A good man has gone to his reward.

The Rev. R. A. Read died at his home in Butler county, Ky., February 10, 1890. He was born January 21, 1819. He was born, reared, spent his whole life, and died in the same county, having never lived over a few miles from his birthplace. Few men have been better known or did more good in his community and presbytery than Brother Read. He was the very soul of honesty and earnestness. Possessed of a mind well balanced by nature, and having built a well-rounded character he made fewer mistakes than most men, and even his "faults leaned to virtue's side." I can not call to mind a man of all my acquaintance, who has been more universally beloved than the subject of this notice. A man of great moral courage, he espoused with boldness any cause he believed to be right. If he was convinced that justice and truth were on his side he did not stop to ask what others might think, but drove to his purpose with an energy that knew no failure. Yet no man was more considerate of the opinions of others or treated them with more chivalrous consideration.

He was an enterprising member of his community, and though he had no children of his own, he was foremost in all educational interests of his neighborhood and indeed of all enterprises that looked to the good of the people.

He helped more young men preparing for the ministry than any man (preacher or layman) in his (Logan) presbytery. If he by word or deed had done his fellow man what he considered a wrong, he had the courage to go to that one, confess the wrong, and ask forgiveness. In his home he was hospitable and affable, in society polite and easy, in his association with his brethren gentle and manly, and in his public ministry self-possessed and earnest. Brother Read was not what is usually called a great preacher, and yet, so fully did religion reign in his own heart that he knew well how to press its claims upon others. His message was like "fire shut up in his bones," and often he would pour it out with such power that his utterances were truly eloquent. He felt that his message was from God, and his hearers acknowledged him an ambassador of Christ. I have heard him denounce sin till the sinner "pricked to the heart," would cry out "What must I do to be saved?" then follow these words with such a loving and tender exhibition of a Savior's love that the wounded soul would fly to Jesus for refuge.

Brother Read's health has been feeble a large part of his life. For forty years he has been preaching to the same churches now and then, always preaching when able.

No man in his presbytery was more beloved or did better service for his church than did "Uncle Alex," as he was familiarly called. He preached well, lived well, gave generously of his means, and was gathered to his fathers in the ripeness of three-score and ten years.

Brother Read was twice married. First to Miss ________ Hampton, about the year 1849. She was the daughter of Thomas Hampton, and a lady much respected and beloved. His surviving wife was Mrs. Hampton, daughter of William Wilson. She is greatly beloved, and has the sympathy of her friends and brethren in her sad bereavement.

Brother Read had not a large estate, although he was usually financially prosperous. He left the greater portion of his property to the different enterprises of his church. How sad we will all feel when we meet in Logan Presbytery and, at the roll call, no response shall come to the familiar name of R. A. Read. But we will meet again.
[Source: The Cumberland Presbyterian, April 24, 1890, page 2]

Report of Committee on Deceased Ministers'

Name: R. A. Read
Presbytery: Logan
Time of Death: February 20, 1890

[Source: Minutes of the General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 1890, page 37]