The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1875-12-30
Brooklyn Letter.

Brooklyn Letter.
To the Editor Of the Democratic Press.
Dear Sir.-A few words from res
ident of Brooklyn, in reference to men
and events here may be interesting 10
many Of your readers, and more salts
perhaps, than comments made
by non resident. Brooklyn has long
been known as ''The City of Churches"
1t is the scene of the labors of a num-
ber of the most celebrated preachers
of our country. Storrs, Beecher, Tai
madge. Buddipgton, Cuyler, Duryea
and Scudder are pastors of large and
influential churches here.
Among these DIR. Storrs stands easi-
ly first in the judgement of the most
intelligent men among US. Beecher
and Tallmadge are more popular, per-
haps, but it is evidently. because their
sermons are intended for and suit
more emotional class. One is struck
with the very ordinary class of people
who compose the bulk of their audi
ences, and very large portion OF
them are women. The report of the
clerk of Plymouth church, recently
made, shows that the membership OF
that church is made up of 1900 women
and 900 men. DR.. Storrs' audience,on
the other hand, like DR.. John Halls,
of New York, is largely composed OF
men, the most of them men OF the
greatest intelligence and culture. In
wealth it probably equals any other
church in the city. No man in Brook
lyn is as highly esteemed as DR.. Storrs,
and that by all classes Of citizens.
"The Old Brick Church" of New
York, which recently gave him call,
is one of the oldest and wealthiest OF
the Presbyterian churches of the State.
1t is now situated on Fifth Avenue.
Years ago it owned the property
facing City Hall, now occupied by the
New York Times, and had there a
large brick edifice, from which it took
its name. DIR. Storrs has been pastor
of the Church OF the Pilgrims for
more than thirty years. As soon as
his people heard of the call, they
placed petition, asking him to re-
main with them, in the vestibule of
the church, which was signed by large
numbers of people. a similar petit
tioa, signed by outsiders, was sent to
him. 1t was signed by the most in
fluential men Of the city, such men as
Stewart L. WOodford, Judge Nelson,
S. B. Chittenden and Henry G. Muir
ply. The newspapers of New York
published numerous articles express
ing the hope that DIR. Storrs would go
to New York, while the newspapers
of Brooklyn, without exception, used
their Influence to induce him to re-
main in Brooklyn. The most intelli-
gent judges regard him as the model
pulpit orator of America. His SER
mons have elements of beauty and
thought in them that will probably
cause them to live long after the words
of his contemporaries are forgotten.
Mr.. Tallmage is probably the most
popular preacher in Brooklyn now.
His church will hold about 1000 peo-
pie, more than any other church edi-
flee in the city. 1t is filled every Sab
bath, morning and evening, by an
eager throng Of listeners. The char
acteristic of his sermons is an intense
earnestness in the workof saving souls.
He does not preach noble manhood
merely, he breaches Jesus Christ. The
result is that he has had a continual
revival in his church for more than q
year. Over one hundred converts
have Joined the church in single
Sabbath. He attracts and holds hun.
dreds whom no other preacher can
hold. Many do not like him at first
but there is charm and power in hi;
diction which draws them to hear
him again and again. He recently de-
livered a sermon on the Bible in oul
public schoels. 1t had been announc
ed that this would be his subject an6
the church was even more throngeC
than usual. Some of the base politi
clans "with lecherous lips, and blood
shot eyes," who abound in New Yorl
and Brooklyn, were present and re
ceived some telling and well merite6
shots from the preacher. He deal
earnestly with the subject, as he does
with every theme, but his earnestnes
does not descend into coarseness. Ut
has received numerous letters threat
ening the safety of himself and family
for this sermon, which shows that thu
sermon hit the mark. Mr.. Talmadgt
formerly preached in Philadelphia
He came TO Brooklyn few years age
and preached his first sermon to less
than two dozen people, it is said
Since then his church has steadily in
creased in power and influence, anC
will doubtless continue so to do.
| BASIL.
Brooklyn, n. Y, Dec. 20, 1875.
Notes of Travel.