Binney, Thomas Dd, Lld

Binney, Thomas D.D., LL.D.

an eminent English Congregational minister, was born at Newcastle-on- Tyne, April 30, 1798. In early life he was engaged in secular employment, but found time for reading and composition, and, by the help of a Presbyterian clergyman, acquired a good knowledge of Latin and Greek. He was brought to Christ when he was young, and he early sought admission to the Christian ministry. His student-life was spent at Wymondley, Herts, and his first settlement was at Bedford, where he continued but twelve months. Mr. Binney was ordained in 1824 to the pastoral office at Newport, Isle of Wight. Here he preached five years, and here began his career as an author, by publishing a memoir of Rev. Stephen Morell, an intimate and beloved friend. In 1829 Mr. Binney accepted a call to the pastorate at the Weigh House, London, and then entered upon a course of usefulness and popularity, which for forty years he sustained with almost undiminished vigor. During the last two years of his life he occupied, with acceptance, the chair of homiletics at New College. He died of heart disease, at Clapton, Feb. 24, 1874. Dr. Binney was endowed both by nature and grace with many noble qualities. His presence was commanding-a lofty stature, a speaking countenance, and an intellectual brow. His mind matched his body; it was of great force, of iron grasp, keen and logical. He published, Closet and the Church: Four Discourses on the Christian Ministry: — Illustrations of the Practical Power of Faith: — Sermons Preached at Weigh House Chapel: — Service of Song in the House of the Lord: — Ultimate Design of the Ministry; besides hymns, tracts, and various articles. Many of his Sermons were edited by Allen (Lond. 1875). See Memorial by Stoughton (Lond. 1874); (Lond.) Cong. Year-book, 1875, p. 313;. Alibone, Dict. of Brit. and Amer. Authors, s.v.; Lights of the Mod. Pulpit (Lond. 1852), p. 49 sq.