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 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. 2 > Part 5
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Milly
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REV. G.
HENRY MANDEVILLE, D. D.
early, but whether they were in connection with the Collegiate Church, or whether they were formed into a distinct church, there are no records to show. It is stated in the old Dutch records of Harlem that on September 30th, 1686, the Rev. Henricus Solyns preached the first sermon in a new church then built, and adminis- tered the Lord's Supper. Hence there was then a church and a house of worship. The want of records prevents, also, any definite information concerning the names of the ministers who may have officiated for nearly one hundred years. The first minister of whom there is any definite account was the Rev. Martinus Schoonmaker, who held the pastoral office at Harlem previous to 1785, and who officiated there and at Gravesend, Long Island; but he left in that year, and became pastor of the Dutch Church in Flatbush, where he died May 10th, 1824, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years. It is not known precisely how long he had preached at Harlem. Up to this time it is supposed that the services at Harlem had been con- ducted in the Dutch language, but it is doubtful whether preaching in that language was continued after this date. After the dismission of Mr. Schoonmaker, the church remained without a stated pastor for nearly six years.
In September, 1791, a call was accepted by the Rev. John F. Jackson, who remained as pastor for more than thirteen years, re- signing in April, 1805. Immediately after this the church extended a call to the Rev. Philip Milledoler, which he declined ; but the pas- torship was accepted by the Rev. Jeremiah Romeyn, who settled in April, 1806. After about seven years some difficulties arose, and Mr. Romeyn, at his own request, was dismissed from the church by the classis. The trouble continued for some time, and it was not until the Autumn of 1816 that another minister was finally called. The Rev. Cornelius Vermeule accepted the call in September of that year, and continued his labors with the congregation for twenty years. He resigned his charge in October, 1836; and, after a vacancy of something over a year, the Rev. Richard Schoonmaker was or- dained in March, 1838, who remained nearly ten years pastor of the church. For about a year the church was without a pastor, when Dr. Lord accepted a call in 1848. He was the pastor for twenty-one years, until his death, in April, 1869. His ministry was marked by three revivals, during one of which, in 1852, one hundred and twenty persons united with the church.
The original church building stood on the plot formerly known as the " old burying-ground," bounded by First avenue, 124th and
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REV. G. HENRY MANDEVILLE, D. D.
125th streets. Here, in a lane, stood the original edifice until about the year 1789, when it was removed, and a new church erected in its place. The church was attended by many persons from West- chester County ; and it is related that some of the females made it a habit to wash their feet in Harlem river as they crossed it on their way to church. The congregation worshipped in a granary while the new church was being built. The spire was ornamented by a golden vane and ball, which is now on an outbuilding on the estate of the Hon. Judge Ingraham. This structure was removed in 1826, and in 1827 the large frame building on the corner of Third avenue and 121st street, now occupied by the congregation, was finished. It is one of the finest of the old-time edifices. A large porch, reached by twelve steps, fifteen fect deep, and extending the whole width of the front, has four semi-Corinthian columns, supporting an imposing pediment, a cupola, and belfry. The whole of the upper portion of the building is the church proper. It contains one hundred and forty-eight pew .; , and has comfortable accommodations for one thousand people. The pulpit is at the west end, or rear, and imme- diately behind it is a large recess, containing an organ and accom- modations for the choir. In the rear, and adjoining the church, is another building, containing the consistory rooms, Bible-class rooms, pastor's study, etc. The bell in use was cast in Holland in 1734.
There are about three hundred members, and three hundred children in the Sunday school. Three colonies have been sent from the congregation to found other churches, and many have united with churches in Yorkville, Manhattanville, and Carmansville. It is the owner of much valuable real estate, and may be ranked as one of the wealthiest congregations of New York.
Dr. Mandeville is of the medium height, with a round, solid, and erect figure. His head is round, with a fine brow, and, altogether, a genial, happy expression. Ilis manners are polite and cordial.with all persons. Without the slightest pretension in any way, he ex- hibits all the dignity which is necessary to his calling; and appears to every one, as he is, a most amiable, refined, and pious man. He has firmness and nerve, but these do not so much appear until the time of action arrives. In ordinary intercourse it is' his geniality and cheerfulness which are most observed. He is an active and busy man in his pastoral office. Feeling to the fullest extent its re- sponsibilities, he discharges them with a conscientiousness and fidelity that greatly endear him to his people. Ile goes among them with words of gentleness and piety, and deeds of sympathy and
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REV. G. HENRY
MANDEVILLE, D. D.
love. But, after all, he is no flatterer, no lip-server, and no trifler with indiscretions and wrong-doing. IIc is stern and strict to every moral and religious principle and duty, though otherwise so gentle of heart. A man of a great deal of practical observation and thought, he is intelligent and efficient in every action of life.
In the pulpit he displays similar characteristics with those which distinguish him in personal intercourse. Modesty, sincerity, and all due gravity are to be observed in both speech and manners, and with it all a tenderness and conscientiousness that show the pure and loving heart. He writes in good, plain English, and is far more in- clined to serious reflections than to fancy, though the latter is not altogether disregarded. A ripe scholar, he expounds the Scriptures with clearness and force, and his intelligent observations among men lead to the unfolding of views which are always sound and practical. Hence his sermons, without any attempt at oratory in their delivery, produce a most favorable impression with both converted and non- converted hearers. They are luminous with great truths, stated in original language and new forms; filled with the interest and fellow- feeling of a well-informed and good man in the every-day affairs of life, and infused with the comforting and inspiring spirit of one who seeks to be a friend and brother.
The ministerial character has its highest significance when dis- played in the person of a man like Dr. Mandeville. He has given it neither the affectation nor the eccentricity of which, in these times, it 30 much partakes. But he walks before his fellow-men with humility and devoutness which are in imitation of the Master, and according to Ilis command to Ilis apostles. At the same time he maintains the dignity and influence of his profession. His habits, character, and opinions leave no question that in all things he is a consistent servant of God. Consequently in him the ministry has not only one of its most efficient members, but the community a most influential and valuable citizen. He needs no apologists for his actions and opinions. At all times these stand forth in the beauty of purity and truth.
All honor to such a minister and man. An example to his fellow-men, he is made worthy by his talents and labors of high professional renown. Earnest in the line of duty, through a suc- cession of important pastorships ; standing, under all circumstances, a bulwark of religion and virtue, he is justly to be regarded as one of the most valuable men of the church and community.
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REV. WILLIAM S. MIKELS, D. D.,
PASTOR OF THE STANTON STREET BAPTIST CHURCHI, NEW YORK.
EV. DR. WILLIAM S. MIKELS was born in Orange County, New York, May 18th, 1820. His academic, collegiate, and theological studies were all pursued in the different departments of Madison University, at Hamilton, New York. He was graduated at the College in 1843, and at the Seminary in 1845. IIe was first settled over the Baptist church at Rondout, Ulster County, New York, where he was ordained and installed during the year 1845, and remained in this position about four years and a half. His next charge was the Baptist church at Sing Sing, where he officiated for more than six years. On the 1st of November, 1856, he was installed as the pastor of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church, New York, where he la- bored for seventeen years. In May, 1873, greatly to the regret of the congregation, he resigned the pastorship. For some time his health had been declining. In the spring of 1874 he accepted a call to the Stanton Street Baptist Church, New York.
Dr. Mikels is slightly under the medium height, equally propor- tioned, and has a short neck and a good-sized head. His face is pretty well covered with whiskers. His features are small, and his countenance is highly expressive of amiability and kindness. He evidently desires to appear as a plain, unassuming man in all respects. His disposition is a cheerful one, and he is always found a genial and interesting associate.
We wrote as follows of Dr. Mikels at the time of his labors in the Sixteenth Street Church : " He is eminently a man of the people, and goes about his religious work without any preferences as to the class among whom he shall seek converts. He comes to all, as humble- minded as the least of them, and he rears his altar in the midst of the dwellings of those in moderate circumstances, the poor, in the locality of stores, saloons, and tenement houses. Crowds go to hear him.
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REV. WILLIAM S. MIKELS, D D. '
He has what is best described as a live congregation. There are old and young-throngs of both sexes-and nearly all are, like their minister, earnest in the religious work. Whole classes in the Sunday school are converted, and the fires of revival burn on month after month. Why is it? In one word, because the pastor is particularly adapted for his work, because he makes the preaching of the gospel and the awakening of the sinner his sole duty, leaving utterly out of the question all thoughts of personal case, emolument, and ambi- tion. He takes hold of the gigantic evils of the day, of the rum- shops and Sabbath-breaking, the vices and temptations which every one of his hearers confront in his or her walks, which are to be seen about the very portals of the sanctuary, and he preaches of inoral and Christian duty under such circumstances.
" He speaks effectually because he speaks truthfully and earnestly. His sermons are very well composed, but if they were not the sub- ject matter and the manner of the man would be sufficient to claim attention. He is not prim and starched, but might be some intelligent mechanic or storekeeper in the pulpit. He is not deep and learned in his modes of expression, but is plain, homely, and practical, just as are the hearers before him. Such a man and such a speaker has necessarily a large influence, and Dr. Mikels is no exception to the rule. IIe has the undivided attention of his audience. He is their equal, companion, friend, and pastor, and in all these relations they have learned to love him. They attend to his teachings, and he leads them-fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, brothers, and sisters, old and young -- to the altar.
"He is a revivalist, and in every way a go-ahead, untiring worker in the ministry. Bold and firm in his opinions, and yet always kindly in his manner of expressing them ; sincere and de- termined in his efforts for the redemption of the lost, he has obtained a wide reputation in his sect, and is individually admired and be- loved by those with whom he comes in contact."
Dr. Mikels has much to be proud of in his city ministry. He raised his congregation to the highest point of prosperity which it has ever known, and its influence has been greatly felt in the neigh- borhood in which it is located. Certainly, his ministry has not been without abundant return for his fidelity to duty and unwearying energy.
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REV. WILLIAM H. MILBURN, LATE PASTOR OF THE JOHN ST. METHODIST CHURCHI, NEW YORK.
EV. WILLIAM H. MILBURN was born in Philadelphia, September 26th, 1823. When five years of age he was struck in the eye with a piece of iron hoop, being at play with some boys throwing at a mark. Ilis eye recovered, but a protuberance existed which affected the downward vision. Caustic was applied, which became so severe that the boy resisted, and in his struggle with the physician, both eyes were dashed with it. As a remedy for this new misfortune, they were kept bathed with a solution of sugar of lead for two years, but the pupils became so much injured that very imperfect sight remained only in the left corner of the right eye.
In May, 1838, his father removed to Jacksonville, Illinois. The almost blind but persevering youth now became a clerk in his fa- ther's store, and at the same time pursued studies which he had al- ready undertaken. He could manage to see by having a projected shade over the eye, and then placing the hand convexly shaped be- neath it, and leaning the body forward at an angle of forty-five de- grees. One letter was as much as he could distinguish at a time. Says another : " At his place by the door in summer, and at a window in winter, sitting in a constrained posture, he received the sunlight of knowledge, as it were, through a ereviee in the roof instead of by the effulgence poured in through surrounding windows, and besides the disability of sight, suffering from the incessant interruptions con- sequent upon strict attention to the store, and the constant ear-vigil- ance necessary to distinguish customers from idlers."
He entered the freshman class of Illinois College, situated at Jacksonville, in 1839, still continuing his clerkship. In the spring of 1843, his last collegiate year, his health declined, and study was interdicted. IIis ailments were a slight curvature of the spine and some internal organic complaints.
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فئات
REV. WILLIAM H. MILBURN.
From an early period he had looked to the ministry as his future profession. As it now became necessary for him to ride on horse- back, the Methodist presiding elder of the district in which he lived urged that he should accompany him in traveling his circuit and assist in preaching. The following is an interesting account of the man- ner in which this plan was carried out :
" His father furnished him with a horse, saddle, and saddle-bags ; his mother fitted him with a grayish-blue jean suit (a homespun woolen fabric, the coarse quality of which goes under the name of linsey-woolsey), and, thus accoutred, with over-coat strapped on the saddle, he starts forth, in company with the presiding elder, as an itinerant preacher, to make the first acquaintance with his circuit. He had never rode before to any amount, but at the end of two and a half days an appointment one hundred miles distant was punctu- ally attained. His theological course had also commenced, with the good elder as the professional corps, the Bible his text-book, the saddle his meditation seat, and God's wide, beautiful earth the sem- inary. The appointment was a quarterly meeting, held in a double log-cabin-that is, a cabin with two rooms, on the floors of which the preachers slept at night. The meeting began at one o'clock on Sunday afternoon, with a sermon by the elder. In the evening the local preacher officiated, at the close of which service the elder, with- out warning, spoke out in an imperious voice-' Brother Milburn, exhort !' and thus, standing behind a splint-bottomed chair, 'Brother Milburn ' made his first address to a religious assembly, and his pro- fession was entered at the age of nineteen."
During this summer he traveled a region of one thousand miles, preaching constantly. In September, on his twentieth birthday, he was admitted as a " traveling preacher " to the Illinois Conference. Two years later he was directed by the Conference to proceed to the East and solicit funds for the establishment of Methodist schools and colleges in the West. Being on board a steamboat on the Ohio river, when Sunday came he was invited to preach. He had been excess- ively pained during the trip at the blasphemy, drunkenness, and gambling which prevailed among the passengers, and especially in the case of certain congressmen, then on their way to Washington. When he took his place to begin the services, he found that these persons had been provided with front seats, and resolved to admin- ister a public rebuke to them. Accordingly, in the course of his remarks, he said : " Among the passengers in this steamer are a
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REV. WILLIAM H. MILBURN.
number of members of Congress, and, from their position, they should be examples of good morals and dignified conduct ; but, from what I have heard of them, they are not so. The union of these States, if dependent on such guardians, would be unsafe, and all the high hopes I have of the future of my country would be dashed to the ground. These gentlemen, for days past, have made the air heavy with profane conversation, have been constant patrons of the bar and encouragers of intemperance-nay, more ; the night, which should have been devoted to rest, has been dedicated to the horrid vices of gaming, profanity, and drunkenness. And," continued the preacher, with great solemnity, " there is but one chance of salvation for the great sinners in high places, and that is, to humbly repent of their sins, call on the Saviour for forgiveness, and reform their lives. "
Mr. Milburn shortly returned to his state-room, where a purse of money was brought to him in the name of the congressmen, with the request that he would accept it as a testimonial of their respect for his character and appreciation of his sermon. The congressmen were not disposed to let the matter end even here, for they proposed Mr. Milburn for chaplain of Congress, to which position he was elected.
In 1847 Mr. Milburn went to the South, and for six years labored in Montgomery, Mobile, and elsewhere. To show the extent of his exertion, it may be mentioned that during five years of this period he preached fifteen hundred times and traveled sixty thousand miles.
He was re-elected chaplain of Congress, and held the office until March, 1855. He delivered a course of lectures before the Lowell Institute, Boston, entitled " Sketches of the Early History and Settle- ment of the Mississippi Valley." Other lectures bear the titles- "Songs in the Night, or the Triumph of Genius over Blindness; " " An Hour's Talk About Women; " " The Southern Man; " " The Rifle, Axe, and Saddle-bags," "Symbols of Early Western Charac- ter and Civilization." These lectures were delivered in all the prin- cipal places in the Union. In 1859 he visited England, in company with Bishop Simpson and Rev. Dr. McClintock, and delivered lectures in the chief cities to crowded audiences. During the same year he published "Ten Years of a Preacher's Life," and in the following year " Pioneers and the People of the Mississippi Valley."
At one time Mr. Milburn was the pastor of the Pacific street Methodist Church, Brooklyn ; his last appointment was at the John
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REV. WILLIAM H. MILBURN.
street Church, New York. He subsequently became an Episcopalian. He was ordained deacon in 1865, and priest in 1866 by Bishop Hop kins of Vermont. In 1871 he returned to the Methodist communion.
Most of his time is spent in traveling in this country or Europe. His more recent lectures are " What a Blind Man Saw in Paris," and " What a Blind Man Saw in California."
Mr. Milburn has never entirely recovered from his spinal com- plaint, and is obliged to remain in a horizontal position during a portion of each day. His sight is now so nearly destroyed, that he is unable to read at all, and just dimly distinguishes the outline of objects in a favorable light and position. He recognizes acquaint- ances by the voice, and judges of character by the intonation as others do from expression. Hle moves about in familiar places with- out difficulty, and often travels unattended, trusting to the kindness of strangers. His memory is very remarkable. While at college a student came to his room with a volume of " Chaliner's Astronom- ical Discourses," and read a half or two-thirds of one of them, in which young Milburn became greatly interested, and requested to have it read again. After this was done he said-" Thank you ! I have it now."
" What do you mean-have what ?" asked the student.
"Why, I have that sermon," was the reply of, Milburn, who at once repeated the part he had heard verbatim.
After his marriage, in 1846, his wife became his principal reader. At some periods she read to him ten hours a day for weeks together. four or five hours at a sitting, and sometimes fifteen hours out of the twenty-four. When in Brooklyn, the ladies of the congregation per- formed this service for him, very much to his pleasure and their own profit. Says another : "His habit at present, when wishing to com- mit a new chapter preparatory to public worship, is to have it read to him on the previous day, and he repeats it after the reader verse by verse, and then in sets of four verses, commencing each time at the beginning of the chapter. With one reading of the chapter there- after he is prepared to go through it before an audience without a possibility of failure. Poetry he commits with greater facility than prose. He is perfectly familiar with the hymn-book, and can prob- ably repeat most of the New Testament, and considerable portions of the Old. His retention of names, dates, facts, and conversations, seems to be equally good, the only difference of power being between the committing of prose and poetry.
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REV. WILLIAM H. MILBURN.
Mr. Milburn's success in overcoming the difficulties presented to hitn, as a student, and minister, by his blindness, is among the mar- vels. He stands a living and noble example of the fruits of that patience which is unwearying, and that desire for learning which cannot be defeated in its aim. The eager spirit which neither ac- knowledges control nor can bear delay must entirely fail in any conception of the task by which this sightless enthusiastic executed his heroic resolution. At noonday the tired student may look upon the face of nature, beaming with its manifold beauties; or, as his midnight lamp grows dim, he may turn his gaze to the firmament st :dded with its starry worlds; but, through these long and patient hours-through these weeks and months, lengthening into years- this student-preacher found that even the little ray with which he lit up the pages, letter by letter, was fading into eternal gloom. Still he persevered, as within his mind there was rising a light of knowl- edge, which burned as a sun to his feet, and was more delightful than could be the fragrance of all flowers to his nostrils. Great has been his courage and lofty his ambition in such a struggle with mis- fortune; but he has gained treasures to make beautiful his days on earth, and which enable him, with clearness of mental vision, to be a guide to those, like himself, hopeful of the celestial land beyond.
Mr. Milburn is of a slight figure, and has a thoughtful and inter- esting face. His sightlessness throws a melancholy shadow over his features, but so amiable and intelligent is the expression, that the gaze willingly lingers in their contemplation.
In the pulpit he has an eloquence beyond his words. To think that he is blind, and still able to conduct an entire church service, is to fill the mind with thoughts approaching veneration. Presently his soft, sweet voice recites a hymn and then a chapter from the Bible. You miss the books, but there is a new fascination in the sacred words spoken from the memory of the eloquent blind man. His sermon is equally impressive. It has all the characteristics of an extempore address, and is, in truth, delivered but slightly from memory. He is not boisterous and declamatory, like most of the Methodist ministers, but proceeds calmly, tenderly, and always elo- quently. His effort is to be entirely natural, and to touch the heart rather than amaze the mind. At times he shows great depth of feeling with his subject, and becomes more animated in his delivery.
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REV. D. HENRY MILLER, D. D., PASTOR OF THE PLYMOUTH BAPTIST CHURCH, NEW YORK. -
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EV. DR. D. HENRY MILLER was born in the island of Jersey, one of the islands in the English Channel, belonging to Great Britain, October 31st, 1825. He is, however, of strictly American parentage; his birth having occurred while his parents were traveling, and he was brought in infancy to the United States. Among the heroes of Bunker Hill was one of his ancestors. After attending a classical academy, he entered the Wilbraham (Mass.) Wesleyan Theological Seminary, where he was graduated in 1842. He was ordained in the Baptist ministry at Stonington, Conn., December 12th, 1847. HIe supplied the pulpit of the Stanton Street Baptist Church, New York, for some time, and in May, 1849, became settled as the pastor of the Baptist Church at Yonkers, New York, where he preached, with marked suc- cess, for eight years.
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