OBIT:
The Rev. Dr. William M. Taylor, formerly pastor of the Broadway Tabernacle, died last night at five minutes before midnight. About three years ago he had a slight stroke of paralysis and had been an invalid more or less ever since. For the last three or four weeks he had been failing and for two or three days had been practically unconscious. Dr. Taylor was the pastor of the Broadway Tabernacle for over twenty years, retiring as pastor emeritus.
Dr. Taylor was born In Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland, on October 23, 1829. His parents belonged to the robust people of that country, and he numbered among his ancestry, it is said, some who suffered the extremities of persecution because of their adherence to the faith of the Covenanters. His early education was received at the academy of his native town. While yet a mere schoolboy he acted as an amanuensis for his mother, and she, by way of reward, subscribed to the public library of the town on his account. By this means she cultivated in him the taste for reading, which he retained through life.
When sixteen years old he entered the University of Glasgow, where he soon took a high standing in the study of classical literature. He was graduated in 1849, and at once entered upon the study of the theology, in the Theological School of the United Presbyterian Church, in Edinburgh, with a view of entering the Presbyterian ministry. He was graduated in 1852, and on December 14, 1852, received his license to preach from the Presbytery of Kilmarnock. While pursuing his theological studies he performed much service as a teacher, and for seven months occupied the place of the head of the academy where he obtained his early education. His performance of the duties of the place proved so satisfactory to the directors of the academy that he was invited to fill it permanently, but, having made a choice of the ministry, he declined. On June 28, 1853, he was settled as pastor of the United Presbyterian Church at Kilmarurs, a small village near his birthplace.
His abilities soon obtained recognition beyond his small parish and at the end of two years he was called to the pastorate of the newly formed congregation at Derby Road, Liverpool. This was a missionary enterprise among the middle classes and skilled operators of the city. The church numbered only thirty or forty members when Dr. Taylor took charge and much labor and perseverance were necessary to promote its growth. He was not found wanting in what was necessary to be done. Entering zealously into the work, Dr. Taylor saw his church become, in the course of years, a large and influential organization, and one of the most prominent of the Presbyterian denomination in England. The membership grew from 30 or 40 to 600, with a regular attendance of from 800 to 900. A new church edifice was erected under his pastorate at a cost of $50,000. During his stay in Liverpool, Dr. Taylor was recognized not only as an energetic pastor, but as an earnest advocate of temperance reform. While yet in Liverpool he was invited to take important charge in Glasgow and London, but declined.
In the summer of 1871, being desirous of visiting the United States, Dr. Taylor was prevailed upon by a friend belonging to the Church of the Pilgrims, Brooklyn, to accept an invitation to occupy that pulpit for two or three months while its pastor, the Rev. Dr. Storrs, made a short tour in Europe. Here Dr. Taylor's preaching produced a profound impression and great crowds were drawn to hear him. He gave such satisfaction that the Broadway Tabernacle Church determined to call him, the Rev. Dr. Joseph P. Thompson, who had been its pastor for twenty six years, having suddenly resigned on account of the continued failure of his health. Dr. Taylor had never preached in the Tabernacle Church, and the thought of settling in the United States had never entered his mind. He had refused other propositions made him by churches in this country, but now the opportunity seemed to be one which he could not lightly consider, and, after some reflection, he consented to accept the call. Dr. Thompson went abroad immediately after his resignation and bore the call to Dr. Taylor. The latter soon started for New York, and was installed as pastor of the Tabernacle Church on April 18, 1872. He received from the Liverpool congregation and the temperance and other reform organizations with which he was actively connected, many tokens, in gifts and addresses, of the sincere admiration and regret at the necessary separation. In every sphere of religious and moral effort his stay of seventeen years in Liverpool had been marked by the most gratifying results to the community. His ministry in this city obtained the entire approval of his large and wealthy congregation. In July 1872, Dr. Taylor received the degree of D. D. from Yale and Amherst colleges.
Besides his ministerial work in Great Britain and the United States, Dr. Taylor was a contributor to the periodical press for several years. He also published several books, among them the following: In 1862, "Life Trials"; in 1865, in two volumes, "The Miracles Helps to Faith, Not Hindrances," a work designated to meet the doubts and speculations of Renan and Strauss, and "The Lost Found, and the Wanderer Reclaimed," a series of sermons on the fifteenth chapter of St. Luke. After his ministry in this city began Dr. Taylor published, "David, King of Israel," "Elijah the Prophet," "Peter, the Apostle," and a volume on "The Ministry of the Word," embracing his lectures on preaching, delivered to the students of the Yale Theological School in 1876.
In personal appearance Dr. Taylor was a good specimen of the Scotch type of physical and mental constitution. He was of medium height (about 5 feet 8 inches), compact and densely built, and indicating by his quick movements no small degree of physical vigor. His head was large, and the forehead broad, rounding from the eyebrows backward. His hair was thick and his whiskers rather heavy. As a pulpit orator, Dr. Taylor was considered one of the leaders in the American ministry. His manner was lively, emphatic and forcible; his voice was strong, but never seemed to go beyond his control, being modulated in a way to give excellent effect to his utterances. He gesticulated a great deal, illustrated his points freely and copiously, showing a profound and ready knowledge of the Scriptures and of the different phases of human character and conduct. As a writer he manifested a high degree of aesthetic culture, accompanied with clearness and originality of argument and illustration.
-------------------------
Plaque on wall of Brooklyn Tabernacle:
IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM MACKERGO TAYLOR:DD:LLD
FOR TWENTY YEARS (APRIL 9, 1872 - NOVEMBER 2, 1892) THE FAITHFUL AND BELOVED PASTOR OF THIS CHURCH AND FOR TWO YEARS PASTOR EMERITUS. HE WAS BORN IN KILMARNOCK SCOTLAND OCTOBER 23, 1820 AND DIED IN THIS CITY FEBRUARY 8, 1895.
A PREACHER OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
--------------------------
FUNERAL
Seldom has the Broadway Tabernacle held a greater throng than that which assembled in the well-known church at 10 a.m. yesterday, the hour appointed for the funeral of the Rev. Dr. William M. Taylor. The large attendance showed how general was the love for the man who had been pastor of the church for twenty years and more, and who had been retired as the pastor emeritus after his long service.
The death of the beloved minister on Friday had been a blow to many of the Christian men and women who went to the church yesterday morning to pay the last tribute of respect to his memory, and they talked in a subdued tones about his wonderful powers as a pulpit orator, his unfailing sympathy with the members of the congregation and the aid and comfort which had been derived from his advice.
Many of the clergymen in the city attended the funeral, and among them were the Rev. Dr. Parkhurst and the Rev. Dr. Collier. Among the laymen were ex-Governor Cornell, Charles Stewart Smith, Herbert G. Thompson, Silas H. Paine, Cephas Brainerd, Jr., John K. Farwell, Frederick K. Trowbridge, Edwin F. Tripp, F. Burton Otis, Amos H. Stephens, Hubert E. Rogers, Clarence W. Bowen, Robert A Sands, Lefferts Strebeigh, Edward F. Browning, Hamilton S. Gordon, Charles L. Mead, William G. Bates, Peter Almquist, Charles E. Bruce, J. W. Clendenin, Dr. Alexander Dallas, Oliver H. Corsa, Charles A. During, E. Van Volkenburgh, Dr. Edwin F. Ward, Dr. Lucien C. Warner, George M. Swift, Dr. John S. Warren, Dr. A. I. Northrup, Dr. William S. Seamans and Joshua M. Whitcomb.
The platform on which Dr. Taylor had been for so many years the familiar figure, was draped in black and almost hidden by floral offerings, and in front of it was the coffin, covered with black cloth. The seats reserved for members of the family were the sons of the dead pastor: Cephas, John S., William, James, and Albert Taylor; his daughters, Miss Isabel M. Taylor and Mrs. Robert L. Maitland, and Mr. Maitland. The pall bearers were the trustees and deacons of the church—Cornelius N. Bliss, Caleb B. Knevals, Joel E. Fisher, Matthew C. D. Borden, Irving R. Fisher, Dr. William H. Thompson, Austin Abbott, Henry C. Houghton, Henry W. Hubbard, Augustus Gaylord, Charles Whittemore, Lucien C. Warner and Richard A. Dornan. [Statement of the music]
In his eloquent and touching eulogy, Dr. Storrs spoke of the lifework of Dr. Taylor of his nobility of character, his singleness of purpose and life-long devotion to the cause of the Master. He spoke of his labors in the Church in his native Scotland and all he had accomplished during the last twenty-three years in the land of his adoption in connection with various missions, notably the mission to the Tombs and as manager on several occasions of the American Tract Society. He also referred to the beauty and depth of feeling of Dr. Taylor's religious writings and the elegance of his pulpit utterances.
After the services the pallbearers arose and then the people walked slowly and reverently past the coffin to take a last look at the face of the dead. This scene was particularly affecting and many women were unable to suppress their tears and had to be lead away. The last to look on the dead face were the pallbearers and the members of the family.
The burial arrangements were in charge of William Ives Washburn. The body was taken by train to Woodlawn where the burial was in the family plot.
New York Tribune, February 13, 1895
OBIT:
The Rev. Dr. William M. Taylor, formerly pastor of the Broadway Tabernacle, died last night at five minutes before midnight. About three years ago he had a slight stroke of paralysis and had been an invalid more or less ever since. For the last three or four weeks he had been failing and for two or three days had been practically unconscious. Dr. Taylor was the pastor of the Broadway Tabernacle for over twenty years, retiring as pastor emeritus.
Dr. Taylor was born In Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland, on October 23, 1829. His parents belonged to the robust people of that country, and he numbered among his ancestry, it is said, some who suffered the extremities of persecution because of their adherence to the faith of the Covenanters. His early education was received at the academy of his native town. While yet a mere schoolboy he acted as an amanuensis for his mother, and she, by way of reward, subscribed to the public library of the town on his account. By this means she cultivated in him the taste for reading, which he retained through life.
When sixteen years old he entered the University of Glasgow, where he soon took a high standing in the study of classical literature. He was graduated in 1849, and at once entered upon the study of the theology, in the Theological School of the United Presbyterian Church, in Edinburgh, with a view of entering the Presbyterian ministry. He was graduated in 1852, and on December 14, 1852, received his license to preach from the Presbytery of Kilmarnock. While pursuing his theological studies he performed much service as a teacher, and for seven months occupied the place of the head of the academy where he obtained his early education. His performance of the duties of the place proved so satisfactory to the directors of the academy that he was invited to fill it permanently, but, having made a choice of the ministry, he declined. On June 28, 1853, he was settled as pastor of the United Presbyterian Church at Kilmarurs, a small village near his birthplace.
His abilities soon obtained recognition beyond his small parish and at the end of two years he was called to the pastorate of the newly formed congregation at Derby Road, Liverpool. This was a missionary enterprise among the middle classes and skilled operators of the city. The church numbered only thirty or forty members when Dr. Taylor took charge and much labor and perseverance were necessary to promote its growth. He was not found wanting in what was necessary to be done. Entering zealously into the work, Dr. Taylor saw his church become, in the course of years, a large and influential organization, and one of the most prominent of the Presbyterian denomination in England. The membership grew from 30 or 40 to 600, with a regular attendance of from 800 to 900. A new church edifice was erected under his pastorate at a cost of $50,000. During his stay in Liverpool, Dr. Taylor was recognized not only as an energetic pastor, but as an earnest advocate of temperance reform. While yet in Liverpool he was invited to take important charge in Glasgow and London, but declined.
In the summer of 1871, being desirous of visiting the United States, Dr. Taylor was prevailed upon by a friend belonging to the Church of the Pilgrims, Brooklyn, to accept an invitation to occupy that pulpit for two or three months while its pastor, the Rev. Dr. Storrs, made a short tour in Europe. Here Dr. Taylor's preaching produced a profound impression and great crowds were drawn to hear him. He gave such satisfaction that the Broadway Tabernacle Church determined to call him, the Rev. Dr. Joseph P. Thompson, who had been its pastor for twenty six years, having suddenly resigned on account of the continued failure of his health. Dr. Taylor had never preached in the Tabernacle Church, and the thought of settling in the United States had never entered his mind. He had refused other propositions made him by churches in this country, but now the opportunity seemed to be one which he could not lightly consider, and, after some reflection, he consented to accept the call. Dr. Thompson went abroad immediately after his resignation and bore the call to Dr. Taylor. The latter soon started for New York, and was installed as pastor of the Tabernacle Church on April 18, 1872. He received from the Liverpool congregation and the temperance and other reform organizations with which he was actively connected, many tokens, in gifts and addresses, of the sincere admiration and regret at the necessary separation. In every sphere of religious and moral effort his stay of seventeen years in Liverpool had been marked by the most gratifying results to the community. His ministry in this city obtained the entire approval of his large and wealthy congregation. In July 1872, Dr. Taylor received the degree of D. D. from Yale and Amherst colleges.
Besides his ministerial work in Great Britain and the United States, Dr. Taylor was a contributor to the periodical press for several years. He also published several books, among them the following: In 1862, "Life Trials"; in 1865, in two volumes, "The Miracles Helps to Faith, Not Hindrances," a work designated to meet the doubts and speculations of Renan and Strauss, and "The Lost Found, and the Wanderer Reclaimed," a series of sermons on the fifteenth chapter of St. Luke. After his ministry in this city began Dr. Taylor published, "David, King of Israel," "Elijah the Prophet," "Peter, the Apostle," and a volume on "The Ministry of the Word," embracing his lectures on preaching, delivered to the students of the Yale Theological School in 1876.
In personal appearance Dr. Taylor was a good specimen of the Scotch type of physical and mental constitution. He was of medium height (about 5 feet 8 inches), compact and densely built, and indicating by his quick movements no small degree of physical vigor. His head was large, and the forehead broad, rounding from the eyebrows backward. His hair was thick and his whiskers rather heavy. As a pulpit orator, Dr. Taylor was considered one of the leaders in the American ministry. His manner was lively, emphatic and forcible; his voice was strong, but never seemed to go beyond his control, being modulated in a way to give excellent effect to his utterances. He gesticulated a great deal, illustrated his points freely and copiously, showing a profound and ready knowledge of the Scriptures and of the different phases of human character and conduct. As a writer he manifested a high degree of aesthetic culture, accompanied with clearness and originality of argument and illustration.
-------------------------
Plaque on wall of Brooklyn Tabernacle:
IN MEMORY OF WILLIAM MACKERGO TAYLOR:DD:LLD
FOR TWENTY YEARS (APRIL 9, 1872 - NOVEMBER 2, 1892) THE FAITHFUL AND BELOVED PASTOR OF THIS CHURCH AND FOR TWO YEARS PASTOR EMERITUS. HE WAS BORN IN KILMARNOCK SCOTLAND OCTOBER 23, 1820 AND DIED IN THIS CITY FEBRUARY 8, 1895.
A PREACHER OF RIGHTEOUSNESS
--------------------------
FUNERAL
Seldom has the Broadway Tabernacle held a greater throng than that which assembled in the well-known church at 10 a.m. yesterday, the hour appointed for the funeral of the Rev. Dr. William M. Taylor. The large attendance showed how general was the love for the man who had been pastor of the church for twenty years and more, and who had been retired as the pastor emeritus after his long service.
The death of the beloved minister on Friday had been a blow to many of the Christian men and women who went to the church yesterday morning to pay the last tribute of respect to his memory, and they talked in a subdued tones about his wonderful powers as a pulpit orator, his unfailing sympathy with the members of the congregation and the aid and comfort which had been derived from his advice.
Many of the clergymen in the city attended the funeral, and among them were the Rev. Dr. Parkhurst and the Rev. Dr. Collier. Among the laymen were ex-Governor Cornell, Charles Stewart Smith, Herbert G. Thompson, Silas H. Paine, Cephas Brainerd, Jr., John K. Farwell, Frederick K. Trowbridge, Edwin F. Tripp, F. Burton Otis, Amos H. Stephens, Hubert E. Rogers, Clarence W. Bowen, Robert A Sands, Lefferts Strebeigh, Edward F. Browning, Hamilton S. Gordon, Charles L. Mead, William G. Bates, Peter Almquist, Charles E. Bruce, J. W. Clendenin, Dr. Alexander Dallas, Oliver H. Corsa, Charles A. During, E. Van Volkenburgh, Dr. Edwin F. Ward, Dr. Lucien C. Warner, George M. Swift, Dr. John S. Warren, Dr. A. I. Northrup, Dr. William S. Seamans and Joshua M. Whitcomb.
The platform on which Dr. Taylor had been for so many years the familiar figure, was draped in black and almost hidden by floral offerings, and in front of it was the coffin, covered with black cloth. The seats reserved for members of the family were the sons of the dead pastor: Cephas, John S., William, James, and Albert Taylor; his daughters, Miss Isabel M. Taylor and Mrs. Robert L. Maitland, and Mr. Maitland. The pall bearers were the trustees and deacons of the church—Cornelius N. Bliss, Caleb B. Knevals, Joel E. Fisher, Matthew C. D. Borden, Irving R. Fisher, Dr. William H. Thompson, Austin Abbott, Henry C. Houghton, Henry W. Hubbard, Augustus Gaylord, Charles Whittemore, Lucien C. Warner and Richard A. Dornan. [Statement of the music]
In his eloquent and touching eulogy, Dr. Storrs spoke of the lifework of Dr. Taylor of his nobility of character, his singleness of purpose and life-long devotion to the cause of the Master. He spoke of his labors in the Church in his native Scotland and all he had accomplished during the last twenty-three years in the land of his adoption in connection with various missions, notably the mission to the Tombs and as manager on several occasions of the American Tract Society. He also referred to the beauty and depth of feeling of Dr. Taylor's religious writings and the elegance of his pulpit utterances.
After the services the pallbearers arose and then the people walked slowly and reverently past the coffin to take a last look at the face of the dead. This scene was particularly affecting and many women were unable to suppress their tears and had to be lead away. The last to look on the dead face were the pallbearers and the members of the family.
The burial arrangements were in charge of William Ives Washburn. The body was taken by train to Woodlawn where the burial was in the family plot.
New York Tribune, February 13, 1895
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