One very prominent feature in Mr. Reader's charactef was his strong and unalterable attachment to evangelical truth. He was patient and dispassionate in his researches for it; and, when discovered, he thought it could not be accounted too precious. "Buy the truth and sell it not,' was a precept to which he adhered with singular firmness. His zeal drew upon him a load of reproach; but he bore every kind of opposition with the greatest fortitude, and was only the more emboldened by every attempt of his adversaries *.

Though zealous for the glory of God and the general interests of religion, Mr. Reader did not confine his attention to these important objects, in neglect of the temporal happiness of his fellow-creatures. His heart was always open to the wants of the distressed; and in the most enlarged sense of the words, he was "a lover of hospitality." As a proof of his liberality, we may mention, that for several years he kept many children of the poor at daily schools, chiefly at his own expence. It appears that a hundred (and sometimes a hundred and thirty) at a time, usually received the benefit of this charity. Mr. Reader was married twice; the first time to a lady at Weymouth, whom he buried at Newbury; and afterwards to a lady of the name of Langton, a niece of William Fuller, Esq. banker in London.

After the death of the late Rev. James Rooker, of Bridport, about 1780, Mr. Reader was chosen by the gentlemen of the Congregational Fund in London, to succeed

• His sentiments on these occasions may be best expressed in his own words: " Happy," says he, in a letter to Sir Harry Trelawny, "in the possession of this truth, our venerable ancestors knew that they had a cheap bargain, when they had bought it with their blood; and it would be ingratitude to them, injustice to ourselves, and an act of wanton cruelty to posterity, either to sell it for gain, or to give it away for the airy honour of being esteemed moderate and candid men. The term bigot weighs nothing with me, while the things for which 1 am contending are not trifles, but the most interesting realities; while God is my record, that my zeal for them is the result of sober inquiry; and while I can prove to every man, that I demand for myself no other liberty of thinking, speaking, or acting, in support of my own principles, than what I believe every other man on earth has an equal right to enjoy, I can despise the momentary laugh and derision of being termed infallible; but how shall I live or die serene, if I suffer infidels or professing Christians to rob me of either the whole, or any part of the Gospel?

him as Tutor of the Academy, long instituted in the West of England for the education of young men for the work of the ministry. "In this station," says the Rev. Mr. Barber, "he acquitted himself well, and was owned of God for much usefulness." He was unremitting in his endeavours, to improve the minds of his pupils in the various branches of learning and knowledge, and to promote a spirit of piety and fervent zeal for religion. With the authority of a tutor, he mingled the affection of a father; which exceedingly endeared him to those who were under his care. His reproofs were gentle, but faithful and` forcible; and so much mixed with tenderuess and love, that few were reproved by him, who did not feel their attachment to him stronger than betore. In the public and very important station of a tutor, Mr. Reader continued till his death.

Not satisfied with his other public labours in the cause of religion, he endeavoured to diffuse piety and knowledge through the medium of the press. Mr. Reader possessed an active and vigorous mind, and a fertile imagination. There was often an originality, and sometimes a peculiar energy in his ideas. He aimed at a conciseness of language, and used frequently to observe that a prolixity of expression in his written productions seemed to be equally as censurable as idle words in common conversation. Whatever he published was not the effusion of a moment, but the fruit of calm investigation and persevering attention: "Quem limæ labor et mora non offendebat." And the whole of his works discover the disposition of one sincerely inquiring after truth, and solicitously concerned to promote the honour of the God of holiness. flis first attempt from the press was a sermon on "Family Religi on," which has been out of print for several years. His other publications, which were indeed all of a theological nature, were chiefly miscellaneous. He greatly delighted in the prophetical parts of Scripture. His largest work is entitled "Remarks on the Revelation of St. John," which was the fruit of the most diligent inquiry, and the closest application for several years. It contains some valuable elucidations of that mysterious part of the word of God, and many judicious observations of a practical nature. His last production from the press, was the second edition of a very cheap and excellent funeral serVOL. IV.-No. 77. E

mou,"

.

smon, which was published but a few months before his death. The whole of his works (exclusive of a few duodecimo tracts), if bound together, would make about two volumes octavo.

. After the preceding account, it would be almost unne cessary to observe, that Mr. Reader was a wise disposer, and a careful economist, of his time. Scarcely would he suffer a morning to pass unimproved. He was always contriving or executing some scheme of usefulness. His labours were so assiduous and unremitting, that he would hardly allow himself time to pursue those exercises or recreations which were essential to the preservation of his health, and necessary to recruit his animal spirits. He always, from a principle of conscience, rose early in a morning, and would frequently repeat these words of the pious Mr. Alleine, " Did not God find me on niy bed, when he looked for me on my knees?" And the whole of the day, or rather the whole of his life, he was unwea riedly exerting himself in pursuit of those noble ends, which comparatively are the only objects worthy the attention of an immortal creature,

Drawing towards the close of his life, he enjoyed that pleasure which naturally arises from a humble confidence in the mercy of God, and the review of a life, through grace devoted to his service. He often saw the approach of death with fortitude, and welcomed it as his friend. In an illness in which he seemed to be in very dangerous circumstances, he told Mr. Rooker, his assistant in the ministry, that he was fully resigned to the whole will of God; "If God," said he, "were to give me my choice, either to be sick or well, to live or die, I would refer it back to him again. If he has any more work for me to do, he will raise me up again; if not, he will take me to himself." At another time he said, with considerable earnestness, "I do not trust in myself, God knows that I do not, I do trust in Christ alone:

"His worth if all the nations knew,

Sure the whole earth would love him too."

Under agonies of body, not a word of murmuring was heard. He spoke much of his unworthiness, and the numerous mercies which he still continued to enjoy. On such occasions he would often say, "It is of the Lord's mercies that I am not consumed. This is infinitely better

than

than my deserts-it is not hell." Not long before his. death, he repeated his entire certainty of the safety of his state; that if he died, God would assuredly take him to heaven; and added, "I know whom I have believed, and I am persuaded he is able to keep that which I have committed to him against that day. A guilty, weak, and helpless worn,' that is my character; if Christ had been. a man only, I should have been wretched indeed;" but (adds he) the adorable Jesus is infinitely mighty, and if feeble worm is taken care of by such a one, he has no reason to fear."

a poor

16

His last illness was very short; he preached twice on the Sabbath, June the 1st, with more than usual animation, and on the following morning was seized with a very painful and dangerous disorder. His agonies were so great, that he could say but little. To some one who stood near him, expressing sorrow for the anguish he felt, he replied, His "I am not sorry, for it is fitting me for heaven.' last words, as he was walking through the valley of the shadow of death, were, "I am poor and needy, yet the Lord thinketh upon me." And soon after, June 4, 1794, without a groan or struggle he left his worn-out body, and entered into the joy of his Lord.

Thus lived and died this valuable servant of God. As a man, he was amiable, as a scholar respectable, as a Christian he was eminent, as a divine he was well "instructed unto the kingdom of God," and faithful and indefatigable in the service of his Master. His life was an ornament to his profession, and to the religious principles which he zealously maintained.

REECE, JAMES, was born at Waverton, near Chester, June 22, 1761. His parents were industrious and reputable farmers; and he spent the early period of life in the same occupation. Ever after, he retained his original plainness of manners; and his modes of thinking and preaching, were under the manifest influence of rural scenes and engagements. Most lives exhibit some striking interpositions of Providence in moments of extreme danger. In a written memorandum, he records two instances of this kind, with relation to himself: when he was about two years old, his mother, two of his sisters, a brother, and himself, were attacked with a malignant disorder. The sisters both died,

E 2

and

and he was pronounced to be dead by the attendants; but, contrary to all expectation, he revived, and Providence brought him through the danger. At another time, playing on a verge of a pit, he fell headlong in; his feet hanging on a board placed by the side for the convenience of lading water. A servant, through a window of the house, providentially saw him fall, and arrived just in time to rescue him from death. Thus he was preserved in the care of Jesus, that he might afterward be called, and proclaim to others the name of the adorable Deliverer from death temporal and eternal. In early life he sometimes attended the preaching and meetings of Mr. Wesley's societies; but it was not till about the age of twenty-one that he was truly awakened to a clear and painful conviction of his perishing condition as a sinner, exposed to the sentence and course of the violated law of God. Under a sermon preached in the Independent Chapel at Chester, the Spirit of God brought home the commandment, and set his crimes in order before him. The discovery of sin's demerit, and his own danger, was so alarming, that he feared lest the chandelier, under which he sat, should fall upon his noxious head, and crush him to death and hell. He was, however, soon enabled to discern the provisions of sovereign grace, made known to perishing sinners, through the atonement of the Son of God. Here he found relief from the burden of guilt, and rejoiced in a reconciled God, as the God of his salvation. Having now given himself to the Lord Jesus, he afterwards joined in fellowship with the church, under the pastoral care of Mr. Armitage of Ches ter, that he might walk in all the ordinances of the Gospel, according to the will of God. He had not long enjoyed the blessings of the great salvation himself, before he felt the fire of compassionate zeal for others, kindling warm within him. He saw, with emotion, the spiritual darkness and unconcern of his neighbours, who were perishing for lack of knowledge. On a public occasion he addressed a word of exhortation to them; which was attentively listened to, and well received. They desired him to speak the same words to them again; which request he readily complied with. He soon after procured a barn in the village, where hé now resided, (Christleton, in Cheshire,) and ceased not to declare what God had done for his soul; exhorting his neighbours to flee from the wrath to come. His assistance

was