New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-04
TRIBUTE TO BISHOP BROOKS.
A MEMORIAL SERMON BY BISHOP POTTER.
1T Is DELIVERED BEFORE THE ANNUAL CON
vENTION OF THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE

1T IS DELIVERED BEFORE THE ANNUAL CON
vENTIoN OF THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE
OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Boston, May 3.-The 1Osth annual convention OF
the Episcopa Diocese OF Massachusetts was called TO
order In the chapel OF Trinity Church at O'Clock this
morning. There present only "a per cent OF
the 200 delegates entitled when the convention
opened. The Rev. DR.. william H. Brooks secretary
OF the convention, presided and led IN the Lord 5
Prayer. After the appointment Of Committee on
Credentials the meeting adjourned to Trinity
Church TO attend the services and listen to the
memorial sermon on Bishop Brooks by Bishop Potter,
OF New-York. The services included the singing OF the
professional hymn, prayers by the Rev. Mr. Donald
reading from the Scriptures by the Rev. Dr. George
5. Converse the Gospel by Bishop Potter the otert0ry
sentences by DR.. Donald the prayer for the church
militant by the Rev. DIR. \. 1t. John Cham1re and the
eXhOrtatiOn and confession by the Rev. DIR. John =.
Lindsay. Bishop Potter gave the abSoluon and then
delivered the memorial the late Bishop OF
Mas>achusct
Bishop Potter took for his toxt. at is the Spirit
that qulckeneth the flesh proteth nothing; the words
that speak unto You they are spirit and they are
life' He said in part
Never before In the history not alone of our
communion. but OF any or all c0mmunions, has the
departure Of religions teacher been more widely
This Commonwealth and this diocese have been be
rcaved. Never befor, surely. in the ease of any
bcrrav"ment been more distinctly II personal
iendins to mntud"S in TWO hcmiSpheres who ara
not know him. who had never seen or heard him,
ana yet TO whom he had revealed himself IN slch
from This. that that strong tide of profound feeling
has found expression In many and most unusual
forms and II will he among the most interesting
Task, OF IN" futurc blOgrnphrr Of the late Bishop III
MASSACHUSETTS, To take note of these valious memo
rails and to trace in them the secret of his unign"
power ana Influence. But Just iecanS' they nave;
80 many Of them. in such remarkable variety. ana
from sources diverse. been written spoken. and
no less brcan% memoir Of Phillip, Brook, IS already
undertaken BY hands pr'-cminently drsignatcd FOR
that purpose. | may wisely here coniinc myself 10
another and very different task.
Brief his ministry in nj, higher Office and To
our View all too soon ended, shall be content to
speak Of him ~ II bishop-of his divine right. ~
profoundly believe, TO plac" in the Episcopate;
and Of the prc.eminent value Of hs distinctive and
Incompatible witness to the highest aim and purpose
Of that office; And first OF all. let me say word
In regard to the way IN which he came to IT. when
bishop had already least once as nll know. de
clined that Office Iut the time undoubtedly came
came. too. rs am most glad to think. when he was
led to feel hat II he were called TO such an Office
sympaihics and for estimating more justly those
with whom previously he had believed himself to have
little In common II was the inevitable condition
OF his strong and deep convictions that he should
not always or easily understand. or make due al,
lowance Tor men Of different opinions. II wasted
IN" noblest characteristics Of his fourteen months
EpIscopate that, bishop. mans rghiful liberty
Of opinion fomid In him not only large and
generous tolerance bu most beautiful and grac )hs
acceptance. For one. greatly love ~ remember
this. that when the time that h" himself with
the simple natnralnesS which marked MI that he
did. came Ia reconsider his earlier attitude toward
the Episcopal Office and 10 express with character sic
| crnior his readiness to talk" mp it, work II he
should he chosen to II, he turned to his now and Ia
him most strange task with Suprcm, desire 10 do
II in II loving and whOlc-hcartod way. and Ia make
II helpful 10 every man, woman ana child Win
whom he came in contact.
And thus IL alwuNS and this II was that allied
Itself naturally to hi ncNcr-cea>ng cndeavor IN
M all men NrrNWhorc To that which was Win MN
the highest conception OF his Office. whcher rs Il
preacher or ~ bishOp-tnc conception of God nS a
Father and Of the brotherhood of all men mutually
related 10 Him.
\ most gifted and sympathetic observer Of orr de-
parted brothers character ard influence has said ~
him. contrasting him with tn" power Of institutions
life will always suggest the importance OF the
| innuenor Of tho individual man compared with IN
! stiiutional hri,tnnify' In undoubtedly
h, 1, true. but should prefer 10 say that his HE
| OF a great soul upOn institutional Christianity.
Ancr the service the convention reassombled foI
business. The Rev. DIR. Converse was chosen preSi
dent Of the convention. New marshes a Linden
! Swamp,cott. Ware and wellesley were admitted if
union with tn, convention. Five standing commit
Ice, were appointed constitutions and crnon>. cN
ccutive business unfinished business. admission o
| new parishes and finance II was voted that non
nations for bishop be ref rrci until 10 o'clock 10 NOR
| row morning. \ moog To H." Tie Australian ballot
was defeated. II, To %.