Justus Henry Nelson
Justus Henry Nelson (December 22, 1850 – February 6, 1937) established the first Protestant church in the Amazon basin and was a self-supporting Methodist missionary in Belém, Pará, Brazil for 45 years.
He "studied Theology for four years at Boston University by borrowing $120 from Cousin Nelson Ladue and earned the rest preaching."
[1][2] He also studied "for two years at the Boston University School of Medicine to prepare himself to meet some of the emergencies he would inevitably be called on to alleviate.
"[1] While Justus was studying in Boston, he met Miss Fannie Bishop Capen, who had been born in Stoughton, Massachusetts, in 1852.
Justus had learned that Bishop William Taylor was establishing self-supporting missions in Africa and South America in the late 1870s.
[1] Not long after Justus and Fannie married, they left for Belém, Pará, Brazil, which is on the southern edge of the mouth of the Amazon River.
[4] He published and personally printed a newsletter for many years entitled O Apoligista Christão Brazileiro (The Brazilian Christian Advocate).
[4] The periodical also spread the ideals of representative democracy and republicanism in Brazil, defending the separation of church and state, elections, and advances in education.
[4] His "medical training proved to be of value in his mission work, mostly in obstetrics, minor surgery and treatment of skin diseases such as boils and ulcers.
[6] Included in these are Ao contemplar a rude cruz (When I Survey the Wonderous Cross), Fonte és Tu de toda bênção (You Are the Source of All Blessing),[7] Prece ao Trino Deus, Saudai o nome de Jesus (All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name), Presença Divina, Contemplação, Reino Universal, Ebenézer, Rei Excelso, and Coroai.
[8] His translation of Lino Dos Vales was recorded in 2003 by João Inácio and Ranúzia in 2003 on their album Grata Memória.
Louise received a second degree from Oregon State University, taught at Modesto Junior College, and married entomologist Charles E. Woodworth.
[1] In 1917, which would have been the year of his father James Hervey Nelson's 100th birthday, Justus and two of his brothers wrote extended biographies about their parents and their pioneer farm life in Wisconsin.
Justus is mentioned in the award-winning children's book Rascal that was written by Sterling North in 1963 about the author's memories of 1918.
[10] "His [Rascal's] virtual invisibility was due to the fact that he was lying on a large Jaguar-skin rug which Uncle Justus had sent us from Para, Brazil.
