The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-08
Observation-Disclosures.

Observation-Disclosures
The Catholic Church in this diocese pro-
badly does not contain three more able,
earnest or eloquent pastors than the reverend
gentlemen whose names head this article.
There are few ADLER men in any denomination
than DR.. Thomas 8. Preston, the worthy
pastor Of st. AIMS church, in Twelfth street.
He is man of medium size, stout build and
about fory-eight years of age. DR.. Preston
was formerly Protestant minister, but
about twenty years ago he became convert
to Catholicism, and has remained stead
fast and faithful to the Church of his choice
ever since. As Protestant divine he was
very popular, and he has succeeded in main
tanning, if not increasing, this popularity in
his new faith The old st. AIMS church in
Eighth street, under his pastorate, became too
small to accommodate the masses who from
Sabbath to Sabbath hang upon his words, and
more than year ago the old Hebrew Temple
Emanuel was purchased by his congregation,
and the old structures torn down and one of
the most beautiful Catholic church edifces in
the city erected thereon. 1t is capable of seat
ing over two thousand persons, and there are
seldom any seats vacant in it after the open
ing Of the service. The financial condition of
this church was presented to our readers
couple of weeks ago, and need not
be repeated here. AS preacher
DIR. Preston is clear and logical. view
ing doctrines and questions from his
standpoint. As lecturer he is well and
widely known, and he never fails to draw
large audiences whenever he talks on live
topics Of the day. He has great faith in the
mission and prospective glory of Catholicism,
and seeks to spread its doctrines as far and
as widely as possible by every means in his
power He holds one of the most important
offices in the Church at present-Chancellor of
this diocese.
The Rev. Henry A. Brann, DID,, pastor Of
the Catholic church on Washington Heights, is
q young man, about thirty-two years of age,
full of dash and vigor, just the kind of man to
make good pioneer in cause in which he
was interested. He is an American in the
most thorough sense, and an eminently
practical man. His scholarship is both
only the language of his Church and the
language of his country, but also French, Ger
man, Spanish and Italian with fuency, and in
competitive exa mination few years ago,
before the ecclesiastical authorities in Rome,
he took the degree of DID,. from class of
seventy. DR.. Brann has been in the Catholic
ministry nearly ten years in this city and
vicinity, and everywhere he Is engaged in
pioneer work-buildipg up churches and gath
cring congregations where none before existed;
And, like the great missionary apostle Paul,
he seeks out new fields for himself rather than
build upon other mems foundations. Without
studying books less he studies the world more
tn an some Of his brethren, and with his suavity
of manner and fine social accomplishments
he can 60 among the rich and the
poor of his congregations, winning smiles
and praises from all and gaining an influence
over them which is rarely acquired by other
pastors who lack this practical knowledge and
those accomplishments. AS our readers may
infer, the preaching of such man must be
emincntly practical and useful, designed as it
is for the present; because If men can be
taught to live well there need be very little
| fear about their dying hour. A good life is
almost certain to have good ending, and the
| aim Of all Christian teaching should be TO
make men live toward God, and not toward
| the base things Of the world and this is what
| DR. Brann uniformly seeks ia his pulpit minis
| trations.
The Rev. l. 7 Hecker pastor of the Paulist
church, In Fifty-ninth street and Ninth avenue,
is an old resident of New York and known to
oil its people. Thirty six years ago the three
| brothers Hecker began business here In Rutgers
street, where at present Mr.. John Hecker
maintains free mission church. One OF the
brothers-the subject of this sketch-subse-
quently turned his thoughts toward, the Chris
tan ministry, intending to enter the Protest.
ant Episcopal Church but Providence or CIR
cumstances had ordered otherwise, and he
| became a convert TO Catholicism aud entered
the priesthood of that Church, in which, with
the missionary spirit Of Paul, no has done
some excellent work for tho Church. In one
of the most neglected portions Of the city he
has built a large and comWodious church and
college and gathered an intelligent congrega
ton, who all its pewa every Sabbath day II
his society there are twelve or fifteen priests
who are ALWAYS held in readiness 70 answe