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be encouraged to present himself as a candidate for the ministry without manifest evidence of a renewed and spiritual mind, such, it must be confessed, was at the time in which he was thus received, far too generally the fact in the Church. His own views upon this great subject, it is well known, became entirely corrected, and he looked back with sorrow and shame, to consider the inconsistent state of mind and character with which he had approached the sacred office. During his course of preparatory studies, all that can be said of him is, that his standard of religious character and responsibility was not lower than that of many other young men at the same time under his circumstances, a time at which, it must be acknowledged with much sorrow, that worldly conformity was but too generally tolerated in Christian professors, and both communicants and ministers of the Church were allowed, without discredit, to mingle in amusements injurious in their tendency and positively sinful in themselves. Happy was it for Mr. Bedell, and happy for many souls beside, that the Spirit of the Lord brought him subsequently to a knowledge of his sin, and a total change in his character and habits! Happy will it be for his younger brethren, if, in looking forward to the same high office, they will receive the benefit of his later experience, and avoid the early course of folly, by which he purchased it so painfully for himself. There can be but little danger of the attainment of too much spirituality of affection, and too great

separation from the frivolities and corrupting influence of the world, for those who have professed to give themselves up to God, and especially for those who have separated themselves for the ministry of the Gospel of Christ.

Mr. Bedell resided in the city of New-York until he was prepared for orders. He was allowed here to enjoy the particular kindness and friendship of the Right Reverend Bishop Hobart, for whom, at this time, he entertained an affection and respect amounting, in his own expression, to adoration. The views in which he was educated for the ministry, were especially those with which Bishop Hobart's name has become so identified in the American Church, and of the justice of which, he had at this time no doubt. So great was his veneration for the judgment of this distinguished man, and so certainly true did he consider his views of doctrine, that he was accustomed, subsequently, to say in reference to his early ministry, that for its first years he "preached Bishop Hobart." Circumstances afterwards led him, through the providence of God, to an examination of these views, and to the assumption of the very different ground which, in his useful ministry, he was known to occupy. But though he honestly followed out his own convictions of duty, in this important matter, no circumstances ever changed the affectionate kindness with which he regarded the friend by whose judgment he was guided in his early life.

He was ordained Deacon by Bishop Hobart on the

4th of November, 1814, within one week after he

had attained the canonical age. His very uncommon powers as a public speaker immediately arrested much attention. In reference to his first sermon, which was preached in Christ Church, New-York, on the Sunday after his ordination, under circumstances of much bodily indisposition, it was remarked by a distinguished gentleman present, that "he seemed as much at home in the pulpit, as if he had been born there." Through the winter and spring after his ordination, he was engaged in a journey through some of the southern cities; and the recollections of those with whom he then associated, exhibit him as a general favourite in the circles which he visited. His musical talents, added to his peculiar vivacity of spirit, and cheerful pleasantry in conversation, made him every where acceptable as a companion; while much admiration followed him in his public appearance in the pulpit. But there are no recollections which bring to light, at this period of his life, those useful and sanctified traits for which the Christian's eye searches the character of the youthful minister of Christ, and which, in connexion with his brilliant and attractive powers of mind and person, would have been esteemed so especially precious, and so adapted to influence others for their good. The impressions made upon the memory of his hearers, by his public addresses at this time, were very marked. But they were those of admiration for man, not of submission and love to

God. Though twenty years have now passed by, many who heard him then in public, are still found to speak of him as very wonderful for his talents as a public speaker. Poor indeed, however, will be a retrospect upon the mere admiration of men, before the judgment-seat of Christ, for the minister of Jesus. His only crown of rejoicing is the souls who have been brought, by his labours, home to God. If he have not this, he is far better without the other.

After his return from this tour, he received invitations from several different quarters, to engage in the duties of a parochial minister. For a little time he hesitated in regard to an opening which was presented to him in one of the southern states. But he subsequently determined to accept the charge of the Church at Hudson, on the North River, to which place he removed in the commencement of the summer. His first sermon in Hudson, as the minister of the Church, was delivered on the 4th of June, 1815, from the 41st and 42d verses of the 5th chapter of the Acts: "And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name; and daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and to preach Jesus Christ." In this sermon, in which his particular subject was "Gospel preaching," we find just those partial and imperfect views of divine truth, which a knowledge of his previous course and character would have led us to

expect. But there is also a spirit of seriousness, in the contemplation of his own duties, which shows us, even then, the incipient guidance of that Spirit who was eventually to lead him into all truth.

An incident, which has been communicated by a highly respected brother in the ministry, the Rev. Dr. Henshaw, of Baltimore, will be interesting here, as giving, in some degree, an insight into the instrument of producing this manifest increased seriousness of spirit, as well as, perhaps, of much assisting the subsequent entire alteration of his religious views.

"On the Sunday after taking charge of St. Ann's Church, Brooklyn, I preached two sermons upon the nature and effects of evangelical ministrations.'

"Mr. B., then, I believe, a candidate for orders, or recently ordained, was an attentive hearer of the sermons; but I have reason to believe that there was little in their doctrines or spirit that was congenial with the views then entertained by him. About the time, however, when he was invited to take charge of the Church in Hudson, he borrowed those sermons and retained them several weeks. It struck me as a remarkable circumstance at the time, considering the difference in our views, and I could not but cherish the hope, and offer the prayer, that the Lord's hand might be in it, and that it might be overruled for good. Whether the hearing and subsequent perusal of those sermons produced any effect upon the views and feelings of my young brother in the ministry, in reference to the spirit, the responsibility, and the duties of the pastoral office, it is impossible for me to say; but I have always entertained a hope, that divine grace was then opening his mind and preparing his heart for the reception of those evangelical doctrines which were afterwards so precious to his own soul, and of which he was for many years a living witness and successful advocate."

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