Middletown transcript., 1891-10-15
The Right Reverend Phillips
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Brooks, d. ID.
1t IL not our special province to
chronicle ecclesiastical affairs, but
when an event of more than ordinary
interest occurs we deem it our duty,
as well as privilege, to bring it before
the attention of our readers.
The conservation of the Rev. DIR.
Phillips Brooks, as Bishop OF
Massachusetts,, which took place
yesterday in Trinity Church, Boston,
is regarded as an event of great i'm
portance and was attended by a
larger number of Bishops and Clergy
than any similar service in the history
of the church in this country, with
perhaps one exception, viz that OF
Bishop Fl. G. Potter of New York, to
whose conservation large delegation
attended from the General Conven-
tion then in session.
As soon as it was known that DR..
Brooks had been elected Bishop by
the Diocesan Convention of Massa-
ehusetts, and he was elected at the
first ballot cast, so unlike that of this
Diocese and that of Easton, a number
Of tongues began to wag and pens
began to write to declare his unit
| ness for the Office, and by some who
| might regard themselves honored If
they were permitted to brush the
dust off his shoes. Towards them all
he maintained dignified silence,
and took no more notice OF them
than noble steed takes Of the ours
that yelp at his heels as he proudly
and swiftly trots along.
For more than twenty years Dr.
Brooks has been the Rector OF Trim.
ity Church, Boston, and before that
he had made a good record as Rector
of Trinity Church in Philadelphia
and by voice and pen his praise has
become worldwide and in all the
churches, as man of ability, piety
| eloquence and power. He has not
| stepped up to the Office which he
will now fill and adorn, he has step
ped down to it for it was sacrifice
Of personal comfort and of pecuniary
| emolument in accepting it, and done
only at the call of duty. He will be
as he ever has been, simple, digni
fed, loving man. His robes will sii
very lightly on him and will be
simply the symbols of his Office, they
will add nothing to his dignity as a
man or christian; he is as wide as the
poles asunder from being an eccliasti-
cal fiunkey Haunting about in un-
usual attire as If proud of another
garb and wanting to show it of, he
will still be known and loved al
"Phillips Brooks"
The Theological Seminary Of Vir'
ginia at Alexandria, may feel a just
pride that another Of its Alumni il
now consecrated to the Episcopate
A Seminary that sent forth
Bishops Dudley, Peterkin, Kip
Wilmer, Boone, Lay, Young, Whittle
wingfield, Perry, Penrick, Il. G.
Potter and Phillips Brooks, as
well as host of Presbyters, many Of
whom like Grammer, McKim and
Kinsolving, occupy the most impor'
tant Rectorships in this country, de
serves the liberal support of the
church at large, and it would be
rendering a needed and timely
service If our wealthy men would at
once largely increase it's endowment
fund.
The presence of DIR. Brooks in the
House of Bishops will act as tonic
to the stomach, and prove as invigor-
ating as a breeze from the hills.
Physically he is head and shoulders
above his brethren and meutally
superior to most of them. He will
let it be seen that he is no dry en-
wrapped mummy incased in a
medieval sareophagus, but living
man whose soul throbs with an in
tense life and zeal to save sinners, and
gather together in one the children
of God which are scattered abroad
and to adapt the church's ministra.
tions to the needs of the present day.
He is withal a man of large-hearted
catholicity, and viii see in every
christian something more and better
than mere ceremonial sectarian and
will pray with st. Paul. "Grace be
with all them that love our Lord
Jesus Christ in sincerity" May
many more such men be raised up to
the same Office, then the church will
advance with more rapid strides thar
ever before, and the unity OF al
christians be more speedy accom-
plished.