STARK
994
STARKODDER
gentlemen in the city of New York. Dr. Mason, who was then president of Dickinson College, proposed to liiifl to become a professor in that institution, ami he was not disinclined to listen to this proposal; but just at this time circumstances occurred which led him to de- vote his life wholly to tlie ministry. The Associate I'rcsbyieriiin C'liurcli (then in Nassau Street, afterwards in (iriind Street, and now in Tliirty-fourth Street) in the city of New York, which had lately lost its pastor, the Kev. Thomas Hamilton, invited Mr. Stark at lirst to be- come their stated supply, and soon to become their pas- tor, and he was installed in the early i^art of May, IHtl. I'nder his care the Church grew, by gradual and health- fid accessions, and became distinguished for its stability. He was honored witli the degree of LL.D. by the Uni- v^•r^*ily of London about the year 1H44 or 1845. Dr. Stark labored incessantly for the moral and spiritual welfare of his people; many sought his counsel and advice in their worldly aflairs, and some who became wealthy at- tributed their success to his judicious advice and assist- ance. He secured both the respect and love of his peo- ple, who on many occasions manifested their high regard for him by the most delicate and kindly acts. Dr. Stark had naturally a good constitution, but it had been greatly impaired by a violent fever in London before he came to the L'nited States, At length he became so enfeebled that his physician urged him to make a visit to his na- tive country, and accordingly he embarked for England Jiilv 3. 1840. .Soon after his arrival in Scotland his symp- toms became much more uiifavoraiile, and lie died Sept. 18. 1H49, at Denny Loanhcad, in the house of his cousin, the Hev. Dr. Stark. His remains were brought to New York, anil interred in Greenwood Cemetery. In person Dr. .Stark was of medium height, and of symmetrical and graceful projiortion ; his high forehead and dark piercing eyes indicated a mind of more than ordinary power. In manner he was dignilied and courteous, yet pleasing and artable. To a stranger he might seem distant and re- served, but those who knew him well and had his con- tiilence found liim frank and cordial. He never professed what he did not feel, and abhorred hypocrisj' and shams in all their forms. As a scholar he had few superiors. In the classics, in history, theology, philosoiihy, and in general literature, he was competent to till the chair of a professor. Such was his familiarity with Homer's Jliad that he was heard to say that if the last copy of it were lost from the world, he thought he could repro- duce it without much difficulty. As a preacher he was not an orator, in the popular sense, yet he had the jiower of securing the altenti<in of liis hearers. He made most careful preparation; in early life he wrote out his ser- mons in full, and committed them to memory; but later he usually- wrote very full outlines of his sermons, study- ing his subject with great care, rendering it both instruc- tive and interesting. In exjiository preaching he had few equals. His correct learning and superior culture, his extensive and varied knowledge of literature, both ancient and modern, enabled liim to illustrate and en- force the truths which he proclaimed witli jiecidiar apt- ness, lieauty, and power. His prcacbing was c;dculaled to awaken sinners to lliongliifidness, and make enlight- ened and stable Christians; his maimer in the pulpit was s<deinn and impressive; his fervor and unction con- vinced every hearer that he magiiided his office and felt what he uttered. As a pastor he was conscientiously faithful, anil watched with lender care the tlock over which (Jod had placed liim as overseer. He was prompt in all his engagements, and never failed to (ullil an ap- |N>intment. He was more fre(|uently seen in the homes of the piMir than in the mansions of the rich ; he formed his estimaie of men not by their wealth or rank, but by their worth, and especially by I heir piety. The worthy [KKir and the distresseil founil in him a tender sym|iathy and a firm friend. He wns generous, but unostentatious in bis cliarilies, keeping his benefactions a profound se- cret. His whole life, pulilic and private, was in keeping with his high calling; he was a living epistle known
and read of all men, a noble Christian gentleman, and a faithful ambassador for Christ. Dr. Stark was married May 8, 1823, to KUen, daughter of John and Mary McKie, of New York, They had live children — three daughters and two sons. The eldest son, John M., was graduated at Union College in 1849, and subsequently at tiie New York College of Physicians and Surgeons, and had the position of surgeon under the government in the late war of the Rebellion ; the eldest daughter is married to the Kev, Andrew Shiland, Dr. Stark was an ornate and instructive writer, and, when he chose, both sharp and racy. Some of his productions may be mentioned: Charitable Kxerlions an Evidence of a Gra- cious State, a sermon : — A Metrical Version of the PsXdms of David Defended : — A Biography of Rev, James White, pretixed to the Sermons of the latter: — A Lecture on Marriage : — Remarks on a Pamphlet by the Associate Preshytei-y of A Ibany, in a Letter to the A ssociate Con- yi-egation of Grand Street: — A History of the Secession, published in the Associate Presbyterian 3/af/azine, to which publication he contributed largely, (W. V. S,)