USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > History of the Church of Our Savior, Protestant Episcopal, in Longwood, Massachusetts > Part 6
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A Longwood branch of the Church Temperance Society also was formed, but later was merged with the men's branch of the Guild. For a time a week-day school for boys and girls was conducted, but its need passed away with the growth of a public primary school in the neigh- borhood.
In 1887 a Church Choir Association was formed, the object being to keep in touch with all boys who were members or former members of the choir and retain their interest in the church.
Other organizations, such as the Men's Club and the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, were introduced, each with its own mission. Room was even made for the church activities of young children by the creation of a band called "The Little Helpers."
A branch of the Society for Home Savings served as a teacher of thrift to youth.
A change effected by Dr. Howe, which was deemed by many to be equal in importance to the abolition of the rented pew system, was his introduction of the intinction method of administering the Holy Communion. This change was effected in 1917, but only after long consider- ation by the rector, and a gradual approach, in order not to offend the sentiments of many communicants who con- sidered the old method of partaking of the wine directly from the chalice as sacred and in accordance with the example and instruction of Our Lord. He had convinced himself by chemical analysis that the former method was not entirely free from danger. Under the new method two chalices of wine are carried by the priest. Those pre- ferring the old method partake of the wine from one chalice and those who prefer the new method simply dip the clean wafer in the wine of the second chalice. Thus
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all communicants receive the sacred elements according to their preference and no one is kept from the Lord's table through fear.
During the rectorate of Dr. Howe The Church of Our Saviour came to be much sought by young people desir- ing to enter the holy state of matrimony. Not only did the sons and daughters of members of the parish desire that their union be effected within its sacred walls, but many from other parishes also sought its precincts for that purpose; even some from beyond the borders of Brookline, and a few having no church connection at all, but desiring marriage under the form prescribed in the Episcopal prayer book, sought this church for that pur- pose. Innumerable marriages have been celebrated be- fore its altar.
Sacred memories also cling about this church because of the unnumbered funeral services which have been held therein, including those of nearly all the founders and early supporters of the parish.
During the first year of his rectorate Dr. Howe issued a Year Book containing introductory notes, a calendar of Holy Days during the year; a sketch of the church itself, its form of organization and method of support, as well as essential dates in its history; a schedule of the services; a list of all the organizations within the church, the officers of each and the services each performed; a summary of the Diocesan church work with all contribu- tions thereto, also gifts to all missions; a list of contribu- tions to the several departments of the parish work, and a complete schedule of memorials and other gifts to the church from the date of its founding. This publication he continued annually, just prior to Lent, for forty years, the last issue appearing in 1917. This Year Book was of
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great value to all the parishioners, but more especially to the active workers in the several church organizations and the Church School. In his introductory notes Dr. Howe was accustomed to allude in a very touching and appreciative manner to those members of the parish who during the year had been called to the higher life. In one of these annuals Dr. Howe stated the object of the publication in these words:
They give in condensed form information that is important for parishioners to have. They bring to new members much that they would be long in learning otherwise. They furnish in barest outline a picture of the life of the parish, but in the nature of the case they cannot record that higher and inward work which, we trust, is going on in the lives of those for whose good the church exists, and to which it should be its highest aim to minister. This cannot be put in print or measured by years.
We live in deeds, not years: in thoughts, not breaths: In feelings, not in figures on a dial.
We should count time by heart throbs.
He most lives who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best.
Life is but a means unto an end: that end beginning, mean, and end of all things-God.
From the time on October 1st, 1881, when the free pew system was adopted Dr. Howe always devoted two pages of the Year Book to a statement that this was a free church and that no one need be absent from church worship through inability to contribute to its support, yet the difficulty connected with the free pew system was once expressed by him as follows:
In a church where there is no list of pew holders, because the pews are free, and in which there are every Sunday many
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strangers, how can their names and residences be learned? And yet the church is failing of its duty, unless in some more thor- ough manner it is ministering to these people than by what they receive in merely attending a single service once a week. Life is moving on. Children are growing up. The multiplica- tion of apartment houses is having a tendency to make the relation which families sustain to a neighborhood, to say noth- ing of its institutions, a very light one.
Therefore, he called upon strangers in attendance to give him their names and addresses, and he urged the church membership to arouse itself to a fuller ministry to the neighborhood by manifesting more interest in newcomers and more of the spirit of brotherhood.
More than once in his Year Book Dr. Howe urged his people to avail themselves more frequently of that which the prayer book means when it says, "Therefore, if there be any of you who cannot quiet his own conscience herein but requireth further comfort, or counsel, let him come to me or some other minister of God's word, and open his grief, that he may receive such godly counsel and advice as may tend to the quieting of his conscience."
"This may well apply," said he, "to other perplexities and questionings and needs than those that pertain to the receiving of the Holy Communion. There is no greater joy to a rector than to be in any way he can a help to those committed to his care."
In his last Year Book but one, that of 1916, Dr. Howe expressed the great desire of his heart and his deep sense of responsibility in language of which the following is an abstract:
The memory of those who are gone is blessed. Our deep desire for those who remain is to see them growing more and more into a fuller identification with our beloved parish, a
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fuller entrance into its life and spirit, for it is a potent instru- mentality to draw us nearer to God, to help us to serve Him in good work.
This sense of our personal responsibility to the Parish be- cause it is such an instrumentality, this entering into the parish life with loyal devotion in a spirit of consecration, this it is that your rector most desires for all those over whom he is set in the Lord. Only a high motive, a devout personal alle- giance to the Master and a strong will to let Him speak through us and truly to live in us, only these will keep us true to our divine mission. Only this will give us such a sense of stewardship over whatever worldly possessions God has blessed us with that we shall do our duty in giving to the parish for its support, to missions and to other worthy ob- jects.
In these days of week-end visits in automobiles, of absences from home at others' houses, of strangers within our gates, of engagements of many kinds and running to and fro and conse- quent disregard of the Lord's Day, or the duty and privilege of public worship, how great is the need for men and women who have convictions as to their duty and will power enough to say: "I will stand firm for what I believe should be my ex- ample in such matters! Every Sunday shall see me doing my duty to God first, to my neighbor afterwards," though in reality they are one.
It was not Dr. Howe's custom, in his ministry, to dwell very much on past achievements. His glance was ever forward, his appeal ever to future accomplishment. On February 21, 1897, at the close of his twentieth year with this church, he preached a sermon which illustrated this attitude of mind and spirit. His text was taken from Exodus XIV, 15: "And the Lord said unto Moses: Where- fore criest thou unto me? Speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward."
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In elucidating this passage, Dr. Howe expressed his own outlook, faith and courage, saying:
This is one of the most marked instances in the Bible of demand for a sublime faith, of call for belief that if men will have courage, and confidence, and will act, there will be achievement even of that which seems most unlikely. It was a magnificent test of faith. It was rich with promise for their future if they would only do their part. With this service I shall have completed exactly twenty years of ministry in this parish. It is of no sort of consequence to you save as it rounds a period of your history in your capacity as a Christian parish, charged with doing the Lord's work in this particular part of his vineyard and I am not to treat you to any rehearsal of this ministry of a score of years. "Who is Paul and who is Appolos, but ministers by whom ye believed?" That is the true relation forever of any individual workman to his work; all that is of any consequence. And a singular person must any minister of Christ be who as he casts his eye back over any period, on some anniversary, sees not defects and shortcomings far over- shadowing achievements. "Neither is he that planteth any- thing," adds the apostle, "neither he that watereth, but God giveth the increase." What I want to do, and for this only do I choose this time, is to look into the future more than into the past, and to strike a note of courage, of faith, of action, and so of greater and greater achievement.
Then followed a keen recital of the wants of the com- munity and of what the church ought to do to meet the ever increasing need.
On Easter Monday evening, March 31, 1902, the wardens and vestry adopted the following resolution :
On the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the rectorate of the Reverend Doctor Howe, the wardens and vestry desire to place on record their appreciation of the work
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which he has so faithfully and efficiently performed in their service. "Your servant for Christ's sake" is the keynote of Dr. Howe's ministry, and how faithfully he has lived up to it is written on many hearts, who in trouble, sorrow and sickness, and also in their joys, have found in him a sympathetic friend and helper. They feel that since character in parishes, as in individuals, is the force which tells in a community, The Church of Our Saviour, under Dr. Howe's guidance, has be- come a power for good which in years to come will be his memorial, more lasting and eloquent than any written words.
On April 1, 1907, at its annual meeting, the corporation adopted the following resolution:
Whereas Reginald Heber Howe, D.D., has recently com- pleted thirty years of service as rector of our church, we, the members of the corporation, desire to express to him our cordial appreciation of his faithful ministry and wise administration of the affairs of the parish during that time and to extend to him our hearty support and cooperation in his work in the years to come.
On April 12, 1909, at its annual meeting, the corpora- tion as its first act of business, adopted a somewhat simi- lar resolution.
The thirty-fifth anniversary of Dr. Howe's rectorate was observed by a complimentary dinner to the rector, given by the corporation at the Algonquin Club in Boston, April 28, 1912. The Senior Warden, Dr. Au- gustus Thorndike, presided and every member present spoke in affectionate terms of the rector. The Junior Warden, Judge Philip S. Parker, presented the rector an engrossed scroll bearing the name of every member of the Corporation, nineteen in number, and reading as follows :-
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THE CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR
CHURCH OF OUR SAVIOUR
LONGWOOD
1877-1912
To
REGINALD HEBER HOWE
Rector of the parish for thirty-five years, steadfast in his devotion to its welfare, true spiritual adviser to his people, ever thoughtful of their needs, loyal servant of the Master, devoted preacher of His Gospel, we, members of the Corporation, express our sincere appreciation of his long and faithful service and pledge him our continued support.
Quinquagesima February 18, A.D. 1912
At that dinner Dr. Howe reviewed the history of the parish, called attention to the increasing responsibility resting upon the church because of the growing popula- tion of the community, and emphasized the need of en- larging the parish house, which enlargement was accom- plished soon thereafter.
On Septuagesima Sunday, in 1917, Dr. Howe completed forty years in the rectorate. In recognition thereof the wardens and vestry voted to hold a reception to Dr. and Mrs. Howe in the Parish House, on May 23, from 4.30 to 6.30 P.M., and appointed a committee of five to issue the invitations. The reception had to be postponed be- cause of Mrs. Howe's illness that week.
Dr. Howe spent most of his summer vacations in Bristol, Rhode Island. He found that the soft southerly breezes of that locality on Narragansett Bay counter-
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acted the effect of Boston east winds upon his vocal organs. In his later years those organs were so seriously affected by the influence of climate that he often had recourse to the aid of lay readers in the conduct of church services. In this respect Mr. Benjamin K. Hough and Mr. Henry S. Bowen of the vestry often rendered very sat- isfactory service both to the rector and the congregation.
In January, 1918, Dr. Howe met with a severe bereave- ment in the death of Mrs. Howe, who had been a loving and most helpful companion for nearly half a century. It was in June, 1868, that Dr. Howe, then a divinity student, was united in marriage to Susan Adams of Provi- dence, Rhode Island. Had she survived five months longer they would have celebrated their golden wedding.
Being of a deeply emotional nature, and much worn by the burdens and cares of his long ministry, Dr. Howe's grief seemed to him to be unbearable. His health began to fail but he struggled on with his ministry for a year longer. At the annual meeting of the Corporation in January, 1919, he presented his resignation of the charge, which was accepted with regret, accompanied by a vote of deep appreciation and affection. He was requested to remain as rector emeritus on salary so that his official connection with the church continued without break until his death five years and two months later. His resignation brought to a close exactly half a century of service as deacon and priest in the Protestant Episcopal Church, a record excelled by few clergymen in any chris- tian body.
In addition to his duties as rector of the Church of Our Saviour Dr. Howe served for a period beginning in 1881 as instructor in the Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, and from 1885 to 1914 as secretary to the
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Diocesan Board of Missions. Other positions held by him were: Vice President and Secretary of the Church Home for orphans and destitute children, President of District Fifteen Conference of Associated Charities, President of the Massachusetts Branch of the Free Church Association, Director of the Church Temperance Society and as examining Chaplain under Bishops Pad- dock, Brooks and Lawrence. He was the author of The Creed and the Year, The Call to Confirmation, Quad- ragesima, and several hymns and poems.
After a long illness, endured with christian fortitude, Dr. Howe passed to the higher life on June 6, 1924. Funeral services were held June 9, in the church which he had served so long and loved so well. Bishop Charles L. Slattery officiated, assisted by Reverend Henry Knox Sherrill, then rector of Trinity Church, Boston, the im- mediate successor to Dr. Howe in the Rectorate of the Church of Our Saviour, and by the rector, Reverend Henry McF. B. Ogilby.
Souls of the righteous in the hand of God, Nor hurt nor torment cometh them anigh, O holy hope of immortality, Souls of the righteous in the hand of God.
On earth as children chastened by love's rod As gold in furnace tried, so now on high They shine like stars, a golden galaxy; Souls of the righteous in the hand of God.
On St. Luke's Day, October 18, 1925, a memorial to Dr. Howe, the gift of many old-time parishioners, was dedicated at the morning service in the church. It is a credence table, standing at the right of the altar, and
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containing the communion vessels. It was designed by Samuel B. Dean, a long-time member of the vestry and intimate friend of Dr. Howe, having served under him for many years as assistant superintendent of the Church School. In style it is fifteenth century French and was executed by Irving and Casson of Boston.
Very few Episcopal clergymen have had a record of continuous service in one parish equal to that of Dr. Howe-forty-two years as active rector and over five additional years as rector emeritus, in retirement. Many years ago Reverend Doctor Edson served over fifty years as rector of St. Anne's Church, in Lowell. That church had only three rectors in a century of its life and Dr. Edson served over half of that period. Reverend James P. Franks served forty-six years as rector of St. Peter's Church in Salem, and Reverend L. C. Manchester, at one time secretary of the Massachusetts diocese, served St. John's Church in Lowell over thirty-five years, re- tiring in 1900. Reverend Edward T. Sullivan, D.D., first and only rector of Trinity Church in Newton Centre, has served as rector of that church for over forty-four years. In the entire history of the town of Brookline only one clergyman has served any of its churches for a longer period than that of Dr. Howe. Reverend John Pierce, called to the First Parish Church in 1797, while still a student in Harvard College, served as its minister until his death in 1849, a period of over fifty years.
Dr. Howe was a member of the Massachusetts diocese for practically fifty-four years, having become a member in 1870.
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CHAPTER VIII
FORTY YEARS OF PROGRESS
SOME DISTINCTIVE EVENTS IN REVEREND DOCTOR HOWE'S RECTORATE
A FEW of the more important events in the affairs of the Church during Reverend Doctor Howe's rectorate, not mentioned elsewhere, may appropriately be recorded here. At the annual meeting in April 1879, Dr. William R. Lawrence declined re-election as Warden, where- upon Junior Warden Samuel L. Bush was chosen Senior Warden and Mr. Samuel H. Gregory was elected Junior Warden. Dr. Lawrence had served eleven years and his resignation came as the first break in the short list of Wardens who have served in the entire history of the Church. On May 7, 1879, the Wardens and Vestry adopted sympathetic resolutions on the death of Mr. Thomas J. Lee, for eight years a member of the Vestry and long the Superintendent of the Church School. On July 25, 1879, Messrs. F. W. Lawrence and A. T. Howard of the Vestry were appointed a building committee to superintend the construction of the first parish room which was accomplished during the year following. On October 16, 1879, the Wardens and Vestry adopted reso- lutions on the death of Colonel J. W. F. Gardiner, for three years a member of the Vestry and long a partial
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invalid as a result of army service. In April 1884, occurred the death of Samuel L. Bush, Senior Warden, and the election of Mr. F. W. Lawrence to fill the vacancy. In October 1884, Mr. Amos A. Lawrence presented the Church with a receipted bill, of $981.32, for repointing and repairing the Church edifice. On January 8, 1885, Messrs. F. W. Lawrence, John Wales and A. P. Howard were appointed to prepare a suitable memorial in the Church for the late Senior Warden, Samuel L. Bush. This memorial eventually took the form of a tablet on the north wall.
At the quarterly meeting of the Wardens and Vestry on November 19, 1885, a memorial paper on the death of Dr. William R. Lawrence was read and ordered to be printed.
At a meeting of the Wardens and Vestry, December 27, 1885, a letter was read from Mrs. Amos A. Lawrence (signed Sarah E. Lawrence) presenting to the Church, as a Christmas present, the new rectory which had just been completed. The letter said: "It gives me great pleasure at this Christmas season to present it to the Parish for the permanent use of its rectors, subject to the same legal conditions as the Church itself, hoping that the Divine blessing may be upon the Church, its rectors and its people." In acknowledging the gift, the Wardens and Vestry wrote: "On behalf of the Parish we gratefully receive the offering and humbly thank God that we are permitted to witness this pure and holy act of faith."
On January 10, 1886, the Wardens and Vestry received from Mr. Amos A. Lawrence the gift of the house on Monmouth Court. It was his last gift, for, on September 10, 1886, Mr. William H. Lincoln offered the following
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resolution at a special meeting of the Wardens and Vestry :
When a righteous man goes to receive his reward in the fullness of his years, after a life spent in the service of the Master, honored and beloved by all, eminent for every Chris- tian virtue, distinguished by a broad and catholic spirit, by a liberality and charity as wide and far reaching as human want and sorrow, by an entire devotion to the cause of the Lord Jesus Christ, while bowing in devout submission to the will of Him who does not willingly afflict, what remains, but to ren- der our praise and thanks to Almighty God for the record of such a life, for the bright example he has left us, for the sweet and inspiring memories of his daily walk and conversation whereby is elicited the sincere tribute of respect and veneration for his name.
Therefore, it is resolved by the Wardens and Vestry of The Church of Our Saviour that it is with feelings of deepest grati- tude that we are permitted to regard our departed brother, Amos A. Lawrence, as one of the founders of this Church, erected as a memorial to his revered and sainted father; that we shall ever cherish a dear and tender remembrance of the lively interest he has always manifested in the affairs of this parish, all the invaluable services rendered by him during the whole period of its existence, at all times contributing freely to its support and promoting its growth and prosperity.
Resolved, that in the event our Church has sustained an irreparable loss, its officers a valued colleague, a wise counsel- lor and a true and never failing friend and co-worker especially endeared to us by the kindness of his heart and warmth of his affections.
Resolved, that these proceedings be entered upon the rec- ords of the Church and the Clerk be requested to transmit a copy to the family of the deceased in token of our love of his name and our sympathy and condolence in their great be- reavement.
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The resolution was accepted and adopted and a copy sent to The Churchman for publication.
On January 3, 1892, the Wardens and Vestry adopted resolutions of regret, sympathy and condolence on the death of Mr. Hammond Vinton, for twelve years Clerk of the Parish, referring to him as "an upright, honorable and faithful friend, a public spirited citizen, a wise coun- selor, a devout Christian and a constant attendant upon our Church services, one who did his duty thoroughly at all times and in all places." Twelve days later, Mr. Charles S. Hamlin was elected to the Vestry and as Clerk of the Parish. At the annual meeting of the corporation, April 18, 1892, Mr. Samuel H. Gregory resigned as Senior Warden. Junior Warden F. W. Lawrence was elected to succeed Mr. Gregory and Mr. A. P. Howard, for many years a vestryman, was chosen Junior Warden. It was voted to accept a gift of railroad stock valued at $2300, and $149.27 in cash, from the Estate of Sarah E. Lawrence, the income to be used for organ repairs. A letter was read, signed by William Lawrence, proposing that the children of the late Amos A. Lawrence build a transept and choir room in memory of their mother. The proposal was accepted with "deepest appreciation and gratitude." On April 25, 1892, the Warden and Vestry adopted reso- lutions of regret at the resignation of Senior Warden Samuel H. Gregory and appreciation of his twenty-four years as Vestryman and Warden.
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