The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-06-08
The Regular Monthly Meeting OF the New
York Historical Society,"


At eight O'Clock last evening the audience OF the
elegant building belonging to this society the
Of Second and Eleventh street, thronged for
the purpose Of hearing the monthly reports Of several
committees, but chiefly to hear the reading OF paper
Jonathan Edwards, the eminent divine, by the Hon.
George Bancroft
The meeting was opened with tho Hon. Luther Bradish
in the chair.
Sevefs letters presenting regrets OF inability to attend
the meeting, then read among the number one from
Professor Morse and from Mr.. G. j. McCree, and
valuable report agriculture from Colonel Wales
bounced received by the President after which the
Presden; said he had the honor presenting portrait
the Honorable Judge John Jay to the society, also
original portrait in miniature Of Aaron Burr. bust Of
the historian William S Prescott by Thomas Ball. Of Bos
ton, then offered for the inspection of the audience
Mr. BRADlsn said tns bust presented TO the society
by Mr.. Nm. A. Green, to whom our thanks Justly
due.
report from the Executive Committee on
nominations was then read with list Of
the Previous TO this donation of books by
Mr. Butler, suitably Acknowledged. Certain gentle
were then offered nominees for election mem.
All elected quite unanimously. Hon. Luther
Bradsh then announced that the regular paper OF the
evening in ORDER and exceedingly gratiaed that
the gentleman VINO would read II already present
The Hon. George Bancroft Immediately appeared the
stand ard bowling to the audience, commenced the read
ing OF his paper Among the facts that he stated
ing the eminent divine Of his eulogy-ChAmers OF Scot
Mcintosh SAID be unmatched in argument; Robert
Hall ranks him among the highest luninares OF the
church He was an only son and haa ten sisters four
OF which Older than himself He then dwelt the
devout purity OF bis fe At ten years old he wrote
paper rdcune the idea that the soul is material To the
power Of he added the power Of observation He
entered Yale College young He then spoke Of his
aDagoDem 10 the Armenian idea Of the Divine will, and
TO vollares Conceptions Prayer was become natural
to him as the breath within him. He would retire 70 the
banks Of the Hudson, then planted with gardens and
orchards, necessarily dwelling in thought on divine
subjects, changing thought on every thorn" Sub:
sequeDtly he left New York, reluctantly and repaired
hs fathers house. Mr. Bancroft then read extract
from diary Of Jonathan Edwards on the subject OF .
young lady the daughter OF minster-Mss Sarah Pier
pont-wbo was afterwards bis wife, In the summer OF
1926 he received an earnest invitation 70 become the
tor OF Southampton and in 1921 he took upon him self
duties Of that parish From one of Jonathan Edwards
letters Mr. Bancroft read 'Patience commonly
med virtue but in this case think may regard II
vce-referring TO the necessary delay he sub
ec,ed 20 in meeting Miss Pierpont. When he
RED she II and Edwards 49, They had three sons
Boeton BE gradually obtained the repu,
ston Of being the best preacher OF the tme and lived
opening It's bosom the Mr. Bancroft then enlarged
Eiwsrds' millennium IDEAS and his writings he oompsr-
ed TO Laofere and Rochefoc Ault After years OF differ
1860 be was driven away from his congregation,
having devoted to it twenty four years OF the
oef: OF his fs Subsequently he devoted
% .s s TO study gr made %
OF his daughters Thirty four days after this mar
rage he died. His last words were'rrusting God,
and the deepest respect. The Hon. Mr. Bancroft
cuded by investigation of his writings their doctrines
Objects With critical review of bis life After Mr.
Bancroft had retired from the stand Mr. George Folsom
and ead that however grsted be might feel for the
elaborate just read could not consider the subject
appropriate for the occasion. At time he thought he
in rome tabernacle or theological seminary. Ge
MUS and talent could embelsh subject but what his
orica character tb subject possessed 10 engross the
tepon of the society he could not divine. When Mr.
Foisom had seated himself, Ar. Bancroft arose. very
cIedy and corrected one remark OF Mr. Foisoms with
regard Mr. Edwards being kicked Of Southampton,
aDa the applause Of the audience Dr. Osgood then read
brief euogy the late Baron Won HUMBOLDT and
cludea By lengthy, but, in truth, at times, truly clio
quent address. The President then remarked that the
gentleman who read the paper the subec. OF Jonathan
Edwards wac particularly requested by the society TO
he moved that grateful thanks Of the society
rendered u him for the able IN which he had
Illustrated his Instructive and appropriate subject,
sincerely regretted that il should have any objection,
any manner, from any mind. The audience cheered
this resolution considerably and the meeting adjourned
Mr. Folsom taking ase to the door, Mr Bancroft
the otner, with beautiful lady leaning his arm, both
very RADIANT in the face rom inward cause which
tine and delay but seemed 10 heghien. The audience
left considerably elated and excited.