Noyes, George Rapall, Dd

Noyes, George Rapall, D.D., a Unitarian minister, noted for his attainments in exegetical theology, was born at Newburyport, Mass., March 6,1798. He was educated at Harvard University, class of 1818, then studied theology at the divinity schoc;, Cambridge, and received his license to preach in 1822. From 1825 to 1827 he was a teacher in his alma mater, after which he was ordained pastor of a Church in Brookfield, Mass., and then became pastor of a Church in Petersham, Mass. "He was, as we learn from his associates of that date, a faithful pastor, systematic in the performance of his duties, and commanding respect by the purity, dignity, and force of a character already well matured." But he by no means confined himself to his strictly ministerial labors. A thorough student, he took his rank as a scholar from the time of his college graduation, and constantly pursued independent researches in the original languages of the Scriptures. Indeed, he was regarded as one of the best Hebrew and Greek scholars in the country, and was well versed in other Oriental languages. In 1840 he was recalled to his alma mater, and made Hancock professor of Hebrew and other Oriental languages, and Dexter lecturer on Biblical literature. This position he held until the time of his death, June 3, 1868. Dr. Noyes published new translations of the Book of Job (1827); The Psalms; The Prophets (3 vols. 12mo); and Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Canticles (1846); also several occasional Sermons, and numerous articles in the Christian Examiner; edited a series of theological essays from various authors, and prepared a Hebrew Reader. His translation of the New Testament (The New Testament: translated from the Greek Text of Tischendorf, by George R. Noves, D.D. [Boston: American Unitarian Association, 1869]) was complete, and passing through the press at the time of his death. Prof. Abbott, the scholarly librarian of Harvard University, greatly assisted Dr. Noyes in the preparation of this work for the press; and after the doctor's decease Prof. Abbott revised the proof-sheets, and added some brief but valuable notes. Says the Baptist Qu. July, 1869: "We can heartily recommend this translation of the N.T. by Dr. Noyes as a useful help to critical students, and as a valuable contribution to the work of revising our English Scriptures. I. n the death of Dr. Noyes, which occurred in June, 1868, Biblical learning lost one of its most diligent and successful cultivators. It was his purpose, we believe, had his life been spared, to translate the entire Old and New Testaments." See Christian Examiner, July, 1868, art. vi.