christian character, and can any one recollect a single trait in that character, which does not apply to mrs. Wilder? without mistaking nature for grace, and making every proper allowance for her native mildness, her superior education, and her polished manners, did she not discover, in the whole course of her conduct, that love to God, that love to Christ, that love to the friends of Christ, and that universal love to mankind, which are the genuine expressions of a holy and humble heart? What duty to God, what duty to her husband, what duty to her friends, or what duty to her enemies, if she had any, did she habitually neglect? She exhibited in her very countenance that meek and quiet spirit, that serenity and peace of mind, which naturally flow from vital piety. There is, therefore, just ground to believe, that she has safely reached her heavenly Father's house, and is there fixed as a pillar in his temple forever. In this firm belief, the bereaved and afflicted pastor of this church has no cause to sorrow, as those, who have no hope. Though his loss is greatly enhanced by all the amiable, useful, and virtuous qualities, which adorned the dear wife of his youth, whom God has taken away; yet he has abundant reason to be thankful, that her life, which had been so often threatened, was continued so long in mercy to him and to his numerous family.”

In July, 1808, miss ESTHER WILDER, the oldest daughter of the rev. mr. Wilder. departed this life in the 18 year of her age. She was much endeared

to her parents and friends by that modest and amiable appearance, that serious deportment, and that maturity of thought, which she early displayed. From her childhood, she was given to reading and thinking upon religious subjects, As her health declined she manifested a deeper concern about the salvation of her soul and gave comfortable evidence of an interest in divine grace.

BELLINGHAM, MASS.

473. Note. The rev. NOAH ALDEN was born in that part of Middleborough, called Titiquot, 31 May, 1725, and in time of the great revival of religion, in 1741, became a convert and, soon after, a preacher of the gospel, of the baptist denomination. He was ordained over a society in Stafford, on the 5 of June, 1755, and held his pastoral relation in that place for ten years.

The late aged and rev. Isaac Backus of Titiquot, in a letter to the author of this Collection, dated, 15 March, 1804, says some in his church appeared so openly against good order, that he was dismissed by the advice of a council, 28 August, 1765. He then travelled and preached in various places till he was installed in Bellingham, 12 November, 1766, where he was useful, as long as he lived. Several times, when he has visited Middleborough, I have gone and supplied his people at Bellingham, and his preaching was ever much esteemed in his native place, as well as in many other parts of the country. In December, 1763, he went through Wood

stock and only preached one sermon there, but it was blessed for the conversion of one young man, who had been a leader in vanity, and he then became so in religion, and was afterwards a minister of the gospel.

"Mr. Alden was a member of the convention, which formed the Massachusetts' constitution of government, and so he was of that, which adopted the constitution of the United States. But the af fairs of the church of Christ and watching for souls, as one, who must give account to God, were his great concern, until he died, with much peace of mind, 5 May, 1797, nearly 72 years old."

The subject of this article married Joanna Vaughan, by whom he had three sons and several daughters. He was the youngest son of John Alden, who settled in Middleborough and lived to a great age, and grandson of Joseph Alden, noticed in the 332 article of this work. His mother was Hannah White, a daughter of captain Ebenezer White of Weymouth. His parents had thirteen children; 1. David Alden, who married Juda Paddleford; 2. Priscilla Alden, whose husband was Abraham Borden; 3. Thankful Alden, whose husband was Francis Eaton; 4. Hannah Alden, whose husband was Thomas Wood; 5. Lydia Alden, whose first husband was Samuel Eddy and second John. Fuller; 6. Mary Alden, whose husband was Noah Thomas; 7. Abigail Alden, whose husband was Nathan Thomas; 8. Joseph Alden, who married Hannah Hall; 9. John Alden, who married Lydia Lazell for his first wife and Rebecca Westson for

his second; 10. Ebenezer Alden, who married Anna Whitaker for his first wife and Rebecca Smith for his second. At twenty years of age, he went, with many others, from New England, on the expedition to Cuba, where he was taken prisoner, and suffered great hardships, not being released under ten years. 11 and 12. Samuel and Nathan Alden, who died at an early age; 13. Noah Alden, the principal subject of this memoir.

MEDFIELD, MASS.

474. Nole. The venerable and pious mr. THOMAS ADAMS, of Medfield in Massachusetts, a descendant from Henry Adams, who came to America, about the year, 1630, the father of miss Hannah Adams, well known in the literary world, deceased, on the 13 of July, 1812, in the 88 year of his age. The late excellent and rev. doctor Prentiss, his beloved pastor delivered a sermon, at his funeral, from 1 Thess. 4. 13, from which the following passages, respectful to the memory of mr. Adams, are preserved.

Speaking in reference to his text, he says, "The subject is clearly applicable to the mourners on the present occasion. Their departed friend was not unseasonably called out of life. He has gone off the stage ripe in years, and, we trust, in grace, and meet to partake of the inheritance ofthe saints in light. Early in life, his soul was brought under awakened and serious impressions, and turned to a sober examination of the doctrines and duties of christian

66

ity. A warm affection for books, and an ardent thirst for knowledge, led him to a very extensive course of reading. He acquainted himself with all the variety of opinions, which have been embraced in the christian world; and, comparing them with the scriptures, he was from conviction, established in congregational principles, and in the belief of the general doctrines of the reformation. From these principles, through a long course of life and reading, he never saw occasion to depart.

"Like one Mnason, of whom mention is made in the Acts of the Apostles, he was literally an old disciple of Christ. Almost sixty-one years have elapsed, since he made a publick profession of religion, and united with the church of Christ. During that uncommon period, he was regular and constant in attendance on the publick worship and ordinances, and maintained the character of a sincere and upright christian.

"He was ever strongly attached to the society of literary and serious people, particularly of the clergy, with a large number of whom he kept up a very friendly intercourse. There is reason to believe, that by his exertions, for many years, in dispersing various books, he contributed, in no small degree, to the diffusion of knowledge and piety. and to the advancement of the cause of Christ. Few persons, it is believed, have done so much in this way to benefit their fellow men. He was often heard to say, that he knew no mode, in which be could be so useful. Frequently, was