USA > Maine > Kennebec County > Gardiner > Christ Church, Gardiner, Maine : antecedents and history > Part 9
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In February, 1861, the parish was saddened by the intelligence of the death of its former beloved rector, the Rev. Joel Clap, who had passed away while holding the rectorate of Montgomery, Ver- mont, the little town which had been his birthplace and the scene of his entrance into God's service.
On the left of the chancel in Christ Church, the late Mrs. William Bradstreet has placed the beautiful window which serves as a memorial to the eminent divine. The principle design is that of the pelican feeding her young. Above is the crown, and below the baptismal font, while, upon a scroll beneath, is the inscription : -" They that be Wise shall shine as the Brightness of the Firma- ment, and they that turn Mercy to Righteousness as the Stars For
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ever And ever. In Memoriam Rev. Joel Clap, D. D., died Febru- ary 24, 1861, aged 68 years."
In March of 1864, the parish mourned the loss of its Junior Warden, Dr. Joseph Merrill, one whose sterling worth had been most valuable to the Church ; a "judicious counsellor, to be held in remembrance with thankfulness to God."
Almost immediately after this affliction followed another, which, although not unexpected, was felt as a personal bereavement by every member of Christ Church.
Several years before, Mr. Gardiner had become the prey of a lingering disease, which threatened to bar him from the services of the sanctuary. As long as it was possible, he appeared regu- ularly in the family pew; and, when this became too much of an effort for him, he laid upon a lounge, placed for that purpose in the robing-room, where he could listen more at ease to the words of the minister. But there came a day, when, as he knelt before the Communion Table, he knew that it was for the last time. They say that, when he crossed the threshold on his way out of the Church, he turned for an instant, and cast back a look so full of the sadness of farewell, that tears sprang in the eyes of those who saw it, and they felt that his place would know him no more.
During his illness the whole city suffered with him, and none more truly than the devoted Bishop, who administered the last rites of the Church at the bed-side of the dying Christian. He was carried to his grave on Good Friday of the year 1864, amid the lamentations of a people whose highest trusts he had more than fulfilled. Gardiner owes vast debts to his benevolence ; and the Missionary Society, whose Treasurer he had been since the days of its organization, mourned most sincerely the loss of "one who was to it as a father."
The parish of Christ Church expressed its grief in the following resolutions :
" It having been so ordered by the wise Providence of God that within the last week the Hon. Robert Hallowell Gardiner at the age of four score and two years in the clear enjoyment of the faculties of his active mind, in the midst of all the domestic bless- ings for which his heart was so devoutly thankful, and in the exer- cise of a peaceful and triumphant faith, has been gathered to his fathers ; so that on the anniversary of the crucifixion and burial of our Saviour his mortal remains were deposited in the church-yard
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near to the house of God in sure and certain hope of a blessed resurrection ;
Resolved: That this Parish desire to place upon their records a grateful testimonial to the goodness of God in giving and pre- serving to them one who from youth to so venerable an age has been to the congregation of Christ Church the instrument of bene- fits so great and numerous as probably to exceed by far whatever may hereafter be within the power of any one individual, since he has been for sixty years the most conspicuous person in the Parish and ever ready to be a leader in all good works undertaken in its behalf.
He took care from the first that the beneficent designs of his Grandfather in assigning an endowment for the benefit of the Episcopal Church in this place should not fail of every possible accomplishment ; of which care the happy results are reaped to this day, and will descend to future generations.
He gave his personal labors to the continuance of religious ser- vices in the Parish in the days of its greatest weakness, doing all which a pious layman could do that the sacrifice, prayer, and the instruction of young and old all in the word of God might not be intermitted.
He maintained, by his liberal contributions through a long course of years, the ability of the Parish, which would have other- wise proved insufficient to supply itself competent and useful ministers.
He provided, by timely donations, such as those of the com- munion vessels, and the original organ, for many years needful, for the fittest performance of Divine Service.
He so largely originated, assisted, and encouraged, forty-five years since, the substantial and beautiful Parish Church that it must be viewed as the best monument of his zeal for the House of God; and by his generous donation of a large portion of the pews, of which he had become the proprietor, removed all em- barrassments from the Parish, and secured it an additional source of revenue.
He secured also, by his liberality and forethought, the full pos- session, enclosure, and adornment, of the ground forming the present churchyard ; while his benefactions and those of his family gave attractions to the site of the Church, by opening the Common on one side, and contributing to the Lyceum on the other.
He has ever been a constant and devout participator in all the
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public services of the Church ; a most kind, hospitable, and judi- cious friend to its successive ministers, an assiduous and faithful Warden or Vestryman ; and, as a member of the standing com- mittee of the Diocese from its organization, and of the general Convention from a still earlier date, has preserved this Parish in an intelligent and sympathizing connection with the wider interests of the Church.
He has so walked that, through the blessing of God, on his pre- cepts and examples all the numerous children of his family have in the communion of the Church, conferred upon the Parish mani- fold benefits of Christian influence, labor, faith, and charity, and, finally ;-
He has, in the sight of all men, done justly, loved mercy, and walked humbly with his God, till now all is sealed by a holy death.
Therefore this Parish, while they feel deeply their own bereave- ment and will express to the family of their venerable friend their warmest and most respectful sympathy, esteem it their duty to ex- press upon their records the grateful sense which they cherish of the goodness of Him from whom cometh every good and perfect gift in His departed servant so great an instrument of blessing to the congregation of Christ Church, both for sixty years past and in the time to come."
A marble tablet to the memory of the departed has been placed by the Parish, with the aid of Bishop Burgess, upon the southern wall of the Church. It is inscribed, in black letters ;-
"This Memorial Stone Erected by the Parish of Christ Church Attests their grateful remembrance for ROBERT HALLOWELL GARDINER
from youth to age their Leader, Benefactor and Godly Example. MDCCCLXIV."
Not long after the loss of this faithful friend, those who loved the Bishop began to entertain grave anxieties concerning his health. With the utter disregard of self which was so characteris- tic of him, he clung to the duties of his office, until, at last, the symptoms of disease proved too much for even his powers of con- trol. Leaving the parish in charge of his scholar, Mr. John T. Magrath, whom he had admitted to the diaconate, he tried for a season the panacea of rest and change. But the trouble, which
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he spoke of as a trifling "local difficulty," gained rapidly upon him; and in December, 1865, he sailed with Mrs. Burgess for Hayti, hoping there to free himself from its annoyances. He again left the Parish in the hands of Mr. Magrath, saying, "I re- joice and bless God that such a young man has been furnished by his good providence in this time of need."
Yet, notwithstanding the reluctance with which he parted from his people, buoyed up by the deceitful promises of his disease, he seemed not to think that, after this farewell, they should see his face no more. In a foreign land, he carried out his sacred duties in a way that endeared his memory forever to all who shared the privileges of his ministration.
The following extracts, concerning the sad event which robbed Maine of her first beloved Bishop, and descriptive of the honors paid to him by a mourning parish, are cut from the Kennebec Reporter of 1866, and from an article published in the Boston Journal by W. E. S. Whitman, so widely known as "Toby Candor" :
"The death of this eminent and widely-beloved prelate occurred April 23, six miles from the harbor of Miragoane, Hayti, on his passage from Port au Prince for New York. He had been spend- ing the past winter at the West India Islands, for the benefit of his health, which for the past two years had been gradually failing, in consequence of his unremitting and assiduous labors in the pur- suit of his devoted and exalted calling. He passed away without a struggle, and seemingly unaware that his soul was so soon to take its flight from its tenement of clay. Mrs. Burgess (who, with a daughter, survives him) was with him at the time of his death. His body was taken into port and after being prepared for trans- portation, was put on a steamer for New York. It arrived in this city Monday afternoon, and was accompanied from the depot to Christ Church by a large number of citizens. The flags in the city were placed at half-mast, and the bell of the Church where he had labored so faithfully and earnestly, tolled during the passage of the sad procession through our streets.
Thus has passed away a noble Christian man. Naturally of a strong constitution, he was literally worn out by hard work. Noth- ing that would be of benefit to the Church of which he was an able advocate, was too hard for him to undertake .- Even during his last days, in the West Indies, he could not remain idle, but labored for the cause he loved whenever there was anything to be
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done. Only a few days before his death he ordained several missionaries, and performed the rite of confirmation at Port au Prince.
The example he set in this city and wherever he went by his daily walk and conversation enabled him to enjoy to the full- est extent the confidence and respect of all. During the dark days of the rebellion he never despaired of the republic. His most cordial sympathy and hearty co-operation were given to the loyal cause from the onset, and his patriotic convictions continued firm and unwavering to the end. Many of our poor and disabled boys in blue can bear witness of his generosity and encouraging utterances to them. A little ballad that he contributed in 1864 to the Baltimore Sanitary Fair, entitled "The Blue Coat," indicates the feeling he cherished toward our national defenders, whether black or white, as will be seen by one of its verses, as follows :
'It mattered not much if he drew his line. From Shem or Ham in days of yore; For surely he was a brother of mine, Who for my sake the war-coat wore.'
The remains of the lamented Bishop were brought to this city on Monday afternoon, 2Ist inst., in charge of Messrs. Charles P. Branch and John S. Mitchell, wardens of Christ Church, who went to Boston for that purpose. As an indication of the regard with which the deceased was held, not only by his parishioners but by the community generally, a large body of citizens escorted the re- mains to the church ; and as a further testimonial of respect the flags in the city were hoisted at half mast and all business places closed in that portion of Water street through which the remains passed during their passage. The bell of Christ Church tolled un- til the remains were brought within its sacred precincts, when the doors were closed, it being known that the body could not be viewed. The body was placed on a catafalque in front of the altar, where it has remained until the funeral solemnities were per- formed, the sarcophagus containing it being covered with a black pall, on which were strewn immortelles.
Yesterday afternoon took place the solemn rites of burial. Long before the sad but interesting ceremonies began, notwithstanding the unfavorable state of the weather, the people commenced to assemble in the neighborhood of the church, increasing in number until the doors of the sacred edifice were thrown open, when it was speedily filled to its utmost capacity. The body pews were 15
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reserved for the relatives and immediate friends of the deceased, the side pews for citizens generally, while the chancel and front pews were for the clergy. The inside of the church was draped in mourning, tastefully hanging in festoons on the walls and rail- ing, the altars and chancel. In front of the altar rested the body of the deceased, where it had been lying in state since its arrival. It was enclosed in a metallic coffin, hermetically sealed, and cov- ered with a black cloth, and on it was spread a variety of choice flowers arranged in the form of a cross, wreath, etc. The lid bore a plain silver plate on which was inscribed :
GEORGE BURGESS,
FIRST BISHOP OF MAINE.
October 31, 1809. April 23, 1866.
At 4.30 o'clock, the hour appointed for the funeral solemnities, the coffined remains, which had been temporarily transferred to the vestibule to await the coming of the procession from the late Bishop's residence, where private prayers had been held, were re- placed in front of the altar. The procession comprised the family and relatives of the deceased, bishop's body and pall-bearers, clergy, wardens and vestry of Christ Church. As the procession entered and moved up the aisle, the beautiful liturgy for the dead from the Episcopal ritual was read. Bishop Clark read the sen- tences, Rev. Mr. Bradley the anthem, Rev. Mr. Niles the lesson, and Rev. Mr. Babcock a hymn.
The funeral address was then pronounced by Right Rev. Thom- as M. Clark, D. D., of Rhode Island, in which was paid a beautiful and eloquent tribute to the memory and worth of the departed Bishop. The speaker gave a careful and just analysis of the life and character of the deceased, referring particularly to his natural endowments, his great scholarship, his excellence as a man, his eminent qualifications as a Bishop, and of other prominent traits which marked his character, dwelling more especially upon that of his sincerity or reliability, and his indomitable integrity, which was accompanied by an iron will, which nothing could bend or break.
During the delivery of the address, the utmost quietude pre- vailed, the congregation giving their profoundest attention. Many of the audience were melted to tears by the fervid and touching allusions made to the deceased. It was an impressive scene. On the close of the address a hymn was sung, when the remains were borne out of the church by the body bearers, and the procession
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was formed in the following order : bishops ; body bearers ; pall bearers ; family and friends ; Episcopal clergy ; clergy of Gardiner and vicinity ; wardens and vestry of Christ Church, Gardiner ; members and parishioners of Christ Church, Gardiner ; wardens and vestrymen of the parishes in the diocese ; citizens generally. The body bearers consisted of Messrs. R. H. Gardiner, C. P. Branch, J. S. Mitchell, E. Forsyth, N. K. Chadwick and Alonzo Parsons, composing the wardens and vestry of Christ Church, and George E. B. Jackson, Esq., of Portland, James Bridge, Esq., of Augusta, and Henry Ingalls, Esq., of Wiscasset, lay members of the standing committee of the diocese.
It was but a few steps to the place of the sepulture, the grounds where the remains were to be interred, adjoining and lying on the south side of the church. The enclosure is owned by the parish, and used as a private burial place. The remains of the deceased members of the Gardiner family and several other prominent fami- lies lie buried here. The lot selected for the interment of the Bishop's remains was formerly owned by Dr. Holman, now de- ceased. It is situated midway between the chapel and church, and is the finest location in the cemetery. At the request of the late Bishop it has been appropriated as the burial place for none but such rectors of Christ church who may choose to be interred there.
The service at the grave was conducted by Rev. Mr. Chadwell of Catskill, N. Y., and was witnessed by a large number of people who had assembled to pay the last homage to departed worth. The mortal remains of the Bishop were placed in the ground agree- ably to his wishes. The grave ran east and west and is shaded by trees at the head and foot.
Not so large an attendance was present as would have been had it not been for the inclemency of the weather-a copious shower of rain falling during the forenoon and night before. The people in attendance is estimated at over one thousand.
The number of ecclesiastics was quite large, about thirty, com- prising not only the larger portion of those belonging in the Dio- cese of Maine, but from other States. Several Bishops who re- ceived formal notice could not come on account of their official engagements. Among the clergy present from out of the State were the following : Rev. Dr. H. C. Potter of Boston ; Rev. Dr. Francis Wharton of Brookline, Mass .; Rev. Dr. T. R. Pynchon, President of Trinity College, Hartford, Conn .; Rev. Dr. W. H.
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Brooks of Plymouth, Mass .; Rev. Thos. M. Fales of Waltham, Mass. ; Rev. W. S. Chadwell of Catskill, N. Y .; Rev. W. R. Bab- cock of Jamaica Plain ; Rev. W. S. Bartlett of Chelsea, Mass. ; Rev. Mr. Tuttle of Windsor, Conn .; and Rev. G. M. Bradley of Lynn, Mass. It is an interesting fact that twelve of the clergy were hab- ited in surplices and the rest wore gowns.
The manifestations of sorrow could not have been more pro- found, every citizen being apparently as desirous as possible of making the testimonial of respect to the deceased as general as possible. During the performance of the funeral ceremonies all places of business were closed, the bells were tolled, and the na- tional colors were raised at half-mast. The quietude of a Sabbath prevailed, a solemn sadness being everywhere visible, attesting to the deep and abiding sorrow that was felt.
As soon as the sad event of the Bishop's death was received, the churches of the Diocese displayed the usual tokens of grief. In Portland, Brunswick and other places, the great bereavement which had taken place was appropriately announced by the officiating pastors and suitable resolutions were adopted. In this city on the evening of the 23d, there was a meeting of the Wardens and Ves- try of Christ Church, at which the following series of resolutions were adopted respecting the mournful event :
WHEREAS, It has pleased Almighty God in His wise Providence to take from us by death our late beloved Bishop and Rector ; therefore :
Resolved, That we have heard with deepest pain and sorrow of the death of our beloved Father in God, after an Episcopate of eighteen years in the Diocese of Maine, and a Rectorship of equal length in this parish.
Resolved, That in his beautiful Christian character, his purity of life, his manliness, his gentleness, his humility, his singular self- devotion to his work, and in his long and self-sacrificing labors for Christ and the flock committed to his charge, we recognize the highest titles to our veneration and love, as well as cause for deep gratitude to Almighty God that He hath been pleased to bestow so great a blessing upon this parish and Diocese.
Resolved, That though deprived of the counsels and presence of our late Bishop and rector, yet we shall never cease to remem- ber him as a most faithful instructor in the ways of godliness, a most prudent counselor, a most affectionate friend, a pastor ever
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ready to share the sorrows of the afflicted, the benefactor of the poor, and as our leader and guide in every good work.
Resolved, That we offer our heart-felt sympathy to the bereaved family of our departed Bishop and rector, and make it our fervent prayer to our Father in heaven, the divine protector of the widow and the fatherless, that he would be pleased to comfort them, and to sanctify to them, together with this sorrowing parish, this mourn- fnl and impressive visitation of his providence.
The standing committee of the Episcopal Church in the diocese, acting in behalf of the convention during its recess, assembled at a day as early as possible after the sad intelligence of the death of their diocesan had occurred. A testimonial was prepared to be entered on their record, to the severity of the blow inflicted by Divine Providence on this portion of the church of God, in remov- ing him to the rewards promised to such as bide faithful unto death-to their grateful recollection of his devoted life, his fidelity and earnestness as a Christian minister and bishop, his judicious administration of the diocese, his unfailing interest in the exten- sion of the institutions of the Church, his constant encouragement to all the parishes in his charge, and his uniform sympathy with the clergy associated with him in the work of the Gospel. They also record their full appreciation of the Bishop's devotedness to the welfare of his country, his large acquisitions in all literary pur- suits, particularly the studies connected with his sacred profession ; and the fully marked traits of a holy life in his private walk as well as in the more widely known actions of his official station."
In the year 1867, the parish placed upon the north wall of Christ Church a beautiful tablet of Italian marble, bearing the words ;- "In memory of THE RIGHT REV. GEORGE BURGESS, D. D. Born at Providence, R. I., October 31, 1809 ; Ordained Deacon June 10 ; Priest November 2, 1834 ; Consecrated Bishop October 31, 1847 ; Rector of this Church During his Episcopate ; Died at sea near Hayti, April 23, 1866. Learned, judicious, saintly ; Living for Christ and the Church ; Loving all, beloved by all ;
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Faithful in every trust, even unto death ; This tablet is erected By a mourning and grateful Parish."
Outside, in the quiet God's acre, rising white and fair above the hedge of spruce, stands the marble cross that marks the resting place of this great, good man. Its protecting shadow seems to brood above the grave of his only daughter, who so soon followed her saintly father to an eternal home. Upon it the mitre and the crosier indicate the title borne by the dead, while the simple in- scription upon the one side reads :
"GEORGE BURGESS, First Bishop of Maine. Born October 31, 1809 ; Consecrated October 31, 1847 ; Died April 21, 1866."
Upon the other side are the words :
"Erected by the Diocese of Maine
In grateful remembrance of a faithful and beloved Bishop."
There are sayings of the Bishop's that ring ceaselessly in the hearts of those who heard them ; there are memories of his Chris- tian tenderness which have never faded, and to-day, empty though his chair may be, there are those who cannot feel that the pres- ence of the saintly soul has gone from among us. His dearest ones are far away, and many changes have touched the little tem- ple of his charge ; yet at times we almost know the waving of those hands, so used to bless ; and, though his work was years ago, we have learned to prize old Christ Church the more, for its sweet traditions of this man of God.
With the years since the departure of Bishop Burgess, history has, as yet, little to do. They are too near us to be viewed with the accurate glass of criticism ; and, to many of us, their deep ex- periences are too recent to bear handling. We shall content our- selves, therefore, with the merest synopsis of the subsequent rec- torates and events in the life of the Parish.
In conformity with the wishes of the people, Mr. Magrath agreed to remain with them as their pastor. The Rt. Rev. Henry A. Neely had succeeded to the place of Bishop Burgess, and from him Mr. Magrath took priest's orders. As he received his commission from the new prelate's lips, there must have come over him the remembrance of a recent ceremony, when he was made deacon by that elder Bishop, who, for the love he bore the young man,
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was so overcome by his feelings, that, during the ceremony, he lost even the form of words, and was forced to pause, while the tears rained down his lovely face.
Mr. Magrath was eminently successful in Gardiner. He was of silvern speech, and his words were true symbols of the purest and most spiritual of lives. In his humility he always thought himself unworthy to be the successor of his Bishop, as the rector of the parish ; and he feared a decline of the Church while in his hands ; a fear which was never realized. In March, 1867, he tendered his resignation to the parish, but it was so unanimously overborne, that he withdrew it, until at last a call came which he felt it his duty to accept.
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