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lent ; a skilful draftsman , whose plans and designs were executed with special accuracy . The kindness of Dr . Stunton , the Dissenting minister at Colchester , supplied the son with the instruction requisite at this period , and the progress
of the young pupil shewed that the kindness was not ill bestowed . A little poem of several books , entitled the Brutceis , in heroic verse , upon the fabled report * of the peopling of Britain by the Trojans , ornamented with drawiugs of pen and ink , remains among his papers , a proof of his poetical turn , of his art of designing , and of his persevering
industry . He was at this time not more than 14 years of age , capable only of reading and writing , which renders the work an extraordinary performance . I well recollect his producing one day after dinner , this ludicrous specimen of early talent , diverting himself and the company with his epic flights and pictorial representation of the hosts contending with an ensanguined fury !
Soon after , he went to London , and was apprenticed to a linen-draper . During this period he was seidom idle , eveu at his leisure hours , his pen being employed on various subjects , for the newspapers and periodical works of the day . Whatever profits accrued were transmitted to his father , mother , and only
sister , who composed the whole of the family . For the kindness of his parents he always entertained the deepest gratitude , and their coming into the possession of a small estate left by their ancestor , the llev . John Butcher , already mentioned , which rendered their latter days comfortable , must have yielded him no s mall satisfaction .
During his residence in London he attended Salters * Hall , and became acquainted with the late excellent Rev . Hugh Worthington , who , discerning his talents , led his views to the ministry . He furnished him with preparatory instruction—when he went to Daventry Academy , conducted by his much-esteemed friend the Rev . Thomas Helsham .
Here he laid a foundation for his future reputation and usefulness . He had to acquire the rudiments of a classical education , whilst he assiduously attended to the higher branches of learning . No further proof is necessary of the ardent zeal with which he prosecuted his studies for the ministry , a profession towards which his earliest wishes were directed .
His first settlement was at Sowerby , in Yorkshire , with a congregation who much esteemed him , and regretted his removal from ainougst them to a more extended ( sphere of usefulness in the metropolis . He occasionally preached at MonkweU Street , and at Carter Lane ,
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Doctors Commons : but he « ettl « d at Leather Lane , Holborn , where , be x ^ $ ordained March 19 , 1789 , by Messrs . Tayler , Kippis , Belsham , GiUibr and
Worthington , Lindsey and Jacomb . He in 1790 , married a respectable widow lady , Mrs . . Elizabeth Lowe , who , with a son and daughter , survive him . And it is at their request that I draw up this imperfect tribute of respect to his me .
lnory * In addition to his stated labours at Leather Lane , he united with the Rev . Hugh Worthington , with myself , and other ministers , in carrying on a fVednes day Evening Lecture at Salters * Hall , which was for several wiuters most respectably attended . He also not long after bestowed much attention on a
Family Bibley in conjunction with Mr . Worthington ; a work on an original plan , and of considerable utility . He also edited the latter volumes of The Protestant Dissenters Magazine , in which he
inserted , throughout a series of numbers , The Temple of Faith , an interesting cbullition of his imagination , and no unacceptable present to the rising generation . He succeeded the venerable Mr . Thomas
Pope , at Leather Lane . Here he continued for many years , and the interest being low , he revived the congregation , Though the weakness of his voice prevented his attaining much popularity , yet his sterling sense and piety always ensured him a number of respectable
hearers , more particularly that class in the religious world whom it is a credit to please ! Here I became acquainted with him in 1792 , soon after my residence in London , and our friendship was unabated
to the last period of his life 1 We passed many pleasant hours together , preached often for each other , and when he qaitted the metropolis I paid him a visit in the country , as well as corresponded with him till within a few weeks of his
decease . His health becoming very precarious , he was obliged to leave London , and withdrew to Sidbury Vale , near Sidmouth , in Devonshire- His complaint being an affection of the lungs , he soon found relief . Indeed , his constitution was
invigorated by his retreat into the country . Providence thus raised him up , as it were , from the dead ! Many years were allotted him of enjoyment and usefulness ; for in 1798 he was chosen pastor of the congregation assembling at the Old ^ £ . " iug-House in Sidmouth- He served bis liti l * flock with cheerfulness and fidelity-He formed around him a small &aI * J / £ friends who knew hip worth and stud his happiness . He and his family were objects of regard to all who had the pie - sure of knowing them . Many of t *«
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SiO Obituary . — The Rev . Edmund Butcher .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1822, page 310, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2512/page/54/
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