Raffles, Thomas

Raffles, Thomas D.D., LL.D., an English Independent divine of great celebrity as a pulpit orator and theologian, was born in London, May 17, 1788, of good parentage, and was connected nith Sir Thomas S. Raffles. He pursued his theological studies at Hoinertol College, and in 1809 was settled as a Congregationlal minister at Hammersmith. In 1812 he accepted a call from the Great George Street Chapel in Liverpool, and remained sole pastor until 1858, when he was furnished a colleague as an assistant. In 1860 he resigsned his charge, and withdrew from the responsibilities of' the stated ministry altogether, his health having become inadequate to any considerable labor, yet he preached frequently after that at the opening of chapels and on other similar public occasions. He died Aug. 18, 1863. Probably no minister in the Congregational body in England has been more widely or more feavorably known during the last half century than Dr. Raffles. Besides being one of the most popular preachers in Great Britain, and being called abroad on occasions of public interest oftener, perhaps, than any other one, he has done good service to the cause both of literature and religion by his pen. In 1817 he published a highly interesting volume of Letters during a Tour through Some Parts of France, Savoy, Switzerland. Germany, and the Netherlands. Shortly after the commencement of his ministry he preached a sermon before the London Missionary Society, which attracted great attention and was very widely circulated; and several other of his discourses have been given to the public and received with great favor. He was accustomed to celebrate the return of the new year by amn appropriate piece of poetry, which was printed and sent forth among his friends as a most welcome remembrancer. He has, in addition to these pieces, written many beautiful hymns, some of which have found their way into some of the collections of sacred song. He is also the author of a Memoir of the life and ministry of his predecessor, the Rev. Thomas Spencer, a work which passed through many editions, and in America it has been several times reprinted. His Lectures on Christian Faith and Practice, though widely circulated, deserve to be better known than thev are, being a clear and conclusive exposition and vindication of the Gospel and the rule and motives of morality. He published several separate sermons preached on various public occasions, and contributed frequently to periodicals. See The Patriot (Liverpool), Aug. 20, 1863; N. Y. Observer, Sept. 19, 1863; Princeton Rev. April, 1870, art. 3.