Niles, Nathaniel

Niles, Nathaniel a Congregational minister, was born April 3, 1741, at South Kingston, R.I. He graduated at the College of New Jersey in 1776; studied theology under Dr. Bellamy; entered the ministry, but never settled in any place as pastor. Residing for some time in Norwich, Conn., he was several times sent to the state legislature. After the Revolution he settled in Orange County, Vt., then a wilderness, and there spent his life, filling many important public stations, being a judge in the supreme court; speaker in the House of Representatives, 1784; member of the United States Congress, 1791 to 1795; and six times presidential elector. He preached in his own house and in school-houses around the country, seldom receiving any compensation for his labors, which were continued until his strength failed. His death occurred Oct. 31,1828. Mr. Niles published Four Discourses on Secret Prayer (1773): — Two Discourses on Confession of Sin and Forgiveness (1773): — Two sermons entitled The Perfection of God the Fountain of Good (1777): — A Sermon on vain amusements; and a Letter to a friend concerning the doctrine that impenitent sinners have the natural power to make to themselves new hearts (1809); besides numerous articles for newspapers and the Theological Magazine. See Sprague, Annals of the Amer. Pulpit, 1:716.