Bible Encyclopedias
Waln, Nicholas

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

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a member of the Society of Friends, was born Oct. 19, 1742, at Fair Hill, near Philadelphia, Pa. He acquired a good elementary education at a Friends' school in Philadelphia, and on leaving the institution commenced the study of law; and before attaining to his majority was admitted to practice in the courts. In. order to extend his knowledge of the law, he went to England in the fall of 1763, and was a student for some time in the Temple. Having secured the object which carried him abroad, he returned to Philadelphia and resumed the practice of his profession. For seven years he devoted himself with untiring industry and success to his work as a lawyer, at the end of which time, having had a remarkable religious experience, he felt it to be his duty to abandon his profession and devote himself to religious work, as a member of the Society of Friends. He was a frequent visitor to quarterly and yearly meetings of Friends in different parts of the country; and his gifts made him an acceptable preacher wherever and whenever he felt moved to address the assembled people. Some of these public discourses were remarkable for their rower and their unction, and produced a profound impression on those who listened to them. He visited most of the Friends meetings in England in the years 1783 to 1785, and ten years after made a similar tour through Ireland. Everywhere he was welcomed, and made a good impression. His death occurred Sept. 29, 1813. See Biographical Sketches of Friends (Phila. 1871), p. 381. (J. C.S.)