John Charles Ryle

John Charles Ryle (May 10, 1816 - June 10, 1900) was the first Anglican bishop of Liverpool.

Ryle was born at Macclesfield, and was educated at Eton and at Christ Church, Oxford, where he was Craven Scholar in 1836.

After holding a curacy at Exbury in Hampshire, he became rector of St Thomas's, Winchester (1843), rector of Helmingham, Suffolk (1844), vicar of Stradbroke (1861), honorary canon of Norwich (1872), and dean of Salisbury (1880). However before taking the latter office, he was advanced to the new see of Liverpool, where he remained until his resignation, which took place three months before his death at Lowestoft. His appointment to Liverpool was at the recommendation of the outgoing Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli.

Ryle was a strong supporter of the evangelical school and a critic of Ritualism. Among his longer works are "Christian Leaders of the Eighteenth Century" (1869), "Expository Thoughts on the Gospels" (7 vols, 1856-69), "Principles for Churchmen" (1884).

His second son, Herbert Edward Ryle was also a bishop.

Thoroughly evangelical in his doctrine and uncompromising in his principles, J.C. Ryle was a prolific writer, vigorous preacher, and faithful pastor. He was born at Macclesfield and educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford.

He was a fine athlete who rowed and played Cricket for Oxford, where he took a first class degree in Greats and was offered a college fellowship (teaching position) which he declined. The son of a wealthy banker, he was destined for a career in politics before answering a call to ordained ministry.

He was spiritually awakened in 1838 while hearing Ephesians 2 read in church. He was ordained by Bishop Sumner at Winchester in 1842. For 38 years he was a parish vicar, first at Helmingham and later at Stradbrooke, in Suffolk. He became a leader of the evangelical party in the Church of England and was noted for his doctrinal essays and polemical writings.

In 1880, at age 64, he became the first bishop of Liverpool, at the recommendation of Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli. He retired in 1900 at age 83 and died later the same year. He is buried in the All Saints' Church, Childwall, Liverpool.

In his diocese, he exercised a vigorous and straightforward preaching ministry, and was a faithful pastor to his clergy, exercising particular care over ordination retreats. He formed a clergy pension fund for his diocese and built over forty churches. Despite criticism, he put raising clergy salaries ahead of building a cathedral for his new diocese.

Ryle combined his commanding presence and vigorous advocacy of his principles with graciousness and warmth in his personal relations. Vast numbers of working men and women attended his special preaching meetings, and many became Christians.

Published works

* [http://www.gracegems.org/Ryle/Matthew.htm "Expository Thoughts on Matthew" (1856)]
* [http://www.gracegems.org/Ryle/Mark.htm "Expository Thoughts on Mark" (1857)]
* [http://www.gracegems.org/Ryle/Luke.htm "Expository Thoughts on Luke" (1858)]
* [http://www.gracegems.org/Ryle/John.htm "Expository Thoughts on John" (1869)]
*"Christian Leaders of the Last Century" (1873)
*"Practical Religion: Being Plain Papers on the Daily Duties, Experience, Dangers, and Privileges of Professing Christians" (1878)
*"Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties and Roots" (1879)
*"Light From Old Times: or Protestant Facts And Men" (1890)

References

*1911

External links

* [http://www.geocities.com/johncharlesryle/ "The Evangelical Bishop": The J. C. Ryle Book Shelf:] .
* [http://www.churchsociety.org/publications/tracts/CAT004_RyleRitualism.pdf "The Teaching of the Ritualists not the Teaching of the Church of England"] (PDF), Church Association Tract 4
* [http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=1686 "Faithfulness and Holiness: The Witness of J.C. Ryle: An Appreciation"]
* [http://www.biblebb.com/ryle.htm The J. C. Ryle Collection]
* [http://www.biblebb.com/files/ryle/what_think_ye_of_christ.htm "What Think Ye of Christ?"] , a famous Christmas sermon relating bibleref|Matthew|22:42 to the question of who is a Christian.
* Peter Toon and Michael Smout, [http://www.anglicanbooksrevitalized.us/Peter_Toons_Books_Online/History/rylebiog.htm "John Charles Ryle, Evangelical Bishop"] , Reiner Publications, 1976
* [http://www.churchsociety.org/issues_new/history/ryle/iss_history_ryle_guthrie-chap1.asp "Biography of J. C. Ryle"] by M. Guthrie Clark
* [http://www.reformedsermonarchives.com/ryletitle.htm Sermons by J.C. Ryle]
* [http://www.tracts.ukgo.com/john_charles_ryle.htm Tracts by J.C. Ryle]