USA > Massachusetts > Suffolk County > Boston > The parish of the Advent in the city of Boston, a history of one hundred years, 1844-1944 > Part 3
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The most noticeable changes were, perhaps, about the chancel. The old mahogany pulpit was transformed into an altar, above which was the cross,* that rock of offence
9 [The parish had previously voted to have the chancel prepared "in such manner as the Rector shall signify"; further, that a cross should surmount or replace the cupola, and that the pew doors should be removed and the pews prepared for kneeling.]
* This cross retained its place over the altar until 1882, when it was removed by the Cowley Fathers, who had purchased the building on Bowdoin Street. In 1890 it was placed in the rector's room at the Church of the Advent, which it now adorns.10
10 [When, a little later, the memorial reredos in All Saints Chapel was erected, the cross was enshrined therein. ]
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THE PARISH OF THE ADVENT
from the first, and over it the words, "Lo! I come," "par- ticularly significant," in the words of Mr. Croswell, "of that event to the commemoration of which, as past, and the preparation for which, as to come, the church is especially consecrated." The chancel was spacious, with only the altar
+ Thet ict Tật tàng !*
Tror ast
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ALTAR AND SANCTUARY OF THE GREEN STREET CHURCH
within the rail, and a lectern and seats for the clergy with- out; and the whole interior, as viewed from the main entrance, was impressive.
The first service was held in the new edifice on the 28th of November, 1847, it being Advent Sunday, just three years after the first service in Merrimac Street. The rector was assisted by the Rev. Dr. Eaton and the Rev. Mr. Pollard, and preached the sermon. The congregation was quite large, and the prospects of the parish seemed more than ever encouraging.
It was, perhaps, natural that on entering upon a new era in its history, some effort should be made to bring about,
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THE YEARS 1844-1851
if possible, a more friendly feeling between the bishop and the parish; and the following extract from a letter of the rector to his father, under date of November 22, shows that such an effort was then being made. "Last week," he writes, "five of the clergy * called on me in a body, first at our house, and then at the church. Not finding me, they called again on the next evening ; and I gave them a cordial reception. They expressed a hearty desire for unity and a restoration of clerical intercourse. They had seen the bishop, who had reluctantly consented to waive all objec- tion to the service as performed by the rector, provided I would 'pray towards the people.'" The rector promised to give the subject proper consideration, and the deputation withdrew. Meantime Dr. Croswell received a letter from Bishop Eastburn, expressive of his satisfaction that the effort had been made by the clergy to promote brotherly unity and friendly intercourse, and of his especial desire that, as the parish was about taking possession of its new place of worship, its rector would now accede to his wishes in the conduct of divine worship, suggesting the wearing of the gown in preaching, the reading of the prayers at the reading-desk, and the use of a pulpit for preaching, also the use of the metrical psalms. The letter was kindly in its tone, but it was clear that no satisfactory arrangement of the par- ish difficulties was yet to be reached.
The answer to the above letter was equally courteous and equally firm in its tone. The rector alluded to the charge that had been publicly made against him, without a hear- ing, that he was guilty of acts which tended to degrade the Church and "imperil the souls of men," and called in ques- tion the, right of a bishop to regulate his demand by an
* Dr. Vinton, rector of St. Paul's Church, Dr. Clark, a former rec- tor of Grace Church, Dr. Mason, rector of Grace Church, Mr. Woart, rector of Christ Church, and Dr. Randall, rector of the Church of the Messiah.
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THE PARISH OF THE ADVENT
appeal to his own conscience or private opinion. At the same time he expressed his willingness, as it was his duty, to yield canonical obedience to his diocesan in all matters within his jurisdiction. He was unwilling, however, after all that had taken place, to make privily any concession, as it would subject him to an imputation of having deserved the severe and open censure, not yet openly revoked, and of having exposed himself to the construction of admitting "a bishop's power virtually to inflict sentence of condemnation on his clergy without a trial." He instances the case of the apostle Paul, who, after he had "been beaten openly, un- condemned," at Philippi, was not willing to be "thrust out privily."
Here the controversy seems to have ended for the present. Each year, as the time for confirmation arrived, the usual courteous request was made to the bishop that he visit the parish to administer that rite, and the usual polite reply followed, declining to do so, this again being followed by a dignified protest on the part of the rector. Meantime the parish continued to prosper. "Everything," wrote Dr. Cros- well, "looks very encouraging. The church is well attended, the ordinances honored, Sunday-school flourishing, the wants of the poor provided for, the support liberal, the sympathy of the brethren at large lively." He also adds, in allusion to the ritual and arrangements of the church, that "many of the best of the clergy would be glad, if it were in their power, to adopt the same arrangements."
It might be added that the music at this time had attained a certain degree of excellence. The choir, although a volun- tary one, was a single quartette, with voices above the average in quality ; and the music was of the simple charac- ter which had marked it from the first. The canticles were sung to the Gregorian melodies; and the organ was admir- ably played, accompanying rather than leading the singers. A writer in the Parish Choir, an English publication of
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THE YEARS 1844-1851
that date, thus writes: "In Boston, at the Church of the Advent, where the Rev. William Croswell officiates, the singing is better than any I have ever heard on this side of the Atlantic. The chants are all single ones, most of them Gregorians, arranged as in the Parish Choir."*
The first confirmation after the opening of the church in Green Street took place at Christ Church on the evening of Easter Day, 1848, when twenty persons were confirmed. As the bishop had expressed his determination not to visit the Church of the Advent until permanent changes were made in the arrangements of the church and in the mode of worship, he designated four parishes at which he proposed to administer the rite of confirmation, and to any one of which the rector was at liberty to present his candidates. The rector's long connection with Christ Church led him to select that as least open to exception.
Soon after Easter Rev. Mr. Pollard, who had served the parish faithfully as assistant minister for more than three years, resigned that position ; and until his successor should be appointed the Rev. Dr. Asa Eaton, one of the oldest presbyters in the diocese, who stood ready at all times to render any aid in his power, performed the duties of that office. Dr. Eaton had been from the first a firm friend to the parish, and his presence in the sanctuary seemed always like a benediction. In the autumn of the same year the Rev. Oliver S. Prescott, a young presbyter from North Carolina, was appointed the assistant; and the rector, who
* See Parish Choir, vol. ii, p. 116. The writer adds: "The organist has managed to induce the members of his choir to lose sight of their individuality to the good of the whole : hence there is a goodly number of voices singing the tune and inviting the congregation to join with them,-an invitation they gladly avail themselves of. One of the psalms of David (not a metrical psalm) is always chanted as an introit. In this church, I might observe, there is no reading-pew, that most useless and cumbersome piece of furniture ; but the matin service and evensong, which are here daily read, are said at the altar rails, the lesson being read from a lectern. The choir always attend, and sing at the daily as well as Sunday services."
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had been for some time in infirm health, was much relieved in his parochial labors.
Among the many gifts that from time to time were made to the parish, one of the most beautiful and appropriate was that offered on Easter Day of this year. It consisted of a service of holy vessels of silver-gilt for the altar. These were made in England, under the direction of the English Ecclesiological Society, and consisted of seven pieces richly wrought; namely, one offertory basin, one cruet, two chalices, two patens, and one spoon, all with appropriate inscriptions."
It was in October, 1849, that the Saints' Days began to be more appropriately ob- served than had been the custom in this diocese. In one of his letters Dr. Croswell states that St. Matthew's Day was observed at the Advent with the usual solemnities. "Seven of the clergy were present, and thirty or forty of the laity, at the Holy Com- munion;" and, in allusion to the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, he writes that the Holy Communion was cele- brated, "as we purpose it shall be on all Saints' Days, there having been fifty or sixty present."
Among the few who had the courage to offer their serv- ices to the Church of the Advent at this time the name of the Rev. Henry N. Hudson ought not to be forgotten. He had acquired a high reputation as a lecturer on Shakspere,
11 [Corporation records of 1848 note the previous receipt of the following "donations"; A crimson broadcloth altar-cloth, a small bap- tismal font and stand, and a silver paten, all memorials ; also a marble slab for the top of the wooden altar, incised with five crosses ; an altar desk ; a book of sacramental offices, for the altar ; two crimson-bound prayer books; eight hanging lamps, and an eagle lectern of brass. The latter was the gift of Dr. William Edward Coale at Easter, 1848, possibly the first gift to the parish.]
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THE YEARS 1844-1851
and had recently been admitted to the sacred order of deacons in the Church, and, being a resident of Boston, was willing to "put his light," as Dr. Croswell expressed it, "in our candlestick." Dr. Croswell adds, "We shall have three services on Sunday with his help, and shall each have one turn."
After the usual somewhat curt correspondence between the bishop and the rector, the time for the confirmation which was now at hand was fixed for the 24th of February, 1850, at Trinity Church; and it will not be out of place to quote the letter of the rector complying with the direction of the diocesan :-
BOSTON, Feb. 23, 1850. Right Reverend and dear Sir,-
It is proper to apprise you that, in compliance with your direc- tions, I shall attend at Trinity Church with many of our congre- gation to-morrow morning. The service at our church will be omitted. I cannot yet inform you of the precise number of candi- dates for confirmation; but I am sorry to say that I find it year by year seriously diminished in consequence of the course which you have felt at liberty to pursue, in depriving our parish of the benefits of the episcopal visitation contemplated by the canon. And . I should be wanting in a sense of what is due to my own rights, as a presbyter under your jurisdiction, "not justly liable to evil report, either for error in doctrine or viciousness of life," as well as what is due to those of the laity of our parish, constituted an integral part of the diocese, entitled to representation in the Con- vention, and to the enjoyment of the same canonical provision and privileges as any other parish in it, if I did not once more enter my solemn protest against these proceedings, as I have done against similar proceedings in former years.
As ever, your faithful presbyter, W. CROSWELL.
On the morning of St. Matthias Day, therefore, the church was closed, and many of its congregation repaired to Trinity Church to witness the confirmation, while the
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THE PARISH OF THE ADVENT
candidates for that sacred rite walked in procession through the streets to the cathedral church.12
The munificent gift of a service of richly wrought com- munion vessels was supplemented in the following year by a sum of money which was expended in the purchase of a font and altar of Caen stone .* These were made after the design of an English artist, Mr. Frank Wills, then residing in this country, and were delicately and beautifully carved. The font was at once accepted; but objections having been made to the altar, that it was a distinctive altar, and not a table, and hence suggestive of a doctrine not then supposed to be generally held in what are termed Protestant churches, consent to its erection was at first withheld by the vestry. In the following year, however, at the special request of the rector, it was put in place.14
Although the feeling engendered by the bishop's action had in some degree subsided, the object sought at the outset
12 [Among those walking in one of these processions was a lad who had been baptized by Dr. Croswell when the latter was rector of Christ Church in Boston. The lad was Charles C. Grafton, later to become Rector of the Advent, and subsequently Bishop of Fond du Lac.]
* The bequest of Miss Elizabeth P. Perkins. This font is now in the baptistry of the Church of the Advent. The altar and an eagle lectern, given to the parish as early as 1848, were loaned for a time to the Society of St. John the Evangelist, when the parish moved from Bow- doin Street. It is to be hoped that they will soon find a place in one of the chapels in the Church of the Advent.13
13 [The present altar in All Saints Chapel is the one given by Miss Perkins in December, 1850, to replace the very simple wooden altar used in the earliest days of the parish. The gradine was added when the altar was brought from Bowdoin Street. The eagle lectern is also in All Saints Chapel. ]
14 [The crimson broadcloth altar cloth given in 1848 probably served to cover the altar or communion table, with its marble top, until the installation of the stone altar about 1851. Several years later the vestry voted that the wardens should provide proper coverings for the top of the altar, on account of the condition of the latter. A year later a member of the vestry moved that "the tawdry cloths" covering the altar be removed. The motion was not seconded, and the meeting thereupon adjourned !]
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THE YEARS 1844-1851
by the diocesan authorities had by no means been aban- doned. The attempt to cast a shadow over the good name of William Croswell had but drawn to him the sympathy of all true Churchmen, and done much to promote the growth and strength of the parish over which he presided. If one could be selected of less note and influence who could be made to suffer in his stead, something might yet be accomplished. It was, indeed, the better part of valor to choose an antagonist who, com- paratively unknown and without social influence, might be made to feel the smart of the episco- pal rod, even at the sacri- fice of his priestly stand- ing. Accordingly, in the autumn, a presentment was served on the Rev. Mr. Prescott, the rec- tor's assistant, contain- ing charges of heresy and of violating the usages of the diocese in the mode of conducting divine service, the latter referring to the wear- ing of the surplice in preaching and the use of the psalter instead of the psalms in metre. The charges of heresy were that he held and had taught the worship of the Blessed Virgin, in a sermon preached by him in Christ Church in Cambridge, and that he had also taught that confession to a priest and absolution were profitable and allowable. These charges, after three trials, were declared to be "not sus- tained"; but it was decreed by the court that, inasmuch as the respondent had claimed the right to pronounce ab-
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solution to the penitent, he be suspended from the ministry until he furnish to the bishop a certificate renouncing that claim except in the office for the visitation of the sick or in cases of contagious diseases.
Although the result was reached by an utter disregard of law and facts, it being admitted that the respondent was guiltless of heretical teaching, the object of the diocesan authorities had been attained; and Mr. Prescott went forth shorn of the powers that had been solemnly conferred upon him at his ordination. The diocese of Massachusetts had spoken.
An interesting incident in the history of the parish was the visit of Dr. Medley, the lord bishop of Fredericton. The parish having been deprived for many years of all episcopal supervision, this became an event of no ordinary interest. Bishop Medley's attention had been called to the parish several years before, when, soon after its organization, he had given it the alms chest, now at the south door of the church.15 On passing through Boston in September, 1851, he visited the church, leaving word that he would much like to preach on his return in October. He arrived on the eve of St. Luke's Day, and on that day assisted in the com- munion service, and preached a sermon appropriate to the day. On the following Sunday he also preached, to the great delight of all who listened to him. This action on his part gave great offence to the diocesan, who did not call upon his brother, and even declined an invitation to dine with him. The visit of his lordship was, however, most providential, and may have aided in ultimately opening the way towards a settlement of the questions in controversy.
15 [On Nov. 3, 1845, Dr. Coale wrote to the Lord Bishop of Fred- ericton, asking "where he could obtain an engraving of the beautiful alms-chest presented to His Lordship on leaving England." A few weeks later Dr. Coale was apprised that "His Lordship desires to pre- sent a similar alms-chest to the Advent." Acknowledgment of His Lordship's generosity elicited a reply from him expressing his warm interest in the Parish of the Advent.]
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It was but a few days later, on the Feast of St. Simon and St. Jude, that the lord bishop of Newfoundland, Dr. Field, was present at the services. The visits of the two bishops to the parish were a source of the greatest pleasure to the rector, whose days were now drawing to a close, and will be long remembered in connection with its early history.
Dr. Croswell had now entered upon the last month of his earthly life; and his close relations to the church with which he had been identified, almost from its beginning, render every detail of that life, especially in its closing days, of peculiar interest. There are those who recall the zeal and ardor with which he looked forward to the services of that last All Saints' Day. The sermon, almost prophetic, on that occasion; * his preparation for the sermon to the chil- dren, which was to be his last; his last entry in his journal, in which he noted his ineffectual search after a poor woman, who had incorrectly given her place of abode,-all these touching in- cidents are suggestive and full of in- terest, and mark the character of this devout and saintly man. During the in- terval between the close of the morning service and even- song on that last Sunday it was remarked by his family that he never appeared more cheerful; and he promised him- self much enjoyment in the approaching services, at which he was to admit an infant, by holy baptism, into the Church,
* His sermon was from the text, "Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus." He died November 9.
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and to address the little ones of his flock, in whose spiritual welfare he took the deepest interest. His sermon, from 2 Kings v. 2-3, "was written in a style of beautiful simplicity, perfectly plain, and well adapted to the capacity of his juvenile hearers, and yet full of the most sublime and elevated thoughts." In the last service in which he was ever to engage, nothing was especially noticeable in his manner until during the delivery of the sermon, when "it was per- ceived" says his biographer,* "that he occasionally betrayed some signs of faltering in his speech; but this was, very naturally, imputed to his emotions, and would not have at- tracted particular notice, had he not also, from time to time, placed his hand, in an unusual manner, upon the back of his head, as if suffering from pain or distress. The chil- dren were much affected as they saw, or thought they saw, tears stealing from his eyes. His voice, which was ever gentle and soft, and could scarce shape itself to a tone of reproof but that it would falter into music, meanwhile as- sumed, as from some presentimental emotion, those tones of tender pathos which rendered his speech no less fit than if it had been specially meant for a valedictory to the little ones of his flock." The writer well remembers the scene. His manner, as the sermon drew towards its close, was as if he were unable to see his notes distinctly ; and he brought it, at last, abruptly to an end, and gave out, from memory, the hymn, not the one he had appointed for the choir to sing, but one containing the prophetic lines,-
"Determined are the days that fly Successive o'er thy head, The numbered hour is on the wing That lays thee with the dead."
He then almost tottered to the altar rail; and, after re- peating the collect "Direct us, O Lord," he pronounced the lesser benediction on his knees, and remained kneeling, the
* Memoir of William Croswell, p. 475.
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THE YEARS 1844-1851
congregation now taking the alarm, and hastening to his assistance. He was led from the church, and taken im- mediately in a carriage to his residence which was near, and soon after became unconscious. In an hour his spirit had departed.
One can scarcely conceive of the shock that followed the startling news of his death, especially to those who had been present at the last service. Not only within the parish, but throughout the community, this event cast a deep gloom ; for Dr. Croswell had become well known as a devout and holy man, and the controversy forced upon him by his bishop had brought him prominently before a public which had already begun to sympathize with him in his trials and in the wrongs he had been called upon to endure. The suddenness of his departure also made a deep impression. All bitterness was for the time laid aside by those who had been so harsh in their judgments, and they united in their testimony to the rare spiritual gifts of this saintly man.
On the following morning, immediately after matins, at which the Rev. Thomas R. Lambert officiated, a meeting of the congregation was held in the sacristy of the church, at which appropriate words were said, and the general arrange- ments made for the obsequies of the late rector. The funeral ceremonies were solemnized on the following Wednesday at the Church of the Advent in Green Street, the newly conse- crated bishop of Connecticut conducting the services. The pall-bearers were the Rev. Dr. Edson of Lowell, Rev. Dr. Burroughs of Portsmouth, Rev. Drs. Vinton and Wells, and the Rev. Messrs. Greenleaf, Mason, Clinch, and Lam- bert. Assisting Bishop Williams were the Rev. Dr. Wain- wright, of New York, the Rev. Dr. Eaton and the Rev. Dr. Strong, of Greenfield .* "The church was crowded,"
* The bishop of the diocese was present at the service in his robes, but at the especial request of Dr. Croswell's father, the Rev. Harry Croswell, took no part in the funeral ceremonies.
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says one who was present, "with a most solemn assembly; and all the services of the mournful occasion were deeply im- pressive." After the services the body was taken to New Haven, accompanied by a committee of gentlemen of the parish,* and there on the following morning was committed to the ground by the side of his elder brother.
On the Sunday following that on which the sad event occurred a sermon, commemorative of the late rector, was preached by his old friend, the Rev. Titus Strong, of Green- field. The Rev. Dr. Haight, of New York, officiated on the succeeding Sunday ; and on the second Sunday in Advent the Right Rev. Dr. Doane, the bishop of New Jersey, between whom and the late Dr. Croswell there had existed the closest ties of friendship for many years, preached an impressive and eloquent discourse, in which the character of Dr. Cros- well was most touchingly portrayed. A few words from this beautiful tribute to his memory will not be out of place. In allusion to those qualities of heart and mind that especially distinguished him he says : "His kindness was as considerate and delicate in all its details as it was boundless in its comprehension. He knew the very thing to do, the very word to say, the very time and place to do it and to say it. . .. Then he was wonderful in his humility. He esteemed every other better than himself. He cared not what the service was, so he could do it; or for whom it was, so it would be received. And from his humility there sprang a beautiful simplicity, which was a letter of universal commendation.
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