''The Baird Lecture'' is a lectureship that was endowed by James Baird to promote the Christian religion.

History and endowment

In 1873 James Baird established The Baird Trust and gave into its care £500,000 to be used for aggressive Christian work. A part of the income of this fund was to provide for a series of lectures in

Glasgow Glasgow ( ; sco, Glesca or ; gd, Glaschu ) is the most populous city in Scotland and the fourth-most populous city in the United Kingdom, as well as being the 27th largest city by population in Europe. In 2020, it had an estimated popul ...

and also, if required, at one other of the Scottish university towns. Each course was to be delivered by a minister of the

Church of Scotland The Church of Scotland ( sco, The Kirk o Scotland; gd, Eaglais na h-Alba) is the national church in Scotland. The Church of Scotland was principally shaped by John Knox, in the Scottish Reformation, Reformation of 1560, when it split from t ...

, who could be reappointed, and was to consist of at least six lectures.

Catalogue of titles

*1873: ''The Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures'', by Robert Jamieson *1874: ''The Mysteries of Christianity'', by

Thomas Jackson Crawford Thomas Jackson Crawford (1812–1875) was a Scottish minister and professor of divinity at the University of Edinburgh. He served as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1867, the highest level within the Scottish chur ...

*1875: ''Endowed Territorial Work'', by William Smith *1876: ''Theism'', by

Robert Flint Robert Flint LLD DD (14 March 1838 – 1910) was a Scottish theologian and philosopher who wrote also on sociology. Life Flint was born at Greenburn, Sibbaldbie near Applegarth in Dumfriesshire on 14 March 1838, the son of Grace Johnston (' ...

*1877: ''Anti-Theistic Theories'', by

*1879: ''Messianic Prophecy'', by

Paton James Gloag Paton James Gloag (1823–1906) was a Scottish minister and theological author. He was Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1889. Life Born in Perth on 17 May 1823, he was the eldest son of William Gloag (died 1856), ...

*1880: ''Historical Development of Supernatural Religion'', by John Christie *1881: ''Natural Elements of Revealed Theology'', by

George Matheson George Matheson FRSE (27 March 1842 – 28 August 1906) was a Scottish minister and hymn writer and prolific author. He was blind from the age of 17. Life Born at 39 Abbotsford Place in Glasgow, to George Matheson (d.1891), a merchant and ...

*1882: ''The Westminster Assembly'', by

Alexander Ferrier Mitchell Alexander Ferrier Mitchell (1822 – 1899) was a Scottish ecclesiastical historian and Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1885. Life He was born at Brechin on 10 September 1822, son of David Mitchell, convener of local ...

*1883: ''St Paul’s Use of the Terms Flesh and Spirit'', by Prof Wm Dickson *1885: ''The Revelation of St John'', by Prof

William Milligan William Milligan (15 March 182111 December 1893) was a renowned Scottish theologian. He studied at the University of Halle in Germany, and eventually became a professor at the University of Aberdeen. He is best known for his commentary on th ...

*1887: ''The Church of Christ'', by Prof

Archibald Hamilton Charteris Archibald Hamilton Charteris (13 December 1835 – 24 April 1908) was a Scottish theologian, a Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, professor of biblical criticism at the University of Edinburgh and a leading voice in Churc ...

*1889: ''Early Religion of Israel'', by Prof J Robertson *1891: ''The Ascension and Heavenly Priesthood of our Lord'', by Prof Wm Milligan *1892: ''Sacrifice: Its Prophecy and Fulfilment'', by Archibald Scott *1895: ''The Scottish Church in Christendom'', by Prof H Cowan *1897: ''Apostolic ministry in the Scottish Church'', by Prof

Robert Herbert Story Robert Herbert Story (28 January 1835 – 13 January 1907) was a Scottish divine and Principal of the University of Glasgow. He attained the highest position in the Scottish church as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland ...

*1899: ''The Scottish Reformation'', by

*1901: ''The Church and its Social Mission'', by Very Rev J Marshall Lang *1903: ''The Ministry and Sacraments of the Church of Scotland'', by Very Revd Donald Macleod *1905: ''The Rule of Faith'', by Prof W P Paterson *1907: ''The Four Gospels in the Earliest Church History'', by Prof

Thomas Nicol Thomas Nicol (1846–1916) was Professor of Biblical Criticism at the University of Aberdeen. He served as Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1914. Life He was born in Edinburgh on 21 October 1846, possibly the son ...

*1909: ''Modern Substitutes for Christianity'', by Very Rev

Pearson McAdam Muir Pearson McAdam Muir (1846–1924) was the minister of Glasgow Cathedral and Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1910. He served as Grand Chaplain of the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Scotland. He was Chaplain in Ordinar ...

*1911: ''New Testament Criticism: Its History and Results'', by Revd J A McClymont *1913: ''Christian Freedom'', by Prof W M McGregor *1915: ''The Apostles of India'', by Revd James Nicoll Ogilvie *1917: ''The Idea of Immortality'', by Prof G Galloway *1920: ''The Christian Vindication of Patriotism'', by Robert Stevenson *1922: ''Jeremiah'', by Prof

George Adam Smith :''Note in particular that this George Smith is to be distinguished from George Smith (Assyriologist) (1840–1876) who researched in some overlapping areas.'' Sir George Adam Smith (19 October 1856 – 3 March 1942) was a Scottish the ...

*1924: ''Religious Experience'', by R H Fisher *1926: ''Music in Church Worship'', by G W Stewart *1928: ''The Idealism of Christian Ethics'', by G Walker *1929: ''The New Testament and its Transmission'', by Prof George Milligan *1932: ''The Riddle of the World'', by Prof David S Cairns *1934: ''Post Exilic Judaism'', by Prof Adam Welch *1935: ''Parish and Parish Church'', by Revd P D Thomson *1942: ''Youth in the new Order'', by W M Wightman *1946: ''New Forms of the Old Faith'', by Revd James Black *1947: ''The Chaplains in the Church of Scotland'', by Revd T B Stewart Thomson *1949: ''The Epistle to the Hebrews'', by Prof Wm Manson *1950: ''Church and Ministry'', by Prof G. D. Henderson *1955: ''A History of Worship in the Church of Scotland'', by Revd W D Maxwell *1960: ''Christian Faith and the Providential Order'', by Rev Archibald Campbell Craig *1965: ''History and Duties of the Office of Elder'', by Rev G M Dryburgh *1971: ''Ethics in a Permissive Society'', by Prof Wm Barclay *1975: ''Message, Media, Mission'', by Revd R F Falconer *1978: ''Saltire and Thistle'', by Revd J.BP Bulloch *1985: ''Kirk by Divine Right'', by Very Rev Andrew Herron *1990: ''Music’s Magic Lost: Can it be regained?'', by Revd Ian Mackenzie *2004: ''Netting Citizens'', by Rev. Johnston McKay *2007: ''Celebrating 150 years of Scottish Scholarship'' *2009: '' What should they know of preaching who only preaching know?'' by Very Revd Dr

Andrew McLellan Andrew Rankin Cowie McLellan is a minister in the Church of Scotland. He was Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Prisons for Scotland from 2002 to 2009. He was educated at Kilmarnock Academy, Madras College (St Andrews), the University of St Andrews ...

External links

The Baird Trust
website with text of all the lectures as searchable .pdf files. {{DEFAULTSORT:Baird Lectures 1873 establishments in Scotland Christian theological lectures Church of Scotland Evangelists Lecture series Scottish books Series of books Universities in Scotland