Schermerhorn, John F

a (Dutch) Reformed minister, was born about 1785, graduated at Union College 1809, and entered the ministry of the Congregational Church, which he left in 1813 for the Dutch Reformed Church. He was first settled at Middleburgh, N.Y., 1817-27. In 1817 he visited Upper Canada with Rev. Jacob Van Vechten, and labored three months among the Dutch churches there. He was appointed Secretary of Domestic Missions, 1828 or 1829, by the Northern Board of the Missionary Society of the Reformed Dutch Church to call forth the resources of the Church and determine the proper missionary fields. Subsequently he was appointed general agent for the whole Church. His energy and zeal gave a new impetus to the benevolence of the Church. Among the substantial fruits of his labors was the organization of the Reformed churches in Utica, Ithaca, and Geneva, besides others in less prominent places. But serious difficulties embarrassed his administration, and he resigned the office in 1832. He never afterwards held a pastoral charge, but was frequently a leading member of the ecclesiastical assemblies, and continued to interest himself in the benevolent movements of the Church. In 1832 president Jackson, of whom he was a warm personal and political friend, appointed him one of a commission to remove the Cherokee and Chickasaw Indians beyond the Mississippi. This work also brought with it some unhappy complications, which hindered his subsequent usefulness. He was a powerful preacher, a public debater of unusual mental vigor, acuteness, tact, and argumentative ability. His restless brain was always teeming with great schemes, which often were Utopian in their results. In conversation he was entertaining and suggestive beyond most men. His sympathies were tender; and, when preaching or conversing on the great themes of the Gospel, he not only felt deeply, but possessed great power over the hearts and consciences of his hearers. He labored much and successfully in revivals of religion as a helper to his brethren. In person he was very large, robust, and commanding. He died in 1850 after a short illness. See Memoir of Peter Labagh, D.D., by G. A. Todd, D.D., p. 52, 120, 161-163. (W.J.R.T.)