Robert Balmer
Encyclopedia
Robert Balmer was a minister of the United Associate Synod of the Secession Church
.
Balmer was born at Ormiston Mains, in the parish of Eckford
, Roxburghshire
on 22 November 1787. He evinced considerable abilities and a disposition towards the Christian ministry
. He entered the University of Edinburgh
in 1802, and in 1806 the Theological Hall at Selkirk
, under Dr. Lawson, a professor of divinity in the United Secession Church. In 1812 he received license as a preacher from the Presbytery of Edinburgh
, and in 1814 was ordained minister in Berwick-upon-Tweed
, where he remained till his death. In 1834 he became a professor of pastoral theology at the Secession church, and later a professor of systematic theology. In 1840 he received a D.D.
from the University of Glasgow
.
Balmer was had great influence in the denomination to which he belonged. When certain discussions arose among his brethren on some Calvinistic
doctrines, he supported the less stringent views. At a meeting held in Edinburgh
in 1843, to commemorate the bicentenary of the Westminster Assembly
, he delivered a speech in favour of Christian union, which attracted the attention of Thomas Chalmers
and others, and led to important measures being taken by John Henderson of Park for promoting that cause. Balmer did not publish much during his life but two volumes of Lectures and Discourses were posthumously published in 1845. He died 1 July 1844.
United Secession Church
The United Secession Church was a Scottish Presbyterian denomination. It was founded in 1820 by a union of various churches which had seceded from the established Church of Scotland and existed until 1847....
.
Balmer was born at Ormiston Mains, in the parish of Eckford
Eckford, Scottish Borders
Eckford is a village on the A698 and the B6401, in the Scottish Borders area of Scotland, close to the place where the Kale Water joins the River Teviot...
, Roxburghshire
Roxburghshire
Roxburghshire or the County of Roxburgh is a registration county of Scotland. It borders Dumfries to the west, Selkirk to the north-west, and Berwick to the north. To the south-east it borders Cumbria and Northumberland in England.It was named after the Royal Burgh of Roxburgh...
on 22 November 1787. He evinced considerable abilities and a disposition towards the Christian ministry
Christian ministry
In Christianity, ministry is an activity carried out by Christians to express or spread their faith. 2003's Encyclopedia of Christianity defines it as "carrying forth Christ's mission in the world", indicating that it is "conferred on each Christian in baptism." It is performed by all Christians...
. He entered the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
in 1802, and in 1806 the Theological Hall at Selkirk
Selkirk
The Royal Burgh of Selkirk is a town in the Borders of Scotland. It lies on the Ettrick Water, a tributary of the River Tweed. At the time of the 2001 census, Selkirk's population was 5,839. The people of the town are known as Souters, meaning cobblers.Selkirk was formerly the county town of...
, under Dr. Lawson, a professor of divinity in the United Secession Church. In 1812 he received license as a preacher from the Presbytery of Edinburgh
Presbytery of Edinburgh
The Presbytery of Edinburgh is one of the forty-six presbyteries of the Church of Scotland, being the local presbytery for Edinburgh. Its boundary is almost identical to that of the City of Edinburgh Council area .The current Clerk is the Reverend Dr. George J. Whyte...
, and in 1814 was ordained minister in Berwick-upon-Tweed
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Berwick-upon-Tweed or simply Berwick is a town in the county of Northumberland and is the northernmost town in England, on the east coast at the mouth of the River Tweed. It is situated 2.5 miles south of the Scottish border....
, where he remained till his death. In 1834 he became a professor of pastoral theology at the Secession church, and later a professor of systematic theology. In 1840 he received a D.D.
Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
from the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
.
Balmer was had great influence in the denomination to which he belonged. When certain discussions arose among his brethren on some Calvinistic
Calvinism
Calvinism is a Protestant theological system and an approach to the Christian life...
doctrines, he supported the less stringent views. At a meeting held in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
in 1843, to commemorate the bicentenary of the Westminster Assembly
Westminster Assembly
The Westminster Assembly of Divines was appointed by the Long Parliament to restructure the Church of England. It also included representatives of religious leaders from Scotland...
, he delivered a speech in favour of Christian union, which attracted the attention of Thomas Chalmers
Thomas Chalmers
Thomas Chalmers , Scottish mathematician, political economist, divine and a leader of the Free Church of Scotland, was born at Anstruther in Fife.-Overview:...
and others, and led to important measures being taken by John Henderson of Park for promoting that cause. Balmer did not publish much during his life but two volumes of Lectures and Discourses were posthumously published in 1845. He died 1 July 1844.