New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-10-10
PHILLIPS BROOKS.
METHODS AND WORK OF THE FAMOUS
BOSTON PREACHER.
a1s ELECTION TO TUE EPISCOPAL BIsHopmc OF

Massachusetts on wednesday next VIII niaTh a"V.0'
ind an important epoch in the history Of Trinity
Church, which dates back FOR more than 100 years
Dr. Brooks was the ninth rector settled over Trinity
parish and he will be The nth rector Of Trinity VINO
has been oonsccTated the highest Office OF the hplS
copa Church. The Rev. DIR. samuel ParNcr' 'he
fourth rector elected 10 the Bshoprc after serV
ing his parish for twenty. eight years. The Kew Dr.
George Washington Doane. who was rector from 1851
70 1892 was chosen Bishop of New-Jersey. The Kew
DIR. Jonathan Mayhem Wainwright succeeded Dr'
Doane from 1888 70 1885, and then elected Bishop
of New York. The Rev. DIR. Manton EaStburn was
consecated Bishop OF this diocese in 1872, ana hed
the Office OF Bishop and rector Of Trinity nj te Sno
time until 1865, when he was succeeded as reotor VI
Trinity by the Rev. Phillips Brooks, who was settied
over tho parish in November. 1860. The church ee-
fee then In summerst., and was the hrsi Oh tno
Gothic buildings erected in this country. III was
destroyed by the great fire of 1872 and for perou
the parish worShipped in Huntington Hail. until .he
completion of the present magnificent edihce' winch
will contain within It's walls next "Wednesday PROBABLY
the most notable congregation ever gathered terc'
when It's present rector will be consecrated as Blshop.
Dr. Brooks is SO modest, retiring and so ABSORBED
I'm his work That comparatively few people, outside
OF the small number who know him intimately, nave
any adequate conception OF the amount OF WORK dohe
by him from day 10 day. He is one OF the busiest
men in Boston. III fact, one who knows MS INDUS
of work is at a loss to conceive Of more industrious
work goes on. seven days In the week Dr. Brooks
has never been willing to employ secretary, although
few men In any walk OF life have greater need Vi
assistance In attending to their correspondence Dr.
Brooks is scrupuOus to the last degree III answering
letters. He never postal cards for any purpose
lie receives letters and cards all subjects from all
parts Of the world, and the writer invariably receives
a neat carefully written note in reply. Fond mothers
land they are not confined TO the Episcopalan fold)
whose sons leaving home TO make for themselves
a place and a name in the busy city, write to Dr.
Brooks and ask him to keep an eye on their boys
little knowing what multitude of cares rest upon
the broad and massive shoulders of the rector OF
Trinity.
A friend who knows DR.. Brooks quite well entered
his study one forenoon Before the great preacher lay
a heap OF opened letters. Turning in his chair he
said Among all those letters which have answered.
or shall answer, not one aprertnns to my parish
All are from people outside the bounds of Trinity and
most Of them from people outside of Boston. They
are on all sorts of subjects and several contain urgent
appeals for money! Dr.. Brooks is greatly over
worked man, and but for his fine physique ana MS
robust health he would long ago have succumbed to
the burden which has gradually increased from year
to year.
When does Dr. Brooks write his sermOnsl diff
seut question TO lie never, like most literary
men, shuts himself up and refuses to callers at
tain hours Of the day. The wonder Is that he does not
lie is always willing TO grant an audience to the most
humble caller. and not few needless calls are mace
upon him daily. He uses no loborsaving device lie
us type Of the largest broadcast, most benevolent h
iinanty and has the keenest interest in all that IS
calculated to uplift. He thinks of the whole human
sbeing and studies him in all his various phases Not
understanding his dignity lis grandeur, and his lofty
aspirations Dr. Brooks IS extremely Jolly and friendly
on social occasions JIG is easy and agreeable ID MS
manners in the presence of ladies'. but MS meehesI
enemy-if the good has one-woud never accuse
IN bQ ~
Brooks treats a woman in the same frank open man
iner he would II he were talking with man. Which is
always gratifying to the intelligent woman. who IS at
.once placed at her best in his society. Dr. BiOoKS
never married. The gossips say that he met with
disappointment early In life which confirmed him In his
bachelor life But whether this be true or not. Dr.
Brooks has singularIy free from the petty, an
moving scandals which not fequently attach to great
preachers. His life is so open so transparent 80 en-
tlrey free from guile. that the bravest and meanest
qudnune has never dared TO venture On the domain OF
Boston's great preacher
An incident is related Of Dr.. Brooks which ILLUSTRATES
sis though.fulness when the poor and lowly are IN
ouestion Years ago Trinity Church partially MAN
tanned and had an oversight over st. Marks ChuFch
in West NewtOn-st. One Christmas Eve Ut. hrpoh'
had been to the little church to assist In the CHRISTIAN
festival Every lady present was DESTROYS 81 SPEAKING
with him, and those who had never met MN were
eager 10 secure the opportunity of taking MS haha
but he had no tire TO devote TO commonplace con
versation: he must be about his Masters work. AS
he was huryng through the church with tremendous
strides he suddenly halted and turned aside. poor
woman neatly atred, but bearing the marks oil poverty
In her dress, in obscure corner haily u"iIns
IA raise her eyes as Dr. BROOKS passed down The AISLE
Pint he saw her and went to her side. lie spoke TO
her words Of comfort and good cheer and bidding hei
q merry Christmas, passed out Of the church.
DR. Rrooks has for years been sought for 10 speak
on all great occasions. and the demands on his time
are much greater outside Of Trinity than within the
norl>h of this wealthy and influential church But IL
l. not TO great occasions only that Dr. Brooks Is asked
In lend his Influence his presence His work among
the poor and lOwy is greater than one would dream
Of People who have never entered MS chufch' sumo
OF whom have never heard him preach 90 MOI lear 10
ask him to onicatc when death lnvades the lain'9
circle and they rarely ask in vain. lie never refuses
II he has time enough at his disposal 10 grant .'c
reqRest Not long ago gentleman WHO nan met Dr
nrooks but who is not a panshioner ard VINO Is MOI
a member Of the Episcopal Church, lost his niue cIio
The father and mother wished to nave inc srea'
nreacher read the burial service over the BODY Oh he
cbud DR. Brooks said: q will do So. cheerfnlly' IL
have time" He consulted his list OF engagements
for The Gay. al have Just half an hour That Is not
bespoxen; If you will make your arrangements con-
form tn that time i will gladly be present.
Another instance is recalled Of the quiet phlan-
thropic work of Dr. Brooks. About two years ago
rrnter employed on one Of the Boston daily papers
fell sick a subscription was raised among une men
tn his office 70 help him make a trip to California
one day the cashier in the countng-room caiied up
through the speakingube to the foreman OF 'e co'i
posing room ard said
gentleman wishes to see you
aAll right send him up. i would go down. buo
I can't leave my work"
In few minutes the foreman was astonlshed to see
The familiar facc and form of BOstons great preacher
entering the composing room, f0ur nights from tne
street and there is no elevator there. Dr. BfooAs
eta no Ind learned OF what the printers were doing
Cor one OF their fellow -wOrkmen, and made some IN
ouIries as 10 the character of the man. lie said this
mans wife had attended his church aud he had
learned OF their msfortunes. satisfied That IL woud
~ a k,nd net 10 a worthy man, DR.. Brooks quietly