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Academy at Northampton , under the superintendence of the Rev . Mr . Horsey . Here he pursued his studies with diligence , and by his regular habits , and the intelligence and fidelity with which he performed his duties , secured the confidence of his tutors , and the respect and affection of his fellowstudents .
In 17 ^ 5 , he left the Academy , and went to Kidderminster , to superintend a school endowed by the late Mr . Pearsall , where he remained nearly two years . But his venerable father , feeling the infirmities of declining years , was anxious to receive the assistance
of his son . In compliance , therefore , with his father ' s wish , and with that of the congregation , Mr . Blake removed from Kidderminster to Crewkerne to assist his father , and preached his first sermon there on the first
Sabbath in August , 179 / . At this period he also supplied the congregation at Yeovil . But his father ' s health continuing to decline , that respectable minister resigned his connexion as pastor , and took leave of his congregation in that capacity in an affectionate
farewell discourse from 1 Cor . xv . 58 , on July 29 , 1798 . He did not , however , wholly withdraw from the service of the pulpit , till the October following , when the rapid progress of his disease confined him , first to his house , and then to his bed , and on March 29 , 1799 , terminated his mortal existence . *
" In conducting the devotional services , this truly pious and worthy minister / ' says one who knew him well , who was the companion of his academical studies , and his steady friend througli life , f " he was grave , serious and ardent . In his addresses to the
people he was perspicuous and plain , affectionate and energetic . The authoritative manner in which he sometimes delivered himself , was so happily attempered with mildness and benevolence , as gave the air of paternal
ad-* See the Character of Demetrius , in a Sermon on occasion of the Death of the Rev . W . Blake , by the Rev-. T . Thomas , Appendix , p . 5 . See also the Protestant Dissenters' Magazine , Vol . VI . p . 282 . f Francis Webb , Esq . See Appendix to the Character of Demetrius , p , 9 .
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264 Memoir of the late Rev . JVilliam Blake , of Crewkerne * '
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monition to his public discourses . By this means he fixed and received attention , while he engaged and won the affections . Both in public and in private life he discovered that the genuine principles of the holy religion he taught , influenced his mind and regulated his whole conduct . His piety
was unaffected , and accompanied by such an amiable simplicity and suavity of manners , as made it sit easy and graceful upon him . In social life he was a kind and tender husband ; an affectionate , indulgent parent ; a sincere and warm friend ; and he was candid , generous , benevolent and humane towards all . No man ever made
more charitable allowances for the prejudices , imperfections , frailties and faults of others , who took such pains to be free from them himself . Though grave and sedate he ever discovered an habitual , decorous cheerfulness , and
such equanimity , that few , if any , ever saw his temper ruffled or his mind discomposed . " On his father ' s resignation , Mr . Blake was unanimously chosen sole pastor of the congregation at Crewkerne , where he remained till his death ,
having spent a period of twenty-four years in uninterrupted harmony with his congregation , every individual of which honoured him as a minister and loved him as a friend . The disease which , on Feb 18 , 1821 , put a period to his existence , in the prime of life , in the midst of his usefulness , and
while he was enjoying and diffusing much happiness , attacked insidiously : many days it proceeded in its work of destruction before it excited his own apprehension , or the serious fears oi his family - > yet too soon , alas , it gave dreadful proof that the stroke it had inflicted was mortal 1 It was with a
bitterness of anguish which , but for the solaces of religion , would have been truly terrible , this awful truth was perceived by his near relatives , and the intelligence of his death spread consternation , and sorrow throug h the
town and neighbourhood . His remains were followed to the tomb by a long train of mourners , who wept for him as for a friend and brother . The solemn service was performed by the Rev . T . Thomas , of Wareham , and on the Sunday following the Rev . Samuel Fawcett , of YeoviL delivered a funeral
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1821, page 264, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2500/page/8/
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