USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > Sketch of the history of the Parish of the Advent in the city of Boston 1844-1894 > Part 4
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I am, gentlemen, your friend and rector,
HORATIO SOUTHGATE.
1858-1869
1858-1869.
With the close of Bishop Southgate's rectorship the parish ceased for a time to take any active part in forming the history of the Church in this country. It existed, as most parishes exist, doing its own work and exerting con- siderable local influence, but making no apparent impres- sion on the Church at large. It was a free church, and, as such, still an experiment, the success of which had not been proved ; but, on the whole, its condition gave great encour- agement to believers in the movement, and its course was therefore watched with great interest.
On the resignation of Bishop Southgate, the assistant, the Rev. Mr. Stickney, was asked to take charge of the work temporarily ; and shortly the Rev. W. H. Odenheimer, D.D., of Philadelphia, was unanimously elected rector. After considering the matter, however, Dr. Odenheimer felt obliged to decline the election ; and it was not until May 10, 1859, that the parish elected its next rector, the Rev. James A. Bolles, D.D., of Cleveland, Ohio.
In many respects Dr. Bolles was an obvious candidate. A good Churchman, very popular with his people in the west, an exceedingly genial and hospitable man, he was also much interested in the free-church movement, and was will- ing to take a financial risk which seemed very great to those having the charge of parishes where the policy of pew- renting insured a certain income.
While the Parish of the Advent made appropriations each year based upon the income of the preceding year, and the
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members of its corporation felt a moral responsibility to see that the contracted payments were always made, there could be no guarantee that the members of the congregation would do their share, nor could they be compelled to contribute to the general fund. The principle of giving for its own sake had been inculcated; and fairs, concerts, and other like forms of extortion, were never even considered as a means by which to make up any possible deficit. The offerings of the congregation were taken at each service, and formally presented upon the altar as an act of worship, praise and thanksgiving; and then, and then only, were they devoted to the support of the work. Moreover, the act of first offering upon the altar those sums of money which members of the congregation were to give to the various charitable enterprises in the city was encouraged, both as a means of bringing a blessing upon the work for which they were set apart, and thus, as it were, doubling the value of the gift, and also as a constant recognition on the part of the giver of that Power whose goodness had made the gift possible.
It was the recognition of the principle that the act of giving to Christ and his Church was a distinct act of wor- ship, and that it was the duty of each member of the con- gregation to place upon the altar from week to week a portion of those things with the use of which he had been intrusted, which gave to the members of the parish faith in their system, and to their new rector courage to run the risk (from the worldly point of view) of leaving his Cleveland home and accepting this call. He entered upon his new duties full of zeal and enterprise in mapping out the details of the work, and his enthusiasm served as a great incentive to those whom he had come to lead.
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The parish was still occupying the chapel on Green Street, but question of building was under consideration. In 1858 a lot of land on Tremont Street, between Worcester and Concord Streets, had been offered as a gift, if the parish would build upon it; and later, in 1860, the purchase of a lot on Allston Street was also under discussion. It seemed impolitic to abandon a fairly successful field, and move to the South End; and, therefore, the offer of the Tremont Street lot was declined. The Allston Street lot would afford a church with only about seven hundred sittings, and it was therefore decided to be too small for the purpose. So for the present the plan of moving was abandoned.
In 1859 the parish again had an opportunity of standing up for the faith, in opposition to that spirit which did not discriminate between the Church and those who had cut themselves off from its ministrations.
A child, baptized in the Church, had been maintained for nearly six years under very distressing circumstances by members of the parish and from the alms chest. It was then placed in the Church Home for Orphan and Destitute Children, with the distinct understanding that its relig- ious instruction should "be in accordance with the forms and tenets of the Protestant Episcopal Church." But within two or three months the child was placed in a family well known to be of the Baptist faith, without notice to those who had left it in the Church Home. When this be- came known, the matter was thoroughly investigated, and every effort was made to have the child placed under differ- ent surroundings; but it seems evident from the records that the trustees of the Church Home at that time did not con- sider it a matter of vital importance that the child should be brought up in the Church. A series of resolutions were
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passed by the corporation and communicated to the trus- tees, reminding them of the duty and obligation imposed by the Church in its Prayer-book of "seeing that baptized children be taught what a solemn vow, promise, and confes- sion hath been made for them, and of taking care that each be brought to the bishop to be confirmed by him so soon as he can say the Creed, the Lord's Prayer, and the Ten Com- mandments, and is sufficiently instructed in the other parts of the church catechism set forth for that purpose." This duty, apparently, was not recognized by the trustees; for there is no evidence that any definite result ever came from these resolutions. Moreover, the whole tone of churchmanship in those days was not such as would re- quire or expect implicit obedience in regard to such details.
The income of the parish at this time was not large, but it was large enough for its absolute needs. There were but few rich people in its congregation ; and the small con- tributions of the many were relied upon rather than the large contributions of the few. The amount (some $700) taken from the alms chest at the door of the church in each year showed that its silent appeal for the poor was not over- looked; and in many ways there was evidence that the work was quietly going on, the foundation of much good to come. It was at that time the only Episcopal church in the city having a choir of men and boys; and as it had, there- fore, its choice of the boys' voices of the city, its music was exceptionally good. Its choir procession before and after the service was a novelty, and soon the use of surplices for the men and boys added considerable dignity to the ser- vice. Still, the parish was not popular with the masses ; and its services did not receive that encouragement which they ought to have had. But, notwithstanding this, the
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parish determined to remove, if it could procure a better site for its work.
In the spring of 1862 it was learned that an estate on Bowdoin Street, formerly occupied by a Congregational society, could be procured for the sum of $30,000. Full power was at once given to a committee to negotiate for the purchase of the same "at such price and upon such terms as they may deem expedient." The financial prob- lem, however, was a serious one; but it was solved through the generosity of Dr. George C. Shattuck. Two years before he had agreed to give a sum of money as an en- dowment when a certain fund was free to his use. He now offered to make a payment of the sum of $20,000 in anticipation and in satisfaction of all his liabilities to the parish under his previous agreement, provided that it should be held in such a manner as "to secure a perma- nent trust fund for the support of the clergy of this parish of the full value of not less than $20,000 capital." permis- sion being given, however, to invest it under certain con- ditions in the parish property. Accordingly, the parish re- leased Dr. Shattuck from any liability under his original instrument of donation as modified by him; and its treas- urer was instructed, upon the receipt of the $20,000, to pur- chase the mortgages on the Green Street property in the manner required, and to take an assignment of them in the name of the wardens and vestry of the parish in their cor- porate capacity as a trust fund for the support of the clergy, and to pay the interest on those mortgages as it accrued regularly for the purposes for which the trust was estab- lished.
It was not, however, until Easter, 1863, that the " trus- tees of the building fund, under the indenture of February
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I, 1847," were instructed "to purchase with the funds that are or may be in their hands the land and meeting-house now belonging to the Congregational society on Bowdoin Street as and for a permanent house of worship for the use of this parish." Soon it was reported that all the nec- essary money was in hand, and the trustees of the building fund contracted for the purchase of this property.
The next question for consideration was what should be done with the building. Its interior resembled most Con- gregational meeting-houses of its time. Against the wall, opposite the entrance, there was a high platform, on which there was a large reading-desk, with chairs and a sofa be- hind it; and in front, on the floor, was a small table. It was necessary that all these should be removed, and the altar set up in its place, with a proper rail and choir seats. As the church was a free church, it was also desirable that the pew doors should be removed. Moreover, the treat- ment of the wall behind the altar was a matter of serious consideration ; and it was evident that, when the building was altered to meet any proposed plan, it could not be churchlike in appearance. The question, therefore, nat- urally came to some of the more zealous members of the parish whether it would not be better to rebuild entirely, or else to so radically alter the building that its present lines would be lost. The advice of Mr. Richard Upjohn, the architect, was taken; and later he appeared before the corporation with plans, which were explained, and seemed to be so far acceptable that a committee was appointed to procure funds to carry them out.
It was soon evident, however, that the parish was not united as to the expediency of expending the money neces- sary for the purpose, and consequently plans for altering the
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building on a less ambitious scale were adopted, although only after much discussion. The points of discussion may seem small; but they were based upon principle, and hence were important. One question was whether the reredos should be of stucco, representing wood or stone, and hence, in the contemptuous language of one of the corporation, a " sham," than which nothing could be worse in, a place where the truth was to be taught. Another question was as to whether or not the altar should be raised well above the chancel floor, so as to give it the prominence which it was believed it should have. Stucco was cheaper than carving, and the altar, if lower, would cause less remark than if raised, as proposed ; and expediency gained the day. The alterations were finished so that the church was first occupied on Palm Sunday, March 20, 1864; and in the fol- lowing October the Green Street property was sold.
In December, 1869, the rector realizing, apparently, that he had done for the parish all that he could, and that the time had come to hand the work over to some one else, sent in his resignation, which was accepted, with a vote thanking him for his faithful services lasting for so many years. Cer- tainly, much had been accomplished by him. The weekly celebration of the Holy Communion had been established. In the vesting of the choir and the use of the choral service the proper relations of the choir in the service of the Church had been recognized. The parish had purchased a better building for its work, though one by no means entirely suit- able for the purpose, for its services could not be held there with anything like the dignity which should attend them. While the general standard of churchmanship had advanced, however, there was still much feeling that form was of no value as a means of education or expression; nor were
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there in the city enough who sympathized with what is called the advanced school of churchmanship, even as it was known in those days, to come forward, and give freely to help such a work as the Parish of the Advent was attempt- ing. The time was not yet ripe for that fuller development of teaching and ritual to which we are now accustomed.
Under all the circumstances, perhaps, it is well that no greater step had been taken. The parish had kept in a rather conservative position, showing but little growth, but holding its own, and gathering strength for its next step in advance.
1869-1894
1869 -- 1894.
After the resignation of Dr. Bolles, arrangements were again made with the Rev. Mr. Stickney to serve as rector ad interim ; and Judge. Redfield, Mr. Dana, and Mr. Tarbell were appointed a committee to take into consideration the vacancy in the rectorship, and to make nominations therefor.
At a meeting held October 7, 1870, Mr. Dana represented that the committee had no nomination to make ; but he ex- plained the working of a brotherhood of clergymen exist- ing in England, and stated that the committee unanimously recommended the passage of the following vote : "That the committee to nominate a rector be authorized to make tem- porary arrangements with the Rev. Mr. Benson, of Oxford, to assist the rector ad interim in carrying on the work of the parish." The recommendation of this committee was adopted, and was the beginning of another controversy, which, while it did not directly or seriously affect the parish, caused it to be brought into critical notice.
The brotherhood in question, now so well known as the Society of St. John the Evangelist, had existed for about three years in England. It was composed at that time of priests, both Englishmen and Americans, who were not in- clined to take parish work, but were associated more espe- cially for the purpose of holding missions and of preaching wherever they might be called from time to time. The members of this order, however, favored a more advanced ritual than was the custom in this country, and were believed by those not well informed in the matter to hold a faith
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more nearly resembling that of the Roman Catholic than of the Anglican Church. Their very vow made them unpop- ular ; and, as their habit was peculiar, they were objects of much curiosity wherever they went. The fact that they were under the jurisdiction of the English Church also tended to make them objectionable to many of the Church- men of this city.
Satisfactory arrangements were made with Father Benson ; and he, with two associates, arrived here in November, 1870. They brought letters from the bishop of Oxford, the bishop of Winchester and the bishop of London, recom- mending them in terms of the highest praise, and entitling them to rank with the clergy of this country ; but, notwith- standing all this, the bishop of Massachusetts declined to see them. The result was a correspondence which extended through the fall and winter of 1870-71, in which, while the parish was not technically involved, its committee was put to much embarrassment. These clergymen had been invited by the parish, and the parish felt in a measure responsible for the manner in which they were received by the ecclesiastical authority of the diocese. Moreover, it felt the slight which the bishop put upon it in his treatment of its guests. Elsewhere in the country they were received with great cordiality, but not in Massachusetts.
It was finally arranged, however, that the Rev. Charles C. Grafton and the Rev. Oliver S. Prescott, members of the society, who, as priests of the American Church, were canon- ically eligible, should take active charge of the services of the parish, while the English members should hold such meetings in the Sunday-school-room and elsewhere as might be held by any laymen, performing no priestly acts in this diocese so long as the bishop objected.
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The immediate result to the parish of the arrival of these men was a largely increased interest in its work. The sys- tem which the members of the society adopted was such as they had found eminently satisfactory in their work in England, and in some respects its very novelty was an. attraction. Their sermons were mostly extemporaneous, and their directness of delivery gave the preachers. a great influence. Their effectiveness was recognized by all. More- over, their influence was largely increased by the zealous personal interest which they took in those to whom they had come to minister.
At the Easter meeting, April 10, 1871, the Rev. Mr. Stickney, for many years assistant to the rector, and later rector ad interim, resigned his connection with the parish. For nearly twenty years he had been a faithful and beloved minister to those in need, but his system of work did not readily coalesce with that of his associates. He was of the old school, and they of a new; and a harmonious parting seemed preferable to a loss of influence on either side.
It was not until November 14, 1871, that the parish pro- ceeded to the election of a rector ; and at that meeting the Rev. James DeKoven, D.D., was unanimously chosen. Noth- ing need be said at this time either in eulogy of Dr. De Koven or to justify the parish in its choice. He was an obvious man for the position; but he felt that his duty was else- where, and he therefore declined the call. At the meeting at which Dr. DeKoven's declination was received the senior warden suggested the election of the Rev. Mr. Grafton as rector, and the Rev. Joseph Richey as assistant minister. This suggestion received careful consideration ; and at a subsequent meeting a committee recommended the election of these candidates, after carefully considering the relations
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of all concerned. A letter was read from the Rev. Mr. Grafton, defining his position in regard to the Society of St. John the Evangelist, and he was thereupon elected rector, the Rev. Mr. Richey being elected assistant rector by a unanimous vote.
At the Easter meeting, held a month later, the wardens reported that they had notified the rector and assistant minister of their election; that the rector-elect had sig- nified his acceptance, but that Mr. Richey had been invited to the rectorship of Mt. Calvary Church, Baltimore, and felt that the call to Baltimore was a very urgent one, and should be accepted ; therefore he declined his election.
Mr. Richey had been connected with the parish for some months, and he had especially endeared himself to the peo- ple. Moreover, as he was not a member of the order, his election seemed to many to tend to counteract its influence as such in the parish, and hence to be an important factor in the situation. To them as well as to those who had learned to appreciate his many virtues, his declination was a serious blow.
In the autumn of 1874 the matter of building a church was again agitated; and Messrs. Tarbell, Oliver, and Joy were appointed a committee to take the subject into con- sideration. They reported in favor of buying the site of the present church ; but it was not until the Easter meeting of 1875 that a vote was passed accepting the terms of the owner of the land, and the purchase was completed later.
A building committee was immediately appointed, and John H. Sturgis, Esq., was unanimously chosen architect for the church. In the following February his plans were accepted ; and in March, 1876, it was voted that the west bay of the church, according to Mr. Sturgis's plan, be com-
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menced at once, and the work prosecuted as fast as funds are furnished for the purpose. The building of the church, according to this plan, however, involved getting the consent of the adjoining property holders on the street, as it placed the tower outside of the established building line. This consent could not be obtained, however ; and, therefore, the commencement of the building was again postponed.
In December, 1876, a proposition was made by Father Benson regarding the purchase of the building on Bow- doin Street ; but the proposition was declined for the time. Negotiations, however, were still pending ; and in March, 1877, the offer of Father Benson was accepted, on condi- tion, however, that " as long as the parish may have for its rector a member of the Society of St. John the Evangelist, the church on Brimmer Street shall be made the headquar- ters of the work of the society in Boston, and the church on Bowdoin Street shall be carried on as a mission chapel, sub- ject to the control of the said rector, but independent of said parish." It was also voted, at the same time, that "as soon as it is reasonably apparent that the sale of the church on Bowdoin Street will be completed the committee are authorized to contract for the piling for the proposed church on Brimmer Street, and, when the sale of the church on Bowdoin Street shall be completed, continue the work of building, provided that the committee shall at no time contract liabilities in excess of the means of payment ac- tually in hand, unless by special vote of the Corporation." The price fixed for the property on Bowdoin Street was about $27,000, which was raised by a contribution of {2,000 sent by Father Benson from England, and the remainder by Father Grafton and several members of the parish.
At the Easter meeting, 1878, sufficient money was in hand
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to warrant beginning the work; and the committee was au- thorized to drive all the piles necessary for the church. The ground was broken for the new undertaking March 21, 1878.
When the piling was driven, the building of the chancel was begun immediately, its west end being bricked in so that services might be held therein. The chapel so formed was furnished with a temporary altar and organ and with chairs ; and on Easter morning, 1879, the first service, an early celebration, was held, Dr. F. E. Oliver, who had done so much for the music of the parish in its early days, playing the organ for the "Gloria in Excelsis," the first hymn sung there.
At the Easter meeting, 1880, the Rev. Arthur C. A. Hall was elected to the office of assistant rector,- an office not canonically recognized, but provided for by the original con- stitution of the parish.
From this time on, for two years and more, the main ques- tion was how to finish the church building without going into debt. The question of mortgaging the property came up frequently, but it was not considered right to rely on a mortgage debt to furnish funds, when the absolute necessity for building was not apparent; and such a proposition was, during this period, always voted down. Finally, enough money appeared to be in hand to justify making the pre- liminary contracts; and the building of the nave was begun in the spring of 1881. The furnishing of the church was also to be a matter of considerable expense; but through the kindness of friends, and gifts from many sources, many of them unexpected, funds were finally in hand to furnish the church fully and build an organ.
But the parish yet had to receive what seemed at the time its most severe blow. The several clergymen belong-
CHURCH OF THE ADVENT.
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ing to the Society of St. John the Evangelist, who had as- sisted the rector in carrying on the church work, were very intimately associated with the parishioners, and seemed to have made themselves almost necessary to all that the par- ish had undertaken. It was, therefore, with great astonish- ment that the parish received word, early in the fall of 1882, that the rector had severed his connection with the Society of St. John the Evangelist. This of necessity meant a thorough reorganization of the details of the parish work under new guidance.
The corporation, after looking into the matter, and real- izing that the church in Bowdoin Street was, by the terms of its sale, set aside for the ultimate use of the Society of St. John the Evangelist, and was being occupied by the parish, in a sense, on sufferance, promptly recognized the rector's right to choose his own assistants, and at the same time acknowledged the position of the society by agreeing to finish the new church as early as practicable, and then re- sign the Bowdoin Street church to the uses of the society under the immediate charge of the assistant rector, with the understanding that he should resign his office in the parish, and conduct the work entirely independent of the parish. This arrangement was agreed to on all sides as being, on the whole, the happiest solution of the difficulties in which the parish found itself; and on the Thursday before Palm Sunday, 1883, the parish held its first service in the com- pleted church,- completed at least so far as essentials were concerned. On the following Saturday the first services were conducted in the Church of St. John the Evangelist on Bowdoin Street. While the parish seemed to have received a serious blow, in fact there had arisen from the one parish two congregations, each independent of the other, and each
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