The Church and Scottish Social Development: 1780-1870

At one time, the Scottish Church held a prominent role in the affairs of its countrymen. Up until the Reformation, it was responsible for education in Scotland. The its role and power declined, but there were always individual churchmen who expressed themselves on the social problems of the day. The author discusses the social policy of Thomas Chalmers, James Begg's proposals for housing the working classes, and the role of the church in aiding the poor.