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 5
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 5
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28
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REV. NICHOLAS BJERRING, PRIEST OF THE GREEK CHAPEL, NEW YORK.
R EV. NICHOLAS BJERRING was born in 1831. He is priest of the Greek chapel in New York. There are other chapels in New Orleans, San Francisco, and Alaska. At present the place used is a portion of the private resi- dence of Mr. Bjerring ; but lots have been purchased on Lexington avenue, near Fifty-second street, where a church in Bymatine style will eventually be erected. The chapel is very Lavatifully fited and decorated. It is attended by the Russians and Creeka of the city, and many persons of all denominations, drawn by curiosity, Mr. Bjerring has translated the service into English, and 4 i sometimes given in that language The estimated number of members, including Greeks and Russians, is less than one hundred. The Rumian minister, and the members of the embassy resident in Washington, attend these services at intervals, and the Grand Duke Alexin, while in New York, also attended service in the chapel. Mr. Bjerring is the author of a translation of a work entitled " The Russian Orthodox Church, a Treatise of her Origin and Life," by the Archpriest Basaroff
An Orthodox Greek church is generally built in the form of a cross The position of the edifice is from west to east. The inner mace of the church is divided into three principal parts. In the east is the altar; entrance to it is not generally accorded to persons not oct apart to service in the church. The second principal division is the church proper, in which the faithful meet for worship. The third division consists of an ante-chamber and a porch, which latter is woretimes called the outer, as the former is designated the inner, ante-chamber. The inner ante-chamber was once set apart for the ostechumens and certain penitents. It is sometimes called the trapeza (table or dining hall), because here, in the primitive age of the Church, the love-feast, or agape, was held-that is, a meal consisting of the gifts brought by the faithful. In the outer hall formerly stood the penitents of the lowest grade, or those usually called F'lentes
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REV. NICHOLAS BJERRING.
As in the temple of the Old Testament there were in the holy of holies, with the ark, also the golden keys, the manna, the rod of Aaron, and the table of the law, so there are in the Orthodox Eastern Church also the tabernacle, that is, a vessel wherein are placed the holy gifts for the sick, a cross, as the sign of the eternal Priest of our redemption, and a book of Gospels, as the depository of His holy law, all of which are placed on the holy table. Behind the holy table, toward the east, is erected the throne for the bishop, on both sides of which are side thrones for the clerics serving with the bishop. By this is signified the heavenly seat of Jesus Christ and His sovereignty in the Church, and, at the same time, also the participation therein of His holy apostles and their successors. At the north side of the altar is placed the credence table, for the due preparation on it of the holy gifts for the celebration of the Liturgy. The altar is separated from the church proper by a wooden partition, on which are depicted the forms of saints. Through this partition -there are three doors leading from the sanctuary to the altar. On the altar side the holy doors are provided with a movable curtain. Through the holy doors only a bishop, priest, or dea- con may enter the holy altar. The holy doors are ever orna- mented with the picture of the annunciation, signifying that through the incarnation of God, the Word, heaven was first opened for the redemption of man; and also with the picture of the four evangelists, because they, like Gabriel, the Archangel, were instrumental in announcing to the world the heavenly message of salvation.
Mr. Bjerring is a gentleman in the prime of life, talented, and energetic. He is tall and gracefully proportioned. His complexion is light, with fair hair and large blue eyes. His manners are ex- tremely courteous, and he has a fluent earnestness in conversation. The favor with which he is regarded by the high dignitaries of the Greek church in Russia, and also by the Holy Synod, is shown by his responsible position in this country. Since his residence in New York his intercourse with the clergy of other denominations, and with the most influential of the people, has been of a character to secure the esteem of all. At the altar he is impressive in the highest degree; and away from it all his functions as a priest and gentleman are discharged in a manner most conducive to the honor of his church, government, and of himself.
48
REV. WILLIAM HI. BOOLE,
PASTOR OF THE HEDDING METHODIST CHURCH, NEW YORK.
EV. WILLIAM H. BOOLE was born at Shelburne, Nova Scotia, April 24th, 1827. When ten years of age his father came to the city of New York, which became the home of the family, and was the birth-place of other children. Mr. Boole's carly education was obtained in the public and private whoola, and at the age of fifteen he commenced the study of law is the office of Henry L. Clark. After about two years he was taken away by his brother-in-law, the celebrated shipbuilder, Mckay, and with him learned ship-draughting and building. IIe entered the Methodist ministry in the New York East Conference, in May, 1854. lie was first stationed at Clinton, Connecticut, in the same year ; and subsequently at New Britain and Sable. At the organization of the Sickles Excelsior Brigade, Mr. Boole joined the Fifth Regiment as chaplain, and was in the field for nearly a year, resigning by reason of a compound fracture of the left wrist, which is not yet restored, causing annoyance in preaching. A young son of Mr. Boole's enlisted as a drummer in Duryea's Zouaves, and died of congestion of the lungs in one of the military hospitals.
He was chairman of the Committee on the State of the Country of the New York East Conference in 1865, and one of a committee sent with congratulatory resolutions to President Lincoln, on the sur- render of Lee's army.
Mr. Boole has been pastor of various Methodist churches of New York and Brooklyn. He is now serving an appointment to the church in East Seventeenth Street, New York. He enjoys much celebrity as an eloquent an l popular speaker. During the presiden- tial campaign of 1868, Mr. Boole was on the platform night and day, in different States, speaking for the Republican party.
In 1861 Mr. Boole delivered a sermon entitled " Antidote to Rev. H. J. Van Dyke's Pro-Slavery Discourse," which attracted wide at.
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REV. WILLIAM H. BOOLE.
toution. It was afterward delivered in the form of a lecture, and published in a pamphlet.
In 1870 he delivered a powerful speech at Cooper Institute, New York, on the subject, "Shall Our Common School System be Main- tained as it is?" which was subsequently published in pamphlet form. A discourse on "The Bible in the Schools and State," was published, and passed through several editions.
In June, 1871, Mr. Boole and other Methodist clergymen of " The National Association for the Promotion of Holiness," visited Salt Lake City and the Pacific Coast, taking an immense tent, in which to hold religious services. At Salt Lake the coming of the members of the Association was looked for with great interest for several months, by both the Mormon and Gentile portions of the community. Brigham Young manifested his interest by pointed allusions in his public addresses in the Tabernacle and. at Ogden. The meetings were opened on Sunday, June 11th, in the tent, and were continued until the following Sunday. On Friday evening Mr. Boole preached a sermon of remarkable eloquence, on the Christian Priesthood and the Plurality of Wives, viewing these subjects from the New Testa- ment standpoint. Brigham Young, Orson Pratt, Smith, Cannon, and several more of the "Twelve Apostles " were present, and sat directly in front of the speaker. The audience numbered not less than three thousand, of whom the majority were Mormons.
Mr. Boole has stated to us, in regard to this great sermon, that when he rose to speak he had very little collected idea of the lan- guage he should use, but he felt thoroughly under an inspiration from God to do battle for Truth and Virtue with all his mortal power. As the sermon proceeded, the proofs and logic of the New Testament, as against the pretensions of the Latter Day Saints, so moved the Mormons that they indulged in frequent interruptions, while its grand and swelling eloquence thrilled both friends and focs. Says an account :-
" As the preacher closed his remarks and sat down, several Mor- mons leaped upon the seats and began loudly to oppose. At this point the murmurs of the different factions added to the storm, which soon threatened a serious conflict. Many miners-of whom there were a large number present-pressed toward the platform for the protection of the ministers, their wives, and friends, while a few drew their revolvers. Rev. J. S. Inskip said to the excited throng, 'We will not suffer any interruption here, on our own ground. We are
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REV. WILLIAM H. BOOLE.
American citizens, and under the protection of the United States Government. At this a loud shout arose, 'Hurrah for the United States Government !' which seemed to awe the Mormon belligerents, for they soon ceased their noise, and slowly retired."
Not only did this learned and fearless sermon make such an assault upon Mormon doctrines as had never been so well attempted before, but the constitutional right of free speech was triumphantly vindicated. Judge James B. MeKean, of the United States Court of Utah, in a private letter to Mr. Boole, under date of Salt Lake City, October 9th, 1871, says: "There are so few men in the world that could have done successfully what you undertook here, in preaching to Mormons against polygamy and latter-day revelations, that I would have, and I think I did, advise against it. But the theology, the logic, the rhetoric, the temper, and the tact, which you Wwwaghi to bear, were irresistible. The Mormons for once showed that they fell themselves to be unhorsed, and the Gentiles were ex- ahast That sermon will long be remembered here, as something to date from. George L. Cannon, himself hardly second in talent to any Mormon, is reported to have said, "That man Boole is the ablest preacher that has ever spoken in this city.' Even your enemies are constrained to praise you. You need never regret that effort."
The Rev. T. De Witt Talmage, in an article entitled "The Big Tent," says: " We found the track of the Methodist tent all the way across the continent." In the cities of the Pacific coast, and at many camp meetings in the East, Mr. Boole and his ministerial brethren preached to vast audiences.
Mr. Boole is one of the editors of the Advocate of Holiness, a monthly magazine published in Boston, under the auspices of the National Association.
A man of practical inclinations in everything, Mr. Boole some years since began to interest himself in providing permanent camp grounds, with adjoining property, for furnishing Christian families a summer resort in the midst of Christian influences. Associated with the Rev. W. B. Osborn, he purchased the Ocean Grove property at Long Branch, New Jersey, and afterward formed the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association. The whole estate of three hundred acres was deeded to the Association, at the same price for which it was first bought. A large number of cottages have been built, and lots which sold originally at one hundred dollars have found ready purchasers at one thousand dollars.
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REV. WILLIAM H. BOOLE.
In December, 1871, Mr. Boole purchased property on Hempstead Harbor, Long Island, which he called "Sea Cliff Grove," and subse- quently conveyed, for the same price he gave for it, to the Sea Cliff Grove and Metropolitan Camp Ground Association of New York and Brooklyn. This property is twenty-six miles from New York, and contains two hundred and fifty aeres, with one mile of water front. It cost one hundred and ten thousand dollars, and the build- ings, roads, and water-works one hundred thousand more. The seenery is the most magnificent on Long Island Sound. A building for religious services, ealled the Metropolitan Tabernacle, is one hun- dred feet wide and one hundred and fifty feet long.
We now come, in our enumeration of the special labors of Mr. Boole, to his "work of faith," known as the "Home for Women," located in a house in Water Street, New York, which was formerly kept for a dog-pit and other abominations. In establishing a home for the fallen women of Water Street, Mr. Boole sought a location in the immediate vieinity of the dance-houses, for his theory was that to save these women he must have a place near their haunts of viee, where those who were so disposed could be gradually lifted out of the slums, and made to work their way into respectable life.
The Home has now been in successful operation for three years, and its records are full of most affecting reformations and eonver- sions. Some have died in the happiness of repentance and salvation. Not only have women left the slums in the vicinity and taken refuge here, but they have come from dens of infamy elsewhere in the city.
With an annual expenditure of over three thousand three hun- dred dollars, yet the sole dependenee of the institution is the unso- lieited offerings which are given to it. No one is asked to give any- thing, but those connected with it pray without eeasing for its eare by the Heavenly Father. They have accepted the promise of Jesus, "If ye shall ask anything in my name, I will do it," and they rely on it for every dollar and every mouthful of food. Professor Tyndall, of England, has asked for some proof of the efficaey of prayer; and here it is in one among the many instanees from Mr. Boole's diary :-
" February 15, 1872 .- This morning I rode down to the Home. There was not quite one dollar in hand, and I knew the matron must be needing money. On entering and accosting one of the ma- trons, I learned that breakfast had consumed all their store, and there remained neither food nor money to supply dinner. Going into the
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REV. WILLIAM H. BOOLE.
sewing.room, where the inmates were at work, and making some allusion to the fact of there being nothing for dinner, several of the girls spoke out, 'It is all right, sir; we are happy !" I said, 'Can you trust the Lord for your dinner?' 'O yes, sir!' they all cheer- fully replied. . While we were yet talking, a dear brother, a minister, came in, having arrived from his home in the country; and, after a moment's salutation, he said, 'I am sent from a few la- dies of my church with some money for your Home,' and handed mo twenty seven dollars. Thus did the Lord show his faithfulness, in the presence of the people. This was a sweet lesson of faith to us all."
Mr. Boole is anxious to extend his work by obtaining a country home, to which women can be sent for the purpose of continuing the reformation begun in the parent institution. In all these labors he be ating with a practical aim which is certain to secure success.
Mr. Boole is of the medium height, and has an erect carriage. It's features are regular, and the whole countenance is striking in its tuanly and intellectual lineaments. The face is long, having a high brow, and the eyes are large and expressive. His hair is straight, and, being worn long, and falling behind his ears, presents the brow abd face in their full prominence.
In carly life Mr. Boole formed the habit of self-reliance, and, though he has passed through academical and other studies, he is a self-taught man. He has studied some of the languages, mostly the Hel rew. His mode of preparation for the pulpit is careful and la- brinus Not satisfied with a thorough study of his subject, he writes out his sermons in extenso, and, dispensing with all manuscript except very brief notes, his delivery has all the ease and freedom of extemporaneous speaking. While there is an impulsiveness and spiritedness in his utterances, they have the thoughtfulness and finish of written sentences. His natural powers of oratory fit. him for an elegant and effective speaker, but they have all been trained and developed at the same time that he has cultivated his other talents.
Mr. Boole is a fine type of intellectual manhood, and of the earn- est, fearless sect to which he belongs. Ambitious to excel and dis- tinguish himself in the field of mental culture, he is not less an en- thusiast for his faith, bringing all his ability and influence to its service. Talented, devout, and seeking to make his life an example of virtue, Christian fidelity, and labor, he is certainly pursuing a road leading to living honors and celestial peace.
53
REV. ROBERT R. BOOTH, D. D.,
PASTOR OF THE UNIVERSITY PLACE PRES- BYTERIAN CHURCH, NEW YORK
EV. DR. ROBERT R. BOOTHI was born in the city of New York, May 30th, 1830. IIe took a course of two years at the New York University, then going to Williams College, where he was graduated in 1849. His preparation for the ministry was at Auburn Theological Seminary, from which institution he graduated in 1852. He now spent a year in agreeable and profitable travel in Europe and the East. Upon his return to his native land he accepted a call as assistant of the vener- able Rev. Dr. Beman, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Troy, and was ordained in October of the same year. After a service of three years and a half he became pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, at Stamford, Conn., where he remained for four years. On the 4th of March, 1861, he was installed as pastor of the Mercer street Presbyterian Church in New York.
This congregation was in former days one of the most influential and wealthy bodies of Presbyterian believers in the city, having been organized about the year 1836. A church edifice was erected on ground leased of the Sailors' Snug Harbor, at a cost of some fifty thousand dollars. From various reasons, the chief of which was the up-town migration of the people, the congregation after many years declined in numbers, and at the time of Dr. Booth's coming not more than forty pews were rented. At that period there were only about two hundred members; whereas in 1866 there were about four hundred and fifty, and about two hundred families. A large number of Sunday school children were taught under the auspices of the church, including the regular school and school connected with the Half Orphan Asylum, and two mission schools on the east side of the city.
In 1870 the church edifice was sold to the Church of the Strangers, Rev. Dr. Charles F. Deems, for fifty thousand dollars. A union of
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REV. ROBERT R. BOOTH, D. D.
the Mercer street congregation with the University Place Presbyterian church having been effected, Dr. Booth was called as pastor of the new organization, and entered upon his duties in September, 1870. The University Place Church was originally a colony from the First Presbyterian Church, then in Wall street, and the Brick Church, then in Beekman street. Ground was purchased in Cedar street, and a church erected in 1807. The fine stone edifice on University Place, now occupied by the union congregation, was built by the subscriptions of a few persons during the pastorship of the eminent Rev. Dr. George Potts, who remained pastor until his death, about 1864. The continued removal of families up-town rendered it a wise policy for these two old congregations to unite, and thereby maintain na efficient strength.
Dr. Booth received his degree of D. D. from the New York University, in 1864. He has published various sermons and ad- drewen, which have attracted a wide attention.
Dr. Booth is of the average height, well-proportioned, and active. His head is round, with regular, expressive features. His complexion is pale, and the predominant characteristics of his face are intel- lectuality and amiability. He has easy, friendly manners, and such happy powers of conversation that altogether he is a most fascinating companion. There is a great deal of what is called man about him. An intelligent gentleman, a pure-minded and upright man, a diligent student in the paths of the sacred writers and of classical and polite literature, he has all the convictions, culture, and taste which elevate the individual to its nearest approximation to true manhood; but above and beyond all these he has a nature which in itself forms the foundation of a noble character, and to which the others are but the superstructure. In not only the thought but the practice of the nobler maxims of life: in a bold and manly conscientiousness and responsibility as to all personal conduct ; in a stern and inflexible devotion to duty and to principle, and yet a charitable and gentle mode of dealing with all the short-comings of other people-such has been the course which, as youth and man, this gentleman has made the rule of his existence.
Dr. Booth's sermons are finished specimens of English compo- sition. The diction is flowing and eloquent, and at the same time it is sufficiently concise and logical. Most of the delivery is in a calm, deliberate style, with occasional passages of animation. Of one matter the hearer is instantly assured : these sermons are thoughtful and
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REV. ROBERT R. BOOTH, D. D.
scholarly productions. Thoughtful as to both the matter they con- tain and the object in view in presenting it to the public; and scholar- ly as to both the language and the labored research which will best arrest attention and produce conviction. They are not dashed off with an effort for rhetorical effect, nor are they delivered with a hope of producing oratorical sensations; but they are sober and studied religious disquisitions, written in the most practical and earnest style of Christian scholarship, and pronounced for the salvation of souls.
Dr. Booth for one of his years has made a goodly advance on the road of fame. In his own and other denominations, among learned men as well as the public at large, he has a high reputation as a man of extensive learning, eminent piety, and great usefulness. How great the work before him may be cannot, of course, now be decided; but one thing is certain, that it can in no measure outstrip his willing energies, or his ambition to excel in devotion to duty.
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REV. WILLIAM IVES BUDINGTON, D. D.,
PASTOR OF THE CLINTON AVENUE CONGRE- GATIONAL CHURCH, BROOKLYN.
R EV. DR IVES BUDINGTON was born at New Haven, April 21st, 1815. He was graduated at Yale College in 1834, and, after the study of theology for three years in New Haven, concluded his course at Andover in 1839. He was onlained April 22d, 1840, at Charlestown, Mass .. at the same time being installed as pastor of the First Con- gregational Church of that place. Here he remained until Septem- ber, 1854, when he went to Philadelphia, and for a limited period oficialed at the Western Presbyterian Church. He was next called to the Clinton Avenue Congregational Church, Brooklyn, and entered upon his duties April 22d, 1855. This organization has existed for some twenty-six years, and until 1855 met on the corner of Clinton and Gutes avenues. A new edifice was completed on the corner of Clinton and Lafayette avenues in 1855, and a chapel, fronting on Lafayette avenue, was finished in 1859; the whole property costing $90,000. During 1864 the sum of $25,000 was subscribed to pay the entire debt of the church. Beside this, the pews were donated back to the church by their owners, making a gift of an additional $25,000. There are four hundred members and about two hundred families attending the church. Dr. Budington's pub- lished writings consist of a history of the First Congregational Church of Charlestown, and various occasional sermons and ad- dresses. He received his degree of D. D. from Amherst College in 1856.
A Congregational Council, assembled in Brooklyn, March 24th, 1874, at the invitation of the Clinton avenue and Pilgrim Congre- gational churches, to take into consideration a question of discipline regarding Plymouth church (Rev. Mr. Beecher), on which there was a difference. of views on the part of the two pastors and congrega-
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REV. WILLIAM IVES BUDINGTON, D. D.
tions on the one side, and the one pastor and congregation on the other. The decision was regarded as favorable to those asking the Council, though there was no censure of Mr. Beecher.
Dr. Budington is rather above the medium height, equally pro- portioned, and erect. He has a well-formed head, of marked in- tellectual development. His complexion and hair are fair, and his expression is that of a repose amounting almost to severity. His frigidity and harshness of countenance are more observable in his public exercises than in social intercourse. To see him in the pulpit, clad in the single-breasted clerical coat, pale, stern, rigid, and deeply reflective, he has all the appearance of a modern model of the Puritan ecclesiastical autocrats of the early times. Every word is measured, every thought is logical, and every sentiment is conviction. The man swimming for his life might as well expect an outstretched hand to come from some silent, frowning, perpendicular wall of rocks, as for the wicked to find the light of mercy in that face so severe, emotionless, and changeless. His face at these times draws no heart toward him, however, much his words may do so. In private life he is a totally different being. His countenance beams with instant ani- mation ; he is cordial, unrestrained, and talkative. The gloomy, icy Puritan seems, after all, to have been the mere outer shell of most cheerful, genial qualities within. There is no abatement of his fixed- ness of opinion and earnestness of reasoning, while there is a bursting forth of the warmer and gentler impulses of the heart.
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