Checkley, John

Checkley, John, a missionary of the Church of, England, was born at. Boston, Mass., in, 1680. After studying at. the grammar school ins his native city, he completed his education at Oxford; travelled throughout Europe, collecting valuable paintings, manuscripts, etc., and was again in Boston in 1715. A pamphlet was published by him in 1723, entitled A Modest Proof of the Order and Government Settled by Christ and his Apostles in the Church- devoted to the interests of the Church of England. This called forth an elaborate answer from Dr. Wigglesworth, of Harvard College, and was the beginning of the first great controversy on the subject of episcopacy in this country. During the same year he published a book bearing on the same subject, but opposing deists and dissenters alike. This gave great offence, both in America and in Great Britain. In 1727 he went to England for ordination; but, in consequence of the opposition from certain Congregational ministers of Marblehead, Mass., the bishop of London refused to ordain him, and he returned to America disappointed. In 1739 he went again to England, succeeded in obtaining ordination, and was sent as a missionary to Providence, R. I. Besides preaching there he officiated. - at intervals, in Warwick and Atfleborough, this pastorate extending over fourteen years. He died at Providence, Feb. 15, 1753. Dr. Elliot declares that he was an excellent linguist, well acquainted with Hebrew, Latin, and Greek, as well as many of the languages of the North American Indians. Witty stories and ludicrous tricks are ascribed to him, and he frequently offended others by the strong expression. of his own opinions. - See Sprague, Annals of the Amer. Pulpit, v, 109.