SPEAR, Samuel Thayer, clergyman, born in Ballston Spa, New York, 4 March, 1812. He was graduated at the College of physicians and surgeons, New York, in 1833, then studied for the ministry in Troy, New York, and was ordained in 1835. In the following year he was installed over the 2d Presbyterian church of Lansingburg, New York, from which he was called in 1843 to the South Presbyterian church of Brooklyn, New York, holding that pastorate till 1871. since which time he has been connected editorially with the " Independent." He has published "Family Power" (New York, 1846) ; " Religion and State" (1876); "Constitutionality of the Legal-Tender Acts" (revised ed., 1877); "The Law of the Federal Judiciary" (1883); "]'he Law of Extradition " (revised ed., 1884); and "The Bible Heaven" (1886). He also published in pamphlet-form eighteen sermons on the rebellion, delivered during the civil war, and ten essays contributed to periodicals. He has received the degree of D. D. from Union college in 1851.