1843-1845 THOMAS CHALMERS &c. 20 Letters & Ephemera Items Related to Founding of the Free Church of Scotland.

This is a fascinating little archive of 17 manuscript letters dating largely from 1843-1845 by divines all connected with the original formation of the Free Church of Scotland in 1843. Additionally, there are three tickets to the Free Church of Scotland at Inverness in 1845, just the third year of their existence.

All 17 letters are addressed to Arthur Forbes Esq. of Culloden, Inverness, save one, which is to Arthur's son, Duncan. The Forbes family were early patrons of the Free Church of Scotland from its inception in 1843. With an expansive estate just outside of Inverness, home to the third General Assembly, Arthur wrote to many of the divines associated with the Assembly with an offer of hospitality on his estate. Many are letters of reply dating to 1845. In addition are letters related directly to the 1843 original Disruption. 

Collection includes:

*A 2pp ALS dating to September 2, 1843 by James Begg to Arthur Forbes writing that he is glad to hear of the continued success of the new Free Church of the North [Scottish Free Church] and that he is now in London with Mr. Guthrie [Thomas]. Begg was one of the original Disruption divines and was succeeded in Edinburgh by Patrick Fairbarn. He was editor of The Bulwark, a pro Reformation and anti-Catholic periodical, and founder of the Scottish Reformation Society. 

*A 3.5pp ALS dating to February 8, 1848 by John MacDonald [1779-1849], known as the Apostle of the North. He was, for reason of the great respect he was held under by all, selected to preach the very first sermon ever after the establishment of the Free Church of Scotland. He afterward pastored in Ferintosh. The lengthy letter regards a matter of the Forbes family and also the purchase of some land that Arthur Forbes seems to have invested in for the establishment of the church at Ferintosh. Very rare autograph.

*A 1.5pp ALS dating to August 9th, 1845 by Thomas Chalmers, founder of the Free Church of Scotland. He writes and thanks Mr. Forbes for his interest in the Free Church and agrees that there should be an imposing edifice constructed at Inverness. Likely secretarial, though autographed distinctly in Chalmers' hand. 

*A 1p. ALS dating to July 3, 1845 by Robert Candlish accepting Mr. Forbes' offer of hospitality and expressing that he looks forward to the fellowship. Candlish was another of the originating divines and, of course, author of several commentaries still in print today by Banner of Truth.

*A 4pp ALS dating to August 15th, 1843 by Thomas Guthrie, another founding member of the Free Church of Scotland. A first-rate letter on the early days of the Free Kirk [as he calls it] mentioning James Begg, the sacrament and sabbath, an account of the preaching in their churches, etc.

*A 1.25pp ALS dating to July 1, 1845 by Robert MacDonald, founding member of the Free Church of Scotland and later its moderator. He had been close friends with M'Cheyne and the Bonars and seems to have taken on to raise a significant amount the funds to found the Free Church of Scotland. 

*A 1.25pp ALS dating to July 4, 1845 by Thomas Chalmers, founder of the Free Church of Scotland. Entirely in Chalmers' hand, he responds to Arthur Forbes' expression of hospitality. An unusually legible letter by Chalmers. His handwriting was atrocious. 

*A 3.5pp ALS dating to July 5, 1845 by Robert Buchanan, again, one of the leading figures in the Disruption and later Moderator of the Assembly. Responding to Arthur Forbes' generous offer of hospitality.

*A 4pp ALS dating to June 20, 1843 by Thomas Guthrie. He discusses Robert Candlish, the fog of the ongoing battle [regarding the Disruption], and expresses deep gratitude to Forbes for his support of the Free Church cause. 

*A 1p ALS dating to July 22, 1845 by David Carment [1772-1856]. He expresses that Mr. Guthrie [Thomas] has suggested that he preach in both English and Gaelic since the serve will be held on the Battlefield at Colloden Moor, an historic Covenanter site. 

*A 1p ALS undated, by Thomas Guthrie. Assumedly, it is 1845 since he gratefully acknowledges he will stay at Culloden House.

*A 1.5pp ALS dating to July 5, 1845 by James Begg responding to Forbes' offer of hospitality. 

*A 4pp ALS dating to June 25, 1853 by Robert Buchanan. He discusses a work he is writing, probably A History of the Ten Year's Conflict, telling the history of what led up to the 1843 Disruption. 

*A 4pp ALS dating to June 13, 1850 to Duncan Forbes from Peter Mackenzie, successor to John MacDonald at Ferintosh with a detailed account of the Manse being struck by lightning in 1849. 

*Three tickets to the General Assembly of 1845 in Inverness. 

*Two letters and a printed, signed circular for the Free Church, all signed by Fox Maule, a wealthy patron of the newly established Free Church of Scotland.

An irreplaceable archive and very reasonably priced.