The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-07-10
Observation-Disclosures.

Inc episcopal diocese OF Long lSlan0 ~
no worthier name on its ministerial roll than
that of Rev. Alexander Burgess, D. D., rector
of st. Johns Protestant Episcopal church, on
Seventh avenue and Douglass street, near
Prospect Park, Brooklyn. DR.. Burgess is
man in the prime of life, about fortv-eight
years Of age, and nearly twenty-eight of these
he has spent in the service of the Church. He
is native of Providence, r. l., and gradu-
ate of Brown University and of the General
Protestant Episcopal Theological Seminary.
He Is brother of the late Bishop Burgess,
of Maine, and he himself has been offered and
declined that bishopric when it was rendered
vacant by his brothers death, having pre-
ference for the pastoral work. The Doctor
Is 'Low Church" man, and, a.
believer in facts rather than fancies.
in faith rather than forms, he has labored
earnestly and zealously for many years in
building up and strengthening ST. Johns
church, 80 that it has been able to send out
several thriving colonies, and yet has felt
necessity to erect larger and more commo-
dious house of worship for the parent society,
In the pulpit Dr. Burgess is solemn and
persuasive, and makes good use of poeticai
and metaphorical illustrations, to which he
seems to be greatly inclined, and in the appli-
cation of which he is very happy and effective.
His power lies in the truth he utters rather
than in any physical demonstration he may
make with it. And just there the minister
should always find and exercise his greatest
power for by the word men are to be justified
or condemned. The bond of love which unites
this pastor and people is like three-fold cord,
which cannot be broken save by death.
The Rev. John D. Wells, D. D., pastor Of
the South Third street (Brooklyn, E. d. Pres
byterian church, has held his pastoral relation
to this church for more than twenty-one years.
DR.. Wells is native Of this State, and
graduate Of Union College, Schenectady, and
also of Princeton Seminary. He has been in
the ministry of his denomination about twenty
seven years, laboring with great zeal both az
a missionary and as pastor, and during his
pastorate the village or burg has grown to u
city, and the city has been absorbed by its
sister city. He has watched the growth Of
Williamsburg and has encouraged his people
to plant churches and extend the influences of
the Gospel to their neighbours less fortunate
or less able to sustain the Christian ministry.
Hence the South Third street church has be-
come the parent Of a respectable and useful
and thriving progeny. The Chrystie street,
Throop avenue and Ross street Presbyterian
churches owe their origin to it. And they, in
turn, are extending and perpetuating their
own existence and usefulness by similar
means. The old stock, meanwhile, 1ourishes
apace, and at present counts over three
hundred members and Sabbath School of
an equal number of scholars. And the Doctor
people flag in their zeal for the success Of tho
Gospel in the Burg.
The Rev. Henry Powers pastor Of the Film
place Congregational church, is worthy sue
cessor of the eloquent and popular Rev. Will
liam Alvin Bartlett, now residing in Chicago.
Mr.. Powers is native of Massachusetts,
which State produces nearly all the Oongre-
gational ministers of the Union. He is about
thirty Eight years of age, tall and thin, and
with deeply intellectual face and head. He
is graduate of Yale College and of the East
Windsor Theological Institute, and has been
about eleven years iu the ministry. He was
called to his present passionate in January.
1869, and in the following month assumed the
full relation. His sermons are models of deep
thought and sound reasoning. They are
hNl rlv
stored with general knowledge, as well al
with theolog cal truths Mr.. Powers is an
original thinker, and consequently accepts
nothing upol the say-so of others; but he
proves all things, and holds fast to that which
is good. One who is well acquainted
gated truth to dispute as well as to
learn, and though not given to disputations in
the pulpit he does sometimes let the daylight
into the theological and social shams of the
age. His discourses have beauty and force
of diction which are captivating in them
selves, but their originality and strong logical
arguments, thoroughly infused with Christian
love and hope, never fail to impress the hearer.
Mr.. Powers is eloquent and at times impas-
stoned and he always sends his congregations
away with thoughts and ideas for many an
hours reflection. He has held his large and
increasing congregation for two and half
years by the magic power of his eloquence
and Christian piety and lie is dearer to their
hearts to-day than ever. He is hard and
treless worker and is reaping the fruit of his
labors now, but a greater harvest and richer
reward await him hereafter. May success
crown the efforts Of every faithful minister and
servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.
WHAT'S THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
seems TO be at discount. 1t don't pay.
What's come over the nrofeasnrs generality