William Moodie
Encyclopedia
William Moodie FRSE (1759–1812) was a Scottish Minister, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
, philologist, and Professor of Hebrew (and Oriental Languages) at Edinburgh University.
and Margaret Scott. His father moved to the post of Minister of Monimail, near Cupar
, in 1766, where William attended the Parish School. In 1773, he enrolled at the University of St Andrews
. His father died when he was sixteen, in 1775, and he moved to Edinburgh
, where "he finished his course of Theological study with distinguished approbation"
. This was "violently opposed" by others, but he was ordained Minister of Kirkcaldy on 9 June 1784. His biographer says he won over the doubters by showing no resentments himself and being an exemplary Minister.
and he took up post on 25 October 1787. Six years later (1793) they added the post of Professor of Hebrew and Oriental Languages at the University, which he held in conjunction with his position at St Andrew's Church until he died. He taught Hebrew and Chaldaic to students as required by the University, and "by divesting it (Hebrew) of every useless encumbrence, he exhibited it to their view in all its native simplicity and beauty". He also added Persian
to the curriculum. It is not one of the Christian sacred languages, but he seems to have a particular fondness for Persian and its culture - the science, philosophy and (particularly) poetry
. He had acquired proficiency in this language by private study and, by daily conversation with a "learned native of India" then in residence in Edinburgh, acquired a perfect pronunciation. Persian was the diplomatic language of the Indian Empire, where many Edinburgh students hoped to make a career, so his classes were a success. He liked to compare the Hebrew and Persian grammars with what he called Universal Grammar so as to highlight the differences, so that his students developed judgement and not just a memory for words. He edited the third edition of a standard Hebrew Grammar and he corresponded worldwide with other renowned Persian scholars (a number of whom suggested, in 1800, that they set up an Oriental Society). The University made him Doctor of Divinity
in 1798.
content in the sermons - such as, the consciousness of human depravity, the need for conversion, repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, in order to avoid an otherwise certain eternal punishment. It may well have been Mr Moodie's distaste for these topics that had prompted such opposition in Kirkaldy. Parishioners who felt their rights as Presbyterias were being overridden resented having so-called Moderate
Ministers imposed on them - appointed by Patrons
or presented by the local landowners
. They wished to interogate the firmness of the proposed Minister's adherence to standards of belief such as the Westminster Confession of Faith
, rather than his broader accomplishments, or connections. There were social class elements to this division, which were highly sensitive around the time of the French Revolution
. The Evangelicals
, as the opponents of the Moderates
, were called, were by no means confined to the lower orders, but they were well represented among them and those in power feared the issue might be used as a front for more political unrest. Mr Moodie was very much a Moderate and supported measures "he thought condusive to the respectability of our eccesiastical establishment, to the maintenance of public order, and to the advancement of true religion".
. It was in the middle of the French Revolutionary Wars
and Britain was haunted by the threat of foreign invasion coupled with insurrection at home, particularly in Ireland and in the industrial areas. Dr Moodie presided over a fairly anxious meeting. After congratulating the King on recent naval victories on the Nile
and off the Irish coast
, the General Assembly expressed gratitude for living in such a free country under so beneficent a king. It deprecated the savage actions of the French Revolutionaries and their attacks on established order and even Christianity
itself. The King, in a letter, had asked them to do all in their power to keep their parishioners loyal and virtuous, which they in turn promised to do. They also adopted a Declaratory Act, against "unlicensed" or "vagrant" teachers of the gospel, especially those teaching outdoors or in unregulated Sabbath schools, where loose talk about democracy
and Thomas Paine
could lead to trouble. A Public Admonition was drawn up, to be read out in every Parish, reminding their parishioners of the happy country in which they are blest to dwell, warning them about the evils of the French Revolutionaries, or of listening to the unlicensed teachers or attending unregulated Sunday schools. A Committee reported on a detailed examination of the law, which, it claimed, gave the Parish Minister the right to inspect all educational premises in his parish, including the Universities and private or voluntary establishments.
as Professor of Mathematics
at the University, for holding views "destructive of all religion". In his "Essay on Heat" he had seemed to approve of some aspect of the work of sceptical philosopher David Hume
. They pursued him through the Presbytery and the Synod up to the General Assembly. There was a tumultuous debate, for which the public queued for hours to get in, after which the Assembly dismissed the complaint against Professor Leslie. There is a letter from Robert Burns
to Dr Moodie, defending his friend James Clarke, schoolmaster at Moffat
against a charge of cruelty to his pupils.
Sarah, born 11 August 1796 (who married Dugald Campbell, Minister of Glassary in Argyleshire, who wrote the Statistical Account of Scotland Report for the Parish). Dr Moodie thus had a fairly tragic personal life. He was also afflicted with a "weak stomach" and was subject to such violent attack in 1803 that it seemed he would not recover and he had to abandon the pulpit. By now he had an assistant Minister, David Ritchie, Professor of Logic at the University. In 1810, he had another attack and had to abandon preaching again. He began to prepare his sermons for publications (for the benefit of posterity). After a stay in the countryside, he seemed to recover during the winter of that year, but it returned in force in May 1712 and he died on 11 June 1812. His congregation arranged for the publication of his sermons, to which was attached an account of his life by someone who seemed very close and familiar with him. He was mourned by his family, colleagues and congregation
Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
The Moderator of the General Assembly of Church of Scotland is a Minister, Elder or Deacon of the Church of Scotland chosen to "moderate" the annual General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, which is held for a week in Edinburgh every May....
, philologist, and Professor of Hebrew (and Oriental Languages) at Edinburgh University.
Early life
He was born on 2 July 1759, the son of Roger Moodie, Minister of Gartly, StrathbogieStrathbogie
Strathbogie may refer to:* Strathbogie, the old name of Huntly in Scotland, and the strath to the south of it.* Strathbogie, Victoria, Australia* Shire of Strathbogie, Victoria, Australia* Strathbogie Ranges, Victoria, Australia...
and Margaret Scott. His father moved to the post of Minister of Monimail, near Cupar
Cupar
Cupar is a town and former royal burgh in Fife, Scotland. The town is situated between Dundee and the New Town of Glenrothes.According to a recent population estimate , Cupar had a population around 8,980 making the town the ninth largest settlement in Fife.-History:The town is believed to have...
, in 1766, where William attended the Parish School. In 1773, he enrolled at the University of St Andrews
University of St Andrews
The University of St Andrews, informally referred to as "St Andrews", is the oldest university in Scotland and the third oldest in the English-speaking world after Oxford and Cambridge. The university is situated in the town of St Andrews, Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. It was founded between...
. His father died when he was sixteen, in 1775, and he moved to 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...
, where "he finished his course of Theological study with distinguished approbation"
Contested appointment
He was licensed by the Presbytery to preach the gospel in 1781 and became tutor to the family of James Oswald of Dunnikier. William apparently impressed with his preaching and Mr Oswald, the Parish's Patron, along with several other parishioners presented him to the Parish of KirkcaldyKirkcaldy
Kirkcaldy is a town and former royal burgh in Fife, on the east coast of Scotland. The town lies on a shallow bay on the northern shore of the Firth of Forth; SSE of Glenrothes, ENE of Dunfermline, WSW of Dundee and NNE of Edinburgh...
. This was "violently opposed" by others, but he was ordained Minister of Kirkcaldy on 9 June 1784. His biographer says he won over the doubters by showing no resentments himself and being an exemplary Minister.
"Carefully avoiding those intricate discussions, which tend rather to perplex than to enlighten the mind, he was guided in his selection of subjects for discourse, by their general importance and utility ...The striking light in which he exhibited the truth of the gospels; the clearness with which he explained its doctrines and its precepts; the tenderness with which he applied its consolations to soothe the afflicted; the solemnity with which he warned the impenitent of the consequences of their guilt, and the earnestness with which he exhorted the righteous to persevere in the paths of holiness, roused the attention and interested the hearts of all whom he addressed."However, he did feel obliged to refer to his opponents, at some length, in his final sermon before he left for Edinburgh three years later, telling them he bore them no ill-will, and leaving them to their consciences.
Professor of Hebrew
In 1787, he was asked by the Town Council of Edinburgh to be Minister of St Andrew's Church in the fashionable New TownNew Town, Edinburgh
The New Town is a central area of Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. It is often considered to be a masterpiece of city planning, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site...
and he took up post on 25 October 1787. Six years later (1793) they added the post of Professor of Hebrew and Oriental Languages at the University, which he held in conjunction with his position at St Andrew's Church until he died. He taught Hebrew and Chaldaic to students as required by the University, and "by divesting it (Hebrew) of every useless encumbrence, he exhibited it to their view in all its native simplicity and beauty". He also added Persian
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
to the curriculum. It is not one of the Christian sacred languages, but he seems to have a particular fondness for Persian and its culture - the science, philosophy and (particularly) poetry
Persian literature
Persian literature spans two-and-a-half millennia, though much of the pre-Islamic material has been lost. Its sources have been within historical Persia including present-day Iran as well as regions of Central Asia where the Persian language has historically been the national language...
. He had acquired proficiency in this language by private study and, by daily conversation with a "learned native of India" then in residence in Edinburgh, acquired a perfect pronunciation. Persian was the diplomatic language of the Indian Empire, where many Edinburgh students hoped to make a career, so his classes were a success. He liked to compare the Hebrew and Persian grammars with what he called Universal Grammar so as to highlight the differences, so that his students developed judgement and not just a memory for words. He edited the third edition of a standard Hebrew Grammar and he corresponded worldwide with other renowned Persian scholars (a number of whom suggested, in 1800, that they set up an Oriental Society). The University made him Doctor of Divinity
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....
in 1798.
Ministry
He thought of his Edinburgh congregation as a diverse one. He certainly was in attendance in 1788 at the hanging for theft and shopbreaking of one Peter Young. Others had a more jaundiced view. A reviewer of his published sermons thoughtHis audience was almost entirely composed of the higher classes of society. He was attended chiefly by the fashionable and the gay, the wealthy and the learned; and he succeeded in obtaining, what appears to have been the object of his ambition, their applause and admiration of his discourses.The same reviewer, while noting the elegance of the discourses, was scandalised at the lack of what he thought of as proper Christian
Calvinism
Calvinism is a Protestant theological system and an approach to the Christian life...
content in the sermons - such as, the consciousness of human depravity, the need for conversion, repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, in order to avoid an otherwise certain eternal punishment. It may well have been Mr Moodie's distaste for these topics that had prompted such opposition in Kirkaldy. Parishioners who felt their rights as Presbyterias were being overridden resented having so-called Moderate
Moderate Party (Scotland)
Moderates, in church terms is, normally, though not exclusively, used to refer to an important party of clerics in the Church of Scotland during the 18th century. They are often contrasted with Evangelicals, though this is very much a simplification...
Ministers imposed on them - appointed by Patrons
Patronage
Patronage is the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows to another. In the history of art, arts patronage refers to the support that kings or popes have provided to musicians, painters, and sculptors...
or presented by the local landowners
Heritor
Heritor, was a privileged person in a Parish in Scots Law. In its original acceptation, it signified the proprietor of an heritable subject, but, in the law relating to Parish government, the term was confined to such proprietors of lands or houses as were liable, as written in their title deeds,...
. They wished to interogate the firmness of the proposed Minister's adherence to standards of belief such as the Westminster Confession of Faith
Westminster Confession of Faith
The Westminster Confession of Faith is a Reformed confession of faith, in the Calvinist theological tradition. Although drawn up by the 1646 Westminster Assembly, largely of the Church of England, it became and remains the 'subordinate standard' of doctrine in the Church of Scotland, and has been...
, rather than his broader accomplishments, or connections. There were social class elements to this division, which were highly sensitive around the time of the French Revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
. The Evangelicals
First Secession
The First Secession was an exodus of ministers and members from the Church of Scotland in 1733. Those who took part formed the Associate Presbytery and later the United Secession Church....
, as the opponents of the Moderates
Moderate Party (Scotland)
Moderates, in church terms is, normally, though not exclusively, used to refer to an important party of clerics in the Church of Scotland during the 18th century. They are often contrasted with Evangelicals, though this is very much a simplification...
, were called, were by no means confined to the lower orders, but they were well represented among them and those in power feared the issue might be used as a front for more political unrest. Mr Moodie was very much a Moderate and supported measures "he thought condusive to the respectability of our eccesiastical establishment, to the maintenance of public order, and to the advancement of true religion".
Moderator of the General Assembly
In 1799, just short of his 40th birthday, on 23 May 1799, Rev. Dr.William Moodie was elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of ScotlandModerator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
The Moderator of the General Assembly of Church of Scotland is a Minister, Elder or Deacon of the Church of Scotland chosen to "moderate" the annual General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, which is held for a week in Edinburgh every May....
. It was in the middle of the French Revolutionary Wars
French Revolutionary Wars
The French Revolutionary Wars were a series of major conflicts, from 1792 until 1802, fought between the French Revolutionary government and several European states...
and Britain was haunted by the threat of foreign invasion coupled with insurrection at home, particularly in Ireland and in the industrial areas. Dr Moodie presided over a fairly anxious meeting. After congratulating the King on recent naval victories on the Nile
Battle of the Nile
The Battle of the Nile was a major naval battle fought between British and French fleets at Aboukir Bay on the Mediterranean coast of Egypt from 1–3 August 1798...
and off the Irish coast
1798 in Ireland
-Events:* March - Great Britain's Irish militia arrest the leadership of the Society of United Irishmen marking the beginning of the 1798 Rebellion. * 19 May - Rebel leader Lord Edward FitzGerald is arrested in Dublin....
, the General Assembly expressed gratitude for living in such a free country under so beneficent a king. It deprecated the savage actions of the French Revolutionaries and their attacks on established order and even Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
itself. The King, in a letter, had asked them to do all in their power to keep their parishioners loyal and virtuous, which they in turn promised to do. They also adopted a Declaratory Act, against "unlicensed" or "vagrant" teachers of the gospel, especially those teaching outdoors or in unregulated Sabbath schools, where loose talk about democracy
Democracy
Democracy is generally defined as a form of government in which all adult citizens have an equal say in the decisions that affect their lives. Ideally, this includes equal participation in the proposal, development and passage of legislation into law...
and Thomas Paine
Thomas Paine
Thomas "Tom" Paine was an English author, pamphleteer, radical, inventor, intellectual, revolutionary, and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States...
could lead to trouble. A Public Admonition was drawn up, to be read out in every Parish, reminding their parishioners of the happy country in which they are blest to dwell, warning them about the evils of the French Revolutionaries, or of listening to the unlicensed teachers or attending unregulated Sunday schools. A Committee reported on a detailed examination of the law, which, it claimed, gave the Parish Minister the right to inspect all educational premises in his parish, including the Universities and private or voluntary establishments.
Modern Moderation?
John Kay's caricature "Modern Moderation" shows how seriously Mr Moodie took this responsibility. When some Sabbath School teachers asked him to visit them to reassure them and him that they were law-abiding, orthodox Christians, he turned up, and without giving a moment's attention to them, told the pupils to leave immediately and their parent's would answer any questions. Later, in 1805, he was part of a group of Edinburgh clergy who opposed the appointment of John LeslieJohn Leslie (physicist)
Sir John Leslie was a Scottish mathematician and physicist best remembered for his research into heat.Leslie gave the first modern account of capillary action in 1802 and froze water using an air-pump in 1810, the first artificial production of ice.In 1804, he experimented with radiant heat using...
as Professor of Mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
at the University, for holding views "destructive of all religion". In his "Essay on Heat" he had seemed to approve of some aspect of the work of sceptical philosopher David Hume
David Hume
David Hume was a Scottish philosopher, historian, economist, and essayist, known especially for his philosophical empiricism and skepticism. He was one of the most important figures in the history of Western philosophy and the Scottish Enlightenment...
. They pursued him through the Presbytery and the Synod up to the General Assembly. There was a tumultuous debate, for which the public queued for hours to get in, after which the Assembly dismissed the complaint against Professor Leslie. There is a letter from Robert Burns
Robert Burns
Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide...
to Dr Moodie, defending his friend James Clarke, schoolmaster at Moffat
Moffat
Moffat is a former burgh and spa town in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland, lying on the River Annan, with a population of around 2,500. The most notable building in the town is the Moffat House Hotel, designed by John Adam...
against a charge of cruelty to his pupils.
Personal life
He married Johanna Lindsay on 10 November 1786, who died 24 August 1796, and had a daughter Margaret, born 29 December 1789; son John, born December 1790, died 10 February 1791; George Mackenzie, born 7 February 1795, died 13 March 1800;Sarah, born 11 August 1796 (who married Dugald Campbell, Minister of Glassary in Argyleshire, who wrote the Statistical Account of Scotland Report for the Parish). Dr Moodie thus had a fairly tragic personal life. He was also afflicted with a "weak stomach" and was subject to such violent attack in 1803 that it seemed he would not recover and he had to abandon the pulpit. By now he had an assistant Minister, David Ritchie, Professor of Logic at the University. In 1810, he had another attack and had to abandon preaching again. He began to prepare his sermons for publications (for the benefit of posterity). After a stay in the countryside, he seemed to recover during the winter of that year, but it returned in force in May 1712 and he died on 11 June 1812. His congregation arranged for the publication of his sermons, to which was attached an account of his life by someone who seemed very close and familiar with him. He was mourned by his family, colleagues and congregation
Publications
- Political Preaching, or the Meditations of a Well-meaning Man, in a letter addressed to the Rev. William Dun, min. of Kirkintilloch (Glasgow, 1792);
- Four single Sermons (Edinburgh, 1794-9);
- The instructions to be derived from recalling the memory of our fathers, a sermon, preached before the Society Incorporated by Royal Charter for the Benefit of the Sons of the Clergy of the Established Church of Scotland, in the Tron Church of Edinburgh, May 19. 1797 (Edinburgh, 1797)
- Observations on the Overture respecting Chapels-of-Ease (Edinburgh, 1797);
- A Cobbler's Remarks on a Tour through the Northern Counties (Edinburgh, 1798);
- United and vigorous exertion, in defence of our country, recommended; a sermon,
- An address to the public, on the much lamented death of Sir Ralph Abercromby, late Commander in Chief of His Majesty’s forces in Egypt : being part of a sermon, preached in St. Andrew’s Church, on Sunday, the 7th June 1801 (Edinburgh, 1801)
- Sermon II. (Scotch Preacher, iv; Edinburgh, 1789);
- Sermons, with a Short Account of his Life (Edinburgh, 1813);
- Wilson's Hebrew Grammar, 3rd edition. (finalised and saw through press)
Sources
- Acts of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 1638-1842 (Church Law Society, Edinburgh 1843), . http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=60201
- Monthly Magazine and British Register Vol IX Pt 1 London 1800 http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=P1AoAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA467&lpg=PA467&dq=Dr+Moodie+persian+edinburgh+university&source=bl&ots=6zMF0R3jx4&sig=WQD2pR0oVBQ_yZAGKPI0FqYyO8o&hl=en&ei=orIYTd3PHMeZhQfy2523Dg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CD4Q6AEwBA#v=onepage&q=Dr%20Moodie%20persian%20edinburgh%20university&f=false
- The Scots Magazine and Edinburgh Literary Miscellany, Volume LXVII 1805 http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=eBEbAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA400&dq=Rev+Dr+William+Moodie+Edinburgh&ei=5YcXTZi5Fo7kzQTqkanNDw&cd=4#v=onepage&q=Rev%20Dr%20William%20Moodie%20Edinburgh&f=false
- Moodie, William Sermons, to which is prefixed a short account of the author Edinburgh, 1813 http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=AIYUAAAAQAAJ&pg=PR32&dq=William+Moodie+Sermons,+with+a+Short+Account+of+his+Life+(Edinburgh,+1813)%3B&ei=nyIWTfrDFo-iULSt3M4N&cd=1#v=onepage&q&f=false
- The Edinburgh Magazine, or Literary Miscellany Vol VIII 1788 http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=tW8EAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA84-IA3&dq=Rev+Dr+William+Moodie+Edinburgh&ei=8oYXTbT8DYK8zASWlJGPCQ&cd=2#v=onepage&q&f=false
- Kay, John A series of origninal portraits and caricature etchtings Vol 1 Part II H. Paton, Carver & Gilder, Edinburgh 1838 http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=1K8EAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA356&dq=rev+william+moodie+st+andrews+edinburgh&lr=&ei=sy8WTZXLO4i4yASyhbGIAw&cd=16#v=onepage&q&f=false
- Bower, Alexander The history of the University of Edinburgh, Volume 3 Oliphant, Waugh and Innes, Edinburgh, 1830 http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=VoGPpfWhlYAC&pg=PA293&dq=William+Moodie+Edinburgh+St+Andrews&ei=WCsWTfHUDJTgUK-UnI8N&cd=4#v=onepage&q=William%20Moodie%20Edinburgh%20St%20Andrews&f=false
- Paterson, William The Works of Robert Burns Vol 5 Edinburgh 1879 http://books.google.co.uk/books?ei=62UgTfXJFYSMywTdld3-Dw&cd=1&id=9IaI7ybYRD0C&dq=Robert+Burns+Friendly+Intercession&q=persecuted
- Scott, Hew Fasti ecclesiae scoticanae - the succession of Ministers in the Church of Scotland from the Reformation Volume I Synod of Lothian and Tweedale Edinburgh 1920 pp 88/89 http://www.dwalker.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/Fasti%20Web%20pages/p.%2088%20Robertson%20Memorial%20-%20St%20Andrew%27s.htm
- Emerson, Roger L Academic patronage in the Scottish enlightenment: Glasgow, Edinburgh and St Andrews Universities Edinburgh University Press 2007 http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=lBgq1_LgvJEC&pg=PA199&dq=Dr+Taylor+Principal+Glasgow+University&hl=en&ei=zjUTTYf-L4GKhQfBxq23Dg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CEsQ6AEwCDhQ#v=snippet&q=%20Moodie&f=false
- Pratt, Josiah & Macaulay, Zachary (eds) The Christian Observer, Volume 13, Boston 1814 http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=VovNAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA510&dq=rev+william+moodie+st+andrews+edinburgh&lr=&ei=YzEWTdXxDsHTULqk7MoL&cd=19#v=onepage&q&f=false
- Grierson, James Delineations of St. Andrews: being a particular account of every thing ...Cupar, 1833 http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=VCUNAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA33&dq=Sermons,+Grierson's+St+Andrew's.&ei=WGIbTfmtJczjUImDyYkF&cd=3#v=onepage&q=Moodie&f=false