Durham. Through Talbot's influence Butler obtained in 1718 the
office of Preacher in the Rolls Chapel, which he held for the next
eight years. In 1722 Talbot died, and on his death-bed urged his
father on behalf of his friend Butler. The Bishop accordingly
presented Joseph Butler to the living of Houghton-le-Spring. But it
was found that costs of dilapidations were beyond his means at
Houghton, and Butler had a dangerous regard for building works. He
was preferred two years afterwards to the living of Stanhope, which
then became vacant, and which yielded a substantial income. Butler
sought nothing for himself, his simplicity of character, real worth,
and rare intellectual power, secured him friends, and the love of
two of them--Talbot first, and afterwards Secker, who made his own
way in the Church, and became strong enough to put his friend as
well as himself in the way of worldly advancement, secured for
Butler all the patronage he had, until the Queen also became his
active friend.

Joseph Butler was seven years at Stanhope, quietly devoted to his
parish duties, preaching, studying, and writing his "Analogy of
Religion, Natural and Revealed, to the Constitution and Course of
Nature." In 1727, while still at Stanhope, he was appointed to a
stall in Durham Cathedral. Secker, having become chaplain to the
Queen, encouraged her in admiration of Butler's sermons. He told
her that the author was not dead, but buried, and secured her active
interest in his behalf. From Talbot, who had become Lord
Chancellor, Secker had no difficulty in obtaining for Butler a
chaplaincy which exempted him from the necessity of residence at
Stanhope. Butler, in accepting it, stipulated for permission to
live and work in his parish for six months in every year. Next he
was made chaplain to the King, and Rector of St. James's, upon which