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 17
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 17
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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
* While our volume was in press, Dr. Ferris departed this life nt Roselle, N. J., on Monday, June 16th, 1873, aged seventy-five years, und was buried from the South Reformed Church, New York, on the 20th of June.
184
REV. ISAAC FERRIS, D. D., LL. D.
Ever on the alert to further the cause of education, he induced the late William B. Crosby, a wealthy resident of the Seventh ward, to make a gift of valuable property in Madison street, where was founded, in 1838, the afterward famous school, known as the Rutgers Female Institute. As President of this institution, Dr. Ferris raised it to the highest point of success, and gave it ran unequaled reputation all over the land for its superior system of instruction. At a later period he withdrew from the Rutgers Institute and founded the Ferris Institute.
In 1852 a movement was made to invite the late Rev. Dr. Bethune to the Chancellorship of the University of the City of New York, but he declined the position, and urged that it should be given to Dr. Ferris. Accordingly, in November of that year, Dr. Ferris was appointed Chancellor, and his acceptance was hailed with great satisfaction by all the friends of the institution. The institution was pecuniarily involved to the extent of about one hundred thousand dollars, but by the most earnest and untiring efforts on the part of the new Chancellor these liabilities were in six months entirely pro- vided for. The final payment of the entire indebtedness was made in 1854. Later, the University, through renewed efforts on the part of Dr. Ferris, received several liberal benefactions. Two gentlemen of the Council gave twenty-five thousand each, Mr. Loring Andrews gave one hundred thousand, and other gentlemen various sums. Thus six professorships were endowed.
The large amount of over a quarter of a million of dollars was secured to the University during the term of Chancellor Ferris.
But this was not all. Immediately after the payment of the debt he submitted to the Council a plan for the expansion of the Univer- sity course, the result of which was the establishment of a School of Art, one of Analytical and Practical Chemistry, one of Civil En- gineering, and the revival of that of Law; that of Medicine having been in operation since 1841. These departments were established, and the subsequent endowments secured their permanent efficiency.
In 1870, after eighteen years of faithful service, and finding the University on a secure foundation for all time, Dr. Ferris retired from the active duties of Chancellor, and was succeeded by the Rev. Dr. Howard Crosby. He is now Emeritus Chancellor, and receives three thousand dollars per annum for life. On his retirement an address was presented to him, signed by a large number of the distinguished Alumni, which closes in these complimentary terms :
185
REV. ISAAC FERRIS, D. D., LL. D.
"Your wise and considerate care has resulted in a decrease of daily labor for the professors, and an increase of more than a hundred per cent. to their salaries; has opened facilities for the incoming of students from adjacent neighborhoods, by which the number of undergraduates has decidedly increased; has sought and ob- tained the material for replenishing the scanty means of indigent students; and over against the facilities derived from vast endowments or legislated immunities by rival institutions, you have administered the affairs of the University with sagacious fidelity, shrinking from no toil or responsibility, and refusing the indulgence of the rest which was your just due.
"You retire by your own voluntary act from your eminent position with this noble record.
" The undersigned Alumni express to you hereby their sense of your worth, their admiration and appreciation of your success, their gratification at the procedure of the Council in providing for the comfort of your remaining days, their personal affection, and their prayer for Heaven's best benediction upon you."
It may be mentioned that if Dr. Ferris has one characteristic more than another, it is regard and labor for the Sunday School cause. For over thirty years he has been President of the New York Sunday School Union. He preached an eloquent historical sermon on its fiftieth anniversary.
He also preached the semi-centennial sermon of the American Bible Society. In 1871 he preached a memorial discourse at the Reformed Church in New Brunswick on the fiftieth anniversary of the commencement of his ministry at that place.
His publications consist chiefly of numerous sermons and ad- dresses. He received the degree of D. D. from Union College in 1834, and that of LL. D. from Columbia College in 1854.
Dr. Ferris is tall, with a well-proportioned figure, now slightly bent with advancing years. His head is round and finely developed in the intellectual sections. He has a broad, high, noble looking brow, and his countenance is radiant with intellectuality, benevo- lence, and the higher traits of manly character. His features are regular; he has ealm, expressive eyes, and his hair is silver gray. In his face you may read his heart and character at a glance ; it con- ceals nothing, but, on the contrary, reveals everything. You see that he has a firm and even heroic purpose; that when he puts his hand to the plow he turns not back ; that he has a most exalted regard for truth and honor in all the affairs and duties of life; that he is not only an upright, but a moral and holy man ; and finally that he has a benevolence of heart and a serenity of temper which are not less natural to him than his gifts of intellect. Greatly absorbed as he is in his duties as an instructor, and in the manifold claims upon his
186
REV. ISAAC FERRIS, D. D., LL. D.
time by the many educational and religious enterprises with which he is connected, still he is always a genial companion with all ages of persons. Cheerful, fully alive to all the charms of social inter- course, and withal so full of instruction, so perfect as an example of Christian manhood, association with him is at once delightful and profitable.
The phrenologieal character of Dr. Ferris has been given as follows: "In Dr. Ferris an air of serenity prevails. This distin- guished man should be specially known for his mildness and calm dignity. There is considerable breadth between the anterior portions of the side head, which shows that he is not deficient in expedient, but rather disposed to arrange, construct, and adjust carefully, even with mechanical precision, whatever he may undertake. His head is large at Benevolence, and the whole forehead about the median line is strongly marked. Accuracy of statement should characterize his discourse, while a strict adherence to consistency would be manifest in all his operations. Firmness of purpose and thoroughness in exe- cution of his designs are also well indicated." Dr. Ferris is one of the abiest of living scholars, and what is more, is one of the most practical and hence successful instructors of our times. Poets are born, and so are teachers, and quite as many mistake their calling in one vocation as the other. We call Dr. Ferris a born teacher. His vast mind grasps everything, but it is neither secretive of his love. nor does it fail to make its instruction elear and penetrating to in- ferior and less learned intelligence. His elucidation is as plain as noon-day. The lofty heights of erudition are to be reached by well defined paths, and the student has only to use his own intelligence and proper diligence, and feel the incentive of ambition, and success is certain. As a preacher of the gospel, Dr. Ferris has been equally successful. His whole ministry was a triumph. He had much to test his capabilities in every respect, but in both spiritual and tem- poral things he was true to every duty and equal to every trust. His manner of preaching is calm and impressive. An able thinker and writer, there is great power and comprehensiveness in his matter, and his collected and dignified delivery give it additional effective- ness. The sincere, devout tone of the speaker, and his venerable appearance, also lend an irresistible fascination to the learned and holy words.
187
REV. EDWARD O. FLAGG, D. D.,
RECTOR OF THE CHURCH OF THE RESURREC- TION, NEW YORK.
EV. EDWARD O. FLAGG, D. D., was born in George- town, South Carolina, December 13th, 1825. His grand- mother was cousin to General Francis Marion, and his ancestry is to be traced to other noted revolutionary stock, as well as to distinguished modern families of South Carolina and Connecticut. His father, who was the half- brother of the celebrated Washington Alston, married a lady of New Haven, and was mayor of that city, and also the edi- tor of a leading newspaper of the State. After spending nearly two years at Trinity College, Hartford, where he stood among the first in his class, the son continued his academie studies under private instructors. At his maturity he was converted, and commenced preparations for the Episcopal ministry, under Rev. Dr. Croswell, of New Haven. In his twenty-fourth year he was ordained deacon, and the following year became priest. He first settled as assistant to Rev. Dr. Morgan, then at Christ Church, Norwich, and now of St. Thomas's, New York ; and in 1850, on the organization of the new parish of Trinity, at the same place, was called as the rector. In the meantime he had started a church at Yantic, which has become a flourishing parish. He remained at Trinity for three years and a half, when he found it necessary to : eek a milder climate for his wife, whose health was seriously im- ยท paired. During his ministrations the parish had increased from forty or fifty persons to some six hundred. His next position was associate rector of St. Paul's Church, Baltimore, Md., which he left after six months, as his wife's health did not improve. Proceeding to New Orleans, he took temporary charge of Trin- ity Church, declining to become the rector, as his movements depended entirely upon the health of his wife ; and, finally, by reason of her increased indisposition, he again came North
188
With Sincero regards E. O. Ma
REV. EDWARD O. FLAGG, D. D.
He was offered six thousand dollars per annum to remain, and was succeeded by the late Bishop (General) Polk. In July, 1854, he accepted a call to St. Paul's Church, Paterson, New Jersey, at which place he suffered the loss of his wife and a child. He re signed in November, 1856, and went abroad, spending nine months in European travel. On his return he was called .to All Saints' Church, New York, where he continued until the autumn of 1861. Abandoning a design of again going abroad, he opened Trenor's Hall, corner of Broadway and Thirty-fourth stree , as a new place of Episcopal worship. The undertaking prospered. A parish, to be known as the Church of the Resurrection, was organized ; and in the Spring of 1862 the church in Thirty-fourth street, formerly occupied by Rev. Mr. Corey's Baptist congregation, was permanently occupied, the property, including a rectory, having been obtained for twenty-five thousand dollars. The congregation at length resold this property, and built on the corner of Madison Avenue and Forty-seventh street. Impaired health caused the rector's absence in Europe for not quite a year. During this time, and for a term subsequently, the church edifice was rented to other congregations. On Dr. Flagg's return to the United States, he became a supply for three months in Hudson, New York, and for a year at St. Mark's Church, New York City. He then renewed regular pastoral labors in a hall in the upper part of the city.
Owing to the encroachments of the Grand Central Depot upon the Forty-seventh street property-also a heavy indebtedness rest- ing upon the same-it was deemed advisable to enter upon a pro- posed exchange for a church edifice in Eighty-fifth street, held as a mission by Rev. Stephen IE. Tyng, Jun. A consolidation has thus been effected with what was once St. Paul's Church, Yorkville, but which is now known as the Church of the Resurrection. Work in the new field has been commenced under flattering auspices
During the intermission from regular duty Dr. Flagg was offered the chaplainey of the Ninth Regiment N. Y. N. G. Hoping to exercise a salutary Christian influence in his association with the members, he accepted the position. He officiated on several occa- sions of much public interest.
His sermon over Wyatt and Page, members of the regiment, who fell in the riot of the 12th of July, was a brilliant and patriotic effort. He spoke from the text, " The Lord's voice erieth unto the
159
REV. EDWARD O. FLAGG, D. D.
city ;" and in the course of the sermon gave utterance to the fol- lowing significant expressions :
" At the same time we make all reasonable concessions in matters of faith and conscience, the Lord's voice on the present occasion incites us never to surrender our religious liberties. Neither Puritanical nor Popish restrictions should hamper us in the same. Our forefathers especially fought and bled for freedom to worship God. The incense of such a desire consecrated the forest-wild, while the rock was the pulpit canopied by Nature's blue cathedral dome. . Freedom to Worship God' was lisped in the nursery, chanted in a mother's lullaby, echoing to the embowered nave that uttered its monotone on the wild New England coast. The whizzing ball of the Revolution baptized the dear-bought truth in the blood of many a foeman. Surrender this our heritage, and we surrender everything that is near and dear to the American heart. The Stars and Stripes are but a flaunting lie, and should be furled with the first public act to such an effect. Mean cravens are they who would sacrifice one religious rite to stronger importunity. May every hand that would thus profane our ark of national safety forever be made to perish with that of Uzzah. Whatever interferes logically with our prerogative here should not for a moment be allowed to lift its brazen head-however specious and imposing the pretext. There are a great many streams which quench the thirst, but none like you mountain spring which trickles in the upper atmosphere. It is the only pure, gushing, sufficient source -- and there are many beneficial derived sources of spiritual safety-but none like the Book of Books, which every one by its author is requested and privileged to read. Thence does the fountain of a Saviour's blood most purely, adequately flow. There does a Saviour most effectually touch the sinner's heart, and fill his soul with the refreshment of salvation. Who would wish or dare in this land of gospel liberty to forbid the invalid, longing soul ? Let not this bread of life-the Bible-be with- held from a single hungry mortal. If the Declaration of Independence is to be read by all, should that be withheld which afforded us such declaration ? All the emancipation of the body is nothing without Christian emancipation that of the spirit ; and cowed, indeed, is he -- and no American-who will allow the jewel of his being, the conscience, to be fettered, the healthful Word of God to be crippled in any of its influences. When freedom to worship God and liberty of conscience are taken away, we shall have no liberty whatever left, and we might as well at once cringe to the despot of Europe."
We make the following extract from one of Dr. Flagg's early poems, written on a subject suggested by a lady, a circumstance similar to that which led to the composition of Cowper's poem of " The Task ":
" LIFE AS IT IS."
" Life as it is-a thing of fears, A thing of hopes, of smiles, of tears ; A blossom which at morning blows, A blossom which at evening goes ; A flower tinged with beauty's blush, Which any thoughtless tread may crush ;
A sky of azure, fair and bright, Which storm-clouds quick obscure from sight ;
190
REV. EDWARD O. FLAGG, D. D.
A moonbeam's evanescent play,
Which ere the day dawn speeds away ;
A bubble floating on a lake,
That soon a passing breeze may break ; A wave that tosses high and free,
Then dies upon a tranquil sea.
Life as it is-a songster proud
That leaves his perch to seek the cloud ;
But soon falls low, with flutt'ring wing,
No more to soar, no more to sing.
Oh ! fearful art thou, human life
Thou fitful thing, thou thing of strife ;
Why mock us with the promise bright, Then leave behind the gloom of night ?"
Dr. Flagg has married a second time. He received his degree of D. D. from the New York University in 1866. Ile has contributed occasionally to the press in both prose and verse, and is a person of decided literary and artistic taste. One of his brothers, who is an Episcopal minister, is also quite an artist; and another brother is George Flagg, a painter of repute. William Flagg is a lawyer and author of merit, and Capt. H. C. Flagg, deceased, of the United States Navy, was a man of varied abilities.
Dr. Flagg is of the medium height, well formed, and of a light complexion, and has straight brown and gray hair, and wears whis- kers. His brow has a somewhat serious expression, which passes away however when he is engaged in animated conversation. In public there is a great deal of composure, and no little dignity about him, but in social intercourse he is more unreserved and free. His head and features have every indication of intelligence and refine- ment. It is a countenance which declares a delight in mental and cultivated attainments, and it shows a nature quick to feel and ar- dent in its action, but well disciplined to manly and Christian pur- poses. Turning with natural distaste from all that debases, he is as naturally enthusiastic in his desire for that which elevates Chival- ric, high-toned, keenly alive to the requirements of all manly and moral obligations, he makes his deportment and his life a happy min- gling of that which is truest in manhood and noblest in duty. He is a genial, interesting companion. Frank, animated, cheerful, and speaking with a clear understanding of his topic, he is not only a most agreeable, but a most capable conversationalist. As he talks he evinees a nervous impulsiveness, proceeding sometimes rather abruptly to new themes, and always exhibits at once intelligence and
191
REV. EDWARD O FLAGG, D. D.
sincerity of conviction. His ministerial character is fully evident from the direction of his thoughts, but all that is beautiful and true in secular things awakens his pleasure and interest.
Dr. Flagg excels as an elocutionist. He has a pure, distinct voice, of admirable modulation, gentle and sweet in its softer tones, and rich and flexible in their greatest expansion. The falling of peace- ful waters or the accord of musical sounds are not more delightful to the ear than his clear, emotional pronunciation. Not only does every word have its full expression to the hearing, but every senti- ment becomes vivid to the feelings. And all this is without any appearance of studied effort. He has a few appropriate gestures.
His sermons are well written, and show much diversity of thought. Some of them are strictly argumentative, dealing in the most forcible and keenest logic; others mingle with this a certain flow of the imagination, while others again are wholly given to the most poetic and tender extremes of religious and moral sentiment. The mind of the writer is fresh and buoyant-it is aglow with im- pressions of beautiful truths and heaven-inspiring hopes, and the call to grace is not less chaste in language than it is devout in tone and manner.
192
REV. CHARLES FLETCHER,
PRESIDING ELDER OF THE SOUTH LONG ISLAND DISTRICT, NEW YORK EAST CONFERENCE.
EV. CHARLES FLETCHER was born in Yorkshire, near Leeds, England, January 10th, 1811. His business was that of a wool buyer and woolen manufacturer, but he exercised the functions of a Methodist local preacher among the Wesleyan Methodists in the Bramley circuit, ad- joining Leeds. In 1840 he came to the United States and en- tered into business, and during 1841 traveled extensively in the South and Southwest. From 1842 to the spring of 1845 he was a local preacher in Dutchess county, New York, when he entered the New York Conference, but retired from it in the autumn of the fol- lowing year, by reason of ill health. In 1845 he was stationed at East Hartford. He was admitted to the New York East Conference in 1852, and appointed to Summerfield Chapel. This was a new Methodist organization in Washington avenue, Brooklyn, started by himself with eight members, but which is now a large and flourishing congregation. His subsequent appointments have been as follows- viz .; 1853, 1854 Binghamton, Connecticut ; 1855, 1856, Bridgeport ; 1857, 1858, Seventh street, New York ; 1859. 1860, Twenty-seventh street, New York; 1861, 1862, Mamaroneck ; 1863, Meriden, Con- necticut, and in 1864 at the Sands street Church, Brooklyn. "He has held other appointments, and in 1872 he became presiding elder of the South Long Island Distriet, New York East Conference.
Methodist itinerants began to visit Brooklyn as early as 1784, preaching occasionally in private houses. In 1793 the first Metho- dist church, a small frame building, was erected on the site of the present Sands street church. This house was dedicated by Rev. Joseph Totten, June Ist, 1794. Three years later Brooklyn was formed into a separate charge, with a membership of twenty-three
193
1
REV. CHARLES FLETCHER
whites, and twenty-seven colored. Rev. Joseph Totten was the first stationed minister. There are now thirty-four Methodist churches in Brooklyn.
Mr. Fletcher is a large, tall gentleman ; broad-shouldered, heavy- boned, and, altogether, a very fine specimen of physical development. His head is of fitting size for his large body ; and, while the counte- nance is not characterized by any striking marks of intellect, it has an openness and benevolence which are not less attractive. He is not one from whom anything brilliant or unusual in words and deeds is to be expected, but to-day and always he will be found a man of the most practical qualities of mind, and of honorable, straightforward conduct. He has a great deal of deliberation and thoughtfulness of manner; and, while he is entirely courteous, is neither communicative nor genial. In a word, he is one of those sedate, old-fashioned per- sons never to be changed from old ways and old opinions, and never carried away by any impulse or excitement, but showing admirable consistency in all things, and an appreciable amiability.
The following is a brief sketch of Mr. Fletcher, written by a person intimate with him:
"This gentleman is much above mediocrity, as a preacher. Exceedingly well balanced in his mental attributes, with scholarly tastes and considerable cultivation, his sermons are generally of a high order. He possesses clearness of style, consid- erable analytical power, with a fancy well cultivated, but not very sprightly. His preaching is characterized by dignity, strength, and manliness, without great bril- liancy or originality. He is retiring in his habits, meditative, and studious, with little sociability, and perhaps not as well adapted as some others for pastoral etti- ciency. He is generally, however, popular with the people in his field of labor ; and is, undoubtedly, a rising man in the church. His character and abilities will always command the respect of the public, and he will doubtless be found equal to any position to which he may be called by the appointing power."
Mr. Fletcher is a most useful man in the seet to which he belongs. His piety is sincere and enthusiastic ; he is ever making a practical application of his talents and energies to the propagation of his faith and the conversion of souls, and especially commending himself to his fellow-men by his zeal and a blameless life. Humble-minded, zealous, faithful, God-fearing, and outspoken, he is recognized in his denomination as a noble illustration of the religious principles, of which he is a teacher.
194
REV. JOIIN MURRAY FORBES, D. D.,
LATE DEAN OF THE EPISCOPAL GENERAL THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY, NEW YORK.
EV. DR. JOHN MURRAY FORBES was born in the city of New York in 1807. He was graduated at Column- bia College in the class of 1827, and at the General Theo- logical Seminary in 1830. His first position was as tutor at Trinity College, Hartford, to which he was appointed in the fall of the same year. In 1835 he resigned, and accepted the rectorship of St. Luke's Episcopal Church, in Hudson street, New York, one of the most important parishes of the city. He remained in this work about fourteen years, until the summer of 1849, having made for himself a wide popularity in his own denomination, and in the church generally. Ile constantly held important offices and positions.
For some time previously it had been known that Dr. Forbes had given his scholarly attention to an examination of the doctrines of the Church of Rome, and his purpose in retiring from the rectorship of St. Luke's was to enter that communion. This step, in one so eminent and beloved, produced a most profound sensation among both Episcopalians and Roman Catholics. In the early part of 1951 Dr. Forbes was ordained a priest in the Roman Catholic Church, and became assistant priest at the Church of the Nativity in Second avenue, New York. His talents and reputation gave him full title to as conspicuous a position in the Catholic body as in the one he had left. Subsequently, in 1858, he was made pastor of the new church of St. Ann's, in Eighth street, where he officiated for about six years. Dr. Forbes received at the hands of Pius IN the degree of Doctor of Sacred Theology. He was also sent by the late Arch- bishop Hughes on a special mission to Rome, to aid in establishing there the American College for Priests, with, it is said, the intimation that he might remain, if he wished it, to preside over that institution. In 1859 he resigned his position at St. Ann's, and at the same time
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.