metropolitan charge, he was elected in 1841 , by the Gen- eral Synod, to the chair of didactic and polemic theol- oi;v in the Theological Seminary at Xew Uninswick. He was also chosen by the trustees of Hutgcrs College professor of tlie evidences of the t.'hristian religion and of logic in that institution. Both of these offices he held until his decease,in bStil— a period of nearly twenty vears. He published, during his ministry in Xew York, "two valuable discussitms. One is a sermon entitled >S(>- ciniaimm Siibrers-irt' ofChrixtiaiiitij ; a com[iact, learned, eloquent, and popular presentation of the scriptural ar- gument for the deity of Jesus Ciirist (1841). The other is entitled Whose Children are Entitled to liaptism? In it he gives an exhaustive view of the different sides of this vexed question, and advocates with great ingemi- itv and power his own doctrine that all the children of parents who are theinsflves iiaptized are born in cove- nant relations, and are therefore, ipso /ado, entitled to baptism. This work occasioned a prolonged and able discussion between the l!ev. Dr. Jacob Van Yechten and the author, wliich was published in the Christian Intelli- fjencer. He was not fond of a|)pearing in print, although liis occasional newspaper articles, and the little works above referred to, gave good proofs of an ability which might have been profitably cultivated. His general scholarship was good. He ])ossessed a great fund of information upon almost all subjects of the day, and especially in their religious and theological aspects. Of the classics he knew less than of other branches of learning. He was familiar with the philosophical works of the best metaphysicians. In theology he was "a master in Israel." His lectures for the seminary classes were written and rewritten three times with the utmost care. Of these he read two each week, the students taking copious notes and reciting from them at a third lecture. Detinitions and proof-texts from Scripture and the classis argmaentorum were recjuired to be given with rigid accuracy. Failure here was total failure. Some few pupils, not the most industrious and able, complain- ed of this exacting demaiui; but the results were seen at the annual examinations before the board of superin- tendents, and for licensure and ordination, in the clear, precise, systematic, analytical knowledge, and in the ready scriptural proofs and theological training of the twenty or more classes that were educated by him in this department. His drill was thorough in its proc- esses and admirable in its results. As a preacher he was pre-eminent. His majestic body, his animated feat- ures, his deep and large bass voice, his solemnity of manner, his power of argument, his knowledge of the Bible and of human nature, his close dealings with con- science; hispathetic, tearful, and awe-inspiring appeals; bis Christian experience, chastened and enlarged by heavy afflictions; and, above all, his manifest conviction of the truth that he spake with all the earnestness of his nature and the " unction of the Holy One" — all these, combined with fulness of matter, terseness of expression, richness of style, and an individuality that marked the whole man, made him a prince of preachers, and, in many respects, a model to his students. As a pastor, also, he was as truly a son of consolation as in the pul- ])it he was a Boanerges. His exuberant flow of spirits, liis genuine native wit, his powers of amusement and of playful mirth, never lowered liis dignity, but made his lecture-room a frequent scene of pleasure, and irra- diated his home with uncommon attractions. There was no professor so accessible, so genial and at home with his students. Yet no one ever dared to step over the bounds of strict propriety in bis presence. His re- bukes were often tremendous, but uttered in few words and seldom needed. In private life he was full of sun- shine, generous, unsuspicious, frank, never a croaker, alwaj'S hopeful, a most entertaining talker, and an ex- ample of the Christian gentleman. His piety was un- affected, simple, chillilike, trustful, sympathetic, and practical. He never boasted of his religion, but was modest and often reticent on the subject in private in-
tercourse, lie was a good representative of Bunyan's (ireat-heart. Among the afflicted, in the prayer-meet- ing, at the sacramental table, and in his pulpit, his heart was ever full of Christ. He was no partisan in ecclesi- astical affairs, yet necessarily took a leading part in most of the great questions of his public ministry in the lieformed Church. He was an effective advocate, a formidable antagonist, and yet so fair and I'ree of mere cruiuisii jirejudices that bis opinions carried great weight, and his action was generally approved by its coMsecjuences. He died, Jan. 1, 18t)l, after an illness of only one week, from congestion of the lungs. His faith triumphed in death. See Corw'm, Manual of the lief. Church in America, s. v.; Wilson, Fresh. Hist. Alma- nac. 1862, p. 299; Christian Inlelligencer, Jan. 24, 18G1. (\\. J. \\. T.)
Van Wagenen, John Hardenbeigh, a cler- gyman of the Kcformed (Dutch) Church, was born at Rochester, Ulster Co., N. Y., in 1802, and graduated at Union College in 1823. and at New Brunswick Theo- logical Seminary in 1826. After several settlements in Albany, Schenectady, and Columbia counties, he finally accepted the pastoral care of the First lieformed Church of Kingston in 1841, where he labored initil his decease in 1844. He had the true spirit of an evangelist. His pidpit talents were fine, especially in extemporaneous address and on extraordinary occasions. His reading was extensive, his mind active, his zeal untiring. Pow- erful revivals attended his faithful ministry. During the last three years of his life at Kingston, he received one hundred and sixty-three into the fellowship of the Church. He published but one sermon, a powerful plea for the support of the ministr}'. See Corwin, Man- ual of the lief (Jntrch in. A merica, s. v. (^V. J. K. T.)