In 182G he was installed as one of the ministers of the Collegiate Reformed Dutch Church in New York. About 1843 Dr. Brownlee was prostrated by an apo- plectic stroke, which paralyzed one side of his body. From this he slowly and gradually recovered, resum- ing a certain degree of mental and bodily health, but was never after able to engage in active duty. He died in New York, Feb. 10, 18G0. Dr. Brownlee was a very earnest opponent of Romanism, and was en- gaged in the controversy witli Bishop Hughes and others for years. Among his publications are .1 Treatise on Popery (N. Y. 18mo):— The Roman Catholic Controversy (Pliila. 8vo) : — Lights and Shadows of < 'hris- tian lift (X. York, 12mo) : — Inquiry into tin Principles of the Quakers (12mo) : — Christian Youths' Book (18mo): — Brownlee on Baptism (24mo) : — Christian Father at Home (12mo): — On the Deity of Christ C-'lmo), etc., and several pamphlets and premium tracts, besides editing the Dutch Church Magazine through four con- secutive volumes. " Stored with knowledge, familiar with almost even' department of learning, he possess- ed a ready facility in bringing his enlarged resources to bear on matters of practical utility with great effect; and, pioneer in the Catholic controversy, he was main- ly instrumental in rousing the attention of the com- munity to a system then regarded by him, and now regarded by very many, as fraught with danger to our cherished liberties. In this cause his zeal was ardent, his courage indomitable, his efforts unmeasured, and his ability and eloquence admitted by all. His ser- mons and lectures were from year to year listened to by eager crowds. Dr. Brownlee usually preached without being trammelled 1 y the use of notes, either extemporaneously, or having written and committed his discourses to memory. The general character of his i reaching was argumentative, but enlivened and illustrated by flashes of fancy, brilliant and beautiful. His views of Christian doctrine were thoroughly of the Calvinistic school." — Dr. Knox, in the Christian Tntelligencer, Feb. 1G, 1860; Memorial of the Rev. Dr. Brownlee (N. Y. 1860).
Brownrig, Ralph (Lat. Brunricus), bishop of Exeter, was born at Ipswich in 1592, and educated at Cambridge, where he became master of Catharine Hall. In l(i"21 he became prebendary of Ely, and in 1631 archdeacon of Coventry. In 1641 he was nomi- nated to the see of Exeter, and elected March 31, 1642. In 1645 he was ejected from his mastership on account of a loyal sermon which he preached before the university ; and haying been also deprived by the Parliament of the free exercise of his episcopal powers, and of the revenues of his sec, he was obliged to retire to the house of Mr. Rich, in Berkshire, where he lived in private until the year before his death, when he was permitted to preach at the Temple. He died Dec. 7, 1659. He was an excellent scholar and preacher; his sermons were edited by his successor, Bishop Gau- den, with a life of Brownrig (Fond. 1665, 2 vols, fol.), reprinted with 25 Other sermons (1674, 3 vols. fol.). — Hook, Eccl. Biog. iii, 184; Landon, Eccl. Diet, ii, 420.
Bruce, Philip, a native of North Carolina, of Huguenot descent, a soldier of the Revolution, entered the Methodist ministry in 1781, and travelled exten- sively, filling the most, important stations until he be- came superannuated in 1817. He closed his useful life in Tennessee. May, 1826, the oldest travelling preacher in his connection in the United States with one exception. While in the ministry he was very efficient as a preacher, presiding elder, and in many
important positions in the Church. The Virginia < 'in- ference, of which he was one of the fathers, delighted to honor him while he lived, and delegated one of its members to build his tomb when he died. — Minutes of ( 'onf r< na s, i, 541; Sprague, . I mals, vii, 73.
Bruce, Robert, an eminent Scotch preacher, was born 1559, and educated at St. Andrews. In 1587 he
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became one of the ministers of Edinburgh, where his eloquence, boldness, and piety gave him great popu- larity and influence. He died 1631. A collection of his sermons was printed in 1790, and has recently been reprinted for the Wodrow Society (Edinb. 1843, 8vo).
Brucker, Johx James, a German divine, was born at Augsburg, Jan. 22, 1696, and educated at Jena. After serving as pastor at Kaufbeuren, he died minis- ter at St. Ulric's, in his native city, in 1770. He is considered the father of the science called "the His- tory of Philosophy," as, before his Historia Critica Philosophic (2d ed. Lip's. 1767, 6 vols. 4to), no work of the sort existed. Dr. Enfield published an English abridgment of it. It is an elaborate and methodical work, and, though surpassed by later writers in method, it is still pre-eminent for learning. As a collection of materials it has great value. Among his other publi- cations are, Ehrentempel der Deutschen Gelehrsamkeit (1747, 4to) ; Miscellanea Philosophica (1748, 8vo) ; Der He'd. Schrift nebst ein. Erkldrung aus d. England. Schriftsteller (1758, fob). — Hoefer, Biog. Generate, vii, 567 ; Tennemann, Hist. Phil. Introd. ch. i.
Bruegglers, a sect of enthusiasts founded in the village of Brueggle, canton of Bern, Switzerland, in 1746, by two brothers, Christian and Jerome Koler. These impostors, while yet mere boys, succeeded in gaining many adherents among the country people. They prophesied the coming of the last day for Christ- mas, 1748, and then claimed to have obtained its post- ponement by their prayers. The disorders they occa- sioned by their teachings led to their being banished, and Jerome having been caught, underwent capital punishment at Bern in 1753. His followers awaited his resurrection on the third day, and the sect disap- peared soon after, to be reproduced in the Buchanites (q. v.) and Millerites (q. v.) of later times.