Wardlaw, Ralph, Dd

Wardlaw, Ralph, D.D.

an eminent Scotch Congregational divine, was born in Dalkeith, Dec. 22, 1779. Though bred in the principles of the Secession Church, he resolved to join himself to the Congregational party; and was in 1803 ordained and installed pastor of the chapel in Albion Street, Glasgow, but subsequently removed to a larger church in George Street. In 1811 he was appointed professor of theology in the Seminary of the Congregational Church of Scotland, which position he occupied, in connection with his pastorate, until his death, Dec. 17, 1853. He acquired a high reputation as a theologian. His life was a very laborious and earnest one. Besides discharging faithfully and ably the duties of the pulpit and the professor's chair, he was a voluminous author; often involved in theological controversy, and a prominent actor in the public, religious, and philanthropic movements of the day. His intellect was acute, his understanding sound, and his style remarkable for its perspicacity, vigor, and grace. The most important of Dr. Wardlaw's works are, Discourses on the Socinian Controversy: — Lectures on Ecclesiastes (2 vols.): — Essays on Assurance of Faith, and on the Extent of the Atonement and Universal Pardon: — Discourses on the Sabbath: — Christian Ethics: Discourses on the nature and Extent of the Atonement of Christ: The Life of Joseph and the Last Years of Jacob: — Congregational Independency: — On Miracles: — and Lectures against Religious Establishments. His life and correspondence were published by Dr. Alexander in 1856. See Allibone, Dict. of Brit. and Amer. Authors, s. (W.P.S.)