Darney, William

Darney, William an English Wesleyan preacher, commenced his itinerancy (according to Hill, Alphab. Arrangem.) in 1742, and was instrumental in raising several societies in the North of England, which for some time were called "William Darney's Societies." For an account of his maltreatment by mobs see Wesl. Meth. Magazine, 1842, page 619 sq.; Stevens, Hist. of Methodism, 3:131. He finally settled in Colne, Lancashire, but preached as he was able, until his death in 1779 or 1780. He published, A Collection of Hymns (Leeds, 1751, 12mo, page 296): — The Fundamental Doctrines of Holy Scripture, etc. (Glasgow, 1755, 16mo). See Atmore, Meth. Memorial, 1801, page 100. Darney was rather Calvinistic in his creed, fearless of danger, and extensively useful. His doggerel hymns greatly annoyed the good taste of Wesley. One of them was spun out to one hundred and four stanzas. "A hard Scotchman," Everett calls him. See Wesl. Centenary Takings (Lond. 1841, 3d ed.), 1:321; Jackson, Life of Charles Wesley (N.Y.), page 451-453; Christopher, Epworth Singers, and other Poets of Methodism: (N.Y. and Lond. 1874), pages 213-215; Wesley, Works (Lond. 3d ed.), 12:305; 13:188, 191.