David W. Forrest: Memoir, Tributes, Sermons and Theological Lectures, edited by J. H. Leckie, is a comprehensive posthumous volume dedicated to the life, ministry, and thought of a distinguished Scottish divine
. Published in 1919, the book seeks to provide a complete portrait of Dr. Forrest, whose well-known published works—such as his celebrated Kerr Lectures, The Christ of History and of Experience—did not fully convey the impact of his “memorable and vital personality”
.
The book is structured into four distinct sections that highlight different facets of Forrest’s career:
The Memoir: This biographical sketch follows Forrest from his early days at the High School of Glasgow through his brilliant university career, where he was profoundly influenced by the philosopher Edward Caird
. It details his service to various congregations in Hamilton, Moffat, Glasgow, and Edinburgh, as well as his final role as Professor of Systematic Theology and Apologetics at the United Free Church College, Glasgow
.
Tributes: This section features personal appreciations from notable contemporaries, including the Bishop of Hereford and Sir John Herkless, which attest to his “ardour and naturalness” and his “genius for human fellowship”
.
Sermons: A curated selection of his pulpit work illustrates his “evangelical” message, which sought to harmonize ancient Christian traditions with modern knowledge
. Key themes include the nature of immortality, the redemption of pity, and the importance of self-reverence
.
Theological Lectures: This final section includes characteristic elements of Forrest’s thought that were not set forth in his previously published books
. Notably, it contains his lectures on Christian belief and the law of probability, as well as his inaugural address on the intellectual expression of faith
.
Ultimately, the volume serves as a tribute to a man who was a “light, a guide and a strength to many,” capturing the “intense passion for reality” that defined his service as both a shepherd of souls and a scholar
. It memorializes a soldier of the Cross who “freely spent himself in service of the Crucified”
.