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Clough, Benjamin

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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a Wesleyan Methodist missionary, was born at Bradford, England, 1791, and united with the Wesleyan Church in 1808. In a few years he was licensed as a local preacher, and in 1813 was sent with Dr. Coke, as one of his helpers, in his mission to India. In Ceylon he was soon regarded as one of the most successful students and teachers. He compiled two dictionaries — English and Singhalese, and Singhalese and English — which were published at the expense of the colonial government, and have been of incalculable value to his successors in the mission. He was one of the translators of the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments into the Singhalese language; and he assisted in preparing for the press a translation of the New Testament into the Pali, the sacred language of the Buddhists. As a preacher to the natives he was most zealous and successful. "During the first year of his labors, he won the confidence and convinced the judgment of many distinguished men among the heathen, and assisted to form that system of evangelization which has blessed many thousands of persons in the island of Ceylon." In 1838, failing health compelled him to return to England. He died in London, April 31, 1853. — Wesleyan Minutes, 1853, p. 13.