New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-02-07
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
LIFE OF BISHOP POTTER.

colt a Co.
The pnblic career of the late Bishop of Pennsylva-
MIA presents a remarkable example not only OF wis
dom. fidelity. and zeal in the discharge of official
autv but Of enlightened devotion to the cause of
education temperance, national freedom, and other
prominent moral interests Of society. Sincerely at
tached to the Church in which he held position of
eminent honor and dignity, he was sinellarly free
from ecclesiastical prejudice and narTowness. He
was man of no less conspicuous mark as q citizen
than a. a churohman. He was a friend of wholesome
reforms without the tenacious adherence TO the past
which breads the progress of light in novel mani
festations. He patriot of the pnrest type,
man of the antique virtue which seasoned our Re
public with salt in the days of her noblest de-
VelOpmeut From his youth he took a lively
interest in the welfare of the African race,
and was ever ready to recognize the manhood
of the negro, and his claims to advancement to
higher sphere. His zeal for the extension of equal
rights 10 an orders and conditions of men which
characterized his mature life, sudden impnlse
Of feeling but conviction which was formed n his
early DAYS and strengthened by subsequent ex-
periepce and reflection In the darkest hours Of our
great national struggle he was always decided
and hopeful He took strong ground in behalf of
the Government, and never cherished doubt OF the
Justice or the success Of the national His in
luence, which extended to wide circle, was due, in
a great measure to his weight of character rather
than 10 any extraordinary bTiancy Of intellectual
endowment He possessed talents of solid and
masculine order His mind was cminentIy dlscrim-
mating clear in it's perceptions and sound III IT'S de-
ductiOns He had greatibPOwers of reasoning has
INDICTMENT WAS almost Imerring. and his habits OF
Thought remarkable for business and accuracy. HIS
gifts of imagination subordinate to the lntal
tive and logical faculty He never sought TO pro-
duce illusions by the pOmp of words, bat to generate
convictions blythe power Of argument and illustra-
ton But il the singular probity of his nature
the temperate candor of his Judgments and the
purity and elevation Of his purposes, which inspired
such universal confidence in his character and gave
him such marked eminence among the eminent men
of his day. The biography published exhibits
these traits in strong relief although II adds little
10 the attTacveneSs of the pOrTature by any raees
of composition The narrative of his life is simple
and uneventfu Yet il presents an example which
no one can contemplate without profit while IT stores
the memory with its images Of stern and lofty,
though not ungraeions virtues.
Alonzo Potter was the Of farmer IN Dutchess
County in New-York. He was born IN the town OF
Beekman now La Grange. July G. 1900. His father
who war a native of Rhode Island, belonged ~ the
Society Of Friends. Both his parents were persons
of good education. fond of reading, and held in high
esteem in their neighbOrhOod Aonzo was sent first
10 the district school bat showed taste for books
until the story of Robinson CruSoe fell into his
hands. This opened to him fresh world OF ENJOY
Tnent, and seemed indeed to awaken new sense \
conversation between his father and DR.. Mott the
President of Union College, during which letter
was read from the boy resulted IN promise that he
should he sent TO college as soon az he was Old
enough. Thislwas the commencement OF a close m
timacy with DR.. Mott which continued through HE
,-.f..r o4rloo IN hot
At twelve years of age, AlonzO was sent 10 an
academy in Poughkeepsie, under the charge of Mas
ter Barnes a celebrated classical teacher Of that
day and three years after admitted to Union
College where he at once took the highest rank in
his class. Among his felow-studentS were Francis
Wayland. William II. Seward, George W. DOane,
John s. Stone and others who have since gained an
honorable distinction in various walks of life.
Upon completing his college course Mr.. Potter
connected himself with the Episcopal Church, and
Boon after decided to prepare for holy orders IN that
communion. He commenced his Theological studies
under the direction of the Rev. DR.. SlHnnei II. Tur
ner but before he was and twenty ye0Ts Old, be
reluctantly accepted the appointment Of tutor in his
Alma Mater. Within a twelye-month he was pro-
NOTED to the pTOfessOrship Of mathematics and
natural philosophy and at the age Of twenty-thTee
first appeared in print the author of treatise on
"LOCarithms." which is said to have been highly
rredtabe scientific performance. He still continued
his studies for the ministry admitted to deacons
orders 10y Bishop Hobart, and was advanced 10 the
priesthood by Bishop BrOwnell in 1924. In the same
year he was married TO the only daughter of Pres-
dent Mott, a lady Of rare mental endOwnents and
uncommon loveliuess of character. In 1926 he pub
Iished an elaborate treatise Descriptive GeOm-
etry,' with numerous and intricate problems.
But II was not long before he was called TO still
al 10 If
Church Boston which he accepted in 1S26. He
rcmainedln this'post for five years, gaining wide
influence by the simplicity and eanestness Of his
character, the fidelity Of bis minisTations, and
The contagious fervOr Of his religious Sympathies.
At that time, William Ellery Charming and Lyman
Beccher the shining lights of the Boston pulpit
They were in she prime Of their impressive
slOquence and attracted large audiences from the
different classes Of society in that city. The
preaching OF DR.. Potter opened a new era. With no
Iprt Of dOgmatism or controversy he vet forth the
cardinal doctrines of the Church, appealing equally
10 the intellect and the heart, and drawing many
within a new circle Of religious associations
"He was always ready to aid in promoting
the interests of education and sound learn
ing. He was an advocate Of scientific pursuits. He
gave his influence both by precept and example to
the cause Of temperance. Each of these subjects he
advanced with great ability sometimes by a course
of public lectures. sometimes by written discourse,
bnt more frequently an eStempoTe address, in all
which he was prominently successful. His engage
mcnts in these various objects, with hs InceSsant
parochial duties constituted vast amount Of labor
700 great to be borne for long time. Exhaustion
from this amount Of work. together with other causes
not under his control compelled him TO resign his
Tectorship in 1881. No rector was ever more deeply
loved by the people Of his charge, OF mourned with
"a deeper sorrow when he left them. Taken in all its
aspects his ministry in Boston was marked success
II gave an impetus to vital igiOn which is still felt
IL ,.;1l ov,.,d 10 tI,e dist nj futuror