Isaac, Daniel

Isaac, Daniel a prominent Methodist minister, commonly designated as the Wesleyan "Polemic Divine," was born at Caythorpe, in the county of Lincoln, England, July 7, 1778. He was early devoted to books, and, on his conversion in his nineteenth year, he at once determined to devote his life to the work of the Christian ministry. In 1800 he joined the Conference on probation, supplying at this time a vacancy on Grimsby Circuit. He soon rose to great distinction among his brethren in the ministry, and was appointed to some of the most prominent charges at the command of his denomination. May 20,1832, while in Manchester preaching in behalf of the Sunday-school work, he was seized with paralysis, from the effects of which he never recovered. At the session of the next Conference he was present, and believed himself sufficiently recovered to re-enter upon active work, and was appointed to York Circuit, an old and favorite circuit, to which he was now sent for the third time. But he began to fail fast, and died in the midst of his work, March 21,1834. Speaking of the abilities of Daniel Isaac, the Rev. Samuel Dunn says: "He was an independent thinker, acute reasoner, formidable opponent, dexterous polemic, sound theologian, striking, instructive, extemporaneous preacher, perspicuous writer, generous benefactor, faithful friend, and amiable Christian. His intellect was original, subtle, analogical, penetrating, clear, strong. His manner was deliberate, grave, conversational, pointed, humorous, sarcastic, ironical. The sagacious Henry Moore remarked: 'Daniel Isaac, like Paul; reasoned with his hearers out of the Scriptures; and he kept in them, never went out of them, and never reasoned himself out of them.' If at any time he drew a smile from his hearers, he would maintain the utmost gravity He displayed great power in grappling with the conscience, and in bringing to light the hidden things of darkness. Of the ludicrous he had a marvelous perception, and could present an object in such a light as to excite the indignation or the loathing of those who before admired it. He painted from life. Many hearers were disgusted with their own likeness as they saw it in the clear mirror he held before them. He was never declamatory or ornate. In debate he was remarkably cool, calm, collected, keen, argumentative, and close. There was no trembling hesitancy, quibbling, or artifice. He engaged in no sham fight; never brandished the sword at a distance, but came at once to close quarters, grappled with his opponent, pierced his vitals, and took from him his armor." But the great strength of Daniel Isaac lay in his pen, and he wielded it with especial ability in matters of controversy. His works are, — Universal Restoration (N. Y. 1830, 12mo), in which he meets the objections of the Universalists to the eternity of punishment: — Sermons on the Person of our Lord Jesus Christ (Lond. 1815): — Ecclesiastical Claims (Lond. 1816), the views of which his Conference disapproved, but to which, in a reply, he steadfastly adhered.. Dr. George Smith (History of Wesleyan Methodism, 3, 7) says of this work and the action of the Conference: "In many important respects the work does great credit to the author's industry and research. It contains the most convincing proofs, from Scripture and history, of the groundless character and the extravagant claims put forth on behalf of the ministerial order by Papists and High- Churchmen, and clearly shows the contradictions, impieties, and absurdities to which the admission of these claims must inevitably lead. But in doing this, Mr. Isaac went so far as to impugn the scriptural position of the Christian ministry as held by Wesley and the Methodist people. Nor. is this the only serious defect in the work; some passages therein are grossly indelicate and irreverent, if not, indeed, profane (from this charge, however, it should be said, others seek to free Mr. Isaac); while, as stated in the resolution of the Conference, its 'general spirit and style' are decidedly improper.... The case is greatly to be regretted. Mr. Isaac's ability, energy, and sterling worth are fully admitted, and it is equally clear to our judgment, from a careful perusal of the work, that the Conference were not only justified in adopting the course they pursued, but were compelled to pursue it by the circumstances of the case." His next work was published whilst he was stationed at Leicester, and on terms the most friendly with Robert Hall, the celebrated Baptist minister. It was entitled Baptism Discussed. This volume Hall would never read; but, when urged to do it by his friends, he remarked, in good temper, "If he has exposed our views of baptism as he exposed the Episcopalians in his Ecclesiastical Claims, the Lord have mercy upon us." Isaac also wrote pamphlets against the use of instrumental music in the house of God, and on the Leeds organ discussions. He edited the Life of his father, Memoirs of the Rev. John Strawe, and published sketches of the. Lives of Robert Bolton, John Corbett, — and other old Divines. In 1826 he began, at the instigation of the Rev. Samuel Dunn, a work on the Atonement, which made its appearance a few years after.' His works were edited after his death by the venerable John Burdsall, and published at London (1828, in 3 vols. 8vo).

See Everett, Polemic Divine, or Memoirs, etc., of Rev. Dan. Isaac (Lond. 1839); Stevens, Hist. of Methodism, 3:482 sq. (J.H.W.)