single book
written by Chalmers is currently in print.
These below are collected
from wherever I can get information, and additions to the list would be
welcome. The plan is to include on this site a sample from every publication I
can use - so if you see a book not yet having a sample chapter available,
please e:mail me.
WORKS
ABOUT CHALMERS (click here.)
WORKS BY
CHALMERS
List of all the works, edited by Dr. Hanna, and produced during and after Chalmers' death
and it can be seen in the form in which they were presented to the public on
the flyleaf of the publisher's material. It runs to 32
volumes!
List of all the Papers,
Leaflets and Letters on or to Dr. Chalmers, held at British libraries, can be
seen here.
The Chalmers Connection
- See this page on the Ruthwell Savings Bank Museum and its
connection with Thomas Chalmers. As well as being extremely interesting in its
own right, there are a number of letters in the original manuscripts, from
Chalmers to the Minister who started the Savings Bank, Dr. Henry Duncan.
Devotional
. . . . . . . .
. Daily Scripture Readings -
Sutherland and Knox 1847
Introduction and Preface This includes a short
portion of his "Daily Exercises" and a letter from TC about them.
Readings, first section. These take the form of a
light series of gentle comments, starting with Genesis.
Readings, second section
Readings, third section.
Readings, fourth section
.................Sabbath
Scripture Readings - Sutherland and Knox, Edinburgh 1848
Matt 13 The parable of the sower, and reflections
on it and on one's own life and walk as a believer.
Matt 14 King Herod and his wicked example of
putting right behind him and using his oath as an excuse for wrong-doing.
Works
Different
sets come with different vol. numbers. I have two copies of "Evidence"; one is
Vol. 4, the other is Vol.6 of "Works" so below is a list of titles. Beware -
some titles are more than one volume!
Vol. 1&2 Natural Theology - two volumes
Vol.1 Chapter One. On the Ethics of Theology.
Vol.1. Chapter Two. On the Being of a God
Vol. 1 Chapter Three - Of the Metaphysics which have
been resorted to on the side of Theism.
Vol.1.
Chapter Four - Mr. Hume's Arguement
Vol. 3&4 Evidences of
Christianity
Chapter One - On the Cognizance
Which the Understanding Takes of its Own Processes
Chapter Two - On Man's Instinctive Belief in the
Constancy of Nature.
Vol. 5 Sketches of Moral and Mental
Philosophy
Preface and Chapter One - On
the Distinction Between Moral and Mental Philosphy
Chapter Two - On a Peculiar Difficulty in the Study
of the Mind which attends not the Study of External Nature.
Vol. 6
Discourses on the Application of Christianity to the Commercial and Ordinary
Affairs of Life,
Preface and Discourse 1
Mercantile virtues which may exist without influence of Christianity
Discourse 2 the Influences of Christianity
Upon Commerce
Discourse 3 the Power of Selfishness
in Promoting the Honesties of Mercantile Intercourse.
Discourse 9 the Expulsive Power of a New
Affection
Vol. 7 Discourses on the Christian Revelation, viewed
in Connexion with Modern Astronomy,
Preface
Discourse 1
- Sketches of the modern Astronomy
Discourse 2
- The Modesty of True Science
Discourse 3 - On
the Extent of Divine Condescension
Discourse 4 -
Knowledge of Man's Moral History in the Distant Places of Creation
Discourse 5 - On the Sympathy that is felt for Man in
the Distant Places of Creation
Discourse 6 -
Among The higher Intelligences.
Discourse 7 -
On the Slender Influences of Taste and Sensibility in Matters of Religion
These were all sermons preached in Tron Church,
Glasgow, in 1815 and 1816. It was a regular duty to take a Thursday morning
service once a month, and this choice of subject aroused enormous interest. The
publication of these sermons in 1817 resulted in the sale of 9000 copies in 10
days, and ran to 9 editions within 2 years. It was easily his best-selling
publication, consistently over the years.
Vol. 8, 9&10
Congregational Sermons -
Sermon 7 from Vol.3 No.1 "Of the Flesh and the
Spirit" This was preached on the occasion of the "account" given below.
Sermon
8, vol.2 - Acts.27 The Doctrine of Predestination
Sermon 9 vol. 1 (Works vol.8) Necessity of the
Spirit in the Work of Conversion
Vol 11. Sermons on Public
Occasions
Sermon One - On the Death of
the Princess Charlotte
Sermon Two - On
Universal Peace (following announcement of the end of the war with
France)
Vol 12 Tracts and Essays
Tract
One Address to the Inhabitants of Kilmany - On the Need for Diligence in
Christian Living
Tract Two On Cuvier's Theory of
the Earth
Vol. 13 Introductory Essays to Select Christian
Authors
On Guthrie's "The Christian's Great Interest"
On William Romains's "Treatise on the Life, Walk and
Triumph of Faith"
On Thomas a Kempis' "Imitation of Christ"
On Serle's "Christian Remembrancer"
On John Owen's
"Spiritual Mindedness"
On Owen's "Indwelling
Sin"
On Richard Baxter's "Call to the
Unconverted"
On Scudder's "Christian's Daily Walk"
On Scott's
"Tracts" - 5 small essays.
On Beveridge's "Private Thoughts"
On Booth's
"Reign of Grace"
On Showers' "Reflections" and
Hale's "Consideration of our Latter End"
The Christian's Defence
Against Infidelity - collection of Essays by others, including Baxter,
Doddridge etc.
On Howe's "Living Temple"
On William Romaine's "Select Letters"
On Hall's "Faith and Influence"
Most of these books with introductory essays were
published by W.Collins, Edinburgh
Vol. 14-16 Christian and
Economic Polity of a Nation - three volumes.
Preface and Introduction
Chapter One, prefaced by new intro. to 1821
edition
Vol. 17 Church and College Establishments
Lecture One - On Endowments
Lecture Two - Special Application of the Argument to
Colleges (and the desirability of raising entry standards)
Vol. 18
Church Extension
Preface - "We preface this
volume by a brief sketch of Church Extension in Scotland."
Chapter One - On the Right Ecclesiastical Economy of
Large Towns.
Vol. 19-20 On Political Economy in
connection with the Moral State and Moral Prospects of Society.
Chapter One - On the Increase and Limit of Food.
Chapter Two - On the Increase and Limit of
Employment. (I wish modern politicians would read
this!)
Vol. 21 On the Sufficiency of the Parochial
System.
Section One - On the Encouragements
for Holding Intercourse with the Common People, and the Various
Ways of Doing Them Good.
Vol. 22 - 25 Lectures on
the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the Romans. - my set is 4
volumes.
Go to
Index Page for all the lectures
Sermons - 1798 - 1847
(Posthumous Works Vol. 6)
Sermon 1 Micah
6:8 He hath showed thee O man what is good. Sermon was preached when Chalmers
was only 18!
Sermon 2 James 4:11 Speak not
evil one of another...
Sermon3 John 14:1 The
Troubled Heart Comforted
Sermon 4 Titus 1:1
Farewell Discourse at Cavers. Preached in 1802 just before his departure for
Kilmany.
Sermon 5 Psalm 27:3 Fast Day Sermon
- upon the eve of an expected invasion by Napoleon
Sermon 6 "Fury Not in God" Isaiah 27:4,5
Sermon Extract - Full and Free Pardon
Posthumous Works vol 1-2
Sabbath Scripture Readings - Sutherland and
Knox, Edinburgh 1848
Matt 13 The parable
of the sower, and reflections on it and on one's own life and walk as a
believer.
Matt 14 King Herod and his wicked
example of putting right behind him and using his oath as an excuse for
wrong-doing.
Posthumous Works Vol. 4.
Institutes of
Theology
General and Introductory -
Preliminary Ethics
Chapter Two - Preliminary
Metaphysics and Mental Physics
Dr.Chalmers and Lord Aberdeen -
Letters relating to the Abolition of Patronage
Preface and First Five Letters
See also
Hugh Miller's article in "The Witness" about
Aberdeen's bill.
Chalmers' Tribute to Andrew
Thomson (from Hanna's Memoir of Dr.Chalmers. Vol.3)
WORKS ON
POLICAL AND SOCIAL ECONOMY and other matters. (See Waterman's assessment of Chalmers' influence on
this subject)
An Enquiry into the Extent and Stability of National
Resources (1808). "His best, but not a best-seller"
(Waterman)
Literary and Ecclesiastical Endowments (1827) - attracted
the attention of Richard Whately and other influential figures in the Church of
England (Waterman 1991a: 217ff)
The Influence of Bible Societies on the
Temporal Necessities of the Poor. Cupar: Tullis. 1821-26.
The
Christian and Civic Economy of Large Towns,1821 - 1827. Glasgow: Chalmers
and Collins.
On the Use and Abuse of Literary and Ecclesiastical
Endowments. Glasgow: Collins. 1832.
On Political Economy in
Connexion with the Moral State and Moral Prospects of Society. Glasgow:
Collins 1832.
The Supreme Importance of a Right Moral to a Right
Economical State of the Community. Glasgow: Collins.
Comment
It is interesting to note that while some
(Waterman) believe that Political and Social Economics was the main obsession
of Chalmers' career, others believe it to be the "Godly Commonwealth" (see
below) and others, the extention of the Free Church etc. The truth, I believe,
is that this greatly gifted and godly man could, and did, take on board a whole
host of subjects, and did pursue them with vigour to success or failure. See
his interest in Mathematics, for example, the whole concept and undertaking of
the "Sustentation Fund", Church Extention, Church Freedom (from State
interference) and the establishment of schools, savings banks and even
laundries, for the poor and destitute.
For confirmation of this view see the
Obituary (below) by Hugh Miller, and
especially the comments by Dr. Sprague.
Works By Authors Writing About Thomas Chalmers
Thomas Chalmers and the Godly Commonwealth in Scotland - Stewart J.
Brown
Said to be the best biography since Hanna. The author seems (to
me) to fail to appreciate the gigantic intellect that could take on board the
ideal of a godly commonwealth as well as many others (like Church Extention).
Therefore he "failed" because that ideal was never realised. Brown states that
the godly commonwealth was Chalmers' "seminal vision" yet in telling us that
the Disruption was the ultimate failure of that ideal, he overlooks that
Chalmers worked tirelessly for the success (once it became inevitable) of that
very traumatic event! However, Brown does appreciate the enormous influence for
good of all that Chalmers did, and his book is very fair in its
appreciation.
Thomas Chalmes - "the vision
fades" - last chapter.
Life of Edward Irving - Arnold
Dallimore. Irvine, very gifted, was at one time assistant to Dr.
Chalmers
Extract about the relationship between
the two men
The Practical and the Pious - ed.
A.C.Cheyne. Selection of Essays about Dr. Chalmers
Chalmers Theology of Mission - John Roxborogh
The St.Andrews Seven - Piggin and Roxburgh. The seven were
Chalmers, and 6 of his pupils who became missionaries.
Chalmers' Grand Design
. . . . . . Published by
Banner of Truth Trust, Edinburgh ISBN 0 85151 428 6 and possibly still
available.
Chalmers Memoirs 2 vol. set - Rev. William Hanna
LL.D, - Thomas Constable and Co., Edinburgh 1854
Memoirs of Dr.
Chalmers 4 vol. set - as above but with additional material.
Extract
about Extempore preaching
Extract about the
Inefficiency of the Poor Law
Extract, being an account of his visit to
London, and first sermons there.(See Sermon
7 above)
Thomas Chalmers: Enthusiast for Mission: The
Christian Good of Scotland and the Rise of the Missionary Movement
J.
Roxborogh 1999 - Still available
Chapters One, Two and Three - Chalmers' Early
Life
The Legacy of Thomas Chalmers - J.Roxborogh.
Thomas Chalmers:
His Life and Work - Presbyterian Church of Eastern Australia
Thomas
Chalmers and the Disruption, by Hugh Watt
Chapter 25 Retrospect
Economic and Social Ideals
Interest in the Sciences The Disruption Conclusion
Short Biography of
Thomas Chalmers - Scotland's Past
Thomas Chalmers - by W.Garden
Blaikie.
Chapter Five - Life at
Edinburgh
Thomas Chalmers - by W.M.Mackay
His Vision of the Church of Scotland
Thomas Chalmers - by Charles Walker (from "The
Gospel Magazine" May 1965)
Thomas Chalmers by Adam Philip
Anecdotes from the life of Thomas Chalmers. Some from
Hanna's Biography, but not all.
Minister of the
Parish - at Kilmany, Tron in Glasgow, St. Andrews and Edinburgh.
"The
Man"- The famous man of his time!
Sayings-
Culled from his life and works, and all too little has
remained.
Lectures on the History of The Church of Scotland
by
Arthur Penrhyn Stanley D.D. Dean of Westminster. John Murray 1872.
In Regard to Seceding Churches - Assessment of
Chalmers.
Three Lectures on the Church of Scotland by Robert Rainy
D.D. Macniven and Wallace 1872
Being a response to some of what was said
in the lectures above, by Dean Stanley.
On Chalmers and
his visit to Oxford (where he met the Dean)
Horae Subsecivae by
John Brown (Biggar)
Thomas Chalmers - an
appreciation.
Studies In Scottish History by Taylor Innes.
Hodder. 1892
The Question in Scotland Fifty Years
Ago - or, the Disruption 50 years on.
My
Schools and Schoolmasters by Hugh Miller - contains a lovely real-life
scene with Chalmers in his boat
Paterson Of Hebron "The Hakim" Missionary Life In The Mountain Of Judah. By W.Ewing,M.C.,D.D. (Thanks to Nora Smith) His early life and friendship with Chalmers.
Obituary to Dr. Chalmers - published
in the "Witness" by Editor Hugh Miller
The Chalmers Electronic Library -
a major resource of access to books about Chalmers
Go Back To Works by Thomas Chalmers
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