The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-02-15

CHRISTIAN MtNISIER--hEsHEGIsI ~ HlS
MEMORY, &C.. &c. Il
The Episcopal Church throughout the
diocese OF Virginia is in mourning to-day.
One OF her oldest, dearest, most distin-
guished, and best known priests-Rev.
George Woodbridge, D. D., rector OF the
Monumental church, in this city--is dead.
Not. only in Virginia will his death be
iamented, but in many parts Of the North
and East will the loss the Church has sus-
tanned be deplored. But in Richmond,
where he was best known and dearly loved,
will his death be most keenly felt.
CIRCUMSTANCES OF his DEATH. &!
DR.. Woodbridge WINS apparently in his
usual health yesterday morning, although
/ fnE some time IlaSt he had been suffering
from What he termed d structure across bis
chest. Tt did not give him much ltneasi-
ness, but his physician, DR.. Hunter Nc
Guirc. expressed the fear some weeks ago
that this pain of which his patient had COM
planned was q warning that his death might
be expected at any moment. He arose yes
terday, conducted family worship, ate break
fast, all as usual. After breakfast he COM
planned TINT the pain was more severe than
usual, an d in order to relieve him prompt
remedies were adopted, and soon he said he
I felt better and it was while sitting in a
rocking-chair in his own chamber reading
the Dispatch that he died. After being re-
lieved he took up the paper. and it was one
of his family (probab bly, his wifel who, after
lapse Of five minutes, looked up. and, see
ing his lead leaning back in the chair, said :
/" Why, DR.. Woodbridge, you are asleep!"
But upon going to him it was found that
life was extinct-bis death being caused
from heart-disease. His loving family was
soon around him; messenger was dis
| patched in haste for DR.. MCGUIRE; but all
in vain: for when the Doctor arrived
the spirit Of this good man had
passed away to its rest, and his
face wore that sweet smile for which
in life he was noted, and in death it gave
the happy promise to his family and friends
that his end had been peaceful and painless.
The news OF his death spread over the city
with astonishing rapidity, and soon large
numbers Of persons, representing nearly
all denominations, visited his late residence
and offered their services and sympathy.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
| DR.. Woodbridge was SON Of Jonathan
E. Woodbridge, and great-grandson of Rev.
Jonathan Edwards, and was born at Worth
ington. Mass, on the 25th OF June, 1904.
Had he lived, therefore, until the 25th Of
June next he would have been seyenty-four
years OF age. Rev. Jonathan Edwards was
q divine Of great renown Of the Congrega-
tionalist Church Of Massachusetts.
Early in life DR.. Woodbridge conceived a
desire for military service, and through the
instrumentality of Mr.. Howe, Of Cambridge,
Mass, he succeeded in securing an appoint
ment at West Point Academy, which insti-
tuition he entered when eighteen years of
age, in 1922, and graduated onsthe 14th
of July, 1926, after O term OF four years.
| Subsequently he was stationed at Fort
Monroe, Va, as q second lieutenant, and
afterwards at Fort Independence, near the
city OF Boston. He afterwards resigned his
commission, and, removing to Frederick
town, Md, commenced editing political
newspaper. While in Fredericktown be
resided with DR.. Stone, Of the Protestant
Episcopal Church, and under his Influence he
became interested in the subject Of religion,
Joined the Episcopal Church, resolved to
study for the ministry, and went imme-
diately to the Theological Seminary Of Vir-
ginia, at Alexandria, where he prepared
himself fol- the high and responsible position
which he filed up to the hour OF his death.
Dr. Woodbridge was ordained by Bishop
Moore in the Monumental church, and be-
came assistant to Rev. William F. Lee, at
old Christ church, in this city. On Whit
sunday in May, 1888, he became pastor OF
that church, and so continued until the Sc
cond Sunday in Advent, 1S45, when he and
the congregation united with the Monu-
mental church, in which he continued to
labor faithfully to the moment the Master
Ia, &c hnt mir
lister is privileged to preach to one congre-
CATION for neriod of nearly forty-fve
Years, and if DIR. Woodbridge had lived to
next December his ministry In the two con-
gregations, united, would have reached that
length Of time.
ONE OF HIS LAST KINDLY ACTS.
While DR.. Woodbridge had been COM
plaining little for some weeks past, it did
not interfere in the least with the discharge
of his pastoral Iabors. He preached twice
! on Sunday-in the morning for Rev. Pike
Powers, and in the afternoon at his own
church. Wednesday afternoon he conduct
ed his usual weekly services, and addressed
his people on the sins OF omission and
commission. Once daring the services he
put his hand up to his head, as though
the light affected him, and one Of his
family, fearing that he was sick, fastened
to his side to render him any aid that he
might need. The prayers that evening
were unusually impressive, and were COM
mented upon by some Of his flock. One Of
his last kindly acts on Wednesday evening
was to visit the Retreat for the Sick, and
there read the Bible and pray with one OF
| the patients in the institution. Afterwards
he visited one of the members OF his Testry.
| DR.. Woodbridge leaves a wife and six
ehildren-two sons and four daughters.
One of his sons is now living in Chester,
Pa, and the other in this city. Only one OF
his daughters reside beyond the State--in
Hartford, Conn. 1t may not be amiss to
state that his wife has resided in herpresent
residence, on Grace street, ever since she
was three years of age; and that DR.. Wood
bridge has not since his marriage had O
death in his immediate household.
OTHER FACTS.
There are, perhaps, only two Episcopal
/ clergymen now residing in Richmond who
have been associated with Dr.. Woodbridge
!. during very long period OF his Church
:, service, and they are Rev. Joshua Peterkin,
4 D. D., and Rev. III. S. Kepler. DR.. Peter
kin was with him for twenty-three years.
! We are reminded somewhat OF the death
Of the venerable Rev. DIR. Mcclure in the
sudden taking-off Of the subject of this
notice. These two clergymen were about
the same age, and died suddenly, and pro.
bably from the same cause M
In addition to the position which DR.
Woodbridge held upon the Standing Com
mittee of the Diocese, he was prominently
associated with the s. Brotherhood" Of the
II Episcopal Church as its secretary. and Unit
lately was president OF the Virginia Bible