J. P. Struthers
Encyclopedia
John Paterson Struthers was Scottish preacher
, pastor
and children's author. He was a native of Glasgow
, born there on 8 April 1851. His parents were devout members of the United Original Secession Church at the time, although in 1865 they joined the Reformed Presbyterian Church
. They dedicated their son John to the ministry, a dedication he solemnly accepted for himself.
He was educated at the High School and the University of Glasgow
, where he won many prizes, including two gold and two silver medals. He graduated M.A. in 1873.
Struthers studied theology at the Divinity Hall of Glasgow University and the Free Church College, Glasgow
. He won Dr. John Caird's Special Prize for Sermon Composition at the University Divinity School.
He was licensed to preach by the [Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland|Reformed Presbyterians]] on 8 May 1876 and on 1 November 1878 he was ordained minister over the Reformed Presbyterian congregation at Whithorn, Wigtownshire. There he redecorated the church and manse. After a three year pastorate at Whithorn, Struthers was called to the pastorate of the Reformed Presbyterian Church at Greenock
, where he was inducted on 25 January 1882. He spent the rest of his life as the minister there.
Theologically Struthers was a Reformed Presbyterian indeed, a staunch Calvinist
and a lover of the Westminster Shorter Catechism
. His preaching was popular, and he emphasised the love of God for sinners in his sermons. This love of God, exemplified in Jesus Christ dying on the cross, was the centre of his ministry.
Struthers was instrumental in building a new church for the Greenock congregation. Built to his specifications, it still stands today.
In 1887 the Reformed Presbyterian Church
decided to begin its own Sunday-School magazine. Struthers took the editorship and the little work, The Morning Watch began to be issued in 1888. It consisted of twelve pages, mostly written by Struthers and illustrated by a capable Greenock artist, Miss Annie Macdonald. The professional relationship of the bachelor minister and the unmarried artist grew into something deeper and they were married on May 20, 1907.
Although offered a D.D.
by Glasgow, Struthers declined it, saying that it would look ridiculous for a children's magazine to be edited by a D.D. He was always a humble man and was content to be "The Children's Editor". The theologian James Denney
said the Morning Watch was one of the hundred best books in the world. Today it offers a charming window into childhood in late Victorian and Edwardian Scotland.
J.P. Struthers died suddenly on January 17, 1915. It was a Sunday, and he suddenly collapsed while preaching his evening sermon, dying a few hours later.
His main published work is his beloved magazine, although his wife edited a volume of his sermons under the title Windows in Heaven (London, James Clark, 1926).
Preacher
Preacher is a term for someone who preaches sermons or gives homilies. A preacher is distinct from a theologian by focusing on the communication rather than the development of doctrine. Others see preaching and theology as being intertwined...
, pastor
Pastor
The word pastor usually refers to an ordained leader of a Christian congregation. When used as an ecclesiastical styling or title, this role may be abbreviated to "Pr." or often "Ps"....
and children's author. He was a native of Glasgow
Glasgow
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...
, born there on 8 April 1851. His parents were devout members of the United Original Secession Church at the time, although in 1865 they joined the Reformed Presbyterian Church
Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland
The Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland is a Christian denomination. It is the original church of the Reformed Presbyterian tradition . The RPCS formed in 1690 when its members declined to be part of the establishment of the Church of Scotland...
. They dedicated their son John to the ministry, a dedication he solemnly accepted for himself.
He was educated at the High School and the University of Glasgow
University of Glasgow
The University of Glasgow is the fourth-oldest university in the English-speaking world and one of Scotland's four ancient universities. Located in Glasgow, the university was founded in 1451 and is presently one of seventeen British higher education institutions ranked amongst the top 100 of the...
, where he won many prizes, including two gold and two silver medals. He graduated M.A. in 1873.
Struthers studied theology at the Divinity Hall of Glasgow University and the Free Church College, Glasgow
Free Church Training College
The Free Church Training College was established by the Free Church of Scotland in 1845 as a college for teacher training.In 1836, David Stow had established a Normal School in Glasgow but, following the Disruption of 1843, a legal ruling of 1845 compelled adherents of the Free Church to resign...
. He won Dr. John Caird's Special Prize for Sermon Composition at the University Divinity School.
He was licensed to preach by the [Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland|Reformed Presbyterians]] on 8 May 1876 and on 1 November 1878 he was ordained minister over the Reformed Presbyterian congregation at Whithorn, Wigtownshire. There he redecorated the church and manse. After a three year pastorate at Whithorn, Struthers was called to the pastorate of the Reformed Presbyterian Church at Greenock
Greenock
Greenock is a town and administrative centre in the Inverclyde council area in United Kingdom, and a former burgh within the historic county of Renfrewshire, located in the west central Lowlands of Scotland...
, where he was inducted on 25 January 1882. He spent the rest of his life as the minister there.
Theologically Struthers was a Reformed Presbyterian indeed, a staunch Calvinist
Calvinism
Calvinism is a Protestant theological system and an approach to the Christian life...
and a lover of the Westminster Shorter Catechism
Westminster Shorter Catechism
The Westminster Shorter Catechism was written in the 1640s by English and Scottish divines. The assembly also produced the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Westminster Larger Catechism...
. His preaching was popular, and he emphasised the love of God for sinners in his sermons. This love of God, exemplified in Jesus Christ dying on the cross, was the centre of his ministry.
Struthers was instrumental in building a new church for the Greenock congregation. Built to his specifications, it still stands today.
In 1887 the Reformed Presbyterian Church
Reformed Presbyterian Church (denominational group)
The Reformed Presbyterian Church is a group of denominations following a form of Protestant Christianity related to Presbyterianism. Reformed Presbyterian congregations are found in several countries, including Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, France, United States of America,...
decided to begin its own Sunday-School magazine. Struthers took the editorship and the little work, The Morning Watch began to be issued in 1888. It consisted of twelve pages, mostly written by Struthers and illustrated by a capable Greenock artist, Miss Annie Macdonald. The professional relationship of the bachelor minister and the unmarried artist grew into something deeper and they were married on May 20, 1907.
Although offered a D.D.
Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
by Glasgow, Struthers declined it, saying that it would look ridiculous for a children's magazine to be edited by a D.D. He was always a humble man and was content to be "The Children's Editor". The theologian James Denney
James Denney
James Denney, D.D. was a Scottish theologian and preacher.-Early life:Denney was born in Paisley, Scotland, 5 February 1856, to Cameronian parents. His father was a joiner and Cameronian deacon...
said the Morning Watch was one of the hundred best books in the world. Today it offers a charming window into childhood in late Victorian and Edwardian Scotland.
J.P. Struthers died suddenly on January 17, 1915. It was a Sunday, and he suddenly collapsed while preaching his evening sermon, dying a few hours later.
His main published work is his beloved magazine, although his wife edited a volume of his sermons under the title Windows in Heaven (London, James Clark, 1926).