Woods, James Sterrett, Dd

Woods, James Sterrett, D.D.

a Presbyterian divine, was born in Cumberland County, Pa., April 18, 1793. He pursued his academical studies in Hopewell Academy, Pa.; graduated at Dickinson College, Pa.; studied theology in the Princeton Theological Seminary, N. J.; was licensed by the Presbytery of New Brunswick in 1817; and labored as an evangelist from 1819 to 1822 in the valley of the Juniata, embracing MacVeytown, Newton, Hamilton, and Shirleysburg, where he laid the foundations of the present churches. In 1822 he was called to take charge of the Lewistown and MacVeytown churches; in 1823 he became pastor of the Church of Lewistown alone, and remained there until the time of his death in 1862. "Dr.Woods," says Rev. G. Elliott, "was remarkable for his candor, his modesty, and his magnanimity." To the work of preaching the Gospel he devoted his life. Textual, evangelical, methodical, and earnest, his preaching everywhere commanded attention and secured edification. See Wilson, Presb. Hist. Almanac, 1863, p. 216. (J. L. S.)