William Bray

“Billy”) (1794-1868. Methodist preacher. Born near Truro, Cornwall, son of a mining convert from Wesley's visit, he entered a mine after his father's early death, was dismissed, and lived a dissipated life as a publican. He was converted after reading Bunyan* and thereafter spent his life preaching, often ill-clad, hungry, and sleeping outdoors. His wonderful joy in Christ, powers of repartee, and wit made him famous throughout Cornwall. “I am the son of a King,” he would say; prayer he called “cutting the devil's ould claws.” He saw to it that “his wheels were kept nicely oiled and ready for work.”