New book on Famous Clergy
A new book by Revd Canon Dr. S.E. Long on seven famous clergy has just been published. ‘Famous Clergy’ profiles the lives of Jeremy Talyor, George Walker, Jonathan Swift, Thomas Percy, Richard Mant, William Alexander and William Shaw Kerr. These giants of the faith had a considerable influence on the Church, particularly in Ireland, providing much needed leadership and leaving an enduring legacy.
The book will be formally launched by the Rt. Revd. Dr. Gordon McMullan, former Bishop of Down and Dromore, on 24th May 2013 in Knockbreda Parish Hall at 7.30pm.
At 99 years old, Dr. Long is a prolific author and academic. He has lived through the Wall Street Crash, the Great Depression, two World Wars, the Cold War and the modern Irish Troubles. After a successful ministry in the Church of Ireland, the retired cleric continues his ministry by writing articles, pamphlets and books, which are of interest to people and which seek to educate, encourage and inspire.
The former Rector of Dromara (Diocese of Dromore) explains why he wrote his new book, “Each of clergy profiled in the book accepted the duties, responsibilities and opportunities of leadership and selflessly spent himself in the pursuit of causes in which he believed and by his example encouraged and persuaded his people to follow his lead.”
Dr Long goes on, “They were intelligent men able to discern that what is true is true and that what is false is false and people recognised that they were both perceptive and courageous. ‘Great men are they who see that spiritual is stronger than any material force, that thought rules the world.’ (Emerson) These seven understood that and applied this philosophy and for that reason have earned recognition, appreciation and gratitude.”
Dr Long is also the Senior Grand Chaplain of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland. He is published in various Orange newspapers throughout the world, including USA, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
The title is available at the Good Book Shop beside St. Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast, and online at Amazon.com and
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, priced at £9.99.