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 26
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 26
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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
Dr. Hutton is a preacher of the old school. He preaches for the salvation of souls, and that alone. You look in vain in his sermons for a single sentiment showing that he has used the authority of his holy calling for any other end. In language the simplest, but withi religious fervor the strongest, he argues plainly and emphatically the call to grace. His discourses are a masterly paraphrase of the Scriptures themselves, and a calm exposition of doctrine. Avoid- ing anything like an attempt to lead the mind into metaphysical ab- stractions, he struggles, as much in love as alarm, with the uncon- verted soul. Every line is strong in faith, every page shows the ardent purpose of arresting sin and redeeming man ; and the whole is pervaded with a most tender, pleading pathos. He speaks effect- ively, while without the slightest ostentation, having only a few or- dinary gestures. Ilis fine, commanding figure, and never-varying devoutness of tone, add much to the effect of what he says. After forty-five years of active service in the ministry, he is still hale in body, and vigorous in mind, and as eager as at the outset in the har- vest of souls.
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REV. EDWARD P. INGERSOLL, A. M., . PASTOR OF THE MIDDLE REFORMED CHURCH, BROOKLYN.
R EV. EDWARD P. INGERSOLL, A. M., was born at Lee, Massachusetts, May 6th, 1834. He was graduated at Williams College in 1855, and in theology at Andover in 1863. He settled in the city of Cleveland, Ohio, where he became principal of the High School for a
year. In 1858 he was graduated at a law school, and, having been admitted to the bar of Cleveland during the same year, he practiced for three years with success. Strong convictions of duty induced him to abandon the law, and enter upon theological studies at Andover. On the conclusion of his course, he was first settled as pastor of the Congregational church at Sandusky, Ohio, in December, 1863, in which position he remained between four and five years. He then went to the Plymouth Congrega- tional church in Indianopolis, Indiana, where he labored for two years. In 1869 he was called to the Middle Reformed Church, in South Brooklyn.
This congregation was organized about thirty years ago, and public worship was conducted in a church on the corner of Court and Butler streets. The Rev. Mr. Otey was the first pastor, and after him came the Rev. Mr. Talmage, and then the Rev. Dr. Nicholas E. Smith, who officiated for a number of years, and was succeeded by Mr. Ingersoll. After some years the congregation had so increased that a large church edifice and chapel adjoining were erected, on Harrison street, near Court street. There are about five hundred members, and the Sunday School has three hundred and fifty children.
A few years since Mr. Ingersoll passed a vacation in travel in Europe. He has published various sermons, and writes occasionally for the religious press.
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REV. EDWARD P. INGERSOLL, A. M.
Mr. Ingersoll has an erect and graceful figure. He has a fine head, with a face of light complexion, and so expressive of the higher intellectual and moral characteristics, that you delight to study it. The eyes are large, and full of the truth and love and nobleness which are in the man, and in every feature and every line of the whole face there is to be seen some token of a truly manly and a truly elevated nature. ITis manners are equally fasci- nating, for they have a natural frankness, and they are the instant and emphatic evidence of his courtesy and good will.
As a preacher, and a worker in the field of the Lord, he is one who makes no display of his talents, or of his ability in any particu- lar, but he preaches and he works for the single purpose of saving the lost. A man of much learned investigation, of a wide and prac- tical experience in life, he is a powerful speaker in the pulpit, and not less an energetic laborer out of it. Hence his ministry has been a great success. Of him it can be justly said that his reputation is based not only on personal worth, but on the usefulness of his talents and efforts to the community at large.
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REV. DAVID INGLIS, LL. D.,
PASTOR OF THE REFORMED CHURCH ON THE HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN.
EV. DAVID INGLIS, LL. D. was born at Greenlaw, Berwiekshire, Scotland, June 8th, 1825. He is the son of the Rev. David Inglis, a well-known minister in the South of Scotland. He was graduated at the Edinburgh University, in 1841, and concluded a theologieal course at the same institution in 1846. His license to preach was given by the Presbytery of Carlisle, connected with the Presbyterian Church of England. In 1846, he came to the United States, and passed one year in the West without a charge. During the following year he commenced labor at Tubby Hook, near New York, at which place he continued for several years. In 1853 he was called to St. Gabriel Street Free Presbyterian Church of Montreal, where he re- mained until called, in 1855, to the MeNab Street Presbyterian Church of Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, where he labored for sixteen years. IIe built up a very strong congregation, and there was a warm attachment between pastor and people. For some years he had held very close relations with Knox College, at Toronto, and, in September, 1871, he was elected by the General Assembly of the Canada Presbyterian Church, to the chair of Systematic Theol- ogy. Notwithstanding his reluctance to leave his congregation, he determined to accept the position, and accordingly entered upon his duties. In the next year, however, the postponement of an expected endowment of the institution obliged his resignation. He visited New York during 1842, and when preaching a sermon in the pulpit of his friend, the Rev. Dr. Ormiston, he was heard by a committee of the Reformed Church on the Heights, Brooklyn, and at once called to the position which he now occupies.
The Reformed Church on the Heights grew out of the Central Reformed Church, who called the late Rev. Dr. Bethune from Phil-
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REV. DAVID INGLIS, LL. D
adelphia to Brooklyn, and erected a new church on Pierrepont street. The church has a very eligible site on the Heights, and is a very fine building, with brown stone front, seating about one thousand two hundred people, and has a novelty of being lighted from the roof. In the rear is a spacious lecture-room, fronting on Monroe Place. The property cost about eighty thousand dollars, and is free from debt. Other pastors of the church were the Rev. Dr. James Eells, now of California, and Rev. Dr. Zachary Eddy, now of Detroit.
Dr. Inglis received the degree of LL. D. from the Michigan Uni- versity. He published in London a work called " Crown Jewels," and in Canada, in 1861, two sermons under the respective titles of " The Memory of God's Gracious Dealings to be Cherished and Per- petuated," and " Righteousness Exalteth a Nation." IIe also pub- lished other sermons, and his inaugural lecture at Knox College, under the title of "Dogmatic Theology." He was a contributor to the Princeton Review, and Theological Journal, of New York, New York Observer, and other publications, and is now writing in the Christian Intelligencer, of New York.
Dr. Inglis is of a tall, well-proportioned figure. He has a large head, with regular features. His manners are quiet and courteous to all. You experience no difficulty in feeling on easy terms with him, for he is so gentlemanly and pleasant, and falls so readily into unrestrained conversation, that you are placed on an immediate footing of intimacy. IIe is cheerful, warm, and sineere in all his feel- ings, drawing each person in good fellowship to himself, and giving back an abundance of good-will which cannot fail to be appreciated. Ile is profound in theologieal scholarship, and a powerful preacher of his faith. His whole nature and his deepest convictions are in- volved in his religious belief. At the same time he is a man of en- tire calmness and method in both action and thought. There is no display, no evidence of impulsiveness, but, on the contrary, that soberness of manner, and that calin deliberation which carry most weight in conversation and public speaking. He writes with force and eloquence, going deeply into the elucidation of his subjeet, and giving a scholar's care to the choice and effect of language. As a speaker his delivery is excellent, and he imparts to all that he says the impressiveness which comes from dignity of bearing and origin- ality of reasoning. Always able and successful in his ministerial work, he is justly regarded as one of the strongest minds of the Evangelical Church,
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REV. JOHN INSKIP,
LATE PASTOR OF THE GREENE . STREET METIIODIST CHURCHI, NEW YORK.
EV. JOHN S. INSKIP was born in Huntington, Eng- land, August 10th, 1816. When five years of age his father came to this country with the family, and settled in Wilmington, Delaware. Mr. Inskip says that he considers himself a "full blooded native American," and feels no particular pride at the fact of his birth being in the realm of haughty "John Bull." His early education was pursued in the schools of Wilmington; and later he spent some time at Dickinson College, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. He entered the itinerant ministry of the Methodist church, in connection with the Philadelphia Confer- ence, in 1835, and successively held appointments in Springfield, Cecil, and Nottingham circuits, in Maryland ; at Easton, Pennsylvania, Western, Kensington, and Salem churches, Philadelphia, and Ger- mantown. In 1845 he was transferred to the Cincinnati Conference, and appointed to the Ninth Street church in that city ; then going to Dayton, and subsequently to Urbana, Springfield, and Troy. After this he was transferred to the New York East Conference, and stationed at Madison Street church, New York City, and afterward at Fleet Street, Centenary, and De Kalb Avenue churches, Brooklyn, Ninth Street, New York, and then became chaplain of the Brooklyn Fourteenth Regiment, and served in the field equal to two ministerial . years. Ile was next stationed at Birmingham, Conn .; then at the South Third Street church, in the Eastern District of Brooklyn, and in the spring of 1866 he was appointed to the Greene Street church, New York.
More recently, Mr. Inskip has devoted his time to attending and conducting Camp Meetings as a revivalist. Among other places visited by him was Utah, where he preached in a great tent, trans- ported thither for the meetings.
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REV. JOHN INSKIP.
Mr. Inskip is the author of a work, entitled "Methodism Ex. plained and Defended," published in Cincinnati in 1851 ; and was editor of the True Freeman, a weekly paper, formerly published in New York as the organ of the American Protestant Association. IIe was active in the Native American movement some years ago, and delivered various addresses before the Order of United Americans.
Mr. Inskip is about of the medium height, with a full, round person, and an crect carriage. He has a round head, with small, regular features, and has an amiable, intelligent face. He is a social, genial man, and is always on the best terms with everybody. There is an independence and spirit of good nature about him which per- vade all liis conduct, both in public and private, and make him not less a noticeable than an interesting character. He has had a world of experience with mankind, and in the events of life in his wide field of ministerial duty, and, like other veterans, he draws agreeably from his treasury of reminiscences for the entertainment and instruction of those with whom he comes in contact. He is in every sense the Methodist minister, having all the distinctive peculiarities which be- long to the individual in this branch of the clerical profession. Were he President of the United States, he would deem it a lighter honor than that of being one of the ministers of this his beloved church ; and it is his pride on all occasions to make known the fact, and act up to all the requirements of the position. The true representative Metho- dist minister is a self-made, self-educated, humble-minded, hard- toiling laborer in the vineyard of the Lord. Mr. Inskip soon lets you know that this is his exact measurement as a man and a clergyman. No place or company can prevent him from intruding himself as the independent, persistent exhorter. All times are his times for declaim- ing his religion, all places are his fitting sanctuary, and all persons are those to whom he makes himself a pastor. This is undoubtedly the true spirit of Methodism in its primitiveness and as a pre- . eminently proselyting faith. The early Methodist preacher was a guide to the people, and an exhorter who was not to wait for Sab baths and pulpits to make known his message, but to do it openly and fearlessly, at all times, and to all people. Mr. Inskip is such a man. Ile is busy with his religious work in season and out of season ; he exhorts with you whether you will or not, and you have to learn something about his Bible and Methodisin whether you are pleased or not. He has an independent, off-hand, good-natured way with him that always carries his point, and without offence. It is not too
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REV. JOHN INSKIP.
much to say that he has brought many a sheep into the fold by speak- ing when most other men would be silent, and that he has made him- self conspicuous in his denomination by an amount of faithfulness to his whole duty such as none of his cotemporaries have excelled and but few equaled.
In speaking, at first his manner is very deliberate, and his voice is in rather a low tone, but as he proceeds he shows more animation. He speaks extemporaneously, but with a great deal of reflectiveness. He relates anecdotes and circumstances to illustrate his theme; and at times he rises with an intense degree of feeling into the higher flights of impassioned eloquence. His preaching is declamatory and pathetic more than doctrinal or strictly argumentative. What argu- ment he uses is of the moral sort, drawn from the common events of life, and thus brought home to every listener. As he proceeds, mak- ing every thing clear as he goes, and stimulating more and more the feelings of his auditors, it is seen that the large and promiscuous audience is in the closest attention, and that on the part of many the utmost sensitiveness is displayed. His earnest pathos touches the chords of feeling, and it is not difficult for him to crowd his altar night after night with new converts.
At an early date the Methodist ministry was not an educated body of men. They were familiar with the text of the Bible and inspired with a holy zeal for their calling. At this time they have seminaries for the education of their ministers, and they require a higher standard of qualification before candidates are admitted to the full rank of ministers of the gospel. Hence every day shows an abler class of men in the Methodist pulpit, and the preaching is more learned. But, after all, the great force in their preaching is its de- clamatory style, its showy, moving eloquence, and its appeals to the feelings.
Mr. Inskip takes this road to success in his ministry. Leaving the stricter mental questionings of the contrite hearer to take care of themselves, he assails the more vulnerable heart. IIe knows its weaknesses, how it may be softened, and how it is to be won. With matchless art, with all the promises and terrors of the scriptures at his tongue's end, with his own feelings as tender and kindly as his words are solemn and earnest, he struggles to unlock the hearts of his hearers to the impressions of religion.
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REV. THEODORE IRVING, LL. D., LATE RECTOR OF THE CHURCH OF THE MEDIATOR, NEW YORK.
EV. THEODORE IRVING was born in the city of New York, May 9th, 1809. He is a nephew of the late Washington Irving, and was intimately associated with him in life. While making preparations to enter Co- lumbia College he went abroad. in company with his uncle, and completed his education in Madrid, Paris, and London. At the time that Louis MeLain was American minister at the court of St. James, Mr. Washington Irving was Secretary of Legation, and Theodore was the private secretary of his unele. The latter returned to the United States in 1830, and studied law a year in the office of Judge John Duer. He then became Pro- fessor of Belles-Lettres, History, and Modern Languages at Geneva College, now Hobart College, an Episcopal institution, where he remained thirteen years. During this period he received the degree of LL. D. from Union College. In 1851 he accepted the same pro- fessorship at the Free Academy, New York, in which position he remained three years, when he commenced the study of theology. In February, 1855, he was made deacon by Bishop Potter, at St. Mary's Church, Brooklyn ; and two months later he was admitted to the priesthood by the same bishop, at the Church of the Incarna- tion, New York. He was first settled as rector at Christ Church, Bay Ridge, Long Island, remaining two years ; then going to St. Andrew's, Richmond, Staten Island, where he remained eight years, until his health failed him. He received a call to the chair of Pulpit Eloquence and Pastoral Care in the Divinity School of Philadelphia, and at the same time to the rectorship of the Church of the Mediator, New York. Having accepted the latter, he commenced his duties in January, 1865.
His health failing, he went to Europe in the spring of 1867, and returned home in the autumn, when he resigned his rectorship of the
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REV. THEODORE IRVING, LL. D.
Media or, and took charge of St. Paul's, Newburg, in the absence of the rector, for one year. In 1869 he was called to Staten Island, to organize a new parish in that place, where he had a chapel when he was rector of St. Andrew's. The congregation erected a beautiful stone church (The Ascension), and he remained there three years, and then accepted a call to become President of a Ladies' College in Canada. Here he remained eighteen months, and became so charmed with the work that he determined to introduce the same plan in a school among his own people, satisfied that there was room in the city of New York for a Christian school for young ladies. He is now conducting such an establishment. The peculiar feature of this school is, that while affording the highest kind of scholastic train- ing, especial regard is given to the Christian culture of all the young ladies who enter it
Dr. Irving is the author of "Conquest of Florida," " Fountain of Living Water," and "The Tiny Footfall." He gave considerable aid to his distinguished uncle in the preparation of several of his works for the press.
Dr. Irving is about of the medium height, equally proportioned, and of graceful, active movements. "There is the tone of the highest breeding in his manner, and his countenance has that intelligence and pleasantness which are so attractive. Nature made him a gentleman, and culture has done nothing more than to develop and adorn in- herent qualities. A man of this kind is always genial. Dignity is softened by a thousand acts of politeness, and the heart, overflowing with its social instinets, its friendship, and its affection, teaches the lips only expressions of courtesy and gentleness. With Dr. Irving there is an ever-present dignity ; but intercourse with him is totally without restraint, from the fact of his exceeding geniality. Ilis warmth of manner is likewise characterized by an unmistakable sin- cerity. He means all that he appears. Ilis conversation is very animated, and whenever it is proper turns to the cheerful side of matters. His intellectual capabilities are of the highest order. You see it in his round, full brow, his clear, speaking eyes, and, indeed, the whole expression of his face. It is evident that he is a man of a deep, comprehensive mind, and the greatest ardor in the pursuit of learning. He exhibits no pedantry, hardly a consciousness of any thing more than an ordinary degree of culture, and his intelligence and acquirements seem as mere resources to promote genial associa- tion.
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REV. THEODORE IRVING, LL. D.
Mr. Irving has distinguished himself as a professor. The traits we have mentioned give him unbounded power as a teacher, and he has been most successful in the departments in which he has given instruction. As a writer he also excels. His intimacy with Wash- ington Irving gave him the benefit of one of the best masters of Eng- lish composition who ever lived. And much of the purity of diction, simplicity of style, and tenderness of tone which have made the writ- ings of his gifted uncle so noted appear in his own compositions. His sermons contain a happy mingling of learned, logical argument, and delicate religious sentiment. He has very little gesture, but his voice is distinct and animated.
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REV. SAMUEL M. ISAACS, RABBI OF THE CONGREGATION SHAARAY TEFILA, NEW YORK,
EV. SAMUEL M. ISAACS was born in Leewarden, Holland, in January, 1804. His father was a banker in that city, but losing all his property by the French war, he emigrated to England. Our subject was Princi- pal of an educational and charitable institution in London for several years. In 1839 he came to New York, where he had received a call to the old Elm Street Synagogue (Bnai Jeshurum). IIe might be called the "father of the Jewish clergy " in this city, as he has been residing here longer than any of the other ministers. ITis learning and eloquence attracted crowds of visitors -- Christians in large numbers, to the synagogue where he was to be heard. He lectured in the English tongue, and so little was known of the Jews and Judaism at that time, that people were anxious to be informed on these topics. The congregation Shaaray Tefila, or "Gates of Prayer, " grew out of the Elm Street Synagogue in 1845, and he was elected its minister.
This body of Jewish worshipers held its first services in Franklin street, near Broadway, but erected a synagogue in Wooster street, near Prince, in 1845. The building, however, gave way to the up- town movement of these people, and was sold in 1864. In September, 1864, the congregation dedicated its third place of worship in the building at the corner of Thirty-sixth street and Broadway, where it remained during the erection of a synagogue in West Forty-fourth street. This structure is one of the most magnificent public edifices in New York, and, in fact, in the world. It occupies a lot one hun- dred feet square. The material is Newark freestone, with Dorchester for trimmings, and the architecture is of the Moorish type. All the windows are of stained glass, exquisite in color and design. The columns supporting the arches over the main entrance are delicately wrought, and the entire ornamentation is very tasteful. Four massive
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REV. SAMUEL M. ISAACS.
columns support the roof, having their capitals elegantly decorated, and their shafts bronzed. From these columns spring grand arches longitudinally and transversely. The ceiling is highly decorated, blue, light chocolate and white being the principal colors. The walls are decorated in light buff, relieved by the beautifully stained glass windows and the ornamental borders. The seats are of black walnut, and richly cushioned. The Almenor or reading desk is ornate in design, and richly finished in hard wood. The Ark, with which the pulpit is combined, is the most elegant erection of its class in the country. It is of black walnut, with ornaments of oak and other woods, carved and inlaid. The columns are chaste ; the bases and capitals ornate. Above the ark is a beautiful rose window of stained glass. An elegant curtain of crimson satin, with velvet border and centerpiece, embroidered in bullion, hangs before the Ark. The pulpit is of black-walnut, with oak inlaid, and richly carved. The entire auditory floor is covered with handsome Axminister carpet. The building also contains four large school-rooms, a chapel, a par- lor for ladies, retiring-room for gentlemen, beside other apartments. The choir is located in the gallery. The cost of this splendid struc- ture was two hundred thousand dollars, of which the large sum of sixty thousand was for the Ark.
The ceremonial of consecration took place on the afternoon of Thursday, May 11th, 1869. The music was by a choir and thirty-five pieces of music. The possession of the synagogue was placed in the keeping of the President by an appropriate address, and the delivery of a silver key. The serolls of the law were then brought with due ceremony from the vestibule by the appointed bearers, As the Ark was approached the perpetual light was lighted, and the receptical was opened by the past-President. Seven circuits of the synagogue were then made by the bearers, the choir chanting psalms mean- while. At the close of this last circuit the scrolls of the law were re- turned to the Ark, the choir chanting a psalm. A consecration discourse was then delivered by the minister, and a prayer offered for the welfare and perpetuity of the United States government. concluding hymn and benediction closed the services.
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