Livingston, Gilbert Robert

Livingston, Gilbert Robert D.D., a (Dutch) Reformed minister, a descendant of the celebrated Rev. John Livingston (q.v.), was born at Stamford, Connecticut, October 8, 1786, and graduated at Union College in 1805. He studied theology under Reverend Dr. Perkins, of Great Hartford, Connecticut, and Reverend Dr. John Henry Livingston (q.v.). In 1811 he became pastor of the Reformed Dutch Church in Coxsackie, N.Y., where about six hundred persons were the fruits of his ministry of fifteen years. In 1826 he removed to Philadelphia as pastor of the First (Dutch) Reformed (or Crown Street) Church. Here again his ministry was greatly blessed, three hundred and twenty persons being added to the Church, and over one hundred in a single year. He died March 9, 1834. He was a man of large physical frame, benevolent countenance, and amiable temper. His preaching was practical, and addressed more to the understanding and conscience of the people than to their feelings. His pastoral labors were incessant and successful. At one period of his life lie embraced what were generally known as "New Measures," but he lived to abandon them in his later ministry. A single sermon and a tract are all that he is known to have published. — Sprague,

Annals; Corwin's Manual Ref. Church; Funeral Sermon by C.C. Cuvler, D.D.; Historical Discourse by W.J.R. Taylor, D.D. (W.J.R.T.)