Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1902-04-19
Native of New Jersey.

DIR. Talmage was born in GateySlle.
now Bound Brook n. j., Jan. {, 1882,
and was consequently in his SEVENTEEN
year. His father was a farmer of strong
and vigorous character and his mother a
woman of exceptional energy; his ances-
tors were Americans and members Of the
Reformed Church from period antedat-
ing the revolution. DR.. Talmage studied
law at the University of New York and
graduated with high honors, but, per-
suaded by his relatives and probably feel
ing the inspiration himself, he entered
the New Brunswick Seminary of The
olOgy.
His first pastorate was that Of the Re
formed Church of Belleyille, n. j., but
his eloQuence soon attracted attenCoh'
and he was in demand. In 1889 he went
to Syracuse n. Y, where his conSrega-
ton was unusually critical and cultured
Here it was that TalmaSe's genus pc
gan to assert itself most effectively. 1eI
he served an apprenticeship OF seven
wears before he was called to Brooklyn.
Central Presbyterian Church of that
Mace. whose membership had greatly
dwindIed, made the young divine an offer.
He accepted, and within a few months
his success had become so extraordinary
that nlans for new tabernacle were on
foot. In 1870 the first Brooklyn Iaber-
nacle was built. but fire destroyed it, and
twice again visited this same flock.
Made His Church Famous.
DR.. Talmages fame had become so
widely recognized and his preaching III
such demand that the Brooklyn parish
also had won a name through its pastor.
1t was consequently rich and powerful.
New tabernacles arose in the ashes of the
old and nothing appeared to obstruct the
minister's rapid rise The quarter-cen-
fury celebration held in May. 1891, at
BROOKLYN Tabernacle is we'll remembered.
DIR. Talmage was then in the zenith OF
his renown. Soon after that he IN
measure, retired from active ministerial
duties. He travelled much, lectured
great deal, and was in almost constant
demand. He wrote not little, was III
the newspapers daily, and was one OF the
public men frequently sought for by the
interviewer.
DIR. Talmage's greatness, it is generally
conceded, can be ascribed to his power
as an orator. Coupled with this he hao
the talent of simple and trenchant inter-
nretation of the scriptures. He was a
Christian of the old school, if that ex-
preston may be employed. He did not
run much to new thought, higher crltl-
cism or creed reform. He chung tenacl-
ously to a plain, pure program of every
| dav morals and right living. He found
enough noble texts in the Bible to supply
him with inspiration.
He was a magnificent lecturer Some
of his flights of oratory are remembered
as being of surprising impressiveness
and picturesqueness. He drew lessons
| from everything. He talked to a pur-
pose. but at the same time he garnished
| his sentences with beauty. and his voice,
| appearance and fire combined to "nthraH
| and uplift the nearer.
Three Times Married.
| DR.. Talmage was married three times.
His first wife. by whom he had one child.
was Mary Avery of Brooklyn, whom he
! lost in 1862 by drowning. Susan z.
| Wbittemore of the same city was his Sec
| ond wife, and with her he lived many
wears and reared a family of six children.
| She died seven years ago, and IN janu-
| arv. 1898, he married for the third time.
His bride. now his widow, was Mrs.
| Charles Collier, a wealthy woman Of Al
| lerhpny. Pa. whose husband during his
| life. was a leading member of the local