Labagh, Peter, Dd

Labagh, Peter, D.D., a Reformed (Dutch) minister, was born in 1773 in New York city, of French and Hollandish descent. After receiving his classical education from Dr. Peter Wilson, of Hackensack, N. J., his theological studies were pursued under Drs. Froeligh and Livingston, professors of theology in the Reformed Dutch Church. He was licensed in 1796, and immediately went to Western New York on a tour of missionary exploration, and afterwards proceeded on horseback to Kentucky, where he organized a Church in Mercer County. Returning to New York, he settled as a pastor in Greenbush, Rensselaer County, where he remained until 1809, and then removed to the united churches of Shannock and Harlingen. He retained the pastorate of the latter Church until 1844. He died among his own people in 1858, revered and beloved by all. Dr. Labagh possessed an active, acute, and powerful mind, rapid in its movements, sound in its conclusions, and distinguished by great accuracy of judgment. In ecclesiastical assemblies he was always a leading debater and counsellor. In the endowment of the Theological Seminary at New Brunswick, and in all the great movements of his denomination, he was a vigorous and successful worker. He was a clear, strong, and experimental preacher. During the great revival of 1831 his Church experienced a work of grace which " shook the whole community for miles around." This was the crowning glory of his long ministry. His latter years were spent in patriarchal retirement. He was cheerful, happy, overflowing with good- humor, mother-wit, and strong common sense, and, above all, with a deep piety which illumined his ministry and consecrates his memory. A Memoir of him was published in 1860 by Rev. John A. Todd, D.D. (12mo). (W. J. R. T.)