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. 2 > Part 11
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. 2 > Part 11
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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. Paxton is tall, rather spare, erect, and in the full activity of his years. His head is round, and his features are delicate, regular, and highly expressive of the best qualities of mind and heart. He has clear, speaking, kindly eyes, and prominent intellectual charac- teristics. He is a man of peculiar blandness of manner, and, without
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REV. WILLIAM M. PAXTON, D. D.
the slightest sacrifice of a most becoming dignity, places himself on pleasant and familiar terms with you. He converses freely on all current and learned subjects with the interest always imparted by an observing and educated man.
Dr. Paxton is emphatically a man of power. He has energy foi any work and ability for any position. His natural qualities were of the first order, and these have been developed by the severest training of scholarship. He speaks fluently, with the ease and polish of diction and grace of gesture which show the natural and educated orator; but above all he has a depth, comprehensiveness, and force of reasoning which are irresistible. IIe is one of those men who instantly satisfies you that he is the master of his subject. There are no common-place thoughts, no dim and misty statements of argument, and no attempts to make wordy declamation serve the purpose of research and logic. It is a sermon eloquent, and at the same time complete in sterling original ideas, and one in which imagination bestows its pleasing adornment without for a moment modifying the strength and effect of comprehensive argument. The doctrines of his church, the themes of the Scriptures, and the fitting topics of the hour, are all dealt with in a manner the most masterly. Mind and heart are at work in all these efforts; the Christian and the man give truth and gentleness to every word; and cloquence and conscientious earnestness pervade the whole sermon.
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REV. WILLIAM II. PENDLETON,
PASTOR OF THE WEST FIFTY-THIRD STREET BAPTIST CHURCH, NEW YORK.
EV. WILLIAM H. PENDLETON was born in Stoning- ton, Conn., in the year 1832. He spent his early years in academie pursuits and the study of the law. He went to California, and while there entered upon the work of the Christian ministry in 1855. Ilis first pastoral charge was assumed in the city of Brooklyn, three years later, in which he spent eighteen months. After this he became pastor of the Cannon street Baptist Church, New York, and continued to labor as its pastor for several years. He has now been in his present position for a length of time In all these positions his ministry has been eminently successful. The aggregate of conversions under his preach- ing reaches nearly six hundred. He is a good deal of a revivalist, and he does not allow his congregation to grow apathetic in the religious work.
Mr. Pendleton has obtained some celebrity as an energetic member and manager of the American Bible Union, the organization of Baptists which is engaged in a translation of the Scriptures. IIe is also the Recording Secretary.
Mr. Pendleton is under the average height, with a compact frame, and much activity. His head is large and round, with a square face, and regular features. His eyes are large and full of good nature and sympathy, and his bold forehead shows that he is not wanting in in- tel'eetual capacity. He is a man of energy, one who loves to toil, and who despairs not though defeat often overtakes him. He is courageous, and he makes all his burdens of labor lighter by a cheer- fulness and hopefulness which never forsake him. IIe is modest in his bearing, frank and warm in his feelings, and strict and true in re- gard to his principles and his duty.
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REV. WILLIAM H. PENDLETON.
Mr. Pendleton is a man of the most unpretending appearance and manners. He is so modest that he always shrinks from prominence when there are others who can take such positions. He loves to work silently, and in those places where notice is not likely to be taken of him. So modest and unassuming is he that to the ordinary observer he might readily be regarded as a person of little usefulness or in- fluence in the affairs of the church. But this would be a grave mistake. He has a treasure of energy which makes him "a host in himself," and he has a cheerfulness and amiability which make him popular, and hence influential with all classes.
He is an attractive and effective speaker. He, of course, does not lose sight of the potency of a logical argument, but his forte is in im- passioned declamation. He feels in his own heart the full force and expression of every word that he utters, and he speaks in a fervor of language which is natural oratory with him. His language is well chosen, it is pointed and comprehensive ; but, above all, it is fervent. Like all such speakers, he indulges in considerable gesticulation, but it is appropriate and deeply impressive. He is a very good extem- poraneous speaker, and, indeed, many think that these are his best efforts. It has been very justly remarked of him that, while his mind is essentially poetic, he has with sound discretion chastened it to the more sober shade of thought suitable to the character of the Christian ministry.
Mr. Pendleton belongs to the working young ministers of the Baptist denomination. He will undoubtedly win for himself a pro- minent position in the ministry and a fair share of the world's re- nown. And he will win it by work. No man will ever call him a sluggard when there is labor to be done, and no duty will be found neglected when it has been entrusted to his fidelity and energy. With these characteristics he has a future of great promise, and his deno- mination will always have in him an unwavering worker in the vine- yard of the faith.
429
REV. CHARLES S. POMEROY,
LATE PASTOR OF THE ROSS STREET PRIS- BYTERIAN CHURCH, BROOKLYN,
EV. CHARLES S. POMEROY was born in Brooklyn, New York, July 7th, 1834. Hc is the son of Danicl and Clarissa L. Pomeroy, both of whom are deceased. In 1854, he graduated at Columbia College, New York, and soon after entered mercantile life. He made a profession of faith in Christ, and united with the First Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn, where both of his parents were members, and his father an elder, during the ministry of the Rev. Dr. William Hogarth. Not long subsequent to this, he began to prepare for the ministry ; and after two years of private study, he took a partial course at the Union Theological Seminary, New York. He was licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Brooklyn (New School), in May, 1864, and the same year was called to the pastoral charge of the Ross street Presbyterian Church, a new enterprisc just organized from members of three dif- ferent churches in the castern district of Brooklyn. He was ordained and installed pastor of the Ross street church by the Presbytery of Nassau(Old School), on the 16th of October, 1864.
At first the congregation worshiped in a hired hall, but at once began to build a handsome brick and stone chapel. Here they re- mained five years, until the growth of the congregation absolutely required a more spacious edifice. In 1872, they finished their pres- ent large and convenient structure of iron, upon lots previously held for that purpose. The church property is worth about one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Nearly four hundred members were added to the church under Mr. Pomeroy's ministry. In 1873, he ac- cepted a call to the Second Presbyterian Church, in Cleveland, Ohio.
He was the stated clerk of the synod of Long Island, and, also of the Presbytery of Brooklyn, having been appointed as such when these bodies were organized, at the re-union of the two branches of the Presbyterian Church. He was married September 7th, 1858, to
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REV. CHARLES S. POMEROY.
Miss Clara Townsend, of New York. They have had five children, three boys and two girls, but have suffered the deep affliction of the loss of all of them.
Mr. Pomeroy is of a round, erect form, with a finely formed head. His complexion is naturally fair, and usually tinged with the ruddy glow of health. His eyes are soft, having a bright, cheerful twinkle, which is almost one of merriment. In fact, his whole face is most pleasing. There is not a feature or a line in it which do not proclaim both his intellect and his virtue. Gifts of the mind and purity of the heart have written their image in its whole structure, and those who look at it would rely on him for these without a moment's hesitation. His manners are particularly warm and gentlemanly with all persons. In conversation he is fluent and animated.
In all the duties of the pastorship he is a conscientious and earn- est worker. With a great deal of practical tact and efficiency in his dealings with others, he is a man so dignified and consistent in his character as a clergyman, that his success and popularity have been equally marked throughout his career. He preaches without display, but with a vigor of thought and a seriousness of demeanor which com- mand the strict attention of large audiences. A deeply pious man himself, making religion the stay of this life and the hope of the next, with a fullness of confidence and faith, which amounts to an enthusi- asm, he shows in his sermons that he is moved by the sole purpose of saving sinners. Hence, if there is a flight of eloquence, if there are words of touching pathos, it is where he is seeking, borne on by his religious fervor, to gain some idle ear and froward heart. Cer- tainly his own talents cannot be lost sight of by those who hear him, but, it is likewise certain, that personally he uses them merely as the humble instruments in his Master's work. By his people he is be- loved for beautiful traits of character, which are exhibited in all his relations with them, and by the community at large he is regarded with high and sincere appreciation.
431
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REV. ELBERT S. PORTER, D. D.,
PASTOR OF THE FIRST REFORMED CHURCH, BROOKLYN, (E. D.)
EV. DR. ELBERT S. PORTER was born in the town of Hillsboro', New Jersey, October 23rd, 1820. His carly studies were at a select school at Ovid, Sencca county, New York, where he was sent at six years of age, and at a school in the city of New York kept by the father of the late distinguished lawyer, James T. Brady. When between eleven and twelve he went into a store at Millstone, New York, for one year. After this he attended the Academy at Somerville, New Jersey, where he spent three years. He entered the Sophomore class of Princeton College in his sixteenth year, and was graduated three years later, in 1839. He studied law for a short time, but did not seek admission to the bar. He was graduated in theology at the Theological Seminary at New Brunswick in 1842. In the same year he was licensed by the classis of New Brunswick, and in the fol- lowing fall was installed at Chatham, in Columbia county, New York, as pastor of a small missionary congregation. This point is now known as Chatham on the Harlem Railroad, and the junction of the Boston and Albany Railroad. At the date of Dr. Porter's going there it was a small settlement of a poor, and to a considerable extent, vicious population. Filled with zeal in the ministerial work, he commenced his labors, and met with great success. IIe remained seven years, and built up one of the most flourishing of the country churches of the Reformed denomination. He next accepted a call to his present church, then known as the First Reformed Dutch Church in Williamsburgh, of which he became the pastor November 1st, 1849, and has now officiated for twenty-four years.
The history of this church is very interesting. Its growth shows the wonderful changes which forty-four years have produced in the entire section now included in the city of Brooklyn. In the first year of the present century, Brooklyn contained only 3,298 inhabi-
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Elbert.S. Porter
REV. ELBERT S. PORTER, D. D.
tants, and in 1834 was erected into a city with a population of about 24,000. It then had but one Reformed Dutch Church, whereas now there are about fifteen. In the year 1817, a ferry was established between the foot of Grand street, New York, and the foot of what afterwards became Grand street, Williamsburgh. Prior to that period the inhabitants crossed the river by sail or paddle-boats. The ferry soon contributed to the establishment of a considerable settlement along the shore, from Grand to North Second street, through which ran the turnpike to Newtown. A village charter was obtained in 1827, when the population amounted to about fifteen hundred. At that date the shore from Wallabout Bay to Newtown Creek was dotted with comfortable farm-houses, occupied by the old Dutch fam- ilies. Williamsburgh became a city, January 1st, 1852, and it was consolidated with Brooklyn and Bushwick, under one charter, Janu- ary 1st, 1855. At the date of the consolidation, Williamsburgh had a population of about fifty thousand, and Brooklyn about one hundred and twenty thousand. The entire population at this time is about four hundred thousand.
The church in Williamsburgh grew out of the First Reformed Dutch Church of Bushwick. On the 28th of September, 1828, the corner-stone of a church edifice was laid on a site which is now on the corner of Fourth and South Second streets. It was dedicated on the 26th of July, 1829, the Rev. Dr. Broadhead, of New York, preaching the sermon. The congregation was organized as a sepa- rate church by the classis of Long Island on the 1st November, 1829. Immediately after its organization the church received into its ser- vice the Rev. James Demarest, who for the first six months served in the capacity of a missionary, and was supported in part by the Board of Domestic. Missions. On the first Sabbath of his labors he preached to sixteen people, on the second to eighteen, and on the third to twenty-four. At that date the building was remote from the village, which was forming around and above the foot of Grand street. Fourth street was then but a farmer's lane-rough, uneven with boulders, and studded here and there with stumps or with trees of the original forest.
Flagged sidewalks, and pavements as yet there were none. Rev. Mr. Demarest labored as missionary and pastor for nine years and nine months, when he resigned. The pas- torate was next filled by the Rev. William H. Van Doren, who re- mained until the spring of 1849, about ten years. In the spring of the same year important improvements of the church edifice were com-
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REV. ELBERT S. PORTER, D. D.
pleted. The installation of Dr. Porter took place on the third Sun. day of December, 1849, and his ministry has been the most noted in the history of the church. In 1849, Williamsburgh was still a small place. The streets were unlighted by night, save only when the moon relieved the darkness. Since then every one of the local in- stitutions has been established, such as banks, markets, libraries, and associations for public beneficence. The churches were few, and their membership not large.
From an early date the First Church contributed its members and its means to found other churches. The First Presbyterian Church of Williamsburgh grew out of it; in 1848, twenty three members were dismissed to form the church at Greenpoint; in 1851, several were dismissed to aid in the organization of the South Bush- wick Church, and in 1854, members were dismissed to found the Lee Avenue Church. For several years, contributions were made to the salaries of the ministers of both the last-named churches. In 1855, a Mission Sunday School was established in Ninth street, which has since been maintained in great vigor and efficiency, at an expense of never less than five hundred dollars per annum. The church has repeatedly given its assistance, pecuniarily and otherwise, in other practical efforts of religious usefulness.
In 1854, the spire of the church was prostrated by a tornado. Subsequently the edifice was enlarged and improved at a cost of about five thousand dollars in all. In 1860, a contract was made for the purchase of a site for a new edifice, when the war arrested fur- ther movements. In July, 1866, the church on Fourth street was sold to the Central Baptist congregation, and in September, 1867, the foun- dations of a new edifice were commenced on the site purchased in 1860. This site consists of seven lots, four on Bedford avenue, and three on Clymer street, one of the most select and highly-improved neigh- borhoods of the city. The corner-stone was laid in July, 1868. The completed church. was dedicated in October, 1869, and cost, with a chapel adjoining, $130,000. The building is in the Roman- esque style of architecture, and is one hundred and ten feet long (exclusive of the chapel) by seventy feet wide. The whole front on Bedford avenue, including towers, is eighty-two feet. On the north-west corner there is a tower ninety-eight feet high, and on the opposite corner is a large turret seventy-eight feet high. The basement is built of Belleville stone, and the walls above the base- ment are faced up with Philadelphia pressed brick, and trimmed
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REV. ELBERT S. PORTER, D. D.
with Dorchester stone. The audience room is eighty-seven feet by sixty-seven in the clear. The windows are filled with en- riched glass. The first floor is seated with walnut pews of the most approved pattern. There are galleries on three sides, having hand- some openwork fronts made of walnut and butternut woods. These are unlike most galleries, in that they are constructed with one level floor, the entire width, in place of the usual style with platforms graded one above the other. This level gallery is divided into spaces of about eight by eight feet each, with light open baluster railings, carpeted the same as the first floor, each space furnished with walnut upholstered chairs and a small center-table, thus making the gallery the most attractive portion of the house. These spaces have been rented for an aggregate sum of three thousand dollars. The building is provided with a new system of ventilation. The walls and ceilings are richly tinted with delicate hues. The church seats fourteen hundred, and the chapel accomodates six hundred. Three hundred and twenty-five dollars premium was paid for the choice of the first pew at the sale of them. Taken as a whole, this is one of the most elegant and commodious edifices of the kind to be found in the United States.
During the day of dedication three imposing and largely attended services took place in the church. Dr. Porter preached the principal sermon, the Rev. Dr. De Witt delivered an address and the dedica- tion sentences and prayer, and Chancellor Isaac Ferris delivered an affecting and appropriate address to the congregation. There are now about four hundred members, and each of the two Sunday schools has about two hundred scholars.
Dr. Porter received his degree of D. D. from Rutgers College, New Brunswick, in 1854. For fourteen years he was the editor of the Christian Intelligencer, the organ of the reformed denomination. His career as an editor was brilliant in the extreme, and when he resigned this position, both the religious and secular press united in an expression of the highest regard for his character and talents. Besides his editorial writings, he has published in serial form a " History of the Reformed Dutch Church in the United States," the "Pastor's Guide," and other small volumes, and various occasional sermons. One of these latter is a "Historical Discourse," delivered on the final services in the old church, and is of much value from its historical information. Dr. Porter was the president of the first General Synod held after the name of the denomination was changed
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REV. ELBERT S. PORTER, D. D.
from the Reformed Dutch to the Reformed Church of North Ameri- ca. He has a beautiful farm of sixty acres at Claverack, in Column- bia county, which is well managed and made profitable by a person in charge.
Dr. Porter has an equally-proportioned figure, of the average height. He has a quiet, plain appearance, but his whole manner at once assures you that he is a man of both dignity and force of char- acter. His head is long, with a sharp chin, but much fullness in the upper portion. The features are prominent and expressive. His head and face proclaim three distinctive and strong qualities in him. In the first place, he is a thoroughly conscientious man in every duty of life ; second, he is strong in his own self-reliance; and third, his mind is clear, comprehensive, and practical on all occasions and on all subjects. He was never found wanting in any place that duty placed him ; and in the church and everywhere he is one of those who naturally take the position of a leader and example to other men. In his conversation, in his calmness and method, in his confidence, which, after all, is not unmingled with caution, you ob- tain a vivid insight into the moral and physical power which is in- born in him. He is not demonstrative or presumptuous, but quiet, unobtrusive and modest. Agreeable, cordial, and frank in his man- ners, they are not of a kind to draw any especial attention upon him. But when work is to be done, when cool, practical judgment is wanted, when a champion and a hero are required, then he comes to the front, with his strong nerve, his willing mind and hands, and his brave and hopeful heart.
His work in the ministry stands nobly conspicuous in the religious record of his times for its fidelity and success. It has not been a work of show and boastfulness, but one which will speak through all denominational history for its usefulness to the church and the community. His sermons excel in both learning and literary ability .. He writes in an elegant, compact, and forcible style of composition, showing the ready pen, and enlarged and brilliant mental powers. Whatever he displays appears in thought and argument which are peculiarly bis own. There is no seeming effort and no display, but his pleasant flow of tender language, and his logical, sensible views, never fail to arrest all ears.
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1
RT. REV. BISHOP HORATIO POTTER, D.D., LL. D., D.C. L.,
OF THE NEW YORK DIOCESE OF THE PROT- ESTANT EPISCOPAL CIIURCII.
IGHT REV. DR. HORATIO POTTER, Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Diocese of New York, wag born at Beekman (now La Grange), Dutchess County, New York, February 9th, 1802. His early education was received at an academy at Poughkeepsie. He was graduated at Union College in 1826, and was ordained a deacon of the Epis- copal Church, July, 1827, and priest in the following year. During the same year he was appointed professor of mathematics and natural philosophy in Washington (now Trinity) College, Hartford, where he remained five years. In the interval he declined an invitation from Bishop Moore to become assistant minister of the Monumental church, Richmond, Virginia. In 1833, he accepted the rectorship of St. Peter's church, Albany, and declined the presidency of Trin- ity College in 1837, after an election to that position. On the death of Bishop Wainwright, in 1854, he was elected provisional bishop of the diocese of New York, and consecrated November 22d, 1854, and on the decease of Bishop B. T. Onderdonk, who was under sus- pension, April 30th, 1861, he became bishop. It may be mentioned as a singular coincidence, that a brother of Bishop Potter was bishop of Pennsylvania, and that each of them succeeded one of the brothers Onderdonk.
During a visit to England, Bishop Potter was entertained with marked honors by the English bishops.
The western portion of the State of New York has long been a separate diocese, and more recently both Long Island and Central New York have been erected into a third and fourth see. The increase of Episcopal churches in the city of New York has been greater than in any of the other denominations, and the increase has been large in other parts of the State.
Bishop Potter resides in the city of New York, in an Episcopa residence (provided), and enjoys a large salary, which is paid out of a fund created for the purpose. 437 He is expected to visit each church in
RT. REV. HORATIO POTTER, D. D., LL. D., D. C. L.
his diocese once in each year, when candidates for confirmation are presented.
Bishop Potter is tall and thin, with narrow shoulders, erect car- riage, and active step. His head is of the long kind, with thin visage, and deep-set eyes. His hair is of a silver gray, and he has a round, full brow. His manners are always dignified.
HIe has an absorbing, ever-apparent conviction of the exaltation and sacred character of his episcopal office. If men are born for bishops he is one of them. He exhibits to the fullest extent that solemnity of demeanor, that strictness of life, and that superiority of talent required in one called to such functions. The atmosphere about him seems laden with influences awing to the sensibilities, all his daily steps are in the path of conscientious duty, and his gran- deur of intellect makes his authority more imposing.
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