bench," or had obtained "the pearl of great price." This gave a fresh impetus to the work, and it became increasingly interesting and powerful. Those who had wandered far from God, and were almost lost in the mazes of sin, were seen treading their way back to the mercy seat, and importunately crying, "God be merciful to me a sinner." Zion's gates were filling up with living, happy converts. Angels were tuning anew their harps, while

"Hymns of joy, proclaim'd through heaven

The triumphs of a soul forgiven."

And certainly nothing could be better calculated to elicit angelic sympathy than the sight of so many devoting the dew of their youth to the Lord.

So gracious and extensive was this revival that many of the students were its happy subjects, and such was its effect upon the college, that in many of the rooms where the passer by could hear naught before but the sound of mirth and revelry, now could be heard the song of Zion and the voice of prayer. In these scenes brother Woodbridge took an active part, for he was among the number of those who had tasted the joys of pardoning love. During the progress

of a prayer meeting in college, he was informed by a fellow student that his father had arrived from Marietta and wished to see him. He hastened to the embrace of his beloved parent; and although he had not seen his father for a considerable length of time, yet after a few moments' conversation he requested his permission to return to the house of prayer.

A number of these young converts became Methodist preachers, and from the circumstance that several of them were connected with wealthy and distinguished families, and that they exhibited great zeal in the cause of their Master, a considerable excitement was produced wherever they went preaching "Jesus and him crucified." Multitudes through their instrumentality were induced to accept offered mercy and receive the forgiveness of sins. Among this number of youthful heralds of the cross, brother Woodbridge occupied a conspicuous place.

At the college commencement in 1831 he graduated. Shortly after his return home, with a view of preparing himself for the responsible duties of a gospel minister, in obedience to the call of his Divine Master, he visited the Western Theological Seminary near Pittsburg; and being satisfied with its course of study, matriculated, and prosecuted his studies with vigor and success. That theological institutions possess advantages which a young minister cannot find on a circuit, none surely will deny; but that these advantages are of sufficient importance to induce our church to endow such institutions, appears to be a matter of doubt by a great majority of her ministers.

While at this institution our brother received from the Rev. Charles Elliott, preacher in charge of the Pittsburg station, license to exhort. Soon after his return to Marietta, the quarterly meeting conference of that charge granted him license to preach. With the consent of his father, (for he was still a minor,) who had devoted his son to God and the church, he entered the itinerant field and traveled with the presiding

Thus he

elder, brother Swormstedt, around the Zanesville district. was enabled to obtain some practical knowledge with regard to the labors in which he intended to spend his life. About this time he received from his alma mater the degree of Master of Arts.

During the session of the Ohio annual conference, which was held at Circleville in 1834, he was admitted on trial in the traveling connection, and appointed to Norwich circuit, brother H. S. Fernandez being the senior preacher. This was a fortunate appointment for brother W., as he was blessed with the company and advice of one deeply experienced, and one who was peculiarly interested in his -welfare. His next appointment was Athens circuit, upon the duties of which he entered with feeble health. Athens was at that time what is called a "hard circuit," and the labor required was greater than the delicate constitution of brother W. could sustain. Still he remained at his post until the middle of summer, when, with the advice of his friends, and the hopes of regaining his health, he visited the Blue and White Sulphur Springs of Virginia, without, however, receiving any special advantage therefrom. At the conference held at Chilicothe, in the fall of the same year, he was a candidate for admission into full connection, and eligible to the office of a deacon. Having been examined previously, he with his class was called up before the conference, as is usual on such occasions, to take upon themselves the solemn vows of ordination. Here an incident occurred which in that solemn hour caused the waves of sympathy to roll over the entire conference. Bishop Soule, in his remarks to the candidates, stated, “that no man should present himself for admission and ordination, unless he was resolutely determined never to locate." Brother Woodbridge, not knowing but he should be obliged to locate on account of ill health, after expressing to the bishop and the conference his doubts about the propriety, under these circumstances, of proceeding any farther, withdrew. After conversing, however, with some of his elder brethren respecting the import and application of the bishop's remarks, and being persuaded that they had no special reference to those who unavoidably located, he finally concluded to take the vows of ordination. At this conference he was appointed to Belpre circuit, on which he labored with untiring zeal, notwithstanding his feeble health, during the winter.

His disease, which was dyspepsia in its most aggravated form, appeared to baffle every effort that affectionate attention and medical skill could devise. Though gloomy days and sleepless nights are the portion of the dyspeptic, yet amid all the melancholy the disease induced, brother W.'s "heart was fixed," his peace was like the even flow of a placid river, while heaven beamed its happy smile upon his pallid cheek. In the spring he was advised by his friends and physicians to take a sea voyage, as it was presumed this would prove beneficial to his health. A voyage to Smyrna was contemplated, to which place his cousin, a Presbyterian minister, was going as a missionary; but his cousin failing to embark at the time specified, he, with his brother George, who was also traveling for the benefit of his health, took his departure for Great Britain on the 20th of April, 1837. While in Philadelphia, a few days prior to their departure, D. W. wrote to his colleague, as expressive of his views and feelings, VOL. XI.-July, 1840.

30

the following: "Were I in the health I was two years ago, I would rather travel a circuit than be connected with the largest establishment in this city. Your calling is a most honorable, as well as responsible one, and, if faithful, its profits in the end will be incalculably great. Lay up your treasure in heaven. A large possession in this world is extremely dangerous, but if we can gain an inheritance in heaven, there will be no snares connected with it. Brother S., my heart is with you, though my hands are not. Go on and prosper in the name of King Jesus." I am informed by his brother that he was as diligent in his Master's service while on the passage as when on land, and that through his labors a sailor was brought from death to life, and from the bondage of sin to the liberty of the gospel.

After having visited the principal cities of Great Britain, Scotland, and Ireland, he, with his brother, returned to the United States in July following, once more to be greeted with the smiles of his friends, and enjoy the endearments of a happy home. From this tour he derived but little benefit. The conference, which was held at Xenia in the fall of this year, granted him a superannuated relation, and although, on account of his youth, (being but twenty-four years old,) some thought the conference was establishing a dangerous precedent, yet in truth he was a worn-out traveling preacher. In the toils of the itinerancy he gave up freely his youth, health, and talents. His ministerial career, though short, was characterized by the greatest fidelity, and every duty pertaining to a Methodist traveling preacher was attended to with the most scrupulous exactness. With safety it may be said, that during his ministry "he was never unemployed, and never triflingly employed;" while his motto was, "Holiness to the Lord." "Fortiter in re, suaviter in modo," was his general characteristic as a minister.

At the conference which was held at Columbus, the last he ever attended, his relation as a superannuated minister was continued, and he was elected and ordained an elder. From this conference he visited Chilicothe, and after remaining some weeks with his uncle, Mr. John Woodbridge, returned home for the last time. While at home he was diligently engaged in devising and executing plans for the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom. Though but "the shadow of a shade," those can bear testimony, who had an almost daily opportunity of seeing him, that his heart was burdened with anxious solicitude for the salvation of precious souls. He appeared to breathe the very atmosphere of the heavenly world, and converse like one of its citizens. His constant language seemed to be

"My soul is not at rest. There comes

A strange and secret whisper to my spirit,
Like a dream of night, that tells me I am

On enchanted ground. Why live I here? The vows
Of God are on me, and I may not stoop

To play with earthly shadows, or pluck earthly
Flowers, till I my work have done, and render'd up
Account."

He was confined to his bed by a violent cold, which subsequently terminated in a lung fever on the 24th of December, just one day before the commencement of a protracted meeting, for the success of

which he most fervently prayed, both in public and private; for up to the time of this affliction he assisted the stationed preacher in paying pastoral visits to the people of his charge. During the progress of this meeting a great number were converted in the various churches of the town. Throughout his illness, which lasted but ten days, his soul was kept in perfect peace. The nature of his disease was such as prevented him from speaking much, but what fell from his lips was the language of assurance and submission. In answer to a question asked by his mother, "Is Jesus precious?" he replied, "O yes, mo. ther, Jesus is my Saviour." He continued from the commencement of the attack to grow weaker and weaker, and about half past six o'clock on the evening of the 3d of January, 1839, on beholding his father and mother, brothers and sisters, grouped around his bed, he remarked, "What an interesting scene!" Then, with the language of the pious king of Israel upon his lips, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I shall fear no evil," fell asleep in Jesus.

The incidents connected with the life of our departed brother are sufficiently numerous and interesting to fill a volume. His youth, his talents, but above all, his deep devotedness and exalted piety, were so felicitously blended together, that one could not be at a loss for materials to interest and edify, not only those who were personally acquainted with him, and members of the same Christian community, but Christians of all denominations.

Marietta, Ohio, Jan. 29, 1840.

WM. P. STRICKLAND.

THE PASTORAL ADDRESS

Of the General Conference to the Members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

THE Committee appointed to draw up a pastoral address to our people respectfully report the following:

DEARLY BELOVED Brethren,-As the representatives of the several annual conferences in General Conference assembled, we assume the pleasing duty of addressing to you our Christian salutations: "Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ," both now and for ever.

In reviewing the history of the past four years, while we see some occasions for humiliation before God, we see much in the dealings of our heavenly Father with us which calls aloud for gratitude and praise. The unwelcome and startling fact of a diminution of the numbers in society had awakened in our minds great solicitude. Fearing lest we had so far departed from our original purity of character as to be cursed with barrenness, and to give place to others whom God would constitute more appropriate instruments in achieving the moral renovation of the world, we sent up our cry to heaven, "Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach." At this point in our history, we very justly concluded that instead of indulging in fruitless speculations upon the causes which had brought about this

state of things, it became us to gird ourselves for new exertions, and to look up to the great Head of the Church for a renewed and signal manifestation of his power and grace, to raise the fainting spirits and cheer the trembling hearts of the armies of our Israel. And how wonderfully have our efforts been succeeded! Truly may we say, “In a little wrath he hid his face from us, for a moment, but with everlasting kindness" has he had "mercy upon us.

Within the last year the state of the American Methodist Church has assumed a most interesting and cheering aspect. The spirit of grace and supplication has been poured out upon her, and her con. verts have been greatly multiplied. Extensive and powerful revivals have been reported through our excellent periodicals, from almost every point of the wide field occupied by our regular itinerant ministry, or by our missionaries. Multitudes of fallen and miserable men have been happily renovated and brought within the pale of the church. Many desolate and barren fields have become as the garden of the Lord; presenting to the gaze of the world the variegated tints of moral beauty, sending up to heaven the sweet odors of pure devotion, and yielding the precious fruits of righteousness, to the glory and honor of God.

The first centenary of Methodism has brought with it a state of great enlargement and prosperity. The pious zeal which you exhibited in the appropriate celebration of this new era in our history, and the liberal offerings you presented to the church, exhibit a praise. worthy regard for her institutions, and doubtless constitute a sacrifice with which God is well pleased. Though, on this interesting occasion, you did no more than was your duty to do, God blessed you in the deed. Having brought your tythes into the store-house of the Lord, and proved him therewith, he has poured you out a blessing that there is scarcely room to contain.

It affords us great pleasure to witness the strong tendency which develops itself among the Methodists to adhere to the peculiar principles which have characterized them from the beginning, and to remain one and indissoluble. Though some have entered into “doubtful disputations," and a few of our societies have been hurtfully agitated, yet to the honor of our enlightened membership, and to the glory of God, would we at this time express our solemn conviction that the great mass of our people have remained "firm as a wall of brass" 'midst the commotions of conflicting elements. There seems at this moment far less occasion to fear from the causes of dissension than there was at the last meeting of this conference. Indeed, brethren, we have no doubt but if we all continue to "walk by the same rule, and to mind the same things," in which in the order of God we have been instructed, "the gates of hell shall not prevail against us,” and the enemy who would divide and scatter, in order to destroy us, will be disappointed.

Since the commencement of the present session of the General Conference, memorials have been presented principally from the northern and eastern divisions of the work; some praying for the action of the conference on the subject of slavery, and others asking for radical changes in the economy of the church. The results of the deliberations of the committees to whom these memorials had a