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 27
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 27
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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
In 1866 the Rev. H. Philips was elected reader. Rev, Mr. Isaacs devotes himself exclusively to the duties of minister, and discourses regularly every other Saturday. The services adhere very closely to those adopted by the synods of centuries ago, and are entirely in Hebrew, except the sermon and prayer for the government. The
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males are seated below and the females in the galleries. Scarfs are worn by the males and the hats are retained. There is no organ- the chorals are chanted by men and boys.
The Jewish Messenger thinks that there are not less than eighty thousand Jews in New York, because the New Year holidays found upward of thirty synagogues crowded to excess, and there were at least twenty temporary shrines opened for the solemn season, all full to repletion. In the eastern section of the city, from Fourteenth to Seventieth street, there were ten minor halls fitted up as synagogues, and all were full. In 1706 the first Jewish congregation was formed in New York, and in 1744 the first synagogue was built. In 1839 there were only three synagogues in the city ; but ten years later they had greatly increased. There are now some three hundred and twenty in the United States. Mr. Isaacs has himself consecrated thirty-eight synagogues in different parts of the country, including the first one ever built in the State of Illinois.
The first Jewish settlers in the United States emigrated from the Dutch West Indies and Guiana, and Holland itself, and established themselves at Newport, R. I., New York, Charleston and Savannah. The earliest record dates back to 1660, when a charter was granted by the province of New Amsterdam to the Jewish community, authorizing the laying out of a burial ground. There is a syna- gogue standing at Newport, R. I., erected more than a hundred and fifty years ago.
Rev. Mr. Isaacs has been for many years the editor of the Jewish Messenger, a weekly journal which is the organ of the strict, or con- servative Jews, and of which he is also the publisher in connection with two of his sons. He wields a ready and powerful pen, and has done as much as any man in this country in establishing the Jewish press. He is connected with all the Jewish charities of New York, some of which he was active in founding.
Mr. Isaacs is under the average height, and very active in his tem- perament. His head is small, but of intellectual appearance, and he has regular, delicate features. He has clear hazel eyes, hair sprinkled with gray, and white whiskers. In his manners he is very pleasing, being frank, courteous, and warm with all persons, and he shows much animation in conversation. He is cheerful, and noted for a keen sense of humor. The strong points of his character are amiability, benevolence, and piety, and, above all, firmness to prin- ciples, opinions, and purposes. He enjoys excellent health, owing to
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his regular habits and indefatigable industry. He rises early, and attends synagogue every morning before seven o'clock. He is a strict Jew in every sense. He stands at the head in this country of the old school of Jews. This is the party who resist the innovations in the service of the synagogue, which are advocated and carried out by the class known as radicals, who are now not by any means incon- siderable in nmnbers. In his pulpit and his paper, Mr. Isaacs brings all the power of his talents, learning, and force of character to uphold Judaism in its primitive characteristics ; and he has done it with an ability and success which have given him a wide fame in his own religious body, and among the people generally. His style as a preacher is logical and emphatic. The power of his erudition, and his superior natural comprehensiveness, are seen in all his statements and arguments, and his earnest tones and manner show how sincerely his heart is in all that he utters. He is honest, fair, and sometimes perhaps a little blunt in the discussion of all questions, but at the same time there is not less display of the tender and sympathetic emotions of the heart. His people are drawn to him by unusually strong ties. IIe is the embodiment and illustration of their cherished principles of faith, and in his personal character stands pre-eminent for the highest qualities which can adorn the individual, clergyman, and citizen.
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REV. BISHOP EDMUND STORER JANES, D. D., OF THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
EV. BISHOP EDMUND STORER JANES, D. D., was born in Sheffield, Berkshire county, Mass., April 27th, 1807. At the time he was four years of age his parents removed to Salisbury, Connecticut. From 1824 to 1830 he was engaged in teaching, and during three years of this period found opportunity to give attention to the study of the law. When about to seek admission to the bar, the sudden death of the person with whom he was to associate himself in business, and his own religious conversion, indueed him to change his plans and com- mence preparations for entering the Methodist ministry. His first ap- pointment was in April, 1830, at Elizabeth, New Jersey, where he remained two years. Subsequently he preached at Orange, was an agent of Dickinson College for three years, pastor of churches in Philadelphia for three years, pastor in New York for two years, and Financial Secretary of the American Bible Society for four years. His change from the last-named position was occasioned by his being elected one of the nine bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in 1844. Six years of the time enumerated were likewise given to the study of theology ; and while performing the active duties of the pas- torship he also undertook the study of medicine, without any design, however, of changing his profession. He was ordained deacon in 1852, and elder in 1854. In 1842 he received the degree of M.D. from the Vermont University, and in the same year that of A. M. from Dickinson College, and in 1844 that of D. D., also from the latter in- stitution. His field of labor as bishop has been chiefly in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. In 1857, and again in 1863, he visited California. During a visit to Europe he presided over one of the German Conferences; and he was elected a delegate to the British Conference of 1865. Hle has traveled in all the States except Florida, and in most of the Territories. In 1859 he
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attempted to hold a conference in Texas, in the interest of the church north, but himself and the body were mobbed and dispersed. The particular district in which each bishop is employed is a subject of arrangement between themselves once a year, and the intention is that each shall at some time visit every portion of the church. The salary and traveling expenses of the bishops are paid out of the pro fits of the Methodist Book Concern.
This powerful and wealthy establishment was organized in 1789, in Philadelphia, with a borrowed capital of only $600. It was con- ducted by agents, who, up to 1808, were stationed like other preach- ers. The business was at length removed to New York, and from one street to ancther until, in 1833, it was located in Mulberry street, where the manufacturing is still carried on in an extensive building. In 1836 the building, machinery, and most of the stock were destroyed by fire. In the spring of 1799 the whole amount of capital, inelud- ing debts, amounted to $4,000 ; five years later it had reached $27,000, and in 1808 it was $45,000. An exhibit for 1864 shows its total assets to be $562,694 74, and the profits in four years to have been $205,285 34. The sales of books and periodicals, from 1860 to 1863, amounted to $1,507,873 18. During the same period two hundred and eighty-on new works were issued, besides picture papers, Sunday- school tracts, &c. The serial publications issued are the Christian Advocate and Journal, the Quarterly Review, the Sunday-School Advo- cate, circulating nearly two hundred and thirty thousand copies; the Sunday-School Teachers' Journal, the Good News, circulating some fifty thousand copies monthly in the army and navy; the Pacific Christian Advocate, and California Christian Advocate.
On the separation of the Methodist Church into a division North and South, occasioned by differences on the slavery question, the southern section claimed a share of the Book Concern property and business. The claim was resisted by the church North, and a suit ensued, which led to a great deal of bad feeling in and out of the church, and, being carried to the Supreme Court of the United States, was decided in favor of the church South. A final settlement was effected in 1853, by which the Book Concern agreed to pay to the church South $191,000 in cash, $40,648 51 in notes and accounts, making $231,648 51. Expenses in suit, $2,063. Total, $233,711 51. leaving the nominal capital $439,798 39.
The profits of the Book Concern not only pays the salary and ex- penses of the bishops, but dividends are appropriated to the benefit
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of the traveling, supernumerary, superannuated, and worn out preach- ers, their wives, widows, and children. In consequence of the division of the property with the church South, dividends were suspended in 1853. They were resumed again in 1863, when a dividend of $400 was made to forty conferences. A few years since a large purchase of property was made on Broadway.
The report to the General Conference in 1872, shows that the total cost of the lots, building and fixtures, 805 Broadway, was $950,356 62 ; that portions of it are rented out for $72,700, which not only pays seven per cent on the investment, but leaves a balance of $6,175 04 towards paying the taxes and insurance. The sales for the last four years amounted to $2,426,840 42, on which there was a net profit of $275,140 17, and, together with income from other sources, made a total income of $362,094 67. But out of this sum were paid, by order of the General Conference, for salaries and travel- ing expenses of the bishops, &c., $105,413 04, leaving the net amount of $256,681 63 to be added to capital. This net capital aggregated, November 30th, 1871, the sum of $1,055,179 57. The real estate owned by the several Concerns, East and West, amounts to $957,104 13 ; the merchandise, to $518,616 12; cash on hand, $75,159 25; notes and accounts, $305,446. Total assets, $1,850,315 50. The liabilities are $735,135 93, and the gross earnings from sales are $63,- 095 92. The report further presents a fair showing for the various publications, books, tracts, magazines, periodicals, &c., and concludes with the statement that the Book Concern was never in as good con- dition for transacting business as at the present time. It has more room, and has increased the number of its presses to keep pace with the demands for their publications.
Bishop Janes has no publications except pamphlet sermons, and an " Address to Class Leaders." We make the following extract from the last, showing the origin and purpose of class leaders in the Methodist Church :
" When Mr. Wesley, moved by the Holy Ghost, entered upon his wonderful ministerial career, he was so much in sympathy with Jesus when, by the Grace of God, he tasted death for every man, that he felt and declared, 'The world is my parish.' This with him was a practical sentiment. Hence his intense zeal in the sacred office, his entire devotedness to it, the energy, patience, perseverance, and disinterestedness with which he labored to fulfill it. So intent was he on success in his work, that he employed every auxiliary which he could command. And in this, more than anything else, is the pre-ceninence of that man of God seen-his tact and talent in the employment of others, in taking assistance whenever and wherever he
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could find it, using the whole talent of the church for the furtherance of the glorious ministerial enterprise of his heart and hands. As a wise master-builder, he knew just what to do with every class of talent, just how to direct and employ all the life and love, all the intelligence and picty of the church of which he was an overseer ; and hence in that church which he founded there is such a division of authority, responsibility, and service, as is found in no other. In fulfilling his ministry he soon found that the invitations to preach and the opportunities to be useful were more numerous than he could improve; consequently he employed fellow-laborers, who devoted themselves wholly to the work of the ministry, and were with him as- sociated pastors of the people. Very soon, such was the progress of the work, that these openings became too numerous for himself and his co-laborers to fill. He provided for this lack by instituting a lay ministry, who, in the absence of the pas- tors, should be their representatives, and who should preach in their stead, as laborers together with them in the vineyard of the Lord Jesus Christ. The multiply- ing of appointments to preach, the enlarging of their sphere, and the circuit form of their work, were found to deprive the people of appropriate and needful pastoral supervision and care. His spiritual genius at once provided for this want, and that provision is found in the office and work of the class-leader. When the American Methodist Episcopal Church was organized this office was appropriately understood and recognized, and class-meetings were made an integral and essential part of our ecclesiastical economy, and from that day to the present this institution has been one of the developments of the great power which the church has exerted, and of the great success which God has given us.
"From this history of the origin of class-meetings, we learn that to assist the itinerant minister in his pastoral work was the primary reason for their institution. This reason is a very conclusive and urgert one. Owing to the itinerant character of our ministry, there is no other way in which our pastoral work can be fully and properly performed. It is necessary that the preacher, who comes as a stranger, should have the help of the leader to introduce him at once to his people, and to make known to him their spiritual estate. The office is especially necessary that the pastoral work may be carried out in detail, that every member may be visited and conversed with personally as frequently as his spiritual welfare requires. It is in- dispensable that we should have this office, in order that there may be a permanent pastorate in the church; a pastor whom the people shall all know and understand, and be acquainted with his affection and sympathy for, and his interest in, them, and that in the interchange of pastors there may be no time when there shall not be in the church an appropriate pastoral supervision and superintendence. These interests are all happily secured when competent leaders, as the discipline requires, ' see each person in their classes once a week at least, in order-1st, to inquire how their souls prosper; 2d, to advise, reprove, comfort, or exhort, as occasion may require.' "
Bishop Janes is a little under the medium height, and of a round, well-proportioned person. His head is ample in size, with a high, broad brow, and otherwise unif. rm and intelligent features. He has gray hair, a venerable appearance, and a quiet though impressive dignity. Ilis expression is serious and severe in the extreme, and he has a cold, searching gaze, but he is nevertheless a man of kindly and generous sympathies. You judge him at once to be an original thinker and an earnest worker. His mind is always grappling, always solving, always
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illuminating some Christian problem, and his energies are ever toil. ing, ever achieving, and ever pressing onward in the line of his Epis- copal duties. For him rest and weariness of the mental or physical nature are almost impossibilities. From youth up, through the course of his self-denying and varied studies, and both as pastor and bishop, his entire life has been made up of thought and effort. His countenance tells the story of intellectual aspirations and of his never- faltering spirit. It declares that his yearnings are for intellectual, moral, and religious advancement, and it shows that decision and sternness of purpose which seldom fail to secure success in any plan. Intercourse with the bishop can only confirm this judgment of him Gentlemanly and courteous, he is always reserved. In his opinions he is ever consistent and frank, and they testify to sterling traits of character, as well as the largest intelligence and the most absorbing piety. He stands before you the scholarly gentleman, the serious- minded Christian, and one who will teach you, by the example of his life, under no circumstances whatever, to weary of expanding and adorning the mind, and purifying and redeeming the soul.
Bishop Janes is a calm, unassuming preacher. Ilis voice is feeble, so much so, that in an ordinary conversation it requires close attention to hear what he says, and in public he speaks with evident labor, at lengthy intervals, however, being decidedly animated. He has none of that declamatory boisterousness common with Methodist preachers, and his whole delivery is thoughtful and subdued. Whether his ser- mon is written, or, as is generally the case, extempore, it has the same features of premeditation, close, critical reasoning, and devout, re- ligious sentiment.
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REV. DANIEL V. M. JOHNSON, RECTOR OF ST. MARY'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, BROOKLYN
EV. DANIEL V. M. JOHNSON was born in Brooklyn, June 7th, 1812. He received an academie education, and was graduated at the Episcopal General Theological Seminary, New York, in 1835. IIe was ordained dea- con in the same year, and priest in 1836. After a short period at Trinity, now St. Luke's Church, Brooklyn, he went to the west, where he officiated until ill-health obliged his return to his native city. In the fall of 1842 he became rector of St. John's Church, Islip, Long Island, and thus continued for nearly five years. He was next called to the Holy Comforter, floating chapel, New York, and, after a service of nine years to the parish of St. Mary's, Brooklyn, founded by himself long previously as a free church. A new edifiec was completed in 1859, on a new site on Classon avenue, the whole property costing $30,000. The congregation is composed of over two hundred families and three hundred communicants.
Mr. Johnson has always declined to have any of his sermons published, and reprehends the practice. In this matter he seems to run counter to the generally entertained impression that good seed cannot be too widely scattered.
Ile is a person under the medium height, of a well-knit frame and somewhat muscular appearance. In early life he suffered the loss of an eye, which, however, is not muchi noticed, as he wears spee- tacles. His face has a pleasant, though decided expression. It is readily to be seen that he is a striet, conscientious man, and one never given to frivolity, and scarcely to smiles. His head bespeaks a practical rather than a keen or brilliant mind. As far as every- day affairs are concerned; as far as his judgment is called into exer- cise in regard to the common-sense rules of duty ; as far as culture may be turned to account in a plain, methodical way, he is a man of great value to his congregation and friends. In these particulars
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he never makes a mistake, and those who have enjoyed his counsel in times of affliction, when the judgment was at fault, when the road of duty was not clear, and when the common sense of theology was sought for, have found him a rare and experienced guide.
Mr. Johnson's life has been very remarkable for constant and severe labor in his profession. Under manifold and the most dis- couraging difficulties, he has steadily pursued his. work of devotion and faith. He has been in poor parishes-among the sailors, and at times pressed upon by a weight of discouragement, in reference to all concerning him, that few could have supported. But, with a sole and confident reliance on the promises of his religion, he has breasted every storm and surmounted thickening difficulties, ever standing a noble example to his fellow Christians. Without question this toiling, suffering, faithful life is the true evidence of the Master's spirit. It is the humble and retired walks of Christian usefulness, the seeking of new fields, and the ingathering of the lowly that ex- hibit the highest traits of the sanctified man.
Consider for a moment a picture of one of the classes of clergy- men. He is prayerful, patient, and poor. He asks little of Provi- dence; and would be satisfied with less than he gets. He wears shabby clothing, and he reduces his family expenses down to the lowest figure, and saves something for those worse off than himself. Early in the morning and late into the night he is occupied with study, prayer, or some duty in the cause of sinners. He preaches not only in his own church, but for the feeble organizations round about; he goes among the Sabbath schools with books, and he is constantly originating new plans for the enlargement of his own work and the benefit of the church. He never falters ; he never complains ; he never stops the moral plow to which he has set his hand. A large family grow up about him, and if he has one desire above another it is to educate his children and make them useful members of society. Worn down with his severe labors, perhaps actually prostrated by ill-health, he finds difficulties and disappoint- ments pursue his stops, and at times sorrow and gloom seem to have overwhelmed him. But in the darkest hour he beholds the face of his God shining upon him, and when his fellow-men, knowing his situation, expect him to faint and despair, he is sustained by an anchor and encouraged by an inspiration which come from above. He struggles on; he keeps busy in the same heroic labor of Christian love, only to close his efforts with his pure, martyr-like life.
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This picture is a just representation of Mr. Johnson. Happily he has been successful in his work ; and now, in the descending road of life, he finds himself at the summit of his ambition. It is not to labor less, not to repose on laurels obtained, not to think that there is anything less of patience and toil. But it is that he has been able to gather a congregation who esteem his labors, and who have sta- tioned him in a temple forever free to all. In a distant part of the eity, in a field which he has diligently cultivated through years of barrenness, he may well appreciate the fruit of which he is the husbandman.
Mr. Johnson preaches a plain, solid sermon. He has drawn about him a class of people who want the truth in its plainest dress ; and he never disappoints them. Dealing much in common-place ideas, and following very strictly the beaten path laid out by the learned of the church, with very little that is original, he preaches a sermon abounding in common-sense argument and religious counsel. His voice is somewhat harsh. He reads effectively, and at times shows considerable animation. This animation, however, is with no idea of display, but comes from carnestness of personal convietion and feeling.
If in the byways of Brooklyn there is a poor sinner seeking an altar free to all comers, and a preacher wholly devoted to the salva tion of souls, let him or her attend Mr. Johnson's ministrations.
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REV. DAVID B. JUTTEN, A. M., PASTOR OF THE SIXTEENTHI STREET BAPTIST CHURCHI, NEW YORK.
EV. DAVID B. JUTTEN, A. M., was born in New York, January 7th, 1844. After attending different public schools of the city, he went to Madison Uni- versity, at Hamilton, New York, where he was graduated in 1867. IIe then took a theological course in the same in- stitution, which was completed in 1870. While at the Uni- versity he took temporary charge of a church in Central New York, and after graduation went for a short time to one in New Jersey. At the last named period his health was not good, and he was seeking its restoration. During 1870 he was called to the E Street Baptist Church, Washington City, where he remained three years. Having accepted a call to the Sixteenth Street Church, New York, as the successor of the Rev. Dr. William S. Mikels, he was installed on the last Sunday in June, 1873.
The Sixteenth Street Baptist Church was organized in October, 1833, with eighteen members, of whom ten were females and eight males. The first preaching was in a hall in Eighteenth street, and Rev. David Bernard was called as the first pastor. Rev. Dr. Alonzo Wheelock was with the congregation nearly seven years, and Rev. J. W. Taggart about eight years. Dr. Mikels was the next pastor, and thus remained for a period of sixteen years, until May, 1873, when impaired health obliged him to resign.
Two pastors have temporarily supplied the pulpit, one of whom was the Rev. Dr. Hodge, a noted name in the Baptist denomination. In 1839 a new church edifice was built in Sixteenth street, near Eighth avenue, which was greatly enlarged in 1857, at a cost of some fourteen thousand dollars. The members now number between seven and eight hundred persons. The regular Sunday school has five
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