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one of the most learned and eminent of the liberal divines of the last century, was descended from ancestors distinguished for their attachment to religious liberty, and who, in less fortunate times, had suffered in defence of their principles; bearing cheerfully the spoiling of their goods, that they might better preserve their peace of mind, and maintain inviolate their title to a more enduring substance.
He was born in 1693, at
Hungerford in
Berkshire, where his father,
the Rev. Henry Chandler, was then minister to a congregation of Protestant dissenters.
Mr. H. Chandler afterwards removed to
Bath, where he spent the greater part of his ministerial life.
He is said to have been a man very respectable for talents and character, though he was not led by circumstances to present himself prominently to the public notice.
The subject of this memoir discovering at an early age a decided taste for literary pursuits, it was carefully cultivated with a view to the
Christian ministry for which he was destined.
For this purpose he was sent first to an academy at
Bridgewater, under the direction of
Mr. Moore; but was afterwards removed to
Gloucester, where he became a pupil of
Mr. Samuel Jones, a dissenting minister of great learning, and deservedly high reputation as a teacher.
Under this gentleman's instructions, at
Gloucester, and afterwards at
Tewkesbury, many of those were trained who in the succeeding age occupied the most eminent
