of which you are rector, and from those which generally prevail at
present in this neighborhood. At the same time, it cannot be denied
that these very usages have not only been followed without objec-
tion in other portions of the Church, but have received the sanction
of the highest authorities. And even in this neighborhood, as the
oldest rector in this city, I have lived to see various diversities of
practice, and many considerable changes in the arrangements of
chancels ; and it would be easy to enumerate particulars in which
they difter on points where the Church has given no discretion. In
none of these things, I am satisfied, has the parish of the Advent
gone beyond the latitude which the Church allows, or offended
against either the letter or the spirit of its rules, or violated its
decent or seemly order, or afforded a bishop any warrant for depriv-
ing us of the episcopal visitation and oftlces which are secured to
us by the canons.

Another obvious difficulty is suggested by your requirement of a
personal promise or pledge to pursue a certain course, and this, too,
not for a special occasion, but unlimited in its terms. When I was
admitted to the holy order of deacons, first, and then of the priest-
hood, in addition to the solemn vows of ordination, I signed a decla-
ration, in which I engaged " to conform to the doctrine and imrship of
tJie Protcstnnt Episcopal Church in the United States." These obliga-
tions rest upon me with all their weight at this moment ; and for any
offences in violation of them, I am liable to canonical proceedings.
I have reason to object to giving any pledges beyond these ; and
over and above the duties put upon me by the Church, I regard the
enacting of such pledges as a dangerous precedent — especially
when required, as it is here, under the penalty of cutting off" from
important privileges. If I remember Bishop White's commentary
aright, the standard by which the bishop's " godly admonitions " are
to be directed, are the various established institutions of the Church,
and not his private opinion. " The Church," says he, " is under
a government of laio, and not of will." If the assurance which you
require relates to the established institutions of the Church, then it
is superfluous ; if, as in this case, it is for something beyond those,
and for the purpose of securing conformity to private opinion, or lo-
cal practice, on points upon which there are diversities of opinion
and practice in the Church, then the requirement, under the penalty
which you have affixed to it, is one in which I am unwilling to in-
volve myself; and the claim of a right thus to demand it, I feel
bound, on general principles, to withstand. As a personal matter,
it may not be improper for me to allude to the peculiarity of my
position, in being called upon privately to abandon observances for
which I have been, in the most public manner, censured by yourself,
and which you have held up to the world as perilous aild degrading;



392 MEMOIR OF \\TLLIAM CROSWELL. [1846.

since tlie relinquishment of them, under such circumstances, could
hardly fail to be regarded as an admission of the character imputed
to them, if not also of the legality of that act of censure.

It has occurred to me that you may possibly be under mistake as
to what is actually done at our chapel. We know that there have
been false representations, and are still, to some extent, false im-
pressions, abroad on the subject ; and it has always seemed to me
that your circular indicated a wrong conception of our usages. Yet
our worship is public and daily, and nothing is concealed. I would
call your attention to my letter of December 6, 1845, and to the re-
solves of tlie wardens and vestry which accompany it, as containing
a full and fair statement of our arrangements apd mode of conduct-
ing divine service. If you have supposed that any thing else is done
by us than is stated in those documents, we shall be happy to cor-
rect your impressions, or to conununicate any more particular infor-
mation which you may desire. But while I acknowledge your offer
of a personal conference, yet, after what has taken place, and in con-
sideration of the importance of the subject, I think you will agree
with me, that whatever may pass between us should not be left to
depend upon the recollection of conversations ; a state of things
which is always embarrassing to the parties, and especially so after
any considerable lapse of time.

If, on a full consideration of the case, you adhere to your deter-
mination to refuse a visitation, I have no other alternative, consistent
with a due regard to those of my flock who would otherwise be
deprived of privileges to which they are entitled, but to submit.
Though I am well persuaded of their readiness to meet their bishop
wherever he may appoint, it will occur to you that there may be strong
preferences as to place. If they are not to receive confirmation in the
place where they have received their deepest religious impressions
and been knit together in one, and at the foot of the holy altar wliere
some of them have already made, and all hope to make, their first
communion, I trust it will seem but reasonable to request that they
will not be required to attend at the church of any of my junior
presbyters. In a word, if the bishop refuses to come to us, we
hope, at least, to be permitted to come to the bishop in his own
cathedral church. Considering also the age and circumstances of
some of the candidates, I would further ask, that it may take place
on the Lord's day, and at tlie usual hour of morning or evening ser-
vice. On any Sunday after the Epiphany which you may appoint,
I will endeavor, the Lord being my helper, to be prepared to pre-
sent myself with such as he shall have given me.
I remain, right reverend and dear sir.

Yours, in the holy office of priesthood,

W. CROSWELL.
Right Rev. Canton Eastbukn, D. D., Bisliop, &c.



1846.] CHURCH OF THE ADVENT. 393

VI.

Boston, December 12, 1846.
Reverend and dear Sir : I write this to inform you tliat I shall
hold a confirmation in Trinity Church, in this city, on the morning
of the second Sunday after Epiphany, January 17, 1847, at which
time it will give me pleasure to administer the rite to such as you
shall present to me. The service will commence at the usual hour
of quarter past ten.

In the mean time, I am very sincerely yours,

MANTON EASTBURN.
The Rev. W. Ckoswell, D. D.

During the progress of this correspondence with his bishop, he
expresses, in his letters to his father, a great desire to " avoid^ the
necessity of reviving the old controversy." But, without " forgetting
what is due to the diocesan," he is still resolved to put the whole
matter upon a right footing. His last letter to the bishop was di-awn
up with deliberation and care, " I am desirous," he says, " to give
it as much of completeness as the importance of the subject deserves.
I do not count upon its making any impression upon him. I am
satisfied that all argument is lost upon his mind, when his will is in
the way ; but a great principle is at stake, and one in which the
whole Church is interested, viz., whether the threat of cutting off
from canonical privileges may be lawfully used to compel conformity
to a bishop's private tastes, preferences, and opinions. I hope these
unpleasant discussions will not be allowed to divert our thoughts and
hearts, at this season, from more important subjects. Our services
are as much crowded as ever, and seem to awaken a hopeful degree
of interest in those who attend them. The animation of our wor-
ship is truly inspiring, and I am sure it would do your spirit good
to be sustained with so hearty a response as we have had to-day."
On finally acceding to the bishop's ultimatum, he gives as a reason,
" After making due protest against what I regarded as a dangerous
precedent, I thought it would be better not to encourage a standing
out against his appointment to meet us elsewhere. Indeed, consist-
ently with a regard to the welfare of my flock, who would thus be
required to forego a privilege to which they were entitled, I did not
see my way clear to do so. Accordingly, I signified my willingness
to avail myself of his alternative." He afterwards speaks of the
civility of the vestry of Trinity Church, and the pewholders gener-
ally, in tendering accommodations to the people of the Advent, on
the occasion of their visit. " This .occasion," he says, " begins to be
looked forward to with great interest, and will draw together a
crowd. So that this thing will not be done in a corner."

While his mind was thus heavily taxed with this unpleasant con-
troversy, and while his pastoral cares and labors were exceedingly
50



394 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM CROSWELL. [1847.

pressiiiiT, lie had a domestic trial which caused him much anxiety.
His little daughter, who had been slightly indisposed from time to
time, now began to sufter from the incipient symptoms of a com-
plaint, of the serious nature of which he was not fully aware, but
which eventually caused her a long and distressing confinement. Of
the result of this case, wliich proved more favorable than the family
had been led to fear, it may be necessary to speak hereafter. The
record of the eusuing year now presents itself.



1847.



From the foregoing details, the reader is prepared, in some
measure, for the opening incidents of the present year. These are
related by the rector of the Advent with sufficient minuteness to
show the true position of the parties. January 11, after apologizing
for some delay in writing, he says, " Duties have come as thick and
fast as the minutes. My time has been frittered away, not unprof-
itably, as I hope, but still in a way of which I can give no very pre-
cise account. The preparation of candidates for confirmation is
always attended with a good deal of care, as frequent calls are ne-
cessary, not only for the purpose of instruction, but to communicate
the first idea often, to those you are addressing, that they, having
ears to hear, are expected to hear. We have the additional obsta-
cle to encounter from the course of the bishop, and the unwillingness
which many have to receive confirmation at his hands. Some have
already gone into other dioceses to avoid the necessity, and others
will do the same. Still, I think, a considerable number will go to
the house of God in company next Sunday morning, and count, at
least, upon about twenty — all adults, and about half of them gen-
tlemen. The wardens of Trinity Church have reserved pews for our
accommodation, and we shall be attended probably by a large body
of our parishioners. It will be a spectacle of much interest, and I
have no doubt that the church will be crowded. I shall give you
an account of it as soon as it is fairly over." Accordingly, on the
18th he writes, " Yesterday was clear and bright, and was very
favorable for our solemnities. Our candidates met by appointment
at our chapel. Eighteen were present. I had counted upon more ;
but sickness prevented in one instance, and other reasons in more.
Had the ordinance been administered in our own place, and under
ordinary circumstances, the number would have been nearly doubled.
As it was, there was something remarkably interesting in the char-
acter of the company presented. There were no mere children.



1847.] CHURCH OF THE ADVENT. 395

All were mature and full grown, of difterent ages and stations in
life — young men in their prime, aged, rich, and poor — the latter intel-
ligent and respectable in their appearance. We provided a carriage
for the invalids, — the rest proceeded on foot, — a large body of the
parishioners accompanied us. Eligible seats were provided for the
candidates near the chancel on our arrival. The bishop sent for me
to the vestry room, and invited me to read the epistle in the ante-
communion service, and take a seat in the cliancel.. I did not hesi-
tate to accept the invitation. The church was full. The bishop
preached, and the confirmation followed. There were but six can-
didates from Trinity Church, making just enough in all to fill the
rails once, without crowding or confusion. I presume a service of
more intense interest never was transacted within those walls. The
bishop's address was quite unexceptionable. I was under much
emotion at times, though controlled within proper bounds. The
bishop betrayed none. . . . When I went to the vestry, I told
him 1 was obliged to him ; and added, with some agitation, that I
could not have desired any thing to have been dift'erent in his address.
He said, with a hard and stereotyped way, that the service was sol-
emn, and he hoped that a blessing would attend it. And so we
parted, with a strong hope on my part that I should soon be enabled
to come with a younger train."

Buoyed up by this hope, and encouraged by the flattering pros-
pects of his parish, he pursued his course steadily and diligently ; al-
lowing himself, by way of relaxation, but a few weeks during the
whole year, which were spent in short visits and excursions. Owing
to the occasional sickness and absence of his assistant, the chief
burden of the weekly and daily services devolved upon him, except
when relieved by the generous and voluntary aid of Dr. Eaton and
other visiting brethren. His health suffered, at times, from excessive
duty and exposure ; and in addition to this, a sad drawback to his
enjoyment was experienced in the long-protracted and dangerous
illness of his little daughter. She began, early in the spring, to have
alarming symptoms of disease. The origui of her complaint was
somewhat obscure, and its progress slow. But it resulted in lumbar
abscess, and subjected her to a tedious confinement, in a recumbent
or rechning position, for several months. During the heat of the
summer, she was removed, by the recommendation of her physician,
and' at the kind solicitation of a most excellent friend, Mrs. Carpen-
ter, to her residence at Lee Vale, a delightfid, quiet, and retired
place in Cambridge. Here, besides the best of medical attendance,
she had every possible care, attention, and indulgence that the most
devoted friendship and i)arental affection could bestow. In the lat-
ter part of .Tuly, to the great relief of her anxious friends, her com-
plaint came to a favorable crisis. She passed through it safely, and
was eventually restored to health. His letters during this severe vis-



396 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM CROSWELL. [1847.

itation are marked with his usual tenderness of feehng, mingled with
the most unreserved submission to the will of God ; and when the
danger was past, he opened the deep fountains of his heart in the
most affecting strains of praise and thanksgiving.

During the pendency of this trial, and amid the great labor and
care which came upon him in the due order of his public services,
his mind was very much absorbed by another object. The hall in
Lowell Street, though fitted up in a neat and commodious manner,
was too much exposed to noise and interruption during the week-
day services, and also proved to be too small to meet the increasing
demand for sittings. A movement was therefore made, early in the
year, for procuring a permanent house of worship for the use of the
parish ; and a fund was commenced for the purpose by many liberal
subscriptions. February 15, he says, " Our affairs look very prom-
isingly ; our subscription papers are filling up apace; and we can
almost see our church rising, as if by magic, and like the temple of
old, without the sound of axes and hammers." But these anticipa-
tions were not fulfilled precisely to the letter. To raise the neces-
sary funds, to select a suitable site, and to erect a new church,
would necessarily consume too much time. Hence it was deemed
advisable to procure, with as little delay as possible, a more capa-
cious and convenient place of worship. And to this object the at-
tention of the rector and the corporation of his church was imme-
diately directed. After much inquiry and examination, the effort
resulted in the purchase, at a cost of twenty-five thousand dollars,
of a plain and substantial building, in an eligible situation on Green
Street, originally erected by a Congregational society, under the pas-
toral care of the Rev. Dr. .Tenks. This building was remodelled,
and adapted to the worship of the Church, and was first occupied
as a regular house of prayer by the parish on the first Sunday in
Advent. As there will be occasion to speak more at large of this
building and its ecclesiastical arrangement before the record of this
year is closed, the subject is dropped for the present, for the pur-
pose of touching upon other topics alluded to in his current cor-
respondence.

The feast of St. Paul's having passed, he recurs to it in his cus-
tomary strain of solemn contemplation, coupling his reflections with
a passing tribute to one of his early friends and classmates, Isaac H.
TowNSEND, Esq., of whose death he had recently been informed :
" I kept St. Paul's day as of old, and recalled its return in other
years ; and I thought of those who had gone since I wrote ' The
Ordinal.' How swift the lapse of time ! How true to experience
the similes of the inspired book ! It has made me sad to thijik of
Townsend's premature death, humanly speaking. I remember the
fresh and eager look of his boyhood when we sat at the feet of the
same teacher, and he was foremost of all his peers. In college, he



1847.] CHURCH OF THE ADVENT. 3g7

distanced us all. His legal studies were conducted in the same
spirit. In his determined purpose of accjuiring all mysteries and
all knowledge, he seemed to sacrifice everything else — to hold
himself aloof from the lies of domestic life, lest they should interfere
with his intellectual progress ; and 1 fear he has paid the fearful
forfeit in taxing his mental powers beyond their natural strength.
For some time, the energies of his mind, I have been told, have been
failing ; and if he was conscious of it, I do not doubt that it has
hastened the catastrophe. I was never intimate with him. We had
but few sympathies together, and but little in common. Still I
respected him, and appreciated his acquirements. I hope the pearl
of great price was among them, and that he had treasure laid up in
heaven ; for if not, the richest of our race are poor indeed.

The stars * are thickening on our college roll.
Types of their place, perhaps, in other spheres,

And warning signs to bid thee, O my soul,
Prepare to join the friends of happier years."

Writing to his father, Monday before Easter, he says, " I have a
summons to be present at the examination of Trinity College, com-
mencing on Tuesday of Easter week, as chairman of the committee
of the Fellows. The call is imperative, and I must obey, unless some-
thing providential here should make my remaining still more indis-
pensable. ... It will not be a very satisfactory recreation for
the Easter holidays, cooped up in a college recitation room for two
days ; but laurels are not to be won without a sacrifice." He pro-
ceeds, " Our services are intensely interesting as we draw nearer
and qearer to the cross. Yesterday was so fine a day that the church
was full. To-day we have services morning and evening, and the
same all the days of the week."

In obedience to the summons from the college, he proceeded to
Hartford on Easter Monday, April 5 ; and after attending to the
duties there, he made a short visit to New Haven, and returned to
Boston on the 16th. He found his assistant sick, and his own la-
bors were consequently so much the more abundant. His letters,
therefore, at this time, though despatched weekly, were more brief
than usual, and afford only here and there a passage for selection.

On Monday in Whitsun week he writes, " Pentecost is in char-
acter — the elements genial and inspiring — and the tender green of
the young leaves shows that the soul of universal nature is at last
stirred. We were with one accord, in one place, seeking the grace
promised to divine unity in the communion of the Holy Ghost, the
Comforter ; • and not, we hope, in vain."

* In the college catalogues, a star or asterisk placed against the name of a
graduate denotes his decease.



398 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM CROS^rELL. [1847.

For the sketch which follows, no apology is necessary. It serves
to illustrate the policy of the bishop, in giving countenance, in one
case, to the very same chancel arrangements which he made the
ground of ecclesiastical censure in the Church of the Advent. " Last
night, the bishop administered confirmation at St. Stephen's, for the
second time this season, to about thirteen or fourteen persons. His
address was more parental and affectionate than ever I heard from
him before ; and I hear of no exceptions taken to the arrangements
of the chancel. And this is most remarkable ; because, wherein our
own were open to exception, St. Stephen's goes far beyond us.
High up, on the ledge of the wainscotting, over the altar, and just
beneath the window, was a row of burning candles, — the candle-
sticks could not be seen, — disclosing a large wooden cross in the
window. On the altar itself were two silver candlesticks, of three
branches each. A large cross in the middle aisle bore aloft similar
candlesticks on the arms and on the head ; and another row along
the singers' gallery constituted the source of all the material illu-
mination which the place had."

From this time until the autumn, with the exception of a short
visit from his father, very few incidents occurred to break in upon
the round of cares and duties already alluded to. But in the month
of September he was induced, by the urgent solicitations of
two of his young friends and fellow-townsmen, Henry Edwards
and Oliver S. Prescott, to visit New Haven and preach a sermon,
on the occasion of their admission to the order of deacons. He
had consented to this arrangement with much reluctance, on account
of his want of time to make the necessary preparation. " I will
endeavor," he says, " not to fail you, and hope that I shall not dis-
appoint reasonable expectation. I can give but little thought to,any
thing beyond what presses upon me weekly." The ordination took
place on the 16th of September, and all the services, not excepting
the sermon, passed oft' to the mutual satisfaction of all parties.

His next absence from home was on a short excursion with his
friend Dr. Shattuck, of which he gives the following sketch in
a letter of October 12, addressed to his mother, while his father
was attending a session of the General Convention : " I returned
this morning from a week's excursion to Troy, Albany, West Point,
and New York. . . . Nothing could exceed the gratification
afforded by our visit to our friends at Troy and Albany. The little
Church of the Holy Cross at the former place, with its daily services
and choir of charity children, — its architectural beauty, reminding
one of what he has supposed to be furnished by some of the
academical chapels of Oxford and Cambridge, — is truly a study for a
devout pilgrim of the cross. ... A cordial reception awaited
us also at Albany. . . . On Thursday afternoon of last week,
we arrived at West Point. . . . We did not see much of the



1847.] CHURCH OF THE ADVENT. 399

military ; but we saw what we came to see, and what we vahied
more ; for our pilgrimage has been an ecclesiastical one. The
scenery is beyond my power to convey an impression of; and we
agreed that Dr. Syntax, in search of the picturesque, might, in this
respect, have envied us. What most interested us was the little
chapel of the Holy Innocents. It was in a secluded spot, a mile or
more below the Point, between the mountains and the river, and in
the best taste. Mr. Weir, the artist, not only designed it, but it
has been executed more at his expense than that of any other per-
son. When we know that he is dependent on his art for support,
and that he has a family of nine children, his self-sacrifice and
unselfishness in this matter is the more exemplary. The morning
and evening service is daily celebrated, and we joined in the sacri-
fice. We Iiad the pleasure of seeing Mr. Weir and other excel-
lent catholic spirits. We spent a memorable hour with Mr. Weir
in his studio, and he showed us some sketches for paintings, which
gladdened our eyes and hearts."

On tlie feast of AH Saints, November 1, after congratulating his
father on his return from the General Convention, he notes a few
particulars in relation to the building which had been purchased as