The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-03-02

ne pastor OIL the Central IresDNteFiaI
Church, Brooklyn, New York, is In his fifty
first year. He was born at Bound Brook
Y. j., in the year 1892. His education wa:
superior, and he was the fourth brother to
enter the ranks of Christian preachers. Be
fore experiencing that change in his relig
ious life which determined him to adopt the
sacred profession, he spent three years in a
lawyers Office, and bat for the conversion
spoken Of, which took place when ne was
nineteen, DIR. Talmage's unquestionable
ability and force would have been employed
In the service Of clients. As first step to
the ministry he entered college at New
Brunswick, and in due time became gradu-
ate Of New York University. His first pas.
torate was at Belleville, New Jersey, where
he was popular, and remained three years.
Subsequently, at Syracuse, New York, his
preaching attracted considerable attention
by reason of the same characteristics which
particularize 1t nova vivid style, startling
illustration, exaggerated expression, direct
ness of appeal and an extraordinary earnest
ness of delivery effective in spite Of its harsh
and shocking variety of information and I'M
seemly gesticulations. DR.. Talmage's re-
moval to Philadelphia increased vastly the
number of bis admirers, and his ministry of
seven years in the Quaker City was great
success. During this period be became pop
ular as a lecturer. At the time of his &C
ceptance of the call by the Brooklyn Church,
he had the choice of that-seemingly the
poorest Of all, only ninetaen members vot-
ing-one In Chicago and one in San Fran
cisco. He removed to Brooklyn in March,
1869, and soon filled a church which had
been mach too large for the worshippers.
The next year tabernacle of sheet iron was
built by the congregation for the better ac-
commodation of the large audiences which
assembled to hear Dr.. Talmage. He spent
most of the time In which the building was
being erected in q trip to Europe and back.
The tabernacle was opened by the pastor
three months after Its building had begun.
All seats were free. In December, 1872, It
was consumed by fire, and the congregation
assembled in the Academy Of Music until
February, 1874, when the new tabernacle
was opened. This Is one of the largest
buildings In Brooklyn, and is known as the
Tabernacle. II is sem -circular In form.
the seats so arranged that all can see and
hear the minister, who breaches from plat
torn simply furnished without desk. A
uge organ behind the speaker and some
times the use of the cornet TO lead the sing
jig, indicate one of DR.. Talmage's wide de-
pariures from Presbyterian precedent. Con-
assist young men in theological study, in
their dev"tions and work among the poor
and uninstructed, and to prepare those who
~" apt I" fhe ministry, for Its duties. Afew
Years ago DR.. Talmaee spent several months
in Europe, chiefly in Great Britain, where
lis sermons have q wide distribution. His
appearance in public created great interest
there, as at home, where his Tabernacle,
which accommodates five thousand hearers
very comfortably, is often greatly inadequate
TO the admission of all who desire to hear
him.
DIR. Talmage Is Of the positive and aggress-
I've type Of men, and he has detractors and
enemies, as some incidents In his career ill.,
dictate, even among his fellow Christians.
He Is a man whom 1t is well for fastidous
and fault finding people to leave unmolested.
They would do much better to let him alone
to do his work In his own way, cultivating
that Pauline breadth of charity which re-
joiced In the preaching of the gospel by
whomsoever dene. Talmsge is not thin
skinned man, by any means. Caricatures
and abusive newspaper articles minister TO
his popularity and increase the number Of
his hearers, and are pleasing TO him rather
than otherwise, as the buffaloes on the plains
found the telegraph posts provided with
brad-awls TO be. The recent interference
with q theatrical manager who covered
Brooklyn with hideous caricature of its
leading Presbyterian divine, and with the
actor who was announced to ''make up" af-
ter the advertisement, was not Of DR.. Tai
IMAGES instigation. His influential friends,
very properly careful of the feelings Of his
family, begun and carried on = campaign
which cleared the walls of the obnoxious
picsare aud prevented the actor advertised to
follow 1t, from making DR.. Talmage's pscu-
liarities the subject Of laughter in the play
house.