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Ely Ezra Stiles, D.D.

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Ely, David, D.D.

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a Presbyterian (O.S.) minister, was born in Lebanon, Conn., June 13, 1786. At twelve years of age he made a profession of religion. He graduated at Yale College in 1803. His theological studies were pursued under his father, the Reverend Z. Ely. In 1806 he was ordained, and installed as pastor of the church in Colchester, Connecticut, which he left some time after to become chaplain to the New York City Hospital. In 1811 the Old Pine Street Church, Philadelphia, became vacant. Its pulpit had been filled by the most eloquent ministers of the day, and it was necessary to choose a man of commanding intellect and power. The choice fell most wisely upon Dr. Ely. He entered upon his field of labor with earnestness and zeal. He was the principal founder of the Jefferson Medical College. He was stated clerk and moderator of the General Assembly in 1825 and 1828, and was constantly engaged in works of charity and schemes of benevolence. In 1834 he conceived the plan of establishing a college and theological seminary in Missouri. He entered into this with great zeal, and for a while with success, but the crisis of 1837 made it a failure. In this enterprise he lost his large fortune; and returned to Philadelphia a poor man — his intellect and oratorical powers unimpaired — but failed to receive that degree of attention he commanded when in affluence. In 1844 he became pastor of the church in Northern Liberties, Philadelphia, where he labored until prostrated by paralysis in 1851. He lingered ten years, his intellect being so impaired as to preclude activity of any kind. He died June 18, 1861. He published Memoirs of the Rev. Z. Ely (his father):Collateral Bible, or Key to the Holy Scriptures (in connection with Bedell and M'Corkle): — Ely's Journal: — Sermons on Faith: — Visits of Mercy. He was also editor of The Philadelphian. — Wilson, Presb. Historical Almanac, 1862.