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 16
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 16
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He is a very satisfactory preacher. He has an earnestness and sincerity in his words and manner which greatly impress the hearer. The oftener you hear the better you are pleased. He does not tire you with old sayings, but he has fresh ideas, and genuine heart and truth in the application which he makes of them. Yon see that he is a student and a thinker, for all that he writes or says has the strength of scholarly thought about it, and you see that he is a keen ob- server of men and the world's affairs.
The promise of his future is brilliant for himself and the denomin- ation to which he belongs. Industrious, well-balanced in mind, dis- creet, and conscientious in conduct, he may safely be trusted with the duties and obligations of the conspicuous places of the ministry. Conceit, pride, and publie applause will never overthrow him. Strict in principle and wise in judgment, he will stand strong in every step to a fame, won by great, though always modest talents
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REV. WILLIAM T. ENYARD,
PASTOR OF THE NORTHI REFORMED CHURCH. BROOKLYN.
EV. WILLIAM T. ENYARD was born in the city of New York, in August, 1836. He prepared for college at the Academy at West Bloomfield, New Jersey; was graduated at Rutger's College, New Brunswick, in 1855, and at the Theological Seminary at the same place in 1858. In the summer of the same year he was ordained, and in- stalled as the pastor of St. Paul's Reformed Church, Mott Haven, Westchester County, New York, where he remained seven years. One of the interesting circumstances of Mr. Enyard's ordination and installation was that the charge to the pastor was delivered by the late Rev. Dr. James B. Hardenburg, who had baptized him in his infancy, as his parents were members of the old Franklin Street Re- formed Dutch Church, of which Dr. Hardenburg was so long the pastor. Mr. Enyard's ministerial labors gave great promise from the outset. A young man of marked talents, unwearying energy, and popular manners, his work was earnest and efficacious in the highest degrec. At length he received a call to the pastorship of the North Reformed Church, located on Clermont Avenue, Brooklyn, as the successor of the distinguished (now deceased) Rev. Dr. Anthony Elmendorf, which he accepted. His official connection with this church commenced in August, 1865, and on Tuesday evening, Oc- tober 24th, 1865, he was duly installed.
The North Reformed Church is the result of the pious labors of Dr. Elmendorf. In 1848 he accepted a call to Brooklyn from the Bedford Reformed Dutch Church. After a service of two years and a half he resigned the pastorship, and the organization was subse- quently altogether abandoned. Dr. Elmendorf now entered upon what was the great work of his life. In March, 1851, he commenced religious services in a small frame building in Adelphi Street, which he had hired at a weekly rent of five dollars; and, in the following 173
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REV. WILLIAM T. ENYARD.
May, the North Reformed Dutch Church was organized, with thirty. seven members. At the period named, the population of that section of Brooklyn was exceedingly small and scattered, and the prospects of the new congregation for several years were exceedingly unfavor- able. It was nothing but the devoted self-sacrifice and indomitable perseverance of the pastor that kept the enterprise from coming to a premature termination. After all the expenses were paid, Dr. Elm- endorf's salary for the first year was twenty-seven dollars and fifty cents. He was driven to the necessity of mortgaging his private property. He stated to the writer hereof, just prior to his death, in alluding to these trials, that at times he was discouraged to perfect sickness of heart, yet never to utter despondency. At length lots were procured, and on May 30th, 1852, a chapel was dedicated. Affairs were now in such a condition that he received a regular call to be the pastor of the congregation, and his installation took place July 4th, 1852. He had been invited to a flourishing church in Philadelphia, but he declined the invitation. In 1853 his health failed him, and he went abroad, spending six months in agreeable travel in Great Britain and on the continent.
The corner-stone of a fine church edifice on Clermont Avenue was laid June 25th, 1855, and the church was dedicated on the 27th of the following December. The property cost about thirty-five thousand dollars. An encumbrance of five thousand dollars remained until January, 1864, when it was discharged, leaving the church free from debt. Within a recent period, sine . the calling of Mr. Enyard, the church has been much improved, both in the exterior and interior. A large sum was spent in these improvements, making the building compare favorably with any of the other fine churches for which Brooklyn is noted.
During Dr. Elmendorf's ministry, the number of members reached as high as nearly five hundred, and the Sunday-School had between six and seven hundred children. Two remarkable revivals took place, and seventy-five persons were admitted at one communion. Broken in health, Dr. Elmendorf retired from the pastorship in May, 1865, and in the following February closed his noble life in a Christian death. There are now about five hundred and forty members, and the Sunday-School has between four and five hundred children.
Mr. Enyard is tall, well-proportioned, and erect. He moves with a quick stride and a firm step, and it is easy to detect that he is a
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REV. WILLIAM T. ENYARD.
man of an earnest heart and untiring energy in all that he undertakes. His head is large in the intellectual part, with delicate and expressive features. His complexion is rather pale, as his application to study is constant and severe. Few persons have more agreeable manners. He is frank and genial with all. There is no departure from a proper ministerial dignity, but he has a most happy tact in rendering all personal intercourse pleasing in the extreme. In truth, he is always found an illustration of those lines of Pope, who describes the accom- plished man as
"Correct with spirit, eloquent with ease, Intent to reason, or polite to please."
His conversation is flowing and interesting. A religious life has not robbed him of a particle of a natural vivacity and cheerfulness that belong to him; and, consequently, he gives life and animation to every social scene in which he takes part. And still, he is well schooled in propriety. He is never led away into compromises of dignity, or of forgetfulness of his sacred calling, but always commands the utmost respect from old and young. The fact is, he is not only an amiable, but a strong character. Men with the weight of years and far more experience, have no advantage of him in resolution and judgment. All his impulses of both mind and heart are under per- feet government. He speaks his thoughts on the instant, and he acts as if from mere impulse, but he is really thoroughly reflective in re- gard to both words and acts. His mind is keen, rapid, and far-seeing ; and in small as well as great matters controls the entire man. Well informed on learned and ordinary topies, a close and discriminating observer of men and events, amiable and gentle in all his ways, Mr. Envard is a person well calculated to win esteem and influence in private life. Those who come in contact with him are refreshed in heart and enlightened in mind. Impressed with his personal quali- ties, they cannot fail likewise to respect and admire him in his pro- fessional character.
As a preacher he has always enjoyed a wide popularity. In his sermons he gives solid food for reflection, and at the same time shows a chaste and animated fancy. He is fully alive to the progressive and practical spirit of the period in which he lives, and though he received his early training under the most old-time theological intlu. ences, he is not willing to be a dead man in a living age. His youth, his ambition, and his intelligence all lead him to a mental and active alliance with the real issues of life as he finds it about him. Hence,
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REV. WILLIAM T. ENYARD.
while no man can be more ardent and explicit in the discussion of topics of doctrine, his chief excellence is in grasping the moral and other questions which relate to the joys and ills of daily life and the public need. You are invariably struck with several things in these sermons. First, that the preacher has a great heart in sympathy with his fellow-men ; second, that he is bold and outspoken in his opin- ions; and third, that a devout piety governs all his views and actions. He writes in those plain, forcible terms, that are unmistakable in their meaning and application, and he gives to every utterance the earnest- ness and fervor which spring from heartfelt conviction. His sermons draw men together in fellowship by interests perhaps before un- known. He opens the heart of the hearer to nobler emotions, and softens and strengthens the feelings for better and higher purposes. He illuminates Christian principles, he makes clear the responsibili- ties of man to his fellow and his God, and he tries human motives and actions by the scale of justice, virtue, and mercy. A man who preaches from these standpoints cannot preach in vain. He stretches out a net into which the human feet must become entangled, and he utters an appeal before which the human heart is melted and won.
Mr. Enyard speaks with eloquence and effectiveness. His attitude is erect, and his glance is unflinching before the multitude. He be- gins in a moderate tone, but with entire self-possession. But you soon see the fire that is in him; there is no indifference and no mo- notony ; he feels every word, and each sentiment produces a new tone and its appropriate gesture. His voice is strong, but he modu- lates it with great effeet. In prayer and in reading it is equally fine. Its effect upon the largest audience is magnetic. Mild and yet vig- orous, sympathetic and yet decided, it at once arrests attention, and the interest of the hearer is continued to the end. His delivery has no appearance of study, though he has undoubtedly found his models in the best exponents of oratory.
From these statements it will be seen that Mr. Enyard is a man of superior talents, and of rare usefulness in his denomination and the community at large. A commissioned teacher of divine things, he is not less a judicious leader of the people in every other good work. Strict and jealous in his faith, exact and faithful in the line of duty, just and pure in his personal character, he meets all the re- quirements of his profession, and stands before his fellow-men a bright example of individual excellence.
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REV. FERDINAND C. EWER, D. D., RECTOR OF ST. IGNATIUS EPISCOPAL CHURCH, NEW YORK.
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EV. DR. FERDINAND C. EWER was born in Nantucket, May 22d, 1826. His parents were Unitarians, but by the time he was seventeen years of age he had given the sub- ject of Unitarianism, and, indeed, the whole field of theol- ogy, a careful investigation, which resulted in his becoming an Episcopalian, and he was baptized at Trinity Church, Nantucket, in 1843. He was graduated at Harvard University in the class of 1848. During his term at the University, an imprudent course of reading led him to embrace infidelity. In April, 1849, he went to San Francisco, where, in 1852, he again addressed himself to a serious and prolonged examination of the claims of the Bible, and finally found himself restored to his earlier and happier trust in divine rev- elation. He shortly commenced his studies for the Episcopal minis- try under the direction of Bishop Kipp, and on Pahn Sunday, April 5th, 1857, was ordained deacon, and became assistant to Bishop Kipp, as rector of Grace Church, San Francisco. On the resignation of the Bishop as rector in December, Dr. Ewer was elected to the position, and on the 17th of January, was ordained priest. In 1850, by reason of ill-health, he offered his resignation, the acceptance of which was declined, and leave of absence for one year granted to him. He reached New York in May, and, by advice of his physicians, de- termined not to return to California. His resignation of his charge in San Francisco having been accepted, he became assistant of Rev. Dr. Gallandet, at St. Ann's Church, New York, when he was called to the rectorship of Christ Church, corner of Fifth avenue and Thirty- fifth street.
Dr. Ewer received the degree of A. B. from Harvard University, in 1848; S. T. D. or D. D. from Columbia College, in 1867, and A. M. from Harvard University, in 1868.
In the latter part of 1868, he preached a course of eight sermons
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REV. FERDINAND C. EWER, D. D.
on the " Failure of Protestanism," which led to much discussion, and were afterward published in book form by the Appletons. Later Dr. Ewer took a position among the ritualistic class, in the Episcopal Church, to which he still adheres. He has been violently attacked by both Protestants and Romanists. The Bishop of Connecticut threatened, in an official letter, to try him for a sermon preached in that diocese, in which Dr. Ewer spoke of seven sacraments, and par- ticularly of penance. This caused a correspondence, in which Dr. Ewer claimed that the Anglican Church held to the seven sacra- ments, and gave commands to her priests, under certain cireum- stances, to administer the sacrament of penance, and had, indeed, al- ways advised her people to use that sacrament. Subsequently the Bishop withdrew from his position to try Dr. Ewer, and friends of the latter published the whole correspondence in pamphlet form.
Internal difficulties in Christ Church congregation, induced Dr. Ewer to resign the rectorship in the latter part of 1872. As soon as he did so, parishioners of that parish left it, organized the new parish of St. Ignatius, and gave him a call to it. A majority of his old communicants then joined the new organization. A church edifice was purchased on West Fortieth street, where worship, according to the high church ritual, is regularly conducted.
While in California, Dr. Ewer was a pioneer in the establish- ment of newspaper and periodical literature. He founded the Pacific News, a daily paper ; the Sacramento Transcript, also a daily journal ; the Sunday Dispatch, in San Francisco, and in January, 1851, the Pioneer, the first magazine ever published in the State. He married in California, in December, 1854.
At the invitation of the Seventh Regiment, Dr. Ewer delivered an oration at the Academy of Music, on the 22d of February, 1862. taking for his theme the " Wond's Obligations to War." The oration was most masterly and eloquent. He has also delivered orations, addresses, and sermons on other occasions of public interest.
Dr. Ewer is of tall stature, well-proportioned, and ereet. His head is large, with regular and intellectual features. He wears long whiskers, which somewhat lengthen the face, and long, straight, dark hair grows in much abundance on his head. His countenance is full of expression-full of the light of the brilliant mind within -full of the language of a kindly, upright heart, and full of the glow of the energy which is inborn to the man. Ripe in scholarship, enthusiastic in life's battles, warm and genial in his nature, his characteristics are
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REV. FERDINAND C. EWER, D. D.
those which captivate the intelligence, quicken the resolution, and open the fountains of esteem. In his manners he is cordial and sin- cere ; in private life he exhibits, in its largest degree, the polish of social culture, and in his public station he reaches the highest stand- ard of ministerial ability and usefulness. His conversation is fluent and animated, showing great familiarity with religious and secular topics, and abounding in beauties of thought, and manly, liberal sen- timents.
Dr. Ewer is a powerful and finished writer. Once an editor, he wields a practiced pen, and delights in the task of composition. In his varied and always busy life, the themes of his pen have been widely different ; but in all his writings there is to be seen the same originality of idea, pointedness of meaning, and eloquence of dietion. His sermons are characterized by a particularly impassioned fervor, and a marked comprehensiveness of argument. And while every line swells with the beatings of his own earnest heart, every precept is taken for a lamp to his own fect.
There are clergymen who think that the announcement of the truth in the simplest and most unassuming forms of speech and man- ner is all that their congregation can require. Engaged in a conflict with a foe who appeals with consummate art to every human emotion, still they do not esteem it necessary to kindle the same instincts with the same flame of enthusiasm. They preach to benumbed souls and sleeping congregations, and wonder that their work is so barren, knowing not that it is because the susceptibilities of their hearers are never aroused. Mr. Ewer's policy is different : he takes the homely, oft-repeated truths, and decks them in new garments ; he crowns them with flowers; he display's them so that their new glory suffuses the careless mind and awakens the dormant heart. Most imposing in his pulpit presence, speaking in a clear, musical voice, collected and perfect in his declamation and gesticulation, every word that lie utters speeds like an electric shock to some sensibility, and every action is profoundly expressive of his meaning. He is an orator, with inspiring words and startling attitudes which sway and animate and control the multitude; he is a Christian warrior, meeting the adver- sary in glittering armor, and with a gleaming blade; he is the faith- ful servant who, with mind, heart, eloquence, and every power of his nature is gaining treasure of souls, for the days of the Master's reckon- ing. 179
REV. FREDERICK A. FARLEY, D. D., OF BROOKLYN.
EV. DR. FREDERICK A. FARLEY was born in Boston June 25th, 1800. He was graduated at Harvard Univer- sity in 1818, and, after studying law with Hon. William Sullivan, was admitted to the Boston bar in 1821. Sub- sequently graduated at the Divinity School. Cambridge, he was first settled as a pastor over the Westininster Congrega- tional Unitarian Church of Providence, September 10th, 1828. Dr. Channing preached the ordination sermon, which was one of his most remarkable efforts. Here Dr. Farley remained until called to Brooklyn in 1841. He has published a volume of lectures, entitled " Unitarianism Defined;" and, in joint authorship with Rev. Dr. Osgood, a liturgie service-book, entitled "Christian Worship," and the " Vesper Book," being the vesper service from the former volume. He is a learned man, an eloquent preacher, and an esteemed and public-spirited citizen of Brooklyn. Denied the use of a church for his installation on his first coming, he has since taken a leading part in directing her intellectual and social character, and advanced a humble body of despised believers to a powerful and respected con- gregation.
The earliest organization of Unitarians in Brooklyn took place in 1833. The First Society worshiped in Classical Hall, Wash- ington street, and was under the care of Rev. David HI. Barlow. Four years later, Rev. F. W. Holland became the pastor, and the place of worship was changed to a church in Adams street, purchased of the Presbyterians. A Second Society was formed in January, 1841, which met at the Brooklyn Institute, where Rev. Frederick A. Farley commenced to officiate August 1st, 1841. In the following Decen- ber, Mr. Holland resigned his charge. On the first Sunday in April, 1842, the two societies united in worship at the Brooklyn Institute, leading to their consolidation under the title of the First Congrega
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tional Unitarian Society of Brooklyn. On the 31st of May, Mr. Farley was called as the pastor of the new organization, a new election having taken place at his own desire. A site was purchased on the corner of Pierrepont street and Monroe Place, and a beautiful Gothic brown-stone church erected, which was consecrated as the "Church of the Saviour" April 24th, 1844. Mr. Farley's installation had been deferred, and now took place on the day following the consecra- tion of the church, Dr. Dewey preaching the sermon. The editice was erected during a period of financial depression, and the cost of the entire property was only about forty thousand dollars. Within a few years the entire debt has been paid, and there is a surplus fund. The congregation is one of the most wealthy in Brooklyn, and is composed of about two hundred and fifty communicants and one hundred and fifty families. On the 22d of March, 1863, Dr. Farley resigned, having reached the ripe age of nearly sixty-three years, and the twenty-second of his highly successful ministry. His resignation was accepted with reluctance, and only when it was found impossible to move him from his purpose of retirement. A generous pecuniary provision was made for his suppor , and an eligible pew placed at his disposal. By request of the congregation he remained in tem- porary charge until the 1st of November, when his farewell sermon was preached. Dr. Farley now occasionally supplies the pulpits of his absent brethren. He has also given some readings, much to the pleasure of large and cultivated audiences.
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REV. THOMAS FARRELL, PASTOR OF THE CHURCH OF ST. JOSEPH, (CATIIOLIC,) NEW YORK.
EV. THOMAS FARRELL was born at Longford, Ire- land, in the year 1820, and came to the United States in his childhood. He was graduated at Mount St. Mary's College, Emmettsburg, Maryland, and was ordained priest in 1847. At first he was engaged in missionary work. lle then became pastor of St. Paul's church, Harlem, and afterward of St. Mary's in Grand street. In all of these positions he was dis- tinguished for an earnestness and piety which gave him an unusual measure of success.
He was appointed pastor of the church of St. Joseph, corner of Sixth avenue and Washington place, in 1857. During the sixteen years which he has now occupied the pastorship of this old and in- fluential congregation, his course has been consistent with his pre- vious character, and he has established a reputation as a priest and scholar equal to any of his clerical cotemporaries in the city. He became conspicuous at the time of the civil war for his earnest and uncompromising advocacy of the Union cause, and his hostility to human slavery.
An authentic account of Father Farrell says :- " As a scholar and theologian, he is ranked among the foremost divines of the Catholic church in the United States. As a preacher, he belongs more to the solid than the brilliant order. As a great lover of truth, he is known and beloved by men of all denominations for his noble qualities of heart and mind. Among his brethren of the clergy he is looked up to with the greatest respect and affection ; so much so, that it is re- markable how many go to him for counsel and advice, and what im- plicit faith they place in his judgment and understanding."
Father Farrell has a long, narrow face, with a high forehead. The
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REV. THOMAS FARRELL.
expression is calm, serious, and reflective. His manners have the mod esty and gentleness befitting the priestly character. He is thoroughly religious, and elevated in all his feelings and opinions. A patient life- work, without show or thought of himself, but one in which he should do the utmost for his faith and his fellow men, has been the sole purpose of his existence. No man can charge that he has fallen short of his whole duty ; and, with this consciousness, he is passing serenely onward with the quick revolving years.
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REV. ISAAC FERRIS, D.D., LL.D.,*
EMERITUS CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK.
EV. DR. FERRIS, Emeritus Chancellor of the Univer- sity of the City of New York, was born in New York, in October, 1798. His ancestors were early settlers at Fairfield, Connecticut. He was graduated at Columbia College, New York, when not quite eighteen years of age. HIe became a teacher of the classics, but after a year spent in this manner he entered the Theological Seminary of the Reformed Dutch Church at New Brunswick, having determined upon a ministerial career. A portion of his theological studies was pur- sued under the distinguished Rev. Dr. John M. Mason, of the Pres- byterian Church. In May, 1820, when something past his twenty- first year, he was licensed to preach, and already gave evidence of unusual talents. He was ordained and installed pastor of the Re- formed Dutch Church at New Brunswick, April 17th, 1821, and was very successful in it. In the autumn of 1824 he became pastor of the Second Dutch Church in Albany, where he remained eleven years. IIe had always given the heartiest co-operation in all educa- tional movements, and during his residence in Albany was chosen President of the celebrated Female Academy at that place, which was the model, and, in fact, the parent of most of the other institu- tions of the kind in New York and Brooklyn. In 1836 he was called to the Market street Dutch Church, New York, where for many years he conducted a most efficient and successful ministry. Hle found the congregation much reduced by internal differences and burdencd by debt, but he succeeded in restoring harmony, increasing the body numerically, and in paying off the entire indebtedness.
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