Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1850-09-05
VERMONT wATcHMAN STATE JOURNAL. !
Obituary-.Rev. Nathaniel b.
Dodge.
COMMUNICATED

OOO&Cs
COMMUNICATED.
The subject of this notice was born in Win
chester, N. H. and in childhood removed with
his parents to the State of Vermont There, in
early life, be dedicated himself to God, in the
new and everlasting covenant. There he enter
ed the ministry-was ordained-and there, too.
be labored for some ten or twelve years, a part
of the time as an Evangelist, and part as
settled Pastor. While there call was made BY
the U. F. NJ. s. for missionaries to go 10 the o.
age Indians, on the Western borders of Mssou-
ri. To this call he responded; and with very
short notice, turned his face to the wilderness,
like his Divine Master, "To seek and 10 save
that which was lost" From that time forward,
he in special manner gave up all for Christ
The writer became acquainted with him as ear
ly as March, 1921. From that time until his
death, (which took place September Sd, l646,l
he had the fullest opportunity to try, by the
Scripture test, the genurneness OF his Christian
character. By their fruits she shall know
them" He was frank, benevolent, devout, stead
fast, persevering, watchful, and eminently man
of prayer. Few men ever studied the Bible
more, or with greater profit 10 himself and 9TH
els. No one, after an hours acquaintance with
him, could for moment doubt his goodness
What he was one day, he was every day and in
every place, and under all circumstances. The
salvation Of souls was the great theme upon
which he delighted to dwell. The efficacy OF
the Gospel he never doubted. The Sovereignty
of God, the Divinity of Christ, and of the Holy
Spirit, occupied prominent place in all bis pub
lie discourses. His views of the Atonemenl
were clear and discriminating. His faith in the
promises of the Gospel unyieldDg. These
views prepared him to be uniring in the great
work of winning souls 10 Christ, and sustained
him under every Encouragement No benevo-
lent enterprises OF the day escaped his notice.
and no one was more prompt to give and solicit
funds for these purposes. After devotlng nearly
fifteen years to the improvement Of the Indians,
he then turned his attention to the spiritual wants
of the infant settlements on the western front
Ter. To their good, he devoted twelve or thIr-
teen years, till the close of his useful life. Two
churches, through his untiring efforts, were
gathered and organized. Few churches were
ever blessed with more faithful and devoted
Pastor. They are now left 10 mourn his loss
while no one can be found to take his place.
Should any of the readers of this notice ever
visit Western Missouri, they would co well It
turn aside to the settlement on the hIile Usage,
in Bates county, and they will there find an In
teresting monument erected 10 his praise.
neat house of worship substantially enclosed IN
four acre LOT, in which you viii lind his hum
bic resting place. You will not find it marked
BY the marble slab, nor perhaps with single lii
scription TO record his worth. But visit the few
families in the neighborhood, and there you will
fiud it inscribed on the feshly tablets of the
heart. The writer attended the burial service,
and was an eye witness Of the silent groan and
flowing tears which SO eloquenty bespoke theiI
love to the departed. From the first moment Of
his espousals 10 Christ, to the last hour of his
stay on earth, he kept the faith, and faith kept
him. He was remarkable for his pnnciuality
and it is worthy of notice, that he was called TO
enter the sanctuary above, on Sabbath morning,
at the same hour he wont to Leave for the
sanctuary ON earth. He never was subject to
ecslacies, neither did he experience them in the
hour of his death: "but calm as summer even
ings," be bid the final farewell his counlenance
gathering radiance as he breaihed his last
Mark the perfect man aud behold the upright /;
for the end of that man is peace" The deceas-
ed has left widow and seven children, for whom
prayer is affcctionaiely asked He was nearly
20 years old, when he died, and probably had
been thirty years in the ministry.