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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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MDCCCXXf . To the Rev . Edmund Butcher , this piece of Plate is respectfully presented by the Congregation of Unitarian Dissenters at Sidmouth ,
in testimony of their gratitude for his invaluable pastoral services during twenty years , of their admiration of his public and private character , and
of their affectionate solicitude for his welfare . The following letters passed upon this occasion . < c To the Rev . Edmund Butcher ; Bristol . " Sidmouth , May 17 ' , 1821 .
" Rev . and dear Sir , < c The little congregation in this place , , so long and . so highly honoured by your pastoral superintendance , have desired me to request your acceptance of the accompanying pieces of plate . I am painfully conscious of my own inability adequately to express their deep and grateful sense of your unceasing endeavours , both
by precept and example , to promote their highest interests ; but I may assure you , that their fervent prayers for your welfare and happiness will constantly attend you in your retirement , and that they earnestly and affectionately hope that you may yet be spared many years to enjoy those blessings which are the reward of
a life spent in the diligent and undeviating exercise of every Christian duty . With feelings of the greatest respect and regard , " I am , iC My dear Sir , <( Your faithful and obliged servant , " JOHN CARSLAKE . "
Mr . Butcher ' reply : " To John Car slake , Esq . " My dear Sir , " 1 have received by the hand of our good friend the two pieces of plate , and the very handsome and affectionate letter by which you and the rest of rny Sidmouth friends have so kindly testified
their sense of my public services , and their affectionate wishes for my private happiness . It is a proof of regard which I shall always contemplate with pride and pleasure . The inscription , which , I understand , was very properly submitted to your approbation , pleases me much ; It is characterized by simplicity and aftcc < tion ( I . will thank you , my dear Sir , to convey to my dear Jtlock , i ** y grateful
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acknowledgements for this valuable , as well as pleasing , memorial of their regard to him who , though no longer their minister , will ever remain their sincere and affectionate friend ; and will earnestl y pray the c God and Father' of our Lord Jesus Christ , that , as individuals and as a Christian society , they may adorn their
holy profession ; be an increasing comfort to their present worthy pastor ; and as in the course of nature they are removed from earth , be well fitted for an entrance into heaven . There , through the mercy of God , in Christ Jesus , may we all meet , and spend a happy eternity together . " Believe me , dear Sir , i 6 Your and the Congregation ' s very sincere friend , " EDMUND BUTCHER . « Bristol , May 23 , 1821 . "
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346 Letter from the Back Settlements of America .
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Bristol , Sir , ^ April 11 , 1821 . IF the following letter , which I have lately received from the United States , seems to you sufficiently interesting for the Repository , I shall be glad to see it inserted . EDMUND BUTCHER . " Harmony Township , Clarke County , near Springfield , Ohio , United States 9 January 31 , 1821 . " We are here , Sir , upon the confines of civilized society , if you will allow us that title . About a dozen English families are around us . The countrv has been
settled only a short time , but is very rapidly improving . We are 70 miles N . E . from Cincinnati , in a iine countly , well watered , partly prairie , partly wooded .
Good farms may be had for eight or nine dollars per acre , such as are called improved farms . We are much better off iti many respects than our countrymen in the Illinois , who are most of them very dissatisfied with their situation on account
of the scarcity of water four months of the year . Religion here is professed by all , and much talked of , but little understood . The prevalent sects are the Methodists and the New Lights ; their preachers deplorably ignorant . One of their preachers hearing I was a Unitarian , called to converse with me , and asked
me if we were called after a person ot the name of Unit . Incompetent as I am , I have undertaken to give a course of lectures to explain Unitarian doctrines , in the nearest court-house . I should have improved ray former opportunities but ill if I were not qualified for this task better than most of the public teachers here . I have lent and lost most of my
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), June 2, 1821, page 346, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2501/page/22/
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