Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-06-14
Our Boston Letter.
'ADIR0NDAcK" MURRAY AND his NEW SCHEME
THE ANDOyER CENTENNIAL-sUMMER TRAY
Ell AND SUMNER RESORTS

he2t oeptemDcr, lor tue eSpcclil purpose OF
raising funds for magnificent new church.
As only small part of the amount could be
raised in his own Music Hall congregation,
he proposes to try his friends in other parts
of Massachusetts and in other States.
This unprecedented and unexpected
course on the part OF their pastor
created some opposition, and Rev.
"Adirondack" Murray was asked to resign.
At last this request was Withdrawn, in order
that he might explain moro fully "the
church that Boston needs and the means
for erecting the edifcs. lie does not claim
the honor of originating his magnificent plan,
but, like Socrates of old he seems to be de-
luded with the idea that special divinity
guides him and has presented this plan TO
him to execute.
1.-The church that Bjston needs as the
plan Is row elaborated, is to be unseetarian ;
the cold, logical, Calyinistic religion of tine
Puritan fathers will be put in the back
ground music will be given the prominent
place in worship which il held in the primi-
tive church and which it still holds in the
Papal church. The Puritane long face will
be unequivoc;illy discountenaneed. The
songs of the p>llmst anl the best modern
music will be sung by the best vocal quartette
that can be obtained, accompanied by a
chorus of | 600 cultivated voices under the
leadershipOf such director as Carl Zerrahan.
The congregation (Which NAV number
5,OOO) will also juin with the chorus in most
of the singing. Such an organi=t as Eugene
Thayer will preside at the organ, which will
be the best in quality, and in size proper
tional to the other appointments Of the church.
large musical library will DC formed for
the use of the choir and congregation
which, at last, Mr.. Murray intends, shall be-
come the Free Musical Library of Boston.
There will be two concerts each week one
of sacred and one of popular musie.-and
musical recital will be given every day at
some convenient hour for the thousands Of
students Of music in and about Boston Thus
he would have the church primarily cen
tire of culture and then place for worship.
Is that the ideal intellectual Boston ?" Mr..
Murray still claims affinity, at least, for the
Congregational church, and it Is that church
that he is especially anxious to modify.
But it may be asked in soberness whether
he is not more in sympathy with the Un'-
tarians than the church of the Puritan
fathers.
But to return to the church that Boston
needs, Overlooking the question of its ad-
visibility, is the plan feasible? Discuss ing
the question from financial standpoint,
Mr. Murray shows to his own satisfaction
that 5000 sittings can easily secure $50, 700
for regular expenses-Salaries OF two minis
ters and the musieians-and $40, 600 for
missionary work, every cent Of which would
be expended in Boston, at least for the pres
cnt.
In note, few days since, Rev.
Henry Ward Beecher expressed gentle
doubt in regard to the plan. Some of our
own clergvmen openly ridieule the scheme,
while many more remain significantly in
profound silence. The laity discuss the
question generally. but most opinions ex-
pressed are in the form of adverse criti-
cism. Influential and moneyed men, how
ever. are not wanting who favor the mag
nitieent plan. 10 express an unbiased
opinion, from my knowledge of the circum-
stances, should say that Mr.. Murray will
persuade his people to enter upon the under
taking; before the work has been carried
far, dissensions, already visible, will arise in
the church the magnificent edihcs will be
lett, like the Germans castle, to be consum-
ed on the architects paper. and the New
England church at Music Hall will disband
and be forgotten
THE ANDoyER CENTENNIAL.
The little town Of Andoyer never
departed so far from its usual sober ways as
it has during the last two or three days.
The Divinity School, in that staid old town,
and the Fem Sem a. the boys call the
Female Seminary. both seemed to JOin heart
lily with tho t)wnSpeOplc and the guests in
celebrating the centennial of Phillips Acade-
my. 1t Is the oldest incorporated school of
its grade in the country. having been found
ed by John and Samuel Phillips, of Exeter.
n. H., and Andoyer, respectively. as early
as the Spring Of 1I1S. Like other institu-
tious CT similar kind, It was foun1ed from
grants of land. In addition to the landed
requests, over s.. 900 in money enabled the
trustees to erect a One-story wooden builiiug,
with seating capacity of thirty-ive, from
which diminutive p, portions the school has
grown to its present size.
The founders and teachers were men of
true New England piety, Pnritans to the
very core, whnSc sole motto, as they
labOred for the school and with the
pupils, was. like the patrons Of Harvard
College, ChriSte 1t EciesiG. The gray
headed men VINO returned yesterday to their
Alma Mater and the words OF fond remsm
brauce sent by Others show how fully the Or
iect of their beueiaetors vas earrie1 out
The AndOyer Academy has been preemiuent-
ly successful in raising up men for the pull
pit, while those sent out tn other ayocltlOns
have generally carried with them the spirit
they acquired on "holy ground More
than . 900 men have enjoyed these IN
hnenecs and majority Of them were
probably under the Instruction OF Drs,
Adams and Samuel Taylor. Many interest
ing and amusing stories have been told IN
the last forty-eight hours by men who grad
uated 65 years ago and later, some Of which
while they are perfectly natural and exceed
insly amusing, do not add much 10 the
dignity usually associated with these Rev.
erend names Those of US who have enjOycd
similar opportunities can readily recall STINT
lar scenes.
The literary exercises were held in large
tent with seating capacity IN 3,5oO.
Wendell Phillips, lineal representative OF
the Phillips family, was one ot the speakers
Dr. William Adams, of New York. presided,
Rev Alexander Mckenzie delivered the oria-
tion, and Oliver Wendell Holmes read
poem. Presidents Porter, Bartlett, Robin
son and Eliot; Governors Fairbanks and
Rice, and large number of eminent clergy
men were numbered among the speakers.
Several valuable paintings Of former instruc-
tors and donors to the school were presented
As a cullege-f fitting school the Phillips Aeadc-
nv ut AndOyer has lost the comparative
standing which it held years ago. But
graduates and other friends of the institu-
tion tell me that efforts are now being made
to fully meet the requirments Of the most
advanced colleges.
SUMNER TRAVEL.
The few warm days of the early
Summer travel in earnest. The seaside
resorts " i'll have numerous visitors, this year
in fact. many have already gone to New
port and Martha's Vineyard, and other less
noted resorts along the coast. But the ex-
pensive resorts for spending the whole sum
mer will not he irequented so much as in
former years Picnic excursions to the beach
and to the inland lakes will largely supPlant
the Custom of protracted visits.
One Of these inland lakes that has received
a large patronage heretofore, promises to be
even more popular this year. The large and
beautiful sheet OF clear water, the boats, the
batl-houses the pleasant groves and walks;
the neat little cottages the speakers stand
and natural auditorium beneath the shade
trees. slantng down to TIE edge of the lake;
and the well-arranged nd spacious pavilion
for dancing. all combine to make Lake Pleas
ant the most attractive of our inland picnic
resorts The SpiritualiSts, who have held
camp meetings there for two or three years,
will continue their meetings, this Fall,
ahout week longer than usual.
The crowds that have gathered there during
camp meeting season in former years, and
that will gather this year, are not nearly all
sympathzers with the SPrituaiiSts. The