BRAY, Dr Thomas, a learned and pious divine, was born at Marton, in Shropshire, in 1656, and educated at Oxford. He at length obtained the vicarage of Over-Whitacre, and the rectory of Sheldon. Here he composed his Catechetical Lectures, which procured him such reputation, that Dr Compton, bishop of London, was induced to select him as his commissary to settle the affairs of the infant church of Maryland. He now engaged in several important undertakings. He caused sums to be raised for purchasing small libraries for the use of missionaries in the colonies; and to promote this design, he published his Bibliotheca Parochialis, and a discourse on Apostolical Charity. Dr Bray was anxious to get a fund established for the propagation of the gospel, especially among the Indians; and to his exertions The Society for the Propagation of the Gospel owes its existence. By his industry he also procured relief for prisoners, and formed the plan of the society for the reformation of manners, and some other charitable institutions. He was the author of Martyrology, or Papal Usurpation, folio; Directorium Missionarium; and other works. This excellent man died in 1730, aged seventy-three.