SANDEMAN, ROBERT, the founder of a minor sect called Sandemanians, a branch of the Glasites, was born at Perth in 1723. He studied for two years at the university of Edinburgh, but afterwards engaged in the linen trade, first at Perth, and subsequently at Dundee and Edinburgh. He married Catherine, daughter of Rev. John Glas, founder of the Glasites. In 1757 he published a series of letters on the Rev. James Hervey’s ‘Theron and Aspasio,’ to show that a justifying faith means nothing more than a simple assent to the divine mission of Christ, a doctrine which led to considerable controversy. IN 1758 he commenced a correspondence with Mr. Samuel Pike, an Independent minister of London, who adopted his views, and in 1760 he himself removed to London, where he attracted much notice by his preaching. In 1764 he accepted an invitation to New England, where he died, April 2, 1771. His followers received the name of Sandemanians, which they still retain. The sect, which has never been very numerous, has more congregations in America than in Great Britain. For an account of their tenets and practices, see the third volume of Wilson’s ‘History and Antiquities of the Dissenting Churches,’ or Evans’ ‘Sketch of all Denominations.’ Mr. Sandeman’s works are:

Letters on Theron and Aspasio. 1757.
Thoughts on Christianity.
The Sign of the Prophet Jonah.
The Honour of Marriage opposed to all Impurities.
On Solomon’s Song.
Correspondence with Mr. Samuel Pike.