WYCKOFF
1040
WYCLIFFE
E.raminer and Chronicle, wliich was started by him, and lias exerted a wide influence in the denomination. Of ihis paper he had tlie editorial charge until 184G, in which year he was ordainotl as a minister of the Gospel by the Laiglit Street IJaiilist ("hurch of New York. For several years he was the President of the Young Jlen's City Jlissionary Society, of the 13a[)tist Domestic IMis- sion Society, and was one of the originators of the American and Foreign Bible Society, formed in 183.'). Of this socict}' he was the corresponding secretary from 184(3 to 1850. In 18o0 he aided in tlie formation of the American Bible Union, of which, for a time, he was the secretary. lie died in Brooklyn, N. Y., Nov. 2, I87G. Among his published writings are The Bible Question ; or, The Ainerican Bible Socie/i/ and the Baptists: — The Bible, its Excellence : — Rollings A ncient IJislory, Con- densed. (J. C. S.)
Wyckoff, Isaac Newton, D.D., a (Dutch) Re- formed minister, was born near JMillstone, N. J., in 1792. He graduated at (Queen's College in ISlo, and at New Brunswick Seminary in 1817. lie was settled as pastor of the Reformed Cluirch,Catskill,N.Y., from 1817 to 1836, and of the Second Reformed Church, Albany, from 1830 to 18G6. Ho retired from active duty after forty-nine years of arduous clerical labor, about three years before his death, wliich occurred in ISGO. Four new churches were organized by him in his first field of labor. At Albany more than one thousand persons were added to the communion of his Church during his ministry of thirty years. He was fond of books and study, and of literary and theological culture. But he was pre-emi- nently a pastor. He seemed to know everj-body in his flock, and almost in the whole city. Y'oung men found him a genial, sympathizing, and loving helper, for he never lost his youthful buoyancy. He was gift- ed with a wonderful flow of animal spirits. His pres- ence was sunshine. His conversation overflowed with wit and humor, with irresistible drollery, and yet with a pious fervor which sanctified the whole man. To the emigrant Hollanders, who ahvaj-s stopped at Albany on their way to the Michigan Colon}', he was for years a fa- ther and a priest. He conversed, read, and could preach in the Dutch language with great fluency. In every benevolent institution, in the boards of the Church, in all kinds of public assemblies where his influence could be well used, he was a representative speaker and actor. Among the sick, the anxious, the unconverted, the young and the aged alike, his personal and pastoral tact and power were luiiversally admitted. His home was a Bethel, his hosi)itality unbounded, and his social intercourse entertaining and profitable. He was full of music, an art which he cultivated delightfully and skilfullv, with voice and instrument. His piety was a flowing stream, sparkling, clear, unceasing, joyous, and refreshing to himself and to his people and friends. "Tlie spontaneity of his faith precluded the indulgence of mere cant. The light of the cross was on his brow ; the breath of Olivet animated his speech. To hear him pray in his family circle was to be borne up to the Mount of Vision." His religion was a life, never a burden, nev- er a mere robe, but a principle in active operation — "a well of water in him sjiringing up to everlasting life." His charity was wonderful, in thoughts, feelings, speech, gifts and deeds of love for Christ's sake. In ecclesias- tical assemljlics he was a peace -maker. His olive branch never withered in the heat of controversy. With nearly all the great movements of his Church for half a century he was prominently identified. He was a frequent speaker at the great May anniversaries in New York, and a number of his sermons are printed in the National Preacher, etc. His person was of me- dium size, slender, wiry, agile, and tough. His face was radiant with cheerfulness and goodness. His voice was large, full, sonorous, and he used it often with great oratorical effect. His mental ingenuity and freshness of thought and expression proclaimed him an original character. He was perfectly unique, always himself,
and never much like other folks. He thought and talked, and preached and prayed, in his own ]ieculiar way. He used many big words; he often made words and combinations of words that gave great point and ])itli to his sentences. His aim was direct; his sermons Biblical and expository; his style picturesque, homely, imaginative, instructive, tender, and evangelical. In mortuary discourses he excelled. Some of his memo- rial and funeral sermons, published in pamphlet form, and especially his many contributions to Dr. Sprague's Annals of the American T'nljnl, are choice specimens of his descriptive and analytical sketches of character. Down to bis old age he retained his youthful appear- ance and manner, with fresh complexion, and hair curl- ing and unchanged in color. "His eye was not dim nor his natural strength abated" until his last illness laid its wasting hand upon him. See Porter [Dr. E. S.J, Memorial Sei-mon, (W. J. R. T.)
■Wyckoff.Tlieodore Frelinghuyseii, a (Dutch) Reformed minister, son of the above, \vas born at Catskill, N. Y., in 1820. He graduated at Rutgers College in 1839, and at New Brunswick Theological Seminary in 1842; was pastor of the Second Reformed Church of (Jhent, N. Y., from 1843 to 1844; of the South Reformed Church, West Troy, from 1845 to 1854; and ministered at St. Thomas, W. I., in 1854-55. He died of yellow fever, Jan. 19 of the latter year, only a few weeks after his ar- rival in St. Thomas. He was a young man of cultivat- ed mind and manners, a careful student, scholarly in his tastes and refined in accomplishments; he wrote much and well for the periodical press. His sermons were or- nate in stvle, evangelical in matter and spirit, and full of promise. (W.J. R.T.)