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 25
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 25
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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
The Church of the Holy Apostles was the development of a Sunday school, which was held in an upper room in Twenty-seventh street. Religious services were at length conuneneed, and when Dr. Howland took charge there were twenty communicants. A donation of five lots, on the corner of Ninth avenue and Twenty-eighth street, was made to the church by Robert Ray, Esq., and here a church edifice was erected, which was consecrated in February, 1847.
The growth of the congregation under the charge of Dr. Howland was very remarkable. The eminent ability of the rector and the harmony always existing in the parish were attractions which pro- duced their legitimate fruits. In 1867 the congregation had four
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REV. ROBERT S. HOWLAND, D. D.
hundred communicants, four hundred families, and four hundred and fifty children in the Sunday school.
On the 18th of May, 1868, a parish under the name of the Church of the IIcavenly Rest was organized, of which Dr. Howland is now the senior rector. The church edifice is located on one of the most magnificent portions of Fifth avenue. Dr. Howland, at the time of the erection of the church, carried out a plan of building several residences adjoining, making all the structures harmonious in design, and very imposing and elegant in appearance.
The church has an entrance on Fifth avenue, and will seat about one thousand people. Its design throughout is elaborate and costly. The pews and others fittings are of solid wood, and the carvings of the chancel are especially admired. All the pillars are of polished variegated marble. It was opened for public service in February, 1869. The congregation is now large and influential. Here, as elsewhere, Dr. Ilowland is doing an earnest work for the upholding of his faith, and the regeneration of his fellow-men. Ilis able asso- ciate is the Rev. Dr. Thomas K. Conrad.
Dr. Howland is of the medium height, well proportioned, and of an easy, graceful carriage. He has a round head, not large, but of excellent proportions, regular features, and soft, bright eyes. His manners are dignified, but characterized by so much courtesy that intercourse with him is always agreeable. He is what may be called a self-possessed man-not one to bluster and make a noise about any- thing he does, or one devoid of modesty and a nice sense of pro- priety. Neither is he a man of assumption, nor of any personal conceit. And still he is a person of invariable self-possession. You are struck with it as a leading characteristic in him. But it is the self-possession of a man of intelligence and ability, who has all his powers under the most perfeet control, and knows exactly how and when to utter every word and perform every aet. He is never excited, and he is never in doubt. He is always composed, and acts under- standingly and properly on all occasions. His self-reliance and self- possession appear at a glance ; but at the same time it is to be seen that these are qualities natural to the man, and not assumed either to attract attention or to gain undue prominence for the individual. He is a kind-hearted man, full of manly and noble sympathies, and alive with energy in his Christian labors. He makes no distinction in his intercourse with men, except that of the moral character. The humble and the sorrowing are regarded with most touching kindness ; and it
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has been his great effort to make such persons in his parishes the object of constant Christian care. He is also a person exerting the happiest influence with children. His manners with them are winning in the extreme, and he is alike successful in imparting to them instruction and in preserving their lasting love.
He preaches with a great deal of power. He is not lacking in those acquirements of scholarship which give value and interest to literary productions ; but the striking features in his sermons are their depth and force of religious appeal, and evidence of the earnest con- victions of the writer. As he writes, his language naturally takes those forms of expression which are the most euphonious to the ear and positive in their effect upon the mind. This is fully apparent, and the listener cannot fail to receive great delight from his sermons as learned and literary efforts. But the seeker after the bread of Heaven will find something of far more value. A holy inspiration, a firm reliance on the promises of faith, and a prayerful interest in all inquiring souls, are features which are equally apparent, and which give the greatest impressiveness to all these discourses. None can hear him without profit. There is that in his matter and manner which makes an irresistible appeal to the mind and heart. His voice is gentle, and his whole delivery is characterized by that dignity and propriety, and at the same time self-possession, which is peculiar to him on other occasions.
Dr. Howland ranks with the most eminent of the Episcopal clergy. His abilities are of the first class, and he has built up powerful parishes. His reputation rests on nothing ephemeral, but on qualifications and works of the most substantial character. He is popular among his brethren as a talented, good, and energetic man of God; and with his people he is always held in the most sincere regard.
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REV. WAYLAND HOYT,
PASTOR OF THE TABERNACLE BAPTIST CHURCH, NEW YORK.
R EV. WAYLAND HOYT was born in the city of Cleve. land, Ohio, February 18th, 1838. His early studies were pursued in the vicinity of his native city. He was graduated at Brown University in 1860, and at the Rochester Theological Seminary in 1863. He was ordained and settled for a year over the Baptist church at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and then passed three years with the Ninth street Baptist church, Cincinnati. In November, 1867, he was installed as the pastor of the Strong Place Baptist church, Brooklyn, where he remained until the spring of 1873. He accomplished a most efficient work, and the congregation parted with him greatly to their regret, but he considered it his duty to accept a call to the Tabernacle church in New York, where he is now laboring with his usual success. Previously a strong effort was made to induce him to accept a call in Boston, but this he declined.
The Tabernacle church is one of the old Baptist organizations of New York, having formerly worshiped in Mulberry street. Their present church edifice on Second avenue was dedicated September 22d, 1850. There are about seven hundred members, and about eight hundred children in the different Sunday Schools.
Mr. Hoyt is under the average height, and of a well-proportioned, round, solid person. His head is nearly round, with narrow chin, but with considerable breadth in the upper portion. The brow is prominent and handsome, and all the lower features are uniform and expressive. Ilis eyes are small, but have much penetration, and a clear, honest gaze. Ilis manners are frank and sincere, and have a propriety and confidence which is not always seen in a young man. HIe seems to be somewhat impulsive, and there is always a quickness of action about him; but intimacy with him shows that he is really a very cool reflective person, and that the body acts quick because
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REV. WAYLAND HOYT.
the brain is sudden and electrical in its action. His eonelusions and determination are rapid, and to the point, in great matters and small. His warmth and frankness does not proceed from mere force of nabit, but is the genuine expression of true, earnest feelings of courtesy and good will.
Mr. Hoyt is a preacher who soon wins the favor of his audience. His style of speech and manners is natural and earnest, but above all, he shows that he means and feels all that he says. IIe is terse and graphic while fluent. Although he is voluble, each word has its point and each sentence is round and complete. He reduees language to its most forcible phrases and mode of construction, and still his thoughts are rapid and redundant, and their expression is equally so. He feels warmly, and this gives a glow and animation to his face and tone, and lifts him into flights of commanding and impassioned eloquence. His temperament is genial and sanguine, and his sermons bear witness of this condition in every line. IIe does not stand aloof from you, but, on the contrary, assails your heart on the instant. He is full of warmth, love, friendship, and brotherhood. They breathe forth in every word; they beam in every glance, and they are expressed in every action. These traits in yourself he will appeal to, and bring them into action and harmony with his own feelings. His words ring in upon the mental eonvic- tions, and they light up the heart. They point the way to a new spiritual existence, but at the same time they quicken impulses which are calculated to make the temporal life nobler and more use- ful. Manhood and womanhood are developed into a higher perfee- tion and principle, and, especially, religious inspirations are kindled with freshi fires of devotion. IIe is sanguine of the future, and he fills his hearers with a like enthusiasm, and the same cheerful con- fidence. Some men have electrieal influences in their words and manners, and Mr. Hoyt is such a person. The mind of the hearer makes no quibbling or questioning about reciprocating his genial advances to the heart, for the heart itself makes its instantaneous re- sponse. You at once aceept him as a man of conscientious truthful- ness, as a counselor who regards your welfare from a standpoint of friendship, and as a spiritual leader, who, though sanguine and eager, is brave and devoted in the interest of the meanest follower.
Mr. Hloyt is still young. But no one thinks of this when he preaches. The oldest man or woman, strong as they may be in their faith and in the wisdom of gathered years, may well pause and con-
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REV. WAYLAND HOYT.
sider the teachings which he utters in the sacred desk. If they are unaffected by his youthful enthusiasm and his ardent hopefulness, they cannot refuse attention to his learned exposition of doetrines and the logic and force of the arguments which are so large a portion of his discourse. Reason and profundity are none the less so because they may be spoken by youthful lips. In faet, when they are thus spoken they generally become additionally impressive and potent. But with those of his own years Mr. Hoyt may well claim unlimited influence. He knows the weaknesses and the aspirations of the young heart, and he touches it as if with the wand of an enchanter. His eountenance becomes its magie of human perfection, his words are its treasured truths, and his steps are its chosen way. It responds fully and earnestly to his own emotions, and it gives him the sole and complete control of its spiritual aspirations.
Thus it is to be seen that Mr. Hoyt is in a position to do a great work. Powerful as is his present congregation in influence and Christian zeal, he is quite certain to give it still greater power and usefulness. He is drawing his people near to himself with singular fascination, and he is showing a strength of intellect and a physical energy which will produce great results in the field of effort which is so dear to both. Hopeful, courageous, and indomitable, he will best deserve success by a life and toil which will render him worthy of sueli a reward.
Such is the character and talents of Mr. Hoyt. Strong in his natural powers, comprehensive and profound in his acquirements, ardent and ambitious in his professional application, he is on the threshold of a great future. IIis field of effort is vast, and offers every incentive to the exercise of all his powers and capacity. and he is a man so eager for the discharge of every duty, and filled with so much religious ardor that he will neither falter in going forward to every task of difficulty, nor grow lukewarm by success. He is a chief reliance of the church in her struggle against evil, and he will be not less the friend and guide of those seeking the knowledge of a purer life. His present advancement in his profession and denomina- tion, and his crowning and brilliant honors, have not made him exultant or vain, but simply incited him to new vigor, and strengthi- ened him in self-reliance. The full scope of his intellect and the en- tire sympathies of his heart will go with his work, which will always be measured by a tireless zeal.
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REV. ADOLPHUS HUEBSCH, PH. D., RABBI OF THE CONGREGATION AHAVATH CHESED, NEW YORK.
EV. DR. ADOLPHUS HUEBSCHI was born in the north- ern part of Hungary, September 18th, 1830. His early studies were in different Talmudical schools. At fourteen he could read and write only in the Hebrew ; but later he became engaged in other studies, especially the Syriac, Arabic, and other Oriental languages. He attended the Gymnasium at Pesth for some time. He received his authorization as a rabbi at twenty, and four years later entered upon his first office in an ortho- dox congregation in Hungary, where he remained about three years. In 1856 he entered the University in Prague, where he was gradu- ated in 1859, and received the degree of doctor of philosophy. He was at once invited to accept the position of rabbi and preacher of an ancient and influential congregation in Prague, where he contin- ued until called to his present congregation in New York, in 1866. He commenced his labors on the 26th of August of that year. It was regarded as no small tribute to his reputation for so young a man to be called to the powerful congregation in Prague: and his invitation to come to New York was likewise a marked appreciation of his talents and fame. He now receives a salary of six thousand dollars a year, and his engagement is for eight years.
The congregation Ahavath Chesed is classed among the moderate reform Jews, and was organized about twenty-five years ago. The first preaching was held in Columbia street, and afterward, about 1861, a church in Avenue C was bought and altered for a synagogue.
On the 17th of April, 1872, a magnificent structure, built by the congregation, on the corner of' Lexington avenue and Fifty-fifth street, was consecrated with imposing services. This edifice is built of stone, in the Moorish or Eastern style, and fronts 93 feet on Lex ington avenue, and 140 feet on Fifty-fifth street. The front elevation is composed of five divisions-a section devoted to the main entrance,
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REV. ADOLPHUS HUEBSCH, PH. D.
with a tower and a stair wing on each side. The height of the center or main division is 72 feet; the towers 122 from the sidewalk to finial, and the stair wings 57 feet. The towers are at base 14 feet square to the height of the stair wings, and are then changed into octagons, with handsome cornices, ending with round metal cupolas, which are richly gilded, and visible at a long distance. The interior is very beautiful in Arabesque decorations, and costly appointments of every kind. Fourteen hundred people can be seated in the aisles and gal- leries. The cost of the ground and building was two hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars.
The following extract from one of Dr. Huebsch's sermons shows his eloquent and tender style :
"Religion is the supporting staff of human frailty. The weak, the suffering, the needy experience most its soothing and consoling influence. The strong and apparently independent may be enticed to dispense with religion and to rely on their own power, rather than on the mercy of the most High for salvation. But the more dependent and helpless are moved by the conciousness of their condition to `seek protection and aid from One whose might is never-failing, and whose love is everlasting, and ever ready to descend upon the meek. Hence, while man may be inclined to rebel against God, and to ignore His commands, woman's meek and submissive heart opens cheerfully to all the hopes and good promises which inure to a true and undaunted faith. When the Lord God said ' It is not good for the man to be alone, I will make a help-meet for him,' the merciful intention of God was not confined to the worldly comfort which man should derive from association with his lawful wife. God destined her as a messenger of undivided peace for the sons of earth ; her task was to sweeten his life by that loving care which makes a man's home a delight for him, and at the same time, the gentleness of her mind was to exert a beneficent influence upon his ruder nature ; and so she was to become a help for him, even in his spiritual affairs. A truly pious woman is irresistible. She makes us turn to goodness, gentleness, meekness, and true love; she brings us back to the source of all these qualities -- to religion. Well armed, indeed, is the woman who in the fight of life makes religion her weapon. What else could compensate for her deficiency, and make her strong in her weakness? By what other means could she insure her own contentment and the happiness of those inseparably con- nected with her heart ? A mighty queen without belief in God is poor and for- saken ; but the poor and forsaken, with a devoted trust in the All-merciful, she is elevated to the most noble kingdom-female excellency."
Dr. Huebsch is the author of a work entitled " Peshito," which is a translation of a portion of the Syriae version of the Old Testament into the Hebrew, with a commentary. He has also prepared and published, for the use of his own, and other congregations, a prayer-book and hymn-book in Hebrew and German. Various ser- mons by him have been published, and he writes much on learned and occasional topics in the Jewish papers. In 1871 he was the President of the Rabbinical Conference held in Cincinnati.
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REV. ADOLPHUS HUEBSCH, PH D.
He is a man in the prime of his mental and physical energies. Of the medium height, compact and ercet, he has sufficient of the physical to uphold him in any task he may undertake, while his mental faculties are always earnestly bent upon study and the diffu- sion of intelligence. His head is large, with a fine brow, and the whole expression of his face is amiable and agreeable. - In his man- ners he has an invariable politeness, which gives him great popular- ity. Although a close student, he is a man of a great deal of practi- cal observation and knowledge. He is liberal in all his views, and firm and enthusiastic in all his purposes. Hence, as he admits, he finds himself in exactly the position among the Jewish people, and in exactly the country of liberty and intelligence, where he can make his scholarship and energies of the most usefulness. The rise and increase of his congregation is due to his influence with the masses, not only as a spiritual teacher, but as a man and citizen.
He preaches with a great deal of force and eloquence. There is no restraint or hesitation in his manner of dealing with his subject; but whatever it may be, he displays the fullest information and com- prehension in regard to all its bearings. Learning and a practical realization of the needs of mankind are the chief features of all his discourses. Able and eloquent in delivery, they are sustained on his own part by a pure and consistent private life.
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REV. ALBERT S. HUNT, D. D.,
PASTOR OF THE FIRST PLACE METHODIST CHURCH, BROOKLYN
EV. DR. ALBERT S. HUNT was born in Dutchess County, New York, July 3d, 1827. He was graduated at the Wesleyan University, Middletown, Conn., in 1851, being at the head of his class, and the valedicto- rian. This was the last class which was graduated under the presidency of the late lamented and distinguished Stephen Olin, as he closed his earthly career not long after. Dr. Hunt remained at the University two years as tutor, and two years as As- sistant Professor of Moral Science and Belles-Lettres. He was al- ready a local preacher of the Methodist Church, and, after leaving the University, resumed his ministerial duties in connection with a new organization at Rhinebeck, N. Y., in the autumn of 1855. ITis health becoming impaired, he went to Europe, and traveled for five or six months, and did not again enter upon pastoral labors until the spring of 1859. Since that time his ministrations have all been in Brooklyn, as a member of the New York East Conference. Two years were spent at the Nathan Bang's Church, Clove Road : two years at the South Fifth Church, in the Eastern District, and then he received his first appointment to the First Place Church. He had been at other churches of the city, and several times at the First Place, receiving his last appointment at the Conference of the spring of 1874. He received his degree of D. D. from Wesleyan Univer- sity in 1872.
The First Place congregation grew out of a gathering of Meth- odists, who originally worshiped in Hicks street, and took its pres- ent designation in 1857. During the same year a church edifice was erected on First Place, the whole property costing $40,000. A remaining debt of $17,000 was paid in 1865.
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REV. ALBERT S. HUNT, D. D.
Dr. Hunt is of a tall, and well-proportioned figure. His appear- ance is very plain, and, like most Methodist ministers, there is no- thing clerical in his dress. His head is neither large nor small, and the features are only in a measure indicative of the intellectual man. He is not a person much led by other men. His opinions are quickly formed, and he holds to them with the tenacity of life itself. He is conscientious, and of a serious religious temperament. He has al- ways been a close student, and, while he goes slowly along the paths of knowledge and research, he gleans with thoroughness. He writes and speaks fluently. The most appropriate words are always at com- mand, and there is an appreciable strength and beauty in all that he employs. In public speaking he shows considerable absorption in his discussion, but he has not much gesture. He explains his sub- ject with great clearness.
He is an able man in his denomination. He shuns notoriety in all its forms, but works patiently and faithfully for the reward of his own conscience. He may be called an enthusiast in Methodism. A master of its every tenet, he is made carnest and successful by an inspiration which never fails him. Fame and personal benefits of every character are valueless in the nobler effort to make known the source of his own religious peace.
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REV. MANCIUS S. HUTTON, D. D.,
PASTOR OF THE REFORMED DUTCH CHURCH IN WASHINGTON SQUARE, NEW YORK.
EV. DR. MANCIUS S. HUTTON was born in the city of Troy, June 9th, 1803. He was graduated at Columbia College about his twenty-first year, and in theology at Princeton Seminary in 1826. He was first settled over the Presbyterian Church at German Valley, New Jersey, in 1828, which position he held for a period of six years. In December, 1834, he was called as colleague of Rev. Dr. Matthews, at the South Dutch Church, Exchange Place, New York. The church edifice was burned in the calamitous fire of 1835, and the congrega- tion finally divided on the question of selecting a new location further up town. A division of the property was made, and a portion of the congregation, bearing the old name, built a church on the corner of Murray and Church streets, while forty-nine members, with Drs. Matthews and Hutton for pastors, organized a congregation at the chapel of the University, and at length constructed a church on Washington Square, corner of Washington Place. The Murray strect congregation now worship on Fifth avenue, but still retain the name of " South Church. "
The new church on Washington Square was dedicated in Septem- ber, 1840. It was a heavy undertaking for the congregation, the whole property having cost one hundred and eleven thousand dollars, and a large debt remained. Two years later dissatisfaction was ex- pressed with Dr. Matthews, who resigned, and Dr. Hutton became, and has since remained, the sole pastor. At the time the debt was eighty thousand dollars, all of which has been paid, and the church is now unencumbered. The building accommodates one thousand persons.
Dr. Hutton's publications consist of sermons and addresses. His degree of D. D. was received from Columbia College many years since.
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REV. MANCIUS S. HUTTON, D. D. .
Dr. Hutton is a very large man, being all of six feet high, with breadth of shoulders and general make in proportion. As he walks he has a slight inclination forward, but his movements are easy and stately. He is of light complexion, and has straight light hair, now becoming thin and gray.
His face is large and round, with moderately-sized features, and an agreeable expression. There is considerable intellectual development, and you readily take him for a person of natural reflectiveness. His manners are polite, unassuming, cordial, and gentle. You find no trouble in getting acquainted with him. Whatever you talk about that is improving or entertaining he talks about also. Whatever emotion the topic may engender, be it seriousness or mirth, he dis- plays as much of it as anybody. He has one of those natures that wins from its very naturalness, from its frankness, and from its cheer- fulness. The truest manliness, the highest uprightness, and the best social qualities constantly appear, and it is as impossible to resist their influence as it is to doubt that they stand as the exact types of the man. Mingling freely and modestly among men, he is not less admired for beauties of character than he is accepted as an example of Christian and gentlemanly deportment.
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