Late Rev. J. Nelson.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 375, 26 March 1902, Page 3

Late Rev. J. Nelson.

The Otago Daily Times gives the following obituary notice of the late Rev J. Nelson :—The Rev John Nelson was born in Bradford, Yorkshire, in 1820. He came of Puritan stock, •some of his ancestors being clergymen, lie entered the Wesleyan Methodist ministry in 1817, and for dOyears labored in a succession of circuits, stimulating many to Christian service by example as well as by precept. His work was hard and unobtrusive, but his zeal and patience, were unfailing. He was never a popular preacher, his mind was too spiritual and his thoughts too deep for that; yet to intelligent listeners- his sermons were full of suggestion as to the great underlying facts of life. Under doctor’s advice he came to New Zealand in 1892, having been a supernumerary for two years. After brief residence in Petone and Napier, in both of which towns he preached frequently, he removed to

, Tologa Bay, at the warm invitation of the inhabitants of that remote town- , ship, his chief inducement being the paucity of religious services there. , There he preached Sunday by Sunday for nearly three years to a congregation greatly composed of Anglicans Baptists, Presbyterians, Romanists, anil others, winning universal regard and esteem, so that men would ride 15 or 20 miles to hear the old gentleman. Hemorrage of the lungs necessitated his removal to Gisborne where, after recovery he continued to preach, his ministrations being always warmly welcomed by his hearers. In 1901 he came to Dunedin wishing for city life again. The excitement of the change, together with failing strength, brought on a stroke of paralysis. He still preached occasionally .from love of the work, his last sermon being at the Primitive Methodist Church at Kew, on February 28. Illness supervened on March 4, an operation was advised on the 6th as the only chance for life ; before the dawn of the 7th he peacefully passed away. His last words, “ I am- perfectly resigned to the will of God,” summed up the spirit of his 81 years of life. In accord with his frecjuently expressed wish, his bodywill be laid to rest beside that of his wife at Napier. At the Methodist Conference, now sitting, a vote of. sympathy was passed to the bereaved family, and cordial and affectionate testimony was borne to his usefulness, his prolonged and notable menal vigor his ripeness of character, and many excellencies.