New-York tribune., 1886-11-14
DR. STORRSS FORTY YEARS.

II is no common experience which DR.. Rich
ard S. Storrs and his people of the Pilgrim Con-
gregatlonal Church IN Brooklyn celebrate to-
day. A pastorate extending over forty years
is in itself so much of novelty as to attract
general notice /; but Dr. StOrrs has been much
more than pastor. During the two-6fths of
a century which he has passed IN Brooklyn he
has been not only the Jealous and faithful min
lister of large congregation, moving and upift-
ing them by his own nobility of conduct and
purity of life and by the appeals, exhorta-
tions and admonitions which he has clothed in
glowing language and polished periods and de-
livered with mastery art but he has been an
earnest, large hearted, publc-spirited citizen,
whose influence has made itself felt often in the
community when the occasion rose for saying
the right thing in the right place and the right
way; and, moreover, he has become know n
throughout the country as one of the most for
chile and cultured orators that the American
pulpit has produced
With the exception of single year, DR..
Storrss entire ministerial life has been passed
in one church. Although tempting offers have
been made TO him by other churches, he has
steadfastly refused to leave the parish with
which he has been so long identified; and it is
safe to say that while DR.. Storrs lives he will
remain the pastor of the pioneer Congreg egational
church in Brooklyn. Nor is it unreasonable to
suppose that, since he has only just passed his
sixty fifth birthday, full half century at least
may be rounded out while he still sustains the
relation Of active pastor TO the increasing flock
which is hOnored by his care; ; and possibly his
term of service in the Pilgrim Church may
riy al that of his father, who for more than sixty
years had charge of the Congregational Church
in Braintree, Mass, here Dr. Storrs as born.
The CONGRATULATIONS which the eminent clergy
man will receive in abundance tn-day are we'll
deserved. They will come mt alone from his
congregation, or from the City of Brooklyn,
or from the religious denomination with which
he is allied His influence has not been con-
fined to either of these. In an emphatic sense
he has been citizen of the Republic. Before
studying divinity he turned his attention for
brief time to the law. If he had continued in
this pursuit it is altogether likely that he would
have risen to eminence on the bench or in the
political arena. His light could never have been
hidden under bushel. In the calling hich he
chose he has attained the highest rank, without
neglecting any of the duties incumbent upon
men outside the ministry. A man OF wide
attainn ents, deep learning, earnest purpose,
winning oratory and consecrated life, he has
sery ed his church, his city, his State and his
country we'll With pardonabe pride he may
look back from the summit OF his years upon
O life well and wisely spent.
The forty years which DR.. Storrs has passed
In his Brooklyn parish have witnessed many
and marvellous changes, not only in Brooklyn
and not only in America, but throughout the
world OF some of the more striking of these the
preacher will speak in his sermons this morning
and evening. But nothing that he can say will
be so significant as the personality of the man
himself and the power for good which he has
exerted upon the world dnring his long public
career. The example which he has set is one
that may well be emulated. The influence that
has radiatod from him has not been unfruitful.
That his last days may be his best and richest
DAYS will be the earnest wish of all who join in
the jubilee that he celebrates to-day.