William Orme (minister)
Encyclopedia
William Orme was a Scottish Congregational minister, known as a biographer of Richard Baxter
and other nonconformist figures.
, Stirlingshire
, on 3 February 1787. His parents moved to Edinburgh
, where in 1792 he began his education under a schoolmaster named Waugh. On 1 July 1800 he was apprenticed for five years to a wheelwright and turner.
His father died in October 1803. About this time Orme came under the influence of James Alexander Haldane, whose preaching at the Tabernacle in Leith Walk, Edinburgh, had attracted him. In October 1805 he was admitted by Robert Haldane
as a student for the ministry at a seminary under George Cowie. The usual term of study was two years, but Orme's periods of study, interrupted by a preaching mission in Fife
(1806), amounted to little more than a year in all. On 11 March 1807 he became pastor of the congregational church at Perth
where he was ordained.
About 1809 he broke with Robert Haldane, in consequence of Haldane's adoption of Baptist
views, and took part in the controversy that arose. He declined a call to the congregational church at Dundee
. In the development of Scottish congregationalism he took an active part, especially aiding in the formation (1813) of the Congregational Union of Scotland, and in the establishment (1814) of a divinity hall at Glasgow
.
On 7 October 1824 he became pastor of the congregational church at Camberwell Green
, Surrey
, and soon afterwards was elected foreign secretary of the London Missionary Society
. He died in his prime on 8 May 1830, and was buried on 17 May at Bunhill Fields
. His portrait, engraved by Thomson from a painting by Wildman, was published in the ‘Evangelical Magazine’ for January 1830. He was twice married, and left a widow.
Posthumous was:
His two volumes on Baxter were commended by Sir James Stephen. Andrew Thomson superseded him as a biographer of John Owen
, and Joseph Ivimey for William Kiffin
.
Richard Baxter
Richard Baxter was an English Puritan church leader, poet, hymn-writer, theologian, and controversialist. Dean Stanley called him "the chief of English Protestant Schoolmen". After some false starts, he made his reputation by his ministry at Kidderminster, and at around the same time began a long...
and other nonconformist figures.
Life
He was born at FalkirkFalkirk
Falkirk is a town in the Central Lowlands of Scotland. It lies in the Forth Valley, almost midway between the two most populous cities of Scotland; north-west of Edinburgh and north-east of Glasgow....
, Stirlingshire
Stirlingshire
Stirlingshire or the County of Stirling is a registration county of Scotland, based around Stirling, the former county town. It borders Perthshire to the north, Clackmannanshire and West Lothian to the east, Lanarkshire to the south, and Dunbartonshire to the south-west.Until 1975 it was a county...
, on 3 February 1787. His parents 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 in 1792 he began his education under a schoolmaster named Waugh. On 1 July 1800 he was apprenticed for five years to a wheelwright and turner.
His father died in October 1803. About this time Orme came under the influence of James Alexander Haldane, whose preaching at the Tabernacle in Leith Walk, Edinburgh, had attracted him. In October 1805 he was admitted by 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...
as a student for the ministry at a seminary under George Cowie. The usual term of study was two years, but Orme's periods of study, interrupted by a preaching mission in Fife
Fife
Fife is a council area and former county of Scotland. It is situated between the Firth of Tay and the Firth of Forth, with inland boundaries to Perth and Kinross and Clackmannanshire...
(1806), amounted to little more than a year in all. On 11 March 1807 he became pastor of the congregational church at Perth
Perth, Scotland
Perth is a town and former city and royal burgh in central Scotland. Located on the banks of the River Tay, it is the administrative centre of Perth and Kinross council area and the historic county town of Perthshire...
where he was ordained.
About 1809 he broke with Robert Haldane, in consequence of Haldane's adoption of Baptist
Baptist
Baptists comprise a group of Christian denominations and churches that subscribe to a doctrine that baptism should be performed only for professing believers , and that it must be done by immersion...
views, and took part in the controversy that arose. He declined a call to the congregational church at Dundee
Dundee
Dundee is the fourth-largest city in Scotland and the 39th most populous settlement in the United Kingdom. It lies within the eastern central Lowlands on the north bank of the Firth of Tay, which feeds into the North Sea...
. In the development of Scottish congregationalism he took an active part, especially aiding in the formation (1813) of the Congregational Union of Scotland, and in the establishment (1814) of a divinity hall at Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
.
On 7 October 1824 he became pastor of the congregational church at Camberwell Green
Camberwell Green
Camberwell Green is a small area of common land in Camberwell, South London. It lies at the intersection of Camberwell Road and Camberwell New Road/Camberwell Church Street. At the North-East of the green is Camberwell Magistrate's Court, and at the North West is a home for the elderly...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
, and soon afterwards was elected foreign secretary of the London Missionary Society
London Missionary Society
The London Missionary Society was a non-denominational missionary society formed in England in 1795 by evangelical Anglicans and Nonconformists, largely Congregationalist in outlook, with missions in the islands of the South Pacific and Africa...
. He died in his prime on 8 May 1830, and was buried on 17 May at Bunhill Fields
Bunhill Fields
Bunhill Fields is a cemetery in the London Borough of Islington, north of the City of London, and managed by the City of London Corporation. It is about 4 hectares in extent, although historically was much larger....
. His portrait, engraved by Thomson from a painting by Wildman, was published in the ‘Evangelical Magazine’ for January 1830. He was twice married, and left a widow.
Works
He published, in addition to separate sermons and pamphlets:- ‘Memoirs of the Life, Writings, and Religious Connections of John Owen, D.D.,’ &c., 1820.
- ‘Remarkable Passages in the Life of William Kiffin,’ &c., 1823.
- ‘Bibliotheca Biblica … List of Books on Sacred Literature, with Notices, Biographical, Critical,’ &c., Edinburgh, 1824.
- ‘Memoirs, including … Remains of John Urquhart,’ &c., 1827, 2 vols.
Posthumous was:
- ‘Life and Times of Richard Baxter,’ &c., 1830, 2 vols. This was partly printed at the time of his death; it was edited by Thomas RussellThomas Russell (minister)Thomas Russell or Cloutt was an English independent minister, known for editions of theological works.-Life:He was born at Marden, Kent, about 1781. His father and grandfather were members of the Church of England, and he was confirmed as an Anglican; but was trained for the dissenting ministry at...
. It accompanied an edition of Baxter's ‘Practical Works,’ begun by Orme in 1827. The second volume contains a detailed critique of Baxter's writings.
His two volumes on Baxter were commended by Sir James Stephen. Andrew Thomson superseded him as a biographer of John Owen
John Owen (theologian)
John Owen was an English Nonconformist church leader, theologian, and academic administrator at the University of Oxford.-Early life:...
, and Joseph Ivimey for William Kiffin
William Kiffin
William Kiffin , sometimes spelled William Kiffen, was a seventeenth-century English Baptist minister. He was also a successful merchant in the woolen trade.-Life:...
.