the Rev. W. Turner , Jun. , MA., Lives of the eminent Unitarians

[360] learning by Mr. Anthony Ireland, at that time master of the free Grammar School at Blencowe, and pursued his academical studies, preparatory to the exercise of the Christian ministry, under the direction of Dr. Dixon, at Whitehaven. In the year 1716, he accepted an invitation from the Protestant dissenting congregation at Kendal, and became their stated pastor; a station in which he remained through life. Nothing is recorded of him till the year 1733; but we cannot doubt that, as he continued the useful but uniform and noiseless tenor of his way, in the diligent discharge of the duties of his office, he advanced in reputation as in years; for at this period, in compliance with the request of many of the most eminent among the Dissenters, both ministers and laity, he began an academy for the instruction of youth in various branches of useful literature, but principally with a view to qualify them for the ministerial office. This institution he continued to conduct for the remainder of his life, with unabated assiduity, and well-deserved reputation and success, as is abundantly proved by the large proportion of his pupils who rose in the succeeding generation to stations of eminence and distinction in our churches, and who, in their turn, contributed greatly to the more extensive diffusion of liberal inquiry and rational religion. Dr. Rotheram appears to have been solicitously and affectionately concerned for the improvement and usefulness of those under his care; especially that they might be inspired with a spirit of liberty, and might clearly understand the genuine principles of Christianity. For this purpose he permitted,