Stereotyped at the Boston Stereotype Foundry,
19 Spring Lane.

ΤΟ

REV. WILLIAM SEYMOUR TYLER, D.D., LL.D.,

THE ACCOMPLISHED PROFESSOR; THE ABLE PREACHER OF THE
GOSPEL OF PEACE; THE LEARNED AND SKILFUL WRITER;

THE READY HELPER IN ALL CHRISTIAN WORK;

THE APPRECIATIVE FRIEND OF THE REVERED

PASTOR OF HADLEY, AND THE VALUED

FRIEND OF HIS DELINEATOR,

This Memoir,

IN WHICH HE HAS SHOWN AN AFFECTIONATE INTEREST,

IS NOW, AS IT GOES FORTH WITH ITS

MESSAGE OF TRUTH AND

GOOD WILL,

RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED.

PREFACE

CONTENTS.

PAGE

xiii-xxi

CHAPTER I.

BIRTH.- ANCESTORS.-CHILDHOOD. —GRADUATION.

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Introductory Remarks. His Birth. First Ancestor in America. - John

Woodbridge of Andover. Earliest known Ancestor, a Foliower of Wick-

liffe.- His Brother Benjamin, first Graduate of Cambridge.— Wife of John

W. of Stanton, Daughter of Robert Parker, - Account of him and of Rev.

Thomas Parker. The Wife of J. W. of Andover, the Daughter of Governor

T. Dudley.- Description of him. - Three Sons of J. W. of Andover, John,

Benjamin, Timothy, Ministers. - John W. of West Springfield. — John W.

of South Hadley. - Sylvester Woodbridge, Father of present Sketch. - His

Mother; her Ancestry. -Their Children.- Character of the People of

Southampton. — J. Judd, their first Minister. - John in Boyhood. - Prays

to be a Minister. Mental Character. - Fits for College. — Standing in Col-

lege. Graduates in 1804..

1-19

CHAPTER II.

FROM HIS GRADUATION TO HIS LICENSURE.

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Studies Law. - Writes Political Essays.- Commended by Fisher Ames. - Not

satisfied with the Study of Law. His Mother's Prayers that he might be a

Minister. Abandons the Study of Law. Returns to Southampton, and

enters into a Revival. - Importance of the Character of Revivals. - Modified

by Truths preached.— Rev. V. Gould; Account of; Doctrines preached by. —

Mr. W.'s State of Mind. - Rev. James Davis; his Influence on Mr. W.- Mr.

W. begins the Study of Theology with Mr. Hooker of Goshen, Conn. - His

Mother secks Association in Prayer. - Mr. II. described. - Students asso-

ciated with Mr. W.- Subjects first studied. - Mr. W.'s Feelings. - Ac-

knowledges a Hope. His first Religious Experience; similar to that of

President Edwards. — What implied in Coming to Christ. Its Ultimate

Analysis, Unconditional Submission. — Idea of Divine Sovereignty. — His

Zeal. - Revival in Goshen, —Mr. W. enters actively into the Work. His

Theological Training. - His Licensure.

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..20-35

CHAPTER

III.

FROM HIS LICENSURE TO HIS SETTLEMENT IN HADLEY.

Begins his Life-work. — Prefers not to settle. - Preaches in several Towns.—
Receives a Call at Woodbridge, Conn. - A few Months of Home Missionary

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Labor in the Black River Country. - Journey to Philadelphia. — Incidents
and Acquaintances. - Reaches Philadelphia. — Invitation to preach at "In-
dependent Tabernacle."— Receives a Call. - Declines. - Character of Rev.
John Hay. His Fall. Warning to Churches. Mr. W. preaches in
Hadley. Receives a Call. - Accepts. Is Ordained.

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.36-42

CHAPTER IV.

HIS FIELD OF LABOR.

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Description of Hadley. - Historical Reminiscences.- Puritan Influence always
strong in H.-The Church founded by Rev. J. Russell. — Degeneracy. —
Half-way Covenant and Stoddardism, Became prevalent. - Edwards, of
Northampton, resists the Error. It still prevailed in Hadley. - Influence
of the Pastors, Williams and Hopkins. - The Latter described. · Other
Causes strengthening Stoddardism. - Causes near the Close of Dr. H.'s Min-
istry weakening it. His five Sons-in-Law, all Hopkinsians.- Revival... 43-53

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CHAPTER V.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR HIS FIELD.

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The Grand Qualification for Ministerial Efficiency, Sympathy with God and
His Truth. Mr. W.'s Love of God in Christ and His Truth. Not a Fault-
less Man. - Strong Intellect. His Emotional Nature equal in Strength.-
Perils and Advantages of such a Strong Emotional Nature. - More danger-
ous when bent in Specific Directions. His Frank Disposition. - Determina-
tion to excel in his Profession. An Independent Thinker.- The Equal
Combination of his Father's and his Mother's Intellectual and Moral
Characteristics. - Effects. His Theological Opinions.— Literary Culture.
Such Strong Natures furnish the Best Materials for Biography. — Mr. W.
differed from his Predecessor. Difference between the Views entertained
by the Stoddardean Churches and the Edwardean. -The New Divinity not
radically different from the Old, but better analyzed and put together.-
Opposition occasioned by the Edwardean Doctrines. - Edwards dismissed.
His Unpopularity. — Difficulties cumbering Mr. W.'s Field. — Begins his
Pastorate as a Reformer.....

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.51-78

CHAPTER VI.

HIS MARRIAGE. -

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CHARACTER OF MRS. WOODBRIDGE.

The Wedding Occasion. - Mrs. W.'s Ancestors. Her Father, the Seventh in
Direct Line by the Name, Thomas Seymour. — Character. Her Father
appointed to escort Gen. Burgoyne, a Prisoner, to Boston; Won his Respect
and received a Present from him. Thomas, Brother of Mrs. W.- Her
Mother. An Incident in her Life. Insanity of Mrs. W.'s Father. Her
Energy and Benevolence. - Anecdote of Mr. Gauladett. - Becomes a Teacher.
- Her Conversion. Her Success. Instances of Special Providence. - Mr.
and Mrs. W. compared. Meet for Each Other.

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.79-90