Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

county. A scrupulous obedience to the Divine commands, and the keeping a conscience void of offence towards God and man, were the rules that regulated his life. His religion was without bigotry, and his piety without enthusiasm. As his sentiments were distinguished by candour, freedom and liberality, he was a firm and decided advocate for the exercise of private judgment in matters of religion, and on points of doubtful disputation. Of a humane and benevolent disposition, he performed, without ostentation, many generous and charitable actions (particularly to the family with which he resided) that would have dignified a more ample fortune.

In his intercourse with others, his manners were mild and humble, friendly and unassuming; yet his humility was without meanness, and his friendship without dissimulation: these qualities, therefore, ensured him the respect and esteem of his acquaintance. Naturally of a shy and timid disposition, the tenor

In corroboration of these remarks on his character, I have extracted from "The Monthly Repository of Theology," &c. II. 336, the following conversation which passed between Mr. Haynes and the Rev. Samuel Say Toms, of Framlingham, as detailed by the latter gentleman." Some years since," says Mr. Toms, "visiting at a friend's house near to Witnesham, Mr. Haynes's present residence, I met the old gentleman, and entering into conversation, I mentioned that I had often heard my mother speak of a clergyman of his name at Elmset: he replied, He was my father;' and of Mr. Hopton Haynes; Yes, he was my grandfather;' and said, his writings were very differently thought of now from what they were at their first publication, and some years after. They are now in high repute with many, as giving a just and rational interpretation of the Scripture doctrine concerning Jesus Christ. There were warm contenders on both sides of the question. It became every one to examine and think for himself, and speak and act from conviction; but some were of opinion, that religion was a plain, simple thing, and that it was of more importance to insist on it practically, than to enter upon the minutiae of controversy. He hath shewn thee, O man, what is good, and what,' &c. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God,' &c. The grace of God, which bringeth salvation, had appeared unto all men, teaching,' &c. On these things hang all the law and the prophets, and those persons think they best preach Christ, who lay the main stress on them."

[ocr errors]

of his life was retired: he mingled but little in promiscuous company, excepting at particular periods, when he was the life and soul of the party in which he joined.

The powers of his memory were great, and in the highest degree retentive; and whatever had pleased or interested him, either in the perusal of books or the remarks and observations of others, he made his own entirely, and could bring forth his stores, as occasion offered, with the greatest effect. In history and geography, his knowledge was extensive, and his recollection of names, dates and places, truly surprising. The writer of this brief Memoir, who revered his character, and who has been often gratified in his society, heard him, when at the advanced age of seventy-six, repeat, without hesitation, the regular succession of our English Monarchs, with the precise year and month of their accession to the throne, as well as the day and year of their decease; and, what is more surprising, this stretch of memory was followed by a similar recital of the Roman Emperors.

He possessed a strong vein of pleasantry, and a considerable share of humour; and to a pun was by no means an enemy. In all parties, where the company accorded with his taste and inclination, his conversation was animated and amusing; teeming with repartee, and pointed with wit; enriched by anecdote, and enlivened by story. His recitations of passages from various authors, whether serious or humorous, were given on such occasions with great taste and spirit; and will be long remembered by those who have ever had the pleasure of hearing him. Many pleasing anecdotes respecting him are in the recollection of his friends, to whom his attractive qualities had long endeared him, and whom he had entertained with as many good puns as had ever emanated from the most celebrated wits of the day.

Mr. Haynes departed this life April the 17th, in the 83rd year of his age, in the full enjoyment of his faculties, and of a tolerable share of health, even to the last.

At his particular request, his remains were conveyed to Elmset, his native village, and interred in the churchyard of that parish, under a tree which he had specified; having always strongly decried the indecency of interment in churches, wisely observing, that "the Church was intended for the living, and its yard for the dead."

Mr. Haynes was a bachelor; and his niece, Charlotte Catherine Anne, the sole daughter and heiress of his elder brother, Samuel Haynes, Esq., was married, Ja

Obituary.—Archbp. of Armagh. Archbp. of Cashel. Countess Fitzwilliam. 309

[blocks in formation]

-6, in Rutland Square, Dublin, at a quarter past eight o'clock, his Grace the Right Hon. and Hon. CHARLES BRODKICK, D.D., Lord Archbishop of Cashel, Primate of Munster and Lord Bishop of Emly. His Grace was translated to the Archprelacy in 1801. He was consecrated Bishop of Clonfert in 1795, and Bishop of Kilmore in the succeeding year. His Grace was brother to Lord Viscount Middleton, was a commissioner of the Board of Education, a treasurer to the Board of First-Fruits, and a vice-president of the Society for discountenancing

[blocks in formation]

"Codex Theodori Bezæ Cantabrigiensis, Evangelia et Apostolorum Acta complectens, Quadratis Literis Græco Latinis," 1793, 2 vols. folio; "The Articles of the Church of England proved not to be Calvinistic," 1802, 8vo. This pamphlet having been remarked on by a writer under the signature of Academicus, drew forth a defence by a friend to Dr. Kipling, supposed to be the Dr. himself. "Certain Accusations brought lately by the Irish Papists, against British and Irish Protestants, examined," 1809, 8vo. Dr. Kipling preached the Boyle's Lectures in 1792, but never printed the

course.

"This

The Gentleman's Magazine, from which we extract this article, has the following paragraph relating to a part of Dr. Kipling's life which has not been thought equally unblameable by all: learned divine, in 1793, rendered himself obnoxious to a refractory party in the University, by accepting the office of promoter or prosecutor in the case of Mr. Frend, Fellow of Jesus College, against whom it was deemed necessary to proceed judicially for his attack upon the Established Church. The expulsion of that gentleman for his offence and contumacy, brought upon the deputy professor a shower of abuse from the zealots for innovation, at the head of whom was Dr. Edwards, who took occasion, when the Codex of Beza came out, to assail both the preface and the editor with a virulence which amounted to personal hostility. Dr. Kipling was charged with ignorance and want of fidelity, but though it cannot be denied that the edition is inferior to the magnitude of the undertaking, still no candid person will justify the reward for his labours and some consolascurrility of the Socinian critic. As a

tion for the mortifications which he had experienced in the discharge of his public duty, Dr. Kipling was made Dean of Peterborough."

Additions and Corrections.

The Rev. EDMUND BUTCHER.
(See p. 247.)

The Rev. EDMUND BUTCHER was born 28th of April, 1757, at Colchester, in Essex. The family was originally of Feering in that county, of which, about the year 1667, John Butcher was rector, and whose mother suffered extremely during the siege of Colchester by the Parliamentary army. The father of the subject of this short memoir, was a housecarpenter and builder. Unsuccessful in some of his speculations, he was unable to afford his son Edmund those advantages in early life which he wished to have given him. He was a man of ta

lent; a skilful draftsman, whose plans and designs were executed with special accuracy. The kindness of Dr. Stanton, 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 Brutais, in heroic verse, upon the fabled report of the peopling of Britain by the Trojans, ornamented with drawings of pen and ink, remaius 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. Du ring this period he was seldom idle, even 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 Rev. John Butcher, already mentioned, which rendered their latter days comfortable, must have yielded him no small 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 Belsham. 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. 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.

No

His first settlement was at Sowerby, in Yorkshire, with a congregation who much esteemed him, and regretted his removal from amongst them to a more extended sphere of usefulness in the metropolis. He occasionally preached at Monkwell Street, and at Carter Lane,

Doctors' Commons: but he settled at Leather Lane, Holborn, where he was ordained March 19, 1789, by Messrs. Tayler, Kippis, Belsham, Gillibrand, 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 memory.

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 Wednes day Evening Lecture at Salters' Hall, which was for several winters most respectably attended. He also not long after bestowed much attention on a Family Bible, 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 ebullition 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! We passed many pleasant hours together, preached often for each other, and when he quitted the metropolis I paid him a yisit in the country, as well as corresponded with him till within a few weeks of his de

cease.

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 Meeting-House in Sidmouth. He served his little flock with cheerfulness and fidelity. He formed around him a small band of friends who knew his worth and studied his happiness. He and his family were objects of regard to all who had the pleasure of knowing them. Many of the first

visitors at Sidmouth 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 in 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 a 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 65th year of his age.

His beloved widow writes thus on the Sunday after his interment: "Blessed spirit! this was to have been the day we 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 fine countenance to remain upon our minds Never was there a more angelic countenance; it seemed to say, 'I am happy! 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 in seemingly nothing of pain or anxiety, but a sweet forgetfulness!" 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 by the Rev. Joseph Hunter, with an impressive solemnity. Here, "early in the morning," the precious deposit was laid till the resurrection of the just! His funeral sermon was preached at Sidmouth, to a crowded and weeping audience, by his esteemed successor, the Rev. Mr. Yeates, from Psalm xxxvii. 37: "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace!"

And, as a singular coincidence, I from the same passage, at Worship Street, paid a similar tribute of respect to his beloved memory; the conclusion of which forms the greatest part of this communication for the Repository. His friends, the Rev. Joseph Cornish, of Collyton, and the Rev. John Hughes, of Honiton, delivered sermons on the occasion, as well 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, [Mon, Repos. 1. 357,] he published three volumes of Sermons for the Use of Families, [Mon. 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, he concludes: "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 mind. 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 hides 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 goodness to bestow! Guardian as well as Creator of the universe! take us into thy holy care; preserve us during the watches of the night; and if it shall

please thee to raise us again in the morning, may refreshing sleep have recruited our bodies, and may our minds with fresh vigour rise to the duties and enjoyments of a new day, a new Sabbath! Prepare us, O God! for the approach of that solemn morning, when all that are in their graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God, when the last slumbers of mortality shall close, the last night of probation terminate, and the endless day of immortality begin! Grant, heavenly Father, that, through thy abounding grace in the gospel, we may then enter into the joy of our Lord!"

He had a pleasing talent for Sacred Poetry. Some of his Hymns are far above mediocrity. The following specimen may be deemed among his happiest effusions. I have long used it at the Lord's Supper on the commencement of the year :"Stand still, refulgent orb of day!" A Jewish hero cries;

So shall at last an angel say,

And tear it from the skies!
A flame intenser than the sun

Shall melt his golden urn;
Time's empty glass no more shall run,
Nor human years return!
Then, with immortal splendour bright,
That glorious orb shall rise,
Which through eternity shall light
The new-created skies!

Thou sun of nature, roll along,

And bear our years away;
The sooner shall we join the song

Of everlasting day!

In matters of religion, his characteristics were good sense, great modesty and a truly Christian liberality. He had not

a spark of bigotry in his composition. He loved good men of all denominations, and rejoiced in the anticipation of meeting them in heaven!

As to his private character, our deceased Brother was exemplary in all the relative duties of civil and social life. He was a kind husband, an affectionate father and a faithful friend. His widow and children bless his memory! Never did a person relish more truly the pleasures of domestic life-never was an individual more happy in the bosom of his family. A proof of the truth of this statement is afforded by the recital of a few lines sent me from his own pen many years ago, for insertion in a periodical miscellany.

Ask me to choose my happiest lot,
I chose exactly what I got!
Ask me what I wish for more-
A little to relieve the poor :
A life well spent, since life is given,
And long or short-as pleases Heaven!

This is the true spirit of Christian contentment.

He has left behind him for publication, a Fourth Volume of Sermons; and it is his widow's intention to add a small volume, with a portrait, of Poems and Letters, which, from their intrinsic merit, cannot fail of meeting with due encouragement. For some time past, such were his corporeal infirmities, that his pen was his constant and almost only amusement. His daughter, in one of her excellent letters to the writer of this article, describing the latter days of her deceased parent, says, that even when confined to his bed, he would dictate small poetical effusions, indicative of the truly devout and pious state of his mind! To the very last, few individuals possessed more of the spirit, and none shared more largely in the consolations of Christianity. The fruits of his pen were of no ordinary cast -and whilst they have been admired by his contemporaries, will be duly estimated by posterity.

Islington, May 14, 1822.

J. EVANS.

BENJAMIN HAWES, Esq.

(The brief notice of this gentleman's death, p. 188, is incorrect: we now insert a more authentic account, the publication of which has been delayed by accident.)

1822. Jan. 10. Suddenly, aged 79, being struck with a fit while on his usual walk, three miles distant from Worthing, Benjamin Hawes, Esq. Mr. Hawes was a native of Islington. He was the youngest of three brothers, of whom Mr. James Hawes, the eldest, died in 1789, lamented Dr. William Hawes,-died in the other, the philanthropic and much1808, and was the founder of that admirable charity, the Royal Humane Society.

Mr. Hawes was for many years a respectable indigo merchant in Thames Street; and having, by great skill in business, with unremitted industry and unsullied integrity, acquired an ample fortune, he relinquished trade, and passed his latter years at Worthing, where his loss will be felt in an extraordinary degree, even by many who did not know him to be their benefactor. The great distinctive feature of his mind was an

ardent and conscientious desire to relieve the distresses of his fellow-creatures, without taking to himself the merit of his good works. Having retired from the busy scene of life, he lived very abstemiously, and his constant study was not only to communicate good to all around him, but, if possible, to conceal the hand which thus diffused blessings.

« AnteriorContinuar »