First bishop of the Protestant Episcopal church in the United States, was born in 1728, and graduated at Yale College in 1751. After finishing his classical education, he went to Scotland with the view of studying medicine; but soon, having turned his attention to theology, he altered his purpose and took orders in London, 1753. Returning to America, he officiated, first at Brunswick, New Jersey, then at Jamaica, Long Island, next at West Chester, New York, and lastly at New London, Connecticut, where he remained, as rector of the parish in that city, during the remainder of his life. As much as he was esteemed by his parishioners, his influence was extended among his brethren throughout the state. Consequently, when the Episcopal church was organized in that diocese, he was elected bishop. He went immediately to England, in order to obtain consecration; but, meeting with some unexpected obstacles, he repaired to Scotland. Here he was able to accomplish the object of his mission. He was consecrated at Aberdeen, November 14, 1784. As soon as he was able to reach home, he resumed his duties as parish minister at New London, in connection with his episcopal functions for the diocese. Bishop Seabury had a vigorous and well-cultivated mind, and acquired a reputation [pg 399] corresponding with his high station. Three volumes of his sermons have been published.
The following is the inscription on Bishop Seabury's monument at New London, Connecticut:—
“Here lyeth the body of Samuel Seabury, D. D., Bishop of Connecticut and Rhode Island, who departed from this transitory scene February 25th, Anno Domini 1796, in the 68th year of his age, and the 12th of his episcopal consecration.
“Ingenious without pride, learned without pedantry, good without severity, he was duly qualified to discharge the duties of the Christian and the Bishop. In the pulpit he enforced religion; in his conduct he exemplified it. The poor he assisted with his charity; the ignorant he blessed with his instruction. The friend of men, he ever designed their good; the enemy of vice, he ever opposed it. Christian, dost thou aspire to happiness? Seabury has shown the way that leads to it.”
Richard Clarke.
A clergyman of the Episcopal church, who maintained for many years a high reputation in South Carolina. He was a native of England, and soon after his arrival in Charleston was appointed rector of St. Philip's Church in that city. Here he was greatly admired as a popular preacher, and highly respected as an exemplary, amiable, benevolent, and liberal man. He returned to England in 1759, and was soon afterwards appointed a stated preacher in one of the principal churches in London. In this station, his eloquence and piety attracted a large share of public attention. His publications, chiefly on theological subjects, were numerous, amounting to six or seven octavo volumes. He lived to a late period in the eighteenth century, universally beloved and respected.
Joseph Priestly.
An English philosopher and dissenting divine, born at Fieldheald, Yorkshire, 1733. He was educated at Daventry, under Dr. Ashworth, for the ministry among the dissenters, and at the proper age he took care of a congregation at Needham Market, Suffolk, and afterwards at Nantwich, Cheshire. He became, in 1761, professor of belles lettres in the Warrington Academy, and after seven years' residence there he removed to Leeds, and two years after accepted the office of librarian and philosophical companion to the earl of Shelburne. In this retreat, the philosopher devoted himself laboriously to metaphysical and theological studies, and published various works; and when, at last, he separated from his noble patron, he retired with an annual pension of one hundred and fifty pounds, to settle at Birmingham, as pastor to a Unitarian congregation, in 1780. While here usefully employed in advancing the cause of philosophy, and too often engaged in theological disputes, he became the victim of popular fury; and the conduct of some of his neighbors in celebrating the anniversary of the French revolution, in 1791, with more intemperance than became Englishmen and loyal subjects, excited a dreadful riot. Not only the meeting-houses were destroyed on this melancholy occasion, but, among others, Dr. Priestley's house, library, manuscripts, and philosophical apparatus, were totally consumed; and, though he recovered a compensation by suing the county, he quitted this scene of prejudice and unpopularity. After residing some time at London and Hackney, where he preached to the congregation over which his friend Price once presided, he determined to quit his native country, and seek a more peaceful retreat in America, where some of his family were already settled. He left England in 1794, and fixed his residence at Northumberland, in Pennsylvania, where he died in 1804. His writings were very numerous, and he long attracted the public notice, not only by discoveries in philosophy, but by the boldness of his theological opinions. Had he confined [pg 401] his studies merely to philosophical pursuits, his name would have descended to posterity with greater lustre; but he who attempts innovations in government and religion, for singularity, and to excite popular prejudices, must be little entitled to the applauses of the world.