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" * * Obituary . — ± Rev . Jatne&Lyons . 629
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Rev . James Lyons . ( See p . 571 . ) Hb was born in Irelaud of Prebyterian parents . His father was superintendant of a timber-yard at Seaford , in the North
of that country . While yet a boy he became a , convert to the Wesleiaa Methodists , and at the early age of 16 commenced preacher to such of his neighbours as ' would come to hear him in his
father ' s orchard . This was in the absence of the father , who Was displeased with his son ' s zeal . From the age of 19 to 25 he was a circuit preacher amongst the Wesleian Methodists , in which connexion he came over to England when he was about 21 . He was appointed first to Wales and then to Devonshire . His secession
from the Methodists was occasioned by an alteration of his views regarding baptism , which led him to connect himself with the Baptists at Plymouth Dock , ( now Devonport , ) to whom he preached ,
assistant we believe to Mr , Birt , for some time . From this place he removed to London , as a supply to the Baptist congregation at Walworth , which had been raised by Mr . Swaine * He was next called in 1796 or 1797 to be assistant
to the Rev . John Beatson , pastor of the Baptist church in George Street , Hull , author of two treatises on the Divine Character and the Satisfaction of Christ . Here he was settled first as co-pastor aud next as-successor to Mr * Beatson ,
the younger of whose daughters he married in 1798 . [ This lady died at Chester , November 11 , 1809 . An account of her by her husband Is inserted , V . 90 . ] At the latter end of the year 1807 , Mr . Lyons * *? mind underwent another considerable change : he embraced
Unitarianism , aud cohsequeiitry took leave of his congregation , after fen years of mutual happiuess . [ See Mr . Wright ' s account of this chatige , IIIj 166 . ] On this occasion , Mv 4 byoiis preached arid published a Farewell Sermon , on *< The Right and Duty of a Faithful and Fearless Exami-
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tions in the air ; from the unnaturalness of which position they necessarily fall in ruins , misery , and contempt . When England shall restore the simplicity of her original polity , she will have a basis sufficient for stability , felicity and glory ;
and then , instead of insanely making her state to resemble an inverted pyramid , she , by merely colonizing on ner own natural , sound , constitutional principles , may spread to a wide extent confederate
nations , sincere friends to her welfare , firm supports of her greatness ; and , in place of jealous rivals or secret and insidious enemies of her repose , she would raise up around her willing ministers of her aggrandizement . "
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nation of the Scriptures , " ... JJyp . 1808 , which was reviewed , lit Jj | j | gL Immediately upon his declaration of Uuitarianism , Mr . Lyons became connected
with the Unitarian Fund , and under the patronage of the Society visited Scotland as a Missionary , the first Unitarian Missionary to that part of the kingdom . His visit was so far successful as to lead
the way for Mr . Wright , and iufact to introduce Unitarian worship into some of the principal towns . The effect of it is fully appreciated by a competent judge , IV , 512 . He preached the anniversary sermon before the Society * Ju&e 8 , 1808 , [ III . 349 , &c ., ] whitfiwas £ aolished in 8 vo , and 12 ino . under the title
of •« The Dissemination of Unitarian Principles Recommended and . Kiiforced ; a sermon which may be characterized ias full of heart . In 1810 , as soon as the anniversary of the Fund was passed , Mr . Lyons went a second time as Missionary into Scotland , V . 309 ; an important
visit , of which a very pleasing account may be seen , VI . 60—63 * The next year , he went as a Missionary into Wales , where he laboured for 50 days : ao abstract of his labours is printed in the
same volume , VI . 683—692 . Soon after giving , up the pastoral charge at Hull , Mr . Lyons was invited to several Unitarian congregations ; he chose that of Chester , over which he settled as minister in Nov . 1808 . He continued his
ministry here till Dec . 1813 , when he resigned , and was henceforth without any permanent ministerial engagement . He resided to the last in Chester and the neighbourhood , but in the earlier part of the period of his disengagement from the pastoral connexion , had supplied the
congregations of Parliament Court , London ; Newport , Isle of Wight ; Reading , &c . His early and best habit of preaching was extempore : he was fluent and animated and his manner was free and manly . His elocution was . agreeable . He had a mind of considerable powers , and with
early cultivation would have been distinguished in any profession . He Vvas a cheerful companion , and his conversation abounded in humour and pleasantry . His affections were warm ; his disposition generous . From feeling and principle he was a lover of his species , and a declared enemy of all intolerance and
oppression . With the excellencies of this cast of character ., even friendship cannot claim for Jinn an entire exemption from its defects . ; but this may be said with perfect truth , that they who knew him best were his most steady friends , and now cherish his memory with the most teader regard .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Oct. 2, 1824, page 629, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2529/page/53/
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