Besley, Henry

Besley, Henry an English Congregational minister, was born at Barnstaple in 1784. He was converted very early in life; at the age of fourteen began his ministerial preparation in the theological seminary at Axminister, and received his first appointment at Sydling,. Dorsetshire, in 1804. After about three years' labor at this place, an equal number on the island of Guernsey, and a short time at Ilminster, Somersetshire, he took the oversight of the Church at Ilfracombe. Here for thirty-three years he labored faithfully and successfully. Resigning his charge in 1844, he passed the remainder of his days in less conspicuous Christian work. He died May 24, 1860. Mr. Besley's preaching combined doctrinal, experimental, and practical views of divine truth. Htis happy tact in spiritual conversation, large correspondence on topics of the highest importance, and his zealous efforts to promote the benefit of religious institutions, made him extensively useful. See (Lond.) Cong. Year-book, 1861, p. 201.