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 3
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 3
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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. Anderson is one of the most brilliant orators in the New York pulpit. During his residence in Washington, at a period when the Senate was composed of intellectual giants, it was his custom to repair to its chamber, and listen, with absorbed interest, to the eloquent debates. Among others, he heard the reply of Webster to Hayne, and relates how entranced he was, particularly with the mag- nificent and well-remembered peroration. Standing now a public speaker himself, ordained to preach repentance, filled with a zeal to reach the hearts and minds of men, the influence of those scenes in the Senate is still upon him. He opens before him a sermon couched in polished language and consummate in argument. It is not merely his lips, but his soul is possessed with his theme; his mellow voice rings fortli, and with tongue, eyes, gestures, and the whole man, he sways and fascinates the breathless multitude. His language is plain in its meaning and vigorously applied, and his illustrations, which take a range as wide as his learning and fancy, are as pointed as they are beautifully expressed. Impassioned in utterance and action, there is no limit to his comprehensiveness of mind ; and, as his subject may expand and excite, it stimulates to grander thought and moves to more impressive tones. With all the glow and beauty of eloquence, he has all the sincerity and solemnity which best become the Christian teacher.
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REV. THOMAS ARMITAGE, D. D.,
PASTOR OF THE FIFTH AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCHI, NEW YORK.
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EV. DR. THOMAS ARMITAGE was born in England, in 1819, and came to America in 1838, at the age of 19 years. IIe is a scion of the old Armitage stock which sprung from Sir John Armitage, of Bemsley, England, who was made a baron by Charles I., in 1640. Sir John was the progenitor of the present Sir Elnauali Armitage, a member of Parliament. The mother of Dr. Armitage was an exceedingly pious woman of the Methodist persuasion, who died when he was six years of age, making it an especial prayer that her eldest son, Thomas, " might be converted, and become a good minister of the gospel of Christ." Says another: " He was, from his mother's death, constantly subject to serious religious impressions, and at the age of twelve was hopefully converted to God. His impressions were deep- ened in early youth by reading the 'Journal of John Nelson ' and Bunyan's 'Pilgrim's Progress.' While listening to a sermon from the text, ' Is it well with thee ?' he was overwhelmed with a view of his lost state, fell on his knees in the midst of the congregation, which was assembled in an upper room, and cried aloud for mercy. The minister ceased preaching, and all the church engaged in prayer for the lad. He was converted, and joined the church the very next day. He immediately commenced the exercise of his gifts, and at that early age gave promise of great usefulness as an ambassador of the cross. At the age of fifteen he was licensed to exhort in the Methodist church, and six months after was licensed to preach, being still in his sixteenth year. He refused at first to take the latter license, but was persuaded to do so by the promises that an older minister should go with him on his preaching tours. He prepared to preach his first sermon with fear and trembling, writing the sketch of it while on his knees in prayer for Divine aid. This course in preparing his remarks he long continued, regularly, and we believe
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he very frequently observes it still, especially when pressed under a deep sense of ministerial responsibility. His text was Matt. xi., 28-'Come unto me, all ye that labor,' &c. This discourse was de- livered at Altercliff Common, near Sheffield, in the presence of Rev. 3. Beedle, the minister appointed to accompany him on the occasion and report his success to the quarterly conference. Its delivery was a memorable time in his history. A number of persons were deeply convicted of sin, and three of them were hopefully converted. Thus the approbation of God was manifested in the beginning of his ministry."
He labored with success for three or four years as a local preacher, and it was much desired that he should go upon a circuit as a trav- eling preacher. His attention, however, had been directed to the United States, and hither he came to enjoy our liberal institutions and cultivate the promising field of religious labor. He was first sent to a church in Suffolk county, Long Island, then to Watervliet, Albany county, N. Y., and next to the Garretson Station Metho- dist Episcopal Church, in Pearl street, Albany, and subsequently to other points. At all these places he inaugurated extensive revivals, one of which, in Albany, in 1842-3, was of extraordinary fruitful- ness. He occupied an eminent and influential position in the Methodist Church, but at length became a Baptist. The following is an account of the manner of his conversion :
"In 1839, he was invited to supply, temporarily, a church in Brooklyn, L. I. Rev. Jacob Knapp was aiding Rev. S. Ilsley, pastor of the Baptist Church, in a protracted meeting. Mr. Armitage heard that some of the candidates were to be immersed by Mr. Ilsley, and, having never witnessed such a sight, attended. He was immediately overwhelmed with a consciousness of its fidelity to the Gospel. His heart was melted and his eyes filled with tears. He took with him to that scene a heart as bigoted as that of Saul of Tarsus, but was disarmed and deeply convinced of his own error. He inquired, is not this the gospel method ? He went home to investigate ; but, having no books on that subject at command, and no Baptist friend to take him by the hand or aid him, his convictions gradually wore away. But when in Albany, in 1843, hearing that the Revs. M. Swan and Cooley were to baptize a large company of persons, he went to witness the scene. Again his conviction returned with in- · creasing force. He then resolved, standing in the crowd at the bap- tismal water, that he would investigate the subject without delay.
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REV. THOMAS ARMITAGE, D. D.
ITe got Pengilly, Woolsey, Carson, and other works, and continued his investigations from 1843 to 1848, and came out a thorough Bap- tist in doctrine, practice, and church government. It was a hard struggle. For six months before he resigned his pastoral charge and left the Methodist Episcopal Church, he could not rest-sleep de- parted. But he overcame at last, and his resolution was fixed. It is proper to say that he expressed, at the time of his examination in the Methodist Church, objection to their form of government, and doubt of the doctrines of falling from grace and sinless perfection in this life, as well as of the ordinances, points on which they allow great latitude of thought among their ministers. He was baptized by Rev. Dr. Welch into the fellowship of the Pearl Street Baptist Church, Albany, in the presence of an overflowing congregation ; scores of them had been brought to God under his ministry.
"Soon after this, a very large council was called by the Pearl street Church to ordain hin. Dr. Welch was moderator, Rev. W. S. Clapp clerk, and Elder Alfred Bennet was one of the examiners, and laid on hands with others, when the ordaining prayer was offered. He had previously obtained an honorable dismission from the Rev. John Lindsey, with a certificate highly commendatory as a faithful Christian minister. Thus, at the age of twenty-nine, he was received as a minister of the Baptist denomination."
He was shortly called to the Norfolk street Church, New York, over which congregation he is still settled. He accepted this call at the dying request of the Rev. George Benedict, former pastor of the church, who said, with tears-" Brother Armitage, if you do refuse this call it will be the most painful aet of your life." When about twenty-eight years of age, he received the honorary degree of A. M. from the Madison University, N. Y., and at thirty-four the degree of D. D. was conferred by Georgetown College, Ky.
Dr. Armitage's congregation now worship in a church on Forty- sixth street, near the corner of Fifth avenue. The removal up town was in 1860, and the new location is not less then four miles from the old one. On the thirtieth anniversary of the congregation, Dr. Armitage stated that during that time it had numbered two thou- sand two hundred and fifty members, altogether; had then 686, leav- ing 1.534 who had died or joined other churches. In 1860 it had only $2,800, while in 1872 the Church property was worth $200,000 with a debt of only $40,000.
In June, 1856, Dr. Armitage became the President of the Amer-
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REV. THOMAS ARMITAGE, D. D.
ican Bible Union, which was organized in New York, on the 10th of June, 1850, "to procure and circulate the most faithful version of the sacred Scriptures in all languages throughout the world." Appro- priations have been made for the circulation of the Chinese and the Karen Scriptures, as well as the Siamese, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and English, and the revision of the French, Italian, Spanish, and English, has been undertaken. "But our principal efforts, from the origin of the Union," says a report, "and our largest expenditures, have been devoted to the enterprise of procuring a thorough and faithful revision of the English Scriptures. This is believed to be the most important, as likely to be read by the greatest number of persons, to influence most largely the translations in other languages, and to exercise the most extensive and permanent control over the destinies of mankind." The scholars selected to commence the revision were Rev. Dr. T. J. Conant, late professor in the Rochester Theological Seminary ; Rev. Dr. H. B. Hackett, pro- fessor in Newton Theological Seminary ; Professor Dr. E. Rodiger, professor in the Royal University in Halle, Germany, and Drs. Bliss and Kendrick. The argument for the revision may be briefly stated thus: Since the common English version was made, many ancient manuscripts have been discovered not at that time known to exist, and some of them are acknowledged to be of the most valuable and reliable character. From the years 1600 to 1611, the date of the common version, Great Britain was not celebrated for any great ad- vances in the science of Biblical philology and criticism. A very large proportion of the time of many preachers is spent in correcting the version from which they preach. Many words are not now or- dinarily understood in the sense in which they were used when the common English version was made. Many words used have become obsolete, and their meaning is unknown to the general reader. The great number of words and phrases that do not express the meaning of the original. The addition of words by the translators. The fact that the division into chapters and verses is often subversive of the sense, and far more frequently breaks in upon the necessary connec- tion of historical facts or arguments. Errors of punctuation. The obscurity in the correspondence of similar passages in the Old and New Testament. Grammatical incorrectness. Profane expressions. Expressions offensive to modesty. Because the errors of the English version are frequently transferred to the versions for the heathen, and because correct versions for the heathen do not agree with the
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REV. THOMAS ARMITAGE, D. D.
English version. Sectarianism of the common version. Because the erroneous translations are used to deduce arguments against the Bible.
The Bil le Union is not sectarian, as is the general belief. Says a statement: "The preliminary revisers were selected as the very best scholars that could be procured, from nine different denomina- tions. The final committee is chosen without any reference to de- nominations.
'The work is supported by voluntary contributions, life member- ships, life directorships, bequests, and the sale of the publica- tions The receipts of the first year were $5,595 55, and of the seventh year, (1856,) $45,203 79. Some embarrassment was ex- perienced by reason of the war, obliging retrenchment and delay in the publication of the works. The expenses are now sixty-seven thousand dollars per annum. Up to 1863 a sum not less than two hundred thousand dollars had been expended for literary labor and a library. Of the various publications, including revisions of the Book of Job in various forms, Matthew in part, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Ephesians, Thessalonians, in various forms, Hebrews, Phile- mon, First Peter to Revelations, inclusive, there had been issued, in 1860, 1,060,121 copies. A large library, of inestimable value, has been collected for the work at a cost of about fifty thousand dollars. The catalogue embraces photographs, lithographed fac similes of some of the most ancient manuscripts of the Bible now in existence, copies of every edition of the Bible ever issued, which are of any antiquarian value, and the works of the great scholars in different languages who have ever directed their attention to this subject. Among other rare works are the Complutensian Polyglot, in six volumes, printed in 1513, containing the Scriptures in Hebrew, Greek, Chaldaic, and Latin ; a manuscript written in the fifth century ; a fac simile of an old Sclavic manuscript New Testament, magnifi- cently illuminated; a Bible printed in 1473; an illuminated Bible printed in 1480; and a lithographic copy of a manuscript written in the third century, discovered in the monastery of St. Catherine on Mount Sinai, beside other rare relics of antiquity.
'The published revisions are works of great interest to the Bible reader and student. Each book contains an elaborate introduction and the Hebrew or Greek text, and the King James and the revised versions in parallel columns, with copious notes. The Book of Job may be particularly mentioned for its depth of erudition and beauty
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REV. THOMAS ARMITAGE, D. D.
of typography. Forty-nine thousand copies, bound, of the version in English have already been distributed; also a large number in other languages.
Dr. Armitage is of the medium height, and has a well-propor- tioned, erect figure. With a light complexion and brown hair, he has sınall, bright, hazel eyes, which have a constant and peculiar twinkle. The expression of his face is one of mingled intelligence and kindliness. As he converses it is lit with animation, and his eyes sparkle liko two diamonds. His manners are easy, graceful, and cordial. There are few men of more prepossessing powers of mien and speech. He fascinates strangers and delights friends as much with one as the other. The heart and mind fall at once under the influence of his impulsive, generous warmth of manner, and of his kindly, just, and liberal sentiments. He stands to the gaze a pol- ished gentleman, and he wins his way to your esteem and affection by exalted worthiness as a man.
He is a person of hopeful, elastic spirits, being neither over- elated with success nor depressed by defeat. He has a courage for any undertaking, and a patience which can wait long for victory. Once embarked in any scheme, it enlists his boundless enthusiasm and awakens giant energies. He will have nothing to do with an enterprise which cannot kindle this ardor of soul, but in behalf of those that do he will bear the heaviest burden of its cares, and still ask the meanest of its laurels. He is conscientious in the discharge of every duty devolving upon him, regardless of personal ease and even health. In truth, he is an earnest, successful worker in every sphere of Christian effort, inspiring those who falter by a heroism which is sublime.
Dr. Armitage is an eloquent and powerful preacher. The follow- ing is a truthful description of him as he appears in the pulpit : " His voice is clear, musical, soft, and silvery. He has great power over it. His gentle tones seem to ercep quietly into every car in the house while he reads the opening hymn. The audience listens, as though it never heard that most familiar hymn before. His sermons are invariably composed of climaxes, which rise, like inverted pyramids, higher and higher to the close. When he begins to ascend the steps of the advancing argument his voice falls to a low, soft tone. The forefinger of his right hand is raised, pointing horizontally . over the audience. At every step of progress he lifts his hand and voice together, upward and upward still, till the climax is reached,
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when, raising his eyes from the manuscript, in a tone of thunder he lays the top stone of the argument. It would seem that the whole vocabulary of the English language is at his command. In his own pulpit he more frequently preaches without the manuscript than otherwise, whether he has written the discourse.or not."
Dr. Armitage is a born orator in the fullest sense. As he weaves his beautiful imaginings, or as he springs into the realms of a wild, impassioned eloquence, he equally fixes the attention and enchains the sensibilities. His thoughts are highly original, they glitter with a chaste and ardent fancy, and are infused with the vigor and frank- ness peculiar to his own nature. Endowed with the greater gifts of cloquence, a man of extensive learning and the highest social culture, he justly holds a foremost place among the eminent ex- pounders of Divine truth, and in the ranks of upright and popular
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REV. LUCIUS W. BANCROFT, D. D., RECTOR OF CHRIST (EPISCOPAL) CHURCHI, BROOKLYN.
EV. DR. LUCIUS W. BANCROFT was born in Wor- cester, Mass., August 27th, 1827. He was graduated at Brown University, in 1852, and in theology at the Epis- copal Seminary at Alexandria, Virginia, in 1856. In the same year, while still in Alexandria, he was made a dea- con, by Bishop Meade, of Virginia, and in 1858, a priest in Prov- idence, by Bishop Clark, of Rhode Island. He had taken the position of assistant rector at St. John's Church, Providence, in which he remained about two years. He then traveled in Europe for a time, and on his return took temporary charge of St. Paul's Church, Boston, for six months. After this, he spent two years as rector of Christ Church, Bridgeport. He was next elected Professor of Ec- clesiastical History in the Episcopal Seminary at Gambier, Ohio, where he remained five years, and then filled the same chair in the Episcopal Seminary in Philadelphia, for a short time, when, in 1869, he accepted a call to Christ Church, corner of Clinton and Harrison streets, Brooklyn. He received the degree of D. D. from Utica College, about ten years since.
Christ Church parish was organized on the 17th of May, 1835, but it was about two years later before stated public worship was held in a chapel erected on the corner of Pacific and Court streets. The pulpit was temporarily supplied until February, 1838, when Rev. Kingston Goddard became rector. Such was the increase of the parish that on the 26th of June, 1841, the corner-stone of a new church edifice was laid, the site being the liberal gift of Nicholas Luqueer, Esq., a member of the body, and a wealthy citizen. A substantial, imposing, and spacious building of brown freestone was erected, duly consecrated on the 28th of July, 1842, and occupied
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REV. LUCIUS W. BANCROFT, D. D.
for public worship on the following Sunday, the 3d of August. The valuation of the property is over $100,000, and there is no debt. Mr. Goddard resigned in April, 1841, and in the succeeding June, Rev. Dr. Stone accepted a call to the rectorship. In January, 1853, the Rev. Dr. E. H. Canfield became the successor of Dr. Stone. During the ministry of Dr. Canfield a debt of $13,500 was paid, and a Mission Chapel was erected on the corner of Clinton and Luqueer streets, at a cost of about $13,000. From 1853 to 1863, ten years of Dr. Canfield's labors, the congregation contributed for charitable objects the sum of $92,589.28. In the same period there were in the parish 813 baptisms, 312 confirmations, 184 marriages, 433 funerals, and 1697 public services. The congregation consists of about 200 families. When Dr. Canfield resigned the rectorship, Dr. Bancroft was called, and under his efficient labors the parish still maintains its high rank as a pious and liberal body of Chris- tians
Dr. Bancroft is tall and erect, with an intellectual head. His face is amiable, but it is one of those which bespeaks the rigid princi- ples of the man. In his manners and disposition he is naturally werved. Ile shows a strict politeness to all, and falls into an easy conversation, but there is always a noticeable formality and reserve in both speech and actions. His tastes are all scholarly and do- mestic. In the pursuit of learning, in his own pastoral duties, and in the home circle, he finds all the influences to which he surrenders himself. His preaching excels in the particulars of a deep piety, and intimate knowledge with all religious subjects. IIis life in the ministry has been unobtrusive, as far as any attempt to gain pub- lic fame is concerned, but it has been characterized by a conscien- tiousness and ability in his work, which have secured the utmost prosperity of his parishes. He is admired wherever he is known for his learning, consistency of personal conduct, and. his zeal in the ministerial labors.
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REV. ALFRED B. BEACH, D. D., RECTOR OF ST. PETER'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, NEW YORK.
EV. DR. ALFRED B. BEACH has been settled in the city of New York, as the Rector of St. Peter's Episcopal Church in West Twentieth street, for over twenty years. He was born at Sheldon, Franklin county, Vermont, Sep- tember 9th, 1821. His early studies were at the academy at Cheshire, Connecticut, then under the charge of Rev. Dr. Allen C. Morgan. He graduated at Trinity College, Hartford, in 1841, and in theology at the General Episcopal Seminary, New York, in 1845. During the same year he was admitted to deacon's orders at Christ church, Hartford, by Bishop Brownell, and in 1847 to priest's orders at Christ church, Cooperstown, New York, by Bishop Delancey. His first place of settlement was at Cooperstown, in 1845, where he re- mained until November, 1848, when he went to St. John's church, Canandaigua, New York. He officiated at St. John's until May, 1853, when he removed to New York, having accepted a call to his present rectorship. Dr. Beach married a daughter of the dis- tinguisbed Mr. Justice Nelson, late of the United States Supreme Court.
The history of St. Peter's church dates back to the year 1827, when services were commenced in the chapel of the General Theolo- gical Seminary in West Twentieth street, by the professors of the in- stitution, and a Sunday School was opened by the students. At this period the neighborhood was thinly settled, and the effort was under- taken as a mere missionary work. Such was its success, however, that the Rev. Dr. Benjamin I. Haight, now and for many years a dis- tinguished assistant minister of Trinity parish, was called as the rector. The parish was incorporated May 9th, 1831, and Dr. Haight was called July 13th, 1831. Steps were taken to provide a proper church .. The corner-stone for a church was laid October 8th, 1831, on West Twentieth street, between Eighth and Ninth avenues, and on the
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Alfred B. Beach.
REV. ALFRED B. BEACH, D. D.
completion of the building it was occupied by a congregation of still increasing numbers. In a few years still greater accommodations be- came necessary, as the congregation had become one of the most im- portant in the city. Accordingly, in 1836-37, the large stone edifice now occupiel was erected on lots adjoining the first structure. This property cost one hundred and eighteen thousand dollars. A debt of fifty thousand dollars has been paid, and an additional building has bern crecte l. The original church edifice has been altered into a rec- tory. There are at present about three hundred communicants, and six hundred and fifty children in the Sunday School. The superintendent is George P. Quackenbos, A. M., the eminent author of school books.
Dr. Beach received his degree of D. D. from Columbia College in Jane, 1537. He has published various sermons and addresses. He a a metaler of the Ecclesiastical Court appointed to try the case of the Rev. Stephen H. Tyng, Jr. He discharged his duties with much dignity and kuruing.
Ile is of the medium height, and equally proportioned. His face shows intellectuality and much force of character. The features are regular, ami the brow is especially prominent. In his expression there is some little sternness, but this is more a token of the decision and firmness which characterize him than of any want of gentleness in either manners or speech. He is a man of fixed opinions, self- mliant and positive in regard to his course of action; but on the other Hand, he is never hasty in forming conclusions or in his actions. You fod hita conscientious in everything. His line of duty is always well defined, and it is never deviated from in the slightest particular. Henco it is not remarkable that he has secured so large an influence among his people, and in fact in his whole denomination.
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