Page:Our Hymns.djvu/399

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THEIR AUTHORS AND ORIGIN. 379

educated under Dr. Jamieson, at East Linton, he spent three sessions at the University of Edinburgh, and two at St. Andrews. He also had the advantage of coming under the powerful in fluence of Dr. Chalmers, whose lectures he attended. At an early age, Mr. Alexander began to distinguish himself as a writer, and obtained prizes for essays on subjects in moral philosophy. After finishing his University course, he was for four years classical tutor in the Independent College, Blackburn. He first pursued his ministry at Newington Chapel, Liverpool, but in 1835 he went to Argyle Chapel, Edinburgh, to undertake the important pastorate, which he still carries on. His labours were so success ful, and his Church and congregation increased so much, that it was found necessary to erect a new church. In 1861, a more eligible site having been obtained, Augustine Church was erected at a cost of nearly 15,000. Since the death of Dr. Wardlaw, in 1853, Dr. Alexander has held, in addition to his pastorate, the Professor ship of Theology and Church History in the Theological Hall of the Congregational Churches of Scotland.

Dr. Alexander is a man of extensive and various learning. He is especially skilled in languages, and in Biblical literature, and he is one of the most voluminous and scholarly of living writers. The following are some of his principal works : " The Connection and Harmony of the Old and New Testaments," being his " Con gregational Lecture." It was published in 1841, and the second edition, 1853. "Lectures to Young Men," 1842. "Anglo- catholicism," &c., in reply to "Tracts for the Times," 1843. " Memoir of the Rev. J. Watson," 1845. " Switzerland and the Swiss Churches," notes of a tour, 1846. "The Ancient British Church," 1852. " Christ and Christianity," 1854. "Memoir of Life and Writings of Dr. Wardlaw," 1856. " St. Paul at Athens," 1865. Dr. Alexander has also contributed numerous articles to magazines. He was at one time editor of the " Scottish Congregational Magazine." He was one of the contributors to " Kitto s Cyclopaedia of Biblical Literature, in 1847, and he is now editing a new and greatly improved edition of the same

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