Candlish, Robert Smith, Dd

Candlish, Robert Smith, D.D., an eminent Scottish clergyman, was born in Edinburgh, March 23,1806. His father died when the son was a few weeks old, and the widow removed to Glasgow. Robert entered the university there in 1818, and, on graduation, passed through the divinity hall (1823-26), teaching privately meanwhile, and at the close accompanying a pupil to Eton. In 1828 he was licensed to preach, and in 1829 began to act as assistant in the parish of St. Andrew's, Glasgow, and in 1831 in the parish of Bonhill, Dumbartonshire. He was presented, in 1834, to the parish of Sprouston, in the Presbytery of Kelso, and in the same year was ordained pastor of St. George's Church, Edinburgh, the wealthiest and most influential Church in Scotland. In 1839 he took part in the General Assembly which resulted in the establishment of the Free Church. In 1843 he preached his first sermon as a free minister, in the Free St. George's Church, which had been hastily erected for him, and had a large part of his old congregation to hear him. This church gave way to a. larger and better one on the Lothian road. He was an earnest promoter of Free Church principles, and second only to Chalmers, and was also an active agent in the establishment of the Evangelical Alliance. On the death of Dr. Chalmers he was appointed to the chair of divinity in the Free College, Glasgow. He died in Glasgow, Oct. 19, 1873. He published, A Summary of the Question Respecting the Church of Scotland (Edinburgh, 1841, 8vo): — Narrative, etc. (8vo) — Exposition of the Book of Genesis (ibid. 1852, 2 vols. 12mo): -The Atonement (1860): — Scripture Characters (1850): -The Resurrection Life in the Risen Saviour: — Letters to the Rev. E. B. Elliot: -John Knox, his Times and his Works, a Discourse (1846): — An Examination of Maurice's Theological Essays: — also eleven single Sermons: -a Lecture on Revivals: — The Word of God the Instrument of the Propagation of the Gospel (1843): — Reason and Revelation (1854): — Man's Right to the Sabbath (1856): — Two Great Commandments (1860): — The Fatherhood of God (1865): — and numerous smaller works. See Fasti Eccles.' Scoticance, i, 75, 76; Allibone, Dict. of Brit. and Amer. Authors, s.v. ; The Presbyterian, Oct, 24. 1883; Encyclop. Britannica (9th ed.), s.v.; and Memorials, by Dr. Wm. Wilson (Edinb. 1880). (W. P. S.)