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under the pastoral care of Dr. Hewitt; by nearly all the clergymen in the vicinity, and by some distinguished laymen. Hon. Roger Sherman, of Fairfield, was his warm supporter.

When his successor was installed, this outside sympathy strongly manifested itself. Dr. Gardner Spring, of New York, preached the sermon. His theme was, "The Glorious Gospel of the Blessed God." His object was to show that the great doctrines of salvation are the essential teachings of the gospel, and constitute its glory. In conclusion he exclaimed in the most emphatic tones, "Woe unto that minister who does not preach these doctrines; and woe! woe unto that people who will not receive them!" Mr. Kant, a Scotch clergyman, delivered the charge to the pastor. He began in this way: "Brother, you have here three sorts of people to deal with, the first are infidels; the second are hypocrites; the third, a few, devout Christians." At the close of the public services the clergymen present came in a body to the house of Dr. Woodbridge, to show him their respect and to express their sympathy.

A few years subsequently, after the smoke of the conflict. had passed away, Dr. Woodbridge visited Bridgeport, and had the happiness to learn that beneficial results had followed his labors there; that even "some of his opposers had become convinced that he was right, and they were wrong."

While here, he wrote his review of President Day's "Enquiry respecting the Self-determining Power of the Will," and a review of that work in the "Christian Spectator," the writer of which had endeavored to show that President Day was in essential agreement with Dr. N. W. Taylor and his associates. It was published in the "Literary and Theological Review." It is a very fair specimen of his metaphysical power.

Dr. Lyman H. Atwater, who has been for several years Professor in Princeton College, New Jersey, was, at the

time of Dr. Woodbridge's residence at Bridgeport, pastor of the church in Fairfield, and was very intimate with him. The following is his estimate of him as a man, as a preacher, and as a theologian:

"Rev. John Woodbridge, D. D., became pastor of the North Congregational Church, in Bridgeport, Conn., during the earliest years of my own pastorate in the adjacent parish of Fairfield. I became well acquainted with him, and our relations were somewhat intimate and confidential. I will now briefly note some of his characteristics which impressed themselves deeply on my mind.

common man.

"Dr. Woodbridge in his personal appearance and physique was no Wherever seen, whether in the pulpit, the deliberative body, the social circle, or walking in the streets, his commanding form and countenance arrested attention, and inspired respect and reverence. His vigorous frame, massive forehead, projecting eyebrows, quick penetrating eye, in short, his whole physiognomy, were fit exponents of the great soul that shone through them, and stamped him as one of Nature's noblemen.

"He was a man of mighty intellect. His powers of perception, intuition, reasoning, imagination; of memory, application, and acquisition; of logical and eloquent discourse, were very great. They were assiduously cultivated. He was a thorough student, of scholarly habit, and high accomplishment. In any company he would be speedily and universally acknowledged as of pre-eminent intellectual endowments — a star of the first magnitude.

"In his emotional nature he was a man of warm sensibilities, in which the tender, the gentle, the benignant, the earnest and impassioned were beautifully blended.

"His moral constitution was, in its natural mould, as well as by the grace which supervened, the very incarnation of uprightness, unflinching integrity, and a courage that never feared the face of clay.

“As a Christian, his religion was profoundly experimental and spiritual, evincing the deepest humility and penitence, with strong faith and joyful hope, great zeal, devotion, and self-sacrifice, unfaltering decision, steadfastness, and perseverance unto the end.

"As a preacher and pastor he was able, faithful, and successful. Few congregations have been so thoroughly instructed in divine things as were his. Few have been made so mighty in the Scriptures, or blessed with such powerful revivals of religion. His sermons were elaborate, solid, discriminating, rich, vivid presentations of divine truth to the heads and hearts of his hearers, and delivered with fervid and kindling oratory. During his short pastorate in Bridgeport he established a high reputation as a preacher among all classes, especially the public men of the county and state.

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"Dr. Woodbridge was eminent as a theologian. When I knew him he was, as he ever had been, a warm adherent of the Old, and opponent of the New, New England Theology. He was strongly Calvinistic, with a tinge of Hopkinsianism. He took the deepest interest in the theological discussions and controversies of his day. He believed the questions involved to be of supreme importance. Neither in these nor other matters did he ever utter an uncertain sound. Never was man more thoroughly frank, transparent, guileless, faithful and true, at whatever cost or sacrifice. I am not sure about his publications. He published an able article in the 'Princeton Review' against Perfectionism. "A great and good man has passed away. The memory of the just is blessed.

"Yours in haste,

LYMAN H. ATWATER."

"REV. S. D. CLARK."

CHAPTER XII.

HIS RESIDENCE AT NEW HARTFORD, CONN.

AFTER leaving Bridgeport and enjoying a little rest which he needed, he was called to the pastorate of the Congregational church in New Hartford, Conn., just vacated by the removal of Dr. Willis Lord, now of Chicago, to another field. This is a retired agricultural town, surrounded by beautiful. scenery, lying in the eastern part of the delightful mountainous region of Litchfield County, about twenty miles from Hartford. No place could be more favorable to quiet study, or more congenial to his feelings after the heats and strifes of nearly seven years of city labor. It was also hallowed in his mind with many pleasing associations. It was the scene of the first pastoral labors of Dr. E. D. Griffin, and the remarkable revivals instrumentally promoted by his earnest preaching of the great doctrines of grace; and where he enjoyed prayerful intercourse with brethren of kindred doctrinal views and revivalistic zeal; "with whom," he says, "I have prayed, and wept, and triumphed." 0, for such praying and weeping, and triumphing ministerial associations now! How would drooping Zion lift up her head and rejoice in anticipation of abundant harvest!

This hallowed interest was increased by the publication of Dr. Griffin's "Life and Sermons" the very year of his installation at New Hartford. Here, as a most fitting place, he wrote his affectionate review of them. It commences thus: "We have been refreshed by these volumes. The beautiful portrait, the diary, the incidents narrated, the style, the spirit, the weighty truth, the not unfrequent cogency of

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argument, the pungent application, and the sweet, tender, and powerful eloquence of numerous passages, have called forth many a tear, many an ejaculation of gratitude, from the vivid recollection they have awakened of one whom we have long venerated, and whose memory we love to cherish, among the most dear and hallowed of our associations. We could almost fancy ourselves in company with the honored dead, soothed by his gentle tones, comforted by his sympathy, instructed by his wisdom, charmed by his illustrations of evangelical subjects, as though we listened to some seer of the olden time, and carried now to the foot of the Cross, and now to Pisgah's top, in the effusions of his affectionate heart before that throne of grace which was for so many years his loved retreat and resting-place."

Not far from the time of his settlement at New Hartford the doctrine of Christian Perfection was broached at Oberlin, Ohio, and during his residence there was passing through its most active stage of discussion. Dr. Asa Mahan had published a little volume on the subject. Rev. Charles Fitch had written his noted letter, and Dr. Wm. R. Weeks had replied to it. One of our leading quarterlies, the "American Biblical Repository," had opened its pages to its discussion. Dr. Enoch Pond had written an article in refutation of the doctrine. Rev. Mr. Fulsom had reviewed Dr. Mahan's book. Dr. Mahan had been permitted to publish a rejoinder for the purpose of stating more fully his views. Dr. Finney had published the same sentiments in his lectures. The "Oberlin Evangelist" had been started in the interest of Oberlin Perfectionism, and was widely circulated at the East as well as at the West. Dr. Leonard Woods had entered into the controversy, and was issuing a series of articles in the Repository. At a meeting of the General Association of Connecticut in 1841, Rev. L. II. Atwater introduced a series of resolutions expressive of the sense of the Association on Perfectionism. A discussion