introduced to Storrs, Belden, and Price. These were all who were then known as religious out of one hundred and twenty youths. Thus does destiny hang upon moments, and lay coiled in a passing event. Those words. of encouragement, given at a critical time, were like the kiss of approbation given by his fond mother to little Benjamin West at the sight of his rude drawing. It inspired hope, it fixed inclination, and stimulated to efforts. Partly through the force of J. Scudder's persuasive influence, I was soon after induced to apply to the Rev. W. Schenck, your son-in-law, and to his Session, for admission into his Church, and, with the Rev. T. H. Skinner, D.D., was received. Yours respectfully,

"NICHOLAS PATTERSON,"

STUDIES MEDICINE.

His heart's desire was toward the sacred ministry, but his father was opposed to this; and so, from a sense of filial duty, he chose the profession of medicine, more akin to the ministry than the legal profession, and furnishing opportunities to do good to the soul while administering to the relief of the body.

Among the highest in the profession of medicine at that time was the late Dr. David Hosack, of New York. Young Scudder became his student. Here he formed a friendship with several young men in the same pursuit, among whom, as his most intimate associates, were the late Rev. Dr. Ducachet, of Philadelphia, and Rev. Dr. B. P. Aydelott, of Cincinnati, who survives him.

Scudder was an enthusiast in whatever he undertook. He threw his whole soul into his profession, studied hard under his great teacher, whom he admired, and whose

praises, professionally, he was accustomed to sound in what some would call extravagant language.

He fulfilled his course of study with Dr. Hosack, and graduated at the New York Medical College, having previously acted for a considerable period as resident physician of the Almshouse. His next most pressing consideration was where he should start in his practice. His friend, Dr. Aydelott, suggested the eastern section of the city, and offered to introduce him to a family where he would find an agreeable circle and a comfortable home.

ACKNOWLEDGING GOD IN ALL HIS WAYS.

Young Scudder was accustomed to "acknowledge God in all his ways," believing in the promise that, by so doing, "his paths would be directed." Never was there a person who evinced a more conscientious recognition of Divine Providence in every earthly vicissitude. Of course, in so important a matter as fixing his location as a physician, and establishing his home in a strange family, he made it a matter of earnest prayer. His resolution being taken, he became domiciled in his new abode, and busied himself in looking after practice. It came rapidly, as it usually will to one who is both prepared and expectant, and who is as vigilant to observe as he is ready to avail himself of opportunities. He had a peculiar knack in gaining confidence; and families who once employed him were so fascinated with his skill and his kind manners, that they seldom wished to exchange him for another. He thus anchored himself in the esteem of one family after another, so that soon he began to number his patrons with some degree of satisfaction.

Indeed, he even began to think he must have a family and house of his own.

BEGINNING OF HIS DOMESTIC LIFE.

Dr. Scudder took a deep interest in the spiritual welfare of the family where he resided. It consisted of a widow, with four daughters and two sons. Two of the daughters were married, and two lived at home with their mother and brothers. With favorable religious antecedents, they still gave no evidence of the experience of personal piety. This was a grief to one to whom religion was every thing, and whose meat and drink it was to do the will of God. So he sets himself, with much prayer and a careful improvement of opportunities, to awaken their minds to the importance of that which to him was 66 the one thing needful." His success outran his faith. The eldest daughter at home, in whom, for various reasons, he felt a peculiar interest, was the first to show signs of contrition. She was lovely in person, gentle in spirit, and attractive in her manners. How far affection preceded faith, or how intimately they were mingled in his efforts to draw her attention to the great interests of her soul, we can not say. But we can hardly doubt that a deep personal attachment gave additional impulse to the prayers and efforts which, under God, led to her conversion. That being accomplished, the crowning grace was added to the charms of nature.

The means resorted to for the accomplishment of this great end were earnest prayer and occasional conversation. But, in addition to these, the doctor-whether judiciously or not-obtained a promise from her that she would read a book which he would lend her. That book,

as every one acquainted with it must admit, "is strong meat rather than milk." It was the old Puritan work entitled "Boston's Fourfold State." And this, after all, was the chosen instrumentality. The arrow reached her heart, and she went to Him, who was himself pierced, in order to have it drawn. After sufficient time to test the reality of the change had elapsed, she gave her public testimony to her faith, and began her career for glory and immortality. This young Christian became afterward the wife of Dr. Scudder, shared in his labors and trials, and was to him as a guiding-star in the long pilgrimage of his eventful life. But for her he had often fainted; and it was by her superior judgment that, when he was in perplexity, the way and path of duty rose clear and well defined before him. Her name must necessarily be associated with his, and will often occur in the progress of this memorial.

Other members of the family engaged his attention with a view to their conversion, and ere long the mother, two of the daughters, and the younger son sat down together at the same communion board. We do not af firm that all these conversions were owing to the zeal and efforts of Dr. Scudder. A concurrence of affecting circumstances worked in unison with his Christian efforts to bring about the religious change in this family. The oldest brother, of noble character and dearly beloved, was drowned in mid ocean about this period. His death was as God's voice thundering in their consciences. A revival, also, of great power was going forward in the Church which they attended. These events were accessory, and influential, under God, in bringing this whole family to the foot of the Cross. Yet must we gratefully

acknowledge the earnest prayers and faithful labors of Dr. S., who seized on these providences to deepen the religious convictions which the Spirit of God seemed now to have commenced.

The younger brother, compiler of these memoirs, then only sixteen, was deeply indebted to Dr. Scudder for his fraternal counsels, his affectionate interest, and his earnest prayers. Taking me by the hand, he warned me of danger, pointed out the path of duty, and acted as my spiritual Mentor in the earlier part of my religious experience. He was as an elder brother to me. We prayed and sang together. We visited together. We stood up in the meetings side by side, and testified of the grace of God. In his visitations to the sick often was I with him. We knelt together at the bedside of the invalid. It was a practical school wherein I learned to feel for the suffering, and to pray for the sick and dying.

It was at the evening prayer-meetings held in the chapel of the Rutgers Street Presbyterian Church-then enjoying the outpouring of the Spirit-that Dr. Scudder was in his element. Here his face shone, and his whole soul seemed to stereotype its strong emotions in his voice and features. His exhortations to the impenitent were as powerful as his encouragement to the young converts was sweet and cheering. He was the life of any meeting which he attended; and his pure brotherly affection flowed like oil on Aaron's garments, or fell gently like the dews on Mount Hermon. His heart overflowed with Christian love, and his charity was as large in regard to the faults of others as his condemnation was severe toward his own errors. The hours of sweet communion enjoyed together can never be forgotten. He was a man