The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1861-05-02
From The ". Y. Herald. MavI.l
npIvITA Adv
Benz. Treadyvell Onderdonlt. Bishop of Ne


York.
This remarkable man, whose history is rather
familiar to the people Of this country owing to GER
tain unpleasant circumstances connected with the
early administration of his Episcopal functions eX-
nired yesterday morning at bis late residence No
80 West Twenty-seventh street. For some time
back he had been suffering from tedious and pain
fui malady, and for the last few days but slight
hopes OF recovery were held out by the physicians
! IN attendance. Early yesterday morning he was
observed to grow worse, and sank rapidly until near
| noon, when parOXysm came on, during the con-
tnuance of which he expired. The peculiar disease
to which he ;ell a victim cardiac dropsy, the
! latai issue OF which it is said hastened ia no
slight degree by the mental excitement consequent
| on the late decision of the General Convention of
the Protestant Episcopal Church, in the matter of
MS petition to that body for restoration Of unc-
| tons.
| Benjamin Treadwell Ondcrdonk. D. D., LII. d.
was born in this city in the year l79l and comes
OF Il respectable Knicl rbccker parentage At an
early age he was sent to Columbia College, where
he graduated with some distinction. and showing a
disposition to join the church, he was put throu Oh
a thorough course of ecclesiastical studies In the
| year 1918 he ordained a minister of the Pro-
testant Episcopal Church, and was almost imme-
diately after appointed assistant minister of Trim
| ily Church, of which Dr. Berran then was and still
continues to be the rector. During his connection
with Trinity, DR.. Onderdonk's career was of the
brightest character. As a man be was universally
beloved, and as preacher his reputation was sec
ond to none. His good taste and sound Judgment
enabled him to labor successfully and with disinc.
tion amongst that not very numerous class of di-
vines whose study it is to appeal to the mind ra-
ther than to the passions, and who RELY more upop
PLAIN common-sense arguments than upon fourishes
| Of rhetoric and elegancies of language He be-
| came in short time a man of such prominence
that the post of Secretary to the Diocesan Con
vention becoming vacant, he was advanced IN fiji
that important office.
1t was while DE-. Onderdonk was still discharp-
ing the duties OF this position that old Bishop H0-
bart died, and the eyes of the clergy Immediately
fixed upon DR.. o. the most fitting successor IN
the Episcopal chair. The demise of Dr. Hobart
| occurred in 1880, and on the 26th of November of
the same year DR.. Onderdonk was duly conse-
Grated Bishop of New York, in st. Johns chapel.
1t would be of little use to go over the manv
eventful years that have elapsed since Dr. Onder-
donk's conservation. Many marks of special favor
were conferred upon him through the agenc in his
numerous friends. The income of his diocese was
greatly increased, aud he gave up his connection
with Trinity church. The diocese was divided,
DR.. Onderdonk retaining the Eastern section,
| About fourteen years after his conservation in
the year 1874 we belfeve), circumstance occurred
| which cast cloud over his character. A charge
| of indiscreton in conduct was preferred against
him, which, not to be too prolix, resulted in his be.
ing indefinitely suspended from Episcopal fupc
| tions by command of the House of Bishops The
| scandal created immense sensation at the time
having been published in almost every paper OF the
| country. The suspension took place on the Sd Of
January, 1S45, and has never been revoked since
that time. Bishop Onderdonk never made what can
be called confession, and strong feeling has ever
been manifested in his favor by warm friends, who
regarded him Prosecuted prelate. The Dioce
san Convention, held in this city two years ago
adopted petition TO the General Convention of tbs
| United States, asking that Bishop Onderdonk bt
fully restored to functions. The petition was not
successful, although the lower house passed it by
i large vote. Thus ended the controversy Sine,
the suspension the diocese has been administered
by DR.. Wainwright, and since his death bv DR.. Ho
ratio Potter, who has now become Bishop of New