ALLEN
164
ALLENITES
Allen, Richard, first bishop of the African Meth- odist Episcopal Church, was born in 17G0. After 17 years' service in the Methodist ministry, to which he had been ordained by Bishop Asbury, he was elected bishop of the newly-formed "African Methodist Epis- copal Church" (q. v.) in 1816. He died in Phila- delphia, March 26, 1831. — Gorrie, Churches and Sects, p. 54.
Allen, Solomon, a useful minister of the Gos- pel, brother of Moses Allen (q. v.), was born at North- ampton, Februarj' 23, 1751. He, with four of his brothers, entered the army in the Revolutionary war, and rose to the rank of major. At 40 he was convert- ed, and was made deacon of the church at Northamp- ton. Soon after he felt it his duty to preach the Gos- pel, but the neighboring clergy discouraged him, on account of his great age and his want of theological learning. But he was not to be hindered ; he devoted himself to the study of the Bible, and went for his theology to the works of Hoar and Baxter. At fifty years of age he entered upon a career of voluntary la- bor as a preacher, which lasted, chiefly in the new set- tlements in Western New York, for 20 years. " He rejoiced in fatigues and privations in the service of his beloved Master. Sometimes, in his journeys, he re- posed himself with nothing but a blanket to protect him from the inclemencj' of the weather. But though poor, he was the means of enriching many with the inestimable riches of religion. Four churches were established by him, and he numbered about two hun- dred souls as by his preaching reclaimed from perdi- tion. Though poor himself, there were those con- nected with him who were rich, and by whose liber- ality he was enabled to accomplish his benevolent purposes. From such sources he expended about a thousand dollars in books and clothing for the people in the wilderness." In 1820 he returned to Massachu- setts. " At Pittsli Id, where some of his relations lived, and where his brother had been the minister, Mr. Allen went through the streets, and entering each house, read a chapter in the Bible, exhorting all the members of the family to serve God, and praying fervently for their salvation. In like manner he visited other towns. He felt that the time was short, and he was constrained to do all the good in his power. With his white locks, and the strong, impressive tones of his voice, and having a known character for sanctity, all were awed at the presence of the man of God. He went about with the holy zeal and authority of an apostle. In prayer Mr. Allen displayed a sublimity and pathos which good judges have considered as un- equaled by any ministers whom they have known. It was the energy of true faith and strong feeling. In November he arrived at New York, and there, after a few weeks, he expired in the arms of his children, Jan. 28, 1821."— Allen, Biog. Dict'.onary, s. v.
Allen, Thomas, a non-conformist minister, was born at Norwich, England, 1608, and educated at Cam- bridge. He was afterward minister of St. Edmond's, in Norwich, but was silenced by Bishop Wren, about 1636, for refusing to read the* Book of Sports. In 1638 be fled to New England, and was installed in < Ibarlestown, where he preached the Gospel till about 1651, when lie returned to Norwich, and continued the exercise of his ministry till 1662, when he was ejected for non-conformity. He died September 21, 1673. He published a Chain of Scripture Chronology, from the Creation till th, Death of Christ (Lond. 1659, 4to), and a number of practical writings. — Darling, Cyclop. BibUographica, i, 51 ; Allen, /lie;/. Diet, s. v.
Allen, Thomas, a Church of England divine, was born .it t (xford in 1682, and was educated at Wadham College. He became rector of Kettering in 1714, and continued to serve that parish until his death, May .il, 1755. lie published .1» Apology for the Church of England (Lond. 1725, 8vo) ; The Christian s sure Guide
to eternal Glory, Expositions of Rev. ii, iii (Lond. 1733, 8vo); The Practice of a Holy Life (Lond. 1716, 8vo). —Darling, Cyclop. BibUographica, i, 51; Nichols, Il- lustrations, iii, 789.
Allen, Thomas, brother of Moses, and first min- ister of Pittsfield, Mass., was born January 7, 1743, at Northampton. He was educated at Harvard Col- lege, and passed A.B. in 1762. After studying theol- ogy under the direction of Mr. Hooker of Northamp- ton, Mr. Allen was ordained April 18, 1764. During a ministry of forty-six years he was unwearied in his sacred calling. Besides his stated labors on the Sab- bath, he frequently delivered lectures, and in the course of his life preached six or seven hundred fu- neral sermons. During the war of the Revolution he went out twice as a volunteer chaplain. He died February 11, 1810.— Sprague, Annals, i, 608; Allen, Biog. Dictionary, s. v.
Allen, "William (Cardinal). See Allan.
Allen, William, a tradesman of London, whose works were highly esteemed by Bishop Kidder and others, was originally an Independent, but from con- viction joined the Church of England in 1658. He died in 1686, at an advanced age. His Works were published at London, folio, in 1707, with a preface con- cerning the author and his writings, by the bishop of Chichester. Bishop Kidder preached his funeral ser- mon.—Darling, Cyclop. BibUographica, i, 51.