Charles Henry Mackintosh facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Charles Henry Mackintosh
Born	October 1820 Glenmalure Barracks, County Wicklow, Ireland
Died	2 November 1896 Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England
Nationality	English
Parent(s)	Capt. D. Mackintosh

Charles Henry Mackintosh (born October 1820 – died 2 November 1896) was an important Christian preacher and writer from the 1800s. He wrote many Bible commentaries and edited magazines. He was also a member of a Christian group called the Plymouth Brethren. People often knew him by his initials, C.H.M.

Early Life and Spiritual Journey

Charles Henry Mackintosh was born in Ireland in October 1820. His father, Captain Duncan Mackintosh, was an army officer. When Charles was 18, he had a special spiritual experience. This happened after reading letters from his sister and a book by John Nelson Darby called Operations of the Spirit.

In 1838, Charles started working in a business in Limerick, Ireland. The next year, he moved to Dublin. There, he joined the Plymouth Brethren, a group of Christians who focused on simple Bible teachings.

Charles later shared that he wasn't one of the first people to join the Brethren. He said he left his old church around 1839. He then joined a meeting in Dublin where John Gifford Bellett was teaching. Charles was young and didn't plan to speak publicly. He felt a strong sense of duty before he ever started preaching.

In 1843, Charles wrote his first short religious paper, called Peace with God. When he was 24, he opened a private school in Westport, County Mayo. He had a special way of teaching old languages like Latin and Greek. This was during the terrible Great Famine (1845–1850). During school holidays, Charles traveled around County Mayo. He preached the gospel (Christian message) to the poor people suffering from the famine.

Running a boarding school in such a difficult time was very hard. So, in 1853, Charles decided to close his school. He told John Nelson Darby he couldn't continue with it. He tried farming for a while. But soon, he felt that God was calling him to a bigger job. He decided to spend all his time preaching, writing, and speaking to people.

Author and Evangelist Work

After this, Charles started a magazine called Things New and Old. He edited this magazine from 1858 to 1890. He also edited Good News for the Little Ones, which later changed its name.

Charles was very interested in the big Irish Christian revival of 1859 and 1860. He actively took part in this movement, which saw many people become Christians.

Charles Mackintosh is most famous for his books called Notes on the Pentateuch. The Pentateuch refers to the first five books of the Bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. His first book was about Genesis, and his last two were about Deuteronomy. These books are still printed today. They have been translated into many different languages.

A historian named Roy Coad said that Charles Henry Mackintosh was a popular writer. He preached a lot during the revival movement. His initials, 'C.H.M.', became well-known in many Christian homes. Mackintosh was not a critical scholar, but he was very good at explaining the Bible simply. His books on the Pentateuch were very popular. They helped people understand the first five books of the Bible.

Some important Christian leaders thought highly of Mackintosh's writings. Arno C. Gaebelein said that Mackintosh's writings gave him the spiritual food he needed. He even said he valued these writers almost as much as the apostles.

Charles Spurgeon, another famous preacher, had mixed feelings. He said that Mackintosh's Notes on Leviticus had some ideas he didn't agree with. But he also said they were often helpful and should be read carefully. However, Spurgeon praised his Notes on Genesis, calling them 'precious and edifying'.

Dwight L. Moody, a very famous American evangelist, loved Mackintosh's books. He wrote that he was so pleased and helped by how Mackintosh explained the Bible. Moody said he would rather give up his whole library, except for his Bible, than give up Mackintosh's writings. He felt they were a "key to the Scriptures." Moody said that Mackintosh had the greatest influence on him.

Later Years and Legacy

Charles Andrew Coates wrote about Mackintosh's last days. He said it was very moving to hear the old and weak Mackintosh pray. He prayed for all Christians and for small groups gathered everywhere. The work of God was always on his heart. Even when he was too weak to preach, he kept writing.

Charles Henry Mackintosh died on 2 November 1896. He was almost 76 years old. He had been getting weaker for a while. He couldn't preach anymore, and eventually, he couldn't even write. But his books continued to be published. The sixth edition of his Notes on the Book of Genesis came out that same year.

Four days later, on 6 November 1896, he was buried in Cheltenham Cemetery. He was buried next to his wife in a special area for Plymouth Brethren. Other important Brethren leaders were buried there too. At his funeral, Dr. Walter Wolston preached from Genesis 25:8–10 and Hebrews 11:8–10. The people sang a hymn by J.N. Darby.

An American writer said that they wouldn't praise Mackintosh too much. Instead, they wanted to recognize God's grace shown through His servant. An Australian magazine also wrote about his passing. They said he had been in poor health for a year but kept writing his monthly articles. Even when he couldn't leave his house, he always said, "Just as I ought to be." He believed God's way was always best.

The Bible verses on the gravestone of Mackintosh and his wife Emma are "Feed the flock of God" (1 Peter 5:2) and "He being dead yet speaketh" (Hebrews 11:4). Below Emma's name is another verse by J.N. Darby.

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  Photograph of Gravestone