Monconys, Bai.tiiasar, Dr., a French traveller, noted for his Oriental studies, was born at Lyons near
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the opening of the ITthrentury. After receiving a lib- tral education at the University of Salamanca, he vis- ited tlie East, for tlie purpose of tracing the remains of the pliilosophy of Trismegistus and Zoroaster; but re- turned without accomplishing the object of his mission, and died in IGGo. His travels were published by his learned friend, Jean IJerthet, of the Society of Jesus (Paris, IGGo-G, 3 vols. 4to; reprinted in Holland, 1G9G, 5 vols. 12mo). See Hoefer, Nouv. Biorj. Generale, xxxv,
MoncrieflF, Sir IIknuy, Bart., D.D., a Scottish di- vine, son of the Kev. Sir WiDiam Moncrieff, was born in Blackford, I'ertlishire, Feb. G, 1750. After receiving an elementary education in his native place, he reiiaired to the University of (ilasgow for the purpose of litting himself for the pulpit. In the midst of his collegiate course he had the misfortune to lose his father. The patrons of the charge thus left vacant, moved by a strong affection for Sir William, and a confidence in the more than ordinary tsilent displayed by his son, reserved the pastorate for "Sir Harry,'" as he was familiarly called. He repaired to Edinburgh, and there entered upon a theological course, which he completed in Au- gust, 1771 ; was then ordained a minister of the Church of Scotland, and installed as successor to his father. His talents were too remarkable to allow of his remain- ing long in this huml)le position, and the attention he attracted soon caused him to be called to Edinburgh, where, in 1775, he became the officiating minister of St. Cuthbert's, the largest parochial charge in the Scottish capital. Though the numerical strength of his parish prevented him from coming into frequent personal con- tact with all, still he seems to have been dearly beloved as a pastor and frientl. He had a commanding appear- ance, was gifted with a powerfully argumentative ora- tory, and was zealous as well as learned. In the pulpit his style Avas characterized by force more than by ele- gance. Avoiding flights of fancy and displaj's of rhe- torical talent, he used his cultured intellectual strength to make truth strike the heart rather than please the brain. In his time the moderate party held the major- ity in the Scottish Church, but his hatred of intoler- ance and love of freedom led him to take a stand with the liberal and evangelical party, while his natural in- dependence of character made his position one of bold- ness and prominence. Tlie deliberations of the General Assemljly, wliitii met yearly at Edinburgh, were of a niixctl poliiii^al and religious nature. In tliese meet- ings Sir Harry took an active part, and his talents as a debater soon ranked him among the ablest of Scotland's platform orators. In 1785 he was unanimously chosen as moderator of the Assembly, an honor which was con- ferred on him several times thereafter. In these relig- ious discussions he showed great abhorrence of every- thing savoring of bigotry' or intolerance, and was ever ready to listen to and engage iu any argument which aimed at the discover}' of truth. Yet his religious be- liefs were tenaciously adhered to and boldly advocated. Politically also he was active, and, to use his own ex- pression, as "a Whig of 1G88." He earnestly opposed all civil disabilities for religious creeds, and heartily supj)orted "the constitution as founded upon the rock of lawful resistance by the patriots of the first James and Charles's time, and as linally jmrilied by those of the Ivevolution." Indeed, it has been truly said that '•in him Scotland found a warm-hearted lover of man- kind, a strung advocate of political ami religious free- dom, and a zealous party leader." He continued to la- bor iu this wide Held of usefulness as pastor of St. Cuth- bert's and leader of the lil)eral party until the time of his death, June 14, 1827. In the latter part of his life he adopted the additional surname of Wki.i.wdod: but he ' is better known as " Sir Harry," he being in his day the I only man of noble rank who ministered in the Cluirch ' of Scotland. He published several treatises concerning i the ecclesiastical discussions of his time, also />/,svo(/r.s'c,s- ; on the Evidences of the Jewish and Christian lievelalioits I
(1815), and an Account of the Life and Writings of Dr. John Ershine (1818). His Sermons, with a memoir by his son, have also been published in three volumes (1829-yi). "Those who read these sermons," says a critic in the Edinb. Rev. (vi, 112), "will never be dis- turbed with the author's admiration of himself or his misconception of the subject; nor will their impatience be excited by anything puerile, declamatory, verbose, or inaccurate. They will find everywhere indications of a vigorous and independent understanding ; and, though they may not always be gratified with flights of fancy or graces of composition, they can scarcely fail to be attracted by the unaffected expression of goodness and sincerity which runs through the whole publica- tion." See Edinb. Rev. xlvii, 242 ; Enci/clop. Britannica, s. V. ; Chambers, Biog. Diet, of Eminent Scotsmen, iv, 45G; Bhtclctrood's Magazine, xxii, 530; Allibone, Did. of Brit, and A mer. A uthors, s. v. (H. W. T.)