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 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. 2 > Part 8
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REV. JAMES O. MURRAY, D. D.
grand organ above, faced with columns of variegated marble. In the centre of the building hangs a magnificent chandelier which has over three hundred branches, and all the other appointments are of the same costly and elegant character. The property down town was sold first to the government, as a site for a post-office, but the title was objected to by reason of the reserved rights of the vault owners, and subsequently a sale was made to private parties, who immediately improved it.
Dr. Spring was ordained as the pastor August 10th, 1810, and has now held that position for the long term of sixty-three years. He is an infirm old man of over eighty years, and his sight is so much in- paired that he cannot read, and has to be led wherever he goes. He attends church quite regularly, taking his seat in his pew and not in the pulpit, but sometimes makes an extemporaneous address. From these circumstances the heavy labors of the pastorship of the church devolve upon Dr. Murray. The congregation is still very large and wealthy. Dr. Murray received his degree of D. D. from the College of New Jersey at Princeton in 1867.
Dr. Murray is above the medium height, sparely made, and erect and active. ITis head is not large, and his features are small, with a thin face, but his brow is intellectual, and his eyes have that clear- ness which shows them to be windows to the gifted mind. His whole physical organization is delicate and refined, and he is a man in whom there is nothing demonstrative, except so far as it may come from intellectual force. He is a most agreeable person in his manners. He meets you with a high-toned courtesy, with a bland smile, and a warm pressure of the hand. He is easy and graceful, and has that rare power of showing perfect freedom of manners without sacrificing the dignity which is always becoming in a elergy - man. A quiet, discreet-mannered man at all times, polished and affable in conversation, genial and kind-hearted in his nature, Dr. Murray possesses those qualities which are most admirable and popu- lar in the public man alike with the private citizen.
IIe is a man of so much calmness and unobtrusiveness that his characteristics might be regarded as more of a negative than a posi- tive character. He is not one to push himself into the foreground, and he is a willing worker under the leadership of other men. IIe is truly modest, and has none of the petty feelings of jealousy which sometimes mar the comfort of the greatest men. His aim is to be satisfied with his position, whatever it may be. and with that rank
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REV. JAMES O. MURRAY, D. D.
in his profession and in the line of duty to which his merits and character may advance him without any special efforts of his own. However passive and indifferent he may be in these particulars. there is nothing negative in his Christian character or in his Christian works. In these respects he is as bold and aggressive as in the others he is mild and non-combatant. His whole life is marked by a consistency, purity, and perfection in the illustration of moral and religious example in both precept and practice. There have been no deviations, no compromises, no falling short, but exactness, truth- fulness, and consistency in all respects. He has offended no man by scorning his opinions, but has secured the admiration of all by his faithfulness in his own. By his wise policy of exalting principles and underrating himself, he has won many a victory for those princi- ples, and at the same time shown a triumph over the weaknesses of mortal nature. Hence, with a nature singularly modest and unselfish, he has a force and power which is positive and omnipotent, coming simply from the purity and perfection of his life. His daily steps, his gentle counsels, and his carnest faith, are influences of irresistible power among his fellow-men. There are those who may fill a larger place in public notice, and who may make more noise and display in the discharge of their professional duties, but, after all, there are few who have more real and substantial influence over the consciences and conduct of others than this devoted and excellent pastor.
Dr. Murray has considerable scholarly attainments, and a great deal of power as a preacher. He has been a close and laborious student, and has that quick and ardent mind which is not satisfied without a wide range of study and entire thoroughness in it. Thus, as a scholar, he is fitted to take a position with the most talented of his denomination ; and his happy faculty of diction, and his logical and convincing style as a preacher, give him those additional quali. ties which are most requisite for the pastor of an intelligent and high-toned congregation like that of the Brick Church. In his position, superficiality and sensationalism will not do. Ile has a congregation of thinking people, and they require the Sabbath thoughts of a thinking pastor. Ile must go far beneath the service to the very root of scholarship and doctrine ; he must not only make his opinions plain, but he must support them with the authority of the learning and reasoning of his own. Probably no man ever passed a keener criticism than Dr. Murray in obtaining his present pastorship, and the very fact that he is in it is the highest proof of
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REV. JAMES O. MURRAY, D. D.
his capability. His attitude in the pulpit is dignified, but bland and kindly, like his manners out of it. You see modesty and pro- priety in all that he does, and likewise a high and just conception of the responsible and sacred duties which engage him. His ser- mons are couched in graceful and well-chosen terms, and are always strong and convincing in argument. Ilis deep personal conscien- tiousness, and his absorbing interest in the religious welfare of his fellow-men, are clearly shown in every line. He addresses himself to the mind and to the heart of his hearers, but he does not neglect to show them that his words are his own convictions, and his state- ment of their duty is accepted as not less the measure of his own.
Dr. Murray is the ministerial associate of one of the most illus- trious men who ever adorned the American pulpit. His commanding talents and his noble life have received the fullest indorsement from his aged and experienced associate, and he pursues his labors with Dr. Spring's warm encouragement and sincere commendation. One of these godly men is tottering to his grave after a life-long service of honor and fame, and the other is climbing upward to the same pin- nacle, guided by the same steadfast principles of faith, and inspired by the same sense of duty to his religion and to mankind. The race of one is nearly run-marked as it has been by its personal virtues and its professional greatness; and the career of the other will un- doubtedly culminate in equal glory, and throughout be as highly advantageous to the welfare of the church and the community at large. The aged servant of the Lord may go to his reward with his mission fulfilled, and his work well done. Moreover, he will have the satisfaction of knowing that his vacant place will be taken by one chosen by himself to its arduous but exalted duties, and one whose talents are a sure guarrantee of his success as his virtues are of his faithfulness.
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REV. WILLIAM W. NEWELL, D. D.,
PASTOR OF THE ALLEN STREET PRESBY- TERIAN CHURCH, NEW YORK.
EV. DR. WILLIAM W. NEWELL was born at Natick, Massachusetts, September 17th, 1807. He prepared for college at the Phillips' Academy at Andover, was grad- uated at Yale College in 1830, and took his theological course at Andover. He was first settled at Brighton, Massa- chusetts, as pastor of a Congregational church, where he was installed August 19th, 1834. He remained three years, and then went to the Maverick Congregational Church, Boston, where he officiated four years, when he was compelled to relinquish the posi- tion by finding the climate too severe for him. His next place of service was over the Presbyterian Church at Montgomery, Orange county, N. Y., where he remained six years. He was subsequently called to the Presbyterian Church at Syracuse, where he remained thirteen years. In January, 1860, he was installed in his present position of pastor of the Allen street Presbyterian Church, New York, where he has had a most successful ministry.
The Allen street church is one of the old religious organizations of the city of New York, and is still in a very flourishing condition. On the 1st of May, 1816, the ladies of New York formed a missionary Society, and employed a missionary to labor in the most destitute portions of the city. To facilitate his labors, a house of worship was erected in Madison street, near the corner of Catharine street, which was dedicated October 25th, 1817. This edifice was built of wood, and cost about twenty-five hundred dollars. On the 28th of May, 1819, eleven individuals, most of them members of the Brick Presbyterian Church, then corner Beekman and Nassau streets, met at a private house, and organized into a Presbyterian church. In 1823, the church edifice was removed to its present location in Allen street. The church was under the care of the Rev. Mr. Gray from 1818 until 1827, when he resigned. During the two following years
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the congregation was without a regular ministerial supply, and be- came at length so reduced in strength that the edifice was offered for sale. By the aid of friends and the strenuous exertions of the mem- bers the sale was prevented.
In March, 1829, the Rev. Henry White was installed the first pastor of the church, when its connection with the missionary society ceased, and the congregation defrayed its own expenses. The pre- sent house of worship was opened for public services in the spring of 1834. During the fall of 1863, a mortgage of three thousand dollars, then resting upon the church edifice, was removed, and the building entirely repaired and painted. This left the church wholly free from debt. Up to 1866 there had been connected with the congregation fourteen hundred and seventy-three persons. The present number of members is seven hundred and twenty, and there are fourteen hun- dred and thirty children in the parish and different mission Sunday schools. During 1867, more than two hundred and twenty persons joined the church, of whom one hundred and fifty-four were adinitted at one time, most of these being young men. The Sunday school was organized in 1816, three years before the organization of the church, under the care of the Rev. Franklin G. Vail. The next superintendent was Samuel L. Kennedy, who served about twenty- two years, until his death in 1840. The fiftieth anniversary of the Sunday school was celebrated November 18th, 1864, with appropriate exercises. At that time, more than four hundred officers and teach- ers and three thousand eight hundred scholars had been members of the school. Thirty persons converted in the school subsequently be- came preachers of the gospel.
Rev. Henry White resigned the pastorship in March, 1837, and Rev. William Beadley was installed December 3d, 1837, and dismissed April 7th, 1839; Rev. Dr. George B. Cheever was installed October 10th, 1839, and dismissed April 24th, 1844; Rev. Dr. David B. Coe was installed October 14th, 1844, and dismissed May 13th, 1849 ; Rev. George Thacher was installed May 26th, 1850, and dismissed October 15th, 1854; Rev. George C. Lucas was installed April 11th, 1855, and dismissed November 15th, 1859; Rev. Dr. William W. Newell entered upon his labors January 20th, 1860, and was installed February 8th, 1860, by the Third Presbytery of New York.
Dr. Newell received his degree of D. D. from Hamilton College in 1859. He passed some time in Europe in 1858, and on his return
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published a volume of travels entitled "Continental Sketches." He has also published various occasional sermons.
Dr. Newell is of tall, thin person, and ereet carriage. He has a head of medium size, with regular features, and an expression of mingled amiability and intelligence. He is a man of plain manners, and all his qualities are those of the more sedate and substantial kind. Ile makes every one entirely at home with himself; talks freely aud frankly on all subjects, secular as well as religious, and shows a gen- tle heart, a clear, comprehensive mind, and thorough devotion to principles and duty. His life has been one of study, and energetic, conscientious ministerial labor.
Dr. Newell's style of preaching may be described as something peculiar to himself. It is fatherly, tender, and devout to the utmost degrec. He does not take a position of authority over the bearer, but with soft words and impressive counsels he subdues the mind and heart to his control. His sincere, devout manner, and his affec- tionate tone, render his appeals particularly effective with young per- sons. They find that he makes everything clear by the use of plain, comprehensive language, and, beside this, indulges in a strain of elo- quent religious pathos which few can withstand. IIe melts them to tears, he touches the secret springs of feeling in the soul until it wells up and overflows with spiritual desires, and he plants the feet of the convert on the rock of faith. His ministry in New York stands a monument for all time to his energy, talents, and faith.
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REV. HENRY D. NORTHROP,
PASTOR OF THE TWENTY-THIRD STREET PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, NEW YORK.
EV. HENRY D. NORTIIROP was born in Steuben county, New York, March 10th, 1836. His early studies were at Homer, Cortlandt county, and he was graduated at Amherst College, Massachusetts, in 1857. His theolog. ical studies were at the Union Theological Seminary, New York, and at the Theological School of Yale College, at which latter institution he concluded these studies in 1859. In the same year he went to London, England, where he spent several months in a missionary work. Returning to the United States in 1860, he was ordained and installed, by the Congregational Associa- tion of Brooklyn, as pastor of the Park Congregational Church of that city, where he remained a year and a half.
While abroad he had made his mark as an eloquent and zealous worker in the spiritual field. In 1860, he conducted the services of the celebrated Mr. Spurgeon, at Exeter Ilall, and in the Park street church, during the absence of that gentleman on the continent. In- ducements were offered him to return to London and enter again upon a missionary labor. Accordingly, he a second time crossed the ocean, and began his work in Bethnal Green Parish, which is chiefly popu- lated by a working class, many of whom are hand-weavers. Here he started what is now known as the Victoria Park Congregational Church, with one person. The enterprise prospered, and it soon be- came necessary to build a church. A piece of land was leased from the crown for ninety-nine years, and a plain, substantial iron building put up at a cost of about twelve thousand dollars. An interesting cir- cumstance in this connection is, that this land is a portion of what is known as the " Bishop Bonner estate," which individual, in his day, was a noted persecutor of the dissenters. Mr. Northrop remained in this church for a period of three years. The church was self-sup- porting from the beginning, and when Mr. Northrop left it there were
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REV. HENRY D. NORTHROP.
twelve hundred sittings let. The membership amounted to fifteen hundred, and the attendance at times to twenty-five hundred people. The work in this locality was regarded as one of the most successful ever undertaken in London.
For one year Mr. Northrop was engaged in preaching in different parts of England, and a great deal in Scotland. This effort was made under an arrangement with a committee of gentlemen, of whom the Earl of Shaftsbury was one of the most prominent. Wherever he went crowds flocked to hear him, and his labors as an evangelist re- ceived the warmest approval from the friends of religion throughout the United Kingdom.
At length he returned to the United States, and during the sum- mer of 1867, he officiated temporarily as the pastor of the College street Congregational Church, New Haven. In October of the same year, he was called to the Twenty-third street, Presbyterian Church, New York, and was installed in February, 1868.
The Twenty-third street Presbyterian Church was organized in 1834. At that time the Presbytery of New York instituted a relig- ious movement to meet " the wants of that section of the city on the Eighth avenue." Preaching was held in Twenty-third street and other neighboring localities for some time, when lots were obtained on Twenty-third street, near Seventh avenue, where a large and impos- ing church edifice was erected. The cost of the whole property was about sixty thousand dollars, and the church is now entirely free from debt. In April, 1852, the Rev. Dr. Frederick G. Clark was installed as the pastor, and thus continued for fifteen years. He was suc- ceeded by Mr. Northrop, under whose charge the church is very flourishing.
Mr. Northrop is under the medium height, equally proportioned, and erect. He has a head of marked intellectual peculiarities. The lower part of the face is narrow, but the brow is round and full, and broad and high. His brain must be massive, for the proportions of the forehead are much in excess of the other portions of the head. His eyes are light, with a clear, intelligent look, and, while there is much thoughtfulness about the face, it has always a cheerful and amiable expression. You see at once that he is a thinker and worker, and that he is one who is not less quick in the application of his mind and energies than he is tireless in his zeal. Ilis manners are warmly courteous and winning. He does nothing for the mere sake of dignity, but he aets the gentleman naturally, and maintains
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REV. HENRY D. NORTHROP.
the credit of his professional position without the sacrifice of any of that humility, courtesy, and kindness which are taught by its princi- ples. His grasp of the hand is warm, sincere, and brotherly, and his words are gentle, just, and Christian. He talks without reserve, he enters into your feelings whatever they may be, and he wins your re- spect at the same time that he interests and fascinates you.
Mr. Northrop is a shrewd, far-seeing man. He is familiar with the world's affairs and with men's hearts. He thinks practically, and he works in the same way. Ilis mind is far-reaching and compre- hensive in all its bearings, and his action is always taken understand- ingly. With great talents for the ministry, he has far more of that common-sense and matter-of-fact comprehensiveness in regard to mankind than is to be found in most ministers. Hence his success in the missionary work in London and elsewhere. He went among the humble homes of the poor hand-weavers and others, with no more pretension than they had themselves, and with no less interest and sympathy with human privations and sorrows. When he ad- dressed them from the pulpit, it was not only with the power to expound the Scriptures, but with a wonderful insight into the basis and motives of character, and the trials and herois'n of daily life. It is true that he spoke with the intelligence and authority of the or- dained preacher of the word of God, but he entered as a friend and brother into the sunshine and clouds of their hearts and homes. They crowded to hear him, and they loved him. He gave them com- forting counsel for this world's burdens, and fanned the fires of faith in the better one to come. He was certainly the right man in the right place. He made no mistake in regard to the attitude which he should assume with regard to such a population. His knowledge of human nature, and his clear conceptions of the stern, severe life of the laboring classes in Great Britain, enabled him to address him- self to the work in a manner most calculated to produce success. The religious and moral effects of his efforts will never be lost. The work which he commenced so practically is now on an enduring basis. The light of the cross which a stranger, coming from another land three thousand miles distant across the ocean, first displayed to the lowly and benighted, is destined to burn through the present and coming generations. In his own land his work is just as earnest and successful. All his talents and all his zeal are given unsparingly in the cause of the redemption of man.
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REV. FREDERICK OGILBY, D. D.,
ASSISTANT MINISTER OF TRINITY PARISH, OFFICIATING AT TRINITY CHURCHI.
EV. DR. FREDERICK OGILBY is one of the assistant ministers of Trinity Parish, and officiates at Trinity Church. He was born in Dublin, Ireland, December 27th, 1815. He came to the city of New York before he was ten years old. He is the brother of the late Rev. Dr. John D. Ogilby, first reetor of Columbia College Grammar School, Professor of Hebrew at Rutgers College, and Professor of Ecclesias- tical History at the Episcopal General Theological Seminary. The subject of our notice, after three years of study at Columbia Coll ge, spent the last collegiate year at Rutgers College, where he was grad. uated in 1836. He occupied himself as a tutor for two years, and then entered the middle class of the General "Theological Seminary, and was graduated in two years. He was first settled over the three parishes of Rahway, Woodbridge, and Piscataway, New Jersey, in which position he remained a single year; then becoming assistant to Rev. Dr. Taylor, at Grace Church, New York, but after one year returned to the parishes of Woodbridge and Piscataway. Three years later he visited Europe. About this time the law of England, forbidding any but the minister ordained within the realn from officiating in the English churches, was repealed, and at the invitation of the Rev. Dr. Hooke, vicar of Leeds, Dr. Ogilby preached the first lawful sermon by a clergyman of the American Church. Under the permission, which has to be obtained of the bishop, two sermons can be preached ; and in Dr. Ogilby's case, he preached his first at that time, and the second ten years afterward. Dr. Ogilby has made two other visits abroad, and preached repeatedly in both England and Ireland.
On his first return to the United States, he became assistant to Bishop Doane of St. Mary's Church, Burlington, and at the termina- tion of a little more than a year was called to the church of the As-
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REV. FREDERICK OGILBY, D. D.
cension, Philadelphia, where he remained fourteen years. In con- nection with his rectorship, he edited the Banner of the Cross, a relig- ious paper, during seven years of this period. He assumed his present position of one of the assistant ministers of Trinity Parish, New York, in July, 1856; and has now regularly officiated at Trinity Church for a period of seventeen years. His degree of D. D. was conferred by Rutgers College a few years subsequent to his settlement in New York. His publications consist of occasional ser- mons. One of his most impressive discourses was a sermon preached on the Sunday morning following the death of Bishop Doane, in St. Mary's Church, Burlington, which was wholly prepared after the funeral service on Saturday.
Dr. Ogilby is of the average height, with a well-proportioned figure. There is considerable studied dignity about him, and he has much courtly, ceremonious politeness. Ilis features are regular and expressive of intellectual capacity. He is a man of method and strict discipline in all the affairs of life, even to the minor and un- important matters.
His manners at all times are those of the cultivated, traveled gen- tleman. His dignified reserve is always combined with the utmost regard for the great and little observances of politeness and etiquette. He is approachable to all, and none can complain that there is any want of the civilities which make personal intercourse agreeable ; but notwithstanding this, he maintains a barrier of frigid dignity beyond a certain point, which none ever pass. His associations in this country and abroad have been with the most distinguished and learned men of the day, but it is not his reputation either to practice or forgive familiarity.
By following Dr. Ogilby's carcer, it is seen that he has occupied many excellent and conspicuous positions. His qualifications as a scholar undoubtedly entitle him to such exaltations. This apprecia -. tion by influential circles has been such that there was no difficulty in securing it. Ilis extensive acquirements and purity of character have given him the confidence of his professional contemporaries, and his immediate congregations, aware of nis good works, have exhibited much attachment for him. His sermons are well written and schol- arly productions. In his delivery he is most devout. He most worthily fills the position of a clergyman in all its professional and social demands. No name stands higher in the Episcopal church, and no character is more of an example to his fellow-men.
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