New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-02-18
OBITIr tRY.
HORACE BUSHNELL, ID. ID.
HARTFORD, Feb. 1.-THE Rev. DIR. Horace
Bu-hnc died in this city At Il o'clock this morning.

HARTFORD, Feb. 1.-THE Rev. DR.. Horace
Bu-hncll died in this city at az o'clock this morning
The death of the Rev. Dr. Bushnell was
not pccted by the numerous circle Of friends VINO
had for some time watched 1T hs bedside with anxious
sympathy. Never enjoying the uncertain benefit Of
robust constitutions and with few Of the elements when
go make up muscular Christian IN his frame, Tor the
latter years Of hs life he had been confirmed Invalid
and recently the thngs Of his death would scarcely
ut any time have been surprise Dr. Blshheh
had made a strong mark this community by the ori
nality OF his character He was widely known
bold and pendent thinker and earnest seeker oi
religious truth, scholar Of refined ami elegant tastes
a writer OF singular 3cueness ana Snbtety, ana
preacher of Incompatible charm and imprcssiNen"ss
though without the usual enticcmonir OF popular elO
quencc Dr. Bushnell born in 1902, Al New-Pteston
tcheld County. Conn, where his father was farmer
in easy Circumstances, and entered h' son at Yale
College IA tine year 1923 After graduating IA regular
course he employed for some time on The stan OF
The Journoi Of Commerce literary editor, and suDs"
onentIy took char2s of academy III Norwich In 500
he became tutor in Vale College. poet be he held for
two years dividing ms leisure time between the snes
Of law and theology. He finally resolved 10 devote him
self to the clerical profession, and after preaching In
various places with general acccptanre, be received
call become pastorof the North congregational
Church IN Hartford, which office he continued TO MI
with eminent ability and success until 1893, when Tue
qu,h IL. duties. The first publication which brought
him prominently before the notice OF literary circles in
TINS country Phi Beta Kappa Grafton NJ iaie
College in 1887 discussing the Principles Of National
Greatness, with masculine yigOr which ~ not often
recognized in the efforts OF holiday 0ratUry.
Ia lsi7 e commenced the series Of theological works
which have given powerful IN impulse to religious
thought among the more cultivated minds in America,
by a ttcatise Christian Nature Ia which he main
tanned the superiority OF the family influence over
irregular aud spaSnedc efforts In the formation ana
development Of the Christian character TINS - iol-
lowed in 1919. by volume entitled God IN CHRIST,
containing several dscourses The relation of hri't
the human soul, which prc-cncd many striking views
Of the doctrines Of the Trinity aud Atoncment, and al
though not thought to be in accordance WIN tle
ceived symbol, OF the orthodox faith at once cdlle
forth pro ound interest in the religions world, not
general sympathy. The excitement thus produced N
many quarters intense; public opinion ~ds greatly
divided IA 10 the -oundneSs OF the teachings; the
tide Of feeling rose 10 high water mark and az length
Or. Bushnell was summoned befor" the Association OF
congregational ministers, ~ which he was member
defend himself s1nst the charge al INNOVATION ana
heresy in his statements and Interpret atoms al CHRIS
tian doctrine. After vehement discussion of the DIFF
feren points in question, The accusation of heresy
failed to be sustained the character nj Dr. Bushnell
escaped STIGMA Of theological Odinm although Ms
spcculations regarded Hith favor much less
with symplty by the strenuous a coates OF the
traditions of the schools.
In ISL Dr. Bushnell published his d iense before the
Association, in a volume entitled "Christ IN Theology
in which he more FULLY explained the views of his pre-
cediug work. and with great learning and rare felicity
OF illustration, presented pregnant anaIy,i, of the
hrc-es lhat have disturbed the unity OF the Church.
arriving AZ he conclusion that usd scentiuc expires
sion OF RELIGIOUS faith impossible owing To the made
quacy of human language. which has no terms for the
embodiment OF the highest spiritual conceptions More
recently DR. Bushnell published Mature and the supet-
natural" Usjs in which lac endeayorld to place the
realty Of supernatural agency on philosophical OASIS
1.-THE Vcarous SacrIce" Il $50, Moral Uses ot DARK
Things u-6S), Woman's suffrage the Reform
AGAINST Nature uN6g. together With various other M
portant works. occasional addresses aud contributions
Ia the periodical Literature OF the day, All OF when arc
stamped with the freshness md fertility OF his versatile
intellect Among his carrier productions his Letter 10
the Pope" uS4Gl. suggested by a visit To Rome, ana
pointing out defects of the Papal administration, his
discourse entitled the Day of Roads" presenting the
history of Shangar the Old Testament worthy, a. an eA-
ample 10 modern civilization, and i- historian
on the Age OF Homespun," are cmnenily characteristic
of the author IN coue bodncs- III their effects the
beautiful surprises their dicun aud their aiencc Of
quai4t aud Iaey illustration
The foundation of DIR. Bashnells Christian theology
was LAID in ms peculiar mental structure. lie had the
emperamcnt of the poet rather than the idosyncracy
of the man of science. In the pursuit OF TRUTH he
trusted more the ntuitions of genius, than To the
deduct ions of logic. With him religion matter OF
su.lme and even awful emotion, which system Of
theology could represent IN words. The conceptions
which formed its vitality beyond the reach oi
human language. In the presence Of divine things,
men must put their shoes from OF their feet
and adore in silence without the attempt To con
stnict ingenious fabrics of speculation Every creed
of tie Church inadequate 10 its object they am 10
EXPRESS the inc xpressblo; they essay to clOhe the
shadowy ideas OF the Infinite in the rigorous forms OF
the Finite 10 utter clearly the eternal truths OF God IN
the stammerIng and feeble words of man. With these
convictions 1t was impossible FOR Dr. Bushnell To be
man Of religious dogma and routine. He chung to what
he deemed the essence of the faith with firm tenaelty
OF grasp, bat attached little Importance to the
form and ,oloring Of its ephemeTa raj nanifesiii.
lions No ole could deny mis- earnest anj d'NOltd
picy, but he challenged religious sympathy ny
somInunion NJ spirit, not by unity OF the
letter with his impulsiye and tender feelings, DR.
Bushnell posgeS.rd the same time rare degree oi
natural arulene>s and robust good selse Many OF MS
writings are cniycncd 10y ~ vein o genuine huinOr
which gracefully bic nded with tie lOncss Of his aSpirl
lions HIS personal traits were highly attractive ard
winning Even the severity "a theological dissent
sofienrd the amenity OF his disposition AMI
the trnnspai purity of his character His DEATH al
though crowned Win the yellow sheaNes OF rpcned
harvest will spread sincere sadness not only among
tho walks of learning but over many circles OF private
friendship.
ITHACA, n. Y. Feb. 1.-THE Rev. William
H. Goodwin, IL d., member Of the state Board OF
REGENTS died at his late residence Dryden to-day.