these debts was the dissatisfaction in the diocese with the proceed-
ings of Mr. Pollard, — that Mr. Jenks was well satisfied of this
now." Mr. Pollard observed, that he must then have changed his
opinion very much within a short time. The bishop then being
ready to leave, I was unwilling to part with him thus, on an occasion
from which I had anticipated so much satisfaction. I said, " Bishop,
I thank you for your services this evening, which have afforded us
great gratification." To tliis he responded, as we shook hands, —
but with some hesitation, — " Well, I hope God will prosper you."
This was the substance of our conversatioji on that evening,
when OUT joy was suddenly turned into heaviness. I do not pre-
tend to exactness, but as I am enabled to recall it, after the interval
which has since occurred. Portions of it are indelibly impressed
on my mind, never to be obliterated. Other parts are less distinctly
remembered. The bishop's remarks were desultory and uncon-
nected, and made apparently under strong excitement ; and I was
much agitated and disturbed at the time. I trust that I have noth-
ing extenuated, or set down aught in malice. I have requested Mr.
Pollard to write out a statement this day, independently of mine,
that by the mouth of two witnesses every word may be established.
There were other bystanders whom I could name, who heard the
opening of the conversation, and observed the manner of the bishop.

W. CROSWELL.

P. S. Having understood that it had been currently reported
that the bishop had, before this visit, given me admonition with
reference to our attitudes and arrangements at the Church of the
Advent, I take this opportunity of correcting this impression. I had
never heard from the bishop one word, directly or indirectly, on
any of the matters alluded to in his pastoral letter to the clergy. It
is true, that on one occasion he had spoken to me about wearing
the surplice in preaching, and the use of the Psalter. He appeared,
however, to be satisfied with my reasons for not changing my dress,
and, indeed, said that he was disposed to lay little stress upon it.*
I stated, at that time, my objection to the use of the Selections of
Psalms set forth in 1832. The bishop told me, that if I did not
like to use that selection, I was at liberty to use the version previ-
ously set forth, and which was still retained in his own parish,
(Trinity Church.) But I humbly question whether there be any
warrant whatever for the practice, and whether the last metre version
does not supersede all the preceding ones. On this subject, the
bishop's request at parting was, that I would consult with my vestry,



* The bishop preached himself in the surpUce from the desk, every Friday
during the last season of Lent.



1845.] CHURCH OF THE ADVENT. 357

which I did accordingly ; and he was careful to premise that I was
not to regard what he then said as an official expression of ojjinion.
This is the only time that the bishop ever exchanged a word with
me on the subject in question.

W. CROSWELL, Rector.

This first step having been taken, the bishop now seemed ready
to pursue the rector of the Church of the Advent in a manner cal-
culated, at least, if not designed, to effect the ruin of his reputation
and influence as a Christian minister. Accordingly, the following
extraordinary paper appeared in the bishop's official organ, the Chris-
tian Witness, of the 5th of December, and, being issued in large
numbers, was circulated throughout the country : —

To THE Clergy of the Diocese of Massachusetts.

Reverend and dear Brethren : A deep sense of the responsibility
attached to my office, as the chief pastor of this portion of our
common fold, has constrained me to address you on a subject, in re-
gard to which I would fain, if duty would have permitted, have re-
mained silent.

It is already known to you, that, towards the close of the last
year, a parish was incorporated in the north-western part of this city,
under the name of the Church of the Advent. Its commencement af-
forded me sincere pleasure ; and having been begun with the avowed
intention, on the part of the respectable persons engaged in it, of es-
tablishing a church with free sittings, I commended it to the liberal
aid of the Episcopalians of Boston. On the evening of Sunday, the
23d of last month, according to previous appointment, I visited the
temporary place of worship of this parish, for the purpose of ad-
ministering the apostolic rite of confirmation ; and there observed,
to my inexpressible grief and pain, various offensive innovations
upon the ancient usage of our church. In the form of the com-
munion table ; in the decorations of golden candlesticks, and of a
large wooden cross, by which it is surmounted ; and in the postures
used in front of it by the assistant minister, who, as I learned from
the rector, was only conforming to the constant practice of the latter
on all occasions except the service of that evening, I perceived,
with sorrow, superstitious puerilities of the same description with
those wliich already, in the case of another parish church of this
diocese, had called forth a public expression of disapprobation, first
from my revered predecessor, now resting from his labors, and sub-
sequently from myself in the address to the convention of 1844.

I feel, my reverend brethren, that I should be guilty of a dere-
liction of plain duty, were I not to express, in this public manner,
my utter and unqualified condemnation of these practices, carried
on in the principal city of the diocese, and under my own immediate



358 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM CROSWELL, [1845.

eye. Were these novelties nothing more than childish, they would
be on that account sufficiently objectionable to call forth my censure ;
for it certainly must be a fit subject of rebuke, that there should be
found a disposition among any of the clergy to abandon, in their
mode of conducting divine service, that masculine simplicity and
dignity by which our beloved and venerable Church, both here and
in England, has been so long and so justly distinguished. But chiefly
do I condemn these innovations upon established custom, because
of their pointed and offensive resemblance to the usages of that idol-
atrous papal communion against which our Prayer Book so strongly
protests ; and because, where a communion table is fitted up like a
Romish altar, and certain postures are used by the clergy indicative
of reverence towards that altar, the certain effect of such a specta-
cle is, to produce gradually among the congregation those very cor-
ruptions in regard to the sacrament of the Lord's supper from which,
by the good providence of God, we have been so graciously deliv-
ered. Those who are familiarized, by the officiating iminister, with
the forms of error, will fall, by an imperceptible but sure process,
into error itself; and thus our people will be led, by the very ser-
vices in which they engage while actually within the bosom of our
own Protestant Church, into doctrinal departures of the most griev-
ous and vital character. And, in addition to these considerations, I
will not dissemble the pain which such practices give me on another
account — namely, the ridicule and contempt to which they expose
the Church of our affections from all sensible and enlightened per-
sons of other Christian bodies.

In view of the dangers above stated, and considering this sub-
ject as far from being a mere matter of taste and fancy, about which
men may safely differ, I have already privately remonstrated against
the novelties adopted in the Church of the Advent, and have ex-
pressed my views, as opportunity offered, to various individuals. But
knowing that this mode of signifying disapprobation must, of neces-
sity, be limited in the extent to which it reaches, and fearing lest my
supposed silence should, in any part of this diocese, be construed
into acquiescence in tilings which I condemn, and which I regard as
pregnant with evil, I embrace the present method of letting my sen-
timents be more widely known.

It is a pleasure to me to feel well assured, that with the usages
referred to, and with the unsound and unchurch-like theology to
which they belong, a great majority of the clergy over whom God
has given me the oversight have no sympathy. But others are con-
stantly entering our ranks, and may need, especially the younger
of them, to be warned against the imitation of such examples.
Whether the course adopted in the parish referred to will be con-
tinued or not, it is beyond my ability to conjecture ; but, however this
may be, I shall have the satisfaction of feeling that I am clear of



1845.] CHURCH OF THE ADVENT. 359

the responsibility of being a silent spectator of irregularities, de-
grading to the character of our Church, and perilous to the souls
of our people.

That your hearts' desire, my reverend brethren, in your high
and holy calling, may be to set forth the unsearchable riches of
Christ to a world lying in sin and death, is the prayer of
Your affectionate diocesan,

MANTON EASTBURN.
Boston, December 2, 1845.

This publication, as might have been expected, produced the most
intense excitement, not only in Boston and vicinity, but in every
place where the paper had been sent. The wardens and vestry of the
Church of the Advent immediately assembled, and expressed their
deep sense of the wrong which had been thus inflicted on their rec-
tor and the church in the following preamble and resolutions: —



At a meeting of the wardens and vestry of the Church of the Advent,
held December 5, 1845, the following preamble and resolutions were
unanimously adopted : —

Whereas there appeared, in the Christian Witness of Decem-
ber 5, a letter from the right reverend the bishop of this diocese, in
which the arrangements made by us for divine service in our chapel
and the mode of conducting it are severely censured and denounced
to the public as " offensive," " superstitious," and " degrading to the
character of our Church and perilous to the souls of our people," we
have thought it our duty to give the subject matter of the letter a
respectful consideration, although it is addressed neither to us nor
to our rector, and our attention has never been officially called to it.
And although no request or representation has been made to us by
our bishop on this subject, and we are not called upon to take
any action or express any determination thereupon, yet it may be
expedient to record our reasons for what we have done, and our
feelings as to the same : therefore, by the wardens and vestry of
the parish of the Advent, it is unanimously

Resolved, T^iat it is with surprise and regret we learn that our
bishop has thought proper to denounce, in this public manner, the
arrangements of our chapel, and the conduct of worship there, and
especially that he has done so without having addressed to us any
communication upon the subject, or having called our attention to it,
either as a body or as individi>als.

Resolved, That we have carefully considered so much of this
letter as touches upon our province and duties, to wit, the furniture
and arrangements of the chapel, and do not find any thing there al-
luded to by our bishop, except the communion table, the cross, and



360 MEMOm OF WILLIAM CROSWELL. [1845.

the candlesticks, by which the chancel is lighted in the evening ; and
that, as to these, we can see no just cause of complaint.

Resolved, That, in placing a single cross in the window of the
chancel behind the altar, we believe we have introduced no " offen-
sive innovations upon the ancient usage of our Church," but have the
example of a multitude of churches in England, and an increasing
number in our own country. That it is hardly for us to enter upon
the defence of a usage so ancient, sacred, and continuous.

Resolved, That in the matter of the communion table, or altar,
we can see no cause for censure, or even for scrupulous doubt. It
is a simple movable table, of pine wood, standing upon four legs,
occupying the usual place, covered with a plain crimson cloth, having
no resemblance to the altars used in Roman Catholic churches, and
differing in no respect from those in general use among us, unless it
be in having a small shelf on the side next the wall, which we sup-
pose is immaterial, as it is believed that the same may be seen in
some other churches, where it has remained without objection. In
fact, so far is this, in our opinion, from tending to superstitious prac-
tices, that we have thought it might rather be liable to the objection
of being too much like the table of common household furniture,
to meet the requirements of the holy table and altar, which the
Prayer Book teaches us to consider it.

Resolved, That as candles have never been burned in our chapel,
except during service at night, for the purpose of lighting the chan-
cel, (as on the occasion of the confirmation referred to in the letter,)
we presume the bishop's objection can only be to the use of the
candlesticks upon the altar instead of some other mode of lighting
the chancel. That when the chapel was furnished, we deliberately
considered the different modes of lighting the chancel, and were
unanimously of opinion that candlesticks were more appropriate
than the modern fashions of gas fixtures or globe lamps, as being
more scriptural and ecclesiastical, more significant, more consonant
with the feelings of a worshipper, and less liable to mixed and sec-
ular associations. That we are informed that, on this point, we
have the support of an existing rubric and a not unfrequent practice
of the Church of England, and the example of churches in this
country and this diocese, where candlesticks have b^gn used in this
way for years, without objection or remark. That we have recon-
sidered this subject since the letter has appeared, and cannot but
believe that the substitution of either of the other modes of lighting
the chancel for the four candlesticks now in use would be repulsive
to the feelings of the congregation, and aiding in the deplorable in-
troduction of novel, secular, and uncanonical decorations into sacred
places.

Resolved, That although the position our minister may be led
to take, when engaged in an act of worship, is not within our super-



1815.] CHURCH OF THE ADVENT 361

intendence, yet we cannot but record our regret at the maimer in
wliicli tlic letter speaks on that subject. That the custom lias been
uniform, from the first opening of our chapel, for the minister, in the
devotional parts of the service, to turn his face towards the holy table,
wlHither kneeling at its side or more in front, and that we have never
known any other " postures used " in these services than that of sim-
ple kneeling, as required by the rubric. That this mode is congen-
ial with our own feelings and sense of the proprieties of public
worship. That we know it to be grateful to the worshippers at the
chapel. That, so far from giving offence, we have found that not
only the stated worshippers, but strangers, whether of the Church
or of other religious bodies, have frequently expressed their sense of
its fitness and solemnity. That it is of material aid, as we believe,
in abstracting the mind and centring it upon the divine worship.
That although it is not for us to decide upon rubrics intended for
the direction of the clergy, yet we may say, that we understand
them to be constructed upon the supposition that the minister will
face in the same way with the people when engaged with them in the
same acts of devotion ; " turning towards the people " when he ad-
dresses himself to them, as in reading Holy Scripture, the sermon,
and the like. That, as our congregation has become habituated and
attached to this mode of worship, (some of them having thus first
learned the Church,) we should feel regret at having it abandoned,
independently of its general propriety.

Resolved, That, taking a general view of this subject, we believe,
and have frequently heard it said, that the arrangements of the
chapel are simple and consistent ; and we know that the mode of
conducting the worship has called forth an interest and engagedness
in the service on the part of the congregation which is most encour-
aging to both priest and people.

Resolved, That inasmuch as our bishop, in his letter, has publicly
spoken of the practices of our rector as " superstitious," and " pue-
rile," and has charged him with " exposing the church to ridicule and
contempt," and " degrading its character and perilling the souls of
the people," we cannot but record, with deference, but decidedly, our
convictions to the contrary, and our solemn protest against the man-
ner of this condemnation. We cannot express our sense of his
many excellences, of the untiring and self-sacrificing efforts he daily
makes for the good of his people and the poor of the neighborhood,
of his dignity and simplicity in conducting divine service, and our
obligations to him for liis solemn and affecting instructions. That
his labors have met with great success in building up the parish,
and, we believe, in the spiritual growth and comfort of many that
are under his charge. That we cordially sympathize with him in
the efforts he is making, by the daily service, the observance of holy
days, a regular offertory, the use of free sittings, the introduction of
46



362 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM CROS^^LL. [184o

simple and ancient music, visitations of the poor and sick, and fre-
quent celebration of the sacraments, ordinances, and offices, to do
his part towards presenting the Church in its entireness before this
community.

Resolved, That the assistant minister, of whom the letter speaks,
has, as we believe, conformed to the usages of the parish and to the
wislies of the rector, and has won the respect and affisction of all by
his patient endurance, his self-denial, his constant labors, especially
among the poor, sick, and afflicted, and his single-minded devotion
to the duties of his holy office.

Resolved, That when we consider the character, age, and services
of our rector, and that most of the officers of the parish are personally
known to the bishop, we are the more surprised at the appearing of
this letter, as well as at its tone. That we regret it the more, as it
places us, unexpectedly and unwillingly, in the attitude of a public
defence against our ecclesiastical head in the diocese.

Resolved, That the clerk procure a copy of the " Christian Wit-
ness " referred to, and place it on the files of the parish ; that these
resolutions be entered in full upon the records ; that a copy of the
same be transmitted to the bishop ; and that they be sent to the
" Christian Witness " for publication.

C.' R GORDON, j ^«'■^^"^•

THERON METCALF,

THOMAS D. MORRIS,

ALEXANDER WOOD,

R. M. COPELAND,

R. H. DANA, Jr., J> Vestrymen.

W. E. COALE,

R. H. SALTER,

THEODORE METCALF,

C. R. BOND,

The rector also addressed the following letter to his diocesan : —

To THE Right Reverend Manton Eastburn, D. D.,

Bishop of the Diocese of Massachusetts.

Reverend Father in God : 1 received through the post office this
afternoon a copy of the " Christian Witness " of December 5, contain-
ing the following circular : [Here follows the letter, as at page 357.]

I am fain to believe that many of my clerical brethren in that
mystical body, whose members suffer one Avith another, will feel
hardly less deeply hurt and aggrieved than myself, both by the man-
ner and matter of the foregoing official communication. As one who
truly loves the brotherhood with whom he has been so long and so
intimately identified, and who has ever desired to carry himself



1845.1 CHURCH OF THE ADVENT. 363

dutifully towards liis bishop, according- to the vows of his ordination,
I cannot affect to conceal the distress which it has given me ; nor
will you wonder that I should be most anxious to rescue myself,
before the Church, from the fearful charge of having introduced
imong the " flock of God, of which the Holy Ghost hath made me
overseer," " irregularities, degrading to the character of the Church,
and perilous to the souls of our people." On such a charge, the
canons require that every clergyman should be presented, tried, and
convicted, before the bishop is authorized to pronounce sentence.
As I have been condemned, in this case, without the formalities of a
hearing, I see not what is left me but to present, with a brief state-
ment of the case, my earnest but humble protest against a proceed-
ing so severe, and, as I am inclined to beheve, in our branch of the
Church, so entirely unprecedented.

I send you, also, at the request of the wardens and vestry, a copy
of a series of resolutions unanimously adopted by them, at a meet-
ing held on the evening of the 5th instant, in which your letter
receives a careful and respectful consideration.

Having passed the first eleven yeai-s of my ministry in this city,
as rector of one of the oldest churches, I need not speak for myself
of my manner of life during that period. I left, in 1840, to take
charge of a parish in the diocese of Western New York, not only
without censure or reproach, but with a voluntary testimonial of
a,ifection and confidence, signed by the bishop and every one of our
clergy resident at that time in Boston, Newton, and Lowell. In
transferring my canonical relations, your truly " i-evered predecessor,
now resting from his labors," wrote to Bishop De Lancey the fol-
lowing dimissory letter, a copy of which I have happily preserved : —



Dear Sir : The object of this is to transfer from the State of Massachu-
setts to your diocese the Rev. William Croswell. Merely to say that,
for three years last past, he has not been justly liable to evil report, for error
in doctrine, or viciousness of life, though eminently true, seems in his case
very unnecessary. He will leave behind him no clergyman more highly,
more justly, or more generally esteemed for those qualities which constitute
and adorn the gentleman, the scholar, and the faithful minister of Christ.
While, with many hundreds of others, I deeply regret his loss to this diocese,
I may well congratulate you on such an accession to yours. That in his
new situation he may find friends as numerous and as cordial as those he
leaves, is the prayer of

Your friend and brother,

A. V. GRISWOLD.



The prayer of the aged and beloved bishop was answered, in my
new' residence, beyond my expectations and deserts. Of this, how-
ever, it is foreign to my present purpose to say more. I would
gladly have said less. But, though unconscious of the slight-
est change in the principles and views with which I entered the



364 MEMOm OF "^TELLIAM CROSWELL. [1845.

ministry, or of deserving, in any respect, to forfeit the confidence of
those who are set over us in the Lord, yet a glance at the heinous
imputations against me, in your circular, painfully convinces me,
that a testimonial, from such a quarter, of my " freedom from any
just liahility to evil report," however " eminently true," may not
seem so " very unnecessary."

Suffice it to say, that I joyfully embraced an opportunity which
offered, just a twelvemonth since, to return to this city of my affec-
tions ; and accepted, with your sanction and approbation, reverend
father in God, the rectorship of the newly-organized Church of the
Advent. I found a band of zealous and intelligent laity ready and
willing to cooperate with me. We commenced, under every disad-
vantage, in a humble and obscure " upper room." It was my
" heart's desire," in accordance with the closing aspiration in your
circular, "in my high and holy calling to set forth the unsearchable
riches of Christ to a world lying in sin and death." ^fext to this, in
building up a new parish from the beginning, it was our unanimous
wish to carry out, as strictly as possible, the intentions of the Church,
as tliey are expressed in the Prayer Book. With these two objects
steadily in view, I have been willing to labor in season and out of
season, and from house to house. As in the primitive days of the
gospel, by the divine blessing, the word of God has grown mightily
and prevailed. We removed to our present chapel, which, though
very convenient, is not large enough for the accommodation of our
people. The Lord is still pleased to add daily to the Church such
as, we trust, shall be saved. The number of communicants has
increased to more than a hundred ; thirty persons have been bap-
tized, of whom nine have been adults ; and several others are pre-