Schenck, George

Schenck, George a (Dutch) Reformed minister, was born at Mattewan, N.Y., Jan. 27, 1816, and graduated at Yale College, August, 1837. During his boyhood he was crippled for life by a severe fall while skating. Hip disease ensued in its most painful form. He was helpless for three or four years, and was never after able to walk without crutch or cane and a high boot. But this affliction was sanctified to his conversion during his collegiate life. He studied theology in the New Brunswick Seminary, and after graduation, in 1840, settled as pastor of the Reformed Church of Bedminster, N. J. This was his only charge — a very large, intelligent, well-trained country congregation, which has enjoyed a long succession of able ministers. Mr. Schenck was distinguished as a preacher of unusual power in the exposition of Scripture and in the application of it to the consciences of his hearers. He was at times brilliant, always earnest, and "never feared the face of clay." His fine social qualities, deep piety, and skill as a physician of souls, endeared him to his people. His energy was marvelous. "What he began, he expected to do. His body was like a little craft driven by a tremendous engine; and for just that reason, no doubt, the timbers so soon fell apart. He preached, as he wrote to a friend, 'with all his might.' He was no less zealous as a pastor." His tastes were refined, literary, scholarly. But everything was bent to his life work as a minister. In the general affairs of the Church, in the temperance cause and educational movements, he was conspicuous for "zeal with knowledge." His ministry was greatly blessed in conversions and revivals, and in the edification of the Church. He died in 1852, of palsy, which struck him down just after he came from a Sabbath afternoon lecture and a visit to a sick man. With characteristic modesty, he never but twice consented to frequent requests to appear in print. A Sermon on the Second Coming of Christ (1843) and an Address on Music (in which he was a proficient) (1849) are all of his publications. See Memorial Sermon, by Dr. T.W. Chambers; Letter of Rev. H.D. Ganse; Sprague's Annals of the Amer. Pulpit. (W.J.R.T.)