James Hastings | |
|---|---|
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| Church | United Free Church of Scotland |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 1884 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1852-02-26)26 February 1852 Huntly,Aberdeenshire, Scotland |
| Died | 15 October 1922(1922-10-15) (aged 70) Aberdeen,Aberdeenshire, Scotland |
James Hastings (26 March 1852 – 15 October 1922) was a ScottishUnited Free Church minister and biblical scholar. He is best known for producing major reference works, including a 5-volumeDictionary of the Bible and a 13-volumeEncyclopædia of Religion and Ethics, and establishing TheExpository Times.
He was born inHuntly,Aberdeenshire, the second son and fifth child of localmiller James Hastings. His initial education was undertaken at Huntly School andAberdeen Grammar School. He studied classics at theUniversity of Aberdeen, graduating with aMaster's degree in 1876. He then attended theFree Church Divinity College in Aberdeen in preparation for ordination as aFree Church minister.[1] While studying at the college, he also worked as a teacher at Chanonry House School, a private school for boys inOld Aberdeen.[2]
Following a period as assistant minister inBroughty Ferry,Dundee, Hastings was ordained in 1884, becoming minister at Kineff Free Church inKincardineshire. After 13 years, he was called to Willison Church in Dundee, but returned to Kincardineshire in 1901, having struggled with his city placement. From 1901 until his retirement in 1911, he was the minister at theUnited Free Church inSt Cyrus.[1] During his period in office, he oversaw the erection of a new church building for the congregation.[3]
In one obituary, his preaching was described as "evangelical in sentiment, thoughtful and expository in style, fluent in delivery, and fervent in application."[4]
Hastings married Ann Wilson Forsyth in 1884, the year of his ordination.[5] They had two children: Edward (21 March 1890 – 1 August 1980)[6][7] and Ann Wilson (21 April 1885 – 23 March 1975).[8][9] Edward later also became a minister of the United Free Church.
He received honoraryDoctor of Divinity degrees from the University of Aberdeen (1897) andQueen's University inNova Scotia (1920).[1]
After his retirement, Hastings returned to Aberdeen, where he became a member of Beechgrove United Free Church.[10] He died unexpectedly on 15 October 1922.[1] His funeral was held on 18 October, and he was buried at Springbank Cemetery in Aberdeen.[11]
Hastings edited many reference works, which are still in use today. In 1913, he was awarded the biennial Dyke-Acland Medal for his services to biblical research.[1]
During his time at Willison church, Hastings founded theExpository Times, which he edited until his death.[1] After his death, his children took over joint editorship of the journal until 1942, when C. Leslie Mitton became editor.[7] TheExpository Times continues to be issued monthly.
He also established and edited a weekly periodical for Sunday School teachers, entitledThe Sunday School. This ran for 104 editions between December 1892 and December 1894.[12]
The next issue of THE SUNDAY SCHOOL is the 104th number, completing the fourth volume, and it has been decided not to continue the journal beyond that issue.
