the Rev. JOHN CROES, Jr., was born September 22,1787 ; was graduated at the College of New Jersey, in 1806 ; and subsequently assisted his father for a while in conducting the Grammar School of Queen's College. He was ordained Deacon in Trinity Church, New York, on the Festival of St. John the Baptist, 1809, by Bishop Benjamin Moore, and Priest, on the 1st of October, 1811, by Bishop Hobart. He commenced his labours in the ministry, officiating in St. Peter's Church, Freehold ; Christ Church, Shrewsbury ; and Christ Church, Middletown ; in New Jersey. He became Rector of Christ Church, Shrewsbury, and continued for thirteen years, greatly respected and beloved, in that relation. On leaving Shrewsbury, he spent a few months in New Brunswick, and then became the Rector of
St. Paul's Church, Patterson, N J., where he remained three years. The next two years he was in Newark ; and the two following in New Brunswick, sharing with his venerable father, who was beginning to feel the infirmities of age, the duties of his pastoral charge. Shortly after the death of the Bishop, this son succeeded him as Rector of the parish, and continued such for eight years. The last nine years of his life he spent at Keyport ; and he had but just left that place, and made his temporary residence at Brooklyn, where, and in the adjoining parishes on Long Island, he was usefully occupied in occasional services, when he was prostrated by the illness (of the nature of cholera) which brought him to his grave in two weeks. He died on the 18th of August, 1849, at the age of sixty-two years, and after a ministry of nearly forty. He received many testimonies of the respect and confidence of his brethren,—such as being repeatedly elected a Delegate to the General Convention, being appointed
a Trustee of the General Theological Seminary, Secretary of the Convention of the Diocese Member of the standing Committee, and Treasurer of certain important trusts of the Church. In the Convention of 1832, at the election of the Diocesan, which resulted in Dr. Doane's being chosen, Mr. Crocs was at first the most prominent candidate. In September, 1812, he was married to Eleanor, daughter of Rulef Van Mater, of Monmoutb, N. J. They had three sons and five daughters.
FROM ARCHER GIFFORD, ESQ.
NEWAKK, N. J., 19th November, 1855.
Rev. and dear Sir: My acquaintance with Bishop Croes commenced at an early age, and when he was in the full vigour of his intellect and the prime of his usefulness. He was then Principal of the Academy at New Brunswick,—an institution in high repute, and Rector of Christ Church in that city. Although I had often seen him in my youth, it was not until after ho was consecrated Bishop that I became in any degree intimate with him. I used, in my early boyhood, to hear interesting incidents of his life related by my father, who was associated with him, when they were young men, in the Revolutionary TVar.
He represented him as very amiable, ingenuous, and extremely conscientious— traits of character which recommended him to the officers, and prevented his engaging with others in many of the rough amusements of that period. I have also learned from one of his pupils still living, at a very advanced age, that while he was employed fora short time in mercantile pursuits in this place, and also near Hackensack, in Bergen County, he devoted much of his leisure to reading, and availed himself of every means of intellectual culture within his reach.
Mr. Crocs was brought into early and intimate relations with Dr. McWhortcr, the Presbyterian Clergyman of this place, who fully appreciated his talents and virtues, and showed himself ready to assist him by every means in his power. He manifested his candour and disinterestedness especially by falling in with his predilections for the Episcopal Church, and giving him letters of introduction to several gentlemen of \c\vr Brunswick and Philadelphia, designed to facilitate his obtaining Orders. The difficulties which Mr. C. encountered in early life had undoubtedly a very important influence in forming his character, lie used often, as one of the lessons which had been taught him by his own experience, to urge the necessity of perseverance and singleness of aim in the prosecution of any importapt object; and on one occasion lie observed to a friend of mine whom he was advising in respect to his future course, that he had never attempted any thing which he had not accomplished. The remark was not
made in a boasting spirit, but was designed merely to encourage my young friend to keep his faculties in vigorous and healthful exercise. Bishop Crocs was in stature about six feet, and of a portly frame. His dress and mien gave him that staid and venerable appearance that may bo often seen represented in pictures of the Addison age, and well corresponded with the sanctity and native simplicity of his character. lie always seemed to have special regard for bis profession, and studied to make nil his acquirements auxiliary and subservient to it. His sermons were remarkable for presenting truth in a manner adapted to the different ages, characters and circumstances of his auditors; and even when treating of moral duties, they were never deficient in spiritual unction. While he gave strong views of the vices of the age, he never did it in a way to offend the taste or shock the sensibilities of his hearers. His style of writing was simple and natural, perspicuous and energetic, with no approach to
any thing florid or declamatory. His audience, if it were not their own fault, would always find themselves instructed by his discourses; and the effect of them was not a little increased by the patriarchal dignity and impressive earnestness with which they were delivered.
I have most frequently met with Bishop Croes, and observed his character and deportment, when lie presided at the Diocesan Conventions of our State. On these occasions lie uniformly exhibited ? most becoming demeanour, always conducting the business with great discretion, dignity and impartiality. During many years' attendance as a delegate, I cannot recall a single instance of the semblance of unkindness or unfairness on his part towards any individual, or of the least want of respect on the part of any individual towards him. Bishop Croes, in his ecclesiastical polity, was not exactly what is now termed High Church or Low Church; but lie always maintained the distinctive principles of the Protestant Episcopal Church with firmness and consistency, while yet he never made himself offensive to Christians of other communions. In all his intercourse, whether private and social or official, he was a model of a quiet, considerate and kindly spirit. ITis life was a perpetual advocacy and enforcement of the great principles and precepts of the Gospel. He never interfered with the concerns of others, though he was always upon the alert to minister to their happiness. In his family he was a strict disciplinarian, and withal a pattern of economy, while yet he was a loving and tender father, and was a lino example of a generous hospitality. His sense of obligation, not less than his love of doing good, kept him active amidst infirmities and decay, in which he might have reasonably sought repose from all labour; and he went down gradually and gently to his grave, leaving as a legacy to his family, to his diocese, to the world, a character pre-eminently " honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report."
Respectfully yours,
WILLIAM HARRIS, D. D*.
Rev. John Croes was also known as Rev. John Cross Jr.. Rev. John Croes was born on 22. Sep. 1787 at Shrewsbury, Monmouth County, New Jersey. He was the son of
Rev. John Croes and
Martha Crane. Rev. John Croes married
Eleanor Van Mater, daughter of
Ruliff Van Mater and
Catherine Kearney, on 13. Oct. 1812; three sons and five daughters. Rev. John Croes died on 18. Aug. 1849 at Brooklyn, Kings County, New York, at age 61. He was buried at Christ Church Cemetery, Shrewsbury, Monmouth County, New Jersey.