come. I feel quite relieved of any anxiety, however, through fear
of not being sustained. A threefold cord is not easily broken."

The record of the year is concluded with a few extracts from a
letter written during the intervals of duty on Christmas day :
" Yesterday I had a pleasant duty in distributing some forty or fifty
dollars in alms — though rather a hard time to set ' traps to catch
sunbeams.' To-day we had very interesting servi-ces — the congre-
gation was large — and the evergreens, which were put up yesterday
after morning prayer, very thickly woven together, and in excellent
taste. We had Dr. Eaton, Mr. Prescott, and Mr. Hudson assist-
ing — the music was inspiring — and the offertory not unworthy of
the occasion. Nine o'clock. Have just returned from our second
service, where Mr. Prescott gave us one of his best and most
appropriate sermons. There were not so many jiresent as there
ought to have been ; but the few, doubtlesSj felt that it was good for
them to be there."



1850.



" A HAPPY new year to you all ! " is the salutation with which
he opens the correspondence of the year. Though cheerily written,
he was actually suffering at the time from slight indisposition ; and



446 MEMOm OF WILLIAM CROSWELL. [1850.

several circumstances conspired to give a pensive turn to his musings.
According- to his annual custom, he had been gathering up, arran-
ging, and filing the papers, correspondence, and other manuscripts
of the past year. Many striking changes were thus brought vividly
to his mind ; and the memory of departed friends naturally awa-
kened a train of solemn reflections on the brevity of life, and the
passing away of the years of his own probation. In writing both
to his father and brother, he makes some touching allusions to the
family burying-place at New Haven, and suggests his intention of
procuring, at Mount Auburn, a lot for such of his family as might
depart this life in Boston. But apart from all considerations of this
nature, he was doubtless somewhat disturbed by the idea that the
time had again come for renewing his application to the bishop for
an official visitation, with a well-grounded apprehension that the
petition would again be denied. In this apprehension he was not
mistaken, as the following correspondence will show : —



I.

Feast of the Circumcision, 1850.
Right reverend and dear Sir : Will it be convenient for you
to give me notice of an appointment for administering confirmation
to such candidates as I may present, in season to be announced to
our congregation on the feast of the Epiphany ? With regard to the
time, tlie morning of either of the two Sundays preceding Lent
would be prefen-ed. As to the place where the service ought to be
held, I may be allowed to say that I entertain the same convictions
as I have already repeatedly expressed to you. But, without
waiving any claim of privilege, I would avoid, at present, reviving
controversy ; and if you still decline visiting our parish for this
purpose, 1 trust the office will be permitted to take place in your own.
With my best wishes for a happy new year,

Very sincerely vours in the office of priesthood,

W. CROSWELL.
Right Rev. Bishop Eastburn.

II.

Tremont Street, January 3, 1850.
Reverend and dear Sir : I have received your note of the 1st
instant, and in reply beg to say that I shall be happy to administer
confirmation, to such persons as you may present, in Trinity Church.
You mention either of the two Sundays preceding Lent as the time
you would prefer. As I have jxirposed, however, holding my
annual confirmation in Trinity sometime during Lent, I have fixed
upon the second Sunday in Lent, in the morning, as the day for
confirming both your candidates and those who shall be found ready



1850.] CHURCH OF THE ADVENT. 447

among tlie parishioners of Trinity Cliurch. This time, being not
remote from tliat mentioned by yourself, will, I trust, not be objec-
tionable to you.

Reciprocating your kind salutation on the commencement of
another year, I am faithfully yours,

MANTON EASTBURN.
Rev. Dr. Croswell.

III.

Boston, February 23, 1850.

Right reverend and dear Sir : It is proper to apprise you
that, in compliance with your directions, I shall attend at Trinity
Church with many of our congregation to-morrow morning. The
service at our church will be omitted. I cannot yet inform you of
the precise number of candidates for confirmation ; but I am sorry
to say that I find it, year by year, seriously diminished, in conse-
quence of the course which you have felt at liberty to pursue, in
depriving our parish of the benefits of the Episcopal visitation, con-
templated 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 convention, and to the enjoyment of the same
canonical pi-ovision and privileges as any other parish in it, if I did
not once more enter my solemn protest against these proceedings,
as 1 have dojie against similar proceedings in fornjer years.
As ever, your faithful presbyter,

W. CROSWELL.

The Right Rev. Manton Eastburn, Bishop of Massachusetts. '-(j -q;

On this new arrangement with the bishop he offered no special
comment. He merely mentions it in his letter to his father, January
7 : " I have negotiated with the bishop for a confirmation of our
candidates at Trinity Church, on the second Sunday in Lent,
February 24, being the feast of St. Matthew the apostle. I hope
that I shall have a considerable number to bring, and such as shall
be accounted worthy when tried by the balance of the sanctuary."

While he was diligently pursuing his pastoral duties, and, with the
assistance of Mr. Prescott and Mr. Hudson, oftering daily prayers,
morning and evening, and holding three services on Sundays, he
was again brought into severe affliction. January 14, he writes,
" The last week has been a sad one. We have been in the midst
of ' deaths oft.' That of our dear friend Dr. E. H. Robbins has
overwhelmed us with grief. ... So unexpected was it, that I
was not aware until the last day that he was sick at all. I was at



448 MEMOIR OF WILLLA.M CROSW^ELL. [1850.

Brookline, dining with Mr. Clark, when a messengei* came to
summon him to the doctor's bedside. It was too late for any
communication. But there is every reason to suppose that this
event did not take him unawares or find him unprepared. He had
spoken very freely with his child and friends of his convictions that
he should not live long ; and the tenor of his daily walk was his
best preparation. He had a warm heart, and was a deviser of the
most liberal things — a pattern of disinterested benevolence — truly
devout, without the slightest pretence — full of good deeds — a
lover of hospitality, and a lover of good men. His funeral was
attended by a concourse on Saturday, many of whom will be
ready to rise up and declare his memory blessed. We feel every
such loss here to be indeed irreparable. A chief layman of Trinity
Church is gone, and with Iiini is buried much of living interest
there. Our aged and saintly friend Miss Coffin, now fourscore
years old and more, bears her bereavement with wonderful fortitude ;
and indeed the whole family exhibit a composure of spirit which
nothing but divine aid can impart. I dwell upon this event, for I
have not thought of much else since it occurred.

' But welcome fortitude and patient cheer,

And frequent sights of what is to be borne, —

Such sights, or worse, as are before me here, —

Not without hope, we suffer and we mourn.' "

The following incidental remark, in a letter of January 28, ex-
hibits a trait in his ministerial character which there is a pleasure
in recording : " Both P. and H. give me any amount of assistance
in the public duties ; but in the more retired and unobserved parts
of pastoral functions, — visiting the poor, for instance, — there is little
relief from the burden. As little, however, as I wish, and I would
be content with less. In these unseen things, after all, the great
strength of our calling lies."

With reference to the approaching confirmation, February 19,
he says, " This being the ' last week of asking ' before confirmation,
I am much engrossed with my candidates. I cannot yet tell what
the exact number will be ; but I fear that I shall find it seriously
diminished in consequence of the bishop's very extraordinary course.
Meanwhile there is nothing like stagnation about the
interest that is taken in the approaching service ; and as we propose
to omit our usual morning service, and to proceed in a body to
Trinity Church, I think that the venerable edifice is likely for once
to be full."

That he was not disappointed in this anticipation, appears from
his letter of the 25th : " Yesterday was a delightful day — though



1850.] CHURCH OF THE ADVENT. 449

not a day of rest precisely, after the fatigues of the week. We
rose very early ; had the ante-commuuion office for St. Matthias
recited at nine o'clock, at the Church of the Advent. I then ad-
dressed the candidates for confirmation ; and, accompanied hy the
Rev. Dr. Eaton at the head of the procession, the candidates, with
Rev. Mv. Prescott, fell in in close order, and the whole body went
on to Trinity Church. There our numbers occasioned some confu-
sion ; but we were all seated at last, and the service proceeded.
Rev. Mr. Clark read morning prayer. [ sat in the chancel with
the bishop, and read the epistle and the preface to the confirmation
office. I presented twenty-three, and the bishop reported nine — the
whole a little more than filling the chancel rail. . . . The
solemnity was impressive, and the services exciting. I felt reason
to be gratified with the part which I was permitted to take in it, and
witii the character and qualifications of those whom I presented.
The bishop omitted the sermon, and made a short, unexceptionable
address. Our intercourse was courteous, externally, but nothing
more than official exchange of conversation."

March 4, he writes, " We have gone one week deeper into the
shadows of Lent, and the interest seems to be increasing as we
advance. The daily service, particularly on Wednesday and Friday,
morning and evening, is well attended." He also speaks of the
Sunday congregations, during the day and the evening, as being
very large. He concludes, " My health does not seem to suffer
from any thing that is required of me at present."

March 11 : "It is bright and clear, and the mind sympathizes
with the aspects of nature. Day unto day, as usual, uttereth speech;
one differing but little from another. I have scarcely any thing to
diversify my page withal. Yesterday we had the holy communion,
as usual on mid-Lent Simday, and I preached an appropriate
discourse on the miracle of the gospel, from the text, Shall God
prepare a table in the loilderness ? Can he give bread aho ? Many
of our candidates recently confirmed came to the altar. Some, by
my advice, wait till Easter — when Christ our Passover is sacrificed
for us, and which, like the feast of the Jews, is to us also nigh at
hand." He seldom adverts in his letters to the grievous malady in
his face; but under this same date he mentions his intention of sub-
mitting to some experiments in magnetism, gratuitously offered to
him by Dr. Cross : " To-day I commence a course of sittings to
Dr. Cross, from which I have reason to anticipate some benefit to
my nerves." The advice which the doctor kindly added to these
experiments evidently gave him no small degree of encouragement.
But it was a hope which he never realized. No treatment seemed
ever to arrest the progress of the complaint, or afford him any
material or permanent relief The cause lay too deep for the reach
of human skill.

57



450 MEMOIR OF \VILLIAM CRO SWELL. [1850.

Tuesday before Easter, March 26, after ex]ilainino: the delay of
his customary letter, he says, " Our occupations arc various, though
not very laborious, considering among how many the work is dis-
tributed. Sermons, however, must be thought out and put on paper;
and in this part of my duty I cannot expect much release from
labor. We had a lecture every evening last week ; but my own
were derived from a pile which had not yet been in requisition in my
new parish. This week we alternate, morning and evening, with
sermons ; and the return of this affecting season always suggests a
thousand new ones." He acknowledges in grateful and compli-
mentary terms the aid afforded him in the Sunday evening sermons
by the Rev. Mr. Hudson, while dividing the other services with his
assistant, the Rev. Mr. Prescott. But he nevertheless feels the
great responsibility resting upon his own exertions. " Hence,"
he adds, " I am obliged to apply myself this way just about as
much as I can bear, and excuse myself to my correspondents gen-
erally."

His next letter, Wednesday in Easter week, speaks thus of the
great festival, and of some of the pleasant things which attended it :
" Our church was very full, and a larger number of communicants
than at any time before. Offertory large. I have received many
Easter gifts, tokens of love and affection, from members of the
parish ; and among other grateful ones was a purse from the
ladies, to be used in journeying for my health. They are desirous
to have me leave at once ; and perhaps I shall be ready to start at
the beginning of next week. The only direction that is inviting at
this season is a southern one ; and I thought some of going to
Washington or Baltimore. I shall, however, come home first."

The following acknowledgment of the aforesaid gift is here re-
corded with much pleasure : —

Boston, Easter Tide, 1850.

My dear Friend : I am anxious to let you know, within the
octave of the great festival, how grateful I am for the Easter gift
of the ladies of the parish ; and before another octave I hope to
plume my Easter wings for a flight. I will not, if I can help it,
throw any obstacle in the way of what was intended to minister to
my health and improvement ; and I shall go the more sanguine of
benefit from the conviction that I carry with me the prayers of so
many to ' avail much' in securing the blessings of restored health.
If, indeed, it be expedient for us that I go away, (and of this I do
not pretend to be the best judge,) and I may lawfidly use His high
words, I hope that it will be only for a little wiiile, and tbat I may
return with strength and will to serve God more faithfully in my
ofiice, to the glory of his name and th > edification of his cliurch.

Remember me affectionately to each of the subscribers by name ;



1850.] CHURCH OF THE ADVENT. 451

and desiring the still further continuance of their good offices in the
charity of their prayers,

Believe me, ever yours in Christ,

W. CROSWELL.

Miss Mart Callahax, for herself and ladies.

He is now found preparing to avail himself of the kindness and
liberality of his friends, and forecasting his plans for his anticipated
journeyings. These are not very definite. He says, " I am not
sanguine in expectations of benefit from journeying merely, think-
ing that I need rest rather than excitement, however amusing; and
medical treatment perhaps more than either, if I knew what to
choose between old and new modes, hydropathy, &c. I should be
disposed to go to Northampton for a while, but that the season is
too early, and the country very uninviting." He had been through
one course with Dr. Cross, without having experienced any essential
relief. He expresses his intention of persevering, however, and of
continuing through another course at some future time. He pro-
poses to proceed on his journey immediately, — stopping at Hartford
for a space, and enjoying the society of his friends there, — and
then, after making a visit at New Haven, to go on in a southern
direction. " I shall, of course," he says, " be glad to avail myself of
Mr. CuRTiss's kindness. New York has always ecclesiastical
attractions to offer. I shall probably go on to Newark, Burlington,
and Philadelphia ; but perhaps no further south, at present." He
suggests the possibility of going also to Albany, Troy, and even to
Auburn ; but leaves the decision to be governed by circumstances.

During his journey, he found but little time or opportunity to
keep up his correspondence. His notes are very hasty, containing
little else than brief sketches of his daily movements. His first to
his father, April 16, is from New York, where he had been for a
day or two enjoying the hospitalities of his friend Mr. Curtiss, and
meeting with many of his brethren, particularly the Rev. Mr. Coxe,
who was also on his way southerly. The next is dated on the fol-
lowing day at Philadelphia, where he again met with Mr. Coxe and
his travelling companions. The next is from Washington, April
18, in which he says, " I wrote you from Philadelphia. Much to
my gratification, Mr. Coxe met me in the cars, and we resumed our
iourney together yesterday. I did not perceive any change for the
better in the weather as we came this way, nor any more promise
of vernal scenery. We arrived at Baltimore — dined — visited the
Cathedral, St. Paul's, and the Church of St. Alphonsus — ascended the
monument — and left again at five for Washington. We had an
exhilarating time, — though the country is forlorn and desolate
enough, — and the dome of state met our eager eye not far
from seven. Coxe went down to Alexandria, and I to take my



452 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM CROSWELL. [1850.

ease in my inn, after a long walk to reach it. ... I obtained
an introduction to the floor of the Senate at twelve. Previous to
that I looked at every thing to be seen about the Capitol, witliin and
without, and sat out the whole debate in the Senate ; though, but
for the name of it, it would hardly have been more interesting than so
much time in our own hall of deputies. I heard most of the great men
of the nation say a few words. Webster had been engaged in an
argument in the supreme court, and was silent. Clay is still a most
persuasive and silver-tongued speaker." Writing on the same day
to a friend in Boston, he says, " There is a marked transition from
all that we are used to see, after you reach Philadelphia. The style
of the dwellings and the pubhc buildings — the universal use of
large, white, solid shutters, with bolts and rings to the lower
windows, as if it were a garrison town, or one that had its fear of
a mob before its eyes perpetually — (as it may well have reason to
in this city of brotherly love) — the airy and tasteful style of the
ladies' dresses on the promenade — the monotonous correspondence
of one block or square to another — the appearance of the black
servants at the hotels and houses generally, are among the things ,
that make you feel a change. . . . We were much struck with
the very frequent ' bowing ' of the windows ; that is, setting the
shutters at an angle, with crape or ribands at the rings, to indicate
bereavement in the household. It was touching to see it at all ; but
it was so frequent as to lead one to suppose that there had been
here unusual mortality. So much of ceremonial, and of this kind,
among a people who do not wear mourning, and who cast off" all
outward symbol, is hardly what we should expect. It seems to bring
to mind, and perhaps grew out of, the old English habit which led
families of distinction to put up funeral hatchments on the walls of
their houses during the year of mourning. ... I would like to
have all good Christians visit the Church of St. Mark, just completed
in Philadelphia, with a school building in the same enclosure, looking
like a religious house. . . . We spent an hour or two in Balti-
more in saying our prayers in St. Paul's Church, Dr. Wyatt's, which
cost, as the guide books say, one hundred and twenty thousand
dollars, and makes one lament that it had not been more judiciously
laid out. It is perfectly anomalous. However, it is much in advance
of the Cathedral, where there is the usual disgusting combination of
meanness and magnificence — dirt and divinity — which characterize
Popish places of worship." Again, on the 20th, after speaking of
a pleasant visit to some old friends, he adds, " Last night being the
levee night at the White House, we waited on the president, and
saw him and all the men of mark." He is now ready for his return ;
and on Monday, April 22, dates from Philadelphia: " I arrived here
from Baltimore on Saturday evening. Yesterday was a beautiful
day ; and 1 worshipped at St. Mark's all day, having spent the inter-



1850.] cthtrch of the ad^^ext. 453

mission witli the rector and a few clergy. I intended to have gone
on to Burhngton this afternoon ; but our purpose changes with the
changing hour. It begins to rain again, and the weather is fit for
nothing but cars and steamboats ; and I purpose to push on to
Newark in the half past four o'clock train, expecting to be there
about eight. St. Mark's day I expect to spend in New York ; and
the next day I hope to return with a glad and gratefid lieart to the
haven where I would be. Philadelphia is a delightful city, and I
have no wish ever to go south of it." At this time he was expecting
his wife and daughter to meet him at New Haven ; and he adds,
" In this way we shall be able to spend Sunday and most of the
following week together. I am satisfied that short journeys are
better for me at present than long, and rest rather than excitement.
I do not think it well, either, fi)r me to be absent any considerable
time from my parish, however I may make brief excursions." But
he was disappointed in this expectation. His wife was too unwell
to undertake the journey. After returning, therefore, to New
Haven, and making his visit alone, he proceeded to Boston, where
he arrived on the 3d of May.

" Health and benediction ! " is his first salutation after his return
to his post. He found that cares and duties had accumulated in
consequence of his absence. "But, notwithstanding," he says, "I
feel as if I had received decided benefit from my journey, and my
nerves are much steadier than they have been for some time."

But whatever benefit may have been derived from this temporary
relaxation of his labors, he does nut appear to have followed up his
advantage by similar excursions ; for, immediately after his return,
he is found diligently employed in his customary duties, and before
the expiration of the month, during the absence of his assistant,
as appears by his letter, Monday, May 27, he subjected himself to
an unusual amount of labor : " I was willing to see what my
strength would bear last week, and am happy to find it equal, thus
far, to all demands. I conducted the morning and evening service
unassisted, besides attending to the other duties, which were not in-
considerable, and preacbing on Friday evening. Yesterday (Trin-
ity Sunday) we were disappointed by the setting in of the storm,
which diminished the numbers in attendance. The congregation
was very respectable, notwithstanding, and I administered the com-
munion to eighty or more. I was at the Sunday school in the
morning, and entirely alone in all the services. In the afternoon, I
read service, preached, and attended to the singing of tlie children.
1 am remarkably well to-day. I think I am gradually gaining on
my complaint, and hope that I shall be able, by the end of my
present engagement, to dispense with any assistance, except from
time to time, when I especially need it. ... I »''iy niake a
brief visit to Albany. But I shall be absent as i'ew Sundays as



4-54 MEMOm OF WILLIAM CKOSWELL. [:..i..

possible, and I shall not allow myself to be absent for a long time
at once."

Sunday evening, June 2, he writes, "I wrote you, bright and
early, last Monday morning, in a great flow of spirits, having to
congratulate myself on having gone on thus far without any assist-
ance, or feeling the want of any. . . . This week also 1 have
gone on alone, and much to my satisfaction. On Wednesday, 1
was invited to officiate as chaplain to the Medical Society dinner ;
and, being called out by the president, made a short speech." This
address was extempore, and he appears to have been " quite as
much surprised as gratified " at his success. " But," he says, " I
felt it due to make a special effort for the doctors of our parish ;