Welles, Noah, D.D., a Congregational minister, was born at Colchester, Conn., Jan. 23, 1718. He grad- uated at Yale College in 1741; engaged in teaching school at Hartford for some time; and became tutor of Yale College in 1745. He was licensed to preach soon after, and ordained pastor of the Church at Stamford, Conn., Dec. 31, 1740, where he remained in the quiet and faithful discharge of his duties until his death, Dec. 31, 1770. He was chosen fellow of Yale College in 1774, and also delivered the concio ad clei-um in the chapel of that institution, Sept. 13, 1770, before one hun- dred and twenty ministers. He took an active part in the dispute concerning the validity of non-episcopal or- dination in 1703, publishing three pamphlets on the sub- ject. He also published other single Sermons and Ad- dresses. See Sprague, A nnals of the A me?: Pulpit, i, 461.
WELLS
906
WESEL
Wells, Edward, D.D., a learned English divine, was born about Ititij. lie was admitted to Westmin- ster School in 1080, and in IGiSG to Clirist Cbnrch L'ol- Icii-e, Oxford, where he proceeded as A.M. in IG'Jo, and as U.U. in 1704; became a tutor in his college; took orders in tlie Cluircli of England; and became rector of Bletchlev in Buckingliamshire, and of Cottesbach, in Leicestershire, in 1717, where he died, in August, 1727. lie was the author of, A Treat L^e of Ancient <ind Pres- ent Geography {XKn) : — Historical Geoyraphy of the Xew Ti'.ttamvnt {170S) :—//i!!toriral Geography of the Old Testament (1711-12) -.—A Help to the More Easy and Clear Understandintj of the Holy Scri])tures (1709- 28, 8 vols. 4to), being a revised translation of the Bible, with a paraphrase and annotations: — The Book of Dan- iel Explained, etc. (171G) :— and other works, especially on mathematics. See Chalmers, /jw^. />^c^ s. v.; Alli- bone, Diet, of Hrit. and A met: A uihors, s. v.
Welsh, David, D.D., an eminent Scotch clergy- man, was born at Hraefoot, Dimifriesshire, in 1793. He was educated at the University of Edinburgh ; was pastor of the parish of Crossmichael, Presbytery of Kirkcud- bright, for several years, beginning in 1821 ; became minister of St. David's in Glasgow, in 1826; was ap- pointed professor of Church history in the University of Edinburgh in 1831; travelled on the Continent in 1834, studying the German language and literature; was ap- pointed inspector of Bibles in Scotland; was moderator of the (Jeneral Assembly in 1842; left the Established Church in 1843; became professor of Church history in tlie Eree Church College, and was first editor of The North British Review. He died April 24, 1845. He was the author of. An Account of the Life and Writings of Thomas Brown, M.D., etc. (1825) : — Sermons on Prac- tical Subjects (1834) : — Elements of Church History (1844, vol. 1) : — and Sermons, with a Memoir by A. Dunlop, Ad- vocate (1846).
Wesel, JoHANN VON, whose name really was Jo- hannPuchrath, of Ober-wcHel, was one of the most prom- inent foreruimers of the Reformation in Germany. He was born early in the 15th century. The first authen- tic record we have of his life brings him into view as a master in philosophy at Erfurt, about 1445. Soon afterwards he was professor and doctor of theology. In philosophy he was a nominalist, and sufficiently able to project his influence over many years, so that Luther is yet constrained to acknowledge his power (see De Conciliis, in 0pp. ed. Walch, xvi, 2743). The age in whit'h he lived was too greatlv under the rule of tradi- tional authority to be strongly impressed by his Bib- lical tendency in theology, as may be seen in the fact that a scholarly essay from his pen aimed against in- dulgences excited so little attention that he was chosen, subsecpient to its a|)i)earance, to be vice-rector of the university, and preacher at IMayence, about 14G0 : it does not seem certain that he accepted the latter posi- tion. A statement is extant to the effect that Wesel was driven from Mayence in 1461 or 1462 by pesti- lence, and afterwards became preacher at Worms, giv- ing the next seventeen years to the preaching of the Gospel. His utterances were exceedingly frank and bold, and were supported by the labors of his pen initil the rulers of the Cluirch came to regard him as a mis- chievous personage, upon whom they might justly bring vexatious tribulations, and whom, eventually, they must silence. An article directed against the hierarchy as the central aliuse in the administration of the Church finally intluced the archbishop of Mayence, Diet her of Isenburg, to take definite measures for compelling the bold agitator to end his work. It is not known why the archbishop, whose jurisdiction did not extend over Wesel, took action rather than the bishop of AA'orms, Keinhard of Sickingen, who was Wesel's immediate su- perior; but Argentn', who reported the trial of Wesel, asserts that the persecution of Wesel had for its inspi- ration the hatred which the Thomists who stood op-