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mately be of any benefit to myself or not, it would gratify me to assist, by any means in my power, the establishment of a new church. I would be willing to go so far as to promise, that unless I should be engaged, and receive a call elsewhere, I would render such occasional assistance through the summer, as might tend, through the blessing of God, to the general good. Write to me, and let me know more distinctly what the views of the people are, in reference to any new establishment. Your affectionate friend and brother, G. T. BEDELL.”

After Mr. Bedell had relinquished his charge, he again wrote to my brother, from Virginia

"RICHMOND, April 29th, 1822. "Rev. and Dear Brother:-I am now, according to my uncle's request, supplying his pulpit, during his Episcopal tour in North-Carolina, but shall leave here, God willing, on Wednesday, the 8th of May, and if prospered in our journey, shall be with you on Saturday, the 11th. I shall make every possible effort to accomplish this object."— "Your kind invitation to take up our abode with you during our short stay, will be gratefully accepted, provided it will not put you to inconvenience, as you must recollect my family is considerable. I charge you to be candid and tell me, if we are likely to expose you to any inconvenience. We shall stay in Philadelphia, if advisable, eight or nine days. I shall then place my family in Hudson, and return to Philadelphia, or not, as may be the subject of future conversation,

"Your friend and brother,

G. T. BEDELL.”

Mr. Bedell came on to Philadelphia, and, with his family, was received at my brother's, where they remained some weeks. After Mr. Bedell had preached, my brother suggested to some of his friends, the importance of retaining Mr. B. in the city, and the necessity of immediate arrange

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ments being made for that purpose. The suggestion was received by them with astonishment, and it was considered as next to impossible for any thing effectually to be done. My brother, in a very prompt and decided manner, answered, It can be done, it must be done, a meeting must be called. He induced a few to assemble together, to talk over the matter. Appearances, however, were unfavourable, all hearts were discouraged, except my brother's: even Mr. Bedell was unwilling to pursue the object further, and anxious to proceed on to the North. But my brother constrained him to remain.

Finally, on Wednesday evening, May 15th, only four days after Mr. B.'s arrival, and at the close of the Wednesday evening lecture, when Mr. Bedell had preached in St. Paul's Church, my brother assembled a few of his friends in the small room under the pulpit, and induced them to view the subject in all its bearings, and at once to draw up and sign a call to Mr. Bedell for one year, obligating themselves to pay him twelve hundred dollars; though at the time, they really knew not where it was to be obtained; but persuaded that the cause was the Lord's. Mr. Bedell accepted this call.

Shortly after this decisive movement, another meeting was called, when sixteen individuals obligated themselves, each to raise five hundred dollars towards the erection of a new church. One of the gentlemen who was enlisted in the above engagement informed me, that when my brother called upon him, and urged him to make himself responsible for five hundred dollars, his situation was such, that he positively refused. The subject was so pressed upon him, however, and my brother promising to see that he was not injured, making, in fact, himself responsible for the amount, the gentleman finally consented.

Another circumstance in connexion with this astonishing movement, was, that among the conspicuous individuals

in this scene, there were but two men of capital. But this was indeed the Lord's work, and he was carrying it on by his own means.

My brother was thus made the instrument, against a strong current of opposition and conflicting interests, of urging on this work step by step, until he saw the house of God rising to its completion.

In this whole work, the pure disinterestedness of my brother's soul was ever prominent. Some of the ardent friends of St. Paul's Church, not taking with him that enlarged view of the subject, were induced to remonstrate with him. They observed, why Mr. Allen, you do not consider what you are doing! If this work goes on, you will injure yourself, and St. Paul's Church will go down! My brother answered, "I am persuaded that there is a work for Mr. Bedell to do here, and if my Redeemer's kingdom is advanced, what matter how soon I fall?"-Yea, the love of Christ constrained him, and he cheerfully gave up his bosom friends to the work. May the Lord be praised for influencing the hearts of men to engage in this, his own good work; for this Church, St. Andrew's, is now one of the most prominent in Philadelphia, for the number and respectability of its worshippers; the number and spirituality of its communicants; the number and prosperity of its Sunday-schools, and the amount of its contributions to benevolent objects. The pastoral concerns of the Church are still under the direction of Mr. Bedell.

I annex the following extracts from Mr. Bedell's letters to my brother, as they display other difficulties which arose in the way of the movements in Philadelphia; and as they unfold some of the feelings and views of Mr. B. on the occasion. He wrote

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"NEW-YORK, May 27th, 1822. My Dear Brother:-After a very pleasant journey, we reached here on Saturday by 10 o'clock; and we had a very

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disagreeable scene to pass through, when my father learned that I had determined to go to Philadelphia. At nearly the age of the good old Patriarch, and in a similar state of feeling, he was almost ready to say all these things are against me.' I trust, however, that he will find, as did the Patriarch, that God orders his dispensation for the best.

"The only fear that is entertained on any hand by my friends, is, that those engaged may get lukewarm and not go on. I do not fear it myself; and under God, I am perfectly willing, in their good faith, to cast in my lot among them. I would say again, that it is extremely important that no time should be lost in commencing. The Lord be with you. Your friend and brother, G. T. BEDELL."

Two days after the above, Mr. B. again writes—

"NEW-YORK, May 29th.

"Rev. and Dear Brother:-I have just received your's, and am glad that all things go on well. I am afraid that there will be a stronger opposition in Philadelphia than we had imagined. I was in company this morning, where I heard that Bishop Hobart had expressed himself in terms of disapprobation of my conduct in Philadelphia, founded on some notice he had received from Bishop White, either by message, or by letter, I could not learn which. It was stated that Bishop White had been entirely neglected on the subject-not consulted at all, and that he felt very much surprised."-"With the respect which I have always had for Bishop White, I should be very sorry that he should be unfavourably impressed towards me, because it is my intention to deserve, and my wish to have, the good feelings of the Bishop and all his clergy.

"I mentioned to Bishop White, that not having received my letters demissary, I did not feel justified in saying any thing to him; and it was my intention, as soon as I should receive my letters, to give them to him, and then, (as only

then I could,) put myself under his direction. If you could feel justified in speaking to him on this subject, it might be of use, as it is one of my most earnest desires, that I should not come to Philadelphia under any disadvantages. "You are at liberty to make use of my remarks to Bishop White, if you see fit. Your affectionate brother, G. T. BEDELL."

The following testimony to the intimacy which subsisted between Mr. Bedell and my brother, and the candour and piety of the former, I cannot withhold

"HUDSON, June 29th.

"My Dear Brother:-I find an advantage in another point of view. While in Philadelphia, my mind was so engrossed by the new Church, that I have reason to fear too much selfishness mingled with my feelings, and that the glory of our blessed Master was not the feeling so entirely predominant as it ought to have been. I have more time and more disposition for examination, and I trust that my residence here a short time, may be of advantage, not more to body than to spirit. How hard it is to bring down self at the foot of the cross. What a contemptible ambition it would be, to be merely desirous to be Rector of a fine Church in Philadelphia. I do feel that I have a much nobler ambition than this, and I desire to be instrumental in bringing some souls to Christ, and I pray against the leaven of pride and selfishness, which are thorns in the sides of, I fear, too many. May God of His grace, make me to feel what a poor vile thing I am, that I may always know my place. Your affectionate brother in Christ Jesus, G. T. BEDELL."

In another letter to my brother, Mr. Bedell observes— "In the direction which I left with Mr. Thackara, for the inscription on the corner-stone, I mentioned, that among the articles which would be deposited, was your address."

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