The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-01-11
How He Inspired Love in His
Pensioners, But Filled
Them With Anxiety by His
Conduct After He Became
Infatuated With the Desire
to Drive Fast Horses and
Lead the Life Of a Sporting
Gentleman.

IT He recent sale of the Park Street
Church in Boston and the old
1 landmarks consequent promi-
nence in the public thought makes of
special interest at this time a review
OF the curious character who, as preach
er at this -honored edifce, one ri
vailed Phillips Brooks in power to draw
and hold congregations.
For whatever may be said to the con-
trary. there is little doubt that the sal
ad days Of the Park Street Church. SO far
as influence with the great public is
concerned. were during the passionate of
Y. H H Murray. generally known from
his charming descriptions of mountain
life as. Adirondack" Murray
Few men ever entered public life in
Boston whose career was more brilliant
or whose progress was more rapid than
Murray's. Born in GuiIford, Conn. some
sixty-three years ago. on the day the
hrst Harrison was elected President
hence the W. H. H name-he was grad
uated from Yale in the class of 1862 and
was only twenty-eight. was clever, hand
some and magnetic. as well as young.
when he was called 10 the charge OF
birthstone Corner
Something New for the Pensioners
No sueb minister had ever before come
TO this church. Indeed. the wonder of
the whole episode, as one looks back on
it. is not that Murray should have failed
10 satisfy the people who worshiped
there. but that he should ever have been
called at all to preside over a congre-
cation Of the Park Street stamp.
The church had been organized in 1908
by a little group of nine members. who
came out from the parent Old South
Church under the prompting Of re
zivaT movement. The Old South was at
this early date the only evangelical
Congregational Church in Boston. but il
vas not Of deep enough dye to suit
those nine people who had experienced
nov birth" and they. conceived the idea
of forming a congregation Of their own.
Many Dollars; Few Members
So Jealous we're they that a subscrip-
ton Of $4,000 was soon pledged for
church purposes. and the February al
ter their withdrawal the church was ae-
tuaIly organized by the Rev. DR.. Morse,
of CharIestown. the father Of the in
ventor Of the electric telegraph. and
Rev. DR.. Holmes. Of Cambridge the
father OF the witty autoerat.
When The cornerstone for the house
was laid. May l. 1903. Dr. Morse
preached the dedication sermon The
building was erected at a cost of over
$4,000. and dedicated January 10, 1916.
Five members were added to the origi-
nal nine at this time. Thus. with less
than a score of jealous souls. the Park
Street Church began its long and pros
porous life.
Not an Easy Congregation to Please
A glance into the history of the church
is significant in that it discIoses the fact
that no clergyman except Dr. withrow.
the present incumbent. (who. after serv-
ing ten years and being absent ten. re-
Gently returned to the pastorate). has
ever been able 10 please the congrega,
ton for long term.
The period OF less than sixty years
between The dedication OF the church
and Mr.. Murray's call represents five
different pastors and several spaces OF
four or five years when the church was
without a minister It is, therefore, not
at all surprising that the brilliant and
erraac genius who, in 1868. burst upon
the horizon Of the Park Street congre-
CATION did not find his place a bed OF
roses.
His 0utsPoken Defense.
II defending himself on one occa-
sion from an editor. who. under the
caption, "A Wasted Life" had made Mr..
Murray the subject OF a pious TRADE
the former pastor Of the Park Street.
Church gave out an photographed
sketch Of distinct interest, not only for
the facts there contained, but for the
characteristic manner in which these
facts are presented.
7 was born" he said. as the ma
jority Of New England boys we're II
nav day. of poor parents. There had
never been rich rascal in our fam
Hy. nor did come Of literary stock. No
college bred Ounce had ever Handicapped
Us with his incapable responsibility.
had. therefore. q fair start The
Connecticut Murrays were not afraid e
tell the truth to any man and could
swear heartily at hypocritical meanncss
lat least my father could.
Murray's Early Struggles.
AT the age Of seven began to earn