César Malan
Encyclopedia
Henri Abraham César Malan (July 7, 1787 – May 8, 1864) was a French-speaking Protestant Christian, minister of the gospel and hymn-writer.
, Switzerland
and was a believing Christian from childhood. After completing his education, he went to Marseilles, France, intending to learn business. But soon after, he entered the by then rationalistic Geneva Academy
in preparation for the ministry. He was ordained in 1810.
Malan was part of the Société des Amis, a group of conservative evangelicals at Geneva, which included Merle D'Aubigne, Louis Gaussen
, the Monod
brothers and others. In 1816–1817 during a visit to Geneva, Scotsman Robert Haldane
met up with this group on a regular basis and taught through the letter to the Romans. This catalysed a movement which has come to be known as the Le Réveil
, bringing fresh life to the Protestant churches on the continent of Europe in Switzerland, France, the Netherlands and further afield.
Malan was suspended from ministry in 1818 for a forthright sermon preached in 1817 on justification by faith alone (doctrinal preaching was frowned upon at the time). Following an apology and restoration he was again suspended for similar preaching and formally defrocked in 1823.
In 1820 Malan founded an independent church called L'église du Temoinage. After a period of intense growth, from 1830 members from this church migrated to another independent church, Bourg-de-Four. Malan was known for his high Calvinist theology and somewhat autocratic manner, both of which contributed to the decline.
Malan travelled widely outside Geneva, making frequent trips to Britain (at least nine trips between 1819 and 1863). During his time in England and Scotland Malan showed his "effectiveness in personal interviews". Among others 'Rabbi' John Duncan
owed his conversion to the ministry of the Genevan.
Caesar Malan was the father of orientalist and linguist Solomon Caesar Malan
.
Malan died and is buried at Vandoeuvres, Switzerland
Everyday I Will Bless you - Hymn by Cesar Malan
Speaking of Caesar Malan's hymns, Julian
, the hymnologist wrote: "The spirit of Malan's hymns is perpetuated in the analysis of christian experience, the never-wearied delineation of the hopes and fears, the joys and sorrows of the believer's soul, which are still the staple of French Protestant hymns".
Malan was also a prolific author. He was very poetic in his writings and through the Spirit spoke to the heart compelling them to reconcile to God.
Life
Malan was born in GenevaGeneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
and was a believing Christian from childhood. After completing his education, he went to Marseilles, France, intending to learn business. But soon after, he entered the by then rationalistic Geneva Academy
Geneva Academy
Geneva Academy is a classical Christian school located in Lincoln, Delaware. The school was founded in 2007 by a group of homeschool parents, taking inspiration from Dorothy Sayers essay "The Lost Tools of Learning", as well as Douglas Wilson's books, "" and "The Case for Classical Christian...
in preparation for the ministry. He was ordained in 1810.
Malan was part of the Société des Amis, a group of conservative evangelicals at Geneva, which included Merle D'Aubigne, Louis Gaussen
François Samuel Robert Louis Gaussen
François Samuel Robert Louis Gaussen was a Swiss Protestant divine.-Life:Gaussen was born at Geneva. His father, Georg Markus Gaussen, a member of the Council of Two Hundred, was descended from an old Languedoc family which had been scattered at the time of the religious persecutions in France...
, the Monod
Monod
Monod is a surname, and may refer to:* Adolphe Monod , French Protestant churchman; brother of Frédéric Monod.* Frédéric Monod , French Protestant pastor.* Gabriel Monod* Jacques Monod* Jacques-Louis Monod...
brothers and others. In 1816–1817 during a visit to Geneva, Scotsman Robert Haldane
Robert Haldane
-Biography:Haldane was born in London, the son of James Haldane 2nd of Airthrey House, and his wife Katherine Duncan. His younger brother James Alexander Haldane was also a clergyman...
met up with this group on a regular basis and taught through the letter to the Romans. This catalysed a movement which has come to be known as the Le Réveil
Réveil
Réveil was a 1814 revival movement within the Swiss Reformed Church of Western Switzerland and Southern France .The supporters were also called pejoratively momiers. The movement was initially under the influence of Barbara von Krüdener and later British Methodists and members of Free Church of...
, bringing fresh life to the Protestant churches on the continent of Europe in Switzerland, France, the Netherlands and further afield.
Malan was suspended from ministry in 1818 for a forthright sermon preached in 1817 on justification by faith alone (doctrinal preaching was frowned upon at the time). Following an apology and restoration he was again suspended for similar preaching and formally defrocked in 1823.
In 1820 Malan founded an independent church called L'église du Temoinage. After a period of intense growth, from 1830 members from this church migrated to another independent church, Bourg-de-Four. Malan was known for his high Calvinist theology and somewhat autocratic manner, both of which contributed to the decline.
Malan travelled widely outside Geneva, making frequent trips to Britain (at least nine trips between 1819 and 1863). During his time in England and Scotland Malan showed his "effectiveness in personal interviews". Among others 'Rabbi' John Duncan
John Duncan (theologian)
John Duncan , also known as Rabbi Duncan, was a minister of the Free Church of Scotland, a missionary to the Jews in Hungary, and Professor of Hebrew and Oriental Languages at New College, Edinburgh. He is best remembered for his aphorisms.-Life:Duncan was born in Gilcomston, Aberdeen, the son of...
owed his conversion to the ministry of the Genevan.
Caesar Malan was the father of orientalist and linguist Solomon Caesar Malan
Solomon Caesar Malan
Solomon Caesar Malan was a British divine and orientalist. By birth a Swiss descended from an exiled French family, Malan was born in Geneva, where his father, Dr Henri Abraham César Malan enjoyed a great reputation as a Protestant divine.From his earliest youth he manifested a remarkable...
.
Malan died and is buried at Vandoeuvres, Switzerland
Hymns
Malan was one of the originators of the hymn movement in the French Reformed Church and some of his hymns remain in use today:- “My Savior’s praises I will sing,
- And all His love express;
- Whose mercies each returning day
- Proclaim His faithfulness.”
Everyday I Will Bless you - Hymn by Cesar Malan
Speaking of Caesar Malan's hymns, Julian
John D. Julian
John Julian was a clergyman and the editor of A Dictionary of Hymnologywhich remains a common reference for those studying hymnody and hymnology....
, the hymnologist wrote: "The spirit of Malan's hymns is perpetuated in the analysis of christian experience, the never-wearied delineation of the hopes and fears, the joys and sorrows of the believer's soul, which are still the staple of French Protestant hymns".
Malan was also a prolific author. He was very poetic in his writings and through the Spirit spoke to the heart compelling them to reconcile to God.