H/ITHERTO there has been a severance, at times an opposition, if not avowed yet felt, between the Scottish philosophy and the Scottish theology.The one had magnified human nature, and tended to produce a legal, self-righteous spirit; whereas the other humbled man and exalted God, enjoining such graces as faith, humility, and penitence.But there never was any real opposition between the facts gathered by the one and the truths taken out of God's Word by the other.The metaphysicians had shown that there is such a faculty in man as the conscience; and the conscience proclaims that man is a sinner, while the Bible provides a forgiveness for the sinner in a way which honors the moral law.The reconciliation between the philosophy and the religion was effected by Thomas Chalmers, who has had greater influence in moulding the religious be lief and character of his countrymen than any one since the greatest Scotchman, John Knox.
He was born at Anstruther, in the "East Neuk" of Fife, and was the son of a reputable merchant there.In his boyish days he had to suffer not a little from a nurse and from a teacher who ruled by the rod; but he was " joyous, vigorous, and humorous." He manifested his natural character from an early age, being eager and impetuous in pursuing his favorite ends.He was not a very diligent pupil, but was a leader in fun and frolic.At the age of twelve he entered the University of St.Andrews, which about that time had such pupils as John (afterwards Sir John) Leslie, James Mylne, and John (afterwards Chief justice) Campbell.He is described as " enthusiastic and persevering in every thing he undertook, giving his whole mind to it, and often pursuing some favorite and even, as we thought, some foolish idea, whilst we were talking around him and perhaps laughing at his abstraction, or breaking in upon his cogitations and pronouncing him the next thing to mad; and then he would good-naturedly join in the merriment with {394} his common affectionate expression 'very well, my good lads.'" It was in 1793 that he was awakened intellectually, and became excited with and absorbed in geometry, for which he had a strong taste and talent.
"St.Andrews," he tells us in after years, "was at this time overrun with moderatism, under the chilling influence of which we inhaled not a distaste only, but a positive contempt, for all that is properly and peculiarly gospel;insomuch that our confidence was nearly as entire in the sufficiency of natural theology as in the sufficiency of natural science." He has left it on record that he profited by the debating societies of the college.At this time he studied Godwin's "Political Justice," and was staggered by Mirabaud's "System of Nature." His friend, Professor Duncan, tells us that , he studied Edwards on Free Will with such ardor that he seemed to regard nothing else, could scarcely talk of any thing else, and one was almost afraid of his mind losing its balance." His favorite study, however, continued to be mathematics, towards which, as the science of quantity, he had a strong predilection, as shown in his propensity to count his steps as he walked.Still, even at this time, he had aspirations after something higher.One common expression in his college prayers was Oh! give us some steady object for our mind to rest on." I remember when a student of divinity, and long ere I could relish evangelical sentiment, I spent nearly a twelvemonth in a sort of mental Elysium, and the one idea which ministered to my soul all its rapture, was the magnificence of the godhead and the universal subordination of all things to the one great principle for which he evolved and was supporting creation.I should like to be impressed over again, but with such a view of the Deity as coalesced and was in harmony with the doctrine of the New Testament."He was licensed to preach the gospel in 1799.His brother writes: " We are at some pains in adjusting his dress, manner, &c.; but he does not seem to pay any great regard to himself." Mathematical studies continue to engross his attention.He spent a winter in Edinburgh, studied under Robison, for whom he entertained a profound reverence, and Stewart, and devoted himself to chemistry and moral philosophy.Of Stewart he says: "I have obtained a much clearer idea than I ever had of {395} the distinctive character of Reid's philosophy.I think it tends to a useless multiplication of principles, and shrinks even from an appearance of simplicity." He was ordained minister at Kilmany, in his native county, in 1803.He still contrived to teach mathematics and chemistry in St.Andrews, -- a divided work from which be would have shrunk in later years, when he attained a higher idea of the importance of the ministerial office.In 1806, Napoleon Bonaparte issued his famous Berlin decree, shutting continental ports to British goods.Chalmers had all along a predilection for political economy: he was convinced that Great Britain had resources which made it in dependent of any other country, and in 1807he published " An Inquiry into the Extent and Stability of National Resources."We are now approaching the crisis of his life.In 1818he was required to write an article for the " Edinburgh Encyclopedia," at that time under the editorship of Dr.