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[ transcription of Obituary Notice in the Year Book of the Congregational Union of England & Wales for 1855, page 240, from a copy in Dr Williams's Library, London ]
WARDLAW, Ralph, D.D. -- This distinguished divine wsas born at Dalkeith, December 22nd, 1779. His father was a merchant, and for several years a magistrate in Glasgow, whither he had removed during the infancy of his son. His mother was a descendant of thbe illustrious Ebenezer Erskine, the father of the Seccession Church. The child of intelligent and godly parents, Ralph was, from his earliest years, brought under influences calculated to improve his mind and sanctify his heart. He entered the University of Glasgow in the twelfth year of his age. Having passed the ordinary curriculum, he was admitted into the Theological Seminary of the Secession Church, under the presidency of the then venerable Dr. Lawson. He intended to become a minister in that Connexion, but his ecclesiastical views undergoing a change, occasioned by the controversy which arose on the retirement of the late Revs. Messrs. Ewing and Innes from the Established Church, and their adoption of the Congregational polity, he joined himself to Mr Ewing's church, and resolved on exercising his ministry among the Independents.
With the aid of friends he erected a chapel in Albion-street, Glasgow, which was opened by Mr. Ewing, February 16th, 1803. On the same day he was ordained pastor over the little flock he had gathered by his own labours.
The Congregationalists established a Theological Academy in 1811, and Mr Wardlaw was chosen one of its professors. He retained this professorship, in connection with his pastorate, till the close of life. During twenty-four years he discharged his professional duties without fee or reward. His pulpit ministrations becoming increasingly acceptable, and his congregation rapidly augmenting, it was needful to provide a larger edifice for their accommodation. A splendid and capacious chapel was erected in West George-street, at the cost of more than £10000, and was opened for worship on December 25th, 1819. Here he laboured, resisting all temptations to leave Glasgow for more lucrative and less laborious stations, beloved by his people, and respected by his fellow-citizens, till his last fatal sickness.
To the arduous and responsible duties of the pastorate and of the professorship, he added those of an author. He wrote and published largely on nearly all the subjects mooted by the theologians of his day. He regarded himself, from his position, as "set for the defence of the Gospel." With seriousness, dignity, and calmness, he vindicated the "present truth." His "Discourses on the Socinian Controversy," and other writings, procured for him world-wide fame, and a diploma of D.D. from one of the most celebrated universities of America.
His pastoral labours having extended over fifty years, the jubilee of his ministry was celebrated, February, 1853, by services conducted by ministers and gentlemen, not only of his own denomination, but of almost every Christian communion in the land. It was a season of overpowering interest to the Doctor, and will never be forgotten by those who were present. The year of his jubilee triumph was the year of his "release" from labour, and his return to his "inheritance." In the August following, serious and alarming disease agonized and destroyed him. He was laid prostrate in death, December 17th, 1853, in the seventy-fourth year of his age. His mortal remains were accompanied to their final resting-place in the Necropolis by hundreds of his fellow-citizens, including the Lord Provost, magistrates, and council of the city, and the clergy of all denominations. The services were conducted by the Rev. Professor Thomson, assisted by the Rev. A. Fraser, of Nile-street Congregational; the Rev. Dr. Smyth, of Free St. George's Church, and the Rev. Dr. Robson, of Wellington-street United Presbyterian Church. The funeral discourse was delivered by the Rev. W.L. Alexander, D.D.; and other sermons, commemorative of the mournful occasion, were preached by the Revs. John Brown, D.D., Norman M'Leod, and John Macfarlane, LL.D.
His natural endowments, both of mind and of manner, were of no ordinary kind. His mental development was at once large and symmetrical. He united strength and grace in a degree seldom exemplified. His faculties were diversified; but all acted in harmony, and were under excellent control. Hence he could at any time bring all his powers to bear upon his subject, with a singular concentration and intensity. The most prominent feature of his mind lay in his rare powers of analysis and ratiocination. His intellect was eminently dialectic and diacritical. His peculiar walk was, therefore, that of the philosopher and critic. He further possessed great comprehensiveness of survey, and sagacity of decision. There are men who can make great discoveries among the infusoria of thought, but for whom the field occupied by the larger objects is too extensive to be included within their survey. It was not so with Dr. Wardlaw. His induction was wide, no less than discriminating.
A mind thus endowed was naturally fitted for the investigation and exposition of moral and religious truth; and to this department he, from an early period, devoted his best energies. But whilst the ratiocinative and critical faculties constituted the main strength of his mind, there were other qualities which lent grace and refinement to all his intellectual exercises. He was gifted with an exact and elegant taste. His sense of the becoming and the beautiful, both in reality and in sentiment, was quick and just. His fancy, if not rich or copious, was lively, natural, and refined. Like many men of acute intellectual powers, he possessed also a felicitous and playful wit.
During his lengthened public career, Dr. Wardlaw's piety formed a conspicuous feature of his character. It was marked by cheerfulness, simplicity, humility, and earnestness. Firmly convinced of the truth of what he held, and earnestly realising his own personal interest in the doctrines of the Gospel, he "lived a life of faith upon the Son of God," which exerted a congenial and plastic influence upon his whole demeanour and deportment. Besides attending to his duties as a pastor with unswerving fidelity and affectionate solicitude, he rendered important services to the Bible Society; and in the cause of missions to the heathen he was warmly and profoundly interested. To this sacred cause he not only devoted the best energies of his intellect and effort, but gave it far dearer pledges of his attachment; not fewer than three of his children being freely surrendered by him to labour personally in the field.
As a preacher, Dr. Wardlaw acquired true fame rather than popularity. His sermons were more didactic than oratorical in their construction. His chief aim seemed always to be to convey fully, clearly, and forcibly to the mind of his audience the truth presented by the part of Scripture from which he was discoursing. In his intercourse with members of other denominations, he was first a Christian, then a Congregationalist.
As a theological professor, he has laid the denomination to which he belonged under obligations which it is impossible to over-estimate. His lectures were admirable specimens of acute disquisition, perspicacious reasoning, and solid conclusion. Their aim was principally directed to the elucidation and defence of that system of truth which their author believed to be revealed in the Scriptures. His theology was, primarily, biblical; secondarily, polemical.
As a writer, he was distinguished by the same characteristics as were most conspicuous in him as a preacher. All his works are marked by clearness of conception, cogency of reasoning, soundness of judgment, and elegance of style.
In general society he was distinguished by a dignified courtesy, that had in it somewhat of the manners of a by-gone age. In all that concerned the well-being of the community among which he lived he took a lively interest. The education of the poor, the extension of civil and religious liberty, and the removal of the corn laws, were strenuously advocated by him.
Thus as a member of society, as a minister of the Gospel, as an ecclesiastic, as a theological professor, and as an author, Dr. Wardlaw established for himself a place in the estimation of the church and of the world, such as (to use the words of Milton) "God and good men have consented shall be the reward of those whose labours advance the good of mankind." In his case was fulfilled that grand promise of the Lord, "Because he has set his love on me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation."
His principal works consisted of "Discourses on the Socinian Controversy;" "Christian Ethics;" "The Atonement;" "Letters to the Society of Friends;" "Baptism;" "Lectures on Ecclesiastical Establishments;" "Essay on Miracles;" "Sermons;" "Lectures on Ecclesiastes;" "On Female Prostitution;" exposition on "Last Days of Jacob;" and on "Life of Joseph;" "Memoir of Dr. McAll;" of his son-in-law, the Rev. J. Reid, of Bellary, &c.
This brief and imperfect sketch is taken from Dr. Alexander's discourse at the funeral, entitled "Elisha's cry after Elijah," and is included among the "Discourses and Services, on the occasion of the Death of the late Rev. Ralph Wardlaw, D.D.," published by Fullarton, London and Edinburgh.
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(The Rejoice & Sing Enchiridion:edited by David Goodall; last amended 19/5/03)