Backhouse, Benjamin

Backhouse, Benjamin an English Congregational minister, was born at Wells, Somersetshire, in 1822. He received his education at the grammarschool of that city, supplemented by private tuition and a five years? course at Springhill College, Birmingham. On leaving college he declined a living in the Church of England and became a Congregational pastor at Rodborough Tabernacle, Gloucestershire. He removed to Bolton in 1848, where he remained but a short time. He was afterwards pastor of the Old Meetinghouse, Scarborough, for twelve years. .In 1862 Mr. Backhouse took his family to Heidelberg, Germany, with a view to permanent residence. While there he held divine service on Sunday afternoons in St. Peter's Church. In 1865 he took up his residence at Bedford, with a view to secure better educational advantages for his sons. The Bible Society Committee chose Mr. Backhouse in 1870 to be their agent in Australia. He arrived at Melbourne April 23, 1871, and immediately threw himself into the work, visiting in succession the colonies of Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand; lecturing, preaching, forming new committees, and holding conferences. His work was marked by a great distribution of Bibles in these colonies. He returned to his home in Melbourne in July, 1876, literally worn out, and died there Aug. 30,1877. Mr. Backhouse was characterized by intense love for his work, unflagging zeal, gentle disposition, and consistent Christian life. See (Lond.) Cong. Year-book, 1878, p. 304.