Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Laidlaw, John

1530789Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement, Volume 2 — Laidlaw, John1912William Forbes Gray

LAIDLAW, JOHN (1832–1906), presbyterian divine and theologian, born in Edinburgh on 7 April 1832, was only child of Walter Laidlaw by his wife Margaret Brydon. His ancestors for generations were sheep farmers. He studied at the Normal School of Edinburgh, with a view to the teaching profession, but ultimately decided to prepare for the ministry. At Edinburgh University, where he matriculated in October 1851, he distinguished himself in classics, mathematics, and philosophy, winning four gold medals, and carried off (1853) Sir William Hamilton's [q. v.] prize in philosophy and the Bulwer-Lytton [q. v.] prize for an essay on the relations of mind and matter. In 1854 he was made M.A. honoris causa.

After spending three sessions in the divinity hall of the Reformed Prosbyterian church, Laidlaw in 1856 joined the Free church of Scotland and studied for two sessions (1856-8) at New College, Edinburgh. During the summer of 1858 he attended classes at Heidelberg and other German universities, and in the following year began his ministry at Bannockburn. On 6 August 1863 he was inducted to the Free West church, Perth, where the membership greatly increased under his charge. A handsome church was built, and he made his mark as an evangelical preacher. In 1868 he declined an invitation to become colleague to Dr. Robert Smith Candlish [q. v.]. From 1872 to 1881 he was minister of the Free West church, Aberdeen. On 25 May 1881 he was appointed to the chair of systematic theology in New College, Edinburgh; he held the post until 1904.

 Laidlaw was a conservative theologian, basing his lectures on the teaching of the Reformation divines. 'In his best work, there was a fine combination of the biblical, the experimental, and the historical' (Memoir by H. R. Mackintosh, D.D., p. 37). While unsympathetic towards the views of William Robertson Smith [q. v.], he spoke in the general assembly of 1880 in support of a rejected resolution which confined the assembly's censure of Smith to a general admonition of caution in his public utterances on the theological questions in dispute. 

In 1878 Laidlaw delivered the Cunningham lectures at New College, his subject being 'The Biblical Doctrine of Man.' The lectures were published in 1879 (Edinburgh; new edit, entirely recast, 1895; reprint, 1905). His most popular book, 'The Miracles of Our Lord,' in which scholarship was combined with orthodoxy (1890; 4th edit. 1902), also originated in a course of lectures. He further published 'Foundation Truths of Scripture as to Sin and Salvation' (Edinburgh, 1897, Bible Class Handbooks). His 'Studies in the Parables, and other Sermons' appeared posthumously in 1907. An ardent advocate of the reunion of Scottish presbyterianism, it w£is largely owing to Laidlaw's influence that the union of the Reformed Presbyterian church with the Free church of Scotland was brought about in 1876. Nine years later, in 1885, he was active in inducing representatives of the three large presbyterian churches to debate the possibihty of union. The conference, though abortive at the time, bore fruit later.

In 1880 Laidlaw became hon. D.D. of Edinburgh University. He died after some years of ill-health in Edinburgh on 21 Sept. 1906, and was buried in the Grange cemetery, Edinburgh.

In December 1869 he married Elizabeth, daughter of Samuel Hamilton, who survived him with one daughter.

[Memoir by H. R. Mackintosh, D.D., prefixed to Laidlaw's posthumously published 'Studies in the Parables, and other Sermons' (1907); Scotsman, 22 Sept. 1906; private information.]

W. F. G.