Morrell, Thomas

Morrell, Thomas one of the fathers of that branch of American Methodism known as the Methodist Episcopal Church, was born at New York November 22, 1747. His mother was a devout follower of Mr. Wesley, and a member of the pious band led by Philip Embury. Thomas lived in most exciting times, and when the war for freedom broke out he early took to arms for republican life. He held successively the commissions of captain and major, and gained honorable distinction on the field. In 1785 Thomas Morrell was deeply impressed with his relation to God and the Church, and determined to enter the ministry. He joined Conference in 1787, and was stationed at Trenton Circuit, N.J. In 1788 he was preacher in charge in New York, with Robert Cloud as associate, and the following year their labors were blessed with a great revival. The same year he was ordained elder, and continued in that city five years. He was sent to Philadelphia in 1794-5; here taken sick, and not entirely well until 1799; next to Baltimore for two years; and in 1802-3 restationed at New York for two years. After this Mr. Morrell was never stationed out of Elizabethtown, N.J., but continued to labor regularly sixteen years until 1822, when he preached usually every Sabbath, and at least once a day, until January 1833. After this failing health obliged him to desist from pulpit labor, and he only preached occasionally. He died August 9, 1838. Father Morrell was a man of vigorous mind, and well endowed naturally for the work to which he felt himself called. He had fine preaching talents, and discharged the duties of his office with great acceptability and success. He was bold, earnest, and scrupulously faithful in all things. His name, usefulness, and devotedness to Christ's Church are remembered and honored. See Meth. Quar. Rev. 1841, page 325; Sprague, Annals of the Amer. Pulpit, volume 7; New Jersey Conf. Memorial; Minutes of Ann. Conf. 2:669.