MADISON, N.J. - Drew University professor and Methodist minister Donald G. Jones, who was spiritual mentor for a young Hillary Rodham Clinton, has died. He was 78.

Jones, who taught social ethics for 36 years at the Madison school, died at Morristown Memorial Hospital of natural causes, university spokesman David Muha said.

After serving in the Navy, Jones was graduated from Augustana College in South Dakota in 1957 and four years later became an ordained minister through Drew's theological school.

His first pastorate was at First United Methodist Church in Park Ridge, Ill., where he met a young Hillary Rodham while leading the church's youth group. At the time, Rodham was a high school freshman.

After leaving his minister's post, Jones returned to Drew to teach and earn his doctorate, but he and Rodham remained close friends. In her memoir, "Living History," Clinton credits Jones with being a major influence in her life.