and, as the old preacliers say, I had great freedom given me, nor
was in any wise straitened." There was no report of this speech;
but the following sketch is found, in his own handwriting, of so
much of it as his memory could recall : " I feel that I am ventur-
ing out of my element. But I cannot forbear taking this occasion
to make such poor acknowledgments as I can pay, in behalf of the
clergy, for all that we owe to the medical faculty. Sir, I do not
allude to personal or professional attentions to me and mine for the
last twenty years without fee or reward, though I might speak feel-
ingly on that score. Nor do I allude to what I have seen and known
of their devotion and self-sacrifice, by niglit and by day, in the
obscure chambers of the sick poor, or in the blessed charity of our
hospitals. But it is with reference to that reproach of irreligion
with which the profession has been sometimes branded, and which
made it a common proverb in Digby's time ; though, as he says in a
parenthesis, (among those of tlie unlearned sort,) ' Ubi tres medici,
duo athei ' — Wherever there are three physicians, two are atheists.
However it might have been in other times or other countries,
among us, at least, the imputation is entirely unfounded. Taught
from my childhood to honor and revere the medical faculty, —
represented before my eyes in the person of more than one aged
relative, — I have lived to feel that a special tribute of gratitude is
due for their stand, as a body, on the side of religion, their promi)t
and generous efficiency in strengthening the hands of their clergy,
and tlieir rallying to the support of all divine institutions. Sir, 1
speak from heartfelt experience, and I could give many illustrations.
To come nearer home, in the humble parish with which I am con-
nected, there were at the outset several physicians. The enterprise
may, indeed, be said to have originated with them ; and they have
been, through all, the pillars of the society. Some years since, we
ventured in faith to honor God in restoring his daily worship, morn-
ing and evening, in his sanctuary. Our physicians were most for-
ward in this good work ; and there has seldom been an occasion,
from that day to this, that some of them have not been in attend-
1850.] CHURCH OF THE ADVENT. 455
ance, and those often in the fullest practice. On the Lord's day,
of course, all are habitually in their places, and among oui- most
interested and devoted members. Nor is this a peculiar case. The
same state of things is observable, only more conspicuously, in the
larger parishes of the city with whicli I am most familiar. xVnd I
rejoice to see around us distinguished and eminent members of this
body whom I have long been happy to recognize as also men
famous in those congregations — men of renown, Christian as
well as scientific renown. And so it is, I doubt not, generally
through our whole commonwealth. So indeed it should be, for so
it was in the very beginning. One of the four pillars in the Chris-
tian temple was Luke, the beloved physician. As the bosom friend
and counsellor of the great apostle in all the perils of his journey,
in the tumult at Jerusalem, in his bonds, in his shipwreck, in his
imprisonment, and in his last fiery trial, when no man stood by him,
but all men forsook him, Luke, and Luke only, was with him.
Such was the glorious distinction of Luke, the beloved physician —
the model doctor for all generations. If it did not seem to smell
too strongly of the cloth, I might be tempted to show what pains the
Church had taken, for fourteen hundred years at least, to honor and
embalm his memory, to keep it alive and green, in her solemn
annual commemorations on the 18th day of October, to invite every
Christian physician to unite with us on that day in keeping up its
edifying observance, and to press his character now upon the imita-
tion of those who, with the treasures of his cultivated mind, have
the same professional advantages for distinguishing between the
natural and supernatural, in those mighty works of wonder and of
love which are recorded by St. Luke as the foundation of man's
belief in all ages."
In the same letter, he writes, " The next day, Thursday, I offi-
ciated at the church, at the funeral of Mr. Pelby, the manager of
the National Theatre. Never was there such a concourse as as-
sembled on that occasion, and every thing was done decently and
in order. The service was very impressive ; and the profession
seemed to be, many of them, much affected. I have received
many tokens of their grateful appreciation of my ministrations.
On Friday of both weeks I have preached a sermon at
the evening service ; have preached on both Sundays, and admin-
istered tlie Holy Communion on both days to unusual numbers.
To-day, Rev. Dv. Eaton assisted me in distributing the elements.
I have tested my strength, and find it equal to all that has been
required of it. 1 indulge the expectation, that at the end of this
term I shall be able to dispense with any assistance."
Having anticipated some enjoyment in seeing Gliddon's mummy
unrolled, he tells of his disappointment in these terms, June 7:
" Gliddon has made the most of his show. It turns out that the
456 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM CROSWELL. [1850.
mummy is not a mammy, after all. The young priestess is a man
buried by accident in the wrong box, which mars the sentiment of
the thing, much as a lubberly boy in women's clothes. It was an
interesting spectacle, notwithstanding."
In a letter of .Tune 14, he speaks of taking, at his earliest conven-
ience, an excursion to Albany, Troy, and Auburn. And in one or
two subsequent letters, he expresses a hope, rather than any confi-
dent expectation, of accomplishing his wishes. He was unable, on
account of his absorbing cares, to attend the annual commencement
of Trinity College, and was often obliged to apologize for the brev-
ity of his weekly communications to his father. August 5, he says,
" I have only time for hints. I have been quite alone this last
week, making, yesterday, the eleventh Sunday since my assistant
left me. Whit Sunday was his last appearance. . . . Apart
from duty to the Church, I must indulge a little in idleness, and
refrain even from good words, though it were pain and grief to
me." But, having subsequently made arrangements for a brief
absence from his parish, he left on Monday, September 2, with his
wife and daughter, and having parted with them at Springfield,
where they took the cars for New Haven, he proceeded to Albany.
He also visited Troy and Utica, but went no farther west, on ac-
count of the limited time allowed for his absence. He returned by
the way of New Haven, where he again joined his wife and child,
and arrived at Boston on Saturday, September 14, after an absence
of only thirteen days, during which he had met a great number of
his friends, and passed through many interesting and exciting scenes.
At Albany, on the 3d, he was present at the consecration of the
Church of the Holy Innocents by Bishop Whittinghaivi. While
at Utica, he visited Trenton Falls, " and had," he says, " a fine
ramble about the ravines of the falls, which were seen to the best
possible advantage from being swollen into a torrent of turbulent
power by the late rain." On Sunday, the 8th, he attended the ser-
vices of the Chapel of the Holy Cross, at Troy ; and again, on
Tuesday, he was present, with some twenty clergymen, at the anni-
versary of the Bible and Prayer Book Society, in the same church.
But notwithstanding the fatigue and excitement of this journey, he
returned to his post, and again entered upon his duties on Sunday,
the 15th, and not only officiated all day without assistance, but at
evening, when all was over, found time to address a short letter to
his father. " I really feel," he says, " very nuich benefited by my
journey and the return of the cool weather; and the duties of the
day, which I have conducted alone, have set very lightly upon me.
All things have gone on as T could most have desired in my absence,
and all seem glad of my return."
From this time to the close of the year his letters are chiefly con-
fined to private and domestic matters, and few incidents remain to
1850.] CHURCH OF THE ADVENT. 457
be recorded. In October, having been invited to attend tlie nup-
tials of a daughter of an early friend and classmate, he ])assed a
day or two at New Haven, and on his return he persuaded his
father to accompany him to Boston. This visit, though short, in-
cluding the Feast of St. Luke and one Sunday, was nevertheless
made an occasion of mutual gratification ; more especially as his
father was enabled, by taking nearly the whole burden of the ser-
vices, to afford him, for the time being, the relief which he very much
needed. Nor did he forget, at the earliest opportunity, to acknowl-
edge the obligation. Writing to his father immediately after this
exchange of visits, he says, " It seems to be the universal impres-
sion, that it will be your duty to make up for our lack of episcopal
visitations by coming on quarterly, or semiannually at least,, and
doing for us what our bishop will hardly be able to do for any par-
ish. . . . Your appearances will make red-letter days in the
calendar, to whose returns we shall look forward with increasing
interest as years wear on."
During the autumn, the Rev. Samuel Farmar Jarvis, D. D., spent
a few weeks in Boston, for the purpose of superintending the publica-
tion of the first volume of his Ecclesiastical History — the great work
on which he had bestowed many years of labor. At this time his
health was much impaired, and his eyesight had become so defec-
tive, that his friends began to entertain fears that he might not
be spared to see even this first volume through the press. Under
judicious medical treatment, however, he so far recovered as to be
able to attend to the business which called him to Boston, and to
join in the daily worship, and occasionally to preach in the Church
of the Advent. In several letters the rector speaks of him in
terms of great veneration and aftection. He mentions an extem-
pore discourse on Advent Sunday as " a solemn and impressive ser-
mon," Again, of his sermon on the following Sunday, he says,
Dr. Jarvis gave us an impressive and interesting lecture on one
of the prophecies of Isaiah ; and though much broken, his power is
still considerable, and he was listened to with marked attention. I
think that the doctor has enjoyed his visit here very greatly; and the
Church of the Advent has been the channel through which much
of this enjoyment has come." Finally, writing on the 15th, he says,
" Dr. Jarvis left on Friday, after making a very pleasant visit, both
to us and himself. He purposes to go on to Buffalo about the 20th,
to spend Christmas with Gen. Porter at Niagara Falls." In con-
nection with this visit, the doctor had engaged, should his health
permit, to deliver a lecture before the Young Men's Institute at
Buffalo. But in all these anticipations he was disappointed by an
afflictive stroke of Providence. He had proceeded no farther than
Troy, before he became dangerously ill, and was compelled to
return to his home in Middletown, where, after a lingering and
58
4o? MEMOIR OF WILLIAM CROSWELL. [1851.
distressing sickness, he expired in the latter part of the ensuing
March.
The close of this year was also marked by another afflictive dis-
pensation, in the death of the Rev. Isaac Boyle, D. D. He was a
clergyman of great personal worth, and possessed fine talents and
extensive attainments. But in consequence of extreme deafness and
other infirmities, he had been for some years disqualified for the gen-
eral performance of the public duties of his calling. In social inter-
course, however, he was among the most interesting of men — bril-
liant in wit, and rich in all the varied gifts of conversation. The rector
of the Advent had been much in his company, and always treated him
with the utmost respect and veneration. He relates the circumstances
of his sickness and death with much feeling. December 2 : "I was
at Dr. Boyle's this morning, and found him dying and unconscious.
I read the commendatory prayer. He was attacked on Friday
very violently with convulsions, and is dropping off in a fatal stu-
por, from which he will never be roused again in tliis world. His
end, happily, will be that of the righteous." November 9 : " Dr.
Boyle died last week, and was buried from Trinity Church on Thurs-
day last. I loved him dearly, and mourn his loss very sincerely —
to tlie Church, not less than to myself. What stores of accumu-
lated learning and wisdom seem to be lost with him, at least, to
sight ! though I cannot believe that such treasures are for this life
only."
1851.
The reader may judge of the emotions of the biograplier on
opening the record of this eventful year — the year that brouglit to
a sudden termination the labors of this faithful and devoted servant
of Christ. He was now advancing rapidly to his rest and to his
reward. Of this he was happily entirely unconscious. Notwith-
standing the plain indications of an increase of his infirmities, he
entered upon the duties of the year with all his accustomed zeal and
ardor, without abating one jot or tittle of his manifold labors. In
a note, January 3, 1851, to some ladies of his parish, acknowl-
edging the gift of a beautiful inkstand, he says, " In my own case,
I dare only hope that this foiuitain will never lend its aid to frame
one sentence, which, dying, I would wish to blot ; and that its last
office, like this its first, may be to record the Christian affection that
binds me to those whom I have ever found in all trials ' kind hearts
and true.' " In his first letter to his father, dated on Sunday
evening, .lanuary 5, he says, " I do not write because I have time to
1851.] CHURCH OF THE ADVENT. 4J3
say mucli, but to keep up a good liabit, in which I hope to perse-
vere through the coming year, of securing a few moments on Sunday
evening for this duty. May it be an acceptable year of the Lord
to us all. . . . The last week has been a busy one. I had to
encroach on Saturday night more than my wont to get ready for
to-day. I prepared myself to preach both parts of the day, aid
have had the whole service and a large communion. To-morrow,
being the feast of the Epiphany, the same interesting duty will be
repeated. I feel remarkably well this evening, and so indeed are
we all. It is not expedient, however, to use the quill much ; and
you will, I am sure, take the will for the deed." Again, on the
12th, in a short note written between the afternoon and evening
services, he says, " The day has been fine for the season. I have
been unassisted, but feel quite fresh and vigorous for the balance.
We open to-night, for the first time this season." On this occasion,
however, he had the aid of the Rev. Dr. Edson, in the sermon, of
which he speaks in the highest terms of gratification. On the fol-
lowing Sunday, he was again alone .and unassisted during the day;
but he had the benefit of the Rev. Dr. Francis Vinton's services
in tiie evening, who preached, by a])pointment, an impressive ser-
mon in behalf of the Seamen's Mission ; and before the next ensu-
ing Sunday, his father came to his relief. This visit included the
Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, the 25th, and the third Sunday
after the Epiphany, the 26th. On both of these occasions, as well
as in the daily service, his father bore a principal part — delivering
a short address on St. Paul's day, and preaching three sermons on
Sunday. One or two incidents connected with this visit, of which
he had previously apprised his father, gave peculiar interest to the
occasion. Of the first, he writes in this manner : " Mr. ex-
pects to have his child baptized ; and as his name is to be ' Harry,'
he would be pleased, if it were not presuming, to have you stand in
his behalf. It will be the first of the name that I have ever bap-
tized." In relation to the other, he mentions an invitation to " an
evening parish party of gentlemen " at the house of one of the leading
members of his parish, and adds, " Understand, that this is simply an
evening assemblage of those exclusively who are connected with
our parish, to afford them an opportunity of seeing each other
under pleasant circumstances and free from all constraint, and of
giving all an opportunity of seeing you. The effect of such a gath-
ering occasionally is, doubtless, very happy ; and in the present
posture of our afl^airs, may be peculiarly salutary." In both cases,
these invitations were complied with, and were made the occasion
of much niutual enjoyment ; and the hope was expressed, that such
visits might be often repeated in the course of the year. But it did
not please a wise Providence so to order. This was the last visit
that he was permitted to receive from his father during his life.
460 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM CROSWELL. [185L
On the first Sunday in February lie bad the assistance of the
Rev. Dr. Hale, president of Geneva College, in the sermon for
the afternoon, and the Rev. Mr Stickney in the evening. And on
the following Sunday afternoon be was favored with a sermon from
the Rev. Mr. Tremlett, from the British provinces, who had come
to Boston with the expectation of preaching in the newly-formed
parish of St. Botolph, but had been peremptorily forbidden by the
bishop, on the ground of some technical informality. Thus, by a
kind Providence, did he obtain from his brethren, from different
quarters, much seasonable relief. He was also kindly favored, es-
pecially by the Rev. Mr. Stickney, in the daily service. But still
the constant recurrence of these services, with, a good amount of
pastoral duty, undoubtedly overtasked his powers. Hence it was
deemed expedient, if not absolutely necessary, to seek occasional
relaxation in short excursions among his friends abroad. Accord-
ingly, availing himself of the companionship of a friend, and leav-
ing the parish in charge of his brother Stickney, he absented
himself for a few days, proceeding from Boston to. Hartford on
Tuesday, the 18th, thence to New Haven on the 19th, and to New
York on Saturday, the 22d. Here he spent the Sunday ; returned
to New Haven on Monday, and to Boston on Tuesday, the •24th —
thus, in the compass of a single week, visiting many dear friends,
and drawing from his social intercourse with his family and bretii-
ren a large amount of enjoyment. From his own representation,
it is to be presumed that he also derived much benefit from the
excursion. Writing on the Sunday evening after his return, March
2, he says, " I found myself very fresh and vigorous after my ride."
After speaking of having rented a larger and better house than the
one in which the family had hitherto resided, and of the laborious
preparations for removing, he adds, " The parish continues to be
healthy and prosperous ; and I hope to have a large class of can-
didates for confirmation. To-day I have been preaching twice, in
preparation for Lent. I had a little assistance in the morning from
Rev. Dr. Eaton and Rev. Mr. Monroe ; but this afternoon I was
quite alone, administering holy baptism, over and above the usual
exercises. Our church was very full this morning, and the largest
number at communion that had ever attended at once." Hi snext
letter, first Sunday evening in Lent, is somewhat taken up with an
account of his moving, w hich, he says, tliey all consider as a " very
suitable occupation for the season — a penitential discipUne." But
he anticipates a great improvement in their household enjoyments.
"The daylight," he says, "is just beginning to shut in; but before
it is quite gone, I must try to find time to jot down the engage-
ments of the week. All the time not otherwise occupied in pasto-
ral duty has been given to this moving task — most profitable to
keep one in mind that we are dwelling in tents, as strangers and
1851.] CHURCH OF THE ADVENT. 461
pilgrims, looking, I trust, for the building of God, the house not
made with hands, among the many mansions opened for us by our
Savior. We had two solemn services on Asli Wednesday. I liad a
little assistance at the second from Rev. Mr. Lambert, but did all
the preaching. . . . Mrs. Grosvenor had kept me apprised,
down to Thursday or Friday, of poor Dr. Jarvis's condition. I
am expecting every mail to hear that he has fallen asleep. Good
old man ! his cup has been very full of sorrow and sore trouble ;
but he has drank it to the dregs, like a Christian. He will enter
paradise, I firmly believe, as a vessel fitted, in the furnace of afflic-
tion, for the Master's use, to everlasting honor, while the Church on
earth will long have reason to mourn his loss. The death of Dr.
Ogilby deprives us of another choice treasure, to be added to what
was before laid up in heaven." His next letter is dated from 31
Green Street, March 17, in which he says, " The discouraging work
of moving was safely accompHshed last week, and we are in our
new house, and chaos is gradually giving place to the genius of
(jrder ; and now that we are fairly able to judge of what the ad-
vantages of the change really are, we can hardly overestimate
them." He closes this letter with an urgent appeal to his parents
to come and visit him : "And now, when the time of the singing
birds shall have come, and these rough winds softened down to a
vernal sweetness, and the St. Michael's pear tree," (standing in his
yard,) " which for fifty years has put forth its green leaves, un-
changed amid all the changes round it, and as if it were still in the
midst of the garden, shall have blossomed once more, we shall hope
that mother and you will indulge us in one more visit together
ere life's stage is left."
It is imnecessary to pursue the details of his daily and weekly
labors, as given in his correspondence and journal. He frequently
acknowledges the aid of his visiting brethren ; and he generally
speaks in terms of encouragement of the continuance of the health
of himself, as well as the family. One or two short passages from
his letter of March 24 will serve to show how readily his sympa-
thies were awakened by every passing case of mortality or distress :
" I am expecting to hear by every mail that Dr. Jarvis has fallen
asleep. The last accounts were very discouraging. Death has
lieen very busy this last year among our ranks ; and some of his
victims have been ' bright and shining marks.' I have just been to
see the books, pictures, and paintings which have been sent home
from the 3Iediterr{yiean, the relics of our old and dear friend
Searle. It is a melancholy errand, and almost makes me sick."
Again, in reference to the case of apparent decline in the health of
a young man, the son of a very particular friend, who had just en-
tered upon the business of life, with every reasonable prospect of
prosperity, happiness, and usefulness, he says, " His friends may
462 MEMOIR OF WILLIAM CROS^VELL. [1851.
well be anxious, lest he should wither away under it. How often,
alas ! in all schemes of human felicity, all is destroyed by a worm
in the bud."
Before the date of another letter, (Mid-Lent, Sunday evening,)
he had been apprised of the death of Dr. Jarvis, and had been
invited to attend his funeral. " This," he says, " I should have
been glad to do, if a day had intervened before Sunday ; but I
feared the effect of the excitement and exhaustion ; and I needed
to be the stronger, as the Holy Communion was celebrated, as
usual, on this day, at our church, and I had no reason to expect
assistance. Meanwhile, I did such honor as my means would ad-
mit to the doctor's memory, in my sermon this morning, much to
the satisfaction of a large congregation." In this letter, he again
recurs to the case of Rev. Mr. Searle : " I feel the weight of
those bereavements the more, since the Rev. Mr. Searle's sermons,
letters, and private papers were quite unexpectedly put at my dis-
posal by his friends this last week." Some two weeks had elapsed
since his effects had been received from the Mediterranean ; and he
concludes, if they should not be claimed by his friends, he should
call in the aid of the Rev. Mr. Lambert, Mr. Searle's successor in
the Navy Yard ; and after selecting such as they should think meet
to preserve, should commit the rest to the flames.
Writing on Sunday evening, April 6, he says, " Dr. Eaton, who
was with me, was quite overcome with faintness, and obliged to
leave at the close of the morning service, and before the ante-