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James Stalker


James M. Stalker filled a large place in the religious life of this country [Scotland] and he was more widely known in America than any other Scottish preacher of his day.

Although he spent twenty of the later years of his life as a professor, it is as a preacher we still think of him. And it was by his two remarkable handbooks (still unsurpassed in their own way) on the "Life of Christ" and the "Life of St. Paul," and by his preach ing, that he made his name famous.

Stalker, like Henry Drummond, was one of those who shared in the revival movement which followed the Moody and Sankey mission of 1873, and he was, after Drummond, perhaps the most active of the youthful enthusiasts of the time. The experience left a lasting effect upon him. "At that time," he said, "we had many experiences which have ever since made Christ intelligible; and the Book of the Acts of the Apostles especially has a meaning to those who have passed through such a movement which it could scarcely, I should think, have for anyone else."

The Evangelical glow of those early days remained with Stalker ever after. It was felt in all his preaching; it gave him an interest in every movement, however humble, to carry the Gospel to the people. Even in old age he maintained a keen interest in aggressive work of all kinds - religious and social.

      James Stalker was born in Crieff, Scotland, and filled a large place in the religious life of Scotland. He was more widely known in America than any other Scottish preacher of his day.

      Stalker, like Henry Drummond, was one of those who shared in the revival movement which followed the Moody and Sankey mission of 1873, and he was, after Drummond, perhaps the most active of the youthful enthusiasts of the time. He was the Pastor of St. Brycedale, Kirkaldy, 1874 - 1887, then the Pastor of St. Matthews, or Free St. Matthews, Glasgow, 1887 - 1902.

      Although he spent twenty of the later years of his life as a professor, it is as a preacher we still think of him. And it was by his two remarkable handbooks on the "Life of Christ" and the "Life of St. Paul," and by his preaching, that he made his name famous.

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James Stalker

A Different Understanding

"...and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?" (Esther 4:14). We all, I suppose, begin like Esther. We are the center of all things to ourselves; our happiness is the supreme end for which all other persons and things ought to be conspiring. We are proud of our ab... Read More
James Stalker

Change is Christ's

"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered" (Ps. 32:1). Can this defilement be removed? This surely is the question for every child of Adam; for what conscience is there which has not been stained with sin? It is a question which the conscience itself cannot answer. Conscie... Read More
James Stalker

Conscience Has Its Revenge

"But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD" (2 Sam. 11:27). This is a strange and solemn power which conscience wields. In your secret soul you commit a sin: it is a mere passing thought perhaps; no human eye has seen it, no tongue will ever speak of it; yet even in the dark it makes you... Read More
James Stalker

Different Temptations

"A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven" (John 3:27). There is, indeed, no greater mystery in providence than the unequal proportion in which temptation is distributed among different individuals. Some are comparatively little tempted; others are thrown into a fiery furnace of... Read More
James Stalker

Sharp Conscience

"Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron" (1 Tim. 4:2). The Scripture speaks of some whose consciences are seared as with a hot iron. As a hot iron, touching the fingertips, would harden the skin, so that the fine sense of touch located there could not act, so may ... Read More
James Stalker

Two Great Lies

"Ye shall not surely die" (Gen. 3:4). The great tempter of men has two devices with which he plies us at two different stages. Before we have fallen, he tells us that one fall does not matter. it is a trifle; why should we not know the taste of the forbidden fruit? We can easily recover ourselves ag... Read More
James Stalker

We Can Rise Again

"My sin is ever before me" (Ps. 51:3). But then, if we have fallen, our enemy plies us with the other argument: It is of no use to attempt to rise; you cannot overcome your besetting sin. But this is falser still. To those who feel themselves fallen I come, in Christ's name, to say, Yes, you may ris... Read More
James Stalker

Professor James M Stalker - Great Preachers I Have Heard

by Alexander Gammie, April 23, 1938 IT has always seemed a pity that we have had no biography of Professor Stalker, who was so much of a personality and whose gifts were so distinctive. He filled a large place in the religious life of this country [Scotland] and he was more widely known in America t... Read More
James Stalker

Conscience has its Revenge

"But the thing that David had done displeased the LORD" (2 Sam. 11:27). This is a strange and solemn power which conscience wields. In your secret soul you commit a sin: it is a mere passing thought perhaps; no human eye has seen it, no tongue will ever speak of it; yet even in the dark it makes you... Read More
James Stalker

How to Study the Bible

by the Rev. James Stalker, D.D. (Reproduced from The Bible Readers' Manual; or, Aids to Biblical Study, edited by C.H.H. Wright, 1895). INTRODUCTION The best preparation for the successful study of the Bible is deep devotion to Him who is its Author, and to the Saviour of whom it speaks. But only se... Read More

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