Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-01-24

Trinity Episcopal church, Boston, and
since 1881 bishop of Massachusetts, has long
been known as the best pulpit orator of the
low church Episcopalians in America He
was a strong character and has welded a
powerful influence for good, especially
among the young people OF New England
Like all men of intense convictions, both
his admirers and his opponents have been
warm and outspoken. On the occasion of
his nomination for the bishopric of Massa-
chusetts, the admiration of DIR. Brooks
friends was voiced before the diocesan con-
vention by Rev. DIR. Alexander Hamilton
Ninton.
Rev. DIR. Vinton's Eulogy.
He said: while there are many emf
nent men who could discharge well the
office of bishop there is one, and one only,
fully believe, who is pre-eminently fitted
to discharge these functions. ThereI is a
signal, a splendid opportunity before US, if
we are brave enough, self-sacrifcing
enough, and spiritually minded enough to
take advantage of it. The man l viii pre-
sent to you needs no eulogy from me He
is a Massachusetts son. You know him.
Multitudes delight to honor, to praise, to
aXtol him for the power which he has given
them, the quickening of their spiritual
life and the triumph of the faith. But
transcendent as are these qualities there
are others which are known now better
TO those who have the honor of his inti-
macy-sweet, noble, lovely characteristics,
which will shine forth best in a position of
father in God"
Much Opposition to His Election.
At this convention DR.. Brooks was cleo
ted to the bishopIic ON the first ballot.
But to complete the election the approval
of a majority of all the bishops in the
United States and of the standing commit
tees of the various dioceses was necessary.
In this quarter there arose a strong opposi
tion on account of the pronounced low
church proclivities of the newly appointed
bishop, and it was only after rather bitter
war of words that the confirmation finally
took place.
From Birth to Ordination.
Phillips Brooks was born Dee IS, 1885,
in the same city in which he died and TO
which he gave so large a part of his fifty
seven years of active and useful fife He
came from an old New England family,
being one of six brothers, four of whom
became honored clergymen of the Eplsco-
pal church. His parents were members of
ST Pauls church, Boston, and their chill
influence of DR.. Alexander H. Ninton, then
rector of ST. Paul's. He received his early
education at Phillips academy, Exeter, y.
H., founded by an ancestor Cf his; pursued
his studies at the Boston Latin school, en-
tered Harvard. was graduated there in
1e55, and studied theology at the seminary
in Alexandria, Va. after which, being or
dained in 1889 he was called to the Church
of the Advent in Philadelphia as assistant
to his old pastor, DIR. Ninton.
His Crusade Against Slavery.
In 1862 he became rector of the Church
of the Holy Trinity. Philadelphia Very
young for so onerous a charge he sprang
at once to the position of a famous preach
er and crowded congregations listened
with delight 70 the eloquent simplicity with
which he presented the truths of the gos-
pei. Il was there, in the first months of
the war. that he preached with magic force
against slavery, and his eloquence was
widely recognized as one of the potent fac
tors in tanning the fame of patriotism
which sent Pennsylvania's sons in thous-
ands to the front to fight for the Union
After a most successful pastorate of seven
years in Holy Trinity he accepted, in 1870,
the rectorship Of Trinity church in Boston.
His Church Cost ST 900, 900.
1
noted for its unique architecture and fine
interior decorations, was built for him at a
| cost of over 81 100000. Men of all classes
and creeds gathered there Sunday after
| Sunday, filling the great edifice to overflow
ing. The theology of this broad minded
man recognized value in every phase of
| Christian activity if it, but showed itself
earnest and helpful The same 'liberality
of thought which made him willing and
| glad to preach the word of the master in
churches and halls of the other denomina-
tions was displayed in his own pulpit, and
| it was this that drew so many strangers to
his sanctuary. He was 'in touch with the
| thought of the age in which he lived, ;" and
| this, added to his broad sympathy with
every Christian effort, made him more
popular than any other Episcopal minist er
! in the country.
4 Terror to Reporters.
Rev. DR.. Brooks was known as one of the
| most rapid speakers in the country. AS
the shorthand reporters expressed it, he
was lightning, and for most of that MIN
ble-fingered guild the assignment to "take'
| Phillips Brooks was nightmare of which
! they stood in constant dread. DR.. Brook
published number of books in the course
of his busy career, among which were
Lectures on Preaching" delivered before
the Yale divinity school; Sermons" "The
Influence Of Jesus" Bohlen lectures deliv-
cred in Philadelphia in 1879; Baptism and
Confirmation" and Sermons Preached in
! English Churches
! is A COMPLETE FAILURE.