The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1902-10-20
DEDICATION OF PARISH HOUSE.
A Memorial Gift 90 the Memory Of Rev.
Joseph BreNNster.


The new era of prosperity which mas
d;wued for your neighboring town of
Hamden was signalized last Friday ev-
ening when the new parish house of
Grace church, Centerville. was dedicat-
e. It was an occasion of unusual in.
tcrest from the fact that the house
Was a memorial gift to the memory OF
the father of the bishop who dedicated
it-Bishop Brewster of Connecticut, AMI
the donor being near relative.
The late Rev. Joseph Brewster. sc
we'll known to New Haven during his
twenty-eight years rectorship of Christ
church. was also twice rector OF Grace
church, Hamden, which is situated only
a few miles from Mr.. Brewsters beau-
tiful country home among the Mount
Carmel hills. 1t is a remarkable fact
that of his four sons, three are num-
bered among the clergy, and at the
dedtcatory service the bishop was as
sisted by not only the Rev. Mr. Coley,
rector of Grace church, but also by
the Rev. William Joseph Brewster,
rector of ST. Johns church, Warehouse
Point, and the Rev. G. Brinley Morgan,
rector of Christ church, New Haven.
The bishops dedicatory address was
of unusual interest, as he performed
the delicate task of commemorati ting his
revered father. He dwelt upon his
love for humanity and of all that is
beautiful in nature and life. He also
said, referring to the donor of the par
ish house that his father (the~brother
of the late Joseph Brewster) was the
most generous man he ever knew, in
which regard his son so strongly re-
sembled him. And" continued the
bishop, ''of her who has put so much
love and thought into the building of
this parish house, 1 may say that
have never seen her when she was not
thinking of others. and when she was
not aiming at what is highest and best
in life"
The bishop also dwelt at length upon
the significance of the parish house
and the mighty influence for good
which it might exert as more and more
the social aspects of religion are being
brought before the world. In the So
cial life, he repeated earnestly. is
where the people are to feel the regen-
Grating power of the life of the man
Christ Jesus.
The bishop was followed by the rec
tor of Grace church, the Rev. Mr. Coley,
who introduced the rector of Christ
church, the Rev. G. Brinley Morgan.
Mr.. Morgan said that when he learned
this parish house was a memorial to the
Rev. Joseph Brewster, nothing could
have kept him from Hamden on this
occasion. For. he continued. when you
look at the walls of Christ church and
admire it's strong foundations, you do
not see the real foundation which was
laid during the long pastorate Of its
first rector. The twenty-eight years
of his ministry to the people of Christ
church were years of fruitfulness and
growth.
The next speaker, Rev. William
Brewster of Warehouse Point, was most
felicitous in his remarks, saying that
he suffered the penalty of being the
youngest clergyman present and there
fore, being the last to speak, all that he
intended to say had been so much bet
7,
so that nothing was left for him but
to say something else. This he proceed
ed to do in a very graceful and happy
way. Attention was called to the alb
sence of the donor of the gift, who,
with characteristic modesty had taken
himself out Of sight, if, indeed, he were
there at all. This elected the informa-
ton that he was taking refuge in one
of the ante-rooms of the house.
Then without a word of warning,
another speaker was called to the floor,
Prof. Honey, who said that he was in
much worse plight than his imme-
date predecessor, not having had the
slightest intimation that he was ex-
pected to say anything at all. He
was, however, not wanting in graceful
tribute to the memory of Rev. Joseph
Brewster, saying that he was the Sec
ond rector whom he met after his ar
rival on this side the Atlantic many
years ago, and he interested him enor-
mously, especially as in his physiogno-
my he so strongly resembled Charles
Kingsley. Then, in a very adroit man.
ner, the professor closed his speech and
applause OK the audience.
The most hearty expression of ap-
plause was elected by the graceful
manner and happy words of Mrs Brew
ster in receiving the written acknowl-
edgement of the gift, signed by the rec
tor and vestry. which was read and
handed to her by Rev. Mr.. Coley.
After expressing her thanks Mrs.
Brewster said that she was not accus-
toned to speak in public, but she must
say she hoped that nothing, in the beau
tiful works of Matthew Arnold. but
sweetness and light" would ever enter
these doors, nor any other influence go
out from them.
After the singing of the Doxology and
the pronouncing of the benediction by
the bishop, a cordial invitation was ex-
tended to the assembled guests to re-
main and partake of refreshments
which had been provided by the donors.
The comfortable chairs with which the
auditorium was furnished so generously
given by the Ladies' Aid society, made
it easy for the several hundred peo-
pie to arrange themselves in pleasant
groups while being served to cake,
cream and coffee.
The audience represented all creeds
and callings, from the most distin-
gushed to the humblest citizen of the
town, who had gladly responded to the
summons to commemorate an esteemed
fellowtownsman, and to inaugurate q
more cordial and united social life in