Palmer, William

Palmer, William an English theologian of our times, was educated at Oxford University, and became fellow of Worcester College, Oxford. After taking holy orders, he was made prebendary of Sarum, then rural dean, and finally vicar of Whitchurch, at Dorset. He is especially noted as a student of liturgy (q.v.). His masterly work on this branch of ecclesiastical research is entitled Origines Liturgicoe, or Antiquities of the English Ritual, and a Dissertation on Primitive Liturgies (3d ed. Oxf. 1839, 2 vols. 8vo). A fourth edition (1845) contains a notice of those rites of the English Church which are not comprised in the Book of Common Prayer, also of the origin and history of the canonical hours of prayer. The additions were published separately. Palmer also published, The Apostolical Jurisdiction and 'Succession of the Episcopacy in the British Churches Vindicated against the Objections of Dr. Wiseman in the Dublin Review (Lond. 1840): — A Treatise on the Church of Christ; designed chiefly for the Use of Students in Theology (3d ed. rev. and enl. ibid. 1842, 8vo): — A Conmpendious Ecclesiastical History fiom the Earliest Period to the Present Time (new ed. enl. ibid. 1841, sm. 8vo): Letters to N. Wiseman, D.D., osn the Errors of Romanism, in respect to the Worship of Saints, Satisfactions, Purgatory, Indulgences, and the Worship of Images and Relics; to which is added an Examination of Mr. Sibthorp's Reasons for his Secession from the Church (Oxf. 1842; 3d ed. Lond. 1851, 8vo. In this edition "some discussions of minor importance have been omitted," and an introductory letter has been added on the titular hierarchy): — A Narrative of Events connected with the Publication of the Tracts of the Times, with Reflections on existing Tendencies: to Romanism, and on the Present Duties and Prospects of Members of the Church (2d ed. Oxf. 1843) (comp. a review [Recent Developments of Puseyism, by H. Rogers] in Edinb. Rev. 80, 309): — The Doctrine of Development and Conscience considered in Relation to the Evidences of Christianity and of the Catholic System (Lond. 1846, 8vo) (see review [On the Study ofthe Christians Evidences] in Edinb. Rev. 86, 3,97): -Sermon on 1 John 5:4, The Victory of Faith [Church Societies]; with an Appendix (ibid. 1850, 8vo): — A Statement of Circumstances connected with the Proposal of Resolutions at Special General Meeting of the Bristol Church Union, Oct. 1, 1850 (ibid. 1850). See Darling, Cyclop. Bibliog. vol. 2, s.v.; Allibone, Dict. of Brit. and Amer. Authors, vol. 2, s.v.