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- Rev. Nehemiah Porter early decided to enter the ministry, and after graduation from Harvard College, studied theology with Rev. George Lesslie. In 1750 he was ordained pastor of the church in Chebacco parish, and remained there 16 years. He then went to Nova Scotia, where he remained for a few years, and then returned to Massachusetts, and was installed as pastor in Ashfield, where he remained until his death, having served for seventy-five years as a minister of the Gospel. He was a person of unusual originality, and an uncompromising patriot. he volunteered his services as chaplain during the Revolutions, and always believed that his prayers turned the tide in favor of the Americans at the battle of Saratoga. He was strongly anti-slavery, and rendered important services to his country by his counsels. Many interesting stories are told of him; of his unswerving rectitude; his read with; his undaunted patriotism. There is room for only one here. A gentleman who refused to attend church ended his argument with "I have a right to think as I have a mind to." To which Mr. Porter instantly replied, "You have not right to thing wrong."
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