, rector of Kirkbride, and chaplnin of Douglas in the Isle of Mann, a
, rector of Kirkbride, and chaplnin
of Douglas in the Isle of Mann, a gentleman well known
in the literary world, by his correspondence with men of
genius in several parts of it, and by them eminently distinguished as the divine and scholar, was born in 1705.
In the earlier part of a life industriously employed in promoting the present and future happiness of mankind, he
served as chaplain to the right reverend Dr. Wilson, the
venerable bishop of Mann, whose friend and companion
he was for many years: at his funeral he was appointed to
preach his sermon, which is affixed to the discourses of that
prelate, in the edition of his works printed at Bath, 1781,
in two volumes, quarto, and that in folio. At the request
of the society for promoting Christian knowledge, he undertook the revision of the translation into Manks of the
Holy Scriptures, the book of Common Prayer, bishop
Wilson on the Sacrament, and other religious pieces,
printed for the use of the diocese of Mann; and, during
the execution of the first of these works, he was honoured
with the advice of the tw*o greatest Hebrseans of the age,
bishop Lowth and Dr. Kennicott. In the more private walks
of life, he was not less beloved and admired; in his duty
as a clergyman, he was active and exemplary, and pursued
a conduct (as far as human nature is capable) “void of offence towards God and towards man.
” His conversation,
prompted by an uncommon quickness of parts, and refined
by study, was at once lively, instructive, and entertaining; and his friendly correspondence (which was very extensive) breathes perhaps as much original humour as can,
be met with in any writer who has appeared in public,
Sterne not excepted, to whom he did not yield even in that
vivid philanthropy, which the fictitious Sterne could so
often assume. All the clergy in the island at the time of
his death, had been (except four) educated by him, and
by them he was always distinguished with peculiar respect
and affection. His conduct operated in the same degree
amongst all ranks of people, and it is hard to say, whether
he won more by his doctrine or example; in both, religion
appeared most amiable, and addressed herself to the judgments of men, clothed in that cheerfulness which is the
result of firm conviction and a pure intention. It is unnecessary to add, that though his death, which happened
at Douglas, Jan. 22, 1783, in his 78th year, was gentle,
yet a retrospect of so useful and amiable a life made it
deeply regretted. His remains were interred with great
solemnity in Kirk Braddon church, attended by all the
clergy of the island, and a great number of the most respectable inhabitants. In 1785, a monument was erected
to his memory, at the expence of the rev. Dr. Thomas
Wilson, son of the bishop, and prebendary of Westminster, &c.