Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1894-05-28
PHILLIPS BROOKS IN A HOME.

OhO IdSU S)IIuSo VIC, ds
a parish and as household, were ex-
pecting the coming of our great bish-
op,-Phillips Brooks. 1t was day OF
sunshine and of happy preparations
"Marthas' and "Marys" too, were
busy on that day and even the chill
dren wanted to take part. At noon,
when the last touch had been given to
make his welcome as welcoming as
possible, we heard the rumble of his
carriage, and knew he was very near.
1t was amusing and delightful to see
that great man unfold himself out of
the carriage, and no one would have
laughed more heartily about it than
he himself. He had to bend his head
little at our door, and it was neces-
sary for him to do so also as he passed
from room to room. The house took
on new significance with his pres
ence il it; and, as one after another
sought him in the study, we realized
that "Father in God" was with us.
But, when the doors of the study we're
rolled back and he came out and
chatted with the children, it was
more like having another child with
us. Our eldest little girl had wanted
to put her dearest doll in his bedroom
to greet him. When he heard of this,
he tossed his head back for a hearty
laugh CHS glasses falling off, of
courseD, and said, "Why didn't you
let her do it?''
We sat down to dinner with noble
company of friends,-the donors of
our beautiful new church, their hon
ored rector and others.
The corner stone Of the new church
was laid in the afternoon. 1t is well
that we who heard the stirring words
of the bishop at that time, and who
felt the power of his commanding
presence, could not look forward and
know that he would not live to con-
secrate the church. Our hearts
would have died within US, had we
known.
The service of confirmation was
not to be held until evening, and
there came time just before supper
when our dear guest went up into the
nursery for little play with the
children. Great was our amazement
when we opened the nursery door
and saw him playing "tea" at the
nursery table, seated on a small red
chair not foot high.
In the evening, after the services
of the day were over, we had this
giant playfellow for our own. There
was some question about fruit; and
we remember with delight how he
followed out into the dining room to
help about getting it, and then led
the way back to the study, hold
ing the fruit dish with both hands.
No wonder that minister's wives in
the country exclaimed, "He is so easy
to entertain!'
The evening passed only too quick
ly, with talk gay and earnest and
vivid with light and life. Our rectory
looks out upon meadows and hills,
and the morning light upon them was
charming when we met the bishop in
the study again. Somebody said,
"This always seems to us like David's
Psalms, The little hills rejoice on
every side.''' eyes," said the bishop
in instant response: "Why hop We
so, ye high hills'?" And, in SO saying,
he struck the keynote of buoyancy
for that day and for many days.
We had but just explained to him
that our eldest little girl (four years
old) always wanted to sit beside the |
at the table, when she came
in and whispered to her mother, "May
[ sit aside him?" He took her hand,
together, while the baby 1.-TWO and
half sat all alone on the other side;
we apologized for some Of the baby's
(Which decorated her bib
rather too freely, but the bishop
took her part. With his characteris-
tic laugh he said, "You see it's really
very hard; for, if she misses the
mark, her mouth, by quarter of an
inch, she misses it altogether"
But engagements for the bishop
were pressing upon him, and his va
Use was at the door. We said, ooh,
it makes us sad to see that" and he
said, "But just think of next time,
how soon it will be'
We never can have a ''next time''
here, but perhaps in one of those
mansions beyond there will be a next
time, when we can see far beyond all
mysteries, and can enjoy again the
blessing of this great friend.
"They tell me Pm growing old, "said