The sun., 1909-12-26

ERECT a TABLET IN HIS MEN,
oRY IN PROTESTANT CHURCH.

Father NeM Of ~. Edward the MaFtyr's
was Loved by Aal the Ncikhberhood
ard AFTER Hls Death Tisey Asked
Permission 90 Pot Up the Memorial.
Adorning the wall in the nave OF the
Protestant Episcopal Church OF st.. Ed
ward the Martyr. ~ Fast lOeth street. 10
IN unusual tribute to the memory OF the
,ounder and pastor Of the church. tine
Rev. Edwtrd Wallace Neil, who died a
wear ago last August after q pastorate OF
twenty-five years. II 10 q bronze tablet
erected by bis Jewish friends and neigh-
bors as a testimonial OF their love and
reverence for his memory.
The tablet was placed in the church
last week and VII be dedicated after
the first Of the year, together with an art
window Of stained glass presented by the
congregation In memory OF Father Neil
and the dead choristers of the church.
Both gifts are OF Gothic design, to cor
respond withNthe general architecture of
the church. which was erected by Father
Neil about a score Of years ago.
On the tablet. which is OF dark bronze
with sunken panel bordered by columns
and Gothic tracery. In the following in
scription in b"td relief:
LOVING MEMORY
OF
EDWARD WALLACE NEIL
FOUNDER AND RECTOR
OF THIS CHURCH
HE DEPARTED THIS LIFE
AUGUST q. 1909.
THIS TABLET Is ERECTED
BY HIS HEBREw FRIENDS
AND NEIGHBoRs
AS A TRIBUTE OF THEIR AFFECTION
AND MEMORIAL OF
THEIR SORROW.
Asked an to the reason for such testi-
monial, the Rev. PerCival G. Pyle, the
present pastor. summed it up as due to
athe good works and kindly disposition
OF Father Neii.' He added:
The Hebrews came to him as strangers.
but It did not take them long 20 realize
he was true friend. What had its origin
IN business ended in affection and at
Father Neil's death there was universal
sorrow among the neighbors. They are
loyal race, and those unable TO attend his
funeral visited the church 20 pay their
last respects The edifioe was crowded.
To them his name YVES a household word.
Father Neil was known to every dewish
man, woman and child In the neighbor-
hood. With no idea OF proselytizing. he
threw open the doors of the parish house
borhood two nights q week. Father Neil
Was a lover OF pigeons and he would Oon-
verse with the boys by the hour about his
pets. Summer evenings he would sit
on bis stoop, surrounded by a circle OF
the little Hebrew girls Of the neighbor-
hood. and regale them till bed time with
stories.
But what ripened the affections Of the
parents for Father Neil was when little
Jewish boy climbed to the roof one night
intent ON stealing some Of the pigeons,
hut fell instead TO the picket fence below,
Father Neil was the first TO relieve him
from the projecting picket. Then he
sent the boy to the hospital and ordered
the best OF treatment for him. He would
not hear OF the boy being arrested.
Then, there's the Italian barber who
suffered 30 long from rheumatism.
Father Neil sent him to st. Luke's Hos
pitaf end would not hear OF his paying
anything.
Whenever any ous IN the nsighhorhood
was sick or IN trouble he went to Father
Neil Even ON business ventures his
advice was asked. When he died a COM
mittee of Jews headed by Nathan Wolf
OF 1891 Madison avenue asked Father
Pyle IL they could erect the tablet. Per-
mission having been obtained. they col
Iected from all the residents. rich and
poor alike.