The Life And Ministry Of Nathaniel Hart
Earthen Vessel 1895:
The Late Mr. Nathaniel Hart
My dear father was born August 26th, 1818, at Stowupland, Suffolk. Very early in life he was the subject of much exercise of soul, and was first brought to think upon his state of sinfulness through the reading of the Word of God. The constant practice of his godly father was to gather his children round the table on Sunday evenings, and to have them read the Scriptures verse by verse. So very early were these impressions made upon his mind that, when quite a child, he frequently could not sleep at night, because of his exercises concerning his own state, and the thought of eternity and the punishment of the wicked. Other children seemed happy when he was miserable. I have heard him say that when engaged out of doors, he has laid down under a hedge and cried as if his heart would break. He always had a tender conscience. Previous to his being baptized and joining the Church, he was greatly helped from a sermon preached from Rom. 8:38,39, and mentioned it recently. He was asked if it was then that the Lord gave him the assurance of his salvation. He replied: “I never had the assurance that some speak of, but I know I know I was happy.” At another time, when reading Psa. 73:25, he was quite melted down. One night he awoke with the words, “All that the Father giveth Me.” &c. He asked the Lord if they came from Him that He would lay them on the minister’s mind to preach from the next Sunday. Mr. Snell came to Mendlesham that day, and took those words for his text. After the service he mentioned the matter to Mr. Snell, who said that until he reached Haughley Station it was his intention to preach from another text, but that was taken away and this one given. He was always a fearing one, and would often ask the Lord if he was deceived to undeceive him, fearing hypocrisy, yet always clinging to his little hope. Passages are marked in his Bible, and one mentioned in his prayers lately (Job 37:19): “Teach us what we shall say unto him, for we cannot order our speech by reason of darkness.” The Bible and Gadsby’s Hymn Book were his constant companions, and the hymns Nos. 262, 299, 386, 709, and 1,016 are marked. He loved the pure Gospel, and the house of God was his delight. The last Lord’s-day he was at chapel, some told him that he ought not to stay the evening, but he said he should stay as long as he could. He greatly profited under, and appreciated the ministry of, Mr. Evans, and was much lifted up under a sermon preached on January 27th, from Heb. 4:9. Another sermon was frequently mentioned by him, as being much enjoyed; from Isa. 67:18; and Psa. 30:5 was much upon his mind of late.
On Saturday, March 2nd, he met with what seemed but a slight accident, which, however, proved to be of a serious nature, for on the following Wednesday, at 11 o’clock, he passed away. He died at his own home at Woolpit. On Tuesday afternoon he said that he had been looking back upon his “Hill Mizars,” and asked to have No. 553, Rippon’s Selection, read to him, and kept raising his hands, feeling that he could endorse the language of the hymn. Such hymns, which were his favourites, he mentioned, as “How sweet the name of Jesus sounds!” and “Sweet the moments rich in blessing.” He said, “Happy songsters, when shall I thy choirs join?” and “Jesus, the vision of Thy face, hath overpowering charms.” In the evening he said, “Its an everlasting song”; and repeated, “I am Thine, Lord, save me!”, “If such the sweetness of the stream, what must the fountain be?” and “Till He bids I cannot die.” To some friends who came to see him he said, “I shall soon see the King in His beauty.” And the one he said, “Don’t cry; you should rejoice”; his face beamed with heavenly joy. While passing away he gave such beautiful smiles, and kept raising his hand, and saying, “Higher!higher!”
This was the happy end of the earthly pilgrimage of one who through life, “Through fear of death, was subject to bondage.” The funeral took place on the 11th, at Rattlesden; Mr. Evans officiated. A large number of friends gathered to pay their last respects to one whom they had long known and loved.
On Lord’s-day, March 17th, Mr. Evans preached the funeral sermon to a large and attentive congregation, from Gen. 49:33: “And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people.”
A. H. Hart
Nathaniel Hart
Nathaniel Hart (1818-1895) was a Strict and Particular Baptist believer. He attended the ministry of Mr. Evans, richly blessed by the gospel of free and sovereign grace, a pilgrim and stranger on the earth, desiring a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called his God: for He hath prepared for him a city.”
