Charles Bridges

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For other uses, see Charles Bridges (disambiguation).

Charles Bridges, MA (1794 - 1869[1][2]), was a preacher and theologian in the Church of England, and a leader of that denomination's Evangelical Party.[1] As a preacher he was well regarded by his contemporaries, but is remembered today for his literary contributions.[3]

Education and ministry[edit]

Educated at Queens' College, Cambridge,[4] he was ordained in 1817 and served from 1823 to 1849 as vicar of Old Newton, Suffolk.[1][3] Thomas Chalmers wrote,

'My excellent friend, the Rev. Charles Bridges, of Old Newton, Suffolk, finds, I am sure, most ample occupation among those six hundred people whom he may be said to have domesticated into one parochial family; and, were it not for his still more important services to the Christian church at large, would show, by his incessant labours, how possible it were to make out a most beneficial expenditure of all his strength and all his time amongst them.'[5]

In 1849, he became vicar of Weymouth, Dorset, later serving as vicar of Hinton Martell, Dorset (c. 1857).[2][6] Bridges participated (with J. C. Ryle) in the Clerical Conference at Weston-super-Mare of 1858, and also participated in the consecration of the Bishop of Carlisle in York Minster in 1860.[3]

Personal life[edit]

Bridges was married to Harriet Torlesse, with whom he had at least two sons, the second of whom was physician John Henry Bridges, BA BM Oxon FRCP (1832–1906).[7]

Quotes[edit]

  • Daily progress in the heavenly walk is not maintained by yesterday's grace. Humble and dependent prayer must fetch in a fresh supply continually.
    • Exposition of Psalm 119, comment on v.10
  • Spiritual wisdom is as important for the building up of the Church of God, as was the wisdom imparted to Bezaleel and Aholiab for the raising of the Levitical tabernacle.
    • The Christian Ministry, Chapter 6 on The Qualifications of the Christian Ministry
  • But pride will lift up the head, stiff and unbending: many a stroke does it require to bring it down.
    • A Commentary on Proverbs, comment on Proverbs 3:11-12
  • A neglected Bible is the melancholy proof of a heart "alienated from God".
    • A Commentary on Proverbs, comment on Proverbs 4:20-22
  • The godly union of souls in mutual forebearance with each other's infirmities, and mutual stimulating each other's graces—this surely is a fragment of true happiness that has survived the Fall.
    • Charles Bridges, An Exposition of Ecclesiastes, comment on Ecclesiastes 4:7-9.

Literary works[edit]

At least twenty-four editions of Bridges' Exposition of Psalm 119 (1827) were published in his lifetime.[2] C. H. Spurgeon considered the commentary to be 'worth its weight in gold'.[2] Spurgeon also pronounced Bridges' Exposition of Proverbs (1840) 'The best work on the Proverbs'.[8]

Bibliography[edit]

Exposition of Psalm 119 (1827)
The Christian Ministry (1829)
Memoir of Mary Jane Graham (c. 1834)
Forty-eight Scriptural Studies (1837)
Exposition of Proverbs (1840)
A Manual for the Young (1849)
Exposition of Ecclesiastes (1860)
Correspondence (posthumous, 1870)

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Pastoral Book Reviews: The Christian Ministry". A Puritan’s Mind. Retrieved 1 February 2009. 
  2. ^ a b c d "Psalm 119: Product Description". Christianbook.com. Retrieved 1 February 2009. 
  3. ^ a b c Bridges, C 1961 A commentary on Ecclesiastes, The Banner of Truth Trust, Edinburgh (from biographical information on rear cover).
  4. ^ "Bridges, Charles (BRGS812C)". A Cambridge Alumni Database. University of Cambridge. 
  5. ^ "On the Right Ecclesiastical Economy of a Large Town". Thomas Chalmers: Sermons and Writings. Retrieved 1 February 2009. 
  6. ^ "Exposition of Psalm 119: Preface". Grace Gems. Retrieved 1 February 2009. 
  7. ^ "Bridges, John Henry". Royal College of Physicians. Retrieved 1 February 2009. 
  8. ^ Bridges, C Exposition of Proverbs, The Banner of Truth Trust, Edinburgh (from biographical information on rear cover).

External links[edit]

Authority control
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