matthew was consecrated at birth for the ministry by both of his parents. he was baptized as an infant by bishop francis asbury. he was converted to christ in 1829. matthew received an academic education in his hometown. he then attended madison college in pennsylvania. madison subsequently merged into allegheny college in 1833. matthew was elected to the office of tutor in his eighteenth year, then engaging in teaching. having also studied medicine in 1830–1833, he began medical practice.