MEMOIR OF REV. EMORY OSGOOD, Late Superintendent of the Missionary Station at Oneida Castleton, N. Y. [Concluded from p. 165.1 WHILE MR. OSGOOD was en- you tell the church if you were gaged in his missionary exercises, there? I could tell them that I his whole heart seemed inflamed was not sick of religion; that I with animated zeal, which oppo- loved the people of God; I loved sition could scarcely abate. Yet, the church; that it had ever been during these seasons of absence my highest aim to do them good; from his family and the people of that I was willing to suffer in the his charge, he did not forget his cause of God; and that I could conjugal, parental, and pastoral renew covenant with them and duties at home. He frequently travel on. Now a recollection of mentions his family, in his jour- my trials bursts upon me; thanks nals, with the tenderest solicitude; be to God for supporting grace! and commends them to the protec-I inquire of my imagination, that tion of Heaven. To illustrate this is now at Henderson, whether the point, I transcribe a passage from church is in union, but cannot be his journal while at Sheldon, Ver- favoured with an answer. Well, mont, July 31, 1819. "It is a I will trust them in the hands of little after two o'clock, and I am the great Shepherd of the sheep; now writing something like 300 but if I could be transported to miles from home. But O what is covenant meeting, and be back to the mind of man! I can fancy fulfil my appointment at five myself at home with my dear com- o'clock, how quickly I would go. panion and family, walking with The clock strikes three, and I am her to covenant meeting; begin to still here, separated from my famiwonder why the brethren and sis-ly and church, by many a long ters do not come; look out, see mile: Yet, I feel that I am pursuthem coming; they arrive; Iing the path of duty, and many shake hands with them; then open times am astonished at the Provimeeting, and proceed to express dence of God, which has attended my feelings. Well, what could me ever since I left home. JULY, 1825. 25 I think that God is pleased to make such an unworthy creature as I am, an instrument of good, in the cause of missions." Under date of August 4th, at Enosburgh, his journal contains the following interesting note: the missionary fund by means of forming Religious Agricultural Societies, the object of which is expressed in the second article of the constitution: "This Society shall consist of such persons as subscribe to this constitution, and annually set apart a piece or parcel of land, with the produce thereof, to aid the cause of missions." His zeal and success in mission ary objects, forming societies, and collecting funds, were equalled by few. It was principally through his influence, that the Black River B. M. Society was formed, of which he was Secretary for several years. He made collections to a considerable amount both for the Foreign and Domestic Missions, in New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Upper Canada. "Went to the place where I worked 22 years ago. My feelings were considerably wrought upon, in calling to remembrance past scenes, especially when I came to the falls, where I worked at a mill dam. O, the astonishing grace that has saved the chief of sinners! While I view the ground on which I have committed so much wickedness, and think that God has spared me to this day, what shall I render unto the Lord for all his benefits? I thought while I surveyed the spot, what a privilege it would be to me, to preach a sermon in the very place where I impiously pro- In July 1823, he received a call faned the name of my Maker, and from the Hamilton B. M. Board, preached out of derision. Again to go and reside at Oneida CastleI viewed that my former comrades ton, and take the superintendence were all gone, some of them run of their missionary establishment away, poor and wretched, and God in that place. The emotions which has distinguished me. Nothing, that call produced in his mind, are nothing but sovereign distinguish- expressed in a letter to a member ing grace! O may I be more and of that Board, from which the folmore prepared to serve and vene-lowing is extracted: rate him, whom I trust has plucked me as a brand from the burning." week since I received your letter. * * * * * "I had calculated Its contents overwhelmed me. to have seen, to day, J. M. from Such a conflict of feelings, for a whom I, with three others, took few hours, I never before experisomething like fourteen dollars by enced. A retrospect of former gambling. I have since many feelings, a consideration of present times thought, that if I could ever circumstances and future consehave an opportunity, I would re-quences, all combined, confounded fund him that part of the money I received. But finding I should not see him, I thought it my duty to write him a letter, and enclose three dollars and fifty cents, as money wickedly obtained, and to request him, inasmuch as the money was lost to him, and he had no legal right to demand it of me, to lay it out in some benevolent 66 It was during this tour that he originated the plan of augmenting "Dear Brother C. About a and overwhelmed me. My companion seemed to share equally with me. It is beyond my power to describe my feelings to you; suffice it to say, that I have called to mind some of the times, when I and my dear partner conversed together on the subject of missions, how willingly we could part with the blessings of civilized life, and settle down with some tribe of Indians, and spend our days, and try to do them good; but had no ex pectation that such a door would || signed to disappoint the rising hopes and expectations of his brethren, by speedily terminating his career. His health was evidently somewhat impaired on his first arrival here. He however engaged with much zeal in arranging affairs, collecting provision from abroad, and in preaching the gospel, until April. He appeared much animated in his employment, and thought, assuredly, that he should live to see converts among the natives, to the christian faith. On the opening of the spring he became more enfeebled, and from ' that time, was able to preach but occasionally. He preached his last discourse and broke bread to the church at Oneida, on the last Lord's day in May, from Job xxi. ever open. I never even thought On the 12th of October he preached his farewell discourse to the dear people of his charge, and on the 13th, left Henderson, and arrived at Oneida with his family on the 15th, and engaged in the duties of a missionary to the Oneida Indians. But God had de He was "Acquaint now thyself with him and be at peace, thereby good shall come unto thee." He was then very weak, but his word seemed to be with power. It was thought by some, at the time, it would be his last sermon. On the third day of June, he started on a journey with his wife, to the Black River, to attend the association and missionary society. not able to sit up but a small part of the time when he left home; but the solicitation of his friends, to relinquish his object, availed nothing. He said it was important he should go. It was with much difficulty that he performed his journey, finished his business, and arrived at his son's in Henderson; where his disease (a catarrh in the head, and an affection of the lungs,) arrested him, and he could proceed no further. Here he was brought very low; but such was his zeal and resolution to promote his favourite object, that he persuaded his wife to leave him, under these precarious circumstances, and return to Oneida, to manage the concerns of that station, until he should be able to return. In his first letter to her, dated June 18th, (after giving some ac solation, that I think I ever enjoyed. My passions have not been excited, but I have felt a firm confidence in God. A few days since, I sat looking on my hands, seeing how emaciated they were; I said to C-, what a glorious thought, that these poor emaciated bodies will one day put on immortal youth. This verse from Dr. Watts occurred to my mind. count of his illness,) he writes, || soul. All was well. I have en"O pray, that if I am restored,joyed the most uninterrupted conit may be in mercy, and not in judgment. I have had such desires to live for the sake of those Indians, that I have thought of late, that I did not know but the Lord would restore in judgment, and leave me to dishonour his name, and be an injury to the Mission. O pray that I might rather now die, than that this should be the case. My affectionate love to all that appertain to the mission: to all the brethren and sisters, and to the dear Indian children tell them I hope, in about three or four weeks, the Great Spirit make me well, and then I come home to take care of them and do them good.' I trust the Lord will strengthen you to discharge your arduous duties. You never appeared to me so no-myself. I considered that I had ble, and so deserving of a much better companion, as when you set your face to the Oneida, and left me sick behind. The Lord be praised that he has given you a spirit of Missions." The following very interesting extract of a letter, dated Henderson, July 8th, will give a view of the state of his mind: These lively hopes we owe O how sweet! It seemed that I was permitted to stand, as it were, between two worlds, where, in the light of eternity, I could view things in their proper character! I was led to reflect as it respected made some appearance in the world as a minister. But ah! when I viewed things as they were, I could find nothing but what I had left the marks of moral pollution upon; and if it were necessary that I should have the smallest duty, and only one, that was pure, to carry me to heaven, I was lost. But O how precious were the I have hith-blood and righteousness of Christ! I found that there, and there only, was my hope. I never had the scriptures with the precious promises so delight me. I have had as many as ten almost sleepless nights; and while I have been coughing very hard, I have thought of the declaration, "All things work together for good," &c. and have said to myself, Ah! well, I may as well cough as any thing else. While contemplating the scriptures, I have been led to say, "Ever dear erto only written concerning my health. I thought this afternoon I would give you some account of my mind, which I presume you have felt anxious to know. But I can only give you some outlines of it, and trust the Lord will soon give me an opportunity of telling you more fully. "It was a sacrifice to part with you. I had now nothing to do but to contemplate eternal things, which, according to many appearances, I should soon have to do with. My mind was composed; I felt that I could throw myself on God, and repose my whole confidence in him. My mind was possessed of the richest consolation; an entire calmness pervaded my Precious Bible! what a treasure EMORY OSGOOD." About 3 o'clock, P. M. on Lord's day, Mr. Willey, on his return from meeting, said to him, "Brother O. do you feel as though you had a good hope in Christ ?" "That point," said he, "was settled years ago." 99 When asked how he now felt in his mind, his answer was equally satisfactory. When it was conjectured that his senses were gone, his afflicted companion took him by the hand, and said to him. "Do you know you are dying? If you do, squeeze my hand." He made an effort, but through weakness, did but move his fingers. his fingers. She rejoined, "Are you willing ?" He made another effort, and seeming to gain a little strength, he audibly said, "I am willing, I am ready," and in a few moments expired; which was about 9 o'clock, P. M. of Lord's day, Sept. 12, 1824, aged 47 years; leaving an afflicted widow and nine children to mourn their loss. His disorder abating a little, he || fer it to the next day, until inwas removed, with some difficulty, formed that a boat was engaged to the Oneida on the 25th of Au- for that purpose. gust, after an absence of twelve weeks. He was very weak, and much emaciated; but said, he felt better, and some encouragement was taken, for a few days, that he would recover. But soon his disorder began again to rage, and hope waxed feeble. He still, however, maintained a strong persuasion that he should recover, and preach the gospel to the poor; for which he had an ardent desire. He observed that he thought the Lord had not done with him yet. He still possessed great calmness of mind, and appeared almost lost to worldly things. He disHe discovered but little inclination to converse much, on any subject; yet often spoke of his confidence in God. He frequently said to those who visited him, whether I live or die, I shall have it to carry to eternity, that this sickness has been the richest season of consolation that I have ever enjoyed." Something being said to him about perfection, "O!" replied he, "no person that has seen and felt what I have, could talk about perfection. Grace, grace must be his theme!" On Monday he was removed to Oneida Castleton; and on Tuesday his funeral was attended, and an appropriate discourse was delivered on the occasion, by Rev. E. F. Willey, from Matt. xxv. 21, to a large and solemn assembly; and his remains were deposited in the publick burying-ground of that village. On the 6th of September he was carried, by his own request, to Utica, with a view to employ the best medical skill. He arrived at Rev. Mr. Willey's on the 8th, attended by his wife, where every It is due to the character of this attention, which his case required, man of God to say that, notwithwas paid to him. But the time of standing his opportunities for inhis departure was at hand, and all struction were small, and espechuman skill was exerted in vain.ially in the early part of his life, He continued to fail until Lord's and the peculiar embarrassments day, Sept. 12th; and it was not under which he laboured in the until the afternoon of this day, early part of his ministry; yet. when he was actually dying, that through the quickness of his aphe became fully convinced that his prehension, and the strength of work on earth was done. Early a natural genius, accompanied this morning, perceiving himself to with an unyielding resolution. fail, he expressed great anxiety to he gained that degree of general be carried back to the Oneida; information, which rendered his and would not be persuaded to de- society agreeable and instruc |