Charles Bridges
Charles Bridges, MA (1794 - 1869[1][2]), was a preacher and theologian in the Church of England, and a leader of that denomination's Evangelical Party.[1] As a preacher he was well regarded by his contemporaries, but is remembered today for his literary contributions.
Education and ministry
Educated at Queens' College, Cambridge,[4] he was ordained in 1817 and served from 1823 to 1849 as vicar of Old Newton, Suffolk.[1] Thomas Chalmers wrote,
'My excellent friend, the Rev. Charles Bridges, of Old Newton, Suffolk, finds, I am sure, most ample occupation among those six hundred people whom he may be said to have domesticated into one parochial family; and, were it not for his still more important services to the Christian church at large, would show, by his incessant labours, how possible it were to make out a most beneficial expenditure of all his strength and all his time amongst them.'[5]
In 1849, he became vicar of Weymouth, Dorset, later serving as vicar of Hinton Martell, Dorset (c. 1857).[2][6] Bridges participated (with J. C. Ryle) in the Clerical Conference at Weston-super-Mare of 1858, and also participated in the consecration of the Bishop of Carlisle in York Minster in 1860.
Personal life
Bridges was married to Harriet Torlesse, with whom he had at least two sons, the second of whom was physician John Henry Bridges, BA BM Oxon FRCP (1832–1906).[7]
Quotes
- Daily progress in the heavenly walk is not maintained by yesterday's grace. Humble and dependent prayer must fetch in a fresh supply continually.
- Exposition of Psalm 119, comment on v.10
- Spiritual wisdom is as important for the building up of the Church of God, as was the wisdom imparted to Bezaleel and Aholiab for the raising of the Levitical tabernacle.
- The Christian Ministry, Chapter 6 on The Qualifications of the Christian Ministry
- But pride will lift up the head, stiff and unbending: many a stroke does it require to bring it down.
- A Commentary on Proverbs, comment on Proverbs 3:11-12
- A neglected Bible is the melancholy proof of a heart "alienated from God".
- A Commentary on Proverbs, comment on Proverbs 4:20-22
- The godly union of souls in mutual forebearance with each other's infirmities, and mutual stimulating each other's graces--this surely is a fragment of true happiness that has survived the Fall.
- Charles Bridges, An Exposition of Ecclesiastes, comment on Ecclesiastes 4:7-9.
Literary works
At least twenty-four editions of Bridges' Exposition of Psalm 119 (1827) were published in his lifetime.[2] C. H. Spurgeon considered the commentary to be 'worth its weight in gold'.[2] Spurgeon also pronounced Bridges' Exposition of Proverbs (1840) 'The best work on the Proverbs'.[8]
Bibliography
Exposition of Psalm 119 (1827)
The Christian Ministry (1829)
Memoir of Mary Jane Graham (c. 1834)
Forty-eight Scriptural Studies (1837)
Exposition of Proverbs (1840)
A Manual for the Young (1849)
Exposition of Ecclesiastes (1860)
Correspondence (posthumous, 1870)
References
- ^ a b c "Pastoral Book Reviews: The Christian Ministry". A Puritan’s Mind. http://www.apuritansmind.com/BookReviews/BridgesCharlesChristianMinistry.htm. Retrieved 1 February 2009.
- ^ a b c d "Psalm 119: Product Description". Christianbook.com. http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?item_no=8963&event=CF. Retrieved 1 February 2009.
- ^ Bridges, Charles in Venn, J. & J. A., Alumni Cantabrigienses, Cambridge University Press, 10 vols, 1922–1958.
- ^ "On the Right Ecclesiastical Economy of a Large Town". Thomas Chalmers: Sermons and Writings. http://www.newble.co.uk/chalmers/extension1.html. Retrieved 1 February 2009.
- ^ "Exposition of Psalm 119: Preface". Grace Gems. http://www.gracegems.org/26/BRIDGES.htm. Retrieved 1 February 2009.
- ^ "Bridges, John Henry". Royal College of Physicians. http://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/heritage/munksroll/munk_details.asp?ID=539. Retrieved 1 February 2009.
- ^ Bridges, C Exposition of Proverbs, The Banner of Truth Trust, Edinburgh (from biographical information on rear cover).
External links
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Name |
Bridges, Charles |
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Date of birth |
1794 |
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Date of death |
1869 |
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