USA > New York > Kings County > Brooklyn > Lives of the clergy of New York and Brooklyn: embracing two hundred biographies of eminent living men in all denominations. Also, the history of each sect and congregation, Pt. 1 > Part 11
USA > New York > New York City > Lives of the clergy of New York and Brooklyn: embracing two hundred biographies of eminent living men in all denominations. Also, the history of each sect and congregation, Pt. 1 > Part 11
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28
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REV. SAMUEL HANSON COX, D. D.
sentiment, had become thoroughly alarmed, troops were ordered out in large num- bers, and efficient measures taken to preserve the peace of the city, which proved successful.
"In Mr. Tappan's house, adjoining the Friends' Meeting-house, in Rose street, mirrors were broken, much of the furniture piled in the street and partially burned, parlors, bedrooms, and closets desolated, indeed, every room, except one small apartment where Mr. Tappan kept his anti-slavery documents, papers, and books, which was left unmolested. Mr. Tappan sent his family into the country and slept in his store. And there stood his home for weeks unrepaired, visited by tens of thousands, preaching its silent sermon. Dr. Cox's house suffered less than Mr. Tappan's. His windows were broken and his parlor strewn with stones, but his family escaped uninjured, and he himself passed out through the crowd without mo- lestation, receiving only a sprinkling of dust and insulting language. Several of his friends had mingled in the mob, and by ingenuity restrained them. Dr. Cox and his family soon went out of the city, and removed before long to Auburn, in ac- cordance with the advice of friends. "
As has been mentioned, Dr. Cox announced himself before the Evangelical Alliance as no longer an abolitionist, and during the agitation in regard to the compromise measures of 1850 he came out in favor of them. He also became vice-president of the Southern Aid Society. His views became radical again during the late war.
As a strong New School Presbyterian, Dr. Cox was prominent in the agitation of 1837, which was followed by the division of the church into the old and new-school bodies. He has also been a lead- ing promoter of the Evangelical Alliance, a distinguished professor in a theological seminary, a noted lecturer upon sacred history, and very active in the temperance, colonization, anti-slavery, and com- promise movements. He mentions that an old Quaker once said to him-"Samuel, thy mind is too active. If thee wants peace, I can tell thee how to find it. Get still, get still, and thee shall come to know the hidden wisdom in the quiet of the flesh. I tell thee, my dear young friend, get still."
Professor Henry Fowler gives the following excellent description of the subject of our notice :
"Dr. Cox is a man of warm sensibilities, ardent zeal, and great industry, and he is also a man of marked peculiarities of style and manner. He is one of those speakers whom to hear once is to know thoroughly. He displays himself frankly and unreservedly. The characteristics are so striking that one sees them at a glance, and would recognize them robed and turbaned in the deserts of Sahara. His manner is earnest and forcible, indeed, somewhat impetuous. Ile is faithful in probing the conscience, and affecting in his appeals. He manifests deep solicitude in his preaching, and there is a
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sincerity and ardor in his whole manner which touches the heart He is vigorous in the thought and forcible in its presentation, and he always commands attention, not less by fervor of deliv- ery than by exuberance of language and peculiar redundancy of re- markable words. He surpasses all in the outpourings of sentences and in the abundance of quotations. His memory is wonderful, and he uses it without reserve. His quotations, though so profuse, are accurate and remarkably appropriate, but he lacks logical order or system of any kind, digressing, episoding, and returning upon his steps without law or method. "
Many anecdotes are related showing his peculiarities. On one occasion he was preaching on the text relating to the woman " who had an issue of blood twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians. " Branching from his main topic to the subject of physicians, he devoted the remainder of the discourse to a discussion of the merits and demerits of the medical profession. His memory is so remarkable, that we have heard him deliver a historical lecture of two hours with scarcely a reference to his manuscript. His quota- tions, chiefly from the classics, are constant, both in his public ad- dresses and conversation.
In appearance he is a fine, stately old gentleman, with a large, round, well-developed head, adorned with silver-gray hair. He preaches occasionally in New York and Brooklyn, but resides in another part of the State.
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1 RIGHIT REV. A. CLEVELAND COXE,
BISHOP OF WESTERN NEW YORK, LATE REC- TOR OF CALVARY EPISCOPAL CHURCH, NEW YORK.
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IGIIT REV. BISHOP A. CLEVELAND COXE, D. D., son of the Rev. Dr. Samuel II. Cox, the distinguished Presbyterian clergyman, was born at Mendham, N. J., May 10th, 1818. IIe was graduated with high honors at the New York University, in 1838, and was ordained deacon in June, 1841. At a very early age he gave evidence of a rare literary ability, and during his minority published various poetic ef- fusions, which attracted much attention. When twelve years old he composed a poem which is still in use, an I at nineteen published his first volume, a poem entitled, " Advent, a Mystery." These were followed by " Athwold, a Romaunt;" "St. Jonathan, the Lay of a Scald ;" and "Christian Ballads." In 1840, he delivered before Washington College, a poem entitled, " Athanasian," which added very much to his reputation. A dramatic poem entitled, "Saul, a Mystery," was published in 1845. He commenced his ministrations in 1841, at St. Ann's Church, Morrisania, where he became rector of Christ Church, going subsequently, to Christ Church, Hartford, and, in 1854, accepted a call to Grace Church, Baltimore. In 1855, he visited Europe, and was the first American clergyman received into full communion of the Church of England. During his travels he contributed to the Churchman, the Episcopal journal published in New York, a series of letters entitled, "Impressions of England." Other contributions appeared in both the English and American periodicals.
He continued as rector of Grace Church, Baltimore, until the breaking out of the war disturbed his before happy association with his congregation. As a Northern man, though of conservative ten- dencies, he could not enter into their sympathies with the South or agree with them on the merits of the issue. He was universally re-
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spected and beloved, but the sad conviction was forced upon him that the period of his usefulness in the parish was at an end. A like condition of matters prevailed in Calvary parish, New York, where Rev. Dr. Hawks, a Southern man, found himself in some antagonism with his parishioners on the war question. Happily for the peace of the church and the advantage of religion, the difficulty in each in- stance was settled in a way satisfactory to all parties. Dr. Hawks resigned, and accepted a call to Grace Church, and Dr. Coxe was called to Calvary. He commenced to officiate during the winter of 1863. Here he remained until elected Bishop of the Western Dio- cese of New York. His residence is now in Buffalo. Recently he has been again in Europe, where he is always received with much distinction. In the fall of 1872, he went to the island of Hayti, to found there an Episcopal Mission.
Dr. Coxe is known among his professional brethren as the "Pam- phleteer." He has entered largely into the discussion of the different questions which have agitated the church from time to time. While his direction of thought is so eminently poetic, still he has won distinc- tion in the field of polemics. A letter written by him and pub- lished, relating to the calling of the Ecumenical Council by the Pope, attracted considerable attention.
Dr. Coxe is a poet of far more than ordinary merit, though he rather apologizes for the exercise of' his talents in this form, by speak- ing of it as merely " an occasional amusement." "I strove to vary the odd hours," he says, in regard to the composition of one of his poems, " which I was able to steal from severer occupations for the refreshing cultivation of the muse, in such wise that even they might not be lost to Christian meditation." We quote a piece which occurs in his poem of "Saul, a Mystery."
EVENING HYMN.
At all times will I praise thee, Lord, My song shall be of thee, When morning's earliest lark hath soared, Or sunset tints the sea ; Come magnify with me the power, And strike the warbling string ; So always, at the vesper hour, Together let us sing.
Oh, taste and see that he is good, For blest the man shall be, Whose trust in evil hour hath stood, Unshaken, Lord, in thee ;
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Thine angel walks bright sentinel, Encamp'd our tents around, And half the heavenly armies dwell, Where'er the just are found.
I will lay me down and sleep, And wake alike secure ; Thy judgments are a mighty deep, And all thy ways are pure ; And therefore as beneath thy wings, My soul in peace shall hide, And glory to thy myst'ry sings This holy eventide.
Bishop Coxe is of the average height, erect and active. His head is round, with a high intellectual forehead. He has dark hair, to which his fair complexion is in marked contrast. Altogether his well-moulded features, his evident intellectuality, and his amiable expression, make his face one not easily forgotten. His manners are high-toned, having a well preserved dignity mingled with a great deal of gentlemanly courtesy.
His sermons are the compositions of a man always under poetic inspiration. To him all divine things and all human things, pervaded by an attribute of goodness, are poetry. They exist to his conception in imagery of beauty, constantly appealing to his enthusiam, his genius, and his piety. Hence, all his impressions are aglow with fer- vor, and his eloquence glitters with poetic gems. His style does not by any means come under the denomination of flowery, its peculiar- ity consisting in gorgeousness and gracefulness of thought. He is argumentative to some extent, and fertile of illustrations, but the charm and his greatest power is in passages of fascinating diction. His voice is strong without being loud, and his tone is agreeable with- out being exactly harmonious .. His gestures are few and simple, but very expressive. He begins in a rather elevated, quick voice, which gradually falls into more natural and pleasant intonations. The ser- mons are clear to the dullest understanding. The reasoning is forei- ble; there is no hesitancy in the delivery, and no cessation in the abundant flow of finely culled language.
Bishop Coxe is a man of great force and usefulness in his ecclesi- astical position. Adorning it with rare talents and admired virtues he is most efficient in its practical duties. Consequently, his success has been great, and his fame is widespread both at home and abroad.
He stands ever foremost to battle for the doctrines of his church, while he kneels ever meekest among the worshipers at her altars.
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E W. WELGRE . BRO PHOTO LITH
REV. HOWARD CROSBY, D .D.
REV. HOWARD CROSBY, D. D.,
PASTOR OF FOURTH AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI, NEW YORK, AND CHANCELLOR OF THE NEW YORK UNIVERSITY.
EV. DR. HOWARD CROSBY was born in New York, Feb. 27th, 1826. He was graduated at the New York University in 1844, and pursucd a thcological course privately. In 1859 he became professor of Greek in the 9 New York University, and in 1861 professor of the same lan- guage in Rutgers College, New Brunswick. He was ordained a minister of the Presbyterian Church by the Presbytery of New Brunswick in 1861, and added the pastorship of the First Presby- terian Church to his duties at the college. In March, 1863, he became pastor of the Fourth Avenue Presbyterian Church, New York, formerly the Bleeker Street Church. The pastors of this church have been three besides Dr. Crosby-viz: Rev. Mathias
Bruen, Rev. Erskine Mason, D. D., Rev. Joel Parker, D. D. Dr. Crosby received the degree of D. D. from Harvard University in 1859. He published, in 1850, a book of Oriental travel, entitled " Lands of the Moslem ;" in 1851, an edition of one of the plays of Sophocles ; and in 1863, his "Commentary of the New Testament." He has been a constant contributor for thirty years to the leading reviews and periodicals and the religious press, and has issued numerous pamphlets on theological, classical, and educational sub- jects. In 1870 he was elected Chancellor of the University of the City of New York, to succeed the Rev. Dr. Isaac Ferris. Ilo was Moderator of the General Assembly, at Baltimore, in 1873.
The following is a glowing passage from the "Lands of the Moslem," descriptive of the author's approach to Jerusalem :
"The convent of Mar Elyas was before us, placed where the monks say the prophet rested on his way to Beersheba, and where they pretend to show the mark left by his sleeping body in the rock. We gazed anxiously upon its white walls, and urged our horses up the hill side ; but it was not the shining convent that gave us energy and sent the thrill of eager expectations through our veins ; but we knew from that monastic height the eye might rest upon Jerusalem. The intensity of
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hope rendered us speechless as we hastened along the stony path ; joy and awe were alike accumulating in our hearts as we neared its summit. The past and the present were equally unheeded, for our whole thoughts were centered on the future prospect. Onward, with increasing zeal we vied in the ascent. The point was gained, and the Holy City lay fair and peaceful before our enraptured eyes. Not in the wild forest of the western world, not among the huge wrecks of Egyptian art, not on the snow-clad peaks of romantic Switzerland, had any scene so riveted our gaze. The drapery of nature in the land of the setting sun was richer far. The halls of the Karnac had published the highest triumph of the human powers, and Alpine ranges had yielded far nobler spectacles of earth's magnificence ; yet here were all surpassed, for heaven threw its schechinah upon the scene, and clothed the hill of Zion with a robe of glory. The sweetest memories hovered like fairest angels over the towers of Salem. Past, present, and future, all concentred on the oracle of God. There is Zion, the home of the psalmist-monarch ; there Moriah, the mount of Israel's God ; and yonder, green with its appropriate foliage, and graceful as a heavenly height, is mild and holy Olivet. They rise as beacons to the wearied soul, and all are bathed in the radiance of the Cross. The scene was grand, un- speakably. Our overflowing hearts sent forth their swollen streams of feeling in rejoicing. We looked back upon Bethlehem-there was the cradle; we turned to Calvary-there was the grave. Between these two had heaven and earth been reconciled. We paused awhile to drink deep of this first draught, and then spurred on to reach the city."
Dr. Crosby is above the average height, and well proportioned. His head is rather long than broad, and straight, black and gray hair is combed from an intellectual brow. He has a calm, searching glance, but his expression is most kindly. In conversation his face becomes animated, but at other times it has a serious, reflective repose. His manners are extremely cordial. He exhibits a true gentlemanly dignity fitting to his position, and nothing beyond.
Dr. Crosby is a man of varied and profound learning. His na- tural quickness of intellect and indomitable perseverance have led him along the channels of erudition until he has attained a thorough- ness and comprehensiveness of scholarship which is fully recognized by the savans of America and Europe. As a professor of Greek he was a most successful teacher, and his attainments in this particular branch of study are of the first order. Joined with the extended scope of his investigations, he has had the advantage of travel in foreign lands. The ardor with which he has pursued his far wander- ings is fully shown in the "Lands of the Moslem." Nothing of interest in his way seems to have escaped him, and his descriptions of character and paintings of scenery are eloquently beautiful, while acknowledged by other travelers to be entirely accurate.
Dr. Crosby belongs to the most valuable class of living scholars. HIe is neither of the juvenile nor the hoary-headed. He occupies
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that middle and safer ground of learning, when the energies are un- relaxed by reason of inordinate conceit, and the mind is unfettered by the pedantry of age. He has not been made a drone in the great hive of intellectual progress by the position and advancements growing out of success in early life, nor does he sit gorged with triumphs, and egotistical from these crowding honors. On the contrary, he finds that he has work to do. IIe belongs to the work- ers, and not to the idlers, egotists, and dreamers. He is a part of the vast power of mind which is bearing his century to the most glorious page of all history. With the prospect of many useful years before him, energetic in the prosecution of all that he undertakes, and en- thusiastic in developing the resources of intelligence, he can but be a most efficient laborer in the cause of knowledge.
Dr. Crosby is an agreeable, interesting preacher. The observer is at once struck with his entire want of display in both matter and manner. He announces his text twice, and looks steadily at his congregation until he is seemingly satisfied that they comprehend it. Without any trouble about fine writing and brilliant oratory, he reaches the argument which he desires to present. While his lan- guage is well selected, and used with the skill of a professional writer, there is no effort to cull especially eloquent and poetic phrases ; and, as to his declamation, while it is vigorous, there is no attempt to parade oratorical graces. In truth, he is a plain, practical reasoner. Ilis power is in systematic argument, in the irrefutable maxims of logic, and in Christian zeal. His congregation certainly enjoy a great advantage from his preaching, as regards the particular and learned elucidation of the true translation and meaning of the Scriptures. Being a trained classical scholar and an accepted commentator, his sermons are very rich in information in these particulars. At times he is considerably animated. Absorbed in his theme, and moved by the force of the reasoning, his voice rises, and he gesticulates with some vehemence, soon falling back, however, to the calm course of his argument.
From our statement it will be seen that the New York pulpit gained an important acquisition in Dr. Crosby. He is fully con- scious of the enlarged claims now made upon those qualifications which have received gratifying recognition in other fields, and he is not the man to fall short of public expectation, or to measure his energies by anything save the attainment of success.
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BISHOP GEORGE D. CUMMINS, D. D., OF THE REFORMED EPISCOPAL CHURCHI.
B ISHOP GEORGE D. CUMMINS, D. D., of the Re- formed Episcopal Church, was born in Delaware, De- cember 11th, 1822. His early religious associations were with the Methodists. In 1841 he was graduated at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pa. He was ordained a deaeon of the Protestant Episcopal Church, by Bishop Lee of Del- aware, in October, 1845, and priest, by the same bishop, in July, 1847. He subsequently had charge of Christ Church, Norfolk, Va. ; St. James', Richmond; Trinity, Washington, D. C. ; St. John's, Baltimore ; and Trinity, Chicago. While reetor of the last-named, he was elected Assistant Bishop of Kentucky, and reecived eonseera- tion at Christ Church, Louisville, November 15th, 1866. The degree of D. D. was conferred on him by Prineeton College in 1850.
His low church views were very decided, and he took occasion to censure the ritualistie tendeney and proceedings of some of the churches in the See of Kentucky. At the time of the meeting of the Evangelical Alliance in New York, in 1873, he was present, and took ecclesiastical action, which occasioned much discussion within the Episcopal denomination. Soon after he withdrew from his re- lations to the Protestant Episcopal Church, and originated a new body, which is known as the Reformed Episcopal Church. The first General Council convened in the city of New York, Deeember 2d, 1873, where all the necessary steps were taken for the efficient organ. ization of the new denomination. Later the Rev. Charles E. Cheney, of Chicago, was consecrated one of the bishops. Services were held in New York, and in other cities by Bishop Cummins. At the second General Council, which convened in New York in May, 1874, and of which Bishop Cummins was elected President, the following clerical delegates were present :- Bishop George D. Cummins, Bishop
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BISHOP GEORGE D. CUMMINS, D. D.
Charles E. Cheney, the Rev. Messrs. R. H. Bourne, W. V. Feltwell. Mason Gallagher, B. B. Leacock, T. J. McFadden, Wm. McGuire, Johnston McCormack, Edward D. Neill, W. II. Reid, W. T. Sabine, Marshall B. Smith, Thompson L. Smith, Charles H. Tucker, J. D. Wilson, and Walter Windeyer. The churches represented were as follows :- First Reformed Episcopal Church, New York; Church of the Incarnation, Brooklyn; Christ Church, Chicago; Emmanuel Church, Chicago; Christ Church, Peoria, Ill. ; First and Second Re- formed Episcopal Churches, Philadelphia; Christ Church, Moncton, N. B. ; Church of the Rock of Ages, Littleton, Col. ; and the Re- formed Episcopal Churches of Washington, D. C. ; Ottawa, Canada, and Aurora, Ill.
The Reformed church adheres to Episcopacy as a desirable form of congregational government, but not in obedience to divine ediet. In all respects the Bible is made the sole basis of its doctrines and practices. What are considered doctrinal errors in the Episcopal belief, and especially ritualism in all its forms, are opposed by the members of the Reformed Episcopal church. Its constitution and canons, after learned discussion, were adopted by the second General Council. A new Prayer Book was also discussed and adopted. Overtures for affiliation having been accepted from the English Free Church, clerical and lay delegates, including Bishop Cummins among the former, were appointed to a meeting of that denomination.
Bishop Cummins is an erect, clerical looking gentleman, of pleas- ing manners and address. His head is intellectual, and the expres- sion of his face is cheerful and amiable. He is prudent and con- sistent in all his walks, and seeks to make not only his teachings, but his example a source of benefit to his fellow-men. As a preacher he is earnest and devout. Assured in faith, he preaches it with the grasp of a learned mind and a fervent heart. His action in retiring from his functions in the Episcopal church was conscientious and courageous, and in upholding the church which he has founded, he will, without doubt, give to it a zeal and piety which all men must respect.
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REV. THEODORE L. CUYLER, D. D.,
PASTOR OF THE LAFAYETTE AVENUE PRES- BYTERIAN CHURCH, BROOKLYN.
EV. DR. THEODORE L. CUYLER, pastor of the La- fayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, Brooklyn, is a man of marked characteristies of talent and energy. He is the son of a lawyer, long since deceased, and was born at Aurora, New York, January 10th, 1822. He was graduated at Prineeton College in 1841, his nineteenth year, and passed the following year in Europe. He amused himself while abroad with writing, for publication at home, sketches of travel and distinguished men. He was already an enthusiastic temperanee reformer, and at Glasgow he addressed the citizens at the City Hall, on the occasion of the reception of Father Matthew. Returning to the United States, he entered Princeton Theological Seminary in 1843, and was graduated in May, 1846. After preaching for a short period at a small place in the Wyoming Valley, in the autumn of 1846, he aeeepted a eall to the Presbyterian Church at Burlington, New Jersey, and three years later, founded a new congregation at Trenton. In May, 1853, he accepted a eall to the new Shawmut Congregational Church, Boston, but the state of his health and other reasons induced him subsequently to decline it in favor of a call to the Market Street Reformed Dutch Church, New York. This pulpit had been for many years under the charge of Rev. Dr. Isaac Ferris, then Chancellor of the University of the City of New York. In April, 1860, Dr. Cuyler became the first pastor of the Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church, now one of the largest and most in- fluential congregations of Brooklyn. The present edifice, dedicated in 1862, is a splendid stone structure, in a select and commanding location, and, with the exception of the Rev. Mr. Beecher's, will seat more people than any church in the city.
There are fifteen hundred and seventy-five members. It is not
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only the largest church in membership in the denomination, but it is the largest Presbyterian church edifice that has yet existed in America. It is thirteen years since Dr. Cuyler was installed as pastor, and the congregation is larger than Mr. Beecher's church was at the end of his first thirteen years.
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