The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-04-09
OBITUARY..


The Rev. William Augustus Muhlcnberg, one OF the
most eminent dvinss OF the Protestant Episcopal
Church In this city, expired last night al twenty
min utcs ast ten O'Clock at his residence In the ST.
Luses Hospital building. His death was caused by
senie epilepsy from which he has been suffering
more than six weeks During bis sickness he was con-
s,antly attended by Doctors w. II. Draper and c. W.
Packard. the regular visiting physician OF st. Luke's
Hospital He passed away quietly, surrounded by a
number OF his relatives and friends
DR.. Muhcnberg the OF Henry ~ Muhienberg,
Of Philadelphia and born In that city September
10, 1906 His family mad long resided In Pennsyi-
vania, 10 tho neighborhood OF Trappc, Montgomery
county and several OF his ancestors played no mean
part the history OF the country. His great grand
tathcr, Henry Melchior Muhlenberg was clergyman
OF the German Lutheran sect, and the founder OF
thar Church IN America He lett sons both OF whom
achieved considerable distinction. The elder. Peter
John Gabriel, ordained clergyman the Lutheran
Church, but when tho Revolutionary War broke out
he preached sermon on the text, "theres time for
all things, timo to preach and time to tight; and
now IS tho time TO fght;" then, reading his commits
sion as colonel he mustered the male part OF his
gregaton as a regiment and plunged into military AZ
fairs IN which he obtained great distinction retiring
on the close OF the with the rank Of major gen.
oral He aiterward held the position OF United States
Senator for year. His brother, Go,thiii Henry
from his works on the botany OF this country.
The subject OF the present sketch received his early
education at the school oil Dr. Abercrombie In Philade
phia. He aterward entered the University OF Penn
syvaaia, IRON which he graduated with honors In 1914
he immediately devoted himself to the study Of
theology and obtained ordination rs a deacon
immediately on reaching his majority, IN 1917. He
then attached himself 10 tho Protestant Episcopal
church, and became assistant 10 Bisuop White, OF
Philadelphia, who Is regarded OF the founders
Of the Episcopal Church this side OF the Atlantic
by BISHOP White no was ordained priest after three
years. and IN 1921 no was appointed rector OF 81.
James Church. Lancaster, Pa While In this position
no commenced his long career OF public benciaclons
by causing the establishment OF the public school
which existed in Pennsylvania outside OF Philadelphia
where he founded schosL This institution quickly
developed into ST. Pauls College and became q very
a. re- s seas o. learning Dr. re-
eighteen years, until he accepted the rectorshp OF
Church OF the Holy Communion, tho erection Of which
was completed IN 1886 This church stands on tho
corner OF sixth avenue and Twentieth street, II was
built by Dr. Muhenberg's sister Mrs NJ. A. C. Rogers,
dition that it shord always remain free church.
On st LuKe's Day, OF the same year. Dr. Muhlcn-
want OF church hospital which was then ielt Ia this
city, and announced that half tho morning collection
VI he church would be laid aside rst conIrbu.
ton toward providing one. Tho amount $751;
"When do you expect to complete your hospital?"
ASKED friend, smiling At the smalncss OF tie sum.
Never" said be, nj l never make beginning"
But these $3l proved fruitful germ. Tho building
iund rapidly sweiled TO 100000, and the hospital
was butt. The slto chosen is Fifty fourth
street. between finh ana Sixth avenues The build.
ing consists OF chapel, surrounded with wards, SO
ali the inmates may hear divine service IRON their
beds when u Is read IN the chapel. The hospital
IS open 10 members OF all religious denominations,
but u Is supported chiefly by tho generosity OF the
Episcopal denomination. II possesses considerable
permanent fund.- and receives large contributions
nualiy The yearly expenditure Is about 800 900. The
number OF patients accommodated during the year
ending ST. Lukc's Day, 1875, was $780, There
accommodations for about 200 patients. Several ircc
beds have been IRON time 10 time established.
chdren's ward Is ono OF its peculiar cxcellencos.
Tho foundation stone was laid In May, 1854 by
Bishop Wainwright the chapel was opened Tor divine
service In 1857 aud tho ceremonies OF opening
pta Tor patients were performed by the Rev. s. Cooke,
May Is, 1883 In 1857 DR.. Mnhienberg assumed the
position OF superintendent and pastor OF hos
pitai situation which he continued TO hold I'll The
In 1915 he organized the nrss Protestant Ssterhood
which ever existed, and put the hospital under the
charge OF It's members THIS society is SAID 10 be tho
prototype OF the many semi. convenlual Protestant
orders now existing IN England, well as OF various
charitable ladies' associations in this country THIS
Protestant Ss;erhood has also taken charge OF day
school which he established In connection with tho
| Holy Communion Church.
HIS last great work, and, perhaps. that which
Will bear the greatest fruit IN the future. was
| the foundation Of the Chr stan Industrial Com
munity OF st. Johnsland.. This Is plan to
| provide cheap and comfortable homes, with
The means OF social and moral Improvement,
Tor deserving families among the working classes;
to maintain home tor aged in reduced circum-
Stances to caro- Tor friendlcss children youths
| especially crpplcs, ana to assist young men who
desire higher education with Wow 10 The ministry
space Of about 500 acres was procured, aud homes
Tor children and ola men and church erected
at cost OF about 500. 900 Tho whole scheme has
been very successful. The homes are constantly iuli
and many families nave been located on the land In
unable dwellings,
DR. Muhlenberg q little above tho average
height, anu was active and well made Ho had a large
ana well formed head, m oval lace intellectual tea
lures and very kindly expression. He possessed a
proiusion OF silver gray hair. His appearance
digniicd and venerable, and no remarkable tor
hts courtesy and kindncss Of manner. Hc never
married. lie possessed good literary abilities, and
many Of his sermons, which have been published, DIS
play great excellence. His delivery simple, but
Iervent and impressive. His hymns also remark.
able Tor religious Enthusiasm, those entitled IL Would
Not Live Away" and ''Ring the Bells OF Heaven"
being especially popular
But Il is US a successful phlanthropst that he
will be chiefly remembered, for II was only when
struggling against the misIortuncs OF man. that his
modesty OF seli-assurancc allowed his mind
10 put forth It's iull energies DIR. Muhenberg pre-
scented the truest type OF Christian character His
whole Ito was devoted to his fellows He took re-
taxation. Without display, almost in secret,
pshcd tho greatest works. and It Is only that he
dead that his real place Will be known the
most Efficient philanlhropists Of the day.