Samuel Merrill Woodbridge

A graduate of New York University and the New Brunswick Theological Seminary, Woodbridge preached for sixteen years as a clergyman in the Reformed Church in America.

He was the author of three books and several published sermons and addresses covering various aspects of Christian faith, theology, church history and government.

[1][2]: p.140  According to a genealogical chart published in Munsey's Magazine in 1907, Woodbridge was in the eleventh generation of a family of clergymen dating back to the late 15th century.

[1] As an undergraduate student, Woodbridge was a member of the university's secretive, all-male Eucleian Society and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

[3][5]: p.4  At this time, his alma mater, New York University, promoted his bachelor's degree to a Master of Arts.

[9]: p.128  During his tenure at the seminary, Woodbridge also provided instruction in the areas of pastoral, didactic and polemic theology—often when there were vacancies amongst the faculty.

[12] Church historian Charles Edward Corwin recorded that Woodbridge was described as having a strong personality that "made dry subjects to glow with life," adding that he "was very firm in the faith but his loving heart made him kindly even toward those whose opinion he considered dangerous.

Woodbridge have been printed in newspapers and periodicals, as part of a collection of addresses in books, and as separately published pamphlets.

Nineteenth century black-and-white photograph of Samuel Merrill Woodbridge, a man in suit, dress shirt, and tie
The Rev. Samuel Merrill Woodbridge, c. late 1860s
The front façade of a nineteenth-century brick church building with columns and Greek Revival pediment, cupola, and steeple
Woodbridge served the Second Reformed Church in New Brunswick, New Jersey, for five years from 1852 to 1857.
Emeritus professor Woodbridge (seated, center, with white beard and robes) with the seminary's faculty, circa 1904
1880 engraving of the New Brunswick Theological Seminary campus featuring several nineteenth-century academic buildings
An 1880 print of the New Brunswick Theological Seminary campus, where Woodbridge taught for 44 years