Rierly, Rev. Benjamin, was one of the most distinguished, eloquent, and influential of the early preachers in California. Born in York, England, Nov. 24, 1811

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Admin  ·   · Daily Baptist Encyclopedia Post by Jim CurranBrierly, Rev. Benjamin, was one of the most distinguished, eloquent, and influential of the early preachers in California. Born in York, England, Nov. 24, 1811, he came with his parents to America in 1821, and during the great revival in Massa- chusetts in 1831, he was baptized at Cunningham. He believed that he was converted in his early childhood. As soon as he was baptized he gave great promise of usefulness by his fervent prayers and exhortations, and devoted himself to the min- istry. His four years of study. at Newton and New Hampton were years of diligence, and he graduated with high honor. He was ordained in _ 1835 at Dover, N. H.,;and during the next fourteen years was a popular pastor at Dover, Great Falls, Springfield, Middlebury, Vt.; Manchester, N. H. ; and Salem, Mass. For the benefit of his health he took a sea voyage via Cape Horn to California, arriving there in August, 1849. He was chaplain of the first Legislature held in that State, preached at San José, and was pastor at Sacramento. After a short visit to the East he returned with his fam- ily to California in 1852; was pastor of the First church, San Francisco, six years; at San José two years; and three years at Nevada City, where he died July 21, 1863. He was a man of great power in the discussion of special religious themes. His address in 1847 before the American Baptist Home Mission Society, giving his reasons for becoming a Baptist, was published by vote of the society, and had a wide circulation. From the Baptist Encyclopedia by William Cathcartphoto from findagrave

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