David Nasmith
Encyclopedia
City Mission
The City Mission movement started in Glasgow in January 1826 when David Nasmith, founded the Glasgow City Mission . It was an interdenominational agency working alongside churches and other Christian agencies to provide for the spiritual and material welfare of those in need.Agencies in the...
in the UK, the US and in Europe.
Biography
Born in GlasgowGlasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
Scotland in March 1799, Nasmith commenced working in manufacturing as an apprentice. Nasmith set up the The Young Men's Society for Religious Improvement (1824)
, Glasgow City Mission
Glasgow City Mission
Glasgow City Mission is a Christian charitable organisation whose remit covers Glasgow, Scotland. It is dedicated to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and providing practical help and support to homeless and disadvantaged people.-History:...
(1826), Edinburgh City Mission
Edinburgh City Mission
Edinburgh City Mission is a Christian charitable organization whose remit covers Edinburgh, Scotland, UK. It is dedicated to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and providing practical help and support to those in need....
(1832), and London City Mission
London City Mission
London City Mission was set up by David Nasmith on 16 May 1835 in the Hoxton area of east London. The first paid missionary was Lindsay Burfoot.. Today it is part of the wider City Mission Movement....
(1835). He "died poor" at the young age of 40 on Christmas Day 1839 at Guildford, Surrey, England.
Influence
The many City and Gospel Missions around the world are testimony to his work. He inspired others to set up City Missions around the world. These are also known as Gospel Rescue Missions in the USA. City Missions are practical religion outside the walls of the church and an example of EvangelicalEvangelicalism
Evangelicalism is a Protestant Christian movement which began in Great Britain in the 1730s and gained popularity in the United States during the series of Great Awakenings of the 18th and 19th century.Its key commitments are:...
parachurch organisations.
"David Nasmith originated the Young Men’s Christian Association in Glasgow, and set the institution at work in other cities and around the world. His life work was noted for being instrumental in welding the various denominations together for useful purposes. In 1821 he became secretary of the “Religious Societies of Glasgow” at the “Institution Rooms,” 59 Glasswork Street. Nasmith possessed a marvelous power of organization and capacity for work. He was a true reformer, and thoroughly sincere in his endeavors to benefit others. He founded City Missions and Young Men’s Christian Associations". (A. G. Callant, author of Saint Mungo's Bells)
"Clubs and associations, missions and societies were in his blood. So many of them could claim him as founder that it is doubtful whether, at the age of thirty-six, he could have kept an accurate record of them all. As a founder of missions, it would be hard to find his equal." (Phyllis Thompson, author of To the Heart of the City)
Unlike other reformers, no church or college has been named after Nasmith. No church doctrine or point of theology is attributed to him. What can be found all over the world is the fruit of his vision in the form of City Missions, practical religion outside the walls of the church.