Thomas Harmer facts for kids
Thomas Harmer (born in 1715 – died on 27 November 1788) was an English Dissenting minister and a writer. He is best known for his book, Observations on various Passages of Scripture.
Contents
About Thomas Harmer's Life
Thomas Harmer studied to become a minister at the Fund Academy in Tenter Alley, Moorfields. His teachers there included Thomas Ridgley and John Eames.
Harmer became the pastor, or leader, of an independent church in Wattisfield. This town is located near Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk, England. He was very good at studying old things and history, known as antiquities. He also studied writings and culture from Eastern countries, which is called Oriental literature.
How Harmer Used Travel Stories
Thomas Harmer used the notes and writings of Sir John Chardin. Sir John Chardin was famous for his travels to Persia and other Eastern countries. He wrote down many details about the customs and ways of life of the people he met.
Harmer used this information to help explain parts of the Bible. He connected the old customs described by Chardin to stories from the prophets and the Gospels. This helped people understand the Bible better by seeing how ancient life was similar to what was described.
His Main Book: Observations on Scripture
The results of Harmer's studies were published in his book, 'Observations on various Passages of Scripture'. This book first came out in 1774. It was so popular that it was printed four times during his lifetime.
His Later Years
Thomas Harmer passed away on Thursday, 27 November 1788. A special sermon was given at his funeral by John Mead Ray from Sudbury. After Harmer, Habakkuk Crabb became the new minister at the church in Wattisfield.
