Page:Our Hymns.djvu/286

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266 OUK HYMNS :

was the institution that had been under the care of Dr. Doddridge at Northampton. At the time when Mr. Butcher entered it, the Rev. Thomas Belsham was the theological tutor, a divine who during his tutorship forsook his former faith and openly avowed his adoption of Socinianism.

Mr. Butcher s first settlement was at Sowerby, in Yorkshire. After some time he removed to. London, and preached oc casionally at Monkwell Street and Carter Lane. But the principal scene of his labours was at a chapel in Leather Lane, Holboru, where he was minister of a congregation of Protestant Dissenters. There he was ordained in 1789 ; Messrs. Kippis, Worthington, Belsham, and others, taking part in the service. There he had a respectable audience, and might have been popular if the weakness of his voice had not prevented; and there he remained until the state of his health compelled him to leave London. And while in London he assisted in maintaining a course of Wednesday evening lectures at Baiters Hall during several winters.

In 1798-, Mr. Butcher removed to Sidbury Vale, near Sidrnouth, where the mildness of the Devonshire air speedily restored to him the use of his lungs. At Sidmouth he became the pastor of a small but appreciating congregation, and enjoyed in his family and pastoral circles those pleasures of home and friendship which he greatly prized. For a few years previous to his death he suffered from paralysis and great debility.. In November, 1821, he removed to Bath, with the hope of gaining some relief; but soon after he fell down and dislocated his hip. He was, in con sequence of this accident, confined to his bed, and grew worse until his peaceful departure on April 14th, 1822. He entered into rest on a Sabbath-day a day of rest as he had often wished.

He was the author of a useful work on an original plan, " A Family Bible." This was prepared in conjunction with the Rev. Mr. Worthington. His other works were his " Picture of Sid- mouth," and a " Tour through Various Parts of England." As

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