Frothlngham. I. Nathaniel Langdou, an American clergyman, born in Boston, July 23, 1793, died there, April 4, 1870. He graduated in 1811 at Harvard college, where in the following year he became instructor in rhetoric and oratory. In the mean time he studied theology, and in 1815 was ordained pastor of the first Congregational church in Boston. This charge he retained till ill health compelled his resignation of it in 1850. He was the author of more than 50 sermons published occasionally, and of a volume of Sermons in the Order of a Twelvemonth (Boston, 1852). He also contributed in prose and verse to periodicals, and a collection of his poems has been published under the title of "Metrical Pieces, Translated and Original" (Boston, 1855). They are distinguished, like his prose writings, by singular refinement of sentiment and grace of expression. II .Octavius Brooks, an American clergyman, son of the preceding, born in Boston, Nov. 26, 1822. He graduated at Harvard college in 1843, spent three years, in the Cambridge divinity school, and was settled as pastor of the North church (Unitarian), Salem, Mass., March 10,1847. He removed to Jersey City, N. J., in May, 1855, where he preached till May, 1850, when he accepted a call to New York, and became pastor of a congregation which in I860 was organized under the name of the "Third Unitarian Congregational Church." He is distinguished for the intellectual character of his preaching, his wide scholarship in various branches of learning, and his impressive eloquence.

He is one of the principal leaders of the so-called free religious movement, which has for its object the promotion of rationalist ideas in theology, in place of the received doctrine of the Christian church. He has written extensively for various journals, contributed numerous papers to prominent reviews, and, besides publishing more than 150 sermons, is the author of the following works: "The Parables (Boston, 1864);Stories from the Old Testament (Boston, 1864); Renan's Critical Essays," translated (New York, 1864);The Child's Book of Religion" (New York, 1871);

"The Religion of Humanity" (New York, 1872); and "The Life of Theodore Parker" (Boston, 1874).