MEMOIR OF REV. EBENEZER NELSON, MR. NELSON was born in to increase his seriousness, he Middleborough, (Mass.) Oct. 26, numbered the faithful warnings 1753. His grand parents were of his brother William, a pious the first Baptists in the county of young man, and much devoted to Plymouth. His parents never the cause of Christ. But, as before, made a publick profession of relig-his concern soon abated, and he ion, but took a deep interest in gradually became more careless. the rise and progress of the sec- These seasons of alarm, however, ond Baptist Church in Middle-were not without some good effect. borough. Their doors were al-He always believed they lessened ways open for the reception of the his love of sin, restrained him from ministers of the gospel, and for overt acts of transgression, and religious meetings. regulated his external demeanour. When Mr. Nelson was 8 or 9 His attention was also by the same years of age, his attention was se-means, directed to reading religriously called to the concerns of ious books, to conversation with his soul, during a revival of relig-christians and ministers, and to ion in his native town; and after the preaching of the gospel; so a season of distress and anxiety in that when he had arrived at the view of his danger as a con-age of twenty years, he had acdemned sinner, he found some quired a tolerably correct knowlrelief and consolation to his mind. But his serious impressions at this time were as the morning cloud and early dew-they soon vanished away. At the age of 15, in At the age of 24, Mr. Nelson the time of another revival, he be- formed a connexion by marriage came still more concerned about with Miss Chloe Sampson, with the salvation of his soul. Among whom he lived many years in the the means which had a tendency utmost affection. She was the AUGUST, 1825. edge of the system of truth embraced by the Baptist denomination, and of the arguments by which that system is supported. 29. daughter of Mr. Nathaniel and behold! all things are become Mrs. Martha Sampson, of respect-new." able standing in the Congregational society in Middleborough. On the same day, he went to visit a brother at a little distance, with an intention to disclose his feelings. Before he came to the house, a dark cloud overspread his mind." He questioned whether all that he had felt was not im It was not till the year 1780, when the Lord again revived his work in that favoured town, that the subject of this memoir became thoroughly acquainted with his situation as a guilty and ruin-aginary, and hesitated whether to ed sinner. His attention was ar- proceed or to return. After some rested under a sermon delivered reflection, he concluded to call by Rev. Asa Hunt, pastor of the upon his brother a few moments, third Baptist church, founded on and then return without making Ezek. xxxvii. 3. And he said known the exercises of his mind. unto me, Son of man, can these When he opened the door, he bones live? And I answered, O found him reading his bible, and Lord God, thou knowest. At the words of the woman of Samathis time it pleased the Lord to ria instantly struck his mind, disclose to him the malignant and "Come see a man that told me all odious nature, as well as the dire- things that ever I did, is not this ful consequences of sin. He now the Christ ?" From that moment saw clearly the extent of the his mind was relieved, and his divine law, and that its require- "joy in the Lord" greatly inments are all "holy, just, and creased. It is unnecessary to say good." There were seasons, how- this interview with his pious ever, when finding himself unable brother was mutually refreshing. to fulfil the law, he perceived that Religion, as usual, expanded the his heart was opposed to the divine heart with true benevolence to man. government, and ready to complain Mr. Nelson immediately became that God required too much. At deeply concerned for the salvation other times, it occurred to him of his fellow men, and the next Sabthat if the Lord would forbear bath at the close of the morning with him, he could, by repentance service, he left his pew, ascended and reformation of conduct, ob- a few of the pulpit stairs, declared tain his favour. For about three to the assembly what God had months, he was in an almost unin- done for his soul, and with much terrupted state of distress and pathos exhorted others to flee from deep anxiety. His sins, like a the wrath to come. Not long afponderous weight, pressed him ter this, he submitted to the ordidown, until this sentiment occur- nance of Christian baptism, and red to his mind, "Now I am wil- became a member of the second ling God should be God," and his Baptist church in his native town. distress left him. The next It was now with him an object of morning he awoke possessed of a earnest solicitude to know the tranquillity and peace of mind, to will of God, and to ascertain the which he had until now been a manner in which he could best promote his glory. stranger. The face of nature, was in his view changed, and every thing around him conspired to offer praise to the Lord. In his experience, was illustrated the apostle's assertion, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away, and, About eighteen months after his baptism, while engaged in seeking divine direction, he was powerfully impressed with the conviction, that it was his duty to go and preach the gospel of Christ. A deep sense of his unworthiness led him often to exclaim, "Who | tute churches, until the year 1799, when he united with the people among whom he lived, in building a meeting-house; (a good example for others in similar circumstances.) Soon after the completion of this neat and commodious edifice, a revival commenced, in which many of those who assisted in this enter teousness, were made nigh by the blood of Christ." Thirty were baptized, of whom two were his own children, and a church and society gathered, which continue to the present time. is sufficient for these things ?" and for awhile kept him in a state of indecision: he, however, devoted much of his time to meditation and study, and was active in the cause of Christ. In meetings for prayer and religious conference, he frequently employed those gifts which God had bestow-prise, but who were far from righed upon him for the instruction and edification of others. About 4 years after his conversion, the church, of their own accord, requested him to preach before them; he consented, and they cheerfully gave him a letter of an- In 1797 he united by a second probation to go out as a herald marriage with Mrs. Betsy Shaw, of the cross. From this time, he of Middleborough, who still sursupplied destitute churches, and vives him, and who has, in his dispensed the word of life in life, shewn him all that respect, different places for the space of and in his last painful illness, all two years and six months. At that attention and affectionate the end of that period, May 1788, care and sympathy which his charhe accepted an invitation to preach acter and circumstances, and her to the church in Taunton. relation to him, seemed to require. church and society were in a scat- In 1801, by the request of sevtered condition, having been des-eral christian brethren in South titute of the stated ministry of the Reading, he removed his family to word for seven years. Mr. Nel- that town, and in 1804, when the son, by his prudent and zealoùs church was constituted, consisting efforts, happily succeeded in uni- of sixty-five members, he accepted ting them, and in Nov. 1790, was an invitation to become their ordained their pastor. The fol- tor. lowing year it pleased the Lord to pour out his spirit upon the people, and nearly twenty having been brought to embrace the truth, were added to this so recently afflicted church. The Having spent about seven years in this place, he was called to drink of the bitter cup of affliction. The affectionate companion of his joys was removed from him by death. But he did not sorrow as they who have no hope. He had the comfortable evidence that his loss was her unspeakable again. pas This office he sustained with fidelity until 1815, when he asked and received an honourable dismission from the pastoral relation. During his ministry in S. Reading, there was one powerful and extensive revival of religion among the people, and a gradual increase to the church. After Mr. Nelson had finished his ministerial labours in this town, he immediately received and accepted an invitation from the church in the adjoining town of Malden. Here he laboured in word and doctrine until the year 1823. Mr. Nelson, at different This afflictive stroke, together periods in the course of his life, with some other occurrences deter-expressed an opinion, that men in mined him to remove to the place of his nativity. From thence he again went forth to supply desti publick life, when arrived at three score years and ten, the age now allotted to man, ought, in a great to hear a sermon; but frequently when he had his reason, referring to the discourse, he expatiated with pleasure on that rest which to him appeared so desirable, and which he hoped soon to enjoy in measure, to relinquish their official | and am persuaded that he is able responsibilities. In accordance to keep that which I have commitwith this sentiment, on the 27th of ted unto him against that day." Oct. 1823, the day after he was A few weeks before his death, his seventy, he preached a discourse successor in S. Reading, at his urto his people, adapted to the occa- gent request, preached a sermon sion, from Gen. xlvii. 8, 9.—" And at his house. The text selected Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old on this occasion, was Heb. iv. 9. art thou, &c. ?" which he called his "There remaineth therefore a rest farewell sermon. He preached, to the people of God.” At the however, till the third Lord's Day close of the meeting, Mr. Nelson in the following month, when he said with much feeling, "I have may be said to have finished his been refreshed; the gospel is to my publick labours. He preached but soul, like medicine to my body;" one sermon more, and that in a and he showed that he still retained private house. Many remember the love of souls, and felt the nethe deep toned piety of this his last cessity of divine influence to remessage to his fellow men, and new them, by saying to the preachseveral thought at the time, that er, "I wish you had lifted your they never heard him preach with voice so as to awake poor sinners greater ability. From this period-but the power is of God." There the disease with which he had been was not a day after this when the some time afflicted, began to as-state of his health would suffer him sume a menacing aspect, and baffled the skill of the most eminent physicians in the vicinity, whose exertions were obtained. Such was the nature of his disorder that he suffered the most excruciating pains, but he endured his last ill-heaven. ness with great fortitude and patience. He believed that justice and judgment are the habitation of God's throne, and was never heard to murmur or repine at dealings founded on these principles. His prospect of a crown of righteousness was generally unclouded. The gospel which he had so long preached to others was now his own unfailing support. He said to the writer of this article on one occasion, “I am now looking into eternity-it is a solemn thing, brother D. We may converse about it, we may pray about it, we may preach about it, but it is quite another thing to be brought into immediate prospect of it. I am not so animated in my religious exercises as I have been at some periods of my life, but I feel a good degree of calmness, and think I can, without wavering, say, I know whom I have believed, On Wednesday, the 4th of May, 1825, in the 72nd year of his age and the 40th of his ministry, this afflicted servant of God fell asleep in the arms of that master, to whose service, so great a part of his life had been devoted. "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord." By his death a widow is bereaved of one of the best of husbands, the children of an affectionate and exemplary father, and a widely extended circle of acquaintance of a valuable friend. It is perhaps worthy of remark, that all Mr. Nelson's children, eight in number, the eldest of whom is about 47 years, survive him. The one who bears his name, is the respected pastor of the Baptist church in Lynn. As a man Mr. Nelson was of an amiable disposition, of strong intellect, of good sense, and a sound judgment. In conversation with his friends he was quite affable. || trine of grace, he was often much He had a happy talent of illus- animated, and in the application trating the topic of discourse by affected even to tears. His audianecdote, and his remarks were tors, as it is natural to expect generally of an instructive and when the minister is engaged, felt savoury nature. As a preacher, the force of truth, and the more Mr. Nelson was considerably so as they saw that truth exempliabove mediocrity. Few men have fied in the daily deportment of been more acceptable in the minis- their minister. But the most try. His praise was in all the faithful and successful ministers of churches in the vicinity of his la- the gospel are not suffered to conbours. They were pleased to see tinue by reason of death. Even him stand in the pulpit, and while the standard bearers in the camp listening with pleasure to his doc- of Israel faint and die. trine and speech, they could say fathers, where are they ?" of him, "There stands the messenger of truth, there stands "Our This venerable father in Israel has gone to join Backus, Smith, Manning, Stillman, and others, with whom he was once engaged in fighting the battles of the Lord, and with them he now stands on Mr. Nelson was emphatically a Mount Zion, crowned with laurels doctrinal preacher. On the fun- of unfading glory, and waving damental principles of the gospel a palm of immortal victory. he delighted to dwell. In.con- The death of such men is an versation with the writer, he once impressive lesson to their survivsaid, "I had a separate conver-ing fellow labourers. It says sion into every one of the doc- to them, in language more powtrines of the gospel. I experienc-erful than "seven-fold thunders ed the pains of conviction and the uttering their voice," " Work joys of conversion." Interwoven while the day lasts, for the night with his religious experience, it is cometh wherein no man can work." not surprising that he should hold May all our ministering breththem with a firm and steady grasp. ren be admonished to double their He did not, however, preach doc-diligence in the good work, and be trinal sentiments in a cold and equally distinguished in their lifeless manner. Like a faithful course by piety of heart, devotion witness, he testified only what he to the cause of truth, soundness of had seen and known; and when doctrine, and purity of life. discussing some distinguishing doc ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. DELTA. THE NATURE AND IMPORTANCE OF THE PASTORAL OFFICE. A Sermon preached in Hebron, (Me.) before the Cumberland Baptist Association, Sept. 29, 1824. JEREMIAH I. 15. And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. [Concluded from p. 203.1 3. THE subject discussed, fur- || you, and are over you in the Lord, nishes occasion to address church- and admonish you; and to esteem es who have Pastorsthem very highly in love for their work's sake." To know them, signifies to recognize or rather to "We beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among |