Marcus Dods : with special reference to his teaching ministry

Abstract

Today -when the name of Marcus Dods is mentioned the first thought that comes to the minds of many is one that associates him either with a long probation or a heresy charge. Yet few facts pertaining to either of these experiences in his life are known. This is not surprising when we realize that a biography of this prominent Scotsman of the past has never been attempted nor is there much information about his life and work available in such volumes as the Dictionary of National Biography. It is the purpose of this study not only to shed light upon and interpret the significance of these two aspects of Dods' career, but also to focus attention upon his teaching ministry as the unifying feature of his life. It is in this way that we can determine his particular contributions to the nineteenth century church in Scotland.A complete account of the life of Marcus Dods has never been written. During his lifetime, various resumes were published in periodicals, but these' accounts lacked accuracy and detail. The most important period of his life—the probation years—remained concealed throughout the nineteenth century because Dods' own silence regarding his probationmeant that no reliable information was available prior to the posthumous publication of his early letters in 1910. Therefore, this chapter is devoted to his early life, with the most detailed treatment being given to his hitherto little known and little understood probation years.His own letters and other writings supplied the major sources from which this chapter was drawn. Extensive use was also made of numerous periodicals of the late nineteenth century.Although the full extent of his influence is not well known today, he made a deep impression upon the age in which he lived. His contributions were great measured in reference to the needs of his time. But his personal greatness consisted not so much in any special brilliance of talent or achievement as in the superlative degree in which he exhibited the qualities of human character and Christian faith which are open to all men.