USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Annals of King's Chapel from the Puritan age of New England to the present day > Part 13
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After the usual theological studies at Cambridge, Mr. Green- wood, whose habit of quiet reserve had thus far veiled his intellectual promise even from his best friends, was found, on the hearing of his earliest sermons, to be one of the most inter-
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THE MINISTRY OF F. W. P. GREENWOOD.
esting preachers of his time.1 At that day the pulpit may almost be said to have been the most exciting interest of the town. The new preacher was the universal topic of discussion, and the insidious perils of undisguised admiration beset him abundantly. He met this temptation with the entire simplicity of character which no sunshine could spoil, and the darkest storms could only make perfect. "He was but yet in the first year of his manhood, when he was ordained, Oct. 21, 1818," the successor of Dr. Kirkland and Mr. Thacher,2 at the New South Church, having been sought at the same time for the pulpit in Hollis Street, just left vacant by the departure of Dr. Holley.3 " In one short year the committee had again to provide for the temporary supply of their pulpit, because a severe pulmonary disease had incapacitated their pastor, and committed to a sea voyage and foreign travel the only reason- able hope of preserving his life." Says Dr. Ellis, -
"He was yet to have more than a score of years added to his still shortened span, and to fill a place of prominent and well-appreciated professional duty for another church in this city. But all through that renewed pastorate he held his life by a most frail tenure ; and the gentle virtues of invalidism, with the efforts of the soul to triumph over it, were never more sweetly exhibited than by that apostolic, saintly man."
Struck down thus suddenly, at the age of twenty-two, by a disease which seemed to render it more than doubtful whether he could ever again do his chosen work in life, - compelled to
1 The Rev. Dr. John Pierce's diary gives a full account of Dr. Greenwood's ordination as pastor of the New South Church, Oct. 21, 1818, from which we copy the following paragraph : -
" Mr. Greenwood was young at Col- lege, and was barely scholar enough to have a part at Commencement in a minor conference. He was not a member of the Phi Beta Kappa. Ile has since, however, been very studious, and now ranks with our very first young divines. lle has been uncommonly acceptable wherever he has preached. Hollis Street Church would without doubt have given him a call had they not been prevented by his invitation at the New South. Some have their fears that he will be unable to satisfy the expectations which he has raised. His most judicious friends, however, appear to have no fear as to the issue."
Mr. Greenwood received the degree of Doctor of Divinity from Harvard College in 1839.
2 Samuel Cooper Thacher (1785- 1818) - son of Peter Thacher (1752- ISO2), minister of Brattle St. Church - was a Harvard graduate of 1804; he ac- companied Rev. J. S. Buckminster in I So6 in his travels, was for a time Librarian of Harvard College, and succeeded Dr. (afterwards President) Kirkland as pas- tor of the New South Church, May 15, ISII. He died at Moulins, France, Jan. 2, 1818.
3 Horace Holley, LL.D. (17SI-1827) settled at Hollis St. Church in 1809. He retired in 1818, with an extraordinary reputation for eloquence, to take the presidency of Transylvania University, in Lexington, Kentucky. See George L. Chaney's two Historical Discourses on Hollis Street Church. Boston, 1877.
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leave the friends whom he had just knit to him, and to turn his back on what was perhaps the most eminent position in his profession, - without a murmur, even with cheerful resignation, the young teacher, already a perfected Christian saint, sought the climate of southern Italy. Too feeble, however, for that journey, he was detained in Devonshire, England, through the winter. Copied into the records of the New South Church is a letter of singular pathos and heroism of Christian submission, dated by him at Caermarthen, South Wales, April 22, 1821, in which he says: " I have been more and more convinced that I am unequal to the office of serving you ; that I must give up a profession in which my heart was engaged; that I must labor in the vineyard no more."
Returning home with a partial restoration, he sought, by long country rides, in visits to friends, and in fond occupations with Nature, -with flowers and birds and shells, - to recuperate his vigor, and to train his soul in its own fine apprehensions. Two years spent in Baltimore, preaching occasionally for Mr. Sparks, in the Unitarian Church, and editing "The Unitarian Miscellany,"1 " confirmed," says Dr. Ellis, " his hope of service in his profession." In Baltimore, also, he was married, May 18, 1824, to Maria, daughter of Dr. Lyde Goodwin, of that city.
An attempt had been made, meanwhile, by the New South Church to renew his relations there " for at least a partial pulpit responsibility ; but the attempt had failed." Under these circumstances a call (dated Sunday, July 4, 1824) was issued to the Proprietors of King's Chapel, to attend a meeting on the following Sunday, July 11, in the vestry-room, after the morn- ing service -
To take into consideration the expediency of procuring an Associate Minister, to alleviate the labours and share the pastoral Duties of Rev! Dr. Freeman ; to receive a statement of the present Funds of the Church ; and to attend to such suggestions as shall be offered, concerning the most advisable mode of raising the means to support an Associate.
At the meeting so called, after a short but free discussion, the Proprietors having been previously consulted upon the subject, it was -
Voted unanimously, That considering the infirm state of the health of our venerable Pastor it is desirable and expedient for this Society to
1 This influential Monthly was started Adams's Life and Writings of Fared in Baltimore by Jared Sparks, in January, Sparks, i. 175-190, 202. 1821, during his pastorate there. See
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THE MINISTRY OF F. W. P. GREENWOOD.
obtain an Associate Minister, as soon as a Candidate can be found, who shall be qualified to unite the Society, increase our numbers, and be acceptable to Reverend Dr. Freeman.
Voted unanimously, That the Minister and Wardens be, and they hereby are, authorized and empowered to invite the Reverend Francis William Pitt Greenwood to settle in this Society, as our Associate Min- ister with the Reverend Dr. Freeman, and offer him as salary $1,200 per annum.1
On Monday, July 12, 1824, after the vote of the day before, calling Mr. Greenwood, an account of the same was sent to all the Proprietors, that they might express their assent or dissent. Of fifty-six Proprietors, all but eight voted yea.2
Mr. Greenwood's answer was as follows : -
BOSTON, 31 July, IS24.
To the Rector and Wardens of King's Chapel.
Gentlemen, - I have received, through you, the invitation of the Pro- prietors of King's Chapel, to settle with them, as Associate Minister with the Rev1. Dr. Freeman. The unanimity and cordiality with which it was expressed could not but be highly grateful to my feelings ; and I do not wish to dissemble the sincere pleasure which it gave me. As I consider my health so far re-established as to permit of my performing the divided duties of your Church ; as I have full confidence in your kindness and consideration ; and as I know that I can always resort to the counsel and assistance of your venerable and revered Rector, I declare my ready acceptance of your call.
I shall endeavour to discharge to the best of my discernment and abil- ity the offices of this sacred connexion : and it is my earnest prayer to Almighty Gon that he would enlighten my darkness and strengthen my weakness, and grant that all my services may be conducive to the eternal welfare of the People with whom he has united me.
I am, Gentlemen, with sentiments of the highest respect, your friend
FRANCIS W. P. GREENWOOD. and servant,
Rev. JAMES FREEMAN, D.D., EBENE OLIVER, Esq., JOSEPH MAY, Esq.
1 In 1826, it was voted that Mr. Greenwood's salary should be increased by a subscription paper, to be circulated among the Proprietors; in IS33 the Par- ish voted that his salary, in the absence of Dr. Freeman, should be $1,Soo (at this time the only other expenses of the Church were, for music and for the sex- ton, $1 50) ; and in December, 1835, after Dr. Freeman's death, when the Vestry recommended that it be further increased to $2,800, the Parish voted to fix it at $3,000.
2 Of these eight, Col. May records, "three were out of the country, W. P. Greenwood (Mr. Greenwood's father) was one, one was 'run out,' and one ' assigned to his creditors.' At this time the Church owned fifty-three pews, in- cluding Nos. 83-9S (sixteen, now divided into nineteen, pews) in the north gallery, including also the State pew, No. 42 (the poor's pew), and No. I (the Minis- ter's pew). No. 43 was also still reck- oned, though its site was occupied by the Vassall monument.
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" After receiving Mr. Greenwood's answer, the Rector waited on Mr. Greenwood, and requested him to commence his labors on the following day, being Sunday, August 1, which he accord- ingly did, by reading the Morning Prayers, preaching, and as- sisting in the administration of the Lord's Supper; and in the course of his sermon he took occasion to announce his new re- lation as our Associate Minister." Three weeks later, August 22, it was ordered that -
On Sunday, the 29 Aug., in the afternoon, the Proprietors and Occu- piers of Pews being conveniently seated together, the Evening Prayer shall be read by the Senior Minister, reading instead of the Psalms for the day the 84th Psalm. During the Voluntary, let the Wardens ascend the desk ; . . . (as at Mr. Freeman's ordination) when, the Voluntary being ended, the Senior Minister shall commence the service of Induc- tion by saying, to the Proprietors and Occupiers of Pews : -
" Brethren ! at a Proprietors' meeting held at the Vestry Room on Sunday, August 8th 1824 the following vote was unanimously passed :
"'Voted unanimously, That the Proprietors of this Church do grate- fully, cordially, and affectionately receive the Rev. Francis William Pitt Greenwood as our stated, ordained, and settled Minister.'
"You are now assembled publickly and solemnly to induct into office the Rev! Francis William Pitt Greenwood, your colleague pastor elect. I will therefore read to you for your assent the vote of induction after we have presented our humble supplications to Almighty God."
Then shall he read the Prayer before the Induction. After which he shall read the following Vote of Induction.
[As at Mr. Freeman's ordination, except that, after the word " Common- wealth," it reads " hereby solemnly elect, constitute, appoint, and induct into office the Rev'd Francis William Pitt Greenwood, to be our stated, settled, and ordained Minister, public Teacher, Pastor, and Teaching Elder." The word " sacraments " is changed to " ordinances," and the word "Rector " is omitted.]
, And it is hereby intended and understood, that if at any time hereafter ordination by the hands of a Bishop, in common and usual form, can be procured for the Rev4. Mr. Greenwood, without sacrificing our own religious sentiments to those of others, we will adopt that method in addition to the present mode of Induction into office.
[As at Mr. Cary's ordination. ]
The Rev! M' Greenwood will then declare and subscribe his accept- ance, and deliver to the Senior Warden a copy of his Declaration, to be attested by the Wardens, and retained upon the files of the Church.
The Senior Minister will then say :
We then, the Senior Minister and Wardens of this Church, by virtue of the authority delegated to us, do, in the presence of Almighty GOD, and before these witnesses, solemnly induct into Office, and declare you,
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THE MINISTRY OF F. W. P. GREENWOOD.
the Rev! Francis William Pitt Greenwood, to be a Minister, Priest, Pastor, Teaching Elder, and Public Teacher of this Episcopal Church : in testi- mony, &c. . . .
Let all the people say AMEN. The prayer after Induction into Office shall then be read by the Senior Minister.
After which, he will give the Rev! Mr. Greenwood his right hand as a token of his brotherly love, and of the affection of this Church.
The prayer for the Church will follow the giving of the Right Hand.
The First Lesson, from the Old Testament, shall then be read, consist- ing of select passages from the Psalms, Isaiah, and the book of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Ecclesiasticus.
To be followed by the 98th Psalm. After which the Second Lesson from the New Testament, consisting of select passages from the Epistles of St. Paul to Timothy and to Titus, shall be read.
To be followed by the 67th Psalm. The 122ยช Psalm shall then be sung.
After which the remaining part of the Evening Prayer shall be read, beginning with the words - " The Lord be with you."
Sing 84th Psalm, in Hallelujah Metre. Sermon by Revd Mr. Green- wood. Singing. Prayer. Benediction.
Mr. Greenwood's Acceptance.
My Brethren, -
I feel no disposition to retract my late acceptance of your affectionate invitation ; and I here in a more public manner solemnly repeat it. May GOD sanction this my engagement. May GOD give me both the will and the ability to answer its high obligations. And GOD grant that the connexion now formed between us may result in our mutual benefit ; and be made in some degree instrumental in again uniting us in a future world of happiness and peace, through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
August 29, 1824.
FRANCIS W. P. GREENWOOD.
At the time of Mr. Greenwood's settlement, it was supposed that Dr. Freeman would share the pulpit with him. The broken health of the elder minister almost immediately devolved this duty entirely upon Mr. Greenwood. By careful husbanding of his strength, however, he was enabled to meet the calls of the pulpit for eighteen years, with only occasional intervals when his returning malady compelled him to seek a milder climate. This service he rendered with an apostolic gravity and power which made his preaching one of the strongest Christian influences exerted in Boston during those busy and excited years. It is possible that, as time went on, there were individuals here who missed that pastoral relation which his strength precluded him
VOL. II .- 29
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from filling; but in all the relations of the Parish as such with him, there was manifest on their part the most generous sense of his rare worth, the most considerate care of his fragile health, and, on his part, the most exquisite thoughtfulness, disinterested- ness, and lofty standard of duty.
The letter files of the Church contain a letter from him to the Vestry, written October 10, 1829, stating that he must pass one more winter in a milder climate, - as in two preceding years. To this the Wardens reply that the Proprietors unanimously agree and " cheerfully acquiesce in a separation for a term even beyond what you have mentioned, if by that sacrifice they may conduce to the restoration of your health and promotion of your happiness. We are, dear Sir, with increasing respect and affection, your friends and ob Servts." This is the strain of the mutual relation to the end. The records of the Church contain repeated generous and thoughtful provision for the supply of the pulpit during his recurring attacks of sickness; and we nowhere find more beautiful indications of elevated and consecrated char- acter than are given by his letters to this people on various occasions, and by his farewell words to them before a voyage to Cuba for this cause.
In many ways, this Church and its worship do indeed bear the strong impress of Dr. Freeman's personality ; but in its best quality and influence the spirit and character of Dr. Greenwood still survive here. The Liturgy, in its present form, has his mark on every page. Not a little of the matter contained in it was recast or written by him; to him is due its merciful restoration from the incongruous changes which it had under- gone in its second edition in 1811, and the only subject of re- gret is that it was not possible to restore it yet more exactly to the form which it had taken in 1785. To him also is due that most excellent " Collection of Psalms and Hymns for Christian Worship," which after more than fifty editions is still one of the finest in use, and only needs a supplement containing the best hymns written since its compilation, to keep it in its recognized rank.
He took a deep interest in the Benevolent Fraternity of Churches, and multiplied largely the charities of this Parish, which before his time had been confined to a single contribution in the year. But to this body of services he gave the spirit, by infusing into everything he did here the breath of his own serious and lofty soul. He loved the ritual of this Church, its Liturgy, and its ancient walls ; and he believed the mode of worship here adopted
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THE MINISTRY OF F. W. P. GREENWOOD.
to be the best attainable, with an affection dating from childhood and strengthening every year.
For more than a year, - the last of his life, - Dr. Greenwood was prevented by weakness from occupying his pulpit at all. In accordance with his wish for a colleague, it was more than once proposed to settle one with him; and among those so con- sidered was the revered Ephraim Peabody, who later blessed this Church by his ministry. Dr. Greenwood's last greeting to his people was in a message read from this pulpit on Easter morning, April 16, 1843: 1-
The pastor would take this opportunity to exchange a few thoughts of kindness and salutation with his beloved people. He congratulates them that they hold faithfully together, attending in the same ancient and beautiful temple on the worship and ordinances of the Lord. He rejoices that so few inroads have been made on their number by death ; and most truly has he sympathized with those families who have not shared in the general exemption, but have been doomed to bereavement and affliction. On this most sacred of our festivals, he invokes the fullest blessings of Heaven on you and on your children. He trusts that you will bear his name in your thoughts, when, in solemn communion, you pray for those " who in this transitory life are in sickness or any other adversity." And finally he wishes you grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father, and from Him who was crucified, died, and rose again for us, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
On August second of the same year, he was gently released from his long and saintlily borne infirmity, and his funeral was attended here, in conformity with a paper of written directions which was found among his manuscripts a day or two after his decease, written with the simplicity, directness, just and deli- cate feeling, and firmness of judgment characteristic of him. As such it is given here : -
When my funeral takes place, it is my desire that it be performed in the Church. Let me be buried with the Church Service, and with that alone. Let nothing be added to it - for it needs no addition ; and nothing be omitted - for it is of no more than a decent length. I do not mean, however, that appropriate music should be excluded ; but in the pause between the reading of the Chapter from Corinthians, and the re- maining part of the service, I prefer, instead of a Hymn, that the 23d Psalm should be chanted. Let only the proper Church prayer or prayers be used, and not those which have been appended for occasional use at
1 This message was contained in a letter addressed to Rev. William Ware who was to occupy the pulpit that morn-
ing, asking him to urge upon the congre- gation a generous contribution for the Ministry at Large.
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funerals in private houses. Above all, let no extempore or occasional written prayer be introduced. I would that not a word should be said concerning what may be considered my character or deservings, at that solemn hour when in the house of God, and presence of his holiness, my poor remains are waiting to be consigned to the earth. Let the voice of the Church only be heard in those words, mostly from sacred scripture, which are used in our mother country impartially for prince and peasant, and which are certainly sufficient for me. I do not give these directions because I have any idea that I shall be affected by what takes place when I am dead ; but because I wish to bear my dying testimony to the pro- priety and value of a regular and stated funeral service, and to evince that the preference for Liturgic forms which I have maintained through life is as strong as ever now that my life is closing.
We quote the following from the Vestry Records: -
On the morning of Aug. 2, 1843, Dr. Greenwood expired, at Dor- chester, of hemorrhage of the lungs, to attacks of which he had long been subject. . . . It was
Resolved, That this mournful event is not the less afflicting, because the danger and the dread of its occurrence have, for some time, been imminent. We have felt that the blow might fall at any moment, and we have also felt, as we now feel, that come when it might, it would be heavy and distressing. By the death of Dr. Greenwood, we have lost not merely a pastor by whose ministrations we were instructed and delighted, but a friend in whose society we rejoiced, a pattern of true elevation of char- acter, simplicity, modesty, truth, moderation, piety, and philanthropy, in whose footsteps we might safely follow, and the beauty of whose ex- ample was itself an inducement to all who saw it to imitate it. Deeply sensible of our loss, and of that of the Church whose spiritual guide he has been for nearly twenty years, we desire to submit to God's dispensa- tions without repining, and to cherish with gratitude and lasting love the memory of his excellence, and of the good he has effected by his labors and his life. To his family we offer our condolence, and the assurance that, deep as is their affliction, we share it with the strongest sympathy. To have known and loved him whom they have known and loved so well, will be among our most precious recollections in all future life.
The burial-service was conducted by Dr. Nathaniel Langdon Frothingham, of the First Church, on the afternoon of Friday the 4th of August. A contemporary account of the funeral 1 contains this paragraph :-
" Immediately after the services the funeral procession moved to the North Church,2 where the body was deposited in the family tomb."
1 Boston Daily Advertiser, Saturday, tended, as the family tomb is on Copp's Aug. 5, 1843. Hill.
2 The North End was probably in-
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THE MINISTRY OF F. W. P. GREENWOOD.
The following inscription is on the pedestal of a bust by John C. King, placed in the chancel to his memory two years later : -
REV. FRANCIS WILLIAM PITT GREENWOOD, D. D.
The Colleague and Successor of D' Freeman as Pastor of this Church. Chosen July 11, 1824. Settled Aug. 29, 1824. Died Aug. 2, 1843. Aged 46 Years. Endowed with rare powers of observation and expression, his services in the pulpit were distinguished for their beauty, truth and persuasiveness. The natural earnestness of his manner left no doubt of his sincerity ; the justness of his thoughts no room for censure ; and the poetical beauty of his language no opportunity for objection. His character, as developed through long years of lingering disease, corresponds with that of his writings ; it was truly Christian, consistent, and attractive.
His people have placed this bust here in affectionate commemoration of his wisdom and his virtues. March, 1845.
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ANNALS OF KING'S CHAPEL.
Dr. Greenwood's literary activity, notwithstanding his frail health, was constant. In November, 1827, the Vestry requested " a copy of his sermons on the Twelve Apostles, - the expense of printing to be defrayed from the church funds, and any profits to be presented to him." This was the first of the volumes pub- lished during his lifetime. In 1833 he published his " History of King's Chapel; " and in 1842, his "Sermons of Consolation." From 1831 to 1839, with various interruptions from ill-health, he was associate editor, with Rev. James Walker, of the "Christian Examiner," and contributed to it between sixty and seventy arti- cles, most of them brief and very miscellaneous literary notices.1 He also gave to the press several occasional sermons and dis- courses. Two volumes of his Sermons and a volume of his Mis- cellaneous Writings were published after his death.
The preparation of a third edition of the Chapel Liturgy was authorized at the Easter meeting, 1827, and it was ready for use at Easter, April, 1828. In this edition extensive changes were made from that which preceded it, which were chiefly due to Mr. Greenwood's thought and care. Not a few restorations of the phrascology of the Church-of-England Prayer-book were made. The Litany was somewhat abbreviated. A revisal of the Psalter was made, " omitting the verses and Psalms which seemed not appropriate to the devotions of a Christian church, and altering the translation wherever it seemed to be required." Services for Thanksgiving and Fast Days and a Second Form of Evening Prayer, written or compiled by Mr. Greenwood, were added, and Family Prayers for a week close the book. These Prayers soon became the manual of family devotions in use in many devout Unitarian households. The most considerable change was the addition of the Second Form of Evening Prayer. In speaking of this Mr. Greenwood also stated the ground on which all modi- fications of the Liturgy from time to time have rested : -
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