guage, that he afterwards procured many French authours; and he conversed so much with the pro testant refugees, that he could preach to them in their native tongue. In 1688, Oct. 17, he was ordained over the first church in Roxbury. The old apostle, John Eliot, hearing him preach, declared he must have him for his colleague. Mr. Dudley opposed so sudden an invitation, but approved the choice. when they had farther proof of his talents. He continued the pastor of this church above 60 years, and died September 17, 1750, aged 87. Mr. Eliot died in 1690, having been minister 58 years. He said of Mr. Walter, that he would be a most brilliant light of the New England churches. He was indeed an admirable preacher, as well as fine scholar. His discourses were always studied, and he delivered them with great animation, though with a feeble voice. He always had a very delicate bodily frame; and was very small of stature. His character and preaching were often the subject of praise to young candidates. When he was very old he preserved the affection of the people, and the esteem of the publick. Being a meek and humble christian, he had his conversation in the simplicity of truth, and sincerity of the gospel. Mr. W. never put himself forward to preach upon publick occasions, and was seldom persuaded to print any of his discourses. He published several, however, which were very ac ceptable, and are read to the present time.*

A sermon warning unfruitful hearers, which has been reprinted; also, the body of sin anatomised; a discourse upon vain thoughts; the great concern of man; the wonderfulness of Christ; the holiness of heaven; and the convention sermon, 1723. A volume of his sermons was printed after his death, upon the 55 of Isaiah, with an account of him, from which the compiler has taken some facts. Other notices were communicated by those who knew him. To these might be added Dr. Colman's opinion," when one is hearing Mr. W. it seems as if any man could preach so, yet few can equal him." Mr. Pemberton used to say, "I know no man that, in his preaching, reconciles perspicuity with accuracy, like Mr. Walter."

WALTER THOMAS, son of the minister of Roxbury, was graduated at Harvard College, 1713, was ordained his father's colleague, October 19, 1718, and died January 10, 1724. He possessed a very extraordinary genius, having all his father's vivacity and richness of imagination, with more vigour of intellect. When he was at college he was not a hard student, and was too fond of company. His intimate associate was John Checkley, who had much learning with his wit and humour. This was a grief to his father; and his uncle Dr. Cotton Mather who warned him to beware of that man; but however he might be attached to his friend for his companionable qualities, he soon entered into a publick altercation with him upon theological sentiments. Checkley wrote certain dialogues upon predestination, in which he threw sarcasms upon the religion of our fathers, which Mr. W. answered.* Dr. Chauncy in his account of eminent men, says, there was no subject but what Mr. Walter was eminently acquainted with, and such was the power he had over his thoughts and words, that he could readily, without any pains, write or speak just as he would; that he made himself master of all Dr. Cotton Mather's learning, by taking frequent opportunities of conversing with him; and that had he not died in the prime of life, he would have been known as one of the first of our great men."

In the year 1719, 20, an anonymous pamphlet was published, entitled, Choice dialogues between a godly minister, and an honest countryman, concerning election and predestination, detecting the false principles of a certain man, who calls himself a presbyterian of the church of England. By a reverend and laborious pastor in Christ's flock, by one who has been for almost twice thirty years, a faithful and painful labourer in Christ's vineyard.

This was answered in a book of about 80 pages duo. entitled, a choice dialogue between John Faustus, a conjurer, and Jack Tory his friend, occasioned by some choice dialogues lately published concerning predestination, &c. By a young stripling. The author was well known.

He excelled also "in the science of harmony," and printed a book upon the ground work of musick, with the rules which have been generally in use. His book was a standard work in New England, near half a century. The tunes he collected were introduced into our churches when there was regular singing, and his rules taught in the schools. He also published a sermon upon 2 Samuel, xxiii. 1, "The sweet psalmist of Israel." A more beautiful composition does not exist among the occasional sermons handed down to us from our fathers. It discovers much learning as well as pious sentiment. This sermon was preached at the Boston lecture, 1723, and printed at the desire of the ministers. It is dedicated to judge Dudley. The next year he published a "a sermon upon the scriptures, being the only rule of faith and practice." This was also preached at the Boston lecture, and was very acceptable to the publick.

WARD NATHANIEL, an eccentrick genius, and learned divine, was the son of the rev. John Ward of Haverhill, and born 1570. He was educated at the university of Cambridge, and came into this country, 1634. He settled as pastor of the church at Ipswich, then called Agawam. In 1641, he was invited by the freemen to preach the election sermon. This was rather a political than an evangelical discourse, according to Mr. Winthrop, in which he has been imitated by preachers in modern times. It is a good observation, and has been often repeated, "that the election sermon is the pulse by which we can tell the state of the body politick." Mr. W.

had been bred a lawyer, was a traveller, and knew so much of the law of nature and nations that he was employed to draw up a code of laws for New England. Though a pious man he was very eccentrick in his conduct. He soon left his charge at Ipswich, was without employment for some time, and returned to England in 1647. He was afterwards a settled minister at Sheffield. of his death is in 1653.

The account

His works are curious and scarce. The book entitled the •6 simple cobler of Agawam," which he wrote at Ipswich, and printed afterwards in his native country, is a medley of wit and humour, origi. nal observation in a strange style, and obsolete lan guage; yet interesting the attention, where we can. not approve the remarks. He was an enemy to toleration in every shape, a great bigot to his own opinions, and wonderfully ingenious and satirical against those of a different opinion.

He wrote other books of humour, and some learned treatises, but none have come down to the present age, but the "simple cobler," which has passed through many editions. Winthrop.

WARD JOHN, Son of the famous Nathaniel Ward, was born in England, 1606, before his father left Haverhill. The place where he settled in this colony, was called Haverhill, a pleasant spot on Merrimack river, where he continued a faithful pastor from 1646 to the year 1694. He preached Nov. 19, of this year, being then in the 88th year of his age, and died of paralytick affections, Dec. 27. Magnalia.

WARD ARTEMAS, major general of the American army, deserves a distinction among those patriots who exerted themselves in the cause of liberty, and for the independence of their country. He was a gentleman of liberal education, having received the honours of Harvard College in the year 1748. He was an active and useful member of the general court for several years; and one of the provincial congress in 1774. He had served in the war previous to the peace of Paris. When the revolutionary war commenced, he was the first officer in rank, and commanded the troops at Cambridge till gen. Washington arrived. No man could show more firmness and intrepidity than he did upon some trying occasions. When Washington was generalissimo, he was the first major general, and com. manded the division at Roxbury. Gen. Thomas and gen. Heath were brigadier generals.

He re

signed his commission in 1777, and went into the civil line. He was chosen one of the council of Massachusetts, and was highly esteemed for his po litical integrity, his independency of spirit, and steady attention to the duties of his station. In 1786, he was speaker of the house of representatives; and chief justice of the court of common pleas for the county of Worcester. A lawless mob, with Wheel, er and Convers at their head, arose to unhinge the government, and stood at the door of the court house with bayonets fixed to oppose the court. Gen. Ward behaved with coolness and intrepidity, and used every wise method to bring them to con sideration. After the constitution of the United States was established, he was a member of congress, and then retired to private life, where he liv ed some years, receiving honour and respect from the people. He died at Newbury in the year 1800.

WARHAM JOHN, came over with the company from the west of England, who settled the town of Dorchester in Massachusetts, in 1630. He and Mr. Maverick continued together for six years. He then went to Connecticut and laid the foundation of the town of Windsor, and continued with this people till his death, the 1st of April, 1670. He was the only minister who used notes in his preaching, but was more animated in his delivery than most of his brethren, and was a very excellent divine. He was subject to hypochondriack complaints, which had such an effect upon him at times, as to fill his mind with spiritual gloom. He frequently administered the communion without partaking of it, thinking himself unworthy, when no one else doubted his qualifications. Magnalia.

WARREN JOSEPH, major general of the American army, was born at Roxbury. His parents were respectable, and in that place he received the first rudiments of his education. He entered Harvard College when he was but 15 years old, and receiv

Minot's history of the insurrection in Massachusetts.