ree, his mind was
powerfully turned towards religion, and he relinquished medicine for the
study of divinity, entering the Theological Seminary at Princeton, in
the fall of 1831, and a year later, being matriculated at Andover. The
death of his parents, however, and subsequently that of his oldest
brother, made his connection with both these institutions a very brief
one, and he was obliged, as the charge of the family now devolved upon
him, to continue his studies privately at home, under the friendly
direction of the late Dr. Duffield. An ardent and pronounced disciple of
the "New School" of Presbyterians, belonging to a strongly Old School
Presbytery; he was able to secure license and ordination only by
transfer to another; and, in October, 1835, he accepted a pulpit in
Womelsdorf, Berks County, Pa., where he preached for one year, to a
Presbyterian congregation, to what purpose, and with what views, may be
learned from the following passage taken from one of his letters,
written more than twenty years afterwards, to the _National Anti-Slavery
Standard_. "The first settled pastor of this little flock was one
sufficiently well-known to such of your readers as will be interested in
this, to make mention of his name unnecessary. He had studied for the
ministry with a strong desire, and a half formed purpose to become a
missionary in foreign lands. Before he had proceeded far in his studies,
however, he became alive to the claims of the 'perishing heathen' here
at home. When he received his licensure, his mind was divided between
the still felt impulse of his first purpose and the pressure of his
later convictions. While yet unsettled on this point, the case of the
little church at Womelsdorf was made known to him, followed by an urgent
request from the people and from the Home Missionary Society to take
charge of it. He acceded to the request and remained there one year,
zealously performing the duties of his office to the best of his
knowledge and ability. The people, earnest and simple-hearted, desired
the 'sincere milk of the Word,' and receiving it 'grew thereby.' All the
members of the church became avowed abolitionists. They showed their
faith by their works, contributing liberally to the funds of the
Anti-slavery Society. Many a seasonable donation has our Pennsylvania
organization received from that quarter. For though their anti-slavery
minister had left and had been followed by others of different
sentiments an