The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884, Volume II, Part 92

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co
Number of Pages: 1345

USA > New York > Kings County > Brooklyn > The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884, Volume II > Part 92

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of reasoning based on the observations of believers in the theories of development of higher forms of life out of lower forms; because the two gaps which the ma- terialists do not bridge,-the change from mineral to vegetable, and from vegetable to animal life, and still more notably the introduction of the soul into the high- est type of animal, man,-these chasms, impassable to the careful foot of science, are crossed by him with the clear-seeing eye of faith, which discerns the Creator there. And so, using the real advances of science as steps over which he is constantly leading his people, he devotes an unusual amount of attention to expounding the intimate connection of the material and spiritual realms as different parts of the same universe. A favor- ite quotation of his is the thirteenth verse of the fourth chapter of Ephesians, which indeed seems a fair epito- me of the aim of his teaching: "Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." To him, religion is the science of growth unto perfect manhood.

It is apparently with this idea in mind that Mr. Beecher gives so much time and effort to preaching abont morality, how to live, how to work, how to treat one's neighbors, how to act in relation to questions of great public interest ("politics " as it is called), how to regulate and use in their proper way the passions (which, he says, are the steam-power and effective- ness of life if rightly and naturally made use of), how to get out of bad habits and into good ones-how, in short, to apply to practical every- day life the truths of God's word and God's uni- verse. These topics share his attention with such higher themes as prayer, " the preciousness of Christ," " the hidden life," " the power of love," "human ideas of God," "the way of coming to Christ "-titles which we find in the contents of the second series of his Ply- mouth Pulpit sermons; yet all, even of these, embrace and enfold the same characteristic central idea, that the whole of man is to be trained, that from the physi- cal he may grow to the enjoyment and use successively of his affectional, social, intellectual, moral, and, lastly, spiritual manhood.

The central idea of his whole career as a public speaker and writer seems to be the incitement of men to self-government and to the training of their whole nature, by the help of faith and love in Christ Jesus, toward the perfect manhood of immortality with God.

On all public questions Mr. Beecher's voice, through his whole career, has given forth no uncertain sound; it was lifted up against the curse of slavery; in favor of the maintenance of the Union; in behalf of the home- less veterans of this State; in support of the temperance cause; to aid reform in politics and governmental polioy. From all the land the eyes of men have turned to him as to a leader, and his influence has moulded public opinion as perhaps few others has done.

REV HENRY WARD BEECHER.

ECCLESIASTICAL ORGANIZATIONS.

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No sketch of Mr. Beecher's life would be complete without mention of his visit to England in 1863. His public addresses there enlightened the English people as to the real issues and principles at stake in our civil struggle, and helped powerfully to turn the tide of popular feeling there against the recognition of the Confederacy as a belligerent power. In so doing, he incurred obloquy, even danger of personal violence; but his voice rang as clear in defense of the Union as it had in his own country. For years he had pleaded from pulpit, platform and press for the liberation of the slave, in the days when to be an abolitionist was to be an outcast. His denunciations of intemperance and the traffic in strong drink have grown with his growth, and strengthened with his strength.

On the celebration of his seventieth birthday, June 25, 1883, the love and respect which his fellow-citizens entertained for Mr. Beecher, led to a great popular gathering at the Academy of Music, with addresses of congratulation from prominent citizens, and letters of like tenor from eminent men in all parts of the land. No better résumé of his life can be given than from his own words on that occasion:

"The inspiration which has made the force of my whole life I found in a vision of the love of God in Jesus Christ. It has grown larger and larger with the sympathy which is natural to my constitution, compas- sion of God, manifestations of God in Jesus Christ, that side of God which is great, holy, beautiful, showing Him to have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way. I have tried to have compas- sion like Christ. The less worthy the object, the more it was needed. I went right upon the side of the dumb and needy, without consideration. I think it most he- roic for a man with standing and influence and ability to give himself to them. I thank God I had a desire to work for His glory, when to do it was to earn scoff- ings and abuse and threats. When Kossuth brought Hungary to us, my soul burned. The wrongs of Greece made my heart kindle. Nearly all the nations of the world, all under the sword of the soldier or the ban of harsh governments, have aroused my sympathy and effort. I did not go into these because they were humanities or specious philosophies, but because it was Christian, that's all. I did it for humanity because I loved Christ. In my preaching it has been the same. I have attacked governments, institutions, anything; never a denomination or a body of ministers. I have preached against the principles involved in all, and in my own denomination as much as in others. I have preached for the deliverance of souls, for clearer light, for a plainer path, that the stumbling blocks might be removed. These things I have changed in, only to grow more intense and emphatic : first, the universal sinfulness of mankind, so that it is necessary every- where for men to be born again by the Spirit, necessary for a lift to be given to human nature above its animal nature, and this only by the Spirit of God ; second, I believe in conversion and the effectual influence of the Spirit of God; third, I believe with ever-growing strength in the love of God in Jesus Christ. I know that Christ loves me, and that I shall go where He is. By grace am I saved, say I. The feeling has grown in

my later years, and when under great pressure and sor- row, that raised a strong sea, my strength and courage all came from this view-Christ loves me, He will hide me in His pavilion till the storm is passed. The sweet- ness of life is as much dependent on the love of Christ as the landscape is on the sun to bring out its lights and shadows. I never believed so much in the Gospel as to-day. My faith in it has never been shaken, ex- cept in the ideals. I was never so sure as now of its truth."

Since 1868, Rev. S. B. HALLIDAY has been Assistant Pastor. He was born in Morristown, N. J., 1812 ; was Pastor of Congl. Ch. at Lodi, N. Y .; author of Little Street Sweepers, Winning Souls, etc.

STHEL

MARKE

PLYMOUTH CHURCH BETHEL.

Plymouth Church Bethel, No. 15 Hicks st. The Bethel Mission Sabbath-School was started in 1841 by Captain A. B. Clark and a Mr. Wadsworth, on Main st., near Catharine ferry, in a former stable, which was fitted up for mission pur- poses. The Superintendents were, in succession, John P. Elwell, Albert Woodruff, Richard J. Thorne, Mr. Anderson, I. N. Judson, Rev. G. W. Coan, afterward Missionary at Cromaish, Persia, J. P. Montgomery, Andrew A. Smith, H. W. Law, S. R. Stone, M. T. Lynch, R. S. Bussing, Thos. H. Bird, George A. Bell, Thos. J. Tilney, I. S. Signor,{ J. H. Loyd, L. W. Manchester, and the present Superintendent, C. S. Van Wagoner.

In 1855, a room over the Market, ou James st., was leased; in 1858, the Mission removed to Poplar Hall, on Poplar st., and, in 1859, to rooms on Fulton st., opposite Front. In July, 1866, the Mission was taken under the auspices of Plymouth Church; and, in 1867-'68, the Bethel was erected, at a cost, including ground, building and furniture, of about $75,000. Mr. Geo. Bell was particularly active in the building project, and to him much of its success was due.

The new building was first occupied in October, 1868. It is entirely free from incumbrance. The Mission has a fine

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reading-room, well supplied with the leading papers and magazines, and an excellent library.

Warren Street Mission Church .- In 1845 or '46, a Mission Sunday-school was commenced in Freeman's Hall, corner of Amity and Columbia sts., South Brooklyn; and, in 1852, a few benevolent and enterprising Christian gentlemen, prominent among whom were Messrs. Albert Woodruff, R. W. Ropes, and A. V. Wheelock, purchased three lots of ground on Warren st., between Hicks and Columbia sts., on which they commenced the erection of a neat and commodious chapel, capable of accommodating from 400 to 500 persons. In order to enable them to hold the property, these gentlemen, on the 1st of February, 1853, effected a legal organization, assuming the name of the Warren Street Mission. The building, which, together with the lots, cost about $9,000, was finished in November, 1852, free of all debt. On March 20, 1854, a church of thirty persons was formed. Rev. Samuel Bayliss was first Pastor; followed, in 1866, by Rev. J. Emory Round. The church prospered; a new church building was erected at the corner of Henry and Degraw sts., in 1878. Rev. J. Os- trander is Pastor.

The Clinton Avenue Congregational Church, Clinton ave., corner of Lafayette ave., was org. Nov. 18, 1847. Its first years were full of discouragement; but the energy of its founders, and of its first Pastor, Rev. Dirck C. Lansing, D. D. (installed in March, 1848), were crowned with success. August 4, 1854, ground was broken for the erection of a large and commodious edifice on the corner of Clinton and Lafayette aves. On the 24th of October, in that year, the corner-stone was laid, and the main building completed and dedicated in December, 1855 ; the chapel adjoining being fin- ished in September, 1856. The cost of this spacious and beautiful edifice, which is of the Romanesque style of archi- tecture, including ground, was about $60 000; and it occupies a prominent position in one of the finest and best built neighborhoods of Brooklyn.

The Rev. Dr. Lansing resigned in December, 1855; and was succeeded, Dec. 19, 1855, by Rev. Wm. Ives Budington, D. D., who had, for some time previous, discharged the principal duties of the pastorate.

The present Pastor, Rev. Thomas B. McLeod, commenced luis ministry December 21, 1879, and was installed January 20. 1880.

The church has established two Mission Schools; one on the corner of Atlantic and Grand aves., and another, originally located on Myrtle ave., corner of Steuben st., but afterward on Grand ave., south of Myrtle.

The Mount Prospect Mission Sabbath-School was org. July 4, 1852, by Rev. Harvey Newcombe, at an open-air meeting of children and others, under a tree on the corner of Pacific st. and Vanderbilt ave. A small dilapidated garret room was hired, and on the appointed Sabbath about ninety children met there. The next week, a milk stable and two lots of ground on the north side of Dean street, between Vanderbilt and Underhill aves., were bought of Mr. S. B. Walters. Silas Davenport was elected the first super- intendent. succeeded by A. S. Barnes in 1853, and S. E. War- ner in 1855. The school occupied the premises in Dean street till September, 1859, when the uncomfortable building became too straitened for the purposes of the school, and the school- house of the Hope Union Mission (commenced almost simul- laneously with the Mt. Prospect Mission, but located in an adjoining neighborhood, known as Jackson's Hollow), in Van Buren st., having been destroyed by fire, June, 1858, it was thought desirable to unite the two schools, for the pur- pose of building up a still more prosperous enterprise in that part of the city. Accordingly, a desirable lot, 60 by 95 feet,

was purchased on the south-west corner of Atlantic ave. and Grand ave., on which a two-story building, 40 by 65, was erected, at a cost, including the furniture, of $8,389, designed to be occupied jointly by the United Sabbath-school and the Mount Prospect Industrial School (opened Nov. 10, 1857), the upper floor being fitted for a Sabbath-school, and the lower floor for the week-day exercises of the Industrial School. The building was dedicated, with appropriate exercises, Sept. 18, 1859.

The name of the united schools was changed to the Atlan- tic Ave. Sabbath-School org. Sept. 24, and Mr. S. E. Warner was elected superintendent, and Alfred Wicks, Sec. A Miss. Soc. was org. Nov. 6 and Dec. 4, 1859; preaching services were commenced by different pastors. Rev. Anson Gleason, a veteran missionary among the Indians, labored from May, 1864, to Nov., 1866, and was followed by Rev. Franklin Nohle, son of U. S. Chaplain Noble, of the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

Grand Avenue Chapel .- This orig. 1861, in a "Mothers' Meeting," estab. by some ladies of the Clinton Avenue Con- gregational Church, to improve the condition of the poor in "Jackson's Hollow." Afterwards a room on Myrtle ave. and Steuben st. was hired, and a Sunday-school started, known as the "Steuben St. Mission School." The first session was held Nov. 24, 1861, attended by eight teachers and fifty scholars. Supts. :- Messrs. A. Gilbert, 1861-'2: S. Harris, 1862; L. T. Smith, 1863-'4; E. P. Maltby, 1865-'9; S. L. Parsons, 1869-'74; A. C. Barnes, 1874-'8; S. W. Johnson, 1878-'9; Jas. Mitchell, 1879-'84. In 1867 a chapel was completed and occupied at the corner of Willoughby and Grand aves.

Under the superintendence of Mr. E. P. Maltby, a chapel was erected on the west side of Grand ave .. near Myrtle, and was dedicated in March, 1867. During two years, preaching was sustained there, chiefly by ministers from the City Mission. Pastors in charge : Rev. Dr. Waterbury and Rev. Moseley H. Williams, 1879-'70. This chapel proving insufficient for the wants of the mission, in 1882, a fine brick edifice, with hiown- stone trimmings, was completed, which has a frontage of 56 feet on Willoughby ave. During all these years the school has been prosperous, and it has now an average attendance of 350 teachers and scholars.

The Church of the Covenant was organized here in 1868. The school is still continued under the superintendence of James Thorp. (See page 1026).

Rev. WILLIAM IVES BUDINGTON, D. D. (Amherst Coll.), was born in New Haven, April 21, 1815. He entered Yale Col- lege, where he was known as a painstaking student, facile and strong with his pen, and ambitious for fidelity and mas- tery. He graduated in 1834, and devoted three years to the- ological study in New Haven, and graduated at Andover. April 22, 1840, he was ordained and installed Pastor of the First Congregational Church, Charlestown, Mass., where he remained fourteen and one-half years. For a brief period he served the Western Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, until called to Brooklyn. April 22, 1855, he was installed over the Clinton Ave. Congregational Church of this city. He brought the ripe experience, the symmetrical culture, and .the deep consecration which were needed in the successor of the venerated Dr. Lansing. During the 24 years of his min- istry, the growth of the church was slow, steady and sure. The preacher sought to conserve everything substantial, es- sential, central, in pure theology and church polity; while conceding every rational demand of science and of the changing time. He identified himself with every movement of real progress. His intellect was strong and incisive, and his character positive. Though all might not agree with his conclusions, they confessed the honesty of his convictions and

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the vigorous logic with which he reached them. He left an impress not only upon the intelligent and loving people of his charge, in whose affection he is enshrined, but also upon the city of his chosen labors for a quarter of a century. In the pulpit he was always serious, scholarly, forcible, intense. Upon the platform he kindled and inspired. In social life he was exceedingly genial and courteous. As a leader he dis- played wonderful tact and courage. As a clerical friend and advisor, his kindly offices were prompt and grateful, and his counsels wise and judicious. His unaffected, fervent sym- pathy with the afflicted made him a rare comforter to wounded souls. In the words of one of his own grateful flock, "he made the sorrows of others so much his own that it affected his health and spirits, as though the sorrow had been a personal one." Nor was he less one with his people in their joys. Compelled by ill health, he resigned his pulpit in 1878, and died November, 1879. - Brooklyn Advance.

The Mayflower Mission originated under the name of Navy Mission, and was known by that title until after its formal adoption by Plymouth Church. Its name was changed to the " Plymouth Mission," in November, 1872, and to the "Mayflower Mission of Plymouth Church," May 1,1874. It was established in the vicinity of the Navy Yard, in 1844, and until June, 1871, occupied a building in Front street, corner of Green lane. In 1867, it was adopted by the Church of the Pilgrims, which, however, abandoned it in the spring of 1870. From that time until January, 1871, it was sustained in- dependently by a few of its faithful teachers.

At the annual meeting of the Society of Plymouth Church in January, 1871, the mission was re-adopted by this church. In May of the same year, the building of the Third Presby- terian Church in Jay street (between Sands and High streets) was purchased for its use for the sum of $12,000, and, in June, it was occupied by the mission. During the spring of 1872, the trustees expended about $13,000 in alterations, which made the building one of the best adapted and most attract- ive for the purpose to be found in the city. This property is also wholly free from incumbrance and debt.

The Superintendents in charge of the mission since its adoption by this church have been : Messrs. C. A. Van Wag- enor, S. F. Strong, George A. Bell and H. B. White. Mr. Bell took charge in February, 1872, and Mr. White in April, 1873.

A reading-room has been opened, well supplied with papers and magazines.

Bedford Congregational Church .- December 5th, 1848, was commenced the erection of a framed edifice, thirty by forty feet, on the corner of Pacific street and Clove road, at a cost of $2,300. August 3d, 1849, the church was organized, with twelve enrolled members. It was once known as the Pacific Street Congregational Church, but its present title is as above.

Among the clergymen who have labored here the following are remembered : Revs. Thos. S. Brittan, Dickinson, Henry D. Parker, Dr. B. R. Hall, E. Carpenter, H. B. Elliot, Greene, R. G. Hutchings, Cyrus Hamlin and (at present), Hugh Smith Carpenter. Probably there have heen others, but definite data for the history of this church could not be obtained.

The State Street Congregational Church .- The persons originally uniting in this organization, were members of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Brooklyn, who, desiring the establishment of a Methodist church with the Congregational form of government, formed a new religious society, June 5th, 1859, known as the First Congregational Church of the City of Brooklyn.

The Second Congregational Church, at the corner of Law- rence and Tillary streets, was purchased, and regular reli- gious services held therein until January 1st, 1859.

In October, 1858, the society purchased the lots in State street, near Hoyt, aud erected a neat and commodious church edifice. The entire cost of the enterprise, ground, building, and furniture, was $30,000. The corner-stone was laid No- vember 19th, and on the 17th of April, 1859, the lecture-room was occupied; the church itself being dedicated on the 30th of June following. At a special meeting of the church and society, held January 9th, 1861, the name of the State Street Congregational Church of Brooklyn was unanimously adopted.

Pastors: Revs. John C. Green, 1848-'53: James T. Bell, 1853-'56; Washington Gladden, 1860; Newton Heston, 1861- '64; W. W. Hicks, 1864-'66; C. A. Harvey, 1866-'69; Maxwell P. Gaddis, 1869-'71; Isaac C. Meserve, 1871-'74.

October 5th, 1874, this church was consolidated with the Elm Place Congregational Church, to form the Union Con- gregational Church of Brooklyn.

The South Congregational Church .- Messrs. Henry C. Bowen, John T. Howard, and James Freeland, procured lots at the corner of Court and President streets, upon which they erected an edifice for a lecture room, Sabbath-school room, and pastor's study; which was opened for public worship, in Feb., 1851.

The church having been organized 24th of March, 1851, a meeting was held on the 31st, in the chapel, for the pur- pose of organizing a religious society, and the " South Con- gregational Church" was adopted as the corporate name of the society.

Rev. William Marsh was installed as Pastor June 10, 1851; followed in succession by Rev. Daniel Marsh, Jan. 16, 1854; and Rev. Rufus W. Clark, who was installed April 14, 1857, in the new church edifice which was then completed for public wor- ship. Mr. Clark was succeeded, in 1863, by Rev. Edward Taylor, and he by the Rev. Henry M. Storrs, D. D. In 1874, the present Pastor, Rev. Albert J. Lyman, succeeded Dr. Storrs.

About 1873, this church established, and has since main- tained, a mission school in Fourth street, near Smith, in a hired room. Supts. : Charles A. Parsons, S. S. Markles, and Andrew C. Bain.

The Elm Place Congregational Church, Elm place, near Fulton avenue, was organized in 1853, by the members of the former Bridge Street and Fulton Avenue churches; the latter church being a short-lived secession from the Bridge Street Church. At about the same time the parent church was also disbanded, and from both arose this organization.

Early in the history of the society, four lots had been pur- chased on Elm place, near Fulton avenue, and a small brick edifice erected thereon. Soon the auditorium of the Poly- technic Institute was occupied in the winter and spring of 1859. Meanwhile, a building, called the Brooklyn Tabernacle, was erected in the rear of the corner of Hoyt street and Ful- ton avenue, at an expense of $9,000; five years later this building reverted to the owner of the ground, in payment of the rent. An edifice was therefore erected on the site of the chapel, on Elm place, at a cost of $50,000; which was con- secrated in May, 1864. Within two years after its dedication, the debt was extinguished.

Pastors : Rev. Samuel D. Cochrane, 1854-'56; Rev. Mr. Alvin Bartlett, 1858-'68; Rev. Henry Powers, 1869-"71; Rev. Isaac Clark, 1871-'74.

October 5th, 1874, this church was consolidated with the State Street Congregational Church, to form the Union Con- gregational Church of Brooklyn.

Union Congregational Church was organized Oct. 5th, 1874, by the consolidation of the State Street and Elm Place Congregational Churches. The first place of worship was the

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Elm Place Church edifice, and the house in State street was rented to other congregations. In June, 1880, the house in Elm place was burned, and the congregation removed to the edifice in State street, where they have since worshiped.

In April, 1875, Joseph Wild, D. D., became pastor of Union Church. He resigned in September, 1880, and in December of the same year, the present pastor, N. Everett Smith, D. D., entered on his duties.

Central Congregational Church, Ormond place, S. E. cor- Jefferson st. The original church edifice, in Ormond place, occupied by this society, was erected in the year 1853, by Mr. R. L. Crook, a large holder of land in this neighborhood, with the intention of selling it below cost to some Protestant religious association.

This house was, in Feb. 1854, rented for two years to Messrs. Wm. T. Cutter, Thos. W. Abbott, and C. N. Kinney. On the 27th Nov., 1854, a church of 48 members was or- ganized and Rev. Henry W. Parker engaged to supply the pulpit, as the Central Congregational Church. At the ex- piration of the lease, the congregation, being unable to com- plets the purchase, removed to the Van Buren Street Mission School-house, where the attendance dwindled to 30 indi- viduals. At length, however, being largely aided by the Plymouth Church, and the Church of the Pilgrims, the society purchased the property; and, Nov. 16, 1856, the house was re-opened.

The Rev. Mr. Parker, having removed to another field of labor, the pulpit was occupied by temporary supplies, until the Rev. J. Clement French was installed as Pastor, on the 5th of March, 1857.

In 1863, the church was thoroughly renovated, both within and without, and a new organ placed in the gallery, all at a cost of about $6,000. Two years later, the house and lot, No. 13 Ormond place, adjoining the church, was purchased for a parsonage. In May, 1867, the building was provided with galleries, and the basement was extensively improved, at a cost of several thousand dollars.

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The civil, political, professional and ecclesiastical history, and commercial and industrial record of the county of Kings and the city of Brooklyn, N. Y., from 1683 to 1884, Volume II, Part 92

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed Publication date: 1884 Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co Number of Pages: 1345

Author: Stiles, Henry Reed, 1832-1909, ed
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: New York, W. W. Munsell & Co
Number of Pages: 1345