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 23
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 23
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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. THOMAS A. T. HANNA, PASTOR OF THE FIFTH BAPTIST CHURCH, BROOKLYN (E.D.)
EV. THOMAS A. T. HANNA was born in the North of Ireland, August 6th, 1842. The family removed to Scotland, where he lived until seven years of age, when they came to the United States. His father was a far- mer in Ireland. His grandfather was the Rev. Dr. Alexander Corson, a well known Irish writer on Baptism, Church Government, and Providence. He has one brother already in the ministry in Philadelphia, and another is now pursu- ing his studies. His own early studies were in the public schools of New York, where he proved himself a pupil of great promise. Having entered the Madison University, a Baptist institution in the village of Hamilton, Madison county, New York, he was graduated in 1864, and in theology in 1866. He was licensed to the Baptist ministry in 1862, and in August, 1866, was ordained and installed as pastor of the Central Baptist church in the Eastern District of Brooklyn. He is now the pastor of the Fifth Baptist Church in the same section of that city.
Mr. Hanna is of the medium height, equally proportioned, and has all the vigor and energy natural to a person of his years. He has a head of the average size, with regular, intelligent features. He is a modest-bearing young man, but has strong points of char- acter. He is devotedly pious, and religion with him is an inborn rule of his thoughts and life. In his disposition he is cal and thoughtful, and he is a lover of study and serious reflection. Ile is courteous and genial with all with whom he comes in contact, but there is always a degree of seriousness and a holy sadness about his demeanor and conversation. Religious topies, and the duties which belong strictly to his pastorship, exert the best influence upon him. Under these circumstances he shows animation, and has something like enthusiasm in the discharge of his labors. Without being a
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fanatic, he is certainly an enthusiast as a religionist, for it is in this character alone that you find him showing the strength of purpose and feeling which is in him. Passive, cold as a block of ice, indif- ferent to almost all the concerns of life, a nothing and a nobody, without action, resolution, or ambition : this is what the separation of himself from religious duties and a ministerial life would have made of him. Quick, warm, with tender emotions, zealous in the advocacy of principles and the battle of faith, a moral hero, and "a host in himself," full of energy, courage, and a desire for great achievements : this is what he is as an ordained minister of the church, with a consciousness of his responsibilities, and a delight in fulfilling them.
His course in the University was brilliant, and a sure guarantee of the usefulness which he was to display in his profession. He found himself' in his proper element, and studied, not mechanically, but with the inspiration of one called to extraordinary and sancti- fied duties. His habits and deportment presented no compromises with duty or with moral and religious principles, for he was not only a converted man, but he felt himself inspired for the labor of the ministry. Set apart for this work, disconnected and uninter- ested in worldly affairs, save in their relation to the advancement of the cause of religion, he became as perfectly lukewarm upon all other subjects as he was ardent and sincere in that of his church and faith.
The sermons of Mr. Hanna show depth and power, and give high promise of his future as a powerful and eloquent expounder of the Scriptures. The writing is terse and to the point. He does not waste words; he is not disconnected and rambling, but he is graphic and clear, and close and keen in his argument. He writes as if he understood his subject; he shows that he is not willing to go beyond any assertion wherein he is not capable of fully elucidat- ing it; and he imparts to the whole the utmost fervor of feeling. His amiable, youthful face, his considerate, kindly tone, and his well- weighed, serious words are each and all potent in his public minis- trations. He at least cannot be doubted as a true and zealous young Christian ; and those who are young, like himself, and those who have passed further along in life's journey, with perhaps less profit, are always sensitive listeners to his appeals.
256
REV. SAMUEL M. HASKINS, D. D.,
RECTOR OF ST. MARK'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, BROOKLYN, (IS. D.)
EV. DR. SAMUEL M. IIASKINS was born at Water- ford, Oxford county, Maine, May 29th, 1813, and his early studies were in that State. He was graduated at Union College in 1836, and at the General Episcopal Theological Seminary, New York, in 1839. He was made a deacon of the Episcopal Church at the Church of the Ascension, New York, by Bishop Onderdonk, in June, 1836, and priest at the Chapel of St. Mark's, Williamsburgh, in July, 1840, by the same bishop. He was called to the rectorship of St. Mark's in October, 1839, and has now been in the parish for the period of thirty-four years. This organization, which was nursed into strength and use- fulness by the patient and earnest efforts of Dr. Haskins, has enjoyed the advantage of his care and love throughout its whole interesting history. It is the parent of all the other Episcopal churches in that section of Brooklyn, which now number seven flourishing parishes.
St. Mark's Church was organized by the Rev. Mr. Davis, in October, 1837, on the outskirts of the then village of Williamsburgh, as a missionary enterprise. Mr. Davis was the first rector, but left the parish in May or June, 1839. When Dr. Haskins was called, the services were held in a small whitewashed brick building in the midst of a cornfield. He preached his first sermon on the twenty- first Sunday after Trinity, 1839. The congregation then consisted of about fourteen families and eighteen communicants. There was no other parish between Astoria and Brooklyn, yet the population was small and sparse-fields and orchards covering a large portion of the now populous city. The congregation steadily increased, and it was determined to build a larger church edifice. Three lots were obtained on what is now the corner of Fourth and South-Fifth streets, and a stone building was erected. The whole cost of the property was between sixteen and seventeen thousand dollars-a large sum
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for a feeble congregation in those days-and on its completion a debt remained of six thousand dollars. In May, 1841, the church was consecrated. The congregation steadily increased with the growth of the city. In 1846, a new congregation, under the name of Christ Church, was organized, and entirely made up of families from St. Mark's. A series of missionary services, commenced by Dr. Haskins in the same year in the eastern portion of the town, resulted in the organization of St. Paul's Church, which was received into the con- vention in 1848. These were followed by other parishes from time to time, until the large number of seven now attest to the zeal and liberality of the mother church. The original debt was paid off in 1848. At the same date the church was enlarged by the addition of a proper chancel and choir, and an increase to the nave of about two hundred sittings. It was also greatly beautified by the addition of several memorial windows. In 1860 further important additions were made to the church, and other memorial windows have been added, until all of them are now of this character. During twenty- one years, up to 1860, baptism was administered to nine hundred and eighteen infants and adults ; there were four hundred and eight confirmations, four hundred and sixty-four new communicants, two hundred and ninety-one marriages, and four hundred and eighty-two burials. Up to 1869, fourteen hundred and two persons of all ages sought Heaven's blessing in repentance at this altar. Over eight hundred of the original parishioners are no more. Nearly six thou- sand dollars have been contributed in humble mites for the poor and siek, eight thousand four hundred dollars for missionary purposes, and over fifty-six thousand dollars in all for the cure of souls, exclu- sive of pew rents, etc. Six ministers now preaching from Christian pulpits were originally connected with the Sunday School. In twenty years the church was never closed but for two Sundays. During the same time Dr. Haskins was never absent from his post- of duty more than five Sundays in succession, and preached and lectured about twenty-five hundred times. The holy communion was never administered by other hands than his own but four thnes in twenty-one years.
There are now three hundred and sixty-eight communicants and three hundred and fifty children in the Sunday School. The thirtieth anniversary of Dr. Haskins' rectorship was celebrated, with appro- priate services, in the month of October, 1869. The church was beau tifully decorated with flowers, and a broad banner in front of the
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organ nad inscribed on it the words, " Peace be within thy walls." A monumental floral offering of exquisite beauty stood in front of the chancel, bearing upon its summit a golden sheaf, which was typical of the long services of the rector, during which he had gath- ered a rich religious harvest. From the chandelier depended china- asters, everlastings, and groups of pretty verbenas and other flowers. The windows were likewise ornamented. The Right Rev. A. N. Littlejohn, Bishop of Long Island, and many other distinguished clergymen, were present, with a large congregation. The rector de- livered an impressive historical sermon, which has been published in pamplilet form. It may be mentioned that Mr. William Coard, the organist of this church, has held the position since 1848, and the sexton for even a more extended time. The church now stands in the older portion of the city, and is quite plain and unostentatious compared with church edifices of more modern erection in other neighborhoods. Still, with the improvements that have been made in the exterior and interior, it has a very neat and tasteful appear- ance, and looks as should the venerable cradle of so many rich and powerful parishes.
Dr. Haskins received his degree of D. D. from Union College about twelve years since. His publications consist of various occa- sional sermons.
He is of the average height and well-proportioned. He walks with an erect figure and an active step. His attire is strictly clerical. His head is large, with a broad face of marked intellectuality and amiability. The features are large but regular. It is at all times a cheerful and engaging face to look upon. Though it shows decision and force of character, there is a kindness in the gaze of the eye and a good-natured smile that plays about the mouth, which prevent it from ever being other than expressive of gentle and noble traits of character. Ilis manners are of the gentlemanly, tender, considerate, and kind, that always win the heart. No matter when or where you see him, he greets you with the warmth of a sincere friendship and love. With cheerfulness and smiles, with kind words and genial ac- tions, he has ever made himself an object of great popular favor among his own people, and in social and public life generally. Ile is well described in those words in which Cowper portrays the model preacher :
"In doctrine uncorrupt; in language plain, And plain in manner; decent, solemn, chaste,
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And natural in gesture; much impress'd
Himself, as conscious of his awful charge, And anxious mainly that the flock he feeds May feel it too; affectionate in look, And tender in address, as well becomes A messenger of grace to guilty men."
Seeing him in the pulpit, the living impersonation of this portrait is brought vividly before you. His clear, positive faith in the doc - trines he proclaims, and his equally clear and positive language ; his unpretending, circumspect, and solemn manners ; his case and grace of delivery and gesture ; his evident sense of the obligations of his position ; his tender appeals to the unconverted ; his affectionate look- ing from face to face of those who are his sheep, all appear in most striking reality. He is not looking for popular applause, but he is anxious to do his whole duty as a preacher of the glad tidings of sal- vation. He is not seeking to exalt himself and his talents, but he is pleading with his whole mind and heart to save those in guilt and peril. He is eloquent; his words flow with fluency and beauty ; he is strong in argament and inspired with faith, but none of this is in- tended to awaken an emotion personal to himself. His language, tone, and manners will not allow you to escape from a knowledge of this fact, and it gives great additional power and effectiveness to his preaching. In this day of worldly ambition and of selfishness, you can but be drawn nearer to the man who shows himself entirely free from them, and thoroughly devoted, with humility and seriousness of spirit, to the work of the Master.
Dr. Haskins has labored from early manhood to the decline of life in one parish. In that time he has seen a great city grow up about him, with the manifold changes and trials it has brought to his parish. He has seen the little seed of his nursing and watering grow into the tall tree of religious power, and he has seen its goodly boughs severed one after the other, until the ancient trunk is all that remains. Venerable with age, hoary, but not decayed, it still stands where it was first planted in the vineyard of the Lord, and its faithful husbandman will guard it until he, too, falls to his rest be- neath its holy shade.
260
REV. THOMAS S. HASTINGS, D. D., PASTOR OF THE WEST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, NEW YORK.
EV. DR. THOMAS S. HASTINGS, pastor of the West Presbyterian Church in West Forty-second street, is one of the most popular and successful ministers in the city of New York. He is a native of the State of New York, and was born August 28th, 1827, making him forty-six years of age. In 1832, his father, Thomas Hastings, well known as a distinguished professor of music, removed to New York city, where the son pursued his early studies. He was graduated at Hamilton College in 1848, and at the Union Theological Seminary, New York, in 1851. He was licensed and ordained by the Fourth Presbytery of New York. In July, 1852, he became pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Mendham, New Jersey, where he remained four years. He was called in June, 1856, to his present pastorate. He began his labors on the first of the following month.
The West Presbyterian Church was organized by the Presbytery of New York, November 1st, 1829, under the name of the North Preg- byterian Church. The name was changed June 25th, 1831, to the "West Presbyterian Church of the City of New York." In Janu- ary, 1832, the Rev. David R. Downer became the first pastor, when the church consisted of eighteen members. The first edifice was erected in Carmine street, head of Variek, in the autumn of 1831-32. It was completed in the spring of 1832, and dedicated May 27th, of that year. The Rev. Edwin Hoyt succeeded Mr. Downer, and officiated about four years. On the 2d of July, 1846, the Rev. Thomas H. Skinner, Jr., was called from Paterson, and he was fol- lowed, ten years later, by the present pastor, whose installation took place October 20th, 1855.
At a meeting of the congregation, September 21st, 1860, the trustees were authorized to engage for one year the chapel of Rutgers Institute, on Fifth Avenue, between Forty-first and Forty-second
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streets, and they were also authorized to employ an assistant for the pastor, that public worship might be maintained both in the chapel and in the church in Carmine street. Accordingly, the Rev. Eldridge Mix was employed to aid the pastor, and regular Sabbath services were commenced in Rutgers Institute chapel, October 7th, 1860. In the autumn of the following year arrangements were made for finally closing the down town church, which finally ,took place, October 27th, 1861. The sacrament of the Lord's Supper was ad- ministered as the concluding service in the church edifice, which was hallowed by the memories of nearly thirty years. The increase of the congregation up town rendered a removal necessary to Crystal Hall, which was occupied until a new chapel was completed on a portion of the site now occupied by the congregation in Forty-second. street. This building was dedicated December 14th, 1862. It was anticipated that the chapel would afford sufficient accommodations for some years to come; but the rapid growth of the congregation soon made it necessary to provide for the erection of the present mag- nificent church, the ground for which was broken in August, 1863.
This edifice is one of peculiar architectural design, and attracts great attention from visitors to New York. It occupies ground 102 feet by 78 feet, and abuts immediately upon the chapel previously erected. The auditorium is a perfect square of 74 feet by 74 feet, and the pulpit platform gives an additional 12 feet of depth. The organ and gallery for the choir form the principal decorative features of the north end of the church. The gas lights are princi- pally out of sight, being concentrated under a series of powerful reflectors above the great skylight, and also being disposed around the back of the central arch over the pulpit. The leading idea in the style of architecture is the Italian Gothic. The columns sup- porting the entrance porch are of polished Peterhead granite, the basis and capitals of Italian marble. In this portion there are some rare specimens of the sculptor's art, one of which is the figure of an angel of benediction in the tympanum of the arch. The painting of the interior is also highly artistic and beautiful. The church was dedicated April 23d, 1865, and cost, with the ground, one hundred and twenty thousand dollars.
In this unique and beautiful church, situated in one of the best neighborhoods of the city, Dr. Hastings now addresses from Sabbath to Sabbath his large congregation. There are four hundred and thirty-seven members, and about two hundred and fifty children in
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REV. THOMAS S. HASTINGS, D. D.
the Sunday school at the church, and six hundred in two Mission Sunday schools.
In 1872 the congregation completed a structure known as First Mission Chapel on Forty-sixth street, near Tenth avenue, at a cost of fifteen thousand dollars. The edifice is of brick and covers two lots, fifty by one hundred feet. The front is trimmed with blue- stone, and at each end is a small tower with a spire.
The pews accommodate five hundred persons, and there are en- couraging evidences that the mission will produce excellent fruits. A clergyman is to be permanently attached to the chapel, and comfortable apartments have been arranged over the library for his accommodation. The Sunday school is held on the main floor; the infant class has a neat room immediately above the read- ing room, and it looks directly into the body of the chapel. Swing- ing doors are so arranged that the gallery can be closed, and all sound kept away from the auditorium if necessary.
There is a ladies' industrial school attached to the mission, which meets every Wednesday and Saturday. The object is to instruct girls in needle work. The end and scope of the society is to aid as far as possible the good and deserving, and with this view the ladies cut out clothing and prepare it for distribution. In certain cases garments are presented to attendants at the school. Every effort is made to inspire habits of industry and thrift among the young peo- ple.
Dr. Hastings has a tall, thin figure. His head is of the average size, with regular and delicate features. His complexion is pale, and the expression of his face is one which bespeaks great amiability of character. He has much warmth and polish of man- ners, and his address is affable and cheerful. All admire and respect him, and those who know him in intimate personal relations as pastor and friend cherish him as one of the truest of men.
Dr. Hastings is a scholarly and eloquent preacher. He is clear, vigorous and stable in his style of thought, and shows thorough in- formation in the whole range of theological and literary culture. More than this he is a deeply pious man, and his sermons are per- vaded by an impressive religious tone. He received his degree of D. D. from the New York University in 1866. He holds a position among the ablest men of his denomination, and his spiritual and practical success in the ministry, especially in his present pastorate, has not been exceeded by any pastor of his times.
263
REV. ISAAC T. HECKER,
PASTOR OF THE CHURCH OF ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE, (CATHOLIC,) NEW YORK.
EV. ISAAC T. HECKER was born in New York, in December, 1819. He received his education in this city, and entered into business with his brothers in the large milling and baking establishment of Hecker Brothers. Two of these brothers still earry on this business with great suc- eess ; and one of them, John Ieeker, is noted as a religious man, philanthropist, and a writer on education and phrenology, and for maintaining a church of the Episcopal faith at his own expense.
Father Hecker passed the summer of 1843, with the Association for Agriculture and Education, at Brook Farm, West Roxbury, Mass., and subsequently spent some time at a similar institution in Worees- ter Co., Mass. In 1845, he returned to New York, and become con- verted to, and reeeived into, the Roman Catholic Church. IIe deter- mined on entering the congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, and after making his novitiate at St. Trond, in Belgium, was admitted to the order in 1847. On the completion of his ecclesiastical studies, he was sent by his superiors to England, where he was ordained priest by the late Cardinal Wiseman, in 1849. He passed two years in England, engaged in missionary work. In 1851, he returned to the United States, with several members of his order. During the next seven years he was constantly employed in missionary labor in dif- ferent parts of the United States. Ilis talents and enthusiasm in his work were of that degree which produced great results for his church, and he quickly rose to a high reputation in its priesthood.
HIe soon prepared for even a more extended field of organized missionary effort. In 1857, having visited Rome, Father Heeker with some of his colleagues were released by the Pope from their connection with the Redemtionists, and in 1858 he founded, with his companions, a new missionary society under the name of the congre. gation of St. Paul the Apostle, whose church and monastery are on
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REV. ISAAC T. HECKER.
the corner of Ninth avenue and Fifty-ninth street. The parish is large and growing. There are different religious and charitable societies, a Sunday school of more than twelve hundred pupils, and two libraries, of over two thousand volumes.
Father Hecker published in 1855, "Questions of the Soul," and in 1857, " Aspirations of Nature." While in Rome, he published two papers on Catholicity in the United States, which were translated into several languages, and extensively read in Europe and America. He originated the Catholic World, of New York, a monthly magazine devoted to the interest of the Catholic Church. He is also well known as an able and eloquent lecturer on religious and secular subjects. In his writings he is learned, logical, and brilliant.
The personal appearance of Father Hecker is that of a man capa- ble of great and persevering effort of both the mental and bodily pow- ers. Such have been his characteristics throughout, and, though at this writing he has been obliged to seek succor for failing health, in European travel, still it is not thought that his rare powers for severe duty are seriously impaired. He has a round and compact figure. ITis head is large, with well cut features. The brow is broad and finely rounded, showing at once excellent form and striking intel- lectuality. The whole expression of the face is particularly cheerful and pleasing. It betokens an eager, penetrating mind, and the noble, kindly heart.
Father Hecker enjoys an extensive popularity as an effective, popular speaker. Few men can exercise more control over an aud- ience. IIe speaks with ease of utterance, in choice and vigorous language, and with modulations of voice and appropriateness of ges- tures, which do much to give force and impressiveness to his oratory.
He is a benevolent and truly pious man. Religion is to him the aspiration and life of the soul. Devoted and earnest in preaching his particular faith, he exhibits in every step that he takes in the path of daily duty, and in every word that falls from his lips, that he pro- claims only that which is the rock of his own earthy comfort and heavenly hope.
265
REV. GEORGE HI. HEPWORTHI, PASTOR OF THE CHURCH OF THE DISCIPLES, NEW YORK.
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