Birth and Rebirth
Elijah was born near Pine Plains, in Dutchess County, New York to parents of English origin. He was trained in prayer by his mother, who was brought into the church under Circuit Preacher Benjamin Abbot. Indeed, it is said that when Elijah was only three years old, his mother taught him the first principles of the Christian faith, and he felt the fear of God. For several years he practiced secret prayer.
When Rev. Abbott began preaching in the neighborhood, his ministry was blessed in the conversion not only of Elijah's mother, but his grandmother and other relatives, as well, all of whom joined the M.E. Church. Elijah attended public worship with his mother, and remained with her in class-meeting after the preaching.
Bishop Matthew Simpson related one occasion in Elijah Hedding's young life of faith:
- after Mr. Abbott had spoken to the class, he went to little Elijah and said, "Well, my boy, do you think you are a sinner?" He replied, "Yes, sir." Mr. Abbott then, with vehemence and loud voice, said, "There's many a boy in hell not as old as you are," and most impressively exhorted him to seek religion. Bishop Hedding says of this event, "It not only frightened me but produced real religious concern, as I doubt not it was accompanied by the operation of God's Holy Spirit."
When Elijah was about ten years old his parents moved to Vermont. When he was about fifteen or sixteen, a Methodist family from Connecticut moved into the neighborhood and began holding meetings in their home. There was singing and praying, and young Elijah, being a good reader, was appointed to read one of John Wesley's sermons, or a portion of Baxter's Call. These meetings were kept up regularly until 1798, when this home became a Methodist preaching-place on a regular circuit.
The lady of the house, reportedly a Mrs. Bushnell, used to frequently talk with young Hedding privately on the subject of the Christian religion. Elijah Hedding is reported to have said about those conversations (quoted by Bishop Simpson):
- Her conversation, more than anything else, was the means of my seeking religion. After one of these conversations, on my way home I turned into a grove and kneeled by the side of a great tree and covenanted with God to part with all my idols and seek salvation with all my heart.
About six weeks after this, Elijah remained in class-meeting after preaching, when the preacher and brethren seeing his distress, kneeled in interecessing for him. During the meeting he received spiritual comfort and gave his name as a probationer in the M.E. Church. This was 27 December 1798.
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