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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRAR

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.

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Samuel Pearce. AM.

late. Minister of the Gospel. Birmingham. Eng.

Engraved for the American Bap. Mag.

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1785.

BIOGRAPHY.

MEMOIR OF REV. HENRY VEAZEY,
Late Pastor of the Baptist Church of Christ in Bow, (N. H.)

THE subject of this memoir was born in Brentwood, September 12, His parentage was respectable; both father and mother having for many years, been worthy members of the Baptist church in that place. In early life, he was not a stranger to religious impressions. When not more than seven or eight years of age, he was frequently terrified at the thoughts of death, as he was sensible of being an offender against God. It was not, however, till his 16th year, that his mind became thoroughly awakened. The following extract from his journal, contains an account of his conver

sion.

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no relief. Sin appeared most odious; and my transgressions, with the weight of mountains, pressed me down. In running to the law of God, I was slain. I found it pronounced nothing but curses upon my restless soul. Darkness was on every side. All my pharisaical righteousness, by which I had flattered myself, was now lost, and I felt myself entirely naked in the eyes of Jehovah. mourned, lamented, and wept. [ felt myself a lonesome object, friendless and hopeless. In this situation, I went to an evening meeting, but found no relief. the close, I returned to my father's, and before entering the house, kneeled down, and poured out my complaints before God. I thought if I died, I would die a beggar. I was sensible I could not help myself; that if it pleased the Lord to have mercy upon me, it would be indeed an act of grace; and that if he cast me off, he would do justice; for I verily deserved it. While thus praying and crying, I peace broke into my soul. My burden of sin, which I had long

After mentioning an outpouring of the Spirit in Brentwood, during that year, he proceeds to speak of "I was again alarmed on account of my situation. Hearing of the conversion of some of my companions, I feared that with me, the harvest was past, and the summer ended, and that I should not be saved. I was led to a view of my miserable situation by nature, and saw myself polluted in sin. looked this way and that, but found APRIL, 1826.

14

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sustained, was taken away, and all at once, I felt myself in a new world. I felt my sins forgiven me, and that for Christ's sake, God could show mercy. I exclaimed, Glory to God! My tears were dried, and my mourning was turned into joy.

my

"In this state of mind I retired to|| bed; but sleep was a stranger to my eyes. Praise was now my constant employment, and the songs of Zion were my delight. I felt a new love to Christians and to mankind. Every thing in nature wore a new aspect; the works of creation appeared glorious; and the word of God, which before had been pronouncing curses upon me, seemed altogether new."

Such was the experience of our departed brother, when between fifteen and sixteen years of age; nor was his subsequent life without corresponding fruit. For, although he was soon assailed by temptation, and almost led to conclude, that because his conviction was gone, he was given over to hardness of heart and blindness of mind; yet the Lord appeared for his relief, and afforded comfort to his soul, by an application of the following precious scripture. "We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethHe adds: "I delighted in meeting with the brethren, and soon engaged in public prayer, in which I found great consolation."

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which passeth knowledge, and to feel that peace which the world can neither give nor take away. My heart was then delighted in the praises of God, and I rejoiced in the company of the saints. Oh how sweet was the morning, after light had been revealed to my soul! How did praises fill my mouth and tune my tongue! Thanks, honour and glory be ascribed to Him, who took me from the horrible pit, and drew my feet out of the miry clay, setting them upon the rock Christ, and putting a new song in my mouth, even praise to the living God. His love was continually my theme from morning to evening. His love was truly sweeter than life, and cast out the fear of death. Vain were the temptations of the adversary, and the charms of the world were lost. I trusted myself in the arms of my Saviour, and cast my care upon him. His word was a light to my feet, and a lamp to my path, inasmuch as the promises were sweet to my soul, and I could claim them as my own. God's people were my people. To them I could speak of his goodness, and discourse of the mysteries of his love. But, alas! my heart is almost broken; for the joy I once felt is departed, and my soul in a disconsolate condition. The pleasantness of the evening is gone, and the morning brings no light to my soul.

face?

Oh! has Jesus hidden his Whither is my beloved gone? Whither is he turned aside, that I cannot find him? Oh how have I grieved the blessed Redeem

On Lord's day, June 26th, 1803, he was baptized by that eminent servant of Christ, Dr. Shepherd, then pastor of the church in Brent-er, that he should withdraw himwood, of which he became at that time a member, and continued, to his dying hour, to adorn his profes

sion.

As I write for the good of the living, as well as to preserve the memory of the dead, I copy the following, as altogether worthy the

reader's attention.

"It is six years, since I professed to know the love of Christ,

self? Why should I let my beloved go from me? How melancholy is my condition! O that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me ;when his candle shined upon my head, and when by his light I walked through darkness. O my Saviour, bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise thy great name; --that I may show forth thy praise,

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kingdom. I acknowledge, O blessed God, that thou art just in thy dealings with thy children; for, O Lord, I have transgressed, and am deserving of the rod. Make me bear chastisements, for thereby I learn thy commandments; and let me not again wander from thee."

and speak of the glories of thy || trials, truly happy to his soul. In taking this step, the love of souls was evidently the ruling motive. For his education, though sufficient to enable him, with reputation and success, to devote a part of his time for a number of years, to the instruction of youth, could never have warranted the hope of becoming a successful hireling. And so well satisfied were his brethren, that on May 29, 1810, they gave him letters of approbation to continue his work; and on June 21, 1815, called him to public ordina

These extracts, it is presumed, sufficiently shew, that the subject of this memoir was taught of God. His sorrow was evidently of a godly sort, and his joy, the joy of the Holy Ghost.

tion. And it was in August of the same year, that he made his first visit at Bow, the place of his final settlement, and of his most successful labours.

And here is the proper place to inform the reader, that, from the first, Mr. Veazey embraced the scripture doctrine; "by grace are ye saved." Knowing the depravi- About this time, the state of ty of his heart, and rejoicing in things in Bow was somewhat pecuthe fulness of Christ, he felt no liar. That there should be a Condifficulty in acknowledging the pur-gregational and Baptist Church in pose and grace of God, as the source of all good to his soul. In the fulness of Christ, as respects both the merit of his righteousness and the efficacy of his blood, he saw no limits; but in the heart of man, nothing good, no, not even one longing desire for the things of God. And with this view of the Saviour and of man, he continued to his dying hour, to rest his soul's hope of eternal life on Christ, and him crucified.

the same town, was indeed nothing uncommon. Nor was it altogether singular, that both were too small and feeble to support constant preaching. The peculiarity of the case consisted in this:--Many of the people could not place confidence in the preacher or the preaching. Hence, when Mr. Veazey first visited the place, he saw perhaps but little to encourage him. It was not, however, long, before he became better known, and in the same proportion, gained their confidence. And as numbers wished to enjoy the benefit of his labours, the following method was adopted. A society was formed, in which was but one professor of

Thus far, the character and experience of our deceased brother, as a consistent Christian, has been brought into view. Let us now contemplate him as a Christian Minister. We have already seen, that immediately after his conver-religion; and as the church did not sion, he delighted in meeting with his brethren, engaged with them in public prayer, and found in it great consolation. This he continued to practise, as opportunity offered, and probably, as his mind was more or less engaged, until June 11th, 1809, when he made his first attempt in speaking from a text; in which he found much liberty, and the day, notwithstanding his

seem willing to go forward in this business, this society, after raising money, requested Mr. Veazey to continue his visits. The consequences were, an outpouring of the Spirit, and a blessed revival of religion, in which about sixty were converted to the Lord; and in the end, the constitution of a new church from among the converts, of which our worthy brother be

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