V79Er 
 R33e:9 
 
 Excitements to beneficence
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES 
 
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 /I 
 
 ^'
 
 RiC H AKI>: Re YN OLP S , 
 
 Ag'ed 8o.
 
 EXCITEMENTS 
 
 t 
 
 TO 
 
 BEJYEFICEJVCE, 
 
 HELD OUT TO MANKIND 
 
 IN THE 
 
 CHARACTER AND EXAMPLE 
 
 or 
 
 RICHARD REYNOLDS, ESQ. 
 
 mtt of Bristol, Utreaselr, 
 
 ONE OF THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS, 
 
 CONSISTING OF 
 
 A Sketch of his Life, Accounts of his Death and Burial, Reflections 
 on his Character, Speeches at a Public Meeting, held at Bristol, 
 to commemorate his Memory, a few of his Letters, Poetical 
 Pieces to his Memory, Extract from LowelVs Sermon, Sfc. 
 
 WITH A PORTRAIT. 
 
 " Know ye not that a great man is fallen in Israel ?" 
 " Many have done virtuously," in this our day, " but thou hast 
 excelled them all." 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PUBLISHED BY DARTON, HARVEY, AND DARTON ; 
 PRINTED BY M. WARDLE, DOG AND PARTRIDGE ENTRY, BOTTOM OF MAR- 
 KET-STREET, MANCHESTER. 
 
 1817. 
 
 ,1
 

 
 
 DEDICATION. 
 
 To the Rich and Affluent^ 
 
 VV ITH all the deference which men of low estate 
 owe to those of rank and fortune, I dedicate these 
 Memorials to you. My desig-n in collecting them, is 
 to give them more extensive publicity, that like the 
 man they commemorate, they may be boundless in 
 doing" good ; that not only Great Britain, but all the 
 world may hear of his goodness, and that the lustre 
 of his example may produce a new era, and a new 
 state of things. May the contemplation of his cha- 
 racter make all great men good men ; may his 
 spirit be infused into you, for he was a " gem of 
 purest ray," a diamond of the finest water ; and as 
 you approximate his virtues, remember the sentiment 
 he expressed to his friend, as to acts of charity it is 
 exhilirating, it is encouraging, it is scriptural, it is 
 worthy your attention. That it is " for deeds done in 
 the body," and not left for executors to do, that the 
 
 923840
 
 DEDICATION. 
 
 Apostle promises the reward of the righteous. 
 Therefore do ye your good deeds in your life time, 
 for you are but stewards, and must give an account of 
 your stewardships to the great Lord of all. 
 
 I am, &c. 
 
 THE EDITOR.
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 JL HE editor of these papers is very free to 
 confess, that much of them is extracted from Felix 
 Farley's valuable newspaper, published at Bristol, 
 by J. M, Gutch. The first intention was to tran- 
 scribe them for the nse of a private family, but they 
 altotfether sem so interesting-, and so calculated to 
 do g'ood, by more general circulation, than that of 
 a provincial newspaper, that the editor trusts he may 
 not be thought over officious, or over zealous in re- 
 publishing- them. The great character they are 
 meant to perpetuate, was not unknown to him ; and 
 himself, with many thousands more, could bear wit- 
 ness to the truths contained in these little pieces. 
 Much more might be said, and no doubt much more 
 will be said, in the shape of memoirs, by some abler 
 pen ; for few men are more deserving of being 
 handed down to everlasting fame, than such men as 
 these, and none more than the subject before us. 
 Perhaps the more extensive circulation of these little 
 fugitives, may be of some use at the present time, 
 when more than usual distress pervades the kingdom, 
 in promoting a spirit of generosity. For, as the 
 Rev. W. Thorp observes, in his most eloquent 
 speech at Reynolds' Commemoration Society, held 
 in Bristol, October 2nd, 1816, speaking on the cha- 
 racter before us, " to furnish employment for 
 the healthy and the strong, to supply the wants of
 
 PREFACE. Vl. 
 
 the really indig-ent and necessitous, to ease the aching' 
 heart of the father, who, after toiling the live-long 
 day, finds, instead of rest at home, that he is called 
 to bear, what he is least able to bear, the cries of a 
 nunnerous family, demanding bread, when he has 
 none to give; to assuage the sorrows of poverty, over- 
 taken by sickness, and overwhelmed with misfor- 
 tune ; to smooth the furrowed cheek, and make the 
 winter of age wear the aspect of spring ; to act the 
 part of a father to helpless orphans, on whom no pa- 
 rent of their own ever smiled ; to supply the want of 
 sight to the blind, feet to the lame, and speech to the 
 dumb i to rescue vice from guilt, and infamy, and 
 ruin ; and, during the season of reformation, afford 
 a shelter from the fury of the storm ; to relieve the 
 distress, and yet spare the blushes of those who have 
 known better days, by administering that bounty, 
 which they, in the time of their prosperity, were 
 ready to administer to others : these were the em- 
 ployments of Richard Reynolds; these the objects 
 of his beneficence ; these were the offices of mercy 
 in which he delighted !" Nothing more need be ad- 
 ded to the above extract from this fine eulogium, 
 than to recommend the imitation of this great cha- 
 racter to all men and women, possessing the means ; 
 that, by so doing, they may enjoy the inestimable 
 blessing of a good conscience, for having done their 
 duty both to God and their fellow creatures. 
 
 EDITOR. 
 
 Manchester f Feb. 1st, 181 7,
 
 t 
 
 SHORT SKETCH 
 
 Life of Richard Reynolds^ Esq, 
 
 I HE subject of these encomiums was born at 
 Bristol, where his father lived, and was a preacher 
 amongst the Society of Friends. His mother's mai- 
 den name was Jane Dunn, a Bristol woman ; he 
 served his apprenticeship to Mr. William Fry, of Bris- 
 tol, grocer, and married early in life, Miss Hannah 
 Darby, daughter of Mr. Abraham Darby, of Coal- 
 brook Dale, by whom he had two children, who lived 
 to maturity, viz. William and Hannah Mary. Wil- 
 liam Reynolds was a man of great talent, and was 
 well known in the scientific world for many useful 
 discoveries in chemistry, &c. He died some years 
 ago near Coal-brook Dale, leaving a widow and se- 
 veral children. Hannah Mary was married to the 
 late accomplished and philanthropic William Rath- 
 bone, of Liverpool, and has a large family. Some 
 time after the death of his first wife, Mr Reynolds 
 married Miss Rebecca Gulston, the daughter of Dr. 
 Gulston, of Coventry, by whom he had two sons, 
 who lived to be men, viz. Joseph, now living at Ket- 
 ley, near Coal-brook Dale, a very respectable man,
 
 8 
 
 and who has a numerous family ; and Richard, who 
 died some years ago, unmarried. Mr. Reynolds set- 
 tled, many years ago, at Coal-brook Dale, and was 
 at the head of the iron trade there, till within these ten 
 or twelve years, when he returned to Bristol, and 
 spent the remainder of his days. He was in person 
 tall, well formed, and, in every respect, a very hand- 
 some man; his carriage was grave and dignified, but 
 not pompous or morose, and his speech sweet and 
 impressive. He held little conversation on trifling 
 subjects, ^s his mind was generally taken up with 
 things of importance, and of late years, in particu- 
 lar, with his favourite study, how to alleviate human 
 woe. Oh! that every rich man would employ his 
 time and bis talent ia the same way. Then would 
 the world produce fewer pictures of misery, and rich 
 men be happier here, and better prepared for here- 
 after. His temper appeared naturally good, or, if it 
 was not so, he had it under great controul. He was 
 very temperate in eating and drinking, seldom tas- 
 ting of rich dishes, or exceeding a few glasses of 
 wine. He took much exercise in walking, but, ge- 
 nerally speaking, was not a great traveller. His 
 ideas of wealth certainly were, that it was bestowed 
 for general, and not for partial good, and that he 
 who possessed a deal of it had a great deal to perform, 
 to render his stewardship perfect. But still he was 
 not easily persuaded to part with money, as he must 
 be thoroughly convioced, before he did, that there 
 was no imposture or artifice made use of, and thfija
 
 ft 
 
 he would apportion his gift nicely to the wants that 
 craved, or required it. And, as Dr. Pole obserred 
 at Reynolds's Commemoration Society, he frequently 
 did much more good, than giving his own money, 
 by prompting other persons to do so likewise j for 
 instance, after admitting the claimant had an interest 
 in his bounty, he would say, " hast thou neither fa- 
 ther or mother, brother or sister, or any near relative 
 in affluent circumstances, who can assist thee ?" and 
 if informed in the affirmative, he would request that 
 they might be applied to, or he would solicit them 
 himself, and offer to give as much as they would give, 
 in some cases, be it as much as it would. Thus he 
 frequently relieved the needy in an increased ratio, 
 not only with his own money, but by prompting, and 
 sometimes shaming, others into acts of benevolence. 
 He had too his almoners in most parts of the king- 
 dom, and particularly amongst the Society of Friends, 
 who were requested to be upon the alert, to point out 
 deserving objects of distress, on whom he might bes- 
 tow his bounty. Neither were persons of any creed, 
 colour or nation, out of the pale of his beneficence ; 
 but all were alike within its vortex, if in his opinion 
 deserving. Such God-like virtue is to be found in 
 few men, and the writer of this sketch, in looking 
 back for half a century, on English worthies of the 
 same character, can find very few indeed of equally 
 xtended views. The late Dr. Fothergill, Jonas 
 Hanway, and the present Mr. Webb, seem the nea- 
 rest to approximate to him. He was a vary religious
 
 10 
 
 uian, very duly attending- his place of worship, 
 strictly moral in his conduct, particular in the dress 
 address, and every external appearance of the Soc- 
 ety of Friends; and, no doubt, attached to the reli- 
 gious community of which he was so bright a mem- 
 ber, by the most thorough conviction that he was 
 
 doing right. 
 
 EDITOR. 
 
 It is asserted by some persons, that Mr. Reynolds, in the course of 
 his life, gave away not less than two hundred thousand pounds ; that he 
 gave away generally ten thousand pounds a-year ; that in the course of 
 one year of great dearness and scarcity, he gave to one institution twen- 
 ty thousand pounds ; besides his regular gifts, he purchased two estates, 
 in Monmouthshire, which he settled on trustees, for the benefit of cer- 
 tain charities in Bristol, for ever. He likewise was the founder of some 
 of the charitable institutions in Bristol, such as the Samaritan Soci- 
 ety, &c. 
 
 Bristol seems to have been remarkable for producing men eminently 
 wise and bountiful ; near a hundred years ago, the celebrated Edward 
 Colston died there. In the year 1768, Abraham Hichard Hawksworth 
 died there, and in the month of February, 1816, John Fisher Weare, 
 all men of the same description.
 
 II 
 
 In Felix Farley s Paper of the \Ath September ^ 1816, 
 is the following Account of the Death of Mr, 
 Richard Reynolds, 
 
 Died, Richard Reynolds, Esa. For the pre- 
 sent our readers, we trust, will rest satisfied with the 
 following tribute of respect to the memory of this 
 exalted character. We have selected them from nu- 
 merous communications transmitted to us, since this 
 melancholy event took place. A detail of Mr. Rey- 
 colds's extensive public and prifate acts of benevo- 
 lence would fill every column in our journal. We 
 venture njt therefore, in this early stage of his de- 
 cease, to begin to enumerate a catalogue so copious; 
 flattering ourselves, that, in some future number, we 
 shall be able, not only from having had the honour 
 ourselves of being frequently the almoners of his ex- 
 tensive acts of charity, but from the communications 
 of more intimate friends, to present to our fellow q\t 
 tizens a just character of the most perfect pattern of 
 Christian charity, which has adorned the annals of 
 our city, since the decease of the immortal Colston. 
 I'he day of his interment we have not yet heard ; it 
 cannot long remain a secret ; what public testimony 
 of respect our fellow-citizens should then pay to his 
 memory, we presume not to dictate. We are confi- 
 dent, that it will be a day, which will not be suf- 
 fered to pass by in obscurity. Committees of some 
 of our public charities have already met, and depu- 
 ted some of their members to wait upon the relaitiyei
 
 12 
 
 of the deceased, to know their sentiments upon the 
 desire they feel to attend his remains to the grave, 
 Till their wishes are known, it would be- premature, 
 and perhaps irreverent, to do more than to suggest 
 to our fellow citizens one or two tributes of respect, 
 which, we flatter ourselves, all are ready to pay to 
 the memory of so distinguished a philanthropist. 
 One is, that every shop be closed on the day of his 
 funeral ; nor can we believe, but that on that day 
 every parish bell will be heard to pour forth its deep 
 funeral tones. On a somewhat similar event at Ply- 
 mouth, the corporate body of that town ofl^ered to 
 attend the funeral of Francis Fox, in their state ha- 
 biliments ; but being of the Society of Friends, the 
 pomp of such a procession was declined ; as, no 
 doubt, it would be in this instance ; but we shall be 
 anxious to record every tribute of respect that can be 
 shown on this occasion. We could enlarge, but the 
 mere suggestion will, we trust, be forgiven, well 
 knowing the propriety of the application of verhum 
 sat sapientij in addressing a public body. 
 
 One general feeling of regret spread through this 
 city, on receiving the intelligence of the decease of 
 Richard Reynolds, Esq. whose earthly course 
 terminated on the 10th inst. at Cheltenham, in the 
 81 8t year of his age, in the full possession of thos 
 faculties, which had long been dedicated, with hum- 
 ble and unostentatious duty, to the service of his 
 Redeemer. His diffusive acts of benevolence wer* 
 not the result of casual, unreflecting impulse, nor of
 
 13 
 
 the number of those "works of the law," which 
 could not make the comers thereunto perfect, but the 
 fruit of that spirit, which will ever breathe " glory 
 to God, and good will to men." 
 
 On Monday last, at Cheltenham, in his 81st 
 year, the truly venerable Richard Reynolds, a mem- 
 ber of the Society of Friends, who, full of faith, of 
 days, of riches, and of honour, was gathered to his 
 fathers as a shock of corn fully ripe. His Christian 
 benevolence was not confined to the numerous chari- 
 table institutions of this city, but was co-extensive 
 with the habitable glebe; following the example of 
 his great Master, wherever there was a sufferirg 
 fellow creature, of whatever colour or creed, within 
 his reach, his open purse, his expanded heart, his 
 lucid head, his liberal hand, his willing feet, promptly, 
 actively, perseveringly, afforded efficient relief. His 
 influential example has given the tone to the philan- 
 thropic exertions of our citizens, who will long retain 
 an emulation of his transcendant virtues. It will not 
 be permitted that a Reynolds should have lived and 
 died to no purpose; the mantle of the departed saint 
 will be caught by those who, attentive to the com- 
 mand of the Redeemer, whom he served, will ac- 
 cording to their ability^ " go and do likewise." 
 
 G
 
 14 
 
 Funeral of Richard Reynolds, 
 
 SEPTEMBER 21st. 
 
 In our last Journal it was our melancholy task to 
 record the removal of the good, the illustrious 
 Richard Reynolds from this vale of tears, to join the 
 "spirits of the just made perfect." It is now our 
 more pleasing- duty to notice the spontaneous testi- 
 monies of respect to his memory, which all ranks of 
 his fellow- citizens evinced on the occasion of his fu- 
 neral. On Tuesday last, soon after eight o'clock in 
 the morning, about five hundred boys from the 
 Benevolent Schools of St. James's and St. Paul's, 
 and the Royal Lancasterian School, formed in two 
 open columns, extending from each side of the good 
 man's late dwelling, across St. James's-square. On 
 the appearance of the remains of the deceased, the 
 boys pulled off their hats, and stood uncovered until 
 the procession had passed. Their youthful artless- 
 ness^ formed a pleasing contrast to the sorrowful 
 countenances of the surrounding poor, who filled 
 the area of the square, and lined the streets, eager 
 to testify their last tribute of respect to their 
 common benefactor. Most of the shops, in the 
 streets through which the procession passed, were 
 shut up. In the characteristic and primitive sim- 
 plicity f the funeral of a Friend all is natural, 
 solemn and impressive. About seventy relatives of 
 the deceased followed in mournful procession, who 
 were joined by many males and females of the Soci- 
 ety of Friends, and also by above three hundred of
 
 IS 
 
 the most respectable of our fellow-citizens, of various 
 religious denominations, in mourning-; ^mong- whom 
 we noticed Aldermen Daniel, Fripp and Birch, Mr. 
 Sheriff Barrow, and other members of the corpo- 
 ration, Benjamin Butterworth, E;iq. M. P. several 
 of the resident clergymen and dissenting ministers, 
 of different persuasions ; the gentlemen of the coin- 
 mittees of the Bible Society, the Infirmary, tbfc 
 Dispensary, the Samaritan, the Prudent Man's 
 Friend, and the British and Foreign School Soci- 
 eties, the Orphan Asylum, the Blind Asylum, the 
 Benevolent Schools of St James's and St. Paul, the 
 Penetentiary, the Strangers' Friend, the Friend rh 
 Need, and of several other charaties; of many of which 
 till within a few months of his decease, Mr. Reynolds 
 was an active member and liberal benefactor. To 
 the credit of the attending thousands the strictest 
 decorum and silence were maintained. Amidst the 
 tolling of several of our church bells, the procession 
 reached the grave yard of the Friends' Meeting 
 House, in the Friars, in Rosemary-street; where, 
 after placing the remains of the deceased over the 
 grave, a solemn stillness a silence that might be 
 felt, ensued. Several male and female Friends, in 
 orderly and timely succession, addressed the specta. 
 tors, reminding the survivors of the vanity of all 
 things below; warning them not to put their trust iu 
 uncertain riches, but in the living God after the 
 example of their deceased friend, to evince their faith 
 by their works, disclaiming all merit in them, con- 
 sidering themselves but as stewards, who must soon
 
 16 
 
 render an account of their stewardship, and be ac- 
 cepted by the Father through the merits alone of 
 the Son, and the sanctifying- influences of the Holy 
 Spirit. These devotional services were closed with 
 a very fervent and appropriate prayer r-that our Hea- 
 venly Father, who had seen fit to rem ve this emi- 
 nent almoner of his bounty, would, in his good 
 providence, raise up many of kindred spirit among 
 the rich, to fill up the chasm, occasioned by his re-!- 
 moval ; and that, in his abundant care of the poor, 
 he would provide for their every want ; teaching 
 them how to bear the present trials of poverty with- 
 out murmuring, and sanctify all his dispensations to 
 their squls, ascribing all the glory of the great exam- 
 ple his servant had set them, to the one God Father, 
 Son, and Spirit, who is worthy of all praise and 
 adoration. Thus was the memory of the just em- 
 balmed in the sighs, in the tears, in the prayers of 
 his friends & fellow citizens, of every name, who, it is 
 understood, intend to wear mourning for one month. 
 It was in the faith and hope of the glorious truths 
 of that Divine Revelation, to the circulation of 
 which* he so zealously contributed, and which he 
 was earnestly desirous that all might be able to read. 
 
 * The Rev. John Owen, in his History of the British and Foreign 
 Bible Society, says, "The author has no apprehension of offending 
 those whom he is reluctantly conapelled to pass over in silence, by 
 mentioning' the venerable name of Richard Reynoldij, Esq. as one of 
 those individuals to whose lilieral, active, and persevering philanthropy, 
 the Bristol Auxiliary Bible Society, of which he is so great an orna- 
 ment and benefactor, owes its earliest and latest obligations."
 
 17 
 
 that this gfreat Christiaij philanthropist lived and 
 ded. Thus adding^ another proof, to those daily ex- 
 hibited, of the ennobling influence of faith in the 
 Son of God. 
 
 September 21 . 
 
 CHARITABLE INSTITUTION, 
 
 For the purpose of pp.rpp.tuating the memory of 
 Richard Reynolds. 
 
 So varied, and so numerous are the institutions, 
 which a spirit of unwearied benevolence has cou- 
 trived to benefit and adorn the city of Bristol, that 
 it vi'onld almost seem as if the hand of charity had 
 exhausted its materials ; and that there remained at 
 length no form of misery or want, which had not been 
 considered, and provided with an ample and proper 
 remedy. Hardly can a single case of distress pre- 
 sent itself to the mind unaccompanied with the recol- 
 lection of some excellent establishment for its alle- 
 viation or removal. Such is the gratifying impres- 
 sion created by a review of our existing establish- 
 ments, for the relief of indigence and misfortune. 
 But the impression is too general to be very accurate, 
 and the benevolent eye that, in the patient pursuit of 
 its object, will pry a little into the recesses of human 
 society, cannot fail often to discover, even in this 
 favoured place, new and unsuspected objects of cora- 
 Daiseration; cases of concealed suffering, and whole 
 classes of such cases, not yet introduced to the sym-
 
 16 
 
 pathy of the happy and prosperous. Among the 
 most forlorn, and at the same time the most deserv- 
 ing- of such sufferers, are those, who, in the decline of 
 life, and the weakness of age, or in protracted and 
 expensive sickness, find themselves gradually redu- 
 ced from the rank of creditable mediocrity, to a state 
 of privation and penury. Persons of this description 
 must be sought for in order to be found, for they will 
 not discover themselves. They are many of them 
 possessed of habits and feelings, that revolt at the 
 thought of soliciting alms, and compel them, rather 
 than submit to that cruel and degrading alternative, 
 to endure in secret the extremity of want and 
 wretchedness. Others there are, in the like calami- 
 tous circumstances, who are ignorant of the exis- 
 tance or of the proper mode of access to the charities 
 that would relieve them. Assailed, perhaps, by un- 
 foreseen misfortunes, bereft of relatives, who might 
 have supported them ; destitute of acquaintance ; 
 incapable of exertion ; they too, and many an indi- 
 yidual case that can be understood and described 
 only by thone who see them, must be found out and 
 visited, in order to be relieved. 
 
 A knowledge of some meritorious and touching 
 instances of distress has led several individuals to en- 
 tertain the wish of seeing established a society, for 
 the investigation and relief of cases, thus unprovided 
 for, and unnoticed. A wish not a little stimulated at 
 the present moment, by reflecting on the decease of 
 Richard Reynolds j for, in him, the modest and re-
 
 19 
 
 tiring among the children of affliction those who 
 complain little, but suffer much have lost a friend 
 and benefactor, whose station is not likely to be filled 
 by any single survivor. Few possess his ample re- 
 sources ; fewer, alas ! his energetic and disinterested 
 love to his fellow-creatures ; especially united with 
 that nice discrimination in selecting the objects of 
 his bounty, and that wise management in dispensing 
 it, w ithout which the same pecuniary means would 
 have been productive of much less real good than 
 they were found to effect, while administered by 
 him. 
 
 There is yet another way in which this object has 
 connected itself, in the minds of its advocates, with 
 the name of Richard Reynolds : they wish to be in- 
 strumental in preserving the memory of that faithful 
 steward of the Lord of the whole e^arth, who has 
 npw finished his work, and is entered into rest. Not 
 only does gratitude require it, but the best interests 
 of mankind are, in their estimation, greatly neglec- 
 ted, when the influence of such an example is suf- 
 fered to terminate with the earthly race of him, who 
 gave it birth. And they think, that an association, 
 formed for the purpose above specified, would be a 
 worthy and appropriate memorial of his virtues in 
 a. place where they ought to be held in perpetual re- 
 inembrance, and to be enshrined as a model of Chris- 
 tian philanthropy, to succeeding generations. 
 
 We, the undersigned, having taken the foregoing 
 Sitfttement into our serious consideration, are desirous
 
 20 
 
 of assisting* in forming- such an institution, as that 
 above-mentioned, and do, therefore, respectfully re- 
 quest the right worshipful, the Mayor, to call a ge- 
 neral meeting of the inhabitants of this city, for the 
 purpose of carrying the foregoing" suggestions into 
 effect, and that he will be pleased to take the chair. 
 (Signed by 22 respectable inhabitants.) 
 
 In pursuance of the above requisition, 1 appoint 
 the meeting requested, at the Guildhall, on Wednes- 
 day, the 2nd October next, at twelve o'clock pre- 
 cisely, John Haythorne, Mayor. 
 
 Bristol, September 20th, 1816'. 
 
 SEPTEMBER 28th, 1816. 
 
 Richard Reynolds. The meetings which is to 
 be held at our Guildhall, on Wednesday next, for 
 the formation of an institution, which may, for ages 
 to come, perpetuate the memory of Richard Rey- 
 nolds, will, we confidently anticipate, be one of the 
 most numerous, respectable, and interesting' specta- 
 cles, which ever took place in this city, upon any 
 public occasion. The promptitude of the gentle- 
 men, who signed the requisition to our chief magis- 
 trate for calling the meeting, redounds most highly 
 to their honour; the reasons they have adduced ia 
 their address for thus stepping forward, are plain, 
 energetic, and satisfactory ; and we doubt not, but 
 that, in imitation of the benevolent character whose
 
 21 
 
 virtues they vewerate, and whose name they wish to 
 cherish in long and lasting remembrance. The pur- 
 poses for which the society is meant to be formed, 
 will be such as shall embrace the deserving of all 
 classes, whatever be their tenets, religious or po- 
 litical. 
 
 It would be highly premature to offer to our rea- 
 ders, at this period, any sketch of the nature of this 
 charity, which it is intended shall thus emanate from 
 the character and name of Reynolds. All that we 
 shall venture to suggest, is, that its plan may be as 
 expansive as the mind to which it will owe iis birth; 
 for it is thus alone that the chasm can be filled up, 
 which this great, this good man has left in society; 
 we are indeed glad to know, that all classes of our 
 fellow citizens, whose means will enable them to 
 subscribe one guinea to the society, will be invited 
 to become members of it. 
 
 Bristol, October 2, 1816. 
 
 At a general meeting of the inhabitants of this 
 city, convened by public advertisement, for the pur- 
 pose of forming a charitable institution, to perpetuate 
 the memory of the late Richard Reynolds: 
 
 The Right Worshipful John Haythorne, Esq. 
 Mayor, in the Chair, 
 
 The following Resolutions were unanimously 
 agreed to. 
 
 1. That in consequence of the severe loss society
 
 22 
 
 has sustained by the death of the venerable Richard 
 Reynolds, and in order to perpetuate, as far as may 
 be, the great and important benefits he has conferred 
 on the city of Bristol and its vicinity, and to excite 
 others to imitate the example of the deceased philan- 
 thropist, an association be formed, under the desig- 
 nation of " Reynolds's Commemoration So- 
 ciety." 
 
 2. That the members of this Society do consist 
 of life subscribers of ten guineas or upwards, and 
 annual subscribers of one guinea or upwards. 
 
 3. That the object of this Society be to grant re- 
 lief to persons in necessitous circumstances, and also 
 occasional assistance to other benevolent institutions, 
 in or near this city, to enable them to continue or 
 increase their usefulness, and that especial regard be 
 had to the Samaritan Society, of which Richard 
 Reynolds was the founder. 
 
 4. That all life subscriptions and legacies, given 
 to this Society, be funded in the names of trustees, 
 to be from time to time nominated by the committee 
 for the time being, and that the interest and divi- 
 dends thereof, together with the whole of the annual 
 ubscriptions (after deducting the expenses incident 
 to the management of the institution) be applied in 
 granting the relief and assistance above-mentioned, 
 and that all donations, not declared to be life sub- 
 scriptions, shall be in the discretion of the committee, 
 whether to fund, or to distribute. 
 
 6. That the following gentlemen be requested to
 
 23 
 
 become patrons of this Society : viz. The Mayor, 
 R. H. Davies, Esq. M. P. E. Protheroe, Esq. M. 
 P. Dean of Bristol, Aldermen Ames, Bengough, 
 Daniel, Sir R. Vaughan, Birch, P. J. Miles, Esq. 
 Sir W. J. Struth, R. Bright, Esq. S. Cave, Esq. 
 G. Daubeuy, Esq. H. Bailie, Esq. 
 
 6. That, for managing this institution, there be 
 a committee, consisting of forty subscribers, a trea- 
 surer, and three secretaries, (their services being 
 gratuitous) to be elected annually. 
 
 7. That the committee do meet monthly, or 
 oftner, as they shall find necessary, at such time and 
 place as they may appoint, and that any seven of 
 them be competent to transact the business of th^ 
 institution. 
 
 8. That the committee be at liberty to appoint 
 visitors, as well female as male, to enquire into the 
 cases of persons applying for relief. 
 
 9. That the cases to be assisted and relieved, be 
 entirely in the discretion of the committee. But it 
 is recommended to them, not to grant any relief or 
 assistance, without a careful investigation of the cir- 
 cumstances of each case, and that, in imitation of 
 the example of the individual, whom this society is 
 designed to commemorate, it be considered as a sa- 
 cred duty of the committee, to the latest period of 
 its existence, to be wholly uninfluenced in the distri- 
 bution of its funds, by any consideration of sect or 
 party. 
 
 10, I'hat a register, of all the cases to be re-p
 
 24 
 
 lieved, shall be kept, in which shall be inserted the 
 names and places of abode of all the applicants, 
 with the circumstances of their need, their recom- 
 mendations and visitors, and the relief granted. 
 
 11. That there he a general meeting- of the Soci- 
 ety annually, on the 10th day of Septeniber, (the 
 day of Richard Keynolds's decease) to be held at the 
 Guildhall, of which timely notice shall be given by 
 public advertisement. 
 
 12. That the committee shall report their pro- 
 ceedings, and the treasurer present an audited ac-^ 
 count of his receipts and disbursements^ to the gene- 
 ral meeting, which shall then proceed to the election 
 of the committee and officers lor the year ensuing. 
 
 13. That William Fripp, Esq. be the treasurer 
 fir the ensuing year. 
 
 l4.iiLiThat the folloVfing gentlemen be of the com^ 
 mittee for the ensuing year : 
 
 KeV. Messrs. Biddiilph, Day, Estlin, Rjland ; 
 Messrs. Thome, DaVies, Foulks, Wood, Bonville, 
 Bush, George, Barrow, Gibbs, jun Montague, jurt. 
 Smith, George, Cook, Ilellicar, llicketts, 'lozef, 
 Gomotid, Castle, George, jun. Hunt, Richardson, 
 Saunders, Brown, Prust, Pope, Wills, Thomas, 
 Wright, Stock, Hassell, Daniel, Fripp. jun. Stock, 
 ^omlinson, Saunders. 
 
 15.^ That the secretaries for the ensuing year be 
 Jos. Grace Smith, Geo. Fisher, jun. and Matthew 
 Gutch. 
 
 16. That the committee do appoint a collector,
 
 with such allowances for his services as they shall 
 think fit; taking" reasonable seenrity for his fidelity. 
 
 17. That books be now opened to receive sub- 
 scriptions and donations, and that the several ban- 
 kers in this city, and the committee of the Commer- 
 cial Rooms, be respectfully requested to receive sub- 
 scriptions and donations at their respective banking 
 houses, and at the bar of the rooms. 
 
 18. That the cordial thanks of this meetinsf be 
 given to the gentlemen who signed the requisition, 
 and for the able manner in which the arrangements 
 were made for the public meeting. 
 
 John Haythorne, Mayor. 
 
 19. That the cordial thanks of this meeting be 
 given to the right worshipful, the Mayor, for bis 
 readiness to convene the meeting, and for the zeal 
 and interest he has shewn in the cause. 
 
 Amount of donations to Nov. 2, 1810 ^1044 13 
 
 annual subscriptions 234 2 
 
 Reynolds's Commemoration Society, 
 
 The public meeting which was held in oUr Guild- 
 hall, on Wednesday last, and at which our chief 
 magistrate presided, exhibited one of the most im- 
 pressive and interesting spectacles, at which we evet 
 beheld our fellow-citizens assembled. The departed 
 spirit of the philanthropist, whose memory it met to 
 commemorate, seemed to preside over the meeting ;
 
 26 
 
 harmonising- the whole of its proceedings with senti- 
 ments of benevolence, unanimity and christian love. 
 The business was opened by Mr. Counsellor Smith, 
 with an appropriate and just eulogy upon the charac- 
 ter of the deceased ; he expatiated at much length 
 on the extensiveness of Mr. Reynolds's charities, 
 and the discrimination he exercised in the distribu- 
 tion of them. He said that the meeting was not 
 then assembled to erect a monument of marble to his 
 memory, but to devise a charitable institution, which 
 should perpetuate his name. He then entered into 
 a detail of what were the objects of the society about 
 to be formed, and the means which had presented 
 themselves to its notice, as most likely to fill up the 
 loss, which the city had sustained by his death. It 
 was the Society's intention, so far as the individuals 
 could be discovered, to continue relief to those ob- 
 jects of Mr. Reynolds's bounty, who were in a great 
 measure dependent upon him for support at the time 
 of his death ; to assist the other charities, already 
 established in the city, which might at any time 
 8tand in need of temporary assistance ; but more 
 particularly, at all times, to succour that estabish- 
 ment, which was founded by himself, and denomi- 
 nated the Samaritan Society. He was himself in- 
 deed the proper model for our imitation; and nothing 
 but the combined efforts of individuals could fill up 
 the void which he had left. 
 
 Mr. Smith then read the whole of the resolutions, 
 as they appear in the advertisement, which met with 
 the unanimous approbation of the meeting.
 
 89 
 
 So numerous were the testimonies, which every 
 gentleman, who spoke upon the subject, bore to the 
 excellence of this g-ood man's character, that we 
 must claim the indulgence of our readers, if we ex- 
 tend the report of them into another journal. We 
 should do injustice to the cause if we abridged them; 
 and our readers will readily see, that our columns 
 are this week filled with little else, but giving pub- 
 licity to the growing benevolence of the citizens of 
 Bristol. The twelve first resolutions were all pro- 
 posed by Mr. Smith ; and R. H. Davies, Esq. M. P. 
 rose to second the first of them, and to express 
 the unfeigned and deep concern, which he felt at the 
 irreparable loss, which the city of Bristol had sus- 
 tained, in the death of that benevolent and pious 
 Christian, Mr. Reynolds. Those who possessed the 
 equal means of indulging in such munificent acts of 
 charity, would, he hoped, cherish his memory, and 
 imitate his example. Those, whose fortunes were 
 more contracted, might be assured that their hum- 
 bler offerings, were equally acceptable to God, al- 
 though not so resplendent in the eyes of man. The 
 intention for which the meeting was called, and the 
 rules and regulations of the society, which was pro- 
 posed to be established, had been so ably and so 
 clearly developed by his friend, Mr. Smith, who had 
 preceeded him, that he should have little to say, in 
 further explanation. The citizens of Bristol were 
 assembled this day, not merely to gratify their feel- 
 ings, but to perform an imperious duty. To perpe-
 
 2B 
 
 tuate, to the latest posterity, the memory of the 
 great character, whose loss they now deplore. There 
 seemed to be no mode more suitable by which this 
 desirable intention could be accomplished, than by 
 4he institution of a society, which should bear his 
 name, and endeavour to imitate his illustrious exam- 
 ple. To raise the fallen and desolate, to search out 
 the concealed and modest sufferings of life, to re- 
 lieve uncomplaining distress, to pour the balm of 
 consolation into the wounded mind, and to soften the 
 fares and misfortunes of the virtuous, and the good : 
 these will be the delightful duties of this Society, 
 for these were the benevolent gratifications of him, 
 whose virtues and whose memory we were then met 
 to commemorate. Indeed the whole course of Mr. 
 Keynolds's life, was distinguished by disinterested 
 benevolence, and unostentatious charity. And such 
 was his singular modesty, that, in the beautiful lan- 
 guage of the poet, his charities were 
 
 " Like showers that fall by night, 
 And sheiv the effect, whilst they would hide the cause." 
 
 It was quite unnecessary for him to enlarge further 
 on the character of Mr. Reynolds, amidst those who 
 read that character in every act of a long life, pro- 
 tracted beyond the common life of man, but far too 
 short for the inestimable advantage of his bright ex^ 
 ample. It had been truly and happily said of Mr. 
 Reynolds, that his conduct was, in a double sense, 
 useful to mankind. He gave an excitement to the 
 rich, whilst he afforded relief to the poor. But he
 
 29 
 
 (Mr. Davis) hoped, that although the bountiful 
 hand was no longer administering relief amongst us, 
 yet that the excitement of his great example had not 
 gone with him to the grave, but that every one thai 
 day assembled, was anxious to shew, that it was thea 
 operating with a powerful efficacy on his mind. Mr. 
 Davis suggested, that the character of this society 
 should assimilate, as nearly as possible, to that of its 
 great founder. He was happy to see, by the rules 
 and regulations which had been just read, that its 
 donations were not to be confined to any sect or 
 party, but to be extended, like the benevolent phi- 
 lanthropy of Mr. Reynolds, to all deserving persons 
 in distress. He was likewise pleased to see, that the 
 annual subscriptions were proposed on a moderate 
 scale; they would, therefore, embrace a wider ex- 
 tent; and having a more solid foundation, the citi- 
 zens of Bristol would be enabled to raise a more 
 durable, as well as a more magnificent monument to 
 the memory of their great benefactor. Mr. D. said, 
 that he ought to apologise for saying a single word, 
 on such an occasion, personal to himself, if he did 
 not feel that it was his duty, as one of the members 
 in Parliament for this city, to have attended the re- 
 mains of such distinguished excellence to the grave. 
 It was his most anxious wish to have paid this last 
 sad duty to his departed friend. He had been infor- 
 med, that a printed notice of the day of interment 
 would be sent ; this notice he never received ; and 
 on coming into Bristol, on Wednesday, to make en- 
 
 13
 
 30 
 
 quiry, he learnt, to his great mortification, that the 
 funeral had taken place the day before. He hoped 
 this simple statement would be a satisfactory expla- 
 nation for his absence on that great and melancholy 
 occasion. Mr. Davis congratulated the meetings 
 upon its respectability and number, as it proved that 
 they had a due estimation of the great character they 
 had lost, and that his fellow- citizens were worthy of 
 having had this distinguished philanthropist so long 
 amongst them. 
 
 Mr. Davis concluded by saying, that the memory 
 of this exalted character would be embalmed in the 
 grateful recollection of the citizens of Bristol ; and^ 
 after all that human wit could enlarge in his praise, 
 his most eloquent eulogiums would be, the cry of 
 the distressed, and the crowd that, weeping, pressed 
 around his tomb. 
 
 The second resolution being moved by Mr. Smith, 
 was seconded by the Rev. Mr. Biddulph, who bore 
 testimony to the frequency with which the benevo- 
 lence of the deceased followed him, in his pastoral 
 visits to the poor, through the extensive parish, in 
 which he lived. 
 
 The third resolution having been read, the Rev. 
 Mr. Thorp rose to second it, and addressed the chair 
 in nearly the following words : 
 
 Mr. Chairman, Sir, Never, sureJy, were the in- 
 habitants of Bristol convened on a more solemn, or 
 a more affecting occasion than the present. To ren- 
 der a grateful tribute of respect to one of the best
 
 31 
 
 of men, and to perpetuate the memory of a philan- 
 thropist, of singular transcendant excellence. Thou- 
 sands can testify that he was an ornament of our na- 
 ture, an honour to our city, the glory of the society 
 to which he belonged, and a blessing to the empire 
 and the world. When the eye saw him, it blessed 
 him ; when the ear heard him, it bear him witness ; 
 he was eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame. The 
 cause which he knew not, he searched out ; he made 
 the widow's heart to sing for joy ; and the blessing of 
 the outcast orphan, ready to perish, came upon him. 
 
 He is now gone to that country, from whose bourne 
 no traveller returns; and while Bristol, with her 
 widows and her orphans, are weeping over his ashes, 
 the whole nation has reason to lament his departure. 
 That departure, however, was attended with many 
 alleviating circumstances, which, although they may 
 deepen our sensibility, are calculated to assuage the 
 violence of our grief. We sorrow not for this righte- 
 ous man, as those that have no hope ; we entertain 
 the faith of Christians, and cannot give place to the 
 despair of Heathens. He hath rested from his la- 
 bours, and his works shall follow him ; not to procure 
 his title, but to prove his right to the tree of life, 
 and to enter within the gates of the heavenly Jeru*- 
 salem. 
 
 We adore that kind and indulgent Providence, 
 which spared his valuable life for so many years, and 
 thus permitred him to mature those plans, which he 
 bad projected for th^ relief of misery, ag^es after his
 
 32 
 
 decease. We congratulate our fellow- citizens on the 
 honour they have done to themselves, by assembling 
 on this day to embalm his memory with their tears; 
 to catch, with his falling mantle, the sacred tlatne, 
 that glowed with such fervour in his bosom, and to 
 do what within them lies to give immortality to a 
 nanae, so dear and so venerable. That we may be 
 enabled, with more facility, to transcribe his virtues, 
 and copy his example, let us review the character of 
 that benevolence by which he was so eminently dis- 
 tinguished. 
 
 The benevolence of Richard Reynolds, Sir, was 
 of the highest order; it was liberal, diffusive, uni- 
 versal ; not narrowed by party prejudice, nor boun- 
 ded by the limits of party connections, it embraced 
 the family of man; yea, the whole circle of living 
 beings,, endowed with a capacity of pleasure or pain. 
 In its contemplation of the vast, however, it did not 
 overlook the minute ; in its comprehension of the 
 whole, it did not, like the modern philosophy, neg- 
 lect the parts, of which that whole is composed. Its 
 operations were regulated by the respective claims of 
 nature, of gratitude, of friendship, of consanguinity, 
 of religious connection, of moral worth, and of the 
 various degrees of wretchedness amongst the unhappy 
 objects, upon whom his bounty was bestowed. Pro- 
 ceeding, in the first instance, from compassion, it 
 was afterwards purified by religious principle, and 
 strengthened by a sense of his awful responsibility 
 to the great Lord of all, for the talent with which he
 
 33 
 
 wa entrusted. Compassion, improperly cultivated, 
 degenerates into an useless sensibility ; the pleasure 
 that attends it, soothes and deceives the heart. An 
 interesting: account of human wretchedness excites 
 its pleasurable sympathetic emotions; the tongue ut- 
 ters the law of kindness ; the man exults in his own 
 virtuous sensibility, and thus becomes the dupe of 
 self deception. But to enter the abodes of the 
 wretched ; to examine into debts, and wants and dis- 
 eases ; to encounter loathsome sights, and endurfe 
 offensive smells, within the very sphere of infection; 
 to give time, and thought, and talent, and labour, 
 and property ; this is the substance, and not ifhe sha. 
 dow of virtue. The pleasure of sensibility may be 
 greater ; but greater also is the danger of self deceit. 
 Death-bed scenes, eloquently described, delight the 
 imagination; but they, who are most delighted, are not 
 always the first to visit a dying neighbour, and sit 
 up all night, and wipe away the cold sweat, and 
 moisten the parched lip, and remove the phlegm, and 
 contrive easy postures, and bear with fretfulness, and 
 drop the pious thought, and console the departing 
 spirit. Ah, no ! these boasted children of senti- 
 mental benevolence, may often repair to the temple 
 ^virtue, but not to sacrifice. Extreme sensibility 
 is a mental disease ; it unfits us for relieving the mir 
 serable, and tempts us to turn away like the cold^ 
 hearted Priest and Levite ; it avoids the sight and 
 suppresses the thought of pain, stops the ears to the 
 cry of indigence, passes by the house of mourning,
 
 and abandons the nearest friends when sick, to the 
 care of the nurse and the physician, and when dead 
 to those who mourn for hire, and all this under the 
 pretence of delicacy of feeling and a tender heart. 
 Such was not the benevolence of the Bristol philan- 
 thropist. Those acts of bounty which flow from the 
 influence of sensibility, soon fail; like the good seed 
 fallen on stony ground, they soon spring up, and as 
 soon wither. But the benevolence of Richard 
 Reynolds, purified, strengthened, and animated by 
 Christian principles, was steady, uniform, and perse- 
 vering; neither ingratitude, nor imposture, nor oppo- 
 sition, nor even the frost of age, could chill its ar- 
 dours, or relax its exertions. It was active and in- 
 dustrious. His eloquence was not that of words, but 
 of deeds he said little, but he did much he left 
 others to define benevolence, he studied the practice 
 of it while the sickly child of sensibility was weep- 
 ing, he was extending relief while philosophers 
 were disputing whether philanthropy arose from sel- 
 fishness, or instinctive tenderness, or modes of edu- 
 cation, or the force of early and local associations, 
 or from the combined influence of all these causes, 
 heedless of their contentions, he was exemplifying in 
 real life, privately and before the world, the cha- 
 racter of a true philanthropist. Their speculations 
 he reduced to action, their abstract notions he em- 
 bodied, and to their airy nothings he gave not only 
 a local habitation, but a reality, a substance, and a 
 form, lake bis beloved Master, whose spirit he had
 
 35 
 
 imbibed, and whose example he closely copied, he 
 went about continually doing good. His beneficence 
 was guided by wisdom and discretion ; it was not 
 scattered promiscuously and at random, but bestowed 
 upon such objects, and in such a way as he deemed 
 (and he was a most excellent judge,) the most effec- 
 tive in promoting the individual and the general 
 good : to furnish employment for the healthy and the 
 strong to supply the wants of the really indigent 
 and necessitous to ease the aching heart of the fa- 
 ther who after toiling the live long day, finds instead 
 of rest at home, that he is called to bear what he is 
 least able to bear, the cries of a numerous family de- 
 manding bread when he has none to give to as- 
 suage the sorrows of poverty, overtaken by sickness, 
 or overwhelmed with misfortune to smooth the fur- 
 rowed cheek, and make the winter of age wear the 
 aspect of spring to act the part of a father to help- 
 less orphans on whom no parent of their own ever 
 smiled to supply the want of sight to the blind, feet 
 to the lame, and speech to the dumb' to rescue vice 
 from guilt, and infamy, and ruin, and during the 
 season of reformation, afford a shelter from the fury 
 of the storm to relieve the distress, and yet spare the 
 blushes of those who have known better days, by ad- 
 ministering that bounty which they in the time of their 
 prosperity were ready to administer to others. These 
 were the employments of Richard Reynolds ; these 
 the objects of his beneficence ; these were the offices 
 of mercy in which he delighted ! His heart told him
 
 36 
 
 what to Ho ; his conscience, as the viceo^erent of 
 heaven, reminded him of the claim of moral obli- 
 gation, and insisted that it must be done ; his head 
 devised the means, and arranged tlie plan of action ; 
 and his hands, obedient to the dictates of his heart, 
 and the mandates of conscience, were ever ready to 
 execute the plans, which his head had formed. Thus 
 his whole existence was consecrated to the cause of 
 benevolence ! If we love the modesty which con- 
 cealed the hand that bestowed the princely donation, 
 we revere the courage which occasionally stepped 
 forward to avow himself the donor, when his design 
 was to stimulate others to follow his example. His 
 whole conduct was marked by the most consummate 
 wisdom ; and left us at a loss whether to admire 
 most, the benevolence of his heart, or the powers of 
 his understanding ; the deeds of mercy which he 
 performed, or the manner in which he performed 
 them. All this prudence and benevolence was ador- 
 ned with modesty and humility. So far was he 
 from being inBated with the pride of wealth, that 
 he spoke the genuine sentiments of his heart, when 
 he said to a friend, who applied to him with a case 
 of distress, " my talent is the meanest of ail talents ; 
 a little sordid dust; but the man, in the parable, who 
 had but one talent, was accountable ; and for the 
 talent that I possess, humble as it is, I am also ac- 
 countable to the great Lord of all.'' His bounty 
 was not the result of fear, like the obedience of a 
 slave, who trembles under the scourge of a haughty
 
 37 
 
 tyrant. It was not excited by the prospect of remu- 
 neration, nor extorted by the dread of punishment, 
 nor performed with a view to merit an inheritance in 
 the kingdom of heaven. All such sentiments he re- 
 jected with abhorrence, placing his whole depen- 
 dence, for eternal life, on the sovereign mercy of 
 God, through the propitiatory sacrifice of his Re- 
 deemer : and if the gates of heaven had been clo- 
 sed, and the flames of hell extinguished, he would 
 have loved mercy, and delighted in acts of charity ! 
 He laid claim to no distinction, assumed no airs of 
 superiority, and never attempted to catch the public 
 eye, by an ostentatious display of extraordinary ex- 
 cellence. His goodness often descended in secret, 
 and, like the providence of heaven, concealed the 
 hand that sent the relief. He was a burning and a 
 shining light, and would have no man know it. But 
 he could not be hid ; to hide goodness like his was 
 impossible. How have I seen the good man shrink 
 within himself, and his venerable countenance crim- 
 son with the blush of modesty, when the mention of 
 his name has been hailed, in this place, with a thun- 
 der of applause. 
 
 His Charity was of heavenly origin, and bore the 
 impress of his Maker's image. It was derived from 
 an immediate union with the greatest of all beings, 
 and the fountain of all happiness ; and as the mind 
 naturally assimilates itself to those objects with which 
 it is familiarly conversant, by immediate intercourse 
 with his God, he caught the resemblance of his glory.
 
 38 
 
 For God is love, and he that dwelkth in love, dwell- 
 eth in God, and God in him. His body wuh the 
 temple of the Holy Ghost; built, indeed, with a 
 lowly roof, but attended with Cherubim and Sera- 
 phim. There an altar was erected to the living 
 God, whence the flame of devotion, and the incense 
 of praise, ascended day and night. In that temple, 
 as in the Jewish Sanctuary, the Shekinah, the visi- 
 ble symbol of a present Deity, was enshrined above 
 the mercy seat, and occasionally shone forth, and 
 shed a glory all around. In his measure he was fill- 
 ed with the fulness of God. No wonder if benevo- 
 lence like his was a source of happiness to himself, 
 as well as of relief to others. It was a spring shut 
 up, a fountain sealed, a garden enclosed, which the 
 eagles never saw, and the foot of the unclean beast 
 never trod. Enamoured with the charms of virtue, 
 he delighted to behold her native beauty, and to obey 
 her sweet commands. He practised benevolence, 
 for the sake of the pleasure with which the practice 
 of it was attended. He felt a luxury in doing good, 
 and he determined to enjoy that luxury. His own 
 experience taught him, that the God of mercy who 
 formed the heart of man to be the dispenser of his 
 bounty, has ordained, that like the vital fluid which 
 goes from the heart, to diftuse life and genial warmth 
 through the whole system, should return in the course 
 of circulation, not impoverished, but enriched, to 
 the source from whence it flowed. 
 
 His goodness might sometimes be requited with 
 evil, but this moved him not. He knew that no
 
 39 
 
 deed of mercy could be wasted, that some minister- 
 ing angel is stationed in every department of the 
 moral world, to gather up the fragments that fall 
 from the table of benevolence, that nothing may be 
 lost. Actuated by these noble principles, he held on 
 his glorious career, still scattering blessings around 
 him, nntil he resigned his meek and gentle spirit into 
 the hands of his Redeemer, to enjoy the fullness of 
 his love, and to behold the brightness of his glory, 
 in the regions of eternal day ; by relieving the mi- 
 serable he made himself friends of the mammon of 
 unrighteousness, many of whom had gone before 
 him, and have now hailed him as their benefactor, 
 on his arrival into everlasting habitations. 
 
 Now, Sir, let us turn aside, and visit the sacred 
 place where his remains are deposited, until the 
 heavens are no more. Low lies the hoary head that 
 was crowned with glory ! Dim, and no more with 
 ardour bright, are those eyes which once beamed 
 with kindness and with love ! Cold and silent as the 
 clod of the valley, is that heart that glowed and 
 beat with the purest affection! Torpid and benumbed 
 are those feet that carried him to the hovel of anguish 
 and despair, and those hands which so often hushed 
 the orphan's cries, and wiped away the widow's tears. 
 In ruins and desolation lies that temple where God 
 took up his dwelling, and shed abroad the effusions 
 of his love. But shall this edifice always lie in 
 ruins ? No ! the Holy Spirit will rebuild the sancta* 
 ary which he once honored with his presence, in a
 
 40 
 
 more glorious form, as the tabernacle in the wilder- 
 ness was taken down to be erected in a more magni- 
 ficent scale on the Mount of Zion. 
 
 But this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood can- 
 not inherit the kingdom of heaven, neither can cor- 
 ruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you 
 a mystery! we shall not all sleep, but we shall be 
 changed in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at 
 the last trump. For the trunapet shall sound, and 
 the dead shall be raised ; corruption shall put on in- 
 corruption, and mortality shall put on imn:iortality. 
 Thus incorruptible and immortal, formed and fashion- 
 ed after the model of the glorious body of his Re- 
 deemer, shall Reynolds rise from the dust, and be- 
 fore assembled worlds, be placed at the right hand 
 of the Sovereign Judge. Then he that sitteth on 
 the throne, in his own glory, and the glory of his fa- 
 ther, with all the angels of God around him, will say 
 to the man whom we loved, " Come, thou blessed of 
 my Father, and inherit the kingdom prepared for thee 
 from before the foundations of the world. For I was 
 an hungred and thou gavest me meat, I was thirsty 
 and thou gavest me drink, I was naked and thou 
 clothed me, I was a stranger and thou tookedst me 
 in, I was sick and in prison anil thou visitedst me." 
 Still adorned with that modesty for which he was so 
 conspicuous in the vale of sorrows, he replies, " Oh, 
 my Lord, when saw I thee hungry, and thirsty, and 
 naked, and a stranger, and sick, and in prison, and 
 ministered unto thee ?" Then shall the King say,
 
 41 
 
 " For as much, as thou hast done it unto the least of 
 these my brethren thou hast done it unto me. Enter 
 thou into the joy of thy Lord !" 
 
 Upon the fourth resolution being" moved by Mr. 
 Smith, Joseph Butter worth, Esq. M. P. seconded 
 the motion, and spoke to the following effect : 
 
 In rising to second this motion, I ought, as a 
 stranger, and accidental visitor in this city, to apolo- 
 gize for presenting myself to your notice. Sir, and to 
 this assembly; but the task having been assigned me, 
 I could not refuse offering my feeble tribute of res- 
 pect to so much departed worth, as we are met this 
 day to deplore. I do it the rather, although a stran- 
 ger here, because our late excellent friend was not 
 merely an eminent citizen of Bristol, he was a citi- 
 zen of the world, and, as far as possible, he exten- 
 ded his benefits to all mankind. But I rise. Sir, 
 under peculiar disadvantage, after the torrent of elo- 
 quence which has just been poured forth by my Rev. 
 friend (Mr. Thorp) ; eloquence which was the more 
 powerful and touching, because it was the language 
 of truth. I observed. Sir, that our departed friend 
 was a citizen of the world ; his benevolence exten- 
 ded far and wide. No doubt, many persons, in this 
 large assembly, could bear ample testimony to this, 
 and relate abundance of interesting proofs of it, if 
 the time would allow. A particular instance having 
 occurred under my own observation, I shall beg 
 leave to state. When the first subscription was 
 opened, to relieve the distress in Germany, I took
 
 42 
 
 some part in that institution. Being in Bristol, soon 
 afterwards, I had some conversation with Mr. Rey- 
 nolds on the subject. He made many judicious obser- 
 vations and inquiries as to the nature of the distress, 
 and the best mode of distribution, which served as 
 valuable hints to the committee in London. He then 
 modestly subscribed a moderate sum, with his name ; 
 but shortly after the committee received a blank letter, 
 having the post mark of Bristol, and enclosing a 
 Bank of England bill, for five hundred pounds. 
 
 At the first report of the death of Richard Rey- 
 nolds, an unanimous sentiment was felt in society, 
 that the public loss was irreparable. However, Sir, 
 from the appearance and spirit of the meetmg, it 
 should seem his mantle has fallen, not on any parti- 
 cular person merely, but on the whole city ; and we 
 hope, that although a double portion of his spirit 
 may not rest on individuals, yet collectively, it is 
 felt, more than a hundred fold, by the inhabitants at 
 large. His example. Sir, will, 1 trust, excite thou- 
 sands to tread his steps, and to imitate his excellen- 
 cies. 1 do not say that they will equal his transcen- 
 dant merits; but as much as the particles of the dew, 
 and the drops of the rain, do more good collectively, 
 than any single river, which may adorn and enrich 
 our country -, let us hope that the many drops of be- 
 nevolence, which shall be collected by this excellent 
 institution, will descend on the poor, and the dis- 
 tressed, in various streams of mercy, like the dew 
 and the rain from heaven, and do even more exten-
 
 43 
 
 sive good than that noble river, whose source is now 
 dried up. This meeting, Sir, reminds me of one of 
 the greatest heroes and patriots of antiquity, (Samp- 
 son) whose life was a great blessing to his country, 
 but whose death exceeded all his former services, by 
 the destruction which he then brought upon its ene* 
 mies. He had slain many in his life, but it is recor- 
 ded, " that the dead which he slew at his death, was 
 more than they which he slew in his life." I quote 
 this, not as the character of our deceased friend, who 
 lived only to do good, and not to destroy ; but merely 
 to adopt similar language in reference to him, and to 
 this institution, in expressing my hope, that the good 
 which shall be done by his death, may even be grea- 
 ter than all he did in his life. 
 
 It has been said. Sir, that this is not the time to 
 institute a charitable society, while trade and com- 
 merce are so much depressed, and general distress so 
 much prevails. It strikes me, however, that this of 
 all others is the very season to extend the hand of 
 charity, and the reasons which have been advanced 
 against the institution, are all in its favour. If trade 
 were good, and there were no general distress, but 
 full employment for the poor, there would be less oc- 
 casion for a new institution in their behalf; perhaps, 
 in this very time of general calamity, the Almighty 
 may have seen fit to call Richard Reynolds to his re* 
 ward, in order to excite an imitation of his virtues^ 
 and a more extensive spirit of philanthropy through- 
 ft^^thJe nation. \Vith regar/^ to the proposed insti-
 
 44 
 
 tution, it meets my most cordial approbation, and I 
 beg to express my thanks to the g-entlemen who drew 
 up and signed the requisition, and to you, Sir, for 
 convening this meeting. In respect to the motion, 
 which I have the honor to second, it appears that life 
 subscriptions are most judiciously to be founded, in 
 order that the interest of them may continue to do 
 good, when the donors are no more. Considering 
 the shortness and uncertainty of human life, I would 
 recommend all, who have the ability, to become life 
 subscribers, in order to do good after their decease ; 
 and life subscribers would do well to continue their 
 annual subscriptions, lest the life and spirit of their 
 charity should prematurely expire. 
 
 Upon seconding the sixth resolution, Dr. Pole 
 spoke as follows : 
 
 Being called upon to second the resolution that we 
 have just heard, I avail myself of this opportunity 
 of adding a very few remarks to those that have been 
 already made, relative to the object for which we are 
 this day assembled ; to commemorate the name of a 
 man, honoured and revered by all who knew him. 
 What I may say, on the present occasion, consider- 
 ing my connection with our departed friend, in reli- 
 gious society, might be deemed the result of parti- 
 ality, was it not for the many concurrent testimonies 
 of those around me. Richard Reynolds, it is well 
 known, possessed an ample fortune, in proportion to 
 which his private establishment was very plain and 
 moderate; he added frugality to charity, for cha-
 
 45 
 
 nt)''s sake. When applied toon behalf of the dis- 
 tressed, he seemed to feel a dread of misapplying his 
 bounty j he studied not only how to discriminate be- 
 tween the deserving and the imposing applicant, but 
 how he could render his charitable donations the 
 most extensively beneficial. When sufferers applied 
 to him for his assistance, he enquired into their con- 
 nections and relatives; if they were capable of af- 
 fording relief, he first endeavoured to awaken their 
 own benevolence, with a promise to contribute equally 
 with them ; by this judicious mode of conduct, he 
 was often the means of the sufferer receiving double 
 or treble the assistance he would otherwise have ob- 
 tained, whilst he became the instrument of promoting 
 sympathy and benevolence in many others, and was 
 by these means capable of afibrding efficient help to 
 a far greater number of unfortunate fellow-creatures. 
 It is well known that he made it his constant prac- 
 tice, from a religious principle, annually to expend 
 the whole of his income; what his moderate domestic 
 establishment did not require, he disposed of in sub- 
 scriptions and donations for promoting whatever was 
 useful to society, as well as to lessen the sufferings of 
 the afflicted, without regard to names, sects, or par- 
 ties. At one particular time, (if 1 am rightly in- 
 formed,) he wrote to a friend in Loudon, acquaint- 
 ing him that he had not, that year, spent the whole 
 of his income, requesting that if he knew of any par- 
 ticular cases claiming charitable relief, he would be 
 glad to be informed. His friend communicated to
 
 i6 
 
 him the distressing situation of a considerable num- 
 ber of persons conl&ned in a certain prison for small 
 debts. What did this humane and generous philan- 
 thropist do on this representation ? He cleared the 
 whole of their debts-^he swept this direful mansion 
 of all its miserable tenants he opened the prison 
 doors proclaimed deliverance to the captives and 
 let the oppressed go free. I will no longer detain 
 the meeting, or stand in the way of those much bet- 
 ter qualified than myself to speak properly to the 
 business before us. I will therefore conclude by se- 
 conding the resolution that has just been read. 
 
 On submitting the 13th resolution, Hart Davis, 
 Esq. M, P. said, that the object of the meeting, and 
 the character of the inestimable friend that the citi- 
 zens of Bristol had lost, had been so amply and so 
 eloquently explained by the gentlemen who preceded 
 him, that in seconding this resolution, he should con- 
 fine himself to an observation or two, that regarded 
 that resolution particularly. It had been asserted by 
 some of the gentlemen who had already exhausted 
 the powers of eloquence, in what they had addressed 
 to the meeting on this subject, that this society might 
 even more than fill up the void created by the death 
 of Mr. Reynolds ; much as he wished that such a 
 result might be possible, he could hardly anticipate 
 the realization of the hope. The great feature of 
 our immortal philanthropist's charity was, that it 
 was done in secret; that the sufferers hardly knew 
 the hand from whence the source of bounty flow-
 
 47 
 
 ed. The severe case of sudden distress in which the 
 mind of the sufferer was yet hardly reduced to ac- 
 cept of the aid of assistin|^ charity, was admirably 
 calculated for the delicate mind, and the single scru- 
 tiny of a Reynolds. The distress was relieved with- 
 out the feelings being* wounded, and he mentioned 
 this the rather because it was an argument in favour 
 of the iimitatioit of the quorum of the committee to 
 as low a number as possible. In this view the num- 
 ber of seven was fixed upon, and when the great 
 power that might be vested in them was considered, 
 this was, perhaps, as low as the number could with 
 propriety be allowed, and as far as the principle of 
 secrecy in the distribution of relief could be carried. 
 He would merely conclude with congratulating the 
 meeting on the truly philanthropic feelings which 
 had been exhibited in every thing that had taken 
 place that day, and in hoping that what should that 
 day be commenced, would tend to fill up the void 
 created by the death of the inestimable character 
 whose name the society would bear, and that by 
 these means many an aching heart would be soothed, 
 which would otherwise have to mourn an irreparable 
 loss. 
 
 Dr. Stock, on seconding the 15th resolution, ob- 
 served that it had not been his intention to add a 
 single word beyond merely seconding the appoint-* 
 ment of the Secretaries; but having accidentally 
 heard, from what he believed to be good authority, 
 the particulars of the princely donation alluded to by
 
 48 
 
 a Rev. Gentleman who had preceded him, he would 
 take the opportunity of briefly stating them. During 
 the scarcity which existed about twenty years since, 
 Mr. Reynolds resided at Coalbrook Dale ; from 
 thence he addressed a letter to some friends in Lon- 
 don, stating the painful impression made upon his 
 mind by the consideration of the distress of the com- 
 munity, and desiring that they would draw upon him 
 for such sums as they might judge necessary for the 
 feHef of the distresses existing around them. They 
 complied with his request, and continued to draw till 
 the sum amounted to eleven thousand pounds. It 
 appeared, however, that this large demand still fell 
 short of the liberality of his spirit; for after a few 
 months had elapsed, the philanthropist Wrote to them 
 again, saying that his mind was not yet easy, and that 
 his coffers were still too full. In consequence of this 
 letter, they again drew upon him to the extent of 
 nine thousand pounds more. 
 
 Mr. Stephen Prust, in seconding the 16th re- 
 solution, introduced the following anecdotes: Mfl 
 Reynolds having applied to a gentleman whom he 
 thought rich, but who was really only in circum- 
 stances of mediocrity, to stimulate him to give, made 
 use of the following argument : " When gold encir- 
 cles the heart, it contracts it to such a degree, that 
 no good can iRue from it ; but when the pure gold 
 of faith and love gets into the heart, it expands it, so 
 that the last drop of life blood will flow into any 
 channel of benevolence.'* Being importuned by a
 
 m 
 
 friend to sit for his portrait, he at length consented. 
 " How would you like to be painted?" " Sitting 
 among books." " Any book in particular ?" " The 
 bible." " Open 'at any particular part?" " At the 
 fifth chapter of Romans the first verse to be legi- 
 ble : * Therefore being justified by faith, we have 
 peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ." 
 
 Since the meeting, Mr. Prust has communicated 
 to us the following additional anecdote of Mr. Rey- 
 nolds: A lady applied to him on behalf of an or*- 
 phan. After he had given liberally, she said, ** When 
 he is old enough, 1 will teach him to name and thank 
 his benefactor." " Stop, (said the good man,) you 
 mistake ; we do not thank the clouds for the rain. 
 Teach him to look higher, and thank him who giveth 
 both the clouds and the rain." 
 
 The Rev. Mr. Maurice, in proposing the 18th re- 
 solution, spoke as follows :- ** Mr. Mayor, permit 
 me to present to you, and to this respectable meet- 
 ing, a motion immediately connected with the bu- 
 siness for which we are assembled. It has for its 
 object, a vote of thanks to the gentlemen who first 
 requested you to convene the citizens of Bristol, to 
 form the association towards which, your services on 
 this day so admirably contributed. In this respect 
 they are entitled to our gratitude. The time in 
 which the request was made that you would grant 
 the use of this hall, marks their judgment, and enti- 
 tles them to our praise. It was when sorrow was 
 filling each heart, and the recollection of tbe loss
 
 60 
 
 sustained, seemed only to occupy the mind. The 
 relatives of the deceased could not step forward, and 
 the retreatin(, the withdrawing- sect from public at- 
 tention, to which Richard Reynolds belonged, pre- 
 cluded the expectation of such a step being adopted, 
 as this meeting has sanctioned. Ages to come will, 
 I hope, call those blessed who then enrolled their 
 names, and desired, that although dead, yet should 
 Reynolds still speak in their actions, and in the ac- 
 tions of those who might join the association, they 
 were solicitous to dedicate to his memory. The so- 
 licitude of the gentlemen to unite all parties in the 
 common cause of humanity, has been proved by the 
 method in which every previous arrangement for this 
 meeting was conducted, and with what effect each 
 one can judge who has witnessed the proceedings of 
 this day. Though much has been said of his worth, 
 more remains to be told that may be useful to sur- 
 vivors. One plan in which Mr. Reynolds employed 
 his property was, by lending small sums without in- 
 terest, to honest but unfortunate persons, or to those 
 who wanted aid ; but if the interest could be paid, 
 to receive it, and also the capital, at once, or by in- 
 stalments, and let the same sum be again and again 
 applied to the same purpose, with different objects. 
 Another circumstance was near to his heart, and 
 which a gentleman now before me, (the Rev. Mr. 
 Day), who displays the spirit of his departed friend, 
 well understands the care of those who may be im- 
 prisoned in your new gaol. Mr. Reynolds was
 
 51 
 
 anxious they should be reformed, as well as confined, 
 instructed in habits of industry, and a knowledge 
 of their duties to God and man, and returned, (if 
 possible,) good members of society when they were 
 released from your prisons. This legacy he has left 
 you lo fulfil, and, pardon me Mr. Mayor, and all you 
 gentlemen to whom the superintendence of the in- 
 tended gaol may be assigned, if I add a hope that 
 you will not forget what was highly interesting to 
 him whose memory you so justly revere. In conclu- 
 sion, Mr. Maurice expressed a wish that a much va- 
 lued friend, who possessed a document highly inte- 
 resting, and which would be a suitable termination 
 to their meeting, would come forward and favour the 
 company with the closing scenes of Mr. Reynolds's 
 life. 
 
 Mr. Butterworth, on seconding the thanks to the 
 Mayor, mentioned a marble tablet which he had no- 
 ticed in a small private chapel in this city, on which 
 were inscribed the following names, and lines, written 
 by the late worthy John Birtill, on hearing of Lord 
 Nelson's victory off* Trafalgar : viz. 
 
 John Howard, 
 
 Jonas Hanway, 
 
 John Fothergill, M. D. 
 
 KicHARD Reynolds. 
 Not unto us O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy 
 name be the glory. 
 
 Beneath some ample, hallowed dome. 
 The warriors bones are laid,
 
 52 
 
 And blazon'd on the stately tomb, 
 His martial deeds display'd. 
 
 Beneath an humbler roof we place, 
 This monumental stone, 
 
 To names the poor shall ever bless, 
 And charity shall own. 
 
 To soften human woe, their care. 
 
 To feel its sig'h, to aid its prayer ; 
 
 Their work on earth, not to destroy. 
 
 And their reward, their Master's joy. 
 The Chairman observed that he understood a gen- 
 tleman was present who had drawn up this memoran- 
 dum of the last days of this excellent man, and he 
 hoped he would oblige the meeting by reading it; 
 several other gentlemen expressed the same wish, 
 upon which Mr. T. Sanders said it was true that he 
 bad made a memorandum of that sort, but it was in- 
 tended only for his own family, as a memorial of a 
 departed friend, and he had almost said of a good 
 man, who had left with him soma tokens of his re- 
 gard, which he was desirous of perpetuating by some 
 means in his posterity. He had no intention of suit- 
 ing it to the present occasion, and probably some 
 present would think it might as well have been with- 
 held, but as it appeared so evidently the wish of the 
 meeting, he would endeavour to read it. 
 
 Sept. 14//, 18 10. Memorandum respecting the late 
 Richard Reynolds. In the spring of this year, his 
 anxious friends thought they saw in his countenance 
 indications of declining health. He was indeed
 
 " 53 
 
 about this time frequently complaining of weaknesi 
 and loss of appetite. In May, he was very unwell 
 from a cold, but had nearly recovered when a bi- 
 lious attack reduced him considerably, and did not 
 permanently yield to medical skill. Seeing this, he 
 was urged to try the waters at Cheltenham, to which 
 he submitted, evidently to satisfy his friends, for his 
 mind was fixed on the probability that the complaint 
 would terminate his earthly pilgrimage, and with 
 this view he frequently expressed himself quite satis- 
 fied, having brought his mind to a dependence only 
 on the mercy of God in Christ Jesus. He went to 
 Cheltenham the 7th August, and continued with but 
 little variation as to his disorder, till Friday the 6th 
 September, (walking and riding out every day, and 
 even driving the carriage himself, accompanied by 
 his daughter or cousin, only), on which day he walk- 
 ed out before breakfast, but soon after became much 
 weaker, and towards evening declined rapidly. On 
 Sunday, however, he revived so much as to give hopes 
 that it would be possible to remove him to Bristol, 
 the next day, the prospect of which had before ap- 
 peared to be agreeable to him ; but these hopes were 
 disappointed ; he sunk again in the course of that 
 night, never to revive. For many years he had not 
 been confined to his bed a whole day, and during 
 this illness, he got up and sat at table with the family, 
 during all their meals, till Monday, his last day, when 
 he was induced by his friends to lie in bed till the af- 
 ternoon ; then he arose, drank tea with them in ano- 
 
 H
 
 54 ^ 
 
 ther room, and went to bed at his usual time. At 
 five o'clock next morning, an alteration for the worse 
 appearing- in his breathing, some of his relatives who 
 had retired for a while, were called to him, but none 
 of them thought his end so near ; he had before de- 
 sired that his daughter would be with him at his 
 close, and now about six o'clock, raising himself a 
 little, he signified that she should go to the other side 
 of the bed, when, turning on his side, and taking her 
 hand in his, and pressing it, he quietly and almost 
 imperceptibly expired. A silence which hardly can 
 be described pervaded the room, no one quitting the 
 awful scene for more than an hour. This was 
 the lOth of September, 1816. " Know ye not 
 that there is a Prince and a great man fallen this day 
 in Israel.'* A few days previously to this event, after 
 something consolatory had been ministered by an en- 
 deared female friend, he said, my faith and hope are 
 as they have long been, on the mercy of God through 
 Jesus Christ, who was the propitiation for my sins, 
 and not for mine only, but for the sins of the whole 
 world. During his illness, he was exceedingly pla- 
 cid and ki'id to every body, his countenance and 
 conduct indicating that all within was peace ; no 
 alarm, no regret at leaving a world, in which no 
 one, perhaps, had more of its real blessings, to relin- 
 quish the love, the veneration of all around him ; but 
 on the contrary a willingness to yield up his spirit to 
 him who gave it, and had sanctified it by the blood 
 of the Redeemer.
 
 66 
 
 RICHARD REYNOLDS. 
 
 October \2th. 
 In our last page, will be found the conclusion 
 of the proceedings and addresses of the diff6- 
 rent gentlemen who took a distinguished part in 
 the formation of Reynolds's Commemoration So- 
 ciety, at our Guildhall ; we have this week the plea- 
 sure of recording several liberal donations, which 
 
 have been subscribed since our last publication. 
 When we state to our fellow-citizens, that at a meet- 
 ing of the committee which took place on Thursday 
 last, it was stated to the gentlemen present, that not 
 only are those numerous individuals who proved 
 themselves deserving objects of Mr. Reynolds's cha- 
 rity, deprived of their weekly alms, by the death of 
 this good man, but that two, if not three of the cha- 
 rities in this city, which were under his peculiar pa- 
 tronage, and to the support of which, he never failed 
 to contribute when their finances were low, have but 
 a very few pounds remaining in the hands of their 
 respective treasurers, we are confident we shall not 
 appeal in vain to the public so far to repair his loss, 
 as to enable the committee in this peculiar period of 
 distress, to lend a helping hand to these institutions ; 
 to most of these charities, on the approach of winter, 
 an inclosure of lOOl. has been for years past privately 
 conveyed ; we fear the unknown benefactor no longer 
 remains amongst us. We have just been favoured 
 with the following letter from a benevolent friend of 
 the deceased; it contains a most interesting docu^ 
 ;3[ient written some years since by the departed phi-
 
 56 
 
 lanthropist, and is particularly gratifying to our feel- 
 ing's, as it discloses to us for the first time, the know- 
 ledge of the hand-writing of an anonyoious corres- 
 pondent, with whom we have been long familiarly 
 acquainted, by his dropping into our letter box, hints 
 and communications, which have frequently adorned 
 our columns ; all of a character tending to encrease 
 the happiness and benefit of his fellow-ci'eatures. 
 We are informed he always retained copies of his 
 correspondence, which we sincerely hope for the be- 
 nefit of society, the friends of the deceased may be 
 prevailed upon at some future day, to lay before the 
 public. Richard Reynolds's letter, it will be seen, 
 displays in a most forcible light, the feelings which 
 Bctuate<l this benevolent character in the disposal of 
 his worldly goods, and the peculiar manner in which, 
 while living*, he endeavoured to excite others to fol- 
 low his bright example. 
 
 TO MR. GUTCH. 
 
 October \2th. 
 Sir A short time before the last illness of our ve- 
 Derable friend, Mr. Reynolds, I had a pleasing con- 
 versation with him, on the subject of the various cha- 
 rities in this city, which he had so liberally patro- 
 nized. He informed me that he thought it right to 
 be his own executor, as it respected these and other 
 charities and in confirmation that this had long been 
 h\H opinion, he put into my hands the following- 
 cj>y of a letiar he had written twelve years ago, 
 ftn the subject ; at my particular request he gave
 
 6T 
 
 me the copy, which I highly value, more espe- 
 cially as it is in his own band-writing ; but as it 
 flispiaysi the character of a sound logician, as well 
 U9 a great philanthropist, your insertion of it in 
 your widely circulated paper, may stimulate many 
 others who are blessed with the power, to " go and 
 do likewise". Some of the institutions of benevolence 
 in this city, already to my knowledge feel his loss; 
 ^and as there is a great probability that in the ensuing 
 winter, urgent calls will be to be made on all those 
 who have the power of administering, in any way 
 whatever to the assistance of the poor, I think it 
 highly proper that so bright an example should be 
 held up for general imitation. I am Sir, your hum- 
 ble servant, A. T. 
 Brislols \lth Oclober, 1816. 
 
 BricLgetvater, lUh Qmo. 1814. 
 
 Dear 
 
 The sentiments to which thy brother al- 
 3udes,though I know not that I expressed it to him, was 
 in consequence of u reference to some post mortuary 
 charities, if thou will allow of the expression when 
 adverting to the saying of the apostle, that we were 
 to receive hereafter according to the thingfs done in 
 the body, 1 contended that these were not things 
 done in the body, and I do not think the assertion 
 need be qualified by the alteration thou suggests, of 
 being best done while we are in the body ; for in the 
 case under consideration, we keep what we have as
 
 58 
 
 long as we are in the body, and would keep it longer 
 if we could ; all that we do is to prevent our heirs 
 from doing as we have done, by obliging them to do 
 that which we should have done, and the deed is not 
 done either by them or by us, while we are in the 
 body. If we should admit there is any merit in the 
 deed, it certainly cannot belong to us who do it not, 
 and that which we do by enjoining what others shall 
 do, is lessening as much as we can every thing like 
 merit in them, by depriving them of free agency, 
 especially if they are not the persons to whom the 
 money would have gone if we had died intestate. 
 These, if any have a right to take credit on account 
 of the act 3 perhaps those, if any such there be who 
 prevent them from having what the law would give 
 them, would do well to consider whether the account 
 is properly adjusted, by their obliging those to whom 
 they do give it, to apply it to charitable purposes, 
 which can do them no credit. The testator certainly 
 can claim none as for a deed done in the body, which 
 as I said before, neither was then done, nor would 
 have been done had he continued in the body. I am 
 pleased to find the reflection warmed thy heart; I 
 hope it will move thy hands also, upon an occasion 
 which the same post that brought me thy letter, 
 brought me an account stiled, a case of distress, re- 
 lating that of was drowned near 
 
 leaving a wife and nine children, without any provi- 
 sion for their support. That contributions would be 
 received at the banks there, till the 6th instant, after
 
 59 
 
 which time the inhabitants would be applied to per- 
 sonally. I suppose thou art not a stranger to the 
 case, most likely not to the individuals, and as a 
 neighbour, still more as a parent of a numerous 
 offspring, I conclude thy assistance will be propor- 
 tionably liberal, nor the less for its being a deed done 
 in the body. I know not who sent me the case, 
 which I did not receive till the time was expired for 
 public contributions ; nevertheless, if thou will inform 
 me, what thou and others have done, and you have 
 left room for more, though a stranger to the persons, 
 and remote from the place, my mite shall not be 
 withdrawn by thy affectionate friend, 
 
 RicHARii Reynolds. 
 
 October I2th, 
 We are requested by the gentlemen who in the 
 Guildhall on Wednesday, the 2d instant, alluded to 
 a conversation that took place some years ago, be- 
 tween the late excellent Mr. Reynolds, and a dis- 
 tinguished character in this neighbourhood, to say, 
 he is now perfectly satisfied that he has been under 
 a mistake in this respect, viz. that the particular em- 
 phatic expression related by him, as having been 
 uttered by Mr. Reynolds, never was used by that 
 philantrhopic christian ; and further, that the distin- 
 guished individual referred to, was not the cause of 
 the mistake,, but that he must have received his 
 information from some other quarter, next to not 
 doing an injury, is the pleasure of endeavouring t
 
 60 
 
 repair one when committed ; and as this from infor- 
 mation which he has received, seems to be the case 
 in the present instance, though perfectly uninten- 
 tional on his part, the writer gladly and voluntarily 
 gives this public testimony, (to do away as much as 
 he can, the false impression of which he has unhap- 
 pily been made the medium of spreading) for the 
 satisfaction of the friends of Mr. Reynolds in par- 
 ticular, and of that society at large, of which Mr. R. 
 was a member, and for which the writer entertains 
 sincere respect; and he must add, it was solely 
 from a desire to exalt the character of the de- 
 ceased, that he was influenced in the testimony 
 which he gave, 
 
 VERSES, 
 
 On reading the account of Reynolds's Commemoration 
 Society in the City of Bristol. 
 
 While yet his ardent course he runs, 
 
 High Hearen the worthy Reynolds calls, 
 
 But lo ! on Bristol's grattful sons, 
 His philanthropic mantle falls. 
 
 They meet but not for empty praise, 
 
 His spirit speaks the' he be dead, 
 The noblest monument to raise, 
 
 Tbey give the poor not stones, but bread. 
 
 RICHARD REYNOLDS. 
 
 November 20ih, 
 The following interesting letter was written by the 
 late philanthropic Richard Reynolds, a short time
 
 t 
 
 61 
 
 previous to his decease, to a friend in the neighbour* 
 of Sherborne. 
 
 ' Cheltenham, SOth of S Monthy 1816. 
 
 Respected Friend, 
 I shall obtain thy excuse for not acknowledging 
 sooner thy acceptable favour of 7th instant, which I 
 received at this place; when I inform thee, that after 
 undergoing the usual routine of medical operations, 
 and administrations, for a disorder which had re- 
 duced my strength, flesh, and spirits, and was termed 
 bilious, I was recommended to drink these waters as 
 a dernier resort. I came here the 8th instant, but 
 do not find any lasting relief. 1 intend to give the 
 waters a fair trial, but with little other hope than that 
 expressed by Barsellai, whose age, and circumstan- 
 ces are mine; that I may turn back again, die in 
 mine own city, and be buried by the grave of my 
 father and mother I rejoice in the prospect of the 
 success of thy benevolent intention for the service of 
 the poor. On the subject of politics, I have long ago 
 ceased to interest myself; but 1 have satisfaction in 
 finding I was of thy opinion on the conduct of Wm. 
 Pitt, in the years 1790, and 91, and hope with thee, 
 that Providence will produce consequences from it, 
 favourable to the interest and happiness of man, and 
 endeavour with thee to obtain that resignation to the 
 Almighty Power, which is the best resource under 
 every calamity. I read Sir Thomas Barnard's Spuri- 
 ana with satisfaction, but it is too late for me to think 
 of improving even by so excellent a performance. I 
 
 I 
 
 4
 
 62 
 
 have done with this world, and all my happiness in it 
 is, from the hope that I shall soon have it where there 
 is neither sin nor sorrow, and that hope rests entirely 
 on the mercy of God, and the merits and mediation 
 of Jesus Christ, to which I commend thee, with the 
 lool of thy obliged and affectionate friend, . 
 
 R.R. 
 
 November 9th, 1816. To the memory of Richard 
 Reynolds, of Bristol, who died at Cheltenham, Sep. 
 10th, 1816, aged 80 years. 
 
 BY WILLIAM ROSCOE. 
 
 Oh ! let no plaint be heard, no murmurs rise, 
 When, ripe in years and goodness, Reynolds dies. 
 But, 'midst the precincts of this sacred bound. 
 Let calm and holy silence breathe around ; 
 Whilst filial duty, bending o'ei" his bier. 
 Consigns to gratitude the sorrowing tear ; 
 And humble hope, with feelings unexpressed. 
 Owns the full promise thro' her throbbing breast. 
 For oh ! if breathings of accordant airs, 
 The orphan's offerings, and the mourner's prayers, 
 Blessing* from fervent hearts, in secret paid, 
 For soothing comforts and for timely aid, 
 For prompt compassion, vigilant to save. 
 For bounty generous, as the heart that gave ; 
 If these, ascending t'wards the source of light, 
 May waft the spirit on its heavenward flight ; 
 Then Reynolds, 'midst the mansions of the just, 
 Crown'd are thy labours, and confirm'd thy trust ; 
 Then the last shade of earthly doubts remov'd, 
 Thy deeds recorded, and thy life approv'd, 
 Thou heard'st with joy thy Master's blest decree. 
 What thou bast done for tliese, was done for me.
 
 63 
 
 November 23rc?, 1816. 
 
 THE LATE RICHARD REYNOLDS. 
 
 Mr. Montgomery's verses to the memory of this 
 great and good man have just been published. They 
 consist of three pieces ; first, the Death of the 
 Righteous ; second, the Memory of the Just; third, 
 a Good Man's Monument. From the second piece, 
 we extract the following admirable portrait of the 
 deceased philanthropist. 
 
 He was one, whose open face 
 
 Did bis inmost heart reveal, 
 One who wore, with meekest grace, 
 
 On his forehead. Heaven's broad seal. 
 Kindness all bis looks express'd, 
 
 Charity was ev'ry word, 
 Him the eye beheld and bless'd. 
 
 And the ear rejoic'd that heard ; 
 Like a Patriarchal sage, 
 
 Holy, humble, courteous, mild, 
 He could blend the an of age 
 
 With the sweetness of a child. 
 
 The following are the concludmg lines of the 
 Good Man's Monument. 
 
 Bristol, to thee the eye of Albion turns, 
 At thought of thee thy country's spirit bums ; 
 For in thy walls, as on her dearest ground, 
 Are British minds and British manners found. 
 And, 'midst the wealth, which Avon's waters pour, 
 From every clime, on thy commercial shore, 
 Thou hast a native mine, of worth untold, 
 Thine heart is not encas'd in rigid gold, 
 Wither'd to mummy, steel'd against distress, 
 No ; free as Severn's waves, that spring to bless 
 Their parent hills, but as they roll, expand, 
 In argent beauty thro' a lovelier land ; 
 And widening, brightening to the western SUD, 
 In floods of glory thro' thy channel run ;
 
 64 
 
 There, mingling with the boundless tide, are hurl'd, 
 In ocean's chariot, round the utmost world ; 
 Thus flow thine heart streams warm and unconfin'd, 
 At home, abroad, to woe of every kind ; 
 Worthy wert thou of Reynolds, worthy he^ 
 To rank the first of Britons, ev'n in thee. 
 Reynolds is dead, thy lap receives his dust, 
 Until the resurrection of the just ; 
 Reynolds is dead, but while thy rivers roll, 
 Immortal in thy bosom, live his soul. - . , 
 Go, build his monument, and let it be 
 Firm as the land, but open as the sea, 
 Low in his grave the strong foundatioos lie, 
 Yet be the dome expansive as the sky ; 
 On crystal pillars, resting from above. 
 Its sole supporters works of faith and lovp. 
 So clear, so pure, that to the keenest sight, 
 They cast no shadow, all within be light ; 
 No walls divide the area, nor enclose. 
 Charter the whole to ev'ry wind that blows ; 
 Then rage the tempest, flash the lightnings blue. 
 And thunders roll, they pass uuharraing through ; 
 One simple altar in the midst be plac'd, 
 With this, and only this inscription grac'd, 
 The song of angels, at Emmanuel's birth, 
 Glory to God, good will and jjeace on earth ; 
 There, by thy duteous sons, a tribe of priests. 
 Not offering incense, nor the blood of beasts. 
 But with their gifts upon that altar spread, 
 Health to the sick, and to the hungry bread ; 
 Beneficence to all their hands shall deal. 
 With Reynolds' single eye, and hallow'd zeal ; 
 Pain, want, misfortune, thiiher shall repair, 
 Folly and vice reclaira'd, shall worship there j 
 The God of him, in whoso uaoscendant min4 
 Stood such a temple, free to ^11 mankind. 
 Thy God, thrice honour'd city, bids thee rais^ 
 That fallen temple to the end k^K days. 
 Obey bis voice, fulfil thine high intent. 
 Yea, be thyself the good man's monument.
 
 65 
 A TRIBUTE OF AFFECTION 
 
 TO THE 
 
 Memory of one highly revered. 
 
 Richard Reynolds, who for many years resided in 
 Bristol, and died lately at Cheltenham, was a man 
 of universal charity. The loss of such an one can 
 only be justly appreciated by those who best knew him, 
 and who have stood most in need of pecuniary as- 
 sistance ; for he was indeed " the poor man's friend." 
 He possessed a liberal income (which he gained by 
 industry in early life) and a no less liberal heart. He 
 lent an ever attentive ear to the voice of distress^ and 
 his charity was only limited by the wants of the sup- 
 pliant. His time was principally employed in seek- 
 ing out and redressing the wants of others; and this 
 was not superficially done, for he took pains to in- 
 vestigate each of the numerous applications which 
 were made to him, thereby avoiding that imposition 
 to which he would otherwise have been liable. He 
 considered that he received all from God, and conse- 
 quently that to him he was accountable for its dis- 
 posal. Though his heart was formed to enjoy in a 
 peculiar manner, the soft and refined pleasures which 
 flow from social intercourse ; yet these he never suf- 
 fered to interfere with that portion of time which he 
 daily devoted to the alleviation of distress. No 
 earthly splendours dazzled his eyes, or diverted his
 
 66 
 
 attention from the discharge of his important trust. 
 He shrunk from human praise, and desired only the 
 approbation of heaven, which the peaceful serenity 
 of his countenance plainly shewed he received, as 
 the greatest of all blessings, an approving conscience. 
 Though he was remarkable for his humility and 
 manners, he has left few behind who were his equals, 
 perhaps none his superiors, in generosity of soul : for 
 though he was an uniform and excellent example of 
 consistency in the society who have the honour of 
 claiming him as one of its members, yet, spurning 
 the narrow bonds of sectarism, like the noble source 
 from whence he drew his virtue and his wealth, he 
 freely dispensed the latter to all who stood in need. 
 How humiliating is the contemplation of such a cha> 
 racter to us, who have not arrived at such a height 
 of excellence ? Yet how does the heart dilate with 
 pleasure in seeing it is attainable. After tracing 
 thus far his life, we are naturally led to enquire, 
 " what was his exit ?" And how gratifying is it to 
 learn, that it was peaceful as his life ; and that with- 
 out a sigh he resigned his soul unto him who gave 
 it, in full assurance of a happiness, as perfect in de> 
 gree, as it is endless in duration ! 
 
 Emily. 
 Melksham, Sep. 19/A, 1816.
 
 6T 
 
 EXTRACTS FROM A SERMON, 
 
 JPreached by Samuel Lowell^ at Bridge-street Chapel, 
 Bristol f September 22nc?, 1816, on the death of 
 Richard Reynolds. 
 
 *' The benevolence of our departed philanthropist, 
 we rejoice to say, was in unison with his, whom he 
 called his " Master and Lord ;" it therefore embra- 
 ced the interests both of the body and of the soul. 
 That it comprised the interests of the soul was abun- 
 dantly evident, from his ardent desire for the univer- 
 sal dissemination of the holy scriptures, which are 
 able to make " men wise unto salvation." Amongst 
 the various institutions, which he so liberally patro- 
 nized, there was no one to which his heart was more 
 fondly attached, than to that noble monument of 
 Christian charity, "the British and Foreign Bible 
 Society." Under the influence of the same spirit, 
 he displayed a most afi'ectionate regard for pious mi- 
 nisters of the Gospel, of every distinction. He wat 
 our common friend, and there were innumerable 
 nameless ways by which he encouraged us all in the 
 prosecution of our labours, and by which he made 
 it sufficiently evident, that he was pleased and gra- 
 tified in proportion as he conceived we were success- 
 ful in " converting sinners from the error of their 
 ways." His tender concern for the spiritual welfare 
 of the rising generation was evinced by his liberal 
 contributions in support of the schools, belonging to 
 ^d different denominations of Christians. In a
 
 68 
 
 word, it was " his heart's desire and prayer to God, 
 that the people might be saved." That his benevo- 
 lence was not confined to the spiritual necessities of 
 men, but that it extended to their temporal wants, 
 we are all witnesses. Such, however, was his ex- 
 treme modesty, that, had it been possible for him 
 effectually to have served his generation, without his 
 charity being known, we are persuaded, that the 
 whole of his bounty would have remained a secret to 
 this hour. But this could not be ; he, therefore, in- 
 stead of seeking, endured " the praise of men." 
 With a single eye, and a melting heart, he fed the 
 hungry, clothed ihe naked, and, by his bounty, 
 warmed, in the inclement season, the shivering limbs 
 of the aged poor, and the deserted orphan, when 
 " congealed impetuous showers descend ;" nor has he 
 failed to perpetuate these benefits now he is become 
 an inhabitant of the grave. His tender spirit sym- 
 pathised, in a peculiar degree, with the afflicted 
 poor; the combined sorrows of penury and disease 
 might, indeed, be well supposed deeply to affect a 
 mind, which by nature and by grace was so formed 
 " to feel another's woe :" hence his princely contri- 
 butions to our Infirmary ; hence the zeal and assidu- 
 ity, by which he stimulated others to become its pa- 
 trons; and to his pecuniary and active benevolence 
 is, perhaps, to be ascribed the completion of that 
 stately structure, our Bristol Bethesda, which is 
 "the house of mercy." In whatever course his 
 bounty was seen to flow, surely never was a bene-
 
 69 
 
 factor further removed from every approach to osten- 
 tation! To refer, on almost any occasion, to his 
 charities, scarcely ever failed to embarrass him ; and 
 we have more than nee observed his venerable 
 cheek tinged with a crimson hue, even on an allusion 
 of the most delicate kind being, made to his liberality. 
 Next to the light of God's countenance, which he 
 esteemed " better than life," he seems to have covet- 
 ed "the luxury of doing good;" and in the rich grati- 
 fication of many a mental repast, had he a delightful 
 explanation of that divine maxim, '* it is more bles- 
 sed to give than to receive." In some instances, 
 however, it is difficult to determine who is made 
 most happy, they who delight in the free and gene- 
 rous exercise of charity, or they to whom it is exten- 
 ded, when 
 
 The quality oi mercy is not strain'd, 
 But droppeth as the gentle rain from hear'n, 
 Upon the place beneath ; it is twice blest : 
 It blesseth him that gives and him that takes." 
 
 The preacher goes on to expatiate on the death of 
 righteous and merciful men, and then observes, 
 "when the late aflfecting tidings, therefore, were 
 once announced, it was almost instantly known in 
 every street, that the poor man's friend had closed 
 his eyes in deaih ; and there are few pious persons in 
 our city, whether of the poor, who partook of his. 
 bounty, or the rich, who were his associates in good, 
 works, who have not felt a pang at the recollection^ 
 that they shall see his face no more. 
 
 The silent and the pensive sadness of the thou- 
 
 K.
 
 TO 
 
 Aands, who were so anxious, as his funeral passed 
 along, to pay their last token of respect to his pre- 
 cious remains, was an eulogium on his character, 
 more expressive than words, and which found its 
 way more directly to the heart than all the figures of 
 speech, or charms of oratory. Around his grave, in 
 every countenance, there were characters inscribed, 
 which needed not the aid of an interpreter to decy- 
 pher; the sighs and tears of the multitude were all 
 vocal; and the whole of the melting scene was cal- 
 culated to extort that exclamation, " see how they 
 loved him?" It was a becoming token of grateful 
 affection; nor is it inconsistent either with a manly 
 fortitude, or with the spirit of Christianity, to weep 
 over the graves of our deceased benefactors, relatives 
 or friends. It is no part of the design of religion, 
 to annihilate our passions, its nobler object is to re- 
 fine them, and so to influence their operations, that 
 they neither sink us into the stupor of indifference, 
 nor raise us to the impatience of rebellion. When 
 we mourn the loss of good men, without repining, 
 we fulfil a duty, which is respectful to them, useful 
 to others, honourable to ourselves, and pleasing 
 to God, " When Samuel died, all the Israelites 
 were gathered together, and lamented him." ** De- 
 vout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made 
 great lamentations over him." 
 
 The preacher further observes, " to repair the loss 
 sustained by the removal of " righteous and merciful 
 men,'' is in most cases difficult, and in some impos- 
 
 m
 
 71 
 
 sible. The present appeals to be of the latter kind : 
 Where shall we look for a successor to Richard Rey- 
 nolds? Where shall we find those rare combinations, 
 which formed his character, and which rendered him 
 equally the admiration of the philosopher and the 
 love of the plebeian ? Where shall we meet with the 
 same portion of strong manly sense, mingled with so 
 much amiable modesty ? Where shall we look for 
 a man, in the possession of so much wealth, whose man- 
 ners shall be adorned with the same degree of gen- 
 tleness and affability towards the poor and indigent? 
 Where dwells the man, whose munificence shines 
 with a splendour like his; and who can, like him, 
 without seeming to stoop, " condescend to men of 
 low estate?" Or where shall the individual be found, 
 who shall possess so much religious zeal, with o 
 small a portion of a sectarian spirit; \^ose heavenly 
 mind can never be captivated but with the image of 
 Christ ; but who shall always respect that lovely pic- 
 ture, whether it be found with the Greek or the Jew, 
 the Barbarian or the Scythian, the bond or the free ? 
 These are questions to which we shall find it difficult, 
 if not impossible, to obtain satisfactory answers. 
 
 It will, therefore, require the united efforts of 
 many to fill up the chasm, and to repair the loss, which 
 is sustained by the lamented removal of our excel- 
 lent friend.
 
 12 
 
 , TRIBUTE OF RESPECT 
 
 To the Memory of Richard Reynolds, 
 
 BY A FRIEN1>. 
 
 The good Samaritan, the faithful steward noticed 
 in these pages, and whose life was much of it one 
 active scene of benevolence, did all to the glory of 
 God, knowing that no merit belongs to the creature, 
 but loving him with all his soul, and all his mind, he 
 fulfilled the second command also of loving his 
 neighbour as himself, evidenced by a long life spent 
 in doing good, thus keeping the precepts, and fol- 
 lowing the example of his blessed Master, according 
 to the ability by him afforded, by infusing that spirit 
 of universal love to man which influenced all bis 
 actions, without any di.stinction of sect or party, 
 country, kindred or names, and then bountifully sup- 
 plying him with the means of being useful, and of 
 which indeed he proved himself a good steward; re- 
 lieving the needy, comforting the p.ftlicted. strengthen- 
 ing the weak, thus making hard things easy, and 
 crooked things straight, to his suffering fellow mortals. 
 This the benignity of his disposition, and his ample 
 stores peculiarly qualified him for ; still, and at all 
 times giving the praise and the glory to the Donor of 
 all, walking in humility and meekness, and seeking 
 for that wisdom which only is profitable to direct. 
 In all his movements, under the influence of which, 
 his talents became manifold, useful and blessed, hemg
 
 73 
 
 imparted with prudence (nd true discrimination, so 
 that while he was enabled to succour the multilude, 
 still was he careful that not a fragment should be 
 lost. Thus was he more enabled to smooth the brow 
 of care, ease the bed of sickness, soften the pressure 
 of affliction, wipe away the orphan's tears, and often 
 to make the widow's heart to sing for joy. In all 
 their afflictions, when they came to his knowledge, 
 he was afflicted with them, he felt for and sympa 
 thized with them ; and from this sympathetic feeling 
 he knew how to impart the needful and liberal relief, 
 as well as to give the wholesome counsel and cheering 
 advice, rejoicing with those who could rejoice, and 
 weeping with those who wept, in every case comfort- 
 ing, encouraging and strengthening. The good 
 Samaritan indeed, administering the oil of consola- 
 tion to the wounded spirit, and the new wine of the 
 kingdom to cheer the depressed in heart, as well as ad- 
 ministering immediately to all their temporal wants, 
 which his ample fortune and boundless good-will en- 
 abled him abundantly to do, but which he was careful 
 to do in the most private manner he could. No os- 
 tentation, no exaltation of self, but in humility and 
 the fear of tlie Lord, he endeavoured to run the 
 Christian race, avoiding to be seen of men as much as 
 possible in all his pious actions ; at the same time re- 
 membering the precept of his divine Master, to let 
 his light shine before men, and which he often did 
 in munificent acts of public charity, whereby others 
 seeing his good works were led to follow his example,
 
 T4 
 
 to the glory of God, and the good of their fellow 
 creatures; but privacy, retirement, and doing good 
 unseen, and very often unknown, yielded him the 
 sweetest consolation. A life so sacred, so devoted to 
 the love of God and of his neighbour, could not be 
 hid any more than a city placed upon a hill,, conse- 
 quently he was known, sought unto, beloved, respect- 
 ed, esteemed as the salt of the earth, retaining its 
 full savour, and which continued to his last moments 
 pure and undiminished, to the praise of that grace 
 which was the moving principle of all his actions, 
 well knowing that it is not by works of righteousness 
 we can do, that we shall be saved ; but through the 
 washing of regeneration, and the renewing of God's 
 Holy Spirit, producing a living faith in him, and in 
 hitj anointed, who draws, by the motions of his light 
 and grace in our hearts, to come under this saving 
 baptism of the Holy Ghost, and of fire, which pur- 
 geth away the filth of the flesh, and produceth the 
 answer of a good conscience towards God, through 
 the resurrection of Jesus Christ, whereby he work- 
 eth all our works in us that are well-pleasing to him ; 
 from this source sprang this faithful steward's active 
 benevolence in works of mercy and charity; from 
 this source he was enabled to ascribe all glory to the 
 Giver, none to the creature, even as his humble 
 agent in doing good ; yet a faithful obedience to bis 
 monitions, yielded that peace, which the world can- 
 not give, with all its riches, honours, and grandeur, 
 all of which was within his reacli -, but he gave up
 
 75 
 
 all that he might win Christ, who, in return, gave 
 him his peace, the greatest possible riches. His 
 placid, cheerful countenance, when living, eviden- 
 cing that he drank of that river, the streams whereof 
 make glad the whole city of God, and that now, 
 through divine grace and goodness, he is admitted to 
 eat of that tree of life, which groweth in the midst 
 of the paradise of God. " Verily there is a reward 
 for the righteous ; verily there is a God that judgeth 
 in the earth." 
 Near Manchestery 2 mo. 10th, 1817. 
 
 CONCLUSION. 
 
 If the reader is as much pleased and instructed as 
 I have been, in the perusal of these little extracts, 
 he will not think his time spent in vain ; young per- 
 sons, in particular, may read them over and over 
 again, with encreased advantage ; and I would sug- 
 gest to teachers of schools, whether it is not a suitable 
 collection for a prize book, for children of tender 
 age ? I, for my part, think it is ; as examples, too 
 pure, and too refined, cannot be set before them ; 
 for though we cannot all become Richard Reynolds's, 
 because we do not possess his wealth, yet we can all 
 be benefited by the contemplation of his character, 
 either taken in the aggregate, or divided into parts ; 
 for without flattery, it may be truly said, that he was 
 indeed an extraordinary man ; not only so highly ex- 
 alted in some particular points, but so free from the
 
 ^ 
 
 76 
 
 little imperfections of human nature; for we fre- 
 quently see persons, who, on a comparison of their 
 fellow-men, have a right to be called very virtuous, 
 yet have some minor failing-, some asperity of tem- 
 per, some uncharitable mode of thinking, some nar- 
 rowness of mind ; but of these things our friend seems 
 to have been much more than usually free. And as his 
 life was so long and honourable, I may almost say un- 
 sullied, so how solacing his departure from this world, 
 making no complaints, exhibiting no symptoms of 
 fear or impatience, but seeing his end near at hand, 
 shewing rather a willingness, than a backwardness to 
 meet death. 
 
 " Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, 
 for the eud of that man is peace." 
 
 EDITO] 
 
 \^<^^ 
 
 Wardle, Printer, Manchester. 
 
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 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNUT 
 
 Wa ANGELES
 
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