The New International Encyclopædia/Parker, Joseph

PARKER, (1830-1902). An English Congregational clergyman. He was born at Hexham, Northumberland. He had little training in the schools, but read much. In 1852 he attended classes at University College, London. In 1853 he became pastor of the Congregational Chapel at Banbury, and remained five years, when he was called to the Cavendish Street Chapel, Manchester. He at first declined on account of a debt contracted in building a new church at Banbury; but the Manchester people assumed the debt, and the transfer was effected. In 1869 be left Manchester and went to London to preach at the Old Poultry Chapel, Cheapside. Here his success was so great that the chapel became inadequate for the congregations, and in 1874 the City Temple on Holburn Viaduct was opened. He continued pastor of the church until his death at his home in Hampstead. His eccentricities did not always secure public approbation, but he was surrounded by enthusiastic admirers who turned the edge of public criticism. He was twice chairman of the London Congregational Board, and twice of the Congregational Union of London and Wales. In 1887 he visited America, and delivered a eulogy on his friend, Henry Ward Beecher. His published works include: Ecce Deus: Essays on the Life and Doctrine of Jesus Christ (1868), a reply to Ecce Homo: The Paraclete (1874); The People's Bible (25 vols., 1885 sqq.); People's Prayer Book (1898); Paterson's Parish (1898). Works of an autobiographical nature are: Springdale Abbey, Extracts from the Letters and Diaries of an English Preacher (1869); Tyne Childe, My Life and Ministry, Partly in the Daylight of Fact, Partly in the Limelight of Fancy (1883); A Preacher's Life: An Autobiography and an Album (1899). For his life, consult Adamson (New York, 1903).