Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1879-08-23

MATTHEW NELSON WINS horn /. 4.
state Of Virginia, Dec 10 n l7a7 a',
uiou ~ ms home in Noxubec (lo' MIS-
Brother Nelson was n man 10
D'niu. His tall frame. erect rarr;o"sl
ana broad shoulders indicated se
oi great strength and powers Of andn
rance before he was enteeblcd Nv
Every hbre in him had been tor So
gu unu hardened in the school of man.
NV aDor, and he counted it a great nj.
niclioh when from age he was moi ohlo
W iapor us he had done in mature man
noou' run OF energy, the grass never
sicw uhaer his feet. by energy. in
a'is'ry and economy combined Ia -
ihasscd a line property before Tho war
ana owned Il splendid farm in the ma;
RE belt of Noxubee county Whan
'he lnpor system ofour country was vi
oichtly, broken up, Brother Nelson was
700 on to accommodate himself TO the
cliahgc ana was greatly harassnd
when he saw his fine farm measurohIu
gwen up to the grass and weeds nndsr
me tilrlltless til!age of indoleut frand.
men. This annoyance was TO him ne
e many old persons in the South =;
,ne constant iretting Ola file upon thel
nrl''ie thread of life. But like job in
me days Of old; I'm all this, he sinncd
not nor charged God foolishly.n In
nc business afl,lirs of life, brother
Nelson's word was his bond. What.
ever he promised to do was sur to bo
done. lie was a man of clear hnod
sound Judgement, and great prudence
iichcc nc was man of influence in the
community where he lived and a safe
counsellor in the church TO which hc
belonged. Beinga ma of true modes
y ne sought no place, and seemed 10
oc Wholly UNCONSCIOUS of his influence
M the Church and on the commumitv
mere was not II particle of epotism n
bout him. Brother Nelson was sonnI-
y converted to God when he was obont
years old and for forty yeors and
more, maintained n blameicss life in
he Methodist Church of which he wos
! faithful, devoted and honored Mon
'crtlli the day OF his death. His life
vas Il trlDilte OF praise to "Christ Inv
Vhom he was begotten again to n 1.-Two,
y nope" lie was a man of uroo,
lrmness resolution and decision Of
llaracter, hence he sweryed NOT tn tho |
1ght or left. After having been a
lave to the use of tobacco for tiftv
ears nc gave it up, us he said. "Fenr.
lgit might becomes confirmed babit.u
We note this to show what power the :
I'LL assisted by the grace of God. has t
subduing the vitialed tastes and L
to the law of Christ. Havino n
armed to rule himself by keeping his !
ody under, he had great power over b
Tiers; Brother Nelson's place in the v
iurch was rarely ever vacant though a
C lived six miles from the place of V
'orsllip. lie loved the Church and
er ordinances. The communion OF
UNITS and the word God, were sweeter
him than honey and the honey combD
e esteemed it no ordinary privelercl
have the preachers share the hos
ofhis home. He always gave is
.eln a hearty welcome in the name of s.
llrist. The few last months ofhis life
ere brimtlill of suffering, but for this
had aheart full of faith in God. A :,
.ort time before his death, he said TO :
S family, death has no terrors for u
G. LIDO not feel II pang of regret y
leaving you ALL" Thus fell to sleep u
good man. full of years, full of faith, :"
d full OF good works. His entire p
mlly were in the room and about his
q, when he gathered up his mortafI
hes and stepped down into the wa
of the last river. On the fifty first
.nivcrsary of his wedding day, his j
Ife bid him farewell at the grave in
and certain hope of an early reu- o.
where everlasting spring abides 8,
q never whitening flowers" In
Il. q. PORTER. y,