Memoir of Nathan W. Dickerman

the arms of his tender, Christ-like benevolence. This appears so fully in your Narrative, that I hardly need to exemplify it further. It beams, however, most radiantly, perhaps, in the remarkable business-transaction of the pew. And I am happy to say, that from the time of Nathan's death to the present, that pew has been occupied by the family. More than this, his dear, afflicted mother has been led to profess her subjection to the faith of the Gospel, and is now a member of the same Church to which her beloved son was joined.

'My own little son, who was separated from us by death, in somewhat more than three months after Nathan's departure, was deeply interested in him. This fact I mention, specially, to show the impression made on other young minds by his character. "Papa," said my son to me one day, during his own sickness, "I suppose Nathan Dickerman loves God so much, that he does n't wish to get well, but had rather die and go to God." Such was the judgment formed of him by one nearly a year younger. What effect

it had, we are not permitted to know-but it could have been no otherwise, it would seem,

than salutary.

'As you have related, I was present on the morning of Nathan's death. Mr. B. came to inform me that an alteration had evidently occurred the preceding night; yet stated that it was feared Nathan was not fully sensible how near his departure might be. His mother, / therefore, wished me to communicate it to him. I need not say how delicate the task seemed to be, and yet how necessary. But I found him so prepared for the intelligence, that it gave him, apparently, no shock whatever.

'I was not present at the funeral, being detained that day by the peculiarly critical situation of my own son. But it was a day of deep interest at Braintree; and I cannot but hope and expect, that impressions then made, under not only the solemnities of the scene itself, but the administrations of Rev. Messrs. Storrs and Perkins also, will be found of eternal benefit to souls not a few.

'Hoping and praying that the Great Head of the Church will render your labor useful to the rising generation, and instrumental in the salvation of very many souls,

I am, my dear sir,/

Respectfully and affectionately,

The testimonial of Dr. Wisner, is as follows:

'I am well acquainted with the writer of the following Narrative, and with nearly all the persons from whose accounts of their visits to the subject of it the work has been chiefly compiled. During Nathan's sickness, I visited him twice, and often conversed with others who saw him more frequently. I have read the whole of the Narrative in manuscript, and I have no hesitation in saying that it is an unvarnished account of real facts.

Boston, Sept. 24, 1830.

B. B. WISNER.'

The parents have expressed their sanction in the following

terms.

"Boston, Sept. 29, 1830. /

"We take pleasure in stating that we have been well acquainted, during the past year, with the compiler of this memoir of our son.. He was accustomed to call almost every day, and sometimes more frequently, to see Nathan during the last few months of his sickness. The memoir we have read, and it is correct according to our best recollection; and it meets our approbation in every respect.

NATHAN DICKERMAN.

REBECCA A. DICKERMAN.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Nathan's father and mother. His character when a little

boy. Goes to Sabbath School. Anecdotes. His interest

in religion. He is sick, and goes to visit his grandmo

ther in the country. Anecdotes. What he thought of bad

boys on the Common. He returns to Boston. His love

for his physician, Dr. Gorhamn. Dr. G's death, and Na-

than's sorrow. Nathan is very sick, and is very much

afraid that he shall die.