New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-30
A SKETCH OF DIR. CROSBY'S BUSY LIFE.
SUCCESSFUL AS INSTRUCTOR, CLERGYMAN.
AUpsIoR AND cITIzEN-HIS CHIEF WORK
IN TIE UNIVERSITY AND TIE

IN TIE UNIVERSITY AND TIE
FOURTH AVENUE CHURCH.
The Rev Dr. Howard Crosby was of Knickcrbocker
descent and came from family distinguished iof us
wealth and public spirit and connected on both sides
with some of the best-knOwn persoragcs Of Revo'
lutlonary and state history. william b. Crosby, MS
father inherited large wealth from uncle. Colonel
Henry Rutgers who endowed the college at Ncwi'ruh''
wick y. j. that bears his name. Dr. CrSsbyN Gfa''-
fsther Dr. Ebenezer Crosby, was professor at Colum-
ba College. Back another generation. and General
William Floyd. his g"eatgrandfather, signed inc Deca-
ration Of independence and member of the frst
National Congress. book of gencaogy traces inc
Crosby family to Edward Of England
Nearly GOO years after the birth of King Edward
Howard Crosby. the nineteenth In descent, was born
on February 81, 1896, in Rutgcrsst. Preparing Ter
college chiefly at Dr. lIuddart's School In blooming
dale at the age Of fourteen lie entered The University
of the Cit, of New York his father had been one OF
the founders Of the new institution De Quincy boascd
that he began to read Greek at the Of nne but Dr.
Crosby three years yourger than that when no
began 10 study the language He at took the lead
In his college class, and graduated first In Grcch
in a class of forty-fvc members his college professor
I'm Greek was DR.. TaylC Lewis. When liz later years
he sat rs chancellor crtcisng the rhetorical efforts OF
trembling freshmen he sometimes encouraged them by
telling of his maiden attempt as chalcl orator.
Whether in the body out of it, he did not know that
he was terribly frightened, he never doubted. Mtcr
receiving his diploma i'm 1914 he went t. DutclleSs
County and worked on farm for three years
In 1s47 Dr. Crosby married Miss Margaret Givan.
end in 1910 the young couple started on two years
trip in Europe, Egypt Arabia and Palestine besides
spending some time Greece. studying the language.
As Incmento OF the tour DR.. Crosby i'll 1851 published
The Lands OF the Mosem," in which III told III q
graphic manner many of his Oriental experiences.
Professor Lewis resigned the chair Of Greek in the
university about the time that DR.. Crosby returned
from the East, and the vacant profcssorSlp was
offered TO him. This honor lie accepted and held for
eight years. Every sunday during this time he taught
q large Bible class Of young men, With a few friends
he decided 10 organize branch OF the Young Mems
Christian Association in this city. That forty
years ago. when there were only two In this country
one in Boston and the other in Providence. The lead
Ing clergymen frOwned upon the plan, and Of all the
city pastors only three approved the undertaking. In
the second annual report Professor Howard Crosby
appears as the president. This Office he held for three
wears. and the building adjoining his church. at
Fouithave. and Twenty tlird-st. was the result OF
efforts begun by him.
second time compelled him to leave the city, and In
1850 he accepted the Greek pofcsso:shlp OF Eutsels
he found agreeable employment and completely Re
gained his health. just at this time Harvard gave
him the decree OF u. D., although hc had never a.
tended theological seminary was not licensed 10
preach and never intended 10 become Clergy man.
licensed by the Chassis of New Brunswick In 1859.
Two years later he called TO the passionate OF the
months he carried the double duties Of teacher and
pastor. As professor of Greek he was mos, success
full. and his attainmcnis in that branch OF STUDY "cie
q the highest order.
RETURNING TO NETWORK 4 PASTOR.
In March. 1868. he accepted unanimous call from
the Fourth Avenue Presbyterian Church Of THIS city,
succeeding the Rev. Dr. Joel Parker. DR.. Crosby
church. a. it has been known for more than quarter
d a century, organized in 1929 The twelve Or
eanizers had increased in 1868 to 100; in 1850 there
were 564 members In 1868 the church had debt
Of $4,000 and lis total offerings $500; now 1t
gives about $4,000 for various purposes the debt
was raised soon after Dr. Crosby began his work there
In 1864 Hope Chapel, in East Fourthst. near Avennc
e. was organized and in the year following Grace Mis-
SION in Twenty secondst. There are 100 emil
dren In the church and mission schools. For ten years
the church supported mission for the Chinese IN
Whit RECEPTION ws gwen eo 70 r S" tWenc'
anniversary Of his passionate; Among the prominent
DR. John Hail. who said Of the pastor 81 have had
the privilege of working with him for sixteen years,
humarc how gentle and how tender his character t..
The l have loved him. OF his courageous fear
TO speak" Five years later similar service was held
For many years Or. Cr0sby's regular weekly duties
consisted of two sermons sunday. Wednesday
evening prayer meeting lecture. Bible class for young
men sunday morning. and similar class for yonIG
ladies on Tuesday morning, daily attendance at the uni
vcrsity a ministers meeting on Monday noon in his
church parlors. faculty meeting on Tuesday afternoon;
the Greek Club Friday evening also three clerical
Ssocjaons-the sigma Chi, Of which he president
for many years, and the Chi Alpha and Philo; an
fnHdi"S chriit;an Wecby7 Besides t1 weekly
schedule there were many extra calls on his time:
meetings Of the university commencemcnts occasional
addresses at public hall and in neighotnS churches:
Ireshyterv meet ngs the society for the Prevention OF
Crime and hour each day given 10 callers. He was
also frequent contributor to the lending religious re
and pamphlets in the line of his study; There are
lad his genial presence. kindly voice and good advice
in bidding one more classes farewell and Tiers Is
%SoSs behalf he has not of spoken Ills
by 10 means confined within the four walls of his
church cdifce his field of labor limited by the
confines Of his parish.
In 1876 his son, Ernest Howard. carried off the
honors in Greek at the Siec2esa,s contest ea
graduated from Columbia College in 1853. took the
first prize in Greek each year Of lis course DR.
of female education much careful thought In 1sod
he signed the petition sent to the trustees Of Columbi,
asking that young women be admitted there as st,
dents. At dinner Of the university alumni, tho
vcrty take the initiative in this city furnishing u
women the full dy1ntages OF college curriculum
do not favor education IN w. oIuaT T to G n
and the afternoon to young women. in the same rooms
under the same instructors, win the same apparatus
and under the same system OF honOis and degrees =!
CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY.
Dr. Crosby was elected member OF the council Of
the university in 1854. and in 1870 he was appointed
10 succeed Dr. Isaac Ferris in the chancellor>hp he
was for years of the largest stockholders of ih
corporation The classes were comparatively larc ana
the council offered Ia raise fund OF $21oOOO 10 esa5
fish the academical department on arm bass ~
DR.. Crosby obliged 20 give up place which wa
pay ing him 81 900 year when he began his new work
he ecuncii decided TO pay him $1,000 annually, a, hi
declined all salary. This all that he received IN
any year while he at the head OF the Institution
more than that. at one time II became necessary f1
some one Of the friends Of The college TO pay the faculty
from their pockets and Dr. Crosby was one of ht
largest contributors The attempt to raise the propose
fund failed and when tic chancellor that he 0i
fered his resignation bnt 1t was not accepted; again /!
1877 he tried 10 lay down the burden, but he pc:
suaded to retain il longer.
IN April, 1881, the council decided, by vote O
o to to close the undergraduate department urii
enough money received to replenish the sccntld
rooms, repair the building etc. DR.. Crosby led tlos
in favor OF reverting to the idea Of the founders
giving postgraduate instruction-and Dr. John Hal
was at the head OF the opposite faction A stormy
xolIo., aha ar.racana