MEMOIR OF REV. HOSEA WHEELER.

REV. HOSEA WHEELER was born at Dunbarton, N.H. March 8, 1791. He early discovered a taste for literature, although he lived in an interior town, where his advantages were small. In 1807, he entered Dartmouth College, where he soon gained the esteem of all who knew him, and afterwards attained a very respectable rank. A gentleman of respectability, who was a classmate with Mr. W. during his stay in College, gives the following account of this part of his life.

all his embarrassments, perseverance, industry, and talents, that would at some time conduct him to eminence. He rapidly gained the esteem of his classmates, and the confidence of the government, and became greatly beloved for his amiable disposition. I do not know that he ever had an enemy in College.

During the year 1810, he was brought to reflect seriously on his state as a sinner. And although his life before had been without reproach or blemish, he was deeply "What I have to say respecting convinced that something more than our friend, the Rev. Hosea Wheeler, mere morality, and a good name will be comprised in a few words. among men, was necessary to conWe met at Hanover, in 1807, for stitute him a Christian, and give the first time, and entered the fresh-him a saving interest in the Reman class at the commencement of deemer. A long and severe selfthe first term. He, like myself, examination, under the influence of was but half fitted for College, and divine grace, resulted in a thorconsequently took a rank in the ough conviction of his lost and ruearly part of his course, below me-ined condition as a sinner, and he diocrity. At this time, his knowl-soon made a public profession of edge of men and things was small. religion. He was elected a memHe had lived in an interior town of ber of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, New Hampshire, where he had read and when he graduated, was honbut little and learned less. He oured with one of the best appointsoon discovered, however, amidstments in his class. In this respect, MAY, 1825,

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the Faculty of the College, and his classmates, had but one opinion in regard to his merits."

When Mr. W. publickly professed his faith in Christ, he united with a Congregational church. Af ter leaving College, he commenced and passed through a regular course of studies with a minister of that denomination. When or where he was approbated to preach, we cannot give a particular account. In the year 1804, he was married to Miss Sarah Wines, a member of the church with which he was then connected. Mr. W.'s mind was in doubt respecting the mode of baptism, for some considerable time; but not being fully convinced that believers' baptism alone was scriptural, he offered up two of his children in baptism, according to the rules of the church, of which he was then a member.

immersion, was very plainly and clearly suggested in the scriptures of divine truth. He had examined our covenant and articles of faith, and being fully satisfied with them, wished to unite and join our church. He related his experience before the church and congregation, together with his call to the ministry, in both of which he gave entire satisfaction. He was baptized by me, according to the apostolic practice, on the 25th of October, 1817. The church then gave him license to preach the gospel

Shortly after he was baptized, Mr. W. received an invitation from, and preached for a few months, to the Baptist Society in the town of Adams. Whilst residing here, the church in Newbury, and Newburyport, presented an invitation for him to become their pastor, which he accepted, and was ordained there, In 1816, the Congregational December 9, 1818. His labours Church and Society in Bradford, here proved successful, and about N. H. gave him an invitation to be forty were added to the church dur their pastor. The day was appoint-ing his stay with them. He gened for the ordination; the Council erally spent the morning in study, met at the appointed time to exam-when his mind was more free from ine the candidate; but without any the busy cares of the bustling world. examination, from some intimations Seldom a day passed without spendwhich they had received, that Mr. ing some part of it in visiting the Wheeler's opinions were not set- flock committed to his charge. He tled on the subject of baptism, they poured the oil of consolation into dismissed the assembly, and retired the wounds of the afflicted, and to their own homes. This excited pointed them to the Rock that was in his mind, a greater degree of higher than they. It was evidently anxiety respecting the mode of bap-his delight to visit the sick, and tism. He daily searched the scrip- recommend the great Physician of tures, till he was fully convinced souls, with that meek disposition, of the command for baptism of be- which Jesus himself manifested lievers only, and that by immersion while on earth. Hence it was that A letter from the Rev. Otis Rob- he could with confidence proclaim inson, Salisbury, N. H. to a friend from the sacred desk to his brethin N contains the following ren and sisters, "Go thou and do information on this subject. likewise." He often observed, that nothing afforded him more satisfaction, than to visit the sick, and hear them speak forth the praises of God. Often would he sigh and say, "O that ministers and private Christians would faithfully fulfil their covenant obligations to God and to each other. In private conferences

"Mr. W. had peculiar trials on the subject of baptisin. For some length of time he had examined the writings at large on the subject, and at last was fully convinced by the word of God, that infant baptism could not be found in the Bible, and that believers' baptism, and that by

while out of Christ. Many who are still engaged in the amusemements of this world, can yet witness that he has warned them most affectionately to flee from the wrath to come. In May, 1822, Mr. Wheeler vis

perhaps his equal was seldom found. | He was forward in every duty, to encourage the strong, and to bear the infirmities of the weak. When ever he had occasion to administer reproof, it was offered in that humble, affectionate manner, that en-ited Eastport, and received an indeared him still more to the offender. In the ordinance of baptism, his soul appeared frequently filled with holy delight; and when conversing upon that subject, his mind often seemed peculiarly elevated.

vitation to be their pastor. On returning to Newburyport, he asked a dismission from the church, and with reluctance it was granted. On the 30th of June, he preached his farewell sermon from 2 Thes. iii. 16. "Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means The Lord be with you all." It was a solemn season. Every eye in the large assembly seemed fixed upon him. The parting and solemn scene, can never be erased from the memory of the church. On pronouncing the solemn farewell, he appeared almost overwhelmed with grief.

In 1819, he was suddenly seized with an indisposition, which rendered him unable to preach on the Sabbath, and his life was despaired of by his physician. He viewed from his window, people going in different directions to the meetinghouse which was closed; the tears flowed gently down his cheeks, and while his countenance bespoke a sweet composure, he said to a friend, "I have sometimes doubtJuly 4, 1822, Mr. W. with his ed of my call to the ministry, but family, bid adieu to their friends in I have this day had such clear man- Newburyport, and sailed for Eastifestations of the love of Christ, and port, where they safely arrived on have felt the worth of immortal the 10th of July. Mr. W. continsouls to lie so near my heart, I ued to labour among them in the think I shall never, no, never more, doctrines, and to administer to them doubt but the Lord has called me the sacraments of the New Testato preach his blessed gospel. And ment, until his death. After his if I am ever again permitted to as-removal to Eastport, by his letters cend that sacred desk (pointing to to his friends, and his daily obserthe meeting-house) with the assist-vations, he appeared deeply impresance of that God in whom I trust, sed with the sentiment, that the I will be more faithful to my fel-time of his departure was at hand. low sinners." The Lord was pleas- The state of his mind at this time, ed in a short time, to restore him may be seen by the following exto perfect health, to finish his work. tracts from letters written to his friends in Newburyport.

Before this illness, and after his recovery, he seldom met with any person with whom he was acquainted, without inquiring, if an opportunity presented, the state of their religious feelings. From the Christian he would ask the reason of his hope; and to the sinner he would recommend religion in the most affectionate manner. He frequently spent whole days in visiting from house to house, conversing with the lively, the thoughtless, and the gay, and warning them of their danger

"Eastport, July 13, 1822. "It was with reluctance that I pronounced the sad farewell, and turned my back on a place so full of endearments. If I ever forget that dear church, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember my absent brethren and sisters, and pray for the salvation of their souls, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth. Nothing could be more acceptable to me, than the glad tidings of your pros

I own my heart was too full, and I yielded to the tender,overwhelming emotions. Nor were these feelings transient. Not a day, not a night

the scene. I still seem to behold a weeping group of dear friends, extending the parting hand, and exchanging the mournful farewell! But why should we indulge in gloom, and be so loth to part? Are we not soon to meet again? If we see each other's faces no more on earth, God grant that we may meet in a world of bliss, where parting sighs and tears are never known. Let us then be patient; the time is at hand. God knows that it is good for us to be afflicted, and therefore

perity as a church and religious society. I charge you and all the members of the church, to remember your covenant obligations, and forsake not the assembling of your-has since passed, without renewing selves together for prayer and praise. God can build you up in the gospel, disperse the dark cloud which obscures your prospects, and give you day for night. Be united in feelings, in sentiment, and practice; stand fast in the faith, and in the liberty wherewith Christ has made you free. Be faithful unto death, and you shall receive a crown of life. I think it improbable that I shall see your faces again on earth, but we shall meet at the bar of God. O may we have a happy, a glorions interview, and be no more separa-conducts us through much tribulated, no more forever! My affections have felt a severe wound, and my only consolation is, that I have the approbation of my conscience, and my God. I have done what I thought, and still think, was my duty. My circumstances required that I should take such a step, how-appointments and sorrows have ever painful it might be. I was not taught me the vanity of human exaware, until lately, how much my pectations, quieted the exultings affections have been on the flock of youthful hope, and cooled the committed to my charge. I have ardour of anxious desire. If in any an affection for all, but especially instance my feeble endeavours have for those, whom I hope the Lord been successful, to God the Saviour hath given me as seals to my minis due all the glory and the praise. istry; some of whom I have led down the banks of our Jordan.

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tion. Yet he never leaves, he never forsakes his people. I have ever considered the few years spent among you, on many accounts, the most pleasant and interesting of my past life. Relative to the future, I am not particularly anxious.

Dis

In another letter, speaking of Christians being too much conformto the world, he writes thus:

they have been buried and raised
again in baptism, thereby professed
ing themselves to be dead to sin
and the world, and alive to God
and Christ, who was dead, buried,
and raised again for their salvation,
so may they ever live. O may God
grant them grace to adorn the holy
profession which they have made."

In another letter he writes as follows: "I have most ardently and uniformly loved the dear people of my charge, with whom I expected to live and die. Judge then, what were my feelings, on being constrained to give them the final adieu! It may be weakness and folly, but

"What if the sinful children of men do not approve of us, nor of our sentiments and practice? Let it suffice us that Jesus sees and approves. John said unto Christians, "Marvel not that the world hate you ;" and Paul declared, that if any would live godly in Christ Jesus, they should suffer persecution. Why then do the professed followers of the Saviour, pass on so smoothly? Is it because they are inclined to make the offence of the cross to cease? God forbid that I should glory, save in him who was crucified for a fallen world,”