Background

James Wood was born on July 12, 1799, in Greenfield, New York, United States. He was a son of Jonathan Wood and Susanna (Kellogg) Wood.

Education

In 1822, Wood graduated from Union College in Schenectady. Later, in 1823, he entered Princeton Theological Seminary, graduating in 1825.

Career

In 1822-1823, Wood taught in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Later, after a year in charge of churches in Wilkes-Barre and Kingston, Pennsylvania, from 1825 to 1826, he was ordained, on September 5, 1826, by the Presbytery of Albany.

From 1826 to 1834, Wood was pastor of the churches in Amsterdam, New York. From 1834 to 1839, he was an agent of the Presbyterian board of education for Virginia and North Carolina and then for the West and Southwest.

In the controversy, which caused the division of the Presbyterian Church in 1837, Wood was a strong adherent of the conservative or Old School Party. Also, in 1837, he published a pamphlet, "Facts and Observations Concerning the Organization and State of the Churches in the Three Synods of Western New-York and the Synod of Western Reserve". These synods were exscinded from the Church by the General Assembly of 1837 and became the nucleus of the New School Church. Wood's pamphlet upheld the charges of irregularity in organization and unsoundness in doctrine, which were thought to justify the General Assembly's action. He continued the controversy in 1838 in his "Old and New Theology: or, An Exhibition of Those Differences with Regard to Scripture Doctrines Which Have Recently Agitated and Now Divided the Presbyterian Church". This book, of which enlarged editions were published in 1845, 1853 and 1855, reveals a keen disputant and a rigid conservative.

In 1839, Wood was appointed a professor in the Theological Department of Hanover College, a young institution in Hanover, Indiana. A year later, this department was moved to New Albany, Indiana, and named New Albany Theological Seminary (later the Theological Seminary of the Northwest and present-day McCormick Theological Seminary). Wood served the seminary until 1851, being one of two professors and for part of this time - sole professor. By indefatigable activity, Wood secured a considerable increase in the seminary's funds. In his relations with the students, he showed the friendliness and practical helpfulness, which always characterized him.

Later, James left New Albany to work again for the board of education, as general agent for the West and Southwest, from 1851 to 1854, and then, from 1854 to 1859, as its associate corresponding secretary, living in Philadelphia. In 1859, Wood became president of Hanover College, Indiana, and was soon facing grave difficulties, caused by the Civil War. The college's large constituency in Kentucky and Tennessee was cut off, many students entered the armies and serious indebtedness was incurred. As to the strength and wisdom of Wood's administration, there was controversy both in the college and in the synod, but it was realized later, that he had averted temporary if not permanent discontinuance of the institution. Besides teaching a variety of subjects, he maintained and even increased the college's property. He kept the faculty together in spite of heavy burdens and held the loyalty of the students.

Also, during his presidency, in 1864, Wood was a moderator of the General Assembly of the Old School Presbyterian Church. In 1866, he became the first president of Van Rensselaer Institute, in Hightstown, New Jersey, where he died during his first year of service.

It's worth mentioning, that, during his lifetime, Wood also wrote many tracts and articles in religious periodicals and was the author of "Memoir of Sylvester Scovel, D.D., Late President of Hanover College", which appeared in 1851. He was also the author of "A Familiar Treatise On Christian Baptism" (1850), "Call to the Sacred Office" (1857), "The Gospel Fountain: Or The Anxious Youth Made Happy" (1859) and "Grace and Glory" (1860).

Achievements

• James Wood was a well-known Presbyterian clergyman, strong adherent of the conservative or Old School Party in the controversy, which caused the division of the Presbyterian Church in 1837, and educator, who taught at present-day McCormick Theological Seminary. During his tenure there, the educational establishment achieved a considerable increase in its funds. Besides, Wood was known as president of Hanover College, Indiana, and first president of Van Rensselaer Institute, Hightstown, New Jersey.
  
  It's worth noting, that Wood authored a number of writings, including "Facts and Observations Concerning the Organization and State of the Churches in the Three Synods of Western New-York and the Synod of Western Reserve" (1837), "Old and New Theology: or, An Exhibition of Those Differences with Regard to Scripture Doctrines Which Have Recently Agitated and Now Divided the Presbyterian Church" (1838), "Memoir of Sylvester Scovel, D.D., Late President of Hanover College" (1851), among others.
  
  In addition, Wood was highly respected for his sound judgment, amiable temper, extensive learning and great wisdom.

Works

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  • Facts and Observations Concerning the Organization and State of the Churches in the Three Synods of Western New-York and the Synod of Western Reserve 1837
  • Old and New Theology; Or, an Exhibition of Those Difference with Regard to Scripture Doctrines, Which Have Recently Agitated and Now Divided the Presbyterian Church 1838
  • Memoir of Sylvester Scovel, D. D. Late President of Hanover College 1851
  • A Familiar Treatise On Christian Baptism 1850
  • The Gospel Fountain: Or The Anxious Youth Made Happy 1859
  • Grace and Glory 1860

Connections

On October 3, 1826, Wood married Janetta (Pruyn) Wood. They had a child, named Edward Payson Wood.

Father:

Jonathan Wood

Mother:

Susanna (Kellogg) Wood

child:

Edward Payson Wood

Wife:

Janetta (Pruyn) Wood