pectation that such a door would || signed to disappoint the rising hopes and expectations of his breth- ever open. I never even thought of seeking such a thing. I trust I never shall forget the interest I felt when first I learned the movement of your society, and when they commenced their operations at Oneida; and I can truly say, that I have never felt any relinquishment of interest; but when your prospects brightened, I rejoiced; when they appeared gloomy, I mourned. But all my feelings about forsaking all, to settle among Indians, I found, on the receipt of your letter, to be merely ideal. Ah, my brother, think what were my feelings, when I thought of the dear church, with whom I have been happily connected almost seventeen years, and my labours blessed among them-21. to tear myself from them, and bid || them adieu, probably no more to be their pastor-to think of the missionary society, and the association, of separating my family, that lie so near my heart; the sacrifice of domestic comforts, and the sacrifice of property! But all this is merely nothing, compared with the weighty consideration that remains to be mentioned. Indeed, I found, as stated above, my ideas of a missionary station were ideal. I found myself disqualified in every thing, but a disposition to do the Indians good. The vast responsibility attached to the station; the eyes of all our brethren, and of our enemies, fixed on it; the awful consequence of being the means of the failure of the glorious enterprise! I feel that I had rather die, than that the mission should fail on my ac count." power. the na He was 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. "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 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. 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 Óneida with his family on the 15th, and engaged in the duties of a missionary to the One- In his first letter to her, dated ida Indians. But God had de- | 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 to C-, what a glorious thought, that these poor emaciated bodies will one day put on immortal youth. -This verse from Dr. Watts oc These lively hopes we owe 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 judg-how emaciated they were; I said ment, 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 affection-curred to my mind. ate 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 noble, 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 : Who paid for us his life below, 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 myself. I considered that I had 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, scriptures with the precious promwas my hope. I never had the ises 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 l Precious Bible! what a treasure EMORY OSGOOD." 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 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!" 66 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 attention, which his case required, was paid to him. But the time of his departure was at hand, and all human skill was exerted in vain. He continued to fail until Lord's day, Sept. 12th; and it was not until the afternoon of this day, when he was actually dying, that he became fully convinced that his work on earth was done. Early this morning, perceiving himself to fail, he expressed great anxiety to be carried back to the Oneida; and would not be persuaded to de 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. 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. 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. It is due to the character of this man of God to say that, notwithstanding his opportunities for instruction were small, and especially in the early part of his life, and the peculiar embarrassments under which he laboured in the early part of his ministry; yet, through the quickness of his apprehension, and the strength of a natural genius, accompanied with an unyielding resolution, he gained that degree of general information, which rendered his society agreeable and instruc tive. It is worthy of remark, || ren, as the emotions which he man and should serve as a stimulus to ifested while with them fully testiother poor ministers of Christ, who fy. The circle of his acquaintance labour under similar embarrass- had become considerably extensive, ments, that we find him rising and he had many endeared friends. from obscurity, without learning, The promptness and decision of without property, without influ- his manner, however, gained him ence, and almost without friends; some enemies; but the natural insurmounting every obstacle, and tegrity of his heart, which was under the cultivation of Divine manifest in his general deportment, Grace, becoming obviously more secured him the friendship of the useful, in the Zion of God, than pious and judicious. Should it be most ministers of the present age, thought by any, that he had not who are possessed of vastly supe- always acted with the most conrior advantages. His activity and summate prudence; yet, it is beperseverance seemed to provoke lieved, that few of so ardent a spirthe zeal of many others; and the it, moved so judiciously as he did. success with which he pursued his He has published several serobject, often excited admiration.mons, which show a mind capable It was emphatically said of him, of closeness of application, and "Osgood never yields !" He pos- perspicuity of thought. The natusessed a natural readiness to com- ral ardour of his mind never seemmunicate his ideas, and his man-ed to abate; and it may truly be ner of delivery was entirely his said of him, he did not own. His strain of preaching was life dear unto himself." animating, and he rarely failed of lieved he has fallen a gaining the attention of his hear- his zeal. ers. He presented considerable In him, his family have lost an variety in matter and manner; affectionate husband, and a kind and his subjects were generally father; society one of her choicest well chosen. He was decidedly and most useful members; the Calvinistic in his doctrine; and ministers of Christ, one of their salvation by grace was his theme. most pleasing associates and intiHe possessed a warm heart, and mate friends; the church of God, his mind appeared engrossed by an interesting preacher, and bold his subject. He frequently seemed defender of her faith; the cause to have access to the sinner's heart, of missions, one of its most successover whose case he often wept ; ful patrons; and sinners, one that and he could ease the pained heart, could bear their case to the throne by applying the promises of the of mercy. gospel; and the children of God usually retired from the assembly, both comforted and edified. He possessed a happy talent to heal divisions among the people of God; and he might justly be called a repairer of breaches. He felt a tender solicitude for the welfare of Zion, and extended the hand of friendship to all the lovers of truth. He dearly prized the society and friendship of his ministering breth count his It is bemartyr to We can but lament his early dismission from his earthly labours -cut off in the midst of his usefulness. But God is wiser than man; and though we know not now, doubtless we shall know hereafter, why it was best we should feel this bereavement. May the Lord enable us, who are the ministers of Christ, to copy the virtues of our departed brother. Like him may we live, and like him may we die. [Western Bap. Mag. ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. THE NATURE AND IMPORTANCE OF THE PASTORAL OFFICE. A Sermon preached in Hebron, (Me.) before the Cumberland Baptist Association, Sept. 29, 1824. JEREMIAH iiì. 15. And I will give you pastors according to mine heart, which shall feed you with knowledge and understanding, APPLICATION. [Continued from p. 170.] and whose energetic actions in be with his feelings? Or can we view the desolations of Zion with indifference and composure, provided our personal and domestic affairs are prosperous; or sinfully excuse our unconcern on the ground of God's purposes; or perhaps, denominate it resignation, a committing the cause of Zion to Zion's King? 1. Those of us who are pas-half of his people corresponded tors are, by this subject, reminded of what we ought to be. My fathers and brethren in the sacred office, it ought to be our desire to be pastors according to God's heart. On examination, do we not find much to lament? Do we possess that love of souls, that love to Christ and to his church, which should glow in our hearts? Are we not conscious of innumerable deficiencies and faults both in our feelings and conduct as ministers of the word? In review of our preaching, our visits, our general deportment, has not each of us too much cause to say with Ezra, the ancient priest of the Lord, O my God! I am ashamed, and blush to lift O brethren, we may deceive ourselves, but we cannot deceive God. Let us not add sin to sin, by giving to our apathy and insensibility the sacred names of submission to God, and confidence in his government. Be it remembered, that the highest confidence in God and the deepest submission to his will are perfectly consistent, are intimately connected with the utmost solicitude to perform our duty, and the warmest desires for the prosperity of Zion. up my face to thee, my God. Bear with me, my brethren, while I ask, Is there not need of a reformation among the pastors, as well as among the flock? Do we not possess less spiritual zeal and devotedness than formerly? Do we not too often seek our own, rather than the things which are Jesus Christ's? Are we grieved for the affliction of Joseph ? For the hurt of the daughter of Zion are we hurt? Are the feelings of Nehemiah ours, who, when he heard that the wall of Jerusalem was broken down, and the gates burned with fire, and the remnant of the people in great affliction and reproach, sat down and wept and And what have been our feelings mourned certain days, and fasted and deportment towards the reand prayed to the God of heaven-spective churches over which the Suffer me to proceed yet further. Do we possess tender compassion towards our perishing fellow men? And when they refuse to hear the message of the Lord, do our souls weep in secret places for their pride? Have we the spirit of him, who, when he was come near and beheld Jerusalem, wept over it, saying, "If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things that belong to thy peace. |