lit' f^-- r/' .r-T:. --err ■ >/'*%* G-arratt Bik.llcal l.■n.5.X.i..t.uL.1^.^.. |.>v ^xcLa.>ucie "StS^ The date shows when this volnme was taken. To renew this book copy the call No. and give to the hbrarian. .1^ . All Books subject to Recall 5£, All borrowers must regis- ter in the library to borrow books for home use. All books must be re- ^ turned at end of coll^«3 year for inspection and repairs. 1^ Limited books must be iv- Turned within the four weak limit and not renewed. Students must return all books beforfe leaving town. ""*"*" Officers should arrange for the return of books wanted during their absence from -; town. Volumes of periodicals and of pamphlets are hdd in the library as much as possible. For special par- poses they are given out for a limited time. Borrowers should not use their library privileges for the benefit of other pcrsoni. Books of special valus -and gift books, when tha giver wishes it, are not allowed to circulate. Readers are asked tor** port all cases of booki marked or mutilated. Do not deface books by marks and writiiic< Cornell University Library BX8481.B8 S22 Old Sands Street Methodist Episcopal Chu olin 3 1924 029 471 459 Cornell University Library The original of tiiis bool< is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924029471459 CAPT. THOMAS WEBB. Pioneer .MutliodiM Preacher in Brooklyn. OLD SANDS STREET METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, OF BROOKLYN, N. Y. AN ILLUSTRATED CENTENNIAL RECORD, HISTORICAL AND BIOGRAPKICAL. ti BY /^- ' ' " ' f:' ' ■ , ; The rev EDWIN WA^RINER, ^, ^ ' '' ^^^ Corresponding Secretary of the New York East Conferefice Historical Society. ''i ' WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY The rev, ALBERT S. HUNT, D.D. —•*-^^^* • — NEW YORK : PUBLISHED FOR THE AUTHOR BY PHILLIPS & HUNT, 805 Broadway. 1885. Copyright 1885, by REV. EDWIN WARRINER, New York. PREFACE. There is much in the history of every church, and in the life-story of each individual Christian to illustrate and magnify the grace of God. A short time before that eloquent minister of Jesus Christ, Thomas Sewall, "rose in rap- ture to the upper skies," he said to a friend: "I reckon that most of the litera- ture of heaven will be the storied illustration of divine wisdom and goodness in the experience of poor, saved sinners. O my God! on those bright shelves of marvels, far down and obscure, yet there may a little tract be found, entitled, •How it pleased God through Jesus Christ, his Son, to save soul of Thomas Sewall.'" While it is neither possible nor needful that there should be in this world such impartial, unerring, and all-comprehending records as heaven will dis- close, when "we shall know even as aLso we are known," yet in my opinion, we might and should possess a carefully prepared history of the work of the people of God in each particular locality, and at least a brief record of the lives of the ministers and members of every church. This desirable work I have ac- complished in the case of one of the older and more prominent societies of our Methodism. The history of Old Sands Street Church for about one hundred years, including a roll of all the ministers, officers, etc. , is condensed into nine brief chapters, so that the far greater part of this work is biographical. About four score and ten pastors and presiding elders, most of whom are deceased, have by appointment of the authorities ministered to this church. To the care- fully written biographies of these preachers I have added as complete an ac- count as I could give of the nineteen hundred members whose names are found in the books. A friend, referring to the large number of memorials of eminent men here grouped about the history of one local church, with characteristic hu- mor remarked, "It seems Hke hanging a very heavy weight on a very small nail." 1 1 will require but a brief paragraph to explain how this work came to be written. Having undertaken some years since to prepare a history of Method- ism in Suffolk County, N. Y. , I found that it would be well-nigh impossible to make a satisfactory history of the church within that small territory, which in the earlier days formed only a part of a large and well defined circuit, namely, the whole of Long Island. I then formed the purpose to prepare a Cyclopedia of Long Island Methodism, containing an account of every circuit and of every local church, (including sketches of the founders and prominent members,) also of every pastor and presiding elder — a work as yet incomplete, but on which a large amount of labor has been bestowed. Searching for facts on the west end of Long Island, especially concerning Brooklyn Methodism, I had soon accu- mulated so much material appertaining to the mother of Brooklyn Methodist churches, that I was almost compelled to make a separate volume, entitled Old Sands Street Church, The prospect of the speedy abandonment of the orig- inal site so long and so successfully held by Methodism in Brooklyn, gave ad- ditional interest to the subject. The official board and many friends of the church and of the pastors expressed their hearty approval of my purpose, and this encouragement held me to my task when its accomplishment seemed al- most impossible. To one engaged in such researches it becomes painfully apparent that many noble ministers and laymen have passed away, of whose services the church has preserved no suitable memorial. On the other hand, after attempting to "count the dust of Jacob, or number the fourth part of Israel" within even a small territory, one just begins to realize how truly "the world itself could not contain the books, " if memoirs of all the saints were recorded. It is not an easy task to prepare memorials of persons long since dead, about whom little or no timely record has been made. Dr. Abel Stevens writes thus iv Preface. concerning this kind of literary labor: " The private correspondence, the col- lection of documents, the harmonization' of conflicting statements, the group- ing of events, lacking often the most essential connecting links, the portraiture of characters historically important, but almost totally obscured in undeserved oblivion, present embarrassments which may well constrain the writer to throw down his pen in despair." Avery few of the prominent ministers, whose life history is here given, turned aside from the right way. To have exhibited only the better side of their lives and characters, would have been to write romance, and not history or biog- raphy ; therefore, the two or three who fell, are set forth as admonitory bea- cons. In this I follow the example of the chief historians of our Church, who record the backslidings of good and eminent men, and their lapse into crime. I have written, and here inserted, scores of memorials of the deceased wives of the preachers. This has cost a great deal of personal inquiry and corre- spondence, since comparatively little note has been made of them in the annals of our Church. In another direction my toil has been rewarded, namely, the diligent research concerning the posterity of the preachers, and the early members of old Sands Street Church, whereby I have been able to illustrate one important truth concerning the righteous, that " his seed is blessed." It may prove not a lit- tle instructive to observe how much stronger in some families of Methodist preachers and laymen, than in others, is the attachment to our own denomina- tion, and to study the reasons for that difference. It has been my aim to be accurate as to facts, names, dates, etc. ; but the mass of details is so great, and the chances for mistakes are so many, that it cannot, by any means, be supposed that I have avoided all errors. No known source of information has been neglected. I have made use of all the avail- able books containing the data required, besides innumerable newspapers, mag- azines, inscriptions on gravestones, manuscript journals, letters from hundreds of correspondents, and testimonies of hundreds of old people, many of whom have fallen asleep since my interview with them. In the foot-notes and in the body of the work I have given due credit to a large number of authorities The portraits and other illustrations, to the number of eighty-six, have been obtained through much trouble and expense, but they certainly add greatly to the value of the work. Of the eighty-nine pastors and presiding elders, twenty-five died leaving no likenesses, at least none that can now be found. Portraits of twelve others are omitted, contrary to my earnest desire and solicitation. Upward of eighty interesting autograph signatures are herein reproduced. A few of those desired I have been unable to find. It is scarcely necessary to refer to the literaiy character of this work. The aim has been to put on record certain vah\able facts in as direct and concise a form as possible, even at the sacrifice of an elegant and graceful style. The researching and the writing have been a labor of love, and with a con- sciousness of having attempted to perform a real service for the Methodist Episcopal Church, I now submit to the reader this imperfect fruit of my laboi , in the hope that the reminiscences I have preserved will fill the mind of many an aged Christian with bright pictures of the past, and wake the " Echoes that start When memory plays an old tune on the heart." I trust, ^Iso, that these pages will serve as a source of instruction and inspira- tion to the middle-aged and the young, as they are hereby reminded how "other men labored," and we have "entered into their labors." And not a little satisfaction is afforded by the hope that, pos.sibly, future writers concern- ing Methodism, will find in this volume a permanent record of valuable facts that would otherwise have been forever lost in oblivion. E. WARRINER. Clinton, Conn., February, 1885. ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE 1. Tliomas Webb Frontispiece. 2. Woolman Hickson Preaching his First Sermon in Brooklyn — opposite 6 3. A Portion of Sands-street churcli-yard II 4. Brooklyn in 1798 12 5. OKI White Church 16 6. Kirk's Printing-office opposite 18 7. Old Sands-street Church " 27 8. Sunday-school Certificate of Admission 28 9. Parsonage and Sunday-school Building on High-street 29 10. Sands-street Church — Interior View 40 11. Rev. Freeborn Garrettson opposite 69 12. Rev. Henry Willis " 76 13. Rev. Thomas Morrell " 79 14. Rev. William Phcebus " 91 15. Rev. Aaron Hunt " 100 i6. Rev. Ezekiel Cooper " , 123 17. Rev. George Roberts " 133 18. Rev. William Thacher " 156 19. Rev. Samuel Merwin " 164 20. Rev. Elijah Woolsey " 179 21. Rev. Daniel Ostrander " 187 22. Rev. Reuben Hubbard " 192 23. Rev. Lewis Pease 197 24. Rev. William Ross opposite 206 25. Rev. Nathan Bangs, D.D " 211 26. Rev. Alexander M'Caine 216 27. Rev. Peter P. Sandford, D.D opposite 225 28. Rev. Henry Chase, A.M " 229 29. Rev. Laban Clark, D.D " 232 30. Rev. Stephen L. Stillman 244 31. Rev. Samuel Luckey, D.D opposite 247 32. Rev. Seymour Landon " 252 33. Rev. Noah Levings, D.D " 258 34. Rev. James Covel, Jr., A.M " 263 35. Rev. John C. Green. 268 36. Rev. Charles W. Carpenter 271 37. Rev. John C. Tackaberry opposite 275 38. Rev. John Kennaday, D.D " 279 39. Rev. John Luckey 283 40. Rev. Bartholomew Creagh opposite 288 vi Illustrations. PAGB 41. Rev. William H. Norris opposite 296 42. Rev. Fitcli Reed, D.D 3°° 43. Rev. Stephen Martindale opposite 304 44. Rev John J. Matthias " 319 45. Rev. John B. Merwin, D.D " 325 46. Rev. John W. B. Wood " 328 47. Rev. Henry J. Fox, D.D " 331 4S. Rev. Levi S. Weed, D.D " 334 49. Rev. Buel Goodsell " 339 50. Rev. Wilbur F. Watkins, D.D " 344 51. Rev. Bernard H. Nadal, D.D " 351 52. Rev. Daniel Curry, D.D., LL.D " 357 53. Rev. Charles Fletcher " 360 54. Rev. Benjamin Pillsbury, D, D " 365 55. Rev. Bishop Edward G. Andrews, D.D., LL.D " 369 56. Rev. Edwin E. Griswold, D.D " 373 57. Rev. Thomas G. Osborn, A.M " 389 58. Rev. Freeman P. Tower, A.i\l " 394 59. Rev. George Taylor " 397 60. Rev. John S. Breckinridge, A.M " 401 6(. Rev. Ichabod Simmons, A.M " 405 62. Memorial of Jacob Brown 416, 63. Rev. Daniel De Vinne opposite 424 64. Hon. John Dikeman 430 65. John Garrison 437 66. John E. Hanford 440 67. Joseph Wesley Harper opposite 441 68. Memorial of J. Wesley Harper 443 69. Joseph Herbert 446 70. Aaron Kingsland 451 71. Rev. Robert M. Lockwood opposite 456 72. Rev. William M'AUister " 459 73 Andrew Mercein 463 74. Susanna Moser 467 75. Joseph Moser 468 76. Hon. Moses F. Odell opposite 470 77. Memorial of M. F. Odell 471 78. Mary Powers 475 7g. William I. Pre.ston opposite 476 So. Rev. Elnathan Raymond " 47g Si. Rev. Marvin Richardsqp, D.D 483 82. Thomas Sands 488 83. Rev. Nicholas Snethen 492 ; 4. Robert Snow. . . -. 4g6 .. j. Memorial of the Summerfields 507 86. George J. Vining 5;6 CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION Pages 1-4 BOOK I. HISTORICAL RECORD. CHAPTER I. A RECORD OF TEN YEARS; 1787^1796. A Pioneer Church— Capt. Webb and the First IVIethodist Sermon— Woolman Hickson— Sermon in the Street — Peter Cannon's Cooper-shop — Class formed — Date decisively As- certained — Thomas Foster, First Presiding Elder — ^John Dickins — Brooklyn an Oncost of New York Station— Henry Willis, Elder— Freeborn Garrettson joins Dickins in New York— Thomas JMorrell, Elder, with Garrettson— Robert Cloud, John Merrick and Wil- liam Phoebus in New York and Brooklyn— J. B. Matthias visits Brooklyn — David Ken- dall appointed to Long Island in 1790— Reinforced by Wm. Phoebus and Aaron Hunt- Jacob Brush, Presiding Elder — Brooklyn becomes a part of Long Island Circuit — Small Class — Services in Private Dwellings — Benj. Abbott and his Colleague on Long Island —Brooklyn Sinners crying for Mercy— Accessions — Few Foot-prints remain— The Rec- ord on High — Other Pastors; Brush, Ragan, Boyd, Totten and Strebeck— Nicholas Snethen, a Class Leader in Brooklyn — Church Incorporated — First Trustees — First Church Edifice — Sermon by .Bishop Asbury — Ezekiel Cooper and Lawrence M'Combs, New Preachers in New York and Brooklyn — George Roberts, Presiding Elder — Brook- lyn a Station — First Stationed Preacher — Thirty-five Members— Gradual Growth 5 — n CHAPTER 11. A RECORD OF TEN YEARS; 1797— 1806. A French Artist and his Picture of Brooklyn — Sylvester Hutchinson, Presiding Elder — Andrew Nichols and the Oldest Church Register — List of Members to the Year 1800 — Hannah Stryker — First Death — Richard Everitt — Cyrus Stebbins — David Buck — Pe- ter Jayne — Ezekiel Canfield — Church Edifice Enlarged — People Forsaken by a Pastor — Wm. Thacher, Presiding Elder — Samuel Merwin — Preachers' Boarding Place — James Harper — Price of Board — Samuel Thomas — Pastor's House Rent — Joseph Moser, Sex- ton — His Duties — Salary — Church-yard — Precious Dust — Another Boarding Place— John Garrison — Oliver Sykes 12 — 14 CHAPTER HI. A RECORD OF TEN YEARS; 1807-1816 Joseph Crawford — ^Elijah Woolsey — John Wilson — Death of Mrs. Woolsey — Interesting Marriage Record — Slavery in Brooklyn — Daniel Ostrander — Debt Cancelled — Parson- age Lot Given — Parsonage built— Andrew Mercein, Thomas Kirk and Gerge Smith, Building Committee — Reuben Hubbard — Ebenezer Washburn — Another Pastor leaves his Flock^Amusing Comment — ^The Station supplied — ^Thomas Drummond — Old Church, Dimensions— Negroes in the Gallery-The Building moved— New Church Edi- fice—Remembered as the Old White Church" — Wm. Thacher's Labors — Asbury in the New Church — Lewis Pease stationed in Brookyn — Health fails — Thomas Drummond, (a second time) Pastor — Samuel Merwin returned — Nathan Emery and Joseph Craw- ford, Pastors — The Sexton instructed — Candle-light — Boys looked after— Catechism viii Contents. taug;ht by Thomas Dnimmond— List of Learners— Thomas Sands proposes the Estab- lishment of a Sunday-school — Kirk's Printing-ofiice — DeVinne's School-room — Robert Snow, Andrew Mercein, Joseph Herbert, Daniel DeVinne and John G. Mur^y, Founders of the Sunday-school— Printed Address— Methodism takes the lead — De- Tinne's Description of the School— Children saved from the Street— Wild Boys— Brook- lyn Sunday-school Union — Methodists among the First Officers — Union Sunday-school — Held in a District-school Building— Methodist Teachers— James Engles— Richard Corn- well and Wife — ^John Dikeman and wife — ^James Herbert 15 — 19 CHAPTER IV. A RECORD OF TEN YEARS; 1817— 1820. Presiding- Elders "nd Pastors — Union Sunday-school^Lack of Teachers — Opposition from Church Memocrs — The School suspended — Resumed after three Years — New Sun- day-school Building — Happy New Year — Swarms from the Old Hive— Methodists left alone — Prosperity — Increase of Colored Members^Separate Place of Worship — SJll un- der the Supervision of Sands-street Pastors — "African Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church" — Secession of the Colored People — Quarterly Conference Action — Subsequent Increase of Colored Methodists in Brooklyn — Alexander M'Caine resigns— Henry Chase succeeds him — Lewis Pease's Ministry — Revivals — Camp-meeting at Musketo Cove — La«re Increase — Yellow Hook^Class formed — Germ of Bay Ridge Methodism — Original Members — Wm. Ross' Second Term — York-street Church organized — Death of Wm. Ross— M. B. BulL Supply— Burial of John Summerfield — Thomas Burch and S. _L. Stillman^ Pastors — Class formed in Red Hook Lane — Gratifying Increase of Mem- bers. 20 — 23 CHAPTER V. A RECORD OF TWENTY YEARS; 1827-1846. S, Luckey, S. L. Stillman and S. Landon, Pastors — Younff Men's Missionary Society — Ann Eliza Lucltey — Marsden VanCott — Anniversary — S! L. Stillman — Dr. Reese — D, Ostrander, Presiding Elder— N. Levings' and J. Covel's Ministry — Hempstead Harbor Camp-meeting — Revival— Sailors converted — "Grog stopped"^Another Refreshing — John N. Maiiit — Committee on Delinquents — J. C. Green, C. W. Carpenter, J. Tacta- bury, Pastors — Washington-street Church and Parsonage erected — A Circuit with three Churches — Thomas Burch's Second Term — ^John Kennady— First Annual Conference in Sands-street Church — John Luckey— Property divided — Churches separate — Bartholo- mew Creagh — Salary $600.00 — Church Extension contemplated — Liberal Offer declined — No Steeples allowed — W. H. Norris' First Pastoral Term- Fitch Reed— Another Ses- sion of the N. V. Conference in Sands-street Church— Stephen Martindale, Presiding Elder— Peter C. Oakley — First Board of Stewards— i. M. Vincent's Ministry— Revival —Old White Church demolished— Regretted by the Older Members— New Brick Church Dedication— Sermons by Chas. Pitman, Nathan Bangs, Noah Levings and David Reese — Vote against petitionmg for a Favorite Minister— J. J Matthias, Presiding Elder H. F. Pease,.Pastor—N. Bangs, Pastor with J. C. Tackaberry— New Parsonage. 24-^8 CHAPTER VI. A RECORD OF TEN YEARS, 1847-1856. J. B. Merwinand Dr. Bangs, Pastors— W. H. Norris Pastor a Second Term— Church and Parsonage burned and rebuilt— Building Committee— Sunday School and Class Rooms — Juvemle Missionary Society— Constitution— First Officers— Missionary Festival- Wesley Harper speaks— Ole Bull— Class Names adopted 2g.j, CHAPTER VH. A RECORD OF TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS; 1857.1884. Statistics — Large Benevolent Collections— Chaplain M'Cabe— Pastors of this Period— List ■ of Presiding Elders— Holding the Fort— Interesting Anniversaries— Grand Missionarv Jubilee— Model Way of Giving— L. S. Weed and D. Terry— Another Festival— Dec- orations— Musical Instruments— Old Fire Bucket— Henry Ward Beecher's Address- Almost a Century— Ever Young and Vigorous— Growth of the City— East River Bridge —Offer of $125 000 declined— What will become of the Church Organization?— Proposed Combination of Churches not accomphshed— The Old Grave Yard— Outlook for Time- Outlook for Eternity— The Itinerant System Illustrated— Ten Thousand Sermons— Hal lowed Memories — Unwritten History „ Contents. ix CHAPTER VIII. RECORD OF MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS AND STATISTICS. I. A Chronological List of Presiding Elders — 2. A Chronological List of Pastors, with the Numbers reported, including Probationers, at the Close of their Respective Terms 41-44 CHAPTER IX. A RECORD OF OFFICIAL MEMBERS, ETC. I. Local Preachers — 2. Licensed Exhorters— 3. Class Leaders — 4. Trustees — 5. Stewards — 6. First Male Sunday School Superintend- ents — 7. Second Male Superintendents — 8. Third Male Superin- tendents — 9. Fourth Male Superintendents — First Female Superin- tendents — II. Second Female Sup'ts — 12. Secretaries — 13. Treasur- ers — 14. Librarians — 15. Organists — 16. Male Teachers:-Interraediate and Senior Departments — 17. Female Teachers :-Intermediate and Senior Departments — 18. Sup'ts and Teachers of the Infant Depart- ment-it), Officers of the Juvenile Missionary Society-20. Sextons. 45-58 BOOK IL BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF MINISTERS. I. WOOLMAN HICKSON. Founder oif Brooklyn Methodism — Early History Unknown— Pastoral Record— Faithful Ministry— Rhoda Laws' Conversion— Thomas Haskins' Testimony— Hickson in New York and Brooklyn— Jesse Lee's and Dr. Wakeley's Account of his Last Hours— Ten- derly cared for— Lamented — Uncertainty concerning the Location of his Grave — Neither Portrait nor Signature. ... 59-6= II. THOMAS FOSTER. Elder in Hickson's Time— Birth— Pastoral Record— Heroic Service— Primitive Notions- Fringes not allowed— Thomas Smith's Tribute— Useful Local Preacher— Death— Grave —His Wife— Of Methodist Stock— Sleeps beside Him 63-64 III. JOHN DICKINS. Hickson's Colleague— Native of London— College Training— Joins the Methodist Church in Virginia— Conference Record— Asbury's Comment— Makes the First Move toward the Establishment of a Methodist Educational Institution in America— First to approve of the Organization of American Methodism— Author of the Name of the Denommation —J. B. Matthias hears Him— "My Thundering John Dickins"— Book Steward and Pas- tor—Two Men's Work— Founder of the Great "Book Concern"— Rapturous Death- Last Resting Place— Noble Traits— Eminent Attainments— First Methodist Pastor's Wife in this Region- A Protracted and Beautiful Life— Children of John and Elizabeth Dickins *S-68 IV. FREEBORN GARRETTSON. His Eminent Rank— Native of Maryland— Methodist Influence— Converted on Horseback —Emancipates his Slaves— Alarmed to find Himself a Preacher— Ezekiel Cooper hears X Contents. him— Long Connection with Brooklyn— Persecutions and Labors— Herald of the Christmas Conference— Wesley's Choice for Bishop— General Conference Record— His New York District— Compeer of Lee in New England— Perils and Accidents— Honorable and Happy Marriage— " Traveler's Rest "— Asbury's Friendship— Last Sermon— Last Words fri- umphant— Memorial Stone— Character and Work— Mrs. Garrettson— Pioneer Methodist in Rhinebeck— Beautiful Life and Character— Miss Mary Garrettson— Brilliant Intellect —Incidents— Loving Zeal for God 69-7S V. HENRY WILLIS. Presiding Elder and Pastor in Brooklyn— A Saint Indeed— Birth and Early Ministry— Min- isterial Record— Soul on Fire— Frail Body — Self-support— Letter to Freeborn Garrettson— Receives William Thacher into the Church— Lorenzo Dow's Marriage— Ordained by As- buty— Portrait— Canonicals— Triumphant Death —Burial— Asbury's Love for Willis— The Bishop Blesses his Children — Mrs. Willis — Daughter of an Eminent Layman — Rare In- telligence and Piety— Outlives Husband and Children— Death and Burial— Portrait Pre- served. 76-78 VI. THOMAS MORRELL. Native of New York — Parentage — Brave Revolutionary Officer — Honorable Wounds — Con- version — Successful Failure in Preaching — Appointments — Builds and Dedicates Forsyth- street Church — Morrell and Dickins hold an Official Interview with Washington — Trav- els with Asbury — " Help Yourselves to Tea" — Answer to William Hammett — Asbury's Comment — A Solemn Wedding — Unique Personal Appearance — Buried in a Vault — His Wives— Rev. T. A. Morrell, his iSon 79-83 VII. ROBERT CLOUD. Birth — Converted in a Soldier's Uniform — Pastoral Appointments — First Location on Record — Travels extensively — Why so little Known ? — The Reason Suggested — His Fall — Re- instated — Labors in the West — President of a State Bible Society — Adheres to the Method- ist Episcopal Church — Peaceful Death — His Grave — A Positive Character— His Likeness Lost— Mrs. Cloud— Six Children— Dr. Caleb Wesley Cloud 84-88 VIIL JOHN MERRICK. Place of Birth Unknown— Probably a Revolutionary Soldier— Pastoral Record— Rev J P Fort's Discovery— Merrick's Great Public Power— Peter Vannest's Recollections--Asl bury's Prediction— Merrick's Death— His Bones Discovered— Memorial Tablet. . 89-90 IX. WILLIAM PHCEBUS. Pre-eminently a Brooklyn Preacher— Birth-Conference Appointments— Member of the Christmas Conference— General Conference Delegate— How he matched Beni. Abbott— Marriage and Location- Physician and Editor— Death— Burial Place— Character Unique —Ability Highly Appreciated 91 95 JACOB BRUSH. Firet Native Presiding Elder for Lone Island— His Appointments in the Ministry— Victim of the Yellow Fever— Jiarly Death— Unfulfilled Marriage Engagement— His Grave— Aaron Hunt s Marriage— Brush's Signature— A Bright and Shining Light. . . . 96-98 XL DAVID KENDALL. LittleKnownof him— Work in Brooklyn Interrupted— Six Years in the Active Ministry- Laid Aside — Record on High ' Contents. xi XII. AARON HUNT. Birth— Boyhood— A Happy Convert— Leads in Family Prayer— Hears Benj. Abbott— Ap- pointed Class-leader- First Sermon— Sent to Lone Island— Conference Record— Little Farm— Small Salary— Location— Introduces Methodism into Danbury, Conn.- -"Accord- ing to Discipline — " Breaks up New Ground "—The People wonder— Originates the Motion to adopt the Two Years' Rule— Introduces the Custom of inviting Penitents to the Altar— Wife dies— Second Marriage— Stilwellite Secession— An Old Connecticut Law- Mr. Hunt contends for Methodist Preachers' Rights— He wins— His Last Days— Closing Hours— Position i and Character— Place of Burial— His Three Wives and his Chil- dren- • ■ • ■ , . 100-108 XIII. BENJAMIN ABBOTT. A Most " Memorable " Man— Unpromising Youth— Rescued from the Depths of Sin— Fam- ily Blessed— Begins to Preach— " Hell Neck "—Persecution— Great Power attends his Words— Joins Conference— Appointments— Not a Learned Man—" Thundergust Ser- mon —Happy Death— Ostrander's Memorial— Mrs. Abbott— David, their Son. 109-114 XIV. JOHN RAGAN. An Irishman— Joins Conference in America— Appointments— Traces of him in New Brunswick— Greatly Useful on his Last Charge— Death by Yellow Fever- Grave— An Honorable Tribute by his Brethren 115-116 XV. JAMES BOYD. On Long Island Circuit in 1792- Brief Record— Marriage in Nova Scotia— Withdrawal from the Church— Returns to the United States— Efforts to Trace him Further as yet Unsuc- cessful. . . . . . IT7 XVI. JOSEPH TOTTEN. Dedicates the Original Sand-street Church— First Stationed Preacher— Birth— Conversion — One of the Founders of Staten Island Methodism — His ^Marriage — Itinerant Record-Gen- eral Conference Delegate — Old Rule concerning Quarterage for Preachers' Children adopted on his Motion — Last Sermon on Staten Island — Selects a Burial Place — Sudden Death — Burial — Character — Personal Appearance — His Wife— His Descendants. 118-120 XVII. GEORGE STREBECK. OneofAsbury's " Promising Young Men " — Brief Itinerant Career — Becomes a Lutheran Minister — Then an Episcopalian — Remarkably Popular for a Time— ^Founder of Zion Protestant Episcopal Church, New York City — He and his Friends establish St. Ste- phen'sChurch — No Permanent Success — Comments ofDr. Wakeley — Remarks of the Rev. J. H. Price — Goes South — No Further Definite Traces of him. . . . 121-122 XVIII. EZEKIEL COOPER. Native of Maryland — Hears Freeborn Garrettson — A Lasting Impression — Sixty-two Years in the Itinerancy — Seven Times General Conference Delegate — Long Island his First Cir- cuit — 'Founder of Several Prosperous Societies — Pastor in Brooklyn — Leads C. W. Car- penter to Christ — Abel Stevens' Account of Ezekiel Cooper — Great Learning and Eloquence — Powerful Debater — Another Izaac Walton — Business Talent — Book Agent — Private Fort- une — Legacy— Oldest Methodist Preacher in America — Peaceful Departure — Funeral — Burial — Portrait. . . ' 123-127 xii Contents. XIX. LAWRENCE M'COMBS. A Native of Delaware— Converted in Youth— Conference Record— Early Ministerial St cess— Location— Peaceful Death— Final Resting Place— Opinions of Kennaday, bco Clark, and Others— Characteristic Letter— Personal Appearance— Brief Account of 1 Two Wives T-iZ-i XX. GEORGE ROBERTS. Of English Parentage— Graduates from the Chimney Corner— Poor Clothes for a Preachei Marriage — Wife's Early Death— Conference Record — Pioneer in New England — Labc and Privations— Receives Lorenzo Dow into the Church— Second Marriage— His Locati explained — Physician and Local Elder— Rapturous Death— Resting Place in Mt. 01i\ Cemetery— Dr. Stevens' Eulogy— Mrs. Susannah Roherts— Asbury's Aifectionate Tnbu —Beautiful Life and Death— Dr. George C. M. Roberts and other Children. . 133-1 XXI. SYLVESTER HUTCHINSON. A Family of Preachers — Native of New Jersey— Born Again— Record as a Conferen Preacher— Voice like a Trumpet-hlast— Thrilling Pictures of Pioneer Work — Persor Appearance — Various Accounts of his Trouble with Asbury — Land Agency — Marriage Assists in founding the A. M. E. Zion Church — Joins the Methodist Protestant Chur ■ — Unaccomplished Purpose to return to his Former Church Home — Death and Burial Wife and Children. . . . 138-1 XXII. ANDREW NICHOLS. Author of the Oldest Known Record of fhe Members of Sands-street Church — List of \ Appointments — Pastor in New York — A Soul Winner — Wakeley's Interesting Story — L cated — More ought to be Known concerning Andrew Nichols 142-1 XXIII. CYRUS STEBBINS. Birth — Pastoral Record — In his Youth a Pungent and Powerful Preacher — Not Satisfii with Methodist Doctrines and Usages- Becomes an Episcopalian Clergyman — Commer by Dr. Abel Stevens, Lorenzo Dow, and Others — Honors Received — Twice Married — Pe sonal Appearance — Death and Burial. 144-1 XXIV. DAVID BUCK. Birth and Conversion— Itinerant Record —Marriage and Location — Asbury holds forth his Paper Mill— A Shining Light on Long Island— Elijah Hebard's Testimony— Buck Missionary Zeal— Happy Death— Burial Place — Mrs. Buck — Friend of the Itinerants — H Grave in Searingtown. ... ... . . . 147-1 XXV. PETER JAYNE. Born in Marblehead, Mass.— Reared under Methodist Influences— Converted Young — Ear Itinerant Labors— Marriage-Thanksgiving Sermon— Lays the Comer-stone of Old Bror field-st. Church in Boston— His Early Death mourned by the Church — Buried in Bosti —Personal Description — Dr. Stevens' Tribute— Mrs. Jayne and the Children. . 150-1 XXVI. EZEKIEL CANFIELD. Eulogized by Stevens— Native of Connecticut-Conversion— Conference Record— Marriage Some Traces of his Work— Last Days Triumphant— Death, Funeral, and Burial— A Cfoi Record — Mrs. Canfield ' 154-1 Contents. xiii XXVII. WILLIAM THACHER. Torn of Congregational Parents in Connecticut — Learns the Tailor's Trade — Converted Among Methodists in Baltimore — keturns to New England — Jesse Lee Introduces him to the New Yoik Methodists — His Marriage — Wife Converted — Pioneer Methodists in New Haven — Long Ministerial Career — Poor Outfit and Poor Salary — Four Preachers from the Converts on One Circuit — The First Camp-meeting East of the Hudson and the First on Long Island held under his Direction — ^Wife dies — Second Marriage — Enterpris- ing Church Builder— Old White Church— *' Chops a Yoke in Two"— Fights Many Bat- tles — ^Champion Opponent of Abolition — Centennial Sermon — 'Death and Burial — Personal Description — A Veteran Teetotaler — A Pointed, Practical Preacher — Some Account of his Wives and his Children 156-163 XXVIII. SAMUEL MERWIN. Of English Ancestry — A Native of Durham, Conn. — Fell from the Piety of his Childhood- Restored Through Methodist Influence — Conference Appointments — Some Events of his Ministry — Death and Burial — A Truly Great Preacher — Exceedingly Popular — Interesting Testimonies by Asbury, Reed, Bangs, Luckey, Osbom, and Stevens — Widow of Peter Jayne — Married Mr^Merwin — Survived him Eight Years — Their Children. 164-168 XXIX. SAMUEL THOMAS. Scanty Records Concerning his Early Life — A Methodist in New Jersey— Conference Ap- pointments—Revival in Brooklyn — IWost Valuable Fruits — Honorable Tribute in Confer- ence Minutes— His Removal to Ohio— Peaceful Death— Burial Place— Family almost Forgotten. . . ■ . . . ... 160-170 XXX. OLIVER SYKES. Birth and Boyhood— Unusual Serious Impressions— Calvinistic Instructions— Conversion- Call to Preach— Dejection— Joins Conference— Appointments— Early Promise— Physical Infirmities— Happy Death— His Grave in Stratford— Eccentricities— Bequest to the China Mission — Quotation from his Journal. . . . • ^7^"^; 4 XXXI. JOSEPH CRAWFORD. His Nativity— Conference Record— Great Success in Vermont— Laban Clark's Spiritual Fa- ther—A True Evangelist— His Relation to Bishop Asbury— Affecting Farewell— Mrs. P. P. Sandford's Testimony— Incidents— Sudden Close of his Ministry— Rev. Cyrus Prin- dle's Letter— Mr. Crawford's Last Years in Sandusky, O.— His Death and Burial Place- Personal Description— Rev. A. D. Knapp's Letter. 175-178 XXXIL ELIJAH WOOLSEY. Birth— Religious Training— Methodist Preachers— Conversion— Enters the Ministry— Con- ference Record— Pioneer Work in Canada— Unconquerable Zeal— Hardships— Romantic Experiences— Wife dies in Brooklyn— General Conference Record— " The Supernume- rary "—Last Days— Burial Place— Personal Appearance— Some Elements in his Character — First Wife's Grave in Sands-street Church-yard— Second Wife— Dr. iinchs Letter. . . . ^TT^^i XXXIII. JOHN WILSON. Native of England— Trained in Piety— A Methodist from his Vouth-Emigrates to America —A Local Preacher there— Conference Record— Marriage— Scholarship— Holiness his Theme— Conference Secretary— Asthmatic Affection- Grave m Forsyth-strcet Church- yard '84-"8« xiv Contents. XXXIV. DANIEL OSTRANDER. Rugged Ancestry— Early Conversion— Conference Appointments— Pioneer in New Engls -Remarkable General Conference Record— Unbroken Health— Marriage— Calls out M vin Richardson— Portraiture by Gilder— Semi-Centennial Sermon — From Sixteen to S< enty-two in the Service of the Church— Death and Burial— Marked Characteristics— CI Discernment — An Incident— Mrs. Ostrander's Interesting Character and History — 1 scendants of Daniel and Mary Ostrander, . . . . . . 187- XXXV. REUBEN HUBBARD. English Ancestry — Born in Massachusetts— Early Connection with Methodism— Epitome his Ministerial Services in TwoChurches — Member of One General Conference — Glim] of his Early Ministry— A Letter— Leaves the Methodists— Becomes a Hard-working Ef copalian Itmerant — Dr. A. B. Carter's Eulogy— A Well-merited Tribute— Death and i rial of Mr. Hubbard — His Wife and Children 192- XXXVI. THOMAS DRUMMOND. Much of his History Unknown — Pastoral Record — The Children's Spiritual Instructo; Charged with Crime and Expelled. . . . . 1 XXXVII. LEWIS PEASE. Born of Pious Parents — A Thoughtful Youth — Calvinistic Notions — A Happy Deliveranct Itinerant Record — A Frail Body — Great Revivalist — Unparalleled Success in Sands-stn — Bereavement — Consumption — Happy Death — Burial — Dr. Wakeley's Description Lewis Pease — Twice Married— His Widow marries Rev. James Erwin — Memorial by I Reddy. . . . 197-! XXXVIII. NATHAN EMERY. Birth and Ancestry— In his Boyhood One of the Founders of Methodism in Maine- Youthful Preacher — Itinerant Record — Ebenezer Washburn's Testimony — Marriage — t Name Associated with the Establishment of Sunday-schools in Brooklyn— David Holn Converted under his Ministry — His Life in the West — Passes safely through Deatl River — His Grave — His Wife and Daughter — J. B. Finley's Testimony. 201-: XXXIX. WILLIAM ROSS. Twice Pastor of Sands-street Church— Birth and Education— Flees from a Ball-room to se Christ — Erects a Family Altar — Enters the Itinerancy — Appointments — War of i8is Driven out of Canada — Delicate Health— Receives Rev. S. Landon into the Church— Ge eral Conference Record— A Popular Preacher— Joyful Premonitions— Triumphant Des —Buried in Sands-street Church-yard— The Body Removed— Wife and Children. 206-: XL. NATHAN BANGS. A Son of Connecticut— Farmer Boy in New York State— School-teacher— Teacher and Si veyor in Canada — Converted Among the Pioneer Methodists— Adopts Methodist Custo — Enters the Itinerancy — Ministerial Record— Heroic Service and Hard Fare — A Less concemine Impressions — A Sister who could Exhort— Marriage— Heman Bangs— Lo Horseback Ride— Vast and Varied Labor*:— General Conference Record— His Relation Our Great Publishing, Missionary, and Educational Institutions— Marked Elements Character— Death — Funeral— .Burial Place— Brief Family Record. . . . 21 1-: Contents. xv XLI. ALEXANDER M'CAINE. Born and reared in Ireland — Intended for the Ministry of the Established Church — Becomes a Methodist — Soon afterward a Pastor in the United States — Ministerial Record — Twice Located — The Cause — His Daughter's Recollections of Sands-street Church — Coke and Asbury — General Conference Record — Leading Agitator and Author among the Reform- ers — List of his Works — Account of his Death and Burial — Pprtraiture of his Character — The Two Wives and Five Children of Mr. M'Caine. . . 216-224 XLII. PETER P. SANDFORD. From a Reputable Family — Inclined to Preach when but a Very Young Lad — Conversion — Ministerial Record — Dr. Noah Levin^s One of his Spiritual Children — Leading General Conference Delegate — Marked Ability — Authorship — Honorary Degree — Triumph in Death— Grave— His Two Wives and his Thirteen Children. , . . 225-228 XLIII. HENRY CHASE. Of Quaker Parentage— Ambitious and Diligent in his Studies — Conversion — Ministerial Ap- pointments — ■Pre-eminently the Sailor's Friend — Marries Ten Thousand Couples — His Recognized Scholarship — Fine Personal Appearance — Death and Burial-^ Wife and Chil- dren. . . 229-231 XLIV. LABAN CLARK. Birth and Childhood — Disposed to Think for himself concerning Calvinism — Attracted to Methodism— Calls it the '' Old Bible Way " — Joseph Crawford leads him to Christ- Becomes at once a Pioneer Worker — Associate of Martin Ruter-- Itinerant Record— Dr. N. Levings Converted under his Ministry — A Founder of the Missionary Society and of Wesleyan University — Semi-centennial Sermon — Honorary Degree — His Long Life comes to a Close — Burial Place — Characterized in Stevens' History and New York Conference Minutes — Two Wives and a Daughter. . . 232-236 XLV. MITCHELL B. BULL. An Irishman— Converted Young—Emigrates to New York— Ministerial Record— Pastor of Sands-street Church as a Supply — His Valuable Memoranda — Great Industry— Health fails — Locates — Prospers in Business— A Faithful Steward — Diligent as a Local Preacher — Inclined to Second Adventism in 1843— Personal Description — Death— Burial- Manuscript Sermons — His Three Wives 237-239 XLVI. THOMAS BURCH. Native of Ireland— Parents Members of the Established Church— Converted through the Labors of Gideon Ouseley — Soon afterward a Class Leader and Local Preacher in America — Encouraged by Henry Boehm — Conference Record — Sent to Canada at a Critical Time —General Conference Record— Last Sermon— Death and Burial— Samuel Luckey's Trib- ute— Dr. Bangs' Description— Wife and Children. , 240-243 XLVII. STEPHEN L. STILLMAN. Bom of Seventh-Day Baptists in Connecticut — Joins the-Baptists in Childhood— Later be- comes a Methodist— Conference Record — Laborious Circuits — Great Revival in Albany- Death — Burial Place— Eulogized in Conference Memorial— Two Wives and Five Children of Mr. Stillman 244-246 xvi Contents. XLVIII. SAMUEL LUCKEY. Birth and Early Christian Experience— Conference Record— Pioneer Labors in Canada— In- cidents— Great Revival in Troy— Honorary Degrees— Civil Promotion— Three 1 imes JJel- egate to General Conference-Author of Several Books— Remarkable Activity in Old Age —His Death described— His Grave— Fine Tribute by the Minutes of his Conierentfe— Three Wives and Seven Children 247-25' XLIX. SEYMOUR LANDON. Reared Under Methodist Influence — Incidents of his Boyhood— A Solemn Question- Brought to Christ under the Ministry of William Ross— Enlightened on Calvinism but not Converted to the Doctrine— Persuaded to forego a College Training— Conference Record— Death and Burial— Kis Character sketched by Dr. G. I.. Taylor— Total Absti- nence Movement— Abolition— Stern Fidelity to Principle— Victorious at Last— An Appro- priate Testimonial — Mrs. Landon — Their Children 252-257 L. NOAH LEVINGS. His Nevf England Home — Removes to Troy. N. Y.— An Apprentice— Laban Clark aids the Poor Blacksmith Boy — Samuel Luckey discovers Rare_ Promise in him — An Affecting Scene — Conference Appointments — Incidents of his Ministry in Brooklyn — Revival in Schenectady — Honorary Degree — Thrice a Member of General Conference — Literary Re- mains — Fair Haven Church — A Wonderful Sermon — Bishop Clark's Estimate of Dr. Levings — Personal Description — Dies away from Home — Final Resting Place — Wife and Children 258-262 LI. JAMES COVEL, JR. Sonof a Methodist Minister — His Early Conversion — A Young Preacher — Pastoral Record —Preaching with his Coat off— A "Boy Team"— "Not Convinced" — Three Days' Meeting in Brooklyn— Tobias Spicer's Testimony— Revival in Troy— Scholastic Attain- ments—Literary Works— Personal Appearance —Death— Funeral— Burial— Mrs. Covel— Her Children's Beautiful Tribute to her Memory ' 263-267 LIL JOHN C. GREEN. Native of New York city-Son of a Physician— Pastoral Record— Charged with Intemoer- ance-Acqmtted-Trouble concerning Maffit-Withdrawal-Pastor of a Congregational Methodist Church— Green versus Pierce- Mr. Green Vindicated— Not a Teetotaler- Death and Burial Place— Wife, her Birth, Death, and Burial— List of the Children. 268-270 LHL CHARLES W. CARPENTER. Son of a Pioneer Methodist-Native of New York-Converted in Sands-street Church-Tells ^Z Z\^V^°^^'^^'% College-First License-Ministerial Record-In Business in the South-Sag Harbor-Conference Record-General Conference-Death and Burial- Encomiums by Judge Dikeman and Dr. Luckey-Mrs. Carpenter-The Children. 271-^74 LIV. JOHN C. TACKABERRY. ^ v?J/'nJ^'''A"''~'^''*5"''^' P?'-™.'^g=-His Brother a Preacher-Residence in Quebec-Con- Th 'h?'"^""'"'- ^""^ Ordination-Conference Appointments-Visits Europe-Perils- rhr^ling Experience-An Uncongenial Colleague- W. H. Dikeman's Testimony-" Walk- ing Concordance "-Fading Health-Death and Burial-Family. ., . ^ ^f^l Contents. xvii LV. JOHN KENNADAY. Eorn in New York— His Father an Irish Catholic— Conversion— Heman Bangs his Spirit- ual Father— First I ove-feast Testimony— Thf " Silver>' Voice "—Begins to Preach— Ap- pointments— Remarkable Labors— JVIarriage-Twenty-two Years in Five Churches— Sud- den Death — Tribute by Bishop Janes— Aianship'fr Testimony — Great Skill as a Spiritual Helper and Instructor— IWrs. Kennaday— Her Admirable Character— Recent Eeath— List of the Children 279-282 LVI. JOHN LUCKEY. Brother of Samuel— Ancestry— Pious Mother— Early Conversion— License to Exhort— List of Appointments— Organized the Flushing Circuit— Married to Miss Rutherford— South- old Circuit — Wonderful Work among the Poor ai\d the Prisoners — C. C. North's Record — Western Home— Luckey's Chapel— Visited by an Old Friend— Last Farewell— Public and Family Worship — Closing Scenes— Buried in Sing Sing — Mrs. Luckey and the Chil- dren .... 283-287 Lvn. BARTHOLOMEW CREAGH. Birth — Ancestry — Trained and Confirmed in the Church of England — Methodist Meetings — Complete Consecration at Sixteen — Ambitious ,Worldly Plans — All Renounced for the Gospel — Thorough Preparation —Emigrates to America — Enters the Itinerancy — Saintly Character — Dr. Prime's 'I'ribute — Social Qualities — A Lover of Nature — H^^autiful Letter to his Daughter — Incident at Wildercliffe— Miss Garrettson and ^irs. 01m — Personal In- fluence— General Conference — Leads the Delegation — Dr. Bushnel''s Friendship- Effect of Bishop Hedding'sDeath— Mr.Creagh'.s Triumphant Departure— 'O'^timonies of Eminent Ministers — Mrs. Creagh — A Quiet and Useful Life — "Palace Beautiful" — Bereavement — "Grand Step beyond the Stars.** 288-295 Lvni. WILLIAM H. NORRIS. ■ Two Successful Terms in Sands-street Church — A Worthy Ancestry— Converted Young — Ministerial Record — Several Re-anpointments to Important Stations — Continuous Revivals — Dr. F. Bottome's Portraiture of his Character — Ur. Curr^'^s Statement — A Useful Mis- sionary — Hfs Services in Demand— Literary Work— Great Affliction — Death and Burial — The Family 296-299 LIX. FITCH REED. Born in Amenia, N. Y. — A Convert under Marvin Richardson's Ministry^ — Abandons Medical Studies for the Ministry — A Distinct and Emphatic Call — Appointments — A Frail Young Man— Interesting and Amusing Reminiscences — A Hard Circuit, a Subject for Thanksgiving — A Gospel Pioneer in Canada — Marriage — General Conference Record — Honorary Degree — Blessed Experience in Old Age — Death — Burial Place— His Family — A Fitting Memorial adopted by his Conference. 300-303 LX. STEPHEN MARTINDALE. Son of a Methodist Local Preacher — Orphan Boy — Itinerant Record— A Scanty Support — Revivals — Father Taylor and Boston — General Conference Record — Long and Active Ministry — Happy Death — ^uneral — Burial Place— Admirable Characteristics— How^ lie made Methodists of his Children — Mrs. Martindale — A Remarkable Woman — Pleasing Testimonials — The Children — A Gratifying Record , 304-310 LXI. PETER C. OAKLEY. Of Good English Stock — Born in New York — Savingly Impressed by a Printed Sermon — His Father's Sudden Death — Apprenticed to Harper & Brothers — Jnined Old Jobn-strfpt Church— Student in Wesleyan Seminary -Ministerial Record — Fifty Years of Uninter- 3 xviii Contents. rupted Work — No Murmuring— Twice Married — Reminiscences of Old Sands-street Church— A Tranquil Old Age— A Remnant of ihe tamily Left— Brief Memorial of his First Wife 3"-3i3 LXII. LEONARD M. VINCENT. Early Home by the Hudson— His Father dies— Experience of a " Farmer Boy "—Bitter Repentance — Precious Fruit of Faithful Cross-bearing — Reluctant to Irreach — His First Sermon — Last Call to Some of the Hearers- Confeience Record— Successful Pastorate in Brooklyn — Incidents — Brief Note concerning his Family 3i4""3^8 LXIII. JOHN J. MATTHIAS. Son of a Noble Methodist Preacher— Learns the Printer's Trade— Called of God to the Min- istry — Successive Stations — Appointment to Africa— Chaplain toSeamen — On the Retired List — Death and Burial — Eulogistic Testimonies — Extract from one of his Sermons — His Two Wives — His Son 319-322 LXIV. HART F. PEASE. Bom of Congregational Parents — Converted in Youth — Engas;ed in Business— Seminary and College — Enters the Ministry — List of Appointments — An Honored Pastor and Presiding Elder— Brief Notice of his Family. 323-324 LXV. JOHN B. MERWIN. Son of the eminent Samuel Merwin— Taught by Ruter, Bascom, and Durbin, of Augusta College— Conference Record— Honorary Degree— General Conference Delegate— A Re- markable Ride— A Truly Honorable Life Record 325-327 LXVI. JOHN W. B. WOOD. Well Born— Methodist Ancestry- Studies Interrupted— Years Spent on the Ocean— A Loud Call— An Honest Answer— Converted at a Camp-Meeting— Conference Record — Revivals — Brief Characterization — Wife and Children 328-330 Lxvn. HENRY J. FOX. Of Wesleyan Parentage— Native of England— Joins a Small Sect of Methodists— Afterward becomes a Wesleyan Methodist— A Preacher among them— Welcomed in New York- Ministerial Appomtments— His Scholarship Recognized and Honored— Services during the War— Experience in the South— Successful Lecturer and Author— Useful Preacher and Pastor— Brief Note concerning his Family 331-333 LXVIII. LEVI S. WEED. Birth- Conversion— An Evangelist from the First— Theological Studies— Literary Course- Mistaken Counsel concerning a College Training— Conference Record— Sands-street Church— Pleasant Facts and Opinions -Personal Appearance— Well-earned Popularitv— Missionary Sermon— General Conference- Honorary Title— Marriage and Beieavement— Some Account of his Family 334-338 LXIX. BUEL GOODSELL. Presiding Elder of Long Island District— A Good Record— Birth-Early Conversion— Con- ference Appointments— General Conference Record— Marriage— Bereavement— Brief ^n.'"^S,?5 h's Character and Work-His First Wife -Her Triumphant Death-Mr. Good- sell s Widow— His Children ,„ , 339~34t Contents. xix LXX. JOHN MILEY. German Ancestry— Native of Ohio— Only Survivor of his Father's Family— Boyhood- Taste for Reading— College Course— Conversion— Ministerial Record— General Confer- ence— Degrees— Eminent as a Preacher, Pastor, Theological Professor and Author— Wife Deceased— The Children 342-343 LXXI. WILBUR F. WATKINS. Native of Baltimore— Early Call to the Ministry — Seminary and College— An Itinerant of the Primitive Type— Epitome of his Ministerial Life — Two Years in a Theological School — Brief l;'astor!ll Supply in Sands-street Church— Revival- -Marriage— Popular and Useful Preacher— Becomes an Episcopalian— Reasons for the Change— Mr. Tibbals' Sketch — Large and Wealthy Parishes— Remarkable Gifts— Mrs. Watkins— The Children. 344-347 LXXII. JOHN B. HAGANY. Birth and Training^Restless under Distipline — A Runaway— His Conversion — Ministerial Record— Duplicate Appointments— Transfers— His Conference Memorial— Dr. Crooks' Estimate of his Eloquence and Learning — Fletcher Harper's Guests — Dr. Hagany's Sud- den Death— t uneral— Grave — Mrs. Hagany— The Daughters 348-450 LXXIII. BERNARD H. NADAL. Father bom in France, of Catholic Parents — Mother a Methodist — Maryland his Native State — An Apprentice — Converted — Saddle-making and Studying Combined-^Conference Record — Marnage — Pastor and Student at the Same Time- -His Graduation — Honorary Degrees — Patriotism — Drew Seminary — Death and Burial — Glowing Testimonials by jDr. Punshon, Bishop Foster, Dr. Buttz, and others — An Interesting Family. , . 351-356 LXXIV. DANIEL CURRY. Ancestors — Birth — Youthful Occupations — Early Christian Life — Graduation — Professorship - Conference Record — Marriage — Titles — General Conference Record — Remarkably Sus- tained Prominence in theC^hurch — Bibliographical Record — A Veteran Editor — Dr. Buck- ley's Statement — The Family 357~359 LXXV. CHARLES FLETCHER. Of English Birth— A Bright Boy— Small Advantages— Eariy Conversion— Youthful Preacher — Trained in the Factory — Begins Life in America — Foster's Interesting Account — Confer- ence Record — Locates — Conscience not at Rest — Re-enters the Itinerancjr to stay— Ele- ments of Strength— Plainville Camp-Meeting — Dr. Buckley's Estimate — Did he Write his Sermons?— Siocness and Death— Greenwood— His Wife— Niece of Samuel Marsden— Ad- mirer and Valuable Assistant of her Husband — Homesick for Heaven— Rest at Last— Their Two Sons 360-364 LXXVI. BENJAMIN PILSBURY. Review of his Term as*Presiding Eldero'f Long Island— Birth and Ancestry— Small Advan- tages well Imprnved — Wesleyan University — Difficulties overcome — Honorable Rank in his Class— Conversion— Early Success in Holding Meetings— Theological Course— Minis- terial Record— Events of his Ministry— General Conference Record— Honorary Degree- Some Account of his Family 3^5-3^8 LXXVIL EDWARD G. ANDREWS. Of New England Stock — Methodist Parentaee-Dr. Buckley's Notice of the Bishop's Mother — Edward One of Eleven Children — A Christian Family— A Young Student at Cazenovia ^^ Contents. -WesleyanUnive^ity-EarJy Christ;^ W«k-^^^^^^^^^^ Voice fails-Some Years m Charge of Literary institution's^ n^ ?„ember of the ary Sermon-Other Addresses-bands,street Church R^^^^^^^ Description New York East Conference-General Conference ueiegatc disuuj. ^ ^ 369-372 — Family LXXVIII. EDWIN E. GRISWOLD. ferTnce Record-Four General Co-af^^^-'^^^-^^^^^^l^^^^rk^ll,^^ Wife-Her , LXXIX. ALBERT H. AVYATT. Son of a Methodbt Preacher-Sketch of William Wyatt-G^^^^^^^ ?L^re^« R^rrr'i^w^ D^ral^d'wfv^-'TlSlSi^^^^^^^^ ibtry of Affliction LXXX. GILBERT DE LA MATYR. Son of an Aged Local Elder-Five Preachers in the Family-Early Conversion-Conference Record- frmy Chaplain-D.awn into Politics-Member of Congress-Eloquent Lecturer —Some Characteristics— His Two Wives Deceased 3=1 3=3 LXXXI. GEORGE F. KETTELL. Patriotic and Pious Ancestry— Native of Boston— Student in Germany— Apprentice in Con- necticut—A Brilliant and Attractive Lad— Old Methodist Meetin^-House-Kettel! s Con- version— Dr. Hunt's Account of it— Steady Progress— Marriage— Preacher s License- Pastoral Record— Deserved Promotion-Loss of an Eye— United States Consul— Degree of D D— Sudden Death— Funeral— Impressive Services -Encomiums— Christian Advo- cate"— Conference Memorial— Dr. Kettell's First Wife— His Widow. . . 384-388 LXXXII. THOMAS G. OSBORN. Ancestry — Methodist Parents— Notable Gifts and Services — Methodism in 'Riverhead, L. I. — Birthplace of T. G. Osborn— Franklin ,A.cademy— Wesley an University— College Honors — A Law Student— Ministerial Record— Great Success xn Southampton, New York, and Other Places— Impaired Health— Personal Description— Mrs. Osborn— Surviving Children —Three Wives in their Graves— Children Deceased 389-393 LXXXIII. FREEMAN P. TOWER. Genealogy — Birth — Student and Teacher— Early Conversion— College Course— Ministerial Record — Sinners Converted — Church-Building Enterprises in Connecticut, California and Oregon — ^Willamette University — Financial Agency— Success — E. O. Haven Professor- ship—The Bishop's Funeral — Brief Portraiture of Mr. Tower— Mrs. Tower— Their Chil- dren. . . i 394-396 LXXXIV. GEORGE TAYLOR. Native of England— Methodist Parentage — Childhood Piety— Classical Instruction— The- ological School— Local Preacher in England— His Church Home in New York~Ministe- riaf Appointments — Marriage — Family — Brief Description — General Conference Dele- Contents. xxi LXXXV. ALBERT S. GRAVES. Bom of Methodist Parents — Converted in Youth — Was Graduated at Wesleyan University — Ministerial Record— A Testimonial — Conference Secretary — General Conference Delegate — Principal of a Seminary — Presiding Elder — Personal Appearance — First Wife Deceased — Present Wife and Children ...,. 399 LXXXVI. LINDSAY PARKER. Native of Dublin— Methodist Parents— Converted Young— Attended a Wesleyan Methodist School — Dr. Robert Crook his Teacher — Some Time in a Lawyer's OfBce — Four Years in the Irish Conference — Epitome of his Ministry in his Native Land and in America— Mar- riage — Pulpit Talent — Social Qualities — An Episcopal Clergyman — Reason for Leaving the Methodist Episcopal Church 400 LXXXVII. JOHN S. BRECKINRIDGE. Son of a Methodist Minister — A Noble Mother— Young Breckinridge's Conversion — An In- teresting Story — Thorough Preparation for his Chosen Life-Worfc — God's Blessing on his Ministry — European Tour — Lectures — Sermon on" Eternal Punishment " — Patriotic Serv- ice — Published Articles — Personal Description— ^Wife and Children. , , 401-404 LXXXVIII. ICHABOD SIMMONS. Native of Massachusetts — Father a Universalist — Mother not a Church Member— Conversion — First License to Preach — Cabinet Maker — Student at Newbury, Concord, Northfield, and Middletown — Pastorat the Same Time — Ministerial Record — Singleness of Purpose — Bap- tism of the Spirit — European Tour- Successful and Beloved— Wife and Daugh- ters ' 405-406 LXXXIX. LEWIS R. STREETER. Closes the Succession to Date— Son of a Methodist Local Preacher— Native of England—Of a Large Family — Converted at Nine Years of Age — Sent to School— A Local Preacher in England— Begins to Itinerate in Indiana— A Course of Theological Study— Conference Record — Marriage — Highly Esteemed 407 BOOK III. ALPHABETICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD OF MEMBERS. Preliminary. 408 Abbreviations 409 Record of Members 409-520 INTRODUCTION. Here is the carefully written story of Christian work in- augurated a hundred years ago in a quiet village, now growr to be the third city of the land. The aim and merits of the volume are so readily discerned, that it needs no introduc- tion, yet I am glad of an opportunity to declare that I feel myself strongly attracted by this and other efforts to pre- serve the record of the struggles and victories of the found • ers of Methodism. The author of the work deserves hearty thanks for his conscientious, careful and successful efforts to rescue from oblivion so many of the original materials out of which in due time the philosophy of Methodist his- tory must be constructed. It cannot have escaped the notice of those who are even partially familiar with the best Christian writers of recent years, that their allusions to Methodism are for the most part, discriminative and kind. If the doctrines or the polity of the denomination are criticised, the spirit of the criticism is dignified and respectful. Since Thomas Chalmers pro- nounced the oft-repeated encomium, many pleasant things have been spoken concerning Methodism; but neither h's "Christianity in Earnest," nor any other word which has fallen under my eye, seems so rich and so hearty as that which was spoken by Alexander Vinet, the Swiss divine who has been styled the Pascal of the Reformed Church. "Meth- odism," he says, "the object of our earnest respect, is only Christianity trying to be consistent. Here, after all, lies its glory and its crown." We surely must not accept this trib- 2 Introduction. ute in the spirit of self-complacency and pride, or we shall prove that it was unmeritedj but, on the other hand, we should be untrue to the God of our fathers, if, when thought- ful men of other branches of the Church of Christ find so much to attract them in Methodist doctrines and usages, we should hold these doctrines and usages with indifference, or even with formal affection. It has been asked whether the period has not been reached when positive modifications should be made in our denominational polity. The ques- tion is very broad, and of great moment, and it deserves careful consideration. It will be well for us to move prayerfully, seeking light not only from the most discreet and experienced men of our own communion, but also from thoughtful minds of other branches of the Church. Before we abandon or materially modify our own methods, we should ascertain the recognized wants of other denomi- nations. These convictions have been most impressively awakened of late by some fervid paragraphs I have met in the writings of Dale of Birmingham, the gifted successor of John Angell James; in which, without mentioning, and probably without a thought of Methodism, he waxes ear- nest in his advocacy of measures which are thoroughly Methodistic. In an address on "The Communion of Saints," delivered before the Congregational Union of England and Wales, he says: "I ask you to consider whether in addition to our present services it would not be well to institute ser- vices of altogether a different type, in which a free inter- change of religious thought might be encouraged. We know too little of the perplexities and troubles by which the souls of our brethren are saddened; the perplexities might be re- lieved, and the troubles lightened, if they had opportunity to speak of them frankly. The discoveries of God's love which are made to the individual Christian, are not all intended merely to perfect the peace and confirm the strength of the Introduction. 3 soul that receives them; they belong, not to the individual merely, but to the Church. We shall never fulfill God's idea of our relationship to each other, until every man that enters the Church feels that he has come into the 'household of faith' — a household in which no heart need suffer alone, and in which the joy of one member is the joy of all." This celebrated divine, in speaking thus, proves clearly that he is' looking for a Methodist class meeting. It is equally clear that he approves of a lay ministry, since we hear him de- clare in an address on "The Holy Spirit in relation to the Ministry, the Worship and the Work of the Church:" "I long to see a great army of preacherg rising up among the people themselves — preachers who shall be familiar, as the wealthy cannot be, with their sorrows, their hardships, their pleas- ures, the passions by which they are stirred, the hopes by which they are animated, their skepticism and their faith; and who shall speak to them, in their own tongue, of the in- finite love of God, revealed to mankind through Christ Jesus pur Lord. And what reason can be alleged why Christian merchants, manufacturers, professional men and tradesmen are not more frequently called to the pastorate? * * * It is one of the evil traditions which we have received from eccle- siastical communities founded on principles which are alto- gether different from our own, that no man can become a minister, and yet abide in the same calling in which he was called." Such sentiments from such a source, I submit are worthy of our most careful consideration. At a time when some among us are speaking of the "class meeting" and of the '-'local ministry" in terms of indifference, if not of dispar- agement, we find one of the most profound, sagacious and polished men of our times, declaring that the Independent Churches of Great Britain are in pressing need of the help whicTi only the most informal social service and the lay min- 4 Introduction. istry can supply. The Methodist Episcopal Church ap- proaches the close of its first century. While devoutly thankful for the triumphs of the past, may we have grace to cherish, in all coming time, the usages which have been so largely instrumental in making our fathers joyous and strong. The honored and devout worthies of "Old Sands Street" who have passed away, have left us a priceless legacy. They were an honored part of a great multitude who revered the perfections of the infinite God, and were grateful for His numberless mercies; who repented of sin after a godly way, and trusted in Christ like little children; and whose emo- tions of reverence, and gratitude, and penitence and trust found expression in fervent prayers, and in heart-felt songs of contrition or of gladness. If our second century shall prove as it ought, to be better than the first, it will be be- cause nothing artificial or perfunctory shall be allowed to displace the simple service of song, the informal prayers, the direct and searching appeals to the" conscience, and the patient efforts to win souls, which have characterized the. genuine followers of Wesley always and everywhere. Above all may we in our day cherish, as our fathers cherish- ed, the unwavering conviction that the Infinite Father is so near to us, one by one, that each for the asking, may have grace to take up the jubilant cry of the Psalmist, "The Lorcl liveth, and blessed be my Rock." Albert S. Hunt. aula |treet ||ttrc| BOOK I HISTORICAL RECORD. CHAPTER I. A RECORD OF TEN YEARS; 1787— 1796. HE "Mother Church" of Brooklyn Methodism out- ranks in age all other ecclesiastical organizations save two, in "The City of Churches." As early as 1768, Capt. Thomas Webb preached in Brooklyn," which was then a rural hamlet, less populous than Jamaica or New- town, where he likewise preached, and laid the foundations of Methodism on Long Island. There were people in Brooklyn who occasionally heard Thomas Webb in the sail-loft in New York," and it was probably in the house of some friend by whom he had been invited, that he held forth the word of life in this suburban neighborhood. In the frontispiece of this work, he is represented, as he appeared when preaching, and in fancy we may very easily group about him his little Brooklyn congregation. There is no history or tradition of other Methodist preach- ers in Brooklyn until after the Revolution. In two or three other places on Long Island, where Methodism had taken root, it barely survived the demoralizing effect of the war, and the number of members on the island, reported in 1784, was only twenty-four. Rev. Woolman Hickson, while stationed in New York, came over to Brooklyn, and preached in the open air, upon a table, in New-street, afterward named Sands-street, near » Methodist Quarterly Review, 1831, p. 260. 'Stiles' History of Brooklyn, vol. iii, p. 700- 6 Old Sands Street Church. the site of the present Sands-street Church. A motley group appears in the picture, such as would naturally assemble in a rural neighborhood for an out- door service conducted by an old-time Methodist preacher. The antique dress, the low- roofed houses, the old scow ferry-boat, and the unoccupied hills of Manhattan Island remind us strongly of a hundred years ago. The result of Woolman Hickson's holy raid beyond the outposts of his station in New York comprises the theme of this book, and doubtless furnished a theme for celestial an- thems. The effect of his preaching was such as to make him welcome to return; for, upon his offering to visit the neigh- hood again if a place could be found for a meeting, a friend named Peter Cannon proposed to open his cooper-shop near the ferry, and make it as comfortable as possible for the con- gregation. The best authorities' say that soon after this time Woolman Hickson formed a class, the first organized in Brooklyn. These events transpired in 1787, and from that time we trace the history of Brooklyn Methodism.* ^ Noah Levings in Meth. Quar. Rev.. 1831, p. 260. Wakeley and Stevens follow him. ^ In regard to this date discordant statements have been made, whereby some confusion has arisen. In 1831, on the authority of the then "living remnant of the first class," the Rev. Dr. Noah Levings wrote: "This class must have been formed afoK< the year 1785 or 1786," — Meth. Quarterly, 1831, p. 260. Stiles, following him, gives the same dates in his History of Brooklyn. The Rev. J. L. Gilder, in an article in The Christian Advocate, Feb. 2g, 1882, shows from the record of appointments in the Conference Minutes, that Mr. Hick- son's fields of labor 1782-1786 were far distant from Brooklyn, and forthwith arrives at the following conclusion; "If the first class was formed in 1785 or 1786, then it could not have been formed by Woolman Hickson. ... If Wool- man Hickson, as is claimed and conceded, organized the first class, the origin . of Methodism in Brooklyn dates back as far as 1781 or the early part of 1782." A communication by the present writer appeared in the same paper March 19, proving from the early trustees' record of the John-street church'in New York— the "old book" quoted by Wakeley in Lost Chapters, p. 315— that Hickson was pastor in New York in 1787, and reference was made to Wakeley and Stevens to confirm the statement that during that year he formed a class in Brooklyn. In a later article this statement of the historians was summarily set aside by Mr. Gilder as "obviously a non sequitur&ad wholly inferential," not- withstanding the foregoing testimony by Dr. Levings, taken from the lips of the earliest members, that the class was formed "about i-jW and notwithstand- ing the unquestioned fact that Hickson was stationed within a mile of Brook- lyn in 1787, while he is not known to have been within scores of miles of that place at any other time. Wakeley and Stevens decided upon evidence quite con- clusive, that Hickson organized the class in 1787; their critic decides without evidence, that before Mr. Hickson began his ministry in Maryland, that is nre- vious to 1782, he must have been in Brooklyn and established Methodism there o o 13 K a Pf a O V S o I B >4 09 a o 00 Historical Record. y Thomas Foster was presiding elder in this region that year. John Dickins was colleague of Woolman Hickson in New York, and doubtless rejoiced with him in the addition of this little Brooklyn company to their pastoral charge. The Memoir of Garrettson informs us that he came from the South, and labored a few months in New York previous to the Conference of 1788, during which time he must have been considered one of the pastors of this society. Henry Willis was appointed elder in 1788. The New York preacher having charge of Brooklyn, was John Dickins. Dr. Levings says, "Brooklyn continued to be visited occasionally by the preachers stationed in New York, and by the local preachers residing there." At first this place was unquestionably an outpost of New York station. In 1789, F. Garrettson and T. Morrell were assigned to the eldership in the New York District. Robert Cloud, John Merrick and Wm. Phoebus were the New York preachers. At the same time Phoebus was in charge of Long Island cir- cuit with John Lee, junior colleague. Lee's Journal proves (see note 4) that during the part of the year covered by his He bases his belief that Hickson would not be lilcely to form a class in Brooklyn in 1787, on the fact that "he was in impaired health." But ill health could not quench the zeal of such an evangelist. He died in the harness. Mr. Gilder assumes that because of its geographical location, Brooklyn must have belonged to the Long Island charge from the beginning, and asks, "What call had Woolman Hickson within the bounds of another circuit?" Dr. Lev- ings furnishes the following reply: "From this time [about 1786,] Brooklyn con- tinued to be visited occasionally by the preachers stationed in New York, and by the local preachers residing there. At this time also, the whole of Long Island was but one circuit, and but one preacher was appointed to it. At what particular time Brooklyn became one of the regular appointments on this circuit we cannot say." The "Life of John Lee" contains a full account of his labors as the colleague of Wm. Phoebus on L. I. circuit in 1789, and we trace him from Comae to Searingtown, Rockaway, Newtown, and many other places, but search in vain for the slightest mention of Brooklyn. The reason is that Brooklyn was cared for by New York city preachers. Aaron Hunt's MS. Journal states that in the Conference year 1790 he preached regularly in private houses in Brooklyn, as one of the Long Island circuit preachers. Previous to that date there is no evidence that Brpoklyn was supplied by Long Island pastors. Hence the sup- posed unknown date of its first becoming a part of L. I. circuit is 1790. This little society was remote from all others on Long Island, Newtown being the nearest, while it was easy of access to the New York preachers, and for two years or more they seem to have had charge of Methodism here. This arrange- ment was so natural and convenient that some years later (1794) Brooklyn was taken from Long Island circuit, and attached to New York. From the fere- going facts we do not hesitate to name 1787 as the date when Methodism in Brooklyn took organic form. 8 Old Sands Street Church. term, Brooklyn was not connected with Long Island circuit, hence we infer that this year also, the pastors of the Brook- lyn society were the preachers stationed in New York. J. B. Matthias had joined the John-street Church, and, by permission of the preachers, was already on the wing, going about and holding meetings. His memoir says he visited Brooklyn, and quotes his own words: "Many a happy time have I had with that small society." In 1790 Brooklyn was taken into Long Island circuit. David Kendall stands on the Minutes as the preacher for Long Island, but it appears that Wm. Phoebus, though ap- pointed to New Rochelle, came to the Long Island circuit, and, Kendall being sick, he was reinforced by a young local preacher, Aaron Hunt, appointed to travel as a supply. The presiding elder was Jacob Brush, who seems to have taken the place of Thomas Morrell appointed to that post.' Aaron Hunt writes concerning this field in the conference year 1790: "This circuit extended from Brooklyn, (where we had a small class and preached in. a private house), over ev- ery considerable part of the island.'" In 1791 Benjamin Abbott joined Wm. Phoebus on the Long Island circuit , and began his year's work in the little hamlet of Brooklyn. He writes: I received my appointment to Long Island, and accordingly took my station. The next day I preached to a small congregation with life and power. The Lord attended the word with success. Some young ladies were cut to the heart, and one gentleman cried out for mercy, and before meeting ended he found peace and joined the society. Next day I went to Newtown.' It is manifest that Brooklyn is here meant though not named, because there were at that time only the Newtown and Brooklyn societies on this end of the island. He says further: I then returned and went to the place where I began my circuit. Here while I rode this time round the circuit, four or five were added. Next day I went to Newtown.' These few incidents, with the appointments in the Confer- ence Minutes, furnish all the information we have concern- ing the labors of Methodist preachers in Brooklyn during seven years beginning with the date of the apostolic preach- ' Compare Conf. Min., 1790, and Stevens' Memorials of Methodism, p. 120. ' Unpublished Journals. ' Life of Abbott, p, 179. ' /ieV., p. 184. Historical Record. 9 ing by Woolman Hickson in the cooper-shop and in the street. So quickly do the waves of time wash away the foot- prints of men! But we know who the preachers were, and it is enough to know that their faithful words and deeds are recorded in God's book. Long Island circuit continued to be manned by twp preach- ers, and Brooklyn remained an appointment on its western boundary until the conference of 1794. During this time those earnest servants of God, Jacob Brush, John Ragan, James Boyd, Joseph Totten and George Strebeck, opened the word of life to the little companies of Methodist wor- shippers assembled in such places as they could find before the church was built. Totten and Strebeck labored alter- nately a month in Brooklyn and a month in other parts of the island. By this arrangement they were enabled to sup- ply Brooklyn constantly with preaching and other pastor- al attentions.' In the absence of any known source of information, it is impossible to record the name of any person as having cer- tainly been a member of this church previous to 1793. At that time John Garrison joined the only Methodist class in Brooklyn, and Nicholas Snethen was his class-leader.'" Wakeley's statement, repeated by Stevens, that Nicholas Snethen was appointed class-leader by Woolpan Hickson is an error, because Mr. Hickson died in 1788, and Mr. Snethen first professed faith among the Episcopalians in 1789, and joined the Methodists in 1791." The church was incorporated in 1794 under the title, "First Methodist Episcopal Church in the town of Brooklyn, Kings County, Nassau Island."" At a meeting held May 19 of that year, at the house of Pe- ter Cannon, the following persons were elected the first board of trustees — John Garrison, Thomas VanPelt, Burdett Stryker, Stephen Hendrickson, Richard Everit and Isaac • Levings in Meth. Quar. Review, 1831, p. 260. "> Ibid., p. 261. " Compare Sprague's Annals, Wakeley's Lost Chapters, p. 312, Stevens' His- tory M. K. Church, vol. ii, p. no, and vol. iii, p. 260. See sketch of Snethen in Book III. " The act of 1693, changing the name of Long Island to Nassau Island, it is said, has never been repealed, but has become obsolete by disuse. Stiles' Hist, of Brooklyn, vol. i, p. 205. lo Old Sands StrM Church. Moser. They purchased from Joshua and Comfort Sands a lot fronting on New (afterward Sands) Street, and com- menced the erection of a house of worship.'" The cor- ner stone was laid ly the Rev. Wm. Phoebus, at that time stationed in Brooklyn as a supernumerary; and a sermon was subsequently preached on the foundation by the Rev. David Buck, a young man about entering upon his itinerant labors — from Isa. xxvin, i6; "Behold 1 lay in Zion for a foundation a stone," etc. The Rev. Joseph Totten of Long Island circuit preached on the occasion of the dedicatory service, Sunday, June i, 1794, taking his text in Exodus xx, 24: "In all places where I record my name," etc. On a Sunday morning in the following October, Bishop Asbury preached here; and again in 1796, he writes: I went over to Brooklyn where we have a small society. I had very few hearers except those who came from the city. I administered the sacrament and we had some life. We then returned to the city, where I preached to about 1,600 people, some of whom were wicked and wild enough. , . . O when will the Lord appear as in ancient times?'* The old church books contain records of Bishop Asbury "s visits. The first pastors after the church was built were Ezekiel Cooper and Lawrence M'Combs of "New York and Brook- lyn" charge, with Wm. Phoebus, Jacob Brush andDavid Ken- dall, supernumerary preachers. In 179s, George Roberts was presiding elder, and Brook- lyn became for the first time, a separate station, Joseph Tot- ten, pastor. He left thirty-nine members at the close of the year, having found thirty-five at the beginning. The next year, 1796, Freeborn Garrettson was presiding elder for a third term, and Wm. Phoebus was a third time r.ppointed to preach the Gospel in Brooklyn. A gain of eleven members was reported at the close of the year. " This was more than ten years previous to the erection of the first St. Ann's church. See Stiles' Hist, of Brooklyn, vol. ii, p. 108. ' '■• Asbury's Journal, Ed, 1852, vol. ii, pp. 243, 310. Historical Record. >^ o td 1-3 t— I O :z! O 1^ H HH H O Si O on oo t?d >^ O ra, d w o W d ^":rt ^'*/' » i^l i '^Wii«l!lll".>.'^ BROOKLYN IN i798-(As seen from the north.) Showing the Original Sands Street M. E. Church. CHAPTER II. A RECORD OF TEN YEARS; 1797— 1806. tiles' History of Brooklyn contains a wood-cut, from which the above is copied. The original sketch was accurately made by a French artist four years after the first Methodist church was built. It is a view from the New York side of the East River, about oppo- site Navy Yard Point. In the distance, on the right, are New York Bay and Bergen Point; nearer. Governor's Island, the East River, and the old Brooklyn ferry-house; and in the center, partly hidden by the sail of the sloop, is probably shown the original Sands-street church, built in 1794. In the year 1797, the second year of Wm. Phoebus' third term as pastor, Sylvester Hutchinson being presiding elder, the membership increased from fifty to eighty-one. The earli- est known register of members was made at the close of the Conference year 1798, (Andrew Nichols, pastor,) and from the records beginning at that time, we copy the names of all who are known to have been members of Sands-street Church, up to the close of the eighteenth century.' For memorialG of nearly all the founders of this church, see Book III. Historical Record. i ■, WHITE MEMBERS. Thomas Van Pelt, trustee, and Sarah his wife; John Gar- risonj leader and trustee, and Mary his wife; Burdett Stryker, trustee, and Hannah his wife; Richard Everit, trus- tee, and Sarah his wife; Isaac Moser, leader and trustee, and Susannah his wife; James DeGraw, leader and trustee, John Hastings, and Deborah his wife; Joseph Moser, Margaret Moser, Ida Moser, Jeremiah Smith, Hannah Smith, Caleb Shreeve, Meliscent Shreeve, James Herbert, Joseph Webb, John Leaneigh, Samuel Engle, Sarah Engle, John DeVos- nell, Joseph Herbert, John Harris, John Cornelison, Wil- liam Foster, John Trim, John Schnell, Anna Schnell, Mary Powers, Jemima Kissam, Sarah Hillear, Catharine Johnson, Rebecca Lynch, Anna Sutliff, Mary Denton, Elizabeth Rote, Sally Howzy, Leanah Smith (afterward Lany Valentine), Anna Day, Betsey Dale, Leah Connor, Eleanor Ward, Ra- chel Cannon, Lany Acker, Eleanor Ferguson. COLORED MEMBERS. Abraham Anthony, Susannah Anthony, Peter Anthony, Wm. Thompson, Hannah Thompson, Thos. Hartley, Harvey Anderson, Thomas Bristol, Caty Jackson, Dinah Benson, Susannah Thomas, Adam Francis, Bethany Stewart, Mary Dolph, Frances, John Grace, Isaac Minix, Thomas Peterson, Philip Leonard, Cornelius Anderson, Caty Anderson, Titus, Nanny, Sarah, John Graw, Nelly. It will be observed that some of the black people in those days had no surnames, and the names they were called by would hardly distinguish them from dogs and horses; but even such names, we cannot doubt, are written in the Book of Life. On a stone in the church-yard is inscribed the name of Hannah Stryker, who departed this life in 1787. If tradition be true, she joined the original class, and was the first of the Brooklyn Methodists to gain a crown of immortality. Rich- ard Everit, a trustee, died in 1798, and his is the earliest obit- uary record in the old church books. Cyrus Stebbins and David Buck complete the list of pas- tors, to the close of the eighteenth century. There had been a decrease in membership for a year or two, and at the Con- feience of 1800, the number of members reported was only T^ Old Sands Street Chiircli. fifty-four. In three years thereafter, under the administra- tion of David Buck, Peter Jayne and Ezekiel Canfield, the number had reached the former maximum, seventy-three. In 1804, while Cyrus Stebbins was pastor a second term, the church building Avas enlarged. He withdrew from, the denomination in December of that year, and Ezekiel Cooper,- the book agent, supplied the vacancy until conference. Wm. Thacher was then presiding elder. Mr. Cooper contin- ued as the stationed preacher from the June conference, 1805, but the old record states that Samuel Merwin occupied the station the last quarter, from February till the conference in May, 1806. These preachers boarded with James Harper, the grand- father of the celebrated Harper Brothers, the price of board being fixed by the trustees at $3.25, or twenty-six York shil- lings per week. The next name on the list of preachers is that of Samuel Thomas, associate pastor with Ezekiel Cooper in, 1806. The trustees agreed to pay his house-rent, and the sum to be paid was $160.00 per annum. During the same year it was Resolved: That there shall be a new set of steps erected at the front door of the church, and seats in the altar all round from the altar door, also that of a dark night, when there is a public meeting, the se.\ton shall light the lamp at the church door. Joseph Moser was sexton on an annual stipend of ;£"] and graA-e digger's perquisites. Previous to this time tlic Methodists had begun to use the church-yard as a burying- ground, and the trustees adopted a resolution that none but regular attendants upon divine service in this church, should have the privilege of interment there; and furthermore, that "no person guilty of suicide could be buried in this ground under any pretence or condition." Here was originally interred the sacred dust of Summer- field and Ross, and many of the early Brooklyn Methodists. There many of them remain, and the visitor may read upon the mossy tomb-stones their names and modest epitaphs. In the trustees' record, January, 1807, there is a minute, stating that Ezekiel Cooper had left Brooklyn for the South, and that Oliver Sykes came to board at John Garrison's on the 2 1 St of January. Sykes was junior pastor with S. Thomas. CHAPTER III. A RECORD OF TEN YEARS; 1807— 1816. T the conference of 1807 Joseph Crawford was ap- pointed to the New York District; Elijah Wool- sey and John Wilson were stationed in Brooklyn. Tliese pastors found two hundred and twenty-five members, and left two hundred and fifty-three. During this conference year preachers and people mourned the death of a pastor's wife, Mrs. Electa Woolsey. The following curious record may be seen in the old church book: Jacob and Susan, joined together in marriage, October 12, 1807, by me, Elijah Woolsey — Consent of George Bennett, owner. Many of the most respectable people of Brooklyn held slaves at that period, and the institution did not come to an end until about 1825. After a pastoral term of one year, Messrs. Woolsey and Wilson were succeeded by Daniel Ostrander. In 1808, Joshua Sands, an Episcopalian, canceled a debt of one hundred dollars, the amount due him for land on which the church was built, and in the following year he gave the society a lot for a parsonage, on High-street adjoining the church property. Andrew Mercein, Thomas Kirk and George Smith were the parsonage building committee, appointed in January, 1809. During the next conference year, the pastor, Rev. Reuben Hubbard, withdrew from the Methodists, and we find this amusing note in one of the church records: Cyrus Stebbins left the Methodist connection, and joined the Church of Eng- land. He is stationed in Schenectady, and was formerly stationed in Brooklyn. Little Reuben Hubert left our connection, and joined the Church. He was for- merly a Methodist preacher, stationed in Brooklyn. Poor things! Rev. Thomas Drummond, of the Philadelphia Conference, was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Mr. Hubbard. The length of the church edifice having been increased pre- i6 Old Sands Street ChurcJi vious to 1810, it was now sixty feet long and thirty feet wide, with end gallery for the Africans.' The congregation having increased beyond the capacity of the church, the pastor offered a resolution which was adopted Sept. 10, 1810, to build a new church edifice. George Smith, one of the ofBcial members, purchased the old structure, and it was moved to the Jamaica turnpike, (Fulton Street), opposite High Street, and devoted to various purposes. In one part Judge Garri- son held court, and in another the leaders met their classes. The pastor, Wm. Thacher, labored with remarkable energy. He states that the brethren were inclined to increase the size of the original building, fearing to incur the expense of a new edifice. He writes: The challenge was given by the preacher, "Put me in command, and I will show you that it is easier to raise $3,000 to build than $1,400 for enlarge- ment." The result was a house 70 by 42 feet, with galleries and furniture, at acost of $4,200. Subscriptions, $3,300; sale of old church $260; raised at dedication $220; in all $3,780. This increased the church debt $420, but resulted in the enlargement of the congregation, the conversion and addi- tion of souls to the church, and an improvement of the finances.' OLD WHITE CHURCH. This new edifice was provided with seats for more than twelve hundred persons. It is remembered as the "Old White Church." Bishop Asbury pjreached in the building, ' Thacher's MS. Autobiography. MS. Autobiography. Historical Record. 1 7 Sunday, May 17, 1812, and described it asan "elegant house. "^ At the expiration of the conference year 181 1, an incident occurred which is thus narrated by Mr. .Thacher: It was at a love-feast, and I spoke in the foUowing^ terras: "Brethren, I now close my labors as your preacher. You have paid me all my claims, and that I may not be suspected of any sinister design, I tell you that I ask no favors for myself; but I speak in the interest of my successors. You are in the habit of paying $350 for the support of a married preacher. New York pays $500 for the same purpose. They know that the whole of this is needed to support a, family, and let me tell you that no man has paid so much to support your preacher as Wm. Thacher. I ask you to give more in the future to the sup- port of your preachers. As to myself I have no claims on you." The meeting was dismissed, the trustees remained in the house and voted four hundred dollars for the next preacher, and then surprised me with a gift of sixty dollars. The remaining pastors during this decade were Lewis Pease whose health failed, Thomas Drummond a second term, Nathan Emery and Joseph Crawford. The old trus- tees' record contains the following resolution adopted in the year 1815 : Resolved, that the sexton be instructed to have the church open and the can- dles lighted at least a quarter of an hour before meeting begins, and to see that the boys make no disturbance. Thomas Drummond has the honorable distinction of hav- ing formed the first class of children in Sands-street church (so far as the record shows) for instruction in the catechism. We herfe transcribe the complete roll of this class of juvenile learners, and should the reader chance to recognize the names of now aged parents or friends he will be pleased to find this recorded testimony to the fact that they in their childhood were taught the knowledge of God. A Register of the Children that learn the Methodist Catechism, Brooklyn, March i, 1814. By me, Thomas Drummond. Thomas Garrison, CorneUa Garrison, George Smith, Sarah Smith, Samuel Moser, Pelmiah Duryea, Fannie Duryea, Nancy Hoey, Mary Fowler, Amelia Jackson, Hiram Richardson, Henry Moore, Ann Tunstill, Sarah Smith, EUza Ann DeGraw, Maria DeGraw, Elizabeth Cann, Mary Ann Pray, Nancy Valen- tine, Eliza Herbert, Mary Herbert, Lucinda Vail, Hannah Bennett, Ebenezer Bennett, James Herbert, Benjamin Richardson, Hannah Snell, Eleanor Cozine, Mary Thomas, Mary Ann Higbie, Lenah Ann Wiliams, Deborah Smith Has- ings. ' Asbury's Journal, Ed. 1852, vol. iii, p. 386. 1 8 Old Sands Street Church. This was a pioneer work among the children, and was ex- actly two years in advance of the first Sunday-school move- ment in Brooklyn. On the nth of February, 1816, while Nathan Emery was pastor, at a meeting of the quarterly conference, Thomas Sands, a local preacher in this church, — subseqtiently a large shipping merchant, and mayor of Liverpool, England — pro- posed to establish a Sunday-school in the village of Brook- lyn. The following is a copy of the record: Brother Sands proposed setting up a Sunday-school, The conference agreed to give him their aid. The school was accordingly organized — the first Sunday- school in Brooklyn, — and the credit of the suggestion be- longs without doubt to Mr. Sands, although it is not known that he was actually engaged in forming or conducting the school. The children were brought together on the Sabbath in a building known as Thomas Kirk's printing office, a long, narrow framed edifice on Adams-street, between Sands- street and High-street, in an apartment then occupied as a school-room by Daniel DeVinne. They entered the door shown on the right of the picture, and their room was close by on the left. The building still remains, and Mr. DeVinne remained with us until 1883, an esteemed minister of Christ. The recognized founders of this school were Robert Snow, superintendent, and his assistants, Andrew Mercein, Joseph Herbert, and Daniel DeVinne. To these should be added Thomas Sands who first proposed the enterprise, John G. Murphy and Joseph G. Harrison whose signatures were ap- pended to the first printed statement or address to the peo- ple of the village concerning the Sunday-school, in March 1816.* This address did not represent the school as professedly denominational, but requested parents and guardians to ex- press their wishes as to what catechism they would have their children study, and promised that they should be taken to such church services as their parents might choose; never- theless it is a fact that all the men prominently connected with this pioneer Sunday-school enterprise, including the •* See Stiles' Hist, of Brooklyn, vol. ii, p. 19. w 1 so ^. ^^ O V H- X 00 CD 00 o so I— » bd • 3 o E .f! Historical Recoi d. i g occupants of the building where the school was held, were members of Sands-street church. Rev. Mr. DeVinne writes: Ninety-seven names were received at the first meeting, although only half that number were present. The children were mostly of poor parents, and not more than one half of them knew their letters. There was a good deal of aris- tocratic spirit in those days, and few well-to-do people would allow their chil- dren to attend the same school with the poor ones.* The founders of this school stated in their address that it was "under the management of four superintendents, a stand- ing committee of seven, and a number of [volunteer] teachers male and female;" that the design of the institution was to gather "poor children from the most destructive of all places to the morals of youth — the street — on the Sabbath day," and to "combine religious and moral instruction with ordinary learning." The historian of Brooklyn says: In those early days, the gatherings of boys in and about the rope walks then so numerous in Brooklyn, and the card playing, profan.ty and other vices which they -then indulged in, had "become a most serious nuisance to the better part of the community. Thus the quiet and comfort of the village, as well as the personal benefit the children might receive, incited the found- ers of the school to their noble work. These zealous and benevolent men, rising above sectarian motives, and hoping to induce many to co-operate with them, joined in a call pub- lished in The Star, March 27, 1816, for a public meeting, which "Christians of every denomination, all advocates of decency and order, and all friends of * * * religion," were in- vited to attend for the purpose of organizing a village Sun- day-school Union, the object of the society to be the estab- lishment of a Union Sunday-school. The result was the or- ganization of the "Brooklyn Sunday School Union Society" on the 8th of April, i8i6, and among those who signed the first code of rules were the following members of Sands-street church: A. Mercein, vice-president of S. S. Union, Thomas Sands, treasurer, John G. Pray, Robert Snow. The Sun- day-school in Kirk's building thereby became a union school, and was removed to the school-house of District No. i, on the corner of Concord and Adams streets. James Engles, " Semi-centennial Sermon. CHAPTER IV. A RECORD OF TEN YEARS; 1817— 1826. HE presiding elders during this period were Samuel Merwin, Nathan Bangs, Peter P Sandford, and Laban Clark; and the pastors were Joseph Craw- ford, William Ross, Alexander M'Caine, Henry Chase, (sup- ply), Lewis Pease, Mitchel B. Bull, (supply), Thomas Burch and Stephen L. Stillman. The Sunday-school, so hopefully be- gun, was destined to suffer a temporary defeat. A lack of teach- ers, and a strenuous opposition on the part of some of the church members who regarded teaching in the Sunday-school as a desecration of the Lord's day, resulted in the suspension of the school for a period of about three years. In the mean time, the Episcopalians organized a Sunday-school in Brook- lyn, and certain members of the Baptist Churches in New York proposed coming over to the village and organizing another. The Sunday-school veterans of Brooklyn could not stand idly by, and see people from abroad superceding them in this good work; and, in 1821, the Union Sunda3'-school was resumed in the District school building, where it had former- ly been held. As the school increased in numbers, its original accommo- dations became too restricted, and the first Sunday-school building was erected in Prospect-street, near Adams. It was built by Robert Snow, James Engles, Joseph Moser and Rob- ert Nichols, "with beams and timbers from Mr. Snow's old potash store in New York," and made large enough to con- tain all the Sunday-school children in Brooklyn. The first of January was always signalized as Happy New Year, and the Sunday-school room was made a happy place by the dis- tribution of cakes and apples, and the dispensing of "shoes, stockings, flannel garments, etc., which had been solicited irom the wealthier citizens." Christmas was not at that time Historical Record. 2 1 as now in this country, pre-eminently the children's holiday. From this building after the Sunday-school session, the children were accustomed to repair to those places of wor- ship which their parents attended, or to return to their homes. In a few years, each of the churches beco-ning suiBciently established to maintain its own Sunday-scliool, the children of the other denominations gradually withdrew, leaving the Methodists to conduct the Sunday-school on Prospect-street, "where under the supervision of Messrs. Snow, Mercein, Herbert, Moser and others, it flourished exceedingly.'" One of the most devoted and useful laborers in this school was Abraham Vanderveer, who, though a member of the Re- formed Dutch Church, was thoroughly and permanently identified with the Methodists in their Sunday-school work. The building on Prospect-street continued to be the rallying place for the Sunday-school until a Sunday-school building was erected near the parsonage on High-street in the rear of the church. The colored members, having become quite numerous, de- sired a separate place of worship, and, about 1817, being as- sisted by the members of the church generally, they succeed- ed in erecting a small meeting-house on High-street, between Bridge and Pearl. They were, however, under the pastoral care of the stationed preacher of Sands-street church. The church register, April 22, 1818, Joseph Crawford pastor, con- tains a record of the "African Asbury Methodist Episcopal Church," seventy-four members. The leaders were Thomas Bristol, Israel Jemison, Benjamin Croger,^ Peter Croger, Samuel Anderson. In the year 1820, while Alexander M'Caine was pastor, the colored members seceded in a body, only six remaining in the old church. At this date the reasons for their depart- ure may not be fully known. It has in a summary and gen- eral way been attributed to a spirit of insubordination to the Discipline.' The following arc the only records of official action concerning them: ' Stiles' Hist, of Brooklyn, vol. ii, p. 29. ^ Benjamin and Peter Croger afterward joined the N. Y. Conf., A. M. E. Church. The former died in 1853. ' N. Levings in Meth. Quar. Review, 1831 , p. 265. : 2 Old Sands Street Ciiurch. October 15, i8ig. Motion made and carried that tlie colored people of the Methodist Church in Brooklyn be requested to pay ten dollars per quarter for services rendered by Brother M'Caine, in taking care of aforesaid Church. Feb. 17, 1820. It was suggested that from present appearances the colored people are about to separate from the charge. It was asked if it would not be advisable in such an event to set apart some seats in the house for the use of those who wish to remain among us. It was decided in the afi&rraative.* Two years previous to their entire separation they num- bered seventy-four members. Since that time several other Methodist churches have been organized among the colored people of Brooklyn. Alexander M'Caine resigned his charge soon after this secession took place, and Henry Chase was appointed a supply for the remainder of the year. In 1821, Lewis Pease having been appointed a second time to Brooklyn, this church was visited with a revival. It be- gan at a camp-meeting at Musketo Cove,'' and another re- freshing was enjoyed by this same people and pastor imme- diately after the Musketo Cove camp-meeting in the following- year, — a meeting of great interest and power, and largely attended by the Brooklyn people." The membership in- creased under Mr. Pease's ministry from 216 to 401. During the Conference year 1822, a little society was or- ganized at Yellow Hook.' This class, originally connected with the Brooklyn Methodists, afterward became the Bay Ridge M. E. Church. The following persons were the first members of this class: Daniel Field, leader; Adrian Bogart, Phoebe, his wife; Getty Bogart, Ellen Gold, Henry Still well, Anna StilhvelJ, Polly Bailey, Peter Bogart, Peggy Sping- steel and Anna Spingsteel. Soon were added Walter Van- Pelt, Winant Bogart, John DeGroflf, Margaret Vanier, Eliz- abeth VanPelt, James VanPelt, Edward Williams, Eliza Fer- man and others. ° At the close of Mr. Pease's successful pastorate, William Ross, a former pastor and very much esteemed, was returned to the charge. Soon after his arrival, in 1823, a considerable number of members colonized and formed the York-street church, but this new society continued for twelve years un- der the same pastoral supervision as the mother church. ■• Quar. Conf. Record. '- Meth. Magazine, 1822, p. 69. « Meth. Magazine; 1823, p. 117, also Bangs' Hist, of the M. E. Church. ' Meth. Magazine, 1823, p. 118. » For biographical notices see Book III. Historical Record. 23 Except in the sad case of Woolman Hickson, the- found- er of this church, (.he Sands-street people had never been called to lament the death of a pastor in the midst of Ws useful labors among them. Now they were to pass through that mournful experience. In his youthful prime, the elo- quent and popular William Ross was called from labor to reward, and when he was buried a large concourse of bro- ken-hearted people watered his grave v.-ith their tears. The long and solemn procession, composed of nearly all the peo- ple of the village, formed at the parsonage on High-street- The bier, covered with a pall, was borne on the shoulders of four men; the choir, consisting of more than twenty chosen singers, led by Richard Cornwell, marched near the minis- ters at the head of the procession, and as they passed from the parsonage around the corner into Fulton-street, they sang to the tune "China" in sweet yet mournful harmony, one of our solemn and appropriate hymns. The church records show that Mitchell B. Bull, as a sup- ply, filled Mr. Ross' unexpired term. In the following year the "seraphic Summerfield," as the time of his departure drew near, expressed a desire to be buried by the side of his beloved friend, William Ross, in the old Sands-street church- yard, and for many years, till their subsequent removal, the mortal forms of those two holy men reposed together there. The conference of 1825 sent Thomas Burch to take charge of Brooklyn Methodism, and S. L. Stillman was appointed his colleague in 1826. That year a class was formed in Red Hook Lane, consisting of the following persons: Christopher Rutherford, leader; Joseph Baggott, John Baggott, Mary Goldsmith, Phoebe Langdon, Lucretia (o'r Lucinda) Moser, Samuel Shepherd, Leonora Baggott (1828). This class was sustained tor a number of years, and was led by the follow- ing persons; 1826 C. Rutherford, 1828 Joseph Moser, 1830 Isaac Moser, 1831 James Sweeney. In 1826 the eloquent Bas- com preached in this church. On that same Sabbath George Smith, one of the pillars of the church, passed peacefully away.° During this decade, notwithstanding the secession o" the colored people, the membership increased from 271 to 436, ' So states Burdet Stryker, of Brooklyn. CHAPTER V. A RECORD OF TWENTY YEARS; 1827-1846. AMUEL LucKEY followed Thomas Burch as preach- er in charge of the Brooklj'n circuit. In 1827 S. L. . Stillman was his colleague; in 1828 Seymour Lan- don. The statistics show a steady increase in the member- ship. The Sabbath-school was especially prosperous. It was mentioned by Laban Clark in the New York Advocate in January, 1828, as the best conducted Sunday-school he had seen. While Samuel Luckey was preacher in charge, the Young Men's Missionary Society of Brooklyn, auxilliary to the pa- rent Missionary Society, was organized. The author has no knowledge of the length of time it continued to flourish. Young people of both' sexes were among its supporters. The pastor's daughter. Miss Ann Eliza Luckey, is said to have suggested the formation of the society. One of the original members writes; "She was so earnest that my five brothers, my sister and I all joined. Marsden Van Cott took an active part in organizing the society.'" The junior preacher, S. L. Stillman, was president, and the first anniversary was held March 19, 1828, in the York-street church. The chairman, after speaking of the insufficiency of worldly charity and benevolence, said: The gospel alone can strike at the root of human misery. When once the gospel panacea has diffused its healing virtues through the souls of men, the mighty cure is wrought, the fountain head of the muddy stream of moral pol- lution is dried up, and its turbid waters cease to flow. *** Mence, though it may be expedient to lend occasional aid to those minor institutions, it should never be forgotten that to assist the gospel in its operation is the only effectu- ' Letter to the author by the widow of the Rev. John Luckey. Her father v.as the Rev. Christopher Rutherford, a local preacher in Sands-street church. 'Historical Record. 25 •al way to restrain the course of vice, instruct the ignorant, lift up the humble poor, release the abject slave, and illuminate, and civilize, and evangelize, and save a ruined world. ° D. M. Reese, M .D. of New York also addressed the meeting. Daniel Ostrander succeeded Laban Clark as presiding ei- der in 1828. A notable revival in the Sands-street church follov^ed the Hempstead Harbor camp-meeting in 1829, the first year of the pastoral term of Noah Levings and James Covel, Jr. It commenced among the sailors of the U. S. navy in Brooklyn. A band of Methodists including several exhort- crs held service on shipboard. They were doubtless burning with zeal on their return from the camp-meeting. Thirtj^- five of the sailors joined class, and a goodly number gave in their names to the lieutenant to have their "grog stopped." Many were baptized on board the war ship. During the following year J. N. Maffitt and D. Ostrander aided in extra meetings, and the altar was thronged with the penitents. It may cast a shade of reproof over the lax dis- cipline of our day to call attention to the fact that the chiirch records of those times were often marked by the word ex- pelled. Here, likewise, is a suggestive record: Simon Richardson, John Smith and Adam Seabury were appointed a stand- ing committee for one month to try delinquents, Dec.l, 1830. A change of pastors brought John C. Green and C. W. Carpenter to this charge in 1831, and they were re-inforced by J. C. Tackaberry in 1832, after the formation of a new col- ony from the mother church. The Washington-street church and parsonage were erected in 183 1, at a cost of about $24,000." For about four years Sands-street and Washington-street churches constituted ore charge, being undivided in their financial interests, and under the same pastoral supervision. Tiiomas Burch was appointed a second time to this charge in 1833 and 1834. His colleagues on the circuit were John Kennaday and John Luckey. There were four churches un- der their watch-care, including New Utrecht, and the mem- bership numbered more than a thousand. The New York Conference for the first time held its ses- sion in Sands-street church in 1835. This year it was deemed ' Christian Advocate and Journal, 1828. ' J. W. Harper in Trustees' Record, 1843. They were finished in 1832. 2 6 Old Sands Street Church. expedient to make a division of the church property. Pas- tors were appointed to the three churches severally, separate boards of trustees were elected, each church assuming a portion of the debt,* and .obtaining sole possession of the property which it oacupied. Of the burial grounds on Con- cord-street and at Wallabout, each church held an undivided third. " For about three years, however, the several boards of trustees met in joint session. A committee was appointed by the joint board of trustees in 1836, consisting of one from each church, to ascertain if ground suitable for a meeting- house could be obtained in the neighborhood of the resi- ,dences of Christopher Hempstead and Mrs. Mary Powers, [not far from Hanson Place,] and upon what terms and con- ditions, and to report. The committee did nothing; but "a plot of ground, with building stones and a part of the neces- sary fixtures for a house of worship, was offered as a dona- tion by James E. Underbill through Mr. Ingles. This offer was declined by the board on account of the situation being too far from the settled part of the city, and because Mr. Under- hill required that the church should have a steeple." ° Bartholomew Creagh was the first to have pastoral charge in Sands-street after the division, and his allowance wasf6oo a year. In 1837 W. H. Norris succeeded Mr. Creagh. Dur- ing his two years t2rm tlie membership increased from 402 to 667. Fitch Reed was his successor for one year. The annual conference of 1839 was held in the Sands-street church. In 1840 Long Island was set off as a presiding elder's district, in charge of Stephen Martindale. P. C. Oakley was appointed pastor of this church, and under his adminis- tration in 1 84 1, the first regular board of stewards was elected. ' In 1843, L. M. Vincent pastor, the membership was large- ly increased by a revival. It was at this time decided to de- molish the church building, and erect in its place a new and larger structure, tli2 "old white church" being insufficient to * The entire indebtedness after Washington-street church was built, was $18,500. Sands-street became responsible for $5,500, Yoric-street for $3,000 and Washington-street for $10,000. ' Trustees Record, Washington-street church. * Trustees Record, 1836. ' Joseph Wedey Harper's statement in Trustees' Record Book, 1843. Historical Record. " 7 accommodate the crowds attending upon Mr. Vincent's min- istry. With intense emotion did the congregation, especially the older people, assemble for the last time in the doomed building, and listen to "the tearing down sermon" by the pastor. The senior members regarded the dear old church with an almost superstitious veneration. It had stood well- nigh forty years. From its high pulpit they had heard scores of honored ministers proclaim the word of life. Asbury and Dow and Summerfield and Bascom, and many pastors of the church, scarcely less eloquent or renowned, had preached there; and at its altar3 they had worshipped with the Garri- sons, Harpers, Kirks, Mosers and Merceins. The demoli- tion of the church .was efiected notwithstanding this prp- found regret, and on the 15th of January, 1844, a new brick church was dedicated. The preachers on that occasion wc e Chas. Pitman and Nathan Bangs. On the following Sabba h Noah Levings and David M. Reese occupied the pulpit, and a subscription was taken, amounting to $1,400. ° The buildirg was of Grecian architecture, eighty feet in length, and sixty feet in width. While the builders were at work on this edi- fice, the congregation worshipped in a hall on the corner of Fulton and Nassau streets. At the expiration of Mr. Vin- cent's first year in May, 1843, a resolution was, adopted by the quarterly conference — nine against eight — condemning the practice of petitioning for particular preachers. In 1844 John J. Matthias was appointed to the district,, and Hart F Pease to the station. Nathan Bangs was stationed here in 1846 with John C. Tackaberry. A parsonage was built that year. The entire outlay for buildings amounted by this time to $18,000, of which the church owed $10, coo. The Sunday-school was conducted during these years with marked thoroughness and efficiency. On the following page is an exact copy of the certificate of membership presented to each scholar, the names and dates being inserted with a pen. Many of these certificates have been preserved. In 1843 Moses F. Odell and Miss Esther Hollis, (now the, widow of the Rev. William M'Allister,) organized the in- fant class with ten scholars. * Christian Advocate. 4 28 Old Sands Street Church. ■«i 1^ -'"l»'\ll« Ts b« ■a c a .5 S j2 ^ /3 ■a 1^ to T3 be •a d a S3 •d J-. v< o > JH O ■*-» !>, .r« a/t,,. VII. (^rie,f <^- c/ W^^\ HE Rev. Robert Cloud was stationed in New York K^^:; soon after the formation of the little s6ciety in SiSii^i: Brooklyn, and while it was yet under the care of New York city preachers. Soon afterward he was in charge of Brooklyn as presiding elder. He was born in Brandywine Hundred, New Castle Coun- ty, Delaware, August 21, 1755. One who knew him inti- mately wrote as follows in an obituary notice: - When about twenty-one years of age, through the instrumentality of the Rev. Mr. Webster,' of Harford County, Md. , he embraced the religion of the Lord Jesus Christ, and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. The writer has often heard him relate the circumstance of his conversion, in a Meth- odist class-room, habited in the uniform of a soldier of the Revolution, which, however, he soon exchanged for the uniform of a Methodist preacher.^ This fact makes him conspicuous, for notably few are the heroes of early Methodism with' whom Robert Cloud must share the honor of having been a soldier in the Revo- lution. And had he been the only man to enter the itinerant ranks from out the " Heaven-bom band. Who fought and bled in Freedom's cause, '' It would have imparted no brighter lustre to his name than now gilds it as accompanied on the roll of honor by the names of such renowned soldier-preachers as Thomas Mor- rell, Thomas Ware, John Merrick, and Robert Hutchinson. His obituary further states that he commenced his min- ' This was the Rev. Richard Webster who joined the Methodists in 1768, and faithfully served the Church as an itinerant and local preacher, till his death at the age of eighty-five, in the year 1824. Lednum. ' Baltimore Visitor, 1833. Record of Ministers. 85 isterial labors in 1777, and suffered his full share of the pri- vations incident to the itineracy of that early day. From various sources we have compiled the following brief MINISTERIAL RECORD: 1777, local preacher; 1778, (traveling connec- tion,) appointment notknown,^ 1775-1784, located; 1785, (re-admitted to conf.) Trenton cir,, N. J., with John M'Claskey and Jacob Brush; 1786, Newark; 1787, ordained deacon, — Elizbethtcwn cir., with Thomas Morrell; 1788, Long Island cir. ; 1789, ordained elder, — New York and Brooklyn, with John Merrick, Wm. Phoebus, Thomas Morrell, and Jacob Brush;* 1790, New York, with Wm. Jessop; 1791, presiding elder, New York Dist. — L. I. to New- burgh; 1792, presiding elder, Wyoming to Staten Island; 1793, Chester, Penn., six months, and Wilmington, Del., six months; 1794-1796, "under a location;" 1767-1 808, probably most of the time a located preacher; 1809, (Western Conf.) missionary; 1810, Knox, Ind. ; 1811, Delaware, Ohio, 1812, Deer Creek, with Chas, Waddle; 1813-1832, located. His location in 1779 is the first on record in the history of the itineracy in America. The reader will observe that he returned to the conference in 1785, located again in 1794, was again re-admitted to the traveling, connection in 1809, and located a'third time in 181.^. His first location occurred 00 uia aanas street enure n. iam Jessop? The only explanation of his passing into cqhi- parative obscurity that can be given, is his temporary depart- ure from God, his lapse into immorality." He sought forgiveness and regained the favor of God; and in the west, whither he removed, his downfall appears not to have been remembered against him." The author of his obituary describes his zealous labors in the itineracy, and then adds: Nor did his exertions cease when compelled by ill health and family concerns to locate ; far, very far from it. Every hour that could be spared was employed in carrying the glad tidings of salvation to those who were destitute. Societies were formed, houses built and then handed over to the itinerant brethren, while he went in pursuit of mere lost sheep. Yes, "the wilderness" cf Ohio ' 'heard his voice and did rejoice." In Kentucky, also, where he ended his days, so long as he was able, although in his seventy-eighth year, did he preach the un- searchable riches of Christ. A "Report of the Independent Kentucky Bible Society ' The Rev. Geo. W. Lybrand writes: "It is painful — the blot on Mr. Cloud's name. He was overtaken by adultery, and his fall is proved by testi- mony from four sources: (i.) Memoir of Jesse Lee, p. 242: — '.Saturday Oct. 6, 1798. On to Wm. How- ell's at North East, and put up with him. I was greatly pained at hearing of the apostacy of R C- , an old minister, dismally fallen.' 'Sun., Oct. 7. We staid at North East, and at 1 1 o'clock Mr. Asbury preached on Heb. xii, 15-17. He gave us a good discourse, and I exhorted. There was some stir among the hearers. ' (2.) Asbury's Journal, vol. ii, p. 329: — The bishop was with Lee. His journal indicates trouble. 'Maryland. On Saturday [October 6, 1798,] we rode six miles to North East. My bruised side pained me much ; my spirits were sad. Dark clouds imposed over Methodism here.' 'Sunday, Oct. 7. I preached in the North East church on Heb. xii, 15-17. The substance of my sermon was, I. A caution against failing to obtain the repenting, converting, persevering,' sanctifying grace of God. 2. How some bad principles, persons and practices were like wormwood, gall and poison to society. 3. How small the gain how great the loss of peace. 4. That some might apostatize beyond the possibility of being restored, and weep hopeless and unavailing tears, etc' (3.) Methodism in New Jersey, by Rev. John Atkinson, p. 351: — 'Robert Cloud * * * is said to have been an excellent preacher, but he unfortunately de- parted from the narrow path. * * * Rev. Thomas Morrell received a letter from Mr. Cloud, in which he stated that he was restored to the church, and intended to remain within its enclosure till his death. (4.) I traveled (i860 and l86l) Newark circuit— one of the points Cherry Hill, Cecil County, Md. An aged member, a mother in Israel , knew all about his fall, his restoration in the revival of 1799, f>is preaching again, going west in 1800, and she heard his farewell sermon. I have no doubt that he was fully restored." — Letter to the author. ' It remained unknown to some of his nearest friends. One of them writes- "My grandfather never left the Methodist Episcopal Church, nor did he ever 'depart from the narrow path.' I lived with him from my earliest recollection till his death in 1833, and never heard of such a thing. A more consistent man I never met with, I think. " — Letter to the author. Record of Ministers. 87 for 1819," printed that year in The Weekly Recorder, a relig- ious journal published in Chillicothe, Ohio, and signed "Rob- ert Cloud, President, J. W. Palmer, Secretary," indicates great energy and enterprise on the part of the officers, and bears testimony to the activity of Mr. Cloud in those days. His published obituary adds: It is but just to say that in the latter part of his life he became dissatisfied with the form of government in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and although he continued in Connection with it, he often lamented its departure from prim- itive Methodism, and manifested much concern for the Methodist Protestant ■Church. But let all his friends know, let the church of Christ know that he died in the full assurance of faith. He retained his senses to the last, and left this for a better world without a struggle or a groan. His death occurred at the residence of his son, in Lexing- ton, Ky., on the sth of June, 1833, in the seventy-eighth year of his age. The place of his rest is marked by a head-stone in Dr. Cloud's family ground in the city where he died. Mr. Cloud was a man of decided convictions and never failed to make known his opposition to those things which gg uia ^anas oireer i^nurcn. a consistent life, and died in the faith four years after the death of her husband. Robert and Rachel Cloud were the parents of five sons and one daughter. Their names were Jesse, Caleb, Wesley, Enoch, Robert, Israel, and Mary. The extreme difficulty of maintain- ing so large a family on the pittance which the Methodist preacher in those days received, is sufficient to account for the frequent repetition of the words " under a location " in the pastoral record of Mr. Cloud. Of the six children the Rev. Dr. Caleb W. Cloud seems to have been the most noted. He entered the Methodist itinerancy in 1804, and his appointments were in Ohio, Mississippi, Ten- nessee, and Kentucky. He possessed, and possibly inherited from his father, a restless disposition. He located while in Kentucky, in 181 1, and entered upon the practice of medicine in Lexington. In 1820 he withdrew from the Methodist Epis- copal Church, and established in Lexington an independent Methodist church, which never gained much influence, and gradually dwindled away. On good authority it is stated that " Dr. Cloud was somewhat addicted to drink in those days; " "" and that after he had become blind he returned to the (by that time) Methodist Episcopal Church, South, and "died in peace " May 14, 1850.'^ " Letter of Hiram Shaw, Esq., to the author. " See Redford's " Methodism in Kentucky," vol. ii, p. 56. VIII. JOHN MERRICK. HEN the Rev. John Merrick was pastor in New- York and Brooklyn he was known throughout the land as an eloquent and popular champion of the doctrines and usages of Methodism. If his name is now an unfamiliar one in the church, it is because he located, and no memorial of his life- and character appeared in the Con- ference Minutes. It is cause for profound regret that only a mere fragment of the history of this man can now be ob- tained. He was oorn in the year 1759. The place of his nativity is not known. The following communication from the Rev. Jacob P Fort establishes the strong probability that this John Merrick was a soldier in the Revolution. He says: I had the curiosity to turn to the Record o£ Names of Officers and Privates 90 uia Cianas c>treei i^iturcn. Merrick began to preach as an itinerant in 1786. The pub- lished Minutes furnish us with his PASTORAL RECORD: 1786, Somerset cir., Md., with James Rig- gin; 1787, Kent dr., with Ira Ellis; 1788, ordained deacon, — Trenton dr., N. J., with Thomas Monell and Jethro Johnson ; 1789, New York, including Brooklyn, four months — Robert Cloud and Wm. Phoebus were to follow him, each for the same length of time ; 1790, ordained elder, — Bur- lington dr., N. J , with James Bell; 1791-1794, presiding elder — district including nearly all of New Jersey; 1795, ditto, with the addition of portions of Pa. and Del. and Canada; 1796, no appointment named; 1797, located. There is no evidence that John Merrick ever married. Wakeley heard those who knew affirm that Merrick was a re- markably eloquent preacher. There are persons now living who remember often hearing the fathers speak of his wonderful power in the pulpit. He has been likened to Charles Pit- man in the style and force of his oratory. Fewmen, even in his day,evertraveled so large apresiding eld- er's district as his, reaching from the Delaware Bay to the north- ern shore of Lake Ontario. We are indebted to the Rev. J. P. Fort for the following facts in relation tf) this extraordinary man : Peter Vannest, who was presiding elder a few years after him on part of the same district, frequently related that at the conference, when he asked for a location. Bishop Asbury gave him a peculiar but significant look, and then replied, with great impressiveness- "John Merrick, if you locate you will either backslide or die before one year." This language, said Vannest, startled the conference. He did not backslide, but he died before the year closed. lie died of fever near Hornerstown and was buried in the rear or east end, close up to the building of the old Melhodist Episcopal church. New Mills, (now Pemberton,) N. J. The church at New Mills was erected in 1775; rebuilt in 1833. While the workmen were digging for the basement, a few of the bones of Merrick's body that remained were reached. They were carefully collected by the writer, a deeper grave on the same spot was digged, and they were laid away again, thirty-five years after their first interment. On an old-formed marble tablet in the rear of the new church, Pemberton, N. J , is the following epitaph : In Memory of THE REV. JOHN MERRICK, Who DrED July 30, 1798, Aged 39 Years. Ye who survey with anxious eye This tomb where Merrick's ai-hes lie; His worth through various life attend, His virtues learn, and mourn his end.* 'The Christian Advoc.ite, New York, Aug. 12, 1880. Record of Ministers. 91 The same writer adds, in a letter to the author : My father,' the Rev. Andrew Fort, born February 18, 1787, was in his twelfth year when Merrick died, and lie remembered his funeral. The pro- cession, he said, reached over a mile, and the excitement among the people was intense. The whole country for miles around was aroused, and every- body seemed to be there. This I remember hearing forty years ago. Diligent search has been made in vain for additional infor- mation; also for a copy of his portrait and autograph signa- ture. Contemporary with the subject of this sketch was another Methodist preacher of the same name, in New England, who married a sister of the Rev. Enoch Mudge, but the two should not be confounded. IX. WILLIAM PHCEBUS. ^^^I? HE Rev. Dr. William Phcebus labored in Brook- S^^; lyn and vicinity for a lortger period than most iSiS^Iti: of the early itinerants, and for many years through- out this region, his name vi^as a household word. He w^as born August 4, 1754, in Somerset Co., Md., where his ancestors settled in 1675. The Phoebus family was orig- inally attached to the Church of England.' The Conference Minutes say; "Of his early days little is known, nor is the period of his conversion ascertained." When he joined conference, he had reached his twenty-ninth year. The story of his extended ministerial life is briefly set forth in the following PASTORAL RECORD: 1783, Frederick dr. , Md., with J. Pigman; 1784, East Jersey dr., with S. Dudley; 1785, West Jersey dr., with Thos. Ware and Robt. Sparks; 1786, not named in the appointments; 1787, (ordained deacon,) Redstone dr., Pa. and Va., with J. Wilson and E. Phelps; 1788, Rockingham cir., Va., with James Riggin; 1789, New York city and Brook- lyn, with Fvobert Cloud and John Merrick — each four months, and Jacob Crush several months,' — also, Long Island dr., with John Lee; 1790, ordained elder, appointed to New Rochelle dr., with M. Swaim and Jacob Brush, but continued to preach on Long Island with D, Kendall and A. Hunt;^ I79I. L. I. cir,, with B. Abbott; 1792-1793, local; 1794, supernumerary, New York and Brooklyn with Ezekiel Cooper, L. M'Combs, J. Brush, sup'y, and D. Kendall, sup'y; 1795, no appointment; 1796-1797, Brooklyn station, exchang- ing systematically with the Long Island preachers; 1798-1805, local; 1806-1807. New York Conf., Albany; 1808, South Carolina Conf., Charleston, with Joh.i M'Veau; 1809, New York Conf., Long Island cir. , with Francis Ward and Henry Redstone; l8jo, Troy;* 1811, New York, with N Bangs, Laban Clark, Wm. Elagborne, Jas. M. Smith, P. P. Sandford; 1812, ditto, with Jo- seph Crawford, Laban Clark, Phineas Cook; 1813, New Rochelle dr., with W. ' Rev. Geo .A. Phoebus, D. D. — Letter to the author. " "Lost Chapters,'' p. 367. ^ See sketch of Aaron Hunt in this book. "• Here he found no prospect of an adequate support, and he left the charge bv the consent of the presiding elder. %^M^ REV. WILLIAM PHCEBUS. Record of Ministers. 93 Thacher and O. Sykes ; 1814, New York, with S. Cochran, N. Emery, M. Richardson, T. Drummond, and Wm. Blagborne; 1815, ditto, with Wm. Thacher, E. Washburn, M. Ricliardson, and A. Scholefield; l8ib, Albany; 1817, Jamaica cir., L. I., with John M. Smith ; 1818, New York, "Zion and Asbury ; " 1819-1820, missionary ; 1821, sup'y without appoint- ment; 1822, Schenectady, N. Y. ; 1823, no station; 1824-1831, superan- nuated. From the foregoing record it appears that he was frequently re-appointed to the same circuit or station. As an associate of Dickins, Ware, Asbury, Garrettson, and others in the Christmas Conference of 1784, he was one of the men who organized the Methodist Episcopal Church. He represented the South Caro- lina Conference in the Geiieral Conference of 1808, and was a member of the " Committee of Fourteen " appointed to devise and report a plan for a Delegated General Conference. He was elected a delegate to the New York Conference in 181 2 and 1816. When on the Long Island circuit, in 1791, as colleague of Benjamin Abbott, the worldly people in Rockaway expressed their notion of the difference between the two men by saying that "Abbott raised the devil, but Phoebus laid him again."' It was during this year that he was married to a Miss Anderson, and the next year he thought himself justified in locating in order "to provide for himself and his household.'" He main- tained a successful practice in New York as a physician when not actively engaged in ministerial work. While supernumerary, in 1794, he laid the corner-stone of the original Sands-street church, in Brooklyn. Shortly after this (1796,) he began to edit The Experienced Christian's Magazine. One of the most im- portant of his literary works was a Life of Bishop Whatcoat, He preached frequently in New York during the years of his loca- tion. Dr. Phoebus departed this life in peace November 3, 1831, in the seventy-seventh year of his age. His remains were de- posited in a burial ground in First-street, New York,' but were removed about the year 1855 to the " Asbury Removal Grounds " in Cypress Hills Cemetery, L. I. His grave is marked by a head-stone. The memorial adopted by his Conference says : He was a man of great integrity, uniformly pious, deeply learned in the Scriptures, and a sound, experimental, and practical preacher.* * Life of Abbott, p. 187. « Bangs' Hist. M. E. Church, vol. iv, p. 128. ' 'Virakeley— " Lost Chapters," p. 327. * Minutes of Conferences, 1832, p. 162. 94 Old Sands Street Church. The character of his discourses may be inferred from the fol- lowing description of a sermon preached by him at a camp-meet- ing in Cow Harbor, L. I., in 1817. The account was given by the Rev. Dr. Fitch Reed, nearly fifty years after the event : At this meeting Dr. Phoebus preached a sermon which at this distance I re- member with greater distinctness and particularity than almost any sermon I ever heard. His theme was suggested by the account of Mary anointing the feet of Jesus, as narrated in the twelfth chapter of John. His propositions were: The Act of a Women ; The Censure of a Traitor; The Decision of a yudge. The woman symbolized the Church in acts of piety for the honor and spread of the gospel ; Judas was the representative of all who either openly or covertly oppose the Church ; and the reply of Jesus sets forth the true esti- mate both of the Church and its opposers, and of the ultimate finding and open decision of the infinite Judge in the great day. The illustrations and appli- cation of this sermon were of thrilling interest, and produced a most decided effect." Although an able preacher, he was not especially popular with the masses, and alluding to the habit of those who left the church when they saw him in the pulpit, and started off to hear their favorite preacher, he said, in a pleasant way, that " when he preached there was generally a moving time." " On one occasion he preached in the place of Summerfield, who was sick. When asked how he could supply the place of so popular a man he dryly and pleasantly remarked : " Don't you see that the Summer-fields cannot flourish without the rays of Phcebus .' " " During the session of the New York Conference of 1823, Dr. Phoebus preached the sermon on the occasion of the ordination of elders on Sunday afternoon, from the words of our Lord, " I am the door." George Coles, who heard the sermon, writes: I thought his preaching was too metaphysical to be remembered ; but in the course of his sermon he showed the importance of personal piety in a minister in a very striking and solemn manner.'^ William Phoebus belongs to that noted company of eccentric but truly godly Methodist preachers, whose singular words and ways can never be forgotten. He was sociable or taciturn, as his moods might chance to be. He had great veneration for antiq- uity, and perhaps paid undue deference to the views and opin- ions of the old divines. He was not favorable to the office of ' "Reminiscences," in the Northern Christian Advocate, 1863. '» "Lost Cliapters," p. 328. " Ibid., p. 329. 12 " My First Seven Years in America," p. ^63. Record of Ministers. 95 presiding elder in the Methodist Episcopal Church." The fol- lowing portraiture is copied from the writings of an intimate friend : Dr. Phoebus had acquired a large stock of useful information, but lacked that systematic arrangemeni of knowledge which we expect in a mind that has had an early and classical training. * * * He had great independence of mind, * * * great contempt for every thing designed merely for show, * * * and a deep insight into human nature. He was much given to enigmatical expression, which the mass of his hearers did not comprehend. * * * His character was, on the whole, one of varied excellence and un- common power, while yet he appeared like a different man under the exhibi- tion of its different qualities. Dr. Phosbus was of medium height, compactly built, and had a countenance decidedly intellectual, and expressive of great sincerity." The accompanying portrait will aid the reader in forming an estimate of the sturdy nobleness of this great and good man. Concerning his wife and children, almost nothing has been definitely ascertained. Ann I'hoebus, (probably his wife,) and Abdiel Asbury Phxbus, (presumably his son,) are buried in the same grave with him. One of his brothers was grandfather of the Rev. George A. Phoebus, D.D., of the Wilmington Confer- ence. •3 Bangs' Hist. M. E. Church, vol. iv., p. 128. " Dr. N. Bangs in Sprague's Annals, vol. vii, p. - X. ^^'^■y^c^/^ usT before the Brooklyn society was annexed to the Long Island circuit, the Rev. Jacob Brush. having come from Delaware, was employed as a preacher in New York, and he doubtless assumed his share of the pastoral charge in Brooklyn. Two years later he had supervision of the district. He was the first, and until 1872, the only native of Long Island assigned to the presiding elder's office in that section. In what part of Long Island he was born has not been def- initely ascertained.' Very little is known concerning him previous to the appearance of his name in the Conference Minutes We trace him from year to year by the following APPOINTMENTS: 1785,'' Trenton dr., N. J. , with Robert Cloud and John M'CIaskey; 1786, West Jersey cir. , with John Simmons and J. Lurton; 1787, Dover dr., Del. , with A. Hutchinson; 1788, ordained deacon , Northamp- ton cir. , Md. , with L, Ross; 1789, Dover and Duck Creek cir., Del. and Pa. A part of the winter and spring previous to the N. Y. Conf. of i7c,o, he was in New England, with Jesse l.ee, George Roberts and Daniel" Smith;" and the same year he labored some time in Ne'wYork and probably Brooklyn, with Thos. Morrell and Rob't Cloud;'' 1790, October, New Rochelle cir. ,N. Y.* ' The Rev. Z. Davenport, who knew some of his relatives, said to the author that he was well-nigh assured that the birth place of Mr. Brush was in the vi- cinity of Merrick, L. I. * Stevens (Hist. M. E. Church, vol. ii, p. 436,) makes the date 1783; doubt- less a typographical error. ' Stevens — Hist. M. E. Church, vol. ii, p. 435. « "Lost Chapters,'' pp. 367, 368. * Aaron Hunt, quoted by Stevens, (History M. E. Church, vol. iii, p. 221,) gives the impression that Mr. Brush was presiding elder of New York District at this time. He was Hunt's pastor in 1790, and his presiding elder in 1792. Record of Ministers. 97 wilh M. Swaim, and the Minutes say Wra. Phoebus, but Phoebus was, some part at least of that year, on Long Island cir. ; I7gi, returned to New Rochelle cir., with T. Everard and T. Lovelle; 1792, presiding elder for L. I. and other parts of N. Y. and Western Conn., a district embracing nearly the same territory now included in the N. Y. East Conf. ; 1793, " elder " of a district embracing parts of N. J. and N. Y., including Long Island ;' 1794, sup"y. New York and Brooklyn, with E. Cooper, L. M'Combs, W Phoebus, sup'y, and D. Kendall, sup'y. His coming north was like the advent of an angel from heaven. He found Thomas Morrell and the other New York preachers worn out in revival work, and taking his place by their side as a fellow-laborer, saw four hundred added to the roll of the converts in eight weeks. He then passed on with George Roberts and Daniel Smith to re-enforce Jesse Lee at Dantown in New England. "No one knows," says Lee, "but God and myself what comfort and joy I felt at their arrival." That was genuine pioneer work. Brush was the only ordained elder among the four preachers, and the members in New England were not more than two for each preacher. He soon returned to New York. Through his influence Aaron Hunt was led to enter the min- istry. In recording this fact, Stevens, by a lapsus pennce, erro- neously quotes Aaron Hunt as saying that Jacob Brush was an "old man."' In his thirty-fourth year he fell a victim to the yellow fever, in the city of New York, on the 24th of September, 1795. In his conference memorial his brethren state that he died in peace ; that when the power of speech was gone he indicated by a pressure of the hand that all was well. They also record their ap'precation of him as " an active man of God, a great friend to order and union." " Wakeley says he was engaged to be married to an amiable young woman, a daughter of a Methodist preacher, but death prevented their union.' His remains were laid to rest in the burial ground in the rear of the Forsyth-street church. New York, where his tombstone may be found. Lines of no great ' Stevens errs in saying that this district was wholly in New York. Com- pare Hi^t. M. E. Church, vol. ii, p. 437. and Conf. Minutes, 1793, P- 5i- 'Compare Stevens' Hist. M. E. Church, vol. iii, p. 221, and "Lost Chap- ters," p. 369. See, also, Conf. Minutes, 1796, p. 66. 'Minutes, 1796, p. 66. » " Lost Chapters," p. 369. gS Old Sands Street Church. literary merit, but expressive of the general and profound sor- row occasioned by his death, were published a few months after the event.'" Jacob Brush was a burning and a shining light in the church. When compelled, by a chronic inflammation of the throat, to take a supernumerary relation, he had traveled eight years suc- cessively. Few men in his or any generation were more con- stantly or successfully devoted to the work of the Christian ministry. The Rev. W. D. Thompson, of the New York East Confer- ence, has in his possession a valuable memento of this pioneer preacher — a copy of Lord King's " Plain Account of the Consti- tution of the Christian Church in the First Three Centuries." It was owned by Mr. Brush and contains his signature. The volume was presented to Mr. Thompson by the late Rev. Z. Davenport. "".Experienced Christian's Magazine," Wm. Phoebus, editor, 1796, p. See the same in " Lost Chapters, " p. 370. XL DAVID KENDALL. MONO the pastors of the Sunds-street church there is perhaps not another whose history so complete- ly eludes the search of the biographer, as that of ;he Rev. David Kendall. Personal correspondence and in- juiries published in The Christian Advocate and in Zion's Herald have failed to call forth the least word of testimony ;oncerning this good and useful minister of Christ. In 1790, he succeeded John Lee as the colleague of Wm. Phoebus on Long Island. His name alone is set down for Long Island circuit in the printed Conference Minutes; but from Aaron Hunt's journal we infer that Phoebus was ■ as- signed to the circuit with Kendall. Hunt was there also luring Kendall's sickness. From the Minutes we obtain a chronological list of his APPOINTMENTS: 1788, New City dr., N. Y., with S. Q. Talbot; tySg, Lalce Champlain cir. , with Wm. Losee; 1790, ordained deacon- Long Island cir., withWm. Phoebus, and A. Hunt; 1791, Saratoga cir. ; 1792, Pittsiield cir. , Mass., with R. Dillon and J. Rexford; 1793, ordained elder, — 3reenwich cir., R. I., with E. Mudge; 1794, sup'y, New York and Brooklyn, with E. Cooper, L. M'Combs, W. Phoebus and J. Brush; 1795, "located ;hrough weakness," etc. Stevens , writing concerning him and Losee, and the Champlain circuit in 1789, — then the northernmost outpost of Methodism on the continent — says: Their journeys brought them within sight of Canada. The circuit seems not, however, to have been successful, for in 1790 it was abandoned.' It can but be inferred from the important character of his appointments that he was a man of respectable talent and g'ood standing in the connection, yet most of his history has passed into oblivion. His work abides in the hearts and lives, as well as in the thoughts of many who never heard his name. Though they may forget the singer. They will not forget the song. ' Hist. M. E. Church, vol. ii, p. 392. XII. AARON HUNT. HE Rev. Aaron Hunt was born in East Chester, Westchester County, N. Y., March 28, 1768. The war of the Revolution transpired during his boy- hood, and he was shocked by the "scenes of horror and suf- fering" which he witnessed. Although surrounded in youth by wicked associates, he was preserved, to a large extent, from their corrupting influence. When seventeen years of age he took up his residence in New York city, and attended the Protestant Episcopal Church. After two years had elapsed, while passing old John Street Church one evening, in company with a fellow clerk, their attention was arrested by the earnest tones of the preacher. They went in and heard a part of the sermon. His comrade reviled, but he was favorably impressed, and continuing to attend the services, he was, on the i8th of March, 1789, while in his twenty-first year, brought to a saving knowledge of Christ. He wrote in his journal the following vivid account of his conversion: While my heart sank within me, I ventured out of self and all self-depend- ence. Heaven seemed to stoop and pity the sinner in distress. My burden was removed, and all was light; I clasped my hands, and walked, and said, "Glory, glory to God!" He immediately began to lead others to Christ. His burn- ing zeal constrained him to establish family prayer in the home of an older brother with whom he was boarding. The cross was very great. He took a candle and started for his room, but replaced it, saying, "May I pray?" When he rose from his knees after an earnest prayer, his sister-in-law sneer- ingly said, "Aaron has been to the Methodist meetings, and wants to show us how well he has learned to pray." But hii ^^HbTOrtJ^jiJt^^- KEV. AAEON HUNT, 1st. Record of Ministers. loi brother in penitence accompanied him to the meetings, and was converted. Thenceforward Moses and Aaron were united heart and hand in the service of Christ. About this time, in a prayer-meeting, he first met Benjamin Abbott. When he heard that wonderful man give out and sing the hymn, " Refining fire, go through my heart," he and nearly all others present were seized with " an awful trembling," and he " agonized for a clean heart." Having re- turned from New York to his native town, he was soon made leader of a class. With his conversion came a conscious call to the ministry. He preached his first sermon near his' home, on the New Rochelle circuit in 1790, from Rom. xiii, 12 : " The night is far spent," etc. ; and in the latter part of the same conference year, (January, 1791,) encouraged by his friend and pastor, Jacob Brush,' he went to serve as a supply on Long Island circuit, which then included Brooklyn, and extended eastward to the farthest outposts of Methodism in Suffolk county. He was young and inexperienced, but in his journal he writes : As I went round the circuit, I found the people not only willing to bear with my wealiness, but apparently glad to hear me. I saw fruits of my en- deavors, and enjoyed many gracious seasons. Thus began an extended and useful ministry, which is briefly sketched in the following PASTORAL RECORD : 1790, last part of this conference year, sup- ply on L. I. cir., N. Y., with W. Phoebus and D. Kendall ; 1791, (joined the itinerancy,) Fairfield cir.. Conn., with N. B. Mills ; 1792, Middletown cir., with R. Swain; 1793, ordained deacon — Fairfield cir., with J. Coleman; 1794- 1799, local; 1800, (N. Y. Conf., re-admitted,) ordained elder, — Litchfield cir.. Conn., with E. Batchelor; 1801, no appointment, by request; 1803, New Lon- don cir., with M. Coate; 1804, New Rochelle cir., with Wm. Thacher; 1805- 1806, New York city cir., with F. Garrettson, N. Snethen, and John Wilson; 1806, ditto, with T. Bishop, S. Crowell, F. Garrettson, and John WUson; 1807, Litchfield cir.. Conn., with J. Lyon; 1808-1810, presiding elder, Rhine- beck Dist.; 1811, Redding cir., Conn., with O. Sykes and J. Reynolds; 1812, Middletown cir., with A. Scholefield; 1813, Redding cir., with H. Fames; 1814, Croton cir., N. Y., with Eben Smith; 1815, ditto, with E. Canfield; 1816, Stamford cir., Conn., with Theod. Clark; 1817, Bridgeport cir., with F 'See Stevens' Hist. M. E. Church, vol. iii, p. 221, where Hunt is quoted as saying that Jacob Brush was his presiding elder. I find no other evidence tliat Brush had charge of the district that year, or that he was presiding elder until 1792. 102 Old Sands Street Church. Garrettson — sup'y. ; l8l8, Courtlandt cir., N. Y., with B. Northrop; i8ig, New York, with S. Merwin, Laban Clark, B. Hibbard, T. Spicer, and N. Morris; :820, ditto, with J. Soule, B. Hibbard, T. Spicer, and E. Hebard ; 1821, Redding cir., Conn,, with Laban Clark; 1822, ditto, with S. Coch- ran; 1823, sup'y, Danbury cir.; 1824, Redding and Bridgeport cir., with M. Richardson, H. Humphreys, and F. W. Sizer; 1826, sup'y, ditto, with M. Richardson, H. Humphreys, and O. Sykes, sup'y; 1827-1839, sup'y, Amenia cir., N. Y., — his colleagues were Wm. Jewett, J. C. Bontecou, A. S. Hill, F. Reed, Lorin Clark, S. Cochran, F. Donnelly, S. U. Fisher, E. Washburn, R. Wymond, D. G. Sutton, D. Holmes, J. P. Ellsworth, G. L. Fuller, B. Sil- leck, D. Keeler, and W. K. Stopford; 1840-1857, superannuated. This record covers the long period of sixty-eight years, but shows that he was on the effective list less than half of that lime. A small farm in Redding, Conn., having fallen to him by inheritance, it became, for the most part, the permanent home of his family ; but during each of the twenty-seven years when he was appointed to a charge, he devoted himself faithfully to his ministerial work, submitting ofttimes to long and trying absence from home — his receipts sometimes not exceeding twenty dollars a year. His location in 1794 was not intended to be permanent. He preached statedly on the Sabbath, and sometimes during the week, and when his health and his business permitted him to resume regular pastoral work, he declined favorable opportuni- ties to enter the ministry of another denomination, and returned to the itinerant ranks. Right nobly he endured the hardships and fought the battles that fell to the lot of the pioneer Meth- odist preacher. In 1792 he preached the first Methodist sermon in Danbury, Conn. The meeting was held in the court-house. No one spoke to him, and he put up at a tavern, at his own expense. That was a common experience. But he soon saw a society organized there, and a little chapel erected, toward which he contributed one hundred dollars, taking the deed in his own name, and conveying the property to the trustees, " according to the Discipline." The watch-word of his ministry appears to have been, "According to Discipline ! " During the following year, while on the Middletown circuit, he was sent forward to plant the standard of our denomination where no Methodist preacher's voice had been heard. His journal says : In May, 1793, my presiding elder directed me to go across the Connecti- cut River, and " break up new ground," as he expressed it. This was very Recoi'd of Ministers. 103 trying, but to obey them that had the rule over me was my determination. I again renewed my covenant with the Lord and set forward, and traveled through the counties of New London and Windham, making a small excur- sion into the State of Massachusetts. An itinerant preacher was a new thing in those lands. Some inquired whether I was sent by the president, or by Congress, or by what authority. In 1793 he was married to Miss Eunice Sanford. She died in 1805, leaving him sorely bereaved. Mr. Hunt was the originator of the motion to adopt the two- years rule in the itinerancy — a law enacted by the General Con- ference in 1804. It is well known that previous to that date there was no specified limit to the pastoral term. It was not uncommon to change preachers even oftener than every year, while some remained longer than two or three years. Concern- ing the circumstances which led to the adoption of the two- years rule Mr. Hunt writes as follows : Soon after the commencement of the present century, two or three cases occurred that gave the bishop great annoyance. Some preachers, finding them- selves in pleasant stations, and by the aid of self-constituted committees — ^be- lieving, of course, that they could do better in the place than any one else — objected to removal, while the more pious part of the society would have pre- ferred a change; but the officious committee prevailed.^ One case to which he specifically alludes was that of the Rev. Cyrus Stebbins. He had been pastor of Albany City station four years, (1800-1803,) many of the leading members having wished him to remain, while many of the more humble desired a change. Asbury felt that it would be for the general good to remove him, but, finding that he could not do so without causing a rupture, he was greatly perplexed as to what course to pursue. He spoke to his son, Aaron, as he always called him, concerning this case, and what followed is thus narrated by Mr. Hunt : In conversation with the bishop, I suggested the two-years rule, to which he pleasantly replied : "So, then, you would restrict the appointing power?" " Nay, sir," was the reply, " we would aid its execution, for in the present case it seems to be deficient." fiis laconic reply of " So, so," encouraged me, at the ensuing General Conference of 1804, to present the resolution signed by my- self, and seconded by the Rev. Joseph Totten, of the Philadelphia Conference. When it was read by the secretary, one observed that such a rule would limit the Episcopacy ; another, that it would tacitly station for two years. Of course it was laid on the table. It was talked over out of doors, and scanned in all its bearings by the firesides, and when called up again [by George Dougherty,] it passed after some discussion by a very general vote. "The Christian Advocate and Journal, March 6, 1851. I04 Old Sands Street Church. During his first term as preacher in charge of New York city circuit, he introduced the custom of inviting penitents in our churches to come forward and kneel at the altar. His own written statement of the matter is as follows : In September, 1806, I appointed a prayer-meeting, particularly for those who had been at the camp-meeting [at Cow Harbor, L. I.J Many attended in the churcli in Second-street, [better Icnown as Forsyth-street church.] It was a time of great power. Many wept, and cried aloud for mercy. Soon the cry of mourners became general throughout the church, and many prayers were put up in their behalf. It was in this revival needful to regulate our prayer-meetings by calling the mourners to the altar, and inviting the praying brethren into the altar. It is stated by those who were personally acquainted with Methodist usages in those days 'that penitent persons were ex- pected to kneel down in whatever part of the house they hap- pened to be. The Christians present would then gather around them and pray. Thus several little prayer-meetings were held at the same time in various parts of the congregation. Mr. Hunt, as preacher in charge, was not willing that this disorderly cus- tom should any longer prevail. About that time he received a letter from his friend and former colleague, the Rev. Nicholas Snethen, describing the custom which had just been adopted at the camp-meetings in the South, of inclosing a space in front of the stand, called an altar, where mourners and those who were considered capable of instructing them and praying with them, were invited to meet apart from the great congregation. After much consideration and prayer, he determined upon adopting a similar course in the church, and at the "second camp-meeting prayer-meeting " he invited all who were seeking the Saviour to come forward and kneel at the altar, but not one person complied with the request. The three preachers met the next day in con- sultation, Mr. Hunt assigned as his reason for proposing to in- troduce the altar service, that the confusion of previous meet- ings would thereby be avoided, and the name, residence, and spiritual condition of each convert and seeker could be ascer- tained, making it possible to watch over them more success- fully. Truman Bishop, one of the colleagues, concurred, but Seth Crowell, the other preacher, put in a stern remonstrance, and in the evening took a back seat to watch the result of what he considered an interference with God's order, and a steadying of the ark. But the penitents, having reflected on the propriety Record of Ministers. 105 ofgathering about the altar, pressed forward as soon as the invita- tion was given, filling the entire kneeling place about the altar rail, and several of the front seats. Many of these rejoiced in the pardon of their sins, and Mr. Crowell, witnessing the happy result, discontinued his opposition, and joined zealously in the work. From this experiment the custom soon came to be generally adopted in the Methodist revival services throughout the land. In later years Mr. Hunt expressed concern lest the usage might degenerate into a form in which some might trust rather than in the Saviour, and of which others might take advantage in hy- pocrisy to impose upon the Church. Aaron Hunt was at first very strongly opposed to the presid- ing elder's office, but his experience in his large district con- vinced him of the necessity of some sort of supervision. His appointment to the district was much against his desire. He says : Bishop Asbury knew well myobjections to the office of presiding elder. At our Annual Conference in Amenia, in 1808, all things progressed pleasantly to tlie reading of the appointments, when my name was reserved to the last. Then came out, "Aaron Hunt for Rhinebeck District." Instantly I rose to my feet requesting to be heard. The reply was, " No time to be heard now ■ — ^let us pray ; " and such a prayer us Asbury only could offer, followed by a score of loud " amens," almost stunned me. I was- somewhat offended at the strange movement, but Asbury came along, and said, " Come, Aaron, I am going home with you." This in some degree softened my feelings, and led me to conclude that perhaps he had some reasons for making the appointment that I did not see. The trouble among New York Methodists, resulting in the Stilwell secession, occurred during his administration. A cir- cumstantial history of these events, written by Mr. Hunt, ap- peared in "The Christian Advocate and Journal," and the fol- lowing extracts will enable the reader to form an estimate of his rigid adherence to the Discipline of the Church. He writes : I was stationed in New York in 1819 and 1820, with the care of all our societies, then in the circuit form, consisting of six or seven churches. Our people had been in a state of turmoil for several years, which had for its pre- text the erection of the second John-street church, but, in fact, arose from a disposition in some " to have the pre-eminence." My predecessor in charge [Dr. Bangs] had labored in vain to restore harmony. Having been previ- ously in the station, I had some knowledge of persons and circumstances, and felt it a heavy trial to enter on so important a charge. Looking for divine direction, with the Bible and Discipline in my hand, I determined to follow peace with all men. io6 Old Sands Street Church. By bringing some of the estranged parties together in the con- ducting of revival m^eetings, he succeeded in allaying the ill feel- ing to a large extent; but how the strife was renewed and con- tinued is narrated as follows : Previous to the annual election of trustees, some restless spirits began to electioneer. By this course the Stilwellites (or up-town party) succeeded in getting a majority in the board of trustees. ( The board of trustees claimed the legal right to receive and control the moneys collected for the preachers. It had been cus- tomary in New York for the trustees to do all the business, but the new board refused to provide for the preachers, yet they pro- posed to receive the class money from the leaders, and when they paid it over to the stewards, who might be appointed, to take their receipts, and the amount the stewards would receive would depend on whether they would comply with that condi- tion. Having obtained the opinion of high legal authority that this claim of the trustees was not valid, Mr. Hunt had a board of stewards appointed, and called "a general leaders' meeting." He says : When convened, about seventy were present ; and after singing and prayer we proceeded to read the Discipline — stewards' duties and leaders' duties, ob- serving that, as Methodists, both preachers and people were under obligation to adhere to these rules. One leader said he did not care what the Discipline said — he would go according to law, for that was his plea. I said, ' ' Brother, please give me your class-book.'' He gave it up. This gave a check to some of the warm heads. Brother Soule, [afterward bishop,] my right hand colleague, remarked, " That is right." Mr. Hunt and those who were with him perseveringly resisted the claim of the trustees to receipts for money paid over to the stewards, declaring the stewards to be amenable to the Quar- terly Conference and not to the trustees. Hunt's journal thus informs us what followed ; The morning after the general leaders' meeting, two of the trustees, a num- ber of leaders, and private members to the number of thirty called on me for certificates of dismission from the Church. Under the circumstances I did not think it proper to give thenil certificates, but as they persisted in leaving, we wrote on the records against their names, " withdrawn." They poured upon us a torrent of misrepresentation and falsehood, making eveiy effort to draw off all they could, and finally they succeeded in obtaining about two hundred members and one hundred probationers. To me these were days and years of no ordinary toil and anxiety, which often deprived me of sleep, and wore upon my health. At the ensuing Annual Conference we [meaning Record of Ministers. 107 liimself and colleagues] suggested the propriety of a committee to investigate our proceedings ; but it was refused, the conference being satisfied with our In contending for their rights the early Methodist preachers found a brave champion in Aaron Hunt. George Roberts, when presiding elder, had been fined one hundred dollars by a court held in Middletovvn, for solemnizing a marriage ceremony in the State of Connecticut, but that did not frighten Mr. Hunt into einploying the parish minister at his own wedding. He in- vited his presiding elder, Jacob Brush, to officiate, and when the elder hesitated on account of the law, he assured him that if he were brought to account, he would meet all the charges, and pay all fines and costs. Subsequently, when legal proceedings for the same offense had been instituted against one of the preachers, Mr. Hunt appeared on his behalf, and made the law appear so odious that the suits were withdrawn. He represented his brethren in General Conference in 1804, 1812, and 1816. About 1828 he sold his property in Redding, and purchased a small farrn in the town of Sharon, Conn., near Amenia Union, N. Y. There he resided until his removal to Leedsville, N. Y., a few years before his death. He spent his last winter with his son, Zalmon S. Hunt, in Sharon. As death approached, his mind 'was clear, and he was often favored with seasons of great tenderness and rapture. He passed away on the 25th of April, 1858, past ninety years of age, and was buried in the ground which he had given for a Methodist cemetery, in Sharon, Conn. His grave is marked by a marble slab, appro- priately inscribed. For many years Aaron Hunt was recognized as " the patri- arch of the New York Conference." In their published memo- rial its members say : He was strongly attached to the Discipline of the Church, and watched with jealous anxiety any deviation from the old ways, but always indorsed those new measures that seemed likely to increase the spirituality and strength of the_ Church. He was plain and neat in appearance, and prompt in the dis- charge of his ministerial duties. Efnice Sanford, sister of the Rev. Aaron Sanford, Sen., was the first wife of Aaron Hunt. Their union was happy, but not long — from their marriage, in 1793, to her death, on the 6th 9 io8 Old Sands Street Church. of February, 1805, she lived well and died in peace, com- mending her husband and her four little children to our heaven- ly Father's care. A head-stone marks her grave in Redding, Conn., where she had spent most of her life. Hannah Sanford, daughter of the elder Aaron Sanford, and sister to Hawley Sanford, was married to Aaron Hunt about two years after the death of his first wife. She was possessed of a very sweet Christian spirit, and chiefly through her instruc- tion and example all the children were converted in youth, and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. She was in feeble health many years, and died September 18, 1831, aged forty- eight years. Her body is buried beside her husband's. Nancy Thompson, a native of Goshen, Conn., whose parents were araone the earliest converts to Methodism in New En- gland, became the third wife of Aaron Hunt, in 1832, and in his "age and feebleness extreme " her kind hands ministered to his wants. Her writings concerning him evince a remarkable af- fection and veneration for her husband. She was a superior woman — intelligent, pious, very zealous in Sunday-school work, a pioneer in the orgs.nization of " infant classes " in New En- gland, a contributor to the columns of the Sunday School Advocate and other periodicals. The tract entitled " Procras- tination ; or, an Echo from the Voice of the Dying," is from her pen. After the death of her husband she removed to Michigan, and subsequently to Leavenworth, Kansas, where, at the resi- dence of her nephew, she died in great peace, September 8, 1867, aged seventy-eight years. She was actively engaged in organizing and conducting an infant class a few months previous to her death. Her remains were deposited near those of her sister, in the town of Schoolcraft, near Kalamazoo, Mich. The Rev. Dr. A. S. Hunt wrote a fitting memorial of her, which was published in The Christian Advocate. Children of Aaron Hunt by first marriage : Zalnion, died young ; Joseph, father of Andrew and Albert S. Hunt, Meth- odist preachers ; Aaron, more than forty years a member of the New York Conference; Phoebe, who married the Rev. A. S. Hill; William, who left no children. Children by second mar- riage : Sarah Ann, single ; Electa, married George W. Ingraham, of Amenia, N. Y. ; Zalmon, who resides at Amenia Union. XIII. BENJAMIN ABBOTT. MONO "the most memorable men of early Method- ism" was the Rev. Benjamin Abbott. His father and two brothers were natives of Long Island, but he was born in Pennsylvania, in 1732. This was years before Lee, or Garrettson, or Morrell, or (so far as known) any other native American Methodist preacher was born. His parents' names were Benjamin and Hannah. They died when he was quite young, and he "grew up in great wickedness, drinking, fighting, swearing and gambling." In his thirty-second year he dreamed an awful dream about hell, and from that time till he was forty years of age, lie was troubled at intervals on account of his sins. He was then living in New Jersey. His wife was a Presbyterian, but unconverted, and when they heard the gospel from the lips of Abraham Whitworth, a Methodist preacher,' they were brought into the light and united with the Methodists. Six of their children followed their example, and David, one of the sons, became an itinerant minister.'^ Soon after his conversion he began to preach at Hell Neck ind other God-forsaken places, and gathered around him his istonished comrades who had been the witnesses of his bloody fights and foul profanity. He met with great opposition from the enemies of the :ruth. At Trenton a false alarm of fire was given to draw he people away from his meeting. He was surrounded by ' This man departed from the faith, and became a soldier in the British irmy, and was probably killed in battle. See Stevens' Hist. M. E. Church, 'ol. i, p. 203. - Life of Abbott, p. 113. no Old Sands Street Church. mobs, but he awed them by his courage, and preached in their presence with wondrous libert)' and power, and many vile sin- ners were awakened and saved. He contended earnestly for the doctrines and usages of the Methodists, and complained that in one place " the Baptist preacher, who afterward turned Universalist and then deist, stole away nine of our sheep, and ran them into the mill-pond." ' He was a flaming evangelist, going from place to place throughout that portion of New Jersey, seeking the salvation of Souls. In 1788, during th« last of the sixteen years of his ir- regular but efficient labors as a local preacher, he met with a severe affliction in the death of his faithful wife. The next year he joined conference, and the following is his ITINERANT RECORD : 1789, Dutdhess cir., N. Y., With S. Q. Tal- bot ; 1790, ordained deacon, — Newbuvgh cir., with Josepli Lovell: 1791, l^o&g Island cir., with Wm. Phoebus,; 1792, Salem cir., -N. J., with David Bartine ; 1793, ordained elder ; — 1793-1794, Cecil cir., IVId., with Fred. Curp ; part of this time, as his manuscripts show, lie was on Kent cir. ;^ 1795, health failed — not named in the Minutes. His labors on Long Island, as well as on other circuits, are quite fully narrated in his.publi&hed memoirs. They are almost without a parallel in " the rough energy, saintly devotion, and apostolic zeal " they display. Fearless, earnest, magnetic, he thrilled his audiences with rapture or terror, exercising an al- most superhuman power on large congregations of various degrees of culture, and he possessed this power in the absence of the ordinary amount of learning which the humbler class of ministers had acquired. One of his contemporaries writes : On a certain occasion, when exhorting before one of the bishops, among other expressions, he spoke of the "Seatic" ocean. The bishop, in much kindness, told him that lie should have called it the Atlantic ocean, and cor- rected other blunders, and requested htm to be more accurate in his language; all of which he took in good part, and expressed much gr'atitude to the bishop, together with a. determination to follow up his counsel. But now for the sequel. The next day he was set to preach before the bishop ; he resolved to have his discourse as nice as possible, but he felt cramped and embarrassed, and saw that no interest was excited. At length he came to a pause and exclaimed : " If all the bishops on earth, and all the devils in hell were here, I must preach like Ben. Abbott.'" He then made a new start, and went ' Life, p. 66. * Ibid., p. 219. Record of Ministers. 1 1 1 ahead with his usual style and energy, which was followed with a great move in the assembly and a shout of victory.' Dr. Fitch Reed states that Abbott committed an amusing blunder once in preaching from the text, " Thou art an austere man.'' He read it "oyster m.an," and so went on in, his preaching to compare the Lord in the work of converting sinners to a man catching oysters with what were known as oyster tongs, describing the well-knowri process with much pre- cision, and making the application as he went along." He probably spoke of the " oyster man," raking in the natural oyster beds, as gathering where he had not strewn, and we may imagine how the preacher could u&e this fact to teach his heareijs that, while God never brought men into sin, he can and does lift them up out of it. His own account of a love-feast in New York, about the time he was appointed to Long Island, shows that his brethren were sometimes sot a little tried with his loud and boisterous manner. He writes : We went into the city of New York, and the next day conference was opened. We went on very lovingly in the affairs of the Church from day to day, until it came to the appointment of the love-feast ; then it was brought on the carpet by Bro. R. Cloud concerning the love-feast at our last conr ference. He said that I hallooed, and bawled, and cried " Fire ! fire ! " Brother G. [probably Garrettson] got up and seconded him, and opposed the work with all the powers he had. Brother J. Lee said he was happy in the love-feast The bishop said he did not- want to hear them halloo, and shout, a|id bawl, but he wanted to hear them speak their experience.' He adds, that when the love-feast came to be held, though there were several hundred present, the meeting was " dead," and the preachers, " in discoursing together, acknowledged that they had been wrong in what they had done and said on the subject." " Abbott's thunder-gust sermon " was, perhaps, the most mem- orable discourse he ever preached. It was on a funeral oc- casion at the Kent meeting-house, Md., in the midst of the most awful thunder-storm ever known in that country. " The people crowded in, up stairs and down, to screen themselves from the ' Autobiography of Dan Young, p. 216. ' " Reminiscences" in Northern Chrislji'an Advocate, 1863. ' Life of Abbott, p. 177. 112 Old Sands Street Church. storm," and while the lightning glared, and the thunder crashed, and the windows rattled, he set forth the terrors of the judg- ment; and while the people quaked, and cried, and fell as dead men, he continued to preach, answering now and then to the voice of the storm — " My God, thunder on sOutside, while I thunder inside ! " " Many were convinced and many converted on that great day."° To the day of their death those who heard him did not cease to tell of the terrifying power which attended his words, when he made " the fiesh quiver on their trembling bones." ° The following incident is related by the Rev. Isaac L. Hunt, of the Northern New York Conference, whose parents were well acquainted with Benjamin Abbott. About the time that Mr. Abbott preached on the Dutchess circuit, some of the oppo- nents of Methodist doctrines sent word to the preacher about the time of beginning the service in a school-house, that they would like to hear him preach from the text, " Jacob have I loved, and Esau have I hated." The Calvinists were out in force, intent on witnessing the embarrassment and discomfiture of the poor, ignorant itinerant. No allusion to the matter escaped the lips of the preacher until he knelt in prayer ; then he told the Lord of this peculiar difficulty of his position, and prayed for help. " Help, Lord, help ! " he cried. " Send the power, power, POWER ! " he repeated, with thrilling, terrifying earnestness. " Send down the POWER, Lord ! Let Xh& power fall ! Power, towER, POWER ! " The deacons and elders began to tremble, and so did all who sympathized with them in their attempt to en- tangle the preacher; and before the prayer was over they had all fled from the house, to escape that awful power which they felt that Abbott's wonderful prayer was bringing down upon them. The result was that when he rose to preach he felt quite relieved, because those who wanted a sermon from the Jacob- and-Esau text were not there. Though a man of great physical strength, he wore himself out in the service of God. His last year on earth was one of extreme suffering. He was graciously sustained, however, and died in triumph, clapping his hands, and exclaiming : " I see heaven sweetly opened before me! Glory! glory! glory!"'" ' See Slevens' Hist. M. E. Church, vol. i, p 402. ' Elegy in Phoebus' Magazine, 1796, p. 317. '» Life of Abbott, p. 274. Record of Ministers. 113 His funeral sermon was preached, in accordance with his re- quest, by the eloquent John M'Claskey, who is said to have been his son in the Gospel." His doctor's bill and funeral expenses, amounting to jQ() -js. 6d., were paid from the preachers' fund." In the year 1831 the Rev. Dr. Noah Levings and Judge Gar- rison, of Brooklyn, visited his grave in the Walnut-street Meth- odist church-yard of Salem, N. J., where, up to that time, he had slept without a memorial. Only one man, an old negro, could point out the grave with certainty." Dr. Levings assist- ed in erecting upon the spot a suitable monument, bearing the following inscription, prepared by Daniel Ostrander: Sacred to the memory of Benjamin Abbott, 23 years a member, 16 years a local preacher, and 7 years a traveling preacher in the M. E. Church. He died Aug. 14, 1796, aged 64 years. A holy, zealous, and useful man of God. O happy exit, etc. Erected by J. Garrison, Esq., and others, of Brooklyn; ^ Kings County, JV. Y. Mr. Abbott was one of the founders of Methodism in Salem, and for some time a resident of the place, hence it is fitting that his mortal remains should repose there. Search has been made in vain for likeness and autograph signature of this remarkable man. Mr. Ward, trustee of the original church in Salem, owned an old-style profile likeness of Benjamin Abbott. His son writes: Since ray father's death my mother has moved, and she thinks the likeness of the good old man must have been lost or mislaid. She and my sister both remember the likeness, and describe it as a very well-cut silhouette, which was prized as gold by my father. I recently visited my father's grave, in the old South-street church-yard, the same burial ground in which rest the ashes of those honored ministers, Abbott, Ware, Crane, and Newell. "Ware was Abbott's intimate friend and co-laborer in the cause of the Master, and the other two remembered him well, and had heard him preach several times. I have heard James NewfeU and Moses Crane again and again speak of " Daddy Abbott." They described him as a man of great size and strength, with a voice like the roar of a lion." His wife was a Presbyterian and " a praying woman " at the time of his conversion, but, as he tells us, " knew nothing about experimental religion." She favored family prayer, but chided " " Lost Chapters," p. 509. "Minutes of Conferences, 1797, p. 71. " Levings, in The Christian Advocate and Journal. "John W. Ward, M.D., letter to the author. 114 Old Sands Street Church. him for exhorting his neighbors so constantly ; but the time soon came when she, too, was thoroughly converted. Pardon and peace came to her heart at a meeting led by Philip Gatch. Her husband was overjoyed. He says : It was the happiest day we had ever seen- together. " Now," said she, " I am willing to be a Methodist, too; " from that time we went on hand and hand, helping and building each other up in the Lord, * * * and in the course of about three months after my wife's conversion we had six children converted to God. One of the six, David Abbott, began to preach as an itinerant in 1781, locating in 1784. He traveled again in 1793 and 1794. It was at his homcj in Upper Alloways Creek, N. J., that his father died. A few months later Bishop Asbury mentioned him as a merchant in Crosswicks, in the same State. He re- mained faithful till his death. His son, David, was living about 1859 at Old Chester, Pa., walking in the steps of his father and grandfather." " Lednum — Rise of Methodism; p. 326. XIV. JOHN RAGAN. ooN after the close of the Revolutionary war the Rev. John Ragan came from Ireland, his native land, to the United States. He joined the Meth- odist itinerant ministry before the close of the conference year 1789. After that year he received the following APPOINTMENTS: lygo, Montgomery cir,, Md., with George Hagerty; 179-1, ordained deacon, — '. . [ohn, N. B. ; 1792, Long Island cir., with James Boyd; 1793, ordained elder, — Elizabethtown cir., N. J., with Wm. Rainor; 1794, named among the elders — no appointment; 1795, Trenton dr., N. J. with Joshua Taylor; 1796, Bethel cir., with Anthony Turck. T. Watson Smith mentions him as- one of the volunteer missionaries to Nova Scotia in 1791, with William Jessop, John Cooper, Wm. Early, Benj. Fisler and James Boyd, — all from the States. "Ragan remained Ott Halifax to attend to the work there."' In the absence of records of his time, we find at this late day no trace of his ministry in Brooklyn. Raybold, one of our Methodist historians, wrote in 1849 concerning John Ra- gan as follows: His labors and sufferings on the Bethel circuit, together with his success in winning souls to Christ, cannot be forgotten even at this day. We ourselves have found some of his living children.*** His colleague was Anthony Turck, a good preacher, but stern, unconciliating and severe in his preaching. Ragan, an the other hand, was all love , sweetness, kindness and mildness, and crowds followed him from one appointment to another on the circuit. After one of his sermons, about a dozen young men, being deeply convicted of sin, followed Mr. Ragan from the meet- ing-house to the place where he dined, but were afraid to g j in and speak to him as they longed to do. As; he sat down to dinner he saw through the open door the company of (roung people. Mr. Raybold says:- ' See Methodism in Eastern British Americai pp. 2-1-8-, 219. ii6 Old Sands Street Chuich. He stopped eating, and inquiied what they sought. None could answer. He arose, went out to them, and seeing tears on many faces, and the solemn countenances of all, invited them to come in. The table was set aside; and there was no more dinner eaten for many hours. These hours were devoted to exhortation, prayer, and praise; and the result was that many of these young people were then and there truly converted to God.^ He was attacked with the yellow fever while on a visit to Philadelphia in August, 1797, and died soon after his return to the Bethel circuit, the scene of his pastoral labors. A recent pastor writes from the old Bethel circuit : He was buried in the church-yard of the Bethel M. E. Church at Hurff- ville, Washington township, Gloucester county, N. J. His grave is marked by a plain, gray, marble slab, with the following inscription : In Memory Of REV. JOHN RAGAN, Who departed this Life September 11, 1797. Aged 45 years. He has gone from all afflictions here To reign in joys eternal there. He reposes about eight feet north of the church, and a fir-tree grows near his grave.' % His memoir in the Minutes incorrectly states that he was be- tween thirty-five and forty years of age at the time of his de- cease. The conference put on record the testimony that he was "conscientious " and "upright,"' remarkably studious, and well versed in history; and, notwithstanding he was characer- ized by " great solitude of mind, and was subject to depression of spirits, * * * his labors were greatly blessed." " We be- lieve," said his brethren, " that he is now numbered among the spirits made perfect, in possession of uninterrupted pleasures above." ■* There is no evidence that he ever married. Neither portrait nor autograph signature has been found. ^ " Methodism in West Jersey," pp. 72, 73. ' Rev. J. T. Price, letter to the author. •' Minutes of Conferences, 1797, p. 73. XV. JAMES BOYD. ONG Island circuit, which included Brooklyn, was manned by two preachers in 1792. One of these was the Rev. James Boyd. The following is his ITINERANT RECORD: 1791, Anapolis cir. , Nova Scotia; 1792, Long island cir., N. Y., with John Ragan; 1793, ordained deacon, — no appoint- nent named, probably Nova Scotia; 1794, Nova Scotia, vjfith William Jessop, saac Lunsford, Daniel Fidler, Benj. Wilson, James Mann, John Mann and lichard Stockett; 1795, reported withdrawn. Besides the above which is gleaned from the Conference yiinutes, the following is the only undoubted reference to his man which the author has been able to find: Boyd, who withdrew from the ministry, did not by that act surprise his breth- en, who had stood in doubt of him. In 1796 he caused some confusion in ihefEeld by an attempt to obtain the pastorate of the Congregational church in hat place; though sustained in his application by a number of persons connect- d with the congregation, he failed in his effort, and two years later re- urned to the United States. Previous to his withdrawal from the itinerancy le had married, and marriage at that day, when ministerial allowances were ex- eedingly small and extremely uncertain, frequently involved early retirement rom the active ranks. "So it is, " wrote Jessop in reference to Boyd's with- Irawal, to a brother whom he suspected of matrimonial intentions; "the devil ells us, when about to marry, that it will not hinder our traveling, but in the nd, to our sorrow, we find him a Uar. Wherefore, if we want to travel, the )est way is to live single."' At this point James Boyd vanishes from our view.' Thomas Boyd, "a native of Europe," joined conference he same year with James Boyd, and died in 1794." Whether )r not they were of the same family is unknown. ' T. Watson Smith — Methodism in Eastern British America, p. 309. '' Another James Boyd, an eminent Methodist preacher in North Carolina and Virginia from 1804 to 1836. was at first thought to be the same man, but an xtended correspondence with his friends has assured us to the contrary. In the Vale College library is a collection of "Narratives of Missions," (Con- gregational,) which gives a brief history of one James Boyd, missionary in that >art of Ohio formerly known as New Connecticut. He was ordained pastor of the hurches in Warren and Newton in i8og, and retained the position till his leath, March 3, 1813. The report mentions "his afflicted family," and dis- ourses upon his character and work in terms of highest commendation. His dentity with the subject of this sketch is possible, but has not been estabUshed. ^ Minutes of Conferences, 1795, p. 60. XVI. HE Rev. Joseph Totten was born in the town of Hempstead, Queens County, N. Y., Feb. 4, 1759. In the same township, within seven years, were born Albert VanNostrand, Joseph Totten and probably Ja- cob Brush, who were to become prominent among the pio- neer Methodist preachers in their native island home. We learn from his published memoir that previous to his con- version He was restrained, from prevailing, vice, and lived what was called a moral life, but when he heard the Methodist preachers he was deeply convinced of sin, and after a painful struggle he obtained a sense of pardoning mercy, and immediately united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He soon became conspicuous as an exhorter and leader, and was made useful to many in his neighborhood. ' At what age he became a Christian is not known to the author, nor whether it was previous to his removal to Staten Island. A relative, E. J. Totten, of Tottenville, who was personally acquainted with the Rev. Joseph Totten, writes: There were three brothers nere, owning farms near each other; Gilbert, (my grandfather,) Silas and Joseph Totten, Joseph married Miss Mary Androvett."* The inscription on Joseph Totten's tombstone at Wood- row states that "he was among the first members of the Methodist Episcopal Church on this island." It was proba- bly from his farm on Staten Island, that, "satisfied of his call to the work of the ministry, he entered the traveling con- nection in 1792," when thirty-three years of age. He re- ceived appointments from the conference for twenty-seven consecutive years, and the following is his ITINERANT RECORD: I7g2, Elizabethtown cir., N. J., with John Clark; 1793, Long Island cir., with George Strebeck; 1794, ordained dea- ' Conference Minutes, l8ig, p. 325. ' Letter to the author. Record of Ministers. 119 :on, Fi-eehold dr., N. J., with J. Robinson ; 179S, Brooklyn, " six months," probably twelve; 1796, ordained elder, New Rochelle and Croton cir., with David Brown and Ezekiel Canfield ; 1797, Long Island cir., with A. Nichols, Donnovan, and E. M'Lane ; the Minutes add Brooklyn, but he only ex- ;hanged at intervals with Wm. Phcebus, the Brooklyn pastor;' 1798, New Rochelle cir., with John Clark ; 1799, Dutchess cir., with Roger Searle ; 1800- [802, (Philadelphia Conf.,') Elizabethtown cir., N. J., with J. Justice and Wm. Mills ; 1803, Burlington oir., with J. Osborn ; 1804, Trenton cir., with Geo. Woolley ; 1805, Gloucester cir., with Wm. Bishop; 1806, Philadelphia, with fames Smith, M. Coate, and T, Everard ; 1807-1810, presiding elder, Jersey Dist. ; 1811, New Brunswick ; 1812, New Brunswick and Trenton cir., with Wm. Mills; 1813, Bergen cir., with Joseph Bennett; 1814, Freehold cir., with Wm. Smith ; 1815, Essex and Staten Island cir., with J. Robertson and D. Moore ; 1816. ditto, with J. Potts and D. Moore ; 1817, Sussex and Ham- burgh cir., with Jos. Osborn ; 1818, Philadelphia, St. John's church. He appears in the record of the General Conference of 1800 as the author of the following important rule : Brother Totten moved that every child of a traveling preacher shall receive sixteen dollars until the age of seven years, and from seven to fourteen years, fourteen dollars. Agreed to.* He was an active member of General Conference, also, in 1804, 1808, and i8i6. His memoir says : After receiving his last appointment at the Philadelphia Conference, [in 1818,] he returned to his family on Staten Island, and on May 10, preached in the meeting-house at Westfield, [Woodrow.J from i Cor. ii, 2 : " For I determined not to know any thing among you save Jesus Christ and him crucified." After the services he descended from the pulpit, and walked with his wife into the burying ground, and marked out a spot, saying, "There I wish to be buried," as though he apprehended his end was nigh.' On the following Sabbath he preached three times in Phila- delphia. He preached again with great power on Tuesday even- ing, and retired feeling perfectly well. In the morning he com- plained of being ill, but walked out into the yard. Presently the barking of a dog attracted the attention of a lady, and she discovered him lying on the ground. " He was brought into the house, but expired in a few moments without uttering a word." Thus Joseph Totten passed away on May 20, 181 8, aged fifty- nine years. A mound was made over him on the spot he had ' Quarterly Conference Record of the Long Island circuit. ■' Journal of General Conference, vol. i, p. 37. ^ Conference Minutes, l8ig, p. 325. I20 Old Sattds Street Church. selected, and there, in the church-yard at Woodrow, he awaits the resurrection of the Just. Joseph Totten was a noble specimen of the early race of Methodist preachers. His brethren of the conference, in the memoir from which we have already quoted, admiringly com- mended his ministerial faithfulness, and described him as " a man of piety, zeal, and courage, fearing no faces, and sparing no crimes." It is to be regretted that no portrait of Joseph Totten exists. E. J. Totten, now well-nigh eighty years of age, has distinct recollections of his great uncle, Joseph Totten. He writes : I frequently heard hirri and my father, who was the son of Gilbert Totten, debate on political matters, and become sometimes quite excited ; and I well recollect his personal appearance, and his voice in particular. He was rather short, stout, robust, with a strong voice, and quite commanding presence.' Mary, wife of Joseph Totten, survived him nearly ten years. She died January 8, 1828, and was buried beside her husband. Their graves are marked by head-stones, appropriately inscribed. John C. Totten, the printer, whose name is on the title-page of many ,in old Methodist book, was a relative — a nephew, it is presumed. He married Lctitta, a daughter of Joseph Totten.' E. J. Totten writes from his personal recollection concerning two sons and three daughters of Joseph and Mary Totten. The sons were named Mark (he thinks) and Asbury. Asbury left a son, whose son is now living, and has a family of children to perpetuate the name, and, it is hoped, the virtues of their ances- tor. Two of the daughters' husbands were John C. Totten and John Pray. Mr. Pray and his wife were highly esteemed mem- bers of the Methodist Episcopal Church on Staten Island. The third daughter married in New York. " Letter to the author. ' Letter from E. J. Totten. SBURY wrote that several "promising" young men had joined the traveling connection on trial in 1792. Among these was the Rev. George Stre- BECK. He remained but a short time among the itinerant preachers, as will be seen by the following MINISTERIAL RECORD: 1792, Methodist, New York dr., with T. Morrell and I.. Green; 1793, Long Island cir, , with Joseph Totten; 1794, name disappears; — Wakely says he withdrew, but he seems never to have joined the conference in full connection; 1797-1804, Luthetan, pastor of a church lo- cated, first in Pearl-street, New York, afterward in Mott-street, which under his administration went over to the Episcopalians, — from his day until now it has been styled the Zion Episcopal Church cf New York;' 1804, Episcopalian, ordained deacon by Bishop Moore, July 18, 1804, officiating in Bedford, N. Y., and vicinity; 1805, called to Grace Church, Jamaica, L. I., for six months; 1805-1808, rector St. Stephen's Church, New York; i8og-i8ii, residing in New York — had an honorary seat in the convention; 1814, name net on clergy list." While in charge of the Lutheran congregation in New York, "Mr. Strebeck was a very zealous, popular preacher, and crowds attended his ministry."^ A local historian in the Protestant Episcopal Church writes as follows; Mr. Strebeck was the minister of a Lutheran church in Mott-street, New Vork city. He and the mass of the congregation conformed to the Church. Soon after this a disaffection sprang up towards him in the congregation. It was too serious to be resisted, and his friends retired from Zion Church, and together with others proposed the erection of this church, [St. Stephen's,] as an act of kindness to him.'' He further states that at a meeting in the spring of 1805, a commitee was appointed consisting of the Rev. George Strebeck, Cornelius Schuyler and Isaac Emmons to take the necessary measures to become under the law a ' See Wakeley's "Lost Chapters," pp. 386, 387. The dates are taken from in old record of Zion Church. ' See "Lost Chapters," and Journals of Conventions in Diocese of New York. ' Wakeley. * Rev. Joseph H. Price — Historical Sketch of St. Stephen's Church, New 7ork. 122 Old Sands Street Church. religious society, and that arrangements were soon afterward made for the purchase of lots for a church on the corner of First and Bullock streets. He also records the following: On April 22, 1805, the Rev. Mr. Strebeck was invited to the rectorship, and being present at the meeting, accepted. * » * April 25, 1809, the Rev. Mr. Strebeck, in an unexpected and iiiformal manner, resigned the rec- torship, having occupied it about four years. I have nothing to say concern- ing the efficiency or inefficiency of Mr. Strebeck's ministry in this church. If inefficient, then it must be acknowledged that the compensation for his serv- ice, small and uncertain in its payment, was a fair offset to his deficiency, and I think our better way is to let the poor man rest, and believe that the most ungrateful task any man can undertake is to sow the seed from which others are to reap the fruit. There are more martyrs in the church militant than are honored in the church calendar. In 1806 Mr. Strebeck gave the following report to the con- vention. The congregation is increasing, and those who are regular members of it appear generally to be attached to the doctrines and worship of the Protestant Episcopal Church. To me it is peculiarly gratifying that they join with fer- vor in the responses of the service. One hundred families holding, pews ; sixty communicants. Dr. Wakeley, who had no patience with those who turned aside from the Methodist ministry to other churches, says : His children had been baptized, but he repudiated theitformer baptism, and they were rebaptized in the Protestant Episcopal Church. * * * i have watched the course of Mr. Strebeck, as of others who have left us. In- stead of being pastor of a large church, with splendid parsonage and a great salary, he was pastor of a little country church, where he had very dry fodder ; and, as discretion is the better part of valor, he retired from his pulpit duties and pastoral labors, to keep a boarding school for boys.* The same authority states that he left New York after a short time, and went South, and died in Charleston or Savannah. Mrs. James S. Carpenter, of Glen Cove, L. I., said to the author that he married her cousin, Jerusha Mott. Diligent effort to obtain further information concerning George Strebeck has been with- out avail. ' " Lost Chapters," pp. 387, 388. ^^%«7^— w Eev. ezekiel coopee. m XVIiI. EZEKIEL COOPER. ROOKLYN never rejoiced in a Methodist pastor of greater talent and popularity than the Rev. Eze- KiEL Cooper. He was born in Caroline Co., Md., February, 22, 1763, and died Sunday, February 21, 1847, hav- ing just completed his eighty-fourth year. He had spent sixty two years in the ministry. His step-father, Nathan Downs, was an officer in the Rev- olutionary army.' Freeborn Garrettson came into the neigh- borhood in 1776 and proposed to preach. The soldiers were drawn up in front of the house, and formed into a hollow square, while Garrettson stood in the center and addressed them. The preacher noticed among the most thoughtful and respectful listeners, a boy standing, and leaning upon the gate. That boy was Ezekiel Cooper; and that sermon seems to have made a profound impression upon him and decided his future course. Before he became of age, he com- menced preaching under Ftancis Asbury, and a year or two later he entere'd the itinerant ranks, and rendered the most distinguished service to the church in the following APPOINTMENTS: 1785, Long Island cir. ; 1786, East Jersey cir., wih John M'CIaskey; 1787, Trenton cir., with Nath'l B. Mills; 1788, ordained dea- con, — Baltimore, Md., with Francis Spry; 1789, ordained elder, — Anapolis; 1790, ditto; 1791, Alexandria, Va. ; 1792, no appointment named; 1793, presid- ing elder, Boston District; 1794, (New York Conf.) New York and Brook- lyn, with L. M'Combs, Wm. Phoebus, sup'y> J- Brush, sup'y, and.D. Kendall, sup'y; 1795, Phila., with John M'CIaskey; 1796, ditto with Wilson Lee; 1797- '1798, Wilmington, Del. Appointed book agent in 1798, vice John Dickins, deceased.'' 1799-1804, editor and' general book agent. (From 1802, in the Phila. Conf.) 1804, last part, Brooklyn, in place of C. Stebbins, resigned; 1805, (New York Conf.) still in Brooklyn — Sam'l Merwin was there the last quarter; 1806, ditto, with Samuel Thomas and Oliver Sykes;' 1807, New York ' Lednum — Rise of Methodism; Introduction, p. xix. ■' Simpson's CyclopiEdia. ' See sketch of O. Sykes in this bw;.!(. 10 124 Old Sands Street Church. cir., with T. Bishop, F. Ward, P. Peck, and S. Thomas ; 1808, ditto, withW. Thacher, J. Wilson, F. Ward, L. Andrus, and P. Peck ; 1809, Wilmington, Del.; i8io-i8ii, "missionary;" 1812, Baltimore city, with A. Schinn, J. Smith, and J. Fry; 1813-1819, located; 1820, (Phila. Conf.,) Philadelphia, St. George's, with James Smith, Sen., and James Smith "of Baltimore;" 1821, sup'y. same church, with James Smith and Thomas Miller ; 1822, New Castle, Del. ; 1823-1824, sup'y, without appointment ; 1825, sup'y, presiding elder. West Jersey Dist. ; 1826, sup'y, Philadelphia, St. George's, with S. Merwin, L. Prettyman and R. Lutton ; 1827, conf. missionary; 1828-1834, sup'y, conf. miss'y ; 1835-1836, sup'y, without appointment ; 1837, Sup'y, Philadelphia, St. George's with Charles Pitman ; 1838, ditto, with Jos. Lybrand ; 1839-1840, ditto, with R. Gerry; 1841-1842, ditto, with J. B. Hagany ; 1843, ditto, with E. L. Janes ; 1844-1845, sup'y, without appoint- ment ; 1846, superannuated. He was seven times a member of General Conference, repre- senting the Philadelphia Conference first in 1804, and the last time in 1832. He was superannuated less than one out of the threescore years of his ministry. Ezekiel Cooper was the first of the large number of Method- ist preachers who began their itinerant ministry on Long Island. His field in 1785 included the whole of the island, but there was no Methodism in Brooklyn, and the place was not until five years later included in that circuit. The only Methodist soci- eties that Cooper found on Long Island were at Newtown and Comae. Philip Cox had wrought nobly as a pioneer, and estab- lished several preaching appointments. It is also probable that the number of members increased, (he made no report,) but he did not, so far as is known, form any new classes. At the close of Ezekiel Cooper's year on the island, he reported 154 mem- bers, having organized societies at Rockaway, Searingtown, Hempstead South, and Musketo Cove, (now Glen Cove.) Among those who were brought to Christ through his faithful ministry in Brooklyn was a lad fourteen years of age, named Charles Wesley Carpenter. He became one of the pastors of the Sands-street Churcfc, and a St. John among them all." The greatest historian of American Methodism says of Ezekiel Cooper : His pei'sonal appearance embodied the finest ideal of age, intelligence, and tranquillity. His frame was tall and slight, his locks white with years, his forehead high and prominent, and his features expressive of reflection and serenity. A wen had been enlarging on his neck from childhood, but without detracting from the peculiarly elevated and characteristic expression of his face. He was consideyfid by his assooiates .a living encyclopedia in respect Record of Ministers. 125 not only to theology, but most other departments of knowledge, and his large and accurate information was only surpassed by the soundness of his judgment.* The following extract from his correspondence will serve to illustrate his practical wisdom and common-sense, as well as his ability to express his thoughts with clearness and precision. Mrs. Catherine Garrettson had written him a letter which called for his judgment as to the importance to be attached to certain remarkable " dreams and visions," the details of which are not known to us. He replied : As to the cause of the dreams and visions of Miss K , I have but little that I wish to say upon that subject. Time will show and make manifest better and more fijUy than any other commentary. I agree, " It is our busi- ness to investigate truth and support the cause of God, whatever we may suffer in Its defense ; " but we are not bound to support, or to believe, that which is not supported by rational evidence drawn from credible and competent sources, either human or divine, and more especially when it clashes with established rules and principles in nature, fact, or revelation, by which we are to test truth and detect error in our investigations. A person may "be sin- cere,'' and yet labor under great delusions of imagination. " Marvelous and momentous things, times and events" may be imagined from the fanciful effervescence and effusions of a lively, inventive, and heated imagination, which cannot stand the test of calm, deliberate investigation. We may, in such cases, admit great error of judgment, without impeaching the moral intention.* In the pulpit he gained a position among the "brightest lights " and "ablest orators " of his day. Says a writer in The (New York) Methodist : ° At times an irresistible pathos accompanied his preaching, and in the forest worship audiences of ten thousand would be so enchanted by his discourses that the most profound attention, interest, and solemnity prevailed. In public debate he possessed powers almost unequaled, and he seldom advocated a measure that did not prevail. The Rev. Dr. John Kennaday says, in an appreciative criticism : His ability as a preacher and debater excelled his ability as an author. In discussion his name was Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.' He published a " Funeral Sermon " on the Rev. John Dickins, and the "Substance of a Funeral Sermon on the Rev. Francis ' Stevens' Hist. M. E. Church, vol. iii, p. 132. ' Unpublished letter, dated Philadelphia, February 3, 1821. 'June 16, 1866. ' Sprague's Annals. 126 Old Sands Street Church. Asbury." The latter was a 32mo volume of 320 pages.' Previous to its publication he said, in a letter to Freeborn Garrettson : Did you ever write down the substance of your discourse on the death of Bishop Asbury ? I have written mine, agreeably to the request of the con- ference, but I have never given it up, nor submitted it to the inspection of tlie committee, nor to any other person. It is rolled up among my papers. I don't know but I may yet consent to let it be published. I am undetermined at present ; sundry considerations influence me to keep it back for a while. I wish to do what may be right and most prudent in the case." In the same letter he wrote : I cannot labor constantly, but occasionally I stand forth to bear my testi- mony. I am pressed rather too much at times for my strength and health. Could I do the work of three strong men, I have sufficient calls and invitations to fill up all the time. If I venture to preach twice in one day, which some- times I do, it hurts me. I am gomg down hill. Oh that we both may make a safe and happy close of life and labor in the Lord's good time ! This reads like the language of an old warrior on the eve of his discharge, but it was written thirty years before his work on earth was done. Like most men of mark, he had his peculiarities. An author- ity already quoted writes : He was known as a great angler ; like Izaac Walton he carried his fishing- tackle with him, and was ever ready to give a reajon for his recreation. Bishop Scott says that his walking-cane was arranged for a fishing-rod, and he always had on hand a Scripture argument to prove that fishing was an apostolic practice. On one occasion, when he returned from an excursion without catching any thing, a preacher was much disposed to laugh at his poor success. " Never mind," said the reverend old angler, " although I have caught nothing, while watching my line I have finished the outline of one or two sermons.'' So his time had not been idly spent.'" Some peculiarity of his disposition may be supposed to ac- count for his continuing in " a state of single blessedness." He possessed rare business talent. Under his management the cap- ital stock of the "Book Concern " advanced in six years from almost nothing to $45,000, and at his death his personal estate was valued at $50,000. He was frugal to a fault, but at the ' See M'Clintock and Strong's Cyclopsedia. ' Unpublished letter, dated Burlington, N. J., October 24, 1817. '"Stevens' Hist. M. E. Church, vol. iii, p. 134 ; quoted from The Methodist. Record of Ministers. 127 me time " liberal to the poor." Simpson's Cyclopaedia states at he made a bequest for the benefit of the poor in the St. sorge's church, Philadelphia. It is said, however, that, in nsequence of an imperfect codicil, the portion of his estate lich was designed for benevolent objects " failed of its good ission." A note in The Christian Advocate states that he iqueathed an octavo Bible to every child named after him. owever, Ezekiel Coopers do not seem to be a numerous race. He attained the age of eighty-four years lacking one day. is sickness was neither long nor very painful. Calmly, peace- lly, and sometimes exultingly, with hallelujahs on his lips, he lited for the chariot to come, and at length, on the 21st of ;bruary, 1847, the hero of a hundred battles, the oldest mem- r of a Methodist conference then in America," was translated the highest heavens. His intimate and venerable friend, athan Bangs, preached his funeral sermon in the St. George's urch, Philadelphia, in front of which, near the grave of Law- nce M'Combs, his remains were interred. His portrait in oil has been preserved in the Methodist build- g in New York, of which the accompanying engraving is a ry excellent copy. His fore-finger hides the large wen on his ck. So Alexander the Great, while the artist painted his por- lit, covered an imperfection in his face. " Stevens' Hist. M. E. Church, vol. iii, p. 130. XIX. SWiSii HE Rev. Lawrence M 'Combs' was pastor of the jj^g?: Brooklyn charge one year — 1794. This was his jMgltJ second appointment, and he was twenty-five years of age, having already given promise of the commanding eminence he was destined to attain in the Church. He was born of wealthy parents," in Kent County, Del., March 11, 1769. At a very early period, as his memorial in the Conference Minutes affirms, he obtained remission of sins. There appears to be no further record concerning him until 1792, the date of his admission on trial into the travel- ing ministry. His history subsequent to tills time is epit- omized in the following MINISTERIAL RECORD: 1792 Newburgh dr., N. Y., with S. Fowler; 1793 ditto with S. Weeks; 1794 (ordained deacon') New York and Brooklyn with Ezekiel Cooper: (supernumeraries, Wm. Phoebus, J. Brush and D. Kendall); 1795 New London dr.. New England, with G, Thompson; 1796 (ordained elder) Middletown cir, ; 1797-1798 Tolland dr. ; 1799 New London a 2nd term, with A. Wood; 1800 Philadelphia; 1801 Bait. Conf., Baltimore, with George Roberts; 1802 Baltimore dty and Fell's Point, with J. Wells and S. Coate; 1S03 Fell's Point; 1804 Baltimore dr., with N. B. Mills; 1805 among the elders, but no appointment named; 1806-1814 a local preacher; 1815 Phil- adelphia Conf . , Smyrna dr., Del., with John Collins; 1816 ditto with S. P. Levis; l8i7QueenAnn'scir., Md., with Thomas Ware; 1818 Kent dr., Md., with W. Ryder; 1819-1822 P. E. Jersey Distric.5 1823 Essex and Staten Island with I. W.nner; 1824-1825 Pliiladelphia, St. John's; 1826 Wilmington, Del.; 1827- 1828 r. E. Jersey Dist. 2nd term; 1829-1832 Chesapeake Dist.; 1833 South Phila. Dist.; 1834 sup'y at Philadelphia, St. Paul's Church, with Wm. Uriel 1835-1836 superannuated. ' Incorrectly spelled M'Coombs in his conference obituary and in the iidex to Stevens' Hist. M. E. Church. "^ Rev, E. De Pew in M'Clintock and Strong. * His name, though on the roll of those received into full connection, - is, it would seem, inadvertently omitted from the list of deacons. Record of Ministers. 129 No one, so far as known, is able to furnish reminiscences of his ministerial labors in Brooklyn. It is well known, however, that he " performed an unprecedented amount of labor, and left the impress of his energetic character wherever he went."* It is related that on his first circuit This intrepid young man urged his way over mountains and through val- leys, stirring the community wherever he came with hymn and sermon, until the wilderness and solitary places were made glad. His popularity became almost unbounded, and from the very commencement of his ministry crowds attended his appointments. There were few church edifices, and his preach- ing during the milder season was chiefly in the fields.* Of his services on the New London circuit, after leaving New York and Brooklyn, Stevens says : The tireless Lawrence M'Combs succeeding in fortifying the yet feeble so- cieties of that large circuit, and in planting several new ones.' He was a member of every General Conference from 1804 to 1832, excepting the two held in 1808 and 1812, while he was a located preacher. He distinguished himself in 181 2 as a vol- unteer to defend the village of Havre de Grace. During his period of location, 1806 to 1814, he is said to have preached frequently and with unabated zeal in the vicinity of his resi- dence on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, near the head of the Chesapeake Bay. His record shows that he held a superannu- ated relation but a little more than a year, and his memoir says, mournfully, that durmg that time he was "agonized in body, enfeebled in mind, and nearly deprived of speech;" yet he suf- fered all without a murmur. In Paul's language, about being with Christ, he expressed the steadfast hope of his heart, and those were the last words that fell from his lips.' Thus peace- fully he departed this life at his residence in Philadelphia, on the nth of June, 1836, aged sixty-seven years. He was laid to rest in the old St. George's church-yard, and a memorial tablet on the wall of the church commemorates ap- propriately his greatness and his usefulness.' In an admirable portraiture of his character, one of his inti- mate friends says of him : ' M'Clintock and Strong. ' Rev. Dr. J. Kennaday in Sprague's Annals. « Hist. M. E. Church, vol. iv, p. 61. ' Minutes of Conference, 1837, p. 492. ' Letter of John Whiteman to the author. 130 Old Sands Street Church. No hostility could intimidate him in the course of duty, nor could any prov- ocation betray him into petulance or resentment. His perceptions were quick and clear, and his judgment sober and impartial. He had a fine im- agination, which, being restrained and regulated by his admirable taste, gave beauty and warmth to all his pictures.' Another, who knew him well, says : He spoke in the pulpit with a fluency and power almost unsurpassed. A Frenchman after hearing him preach exclaimed : " That man's tongue is hung in the middle, and goes at both ends." The foreigner was converted and became a Methodist preacher.'" Bishop Scott, who accords to M'Conibs a natural geniality and cheerfulness of spirit, adds the following qualifying state- ment : There was a tendency in the latter part of his life to melancholy and im- patience. * * * As a preacher he had great power over the masses. He dealt much in controversy, but was not a close thinker, and his style was diffuse and even wordy." It is presumed by one of his biographers,'" from the favor- able conditions of his early life, that he was distinguished for culture. It is true, that he held a high place as an orator, and was honored in the councils of the Church ; he was a mernber of the General Conference Committee on Education in 1828. These facts, however, do not establish his reputation for a high grade of scholarship. Like most of his contemporaries, he is not known to have published any sermons or other literary composition. The following extracts from a letter" written by him will aid the reader to form an estimate, not only of the spirit of the man, but of his style also : Baltimore, March 17, 1802. Dear Brother : I received your letter, which was the first intimation that you were in the Province of Maine. Since I left the New England States I have had but a superficial knowledge of the state and stations of the preachers. But I perceive that they are still upon the circulating plan , and I hope they are still getting and doing good. The work of the Lord in this part and south of us is very prosperous. We ° Rev. Dr. J. Kennaday in Sprague's Annals, vol. vii, p. 211. '" Laban Clark, in Sprague. " Sprague's Annals. "^ E. De Pew, in M'Clintock and Strong. "The original is in the library of the New England Methodist Historical Society. Many of the words are misspelled. Record of Ministers. 131 have some of the most powerful conversions in the public congregations that you ever beheld. The work is so general that from the aged down to the children they can speak good in the name of the Lord, South of us the Methodists, Baptists, and Presbyterians have so far united as 10 hold their public and private meetings together, and the work is going on with a most astonishing rapidity. And to the westward of us, in the wilderness, they con- tinue, according to the most recent accounts, to meet in the woods — from 75 to 20,000 persons at one place — have their wagons at the distance from 50 to 100 miles, and strike their tents, and there continue from one to five, six, or seven days, preaching, singing, and praying. And from 100 to 500 have pro- fessed to find peace at one of those meetings. The work astonishes even the most pious — it is so great as to the numbers converted, and the effect it hath upon their lives. The work is now spreading in Georgia, North and South Carolina, and Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. I hope the flame will continue until it reaches the Province of Maine. I don't feel any doubt but God will continue his work, and will spread it far and wide, if the people will receive it. But I know it would be rejected by some in New England, though others might" rejoice in it. What would the people think and say if they were to see from 100 to 500 people of all descriptions fall down upon tlie ground and call for mercy ? Ah ! brother, this is serious and solemn work. We have in this city the last year hundreds converted to God. The work is of the above kind. It is enough to melt the heart of stone, comparatively speaking, to see and hear hundreds of souls call at the same time for God to Iiave mercy on them. Myself and child are well, and hope these will find you in health and peace. * I am, etc., L. M'COMBS. Rev. Epaphras Kibby, Monmouth. Dr. Kennaday thus further describes him : His personal appearance was very .imposing. In stature he was full six feet in height, with a finely developed form, though not corpulent ; the breadth of his chest indicated the prodigious strength which enaliled him to perform his almost gigantic labors. The general expression of his counte- nance betokened intelligence, gentleness, and energy; while his full, frank face was illumined by his ever-kindling eye. His voice was full, clear, and of great flexibility, sweeping from the lowest to the highest tone, and modu- lated in the most delicate manner, in beautiful harmony with his subject. In preaching in the field, which was his favorite arena, I used to think he was quite an approach to Whitefield. Such was his known power at camp-meet- ings, that the announcement that he was to be present on such an occasion would draw a multitude of people from great distances." Another says : As he warmed in speaking he had a singular habit of elevating, I think, his right shoulder by sudden jerks. He wore his hair combed smoothly back, '■■Sprague's Annals. 132 , Old Sands Street Church. and being long, it fell somewhat upon his shoulders. His countenance was of an open and benevolent expression. His whole appearance was attractive and impressive, suggesting repose of mind, sympathy, self-possession, and authority.'* It is a matter of regret that no likeness of Lawrence M 'Combs can be found. His first wife was a native of Port Royal county, Va., — a Christian from her childhood. Dr. Kennaday wrote of her as a lady of most discreet and amiable deportment. She died, in great peace, in Wilmington, Del., April 17, 1832. By this mar- riage he had one daughter, a lovely girl, who survived her mother but a few months. An old Methodist writes on the authority of the Rev. A. Atwood, that both motherand daughter are buried in Wilmington, Del., in the grounds of the Asbury Methodist Episcopal church." The pastor 06 that church, in 1881, wrote as follows : I have inquired and searched diligently in reference to the persons about whom you inquire. The first wife of Lawrence M'Combs is not buried in the grounds of Asbury M. E. church. His daughter is, but there is no stone, that I can find, to mark her resting-place." On the 4th of April, 1833, Mr. M'Combs wa^ married to Mrs. Sarah Andrews, of Philadelphia,'' whose " fortitude and kind- ness contributed much to the comfort of his declining years." " " Bishop Scott, in Sprague. ' '* John Whiteman, of Philadelphia, letter to the author. " Rev. Charles Hill, letter to the author. " Notice in The Christian Advocate and Journal. '° Kennaday. Key. GEORGE ROBEETS, M. D. From " Centenary Album," by Roberts, Baltimore, 1866. XX. GEORGE ROBERTS. ^Wq3: HE Rev. George Roberts, M. D. was born about S^^; 1766, of English parents, probably after their immi- ^iM^: - gration to the neighborhood of Easton, Pa. Dur- ing his boyhood he worked on his father's farm. He was studious, and often sat in the chimney corner, reading by the light of the fire such books as he could find. Candles were an expensive luxury which his parents could not af- ford. His Christian life began on the 29th of April, 1783, when he was seventeen years of age. After his fathers death he managed the little farm for his mother, who was a gentle, amiable woman, a member of the Church of England, as was also his sister, Mrs. Rue. His son relates "that "his first efforts at preaching were made when he was about nineteen years of age. His youth and unpretending appearance led many to go out and hear him," and he preached with acceptability, notwithstanding "his homely dress and old woolen hat, with its crown kept in place by stitches of white country thread here and there appearing.'" He served the Church four years as a local preacher. In his twenty-third year he married a lady of the Eastern Shore, whose name is unknown. She was a woman of great excellence, but survived her marriage only a few months." Soon after her death, "in the fall of 1789,"" he entered upon his itinerant labors, which covered a period of sixteen years, as indicated in the following 'Roberts' Centenary Album, p. 93. 'Sprague's Annals. 'His letter to Bishop Asbury, quoted in Centenary Album, p. 97. Stevens' Hist. M. E. Church, Vol. ii, p. 439, says "i790."but seaConf. Minutes, 1790, p. 36, where he is reported as "remaining on trial." 134 Old Sands Street Church. CONFERENCE RECORD : 1789, appointment not known ; 1790,* Annamessex cir., Md., with J. Wyatt ; the same year he went to New En- gland with Jacob Brush and Daniel Smith, to re-enforce Jesse Lee ; 1791, or- dained deacon — Middlefield cir., Ct., with John Allen ; 1792, Hartford cir., with Hope Hull and F. Aldridge ; 1793, ordained elder— New London cir., with R. Swain and F. Aldi-idge ; 1794, elder, his district including about the entire west- ern half of New England ; 179S1 in charge of a district including Long Island, and reaching to Pittsfield, Mass. ; 1796, New York city, with Andrew Nichols ; 1797, ditto, with J. Wells and W. Beauchamp ; 1798, ditto, with Joshua Wells and Cyrus Stebbins ; 1799, Baltimore Conf., Annapolis, Md. ; 1800, Baltimore and Fell's Point, with T. Morrell, P. Bruce, and N. Snethen ; i8oi, ditto, with L. M'Combs : 1802, (Phila. Conf.,) Philadelphia, with J. M'Claskey, and W. P. Chandler, sup'y ; 1803, ditto, with Solomon Sharp, and T. F. Sargent ; 1804, (Bait. Conf,) Baltimore, Md., with J. Bloodgood, and T. F. Sargent ; 1805, ditto, with T. F. Sargent and Alex. M'Caine ; 1806, local elder in Baltimore. Stevens graphically describes the arrival of Roberts and his colleagues, Jacob Brush and Daniel Smith, at Dantown, in New- England, in 1790, and the joy of Jesse Lee, as he saw them riding up, and welcomed them with the benediction, "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord."^ It would require volumes to record his labors and privations in the Eastern States. His son wrote to Dr. Stevens : I once heard my father say that during the whole period of his labors in New England he never received over forty dollars per annum from any source. He never had more than one suit of clothes at a time. On one occasion Bishop Asbury punched his saddle-bags with his cane and said, " Brother Roberts, where are your clothes?" His reply was, " On my back, sir." He accompanied the bishop, piloting him through New England, in his first visit to that portion of our country.' While preaching in New England he received Lorenzo Dow into the Church.' On the i6th of August, 1797, about eight years after the death of h^s first wife, he was united in marriage to a daughter of Samuel LePage, of New York. That same year, June 29, he laid the corner-stone of the old Duane-street church. Bishop Asbury made an exception in his case, and allowed him to continue three years in that city. He was embarrassed by the example, and wrote to Thomas Morrell, under date of June 10, 1790: * About this time he was in Talbot, Md., and adjoining counties. See Ste- vens' Hist. M. E. Ch,urch, vol. ii, p. 439. ' Hist. M. E. Church, vol. ii, p. 435. ' Ibid., vol. ii, pp. 440, 441. " Lost Chapters," p, 501. Record of Ministers. 135 Feeling the great, the exceeding great want of preachers, I wished to keep one another year, George Roberts. He hath stayed an unwarrantable time in New York. He cannot be supported upon any station but Baltimore.' Mr. Roberts was a member of the General Conference in 1804. Dr. Wakeley errs in assigning ill health as the reason for his locating in 1806.° His son, Dr. George C. M. Roberts, states that he attended two courses of medical lectures while preaching in Philadelphia, and while stationed in Baltimore was licensed to practice medicine ; but that he abstained from doing so until he ceased to be an itinerant preacher. The change in his occupation is thus explained : The manner of his locating, or what led to it, was somewhat peculiar, and is not generally known. He attended conference in 1806, having no inten- tion of locating at that time until the day before the conference closed. On this occasion he was seated at the table, when Bishop Asbury wrote him a short note, stating the great difficulty he had in stationing him, on account of the size of his family, and his unwillingness to send him to any place where their comfort woulS be jeopardized in the least, and asked him what he could do under the circumstances. My father replied that he did not wish, in the slightest degree, to embarrass the bishop or trammel the work ; that when the Church was unable to support him, he would ask a local relation. When the appoint- ments were announced by the bishop, his name appeared as having located, thus taking by surprise his numerous friends, who had not known before of the circumstances.'" From that time until his death he sustained an honorable place as physician and local elder in the city of Baltimore. He died December 2, 1827, aged sixty-two years, translated from a death-bed scene of physical anguish and spiritual triumph, "never, perhaps, surpassed in the history of man." One who heard his shouts of rapture, says : Anight or two previous to his dissolution, I urged him to spare himself, and offered, as a reason for it, the possibility of his disturbing the neighbors. He immediately replied : " Be quiet, ray son ? No, no ! If I had the voice of an angel, I would rouse the inhabitants of Baltimore for the purpose of telling ' the joys of redeeming love. Victory ! victory ! " "Victory through the blood of the Lamb,'' was tlie last sentence that ever trembled on his dying lips." • His friends laid him to rest in Mt. Olivet cemetery, a few feet from the grave of Bishop Asbury. ' See The Christian Advocate, May i, 1884. ' See " Lost Ch:ipters,'' p. 509. "• Centenary Album, p. 95. ' Dr. G. C. M. Roberts ; letter to Dr. Abel Stevens. 136 Old Sands Street Church. The accompanying portrait, copied from the one drawn by Ruckle, is said to be an excellent likeness, though made from recollections of him after his death. Abel Stevens gives a clear portraiture of George Roberts in the following words : The person of Dr. Roberts was large and athletic, his manners exceedingly dignified, and in social life, relieved by a subdued cheerfulness. To his dig- nity, which well befitted his noble person, was added, in the pulpit, a most impressive power of persuasion. His sermons were systematic and digested, and- in their application often overwhelming. Wherever he went, his presence at once commanded respect. The Infidel and the scorner grew serious, or shrunk from before him, in either the public congregation or the conversa- tional circle. A reckless skeptic once attempted with the air of " cham- pion to engage him in a difficult discussion in presence of a company of friends. Roberts heard him for several minutes without uttering a word, but as he advanced in his scornful criticisms, the listening preacher's countenance . and whole bearing assumed an expression of solemn scrutiny, which struck the by-standers with awe and made the skeptic quail. When he had concluded, Roberts placed his hand on the infidel's breast, and with a look of irresistible power, exclaimed, " Sir, the conscience which God has placed wjthin you re- futes and confounds you." The rebuked scoffer trembled and fled from his presence. This fact illustrates, better than could pages of remark, the charac- ter of this mighty man of God.'^ Of the first wife of George Roberts only the facts already stated are known. His second wife, Susannah Morrell Le- Page, was born in Albany, N. Y. She removed with her par- ents to New York city, and there, while a child, she found con- verting grace,. and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which she continued a faithful and honored member for seventy- six years. She was an intimate friend of Bishop Asbury, whom she frequently entertained at her house, and for whom she per- formed many kind offices. On one occasion, after she had washed his feet, the venerable bishop said, " Susan, piany daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all." The graces of the Spirit were harmoniously and beautifully devel- oped in her character and life. Her intellect, at the advanced age of eighty, remained unimpaired. She departed this life, at the residence of her son, the late Rev. Dr. Geo. C. M. Roberts, in Baltimore, in the month of November, 1869. Her obituary says : As she approached the margin of the river her spiritual sky brightened. She was anxious to depart. Bidding loved ones adieu, she leaned on the " Hist. M. E. Church, vol. ii, p. 441. Record of Members. 137 bosom of the Lord, and in the same room, and on the same bed where her sainted husband expired, forty-two years before, calmly fell asleep." George and Susannah Roberts were the parents of eleven children." Four of their sons were physicians. The author had tlie honor of the acquaintance of one of them, the Rev. Dr. George C. M. Roberts. He was every way worthy of his noble parents, very closely resembling his father in person and char- acter. " The oldest daughter, Emily Roberts, married Dr. Isaac Hulse, U. S. N., and died and was buried at sea, between Pensacola and New York. Her little girl was taken to her grandmother's, and under the sweet influence of that home, de- veloped unusual talent. She is the Mrs. George Hulse M"Leod, whose graceful pen and sweet voice have rendered efficient aid to the cause of temperance. The only remaining child of Dr. George Roberts is Mrs. Hough, of Virginia."'* One of the daughters married the Rev. Henry Sheer in 1827, and died in i873.'° '" Rev. W. H. Chapman, in The Christian Advocate. " Sprague's Annals. " Miss Fidelia M. Creagh, letter to the author. " The Christian Advocate, Aug. 5, 1875. XXI. HE Rev. Sylvester Hutchinson was the third of four brothers, all of whom became Methodist preachers. Three of the four were itinerants. As- bury was a friend to this family, and mentions in his journal the grandmother of these brothers, Ann Hutchinson, who died nearly 102 years of age. Sylvester Hutchinson was born in the town of Milford, N. J., April 20, 1765. At the age of twenty-one he was con- victed of sin, and sought forgiveness through Jesus Christ. His experience was peculiar, but of a character more com- mon in his day than now. It is related that he saw an ap- pearance "at the head of his bed, which he believed to be the figure of Christ. This at once satisfied him, and he no more doubted.'" Two or three years later he began his career as an itiner- ant preacher, which is briefly rcorded in the following list of APPOINTMENTS; 1789, Salem, N. J., with Simeon Pile and Jethro Johnson; 1790, ordained deacon, — Chester, Penn., with John Cooper; 1791, Fells Point, Md.; 1792, Wilmington, Del.; 1793, ordained elder, — Croton dr., N. v., with Jacob Egbert; 1794, Croton and New Rochelle cir., with P. Mori- arty and D. Dennis — to change every three months with L. M'Combs of New York and Brooklyn; 1795, Long Island cir., six months; 1796-1797, associ- ate elder with F. Garrettson in a district including Long Island, New York city, and the state of Conn. ; 1798-1799, in charge of a presiding elder's dis- trict including Long Island and most of the territory between the Hudson and Connecticut rivers; 1800, New York, with John M'Claskey and John Lee; 1801, traveling with Bishop Whatcoat; 1802, named as an elder, — no appointment; 1803, presiding elder, Pittsfield District; 1804, on the list of elders, — no appoint- ment named; 1805, not named at all; 1806, a local preacher. We have no record or tradition of his preaching in Sands- street church, but have occasional glimpses of him while trav- ' Atkinson — Memorials of Methodism in New Jersey, p. 425. Record of Ministers. 139 eling the large district in which Brooklyn was included. He signed, as presiding elder, Daniel Webb's first license to preach, on the recommendation of a quarterly conference held in Nor- wich, Conn., New London circuit, June 16, 1798.^ Father Boehm knew and remembered this earnest itinerant and wrote of him as a "thundering preacher.'" Clark, in his "Life of Hedding," makes honorable mention of Sylvester Hutch- inson, as presiding elder on the Pittsfield district in 1799, and characterizes him as a man of burning zeal and indomitable energy. He says : Mounted upon his favorite horse, he would ride through the entire district once in three months, visiting each circuit, and invariahjy filling his numerous appointments. His voice rang like a trumpet-blast. While on this district he penetrated into the far north. Ray- bold draws a vivid picture of the pioneer preacher lost in a dense Canadian forest in the dead of winter, and providentially rescued from the greedy wolves at two o'clock at night, nearly dead from cold and hunger, having traveled all day without food.'' Such incidents illustrate the wonderful zeal and energy of this man of God. It is known that he often rode fifty or sixty miles per day, and preached twice, when his receipts were only thirty dollars a year. Dr. Wakeley describes him as a small, spare man, with a very intelligent countenance, an able minister, a son of thunder, and at times exceedingly "rough." He tells us that when preaching He would sometimes begin in a low tone of voice, and then raise it to the highest pitch, till he screamed, and then it was rather disagreeable.' The statement by the same authority, that Mr. Hutchinson's location was occasioned by mental suffering produced by the breaking up of a matrimonial engagement, and that his subse- quent history shows the danger of locating, has elicited the fol- lowing comment: It,is impossible to get all the facts at this late day which wonld give a true history of his location. The widow and son, however, recollect distinctly ' The original copy of this certificate of license is now in the archives of the New England Methodist Historical Society. * Boehm's Reminiscences, p. 25. * See " Methodism in West Jersey," pp. 19-21. ' " Lost Chapters," p. 532. 11 I40 Old Sands Street Church. having heard him say over and over again that Mr. Asbuiy was to blame for his leaving the Church. He said he was in the good graces of Mr. Asbury until the difficulty occurred about his marriage : that he was to marry a young lady belonging to an influential family, and the friends, especially one brother, made such desperate opposition, that the engagement was broken off the day the wedding was to have taken place ; that Mr. Asbury reprimanded him se- verely for not marrying the girl at all hazards, as he was engaged to her ; that both of them being of good metal, they had a warm time ; that Sylvester came home on a visit, and that Mr. Asbury had his name left off the Minutes.' According to a further statement by his son, He remonstrated with Mr. Asbury for having done it, and offered to con- tinue in the ministry. Mr. Asbury finally offered him a circuit, but it was one in which he was not acceptable to the people. There was also another preacher, who was not very acceptable where he had been sent, and Mr. H. and he pro- posed to Mr. Asbury that they should be changed. But this was refused, and turning to Mr. H., he said, "Go there, or go home;" to which Mr. H. an- swered, " Then I must go home; " and thus ended his connection with the M. E. Church.' He went West and entered into a land agency ; he also became a book publisher in Trenton, N. J.' On the loth of May, 1808, he was married to Miss Phoebe Phillips. He was one of the three preachers who ordained the first elders in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, in 1822.° It is doubtful if he was regularly connected with any Church at that time. He at length became one of the minis- ters of the Methodist Protestant Church, but that denomination was not organized until a score of years after he parted with Asbury. Atkinson states that the last station he filled was the Kensington Methodist Protestant Church, in Philadelphia. Mr. Beegle adds : Before he died his wife asked him if he had not better come back to the old Church. He expressed himself perfectly willing, but his death occurring soon after, it was never consummated. The same writer strongly repels any intimation which may be contained in Dr. Wakeley's book, that Mr. Hutchinson was not good and true to the last. At the age of seventy years, on the nth of November, 1840, Sylvester Hutchinson finished his earthly life. A tombstone marks the place where his ' Rev. H. B. Beegle in Atkinson's " New Jersey Methodism,'' p. 425. ' See Atkinson's " Memorials." * Wakeley — " Lost Chapters," p. 531. ° Rush — Rise of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, p. 78. Record of Ministers. 141 remains are buried in the cemetery in the borough of Hights- tortrn, N. J. His wife, Phcebe Hutchinson, was born January 19. 1782, and died about 1865, in the eighty-fourth year of her age. She is buried in Hightstown, N. J. From Atkinson's " Memorials " we learn that she was a very estimable woman." Four sons and three daughters were born to Sylvester and Phoebe Hutchinson. Their names were Johrt K., Aaron, Isaac, Elizabeth, Cornelia, Armenia and Daniel P., all of whom lived to maturity. One of these seven children, John K. Hutchinson, of New Brunswick, N. J., was the only survivor, January 3, 1882, when he wrote the above statement concerning the family. Hjs children — a son and two daughters — and the son and daughter of his- sister, Cornelia, are the only grandchildren of Sylvester and Phcebe Hutchinson. '" Her son, John K. Hutchinson, in a letter to the author, states that Mr. Lednuiu is manifestly mistaken in saying that Sylvester Hutchinson married Sarah Deveau, of New Rochelle, N. Y. See '• Rise of Methodism," p. 103. XXII. HE Rev. Andrew Nichols was a Methodist pastor in Brooklyn in 1798. During his administration the oldest known list of members was written in a substantial book procured for the purpose. From that book his signature was taken. It is probably too late to rescue from oblivion the material for a full sketch of his life. Of his history either before or after the ten years of his itinerant ministry nothing seems to be known. The following is his PASTORAL RECORD: 1791, Baltimore dr., Md., with J. Lurton; 1792, Harford cir., with J. Lurton; 1793, Prince George's cir.; 1794, ordained deacon, — Fairfax cir. , Va., with Elijah Sparks; 1795, ordained elder, — Win- chester cir., Va., with T. Lucas; 1796, Kew York, with George Roberts; 1797, Long Island, Comae and Southold cir.;' 1798, Brooklyn; 1799, Lynn and Marblehead, Mass., 1800, Merrimac; 1801, located. Such a list of appointments speaks well for his ability and standing as a preacher. Aside from this record, perhaps the only direct testimony that has come down to us is the fol- lowing by Dr. J. B. Wakeley: Mr. Nichols was an excellent man and a good pastor and preacher. I have heard the old Methodists speak highly of him. He resided in the parsonage at Second-street, (now Forsyth- street.) They were going to hold a love-feast in the church cue evening, and two lads wished to go in. In those days the Methodists were very careful who were admitted to them. The doors were closed, and none were admitted unless they had a ticket of membership or a per- mit from the preacher. Peter Parks was then sexton. The boys concluded if they volunteered to help him bring water and attend to making the fires, he would admit them into love-feast. Neither of them had ever attended such a meet- ing. He sent them to Mr. Nichols for a permit, for he could admit none with- out. They went to Mr. Nichols, and he treated them very kindly, and gave ' Brooklyn is added in the Minutes, but the Quarterly Conference records of (he Long Island circuit indicate that Brooklyn was separate, and under the c.'iarge of ^^'m. Phoebus. Record of Ministers. 143 them permits. The love-feasts in those days were meetings of great power. One of the boys was deaf and dumb. He was all attention as the people, one after another, gave in their testimony; he watched the motion of their lips, and saw the expressionof joy in their countenances; and, though he could not hear one word, it had a powerful effect, and was the means of his awak- ening and conversion to God. He was as happy as a king. They might have sung, with great propriety : " Hear him, ye deaf ; his praise, ye dumb, Your loosened tongues employ."' The companion of the little deaf-mute was led by him to the Saviour; both immediately joined the Church ; and both lived sixty years or more afterward, to thank God for that love-feast, and to tell the story of Mr. Nichols' kindness to the boys. If there is any other written or printed reference to him, it is not known to the author.' Several Methodist historical societies have been established within the territory in which he labored as a preacher, and it is to be sincerely hoped that the Church will yet come into possession of further information concerning the life and death of this excellent minister of Jesus Christ. = " Lost Chapters," p. 485. ' " Zion's Herald," January 4, 1824, refers to an address by Andrew Nich- ols, Esq., before the Essex Agricultural Society. If this were proved to be the same Andrew Nichols, (which is doubtful,) it might furnish a clew for the ascertaining of additional facts concerning him. XXIII. HE Rev. Cyrus Stebbins, D. D. was the son of Phin- eas and Anna Stebbins. He was born in Wilbra- ham, Mass., Oct. 30, 1772, and joined Conference at New London, in July, 1795, before he was twenty-three years of age. His entire ministry, first among' the Method- ists, and then in the Protestant Episcopal Church, may be epitomized in the following PASTORAL RECORD: 1795, Warren dr., R. I., with Zadok Priest; 1796, ordained deacon, — Readfield dr.. Me., with J. Broadhead; 1797, Pitts- field dr., Mass., with E. Stevens; 1798, ordained elder, — New York dty, with Joshua Wells and George Roberts; 1799, Brooklyn;' 1800-1803, Albany city;' 1804, (N. York Conf.,) Brooklyn; 1805, reported "withdrawn;" 1805-1818, rector of St. George's Church, Schenectady, N. Y. ; 1819-1831, rector of Christ Church, Hudson; 1832-1841, rector of Grace Church, Waterford. He was deservedly popular in the early days of his itiner- ant ministry. Dr. Abel Stevens says: He was a pungent and powerful preacher; some of his sermons are still often recalled in conversation by our older ministers in New England, one of them particularly, preached under the trees of the old homestead of Pickering on the text: ' 'Those mine enemies which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither and slay them before me." The whole assembly stood ap- palled at the declaration of divine wrath against all ungodUness; trembling spread throughout their midst, and many went home to call on God and prepare for his coming retribution. Had he remained in the itinerancy, his peculiar tal- ents would have secured for him an extended influence and usefulness, but on leaving it, he entered the Protestant Episcopal Church, where he lingered through many years of comparative uselessness, and died in obscurity.' ' The Conference Minutes say "Brooklyn and Long Island, with James Camp- bell and John Wilson," but the quarterly conference records show that the charges were practically separate. ' Strange as it may appear to us now, Albany and the Mohawk and Black River regions were in 1802-1803, included in the Philadelphia Conference. Af- ter 1803 they became a part of the New York conference. ' Memorials of Methodism, 1st series, p. 339. Record of Ministers. 145 As we have already observed in our sketch of Aaron Hunt, Mr. Stebbins caused Bishop Asbury no little anxiety on account of the difficulty of removing him from Albany city station, which, indeed, the bishop could not or did not do until the close of a four-years term, when the adoption of the two- years limit by the General Conference made his removal neces- sary and practicable. We here discover, as in almost every other instance in which he appears to our view, a want of the genuine spirit of Methodism. In the few references to him by the historians of the denomination, they invariably speak of his lack of harmony with our prominent peculiarities, and the consistency of his course in withdrawing from us. William Thacher makes the following note of the doings of the New York Conference in 1804: On the sixth day of our session the subject of sanctification was called up, and Stebbins, its enemy, came on with his objections.* Lorenzo Dow, as we could readily believe from our knowl- edge of the two men, found no admirer of his eccentricities in Cyrus Stebbins. He says : June, 1804. Cyrus Stebbins objected to my preaching where he was stationed, [Albany,] though the trustees were mostly friendly. He withdrew from the connection soon after, which showed what spirit he was of. August, 1804. When I arrived in Albany the preaching-house doors, which had been shut in Stebbins' time, were now open.' During his first term in Brooklyn (1799) the membership di- minished ; but his return, four years later, and the enlargement of the church building during that term, would indicate pros- perity. The Rev. George Coles, who was pastor of the Methodist Epis- copal church in Hudson, N. Y., in 1822, without any definite knowledge of Mr. Stebbins' antecedents, makes a very charitable mention of him as the rector of the Protestant Episcopal Church in that place, who had formerly been a Methodist preacher.' While in Hudson he received the honorary title of D.D. from Trinity College, of Hartford, Bishop Brownell then being pres- ident, and a personal friend.' * Manuscript autobiography. ' Dow's Journal, old edition, pp. 176, 178. 'See " My First Seven Years in America," p. 249. ' Letter of G. N. Stebbins to the author. 146 Old Sands Street Church. The following statement, by the Rev. Frank L. Wilson, is im- portant : I learn from reliable sources that, notwithstanding he was regarded by his congregation in Hudson as a very able preacher, his resignation was request- ed on account of his habits of drinking. He was married twice. His last marriage proved unhappy, which is believed to account for his intemperate habits.* He is remembered as a man inclined to portliness, short, broad- shouldered, and remarkably social. He had two sons and one daughter. One son, Cyrus Stebbins, a noted and talented lawyer, fell a victim to drink, and died in New York. The daughter married a Roman Catholic and became a convert to that faith. The other son, George N., is connected with the Washington Life Insurance Company in New York city." Dr. Stebbins died in Waterford, N. Y., February 8, 1841, in the sixty-ninth year of his age. Bishop B. T. Onderdonk, in re- porting his death at the Annual Convention, said : He closed the life of a devout Christian,, a faithful minister of Jesus, and a divine of more than ordinary ability, by a truly Christian death, the approach of which, by a lingering and painful disease, was met as the spirit and armor supplied by Christ can alone enable the Christian to meet the king of terrors.'" The above somewhat but not greatly modifies Dr. Abel Stevens' statement that, " after entering the Protestant Episco- pal Church, he lingered through many years of comparative uselessness, and died in obscurity." This statement was made in view of the remarkably bright promise of his earlier years. His remains were buried in the St. George's church-yard, Schenectady, N. Y. * It may be that in later years he obtained the mastery over this besetment. ' Letter to the author. '"Journals of Conventions, N. Y. State, 1841, p. 59. XXIV. ^/^^*«4 E have already made note of a sermon preached by the Rev. David Buck in 1794, on the foundation of the or'gir.al Sands-street church 1 efore the building- was completed. He afterward spent two of the nine years of his itinerant ministry as pastor of this church. He was born in the tov/n of Freehold, Monmouth Co., X. J., Sept. 12, 1771. "His father's name v/as Ephraim Buck, and both he and his wife v/ere devoted Methodists, as well as ardent patriots in the Revolution. So decided were they in favor of American independence, and so confident of its final success, that all the gold and silver money they had was exchanged for continental money in bills, put into jars and buried in the cellar.'" "Yv'hen David Buck was about eighteen years of age, he embraced the Lord Jesus by faith.'"' At the age of twenty- three he began to travel his first circuit as a conference preacher. ITINERANT RECORD: 1794, (New York Conf.)t>elaware dr., N. Y., with R. Dillon; 1795, Newburgh dr. , with M. Swaim; 1796, ord. deacon,— Long Island dr. ; 1797, Redding dr. , Conn., with A. Jocelyn; 1798, elected to .elder's orders, but not ordained on account of the sickness and absence of Bishop Absury,' — no appointment named; 1799, ordained elder, — Albany city; 1800-180I, Brooklyn; 1802, Long Island dr., with J. Fennegan and Sylvcs- . ter Foster, 1803; local. The author has frequently heard his name mentioned by aged residents of Southold, L. I., whose fathers and moth- ers were converted under his ministry. Having taken a wife, and his health being infirm, he felt obliged to locate, but a- bated not in the least degree his zeal in his Master's work. Letter of Rev. Valentine Buck to the author. ' Rev. Elijah Hebard in Methodist Magazine, 1823, p. 279. ' Hid. 148 Old Sands Street Church. He settled in Hempstead Harbor, (now Roslyri,) and, in com- pany with his father-in-law, William Valentine, and his brother- in-law, he purchased the paper-mill property, including the " old mill " in which Bishop Asbury preached, and which served as a preaching-place for many years. His son, the Rev. Valentine Buck, himself now a veteran in the New York Conference, writes : My father's house was, from my earliest recollection, the stopping-place of all the Methodist preachers on the Jamaica circuit, and of all others who chanced to be passing through the place. As a local preacher he was in labors abundant, preaching not only at Roslyn, but also at Searingtown;, Herrick's, Glen Cove, Hempstead, Jamaica, and various other places; and his labors were always gratuitous.* After twenty years' residence and ministry among the people, his popularity had not waned ; and, as one of his brethren writes. Few preachers could collect larger congregations of attentive and willuig hearers. He was a powerful preacher. At quarterly meetings and camp- meetings, wherever he spoke, he was heard with interest and delight. God was with him, and the sacred unction usually attended his word, and hun- dreds on this island have reason to thank God that they ever heard him pro- claim the message of salvation.' The old Jamaica circuit quarterly conference record book bears testimony to the fidelity and ability with which for many years he discharged the duties of recording steward. In the year 1822, three years after the establishment of the Methodist Missionary Society, he wrote to the Corresponding Secretary, announcing the formation of an auxiliary society on the Jamaica circuit, of which he was one of the officers. The following extract reveals the character and spirit of the man : This institution is, it is true, in its infancy, and its funds but small; but our expectations are large. The interest already excited in the hearts of our brethren gives us reason to hope that this infant society will arrive to manhood, and become a powerful auxiliaiy to the parent institution. Dear brother, * * * if I possessed the energy and activity I did in 1793, when I first entered the traveling connection, I would hasten with cheerfulness to the heathen and savage tribes, to preach unto them a risen Saviour. That sys- tem of doctrine and discipline so zealously enforced by our venerable prede- cessors in the ministry must ultimately prevail. The prospect brightens ! The fields are white ; and although age and infirmities confine me to a more * Letter to the author. ' Hebard in " Methodist Magazine." Record of Ministers. 149 circumscribed field of action, yet I rejoice that God is raising up young men in every section of our countiy who are able to take the field, and who will, I hope, transmit to posterity the unsullied doctrines of the Gospel so success- fully taught by Wesley and his immediate successors in the ministry. Halle- lujah ! The Lord God omnipotent reigneth ! David Buck, Secretary.^ His old complaint, the gravel, aggravated by a violent cold, was the cause of his death. His suffering was extreme, but he endured uncomplainingly, expressing concern lest he should exhibit impatience, and at the same time giving utterance to his unwavering faith in God, and sweet hopes of everlasting rest. The author of his obituary records the words he uttered concerning his departure to his wife, his niece, Ruth Searing, and his son Valentine ; and then adds : When spoken to afterward by Sister Starkins, he said : " My conscience is pure; there is nothing that I have cause to fear or dread." These were his last words, and about one o'clock on Friday morning. May 2, 1823, his im- mortal spirit fled, we have reason to believe, to the mansions of the just.' ' He was fifty-one years of age.' He sleeps in one of the old- est Methodist burial-grounds on Long Island, close beside the little Searingtown church, in which he preached the Gospel as long ago as 1796. Nancy Valentine was married to Mr. Buck about the time of the close of his itinerant labors, hence she never shared them with him ; but she was a valued friend of the itinerants for many years, and gladly ministered to their wants, making her home a cheerful and comfortable retreat for them always. She sur- vived her husband twenty-four years, and died at the resi- dence of her brother-in-law, Cornelius Westlake, in Newtown, (now Brooklyn,) November 9, 1847, in the seventy-ninth year of her age. She was buried beside her husband. ° " Methodist Magazine," 1822, p. 120. ' Hebard. ' If copied correctly, the inscription on his tombstone says he had attained his fifty-fifth year. XXV. FTER five years of itinerant labors, divided between the states of Maine, Mass., Conn, and New York, the Rev. Peter Jayne was appointed to Brook- lyn, — the successor of David Buck. He had traveled the Long Island circuit the previous year, and as the Minutes indicate, occasionally exchanged with the Brooklyn pastor. The signature is from the trustees' record book of Sands- street, and was written in 1802. He was born in Marblehead, Mass., March 16, 1778." Peter Jayne, his father, was a school teacher in Marblehead for many years, and attended the Congregational church. His mother's name was Dorothy. The elder Peter Jayne died in 1784, when the son was but six years of age, as we learn from the town records of Marblehead.' Six years subsequently ..;e widow was married to Joshua Prentice. An upper room was fitted up for Methodist meetings in thtir house, where it is believed the first Methodist society in Marblehead was organized. The name of Dorothy Prentice stands first on the list of seven females who formed the orig- inal class.' Jesse Lee writes in his journal: October 28, 1794: We proceeded to Marblehead to quarterly meeting. We held love-feast in Brother Prentice's house, and a few people spoke with life and freedom. The company was melted to tears, I was pleased to find them so much engaged in religion. Afterward we held watch-night; I, preached and brother Ketcham exhorted. ' Town Records. " These facts were gathered from the records by the Rev. Joseph Candlin. ^ Candlin's Historic Sketch. Record of Ministers. 151 It was probably in one of these meetings that Peter Jayne, a youth of sixteen years, first made a confession of Christ. He was " licensed " by the quarterly conference of Lynn,'' and when about eighteen years of age began to travel a circuit. ° The fol- lowing is his published ITINERANT RECORD : 1797, (New York Conf.,) Middletown cir., Conn., with M. Coate; 1798, ordained deacon — Pleasant River, Me. ; 1799' Granville cir., Mass. and Conn., with E. Batchelor ; 1800, ordained elder — Dutchess cir., N. Y., with W. Thacher ; 1801, Long Island cir., with Billy Hibbard;" 1802, Brooklyn; 1803-1804, (N. E. Conf.,) Lynn, Mass. ; 1805- 1806, Boston, with Reuben Hubbard and Samuel Merwin. Contrary to the custom of the itinerants of those times, he was married during the first or second year of his ministry. While stationed in Lynn he preached and published, a discourse, en- titled " The Substance of a Sermon preached at Lynn, in the Meth- odist Episcopal Church, on the First Day of December, 1803, being the Day of Publick Thanksgiving for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts : and now made publick at the request of several of the hearers and others. By P. Jayne, Minister of said Church. Salem." Printed by William Carlton, 1803.' In the preface he says : You will discover from the contents [of this discourse,] no doubt, that I am not entirely destitute of national pride, if such it may be termed, to feel pecul- iar attachment to the country that has brought us forth. * * * I hope no one will feel disposed to censure my attachment to the present administration, (when it is remembered that I am a member of a Church that has long been looked upon with an eye of contempt,) inasmuch as the administration which at present exists knows no one denomination more than another, or in prefer- ence to another. Here we all are equal, and have the vast field of action be- fore us, and stand or fall according to our character in the religious world. Do we wish for pre-eminence ? We must obtain it by our virtue and piety. The sermon is founded upon Psalm cxlvii, 20 : "He hath not dealt so with any nation. Praise ye the Lord." His patriotic pride is plainly expressed in the following sentences : * Quarterly Conference record. A score or more of preachers were sent out by that church. See Memorial Sermon by Rev. Dr. Chas. Adams, 1841. ' Minutes of Conferences, 1807, p. 146. ' While the Minutes indicate that Brooklyn was included in his charge in 1801, the quarterly conference records of both charges show that he received his support entirely from the L. I. circuit, and although, perhaps, exchanging at times with the Brooklyn preacher, he was not considered pastor of that church until 1802. ' A pamphlet of 13 pp., in the libraiy of the New England Methodist His- torical Society, Boston. 152 Old Sands Street Church. We are all blessed with liberty, free from anarchy ; a freedom not only to dis- pose of the labors of our hands as we please, but also to worship God according to the disposition of our minds. Free in body, free in mind, we are not necessitated to sacrifice our cjnscience or our interest to the caprice of a land- lord who is adding field to field till there is no place for the poor to dwell but at his covetous disposal. * * * We are a nation of kings ; the authority is vested in us all, generally speaking, according to our capacity and merit. No one presumes to govern us, or claim an exclusive right over us, upon the principle that his father hath left us to him as an estate. We are not sub- ject, therefore, to be governed by an idiot, or an infant of days, or what in its nature is far more impious, and in its consequences far more pernicious to society, by corrupt courtiers. Will any raise themselves to posts of honor and dignity amongst us? They must graduate by their wisdom and merit ; then they must have an eye upon their conduct, lest the same authority that invested them with power should divest them of it. So that, strictly speaking, while they rule they are our servants. Honorable station, to both rule and serve a nation of kings. In thankfulness for spiritual blessings, he adds : While the spirit, the pacific spirit of grace, has prevailed the past year in the accession of thousands of perishing sinners who have witnessed to the power of God to save in the Southern States, the windows of heaven have not been altogether closed to us in the Northern, especially in this commonwealth ; so that, while the South is giving up, the North reverberates, and will no longer keep back. Surely America will become a mountain of holiness, a dwelling- place of peace with truth and righteousness. Amen. Even so. Lord Jesus. He laid the corner-stone of the old Bromfield-street church, in Boston, in 1806.' On the fifth of September, that same year, he was called home from his useful labors in the city of Boston, a young man of twenty-eight. " His early death was deplored by his brethren as the eclipse of a morning star."° The follow- ing item concerning his grave is from an article published in Zion's Herald several years ago : Mr. Samuel Burrill was the richest man in the society, [First Methodist Episcopal church in Boston,] owned his house, his shop, and other real estate, and was evidently a man of standing in the community. He owned a tomb in Copp's Hill burial-ground, and in that (then) new tomb was laid Rev. Peter Jayne, of blessed memory— J ayne, who, on the 15th of April, 1806, laid- the corner-stone of the Methodist chapel in Bromfield's lane, now Bromfield- S(treet church. The next year, 1807, the owner of the tomb became an occupant. * Stevens — Memorials of Methodism, p. 286. ' M'Clintock and Strong's Cyclopaedia. Record of Ministers. 153 Willard S. Allen writes : This old burial-ground is in the " North End " of Boston. The tomb may still be seen on the Snow Hill-street side of the burying ground, bearing the name of John H. Pitman ; no inscription appertaining to Peter Jayne. Mr. Jayne is said to have labored under the embarrassment of "a deafness not common to a man of his years,"' and yet, despite this infirmity, he rendered himself eminently acceptable. We have no portrait from which to judge of his personal ap- pearance. He is described as " a handsome man, well- proportioned, with dark hair, refined and elegant in his manner." ' The following brief notice of him is found in the writings of Abel Stevens : Peter Jayne was a well-beloved hope of the Church, a man of rare abilities and excellent qualities. His mind was capacious and critical, his information extensive, his style severe and forcible, his piety profound and uniform, and his manners were distinguished by a frankness and sincerity which marked him on all occasions. We regret that the resources of our information are so inadequate to the merits of such a man.'" Sarah, (Clark,) the wife of Peter Jayne, survived him nearly forty years, and died the beloved and lamented widow of the Rev. Samuel Merwin. Her memorial is given in connection with the sketch of Samuel Merwin in this work. We are indebted to the Rev. J. B. Merwin, D.D., for the fol- lowing item concerning the three children of Peter and Sarah Jayne : Peter, the oldest, named after his father, was a son of great promise. While on a trip to Albany, on a commercial enterprise of his own, at the age of fifteen, he was knocked overboard by the boom and drowned. The older of tlie two daughters was adopted by her grandmother in Marblehead, married, and is now deceased. Eliza, the younger, was in our family as one of us. Until we were quite large we did not know that she was not our full sister. She was married to Mr. Chappell, in Baltimore, while my father was stationed there. ' Conference Minutes, 1807, p. 146. ' This account of him was given to the author by the Rev. Dr. J. B. Merwin. '" Memorials of Methodism, first series, p. 392. XXVI. EZEKIEL CANFIELD. HE Rev. Ezekiel Canfield was a noble specimen of the rank and file of early Methodist preachers. Stevens eulogizes him as "a veteran, mighty in la- bors if not in talents.'" The records show that he was the successor of Peter Jayne in Brooklyn in 1803. He was born in Salisbury, Conn., March 16, 1767. John Tooker, of Gloversville, N. Y., writes: Ezekiel Canfield was my great-uncle. A friend, Mr. Wm. Cozens, who knew his parents, says that his father's name was Jonathan, and he thinks that both the parents were Methodists." The Minutes say that when twenty-four years of age "he was made a witness of justifying grace, and joined the Meth- odist Episcopal Church." The following is his CONFERENCE RECORD: 1794, Herkimer and Otsego dr., N. Y., with'S. Weeks and John Wooster; 1795, Cambridge cir,, with S. Fowler; 1796, ordained deacon, — New Rochelle and Croton cir., with Joseph Totten and Da- vid Brown; 1797, Litchfield cir. , Conn. , with Wm. Thacher; 1798. Granville cir., Mass., with Daniel Webb; 1799, ordained elder, — Warren and Greenwich cir., R. I., with J. Hall and T. Bishop; 1800, Cambridge cir., N. Y. , with E. Stevens; 1801, Brandon cir., Vt., with E. Washburn; 1802, not named on the list of appointments; 1803, Brooklyn; 1804, Albany city; 1805, sup'y; 1806, ditto, New Rochelle cir., N. Y., with Joseph Crawford and Henry Redstone; 1807, ditto, with Billy Hibbard, M. B. Bull and H. Redstone; 1808, ditto, with Billy Hibbard and Zalmon Lyon; 1809, Croton cir., N. Y. , with J. Lyon; 1810, Cortland cir., with Billy Hibbard; 1811, Suffolk cir., with S. Bushnell, 1812, Montgomery cir., with Francis Brown; 1813, New Windsor cir., with N. Em- ery; 1814, Newburgh cir.. with Z. Lyon; 1815, Croton cir., with Aaron Hunt; 1 816, ditto; with Jesse Hunt; 1817, Stratford, Conn., with Reuben Harris; 1818, Goshen cir., with D. Ensign and T, Benedict; i8ig, ditto, with D. En- sign; 1 820-1 825, superannuated. Billy Hibbard in his autobiography mentions him as his colleague — a single man — in 1808. One year later, April 26, 1809, at the age of forty-two, he was married to Miss Alice Stow of Middletown, Conn.' ' Memorials of Methodism, p. 387. ' Letter to the author. ^ Town Records. Record of Ministers, 155 The late pastor in West Goshen, Conn., writes The old records of this charge were burned in a dwelling-house, but it is •definitely known that Ezekiel Cmfield was twice on this charge, and he was the first Methodist who preached in the town. He delivered a sermon in a private house, standing on a half-bushel measure. This I learn from an old lady who was personally acquainted with him.* His last days were spent in Mayfield, Montgomery county, N. Y., the home of his parents and other kindred. His life wore away with great suffering, which he endured with remark- able patience and resignation. " He declared that his faith was as unshaken as the pillars of heaven." With the prayer, "O Father, take me to thyself," trembling upon his lips, he passed on to his home in the skies, October 16, 1825, in the fifty-ninth year of his age. His funeral was attended by the Rev. Jacob Beeman, and his mortal form was laid in the Riceville ceme- tery, in the town of Mayfield. A tombstone marks his grave. Ezekiel Canfield was a man of slender build, " a good off- hand speaker," modest in his deportment, cheerful and affable in his conversation, firm in his attachment to his friends, and plain and experimental in his preaching." Al,iCE, his wife, was the daughter of Solomon, Jr., and Alice (Abbott) Stow, of Middletown, Conn. She was converted in early life. Her husband found in her a faithful and useful sharer in his toils. After his death she returned to her childhood home, where she lived many years, esteemed and respected by all her acquaintances. Some are yet living in Middletown who distinctly remember "the little old lady,"' and often attended class-meetings in her house. She died September 7, 1849, aged nearly seventy-six years. So sweetly did she fall asleep that one who watched her knew not the moment of her departure. Her last words were " Peace ! peace ! peace ! " ' She is buried in the Mortimer cemetery, iri Middletown, Conn. ' Rev. George W. Hughes, — Letter to the author. * Conference Minutes, 1826, p. 509. ' See The Christi£in Advocate and Journal, 1849. 13 XXVII. WILLIAM THACHER. ANDs Street CntrRCH numbered among her early pastors and presiding elders none m-ore energetic ahd efficient than the Rev. William Thacher> Chief among the events of his ministry in Brooklyti was the erettion of the "Old White Church." lie was born in Norwalk, Conn., April 3, 1769. His pa- reftts were decided adherents to the creed of the Congrega- tional Church to t^^hich they belonged, and he and his two brother's Were trained in the principles of piety.' When a child of six yfeafs he declared his purpose to become a preacher. Two years later both his parents were removed by death. His father's dying request to a brother who ex- pected to adopt him as a son, was to have him graduate at Yiaie College, and stti^^ ^S^r^^uc^ REV. WILLIAM THACHER. Record of Ministers. 157 Methodist.' There he saw a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church, who lived seven miles away, and who invited hiio to a meeting held by that people near his home. He soon re- moved to New York, taking with him the following letter, writ- ten by the apostle of Methodism in tbe New England States : The bearer, William Thacher, calls himself a Methodist, and I hope he iiS a steady, well-meaning persou. Jesse Lee. He joined a class in the John-street church which met Sab- bath morning at sunrise. He married Miss Anna Munson, of New Haven, and took up his residence there. His wife was converted one year after their marriage. He states that he heard the first Methodist sermon in New Haven,° and was one of five to form the first Methodist class in that place in 1795, of which he was appointed the leader.' He was greatly exercised about preaching the Gospel. He writes : N. Snetlien, who was then our preacher, advised me to exhort, but it sooji af^eared that I could not talk extemporan.eou.sly without a teitt. How .dis- couraging ! fc»- how .shall a man preach a .sermon who cannot tall? comraop sense five minutes by way of exhortation ? Another'preacher advising him to take a text, he did so, ant on the lo for some vexatious questions. The infidel propounde following: "Mr. Woolsey, what is the soul.?" The pre replied : " Some people say it is the pith of the back-t This answer was received with scorn and declared ■ ridiculous. " Well, then," said Woolsey, " if it isn't that, is it? " He had the advantage at once. The infidel was zled and ashamed, and acknowledged that it was easier for a wise infidel to ask questions than to answer them. The Rev. Elbert Osborn, who had often heard him pi wrote of him as "animated in delivery," and Dr. Wakele; said that he " possessed the spirit of the prophet whose he bore." Electa, his first wife, died among the Sands-street pi February 14, 1808, aged twenty-nine years. One week 1 her death she declared to Father Garrettson " that the had sanctified her soul more than two years before, and thi had not seen one moment since that time in which she do it any more than she doubted her own existence." In he moments "she folded her hands together and said, ' Now, Jesus, take me to thyself speedily.' These were her last woi ° Minutes of Conferences, 1850, p. 453. ' " The Supernumerary,'' pp. 94, 95. Record of Ministers. 183 he was buried on the east side of the Sands-street church- i. On the head-stone are these lines : " Her sleeping dust, in silent slumber, lies Beneath this stone, till God shall bid it rise." Tone would now write such a couplet over the sleepers there. It changes have transpired ! Little did those who laid their ;d ones to rest in the quiet slopes beside the village church cipate that in less than a century their repose might be dis- )ed to make way i&x the busy throngs of a great and growing HCEBE (Wilson,) the second wife of Elijah Woolsey, has ady been mentioned. Dr. E. W. Finch writes : rs. Phoebe Woolsey was aunt to my mother, who spent one year, when a I, in Uncle Woolsey's home. The family ties are exceedingly strong in, Wilson family. My dear Aunt Phcebe was like a mother to me. * * *. r settling in New Rochelle I puirchased a plot in the Rye cemetery, and ng " the minister's plot " quite overrun with weeds and briars, I asked of Church authority to remove the remains of Uncle and Aunt Woolsey to amily plot, which was readily granted. The plot seems more sacred since,. : sacred dust was deposited there.' Letter to the author. XXXIII. MONG the most holy and useful of the early odist preachers was the Rev. John Wilson was born in Poulton, England, February 13 and, having been "taught by his parents the fear - Lord," he became in very early life a Christian, and yet a youth he cast in his lot with "the people called M ists." At twenty years of age he came to New York, ing a recommendation from the Methodist preachers i erpool. Two years later he visited England on bu and on the return voyage "experienced extraordinary festations of the love and presence of the Lord." " H dered faithful service to the cause of Methodism it York city as class leader, exhorter and local- preachei was thirty-four years of age, and had been in America teen years when he entered the traveling connect Methodist preachers. CONFERENCE RECORD: 1797, (New York Conf.,) New and Croton cir.,N. Y., with David Brown and J. Baker; 1798, Lon dr.. with David Brown; 1799, ordained deacon, — ditto, with James Ci 1800, New Rochelle and Croton dr., with David Brown and Elijah CI: 1801, ordained elder, — ditto, with ]as. Campbell and Wm. Pickett; 18 York city dr., with T. Morrell andT. F. Sargent; 1803, ditto, with rell, M. Coate, and R. 'Williston; 1804, assistant editor and gene steward, associated with Ezekiel Cooper; 1805, New York, with F. Gs ' Conference Minutes, 1810, p. 181. ' The appointment is ' 'Brooklyn and Long Island" in the Conference but the quarterly conference records show that the charges were not i finances, and that Cyrus Stebbins was the Brooklyn pastor that year. Record of Ministers. 185 ^. Snetlien and Aaron Hunt ; 1806, ditto, with A. Hunt, T. Bishop, and D. Lowell ; 1807, Brooklyn, with Elijah Woolsey ; i8o8, New YorI<, with W. rhacher, E. Cooper, F. Ward, L. Audrus, and P. Peck ; 1808-1809, chief lOok agent, with Daniel Hitt. Lednum says he married Hester, a daughter of Frederick Deveau, a pioneer Methodist of New Rochelle,N. Y.,^ but of ler or her family nothing further is known. In scholarship, John Wilson ranked among the foremost of he preachers. His memorial says: He was conversant with the Greek and Roman classics. Carrying with him lis Greeli Testament, he spent many of his leisure hours in the perusal thereof, ie made great progress in polemical, experimental, and pi'actical theology. ie was an enlightened, able, and spiritual divine. In penmanship, for per- picuity and swiftness ; in correctness of accounts and accuracy of calculations n business, he could be excelled by few.'' In all the graces which adorn the Christian character, his )rethren declared him to be " a superior example worthy of mitation." His preaching was "in demonstration of the Spirit, md with power." Sinners and backsliders beard his monitory roice, and trembled; * * * mourners in Zion rejoiced at he consolation he brought ; " and by his clear and powerful )reaching on his favorite theme, entire sanctification, many were )rought to the experience of that great blessing. The follow- ng passage by one of his contemporaries vividly illustrates his ibility to overcome prejudice and doubt, "when he spoke upon he doctrine of perfect love. On the sixth day of our session, [New York Conference, 1804,] the post- loned subject of sanctification was called up, and Stebbins, its enemy, came in with his objections, Up rose John Wilson, whose soul flamed with the fire if it. His sanguine countenance, his sparkling eye, his animated frame and ervor of soul, all ii^dicated that his heart was full of the subject ; and, as in he case of Stephen, none could " resist the spirit and wisdom with which he pake." He sat down to wait a reply, but " none opened his mouth, or mut- ered, or peeped." The victory was complete; the debate was closed; all eemed love, and the angel of peace brooded over the consecrated assembly.' He was several years, secretary of the New York Conference, , member and secretary of the Geheral Conference in 1804, and . member again in 1808. ' " Rise of Methodism,'' p. 103. * Conference Minutes, 1810, p. 181. ' William Thacher's manuscript Autobiography. 1 86 Old Sands Street Church. During the last seven years of his life he suffered greatly from a-sthma, and while this affliction developed his patience, it did not quench his zeal. He died suddenly from suffocation, January 29, 1810, having conversed and prayed with his family a few hours before his death. His remains were deposited in a vault in the rear of the Forsyth-street church, New York." ' See " Lost Chapters," p. 501. xienynJ- ^.^^^ify'ifii^m J^ 'e/c^ REV. DANIEL OSTRANDER. XXXIV. DANIEL OSTRANDER. OHN Wilson and Elijah Woolsey were succeeded in the Brooklyn charge by that ''shrewd and far-see- ing Methodist statesman," the Rev. Daniel OsTRANDER. He was born in Plattekill, Ulster Co., N. Y. , on the pth of August,' 1772. He sprang from a rugged and vigorous stock — his ancestors were from Holland. His con- version at the age of sixteen years was followed by the ear- nest and sincerCdevotion of more than half a century to the noblest work that can engage the powers of a human being. Entering the itinerancy at the age of twenty one, he wrought grandly for God and the church in the following APPOINTMENTS: 1793, Litchfield dr., Conn., with Lemuel Smith; 1794, Middletown dr., with M. Rainor; 1795, ordained deacon — Pomfret cir., with N.-Chapin; 1796, Warren, R. I.; 1797, ordained elder — Boston and Needham cir., Mass., with Elias Hull; 1798, Pomfret, Ct., with.Asa Heath; 1799, Tolland cir.; 1800, Pomfret dr.; 1801, New York with John M'Claskey, Thos. Morrell, and M. Coate; 1802-1803, New London Dist.; 1804-1805, (New Eng, Conf.,) same district; 1806, (N, Y. Conf.) Dutchess dr., N. Y., with F. Ward and Robert Dillon; 1807, ditto with Wm. Vredenburgh and Wm. Swayze; 1808, Brooklyn; 1809-1810, Albany; I811-1814, Hudson River Dist; 1B15, Chatham dr., N. Y., with S. Minor; 1816, New York, with Wm. Thacher, E. Wash- bum, L. Andrus, and A. Scholefield; 1817, ditto, with N. Bangs, S. Crowell, and S. Howe; 1818, New Rochelle dr., with Coles Carpenter; 1819-1820, pre- siding elder, Ashgrove Dist. ;i82i-i822, Saratoga Dist.; 1823-1826, Hudson River Dist.; 1827, New Haven Dist.; i828-,i83i New York Dist.; 1832, New York city, east circuit, with B. Griffin, B. Silleck, P. Chamberlin, and P. R. Brown, 1833, ditto, with Laban Clark, B. Griffin, P. Chamberlin, and P. R. Brown; 1834, New Rochelle cir., with P. L. Hoyt and E. Woolsey, sup'y; 1835, ditto, with B. Daniels and E. Woolsey, sup'y; 1836-1839, New York Dist.; 1840-1842, Newburgh Dist.; 1843, superannuated. He is classed among the founders of Methodism in New England, all his earlier appointments having been in that region. His first presiding elder's district "comprehended, during a part of 'the time, the entire field of Methodism in Connecticut, (except one circuit,) most of Rhode Island, 14 1 88 Old Sands Street Church. and a portion of Massachusetts." ' Subsequently his labors were mostly in the State of New York. He was a member of General Conference ten successive terms, 1804 to 1840. His conference memorial, in reviewing his remarkable career, says : From the year 1793 to the year 1843, a full term of fifty years, so remark- ably did the Lord preserve him, that only three Sabbaths in all that time was he disabled from pulpit service by sickness. Where, in the history of minis- ters, shall we find a parallel to this ? For fourteen years he was on circuits, eight years in stations, (New York, Brooklyn, and Albany,) and twenty-eight years in the office of presiding elder.^ On September 3, 1798, he was married to Miss Mary Bowen. While pastor in Brooklyn he was the first to call out Marvin Richardson by " announcing him to preach without his knowl- edge."' One of his contemporaries, who, however, survived him many years, thus describes his appearance at the close of his effective ministry : Entering the New York Conference, your attention is attracted by the ap- pearance of a venerable man occupying a seat near the platform directly in front of the presiding officer. His statue is small and slender, his form erect and sinewy, his complexion bronze, his nose sharp, his eyes small but clear and piercing, his mouth thin-lipped and compressed, his forehead high and broad, over which hang spare locks, well sprinkled with gray. He is attired in the costume of the early Methodist preachers ; with black suit, the coat round-breasted, the vest buttoned to tlie chin, and the neck minus a collar, encompassed with a whiteneckerchief of excessive proportions. This is Daniel Ostrander, the Cromwell of the New York Conference. His face is indicative of vigor ; his head, phrenologically viewed, of an iron will ; in fact, the whole expression is that of a man of great energy, determination, and perseverance. Nor do his looks belie him. He is uncompromising in his antagonism to every form of wrong-doing, and this, when circumstances demand, finds expression in no ambiguous terms. His yea is emphatically yea ! and his nay, nay ! He is a Methodist from conviction and choice, and next to the Gospel he has faith in the ultimate ubiquity of the discipline, doctrines, and usages of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He has just concluded his fiftieth year as an effective preacher, and by a vote of the Conference he has been requested to preach a. semi-centennial sermon. And how wonderful the record of those fifty years ! * ' Stevens' Hist. M. E. Church, vol. iii, p. 228. ' Minutes of Conferences, 1844, p. 472. ' Stevens' Hist. M. E. Church, vol. iv, p. 254. ' Rev. J. L. Gilder, in The Methodist, April, 1874. Record of Ministers. 189 A large audience listened to this sermon in the Allen-street church, New York. At this time he insisted upon taking a su- perannuated relation, but it doubtless cost him a severe struggle of feeling to retire from his much-loved work. It is believed to have hastened his death. His memoir says : He preached occasionally, on Sabbaths, until his final sickness, and on August 2g, 1843, at a camp-meeting n:ai- Newburgh, delivered his last ser- mon, from Psalm cxlvi, 8 : " The Lord openeth the eyes of the blind," etc. It is said to have been an able discourse, and one of his happiest efforts. Through the whole of the summer he seemed to be ripening for heaven, and soon after this last message his health failed. * * * When asked if Christ was still precious, with his last and utmost effort he cried, " Yes ! " and peace- fully fell asleep in Jesus. So lived and labored, and so died Daniel Ostran- der, literally worn out in the best cause — his life, from sixteen years of age to seventy-two, a living .sacrifice to God. The date of his departure is Decernber 8, 1843. Bishop Hedding preached his funeral sermon from 2 Tim. iv, 7, 8. ;'' and his remains were interred in the old burial-ground in Platte- kill, Orange county, N. Y., near the scene of his birth and childhood. The best characterization of Daniel Ostrander that we have seen is from the pen of the Rev. J. L. Gilder. He describes him as " more aggressive than progressive — in fact, sternly con- servative," and enlarges upon this point as follows : Jealous of the integrity and purity of Methodism, he regarded her pecul- iarities as constituting her chief excellence, and hence he viewed with sus- picion whatever would tend to impair or destroy them. Therefore he reso- lutely resisted some measures which ultimately became an integral part of the economy of the Church, He makes note of his punctuality, his frequent and pointed speeches in conference, his intuitive discernment of the right and wrong of every question, his consummate skill in unravel- ing (difficulties which sometimes arose in the course of discus- sions, and his calm self-possession in the midst of intense ex- citement, on account of which he was sometimes called "the balance-wheel of the conference." As Mr. Gilder states, He was decided in his convictions, and his position once taken, he was im- movable. In his administration he was rather severe and exacting. To the requirements of the Discipline he gave the most literal interpretation. It is not surprising, therefore, that instances arose in which he was regarded as "" Report in The Christian Advocate. ipo Old Sands Street Church. being dogmatical in his opinions and arbitrary in his measures. He was, however, thoroughly honest and conscientious in his convictions and acts ; and no flattery on the one hand, nor threats on the other, would cause him to swerve one iota from what he conceived to be just and right.. The casual observer, forming his estimate of Mr. Ostrander by his general appearance and manner, miglit very naturally have considered him devoid of tenderness and sympathy, but to those who were brought into intercourse with him in social and private life, there was found underlying that rough ex- terior a stratum of almost womanly gentleness and kindness of spirit. Among his familiar friends he would throw off his usual reticence and be free and un- restrained. He would frequently enliven conversation with a spicy anecdote, and entertain by the narration of thrilling incidents connected with his itiner- ant career. While severe in his denunciations of what was simply mere- tricious, he was quick to discern and prompt to encourage real merit. Hence the young minister struggling with adverse circumstances, but consecrated to his work, found in him a judicious friend and a wise counselor. As a preacher, he was distinguished for plainness of speech, depth of thought, scriptural language, and powerful appeals to the heart and con- science. If he had not elegance of diction or flights of oratoiy, he was free from verbiage. His style was compact, forcible, direct, incisive. He was mighty in exhortation, and there are those living who will recall the potency of his appeals.* Though possessing a dignity bordering upon sternness, he is said to have had " a vein of the brightest humor, which was sometimes exhibited to the amusement of his friends." After a speech he had delivered in Baltimore, during which he was interrupted every few minutes by his opponents calling him to order, he met at a dinner party several of those who had at- tempted to silence him. One of them said, " Brother Ostran- der, you beat all the men I ever saw ; it seems to me that if twenty jackasses were to run over you when you were speaking, they could not break the thread of your discourse." Ostrander listened to the remark, then "bringing his fingers to his lips, and spitting rapidly three or four times, as if to get rid of some lingering bad' taste, simply replied, in the most quiet manner possible, ' I think I have been pretty well tried in that way this morning.' " ' It is cause for gratulation that Mr. Ostrander, at the age of sixty-seven, withdrew his persistent refusal to sit for a portrait, and that the artist has given us an excellent likeness in oil, from which the engraving in this book is copied. » Article in The Methodist. ' Dr. Samuel Luckey, in Sprague's Annals. Record of Ministers. 191 Mary (Bowen,) his wife, was born June 26, 1767, in Cov- entry, R. I. Her father, though regarded as an honorable citi- zen, was a man of deistic principles, who late in life, however, became a Christian. The gay pleasures of the world did not satisfy the daughter, and on hearing, a Methodist preacher in her twenty-fourth year, she sought and found the Lord. In spite of great persecution, she united with the Methodists, under the ministry of Ezekiel Cooper, in 1793. Every two weeks she rode ten miles on horseback to attend class-meeting. Jesse Lee and George Roberts were her pastors, and she formed an early acquaintance with Asbury. She heartily ac- cepted the lot of an itinerant's wife, and "forgot her own people and her father's house." She was an excellent wife and mother, noted for "industry," "frugality," "punctuality," and " neatness," and her many acts of charity. Through feeble- ness and watching over a dying son, in 181 8, her reason gave way, and " for some weeks her mind became the sport of the enemy.'' Prayer availed for her recovery. She bore the death of her husband with amazing fortitude, and in five weeks and two days after his decease, on the 14th of February, 1843, she peacefully slept in Jesus, in the seventy-seventh year of her age. Her grave is beside that of her husband.' Children of Daniel and Mary Ostrander: Almira, who was converted at the age of sixteen years, " drank at the fountain- head of Methodist doctrine and spirit by direct association with Bishops Asbury and George, and others of that noble band of pioneers," wrote for the press very creditable articles both in prose and poetry, and maintained a glowing religious zeal and devotion till her death, in 1879, in the seventieth year of her age ; ° Richard, who died young ; Daniel Bowen, a highly culti- vated physician, who, after preaching acceptably in the New York Conference a number of years, located, entered upon the practice of medicine, and died in 1877, leaving one child, a son ; Mary H., who married the Rev. Ira Ferris, of the New York Conference, and still survives him, (1884,) at the age of eighty-two, and among whose five living children is the Rev. Daniel Ostrander Ferris, of the New York East Conference. * These facts were furnished for The Christian Advocate by her daughter, Miss Almira Ostrander. ' Rev. D. O. Ferris, in The Christian Advocate. XXXV. REUBEN HUBBARD. 5 ^^^«i ROOKLYN charge was the point of departure from |^^»; whicli two of the early Methodist preachers en- fc^j!^ tered the Episcopal Church. One of these was the Rev. Reuben Hubbard. He was a native of Brimfield, Mass. His father's ancestors were of English origin; his mother's name was Keep.' By iiis devoted parents "he was led on from his earliest infancy to regard himself as set apart for the ministry of the word," and he became a member of the Methodist Church "as early as his fifteenth year."° Joining conference about three years later, he continued in the Meth- odist ministry twelve years, and thereafter he was for half a century connected with the Protestant Episcopal Church. The following is an epitome of his entire MINISTERIAL RECORD; 179S, Pittsfield dr., Mass., with Joseph Sawyer; 1799, Pleasant River dr., Me.; 1800, ordained deacon, — Bath and Union dr., with Timothy Merritt; 1801, Portland; 1802, ordained elder, — Greenwich and Warren dr., R. I., with Caleb-Morris and ('.. H. Cobb; 1803, Needhamcir., Mass., with Thos. Ravlin; 1804, Marblehead; 1805, Boston, with Peter Jayne; 1806, Newport, R. I.; 1807, Gloucester and Manchester cir. ; 1808, (N. Y. Conf.,) Middletown and Hartford dr.. Conn., with James M. Smith, P. Rice and Joseph Lockwood; 1809, Brooklyn, — withdrew. 1809, Dec. 22, ordained deacon by Bp. Moore of the Protestant Episcopal Church; 1810, (Oct.,) missionary at Duanesborough and places adjacent; 1811 [or 1812] — 1818. rector of the churches in Danbury, Redding and Ridgefield, Diocese of Conn.; 1819-1823, rector of St. Michael's, Talbot County, Md., 1824-1827, rector, St. James Church, Goshen, N. Y. ; 1828, (June) to 1829, (Dec.) missionary at Sodus; 1830-1831, missionary at Waterloo and Seneca Falls; 1832-1835, missionary at Granville; 1836, several months at .Sandy Hill and Fort Edward; 1837-1843, missionary at Stillwater and Mechanicsville; 1844-1845, residing in Waterford; 1846-1849, rector, St. Stephen's Church, Schuylerville; 1850-1858, residing at Yonkers.' ' The Rev. Wm. E. Ketcham obtained from Miss Mary Anna Hubbard, daughter of Reuben Hubbard, some of the facts here recorded. Dr. A. 15. Carter states that "the father and other kindred" of Reuben Hubbard are bu- ried in Cortlandville, N. Y. ^ Funeral address by A. B. Carter, D. D. ' His pastoral record in the Episcopal Church is obtained from Sword's Pock- et Almanacs, Burgess' List of Deacons, and Diocesan Convention Journals of Conn, and N. Y. REV. REUBEN HUBBARD. Record of Ministers. 193 He was a member of the General Conference in 1804. The following letter,* written while he was pastor in Massachusetts, was addressed to the Rev. Epaphras Kibby : Marblehead, April 3, 1805. Dear Brother : I was informed by Brother Robinson that you would be glad to make an exchange with me the second Sabbath in April. I should be very glad to exchange, but I don't know how it will be. Our collections are small. They have paid me nothing this quarter, and were able only to pay Mr. Bowler for my board, not any thing for interest. Mrs. Bowler talks of begging something to defray the expense of an exchange ; (such is the peo- ple's attachment to you, not on my account.) If they conclude to do any thing, I will come to Boston on Thursday, if I have no further intelligence from you. If I cannot come on to Boston to change at the time appointed, would it not do a fortnight after, should any thing turn up to make it con- venient on my part ? If it will not, please inform me by letter. I am in good health, and tolerably good spirits, though nothing very encouraging appears among the people. • Yours, R.Hubbard. It is likely that he raised money enough to meet the expense of a trip to Boston ; at all events, he was stationed in that city at the ensuing conference. He was greatly beloved by the people to whom he ministered ; yet, though popular and successful in the Methodist Church, he was for some years preparing to go over to the Episcopalians. Dr. Carter says : In the last conversation I had with him he told me of his success as a preacher in those earlier years, and as a proof of the esteem in which he was held by the congregation to whom he ministered. In Newport, R. I., a large building was erected, and an urgent and repeated call given him to sever bis connection with the Methodist Society, and become the independent pastor of this new church. But this his sense of duty would not allow him to do, as he had won their confidence and enlisted their sympathies as a Methodist preacher. The church had been built with the money of that denomination, and by their rule of discipline, to which he had subscribed and they had assented, he must leave, as his allotted time had then expired ; which he accordingly did. He told me, however, that at this very time his mind was inclining to the ministry of the Episcopal Church, and not very long after- ward he entered upon a course of study which was to prepare him for ordina- tion. It had been suggested to him that he might, as a minister coming from another body, avail himself of the canon referring to such, and thus secure a dispensation from some of the studies, which would require more time and greater application, but he positively refused to be received upon any other than a full standard of requirements ; and so he labored all the ■"Copied from the original, on file in the library of the. New England Methodist Historical Society. 194 Old Sands Street Church. more diligently, still, however, preaching to his Methodist brethren every Sun- day until he felt himself equal to the preliminary examination. He was fully prepared, and consequently passed with credit. He organized Episcopal churches in Whitehall, Seneca Falls, Glen's Falls, Mechanicsville, and several other places. His re- ports at the annual conventions of his diocese breathe the spirit of a true missionary, and bear witness to his great labors and privations, rarely surpassed by the most apostolic among the Methodist heroes. It cannot, it need not, be determined whether the same zealous devotion in the Methodist Church would have accomplished more good. It is true that he moved as often, traveled more, obtained less promotion, and probably received as little remuneration as when he was an itinerant of the itinerants among the Methodists. A few brief extracts from his reports may not be amiss. In 1824. Goshen. Congregations are small, and they are obliged to make great exertions to meet their expenses. 1831. Seneca Falls. During the winter and spring I preached as often as six times a week, besides holding other services. 1835. Your missionary has been wholly unable to keep up the Sunday- school, for want of the support necessary from the people. 1838. Good seed falls on stony places. 1840. In these places the current of prejudice sets so strong against the Church that I have been able, with all the industry I could use, to produce but little inquiry concerning it. But few desire to read our books, or attend the services of the Church. 1843. Communicants in three Churches, thirty-nine.^ True to his Methodist instincts and education, he originated the plan which resulted in " The Fund for the Relief of the Aged and Infirm Clergy of the Diocese." Aged and worn he retired to a quiet home in Yonkers, N. Y., where he was honored as a patriarch among the people. On the last Christ- mas day preceding his departure he spoke to an assembly, while "the tears streamed down his furrowed cheeks, as he bade them listen to what might be his parting counsels." The rector says: For nearly seven years he always stood beside me at the'holy table, and helped me to distribute the precious symbols of a Saviour's dying love. He would go anywhere — do any thing — be always ready to assist, where his services were needed. Often has he joined me before the morning service, ' Journals of Conventions, Diocese of New York. Record of Ministers. 195 saying, as he would put on the priestly robes, " I like, even if I take no part in the service, to have my armor on." I never heard him speak an angry word, or give expression to an unkind thought, even when there was the greatest provocation for both. How many of us can leave behind so precious a memory as this ? Just before Mr. Hubbard's death, Dr. Nathan Bangs asked him if he would give him his reasons for leaving the Methodist Episcopal Church, and he answered that after his return from a visit he would ; but he died while on that visit. Having introduced Episcopal services in Cortlandville, N. Y., where some of his kindred resided, he was invited when Grace Chapel was erected to visit his old friends; and join them in their rejoicings. This he did. It was the grandest outlook of his life — it was, indeed, his Mount Nebo, where he died in the Lord, February 10, 1859, aged seventy-nine years. The clergy- men of the different denominations in Yonkers acted as pall- bearers at his funeral. He was buried in the St. John's ceme- tery, in Yonkers, where his tombstone may be seen. Abagail M., his wife, was a daughter of Dr. Lester, of New Haven, Conn., who was for some time president of the Medical Society in that city. Her grave is near that of her husband. Of their children — six sons and three daughters — eight are still living. The eldest, Miss Mary Anna Hubbard, a member of St. John's Episcopal church, Yonkers, N. Y., resides in the Ashburton Cottage, where her father lived. One of the sons was educated at Union College, another at Hobart. Two sons are in the banking business. John Lester, Samuel Seabury, and Murray are the names of three of the surviving children. XXXVI. c> ^ sC^ REV. PETER P. SANDFORD, D. D. XLII. PETER P. SANDFORD. ODi is the name of a town on the eastern shore of, the Passaic River, in the state of New Jersey. There the Rev. Peter P. Sandford, D. D. was born, February 28, 1781. His ancestors were residents of the town, and were descended from an officer in the army of Great Britain, who came from the island of Barbadoes, and made himself a home with a few others in that hitherto uninhabited region. The Sandfords were a highly honora- ble and reputable people, possessing all the advantages re- sulting from easy financial circumstances and a good social position. To one branch of this family belonged Joseph Sandford, a local preacher, father-in-law of the Rev. Ste- phen Martindale. He resided in Belleville, and his generous hospitality to the early bishops and other ministers is wide- ly known. Peter P. Sandford's second initial does not stand for a name, but the letter "P." was adopted for his father's immedi- ate family, to distinguish his children from other Sandfords bearing the same Christian names. The memoir adopted by the New York Conference says: At a very early age Brother Sandford gave evidence of being under strong moral and religious influence. * * * While as yet he was a child of but ten years, he was in the habit of gathering the children of his neighborhood into a . chapel which he had prepared for the purpose , and read to them the liturgy of the Episcopal Church, and then preached to them as best he could.' At seventeen years of age he gave his heart to the Savior, and obtained a clear and abiding witness of justification by faith. The conviction of a divine call to preach the gospel, which had been with him from his early childhood, now "re- vived with increased power;" some eight or nine years elapsed, however, after his conversion, before he began his itinerant career. He was spared to preach Jesus to men for about fifty years, as shown by the following ' Minutes of Conferences, 1857, pp. 320, 321. 2 26 Old Sands Street Church. MINISTERIAL RECORD : 1S07, (Phila. Conf.,) Trenton cir., N. J., with Wm. M'Lenahan ; 1808, ditto, with Wm. Fox ; 1806, ordained deacon, Asbury cir., with Thos. Drummond ;"i8lo, (New York Conf.,) New York city, with N. Bangs, E. Smith, J. Robertson, and Jas. M. Smith ; i8n, ordained elder — ditto, with N. Bangs, Wm. Phoebus, L. Clark, Wm. Bliig- borne, and James M. Smith ; 1812, Troy ; 1813, Newburgh cir., with Bela Smith ; 1814, Albany ; 1815-1818, presiding elder, Hudson River Dist. ; 1819, Newburgh cir., M'ith Josiah Bowen ; 1820-1823, presiding elder, New York Dist. ; 1824, New York city, with P. Rice, T. Mason, J. B. Stratton, S. Bushnell, and E. Brown ; 1825, ditto, with H. Stead, Wm. Jewett, J. Young, D. De Vinne. and H. Chase; 1826, New Rochelle cir., with P. Rice and Jno. M. Smith : 1827, ditto, with Josiah Bowen and Jno. M. Smith ; 1828-1831, presiding elder, Rhinebeck Dist. ; 1832, New York, west cir., with S. Landon, J. Bowen, G. Coles, and C. Prindle ; 1823, ditto, with F. Reed, J. Bowen, J. C. Green, and C. W. Carpenter ; 1834, White Plains cir., with Z. Davenport ; 1835, White Plains and Greensburgh cir., with S. C. Davis; 1836-1837, Middletown ; 1838-1839, presiding elder, Poughkeepsie Dist. ; 1840, Poughkeepsie — elected book agent that year ; 1841-1843, assistant book agent with George Lane ; 1844-1847, presiding elder. New York Dist. ; 1848- 1849, Kingston ; 1850-1851, Tarrytown ; 1852; White Plains ; 1853, Yonkers ; 1854-1856, sup'd. From the beginning to the end of his ministry he devoted him- self unfalteringly to the great work to which God had called him. In his meinoir he is characterized as " a thorough divine, an able preacher, a judicious administrator of discipline, an eminent, honest Christian man." One who knew him well describes him in very similar terms, as " a man of great ability and the very soul of honor.'"' Another says of his sermons, "They were deep — he dug for hid treasure.'" It was his apostolic preach- ing in Troy, N. Y., in 1816, which led Noah Levings, when but a lad, into the gospel light.* His acknowledged preeminence is indicated by the fact that he was elected from ainong many worthy and strong men in the New York Conference as a delegate to every General Con- ference from 1816 to 1852. His son, Joseph Sandford, says that in the great discussion in 1844 he favored more extreme measures in the case of Bishop Andrew, and he afterward inti- mated that for that reason he should not be a candidate for re-election in 1848 ; but Dr. Bond, of the Christian Advocate and Journal, affirmed that that was a good reason why he should be a candidate. '^ J. P. in The Methodist. * Rev. Nathaniel Kellogg to the author. ■* Sketch of Noah Levings in Sprague's Annals. Record of Ministers. 227 His ability as an author was considerable. He wrote an ex- cellent book, entitled " Helps to Faith," i2nio, published by- Harpers ; also, " Wesley's Missionaries to America," published by the Methodist Book Concern. He received the degree of D.D. from the University of the City of New York in the year 1848. Coming from that source, it was deemed a signal honor. He died of ossification of the heart, sitting in his chair, on the 14th of January, I857, having almost completed the seventy- sixth year of his age. To the last moment he was " calm, tri- umphant, and assured of everlasting glory." In the face of •death he exclaimed, " I have prayed for holy triumph, and I have it." His last words were, " Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." His grave is marked by a head-stone in the cemetery in Tarrytown, N. Y. His first wife, Ann (Wylley) Sandford, " one of the excel- lent of the earth," died suddenly, after a brief illness, in Belle- ville, N. J., May 12, 1832, aged fifty years. She was a native of New York city, and was reared under the influence of the Episcopal Church. She is buried in Belleville, and a church is built over her grave. Betsey Ann, his second wife, survived him a little more than twelve years. She wrote concerning her early experience : When about twelve years of age I was melted into tears under a sermon of Rev. Joseph Crawford, and the impressions which it made were not shaken off. Five years later she found rest in Christ ; and she obtained the blessing of entire sanctification about 1845, and her life ever after was a witness of its reality and power. She was a person of strange peculiarities, and "at times her mind seemed to be considerably affected." Her life was devoted to the church, and she bequeathed a part of her possessions to the missionary cause, and a part to the worn-out preachers of the New York Conference. On the 12th of May, 1869, at the age of sixty-nine years, she fell asleep in Jesus, in Foughkeepsie, N. Y., and she lies buried beside her husband. ° Peter P. Sandford was the father of thirteen children by the first marriage, seven by the second, making twenty in all. Four » C. S. B., in The Christian Advocate. 228 Old Sands Street Church. of the thirteen — Catharine, William, Joseph, and Wesley — sur- vived their mother. Only one of them — Joseph — is now living, (1884.) He has for many years been connected with the print- ing department of the Methodist Book Concern in New York, having assisted in the printing of the first copy of The Christian Advocate, in 1826. Most of the latter group of children reside in the vicinity of Tarrytown, N. Y. One daughter, Mrs. D. Miller, of White Plains, died in 1874. Another, Sarah M., wife of B. S. Horton, of Mount Pleasant, N. Y., died on the ist day of June, 1881.° ' The Christian Advocate. «='^f**ji'c^«^^ ^x^t-^t^ REV. HENRY CHASE, M. A. XLIII. HENRY CHASE. |lexander M'Caine's unexpired term as pastor in Brooklyn in the year 1820, was acceptably filled by the Rev. Henry Chase, A. M. He was born in Hoosic, Rensselaer Co., N. Y., Sept. 10, 1790 — the third child and eldest son of Daniel and Eliza- beth Chase, His parents were reared as members of the so- ciety of Friends, and although they ultimately joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, they spoke the "plain language" through life. Henry spent his boyhood on his father's farm, and attend- ed the district school; but he longed for better opportunities, and with tears entreated his father to send him to an acade- my. A large family and limited means seemed to his father sufBcient reason for denying his request. Yet the boy could not be turned aside from his purpose, and b)' dint of his own persevering effort, he obtained a superior classical, scientific and theological education. At the age of eighteen he became a member of the Meth- odist Episcopal Church. We here transcribe his MINISTERIAL RECORD;^ i8og, supply, Pownalcir., Vt. , with James M. Smith; 1810, Pittsfield dr., Mass., a supply with Seth Crowell,; 1811, in Ohio; 1812-1817, teaching, farming and preaching, mostly in his native town; 1818-1819, teaching in Troy, N. Y., and preaching statedly co the Sabbath; 1820, teacher in Wesleyan Seminary, New York, — pastor in Brooklyn from Feb'y 21 till conference;'' 1821-1822, teacher, Wesleyan Seminary, and preach- er. Mariners' Church, assistant to John Truair; 1823-1824, wholly employed in the seamen's cause; 1824, (from November,) a supply in New York city, with P. P. Sandford, P. Rice, T. Mason, J. B. Stratton, S. Bushnell and E. Brown; 1825, (New York Conf.,) an elder — remaining in New York with P. P. Sand- ford, H. Stead, Wm. Jewett, J. Youngs and D. DeVinne; 1826-1847, New York, Mariners' Church, Roosevelt-st. ; 1848-1851, (New York East Conf.,) ditto; 1852, a local preacher, retaining his place as pastor of Mariners' Church. ' His son, Prof. Chase, in Sprague's Annals gives the names of his appoint ■ ments previous to his ministry in Jirooklyn. ^ Sands-street church records. 230 Old Sands Street Church. Such a record of nearly thirty years devoted to the work of a minister of Jesus Christ among the sailors, renders him wor- thy to take rank with Father Taylor, of Boston, among the no- blest and best of philanthropists. In Sprague's Annals is the following, written by an intimate friend : No sailor belonging to the port, or who had worshiped at the Mariners' Church, in Roosevelt-street, would ever pass him in the street without doffing his hat, no matter whether drunk or sober. And his success in founding and sustaining the Mariners' Temperance Society, for the reformation of intemper- ate sailors, maybe regarded as among the greatest blessings with which God was pleased to crown his labors. A number of sailors, having just landed after a long voyage, started Sunday morning for their own church ; but several of them were induced by some land-shark to drink on the way, and by the time they reached the church had become somewhat intoxicated. The spokesman inquired at the door whether the captain of the ship was on the quarter-deck — his way of asking if their own preacher, Mr. Chase, was in the pulpit ; and, on receiving an af- firmative answer, they entered in a body. * * * A stranger being introduced as the preacher, one of these sailors said, in an audible tone, that as the preacher was not the captain of the ship he would pay him as far as he had gone, and, holding up a half dollar to the sexton, he made for the door, leav- ing the money for the usual collection at the close of the service. This was followed by an apology when the man became sober, and by his becoming a pledged member of the temperance society.'' This same friend describes him as a Christian, remarkable for his humility, rarely speaking of his personal experience; a min- ister, who won the affection and respect of Christian people of different denominations ; a preacher, whose sermons were well prepared but extemporaneously delivered, and whose prayers were offered with a pathos which often brought floods of tears to the eyes of the hardened sailors as they listened. In society he was exceedingly courteous and affable, and much sought for in marrying people. It is stated by his son, Prof. Daniel H. Chase, that he united in holy matrimony ten thinisand couples. A younger son, Sidera Chase, remarked to the author that when a youth he prepared an index to his father's large and well-kept marriage record book, and found that he had undertaken no inconsiderable task. The income from so many marriages, added to his moderate salary, enabled Mr. Chase to give to each of his large family of children an excel- lent education. His own scholarly attainments were well known, " Rev. David Meredith Reese, M.D. Record of Ministers. 231 and the Wesleyan University conferred upon him the degree of A.M., in the year 1835. His appearance and bearing are thus described by the writer already quoted : Mr. Chase was below the medium stature, strongly built, but not corpulent, and exhibiting an activity in his bodily movements corresponding to his quick perceptions and his ready utterance. His countenance was expressive of great benignity, and yet cheerfulness, which, instead of detracting from his solemnity, rather adorned it. He was regarded as a fine-looking man. In answer to inquiries as to why he located and why the Mar- iners' Church dropped out of the list of Methodist appointnaents, it is stated that as the church was not sustained by Methodists alone, it seemed desirable to drop the denoininational character it had assumed as a conference appointment. Mr. Chase died of paralysis, July 8, 1853, in the sixty-third year of his age. During his fatal illness he was unable to speak, hence he left no dying testimony. His funeral sermon was preached by the Rev. J. B. Wakeley, and his body lay in the Mariners' Church after the funeral until the next day, and hosts of sailors, during the day and night, passed through the church and looked for the last time upon the face of their friend. Thence his remains were carried to the Indian Hill cemetery, in Middletown, Conn., where a monument has been erected to his meinory. Rachel Pine, of Swansea, Mass., was married to Henry Chase, September 10, 1809, the day he was nineteen years of age. She died in New York, June 7, 1842, aged fifty-five years. From New York, where she was first buried, her remains were taken to Middletown, and buried by the side of her husband. Children of Henry and Rachel Chase : Arlina, married, de- ceased ; Elizabeth, died in mature life, leaving a family ; Daniel B., LL.D., first on the list of graduates of Wesleyan University, a successful educator; George W., died in youth; Sidera, a graduate of Wesleyan University, formerly at the head of im- portant educational institutions, now on the editorial staff of the New York Tribune ; Richard A., died, leaving a family ; Corne- lia; Jane E.; Rachel, wife of the Rev. N. J. Burton, D.D. ; Susan W., died in infancy. The daughters as well as the sons of Henry Chase enjoyed the best educational advantages of their time ; two of them attended Rutgers' Female Seminary in New York. XLIV. LABAN CLARK. HE Rev. Laban Clark, D. D. was personally asso- ciated with the Sands-street Church as presiding elder of the New York District, from 1824 to 1827, and of the Long Island District from 1848, to 1851. He was born in Haverhill, N. H., July 9, 1778, and during his infancy the family moved to Bradford, Vt. He was trained in the belief of his parents, who were Congregation- alists, and strictly Calvanistic in their creed. But the lad was inclined to think independently, and often question- ed certain points of the prevalent theology. The Wesleyan books brought into the neighborhood from England by a Mrs. Beckett, he carefully read, and his mind and heart were open to the teachings of the Methodist itinerants, when at length they made their way into that -part of the state. John Langdon, of Vershire, who seems to have been the only Methodist except the Becketts, in all that region, peti- tioned the New York Conference for a preacher, and Nicho- las Snethen in 1796,' after him Ralph Williston, and a year later, Joseph Crawford and Elijah Chichester were sent to that field, then comparatively a remote wilderness country. Clark heard Williston preach in a barn in Vershire. He writes: The day was pleasant, and seats were prepared in and out of the barn. I saw where they had prepared for the preacher to stand, and I took my position wlisre I might sec and hear to the best advantage. Under the first prayer an arrow seemed directed singly to my heart, and I felt that I was the very person he was praying for, and that I was the sinner who needed prayers. I there and then resolved that I would try to be a better man. I saw people, men and wo- men, in the barn and out of it, on their knees in time of prayer, and I said to myself. This is the old Bible way, * * * and I went home with a fixed deter- mination to live a new life. But how and where to begin I knew not. I was in perfect darkness.' ' Joshua Hall was appointed to the state of Vermont in 1794, but did not go. See Stevens' Hist. M. E. ("hurch, vol. iii, p. 235, "^ Quoted in an editorial article in the Christian Advocate. j^-eA^ REV. LABAN CLARK, D. D. Record of Ministers. 233 In our sketch of Joseph Crawford the overwhelming impres- sions produced upon Clark's mind by the public and private appeals of that earnest evangelist have been described. It was while Crawford held him by the hand, urging him to accept Christ by faith, and imploring God to bless him. that the burden of sin was lifted from his conscience and he enjoyed " a perfect calmness " which he could hardly understand. This was fol- lowed a few weeks later by an undoubted witness of his accept- ance. On this occasion a class was formed, and he became' one of the original members. He was then twenty-one years of age. It has always been the glory of Methodism that it sets all its converts to work ; so young Laban Clark was soon called out to speak in public, and sometimes to expound and defend the doctrines taught by Wesley and Fletcher, with whose strong, logical discourses he was happily familiar. He was licensed to exhort in the year 1800. John Langdon, Rosebrook Crawford, and Martin Ruter were associates of Clark as exhorters or local preachers. By their pioneer labors the way was prepared for the itinerants, and the famous old LandafF circuit was formed. They were not dismayed by threats or violence, and even when Rosebrook Crawford was " ducked '' in the river, at Lancaster, amid the jeers and shouts of the mob, they counted it all joy to be counted worthy to suffer in so good a cause. Young Ruter, who afterward became a church historian and a missionary preacher, went with Clark to a quarterly meeting, and heard John Broadhead, the presiding elder, preach " with an effect that swept down the congregation so that scores of them lay as dead men." That was the starting-point in Ruter's itinerant career, and soon afterward Clark was also in the field. Sixty-eight years of ministerial life are embraced in the follow- ing ITINERANT RECORD : 1800, supply under the presiding elder, place not known ; 1801, (New York Conf.,) Fletcher cir., Vt. and Canada, with Jas. Coleman ; 1802, Plattsburgh cir., N. Y., with D. Brumly ; 1803, ordained deacon— missionary at St. Johns and Sorreille, Canada, with E. Chichester; 1S04, Adarris, Mass.; 1805, ordained elder— Lebanon cir., N.Y., with Geo. Powers; 1806, Whitingham, Vt.: 1807, Buckland, Mass.; 1808, Granville cir., with J. Beeman ; 1809-1810, Litchfield cir., Conn., with Reu- ben Harris; 1811, New York, with N. Bangs, Jas. M. Smith, and P. P. Sandford; 1812, ditto, with Joseph Crawford, Wm. Phoabus, and Phinehas Cook ; 1813-1814, Troy ; 1815, Pittstpwn ; 1816-1817, Schenectady ; 1818, 234 Old Sands Street Church. New York, with N. Bangs, S. Crowell, S. Howe, and Thos. Thorp; 1819, ditto, with A. Hunt, S. Merwin, B. Hibbard, T. Spicer, and N. Morris ; 1820, Redding dr., Conn., with P. Cook; 1821, ditto, with A. Hunt ; 1822, Strat- ford dr.. Conn., with E. Barnetl ; 1823, ditto, with J. Nixon ; 1824-1827, presiding elder, New York Dist.; 1828-1831, New Haven Dist.; 1832, agent, Wesleyan University ; 1833, New York, east cir., with D. Ostrander, B. Griffen, P. Chamberlin, and P. R. Brown ; 1834, ditto, with S. Cochran, J. Youngs, N. Bigelow, and J. Law; 1835, sup'y, without appointment by his request ; 1836, sup'y, Haddam, Conn. — agent for Wesleyan University ; ■1837-1840, presiding elder, Hartford Dist.; 1841, Wethersfield, Conn.; 1842, sup'y, Middletown, with A. M. Osbon ; 1843, Stepney and Weston ; 1844- 1847, presiding elder. New Haven Dist.; 1848-1851, presiding elder, Long Islaiid Dist.; 1852-1868, sup'd, residing in Middletown, Conn. He rode three hundred and forty miles to attend the confer- ence in New York city and have his name enrolled among the itinerants in 1801. Of his experience on the Fletcher circuit, he says : After traveling nine months I received three dollars only, and those to re- pair my boots. My spending money was exhausted, and I had borrowed five dollars of Mr. Coleman. At the quarterly conference the question came up how the money was to be divided. I told them that Mr. Draper, who had been sent to the east after the conference, had a family, and he must have his share. The elder then asked me for my traveling expenses. I told him that I had none, for I had just entered upon the regular work. He smiled, and told the steward to give me one dollar for shoeing my horse, and for quarter- age money paid me seven dollars, so that I had enough to pay what I had borrowed, and a little to spare. ^ He acted a prominent part in the eight different General Con- ferences of which he was a member — all from 1808 to 1836, except that of 1820. One of the many marked results of his ministry was the conversion of Noah Levings, in Troy, N. Y., while he was stationed there, in 1813. While pastor in New York, in 1819, he first suggested and helped to organize one of the noblest institutions known among men, the Missionary Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church. As presiding elder of the New Haven District, in 1829, his quick eye caught sight of the opportunity to obtain property for a Methodist insti- tution of learning; and, with a faith that seemed inspired, he offered to purchase it, or find the men who, with himself, would purchase it for that purpose, and then brought the matter be- fore the New York Conference. Laban Clark is recognized, therefore, as the father of the Wesleyan University, and he was ° Quoted by The Christian Advocate. Record of Ministers. 235 president of the board of trustees from its inception, in 1831,10 his death, in 1868. For this institution he very naturally cher- ished a paternal fondness; and, according to his desire, he lived and died and was buried almost beneath its shadow. In the year 1851 he preached before the New York Confer- •ence a semi-centennial discourse, which was published. He was made a D.D. by the Wesleyan University in 1853. He finished his course, November 28, 1868, in the ninety-first year of his age. His life was longer than that of any other Sands- street pastor or presiding elder ; he outranked, in this respect, Aaron Hunt, who also lived to be a little past ninety years of age. The cemetery, in the rear of the Wesleyan University, •contains a brown stone monument, appropriately inscribed, which marks the place where the body of Laban Clark awaits the resurrection summons. His conference memorial says : He was a leader in the old New York Conference, and died the patriarch of the New York East Conference. As a preacher, he was sound, instructive, .and, in his prime, frequently powerful." Dr. Stevens also describes him " as an able preacher, notwith- standing a marked vocal defect."' The author heard him ad- dress the conference when he was too far advanced in years to impress the preachers, except with a veneration for his age. He appeared at that time to be a man of medium stature and quite erect ; his hoary head was a crown of glory, and his face, though deeply wrinkled, wore an expression of cheerfulness and peace. The memorial adds : He read much, and having a remarkably retentive memory was ready and instructive in conversation on almost any topic. There was a richly enter- taining spirit in his conversation. He loved to talk, but never talked non- sense ; he was fond of good stories, and had a very treasure of them. He -wrote much, and left piles of manuscript. His piety was calm, steady, and deep. He was very tenacious of his political opinions, and it has been affirmed that those who knew him well would hardly rec- ognize a portraiture of Laban Clark that did not mention the fact, that he was a thorough-going Democrat of the old school, admiring Andrew Jackson in respect to politics as he did John Wesley in respect to theology. ■ * Minutes of Conferences, 1869, p. 97. ' Hist. M. E. Church, vol. iv, p. 70. 17 236 Old Sands Street Church. His first wife, Harriet, was the daughter of Anson Fairchild, of Westfield, Mass." She died February 8, 1836, aged fifty-three years. \ Sarah (Hanks,) his second wife, was a resident of Hartford at the time of their marriage, April 17, 1837,' She died No- vember 21, 1866, aged seventy-nine. In the announcement of her death it was said that she was " not a shouting, but a stead- fast Methodist." ' Marianne, a daughter of Laban Clark, and wife of the Rev. Seneca Howland, died July i, 1853. She was a true Christian. and brilliant scholar. * Rev. Oliver Sykes' manuscript autobiography. ' Notice in Cliristian Advocate and Journal, * The Christian Advocate. XLV. HE Rev. Mitchell B. Bull was born in Waterford, Ireland, January 30, 1778.' He experienced relig- ion and joined the Methodists at the age of thir- teen years." A few months later, in 1793, he came to the city of New York. He was licensed to preach in 1802, and short- ly afterward entered the itinerant ministry. The following is the record of his APPOINTMENTS: 1803, (Phila, Conf.,)' Newburgh dr., N. Y., with Thos. Stratton; 1804, (New York Conf. by change of boundaries,) Saratoga cir, with John Fintiegan; 1805; ordained deacon,^Montgomery dr., with Joseph Willis; 1806, Long Island dr., with James Coleman; 1807, ordained elder, — New Rochelle dr., with Billy Hibbard, Henry Redstone, and Ezekiel Canfield; 1808, Cambridge dr., with Lewis Pease; i8og, ditto, with W. Swayze and S. Somborger; 1810, Saratoga dr. , with John Finnegan; 1811-1852, local; 1824 supply, Brooklyn, Sands-street, W. Ross' unexpired term; 1853, (N. Y. East Conf.,) sup'y, Brooklyn, Sands-street, with H. J. Fox, 1854-1855, ditto, with L. S. Weed; 1856-1857, ditto, with John Miley. His private memoranda of the Newburgh, Saratoga, Mont- gomery, Long Island and New Rochelle circuits have been preserved. The author has not found among the pa- pers of any others of the early itinerants such evidences of a personal knowledge of the members on the circuits. He kept complete records of the leaders and their classes, plans of appointments, preaching places, baptisms, marriages, texts from which he preached in the several appointments, etc. They are models of neatness, and besides the light they throw upon the character of the preacher and his work, they are exceedingly valuable contributions to the history of the church in the large number of localities over which his min- ' Dr.'Nathan Bangs in the Christian Advocate, 1857. ° Conference Minutes, 1858, p. gg. ' That Conference then comprised much of New York state, as well as New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania. 238 Old Sands Street Church. istry extended. He was accustomed to preach thirty or forty sermons in four weeks. His retirement, after an active ministry of eight years, was on account of failing health. He was en- gaged in the dry goods business in New York city about seven years ; thence he removed to a farm in the State of New Jersey, and finally took up his permanent residence in Brooklyn. He was prospered in his secular enterprises, and his generosity fully equaled his ability. He devoted one fifth of his income regu- larly to benevolent objects, and bequeathed $9,000 to religious institutions. His conference memorial states that he was "active and use- ful in the church, a man of sterling integrity, and an able and earnest preacher."* His record of sermons from 1837 to 1849 indicates that he often preached in nearly every Methodist church in New York, Brooklyn, Jersey City, etc. In social intercourse, as Dr. Bangs testified, he was "calm, courteous, kind." Judge Dikeman remarked to the author that Mr. Bull shared with many others in the expectation of the coming of the Lord in 1843. Hearing J. B. Matthias remark that he would like to live till Christ should come, Mr. Bull re- plied : " I don't expect to die ; when Christ comes there will be no more dying." The Rev. John Rossell, of Brooklyn, assures the author that no likeness of Mr. Bull was ever taken. Isaiah Scudder, of Huntington, L. I., who knew him well in 1806, describes him as tall of stature, with a pitted face and a marked Irish brogue. One eye had been put out. He was thrice married, but had no children. He departed this life August 6, 1857, in the eightieth year of his age." " During his last severe illness his mind was clear, calm, and cheerful," and "his last moments were gilded by the bright beams of the Sun of Righteousness. A head-stone in the Cypress Hills cemetery, lot No. 21, Moliere Path, designates the place of his burial. A manuscript book, containing fifty-one admirable sketches of his sermons, and the valuable records mentioned above, fell into the hands of the Rev. Charles Stearns, and were presented by him to the New York East Conference Historical Society. * Conference Minutes, 1858, p. gg. ' " In memoiiam " record — Minutes of the New York East Conference. Record of Ministers. 239 Ann, his first wife, was a daughter of Henry Eames, a Meth- odist, (not the preacher,) who came hither from Ireland. She was converted in 1796, in the eighteenth year of her age, through the labors of Wilson Lee, and she at once gave her name to the church. Her marriage to Mr. Bull took place in May, 1799, and after fifty-three years the union was dissolved by her death, on the 1 8th of October, 1852, in the seventy-fifth y.ear of her age. A head-stone marks her grave by the side of her hus- band's. Her health was never firm, but she was industrious and frugal, and aided her husband while in business to acquire a competence. Her modesty of deportment, her plainness and neatness of apparel, her kindness, affection, and piety, were re- membered by her survivors. A little before her death she exclaimed, " Glory to God in the highest ! " ® His second wife, Eliza, resided in her youth at Dix Hills, L. I., and was converted in 1821, at a camp-meeting at Mos- quito Cove, L. I. Her parents were named Goodwin, and the gospel was preached in her home. In 1830 she was married to Joseph Allen, apd after being a widow two years, she accept- ed the hand of Mr. Bull, in 1854. It was her daily custom to read her Bible on her knees. She died October 12, 1856, aged fifty-seven years. Mr. Bull was married to his third wife, Ann (Smith,) of Brooklyn, February 16, 1857, when he was past seventy-nine years of age. His death occurred that same year, and she died in peace nine years later, August i, 1866, aged sixty-four. Her father was a soldier of the Revolution. She is buried in the same grave with the first wife of Mr. Bull, but her name is not on the head-stone. ' Dr. Nathan Bangs, in The Christian Advocate. XLVI. FTER the Brooklyn Methodists had buried their be- loved Ross, the place was supplied by a local el- der until the ensuing session of the New York Conference, when the Rev. Thomas Burch, one of the most popular ministers of the denomination, was transferred from the Philadelphia Conference, and appointed to this charge. He was born in Tyrone County, Ireland, August 30, 1778. His parents were people of culture, and highly respected members of the Church of England; but after his conversion, his mother, brother, and sister united with him in establish- ing a Methodist class in the place where they resided. His father never became a Methodist, having died previous to the formation of the society. The chief agent in his awakening and conversion, while yet a young man, was Gideon Ouseley, the celebrated Irish evangelist. In 1800,' Thomas arrived in the United States with his mo- ther, his sister, and his younger brother, Robert," and was soon appointed leader of a class in the vicinity of Boehm's chapel, in Lancaster County, Pa. He was encouraged by the Rev. Henry Boehm to enter the ministry, and accepted a license to preach. The following is his CONFERENCE RECORD; 1805, (Phila. Conf.,) Milford dr., Del., with J, Aydelott; 1806, St. Martin's dr., Md., with J. Wiltbank; 1807, or, dained deacon by Bp. Asbury, — Dauphin dr., Pa., with W. Hoyer and G. Harmon; 1808, ditto, with John Miller; 1809, Lancaster dr. , Pa., with James Smith; 1810, Philadelphia, with T. F. Sargent, T. Bishop, T. Budd and T. Everard; 1811, Phila., St. George's, with S. G. Roszell; 1812-1814, (Genesee ' The memoir in the "Minutes" says 1803, but 1800 is the date named in the Rev. Henry Boehm'ssketch in Stevens' Hist. M. E, Church, vol. iii. p. 434. lie is a trustworthy authority, and became one of the earliest and most intimate friends of Mr. Burch after he reached these s_hores. ' This brother became a distinguished preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. Record of Ministers. 241 ■conf.,) Montreal, Canada — appointed the first year to Quebec, but stopped at Montreal ; 1815, (Bait. Conf.,) Baltimore city, with A. Griffith ; 1816, George- town, D. C, with Wm. Ryland ; 1817, Washington, Foundry church ; i8l8, Georgetown; 1819, Baltimore city, with M. Force and John Bear; 1820, ditto, with R. Tydings ; 1821-1822, (Phila. Conf.,) Phildelphia, Union ch. ; 1823, Phila., St. George's, with Wm. Thacher and D. Parish ; 1824, ditto, with James Smith and H. G. King ; 1825, (New York Conf.,) Brooklyn ; 1826, ditto, with S. L. Stillman ; 1827, New York, with N. White, R. Seney, J. J. Matthias, N. Levings, and J. Field ; 1828, ditto, with C. W. Car- penter, Jesse Hunt, J. J. Matthias, N. Levings, and Geo. Coles ; 1829-1830, Middletown, Conn. ; 1831, Albany, Garrettson station ; 1832, (Troy Conf.,) •ditto ; 1833, (New York Conf.,) Brooklyn and New Utrecht, with J. Ken- naday and J. Luckey ; 1834, Brooklyn, same colleagues; 1835, sup'y with- out app't ; 1836-1837, sup'y, Kingsbridge, (Yonkers,) with E. Oldrin and J. D. Bangs ; 1838, sup'y, ditto, with John Davies and S. C. Perry ; 1839, sup'y, 'ditto, with H. Hatfield and S. C. Perry ; 1840, Yonkers, with D. I. Wright; 1841, New York, Vestry-street; 1842-1843, Rhinebeck; 1844-1845, sup'y, Yonkers, with J. C. Green ; 1846-1847, sup'y, ditto, with C. C. Keys ; 1848, sup'y, ditto, with S. C. Perry ; 1849, sup'y without app't. His career is remarkable for the many conferences to which he belonged. He was transferred four times, and fell into the Troy Conference when it was formed by the division of the old New York Conference. One of the chroniclers of Canada Methodism says : Thomas Burch holds the distinction of having entered Canada just as the war trouble was beginning, and remaining at his post till it had passed away.' Stevens states that Burch made his way to Quebec in 1812, when Luckey and Bangs failed to reach their appointments on account of the war.' If he reached that city, it was not to re- main ; for, as Carroll still further says, Thomas Burch was designated to Quebec, but Bangs not going to Mon- treal, he made that city his head-quarters. It was no small boon to the Meth- odists in Montreal to obtain a man of such sterling piety and mature experi- ence, and a preacher of such respectable talents, and to enjoy his labors for three full years. One preacher only besides himself reached his appointment ■on British soil. That was Robert Hibbard, who was drowned shortly after, while attempting to cross the St. Lawrence River. Mr. Burch's prolonged stay in Canada seems to have had epis- copal sanction, because he was the most suitable man for the work there. The Rev. T. H. Burch writes : ' Carroll — Case and his Contemporaries, vol. i, p. 281. ■* See Hist. M. E. Church, vol. iv, p. 275. 242 Old Sands Street Church. Being then an unnaturalized citizen, and a subject of Great Britain, it was tliought expedient, during the war, for him rather than an American citizen to labor there. He did not locate.' He was one of the ninety chosen men of American Method- ism who composed the first delegated General Conference in 1812. Twice subsequently a like honor was conferred upon him ; namely, in 1820 and 1828. He was married, May 25, 1816, to Miss Mary Smith, of Phil- adelphia. Ill-health compelled him to retire partially or wholly from active ministerial service for a number of years. After the death of his wife, in 1844, he resided in Yonkers, N. Y., till near the close of his life. His last sermon, ten days before his death, was delivered with great power from Paul's words con- cerning " the sufferings of this present time," and " the glory that shall be revealed in us." He died suddenly and alone, of heart disease, at the house of his son, Thomas H. Burch, in . Nassau-street, Brooklyn, August 22, 1849, aged nearly seventy- one years, in the fifty-fifth year of his ministry. He was buried from the Sands-street church, the presiding elder, Laban Clark,, officiating, assisted by other ministers. A monument in Greenwood marks the place of his rest. Samuel Luckey writes admiringly of his friend, Thomas- Burch, as " an amiable, sweet-tempered man," " of strong and. heavenly aspirations,'' and of a "clear and well-disciplined mind." He says : The most remarkable attribute of his preaching, and, indeed, of his char- acter generally, was a charming simplicity. He was eminently fitted to dis- charge the duties of pastor, though I do not think he ever took a very active part in the general councils of the church. He was a man of about medium size, was well-proportioned, and had agreeable and cultivated manners. The church showed in what estimate she- held him, by keeping him always in her most important fields of labor.' Dr. Bangs, in Sprague's Annals, says of Thomas Burch, that " he had a sharp, bright eye, that seemed to penetrate whatever it fastened upon ; " that although " his mind was rather solid than brilliant," he was an animated preacher. " His voice," he says, " was musical, and his delivery fluent and graceful ; his judgment was much confided in, and the influence of his whole character was extensively and powerfully felt in the denomination." ' Letter to the author. * Sprague's Annals. Record of Ministers. 243: Mary, his wife, is said to have been " emphatically what a minister's wife should be." Having served the Lord faithfully thirty-eight years, she died at the residence, of her daughter, Mrs. J. M. Van Cott, in Brooklyn, N. Y., April 24, 1844, in the fifty-third year of her age. Death came unexpectedly, but she was ready. Calling her children around her bed she com- mended them to God, and exhorted them to faithfulness ; and, " with the word ' glory ' faintly falling from her lips, slept in Jesus." ' Her grave is beside that of her husband. Children of Thomas and Mary Burch : Mary Eleanor, of Sands-street church, deceased ; ° Sophia Gough, died in infancy ; Thomas If., of the New York East Conference ; ° Jane Sophia ; '"■ Anne Elisabeth, deceased ; Robert- Asbury. ' Rev. L. M. Vincent in Tiie Christian Advocate. ' See Van Cott, Book III, Record of Members. ' See Sketch, in Book III. '» Married J. M. Van Cott ; see Book III. HE Rev. Stephen Lewis Stillman was born in Bur- lington, Conn., April 15, 1795. "His parents were Seventh Day Baptists; their seven children were piously trained, and all professed religion, and finally united with different denominations."' Stephen began his Chris- tian life at the age of twelve, and six years later, in the year 1813, united with the Baptist Church. Some months later at a camp-meeting he obtained a deeper and richer experience in divine things, and from that time he was drawn toward the Methodist Episcopal Church, with which he united in Schenectady, N. Y., in 1817, under the ministry of Laban Clark. He was then twenty-two years of age, and had been married one year. He was licensed to preach in 1822. CONFERENCE RECORD; 1823, (New York Conf.,) Burlington dr., Conn., with H. Hatfield; 1824, Winsted cir,, with Eli Barnett; 1825, Wethers- field dr., with J. Z. Nichols; 1826, ordained deacon — Brooklyn, with Thom- as Burch; 1827, ditto, with S. Luckey; 1828, ordained elder^Kingston dr., with Jos. D. Marshall; 1829, ditto, with E. Andrews and H. Wing, 1830-1831, Newburgh, N. Y.; 1832, Hudson and Print Works, with R. Little; 1833, dit- to, with H. Humphreys; 1834, Hillsdale cir. , with D. B. Ostrander, J. Car- ley, and William Lull; 1835, Hillsdale, no colleague named, 1836-1837, Fought keepsie-, i838-i839,New York city, Eighty-eighth-street, 1840, New Haven, Conn.; 1841-1842, (Troy Conference,) Albany, Garrettson Station; 1843. Al- bany, WestStation; i844--i845, Troy, Second-street, (now Trinity;) 1846-1847, ' Mrs. Lucretia M. Stillman— letter to the author. Record of Ministers. 245 Ballston Spa. ; 1848-1849, Greenwich ; 1850-1851, Waterford ; 1852-1853, Shelburne, Vt. ;'' 1854, without appointment on account of failing health ; 1855, chaplain of the Albany Bethel for Sailors and Boatmen ; 1856-1857, Bethlehem ; 1858-1859, Castleton, Vt. ; 1860-1861, Salem, N. Y. ; 1862, Clarksville and New Salem ; 1863, Albany, Free Central ; 1864, Hageman's Mills ; 1865, sup'y> without appointment ; 1866-1868, sup'y, Albany, Wash- ington av., (now Trinity.) It will be observed that he was first appointed to a charge including the neighborhood in which he was reared — an excel- lent comment upon the character and reputation of the young man. Burlington circuit then embraced twenty-eight different appointments, scattered over fifteen different townships. It is stated in his memoir that In each of these places he and his colleague were expected to preach once each in every four weeks, making an average of one sermon a day, and three on Sundays.' His labors were not diminished on his subsequent appoint- ments, the first of which embraced eighteen, and the second twenty-three, preaching places. Some account of his work in Brooklyn, in organizing the young men into a missionary so- ciety, has already been given on page 24 of this volume. The Christian Advocate, in 1837, reported a great revival under his labors in Poughkeepsie. His most remarkable success was in Garrettson station, Albany, where, during one series of meet- ings, about five hundred persons were added to the church. One of his parishioners writes : He entered upon his ministry with zeal and much religious fervor, and, as the result of his labors, old Garrettson station had one of the most sweeping revivals ever known in Albany in any one church. He became so worn down by midwinter that the official board secured the services of the Rev. Thomas Armitage to assist in continuing the meetings until spring. Many yet live who remember those stirring times, and the stately form and magnetic mflu- ■ence of the pastor, as he stood in that old tabernacle, with a great sea of faces before him, an audience of from 1,500 to 1,800 souls ; and many have gone up with their beloved pastor to swell the throng of those who sing the song •of Moses and the Lamb.^ Mr. Stillman departed this life on the 2d of April, 1869, al- most seventy-four years of age. Amid the closing scenes of his life he said to a committee of ministers in Albany : " Tell my * Not Connecticut, as stated in his memoir in Conference Minutes. 'Minutes of Conferences, 1869, p. 116. ■•William Dalton. of old Garrettson statfbn, Albany. 246 Old Sands Street Church. brethren that I die in the full faith of the Gospel I have preached." Dr. Jesse T. Peck and other ministers addressed a large audience at his funeral in the Hudson-street church, Albany. His friends laid him to rest in the beautiful cemetery of Schaghticoke, Rensselaer county, N. Y., in a lot belonging to his father-in-law, Mr. Daniel Miller. A plain but neat Gothic stone marks his grave. His brethren of the Troy Conference speak of him in his memoir as " a diligent and varied reader," perhaps all the more studious because of his consciousness " of the lack of early mental discipline, and of an educational foundation for schol- arly attainment." They ascribe to him "a quickness of per- ception, a nicety of taste, an adaptation to the popular mind, a gentlemanly bearing, rare conversational powers, and a noble bodily presence." He was tall and erect at the age of seventy- three, " and his finely molded head, covered with a silvered crown of glory, made him conspicuous in any assembly." Miss Sarah Sperry was born in Connecticut, February 27, 1791, and was married to S. L. Stillman, August 12, 1816. One who was personally acquainted with her writes : I remember her as a cultured Christian lady, dignified, courteous, kind, gentle, and universally beloved ; a model wife and mother, domestic in her habits, and fond of her home. When Mr. Stillman was stationed in Troy she went on a visit to Westerly, R. I., and died while there, [July 10, 1846,] and was buried in the beautiful cemetery about half-way between Westerly and Watch Hill. A modest monument marks her grave.' Mr. Stillman was married in 1848 to Mrs. Lucretia Mil- ler Eggleston, who now resides in Valley Falls, N. Y. Children of Stephen L. and Sarah Stillman : Harlow Frank- lin, of Chicago, 111. ; William, who died of consumption, in Albany, N. Y., the day he was twenty-two years of age, and was buried on the day he was to have graduated from a med- ical college in the city of New York ; George Henry, of Ports- mouth, Ohio ; Stephen Lewis, Jr., of Greenwich, N. Y., by profession a dentist. William Olin, the only offspring by the second marriage, was graduated from the Albany Medical Col- lege in 1871, was house physician five years at Dr. Strong's, in Saratoga Springs, and has since traveled and studied in Europe. ' Mrs. Lucretia M. Stillman's lettfer. xfk^^ ^u. dy/^ KEV. SAMUEL LUCKEY, D. D. XLVIII. SAMUEL LUCKEY. t HE name of the Rev. Samuel- Luckey, D. D. is as ointment poured forth. His memory is fondly cherished by the old Brooklyn Methodists, and hosts of Wesley's followers throughout this country and Canada unite in the same admiring estimate of his character and his life. He was born in Rensselaerville, N. Y., April 4, 1791. From certain statements of his we gather that he experienced a joyful hope in Christ before he was fifteen years of age.' With "a fair education, and a sound Christian experience," he began before he was twenty to travel a circuit under the direction of the presiding elder. Fifty-nine years of faith- ful service are included in the following MINISTERIAL RECORD: 1810, supply, Montgomery cir. , N. Y., in place of Datus Ensign or C. H. Gridley;* 181 1, (New Yoirk Conf.,) Ottowa dr.. Lower Canada; 1812, (Genesee Conf.,) assigned to, St. Francis River, Canada, with J. F. Chamberlin, but unable to reach his appointment; 1813, (New York Conf .,) Dutchess cir. , with W. Anson and Coles Carpenter; 1814, ordained deacon, — Saratoga cir., with Andrew M'Caine; 1815, Montgomery cir., with G. Pierce; 1816, ordained elder, — Pittstown, N. Y.; 1817, Troy; 1818, Troy and Lansingburgh, with E.Bancroft; i8ig, Rhinebeck cir., with S. Howe; 1820-1821, Schenectady; 1822-1823, New Haven, Conn.; 1824- 1826, presiding elder New Haven Dist. ; 1827, Brooklyn, with S. L. Stillman; 1828, ditto, with S. Landon; 1829, New York, with Coles Carpenter, Jesse Hunt, G. Coles and S. D. Ferguson; 1830, ditto, with S. Merwin, L. Pease, S. Martindale, B. Goodsell and S. D. Ferguson; 1831, Albany, South Station; 1832-1835, (Genesee Conf.,) Principal of Genesee Wesleyan Seminary at Li- ma: — one year he had leave of absence from the seminary, and took the presid- ing eldership of the Rochester District on account of his health; 1836-1839, (New York Conf.,) Editor-in-chief of the Christian Advocate, Quarterly Review s ' See his article entitled ' 'Methodism Sixty-two Years Ago," in the Christian Advocate, January 17, 1867. ^ Stevens, — Hist. M. E. Church, vol. iv, p. 259. Ensign was reported at the ensuing conference as having located. 248 Old Sands SMet Church. and other publications of the Book Concern ; 1840, presiding elder, New York Dist. ; 1841, New York, Duane-street ; 1842, (Genesee Conf.,) Roches- ter, St. John's ; 1843, Rochester, First ch. ; 1844, presiding elder, Niagara Dist. ; 1845, Lockport, North ch. ; 1846-1847, presiding elder, East Roches- ter Dist. ; 1848-1849, (East Genesee Conf.,) presiding elder, Rochester Dist.; 1850, Penfield ; 1851, Rochester, Second ch. ; 1852, sup'y, Rochester, Third ch., with S. L. Congdon ; 1853, sup'y, Rochester, North-st., with A. Wright ; 1854, tract agent ; 1855, (Genesee Conf.,) Castile ; 1856, sup'd ; 1857, Gaines- ville, with J. M. Simpkins ; 185S, Scottsville ; 1859, (East Genesee Conf.,) Rochester, Cornhill ch. ; i86o, Rochester, North-st. ; 1861-1868, chaplain to the Monroe county penitentiary, the almshouse in Rochester, and the insane asylum ; i86g, sup'd. Like Nathan Bangs, Elijah Woolsey, Thomas Burch, William Ross, Laban Clark, and many others who came to be princes in Israel, he received his early training as an itinerant in a foreign land. Not every young man would have accepted with- out flinching an appointment to Ottawa, Lower Canada ; but Bishop Asbury had an interview with young Luckey after conference, and, finding him firm and dauntless, with only about twelve shillings in his pocket, opened his purse, which in those days was the missionary treasury of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and increased his frugal supply, A tedious journey on horseback of four hundred miles lay before him, and a poor and scattered flock awaited his arrival.' He took with him his text-books in Latin and Greek and a few theological works, and diligently applied himself, both to immediate soul-saving effort and a thorough preparation for the work of future years. The following paragraphs afford us a very pleasing glimpse of him in his far-off post of labor : Samuel Luckey, a young man, was sent to range the picturesque banks of the rapid Ottawa, among their simple, loving inhabitants. His youth, his comeliness, his pleasing manners, his piety and devotion, joined to his pre- cocious ability as a preacher, took amazingly with the people. They spoke of him twenty-one years afterward, when the writer traveled the same inter- esting ground, with rapture. This young man was afterward known as the Rev. Dr. Samuel Luckey.* On one of his long journeys Mr. Luckey suffered from hun- ger and cold. He stopped at a house in a French neighbor- hood and asked for food, and, as Mr. Carroll relates. Not being sufficiently acquainted with the French language to indicate \.'hat he wanted, he pointed to his mouth. The Frenchman, observing tire ' Minutes of Conferences, 1870, p. 280. ' " Case and his Contemporaries," by Rev. John Carroll, vol. i, p. 249. Record of Ministers. 249 gesture toward his face and the length of Mr. Luckey's beard, arising from want of facilities to perform his toilet for some days, inferred that he wished to shave himself, and, with true native alacrity and politeness, ran and brought him his razor. This was asliing for bread, and receiving something worse than a stone. Whether he obtained the bread in the issue we did not distinctly learn. The war prevented his going to his charge in 181 2, and he seems to have spent most of that year in eastern New York, and New England. While in Troy, in 1817, he witnessed, per- haps, the greatest revival which attended his ministry. Nearly one hundred and fifty members were added to the church. He recognized Noah Levings among the youthful helpers in the meetings, and gave him license to exhort.' About that time he published his book on " The Trinity," a work which increased his fame. Union College, by whose officers he was well known^ honored him with the degree of A.M., and subsequently with the degree of D.D. These honors were unsolicited. We have already alluded to his successful ministry in Brook- lyn. An excellent sermon on " The Sure Word of Prophecy," printed and published while he was stationed there, may be re- garded as a specimen of his discourses." It is stated by W. H. Dikeman, of New York, that Samuel Luckey was the first cler- gyman outside of " the standing order " to preach the sermon at the opening of the assembly in the Connecticut legislature. In 1847 Dr. Luckey was elected by the legislature of New York to the important and honorable position of regent of the State University, and it is a noteworthy fact that he was the first clergyman holding office in the State under the amended con- stitution rendering clergymen eligible to civil offices. To the close of his life he remained one of the most active members of the board. He was a delegate to the General Conferences of 1828, 1836, and 1840. As pastor, presiding elder, editor, principal of a seminary, regent of a university, chaplain to a prison, almshouse, insane asylum, all at once, " he performed," as Stevens has truly said, " an amount of public labor hardly surpassed by any of his con- temporaries in the ministry." He wrote, in later life, an excel- lent treatise on " The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper," also " Ethic Hymns and Scripture Lessons for Children." When ' See sketch of Noah Levings in Spra,:;ue's Annals. ' See Methodist Magazine, 1828, p. 41. -!T! 250 Old Sands Street Church. almost at the close of his long and active life, he preached three sermons every Sabbath, besides devoting an hour in each of the institutions in which he preached in visiting and conversing with the inmates. When seventy-five years of age he said to the editor of The Christian Advocate that his work during the last twenty years had been performed with as much ease as at any preceding period. But the end came at last, and " in peace, assurance, and vic- tory, he passed away," October 11, 1869, aged seventy-eight years. The Rev. Geo. G. Lyon, pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal church in Rochester, visited him in his sickness, and ■wrote to The Christian Advocate : His mind is clear and vigorous. He speaks calmly and intelligently of his approaching dissolution, and confidently and joyfully of his prospects beyond the grave. He has no will with respect to himself, but he inquires earnestly about the welfare of Zion. He is wrapped in his warrior's mantle, and is surveying the field of conquest and the embattled host before he retires to rest. The resolutions adopted by the Rochester District Ministe- rial Association, while in session at Lima, Oct. 13, 1869, indicate that the preachers proceeded in a body to Rochester to attend his funeral. A grave marked by a head-stone in the Mount Hope cemetery, in Rochester, N. Y., contains the mortal remains of Dr. Luckey. He is described as handsome in person, commanding, earnest, eloquent in delivery, respected in scholastic attainments, and firm in his religious convictions. Although he had been called no less than eight times to change his conference relations, thirty years of his ministry had been spent in the two Genesee conferences. When his brethren of the East Genesee Confer- ence assembled after his death, they said in their report con- cerning him : He was a thorough Methodist, and with the genius and historic develop- ment of his church he was as familiar as with the alphabet. He long stood among the magnates of his people, and his history is woven into the history of the church.' His first wife, Eliza, was a daughter of Richard Jacobs,' the heroic Methodist preacher who sacrificed his life in his perilous ' Minutes of Conferences, 1870, p. 280. ^ Park's — Troy Conf. Miscellany, p. 35. Record of Ministers. 251 mission as the advance-guard of the Methodist army in the northern counties of New York State in 1796. It was no small honor to be the child of such a father. Stevens says : He belonged to a wealthy Congregational family of Berkshire county, Mass., which had cast him out and disinherited him at his conversion to Meth- odism. " With his young wife he was thrown penniless upon the world." He joined Garrettson's famous young band of northern pioneers, and, in 1796, left his family at Clifton Park to make an expedition as far as Essex and Clif- ton counties, proclaiming the gospel among the scattered settlers in that re- mote region. Many were awakened and converted at Elizabethtown, and, promising them a pastor, he pushed along the western shore of Lake Cham- plain, preaching as he went, till, joined by a lay companion, he proposed to make his way back to his family through the Schroon woods to the head of Lake George. For about seven days the travelers were engulfed in the for- ests, suffering fearful privations and struggling against almost insurmountable obstructions. " Their provisions failed ; they were exhausted with fatigue and hunger ; and at last, in trying to ford the Schroon, Jacobs sunk beneath the water and was drowned. " All his family," adds the narrator of the sad event, " were converted," three of his sons became ministers, and two of his daughters married Methodist preachers.' The widow of Richard Jacobs afterward married Judge Moe.'° Eliza Luckey died in 1832, and was buried in Troy, N. Y." Samuel Luckey's second wife, Lida M., was converted when very young. She shared her husband's lot for nearly thirty years, and died, of cancer, July 25, 1863, in the fifty-eighth year of her age. She was considered " faultless," a woman of pleas- ing person and address, attracting many friends. She met death in holy triumph." She is buried beside her husband in Mount Hope cemetery. His third wife, Maria, after his death married a Mr. Utley. She died in Rochester in 1882. Two children died in infancy. Freeborn Garrettson, a lawyer, resides in New York ; Caroline Amelia, married Stephen B. Reynolds, of Danbury, Conn. ; Samuel Merwin, died in 1883, in Rochester, N. Y. These are children by the first marriage. John died in Rochester ; Joseph Z., the only living child by the second wife, is a lawyer and editor in Rochester. » Hist. M. E. Church, vol. iii, p. 165. '" Statement of F. G. Luckey. " J. L. Luckey — Letter to the author. " J. R. in The Christian Advocate. 18 XLIX. SEYMOUR LANDON. HE Rev. Seymour Landon is the first on our chron.^ ological list of the Methodist preachers of Brook- lyn who was personally known to the writer. To have been favored with the counsel and blessing of so noble a patriarch as Father Landon, is a privilege to be highly es- teemed. Seymour Landon was born in Grand Isle, Lake Cham- plain, Vt., May 3, 1798. His father, Asahel Landon, first a- mong the Methodist converts in that region, is mentioned in Stevens' "Memorials'' as an honored local preacher. Dur- ing Seymour's boyhood his father's house was a home for the pioneer Methodist itinerants, and "his barn and orchard their places of worship."' On the 12th of September, 1814, the day after the naval victory of M'Donough over Downie on Lake Champlain, young Landon, who had witnessed the battle, stood on the gory deck of the fiag-ship, Confiance, and said to himself as he looked upon the remains of Downie and his officers laid out for burial: "What is worldly honor to them now2 What avails it to them if their souls are lost?" *A few months thereafter, when he was seventeen years of age, his pastor, William Ross, preached a sermon which powerfully aroused his conscience, and led him to repentence and faith in Jesus Christ. Mr. Ross received him as a probationer in the church September 12, 1815, exactly one year after the scenes he witnessed on the deck of the Confiance had awakened those solemn thoughts in his mind. The same day and the next he accompanied the preaeher to his appointments, and on the third day went with him in a sloop to a camp-meet- ing. On the way his pastor told him he believed God had ' "Fifty years in the Ministry," by the Rev, Seymour Landon, p. 10. REV. SEYMOUR LANDON. Record of Ministers. 253 called him to preach. He soon began a course of preparation for the ministry, studying at an academy in St. Albans, Vt., and afterward with a Congregational minister, who strove to en- lighten his pupil in Calvinistic doctrines, and succeeded in " confounding " the youthful Methodist. But it happened that young Landon had the company of J. B. Stratton, a sound and intellectual Methodist preacher, for two nights in a week dur- ing that time ; and so, hearing both sides, he not only did not become a convert to Calvinism, but prepared himself to be a more successful defender of Methodist theology. He was licensed to exhort, " without his knowledge or con- sent," and was soon afterward authorized to preach. Dissuaded from his cherished purpose of going to college, he accepted a recommendation to the New York Conference, which he joined in 1818, when twenty years of age. CONFERENCE RECORD: 1818, (New York Conf.,) Charlotte cir., Vt., with N. White ; 1819, Ticonderoga, N. Y. ; 1820, ordained deacon, — St. Albans, Vt., with N. White; 1821, Ticonderoga, N. Y., again; 1822, ordained elder, — Chazy cir., with E. Crane ; 1823, ditto, with Wm. Todd ; 1824, White- hall cir., including Poultney, Vt., where he resided ; 1825, Poultney, a station ; "^ 1826-1827, Sandy Hill and Glenn's Falls cir., N. Y.; 1828, Brooklyn, with S. Luckey ; 1829-1830, Lansingburgh and Waterford cir. ; 1831, New York, with S. Merwin, L. Pease, S. Martindale, B. Goodsell, John Clark, B. SiUeck, and C. Prindle ; J832, New York, West cir., with P. P. Sandford, J. Bowen, G. Coles, and C. Prindle ; 1833-1834, Rhinebeck ; 1835-1836, Newburgh ; 1837, Sugar Loaf cir., with W. Miller; 1838, ditto, with T. Newman; 1839-1840, Hudson ; 1841-1842, Brooklyn, 2nd church, (York-street,) and New Utrecht; 1843-1844, Hempstead; 1845-1846, Sag Harbor; 1847, Winsted, Conn. ; 1848-1850, (New York East Conf.,) presiding elder, Hart- ford Dist. ; 1851-1854, presiding elder. Long Island Dist. ; 1855-1856, Brooklyn, Gothic church ; 1857-1858, Greenpoint ; 1859-1860, Southport, Conn. ; 1861-1862, Watertown, Conn. ; 1&63-1864, Mt. Vernon, N. Y. ; 1865-1866, Astoria ; 1867-1868, Amityville and Newbridge ; 1869-1871, Springfield ; 1872, Orient ; 1873-1880, sup'd. Here is a remarkable record of fifty-five years of effective serv- ice without a break, followed by eight years of quiet, peaceful waiting for his final remove to the " saints' everlas,ting rest." He was married while on his second circuit, and the happy union lasted about fifty-eight years. In reference to his ap- pointment to Brooklyn, in 1828, he writes : I begged to be excused from being sent there, thinking it perfectly consist- ent with my vow to go wherever sent by the bishop, to decline an appoint- ment which almost every other preacher coveted. 254 Old Sands Street Church. At the expiration of one year he was removed at his own request. Until the session of his conference, in 1879, the sixty-third from the time of his joining, he had never failed to be present. He spent about one year and three months of his life in attending the sessions of the conference to which he belonged. He was a man of robust constitution, which did not entirely give way until a few months before his death, when he had been reduced almost to a skeleton by a series of heavy chills. He died at the residence of his adopted daughter, in Jamaica, L. I., July 29, 1880, in the eighty-third year of his age. Hav- ing outlived all the companions of his early ministry, he came down to his grave " as a shock of corn cometh in his season." As he saw death approaching, he exclaimed, " O what a salva- tion is provided for guilty men ! So rich, so full, so free ! I shall be saved ! It is all clear now ! " So did " the clouds that often troubled his faith in former years pass away " as he approached the entrance to glory, and heavenly light streamed through the " gates ajar." The funeral took place in the Methodist Episcopal church in Jamaica, and the remains were laid away in the family plot in Winsted, Conn. The character and career of Seymour Landon have been ad- mirably portrayed in a memoir written by the Rev. George Lansing Taylor, D.D., and adopted by the New York East Conference. The following paragraphs are an extract from Mr. Taylor's sketch : His early ministry was largely blessed with revivals, as was also his maturer work in some signal instances. As a pi'eacher, while he was not remarkable as a profound or logical sermonizer, he was, nevertheless, a well-prepared, earnest, and often able, herald of the divine message. In his denunciation of popular sins and follies, he had something of the old Hebrew severity, and yet with it enough of the genial, and sometimes humorous, to retain the affec- tion of his hearers. His life-long regret at his privation of a college education, and the zeal and self-denial with which he and his companion sent all their children through college, are memorable points in his character ; yet, amid the collisions of the controversial times in which his ministiy began, he never was put to the worse for want of enough of Greek. Latin, or English for the occasion. In the temperance reform he was prompt to sympathize with Dr. Fisk, when the latter threw his powerful influence into the rising total-abstinence movement, and he ever remained an earnest champion of the cause. But the firm, though unostentatious, stand he took in the great antislavery Record of Ministers. 255 contest, more than any other occasion of his public life, showed the moral fiber of the man. It is hard for us of this generation to comprehend the des- potism of the pro-slavery sentiment that, to a great degree, ruled all the churches, and the whole fabric of society. North as well as South, in those days. The great struggle which divided the church in 1844 began eight years earlier. The General Conference of 1836, in its Pastoral Address, (see Bangs' Histoiy of the Methodist Episcopal Church, vol. iv, pp. 259, 260,) said to the church : " We * * * exhort you to abstain from all abolition movements and associations, and to refra'.n from patronizing any of their publications. * * * We have come to the solemn conviction that the only safe, script- ural, and prudent way for us, both as ministers and people, to take, is wholly to refrain from this agitating subject." An advice so contrary to all the primary rights of men, whether clergy or laity, probably no enlightened Christian body could be found on earth to give to-day. It is a phenomenon in religious his- tory and psychology. But the bishops and annual conferences at once set about applying it as a law, giving it a weight which never properly belonged to any merely advisory deliverance, and enforcing it in an inquisitorial spirit. "Following this cue, the New York Conference that year passed a resolution forbidding its members acting in any manner as agents for Zion's Watch- man, the noted antislavery paper, then conducted by the Rev. Leroy Sunderland, of the New England Conference. Such action suggests to us of to-day that the modern term " bull-dozing " was invented forty years too late. It required uncommon manhood for Mr. Landon to stand up in his place and demand of the conference if " the resolution was intended to forbid my tak- ing the paper myself, and paying for it ? " The interrogation was resented as an insult to the conference, and at the following session, when the appoint- ments were read off, Mr. Landon, whose previous charges had been wealthy Rhinebeck and prosperous Newburgh, found himself retired to the sylvan wilds of Sugar Loaf Mountain, where, like John the Baptist, he might riot on locusts and wild honey, and meditate on the folly of having opinions of his own. At the session of 1838 James Floy, then in the bright promise of his youth, so nobly fulfilled in liis manhood, was arraigned with several others at the bar of the conference for attending a Methodist abolition convention at Utica, N. Y., during the previous conference year. Although Floy and his friends took no part in the convention, save as spectators, yet for simply be- ing present, and in the face of his own overwhelming defense for three hours before the conference, he was suspended from his functions as a deacon, by a vote of 124 to 17. Dr. Curry, in his memoir of Floy, (Quarterly Review, 1864. p. 117.) gives the now honored names of the courageous seventeen worthies; namely, " Daniel De Vinne, Charles K. True, Seymour Landon, Paul R. Brown, Harvey Husted, Cyrus Foss, David Plumb, C. W. Turner, Edwin E. Griswold, and probably John M. Pease, Humphrey Humphreys^ Thos. Bainbridge, and Harvey Brown." ^ It must have brought a touch of honest pride to those brave men when, in after years, the New York East Conference sent four of them, Griswold, Floy, Landon, and Husted, to stand ' See sketch of Wm. Thacher in this book, p. 161, where he is quoted as expressing the sentiments of the majority on this subject. 256 Old Sands Street Church. up once more together as her delegates to the Buffalo General Conference, in i860, to strengthen our testimony against slavery by passing the Kingsley amendments. Mr. Landon, with every abolitionist of those and far later days, and as the pioneers of all reforms must always do in all organizations, frequently suffered in his appointments on account of his opinions. But he lived to reap in this life the honors and rewards of fidelity to righteousness ; to witness the tri- umphant overthrow and " extirpation of the great evil of slavery ; " to see his imperiled country free, united, and at peace ; and when he retired from the front of the battle, in 1873, his conference presented him, as an expression of affection, a purse of $1,681, one of the largest testimonials of the kind in the liistory of the church. Doubtless the two most marked traits of Mr. Landon's character were his excessive, almost morbid diffidence, or self-depreciation, and his equally marked conscientiousness. His diffidence was so great on all personal points, as to subject him to occasional fits of despondency, and to unquestionably diminish his usefulness and power. It is, however, only in the light of this extreme native modesty that the sternness of his fidelity to great principles can be duly appreciated. These traits and his amiability and other charming personal qualities made him one of the truest and most lovable of personal friends.* Yet his sturdy honesty and independence were no less marked than his geniality. It is a significant token of his worth as a man, that eleven of the most valuable of the distinguished Olin's printed private letters, are ad- dressed to Seymour Landon. Mr. Landon's long career — the longest effective ministry in his conference — was crowned with serene brightness in his closing years. His always ma- je.'itic and handsome face and figure (he was six feet tall and superbly propor- tioned) caught a new grace from that " hoary head," which " is a crown of glory if it be found in the way of righteousness." His presence was a wel- come ornament in every circle of society, and he passed away amid the rever- ent affection of hosts of friends.' Phcebe, his wife, daughter of Levi and Charity (Miller) Thompson, was born in Granville, N. Y., Oct. 4, 1796, but, while an infant, removed with her parents to Ticonderoga. There she was received by the young itinerant, Seymour Lan- don, first into the church as a convert, and then into his home as a bride. It has been said that she made that home " a joy to its members, and a model to the parish." Her genial hospi- tality, her pure, sweet sympathies, her abounding good works, lier timid and pathetic utterances in the social meetings, her * In the New York Preachers' Meeting Dr. Curr^ said : " I loved Seymour Landon ;" adding, in his own peculiar way, '• and the men I can say that of are mighty few." 'Minutes of the New York East Conference, 1881, pp. 57-59. Record of Ministers. 257 faithful training of her children, all conspire to make her mem- ory precious. She died at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. James R. Alvord, in West Winsted, Conn., May 22, 1878, in the eighty-second year of her age.° W. H. Thomas, G. L. , Taylor, and R. Codling were the ministers Who took part in the funeral services. Her grave is near that of her husband. Seymour and Phoebe Landon were the parents of four chil- dren : Dillon S. Landon, M.D., whose memoir is found else- where in this book; Mrs. Louisa E. Burruss, deceased; Mrs. Mary E. Alvord ; and the Rev. Thompson H. Landon, A.M., of the Newark Conference. Amanda Covert was in her childhood adopted as a membet of Mr. Landon's family. She married Jeremiah Hendrickson, and at her home in Jamaica, L. I., Father Landon was tenderly cared for during the last years of his life. ' For these facts we are indebted to the Rev. George Lansing Taylor, D.D. -sketch in The Christian Advocate. HE Rev. Noah Levings, D. D., received his appoint- ment to Brooklyn in tlie year 1829. He was a son of Noah Levings, and was born in Cheshire County, N. H., September 29, 1796. His parents moved to Tro)^, N. Y., when he was but a lad. They were in very humble circumstances, and their boy grew up with exceed- ingly limited opportunities, being sent from home to earn his own living at nine years of age, and apprenticed' to a blacksmith at sixteen. He heard Peter P. Sandford preach in Troy, and, during a revival under the ministry of Laban Clark, in 1813, he united with the church on probation. He was small of stature, and bashful, and apparently about six- teen years of age. At the close of the second public meet- ing in which he in great simplicity attempted to pray. The official brethren gathered around the preacher; one inquired who the boy was; anotlier said his forwardness must be checked; and a third that he must be stopped altogether. The preacher simply replied, "No, brethren, let that boy alone; there is something in him more than you are aware of;" and from that time no one questioned the right of the blacksmith boy to oflSciate in the pub- lic prayer-meetings.' Thus actively from the first did he engage in Christian work but he did not receive the spirit of adoption until two years afterward. At this time, encouraged by his pastor, To- bias Spicer, he improved his gift in exhortation. Stevens quotes the following concerning him: After working at the anvil through the day, he would throw off his apron and paper cap, wash, and change his dress, and walk with Spicer to Albia, where he exhorted at the close of the sermons." ' Clark in Meth. Quar. Review, 1849, p. 519. * Hist. M. E. Church, vol. iv, p. 263. fi»-illlS!llilm : E4!GBA\-'F;D BYEE. JOMES, from the" original PAUflDTG BY JAMES PEOE Record of Ministers. 259 In 1807 he received from his pastor, Samuel Luckey, an ex- horter's license, and soon afterward he was licensed to preach. He was then twenty-one years of age. Samuel Luckey records that on coming to Troy he became deeply interested in the young blacksmith, finding him serious, modest, well-disposed, and of " an uncommonly brilliant mind ; " and he gives the fol- lowing interesting account of a meeting conducted by Levings while visiting Troy, during the first year of his ministry, which sets forth in a strong light the zeal and faithfulness of the young itinerant : At the close of the evening service I returned to my house and left him at the church with a large number of his companions, who remained behind for the purpose of practicing in sacred music. After I had been at home a short time there came a lad running in great haste to apprise me that I was wanted at the church. Without knowing for what purpose I was going, I made my way to the church as soon as possible, and there witnessed a scene which is more easily conceived than described. I found Mr. Levings at the altar en- gaged in prayer, and about forty, chiefly young persons, kneeling around it, and, upon inquiry, I ascertained that this was the explanation : Mr. Levings was sitting in the altar while the young people were singing, and he observed a young lady silting near, weeping. He went and spoke to her, and found that she was deeply concerned on the subject of her 'salvation. He asked her if he sliould pray for her, and when she answered in the affirmative he requested that the singing might be suspended, and proposed that they should join in prayer ; they did so, and such was the effect of the announcement that forty came and knelt with her. I have rarely witnessed a more affecting scene than was passing when I entered the church. We here transcribe a list of his CONFERENCE APPOINTMENTS: 1 81 8, (New York Conf,) Ley- den cir., Vt. and Mass., with \. Cannon ; l8lg, Pownal cir., Vt., with D. Lewis; 1820, ordained deacon, — Montgomery cir., N. Y., with F. Draper; t82i, Saratoga cir., with Jacob Hall ; 1822, ordained elder,— Middlebury, Vt. ; 1823-1824, Burlington ; 1825, Charlotte cir., with J. Poor ; 1826, ditto, with C. Meeker ; 1S27, New York, with T. Burch, N. White, R. Seney, J. J. Matthias, and J. Field : 1828, ditto, with T. Burch, Coles Carpenter, J. Hunt, J. J. Matthias, and George Coles ; 1829-1830, Brooklyn, with James Covel, Jr. ; 1831-1832, New Haven, Conn. ; 1833, (Troy Conf.,) Albany, Garrettson station ; 1834-1835, Troy, State-street ; 1836-1837, Schenectady ; 1038, presid- ing elder, Troy Dist. ; 1839, Troy, North Second-street ; I840-1841, Albany, Division-street ; 1842, Troy, State-street ; 1843-1844, (New York Conf,) New York, Vestry-street ; 1844-1848, financial secretary Am. Bible Society. While on the Montgomery circuit he was married to Miss Sarah Clark. In Brooklyn, in 1829, he was called to mourn the death of one of his children, " little Charles Wesley," A few 26o Old Sands Street Church. months subsequently he accompanied John Garrison to Salem, N. J., to erect a monument over the grave of Benjamin Abbott.' The Christian Advocate contains an account of a great revival under his ministry in Schenectady, in 1837. A warm personal friendship grew up between him and Dr. Nott, the president of Union College, on whose recommendation that institution con- ferred upon him the degree of D.D. While he was pastor in Schenectady he buried his mother. Four years later (1841) his father, who had been a Revolutionary soldier, died in Lockport, N. Y. Dr. Levings was a member of General Conference in 1832, 1836, and 1840. A sermon of his on " The Foundation of the Church " was published,' also an important historic article con- cerning John Garrison and Brooklyn Methodism." The orig- inal Methodist church edifice in Fair Haven, Conn., (now East Pearl-street, New Haven,) was built under his administration. He dedicated thirty-eight churches and preached nearly four thousand sermons. In the service of the American Bible So- ciety he traveled more than ihirty-six thousand miles, and de- livered nearly three hundred addresses. J. M. Van Cott, Esq., of Brooklyn, describes a sermon preached by Dr. Levings in the Sands-street church more than fifty years ago, exceeding, probably, all others he ever heard iti its effect upon the congregation. It was on the eve of a revival effort. The text was, "Awake, thou that sleepest," etc. The preacher was all aflame with his subject. The excitement of the hearers reached a point beyond any precedent in the old Sands-street church. Though a Methodist people, they were an eminently cultured, decorous, dignified class of Method- ists, and yet they all rose to their feet ; some stood on the seats, weeping, laughing, shouting — a marvelous example of the power of the preacher over the minds and hearts of his hearers. In an admirable memoir, written at his request by Dr. (after- ward Bishop) Clark, is the following clear and discriminating account of his characteristics as a preacher : The cast of his mind Was hot that which grapples with profound truths and evolves mighty thoughts, but rather that which would take the popular and ' Methodist Quarterly Review, 1849, p. 530. * See Methodist Magazine, May, 1828, p. 201. 5 Methodist Quarterly Review, 1831, pp. 258-273. Record of Ministers. 261 practical view of things. His reasonings generally were of this tone and character. * * * He combined, in an unusual degree, close argumentation with apt and striking illustration and an aninriated and attractive delivery. * * * His manner was self-possessed, the intonations of his voice well-man- aged, and his gesture easy and appropriate.' His remarkable fluency of utterance, and his great success as a platform speaker, are a matter of frequent remark. The author just quoted says of his social qualities : His manner was affable and winning ; his heart was warm and generous ; his mind naturally fertile and lively, and stored with an inexhaustible fund of anecdote, coupled with a retentive and ready memory, a brilliant imagination- a striking aptness at comparison, and fine colloquial powers, made him a most delightful companion in social life. * * * He was an almost universal favorite. In person he was " of medium size," with " a form remarkably symmetrical," and " a countenance strongly expressive of be- nevolent feeling." ' In the early part of January, 1849, while on an extended tour in the service of the American Bible Society, he reached Cin- cinnati, Ohio, when sickness compelled him to halt. He was most lovingly cared for at the house of his very devoted friends, Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Burton, whose gratitude to him for the kind counsels and consolations he had imparted when he was their pastor in the East knew no bounds. From their hospit- able home, far away from his family, he was summoned to his reward on the 9th of January, 1849, in the fifty-third year of his age. His biographer says : His sufferings were great, but in the midst of them all he enjoyed perfect peace, and signal was his triumph, through grace, in the last conflict. When he found that the great object of his earthly desire— to see his family once more in the flesh and to die among his kindred — could not be realized, he only exclaimed, " The will of the Lord be done." On one occasion, when he was sitting up. Brother Burton placed a large Bible to support his head that he might breathe more easily. Observing the letters upon the back, he ex- claimed, " Blessed book ! how cheerless would this world be without thy di- vine revelation." When Bishop Morris reached the city and hastened to the bedside of his dying friend, he said to him : " Thank God that I am permitted to see your face once more. I am not able to converse much, but I can still say, ' Glory to God ! ' " The Bishop inquired if he had any message to send to his brethren of the New York Conference. " Tell them," he said, " I die ' Methodist Quarterly Review, 1849, p. 540. ' Dr. Luckey, in Sprague's Annals. 262 Old Sands Street Church. in Christ ; I die in the hope of the gospel. * * * AH before me is light, and joyful, and glorious." Bishop Morris preached his funeral sermon. His remains were buried in the city cemetery of Cincinnati ; subsequently they were deposited in the Wesleyan cemetery, where it is said, "a suitable monument was erected to perpetuate his memory; "° and finally they were removed by the family to " Greenwood " in Brooklyn, N. Y. A head-stone marks his grave. Sarah (Clark,) his wife, was born in Amsterdam, N. Y., September 5, 1797. She died in New York, December 4, 1865, aged sixty-eight years, and was buried in Greenwood cemetery, by the side of her husband. Their children are all dead. They were eight in number, as follows : Noah Clark, born in Middlebury, Vt., December ig, 1822; died February 12, 1823; Noah Clark 2(/, born in Burling- ton, Vt,, March 4, 1824, baptized by Buel Goodsell, died in New York, June 10, 1883, aged fifty-nine years — first a Method- ist, finally an Episcopalian, a physician by profession ; Francis Asbury, born in Monkton, Vt., June 17, 1826 ; died August i, 1826 ; George Suckley, born in New York city, February 27, 1828 ; died January 14, 1865 ; Charles Wesley, born in Brooklyn, N. Y., July 18, 1829; died, July 30, 1829; Wilbur Fisk, born in New Haven, Conn., April 23, 1832; died October 9, 1833; Martha Ann and Sarah, twins, born in Troy, N. Y., April 7, 1835 — Sarah died May 13, 1836, Martha Ann died July 24, 1840. Allen Levings, M.D., of New York, son of the physician above named, is the only survivor among the descendants of the Rev. Dr. Noah Levings. ' Rev. Myron H. Breckenridge in The Christian Advocate, June 7, 1883. REV. JAMES COVEL, Jr., M. A. LI. JAMES COVEL, Jr. HE Rev, James Covel, Jr., A. M. ranks high among the honored pastors of the old Sands-street Church. His father, James Covel, Sen., as stated by Parks in the "Troy Conference Miscellany," was the son of a Bap- tist minister, whose wife was a Methodist. He joined the Methodist itinerancy in 1791, located in 1797, and was a practicing physician for many years. He was one of the three preachers who ordained the first elders in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in 1822.' His wife, Sa- rah, mother of James Covel, Jr., became a Methodist in 1^93, and stood firm and faithful in the midst of great persecution. She died at the residence of her son, Samuel Covel, in the city of New York, Mav 19, 1856, and her^ funeral was attend- ed by the Rev. Dr. J. B. Wakeley." The elder Covel was stationed in Marblehead, Mass.. in 1795, and there, on the fourth of September, 1796, the subject of this sketch was born. An interesting coincidence is no- ticed in the lives of James Covel, Jr. and Peter Jayne. Both were natives of Marblehead; both were converted at sixteen years of age; both began to preach within three years after their conversion, and both became pastors of the Sands- street Church. The author of the memorial of James Covel, Jr., speaks of his early disrelish for study and the great improvement he afterward manifested in that respect.' At seventeen he joined the Methodist Episcopal Church, and when about nineteen years of age he received his first license to preach, signed by Nathan Bangs, as presiding elder. The church claiming his service, he relinquished his trade, and gave himself up to a ' Rush's Rise and Progress of the African M. E. Church, p. 78. " Christian Advocate. In the Troy Conference Miscellany the maternal grandfather of the Rev. J. Covel, Jr. is said to have been a Methodist preach- er. The same authority speaks of his brother as the Rev. Samuel Covel. ' Parks' Troy Conf . Miscellany. 264 Old Sands Street Chufch. life-long service as a minister of Christ. The following is his PASTORAL RECORD : 1815, supply on Litchfield cir., Conn., with Samuel Cochran, Billy Hibbard, and Smith Dayton; 1816, (New York Conf.,) Pittsfield cir., Mass., with Lewis Pease and Timothy Benedict, supply;^ 1817, Brandon cir., Vt., with D. Lewis and C. H. Gridley; 1818, ordairred deacon, — Dunham cir., Canada; 1819, St. Albans cir., Vt., with B. Goodsell; 1820, or- dained elder, — Ticonderoga cir., N. Y.; 1821, St. Albans cir., Vt., with A. Dunbar; 1822, Grand Isle; 1823, Charlotte cir., with C. Prindle; 1824, ditto, with L. C. Filley; 1825, Peru cir., N. Y., with O. Pier; 1826, ditto, with P. Doane; 1827-1828, Watervliet; 1829-1830, Brooklyn, with Noah Levings; 1831, Williamsburgh, L. I.; 1832-1833, Newburgh; 1834, New Windsor cir., with N. Rice; 1835, ditto, with John R. Rice and T. Edwards; 1836, New York, west cir., with C. W. Carpenter, J. Z. Nichols, L. Mead, and E. E. Griswold; 1837, ditto, with C. W. Carpenter, J. Z. Nichols, A. S. Francis, and C. K. True; 1838-1840, (Troy Conf.,)^ Principal Troy Conf. Academy West Poultney,Vt.; 1841, Fort Ann cir., N. Y., with W. Amer and W. Miller; 1842, ditto, withC. Devol and C. E. Giddings; 1843-1844, Troy, State-street, with John W. Lindsay, six months in 1844. A venerable friend of Mr. Covel's wrote thus concerning the young preacher's labors as supply on Litchfield circuit : His first and probably his only sermon preached in North Watertown, Conn., is in the recollection of the writer, then a lad of thirteen years. His youthful appearance is well remembered, as he applied himself to his work, with his coat off, on a wintei's evening, in a crowded little school-house. It was near New-Year's-day, 1816.* The people on his next circuit (Pittsfield, Mass.) were proud of their young preachers, Covel and Benedict, whom they called their "boy team." The boys while riding together one day were debating a biblical question, and agreed to leave it to Dr. Bangs, the presiding elder. " The doctor's decision favored Benedict's opinion. ' Well,' said Covel, with thoughtful earnest- ness, ' I will give it up, because I said I would, but I am no more convinced than I was before.' " ' While in Ticonderoga, July 16, 1821, he was married to Miss Anna G. Rice. His ministry in Brooklyn was attended with unusual success. While there he reported in "The Christian Advocate " a three-days' rneeting, resulting in over one hun- ^ Memoir of Covel in Troy Conference Miscellany. ' His memoir in Conference Minutes, 1845, p. 600, says erroneously that he was transferred in 1835. ° Manuscript sketch by Dr. A. J. Skilton, of Troy, N. Y. ' Parks's Miscellany. Record of Ministers. 265 dred conversions. The statistics on page 43 qf this work show a large increase of members. .Mr. Covel was a good preacher. He indulged in no flights of fancy in the pulpit, but was " concise, clear, strong, and im- pressive," and intelligent people were exceedingly pleased with his sermons. The Rev. Tobias Spicer writes : He generally preached without manuscript, but sometimes had a brief out- line of his discourse. His preaching was generally expqsitory. He had a happy art of keeping the attention of his audience.^ However, he was not a " splendid " preacher. One of his old friends and parishioners says of him : Brother Covel, in the State-street charge, succeeded the Rev. Noah Levings, who was a Trojan, and at that time one of the most popular and able preacli- ers of the day. Brother Covel was a man of the old stamp, able, sound, of good administrative ability, but he did not hold the congregation. In the fall of 1844 his healtli was poor, and the church asked for an assistant, and Bishop Hedding sent John W. Lindsay, then quite young, but he filled the place with perfect satisfaction. John Newland Maffit labored with us thirteen weeks, and there was a large number added to the State-street church, and all the churches in the city gained largely in numbers. * * * Of James Covel it may be said that his earnest and consistent life was a good example of the living gospel.' Mr. Slicer gives a still further account of his friend : In the social circle Mr. Covel rendered himself at once instructive and agreeable. * * * When in company with his brethren in the ministry, he was fond of discussing some difficult passage of Scripture, or some knotty point of Christian theology. In devout love of learning he had few superiors, and his at- tainments entitled him to a good position among educated men. The degree of Master of Arts was conferred upon him by the Wesleyan University in 1835. His son makes the following statement : My father was a great student. No time was lost with him, and his re- searches, took a wide range ; yet he kept close to the one purpose of his life, the Christian ministry. It seemed to be his first great ambition to read the Scriptures in the original Greek and Hebrew, and so thoroughly did he ac- complish his purpose, that he was known frequently to recall from memory a quotation in the original, before he could remember the language of the translation.'" * See Sprague's Annals. ' Reuben Peckham, Esq. — letter to the author. "Wm. B. Covel — letter to the author. 2 66 Old Sands Street Church. Like many olhers distinguished for their diligence in study, his abstractions sometimes led him into ludicrous mistakes. On one occasion, when a friend entered his study, he gravely bade him good-bye. In the midst of his studies he " forgot his appointment to preach." " It is said that some of the preachers, who could not appreciate his studious habits, were kind enough to admonish him that " knowledge puffeth up." He was a member of General Conference in 1832 and 1844. His chief literary works were a series of Question Books for Sabbath-schools, and a Bible Dictionary, i8mo, which passed through several editions. At the time of his death he was en- gaged in the preparation of a work, entitled " The Preacher's Manual." The unfinished manuscript remains as he left it. The accompanying portrait was copied from a painting made when Mr. Covel was about forty years of age. The counte- nance, though that of a scholar, is not " sicklied o'er with the pale cast of thought," but indicates a robust physical condition. Tobias Spicer, in Sprague's Annals, says of him : Mr. Covel was a man of noble appearance and bearing, rather above the ordinary height, and a little inclined to corpulency, but well proportioned. He had a full face, well-developed features, an intelligent expression, and a rather dark, sandy complexion. He was simple in his dress and manners, and as far removed as possible from even the semblance of ostentation. He adhered with unswerving principle to " the conscientious performance of every conceived duty." In one of his last public acts he gave an instance of this fidelity. Our authority says : At the great revival in the State-street church in Troy, when he was sta- tioned there in 1844-45, a large number were added to the church, and of these there were eighteen or twenty who desired to be baptized by immersion, and it fell to his lot to perform that service. He baptized them against the advice of his family physician, in the month of March, in the ice-cold waters of the Mohawk, because he deemed it his duty to do so. The result was a fatal termination of his malady in about six weeks thereafter.'* After great suffering and a most beautiful and affecting fare- well to his family, he passed into everlasting rest during the session of his conference, on the 15th of May, 1845, in the forty-ninth year of his age. The last words he uttered were, " Tell Brother Mattison that I died happy." His funeral was " Park's Miscellany. "Wm. B. Covel's letter. Record of Ministers. 267 attended by more than a score of his ministerial brethren, and Bishop Hedding preached from the words, " I am now ready to be offered," etc. He was buried in Mt. Ida cemetery, in Troy, and a plain head-stone marks the place of his rest. In the same lot are the remains of three other deceased members of the Trov Conference. Anna G., his wife, was born August 5, 1802, and was married to Mr. Covel before she was nineteen years of age, January 16, 1821. She died of paralysis, at the home of her daughter, in East Portland, Oregon, January 4, 1881, aged seventy-eight years. She spent the last ten years of her life with her children in the Far West. " She was dignified, cultured, thoroughly attached to the itinerant system — a noble woman in every fe- spect." Her daughter writes : At the time of her death no one would have supposed her to be in her seventy-ninth year. Her hair retained its glossy blackness, and her mind was bright and active. Until she lost consciousness she was in a very happy state of mind, beholding bright visions of angels and loved ones gone before." Her son pays the following tribute to her memory : Of our dear mother we have only sweet and pleasant recollections. Though many years of her life were spent in suffering, she was always cheerful, pa- tient, full of hope ; her light shone brighter and brighter to the close of her long and peaceful life. So delicate were her sensibilities, that she was fre- quently in some anxiety of mind, lest inadvertently, by wo'rd or deed, she had oifended in some particular. She now sleeps in the Lone Fir cemetery, in East Portland, Oregon, but the body will soon be removed to Oak Hill cem- etery, near San Jose, California." Of the five children of James and Anna G. Covel who arrived at maturity, the eldest died in Dubuque, Iowa ; William £., resides in San Jose, Cal., (business, real estate ;) James E., of Lawrence, Kansas, is proprietor of the Lawrence Tribune ; Mary /., (Mrs. Briggs,) resides in East Portland, Oregon ; Cornelia, (Mrs. E. C. Lawrence,) resides in the State of New York. " Letter of Mrs. Mary J. Briggs. '■* Wm. B. Covel— letter to the author. HE Rev. John Christian Green was born in the city of New York, May 2, 1798. His father, who was a physician, died when John was about twelve years of age. The marriage of John C. Green to Miss Esther Henry took place on the twenty- sixth of August, 1820. In less than two years thereafter he entered the itinerant minis- try of the Methodist Episcopal Church. PASTORAL RECORD: 1822, (New York Conf.) Newburgh cir., N. Y.; with Jesse Hunt; 1823, Coeyman's dr., with B. Sillick; 1824, ordained deacon — Pittstown cir., with Benj. Griffen; 1825, ditto, with N. Rice and W. H. Norris; 1826, ordained elder — Whitehall dr., with W. P. Lake and Lorin Clark; 1827, Poultney, Vt.; 182S, Middlebury; 1829-1830, Albany, N. Y., south; 1831, Brooklyn, with C. W. Carpenter; 1832, ditto, with C. W. Carpenter and J. C. Tackaberry; 1833. New York, west cir. , with P. P. Sandford, F. Reed, J. Bowen, and C. W. Carpenter; 1834, ditto, with J. B. Stratton, F. Reed, D. DeVinne, and J. C. Tackaberry; 1835, Middletown, Conn.; 1836-1837, agent forWesleyan University; 1838, New Paltz dr., N. Y., with E. Crawford; 1839, ditto, with Eben Smith; 1840, Montgomery dr., with S. Bonney: 1841, Mont- gomery and Middletown dr., with J. Davy; 1343-1843, New York, Green-st.; 1844-1845, Yonkers, with T. Burch, sup'y; 1846, Brooklyn, Centenary ch. and Flatbush; 1847, withdrew; 1848-1853, (August,) pastor First Congregational Methodist church, Brooklyn. Mr. Green was charged before the New York Conference in 182S with the intemperate use of ardent spirits, but on ex- amination was acquitted. Record of Ministers. 269 In the year 1846, when Mr. Green was pastor of the Johnson- street church, Brooklyn, he allowed John Newland Maffit, whose character and authority as a minister were not at that time clear before the church, to preach in his pulpit, and refused to obey the bisiiop's instructions to erase his name from the church records.' For this offense Mr. Green was suspended from the use of his ministerial functions for one year. Potter J. Thomas, of Brooklyn, and others, who were cognizant of all the facts, affirm that the official board, rather than the pastor, insisted on employing Mr. Maffit; that Mr. Green presented the bishop's letter to the board, saying that he must act accordingly ; but the trustees replied that they felt bound to keep their engagement with Maffit, and that they would assume the entire responsibility, should the pastor be arraigned before the conference. Viewing the matter from their stand-point, the friends of Mr. Green considered his sus- pension by the conference a great injustice, and some of the reasons for this belief have been published." After his trial and suspension he withdrew from the Method- ist Episcopal Church; the Centenary church revolted, refusing to receive their new pastor, and undertook, as an independent organization, to retain Mr. Green. In the litigation which fol- lowed the courts decided that the Methodist Episcopal Church could hold the property; whereupon a large number of the members withdrew, and established, under Mr. Green's leader- ship, a Congregational Methodist church, in Lawrence-street, Brooklyn. A few years later, (in 1849,) ex- Justice John Pierce, step- father of Maffit's wife, having spoken of Green as a " drunken scoundrel," the latter brought a suit against Pierce for slander, and a verdict was given in favor of the plaintiff. John Dike- man and James M. Smith, Jr., were counsel for Mr. Green. Among the prominent witnesses in the case were the Revs. Nathan Bangs, George Peck, Valentine Buck, John C. Tacka- berry, Bradley Silleck, and William H. Norris ; also, Messrs. Jacob Brown, Joseph Moser, John Smith, Rufus S. Hibbard, J. Wesley Harper, Henry R. Piercey, and others. The entire ' See the Christian Advocate and Journal, January 9, 1847. 'See Rufus S. Hibbard's pamphlet, entitled "Startling Disclosures con- cerning the Death of John Newland MafEt," pp. 16-22 ; also " The Trial of Green vs. Pierce," p. 39. 270 Old Sands Street Church. ministeriallife of Mr. Green was throughly canvassed. It was not proved by the evidence adduced, nor is it now claimed by the friends of Mr. Green, that he was a teetotaler ; and it seems to us an error and a misfortune that, as a minister of Jesus Christ, he did not attain to that standard. That he was an iiiebriate, either before or after this trial, his most intimate friends declare to be false." The tremulous, excitable state in which he was often seen, was declared by Dr. Reese to be due to a constitutional infirmity, or mobility of temperament* John C. Green is described as a fine-looking man, rather tall, an excellent speaker, with pleasant voice and winning manner, and a very happy and " impressive way of putting things." There was a nervous energy and a manifest unction attending his appeals under the excitement of revival services rarely sur- passed by the best evangelists. He survived his resignation as pastor of the Congregational Methodist church only about eight months, and died of paralysis, in the city of Brooklyn, on the 7th of April, 1854, aged fifty-six years. His grave in Greenwood cemetery is marked by a stone carved in the form of a pulpit. Esther, wife of John C. Green, was born in the town of New- burgh, N. Y., May 2, 1798, and died September 14, 1875, in the 78th year of her age. She is buried by the side of 'her husband. One of their sons, James Wilson, attended the Wesleyan Uni- versity in 1836, and afterward died in Texas. John Henry, another son, resides in New Jersey, and is engaged in business in the city of New York. One daughter, Elizabeth, died at the age of sixteen. Mary C. married a Mr. Porter, and for her second husband a Mr. BeIlinger,'of Davenport, Iowa. Caroline was married to Mr. Levi P. Rose. She is now deceased. Emma E. married Daniel Colgrove, of Brooklyn, and she, like- wise, is dead. 'The author has conversed with William I. Steele, Potter J. Thomas, Rufus S. Hibbard, and others, and their testimony is decided and unanimous on that point. * Trial, Green vs. Pierce. Tf«V>! LI!I. CONSIDERABLE number of young persons who be- gan their Christian life in the Sands-street church became ministers of the gospel. Prominent a- mong them in point of talent and usefulness, and preceding most of them in point of time, was the Rev.' CharleS Wes- ley Carpenter, distinguished, moreover, as the only one of the Sands-street converts who became pastor of that church. His father, Thomas Carpenter, was a native of Long Is- land, "and one of the noble men of early Methodism'' in the city of New York. As an active business man, as a patriotic citizen in the Revolution, as an alderman of the city for sev- eral years, as one of the first managers of the American Bible Society, as a member of our missionary board, as trustee and class-leader in John-street church, he "served his generation by the will of God." He probably retained his membership in the John-street church until his death, but was buried in the Sands-street church-yard in 1825. Edith (Bunce), moth- er of Charles W. Carpenter, died before her son was sixteen years of age.' ' On her tomb-stone in the Sands-street church-yard it is stated that she died March 13, 1808, aged 46. For sketch of Thomas Carpenter and his second wife see Wakeley's "'Lost Chapters," pp. 547-550. 272 Old Sands Street Church. The subject of this sketch was born in New York city, December 16, 1792. He was brought to a saving knowledge of Christ in Brooklyn, in 1806, during a gracious revival season, in which were converted two other young men — Marvin Rich- ardson and Josiah Bowen — who became eminently honored and useful ministers of God. The following account of his conver- sion is in his own words : Though at different times I was the subject of serious thoughts, yet no last- ing impressions were made upon my mind until my fourteenth year ?' At that time my parents lived in Brooklyn, where they retired in the summer season for the benefit of pure air. A revival of religion broke out under Mr. E. Cooper, then stationed at that place.^ On a Sabbath evening, having loitered about the meeting-house until after the sermo i had closed, I went in to see the exercises which took place among those that were under awakenings. My attention was caught by the earnest devotion of a young man just emerged from darkness into light. I looked at him for some time, when my heart became so affected that I could not refrain from shedding tears. I felt an earnest desire for the same enjoyment which he seemed already in possession of, but did not feel, in so great a degree as many, the horrors of a guilty con- science. This may have been in consequence of my tender years. I sat down with a sorrowful heart, when a godly man, James Herbert, noticing my agita- tion, came to me, and in an affectionate strain, urged the necessity of my being bom again. His words, attended with the power of God, fastened conviction upon my mind. I remained in the meeting-house till quite late, my burden and sorrow of soul continually increasing. On Thursday evening, in conversation with a young disciple of Christ, P. Coopers, my mind seemed measurably relieved, but yet I was not satisfied. In the course of the Friday following I retired frequently, and poured out my soul to God in prayer. In the afternoon, while engaged in private, (the spot I well remember,) I felt a sudden and glorious change in my feelings. My burden was fully removed ; my soul was filled with inexpressible peace.* Thenceforward he was a happy and devout Christian. He entered Columbia College, but on account of ill-health was not able to complete the course.' When a little past nineteen years of age, he received from Freeborn Garrettson his first license to exhort, and on the 20th of October, in the same year, he was licensed as a local preacher by the quarterly conference in New York. He was married April 24, 1813,° being less than twenty-one years of age. One year later he was admitted to ' Not his eighteenth year, as stated in M'Clintock and Strong's Cyclopaedia. ' Samuel Thomas was his associate. * Quoted in his memoir — Conference Minutes, 1853, pp. 194, 195. 'Sprague's Annals and M'Clintock and Strong. • Suffolk Circuit quarterly conference record. Record of Ministers. 273 the annual conference on trial, and the following, in brief, is his MINISTERIAL RECORD : 1814, (New York Conf.,) Suffolk and Sag Harbor cir., N. Y., with A. Scholefield ; 1815-1827, local preacher. Savannah, Ga.; 1820, ordained deacon; 1S26, ordained elder; 1828, (New York Conf.,) Suffolk and Sag Harbor cir., N. Y., with R. Seaman and O. V. Amerman ; 1829- 1830, Sag Harbor ; 1831, Brooklyn cir., with John C. Green ; 1832, ditto, with J. C. Green and J. C. Tackaberry; 1833, New York, west cir., with P. P. Sandford, Fitch Reed, Josiah Bowen, and J. C. Green; 1834, Sag Harbor and Bridgi; Hampton cir., with Harvey Hosted; 1835, Sag Harbor and East Hampton ; 1836, New York, west cir., with J. Covel, Jr., J. Z. Nichols, L. Mead, E. E. Griswold, and L. Pease, sup'y; 1837, ditto, with T. Covel, Jr., J. Z. Nichols, A. S. Francis, C. K. True, N. Bigelow, sup'y, and R. Seaman, sup'y ; 1838-1839, Poughkeepsie; 1840-1843, presiding elder New Haven District, Ct. ; 1844-1845, Brooklyn, Washington-street ; 1846-1847, New Paltz and Platte- kill cir., with John Reynolds ; 1847, ditto, with J. K. Still ; 1848-1849, North Newburgh, with J. W. Le Fevre, sup'y, and R. H. Bloomer, sup'y; 1850- 1851, sup'y, Plattekill cir., with John C. Chatterton, sup'y; 1852, sup'y. Pleasant Valley, in the Newburgh District. His retirement at the close of his first conference year was mainly on account of ill-health ; nevertheless, he was able to engage in business while in the South. Returning, he was warmly welcomed by a host of friends, recommended to the annual conference by the quarterly conference of Suffolk cir- cuit, and re-appointed to his former charge. In Sag Harbor, where he was pastor three terms, the author has heard the older people speak of their exceedingly pleasant recollections of his ministry among them. He was secretary of his conference for many years, and in 1840 and 1844 was elected to a seat in the General Conference. His last sickness was attended with extreme suffering, but greater than his bodily pain was his grief on account of not being able to meet his brethren in conference. He departed this life in peace, May 10, 1853, during the session of the New York Conference, in the sixty-third year of his age. His death occurred in the same house in Plattekill, N. Y., where Daniel Ostrander died ten years before. Dr. John Kennaday preached a sermon on his life and character." His remains were first buried in Plattekill, but they now repose in Greenwood ceme- tery, on Long Island. 'Sprague's Annals. ' The Christian Advocate. 274 O^'^ Sands Street Church. Charles Wesley Carpenter " held a high and strong position in the confidence of liis brethren," who regarded him as pre- eminently " a Christian gentleman," and " an intelligent, able, and efficient minister of the New Testament/'" Judge Dike- man said to the author: Brother Carpenter was familiar with almost every subject, but his converf.a- tion always savored of religion. His sermons were uniformly short and neat, and his appearance in the pulpit was the most clerical of all the men I ever heard. One of the leading ministers of the conference writes : I knew him as a most amiable boy, and a most amiable and excellent man. * * * He was a tall, slender man, of a graceful form and delicate features, and an expression of countenance indicating rare gentleness and loveliness. » * " His labors found great favor with some of the most intelligent congre- gations in the denomination. * * * I doubt exceedingly whether his image still lives in any memory, where it is not associated with every thing pure and lovely and of good repoit.'" His bland arid peaceful spirit lulled many a rising storm in conference. He was too modest to be prominently active, and yet few men wielded a more persuasive influence in that body. Bethia (Walker,) his wife, was a native of Smithtown, L. I., a quiet, unobtrusive, industrious Christian woman, greatly devoted to her husband, and interested in his work. It was the author's privilege to converse with her frequently, while he was her pastor, in 1869 and 1870. She survived her husband about twenty-two years, and fell asleep in Jesus, in Newburgh, N. Y., in May, 1875, aged about eighty years. Their only children were Anna Maria, and Albert. The former died, an infant, in 1815 ; the latter was connected with the Sands-street church and Sunday-school for several years, and afterward removed to Newburgh, N. Y., where he died only a few years ago." ' Memoir in the Conference Minutes. '" Dr. Saiiuel Luckey, in Sprague's Annals. " See notice of Albert Carpenter, in Book III. REV. JOHN C. TACKABERRY. LIV. JOHN C. TACKABERRY. HE Rev. John Cranwill' Tackaberry was born in the town of Wexford, Ireland, September 8, 1799. His parents, John and Jane (Cranwill) Tackaber- ry, were connected with the people called Methodists. Fos- sey Tackaberry, a brother of the subject of this sketch, was a very distinguished Methodist preacher in the Irish Confer- ence, whose life was written by the Rev. Robert Huston and published in Belfast. When J. C. Tackaberry was eighteen years of age he emi- grated to America, and resided some time in Quebec. There, in July, 1817, soon after his arival, he obtained the joy of pardon, and before many days united with the people of God. His conference memorial says: In i8ig he received license as an exhorter, and faithfully and zealously served the church in that capacity until 1821, when he was licensed as a local preach- er. For a ) ear or two subsequently he was employed under the presiding el- der to labor within the limits of the Canada Conference. In 1826 he was or- dained as a local deacon by Bishop Soule.' Thenceforward he received the following APPOINTMENTS: 1827, (Pittsburgh Conf.,) Greenfield cir., Pa., with P. Buckingham; 1828, Washington dr.; 1829, ordained elder, ^New York Conf.) Troy, N. Y., with S. Merwin; 1830, Kingston, with F. W. Smith and E. An- drews, 1831, Catskill and Saugerties cir., with D. Poor; 1832, Brooklyn, with J. C. Green; 1833, Stratford and Bridgeport cir.. Conn.; 1834, New York, west cir., with J. B. Stratton, F. Reed, J. C. Green and D. DeVinne; 1835, ditto, with J. B. Stratton, D. DeVinne. L. Mead and E. E. Griswold; 1836, visited Europe on business and to see his friends; on his return, Harlem mis- sion, with John Luckey and D. DeVinne; 1837, Montgomery cir., with David Webster; 1838, Harlem mission, with J. Floy; 1839, ditto, with S. H. Clark; 1840, Stamford, Ct., and Poundridge, N. Y., with S. J. Stebbins and I. San- ' This is said to be one form of the celebrated name Cromwell. The widow of J. C. Tackaberry says Cranwill was her husband's name, not Cranville, as it is spelled in the Conference Minutes and elsewhere. He usually omitted the second name in writing his own signature. See Life of the Rev. Fossey Tack- aberry, p. 298, iVhere his grandmother Cranwill is mentioned. ' Conference Minutes, 1852, p. 42, and Hist. St. James' M. E. Church, New York, p. 57., 276 Old Sands Street Church. 1841-1843, sup'd; 1844, New York, Seventh-street, with A. M. Osbon ; 184s, sup'y-) Brooklyn, Sands-street, with H. F. Pease; 1846, ditto, with N. Bangs; 1847, sup'y. New York, Forsyth-street, with J. B. Stratton; 1848- 1849, sup'y, New York, Greene-street, with Daniel Smith; 1850, sup'y, ditto, with Davis Stocking; 1851, sup'y, New York, Bedford-street, with Addi Lee. His ministerial lite, as above outlined, comprises many im- portant details, of which no record has been preserved. We must be content with a few interesting incidents. In a letter addressed to the Rev. W. H. Dikeman, of New York, and pub- lished in one of our church papers, he describes a terrific storm at sea, which he encountered on his return from Europe, April 19, 1837. The following extract conveys a vivid impression of the thrilling event : At half past two A. M. a black cloud arose above the horizon to the north- west. The first mate called the captain on deck. Suddenly the wind hauled round to the north-west, blowing violently and took the ship all aback, driv- ing her stern foremost at about five knots. The hands were immediately called to bring the ship about and shorten sail. While the sailors were per- forming this duty, a ball of fire or a flash of lightning strack the ship and passed down the rigging, exploding with a noise equal to the report of a can- non, and with such force that it knocked down almost all the men on the deck. The sparks of fire fell in every direction, and for some moments seemed to cover the deck. The sailors exclaimed that the ship was going down, while some of them ran to the forecastle. * * * In a few minutes another flash strack the ship and passed down the rigging, exploding the same as the first, and again knocking down several of the men. * * * The sail was shortened immediately, and a little after three o'clock the wind died away, and there was a dead calm. A few minutes before this phenomenon took place, I had been observing the progress of the vessel; but, perceiving no danger, I had turned into my berth again, when the ship received the first shock. As I had heard all hands called on deck, and knew that they had been taking in sail, my first thoughts were that some of the passengers on board had a quantity of powder which had exploded ; or that some of the hands had fallen from aloft and were killed. And as the shock jarred the skylight over the cabin, I thought whoever had fallen must have strack upon it, and that the large lamp which usually hung under it, being shaken, had caused the waving light which I had observed when the first flash took place. When I went to the lobby there was a smell of sulphur, as strong as if several guns had been discharged in it. I dressed as soon as possible, intending to go and render any assistance jn my power to those who might be hurt, as I knew the hands were all employed. When the second explosion took place I was satisfied that it was lightning, and supposed that the vessel and all on board would be at the bottom in fifteen minutes. While I feel grateful to God for his goodness in preserving me amid the perils of the sea, I feel the highest satisfation in being permitted to meet my numerous friends on this side of the Atlantic. My travels through Europe Record of Ministers. 277 have only increased my attachment to our country and institutions, and I am fully satisfied there is really nothing (even in these embarrassed times) to prevent our being the happiest people under the sun.' In his fortieth year, on New-Year's-day, 1839, he was married to Miss Sarah L. Tieman, an estimable lady, who still sur- vives, (1884,) in the thirty-fifth year of her widowhood. As appears from the list of his appointments, he was colleague of John C. Green, in Brooklyn, in 1832. Seventeen years later the testimony of Mr. Tackaberry, in the case of Green versus Pierce, revealed the fact that there was a lack of harmony be- tween the two preachers while they were associate pastors in this charge. He says : I was removed at the end of one year. I did believe that Mr. Green and Judge Dikeman obtained my removal. * * * There was a difficulty be- tween Mr. Green and myself. I told Mr. Merwin he was tiying to keep peo- ple away from my congregations. * * * I stated the circumstances to prove it.'' Farther on in the testimony it is faintly intimated that Green found fault with his playing on the violin. These slight infe- licities were unquestionably more frequent formerly than now. In his best estate, before his health declined, his preaching was fervent, pungent, and often pathetic. He particularly ex- celled in "doctrinal discourses." W. H. Dikeman, who knew him intimately from 1833, said to the author: Mr. Tackaberry wrote his sermons with great care, but preached without notes. It was his habit always to cite authorities, sacred or secular, and he was often called "Book, Chapter, and Verse," from his method of quoting Scripture in his sermons. In social intercourse he was bright. Few excelled him in wit and repartee, but his language was always chaste. I tested his friendship for nearly twenty years, and I never knew a man to show more unswerving fidelity to his friends in storm and in sunshine. Many others have spoken of him as " a walking concordance," and it has been affirmed that he knew the New Testament by heart. He was a man of slender build, taller than the average, of light complexion, and pleasant countenance. The likeness ac- companying this sketch, is copied from an oil portrait in the possession of the family. ' The Christian Advocate and Journal, August 18, 1837. * "The trial of the Rev. John C. Green against John Pierce for slander," p. 13. 278 Old Sands Street Church. In his later years he preached only occasionally. He longed for a return to the active ministry, but the derangement of his nervous system, and a tendency to congestion of the brain, made the labors of the pulpit impracticable. He died in the fifty- third year of his age, in New York city. May 9, 1852, of South- ern fever, contracted while he was chaplain and physician upon a New York and Nicaragua steamer. In one of his intervals of consciousness he said: "In the word of God is my trust; its promises are my support." His remains were first deposited in the vault of the 125th- street church, afterward they were removed to Greenwood. Of his six children all except Albert, who died in youth, are now living, (1884,) and continue to revere God and the church of their father. They are John A., William G. H., Jane C, Emily G., and A. Antoinette. REV. JOHN KENNADAY, D. D. LV. JOHN KENNADAY. HEN the " fathers " repeat the names of the most ad- mired and beloved of the earlier Methodist preachers of Brooklyn, the Rev. John Kennaday, D.D., is never omitted from the list. He was born in the city of New York, November 3, 1800. When he was quite young his father, who was a native of Ireland and a Roman Catholic, was drowned. His mother was a native of this coun- try.' He learned the printer's trade when a youth, but devoted his leisure hours to reading and study. A more minute account of the boyhood of such a man as Dr. Kennaday could not fail to be interesting and instructive. What there was in his train- ing and his early habits to inspire hope for his success in life would then be more apparent. Probably, however, there was little previous to his conversion, except his love of learning, to suggest the character of his subsequent career. On New- Year's Day, 1822, when twenty-one years of age, he was awakened in John-street church, New York, under a ser- mon preached by Heraan Bangs, who thus graphically describes the beginning of young Kennaday 's noble Christian career: In those days we took advantage of all the holidays to hold public worship, and in John-street we had a public service on New-Year's Day. My brother Nathan was to preach the sermon ; I went to the church ; he did not come, and I had to rise on the moment and preach myself; and Providdnce di- rected this young man (Kennaday) into the church, and God was pleased to awaken him. I held always, once a week, a meeting for seekers in my house. He attended and made known his desires, and I took him into the church. I exhorted him to preach and recommended him to travel, and was present when he received his first license. I remertiber the first speech he ever made in public. It was in John-street, the occasion being a love-feast. Our city (New York) was then one circuit, and we all came together for love-feast into one church, and consequently the church was crowded. Among ' The author learned these facts from the widow of the Rev. Dr. Kennsiday. 28o Old Sands Street Church. others, a young man arose in the back part of the church, near the gallery, and began to speak. The moment he opened his mouth it seemed Uke pour- ing the oil on Aaron's head ; the odor was such that it seemed to diffuse itself all over the congregation, and the fragrance was such that every one seemed to catch it. T!ie inquiry was made : " Whose silvery voice is that ? " I be- lieve that eloquence which he then manifested, and which seemed to be nat- ural, easy, and unaffected, continued with him to the last, more or less.''' After a few months he was licensed to exhort and to preach, and labored without a break for more than forty years in the following APPOINTMENTS : 1822, supply on cir., N. J.; 1823, (New York Conf.,) Kingston cir., N. Y., with J. D. Moriarty ; 1824, ditto, with D. Lewis; 1825, ordained deacon,— Blooraingburgh, N.Y.; 1826-1827, (Phila. Conf.,) Paterson, N. J. ; 1827, ordained elder; 1828-1829, Newark; 1830-1831, Wilmington, Del.; 1832, Morristown, N. J.; 1833-1834, Brooklyn, with Thomas Burch and John Luckey— New Utrecht was included in this charge in 1833 ; 1835, New York, east circuit, with S. Cochran, J. Youngs, N. Bigelow, and J. Law; 1836, ditto, with S. Merwin, S. Remington, H. Brown, and D. Smith — this east circuit embraced all the churches east of Broadway; 1837-1838, Newburgh, N. V.; 1839-1840, (Phila. Conf,) Philadelphia, Union ch.; 1841-1842, Phila., Trinity ch.; 1843-1844, Wilmington, Del.; 1845-1846, Wilmington, St. Paul's; 1847-1848, Phila., Union ch.; 1849, Phila., Nazareth ch.; 1850-1851, Brooklyn, Pacific-street; 1852-1853, Brooklyn, Washington- street ; 1854-1855, New Haven, Conn., First ch.; 1856-1857, Brooklyn, Pacific- street ; 1858-1859, Brooklyn, Washington-street, with S. H. Piatt, sup'y; 1860- 1861, New Haven, Conn. First ch.; 1862, Hartford ; 1863, presiding; elder, L. L Dist. The following account of his labors in his first circuit in New Jersey is taken from his diary. It is a very remarkable record, even for those times. He says : In every 28 days I preached 42 sermons, walked 113 miles, and rode 152— making in 252 days, 369 sermons ; traveled on foot 1,017 miles, and rode 1,368 ; total, 2,385 — besides leading classes, attending Sunday-schools, visit- ing almshouses, etc. On the twenty-third anniversary of his birth, and soon after joining the New York Conference, he was married to Miss Jane Walker. While preaching in Wilmington, about 1845, he was invited to Schenectady to deliver an address, and at that time Union College conferred upon him the degree of D.D. Referring to the list of his appointments, the writer of his conference memorial says : ' Conference Minutes, 1864, p. 89. Record of Ministers. 281 The noticeable fact of this record is tlie number of times Dr. Kennadavwas returned as pastor to churches that he had previously served. Of the forty years of his ministry twenty-two years, or more than half, was spent in five churches. No fact better attests his long-continued popularity, and his power of winning the affections of the people. His death was sudden and unexpected. On Tuesday even- ing, Nov. 10, 1863, he was in the act of delivering an exhortation in the chapel of the Washington-street Methodist Episcopal church, of Brooklyn, when he was struck with apoplexy; he was borne unconscious to his bed, and died the following Sat- urday, November 14, aged sixty-three years. Thus did the Lord Jesus permit his faithful servant to " Preach him to all, and ciy in death, ' Behold, behold the Lamb 1 ' " Bishop Janes preached his funeral sermon, a sketch of which was published in the Brooklyn Eagle. Heman Bangs and others took part in the services. The remains were deposited in " Greenwood." Dr. Kennaday's career is a marked " illustration of the beauty and glory of a life devoted to the pastorate." He was a model pastor. "To preach Christ and to watch over Christ's flock seemed his highest joy." Bishop Janes I'Cnned the following beautiful tribute soon after the death of his friend: As a Christian pastor. Dr. Kennaday was eminent in his gifts, in his at- tainments, and in his devotion to his sacred calling, and in the seals God gave to his ministry. In the pulpit he was clear in the statement of his sub- ject, abundant and most felicitous in his illustrations, and pathetic and im- pressive in his applications. His oratory was of a high order. His presence, his voice, his fluency of speech, his graceful action, his fine imagination, and his fervent feelings, rendered his elocution effective and powerful, and gave to his preaching great attractiveness and popularity. Out of the pulpit the ease and elegance of his manners, the vivacity and sprightliness of his conversational powers, the tenderness of his sympathy, and the kindness of his conduct toward the afHicted and needy, and his affection- ate notice of and efforts for the childhood and youth of his congregation, made him the greatly endeared and beloved pastor. The Rev. A. Manship describes the flocking together of his numerous friends to hear him preach the dedicatory sermon in the Hedding church, in Philadelphia, and then adds : He has labored much within the bounds of the Philadelphia Conference, and is deservedly a popular minister, and his popularity among. us has never waned. Several of our best church edifices have been reared through his in- 282 Old Samh Street Church. strumentality. He has assisted in relieving many from pecuniary embarrass- ment within our bounds. He is abundant in labors, perfectly at home in the work of revival. Who ever witnessed his management of a protracted meet- ing or a camp-mseting, and could not well say, he is a good tactician ? He has the happy art of interesting the children.' A book of exercises, adapted for use in Sunday-school con- certs and exhibitions — one of the earliest and best of its kind — was compiled by Dr. Kennaday. It was the author's privilege on one occasion, at a camp- meeting in Milford, Conn., in 1861, to listen to Dr. Kennaday's moving appeals to the unconverted. Many penitents knelt in front of the stand after the sermon, and it was a delight to see how eagerly and thankfully they listened to his affectionate and helpful words, as, with wonderful adaptation to each, he directed their faith to the Lord Jesus Christ. Jane (Walker,) widow of the Rev. Dr. Kennaday, lingered among us in patient, happy hope of heaven, until September 13, 1884, when she died, in her eighty-second year, at the residence of Mrs. Joshua Brooks, in Highland, N.Y., where she had spent the summer. Her memorial says : She was born in New York city, March 27, 1803. and early became a mem- ber of John-street Methodist Episcopal church. * * * She was a person of great gentleness, which, combined with a most exemplary Christian character, made her beloved by all. * * * Her health gradually failed until she sank peacefully to rest, with her family, except one daughter, around her bedside.* The Rev. E. L. Allen, pastor of the Highland Methodist Episcopal church, preached her funeral sermon. The remains were interred in Greenwood cemetery. The author visited Mrs. Kennaday, in New York city, about a year before her death. She talked beautifully and affectionately of her husband, of his life and death, and the near prospect of a happy re-union. Children : John R., a lawyer, was four years a member of the N. Y. Legislature — two years as senator; died in 1884, soon after the death of his mother ; James H. resides in Rochester, N. Y. ; Catherine died January 17, 1884 ; Jane W. married Wni. G. Stille ; Maria B. (Mrs. John Sawyer) died about 1864 ; La- vinia R. died in infancy ; Helen Cornelia ; Caroline Virginia. * "Thirteen Years in the Ministry," page 334. ' J. R., in The Christian Advocate. HE subject of this sketch, the Rev. John Luckey, was brother to Samuel Luckey, who preceded him by a few years as pastor of Sands-street church. The Luckey family originated in Scotland; thence, it is said, in a time of religious persecution, they fled to the north of Ireland, where they held a very respectable social position. Three brothers emigrated to this country, and after a time they separated, one going west, another south, and one set- tled near New Hamburgh, N. Y., where the old homestead of "Squire Luckey" may still be seen. Joseph Luckey, Sen., the father of the two Methodist preachers, was a farmer. He died at his home in Auburn, N.Y., in 1833. His wife was from Holland. The old family record says of her: "Lanah Wag- ner, born July 6, 1763, married 1787, died suddenly August S, i8i(5." She was a devout Christian, and her children al- ways spoke of her with loving reverence. John Luckey was born March 13, 1800.' He gave his heart to God before he was nine years of age." His widow writes: He left home when a mere -boy, lived with his brother Samuel, went to school, md became a teacher. The love of the brothers for each other was like the ove of David and Jonathan to the end of their lives. ' Presumably in Rensselaerville, N. Y., the birthplace of his brother Samuel. ' I. J. T. Lumbeck — memoir in "The Christian Advocate." 20 284 Old Sands Street Church. PASTORAL RECORD : 1820, supply, Delaware cir., N. Y., with John Finnegan and James Quinlan; 1821, (New York Conf.,) Durham cir., Conn., with Josiah Bowen ; 1822, Burlington cir., with C. Silliman ; 1823, ordained deacon, — Wethersfield cir., with E. Barnett ; 1824, missionary to the west end of Long Island ; 1825, ordained elder,- — New Haven and Hamden, with H. Bangs; 1826, sup'y, Stratford cir., with S. D. Ferguson and Valentine Buck ; 1827, Hampshire mission in the Rhinebeck Dist., N. Y.; 1828, Hampshire cir., with Hiram White; 1829-1830, Soulhold cir.; 183T, Saratoga cir., with W. Anson, sup'y, J- D. Moriarty, sup'y, D. Ensign, sup'y, and T. Newman ; 1832, New Utrecht ; 1833, Brooklyn and New Utrecht, with T. Burch and J. Kennaday ; 1 834, Brooklyn, with T. Burch and J. Kennaday ; 1835, Harlem mission; 1836, ditto, with D. DeVinne; 1837-1838, Goshen, Conn. ; 1839-1846, chaplain, Sing Sing prison, N. Y. ; 1847- 1848, New Castle and Pinesbridge ; 1849-1850, Pleasantville ; 1851-1852, New York, Five Points mission ; 1853, White Plains ; 1854, Fishkill, west ; 1856-1865, chaplain. Sing Sing prison ; 1866, sup'y ; 1867-1875, sup'd, Rolla, Phelps County, Mo. He organized the Flushing circuit in 1824. On the 18th of May, 1829, he was married, b)' Bishop Hedding, to Miss Dinah Rutherford, of the Sands-street church. He repaired with his young wife to his appointment, the Southold circuit, on the east end of Long Island. More than fifty years afterward Mrs. Luckey furnished the author with interesting reminiscences of their experience on that circuit. As the foregoing record shows, Mr. Luckey spent more than twenty years in ministering to the poor people of the city and the criminals of the prison. C. C. North, Esq., who was Sun- day-school superintendent and class-leader at the Five Points mission when Luckey entered upon his work there, writes as follows : The first Sabbath of Mr. Luckey's pastorate was memorable. The society still occupied the old saloon, corner of Cross and Little Water streets. Serv- ices and Sunday-school had been held in this room for one year, with tem- perance meetings on Wednesday nights. Class-meetings on Thursday nights were held in an adjoining dingy old room, where the writer dealt out for one year to hungry souls the bread of life. Sifting from the doubtful company twelve who, amid surrounding tempta- tions of debauchery, had stood with heroic fidelity and proved that they were, indeed, disciples of the Lord Jesus, they were presented to Mr. Luckey as the foundation of the church which he came to establish. On the morning of May 18, 1851, these twelve knelt at the altar," Mr. Luckey and the writer within, while the noble ladies of the society, with deep solicitude, saw the tu-elve received on probation, and then joined them in the Lord's Supper. Under Mr. Luckey's administration the work prospered in all departments, until the capacious mission buildings were erected. It could not do other- wise. His fine sense, his industry, his integrity, his humor, his patience, and Record of Ministers. 285 his transparent piety were guarantees of success. I loved to see liim in his work. He was charity personified as he stood with bread and garments for the poor and words of counsel for the erring. The Five Points mission was and is a colossal work, and he was the colossal figure in it. The dignity of his person and the integrity of his character drew to the mission the support of many of the best men and women of all the churches.^ From personal knowledge the same writer gives the following glowing account of Mr. Luckey in the peculiar work of the pris- oners' chaplain, which occupied a very large share of his min- isterial life : -i In 1855 he was called to the chaplaincy of tlie Sing Sing prison. This was his second appointment. His first, including the years from 1839 '° 1846, was so eminently successful that many distinguished nien of both parties were deeply interested in his renewed service. In 1861 the writer moved to the neighborhood of Sing Sing, and was at once sought out by Mr. Luckey to as- sist him in his Sunday services among the prisoners. During five years the custom was for me to address the prisoners once a month. The frequency of these visits gave me a thorough acquaintance with liis personal traits and his successful administration. During that whole period I never heard an unkind word said against him from inspectors, wardens, keepers, or even prisoners, except from those who feared his incorruptibility. I called at each of the 1,000 or 1,200 cells, and conversed with every prisoner. In these conversa- tions Mr. Luckey's name was generally if not always introduced, and the sen- timent was unanimous that his character for piety, probity, and unselfish de- votion to his work was without a flaw. The convicts might berate the in- spectors, wardens, and keepers, but the name of Luckey closed at once the lips of derision and scorn. With the tenderness of woman he would listen on the one hand to the sad stories of the convicts, and on the other penetrate with rare sagacity the schemes of corrupt men. He was loved by the worthy and sincere, while the false dreaded no man more than him whom they were wont to call " old Luckey." When he discovered in a young man the promise of a better life, with what tenacity did he follow the case, not only through prison-life, but also into the great outside world, until the young man was re- stored to the family and society from which he had fallen 1 No one on earth can know how numerous were his visits to the wives and children and parents of the convicts, nor how countless were the little benefactions he conferred on the families and friends of those unhappy men. The last ten years of his life were spent on a farm near Rolla, Mo. His pastor says : He donated to the church six acres of land and a small house, which, re- paired, became " Luckey's Chapel." He preached once a month and worked in the Sunday-school till his health utterly failed. His last public discourse was to the children of this little school, and it was very affecting.* ' The Christian Advocate, May g, 1876. ' I. J. K. Lunbeck in The Christian Advocate. 286 Old Sands Street Church. His old-time friend, C. C. North, visited him in his Western home. He tells the story thus : Business called me a few years since to St. Louis. On Saturday the inquiry arose in my mind where I should spend the Sabbath. RoUa and the Luckeys flashed on my mind. Taking an afternoon train a ride of eighty miles brought me at midnight to Rolla. I learned at the hotel that my friend lived four miles away. Curbing my impatience, I remained till early morning, and then, mounting a horse, rode out to their home in the woods. It seemed a long and devious way, my road winding around " settlements," until, perched upon a side hill and flanked by a forest, was the picturesque, yet plain and unadorned home of the Luckeys. They had spied a stranger emerging from the woods, had seen him fasten his horse and enter the gate, and then came the recognition, followed by a scene which the reader will not expect me to describe. I found that religion in the new relations was just as marked and prominent as at former periods of Mr. Luckey's history. His home that Sabbath was the gathering-place for Christian worship. The neighbors looked upon him as a patriarch to whom they might come for counsel, sym- pathy, and help. I was the only one of his eastern friends who had visited him. My pres- ence, therefore, that day was a comfort to him, while the visit was to me a feast. Amid an apparent serenity the presence of one from the East renewed the yearnings he felt for his old friends. The shades of evening drew on, and I and my beloved friends waved the last farewell as the family group, cottage, and hill-side faded from sight. He was exceedingly affable, child-like, perfectly unostenta- tious, counseling with the youngest preachers as with equals, notwithstanding he was " the associate and peer of the ablest men of the church." The weak, suffering, and penitent always found in him a friend. His piety burned the brighter as the lamp of life grew dim. He delighted in hearing the gospel proclaimed, and had preaching in his room when he could not go to the chapel. He never missed his family worship until the morning of his death. Wlien it became necessary for him to move into town, where he might be near a physician, he would not leave his farm until he had arranged for a tenant who would care for his little church. This done, he expressed him- self as fully satisfied and ready to meet his God. On the morning of the loth of January, after he had moved into town, he arose as usual, with no premonitions that death was at the door. Mrs. Luckey describes the closing scene : He sat in a rocking-chair at the table, eating his breakfast. He indulged in a little pleasantry, just like himself, but I observed that he leaned over on Record of Ministers. 287 his left side. Eliza and I succeeded in getting him into the bed ; his eyes closed, he lay like one in a deep sleep, and in a few hours "he was not, for God took him." ' Funeral services were held in the Methodist Episcopal church in Rolla, Mo., and in Sing Sing, N. Y. In Dale ceme- tery, in Sing Sing, is a head-stone suitably inscribed, which marks the resting-place of John Luckey. His widow resides in Haverstraw, N. Y., with their only sur- viving child, Helen Eliza. Two children, Mary and John, died while Mr. Luckey was stationed in Brooklyn, and their graves are in the Sands-street church-yard. Two others, Samuel and Emma, are at rest by the grave of their father ; and another, Isabella, is buried in Newcastle, Westchester Cqunty, N. Y. Mrs. Luckey is a daughter of Christopher Rutherford, an honored local preacher of the Sands-street church." Her letters to the author contain evidence of rare talent and culture, and a character worthy of fellowship with her noble husband both in labor and reward. ^ Letter to the Rev. Elbert Osborn. « For an extended account of the Rutherfords, see Book III. LVII. BARTHOLOMEW CREAGH.' HE Rev. Bartholomew Creagh was born in Dub- lin, August 23, 1804. His ancestors on his father's side were Scotch-Irish, while his mother's family were of English extraction and of high social position. His maternal grandfather, John Hawkins, of Dublin, was an em- inent barrister. His father was a gentleman of culture and ability, but it was to his mother, a refined, accomplished lady, that he owed his religious training. Mrs. Creagh felt that up- on her devolved the responsibility of moulding the religious character of her children. Although a member of the Episco- pal Church, she became deeply interested in meetings held un- der the auspices of the Methodists. About this time her old- est son, Bartholomew, who had already been baptized and confirmed, became deeply exercised upon the subject of relig- ion. To his mother's great joy, at one of these meetings he dedicated himself to God's service, and there never was a more entire consecration. The habitual tendency of his soul was toward the object of its supreme love; he seemed to watch for opportunities for communion with God, and testifies in his diary to the blessedness of his intercourse with his "soul's Be- loved", and this habit followed him through life. He was em- inently a man of prayer, a firm believer in the immediateness of Divine help in daily duty. He entered upon this life of faith when sixteen years of age. Born in a home of luxury, with expectation of handsome inheritance, he had intended to follow a legal profession; but God's thought for him was of higher things. These plans were relinquished that he might preach the gospel, and ev- ' This elegantly vrrlUcn ir.enicrid i -, from tte pen cl his daughter, Miss Fi- d.;lia :.I. Crea-h, cf Erochlyn, !,'. V. El.ORATBr BT i" B J^WES FROU A DACURB.EOTYPE BT BEADT Record ef Ministers. 289 ry energy was devoted to preparation for the work of his hoice. He was richly endowed by nature and by grace, and liese gifts were supplemented by a classical education. He fas a fine linguist, reading Greek, Hebrew, and Latin with ease, nd was also conversant with some of the modern languages. ° le was, perhaps, most remarkable for the beauty and purity of is English. One of the most eminent instructors of the age aid of him : " His language was perfect, so simple that a child light understand, and always critically correct." Unexpected loss of fortune induced his family to seek pros- lerity in the New World. He accompanied his father to New fork at the age of eighteen years. He began to preach in 1826 ,t Flushing, L. I. This event is noted in his diary : A few days since I left my pleasant home, and a large circle of friends, 'hose society had been a joy to me, hut it was under firm conviction that ecessity was laid upon me to preach the gospel.' This entrance upon the work of the ministry was not a cause if small import. This, the struggles of his heart as expressed n his diary, amply testify. He says : I am led to think if I could always preach with satisfaction to myself, I tiould in some measure forget that my help cometh from the Lord. I con- inually cry, "Who is sufficient for these things?" Again he writes : Lo ! I see another year. With what propriety can I adopt the words of lie venerable Jacob, " Few and evil have the days of the years of my fe been." I am greatly humiliated with a sense of my imperfections, nd would ever cry, Lord pardon what I have been, and order what I (lall be. If I know myself, I more ardently long for inward purity than illness of joy. ' [His children say that he was educated in Dublin. The statement in I'Clintock and Strong's Cyclopedia that he studied Greek and Latin in Bel- ist is an error. — E. W.J ' [Thus began a ministerial career of more than twenty-five years, of which comprehensive view is furnished in the following record of successive APPOINTMENTS : 1826, Flushing cir., N. Y., a supply, with Richard eaman and O. V. Amerman ; 1827-1828, (New York Conf ,) Hempstead ir., with D. De Vinne and D. Holmes; 1828, ditto, with N. W. Thomas nd D. I. Wright ; 1829, ordained deacon ; 1829-1830, Plattsburgh ; 1831, rdained elder; i83l-l832,Rhinebeck; 1833-1834, Middletown, Conn. ; 1835- 836, Brooklyn, Sands-street ; T837-1838, New York, Vestiy-street ; 839-1840, Rhinebeck; 1841-1842, Reil Hook mission; 1843-1846, presiding Ider, Hartford Dist., Conn. ; 1847-1848, (the latter year, New York East )onf.,) New York, Allen-street; 1849-1850, New York, Seventh-street; 851-1852, Williamsburgh, South Fifth-street.— E. W.] 290 Old Sands Street Church. Modest and tender, gentle and strong, compassionate to the weak, he was most severe with himself, for self was continually arraigned before the stern bar of his own tender conscience. He seemed clothed with humility as with a garment, and it was of no scanty pattern. While those who knew him best were rejoicing in the light which his consistent life threw upon the pathway to the skies, he was often in secret places, deploring as in dust and ashes his own short-comings, and pleading the merits of Jesus, as his only hope. In the pulpit he was a fervid, impassioned speaker.* Preach- ing was not an opportunity for the display of natural gifts, but rather the outpouring of a full heart, that sought to free itself from solemn responsibility. He seemed literally to persuade men, and under his soul-stirring appeals many dead hearts were touched, and blind eyes opened to the beauty of holiness. It was not strange that one who so continually communed with his "soul's Beloved," the one "altogether lovely," should have many seals to his ministry. An extract from a memorial sermon by that eminent man of God, the Rev. Nathaniel S. Prime, D.D., of the Presbyterian Church, will be appropriate. He says : It is not my intention to pronounce a eulogy upon the great man whom God has taken from our midst ; but I cannot withhold the spontaneous tribute of my heart, and I predicate my right upon the fact that when such a man as Bartholomew Creagh is removed from a community, it is a greater loss to the public than to his own particular church. During the past year it has been my privilege to hear him oftener than any other clergyman, and always with intense intei-est and profit. His sermons gave evidence of careful prep- aration and deep thought, and were delivered with a pathos that could only be obtained in the closet. From the first time I heard him proclaim the gospel of our common Master, I understood more fully than ever before the force of that simple record, " It came to pass when he had made an end of speaking, that the soul of Jonathan was knit unto the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul." Being his near neighbor, my privilege of social intercourse was considerable, sufficient to show me that he was eveiy-where the same warm-hearted, consistent, catholic Christian. To ex- press in a few words my estimate of his character, I would say that to a vig- * [Daniel De Vinne, a fellow-countryman of Mr. Creagh, said in his Semi- centennial Sermon: " Brother Creagh had been fitted for Trinity College, Dublin. He was naturally eloquent, while his piety, earnestness, and whole- heartedness gave a peculiar force and beauty to his enunciation. I have heard John Summerfield in his best days, but would as soon have heard Bar- tholomew Creagh." Bishop Davis W. Clark says, in Sprague's Annals: " As a preacher he was always interesting and impressive. * * * jjg was extremely tender and earnest in his appeals; indeed he was sometimes overwhelmingly eloquent."— E. W.] Record of Ministers. 291 rous, discriminating intellect, and a heart transfused with love to God and lan, there was added a clearness of perception and an originality of thought, ^pressed in chaste and beautiful language, that is rarely equaled. In private life he was courteous and genial; he had always be right word at the right time, and it was given to young or Id, high or low, as the case might be, with a siinple courtesy riat won all hearts. ° To intimate friends he revealed much of liat humor which is the heritage of his countrymen ;' still, this ^as guarded with a watchful eye, and he was careful that the 1st impression should be a serious one. He was an ardent lover of Nature ; all fair forms and beautiful olors were a joy to him, and he always ascended into spiritual leanings. The cultivation of flowers was a favorite recreation, nd he found keen enjoyment in music, sometimes resting imself with his flute. A letter from Boston to his little aughter illustrates these tastes. He says : I have seen many interesting things, about which my little dame and I 'ill have nice talks on my return. Are you careful to feed the birds? These ttle creatures are not more dependent upon our thought, than we are upon ur heavenly Father's care. Do not forget to water the flowers ; they will mply repay you in sweetness and beauty. I know you will not neglect our books ; but, more than all, seek the wisdom that is more precious lan rubies. A long letter from my little girl will rejoice the heart of er loving father. His valued friend, Miss Garrettson, thus speaks of him : His visits were always occasions of deep interest, and hailed with delight y all the household. I recall, with peculiar pleasure, a time when he was bout to leave Wildercliffe, but was delayed by a severe storm. After tea, he ;ad to Mrs. Olin and myself, Mrs. Browning's drama of " Exile." Absorbed 1 the theme, he swept us along, by the alternation of strong feeling and ;nder pathos. As he ceased the old clock in tlie hall rang out the midnight our. He exclaimed, " Is it possible ! " and retired. Mrs. Olin turned to me ■ith radiant face, and said, " Well, cousin Mary, I never really heard it efore ! " One great element of power was his strong personal influence, 'his was largely the result of devotedness to God. A few '[Bishop Clark says: "Nowhere, perhaps, did his fine qualities display lemselves more beautifully than in the house of mourning, and at the bedside f the sick and dying. He seemed to know intuitively how to adapt the con- )lations of the gospel to each particular case." See Sprague's Annals. ;. W.] 292 ■ Old Sands Street Church. words from his diary will indicate the cast of his thought. He saj's : My people love me too much, receive me with too much pleasure ; it is sweet to the human heart. Lord, save me from undue regard to men. I have been under a cloud, but, thanks be to God, such an outpouring of glory ! Bless the Lord ! my help alone coraeth from him. A gay man of the world, not reverent toward holy things, once said to a relative, in whose house he was a frequent guest : " No one could be with Mr. Creagh without wishing to be good, and I do not believe any one could think, of wrong in his presence." His exceeding modesty forbade his being prominent in debate, but when he departed from his usual custom, his opinions were received with marked attention. Liberal toward all Christians, he was loyal to his own church. Thrice in the course of his ministry he was solicited to enter another denomination, but it was no temptation to his steadfast soul. In 1848 he led the New York delegation to the General Conference, in Pittsburgh, and again in Boston in 1852. About this time he preached a sermon on Christian perfection, which so impressed the lamented Dr. Horace Bushnell, who was one of his hearers, that he soiight an introduc- tion, which resulted in a correspondence that promised mutual pleasure, but was soon ended by the death of Mr. Creagh. Upon leaving New York, in 1851, he became pastor of the South Fifth-street (now St. John's) church, Brooklyn. He en- tered upon his work with accustomed zeal, and proved himself to be " a workman that needed not to be ashamed." In the spring of 1852 the death of Bishop Hedding, whom he loved as a father, deeply affected him. He preached, by request, a memorial sermon in New York. So great was the effect upon his sensitive nature, that for days he suffered extreme nervous prostration. In May he attended the General Conference, after which he returned to pastoral duties with not quite his usual strength. Specially endearing were the relations of pastor and people, which resulted in frequent claims upon his time and sympathy outside his own church. These were rarely disre- garded, for he counted not his life dear unto himself. On the first of August, with peculiar significance, he preached from the words, " Though I walk through the valley," etc. Little thought he that its chill shadows were even then fast closing around him. The next day he lay pale and feeble upon a bed of lan- guishing, and after ten days of extreme prostration his pure Record of Ministers. 293 ;pirit escaped its frail prison house to be "forever with the Lord."° Once he was heard to murmur, "My wife and chil- iren ; my dear people ! " but for the most part they were days )f exceeding quiet, his spirit was still before God. Fully con- scious that the time of his departure was at hand, with great :enderness he bade farewell to his loved ones, not forgetting a /alued servant, saying, as she turned sobbing away, " Poor Bes- sie, a stranger in a strange land." He sent messages of love to ;he differeiit churches of his care, South Fifth-street, Seventh- street, Allen-street. Vestry-street, and Sands-street. He said : ' That blessed Jesus, whose gospel I have endeavored to preach, does not forsake me now ; he is my all-sufficient Saviour ; he is intimately nigh." His countenance shone with heavenly ra- diance, as again and again he cried, " Victory ! Victory ! through :he blood of the Lamb. Glory ! all is glory ! " Faith seemed to o'erleap the confines of dim sense, and view the angel of release, as with beckoning motion he said, " Come quickly, haste, [laste ! " To those who knew his devoted life there was fitness in the rapturous triumph of his farewell to the earth. As nat- urally as a liberated bird seeks its native air, his pure spirit swept lip exukingly into the glorious unfoldings of infinite love. According to man's measure, brief was his career, but rarely [lave forty-eight years been more richly endowed with earnest labor and sublime faith. Lovely in private life, untiring in duty, devoted in holiness, triumphant in death.' Some of the most useful lives are those of which the world hears little, whose fragrance is no less pervasive because with- drawn from noisy comment. This thought was suggested by " [The date of his death is August 10, 1852. Clark, in Sprague's Annals, iays ; " When death was approaching, after he had been apparently engaged in silent prayer for some minutes, he cried out, " O for an honest view ! O for an honest view ! I trust I have taken it ! " Then looking round upon his Friends, he said, 'Dig deep, dig deep! lay a good foundation !' He asked those present to sing ' Rock of Ages,' and after the singing he exclaimed, ' Yes, :left for me.' "— E. W.] ' [J. B. Wakeley mentions Bartholomew Creagh as a " son of consolation, 3ne of the sweetest spirits that ever tabernacled in clay tenement." He de- scribes his person as neither corpulent nor slender, of light complexion, blue syes, and head of great classic beauty. He says, furthermore, " I was a bearer it his funeral, and 1 could but feel that seldom had the church on earth lost a brighter ornament." See Sprague's Annals. — E. W.] 2 94 Old Sands Street Church. the life of Eliza A. Welling, who was born in New York, January 30, 1800. Her ancestors on one side were English, and Anglo-French on the other. Her father, William Welling, was an attendant of St. Paul's Episcopal church, but was attracted by the fervor of the services in John-street Methodist church, where, among the sweet singers in Israel, was Miss Hester Le Page, who afterward became his wife. Eliza Welling was the third child by this marriage. She entered upon a Christian life when sixteen years of age, and gave to her Master no half-hearted allegiance. Possessed of a voice of singular sweetness, from that time it was employed only in singing the praises of her King. Her education was more thorough than was usual at that period, gained partly at Mr. Parker's school, in New York, (where, among her friends was Theodosia Burr, whose sad fate she always deplored,) and then completed in Baltimore, when she became an iiimate of the household of her uncle, that eminent servant of God, Dr. George Roberts. Skilled in domestic arts, she also took delight in the more active ministries of life, was engaged in home mission work, and a teacher and superintendent in the Allen-street Sunday-school, to which, years later, she returned as a pastor's wife. In 1829 she was married to Rev. B. Creagh, and cheerfully accepted the sacrifices incident to the position. Years of sweet companionship and tender association followed, shadowed by the death of her first-born son. Never in rugged health, the full measure of her strength was given to the ways of her house- hold, which was a home for the Lord's people, where many a one rested from the stress of life, as in the "palace beautiful." In four brief years a devoted husband, a son in the dawn of manhood, a father and mother, were taken from her home. Mrs. Creagh bore these keen afflictions with patient acquiescence, and abiding confidence in Him "whose compassions fail not." Naturally shy and fond of quiet places, she now more than ever shunned publicity, and found content in the care of her two younger children, whom she sought to impress by word an«i life with the inestimable value of spiritual things.' She was thoughtful, but never melancholy; extremely reserved, ' [The names of the children here referred to are Anthony H. and Fidelia M. Creas^h, highly esteemed members of St. John's Methodist Episcopal church, Brooklyn, N. Y.— E. W.] Record of Ministers. 295 and therefore often misunderstood, revealing the depth of her nature only to the few who came into intimate nearness. Love of truth and simplicity were among her distinguishing charac- teristics ; nothing was ever done for effect, and perhaps conven- tionality sometimes paled before this necessity of her nature. More than three-score years and ten had passed in quiet use- fulness ; peace and serenity were the seal of what had been. Eyes sharpened by intense solicitude saw that natural powers were declining, but knew that, like the King's daughter, she was " all glorious within." It sometimes seemed as if she lived between two worlds and held acquaintance with the skies. Frequently, when a soft, low utterance escaped her, in reply to her daughter's question, if she wished any thing, would come the answer, "No, dear, I was only speaking to my best Friend." Nothing in her life so well became her as the leaving it. The last day of health was spent as usual in useful occupation, and then suddenly, peacefully she took " the grand step beyond the stars " into limitless life and love. " Their works do follow them," and in the home consecrated by her presence, her gentleness and serenity are a power and inspiration, and the loved voice still speaks from that other shore. LVIII. WILLIAM H. NORRIS. ANDS-STREET Church enjoycd the services of the Rev. William Henry Norris during tvsro full ministerial terms; also, as presiding elder five years. He was identified with some of the most important events connected with the history of that church. Mr. Norris was born in Orono. Maine, Oct. 28, 1801. His parents were orthodox, thrifty, intelligent people, and they "trained him in habits of filial piety." With them he came to the city of New York when fifteen years of age. At six. teen he was converted, and joined the Duane-street Method- ist Episcopal Church. He heard a divine call, and abandoned fine lucrative mercantile prospects to enter the itinerancy, at the age of twenty-four. The following is his MINISTERIAL RECORD: iSz^;, (New York Conf.,) Pittstown dr., N. Y., six months with J. C. Green and N. Rice; — last part of the year, Sara- toga dr., with B. Crfffin, \V. P. Lalce and W. Anson, sup'y;' 1826, (Maine Conf .,) Belfast, Me. ; 1827-1828, Bath,— ordained deacon in 1827; 1829, or- dained elder, — Portland cir. , with S. Lovelle; 1830, ditto, with J. Ilorton; 1831 -1832, Hallowell; 1833, presiding elder, Portland Dist. , 1834, Portland circuit, with E. Wiley; 1835-1836, Bangor; 1837-1838, (New York Conf.,) Brook- lyn, Sands-street, 1839-1841, missionary to Monteyidio, S. A.; 1842, New York, Vestry-st. ; 1842-1846, miss'y to Buenos Ayres; 1847. agent of the American Bible Society in Mexico; 1848-1849, Brooklyn, Sands-street; 1850-1851, New Haven, Conn., First church; 1852-1853, presiding elder, New Haven Dist.; 1854-1855, New York, Forsyth-street; 1856-1858, P. E., New York Dist. ; 1859-1862, presiding elder, Long Island Dist.; 1863, appointed agent American Bible Society, Panama and Central America, but prevented by sickness from filling the appointment;' 1864, appointed missionary to South America, but change of plan by missionary board interfered with his going;' 1865, missionary presiding elder, Nashville, Tenn.; l865, sup'y; 1867-1868, Durham, Conn.; 1869-1878, sup'y,'' residing in Hempstead, N. Y, ' Conference Minutes do not mention his appointment to Saratoga, but see "Trial of J. C. Green vs. J. Pierce," p. 10. ' Mrs. Norris, — Letter to the author. ' Ibid. * His relation was not superannuated, as stated in his conference memorial, and he received no appropriation as a conference claimant. /k/€.^fy7^ REV. WILLIAM H. NORRIS. Record of Ministers. 297 He was married in 1831 to Miss Sarah Mahan. The Maine Conference elected him to a seat in the General Conference in 1832 and in 1836. His return for a second term to three im- portant appointments, namely, Portland, Bangor, and Sands- street, Brooklyn, indicates the high esteem in which he was held by the churches he was called to serve. It is said that his early labors in Maine were marked by a continuous revival. He found 432 members and probationers in the Sands-street church, and two years later reported 667. A most wonderful revival crowned his unceasing, earnest labors there, and there are living witnesses of his glowing zeal and his manifest agony for souls, as he preached and prayed, and some- times stood leaning against the pillars of the church weeping aloud for the perishing around him. He labored indefatigably during his second term in this charge, and under his leadership the church recovered from the loss of its buildings by fire, and rebuilt 'the church and parsonage. His labors in the First ehurch, New Haven, were characterized by the same fervent spirit, and attended with singular success. He always appeared to have a painful sense of the high de- mands of the ministerial calling, and of his own insufficiency to meet the claims of God and the church upon him, yet, when assigned to any work, he always went cheerfully, and the church never had a more obedient servant. Personal considerations weighed nothing in his mind, when he heard the voice of the church, which was to him always the voice of God. One of his brethren writes : The measure of the man may be best taken, by reflecting on the estimate which the church itself made of him, and which may be seen in the varied and often delicate missions with which he was charged. He was a safe man, and one in whom the largest trusts could be reposed, and also one whose clear sense of right and ready ability of placing any matter of controversy in the sim- plest relations, made him at all times sought after for these valuable qualities. As a preacher, the same conscientious painstaking was always apparent. Methodical, logical, and scrapulously conscientious, his sermons were models of exactness and forcible conclusions. His chief excellence, perhaps, lay in the pastorate. Indeed, it often seemed to us that if a man was ever called to a special work, Mr. Norris was called to this. Systematically dividing his time and his parish, he would go from house to house, mingling with his peo- ple, carrying their sorrows, advising in their perplexities, and especially sym- pathizing with the poor and fatherless ; going as a man of God, and going with both hands and heart open to minister to whatever necessities might crave his sympathy. 298 Old Sands Street Church. Equally conscientious in his benevolence, his habit of giving was as exact as his habit of prayer. Whatever income he had was measured into its appro- priate parts, and out of it must come the proper proportion which belonged to God. The best epitome of his character is that which the Scriptures give of the centurion, Cornelius. He Vifas " a devout man, one that feared God with all his house, and gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always." ' To some observers there was in him an appearance of stern- ness, on account of his extreme conscientiousness and strict sense of justice. Dr. Curry, in a memorial address, ascribed to him a severe purity, which caused a man of ordinary integrity, when thrown in contact with him, to question whether his own heart was right. The author of his conference memorial says : His extended travels and long association with the best societies of different countries, and his extensive reading upon subjects connected with his work, made him eminently capable of advice in times of grave inquiiy. In the pros- ecution of his mission in South America, although chiefly directed to the En- glish-speaking population of the cities where he labored, he gave himself to a diligent study of the Spanish language, that he might reach the natives through their vernacular ; and also closely observed their manners and customs, and afterward became a valuable contributor to a published histoiy of that inter- esting portion of our southern continent. And when the American Bible Society contemplated establishing an agency in Spain, Mr. Norris was selected for that work. He was the author of two biographical works — abridgements — nainely, a "Life of George Whitefield," and a "Life of Thomas Coke."" The appearance of Mr. Norris was rather striking. His hair was long and dark, his eyes and complexion dark also, and there was upon his face what seemed to be a scar. Though he was of a strong constitution, he suffered much during a large part of his life, the result of an attack of acute bronchitis, brought on by exposure during his early ministry in Maine. In Tennessee a miasmatic fever was developed, from which he never entirely recovered. A dark shadow enveloped him some two years previous to his death — the eclipse of his intellectual powers, accompanied ' Rev. Dr. Francis Bottome, in The Christian Advocate. * Copies of these books are in the library of the Philadelphia Conference Historical Society. Record of Ministers. 299 by physical decay. His memorial says that, as the closing hours drew near; " this curtain of night was lifted for a moment, that he might recognize and smile upon the dear ones who watched for his departure, and then he was at rest." So died this faithful servant of the church, on the 19th of October, 1878, having nearly completed the seventy-seventh year of his pilgrimage. His burial-place, in Greenfield cemetery, Hempstead, is marked by a granite monument. His widow resides in Hempstead, Long Island, with a mar- ried daughter. The two surviving sons are active members of the Presbyterian Church in a Western State. The other chil- dren, five in number, " are in the better land." 31 HE Rev. Fitch Reed, D. D. was born in Amenia, N. Y., March 28, 1795. He was reared under Cal- vinistic instruction, but when he heard the Meth- oclist preachers, he readily embraced the reasonable and scriptural doctrine of free grace and unlimited redemption. In the nineteenth year of his age he was awakened and con- verted under the ministry of Marvin Richardson, the junior preacher on the Dutchess circuit. He soon abandoned his studies for the medical profession under a strong conviction that it was his duty to devote his life to the work of the Christian ministry. He writes: In the ear of conscience the call was as distinct and emphatic as if a voice from heaven had audibly declared, "Preach or be lost forever!" ' He received his first license to preach at the age of twenty, and thereupon was immediately employed by Nathan Bangs, presiding elder, to labor on a circuit. APPOINTMENTS: 1815, last part of the year, supply, Rhinebeck dr., N. Y., with Wm. Ansonand Thos. Thorp; 1S16, supply, Goshen cir.. Conn., with S. Cochran and Daniel Coe, supply; 1817, (New York Conf.,) Suffolk cir., N. Y., with William Jewett; 1818, Sag Harbor, 1819, ordained deacon by Bishop Roberts, — Dunham circuit, Vermont and Lower Canada; 1820, mis- sionary to York, Canada; 1821, ordained elder — missionary to York and New ' Semi-centennial sermon , p. 7. Record of Ministers. 301 lettlements. with K. M. K. Smith ; 1822, Ithaca and Caroline cir., N. Y., nth Dana Fox; 1823, presiding elder, Susquehanna Dist.; 1824, Ithaca; 825-1826, Cazenovia ; 1827, Utica ; 1828, (New York Conf.,) Rhinebeck ; 829, Amenia cir., with A. S. Hill ; 1830, ditto, with Lorin Clark ; 1831-1832, liddletown, Conn.; 1833, New York city, west cir., with P. P. Sandford, J. Sowen, J. C. Green, and C. W. Carpenter ; 1834, ditto, with J. B. Stratton, . C. Green, D. De Vinne, and J. C. Tackaberry ; 1835, agent for Wesleyan Jniversity ; 1836, Amenia cir., with D. Holmes, and J. P, Ellsworth ; 1837, Amenia and Sharon cir., with D. Holmes and G. L. Fuller; 1838, presiding Ider, New Haven Dist.; 1839, Brooklyn, Sands-street; 1840, Pough- leepsie, with P. P. Sandford; 1841, Poughkeepsie, 2nd ch.; 1842-1843, Sharon, Conn. ; 1844-1845, Danbury ; 1846-1847, Peekskill, N. Y. ; 1848-1849, Oneida Conf,) Ithaca; 1850, presiding elder, Susquehanna Dist.; '1851, 'Jewark Dist; 1852, Ithaca Dist.; 1853-1856, Auburn Dist.; 1857, Itliaca, jeneca-street ; 1858-1859, Port Byron ; 1860-1861, Asbury ; 1862-1868, sup'd; :869-i87i, (Central New York Conf,) sup'd. His delay in joining conference was on account of sickness tnd the fears which he and others entertained that he was too 'rail to endure the toils and privations of ail itinerant preaclv !r's life. His published writings contain many interesting ■eminiscences of his early ministry. On Goshen circuit, while )ut a youth, he was permitted to lead a man one hundred and bur years old to a saving trust in Jesus. He thus describes his ourney to the Suffolk circuit, in iSry : As soon as I received my appointment I went to my father's and spent a ew days at the dear home of my childhood. * * * Tuesday, June 24, he farewell was spoken, and I started to find my new field of labor. On lorseback and alone, and by roads I had never traveled before, I journeyed ray destined place of toil, about one hundred and forty miles distant. Tliat ourney I shall never forget. I instinctively smile when I think of it, and :all to mind several little incidents associated with my natural bashfulness md easily excited embarassment among strangers. I had been instructed to nquire at certain places for Methodist families, where the preachers were ac- :ustomed to call, and where I would find welcome entertainment. It was :xceedingly embarrassing to me to call on entire strangers, introduce myself IS a preacher, and virtually ask entertainment for myself and beast as a gra- uity. To find my way through the city of New York and to I,ong Island, that vas the great question of my journey. I dreaded it beyond measure. What jlaces and whom should I inquire for ? I thought that as " a fool when he loldeth his peace is counted wise," I would keep my own counsels, and, if possible, not expose my verdancy. But I was driven from my circumspection. [ found myself on Broadway, and, as it seemf^d to be a well traveled road, I Dushed on, knowing it would lead me someivkere. And it did. I came in iight of the Battery and the waters of the bay beyond. Now what shall I io ? Here is a gentlemanly looking man ; I will ask him to direct me. " Can 302 Old Sands Street Church. you tell me, sir, if there are any Methodists living about here ? " O dear ! now I have betrayed myself. I have told him that I am a green country boy. A very significant smile and a shake of the head was his only reply. Turn- ing to retrace my steps, I saw upon the corner of a house, "John-street." It instantly occurred to me that I had seen this name in the imprint of our hymn book. Turning down the street, I soon came to our " Methodist Book Room," where I received a cordial greeting by Joshua Soule, the senior book agent, and I once more felt like myself. Crossing the East River into Brooklyn, I traveled that day as far as- Jamaica, where, by direction of friends in New York, I called at the hospitable mansion of Brother Disosway, whose friendly greetings and kind attentions made ample amends for my previous embarrassments and perplexities. Friday I reached Hauppauge, a principal appointment on the circuit, and a short morning ride from Westfield, where the next day our quarterly meeting was to commence. I reached there on Saturday in time for the meeting, where I found my colleague, Rev. Wm. Jewett, and our presiding elder. Rev. Samuel Merwin.^ Concerning his appointment to Dunham circuit, whose north- ern limit was in sight of Montreal, he writes : Frail as I was, I did at first wonder that the lot should fall to me just here, and thought that possibly the bishop had made a mistake in my appointment ; yet, before the year had expired, I most clearly perceived that it was the Lord, more than the bishop, who had supervision of the case. The harsh climate, the hard work and plenty of it, and the harder fare, were just what infinite Wisdom saw I needed. I praise the Lord to this day for Dunham circuit. It saved me from an early grave.' In the following year, 1820, he was the gospel pioneer in the wilderness lying north of Lake Ontario. He says : The distance to be traveled in reaching it, including my journey to and from conference, was nearly one thousand miles. No circuit had been formed ; no one had preceded me as a messenger of mercy ; not a sermon, I believe, had been preached in all that region ; little more, indeed, than twelve months had elapsed since the ax was first heard to break the stillness of the forest. There were no roads, no bridges, no food for a horse ; so that all my travel, by no means very limited, was of necessity on foot. I was directed by a compass, without regard to the marks or monuments of the sur- veyor. I carried with me a common Indian hatchet, both as a defense against ferocious wild beasts, and as a means of constructing bridges over streams of water too deep to ford." It is not a little surprising that one so well entitled to the " " Reminiscences," in the Northern Christian Advocate, 1863. ' Semi-centennial Sermon, p. 9. ■•Ibid., p. II. Kecord of Ministers. 303 rank of a pioneer should have so little prominence in the stand- ard histories of the church. He was married in 1823 to Miss Almeda Dana, sister of the late eminent Judge Amasa Dana, of Ithaca, N. Y.° He was a member of the General Conferences of 1824, 1832, 1840, and 1844/ In i860 the Genesee College requested the Oneida Conference to designate some member of that body upon whom the degree of D.D. should be conferred. His daughter writes: The conference selected my father. He valued the honor, coming in that way, as a mark of their respect, though he had no fondness for degrees in themselves.' During the ten years of his retirement he resided in Ithaca, N. Y., where he had been pastor several terms, and where his wife's relatives resided. Notwithstanding a troublesome bron- chial and asthmatic affection, he was able to preach occasionally, and was not confined to his room until one week previous to his death. His uniformly clear and blessed experience became manifestly more glowing and exultant during the last year of his life ; and "' when finally too weak to do more than whisper now and then a word, he still strove to tell how unspeakably precious Jesus was to him."° Thus he passed away on the loth of October, 1871, in the seventy-seventh year of his age. A plain head-stone designates his grave in the cemetery in Ithaca, N. Y. His widow and two or three daughters reside in or near Ithaca. Fitch Reed was one of the golden links uniting this genera- tion of Methodists to the early fathers of the church. He is thus, characterized in his conference memorial : Dr. Reed was a man of scholarly attainments, possessed of an active, log- ical mind, refined taste, quick, sound judgment, pure, strong, and noble im- pulses. His preaching was at once instructive, entertaining, convincing, and persuasive. By his labors and sympathies he was always identified with the progressive spirit of the church. His piety was ardent and transparent. All knew its source ; it bore the seal of Christ, and could meet the approval of beaven. 'Smith's "Pillars in the Temple," p. 187. ° The conference memorial says, incorrectly, 1820, and omits 1832 and 1834. ' Miss Kate Reed — letter to the author. ' The Rev. O. H. Warren^ in The Christian Advocate. LX. STEPHEN MARTINDALE. ONG Island having been detached from the old New York District in 1840, the Rev. Stephen Martindale, one of the leading ministers in the conference, then fifty-two years of age, was placed in charge of the district as its first presiding elder. He was a native of the Eastern Shore of Maryland. He hailed from a state in which Methodism was early established and has always flourished; a state which gave to the denomination the first native American preacher, Richard Owen, and the first native American itinerant, William Watters;' and after them such renowned and heroic men as Freeborn Garrettson, Wm. Phoebus, Laurence M 'Combs, George Pickering, Bish- ops Emory and Scott, and many others of equal power and fame. Tuckahoe Neck, the neighborhood from which he came, "furnished its quota of preachers for the itinerancy in the Reverends Ezekiel Cooper, Solomon Sharp, Stephen Martindale and Thomas Neal."" Stephen Martindale was born near the Choptank River in the year 1788. His grandfather was a clergyman of the Church of England. His father, Daniel Martindale, was a Methodist class leader and local preacher. Ezekiel Cooper was a member of his class. A large part of his property was in slaves, but he set them free. He was a holy' man. The mother of Stephen Martindale was named Mary Mead. He was the youngest of a family of ten children, and was two years old when his mother died. While he was yet a. child his father was taken from him, and he was placed un- der the care of his sister, a woman of rare accomplishments, from whom he received an excellent training, and toward whom he ever cherished the deepest and truest affection.' ' Lednum — Rise of Methodism, p. 21. ^ Ibid., p. 165. 2 The author is indebted for these facts to the daughters of Stephen Martin- dale, Mrs. Dr. A. S. Purdy of New York, and Miss Mary Martindale of Tary- town. y^^/zfciyiAUtoi && REV. STEPHEN MARTINDALE. Record of Ministers. 305 He engaged in the work of the ministry under the direction of his presiding elder in the year 1808. The name of his charge is not known. PASTORAL RECORD : 1808, supply ; 1809, Somerset cir., Md., with Divid Best; 1810, Dover dr., Del., with J. Sharpley ; 1811, ordained deacon, — Snow Hill cir., Md., with W. Wickes ; i8i2, Morris cir., N. J., with J. Van Shaick ; 1813, ordained elder, — Essex cir., with John Finley ; 1S14, Bergen cir., with Phineas Price ; 1815, Philadelphia, St. George's, with Robert Burch and L. Laurenson ; 1816, ditto, with Robert Burch and Martin Ruter ; 1817, Talbot cir., Md., with W. Quinn ; i8i8. Queen Ann's cir., with Thos. Ware ; 1819, ditto, with Wm. Ryder ; 1820, Kent cir., with T. Smith ; i82i,_ New- ark, N. J. ; 1822, (New York Conf.,) New York city cir., with E. Washburn, M. Richardson, Wm. Ross, H. Bangs, and J. Summerfield ; 1823, ditto, with E. Washburn, P. Rice, J. B. Stratton, S. Bushnell, and E. Brown ; 1824, New Rochelle cir., with H. Bangs, L. Andrus, sup'y ; 1825, ditto, with P. Rice, L. Andrus, sup'y: 1826-1827, Troy ; 1828-1829, (New England Conf.,) Boston, Mass., with E. Wiley ; 1830, (New York Conf.,) New York city cir., with S. Luckey, S. Merwin, L. Pease, B. Goodsell, N. Bangs, and S. D. Ferguson ; 1831, ditto, with S. Merwin, L. Pease, B. Goodsell, S. Landon, J. Clark, B. Sillick, and C. Prindle ; 1832, Stratford cir., Conn., with L. C. Cheney ; 1833-1836, presiding elder. New Haven Dist, Conn. ; 1837, White Plains and Greensburgh cir., N. Y., with D. I. Wright, R. Harris, sup'y ; 1838, ditto, with J. A. Sillick, S. U. Fisher, sup'y, and R. Harris, sup'y ; 1839, pre- siding elder, Rhinebeck Dist. : 1840-1843, presiding elder, Long Island Dist. ; 1844-1845, New York, Eighteenth-street ; 1846-1847, New York, Norfolk-street ; 1848-1850, presiding elder, Delaware Dist. ; 1851, Newburgh Dist. ; 1852-1854, New York Dist. ; 1855-1858, Poughkeepsie Dist. ; 1859, Irvington, N. Y, ; i860, superannuated. His daughter writes : I heard my father say that when he went out to preach he was but nineteen years of age and had only one shilling in his pocket, but that he had never wanted for money..* Having traveled four years, he was married, in 1812. His wife taught school to supplement their insufficient salary. He was ordained by Bishop Asbury, and was on familiar terms with all the earlier bishops. " He came North," says his daughter, " on account of slavery. His wife was greatly opposed to the ' system, and told the Southerners that some day all their slaves would be free." Remarkable revivals attended Mr. Martindale's labors in Troy, Bowery Village, and Boston. He was greatly inter- ested in the work of his friend. Father Taylor, of Boston, and he aided in the formation of the Port Society of that city. * Mrs. Dr. A. E. Purdy— letter to the author. 3o6 Old Sands Street Church. With R. R. Roberts, L. M'Combs, Joseph Totten, Ezekiel Cooper, and other famous men, he represented the Philadelphia Conference as General Conference delegate in 1816 and 1820, and with Garrettson, Merwin, Bangs, Ostrander, Washburn, Sandford, Waugh, Richardson, Clark, Rice, Olin, Peck, and oth- ers of like standing, he formed a part of the New York Confer- ence delegations in 1824, 1828, 1836, and 1844. After more than half a century of devoted, heroic, and useful service in the active ministry, he departed this life in great peace, May 23, i860, in the seventy-third year of his age. His illness was of about two months' duration. To an aged friend who visited him he said, " I have always believed in the doc- trines I have preached, and they sustain me now." ' To the Rev. John J. Matthias, who called upon him, he quoted with animation some of the most triumphant strains of the psalmist. That was an hour of supreme interest to these two men of God. They were to meet . no more on the shores of time, but were destined to hail each other very soon on the plains of heavenly glory. The memorial in the Conference Minutes contains the following : Mr. Martindale's eldest daughter states that about a week before his death he awoke from sleep with an expression of joy on his countenance. She in- quired why he looked so joyous. "O," said he, "I rejoice with all my heart. * * * My work is done. * * * I am a sinner saved by grace ! " His friend, John J. Matthias, wrote for The Christian Advo- cate as follows : His funeral sermon was preached by the writer on 2 Tim. iv, 7, 8 : " I have fought a good fight," etc., in the presence of a numerous congregation, in the Methodist church in Tarrytown. Rev. Mr. Wakeley offered prayer at the house, and Rev. Drs. M'Clintock and Foster, and Rev. Mr. Todd, of the Dutch Church, led the devotions of the congregation. Among the pall-bear- ers were the pastors of the village (Baptist, Episcopalian, Dutch Reformed) and others. The neighboring gentlemen sent their carriages to convey the people to the grave. He and his wife are buried in a neatly inclosed plot in Sleepy Hollow cemetery, in Tarrytown, N. Y., and modest head-stones mark their resting-place. Mr. Martindale is uniformly described by those who knew him as a man of uncommon amiability, cool self-possession, and good judgment. Many remember him as a sound theolo- ' Minutes of Conferences, 1861, p. 113, Record of Ministers. 307 gian, a good pastor, a loved presiding elder, (twenty years in that office,) a popular preacher, a sweet singer, and " remark- ably gifted in prayer." His " diction was always correct and often elegant." He was " tall and well-proportioned, with a countenance fair and ruddy, expressive of intelligence and be- nignity," and he spoke with " a voice whose rich intonations flowed and rippled like a brook." ° In. all his varied relations he maintained a consistent piety. His daughter says — and her words are quoted in his obituary — It was my father's example that made me a Christian. It was his daily wallc in the privacy of family and home that preached and made us love the religion whicli he illustrated. Twenty-one years after his death his younger daughter wrote : I often heard my father say that if he thought he had one drop of bigotry in his veins, and knew wliere to find it, he would talie an instrument and let it out. Nevertheless, both of our parents were the most intense Methodists ; and we children gloried in Methodism because it was tlie religion of such parents, and was progressive. Yes, my father made us intelligent Methodists. He said he wished us to choose Methodism for ourselves ; and so, as soon as we came to years of discretion, he procured the standard boolcs of each church, as well as " Hurd on all Religions," and frequently conversed with us on any mooted point ; not forcing us, but leaving us alone to read and in- quire at our own option. In looking into my father's face I always thought of the glory of a June day — the deep-blue eyes were like the sky, and his smile was like the sunshine. Seldom are children nurtured amid such ele- vating influences. * * * Both parents were singularly fond of young people, especially such as were struggling to rise. Our house was a. home for many such, and many have been sent forth therefrom rejoicing. When my brothers were in college (we lived in the town part of the time) they were urged to bring their college mates home ; for both father and mother were aware that there was no safeguard for these young men like such a home as thev knew ours to be. Dr. Fislc, his compeers and successors, were household friends, and loved to come to our house for relaxation and social cheer. Excu.se me for writing so freely— it is seldom I do this. * * * My father was morbidly sensitive in regard to any parade of services rendered. We ^used to talk often about this, but I could not change his _ mind. I sometimes playfully told him, " I might some day support myself by such things," Ijut his invariable, gentle, reverent reply to me was, " God knows." To-day, when papers and books do so laud human service, I love the memory of my sainted father all the more intensely because of this reti- cence. I have two manuscript volumes of sermons and outlines to tell me what he did in public. His home life is in my heart.' ' Conference Minutes, l86r, p. 114. ■" Miss Mary Martindale — letter to the author. 3o8 Old Sands Street Church. Mary (Sandford,) his wife, daughter of Joseph Sandford," was born in Belleville, N. J., September 26, 1788, and died in Tarrytown, N. Y., November 6, ] 868, in the eightieth year of her age. Dr. Joseph Holdich wrote a beautiful sketch of her life for The Christian Advocate, in which he says : Mrs. Martindale used to tell the story of her own conversion. When she was twenty years of age her father, [an Episcopalian at the time,] one even- ing soon after his own awakening, went to a prayer-meeting held at a neat neighbor's. " Tell Mary," he said to her mother, " to come to the prayer- meeting." Mary was accustomed to say, " If my mother had told me my fa- ther, was dead, I could not have felt worse than when she told me that he had gone to a Methodist prayer-meeting, and directed me to come likewise." But she never dreamed for an instant of disobeying him. That prayer-meeting resulted in the conversion of both father and daughter. She gave her heart to Christ, and both united in membership in the same " household of faith.'' At the age of twenty-four she was united in marriage to the Rev. Stephen Mar- tindale, then in the zenith of his popularity ; * * * but the Methodist Church, then in its infancy, was feeble, poor, little understood, and not in good repute among the more cultured classes, or in the world at large. But none of these things moved her. She became the devout and devoted wife of a Methodist preacher, and cheerfully shared all his toils. She was his helpful compan- ion, encouraging, counseling, sustaining him, manifesting a happy temper, and looking naturally at the bright and hopeful side. She could put up with inconveniences without complaining ; while, by a prudent but not pinch- ing economy, she made the small stipend of a minister of that day not only meet their wants, but sustain a reputable appearance. She brought up their children with great propriety and respectability, securing them educations adapted to any station in society. " * * Her children and grandchildren have in her sweet life and example a blessed treasure that shall not be forgotten. Her pastor, the Rev. Charles S. Brown, in an address at her funeral, said : I shall never forget — those who sat near her, and especially the daughter who was with her, will never forget— the rapture of her spirit the last time she filled her seat in the hoiise of God. It was her custom to retire, leaning on the arm of her beloved daughter, before the closing services, to es- cape the excitement of passing out with the congregation. But on that day she could not go. She joined with unusual fervor in singing the last hymn, and at the close, turning to a lady who sat near her, expressed her desire, if it might be the will of God, to go from the earthly directly t9 the heavenly sanctuary.' The day before her death this pastor found her too feeble for distinct utterance, but giving other signs of peace that is 8 See sketch of the Rev. P. P. Sandford in this work. ' Quoted by the Rev. Dr. Holdich in his memorial sketch. Record of Ministers. 309 "like a river." The Rev. J. W. B. Wood, a former pastor, was with her when she departed. Mr. Brown said further : She was a member of the New York Female Bible Society, and active as a Bible visitor. She was also a member ot the "Female Assistance Society, and for some time one of its managers. * * * Not only her husband and her children shared the fruits of her self-denial, but strangers and the poor always found in her a friend. Take the following specimen : Twelve little children coming in yesterday to look at her remains, one of them said to the rest, " Who will give us cake, now Grandma Martindale is dead ? " Dr. C. K. True, who knew her long and well, wrote a loving testimonial to her children after her departure. Our limited space forbids us to quote from it. The following tribute by her daughter is too good to be omitted : • My mother learned by heart many of the poems of standard English au- thors, and in the last year (eightieth) of her life would repeat page after page of Pope, Pollock, Cowper, " dear old Goldy," (Goldsmith,) and lots of others. My father, even, with his fine mental qualities, always deferred to my mother on that score. She was wonderfully appreciative and brilliant, even in her eightieth year, quick at repartee, and well posted in all important political, social, and intellectual questions in home and foreign lands. She was, moreover, one of the best and most sympathizing of friends to the poor and lowly. I was but a child when we lived in Boston, I remember, and my sis- ter was a lovely young lady. One of my brothers had a little hand wagon. Often, after night-fall, my mother would fill this wagon with fuel, and, giving my sister a basket filled with good things, would send the two out on missions of love to some distressed home. We were always taught by both parents that any loving, unselfish act never degraded us, however poor and miserable' might be the recipient. When ray parents were young, father's salary was so small that my mother opened a little school, and in after years she used laughingly to say she "made much more money than did my father.'' * * * yj^ lived one year in Brooklyn while father was presiding elder of Long Island District, and he advised us each to unite with a different church. My mother went to York- street, brother Stephen to Centenary, I to Washingson-street, and all rallied at Sands-street.'" As we might expect, we are able to make a gratifying record of the children of Stephen and Mary Martindale : James Alex- ander, after studying medicine at Yale, lost his health, took a sea-voyage for restoration, (his passion was the sea,) rose to rank, and died in Santo Domingo, of yellow fever, November 15, 1844. Anne Sandford, wife of Dr. Alfred S. Purdy, of New ' Miss Mary Martindale — letter to the author. 310 Old Sands Street Church. York, who died December 2, 1883, was for nearly twenty years first directress of the New York Female Assistance Society for the Relief of the Sick Poor, and for a long time a manager of the New York Female Auxiliary Bible Society, (with both of these societies, as we have seen, her mother was connected many years ago ;) she was also a manager of the New York Branch of the Woman's Foreign Missionary Society, and of the M'Clin- tock Association, and of the Five Points' Mission. She is also remembered as connected with the Soldiers' Relief Association in the work at the hospitals during the war for the Union. Stephen, Jr., a true Christian gentleman, was graduated with honor at the Wesleyan University, practiced law in the city of New York, and died May 28, 1852. Joseph, a druggist by occu- pation, died May 24, 1853. Mary, twin sister of Joseph, was never married. She wrote, July 9, 1883, to the author : I am trying to follow my father as he followed Christ, which was lovingly and faithfully. I am a lone woman, fighting the world with my own two little hands, but the memories of the departed are ray strongholds, and, please God, when the fight is over the reunion and rest will be glorious. She entered that "glorious rest," from her home in Tarry- town, N. Y., on the 15th of February, 1884, and near the graves of her parents a new mound was made over her mortal remains. Daniel, a younger brother, was graduated from Wesleyan Univer- sity at the head of his class, entered the legal profession, was State's attorney in Jackson, La., and died a victim of yellow fever, November i, 1853 — "a martyr to his own kindness of disposition, as he caught the fever from nursing a friend."" Mary wrote in a letter : My three younger brothers all died within eighteen months — all noble sons, our great hope and dependence. My parents never fully recovered from the pain of this bereavement, yet never let the shadow of our great loss fall upon others. It seemed to ripen them for heaven. " Dr. Holdich in The Christian Advocate. LXI. ^^^Q^-^-^ E are informed that the Oakleys sprung from the substantial yeomanry of old England. The name can be found as far back as the eighth century. At a early period in the history of this country, three mem- jf the Oakley family came hither and landed in Boston, a while one of them settled in the county of Westches- . Y. George Oakley, one of his descendants, was father ; subject of this sketch. He became a Methodist in West- er county, moved to New York city, joined the old •street church, and finally moved "up town," casting in Dt with the Forsyth-street brethren, and his remains laid to rest in the burial ground of that church. 2 Rev. Peter Cannon Oakley was born in the city, of York, August 20, 1800. From early childhood he at- d the Methodist meetings, but his mind was not per- ntly impressed with divine truth until he read in a book 1 "Russell's Seven Sermons" a discourse on "Time and lity." About this time his father died instantly from a e of apoplexy. This terrible bereavement strengthened urpose to choose God for his Father and guide. A Providence had prepared for him an excellent Chris- lome with the parents of "Harper and Brothers," where, fh he was but an apprentice, he was treated as one of imily. Gradually, by the leadings of the Spirit and the iragement afforded by "Father and Mother Harper," he )rought to the enjoyment of divine favor, and joined Dhn-street church when about seventeen- years of age. calling this event he writes: "I am probably the only n now living who was then in the old hive."' :ter to the author. His first license as an exhorter was signed by Ebenezer Washburn, preacher in charge, New York city, November ii, 1822. About twelve months later, after he had been traveling some time under P. P. Sandford, presiding elder, as a supply, he received a local preacher's license, and a recommendation to the New York Annual Conference. Previous to his conversion he had gained but a limited knowledge of reading, writing, and arithmetic. His conversion aroused in him an ardent thirst for knowledge, and though working at the printing press fourteen hours a day, he found " much time to read," and, in company with J. Wesley Harper and Nicholas Murray, (afterward the Rev. Dr. Murray,) he studied English grammar. Having served his apprenticeship, he entered the Wesleyan Seminary, in Crosby-street, New York, where he acquired some knowledge of the Latin and Greek languages. MINISTERIAL RECORD : 1823, supply, Croton dr., N. Y. with Marvin Richardson; (New York Conf.,) Croton cir., with M. Richardson; 1825, Granville cir , Mass. and Conn., with Smith Dayton ; 1826, ordained deacon, — ditto, with D. Miller and Job Allen ; 1827, Pittsfield cir., Mass., with B. Sil- lick and S. C. Hurd ; 1828, ordained elder, — ditto, with B. Sillick and C. F. Pelton ; 1829-1830, Poultney, Vt. ; 1831, Middlebui7; 1832, (Troy Conf.,) Middlebury ; 1833, Charlotte and Shelburn cir.; 1834, ditto, with J. Gohbett ; 1835-1837, presiding elder, Plattsburgh Dist. ; 1838, Troy N. Y., North Second- street, with J. Cannon, sup'y ; 1839, Oneida Conf., Ithaca; 1840-1841, (New York Conf.,) Brooklyn, Sands-street; 1842-1843, New York, Willett-stveet; 1844-1845, Stamford, Conn.; 1846, Hartford, Conn., with C. Fletcher; 1847, Hartford; 1848-1849, Saugerties, N. Y.; 1850, agent. New York State Coloniza- tion Society; l85i-i852,Yorkville, N.Y.; 1853-1854, Goshen; 1855-1858, pre- siding elder, Rhinebeck Dist.; 1859-1860, Cold Spring; 1861, Ashford and Greensburgh ; 1862-1S63, North Newburgh ; 1864-1866, Shrub Oak ; 1867- l86g Sugar Loaf ; 1870-1871, Milton ; 1873-1874, sup'y ; 1875-1884, sup'd. He traveled and preached fifty years without losing six months during the entire period. In a letter to the author he says : In my earlier circuits I preached about thirty sermons in a month, leading class after each public service. The custom was on Sunday to preach three times and lead three classes. But I performed the work as a matter of course, and never thought it hard. The pay was small — one hundred dollars a year for a single man, and I was counted such for four years — but I never grieved at that, for I did not preach for money. Mr. Oakley was married, September 12, 1827, in Windsor, Conn., to Miss Maria Loomis. His brethren elected him del- egate to the General Conference of 1836. He was married a ond time, in 1844, to Miss Harriet Sillick, daughter of friend and former colleague, the Rev. Bradley Sillick. This e still survives, and the two are enjoying a serene and happy age in the town of Milton, N. Y. 3oncerning his connection with Sands-street church, Mr. kley writes : « [y pastorate in Brooklyn was interesting and very pleasant, but the inci- ts were not remarkable. The longest confinement I ever had in my min- ! was there. In consequence of visiting a sick sister, I cauglit the oloid, and was kept in-doors some weeks. I have pleasant memories of V. Harper and family, Jacob Brown, John Smith, David Coope, Father rbert, etc., etc. But most of them are gone — I hope to meet them on the 2r shore.' That he has learned the art of growing old gracefully, is dent from the following statement : lS it regards myself now, my eyesight is good, my hearing a little defective, hand, as you see, trembles ; otherwise my mental and physical powers are fair order for one who has passed through eighty-three summers. My dren are all gone, except a daughter, who is unmarried and remains at le. Myself, wife, and daughter form a trio to be broken by and by ; but re is a " sweet by and by," where we hope to meet, not as a little trio, but I part of the general assembly and church of the first-born in heaven. Maria, his wife, died in the Willett-street parsonage, April 1844, in the forty-seventh year of her age. She was born in )8, in Windsor, Conn., and experienced religion a short time or to her marriage. Her piety was uniform and genuine. e spent her last Sabbath, though feeble, in the house of God. he was her husband's best earthly friend and confidential nser. As a mother, she loved her children, and by every ans in her power, sought their present and future welfare."* Letter to the author. Dr. Noah Levings in The Christian Advocate. LXII e-^ZTZ^^-^^^^^^^l*. ce^oC^^ HE ministry of the Rev. Leonard M. Vincent in the old Sands-street church was a very marked success. At the close of his term in the year 1844, the full members and probationers had increased to six hun- dred and sixty-four, the largest membership to which the church ever attained. Like Peter P Sandford's second initial, the "M." in Leon- ard M. Vincent's name is only a distinguishing letter. Mr. Vincent is the only surviving ex-pastor of this church whom the writer has never seen — a lack only partly compensated by a pleasant but very brief correspondence. This fact makes the task of writing the present sketch more than or- dinarily difficult and delicate. The date of Leonard M. Vincent's birth is October 16, 1 8 14; the place one of the villages on the eastern shore of the Hudson — town of Washington, Dutchess, County, N. Y. His childood home was a little cottage by the river's brink. From, its windows in front, vessels could be seen passing up and down. Hard by, at the end of the cottage, was a creek, emptying itself into the river. Near the mouth of the creek was a beautiful waterfall. This was backed by a large pond of water, the motive power of mills and factories that stood be- low. The location of the cottage was picturesque in the extreme. Here he spent his early days, an4 spent them happily, in the society of an affectionate mother and a devoted sister near three years his senior.' Leonard was very young when his father died, and his mother, though not a Christian, trained him in "the strictest morality." In accordance with his father's expressed desire, the boy was placed at the age of ten years in the care of his uncle, to be brought up on a farm. At fourteen he re- turned to the home of his mother, to spend a year in -' "The Farmer Boy " pp. 13, 15. This volume is from the pen of Mr. Vin- cent — an autobiography; disguised, however, by the use of an assumed name. Most of the facts here narrated are gleaned from this little book. Record of Ministers. 315 school. Although his religious instruction had been very lim- ited, he was placed in charge of a class of boys in the Sunday- school. By this means he became acquainted with the minister and other pious persons, who " taught him the way of the Lord more perfectly." In a short time he was powerfully convicted of sin and happily saved. His struggles with his own heart, the firmness of his resolution, the bitterness of his repentance, the fierceness of his temptations, and the rapture of his deliverance, were quite remarkable in the experience of one so young. He exhibited great conscientiousness and sincerity from the begin- ning of his Christian life. Following his convictions of duty he asked the privilege of erecting a family altar in his mother's home ; and, in the presence of the family and several visitors, none of whom were professors of religion, he offered prayer. The joy of the lad was complete when, a short time afterward, he learned that by manfully bearing the heavy cross in the presence of his mother, sister, uncle, and aunt, he had been the means of leading them all to Christ, and erecting two family altars instead of one. His call to the ministry was simultaneous with his conversion, but not very promptly obeyed. He abandoned the idea of farming, and entered the employ of his sister's husband as clerk of a store in New York. During his stay there he was connected with the Duane-street church, where he became as- sociated with the lamented Dr. Emory and other eminent Christians. Leaving the city at the end of one year, he returned to his native village, served as a clerk in a store two- years, then engaged in mercantile business on his own account. After his marriage, which occurred about this time, he applied himself the more closely to business for two or three years, " toiling on under constant convictions and struggles of mind " concerning his call to the ministry. Receiving license as a local preacher in the summer of 1832, he preached his first sermon in a school-house on a Sunday afternoon. A horn was blown to call the people together. It was the last message to which some of the hearers ever listened, for the cholera seized five persons of that congregation soon after the service closed, and they were dead and buried htioxt eleven o'clock the next day. Providence opening the way for a satisfactory disposal of his bus- iness interests, he entered the itinerant ministry in the year 1837. 23 3i6 Old Sands Street Church. CONFERENCE RECORD: 1837, (New York Conf.,) Dutdiess dr., N. Y., with John Reynolds; 1838, ditto, with S. Cochran; 1839, ordained deacon by Bishop Hedding, — Mount Pleasant cir., with S. Van Dusen ; 1840, ditto, with D. Holmes; 1841, ordained elder, — Johnsville, with J. A. Chalker; 1842-1843, Brooklyn, Sands-street ; 1844, Rhinebeck ; 1845-1846, New York, Allen-street ; 1847-1848, New York, Duane-street ; 1849-1850, Pough- keepsie, Washington-street; 1851-1852, Matteawan ; 1853-1854, New York, Sullivan-street ; 1855-1858, presiding elder, Newburgh Dist. ; 1859-1862, pre- siding elder, Pouglikeepsie Dist. ; 1863, Poughkeepsie, Washington-street ; l'864-i884, superannuated. In Sands-Street church, as already ititimated, Mr. Vincent was exceedingly industrious and successful. He endeared him- self to the young, the sick, and the poor — to all, indeed, as a man of warm syiupathy, sound judgment, and remarkable adaptation to the pastor's vocation. He was there during "a year of re- vivals," and Sands-street church shared in the general visitation. Mention has already been made of the demolition of the old white church, and the erection of a new, brick edifice during his ministry there. Several incidents of Mr. Vincent's pastorate in Sands-street are recorded in the story of " The Farmer Boy." In the humble home of a pious widow, a native of Scotland, her little son, John, sickened and died. He had been found by a kind teacher and led to the Sands-street Sunday-school ; the mother bad fol- lowed her boy to the church, and both had learned the blessed- ness of trusting in the Lord. Their home was an attic in an obscure " alley;" but the pastor found it to be the abode of heavenly peace. He writes: Frequent interviews with John confirmed my very favorable opinion of his piety and preparedness for heaven. The same calm resignation to the Divine will, the same sweetness of spirit was manifested up to the hour of his depart- ure. * * * He whispered, " I am ready,'' and sweetly slept in Jesus. * * * John was buried on a Sabbath afternoon. It was one of those bright and glowing days of summer, when nature seemed loudest to proclaim the good- ness and mercy of the Lord. Early in the afternoon the corpse 'was taken from the home in the alley, and borne to the church-yard. Here it was placed upon a bier, beneath the shade of a majestic willow, whose branches, gracefully bending, swept the green earth, as moved by the winds of heaven. All then retired into the church and listened to the funeral sermon. This service being concluded, a procession was formed for the place of burial, headed by a band of Sabbath-school scholars, bearing the remains of the deceased. Then followed his mother, some three hundred children, and a great number of the congregation, each anxious to show respect to the piety and worth of the mother and her son. After the body was deposited in the Record of Ministers. 317 gronnd, and the burial service was read, the vast group of children joined in a sweet and touching hymn, the melody of which was occasionally interrupted by the sobs and sighs of the multitude. It was a tribute shown not to wealth, or fame, or worldly distinction, but to piety, such as commanded the approval of God and the admiration of men.^ Another incident is worthy of being transferred to these pages, since it furnishes an example of Mr. Vincent's diligent pastoral service, and illustrates the grand work done by the Sands-street Sunday-school. It is recorded as follows : Soon after my entrance upon my ministerial duties in this charge I was called to visit a poor widow. She was the mother of an interesting and much- loved daughter, aged, perhaps, eleven years. She was a stranger in the place. Her birthplace was beyond the wide Atlantic. Her home was there, and her kindred. Her heart ■yearned to visit her native shores, and she desired that her dust might mingle with the soil of the country where she was born. In my visits I was frequently led to mark her holy triumph. There was joy in her countenance in the midst of her sufferings. Resignation was upon her brow, and the language of sweet submission fell from her lips. There was only one tie, she said, that bound her to earth. Its strength is best known to a mother's heart. That tie was her orphan child, a member of our Sabbath- school. Never shall I forget the scene I witnesssed — that mother gazing with tearful eyes upon her offspring, and commending to God, as her last sacrifice, her girl. She had just asked me to pray for lier, that God would give her a complete victory. We prayed. The struggle was severe and somewhat pro- tracted, but the mother triumphed By faitli the daughter was committed willingly, and in holy confidence, to God ; and there was a holy calm in the mother's breast. To gratify her earnest wishes, it was resolved that she should cross the wide waste of waters to the shores of France, if her wasted energies would permit it. She hoped thus to die amid the scenes of her child- hood. Kind friends came to assist her. The mother and daughter left us, followed by the prayers of pastor, friends, and especially Mary's Sabbath- school teacher and classmates. The mother lived to see the land of her birth, but not to tread on its shores. The pilot boat that towed the ship to her ancliorage bore to the wharf the lifeless remains of the mother. But the little girl, the orphan ; you ask, what became of her? She found the home sought by her parent, but O ! how desolate ! The joy of her life was wanting. No parental ear was there to hear the tale of her sorrow. No breast heaved with emotion, on which to pillow her little head and find com- fort. She was alone. Though among her kindred, they were strangers. Months passed, and then a letter came to the Sabbath-school teacher, bearing tidings of this lone child of sorrow. In that letter, she, in substance, said : " I am hastening to meet my mother in a better world. I am dying ; con- sumption takes me as it did mamma ; but I wish to tell you that my heart cherishes its attachment to my Sabbath-school in America. I have not for- gotten nor ceased to love my teacher, schoolmates, and friends. Though far '"The Farmer Boy," pp. 128-130. 3i8 Old Sands Street Church. away, my heart still clings to you who received us, strangers ; j'et cared for us, and taught us the things of God. I am dying ; but my Sabbath-school lessons I learned with you (for I have no minister now) have shown me where to go in the hour of trouble, and in whom to trust. I believe that I have the prayers of those who cared so much for me in a land so distant. I have gone to my Saviour ; I have offered my prayers to him ; I have been brought Into his favor, and feel that I am his child. I am ready to go and meet mamma in heaven. Farewell ! I am dying ! happy, happy, happy ! " This letter came with a postscript : " She is dead." O! ye Sabbath-school teachers and friends, see the fruits of your toil ! God waters the seed you sow, and gives you a hundred-fold. Toil on, then. Here is one saved, at least, — yea, two, the mother and the daughter. When the mother landed on our shores she was a French Catholic. It was a Sabbath-school teacher that won the mother by winning the child ; both by this means were led to Christ.' Mr. Vincent was married to a daughter of the Rev. Marvin Richardson. One of their sons is the Rev. Marvin R. Vincent, D.D., of the Church of the Covenant, New York city, and their daughter is the wife of a minister. '"The Farmer Boy," pp. 138-142. •^J^tLimji/^ JIEV. JOHN J. MATTHIAS. LXIII. JOHN J. MATTHIAS. OHN B. Matthias was a sturdy pioneer Methodist preacher, whose name will not cease to be honored in the annals of the church. His visits to the lit- tle society in Brooklyn soon after it was organized, and his prominent agency in the introduction of camp-meetings into this region, we have already noted. His son, the Rev. John Jarvis Matthias, was born in the city of New York, Janu- ^''y 7> 1796- The name Jarvis was given him in honor of his mother's family. Her parents, Nathaniel and Phoebe Jarvis, were devoted Methodists in the town of Huntington, L. I. Of the same family were Bishop A. Jarvis and the Rev. S. F. Jarvis, of Connecticut.' Bishop Janes, an ardent friend and admirer of John J. Matthias, wrote thus concerning his early life: At a suitable age he went to Brooklyn to learn the art of printing, but the de- cease of his employer prematurely closed the engagement. While in this par- suit he became the subject of converting grace, and soon felt that he was called of God to the Christian ministry, which he entered at the age of twenty-one.'' He was charged with various responsible offices during his active ministry as appears from the following list of his APPOINTMENTS: 1817, (New York Conf.,) Goshen cir., Conn., with E. P. Jacob; 1818, Pittsfield cir., Mass., with E. P. Jacob; 1819, ordained dea- con, — Stow dr., Vt., with H. Dewolf; 1820, Luyden cir., Mass., with John Clark; 1821, ordained elder, — Cortland cir., N. Y., with G. Lyon; 1822, ditto, with.R. Harris; 1823, Middlebury, Vt.; 1824, St. Albans cir., with S. Covel; 1825, Pittsfield, Mass. , with G. Pierce; 1B26, Cortland cir., N. Y., with H. Hatfield; 1827, New York city, with T. Burch, N. White, R. Seney, N. Lev- ings and Julius Field; 1828, ditto, with T. Burch, C. Carpenter, J. Hunt, N. Levings and George Coles; 1829-1830, Albany, North ch.; 1831-1832, (Phila. Conf.,) Newark cir., N. J., with A. Atwood; 1833-1835, presiding elder. East Jersey Dist.; 1836, Philadelphia, Nazareth ch.; 1837-1841, sup'd; 1837, govern- or of Bassa Cove, Africa; 1842, (New York Conf.,) Flushing, N, Y.; 1843. ' Sprague's Annals. ' The Christian Advocate, Jan. 9, l86z. 320 Old Sands Street Church. Rockaway ; 1844-1847 presiding elder, Long Island Dist.; 1848-1849, (New York East Conf.,) Williamsbuigh, Grand-street, (Gothic;) 1850-1851, New York, 27th-street ; 1852, sup'y, Hempstead, with S. W. Smidi ; 1853, Jamaica ; 1854, sup'd ; 1855-1858, chaplain Seamen's Friend Retreat, Staten Island; 1859, sup'y; 1860-1861, sup'd. His appointment, in 1837, as governor of Bassa Cove, on the West Coast of Africa, was given hira by the Colonization Socie- ties of Pennsylvania and New York. He remained in Africa about one year, " filling the station of governor with ability and Visefulness, and to the satisfaction of the societies." There his ■wife died of African fever, and he barely escaped death from the same diseSjSe. After his return he was employed for a while in the Methodist Book Concern, and some time on his farm in Bloomfieid, N. J. He was married, in 1839, to Miss Mary C. Beach, of Newark, N. J. • While serving as chaplain in the " Retreat," he discharged his duties well, and "was held in the highest esteem by the officers and managers of that institution." He resigned the chaplaincy on account of feeble health, and retired to a quiet and comfortable home in Tarrytown, N. Y., where he spent the remnant of his days. Bishop Janes says : Perhaps none of the positions he had filled in his active ministiy was more difficult than this retired one ; * * * but he pleasantly moved in this circum- scribed sphere, ornamenting the church, and honoring his profession to the last. He preached the Sabbath but one before his departure, from the text, "And there shall be no more death." Though afflicted a long time with dyspepsia and clergyman's sore throat, he was prostrated only a few days. In the midst of his greatest Suffering he requested his wife to repeat the hymn commenc- ing, "Jesus, thy blood and righteousness My beauty are, my glorious dress ; " and exclaimed, " How beautiful ! " A little later he said to Mrs. Matthias, " If disembodied spirits are permitted to return to this world, I will love to be witli you." Though he talked thus of his departure, he did not seem to apprehend that it was so very near. He wound up his watch as usual, and within half an hour he slept in Jesus, on the 2Sth of September, 1861, aged sixty-five years. The funeral services were conducted by Record of Ministers. 321 the Revs. C. K. True and G. W. Woodruff, and the remains were interred in the Sleepy Hollow cemetery, in Tarrytown, by the side of his friend, Stephen Martindale. A head-stone desig- nates his grave. His brethren, at the ensuing session of the conference, put on record an appreciative testimony, in which they say: In all his work he was punctual and patient, firm and affectionate, spar- ing no labor or sacrifice to promote the cause of God and the comfort of his brethren. As a presiding elder he was much beloved. " He was a high-minded, intelligent, and honorable man," of refined taste, delicate feelings, with dignified and affable manners. He was faithful as a. pastor, and particularly devoted to the interests of the Sabbath- scliool. He was often truly eloquent in preaching, and exceedingly happy in his illustrations.* Fitch Reed, who was ordained deacon by Bishop Roberts at the same time with Matthias, his conference classmate, says of him : John J. Matthias was a buoyant and cheerful companion, and for his earnestness and fidelity, as a preacher and pastor, stood high in the favor and praise of all the churches.^ He was a model of devotion and consistency in his domestic and private life. Besides attending strictly to family worship, it was his life-long custom to retire morning, noon, and at evening twilight for secret communion with God. A brief extract from one of his sermons may serve as an ex- ample of his style. His text was the language of Paul, " I have fought a good fight," etc.: We behold him, as it were, standing on an eminence, with both worlds in view. On the one hand he looks down the line of his past history, and finds dotted thickly on the record, shipwrecks, encounters with beasts at Ephesus, stoning, scourging, hunger, and nakedness ; the contempt and ignominy of the world, the multiplied care of churches, and, in fine, all sorts of privations, hardships, and frequent deaths. On the other, he beholds the blissful plains of Paradise, the river of God, the New Jerusalem with its streets of gold and gates of pearl ; thrones, dominions, principalities ; a crown jeweled witli works of faith, purified and fitted by the hand of Christ. This in reserve for him ! O, the rapture of that view ! * * Minutes of Conferences, 1862, p. 80. * Reminiscences, in the Northern Chiistian Advocate, 1864. ' Memorial sermon, at the funeral of Stephen Martindale ; published in The Methodist, May 11, 1861. 322 Old Sands Street Church. His wife, Charlotte, shared the toils and pleasures of his itinerant life until suddenly cut down by death, soon after their arrival in Africa. She is buried by the side of Cox and the other missionaries. The widow, Mary C. Matthias, and her only son, (who bears his father's name,) are journeying homeward, where a happy reunion awaits them at the close of their pilgrimage. Mrs. Matthias resides in Newark, N. J. John J. Matthias re- sides at New Haven, Conn.; is a member of the First Method- ist Episcopal Church there, one of its trustees, and superin- tendent of its Sunday-school. He is the author of a service of song, entitled "Saint Paul; " also, of a volume, entitled "An Experiment in Church Music." LXIV. OHN and Patty Pease, the parents of the Rev. Hart Foster Pease, were members of a Congregational church, and showed their pious care for their son by dedicating him to God while an infant in holy baptism. He was born in Ashfield, Franklin County, Mass., on the 27th of December, 181 1. In the same month that he was eighteen years of age, he gave his heart to God. In 1830, while pursuing his occupation as merchant in the city of Rochester, N. Y., he was there received into the Methodist Episcopal Church by the Rev. Gleason Filmore. He prepared for college at Wilbraham, and entered Wes- leyan University in 1833, but left during his Freshman year. His first license to exhort he received while he was a student at Wilbraham Academy in 1832. It was signed by Orange Scott, presiding elder. The following year, while teaching school in Cheshire, Conn., he received a local preacher's li- cense, bearing the signature of the presiding elder, Stephen Martindale. These names and dates remind us that Mr. Pease was connected in his earlier Christian life with a gen- eration whose foremost men have nearly all passed away; yet we have never thought of our brother as having attained to old age. He seems like a veteran in labors rather than in years. PASTORAL APPOINTMENTS: 1834, (New York Conf.,) Fair Ha- ven, Conn.; 1835, Cheshire; 1836, ordained deacon by Bp. Hedding; 1836- 1837, Fair Haven; 1838, ordained elder by Bishop Andrew; 1838-1839, Guil- ford; 1840-1841, Sharon; 1842-1843, Poughkeepsie, N. Y., 2nd cli. ; 1844-1845, Brooklyn, Sands-street, with J. C. Tackaberry, sup'y; 1846-1847, New Ro- chelb dr., with R. C. Putney; 1848-1849, (N.'Y. E. Conf.,) Stamford, Ct.; 1850- 1851, New York, Second-street; 1352-1853, New York, Willett-st.; 1854, Essex, Ct.; 1855, Essex and Deep River; 1^56-1857, Redding; 1858-1859, Norwalk, ist 324 Old Sands Street Church. Ch.; 1860-1861, Bethel; 1862, sup'y, at Bethel ; 1S63, Williamsburgh, N.Y., North Fifth-street ; 1864-1866, presiding elder, L. I. North Dist.; 1867-1870, presiding elder, New York Dist.; 1871, presiding elder, L. I. North Dist.; 1872, Brooklyn, Broadway Mission ; 1873-1878, sup'y ; 1878-1880, Berlin, Conn.; 1881-1884, superannuated. The author has often heard old people in Meriden speak of their pleasant recollections of Mr. Pease, the youthful teacher and exhorter who was with them fifty years ago. He suc- ceeded Leonard M. Vincent in Sands-street, soon after the first brick church was built. The older people of the church remember vividly his ministry among them. They speak of his sermons in that day as always interesting, remarkable for pith and point. He was granted a supernumerary relation in 1862, in order that he might remain a third year at Bethel, Conn., to com- plete the building of a church there. When Mr. Pease was presiding elder, the author took great pleasure in greeting him on his quarterly visits to his charge, always enjoyed his sermons exceedingly, and found him a warm and true friend, in whom he could safely confide. The New York East Conference elected him a delegate to the General Conference in 1868, and a reserve delegate in 1872. Mr. Pease was married by the Rev. Stephen Martindale to Miss Louisa L. Ives, of Meriden, Conn., April 3, 1836. Of their seven children, Mary L. and Rowena C. are deceased. The latter was converted at the age of ten, lived a " singularly pure and consistent Christian life of thirty-two years, and died a most happy and triumphant death " in Hartford, Conn., July 19, 1882. She was the wife of Gen. Wm. R. Pease, U. S. A.' The other children 3.xe. Maronette A., Frances J., Emma L., and Hart E. ' Obituary notice in The Christian Advocate. REV. JOHN B. MERWIN, D. D. LXV. JOHN B. MERWIN. HE Rev. John Bocking Merwin, D.D., is the only- one among the pastors of the Sands-street church whose father was pastor there before him.' John was two years old when his father, Samuel Merwin, be- gan to hold forth the word of life in the "old white church." When Dr. Nathan Bangs was re-appointed to Sands-street in 1847, he was not in good health, and the as- sociate preacher had practically full charge of the station; indeed, some pleasantly said that he had a double charge — that of Dr. Bangs and the church. Mr. Merwin was then in his youthful prime, about thirty-five years of age. His con- tinuance in Poughkeepsie for a fourth year was desired, and it was arranged that he should remain supernumerary and be returned, but for the sake of Dr. Bangs this plan was changed at conference, and Mr. Merwin was appointed to Brooklyn with him. John B. Merwin was born in Albany, N. Y., May 14, 181 1. He gave his heart to God at a very early age, and was re- ceived into the old Light-street Methodist Episcopal church in Baltimore in September, 1824, by his father who was pas- tor there at that time. He graduated at Augusta College, Kentucky, in 1832, com- pleting the course in three years. Martin Ruter was pres- ident, Henry B. Bascom was professor of moral science, and J. P. Durbin, professor of languages when young Merwin entered that institution. He accompanied Dr. Durbin on his return from a visit to New York, and ' See Sketch of the Rev. Samuel Merwin in this book. 326 Old Sands Street Church. was a member of his family. He preached his first sermon at a watch-meeting on the last night in 1832, and was soon after licensed as a local preacher and recommended to the New York Annual Conference by the quarterly conference of Brooklyn. The following is his MINISTERIAL RECORD : 1833, (New York Conf.;) White Plains dr., N. Y., witli R. Seney ; 1834-1S35, Smithtown cir., L. I., with W. K. Stopford ; 1835, ordained deacon ; 1836, agent for Plattel*VV' -^ n'-^V'' REV. JOHN W. BOND WOOD. Record of Ministers. 329 the night by a terrific gale and seemed destined to be driven on the shoals and wrecked. The thought came to him, "I shall not be lost ; for am I not appointed to preach the Gospel ?" Kneeling down he solemnly vowed that his heart and service from that moment should be given to God. Instantly his fear was gone, and he exclaimed, " Lord, give me the assurance of the acceptance of my vow by breaking the gale at midnight." Upon this he fell into a sound sleep. At twelve o'clock he was startled by the midnight call for the watch below. The gale was broken. A voice within said, " Remember your vow," and he cried, " My Lord, I will." When he reached Baltimore and stood upon the shore the same voice was repeated and the same answer given. It was Sunday evening. His friends had gone to church, a mile distant, and he followed them, still hearing the divine voice, " Remember your vow," and answering anon, " My Lord, I will." The next morning he followed the advice of Mrs. Bond, his aunt — his best Christian counselor, then living — took one of the farm horses, and went to camp-meeting and there found joy and peace in Christ. This was in the year 1831, when he was twenty seven years of age. MINISTERIAL RECORD: 1831, supply on Jay dr., N. Y., with Orris Pier; 1832, (Troy Conf.,) Chazy and Champlain cir,, N. Y., witli E. Goss and M. H. Stewart ; 1833, Peru cir., with D. Stevens ; 1834, ordained deacon, — Grand Isle cir., Vt.; 1835, Granville and Hebron cir., with O. E. Spicer; 1836, oi'dained elder,— Fort Ann cir., N. Y., with J. B. Houghtaling, H. W. Steward, and D. Brayton, sup'y ; 1837, ditto, with J. B. Houghtaling, and , supply ; 1838, East Whitehall and Whitehall Mission, with J. Squire ; 1839-1840, sup'd ; 1841, located ; 1842, (Troy Conf.,) Stowe cir., Vt., with S. Hewes ; 1843-1844, (New York Conf.,) Tarryrown, N. Y.; 1845- 1846, Matteawan ; 1847, Flushing, L. I.; 1848-1849, New York, Forsyth- street ; 1850-1851, Brooklyn, Sands-street ; 1852-1853, Rockaway cir., L. I.; 1854, Williamsburgh ; 1855-1856, Brooklyn, Carlton ave.; 1857- 1858, Sag Harbor ; 1859, Westchester and West Farms, with D. DeVinne, sup'y.; 1B60, (New York Conf.,) Rondout ; 1861, Coxsackie and Baltimore Corners, with G. C. Esray ; 1862-1863, Tarrytown ; 1864-1866, Hancock ; 1867-1868, Goshen ; 1869-1870, Monroe ; ,1870-1872, Highland Mills ; 1873- 1875, West Point ; 1876, chaplain Sing Sing prison ; 1877-1883, sup'y ; 1B84, superannuated. On his first charge in the Adirondack Mountains his labors were greatly owned of God ; nearly two hundred souls were gathered into the fold. A revival of remarkable extent and power occurred under his labors on the Hancock circuit. Tarrytown and other places were divinely blessed through his 33° Old Sands Street Church. ministry. In Sag Harbor the writer found excellent results of his faithful labors there, after he had been gone from that charge ten years. He was married in 1834 to Miss Juliet C. Ketchum, daughter of Benjamin Ketchum, of Plattsburgh, N. Y., whose death — the greatest affliction he was ever called to endure — occurred while he was among the Sands-street people. He was greatly com- forted by their friendly sympathy. Mr. Wood is a man of marked individuality. He seems to have been fitted by nature and by his long experience as a sailor to gain ready access to rough, godless men, and few min- isters are able to exert so strong an influence over that class of persons. He was doing excellent work among the convicts of the Sing Sing prison, when, through political influence, he was suddenly removed. He is genial, exceedingly frank, and some- times droll in his utterances. One of the oldest preachers in the New York Conference, he appears to be enjoying pleasantly the evening time of life. Juliet Capulet Ketchum was married to J. W. B. Wood at the age of nineteen years. She died of consumption, in the parsonage of the Sands-street church, in 1852, after suffering six years. Living and dying she was the Lord's. Of their seven children only four survive. Jennie, the eldest, has been her father's housekeeper many years. At her mother's death she took charge of three younger children, though but a child herself. John Wesley Bond, Jr., has resided for some years in Montana. Juliet C. (named for her mother) is the widow of the late James Bishop, of New Brunswick, N. J. Emma married Henry Malcomson, an English gentleman, a merchant, and resides in New York city. REV. HENRY J. FOX, D. D. LXVII. HENRY J. FOX. NUMBER of the learned and eloquent pastors of Sands-street church are distinctively recognized as "self-made naen." Among these the Rev. Henry John Fox, D. D. should be prominently named. He was born — the second of a family of nine children — in the parish of Sculcoates, Kingston-upon-Hull, England, May 13, 182 1. His parents, Thomas and Sarah (Clarke) Fox, were devoted members of the Wesleyan Connection. The former lived to be ninety-one years of age. He is buried in Columbia, S. C, where he died in 1877. The latter died and was buried in Ashland, Greene Co., N. Y., in December, 1858. Henry J. Fox, when a lad, attended a private academy in his native town, conducted by Thomas Ager, Esq. He was powerfully awakened under the preaching of Rev. Robert Atkin, a distinguished minister of the Established Church, but on entering upon a Christian life, he chose to connect himself with a small sect of Methodists, of which Dr. Warren was the most prominent founder. His class leader'was Geo. Cookman, Esq, mayor of the town, a local preacher, and fa- ther of the distinguished Methodist orator, the Rev. George G. Cookman, who was- lost in the ill-fated steamer Presi- dent, in 1 84 1. In a short time he left this small seceding body, and united with the Wesleyans. Being placed on the "plan" as a local preacher at nineteen years of age, he preached his first ser- mon Nov. 15, 1840, at Analby, an appointment on the Hull circuit. Four years later he left England intending to go to Cana- da, but was detained in New York by the Rev. George Taylor, afterward one of his successors in the Sands-street 33^ Old Sands Street Church. I invited him to spend the Sabbath with me at Harlem, and preach for me. He consented, and his preaching was so simple, so earnest, and so profitable to my people, that we felt he ought to give himself wholly to the ministry.' Mr. Taylor introduced him to the Rev. Samuel D. Ferguson, who persuaded him to go to Durham, Greene County, N. Y., where he was employed for some time as a pastor, the preacher in charge being sick. Thus, providentially and unexpectedly, he entered upon his public ministry, and his services thence- forward are briefly epitomized in the following list of APPOINTMENTS : 1844, Durham cir., N. Y., a supply, with J. D. Bouton and William C. Smith ; 1845, Prattsville cir., supply, with William Bloomer and Wni. C. Smith ; 1846-1847, (New York Conf.,) Newfield and Plymouth, Conn ; 1848, (New York East Conf,) ordained deacon ; 1848-1849, Farmington ; 1850, ordained elder, — Hartford ; 1851, Hartford, Second ch.; 1852-1853, Brooklyn, Sands-street ; 1854-1855. Williamsburgh, South Fifth-street; 1856, Hempstead, L. I.; 1857-1860, President Ashland Colle- giate Institute ; i860, (New York Conf.;) 1861-1862, New York, Forty-lhird- street ; 1863-1865, New York, Central ch. ; 1866-1868, Carmel and Drew- ville ; 1869-1871, (South Carolina Conf.,) Ore, S. C, with W. H. Scott ; 1872-1873, Charleston, with S. Weston ; 1873-1876, Prof, of English Litera- ture and Rhetoric in the University of South Carolina; {877-1878, (New England Conf.,) Hyd^ Park, Mass.; 1878-1881, East Saugus ; 1882-1883, Wilbraham ; 1884, North Andover. Beginning his ministry with comparatively limited literary attainments, Mr. Fox commenced and kept up a. rigid course of study. He found time on his six-weeks' circuits, with twenty-two appointments, to make rapid and thorough advance- ment in literature and science. He was honored with the de- gree of M.A. by the Wesleyan University in 1857, and nine years later he was made a Doctor in Divinity by Union College. About the same time he was elected se<;retary of the New York Educational Society. In 1863, in company with Dr. (now Bishop) Foster and the Rev. W. F. Watkins, he spent two weeks in the service of the Christian Commission on the battle-field of Gettysburgh. As a delegate from the American Branch of the Evangelical Alliance he attended a meeting of the World's Alliance, in Amsterdam, in 1867. He was exposed to great danger during the first years of his residence in the South, and experienced no small amount of Record of Ministers. 333 suffering and pecuniary loss by the persecutions of the Ku-klux Klan. His name appears in the Minutes as secretary of the South Carolina Conference., The charge to which he was ap- pointed in Charleston was a large church in Wentworth-street. The Legislature gave him his position in the university, and he held it until the institution was closed. Dr. Fox has achieved a good reputation as a lecturer. As a writer he is well known by his numerous contributions to The Christian Advocate and Zion's Herald. Articles from his pen on the Negro, Plagiarism, and Shakespeare, in the Methodist Quarterly Review, do credit to his ability. His chief works are a " Quadrennial Register of the M. E. Church," of which 10,000 copies were sold, " The Land of Hope," " The History of our Mission in Cape Palmas," "The Student's Commonplace Book," and " The Student's Shakespeare." His success as a man of letters is believed to be more than equaled by his usefulness as a preacher -and pastor. Very large accessions to the church were the result of his ministry in Hartford, Sands-street church, Brooklyn, and Forty-third-st., New York. Among those received by him into the Sands-street church' were Richard Vanderveer, Mrs. Richards, (afterward the famous Mrs. Tilton,) also an old man, Joseph Riley, who had sat under the preaching of John Wesley. Dr. Fox was married to Miss Clarinda S. White, in Ash- land, Greene County, N. Y. Of their nine children five are living at this date, (1883.) Belle Amelia ^2a born in the par- sonage of the Sands-street church. Gilbert D., the eldest son, has been for seven years secretary to one of the committees of the United States Senate. He is a steward of the Metropoli- tan M. E. church, in Washington, D. C, and a worker in the Sunday-school of that church. Henry A., a graduate of the South Carolina State University, an attorney-at-law, was in- stantly killed by a collision on the Charleston and Savannah railroad. Clarence W. is engaged in business in the city of Boston. Irving P. was graduated at the Boston University in 1883, and is now connected with the Boston Courier. LXVIII. LEVI S. WEED. HE name of the Rev. Levi Stevens Weed, D. D., is a household word among all the members and friends of old Sands-street church. This excel- lent minister was born in Darien, Conn., May 29, 1824. His parents moving to Williamsburgh (now Brooklyn, E. D.,) and thence to New York, much of his early life was spent in those two cities. At that time neither his father nor moth- er professed religion, but his mother was "a truly exemplary woman," and later in life became a faithful member of the church. In 1843 the family were living in Durham, Greene coun- ty, N. Y. Meetings were held under the direction of the Rev. Reuben Bloomer; and our friend, then nineteen years old, with several others gave his heart to the Lord. It is said that before the extra meetings closed, he and another of the converts, A. H. Mead, were out on the circuit, filling the pastor's appointments.' An exhorter's license was given him about this time, and he began a course of theological studies under the direction of the Rev. S. S. Strong. In 1844 he entered upon the work of preparing for college in the Delaware Literary Institute, in Franklin, N. Y. While there he was licensed as a local preacher. By close application to study his health was somewhat impaired, and his earnest de- sire for a college training was overborne by the urgent pro- test of the older ministers. He says: "They told me it was a wicked waste of time while souls were perishing. I yield- ed; but it has been the regret of my life." "Yet we doubt," says his conference memorial, "if his cherished desire real- ized, would have added to the luster of his long and pros- perous ministry." PASTORAL RECORD: 1845, supply, Catskill dr., N. Y., with E. S. ' This statement was made to the author by the Rev. E. S. Hebberd. REV. LEVI S. WEED, D.D. Record of Ministers. 335 Hebljerd ; 1846, supply, Pvattsville cir., .with Wm. Bloomer and W. C. Smith ; 1847, supply, Franklin cir., with Addi Lee ; 1848-1849, (New York East Conf.,) Southampton, L. I.; 1850, ordained deacon, — Orient ; 1851, Southport, Conn.; 1852, ordained elder; 1852-1853, Colebrook River; 1854-1855, Brooklyn, Sands-street, with M. B. Bull, sup'y ; 1856-1857, Hartford, Conn.; 1858-1859, New Haven, First ch.; 1860-1861, Stamford, Conn.; 1862- 1863, Brooklyn, Sands-street; 1764-1865, Brooklyn, Summerfield ch.; 1866-1868, New York, Allen-street ; 1869, Mamaroneck ; 1870-1872, New York, John-street; 1873-1874, Brooklyn, Carroll Park; 1875-1877, New Haven, First ch.; 1878-1879, Harlem, liSth-street ; 1880, New York, John- street ; 1881-1882, Brooklyn, New York Avenue. Before coming to Sands-street, as the record shows, he had been assigned to small country appointments. While assisting the pastor, Henry J. Fox, in a series of, extra meetings, he manifested so much ability and piety that the brethren of this church expressed a strong desire that he might become their next pastor, and he was appointed in accordance with their wishes. Thenceforward he was always stationed in the most prominent appointments in the conference. Three of these — Sands-street, First Church, New Haven, and old John-street, New York — he served a second term. In 1849 he was married to Miss Julia M. Stephenson, daugh- ter of P. Stephenson, of Coxsackie, N. Y., who after twenty months was called to her reward, fwo years later he married a younger sister of the deceased wife. Miss Cornelia A. Ste- phenson. His little girl, an only daughter, aged about four years, died in 1855 ; and in 1880 his wife, who had been the light of his home for nearly thirty years, was taken from him. While the shadow of this last great affliction was upon him he remarked to some of His relatives, " I take up my work as if nothing had happened; yet," said he, with a sigh and a tear, " every moment of my life I know that something has hap- pened." Thus thoroughly was he prepared to sympathize with the sorrowful. Mr. Weed was remarkably genial and kind toward his minis- terial brethren, and they took pleasure in his promotion. He united with the New York East Conference at the beginning of its history, and wrought nobly within its bounds to the last, without a break or a transfer. By appointment he preached the missionary sermon before the conference in 1865, which was delivered with rare eloquence and power. The following 33^ Old Sands Street ChtDch. As I look upon the not-distant future I see devout disciples from our hum- ble mission in Foochow threading eveiy province of the " Flowery Kingdom,'' and preaching Christ to the millions of the capital of China itself. I hear the words of truth sounding out from Bulgaria, and waking to a new life all of Russia from the wilds of Siberia to the palace of the czars. From altars and temples which Christian efforts have planted in the very heart of the domain of the " man of sin " himself I hear the sweet music of the untrammeled gospel as it swells from the classic banks of the " Yellow Tiber " through all the Alps made sacred by martyr blood. From the chapels of an unpretending worship which the gifts and prayers of the good are even now planting on the very soil, and in the metropolitan city where the Huguenots were slain, the notes of gospel grace go out over all France, and, touch, with strange and solemn power, the land of sorrow and of song. From Bremen and Copenhagen, and other centers of Christian life which mission efforts are now creating, I hear strains sublime borne on every breeze over Germanic States, ^hile Scandinavia's old heroic heights send back their responses to the now-united song that sweeps from gulf to sea over all our new and grander realm. * * * I would have every one feel that this is a privileged time in which we live, and while continents are trembling to the tread of coming and great events, and clouds of distress and the storm of battle are sweeping the nations as the thunder-gusts do, only to usher in the sweet serene of a blessed millennial day, I long to have every Christian and eveiy Christian minister rise in thought and noble living to the real grandeur of his blessed privilege of be- ing a co-worker with God in bringing the whole race into loving allegiance to our Lord Jesus Christ. He was one of the chief speakers at the great centenary celebration — a union meeting of the tvco New York Confer- ences in 1866 — and his address on that occasion has been rarely equaled in breadth and beauty and power. In 1872 the Indiana Asbury University conferred upon him the degree of Doctor in Divinity. He represented his annual conference in the General Conference *of 1880. At the time of his death he was chairman of the New York Preachers' Meeting and a member of the Board of Managers of the Mis- sionary Society. On Monday, June 12, 1883, he inquired at the office of The Christian Advocate concerning Bishop Foss, who was then in a critical condition. He proceeded to the preachers' meeting, where he presided as usual. In the afternoon he assisted in laying the corner-stone of the Methodist Episcopal church in Harlem, where he had been pastor a few years before. On the morning of Wednesday, the 14th, he left his home, in Brooklyn, apparently in good health, and, hurrying to overtake his friend Record of Ministers. 337 on Fleet-street. Leaning against an ice-box, he said, I am faint." He settled down upon the floor, and instantly " as 110- ble a heart ceased to beat as ever dwelt in house of clay." At his funeral, in the New York Avenue church, Brooklyn, the house was densely packed, and many persons could not ob- tain standing room. The ministers who took part in the serv- ices were Drs. Kettell, Curry, Goodsell, Sanford, Merwin, and Pullman, and the Revs. G. Hollis, T. H. Burch, and W. T. Hill. Dr. Weed was a man of striking appearance, a little above the average height, with broad, square shoulders and erect car- riage. His head was of good size, but his features were unusu- ally small and delicate, and it was sometimes a matter of re- mark that a man with so small a mouth could be so fine an orator. His eyes were gray and of a clear expression, his hair black and glossy, and his smoothly shaven face gave him the appearance of a Roman Catholic priest, for which, it is said, he was sometimes taken. Dr. Buckley, in The Christian Advocate, wrote thus concerning him : He was always a gentleman and absorbed in the work of the ministry, at- taining more uniform success than is common to ministers who malce frequent changes. As a pastor he had no superior. The writer twice followed him, first at the Suramerfield church, in the city of Brooklyn, and then in Stamford, Conn. No neglect of duty, in a single instance, was alleged against him, and the personal hold that he had upon many individuals and families, and the use which he made of it, evinced the qualities which make the efficient pas- tor * 'I' T" Conscientious fidelity marked his whole career, conscious painstaking devotion to all things, small and great. This, when applied to the improve- ment of his powers as a public speaker, showed itself sometimes in a painful attention to details of pronunciation. His public efforts, liowever, were al- ways interesting to the great mass of his hearers. It was possible for him to surprise even his best friends by an occasional effort of rare excellence. * * * He was a special friend of John B. Gough, the temperance orator, who had a high opinion of his powers as a speaker, and of the late Dr. Woodruff, who requested him on his death-bed to prepare the memorial of his life for this paper. His sermons were thoughtfully preparedand usually written, but he used only brief notes in the pulpit, and preached with the ease and animation which belong more particularly to ex- temporaneous address. His voice was strong and penetrating, not especially musical, but resounded like a trumpet, and 338 Old Sands Street Church. truths of the gospel to the hearts of men. One of his brethren writes from an intimate acquaintance with his habits as a preacher : His subjects, usually practical, were selected and treated with an obvious aim to be useful. Tenaciously holding the grand verities of the evangelical system, he assumed them as settled points in all his pulpit work, seldom or never opening them for an analysis or debate. A worker, even more than a thinker, regarding truth rather with a view to immediate practical uses, he was never trammeled with doubts, but aimed, by a natural logic, to work such truths into the convictions of his hearers, and by fervid natural eloquence to impress them upon their hearts.'' His great heart was always young, and earnestly enlisted in the Sunday-school work. He never lost his interest in the Sands-street Sabbath-school, and he was often seen and heard at -its anniversary gatherings. His attachment to the Sands- street church was only equaled by his devotion to the old John-street church. No man in later years did more than he to promote the honor and usefulness of that venerable home of Methodism in New York. His virtues are appropriately com- memorated by a marble tablet on the walls of the old church. Julia M., his first wife, experiejiced the pardoning love of God in her sixteenth year. She died during the second year of her married life, June 21, 1851, leaving a helpless babe ; but " every object and interest this side of the grave was commit- ted to the care of God. She requested that her husband might admit to her room all the neighbors and friends, that they might see how a Christian could die."° His second wife, Cornelia Augusta, after six years of in- tense suffering from cancer, closed, in Christian triumph, a pure and exemplary life, December 17, 1880. Both wives, with the husband, sleep in the Greenwood cemetery. Two sons by the second marriage are the only surviving members of the family. » Rev. T. H. Burch, in The Methodist. 'A. H. Mead, in The Christian Advocate. f^ fc^e^^ REV. BUEL GOODSELL. LXIX. BUEL GOODSELL. ONG Island was detached from the old New York District in 1840, and thenceforward till 1864, the Long Island District, including the entire is- land, was a presiding elder's charge. To this field the Rev. BuEL GooDSELL was appointed in 1855, and during his term of four years the number of pastoral appointments increased from 48 to 58, and the number of members and probationers from 8,384 to 11,380. The pastors of Sands-street church during this time were Levi S. "Weed, John Miley and John B. Hagany. Mitchell B. Bull was supernumerary pastor with Weed and Miley, and Wilbur F. Watkins was preacher in charge for a short time as a supply. It is a matter of regret that so few of the facts of Mr. Goodsell's history are now within our reach. He was born July 25, 1793, in the town of Dover, Dutchess County, N. Y. When about sixteen years of age he professed conversion and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in Dover. Zenas Covel, the elder John Crawford, and Smith Arnold were the preachers on the Dutchess circuit that year. Five years lat- er, when not quite twenty-one years of age, he joined the New York Conference with Charles W. Carpenter, Wm. M. Stillwell, and seven other young men. CONFERENCE RECORD: 1814, (New York Conf.,) Granville dr., Conn, and Mass., with C. Culver; 1815, Stowe dr., Vt., with G. Lyon; 1816, ordained deacon', — Hattsburgh dr., N. Y. with E. Barnett and J. M'Daniel: 1817, Middlebury, Vt.; 181S, ordained elder, — St. Albans, with J. B. Stratton; 1819, ditto, with J. Covel, Jr.; 1820-1821,. Chazy, N. Y.; 1822, Charlotte dr., Vt., with L. Baldwin; 1823-1826, presiding elder, Champlain Dist.; 1827, Pittstown' dr., N. Y., with C. Prindle and M. Bates; 1828-1829, Schenectady; 1830, New York city cir., with S. Luckey, S. Merwin, L. Pease, S. Martin- dale, H. Bangs, and S. D. Ferguson; 1831. ditto, with S. Merwin, L. Pease, S. Martindale, S. Landou, J. Clark, B. Sillick, and C. Prindle; 1832-1833, (Troy Conf.,) Troy; 1834-1837, presiding elder, Troy Dist.; 1838-1839, (New York Conf.,) New York, John-street; 1840-1841, North Newburgh ' Erroneously printed "Fitchtown," in the conference memorial. 34° Old Sands Street Church. 1842-1843, White Plains; 1844-1845, Brooklyn, York-street; 1846-1847, New York, Willett-street ; I848-1849, (New York East Conf.,) Norwalk, Conn. ; 1850-1851, Hempstead, L. I., N. Y.; 1852-1853, New Rochelle ; 1854, Brooklyn, Franklin ave.; 1855-1858, presiding elder, Long Island Dist.; 1859-1860, Greenpoint ; 1861-1862, Far Rockaway and Foster's Meadow ; 1863, East Chester and City Island. His prominence among the preachers is indicated by the high grade of his appointments, and by his election as General Con- ference delegate in 1828, 1832, and 1836. After he had traveled as a conference preacher about seven years, he was married to Miss Eunice Williams. At thirty years of age he was appointed to preside over a district em- bracing both sides of Lake Champlain, extending eastward to the Green Mountains, and manned by some of the strong men of the conference, such as John J. Matthias, James Covel, Jr., Noah Levings, and Seymour Landon. While on this Champlain District he was sorely bereaved by the death of his wife and infant child. He was married on i8th of April, 1827, to Miss Adeline Ferris, of Peru, N. Y. The Carlton avenue (now Simpson) church, of Brooklyn, was organized by him in the summer of 1844 ; and, on Sunday, July 13, 1845, he dedicated the first chapel erected by that society. His conference memorial gives the following account of his death : He went to his appointment, [East Chester,] the next Sabbath after re- ceiving it, and preached with great power, greatly exciting the hopes and strengthening the faith of the brethren. He returned [to Long Island] the next day (Monday) for his family and effects. The latter part of the same week he set out with his wife and daughter in his own carriage for their new home, was arrested by disease on the way, called on his friend, Dr. Van Ness, [once a member of Sands-street church,] in Brooklyn, where he received all the attention that affection and medical skill could suggest, and after lingering about a fortnight, amid alternate hopes and fears for the results, he died in great peace and holy triumph on the 4th of May, [1863, almost seventy years of age. ]" He is buried in Cypress Hills cemetery. His record in the church is that of " a laborious, faithful, and successful servant of the Lord Jesus Christ,'' a scholar of respectable attainments, and a preacher of marked ability, more thoughtful and pro- found than his memoir in the Conference Minutes would imply, and at the same time often producing a marvelous emotional ' '^ Minutes of Conferences, 1864, p. 89. Record of Ministers. 341 effect upon his hearers. He did the work of an evangelist, and made full proof of his ministry, and many are the stars in his crown. Eunice Williams, the first wife of Buel Goodsell, was born December 4, 1797. She was left fatherless at ten years of age. At nineteen she sought the Lord at a camp-meeting near her home, and five years later she was married to Mr. Goodsell. She departed this life on i6th of March, 1826, aged twenty- nine years. A circumstantial account of her farewell to earth was written by her husband and published as a magazine article.' It is a most affecting story of resignation and faith and triumph in the last hours of life. After comforting her weeping husband, she called her eldest daughter to her bedside, and imparted to the child a dying mother's blessing. Then followed most impressive appeals to others : She said : " I shall soon begone, I must improve the moments that re.'nain.'' She began by addressing herself to her mother, saying, " Mother, I expect to meet you in heaven ; pa, too. Tell my sisters and brothers I expect to meet them in glory. Tell the rest of the family they liave a heaven to gain and a hell to shun." After this she addressed an exhortation to every one present ; and O ! with what words of fire and feeling did she exhort some of her uncon- verted acquaintances to seek religion and prepare for death, * * * adding,"! sliall soon be with holy angels, with the great and good God, with the holy and blessed Redeemer ! Come, Lord Jesus ! come quickly ! Glory ! gloiy ! glory ! " Besides the infant, deceased, there are two daughters by the first marriage, Lucy Elliott, who married Jordan Searing, of Brooklyn, and Elizabeth Williams, who married James H. Chip- man, of Albany. Mr. Goodsell's second wife, the faithful partner of his minis- try for thirty-five years, is now in the twerity-second year of her widowhood. She bore him seven children, the eldest of whom, Charles Buel, was graduated from the University of the City of New York, studied medicine, enlisted in the volunteer army, was wounded, and at the time of his death, in 1867, in his thirty- eighth year, was principal of a school in Yonkers, N. Y. The second son, Henry, died in infancy. Julia Adeline married Dr. Geo. A. Dewey, of Brooklyn, N. Y. The Rev. George Henry Goodsell 3inA the Rev. Daniel Ayers Goodsell, D.D., are useful and honored members of the New York East Conference. Mary C. married Thomas R. Ball, of Brooklyn, N. Y. * Methodist Magazine, 1826, p 293. LXX. OHN and Anna (Miller) Miley, the parents of the Rev. John Miley, D. D., LL. D., were natives of Pennsylvania. Theil" ancestry was German. They were highly respectable people and Methodistic in their creed. In the year 1810 they emigrated from their home near Brownsville, Pa., and settled in Butler County, a little way east of Hamilton, in the state of Ohio. There John Mi- ley was born and reared on his father's farm. His father died when he was twelve years of age, and his mother when he was eighteen. He is now the only surviver of the family of five sons and two daughters. When a boy he manifested an unusual taste for reading and study, and was sent to such schools as the neighborhood furnished, and later to a good school in Hamilton. At length he entered Augusta College, Kentucky, where Drs.. fomlin- son, Bascom, M'Cown, and Trimble were professors, and where he was graduated in 1838. One other Sands-street pastor, J. B. Merwin, was graduated at the same college six years earlier, and one of the same professors, H. B. Bascom, was a member of the faculty in Merwin's time. Dr. Miley was converted in Hamilton, Ohio, in his fif- teenth year, under the ministry of the late Rev. John. A. Baughman. The church was in an active state at the time, but there was no special revival. Young Miley improved his gifts in the meetings, and was licensed to exhort in 1833, and to preach in 1834. MINISTERIAL RECORD: 1838, (Ohio Conf.,) Batavia dr., 0., with D. Whitcomb; 1839, Cincinnati, Western charge, with W. H. Raper; 1840, ordained deacon — Hamilton and Rossville circuit; 1841, Chillicothe circuit; 1842, ordained elder — ditto, with John Barton; 1843-1844, Columbus; 1845- 1846, Zanesville, 7th-street; 1847, Cincinnati, Wesley Chapel; 1848-1849, pro- fessor of languages and mathematics in Wesleyan Female College; 1850-1851, Record of Ministers. 343 Cincinnati, Morris chapel ; 1852-1853, (New York East Conf.,) Brooklyn, Pacific-street ; 1854-1855, Williamsburgh, South Second-street ; 1856-1857, Brooklyn, Sands-street, with M. B. Bull, sup'y ; 1858-1859, Danbury, Conn. ; i860. New York, Forsyth-street; t86i, ditto, with E. L. Janes; 1862-1863, Bridgeport and Fairfield, Conn.; 1864-1865, New Rochelle, N. Y.; 1866-1868, (New York Conf.,) Newburgh; 1869-1871, Sing Sing ; 1872, Peekskill, St. Paul's ; 1873-1884, professor in Drew Theological Seminary, Madison, N. J. He was married, June 9, 1840, to Olive C. Patterson, in Ba- tavia, Ohio. His ministerial brethren elected him to the Gen- eral Conferences of 1864, 1872, and 1876. The Ohio Wesleyan University conferred upon him the degree of D.D. in 1859, and the degree of LL.D. in 1872. As preacher, pastor, and teacher. Dr. Miley has proved him- self to be a workman that needeth not to be ashamed. Re- vivals have attended his labors on several charges. He is now faithfully serving the church in one of those eminent and re- sponsible positions which only the best and ablest men can acceptably fill. Dr. Miley has written extensively for various periodicals, and is the author of two important works, which have been widely read and highly commended. The first is entitled " Class- Meetings," and the second, "The Atonement in Christ." Olive Chichester, his wife, died in Madison, N. J., August 29, 1874. " She was rich in the best womanly endowments, true and good, intelligent, bright, full of kindly sympathy, but for many years feeble in health. During her extreme suffering she exhibited, in a remarkable measure, the sweet graces of the Christian life." ' She is buried in a beautiful cemetery in Morristown, N. J. Three months previous to her death a beloved Christian daughter, a teacher in Dr. Van Norman's school in New York city, passed on to the heavenly rest. The entire list of the children is as follows: Annie Brooks, Olive Comfort, Sallie Foster, John William. ' Editorial note in The Christian Advocate. LXXI. W. F. WATKINS. s a supply for a brief season, the Rev. Wilbur Fisk Watkins; D.D.,when a very young man, was pastor of the Sands-street church. A recently-published sketch contains the following account of his birth and childhood : He first saw the light on the gth of July, 1836, in the city of Baltimore, Md. His early youth was spent in that city, where his father hoped to es- tablish him at a proper time in a mercantile life. But in his young boyhood Wilbur was noted for his religious impressionability and exemplary con- duct, and his dreams and hopes for life were quickly centered on the ministry.' After Studying at the Govanstown Academy, he entered Dickinson College when sixteen years of age ; but severe appli- cation to study undermined his health, and for this reason he left college at the close of his sophomore year, and being less than eighteen years of age, began his ministerial career as a junior supply on one of the circuits in the mountains of Penn- sylvania. He rode horseback with saddle-bags, after the fash- ion of the fathers. The biography already referred to says: This exercise in the bracing air of the mountains brought back the wasted vigor, and imparted additional strength, developing the slight youth into a sturdy and robust man. His first sermon was preached on Manor Hill, Pa., from the text, "I have fought a good fight," etc., thus beginning his procla- mation of the good news of God by anticipating the close. This brings us to his MINISTERIAL RECORD: 1854, supply in the Allegheny Mts.; 1855, (Bait. Conf.,) Manor Hill cir., Pa., 'with J. W. Haughawout ; 1856, West Harford cir., Md., with F. Macartney; 1857-1858, "located," student in Biblical Institute, Concord, N. H.; 1858, (April and May,) Brooklyn, Sands-street, supply ; 1858, (several months,) Lawrence, Mass., supply; 1859, (New York East Conf.,) Mamaroneck, N. Y. ; i860, ditto, with N. Tibbals, sup'y ; 1861, ordained deacon ; 1861-1862, New ' Hanson Place Quarterly, October, 1883. Sketch by the Rev. Charles A. Tibbals. -^^{/t^^^U^ P^i Lyi^i^-^^ REV. WILBUR F. WATKINS, D. D. Record of Ministers. 345 York, Twenty-seventh-street ; 1863-1865, Brooklyn, Washington street ; 1866- 1868, Brooklyn, Hanson Place; 1869-1870, New Haven. Conn., First ch.; 1S71, withdrew ; 1S71, ordained deacon in the Protestant Episcopal Church by Bp. Littlejohn, of Long Island, — assistant minister, St. James Church, Brooklyn, in charge of St. Barnabas Mission — later in the same year, ordained priest — rector, St. Barnabas ; 1872-1875, rector of the Church of the Epiph- any, Washington, D. C; 1876-1880, rector of Christ Church, Baltimore, Md.; 1881-1884, rector of the Church of the Holy Trinity, New York. As the " boy preaclrer " in Pennsylvania and Maryland, it is thought that "he enjoyed the sweetest^notoriety of his life; " but, being conscious of the need of a systematic theological training, he stepped aside from the conference and entered the theological school in Concord, N. H. There the author formed his acquaintance, heard him preach,' and spent many pleasant hours in his company. In the midst of his theological course Mr. Watkins visited Brooklyn, and was invited to address the Juvenile Missionary. Society of the Sands-street church on the first Sabbath in April, 1858. That was the spring of the " great revival." It hap- pened that year that the New York Conference met in May, several weeks after the session of the New York East Confer- ence. Dr. Miley, of the latter, was the retiring pastor ; Dr. Hagany, of the former, was the coming pastor. Services were held in Sands-street every night. Mr. Watkins preached sev- eral times during the week succeeding the missionary anniver- sary, and considerable interest was manifested. The pliljiit being vacant, and this young and talented minister being on the ground, the official board of Sands-street church passed very complimentary resolutions concerning Mr. Watkins, and peti- tioned the faculty at Concord to grant him leave of absence until Dr. Hagany's transfer. That petition was granted, and, by appointment of the presiding elder, Buel Goodsell, he was in charge of Sands-street church for a few weeks. He preached every night during the week and twice on Sundays, and there • were many conversions. ' His work at Sands-street led to his invitation to the church in Mamaroneck. Under his administration a new church was built at the latter place, and Methodism received a new im- pulse. While there, in i860, he was married at the age of twenty- four to Miss Esther Griffin, daughter of the late Schure- man Halstead, one of the most eminent Methodist laymen of New York. During his pastoral term in the Washington-street 346 Old Sands Street Church. church, as the successor of Dr. De Hass, that church nearly reached its zenith in respect to members and strength. In Hanson Place church he followed the Rev. George W. Wood- ruff, and his ministry was there, as elsewhere, a very marked success. He was prostrated by a severe illness while serving this church, but a three-months' stay in the West Indies re- stored his health. An Episcopalian rector, who likewise was formerly a Method- ist pastor, gives the following history of the change which took place in Mr. Watkins' church relations : From Hanson Place Mr. Watkins went, in response to a call, to the First Methodist Episcopal Church of New Haven, Conn., where he was admired and beloved as pastor and preacher, as he had been in all places where he had exercised those holy offices. But here a change was made in his views and convictions which was destined to alter his whole after-life. It was not suddenly or quickly done, but rather it was the expression of thoughts and purposes which had been growing within him for years. Although so re- markably successful in his work, and to all appearances so admirably adapted to it, Mr. Watkins had for years been feeling less and less at home in the Methodist connection. It was in New Haven that the conclusion forced itself upon him that if he were to make the change, of which he had thought so long and earnestly and prayerfully, it must be done at once, without fur- ther delay. This is not the place to enter into any discussion upon the reasons of the departure of Mr. Watkins from the Methodist communion, and his entrance into the Protestant Episcopal Church. Suffice it to say that it was upon no grounds of selfish expediency, nor because of the friction of the itinerancy, but upon conscientious grounds." In Brooklyn he took charge of a small mission ; lots were purchased, a chapel erected, and a prosperous Sunday-school and congregation gathered. As rector of the Church of the Epiphany he ministered to the largest congregation, with one exception, (Metropolitan Methodist,) in the city of Washington, and numbered among his hearers some of the first men of the nation. Here he was again prostrated, but restored by rest and a European tour. While serving Christ Church, in Baltimore, ' he received from William and Mary College in Virginia the de- gree of Doctor in Divinity. He wrote from Baltimore to the Bibliothean Fraternity— composed of his earlier friends and associates in the Biblical Institute— assembled in their triennial re-union, that he warmly cherished the old fraternal feeling, 2 The Rev. C. A. Tibbals, in " Hanson Place Quarterly," October, 1883. Record of Ministers. 347 fully believed in evangelical Christian work, Stood by Moody in the revival in Baltimore, and had established a weekly prayer- meeting in his church, largely attended by persons converted in the Moody meetings. In his present parish he is successor to the younger Dr. Tyng, and here his former popularity and usefulness are, if pos- sible, surpassed. Dr. Watkins is a fascinating speaker, engaging in his appear- ance, easy and graceful in manner, with a voice of uncommon melody, and a fluency rarely excelled. To quote Mr. Tibbals again : As a speaker, Dr. Watkins possesses natural gifts of rare excellence, which have been finely developed by cultivation. His style of composition, though in the beginning of his career florid and highly rhetorical, has become, by intellectual growth, terse and nervous to a marked degree. Full of energy, liis thoughts come forth in clear-cut sentences, and by an impressive and fascinating delivery, are impressed upon the mind, never to be forgotten. At times, carried away by the grandeur or solemnity of his theme, our preacher rises to flights of eloquence, startling in their power and beauty. And so he is said to be in the best sense the most popular preaclier in the communion of which New York can boast. His social qualities are equally delightful and engaging. His genial cordiality, united to unusual conversa- tional powers, his kindly humor, and noble genorosity, all combine to make friends for him every-where, and attach them with a genuine and lasting en- thusiasm. Dr. Watkins' fondness for and interest in young men are pro- verbial. He is always befriending, helping, and attracting to himself young men, over whom he exerts the best possible influence. His estimable wife, Esther G. (Halsteab), "entered into rest" December 16, 1884. From her father's home, which echoed with Methodist shout and song, she passed well-trained into the position of an itinerant's wife, where she was happy and useful ; yet she heartily concurred with her husband in his latter choice as to their church relations. One year ago Mr. Tibbals wrote concerning the children : The eldest, Wilbur Fisk, Jr., is a deacon in the church, and at present (1883) assisting his father. He is a young man of bright pron-.ise and of studious habits, devoted to his calling. The second son, S. Halstead, is study- ing in preparation for holy orders in the Berkeley Divinity School, at Middle- town, Conn. The third, Thomas Coke, is a young lad who looks forward to a mercantile life. The youngest are two charming girls ; the elder is just budding into sweet girlhood, and the other a child of seven years. One child, Ruth, has passed on to make heaven more attractive to this family, who enjoy in their happy life a taste of that love which is the gate to the Paradise of God. 9A LXXII. JOHN B. HAGANY. HE Rev. John Bishop Hagany, D.D., the much es- teemed pastor of the Sands-street church in 1848 and 1849, was successor to Dr. Miley. He was born in Wilmington, Del., August 26, 1808. His father was a Methodist local preacher, a devout man, and somewhat over- strict and severe in the government of his family. Becoming restless under discipline, John, at two different times, ran away from home to try the fortunes of a sailor's life. The father's prayers were answered at length, and his heart made glad by the conversion of the young man at the age of nineteen, and his entrance upon the work of a traveling preacher at the age of twenty-two. ITINERANT RECORD : 1831, (Phila. Conf.,) Talbot cir., Md., with M. Hazel and B. Andrew; 1832, Port Deposit dr., with Thos. M'CarroU ; 1833, ordained deacon, — Elkton; 1834-1835, Easton, Pa., ordained elder in 1835 ; 1836, (New Jersey Conf.,) Burlington, N.J.; 1837, (Phila. Conf.,) Philadelphia, Kensington ch.; 1838-1839, Elkton, Md.; 1840, Pottsville and Minersville, Pa.; 1841-1842, Philadelphia, St. George's, with E. Cooper, sup'y ; 1843-1844, Phila- delphia, Ebenezer; 1845-1846, Middletown, Del.; 1847-1848, Pottsville, 1st ch.. Pa.; 1849-1850; Philadelphia, Trinity; 1851-1852, (New York Conf.,) New York, Vestry-street; 1853-1854, New York, Mulberry-street; 1855-1856, Yonkers ; 1857, New York, Sullivan-sfreet; 1858-1859, (New York East Conf.,) Brooklyn, Sands-street ; 1860-1861, (New York Conf.,) New York; St. Paul's ; 1862-1863, New York, Bedford-street ; 1864-1865, New York, Thirtieth-street. His pastoral term was duplicated in Elkton, in Pottsville, and in the Mulberry-street charge, New York, after it had become St. Paul's. His stations were six years in Philadelphia and a little over nine years in New York city. He was a member of four different annual conferences. While in the Philadelphia Con- ference he was the friend and associate of George R. Crooks,Will- iara H. Gilder, John A. Roche, John S. Inskip, John Kennaday, Record of Ministers, 349 and the venerable Ezekiel Cooper ; all of whom, either before or afterward, were prominently connected with the Methodism of Brooklyn and New York. His conference memorial says : No man among us was more uniformably acceptable to the people, or re- tained to the last a more controlling power in the pulpit. * * * As a Chris- tian, he was devout without the ostentation of superior piety. * * * As a preacher. Dr. Hagany possessed the advantage of a fine physique, a voice of extraordinary compass and sweetness, and a quiet self-poise which always rendered him a most agreeable and captivating speaker. * * * His sermons were rarely thrilling, but always pleasing, and sometimes overwhelmingly emotional. * * * In thg social circle he shone the brightest ; as a companion one of the pleasantest, and as a conversationalist racy and sparkling ; yet he never forgot or forsook the dignity of the minister.' His familiar friend, the Rev. Dr. George R. Crooks, contrib- utes the following testimony : Dr. Hagany was an eloquent preacher. He had a sweet-toned voice, a calm rather than a fervent temperament, a quick, tender sympathy, by which he was readily affected himself, and could readily affect others to tears. His memory was retentive, and enabled him to command instantly all his re- sources. In the early Methodist literature and the English classics of the sev- enteenth centui-yhe was unusually well-read, and his citations from his favorite authors pleasantly spiced his conversation. Withal there was a vein of humor running through his speaking and writing which gave a flavor to both. His literary remains consist chiefly of essays contributed to religious and other pe- riodicals. One of these, on John Wesley, furnished to Harper's Magazine, is one of the most striking characterizations of the great reformer extant.' Dr. Hagany is elsewhere described as " a writer of force, exquisite polish, humor, and pathos."' While pastor in New York and Brooklyn it was his uniform habit to dine once or twice a week at the house of Fletcher Harper, and usually in company with his choice friends, Drs. Milburn, Prime, Steveas, and M'Clintock. Dr. Stevens, on meeting a daughter of Dr._ Hagany in Switzerland years after- ward* recalled those pleasant hours of conversation, assuring the lady that her father's genial and sparkling humor was the very life of those meetings. Dr. Hagany's death was sudden and unexpected. He preached to his congregation on the last Sunday in June, r865, from the text, " Let me die the death of the righteous, and let ' Minutes of Conferences, 1866, p. 73. ' M'Clintock and Strong's Cyclopedia. ' Simpson's Cyclopedia. 350 Old Sands Street Church. my last end be like his," and proposed to resume the interest- ing subject the next time he preached. In the evening he was too unwell to go into the pulpit. Three days afterward, Wed- nesday, June 28, he sat reading aloud to his wife some passages from the sermons of the Rev. Jonathan Seed, an old favorite of John Wesley, when suddenly he was seized with a spasm of pain in the heart, the book dropped from his hand, he leaned forward upon the table, and almost instantly expired. He had nearly completed his fifty-seventh year, and the thirty-fourth of his ministry. Dr. Crooks preached his funeral sermon in the Thirtieth- street Methodist Episcopal church, and his remains were carried to their resting-place in the Wilmington and Brandywine cem- etery, Wilmington, Del. His grave is marked by a white mar- ble tomb-stone on which is inscribed the text of his last discourse. His wife, Caroline S. (Ford,) was, previous to their mar- riage, a resident of Elkton, Md. She died in the month of Au- gust, 1877, aged sixty years, and is buried by the side of her husband. One of their two daughters, Mary, wife of John E. Fay,* died in the year 1876; the other, Emma, is the wife of Mr. Henry Bartlett, of Brooklyn, N. Y. * See account of the Fays in Book III. t<4«s^ REV. BERNARD H. NADAL, D. D. LXXIII. BERNARD H. NADAL. BRIGHT Star in the galaxy of the Sands-street pastors was the Rev. Bernard Harrison Nadal, D.D., succ essorof Dr. Hagany. Bernard Nadal, his father, was a native of Bayonne, France. He was very early placed in training for the Roman priesthood, but when a lad of twelve years he threw down his books in the street, ran away from his parents, and came to the United States. As we ob- serve concerning our beloved and honored Kennaday, and De Vinne, and others prominently connected with the Sands-street church, we see here also another marked illustration of the fact that the Roman Catholic Church not only is now, but has been for generations, losing her children and her children's children, and furnishing Protestantism with some of her best and grandest champions. From Dr. Buttz we quote the follow- ing additional statement concerning the elder Nadal : He was married twice ; his second wife, whose maiden name was Rachel Harri.son, became the mother of three children, Bernard being the youngest. The father died five months previous to Bernard's birth. The boy's maternal grandfather was a man of decided moral convictions. He freed all his seventy-five slaves, although they constituted the greater part of his wealth. Bernard's mother was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church from her child- hood — a woman "of much intelligence and force of character," teaching school and making many sacrifices to support her children respectably. From 1821 to her death she resided with her brother in Hookstown, Md., five miles from Baltimore. Bernard Harrison Nadal was born in Talbot County, Md., March 27. 1812. While verv vouns he entered the emnlov 352 Old Sands Street Church. of a chemist and liquor merchant in Baltimore. At seventeen he was apprenticed to a saddle-maker, John Bear by name, in Hanover, Pa. While there, at the age of twenty, he found the pearl of great price. He began the study of Latin, learning the paradigms and rules from his book on a little frame before him, while his hands and eyes were occupied in stitching sad- dles. He took little interest in his work, and thought he had missed his calling. Leaving this place, he was hired as a clerk in a store in Woodstock, Va. A young lawyer gave him assist- ance in his mathematical studies. The next we know of him he has entered the traveling ministry. CONFERENCE RECORD : 1835, (Baltimore Conf.,) Luray dr., Va., with M. Goheen ; 1836-1837, St. Mary's dr., Md., with W. S. Evans, — or- dained deacon in 1837 ; 1838, Bladensburgh cir., with F. M'Cartney ; 1839, ordained elder, — Baltimore city station, with John Bear, G. Morgan, W. B. Edwards, and T. Myers ; 1840, ditto, with I. Bear, C. B. Tippett, John A. Henning, and T. Myers; 1841-1842, Lewisburgh, Va. ; 1843, Lexington dr., with W. Krebs ; 1844, ditto, with F. H. Richey ; 1845-1846, Baltimore, Co- lumbia-street ; 1847-1848, Carlisle, Pa.; 1849, agent Baltimore Conf. Female College ; 1850-1851, Baltimore, High-street ; 1852, Baltimore city station, with John Poisal, S. Register, and E. A. Gibson ; 1853, ditto, with S. M'Mul- lin, S. Register, and T. A. Morgan ; health poor, visited Europe ; returning, supplied the pulpit of Dr. Duncan's Presbyterian church ; 1854, appointed (sup'y) to Baltimore city station, but continued to supply the Presbyterian church ; same year appointed Prof, of History and English Literature in In- diana Asbuiy University ; 1855, (North Indiana Conf.,) retaining his position as professor ; 1857, (Baltimore Conf.,) remaining at the university during the first part of the year ; last part, presiding elder, Roanoke Dist., Va. ; 1858-1849, Washington, D. C, Foundry church ; 1860-1861, (New York East Conf.,) Brooklyn, Sands-street; 1062-1863, New Haven, Fir.st church ; 1864-1865, (Baltimore Conf.,) Washington, D. C, Wesley Chapel ; 1866-1867, (Philadelphia Conf.,) Philadelphia, Trinity ; 1868-1871, Professor of Historical Theology in Drew Theological Seminary. When he came to travel his first circuit he realized some ad- vantage from having been an apprentice, for he was able to make his own saddle. During his second year in Lewisburgh, Va., he was married to Miss Sarah Jane Mays, daughter of John Mays, Esq., of that place. During the years he was sta- tioned in Carlisle, having previously made preparation to enter an advanced class in Dickinson College, he read up the entire course, was examined, and took the degree of A.B. in 1848. This he is said to have done " without neglecting any of the proper duties of his office." While at the Indiana Asbury University he was the associate Record of Ministers. 353 of Dr. Curry, who speaks very highly of his ability, thorough- ness, and efificiency as an instructor of young men. He received the degree of D.D. from Dickinson College in 1859, nine years after his graduation at that institution. His presence in Washington amid the closing scenes of the war, and his influence both in public and in private, are be- lieved to have been of great value to the cause of the Union. He enjoyed the confidence of President Lincoln and other fore- most men of the nation, and was recognized" as a stanch sup- porter of the Union. His biographer says : He preached the funeral sermon of Governor Hicks, of Maiyland, in which he portrayed his excellent services to the nation in her hour of peril ; and while at all times he maintained his views of right with great conscientious- ness, yet he secured the respect of those from whose principles and aims he was compelled to dissent.' His position as professor in Drew Theological Seminary he had held only about two years when he speedily followed his friend and associate. Dr. M'Clintock, to the world of blessed rewards. He first complained of indisposition on Thursday of the week preceding his decease, but no alarm was felt either by himself or his family until the succeeding Sunday. Then it was found that his old chronic complaint, a disease of the kid- neys, without causing much pain or prostration, had really weak- ened his constitution to such an extent that congestion of the lungs and brain seemed to be inevitable. When informed of his extremely critical, condition he replied promptly that he had left the issue entirely with the Lord. As the evening advanced he gradually sunk into a stupor, from which he did not awake. Thus on Monday morning, June 20, 1870, in the village of Mad- ison, N. J., at the age of fifty-eight, Dr. Nadal came suddenly to th« end of his race, " dying ' in warm blood,' running at the top of his speed,, but he failed not, for he gained the prize of his high calling." " He was buried in the Laurel Hill cemetery, in Philadelphia. Dr. Wm. M. Punshon, in his memorable address before the General Conference, in Brooklyn, a few months after the death of Dr. Nadal, assigned him a prominent place among the re- cently crowned victors of whom he spoke. He said : ' Dr. Buttz in " New Life Dawning," p. 36. ^ Minutes of Conferences, 1871, p. 47. 354 Old Sands Street Church. And then I think of Jolm M'Clintock, that anax andron,^ almost an Ad- mirable Crichton in versatility of attainment, Melanchihon in tenderness, and Luther in courage, but all whose wise, rare gifts he cast at the feet of him who was the Man of Sorrows, but upon whose head are many crowns ; of Nadal, who dropped so soon after his friend that it seemed as if, in preparing his memoir, he had got to long so much for nearer communion that he must needs ascend to join him in the presence of the Master whom they both loved. Bishop Foster mourned for him as his " dear Nadal," and penned a beautiful tribute, in which he said : To rare beauty of mind he added the superior charm of perfect candor and unflinching bravery. He was no trimmer. The church had in him a true and faithful son, always ready to do valiant service. But he was no bigot ; his catholicity was broad and genial ; many of his most attached friends were found in other churches than his own.* In the pulpit Dr. Nadal was instructive, convincing, persua- sive, and often eloquent. In doctrinal statements and opinions he was decidedly evangelical and Methodistic in the best sense of those terms. In his early ministry he often wrote and deliv- ered his sermons verbatim. Later in life he quite frequently used his manuscript, but always with good effect. He was oppressed by a conviction, which he frequently and strongly expressed to his nearest friends, that he was not adapted to the itinerancy — that he might have accomplished vastly more good in the settled ministry; yet his love for Methodist theol- ogy led him to decline very flattering invitations to become a permanent pastor of a Calvinistic church. He attained a high rank among educated men, and may be cited as a marked example of successful achievement by dili- gent application in spite of great disadvantages. " He loved knowledge for its own sake." The trustees of the Drew Theo- logical Seminary published the following : We desire to record our sense of his eminent abilities as a scholar, a preacher, a writer, and a professor ; in all of which respects he has made a marked impression on the students, and left a brilliant example.' Dr. Nadal attained his chief pre-eminence as a writer. As his brethren testify — The range of his writings included theology, ethics, politics, social life, nature, and art ; and each was treated in a masterly way. Lectures, addresses, sermons, newspaper editorials, were continually pouring from his tireless pen." ' Prince or king of men — ava^ avSpav. * Introduction to " New Life Dawning," p. 7- ' Extract from a resolution published in The Christian Advocate. • Memoir in Conference Minutes. Record of Ministers. 355 A posthumous volume, entitled " New Life Dawning and Other Discourses," accompanied by an excellent memoir from the pen of the Rev. Dr. H. A. Buttz, has attracted considerable attention. The Rev. L. M. Vernon, in The Christian Advocate, ascribes to Dr. Nadal a " marvelous analytic power," " glowing imagina- tion," and " instinctive profundity of thought," while his " heart was a glowing furnace that warmed to blood-heat every thought of the brain." Dr. Crooks classes him with those "who ripen slowly, and have a long period of fruitage." Another, who knew him intimately, writes : His religion tinged all the habits of life as well as hb duties. * * * The following resolutions found in his diary, supposed to have been written about 1865, show the practical character of his mind, as well as his earnestness in improvement : " I promise, God helping, the following, na:nely : i. To do my best not to lose my temper ; 2. Not to smoke ; 3. To eat nothing for sup- per beyond bread and butter ; 4. To try to be in bed before eleven o'clock ; 5. To visit more diligently. — B. H. N." " I further promise, by the help, of God through Christ, never to speak favorably of myself, except to my most infimate friends, and sparingly even to them. — B. H. N." How this simple record, intended for no eye but his own, reveals his character.' The same writer describes his person and manner thus :^ Dr. Nadal was about five feet seven inches in height ; though short, he was rather thick-set and very erect and active in his bearing. His step was firm and decided ; he carried himself well, and there was nothing uncertain in his demeanor. He could be stern at times, but was, as a rule, winning and pleas- ant. His eyes were bright, and, when his mood was a happy one, they had warmth in them, a fireside glow, delightful to all that came near him.^ Dr. Buttz describes the " cheerfulness " and " hospitality " of his home, and quotes from his beautiful tribute to his " little Lizzie," who died. The home of Mes. Sarah Jane (Mays) Nadal, his widow, is now (1884) in the city of New York, where all but one of his surviving children also reside. The following are the children : I. Ehrman S., formerly an attaM of the American Legation in London, now secretary of the Municipal Civil Service Examin- ing Board, New York city — author of a work on his observations in England, and a volume of essays, etc. 2. Thomas W., a ' Dr. Buttz in " New Life Dawning," pp. 77, 78. ' Ibid., pp, 88, 89. 356 Old Sands Street Church. physician in Jamaica, L. I. 3. Rebecca M., joined Sands-street church by letter, with her mother and brother, in 1872, and re- moved by letter in 1876. 4. Bernard Harrison, a student in Wesleyan University in 1868, member of Sands-street church 1872-1876, for years past employed in the Custom-house, New York. 5. Charles C, a lawyer in New York. 6. Frank, a youth of great promise, was a member of the senior class of Co- lumbia College at the time of his death by drowning in Ber- nardsyille, N. J., in 1879. A beautiful memorial, by Mrs. Mary Stevens Robinson, was published in The Methodist. 7. Jen- nie. 8. Grace M. REV. D. CURRY, D.D., 1,L. D. LXXIV. DANIEL CURRY. E have knowledge of the ancestry of the Rev. Dan- iel Curry, D. D., L L. D. as far back as Richard Curry, who was born in East Chester, just above the city of New York, in 1709. About 1730, having married, he took his young wife and all their effects, and, mounting themselves on a single horse, they rode northward into the al- most unbroken forests in the northern part of Westchester County, then still, occupied by the wild Algonquins. He located in the valley of Peekskill Creek, a few miles back from the Hudson, where he became an extensive land owner reared a large family, and died in 1806.' Stephen, second son of Richard Curry, was the father of four sons and a number of daughters. Thomas, second son of Stephen Curry, reared a family of nine children, six of them sons, the fourth of whom is the subject of this sketch. The longevity of several persons in the different branches of the family has been remarkable. Richard, the great-grand- father of Pr. Curry, died in his ninety-seventh year, and an uncle, Stephen Curry, celebrated the one hundredth anniver- sary of his birth about the year 1870, at which date all the five brothers of Dr. Curry were living, the eldest seventy years of age. The family name has been honored by several persons who have attained considerable distinction. A broth- er of Daniel Curry was candidate for Governor, and after- ward Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of California, a- bout the time of the war of the Rebellion. Daniel Curry was born near Peekskill, N. Y., November 26, 1809, At that date the Methodist Episcopal Church had been organized just twenty-five years; there were less than six hundred traveling preachers and only about one hun- dred and sixty three thousand (163,000) members in the ' Article in the Christian Advocate about 1870. 35 8 ' Old Sands Street Church. United States and the Canadas. A comparison of these figures with the statistics of the present centennial year will convey some idea of the growth and development of the church during Dr. Curry's life-time. His youth was divided between the occupations of farmer and student. At home, when twenty years of age, he gave his heart to the Saviour. He was baptized by Peter P. Sandford, at Shrub Oak, N. Y. At White Plains, N. Y., where he prepared for college, he received his first license as a local preacher in 1834. He was graduated from the Wesleyan University in 1837, and was employed that same year as the first president of the Troy Conference Academy, in Poultney, Vt. Two years later he was appointed to a professorship in the Georgia Female College, in Macon. He was ordained local deacon by Bishop Andrew, in the State of Georgia, in 1841. He entered the itinerant min- istry that year, and the following is his CONFERENCE RECORD : 1841, (Georgia Conf.,) Athens, Ga. ; 1842, Athens and Lexington; 1843, ordained elder, — Savannah; 1844, Columbus; 1845, (New York Conf.,) New York, Twenly-third street, with Z. Davenport, sup'y; 1846-1847, New Haven, First ch.; 1848-1849, (New York East Conf.,) Brooklyn, Washington-st.; 1850-1851, Brooklyn, Fleet-st.; 1852-1853, Hart- ford; 1854, New York, Twenty-seventh-st.; 1855-1857, (Indiana Conf,) Pres't Indiana Asbury University ; 1857, (New York East Conf,) Brooklyn, N. Y., South Third-st.; 1858-1859, Middletown, Conn.; 1860-1861, New Rochelle, N. Y. ; 1862-1863, New York, Thirty-seventh-st.; 1864, presiding elder. Long Island South Dist.; 1864-1876, editor of The Christian Advocate; 1876-1880, editor of The National Repositoiy ; 1880-1881, associate editor of The Methodist, with D. H. Wheeler ; 1881-1882, New York, Eighty- second street and South Harlem ; 1883, New York, Bethany chapel ; 1884, New York, Trinity ch., with T. H. Burch until May, then elected editor of the Methodist Quarterly Review. Dr. Curry was married, February 16, 1838,10 Miss Mary Hal- stead, daughter of A. L. Halstead, of White Plains, N. Y. The degree of D.D. was conferred upon him by the Wesleyan University in 1852, and that of LL.D. by the Syracuse Univer- sity in 1878. He has been a member of every General Con- ference from i860 to 1884, inclusive, leading his delegation five times out of seven. He was a delegate to the Methodist Ecu- menical Conference, in London, 1881. Daniel Curry has been prominently before the public for nearly half a century; with voice and pen, as teacher, preacher, platform speaker, author, and editor — one of the busiest men of Record of Ministers. 359 his age; and to this day his "bow abides in strength." More than forty years ago he took rank among the ablest writers in the Methodist Episcopal Church, a pre-eminence which he still maintains. Besides the incalculable product of eighteen years of editorial work, scores of elaborate contributions from his pen have appeared in cyclopedias and magazines, and about twenty-five of his best articles are in the Methodist Quarterly Review. He is the author of a " Life of Wicklif," " The Met- ropolitan City of America," and "Platform Papers." The works of Dr. James Floy and Southey's " Life of Wesley " were edited by him. His last book is a revision of Clarke's "Com- mentary on the New Testament," an " elaborate, scholarly work," upon which he " has spent the energies of his ripe, rich genius." Great satisfaction has been expressed concerning the almost unanimous election of Daniel Curry to the difficult and honor- able position of editor of the Methodist Review. Few, even among the ablest men of Methodism, would have been trusted to take charge of this highest periodical of our Church, espe- cially as the successor of that mighty theologian, scholar, and writer. Dr. Daniel D. Whedon. Since one of the boldest of men has written, " Dr. Curry is too much alive for us to risk a characterization," the author* of this book ought surely to be prudent enough to resist any temp- tation in that direction. But Dr. Buckley proceeds to say : " No man living ever taught the writer more than Dr. Curry ; " which statement is, perhaps, as great a climax as this chapter can reach. Three sons of Daniel and Mary Curry, namely, Edward Coxe, Francis Shay, and David Stanford, died in childhood. Their only daughter, Georgia, is the wife of Mr. James Armstrong. LXXV. CHARLES FLETCHER. ^i HE Rev. Charles Fletcher was born near Leeds, Yorkshire, England, January lo, 1811. His wife was often heard to speak of her acquaintance with him as a boy in the Sunday-school, where he showed un- common talent and won the admiration of many. At six- teen he was converted, and began to preach when eighteen years of age. His educational advantages were exceedingly limited. After a short time spent at school, the only oppor- tunities of his youth were such as a factory life affords; a fact which afterward elicited the question, "Whence hath this man such wisdom?" He developed a fine talent for busi- ness, and came to this country as a wool-buyer in 1842. It would seem that he had ceased to be a preacher, if, in- deed, he was a church-member at the time of his coming to America. Some important facts in Mr. Fletcher's history, occurring about this time, are vividly presented in a com- munication by the Rev. Aaron Foster. He writes: In the year 1842, I resided in Glenham, Dutchess County, N. Y., had charge of the village school, and was one of the class-leaders in the church of that place. My first interview with the lamented subject of this tribute was soon after he arrived in this country, when, while walking apparently for pastime, he halted in front of my residence where I was standing, and seemed inclined to make my acquaintance. I recognized in him a stranger. Moved by what proved a mutual impulse, I reciprocated his advances. We had not con^ versed long, till his pleasant manner, together with the ease, grace, elegance and fluency of his conversation, convinced me that he was more than ordi- nary. In this conversation I learned he had belonged to the Wesleyan Church in the old country, and also that he had been a local preacher, and he showed himself conversant with the Church, its institutions, and leading standard- bearers in that 'country. Indeed, he seemed, comparatively as a luminous star bursting from behind a dark cloud — such a man as one seldom meets. I at once sought a closer acquaintance, and invited him to my class-room. He Eev. CHAELES FLETCHER. Record of Ministers. 361 came. I introduced him to our pastor, he joined on probation, and his utter- ances were fragrant with a deep and rich experience. His words thrilled our souls. While he spoke our hearts burned. In due time he was licensed to preach.' Thenceforward to the close of his life, Mr. Fletcher continued, either as a local or an itinerant preacher, to proclaim the glad tidings of salvation to men. Indeed, while he was outside the conference, his field, as a commercial traveler, was even more extended, and his transient visits and mighty sermons, in widely distant parts of the country, will not soon be forgotten. His record as a pastor in this country is briefly contained in the following list of APPOINTMENTS : 1845, (New York Conf.,) Hartford Conn., with W. K. Stopford;^ 1846, ditto, with P. C. Oakley ; 1847-1851, a, local preacher; 1850, last part, Brooklyn, Washington avenue, (Summerfield) — a supply;* 1852 (New York East Conf.,) ordained deacon, — Brooklyn, Summerfield chapel; 1853-1854, Birmingham, Conn.; 1855, ordained elder ; 1855-1856, Bridgeport, Conn.; 1857-1858, New York, Seventh-street ; 1859-1860, New York, Twenty- second-street, the first year with J. J. Matthias, sup'y ; 1861-1862, Mamaro- neck; 1863, Meriden, Conn. ; 1864-1866, Brooklyn, Sands-street ; 1867- 1868, New Haven, Conn., First ch. ; 1869-1871, Brooklyn, Pacific-street; 1872-1875, presiding elder. Long Island South Dist., 1876-1879, presid- ing elder, New York East Dist.; l88o, supernumerary. His field of labor in his first appointment was not in the city of Hartford, but, as the junior preacher, he was assigned to an outlying village, which afforded him an inadequate support, and he left the charge and engaged in mercantile business before the second year had expired. He was not happy, however, until he had re-entered upon the work to which he was conscious the Head of the Church had called him. He was providentially led into a hitherto unoccupied but hopeful field, and, by the bless- ing of God, he became the founder of the strong and prosperous Summerfield church, in Brooklyn. When Mr. Fletcher was stationed in New Haven he had reached the height of his fame. It was then that the author, as a neighbor, had opportunity to witness the power of his in- fluence, and to observe the cause and the extent of his popular- ity. In his sermons he almost invariably presented the-greatest ' " Reminiscences," etc., in The Christian Advocate, l88o. ' His memoir in the Conference Minutes, 1881, p. 79, is inaccurate and mis- leading, as it speaks of " liis conference work, begun in 1852." ^ Quarterly conference record. 362 Old Sands Street Church. and grandest topics of revelation. " The finished sacrifice," " the transfiguration," "the Christian's spiritual foes," '' the sov- ereignty, majesty, power, dominion, and government of the Almighty," were some of the subjects in which his great heart and intellect found ample scope. He seemed to lose himself in his subject, and there was a clearness, depth, and grandeur, and " a steady march to the climax," which captured the attention, and made a most powerful impression upon the minds and hearts of his hearers. His conference memorial says : People of mature judgment and scholarship, and of cultured taste, sat under his ministry with delight. The professors and students of Yale College were fond of dropping into his church. The official board of the First Methodist Episcopal church in New Haven, in resolutions adopted after his death, declared : Though we have been favored with the devoted pastoral care of many of the eminent ministers of the church, none have left a more fragrant memory, or a more salutary Christian influence. The author remembers to have heard him preach a sermon at the Plainville camp-meeting from the text, " It is finished," which swept like a mighty torrent over the assembly. A min- ister in the stand, most remarkable for his equanimity, seemed as much overwhelmed by his thoughts and emotions and as violently demonstrative as the others. The following is an ex- tract from the Rev. Dr. Buckley's excellent memorial article in The Christian Advocate : As a man, he had the advantage of a large stature, a dignified bearing, and a deep yet musical voice. When in repose, or as he stood before an audience ibout to begin a discourse, his presence was imposing. In reading the Holy Scriptures he was very impressive. The late Canon M'Nejl, of Liverpool, had a high reputation as a reader, but having heard both, we are of opinion Ihat in solemnity, dignity, and pathos Charles Fletcher nearly equaled him ; perhaps, aided by similar externals, he would have attained the same excel- lence. * * * Ordinarily reticent in social intercourse, when with a few kindred spirits, re was the charm of the occasion. He was capable not only of wit, but of :hat which is hi her than wit, genuine humor, which was illustrated at the inion of the New York East and New England Conferences a few years ago. There those who did not know the rich vein of humor in his composition A'ere surprised and delighted by his happy speech. Evei7 conference has a Few men who, if they do not stand above, stand out from the body, not in Record of Ministers. 363 seclusion, but in marked individuality. When such men die, they should be filly described ; and so we have tried to represent this man, unique, reserved, not uniiind, always a gentleman, and a truly great preacher. If he had possessed the adaptive facility of some others in prayer-meetings and the Sabbath-school, or had preached from the elevated pedestal of a col- lege presidency, or an episcopal position, his fame would have been as wide as the nation. While it is not true, as some have believed, that Mr. Fletcher never w^rote his sermons, it is a fact that of some of his greatest sermons not a written line or word have his friends been able to find. His memory was well trained. Mr. Foster, already quoted, says : His reading was select and close, yet various and extensive. He made the best thoughts of the best writers his own, but every thing he borrowed was perfected by the ordeal of a powerful original analysis. This statement is strikingly exemplified in a manuscript ser- mon, which Mrs. Fletcher placed in the author's hands. If there were space in this work to publish it, many of his friends • would recognize therein the style and spirit of Mr. Fletcher's discourses. After he began to decline in health he spent some time at his son's residence near the writer's home in Great Neck, L. I. He was affable, genial, entertaining, though evidently suffering, and apprehensive of his approaching end. He remarked with a weary smile, when invited to preach, " I feel just now as if I could endure about as much rest as any other man." He was confined to his room in Brooklyn during the session of the conference in 1880; but, prisoner as he was, he took great interest, and even participated in the work of the conference. As death approached he talked some, though not much, about his departure. His theme was Christ. He recited again and again the lines, "Jesus, our great High Priest, Hath full atonement made." After repeating impressively " The burial of Sir John Moore," he added : " And more gloriously the Christian war- rior dies." Thus he entered into rest on the 20th of April, 1880, having reached the age of sixty-nine years. His funeral was attended in the Sands-street church, Dr. Curry and other ministers participating in the services, and his remains were borne thence to their last resting-place in Greenwood cemetery. 25 364 Old Sands Street Church. Sarah (Marsden,) his wife, was born near her husband's birthplace, in Yorkshire, (date unknown.") Her father was brother to the noted Australian chaplain and pioneer mission- ary to New Zealand, the Rev. Samuel Marsden, who was, dur- ing his earlier Christian life, a Wesleyan. She had known and loved Charles Fletcher from childhood, and none could fail to observe that' she regarded his character, his talent, his work, with a fondness and pride rarely equaled. She stood guard at his study door to prevent \innecessary interruption of his prep- aration for the pulpit, assumed the cares of the household, and performed an untold amount of pastoral work. It is safe to say that the usefulness of her husband's ministry was largely due to Mrs. Fletcher. Having, on account of studious habits and peculiar tastes, less adaptation than some to certain kinds of pastoral duty, he fortunately found in his energetic and de- voted wife a valuable assistant. Itjs a fact known to some that Mr. Fletcher was subject to despondency, and at times strongly tempted to withdraw from the ministry, but the cheering words and tender persuasions of his wife held him to his work. She never attempted to conceal her admiration for her husband's pul- pit ministrations. Forty years of familiarity with his thought and voice and manner only intensified her interest in his sermons. Mrs. Fletcher was an ardent Methodist, well informed and thoroughly decided on all questions agitating the church. She cherished a profound interest in the welfare of Methodist min- isters. She knew and placed her own estimate upon nearly every member of the New York East Conference. After her husband's death she looked and talked like one homesick for heaven. With all her tender affection for the living, she could not refrain from conversing about the dead, and the hope of meeting them above. Thus she lingered about one year, and died in peace at the residence of her son, Charles M. Fletcher, in Great Neck, L. I., August 14, 1881, aged (probably) about seventy-two. John Pegg, E. Warriner, Geo. Hollis, and others, took part in the funeral services. She sleeps in Greenwood by the side of her husband. Their two sons, Sydney and Charles M., survive them, and will never cease to remember their virtues, their counsels, and their prayers. "* She was peculiar in this particular. Though it was understood that she was older than her husband, she would never tell her age, even to her children. REV. B. PILSBURY, D. D. LXXVI. BENJAMIN PILSBURY. OXTTH Long Island District was in charge of the Rev. Benjamin Pilsbury, D. D. from June, 1864, to April, 1868. These were years of great prosperity to the church. Large sums were contributed in the "cente- nary offerings," and many debts of long standing were liq- uidated. Sands-street church paid a debt of ten thousand dollars. Several new societies were organized, and some dead ones revived; several new houses of worship were built, and thousands of souls were converted to Christ. The number of pastors employed increased fifty per cent., and the amount paid for ministerial support nearly one hundred per cent. Benjamin Pilsbury was born in Boscawen, N. H., October 25, 1824. His ancestors came to this country from England, in 165 1, and settled in that part of Newbury, Mass., called Belleville. The site where the first log-cabin was built has descended from father to son through all the subsequent generations. Here Daniel Pilsbury. the grandfather of Ben- jamin, was born; but in early life he emigrated to Boscawen, N. H., where he raised a numerous family, of whom Daniel Jr., the father of Benjamin, was the eldest. The mother of Benjamin Pilsbury was Betsey Burleigh, daughter of Joseph Burleigh, Esq., of Salisbury, (now Franklin,) N. H., whose farm adjoined that of the father of Daniel and Ezekiel Webster. She became the second wife of Daniel Pilsbury, Jr., and Benjamin was her youngest child, and the only one who lived to maturity. While he was yet an infant, his parents moved from Bos- cawen to a farm on Baker's River, in Plymouth, N. H., and there and in that vicinity remained until he was fifteen years old. In 1839 they moved to West Newbury, Mass., where they died at a good old age. Benjamin's early advantages for schooling were not great. The district school was distant, of short continuance, and 366 Old Sands Street Church. not always well taught. In Massachusetts his opportunit were much better, and he commenced to prepare for collej Two winters he studied at the celebrated Dummer Acaden in Newbury, and one year at the Wesleyan Academy, Wilbi ham, Mass., but a large part of the required studies were m; tered by him alone, by the " midnight oil," while helping 1 father on the farm. He entered the WeSleyan University 1843, and at once took a high position in his class ; but his e cessive labors had so exhausted his physical system, that soon fell sick with typhus fever. When this subsided, his ph sician commanded rest, and he went home. This sickness, i though a serious interruption, was not altogether disadvant geous. Hitherto his father had opposed his seeking a collegia education, but now he desired his return and promised sor assistance. - His mother had always sympathized with him his efforts, and aided him as much as she was able. He returm to college at the beginning of the second term, and althoui obliged to teach and preach to pay part of his expenses, and times suffering from ill-health, he was able to graduate hone ably with his class in 1847.' Mr. Piisbury experienced religion while studying at Wilbr ham, in April, 1842, and this event soon changed all his pla for the future. He had in view the legal profession ; but ti voice of the Spirit and the leadings of Providence pointed hi to the ministry as the work of his life. In order to earn fun for the further prosecuting of his studies he taught a distri school in Agawam, Mass., in the winter of 1842-1843. I found there a Methodist class, without a pastor, but holdii meetings in the school-house on the Sabbath. Of course tl teacher, though young and but just received into the churc was pressed into the service ; and in that place, without licens and with no intention of seeking one, he commenced to lead tl meetings, and call sinners to repentance. A precious reviv followed, and in consequence a little church was soon erecte While in college Mr. Piisbury was an active worker holding meetings in the school-houses and little churches Middletown and vicinity ; and at length yielded to the convi tion that he must make the "preaching of the cross " his lif work. He was first licensed to preach by the quarter ' Bishop Andrews, Dr. Winchell, and other eminent men were members this class. Record of Ministers. 367 conference held in Middletown, Conn., August 4, 1845. Bar- tholomew Creagh was presiding elder, and by his appointment Mr. Pilsbury had the pastoral charge of a little church in Rocky Hill during his last collegiate year. Feeling the need of additional preparation for the ministry, he resolved to pursue a course of study at some theological seminary, and a providential opening led him to New Haven. The Methodist church in Westville desired him for their pastor, and consented to allow him all the advan- tages of the theological department in Yale College. Here he spent one year as a supply, and two years as a con- ference preacher, graduating from the seminary in 1850. Combining pastoral duties with attendance at school was an arduous task, but boarding at Westville, the long and regular walks gave him vigorous health, which he has gen- erally enjoyed ever since. MINISTERIAL APPOINTMENTS: 1846-1847, Rocky Hill, Conn, a supply; i847,Westville, a supply; 1848-1849, (New York East Conf.,) returned to Westville ; 1850-1851. Guilford, 1852, New Britain ; 1853-1854, Water- bury; 1855-1856, New York, Seventh-street ; 1857-1858, Hempstead, L. I.; 1859, Rye, N. Y.; 1860-1861, New Haven, Conn., St. John-street; 1862- 1863, Brooklyn, N. Y., South Third-street ; 1864-1867, presiding elder, Long Island South Dist.; 1868, Wt-st Winsted, Conn.; 1869, Middletown, with J. H. Knowles, (nominal appointment;) 1870— 1871, Watertown; 1S72- 1875, presiding elder. New Haven Dist.; 1876, Danbury; 1877-1879, Strat- ford ; 1880-1881, Woodbury ; 1882-1883, Durham ; 1884, Forestville. In Waterbury (1853) the large brick church on East Main- street was built. In 1856, under his ministry, an old debt of $5,000 was paid by the church in Seventh-street, New York. A parsonage was built by the people of South Third-street church, Brooklyn, under his administration. His nominal appointment to Middletown was at his own request, that his wife might care for her sick mother residing there. Mr. Pilsbury has witnessed many conversions under his ministry, in some appointments re- ceiving additions to the church every month ; but we have not space for details. The great revival in Hempstead, L. I., in the winter of 1857-1858, however, requires special notice. One hundred and sixty professed faith in Christ, of whom one hun- dred and thirty-five united with the Methodist church on pro- bation. The society about doubled its membership during his administration and became one of the strong churches of the conference. One of the converts is now a useful minister in 368 Old Sands Street Church. the New York East Conference. Mr. Pilsbury rendered ceptable service as delegate to General Conference in 1864 1868. He received the degree of D.D. from the East Teni see University in 1875. During his first year as a conference preacher, on the 2 of April, 1848, Benjamin Pilsbury was married to Miss Maria Chandler, only daughter of Theophilus Chandler Middletown, Conn., and sister of the late Rev. T. B. Chand of the New York East Conference. Two children have b born to them — a son and a daughter. The son, Benja, Chandler, was graduated at the Wesleyan University in 18 taught Latin and Greek in two conference seminaries, stud in Yale Theological Seminary, and is now a member of New York East Conference. The daughter, Sarah Ma. " after sixteen beautiful years," departed " to be with Chrii Both were converted young. ^^l^'^. A^L^^'^^.C^^ BISHOP EDWARD G. ANDREWS, D. D., LL. D. LXXVII. EDWARD G. ANDREWS. ANDS-STREET Mcthodist people do not disguise their pleasure in numbering among their pastors the Rev. Bishop Edward Gayer Andrews, D.D., LL.D. The church desiring for its pastor " the ofifice of a bishop, desireth a good work." The helpful influence of pastors and churches is mutual ; noble, godly laymen may therefore expect not only to be gratified, but even honored and "admired," through the well-deserved promotion of the minis- ters with whom they have faithfully labored, and in whose suc- cess they have been personally and actively interested. While many others among the eighty-nine pastors and presiding elders of the Sands-street church may have been worthy of this ofiSce, Dr. Andrews stands alone among them as bishop. His ancestry was of New England, and related to the many families of the name of Andrews, residing near Hartford, Conn., particularly in New Britain, whence his grandfather mi- grated to Oneida County, N. Y., in the early part of this cent- ury, settHng in Whitestown, near Utica. George Andrews, father of the bishop, was married to Polly Walker, a lady of Quaker descent, connected not remotely with the Coffins and Gardiners of Nantucket. In early life she was a member of the Presbyterian church in Whitesboro, but when her husband, about the time of the birth of their son Edward, was converted, both together joined the Methodist Episcopal church in New York Mills, not far from their residence. The following, writ- ten by Dr. Buckley, appeared in The Christian Advocate, No- vember II, 1880 : The mother of Bishop Andrews celebrated her eighty-third birthday last Friday. She was born on Gunpowder Plot day. When she was a little girl more was said about it than now. One hundred and ninety-two, minus eighty-three, runs back to within one hundred and nine years of the landing of King William, and the recent rush of events had not obscured the memory of that great crisis in modem English history. We had the pleasure to be the pastor of this venerable woman eighteen 370 Old Sands Street Church. * years ago, and in view of her character and that of her family, congratulal her that God has satisfied her with long life and shown her his salvation ; thi she has seen "her sons come to honor;" yes, she has seen her children children, and their children. Edward G. Andrews was born August 7, 1825, in New Hart ford, Oneida County, N. Y. He was one of eleven childrer all but one of whom lived to adult years, and became member of one or other of the evangelical churches — " so graciously di God, our Father, give his blessing to parental piety." Having had elementary instruction , in the common schoo young Andrews subsequently studied for a while in the Oneid Institute, then under the care of the well-remembered and abl Dr. Besiah Green. He began to study Greek with the Rev. Ir Pettibone, pastor of the Presbyterian church, New York Milli and, very early, when not ten years of age, was sent, in the car of an elder brother, to the Cazenovia Seminary, (George Peel D.D., principal,) forty miles from his home. With considerable ir termission he attended this school until he was nineteen years c age, when he entered the Wesleyan University, graduating there from in 1847, with Orange Judd, Benjamin- Pilsbury, Alexande Winchell, and others who have become an honor to the colleg< While a student at the seminary he early made a profession c religion and united with the church. His precise age at th time we have not ascertained. He was licensed to exhort an to preach when eighteen years of age, in Hartwick circuit, Ol sego County, N. Y., where he was teaching a private schoo Nelson Rounds, D.D., was presiding elder, and Calvin Hawle] a man of wonderful power in prayer and exhortation, was th preacher in charge. MINISTERIAL RECORD : 1847, supply, Morrisville and Pratt's Ho lowcir., withD. A.Whedon; 1848, ordained deacon, — (Oneida Conf.,)Hamilto and Leeville cir.; 1849, Hamilton; 1850-1851, Cooperstown; 1S52, ordaine elder; 1852-1853, Stockbridge; 1854-1855, teacher in Oneida (now Central Ne- York) Conference Seminary, Cazenovia ;' 185 5, elected President of Mam field, Ohio, Female College, and filled that position about one year, but tli Minutes make no mention of it ; 1856-1863, Principal of Oneida Conferenc Seminary; 1864-1866, (New York East Conf.,) Stamford, Conn., with W. ( Hoyt; 1867, Brooklyn, Sands-street; 1868-1870, Brooklyn, St. John' 1871-1872, Brooklyn, Seventh ave.; 1872 (May )-l884, bishop, residing mo; of the time in Washington, D. C. His turning aside from the pastorate, in 1854, was occasione by the failure of his voice, which he attributes to his " fa:ult Record of Ministers. 371 manner of speech " in the early years of his ministry. Having engaged in educational work, which he intended to be only a temporary relief from pulpit labor, he continued therein for ten years, until, at length, unwilling longer to be kept from the occupation that was congenial to his tastes and desires, he returned to the pastorate. The degree of D.D. was conferred upon him by Genesee Col- lege in 1863, and that of LL.D. by Allegheny College in 1881. He preached a missionary sermon before the New York East Copference which was very highly appreciated. He was chosen orator at the twenty-fifth anniversary of his college class in 1872. At the serai-centennial of the Cazenovia Seminary, in 1875, he delivered the historical address, which was published. He was elected a trustee of the Wesleyan University in 1881, and the same year delivered a response to the address of wel- come at the semi-centennial exercises of the college.' The records of Sands-street church were carefully revised by Dr. Andrews, and they bear testimony to the conscientious and painstaking attention which he gave to every part of the pas- tor's work. While in the New York East Conference (of which he has all along been claimed by his brethren to be a member, his name appearing on the roll in the Minutes for ten j'ears after he was made a bishop) no minister was held in greater esteem among us. He was always recognized as a master spirit in the deliberations of the conference. His marked ability in debate was often strikingly displayed by his bringing forward at the opportune moment the suggestion or proposition that was sure to receive the unanimous approval of the preachers. He rep- resented the Oneida Conference in the General Conference of 1864. His election to the General Conference, held in Brook- lyn, in 1872, and his promotion by that conference to the highest position in the church, gave great satisfaction to his many friends, and his eminent efficiency and usefulness as a bishop prove the wisdom of the choice. The accompanying portrait represents Dr. Andrews as he ap- peared when pastor of the Sands-street church. He now wears side whiskers, which have turned very grey, yet he seems to have retained much of the vigor of former years. The Christian Advocate describes him as " well built, with ruddy and pleasant ' Semi-Centennial, Wesleyan University, pp. 8-15. 372 Old Sands Street Church. countenance, and eyes shaded with glasses ; neat in habit, of courteous yet dignified mien, retiring and unassuming, but ex- ceedingly social among friends." The day he was twenty-six years of age, (August 7, 1851,) E. G. Andrews was married to Miss Susan M. Hotchkiss, of Cheshire, Conn. Eva^ their first-born, died in infancy. The other children are: Winnif red Elizabeth ; Helen, (Mrs. W. G. Nixon ;) Edward Hotchkiss, (class of 1885, Wesleyan Univer- sity,) and Grace. ^^4^ (^P^ytyW^^C^L^ REV. E. E. GRISWOLD, D. D. Lxxvni. EDWIN E. GRISWOLD. I HE Rev. Edwin Elijah Griswold, D. D., son of Elijah and Lydia Griswold, was born in Windsor, Ct., August 20, 1802. The family were descendants of the original settlers of that town. Among his relatives was Bishop A. V. Griswold of the Protestant Episcopal Church. Dr. Griswold's mother was of Puritan descent, and of the Adams family. She with her husband joined the Epis- copalians, but was an ardent admirer of Jesse Lee and his successors, who were often entertained at her home. She survived her husband, and in her later years became a Methodist and lived with her son. Mr. Griswold records that during his infancy he was once so very sick that he lay a long time as if he were dead, and then recovered. When about commencing his public labors for Christ, he overheard his mother relating this incident to a friend, and saying, — " I then felt that my child was raised up to do or suffer a great deal in this world." This remark made a lasting impression upon his mind. He experienced religion at the .age of fifteen, through the pastoral care of the Revs. Micah and Aurora Seager. He never ventured to determine the exact moment of his conversion, but he always remem- bered the strange, sweet peace which he experienced one day while following the plow, and humming the lines he had heard in the Methodist prayer-meeting — " O ! Christian, are you ready now To cross the narrow flood ? " there came to his heart a comfortable assurance that he was ready. This was in June, 1817. The following March he joined the little society in the neighborhood, and as he was the only male member, he was appointed leader, and held ''"^f. 374 Old Sands Street Church. the position until, some years later, he left home to join the itinerant ranks. His few early advantages he faithfully im- proved, attending the public school when he could, and study- ing by candle-light, and sometimes l^y fire-light, and even by moonlight, while others were asleep. Concerning his diligence as a student, and his call to the ministry, the Rev. George A. Hubbell writes : In early youth he showed a fondness for study, reading all the family library, which contained a. Bible. Prayer Book, Fox's Martyrology, Harvey's Meditations, Seneca's Morals, and Mason on Self-knowledge. At twelve years of age he began to draw books from the district library, select- ing Josephus, Rollins' History, Robinson's Charles V., and books of biography, voyages, and travels, to which he added two or three works of fiction. The practical character of his early reading stamped his mind with certain common-sense peculiarities which were prominent in all his public life,' How he was led step by step to enter upon the life of an itin- erant preacher is thus told by the same writer : Thoughts of the ministry were familiar to him from his childhood, when his grandfather laid a hand of blessing on his head and said, " This boy must be a minister." Soon after his conversion he heard the divine call to this work. The preachers urged it upon his attention ; and when he was seventeen years old. Rev. Cyrus Culver, unsolicited, gave him license to exhort. From this time he became more studious, and read all the Methodist literature within his reach. Six years later he was in doubt respecting his duty, and decided to settle down to business. He married Miss Nancy Webster, an amiable and estimable Christian lady, and engaged in farming and school-teaching. But he was not at rest. After two years of vacillation the conviction became strong that he must give himself up wholly to the work of the ministry, in which, as an exhorter, he had been partially engaged for nearly ten years. Rev. E. Osborn, preacher in charge, gave him appointments on the circuit, and he was licensed to preach at the district conference held at Richmond, Mass., in October, 1827. In the spring of 1829 he was admitted on trial in the New York Conference. He continued in the active work forty-three successive years, serving the church with acceptability and success, filling the entire pastoral term in every circuit or station. The following list of his appointments and his colleagues will enable the reader to follow the faithful itinerant from place to place, and may suggest many reminiscences of his work and his fellow- workers. ' Memorial sketch, in The Christian Advocate. Record of Ministers. 375 CONFERENCE RECORD: 1829, (New York Conf;,) Monkton dr., Vt., with Elias Crawford ; 1830, Monkton and Charlotte cir., with T. Sey- mour and A. Hazleton ; 1831, ordained deacon, — Windsor cir., Conn., with W. M'Kendree Bangs ; 1832, Windsor ; 1833, ordained elder ; 1833-1834, Wethersfield ; 1835, New York, west cir., with J. B. Stratton, D. De Vinne, J. C. Tackaberry, and L. Mead ; 1836, ditto, with C. W. Carpenter, J. Covel, Jr., J. Z. Nichols, L. Mead, and L. Pease, sup'y ; 1837, New Haven, Conn.; 1839-1840, Brooklyn, York-street ; 1841-1842, Newburgh ; 1843-1844, Mid- dletown, Conn.; 1845-1846, Hempstead, L. I.; 1847, presiding elder, Hart- ford Dist., Conn.; 1848-1849, New York, Mulberry-street; 1850-1851, New York, Ninth-street; 1852-1853, Essex, Conn.; 1S54-1855, Danbnry ; 1856- 1859, presiding elder, Bridgeport Dist.; i860, presiding elder, New Haven Dist.; 1861-1864, presiding elder. New York Dist.; 1865-1867, presiding elder, New Haven Dist.; 1868-1871, presiding elder, Long Island South Dist. ; 1872-1877, superannuated. He was a member of four successive General Conferences, 1852, 1856, i860, and 1864, once (1856) at the head of his dele- gation. In 1864 he received the degree of D.D. from Mt. Union College, Ohio. Dr. Griswold was twice married. At the close of this article the reader will find a sketch of his first wife. By a second marriage he became the husband of a very estimable lady, the widow of an honored Methodist preacher. His last six years were spent in comparative retirement at his home in Danbury, Conn., and from thence he " crossed over " on the 3d of April, 1878, in the seventy-sixth year of his age. About the time when the preachers had assembled in New York, and the secretary was calling the conference roll, he answered to the roll-call of heaven. Like Carpenter and Covel and Stillman, already sketched in this bopk, he closed his earth- ly life while his conference was in session, from whose annual meetings he had failed to be present only once in forty-nine years. Revs. G. A. Hubbell, B. Pilsbury, S. H. Bray, and John Crawford took part in the funeral services. He was buried in Wooster cemetery, Danbury, Conn. Father Griswold was an able and interesting preacher, though his delivery was not the most attractive. In his later years his voice was husky at times, and his naturally stout frame and rounded shoulders, his broad face and bristling gray hair, gave him a unique appearance in a stranger's eyes ; and yet, wherever he was known as a minister of Christ, he was universally revered for his eminent piety and talent. In all his public ministrations his thoughts were practical and clear, his rhetoric chaste and beautiful, "^^as 376 OM Sanies Street Church. and his prayers — what marvels of appropriateness, simplicity, and tenderness they were ! His friend, Mr. Hubbell, writes : As a preacher, lie was always intevestipg. His sermons were thoroughly studied and were models of good, practical sense. He indulged in nothing speculative, fanciful, or sensational, but preached the gospel only. * * * He fed the people with knowledge. Rarely did he preach controversially ; but when occasion demanded, he proved a master in this field, as discom- fited immersionists in Newburgh and Millerites in Middletown freely con- ceded. Having no collegiate education to fall back upon, he continued to study and grow in useful knowledge until the end of his ministry. He was a careful student of nature and of man. He kept abreast of the growing science and progressing thought of the age, and his sermons and conversation were enriched with the ripest thought. Few have been better versed in the English classics, or Christian theology, or current literature. During the terms of his pastoral service in New Haven and Middletown he availed himself of most of the public lectures in science in connection with the colleges. The writer already quoted, adds : As a pastor, he was singularly devoted to his work, being rarely absent for a single day, and with impartiality and fidelity looking after every member of his flock. Veiy gracious revivals attended his earlier ministry, especially in New York, New Haven, Brooklyn, and Kewburgh, nearly two hundred souls being gathered into the church in the latter place. During the seventeen years of his presiding eldership he manifested a deep interest in the prosperity of the churches, and a sympathetic interest in the welfare of the preachers. His administrative abilities were good. His quar- terly visitations were genial, conciliatory, and edifying. The name of " Elder Griswold " will' never cease to be dear to the present generation of preachers in the New York East Conference. The young men on his districts studied his char- acter closely, and all learned to admire ,the soundness of his judgment and the kindness of his heart. Now that he is gone the younger race of preachers find it no small honor and no easy task to wear his mantle and to wield his sword. Nancy (Webster,) his first wife, was nearly seven years his senior. She was born in Bloomfield, Conn., December 16, 1795. Having been converted under Methodist influences, she joined that " almost unknown and every-where derided people." against the wishes of her father's family, who, like their ancestors, were connected with the Congregational Church. Record of Ministers. yii Her memorial says : When, four years after her marriage to Mr. Griswold, he entered upon the work of the ministry, although she would sometimes in pleasantry say that she was not responsible for the duties of a minister's wife — not having mar- ried a minister — yet she entered heartily with him into the great enterprise ; and, so far as the care of her young family and enfeebled health would per- mit, bore her full share of its responsibilities.'' She suffered extremely for twenty-five years from nervous prostration and neuralgic disease, and "finally consumption of the lungs supervened, and in a few days opened to her the gates of eternal life." After some days of terrible spiritual conflict, she gained a complete triumph. " As the breath grew short and the pulses still, a luminous smile, completely indescribable, overspread her countenance, and she died with it beaming there." Thus she passed away, April 3, 1870, exactly eight years prior to the death of her husband. Their bodies repose side by side. His widow, Artemesia (White,) is a daughter of the Rev. Nicholas White, of blessed memory, and was formerly the wife of the lamented Rev. John M. Pease, of the New York East Conference. Her present residence is Plainfield, N. J. Children of Edwin E. and Nancy Griswold : Fannie E., resi- dence, Danbury, Conn.; Edwin C, graduate of Wesleyan Univer- sity, 1847, teacher in Wyoming Seminary, clerk on North River steam-boats, employee in Methodist Book Concern, New York, moved to Elyria, Ohio, book-seller there, now farmer — a lay delegate to General Conference in 1876 ; Harriet W., (now Mrs. E. B. Stevens ;) Anne Augusta, (now Mrs. Horace Purdy ;) Mary Victoria, who died in childhood. 2 " X," in The Christian Advocate. LXXIX. ^./V ■^^^W^C^ ANDS Street Church was left to be supplied in the spring of iS68, and the Rev. Albert Harmon Wy- ATT, A. M., having taken a supernumerary rela- tion in the New York Conference, was placed in charge for a short time, until the arrival of Mr. De La Matyr who was transferred from Western New York. Wyatt is a'name which Methodists have reason to honor. The church has preserved a memorial of Peter Wyatt, of the Virginia Conference, who in comparative youth closed a life of great usefulness in 1817.' Lednum mentions a Joseph Wyatt, one of the early Methodist itinerants from the state of Delaware, a man of marked talent, who served as chap- lain to the legislature of Maryland.'' William Wyatt, the fa- ther of the subject of this sketch, was a Methodist itinerant preacher of remarkable pulpit power. His parents before him were godly Methodists, pioneers of the denomination in Danby, N. Y. AVilliam's father was of English extraction; his mother of French. "From her" it is said "he took his lihysique and fire. The author formed the acquaintance of Chaplain William Wyatt in the army, attended a camp-meet- ing witli him in Maryland in 1863, and heartily concurs in the following statement concerning him. As a preacher he was sui generis. His sermons were written, elaborated, and thoroughly memorized. Ilis style was eccentric and very impressive. His voice ' Minutes of Conferences, 1S17, pp. 2gi, 292. ^ "Rise of Methodism,'' pp. 226, 227. Record of Ministers. 379 was clear and strong, and his enunciation distinct. lis sermons were " arousements.'' Wlio tliat ever lieard him preach on " The Closet," "Jacob's Ladder," "Sampson," "Stone Kingdom," or " Tlie Valley of Dry Bones," can forget the impression made ? His life and labors were a grand success. He was a good man, and, like Enoch, walked with God.* The widow ofWilliain Wyatt, mother.of Albert, is a daugliter of the late Rev. Reuben Reynolds, of the Northern New York Conference. Albert H. Wyatt was born in Speedsville, Tompkins County, N. Y., October 16, 1839. Before he was seventeen years of age, on the 6th of September, 1856, at a camp-meeting in the Wyo- ming Valley, Pa., he experienced the pardoning love of God. That same year he was licensed to exhort in Wilkesbarre, Pa., and he received local preacher's license October 16, 1857. He was ordained local deacon by Bishop Scott in 1862, and in the fall of that year he was appointed chaplain of the 109th Regi- ment N. Y. Volunteer Infantry. He prepared for college in the Wyoming Seminary, and was graduated at the Wesleyan Uni- versity in 1864, having joined the New York Conference in April of that year. The following is his CONFERENCE RECORD : 1864-1865, (New York Conf ,) West Harlem, N. Y. ; 1865, ordained elder; 1866-1867, White Plains; 1868, sup'y, supply, Brooklyn, Sands-street, a few months, then traveled in Euro|;e ; 1869-1871, New York, Washington Square ; 1872-1873, (Wyoming Conf.,) Wilkesbarre, Pa.; 1874, (Erie Conf,) Jamestown, N. Y.; 1875, (New York East Conf,) Brooklyn, Summerfield ch.; 1876-1877, sup'y ; 1878-1879, Durham, Conn.; 1880-1881, Brooklyn, South Second-street ; 1882-1883, Mid- dletown, Conn.; 1884, New Haven, St. John-street. Mr. Wyatt was married, April 27, 1865, to Miss Annie E. Brown. She died April i, 1867. Her brief memorial says : Her maiTied life, of but two years' duration, was exceedingly happy ; yet with holy joy she bade farewell to husband and friends, and passed away to rest with Jesus.^ ' June 30, 1868, he was married to Miss Martha Washing- ton Preston, of Buffalo, N. Y. This excellent Christian lady, after a brief illness, died in Durham, Conn., February 18, 1879. The writer was intimately associated with Brother Wyatt and his family during the time of their residence in Glen Cove, L. I., 'Rev. H. Brownscombe, in The Christian Advocate. 'Rev. B. M. Adams, in The Christian Advocate, May 23, 1867. 26 380 Old Sands Street Church. in 1876 and 1877; and a more amiable and beautiful character than Mrs. Wyatt's he has rarely known. She was sister to Will- iam I. Preston, Esq., whose name appears in this book as a prominent member of the Sands-street church. Miss Gertrude E. Field, daughter of the Rev. Julius Field, of the New York East Conference, was married to Mr. Wyatt, September 14, 1880. Two of his children died in infancy ; a daughter and a son are now living. Albert H. Wyatt shone conspicuously among his associates in college, and has ever since been regarded as one of the most eloquent and useful men in our ministry. He speaks with re- markable ease and fluency, and his sermons sparkle with beauty and glow with heavenly fire. It would be impossible for any Christian, and difficult, indeed, for any sinner, not to love such a man as A. H. Wyatt ; yet he strikes telling blows against sin in the church and out of it, and has never been suspected of seeking popularity for its own sake. His modesty is often noticed and admired. In appearance he is rather tall and erect, with a broad forehead, dark complexion, raven locks, large nose, pleasant mouth, dark, full, and somewhat drooping eye, with an unusually calm and benignant expression. Providence has been pleased to send upon Brother Wyatt re- peated and severe afflictions. By the failure of his health while pastor of the Summerfield church, in Brooklyn, in 1876, which rendered absolutely necessary a suspension for two years of his active ministerial work, and by the death of two wives, a father, a sister, Lizzie, (Mrs. Rev. Dr. W. P. Abbott,) and two infant children, all occurring within a few years, the gold in his character has been abundantly tested, but by no means dimin- ished or destroyed. LXXX. HE Rev. and Hon. Gilbert De La Matyr, D.D., was pastor of the Sands-street church from June, 1867, to April, 1869. He was born in Pharsalia, N. Y., July 8, 1825. His father yet lives, (1884,) aged eighty-one years, and has been at least sixty years a local elder in the Methodist Episcopal Church. His mother, a devout Methodist from her youth, died in 1858, and is buried in Mid- dletown. Wis. Four of the six sons of this family en- tered the ministry. John H. is a presiding elder in the Nevada Conference ; David died at the age of twenty-five, having been seven years a preacher; the third is the subject of this sketch; the fourth, George W., is a member of the Nevada Conference. Another brother is a teacher by profession, and the youngest is a physician.' Gilbert De La Matyr was educated at Rushford, N. Y.,° He was converted when about sixteen years of age. In this par- ticular he is classed with other eminent ministers of Sands- street : Jayne, Ross, Covel, Creagh, Norris, Goodsell, Fletcher, Wyatt, and Kettell, all of whom reached the happy crisis in their lives at the same age, sixteen years. About four years afterward he began to preach, and in his twenty-fifth year we mark the beginning of his more public MINISTERIAL RECORD : 1850, (Genesee Conf.,) Bolivar, N. Y.; 1851, Olean cir., with S. Parker; 1852, (ordained deacon,) Portville ; 1853, Friendship; 1854, ordained elder; 1854-1855, Wyoming; l856-i857,Pil{e; 1858, Leroy; 1859-1860, Albion ; 1861, Medina ; 1862-1864, Chaplain 8th N. Y. Ar- tillery; 1865-1866, presiding elder, Wyoming District; 1867, Alexander ; 1868- 1869, (N. Y. E. Conf.,) B'klyn, Sands-st. ; 1870-1871, (Neb. Conf.,) Omaha, ' Letter of the Rev. G. W. De La Matyr to the author. * Simpson's Cyclopedia. 382 Old Sands Street Church. Neb., 1st ch.; 1872-1873, (St. Louis Conf.,) Kansas City, Mo., Grand ave.; 1874-1876, (Southeast Indiana Conf.,) Indianapolis, Roberts Park chapel; 1877, Indianapolis, Grace ch., 1878-1883, local; 1883, supply, Denver, Colorado. The author formed a very delightful acquaintance with Chap- lain De La Matyr in Baltimore, Md., in the year 1863, and was frequently permitted to hear him preach in the Methodist pul- pits of that city. A ride together by carriage to and from Gettysburgh, on the occasion of the dedication of the national cemetery, occupying a number of days, was an incident too rare and too pleasant to be easily forgotten. While presiding elder of the Wyoming District, in 1867,, Mr. De La Matyr was elected a delegate to the Republican State Convention, and was by that body put in nomination on the S ate ticket for the office of inspector of State- prisons. This drew him somewhat into politics, but he continued to receive appointments as a regular conference preacher for several years . thereafter. While in Omaha he published a sermon on " The Relation of Church and State," opposing the taxing of church property in Nebraska. He received the degree of D.D. from the Willamette University, of Oregon. In 1878 he was elected to Congress on a Greenback ticket in Indiana. While in Wash- ington he identified himself with the Metropolitan church. About this time he became somewhat famous throughout the country as a political speaker and lecturer. His lecture on " Daniel, the incorruptible statesman," was often referred to in the papers as "abounding in glowing descriptions and lofty flights of eloquence." He preached nearly every Sabbath, however busily occupied he may have been with other matters during the week. While many questioned the wisdom of Dr. De La Matyr's ac- ceptance of the civil promotion which his political friends saw fit to confer upon him, it cannot be doubted that he followed conscientiously the guidance of his judgment in the matter. As the foregoing record shows, he now has pastoral charge of a church in one of the great and growing centers of the West. Dr. De La Matyr is a man of pleasing manners, a genial friend and companion, quiet in his movements, but always ter- ribly in earnest. When he speaks " his lower jaw closes like a vise, and seems to open sparingly for his words, which he utters in a deep bass voice that gets lower instead of higher when he reaches a climax." Record of Ministers. 383 His first wife, Luella C, was with him at Fort M'Henry, in Baltimore, and the writer was very favorably impressed with her piety and intelligence. Her health was then feeble, and continued to be until her departure to that land where " the inhabitants never say, I am sick," on the 29th of January, 1866, aged forty-three years. Maryette, his second wife, a native of Lima, N. Y., was an occupant of the parsonage of the Sands-street church. They were married April 28, 1868. She was converted at fifteen. Previous to her marriage she was enthusiastically devoted to her profession as an artist, and her paintings were much ad- mired. Her memorial says : She possessed beauty of person, unusual force of character, excellent judg- ment, and cultivated taste. She had little hesitation in approaching persons privately on the subject of personal religion, but found it difficult to talie much part in public religious services. Those who knew her best esteemed her most highly. She was ill for about four years, and for more than a year before her death an acute sufferer, having endured several painful operations for the cure of cancer. Her faith grew as the end approached, and toward the last she was flooded with the most glowing emotions. She spol INCE the preparation of this work was begun three hon- ored ministers of the Sands-street church — Fletcher, Weed, and Kettell — have been summoned from active service to their heavenly reward, making the whole number of the deceased sixty-six, and leaving about one third as many survivors, namely, twenty-three. Of each of those so lately called hence the author has exceedingly pleasant per- sonal recollections. Their relations to the Sands-street people were exceptionally interesting, one (Dr. Weed) having been their pastor two full terms, and the other two (Mr. Fletcher and Dr. Kettell) having had charge, first of the station, and after- ward of the district of which it forms a part, on which district they both performed their last work as ministers of Christ. An admirably written memoir of the Rev. George Fred- erick Kettell, D.D., adopted by the New York East Confer- ence, contains the following: George F. Kettell was born, May i8, 1817, in Boston, Mass. His earliest New England ancestors settled in Charlestown, Mass., in 1630. Tliomas Pren- tice, tlie patriotic pastor of the Congregational church of that place during the war of the Revolution, was his great-grandfather. At the battle of Bun- ker Hill the parsonage which he occupied and the church in which he had preached many a powerful sermon were destroyed by fire. From the burn- ing home an infant was rescued. The child, when grown to manhood, be- came tlie father of the subject of this memorial slietch. In early infancy our friend was baptized in the '' Old South Church " of his native city. His father at that time, and for years afterward, maintained successful mei-- cantile connections with Germany ; and the home of his boyhood, which iC gratefully remembered, was one which afforded every facility for the pr jper training of his richly gifted nature. Then followed reverses, and the Boston merchant removed with his household to Hamburg. For five years his son en- joyed the rare advantages of instruction and discipline in the schools of that famous free-city of Germany. Record of Ministers. 385 At the age of fifteen he returned to his native Iknd, and we find him in Danbiuy, Conn., for the first time in his life, fully thrown upon his own re- sources. He entered the employ of a thrifty hatter, who being an old-time family friend, treated him with unusual consideration. From a few facts wiiich have floated down to us it is made evident that he was an uncommonly brilliant and attractive lad. He was a Puritan in his upright, downright love for honesty and truth f his German culture had trained and quickened his naturally acute powers, and the inimitable humor which fascinated his friends to the last, threw a charm over all his words and ways. He was a leader among scores of fellow-workers, but the leader was led one day to the old Methodist meeting-house. A turning-point in his history was thus reached. The pungent appeals to the conscience, and the winning words of invitation which he heard from Ihe pulpit and in the prayer- meeting brought him very soon as a penitent to the Saviour. When he was sixteen years of age, though sternly opposed by all his kindred, he identified himself with the Methodist Episcopal Chui'ch. He kept himself at this period under self-appointed rules of study, and the fruits of his efforts were mani- fest to all. There is a tradition that at the age of eighteen he delivered an address in Danbury, upon a topic of public interest, which a high officer of tlie State pronounced a most extraordinary production. At this time, too, he seemed, without loud professions, to have made steady progress in the Chris- tian life. Upon a fly-leaf of one of his private note books, he wrote, in a bold hand, this brief but characteristic prayer: " O, for wisdom, for heavenly wisdom ! " In the social meeting he would now and then speak briefly, but always to the point, and sometimes with great power ! ' January 5, 1836, before he was nineteen years of age, he was married to Lucretia Hawley, in Danbury, Conn. All this time he was advancing toward the point of applying himself to the great life-work to which God had called him. Dr. Hunt writes further : Not hastily, but after long consideration, he accepted from his pastor, the late Rev. John Crawford, a license to exhort. This paper bears the date of April 26, 1840. On the 19th of September, 1841, he received a license to preach. This document bears the honored name of Charles W. Carpenter, who was always regarded by our brother as a model presiding elder. Six months later he removed to New York city, and became a member of the Forsyth-street church. PASTORAL RECORD : 1842, supply, Haddam, Conn. ; 1843, (New Yoik Conf ,) returned to Haddam cir., with C. Brainard ; 1844-1845, Madison; iSi-s, ordained deacon; in 1846, Windsor cir., with C. Brainard; 1847, ordained eld';'-; 1847-1848, New York, Vestry-street; 1849-1850, Poughkeepsie, Can- non-street ; 1851-1853, (Phila. Conf..) Philadelphia, Union church, with James Mitchell, sup'y; 1853, (New York Conf.,) sup'y at Poughkeepsie, Cannon- street, with R. A. Chalker; 1854, sup'y, ditto, with John W. Beach; 1855- ' Rev. A. S. Hunt, D,D., in Minutes New York East Conference, 1883, p. 57. 386 Old Sands Street Church. 1856, agent Tract Society, practically sup'y ; 1857, sup'y, Pouglikeepsie, Can- non street ; 1858, Pouglikeepsie, Cannon-street; 1859-1862, presiding elder, Rhinebeck Dist., N. Y.; 1863-1865, Rliinebeck; 1866, stationed at Peekskill— went to Europe; 1867-1868, sup'y, in Europe: 1869 (latter part)-l87l, Brooklyn, Sands-street ; 1872-1874, Hartford, Conn., First cli. ; 1875, presiding elder. New York Dist.; 1876-1878, Brooklyn, Summerfield ch. ; 1879, Brooklyn, Greene ave.; 1880-1882, presiding elder, Brooklyn Dist. He was assigned, as we have seen, to an important pastorate in the city of New York (Vestry-street) after a brief experience in small country charges, but "he promptly impressed the entire Methodism of the city as a remarkably gifted and effi- cient preacher of the gospel." A serious accident in his child- hood, by which one eye was lost and the other injured, accounts for the appearance of his name on the supernumerary list for a number of years. His wife died in Poughkeepsie, November 2, 1858, and he was again united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Andrews, on the nth of December, i860, in the town of Richmond, Mass. In 1866, he was appointed United States consul at Carlsruhe, Germany, where he received skillful and successful treatment for the improvement of his sight. The Wesleyan University conferred upon him the degree of Doctor in Divinity in 1873. When speaking of death he had often expressed a preference for a sudden departure, and this desire was not denied him. He died of neuralgia of the heart at his home in Brooklyn, March 19, 1883. It was the day after a Sabbath of very wearisome labor; he went home to take a little rest before holding a quar- terly conference in the evening, but before the sun set "he passed out of our sight." His funeral service was held in the Summerfield church. The pall-bearers were the Rev. Dr. J. O. Peck, Mark Hoyt, the Rev. George E. Reed, Judge Reynolds, the Rev. I. Simmons, W. W. Wallace, the Rev. J. S. Breckin- ridge, and ex-Mayor Booth. The exercises were under the direction of the Rev. Thomas H. Burch, presiding elder of the New York District, and the other preachers who participated were G. P. Majns, W. T. Hill, G. A. Hubbell, W. D. Thomp- son, Henry Baker, W. L. Phillips, A. S. Hunt, Thomas Stephen- son, H. A. Buttz and O. H. Tiffany. Mr. Burch said : Twelve months ago there were four of us, members of the same conference, dwelling not far apart, and closely related to each other ; at least I felt the three to beclosely related to me. Two of them were my friends of thirty years' standing; the other I had known scarcely a third of that period, but so sweet Record of Ministers. 387 and tender had been the fellowship between us as to seem equally long-es- tablished. One of the four, Dr. George W. Woodruff, died last March. At the funeral services which followed, the other three officiated, one of them, Dr. Weed, directing the exercises. Less than four months afterward Dr. Weed died suddenly, passing, apparently, without u pang to his rest. A great throng gathered in the church of which he was pastor to give him reverent and tender burial. Dr. Kettell presided at those services, and I was permitted to take part. The sad year, well-nigh spent, had yet a day to run, when, un- anticipated by himself or his family, and to the sore amazement of us all, Dr. Kettell ceased to breathe. And now, the survivor of the four, I am charged with the direction of these funeral rites." The following day the remains were taken to Poughkeepsie for burial. Dr. Buckley, who was one of Dr. Kettell's Sunday- school boys in Philadelphia, in 1852, wrote as follows, in The Christian Advocate : The editor of this paper has seen Dr. Kettell as the pastor of his youth, twice as his presiding elder, once as his successor in the pastorate, in tlie busi- ness of the annual conference, the less formal debates of the New York Preachers' Meeting, and the stately proceedings of the Board of Managers of the Missionary Society. He has wandered with him among the hills and valleys and along the waters of Mount Desert, and at all times admired his remarkable clearness of intellect, his unusual felicity of statement, his wide range of thought, his abundance, of instructive anecdote, his genuine humor, his candor, his marked ability in the pulpit, his unfailing good temper, his easy refinement of manners. The results of his life-work are not to be mi?asured by statistics. He was not a pioneer; he was not one who burst upon a community like an army in battle arr.iy; he did not excel in tlie "management of meetings." But the sum of his influence was to command respect for the church, reverence for the truth, esteem for himself as a minister and a man. A philosophic and semi- humanitarian vein, doubtless to some extent traceable to his New England origin and his long residence in Germany, ran through his prenching, which made it very interesting to the intellectual, but dimini.shed its immediate effects. Fear in the utterance of what he believed true ho seemed never to know. His conference memorial says : His mind was one of great breadth and fullness, and was well poised. He had keen analytic power, a wonderful memory, especially for matters of history, in which he found ^jerpetual delight. He was loyal to truth as he saw it, and if he sometimes saw as we could not see, we knew, nevertheless, that his integrity and genuineness were unimpeachable. The law of conscience was to him clothed with the might of God. To his health- ful sense of humor, allusion has already been made, and it may be added that his conversation and his extemporaneous utterances sparkled at times with ' The Christian Advocate, March 2g, 1883. 388 Old Sands Street Church. dignified but pungent wit. He was master of terse and idiomatic English, exhibiting in his chain of words the most extraordinary felicity. Large words and high-sounding words he did not use, but fitting words, so fitting that or- dinary men might search for hours and yet fail to find the delicately-shaded epithets which fell from his lips with perfect naturalness and inimitable grace. In the pulpit he was, perhaps, less skillful in his appeals to the unconverted than in his addresses to believers. It must not be understood from this state- ment that he did not sometimes stir the consciences of sinners, for he certainly proved his ability to do this, but as a preacher upon themes aiming at the edification of the church he was one of a thousand. LuCRETiA, his first wife, was a native of Danbury, Conn. She was nine years his senior — a woman " of a very quiet, retiring disposition, and faithful to her duties." She died in Pough- keepsie, N. Y., as already stated, in the forty-second year of her age. Three daughters were the fruit of this union. They are all married, and are still living. Dr. Kettell left a widow, who, with their only son, resides in Brooklyn, N. Y. REV. T. G. OSBORN, M. A. LXXXII. THOMAS G. OSBORN. HE ancestors of the Rev. Thomas Gilbert Osborn, A.M., were among the early settlers of East Hamp- ton, Long Island. They came from Lynn, Mass., but were originally from Maidstone, in Kent, En- gland. Thomas Osborn and John Osborn were named in the char- ter of East Hampton when it was incorporated under the co- lonial government of New York by a patent from Governor Nicoll, March 13, 1666.' From one of these was descended Daniel Osborn, of East Hampton, who was born before 1700, and to whom the ancestry of T. G. Osborn is definitely traced. Daniel Osborn, grandfather of Thomas G., was a graduate of Yale College. He practiced law in Cutchogue, L. I., and was a member of the New York Legislature in 1787 and 1788. His son. Dr. Thomas Osborn, of Riverhead, had an extensive prac- tice in Suffolk County for many years. Elizabeth, wife of Dr. Osborn, and mother of the subject of this sketch, was grand- daughter of Colonel Phineas Fanning, of the Revolution. Her father was Deacon Enoch Jagger, of the Presbyterian church in West Hampton, L. I. Being always of Arminian views, Deacon Jagger at once hailed the coming of the Methodist preachers into his neighborhood, joined their communion, and assisted in building the first Methodist Episcopal church in the town. Dr. and Mrs. Thomas Osborn, although educated in the strictest creed of the Presbyterian Church, were always Arminian in be- lief, and for years before they united with the Methodists, their house was a home for the itinerant preachers. Their son writes : ' See Bayles' History of Suffolk County. 39° Old Sands Street Church. Richard Wymond used to tell, with a good deal of pleasure, the story of his first meeting with my father. He had been sent to a large circuit on the east end of Long Island, including no small part of Suffollc County. He was an entire stranger in those parts. As he drew near to the pleasant village of Riverhead he drove into the pond to water his weary horse. He was feeling lonely and sad. Just then a portly man in a gig drove in from the opposite side. Looking keenly at his broad-brimmed hat and strait coat, he .said, " You are a Methodist preacher. Just drive up to the houSe you see there ; give your horse to the men, and make yourself at home until my return. I am Dr. Osborn, and my house is a home for all the preachers." My mother united with the church under the ministry of the Rev. John Trippett, and ray father became a member while Dr. James Floy was pastor in Riverhead. My father contributed most of the funds to build the original Methodist church in that place. He died in peace in 1849, aged seventy years, and my mother died triumphantly in 1867, while visiting her daughter, the wife of Professor T. Stone, in the Cooper Institute, New York. ' Thomas G. Osborn was born in Riverhead, L. I., October 15, 1820. He prepared for college at the Franklin Academy, near Riverhead, where he remained three years under the instrtic- tion of the Rev. Phineas Robinson, of the Presbyterian church, and a graduate of Hamilton College. Having spent four years in the Wesleyan University, he was graduated in 1840, with J. W. Lindsay, Joseph Curamings, Chauncey Shaffer, and other men of note. While a thoughtless youth in college, he and young Lindsay, his intimate friend, by mutual agreement gave their hearts to Christ. He was then about nineteen years of age. Dr. Francis Hodgson, pastor in Middletown at the time, was the chief agent in his conversion. Mr. Osborn was made a member of the Phi Beta Kappa So- ciety after he left the university, and received the degree of A.M. in 1843. His time, for the first three years after gradua- tion, was divided between the law office of Judge Miller, of Riverhead, the Harvard Law School at Cambridge, Mass., and the Union Theological Seminary in New York. He received an exhorter's license June 27, 1843, and two months later he was licensed to preach, the paper being signed by the presiding elder, Stephen Martindale. CONFERENCE RECORD : 1844-1845. (New York Conf ,) South- ampton, L, I.; 1846, ordained deacon by Bp. Hedding ; 1846-1847, Bridge- hampton ; 1848, ordained elder by Bp. Waugh ; 1848-1849, (New York East Conf.,) Patchogue ; 1850, snp'd ; 1851-1852, Birmingham, Conn.; 1853, Bridgeport and East Bridgeport; 1855-1856, Waterbury; 1857-1858, New " Letter to the author. Record of Ministers. 391 York, Twenty-seventh-street ; 1859, New York, .Allen-street ; i860, ditto, with J. Ellis; 1861, Brooklyn, Suramerfield ch.; 1862-1863, New Haven, St. John-street; 1864, sup"d one month, then presiding elder, Bridgeport Dist.; 1865-1866, sup'd, residence New Haven; 1867-1868, Riverhead ; 1869-1871, presiding elder Bridgeport Dist.; 1872, presiding elder, Long Island South Dist.; 1873- 1874, Portchester ; 1875-1876, sup'y ; 1877-1879, Riverhead, L. I. ; 1880- 18B4, sup'y. In Southampton, where he began his ministry, he organized the first Methodist society, which has grown to be a large and flourishing church. The friends of Methodism had purchased the Presbyterian church, and were rejuvenating that solid struct- ure. Their young minister preached in the village school- house until the lecture-room of the church was finished. As the fruit of a revival during the first year seventy were added to the church by conversion, and about a dozen by letter from the Presbyterian church. About one hundred and fifty mem- bers were received during a revival in Birmingham, Conn., while he was laboring there, in Allen-street, New York, during his ministry, about two hundred were converted. The most signal outpouring of the Spirit under his ministry was in 1857, in East Twenty-seventh-street, New York. Here, during the revival, more than five hundred professed conversion at the altar, and joined the Methodist church. It was considered the most wonderful work of grace in the city of New York during that year of general revival. The astonishing magnitude of the work was largely due to " unintermitted /aj'/^'ra/ visitation." At that time John Stephenson, who was superintendent of the Sunday- school, trustee, steward, class-leader, and chorister, co-operated most heartily with the pastor. Every Monday morning a list of all new scholars who had attended the Sabbath-school was left at the parsonage. The paper was in Mr. Stephenson's hand- writing, and contained the names of all new scholars, and the names, nationality, occupation, and religious preference (if any) of their parents. All these families were systematically visited the same week by the pastor, with this valuable directory in his hand, their temporal and spiritual wants inquired into, and, if they were not attendants upon any place of worship, they were invited to the Twenty-seventh-street church. In this way scores were gathered in who never previously attended any church, and were made happy followers of the Lord. Among the con- verts were Edwin F. Hadley and J. Stanley D'Orsay, who aft- erward became preachers in the New York East Conference. 392 Old Sands Street Church. Joseph Pullman (now the Rev. Dr. Pullman, of Brooklyn) was at that time a Bible-class scholar in Twenty-seventh-street Sun- day-school, and a student in the New York Free Academy. Mr. Osborn's health was seriously impaired by exposure and incessant labor on the Bridgeport District, on account of which he has been compelled at two different times to resign his place as presiding elder, and to hold a superannuated or supernume- rary relation for several years. He was a delegate to General Conference in 1872. By invitation of the Methodist people of his native village he has been with them two terms — five years in all — as their pastor. He recommended the Rev. E. F. Had- ley as a suitable person to take his place in 1869 and supervise the erection of a new church. Desirous of assisting in the good work, he sent the trustees a check for five hundred dol- lars, and, while serving as pastor there the second time, in or- der to sweep off all the debt from the church and parsonage, he contributed an additional hundred dollars. The accompanying portrait is a very correct likeness of Mr. Osborn as he appeared when, as presiding elder, he was asso- ciated with the Sands-street church. He is a, man of more than medium height, light complexion, blue eyes, auburn hair sprinkled with gray, quick movement, and ready and rapid ut- terance. His sermons are intellectual and practical, and usu- ally delivered with an unction that renders them eminently effective. Mr. Osborn's domestic life has been one of uncommon be- reavement, as appears from the notices of his three wives and two children, deceased, which are published at the close of this sketch. His present wife, Grace E., to whom he was married in 1869, was formerly the consort of Captain Elbridge Colburn, of the First Connecticut Cavalry, who died in the service of his country. Surviving children of Thomas G. Osborn : Mary E., born 1849 ; Thomas S., born 1857. Jerusha L. (Cook,) first wife of the Rev. T. G. Osborn, was married March 23, 1846, and died in the parsonage in East Twenty-seventh-street, New York, August 25, 1857, aged thirty- one years. On her tombstone are inscribed the precious words, " Forever with the Lord." Maria Jane, his second wife, sister of the above, was born Record of Ministers. 393 in Bridgehampton, L. I. She was converted at ten years of age, and joined the church at fifteen. She was married to Mr. Osborn September i, 1858, and was " a good mother to the chil- dren of her sainted sister." She died in the St. John-street parsonage, in New Haven, March 5, 1863, Uged thirty-two years." Calista E. (Barton,) Mr. Osborn 's third wife, experienced religion at the age of ten years, at South Hadley Falls. She was married May 18, 1864, and died in Riverhead December 22, 1867, aged thirty-three years. Her obituary notice says :. In class her seat was seldom vacant, and one of many similar passages from her Journal will suffice to show her estimate of this means of grace : " At- tended class this evening, and had a blessed meeting ; have felt like rejoicing all the day long.'' She was an exemplary Christian, amiable in all the walks of life, and universally beloved. The closing words of her Journal, written but a little while before her death, are as sweetly expressive of her whole life as words can well be : "I will try to submit without murmuring to my heav- enly Father's will, and feel sure that it is right." Her last audible words in reply to her husband, who asked, " Is it all well ? " were, " All is well." ■* The three wives repose side by side in the cemetery in Riverhead. Children deceased: Thomas G., infant, died December 21, 1853 ; Isabel C, died March 7, 1865, in the eleventh year of her age. ' Notice by Heman Bangs, in The Christian Advocate. " Dr. L. S. Weed, in The Christian Advocate. LXXXIII. FREEMAN P. TOWER. HE Rev. Freeman Pratt Tower is of the seventh generation descended from one John Tower, who was born in England in 1609, and who came to this country in early life and settled near Boston. Those familiar with the genealogy say that all the " Towers " in this country are the posterity of this man. F. P. Tower was born in Eastford, Conn., February 13, 1838. When he was two years old the family moved to Dudley, Mass., and three years later to Southbridge, in the same State. He studied awhile in Rawson's fm3ly school, in Thompson, Conn., but his preparation for college was chiefly made at the Nichols Academy, in Dudley, Mass. He was assistant princi- pal of this academy several terms, and one terra principal of a public school in Pomfret, Conn. Most of the good and useful men whom God has chosen to be his ministers were converted in very early life, and Mr. Tower is not an exception to this rule. It may prove to be one part of the mission of this series of biographies to furnish examples of the great honor Christ confers upon those who seek him in early life. From eight years of age, and even farther back in unremembered infancy, to the ages of sixteen and eighteen, by far the larger number and the best and most useful of the Chris- tians herein mentioned, gave their hearts to the Lord. At Southbridge, Mass., under the ministry of the Rev. W. R. Bag- nail, in the year 1850, at the age of twelve, Freeman P. Tower exercised saving faith in Christ. He was licensed as a local preacher when nineteen years of age, and very soon thereafter his presiding elder, the Rev. Jefferson Hascall, employed him as pastor of one of the churches on his district. Mr. Tower entered the Wesleyan Univer.sity a sophomore ir| i860, and was graduated in 1863. He was pastor of a church during two years of his college course. ^T^mr-C^ — 31EV. F. P. TOWER, M. A. Record of Ministers. 395 MINISTERIAL RECORD : 1859-1S60, Hardwick, Mass., a supply ; 1861-1862, Plantsville, Conn., a supply ; 1863-1865, (New York East Conf.,) Cheshire ; 1865, ordained deacon ; 1866-1868, Meriden ; 1867, ordained elder ; 1869-1871, Brooklyn, Greenpoint Tabernacle ; 1872-1873, Brooklyn, Sands-street ; 1874, South Norwalk, Conn. ; 1875, (California Conr.,) Alameda, Cal.; 1876-1878, (Oregon Conf.,) Salem, Oregon; 1879-1884, agent, Willamette University ; 1880, also presiding elder, Portland Di»t. Mr. Tower's pastoral labors in the East, beginning with his youthful ministry in Hardwick, were signally blessed in the conversion of sinners. The young, especially, were won to Christ in great numbers. While in Meriden, besides witnessing spiritual prosperity, he gaine,^ great credit for his successful management of an important church-building enterprise, and in his later charges he has proved himself " the right man in the right place," by his persevering energy in promoting the financial interests of needy churches, and of the oldest Protest- ant institution of learning on the Pacific coast. The church in Alameda nearly doubled its membership and began to build a new church edifice during his administration. The carpen- ters were putting the roof on the building when he was invited to Salem, Oregon, and appointed by the bishop to that place. The church had been struggling for six years, with partial suc- cess, to erect a house of worship, and he found the congrega- tion holding services in the lecture room. The church edifice, the best in the state of Oregon, was completed during his second year, and a new parsonage built, the total cost being about $40,000. While he has been the agent of Willamette University, the financial condition has been improved to the amount of about $40,000, more than f 10,000 of which was raised in the Eastern States. He is at present (1884) engaged in raising $2o_,ooo to endow a Bishop E. O. Haven memorial professorship in this institution. It fell to his lot to deliver the principal address at the funeral of Bishop Haven — " a very able paper, which gave a full state- ment of the bishop's career, and a just analysis of his char- acter." ' We might content ourselves with this brief outline of facts, and leave the rest to the memory of Mr. Tower's friends. They will not fail to call to mind occasions when the gospel ' Rev. George W. Woodruff, in The Christian Advocate. 27 39^ Old Sands Street Church. message from his lips was attended with marvelous power ; for example, the sermon on " the judgment," at the Forestville camp-meeting, in 1864. His sermons are intellectual and log- ical, and extemporaneously delivered ; his manner is earnest and persuasive ; his voice full and clear. In conversation and in preaching he speaks with deliberation, and in company has an air of abstraction, which is sometimes very noticeable. A more conscientious Christian, and a more unselfish, honorable friend, one rarely finds. Mr. Tower was married, August 20, 1863, to Miss Julia A. Cleveland, of Barre, Mass. She was educated at Mt. Holyoke Seminary, and has been a devoted Christian from her childhood. They removed to the Pacific coast in search of a friendlier climate, and mainly for the benefit of Mrs. Tower's health. Only one of their three children survives, namely, Olin Freeman, now twelve years of age. REV. GEORGE TAYLOR LXXXIV. GEORGE TAYLOR. HE Rev. George Taylor is a native of the village of Honley, near Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England. He was born on the 12th of May, 1820.' His godly Methodist parents taught him the fear of the Lord, and with them he went very early to class and prayer meetings and the public worship of God. Through their efforts and the pious influence of Sunday-school teachers, and especially of an earnest local preacher named Edward Brooks, little George Taylor, at the age of eight years, became a happy Christian and joined the class. He received his first love-feast ticket from the hand of the Rev. John Bowers. We have here an- other example of the reality and blessedness of childhood con- version. Not only do most of the subjects of these biograph- ical sketches stand forth as witnesses of the adaptation of converting grace to the heart of a child, but they show that of all who believe in Christ, the very young, when properly cared for, are most likely to steadfastly maintain their faith. We have no backslidings of this little .eight-year-old convert to record, nor of scarcely any other who made a like early and noble choice. He attended the common school, and received classical in- struction from the Rev. J. Lowe, of the Episcopal Church. In his eighteenth year he began to labor as a local preacher on the Glossop circuit, in the Manchester district. After attend- ing the Rev. Thomas Allin's theological school in Altringham, (now merged into the college of the Methodist New Connec- tion, in Sheffield,) he came, in 1843, to this country, recom- mended to the Methodist Episcopal Church, there being no opening for young men in the ministry of his church in En- gland at that time. He became a member of the Second- street church in New York city, of which Dr. Bangs was pas- tor. After a few months he entered upon the pastoral work. APPOINTMENTS : 1843, Wolcottville, Conn., a supply ; 1844, (New , York Conf.,) Harlem, N. Y., with R. Seaman, sup'y ; 1845, Westerlow ; 1846, ordained deacon ; 1846-1847, Delhi ; 1848-1849, 398 Old Sands Street Church. (New York East Conf.,) Astoria, L. I. ; 1849, ordained deacon ; 1850, Bris- tol, Conn.; 1851-1852, Brooklyn, Eighteenth-street; 1853-1854, Bridg.- hampton, L. I. : 1855-1856, New York. Twenty-seventh-street ; 1857-1858, Rye, N. Y.; 1859-1860, Brooklyn, First Place; 1861-1862, Greenpoint ; 1S63- 1865, Williamsburgh, Grand-street (Gothic) ; 1866-1868, Jamaica, L. I. ; 1869-1871, Flushing; 1872-1873, New York, Willett-street ; 1874-1876, Brooklyn, Sands-street ; 1877-1879, Greenwich, Conn. ; 1S80, Parkville, L. I.; 1881-1883, Patchogue: 1884, Southold. After traveling five years he was married to Miss Susan Hatfield, of Delhi, N. Y. Their living children, Josephine, Jennie Z., and Susie H., are members of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. The records of the Sands-street church and Sun- day-school show that Mr. Taylor received in that place (as elsewhere) no little assistance from the several members of his family. Mr. Taylor is singularly modest, and his voice is rarely heard upon the conference floor, yet his talent and useful- ness 'are well known. His countenance, voice, and manner are exceedingly attractive. He stands very high in the confi- dence and esteem of the preachers and people within the bounds of the New -York East Conference. His brethren elected him a delegate to the General Conference in 1868. LXXXV ^s^^^^-1^; HE Rev. Albert. Schuyler Graves, D. D., was born of Methodist parents, Augustus and Lydia (Kelsey) jiSSE: Graves, in Salisbury, Vt., January 17, 1824. In 1839, at the age of fifteen, he wras baptized and received into the Methodist Episcopal Church, in Salisbury, by the late Rev. David P. Hurlburd, of the Troy Conference. He pre- pared for college at West Poultney, Vt., and was graduated at Wesleyan University in 1846. MINISTERIAL RECORD: 1846, West Troy, N. Y., a supply; 1847, Groton cir. N. Y., with W. N. Cobb; 1848, ditto, with Alonzo Wood; 1849, ordained deacon by Bishop Janes; 1849-1850, Moravia; 1851, ordained el- der by Bishop Hamlin — Ithaca, Sefleca-street; 1852-1853, Oxford; 1854, Uti- ca, Bleeker street; 1853-1856, Cortland; 1857-1858, Auburn; North street; 1859, ditto, sup'y; 1860-1863, presiding elder, Cortland Dist.; 1864-1869, Principal of Oneida (now Central New York) Conf. Sem., Cazanovia, N. Y. ; 1870-1871, (New York East Conf.,) Fair Haven, Conn.; 1871, traveled in Europe; 1872- 1873, West Winsted; 1874-1875, New Rochelle, N. Y.; 1876, presiding el- der, L. I. South Dist.; 1877-1879, presiding elder, Brooklyn Dist,; 1880- 1881, Brooklyn, South Third-st.; 1882-1883, Southold; 1884, Port Jefferson. He vsras secretary of the Oneida Conference several years, and was honored by that body with a seat in the General Conference in 1864 and in 1868. He wjls also a member of the New York East Conference delegation in 1880. That same year the preachers of the Brooklyn District presented him with an elegant watch as a token of their esteem. Mr. Graves is an able minister, and as teacher, pastor, and presiding el- der, has been uniformly successful. He has a genial coun- tenance and a pleasant voice, and his manner is attractive both in and out of the pulpit. On the 19th of October, 185 1, he was married by the Rev. Elias Bowen, to Miss Harriet A. Grant, of Ithaca, N. Y., who died July 20, 1858. He was married to Miss Isabella G. McIntosh, of Vernon, N. Y., April 19, 1862. Of the children, seven in number, a son and a daughter alone sui- vive. Their names are Arthur Eugene and Belle Evangeline. LXXXVI. fei-^ e ?y tfie 0ast teXi'e/i /u. iedc'n /kU Cfeav^ foff foffTY ysAfrs. fiarx. Jt/irll Zi'f /790. Oieci.Sefit. til IBS S". '/Arrn/fs be to Goii iyAc ffirt^fb Us f/ie fie/irr/'/kroi/^k ot/rXoni Jitus C/iri's/: Be ye stea^^oit, itnmorenblc - ^7tvtrye aioiiircft'rtg ui /fie »ork of Me icfxl." ■!^*"V««"'-^''y'.-?i^l Record of Members. 417 Babylon, L. I., Apr. 26, 1 790 ; " lived 75 yrs. in B'klyn, was widely known as an upright, honest citizen, and for a long time the fore- most man in the Meth. ch. in the city ; 60 yrs. connected with the Sands-st. ch." [Brooklyn paper.] He d. in B'klyn, Sept. 13, 1865, in his'76th yr. His pastor, C. Fletcher, preached his funeral sermon. A head-stone designates his grave in " Green- wood." The memorial tablet in the church (a fac-simile of which is given on p. 416) very worthily commemorates the esteem and reverence of the church for their good father and friend. — '**Ann (Furman), his w., was b. in B'klyn, May 16, 1793 ; at 18 mar. Mr. B.; d. Dec. 28, 1870, age 77; bur. beside her hus- band. She, also, was a member of Sands-st. ch. over 60 yrs., and what is said in praise of Jacob Brown may be as truly said ■of his wife. Of their 11 children, 5 are living, viz: John F., Emeline, Noah Levings, Almira, and Wesley, "'belonging to •different churches, and cherishing bright hopes of a happy union in heaven." [Letter of John F. Brown to the author.J —Brown, L. L., rem. by c, 1878.— BROWN, MARIA.— Brown, Margaret, rem. by c, 1875. — Brown, Martha, rem. by c, 1884.— **Brown, Mary, d. about 1834.— BROWN, MRS. NELLIE.— BROWN, RICHARD A.— Brown, Sam'l, rem. by c. — **Brown, Wm., son of Jacob, d. in peace, 1841; not married. — Brown, Hester, rem. without c, 1845.— BROWNE, LA GRANGE, S.S.t.-**Brush, Deb- orah, d. about 1819. — **Bryant, John, S.S.t. and S. S. supt., d. 1841, a young man. — **Buckley, Mrs. Elizabeth, d. 1870. — Budd, Richard and Gertrude, j. by c, 1876, rem. by ■c., 1879.— BUELL, ADA.— Bull, John, loc. pr., 1866, from Eng.— BULWER, MARY C, rem. by c— **Bumford, Cath- arine, w. of Edward, d. 1870.— BUMFORD, SARAH, S.S.t.— BUNCE, RICHARD, cl. Idr. since 1866; clerk in hardware -store in B'klyn. — Burch, Thos. Hardin, son of Thomas Burch, a Sands-st. pastor, was b. in Phila., June 8, 1823. We cannot give the date of his conversion. Studied in Wes. Univ. ; left •college in junior yr., (1842 ;). studied law 3 yrs. in the office of Anthon and Van Cott, N. York, and practiced law about 6 yrs. in that city. He was S.S.t. in Sands-st. ch. in 1842, after- ward S. S. sec. He took part in the election of the first board of trustees of Fleet-st. ch., Brooklyn, [Records ;] was licensed to preach by the quar. conf. of Sands-st. ch., and recom- mended to the Annual Conf. at the same meeting. Conf. Record : 1850-51, (N. York East Conf,) Flatbush, L. I. ; 1852, ord. dea- con ; 1852-53, Flatlands; 1854, ord. elder; 1854-55, Brooklyn, Hicks-st., (First PL;) 1856-57. Flushing; 1858-59, N. York, Forsyth-st. ; 1860-61, Hartford, Conn.; 1862-63, Stamford; 1864-66, New Haven, ist ch. ; 1867-69, Danbury; 1870-72, N. York, 37th-st. ; 1873-74, B'klyn, Greenpoint Tabernacle; :i875-77. N. York, 2d ave. ; 1878-80, B'klyn, Central ch. ; last 4i8 Old Sands Street Church. part of 1880, P. E., N. York Dist. ; 1881-82, P. E., N.York Dist. ; 1883-84, N. York, Trinity ch. He was mar. in 1844. to Miss Mary E. Ross. Their children are : Thos. R., Wm. R.,. Charles R., Mark H., and Mary E. [Alumni Record, Wes. Univ.] Mr. Burch has descended from a noble stock. He is- a bright man atid a popular preacher. — *Mary E., w. of the- above. Her father, the Rev. Wm. Ross, was twice pastor of the Sands-st. ch. She rem. by c. to Flatbush, to enter upon the duties of a pastor's w., in 185 1 ; d. suddenly at her parsonage home, in N. York, July 10, 1884. Funeral services in Trinity ch.j Harlem, were conducted by Bp. Harris, Dr. Curry, Dr. A. S.. Hunt, and the Rev. Wm. C. Steele, all intimate friends of the family. " Mrs. B. was a woman of decidedly domestic habits, and her household gathered around her with the most sincere and loving devotion." [Ch. Ad.] — *Burnett, Wm., rem. by c. The Rev. Geo. Coles mentions meeting him at Red Hook,, on the Hudson, in 1820. [" My First Seven Years in America," p. 173.] He was an exh. in Sands-st. ch. in 1822, afterward loc. deacon in Wash'gt'n-st. ch. He labored long and faithfully among the soldiers on Bedloe's Isl. and Governor's Isl., and through his efforts hundreds were rescued from the lowest depths of sin. Subsequently he turned his attention to seamen — head-quarters on a receiving ship in B'klyn Navy Yard ; final- ly hired a little Bethel in Catharine-st. ; where he preached and held temperance meetings. He was pastor of the Bethel about 25 yrs., with success very rarely equaled. On hearing of his. death in B'klyn, Jan. i, 1861, his friends, the sailors, begged, as- a favor, that they might be pall-bearers at his funeral; sermon by the Rev. F. S. De Hass, of Wash'gton-st. ch. ; procession escorted by the Sons of Temperance. [T. B., in Ch. Ad.] — *Mary Ogden, wid. of the above, b. in N. London, Conn. ; d. at the residence of her son-in-law, Edward Storer, Esq., ini B'klyn, Dec. 12, 1881, aged 81, a member of Wash'gt'n-st. ch.;. nearly 70 yrs. a devoted and faithful Methodist. [F. S. De Hass,. in Ch. Ad.]— Burns, Mary, mar. See Fay.— **Burr, Fran- ces, d. 1848, age 45; bur. in " Greenwood."— Burrows,, Joshua L., loc. pr. ; came from Gt. Britain to Sands-st. ch. in 1853. Pastoral Record : 1854, (N. York East Conf,) North Hempstead cir., L. I.; 1855, Northport and Centerport; 1856,, name disappears; became rector of an Episcopal ch. in Huntington, L. I. ; 1884, and many yrs. previously, rector of the Ch. of the Evangelists, Oswego, N. Y. The titles D.D. and Ph.D. appended to his name, are indicative of his scholarly attainments. — Burrows, Lemuel and Mary A., rem. by c.,. 1875. Mr. B. came from Mystic, Conn., in 1848; j. the M. E. ch. when a lad; was S.S.t. in 1854; went from Sands-st. to Hanson PI. ; afterward a member and pres't board of trustees. in Greene ave. ch. ; later j. the Nostrand ave. ch. He is now- Record of Memhers. 419. an assessor in Brooklyn. — Burrows, Mary T,, rem. by c. — Burrows, Thos. Coke, j. the Sands-st. ch. when a S. S. boy, (J. B. Hagany, pastor;) rem. to Carlton ave. ch. in 1861 ; now cl. Idr. and Bible-class teacher in Simpson ch. — Burtis, Mar- garet, rem. by c, 1882.— BURTIS, MRS. MARY E.— BUR- TIS, WM.— Burtnett, Kate R., rem. by c, 1873.— Burton, Mrs. Catharine, rem. by c, 1881.— BYRNE, SARAH A.— Cadmus, Richard, S.S.t. and std., went to Gowanus.— CAD- MUS, RICHARD and MRS. RICHARD.— Cady, Henry M. and Sarah H., rem. by c, 1882.— CAMPBELL, MRS. CLARA. —CAMPBELL, MRS. CORNELIA.— CAMPBELL, GEO.— **Cainpbell, John, a native of Scotland ; d. Jan. 3, 1809, age 67; bur. in old ch. yard. [See headstone.] — CAMPBELL,. MRS. LETITIA.— CAMPBELL, WM.— Canfield, J. B. and Mary A., rem. by c. to Schenectady, 1849. — **Cannon, Rachel; [see Moser.]— **Carl, Eliza, d. 1871.— CARL, ELIZA. — Carman, Albro R., rem. by c, 1866. — **Carman, Sarah, d. 1852. — *Carpenter, Albert. His father, the Rev. Chas. W. Carpenter, was a Sands-st. pastor. Mr. C. was S.S.t. and sec. of S. S. ; rem. by c, 1839 ; d. in Newburgh, N. Y., not many yrs. ago. He was mar. to Mary, a sister of David Coope. It is said that she and her son reside in Newburgh. — Carpenter, Carman R., rem., 1850.— CARPENTER, ELIZABETH. — CARPENTER, JANE.— Carpenter, Rob't, rem.— Carpen- ter, Ruth, rem.- CARROUGHER, GEO. W.— C.^RROU- GHER, JOSEPH, and ISABELLA, his w.— CARSON, JO- SEPH.— CARSON, MRS. ANNA F.—CARTER,BARNABAS. — Carter, Chauncey, cl. Idr. 1826; also a S. S. supt., much esteemed. — Cartwright, Wm., cl. Idr., 1846 ; one of the founders and original off. of the S. S. missy soc; more recently sexton of Wash'gton-st. ch. — Chadwick, Hannah, rem. by c.,. 1848.— Chadwick, Ruth A., rem. by c, 1849.— **Chadwick, Thos., a mason, rem. to B'klyn from Monmouth Co., N. J. He was killed by the falling of a chimney, in the summer of 1817 ; bur. in the old ch. yard. His w., "^Keziah, "was of a gentle, loving spirit, and trained her children in the fear of the Lord." Her son writes : " Well do I remember my mother taking my two sisters and myself to father's grave, and weeping for our loss." — Chadwick, Thos. Worthley, son of the above, S. S. sec, treas., and supt., and cl. Idr. in the Sands-st. ch., was b. in B'klyn, Sept. 27, 1817. His boyhood was spent partly in school and partly in a crockery store. David Coope, of Sands-st. ch.,, was his employer. He was conv. and j. this ch. at 15, (Thos. Burch, pastor.) At 18 he obtained a situation in the Kings Co. clerk's office, and remained in the office 10 yrs.; at 21 was made deputy cl'k. In 1842 he was mar. by his pastor, P. C. Oakley, in the old white church in Sands-st., to a member of this ch.. Miss Mary Frances Akins, stepdaughter of Thos. 420 Old Sands Street Church. Frazier. For 12 yrs. he strove against a divine call to preach the gospel. He rem. to N. York and j. Bedford-st. ch. in 1849, and 4 yrs. later, at a camp-meeting love-feast on L. I., conducted by Dr. Bangs, he submitted fully to God's will in respect to his life-work, and was wonderfully blessed. Soon after the camp- meeting he preached his first sermon in a tent, where the 7th ave. M. E. ch., N.York city, now stands. Obtaining license ist asexh., then as loc. pr.,he was immediately put into the field. Pastoral ■appt's: 1853, last part, supply at Uobb's Ferry, N.Y.; 1854-55, (N. York Conf.,) Dobb's Ferry Miss'n ; 1856, ord. deacon ; 1856-57, Red Hook and East Chatham; 1858, ord. elder ; 1858-59, Hud- ■son ; 1860-61, Red Hook; 1862-63, Middletown ; 1864-66, Kingston; 1867, N. York, 24th St.; 1868-71, P. E., Prattsville Dist. ; 1872-73, Peekskill, ist ch. ; 1874-76; Pleasantville; 1877, White Plains, ist ch.; 1878-80, Coeyman's and S. Beth- lehem ; 1881, Woodstock ; 1882-84, Coxsackie. Church edifices have been erected under his ministry at Dobb's Ferry, Ashland, and East Chatham; one was rebuilt at Red Hook; another finished and dedicated at 24th St., N. York. He has witnessed gracious revivals at Dobb's Ferry, Hudson, Middletown, Kings- ton, and Peekskill. He was sec. of the N. York Conf. 5 yrs. His surviving children are : Walter Augustus, an alumnus of Wesleyan Univ. and of Drew Theolog. Sem. ; member of the N. York Conf. since 1872 ; Ann Louisa, a grad. of Drew Ladies' Sem.; Chas. Wesley, a grad. of Wes. Univ., now studying art and ■engraving in N. York city. — Mary F., w. of the above, rem. by c, 18-48.— **Chamberlain, Sarah, d. 1868. (Mrs. S. E. Chamberlain was S.S.t. in 1864.) — Chapman, Maggie, rem. by c. to Embury ch., I880. — Chappelle, Caroline, S.S.t., 1855; rem. to Elm PI. Cong, ch., 1877.— CHEESEBORO, FRANK S.— CHEESEBORO, M.-VXTIE.— CHEETERTON, ALFRED.— CHEEVER, A. C— CHESHIRE, CHAS. B.— CLARK, ARCHIBALD G.— Clark, Geo., rem.— Clark, Leverett and Ruah, rem. by c. — Clark, Rebecca, rem. by c, 1872.— Clark, Rhoda, rem. bye, 1883.— CLARK, S.— Clax- ton, (Susan) Emma, mar. See Hudson. — CLAYTON, JAMES; from Eng. ; loc. pr. in Sands- St. ch. since r849 ; S.S.t., 1858.— CLAYTON, MRS. PHCEBE.— CLOFFY, SO- PHIA.— Cobb, E. R., rem.— Cobb, Rachel M., rem. by c, 188^.— COFFREY, Amelia.— **Cole, Moses, d.— Collett, John ; from Eng. ; loc. pr. in 1836; rem. by c. about 1839. — Collins, Richard, rem. — **Colvert, Hannah, d. in peace, 1865.— COLVIN, JENNIE.— COLVIN, SARAH.— Combs, Daniel A., rem. lay c. — **Compton, Mrs. Elizabeth J., d. — **Compton, Henry, d. 1882. — *Conger, Peter, (colored,) exh., 1814. — Conklin, Catharine,, rem. to N. York. — CONK- LIN, MARTHA J.— Connoly, Hugh G. and Elizabeth, rem. by c, 1867. — *Connor, Leah, member in 1798. — **Cook, Record of Members. 421 Benj. S., cl. Idr. ; d. about i860. — Cook, Hannah, rem. by c, 1877. — *Cooke, David A., S.S.t., 1856; cl. Idr., 1862; nephew ■of C. C. Smith; b. in B'klyn; when a young man studied with Fowler & Wells ; lectured on phrenology ; established the first daguerreotype gallery in B'klyn ; engaged in literary work ; a writer of force and elegance ; editor of the Willow Magazine, and the LyceumReporter ; contributed to various papers ; finally. •compositor in office of New York Tribune ; highly honored by his friends for his active mind, generous impulses, and great kindness of heart ; a successful infant-class teacher, a model husband and father. In size, gait, manner, countenance, and voice, he is said to have resembled Dr. J. M. Buckley. He rem. bye. to Hanson PI. ch. in 1870; d. in B'klyn, Feb. i, 1877, aged 57, and is bur. in "Greenwood." — Mary E., his w., rem. by c, 1870. Of their 7 children, 2 sons and i dau. are living. — **Cooke, Elizabeth, mother of David A., dau. of ■Geo. Smith; rem. to Ithaca, N. Y. ; returned; d. in B'klyn, April 7, 1864; bur. in Evergreen cem. — Cooke, Emily V., •dau. of David A.; rem. by c, 1870. — **Coope, David, S.S.t., S.S. supt., std., cl. Idr., trus., (sec. and treas. of the board;) brother-in-law to Albert Carpenter; began business in B'klyn as a china merchant with a few pieces of crockery in a store on Fulton St. opposite Henry ; business prospered ; C. C. Leigh was his partner some yrs. Mr. C. was a prominent and useful ■officer in the ch., and when taken away was greatly lamented. He d. in 1877, aged about 70. — Coope, Edison, rem. by c, 1879. — *Coope, Edward, brother of David; rem. 1837; has since d. [Mrs. J. J. StudwelL] — Cooper, Caroline, rem. to N. York. — Cooper, John, Idr. of a colored class, 1808. — ■Cooper, Wm., rem. by c, 1866. — Copeland, Chas. J., rem. without c. — Copelandj Geo. and Harriet F., rem. by c. {Geo. M. Copeland was S.S.t. in 1839.)— **Cornelison, John, trus. before 1800; rope-maker; d. in faith, 1819, aged 75. [Tombstone in old ch. yard.] Mrs. J. W. De Grauw described him as a good man, very devout ; she often heard him pray when the tears rolled down his cheeks. — **Sarah, his w., called sometimes " Auntie Cornelison," was an energetic woman of the olden type. She used to row a small boat across the ferry from Brooklyn to N. York. [C. C. Smith.] See sketch of her dau., Mrs. Lanie Acker.— CORNWELL, MARY A.— *Corn- well, Richard, chorister, also S.S.t., one of the first. He en- tered into politics, and fell away from the ch., but is believed to have been restored to God's favor during his last illness. He d. about 1845, and his pastor, C. W. Carpenter, at his funeral, spoke of his happy death and beautiful visions of heaven. — *Mary, w. of the above, dau. of James Herbert, S.S.t., one of the first; d. about 1800, and was bur. from the •Washington st. ch. Children of Richnrd and Mnry Cornwell: 42 2 Old Sands Street Church. Rich 'd Herbert ; James, d. 1882 in B'klyn; Timothy, member Classon ave. Presb. ch. ; John, d. in B'klyn ; Sam'l ; Mary, (Mrs. Campbell ;) Amanda, d. ; Anna, d. ; Katie, wid. of Brewer, lives at Flatbush.— CORNWELL, MRS. SARAH.— **Cor- son, Dr. John W., cl. Idr., 1842 ; rem. by c. ; b. at Grimsby,, near Niagara, C. W., Aug. 2, 1816 ; son of a Math, pioneer mis- sionary, the Rev. R. Corson. He was an industrious and am- bitious lad, and was greatly aided "by the heroism and counsels- of his gifted mother." He studied the classics at Cazenovia Sem. ; was graduated in medicine at Albany in 1S42 ; began his- practice in B'klyn ; traveled and studied in Europe ; published a vol. entitled, '" Loiterings in Europe ; " was chosen visiting, physician to B'klyn City Hospital; rem. to N. York; mar. a dau. of the late Calvin Condit, Esq. ; adopted as his specialty diseases of the chest and throat ; wrote papers ; lectured in the colleges ; served as recording sec. of the Am. and For. Xn.. Union ; health failed; rem. to Brampton, near Toronto, C. W. ;. rallied ; lectured in Victoria College, Toronto; rem. to Orange, N. J. ; for years physician to the Orange Memorial Hospital.. He was a faithful worker in the S.S. and the ch., and d., greatly lamented, about Jan. i-, 1882, age nearly 66.— CORWIN, MRS. MARY E.— COSTELLO, HENRY.— COSTELLO, MRS. ' LETITIA.— COSTELLO, MRS. MATILDA,— **C-ottier, John ; loc. pr., 1849, and later S.S.t., S.S. sup't, trus., std., and cl. Idr. He was b., of Wesleyan Meth. parents, in Peel, Isle of Man, in 1809; conv. at 21; j. the Wesleyans; 5 yrs. later be- gan his work as loc. pr. ; came to N. York in 1844 ; to B'klyn soon after; devotedly served the Sands-st. ch. for 30 yrs. in many different relations. He was one of the originators, and for a time the highly-honored pres't, of the Nat'l Loc. Preach- ers' Assoc 'n, also an active member of the Loc. Prs. Assoc'n of N. York and B'klyn, by whose agency many souls were con- verted and many churches established in those two cities. He d. in 1879. ^gfi 69, and is bur. in " Greenwood." His memoir says : " He was diligent in business, which secured him a com- petency to support a large family, and to educate and fit his children to move in the most refined circles. At his funeral, and at the ' memorial services,' held in the Sands-st. ch., pas- tors of the churches and his brethren of the local ministry spoke of him as a distinguished, courteous, consistent Christian gen- tleman, who gave time and money freely to advance the king- dom of God. In the pulpit his manner was solemn, earnest, fervent ; the melody of his voice, his clear, sincere utterance of gospel truth, his graceful manner and dignified person, and, above all, his acknowledged purity of character, insured him a welcome to most of the pulpits of N. York and B'klyn." He left aw., a son, and 3 daus.— COTTIER, MRS. MARY A.— COTTRELL, MRS. SARAH.— COULTER, JOHN J.— Record of Members. 423 COWELLS, W. W.— Cox, Sam'l, rem. by c. ; identified with the most active laymen of B'klyn and W'msburgh Methodism .for many yrs. ; now a member and off. in the Glen Cove (L. I.) -M. E. Ch. The author was his pastor 3 yrs. — Cozine, Addie, Trem. by c, 1883. — Cozine, Gertrude J., rem. by c, 1883. — •COZINE, MRS. ROSANNAH.— Craig, James B., rem.— Crane, Josephine A., rem. by c, 1882.— Crangle, Susan, rem. by c, i876.-T'Crans, Josephine, rem.— CREED, SARAH.— CRESHULL, MRS. SARAH J., S.S.t— CRES- HULL, AVM.- *Cromwell, Benj., conv. at Matteawan, on the Hudson, in early manhood; removing thence, j. the. 27th-st. •ch., N. York; afterward one yr. a member of Sands-st. ch. ; thenceforward he belonged to York-st. ; and at the time of his ■death was pres't of the board of trustees and sec. of the joint board. For years he led or assisted in leading the service of song in the ch. and S.S. In i88o he d., age 60. His memoir says : " He was a member of the Good Samaritans, and Worthy Patriarch of the Sons of Temp. For 14 yrs. he was at the head of the Cadets of Temp, in B'klyn, and for many months previ- ous to his death he was Worthy Chief of the Star Lodge of Good Templars." He was bur. in the Evergreen cem. ; left a w. and 2 children, with a large circle of friends. [A. C. Stevens in Ch. Ad.]— CROOK, MRS.KATIE.— **Crosby, Jane, d. 1866 ; member one yr. — Crosby, Louise, rem. by c, 1872. — Crosby, Sarah, rem. — CRUM, SARAH. — **Cuniberson, Thomas, ■d. 1882. — **Cunningham, Mrs. Sophronia, d. 1883. — Curry, Emma, rem., bv c. 1849 ; went West. — Cursiner, Mrs. Elsie, rem. bye. to Sum'f'd. ch., 1880.— CURTIS, COR- NELIA.— CURTIS, MRS. ELIZABETH.— Cutter, Julia, dan. of S. Virginia, rem. by c. to Nostrand ave. ch., 1878. — **Cutter, S. Virginia, w. of Britton P., sister of A. B. Thorn ; , b. in Richmond, Va. ; S.S.t. some time ; S.S. supt. 13 yrs. ; d. in peace, Jan. 5, 1870, age 48; bur. in "Greenwood." See headstone.. Her counsels were wise, and her influence always .good. She was a wid. 20 yrs. ; left a dau. as above. — *Dale, JBetsey, member in 1798. — Dalton, John; loc. pr. ; recom- mended to traveling connection, 1817; name does not appear in Conf Minutes. — Damon, Mary, rem. by c, 1867. — Dann, Isaac N., rem. to N. Haven, Conn., about 1855. — Dannath, E., rem.— Danney, Ellen, rem. by c, 1848.— Darcey, Har- riet, rem. by c, 1867, — Darling, James, S.S.t., rem. by c, 1867.— Darling, Mary A., rem. bv c, 1867.— DARLING, -M.-VRY JANE.— Darrow, Mrs. Emily, withdrew.— DAVID- SON, ELIZABETH.— DAVIDSON, EMMA.— Davidson, Mrs. Zilla, rem. by c— DAVIS, ELISHA.— DAVIS, HEZE- KI.JlH.— -Davis, John, S.S.t., rem. to N. York, 1851.- **Davis, Rebecca, conv. on Staten Island; d. 1848, age 22. [Ch. Ad.]— *Davis, Sarah, w. of Wright, dau. of Geo. Srnith, 424 Old Sands Street Church. rem. by c , 1848, to Oyster Bay, L. I., where she is believed to have been a Meth. as long as she lived. She d. in B'klyn about 1868; bur. in " Greenwood."— DAVISON, JOSEPHINE.— Davison, Kate, rem. by c, 1876. — Dawson, Wm., loc. pr., 1815, from Eng. ; nothing further known; same name as the brilliant and famous loc. pr. of Eng., commonly known as "Billy Dawson."— *Day, Anna, member in 1798. — DAY, EMMA.— Dayton, Amelia, mar.; see Miller.— DAYTON, ANNIE.— DAYTON, CARRIE.— **Dayton, Frances, d. 1866. — Dayton, John, withdrew about 1831. — **Dayton, John, d. 1881.— DAYTON, MARY E.— Deacon, John, rem. by c— DE BEVIS, FRANCIS.— *De Graw, Ida, dau. of James De Graw, j. Sands-st. eh. at the age of 12, (Lewis Pease, pastor;) elected S.S.t. about the same time; received the first Bible ever given by the B'klyn S. S. Union. [Letter of Isaac Carhart.] She rem. by c, 1850; was a member several yrs. at Parkville, L. I.; d. 1877, age 66. She was quiet, but very earnest and faithful; distributed tracts, visited the sick and poor, studied God's word, communed with her Saviour, and wa& a witness for him wherever she went. [Rev. H. Aston, in Ch. Ad.] " The Bible she received from the S. S. Union," says- Miss Vanderveer, " was her daily companion during all her sub- sequent life. As death approached she asked Mrs. Carhart to read, ' Blessed are they that do his commandments,' etc.; then saying, ' Now I feel as if I could go to sleep,' she sweetly fell into the repose of death." — **De Graw, James, a pioneer cL Idr. and trus. of this ch. In 1801 he mar. Elizabeth Debevoise. His birth, baptism, and marriage occurred on the holy Sabbath. Of his six children it is said that two still survive. He d. in his own house- in Sands-st., May 8, 1835, age 68; bur. in the old grave-yard. When the ch. was enlarged it was built over his grave. [Isaac Carhart 's letter.] He was sometimes irregular in his habits, but it is believed that he retained his membership in the ch. — **Elizabeth, his w., d. Oct. 29, 1839, age 68. — De Graw, Maria, rem. 1850. — De Gray, Deborah, rem. — De Gray, James, cl. Idr., S.S.t., and S. S. supt. ; one of the founders and ist trustees of Fleet-st. ch. in 1850. His name stands on the list of the ist bo'ard of stewards in Sum'f'd ch. in 1851. — DeGroff, John, member of Yellow Hook (Bay Ridge) class in 1822. — Delaney, Ann, rem. by c— DELANEY, MRS. MARGARET.— Demmon, Isaac and Fanny M., rem. by c, 1866. — Denike, Thos. S., went from Sands-st. to- York-st. ch.; cl. Idr. in York-st., 1845-1849. — Dennison, Sarah, rem. by c, 1848. — *Denton, Mary, member in 1798. — *De Vinne, Daniel, b., of Catholic parents, in Londonderry, Ireland, Feb. i, 1793. " Soon after his birth his father became involved in the Irish troubles and came to America with his family. They first settled near Troy. Young DeV.'s earliest Record of Members. 425 recollection was of the removal of the family soon after to the little village of Charleston, which, though less than 40 m. from Albany, was then a frontier town, with plenty of bears, wolves, and other wild animals, to annoy the settlers. He remembered well the excitement caused in the little township when the news came of Geo. Washington's death in 1799. The settlers were obliged to wait for particulars until spring opened and they could get a newspaper from Albany." [N. York Tribune.] At the age of 10 the boy was sent to school, and "learned something in spite of his teacher." He was called the "little Roman " by the school-boys because he stoutly upheld the Rom. Cath. faith. His mother was his only religious tea'cher, and her only source of instruction was a Bible which she sometimes borrowed. He was the subject of deep religious impressions, and in later years he wrote: "At the age of 9 I promised the Lord that I would be his forever, and when I became a man, I would be a priest." His mother d. when he was 11, having charged him " to obey his father, love his brothers and sisters, and, above all, to love and serve God." John Miller De Vinne, his father, was afterward drowned in the Hudson. Mary, a sister, became a Meth., mar. Peter Miller, and d. in Pine Grove, Mich., in i88r. The boy continued to receive Catholic train- ing from his grandparents in Albany after his mother's death, but his heart was not satisfied. At 15 he made a tour of all !he churches in Albany, except the Meth., which was deemed loo heretical to be worthy of notice, in order to ascertain which was the true, but the result was he only became the more un- happy and "stood upon the verge of infidelity." At length, when nearly 16 yrs. of age, on the last night in 1809, he dropped into a watch-meeting in N. Pearl-st. M. E. ch. to warm himself, and he immediately felt "These are the people." He returned the next evening and knelt at the altar, and continued seeking till he found favor with God, just after midnight, Jan. 3, 1810. He wrote to the author, Jan. 8, 1875 : " Last week was my 65th anniversary in the M. E. ch. The Lord brought me into this ch. When I j., 7th Jan., 1810, I had never heard a whole Meth. sermon, had attended none of the meetings, never saw a Meth. hook, no Meth. had ever spoken tome; the Lord led me." He had no one to guide him in his studies, but bought some old books at auction, and wasted much time and labor in studying "Locke on the Understanding," and " Lavorsier's Chemistry," nnd in trying to learn Eng. grammar from " Eutick's Pocket Dictionary." In much the same way he sought and actually gained a considerable knowledge of Latin and Greek, adding subsequently the French and Hebrew. He made practical use of this knowledge, and some yrs. previous to his death he had read the Greek Test, through 41 times. He heard Bp. Asbury, in Albany, in 1815. That same yr. he was in New York a short 426 Old Sands Street Church. time, and identified with the first S. S. organization in that city ; that same yr. opened a private school in Kirk's printing-house, B'klyn. He writes in his Journal : " B'klyn, at that time, was a mere village — one, too, of very modest dimensions. It was con- fined to the ferries at the foot of Fulton and Catharine sts., with a few scattering houses in the gore of land between said ferries, on land toward the navy-yard, and a few other ones on the turn- pike toward Jamaica. Had any one at that period asserted that within 40 yrs. it would have contained! hu^ndreds of inhab- itants, he would have been deemed insane. I attached myself to the Meth. ch. in Sands-st., the only one in the village." He assisted in the organization of the ist S. S. in B'klyn. (See pp. 17, 19 of this vol.) He was the only one among the founders •of this S. S. who lived to see the Rob't Raikes Centennial. After teaching 3 yrs. in B'klyn he sold out his school in 1818. That yr. " he j. an association formed in N. York for the sup- port of a miss'y in N. Orleans — a society which was the germ of the Miss'y Society, organized a few months later. The same yr. he went to N. Orleans, and began a S. S. for slaves." [Stevens' Hist. M-. E. Ch., vol. iv, p. 442.] This was a great offense, and the school was broken up. He was licensed as a loc. pr. about this time, and preached his first sermon, in Feliciana, Sept. 10, 1819, from Prov. viii, 36. Ministerial Record : 1819, short time, supply on Natchez cir.. Miss., with John Manifee ; 1819, Nov., (Miss. Conf ,) Opelousas (then called Attakapas) cir., La., with Ashley Hewit ; 1820, ditto, without colleague ; 1821, ord. dea- con, — Amiti cir., with J. A. Blackburn: 1822, Claiborne cir.. Miss., with M. Henderson; 1823, Lawrence cir., Ala., with T. Burpo ; 1824, ord. elder, — (N. York Conf.,) Sullivan cir., N. Y., with Ira Ferris; 1825, N. York city cir., with P. P. Sandford, H. Stead, Wm. Jewett, J. Youngs, and H. Chase; 1826, Hemp- stead (previously called Jamaica) cir., L. I., with D. Holmes and B. Creagh; 1828, Stamford cir.. Conn., with S. U. Fisher; 1829, ditto, with O. V. Amerman ; 1830, N. Rochelle cir., with E. Hebard; 1831, ditto, with E. Washburn and Ira Ferris; 1832, Mt. Pleasant cir., with J. Reynolds; 1833, ditto, with Theodosius Clark; 1834, N. York, west cir., with J. B. Stratton, F. Reed, J. C. Green, and J. Tackaberry ; 1835, ditto, with J. B. Stratton, J. C. Tackaberry, L. Mead, and E. E. Griswold ; 1836, Harlem miss'n, with J. Luckey and J. C. Tackaberry; 1837, ditto, with Jas. Floy; 1838, Catskill and Durham cir., with A. C. Fields; 1839, ditto, with W. F. Gould; 1840, White Plains and Greenburg cir., with V. Buck; 1841, Peekskill cir., with Lorin Clark; 1842, Peekskill and Shrub Oak; 1843, Amenia; 1844-45, Cold Spring; 1846, New Castle and Pine's Bridge; 1847, Huntington cir., L. I., with W, M'K. Bangs; 1848, (N. York East Conf,) ditto, with G. Hollis; 1849, New Rochelle cir., with C. B. Sing — his special charge. Rye; 1850, Rye; Record of Members. 427 1851-52, East Chester; 1853-54, Newtown, L. I.; 1855-56, Union Place, (Cypress Hills;) 1857-82, sup'd. On the Opelousas cir. "he preached every day except Monday to tlie whites, and every night to the slaves, besides leading classes and traveling from 30 to 40 m. a day,' over prairies without roads or bridges; fording the bayous, or, when they were high, swimming them, or passing over by boats — decayed logs tied with grape-vines." Hiscir. was arange of 564 m., from Alexandria, on the Red River, to the gulf. He writes : '' I have smiled many times since, and I suppose others did then, at my grotesque ap- pearance — saddle-bags sticking out on both sides, crammed with books and tracts." [Ch. Ad.] His salary the ist yr., after paying ferriage and horseshoeing, was less than $13; the next yr. it advanced prodigiously to $67 ; " and be it borne in mind that he was sent thither "^j/ his own request." At St. Mary's Court House the colored people made him a formal do- nation, amounting to nearly 50 cts. ! He "lodged one night with pirates without knowing it," but "found that they could talk about religion." He was a member of Gen. Conf in Bait., in 1824. On his way thither he visited ex-Pres. Jefferson, at his residence in Monticello, and was not agreeably impressed with his infidelity or his pro-slavery. To reach the Sullivan cir. that yr. he traveled on horseback 2,074 m. He writes of that cir., as the Shawangunk Mts., " where he saw frost in dog- days ; " but the Lord blessed his labors, and he had "good times." There he and his colleague together rec'd $85. While in N. York (1825) he mar. Miss J. Augusta Low, a lady of,un- common personal attractiveness and culture, who is now passing the calm, evening of a beautiful Christian life in the company of her children. Of their introduction to the Hempstead cir., the following yr., he writes : " When I called upon the stewards of the cir. they said they had no parsonage, nor any hired house, and did not know where one could be hired. When leaving, theyremindedme that the circuit allowed only $25 for house-rent. There was nothing personal in all this ; it was the custom of the times. The people were not particular in regard to the preacher sent to them, and they were not solicitous in regard to his sup- port. Many seemed to think that it was enough remuneration to the preacher simply to come and hear him. Many a well-to- do farmer gave only a shilling, or 25 cts., per quarter, for him- self and family. If any one gave half or a whole dollar, it was a matter of surprise. Nor were the sisterhood any more prov- ident or active in ch. matters. It was some weeks after our ar- rival before any of them looked in upon us. ... I received that yr. $180, out of which I had to pay part of my rent and find hav for my horse, when at home. The cir., however, gave $30 additional by a 'spinning.' This was the technical name for a donation or surprise, from the fact that the present usually 39 428 Old Sands Street Church. consisted chiefly of flax, which the young women had spun for the preacher's family." On this cir., in 2 yrs., he preached 560 serm., traveled 4,800 m., and received 471 probationers. At Stamford, in 1830, there were 100 conversions. [Ch. Ad.] " He was banished in 1836, (in the estimation of his friends,) for his abolition sentiments, to a place on L. I., [the appointment does not appear in the printed Minutes,] where they did not desire, because they could not support, a preacher; but by the intercession of others he was transferred to the Harlem miss'h, then embracing 27th-st. and all north to the Harlem River, with $275 to sustain a family of 9, and flour at $13 a bbl. The next was the memorable Greene-st. Conf. of 1838, in which he, with others, who felt that ' every thing could be borne, but nothing conceded' to the 'monster evil,' slavery, was proscribed and punished by being sent to Catskill." [N. York East Conf. Minutes, 1883, p. 55. See also Stevens' History M. E. Ch., vol. iv, p. 423, in reference to his hatred of slavery.] During his 40 yrs. of effective service on 24 cir. and sta., he traveled on horseback, or in very poor carriages, 61,678 m., and preached 8,440 serm., a little over 4 per week, and aided in the erection of 13 new churches. He personally received 3,756 probationers, averaging 94 per annum for 40 yrs. His receipts averaged $327 a yr. [See Min. of Conf's, 1883, p. 91.] He preached in 1869 a semi-centennial sermon, from which we have quoted above. The following paragraph, by the Rev. S. H. Piatt, will be read with great satisfaction : " His later years were blessed far be- yond those which usually fall to the lot of the retired minister, in the rare devotion of sons who vied with each other to pro- mote his welfare and do him honor; in the tender ministry of daughters who delighted to display the noblest qualities of womanhood in his service ; and in the matchless charm and peerless comfort of the wedded tie that had been cemented by the mutual toils of 58 such years." [N. Y. East Conf. Min.] Not long before life's close he was seen at the annual conf and the N. York preacher's meeting. He d. at his home in Morris- ania, N. Y., Feb. 10, 1883, age 90 yrs. ; funeral, Feb. 14, from the M. E. ch. in M. Dr. D. Curry and the Revs. S. H. Piatt and G. Hollis made addresses. Among the other ministers present were A. N. Molyneaux, J. H. Stansbury, R. Crook, J. A. Roche, T. N. Laine, C. T. Mallory, and W. C. Smith. The interment took place in " Woodlawn." " Daniel De V. was a man for his times. Conscientious to the very verge of monastic rigidity, catholic in his instincts, and kind in his feelings. . . . In his habits of study he was a model." His published writings are: "The M. E. Ch. and Slavery;" "The Irish Primitive Ch.," pronounced by Dr. G. L. Taylor a "treasure" and a "gem; " "A History of the M. E. Ch. in New Rochelle," (in Meth. Quar., 1832 ; ) and various other articles written for our Record of Members. 429 church periodicals. He wrote to the author: "Now, my dear brother, let us be holy. Most Christians are living far below St. Paul's standard. I fear the present working of affairs will not convert the world." He was short and stout, with a countenance of unique expression, well represented by the portrait, a mu- sical but rather monotonous voice, and articulation somewhat indistinct, particularly in his old age. — *De Voe, Isaac, b. in B'klyn; cabinet-maker by trade, and a vet. of 1812, [Stiles, Hist. B'klyn, vol. i, p. 453;] triis. and cl. Idr. in Sands-st. ch. In 1819 his plain-spoken pastor wrote opposite his name, at the head of his class record, " rather crooked." The exact mean- ing of the comment and the occasion of making it are not quite apparent at this time. He was certainly much esteemed in later years. After removing from the mother ch. in Sands- St., he was cl. Idr. in Wash'gt'n-st. ch., in the fellowship of which he d. in 1859, age 72. [Ch. Records.] His confidence and faith were unshaken. He said, " I don't hope, but / know I am going to heaven." Bur. in Evergreen cem. His first w. was Mary (Cook.) — Rachel, (Bourdette,) wid. of the above, was received into Sands-st. ch. by Wra. Ross; rem. to Wash'g'ton- st. ch., and finally to 18-st. ch.; was living, (1882,) age 91. Their surviving children are i son and 3 daus. — *De Vosnell, John, member in 1 798. — De Vosney, John, rem. by c. — Dey, John, rem. by c— DEYO, GEO. A. — Dickerson, Jas., rem. — *Dikeman, John, was b., in the town of Hempstead, L. I., Mar. 31, 1795 ; clerk in a store in the small village of B'klyn at 15 ; not pleased with the business, went to Phila. ; returned shortly after to B'klyn, and studied law with Judge Radcliffe, teaching school to pay expenses. In 1815 he j. the society to prevent and suppress crime in B'klyn ; mar. Miss Susan Rem- sen, and in 1816, became principal of the first public school ever opened in B'klyn. That yr. he and his w. taught in the 1st B'klyn S. S., and he never afterward lost his interest in secular and religious education. He opened a lavz-ofifice cor. Fulton and Henry ; at 29 was village trustee and clerk of the board ; in 1820 appointed Judge of the Court of Common Pleas, an office at that time filled by the governor and State senate — term, 5 yrs. He received license as a loc. pr. in 1827, which office he resigned in 1830. His name appears among the loc. prs. in the plan of Flushing dr., 1828. He was cl. Idr. in 1839; among the found- ers of the Wash'gt'n-st. ch. in 183 1, and remained a member thereof till his death. Until 1825 he was known as a Jack- sonian Democrat, but was that yr. elected a member of the Assembly on the Native American ticket. He became one of the lessees of the South and B'klyn ferries in 1839 ; afterward one of the managers of the B'klyn Union Ferry Co. ; elected Co. Judge by Republicans a 2d time in 1864 ; w. d. that yr. ; vice-pres. King's Co. Inebriate Home in 1867 ; next yr. retired 43° Old Sands Street Church. to private life ; d. at his residence, Aug. 23, 1879, in his 85th yr. Flags on the court-house and city-hall in B.'klyn were placed at half-mast. In appearance Judge D. was tall and spare, with an JOHX DIKEMAN'. interesting but not handsome countenance, indicative of great strength of intellect and of will. He was a close observer of men and things, and well informed on secular and religious topics. — *Susan, vv. of the above, dau. of Isaac Remsen, and step-dau. of Burdet Stryker; j. Sands-st. ch. in early life; d. Mar. 20, 1864, in her 70th yr. Judge D. and w. are bur. in "Green- wood." [See tombstones.] Of their 9 children, 4 were living in 1882. — Dillont, Frederick and Sadie, rem. by c, 1882. — Dillont, John Frank, S.S.t. ; came from London ; received by C. Fletcher into Sands-st. ch. by c. from Tarrytown, Asbury M. E. ch.; rem. by c, 1881, to Hanson PL ch., thence to Grace ch.; publisher of The Prospect Quarter!}-, and vice-pres. of the Young People's Association of Grace ch. — **Mahala, w. of the above, d. in 1877, age about 36. — DI- ONIAN, CHRISTINA.— Dirgin, Mrs. Maria, rem. by c, 1883. — Dixon, Jos., rem. by c, 1873. — Doane, Mary, rem. by c, 1866. — Dodge, Emma H., rem. — Dolgbrest, Eliz- abeth, rem. by c, 1865.— DONALDSON, WM.— Donnelly, Jane, mar.; see Goodwin — Dorlon, Alice, rem. — DOR- LON, EDWIN W.— DOUGHTY, MRS. MATILDA.— Record of Members- 431 DOUGLAS, D. H— DOUGLAS, GEORGIANA.— **Doug- las, Mrs. Georgiana W., d. 1852.— DOUGLAS, MAMIE. —Dow, Andrew and Catharine, rem. by c, 1869.— Drake, C. W., loc. pr., Drew Sem., 1869; rem. by c, 1869; member I yr.— DREDGE, ALFRED, cl. Idr. ; b. in Somersetshire, Eng., in 1827 ; parents were Baptists; at 25 conv. among the Meth- odists in Quebec ; moved to Toronto ; Idr. of the largest class . in Richmond-st. ch. of that city; trus. many yrs. ; std. 20 yrs. ; came to B'klyn in 1880.— DREDGE, MRS. ALFRED.— DREW, CORNELL^.- **Drew, Eliza, wid. of Geo. ; d. 1874. — **Drew, Geo., d. in Texas, 1849 ! dealer in house-furnishing goods ; a true Xn.— Drew, Mary, rem.— DRUMGOLD, MRS. ARMINDA.— DRUMMOND, AM ANDA.— DUCKER, MRS. ELIZA A.— DUCKER, MARIA E.— *Ducker, Wm., exh. and loc. pr., 1827 ; cl. Idr., 1834 ; trus. in Wallabout (De Kalb ave.) ch., 1838; an Israelite indeed. He was a lighterman, plying his vocation on the East River ; dressed somewhat after the Quaker fashion. The Rev. Geo. Mollis writes : " I heard him preach his trial sermon in the Sands-st. ch. He was my friend when I needed one." He is said to have embraced Millerism in 1843. He d. some yrs. ago, and is bur. in "Green- wood." — **Duffour, Nicholas, d. 1850. — Duncey, Timothy, rem. by c, 1848. — Dunkinson, Bethia, mar. A. Van Home. — **Dunn, Deborah, d. 1870.— Dunn, Francis and Amelia, rem. by c, 1866. — Dunn, James, rem. by c, 1866. — Dunn. Rebecca, rem. by c. ; 1866.— **Dunn, Mrs., d. 1874.— Dunn, Mrs. Sarah, rem. by c, 1874.— DUNN, MRS. VIRGINIA.— Dunn, Wm., Jane, and Margaret, rem. by c, 1870; mem- bers I yr.— Dunn, Mrs. and Miss Ada, rem. by c, 1872. — Duren, Henry, S.S.t, at the same time supt. of a German M.- E. S. S. in Wyckoff-st. ; rem. to Fleet-st. ch. ; then to First PI. ch. ; then to Carlton ave. (Simpson) ch. ; cl. Idr. there 12 yrs. — Duston, Walter, rem. by c— Dykes, Jos. or Sam'l, cl. Idr., 1835.— EAGAN, JENNIE.— **Eaton, Marietta W., d. Sept. 1, 1870, age 25.— Edmonds, John Albert, b. in Lon- don, Eng., Jan. 25, 1813 ; parents belonged to the Established ch.; conv. Apr. i, 1831, and j. the Wesleyan Connection; mar. Charlotte Fields, March 3, 1833, and 4 yrs. later came with wife and I child to N. York; j. Bedford-st. ch. ; soon afterward rem. by c. to Franklin-st. ch, Newark, N. J., and was licensed, first as an exh. and then as -a loc. pr., and preached frequently in Orange, Belleville, and other places. His grocery business not succeeding in Newark, he rem. to B'klyn in 1839; j. the Sands- st. ch., also became a member of the Loc. Prs'. Association, preached nearly every Sabbath, generally twice, sometimes thrice, always walking to and from his app'ts. E. B'klyn, Gravesend, New Utrecht, and E. New York were among the country places visited. He preached also in Sands-st., York-st., 432 Old Sands Street Church. and Wash'gt'n-st. churches. He labored in Patchogue, L. I., in the early part of 1840, (f. B. Merwin, the pastor, being called South to settle the affairs of his deceased brother,) and his ef- forts were abundantly blessed. The ensuing spring the quar. conf. of Sands-st. recommended him to the Annual Conf. Pas- toral Record : 1840, (N. York Conf.,) Huntington cir., L. I., with J. Nixon ; 1841, ditto, with O. Starr; 1842, ord. deacon, — Westhampton ; 1843, Cutchogue and Southold ; 1844, ord. elder ; 1844-45, Guilford, Conn. ; 1846, New Britain ; 1847, Bloomfield; 1848, (N. York East Conf.,) ditto; 1849-50, King-st, N. Y. ; 1851-52, Sag Harbor; 1853-54, (N. York Conf.,) Red Hook; 1855-56, Rondout; 1857-59, sup'y; i860, Milton; i86r, Hyde Park; 1862, Pleasant Valley; 1863-65, Spencertown and^ Chatham Four Corners; 1866-67, Pawlings; 1868-73, sup'd; 1874, I'awlings and Reynoldsville ; 1875, N. York, Greene-st. andDuane; 1876-77, N. York, Asbury ; 1878-79, Hartsdale ; 1880-84, sup'd, residence, Sag Harbor, N. Y. His 1st w., Charlotte, a devoted Xn., d. Jan. 25, 1859. On the 6th of May, 1861, he was mar. to Miss Sarah A. Bassett, his present w. She is nearly blind, several yrs. having elapsed since she was able to read a word, and, in addition, she has been confined to her bed as a paralytic for sevaral months past; yet, with a mind clear and bright, she rejoices in the God of her salvation. Mr. E., though suffering intensely from rheumatism, is cheerful, bearing uncomplainingly the trial of his superannuation and the loss of his property (now so greatly needed) through the dishonesty of another. He has done excellent service for the church, and is gratefully and affectionately remembered by many. — Hdsall, "Wm., off. S. S. miss'y soc. ; became a Presbyterian. — Ed- wards, Abbie C, rem. — Edwards, Phcfibe, rem.— Ed- wards, Rebecca A., rem.— **Eichell, Eliza, d. 1872. — Elmendorf, D. K., cl. Idr., about 1866; rem. — Embree, Isaac, rem. by c, 1865.— Embree, Isabella, rem. by c, 1868. —Emmons, A. W., rem. by c— EMORY, FI..ORENCE.— EMORY, GRACE A.— EMORY, MARIA L.— Emslejr, Harriet, rem. by c, 1864. — *Engle, Sam'l, member in 1798, father of James C. Engle. — *Engle, Sarah, member in 1798. — Ensign, Elizabeth, rem. — Erwin, Mary Jane, rem., 1 846. — ESPENSCHEID, JOHN M., S.S.t., std., cl. Idr., S. S. supt., and several yrs. financial sec. of the ch. ; was b. in Sodus, N. Y., of pious parents, who were natives of Germany, and members of the German Evangelical Association, and whose children all became Xns. He was conv. at 15, at a union prayer-meeting in a country school-house ; came a probationer to Sands-st. ch., B'klyn, in July, 1858, (J.B. Hagany, pastor.)— ESPENSCHEID, HELEN.— ESPENSCHEID, MARGARET, w. of John M.— ESTES, EDWIN C, S.S.t. b. ; in N. C. ; went to Ala.; carae thence to B'klyn in 1836 ; most of time a member of Sands-st. Record of Members. 433 ch.— **Everitt, Richard, trus., one of the ist, in 1794, and some time treas. of the board; d. of yellow fever in 1798 — the ist recorded death among the members. Hannah Stryker had preceded him to the home above, but there is no book contain- ing a record of that event. Mr. E. had a stall in the old Fly Market in N. York. [Stiles' Hist. B'klyn, vol. ii, p. 127.J— **Sarah, w. of the above; was a member in 1798. Their son, Thomas Howard, b. 1796, was baptized by Bp. Asbury. She mar. after his death, and d. in the faith ; see M'Kenney. — Fanning, Martin, cl. Idr., and his w., Margaret, rem by c. — Fanning, Mary A., mar. Mr. Campbell. — Farley, Clara, mar. a Mr. Campbell, and after his death a Mr. Fisher. — FARLEY, JOHN C. — Farnell, Alfred F., the last man licensed as a loc. pr. in this ch. ; came from Eng. to N. Haven, Conn. ; thence to B'klyn, and j. Sands-st. ch., about 1866; rem. by c, 1S73; for- merly dealt in gents' furnishing goods, now proprietor of "Ye Olde Booke Shoppe," B'klyn; not connected with the M. E. ch. at present. — Farnell, Jane, rem. by c, 1873. — Faucett, Ellen, rem. by c. to Eng., 1881. — **Fay, John G., (often called by his friends Governor Fay,) was S.S.t., off. S. S. miss'y soc, cl. Idr., S. S. supt., and loc. pr. When a young man he rem. from Eng., his native country, to S. A. ; was conv. in Buenos Ayres ; aided the Rev. John Dempster in his S. Amer- ican mission work ; came to B'klyn about 1852. He was a pure- minded, conscientious Xn., distinguished for gentleness in his deportment toward all. He exerted a remarkable power over young men, drew a large number into his Bible class, developed their self-dependence and self-respect, organized a debating society, and by various means cultivated in them a literary taste. He d. in May, 1865, in his 65th yr., meeting the grim messenger with the calmness of one fully prepared. Only a few hours before his death, when his eldest son said, " Father, rest upon my arm," he replied, " Underneath me are the everlasting arms." He is bur. in " Greenwood." — **Elizabeth P., his w., was b. in Eng., and mar. to Mr. F. in S. A. She d. in Sept., 1873, i" her 7Sth y- — FAY, JOHN E., son of the above ; S.S.t. and sec. of S. S. ; was b. in Buenos Ayres; j. Sands-st. ch. in 1853, (H. J. Fox, pastor.) — *Mary H., his w., dau. of the Rev. John B. Hagany, D.D. ; rem. by c, 1872; d. in Jan., 1877. — Fay, Henry G., youngest son of John G., was b. in Buenos Ayres; j. Sands-st. ch in 1853; was S.S.t., S. S. supt., std., and pres't of the S. S. miss'y soc. ; rem. by c. to Sum'f'd ch., in 1878, where he was made std. in 1880.— *Mary (Thorn), w. of Henry G. Fay, sister of A. B. Thorn ; was S.S.t., treas. of the W. F. M. S., a co-worker in the " Home for Friendless Women and Children," and the " Home for Aged Men " in B'klyn, and in the "Five Points' Mission " in N. York. She was b. in N. York city; j. Greene-st. M. E. ch. in early life, (S. D. Ferguson, 434 Old Sands Street Church. pastor.) In 1851, with her family, she moved to B'klyn, and j. Sands-st. ch. ; after many yrs. of efficient service she rem. by c, with her husband, to Sum'f'd ch., where she manifested the same diligence, zeal, and fidelity, until she d. from congestion of the brain, May 30, 1880. She was bur. in " Greenwood," amid the most eloquent tokens of affection and respect. " Mrs. Fay pos- sessed many eminent and engaging qualities. Her intellect was bright and comprehensive, distinguished alike for feminine delicacy and masculine strength. Her temper was kind and genial, her manner polished, graceful, and winning. Her force of character made her eminently competent for practical affairs. She discharged her trusts with a conscientious fidelity which won the esteem of all who knew her." [Rev. G. F. Kettell, in Ch. Ad.] — *Fellows, Chas. H., S.S.t., one of the original officers of the S. S. miss'y soc. ; was b. in Stonington, Conn., Jan. 26, 1819 ; conv. in New London at 20; came to B'klyn, and j. Sands-st. ch., in 1848, (Dr. N. Bangs, pastor ;) rem. by c, and helped to organize Fleet-st. ch., in 1850; thence went to Central ch. ; thence to Gothic; ultimately to S. 3d-st., where he remained nearly 35 yrs., and was S. S. supt. from 1857 to his death, Diic.iS, 1880 — 23 yrs. " He built for himself a noble me- morial in the character of the young men and women who grew up under his influence." [Rev. A. S. Graves, in Ch. Ad.] — Feltham, Wm., rem. by c, 1849. — *Fenn, Hannah, rem. by c, 1850. — *Ferguson, Eleanor, member in 1798. — Fer- guson, Sarah E., rem. by c, 1880. — Ferman, Eliza, of Yellow Hook (Bay Ridge) class, 1822. — Ferris, M. A., rem. — Fichter, Wm. H. and Mary C, rem. by c, 1882.— Field, Dan'l, exh., and ist Idr. of the Yellow Hook (Bay Ridge) class in 1822. — Field, Eliza, rem. to Flushing. — Finch, Wm. Stanbury, nephew of the late alderman, John Stanbury, of B'klyn ; b. in South Zeal, Devon, Eng., Nov. 28, 1821 ; baptized in the South Tawton English parish ch., of which his parents, Wm. and Mary Finch, were members; educated in the village school and at Jendle and Vissicks' establishment in Plymouth. At the latter place he worshiped in the Ebenezer Meth. ch. ; attended S. S. at Sticklepath; was conv. under the earnest min- istry of Dan'l Blamey, who afterward came to America ; taught in the S. S. and worked as a loc. pr. until about 1840; then went to London to finish his business training ; was enlisted in the large S. S. of the Queen-st. Meth. ch., of that city ; aided in the circuit work ; listened frequently to eloquent sermons by Dr. Beaumont, Dr. Jabez Bunting, the inimitable " Billy Daw- son," and many others; was present at the ordination of the ist 6 missionaries to the Fiji Islands — Dr. Newton's text that day, " What hath God wrought ! " In 1844 he returned to his early home, and mar. Miss Amelia Moore; came as a loc. pr., with letter of removal, to Sands-st. ch., B'klyn, in 1846, (Dr. N. Record of Members. 435 Bangs, pastor ;) after the great fire, in 1848, rem. by c. to Toledo, O. ; afterward to Delafield, Wis. ; back to Toledo ; finally settled in Toronto, Canada, in 1854; j. the Richmond-st. ch., and there "organized the first infant-class in the Meth. Ch. of Canada — a wonder in those days, born of recollections of the Sands-st. infant-school, where Bro. Cartwright taught the little ones." For 30 yrs. Mr. F. has taught classes of little children, numbering on an average, 100. Some of these lambs of the flock have grown to maturity, and are now moving in spheres of large usefulness in the ch., while others have passed into the "upper fold." On the erection of the Metropolitan ch. (cathe- dral of Methodism) in Toronto, he rem. by c. to that ch., and taught the infant-class, working with great profit and joy ; is still a member of the quarterly board, and '.'rejoicing in a present and full salvation." He j. about the first total absti- nence society some 50 yrs. ago, and has helped many others to do the same. He is not an ordained minister, but has been a co-laborer in the gospel with the foremost preachers of Canadian Methodism, such as the Rev. Drs. Egerlon Ryerson, Lachlan Taylor, Anson Green, and Wm. M. Punshon, and with many princely laymen, of whom John M'Donald is one. He rejoices greatly in a united Methodism, extending from Newfoundland, on the east, to Vancouver's Island, on the Pacific, toiling faith- fully alongside of our mighty M. E. ch. to spread scriptural holiness over these lands. — Amelia, his w., is a dau. of Dr. Denis Moore, of Exeter, Devon., Eng., and sister of the late high-sheriff and mayor of Exeter, Wm. D. Moore; rem. by c. from Sands-st. ch. with her husband, and is still active in the ch. and other benevolent associations. — Fink, Wm., rem. by c, 1849. — *Fish, Hlizabeth, sister to Mrs. Jane Vanderveer; j. Sands-st. ch. in 1819, (A. M'Caine, pastor;) after more than 60 yrs., rem. by c. to Sum'f'd ch.; her home was with Mrs. M. F. Odell, where she d. in May, 1881, age 95 : bur. in " Green- wood." She never married. — Fisher, Elizabeth, rem. — Fisher, Geo. M., rem. by c — Fisher, Georgiana, w. of Geo. M. ; rem. by c, 1868 ; see Vining. — Fitch, Sarah A., rem. — FLAMMIE, ELIZA.— FOLGER, ELLA, S. S. supt. 14 yrs. — Fonnham, Mary E., rem. — FOSTER, HORACE.— Forbes, Louisa H. S., rem. by c, 1866. — Forbes, Maria M., rem. by c, 1871. — Foster, Marsh, rem. by c. — Foster, Mary, rem. to Johnson-st. ch., 1850. — Foster, Solon C, conv. under the labors of J. N. Maffit; cl. Idr. in Sands-st. ch. ; j. Johnson-st. ch. ; went with J. C. Green to ist Cong. Meth. ch., and remained a short time. Mr. Green boarded with his family. Mr. F. and his w. have for years resided in Hempstead, L. I., and are members of the M. E. ch. in that place. — **Foster, Wm., member in 1798; made cl. Idr. 1808 ; after- ward trus. ; by occupation a butcher, and later engaged in the 436 Old Sands' Street Church. lumber business with his son-in-law, B. R. Prince ; lost the most of his property. He was regarded as one of the stanch citizens of B'klyn, a thorough Meth., and a member of the Society to Suppress Vice and Crime. [See Stiles' Hist. B'klyn, vol ii, pp. 14, 38.] At his house Meth. preachers always found a good home. He d. in 1846, age 67, and was bur. in the old ch. yard, in the same grave with his ist w., **Anna, who " d. in the Lord," in 1826. Children : Elijah Woolsey, deceased ; Wm. A.; Sarah Ann, who mar. B. K. Prince ; Electa ; and Hannah. — **Catharine, 2d w. of the above, one of the early members of Willett-st. ch., N.York; j. Sands-st. ch. years ago; d. 1870; bur. in Tuckahoe, N. Y. — Foster, Wm., 2d., cl. Idr.; came from Johnson-st. ch., where he was cl. Idr. in 1850 and std. in 1857 ; a zealous, earnest Meth. He and his w., Sarah, rem. by c. to Cal., whither one or more of their children had preceded them.— FOWLER, ABBY J.— Fowler, Corrina, rem. by c, 1868.— **Fowler, Mary, "d. happy," 1832.— FOWLER, MRS. SARAH E.— Frazier, Elizabeth, rem. — Frazier, James, rem. to N. York, 1850. — Frazier, Hannah, rem. — Frazier, Sarah E., dau. of Thos. ; mar. Benj. Payne ; rem. to Painted Post, N. Y. — Frazier, Stephen Richardson, std. and cl. Idr. With his w. j. by c, 1866 ; rem. by c, 1867 ; and again rem. by c, 1873. — *Sarah W., his w., d. in 111., where they had resided for some time. — *Frazier, Thos., cl. Idr. and trus. ; conv. at a camp-meeting, in 1813 ; soon j. the Meth., with whom he remained in fellowship for more than 50 yrs. He was rem. by c. to N. J., in 1849; subsequently j. at Nostrand ave., and was a std. in that ch. at the time of his death, June g, 1868. He had arrived at his 80th yr., but he d. without any premonition. He had led in family prayer, as had been his custom from the day after his conversion, and that morning had prayed partic- ularly for every one of his children. Breakfast over, he was en- gaged in conversation, when his heart suddenly ceased to beat. He was ready. [Ch. Ad.] He was mar. thrice; 10 of his 12 children are living, (1883.) Mrs. Nathan T. Beers, of B'klyn, is his dau. [See also Frazier, Chadwick, and Powell.] — **Ann, his ist w., sister of Simon and Rev. Marvin Richardson; d. about 1829, age 29; bur. in old Sands-st. ch. yard; afterward ■ in " Cypress Hills," by the side of her husband. — **Frederick, Eleanor, " d. in the Lord." — **Freeman, Fanny, d. 1837. — Freeman, Matthias, rem. by c, 1866.— FREY, MRS. AMELL-V.— FREY, ANNIE.— Frey, Elizabeth, rem. by c, 1873.— FROST, S.^RAH.—Fulcher, Eliza, rem.byc, 1878.— Fuller, Edwin, rem. by c, 1881. — Fuller, Wm. J., rem. — Fulton, Margaret, rem. to Gravesend.— FURLONG, MARIA.— **Furman, Elizabeth, d. 1818.— FURNAVEL, SAM'L. — **Gable, Conklin L., sexton ; was b. in Riverhead, L. I.; conv. about 1836; d. 1859; bur. in "Cypress Hills." — Record of Members. 437 Ellen A. (Cregg,) w. of the above, d. about 1836.— GABLE, ELLA.— Gable, Julia E., dau. of Conklin L. ; rem. bye, 1879 ; now of Hanson pi. ch.— **Gage, Susan, d. suddenly, 1840.— **Gale, Addle, w. of Frank A. ; d. 1861, age 27 ; bur. in " Greenwood."— Gale, Frank A., S.S.t. and off. S. S. miss'y soc, rem.— Gale, Andrew D., cl. Idr. ; b. in Harrison, West- chester Co., N. Y. ; j. AUen-st. ch., N. York ; then John-st., where he was S. S. supt. ; rem. to Sands-st. ch., B'klyn ; and finally to Jersey City; a member of Emory M. E. ch. His w., Susan, rem. by c— Galloway, John, withdrew.— Gandi- shand, Mrs. Harriet, mar. Wm. M'Donald.— Gandishand, Mrs. H., d. 1873, age 49 ; bur. in " Greenwood."— GARDNER, FRANK.— Gardner, Stephen H. and Mary A., rem. by c , 1882.— GARRICK, MRS. MARY.— *Garrison, Jacob, son of John ; cl. Idr. ; a butcher by occupation. It is said that he be- came quite deranged, and d. at the home of his brother in Flat- lands. He left a w. and a number of sons and daughters. — *Huldah, his w., sister of the Rev. Marvin. Richardson, d.— **Garrison, John, known as Judge Garrison, was an early cl. Idr. and trus. in this ch. He was of Dutch extraction, and a native of Gravesend, but during nearly his entire life-time a res- ident of B'klyn : for some yrs. in a farm-house on Fulton-st.„ opp. Hicks-st., afterward in a large yellow dwelling, cor. Wash'gt'n and High sts. He had some time a stand in the Fly Market, N. York. Having entered the legal profession, he held the office of Judge of the Municipal Court. He was one of the pres- idential electors who cast the votefor Andrew Jackson in 1828. When 29 yrs. of age he heard a discussion by two clergymen (one a Calvinist and the other a Meth.) which established his belief in unlimited redemption and human freedom, and confirmed his purpose to repent of his sins and cast in his lot with the little band of Methodists. The fol- lowing yr. (1794) he was appointed cl. Idr., probably as the immediate successor of N. Snethen, and retained the office until his death. From the ist election, in 1794, he was a trus., and some time treas. of the board. He sternly resisted inno- vations and so-called reforms, and used his powerful influence to prevent divisions in the ch. His extreme conservatism led him to withhold sympathy and support from the S. S. long after more progressive men had given their aid and indorsement to s- JOHN GARRISON. 438 Old Sands Street Church. the cause. Against the name of John Garrison the words "Earnest, strong-willeJ " maybe seen upon the margin of the ch. register, written with pencil, in 1819, by the pastor for the benefit of his successor. Stiles gives the following description of Judge Garrison: " He was 6 ft. 2 in. high, remarkably large, weighing 300 lbs. . . . He was invariably dressed in a suit of ' pepper and salt ' mixed clothing, cut very loose. Many pleas- ant stories are told of his queer ways and sayings. ... In politics Mr. G. was a violent Democrat of the old school, and was naturally regarded by some as a man of vindictive feelings, while, in fact, a kinder-hearted man never lived." [Hist. B'klyn, vol. ii, p. 79.] The portrait on preceding page was copied by S. E. Warren from Guy's celebrated " snow-scene," painted in 1820. Mr. G. was overcome by heat and fatigue while visiting the grave of Benj. Abbott, for the purpose of erecting a monument to the memory of the old hero, and d. shortly afterward (1831) in Christian triumph, pronouncing blessings upon each of his dear ones, and saying, "Farewell; meet me in heaven." His age was 67. [N. Levings, in Meth. Quar. Rev., 1831, p. 258.] He is bur. under the ch.— **Garrison, Mary C. H., wid. of the above, sister to Isaac and Jos. Moser, d. 1839, age 6g. She was a woman of great loveliness, one of the early Sands-st. mem- bers, very active, and sometimes led the class. [See notice of her mother, Margaret Moser.] The names of John and Mary Garrison are inscribed on a memorial tablet on the interior wall of the ch. Of the sons, Jacob, John Fletcher, and Thomas were with the father in the butcher business. [Stiles' Hist. B'klyn, vol. ii, p. 38.] Nelson was a physician, and Sara'l was a lawyer. They are all dead. One dau., Mary, resides in Mechanicsville, N. Y. ; another dau., Rachel, mar. a Mr. Stan- ley. She is dead.— Garrison, Mrs. Mary J., rem. by c, 1874. — GASCOIGNE, FRANK.— **Gascoigne, James B., b. in Yorkshire, Eng. ; conv., and j, the Meth. ; came to Amer. while a young man ; j. John-st. ch., N. Y. ; engaged in the hardware trade; rem. to B'klyn; served the Sands-st. ch. faithfully as S. S. supt. and std. ; highly honored for his integrity and good judgment. His name appears on the list of the ist board of managers of the parent Miss'y Soc'y, elected in 1819. He d. about 1859, age 76. His ist w., Ann (Taylor), d. His 2d w., *Sarah (Mortimer), survived him about 4 yrs. — Gas- coigne, Joshua I., son of Jas.B., was one of the original off. of the S. S. miss'y soc'y, sec. and treas. of S. S., and std. When a child he was a scholar in the Sands-st. S. S. ; conv. at a camp- meeting in N. J., whither he went with M. F. Odell. In 1872 rem. by c. Now a std. in Nostrand ave. ch. — Lavinia, w. of th€ above, sister of Mrs. H. G. Fay and Abia B. Thorn; rem. by c, 1872.— Gascoigne, Mrs. Phoebe, rem. by c, 1881. — Gascoigne, Phoebe B., dau. of Jas. B., a S.S.t., rem. by c, Record of Members. 439, 1881— GASNER, MARY.— GILBERT, HELEN— Gill, Jos. Hamilton, was b. in Londonderry, N. of Ireland, where in early life he united with the Math. He came to this country when about 21. Having been engaged in the dry-goods business in Belfast, he followed the same occupation in N. York and B'klyn. Following the advice of Bp. Foster, he went to Evans- ton, 111., and was graduated at theN. Western Univ. and Garrett Bib. Inst. Ministerial Record: 1871, (E. Maine Conf. ; trans- ferred to Rock River Conf.,) no app't named; 1872, (India Conf.,) Moradabad and Sambhal, with F. M. Wheeler; 1873, Moradabad; 1874, ord. deacon; 1874-75, Paori ; 1876, ditto, with T. S. Johnson, sup'y ; 1877, ord. elder— (North India Conf,) Paori; 1878, Gurhwal ; 1879-80, ditto, with F. W. Greenwold ; 1881-82, sup'y; 1883, Moradabad cir., with I. Fieldbrave.— Gillen, Cordelia F. and Mrs. Harriet E., rem. by c to Fleet-st. ch., 1879.- Glendenning, Wm., rem.— *Gold, Ellen, w. of James ; one of the original members of Yellow Hook (Bay Ridge) class, 1822 ; d. a Meth. in Bay Ridge. — Goodell, Oliver, rem. by c, 1882.— GOODWIN, EMILY A. —GOODWIN, MRS. E. A., (one Mrs. Emily A. Goodwin rem. by c., 1867.) — Goodwin, Maria, mar.; see Furlong. — Good- win, Michael and Jane E., rem. by c. to Simpson ch. — Goodwin, Susan, mar. Mr. Bassett. — Goodwin, Wm. J., rem. — Gould, Brewster, rem. to Cal., 1849. — GOULD, DEB- ORAH. — Gould, Eliza, rem. to Huntington, L. I., 1849. — GRACE, VICTORIA.— GRAHAM, ISABELLA.— Graves, Milo A., rem. by c. — Green. Jas. H., withdrew.-^Gray, Anna, mar. ; see Sheriden.— Gray, Jacob M., cl. Idr., 1843. — **Gray, Mary L., d. May 27, 1872, age 23.— GREEN, CHAS. E —GREEN, JOANNA.— Green, Mrs. Catharine C, mar. ; see Henderson. — Greener, Ann, rem. — Gregory, Geo. E. and Elizabeth, rem. by c, 1866.— GRIFFIN, HENRY E.— **Griffin, Jemima, " d. in the Lord," 1842.— GRIFFIN, ORLANDO; (a person of the same name rem. by c.)-GRIGGS, A.-^GRIGGS, ARTHUR L.— GRISWOLD, BESSIE. — GRITMAN. MRS. JANETTE. — GRUMAN, MRS. PHCEBE J.— Gurley, Mrs. Ella, rem. by c, 1871.— Guhraner, Addie, rem. bye, 1883.— GUHRAUER, HENRY H., S. S. sec. and lib'n.— GUMBLE, LINAS.— GURLITZ, AUGUSTUS T., cl. Idr., std., and S.S.t. ; a Russian by birth ; lawyer in N. York.— GURLITZ, AMY, w. of the above ; dau. of Dr. D. S. Landon. Habberton, E. S., rem.— Habberton, S. F., rem. by c. to Flushing, L. I., 1850.— HACKETT, AMELIA.— Haddon, Mary, rem. — Half, Benj. A., bro. of Mrs. Egbert Acker; S.S.t. ; conv. in 1846 ; now an official member of the Hempstead M. E. ch. — *Haff, Amelia, sister to Mrs, E. Acker; mar. W. S. Wright; rem. by c, to Johnson-st. ch. ; d. a member of Carlton 44° Old Sands Street Church. ave. ch. in 1857; bur. in "Cvpress Hills."— Haff, Amelia M., S.S.t. ; mar. John J. Welsh; now of i8th-st. ch.— *Haff, Elizabeth E., mar, ; see Acker. — Haff, Esther A., sister of Mrs. Egbert Acker; rem. to Centenary; thence to Warren- st. ch. ; now of ist PI. ch. ; wid. of Jas. S. Shutes. — Haff, Olive D., rem. to Hempstead, L. I. ; wid. of Ebenezer Haff. — *Haff, Sarah, sister of Mrs. E. Acker ; mar. Geo. W. Johnson ; d. 1862 ; bur. in "Cypress Hills." — Hagenback, Frank, rem. by c, 1875.— HALBERT, MRS. MARY E.— Halderan, Abram, withdrew.— **Hall, Edward, d. 1873.— Hall, Jean- nette, rem. by c, 1867.— Hall, Mrs. Mary E., rem. by c, 1870.— Hall, Rebecca, rem. by c, 1864.— Halldom, Jane, mar.; see Mattesen.— HALSTED, FRANCES.— HAM- ILTON, MRS. CHARLOTTE.— HAMILTON, ELLEN.— **Hamilton, Watson, d.— Hammond, Amelia, rem. bye, 1866. — Hammond, Anna, rem. by c, 1867. — Hammond, Eliza, rem. by c, 1866.— HAMMOND, MRS. FRANCES.— Hammond, Geo. P. and Frances M., rem. by c, 1872; (persnnsof the same names were previou.sly rem. bye.) — **Ham- mond, Miss Maria, d., after a long illness, 1850. — Hammond, Mary E., rem. by c, 1866. — **Hammond, Sam'l, d., after a long and painful illness, July, 1850. — Hammond, Sam'l J., rem. by c, 1868. — Hammond, Wesley A. and Eliza, rem. by c, 1870. — *Handley, Benj., S.S.t. and cl. Idr. ; said to have d. not a member of the ch. — '''Hanford, John E., son of Andrew Hanford ; b. in Peekskill, N. Y. ; conv. in early life ; j. Allen- st. ch., N. York ; rem. to old John- st. ch.; afterward to Sands-st., wliere he was cl. Idr. in 1846. He became one of the founders of the Fleet-st. ch. in 1850; supt. of its S. S. from its beginning till his death, a period of 13 yrs. He served the Fleet-st. ch., also, as std. and trus. There was scarcely a man at the head of any S. S. in B'klyn more beloved or more suc- cessful. He d., greatly lamented, Apr. 5, 1863, age 39. An elegy was written and published, as an expression of the ardent love of the Fleet-st. S. S. for their de- parted friend and supt. [See My S. S. Scrap-Book, p. 23.] Mr. H. is bur. in "Greenwood." — Maria A., his w., was also one of the founders of Fleet-st. ch. ; now a member of Sum'f'd ch. Their sons are: Solomon, Farrington, and Wm. Stone. — Hanford, Solomon H., older bro. of John E., was cl. Idr. in Sands-st. ch. before 1839. He has been a member successively J. E. HANFORD. J^SIPm ^ESldTT QQALRPEQiu Br,^iayE4 iy- F- HaljiiL fhmL a. Bmto , iy So cton Q 1 Record of Members. 441 of Allen-st. and John-st. chs., in N. York, and of Sands-st, Wash'gt'n-st,, Fleet-st., and Snm'f'd chs., in Brooklyn. He was one of the most energetic and liberal of the founders of Fleet- st. ch. ; pres't of the ist board of trus. His w., Hannah (Wright), rem. by c— Hannah, Lillie, rem. by c, 1871 — **Hannah, John, d. 1883.— **Hannah, Elizabeth, w. of the above d. 1883.— HANSEN, ABIGAIL.— HARDMAN, MRS. GRACE.— Hare, Mrs. E. Ann, rem. by c, i86s.-^Hare, Mrs. Elizabeth W., rem. bye, 1868.— Hare, Jos. Knowles, rem. by c, 1868.— Harman, John, Mithdrew.— **Harker, Benj., d. 1865 ; member 1 yr.— **Harker, Demaris, d. 1863, age 68; unmarried. "Her memory is like ointment poured forth." [L. S. Weed, in Ch. Ad.]-Harker, Elizabeth, rem. by c, 1866.— Harley, Mary, rem.— Harman, John, with- drew.— Harper, Augusta^ rem.— Harper, Emma, mar.; see Dodge.— **Harper, James, native of England; father of Joseph ; grandfather of the 4 original Harper bros. ; trus. of Sands-st. ch. in 1800, and some time treas, and sec. of the board. His connection with this ch. began in 1799. He had previously been a Meth. for a number of yrs., and was pre-eminent among the founders of the denomination on L. I. When a resident of Newtown, (Middle Villages) in 1768, at the age of 26, he M-el- comed Capt. Thomas Webb into his house, where the Meth. soldier preached and formed a society, which still exists, the oldest on L. I. ; and it may be presumed that the name of James Harper was the first on the list of members. [See Bangs' Hist. M. E. Ch., vol. i, p. 298, and Life of Abbott, p. 179.] His home was the home of the preachers. Mrs. J. W. De Grauw inffcrmed the author that Jas. Harper kept the B'klyn town poor-house on Sands-st. His tombstone in the old ch. yard contains the record of his death, in 1819, at the age of 77. — **Rebecca, his w., was one of the excellent of the earth. She d. in 1821, age 82, and sleeps beside her husband. — **Harper, Joseph Wesley, grandson of the above, was made cl. Idr. in this ch in 1837. He was std. also, and for many yrs. sec. and treas. of the board of trus. Smith's " Pillars of the Temple " contains an extended biography, from which some of the facts recorded in this brief sketch are taken. Wesley Harper, as his friends alys'ays called him, was b. in Newtown, L. I., Xraas day, 1801 — third child of Jos. and Elizabeth Harper, whose names will be ever fragrant in the annals of L. I. Methodism. They were hard-working farmers, in comfortable circumstances, and Wesley always clier- ished fond recollections of the quiet, rural home of his boyhood. J. C. Derby, in "Reminiscences of Authors and Publishers," says : " Joseph Wesley Harper, the 3d of the 4 brothers, was of slighter physique than the rest. He was fond of telling, with quiet humor, that when he was a child an old presiding elder said to his mother: 'Sister Harper, why don't you give one of 442 Old Sands Street Church. your boys to the Lord to be a preacher ? ' ' Why,' said she, ' that is just what I expected to do, and I have already selected one of them.' 'Which one have you selected?' inquired the gratified elder. 'I have selected Wesley,' was the reply. 'And why Wesley, rather than James, or John, or Fletcher.''' ' O, well,' replied Mrs. Harper, 'Wesley seems to be the most feeble and delicate in health, and he is rather lazy — ' Then, perceiving from the elder's perplexed and rather mortified look that he had put a wrong interpretation on her motives, she hastened to add, ' I thought that if I gave Wesley to the Lord, he would take him and make him over again, so that he would be all right.' ... As a young man, Wesley Harper visited a theater bat once, and his experience, as described by himself in later life, was any thing but agreeable. 'One evening,' he said, ' some of the boys persuaded me to go to the theater with them. We went together and took our seats in the pit. The perform- ance had not begun. The people were assembling, and my companions sat joking and laughing; but I could not enter into their fun. A dreadful feeling came over me. It seemed as tliough all the prayers of my mother, all the instructions of my father, rushed across my mind at once. I felt as though I was at the very mouth of perdition, and that I could hardly hope to escape alive. At length I could endure it no longer, and, re- membering that the hour of family prayer was approaching, I seized ray hat, and fled from the house.' " This incident strikingly illustrates the reverent simplicity and filial devotion of the son and the powerful influence of the pious parents. Before he was 20 he was apprenticed, with his younger bro., Fletcher, to their older bros. of the firm of "J. & J. Harper, Publishers." He learned the printer's trade, and as proof-reader of the excellent reprints of the house, he became familiar with much of the best English literature. In a few years Wesley and Fletcher had both become partners in the house, and the style was changed to " Harper & Brothers." He was a most thor- ough Meth. from his youth; his money and influence were at the service of the ch. He was a wise counselor of his official brethren, and a useful cl. Idr., but so shy and unobtrusive that he was never heard in the public assembly. Once, indeed, at the ist Xmas celebration by the S. S., it being the anniversary of his birth, he felt moved to whisper in the ear of the supt. that he had a word to say, and the announcement that Wesley Harper was about to speak was received as a signal for the most pro- found and respectful silence. " Soon after joining the firm he mar. and settled in B'klyn, and gradually a large family clustered around him. The business prospered. As the correspondent of the house he was brought into contact with men of every kind, and his acquaintance was very wide. His shrewd observation, his retentive memory, and his genial humor made his rem- Record of Members. 443 iniscences of noted persons very charming. The impression made by him upon all who came to the office was that of an intelligent, courteous, unassuming man. But it was well said, that if the question were asked, 'Which is the head of* the house, and which is the Harpex, and who are the Brothers ? ' the ■only accurate answer was : ' Either one is the Harper, and all are the Brothers.' " [Pillars in the Temple, p. 256.] " As his part of the business he, for many yrs., managed the literary de- partment, receiving authors' MSS., and frequently reading them himself. ... If a MS. was to be declined, the declina- tion was always made in the kindest manner, and the disappointment soft- ened, not infrequently, with suggestions and advice that gave the unsuccessful ap- plicant fresh heart and hope." [Derby's Reminis- cences.] One of his old friends recently testified : " He was a devout man, with a temper like that of John in the Gospel — so sweet and gentle." [Dr. S. I. Prime, in Ch. Ad.] He built a house on Clark-st., which some of the members of his family still occupy — a spacious, cheerful dwell- ing, a "kind of image of himself." For some months his health gradually failed. " One afternoon his three brothers paid him a visit at his house. What took place during that interview has never been told. It was the last meeting of the four on earth. The next day James met a fatal accident. Wesley, deeply afflicted by the break in the harmonious circle of broth- ers, predicted that he would be the next to go." [Derby.] About the beginning of the yr. i"87o a sudden and startling ill- ness warned him that his end was nigh. " Then came the con- finement to the house, to the room, to the bed ; but in no happy home was there a more cheerful room than the chamber of the dying man." [Pillars in the Temple, p. 258.] He received visits from his friends, and talked cheerfully about dying. On 30 444 Old Sands Street Church. Monday morning, Feb. 14, 1870, he received a drink from the hand of his sister, smiled upon her, and said, " Thank you,"' with all his accustomed gentleness, and immediately there was a change; and before his friends could be called into the room, his pure spirit had taken its flight. His funeral was held at the ch. When his memorial in Greenwood Cemetery and the tablet on the wall of the ch. shall have crumbled to dust, the memory of Jos. Wesley Harper will live in the hearts of those whom his noble l^fe has blessed. — **Hannah, wid. of the above, dau. of Chas. Peck, d. June 17, 1882, age 72. " Her church life was exceptionally exemplary, her home life strik- ingly beautiful, . . . her last months were filled with longings for heaven." [J. S. Breckinridge, in Ch. Ad.] Children of the above : Jos. Wesley, Chas. Wesley, John Fletcher, Adaline P., and 4 other daughters. — Harper, Sam'l, trus. about 1826. One Sam'l B. Harper was a member of the ist board of man- agers of the present Miss'y Soc'y. [Stevens' Hist. M. E. Ch.,. vol. iv, p. 478.] — *Harris, John, member in the i8th century ; d. 1836; tombstone near the ch. — HARRISON, MRS. FRANCES.— HARRISON, GEORGE.— Harrison, Geo. R., rem. by c, 1877.— HARRISON, H. A.— HARRISON, MRS. HENRIETTA.— Harrison, Horace N., S.S.t. and off. S. S. miss'y soc. ; rem. by c. to Centenary ch., 1849. — Harrison, Pamelia, rem. by c to' Albany, 1848.— HART, EDGAR F.— - Hart, Francis and Catharine, rem. by c, 1866. — **Hart, Mrs. Hannah, d. 1877 : 40 yrs. a member.— HART, MRS. JANE.— HART, WM. H.— HART, WM. H., JR.— Harvey, Ann M., rem. by c, 1864. — Harvey, Chas., rem. 1846. — Harvey, Henry E., rem. by c. — **Harvey, Sarah, d. — Haskins, John and Emily, both S.S.ts. ; rem. by c, 1869. — Haskins, Lewis N., S.S.t., and Jane, rem. by c, 1864. — Hassell, Jas., rem.— HASTINGS, MRS. ANNAM.— **Hast- ings, John, a gardener, lived opposite the ch., one of the mem- bers before 1800; mentioned by Stiles. [Hist. B'klyn, vol. i, p. 450.] — *Deborah, his w., was a most excellent woman. — HAWKINS, JOHN B.— Hawley, Mjary B., mar. Mr. M'Vay.— Hayman, Amelia, rem. by c, 1880. — *'''Hayman, Geo., d. 1878.— Heary, Julia, mar. Wm. Lardler.— HECHLER, AD- DIE L.,— HEGEMAN, ABBIE, S.S.t.— HEGEMAN, LOT- TIE.— HEGEMAN, WM. R., std.— Hedges, Harriet, mar.. John Berry. — *Hempstead, Christopher M., cl. Idr. and trus. His class became a part of York-st. ch. He was elected a member of the separate board of trustees for York-st. at the ist meeting, in June, 1835. He appears in the Sands-st. record about that date as having rem. by c. He was a rope-maker, and is remembered as an excellent man, one of the great mul- titude of worthies concerning whom the church has a very in- adequate record. He is said to have d. a member of the E. Record of Members. 445 B'klyn (D^ Kalb ave.) ch. [C. C. Smith.]— HENDERSON, MRS. CATHARINE C— HENDERSON, GEO. E.— Hen- drickson, Henry, rem. — **Hendrickson, Jemima, " d. in faith." — **Hendrickson, Stephen, member of ist board of trustees; excluded from the ch., 17^8; cause not stated. [Trust- ees' record.] He mar. a dau. of the senior Geo. Powers. [Stiles' Hist. B'klyn, vol. ii, p. 187.] — Henry, Ida, rem. by c, 1883.— Henry, James, rem. — Henry, Nancy C, rem. by c to Jersey City, 1849.— Henry, Wm., trus. about 1808. — Henshaw, Hattie, rem. by c — *Henshaw, Linus K., b. in N. York city, Jan., 1800; mar. a Miss Van Pelt; moved to B'klyn when a young man ; name appears in Sands-st. ch. record as cl. Idr., about 1831. He was cl. Idr. and trustee in York-st. ch. in 1837 or earlier; also a loc. pr., and some time pres't of the Loc. Prs'. Association of B'klyn. He preached the opening sermon, in a hired room in Carlton ave., at the in- ception of what is now the Simpson ch. He was a grocer; afterward engaged in the banking business; d. in B'klyn, a member of Sum'f'd ch., 1875, ^g^ 75- See tombstone in "Greenwood." The Rev. J. L. Gilder says : " He was cautious and considerate in judgment; he had a clear conception, a ready utterance, a voice of remarkable flexibility, sweetness, and penetration. His emotional nature was highly susceptible and readily stirred. As a speaker, he was distinguished for tender- ness and pathos." [Hist. York-st. ch., p. 12.] His only sur- viving children are : W. W. Henshaw, of Sum'f'd ch., B'klyn, and a Mrs. Charlotte, of N. York.— **Herbert, Chas. A., d.— *Herbert, Isaac, son of Joseph; b. Apr. 9, 1812, d. March 4, 1846, age 34 ; bur. in " Greenwood." Of 6 children, 3 are living: Geo. R., Isaac H.,and Wilbur Fisk.— **Herbert, James, a mem- ber as early as 1798; styled by his pastor, Jos. Crawford, in a com- ment in the ch. record, " the excellent ; " very early a cl. Idr. and trus. of Sands-st. ch. ; d. 1825, age 55. See gravestone in old ch.- yard. His remains may have been removed. He brought up his bros., Jos., Dan'l, and Sam'l, to the shoe-maker's trade, after the death of his father. [Stiles' Hist. B'klyn, vol. ii, p. 112.] He was a pious, useful man. For an example of his noble Christian efforts, see memorial sketch of the Rev. C. W. Carpenter, in this volume, p. 272. One of his daughters mar. Richard Cornwell, who was for yrs. chorister in the Sands-st. ch. — **Caty, wid. of the above, dau. of Sam'l Engle, sister to James C. Engle, (or Inglis;) d. in B'klyn, about 1844. She is bur. in "Greenwood." Of 6 children, 2 dau. survive : Eliza, wid. of Henry Case, of B'klyn, and Sarah Ann, wid. of Alfred Todd.— HERBERT, JAMES.— **Herbert, Joseph, cl. Idr., trus., and S. S. supt., was bro. of James Herbert. He came with his father to B'klyn shortlv after the Revo. War ; commenced the shoe business for himself about 1806 ; mar. and moved into his new house on 446 Old Sands Street Church. JOSEPH HERBERT. Sands-st. "No name," says the historian of B'klyn, "is more uniformly identified with every important social, religious^ and educational movement in the early history of the village than that of Joseph Herbert." [Stiles, ii, 112.] He commanded the Fusileers, a military CO., 'in 1812. The Apprentices' Library Assoc'n, established in 1823, the I St of its kind in B'klyn, was much aided by his efforts, he be- ing one of its ist officers. [Stiles, iii, 888.] But the brightest luster is imparted to his name by the fact that he was the associate of Snow, Mercein, Sands, Murphy, and De Vinne in the founding of Sunday-schools in B'klyn. These were all Sands-st. Methodists, but Herbert alone had been a. member as far back as the pre- vious century ; and he maintained a connection with the school for a much longer period than either of the others, and was for many yrs. its honored supt. — successor to Rob't Snow. The portrait is copied from a painting, which has hung for many yrs. upon the wall of the S. S. room. " Pleasant, yielding, agreeable, good," was the character given him by his pastor in 1819. [Ch. Records.] He is described as of medium size, stout, verging on corpulency, with a fresh, clear complexion and white hair. [Stiles' Hist. B'klyn, vol. ii, p. 113.] ■He d., Oct. 16, 1861, in -his 83d yr. ; funeral in the ch. ; bur. in "Greenwood." — **Frances, (Sand,.) his w., "d. in peace," 1850, age 74; her grave is beside her husband's. She was reared a Calvinist; j. the Sands-st. ch. about 1800, (D. Buck, pastor.) The author has heard old Sands-st. people mention the following names of their children : Isaac, (see above ; ) Julia A. ; •(see Swift ;) Wm. ; Sidney, who went to Cal. ; Amelia. — **Her- iert, Julia A. ; mar. ; see Swift. — **Herbert, Rebecca, w. -of Dan'l, ^a bro. of James and Joseph Herbert ;) d. about 1830. — Herrick, G. B., rem. by c, 1876 ; member 3 yrs. — Herrick, Mrs. Mary E., rem. by c, 1876. — Hewett, Eliza, rem. bye, 185 1 — **Hewett, Maria, dan. of Wm.; S.S.t. ; cony, about 1845 ', d. Jane, 1850, age 21; bur. in "Greenwood;" remains rem. to Rural cem., Huntington, L. I. — Hewett, M. Lankton, rem. by c. — Hewett, Sarah A., dau. of Wm. ; S.S.t. ; j. about 1847, (Bangs and Merwin, pastors;) rem. by c. ; now Mrs. Henry Funnell, of Huntington, L. I. — """Hewett, Wm., b. in Eng., 1802, where he was for some time a Wesleyan Meth. loc. pr. There he mar. Eliza Chambers. Coming to N. York, about 1833, they attended Bedford-st. ch. Shortly afterward they Record of Members. 447 came to B'klyn, and j. Sands-st. ch. He did not continue to be aloe. pr. in Amen; rem. to Huntington, L. I., 1851; d. Aug. 29, 1868, age 66; bur. in Rural cam., Huntington. See head- stone. He was a Xn. indeed, strong, true, useful. While sick he called in the pastor and several of the members to unite with him in celebrating the sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Occupation : sailor in Eng., hat-presser in B'klyn, druggist in Huntington. — HJiza, his w. ; rem. by c, 1851; resides in Huntington; an aged and estimable Xn. The writer was her pastor 2 yrs. — Higbie, Elizabeth, rem. to Fleet-st. ch., 1850. — Hill, John B., b. in Newark, N. J., in 1828; conv. at 11 yrs. of age : student for a time in the Wesleyan Insititute, in New- ark; an apprentice for a yr. or two in B'klyn; rem. by c, 1850, to Newark. He writes : " My stay at Sands-st. was one of the most delightful periods of my life. It was full of the joy of a greatly quickened spiritual life, and of the blessedness of spiritual associations and activities." He became a licensed loc. pr. soon after leaving Sands-st. ch. Conf. Record: 1852, (W. Va. Conf.,) California Mission ; 1853, (Cal. Conf.,) Benica and Martinez; 1854, ord. deacon, — Grass Valle}^; 1855, Grass Valley and Rough and Ready; 1856, ord. elder, — Downieville ; 1857, San Francisco, Bethel ch., with Wm. Taylor; 1858-59, Stockton; 1860-61, Santa Clara; 1862-63, Nevada; 1864, Maysville ; 1865-66, San Francisco, Central ch.; 1867-70, P. E., Sacramento dist. ; 1871, P. E,, Marysville dist. ; 1872-84, ag't Meth. Book Depository, San Francisco. (See his portrait in Simpson's Cyclo- pedia.) His mother, Mrs. Mary G. Hill, was a useful temperance worker in Newark more than 50 yrs. — *Hillear, Sarah, mem- ber in 1798. — Hilliard, James, withdrew. — **HilIiard, Le- titia, d. Aug., 1849, age 48; bur. in '' Greenwood." — Hillmuth, Christopher, rem. to a Lutheran ch., N. York. — Hintnan, Heman, rem. to Little Falls, 1850. — Hinton, Ann, rem. by c, 1873. — Hobart, C. B., cl. Idr. He and Mary A. rem. by c, 1866 — Hobart, David and Almira E., rem. by c, 1866, Mrs. H. was a S.S.t.— Hobday, Charlotte, rem.— HOGINS, MRS. JOSEPHINE.— Holland, Mary, rem.— **Holland, Sarah Ann, S.S.t. ; d. in B'klyn, 1847, much beloved ; her associates in the S. S. erected a stone over her grave in Conn. [Mrs. Acker.] — Holliday, Catharine, rem. by c. — Hollis, George, S.S.t. in Sands-st. ch. in 1836, and loc. pr. in 1841. We are in ignorance respecting his early life. Conf. Record: 1842-43, (N. York Conf.,) Greenport and Orient, L. I.; 1844, ord. deacon, — Westhampton ; 1845, Smithtown cir., with M. R. Lent ; 1846, ord. elder, — ditto, with J. Robinson and Z. Daven- port; 1847, Greenport; 1848, (N. York East Conf.,) Huntington cir., with D. DeVinne; 1849, Huntington; 1850, North Hemp- stead cir., with H. C. Glover; 185 1, ditto, with J. J. Bell (supply) and R. R. Thompson, (supply ;) 1852, Bridge Hampton ; 448 Old Sands Street Church. 1853-54, Greenpoint mission ; 1855-56, Southport and Fairfield, Conn.; 1857-58, Mamaroneck, N. Y., with N. Tibbals, sup'y ; 1859-60, Greenwich, Conn.; 1861, Nichol's Farms ; 1862-63, Redding; 1864, Westport and Poplar Plains; 1865, Mamaroneck, N. Y., with Abel Stevens ; 1866, N. York city miss'n; 1867-69, ditto, with Wm. Ross; 1870, Roslyn and Searingtown, L. I.; 1 87 1, N. York city miss'n, with W. Ross and F. Brown ; 1872- 74, B'klyn, N. Fifth-st. ; 1875-76, Springfield, L. I. ; 1877, sup'y, filled vacancy, B'klyn, Leonard- st. ; 1878-79, B'klyn, Leonard- st.; 1880, B'klyn, Cook-st.; 1881-84, sup'y ; 1882, supply, B'klyn, Francis ch. He mar. Lucinda Wiggins, of Orient, L. I., one of the 6 Meth. ministers' wives taken from that village within a few yrs. Mr. H. re-organized the churches in Bayville and Cow Bay, (Port Washington,) L. I., after Methodism had become extinct in those places. Churches were built during his ministry at Mt. Sinai and Smithtown Branch, and these are but specimens of many monuments which tell of his laborious and faithful service. He suffered a severe loss, a few years ago, in the death of his only son.— **Hollis, Mrs. Jane, d. Nov., 1883.— Holly, , cl. Idr., 1842.— HOLlftAN, JESSE.— HOLMES, MRS. JANE. — *'^Holmes, John C, d. before Apr., 1867. [Records.] — Hoole, Catharine E., rem. bye, 1870. — Hoole,Mary E., mar.; see Hall. — Horton, Jeremiah H., rem. by c, 1865; member a short time.— HORTON, MRS. MARGARET.— HORTON, PHILANDER.— HORTON, T. F.— Houghton, Albert G., Mrs. Harriet C, Albert F., Miss Hattie, and Miss Marilla, j. by c, 1867 ; rem. by c. — **Howard, Eth- alinda, d. 1852.— HOWARD, -JOSEPH.— **Howe, Edward J., d. 1873. — **Howzy, Sally, member in 1798; d. — Hoyt, Frederick, rem. bye, 1868; member i yr.— Hoyt, John O., S.S.t., rem. by c, 1865 ; member successively in Newark, N. J., Rochester, N. Y., Sands-st., B'klyn, and Elizabeth, N. J. — Eliza H., his w., was S.S.t.; rem. by c, 1865. — Hoyt, John O., Jr., rem. by c. to Elizabeth, N. J. — Hoyt, Joseph A., son of John O., S. S. lib'n ; j. Sands-st. ch. about the time of Dr. Hagany's pastorate ; rem. by c, 1864. — *Hubbell, Har- vey, b. in Stepney, Conn., 1797 ; conv. at 14. "His ist effort at public speaking Nathan Bangs heard and encouraged." For yrs. he was S. S. supt. in old John-st. ch.;' later, trus. and cl. idr. in Sands-st. ; a subscriber for the Ch. Ad. from the ist No., in 1826, till his death — 55 yrs. He and his w. rem. by c; resided at Long Hill, Conn., 20 yrs.; d. July 2, 1882, age 85. As he entered the harbor he exclaimed, " It is smooth sailing ! .\11 is well ! " He was an active, useful, happy Xn. ; "left a faithful w., loving children, and hosts of friends." [A. H. Good- enough, in Ch. Ad.]— **Hudson, Mary, d. about 1818. — HUDSON, (SUSAN,) EMMA.— HUGHES, WM. and MAR- GARET.— Hume, Mrs. Ruth, w. of Henry, rem. by c, 1884. Record of Members. 449 —Humphrey, Belinda M., mar. Mr. M'Cogg.— Humphrey, Thos. J., exh., 1846.— Hurd, Alvin, rem. by c— *Hurlburt, Sam'l, cl. Idr., 1^843; std., 1844; came hither from Allen-st. ch., N. York ; rem. to Oraoge, N. J. ; resided in Middletown, Conn., while his 2 sons were in college; d., 1874, in Newark, .age about 81 ; bur. in Orange, N. J.— *Evelina P., wid. of the above, d. at the residence of her son. Rev, J. L. Hurlburt, in Hoboken, March 6, 1879, age 73. The son above referred to, the Rev. Dr. J. L. H., is author of the notes on the International Lessons, published in the S. S. Journal. — Hussey, EliZa, mar. Mr. Flam.— Husted, Sam'l, cl. Idr., about 1832.— Hyde, Eliza M., w,of Wm. ; j. John-st. ch., N. York; then Mulberry- st. ch. ; rem. thence to M'ash'gt'n-st. ch. ; later Sands-st. ch., 8 yrs. ; rem. by c, 1876 ; now of Hanson PI. ch. Her husband, nephew of Jas. N. Hyde, and official member of Fleet-st. ch., d. about 1861.— HYDE, MRS. ELIZABETH E.— Hyde, Emma 1-., sister of Erastus; S.S.t. ; rem. by c, 1876 ; j. Fleet-st. ch. ; now of Hanson PL ch. — iHyde, Erastus, grandson of Wm. A; Mercein, was b. in N. York ; j. Fleet-st. ch., B'klyn ; sec. of the S. S. 9 yrs.; went thence to Pacific-st. ch., an officer there; then Sands-st. ch. ; std., 1875 ! rem. by c, 1876 ; now of Hanson PI.— Hyde, George and Abagail, rem.— *Hyde, James N., cl. Idr., 1831; rem. to Wash'gt'n-st. ch. ; cl. Idr. there before 1839; went to N. Orleans; d., of yellow fever, at an advanced age.— Hyde, Maria M., S.S.t; sister of Erastus ; j. Fleet-st.; ■rem. to Pdicific-at ; thence to Sands-st. ; now of Hanson PI. ch. Ibbotson, Rob't, b. in Derbyshire, Eng., Apr. 3, 1806; j. the Wesleyans at 12 yrs. of age ; when about 15 moved to Shef- field; was a loc. pr. at 19, occupying from time to time the sev- eral pulpits on the circuit; came to U. S. in 1830. His name appears on the books of the Wash'gt'n-st. ch. as a cl. Idr. as early as 1842 ; loc. pr. in Sands-st. ch. in 1849, and std. about 1850. A meeting was held, Jan. 27, 1851, at his residence, in Clinton ave., B'klyn, which led to the organizing of the Sum'f'd ■ch. He was a prominent associate of the Rev. Charles Fletcher in that important enterprise. His present residence (1884) is Montclair, N. J. In his 79th yr., he, is waiting patiehtry~Ior his heavenly Father's call. — **ingraham, Anne, w. of George Irfgraham, sister to John G. Murphy, step-mother to the Rev. Rob't Seney, mother-in-law to C. C. Smith, and grandmother to .Sam'l, Rich'd, Wm., and Henry Ingraham ; j. Sands-st. ch. pre- vious to her marriage ; rem., with her husband, to Amenia, N. Y. ; after his death came to live with her dau. in B'klyn, and re-united with Sands-st. ch. The following incident illus- trates her large^heattfed hospitality : A quar. meeting was held near her house in Dutchess Co. A large attendance was antic- ipated, and there were few homes of Methodists thereabouts, ivhere the people could stay. She expected to entertain 30 or 450 Old Sands Street Church. 40 people, and was prepared for them ; but on Sat. noon, lo [ 100 hearty, hungry guests came crowding into her house. 70 chickens had been kept for winter use, and other things had been laid up for cold weather, but there seemed to be little left after that meeting. The horses devoured a good-sized stack of hay. It must have been a heavy strain on the good woman's generosity, but she deemed it a privilege to serve and entertain her brothers and sisters in Christ, and doubtless felt that she was lending to the Lord and laying up treasure in heaven ; and her Father never permitted her to come to want in this world. She d. in Christ, in 1863, age 85 ; bur. in "Greenwood." — In- graham, Sam'l, from Amenia, N. Y. ; came to B'klyn in 1836 ; clerk in a grocery store ; after a few yrs., rem. by c. ; went back to his father's farm. Later, rem. to Ontario Co., N. Y.. where he still resides.— IVES, BETSEY.— *Inslee, Elizabeth, w. of Abraham Inslee, eldest dau. of Orrin Swift ; b. in B'klyn ; was a Sands-st. S.S.t. ; rem. to 2d Pres. ch., to which her husband belonged; d. in Sept., 1872, age 42; bur. in "Greenwood," family plot. — Inslee, Caroline E., sister to the above ; 2d w. of Abraham Inslee ; rem. by c, 1872. Jackson, Ann, rem. — Jackson, Ann S., rem. by c. to Wash'gt'n-st. ch., 1848. — Jackson, Tanner, rem. — James,, Lucinda, rem. to Albany, 1850.— **Jane, Catharine, d. 1833, age 21. See head-stone in old ch. yard. She fell when 8 yrs. of age, and never walked afterward ; conv. and j. Sands-st. ch. in 1830, (N. Lcvings, pastor.) [J. Luckey, in Ch. Ad.] — ' **Jarvis, Catharine, w. of Henry ; b. in Eng. ; last 50 yrs. in America; 22 yrs. in B'klyn; " d. sweetly in Christ," July, 1879, at the residence of her dau., Mrs. Gassner, age 70; bur. in "Greenwood." Lindsay Parker, her pastor. — Jarvis, David. S., rem. — Jayne, Sam'l F., rem. by c, 1867 ; member a short time. — Jeffrey, John, S.S.t., cl. Idr., and loc. pr. ; rem. by c.,. 1868. He was b. in Southampton, Eng., and came to the U. S. about 1850; conv. at Sands-st. in 1853, (H. J. Fox, pastor;) licensed to preach while Dr. Nadal was preacher in charge. He- was for a long time sec. of the Loc. Prs'. Union, of B'klyn, and preached frequently in Cypress Hills and many other places,, and was pastor in Flatlands, as supply under the P. E. It is said that when he was a young man, M.F.Odell secured himaposition in the custom-house in N. York, where he still remains. — Mar- garet, w. of the above, rem. by c, 1868.— JENKINS, MRS. DEBORAH.— JOHNSON, ALICE.— *Johnson, Catharine, member in 1798.— JOHNSON, MRS. CATHARINE.— John- son, Emma, rem. by c— JOHNSON, FANNIE.— JOHNSON, FRANCESP.— JOHNSON, HATTIE.—JOHNSON,HELEN. —Johnson, Jane E., rem. by c— JOHNSON, JENNIE.— Johnson, Matthew, rem. by c. to Wash'gt'n-st. ch., 1849. — Johnson, Rudolphus H., rem. by c, 1865 ; member a short Record of Members. 451 time. — **Johnson, Thos., " d. in peace," 1850. — Johnston, Mrs. Elizabeth, rem. by c— JOHNSTON. MRS. JANE.— JONES, MRS. EMMA M.— Jones, Mrs. Isadore, rem. by c. —Jones, Rob't Owen, loc. pr., 1 861. —Julius, Cha's J. Fox, loc. pr. about 1853 ; from the West Indies, Wesleyan Connection. Kelsey, Melville, cl. Idr. about 1852; rem. to Cal. — **Kemp, Elizabeth, d. since 1850. — Kqmpshall, W. H., rem. by c, 1865.— KESSLER, SOPHIA.— Ketcham, Wm., reni. — ^^Kimball,- Aaron, sexton and cl. Idr. ; said to have d. a member of York-st. ch.^ — Kimball, Myron H. and Eliza^ j. by c, 1873 ; rem. by c— **King, Ellen, 2 yrs a member ; d. Aug. 3, 1877 ; one "Ella King" was bur. in "Greenwood," Aug., 1877, age 21.— KING, F. C— KING, MRS. F. C— *King, Gamaliel, b. in Riverhead, L. I., Dec. i, 1795 ; in 1816 rem. toB'klyn ; in 1819 mar., and about the same time j. Sands- st. ch. ; spent the winter of 1826 in Charleston, S. C. With Jos. Moser he buih the York-st. ch. in 1823, and he was architect of the Washg't'n-st. ch., 1831. He attended the latter ch. from its organization, but for some time it seems he was not a member anywhere. He renewed his connection with the Wash'gt'n-st. ch. about 1846, (Chas. Shelling, pastor;) d. in the faith, Dec. 6,. 1875, age 80. His w., *Catharine (Oliver), adopted dau. of Rob't Snow, was b. in N. York, Nov. 25, 1789. She has been called a " Dorcas " on account of her kindness to the poor. She d. a member of Wash'gt'n-st. ch., Nov. 20, 1874, age almost 75 ;. bur. with her husband in " Greenwood." Children of G. and C. King : Mary, wid. of James Herbert Cornwell, Jamesport, L. I. ; Rob't Snow, d. 1825, an infant; Martha M., wid of Alfred Bridgeman, Newburgh, N. Y. ; Geo. L., drowned 1869, age 41 ; Sarah S., w. of Geo. B. Jellison, Tenafly, N. J. ; Orpha V., member of Wash'gt'n-st. ch., B'klyn. — **King, John, j. 1823; d.— **Kingsland, Aaron, trus. and cl. Idr. ; b. in N. York ; j. Sands-st. ch. about 1843, (L. M. Vincent,; pastor.) He was not learned, but was remarkable for practical com- mon-sense, integrity, and benev- olence. He was a wholesale fish dealer, but his diligence in business, did not interfere with his devotions. He hired a room convenient to his office, (Fulton Market,) as a place to which he could retire for med- itation and prayer; His habit was to pray every time he came into his house from his business. He kept a charity fund, and AARON KINGSLAND. 452 Old Sands Street Church. gave away one tenth of his. income. He d. in 1868, age 63. His grave in "Greenwood" is marked by a head-stone. — KINGSLAND, ELIZA, wid. of Aaron, still lingers " in age and feebleness extreme." Of the 13 children 4 survive; Daniel, Aaron, Joseph, and Charlotte — the last a member of Sands-st. ch. ; see Weeks.— KIRK,' CATHARINE.— Kirk, Geo. and Catharine, rem. to Paterson, N. J., 1851. — *Kirk, Thomas, cl. Idr. and trus. in 1 807 ; pioneer editor, publisher, bookseller, and printer ; one of the foremost among the enterprising contributors to the early growth and prosperity of B'klyn; b. in Cork, Ire- land, in 1772 ; became a printer in his youth; was conv., and j. the Wesleyans at 17; came to Amer. prior to 1790; established a printing, book-selling, and publishing business in N.York; ■came to B'klyn, where, in 1799, he commenced the publication of the L. I. Advertiser, the 2d paper established on L. I. [Stiles' Hist. B'klyn, vol. iii, p. 927.] The L. I. Star was started by him in 1809. Some time after this he sold out his paper and all his publishing interests, confining himself to his job-printing •office, but subsequently we find him a publisher in N. York, •conducting the largest establishment of that kind in the city. By this house was issued the first ed. of Clarke's Commentary published in this country. Commercial reverses interfered with iiis amassing a fortune, as his success in business promised. Having again returned toB'klyn.he became closely identified witli the interests of the growing town, and for some time occupying the position of one of the associate judges of the county. His name, as we have seen, is pleasantly connected with the origin of Sunday-schools in B'klyn, the first gatherings having been in a house provided by him. (See engraving opposite p. 18.) He was the ist vice-pres. of the "Apprentices' Lib'y Assoc'n " in B'klyn, in 1823, and one of the ist officers of the " B'klyn City Bible Soc'y," in 1840. Leaving Sands-st. ch., he became an official member of \Vash'gt'n-st. ch.,. subsequently one of the ■chief founders of Pacific-st. ch., and its ist cl. idr. He was present with the class, in their usual place of meeting, just one week prior to his death. On the evening of his departure the ■class-members, hearing, after they had met, of his dangerous ill- ness,r0paired to his house. " There, surrounded by the family, and all the members of his class but one, while his pastor and •class were bowed in prayer, and at the very hour in which he was accustomed to close his class, he ' ceased at once to work and live.'" Thus, on Thurs. ev'g, Oct. 9, 1851, this noble, honored Xn. d., at the age of 79. He was the ist to be bur. from the Pacific-st. ch., in whose erection he had taken so deep an interest. Dr. Kennaday conducted the services. A vast concourse of people assembled, embracing, it is said, all the pub- , lie functionaries of the city. Mr. K. was a man of uncommon culture, generosity, and piety, and profoundly respected by all. Record of Members. 453 fj. Kennaday, in Ch. Ad., 1851, and Stiles, in the Hist. B'klyn, vol. iii, pp. 860, 888, 927.]-^*Sarah (Campbell), his w., was a relative of Peter Cooper's. She was a paralytic for some time, and her speech was affected. . She d. Dec. 28, 1855. Granite stones in Mr. Cooper's beautiful and spacious round plot, at the junction of Central and Grove aves., in " Green- wood," commemorate the virtues of Mr. K. and his worthy Xn. wife. On the one is inscribed: "The sweet remem- brance of the just shall flourish when he sleeps in death ; " ■on the other: "Blessed are the dead," etc. Children : Amelia, mar. Capt. (afterward Com.) Newton — she d. some time since; James, d. at sea about 1820; John, a captain in the navy-yard; Asbury ; Julia Salena, w. of Augustus T. Post, d. in New Haven, Conn., June 16, 1868 — her grave is beside those of her parents; Thomas, the youngest, d. Mrs. Wm. Rushmore, who furnished the author with the above list, stated that Julia was an Episco- palian, and that none of the children became Methodists. — *Kissam, Jemima, member in 1798. — Kissam, Mrs. Mary J., withdrew.— Kittle, Sam'l P., cl. Idr. and S.S.t. ; b. in Groveland, Livingston Co., N. Y., where he was conv. at i 7, and j. the M. E. ch. Removing to Buffalo, he j. the Niagara-st. ch., (only M. E. ch. in the city ; ) became one of the founders of the Swan-st. (now, Grace) ch. I rem. by c. to Sands-st. ch., B'klyn, about 1861 ; thence, 1869, to St. Paul's, Newark, N. J. ; ass't ■supt. of S. S. there, and pres't Y. M. C. A. Rem. thence to Beekman Hill ch., N. York ; S. S. supt. there 4 yrs. ; now of W. Harlem ch. His w., Catharine E., rem. by c. — Knighton, P. H. and Cornelia, rem. 1847.— KNOWLES, WM. A., S.S.t. — Knowlton, Calvin, S.S.t. many yrs. ago; rem. — KNOWL- TON, PERRIN.— **Kollinger, Margaret, d. 1867.— Kol- linger Charlotte, mar. ; see Scudder. Laine, Thos. N., loc pr. ; a native of the island of Guern- sey ; called to preach before his conversion; ist a member of the French Wesleyan ch., afterward of the English ; a loc. pr. in his native home; came to B'klyn, and j. Sands-st. ch. in i860; ■cordially received and helped. Pastoral Record : 1861, supply. Union PL Mission, (Cypress Hills,) L.I.; 1862-64, supply, South- ampton; i86s,ord. deacon; 1865-66, Riverhead; 1 867, ord. elder ; 1867-68, Trumbull and Nichol's Farms, Conn. ; 1869, Stepney ; 1870-71, Bethel; 1872-74, Watertown and N. Wat'n ; 1875-76, Milford; 1877, Georgetown; 1878-80, City Island,N.Y.; 1881-83, North N. York; 1883, removed to fill a vacancy in Stamford, Conn.; 1884, Essex. He was mar. in 1864; has 2 daughters.— Lam- bard, Mrs. Frances, rem. by c, 1873.— Lambard, Jessie, mar. ; see Longacre.— LAMPE, MARY A.— Lamson, Lewis, rem. by c, 1882.— LANDLER, JULIA, w.of Wm.— **Landon, Dr. Dillon Stevens, son of the Rev. S. Landon, was b. near L. Champlain ; named for one of the N. York Conf. preachers, 454 Old Sands Street Church. a friend of his father's ; was graduated at the N. York Univ., and then studied medicine there; cl. Mr. in York-st. ch., 1842; later a S.S.t. and cl. Idr. in Sands-st. He was trus. of the Polytechnic School, and physician of the B'klyn City Hospital. Prominent, respected, beloved. He d. in 1874, age 52; bur. in J. Wesley Harper's plot in " Greenwood."— LANDON, ELIZ- ABETH H., wid. of tlie above, dau. of J. Wesley Harper. — LANE, EBER and SUSAN J.— **Lane, Wm., a shoe-dealer; d. 1850, at an advanced age.— LARKIN, MRS. MARGARET. — La'R'Oza, Mrs. Abargailj rem. by c, 1879. — La Roza, Mrs. Alma, rem. bye. — LaRoza, Eliza, rem. — **LaRoza, John, d. 1874. — La Roza, John L., rem. bye, 1872.— **La Roza, Zebulon, d. — Latimer, Ebenezer, cl. Idr., 1831. — Lawrence, Amanda, rem. by c. — Lawrence, Bennella, rem. — Lawrence, Mary, rem. by c, 1840. — **Lawrence, Rich'd, app'ted cl. Idr. about 1846 ; b., of Quaker parents, in Middletown, Monmouth Co., N. J., in 1805 ; coming to B'klyn, he was apprenticed to Gamaliel King, and became a builder. One Sabbath Mrs. King invited the Quaker lad to the Sands-st. S. S., where he heard announced a camp-meeting prayer- meeting, which his curiosity led him to attend. At that meet- ing he gave his heart to God. He was then 16 yrs. of age. He soon j. this ch. ; rem. by c, 1839, to assist in founding Johnson-st. ch. ; returned about 1847 ; rem. by c. to Harlem, 1850 ; returned again in 1855. The last 16 yrs. he was practically identified with the Nostrand ave. ch., but until his death his name was found on the Sands-st. record. His last words were, "Blessed Jesus!" " Destitute of early advantages of education, God made him great — great in his love, his zeal, and the heroism and power of his faith." [Rev. G. E. Reed, in Ch. Ad.] He d. Mar. 9, 1882, age 76. It is said that his funeral was attended by 1,000 persons, including the Society of Old Brooklynites, to which he belonged. Bur. in Cypress Hills cem.— MARY (DRAKE), his w., is a native of N. J. Though she is probably recognized as a member of the Nostrand ave. ch., her name remains on the Sands-st. ch. record. The children are 6 in number: Benj., Mrs. Stone, and 4 other daughters. — *Lawrence, Wm., nephew of Rich'd ; rem. by c, and d. a member of Hanson PI. ch. — Lay, Lucy Ann, rem. by c, 1869. — **Lay, Sylvia M., d.-LAYTON, ELSIE.— LAYTON, MRS. MEREENA. — Leach, Adam, rem. bye — Leach, B. F. B., loc. pr., 1864; rem. by c, 1865. — Leach, Eliza, rem. by c. — *Leaneigh, John, member in 1798. — **Leary, Mrs. Sarah E., d 1867, age 25. — *Leavens, Geo., cl. Idr., 1866; exh., 1867; rem.; became deranged and d.— LEIGH, CHAS. C, S.S.t., S. S. supt., exh., cl. Idr., and loc. pr. ; b. Dec. 25, 1812, in the city of Phila. ; parents moved to Po'keepsie, N. Y. ; both d. before he was 12 yrs. of age. At 16 he j. the M. E. ch. in Albany; rem. by r. to Record of Members. 455 Sands-st., B'klyn, in 1833; was ordained a loc. deacon in 1835 ; aided in forming the Loc. Prs'. Assoc 'n in B'klyn ; subsequently became one of the founders of the National Loc. Prs'. Assoc'n ; supplied, as pastor, Astoria (part of Newtown cir.) in 1844. He resided in N. York for some yrs. after 1846, and held his mem- licrship in Bedford-st. and in 7th ave. ; was pres't of the N. York City Temp. Alliance; a member of the N. Y. Legislature 2 terms ; renominated and elected by the temperance p^rty, and was chairman of the Com. on Temperance. That com. reported favorably on the Maine Law, which was adopted by the Legis- lature. He was nominated by the same party for governor, and ^afterward for sec. of state. He has delivered without fee or re- ward hundreds of temperance addresses in various parts of the U. S. All his preaching, likewise, has been without pay. Mr. L. was one of the prime movers in the formation of the Nat'l Freedmen's Assoc'n, of which the Rev. Dr. Tyng was the ist pres't. He was chairman of the executive com., and devoted ^11 his time to the asso'n until after the close of the war. Col- lections were taken in all parts of the North, and in Europe also. Many thousands of pkgs of goods were serit from Eng. and Holland, all directed to him, and the U. S. gov't gave in- structions to the Collector of the Port of New York to deliver all l^kgs directed to Mr. Leigh without opening them — an expres- sion of confidence perhaps never made to any other citizen. He visited several European countries in the interest of this cause, made addresses and formed assoc'ns. The speech he made in the Meth. Centennial Hall, in London, was printed in all the European and some Asiatic languages, and not a little aid was received from the heathen of the Old World. Observ- ing that, in case of war with Gt. Britain, telegraphic communi- cation between the U. S. and Europe would be cut off, Mr. L. interested himself in the formation of a cable line between our ■country and France, conducted the necessary negotiations, and witnessed the success of the scheme. Mr. L. was in early life, and is now, a dealer in crockery in B'klyn. — LEONARD, BENJ. — Lessner, Priscilla, rem. by c, 1868. — LESTER, ■CATHARINE. — Lewis, Epenetus, rem. by c, 1839 ; became an off. in York-st., Johnson-st., and Carlton ave. chs. success- ively. His ist w. was a dau. of Joshua Rogers, of York-st. dh. Rem., more than 30 yrs. ago, to Westbury, L. I., where he has been cl. Idr., trus., and S. S. supt.— LEWIS, MRS. FREE'- LOVE W.— LEWIS, HANNAH.— Lewis, Jane Ann, rem. to N. J.— LEWIS, MRS. JULIA .A.— Lilly, Arthur, rem. by r., 1868 ; a member i yr. — Linden. , loc. pr., 1809. — Lindsay, Alfred and Emma D., from Simpson ch., rem. by ... 1879.— LINESBURG, C— LINESBURG, CAROLINE L. — Litchult, Mrs. Ann M., rem.— Lock, Walter, cl. Idr.; jem. by c, 1869; member 2 yrs.— LOCKE, ELIZABETH.— 45 6 Old Sands Street Church. Lockwood, Robert M., S.S.t., off. S. S. miss'y soc, cL Idr., and S. S. supt. ; rem. by c, 1866. He was b. in Alexandria, Va., Apr. 14, 1818, the 2d of a family of 7 children. His- parents, Aquila and Cassandra M, (Dallam) Lockwood, were Methodists from Harford Co., Md. Mrs. Cassandra Lockwood's early home, " The Cranberry," was one of the visiting places of Bp. Asbury on his horseback journeys from Bait, to Phila. It is related of the bishop that having arrived very weary at " The Cranberry," one Saturday night, and having requested the fam- ily not to call him in the morning, he staid in his room that he might not be seen by a circuit-rider, who had an appoint- ment at that house on Sunday morning. Just as the sermon commenced the old bishop came quietly down stairs, and seated himself behind the door opening into the hall. He made 32 scratches on the door with his penknife, and when Cassandra's mother asked him what they meant, he replied, with a quizzical smile: "They are the mistakes the young brother made in preaching." Mr. Lockwood's uncle succeeded to the possesion of the old mansion, and would never, in all the repairs that were made in the score of yrs. succeeding, allow the back of the door to be painted; and Mr. L. states that he has often seen the marks when visiting the old homestead. When the father of R. M. Lockwood visited B'klyn, being about 80 yrs. of age, the Sands-st. S. S. visited him in a body, to express their respect for him, and as an evidence of affection for his son ; the mother lived to see her 2 older children conv., and went home to her Saviour in 1833. Robert was conv. under the ministry of the Rev. Ner- val Wilson, father of one of the bishops of the M. E. ch., South, July 31, 1832, age 14; rem. to Bait., 1835 ; cl. Idr. in Bait, city station, 1840 to 1850; supt. of Light-st. S. S. (called Asbury S. S., No. i) from 1839 to 1850. This was the oldest S. S. in the city, and from the date of its organization to 1850, the time when Mr. L. left it, there had gone forth to preach the gospel 39 of its members. On its honored roll are the names of Bp. Cummins, of the Ref. Epis. Ch. ; Dr. Dashiel, our late miss'y sec; Drs. W. F. Watkins and John D. Easter, of the Prot. Epis. Ch., and many others. Mr. L. was transferred to the Charles-st. ch. in 1850, and was S. S. supt. there till 1856. That yr. he rem. to Sands-st. ch., B'klyn, and served the ch. and S. S. as above. He rem. thence to South Orange, N. J., and j. the Jeffersonville charge, Newark Conf. His ist license as a loc. pr., in 1867, was signed by Jas. Ayars, P. E. He had pastoral charge in Jeffersonville for more than a yr. ; then went south and united with the Savannah Wesley Monumental ch. of the M. E. Ch., South, where he was std. and S. S. supt. Pastoral Record: 1868-69, Jeffersonville, N. J., a supply; 1872, ord. deacon by Bp. Wightman, (South Ga. Conf.) — Hawkinsville, Ga. ; 1873, ord. elder by Bp. Keener, — E. Macon; 1874-75, REV. ROBERT M. LOCKWOOD. Record of Members. 457 Darien; 1876-77, Bainbridge; 1878, Sandersville ; 1879-82, Conf, S. S. sec; 1880, Eastman; 1883, Hamilton; 1884, Co- lumbus. His w. was the dau. of Francis J. Dallam, Esq., of Bait. They were mar. in 1849. She d. in 1865, soon after the death of a son and a dau. in B'klyn. Another dau. d. in 1867. A dau., the only surviving child, resides in Savannah, Ga. Bro. L. writes : " The darkest hour of my home-life was when sickness and death made their inroads into my happy family in B'klyn. The prayers and sympathies of the Sands-st. ch. and S. S. were a sweet solace to me, and have left a precious mem- ory." After the death of his 3d child he determined, as soon as he could settle up his business, to leave the scene of so much sorrow ; and, in a new and unknown country, to devote the re- mainder of his life to the work of the ministry. Mr. L. is one of the best-remembered men of the old Sands-st. ch. and S. S. The result of his useful labors will endure forever. — Long, Anna, mar. a Mr. Hart.— Longacre, Mrs. Jessie, rem. by c, 1873.— Longstreet, Maria, mar. T. Wales.— LONG- WORTH, CATHARINE.— **Loper, Isaac, d. Mar., 1872; remembered as a man of strange peculiarities and petty prej- udices. See Beecher's allusion to him, p. 36 of this work. — LOPER, MRS. MARIAN.— LORCKE, HERMAN.— LORD, GEO. H.— LORD, MARY A.— LOSANO, FRANK W.— LOSEE, FRANK.— Lott, Mrs. Maria, rem. by c, 1868.— Lounsbury, Phineas C, rem. by c, 1864 and 1869.— Love- joy, James, S.S.t.; rem. -LOWE, WM. E.— LOWE, MRS. ABBIE E. — Luckey, Ann, rem. — LUCKEY, GEO.— LUCKEY, MRS. MARY.— LUNT, THADEUS.— Lush, Geo. W., rem.^ — *Lynch, Rebe^cca, memben, 798. — Lyon, Jonathan, was a loc elder in Sands-st. ch. in 1823. He was a son of Peter and Jerusha Lyon, of North Castle, N. Y. His ■father, Peter Lyon, Esq., was an off. in the Revolution. Jonathan was conv. at 12, and j. the M. E. ch. He was mar., Dec. 5, 1794, to Freelove Forraan, of Bedford, N. Y., and 11 children were born to them, of whom 2 are living, (1884 :) namely, the wid. of Fletcher Harper, (youngest of the original Harper Brothers,) and the wid. of Dr. Thos. Henry. Minis- terial Record : 1807, (N. York Conf.,) Litchfield cir., Conn., with A. Hunt ; 1808, Redding cir., with N. W. Thomas; 1809, ord. deacon, — Croton cir., N. Y., with E. Canfield ; 1810, Middle- town cir.. Conn., with O. Sykes ; 1811, ord. elder, — Croton cir., N. Y., with P. Cook ; 1812, New Rochelle cir., with Eben Smith ; 1813, Jamaica cir., L. I., with S. Bushnell and W. Blagborne ; 1814, New Rochelle cir., with W. Thacher; 1815, Middletown cir., Conn., with Wm. Jewett ; 1816-49, located. This record shows that he served a second time on 3 different circuits. He located on account of physical infirmity, but preached con- siderably until old age prevented. Moses Rogers, of Northport, 45 8 Old Sands Street Church. L. I., remembers that when Lyon came to the Jamaica cir., in 1813, a stranger, he saw a board nailed to a tree, where a lane leading from a farm-house intersected the highway, and on it was printed, in rude letters, " Bro. Lyon, turn down here." He followed the direction, and found a welcome in a good Method- ist home. Judge Dikeman relates that immediately after a «ermon in the " old white church," which he had delivered in his usual stormy and vociferous manner, the sexton, with a notice in his hand, went up to the high octagon inclosed pul- pit, in which the preacher stood. A little child watched the movement,' and whispered to his mother : " Now, mamma, he is going to be good, and the man will let him out!" From the Rev. Henry Hatfield and Dr. Griswold we learn that Mr. L. engaged in business — wharf-building and other public works — and was not altogether successful. In his last brief, painful sickness he was not able to converse much, but was sustained by faith ; d. in peace, in the neighborhood of Middle Village, L. L, Aug. 21, 1849, in the 76th yr. of his age. Plain marble slabs, close beside the head-stones of Joseph and Elizabeth Harper, in the JNIeth. ch.-yard in Middle Village, designate the graves of J. L. and Freelove, his wife. She d. Feb. 12, 1850, age 80 yrs., one of the excellent of the earth. [B., in Ch. Ad.] On his tombstone is inscribed: "A devoted Christian, an af- fectionate husband, and kind father; " on hers : " A devoted w. and mother, whose life was a practical illustration of piety and virtue." — **Lyon, Lorenzo G., went to the war, and d. *Macfarlan, Frederick D., loc. pr., 1830. His father, a graduate of the College of Edinburgh, gave him classical in- struction. About 1825, in B'klyn, he was brought to Christ by ^'a pious w. and mother;" rem. to N. York ;, from thence entered the itinerancy. Pastoral Record : 1832, (N. York Conf.,) Sullivan cir., N. Y., with N. Rice; 1833, EUenville ; 1834, ord. deacon, — New Platz cir., with E. Washburn and D. Webster; i835~36> Rossville; i836,'ord. elder. He visited his parents in N. York, in Oct., 1836, and was taken sick after preaching in the Greene-st. ch. ; partially recovered ; overworked in a 4 days meeting in Nov. ; dropsy ensued, and he d. Jan. i, 1837, age 40. The attending physician did not inform him of his danger until a few hours before his death. He replied : " You ought to have let me know, but I am not afraid to die." The conf gave him a good record as a " studious, modest, acceptable, useful minister of the Lord Jesus Christ." [Minutes, 1837, p. 493. J He is bur. in Rossville, N. Y. He left a wid. — *Macreading, Chas. S., (name written "M'Reading" in earlier yrs.;) b. in Portsmouth, N. H., Feb. 5, 181 1 ; left motherless when very young; " thrown out into the wide world," but kindly cared for by Providence ; conv. in Dorchester, Mass., (L. Johnson, pastor,) age about 17 ; licensed to preach in 1830. \Vc observe REV. WILLIAM M'ALLISTER. Record of Members. 459 a-n unusual number of locations and changes in the following Ministerial Record : 1831, (N. E. Conf.,) Scituate and Marsh- field, Mass., with J. J. Bliss; 1832, Andover and Bradford, with Leroy Sunderland; 1833, ord. deacon, — Randolph and Abington; 1834, Salem; 1835, ord. elder, — Dighton and Taun- ton cir., with E. C. Scott ; 1836-37, Newtown ; 1838-44, located ; part of 1839, loc. elder in Sands-st., and part of the yr. supply, B'klyn, Wash'gt'n St., in place of B. Griffin, rejected; 1845-46, (N. E. Conf.,) Lynn, South-st. ; 1847-48, Webster, with J. Ireson, , sup'y; 1849, Southbridge; 1850, Fitchburgh; 1851, Mendon ; 1852-53, Boston, Meridian-st. ; 1854, Newtown Upper Falls; 1855, Cambridge, Howard-st. ; 1856, located; 1856-57, (Wis. Conf.,) Milwaukee, Spring-st. ; 1858, located, supplied Belvidere, 111. ; 1859, (Peoria Conf..) La Salle, 111. ; 1860-66, (N. E. Conf.,) sup'd ; i860, supplied Channahon, 111.; 1861, chap. 39th 111. infantry; 1865, supplied, Lisbon, 111. As chaplain he was in sev- eral battles in the Peninsula, and was loved and honored by his reg't. " He was by nature warm and impulsive, and frank to a fault; " a " sincerely good man," and an " accepted and talented minister." He " early engaged in the antislavery cause, and rejoiced in its final triumph." In his home-life he was af- fectionate and cheerful. He d. suddenly, but peacefully, in Plainfield, 111., Apr. 12, 1866, age 55. His last words for Christ were in a protracted meeting, in which many were converted. [Conf. Min., 1867, p. 61.] He left a wid. and several children. His eldest son, C. S. Macreading, Jr., d. in 1875, a member of Prov. Conf. [Conf Min., 1876, p. 74.]— M'Adam, Rob't, rem. by c, 1868 and 1871.— *M'Allister, Wm., S.S.t., 1841 ; loc. pr., 1843. He was b. in 1820, in the N. of Ireland. His ancestors were Scotch, his father a vestryman of the Ch. of Eng. Wm. attended a parochial school, learned the linen-draper's ' trade, and when a very young man came to B'klyn, and j. the Sands-st. S. S. ; was conv., and j. this ch. while W. H. Norris was paslor. He developed a remarkable talent for business, which promised large wealth ; but he heard and obeyed a call to abandon secular schemes, and engage in the ministry of the word. Appointments : 1845, (N. York Conf,) New Britain and Berlin, Conn., with S. W. Law — Berlin his special charge ; 1846-47, Farmington ; 1847, ord. deacon; 1848-49, Cornwall cir., with Isaac Sanford ; 1849, o'"'^- elder; 1850-51, New Mil- ford; 1852-53, Southport; 1854-55, N. York, 9th-st. ; 1856- 57, N. York,' Willett-st. ; 1858-59, Meriden, Conn.; 1860-61, N. York, 37th-st. ; 1862-63, N. York, Willett-st. ; 1864-66, B'klyn, Johnson-st. ; 1867-69, N. York, 37th-st. ; 1870-72, N. York, Allen-st. ; 1873-75, N. York, 2d St.; 1876-78, Bir- mingham, Conn. ; 1879, N. York, 76th-st., (Cornell Memorial.) When he went to. his first charge some were very anxious to know where he was graduated. He told them, " Sands-st. M. E. 31 460 Old Sands Street Church. ch., class-room No. 3 — Jacob Brown, pres't." [Rev. T. W. Cliadvvick. letter to the author.] He was mar., in 1846, to Miss Esther Hollis, sister of the Rev. George Hollis, a lady "eminently fitted to share his trials and make his victory sure." Their silver wedding, in 1871, was attended by many friends, among whom was the Rev. H. F. Pease, who married them. Mr. M. visited. Europe, and his lecture on "Glimpses of Great Britain " was heard and enjoyed by many. He was a member of Gen. Conf. in 1872, and was chairman of the Com. on Sunday- schools and Tracts. He was for some yrs. a member of the general miss'y board. During his last yrs. he was greatly inter- ested in the doctrine and experience of entire sanctification. His last sermon to his people, on the Sabbath before his death, was concerning "The Pentecost." On Monday he was attacked with inflammation of the bowels, and from the first was assured that he must die; but he was ready; his work had been fully and faithfully done. During his sickness, in his delirium, he was talking about the young people who had requested prayers on the previous Sabbath ev'g. "There they are," said he, "a great company of them, right by the pool. They will take an- other plunge." " On the next Saturday ev'g, in the same hour in which Bp. Gilbert Haven took his flight homeward, Bro. M'Allister was called to his reward. Two worthy and blood- washed souls from the walls of Zion side by side went through the gates of the city into the excellent glory. What a pleasant surprise it was for these brothers to meet on their journey homeward. Perhaps the Bishop said, ' Well, Bro. M., I appointed you, at the last session of your conf., pastor of Cornell Memorial. What are you doing here .-■ ' The Irishman would be sure to answer, 'Yes, and it was a good appointment; but the Bishop of our souls has given me a better.' " [Dr. Fowler, in Ch. Ad.] His funeral was held in the ch. in which he was appointed to minister. A large concourse of sorrowing people thronged the ch., and many ministeis appeared as chief mourners. Mr. M. is remembered as a "first-class pastor," "a strong, forcible preacher," "a good debater," and a most active friend of his unfortunate and poorly-paid brethren. Providence is said to have favored him, so that he was always above financial want, and left his family in possession of means for a comfortable sup- port. His wid. resides in N. York. Of their 2 sons, the elder, the Rev. Wm. H. M'Allister, formerly of the N. York East Conf., is now pastor of the Bethany Indep't Meth. ch.. Bait., Md., and the younger was a student in N. York when his father d. The dau. is the w. of Dr. Taneyhill, of Bait. All are members of the household of faith.— M'ARDELL, J. W.— M'ALPERIE, SIMON.— M'ALPERIE, TEMPERANCE.— M'Alpine, Jo- sephine, mar. ; see Van Dyke. — M'Chesney, Catharine H., dau. of Rob't ; rem. to a Dutch Ref. ch. ; mar. Edward Burnett. Record of Members. 461 f — M'Chesney, Geo. W., son of Rob't; b. in B'klyn, 1837; member of infant-class in Sands-st. S. S., under Cartwright; j. the cli. when H. J. Fox was pastor; entered the choir young', and was chorister there 7 yrs. By his suggestion the 1st mu- sical instrument was introduced. Rem. by c, 1865, to Wash'gt'n-st. cli. ; thence to Pacific-st. ; thence to Embury, and finally to Hanson PL Has been very efficient as chorister or precentor in most of the churches to which he has belonged. — Abbie, his w., rem. by c, 1865. — M'Chesney, John D., son of Rob't; rem. Deacon in Pres. ch., (Ur. Bartlett's,) Wash'gt'n, D. C, 1883.— **M'Chesney, Rob't, cl. Idr.; b. 'in Monmouth Co., N. J., in Sept., 1807 ; conv. and j. Sands-st. ch. in his youth ; faithful worker, always at his post; d. in Dec, 1845, age 38; funeral attended by H. F. Pease, his pastor; bur. ill Wallabout ; rem. to " Cypress Hills," grave, marked by head- stone. — **Sarah (Dey), wid. of the above; d. Jan. 28, 1875, age 67. She was b. in N. J.; mar. in 1829; j. Sands-st. in 1833, and was a S.S.t. Left alone with 4 ^mall children, she spent her life in self-denying labors for her family and her ch. In 1867 her youngest son was killed in the discharge of his duty as a public officer. The shock was too great, and she gradually sunk to the grave. Funeral attended by L. S. Weed and Geo. Taylor. Children of Rob't and Sarah D. M'Chesney : Catharine H., (Mrs. Burnett;) Geo. W. ; John D. ; Rob't S., who d. Oct. 19, 1867.— M'CLOUD, MRS. JEAN.— M'Coy, Thos., cl. Idr., 1835. One Thos. M'Coy d. 1850, a member of S. 2d-st. ch. — M'Coy, Jane, rem. to Johnson-st. ch , i8so.^M'Cormick, C. F., rem., 1850.— M'CREADY, MARGARET.— M'CULLY, MARY.— M'Donald, Edgar, of Nassau Bank, B'klyn ; son of Wm., (ist,) S.S.t., lib'n, off. S. S. miss'y soc, and cl. Idr.; b. in B'klyn; conv. andj. Sands-st. ch. under Dr. Miley's ministry; rem. byc.toSum'f'dch., 1878. — Emma, w. of the above, dau. of J. H. Ackerman ; rem. by c. to Sum'f'd ch., 1878.— M'Donald, J. F., rem. by c, 1861. — M'Donald, Fletcher, youngest son of Wm. (ist ;) rem. by c, 1876.— Mary, his w. ; rem. by c, 1876. At a re- cent dateboth were members of Wash'gt'n ave. Bap. ch. — M'Don- ald, Jennie, (or Virginia,) mar.; see Moore. — M'Donald, Margaret, mar. ; see Bottome.— M'Donald, Mary, mar. ; see Tate.— M'DONALD, MRS. MARY.— M'Donald, Rebecca, rem. by c, 1878.— *M'Donald, Wm., (ist. ;) b. in N. York city; conv. at 18; j. Forsyth-st. ch. In 1832, age 25, came to B'klyn and j. Sands-st. ch., where he became cl. Idr., trus., and S. S. supt. Rem. later to Fleet-st. ch., where he was a std. and a 'very superior Bible-class teacher. By occupation, a cooper and gauger; elected a member of the city council; a man of energetic and progressive spirit ; an ardent Meth., but no bigot. He d. in great peace, March 24, 1852, age 45. [C, in Ch. Ad.] Resolutions of respect and affection were adopted by the 462 Old Sands Street Church. Sands-st. quar. conf. — *Mary (Willis), wid. of the above, d. May 4, 1880, age 74. She j. Forsyth-st. ch , N. York, at the age of 12. Came with her husband to Sands-st. ch. After her de- cease more than one writer for the Ch. Ad. paid a loving tribute to her memory. One appropriately applied to her Paul's beau- tiful description of a wid. indeed : " Well reported of for her good works, if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work." During her sickness " her room was rather a place of social greetings and constant religious joy and service, than of any sadness and tears. . . . Her conversations were remarkable for their cheerful wisdom and persuasive unction, so much so, in- deed, that several of her visitors, until then strangers to God, were induced to seek the same grace that so wonderfully trans- formed that chamber of death into the vestibule of life." She is bur. with her husband in " Greenwood." These godly parents left 7 children: namely, Margaret, (Mrs. Rev. Dr. F. Bottome;) Carrie, (Mrs. Rev. Dr. T. H. Pearne;) Jennie, (Mrs. R. M. Moore;) Mary, (Mrs. W. J. Tate;) Willis; Edgar; Fletcher. — **M'Donald, Wm., (2d,) a plumber; d. Oct.. 1878.— M'DONALD, WILLIAM, (3d.)— M'Donald, Willis, son of Wm., (ist ;) S.S.t., cl. Idr., and std. ; rem. by c, 1872, to Hanson PI. ch.; publiaherof Hanson PI. Quarterly.— Mary, his w. ; rem. by c, 1872.— M'FARLAND, MRS. MARTHA J.— M'Gee, Eliza L., mar. ; see Phillips.— **M'Gee, Mary Ann, S.S.t., and for 21 yfs. an excellent S. S. supt. ; d. suddenly, of heart affection, at the house of her bro., Jas. R. M'Gee, on Sunday P. M., Sept. 6, 1868, age 68. She was at her post that day in two sessions of the S. S. She is bur. in "Cypress Hills." — M'GEE, REBECCA.— M'Gee, Sarah Ann; mar. A. M. Bradshaw in 1861 ; rem. to Lakewood, N. J.— M'GiU, Edward F., rem. by c— **M'Gill, Elizabeth, d. 1842,— M'Gill, Henry F. and Elizabeth, rem. by c- M'Gill, John and Pauline, rem. by c, 1865.— M'Grady, Elizabeth, raar. John Carter.— M'HARG, BELINDA.— **M'Intyre, Martha, d. at the Old Ladies' Home.— **M'Kay, Elizabeth, d.— M'KAY, ELLEN.— M'KAY, EMELINE (STRINGHAM), S.S.t.; w. of Alex. M'Kay.— M'Kee, Wm., rem. by c, 1865.- M'Keon, Sarah J., mar. ; see Smith. — *M'Kenney, John, was at one time a member; d. — **Sarah, w. of John M'Kenney, was previously the w. of Rich'd F^veritt, one of the original trustees of this ch. She d. about 1850.- M'LEAN, ROB'T.— M'LEAN, ELIZABETH.— M'LEOD, MRS. JENNIE.- M'NEELY, ANDREW.— M'WILLIAM, J.AMES, S.S.t. and std.; shipping and commission merchant in B'klyn. He was a member of Miss Griswold's infant-class; j. the ch. in his youth; many yrs. pres't of the Young People's Assoc'n.— M'WILLIAM, LIZZIE Record of Members. 463 R.— MAIN, S. D. and MRS. S. D.— MALCOLM, AMELIA.— MALCOLM, MATTIE.— MALCOLM, ROB'T.— Mallery, Henry, S.S.t., 1837; rem. by c— Mallory, Charlotte, S.S.t., 1849 ; rem. by c. — Mandeville, Edwin, of L. I. Bank, B'klyn ; b. in N. J.; rem. to N. York; j. Greene-st. cli., (W. P. Corbit, pastor;) rem. to Sands-st. ch. about 1863, (L. S. Weed, pastor;) rem., 1865, to Fleet-st. ch.; afterward trus. inNostrand ave. ch. — Emma, his w., was rem. ditto. — Markle, Jos., rem. by c, 1867.— **Marsden, Rachel, d. 1848.— MARSH, HIRAM.— Marsh, T. Pliny, rem. by c;., 1865 ; member i yr. — MAR- SHALL, HANNAH. — MARSHALL, JOHN. — Marshall, John and Elizabeth, rem. to Pa.— MARSHALL, JOS.— MARSHALL, MARY.— Martin, Humphrey, rem.— MAR- VIN, RACHEL.— Marvin, Wm., rem. W. C. Marvin was S.S.t. in 1844.— MASON, SUSAN H.— MATLOCK, MRS. ELIZABETH A.— Mattesen, Mrs. Jane, rem.— Matthews, Jane, rem. by c, 1875. — Matthews, Louisa, rem. by c. to Mass., 1849.— MATTHEWS, MRS. MARIA.— Matthews, Rich'd, rem. by c, 1874. — Maybee, Thos. B. and Jean- ette, rem. by c— Maynard, Mary Ann, Sarah E., and Rosina, rem. by c. — Mazarine, Catharine, rem. by c. to Bushwick, 1848. — Megill, John and Pauline, rem. by c, t865.— Megill, Henry F., Mrs. Elizabeth, and Edward L., rem. by c— Melins, Esley, rem. by c. — **Melvin, John C, cl. Idr. and exh. ; rem. by c, 1835, and returned; d. 1850. — **Mercein, Andrew; his parents were Swiss Hu- guenots, who came tothis country in 1753, and j. the settlement I in New Rochelle, N. Y. There he was b. in 1763. The father, a 'watch-maker, with mother and ' child, moved to the city of N. York, where shortly afterward he d. A young lad, living with his \ mother, and she a foreigner, An^ drew remained in the city during ' its occupancy by the British, but he steadfastly refused to enlist in ' their cause. When about 16 yrs. ' of age, he was seized by a press- ' gang, and carried to a vessel which ' was kept in the Hudson R. to re- ' ceive recruits, and he escaped during the night by swimming to the shore, unhurt by the shots that were fired after him. He was otherwise connected with the thrilling events of the war. In 1780, previous to the "evacuation," he was mar., at the age of 17, to Elizabeth Royce— a most happy union of 50 yrs'. con- tinuance. He j. old John-st. ch. in 1786, and while servmg ANDREW MERCEIN. 464 Old Sands Street Church. as a trus. and cl. Idr. there, he aided in the erection of the Forsyth-st., Duane-st., and' Bowery Village chs. He was successfully engaged in the cracker-baking business for many yrs. Before 1798 he purchased a country residence in New- town, L. I. In this hospitable retreat many a weary itinerant found repose. Jesse Lee records of his brother John, that on Saturdaj', June 23, 1798, " he started with Dr. Phoebus for L. 1., but after crossing the ferry they had traveled but a short distance on' the island before he began to raise blood by the mouthful. The doctor bled him, and, after resting a little, they went on in the chaise to Bro. Mercein's, in Newtown." [Life of Lee, p. 144.] There Lee was attacked with a violent hemorrhage, and in the presence of his bro. Jesse, who came to visit him, he made his will. By careful nursing he soon became strong enough to return to his home in Va. After a few yrs. Mr. M. rem. to B'klyn, where he passed the remainder of his days. He was cl. Idr. and trus. in Sands-st. ch. from 1808. As a public- spirited man no one in B'klyn excelled him. Every interest pertaining to the welfare of the community shared his thought and labor. He was named as on?- of the trustees of the village of B'klyn in the act of incorporation in 1816. He and Rob't Snow labored hard for the establishment of free education. They were members of the ist board of trus. of pub. schools in B'klyn, and "performed their services gratuitously, visiting every house in order to examine for themselves the condition of the children." [Stiles' Hist. B'klyn, vol. ii, p. 866.] His own educational advantages had been small, but by persevering study he had become a man of unusual intelligence. He hailed the opportunity to join with others in the formation of a S. S. in B'klyn. His granddaughter, Mrs. Barry, of Stamford, (to whom the author is indebted for many facts and incidents concerning this good man.) well remembers his taking her, a child of 10 yrs., to see the S. S. in B'klyn, when a little boy named Henry C. Murphy (afterward an eminent citizen of B'klyn) was ])laced under her charge to be taught — his alphabet or spelling-lesson, probably. With the largest liberality toward other denom- inations, he was an intensely zealous Meth. He was one of the founders of York-st. ch., and when the building was erected he devoted a liberal contribution "and the whole of his time " to that object. He also aided in the erection of the Wash'gt'n- st. ch. Indeed, his obituary states that not a ch. of his denom- ination was built in N. York and vicinity, up to the day of his death, toward which he did not contribute. During all his ad- vanced yrs. he was an off. of the Bible, tract, S. S., and miss'y societies, savings-banks, and other secular institutions, attending faithfully the services of God's house, and visiting almost daily, with prayers and with gifts, the homes of the sick and the poor. He d. in B'klyn, June 19, 1835, age 73. His pastor, Bartholomew Record of Members. 465 Creagh, preached his funeral sermon in the Sands-st. ch., from " Precious in the sight of the Lord," etc. [See Lost Chapters, p. 561.] He had been a member of York-st. ch. for a time during his residence in that neighborhood, but had returned to his old communion. He was bur., by the side of Ross and Summerfield, near the old ch. The grave was afterward cov- ered by the new and larger edifice, and the headstone placed against the outside of the building. His portrait, taken in mid- dle life, bespeaks the character of the man. — **Elizabeth, his ist w., " was worthy of her husband. She approved of his every good work, and welcomed, in her quiet way, all whom his large- hearted hospitality invited to their home. She was the mother of 12 children, only 2 of whom survived the age of infancy." [Mrs. Barry: letter to the author.] She d. in 1830, age 68, and was bur. beside her husband. — **Ch'arlotte (Gait), his 2d w., was a S.S.t. previous to her marri.nge, and an esteemed friend of the family. She had been an Episcopalian, but had j. Sands-st. ch., with the approbation of her friends. Those who knew her speak of her as modest, intellectual, benevolent, de- vout, a faithful S.S.t., tract-distributor, and visitor of the poor. She was a suitable companion for Mr. M., watchingover him in his de- cliningyears. She d. in B'klyn, about 1850, in her 70th yr. Falling from her chair at the table, she suddenly expired. Two sons of Andrew and Elizabeth Mercein attained to manhood. One, Thos. R., was a well-known citizen of N. York 60 yrs., a man of culture, philanthrophy, and social position, a graduate of Columbia Col- lege, founder of the Mechanics' Society School and of the Ap- prentices' Library, comptroller of the city, and col. of one of its best regiments during the war of 1812 ; one of the projectors of the N. York Univ., and for the last 20 yrs. of his life pres't of the Equitable Ins. Co. The brilliant and distinguished young minister, the Rev. T. F. R. Mercein, author of " Natural Good- ness," was a son of Thos R. Imogen, a dau. of Thos. R. Mer- cein, was an eminent Christian and an author of some note. By appeals and personal labors, as sec. of the Ladies' Home Miss'y Soc, in N. York, " she was the chief agent in the successful establishment of the Mission at Five Points." [N. Mead., in Ch. Ad., Apr. 27, 1882.] Her sister, Mrs. Eliza Mercein Barry, (another most worthy descendant of Andrew Mercein,) is a member of the M. E. ch. in Stamford, Conn. Wm. A., an- other son of Andrew Mercein, was in the war of 1812, and prominently connected with the Mechanics' Soc'y School of N. York. He was one of the ist board of managers of the parent Miss'y Soc'y, in 1819. [Stevens' Hist. M. E. Ch., vol. iv, p. 478.] He came from John-st. ch., N. York, to Wash'gt'n-st. ch., B'klyn. John Summerfield and other eminent preachers were often entertained at his hospitable home. He d. in B'klyn. A son, Thos. R. Mercein, and 2 daughters, Mrs. Wm. Hyde and Mrs. 466 Old Sands Street Church. Clias. W. Thomas, with their families, reside in B'klyn, and cherish the church and the faith of their ancestors. — Mercein, Miss Susan, dau. of Wm. A., granddau. of Andrew; now a member of Hanson PI. ch. — **Merriam, Mrs., d. 1869.— **Merriman, Georgiana, mar. ; see Douglas. — Merritt, M. J., rem.— MICKLEBOROUGH, AMANDA.— Milford, Wm., ;rem., 1849.— MILLARD, ELIZA.— **Miller, Cath- arine, d. June, 1875.— MILLER, CHAS.— MILLER, MRS. DEBORAH H.— Miller, John, rem.— Miller, Jos., rem. bye. —MILLER, SAM'L.— MILLER, MRS. SARAH.— MILLER, MRS. S. EMMA.— MILLER, WM. H.— MILLS, MRS. CAR- OLINE.— MILLS, LUCILLA.— Mills, Mary, mar. Mr. Pitt. — MOLYNEAUX, MRS.— MOON, MRS. CATHARINE.— **Moore, Fannie A., mar. ; see Archer.— MOORE, JASON and MRS. MARY IRENE.— **Moore, John, S.S.t., d. "sud- denly in peace and hope," 1849, probably a member. See stone in ch.-yard.— **Moore, Jos. J., d.— MOORE, RICH'D.— Moore, Rob't M., S.S.t., loc pr., and cl. Idr. ; came from Allen-st. ch., N. York, i866 ; succeeded M. F. Odell as cl. Idr. ; member of Sands-st. ch. 2 yrs. ; rem. by c, 1868; j. Simpson ch. ; thenci rem. to Elizabeth, N. J. — Jennie, his w., dau. of Wm. M'Donald ; rem. by c. — Moore, Sam'l G., rem. by c, 1866. — Moore, Wm., bro. of Jason and Rob't M. ; a Wesleyan in Ireland; member of Sands-st. ch., i yr. ; rem. by c, 1870. — Lizzie, his w., a Pres. in Albany before coming to B'klyn ; rem. by c, 1870. — Morehouse, Eliza, "gone to Green's estabhsh- ment," Cong. Meth. Ch. [Ch. records.]- MORGAN, BENJ. F.— MORGAN, CHARLOTTE A.— Morley, Mrs. Sarah, rem. bv c, 1868. — Morrell, Elisha B., withdrew, 1839. — **Morrell,Jane,d. about 1829.— MORRELL, MRS. MARIA. — **Morris, Mrs. Elizabeth, d. 1871. — Morris, Hannah, rem. to Johnson-st. ch., 1850.— MORRIS, LUCY.— **Morris, Mary, d. about 1830.— Morris, Nelson, cl. Idr. ; rem. by c. to Johnson-st. ch., 1849.— MORRISON, CARRIE.— **Mort- imer, John, d. 1846. — Mortimer, John, rem., 1847. — *Moser, Ida, a member in 1798. — **Moser, Isaac, trus. in 1794, one of the ist. and some time treas. of the board ; cl. Idr. as early as 1798, and again Idr. of Red Hook Lane class in 1830. He was b. Apr. 12, 1768. Stiles mentions him as a grocer in B'klyn, in 1816. [Hist. B'klyn, vol ii, p. 114.] His store was located cor. Fulton and High. [Mrs. R. E. Wakefield.] Thos. L. Rush- more remembers calling to see him a short time before his deith. Jacob Brown, John Smith, and Jos. Moser were present a: the same time. When they prayed by his bedside the good man did not respond to their petitions for his recovery, but shouted when they spoke of heaven. At length one of them said, " He longs to depart ; let him go! " On a Sabbath (per- haps the same occasion) he was thought to be dying, but Record of Members. 467 SUSANNA MOSEB. revived, and, in a tone bf disappointment, said: " I was born on the holy Sabbath, baptized and married on a Sabbath, and I thought I was going to die this Lord's day." He lived one week longer, and d. Sunday, Oct. 18, 1846, age 78. J. C. Green, his pastor, preached his funeral sermon. — **Susanna, com- monly known as ''_ Aunt Susan," w. of Isaac Moser, was a woman of sweet and even temper, wore a Methodist bonnet, and always sat [in the " saints' corner," that is, in [one of the side seats near the pul- pit. She was universally beloved ; j. Sands-st.' ch. in 1860 ; d. 1850, age 74; bur. with her husband in " Greenwood." Mrs. R. E. Wake- field writes : " Grandmother, Su- sanna Moser, was sister to Joseph Harper. Grandma was a very handsome widow when grandpa mar. her ; he, also, was a widower." Here is a list of the children of Isaac Moser: Isaac S. ; Joseph; Sam'l H. ; Lydia, (see Reynolds;) Susan A , mar. a Mr. Biglow, whose son is of the firm "Big- low & Main;" Eliza, mar. a Mr. Green.— Moser, Isaac Snow, son of the above, was named for Rob't Snow ; j. Sands-st. ch. at 17 ; rem. to Hanson PL ch. ; thence to Camden, N. Y., where he still resides. While living in B'klyn he fell from a building, and remained insensible two weeks. On a Sabbath, daring that time, mighty prayer was offered for his re- covery in Hanson PI. ch.-, and he was almost miraculously re- stored. [Letterto the author.]— Maria H. (Farrington), his w., S.S.t. before niarriage ; left the Society of Friends to j. Sands- st. ch. Their son, Cap't Sam'l H. Moser, a devoted member of Hanson PL ch., was wounded 5 times in the War for the Union, and at length killed in battle, in 1864.— *Moser, Joseph, bro. of Isaac, familiarly known as "Uncle Josey," was b. in Stamford, Conn., in 1776, and came to B'klyn in 1783. When a youth he sought the Lord, and was gloriously converted in a cornfield between Fulton-st.' and Columbia Heights. [E. C. Estes.] He was cl. Idr. in 1806, -afterward trus. and some time pres't of the board. During the last 20 yrs. of his life he was one of the chief pillars in Wash'gt'n-st. ch. He and Gamaliel King were the builders of the ist York-st. ch._ By industry and enterprise he amassed a competence, but through others, whom he unwisely and generously trusted, he lost the whole of his hard-earned property. He was P. M. under Pres. Jackson in 1831 and in 1834, and he was one of B'klyn's ist board of aldermen. [Stiles' Hist. B'klyn, vol. ii, pp. 236, 243.] Before his death he was 468 Old Sands Street Church. appointed inspector of customs in N. York, and of pavements in B'klyn. He d., it is said, at the house of Geo. I. Seney, Esq., Feb'y 8, 1854, age 77. A sketch by Stiles [Hist. B'klyn, vol. ii, p. 81] describes him as "peculiar in gait, clean-shaven, round- JOSEPH MOSER. shouldered, and dressed in dark-colored clothes," and says further : " His ministrations to the sick and the heavy-laden, his labors in thS S. S., his untiring interest in the youth of the place — counseling them and originating entertainments for them, in which instruction and amusement were most judiciously blended — endeared him to the hearts of both old and young." — *Rachel, his w., appears to have j. the Sands-st. cb. in its very infancy. She was at that time the w. of Peter Cannon, the cooper, in whose shop the ist stated services by the Meth. were held in B'klyn in 1787, and in whose house the 1st tru'stees were elected in 1794. The name of Rachel Cannon is on the oldest known register of Sands-st. ch., (1798,) and it is not unlikely that her name was recorded on the ist class paper in 1787, and that by her influence her husband, who was not a member, (at least in 1798,) was ever active and generous in his friendship toward the ch. After his death she was mar. to Jos. Moser. She d., a member of Wash'gt'n-st. ch., July 9, 1848. Jos. and Rachel Moser had no children, but 2 nieces lived with them. One mar. a Mr. Simonson, another a Mr. Morehouse. — Record of Members. 469 **Moser, Joseph, son of the elder Isaac, d. His grave is under the S. S. building. He was an excellent young man. — Moser, Lucretia, of Red Hook Lane class, 1826. [Records.] Possibly Lucinda Moser is meant. — **Moser Margaret, w. of John, mother of Isaac and Joseph, mother-in-law of John Garrison; d. June 3, 1811, age 67. [Headstone in cb.-yard.] Believed to have been a member. — **Moser, Rachel, dau. of the elder Isaac, is bur. under the S. S. building. [Mrs. R. E. Wakefield.]— *Moser, Sam'l Harper, son of Isaac, was anative of B'klyn, and a cl. Idr., trus., and std. in Sands-st. ch. "He kept a grocery-store near his father's." [Mrs. R. E. Wakefield.] It is believed that he did not retain his membership in the ch. He d. in N. York. — *Lucinda Vail, his w. ; d., and was bur. in" Greenwood." I'hey left 2 daughters: Phcebe, w. of Geo. I. Seney; and Eliza, w. of Thos. L. Rushmore. — Mott, Eliza, rem. by c— MULDOON, WM. S.— MULDOON, MRS. S.— MULDOON, EMMA C— Mumford, Adeline, rem. by c, 1867. — Mumford, Anna L., S.S.t. ; rem. by c, 1867. — *Mundell, Wm., boot and shoe dealer; b. Apr. 28, 1789; be- came a loc. pr. in this ch. in 1827; his name is in the printed "plan "for Flushing cir., 1828. "At his suggestion the Loc. Prs'. Assoc'n was formed in B'klyn about 1835." [C. C. Leigh.] He was transferred at an early date to Wash'gt'n-st. ch., and in that communion he d., Aug. 27, 1840, age 51. Children: Jer- emiah, David, and John, deceased ; Chas., Geo., Elizabeth, and another dau., living, (1883.) — *Martha, w. of Wm. Mundell, was b. on the Isle of Wight, Eng. ; conv. and j. the Meth. when very young. Her spirit and example were admirable. She trained her children well ; was one of the managers of the Fe- male Miss'y Soc'y, and active to the last. She d. in triumph, March 3, 1852, age 56. — **Munson, Amanda, S.S.t. ; b. in Broome Co., N. Y. ; conv. at 14; d. 1847, age 21 ; fine scholar and faithful follower of Christ. [N. Bangs, in Ch. Ad.] Useful in S. S. ; bur. tn Utica, N. Y. [Minutes in S. S. Teachers' Record:] — *Murphy, John Garrison, S.S.t.; b., 1783, in Middletown, N. J. Timothy Murphy, his father, was a native of Ireland, and belonged to the American army in the Rev- olution. Stiles' Hist. B'klyn (vol. ii, p. 24) contains a sketch to which we are indebted for many facts concerning Mr. M. He mar. Clarissa Runyon, of Princeton, N. J., and rem. to B'klyn in 1808. By his industry and mechanical genius he established a profitable business as millwright. He was the in- ventor and patentee of the machinery for the team-boats used on the East River ferry and other ferries in the U. S. and Canada. He was school commissioner, justice of the peace, and judge of the Municipal Court. The Jeffersonian Democrats of Kings Co. regarded him as a leader in their party. The Sands-st. ch. people esteemed him highly as a S.S.t., trus,, and 470 Old Sands Street Church. cl. Idr. His name, as we have seen, was signed to the ist printed statement to the people of B'klyn concerning tlie establishing of a S. S., in 1816. After many'yrs. he became a member of Wash'gt'n-st. cli. " He was a tails fine-looking man, and possessed much prudence, reticence, and self-reliance." He d., Feb. 11, 1853, age 69, leaving 4 daughters qnd 2 sons, one of whom was the Hon. Henry C. Murphy, late pres't of the trustees of the B'klyn bridge. — *Clarissa, his w., d. 1824, age 38, and was bur. in the old ch.-yard. See tombstone. — Murray, Mary, mar.; see Luckey.— MURRAY, THEODORE W.— MURRAY, MRS. FREELOVE.— **Myers, Mrs. Frances, came from John st. ch., N. York; d., "suddenly in peace and hope," 1849, age 85. [N., in Ch. Ad.] Nadal, Chas., Mrs. Sarah J., Rebecca M., and Bernard H., rem. by c, 1876. See sketch of the Rev. Dr. Nadal. — **Napier, Thos. A., d. many yrs. ago. — Nash, Israel, rem. by c— Nast, Albert J., rem. by c, 1866.— NAST, FRED- ERICK A., S.S.lib'n.— NAST, GENNETT.— Nast, Martha, rem. by c, 1876; member i yr.—NATRASS, EDWIN C— Natrass, Emma, rem. by c, 1879, to Sum'f'd ch. — Neal, Charity, rem. without c, 1850. — Nelson, Paul and Mag- dalene, rem. — Newell, Mrs. Phoebe N., rem. by c. — **Newman, Elizabeth, d.— Newman, Sarah, rem., 1851. — Newton, Julia E., S.St.; rem., 1846. — Nichols, Anthony, loc.pr., 1818. The Records say: " 1820, expelled." — **Nichols, Hannah Ann, d. — Nichols, John, rem. — Nickerson', John, loc. pr. ; rem. by c, 1819, to Danbury, Conn., where he d. about 1850, age 56 ; a loc. pr. till his death ; truly a man of God. He was the father of the Rev. L. D. Nickerson, of the N. York East Conf.— *Nickerson, Mrs. J., was also a member of Sands-st. ch.— NICKERSON, ROB'T.— Niles, Isabella C, rem. by c, 1865. — Niles, Virginia K., rem. — Noden, Ann, rem. — Noden, Thos., loc. pr., 1852, from Wis. — Nordhoff, Chas., S.S.t. ; rem. by c, 1867, to Mich. ; also Chas. and Mrs. Chas., rem. by c, 1870.— NORDHOFF, LAWRENCE.— Norfolk, Geo. H. and Mrs. G. H. They were of Flatbush ; rem. by c, 1865.— Norris, Chas. T., rem. bv c, 1867. — Northridge, N. T. and Ann, rem. by c, 1870.— NORTHROP, WM. B.— Nor- ton, ElectaC., rem. bye, 1848. — Norton, Mary C, rem. bvc. — NOSTRAND,FRANCIS.— Nostrand, Isaac, trus. about 1824. **Odell, Moses Field, son of Wm. D. ; S. S. sec, off. S. S. miss'y soc, cl. Idr., and S. S. supt. ; of Huguenot descent; b. in Tarrytown, N. Y., reared in N. York and B'klyn ; held a po-. sition in the N. York custom-house during most of the active yrs. of his life. As member of Congress, during 4 yrs. of Lin- coln's administration, he was personally intimate and friendly with the president. He voted conscientiously, and almost alone of his party, (Dem.,) for the abolition of slavery in the Dist. of yx — ^ L> — ^ cH^ Hon. MOSES F. ODELL. Record of Members. 471 Columbia, and for the constitutional amendment prohibiting slavery throughout the land. He was a member of the Com. on the Conduct of the War. His total abstinence principles were known at Wash'gt'n as well as at home. Pres. Johnson .appointed hnn naval officer for the port of N. York, which po- sition he held till his death. He was religiously trained, a member of the S. S. from his childhood, a constant attendant upon the ch. services, and strictly -upright in his life. Placed at the head of the S. S., he plainly saw the need of a spiritual preparation for his work, and gave his heart to God at a camp- meeting, when 28 yrs. of age. Thence- forward, to the close of his life, he was recognized as the prince of S. S. snpts. He was a good singer, and pre-eminently successful as a leader of social meetings. For a number of yrs. he was actively connected with the Gen'l Miss'y Board. He d. of cancerous affection of the throat, in 1866, age 48. The Sands-st. quar. conf. adopted a memorial pro- nouncing him "eminently useful in every sphere of private, social, religions, and public life, in which, in the prov- idence of God, he was called to act, and from which he was so early called." His death was lamented by thousands- '^ of friends, and especially by the S. S. Many successful businessmen hove said to the writer : " He gave me counsel and assistance when I was one of his S. S. boys." "He was the best friend I ever had." He was worthily eulogized in the Ladies' Repository, June, 1867, and in the Ch. Ad. The B'klyn Eagle published a fine poem on the same subject by a member of the S. S. A tablet in the ch. commemorates his services. — Sarah F., his w., dau. of Abraham Vanderveer, was a S.S.t. ; rem. by c, 1880, to SumTd ch.— **Odell, Sam'l U. F., bro. of Moses F., was S.S.t., off. S. S. miss'y soc')', S. S. supt., std., and cl. Idr. He was the chosen delegate from this ch. to the ist electoral conf of laymen, in 1872. He was one of the managers of the General Miss'y Board. At the time of his death, and for several years previous, he was American Consul-general for the Kingdom of Hawaii, and he superintended the arrangements for the reception of King Kalakaua, when he visited the U. S. In business he was senior partner of the firm of Barclay & Livingstone, in N. York. He d. of erysipelas, which developed into Bright's disease of the kidneys, in. the yr. 1875, age 44, and was bur. in " Greenwood." [Ch. Ad.]— *Belinda (Vanderveer), his w., sister of Mrs. M. F. Odell, was likewise a S.S.t. She rem. bye, 472 Old Sands Street Church. 1880, to Sum f'd ch. ; d. in Oct., 1884. She was possessed of a ciuiet dignity, and was a person of true refinement aqd culture. — **Odell, Wm. D., cl. Idr. ; father of Moses and Sam'l; a merchant in N.York; afterward, for 25 yrs., cl'lc in the auditor's division of the custom house, where, even at his great age,his serv- ices were highly valuable. [Ch.Ad.] Hed. in 1875, age 81. — **Su- sanna, his w., d., in the " faith and peace of the gospel," in 1878. —Oliver, Wm., rem., 1850.— OLLIFFE, MRS. ANNA.— OL- LIFFE, ANNA.— OLLIFFE, ELIZA W.— Olliffe, Emma, mar ; see Strong. — -Olliife, Henrietta, mar.; see Smith. — OL- LIFFE, MRS. SPEARS.— O'Neill, David, S.S.t.,cl.ldr., sec. and treas. of S. S., off. S. S. miss'y soc. ; rem. to Fleet-st. ch. ; actively and successfully engaged in S. S. work there, with J. E. Hanford and others from Sands-st. ch.; rem. at length to Orange, N. J. —O'Neill, Mary, rem.— O'Neill, Oliver C. and Harriet E., rem. by c, 1869. — O'Neil, Wm. Percival, withdrew. — Os- born, Augusta, rem. by c, 1874. — Osborn, Joshua, with- drew. — Osborn, Virginia, rem. bye, 1874. — Osborn, Wm., rem. Wm. S. Osborn was a S.S.t.— Owen, Thos. and Eliza, rem. bye, 1865. He was a loc. pr. in 1863. — **Owens, Mar- garet, d. PALMER, ARMENIA. — P.ALMER, ROB'T.— Palmer, Wm. P. and his w., Sarah J. (Winters), rem. by c to N. J , 1883. — Parcell, Ellis, cl. Idr., 1838, in Sands-st. ch. ; ditto, about i860, in Johnson-st. ch. — Parkinson, W. J., rem. by c, 1805.— PARKER, DAVID.— Parker, Mrs. Frances Au- gusta, rem. by c. ; see sketch of Rev. L. Parker. — Parker, Henry, son of Wm. ; rem. bye, 1870. — Parker, Jane, rem. by c, 1866.— Parker, John, S.S.t., and Sarah, rem. by c, 1869. — Parker, Longworth, bro. of Rev. L. Parker, rem.— Parker, \A/m., S.S t. and cl. Idr. ; came with his family from Somerset, near Bristol, Eng., and brought 6 children at once into the S. S.; rem. by c, 1870, to Simpson cli.; then, changing his residence, j. Dr. H. M. Scudder's (now Dr. Berhend's) ch. Still retains his attachment to the doctrines and usages of Methodism. He was a barber yrs. ago, on Fulton-st. — Susan, his w., rem. by c, 1870.— Parkinson, W. J., rem. bv c, 1865.— **Parmelee, Walter, d. 1849. — ^Parmlee, Walter, rem. 1849. — Par- sons, , rem. to Paciiic-st. ch., 1850. — Parsons, Rachel, rem.— Patience, Wm. H., rem.— PAYNE, BETHUNE D. — Payne, Shepherd H., son of Silas W., of York-st. ch. ; b. in B'klyn; conv. and j. Sands-st. ch. when 11 yrs. of age, (H. J. Fox, pastor;) rem. by c. to Amityville, L. I. ; after 9 yrs., rem. to Carlton ave. ch., B'klyn ; thence to i8th-st. ch., N. York, and finally returned to Carlton ave. (Simpson) ch., B'klyn ; trus. and S.S.t. in several places. — Peacock, I., rem. by c, 1867. — PEARSALL, M. E.— Pearsall, Mehitable, rem.— PEAR- SON, ELIZABETH.— Pease, R. L., rem.— PECK, BELLA. Record of Members. 4^3 — *Peck, Capt. Chas., rem., 1849, to N. Haven, Conn., where he d. some time afterward. He was father of Mrs. J. Wesley Harper. — **Elizabeth, his ist w., j. the M. E. ch. in her youth. She d. Aug. 7, 1847, ^ge 56. During her long illness her mind was stayed on God. [J. B. Merwin, in Ch. Ad.] She is bur. in " Greenvvood." Capt. P. was mar. again, in N. Haven, to the wid. of the Rev. John Mott Smith. Her maiden name was Amanda Day, and her early residence was Norwalk, Conn. — **Peck, Chas. Benson, captain of steamboat "American Eagle," was conv. at 18, and j. Sands-st. ch. He d. in 1841, age 22; bade w. and friends good-bye, and shouted, "All is well ! He comes ! " [P. C. Oakley, in Ch. Ad.]— Peck, Chas. Benson (2d) and Frances B., rem. by c. to Hanson PL ch., 1881.— **Peck, Laura C, " d. in peace," about 1848.— Peck, Mary W., rem. — Peck, Rachel S., rem. by c. — *Peck, Rob't W^., b. in Orange Co., N. Y. ; conv. in 1839, when 33 yrs. of age. He was. made cl. Idr. in Sands-st. ch. in 1843; afterward he rem. to Fleet-st. ch.; thence to Nostrand ave. Energetic and wholly consecrated, he served the ch. as cl. Idr. 30 yrs., and passed through the gates of death with shouts of glory on his lips, May 2, 1870, age 74. [C. E. Glover, in Ch. Ad.] He was father-in-law of the Rev. E. H. Dutcher, of the N. Y. Conf.— **Peckham, Thos. G., S.S.t. ; b. in R. I. ; conv. and j. the M. E. ch. at 16. He was S. S. supt. 16 yrs. and cl. Idr. 25 yrs. in New Market, N. H., before coming to B'klyn. He d. in 1873, age 72. His last words were "Jesus! Jesus! Jesus! " He was a pious, thoughtful, genial Christian. [F. P. Tower, in Ch. Ad.] — ^Peckham, Frances E., mar. ; see Sco- field.— Peckham, Mereena; see Layton.— PECKHAM, MRS. THANKFUL.— **Pell, Albert, d. Oct. 28, 1881.— Pell, Annie, wid. of the above, rem. by c, 1884. — Pellett, Dan'I, rem.— Pelton, E. R., rem.— Pelton, R. S. and Cath- arine, rem. by c, 1866.— Percey, A. J., Eliza L., and Allie F., rem. by c, 1870. — *PeregO, Carrie A., grand-dau. of Ira, Sr. ; rem. by c, 1867; d. in New Orleans.— ^Perego, Ira, Sr., cl. Idr., trus., std., and S. S. supt. ; came from John-st. ch. : rem. by c, 1867, to 7th ave (now Grace) ch.; d. April 25, 1876, age 75. — *Frances Eliza, his w. ; a member of John-st. ch., N. York, before joining Sands-st. ; rem. to 7th ave. ch. ; d. Nov. 27, 1867, age 62. See headstones in "Greenwood." — PeregO. Ira, Jr., S. S. supt., off. S. S. miss'y soc'y, and cl. Idr. in Fleet-st. ch.; now a member of Grace ch. — PeregO, Margaret, S.S.t. ; a dau. of the senior Ira Perego; rem. to N. York.— PETTINGER, RHETTIE.— **Pettit, Mary E., d. — Pettit, Rob't, b. in Near Rockaway (Rockville Center) about 1810; j. M. E. ch. there, (Gershom Pearce, pastor;) rem. to B'klyn, and j. Sands-st. ch., about 1835 ; returned to Rock- away ; a merchant there; later, engaged in business in N. York. 474 Old Sands Street Church. — *Elizabeth, his w., was b. in Hempstead; d. July 22, 1881, age 74 ; a member of Nostrand ave. ch. — PHILLIPS, DAN'L B., S.S.t., std., S. S. sec, off. S. S. miss'y soc'y, and financial sec. of the ch. ; b. in Phila; attended S. S. of Bap. ch., to which his parents belonged; came to B'klyn in 1845 ; was conv. and j. Sands-st. ch. when Dr. Nadal was pastor; clerk in Department of City Works 13 yrs.— ELIZA L. (M'GEE), w. of the above ; S.S.t. — Phillips, Edward, rem. by c, 1831. — Phillips, Geo. W^., b. on L. I.; came to B'klyn in 1838; j. Sands-st. ch., 1858, (J. Miley, pastor ;) rem. by c, 1865, also rem. by c, 1869, to Warren-st. ch., then to Janes ch., (Reid ave.,) 1882. — Mar- garet, his w., a native of N. York city ; j. Sands-st. about 1858 ; rem. by c. — Phillips, Phoebe A., rem. bye, 1865. — *Piercey, Henry R., cl. Idr., 1827 ; became one of the chief founders and supporters of the Cong. Meth. ch. in B'klyn, (J. C. Green, pastor.) " He owned the ist power-press in N. York city, and tsrinted the Herald before the elder Bennett owned a press. He was a- Republican and an advocate of the abolition of slavery in the early days when it was dangerous to proclaim that doc- trine. He also published The Emancipator, and printed the ist copies of the N. York Sun. He j. the N. York Typographical Soc. in 1820, and the surviving members were present at his funeral." [B'klyn Eagle, Oct. 17, 1881.] The Cong. Meth. ch. became the Union Cong, ch., of which Mr. P. was a prom- inent member when he d., Oct. 14, 1881, age 84. — Pierson, Geo. and Eliza, rem. by c. — Pickering, Phoebe, rem. by c, 1850.— PILKINGTON, SARAH.— Pinkney, Andrew, S.S.t.; rem. by c, 1835. — Pitt, Sarah, mar. — Pitts, Chas. L., cl. Idr., about 1868. — Plummer, Lucy, rem. bye, 1849. — *Pom- eroy, Chas., loc. elder in 1833. Conf. Record: 1822, (N. York Conf.,) Sharon cir., N. Y., with Jas. Quinlan ; 1823, Jeft'erson cir., with Jesse Fomeroy and Q. Stewart; 1824, app't not re- corded; 1825, ord. deacon; 1825-26, Montgomery cir., with H. Eames, Jacob Beeman, Theodosius Clark, and J. Elton; 1827-28, Peru cir., with J. Leonard and Elijah Crane; 1828, ord. elder; 1829-30, Bridport, Vt., with C. R. Morris, Wm. P. Lake, sup'y, and R. Westcott; 1831, Leicester cir., with Lewis Potter; 1832, located. The Rev. P. C. Oakley writes : " I knew Chas. Pom- eroy in 1832, but have no recollection of him since. He was a devout man, but a little eccentric ; for example, he would com- mence with a mild and pleasant voice, but suddenly elevate it so that his hearers said it made their heads ache. He had a strong intellect. I heard him once at a camp-meeting preach one of the ablest sermons on the divine government that I ever listened to. It was clear and profound. I think that in his latter days he was subject to mental aberration." — Potter, Mrs. Abagail, rem. by c, 1869. — Potter, Abbie J., rem. by c, 1871. — Potter, Joseph, withdrew. — Powell, Alma, Record of Members. 475 rem. by c, 1867.— Powell, Amanda, rem.— Powell, Anna, mar.; see Carson.— Powell, Annie, rem. by c, 1880.— Powell, Mrs. Hannah, rem. bv c, 1874.— Powell, Han- nah E., rem. by c. to De Kalb ave. ch., 1880.— POWELL, HULDAH.— Powell, Jos., rem.— **Powell, Mrs. Kate, d. March 6, 1868, age 20.— **Powell,, Matilda, mar., "and d.— Powell, Rob't J., cl. Idr., about 1864. He and Augusta rem. by c, 1867.— Powell, Ruth, rem. by c, 1876. —POWELL, WEALTHY.— POWER, MRS. ELLEN — *Powers, Mary, w. of Geo. (2d ;) j. Sands-st. ch. (probably in 1797;) one of the honorable women whose name is fragrant with blessed mem- ories. It is said that the Dean-st. (after- ward Hanson PI.) ch. was organized at her home. The house stood on what is now the N. E. cor. Flat- bush ave. and Hanson PI. It was in the center of extended grounds with little to obstruct the. view of out-lying fields and hills. She gave 4 lots on Dean-st., that is, , a plot 100 feet square, for the building, and made other large do- nations. One of her last acts, as she lay oil ber death-bed, was to place $500 in the bands of her pastor, Sam'l Law, for her loved Hanson PI. ch. Her grandson, Geo. A. Powers, counted the money for her in f i bills. A memorial tablet, near tKe pulpit in Hanson PI. ch., contains the following inscription : In memory of Mrs. Mary Powers ; b. Apr. 20, 1771, and d. in peace., Avg. 2, 1857, aged 86 yrs., 3 mos., and 13 days. For 60 yrs. a faithful member of the M. E. ch. Charitable, humble, de- voted ; a liberal contributor to this ch. " Blessed are the dead wha die in the Lord." Her husband was the 2d in a succession of 6, in a direct line, by the name of Geo. Powers. Stiles' Hist, of B'klyn contains a sketch of his father, who was an Episcopalian. The husband of Mary Powers d. 1829, age 5*1, ■ and a headstone in the old Sands-st. Meth. ch.-yard shows that 33 \ MRS. MART POWERS. 476 Old Sands Street Church. he was bur. there. C. C. Smith and Geo. A. Powers are of the opinion that he was a member of Sands-st. ch., but his name is not found on any existing record of the ch. Mr. Smith was present at his funeral, and recollects that Geo. Smith and Judge Garrison were pall-bearers. His son, George, d. in 1832, and is bur. in Sands-st. ch.-yard ; probably not a member; A dau. of 'Geo. and Mary Powers, w. of Wm. Jenkins, d. 1828, age 25. See headstone in the old ch.-yard.— *Pray, John G., cl. Idr. and trus. in Sands-st. ch. ; a native of Kitterj', Me. ; commenced a sea-faring life when very young; after his marriage came to B'klyn, and j. the St. Ann's Episcopal ch. Having experienced converting grace at a camp-meeting, he united with the Meth- odists ; after some lime left Sands-st. ch., and became a cl. Idr. and S. S. supt. in Wash'gt'n-st. cb. Stiles, in Hist, of B'klyn, states that he was a member of the "Society to Prevent Vice " in 181-5, and- later became one of the ist members of the B'klyn S. S. Union. He was a successful ship-master; made a number of profitable voyages to the East Indies ; then his friends — ministers and prominent members of the ch. — urgpd him to give up the sea, which he somewhat reluctantly did, and engaged in the printing and jjublishing business — firm, " Pray & Bowen." One of the older H/irpers and J. J. Matthias were employed by them, and lived in Mr. Pray's family for a time. His dau., Mrs. Spinney, thinks he made a mistake in leaving his former occupation for one with which he was not acquainted. He d. Jan. 24, 1839, age 57. — **Hannah (Lord), his ist w., was mar. to Mr. P. in Portsmouth, N. H., in 1805, became a member of Sands-st. ch. [So writes Mrs. Capt. Spinney.] She d. in 1825, age 44. — *Lucy (Emerson), his 2d w., was from a Meth. fam- ily in Maiden, Mass. She d. in 1832, age 32, and is bur. in Sands-st. ch.-yard. [Hannah Stryker.] The following are the names of the children by the ist marriage who lived to maturity : Mary A., wid. of Capt. Jos. Spinney, of B'klyn; Hannah, wid. ofThos. Staples, of Cal. ; Elizabeth, w. of Rich'd H. Cornwell, of N. J.; John W'., mar. Matilda, dau. of Judge Dikeman, of B'klyn — both dead. Children by 2d marriage : Lucy M. C, d. in Balston Spa, N. Y., member of Wash'gt'n-st. ch,, B'klyn; Geo., d. in childhood ; Jos. M., of B'klvn, mnr. Mary 13., dau. of Judge Dikeman.— PRESCOTT, MARGARET (i.- Preston, Andrews, rem. by c, 1882. — Preston, Wm. Irvine, son of Andrews and Eliza Ann (Ferris) Preston, grandson of Sam'l and Louisa (Abbott) Preston, and great-grandson of Jacob Preston, is a native of Cato, Cayuga Co., N. Y. He was b. Sept. 3, 1828, the 3d of a family of 11 children. His father was greatly respected as a man of integrity and ability, and was thrice elected a member of the N. Y. Legislature. As a boy, Wm. was "adventurous, daring, generous," and was called "General Put," from his likeness to the intrepid Putnam of Mng'^'iiy MBSalls. Sms.SiuWflc ■ Record of Members. 477 Revolutionary fame. " Many anecdotes are related of his narrow escapes from tlie use of small cannon ; of many instances when his face and hands were severely burned with powder ; of his falling into a caldron of lye, which took the skin from his en- tire body. On one occasion young Preston, as the champion of the village boys, in a contest with the country boys, was soundly thrashed by the leader of the latter." At 15 he attended a high school in Victory, N. Y., (the Rev. J. C. Vandercook, principal ;) one yr. later, his father having established himself as a merchant , in Red Creek, N. Y., he entered the academy in that town as a student. He was soon taken into his father's employ, and sub- sequently became a partner in the firm of "A Preston in Son." When 19 yrs. of age he j. the M. E. ch. in Red Creek, was de- voted and exemplary, and in a short time was chosen S. S. supt. It is said that "the manner in which he discharged the duties of this position highly distinguished him and led to the most pleasing results. He seemed peculiarly qualified to blend in- struction with delight." At 21 he was town-clerk of Wolcott; at 22, postmaster; subsequently supervisor of the town. He was mar. Oct. 21, 1851, and the same year he engaged in the hardware business in Auburn, N. Y., and became cl. Idr., trus., and S. S. supt. in the North-st. ch. of that city. "Being very fond of music, he used his influence to advance the musical in- terests of the ch. At this time instruments were almost unknown in Meth. churches. Through Mr. Preston's influence a melodeon was purchased and placed'in the ch. The morning it was first used old father Cherry came early to ch., taking his seat near the pulpit. As the singing began he caught the sound of the melodeon, and, indignant at the innovation, he marched down the aisle, exclaiming in a loud voice, striking the floor with his heavy cane. ' I cannot and will not stand the growling of that bull-dog!'" Mr. P. returned to Red Creek in 1853, and re- moved thence to Oswego in 1854, where he began his successful career in the grain commission trade. He j. the ist M. E. ch. of Oswego, "and was soon made trus., std., cl. Idr., and S. S. sup't. The society was in debt, and for a long time was sub- jected to a severe struggle for existence. Among other dif- ficulties was the intrusion of the slavery question." The calm reasoning of Mr. Preston availed, a disastrous rupture was averted, and the ch. grew to be one of the strongest m the conf. " A chapel was erected in the southern portion of the city, which the friends of Mr. P. desired to name ' Preston Chapel,' but as he would not consent to this, it was finally called Fifth-st. Chapel." During the war our friend advocated the Union cause, and in- duced many to enlist. When the N. Y. i loth was ready for service, by appointment of the citizens of Oswego, and of the Board of Trade, of which he was pres't, and in behalf of the donors, Mr. Preston presented, with a fitting speech, to Col. De Witt C. 478 Old Sands Street Church. Littlejohn, a sword and a caparisoned horse. As Uem. candidate for mayor of Oswego and for member of assembly he was de- feated by small majorities. In 1865 he rem. to N. York, and 6 mos. later to B'klyn; j. Sands-st. cti. in 1867; became S.S.t., cl. Idr., trus.,' and S. S. supt. ; rem. by c. from this eh. in 1882 ; j. the M. E. ch. in Sea Cliff, " having accepted the office of pres't of the Sea Cliff Assoc'n, for the express purpose of aiding in extricating that corporation from its financial troubles." We learn that Mr. P. is intensely interested in St. Paul's M. E. ch., in B'klyn, and is devising liberally and (no doubt) wisely a new departure in the practical methods of ch. work. He is actively identified with the Araer. Bible Soc'y, the Miss'y Soc'y of our ch., the B'klyn City Bible Soc'y, the Syracuse Univ., (as trustee,) and the very efficient and useful B'klyn Ch. Soc'y, (as chief founder, pres't, and honorary life patron.) He holds a prom- inent position in the Masonic fraternity, is connected with the Fulton Bank and with the Historical Societies of L. I. and N. York. [Condensed from a work on B'klyn, published 1884.] — Laura L., his w., dau. of the late Rev. Reuben Reynolds, of the Northern N. Y. Conf., was teacher in the Sands-st. S. S. ; rem. by c, 1882. — Price, Jennie, mar. ; see Tayleure. — PRICE, MARY H.— PRICE, MRS. SARAH H.— *Prince, Benj. R., b. on Shelter Island, Sept. 8, 1800; worked in the summer and attended school in the winter, like other farmer boys. In 1818 he commenced learning the carpenter's trade v/ith Jos. Glover, of Southold. An incident is related by Mr. P. which' illustrates the drinking customs of those days. "My boss," he says, "built a house for Mr. C. at Rocky Point. The contract was $900 and board, with a pint of rum a day for him- self and two boys. The boss used all the rum." [L. I. Traveler.] His happy conversion on the i8th of July, in that yr., in the private house where the Methodists held their meetings, marked the beginning of a revival which continued until 80 converts were numbered with the Xn. disciples in the neighbor- hood of Southold, and a ch. was built. The young convert was appointed cl. Idr., and several of the veteran ch. members were in his class. His comrades called him " deacon." Having com- pleted his apprenticeship, he came to B'klyn and hired out to Jos. Moser. He presented his ch. certificate to the Sands-st. ch. In 1823 he was mar. to the eldest dau. of Wm. and Anna Foster, members of this ch. After working at his trade 6 yrs., he started a lumber-yard at the foot of Jackson-st., accumulated $100,000 in 10 yrs., but lost it all in the crash of 1837. He subsequently turned his attention to inspection of lumber for a number of yrs. He was trus. of B'klyn village, and alderman of the city 3 yrs. During the cholera epidemic in 1832 he faithfully visited the sick and cared for the dead in his ward. All the work devolved upon him, as his colleague became frightened and yatt,-^^c..at^ REV. ELNATHAN RAYMOND. Mecord of Members. 479 ran away. He was connected with the fire dep't of B'klyn 14 yrs. Leaving Sands-st. ch., he was cl. Idr. in Yoik-st. ch. for some time. At length he returned to Southold, and spent his last yrs. amid the scenes of his youth. He received exhort- er's and preacher's license about 5854, [Southold quar. conf. record,] and was cl. Idr. and S. S. supt. The writer was for 3 yrs. favored with the fellowship and co-operation of B. R. Prince in Christian labor on the Southold charge. He suffered greatly from asthma, but glowed with seraphic fervor of soul, and labored to the last limit of his strength for the church of his Redeemer. He d. in Southold, Jan. 28, 1878, age 77, having been about 60 yrs. a Meth. He went through life singing, for his religion made him uniformly happy. He often said that most of his early Christian companions had gone on before him, and he was not unwilling to enter their ranks and join their victorious song. — *Sarah Ann,- his ist w., was conv. under the ministry of Lewis Pease, and j. Sands-st. ch. at the age of 14. She d. in 1847, age 40; an excellent woman and faithful worker in the S. S. Mr. P. was mar. in 1849 to Temperance Brown, and she survives him. — *Prince, Martin, rem. by c, 1832 ; probably the Martin Prince, bro. of Benj. R. He was sub- sequently for many yrs. a member of the Presbyterian ch. on Shelter Island; d. in Babylon, L. L, Oct. 27, 1883, age 71. — Prifcchard, Mary Irene, mar.; see Moore.— PROUSE, MRS. HARRIET.— Pullman, George, rem. by c, 1876.— Purdy, Mary E., mar. ; see Walling. Quale, Jane, rem. 1846. — Quereane, Elizabeth, rem. — QUIMBY, DAVID S., trus. ; b. in Marlboro, Ulster Co., N. Y. ; came to N. York city in 1829; j. Bedford-st. ch. ; rem. to B'klyn in 1832. He cherishes a strong affection for the Sands-st. ch. He has been from early manhood in the stove business — dealer and manufacturer.— Quimby, David S., Jr., S.S.t, S.S. sec, off. S. S. miss'y soc'y, trus., and std. ; rem. by c. to Sum'f'd ch. in 1878; was in real estate business; later, in the establishment formerly occupied by his father. — Maria L., his w. ; rem. by c, 1878. — Quimby, Mrs. Elizabeth, rem. by c, 1883. — **Quimby, Rob't A., d. RATHBURN, MRS. MARIA.— R.\YERCRAFT, ELIZA E.— RAYERCRAFT, MARTHA.— RAYERCRAFT, MRS- MARY J.— *Raymond, Elnathan, loc. pr. and cl. Idr. in this ch. ; b. Apr. 23, 1789, in Norwalk, Conn., the 6th son of Nathaniel and Dolly Raymond, who were Methodists. His brothers j. other denominations, but he adhered to the ch. in which he was reared. While an apprentice in N. York, age 17, he j. the old John-st. ch. He mar., in 1811, Miss Lydia Bess, of Norwalk, Conn., by whom he had 3 sons, only i now living. In 1817 he moved to Muskinguni Co., O. ; in 1818 his w. d. ; in 1819 he mar. Rachel Banning, dau. of a loc. pr. of Mt. Vernon, O. ; that yr. a supply 480 Old Satids Street Church. on Knox cir. ; returned in 1821 to the East, and engaged in the furrier business with his 2 bros., in B'klyn ; member of Sands-st. ch. until 1831; then of Wash'gt'n st. ch. He is mfentioned in the Meth. Mag., 1823, p. 118, as the chief founder of Method- ism in Bay Ridge, L. I. In 1834 he returned to Mt. Vernon, O., and 3 yrs. later j. conf., having been ordained deacon and elder. Itinerant Record : 1837, (Mich. Conf.,) ag't Norwalk Sem., O.; 1838, Mansfield cir., with O. Monett ; 1839, Martinsburgh cir.; 1840, (N. Ohio Conf.,) Galena cir., with S. B. Guiberson ; 1841, Frederick cir., with H. Camp; 1842, ditto, with O. Burgess; 1843, Bellville cir., with J. Burgess; 1844-45, P. E., Wooster Dist. ; 1846-47, P. E., Tiffin Dist. ; 1848, Frederick cir., with T. H. Wilson; 1849, Amity cir., with O. Mitchell; 1850, ditto, W. M. Conant; 1851, sup'y; 1852, East Union cir., with Wm. Boggs ; 1853, Utica cir., with J. M'Nabb; 1854, Nevvcomers- town cir., with Wm. Boggs ; 1855, Chesterville cir., with S. Faut; 1856, sup'y, Mt. Vernon, O., Banning chapel, with D. Rutledge; 1857-58, ditto, with Wm. M. Conant; 1859, ditto, with Jas. Wheeler; 1860-73, sup'd. He d. July 31, 1874, age 85. Mr. R. was an excellent man, zealous, faithful, and "always happy in the Lord." His ist. w. d., as already stated. — *Rachel (Banning), his 2d w., d. in blessed hope, July 23, 1880, age 84. She is bur. with her husband in Mt. Vernon cem. Chil- dren of Mr. R. by 2d marriage, living in 1883: Mrs. G. A. Jones, Mrs. D. Blanchard, and Mary Raymond, of Mt. Vernon, O. ; a widovved dau. in Ala. ; and a son in Kan. — *Read, Mrs. Margaret, w. of Wm., sister to Mrs. Wm. M 'Donald, b. in B'klyn; rem. to Fleet-st. in 1850 — a "charter member;" d. at her country home in Allendale, N. J., Apr. 3, 1882, age 79 ; bur. in " Greenwood." An ac'.ive, faithful, consistent Xn. — Reast, Alpha, rem. by c. — Reast, Fred J., off. S. S. miss'ysoc'y, cl. Idr., and financial sec. of the ch., was b. in Eng., of Episcopalian parents; conv. under the labors of Jas. Caughey, June 21, 1846, age 15, and j. the Wesleyans ; came to N. York at 21 ; j. 9th- st. M. E. ch. in 1852 ; rem. by c. to Sands-st. ch., B'klyn, when H. J. Fox was pastor; as Idr. took Jacob Brown's Sunday- morning class; rem. by c, 1884. — **Marg;aret (Stryker), his w., dau. of John and Hetty Stryker, was a S.S.t. ; connected with the school from her infancy until her death, Nov. 30, 1878, at the age of 43. She is bur. in Evergreen cem. Left a fam- ily of children.— REAST, FRANCIS S.— Reast, Herbert Odell, rem. by c, 1884.— Reast, Mary H., rem. by c, 1884. — REAST, WM. J.— Redfield, John, loc. pr. ; rem. to N. York, 1848.— REED, DAYTON.— Reed, D. I., loc. pr., 1846.— REED, MRS. FANNIE.— REED, FANNIE M.— Reed, Jane R., rem. — Reed, John and Mrs. J., rem by c. 'to Nostrand ave., 1878. — "^Reed, Thos., S.S.t. ; j. Sands-st. ch. when J. W. B. Wood was pastor; one of the founders of Record of Members. 481 Fleet-st. ch. in 1850; cl. Idr. and std. there; d. July 28, 1872, age 43; bur. in " Greenwood."— Sarah A. (De Gray), w. of the above; j. Sands-st. ch. about 1847, (W. H. Norris, pastor ;)- wasS.S.t. ; rem. to Fleet-st. — among the ist members; thence to Sum'f'd ch.— Reed, Thos. P., rem. by c, 1868; member a short time. — Reed, Wm., rem. by c. to Nostrand ave. ch., 1878.— Reeve, Emily, rem. by c, 1882.— Reeve, Tappan, was trus. m 1855.— Reid, Gilbert H., rem. to Johnson-st. ch., 1850.— Reynolds, Israel, rem. to N. York.— REY- NOLDS, KATE P.— Reynolds, Mrs; Lydia, dau. of Isaac Moser; rem.— RHINEHART, LAVINIA.— RICH- ARDS, GEORGE S., b. in Troy, Me., March 4, 1845. His ancestors came from Dorsetshire, Eng., and landed at Plymouth, Mass., in 1632. His father, Rob't R. Richards, was a Meth. preacher in the Me. and E. Me. Confs. 25 yrs. Geo. S. Richards commenced teaching school in Me. when 17 yrs. of age. Three yrs. later (1865) he settled in Richmond, Va., where he con- nected himself with the M. E. ch., in 1870; was std. and trus. 12 yrs., having official relation to the ch. prior to membership in it. He was. collector of internal revenue for 2d Dist. of Va. from Dec, 1870, to Dec, 1877; rem. to B'klyn in 1878, engaged in the wholesale oil business, and is now treas. of the N. York Refining Co. He j. Sands-st. ch. on coming to B'klyn, and has been for some time a cl. Idr. He is a member of the Board of Managers of the B'klyn S. S. Union. In 1870 he was mar. to Mary M., dau. of Dr. Jesse Nichols, of New Bedford, Mass. Mr. R. is brother-in-law to the Rev. Dr. J. R. Day, of the N. York Conf.—RICHARDSON,MRS. HARRIET.— RICHARDSON, LIZZIE.— RICHARDSON, MRS. ISABELLA.— "Rich- ardson, Marvel, (ist,) d. 1831, age 67. [Headstone in old ch.-yard.] Probably a member. Left 3 sons, Benj., Hiram, and Marvel, and 2 daughters, Elizabeth and Mary. — **Rich- ardson. Marvel, (2d,) a shoe-maker; d. 1849. — *Richardson, Marvin, son of Stephen and Huldah, was cl. Idr. in this ch.in 1807, loc. pr. in 1808, and was recommended by this ch. to the traveling connection in 1809. He was b. in Stephentown, N. Y., June 10, 1789. While a youth came with his parents to B'klyn, and attended Sands-st. ch. ; was awakened in the fall of 1805, and j. the ch. on probation. At a camp-meeting in Tuckahoe, N. Y., May 10, 1806, he found peace in believing. The Rev. L. M. Vincent states that Ezekiel Cooper appointed hira cl. Idr. in 1807, but his name is omitted (doubtless by mistake) from our list of cl. Idrs. taken from the ch. records. Having spoken to his pastor, Dan'l Ostrander, in the summer of 1808, concerning his convictions in regard to the gospel ministry, "he was over- whelmed by an announcement from the pulpit on the succeeding Sabbath, that Marvin Richardson would preach in that ch. on the following Thursday ev'g. He came and preached his ist 482 Old Sands Street Church. sermon from Matt, xvi, 24. He was licensed to preach at the ensuing quar. conf., Oct. i, 1808." [Conf. Min., 1877, p. 41,] He was then only 19 yrs. of age. Ministerial Record : 1808,, supply on Croton cir., with E. Woolsey ; 1809, (N. York Conf.,) Charlotte cir., Vt., with Andrew M'Kain; 1810, Granville cir., Mass. and Conn., with G. Pearce ; 1811, ord. deacon, — Buck- land, Mass. ; 1812, Dutchess cir., N. Y., with W. Anson and W. Swayzey; 1813, ord. elder, — New Haven, Conn. ; 1 81 4, N. York, with W. Phoebus, S. Cochran, N. Emery, T. Drummond, and W. Blagborne; 1815, ditto, with W. Thacher, E. Washburn, and A. Scholefield; 1816, Jamaica cir., L. I., with Thos. Ware; 1817- 18, Middletown, Conn. ; 1819-20, New Rochelle cir., N. Y., with S. Bushnell; 1821, N. York, with J. Soule, E. Hebard,.W. Ross, H. Bangs, and J. Summerfield; 1823, Croton cir., with F. Reed, a supply; 1824, ditto, with P. C. Oakley; 1825, Red- ding and Bridgeport cir., Conn., with H. Humphreys and F. W. Sizer; 1826, ditto, with H. Humphreys; 1827-28, Po'keepsie; 1829, Dutchess cir., with A. M. Osbon ; 1830, ditto, with M. Mallinson; 1831, P. E., Hudson River Dist. ; 1832-34, P. E., Newburgh Dist.; 1835-37, P. E., Po'keepsie Dist.; 1838-39, N. York, Duane-st. ; 1840-41, N. York, Willett-st. ; 1842, Bush- wick and Wallabout, L. I. ; 1843-46, P. E., Newburgh Dist. ; 1847-50, P. E-, Po'keepsie Dist. ; 1850, sup'y, Po'keepsie, Wash'gt'n-st., with W. H. Ferris, and Wm. Jewett, sup'y; 1852, jBup'y, N. York, Duane-st., with R. A. Chalker; 1853, ditto, with Z. N. Lewis; 1854-76, sup'd. This record covers a period of nearly 70 yrs. Thos. Thorp was led to Christ by his ist sermon on the Croton cir., in 1808, and became a useful preacher; but the young evangelist was so diffident, and some- times so discouraged, that his colleagues with difficulty re- strained him from abandoning his work. To the next cir., 300 m. distant, he went on horseback, "carrying his clothing and books, all that he possessed, in his portmanteau ; . . . 200 souls were added to the membership of the circuit." [Stevens' Hist. M. E. Ch., vol. iv, p. 254.] One of the converts under his min- istry on the Dutchess cir. became the honored and useful Dr. Fitch Reed, one of the pastors of Sands-st. ch. In those early days his experience consisted of " long, weary days of travel on horseback, through forests, fording rivers, sleeping in log huts, with beds often covered with snow, preaching from 6 to 10 times a week, and winding up the years, toil with empty pockets and threadbare garments — but with a harvest of souls." [Conf. Min.] He " became one of the representative men of his conf., and was called the finest-looking member of that body — in person well-proportioned and dignified, with an expressive face, simple but most courteous manners, of few words, extreme .modesty, great prudence in counsels, and tranquil uniformity of temper and life — the perfect Christian gentleman and tin- Record of Members. 483 blemished Christian minister." [Dr. Abel Stevens.] The writer is assured from personal acquaintance that all this is true of Marvin Richardson. He was a member of 8 successive Gen. Conferences, including 1820 and 1848. The Wes. Univ. gave him the degree of D.D. in 1868. In his last speech in conf., in feeble and trembling tones, he said: "I am one who never asked a presidiilg elder or a bishop for an appointment. I have been asked where I wanted to go, but have replied, REV. MARVIN RICHARDSON, D.D. ' That is not my work.' I have never received a dollar of the public funds of the ch. Money has been put into my hands, but I have transferred it to those more needy. ... I j. the Methodists in 1805. Since we last met I have been close to the cold waters of Jordan, but I have been preparing for it for years." The day before his death he said, " All is bright ; I have no fear ! " and, with reason unclouded and faith triumphant, he 484 Old Sands Street Church. sweetly fell asleep, in Po'keepsie, N. Y., June 14, 1876, age 87. A headstone marks his grave in the Po'keepsie cem. (See sketch of M. R. in Simpson's Cyclopedia.) His w., Sarah, was b. in Dutchess Co., N. Y., in 1791 ; conv. under the ministry of Nathan Bangs; mar. to Mr. R. in 1813; d. in New York, Aug. 12, 1856, age 65 ; funeral text: Job xiv, 14. [J. S. Mitchell, in Ch. Ad.] She is bur. beside her husband. Of their 4 cliil- dren, 3 are living, (1884.) One, the w. of the Rev. L. M. Vincent, resides in her father's old home in Po'keepsie. — RICHARDSON, MARVIN, (2d.)— **Richardson, Mary, mar.; see Sales.— *Richardson, Simon, bro. of Marvin; conv. in 1805; j. Sands-st. ch. ; made cl. Idr. in 1807; an early member of Wash'gt'n-st. ch. ; cl. Idr. there; subsequently j. Cook-st. ch., where he was cl. Idr. and trus. He was circumspect, indus- trious, generous. His emotions often gushed forth in tears. On the 28th of Oct., 1854, he d., age 66. Last whisper: "O how bright, how lovely! " [Dr. J. Kennaday, in Ch. Ad.] He was a grocer in B'klyn; afterward a rope manufacturer in "Cross Roads." — **Sarah, his w. ; d. about 1819. — **Rich- ardson, Stephen, was father of the Rev. M. Richardson, who writes concerning the revival in N. York, which followed the camp-meeting in Tuckahoe, in 1806 : " Many were led to Christ, and among the number, to my great joy, our whole family, con- sisting of father, mother, and 3 bros. and 3 sisters, found peace with God and connected themselves with the M. E. ch. [Quoted in Stevens' Hist. M. E. Ch., vol. iv, p. 254.] He d. in 1826, age 65. See headstone in Sands-st. ch.-yard. — **Huldah, his w., d. in 1837, age 77, and was bur. by his side. Their sons were Marvin, Simon, Lemuel, Gideon, and Benj. Among his grandchildren are Mrs. N. T. Beers, and the wid. of the late Mayor Powell, of B'klyn.— **Richmond, Mary C, w. of Henry C, dau.-in-law of Warren Richmond; d. 1865, age 35. —RICHMOND, WARREN, cl. Idr., was b. of Meth. parents in Killingvvorth, Conn., April 3, 1797. The family moved to Southold, L. I., when he was 4 yrs. old. After learning the carpenter's trade, he came to N. York, at the age of 21. In 1823 he rem. to B'klyn, and after a few yrs. established himself in the grocery business, on the N. E. cor. Pearl and Sands, moved thence some time afterward to Fulton-st., opposite Clark ; remained there until 1853, when he sold out his interest in the business. He was conv. and j. Sands-st. ch. in 1828, (S. Luckey, pastor.) The writer was intimately associated with him in Southold, where he owns a farm and spends a large share of his time. He is a veteran in the church, thoughtful, independent in his views, conservative, and thoroughly reliable. He was on the ch. building committee in 1848. The records show that he served with J. Wesley Harper a long time as the committee to visit the S. S., and from the reports we infer that he discharged Record of Members. 485 his duty in an admirable manner. — **Jeminia (Wheeler), his 1st w.r was b. in Smithtown, L. I., and d. suddenly in 1859, age 62. She was ready. Her grave is in "Greenwood." Their sons: Warren P., deceased; Albert S., deceased; Henry C. — RICHMOND, BETSEY (GRISWOLD), w. of the above. She was an efficient S.S.t., in cliarge of the infant class many yrs. — RICHMOND, HENRY C, son of Warren.— Riddle, Eliza- beth, rem., 1845.— RIDER, MRS. EMILY.— Rl EGE, WM.— **Riencke, Chas., d., 1S65. — **Riencke, Mrs., a wid. ; d. 1872. — Righter, C. A., rem. — **Riley, Joseph, b. in Ire- land; heard John Wesley preach; came to the U. S. when 18 yrs. of age; mar. Miss Lydia Baker in 1799; was reclaimed from sinful wandering under the ministry of H. J. Fox, and j. Sands-st. ch. ; d. 1857, age 80. [H. B., in Ch. Ad.]—** Lydia, his w., was b. in N. York ; j. old John-st. ch. previous to her marriage; was a genuine, old-fashioned Meth.; d. about 1862. Both are bur. in " Cypress Hills." One of the daughters mar. Sam'l Herbert, of Sands-st. ch. — Ringwood, Catharine C, rem. by c. to Elm PI. Cong, ch., 1877. — Ritchie, Wm. M., rem. by c. — **Roach, Bridget, "d. in the Lord."— Roberts, Emma and Mrs. Hannah, rem. bv c, 1871. — Roberts, Ma- tilda, mar. C. A. Barnard.— ROBERl'S, WM. H.— ROBERT- SON, ALEX.— Robertson, Annie ; see Pell.— ROBERTSON, AUGUSTA. — Robertson, Elizabeth, rem. by c, 1847. — ROBERTSON, JAS. D.— ROBERTSON, JAS. W., cl. Idr. and std.— ROBERTSON, MRS. MARIA H.— Robertson, Rob't, rem. — Robinson, Henry H. and Maria H., rem., 1846.— ROBINSON, LUCY.— Robinson, Mrs. Maria, rem., 1874. — Robson, Maria J., rem., 1870.— Robson, Rob't, loc. pr. from Canada, 1861 ; loc. pr. in i8th-st. ch., 1867-71.— Rogers, Abbie A., rem.— Rogers, Elizabeth, S.S.t., 1822; left and j. York-st. ch. ; mar. Ira C. Buckalew. Her son, J. R. Bucka,lew, was for some yrs. a member of the N. Y. E. Conf.— Rogers, Jas. L. and Catharine, rem. to N. J., 1850.— *Rogers, Joshua, b. in Centerport, L. I., Oct. 11, 1784; mar. Desire Higbie, dau. of Dan'l Higbie, of Old Fields ; rem. by c. from Sands-st. ch., prob- ably to become one of the founders of York-st. ch. ; cl. Idr. and trus. there many yrs. ; a Meth. more than half a century. _ "His name was the' synonym of all that is humble in spirit, un- ostentatious in manner, pure in purpose, and consistent in piety." [J. L. Gilder, in Hist, of York-st. ch.]— ROGERS, RICH'D L.— Rolph, Augustus, cl. Idr., 1831.- **Romer, Jas. L., cl. Idr., std., and off. S. S. miss'y soc'y ; went to SumTd ch. Reported deceased. Left w. and children.- Roscoe, Jackson and Mary, rem. by c, 1865; members i yr.— Ross, Julia and Jane, rem. by c. to Embury ch., 1879. — Rossell, John, loc. pr. and cl. Idr. ; b. in Englishtown, Monmouth Co., N. J., in 1815 ; conv. at 16 in old Halsey-st. ch., Newark, under 486 Old Sands Street Church. ]. N. Maffit's labors ; mar. 1834 ; came to B'klyn 1839 ; preached his I St sermon in Leonard's hotel, Sheepshead Bay, L. I. The old lady tended bar while the proprietor attended the meeting. Mr. R. left Sands-st. ch. in 1850 to become one of the "charter members " of Fleet-st. ch. ; now a cl. Idr. and loc. deacon there. He was associated for a time with Chas. Battersby, as pastoral supply at Sheepshead Bay; had charge, as a supply, of Warren- st. ch. when the society was worshiping in a private house; afterward preached at Cypress Hills, and still later filled un- expired term of pastor in Fort Lee, N. J. — Rebecca H. (Smith), his w., when a young lady, went out and gathered 18 new scholars for the Wash'gt'n-st. S. S., some of whom have be- come valuable members of the church. She rem. by c. from Sands-st. to Fleet-st. ch. in 1850. — Rossell, Virginia or Jennie ; see Johnson. — *Rote, Elizabeth, member in 1798. — **Rugg'les, Nath'l, loc. pr., was b. in Danbury, Conn. ; conv. at 25 ; j. N. York Conf., with Rob't Seney and others, in 1820, and was appointed to Burlington cir., Vt., with Datus Ensign; located after i yr. on account of impaired health ; established his residence in Bridgeport, Conn., where a ch. was built under his pastoral care; labored as loc. pr. in various places; came to B'klyn and j. Sands-st. ch. in 1845. His voice was often heard in the pulpit and in the social meetings. In 1847 he was seized with paralysis, affecting seriously his intellect, " but to the last glimmer of its expiring light it beamed for Christ and purity." He d. in 1850, age 55. [J. W. B. Wood, in Ch. Ad.]— Ruland, Henrietta, rem. by c, 1880. — Ruland, Mary L., rem. by c, 1882.— **Ruland, Sophronia; see Cunningham. — RUNDLE, CATHARINE E.— Runyan, Jas., rem., 1842.— RUSHER, WM.— **Rushmore, Rebecca G., w. of W. ; d. 1828. Her grave is in the Hempstead Presbyterian ch. -yard. Her husband mar. the wid. of \Vm. Ross. [Thos. L. Rushmore.] — Russell, Alex., rem.— RUSSELL, BARZILLA I.— RUSSELL, ELIZ- ABETH, w. of the above; S.S.t., 1822.— Russell, J. T., rem. by c, 1866 ; member 2 yrs. — Rutherford, Chas. H., son of Christopher, Jr., was b. in White Plains; j. M. E.ch.in Nyack ; rem. to Sands-st. ch., 1867 ; thence to Nostrand ave. ch., 1872. — Elizabeth S., his w., was also a member in Sands-st. 5 yrs.; rem. by c, 1872.— *Rutherford, Christopher, Sr., was aloe, pr. and cl. Idr. His father was Christopher Rutherford, of the Scottish ch. at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Eng. Young Christopher attempted to attend a Meth. love-feast, but " the door was shut." This caused serious thoughts and finally led to his conversion. He became a warm friend of Wm. Bramvvell; was placed on the "plan" of Newcastle cir. as a loc. pr. ; walked frequently from 5 to 10 m. on a Sabbath, preaching and organizing S.- schools, carrying his luncheon in his pocket, dining beside a brook or hedge. At the time of his leaving Eng. (1821) he was Record of Members. 487 a commission mercliant, dealing in hides, wool, etc. He was welcomed by the Satids-st. ch., placed on the " plan " of Flushing cir. in 1824, made Idr. of Yellow Hook (Bay Ridge) class, and Old. deacon by Bp. Hedding in 1826. He owned a morocco factory, lost heavily in that year of disaster, 1837, and moved to a farm in Wells, Hamilton Co., N. Y. After a few yrs. he made his home with his eldest son, JJirnes, in Hempstead, L. I., where resided also 2 other sons, Cliristopher Rutherford, Jr., A. M., afterward a preacher, and the Rev. Collingwood Rutherford, associate principals of the Hempstead Sem. He and his w. afterward resided with their children in Nyack, Sing Sing, and Haverstraw, N. Y., and in Hyde Park and Chicago, 111. Warned by heart- disease that his end was drawing nigh, he wrote in his last letter to his son-in-law, the Rev. John Luckey: "I have committed to God every member of my family, young and old. . . . God has been, and still is, abundant in mercy toward me. By faith in an atonement once offered for all, I prove its power in my case; it gives me rest and peace in Jesus." His dau., Mary Nelson, wrote : " His mind is clear and composed ; indeed, he is joyful, and it is delightful to wait upon him," He d., repeating the hymn, "O, Lamb of God, I come," on the 12th of Nov., 1870, age 86. — *Mary, his w., was a dau. of Wm. Collingwood, who left the Ch. of Eng. to j. the Meth., and en- tertained the early prs. She was b. in 1785, and mar. to Mr. R. in 1805. Their dau., Mrs. Luckey, writes: "I never knew a couple so lovingly devoted to each other." In the same letter she adds : " My mother would not brook the least irreverence toward God, or his word, or his ministers, or the ordinances of his house; and so decided was her influence in these things that we had no trouble in the family of 5 sons and 2 daughters." Mrs. Rutherford d. July 3, 1870, age 85. Her aged husband wrote to his dau. on the day after the funeral: "Your dear mother, now doubly dear to me, is no longer an inhabitant of earth. ... On the first shock, last Wednesday ev'g, my mind was thrown back along the 65 yrs. we had toiled together. I lost sight of all her childishness and all the infirmities of a feeble and wasting nature, and felt the to'.iches of our first love in all its strength. I also felt the force of the bereavement, but I ac- cept it all at the hands of the Lord." She sleeps beside her husband in the cem. at Hyde Park, III., and their names are (or are to be) inscribed on the family monument. They are hon- ored in their posterity. Two sons, James Rutherford and the Rev. Christopher Rutherford, Jr., came to the close of faithful, useful lives in peace. Another son, the Rev. Collingwood Rutherford, was an itinerant minister 9 yrs., and has long held an honorable position as loc. pr. and pres't of a commercial college in N. York. The daughters' names are Dinah and Mary.— Rutherford, Dinah, dau. of the above. (See sketch. 488 Old Sands Street Church. of her husband, the Rev. John Luckey, pp. 288-295 °f this book.) — Rutherford, John, son of Christopher, Jr. ; rem. and j. Mulberry-st. ch., N.York; now a farmer in Iowa. — *Rutherford, Rosannah Augusta, w. of James, dau. of Col. Porter, U.S.A., was conv. at 15 and j. Sands-st. ch. ; ,d. a member of York-st. ch. in 185 1. She was lovely as a child, sister, wife, mother, and friend. Her voice was often heard in the social meetings. [W. C. Hoyt, in Ch. Ad.]— Rutter, H. C. and Mrs. Maria, rem. by c, 1868. He j. by proba. ; she from Bap. ch. in 1867. **Saffern, Ann E., " d. in peace after much suffering," March 28, 1849.— **Sales, Mary R., w. of Sam'l, dau. of Marvel Richardson; d. 1866. — Salmon, Thos., rem. — Salt- anoff, Andrew, rem. by c, 1867. — Saltar, Caroline, rem. bv c, 187 1. — Sanders, Dan'l and Mathilda.— *Sands, Thomas, loc pr., (.') is mentioned on pp. 18 and 19 as the man who first proposed the establishing of a S. S. in B'klyn, and as the ist treas. of the B'klyn S. S. Union. He was b. in Leeds, Eng., Jan. 8, 1791, and by his father's death was left to the sole care of his mother, who was an intellectual and energetic woman, and a Wesleyari. He mar. Sarah, oldest dau. of An- ^ thony Branson, Esq., of Sheffield, '^St Apr. 21,1814. From a cloth-worker ^ in Leeds he came to be a com- mercial traveler, moved to Liver- ^^ pool, was connected with a business ^^ firm in that city, and came as its I'i* representative to N. York. His dau.. Miss Susannah Sands, writes to the author from Stirling, Scot. : " I have often heard my father speak of his early efforts to establish a S. S. in B'klyn.'' She was not aware that he ever had a loc. preacher's license, but J. Wesley Harper mentions him as a loc. pr. in Sands-st. ch. in 1816. [See trustees' records.] Returning to Europe he was Mayor of Liverpool in 1843. After enjoying unusual success in business he met with reverses, by which all his property was swept away. While in prosperity his gifts to the ch. were large. His portrait is in the Meth. Centenary picture, the more prominent and shorter of the two standing figures. He d. at the residence of his dau., Mrs. Black, on the Clyde, near Glasgow, Apr. 4, 1867, age 76, and was bur. in the Necropolis, Glasgow, where his w. was laid 4 yrs. previously. The stone he erected over h^r grave bears his name. List of the children: Thos. Branson, who resides in France; Hugh Spooner, who d. in Jamaica, W. L; Sarah Ellis; Susannah ; Mary, (Mrs. Black ;) James Stopford, who was in THOMAS SAXDS. Record of Members. 489 business with his father in N. York, and afterward d. there, (1879,) leaving a wid. and 4 children. Three daughters of Thos. Sands reside in Scotland. It is said that most of his descendants, inc:luding those in N. York, are Episcopalians. — Sanford, Watson, S.S.t., cl. Idr., off. S.S. Miss'y Soc; was a stove dealer in N. York ; resides in B'klvn. — Savage, Wm. L., rem. by c, 1849, to E. B'klyn.— SAYRE, MRS. ELIZA- BETH. — Saywell, Wm., rem. by c, 1871; member 3 yrs. — SCHENCK, MRS. REBECCA.— Schenck, Sarah J., rem. by c, 1864.— **Schnell, Anna, w. of John, dau. of Henry Shawver, d. Oct. 14, 1805, age 52. [See stone in ch.-yard.] — *Schnell, John, member in 1798. One "John Snell " d. Oct. 5, 1812, age 72. [See stone in old ch-yard.]— SCHRIVENER, HENRY.— SCHRIVENER, MRS. HENRY.— Schureman, Catharine, rem. by c, 1876. — Scofield, Frances E., rem. by c, 1872.— SCOFIELD, GEO. F.— Scudder, Mrs. Char- lotte, rem.- *Seabury, Adam, a baker; Idr. of a colored class in Sands-st. about 1828; h.id charge of the ist class formed in Washington-st. ch., 1831, and was, in 1868, still Idr. of the same class, and tlie only survivor among those wlio originally composed his little band. [Stiles' Hist. B'klyn, vol. iii, p. 706.] He was a -trus. of Washington-st. ch. as early as 1839, and d. a member of that ch. He was a "noisy Meth- odist," and a very peculiar but truly godly man. The name of his ist w. was Hiilpehart. He outlived his 2d w., who was a member of Washington-st. ch. — Seabury, E., rem. by c, 1868. — **Seabury, Miss Emeline, d.— **Seaman, Mrs. Abby, d. — Seaman, Jacob, rem. by c, 1880. — **Seaman, Sarah, w. of Jacob, d. in Sept., 1872. — *Searles, Isaac, trus., 1825, father of Mrs. Rev. Dr. D. D. Whedon; did not continue in the ch.— Searles, Wm. N., exh., 1831.— Seawright, Agnes, mar. Mr. Stryker. — Seckerson, Rich'd, rem. by c. — Seeley, Ellen B., rem.— **Seffern, Ann E. (Brice), w. of G. W. Sefifern, d. in peace after much suffering, 1849. — Sellick, E., and Mary E. (Waterbury), rem. by c, i879.-^Sellick, Noah, std., 1841. He and Mary j. by c, 1868, and rem. by c, 1870. Said to have moved to Staten Island; see Silleck. — Sellick, Thos. A., rem. about 1831.— **Selover, Mrs. Charity, d. 1871.— Selover, Mary A., rem.— Selvey, John O. and Mary A., rem. bvc, 1876; members i yr.— SERVANT, FLORENCE S.— Shackerly, Henry E. and Mrs. Cath- arine S., rem. by c, 1868. — Shapton, R., cl. Idr. about 1866. — *Sharp, Richard, chorister, went to Fleet-st. ch. ; d. about 1879; age about 72 ; an excellent man. — *Eliza, his first w., sister to Mrs. Wm. M'Donald, foremost in every good work, d. about 1877, age 61 ; no children. [Mrs. J. Rossell.] — Shat- tuck, Harriet A., rem by c, 1877.— Shaw, Ann M ; see Litchult.— SHAW, ELIZABETH.— Shaw, Ellena, rem.— 49° Old Sands Street Church. SHAW, JOHN— SHAW, JENNIE M.— SHAW, ROB'T.— SHEDD, ELIZABETH.— **Shepherd,Janette, w. of Sam'l; b. in Edinburgh ; came to U. S. at lo yrs. of age ; in 1822, 3 yrs. after her marriage, conv. at a camp-meeting in 111; in 1824 j. Sands-st. ch. by c. She was a patient sufferer; d. shouting " Glory ! glory ! Come, Lord Jesus ! " [Ch. Ad.] — Sheriden, Mrs. Anna, rem. by c. — Showard, Margaret, rem. to Phil., 1849 ; mar. J. M. Morrell. — *Shreeve, Caleb, member in 1798 — *Shreeve, Meliscent, member in, 1798. — Shultz, Es- ther, A., rem. to Johnson-st. ch., 1850. — Schultz, Leek and Maria, rem. — *Sickerson, Mrs. Rosannah, conv. at 17 in Sands-st. ch., B. Creagh, pastor; d. 1853. [S. A. Seaman, in Ch. Ad.] Supposed to have j. the ch.— SIKES, HELEN.— Silence, Mrs., rem. by c, 1868.— SILLECK, AUGUST.— Silleck, Noah, rem. by c, 1873 ; see Sellick, Noah and Mary. — *Silleck, Mary Ann, w. of Noah, rem. by c. 1873 ; d- some time afterward. [Mrs. J. J. Studwell.]— SILVERY, JOHN O.— SILVERY, MARY A. — Simmons, Amelia, rem. — Simmons, JohnN., rem. by c. — *Simmons,Thos. S., cl. Idr; in 1850 be- came one of the founders, one of the ist cl. ldrs.,and one of the 1st trustees of Fleet-st. ch. ; and shortly afterward a std. ; d. in N. J. — *Simonson, Carman A., cl. Idr., 1835 ; rem. by c , 1849, to Johnson-st. ch. ; d. in the Lord, Apr. 10, 1858. By occupation a butcher. A consistent, patient, happy Xn. - Ann, his w., rem. by c. to Johnson-st. ch., 1849; d. 1884. — *Simpson, Ellen, d. 18^7.— Skidmore, Delia, rem. by c, 1872.— SKIPPON, MRS. LUCYL.— SLADE, HATTIE, w. of W.— Slater, Mrs. Mary H., rem. by c, 1884.— SLATER, THOS. W. and MRS. MARY H. — Slawson, Rufus, rem. — *Smead, Ithiel, cl. Idr., 1804; loc. pr., 1809, and recommended for deacon's orders. Wm. Thacher, in his MS. autobiography, relates that during one of his visits as P. E. at the house of Jas. Harper, in B'klyn, Ithiel Smead entered, ghastly and weak from what threatened to be a fatal illness. It was the time for morning prayer. Mr. and Mrs. Harper, Wm. Thacher, Ezekiel Cooper, and Ithiel Smead knelt together, and as prayer was offered for Bro. Smead's re- covery, an effusion of divine power was immediately felt by all the little group. Mr. Smead, declining to remain to breakfast, quickly withdrew, though when he entered he was scarcely able to walk. In the ev'g he appeared at the quar. conf. entirely re- stored, declaring that he was suddenly liealed in answer to the prayers offered for him that morning. Mrs. Jane Vanderveer knew him as a school teacher about 1818 in Greenburgh, N. Y., and frequently heard him argue with her father, who was a Pres- byterian, on the subject of free grace. When Smead became excited, his Presbyterian friend would say, "Speak low," and he would repl)', "I am not ashamed to proclaim these sentiments aloud, and I tell you I would as soon be an atheist as believe *■ \ Record of Members. 491 in an infinite tyrant." Such discussions were very frequent in those days. Mr. Smead had a w. and i child. — **Smith, Ad- aline, d. — Smith, Anna, rem. — Smith, Benj. and Jane E., rem. by c. — Smith; B. F., rem. — **Smith, Clark, a very ex- emplary member, d. 1874.— SMITH, MRS. CORNELIA.— SMITH, CRAWFORD C, trus. and std. ; son.of Geo. and Mary ■G. Smith; b. in B'klyn, i8og, and now the only surviving mem- ber of the family. He was for some time treasurer of Kings ■Co. ; afterward, treasurer of the city of B'klyn ; a few yrs. cash- ier of the Nassau Bank, and the past 20 yrs. its pres't. He has "been familiar with the pastors and members of the Sands-st. ch. from his infancy, and there is no person living, probably, who ■cherishes a warmer interest in the old ch. than he. — SMITH, REBECCA, w. of Crawford C, dau. of Mrs. Anne Ingraham. — SMITH, EDWARD A.— SMITH, ELIZA.— **Smith, ■George, cl. Idr. and trus. ; b. in Middletown, N. J. ; a carriage maker by trade ; came to B'klyn in 1800; d. 1826, age 57 ; bur. in the old ch.-yard, where the headstone was left when his re- mains were rem. to " Greenwood." He was an intimate friend and associate of Judge Garrison, and they were nearly always seen together at funerals, and in other public assemblies. The contrast in their size was noticed. " Uncouth, honest," are the wo'rds by which his pastor described him in the ch. records about 1819. — **Mary Garrison, his w., was b. in Phila. ; came to N. J. when a child ; was conv. after her marriage ; d. about 1849; age about 72; bur. in "Greenwood" beside her hus- band. She was a Dorcas, " full of alms-deeds and good works." Their children : Crawford C. ; William ; Richard ; John ; George ~; Mrs. Cook; Mrs. Ayers ; Mrs. Davis; Mary. — * Smith, Geo., son of the above ; went away ; returned ; was not a mem- ber at the time of his death, about 1874 ; bur. in " Greenwood." — SMITH, GEO. A.— **Smith, Hannah, (ist) d. about 1819, probably the same person whose name is on the record, 1798.^ — **Smith, Hannah, (2d,) d. " in the faith," 1845.— SMITH, HENRY ARTHUR.— Smith, Henry R., rem., 1847.— SMITH, JAS.— SMITH, JENNIE M.— *Smith, Jeremiah, member in 1798.— Smith, Jerusha, rem. — **Smith, John, (ist.) cl. Idr. and trus. He was a son of Geo. ; bro. of C. C. ; d. in 1849, age 59; last words, " All is right." [J. B. Hagany, in Ch. Ad.] He is bur. in " Greenwood." A mural tablet in ■commemoration of this good man may be seen in the old church. He was a carman at the ferry; in later years retired from busi- ness ; a useful member of Sands-st. ch. over 50 yrs. : none more sincerely loved. D. S. Quimby says : " His example was a great help to me." — *Smith, John, (2d,) son of Geo. ; rem. about 1835. He is deceased. — **Smitn, John G., son of John (ist,) S.S. lib'n; d. June 2, 1873, age 56; bur. in "Greenwood," He was a clerk in B'klyn. Left a w. and 2 children. — Smith, 492 Old Sands Street Church. Julia, rem. by c, 1865. — *Smith, Leanah ; see Valentine. — Smith, Lewis, rem. by c, 1871; member of this ch. 5 yrs. — Smith, Margaret, rem.— SMITH, MISS MARY G.— Smith,. Mary M., dau. of Geo. and Mary G. ; unmarried ; rem. to Texas^ to live with her sister; d. April, 1884, in Galveston, Texas. — SMITH, MOSES.— SMITH, PHCEBE.— *Smith, Richard, son of Geo. ; bro. of C. C. ; Idr. of a colored class in 1826; rem. to- Southold, L. I. ; d. in 1874; did not retain his membership in the ch. — Smith, Mrs. Sarah, rem. by c, 1872. — Smith, Sarah F., rem. by c, 1868.— **Smith, Sarah M., d. 1870.— Smith, Sid- ney, rem. — Smith,Wm., S.S.t. and loc. pr., 1833; rem. He mar. Sarah Jane M'Keon ; she was a S. S. t. in 1852. — **Smith,Wm.,. son of Geo., d. about 1850. — *Ann, his w., was formerly Mrs. Ann Remsen. She died about i88o.^Snedden, Mrs. Margaret, rem. by c, 1866. — Snediker, Martha, rem. without c, 1848. — *Snethen, Nicholas, the ist (known or recorded) cI. Idr. in the Sands-st ch., was b., Nov. 15, 1769, at Fresh Pond, (Glen Cove,) L. I. His. family came origin- ally from the foot of Mt. Snawthen,, Snethen, or Snow- down, in Wales. His- father was an officer in the British coloni- al army at the capt- ure of Montreal, in 1760. Later he en- gaged in the .flour trade, and resided on L. I. Nicholas passed his boyhood and youth partly on a farm and partly on a freighting schooner, and ac- quired what knowl- edge' he could. " Shortly after he became of age he went with his father to reside on Staten Island, where he professed religion " among the Episco- palians. In 1791 the family removed to Belleville, N. J., and while employed there in tending a mill, he was converted under the preaching of the ^Mrc^h^..,^^^^ , Record of Members. 493 Methodists. These dates given by his son we accept, although they are slightly at variance with a statement quoted by Abel Stevens to the effect that Snethen was conv. in his 20th yr. [See sketch of N. S. by his son, Worthington G. Snethen, in Sprague, vii, 244. See, also, Boehm's Reminiscences, p. 232, and Stevens' Hist. M. E. Ch., iii, 260.] Neither Boehm nor the writer in Sprague 's Annals makes any mention of Mr. Snethen's connection with the Brooklyn ch. The Rev. N. Levings, in Meth. Quar., 1831, p. 261, writing of the Brooklyn Meth. class when John Garrison j., in 1793, says : " The Idr. was Mr. Nich- olas Snethen, subsequently a zealous, useful, and popular preacher," etc. The writer does not state that there was no cl, Idr. previous to 1793, or that Mr. Snethen had no predeces- sor. Dr. Levings was conversant with some of the original members, and obtained his information directly from them. Dr. Wakeley, having consulted this authority, carelessly and inac- curately states that Snethen was appointed cl. Idr. by Woolman Hickson. [Lost Chapters, p. 312.] That means that he was made cl. Idr. before Sept., 1788. But Levings, Wakeley's authority, does not say that Hickson appointed Snethen cl. Idr.; and, furthermore, as Snethen was then only 18 yrs. of age, living ■miles away from B'klyn, and unconverted, the absurdity of that statement is apparent. Stevens [Hist. M. E. Ch., ii, p. no] copies this anachronism. From a careful reading of Dr. Lev- ings' historic sketch of B'klyn Methodism, written in 1831, and "taken from the lips of the earliest members, we infer that there may have been really no leader of the class, except the preach- ers, until about 1793, when Mr. Snethen was app'd. He entered the ifinerancy (from Brooklyn, probably) in 1794, in the 2Sth yr. of his age. Appointments in the M. E. Ch. : 1794, Fairfield cir., Conn., with Zebulon Kankey ; I79S> Tolland cir., with Christopher Spry ; 1796, ord. deacon,— Vershire cir., Vt. ; 1797, Portland cir.. Me., with J. Finnegan ; 1798, no app't recorded; 1799, Charleston cir., S. C, with Jno. Harper; 1800, ord. elder, —Bait, and Fell's Point, Md., with T. Morrell, G. Roberts and P. Bruce; 1801-2, with Asbury; 1803, Bait, city, with J. Wells and S: Coate ; 1804, N. York, with M. Coate, S. Merwm, (E. Cooper and J. Wilson, ed's and book stewards ;) 1805, ditto, with F. Garrettson, A. Hunt, and J. Wilson ; 1806-8, located ; 1809, (Bait. Conf.,) Fell's Point; 1810, Bait, city, with Asa Schinn and Robert Burch ; 1811, Georgetown, D. C. ; 1812, Alexandria, Va.; 1813, Frederick cir., Md., with James Smith; 1814, located. His son writes concerning his entrance upon his itinerant work : " When he left home he was spare in flesh, his eye was sunken, his face wan, and a hectic glow sat on his cheek. Four yrs. of toil and hardship, being most of the time in his saddle, reversed the picture, and he brought back with him a well-developed person and elastic step, 494 Old Sands Street Church. and the bloom of health was upon him." His Vershire cir. was the " 1st projected in the State of Vt." He had yellow fever by which his life was greatly imperiled in 1800. The ist cam|)- meeting ever held in Md., in 1803, was under his direction, and during that meeting, as he records of himself, he " fell twice in the pulpit beneath the overwhelming power of saving grace." He was active in introducing carap-meetings into the northern States. [See p. 159 of this work.] He was popular and useful while traveling with Asbury. As an active member he was present at the Gen. Confs. of 1800, 1804, and 1812. In 1800 he was sec. of the conf. His marriage, in 1804, to Susanna H. Worthington, brought him into the possession of a number of slaves. It is evident that he was opposed to the system of slav- ery. His views on that subject a short time previous to his mar- riage may be inferred from the following extract from the Jour- nal of the Gen. Conf. of 1800: " Bro. Snethen moved that this Gen. Conf. do resolve that from this time no slave-holder shall be admitted to the Meth. Epis. Ch. — Negatived." His son jus- tifies his holding slaves on the ground that the laws of the State forbade their manumission. The People's Cyclopedia states — on what authority we know not — that he did set them free. The cause of his location in 1806 is thus stated: "Bp. Asbury, who had very strong feelings against preachers being married, now told him that if the Fell's Point station, in Bait., would take a married preacher, he might go there. But Mr. Snethen would not consent even to consider a proposition so conditioned, and located himself forthwith, and returned to his Linganore farm." [VV. J. Snethen, in Sprague's Annals.] It will be noticed that he was app'd to Fell's Point three yrs. later. His son informs us that during his location he declined an invitation to become ass't rector of Christ Ch., N. York, and that on the death of Asbury, the " Silver Trumpet," (for such the bishop called Mr. S.,) which had long been silent, resounded in ringing tones the praises of Asbury in a funeral oration which was published in pamphlet form. He engaged somewhat in politics ; was a Fed- eralist in 1816. As candidate for M. C. from Md. he was de- feated, and soon afterward retired from political strife. His camp-meeting sermons were often attended with great spiritual power. "It came to his ears that some one had attributed the result to animal excitement. He stated from the pulpit that he would repeat that sermon the next day as nearly as he could, word for word, and leave it with God to vindicate his word in the production of a similar result. Immense crowds of people came to hear him, and the result was even more signal than it had been on the first occasion." [W. G. Snethen, in Sprague.] The story of his able defense of the ch. in the time of O'Kelly's revolt, and his subsequent strange acceptance of the champion- ship of a greater schism, resulting in the formation of the Meth. Record of Members. 495 Prot. Ch.,is too long to be narrated here. (For an adequate ac- count, see Stevens' Hist. M. E. Ch., vol. iii, pp. 34, z6i.) His son has given a statement of some of Mr. Snethen's own peculiar notions. He says that he proposed a Federal ch. gov't, bounded by state lines, the Annual Conf's sustaining a relation to the Gen. Conf. similar to that which the States sustain to the Fed- eral gov't. " Sad indeed," says Dr. Stevens, " to see a man so good and great, after a useful ministry of 30 yrs. or more, spend the remainder of his weary and declining life amid the anxieties and reactions of an impracticable experiment, and in conflict with the sympathies and endeared memories of his earlier and better years." In 1829 pecuniary troubles compelled him to sell his farm in Md. and remove to Indiana. In the fall of that yr. he bur. his w. and one of his dau., which broke up his family and forced him into the itinerancy of the new ch. ; but he was as busy as ever with his pen. In 1834 he was called to be one of the eds. of the Meth. Prot., and that yr. wrote for the paper about 120 articles on about as many subjects. "On his return to the West, in 1837, he was called to the head of a manual labor ministerial college. This institution soon failed for lack of funds. From 1830 to the close of his life he labored as the regularly stationed minister at difiFerent times in Louisville, Cin- cinnati, and Zanesville. He presided over the Gen. Conf. of the Meth. Prot. Ch. assembled in Alexandria, Va., in 1838. Some 2 yrs. before his death he was elected pres't of the Sneth- en Sem., in Iowa City. He d. " praising God," at the res. of his son-in-law, Dr. Pennington, in Princeton, Ind., May 30, 1845, age 76, and was bur. in the village cem., by the side of his w. and 3 of his children. The grave is marked by a marble shaft, the top carved in the shape of an open Bible. A personal friend thus describes Mr. Snethen : " He was large and of command- ing appearance, with a most benignant expression of counte- nance ; and his countenance was^ true index of his character. ... In his manners he was a perfect gentleman. . . . His in- tellect was comprehensive, energetic, versatile. . . . His pres- ence was always felt to be an element of power." It is still further said that he was " eminently conscientious " and " bold " in the defense of "truth or duty ; " exceedingly well-informed," and " as a writer, concise, luminous, and powerful." " While preaching at a camp-meeting in a strain of wonderful eloquence, he came suddenly to a dead pause, and taking up the Bible, and pressing it to his bosom, he exclaimed, ' My Book and heart shall never part ! ' and then holding it out to the men, [sitting on one side in the olden fashion,] he exclaimed at the top of his voice, ' Brethren, it is your Bible ! ' and then turning to the fe- male part of his audience, he said, ' Sisters, this \s,your Bible ! ' and then wheeHng around to the colored people who were be- hind the stand, he said, ' Colored people, ye sable sons of Africa, 496 Old Sa?ids Street Church. it \%your Bible ! ' There was an electric power in the appeal that nobody could resist — the whole of that immense cong. seemed completely dissolved." [Hon. P. B. Hopper, in Sprague's Annals.] — **Snow, Rob't, the best-remembered man in the early annals of B'klyn, was b. in Ireland in 1760, and arrived in N. York (so says Miss Denmead) on the day of the "Evacua- tion," and saw the ships with the British soldiers going out of the harbor. He married Susanna (Meir), wid. of a Mr. Smith. He mended shoes and she took in washing, whereby they earned ROBERT SNOW, First Sunday School Superintendent in Biooklyn. a capital sufficient to enable them to open a small grocery. The sale of rum and gin, a supposed indispensable part of the gro- cery business, was so abhorrent to his principles, that he gave up the store. He soon found employment in what proved to be a permanent position as inspector of potash in the city of N. York. His integrity was unquestioned, and it was said at his funeral that his marks on potash were always taken in Eng. as a satis- factory guarantee of its good quality. He rem. to B'klyn ; be- came a member of Sands-st. ch., chief founder and supt. of the Record of Members. . . 497 ist S. S. in B'klyn, in 1816, and ist pres't of the Apprentices' Library Assoc'n. A great lover of children, he had a happy tal- ent for addressing them. When LaFayette laid the cor.-stone of the Apprentices' Library building, in 1825, the S. S. children being present in a body, Mr. Snow, as pres't of the assoc'n, was ■called out to address 'them, and he responded admirably. He always remembered the little ones with gifts on, the New-Year's anniversary. The Rev. T. W. Chadwick writes : " I well re- member Rob't Snow and his power over the children. When he said, ' Be a good boy, or Father Snow wont love you,' I deter- mined to be good." He was S. S. supt. till his death, and " when a lingering illness confined him to his house, next door to the ■ch., the scholars always looked for him at the door as they passed on their way to school. A week before his death he asked to have the children march before his window." From the S. S. building on Prospect-st, bet. Wash'gt'n and Adams sts., the school marched in double file, up Prospect-st. to J'ulton, and up Fulton to Sands-st., so as to pass the residence of Mr. Snow, which was on the Fulton-st. side of the ch. Thus they marched past the window behind which he sat, each boy doffing his cap, and each girl "dropping a courtesy," " while the good man re- turned bow for bow and blessing for blessing, as the tears rolled ■down his cheeks and dimmed his aged eyes." [Stiles' Hist. B'klyn, vol. ii, p. 23.] In later yrs. he was universally known as " Pop'py Snow." Fortune did not always smile upon him. He met with heavy financial losses. Dan'l DeVinne says : " He "bought very valuable property in Wm.-st., N. York, but lost it through defective titles ; repurchased it and lost it again in the same manner. In those days there were no public records by -which titles could be known. Mr. Snow was childless, yet he and liis admirable wife fostered children and severally adopted them ■as their own, giving them a settlement or outfit in life, amount- ing sometimes to thousands of dollars. These children were not ungrateful to him ; when he was old and paralytic, and had lost all his property, so tender were these adopted children toward him, that they not only took the best care of him, but -would not let him know the 16ss of his property, and even in- ■dulged him in the gratification of bequeathing property which had already passed into other hands." [MS. Journal.] His -w., from rheumatism, was completely helpless for nearly 17 yrs. All this time he enjoyed uninterrupted health and spirits, and "waited upon her with all the gayety and assiduity of a suitor." A few hours after her burial he was seized with partial paraly- sis, which rendered him,, likewise, helpless and dependent till his death : yet he was remarkably cheerful in the midst of trials which would have bowed others to the earth. His old friend, DeVinne, says : " In person he was of small stature, with an open, pleasant, and animated countenance ; polite, affable, and 49 8 Old Sands Street Church. gentlemanly in manners ; dressed very neatly in the old cos- tume of small clothes, and always carried a small umbrella for sun or rain. He possessed in an eminent degree the ardor and eloquence peculiar to his countrymen." He loved to sing, and had a habit of standing on tiptoe when singing the high notes- He d. in B'klyn, March 30, 1833, age 73, [L. I. Star, Apr. 3, 1833,] and left an enduring name, which will grow brighter as the fruits of his work increase. He seems to have had no me- morial in the Gh. Ad. His grave in the old ch.-yard was never marked by a headstone ; and now, after all these yrs. of neglect,, the Sands-st. ch. and S.S. ought to identify his remains, if pos- sible, and build a monument to his memory. — **Susanna, his- w., d. in B'klyn Feb. 11, 1831, age 69. [See L. I. Star, Feb'y 16, 1831.] Miss Susanna Snow Denmead, a child of one of their adopted dau's, now deceased, said to the author : " Susanna Snow was handsome, intelligent, and generous, like her husband ; a great sufferer for years ; and yet she had a great deal of com- pany, and even in her helplessness had the oversight of her household affairs.— SODEN, WM. H.— SOMERVILLE, LOW- ERY, S.S. t. and std. ; b. in N. of Ireland ; brought up in Ch. of Eng. till 16 yrs. of age; confirmed; afterward j. the Wesleyaa Meth. Came to B'klyn in 1859, and j. Sands-st. ch, by c, (Dr. Hagany, pastor.) Dry-goods merchant, 1863-83, N. E. cor. Sands and Fulton ; rem. when the property was purchased by the Bridge Co.— SONONBLOOM, J.— Southard, Marietta,, rem. by c, 1867. — **Sowden, Jas. B., d. of cancer. — Sperry^ Henrietta C, S. S. t. ; rem., 1848, to Newark, N. J. ; mar Rev. Dr. R. S. Maclay, miss'y to China and Japan. — Spingsteel^ Anna and Polly, " charter members " of Yellow Hook (Bay Ridge) class, 1822. — Stagg, Mrs, and Miss Ellen, rem. by c, 1874. — *Stanley, Dan'l, S. S. t. ; b. in Peekskill; came to B'klyn while young; d. in Rochester, N. Y., 1844, age 41 ; bur. in Mt. Hope cem. ; left 3 children, viz., David, Edward, and Clarence. Edward d. at 14. — **Rachel, ist w. of the above, dau. of John and Mary Garrison; d. Oct. 9, 1832, age 32. [Grave- stone in old ch.-yard.]— STANLEY, CECELIA, 2d w. of Dan'l, was S. S. t. in 1829. — Stanley, Clarence, youngest son of Dan'l and Cecelia; b. in B'klyn, 1844; S. S. t. and lib'n in Sands-st., rem. to Nostrand ave. ch., 187 1. — Stanley, Mrs., rem. by c, 187 1. — Stanley, David, son of Dan'l, b. in B'klyn, was S.S. t., off. Miss'y Soc'y ; and std in Sands-st. ch. ; rem. by c, 1873 to N. York ave. ch. ; std and S. S. t. there. Connected with the Ful- ton Bank, N. York. — Josephine, w. of the above ; rem. by c, 1873. — *Stansbury, Lorenzo, cl. Idr. ; conv. at a camp-meet- ing in Croton, N. Y. ; j. Sands-st. ch. by c, 1826, aged about 18. Rem. by c. to Carlton ave. (now Simpson) ch., 1846, where he continued to be cl. Idr. ; received the fullness of the love of God at a camp-meeting in Northport in 1851. He was known in Record of Members. 499 business circles as a man of industry and integrity, at home as a kind Xn. husband and father, in the ch. as a useful and pow- erful exh., wonderfully gifted in prayer. After a few months of painless illness, he d. Dec. 6, 1852, age about 44. He gave dying counsels to his class, his family, and his unconverted friends \ last words, " I want to rest." [S. A. Seaman, in Ch. Ad.] — "'Sarah, his w. ; rem. by c, 1846 ; d. of pneumonia 1882, age 82 • a Meth. 66 yrs. A son of the above is the Rev. J. H. Stans- bury, of the N. York East Conf. — Stawson, Rufus, rem. — *Stearns, Chas., loc. pr. and cl. Idr. ; b. in Pittstown, N. Y., Nov. II, 1810. His parents attended " Friends' Meeting." The father, a farmer, moved with his family to Rahway, N. J., in 1816 ; the boy attended dist. school, and was conv. at 16, in a great revival, (Thos. Sargent, pastor.) After using an exhorter's license for a time he rec'd his ist license to preach, dated Rah- way cir., July 16, 1832, signed Chas. Pitman, P. E. He learned the printer's trade ; mar. Miss Susan M. Martin at 21 ; moved with his young w. to B'klyn ; worked at his trade in a newspaper office ; received from the Sands-st. quar. conf a recommenda- tion to the traveling connection. Appointments: 1834, (N.York Conf.,) Stamford cir., Conn., with O. V. Amerman ; 1835, New Milford cir., with J. P. Ellsworth ; 1836, ditto, with F. Donnelly ; 1837, Canaan cir., with A. Rogers ; 1838, ditto, with A. V. Shears; 1838, ord. deacon by Bp. Morris; 1839-40, Granby cir., with A. Ackerly; 1839, ord. elder by Bp. Soule; 1841, Clinton, Westbrook, Essex, and Saybrook cir., with C. R. Ad- ams ; 1843-44, Hamden ; 1845-46, Ridgefield ; 1847, Derby ; 1848, (N. York East Conf.,) Derby, " Humphreyville ; " 1849-50, Easton ; 1851-52, Wilton, with W. A. Hill; 1852, Zion's Hill, Bald Hill, and Georgetown ; 1853, Sag Harbor, N. Y. ; 1854-55, Huntington South cir.; 1856-57, Huntington and Lloyd's Neck ; 1858-59, Patchogue and Sayville ; 1860-61, Rockville Center ; 1862-63, Northport and Centerport; 1864-65, Cold Spring, Woodbury, and West Hills ; 1866-67, Roslyn, Searington, and Port Washington ; 1868-70, Norwich and Oyster Bay; 1871-73, Smithtown; 1874, Norwich ; 1875, Locust Valley and Bayville; 1876-78, Centerport and Dix Hills; 1879, Smithtown Branch, Comae, and Landing. The foregoing is a record of forty yrs. in the active ministry without a break. Allowance, 1854, Hunt- ington South cir. : " Brother Stearns' quarterage, $100 ; wife, $100; one child $16; 3 children, $24 each=$72 ; house rent, flSo; table expenses, I114; moving bills, $20; total, $472. Quar. conf. record.] In his conf. memorial [Min. 1880, p. 49] his brethren greatly commend his remarkable fortitude, meekness, humility, and modesty, and his uncomplaining ac- ceptance of laborious and undesirable app'ts. The same testi- monial adds : "As a preacher, Bro. Stearns was endowedwith a full average ability and culture ; as a pastor, he was diligent, 500 Old Sands Street Church. sympathetic, and conscientious. The religious element was ever with him, and permeated his entire spirit, and character, and work." His fatal illness lasted ii weeks. Pneumonia, at- tended with hemorrhage, erysipelas, and paralysis, battered down the clay tenement. For the most part his mind was clear; his faith always firm. In his farewell message to the conf. he said : "Tell the brethren that I thank them for their kindness and forbearance during the 46 yrs.-of my ministry." He d. in Smithtown, L. I., Dec. 20, 1879, age 69. His funeral serm. was preached by Dr. J. W. Beach, P. E., and his remains were bur. beside those of a son and a dau. in E. Norwich, where memorial services were conducted by the Meth. pastor, W. E. Tomkinson. The devoted and faithful w. of Bro. S. survives him — residence, E. Norwich, L. I., N. Y. — Stearns, Jno. C, withdrew. — Steb- bins, Artemas, loc. pr., in Sands-st ch. in 1818; withdrew about 1820, under Alex. M'Caine's ministry. He may have been the same man of whom the Conf. Min. give the following JPas- toral Record : 1810, (N. E. Conf.,) N. London cir., with Joel Winch and E. Marble; 1811, Easton and Mansfield cir. ; 1812, ord- deacon, — Somerset and Warren, R. I.; 1813, Somerset; 1814, ord. elder, — Ashburnham cir.. Conn., with B. Shaw; 1815, New Bedford, Mass. ; 1816, located. — Stephenson, F. R., rem. — Stephenson, Thos., was in Sands-st. ch. as a loc. pr., and recom. to the Annual Conf in 1854. He was b. in Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, Eng., June 9, 1830; wasc onv. at 17 ; united with the Wesleyan Meth. Ch., preached his ist sermon when 19 yrs. of age ; came to this country in 1853, and j. Sands-st. ch., (H. J. Fox, pastor.) Conf. Record: 1854, (New York East Conf,) Southold, Cutchogue, and Mattituck cir., L. I„ with E. Oldrin ; 1855, Southampton; 1856, ord. deacon, — Southold; 1857-58, Seymour and Gt. Hill, Conn.; 1859, ord. elder, — Bloomfield ; 1860-61, B'klyn, Johnson,-st. ; 1862-66, sup'd ; 1867-69, B'klyn, Embury Miss'n, (1867-68, hewassup'y;) 1870-72, Greenport, L. I. ; 1873-75, Glen Cove; 1876-78, Bridgeport, Wash'gt'n Park, Conn.; 1879-81, Jamaica, L. I.; 1882-84, B'klyn, Pacific-st. On the 2d of March, 1857, he was mar. to Miss Frances R. Holmes, of Orient, L. I. [Ch. Ad.] In 1862, suffering from a disease of the throat, he asked to be placed on the retired list, and visited his native land ; and while there he received from Pres. Lincoln a consular app'tment to Huddersfield, which he held for 4 yrs. The Ch. Ad. states that he declined a call to a wealthy Indep. Meth. ch. in Huddersfield, preferring to remain a mem- ber of the N. York East. Conf Mr. S. is an able preacher; his rhetoric is well-nigh faultless; and his fine social qualities make him a favorite every-where. To him belongs the honor of hav- ing taken the initiative in the establishing of the "B'klyn Meth. Home for the Aged and Infirm," fi-om the " Manual " of which, (1883) we quote the following: "In the autumn of 1882 the Record of Members. 501 Rev. Thos. Stephenson, being called upon as pastor of the Pa- cific-st. ch. to seek a home in some charitable institution for one of the aged of his flock, was awakened to this need by his failure to obtain such a privilege. He was repeatedly met by the question, ' Why don't you Methodists provide a home for your own people ? ' These experiences aroused him to immediate and effective activity. He was first encouraged through the cordial indorsement of his project by some of his parishioners. He was further encouraged by the hearty sympa- thy and practical assistance and suggestions of Mr. W. I. Pres- ton. . . . The incorporators met and joined with them many others of the worthy women of our chs. as managers. Some of "these ladies, with becoming recognition of the efforts of the Rev. Thomas Stephenson, made him a life-patron 1 of the society, and thus contributed the ist $500 to the cause." — Sterrit, John and Martha, rem. by c, 1864; members i yr. — STEVENS, ELIZABETH. — Stevens, Jennie, mar. ; see' Vamum. — Ste- vens, Wm., cl. Idr. and loc. pr. His father, Wm. Stevens, was a loc. pr., std., cl. Idr., and trus. in Eng. His mother, Elizabeth, was likewise a devoted Meth. This Wm. Stevens was b. in Burslem, Staffordshire, Eng., Oct. 18, 1818; j. the Wesleyan Meth. Ch. at 18 yrs. of age; loc. pr. on a "plan" in Eng. in 1836, age 18 ; came to N. York in 1843, j. John-st. ch., (Valen- tine Buck, pastor;) rem. to B'klyn in 1845, and j. Sands-st. ch., a ilE T;