The Scottish Philosophy [237]
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 1807 he published " An Inquiry into the Extent and Stability of National Resources."
We are now approaching the crisis of his life. In 1818 he was required to write an article for the " Edinburgh Encyclopedia," at that time under the editorship of Dr. Brewster, on the " Evidences of Christianity , " and he had to study the Christian religion and the proof which can be adduced in its favor more carefully and earnestly than he had ever done before. Meanwhile there occurred a number of deaths among his relatives, and he was deeply affected. He now felt himself called on to strive after a pure and heavenly morality. March 17, 1810, -- I have this day completed my thirtieth year; and, upon a review of the last fifteen years of my life, I am obliged to ac knowledge that at least two-thirds of that time have been uselessly or idly spent, sometimes to while away an evening in parish gossip or engaging in a game at cards." A change has evidently come over him he did not yet open it fully, but he made allusions to it. I find that principle and reflection afford a feeble support against the visitations of melancholy." He was subjected to a period of confinement, and was led to read Wilberforce's " Practical View." " The conviction was now wrought in him that he had been attempting an impossibility; that he had been trying to compound elements which would not amalgamate; that it must be either on his own merits wholly or on Christ's merits wholly he must lean." He now betook himself in earnest to the study of the Bible. A visible change appeared in him. He became more diligent in the visitation of his parish, and his sermons had a power over his people such as they never had before. {306}
One so able, so earnest, must take an active part in the affairs of his country and of his age. He sets out with an excessive admiration of the parochial system of Scotland, not just as an end in itself, but as fitted to accomplish the ends which his great heart cherished. It seemed to him to provide every thing which the good and the elevation of a country required. It secured a school in every parish, and a minister to preach to and to visit every man and woman, and a body of assistant elders to watch over the morals of the community. It provided, too,
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 1807 he published " An Inquiry into the Extent and Stability of National Resources."
We are now approaching the crisis of his life. In 1818 he was required to write an article for the " Edinburgh Encyclopedia," at that time under the editorship of Dr. Brewster, on the " Evidences of Christianity , " and he had to study the Christian religion and the proof which can be adduced in its favor more carefully and earnestly than he had ever done before. Meanwhile there occurred a number of deaths among his relatives, and he was deeply affected. He now felt himself called on to strive after a pure and heavenly morality. March 17, 1810, -- I have this day completed my thirtieth year; and, upon a review of the last fifteen years of my life, I am obliged to ac knowledge that at least two-thirds of that time have been uselessly or idly spent, sometimes to while away an evening in parish gossip or engaging in a game at cards." A change has evidently come over him he did not yet open it fully, but he made allusions to it. I find that principle and reflection afford a feeble support against the visitations of melancholy." He was subjected to a period of confinement, and was led to read Wilberforce's " Practical View." " The conviction was now wrought in him that he had been attempting an impossibility; that he had been trying to compound elements which would not amalgamate; that it must be either on his own merits wholly or on Christ's merits wholly he must lean." He now betook himself in earnest to the study of the Bible. A visible change appeared in him. He became more diligent in the visitation of his parish, and his sermons had a power over his people such as they never had before. {306}
One so able, so earnest, must take an active part in the affairs of his country and of his age. He sets out with an excessive admiration of the parochial system of Scotland, not just as an end in itself, but as fitted to accomplish the ends which his great heart cherished. It seemed to him to provide every thing which the good and the elevation of a country required. It secured a school in every parish, and a minister to preach to and to visit every man and woman, and a body of assistant elders to watch over the morals of the community. It provided, too,