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 8
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 8
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Dr. Chambers is about of the average height, and of slim pro- portion. His head is small, and his face pale and of a thoughtful, serious expression. He has a round, full brow, showing a large degree of intellectual development. IIe is polite, but in no manner familiar in his bearing, and at all times evinees much sedateness. He is a person of unwearying studiousness, and of great conseien- tiousness and exactness of life. His conversation is methodical, and, like his actions, devoid of all impulsiveness.
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REV. TALBOT W. CHAMBERS, D. D.
Dr. Chambers seems to have the complete confidence of the con- gregations of the different Collegiate organization. Their faces grow bright with satisfaction as they follow his sound, doctrinal, argument- ative sermons. They are disturbed by no flashy rhetoric, no poetic rhapsodies, and no new-fangled philosophy. There are no attempts to introduce the rant of the rostrum, the style of the stage, or the clap-trap of the juggler. It is not an oration with everything sacri- ficed to eloquence, nor is it a lecture filled with strange fancy and large cullings from the profane poets. But it is a sermon in the strictest sense. The text is not some sensational word or line, some abrupt interrogatory or declaration, after the manner of a Beecher or a Cuyler. On the contrary, it is one or a half-dozen verses, or per- haps a chapter, which is intended to receive the serious consideration of the critical deacons and the logically inclined congregation on its own merits, rather than from any peculiar novelty or adroitness in its selection or arrangement. Then the plainest and most devout terms known to the English language are used, and the inspiration of the preacher is entirely drawn from the fountains of logie and of faith. He becomes very much absorbed in his theme, and at times gesticulates with a degree of vehemence; but as for any glowing pictures of the imagination, or any thunders of eloquence, there are none. Dr. Chambers does not believe that such gloss and glitter, such delicate soothings to the mind, and such extraordinary efforts to move the blood, have anything to do with the preaching of the Gospel. The power is in the truth, the persuasion is in the necessi- ties of a lost race, and the success is the favor of God. We have examined several of Dr. Chambers' published sermons in our posses- sion, and do not find a single passage wherein he departs from plain argument. There is the highest evidence of sincerity, piety, and ability, but nothing in the way of display. He ranks with the most popular and ablest of the ministers of the Reformed Church, and is recognized as a man of considerable literary ability.
Seeking only those triumphs which come from the regeneration of souls, and those honors which are the rightful portion of such as are pure of life and cultivated of mind, Dr. Chambers never deviates from the strict line of his professional duties. His time and talents are all given to those works which best serve the church and illu- minate the narrow road to God.
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5.W WELCHE . BAO PHOTO LITH
6: H. Checkin .
REV. EDWIN HI. CHAPIN, D. D.,
PASTOR OF THE FOURTHI UNIVERSALIST SO- CIETY, NEW YORK.
R REV. DR. EDWIN II. CHAPIN was born at Union Village, Washington County, New York, December 29th, 1814. He received his academic education at a seminary in Bennington, Vermont, and his early tastes are said to have inclined to the law. For a time he was associate editor of the Magazine and Advocate, one of the early Universalist news- papers in Utica. In 1837, at the age of twenty-three, he commenced his ministry as the pastor of the Independent Christian Church of Richmond, Virginia. He removed to Charlestown, Massachusetts in 1840, to become the pastor of the Universalist Church, where he remained six years. His reputation was already extensive, both as a preacher and stirring orator in many of the reforms of the day. In 1846 Dr. Chapin went to the School Street Universalist Church, Boston, as associate pastor with Hosea Ballou, and in 1848 was called to his present pastorship over the Fourth Universalist Society of New York city.
This Society at the time had a church in Murray street, corner of Church. Under Dr. Chapin's preaching the congregation in- creased in numbers and influence, and very soon the building could not accommodate the crowds which attended every service. Ar- rangements were made to take the church on Broadway, about to be vacated by Dr. Bellow's Unitarian congregation, who had built an exceeding fine structure on Fourth avenue. Up to a recent period Dr. Chapin occupied this spacious church, drawing the largest as- semblages in the city. The congregation became the representative of large wealth, and their church organization was eon lueted on the most liberal scale of expenditure in regard to the salary of the pas- tor, music, etc. At length the congregation determined to remove up-town, and the church was sold, and stores have been erected on the site. Lots were purchased in the upper portion of Fifth
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REV. EDWIN H. CHAPIN, D. D.
Avenue, and one of the most magnificent structures in New York has been erected. The congregation is composed of many of the young and active men of the city, and persons of the most conflict- ing religious views.
Although in communion with the Universalist denomination, Dr. Chapin's sympathies have far outrun the technical boundaries of a sect. His religious views were originally affected powerfully by Dr. Channing's published writings, and by the leaders of the Univer- salist faith; and he is warmly interested in all the literature and tendencies issuing from the most free and thoughtful circles of Pro- testant Christendom, and that are beginning to receive the title of " The Broad Church Movement."
Dr. Chapin received the degrees of A. M. and D. D. from Har- vard University. His published works consist of several volumes of sermons, religious lectures, and occasional discourses. " The Crown of Thorns " has had a wide circulation. He has delivered lec- tures before all the principal lyceums of the country, and has a popularity equal to that of any of the orthodox clergymen.
In 1850 Dr. Chapin attended the Peace congress held at Frank- fort-on-the-Main, and a speech delivered by him was the most elo- quent heard during the session. He has been repeatedly abroad for his health and travel.
Dr. Chapin is about of the average height, and of a round, heavy, corpulent person. He has a good-sized, round head, which has not much neck to connect it with his shoulders. His brow is prominent, and his countenance beams with intelligence and good nature. He would scarcely be taken for the refined, florid orator that he is: but it is easy to see that he is a man of marked intellectual powers, and, above all, distinguished for the practice of the noblest quali- ties of the heart. In his dress he in no manner conforms to any of the clerical conventionalities.
On Sabbath evening, enter the fine church edifice of the Fourth Universalist Society. Every part of the building is crowded, in- cluding the aisles, stairways, and pulpit steps. The people are a well-attired and evidently intelligent class. Just at this time a hymn is being read, and all over the church men, women, and children have their books, intently following the reader. If you love saered poetry, if you delight in correct reading, listen. A voice clear, sweet, and impassioned floats to the ear. Every word is distinctly and melodiously pronounced, the sentiment of the holy song strongly
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REV. EDWIN H. CHAPIN, D. D.
stirs the susceptibilities, and with its last word the mind is left dreaming of realities which eloquence has made vivid. The poet, the orator, and the spirit of divine power stand personified in the reader. It is an utterance of words which flow like the pleasant rippling of the summer rivulets-it is an appeal like that of tears- it is an carnestness of feeling inspired of God. The arches of no temple ever resounded with a voice more impressively eloquent. Many clergy- men read psalms and hymns much as children do lessons. They disre- gard punctuation, expand sentences into verses, and overlap verse upon verse until meaning, rhyme, and effect are altogether lost. Few pretend to listen to these murderings of sense and harmony, and great masses fail to realize the inspiration to be drawn from the thoughts of the sacred poets. But it is not so in Dr. Chapin's church. Children stretch their necks to catch every one of the beautifully musical words ; and even the aged see wrought out on the page religious imagery from words dim to their sight, but sent blazing to their souls. Perhaps the syllables are sweeter when mingled with vocal and instrumental strains, but they can have no increased power as holy utterances.
Dr. Chapin is as greatly gifted in prayer. The opening words are in silvery whispers, which swell into a louder tone, and at the close die away into whispers again. IIe prays from the heart. It is a fountain gushing with the waters of affection, charity, and faith, and many a believer here can see these waters sparkling in the sun- light of God's own countenance. The sick, the sorrowing, and the poor are especially remembered. In touching accents of pleading, and with the zeal of an exhaustless love, he presents their claims for divine aid. Now he folds liis hands, looks upward, and pauses for an instant. A great thought seems to be melting within his bosom, which even he can scarcely clothe in words. In language of lofty power he now speaks of the coming triumph of the cross. Before, all was pleading and pathos, but now the tone is one of joy and ex- ultation. The change is from the murmuring of sad music to the ringing of merry chimes. His face glows with light, he uses words of deeper significance, and his wonderful fluency as an extemporaneous speaker begins to appear. The little stream has expanded into a torrent, and sweeps with it flowers which mingle their perfume with its flood. Iniquity rolls up like a scroll from his sight, and his de- lighted eyes gaze upon the scenes of a millennium, while his tongue paints them in the coloring of religious transport and an ardent
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REV. EDWIN HI. CHAPIN, D. D.
fancy. Then, solemnly invoking a blessing upon the remaining ser- vices, the orator in prayer concludes.
Dr. Chapin is liberally endowed with the capacity for vigorous and connected extemporaneous address. In the morning service he preaches with very little preparation. It is his custom, however, to produce one completely written discourse every week, which is spoken from manuscript in the evening. These prepared sermons are logically arranged, argumentative to some extent, full of vigorous expressions and original thought, but, above all, abound in beautiful imagery and impassioned eloquence. Indeed, in this latter respect, parts of them are gems of the mind. He is not only particularly happy in the selection of his terms of expression, but his illustra- tions are made in language of extraordinary originality and beauty. There is nothing which he will not twine in poetic thought, and in his sublime flights he revels as much with the flowers as he does with thunderbolts. His sarcasm is withering, and frequently even more sharply pointed by the adding of an original humor. His denun- ciation is scornful and overwhelming. But the pervading elements of his sermons are a great humanity, love for his fellow-creatures, and devotion to the duty to which he has been called. Thrilling to hear, they are as beautiful to read. Like vines bending with fruit or flowers; still these vines, after all, cling about sturdy oaks.
Dr. Chapin's voice is one of much compass, and is as easily and correctly modulated as tunes are played by the keys of instruments; it is smooth, without even the slightest harshness, and its sweetness and fervor are beyond comparison. His gestures are few, but of the most effective kind. He is always thoroughly absorbed in his theme, and not only in his words, but manner, is impressively earnest, and in some passages decidedly excited. The concluding portion of his sermons are usually the most powerful and eloquent. He seems to have a few pages committed to memory, and he is relieved from the . close attention to his notes which is a characteristic with him. Now he rolls out the burning words and brilliant thoughts-now he gesticu- lates with startling vehemence; and now his impassioned utterances quicken the blood, or perchance move to tears.
The listener is spell-bound from the beginning to the end. There is no time of weariness, but when the termination comes a freer breath is drawn, and there is almost a sensation of pain from the fixedness of mind and the overwrought feelings. You have been under the fascination of eloquence of the most moving description.
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REV. EDWIN H. CHAPIN, D. D.
All that the voice, tongue, and mind can do with language has been done. The power which sways senates, kindles revolutions, and starts the sword from its scabbard-the power of human eloquence- has woven one of its potent spells, which is to last even into the life of to-morrow.
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By and by you see a person moving with the crowd toward the door. He is all smiles, and as he goes along shakes hands right and left. He chats pleasantly and constantly, and before he gets far is surrounded by a talking deputation, embracing both sexes and all ages. It is Dr. Chapin. Seemingly unconscious of his great gifts and fame-a plain unassuming man-he is now as unreservedly the companion of a child as of the mnost eminent who greet him. And if in the gathering there should be persons of humble estate, they will be selected for his especial notice. Presently he reaches the street, and, with a kindly good-night to some worthy who per- sistently has held to his sleeve, he goes away from the scene of his matchless oratory and the altar of his successful ministrations.
Dr. Chapin's character, life, and religion may all be expressed in one word -- love. It is the rock upon which he builds for the present and the time to come. Turning with horror from the narrow bounds of bigotry-cultured to liberal and progressive ideas-of a nature kind-hearted and just-professing a religious faith which makes no limit to the salvation of man-he has made his whole career and his ministry an illustration of liberal sentiments, generous deeds, and Christian love.
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REV. JOIIN A. M. CHAPMAN,
PASTOR OF ST. JOHN'S METHODIST CHURCHI, BROOKLYN, E. D.
EV. JOHN A. M. CHAPMAN was born at Greenland, N. H., August 21st, 1829. His father was a farmer. At fifteen he became a member of the Methodist church. Ile prepared for college at IIampton, N. H., and en- tered the institution at Waterville, Me., but his health finally failed, and he was obliged to leave. He took a two years theological course at Concord, N. II.
He commenced preaching in 1853, as a supply, at Concord. In the spring of 1854 he joined the Providence Conference, in which he remained until the summer of 1861, when he was transferred to the New England Conference. During eight years and a half he was the pastor of different prominent churches in the City of Boston. IIe went first to the Hanover street, and subsequently to Tremont street and Grace church. He was appointed to his present church, attached to the New York East Conference, in the spring of 1871.
St. John's Methodist Church grew out of the South Fifth street Congregation, and was organized in 1868. A magnificent church edifice was erected on Bedford avenue, at a total cost of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. This is probably the finest church in the denomination. There are about five hundred families and five hundred members. The officers, teachers, and pupils of the Sunday School number eleven hundred. A Mission Sunday School is con- ducted in Taylor street, where there are also held religious meet- ings.
There is certainly a great change taking place in the Methodist church. In the cities, especially, it is losing much of its primitive character. The abandonment of the old time plain structures, the frece pew system, of class-meetings, and the excitable mode of pub- lic worship, with the introduction of an educated clergy, mark its assimilation in a greater degree than ever before to the other
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REV. JOHN A. M. CHAPMAN.
Protestant denominations. Its free and popular faith will remain through all human time, but it eannot be denied that the Methodist body of to-day is an organization essentially modified in many of its former peculiar features. The good fathers of the church would stand astounded, though probably not without pride, in beholding the splendid edifice which their modern brethren have built for themselves on Bedford avenue. They would likewise marvel at the learning and dignity which adorn its pulpit at all times. But these innovations are only signs of higher refinement and prosperity, and not, by any means, of an altered or corrupted faith. In this age, ehange in almost everything seems certain and rapid, and it is evi- dent that the Methodist church, in the particulars named, is a strik- ing example of the.fact.
Mr. Chapman is of the medium height, slender, and erect. ITis head and face show him to be an intellectual man. His manners are easy and courteous with all persons. In his disposition he is rather retiring and modest, seeking to make neither noise nor display. But hidden beneath all this is the strong stern man when duty is to be done, and when principles are to be maintained; then his will be- comes inflexible and his courage dauntless. Consequently, his life bas exhibited the most lovely of the Christian graces, and at the same time the power of moral and religious principles.
He preaches a most effective sermon. In the first place, he is a- scholarly man, looking learnedly and deeply into all his subjeets; and in the second, he is a devout one, feeling his responsibility as a preacher of the Word, and tenderly concerned for the salvation of sinners. He preaches from head and heart, and he appeals to the in- fluenee of both in his hearers. His sermons are thoroughly studied, but he speaks in the pulpit entirely without notes. His language lias the freshness of original thought and the glow of a fervent elo- quenee. Able to hold his place among the most gifted preachers of his day, he never swerves from either faith or propriety, or forgets that his chief duty, as well as honor, are to be found in following in the meek footsteps of the Master.
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1
REV. GEORGE B. CHEEVER, D. D., NEW YORK.
EV. DR. GEORGE B. CHEEVER was born at Hallo- well, Maine, in 1807. He was graduated at Bowdoin College in 1825, and at Andover Theological Seminary in 1830, and was ordained pastor of the Howard Street Congregational Church at Salem, Mass., in 1832. His contributions in prose 'and verse, on theological and literary topics, were published in the North American Review and Bible Repository, and he engaged in the Unitarian controversy. In 1855 he published, in a Salem newspaper, a dream, entitled " Deacon Giles' Distillery." This publication involved him in much trouble, as Deacon Giles was a veritable person. A riotous attack was made upon him in the street, and he was tried and convicted of libel, and suffered an imprisonment of thirty days in jail. During the follow- ing summer he resigned his pastoral charge, and, going abroad, passed over two years in Europe and the Levant. His travels were deseribed in letters to the New York Observer. He returned in 1839, and be- came pastor of the Allen Street Presbyterian Church, New York. He . attracted crowded houses to a course of lectures on the "Pilgrim's Progress " and on the "Hierarchical Despotism," the latter being a reply to a discourse by Bishop Hughes. In 1843 he engaged in a public debate with J. L. V. O'Sullivan, Esq., maintaining the argu- ment in favor of capital punishment. He went to Europe, in 1841, as corresponding editor of the New York Evangelist, and, after his return in 1845, was the principal editor. In the following year he became pastor of the Church of the Puritans, a new Congregational church, located on Union Square, New York. Says a notice : "He is distinguished as an energetic preacher, and for the Puritanic appli- cation of biblical principles to human conduct and institutions. Among the topics which he has treated in the pulpit are -- intem- perance; Sabbath breaking by railroad companies and government
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REV. GEORGE B. CHEEVER, D. D.
orders ; the attempted ejection of the Bible from the public schools ; the Mexican war; the fugitive slave law ; the Dred Scott decision ; and the system of American slavery. Since the establishment of the New York Independent, in 1848, Dr. Cheever has been a weekly con- tributor to it of religious, literary, critical, and political articles. His later contributions to the Bibliotheca Sucra are of a more scholarly and elaborate character." Among his books are works of prose and poetry, and his issues have been continuous since 1828. Of these may be named, "Studies in Poetry ; " an edition of the "Select Works of Archbishop Leighton;" "Lectures on the Pilgrim's Progress; " " Wanderings of a Pilgrim ;" "Journey of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, New England, 1620," reprinted from the original volume ; " Wind- ing of the River of the Water of Life; " "Lectures on the Life, Genius, and Sanctity of Cowper ; " "God Against Slavery," &c., &c.
For many years Dr. Cheever and his congregation took a very prominent part in the anti-slavery agitation, then going on ; subse- quently the church edifice, which was erected on leased ground, was sold. The congregation became reduced in members, and have ceased to attract attention.
Dr. Cheever is a person of noticeable appearance. He is of good height, straight and active, and his countenance shows him to be a thinker of no ordinary degree. He has a liberal quantity of black and gray hair on his head, and also wears whiskers, which set his face in a complete frill. He looks pale, as if from close study.
Dr. Cheever is a very poor reader. Sometimes his voice dies away as if he was reading to himself, and then it rises, and is quickened as if to make up for lost time. But the delivery of his sermons is quite another thing. He does not appear like the same speaker. Now his voice is invariably full and rich toned, and, instead of a carelessness as to the force of words, every one is made effective. He gesticulates very much with his right hand, which is almost all the time in motion. He is altogether very limber, and an attitude often adopted is to lean over the book-board, with his hands hanging down, at which time he whispers some ironical and bitter things with a confidential air.
The American pulpit has no person in it of more power of mind and force of character than Dr. Cheever. He is an original, philo- sophieal thinker, and has always shown great moral courage in doing what he deemed to be his duty as a minister and man.
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1
REV. FREDERICK G. CLARK, D. D.,
PASTOR OF THE TOMPKINS AVENUE PRES- BYTERIAN CHURCHI, BROOKLYN.
EV. DR. FREDERICK G. CLARK was born at Water- bury, Conn., December 13th, 1819. He is the son of the late distinguished Rev. Daniel A. Clark, a well-known clergyman of New England, and a brother of Hon. Hor- ace F. Clark, a noted member of the New York bar. He en- tered Williams College, but was obliged to leave on account of the failure of his health. He spent two years in the study of law, after which he passed a year in Europe. He subsequently entered the New York University, where he was graduated in 1842. He now entered the Union Theological Seminary of New York, from which institution he graduated in 1845. He went immediately to Greenwich, Conn., where he was ordained. He preached here for a year and a half, when he accepted a call to the Presbyterian Church at Astoria, Long Island. After laboring in this place for six years, he was called to the West Twenty-third Street Presbyterian Church, in the city of New York. Under his labors an imposing house of worship was erected, and a vigorous church gathered. Dr. Clark occupied this pulpit for fifteen years, when he felt the need of change, and he accepted a call in May, 1867, to the Second Congregational Church in Greenwich, Conn., the church in which he originally began his ministry. In 1871, Dr. Clark returned to New York, and was soon engaged in his professional work at Brooklyn. In Sep- tember, 1872, he was installed Pastor of the Tompkins Avenue Presbyterian Church, where a substantial congregation soon gathered under his ministry.
Dr. Clark received his degree of D. D. from the New York Uni- versity in 1864. He is the author of a memoir entitled "The Life Work of Mary M. Maynard," and many published sermons.
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Frederick G. Clark
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REV. FREDERICK G. CLARK, D. D.
We take the following interesting passages from a lecture to young men, entitled "Self Culture" :
"The idea of self is either full of danger or full of duty, according to our con- eeption of it.
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