Mr. James Candlish

To Mr. James Candlish, student in physic, Glasgow College

To Mr. James Candlish, student in physic, Glasgow College
...
XLIV.--TO MR. JAMES CANDLISH,[33] STUDENT IN PHYSIC, GLASGOW COLLEGE.
...
[Footnote 33: Mr. Candlish married Miss Smith, one of the six belles of Mauchline.

Robertson Smith was not without his friends, and in the first instance the Principal of New College, Dr. Robert Rainy, gave him considerable support, and, stranger still, Professor James Candlish of the Glasgow College, made it known that in his opinion Smith's views could be reconciled with the Westminster Confession's Doctrine of Scripture, on the ground that our belief in the authority of Scripture is said to be derived from the inner witness of the Spirit and is, therefore, 'independent of criticism'.

But after an admonition for his first article, Robertson Smith, with all the brashness of youth, was more offensive still in his second article and the General Assembly had to take action.

There are two important terms used in this connection: election and predestination. 'He hath chosen us ... having predestinated us ... ' (Eph 1:4,5). 'But the difference between the two terms would seem to be', as Professor James Candlish observes, 'that election refers specially to the persons chosen; (predestination or) foreordination to the end appointed for them'.

The gift of the heavenly and everlasting inheritance has therefore been made absolutely sure.