Muhlenberg, William Augustus, Dd, Lld

Muhlenberg, William Augustus, D.D., LL.D.

a distinguished Protestant Episcopal clergyman, great-grandson of Dr. Henry Melchior, was born in Philadelphia, September 16, 1796. He entered the University of Pennsylvania when but fourteen years of age, and graduated in 1814. Having pursued a course of theological study, he became a clergyman in the Episcopal Church in 1817, and for five years. was assistant rector of Christ Church, Philadelphia, being associated with bishop White. In 1821 he became rector of St. James' Church in Lancaster; in 1828 principal of St. Paul's College in Flushing, L.I.; in 1846, rector of the Church of the Holy Communion, in the city of New York; in 1858, superintendent and pastor of St. Luke's Hospital, New York (which he was largely instrumental in founding, as also the church village of St. Johnland, on Long Island), holding this office until his death, April 8, 1877. In 1824 there appeared in the Episcopal Recorder, of Philadelphia, his admirable hymn, entitled, "I would not live alway," which has been incorporated into nearly every standard church' hymn-book. Many years afterwards, when he was the editor of the Evangelical Catholic, Dr. Muhlenberg explained the circumstances of its history. He was the author of, Church Poetry (1823): — Music of the Church (1852): — The People's Psalter (1858). His life was devoted to public labors of Christian evangelism and philanthropy. See his Life and Work, by Anne Ayres (N.Y. 1880). (J.C.S.)