Seeking and finding. Passages in the religious experience of the Rev. Worthington Wright

Introduction

The publication of this little volume has been the result of a growing impression that the experience of the writer in the things of a spiritual life, at once so rare, so progressive, and so continuous, should not be confined in its influence, to the individual so favored ; but that the stimulus of such successful " seeking and finding," should reach other devout seekers after holiness.

The manuscripts from which the selections are made, were begun in the year 1856, and were continued for a period of more than sixteen years, until advancing age obliged the writer to discontinue them. As for several )^ears his home was for a portion of the time in Buffalo, N. Y., several pastors of the city became familiar with his remarkable experience, and were greatly interested in the perusal of his Notes.

After this, I received a letter from the Rev. Dr. Walter Clark, since deceased, but then the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, urging me at some time to select the most useful

4 INTRODUCTION.

of these records, and to publish them as a devotional handbook. The Rev. Dr. Wolcott Calkins, then of Buffalo, N. Y., now of Newton, Mass., and other Christian friends have urged the same.

In conformity with this wish, I have prepared this small volume. For the convenience of the reader, I have arranged the exercises in the order of topics, that such selections maybe made as may suit the wants of the heart, when seeking some new impulse in the Christian life.

I commit this memorial of my beloved father to the care of Providence, hoping that it may prove a strength to the weary, and a help to those who would realize in its fullest measure the promise, " Seek, and ye shall find."

Edwin S. Wright.

Amherst, Mass., February, 1885.

OBITUARY;

The Rev. Worthington Wright died at the house of his son-in-law, Hon. James O. Putnam, on the 28th inst. (October, 1873), at the advanced age of eighty-eight years.

He was born in Windsor, Mass., June 16, 1785. His father was a physician, and five of his seven brothers studied medicine and spent their lives in the profession. Mr. Wright graduated at Williams College in 1806, and was the last surviving member of his class.

His tastes led him to depart from the usual course of his brotherhood, and he sought a theological education in preparation for the work of the ministry. He graduated at Andover Theological Seminary in 1810. The late Dr. Gardiner Spring, of New York City, and Dr. Richard Storrs, of Braintree, Mass., were members of his class in the Seminary. He was first settled as a minister in Woodbury,

* This obituary, written by the Rev. Albert T. Chester, D.D., 0/ Buffalo, N. T., will give the chief points of interest in the life of the author of these Notes.

6 OBITUARY.

Conn.;* his eyes having failed while there, he performed missionary service in Pennsylvania for about three years. Then as the state of his eyes still precluded writing, he turned naturally to the family profession, passed through the regular course of study and lectures in New York, and receiving his diploma, practiced medicine in Riga and Rochester for about sixteen years, endearing himself to many in both places by his skill as a physician, and by his great affability and kindness of heart.

On the complete recovery of his sight, he returned to his chosen profession, and for several years occupied charges in Central and Western New York.

He was then called to the pastorate of the Congregational Church of Woodstock, Vt., and in this position he spent about thirteen years.

He afterward preached three years in Charlestown, N. H. He continued there in active service until he was in his seventieth year. At that time a slight stroke of paralysis disabled him from further efforts in public, though he was left in full possession of his mental powers. For the last eighteen years he had spent a peaceful and happy life, living half the time each year, including the summer, with his son, Rev. Edwin S. Wright, D.D., amid the beautiful scenery of Chautauqua County, and returning for the winter to the city residence of his daughter, Mrs. James O. Putnam, of Buffalo,

OBITUAR Y. J

welcomed in each home by the warm and tender affection of children and grandchildren who cherished him to the last.

Mr. Wright had enjoyed perfect health during his whole life, hardly ever feeling a pain or an ache, with the exception of the trouble with his eyes, until he was threescore and ten. He recovered from the paralytic stroke so far as to enjoy entire bodily comfort to the end. This was doubtless owing in great measure to his exceptionally virtuous life, and his most exemplary habits. Until within two weeks of his death this exemption from physical suffering continued. And even through his last briei sickness he was not subject to great pain, but gradually lost his hold of life, and at length, like a satisfied child he fell asleep.

These are the salient points in the long history of an unpretending Christian minister, whose life was the best possible commentary upon his Gospel preaching. He was of the old style clergy — always serious — his mind evidently so filled with the momentous themes upon which he discoursed, that he had no time or taste for the trifling. Always dignified, he commanded the respect of all who knew him, both for his personal character and the sacred office which he magnified.

In his later years he was remarkable for the fervor of his piety and his rich spiritual experiences. Few can be found of whom it can be

8 OBITUAR Y.

said so emphatically and with such a breadth of meaning, " He walked with God."

Placed in circumstances of comfort, freed from all cares and responsibilities, he had leisure to devote himself to spiritual things. Though he was no ascetic, and enjoyed the society of his friends, yet he could spend hours each day in his own retirement, gathering thought and strength for his spiritual labors, receiving such foretastes of heavenly bliss, that it is hardly too much to say that he has been in heaven these many years. He wore on his face a smile that partook of the angelic, that told each beholder that his life was in the world above. So he continued to preach the Gospel to the very hour of his departure. It did not seem like dying to have him depart. The blow is most severe to those who loved him all the more and clung to him the more tenaciously because they had kept him so long.

Yet to him it was all joy. A perfect trust in his Redeemer and an ardent longing for His unclouded presence, made his last hours serene ; and his ripened spirit passed from earth to heaven as gently as the morning breaks into day.