Cecil, Richard

Cecil, Richard, an eminent Evangelical divine of the Church of England, was born in London, November 8, 1748. His early life was bad — he was even a professed infidel; but about 1772 he was converted, and in 1773 entered Queen's College, Oxford. In 1777 he was ordained priest, and settled at Lewes; but his health failed there, and in 1780 he became minister of St. John's, Bedford Row, London. In 1800 he obtained the livings of Chobham and Bisham, Surrey. In 1808 he was attacked by a paralytic seizure, and was compelled to visit Clifton. The journey did not much, however, improve his health, and he retired in May, 1809, to Tunbridge Wells. He died August 15,1810. 'The exertions of Mr. Cecil as a preacher were immense. His talents were eminent; his eloquence was impassioned, yet solemn, and sometimes argumentative. As a Christian, he was habitually spiritually minded; modest and unassuming, he never intruded his capacities on the attention of mankind. He was contented with doing good. and getting good; and his works, though few, are valuable for their sterling sense and genuine piety" (Jones). They are collected in his Works, edited by Pratt (London, 1811, 4 vols. 8vo), of which vol. 1 contains a Life of Cecil, by Pratt, with Cecil's Lives of Bacon and Newton; vol. 2 contains sermons and miscellaneous tracts; vol. 3, thirty-three sermons; vol. 4, Cecil's Remains, which are among the most valuable writings on pastoral life and work, as well as on various points of practical religion, in modern times. There is also an American edition (N. Y. 1845, 3 vols. 8vo). — Pratt, Memoir of Cecil; Jones, Christian Biography, s.v.