Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1875-03-10
Brooklyn Church Life.

ne hUcldl COnultlOIb OI DIOOhllu uu-
usually favorable TO the development Of its
church life. A city of homes rather than
business, il is peopled by citizens Of sober
habits and moderate tastes not very wealthy,
but able to live comfortably; who enjoy a
high average Of culture; who take a steady
interest in all things that concern moral and
intellectual advancement; and who hold in
true esteem scholarship and best thought.
The New England element is strong among
them, and preserves its traditional attach
ment 10 the church. its habit Of making the
religious centre the nucleus OF the social or
ganization.
The city grows predominantly by the ac-
cession of new residents Of similar tastes 10
those who already give il character. The
increase Of churches keeps pace with the in
crease of population. New churches serve
as landmarks TO show the extension Of the
city into the outskirts. They often appear
contemporaneously with the first evidences
that new district is about TO be settled.
Population clusters fast about thom. A we'll
started church makes a prominent figure
among the attractions set forth by real estate
agents in the description Of their property.
The breaking Of ground for a permanent
church building is the signal for excitement
among the holders Of neighboring lots, and
for an immediate rise in values. In fact,
we know Of no city Of corresponding size
where the Importance Of the church is more
generally recognized among all classes-by
business men, the indifferent, and even the
enemies of religion-than In Brooklyn.
BROOKLYN has numerous strong churches
Those that are weak are expecting TO be
strong in time. They are the newly planted
ones, waiting for the increase OF population
10 fill them up Even those churches in the
more ancient districts which are abandoned
by their old congregations do not decay
Their character may change, but they re-
main, aud find a work 10 do for which they
are needed.
The average of talent and culture among
the clergy is very high. The list of each
denomination is headed by the names of
some Of its most distinguished representa-
tive men. Some of them are without peers.
The Congregationalists have Beecher, Storrs,
Scudder. The characteristics Of Mr.. Beech
er's preaching, and the fame of Plym h
Church are so widely known that 10 reft "
them is enough. DIR. Storrs leads his de-
nomination, and, perhaps, the preaching
ministry of the country in scholarly culture,
and the qualities of AN orator Each of his
discourses is a finished work and is deliv-
cred with rare precision of speech. 1t bor-
rows nothing from meretricious devices,
but has all thst true art can give it. Dr.
Storrs formerV read his sermons. One
summer his church was remodeled, and the
congregation worshipped in the Academy Of
Music. The room was not well adapted TO
the reading Of sermons, and the minister
was forced TO speak extemporaneously. He
found the effect Of his preaching so much i'm
proved that he has since abandoned the read
T.. la aI al lNra
breaches without notes. DR.. Henry NJ.
Scudder is son of the famous missionary.
lie is distinguished by the fertility and fe-
lcity of his illustrations. His sermons are
brilliant in thought, clear in expression, and
quick with life. lie was called about four
years ago from large congregation in San
Francisco to a small church in Brooklyn.
| A tabernacle like DIR. Talmages old one, and
| quite as large, has been built for the use of
his people. Although it is in a thinly settled
part of the city it is regularly filed
The Presbyterians are most prominently
represented by Drs. Talmage, Cuyler and
| Duryea. The readers of The Methodist are
well acquainted with DIR. Talmage's pointed
sermons, so fearless in their denunciation Of
shams and wrongs. 1t is proper TO correct
the impression that he is a sensational
preacher He is in earnest. His ways may
| be peculiar, but they are his own. DIR. Guy
| Ter is another man who is in earnest. lie IS
sincere in holding, unreseryed in presenting
1 his views, and unaffected. lie supports
| good causes enthusiastically, denounces
wrongs vigorously. Next to the pure Cos
| pei, temperance is the prominent theme Of
his addresses. DIR. Duryea excels in logical
precision and analytic faculty. His sermons
are chains Of hardly-mined thought and
elaborate reasoning which it requires study
10 follow. We regard it as one of the
clearest evidences of the intellectual compe-
tency of the society of Brooklyn, that he
has one Of the largest churches, and is one
of the most popular clergymen in the city.
The Methodist Episcopal Church is well
represented in Brooklyn. II loses by its
| frequent changes, so that only few Of its
ministers can remain long enough TO estab-
lish their fame. Those who are thus favored
| get q commanding influence Yet, whoever
we might name in this connection would
also be as much claimed by some other place
as its representative. Bishop Andrews was
chosen from Brooklyn church. He had
made his mark before he was called away.
DIR. Chapman's pastorate of st. Paul's Church
was one of distinction and fast extending
influence. The position of DIR. Foss in our
ministry was largely developed in Brooklyn.
At present we are well represented by DIR.
Hunt, who has been there almost long
enough to be considered an old inhabitant
the Rev. James NJ. Buckley, one of the most
thoughtful energetic and effective ministers
in the church; the Rev. J. Emory Haynes, a
young minister of brilliant promise, and by
many other ministers, young or yet strangers
TO the city, whose fame will rise as their
service continues.
The Baptists have the Rev. j. Hyatt
Smith, who is probably now the most famous
minister of that denomination in the country
DIR. Jeffrey, who has taken a stand for lib
erty of conscience; the Rev. DIR. Thomas,
a minister of well-earned influence in his de.
nomination; and the Rev. DIR. Moore, whose
genial spirit and readiness TO affiliate with
his brethren of other denominations are
strangely contradicted by his strictness on
the communion question.
The Episcopalians are best represented by
DIR. Schenck, man of commanding presence
and eloquent speech, and one of the most
evangelical as well as most energetic minis
tiers Of that church by the Rev. DIR. Pad
dock, Of st. Peters church, whose work is
best seen in the church he has built up, its
Sunday-school, and its pattern Sunday-schoo
room; and their Bishop Littlejohn. They
have recently given up one of their best es
teemed ministers, DIR. Paddock, of Grace
church, to be Bishop of Massachusetts.
We mention last the most grateful feat
ure of Brooklyn church life II is the spiri
of unity that peryades all the churches
Their fellowship with each other is contin
uous and habitual. While each church il
faithful TO its own concerns and is zealou
for the advancement of its denomination,
very large amount of cooperative work i
done. Certain causes of general beneyolenc
receive the organized support of the collect
i've churches. Churches of different de
nominations unite for the promotion of com
mon causes and for special services so fire.
quently that such acts have ceased to cal
out remark.-The Methodist.