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visitors at Sklmouth availed themselves of his ministerial labours . Some members of a wealthy and very respectable Jewish family occasionally attended him , and on their departure made him a pecuniary present iu return for his instructions . _ . . „
Within the last few years he was afflicted with a kind of paralytic stroke , which produced great debility ; but he continued preaching once a day till lately , when he altogether gave up the ministry . He about Tt twelvemonth ago , visited his only son , Mr . Edmund Butcher , residing at Bristol , where he abode for several
months . Hence , though under much weakness , he wrote me more than once with his accustomed cheerfulness and resignation to the will of God ! In November , 1821 , he removed to Bath , with the hope of gaining some relief ; but
soon after , walking across the room , he fell down and dislocated his hip . This confining him to his bed , increased his debility , which terminated in his placid dissolution . He expired , without a sigh or groan , early on the morning of April 14 , 1822 , in the 65 th year of his age .
His beloved widow writes thus on the Sunday after his interment : " Blessed spirit ! this was to have been the day \ ye were to have consigned him to the tomb ; but the sudden transition from severe cold to heat made it improper to retain him longer than Friday ' , and we wished the last beautiful impression of his fiue countenance to remain upon our
minds Never was there a more angelic countenance ; it seemed to say , ' 1 am happy T The prospect was all delightful to him beyond the grave ; he only shrunk when he thought of the struggle , but , blessed be God , that was all done away itt seemingly nothing of pain or anxiety , but a sweet forgetfuluess ! " He wished to die on the Sabbath , and his wish was gratified .
He was buried in a most sequestered and rural spot at Lyncomb , in the vicinity of Bath , a portion of ground set apart by the generosity of Henry Edward Howse , Esq , about four years ago , for the interment of Unitarian Dissenters . He was followed to the grave by his own affectionate family ; and the service was performed b y the Rev . Joseph Hunter , with
an impressive solemnity . Here , " early Mi the morning , " the precious deposit was laid till the resurrection of the just I His fuueral sermon was preached at Sidwouth , to a crowded and weeping audience , by his esteemed successor , the Rev . Mr . Yeates , from Psalm xxxvii . 37 : Mark the perfec t « aan , a , nd behold the upright , for the end of that man is peace !"
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And , as a singular coincidence , I from the same passage , at Worship Street , paid a similar tribute of respect to his be-, loved memory ; the conclusion of which forms the greatest part of this
communication for the Repository . His friends , the Rev . Joseph Cornish , of Colly ton , and the Rev . John Hughes , of Honiton , delivered sermons on the occasion , as Vwell as other ministers in the West of England . His grateful little flock at Sidmouth are about to raise a tablet to his
memory . His character is best ascertained from his writings . Besides his pleasing Picture of Sidmouth , and his entertaining Tour through various Parts of England , [ Mob .
Repos . 1 . 357 , ] he published three volumes of Sermons for the Use of Families , [ Mob . Repos . I . 544 and XV . 163 , ] exceeded by none in the English language for plainness and simplicity . There is a rich , vein of devotion and benevolence that
runs through the whole of them . The last volume has a prefatory account of his adoption of Humanitarianism , without the least censure of those who differed from him . Indeed , with his usual liberality , lie concludes : c < The liberty in religious matters which I claim for myself , I most cheerfully and unreservedly allow to all other followers of Christ .
Let all uncharitable thoughts and measures be for ever abandoned . Let each be fully persuaded in his own rnind . May the spirit of Jesus animate all his disciples , and the peace of God , which passeth all understanding , will fill us with comfort now , and fit us for glory hereafter ! With these sentiments , I remain the friend and wellwisher of every sincere and virtuous inquirer after truth . "
His last publication was a volume of Prayers for the Use of Families and Individuals , adapted for each Discourse in his three volumes of Sermons , and Forms suited to particular occasions . The work is well executed and of inestimable utility . The close of the Prayer for Saturday Evening is a fair specimen of the rest : — " To thine all-protecting Providence we once more commit ourselves
and all that are near and dear to us The day is thine , and , blessed be thy name , the night is thine also ! Thy sacred eyes never slumber nor sleep—> no fatigue ever wearies thine attentionno darkness hide 3 from thy notice—no
danger too great for thy power to withstand—no maze too perplexed for thy wisdom to unravel—no blessing too rich for thy gooduess to bestow ! Ouardian as well as Creator of the universe ! take us mto thy holy care ; preserve us during the watches of the night ; and if it shall
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Obituary . —The Rev . Edmund Butcher . 311
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), May 2, 1822, page 311, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2512/page/55/
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