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Gc 974.702 N422ma 1753302
REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01145 1611
RECOLLECTIONS
OF
PERSONS AND EVENTS,
CHIEFLY
IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK :
BEING
SELECTIONS FROM HIS JOURNAL,
BY
J. M. MATHEWS, D. D.
" Your fathers, where are they ?"
NEW YORK : SHELDON AND COMPANY, 498 BROADWAY MDCCC LXV. ,
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015
https://archive.org/details/recollectionsofp00math_0
1753302
,
DEDICATION.
NEW YORK, March 18th, 1865. To JAMES BOORMAN, ESQ. :
MY DEAR SIR-Permit me to dedicate this volume to you, as one of our oldest and most respected citi- zens. In one sense it is especially a New York book. It passes in review the rapid and unequalled progress of the City in population, wealth, and every ability for promoting the intellectual and moral wel- fare of her own inhabitants and of the whole nation. But if New York has acquired this distinctive emi- nence, she is greatly indebted for it to her MER- CHIANTS, who have made her the commercial metrop- olis both of the United States and of the Western Continent. By a wise forecaste and a liberal policy, she has drawn to herself from various countries choice men, who have united with her native sons in placing her among the first cities of the world for the extent of her commerce and the high character of those who conduct it.
Among this class of her citizens you have long occupied a prominent position, and none of them have contributed more freely and effectually than
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DEDICATION.
yourself to enlarge her resources, to provide for her future prosperity, and to establish among us the Institutions of religion, learning, and benevolence, which should be viewed as one of the great purposes for which wealth is bestowed by the Giver of all good. Believe me now, as always,
Yours with sincere respect and affection,
J. M. MATHEWS.
PREFACE.
THE last fifty or sixty years have been remarkably prolific in men and events which have left their mark on the history of the Church and of the world. As it has pleased God to prolong my life until I have reached the age of eighty years, I of course have been more or less conversant with many of them ; and it has been my practice to embrace early oppor- tunities of referring to them in my Journal while the circumstances were yet fresh in my memory, and the lessons to be drawn from them were not only the subjects of thought and reflection in my own mind, but of conversation with others. This promptitude I consider very important in giving a true repre- sentation of transactions or events which may pass into history. Circumstances or incidents that may appear as mere accidental accompaniments when re- viewed after the lapse of years, often have an important influence in giving shape and meaning to events at the time of their occurrence.
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PREFACE.
1
The practice of recording my own reflections in connection with the events which gave rise to them, may be viewed as imparting to a Journal something of the character of a Common-Place Book. So be it. I see no objection to such a combination. Every man must know that some of his most valuable reflec- tions are lost to him by forgetfulness. They may have arisen from reading, from conversation, from his own meditations, from some incident occurring, perhaps, before his eyes, or, again, of which he may have heard. But unless they are fastened in some record, before, like riches of another kind, they "make themselves wings and fly away," they may soon be lost beyond recovery. Mind is always busy, and if we take pains to treasure up what it furnishes from time to time, and which is worth preserving while yet in its freshness, we may soon acquire a store of intellectual materials which will be of great value to us in after times. I make this suggestion to my younger brethren in the ministry, in the hope that it may be of use to them. They may find in thoughts thus preserved what may be of great im- portance to them when preparing for the pulpit or other public services. So I have found it in my own experience. Some of these reflections or observations
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PREFACE.
first written in my Journal, I have already used in various discourses or on other public occasions ; but when referring to them in the following pages, I have still retained them in their original connection, although, as I have elsewhere said, at the risk of being charged with repeating myself.
It may be thought that the style of writing in some of the articles is too familiar, especially when I am giving biographical sketches, or rehearsing conversa- tions which have taken place between others and myself. But a Journal should be Journal-like. It derives much of its value from giving things, both in manner and matter, just as they occurred. Men, in their social intercourse with each other, do not speak in the exact and careful style in which they would write a sermon on some important doctrine in theology, or would prepare an essay on some intri- cate question in metaphysics. They let out their thoughts and feelings very much as they arise; and although a record of such matters may be viewed by some as too colloquial, to others it may be not the less interesting because familiar and natural. For myself, I may say I have never enjoyed intercourse with intelligent and well-known men more than
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PREFACE.
when they have entirely released their minds from all restraint, and poured forth their thoughts and sentiments with a freedom that cares not for criticism, and does not even think of it.
My habitual and free association with brethren of other denominations may have imparted a Catholic spirit and tone to the following pages, which, I hope, will not render them less acceptable. The majority of our public Institutions with which I have been connected have been much of this character; and various circumstances have combined to render my social intercourse unusually intimate with men who were one in spirit, though not in name, with myself. While Dr., afterwards Bishop, Wainwright remained Rector of Grace Church, we were not only near neighbors-our dwellings being so contiguous that we might have spoken to each other from our windows- but our respective parishioners were so connected with each other by domestic as well as other ties, that very few days passed in which we had not the opportunity of meeting. He was not only the gentle- man and Christian, but a warm-hearted friend, and I gladly take this fitting occasion of expressing my cordial regard for his memory.
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PREFACE.
In the present condition of the country, I could not keep a Journal entirely silent as to her present trials and her perils in the future. For years have I felt strong apprehensions for her welfare. Not that I have doubted the strength of the Government to maintain the unity and integrity of the nation. My fears have arisen from that habitual forgetfulness of God, and that uncurbed spirit of self-exaltation which seemed to pervade all ranks, rulers and ruled. If a nation so favored as ourselves "sacrifice to their net and burn incense to their own drag," a rebuke must follow, and all the worse for them if they refuse to hear it. The thought has often impressed me deeply and painfully, and this may account for the manner in which I have dwelt upon it in the latter part of the present volume. Would to God that our people might be enabled to see their sin in the punishment we are now suffering, and rightly hum- ble themselves before Him while we feel the rod of His chastisement.
In view of the Republic of France, short-lived as it was, and so productive of misery to the nation while it lasted, an eloquent French statesman has remarked, "A Republic of men without God is quickly stranded. When you terrify it, it. bends ;
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PREFACE.
if you would buy it, it sells itself. The liberator of America died confiding to God the liberty of the people, and his own soul."
Some of the following extracts have from time to time appeared in the daily and weekly journals, and the attention paid to them by readers may be one reason which inclined me to comply with the request that I would publish enough of them to make a volume. I had long contemplated leaving my papers to a brother clergyman, if he should survive me, to make such use of them as he might see fit in throw- ing light upon events and characters in the last half- century. It was not until he joined with others that I consented to publish the following selections. I can- not now decide how far I may hereafter go in making use of the ample materials in hand for a more elabo- rate and connected history of my life. The work, if done at all, would perhaps be better done by another. It is somewhat difficult to write a faithful autobiog- raphy that shall be free from all bias in favor of men or measures wherewith the writer may himself be more or less identified. And yet there are reasons which serve to show that a man can best tell his own story. Whatever may be my decision, I desire to leave
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PREFACE.
the result in the hands of Him who has appointed both "the measure of my days" and the nature and amount of my labors in His service. Whenever He sees fit to call me away from earth and time, I would esteem it a privilege to be found "with the harness on," still doing what I may for Him and His cause who has made "goodness and mercy to follow me all the days of my life."
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Clergy in New York in 1810-Livingston, Rodgers, Moore, Abeel, Hobart, Miller, McLeod, Mason. Page 17
CHAPTER II.
Dangers of College Life-Instances showing the Fatal Results of Early Dissipation-Responsibility of College Officers as to the Morals of Youth under their care-Happy Influence of the Society of Ladies on the Minds as well as the Manners of Young Men.
Page 30
CHAPTER III.
Robert Fulton-His Appearance and Manner-His Sensitive- ness under the Indifference manifested toward him in France and England-His First Voyage by Steam from New York to Al- bany-His Anxiety during the Voyage-Account of the first Pe- cuniary Acknowledgment he Received for his Services-The Trials he Endured from Vexatious Opposition-Mr. Emmet's Eloquent Address when Pleading his Cause before the Legislature -Professor Morse and the Electric Telegraph. Page 41
CHAPTER IV.
An Evening with Dr. Mason-His Exuberance of Spirits- Periods of Depression-Anecdotes respecting Gouverneur Morris, Bishop Moore, Dr. Livingston, Dr. Bissett, Dr. Witherspoon, Ben- jamin Franklin, Mr. Whitfield-Comparison of Whitfield with Mason -- Chief Point of Difference between the two as Preachers -Dr. Mason's Talent as an Expositor. Page 54
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER V.
De Witt Clinton, Stephen Van Rensselaer, James Kent, Abra- hamn Van Vechten-Sketches of their Character and Appearance -Conversation on Religious Subjects-Causes which have con- tributed to Banish Infidelity from the Minds of Public Men- Opinions respecting Calvin-Origin of Civil Freedom, or Govern- ment by Representation, found in the Bible. Page 67
CHAPTER VI.
Interview with Colonel Aaron Burr-Generally Avoided by his Former Acquaintances after his Return from Europe -- Interest felt on his behalf on account of his Religious Parentage-His Collo- quial Powers-His Sensibility at the Remembrance of his Pa- rents -- Sorrow over the Death of his Daughter-His Resentment at feeling himself so Generally Proscribed-His Despondency as to himself-His Death. Page 86
CHAPTER VII.
Colonel Henry Rutgers-His Character-His Devotion to the Cause of the Country in the American Revolution-His Liberality to the Cause of Religion-Striking Instance Showing his Wise Judgment in Deeds of Benevolence-Duty of our Merchants and others to Young Men in their Employ. Page 103
CHAPTER VIII.
Death of John Quincy Adams-Conspicuous Features in his Character-His Undeviating Adherence to what he Conceived to be Right, Exemplified in his Appointments to Office while Presi- dent of the United States, also while our Minister at the Court of the Netherlands-His Great Respect for the Memory of his Mother-His Opinions of a Mother's Influence on the Character of Distinguished Men-Importance of the Subject-How Illus- trated in History, both Sacred and Profane-Susceptibility of Early Childhood to a Mother's Influence. Page 116
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CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IX.
Era of Bible Societies-Rev. Mr. Charles, of Bala-Origin of the British and Foreign Bible Society-Honorable Elias Boudinot -- Convention to Form the American Bible Society-Address of the Convention to the Public-Multiplication of the Scriptures by Means of Bible Societies-The Bible the First Book Printed with Types-Improvement in the Art of Printing within the last Fifty Years-Superiority of the English Translation of the Bible-Re- sponsibility of England and America for the spread of Christianity and Civilization. Page 131
CHAPTER X.
Declension in Religion After the Days of Edwards and Whit- field-Views of Dr. Green and Bishop Meade-Apathy Prevailing as to Foreign Missions -- Rise of the A. B. C. F. M .- Subsequent Revival of Religion in the Churches-New York Missionary So- ciety-Influence of Dr. Morrison in Awakening Sympathy for the Heathen-Increasing Activity of the Missionary Spirit-Respon- sibility of the American Churches in Evangelizing the Pagan World-Great Importance of Institutions for the Special Training of Foreign Missionaries. Page 157
CHAPTER XI.
Importance of the Medical Profession in Foreign Missions-Our Lord's Miracles of Healing, as Signs of His Coming-Luke, the " Beloved Physician," as a Companion and Aid to Paul-Dangers in the way of Medical Students-Duty of Christians in Reference to them-Description of an Accomplished and Successful Physi- cian. Page 178
CHAPTER XII.
University of the City of New York-Considerations which Led to the Establishment of it-Literary Convention-Address at its Opening-Inauguration of Professors-Addresses on the Occasion -Erection of the University Building-Grant from the Legisla. ture-Resignation of the Chancellorship-Action of the Council
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CONTENTS.
on the Occasion-Review of Leading and Distinguishing Features of the University-Advantages of New York as the Site of such an Institution-Dangers to Public Men from Excessive Labors. Page 189
CHAPTER XIII.
Changes in New York-Population-Public Places-Public Buildings-Public Men-Churches-Removal of Churches from the First Six Wards-Inadequate Supply of Churches for the whole City-Influence of Religion in Cities upon the Country- Special Duties and Responsibilities of Christians in such a City as New York. Page 259
CHAPTER XIV.
Interview between Rev. Dr. Rodgers and General Hamilton- Convention to Frame the Constitution of the United States- Perplexity attending their Deliberations-Erroneous Statement of their Proceedings on Dr. Franklin's Motion to Appoint a Chaplain-True Account in the Madison Papers-Forgetfulness of God, with Self-Exaltation, a Prevalent Sin of the Nation-The Sin Rebuked in the Present National Troubles-State Rights and Federal Sovereignty as Exhibited in the Letters of General Wash- ington-Moral Considerations which should Contribute to the Future Peace and Harmony of the Nation. Page 310
RECOLLECTIONS OF PERSONS AND EVENTS. 1
CHAPTER I.
CLERGY OF NEW YORK IN 1810 .- LIVINGSTON, RODGERS, MOORE, ABEEL, HOBART, MILLER, MCLEOD, MASON.
THE early part of the present century found the pulpit of New York supplied with a ministry of eminent talent and great worth of character. Almost every Denomination had its share.
In the Dutch Church there was Rev. Dr. Livingston. He was in the fullest sense a man of the Old School, not only in doctrine, but in manners, in mode of life, and even in dress. He was born in 1746, and retained to the last much of the costume and many of the habits which belonged to the clergy in his early days. I have a distinct recollection of his appearance as he walked our streets, erect as a grenadier on parade, his gold headed cane carried upright
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RECOLLECTIONS OF
before him, like the mace of a magistrate, his spacious and broad brimmed hat surmounting the white wig which spread its curls upon his shoul- ders, the ample square skirts of his coat falling below his knees, and his shoe-buckles glittering on his feet as though the dust did not dare to soil them. Such a figure was not to be pass- ed by without attention and reverence.
In politeness of manners he had no superior ; indeed' he carried its forms to the extreme limit. He would always have the last bow to his ac- quaintances, whether parting from them at his own house or at theirs. In a playful humor some of his clerical brethren occasionally tried how far the good Doctor would carry this habit ; but they invariably had to give up the struggle, for let them follow the polite old gentleman far as they would, and bowing at every step, he would still have the last bow.
He was as much unlike others in the pulpit as in the street or drawing-room. While the essential doctrines of the Gospel that know no change, formed the great staple of his discourses, he enunciated them in a manner that constantly reminded you of generations gone by; of the fa-
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PERSONS AND EVENTS.
thers whose works you had read, but whose faces you had never seen. He seemed in no way inclined to belong to the present generation. Perhaps it was one of his errors that he thought the world was growing small, losing in stature 2 very fast. But whatever may have been his error in this respect, he was eminently a good man, a sound impressive minister of the Gospel ; and had been honored to act an important part in healing the breaches which at one time threatened to overthrow the Reformed Dutch Church in this country.
Dr. J. N. Abeel belonged to the same de- nomination. It was to him that the Dutch Church chiefly looked at this time as an efficient leader; and their confidence was well deserved. Dr. Abeel was a man of sound judgment, calm temper, gentle manners; and, as a preacher, he was distinguished for the clearness of his illus- trations, especially when handling the experimen- tal truths of Christianity. He had also a most happy faculty of reaching the hearts of young men. The state of the Church, when he was in his prime, was such that his labors were not only "more abundant," but so excessive that his
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RECOLLECTIONS OF
strength failed, and he finished his course at a comparatively early age, leaving a wide breach in the ministry of this city. All denomina- tions mourned his death, for the gentleness of his spirit and the usefulness of his services had endeared him to all.
In the Episcopal Church, the grave and dig- nified, yet gentle manners of Bishop Benjamin Moore, well befitted his station as the head of the clergy in his diocese. I frequently heard him preach, but was always most pleased with him when he "read the Prayers." He was eminently a devout man; and the rich, clear, solemn tones of his voice gave great effect to the service. He was a ready and able advo- cate of whatever formed the distinctive features of his own denomination; and yet there was a spirit of comity and frankness in his controver- sial writings that did him honor. Controversy, however, was a field for which he had little taste. He was a man of peace, and preferred to labor where he found none to gainsay or question his teachings.
Dr. Hobart, who afterwards succeeded him in the Bishopric, and who was now rising rapid-
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PERSONS AND EVENTS.
ly in the esteem of the denomination, was a man of a different temperament. He possessed a quick and vivacious mind; was ardent and fixed in his purposes, and indefatigable in his labors. Generally he had some controversy on hand, and I have often jested with him on his be- ing such a man of war from his youth up. But although he was so often in the field as a po- lemic, no one who knew him could question the honesty of his motives, or the generosity of his heart. I have no doubt that his zeal and ac- tivity were among the causes which contributed to awaken the Episcopal Church to that laudable spirit of active benevolence that now distinguish- es her.
Dr. Rodgers was the Simeon of the Presby- terian Church. He had seen the salvation of the Lord, and was waiting to depart in peace. The congregations to which he had long minis- tered were under the care of men in whom he had full confidence.
Dr. Samuel Miller was distinguished for the completeness of his ministerial character. Al- though he had not the eloquence nor the force of some others, his sermons were always evangel-
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RECOLLECTIONS OF
ical, chaste, and well finished. His industry and habits of study rendered him more and more extensively a man of learning, so that few Divines stood before him in this respect, even before he took his place as Professor at Princeton ; and his finished manners as a gentleman, won his way with acceptance in every society where he wished to enter, or aimed to be useful.
Dr. Romeyn had just come to the city. He was an animated, earnest man in the pulpit; and for several years after he was settled in New York, his ministry was remarkably success- ful.
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But of the Presbyterian ministers, there are * two yet to be noticed, who were men of pre-em- ment ability and yet widely different from each other,-Drs. McLeod and Mason.
Dr. McLeod was distinguished for massive strength. At the first glance you saw a Her- cules before you. Not that he was destitute of the lighter qualities of the mind. His wit was ready, generally playful, and sometimes ex- ceedingly caustic. He could, when he pleased, make his adversaries so ludicrous, as to oblige them to laugh at themselves. But this was
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PERSONS AND EVENTS.
not often his choice when engaged in controver- sy. He loved to be serious when handling se- rious subjects, and his mind was habitually bent on the business of his profession as a minister of the Gospel. Theology was his study, the pursuit of his life; and he was as thoroughly a master in it, as I have ever seen .- His pow- er of analysis and discrimination made every thing plain, whether in doctrinal, practical, or experimental Christianity. His publications are still extensively read, both at home and abroad. But, however much relished as they appear from the press, his discourses made their deepest im- pression when heard from the pulpit. In his preaching he was a fair type of what is de- scribed as the impassioned strength of John Knox. He usually began in a moderate tone and manner; but before he or his hearers seemed to be aware of it, he was pouring forth a stream of eloquence with the thunder and power of a cataract. I frequently went to hear him; and at times, he has seemed not so much as if he would spring out of the pulpit, as if he would come down upon us, bringing pulpit and all with him. HIe belonged to that
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RECOLLECTIONS OF
branch of the Presbyterian Church called the Covenanters, or Reformed Presbyterian ; and while he was the leading star in his own imme- diate denomination, his worth and ability were acknowledged and respected throughout the whole Christian community.
Of Dr. Mason I can speak from an intimate knowledge of the man. I was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel, and knew him well; per- haps none knew him better, For many years <
not a day passed that we did not meet. There was nothing belonging to him, whether in body or mind, which could be called small or com- mon. He was formed on a magnificent scale, and was every inch a man. When he acted, spoke, or even looked, he left bis mark. His temperament was ardent. Like Owen, Hall,* Scott, and others of that stamp, he had sea-
* It must have been a rare treat to see these two men, Mason and Hall, together. Dr. Mason has often taken occasion to re- late to me incidents that occurred in their intercourse. Though fully agreed on the essentials of religion, there were some things on which they differed. Dr. Mason was a most enthusiastic admirer of Dr. John Owen's writings. Mr. Hall did not esteem them so highly. In their conversation on the merits of the venerable old non-conformist, Dr. Mason named one thing after another which he considered proofs of surpassing learning and ability; but Mr.
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PERSONS AND EVENTS.
sons of spiritual despondency; and then again such times of elevation and joy, that whether "in the body or out of the body," he could scarcely tell. In social intercourse, he was a great favorite on account of his gentlemanly manners, his kindness of heart, his abundance of anecdote, his buoyant spirits, and the flexibility of his temper to meet all tastes and all circum- stances. By universal consent of all denomina- tions, he had no superior in the richness and power of his eloquence. His imagination was lofty, and yet carefully trained; his language choice, and yet exuberant ; his conceptions clear, distinct, and yet flowing in a current as if he could not restrain them; and his bursts of feel- ing at times so overpowering that I have seen whole assemblies comprising rich and poor, learned and unlearned, bowed down before him with one impulse, till there was scarce a dry eye to be seen.
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