Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-01-26


pt the Episcopal diocese of Massachusetts,
died at his residence, 233 Clarendon street,
at $50 this morning of heart failure,
brought on by fit of coughing His death
was entirely Specced. Ho was taken i'll
Thursday with sore throat, but no serious
symptoms were apparent until last evening
Dr. II. A. Beach, his physician, discovered
last evening diphthera symptoms, and
considered consultation advisable, and
called in DR.. r. Ii. Fitz.
At this time nothing Of serious nature
was anticipated, and DR.. Fitz remained only
short time. DR.. Beach was with the
bishop the entire night and about $50 this
morning the patient seized with vio-
lent coughing spell, which lasted but few
moments when his heart ceased TO beat. DR..
Beach said this morning that his death was
caused by.
Heart Failure. and not by ID phthoria
No dphtheric membrane was discovered
by g superficial examination this morning
Bishop Brooks preached his last sermon in
thc church of the Good Shepherd on Cortez
street, last Sunday evening. TIE scene at
the bishops house this morning one Of
grief and desoation
Before Grape had been placed upon the
door, anxious friends, among whom the
news had spread with great rapidity, were
making inquiries in the street and in the
immediate neighborhood, Of any one whom
they saw coming from the house.
Within the house were few OF the
bishops most intimate friends, who seemed
hardly to realize their terrible loss They
were gathered in groups in different rooms,
and the spirit that pervaded the assemblage
was one of complete and Overwhelming sor
row. They could not comprehend the fact
that Bishop Brooks was dead, and again and
egain the question was asked sis the bishop
really dead ~
That their beloved pastor and friend had
left them forever seemed to them too awful,
and they were unable to grasp the signifi-
canes Of his death.
Biographical Sketch of Phillips Brooks
Phillips Brooks was born Dec. 49, 1885.
His boyhood was passed partly in Boston,
partly In Andover. He attended the Bos-
ton Latin school, and at Is years entered
Harvard college. While in college his tall
and impressive figure caused him to be
chosen ensign of the college military COM
pany. He graduated in 1855, all his
brothers being also Harvard graduates,
and, for time, he was assistant teacher
usher in the Boston Latin school. The
position, to him, was irksome in the ex-
treme and he is said one day to have
come home, vowiug that he would never 60
back again, for he imagined that the boys
made fun of his tall and then rather ungain-
ly gait and not fully grown figure.
However, by advice of Rev. DR.. Vinton,
his lifelong friend, he was led to alter the
decision and take up the disagreeable task
once more After time he for that pur-
pose pursued course Of study at the Eps.
copal Divinity school at Alexandria, Va.
From his course at that institution Brooks
went to the first parish church of the Ad-
vent, on York Road, Philadelphia. In Jan
uary, 1862, he succeeded Rev. DR.. Vnton
rector of Holy Trinity church, at 10Th and
Walnut streets, in the same city, then al
ready one of the weathicst and most i'm
portant parishes in Philadelphia. Under
the leadership OF the impstuous and vigor-
GUS young preacher, the church increased in
influence and members. He was eloquent
and earnest, outside as well as on the pull
pit; men rallied about him, and women fol-
lowed to the flock which was tended by
4 Shepherd SO Bold and Magnetic.
Onco Brooks thought o, accepting profess
sorship at West Philadelphia divinity
school, but finally, in November, came TO
Boston, at a less salary than he was receiv-
ing In Philadelphia.
lie entered in Boston upon q field white
for the harvest Of a man able to transmute
and translate the briefs of the past into the
thought, the sentiment and utterances of the
present. The fire Of 1872 destroyed sold
Trinity" to which he was called, and the
occasion of now church edif1ce on the
Back Bay land gave the congregation per
haps the most successful and remarkable Of
church buildings in American architecture
and by far the most conspicuous OF Boston
churches. The parish became, under the
untiring efforts of its rector, a centre of
light and influence. 1t has colored the re-
ligious life Of the great university hard by,
has Affected the charities of the city; influ-
encei and led the ecclesiastical thought aud
tho beliefs Of the diocese; and turned the
current of many an Episcopal thought
toward the broad churchmanship which has
attracted many and benefited all who have
come under its influence
Brooks was the ninth rector settled over
Trinity parish, and he was the fifth rector
OF Trinity who has been cousecrated to the
highest Office of the Episcopal church. The
conservation OF Mr. Brooks as bishop was
an event OF unusual interest,", not only to
Episcopalians, but also to Christian people
of all shades of religious belief for Brooks
had, without the seeking, unconsciously be-
come so Identified with the religious life OF
Boston, and had become so ingrafted into
the hearts Of the people, that no single
church was large enough to monopolize his
influence. The event was significant be
cause Of the world wide reputation OF the
man who was then to be made the head OF
the Episcopal church in this State.
The broad and Catholic spirit Of Brooks,
bis kindly, generous, philanthropic nature,
his single minded purpose TO do the will oil
the Divine Master, and his entire
Absorption in the Cause of Christianity
and the uplifting of poor humanity, all
combined to give him place in the affect
Ions of the people, which is not often &C
corded to great men, and at the same time,
won Tor him the respect and esteem OF the
strong UNCONVENTIONAL men. Some of the
opposition TO the confirmation of Brooks
Yves instigated by those who thought ne was
far too tolerant to be at the head of &C
great a denomination, forgetting, in thsir
zeal for outward forms and the canons of
the church, the real spirit which underiies
tie life work of this. the greatest preacher
of this age, whose unselfish lovsltv Tn tho