Daniel Williams
Daniel Williams [1]
an eminent English Presbyterian divine, was born at Wrexham, Denbighshire, in North Wales, about 1644. His early educational advantages seem to have been rather limited, but he was admitted a preacher among the Presbyterians in 1663. To avoid the penalties of the law against Dissenters, he went to Ireland, where he became chaplain to the countess of Meath. Some time after, he was called to be pastor to a congregation of Dissenters assembling in Wood Street, Dublin, where he continued for nearly twenty years. During the troublous times in the latter end' of the reign of James II, he found it necessary to' return to London in 1687, where he continued to reside.
Her he was often consulted by William III in reference to Irish affairs, and did great service in behalf of many who fled from Ireland — He became pastor of a numerous congregation at Hand Alley, Bishopsgate Street, in 1688, and in 1691 succeeded Richard Baxter as preacher of the Merchants'. Lecture at Pinner's Hall, Broad Street. On account of clashings in the lectures, he, with others of the incumbents, withdrew, and established another lecture at Salter's Hall, on the same day and hour. This led to a sharp controversy between the two parties, and a great deal of bitter feeling. He died Jan. 26, 1716.
The bulk of his estate he bequeathed to a great variety of charities. The most important of these charities was the founding of the Red Cross Street Library. He ordered a convenient building to be obtained for the reception of his own library, and the curious collection of Dr. Bates, which he purchased for that purpose. Accordingly, several years after his death, a commodious building was erected (1727) by subscription among the wealthy Dissenters in Red Cross Street, Cripplegate, where the books were deposited, and by subsequent additions the collection has become a considerable one, containing more than 20,000 volumes. It is also a depository for paintings of Nonconformist ministers, manuscripts, and other matters of curiosity or utility. It is here that the Dissenting ministers meet for the transaction of all business relating to the general body. Registers of births of the children of Dissenters are also kept here with accuracy, and have been allowed equal validity in courts of law with parish registers. Dr. Williams was the author of, The Vanity of Childhood and Youth; in Several Sermons. (1691): -Gospel Truth Stated and Vindicated (1692): — A Defense of Gospel Truth (1693): — Man Made Righteous by Christ's Obedience; Sermons (1694): — Discourses on Several Important Subjects (1738-50): — and Tractatus Selecti, ex Anglicis Latine Versi, et Testamenti sui Jussu Editi (1760).
