Halley, Robert, Dd

Halley, Robert, D.D.

an English Congregational minister, was born at Blackheath, near Londons, August 13, 1796. He joined the Church at an early age, entered Homerton College in 1816, and five years later began his ministry at St. Neot's, Huntingdonshire: On the opening of Highbury College, in 1826, Mr. Halley was chosen resident and classical tutor, which post he occupied for thirteen years. In 1834 he published a reply to Reverend James Yates's letter, which letter defended Mr. Well-beloved's Improved Version of the Scriptures, entitling his reply, The Improved Version truly Designated a Creed. This pamphlet soon attracted special attention by its vigor, keenless of criticism, depth of scholarship, and its able handling of the Greek text. It soon found its way across the Atlantic. In 1839 he accepted a call to the pastorate of Mozley Street Chapel, Manchester, and in 1857 received an appointment to the principalship of New College, from which he retired in 1872. He spent some months at Spring Hill College, supplying a vacantn chair. He was an indefatigable preacher, travelling over the whole country. He died at Betworth Park, near Arundel, August 18, 1876. Dr. Halley wrote a History of Puritanism and Nonconformity in Lancashire: — Lectures on the Sacraments in The Lord's Supper. See (Lond.) Cong. Year-book, 1877, page 367; Allibone, Dict.. of Brit. and Amer. Authors, s.v.