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Strong, Thomas M., D.D.

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Strong, Paschal Nelson

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a (Dutch) Reformed minister, and brother of Rev. Paschal N. Strong, was born at Cooperstown, N.Y., in 1797, graduated at Columbia College in 1816, received his theological education under Dr. J.M. Mason and at Princeton Seminary, and settled in 1819 in the Presbyterian Church in Norfolk, Va. Thence he removed to the Associate Reformed churches of Chambersburgh and Shippensburgh, Pa., 1821-22. In 1822 he accepted the call of the Reformed Church of Flatbush, L.I., where he remained until his death in 1861. Seldom does God give to the Church a more finely rounded and exalted character. "Resolute, without arrogance; modest, without timidity; positive in his convictions, without pride of will; persevering, without pretension; diligent, without ostentation of intentions; firm, without obstinacy; tenacious of his moral and personal preferences, without bigotry or hypocrisy; quick in his estimate of duties, without wayward impulses; devoted to duty, without thirst for personal exaltation; methodical, without mechanical servility to circumstances; learned, without pedantry; and godly, without affectation of sanctity he seemed, indeed, to illustrate how natural qualities may be toned and softened into well nigh untarnished beauty by the power of Christ working upon them all."

He was a diligent student, a prolific preacher, always earnest, sedate, and pleasant, solid and instructive, wide awake, and devoted to his work. For thirty-four years he was the stated clerk of the General Synod of the Reformed Church. He was the balance wheel of that ecclesiastical body, yet so modest and so genial, courteous and considerate, that he never appeared in the least officious, and was always deferred to with unquestioning respect. There was no appeal from his statements of facts and of the law of the house in that assembly. He presided over its sessions in 1836. His name and services are identified with almost every important measure of the Church during the long period of his official connection with it. His ministry was blessed with a powerful revival which gave new life to him and to his Church. His influence on Long Island was wide spread. He published a Hist. of Flatbush, in King's County, L.I. (N.Y. 1842, 12mo), which is a memorial of his industrious historical research. See Corwin, Manual of the Ref. Ch. p. 222-226; Wilson, Presb. Hist. Almanac, 1862, p. 297; Allibone, Dict. of Brit. and Amer. Authors, s.v. (W.J.R.T.)