Willis, Michael, Dd, Lld

Willis, Michael, D.D., LL.D.

a minister of the Scotch Presbyterian Free Church, was born in Scotland in 1798. He was ordained and installed pastor of Renfield Presbyterian Free Church, Glasgow, and labored with great success and usefulness for twenty-five years. In 1847 he received a call from Canada West to the presidency and professorship of theology in Knox College, Toronto. He was well known to English Presbyterians, and took a great interest in everything pertaining to the welfare of the Church. In some respects he was peculiar, was regarded as very eccentric, and was noted for his pungent remarks on the preachers to whom he chanced to listen. Though pointed, his criticisms were not bitter or intended to wound. Fifty-seven years of his life were spent in preaching and teaching. He died at Aberlour, Scotland, in September, 1879. Dr. Willis published a Funeral Sermons, on his father: — A Discourse on Popery (1829): — A Defense of Church Establishments (1833): — A Biography of Two Brothers besides several Pamphlets. See Morgan, Celebrated Canadians (Quebec, 1862, 8vo), p. 465. (W. P. S.)