095. John Watson

Watson

1850-1907 Biographical Note

John Watson, widely known under his pen name of “Ian Maclaren,” was born at Manningtree, Essex, England, in 1850. For many years he was pastor of Free St. Matthew’s Church, Glasgow. He died at Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, in 1907. He enjoyed unusual popularity, both as a preacher and as a lecturer. In 1896 he gave a course of lectures to the students of Yale. “The Bonnie Brier Bush” is his best-known book. Another volume of his, “The Cure of Souls,” is full of splendid practical suggestions for the minister and divinity student. Here is a sample of his satire directed toward certain speakers: “It is said that there are ingenious books which contain extracts—very familiar as a rule—on every religious subject, so that the minister, having finished his sermon on faith or hope, has only to take down this pepper-caster and flavor his somewhat bare sentences with literature. If this ignominious tale be founded on fact, and be not a scandal of the enemy, then the Protestant Church ought also to have an ‘Index Expurgatorius,’ and its central authorities insert therein books which it is inexpedient for ministers to possess. In this class should be included ‘The Garland of Quotations’ and ‘The Reservoir of Illustrations.’“