Milne, Colin, a Scottish divine, noted for his at- tainments in natural science, was born at Aberdeen, Scotland, about 1744. He was educated at Marischal
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College under the supervision of liis uncle, Dr. Camp- bell, who was both principal and divinity professor at the college. After completing his studies there, Wilne entered the University of Edinburgh. He joined the Church of England, and by the aid of the duUe of Northumberland obtained the rectory of North Chapel, in Sussex. His pulpit eloquence soon made him widely known, and he received the appointment of preacher to the London Hospital, and also the lectureship of Uept- ford, a position which he held for many years. He died in 1815. His sermon preached at the anniversary meeting of the Royal Humane Society was published in 177',) ( .Svo). A volume of his sermons was published in 17.S0 (8vo). His other publications were in a line for- eign to our work.
Milner, Isaac (1), D.D., an Anglican divine of note, eminent for his piety as well as for his great at- tainments in divinity and the sciences, was born of humble parentage near Leeds, Yorkshire, in 1751. As a boy of six he entered the grammar school of his na- tive place, but the straitened circumstances of his family obliged the removal of Isaac, and he was transferred from the schoolroom to the factory. Though appren- ticed to a weaver, he continued to devote his leisure hours to study, and gradually acquired sound learning. His brother, the noted Joseph Milner (q. v.), who had enjoyed many educational advantages, was in 17G7 ap- pointed lioail-master of the grammar school at Hull. I5y him Isaac was relieved of his obligation at the fac- tory, and aftbrdod opportunity to continue his studies ill the pii.>iti<iii of assistant to .Josaph. In 1770 Isaac was admit ti'il a siinlciit at Queen's College, Cambridge, and tliere rcciived bis degree in 177'1, and was appoint- ed tutor. He received among his pupils Mr. Pitt and jNIr. Willterforce, with whom he travelled abroad, and became the honored instrument in the conversion of the latter. Sec WiLBERFORCE. In 1775 Isaac Milner was elected fellow of Queen's College. In 1783, returning to the uni- versity, be Avas chosen professor of natural philosophy, and master of his college in 1788, when he proceeded doc- tor ill divinity. In 1791 he was appointed to the deanery of Carlisle. He was elected vice-chancellor of the uni- versity in 1792, and six years afterwards became Luca- sian professor of mathematics. He died at the house of Wilberforce, at Kensington Gore, April 1, 1820. Dean Slilner wrote, besides several papers in the Pktlosojjfii- cal Transactions, and the continuation of his brother's Church f/is/ori/, the following works: Animadversions oil Dr. II((irii.-<'s liiipartitil History of the Church of Christ (l.soil, S\-,i) : — Strirtiin-s on some of the Publica- tions ofthr l:,r. Il,ili,rt Miirs/i. iiitinihdiis a Replt/ to some of his Oh}, ■linns a;/ui:,.<t /hr liihl, Sn,:i,ty (1813, 8 vo ): — /;.«,///.< „i, II II man Lib, rlij ? S, niioiis (2 vols. 8vo); besides works of a mathematical kind. "Dean Milner was possessed of very extensive and accurate learning, which he always had at his command. He had great talents for conversation, and a dignified sim- plicity of manner. His religious and political prin- ciples agreed pretty closely with his brother's." See Meth. Qu. Rev. 1840 (July), p. 407 ; Jones, Christ. Biog. s. V. ; English Cyclop, s. v. ; Allibone, Diet, of Brit, and A mer. A iithors, s. v. ; Mary Milne, Life of Isaac Milner (1842).
Milner, Isaac (2\ a minister of the IMethodist Episcopal Church, South, was born in Yorkshire, Eng- land, April 2, 1818. His parents were of the old English Wesleyan stock, and young Milner was educated With great piety and care. In "his seventeenth year he was converted, and, believing himself called of God to preach the Gospel, he hesitatingly prepared to enter the minis- try. While human reasoning held him back, divine love impelled him forward. He began his elementary stud- ies alone and after the midnight hour, and in this way gained his education. Being of a studious habit, he soon acquired a storehouse of knowledge, and was num- bered among the promising youths of the ministry'.
Seized with a desire to visit America, he came to New Orleans in 1848. Many and severe trials awaited him in his new home. He was taken sick of t y|ilioid fever, and for three months he lay hovering lictwccii life and death. After his recovery he was for a time a member of the Memphis Conference. He afterwards joined the Tennessee Conference, and remained a member of it till his death, which occurred near Columbia, Tenn., June 16, 1872. Isaac Milner was one of the most popular IMethodist preachers. He knew no failure ; if he ever did, his audience knew nothing about it. In every de- partment he proved himself to be a man of great ability and usefulness. His mind Avas naturally vigorous and receptive; his memory tenacious; his well-balanced mind, like a rich, productive field, yielded a wealth of thought, independent of the production of other men. His fancy was vigorous, his figures original and bold — always pleasing, often overwhelming. Milner served his Church in various ways, but in every department he proved himself not only a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, but a workman of great ability, usefulness, and popularity. See Minutes of the A nnuul Conferences of the M. E. Church, South, 1872, p. 715 sq.