Nisbet, Charles, D.D., a noted Presbyterian di- vine and educator, was born at Haddington, Scotland, Jan. 21, 173G. His father's worldly circumstances were so straitened that he was barely able to pay the ex- pense of fitting Charles for college ; but the youth sur- mounted all diflSculties, and finally entered the Univer- sity of Edinburgh in 1752, supporting himself as a pri- vate tutor in a gentleman's family. After leaving the university he passed to the divinity hall, where he re- mained six years, depending for a living upon his con- tributions to some of the periodicals of the day. He was licensed to preach the Gospel by the presbytery of Edinburgh on Sept. 24, 1760, and was made pastor of a Church in the Gorbals of Glasgow: but after remain- ing there two years he received a call from IMontrose, which he thought proper to accept. He was ordained on May 17, 1764, by the Presbytery of Brechin, within whose bounds the Church of which he became pastor was situated. He was settled as a co-pastor with the Rev. John Cooper; but the senior pastor was so old and infirm that nearly all the labor devolved upon the junior colleague. Nesbet engaged with great zeal and alacrity in his work, and very soon intrenched himself in the confidence and good-will of his large and intelligent congregation. As a divine he sided with the orthodox body of Scotch Presbyterians — by no means a popular class ; yet he enjoyed the universal respect of his as- sociates, and counted many friends even among the Moderates (q. v.). In April, 1784, Dr. Nisbet was chosen president of the newly founded Dickinson College, at Carlisle, Pa., and reached Philadelphia with his family on June 9, 1785. Almost immediately after he had en-
tered on the duties of his office, both himself and sev- eral of his family were attacked by a fever, which threat- ened for some time a fatal termination. The doctor finally resolved to return to his native country, and the trustees consented with great regret and reluctance to accept his resignation of the office. As the season was unfavorable for crossing the ocean, he determined to delay his voyage till spring ; and before that time he had so far recovered his health and spirits that he was not unwilling to return to the presidential chair. Ac- cordingly, on May 10, 1786, he was unanimously chosen again to the office, and he resumed his labors with great alacrit}'. He immediately commenced four different courses of lectures: one on logic; another on the phi- losophy of the mind; a third on moral philosophy; and a fourth on belles-lettres, including a view of the prin- cipal Latin and Greek classics. In addition to this, he delivered a course of lectures on systematic theology, for the special benefit of those students who had in view the Christian ministry, and he shared equally with Dr. Davidson the labor of supplying the pulpit of the Pres- byterian Church in Carlisle. Dr. Nisbet di^l Jan. 18, 1804. He was remarkable for integrity, simplicity, frankness, and disinterestedness. His mind was of a very superior order; his facility in acquiring almost unparalleled; his memory suffered nothing to escape from it; his wit was alike effective and inexhaustible. His sermons were rich in evangelical truth, logically and perspicuously presented ; but his manner was not specially attractive. He had great individuality, and his character, in all its peculiarities, is not likely to be reproduced. Dr. Nisbet's posthumous works were pub- lished about 1806, and his Memoirs, by Dr. Samuel Miller, appeared in 1840. See Duyckinck, Ency clop, of A mer. Lit. ii, 59; A'^. Y. Observer, Sept. 27, 1866. (J. H. W.)
Nisibis is the name of the place in Mesopotamia in which the most noted of the Nestorian schools has been located. It arose out of the ruins of the school of Edessa, where Nestorianisra found its first-fruits. We have already referred to both these schools in the arti- cle Nesxorianism (q. v.). Those seeking further infor- mation will do well to consult Assemani, Bill. Vat. tom. iii, pt. ii, p. 428, 927 ; ch. xv is devoted to similar in- stitutions.
Nismes, Couscil of {Concilium Keinausense'), (1) was held in July, 1096, by pope Urban II, who presided, assisted by four cardinals and several bishops. Six- teen canons were published, being for the most part the same with those of the Council of Clermont, which the pope confirmed in all subsequent councils. Of these canon 2 is directed against those who assert that it is not lawfid for monks to exercise sacerdotal functions. Canon 12 forbids the marriage of little girls (puellulie) under twelve years of age. Mansi declares that the matter of the clergy of St. Saturninus at Toulouse, who claimed the fourth part of the oblations made in that church, which canonically belonged to the bishop, and was opposed by the bishop Isarne, was discussed in this council ; no decision was pronounced in the synod, but subsequently Urban II compelled Isarne to give way. Moreover, in this council king Philip, after having promised to quit Bertradc, was absolved.
(2) Another council was held at the same place about the year 1284. By this body a long constitution was drawn up, relating to baptism, penance, the eucharist, the celebration of the mass, reverence due to churches, alienation of Church property, the conduct of the cler- gy, wills, burials, tithes, marriages, excommunications and interdicts, perjury, the Jews, and other matters. This is spoken of by ecclesiastics as only a diocesan synod. See Labbe, Concil. x, 604; Landon, Man. of Councils, s. V.