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MEMOIR OF REV. EMORY OSGOOD,

Late Superintendent of the Missionary Station at Oneida Castleton, N. Y.

Thus early deprived of the advantages of parental counsel and restraint, he followed the multitude to do evil, and soon became a profligate young man. Much of his time, as he himself has often related, was spent in gambling and profaneness, and not unfrequently did he preach and pray and exhort among his companions, in mockery of every thing sacred.

was clean

MR. EMORY OSGOOD, the fifth gone forever. In his disson of Christopher and Hannah Ostress, he was continually inquiring good, was born in Newfane, Vt. what was the sin against the Holy July 24, 1777. His mother died Ghost; and each inquiry only inwhen he was two years old, and in creased his agony. Thoughts of his seventh year his father left this horrible blasphemy were, as in the country and never returned. case of Bunyan, frequently rushing into his mind, at which as he said afterwards, "my blood chilled in my veins, and the hair of my head was erect." This peculiar distress did not however continue more than a few days, though it was about three months from the time of his first impressions that he experienced joy in believing. He was baptized Feb. 28, 1801, in Hinsdale, N.H. by Elder Bumus, who was so strongly impressed with the conviction that Mr. Osgood was intended, by the Head of the church, for peculiar usefulness, that when coming out of the water he made the following remarkable declaration: "If this man hath not a work to do, the Lord hath not spoken by me." On the 24th of July following, he united with the Baptist Church in Brookline.

On the 4th of March, 1799, he was married to Cynthia, daughter of Abel and Patience Stockwell. From this time he resolved to reform, and with this view commenced the cultivation of a small farm. In May, 1800, his mind was first seriously impressed with the importance of religion. His sins were set in order before him, and he was soon brought to the conclusion that he had sinned away the day of grace, and that the mercy of God JUNE, 1825.

In the early part of his religious course, God was pleased to make

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him instrumental of awakening two || was enabled to submit his case of his former companions, to a sense wholly to the Lord. of their wretched condition, by tel- It was not far from this time, ling what the Lord had done for his that he became convinced by some soul. His mind was at all times || indications of Providence, that his deeply impressed with the value of labours would not be profitable in immortal souls, and he rarely left his then situation. The following a religious meeting, without point-passage also was strongly impressing his fellow sinners to the blooded upon his mind: "They will not of Calvary. receive thy testimony in this place; It was at this time that he be-lo I send thee far hence unto the came deeply impressed with the Gentiles." duty of preaching Christ: but the magnitude of the work, and the vast responsibility which the subject involved, together with the smallness of his knowledge and abilities, of which he seemed fully conscious, overwhelmed his mind,and inclined || him to shrink back. He also endeavoured to excuse himself, by pleading the necessities of his family. But God was pleased to make him willing by the rod of correction. Thrice his companion was brought down by sickness to the gate of death, and in mercy restored again. At last, humbled under the mighty hand of God, he promised obedience to his command.

The finger of Providence seemed to point him to Black River, N. Y. to which place, after making the necessary preparations, with a small pittance to bear his expenses, he directed his course on the 19th of March, 1803. He soon arrived at Sandy Creek, where he found brethren with whom he united, and a vast field for labour before him. He returned again to his family in Vermont, after an absence of seven months.

In January, 1804, he removed with his family to Ellisburgh, (now Henderson) exceedingly poor in the things of this world. Here he was obliged to labour with his hands, and preach the gospel. The country being new, and the inhabitants

In the autumn of 1802, being called upon by the church to improve his talents by preaching, he obey-generally poor, he could have_but ed; and, with trembling heart addressed the people from Isa. v. 4, to their comfort and edification. From this time he continued to preach in the vicinity of this church and in Hinsdale, until the 19th of March, 1803.

little prospect of assistance from them; consequently, he was subjected to many inconveniences,common in new settlements. There were only three families in what is now called Henderson, on his arrival there; and he was under the necessity of going three and four miles to labour, to obtain provision for his wife and children. ministerial labours were devoted to different places for two or three years, he travelling on foot twelve or fourteen miles. At this time he

His

At this time, his pecuniary concerns began to wear a gloomy as pect. In this time of distress, he frequented the throne of grace, and poured out his complaint to God. He felt at first unreconciled to his situation; and although it was suggested to his mind, that "the sil-was earnestly solicited by the brethver and gold are the Lord's, and the cattle upon a thousand hills;" yet unbelief arose and said, what can I now do? Before long, the following passage, "Be still, and know that I am God," seemed to silence all his complaints, and he

ren on Sandy Creek, to remove among them; but being convinced that there would soon be a people near him that would need his labours, he declined their proposals. In this he was not disappointed. Having by his industry and perse

ing from being one of the first settlers, he sold his improvements, and removed to a new farm, in the month of March, 1805. Settlers now flocked in from almost every quarter; so that the ensuing sea son, he was called to preach one half of the time within two miles of his own habitation.

verance obtained the benefits aris- || had ended, he has remarked that he felt a great agony of mind, for which he could assign no cause. He could neither sit nor stand still, nor receive any refreshment; but continued walking, and vented his feelings in a deep sigh or groan. Having requested the prayers of those who were to tarry at home, he, with his brother, proceeded to In 1806, he saw the rise of the the place of worship. In the mean First Baptist Church in Henderson, time, the young people, to the numconstituted of eighteen members, of ber of about forty, had collected whom himself and his partner were with the determination of breaking two, and where they continued up the meeting; and to carry their their standing until regularly dis-object into effect, had filled both missed in 1823, to go to Oneida Castleton.

the place where the speaker should stand, and the seat usually occuIn 1807, he was ordained to the pied by the singers. On the arriwork of the ministry; and for the val of the speaker, no movement ten ensuing years, never failed but was made; his brother, who led the two or three times of preaching on singing, mildly said, "Please to Lord's day, and during that term, make room for the singers ;" but never disappointed an assembly, was answered, "We want no singalthough he had to labour in the ing here ;" and it was readily perfield daily, to support his family, ceived they were determined on and was frequently called to at- making disturbance. The speaker tend funerals, ten, fifteen, twenty, then addressed them as follows: and in one instance, forty miles "Young people, you are forming from home. In 1813, he preached characters for time, as well as for twenty-seven funeral sermons in eternity; and it is no mark of genthe short term of thirty days. tlemen to behave disorderly in meetIn the fall of 1807, he beheld the ing. I suspect this will be the last rise of the Black River Baptist As- time I shall trouble you, unless sociation, of which for a number of something I may say shall hereafyears he was the standing Clerk. ter trouble you; and I now ask In January, 1810, he took a jour-your candid attention." He then ney with his wife to Vermont and New Hampshire, where he was providentially detained a number of weeks beyond his proposed limits. During this suspense, he had an opportunity of visiting Newfane a second time. On his first visit to that place, he had the unexpected privilege of baptizing two of his brothers with their wives. On his return, he made an appointment to preach a discourse to the young people of that place, who had become very rude and thoughtless. In the afternoon preceding his appointment to meet the young people, he preached at one of his brother's, two miles distant. After meeting

crowded himself forward to his place, and read his text from Eccl. xi. 9. "Rejoice,O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes ;" and then proceeded to remark on the diverse ways in which young people could amuse themselves with the pleasures of sense. The assembly was all attention. He then introduced the last clause of the text, "but know thou that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment;" on which, having made some solemn and appropriate remarks, he bid them farewell, and the next day

"Jan. 1, 1819.-On reviewing the scenes of the past year, I find, as usual, much want of affection to God. The scenes that I have experienced

returned to New-Hampshire, where I can say, hitherto the Lord hath he was soon followed with the wel- helped me. I have had many decome news, that four of the ring-lightful meetings, and some as peleaders of opposition at Newfane, culiar trials as ever I experienced. were under deep conviction. In I have tried to preach 139 times, July following, after his return attended 64 conference and prayer home, he had the pleasure to receive meetings, and 12 church meetings. a letter from Newfane, announcing I have baptized 50, and married the interesting fact, that about forty ten couple." converts had united with the Baptist Church in that place, the most of whom dated their first religious impressions from his discourse above mentioned. The news deep-have been complicated. I have had ly affected him, and he broke out in thanksgivings to God. He felt himself more than compensated for the providential losses he had suffered during that journey, and rejoiced that the Lord had made him instrumental of pointing out to these enemies of Christ, their per

ilous condition.

He appears to have commenced his missionary career in 1811. From that date to his last illness, a great proportion of his labours was spent on the missionary field. He acted at different times under the patronage of the Baptist Missionary Society of Massachusetts, the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions for the United States, and under the Board of the Hamilton Baptist Missionary Society, N. Y. He devoted much time under the Board of the Massachusetts Society, for the benefit of the soldiers at Sacketts Harbour. When about to close his labours among them, he received a respectful letter of thanks from the officers of that post.

In January, 1812, he commenced a daily journal, which he continued until May 31,1824; which contains many interesting particulars, and shows his life to have been one of almost unexampled activity in ministerial labours. The following extracts from his recapitulations, on entering a new year, will be sufficient to illustrate this remark:

“Jan. 1, 1818.—On a review of the past year, I have much cause to mourn, and great reason to rejoice.

to encounter many deadly enemies; but the Lord has delivered me out of their hands. I have delivered 212 public discourses, 20 of them at funerals; attended 68 conference and prayer meetings, and 19 church meetings; have baptized 16, and married 12 couple. Many times I have rejoiced, and at others mourned. I can make mercy and judgment my song. The Lord keep me this year, and enable me to discharge with fidelity my ministerial duties."

"Jan. 1, 1820.-I have lived to see another new-year, and in looking back, I find much cause of mourning, and much of rejoicingof mourning, on the account of my unlikeness to the Master I profess to serve, my want of faithfulness, of patience and resignation to God; of rejoicing, on account of the faithfulness of God, in supporting me under the most severe trials I ever experienced; and in not suffering my enemies to triumph over me. O how they have sought for my soul. How glad they would have been to have destroyed the church and me; and if God had not been our helper, they would have triumphed. may I be delivered from wicked and ungodly men, which are thy sword. I think God has made me instrumental of saving this part of the church. To him be all the glory. I can now say with Jacob, in calling to mind my first settlement in this town, "With this staff I passed over this Jordan, and now

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I have become two bands." I have|| the ministry. I have as much visdelivered 223 public discourses, at- ible evidence of usefulness in the tended 68 conference, church, and Zion of God, as in any one year of prayer meetings, and 10 public my life. I have every thing to be meetings abroad, such as Councils, thankful for. I know that all the Missionary meetings, &c. trials I have ever experienced in the ministry, (if I am one of Christ's ministers,) will terminate for my good. I have delivered during the year past, 220 public discourses, have attended 76 conference and || prayer meetings, and 8 public meetings, and baptized 53, on profession of faith in Christ."

"Jan. 1, 1823.-Another of my years has fled, and I am permitted, unprofitable as I am, to see another New Years day. I have very much cause of thankfulness, for special mercies experienced the year past. My health has been good, and that of my family. Death has made no breach upon us. We have enjoyed peace and plenty, and have been enriched with many spiritual blessings. I have seen much of the salvation of God, in the conversion of sinners. I have enjoyed much comfort in ministerial association. I feel united with all my brethren in || in Henderson arose.

These extracts furnish but a faint specimen of his general course of activity. He was favoured with a number of general revivals of religion in his society, at different periods; so that in 1819, the church was divided, and the second church [Western Bap. Mag.

(To be concluded in our next.)

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

THE NATURE AND IMPORTANCE OF THE PASTORAL OFFICE :

A Sermon preached in Hebron, (Me.) before the Cumberland Baptist Association, September 29, 1824.

JEREMIAH ii. 15.

And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding.

In this chapter, the people of claim to Israel, now in captivity, Israel and Judah are accused of "Return, thou backsliding Israel, grievous crimes. Israel had viola-saith the Lord; and I will not cause ted the national covenant by gross mine anger to fall upon you; for I and general idolatry, and though am merciful, saith the Lord, and I warned and intreated, they would will not keep anger forever. Only not return to the Lord. The men acknowledge thine iniquity, that of Judah followed in the same steps. thou hast transgressed against the They saw that God had rejected Lord thy God." God proceedeth Israel on account of their idolatry, then to address both Judah and Isyet, unaffected by this example, they rael. "Turn, O backsliding chilprovoked his displeasure by similar dren, saith the Lord, for I am martransgression. ried unto you: and I will take you, one of a city, and two of a family, and I will bring you to Zion: and I will give you pastors according to mine heart, who shall feed you with knowledge and understanding. " Although these promises may have already received a partial accom

The nation of Judah appeared indeed to return unto the Lord, but they turned feignedly, and not with their whole heart, and their guilt was in fact greater than that of Israel.

The prophet is directed to pro

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