William Metcalfe (March 11, 1788 – October 16, 1862) was an English-American minister in the Bible Christian Church, homeopathic physician, and activist for

vegetarianism Vegetarianism is the practice of abstaining from the consumption of meat (red meat, poultry, seafood, insects, and the flesh of any other animal). It may also include abstaining from eating all by-products of animal slaughter. Vegetarianism may ...

, pacifism, temperance and

abolitionism Abolitionism, or the abolitionist movement, is the movement to end slavery. In Western Europe and the Americas, abolitionism was a historic movement that sought to end the Atlantic slave trade and liberate the enslaved people. The Britis ...

. He was a prominent figure in the American vegetarian movement. Born in 1788, he was converted by William Cowherd in 1809, becoming a Bible Christian Church minister in 1811. He embarked on a journey to the United States in 1817, establishing the Philadelphia Bible Christian Church. Metcalfe and his wife faced challenges due to the beliefs they promoted. Despite the church's financial struggles, Metcalfe actively engaged in preaching, education, and publications addressing societal issues. He played a pivotal role in founding the

American Vegetarian Society Sylvester Graham (July 5, 1794 – September 11, 1851) was an American Presbyterian minister and dietary reformer known for his emphasis on vegetarianism, the temperance movement, and eating whole-grain bread. His preaching inspired the graham ...

in 1850 and succeeded William Alcott as its president in 1859. Metcalfe's influence extended through his friendship with leading advocates like Alcott and

Sylvester Graham Sylvester Graham (July 5, 1794 – September 11, 1851) was an American Presbyterian minister and dietary reformer known for his emphasis on vegetarianism, the temperance movement, and eating whole-grain bread. His preaching inspired the graha ...

. Metcalfe died in 1872, at the age of 74.

Biography

Early life

William Metcalfe was born in Orton, Westmoreland, on March 11, 1788, to Jonathan and Elizabeth Metcalfe. At the age of 19, he became a clerk in Keighly, Yorkshire. There, he encountered a congregation of

Swedenborgian The New Church (or Swedenborgianism) is any of several historically related Christian denominations that developed as a new religious group, influenced by the writings of scientist and mystic Emanuel Swedenborg (1688–1772). Swedenborgian or ...

s led by Rev. Joseph Wright, to whom Metcalfe became attached. Wright persuaded Metcalfe to study theology, leading him to an academy in Salford, presided over by William Cowherd, the founder of the Bible Christian Church. Cowherd ordained Metcalfe as a minister in 1811. In 1810, Metcalfe married Susanna, a fellow vegetarian and abstainer, who was the daughter of Rev. Joseph Wright; their son, Joseph, was born in the same year.

Philadelphia Bible Christian Church

In 1817, Metcalfe, and the Reverend James Clark, along with around 40 members of the Bible Christian Church, embarked on a journey to the United States under the guidance of Cowherd. There they formed the Philadelphia Bible Christian Church; it was not only the United States' first vegetarian church but also the inaugural assembly of a substantial community embracing vegetarianism. Among the group, a portion maintained their vegetarian lifestyle, becoming a foundational force in the emergence of the American vegetarian movement. After establishing themselves in the United States, Metcalfe and his wife, endeavored to impart lessons on pacifism, temperance,

, and vegetarianism to their neighbors—core principles of their faith. Although their church did not achieve widespread popularity, its smaller size was compensated by a dedicated and loyal following. The community Metcalfe led were vegetarians who not only refrained from consuming meat but also held the conviction that Jesus himself was vegetarian. Despite his amiable and well-regarded nature, Metcalfe faced challenges in expanding his congregation due to his promotion of this belief. Occasionally, he encountered resistance and criticism for his stance on vegetarianism, with newspapers questioning his preaching and character, even labeling him as an "Infidel." Metcalfe consistently faced the challenge of maintaining the church's financial stability. Beyond his preaching duties, he devoted his time to instructing in the church's modest school and authored and published two newspapers addressing topics like slavery, temperance, and presumably, vegetarianism. He also treated patients with

homeopathy Homeopathy or homoeopathy is a pseudoscientific system of alternative medicine. It was conceived in 1796 by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann. Its practitioners, called homeopaths, believe that a substance that causes symptoms of a dis ...

Vegetarianism activism

Metcalfe was the first outspoken advocate of vegetarianism to gain recognition throughout the

Northeastern United States The Northeastern United States, also referred to as the Northeast, the East Coast, or the American Northeast, is a geographic region of the United States. It is located on the Atlantic coast of North America, with Canada to its north, the Southe ...

. He later befriended the prominent vegetarianism advocate William Alcott. He also invited guest speakers to Philadelphia, with

being one of the notable figures. In 1850 Metcalfe, Graham, Alcott and

Russell Trall Russell Thacher Trall (August 5, 1812 – September 23, 1877) was an American physician and proponent of hydrotherapy, natural hygiene and vegetarianism. Trall authored the first American vegan cookbook in 1874. Biography Trall was born in Ver ...

, established the

(AVS) in New York City, drawing inspiration from the Vegetarian Society, a British organization formed in 1847, who he served as Foreign Corresponding Secretary.

Death

In 1854, Metcalfe's wife died. In 1859, following the death of AVS president William Alcott, he was elected as his successor. Metcalfe himself died on October 16, 1862, at the age of 74, from a pulmonary hemorrhage.In 1872, his son published his father's discourses under the title, ''Out of the Clouds into the Light''.

Publications

* '' Bible Testimony, on Abstinence from the Flesh of Animals as Food: Being an Address Delivered in the Bible-Christian Church'' (1840) * ''Memoir of the Rev. William Metcalfe, M.D. Late Minister of the Bible-Christian Church, Philadelphia'' (1866) * '' Out of the Clouds: Into the Light'' (1872)

Biography

Early life

Philadelphia Bible Christian Church

Vegetarianism activism

Death

Publications

Notes

References

Further reading