The following study is an attempt to delineate the life
and work of John Glas (1695-1773). and to trace the origins,
early development, and effects of the religious movement which
he initiated. As far as is known to the present writer, no
extended treatment of Glas's career, teaching, and movement,
has hitherto been offered. The fullest account of Glas consists
Of a series of six articles which first appeared in "The Theological
Repository" (Liverpool), N. 6., Vol- 111 (1807), the
writer of which was probably William Jones, the editor of that
periodical. With the exception of the last article, this
material was substantially reproduced in the memoirs prefixed
respectively to an edition (1813) of Glas's "The Testimony of
the King of Martyrs", and to the second edition (1828) of his "The Rise and Progress of the Controversy about the National
Covenants". In recent times interesting outlines have been
contributed to the "Dictionary of National Biography" by the
Rev. Alexander Gordon., and to the "Encyclopaedia of Religion
and Ethics" and the "Encyclopaedia brittanica" (11th edition)
by the Rev. Dugald Macfadyen, but these are necessarily limited
in their scope.
One reason why more attention has not been given to the
Glasite movement is that the Glasites., acting on their principle
of avoiding publicity, have maintained an attitude of reserve
respenting their own history. The present, writer however, has
gratefully to acknowledge much valuable help and personal kind-
ness
from Elders, members, and adherents of the Glasite connection
He has, visited the four remaining Glasite or Sandemanian, churches
In Edinburgh, Glasgow,, and London., as well as the homes of Glasite
friends in these cities, Dundee, Perth, and elsewhere. Many
manuscripts and letters, including several in the hand-writing of
Glass Sandeman, and other leaders in Britain and America,, have
been carefully preserved. These have been readily placed at the
writer's service and have provided invaluable material for a reconsideration,
of the personality and influence of Jobn Glas.
The method of treatment adopted is, as follows: -
Part 1 covers the period of Glas's life and labours, with
special attention to the origin of the controversy in which he
was Involved;, the process against Glas in the Church Courts, re-
sulting in his deposition from the ministry of the Church of
Scotland; and his. later ministry among the churches which arose
from his teaching and witness. An attempt is also made to summarise
the character of Glas as preacher, scholar, and man.
Part II. deals with the distinctive teaching of Glas in relation
to Christian Salvation, the Nature and Constitution of the
Church, and to Christian Practice.
Part III. seeks to show the causes and effects of Glas's movement
in its extension beyond Scotland, particularly In England,
Wales,, and America.,
Part IV, contains a brief evaluation or the Glasite movement,
indicating its relation to the times, Its influence on contemporary
thought,, its theological limitations, and the reasons of Its
decline*
The Appendix contains a review of the influence of Glas's
teaching and movement upon other religious bodies which, though
having no direct connection with his Commmion, absorbed various
elements of his theology and preserved certain features of the
Glasite church order.
The churches which sprang directly from Glas's movement
are sometimes denominated "Glasite" and at other times "Sandemanlan"-
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