The Expulsive Power of a New Affection

Dr. Chalmers states that “It is seldom that any of our tastes are made to disappear by a mere process of natural extinction,” and “the heart must have something to cling to—and never, by its own voluntary consent, will it so denude itself of all its attachments.” Therefore the superior affection for God through the free Gospel of Christ is necessary to displace worldly affections. This sermon, written by one of the foremost minds of his day, has become seminal for modern thought.

Thomas Chalmers (1780-1847) was born in Anstruther, Scotland. He taught science and mathematics and also was a preacher. He began his larger ministry in 1815, at the Tron Church in Glasgow, where he became very popular. In 1823, he became a Professor of Moral Philosophy at the University of St. Andrews. From 1828 to 1843, he was a Professor of theology at The University at Edinburgh. As a leader in the Disruption of 1843, he became Professor of Theology to the seceding body, among other activities.