Recollections of persons and events, chiefly in the city of New York; being selections from his journal

Dedication

New York, March I8ih, 1865.

To James Bookman, Esq. :

My dear Sir — Permit me to dedicate this volume to you, as one of our oldest and most respected citizens. In one sense it is especially a New York book. It passes in review the rapid and unequalled progress of the City in population, wealth, and every ability for promoting the intellectual and moral welfare of her own inhabitants and of the whole nation. But if New York has acquired this distinctive eminence, she is greatly indebted for it to her Merchants, who have made her the commercial metropolis both of the United States and of the Western Continent. By a wise forecaste and a liberal policy, she has drawn to herself from various countries choice men, who have united with her native sons in placing her among tlie first cities of the world for the extent of her commerce and the high character of those who conduct it.

Chapter II

Dangers of College Life — Instances showing the Fatal Results of Early Dissipation — Responsibility of College OflBcers as to the Morals of Youth under their care — Happy Influence of the Society of Ladies on the Minds as mcU as the Manners of Young Men.

Chapter III

Robert Fulton — His Appearance and Manner — His Sensitiveness under the Indifference manifested toward him in France and England — His First Voyage by Steam from New York to Albany — His Anxiety during the Voyage — Account of the first Pecuniary Acknowledgment he Received for his Services — The Trials he Endured from Vexatious Opposition — Mr. Emmet's Eloquent Address when Pleading his Cause before the Legislature — Professor Morse and the Electric Telegraph. Page 41

Chapter IV

An Evening with Dr. Mason — His Exuberance of Spirits — Periods of Depression — Anecdotes respecting Gouvcrneur Morris, Bishop Moore, Dr. Livingston, Dr. Bissett, Dr. Withcrspoon, Benjamin Franklin, Mr. Whitfield — Comparison of Whitfield with Ivlason — Chief Point of Dificrencc between the two as Preachers . — Dr. Mason's Talent as an Expositor. Page 54

14 Contents.

Chapter V

De Witt Clinton, Stephen Van Rensselaer, James Kent, Abraham Van Vechten — Sketches of their Character and Appearance — Conversation on Religious Subjects — Causes which have contributed to Banish Infidelity from the Minds of Public Men — ( )[)inions respecting Calvin — Origin of Civil Freedom, or Government by Representation, found in the Bible. Page 67

Chapter VI

Interview with Colonel Aaron Burr — Generally Avoided by his Former Acquaintances after his Return from Europe — Interest felt on his behalf on account of his Religious Parentage — His Colloquial Powers — His Sensibility at the Remembrance of his Parents — Sorrow over the Death of his Daughter — His Resentment at feeling himself so Generally Proscribed — His Despondency as to himself — His Death, Page 86

Chapter VII

Colonel Henry Rutgers — His Character — His Devotion to the Cause of the Country in the American Revolution — His Liberality to the Cause of Religion — Striking Instance Showing his Wise Judgment in Deeds of Benevolence — Duty of our Merchants and others to Young Men in their Employ. Page 103

Chapter VIII

Death of John Quincy Adams — Conspicuous Features in his Character — His Undeviating Adherence to what he Conceived to be Right, Exemplified in his Appointments to OflBce while President of the United States, also while our Minister at the Court of the Netherlands — His Great Respect for the Memory of his Mother — His Opinions of a Mother's Influence on the Character of Distinguished Men — Importance of the Subject — How Illustrated in History both Sacred and Profane — Susceptibility of Earlv Childhood to a Mother's Influence. Pao-e IIG

Contents. 15

Chapter IX

Era of Bible Societies — Rev. Mr. Charles, of Bala — Origin of the British and Foreign Bible Society — Honorable Elias Boudinot — Convention to Form the American Bible Society — Address of the Convention to the Public — Multiplication of the Scriptures by Means of Bible Societies — The Bible the First Book Printed with Types — Improvement in the Art of Printing within the last Fifty Years — Superiority of the English Translation of the Bible — Responsibility of England and America for the spread of Christianity and Civilization. Page 131

Chapter X

Declension in Religion After the Days of Edwards and Wliitfield — Views of Dr. Green and Bishop Meade — Apathy Prevailing as to Foreign Missions — Rise of the A. B. C. F. M. — Subsequent Revival of Religion in the Churches — New York Missionary Society — Influence of Dr. Morrison in Awakening Sympathy for the Heathen — Increasing Activity of the Missionary Spirit — Responsibility of the American Churches in Evangelizing the Pagan World — Great Importance of Institutions for the Special Training of Foreign Missionaries. Page 157

Chapter XI

Importance of the Medical Profession in Foreign Missions — Our Lord's Miracles of Healing, as Signs of His Coming — Luke, the " Beloved Physician," as a Companion and Aid to Paul — Dangers in the way of Medical Students — Duty of Christians in Reference to them — Description of an Accomplished and Successful Physician. Page 178

CHAPTER XH.

University of the City of New York — Considerations which Led to the Establishment of it — Literary Convention — Address at its Opening — Inauguration of Professors — Addresses on the Occasion — Erection of the University Building — Grant from the Legislature — Resignation of the Chancellorship — Action of the Council

16 Contents.

on the Occasion — Review of Leading and Distinguishing Features of the University — Advantages of New York as the Site of such an Institution — Dangers to Public Men from Excessive Labors.

CHAPTER XIIL

Changes in New York — Population — Public Places — Public Buildings — Public Men — Churches — Removal of Churches from the First Six Wards — Inadequate Supply of Churches for the whole City — Influence of Religion in Cities upon the Country — Special Duties and Responsibilities of Christians in such a City as New York. Page 259

CHAPTER XIV.

Interview between Rev. Dr. Rodgers and General Hamilton — Convention to Frame the Constitution of the United States — Perplexity attending their Deliberations — Erroneous Statement of their Proceedings on Dr. Franklin's Motion to Appoint a Chaplain — True Account in the Madison Papers — Forgetfulness of God, witb Self-Exaltation, a Prevalent Sin of the Nation — The Sin Rebuked in the Present National Troubles — State Rights and Federal Sovereignty as Exhibited in the Letters of General Washington — Moral Considerations which should Contribute to tbe Future Peace and Harmony of the Nation. Page 310

RECOLLECTIONS OF PERSONS AND EVENTS.

Chapter I

Clergy of New York in 1810. — Livingston, Rodgers, Mooue, Abeel, Hobart, Miller, McLeod, Mason.

The early part of tlie present century found the pulpit of New York supplied with a ministry of eminent talent and great worth of character. Almost every Denomination had its share.

In the Dutch Church there was Rev. Dr.

Livingston. He was in the fullest sense a man

of. the Old School, not only in doctrine, but in

manners, in mode of life, and even in dress.

He was born in 1746, and retained to the last

much of the costume and many of the habits

which belonged to the clergy in his early days.

I have a distinct recollection of his appearance

as he walked our streets, erect as a grenadier

on parade, his gold headed cane carried upright 2 before liim, like the mace of a magistrate, his spacious and broad brimmed hat surmounting the white wig which spread its curls upon his shoulders, the ample square skirts of his coat falling below his knees, and his shoe-buckles glittering on his feet as though the dust did not dare to soil them. Such a figure was not to be passed by without attention and reverence.

In politeness of manners he had no superior; indeed he carried its forms to the extreme limit. He would always have the last bow to his acquaintances, whether parting from them at his own house or at theirs. In a playful humor some of his clerical brethren occasionally tried how far the good Doctor would carry this habit ; but they invariably had to give up the struggle, for let them follow the polite old gentleman far as they would, and bowing at every step, he would still have the last bow.

He was as much unlike others in the pulpit as in the street or drawing-room. While the essential doctrines of the Gospel that know no change, formed the great staple of his discourses, he enunciated them in a manner that constantly reminded you of generations gone by; of the fathers whose works you had read, but whose faces you had never seen. He seemed in no way inclined to belong to the present generation. Perhaps it was one of his errors that he thought the world was gro's^dng small, losing in stature very fast. But whatever may have been his error in this respect, he was eminently a good man, a sound impressive minister of the Gospel; and had been honored to act an important part in healing; the breaches which at one time threatened to overthrow the Reformed Dutch Church in this country.

Dr. J. N. Abeel belonged to the same denomination. It was to him that the Dutch Church chiefly looked at this time as an efficient leader; and their confidence was well deserved. Dr. Abeel was a man of sound judgment, calm temper, gentle manners; and, as a preacher, he was distinguished for the clearness of his illustrations, especially when handling the experimental truths of Christianity. He had also a most happy faculty of reaching the hearts of young men. The state of the Church, when he was in his prime, was such that his labors were not only "more abundant," but so excessive that his strength failed, and lie finished his coui'se at a comparatively early age, leaving a wide breach in the ministry of this city. All denominations mourned his death, for the gentleness of his spirit and the usefulness of his services had endeared him to all.

In the Episcopal Church, the grave and dignified, yet gentle manners of Bishop Benjamin Moore, well befitted his station as the head of the clergy in his diocese. I frequently heard him preach, but was always most pleased with him when he "read the Prayers." He was eminently a devout man; and the rich, clear, solemn tones of his voice gave great effect to the service. He was a ready and able advocate of whatever formed the distinctive features of his own denomination; and yet there was a spirit of comity and frankness in his controversial writings that did him honor. Controversy, however, was a field for which he had little taste. He was a man of peace, and preferred to labor where he found none to gainsay or question his teachings.

Dr. Hobart, who afterwards succeeded him in the Bishopric, and who was now rising rapidly in tlie esteem of the denomination, was a man of a different temperament. He possessed a quick and vivacious mind; was ardent and fixed in his purposes, and indefatigable in his labors. Generally he had some controversy on hand, and I have often jested with him on his being such a man of war from his youth up. But although he was so often in the field as a polemic, no one who knew him could question the honesty of his motives, or the generosity of his heart. I have no doubt that his zeal and activity were among the causes which contributed to awaken the Episcopal Church to tTiat laudable spirit of active benevolence that now distinguishes her.

Dr. Rodgers was the Simeon of the Presbyterian Church. He had seen the salvation of the Lord, and was waiting to depart in peace. The congregations to which he had long ministered were under the care of men in whom he had full confidence.

Dr. Samuel Miller was distinguished for the completeness of his ministerial character. Although he had not the eloquence nor the force of some others, his sermons were always evangelical, chaste, and well finished. His industr)^ and habits of study rendered him more and more extensively a man of learning, so that few Divines stood before him in this respect, even before he took his place as Professor at Princeton ; and his finished manners as a gentleman, won his way with acceptance in every society where he wished to enter, or aimed to be useful.

Dr. Romeyn had just come to the city. He was an animated, earnest man in the pulpit; and for several years after he was settled in New York, his ministry was remarkably successful.

But of the Presbyterian ministers, there are two yet to be noticed, who were men of pre-emment ability and yet widely different from each other, — Drs. McLeod and Mason.

Dr. McLeod was distinguished for massive strength. At the first glance you saw a Hercules before you. Not that he was destitute of the lighter qualities of the mind. His wit was ready, generally playful, and sometimes exceedingly caustic. He could, when he pleased, make his adversaries so ludicrous, as to oblige them to laugh at themselves. But this was not often liis choice when engaged in controversjo He loved to be serious when handling serious subjects, and his inind was habitually bent on the business of his profession as a minister of the Gospel. Theology was his study, the pursuit of his life; and he was as thoroughly a master in it, as I have ever seen. His power of analysis and discrimination made every thing plain, whether in doctrinal, practical, or experimental Christianity. His publications are still extensively read, both at home and abroad. But, however much relished as they appear from the press, his discourses made their deei:>est impression when heard fi-om the pulpit. In his preaching he was a fair type of what is described as the impassioned strength of John Knox. He usually began in a moderate tone and manner; but before he or his hearers seemed to be aware of it, he was pouring forth a stream of eloquence mth the thunder and power of a cataract. I frequently -went to hear him ; and at times, he has seemed not so much as if he would spring out of the j^ulpit, as if he would come do^^'n ujion us, bringing pulpit and all with him. He belonged to tliat branch of the Presbyterian Church called the Covenanters, or Reformed Presbyterian; and while he was the leading star in his own immediate denomination, his worth and ability were acknowledged and respected throughout the whole Christian community.

Of Dr. Mason I can speak from an intimate knowledge of the man. I was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel, and knew him well ; perhaps none knew him better. For many years not a day passed that we did not meet. There was nothing belonging to him, whether in body or mind, which could be called small or common. He was formed on a magnificent scale, and was every inch a man. When he acted, spoke, or even looked, he left his mark. His temperament was ardent. Like Owen, Hall,* Scott, and others of that stamp, he had sea-

*It must have been a rare treat to see these two men, Mason and Hall, together. Dr. Mason has often taken occasion to relate to me incidents that occurred in their intercourse. Though fully agreed on the essentials of religion, there were some things on which they differed. Dr. Mason was a most enthusiastic admirer of Dr. John Owen's writings. Mr. Hall did not esteem them so highly. In their conversation on the merits of the venerable old non-conformist. Dr. Mason named one thing after another which he considered proofs of surpassing learning and ability; but Mr.

sons of spiritual despondency; and then again sucli times of elevation and joy, tliat whether "in the body or out of the body," he could scai'cely tell. In social intercourse, he was a great favorite on account of his gentlemanly manners, his kindness of heart, his abundance of anecdote, his buoyant spirits, and the flexibility of his temper to meet all tastes and all circumstances. By universal consent of all denominations, he had no superior in the richness and power of his eloquence. His imagination was lofty, and yet carefully trained ; his language choice, and yet exuberant; his conceptions clear, distinct, and yet flowing in a current as if he could not restrain them; and his bursts of feeling at times so overpowering that I have seen whole assemblies comprising rich and poor, learned and unlearned, bowed down before him with one impulse, till there was scarce a dry eye to be seen.

Hall still demurred. At length Dr. Mason observed, " You will at least allow that he goes deep into his subject." "Yes," replied Mr. Hall, "he goes down deep, and comes up muddy." Dr. Mason never repeated this reply without a hearty laugh over its aptness and pungency, and would conclude his notice of their interviews with the declaration— "After all, Mr. Hall is among the greatest of the giant minds of England." Par nobile fratrum.

The public will always make heavy drafts on the time and strength of such a man, and will Mil him with labor before his time comes, if he will let them do it. Dr. Mason's willing and generous spirit undertook too much for his strength, great as it was. While he still retained his pastoral relations to his Church, he became Professor of Theology in the Seminary he founded, Provost of Columbia College, besides being called upon to take a leading part in the great movements for the spread of religion through Bible Societies, and other kindred institutions. He broke down at an age when other men are in the height of their usefulness. But the ruins had a grandeur which reminded us of what the man had been when he was himself.

In looking back on the characters of such men as Drs. Mason, McLeod, and others of their day and sj^irit, we see how wisely their gifts were adapted to the wants of their times and their generation. They were " sons of thunder." They were not only great men, but much of their greatness lay in their energy of purpose, their power to rouse and excite. This was what the Churches then around them most needed in their leaders. The age of Missionary Societies, of Bible and Tract Societies, was now to be inaugurated. The time had come when the command, " Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature," was to take a new and fresh hold on the conscience of Christians ; and" they needed " sons of thun der" to wake them up to a sense of their duty. They found what they so much required in these ardent and accomplished ministers of the Gospel. True, they were not without their faults; and where can we find men that are free from faults? "Let him that is without sin first cast a stone." Indeed, great men often have great faults. There is nothing about them on a small scale. Every thing that belongs to the man ^vill partake, in some degree, of his own greatness. The sun has its spots, and sj^ots so large that they would extinguish a lesser luminary. Such seems to be the ordering of Providence in this world, and perhaps with the design of so putting a stain on human glory as to enforce his own command: "Cease from man, whose breath is in his nostrils ; for wherein is he to l)e accounted of ?" Prune do\\Ti the greatest of men till you have made him faultless, and you will make bim tame. You may liave a sheet of paper, perfectly white, and without a mark upon it. But though it be free from a blot, it is, after all, blank paper. So it is with men, and in the affairs of life.

Pity, pity, that the World and the Church do not understand and remember this rightly. It would render them more just, and more kind and charitable to those who spend their vigorous strength in doing good to those who too often repay them with reproach and injury.

We may well refer to it as a cause of gratitude to the great Head of the Church, that when these illustrious men, these Elijahs were carried up into heaven, they left their mantle behind them. They were succeeded by a ministry well adapted to preserve and strengthen the spirit in our churches which had been awakened chiefly by their instrumentality. Some of these brethren still survive. Some have rested from their labors, and their works follow them. The names of McMurray, Milnor, Wainwright, Alexander, Knox and others, their contemporaries and compeers, are embalmed in the memory of thousands among us as men of sound judgment, lofty purpose, and untiring zeal, not only in their respective churches, but in those Institutions of enlarged benevolence which have been formed for the spread of truth and intelligence, not only through oui* land but through the world.

Chapter II

Dangers of College Life. — Instances showing the Fatal Results of Early Dissipation. — Responsibility of College Officers as to the Morals of Youth under their care. — Happy Influence of the Society of Ladies on the Minds

AS WELL AS the MaNNERS OF YoUNG MeN.

IiNT May, 1813, I met witli a painful occurrence. I was going down Broadway near the Battery, and observed a man before me leaning against a lamp-post, whose clothes showed that he had been taken out of the gutter. Our eyes met as I approached him, and I saw it was my

former class-mate in colleg-e, S T .

Though greatly intoxicated, he recognized me, and turned away his face as I passed him. I could not leave him as he was; and turned back to see what I could do for him. When I called him by name, he burst into tears, and in a low tone of voice be^rored me not to des-rade myself by speaking to him in the street. I insisted, however on taking him home with me, notwithstanding his squalid appearance; where, after a few hours sleep, lie told me his melanclioly story. His intemperance had led his relatives to cast him off; and he was then on his way to Philadelphia to seek employment from a gentleman with whom, in his better days, he had formed an acquaintance at Saratoga. His chance, he remarked, was very slender; but it was all that remained to him, and he was determined to try it. He did try it, but without success. I never heard of him afterwards, and fear he died by his own hand.

He told me what I well knew, that his bad habits were contracted while at college. He was only one out of many of my fellow students, who had fallen victims to the temptations of a college life. In those days, there were no Temperance Societies; and temperance itself was little understood, and still less regarded. Hot suppers, midnight carousals, were too frequent with us, and sowed the seeds of a vice that in a few years carried off a fearful proportion of our number to an untimely grave. What a wreck of life and hio-li talent do I see when I look back !

Brilliant and generous-hearted J B 1

He seemed to know every thing as if by intuition. An hour at study was quite as sufficient for him, as a day for others ; and yet averse as he was to protracted or continued labor, no perplexed class-mate ever sought his aid in vain. He would sit down beside the slowest and dullest of them all, and would somehow contrive to work the lesson or recitation into their minds, before he would quit them; and in the exuberance of his spirits, he would laugh at his own patience when the work was done. It might be the Classics, or Mathematics, or Ethics; every thing seemed to come to him without effi^rt. He had a voice, too, of great compass and ringing tone, that made him one of the first among speakers; and all was accompanied w^ith that natural ease and gracefulness of manner, that won upon you irresistibly. With such talents, and with family connections, including some of the most distinguished and influential men in the State, he seemed to have before him the prospect of a most brilliant career in public life. His ambition lay in that direction. How often has he said to me that he would never be satisfied until he had become a leader in the councils of the nation ; and much did I hope that his high aim would tend to save him from the habit that had begun to grow upon him. But, no. He had scarcely gained admission to the bar, when he sank down into a sot, and died a dishonored death in the morning of his life. I saw him when he was very low in his misery. He knew all, and confessed all. " I have seen the last of my happy days," he said, "the cloud that is over me will never be scattered. My heart is worse than broken. It has been made a burnt offerins; to the Demon of Brandy." I well remember the scalding tear and tlie quivering voice with which he made the confession.

E ^ H was another of my class-mates.

He seemed to live in a constant gale of gladness. His wit was sparkling, but always goodnatured. He had a wonderful talent for mimicry. He could imitate every thing animate or inanimate. He was not a good scholai*; but even when his deficiencies were most glaring, he had some humorous remark respecting his studies or himself, which not only disarmed the Professor of all angry feeling, but seemed also to render liim equally a favorite with teachers and students. He, too, yielded to the temptation ; became so degraded and lost that he was at times taken to the watch-house in the dead of night, and in a few years was hidden in his grave. I have been told, that during the latter part of his life, all that milk of human kindness that so distinguished his earlier years, seemed to be changed into the very gall of misanthropy. He boasted, in his despair, that he would not only " curse God and die ;" but that with his last breath, he would "curse both God and man."

And there was my affectionate J N .

A nobler or a warmer heart can seldom, if ever, be given to man. Such was our mutual attachment that he had well nigh changed the whole course and business of my life. His father was at this time an eminent merchant in one of our Eastern cities. He was to enter the countinghouse, when he left college, and most earnest were his entreaties that I would accompany him. To render the temptation the stronger, his father made every proposition that propriety would allow, as he was anxious that J should be

gratified. I had almost yielded. Brilliant prospects in the world, and ardent personal attachment, at times, had very great influence upon my mind, before I finally decided. But reflection restored me to my purpose. Little as 1 then understood of what the ministry of the Gospel is, or of what it requires, I had for years kept my view fixed on it as my profession; and

in the end, I told my friend J that I could

not abandon it. He was grieved, though not displeased; and we parted, he to "his merchandise," and I to my studies, with vows of an attachment that no diversity of pursuit should be allowed to extinguish or abate.

For years we embraced every opportunity of meeting. Our correspondence was constant and more than cordial. I have sometimes thouo;ht it breathed the spirit of David and Jonathan ; and so it continued until he became a junior partner in his father's "House." His letters about that time became less frequent, and he pleaded, in apology, the pressure of business. But they also lost their former freedom. There was constraint, with an effort to conceal it. I could not ])ut be alarmed. I knew " the sin that easily beset him," and had often implored him to be on his guard. I wrote to liim frankly what I feared. He immediately, and in a manner much like his former self, thanked me for my candor, but assured me that he was safe against the temptation respecting which I was anxious. About the same time he was married to a lovely woman, and his letters on that subject were so like those of former days, that I hoped for the best. He was most haj^py in his choice, and as he was now forming new relations in life, and with new sources of enjoyment opening to him, I pressed on him the importance of increased vigilance, and a total withdi-awal from occasions of temptation.

But althouo;h for a time he seemed to feel what he owed to his family, to himself, and to his Maker, the habit came back upon him. Before the end of four years from his marriage, his conduct to his wife had become so violent, that she had to return with her two little children to her father's house; after which he soon became a raving madman, and died in the Asylum for the Insane, — his widow soon after dying the victim of a broken heart, leaving their babes orphans.