The sun., 1880-07-04
CHARLES RKADps RELIGIOUS EAlrn.
Dr. etnnton's Letter, Mr.. Hatton's Letter,
and n Letter from the NoveIlst himself

Inc Rev. L. IL. stanton, ID. d., OF London,
furnished to the New York Independent OF May
Is what purported TO be an account by the Rev.
Charles Graham, pastor OF the Shepherds
Bush Congregational Church. London, Of
the recent conversion OF Charles Reade. tn"
novelist. from rationalism to an actv
belief In the doctrines Of the CongreRn-
tional Church. Alter some reference tc
Mr.. Reade's books and plavs. with which Dr
Stanton says he has but slight acquaintance. he
describes q meeting with the alleged convert.
However II may have been before his con.
version. which occurred few months ago"
DR.. Stanton writes. he now appears snGu.
larly modest and reserved. This Is said to re-
suit largely from his Christian experience be.
ing so recent. and from his earnest desire to
learn more and more OF Christian truth and
life in the experience OF others. The
chief incidents Of Mr.. Reades conversion-at
east. the earlier incidents and immediate oc-
casion-hnve tinge of romance about them.
| tablishsd Church and his mother was godly
woman whose prayers he never wholly forgot.
Alter he arrived at early manhood aud be-
| longer regularly attended the services OF the
ssm-skapticai opinions. His fellowship in
Magdnlen College, imposed upon him: as long
IL ss .ow ~ state ase Of
remained II bachelor. For many years he has
had rooms In Lnndon In the house of n Mrs.
seymour. where his literary labors have been
performed. and he has chosen to continue this
| manner OF lie. although the pecnnlry returns
from his writings have long Afforded him an
10 begin with Mr.. Reades religious expert.
ence. II should be said that this change in his
was the death Of Mrs, Seymour. md j, is Jus, at
| tends the case. A strong attachment between
| Mr.. Rrade and this lady had existed for many
aud in her society he found home aud a
| friend, Upon her death. after very brief iii.
n"ss, Mr.. Reade was plunged into deep sorrow.
ipence upon Mrs. Scymours opinions;
This added greatly TO the pangs he suffered
said. T referring to % his rationastlc ' views. US
| I understood. sho might have been an emit
nent saint; and now ishois not saved, am
the Keen cdg" got Of Mr. Rsadrs rrIaf, and his @ ex
auisi,e sensibilties wers,so moved that he al
however from what he subsequently, learned o.
| Mrs. Srynonrs illness that he was able a. AS
snre MI hade 'hMi , sne n M d'd not dig Tthon,
| speaging Mr.. Graham had not mnrie the nc
dnain,anco of Mr.. k-nde or Mrs. seymour.
Mrs. Seymour's death awakened in Mr.. Rende
| deep concern in relation to his own religious
| state. He began again TO attend the Parish
church in his neichborhood; but he found
nothing in the Cnurch OF England service
| which could meet his spiritual wants. The
| intontnG of prayers WIS his especial abhnr-
the stand point q! Ills feelings. OF tho strongest
| typo OF hypocrItiral insinr"rity, He abandoned
| the parish church NOR" sad and sorrowful than
| eyer. At this point NJ r. Rrnde's brother. bar
| rstcr NJ the London Bur. learning OF his great
distress OF mind. said to him. ono day: Come
| to church with ne and hear my pastor: think
you will ike him better than your paris h clergy
man. Mr.. Bead" consented. This brothers.
pastor was Mr.. Graham.
"Th" first Sabbath that the Reade brothers at
tended the Shepherds Bush Congregational
Church together. Nr. Granun, at the close Of
~ St,,I IA, ni la
grcgation to contribute To Il iund for church re
pnlrs aud send the money 10 the deacons. The
ter. enclosing for that funi check for els. as
his testimonial To the interest he hnd felt in that
Sa1natn SAP h morhlng wr.ilp, on tnG next SAB
close OF the sc:vic" Mr.. Graham saw Charles
standing in the aisle alone. after the congrega-
ton had nearly all retired; He had already re-
spond-d to his letter. thanking him for his gen
erous contribution: but. seeing him standing
there alone, he went down To speak to him and
thank him in person. This wns their first meet
ing. and here began the personal acquaintance
Rods Ihr h r. wara Mr. R.nde spoSs
| to Mr.. Graham. nftsr shaking hands together.
was tie question uttered wih Eyes and hsar!
speak word with you privatelyT Certainly,
said Mr.. Graham. Come into the yestry.
dramatist poured into the ear OF his sympnthiz-
ing friend the tai. of his sorrows and the
yearning wan, OF his soul Bnginning with the
death Of Mrs. seymour. hs tod Mr. Graham OF
his seli-rIproach"s: his Efforts for peace Of
mind and finally. the tightening OF his burdens
in some degree which h" had experienced from
the services OF the last two Sabbaths. Mr.. Gra-
hmm gave him the loag- need ed instruction. and
the two friends separated. II WAS not long he
fore Mr.. Reade iound CHRISTIAN pence. To my
question on this point. Mr.. Graham replied:
Almost immediately, within two or three
weeks after he first came 10 Shepherds Bush
Ar. KeCde conilhqts T. Worship there; JOINS in
partaking oi the Lords Supper and the other
services ser nee though stlil nomnaliy connected with
My last meeting with Mr. Reade was three
days ago, In small social circle. at the house
Of the company. Alter couple Of hours spent
n pleasant social Intercourse and tea was over.
company. Each was furnished with
Bible. and; being seated directy opyosite
seemed to delight in Christian truth. while
his occasional questions and r"marks showed
its problems. At Mr.. Grahnm's suggestion. he
has during the months since his conversion
a denG .ns ssr.nres ~ ,S SouSe nd ~ Is
whole bent OF his mind is now toward attaining
Christian knowledge and doing Christian work.
Conyersing at the ten table upon the result Of
the English elections lNlr. Rntde is n Liberal
In politics. he spoke earnestly upon the qnes-
ton OF temperance. and hoped the incoming
Administration would favor and Parliament
pass the Local Option bill.
What Mr. Rsade viii do for the future is IN
has prepared very copious notes OF his autobi-
ography the events therein related dating from
tilc utaln OF Mrs. seymour. understand. also.
that ne Is meditating upon dellneatlon OF
Scripture characters and events His pen can
not be at rest. and. now thnt it Ia 'convarted.'
the world may ere long hear from Charles
Reade upon themes TO winch they are unaccus-
toned. under his guidance
Commenting upon this letter. Mr. Joseph Hat
ton. n brother English novelist. and correspond
Ont OF the New York Times in London. writes to
that journal as follows:
| called upon Mr Reads the other day and
found him deeply grievcd that the most sacred
feelings Of HIS heart should have been wormed
out Of his spiritual adviser in the name OF re-
ligion. and aduteratcd for the purposes OF
trade: but though much distressed AT some OF
DR.. stanton ) ngmeuts. he was very desirous
not to disturb the general impression that he
is weaned from the world. and humbly desires
TO serve God. This has kept him silent but he
said he would write mo letter and then leave
tho matter in my hands. have since received
the letter in question:
10 ALBERT GArn. June ~
Ny DEAR ArroS; shall indeed be grateful II you will
assist to correct Just two OF Dr. santon that
wound mo cruelty and can edify nobody.
first-That during the lifetime OF Mrs Seymour held
rationastie views, and perverted darling friends
mind with them and this was, as he understands the
cause OF my remorse after her death.