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GEO. H. ELLIS, PRINTSR, 141 FRANKLIN STREET, BOSTON 



PREFACE. 



This memorial volume is printed, by the family of Dr. Bradlee, 
for private distribution, to preserve the story of his life, and to 
suggest many precious memories of it to those who were within 
the sacred circle of his immediate fellowship. 

Dr. Bradlee kept no journal ; but in various books he recorded 
the main facts of his life, and these have been given in chrono- 
logical order, with illustrations from letters and other writings. 

The chief object of the book will be attained if it shall help 
those who knew him best to preserve a clear memory of a life 
which was a perennial fountain of helpful words and deeds. 

The work of preparing the volume has been done by an inti- 
mate friend of Dr. Bradlee, who for nearly thirty years was 
admitted to a fellowship and sympathy which are held in grateful 
remembrance as the source of much that has made life worth 
living. 



.M.M. jk. ik.i-r-»i.iT:«c!mjirLis 



T^ts volume is presented by the family of the late 
Rev. Caleb Davis Bradlee, D.D, Please acknowledge receipt 
of the same to 

REV, ALFRED MANCHESTER, 

3 Cedar Street^ Salem ^ Mass. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGB 

I. Early Life 3 

II. North Cambridge Settlement 15 

III. Transient Supplies and East Boston 35 

• 

IV. Church of the Redeemer 45 

V. Transient Supplies. Supply and Pastorate Chris- 
tian Unity Society 63 

VI. Transient Supplies. Pastor pro Tem., Pastor, and 

Senior Pastor at Harrison Square Church . 77 

VII. Norfolk Street Church iii 

VIII. Period of Rest and Longwood 121 

IX. Closing Days. Funeral Service. Resolutions and 

Personal Tributes of Love and Honor . . . 161 

X. Personal Traits 177 

XI. Societies 187 

XII. Publications 193 

XIII. Poems 197 

XIV. Sermons 215 



I. 



EARLY LIFE. 



February 24, 1831 — December ii, 1854. 



I 



I. 



EARLY LIFE. 

February 24, 1831 — December ii, 1854. 

IN the preface to his History of the Bradlee Family, 
Samuel Bradlee Doggett, Esq., says t " The name 
was originally spelled Bradley, the change to Bradlee 
being made by Samuel Bradlee, who was recorded in 
the Dorchester records as the son of Nathan and Lydia 
Bradlee, born Oct. 5, 1707, and on the monument 
erected to his memory, in the Dorchester burying- 
ground, as Mr. Samuel Bradlee, died July 7, 1768, aged 
62, the J/ giving place to e. Family tradition has it 
that the Bradleys in Dorchester were so numerous 
that mistakes were made, to obviate which Samuel 
Bradley changed the final letter to e. The change in 
spelling applies also to John Bradley, the brother of 
Samuel, whose name is recorded on his tombstone as 
Brad/^^. The posterity of Samuel Bradlee who are 
living, and bear the name at the present day, still 
retain this mode of spelling it." 

The name Samuel was a favorite one in the Bradlee 
family; and on Nov. 7, 1778, it was given to a child 
who in 1 83 1 became the father of Caleb Davis Bradlee. 

Mr. Samuel Bradlee was born in Boston, in the house 
now standing on the south-easterly corner of HoUis and 



4 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

Tremont Streets. He was educated in the public 
schools, and entered into business in the year 1800, 
from which he retired at the age of sixty-six, according 
to a resolution formed in early life. On the 4th of 
June, 1806, he was married, by the Rev. Dr. Samuel 
West, to Mary, daughter of Timothy West, of Charles- 
town, N.H., with whom he lived a little over six years ; 
and on the 31st of July, 18 17, he was married, by the 
Rev. Dr. Charles Lowell, to Elizabeth Davis, daughter 
of Jeremiah Williams, of Boston. She was the mother 
of Caleb Davis Bradlee. She was named for her grand- 
father, the Hon. Caleb Davis, who was a deacon in 
HoUis Street Church, the first speaker of the House 
of Representatives after the new Constitution had been 
adopted, and one of the electors of George Washington 
as President of the United States. The ancestry on 
the father's side was no less patriotic, the grandfather 
being Nathaniel Bradlee, one of the loyal Americans 
who, disguised as Indians, threw the British tea into 
Boston Harbor. It was in the old Bradlee house — still 
standing at the corner of Tremont and Hollis Streets, 
Boston — that some of the men met to prepare for the 
** tea party." 

Caleb Davis Bradlee was born on the 24th of 
February, 1831. It was on a Thursday, at 6.30 a.m., 
in a house on Avon Place, Boston, now Avon Street, 
where a part of the store of Jordan & Marsh is located. 
There were eight children by the second marriage of 
Samuel Bradlee, of whom Caleb Davis Bradlee was the 
youngest. He was never in robust health, but he 
survived all other members of his father's family. His 



EARLY LIFE. S 

brother, Nathaniel J. Bradlee, Esq., died suddenly 
Dec. 17, 1888, leaving him the sole representative of 
the family. 

His earliest church connection was with the HoUis 
Street Church, by whose pastor — the Rev. John Pier- 
pont — he was christened March 26, 183 1. Of Mr. 
Pierpont he says : — 

"The Rev. John Pierpont was the first minister of 
which I have any clear remembrance in the remote 
past, he having been my pastor from birth till I was 
nearly seven years old. His hand placed the baptismal 
waters upon my brow, and his words were often heard 
by me in the Sunday-school, but I was too young to 
appreciate the eloquence of his voice in the pulpit, the 
fervor of his prayers, and his exceedingly attractive 
sermons; but I was very much drawn toward him in 
my youthful days, and I can very well remember that 
he called upon my mother when I was five years old, 
and that I at that time selected for him, because he 
was my minister, the best apple I could find, and with 
great pride and joy placed it in his hands, whilst his 
smile and approving voice were a sufficient compensa- 
tion. I also call to mind that after I was settled in 
North Cambridge he was to give a lecture in my 
church, and that I had the extreme happiness of 
entertaining him at supper; and thus the little babe 
that he baptized and the newly ordained minister came 
again into a joyful fellowship with the early pastor and 
friend." 

C. D. Bradlee was first sent to the school of a Miss 
Bacon ; but, when he reached the age of five years, 



6 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

he entered the Preparatory Department of Chauncy 
Hall School, and Miss Nancy Healey, afterward Mrs. 
Elisha D. Winslovv, became his teacher. His education 
was continued in this school for twelve years, with the 
exception of a few months, during which he was a 
pupil of the Rev. Richard Pike, of Dorchester. 

Of the time spent with Mr. Pike he always spoke 
with great appreciation ; and on the Sunday following 
Mr. Pike's death he preached a sermon in his church, 
in which he paid a loving tribute to his teacher, and 
by vote of the parish the sermon was printed. Of Mr. 
Pike he wrote as follows : — 

" The Rev. Richard Pike was my teacher for several 
months when I was preparing for college, and I had, by 
living in his family, the rare opportunity of beholding 
his daily life, and could see how far his preaching 
threw a benediction over his deeds ; and I do not know 
that I can better describe his character than by quoting 
a few sentences from the sermon that I preached the 
first Sunday after his funeral, when I was invited by 
the committee of his church to take charge of the 
services: — 

" Your pastor came as near as one well could to the 
apostolic description of a good character. All through 
his life 'he rejoiced in hope.' All through his sick 
days he was 'patient in tribulation,' and he was ever 
'instant in prayer.' The very life of our departed 
friend was hope, — not in his own efforts, not in out- 
ward success, not in any transient power or by any 
worldly definition, but hope in the final inauguration of 
God's designs, which inauguration, he thought, would 



EARLY LIFE. 7 

be brought about by the unceasing labors of the various 
generations of men. And, under the magnetism of 
this force, he bent himself to his work in his parish 
and went on his appointed way, feeling that the Lord 
was with him, that the Father's grace would suffice, 
that all his efforts made in the right spirit would 
gloriously work out their appointed end. He believed, 
as much as any man I ever knew, that everything that 
he did from a holy motive would have a holy fruitage. 
Therefore, he never allowed himself to keep company 
with low spirits, or to distrust Providence, or to doubt 
the efficacy of rightly directed efforts, even if he could 
not see results. He was willing to bide his time, and 
God's good time, and felt that, as God waited, so also 
his servants should not let a cloud seize them because 
difficulties would come, and seeming rebuffs and 
temporary failures. From what I know of the tem- 
perament of my departed brother, I believe he preached 
just as well whether the church was full or empty ; in 
troublesome days as joyous; ay, in weakness as in 
strength. For he had perfect confidence in the power 
of truth, — a truth that could not be hampered by any 
human trials." 

His faithfulness in the performance of his school 
duties is shown in the fact that he received three 
medals from the Chauncy Hall School. Two of these 
medals were lost in a fire at North Cambridge. The 
other was given to a friend, who many years later 
presented it to Dr. Bradlee's daughter. 

Meantime he had the usual boyish mishaps, once 
being nearly drowned in a duck-pond, and again being 



/ 



8 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

Struck in the head with a brick thrown by a larger boy. 
There is but little related of these early years. 

Occasionally the boy would write, anonymously, for 
the newspapers ; and he early began the practice of 
writing sermons. 

In 1848 he entered Harvard University, and during 
the next year received a "Detur." Among his class- 
mates were the Hon. Charles Thomas Bonney of New 
Bedford, Mass., the Hon. Addison Brown, Professor 
Charles Taylor Canfield, Professor Cary, Dr. and 
Professor David W. Cheever, Judge Choate, the Hon. 
Joseph H. Choate, Professor E. W. Gurney, Henry G. 
Denny, Esq., the Hon. William C. Williamson, Dr. 
Samuel H. Hurd, Judge Hurd, and other well-known 
men. 

On account of illness he was obliged to be absent 
from college during the last term of the Senior year ; 
but on graduation day he received with his class- 
mates the degree of A.B., no examination being 
required of him for the months of absence. 

In September, 1852, he entered the Cambridge 
Divinity School, where he remained a year and a half, 
and received a highly honorable dismissal from the 
school, and, placing himself under the care of the Rev. 
F. D. Huntington and the Rev. Rufus Ellis, pursued 
his studies in divinity with great interest. In due time 
he was elected an honorary member of the Cambridge 
Divinity School. In 1855 he received the degree of 
A.M. from Harvard. 

It may not be generally known that Mr. Bradlee was 
the founder of the Boston Young Men's Christian 



EARLY LIFE. 9 

Union, although Dr. Ezra Gannett, in a public speech 
made many years ago, referred to him as its founder. 
The society was born on Sept. 17, 1851, when Mr. 
Bradlee was an undergraduate at Harvard. 

It was first called the Biblical Literature Society; 
but afterward, at the suggestion of the Rev. Charles 
Brooks, the name was changed to the Boston Young 
Men's Christian Union. Young Bradlee refused to 
take any office in the new society on account of 
ill-health ; but his brother, Nathaniel J. Bradlee, served 
for several years on the Board of Directors. 

Before his active ministerial work began, he was 
connected with the Hollis Street Sunday-school, then 
under the pastoral care of the Rev. Thomas Starr King. 
At first, as teacher of two Bible classes, and afterward 
as superintendent of the Sunday-school, he did much 
toward making the work of the Sunday-school inter- 
esting to all ; and more than one have testified to the 
inspiration that came to them from his influence at 
that time. When he resigned his office, the scholars 
gave him, as a memorial gift, Pickering's Life of John 
Milton ; and the pastor placed a grateful inscription at 
the beginning of the first volume. 

A teacher in the Sunday-school, Mr. Charles S. 
Lynch, succeeded him as superintendent ; and, after his 
death, Mr. Bradlee wrote a memoir of him in the 
Historical and Genealogical Register, 

A sister of Mr. Lynch, writing to Dr. Bradlee in 
1890, says : " I recollect very well how earnestly you 
worked at Hollis Street. How all the children loved 
you, and how much my dear brother prized your friend- 
ship and assistance ! " 



i 



10 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

Mr. Bradlee was licensed to preach by the Boston 
Association of Ministers on the I2th of June, 1854, at 
a meeting held at the house of Dr. George E. Ellis in 
Charlestown, Mass. 

Of this event he wrote many years after : " A very 
young man, twenty-three years old, appeared before the 
Association, according to the custom of those days, 
that he might receive his license to preach. The sub- 
ject that was presented by the candidate for that after- 
noon was *The Death of Christ, and its Effect upon 
the World.' '' 

Among those present who were to decide the fate of 
the young man were the following clergymen : Dr. 
George E. Ellis, Dr. Chandler Robbins, Dr. Samuel 
Barrett, the Rev. James I. T. Coolidge, the Rev. F. D. 
Huntington, the Rev. Rufus Ellis, the Rev. Thomas 
Starr King, the Rev. C. C. Everett, the Rev. Arthur 
B. Fuller, and the Rev. S. B. Crufts. The license was 
conferred in these words : — 

This is to certify that Caleb Davis Bradlee was this day 
approbated by the Boston Association of Ministers as a preacher 
of the gospel. Rufus Ellis, Scribe. 

The certificates that were presented to the Asso- 
ciation were : one of church membership, signed by 
Thomas Starr King ; a testimony to work done at the 
Cambridge Divinity School, signed by Dr. George R. 
Noyes, Dean of the Faculty ; and also a document from 
the Rev. Dr. James Walker, President of Harvard Col- 
lege, indorsing the young man's standing when an 
undergraduate at Harvard. 




EARLY LIFE. II 

Little did this young man think that forty years 
later he would have just retired from a two years' 
service as moderator of the Boston Association of 
Ministers, in which position he had received the love 
and honor of all the brethren. 

From this time to Dec. ii, 1854, he preached in 
several pulpits as transient supply. 



II. 



NORTH CAMBRIDGE SETTLEMENT. 



December ii, 1854 — December ii, 1857. 



i 



II. 



NORTH CAMBRIDGE SETTLEMENT. 
December ii, 1854 — December ii, 1857, 

IN September, 1854, nearly a year before the com- 
pletion of the course of study which he had 
planned, Mr. Bradlee received a call to the Allen 
Street Church, North Cambridge, Mass. 

It was on a very stormy Sunday, Sept. 11, 1854, 
when he preached for the first time in this church ; and 
on the 24th of September the call to the pastorate was 
given. 

He consulted with his friend, the Rev. James Walker, 
D.D., President of Harvard College, who advised him 
to accept the call; and on Monday, Dec. 11, 1854, he 
was ordained to the Christian ministry, and began his 
work as a settled pastor. 

The following ** Letter Missive " was sent to the 
several churches or individuals mentioned below : — 

The Allen Street Society and Church in North CautbridgCy 
Mass., to the Church under the care of Rev. . 

Greeting : 

Christian Brethren, — Having with entire unanimity invited 
Caleb Davis Bradlee to become our Pastor, and he having 
accepted the invitation, we respectfully request your attendance, 



l6 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

by your Pastor and Delegate, at his Ordination on Monday, 

Dec. II, 1854. 

We are yours, in the faith of the gospel, 

Thomas J. Pierce, 

Chairman Com, Society, 

James W. Baldwin, ) „ jr ^i. m. t. 

Edward G. Lynes, \ ^"^""^ "f '^ <^^«''^'*- 

N.B. — The Council will meet at Porter's Hotel at 9J. 
Services commence at 10 o'clock. 

Cars will leave Fitchburg Depot at 9 o'clock. 

The council met at Porter's Hotel at half-past nine 
o'clock. The Rev. Dr. James Walker was chosen 
moderator, and the Rev. Frederic A. Whitney was 
elected scribe. The usual credentials were demanded 
of the candidate. 

One question alone was asked : — 

"What do you think of Christ.?" To which this 
reply was given, — 

When Christ speaks, God speaks. 

The Rev. F. D. Huntington then said, "I move we 
proceed to the ordination." This motion was carried, 
after which the Rev. Frederic A. Whitney, of Brighton, 
Mass., was chosen to deliver the "right hand of 
fellowship," in the name of the council. 

Services at the church at ten o'clock, as follows : 

Order of Services at the Ordination of Caleb Davis 
Bradlee as Pastor of the Allen Street Church, 
IN Cambridge, on Monday, Dec ii, 1854. 

(i) Voluntary. 

(2) Hymn. 

(3) Introductory Prayer. Rev. Dr. Noyes. 



NORTH CAMBRIDGE SETTLEMENT. 1 7 

(4) Selections from Bible. Rev. Dr. Noyes. 

(5) Hymn. Rev. F. D. Huntington. 

" O Thou in whose eternal name 
Went forth the apostles' ardent host." 

(6) Sermon. Rev. T. S. King. 

(7) Prayer of Ordination. Rev. F. D. Huntington. 

(8) Hymn. 

(9) Charge. Rev. Dr. Walker. 

(10) Right Hand o'f Fellowship. Rev. F. A. Whitney. 

(11) Address to the Society. Rev. Rufus Ellis. 

(12) Concluding Prayer. Rev. A. B. Fuller. 
Benediction by the Pastor. 

In his "Recollections of a Ministry of Forty Years," 
read before the Boston Association of Ministers, 
Jan. 14, 1895, Dr. Bradlee speaks thus of the ministers 
who took part in his ordination : — 

"Those who took part in the exercises were the 
Rev. Professor and Dr. George R. Noyes, the Rev. 
Thomas Starr King, the Rev. F. D. Huntington, 
President Walker, the Rev. F. A. Whitney, the Rev. 
Rufus Ellis, and the Rev. Arthur B. Fuller. The Rev. 
F. D. Huntington alone survives. 

"Dr. Noyes was well known at the time, and is 
remembered now very gratefully by his surviving 
pupils, who to-day are numbered among the elders in 
the ministry, but who recall with pleasure and gratitude 
his calm and dignified manner, his accurate scholarship, 
his decisive and incisive mind, his wonderful mastership 
of the Hebrew language and of Old Testament litera- 
ture, his broad outlook in theology, and his courteous 
treatment of all under his charge ; not a demonstra- 
tive man, somewhat reticent and reserved, and perhaps 



l8 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

outwardly stern, but with a large heart and with a keen 
insight into human nature, honest, exact, patient, and 
forgiving. 

"As he was never very strong in health, he was 
obliged to live a very retired life, and could not socially 
greet his friends as frequently as he would have 
desired; but he was always glad to receive those who 
called upon him for advice, and ever ready to give a 
helping hand to those who needed his aid. I considered 
it one of my greatest privileges that I enjoyed his 
fellowship and friendship both in my home and in his 
home, and that in the early years of my ministry I 
could always count on his sympathy and counsel as 
sure to be deep and wise and true and loving. 

"The Rev. Thomas Starr King, pastor of the Hollis 
Street Church, Boston, was of necessity brought into 
very close relations with me, as I was a teacher of two 
Bible classes in his church and Sunday-school, and was 
also superintendent of his Sunday-school and a member 
of his society. I always had free access to his home, 
and he loaned me some of his lectures for my perusal 
and study. Two of these lectures, I remember, im- 
pressed me very deeply; namely, 'Substance and 
Show' and 'Socrates.' 

" I think that but very few can understand his full 
power as a preacher except those who from week to 
week were privileged to hear him speak. Some of his 
lectures that he gave on Sunday afternoons upon the 
characters in the Bible were extremely powerful, 
striking, and impressive ; and I wish that they might 
be gathered together in a book for the use of students 



NORTH CAMBRIDGE SETTLEMENT. 19 

and for the instruction of us all. When quite a young 
man, he reported the lectures on Philosophy that were 
delivered by Dr. Walker before the Lowell Institute ; 
and Dr. Walker was greatly astonished at the accuracy 
of the reports and at the interest which the young man 
took in the subjects presented. All these reports were 
. placed in my hand by Mr. King, and I can hardly con- 
ceive how a person not twenty then could have entered 
into the deep and abstruse subjects that were presented 
by one of the best of our scholars. It was Mr. King's 
great desire, as he told me, to write before he died a 
book on some philosophical subject; and he went to 
California with the idea that he could secure there the 
leisure that was needed for the carrying out of his 
purpose. The workings of his mind were very rapid, 
clear, and logical. He could dictate to his amanuensis 
while playing ball with his little daughter, who is now 
the wife of the Hon. Horace Davis of San Francisco ; 
and the little Edith enjoyed nothing better than a 
romp with her father, while that father was at the same 
time preparing lectures for the field and sermons for 
the pulpit. 

" Many persons thought that he could have no time 
for study, as from Monday to Saturday, during a large 
part of his ministry, he was travelling all over the 
country for the benefit of lyceums ; and yet each 
Sunday morning — and sometimes he did not reach 
Boston till Sunday morning — he would appear in the 
pulpit as bright and as earnest and as original and as 
eloquent as if he had spent the whole week in his 
study, and had prolonged his studies into the hours of 



t 



20 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

the night. He was a man having a large, loving, and 
generous heart, and he gave away during his short life 
thousands and thousands of dollars to those who were 
in need ; and, what is better, his door was always open 
to the strangers who wanted counsel, and his loving 
words and gifts sent many away from his home inspired 
with a new life. 

"Notwithstanding his great literary tastes and the 
thorough occupation of his time, he was one of the 
most genial of companions. He was fond of a good 
joke, ready with a repartee, and had a contagious laugh 
that sent sunshine into very many hearts. I remember 
asking him once who wrote the book of Job ; and he 
answered, ' It would be a hard job to tell.' Once, as he 
was going toward the lyceum, where he was to give a 
lecture, he said to his friends who were with him, ' As 
the doorkeeper does not know me, let us have a little 
frolic* So, after his friends went into the building, he 
went to the man who took the tickets, and said : ' I am 
very anxious to hear Mr. King to-night, and I do not 
really feel that I can buy a ticket. Will you allow me 
a free entrance to the hall ?* * I would,' the man 
replied, * on any other night ; but this evening the hall 
will be crowded, and will be more than full.* Mr. King 
kept pleading and pleading, till the man ordered him 
roughly away. * Very well,' he said, * I will go away ; 
but, unless you will admit me, there cannot possibly be 
any lecture given this evening.' ' What,' said the man, 
'are you Mr. King.?' No more opposition was made 
to his free entrance. Brother King always made it a 
rule to interest himself in the pursuits of any persons 
that he might meet. 



NORTH CAMBRIDGE SETTLEMENT. 21 

"Once on riding on the outside of a coach at the 
White Mountains he entertained the driver, and drew 
out of him a great deal of knowledge, and kept all on 
the outside full of amusement and information, when, a 
heavy rain coming, he took a seat inside of the coach. 
One of the gentlemen who remained on the outside 
said to the driver, * Do you know who that man was ? ' 
* No,' was the reply, ' some young boy from Boston, I 
suppose.' 'Driver, that little boy from Boston is the 
Rev. Thomas Starr King, pastor of one of the leading 
churches in that city.' 

" Of course, we all know what a courageous man our 
brother was, — ^how in the face of his leading parishioners 
he took part with the slave; and how in California, 
when surrounded by armed secessionists, who were 
prepared to take his life, he uttered clearly and elo- 
quently his honest convictions, and secured the respect 
of his opponents ; how, too, when the last hour came, 
and he knew that very soon he would be with God, he 
repeated calmly the Twenty-third Psalm, bade good-by 
to his dear ones, threw a kiss to the youngest child, — 
now a very successful lawyer in California, — and went 
instantly to sleep. The time has not yet come for a 
full description of this wonderful man, who possessed 
so many varying gifts that do not usually coalesce, and 
who yet passed away from earth at the early age of 
thirty-nine. 

"The Rev. Fred. D. Huntington, who offered the 
ordaining prayer at my ordination, and who was then 
called one of the most eloquent preachers of Boston, 
and who is now bishop of Central New York, was a 



22 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

man who seemed to draw all classes to his church, 
having crowded houses morning and afternoon. Often- 
times two families owned one pew, one going in the 
morning and one in the afternoon. He had, I suppose, 
one of the largest Bible classes that was known at that 
time, — a class that met in his vestry on one of the 
week-day evenings ; and he was almost worshipped by 
those of both sexes from six to forty-five. I once heard 
President Walker describe the two men, Huntington 
and King. Huntington, he said, had the greatest gift 
of expression of any man who had appeared for one 
hundred years or who would appear for one hundred 
years to come; but King, he added, was the greater 
genius. 

" Probably there never was in any church so great an 
excitement and almost warfare when suddenly Mr. 
Huntington told his parishioners that he should accept 
the Plummer Professorship established at Harvard 
College. I am told that some very hard words were 
used, and everything was done to induce the pastor to 
reconsider his acceptance, but to no purpose. He went 
to the college, and was said by many to have made the 
greatest mistake of his life; for with all his gifts, 
which really were marvellous, and with his great power 
with the professors and tutors of the college, he really 
did not have the gift of helping a large number of 
the young men in Cambridge. After a few years he 
resigned his professorship, and entered the Episcopal 
Church, where now he is pre-eminently distinguished, 
having lately celebrated his quarter of a century in the 
episcopate. It will be for others to speak of him more 
fully after his work in life is finished. 



NORTH CAMBRIDGE SETTLEMENT. 23 

"Dr. Walker gave the charge, — a graduate of 
Harvard, a preacher in Charlestown, a professor in the 
college, and finally the president. At the time that he 
took part he was the president of the college, and there- 
fore I had the singular felicity of securing both the 
benediction of the college and the benediction of the 
man. He was a philosopher and a saint. I can see 
now his calm but spiritual face. I can hear now his 
dignified and impressive voice. I can feel now the 
solemnity of his manner. He was filled with kindness 
and with wisdom, clear in his judgment, .sound in his 
reason, with perhaps imagination a little in abeyance, 
but with common sense in very large measure, reverent, 
solid, dignified, and noble in every possible way. 
When you were with him, you felt that you were in 
the presence of one who kept very near to God. His 
sight and his insight were very great ; and his words 
were ponderous, but always becoming and striking, — 
*a well of English undefiled.' 

" I remember once when he christened a child, and 
father and mother were standing right before him with 
the child, he began his prayer with these exceedingly 
appropriate words, * O Thou in whom all the families of 
the earth are blessed.' 

" That child lived only eight months ; and after her 
death Dr. Walker called upon the parents, and, handing 
to them a silver remembrance, said, ' I meant this for 
the child, and perhaps now you may like to keep it as 
a memorial of the child.* Does not that simple act 
show that the man had a great and a loving heart ? 
He was a wonderful person for settling difficulties 



24 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

without any display of temper. During his administra- 
tion of the college a young man who was in the 
Divinity School gave an exhibition of spiritual hands, 
as they were called ; and it was proved, when the 
lights were suddenly put into full force, that the whole 
exhibition was a fraud, and the spiritual hands had very 
mortal coverings. The young man was expelled from 
the school, and went to President Walker in great 
anger, and said to him that it was outrageous that a 
pupil should be dismissed from the Divinity School for 
being a Spiritualist. * Young man,' replied the presi- 
dent, * we do not turn you out of the school because you 
are a Spiritualist, but we turn you out of the school 
because you are not a Spiritualist! Dr. Walker always 
gave utterance to a great deal of truth in a very few 
words. I remember that some one told me who heard 
him preach in Dr. Lowell's church, when he had first 
commenced his ministry, what a great impression he 
made upon the immense audience that gathered in that 
church. When the time for the sermon came, he took 
for the words of his text, ' The love of money is the 
root of all evil.' He then made quite a pause, and 
finally said, * I say, // is not' Of course there was 
great silence, and everybody looked at him. In those 
days people were not accustomed to hear any part of 
the Bible criticised. After waiting awhile, he added, 
' It is t\iQ false love of money that is the root of all evil, 
but the true love of money is the root of all good * ; and 
then he went on, and gave a sermon that electrified the 
congregation. 

" I think that one who has read his two volumes of 



NORTH CAMBRIDGE SETTLEMENT. 25 

sermons — and they are worth reading and studying — 
will be surprised at his wonderful \yay of putting the 
case, so that you must listen and you cannot help being 
convinced. Dr. Walker had a great dread of having 
any of his writings printed, and on this account future 
generations will not understand the great power that 
he exerted on his own generation. I wish that every 
sermon that he ever preached and every lecture that 
he ever delivered and every biography that he ever 
sketched could be given to us. His influence, however, 
will go on forever through the thousands of young men 
whom he has taught and through those whom they shall 
teach, a perpetual echo from generation to generation. 
In the pulpit, in the college, and everywhere he will be 
a constant benediction. 

"The right hand of fellowship was given by the 
Rev. Fred. A. Whitney. He was a man who gave a 
large part of his time to statistics. He knew the his- 
tory of every church and every minister. He had the 
most perfect library concerning ordinations and instal- 
lations and councils and foundations of churches. He 
could be consulted on all ecclesiastical matters for 
hundreds of years ; and yet with all this knowledge he. 
was gentle and loving and cheerful, and not wholly 
dried up and exclusive and authoritative, as so many 
are in danger of being who give up their lives to the 
gathering of facts and dates. He loved the church and 
the brethren and all the work of the ministry, and I 
think that his heart was almost broken when he felt 
that it was his duty to give up the pulpit that is now 
held by Brother Walkley. 



26 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

" He never wanted to settle anywhere after he left 
Brighton, but he gave his time to the building up of 
the library in that part of Boston and in giving labors 
of love to the brethren when they needed his help. 
His last sickness was a long one ; but he met the dis- 
cipline bravely, and surrendered his life submissively to 
the Giver of the same. He left a request that I should 
be one of the pall-bearers at his funeral ; and it was a 
sad privilege that I had of thus doing honor to his 
memory, with Dr. George E. Ellis, Professor Torrey, 
and Dr. Wyman as associates. 

" The Rev. Ruf us Ellis addressed the people, — the 
scholarly gentleman and the gentlemanly scholar, the 
faithful pastor, the able preacher, the successful teacher 
in the early part of his life, the self-sacrificing friend, a 
man of prayer and a man of principle, quiet, unostenta- 
tious, frugal, and one whom you could always trust and 
could never fail to respect. It cannot be said that he 
was one of our greatest orators, or that among all the 
churches he was looked upon as the leading preacher of 
the day ; but among his own people he was so admired 
and beloved that his weekly administrations always 
brought a blessing, and at times he would be so carried 
away by his subject as to almost unconsciously rise 
into the impassioned speaker. 

"His writings reminded us of some of the best old 
English preachers, and you never could find a word out 
of place or a sentence unfinished. It always seemed to 
me one of the great mistakes of the day that, when 
President Hill resigned, Rufus Ellis was not chosen his 
successor as President of Harvard College ; and, in 



NORTH CAMBRIDGE SETTLEMENT. 2 J 

making this remark, I would not reflect for one mo- 
ment on the administration that followed, and that has 
been so bright a one for the last twenty-five years. Dr. 
Ellis went suddenly to God, in Liverpool, as he was 
about to start for the city of his birth and for the place 
where so much of his life-work was so faithfully accom- 
plished. 

"The Rev. Arthur B. Fuller offered the closing 
prayer. He was a very different man from all those 
whom we have mentioned, a character extremely origi- 
nal and pronounced. His great power among a num- 
ber of people came from his exceeding earnestness of 
spirit, his wonderful industry, his positive manner, his 
well-informed and clearly expressed convictions, his 
almost unconscious but decidedly imperative presenta- 
tion of his views and his feeling. Yet he was a man 
whom you felt was truly consecrated, who tried faith- 
fully to do his Master's work, who was ready in season 
and out of season to build up the kingdom of God, and 
who had rather die than yield one iota his judgment of 
what he thought was right, true, honest, and holy. 

" He could hardly understand or make allowances for 
the frivolity of youth; and sometimes at his weekly 
meetings, when his hearers became careless or inatten- 
tive or restless, they would meet with a rebuke that 
they would be sure never to forget. 

" Brother Fuller felt that it was his duty to accept 
the position of chaplain in the war that was waged for 
the maintenance of the Union; and his enthusiasm 
perhaps, that somewhat smothered his judgment, in- 
duced him to enter Fredericksburg with a gun in his 



28 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

hand as a combatant, when a shot from one of the 
defenders of that place closed his earthly account. 
His funeral services were largely attended in Boston, 
and clergymen of different sects officiated. All felt 
that a brave man and a hard worker and a consecrated 
spirit had gone to God." 

In later days Dr. Bradlee used to refer pleasantly to 
his line of "Apostolic Succession," which he traced 
through laying on of hands, as follows : — 

The Rev. Mr. Rogers, of Ipswich, Mass., laid his 
hands on Dr. Appleton, of Cambridge, 17 17. 

Dr. Appleton ordained Dr. Osgood, of Medford, 
Sept. 14, 1774. 

Dr. Osgood ordained Dr. W. E. Channing, June i, 
1803. 

Dr. Channing ordained Dr. N. L. Frothingham, 
March 15, 18 15. 

Dr. Frothingham ordained Dr. F. D. Huntington, 
Oct. 19, 1842. 

Dr. Huntington ordained Caleb Davis Bradlee, Dec. 
II, 1854. 

The North Cambridge ministry was one in which 
Mr. Bradlee found much satisfaction, and he endeared 
himself greatly to the people. 

Like every young man brought face to face with the 
demands of a parish, he found plenty to do; and he 
was not one to shirk any responsibility. He says : — 

" At the time of my settlement the whole arrange- 
ment of our churches was different from what it is to- 
day. A great deal more work was required of the 
young man on Sunday and a great deal more visiting 



NORTH CAMBRIDGE SETTLEMENT. 29 

during the week. Every minister was expected to call 
at each home at least twice in the year, and every 
week in cases of sickness. The minister's house was 
the home of his people at all hours of the day and 
evening ; and, also, if he were invited, he was expected 
to be always ready for dinner or supper or an evening 
entertainment. I was relieved from a great deal of 
this kind of visiting ; but it was all made up to me by 
the calls at my house and by the many choice gifts of 
dainty food that were constantly sent to my home. 

"Many an evening, and oftentimes after I had re- 
tired, my door-bell would ring, and a servant would 
leave a large tray filled with well-cooked birds of dif- 
ferent kinds, with pies, cake, and the choicest fruit. 
On Sundays the clergyman was always expected to 
preach morning and afternoon ; and he must be in the 
Sunday-school, and oftentimes was expected to hold a 
special meeting for some church purpose after the 
afternoon service, and in the evening of Sunday he had 
a reception at his house of such members of the so- 
ciety as might like to call. Many an evening, after 
three services in the day, I was so completely fatigued 
as hardly to be able to stand or speak, and yet have 
been obliged to entertain callers, dear friends, too, 
whom I respected and loved, but who would stay and 
stay till I thought they never would go ; and all this 
was simply because they did not think that I possibly 
could be tired by such easy work as preaching and talk- 
ing, and they looked upon the minister's duties as very 
light and easy. Would that they had only taken the 
pastor's place for just one Sunday ! 



30 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

"The ministers, as a general rule, when I was settled, 
had very little to do with outside matters. They were 
expected to accept a position on the school committee, 
but were considered rather out of place in any other 
position ; and the men who dared to attend an anti- 
slavery meeting or a political meeting were ostracized 
at once. 

" The parish work in the pulpit and among the fam- 
ilies was considered the chief duty of the pastor, and 
the laymen were expected to look after outside mat- 
ters. I was especially charged by Dr. Walker to look 
after my own people and the schools, and to let other 
things alone. " 

During this pastorate, on June 7, 1855, he married 
Miss Caroline Gay, youngest child of George and 
Nancy Lovering Gay, of Boston, and sister of the 
well-known surgeon. Dr. George H. Gay. By this 
marriage he had three children, only one of whom is 
now living, — Mrs. Eliza Williams Bradlee Smith, who 
married Walter C. Smith, Esq., June 12, 1895. The 
other two children died in infancy : Nancy Gay, born 
Dec. 23, 1858, died Sept. 4, 1859. Bertha, born Feb. 
28, 1866, and died the same day. 

In 1858 and in i860 he was elected a member of the 
Board of School Committee of Cambridge, Mass. ; and 
in i860 he was chosen one of a special committee of the 
High School in Cambridge. His plan, at this time, 
was that the teacher, not the member of the com- 
mittee, should be the questioner, and that the com-^ 
mittee should listen to question and answer, and form 
their opinion of both. All through his life he was. 



NORTH CAMBRIDGE SETTLEMENT. 3 1 

opposed to public examinations, asserting that the man 
of good memory, but little natural ability, would suc- 
ceed, in such cases, better than his deeper and more 
able brother. 

At the time of his settlement at North Cambridge 
many of his friends felt sure that the society which 
gave him the call would not be able to continue for a 
long time such financial support as they promised him. 
This proved to be true, and in 1857 it was mutually 
agreed that a separation should be made between pastor 
and people. 

The society passed the following resolution : — 

Resolved^ That the society bear testimony to the faithful dis- 
charge of Mr. Bradlee's ministerial duties, and would tender him 
their warm regards and esteem for the many tokens of kindness 
and sympathy lavished upon them diuing his pastorship ; and they 
pray him to receive the assurance that, wherever he may labor in 
the future, he will have their heartiest wishes for his success and 

happiness. 

Attest : J. W. Baldwin, Clerk, 

The letters that passed between them at the time are 
full of tender affection, and in his letter of resignation 
he says, " My heart is too full to say to you * farewell ' ; 
and may I not hope, although I shall leave Cambridge, 
yet to be in constant spiritual fellowship with your 
souls ? " 

Such fellowship was indeed his through life with 
many who were members of his first parish. 

As long as he lived, he was frequently called upon by 
members of his early charge to attend special services 
in their families. This was notably the case in one 



I 



32 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

family. The very day after his settlement at North 
Cambridge he baptized a gentleman and lady; and, 
from time to time, up to Nov. 20, 1895, his special ser- 
vices in this one family, in four generations, amounted 
to twenty-three in number. Of these fourteen were 
baptisms, five were funerals, and four were weddings. 

The last sermon as pastor of Allen Street Church, 
North Cambridge, was preached Dec. 6, 1857. The 
text was, *• Am I my brother's keeper ? ** The commun- 
ion service was observed, and this closed what he 
always called the " first period " of his ministry. 

He continued to live in Cambridge until i860, when 
he moved to Roxbury. 




III. 

TRANSIENT SUPPLIES AND 
EAST BOSTON. 

December ii, 1857 — April 3, 1864. 



< 



III. 



TRANSIENT SUPPLIES AND EAST BOSTON. 

December ii, 1857 — April 3, 1864. 

AFTER resigning at North Cambridge, Mr. Bradlee 
was several years without a settlement as pastor 
of a parish ; but the ministry continued to be full of 
good works. He called it the " second period " of his 
ministry from Dec, 11, 1857, ^^ June, 1861, during 
which time he supplied the pulpits of North End 
Mission and Hale's South End Mission in Boston, Fall 
River, Kingston, Nantucket, Plymouth, and Sterling. 
He also acted as pastor at the churches of the Rev. 
S. B. Crufts and the Rev. Richard Pike during pro- 
longed absences of these pastors. He was offered calls 
from Fall River ; Christian Unity, Boston ; Newton- 
ville; Charleston, S.C. 

During this period he began to show special interest 
in the work of historical societies, and was closely 
identified with the New England Historic Genealogical 
Society. He gave frequent lectures before its mem- 
bers, and served three years as its corresponding 
secretary and three years as its recording secretary. 

The state of his health was such as to prevent his 
acceptance of long periods of service at this time ; and 
in January, 1859, he suffered an attack of typhoid fever, 
which continued through the whole of February. 



36 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

He gave such time as he was able to literary work, 
especially in preparation of lectures on F^nelon, Milton, 
Heber, and other famous characters. 

He was always willing to give a " labor of love " to 
brother ministers, and many such are recorded in the 
" Sunday Record." 

In 1 86 1 Mr. Bradlee took the charge of the Church 
of Our Father in East Boston. His work here lasted 
for nearly three years, as the pastor, the Rev. Warren H. 
Cudworth, was chaplain in the United States Army. 
These three years were both happy years for the 
pastor and prosperous years for the church. The ser- 
vices were well attended ; and Mr. Bradlee was always 
received with great enthusiasm whenever he appeared 
in the pulpit, and his discourses were often reported 
in the East Boston papers. He always spoke of his 
pastorate in this church as one of the happiest chapters 
in his life, and the members of the society gave to him 
many loyal pledges of their appreciation and good will. 

This he calls the "third period " of his ministry, and 
he speaks of it as the real commencement of his useful- 
ness as a minister. Twenty-five years later he wrote, 
"These years were very happy ones to me, and my 
whole ministry in East Boston was a perfect ovation." 

The spirit of his preaching in regard to the war may 
be seen in the following extract from a sermon preached 
May 18, 1862: — 

" God is love." — i St. John iv. 8. 

" Brethren, I have considered this a fitting season to 
speak about love. One year ago, when treason was 



TRANSIENT SUPPLIES AND EAST BOSTON. 37 

triumphant in the land ; when the best government the 
worid has ever seen trembled in its foundations ; when 
patriots all over the earth viewed with dismay the state 
of our country ; when our own hearts failed us as we 
weighed the magnitude of the impending danger; 
when our husbands, sons, and brothers rushed, with 
armor on and under the panoply of our prayers, to 
defend the laws of our land; when commerce was 
blasted, and coin was scarce, and the banks were 
startled, an^ all things were shadowed, — then some 
might have said, God is a mystery ; others, he is cruel ; 
still others, he is angry ; and all must have felt that for 
some reason he was about to chastise his children in 
this favored portion of the globe with terrible stripes. 

" But a year has passed ; and, although our punish- 
ment has been severe, how much less severe than we 
had anticipated ! We can now truly say, God is love, 
because he has spared us so much, because he has 
rebuked disloyalty, because he bids us hope for re- 
union, because he seems about to re-establish our 
government on a firmer basis than ever before. And, 
now that power is about to fall again into our hands, 
ought we not to ask, in the spirit of our text, How 
shall we use that power toward those who have been 
placed in our hands as prisoners of war, or who will yet, 
as submissionists, become subject to our jurisdiction.? 

" Let no one start as I ask this question. I ask it as 
a Christian, not as a politician. I do not deem my office 
or the pulpit the place for the discussion of party ques- 
tions. The caucus is instituted for such questions, and 
there they should be confined. I ask as a Christian 



38 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

minister, What shall we do with our captives of war ? 
Many answers will be given, I am aware, such as these : 
disfranchise them ; confiscate their property ; imprison 
them ; hang them. I have but one answer to give, — 
Love them, for God is love. Remember the prayer, 
* Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.' Let 
us deal with our opponents entirely with a loving spirit. 
If necessity requires us to punish with some severity 
the leaders of the rebellion, let us at least manage the 
necessity charitably and with no vindictiveness. In a 
somewhat close study of late into English rebellions, I 
have found that in almost all cases insurgents as a mass 
were treated leniently, the leaders only being punished, 
and whole thousands being freed with nothing more 
than admonition ; and the effect on the whole has 
proved salutary, the pardoned ones being converted 
through gratitude into the most loyal of subjects. Let 
us then, brethren, in all our dealings with our enemies, 
by conversation, by writing, by thinking, remember that 
God is love ; and let us never allow our passions to 
smother our Christianity. Then shall we convert a 
most direful civil war into a holy instruction for our 
souls, into a means by which we shall attain on earth 
peace, and at last in heaven coronation." 

On the i6th of June, 1863, Mr. Bradlee was drafted 
for service in the United States Army. He was ex- 
empted on account of physical inability. Of this ex- 
perience he writes : " C. D. B. is an exempt physically ; 
but, were this not the case, no power on earth could 
make him go as a soldier. As chaplain, he would very 
willingly bear his part of the burden of the war." 



TRANSIENT SUPPLIES AND EAST BOSTON. 39 

The last sermon as pastor pro-tern, at East Boston 
was preached April 3, 1864: "Therefore watch, and 
remember that for the space of three years I ceased 
not to warn every one." The pleasantest relations con- 
tinued for life between him and the East Boston people. 
A few days after his departure from East Boston, on 
the occasion of his installation to his new pastorate, 
they decorated the pulpit with flowers and sent a most 
touching letter, with a request that it be publicly read. 

A few years later the Church of the Redeemer, of 
which Mr. Bradlee was still pastor, gave a beautiful 
communion table to the East Boston society, to be 
placed in their new church. 

On the 15th of January, 1896, Dr. Bradlee wrote the 
following letter : — 

The Three Arches, Fisher Avenue, 
Brookline, Mass., 15 Jan., 1896. 

From Caleb Davis Bradlee to Those who worship in the 
Church of Our Father, East Boston, Mass. 

My former Parishioners and constant Friends ^ — The 
invitation to attend the fiftieth anniversary of the for- 
mation of your church has given me great pleasure; 
and I really wish that I could be with you, and tell you 
what a happy time I had when I occupied your pulpit, 
from 1 86 1 to 1864, while Brother Cud worth was chap- 
lain in the army. 

I remember with deep and earnest gratitude your 
unceasing kindness from the moment I first met you 
till I parted from you to take charge of another church. 
I was sure every Sunday that the church would be full ; 
and with loving patience I knew you would listen to 



40 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

the young man, and would encourage him in every pos- 
sible way. 

I was received at your homes with a true and loyal 
fellowship, and from that time till the present hour 
your friendship has been a perpetual benediction. 

Let me frankly say that I attribute every success I 
may have had in life to your tuition, encouragement, 
and constant affection. I often say that I never really 
knew how to preach till the people in East Boston 
called out what powers I had, and taught the young man 
what culture and grace could be secured when there 
was a listening and appreciating audience. 

With these feelings I deeply regret that I cannot 
say to you in person what I have written in this note. 

Be assured that I am conscious how much I owe to 
you all, and how grateful I am for the early education 
that I received in your church. 

Most cordially, 

Caleb Davis Bradlee. 

Christ's Church, Longwood, Brookline, Mass. 

During Mr. Bradlee's supply of the East Boston 
pulpit he corresponded regularly with the Rev. W. H. 
Cudworth, the pastor of the church, who, as chaplain 
of the First Massachusetts Regiment, was following the 
fortunes of the Civil War. 

These letters from Mr. Cudworth are full of expres- 
sions of satisfaction with the service which was being 
rendered by Mr. Bradlee at the church. 

The following extracts from the letters are like many 
which might be quoted : — 



% 



TRANSIENT SUPPLIES AND EAST BOSTON. 41 

For one, I have been well satisfied with your management 
of affairs. I am sure, likewise, that the parish has been, and 
doubt not that God will at last assure you you have done all you 
could, and sometimes even overdone. 

I am glad to hear you are disposed to continue in charge of 
my pulpit, and for the good of the parish, as well as for my own 
interests, don't believe a better man could be found. 

I think you deserve much commendation for the able and 
faithful manner in which you have discharged your duties, as you 
certainly have won a large share of my love for the brotherly and 
Christian spirit you have shown. 



IV. 



CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER. 



April 6, 1864 — April 22, 1872. 



IV. 



CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER. 

April 6, 1864 — April 22, 1872. 

IN 1864 the Rev. C. D. Bradlee became the pastor 
of the Church of the Redeemer, Boston, and re- 
mained with it until 1872. Early in 1864 a movement 
was made to establish a new Unitarian church at the 
South End in Boston. 

Mr. Bradlee was asked to be the pastor. The new 
church was organized as "The Church of the Re- 
deemer," and it secured a hall in Concord Street for its 
services. 

The call was dated March 10, 1864. Mr. Bradlee 
accepted. His letter of acceptance contained the fol- 
lowing words : — 

"The Church of the Redeemer! Surely, such a 
church, founded on the Master, reverently holding his 
blessed name, and looking to him constantly for aid, 
must grow in grace, and must be filled with glory. 

" I accept, then, your call, looking to the Author and 
Finisher of our faith for that benediction upon our 
mutual efforts that shall make us a church not only 
large in numbers, but united in spirit, earnest in 
prayer, and active in all good works." 

About twenty families were pledged to the support 
of the new church. 



46 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

April 6, 1864, was the day set apart for the installa- 
tion. The service was at 7.30 p.m. at the Church of 
the Unity, on West Newton Street, and was according 
to the following 

ORDER. 

(i) Invocation. Rev. F. W. Holland, pastor of Allen Street 
Church, North Cambridge. 

(2) Scriptures. Rev. W. P. Tilden, pastor of New South 

Church, Boston. 

(3) Sermon. Rev. George Putnam, D.D., pastor of First 

Church, Roxbury. 

(4) Prayer of Installation. Rev. James Walker, D.D., 

LL.D., of Cambridge. 

(5) Charge. Rev. Samuel Barrett, D.D., of Roxbury. 

(6) Right Hand of Fellowship. Rev. George H. Hep- 

worth, pastor bf Church of the Unity, Boston. 

(7) Address to the People. Rev. A. P. Putnam, pastor 

Mount Pleasant Congregational Church, Roxbury. 

(8) Benediction by the Pastor. 

On Sunday, April 10, he preached from the text, 
"I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer." 
This pastorate he named the "fourth period" of his 
ministry ; and in it he was successful, as few men are, 
in drawing about him a band of devoted friends, who, 
amid all the changes of the years to come, were faithful 
and loyal to him. 

In 1865, on the 2d of October, he began to reside at 
44 Chester Park (number later changed to 17) ; and at 
once he was called upon for services of special char- 
acter for those who did not go to his church or, in 
many cases, to any church. He continued to reside at 



CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER. 47 

the South End about thirty years (moving to 57 West 
Brookline Street Aug. 28, 1882), during which time 
he became known in many hundreds of homes as one 
who was always at the service of the public. In the 
summer, when most clergymen were away on long 
vacations, he prided himself upon remaining at home 
to attend to special calls for ministerial services. 
His own brief vacations were usually taken before or 
after those of his brother ministers. No one was 
called more frequently to visit the sick or bury the 
dead, and no man ever had a greater gift for such min- 
istry. He was welcomed alike in the homes of rich 
and poor, and never asked to be excused from the most 
trying service when his health would permit him to 
perform it. 

At the church service the notice was given for all to 
remain and take each other by the hand. Frequent 
social gatherings were held at the houses of the mem- 
bers of the parish ; and Mr. Bradlee was always present, 
making all acquainted with each other. 

The Sunday-school was of great interest to him. 
He did all he could for its welfare, and received the 
respect and love of all its members. For a large part 
of the time he was the superintendent of the school. 
In the course of the eight years there were over two 
hundred children connected with the school. A con- 
ference meeting was held on a week-day afternoon, 
which was much enjoyed by those who attended it. 

After eight pleasant years of labor by pastor and 
people, circumstances arose that made it seem best to 
disband the church ; and it was reluctantly done. 



48 IN M£MORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

The following letter was sent by Mr. Bradlee to 
the committee and society of the Church of the Re- 
deemer : — 

Boston, Jan. i, 1872. 

Dear Christian Friends^ — It is with great sadness I 
feel obliged to say that the time has come when I must 
proflEer my resignation that is to take effect on the first 
of July next. Probably no parish in the city is more 
united and happy than ours ; and we shall have lived 
together, in the bonds of a holy fellowship up to 
the time of our parting, for over eight profitable and 
blessed years. 

When our church was founded, there seemed to be a 

call for its establishment ; but since that time two 

other churches of the same faith have been built in our 

neighborhood, affording all the privileges of Sunday for 

such as desire to worship God, for at least the next 

five or ten years, so that it now seems the better part 

of prudence and charity that our church shall close its 

doors for the more thorough building up of the others. 

The sacrifice appears to fall to our lot ; and at what 

more beautiful time can we part one from the other, 

and all from the " Church of the Redeemer," than now, 

when our hearts are so closely knit together, and when 

all our memories of the sacred hours we have enjoyed 

will be so sweet and joyous } I commend you all to 

the special care of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and 

remain your ever endeared friend, 

C. D. Bradlee. 

A meeting was held, at which many suggestions were 
made looking to the withdrawal of the resignation ; and 



CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER. 49 

the following notice appeared in the Traveller of Jan. 
II, 1872: — 

Resignation Declined, — At a meeting of the Standing Com- 
mittee of the Church of the Redeemer, Concord Street, held 
Wednesday evening, the resignation of the pastor, the Rev. C. D. 
Bradlee, being received, it was resolved unanimously " that, as 
his connection with the church is indispensable to its growth and 
welfare, the resignation be not accepted." It was also resolved 
that, in behalf of the society, the committee thank him sincerely 
for the faithful performance of his duties the past eight years, 
and they earnestly request his continuance as pastor. 

Mr. Bradlee felt that he must be released, and sent 
another letter of resignation, asking that it take effect 
the third Sunday in April, 1872. 

On the isth of February, at the eighth annual meet- 
ing of the Church of the Redeemer, the following reso- 
lution was passed : — 

Resolved^ That we sorrowfully accept our pastor's second resig- 
nation, that is to take place after the third Sunday in April ; and 
we earnestly hope, by another fall, means will be taken for 
another formation of the society, with the same pastor, in a dif- 
ferent part of the city. 

About this time the great movement from the South 
End to the Back Bay began, and before the death of 
Dr. Bradlee both the churches to which he refers in his 
letter of resignation disbanded for want of local sup- 
port. From one of them, the Church of the Unity, he 
received many people in his Longwood Church in 1896 
and 1897. 

The following letter was signed by the members of 
the parish, and forwarded to Mr. Bradlee, who preserved 
it among his most precious papers : — 



50 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

Boston, April 21, 1872. 
Rev. C. D. Bradlee: 

Dear Pastor and Friend^ — The time having come, in God*s 
wise providence, when your connection with us as pastor of the 
" Church of the Redeemer " is to be dissolved, and the church 
itself to be scattered, we cannot refrain from expressing our deep 
regret that this change seems necessary, and that we are to 
be deprived of the pastoral care of one who has been such a 
faithful friend and minister of the Lord Jesus to us. You have 
endeared yourself to many ; you have quickened and strengthened 
the spiritual life of many ; your prayers and your counsels have 
been our comfort and our help ; and you will ever have the 
respect and esteem of many grateful hearts. Our prayers will go 
with you in whatever portion of the Lord's vineyard he may call 
you to labor in future, and we feel assured you will never lose 
your interest in old friends when new ones shall gather round 
you. 

As a slight token of the regard we cherish for yourself and 

Mrs. Bradlee, we ask you to accept this mantel clock ; and, while it 

shall mark for you the hours of each passing day, may your lives 

be crowned with Heaven's choicest blessings and your hearts be 

filled with that peace of God which is not limited by time, but 

which shall grow deeper and purer and more enduring through 

the ages of eternity ! Very sincerely, 

Your Friends. 

The following extracts are taken from the last ser- 
mon preached at the Church of the Redeemer, April 
21, 1872, from the text 

" Finally, brethren, farewell." — 2 Cor. xiii. 1 1 . 

"The time seems to have arrived when we each 
ought to say to the other, and all of us to our beloved 
church, that sad, mysterious, yet holy word, Farewell. 
I am glad that we can say it with no harsh feelings. 



CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER. 5 1 

with no bitter remembrances, and with no blur nor stain 
upon the eight years' pilgrimage we have taken, that 
should make us blush or tremble. We can say it hold- 
ing each other by the hand, with our hearts in blessed 
harmony, with no financial obligation to press us down, 
and with our record clear, bright, beautiful, full of in- 
spiration, and full of joy. No church, I think, in Bos- 
ton, or in Massachusetts, or anywhere, has been more 
united, more peaceful, more happy, and more like one 
family than ours. 

" We came together as strangers ; but we have lived 
together as brothers and sisters in the Lord, and never 
will there be any relations between us but those of the 
most cordial love and the most holy fellowship. 

" I know that I leave this place with your blessing, 
and I am sure that you each and all are joined to me by 
ties that can never really be broken. Why, then, do 
we part ? Why must we arise, and go hence ? 

"This is best answered by a slight sketch of the 
growth of the church, and by a brief survey of the 
changes that have taken place in this vicinity since we 
were organized as a society. In 1864, when we com- 
menced our services, the only two independent churches 
of our faith south of Dover Street were the South 
Congregational Church and the Church of the Unity, 
both of which were quite well filled ; yet by a special 
census at that time there were over one hundred and 
fifty families south of Dover Street that attended no 
place of religious worship. 

"These families, too, I believe, were to a great ex- 
tent able to support preaching, and needed only a little 



52 IN memoriam: c. d. bradlee, d.d. 

encouragement by which they would soon be led to 
become regular worshippers in the temple of our Lord. 
Many did not ask for a mission church, but a home 
church, where each and all could contribute toward the 
support of the gospel, and where each and all could 
stand together in a close and beautiful union. We 
endeavored in our humble way to meet and greet this 
want, and, as our records will prove, with a success that 
led us to expect a long life and a wide field of useful- 
ness. 

" But induced by the great field all whitening for the 
harvest in this part of our city, and perhaps, too, a little 
encouraged by our own growth and life, two other 
churches located immediately in our vicinity, — the 
'Church of the Disciples' and the 'New South Free 
Church,' with pastors whose good names are in all the 
churches, and for whom I entertain the deepest respect 
and the most reverent love. Beside these two neigh- 
boring churches all beautifully built, our humble little 
ark, all unpretending, was brought into terrible con- 
trast ; and the new-comers drifted where the eye was 
better pleased and where the shelter was more inviting. 

" From our own flock but three families strayed away 
for these more attractive homes ; but from that time 
our hopes for added strength were really blasted, unless 
we, too, could build a splendid house unto the Lord or 
relocate where other churches were at a more conven- 
ient distance. Death came, families moved into the 
country, some went away to the extreme end of the 
city, until the regular parish became greatly impaired, 
although the ' strangers within our gates ' have helped 



CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER. 53 

to encourage our hearts even unto this day ; whilst, too, 
those who did remain — and on this list you will find 
some of the prominent citizens of the South End — 
were ready to stay even here, in this undesirable spot, for 
an indefinite future. But it was best, hemmed in as we 
were by other churches, in our unattractive place and 
our unfavorable locality, — it was very much for the 
best that we should stop. 

" Some of you tell me, my faithful friends, that you 
will form again before another winter where none can 
molest us or make us afraid, or that, with your already 
earnest and noble members, you will unite with some 
other church, and take a stand that nothing can shake. 
I am not sure that this would be well. Let us wait 
God's wise and beautiful direction. Let us pause till 
we hear the voice that shall say to us, * Go forward ! ' 
Let us rejoice that we have done so much, that we even 
yet remain so strong, and that we have accomplished 
all these things through every discouragement and in 
the face of everything that seemed to strive to put us 
back. Let us be glad that for eight years we have done 
our work, made our influence felt, and falsified the pre- 
dictions of a few croaking spirits, who, not loving us 
overmuch, looked for our speedy dissolution within six 
months or a year from our start. Bring to-day into 
our church only those who have left us because they 
moved so far away that they could not come any more, 
and a multitude of our well-known business men would 
appear in our sight. 

"I do not think it right that any minister should 
gauge his success by the numbers that gather round 



r 



54 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

his ministrations, nor by the services he is asked to 
perform, nor by anything whatsoever of outside appro- 
bation. Our record is with God and in the hearts of 
the people. Only as we actually build up the king- 
dom of God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, can we 
count our real success ; and that test will only come 
when we arrive within the heavenly gates. Yet, if we 
should boast after the manner of men, our external 
proofs of influence are not small. During the eight 
years of my ministry there probably has been con- 
nected at different times with our church, either as 
permanent hearers or as occasional listeners, or as 
those who looked for no other ministrations than ours, 
representatives of not far from two hundred families. 

" I go I know not where, but God knows, and that is 
sufficient ; and you will pray for me, I am sure, that I 
may never give up the office of a steward of the Lord, 
that I may always preach the gospel of Jesus, that I 
may find a flock who shall deal with me as gently as 
you have alway dealt, and that I may at last obtain 
some humble place of rest in the City of our God. 
But now I must say farewell, — a word so hard to utter, 
yet something that must be spoken by each and by all 
throughout some part of a personal experience, — nay, 
a word that has been spoken for thousands of years, 
and must be repeated many thousands of years more. 
To your familiar faces, to your constant, cordial speech, 
to your kind hearts, and to your myriad courtesies, fare- 
well. To all the intimacies of the household that have 
been so very precious, where heart has responded to 
heart, where hand has clasped hand, where in your joy- 



CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER. 55 

ous seasons I have always been welcome, and where in 
grievous hours I have tried to be the comforter; to 
your generous tables and your liberal bounties and 
everything about you that has been so genial, inspir- 
ing, and beautiful, farewell. To the band of children 
that each Sabbath afternoon have met in this church 
with their simple and earnest faith, to their thrilling 
hymns, their earnest prayers, their pleasant voices, 
their cheerful manner, and their gentlemanly and lady- 
like and Christian behavior, farewell. To the superin- 
tendent of the school, his assistants, and all the teachers, 
and the Bible classes, who have been so faithful and 
so honest, and such a holy comfort, farewell. To the 
organ and to the one who has made it preach in tones 
so suggestive and touching ; to the choir and to all in 
any office in those seats of praise ; to him so careful 
each Sunday that all the strangers should be welcome, 
and so constantly looking after my comfort and peace ; 
to everybody and everything, — let there be no omis- 
sion, — farewell. But why should I utter this sad word ? 
If my life be spared, I hope not to be very far away. 
Who knows but that some of you yet may be where I 
am, and again call me, in some other place, pastor and 
friend ? Neither shall I go so far away but that I shall 
hear from you continually; and of course I shall at 
once establish a spiritual telegraph between your hearts 
and my heart, and I know that the messages that will 
pass to and fro continually will ever be loving, gentle, 
true, and holy, whilst the alphabet in which they shall 
be written shall be known only to you and to me. 
"Yet why should I not say i^xe-well? Certainly, I 



56 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

wish that no one should fare ill : least of all would 
I wish harm to you my patient hearers, my generous 
friends, my noble parishioners, and my eight years' 
weekly companions. May good fortune always be your 
lot ! Propitious may the heavens ever prove in your 
behalf, and fruitful the earth ! May your homes be full 
of joy, your business full of success, your bodies full of 
health, and your minds full of good thought ; but above 
all, more than all, comprehending all, may your hearts 
be full of grace. Or, if, to fare well, you must pass 
through seeming ills, greet rough tides, and be pano- 
plied by many disasters, may you be so brave, so 
patient, so pure, and so thoroughly resigned and trust- 
ful that all your clouds shall have a silver lining. Then 
will all your cares and pains be really but blessings in 
disguise. 

** At last, dear parishioners, in heaven may you fare 
well, when the countenance shall change, and the body 
become marble, and time be closed : then may it be all 
bright and beautiful. May God give you at last a ready 
welcome, a glorious pardon, and his consoling and up- 
lifting, ' Well done ! * May the Master be able to say. 
These are my disciples. May your mansion be all 
ready, your robe prepared, your crown glittering, your 
harp tuned, your celestial work at hand, and right be- 
fore you a joyous welcome from the saints who now 
await your coming ! " 

For some time after the closing of the Church of the 
Redeemer Mr. Bradlee met some of the old friends of 
that church at his house regularly for Bible-class work. 
On New Year's eve, Dec. 31, 1872, a gift was presented 




CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER. 57 

him by this class, accompanied by a letter, from which 
we quote the following : — 

We are so glad that we are to spend a while in your study on 
this last night of the year, and we know our hearts will be made 
stronger. We thank you for all you have done for us. 

At the time of the dissolution of the Church of the 
Redeemer Mr. Bradlee was the owner of the church 
edifice and all that it contained. He gave the bap- 
tismal font to the church in Fairhaven, Mass., of which 
his friend, the Rev. Alfred Manchester, was pastor ; the 
communion table to the Unitarian church in Woburn, 
Mass. ; and the organ to the colored church to which 
the building was loaned for a term of years. 

Among other labors of this period he became one of 
the faculty of the Boston School for the Ministry in 
1868, when the department of Pastoral Care and Chris- 
tian Biography was assigned to him ; and he remained 
one of its teachers until its union with the Divinity 
School at Cambridge, Mass. At this time the other 
professors in the school were George H. Hepworth, Dr. 
Ezra S. Gannett, Dr. Edward E. Hale, Dr. Samuel 
Osgood, Henry W. Foote, John Williams, Charles T. 
Canfield, and Edward J. Young. 

This work was especially attractive to Mr. Bradlee. 
He was very fond of young men, and devoted himself 
with great earnestness to their welfare. His lectures 
in Christian Biography were carefully prepared, and he 
gave great attention to the details of parish work. 

Of the persons greatly helped by him in this school, 
three became united to him in the closest bonds of 



58 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

fellowship, and enjoyed his sympathy and loyal friend- 
ship to the day of his death. These were the Rev. 
D. M. Wilson, the Rev. George W. Green, and the Rev. 
Alfred Manchester. Mr. Green was at one time asso- 
ciated with him in the pastorate of the Christian Unity 
Society, Boston. With these three men he sat for a 
photograph in 1869, ^"^ ^ copy of this group picture 
hung on the wall of his study ever after. 

Aug. I, 1867, Mr. Samuel Bradlee, father of the Rev. 
Caleb Davis Bradlee, died at the age of eighty-eight 
years, eight months, and twenty-five days. It was on 
the day after his golden wedding. He passed away 
suddenly. 

On the Sunday following the funeral of Mr. Bradlee 
the Rev. Rufus Ellis preached at the Church of the 
Redeemer, of which the Rev. Caleb Davis Bradlee was 
pastor. The services were of a deeply impressive 
character. The Rev. Dr. Frothingham, under whose 
preaching Mr. Bradlee sat for many years at the First 
Church on Chauncy Street, though so weak that he had 
to be supported up the aisle, came to pay this last public 
mark of respect to the worth of his departed friend. 

In the course of his sermon the Rev. Mr. Ellis said : — 

We stand up before the face of the old man. We look upon that 
face when death has set upon it his own peculiar impress of 
quietness and beauty and fear and love of God. We accept the 
testimony of an accomplished life. We see that the fathers have 
passed through many vicissitudes, and are safe. Their deliverances 
rebuke our fears. Their placid faces reprove our troubled looks ; 
and, as I would not despise the prophesyings which seek to tell us 
what God will do, so I would heed the witnesses that testify in 
their persons or by their lips what he has done. 



CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER. 59 

My friends, I stand in your pastor's place to-day because the 
record of such a life has just been closed, and because the good 
man's minister can tell better than the good man's son what the 
son, even better than the minister, knows to be true of him who is 
gone at once from my church and from his, only, as we believe, to 
enter into fuller communion with the church of the first bom, 
whose names are written in heaven. How truly might our father 
have said, " The God who fed me all my days long " ! for he was a 
good man, and " the steps of a good man are ordered by the 
Lord." . . . He had completed fourscore years, and almost another 
half-score of earthly life. In the midst of a beautiful household 
festival his lips were framed to utter words of thankfulness and 
trust ; and before the close of another day the decree went forth, 
and was intrusted to one of the swiftest and most merciful of the 
angels, and the aged man fell on sleep. 

The Rev. Mr. Bradlee now became possessed of ample 
means, and his friends thought he might live in retire- 
ment, and devote himself to the pursuit of literary 
interests, which were dear to him. This he never did, 
but devoted himself, and all he had, to the work of the 
ministry, glad that henceforth he could serve without 
any charge upon those to whom he ministered. A 
modest living was all he asked for himself. All the 
rest of his income was devoted to public and private 
charity. 



V. 



TRANSIENT SUPPLIES. 

SUPPLY AND PASTORATE, CHRISTIAN 

UNITY SOCIETY. 

April 22, 1872 — July i, 1875. 



V. 



TRANSIENT SUPPLIES. SUPPLY AND PAS- 
TORATE CHRISTIAN UNITY SOCIETY. 

April 22, 1872 — July i, 1875. 

THE dates above given cover what he called the 
fifth, sixth, and seventh periods of his ministry. 
The fifth period was April 22, 1872 — September i, 
1872, when he supplied pulpits transiently. The sixth 
period was September i, 1872 — April 2, 1873, when he 
had temporary supply of the Christian Unity Society, 
Boston. The seventh period was April 2, 1873 — July 
I, 1875, when he was pastor of the Christian Unity 
Society, Boston. 

It was believed by many friends of Mr. Bradlee that 
his presence, as the pastor of the Christian Unity So- 
ciety, would make this centre of Christian influence 
very powerful in the community where it was located. 
This was a church open every Sunday in the year for 
religious worship, and for the most of the year an 
evening service was held on Sunday in addition to the 
regular Sunday-school service at 3 p.m. 

There were literary, social, or religious meetings 
every evening. 

It was an early experiment in what is now called an 
"Institutional Church." 



64 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

Mr. Bradlee did not feel physically equal to the 
work as a whole ; but those interested were willing to 
provide for the maintenance of all but the regular 
Sunday work and special religious services, if he would 
take charge of these. 

A limited call was first extended, as follows : — 

We beg to inform you that, at a meeting of the Provisional 
Committee of this society, held here this evening, it was unani- 
mously resolved that you be invited to accept the pastoral 
charge of this church, to the extent of supplying the pulpit per- 
sonally each Sabbath morning, and performing such other duties 
as you may desire or occasion require, from the first of September 
next to the first of April, 1873, . . . with the earnest prayer that 
our connection may be mutually beneficial, and result to the wel- 
fare of never dying souls and the promotion of God's work in 
ourselves and our midst. 

June 7, 1872. 

This call he accepted. A call from the same society 
was received and declined by him Dec. 20, 1859. 

His first sermon as temporary pastor of this society 
was preached Sept. i, 1872, from the text, **If any 
man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink " (St. John 
vii. 37). In closing, he said : " I would not come to 
you even for a few weeks or months without defining 
my position, showing my Christian flag, disclosing my 
Leader, and making it clearly understood where I stand 
in the ranks of the church. I am not ashamed of Jesus 
Christ. He is my all and all, — my Leader, my Judge, 
Redeemer, and Immanuel. Blessed be his holy name ! 
Would that I were more worthy of his beautiful com- 
panionship, and in more strict affiliation with his blessed 



SUPPLIES AND CHRISTIAN UNITY. 65 

precepts ! So for you all I pray that you may grow more 
like him, our Lord. Let us each and all hold his out- 
stretched hand. Let us each and all lean upon his 
gracious heart. Let us each and all obey every utter- 
ance of his splendid voice ; and, at last, may all in this 
church be led by him to God, and introduced under 
the grand proclamation that nestles so sweetly in the 
prayer of the Son of God: 'Father, I will that they 
whom thou hast given me be with me where I am, 
that they may behold my glory which thou hast given 
me ; for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the 
world/ " 

On the 9th of March, 1873, the Christian Unity So- 
ciety invited him to become permanent pastor from 
April I, 1873, giving him the privilege of employing 
an assistant. In this call are included words that tell 
of great good already accomplished by Mr. Bradlee in 
this new field of labor : — 

As a man, we have each and all loved you, and, as a minister 
of God's word, we believe you have faithfully endeavored to lead 
us nearer to Him who is Truth itself. We have had abundant 
evidence that you have the welfare of souls at heart, and your in- 
terest in the work of the Christian Unity has been hearty, 
unselfish, and unswerving. 

Our associations with you personally, your family, and those 
of your late flock who have joined us, have been cordial, free, and 
increasingly happy. 

Mr. Bradlee accepted this call. In his letter he says, 
" We have before us a grand and mighty work, and let 
us enter upon it by invoking the blessing of Heaven, 
and the constant presence of the Redeemer." 



66 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

An installation service was held April 2, 1873, at 

7.30 P.M. 

ORDER. 

(i) Invocation. Rev. Alfred Manchester, of Fairhaven, 
Mass. 

(2) Scriptures. Rev. D. M. Wilson, of Melrose, Mass. 

(3) Sermon. Rev. S. K. Lothrop, D.D., of Boston, Mass. 

(4) Prayer of Installation. Rev. H. W. Foote, of Boston, 

Mass. 

(5) Charge. Rev. Rufus Ellis, of Boston, Mass. 

(6) Right Hand of Fellowship. Rev. E. E. Hale, of Boston, 

Mass. 

(7) Address to the People. Rev. W. P. Tilden, of Boston, 

Mass. 

(8) Prayer. Rev. George W. Green, of Berlin, Mass. 

On the 14th of September, 1873, the Rev. George W. 
Green was installed as junior pastor of the Christian 
Unity Society. He was one of Mr. Bradlee's students 
at the Boston School for the Ministry, graduated from 
the Cambridge Divinity School June, 1872, and had 
been pastor of the Unitarian church in Berlin, Mass. 

Mr. Bradlee composed the following hymn for the 
installation : — 

Afresh thy charge of souls take up, 

Again thy work renew ; 
The bread, oh, break ; pour out the cup ; 

Thy chosen call pursue. 

Once more to other souls proclaim 

The truths so dear to all ; 
The beaten oil in Jesus' name 

On waiting hearts let fall. 



SUPPLIES AND CHRISTIAN UNITY. 67 

From those once yours do prayers arise 

For blessings on your way, 
That all your thoughts be true and wise 

Each hour and day by day. 

Go forth, then, strengthened by the past 

And cheered in days to come ! 
God grant this tie may ever last 

Till life on earth is done. 



On the 22d of February, 1874, the Franklin Literary 
Association became united to the Christian Unity 
Society. This Association was composed of ladies and 
gentlemen who were earnest in spirit, and who received 
a warm welcome from Mr. Bradlee to this new relation. 

A part of the money for the support of the Christian 
Unity Society was derived from fairs, which, like all 
such enterprises with which Mr. Bradlee had to do, 
were remarkably successful. 

One special feature of Mr. Bradlee's work at the 
Christian Unity was his large and deeply interested 
Bible class, which was a source of great satisfaction to 
him. 

Mr. Bradlee sent his resignation to the Christian 
Unity Society April i, 1875, to take effect July i. 
The resignation was accepted, and on the ist of July 
Mr. Bradlee and Mr. Green ceased to be pastors of the 
society. 

Mr. Green continued to reside with Mr. Bradlee for 
some time. 

During this pastorate Mr. Bradlee printed a number 
of sermons in pamphlet form, from one of which, printed 



68 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

after the death of Charles Sumner, March, 1874, the 
following is taken : — 

" He was one of the greatest philanthropists the 
world has ever seen, — loved black as well as white, — 
and the poor negroes in the obscure huts of Southern 
lands will mourn for him as deeply as the most dis- 
tinguished scholars here and everywhere. Of his 
strictly religious life I know but little; but I cannot 
help thinking that one so true to morals must have 
had within his soul a constant uprising toward holiness 
and God. 

" Ah ! liberty sighs for him : honor moans for one 
who was so true a disciple. Struggling ones through- 
out the world lift up their sighs to God in their great 
and mighty loss ; and tyrants alone begin to smile as 
this champion of human rights is withdrawn, and with 
desperate sinners alone is there a jubilee of relief, now 
that the coast seems more clear and easy for the spread 
of evil and the reign of Satan. Our country has 
received a blow from which it will not easily recover, 
now that good morals, stern principles, and a strict and 
unwavering integrity are at such a tremendous discount. 
It is as if the pilot were removed just when the storm 
raged the most fiercely. It is the earthquake yawning 
at our feet just at the time when we most need a sure 
and solid foundation. God be merciful unto us and 
bless us, and help us now, as the skies look so dark, and 
raise us up another prophet like unto this one, who 
shall catch the mantle of the one taken, and wear it as 
gracefully and beautifully and grandly as the former 
blessed owner." 



SUPPLIES AND CHRISTIAN UNITY. 69 

Among the notes written by Mr. Bradlee during this 
period is the following : — 

"Thursday evening, Feb. 4, 1875, at 7.20 mother 
passed to God, having been seriously ill only since the 
Saturday night before, yet crippled in her room for 
three years, with mind unimpaired and with a good 
share of health." 

The relations between himself and his mother were 
most tender and beautiful. Every morning he visited 
her, and it was delightful to see them together. He 
felt her loss very deeply. 

The kindly feeling of the Christian Unity Sunday- 
school toward their senior pastor was expressed in the 
following resolution : — 

We, the members of the Christian Unity Society, desire to 
express our heartfelt sympathy with our beloved pastor in the 
irreparable personal loss he has sustained in the departure from 
this mortal life of his dearly beloved mother, and with him to 
devoutly thank our heavenly Father, with gratitude unspeakable, 
that she was spared to him, and all who loved her, so long, living 
and dying as she did in the beauty of holiness. 

Two years later he made the following reference in 
a sermon preached in Harrison Square Church : — 

" Eighty-five years ago a little child was taken away 
from a home where she was tenderly cherished, and 
where her heart was bound up so closely and beauti- 
fully that the sundering of the ties seemed to be the 
blasting of that young life which God had so abun- 
dantly blessed ; and the whole horizon of her experience 
looked dark and murky. Yet, could she have heard the 
angels chant, she would have caught these words : 



70 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

'Thou shalt know hereafter/ After seven years in 
the new home the young girl was again transplanted, 
and brought to the house of an aged friend in this city ; 
and thus was brought about the breaking again of ties 
that were deep, rich, and comforting, and which were 
fastened strongly and splendidly to her soul. Yet, 
even then, in her doubt, her anxiety, and her grief, and 
in her troubled gaze upon a future that was so perplex- 
ing, she might have heard the angels chant, *Thou 
shalt know hereafter.' 

"Yet, again, after sixteen years, a change came ; and 
this time it was a marriage, that lasted for fifty years, 
and after that a widowhood of eight years, and then her 
ascent to God. And, as I read her * journal ' that was 
written previous to this marriage, I could see that this 
great change in life was viewed seriously and prayer- 
fully, and with a heart that rested sweetly upon God. 
Even then she might have heard — ay, even then she 
did hear — the angels whisper, *Thou shalt know 
hereafter.' 

" And that child, and that young girl, and that young 
lady, and that married woman, and that aged one, was, 
and is, and ever will be, the mother of the one who now 
speaks these words." 

Three poems written about this time are given 
here : — 

OUR MOTHER. 

Our mother has found rest with God, 

Her life is done below; 
And now, held up by staff and rod, 

She higher work will know. 



SUPPLIES AND CHRISTIAN UNITY. 7 1 

Her love, through many years so true, 

Will grow still strong and fast ; 
And she will strengthen and renew 

The friendships of the past. 

Not lost to us, but gone "above," 

Still watching sweetly near. 
Commissioned by a God of love 

As guardian angel here. 

We will not weep as those who dread 

The change that now has come ; 
We will not call our dear one dead, — 

She's found another home. 

For know we sure she safe abides 

Where all is peace and rest, 
And in a world of joy resides. 

Among the loved and blest. 

In holy faith, to God we give 

The one to us so dear ; 
And, saved by him, she'll ever live. 

We have no doubt nor fear. 



ONLY TWO OF US LEFT. 
Thoughts suggested on Sunday evening, June 20, 1875. 

There are but two of us here : 

The rest have gone away ; 
They have gone unto that sphere 

Where night is turned to day ! 

There are but two of us left, 

For six have passed to God ; 
We are orphans and bereft, 

And both have felt the rod. 



72 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

Only two ! how strange we feel 1 

No father, mother, dear ! 
Come, my brother, let us kneel. 

We'll kneel together here. 

Once, you know, on Sunday night. 

We knelt around the bed. 
Was it not a holy Sight 

When mother's prayer was said ? 

O brother, with God above. 
She prays for you and me ! 

And she keeps for us her love. 
And bends for us the knee ! 

And how sweetly does she pray 

For light upon our heart. 
And that God may give a stay 

That never will depart ! 

Then we'll say, " Thy will be done 1 " 

We cannot murmur more ; 
And, through Jesus Christ, the Son, 

We'll worship and adore. 

THOUGHTS ON LOOKING AT MY 
MOTHER'S PICTURE. 

Dear mother in heaven, thy picture I view : 
Thy face, ever old, yet always seems new ! 
The smile is the same, the looks are as kind ; 
And yet the dear voice I now fail to find. 

But out of the lips there does come a sound 
That gives a grand peace to all things around. 
O days holy, when again I shall hear 
Thy sweet words of counsel, full of good cheer. 



SUPPLIES AND CHRISTIAN UNITY. 73 

Mother, I'll wait till I meet thee above, 
Ere I shall know of thy holiest love ! 
No more partings then can harrow my heart, 
And God to us both all peace shall impart. 

Out of his tender relation with his mother grew a 
sermon which he called " Our Mothers/' from the text, 
"There stood by the cross of Jesus his mother/' St. 
John xix. 25. In this sermon he said : — 

" I claim, then, for the first place in your heart your 
mother, — first, because placed there first, because she 
has sacrificed so much in order to earn that position, 
and because you yourselves wish to secure just that 
stand in the affection of your own dear children. I say 
that she has earned the right of the highest place in 
your regard, and I challenge a denial. How many 
sleepless nights and anxious days she has undergone for 
our sakes ! How readily she has sacrificed all social 
pleasures, that the little ones in the house might not be 
neglected ! How nimbly her fingers have worked, in 
order that she might obtain the necessary clothing for 
each season as it rapidly rolled round ! How patiently 
she has watched the growing child, gazing intently at 
each look and each movement, and examining each tone 
and each breath, in order to ascertain if all things run 
smoothly and well ! How frequently she has retired to 
her chamber, that she might quietly pray for the lambs, 
thus gaining the right spirit, by the power of which 
she could properly train their young souls ! 

..." Mother ! Thanks be to God that he has given 
us that name! I would ever speak it with a sweet 
tenderness and with a holy reverence. I would wear it 



74 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

as a celestial jewel upon my heart and as one of the 
best gifts of the good Father. I would lift it up with 
many choice blessings, as I hold my secret intercourse 
with the Eternal One. 

** Oh, may all understand the fragrance that is wrapped 
up in the title, the glory that engirdles the relationship, 
and all the power, all the beauty, and all the grandeur 
that sweeten and hallow the circle of its blessed 
influence." 



VI. 



TRANSIENT SUPPLIES. 

PASTOR PRO TEM., PASTOR, AND 
SENIOR PASTOR AT HARRI- 
SON SQUARE CHURCH. 

July i, 1875 — June i, 1890. 



I 



VI. 



TRANSIENT SUPPLIES. PASTOR PRO TEM., 
PASTOR, AND SENIOR PASTOR AT HAR- 
RISON SQUARE CHURCH. 

July i, 1875 — June i, 1890. 

BETWEEN the above dates Mr. Bradlee located 
three periods of his ministry : the eighth, from 
July I, 1875, to March 5, 1876, when he supplied vari- 
ous pulpits, decided not to accept a call to Walpole, 
Mass., and had temporary care of the pulpit of the 
Unitarian church at Melrose; the ninth, when he 
was pastor pro tern, at Harrison Square, March 5 to 
June 4, 1876; and the tenth, June 4, 1876 — June i, 
1890, when he was pastor and senior pastor at Harri- 
son Square. This church was formerly called the 
"Third Unitarian Society in Dorchester." 

He writes thus of the Harrison Square Church : 
"In 1848 it was found that the church on the hill — 
then under the loving care of that faithful and apos- 
tolic shepherd, Nathaniel Hall — was overflowing with 
numbers, and hardly large enough to accommodate the 
residents of all parts of Dorchester, and having no 
room for the new-comers who were perpetually choos- 
ing their homes in this delightful locality ; and so, too, 
many of the members of the old parish, who lived a 



78 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

great distance from the sanctuary, felt more and more 
the difficulty of attending service and the need of a 
temple nearer to their own dwellings. And at that 
time, also, political excitement ran high, and holy men 
belonged to all of the parties, and were equally consci- 
entious and earnest, and of strong minds and of loving 
souls, and yet diametrically opposite in opinion, and 
advocating measures that could never be reconciled. 
And mainly for these three reasons I have named — 
the overflowing of the ancient meeting-house, the great 
distance of the homes of some of the old parish, and 
the mighty but sincere political antipathies — the 
Harrison Square Church came into life." 

This church having been somewhat reduced in 
numbers, Mr. Bradlee offered to take charge of it, and 
his kind offer was gratefully accepted ; and in a letter 
from the Committee of the church we find these 
words : — 

The committee feel that they cannot adequately express their 
thanks to you for thus undertaking an arduous work for the good 
of the society in its time of need, but hope by their future 
co-operation to testify, so far as they can, to their sense of your 
kindness. 

This temporary service continued until June 4, 1876, 
when he began his service as regular pastor of the 
church in accordance with a call sent to him May 8. 

The three months during which he had already 
supplied the pulpit had been fruitful of good results. 

With the call came the following resolution; — 

Resolved^ That the thanks of this society be presented to the 
Rev. C. D. Bradlee for his very generous and acceptable service 



HARRISON SQUARE. 79 

in supplying this society with regular preaching during the present 
three months. 

Mr. Bradlee in his reply said, **Of course, I am 
aware that our success will depend not upon my 
efforts alone, nor upon the earnest co-operation of my 
people, but mainly and chiefly will be secured by the 
grace and help of Almighty God ; and to that benignant 
and holy help I commend both myself and you and all 
with whom I shall in future be so closely connected." 

Of the three months' supply at Harrison Square he 
speaks as " preparation for the grand work at Harrison 
Square, — ploughing the field with a joy and success no 
words can describe." 

It was thought best not to have a great service of 
installation ; but arrangements were made for a recog- 
nition service, in accordance with strict Congregational 
usage, on the first Sunday of the new pastorate. Writ- 
ing of this service, Mr. Bradlee says : " Sunday, June 
4, 1876, I was recognized as pastor of the 'Harrison 
Square Unitarian Society.' The church was quite 
full, and the pulpit and the altar were beautifully adorned 
with flowers. Former members of the Church of the 
Redeemer and of the Christian Unity Society placed 
on the altar two splendid baskets of flowers." 

The services were as follows : — 

Organ. 

Hymn. Invocation by the pastor elect. 
Scripture. 

Sermon by the pastor elect. 

Text, Matt. v. 33, 34. " Ye have heard that it hath been said 
by them of old time, . . . but I say unto you." 



8o IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

Immediately after the sermon prayer was offered by 
the pastor elect. 

Joseph Sargent, Esq., then approached, and said : — 

In the name and in behalf of the Harrison Square Unitarian 
Society I extend to you, Mr. Bradlee, the right hand of fellow- 
ship as the recognition of your position as our pastor and the 
official announcement of the sacred relation which you this day 
assume. 

The Pastor accepted the trust with a short address ; 
and then offered prayer, after which the congregation 
sang a hymn. 

After this the communion was celebrated. 

The first social gathering of the parish, after the 
installation of Mr. Bradlee, was on the 7th of June, the 
twenty-first anniversary of his marriage. The parish 
was much encouraged by the interest which Mr. Bradlee 
immediately took in its affairs. On the nth of June 
sixteen persons were baptized, — an indication of new 
interest in the life of the society. 

On Feb. 26, 1877, Mr. Bradlee spoke these words 
of commendation, which indicate the measure of suc- 
cess which had thus far attended his labors : — 

" For my part, when I think how much you have all 
worked, and how cordially you have given of your time 
and your strength and your money, and how earnestly 
you have called to our aid your outside friends ; when I 
think of your patient labors and your loving spirit and 
your self-sacrificing devotion, — I can truthfully claim 
that I have one of the best parishes in Massachusetts ! " 

On the 4th of March, 1877, he read the following 



HARRISON SQUARE. 8 1 

from the pulpit : " One year ago to-day I took tempo- 
rary charge of this pulpit, not then dreaming what 
twelve months have since revealed ; and if each year in 
the future could be like the last one, for my part, I 
could say. Glory be to God through our Lord Jesus 
Christ ! 

" But we must not expect too much, and we must be 
very thankful for every victory gained ; and we must 
each and all do all that we can every day of our lives to 
build up this portion of God*s kingdom, knowing all the 
time that all success is the gift of the dear Father of us 
all, who works with those who work for him." 

On the 28th of May, 1877, he made a brief address 
at the laying of the corner-stone of the Harrison Square 
Methodist Episcopal Church. He was always delighted 
to witness interchange of courtesies between denom- 
inations. 

As in his other parishes, he made much of the Sun- 
day-school, teaching a Bible class, preparing for elabo- 
rate floral festivals, and in every possible way gaining 
the interest of young and old in this important branch 
of church work. He acted as Sunday-school superin- 
tendent until June, 1883. 

On the 13th of October, 1878, Mr. Bradlee preached 
a sermon on the thirtieth anniversary of the founda- 
tion of the Harrison Square Church, in which he spoke 
of the church's history, and gave some personal recol- 
lections of its pastors. This sermon was printed. 

He gave the history of the church in rhyme as 
follows : — 



82 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

1848 — 1878. 

THIRTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HARRISON 

SQUARE CHURCH. 

THIRTY YEARS. 

In forty-eight this church began 

Its holy work for God and man; 
And Brooks at first the word did give, 

That needy souls might wake and live. 

And Williams next this place did fill, 

Longing to do his Father's will. 
Twelve months he spoke the word with power : 

Kindly we speak his name this hour. 

And Johnson, too, with mind all bright, 

Anxious for truth and wanting light. 
Awhile held service in this place, 

With earnest words and loving face. 

Then Bulfinch came, the man of peace ; 

Our love for him will never cease : 
Long will his gentle, holy heart 

On all our souls fresh strength impart. 

Marvin followed this child of God, 

Took up his staff, and held his rod. 
And, when he felt the task too great. 

Left us all for a distant State. 

Hinckley took up the waiting field 
With tongue of fire, a force did wield ; 

And large crowds came to hear him speak 
Of holy truths from week to week. 

But soon he went; and Badger came, 
A man of thought and college fame. 



HARRISON SQUARE. 83 

He Stood on guard till trial fell, 

How great and sharp no words can tell ! 

To Seaver then the work was given 

To guide the waiting soul to heaven ; 
And, filled with zeal and love and power, 

Nobly he toiled from hour to hour. 

His name we'll ever speak with love ; 

And, when we look to God above. 
We'll pray, wherever he may go. 

Blessings upon his life may flow. 

And Bradlee — coming days must say 

Of good or ill, as best they may ; 
For he himself must silent be. 

And leave his fate to history. 

The good work went on steadily; and, on Dec. ii, 
1879, t^^ people celebrated the twenty-fifth anniver- 
sary of their pastor's ordination. A large gathering 
was held in the vestry, a bountiful repast was served, 
a beautiful bouquet was given to Mr. Bradlee, and an 
informal evening was enjoyed by all. 

Among many letters received by Mr. Bradlee on this 
occasion were three which gave him much pleasure. 
They were from the Rev. Rufus Ellis, the Rev. F. A. 
Whitney, and Bishop Huntington, the only surviving 
members of the company of men who officiated at his 
ordination. 

Mr. Ellis wrote : — 

I well recall the occasion, and that it was a very pleasant one ; 
and all the more so because I had abundant reason for my confi- 
dence that we were only giving outward expression to what had 



84 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

already been inwardly experienced when we laid upon you the 
ordaining hands and spoke our words of charge and welcome. . . . 
If you are not where we placed you, it has not been because you 
have been driven about by a restless spirit, but because you have 
followed the leadings of Providence. 

Bishop Huntington wrote : — 

After all these years, your handwriting is very much like itself ; 
and so, I have no doubt, is your heart. Both may have grown 
better. I wish I could oftener see the one and feel the warmth 
of the other. 

All the good work you have done, and the good words you 
have spoken, are treasured up by Him whose years never end. 
Time may not reveal it all, but eternity will. . . . 

Count yourself happy — I will not say enviable — that all this 
quarter of a century you have been able to live and work so near 
where you were born and began. There is only one " better 
country." 

Rev. F. A. Whitney wrote : — 

More than we care to tell you, we have learned of your faith- 
fulness to the Master's work. . . . My prayer is that you may still 
labor in the Christian vineyard so long as you can thus faithfully 
serve God and man. 

June 7, 1880, was the twenty-fifth anniversary of his 
marriage. He writes : " This is our silver-wedding 
day. We concluded not to celebrate it publicly, be- 
cause hundreds of invitations would have to be given, 
and our house would not be large enough for the com- 
pany ; yet the day has been celebrated by outsiders 
most wonderfully. ... It was a very pleasant day, and 
the memory of it will last forever." 



HARRISON SQUARE. 85 

A week later the parish took notice of the anniver- 
sary, and presented Mr. and Mrs. Bradlee with a beau- 
tiful mantel clock. 

In receiving the gift, Mr. Bradlee made an appropri- 
ate address, in which he said: "It reminds me of the 
past, of the pleasant years I have spent with you all, 
of our joys and sorrows, of our grand, inspiring fellow- 
ship. It speaks of the present, — of the mighty oppor- 
tunities now before us, the holy privileges, the inter- 
change of duties and affections. It speaks of the future, 
of the time when this clock that you have presented 
shall tick for other people and tell its story of your 
generosity to those who come after us, not a time that 
brings a sadness to my thoughts ; for I hope then I may 
be in a better world, surrounded by you, my people, 
and all of us worshipping the good Father in the great 
cathedral above. I thank you for this fresh proof of 
your love." 

On Sunday, Sept. 25, 1881, after the death of 
President Garfield, Mr. Bradlee preached a sermon 
from which the following extract is taken : — 

" Let us suppose, for a moment, a character that we 
can call good, without any impeachment of the phrase, 
without any muffling of our conscience, without any 
degradation to our soul, and without any fears of a 
challenge from any critical lips. 

"Look at it in boyhood, and we claim that then there 
must be obedience and truth and love and purity and 
activity and holiness. Suppose that it starts under 
unfavorable circumstances, in a log hut, if you will, in 
almost a wilderness, surrounded by pinching poverty, 



86 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

with a hard battle to fight from the very beginning of 
existence. Why, then, we must look for courage and 
faith and perseverance and a laudable pride to con- 
quer circumstances and take a position in the world, — 
a life, though shaded in the tender years, yet so glo- 
rified by fidelity that the lookers-on will be astonished, 
and careful minds will predict a splendid future. 

" Suppose, as the years advance, that this character, 
or, if you choose to put it so, this young man of our 
imagination, longs to be thoroughly educated, feels 
beating powers in his mind, grasps after mighty ideas, 
and is determined to become a thinker and a giver-out 
of thoughts. Why, then, the young man must give his 
spare time to books, and obtain the friendship of 
instructors, and plod patiently along, step by step, 
through preparatory studies, till, the preliminary 
branches being mastered, an entrance into college is 
obtained ; and then our friend, in his college life, must 
be constantly industrious, filled with high moral prin- 
ciple, thoroughly pure, and really religious, and never 
ashamed, if the trial should come, of showing the 
banner of religion, and of standing by the right through 
every contingency. 

" But let us carry our imagination a little further, and 
let us suppose that our hero graduates with honor, with 
the respect of the professors and the president, with 
the love of his classmates, and with a good name, that 
is better than riches, and then becomes a teacher, and 
finally the president of a college, and we know just 
what he will teach, just the power that will leap out of 
his teaching; and we know that his grand aim will be 



HARRISON SQUARE. 87 

to make true men and noble women, and correct 
thinkers and good citizens; and we know that those 
who are fortunate enough to be labelled as his pupils 
will bear his mark with them, in their accomplishments, 
and graces, and powers. 

" For, says the great John Milton, ' The end of learn- 
ing is to know God, and out of that knowledge to love 
him, and to imitate him, as we may the nearest, by 
possessing our souls of true virtue.' So the pupils of 
the one we are trying to sketch will be filled with 
virtue and holiness and peace, because the teacher is 
himself a glorious embodiment of the same. 

" But go a step further, and let us imagine that a great 
civil war springs up, and men are needed who shall take 
the lead, — men of bravery, men of action, men of wis- 
dom and experience and insight, — and we shall expect 
that our gifted one will take a place as a commander, 
and that he will receive continually promotion after 
promotion, and honor after honor ; and in time we should 
not be surprised, should he be sent to Congress, and 
there will he try to do his duty, there will his speeches 
do him great credit, there will he gain the reputation — 
the pre-eminent reputation — of a true patriot and 
scholar and statesman. 

** Then, again, in order that we may finish the picture, 
we desire to have our hero called to the highest place 
of responsibility ; and we look, of course, for that final 
step of power, the assumption of the Presidential office. 
And, then, we know that we shall find the same person, 
the good boy, the faithful young man, the gifted teacher, 
the experienced legislator, all developed into the gentle 



88 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

and the wise and the thoughtful and the loving Presi- 
dent ; and we shall not be disappointed. 

" But why need I speak now of any case that might 
be, why need I create an ideal personage, why need I 
call upon my imagination to illustrate what seems to be 
a good character on its most fortunate side, why any 
fanciful delineation, when our hearts — all our hearts 
and the hearts of all the people all over the world, in 
high places and in low places — are now mourning for 
one who, in his earthly life, was an actual embodiment 
of that which I have, till just this moment, called 
merely iht possible ? Why should I not speak of what 
has been, of what is no more on the mortal side, of our 
beloved President who has fallen asleep, of that good 
boy, that true pupil, that noble collegian, that conscien- 
tious officer, that gifted legislator, that beloved head of 
the nation, and, when stricken down, that resigned child 
of God, who is now a saint in heaven ? 

" He started from the log cabin in the wilderness, and 
he passed away occupying a position the greatest in the 
land ; and he was one who was universally acknowl- 
edged as a man of massive intellect, of large heart, of a 
loving soul, strong in endurance, ready in utterance, 
and having a healthy, living, and glorious and sub- 
missive faith. 

" Look at the eighty days of his prostration, and you 
hear no murmur, no words uttered against the assassin ; 
and you behold a perfect resignation to the will of 
Almighty God. Oh, as we think of his letter to his 
wife when he was first injured, of his few words to his 
aged mother, of his gentle greetings in his sick-chamber. 



HARRISON SQUARE. 89 

of all his dear ones, and of his constant respect to his 
medical attendants ; when we think of his glorious 
clinging to his one chance for lifcy and yet of his willing- 
ness to go, if God should so order ; when we hear him 
speak so lovingly, toward the last, of the United States, 
— we feel that we have lost not only our President, but 
our brother, our father, our dearest friend ; and, as we 
find that his last words are about the great pain in his 
heart, oh, a great pain comes to our hearts, and this, 
his dying telegram, bows us low in grief. 

" The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord." 

To BE SUNG AT THE HARRISON SQUARE ChURCH SUNDAY, 

Sept. 25, 1881. 

Tungy — Federal Street. 

Rest, noble chief, and sweetly rest. 
Thy work is done, God's will is best. 
A faithful life is finished now : 
The seal of death is on thy brow. 

Rise, noble chief, rise up to heaven. 
Another life our God has given ; 
And angel robes are thine by right. 
And all thy days shall now be bright. 

Take now thy crown, beloved of all. 
And hear our God's approving call ; 
Whilst we on earth bow low and weep, 
A nd sad and lonely vigils keep. 

It was during this pastorate that he purchased and 
moved into the house 57 West Brookline Street. The 



90 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

removal was made Aug. 28, 1882. The house fronted 
on Blackstone Square. The study was at the rear of 
the house, — a very large room, with three windows look- 
ing out upon a large open space which belonged to the 
estate. 

In this house many notable gatherings were held in 
answer to his invitation. The study was opened into 
the large parlor through folding doors, and it was an 
ideal place for entertaining. 

Here the January meeting of the Boston Associa- 
tion was held for many years. This was always the 
largest meeting of the Association for the year, and 
was made a '* festival *' for all who attended. 

These were the last days of many of the leaders of 
Boston Unitarianism after Channing, and they were 
present in good numbers at these meetings at Mr. 
Bradlee's house. 

In his theological belief Mr. Bradlee always presented 
the traditions of the earlier Unitarianism, but his 
preaching was practical rather than theological; and 
his personal greeting and fellowship were sincere and 
cordial to all, regardless of their opinions in theology or 
methods of church work. 

The prosperity which attended his Harrison Square 
work was unabated. His interest in the parish and 
their appreciation of his kindness are indicated in the 
following letter : — 

Harrison Square, April 17, 1883. 

Dear Mr. Bradlee^ — At a meeting of the parish, held last 
evening, I was requested to tender you the most grateful thanks of 
the church for your generous gift ; and we fervently hope that in 



HARRISON SQUARE. 9 1 

the future the parish may so prosper that you will never regret 
your action or find another occasion to repeat it. 

Very sincerely yours, 

Edwin J. Lewis, Jr., Clerk, 

June lo, 1883, he ceased to be superintendent of the 
Sunday-school, but retained his position as teacher of 
the Bible class. The school now numbered one hun- 
dred and one members, and was very flourishing. 

Mr. Bradlee's heart was gladdened by the receipt of 
the following letter from one of the most active mem- 
bers of his church : — 

Dorchester, May 25, 1884. 

Dear Mr, Bradlee^ — It does me good to hear the many good 
words that are spoken on every hand of my pastor, — of his ser- 
mon and service to-day. I believe we all are working in our 
church for something better than mere recognition in the com- 
munity ; but still it is pleasant to have recognition, and to feel that 
we are growing into it as your ministry goes on, and I want you 
to know how much your hearers were impressed with your sermon 
to-day. Yours truly, 



Dec. II, 1884, was the thirtieth anniversary of Mr. 
Bradlee's ordination. The following circular was is- 
sued to a large number of clergymen and laymen : — 

Church at Harrison Square. 

Welcome all to the Thirtieth Anniversary of the Ordination of 

Caleb D. Bradlee. 

Dec. II, 1884. 6 — 9. 1854 — 30 — 1884. 

The Clergymen officiating at the Ordination in 1854 were: — 
Rev. Dr. and Prof. Noyes, of Cambridge, Mass.; Rev. 
T. Starr King, of Boston, Mass. ; Rev. F. D. Huntington, 



92 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

of Boston, Mass. ; Rev. F. A. Whitney, of Brighton, Mass. ; 
Rev. RuFUS Ellis, of Boston, Mass.; Rev. Arthur B. 
Fuller, of Boston, Mass.; Rev. Dr. James Walker, Presi- 
dent of Harvard College. 

The only survivors are : — 

Rt. Rev. F. D. Huntington, D.D., Bishop of Central New 
York; and Rev. Dr. RuFus Ellis, of Boston, Mass. 

30. 1854 — Dec. II — 1884. 

C. D. Bradlee. 

The following account of the celebration is from the 
Boston Traveller of Dec. 13, 1884: — 

Thirty Years a Minister. 

The church at Harrison Square, under the pastoral care of 
Rev. C. D. Bradlee, entertained a large company Thursday even- 
ing at a celebration of the anniversary of the ordination of their 
pastor. 

A bountiful repast was provided by the ladies of the society, 
and both the vestry and audience-room of the church were elabo- 
rately decorated. Supper was served at about a quarter before 
seven. Grace was said by the Rev. Dr. Rufus Ellis, one of the 
two survivors of those who were present and took part in Mr. 
Bradlee*s ordination. 

Among the ministers present were noticed the Rev. E. E. Hale, 
who for thirty years has been an intimate friend of Mr. Bradlee's» 
the Rev. Alfred Manchester, the Rev. D. M. Wilson, and the 
Rev. Mr. Green, who have been closely related with Mr. Bradlee 
for fifteen years, and others well known in the ministry, and also 
many distinguished laymen. 

Services in the church commenced about eight o'clock, and 
were as follows : voluntary on the organ ; anthem, by a special 
choir ; invocation by the pastor ; hymn, by Miss Ricord, to the 



HARRISON SQUARE. 93 

tune of " America" ; prayer by Rev. C. R. Eliot ; anthem by the 
choir. 

Addresses by the Rev. Dr. Rufus Ellis, of the First Church of 
Boston ; the Rev. Dr. E. E. Hale, pastor of the South Congrega- 
tional Church of Boston; the Rev. D. M. Wilson, pastor of the 
First Congregational Church of Quincy; the Rev. Alfred Man- 
chester, pastor of the Olney Street Congregational Church, of 
Providence, R.I.; W. H. Baldwin, Esq., the Rev. C. R. Eliot, 
and Thomas Cushing, Esq. These services were very interesting. 
The music was of a high order, and the poem by Miss Ricord 
was sung with the spirit that its merit demanded. 

The addresses of the older men were full of touching allusions 
to the past, and of grateful appreciation of Mr. Bradlee's work 
in the ministry. Those of the younger men were tributes of 
gratitude and love for the kindly influence and generous helpful- 
ness for which Mr. Bradlee has always been noted in his rela- 
tions with young people. 

About fifty letters were received from persons well known in 
the community in their varied professions; and the committee 
having them in charge being unable, for lack of time, to read 
them all, selected those from the following persons: Professor 
Oliver Wendell Holmes, LL.D., the Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, 
LL.D., the Rev. Dr. Thomas Hill, ex-president of Harvard Col- 
lege, the Hon. George William Curtis, LL.D., the Hon. Joseph 
Choate, the Rev. Dr. Phillips Brooks, the Rt. Rev. Dr. F. D. 
Huntington, the Rev. Frederic Hinckley, the Rev. Henry C. 
Badger. 

Mr. Bradlee is a graduate of Chauncy Hall School, 1848, 
Harvard College, 1852, and during the thirty years of his profes- 
sional life has received distinguished honors from many histor- 
ical and literary societies, both in this country and in Europe. 

Another account says : — 

The ministers in their remarks touched generously upon vari- 
ous periods of the pastor's life. 



94 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

Dr. Ellis spoke of the early studies and sorrows ; Dr. Hale, of 
the work done for the church; Thomas Gushing, Esq., of the 
boy from seven to seventeen ; William H. Baldwin, Esq., of the 
young preacher as he first heard him when he took his start in 
life; the Rev. C. R. Eliot, of the fellowship of the adjacent 
church ; the Rev. D. M. Wilson, of the influence given to his 
early studies by the words of the pastor ; the Rev. Alfred Man- 
chester, of his long fellowship, covering one half of the thirty 
years, and of the home life of the one he so much loved. 

The whole spirit of the meeting was cheerful, happy, holy. 

A volume might be filled with the letters of congrat- 
ulation which poured in upon Mr. Bradlee, a few of 
which are here given : — 

Syracuse, Dec. 2, 1884. 
My dear Brother^ — Your very kind remembrance of me in 
your hour of joy and gratitude touches my heart. 

Most sincerely do I wish you, and all about you and dear to 
you, a feast of true gladness and future years of fruitful work. 

Faithfully and affectionately, 

(Signed) F. D. Huntington. 

296 Beacon Street, Nov. 28, 1884. 

My dear Mr, Bradlee^ — I cannot be with you, I fear, on the 
evening of December 11. I need not assure you of my cordial 
good wishes, and my hope that the occasion will prove as happy 
as a cheerful faith and the memory of long and faithful services 
can make it. Believe me, dear Mr. Bradlee, 

Very truly yours, 
(Signed) Oliver Wendell Holmes. 

November 19. 

Dear Mr, Bradlee^ — I know of nothing which can prevent my 
accepting of your very kind invitation to be present with you on 



HARRISON SQUARE. 95 

the thirtieth anniversary. It will give me much pleasure so to do, 
and I am glad to be so remembered by my lifelong friend and 
the son of my honored and beloved parishioners. 

Most truly yours, 

(Signed) RuFUS Ellis. 

Trenton, N.J., Nov. 27, 1884. 

My sincere congratulations on the happy occasion which 

gathers your friends and the members of your church and society 

to bid you "good cheer," and listen with new interest to the 

voice of instruction. 

(Signed) D. L. Dix. 

25 Brimmer Street, Boston, Mass., 

Nov. 29, 1884. 

Dear Brother Bradlee^ — Accept my thanks for the reminder 
of your ordination which you have kindly sent me. 

I fear that I shall be prevented by other engagements from 
being present at the celebration of your thirtieth anniversary on 
December 1 1 ; but I send my hearty good wishes and congratu- 
lations on your attaining so marked a point in the ministerial 
dignity of years and faithful service in the Master's vineyard. 

Fraternally yours, 

(Signed) Henry W. Foote. 

233 Clarendon Street, Boston. 

Dear Mr, Bradlee, — I send you my greeting on your anniver- 
sary, and wish you many happy, useful years. 

Yours faithfully, 

(Signed) Phillips Brooks. 

West New Brighton, 
Staten Island, N.Y., Dec. 5, 1884. 

Dear Sir, — I thank you sincerely for your kindness in sending 



96 IN M£MORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

me the invitation to the thirtieth anniversary of your ordination, 
and I wish you joy upon the interesting occasion. 

Truly yours, 
(Signed) George William Curtis. 

Rev. C. D. Bradlee. 

First Congregational Church, 

QuiNCY, Mass., Dec. 3, 1884. 

My dear Friend Bradlee, — I have received notice of the ap- 
proach of the thirtieth anniversary of your ordination to the 
Christian ministry and invitation to the celebration of it which 
is to take place the 1 1 th inst. 

I need hardly write you that I with great pleasure accept the 
invitation, and think the occasion of it to be solemn in its sug- 
gestiveness, and yet containing that about which there well may 
be rejoicing. 

Some fifteen years of that ministry of thirty years I have in- 
timate knowledge of. 

I was brought into pleasant relations with you when first I 
began to study for the ministry. I taught in the Sunday-school 
of one of the churches over which you were settled. I have sat 
under your preaching, and have enjoyed the intercourse of your 
study ; and now it is with entire satisfaction that I take advantage 
of this opportunity to tell you how much I have gained from 
your ministry and how highly I esteem it. 

Your kind counsel, the example of your accurate and strict 
devotion to your duties, your healing, comforting, and encourag- 
ing pulpit and pastoral administrations, have been helpful to me 
in many ways, as they must have been to the thousands who have 
heard your words or in any manner have come under your influ- 
ence. 

May the thirty years of devoted service lengthen to fifty, and 
further multitudes find reason to rejoice in the Christian ministry ! 

Hoping to see you soon and talk the matter over face to face, 

I remain, very truly yours, 

(Signed) D. M. Wilson. 



HARRISON SQUARE. 97 

HoLLis, Corner of Tremont Street, 

Boston, Dec. ii, 1884. 
Rev. C. D. Bradlee: 

Dear Cousin^ — It was my intention to be present this evening 
in response to your polite family invitation to attend the anni- 
versary at Harrison Square, and join with the many others who 
are doubtless at this moment offering you their congratulations 
and best wishes ; but, business having detained me until it was too 
late, I can but offer as a substitute a few words in writing. 

An anniversary of one's work in the ministry must become 
like a birthday, — the achievement of another round in the ladder 
of life, a resting-place for the moment, while one looks back 
over the years that have passed and forward with that feeling 
that was so well expressed by Milton, — 

** What in me is dark illumine." 

Mother and father join me in expressing their congratulations 
and best wishes. Yours sincerely, 

(Signed) Samuel B. Doggett. 

30 Pratt Street, Providence, R.I., 

Dec. 8, 1884. 

My dear Mr, Bradlee^ — I hope to attend the celebration of 
the thirtieth anniversary of your ordination on Thursday evening 
next. 

Please accept my congratulations upon having completed this 
well-rounded period of ministerial labor. 

How many have been cheered, encouraged, and comforted in 
the hundreds of homes where you have been so closely associated 
with those who have called upon you to share their joys and 
sorrows for a score and a half of years ! 

It is right that I should feel a special interest in the approach- 
ing celebration. 

For more than half the time covered by your ministry I have 
been a member of that parish — that is so much wider than the 
bounds of any one society — which claims you as its minister. 



98 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

You have great reason to rejoice in your influence over a 
number of young men, of whom I count myself fortunate to be 
one. 

Long may you live to preach that blessed religion of our 
Master, which is broader than all sects and able to satisfy the 
human need ! Yours very truly, 

(Signed) Alfred Manchester. 

The following verse from a hymn written by Miss 
Sophia B. Ricord, of Newark, NJ., for use at the 
celebration, expresses the spirit in which all present 
heartily joined : — 

Bless now thy servant, Lord, 
On him thy grace be poured, 

For him we pray ! 
Make thou his light to shine 
Bright in this house of thine ! 
May he our hearts incline 

In thy good way! 

On Monday, May 10, 1886. Mr. Bradlee made the 
following note : " I am obliged now on account of 
limited strength and by reason of the great caution 
that necessarily inheres to age to refuse a great many 
outside calls. For twenty-five years or more I have 
said yes to almost every call, using myself up for 
others ; but now I have made a new rule/' What the 
rule was cannot be told ; but, if it was designed to cur- 
tail his labors in behalf of others, his most intimate 
friends know that it was persistently disregarded as 
long as he lived. 

It was evident during 1886 and 1887 ^'^^ Mr. 
Bradlee would soon be obliged to change his sphere of 



HARRISON SQUARE. 99 

labor, as the work at Harrison Square had increased 
through prosperity until it was more than he could do 
in a manner that his conscience would approve ; and 
on the 17th of March, 1887, he wrote the following 
letter : — 

To THE Committee of the Harrison Square 
Church : 
Gentlemen^ — It is now over eleven years since I 
have occupied the pulpit of the Harrison Square 
Church, — eleven happy, holy, and beautiful years, 
years almost without a cloud, — when I have had the 
fellowship and friendship of noble men, women, and 
children, in whose joys and sorrows I have shared and 
whose fidelity I shall never forget ; but the time has 
come when I think, for the best growth of the parish 
and for my own health and strength, I must ask for 
a relief from my cares, and beg of you to find a young 
man for my associate, who, while bearing the name of 
"junior pastor,'* shall as to all responsibility have full 
charge of the society. And, in order to aid you in 
bringing about this movement, I propose to surrender 
all financial claims after June i, 1887, and wish then to 
leave in your hands the care of the pulpit preaching 
after that time only on such Sundays as you or my 
associate may need " labors of love," but feeling that I 
have not wholly dissevered myself from the church, 
although I would wish you always to understand, if at 
any time my position as senior pastor should bring 
embarrassment to you or to my associate, notice to 
that effect will bring a full resignation of my position. 



lOO IN MEMORIAM: C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

I would like to meet the committee next Sunday, 
directly after the services. 

Most cordially, 

Caleb D. Bradlee. 

In a letter to a friend he wrote : — 

" For the last two years I have felt more and more 
prostrated, and more and more unable to do the work 
required of me, and I have felt also that the addition of 
a young man to the pulpit would be good for the young 
people, and add a fresh life to the society; and so, 
thoughtfully and prayerfully, I have taken the step 
that now seems to me important for my own health 
and for the best growth of the society." 

Mr. Augustus M. Lord, of Cambridge Divinity 
School, was asked to become associate pastor ; but he 
finally decided not to accept the call. 

Mr. Bradlee writes as follows : — 

"Friday, May 27, 1887, the members of the Harri- 
son Square Society and over ten ministers gave me a 
reception in the vestry of the church from 7.30 to 8.30, 
as a sort of recognition of the past, as a kind of bene- 
diction for the present, and as a holy inauguration of 
my new position that is to be assumed June i as 
senior pastor of the church." 

Many letters were received from members of the so- 
ciety, expressing great affection and appreciation re- 
garding the life and work of Mr. Bradlee in the eleven 
years of his pastorate in this church. 

The four years that follow, during which he held 
the position of senior pastor of the Harrison Square 



HARRISON SQUARE. lOI 

Church, were busy years, although he was greatly re- 
lieved by his freedom from the routine work of a parish 
minister. He was active, however,J;^with tongue and 
pen, being heard in many pulpits ; always ready, when 
health and strength allowed, to give labors of love to 
ministers or to feeble parishes. 

In September, 1887, the Rev. W. R. Lord, of Wol- 
laston, Mass., was called to be associate pastor of the 
Harrison Square Church. On the 29th of October a 
reception was given to Rev. Mr. Lord, at which Mr. 
Bradlee was present. 

About this time Mr. Bradlee made the acquaintance 
of the Rev. P. M. Macdonald, pastor of the St. Andrew's 
Presbyterian Church. This church purchased of Mr. 
Bradlee the building formerly occupied by the Church 
of the Redeemer on Concord Street; and, upon their 
taking possession of it, Mr. Bradlee took part in the 
dedication, reading two hymns, making an address, and 
pronouncing the benediction. One of the hymns was 
written by him for the occasion. 

His friendship with the Rev. Mr. (afterward " Dr." ) 
Macdonald was very intimate up to the time of Dr. Mac- 
donald's death in 1894. He frequently preached in St. 
Andrew's Church, where he was warmly welcomed. 

Out of this friendship came a pleasant recognition of 
Mr. Bradlee's attainments. On the 30th of June, 1888, 
he received the following letter : — 

Galesville, Wis., June 26, 1888. 
Rev. C. D. Bradlee, D.D. : 

Dear Sir and Brother^ — I am directed by the Board of Trus- 
tees of the Galesville University, an institution chartered by the 



X02 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

legislature of Wisconsin and invested with power to confer liter- 
ary titles and degrees, that, upon ample evidence of your eminent 
attainments and standing in literature and theological learning, 
they did, in their meeting held June 21, 1888, confer upon you 
the title of Doctor in Divinity. 

Wishing you, personally, for myself, dear sir, enjoyment of this 
rank, with all blessings, I am, most truly. 

Yours in joint labors, 

J. Irwin Smith, 
President ofGalesville University, 

Dr. Bradlee was pleased to be thus cordially recog- 
nized by those outside of his own denomination, as he 
was always pleased to witness exchange of courtesies 
between those of varying theological opinions. Gales- 
ville University is a Presbyterian seat of learning. 
Again the same university complimented Dr. Bradlee 
when, in 1889, on the 27th of June, it conferred upon 
him the degree of Ph.D. 

Sincere expressions of congratulation from many 
friends were received in consequence of the conferring 
of these degrees upon one for whom they had so much 
respect and love. 

Sept. 19, 1888, Dr. Bradlee published a volume of 
sermons, which he characteristically called "Sermons 
for All Sects." There were twenty-eight of these 
sermons, which were well received by the public. A 
few notices received are appended : — 

[From the Congregatiottalist.'\ 
A volume of eight-and-twenty discourses upon winsome and 
practical themes, which are fertile with devout suggestions, and 
breathe a spirit of gentleness, of earnest desire for growth in 



HARRISON SQUARE. IO3 

goodness, and of sanctified common sense, which will fit them for 
the approval of " all sects." 

[From the Rev. Dr. Phillips Brooks.] 
It must have been good to preach them. It is very good to 
read them, and I am sure that many people will be as grateful 
as I am. 

[From the Rev. Augustus Woodbury, D.D.] 

I have looked into the sermons, and have been moved and 
touched by the spirit that breathes through them, — a spirit, as it 
seems to me, of deep earnestness and sincere consecration. 

[From the Rev. A. P. Putnam, D.D.] 
Full of earnest Christian faith and piety. 

[From the Rev. George A. Gordon.] 
Wholesome thoughts forcibly and earnestly expressed. 

[From the Rev. D. M. Wilson.] 

The titles of the sermons are very taking ; and one finds, as he 
reads, that they are real titles, describing accurately the great and 
practical Christian principles and duties enforced in the book. 

Every sentence is notable for its illumination of some great 
principle, for its felicity of style; and, indeed, there is marked 
literary style in the book, the author's own to be recognized 
anywhere, — sentences with rich and accurate vocabulary, yet 
simple and clear as mountain water. 

[From Dr. J. H. Allen.] 
I find the book very charming, — a delightful flowering out of 
the sweet and grave spirit that was in the elder Unitarianism, a 
delightful relief to the overstrained, critical, and scientific self- 
consciousness that so often prevails in the best of our modern 
sermonizing. 



104 I^ MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

On the 17th of December, 1888, Dr. Bradlee was 
sadly shocked by the announcement of the sudden 
death of his brother, Nathaniel J. Bradlee, who expired 
almost instantly, while near Shirley, Mass., in a railroad 
train. His friend, Mr. Suter, was with him, and 
returned at once to Boston with the body. Dr. 
Bradlee was called upon to break the sad news to his 
brother's family. 

Of the event Dr. Bradlee writes : " All the city was 
startled by the news ; and the papers of the evening 
had very long notices of Nathaniel, of his useful and 
honorable life, and spoke of the great loss his departure 
would bring to everybody. 

" How pleased father and mother must be to see that 
Nathaniel has left such an honorable record ! Mother's 
rule for the boys used to be : ' Whatever else you do, be 
good. Goodness first,' she said, 'then let greatness 
come, if it will ; but, if it does not come, no matter.' 
I am the last child now left this side of the river, — 
the last and youngest child of Samuel and Elizabeth 
(Williams) Bradlee." 

The following poem expresses his feeling at this 
time : — 

I AM LEFT ALONE. 

Alone I am, alone ; the last 
Of those I knew in years long past, 
In the old home where I had birth. 
Ah ! I alone am still on earth. 

Father and mother, brothers dear, 
Sisters and friends, no longer here ! 
The old house gone, and I still live. 
Patience and faith, O Father, give. 



HARRISON SQUARE. 105 

Oh, not alone ! I have my God, 
His gracious help, his staff and rod ; 
The Saviour still is close at hand. 
And angels bright, a happy band. 

Oh, not alone ! Another home 

In holy love to me has come ; 

And wife and child give me their care. 

And daily blessings with me share. 

Oh, not alone ! A home above, 
A home below, both full of love. 
To me are given; and all is right, 
My heart is calm, my years are bright. 

April 21, 1890, Dr. Bradlee sent his resignation to 
the Prudential Committee of the Harrison Square 
Church, to take effect June i, 1890, after eleven years' 
service as pastor and three additional years as senior 
pastor. 

Mr. George W. Fox, assistant secretary of the 
American Unitarian Association, was asked to make 
the proper change in the Unitarian Year Book ; and 
in a letter he says : — 

I shall obey your request, and erase your name from the place 
of senior pastor at Harrison Square with sincerest regret, not 
only as an officer of the American Unitarian Association and on 
personal grounds, but as a citizen of Dorchester. 

In my latter capacity I have seen with the greatest satisfaction 
your successful labors, by which a society sadly weakened was 
brought into a condition of vigor and usefulness. 

And you are not only to have credit for all this, but also for 
introducing into your place, when you felt that you must relin- 
quish active work, a successor admirably fitted to carry on what 
you had so well begun. 



io6 IN memoriam: c. d. bradlee, d.d. 

In the Evening Traveller of April 29, 1890, it was 
said : — 

Rev. Dr. Bradlee has resigned the office of senior pastor of 
the Unitarian church at Harrison Square. For the long period 
of fourteen years he has been connected with this society. Dur- 
ing eleven of the fourteen years he was pastor, and during the 
remaining three senior pastor. His ministration has been 
crowned with success, and he retires followed by the love and the 
highest respect of his parishioners and of the community in 
general. 

The committee acted upon the resignation May 5, 
1890. They accepted it, and in the letter announcing 
the acceptance said : — 

In accepting the same, we beg to express to you our profound 
and lasting appreciation of the faithfulness and zeal with which 
you have performed the duties of your high calling. 

We desire, especially, to thank you in the name of all who 
came under your ministry for the affectionate relations which you 
so constantly maintained, particularly with those who in any way 
needed your sympathy. 

And, personally, we desire to convey to you our most hearty 
and sincere hope that your remaining years and those of your 
family may be even more blessed than the years that are past. 

The church passed the following resolution : — 

Whereas The Rev. Caleb Davis Bradlee has been connected 
with this church for the past fourteen years, and has labored faith- 
fully and earnestly for the good of the church and the community 
in which it stands, — 

Resolved^ That the church, accepting Mr. Bradlee's resigna- 
tion as senior pastor, does so with a full appreciation of his worth 
and character, and desires to put upon record its testimony to 
his fidelity and zeal as a Christian pastor. 



HARRISON SQUARE. 107 

The Unitarian for June, 1890, had the following 
paragraph : — 

The resignation of the Rev. Caleb D. Bradlee, D.D., as senior 
pastor of the Harrison Square Unitarian Church takes effect 
June I . Both the letters from the Prudential Committee and the 
resolution passed by the church upon accepting his resignation 
express most cordial appreciation of Mr. Bradlee's worth, char- 
acter, fidelity, and zeal, and their gratitude for the kindly relations 
he had always mamtained with all who came under his ministry. 

The end of a long settlement had come. He had put 
much time, strength, and money into the church enter- 
prise. He was content to have done this, since the 
results were such as to amply repay him for all that he 
had done. The years that he might have spent in 
semi-retirement, busy about personal affairs, had been 
toilsome years for the sake of others ; and he was satis- 
fied thus to have given expression to his self-sacrificing 
disposition and benevolent spirit. No man was ever 
happier than he in serving his fellow-men. 

In 1894, on the 8th of February, he delivered a brief 
address at the dedication of Christ Church, Dorchester, 
a new stone structure which had replaced the wooden 
church where he had spent so many happy Sundays. 



^o 



VII. 



NORFOLK STREET CHURCH. 



June i, 1890 — June i, 1892. 



VII. 



NORFOLK STREET CHURCH. 
June i, 1890 — June i, 1892. 

THE Christian Register of June 5, 1890, speaking 
of Dr. Bradlee's resignation at Harrison Square, 
says : — 

His active work does not cease, however, with this resigna- 
tion. On June 1, the very day his resignation took effect. Dr. 
Bradlee entered upon his duties as pastor of the Norfolk Uni- 
tarian Church. The invitation to this new field of labor was so 
urgent and flattering that, although Dr. Bradlee had almost retired 
from the active work of the ministry, he could not bring himself 
to decline it. No doubt the Norfolk Street Church will prosper 
under his care as did the church at Harrison Square. 

In the spring of 1890 Dr. Bradlee generously offered 
to this new church that had been formed in Dorches- 
ter his services for one year as pastor. The society 
was organized in the autumn of 1889, and had been de- 
pendent since its formation upon "labors of love" from 
different ministers. Dr. Bradlee had preached several 
times, — always to a large number, — and had been 
asked by the society to officiate at its Easter chris- 
tening. The kind offer was gladly and gratefully ac- 
cepted. 

This was the eleventh period of his ministry. 



112 IN MEMORIAM: C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

The work at the Norfolk Street Church was all the 
more pleasant to Dr. Bradlee because it was begun in 
the parlor of one who had known him in Hollis Street 
Church when he was a very young man. 

It was always thus that the members of his old 
parishes followed him to the new field. 

The chairman of the Parish Committee was one of 
his Church of the Redeemer parishioners, Mr. Horace 
S. Fowle. He wrote to Dr. Bradlee May lo, 1890, ac- 
cepting his offer to take charge of the new church. In 
closing his letter, he said : — 

Let this letter serve as a cordial, loving, and thankful wel- 
come from us ; and may God grant that together we shall be in- 
strumental in promoting the welfare of the community, and in- 
creasing the religious and moral condition of the neighborhood. 

In his reply Dr. Bradlee said : — 

" I thank you, and all associated with you, for your 
hearty welcome and benediction ; and I trust that our 
temporary fellowship may result in the good of the 
society that we represent." 

Rev. W. I. Lawrance, from whose church some of 
the Norfolk Church families came, wrote a very cordial 
letter to Dr. Bradlee. Among other things he said : — 

I am glad you are to be with our Norfolk friends. It will 
be a great help to them. They are full of courage, and need to 
have some one to guide their energies. It will be far better than 
to go on as they have. The more they catch of your spirit, too, 
and the more they profit by your counsels, the better it will be for 
them. I think they did just right, also, in making you pastor in- 
stead of regular supply. I believe much in the pastoral relation. 
Without it preaching, however good, will hardly build up a 
church. 



NORFOLK STREET CHURCH. II3 

At the first service as pastor of the Norfolk Church 
he said : " Christian friends, to-day for the first time I 
speak to you as your pastor. We are here to do the 
Master's work in the Master's spirit, each one of us a 
priest, hoping to build up amongst ourselves, and in 
this neighborhood, the kingdom of God, and praying 
God to give us the power to light up a flame in this 
part of Dorchester that shall never die out. 

" But in order to accomplish successfully our work, 
whilst we hold tightly the Father's hand and follow 
closely the Saviour's precepts, we must also constantly 
watch our manners, so that they shall always be ge- 
nial, sweet, sacred, impressive, and winning ; we must 
watch our speech, too, that it shall be gentle, touching, 
searching, and full of power ; we must watch our deeds, 
so that they shall be pure, noble, generous, and really 
beautiful and grand ; and we must also remember that 
Almighty God and the blessed Redeemer and the holy 
angels are constantly watching us, and urging us to be 
faithful as long as the breath of life shall last. And 
the motto on our spiritual banner must always be 
* Soldiers of the Cross.* " 

In October, 1890, one of his parishioners wrote to 
him : — 

The rapidly growing success of this new church has been a 
constant joy to us all ; and we feel more than repaid for what did 
not seem to us trouble, considering the great good we looked 
forward to. We are very happy in our dear Christian pastor, our 
enthusiastic people, our bright, hopeful Sunday-school, and our 
little church home. 

On Oct. 30, 1890, one year and sixteen days after 
the society's organization, a newly built chapel was 



114 I^ MEMORIAM: C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

dedicated. At the annual church meeting in the 
spring of 1 89 1 there were read warm words of appreci- 
ation of Dr. Bradlee's great assistance to the church, 
and a unanimous request was passed for a continuation 
of the pastor's services during another year. The 
request was kindly granted by Dr. Bradlee. The 
church, not yet two years old, was almost entirely free 
from debt, and had an average of one hundred at the 
Sunday morning service. The young people of the 
society formed a club for religious, intellectual, and 
social purposes, and, in gratitude to their pastor, 
named it the Caleb Davis Bradlee Club. 

Hardly enough can be said of Dr. Bradlee's great 
kindness and helpfulness to the new and struggling 
church. With loyal men and women to carry on the 
work of the church, it still needed the strong voice in 
the pulpit and the experienced hand at the helm. Dr. 
Bradlee's generous offer gave both, and the marvel- 
lous growth of the society showed that his labor was 
appreciated. He was often present at the Sunday- 
school service, and addressed the scholars, — he had 
the rare gift of speaking to children; and his cordial 
calls were anticipated by all in the church. 

The following letter was much prized by Dr. Bradlee, 
and may be inserted here as showing his kindly rela- 
tions with men of other forms of faith : — 

233 Clarendon Street, Boston, 

May 4, 1 891. 

Dear Dr. Bradlee, — I rejoice in your cordial letter. We are 
all working together ; and, if the new position in which I am to be 
placed shall give me any new opportunity to do any bit of our 



NORFOLK STREET CHURCH. II5 

common work more faithfully, I shall rejoice. To know that you 

care for what concerns me and my work gives me much joy. I 

am, with all good wishes. 

Faithfully your friend, 

Phillips Brooks. 

June II, 1891, Dr. Bradlee received the following 
letter : — 

Tufts College, June 10, 1891. 

My dear Sir, — It wilU afford me pleasure to have you attend 

our Commencement on the 1 7th inst. It may not be improper 

for me, and I trust it will not be disagreeable to you, to inform 

you that the authorities of the college have decided to confer 

upon you the degree of Doctor in Divinity at the approaching 

Commencement. Very truly yours, 

E. H. Capen. 

Dr. Bradlee sent his regrets that the uncertain state 
of his health made it doubtful if he would be able to 
accept Dr. Capen's kind invitation, and gave expression 
to his appreciation of the honor to be bestowed and his 
pleasure in anticipation of becoming an adopted son of 
Tufts College. 

The degree was conferred June 17, 1891 ; and he was 
now A.B. and A.M. (Harvard), D.D. and Ph.D. 
(Galesville), D.D. (Tufts). 

Late in 1891 Dr. Bradlee told the committee of the 
Norfolk Church that he must retire from the charge of 
the church at the close of the second year of his 
service as pastor, and asked them to take charge of the 
last two Sundays in each month after Jan. i, 1892, in 
order that they might hear candidates for the pulpit 
and be ready to go on with a new minister in the fall 
of 1892. 



Il6 IN MEMORIAM: C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

The society had been blessed with a remarkable 
growth. New families were coming in ; and Dr. Brad- 
lee thought that the next step in the line of progress 
was to secure the services of a young man who would 
live near the church, and devote his whole time to its 
interests. There was need of more work during the 
week than he felt able to do. He could not be satis- 
fied simply to preach on Sunday and have a class in 
Sunday-school: his ideal of the ministry demanded a 
close relation between pastor and people, which could 
be maintained only by visiting from house to house. 

In his letter to the committee he says, " I need not 
tell the committee nor the society that which all so well 
know, — how much I have enjoyed their fellowship aind 
friendship, and how the remembrance of my sacred re- 
lationship will always be a benediction." 

As the time drew near for the close of the pastorate, 
there were many expressions of regret on the part of 
those who had become very closely attached to Dr. 
Bradlee. 

One writes : — 

It was a great grief to me, while listening to your noble words 
on Sunday, to think I should hear that voice no more from that 
pulpit ; but, indeed, it is a comfort to be assured of your contin- 
ued friendship and regard, and, though we may meet you less fre- 
quently than formerly, the memory of your kindly interest in us 
on all occasions will always be a blessing to us. We thank you 
for the cordial invitation to visit your home, and we shall be glad 
to avail ourselves of it when cares and duties permit. We shall 
be glad also to welcome you and those dear to you at our home 
at any time, and hope we shall have the pleasure of doing so 
many times. 



NORFOLK STREET CHURCH. II7 

Another says : — 

We are happy in the thought that you were the first to greet us 
when we entered the Norfolk Unitarian Church as strangers. We 
were in want of sympathy and encouragement, and you seemed to 
answer to all our needs. We feel very strongly in regard to your 
resignation. 

Another writes : — 

Again let me personally thank you for what you have done for 
my good and the good of our church. 

The Christian Register contained the following 
notice March lo, 1892: — 

Porchester Norfolk Church. — Rev. C. D. Bradlee, D.D., who 
has been pastor of the Norfolk Unitarian Church since its forma- 
tion some two years ago, resigned last Sunday. 

He took charge of this movement when worship was carried on 
in a private house, and has brought it to its present flourishing 
condition. He leaves to his successor a large congregation, a 
well-attended Sunday-school, and a beautiful and commodious 
church edifice. The growth of this society under Dr. Bradlee's 
care has been remarkable, and deep sorrow was expressed by the 
people at his resignation. He leaves the pulpit because he feels 
that he has accomplished all he hoped for when he took charge 
of the enterprise, — made it self-sustaining and ready for the 
leadership of a younger man. Dr. Bradlee's mission seems to be 
this, — of encouraging new movements until strong enough to 
build a church and secure a resident pastor. What he has done 
in this direction is well known to the Unitarians of Boston. He 
will now continue the literary and occasional pastoral work to 
which he has always devoted himself between pastorates. 

On the 1st of June, 1892, the Norfolk Church gave 
a reception to Dr. Bradlee, and invited the members of 



Il8 IN M£MORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

the Boston Association, of which he was then Moder- 
ator, to be present. There were many present. At 
about 8 P.M. the visitors entered the chapel, where they 
were received by the Rev. and Mrs. C. D. Bradlee, 
Miss Eliza W. Bradlee, and Samuel B. Doggett, Esq. 

The chapel was beautifully adorned with flowers, 
and seemed delightfully homelike. 

At about nine o'clock Dr. Bradlee was presented 
with a series of resolutions in the form of a diploma. 
In presenting the gift, allusion was made to the esteem 
and gratitude felt by all toward Dr. Bradlee. One of 
the ladies of the society presented, in behalf of the 
Women's Aid Association, a beautiful basket of 
flowers, and expressed, in a very graceful and happy 
manner, the strong affection felt by the ladies for the 
retiring pastor. 

Dr. Bradlee responded earnestly and affectionately 
to the tributes of love. Letters were read from absent 
friends. All present enjoyed a fine supper, and at lo 
P.M. the festivities were ended. The pastorate of the 
Norfolk Church was finished. 



VIII. 



PERIOD OF REST AND LONGWOOD. 



June i, 1892 — May i, 1897. 



t 



VIII. 

PERIOD OF REST AND LONGWOOD. 
June i, 1892 — May i, 1897. 

THE twelfth period of Dr. Bradlee's ministry was 
spent in semi-retirement from June i, 1892- 
April 9, 1893. Learning of his success at Norfolk 
Church, many new or feeble parishes were anxious to 
secure Dr. Bradlee's services. His friend of many 
years, Edward Everett Hale, D.D., wanted him to do 
for a new church at Ashmont what he had done at 
Norfolk Church. But he felt the need of rest for a 
time from the exacting duties of a regular pastorate, 
and so declined calls for more than a Sunday or two 
in a place. 

For nearly a year he pursued this course, spending 
much time in the preparation of a second volume of 
sermons, which he was to publish in December, 1893. 

He sometimes thought that his work as pastor of a 
church was at an end, and expected to spend the re- 
maining years of his life quietly in his study for the 
most part. 

Little did he think that the crowning work of his 
life lay before him ; that the few brief years of his 
earthly career which remained were to be those which 
should best show his worth and power as a preacher 
and organizer ! 



122 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

In a note-book we find the following : — 

"Monday p.m., April 3, 1893, I received an invita- 
tion to take temporary charge of Christ's Church, 
Longwood. The service is to commence next Sunday, 
April 9, 1893. The liturgy of the church has to be 
used, although I am allowed to cut a part of the service 
short ; but I am not allowed to introduce anything into 
the service." 

The Rev. D. M. Wilson, Superintendent of Churches 
for New England of the American Unitarian Associa- 
tion, had for a long time wished to have this church 
open for services, and at last he saw a possibility of 
accomplishing this purpose. At his solicitation. Dr. 
Bradlee was induced to consent to come out from 
semi-retirement to the world of public service. 

Charles W. Cotting, Esq., was the chairman of the 
Board of Trustees of the property of Christ's Church. 
He was a lifelong friend of Dr. Bradlee, and he was 
consulted in regard to the reopening of the church. 

He had such confidence in Dr. Bradlee that, when 
he heard of the possibility of his taking charge of the 
services in the church, he did not hesitate to advise 
the commencement of a work which proved to be of 
great importance. 

Having gained permission to use the church edifice, 
some of those most interested in the new movement 
sent the following letter to Dr. Bradlee : — 

To THE Rev. C. D. Bradlee, D.D. : 

Dear Sir, — We, the undersigned, residents of Brookline, re- 
spectfully and cordially invite you to take charge of religious 



PERIOD OF REST AND LONGWOOD. 1 23 

services which are to be held in Christ's Church, Longwood, 
Sunday mornings during the present season. 

William Stearns. 

John H. Gibbs. 

Henry R. Hallett. 

A circular letter was sent to the families in the vicin- 
ity of the church, inviting them to come to these ser- 
vices. 

Dr. Bradlee was well acquainted with the history of 
the church at Longwood. It was built in the time of 
his early ministry by Mr. David Sears, who had dreams 
of church unity, and thought he had devised a ritual in 
the use of which all Christians would at once unite. 
The use of this ritual — or the use of no other service 
— was required; and the church, a noble edifice, beau- 
tifully located, was thrown open. The ritual became 
a stumbling-block to many. It was not wholly accept- 
able to those of any sect ; and, after an experiment 
which lasted a few years, the church was closed. The 
Rev. Mr. Hubbard had charge of the church in 1862, 
and served two years. 

The Rev. Dr. Henry A. Miles served five years. 
The Rev. S. B. Cruft served one year. 

Dr. Bradlee considered the matter very carefully. 
Among others whom he consulted was Dr. E. E. Hale, 
who wrote : — 

When I heard that this arrangement was possible, I was de- 
lighted ; and I am most glad that it is to be carried out. I am 
quite sure that in your hands it will succeed, though I see the 
difficulties. Let me help in any way I can, and be sure of my 
sympathy and my prayers. 



124 I^ MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

To the committee Dr. Bradlee wrote : — 

** I have received, through the Rev. D. M. Wilson, 
the Superintendent of New England Churches, your 
very kindly expressed desire that I shall take charge 
of Christ's Church, Longwood. 

" I thank you heartily for the invitation, and with 
great pleasure do I accept the same, and most gladly 
will I give my services for such time as the same may 
be needed." 

Once having made up his mind to do this work, he 
went to it with all the delight and hopefulness of a 
young man going to his first parish. 

The first service was held April 9, 1893, and is thus 
reported in the Boston Globe of April 10 : — 

The old Christ Church, Longwood, was reopened yesterday 
morning after its doors had been closed for about fifteen years. 

The old church is a stone edifice, and is situated on Colchester 
Street. It was built about thirty-five years ago by David Sears, 
at his own expense, and for the purpose of carrying out a plan of 
religious worship which had originated with himself. For a short 
time the services continued, but the plan was not successful ; and 
after a time the church was used for holding services by various 
denominations. 

It was the first house of worship erected in the Longwood sec- 
tion of Brookline. About fifteen years ago its doors were closed, 
and since that time it has been " more ornamental than useful " 
to the section. 

About a year ago a few residents in the vicinity interested 
themselves in the organization of a new religious society. A 
committee was appointed to further the matter. This committee 
invited the Rev. C. D. Bradlee, D.D., late of the Norfolk Uni- 
tarian Church, to take charge of the new society. 



PERIOD OF REST AND LONGWOOD. 1 25 

A congregation of about one hundred people gathered yester- 
day morning to hear the first sermon. Mr. Bradlee took his text 
from Acts vii. 33, " Put oif thy shoes from thy feet, for the place 
where thou standest is holy ground." 

The speaker endeavored to prove that all places were holy, if a 
person had the holy spirit to meet each occasion as it came. He 
spoke of the glory of friendship, by which all people could be 
brought together in a truer fellowship, and also of the spiritual 
fellowship that made all people as one in the sight of God. He 
finally maintained that every duty nearest at hand brought us all 
closer together and nearer to God. 

The promoters of the venture were greatly pleased with the 
success of the first service, and feel confident that it will be re- 
ceived in the vicinity with much satisfaction. 

Of this service Dr. Bradlee made the following 
note : — 

"I began my new work in Longwood, Christ's 
Church, Colchester Street, Sunday, April 9, 1893. I 
had a very good number for the first service. I am to 
be temporary pastor and preacher. The movement is 
an experiment, but everything looks very favorable." 

He made up his mind to keep this church open so 
long as the people were satisfied to have him preach 
and would contribute the small amount needed to pay 
organist, singers, etc. He had no salary; and the 
other expenses of the church were in large measure 
provided for by a fund. 

For a while there was great uncertainty as to the 
future of Unitarianism in this locality. There were 
those who wished to erect a church at Coolidge's 
Corner. There were many who objected to the lit- 
urgy of Christ's Church, even in its abbreviated form. 



126 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

None of these things disturbed Dr. Bradlee. He 
I>reached to those who cared to hear him and who, 
with him, hoped for a future for Christ's Church, what- 
ever their number might be. 

He was delighted with the church edifice and its 
location. He sympathized entirely with the broad 
spirit out of which the church was established. He 
was not wholly pleased with the ritual, although, as he 
used it in part from Sunday to Sunday, he found it less 
objectionable from a personal point of view. His re- 
ligious nature was too spontaneous and impetuous to 
bear the restraint of any liturgy without some chafing ; 
but he put aside his personal feeling, and urged his 
people to do so for the good of the cause they were 
trying to serve. 

In October, 1893, a note was sent to many in the 
vicinity of the church, in which it was said : — 

There are many in our midst who feel a strong interest in the 
hope of establishing a Unitarian society in this locality ; and it 
seems a great pity that for the want of the small amounts neces- 
sary we should not hold together in a purpose and service already 
promising and that may result eventually in a strong society. 

Our earnest leader, the Rev. C. D. Bradlee, D.D., gives his 
time and energies free ; but, while the trustees of Christ's Church 
give the use of the edifice, it should be generally understood 
there is no fund from which to pay the weekly expenses of music, 
sexton, etc. 

Dr. Bradlee saw to it that the expenses were paid 
every Sunday, and did not mean that the services 
should continue beyond the point where the debts 
could be fully paid. 



PERIOD OF REST AND LONG WOOD. 1 27 

The work was carried on during the seasons of 
1893-94 and 1894-95 without any great variation of 
members or interest. 

In December, 1893, Dr. Bradlee published his second 
volume of sermons, " Sermons for the Church." This 
volume was well received, and was soon out of print, as 
only a limited edition was published. 

A few commendations of the volume are given 
here : — 

[From Publisher's Department of the Christian Register^ 

Full to overflowing with the spirit of love and with desire for 
humanity's uplifting, this volume will carry much of help and 
comfort to many readers. The sermons are for the encourage- 
ment of men and women in the religious and the devotional life. 
They are also a call to religious activity. The book has many a 

stirring note. 

[From the Unitarian.'\ 

Broad, inclusive, liberal sermons. It is a privileged commu- 
nity that is familiar from Sunday to Sunday with such clear treat- 
ment of noble themes. 

[From Unity ^^ 

Twenty-five sermons, practical rather than doctrinal. The 
ethical and spiritual elements so predominate in these sermons as 
to give them real value. The sermons are wholesome and help- 
ful. 

[From the Pacific Unitarian J^ 

The tone is persuasive, appealing to the heart and conscience. 
The sermons are imdenominational. 

[From Every Other Sunday ^^ 

It is a volume that continues the excellent reputation of the 
author obtained through his previous publication, " Sermons for 
All Sects." Each one of the sermons is straightforward, earnest, 



128 IN M£MORIAM: C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

and deeply religious. The theological attitude which he takes 
is very fraternal with all the sects of Christendom. It has been 
his aim to always emphasize the unities which underlie the differ- 
ent outgrowths of Christian belief. From these principal chords 
he evokes the music of his good will, warning, comfort, and spir- 
itual wisdom. 

[From the Commonwealth. "l 

The discourses are so entirely unsectarian, so free from doc- 
trinal discussion, that the greater part of them might be preached, 
without scarcely an alteration, from any Christian pulpit. Liberal 
they certainly are, and optimistic in their general tone. Members 
of any denomination may read this book with pleasure and profit. 

[From the Rochester Herald,'] 

They are scholarly essays, and marked by a keen analysis of 
certain passages in the Holy Scriptures. Their literary style is 
excellent, yet they are so simply constructed that a child can 
understand them. One does not see here a disposition to use the 
lash, but rather an inclination to attract the reader to the stand- 
ard of Christ. 

[From the Rev. George E. Ellis, D.D., LL.D.] 

I derived from the perusal of the volume deep satisfaction. 

You have been content to address human folk living on the 
earth, and to draw for them lessons from the communicative 
hearers spoken to hearts capable of giving responses to them. 

I think that both pundits and the common run of plain people 
cannot fail to find quickening, guidance, and edification from 
your instructions. 

[From the Rev. E. E. Hale, D.D., Pastor of South Congregational 

Church, Boston.] 

I look forward to great pleasure in reading the sermons. 

I do not know that I ever told you that your other volume of 
sermons was the only book of that kind which I ever read 
through at a sitting. 



PERIOD OF REST AND LONGWOOD. 1 29 

[From the Rev. D. M. Wilson, Superintendent of New England 

Churches.] 

Great and practical thoughts in plain and vigorous language. 
The note of an undoubting faith strikes clear in every sermon. 

To aU in the " Church Universal," with whom and in whom 
there is one true spirit and one spiritual life, these sermons will 
prove efficacious for instruction and inspiration. 

The great event of the year 1894 for Dr. Bradlee 
was the celebration of the fortieth anniversary of his 
ordination, December 11. 

The Boston Association had invited him to read a 
paper on his recollections of a ministry of forty years 
at the December meeting, which was to be held at his 
house December 10 ; but the date of this reading was 
changed to January 14, when the Association met with 
him. As the Boston Association meeting had been 
postponed, he decided to have a private celebration of 
the anniversary with some personal friends at his own 
house. It was a royal occasion. 

This account is taken from the private note-book of 
one of the sixteen who were present at the entertain- 
ment : — 

On Dec. 11, 1894, the 40th Anniversary of the Ordination of 
Caleb Davis Bradlee took place at 57 West Brookline Street, 
Boston, Mass. Tuesday, 

1854. 40. 1894. 

December 11. 

At about five o'clock the following gentlemen met at 57 West 
Brooklins Street, namely: Mr. Samuel B. Doggett, the Rev. Dr. 
Edward E. Hale, the Rev. John M. Marsters, the Rev. Dr. Rich- 



130 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

mond Fisk, the Rev. Daniel M. Wilson, the Rev. Alfred Man- 
chester, Mr. Fred. H. Nazro, Mr. Edwin T. Home, Mr. Edwin J. 
Lewis, Jr., Mr. Samuel H. Babcock, Mr. Samuel T. Cobb, Mr. 
J. H. Fallon, Mr. Walter C. Smith, the Rev. James De Norman- 
die, the Rev. Charles G. Ames. 

Mr. Samuel B. Doggett spoke for the First Church, Boston, 
where C. D. Bradlee, when only seventeen years old, became a 
regular member and communicant. The Rev. Dr. Edward E. 
Hale spoke for the Hollis Street Church and for the Christian 
Unity Society ; the Rev. John M. Marsters, for the Allen Street 
Church, North Cambridge, and for the college days of his friend ; 
the Rev. Dr. Richmond Fisk for the East Boston Society; the 
Rev. Alfred Manchester, for the Boston School for the Ministry ; 
the Rev. Daniel M. Wilson, for the Church of the Redeemer; 
Mr. Fred. H. Nazro, for the Christian Unity Society; Messrs. 
E. T. Home and Edwin J. Lewis, Jr., for the Harrison Square 
Church ; Messrs. Samuel H. Babcock and Samuel T. Cobb, 
for the Norfolk Street Church; Mr. J. H. Fallon, for Christ's 
Church, Longwood; the Rev. James De Normandie, for the 
Boston Association of Ministers. 

At about 6. 1 5 the guests partook of an ample supper, when 
two excellent poems were read, one of which was composed by 
the Rev. Dr. Edward E. Hale and one by the Rev. Alfred Man- 
chester. 

POEM BY DR. E. E. HALE. 

Among the warnings of the word are those 

Which Moses, first of men. 
Wrote of the cares and pains which follow close 

On threescore years and ten. 

Man's strength is labor : sorrow is the meed 

He shall deplore 
If by such strength of human life, indeed, 

He reach fourscore. 



PERIOD OF REST AND LONGWOOD. 131 

Little did Moses heed — nay, little know — 

What life and love 
May in the Fount of Truth eternal flow 

Down from above. 

At that eternal Fountain, freely given, 

Our cheerful friend 
Drinks every day another draught from heaven, 

Draughts which shall never end. 

Who drinks these waters as they freely flow. 

Saviour of men, — 
Waters that thou shalt give, — will never know 

Of thirst again. 

At boyhood's well-side where that Fountain flows 

Fresh with eternal truth. 
Our friend drinks deep ; and so it is he knows 

Perpetual youth. 

Faster the race is run 

As, one by one. 
Our selfish handicaps away we fling : 
Love works the miracle of Youth, 
Love speaks the oracle of Truth, 

And they who prove 

The strength of Love 

Grow younger, and more young 
For forty years. 



POEM BY THE REV. ALFRED MANCHESTER. 

Hail, Brother, Teacher, constant Friend ! 

Now forty years are o'er, 
Our voices we would gladly blend, 

And blessings on thee pour. 



132 IN memoriam: c. d. bradlee, d.d. 

Hail, memories sweet of vanished days, 

When hope shone out afar, 
While youth resolved m countless ways 

To follow duty's star ! 

Hail, thought of years so nobly spent, 

A life blessed from above. 
While back to God each talent lent 

Was given in filial love ! 

Hail, day of restful peace and light. 

The fruit of labor past, 
When life is crowned with honor bright, 

Which evermore shall last ! 

Hail, other days on earth to be 

With love and duties filled ; 
A soil that long we hope to see 

For heavenly harvest tilled. 

Hail ! welcome, — casting out all fear 

Before our Father's throne, — 
The Master's judgment thou shalt hear 

" Well done, thou faithful one." 

The remarks that were made were touching, eloquent, and im- 
pressive. 

The Rev. John M. Marsters referred to Dr. Bradlee's college 
days, and said that he heard the first sermon that . his friend 
ever preached, at Hampton Falls, N.H. 

Dr. Fisk mentioned the very friendly relations existing between 
Dr. Bradlee and the East Boston society. 

The Rev. D. M. Wilson said that his first introduction to the 
ministry was when Dr. Bradlee was pastor of the Church of the 
Redeemer, and that to him he was indebted for the beginning of 
his interest in church work. 



PERIOD OF REST AND LONGWOOD. 1 33 

The Rev. Alfred Manchester mentioned that he commenced his 
studies for the ministry under Dr. Bradlee and other clergymen, 
who then were members of the Faculty of the Boston School for 
the Ministry. 

Mr. Nazro mentioned the manly, generous, and lovely work 
that was done at the Christian Unity Society, when the one that 
they had met to honor was the pastor of the same ; and he men- 
tioned that the Christian Unity Society was the first institutional 
society that was established in Boston. 

Messrs. Home and Lewis tendered full expressions of love and 
respect in behalf of the Harrison Square Church, and mentioned 
that the real existence of that church was due to the efforts and 
the self-sacrificing spirit of the one of whom they were all speak- 
ing. 

Mr. Babcock and Mr. Cobb said that the great prosperity of 
the church in Norfolk Street, and the real life of the same, was 
due to the two years' work freely given by the one who had built 
up the church at Harrison Square. 

Dr. Hale mentioned his long fellowship and friendship with 
Dr. Bradlee, and also gave cordial testimony to the work that 
was done by his friend when he had the care of the Christian 
Unity Society. 

Mr. John H. Fallon said that all the ministers had forgotten 
to mention one thing about the one whom they wished to honor, 
and that was his social spirit ; and he referred to the large party 
of gentlemen that were the guests of Dr. Bradlee, at Bar Harbor, 
where all sorts of entertainments were given by the host, who 
seemed to be one with his party, and wanted everybody to have 
the fullest enjoyment possible. 

Letters were read that were sent by Dr. Samuel H. Hurd, of 
New York, and by Rev. Samuel H. Winkley, of Boston. 

Letters were received in reference to this anniversary from Dr. 
E. A. Carleton ; John Ward Dean, Esq. ; the Rev. Dr. William 
C. Winslow; Ex-Governor William E. Russell; the Hon. F. G. 
Adams, LL.D. ; Miss Louisa Hewins; Mr. and Mrs. Fottler; the 



134 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

Rev. Edward A. Horton; C. T. Deblois, Esq.; the Rev. Dr. 
Merrill E. Gates, President of Amherst College; Mrs. Martha 
Perry Lowe; the Rev. William H. Lyon; Lieutenant Governor 
Roger Wolcott; Mr. Samuel M. Tourtellot; Mr. Stephen H. 
Williams; the Rev. Charles T. Canfield; Miss Gertrude Haley; 
the Rev. Samuel W. Dike, LL.D. ; the Hon. R. A. Brock, of 
Richmond, Va. ; the Hon. Mark W. Sheafe, of Watertown, 
So. Dak.; President George L. Cary, of Meadville, Pa.; Miss 
I, E. Kelsey; the Misses Wiggin; and many others. 

The Boston Association passed the following vote at 
its December meeting : — 

In the fortieth anniversary of the ordination of Rev. Caleb D. 
Bradlee, D.D., who for two years has been moderator of this 
Association, we, its members, desire to express our hearty affec- 
tion, admiration, and esteem for Dr. Bradlee, and the earnest hope 
that he may long be spared to our fellowship. 

On Jan. 14, 1895, the following clergymen met at $7 
West Brookline Street to congratulate Dr. Bradlee on 
the fortieth anniversary of his ordination, namely: 
Rev. Messrs. Alfred Manchester, Daniel M. Wilson, 
William H. Ramsay, C. F. Dole, William R. Lord, 
George H. Hosmer, J. H. Wiggin. Dr. P. M. Macdon- 
ald, Francis TiflFany, C. R. Eliot, F. W. Pratt, L. B. 
Macdonald, S. B. Cruft, John Cuckson, R. Fisk, D.D., 
William H. Lyon, J. Huxtable, Henry F. Jenks, A. E. 
Mullett, William Bradley, A. P. Putnam, D.D., S. W. 
Bush, James De Normandie, Charles G. Ames, Howard 
N. Brown, E. R. Butler, William S. Key, C. C. Car- 
penter, Thomas Van Ness, William H. Branigan, J. L. 
Seward, E. D. Towle, Edward E. Hale, D.D., F. B. 



PERIOD OF REST AND LONG WOOD. 1 35 

Mott, George D. Latimer, Charles Noyes, Joseph H. 
Allen, D.D., William O. White, S. W. Brooke, J. E. 
Bagley, N. P. Oilman, C. W. Park, M. J. Savage, C. F. 
Nicholson, and Mr. Parker B. Field. 

At the meeting Dr. Bradlee read the exceedingly 
interesting paper on "Recollections of a Ministry 
of Forty Years," which has been printed and from 
which quotations have been made in this memoir. 
The paper was very kindly received, and in the dis- 
cussion which followed remarks were made by Rev. 
Messrs. Brown, Cruft, Allen, White, Putnam, Hale, and 
Cuckson. 

In the Christian Register of Dec. 13, 1894, was the 
following : — 

We extend congratulations to Rev. Caleb Davis Bradlee, D.D., 
on the fortieth anniversary of his ordination to the ministry. Mr. 
Bradlee has given proof of that ministry by the devotion and gen- 
erosity and unselfish service which he has brought to it. This 
event was appropriately recognized by his brethren of the Bos- 
ton Association on Monday afternoon last. 

The Boston Commonwealth of Dec. 15, 1894, said : — 

The Rev. Dr. Bradlee, who, to every one's surprise, appears 
now as one of the seniors in his profession, entertained a company 
of friends on Tuesday evening, who met to congratulate him on 
his health and vigor on the fortieth anniversary of his ordination. 
On the nth of December, 1854, Dr. Bradlee, then plain Mr. 
Caleb Davis Bradlee, was ordained as the minister of the church 
at North Cambridge. He is now in charge of the Church of 
Christ at Longwood, and for these forty years has been at work 
in all the best moral agencies, most successfully and honorably. 



136 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

Two important events marked the year 1895 for Dr. 
Bradlee. On the 28th of May he entered his new 
home, "The Three Arches/* on Fisher Avenue, Brook- 
line, near the Chestnut Hill Reservoir. The large, 
new house had just been built specially for him ; and he 
looked upon it, not simply as a comfortable home for 
the years to come, but as an elegant place in which to 
exercise that hospitality for which he was noted. 

On the 1 2th of June, immediately following the 
entrance upon his new home, he, with the assistance of 
his friend, the Rev. James De Normandie, performed 
the service of marriage between his daughter, Miss 
Eliza Williams Bradlee, and Walter Clark Smith, Esq. 
The wedding took place in the library of the new home, 
and at the reception which followed the spacious house 
was filled with guests. 

It was about this time that Dr. Bradlee had an 
interesting correspondence with the Rev. William 
Pigott, D.D., of England. 

There were rumors of war between England and the 
United States. The following was contained in a let- 
ter received by Dr. Bradlee from Dr. Pigott : — 

On receipt of your letter concerning the strained relations twixt 
our countries, I read it to my congregation of a thousand people 
in Trinity Street Church, Gainsboro, all of whom fully appreciated 
your sentiment, and reciprocate warmest sympathy and support 
in your pacific policy. 

I was tempted to send your letter to the British press, but dare 
not venture without your sanction : nevertheless, have read it in 
the several churches over which I preside, and daily plead for 
peace as well as preach the subject of the angel song. 



PERIOD OF REST AND LONGWOOD. 137 

God bless you in your statesman-like attitude and truly Chris- 
tian conduct concerning so grave a question as that threatening 
the mother and daughter nations. 

Dr. Bradlee was deeply grieved by the death on the 
13th of June, 1896, of his intimate friend, the Rev. 
Peter M. Macdonald, D.D., pastor of St. Andrew's 
Church, Boston. 

In a note he says : " My friend, the Rev. Dr. Peter 
M. Macdonald, passed suddenly away. I was asked by 
the Rev. Dr. W. E. Archibald to make an address at his 
funeral. Being quite feeble, I was not able to accept 
the invitation; but I wrote the following note: — 

***Dear Dr, Archibald, — I have just received your 
postal card. I have been in my chamber all day, sick 
and feeble ; and my family insist upon my going to the 
White Mountains early Thursday morning if I should 
be able to do so, as it is thought that a complete change 
will do me good. The news of the death of ray inti- 
mate friend. Dr. Macdonald, reached me through the 
paper early this morning ; and I have been so shocked 
that I have suffered all day. For about fifteen years 
we have been together in a very close and precious 
friendship. He was a loving, earnest, forgiving, self- 
sacrificing, charitable, pure-minded, and consecrated 
man, true to his friends, patient with all, large in 
mind, social in nature, at peace with all mankind ; and 
he took into his fellowship the members of all churches 
who tried to be faithful disciples of the Lord Jesus 
Christ. He always looked on the bright side, and his 
presence was a benediction. 



138 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

" ' I wish I could say all this on Thursday, and more ; 
but will you say it for me, and will you and all the 
brethren assembled, and all the people who are present, 
be assured of my earnest and deep sympathy ? 

" ' In your sadness, 

'* * Yours sincerely, 

" * Caleb Davis Bradlee." 

Dr. Bradlee wrote the following poem, which was 
read at Dr. Macdonald's funeral : — 

Gone home, — ^gone to a place of light ! 

Called quickly to his God ! 
Father, we know thou doest right, 

But feel the heavy rod. 

Thou knowest best, and yet we weep : 

It is a fearful blow ! 
Shadows around the heart do creep : 

O God, thy grace bestow. 

The " Gates Ajar" may each one see. 

And, as we look in love, 
Behold the lost, by thy decree, 

Enthroned in joy above. 

He speaks to us, and bids us say, 

" O God, thy will be done " : 
He'll lead us now, each hour and day. 

To Christ, the holy one. 

The year 1896 witnessed a great change in the con- 
dition of Christ's Church, Longwood. The desire of 
Dr. Bradlee's heart began to be realized. The friends 
who had loyally stood by their leader in the day of 



PERIOD 07 REST AND LONGWOOD. 1 39 

small things were glad to share his joy when new fam- 
ilies began to come in and the prospects for a strong 
church to be organized began to be bright. 

The Rev. Minot J. Savage, D.D., left the Church of 
the Unity in Boston for New York in the autumn of 
1896. Many of his people lived in Longwood, and a 
large number of them chose to go to the Longwood 
church. 

Dr. Bradlee greatly rejoiced to see this prosperity in 
the church for which he had worked so earnestly, es- 
pecially as he began to be in quite feeble health, and 
felt that some new man must be found to speak from 
the pulpit. To find a man who could afford to speak 
to very few would be difficult: to find a good pastor 
for a full church would be comparatively easy. 

On the 25th of November, 1896, he made the follow- 
ing note : — 

'* I have notified the members of my society, Christ's 
Church, Longwood, that I must give up the charge of 
Christ's Church May i, 1897. I am now so feeble that 
I find it very difficult to make calls ; and as I shall be, 
in May, over sixty-six years old, and as my father gave 
up active work at sixty-six, and as I shall, in May, have 
been in the ministry forty-two years and a half, I think 
it is well for me to give up regular work. I don't 
intend to give up the ministry or preaching, but I 
only free myself from the care and responsibility of a 
parish." 

His pulpit utterances at this time were full of the 
old-time vigor, and made a good impression on those 
who listened, as the following indicates : — 



i40 in memoriam: c^d. bradlee, d.d. 

The Chapel at Longwood. 

To the Editor of the " Transcript " .* — 

" So fight I, not as one who beateth the air." 

These words of Scripture came with impressiveness and force 
from the lips of the Rev. C. D. Bradlee, a few Sundays since, in 
the pulpit of the old stone Sears Chapel, now known as the 
Second Unitarian Church of Brookline. This devoted captain 
and leader in the army of the Lord, after repeated successes in 
the establishment of "camps of instruction," has now crowned 
his labors by securely planting the banner of the cross upon the 
beautiful heights of Longwood. Here for some years past have 
gathered a faithful few, looking forward to the time when they 
should be re-enforced and strengthened by the coming in of 
others prompted to aid the good cause, and to establish for them- 
selves a new church home. Detachments from the company 
lately led by the talented Savage (now transferred to another 
field) with others have united with the " forlorn hope " hitherto in 
possession, and an earnest, enthusiastic congregation is the result. 
The bounds of this "camp" are wide, with ample accommoda- 
tions ; and a cordial welcome awaits those who feel impelled to 

send the message, " Hold the fort, for I am coming." 

Ernest. 
Longwood, January 3. 

In January, 1897, Dr. Bradlee was elected a member 
of the Phi Beta Kappa Society of William and Mary 
College. 

On the 5 th of February, 1897, his lifelong friend, 
Samuel H. Hurd, M.D., died. Dr. Bradlee was much 
affected by this event. He wrote thus : — 

" When one passes away from earth who has made 
his life bright for himself and for others, who never 
looked on the dark side, whose smile of welcome and 



PERIOD OF REST AND LONGWOOD. 14I 

words of cheer filled the heart of those that met him 
with joy and peace, it seems a privilege as well as a 
duty to consecrate his memory by a few words of love 
and gratitude. He who can no longer speak for him- 
self, and who has made every one happy, should have 
some one to speak and call him blessed. Dr. Kurd's 
bright spirit, his pure character, and his keen knowl- 
edge of human nature drew to him a large number of 
friends who deeply regretted his removal." 

After January i Dr. Bradlee preached but seldom 
in the pulpit of Christ's Church, although for a part of 
the time he read the service. Men were heard who 
might be candidates for settlement after May i. It 
was understood that the last Sunday in April would 
be Dr. Bradlee's farewell Sunday, and that he would 
preach on that day. Meantime, in a letter to some 
officer of the society, he wrote : — 

" I take opportunity to express my gratitude to the 
committee and to the society for the loyalty and the 
affection that have been a blessing to me during 
the whole four years of my pastorship. Not only have 
all the members of the society who have been with me 
from the commencement of my work in April, 1893, 
been courteous and faithful, but also the new members 
who have come to us during the past few months have 
given to me a fellowship that has been very precious 
and comforting ; and, as I am obliged to retire from my 
charge on account of feeble health and advancing age, 
I shall carry with me a constant remembrance of the 
favors that I have received." 

Many letters came to him regreting his resignation 
on account of ill-health. 



142 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

The Rev. Charles G. Ames, D.D., wrote : — 

The papers speak of your resignation and ill-health, for both 
of which I am sorrowful. But your afternoon of life will not be 
uncheered by the faith you have taught to others, and you may 
depend on the steady and strong sympathy of the brotherhood. 
Best of all, *<The Jehovah is round about, and underneath are 
the everlasting arms." 

A prominent man in Christ's Church wrote, express- 
ing his appreciation of Dr. Bradlee's work,— 

Which has kindled into existence a flourishing Unitarian organi- 
zation in our vicinity, at the very threshold of our home, a 
society which without doubt is eventually to become a prominent 
and a strong one, and which will do its part and shoulder its 
burden in local and in denominational work. ... I sincerely 
regret the bodily infirmities which require you to officially sever 
your connection with our society, and trust you may be spared to 
us as a friend and companion for many years. 

Another writes : — 

You will feel relieved at the cessation of care, and rejoice, too, 
that your labor has at length produced so good a result. The 
prospect at times must have been very discouraging, but you can 
at length feel that "patience has had her perfect work." Our 
audiences maintain an even interest, and show sure gains as to 
attendance. If we succeed in calling to our help some man who 
shall show the zeal which you have manifested, our prosperity is 
secured. 

Another writes : — 

Permit me to express to you my personal regret at the neces- 
sity which you feel compels you to sever your intimate and active 



PERIOD OF REST AND LONGWOOD. 1 43 

connection with our society, and likewise to extend to you my 
most sincere and cordial thanks for your unabated interest and 
energy in the work which you have ever manifested, with such an 
evident confidence in the ultimate success of your endeavors. 
Without these factors, I feel that the nucleus of our present very 
promising society would long ago have been dissipated. 

During March and April, 1897, Dr. Bradlee went 
from home but little. The exhaustion which followed 
special services indicated that he was not as strong as 
formerly. During his life in the new house at Brook- 
line he accustomed himself to more activity in the open 
air than usual, taking quite long walks in the vicinity 
of his home. Now even short walks wearied him, and 
he shrank from any out-of-door exercise. 

The last Sunday in April, the twenty-fifth day of the 
month, proved to be very beautiful. It was the last 
day of his pulpit work at Christ's Church. The audi- 
ence was large and full of enthusiasm. Dr. Bradlee 
was radiant with the sense of prosperity for the church 
and the thought of his freedom from the burden of its 
care. 

As he entered the pulpit, the wide door of the church 
was open ; and the sweet spring air and the song of 
birds filled the sacred edifice. He preached with won- 
derful power, laying proper emphasis upon the past, 
present, and future of the church. 

He wrote to a friend that, when he closed the 
service, the people crowded about him, and gave him 
a perfect ovation. The day, the occasion, the tender 
relation between pastor and people, the great hope for 
the future, the presence of hosts of friends from the 



144 I^ MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

various churches that he had served, all combined to 
put a crown of glory upon the head of the good man 
who stood at the close of a ministry of forty-two years 
and a half. 

The following account of the occasion is from the 
Boston Herald oi April 26: — 

The end of a long, useful, and successful ministry came yester- 
day morning, when the Rev. Caleb D. Bradlee, D.D., delivered 
his farewell sermon to the Second Unitarian Society in Christ's 
Church, Brookline. Ill-health and advanced age compel a much- 
needed rest, and he leaves his charge in the hands of a strong 
and flourishing organization. The most cordial expression of 
friendship and the good wishes of the congregation went with 
him. Dr. Bradlee, however, proposes to retain connection with 
the society; and it will be his church home. 

A short history of this church, which closes its doors to no 
Christian denomination, is timely. In i860 the Hon. David 
Sears conceived the idea of building a church for any and all 
Christian religions, and in 1862 the present beautiful building on 
Colchester Street was completed. The only provision made was 
that a part of the church liturgy be adopted ; and even that was 
left to the will of the worshipping society, which left almost 
absolute freedom, as the word " amen " would be sufficient. 

The idea of the founder was a union of all Christian churches. 
A fund was kept by Mr. Sears for the care of the building and 
grounds, and even the sexton's salary was provided for in the will. 

Prior to 1893, when Dr. Bradlee, at the solicitation of three 
families, organized the society, the church was closed for a 
number of years. The establishment of this society through the 
efforts of Dr. Bradlee is the culminating work in a long and 
useful career. The little church family of seven grew, until now 
a large and enthusiastic congregation nearly fills the structure. 

The Brookline church was well filled yesterday morning with a 



PERIOD OF REST AND LONGWOOD. 1 45 

congregation which fully appreciated Dr. Bradlee's labors for 
them, and the great results attained. He gave as his text the 
words in i Cor. iii. 6, — " God gave the increase." The perfec- 
tion of this world, said the preacher, is not brought about by any 
one great person or by a single age, but by the multitude giving 
of their best through many generations. All contribute to the 
great result. Every thread counts in the great warp and woof. 
Knowing this, we should do our work bravely and patiently, 
leaving to God the result. Let us be glad to take our part in any 
work which falls to us. Only let us lay the foundations so well 
that nothing shall give way. 

The results are God's, not ours. Coming to our own church, 
how could our increase be so remarkable unless God had brought 
about this great result? Human methods were used, but all 
through them and through all our best efforts flowed the guiding 
spirit of God. As far as human events are concerned, we may 
say it was brought about by the migration of a large number of 
families to this part of Brookline, or that the foundations were 
laid strongly by families who had lived here for many years, and 
who were glad to have a liberal church in this neighborhood. 
But we see that God was working with us all the time. 

In 1893 a few families began to attend services in this church, 
determined to stay here until the increase came. They held on 
bravely for years. Stoutly they kept the post, until all at once 
the relief came ; and a solid phalanx of loving and loyal people 
joined the movement, and made the church a permanent organi- 
zation. Thus have we grown into health and prosperity, and I 
have been enabled to stay with you until a church successful 
beyond my anticipations worships here. And now you have my 
best wishes for your continued prosperity. 

I cannot close without thanking you all for your great kindness 
to me. The remembrance of that will be a choice benediction to 
me the remaining years of my life. Although on account of my 
feeble health and failing strength I am obliged officially to sever 
my relations with you, yet I hope that nothing in the future will 



146 IN MEMORIAM: C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

break the friendship and fellowship which has been so close, 
tender, and beautiful. 

The Boston journal said : — 

Dr. Bradlee's Parting. 

A long, useful, and successful ministry was brought to a close 
yesterday in Christ's Church, Brookline, when to the Second 
Unitarian Society the Rev. Caleb Davis Bradlee, D.D., preached 
his parting sermon. 

The text was, "God gave the increase." He said, in 
speaking of the church : ^< In 1893 a few faithful families began 
to attend this church, with the determination to remain till others 
came to help ; and nearly all have held on bravely, holding the 
fort, till all at once, last October, the relief came, and a solid 
phalanx of living children of God marched into the pews, and 
said, * We have come to stay,' so that, with nearly thirty families 
of the old members and a large number of recruits, we have 
grown up into health and prosperity, and I have been able to 
keep my pledge that I would stay with my people till solid success 
.should crown my efforts." 

The sermon preached on this occasion is here given : 



GOD'S HELPING HAND. 

** God gave the increase." — i CoR. iii. 6. 

The perfection of this world is not brought about by 
one person or by one age or by any one set of circum- 
stances ; for perfection is the result of the efforts of 
many people throughout many centuries, and by the 
aid of circumstances the most diverse, exciting, and 
strange. 



PERIOD OF REST AND LONGWOOD. 1 47 

Every one of us contributes a part toward the grand 
result, and a small part at the best ; and yet every 
thread counts, so that, if any one thread should be left 
out, the carpet of existence will be incomplete, rough, 
and unattractive. 

Some, like the apostle Paul, are chosen as planters 
of the truth ; and their mission is to sow the seeds of 
reality broadcast over the land, leaving the care of the 
soil to others. 

Clear thinkers are to give forth their ideas, spark- 
ling, burning, and glorious ; and it is their duty to open 
the prison doors of these surging, rioting, and over- 
whelming thoughts, letting them, like Noah's dove, 
seek a resting-place on the soil of some waiting soul. 
They must let these airy messengers go forth with 
mercy and with healing on their wings. They must let 
them startle the earth, rouse curiosity, sharpen reason, 
stir up judgment, sanctify affection. Yes, they must 
let them go forth. Although at times they must march 
along, unshaped, unsightly, and rough-hewn out of the 
quarry of the brain, still they must trust them on their 
uncertain journey to the unceasing mercy of Almighty 
God. 

If our mission be simply that of a planter, let us not 
be anxious about living to see results ; and let us leave 
issues to a higher Power, being very careful to do our 
work bravely, enthusiastically, and religiously. All 
through history we shall find those who only scattered 
the seed, and right earnest people they were. Colum- 
bus, in whose capacious brain a whole continent 
seethed, died long before the rich blossoming of his 



143 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

ideas was detected. And he simply prepared the way 
for the grand revelation of to-day, and by the magic 
touch of his thoughts converted a wilderness into a 
garden. And Luther simply began the Reformation ; 
for he had no idea that by his doctrine of religious lib- 
erty he was sending a message throughout the whole 
world that would bear fruit forever and ever. And 
Lincoln, when he sent forth the proclamation for free- 
dom, could not have known how his electric words 
would send a shock throughout the world, and make 
all tyrants tremble. And so we might go on citing 
myriads of examples of those whose lives were conse- 
crated simply to the starting of truth, and who left the 
soil richly sown for others to cultivate. 

Look at our Master, and do we not behold a won- 
derful, a touching, and a brilliant example of this pun- 
gent truth ? He came simply to drop a few thoughts 
into barren places, seed-truths, apparently very simple, 
very modestly delivered, seemingly guarded by nothing 
that promised perpetuity; and he left them to their 
fate. And a hard fate it was to all human appearances ; 
for their Author was punished as an outlaw upon the 
cross, and the few who were in any ways inclined to 
favor his ideas were despised, down-trodden, and scat- 
tered. 

The literature of the day, the politics of the day, the 
policy of the day, and the religion of the day, all these 
and all powerful influences were against the teachings 
of Jesus. And yet they lived, they grew, they grew 
strong ; and then they swept the world into complete 
vassalage, and brought all the corners of the earth into 



PERIOD OF REST AND LONGWOOD. 1 49 

holy submission. They lived, although tyrants stormed, 
sceptics derided, and sin in all shapes opposed. Saint 
Paul was one who planted. He was a great traveller, 
and wherever he went he scattered his seed-truths. In 
Jerusalem and in Antioch, in Arabia, in Rome, in 
Spain, and, as some think, in England, he left the 
mark of his sacred presence. And he was satisfied 
with this work, hard, unpromising, and tedious as it ap- 
peared, and even though he knew that the fruits would 
fall into the keeping of other souls. Yes : he was glad 
thus to lessen the labors of successors and happy to 
prepare the way for their coming, for he had no foolish 
pride about gathering up his own harvest ; and, as long 
as the harvest would come, that was all for which he 
cared, and then he was willing to go home to God, 
leaving the earthly honors for such as the Father 
might appoint. So, my friends, it should be with all 
of us who are simply ordered to begin a work. 

Let us not be dissatisfied that we leave the work be- 
fore its full completion, and let us be glad that God 
has given to us any part in the great plan of life to fill ; 
and, although we only build the foundation, let us do 
that so gratefully, so thoroughly, and so beautifully 
that it shall never give way. When a great many 
years ago it was announced that a leading light and a 
kingly soul, on the Pacific Coast, had gone out, and 
passed on, many of us felt that the call was almost un- 
timely. Just as a new church was built, a new organ 
was purchased, fresh plans of charitable organizations 
were formed, and just as the church was beginning to 
be stalwart, and just as the roses were commencing to 



150 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

bloom in their gorgeous beauty, and as the fragrance 
of a noble success was established, just then the light 
went out. But the departure was not untimely, for 
that young prophet filled out the full measure of his 
calling ; and, although others enjoyed the splendors of 
his achievements, and plucked the most exquisite bou- 
quets out of the garden of his faithful efforts, yet the 
honors, the rewards, and the compensations were really 
his, while no death of the body can take them away 
from him. But, while some must plant, there are 
others who, like Apollos, must nourish the planting. 
The seed must be nourished as well as sown ; ideas 
must be received and spread, as well as born ; truth 
needs friends as well as a father; and so people are 
needed who, although not the starters of thought or 
work, are yet gentle, generous, persistent, and cour- 
ageous enough to take it up at the proper time, and 
are glad to give it protection, publicity, and power. 
For the audience is as important as the actor, the ap- 
plause is as much needed as the oration, and the 
spoken word must have some enthusiastic admirers 
and promulgators, who are not afraid of ridicule or 
abuse, and who can stand all sorts of opposition, 
shame, and trouble. 

Christianity is good ; and yet Christianity without 
the twelve disciples and without their successors, with- 
out a church and without any believers, of course 
would be a long while reaching its full power, beauty, 
and glory. 

A thing may be very good in itself, and yet perfectly 
inoperative, because nobody seems willing to acknowl- 



PERIOD OF REST AND LONGWOOD. 151 

edge its goodness, to cherish its power, and to publish 
its splendor. 

Let not, then, those who take up a work that is 
already begun be despised; for without them all the 
early efforts would be in vain. Saint Paul might 
plant forever ; but, without an Apollos to help him, his 
harvest would be meagre, inoperative, crushed. 

It is said that there are but very few who are willing 
to begin a work, but that many are glad to take up a 
work or a thought that is well started, and that our 
great orators, our renowned preachers, and our distin- 
quished scholars are simply copyists, unconscious, it 
may be, but still none the less photographs, strong or 
weak, of Demosthenes, of Cicero, and of all the elo- 
quent ones of past ages. But suppose that this be 
really so : we are none the worse off on this account ; 
and, in fact, we are all the better off, for, in this way, 
all the wisdom of the past ages is beautifully con- 
densed into the teachings of the present. 

Why do we allow our scholars of to-day freedom 
from the active employments of life, and the gift of 
seclusion in their studies, if it be not that they may 
ponder over the works and the words of other days, 
and thus gain strength for the present hour ? 

We certainly do not merely say to these students, 
Make new thoughts, and strike out a fire such as never 
before has been seen. If so, we simply demand an im- 
possibility, while the result will be not sense, but non- 
sense ; for, if we want an Apollos to do the work of a 
Paul, we are craving an impossibility. 

" God gives the increase." Planting and nourishing 



152 IN M£MORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

amount to absolutely nothing unless Almighty God 
gives the incerase ; and great thinkers may think for- 
ever brilliant, bursting, and comprehensive thoughts, 
and mighty appreciators of thought may catch up these 
startling ideas, appropriate them, and publish them, 
beautifully, adroitly, and eloquently, with fascination, 
and with unction, but all to no possible purpose, unless 
Almighty God gives the increase. For results are 
God's, not ours ; and the seed will rot in the ground, 
and all our ploughing, all our manuring, and all our 
culturing will be of no possible avail, and there will be 
no rich harvest, and no ripened corn, unless the breath 
of the Almighty shall so order it. 

The breath of the Almighty ! On this depends life 
or death, success or failure, joy or sorrow. We are to 
do our part, and we are to be instant, in season and out 
of season; but issues we must very beautifully, very 
patiently, and very gloriously commend to the Infinite 
Will. 

Issues! Why, we have nothing whatsoever to do 
with them, for they do not come within the circumfer- 
ence of our duty; and our anxiety must be wholly for 
the present, our toil must be this day, and our prayer 
for a better, a holier, and a more useful life now, for 
the harvest will take care of itself. 

" God gives the increase." Let this truth be borne 
always in mind, and then will expectation be curbed, 
arrogance be chilled, disappointment disappear, and 
our days will be more calm, our energy more persis- 
tent, our work more attractive, our whole existence 
more brilliant, suggestive, and holy ; and we shall see 



PERIOD OF REST AND LONGWOOD. 1 53 

how near heaven and earth approach to each other, 
and how the human borders upon the divine. 

But what is the increase that is given ? 

Perhaps the definition of heaven will differ very much 
from ours, for we might call a result an entire failure 
when the angels would label the same as a grand suc- 
cess, or we might imagine that we had gained a joyful 
harvest when celestial spirits would be mourning the 
thorough blight of our prospects ; for the arithmetic of 
the Eternal Kingdom seems to differ very greatly from 
our poor calculations. We weigh deeds, but God 
weighs motives ; and many persons have seemed to our 
frail judgment to have lived on the earth to no possible 
purpose, and, when their departure comes, we are rather 
glad that they are relieved from the ennui of life. And 
we call them dreamers, schemers, idealists, and impracti- 
cable men or women ; but it may be that in the other 
world they stand high as saints, because they have let 
fall, whilst sojourning upon the earth, some truth that 
will germinate, expand, blossom, bear fruit, and prove 
a glory, a power, and a benediction to the children of 
men. My friends, we cannot tell whether we have 
gained a harvest or not; and, whilst many of us think 
that we live to no purpose, we may be exerting an influ- 
ence the vast consequences of which no eternity can 
ever exhaust. We may all of us, and we do all of us, 
have our morbid seasons, when we think that God made 
a mistake in creating us, when we say that our little 
life is a very poor contribution to the world's benefit, 
and when we exclaim that out of us can be gathered 
no fragrance, no flowers, and no fruit. 



154 I^ MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

But I never yet have seen a person, however bad, 
whom somebody did not love ; and, if we can only make 
somebody love us, we are living for a grand purpose. 
Let us remember also that very frequently those who 
are the most sensitive, the most depressed, and the 
most cast down, are the very ones who are living to a 
great purpose, whom large numbers respect, and whose 
good words and works are so numerous as to be past 
human counting. Often our widest influence for good 
is, on our part, entirely unconscious. 

We speak a cheering word to some one in despair ; 
and it proves a grace, a glory, and a salvation. 

We give timely aid to some poverty-stricken brother 
or sister, whilst from that very moment their manhood 
or their womanhood begins. Our opinion is asked on 
some complicated point of morals, and we give it with- 
out any thought as to the result ; and it may be that we 
have saved many souls from death, and have added 
spiritual jewels to God's holy diadem. 

Let us, then, never complain of uselessness until God 
has shown to us the whole plan of our life, a list of our 
thoughts, looks, habits, words, and deeds, and a list also 
of the persons that have been helped by them, directly 
or remotely ; and not till then shall we be able to judge. 

"God gives the increase." These words of the 
apostle Paul would never have been uttered, had not 
his Master and our Master illuminated his soul ; for it 
is only through the Son of God that we obtain a sure 
knowledge of the Father. 

Oh, how beautifully he portrays the Eternal One, 
and how he proves to us God's benignant goodness, 



PERIOD OF REST AND LONGWOOD. 1 55 

untiring tenderness, and comprehensive love ! If we 
know the great Teacher in the least, and if we have 
understood his character, have been bathed in his 
spirit, have been permeated by his precepts, have 
beheld his cross, and have felt his presence, we are 
well aware ; and we cannot help believing that " God 
gives the increase." 

But, to come to our own church to-day, how could our 
increase be so great except the good Father of us all 
had in many ways brought about the grand result ? 
Human means of course were used ; but underneath 
those means, all through them and glorifying them, 
ought to be traced the hand of God. 

Of course, we can give merely human reasons for our 
strength. We can say that it was brought about by 
the migration of a large number of families to Brook- 
line, who by accident have found this church open and 
a welcome ready; or by the resignation of a beloved 
and an honored pastor of one of the Boston churches, so 
that many of his disciples living in Brookline wanted a 
church home, and selected our church as a home ; or 
by the sudden resolve of many families who had made 
no choice of a place of worship, but who felt that the 
time had come for a choice, and joined us lovingly and 
gladly. Yes : we can give many reasons for this new 
life of ours ; but let us never forget that there has been 
a higher Power working all the time. 

In 1893 a few faithful families began to attend ser- 
vice in this church, with the determination to remain 
here until others came to help ; and nearly all have held 
on bravely for years, — God bless them ! — holding the 



156 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

fort, till all at once, last October, the relief came, and a 
solid phalanx of loving children of God marched into 
the pews, and said in cheering words, " We have come to 
stay." So that with the nearly thirty families of the old 
members, and with the large number of recruits, we 
have gone up into health and prosperity ; and I have 
been enabled to keep my pledge, that I would stay with 
my people till a solid success should crown my efforts. 

It is now predicted by some of the wisest thinkers 
that this society will become one of the strongest in 
our denomination ; and, certainly, this prophecy must, 
in a very short time, become an actual fact, if your 
growth should be as rapid as it has been during the 
last six months, if you should all be bound together, as 
you are to-day, in the holiest friendship and fellowship, 
and if, in the choice of the one who is to take my place, 
you are able to find a man who will devote his life to 
your service, who will count no sacrifice too great, 
provided it be made in your behalf, and who will give 
his whole soul and strength to the people under his 
charge. 

As my successor has not yet been chosen, you will 
pardon me, I know, if I should speak with freedom in 
regard to your choice. 

Do not select a man merely because a great many 
people tell you that he is the right person for the place, 
or because he has a very pleasing appearance and many 
attractive gifts, or because he has been very successful 
as an organizer of other churches, or because he has 
had a very great experience, or because he is a young 
man or an old man or in mid-life, or because he is a 



PERIOD OF REST AND LONGWOOD. 157 

distinguished orator and will draw crowds of people to 
hear him ; but select your xmxif first and mainly, because 
he is upright, straightforward, earnest, devotional, a 
child of God, a disciple of the Great Teacher, and full 
of the spirit of righteousness. Then all the other gifts 
that I have mentioned, added to this one holy gift of 
perfect consecration, will give you a leader who will 
stay with you for years, and who will, before two years 
have passed away, call into this church such a large 
number of people that every seat will be taken, and all 
hearts will be filled with joy, peace, and gratitude. 

You have my best wishes for your solid and holy 
success. I cannot close without thanking you all for 
your great kindness to me, and thanking especially one 
person, who says that his name must never be known 
during his life, who has given me his hearty sympathy 
and large financial help during all the years that I have 
been your pastor, and who promised the same as long 
as I continued to hold service in this church. Yes, I 
thank him, and I thank you all, over and over again, for 
your increasing loyalty and devotion, the remembrance 
of which will be a choice benediction to me all the 
remaining years of my life; and although, on account 
of my feeble health and failing strength, I am obliged 
officially to part from you, I hope that nothing what- 
soever in the future will break the friendship and the 
fellowship that has been so close, so tender, and so 
beautiful. 

Almighty God, through his dear Son, bless you, one 
and all ! 



158 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

It was the intention of the committee of the church 
to have the parish elect Dr. Bradlee pastor emeritus 
of the society. 

The following notice was sent to each member of the 
society, which was called the Second Unitarian Society 
in Brookline: — 

To the Members of the Second Unitarian Society in Brookline: 

You are requested to assemble in the church immediately after 

the service on Sunday, May 2, 1897, to take appropriate action on 

the retirement of Dr. Bradlee from the pastorate of this society, 

and the proposition to elect him pastor emeritus of the society. 

Per order of the Prudential Committee. 

Geo. p. Furber, Clerk, 
April 26, 1897. 

This proposition was known to Dr. Bradlee, and was 
a source of great joy to him. It had been his wish that, 
when the end of his ministry came, it might be his fort- 
une to sustain the relation of pastor emeritus to the 
last society over which he had been settled. 

The day appointed for the conferring of this honor 
was one day too late. When it arrived, he was gone to 
the heavenly home. The end of his Longwood pastor- 
ate* was the end of his earthly ministry. 



IX. 



CLOSING DAYS. 

FUNERAL SERVICE. RESOLUTIONS 

AND PERSONAL TRIBUTES 

OF LOVE AND HONOR. 






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IX. 



CLOSING DAYS. 

DR. BRADLEE'S service at Longwood was at a 
close on the ist of May, 1897. Members of his 
family and his many friends were glad with him that 
the end of this pastorate had been so glorious, and 
hoped that the twilight of his life would be long and 
peaceful. He rejoiced in the thought of freedom from 
parish cares, and looked forward to a period of rest. 

He could not be inactive, and, as was usual with him 
in times of semi-retirement, was already planning ser- 
vices for others. He was to preach in Salem one 
Sunday in May as a " labor of love " for his friend. 
Rev. Alfred Manchester, at the Barton Square Church, 
and was to officiate in the same church on the 2d of 
June at the wedding of his namesake. Miss Ethel 
Bradlee Manchester, and Mr. Frank S. Perkins. He 
was arranging a meeting of the Harvard Divinity Uni- 
tarian Club at his house. 

On Sunday, May 2, he was to christen his little 
grandchild, Helen Gay Smith, who was born Dec. 14, 
1896, and to whom he was much attached. The ser- 
vice was to be at his house, and several members of the 
family were to be present. 

All of the above engagements were very pleasant 
ones to him. 



l62 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

On Saturday, May i, he was to officiate at a funeral 
in the church at Longwood, previous to which he 
expected to go to Boston. 

He arose and went to his breakfast as usual on Sat- 
urday morning, but, after the meal was over, complained 
of a distress across his chest. The trouble did not 
yield to simple remedies ; and a physician was called, 
who said it was an attack of indigestion, and recom- 
mended a day in bed. Dr. Lyon, of Brookline, kindly 
took charge of the service at the church; and the 
patient kept quiet. He seemed tired and exhausted 
throughout the day. The evening paper was read to 
him ; and at six o'clock, after having experienced a 
severe attack of nausea, he was resting so quietly that 
the family went to dinner, leaving him in the care of an 
attendant. A change in his breathing alarmed the 
attendant ; and hardly was the serving of dinner com- 
menced before the family were summoned, only to see 
him breathe his last. Without a struggle, he passed 
into the heavenly life. All the members of the family 
witnessed his peaceful departure. 

The physician pronounced the cause of death to be 
heart failure. 

It did not seem possible that the change had come. 

The sad news was at once sent to all who had ex- 
pected to be present on the morrow to take part in the 
happy occasion of the christening service. 

All were sadly shocked at the unexpected news. No 
one had dreamed that the very day of his release from 
parish care was to be the day of his translation. 

The next day was very stormy. The scene at Long- 



CLOSING DAYS. 1 63 

wood church was a great contrast to that of the 
previous Sunday. A small congregation gathered. A 
sense of personal loss was over all. Rev. Edward D. 
Towle, of Salem, a personal friend of Dr. Bradlee, who 
was afterward called to succeed him in Longwood 
church, occupied the pulpit. He referred most grace- 
fully and tenderly to the beloved minister who but 
yesterday had ceased to be pastor of the church. 

The meeting which was to have passed a resolution 
making Dr. Bradlee pastor emeritus of the Second 
Unitarian Church, Longwood, Brookline, voted reso- 
lutions of respect and loving sympathy be prepared by 
the Prudential Committee. 



FUNERAL SERVICE. 

The funeral services were held on Wednesday, 
May 5. 

A brief service was held at the family residence. 

The public services were at 2 p.m., at Longwood 
church, and were conducted by Rev. Edward Everett 
Hale, D.D., and Rev. James De Normandie. 

The church was beautifully adorned with flowers and 
growing palms by the ladies of the society. The 
service was simple and beautiful. 

Dr. Hale pronounced the eulogy, saying in part: — 

We are together as so many friends, each to testify to the 
love, respect, and the reverence with which we regarded him ; but 
we must not forget the thousands of others who so esteem him. 
No one has been taken from us who could call together from so 



164 IN MEMORIAM: C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

wide ranges of life so many testimonies of love, respect, and 
regard as Dr. Bradlee could. From his earliest life he was pos- 
sessed of a determination to give himself singly and absolutely to 
the great work. This he did, despite his tastes for history, 
scientific investigation, etc. Through his all-pervading deter- 
mination that Christ should reign in the world, he gained a 
curious breadth in catholicity. 

Dr. Hale expressed himself as having known Dr. 
Bradlee since boyhood, and commented upon the fact 
that he had never met him once in the thousands of 
times which they were together that this master-work 
did not assert itself. 

He had the gift of organization, the happy faculty of 
bringing all sorts of people together. He liked to go 
into difficult positions to organize a church, and then 
at the end of several years to relinquish his successful 
society to his successor, and seek other fields of organi- 
zation. 

His life gave glory and majesty to the grand old 
conception of the ministry. His single determination 
was that he would live for others and for the glory of 
the kingdom of God. 

Miss Florence Woods rendered " One Sweetly Solemn 
Thought " and " God shall wipe away All Tears." 

The services closed with the singing of " Nearer, my 
God, to thee," by the congregation. 

The pall-bearers were the Hon. William C. William- 
son and Henry C. Denny, representing the Class of '52, 
Harvard ; the Rev. Alfred Manchester, of Salem, repre- 
senting Unitarian ministers ; the Rev. D, M. Wilson, 
representing the Boston Association of Ministers; 



CLOSING DAYS. 1 65 

George S. Burton, Charles A. Brown, George Pierce, 
and Dr. William E. Boardman, representing the 
Second Unitarian Society of Brookline. The ushers 
were Messrs. Frederick J. Smith and L. Wild Smith. 

The interment was in the family lot at Mt. Auburn. 
The committal service there was read by the Rev. 
Alfred Manchester, 

The Christian Register of May 5, 1897, had the 
following article : — 

Caleb Davis Bradlee. 

The Rev. Caleb Davis Bradlee died suddenly at his own home 
on Saturday evening. With a certain forecast, as it would seem, 
he had preached, only on the last Sunday before, his farewell 
sermon to the congregation at Christ Church. One wishes that 
in the last week he could have heard all the words of gratitude 
and sympathy which spoke of that sermon ; and we cannot but 
believe that the lessons it enforces and the encouragement it gives 
will have worth all their own, now that we all know that we are 
not to hear his voice again. 

Dr. Bradlee has had a peculiar place among our clergy, 
because he had a gift which is only too rare. He had a singular 
power for the organization of churches, — for bringing people 
together, and binding them together for their own religious 
growth and for the good of others. In the first place, he be- 
lieved in churches and their work through and through ; and by 
ways unknown to some men, one would say, he made other people 
believe in churches. If you heard that Dr. Bradlee had expressed 
a willingness to take any new enterprise in hand, you knew it 
would succeed. 

Dr. Bradlee has associated himself with the grateful memory 
of many other churches. The Allen Street Congregational 
Church of Cambridge ; the Church of Our Father, East Boston ; 



1 66 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

the Church of the Redeemer, Boston; the Christian Unity So- 
ciety, Boston; the church at Harrison Square; the Norfolk 
Street Church, Dorchester, — all of them have been indebted to 
his fostering care. For the last two or three years he has been 
preaching at Christ Church in Longwood, and, as has been said, 
had the great satisfaction of addressing that united and pros- 
perous congregation on the Sunday before his death. When he 
saw that a congregation was on its feet, and was able to provide 
for itself as an established congregation should. Dr. Bradlee 
would withdraw, would find other fields for his self-sacrificing 
effort, and would add another leaf to his laurels. 

Dr. Bradlee was a cordial and liberal assistant in the best 
works of charity which go to the bringing in of better life. He 
had great business ability, and it was always fortunate if he 
could be enlisted on a board of directors for work, however 
monotonous : you were sure that that work would be well done. 
He was a careful student, and took especial interest in the fort- 
unes and history of the Unitarian movement. A volume of 
sermons, which he published not long since, shows very clearly 
the power by which he held congregations together and enlarged 
them. There is not a more " readable " book of sermons among 
those which have been published in the last fifty years. He 
interests the hearer or the reader, and is not tempted by any 
temporary interest to speak upon petty subjects. 

Dr. Bradlee inherited from his father an independent fortune ; 
but he dedicated his life, all the same, to the service of the 
church, in that communion in which his conscience and faith 
made him so important a workman. For the important service 
which he had rendered to our communion in a hundred ways we 
have all reason to be grateful. 



CLOSING DAYS. 1 67 



RESOLUTIONS. 

Out of the great number of resolutions and other 
tributes of love and honor received by the family of 
Dr. Bradlee from societies and individuals, a few have 
been selected, and are here given : — 

[Second Unitarian Society , Brookline.] 

At a Stated meeting of the Prudential Committee of 
the Second Unitarian Society in Brookline, held April 
12, 1897, it was unanimously voted that the following 
resolutions be made a matter of record, and that a copy 
of them be sent to the Rev. Caleb Davis Bradlee, D.D. : 

Resolved^ In accepting the resignation of the Rev. Caleb D. 
Bradlee, the members of the Prudential Committee in behalf of 
the society express their sincere regret that impaired health has 
compelled him to relinquish his active connection with us as pas- 
tor, and their appreciation of and deep sense of gratitude for his 
zealous, untiring, and gratuitous labors during four years in his 
endeavor to bring together and organize our society. 

Resolved^ That, in recalling these labors on his part, and the 
well-recognized obstacles and difficulties which have been met 
and overcome, we realize that the present satisfactory condition 
of our society, and its apparent promise of increasing prosperity 
and usefulness, are due in large measure to his wise and helpful 
counsels and guidance, to the cordial invitation and welcome which 
he has invariably extended to all, to the spirit of cordiality which 
he has inspired and cultivated so assiduously in our relations one 
to another, and to his unabated confidence and belief in the ulti- 
mate success of our united efforts to complete an efficient organ- 
ization for the purpose of Christian fellowship and worship. 

Resolved^ That, in recognition of his valuable services and to 



1 68 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

give permanent expression to our esteem for him, we, the Pru- 
dential Committee, do recommend that he be invited to become 
pastor emeritus of the society. 

George S. Burton, Chairman, 
(Signed) 

W. E. BoARDMAN. Charles A. Brown. 

Charles W. H olden. George Peirce. 

Clarence W. Jones. Isabel L. Williams. 

Elizabeth G. Phinney. Dara H. Doane. 

Rebecca Fales Peirce. George P. Furber, Clerk, 

The following letter accompanied these resolutions : 

12 Newbury Street, Boston, 

May 2, 1897. 
Mrs. C. D. Braolee, Fisher Avenue, Brookline, Mass. : 

Dear Madam, — The enclosed resolutions were adopted by the 
Prudential Committee at its last meeting; and it was the inten- 
tion of the committee to have them indorsed by the society 
to-day, and then forward them with that indorsement to Dr. Brad- 
lee. We all feel the keenest disappointment and regret that the 
resolutions should not have reached his hand with the indorse- 
ment intended. 

I have thought it best, however, to send them to you in the 
hope that it will be some comfort to his family to receive this ex- 
pression of the appreciation and regard in which Dr. Bradlee was 
held by all of us, both those who have been with him in the last 
four years of his pastorate and those who have more recently 
joined the society. Very respectfully, 

George P. Furber, Clerk. 

[Second Unitarian Society, Brookline.] 

The following resolutions were sent to the family of 
Dr. Bradlee : — 

In conforming with the vote of the Second Unitarian Society 
in Brookline, passed at the meeting held May 2, 1897, the Pru- 



CLOSING DAYS. 1 69 

dential Committee, unanimously and in behalf of the societ}^ 
present the following resolutions : — 

"Whereas it has pleased our heavenly Father to remove by 
death our beloved pastor and friend, the Rev. Caleb Davis 
Bradlee, D.D., 

^^ Resolvedy That, while acknowledging the wisdom of Divine 
Providence, we sincerely lament the loss of him who had endeared 
himself to us by his zealous endeavors and the results which he 
accomplished in the interest of our society, by the strong hopes 
which he inspired within us, by the ties of Christian fellowship 
and mutual regard which he diligently cherished, and by the recol- 
lection and knowledge of his many virtues which enabled him 
from early manhood to contribute so largely to the welfare and 
happiness of others. 

" Resolved^ That, in the purity and nobility of his character and 
aims, his unaffected simplicity of manner, his unselfish devotion 
to active Christian endeavor, his abundant charity, his liberality 
and kindness toward those who differed with him in belief and 
practice, and his unstinted, loyal afEection, we recognize virtues 
which claim our reverence and which we may well imitate. 

" Resolved^ That, we shall feel most deeply the loss of the prom- 
ised continuance of his association, interest, and aid ; and, inspired 
by the recollection of his unfailing devotion and zeal in our behalf, 
we will continue, and endeavor to increase our efforts toward the 
complete fulfilment of his cherished desire to establish a prosper- 
ous society for Christian worship, an abiding church home, and an 
important factor in the Unitarian Association and in the community. 

" Accomplishing these ends, we may well feel that we have erected 
in remembrance of him, and in his honor, a fitting and enduring 
monument. 

" Resolved^ That to his family, in their deep sorrow, we extend 
our respectful sympathy. 

^^ Resolved, That these resolutions be spread upon the records 
of our society, and that a copy of them be sent to his family by 
the clerk of the Prudential Committee. 

Adopted by the Prudential Committee of the Second Unita- 
rian Society in Brookline at a stated meeting, May 10, 1897. 

A true copy. 

Attest : George P. Furber, Clerk, 



lyo IN memoriam: c. d. bradlee, d.d. 

[Boston Association of Ministers.] 

The following memorial tribute was presented by the 
Rev. S. W. Bush at the regular meeting of the Boston 
Association of Ministers, held in the First Parish 
Church of Brighton, May lo, 1897, and was unani- 
mously adopted by a rising vote : — 

The death of the Rev. Caleb D. Bradlee, D.D., which took 
place on the ist of May, has removed from us one of the most 
loyal and devoted members of our Boston Association of Minis- 
ters ; and, on this our first meeting, we would briefly recall the 
memory of what he was and what he did. 

Dr. Bradlee has walked among us with the sanctity and beauty 
of a consecrated life. He was a man of deep religious convic- 
tions, and carried with him wherever he went the spirit of Christ. 
He loved the ministry, and gave himself to its work with untiring 
constancy. He was especially interested in the formation and 
help of new churches ; and, as he was not dependent upon his 
salary, he gave his services with disinterested zeal. There are 
now several self-supporting ones which owe their prosperity very 
largely to his efforts in their behalf. 

As a pastor, he was very faithful ; and his quick S3rmpathies 
brought him into close touch with his parishioners, and enabled him 
in the time of their stress and sorrow to bring them the strength 
and cheer of trust and faith. 

His private charities cannot be fully known, because he did not 
let his left hand know what his right hand was doing. But, now 
that he has passed away, many rise up with grateful benediction 
as they speak of his act of personal kindness. The volumes of 
sermons he published show that he was most interested in the 
practical aspects of the religion of Jesus, and these discourses 
bear witness to his ability and directness as a preacher. 

He served this Association faithfully as moderator, and his 
cordial hospitality was proverbial. Taken as a whole, his life was 
fragrant with good deeds, and his character was brightened by 
the sweetness and light of Him whom he loved and followed. 



CLOSING DAYS. 171 

As an evidence of our esteem and Section, be it 

" Resolved^ That the scribe be requested to place on our record 

this testimony of our appreciation of his life and character, and 

also to forward a copy to the family of Dr. Bradlee with the 

expression of our heartfelt sympathy for them in their sorrow, and 

of our trust that the faith he preached and lived may bring them 

solace and peace.'' 

A true copy. 

Attest : Charles Gordon Ames, Scribe, 

The following letter accompanied the resolution : — 

My dear Mrs, Bradlee^ — I cannot perform the official duty of 
sending you this tribute of the brethren to your husband's sacred 
memory without adding a [personal word. It was through our 
being often brought together while he was moderator and I was 
scribe that I came to know the man and his qualities, and I seem 
to know him better still now. I always see your face in company 
with his ; and, now that we may think of the new light that gathers 
around his head, I like to think and wish that some rays of that 
light which never fades away shine down to glorify the shadows 
of the world where he has left you for a little time. 

That he has not been taken from you, but rather given to you 
in a new and blessed way, I am sure; for you have lived in a 
common faith as well as in a common love. 

God grant that all your precious memories of the years gone by 
may now change to high and holy hope ! For, surely, 

" The best is yet to be, 
The last of life, for which the first was made. 

Our times are in His hand 

Who saith, *A whole I planned : 
Youth shows but half.' Trust God, see all, 
Nor be afraid." 

With cordial greetings to your daughter and her husband, I 

desire to be thought of as 

Your friend and brother, 

Charles Gordon Ames. 
12 Chestnut Street, Boston, 

May II, 1897. 



IJ2 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

[Harvard College, Class of 1852.] 

Cambridge, Mass., 20 Lowell Street, 

July 14, 1897. 
Mrs. C. D. Bradlee: 

Dear Madam, — The Secretary of the Class of 1852 of Harvard 
College, of which your late husband was a member, requested me 
to convey to you and family the condolence and sympathy of the 
class in the affliction which his recent death has brought to you. 

Be assured that his classmates appreciated his moral and relig- 
ious character. They well remember his many virtues — his fidel- 
ity, his thoughtfulness, his disinterestedness, and kindness — dur- 
ing the years of his college life. The same traits were conspicuous 
during his long Christian ministry, to which he devoted his time 
and talents. 

We all esteem most highly the memory of his useful life in the 
profession in which he was so successful, and to which he conse- 
crated his ability in so many ways. 

Allow me to add that it was my privilege to know him person- 
ally during these many years, and it was always a great pleasure 
to receive his warm and genial greeting. 

In expressing to you our sympathy, I voice the sentiment of the 
class in saying that he merited at last the Master's benediction, 
" Well done, good and faithful servant ! " 

Very respectfully yours, 

Charles C. Vinal, 

Class of 1852. 

[New England Historic Genealogical Society.] 

Marshall P. Wilder Hall, 18 Somerset Street, 

Boston, Mass., June 2, 1897. 

At a stated meeting of the New England Historic Genealogical 
Society, held this day, the death of the Rev. Caleb Davis Bradlee, 
Ph.D., D.D., being announced, the following resolutions were 
unanimously passed : — 

''''Resolved, That this society bears witness to the faithful and 
valuable services rendered to it by the Rev. Caleb Davis Bradlee, 



CLOSING DAYS. 1 73 

Ph.D., D.D., of Brookline, who held successively the offices of 
Corresponding and of Recording Secretary, and who for twenty- 
eight years was a member of our Board of Directors. In every 
position he was always ready to aid the society by every means 
in his power. 

" Resolved^ That we honor the memory of Dr. Bradlee for the 
noble work he did as a minister of the gospel, his chosen pro- 
fession, into which he entered with earnestness and zeal, laboring 
to promote the religious and moral welfare of his parishioners in 
the several parishes over which during his life he was pastor, 
some of which he built up from feeble congregations to self-sup- 
porting churches. 

^^ Resolved^ That by his writings, and particularly by the two 
volumes of sermons which he published, he won for himself a 
place among the authors of New England. 

** Resolved^ That we would express our gratitude for his liberal 
bequest to our funds, which will greatly aid us in carrying on the 
work in which we are engaged. 

" Resolved^ That a copy of these resolutions be sent to the widow 
of Dr. Bradlee." 

From the minutes. 

Attest: George A. Gordon, 

Recording Secretary. 



X. 



PERSONAL TRAITS, 



X. 
PERSONAL TRAITS. 

DR. BRADLEE was a good student from the days 
of his youth on through his active life. His 
mind was synthetic rather than analytic. He was 
rather impatient of details, and intuitively grasped con- 
clusions that were afterward verified in his experience 
and in that of other men. 

God, Christ, duty, and immortality were divine real- 
ities in his thought ; and he had the power of carrying 
his convictions into the hearts and lives of others. 
His religion was to love God and man. His sermons 
were practical rather than theological. 

Many souls were deeply touched by his preaching ; 
and he received many confessions of personal indebted- 
ness for new hopes and better life from those who had 
been helped by his spoken word. After the sermon 
came always the warm grasp of the hand and some 
word fitted to make a special impression on the indi- 
vidual. 

He was always particularly interested in historical 
and philosophical studies. His classical knowledge 
was full and accurate, and he read and wrote French 
and Italian with some fluency. 

In his reading, he was much given to biography and 
to sermons of the masters in the pulpit, both ancient 



IjS IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

and modern. He cared less than many do for scien- 
tific studies, and yet was well informed as to the trend 
of modern thought. 

He read in the line of the higher criticism to some 
extent, but cared little for the details of that science, 
being convinced of the reality of the great life revealed 
in the Old and New Testaments, finding its consumma- 
tion in Jesus Christ. 

He held tenaciously to certain views in theology 
which seemed to him essential ; but he did not withhold 
his fellowship from any who had other views. However 
much Dr. Bradlee might diflfer in opinion from any one, 
whether in business affairs, church polity, or theolog- 
ical belief, he held personal friendship and human sym- 
pathy with all who came in contact with him. Speak- 
ing of one with whom he disagreed regarding some 
business proposition, he says, "Well, if we do not 
understand one another, we can love one another ; and 
the points of difference will be consigned to an eternal 
oblivion." 

To another, while discussing some plans about which 
they differed, he wrote, ** Let it be clearly understood, 
at once, now and forever, that between you and me 
personally there can be nothing but the most cordial 
fellowship." 

This trait in his character is well illustrated in what 
he said in the " Recollections " : — 

"But, comparing the clergy of to-day with the 
clergy of the past, I have no reason for complaint. 
Better men never lived than those who occupy our 
pulpits in this the latter part of the nineteenth century, 



PERSONAL TRAITS. 1 79 

— honest, true, loyal, self-sacrificing, noble men, who 
would give up life rather than give up what seems to 
them to be the truth, who do give up life for other 
people by their overwork, by their large sympathy, by 
their loving hearts, by their generous gifts, by their 
always helping hand, so that a great many of our breth- 
ren by excessive labors and by large charities have be- 
come so enfeebled and so prostrated that they have 
finally surrendered their lives to their loyalty. 

" I honor my brethren of to-day. I may not think 
as they think, I may not see as they see, I may not 
work as they work, I may be too tied to the past, I 
may be too bound to ceremony, I may like, more than 
they do, confessions and prostrations and forms ; but 
I bow before them with reverence for their manliness, 
for their love of human nature, for their steady adher- 
ence to principle, for their study of the religions of all 
ages, for their cordial acknowledgment of the good in 
all religions, for their philanthropy, for their devotion 
to righteous living, and for all about them that is strik- 
ingly sound and really glorious." 

Dr. Bradlee was extremely sympathetic in his dispo- 
sition. All sorrow appealed to him, and the trials of 
his friends were borne as if they were his own. 

He was especially sought for in cases of bereave- 
ment, and always had the right word to speak. His 
very presence in the house of mourning threw light 
upon the cloud ; and, of those who read these words, 
many will remember the days upon which he entered 
their homes to speak words of comfort and peace such 
as are given to few to utter. 



l8o IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

To many stricken hearts he wrote words like the fol- 
lowing : — 

'• Our hearts are with you in this hour of your great 
sorrow; and may the dear Father of us all have you 
in his holy keeping, and send to you a peace and a 
strength and a resignation that will never pass away. 

" How many are the changes that greet us in our 
mortal pilgrimage! And yet, if we have faith, how 
surely shall we find that ' underneath are the everlast- 
ing arms'! and how much of comfort there is in the 
words of the blessed Redeemer, 'Lo! I am with you 
always, even unto the end '* ! 

He attended seven hundred and eighty-four funerals 
in the course of his ministry, and officiated at exactly 
the same number of baptisms. He also officiated at 
three hundred and forty weddings. Thus he was 
brought into close relations with many families outside 
as well as within the limits of his several parishes. 

He assumed no clerical dress, but was at once rec- 
ognized by those who met him as a minister of relig- 
ion; and many, on very short acquaintance, came to 
regard him as one in whom they would find sympathy 
with their highest aspirations and a power of help in 
their deepest need. 

With the exception of brief summer vacations. Dr. 
Bradlee was always at home. A visitor would always 
find him there, or, if absent, it was only for a few hours 
of parish calls or special services. His health did not 
permit him to go and come as most public men do. 
He was contented to be surrounded by his family and 
friends. Here he sustained the most tender relations. 



PERSONAL TRAITS. l8l 

known only to those who had the freedom of the home. 
In conversation he was bright and cheerful, and a 
hearty laugh was not uncommonly heard. 

Although Dr. Bradlee was not permitted to mingle 
freely with his ministerial brethren or to attend many 
of their public gatherings on account of his feeble 
health, he was interested in all that concerned them, 
kept thoroughly informed of their pastoral changes, re- 
joiced in their successes, and sympathized with them in 
their reverses. Nothing touched him more deeply 
than sudden misfortune befalling a minister or his fam- 
ily, and his purse was always open for liberal contribu- 
tions to aid any of the ministerial fellowship whose 
need was brought to his notice. In such cases he did 
not wish his name to appear, and would write when he 
sent his gift : " If you receive this, please say nothing 
about it to me or to any one. Please simply write on 
a postal to my address, *The weather has been fine 
of late.' " 

In all his charity he tried, so far as it was possible, 
to keep the one hand from knowing what the other 
hand did. While he made a note of sums given away 
in case he should ever wish to refer to the account, he 
never reckoned up the amount given, and said he did 
not wish to know. In the course of the last thirty 
years of his life many thousands of dollars were thus 
given away. 

His tastes and habits of life were simple. He wanted 
others to have everything they wished for which it was 
right for them to have, but for himself he wanted little. 
After serious losses in the great Boston fire in 1872 



l82 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

his only regret was that for a time the list of his chari- 
ties must be curtailed. No life was ever lived on this 
earth that presents a better illustration of altruism than 
does his own. He held his fortune as a trust from 
God, of which he was a steward. His faithfulness to 
this idea was shown both in his use of it while he lived 
and the disposition of it which he made by his will. 

Hospitality was one of his prominent characteristics. 
"The latch-string is always out/* was one of his favor- 
ite sayings. He delighted to entertain his friends. 

There were some of his younger ministerial friends 
to whom his house was opened with great freedom. 
There was always a "prophet's chamber" to which 
they were welcome, and a seat at table always awaited 
them. 

His summer outings were never enjoyed alone. In 
addition to his own family, others were usually invited 
to accompany him ; and thus many have unexpectedly 
enjoyed a vacation at Bar Harbor, Delaware Water 
Gap, White Mountains, Newport, and elsewhere. On 
such occasions the hospitality was most abundant. 
The "Bradlee Party'* was always regarded as espe- 
cially fortunate by the guests of any hotel where it was 
entertained. 

Young men, and especially those who were about to 
enter upon the work of the ministry, were very interest- 
ing to him. He invited many of them to his home, 
and in many ways showed a fatherly interest in all that 
concerned them. His interest in such young men was 
deepened if he found that they were poor or lacking in 
social privileges. He never went to concert or other 



PERSONAL TRAITS. 1 83 

public entertainments, feeling that he must husband his 
strength for the duties to the performance of which he 
was pledged ; but he was constantly making it possible 
for others to enjoy such entertainments. 

Children loved him, and were loved by him. Shy 
little ones soon learned to trust in him, and sat on his 
knee, listening to his stories or droll imitations. With 
something of the ventriloquist's art, he made their dolls 
talk to them, and soon enlisted their utter confidence 
and gained their lasting friendship. 

Dr. Bradlee was full of charity for the wrong-doer. 
He distinguished between the sin and the sinner, and 
his contempt for the one never overcame his love for 
the other. He regarded his own conduct with refer- 
ence to the strictest law of righteousness. He was, if 
anything, over-conscientious. He always gave the 
benefit of the doubt to the other person, and held him- 
self amenable to the most searching judgment. He 
abhorred debt, and, if possible, would never have slept 
a single night in debt to any one. He was willing to 
give others more than their due, but sometimes would 
not receive for himself what others considered his just 
dues. 

He was an early riser, being found at his desk regu- 
larly for many years at four o'clock in the morning. 
He liked to work when all was still about him, and 
these early morning hours were filled with labor. His 
correspondence was very large, not only with indivi- 
duals, but with libraries and societies. 

All through the day hints and suggestions of what 
was to be done on the following morning were written 



184 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

on slips of paper and placed in his hat, which was 
always on the study table. He was exceedingly 
prompt as a correspondent and in all his business rela- 
tions. He was a wise counsellor in financial matters, 
and in many ways disclosed the possession of faculties 
the exercise of which made him a successful business 
man. This ability he inherited from a line of ancestry 
full of sagacity and integrity. 

" Cordially," — so he signed his letters. It was more 
than a conventional term to him. It is the expression 
of his character. So he lived, and so he labored, in his 
family and in the world, — to the glory of God, in the 
name of his Master, for the good of all. 



XI. 



SOCIETIES. 



XI. 



SOCIETIES. 

EARLY in life Dr. Bradlee became interested in 
the work of historical societies, and from that 
beginning his interest grew in regard to the great lit- 
erary societies of the world. He was a member of 
more than fifty societies of this character, and was in 
active correspondence with all of them, and made them 
the means of distributing literature and giving informa- 
tion of an interesting character. 

Besides many which are not mentioned here, he was 
a member of the following societies : — 

Royal Society of Northern Antiquaries, Copenhagen, 
Denmark ; 

Royal Asiatic Society, China, Branch Shanghai ; 

Victoria Institute or Philosophical Society of Great 
Britain ; 

And the following historical societies in the United 
States : New England, Rhode Island, Vermont, New 
York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland, Chicago, 
Iowa, Wisconsin, Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, Kan- 
sas, Minnesota, Old Colony, Dedham, Long Island, 
Essex Institute, Salem, Mass., etc. 

He was also in correspondence with the librarians of 
a great number of libraries both in America and in 
Europe, and was constantly giving books to libraries. 



l88 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

They were sent by fifties and hundreds. In course of 
his lifetime he gave away enough books to have made 
an enviable private library. They were books of 
great value, both ancient and modern. His feeling was 
that great libraries were the proper depositories for 
valuable books. 

He was not a member of any secret societies, but had 
great sympathy with all the noble principles which 
underlie them. He found his social fellowship with 
the Boston Association of Ministers, the Ministers' 
League, and the Harvard Divinity Unitarian Club. 
These societies he regularly entertained at his house, 
giving most delightful hospitality, counting no expense 
of time or money too great, if only his brethren were 
handsomely cared for. 

He regretted that the state of his health would not 
allow him to mingle more freely than he did with his 
brother ministers, but he kept up his fellowship by his 
frequent welcome so generously extended to them in 
his own house. 

Whenever he felt able, he went to the meetings of 
the Boston Association of Ministers. It was from this 
body that he obtained his first license to preach ; and 
he was honored by an election to the moderatorship 
two successive years, which was all that the by-laws 
allowed. 

The meetings of this Association which were held at 
his house on the second Monday in January for many 
years were much enjoyed, notably so the one on Jan. 
II, 1892, when, as a result of his solicitation, a loving- 
cup was presented by the Association to the Rev. 



SOCIETIES. 189 

Brooke Herford, D.D., who was about to leave Arling- 
ton Street Church, Boston, for London, to take charge 
of a new church. 

It was at such a meeting, Jan. 14, 1895, that he read 
his " Recollections of a ministry of forty years." 

He was connected with a great many of the chari- 
table societies of Boston, being a life member of 
several. 

He was for a year President of the Tremont Dispen- 
sary. 

The charity which most appealed to him was the 
Home for Aged Couples. His sympathy with the aged 
was always very tender, and he specially prized an 
institution which had for its object the continuance of 
the marriage relation with no separation until death 
between those who were in need of help. 

He wrote, — 

Remember the aged, so that all through their life. 
They may still keep together as husband and wife. 

He became a life member of this institution in 1885 ; 
and, as a member of its council and as chaplain, he 
was of invaluable assistance to the work it was doing. 
He spoke in its interests in public and in private, as- 
sisted generously in all its financial enterprises, fur- 
nished a " Bradlee Room " in the home, and in many 
other ways showed an undying interest in its affairs. 

The following extract from a letter of the president 
of the Home for Aged Couples March 5, 1888, indi- 
cates the close relation which Dr. Bradlee sustained 
with this worthy charity : — 



190 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

Having been honored, by vote of the trustees, to convey in 
warmest terms their sentiments of affection and respect, I esteem 
it a privilege, and am greatly pleased to unite with them in ex- 
pressing gratitude for your untiring and disinterested efiEorts to 
advocate and advance the interests of the home ; for your valu- 
able services as a member of the Corporation and Board of 
Council ; for your tender thoughtf ulness and Christian sympathy, 
love, and kindness, as adviser, friend, coworker, and beloved 
clergyman. 

He was a member of the American Authors* Guild ; 
and one of the few times that he ever went out of town 
to a society meeting was when he went to a meeting of 
this Guild in Salem, Mass., May 5, 1894, when the 
Salem Thought and Work Club gave an Authors' 
Breakfast, to which the members of the Guild were 
invited. 

He was asked to be a trustee of Galesville Univer- 
sity in May, 1895 ; but on account of ill-health he was 
not able at that time to increase his duties. 

The appeals which came to him for financial help 
from societies as well as individuals were numerous, 
and to have answered all of them would have taxed the 
income of a multi-millionaire. 

He was careful to give through well-organized socie- 
ties or to individuals whose needs were personally 
known to him. 



XII. 



PUBLICATIONS, 



XII. 



PUBLICATIONS. 

DR. BRADLEE published as follows : Sermon 
after the death of the Rev. Richard Pike, 1863. 

Sermon after the death of President Lincoln, 1865. 

Sermon after the death of the Rev. Ezra S. Gannett, 
D.D., 1871. 

Farewell Sermon, Church of the Redeemer, 1872. 

First Sermon to the Church of the Good Samaritan, 
Christian Unity Society, 1872. 

Sermon after the death of Millard Fillmore and 
Charles Sumner, 1874. 

Sermon, "The Teaching of the Mountains," 1876. 

Sermon, "The Grand Hereafter," 1877. 

Sermon, "Natural and Revealed Religion," 1878. 

Sermon, "Recognition of Friends in Heaven," 1878. 

A Slight Sketch of the History of Harrison Square 
Church, 1878. 

Poems, Series No. i, 1880. 

" 2, 1880. 
" 3, 1881. 

Sermon after the death of Francis Humphreys and 
Miss Mary C. Bispham. 

Brief Memoir of George H. Gay, M.D. 

Sermon, "Jesus Christ Eternally Alive," 1888. 

Volume of " Sermons for All Sects," 1888. 



194 IN M£MORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

Volume of "Sermons for the Church," 1893. 

The manuscript was ready for a volume of sermons 
to be published in 1898, to be called "A Voice from 
the Pulpit." 



XIII. 



POEMS. 



XIII. 
POEMS. 

IN 1875 Dr. Bradlee began to write poems, which 
appeared now and then in the newspapers. The 
birthday or other anniversaries in the lives of his 
friends, the death of prominent people, the striking 
events of parish life, the course of his reading, or the 
impulse of his religious nature, furnished frequent 
occasion for this sort of writing; and in 1880 two 
small books of poems, first and second series, were 
published, to be followed in 1881 by the third series. 
In the July number of the Magazine of Poetry for 
1 89 1 Judge Frederick W. Ricord, of Newark, N.J., 
published an article on Dr. Bradlee ; and eight pieces 
of his poetry were quoted. A few poems are given 
here, some of which have been previously printed, 
while others are selected from manuscript prepared 
in anticipation of publishing a fourth series. 

GOD KNOWS BEST. 

My God knows best ! Through all my days 

This is my comfort and my rest, 
My trust, my peace, my solemn praise, — 

That God knows all, and God knows best. 

My God knows best ! That is my chart, 
This thought to me is always blest ; 



198 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

It hallows and it soothes my heart, 
For all is well, and God knows best. 

My God knows best ! Then tears may fall ; 

In his great heart Til find my nest; 
For he, my God, is over all, 

And he is love, and he knows best. 



HOLY WAITING FOR THE RIGHT. 

Wait ! thou canst not know thy fate. 
The hidden things that lie deep 

In the councils of God^s state, 
While we wake and while we sleep. 

A weaving is round the throne 
Of our blessings true and pure ; 

To mortal ears now unknown, 
In the future all secure. 

The Almighty's plans are grand. 
But are hidden from our sight ; 

Of us all does he command 
Holy waiting for the right. 



"WHO SHALL BE GREATEST?" 

" Who shall be greatest ? " so asked they of old ; 

And honors they craved, that fast fade away. 
" Who shall be greatest ? " Ah ! soon were they told ; 

For Christ took a child, and answered that way. 

" Who shall be greatest ? " The thought comes to all 
Who prizes would seize in this world of woe, 

Not knowing the clouds that sure will befall 

Souls that on bubbles their strength would bestow. 



POEMS. 199 

** Who shall be greatest ? " The proud ones, who cry 
That power and fame on their lives shall be cast ; 

And souls that seem small, that only rely 

On wealth they call sure and free from a blast ? 

Not those who for self put all others down. 
That they in their pride may take the large share, 

Have all the prizes, and wear the gold crown, 
And care not for pain their victims must bear. 

For such are the ones we cannot call great : 
The good ones alone can conquer the earth. 

On them bright angels with banners do wait; 
And music from heaven will greet their new birth. 



IN MEMORIAM: HON. HENRY W. LONG- 
FELLOW, LL.D. 

How vain are human words to tell 
How human words have left a spell 
On grateful hearts all round the earth, — 
Words welcomed from their very birth ! 

And can the soul that now is still 
No more the world with music fill ? 
And will the voice so strong and sweet 
No more the world's best wishes meet ? 

We know that soul will never end, 
And, day by day, a charm will send 
On all the souls that God has given, — 
A voice of power direct from heaven. 



200 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 



HON. ROBERT C. WINTHROP, LL.D. 

1809—80—1889. 
May 12. 

Statesman, Historian, and Friend, 

Orator, Patriot, and Sage, 
To thee the sons of Boston bend ; 

In youth, their star; their pride in age. 

The hand of time you have defied. 
Are still a light thoughout the land, 

Webster's friend and Everett's pride. 
With all the great will ever stand. 

And Europe, too, has heard your name. 
And good men there speak out their praise ; 

Your thoughts and words have spread a flame ; 
Our hearts are blest : we paeans raise. 

And now this birthday eighty years 
You count ! Your work most bravely done ! 

A man of truth, and freed from fears ; 
Honored and loved by every one. 

All hail to-day ! Long may it be 
Ere you are called away from earth. 

May many honors come to thee 
Before above you find your birth. 



O. W. HOLMES. 

1809—80—1889. 
August 29. 

Our hearts to thee in joy do turn, 
Whose words in all our hearts do burn, — 
Words full of love and peace and light. 
Pleading for truth, and strong for right. 



POEMS. 20I 



As eighty years do bless your life, 
Years filled with joy and freed from strife, 
All through the world do souls rejoice 
That still on earth is heard your voice. 



»» 



" Ay, tear her tattered ensign down, 
Brought sixty years ago a crown ; 
And ever since your poems strong, 
As richest gems, to us belong. 

And science, too, will chaplets give, 
Because you teach us how to live. 
How health to keep, and strength secure. 
And all our daily cares endure. 

And letters bow to thee as friend ; 
Your praises everywhere extend ; 
And all at home and all abroad 
To you give thanks with grand accord. 

America's and England's son 

The world would crown thee, cherished one ! 

All hail ! the grateful people say. 

As eighty years you greet this day. 



NO TIME FOR ANYTHING. 

[A young, lady said that she had no time for anything ; and this poem 
was written as an answer to her, and to all who feel in the same way.] 

Time for nothing, — can it be so.^ 
Now please answer me, yes or no. 
No time for God, no time for man. 
And are you doing all you can ? 

What hours are wasted, thrown away. 
So that each week you lose a day? 
What time is given to useless things, 
That no blessing or profit brings ? 



202 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

At what hour do you rise at mom. 
And yourself for your work adorn ? 
What days to pleasure do you give ? 
Is it for joy alone you live ? 

I really think you've time to spare, 
If you each hour will plan with care, 
And keep your faith all firm in God, 
And lean upon his staff and rod. 

Time enough, if all time we bless. 
And waste of time to God confess ; 
For then our work will well be done. 
And life's true battles grandly won. 



A SICK PERSON'S PRAYER. 

Lord, cure me by thy healing hand. 
Thy gracious aid bring near ; 

And all my pains wilt thou command 
At once to disappear. 

Spare thou my life for many years, 

All weakness take away. 
Anoint my hopes, dismiss my fears, 

Thy holy power display. 

And when I shall again get well, 
And feel my strength return. 

All foolish doubts wilt thou dispel ; 
Let faith within me burn. 

Refresh my heart and bless my will, 
And make me wholly thine ; 

And daily on my soul distil 
Thy holy dew, divine. 



POEMS. 203 

And thus through sickness make me strong 

In body, soul, and mind; 
For unto thee does grace belong, 

And thou art always kind. 



THE WHITE MOUNTAINS. 

The lofty mountains lift their heads sublime, 

And send their music with a holy chime 

Unto the heavens that arch them from above, 

And bless them ever with a gracious love. 

The valleys, too, reclining at their base, 

And gazing at them with a touching grace, 

With beauty smile, as if in keen delight 

They felt the glory of the lovely sight 

The rocks, stern, grave, and rugged in their power. 

Seem willing, too, to bring their sacred dower 

Of peace and strength, of splendid might and truth. 

Of old age crowned with everlasting youth. 

The waters, too, cascades and ponds and brooks. 

Preach startling sermons by their pleasant looks. 

And strangers gathered from many a home. 

Who've felt the mystic spell that bade them come. 

Bow gravely low at sights so grand to see. 

And lift their humble thanks, O God, to thee. 

NIGHT. 

The night has come, the light has fled. 

The stars above us shine ; 
And while we sleep, and sense is dead. 

Save us, O God divine. 

Why need we fear, sustained by thee 

Who art forever true ? 
And wilt thou, as we bend the knee, 

Thy love and grace renew ? 



204 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

Forgive the sins this day we've done, 

Thy sacred help concede ; 
And wilt thou, O most holy One, 

Be with us in our need ? 

And when the night of death is sent, 

And work is done below, 
And all our earthly power is spent, 

Eternal blessings show. 

THE OCEAN. 

I looked upon the ocean, and calm it seemed, and fair : 
The peace of the Almighty was surely resting there. 

I listened to the ocean, its ripples and its swell : 
The voice of the Eternal a message seemed to tell. 

I bowed before the ocean, and all its fearful rage, 

Restrained by the good Father, who made the shores, its cage. 

I stood by the old ocean, and thought about our life, — 
Its days so full of changes, that pass from calm to strife. 

And the ocean seemed to speak of a more gracious shore. 
Where God would stay our billows, and bless us evermore. 

PRESIDENT GARFIELD. 
(July id, i88i.) 

Garfield, the nation's pride and head, 
Lies low, by wicked hands brought down ; 

And all the people, on his bed, 

His heart with holy love would crown. 

What did he do to call out rage ? 

And who with him a fault could find ? 
A man so gentle, true, and sage. 

So thoughtful, pure, and good, and kind. 



POEMS. 205 

Has not his life a pattern been 
Of truth and peace and grace and power, 

And have we not forever seen 
His spirit grand in danger^s hour ? 

A youth so faithful, loving, pure, 

Ready each day his work to do, 
His task to meet, his lot endure. 

And bless his deeds with goodness, too. 

In college, faithful, strong, and brave. 

Careful in all things square to be ; 
Never to wicked ways a slave, — 

A child of God by grand decree. 

In all places of trust and care, 

When college-head, or on the field. 
Or in debate he had a share. 

Oh, never to the wrong he'd yield ! 

And so, when raised to greater power, 

A man amongst all men the pride, 
A gift of God, the nation's dower, 

He did with gentleness decide. 

Why, then, did wicked hands bring low 
Our country's hope, the world's delight? 

Spare him, O God, thy grace bestow. 
And from this darkness bring a light. 



OH THAT WE KNEW! 

Oh that we knew why life was given. 
Why toil and pain and sin are near. 

Why tears do fall, and hearts are riven. 
And all the days are filled with fear. 



2o6 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

Oh that we knew why doubt will come, 
And sickness, too, and dire despair. 

And clouds so gather in the home. 
And darkness settle in the air. 

Oh that we knew why death is sent, 
And dear ones vanish from our sight. 

When we can hardly give consent, 
And cannot call the message right. 

Oh that we knew about the life 
Reserved for those who love the Lord ; 

A life all freed from care and strife. 
Where angels live in sweet accord. 

Oh that we knew ! well, faith shall tell, 
And make all human puzzles plain. 

And show that God does all things well. 
That none need murmur nor complain. 

O God, that faith we pray thee send 
To all who on the earth remain ; 

And then the clouds at once will end. 
And loss will prove eternal gain. 



WE DO NOT KNOW. 

We do not know, we cannot say, 
That we shall see another day ; 
But this we know, and gladly tell. 
Whatever may come, that all is well. 

We do not know, we cannot say. 
What clouds and darkness hedge our way ; 
But this we know, that God, our Lord, 
Will holy help and grace afford. 



POEMS. 207 



Why should we know, or care to know, 
If time shall bring a gift or blow ? 
Since anchored on the Rock we stand, 
Holding the Father's outstretched hand. 

That hand will keep us all indeed, 
And make us safe in pressing need. 
No fear will come, all will be bright, 
If we but keep the Lord in sight. 



A DAY LOST. 

[A writer says, " That day is lost on which some good deed is not 
performed."] 

Oh count that day lost that sees no duty done, 
No brave battles fought and no victories won, 
No great sins put down, no mighty truths attained. 
No base passions lost, no solid virtues gained. 

Oh count that day lost that finds thee not awake. 
And ready for all things good for Jesus' sake. 
Day lost, indeed, unless thouVt ashamed to stay 
Where thorns and thistles disfigure all the way. 

Oh count that day lost that leads thee not to God, 
Hard though be the pains, and sharp though be the rod ; 
That finds thee not the more holy and more strong, 
And afraid of nothing but the path of wrong. 



SPRING. 

The spring has come, the blessed spring, 

With secrets rich and deep ; 
Glad tidings does it ever bring, 

Grand truths for all to keep. 



2o8 IN MEMORIAM: C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

The spring has come, the blessed spring, 

And all around is birth ; 
Whilst nature seems with joy to ring 

About the fruitful earth. 

The spring has come, the blessed spring 
Our hearts with praise are glad ; 

We'll fly, like birds, with speedy wing. 
From all things sharp and sad. 



WRITTEN FOR THE ORDINATION OF 
THE REV. ALFRED MANCHESTER. 

Thy servant, at the temple gate, 

O God, with fear and love 
And anxious thoughts will ever wait 

Thy blessing from above. 

Oh, let him always speak the truth 

With gentleness and grace ; 
And teach him how. in manhood's youth. 

To run the Christian's race. 

May many souls by him find life 
And grace and truth and rest ! 

And thus in each and every strife 
May all by thee be blest ! 

Let Jesus reign triumphant here, 

And teacher and the flock 
In a communion sweet and dear 

Cling to that mighty " Rock" ! 

For, then, the day of growth will come, 
And souls will wake to peace ; 

And in the ever-blessed home 
God's love will never cease. 



POEMS. 209 



GOD'S CHRISTMAS GIFT. 

God saw the nations sweeping by, 
And heard the people's anguished cry, 

" Oh, give us light 1 " 
Out of the skies he sent a babe, 
The humble child in manger laid, 

A striking sight ! 

Wise men and shepherds marched to see. 
And to the babe they bent the knee, 

And presents gave. 
A ** star *' stood where the child was found. 
And all the place seemed holy ground 

To men so grave. 

But now that child is Lord and King, 
And unto all will blessings bring 

Who hear his voice ! 
He asks of each and all the heart, 
And never will his grace impart. 

O world, rejoice ! 



IN THE STILLNESS OF THE NIGHT. 

In the stillness of the night, 

In the solemn stillness, too, 
When the moon is shining bright. 

And we all must sleep, not do. 

Then a careful love looks down. 
Blessing all that take their rest, 

O'er the city and o'er town ; 
Orders each one's lot the best. 

Some receive an earnest call ; 
To their souls a voice says, " Come ! " 



210 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

Seeming death on flesh will fall, 
But the soul is carried home. 

Others au'e kept calm and still, 
And await the sunlight clear, 

Then, refreshed in soul and will, 
Rise and greet the duties near. 



BAPTISMAL HYMN. 

Almighty God, our child this day 

Into thy hands we place ; 
And ever would we humbly pray 

For rich supplies of grace. 

The thoughts make pure, the words make true. 

And all the deeds inspire, 
And send each hour thy holy dew 

And thy celestial fire ! 

Send Jesus, too, for daily light, 

His trust and love and peace ; 
And, oh, may all that^s just and right 

With this child's growth increase ! 

And when the day of change must come. 

And mortal strength depart. 
When all the work of earth is done. 

Send sunshine on the heart ! 



PALM SUNDAY. 

Oh, see the royal Leader come ; 
And, look ! the people shout and run ; 

A king is here ! 
He rides in lowly guise, indeed : 
It was in ancient writ decreed; 

Why need we fear ? 



POEMS. 211 

Hosannas loud anoint the air, 

Palms are waved, and the people dare 

To praise the Lord ! 
Garments are thrown upon the way, 
And Christ asserts his rights this day, 

And is adored ! 

Oh, let us in our hearts upraise 

The strongest faith, the warmest praise ; 

And palms we*ll wave ! 
With us, O Lord, in love abide, 
And every thought and deed decide ; 

Our souls, oh, save ! 



EASTER POEM. 

All hail to Easter Day now here ; 
Away at once our doubt and fear. 

For Christ has risen ! 
Our hearts shall rise in sacred love. 
Our eyes shall turn to thee above, 

O God of heaven ! 

We feel the reign of time has fled. 
No longer can the seeming dead 

In sleep repose ! 
The soul will find another home. 
And hear the Saviour*s solemn " Come," 

When breath shall close ! 

We know this life will speed away. 
And short will be our mortal day. 

And flesh must fade ! 
But still beyond there is a rest 
For all the holy and the blest 

Who've Christ obeyed. 



212 IN MEMORIAM: C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

Thanks be to God for Easter Day ! 
To Jesus, too, who led the way 

To grace and peace ! 
And may we all receive a crown, 
When we our earthly work lay down, 

And faith ne'er cease ! 



THOUGHTS FOR CHRISTMAS. 

Hark ! the voice of God is speaking, 
And angel hosts are hovering round ; 

Love upon the earth is breaking ; 
The chosen Son of God is found ! 

Wise men from the East are coming, 
That they may see the Holy One ; 

Shepherds from the field are hastening 
To find what glories have been won. 

A star now shines with sacred light. 
And onward moves with mighty grace. 

That it may guide these seekers right 
Unto the consecrated place. 

In lowly spot there lies concealed 
The gracious wonder of the earth ; 

And to their trembling hearts revealed 
Messiah's long-expected birth. 

Glory to God, and peace to all ! 

The mighty King of souls is here ! 
Oh, with the Magi let us fall, 

And bow our heads, adore, revere. 

Glory to God, that star of light 
For ages has its beauty spread. 

And many hearts unto the right 
Has by its holy splendor led. 



POEMS. 213 



Glory to God, the world is blessed, 
And all our night is turned to day. 

If Jesus be by all confessed 
As Rod and Staff, as Hope and Stay ! 



ONLY A LITTLE WHILE, AND WE SHALL 

BE WITH GOD. 

A little while : then we shall rest 
From pain and care and sin ; 

And we shall find that God knew best 
The hour that death should win. 

A little while : the trump shall sound ; 

And what a change will come. 
And what a light will fall around, 

When mortal life is done I 

A little while : then heaven we'll see, 

And angels gladly meet. 
And find, by God's all-wise decree. 

Our blessedness complete. 

A little while ; but faith must first 

Transfigure all our days. 
O'er all our lives must glory burst, 

On all our lips be praise. 

A little while : O God, how long 

Before the time shall come ? 
In that great hour may we be strong ; 

And save us, through thy Son ! 



214 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

OUR DEAR ONE GONE. 

I hear a step upon the stair, 
I feel a trembling in the air, 
And near me is a vacant chair. 
And broken is my heart. 

A voice is gone forevermore, 
A voice I loved I hear no more ; 
It^s heard alone on God's own shore. 
O God, thy grace impart. 

A face so dear no more Til see, 
No more will smile on earth for me : 
O Father, now it looks at thee, 
And I am all alone. 

A hand I took, and loved to take. 
No more with joy my heart will wake. 
For now, withdrawn, a chill will make ; 
And all my peace is gone. 

But, thanks to God, the soul will live, 
And unto all a rest will give ; 
And whilst we weep, O God, forgive, 
And send a holy light. 

Farewell, our dear one gone above. 
All filled with grace and crowned with love, 
Who through celestial fields will rove. 
Our God has ordered right. 



XIV. 



SERMONS. 



THESE sermons are selected from those which Dr. 
Bradlee had prepared for the third volume of 
sermons, which he proposed to call " A Voice from the 
Pulpit." They are sermons of the Longwood pastorate, 
and were to have been published in 1898. 



f 




THE ECHOES OF GOODNESS. 



** They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, 
and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and 
ever." — Dan. xii. 3. 



THE ECHOES OF GOODNESS. 

" They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, 
and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and 
ever." — Dan. xii. 3. 

ASSUMING that every person in the world wants 
to be wise, and wants to turn other people to 
wisdom and to righteousness, I have chosen the words 
of Daniel for my text this morning^ There is a splen- 
did reward that all through the Bible is promised, not 
only to those who are doing good all the time, but also 
to those who lead others to do well ; and the threaten- 
ings for those who lead others to go astray are very 
great, terrible, and worthy of serious notice. 

" It were better that a millstone were hanged around 
their neck, and that they were drowned in the depths of 
the sea." These are the words of Jesus ; and he had 
no excuse for those who dragged others down to sin, 
suffering, and despair. 

But to-day we would gaze at the more bright, beauti- 
ful, strengthening, and comforting side ; and let us see 
how we each one of us can win others to righteousness. 
I suppose that we can bring about the regeneration of 
others in three ways, — by our manner, our speech, and 
our deeds. 

By our manner. We hardly consider how much is 
involved in the way in which we do things or in the 
attitude that we take at varied times, in our cordial 



220 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

greeting or our cold reserve, in our smile or our 
frown, and in any way by which we convey intelligence 
without actually speaking out all that we think. 

Sometimes a devout posture at church has stirred up 
a large number to a deeper thinking, or a cordial shake 
of the hand in the street has given courage to a broken 
heart, or a glistening of the eye, or the unforced tear, 
that leaps spontaneously forth at the command of an 
earnest sympathy, or the turning of the eyes and the 
pointing of the finger to heaven, will thrill many souls 
to the deepest centre, arousing the better feelings, and 
deluging the heart with a sacred quickening and glori- 
ous peace. 

Those who have seen Murillo's Madonna, where the 
Virgin, with a face filled with glory, points her hand 
upward toward heaven, will readily perceive how even 
a silent but an eloquent posture may stir the soul, con- 
secrate the heart, and rouse up the deepest reverence 
of the mind. 

Our brother Bowen, pastor of a church in that part 
of Boston called Roxbury, who a few years ago passed 
to God, bewailed by so many hundreds of sorrowing 
ones, had a very happy, genial, tender, and holy man- 
ner, in look, grasp, and in everything appertaining to 
appearance and action, overpowering the recipient with 
a sense of good will. And so is it with all people who 
would nobly influence the world. Their manners are 
bathed in a Christian courtesy, girdled by a religious 
gentleness, and inspired, sweetened, and consecrated 
by a Christ-like simplicity. 

There may be a great many good people who are 



THE ECHOES OF GOODNESS. 221 

very rough, repelling, and sharp, but their roughness 
puts a tarnish upon their power, sullies the effect of 
their lives, abridges the glorious beauty of their souls, 
and cuts off and cuts down a great many grand oppor- 
tunities ; for faith, peace, devotion, humility, and 
thorough consecration must all be written out in the 
face, sparkling in the eye, hovering upon the lips, and 
beaming in every varied expression, or else our exist- 
ence will prove a partial failure, whilst in the other 
world we shall bemoan many neglected benedictions. 

Have we not often said, That man is a real Christian, 
or That woman is solidly good, for we can see it in the 
face? Well, this is just what we mean when we say 
that it is the duty of each one of us to carry on the 
outside as well as on the inside a true advertisement 
of the character. 

If we have ever entered the studio of a sculptor, 
making frequent visits, day by day, for weeks, we have 
probably seen some statue in the stages of its formation. 

At first a rough block, looking like nothing pleasant, 
and rather hideous than otherwise, and certainly nothing 
like what it will be in its possible future; but week by 
week the block of marble grows more shapely, more 
attractive, and every way more beautiful, till at last an 
almost human face appears, But even then, perhaps, 
something seems to be lacking. The eyes are not 
quite right, the profile is a little too sharp, the lips are 
not sufficiently clear, the expression repels somewhat ; 
and so the cutting, the trimming, and the polishing go 
on till all is right, for every new thought of the artist 
makes his work more complete, and writes itself out 
with a beautiful clearness upon the speaking marble. 



222 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

So, it seems to me, the ever-improving character 
chisels the face, if we belong to those who grow in 
grace, for our good angel, the Celestial Artist, keeps 
making us more spiritually attractive, and, uncon- 
sciously to us, paints our eyes, forms the countenance, 
and polishes the lips, till we are living epistles read by 
all the children of God. And thus do we powerfully 
influence a community on the road to righteousness, 
always unconsciously, but none the less gloriously, 
carrying with us the banner of the Lord. Again, by 
speech, we effect good ; and this is brought about 
through prayer, teaching, and advice, having laws, of 
course, for its regulation, which, if faithfully, conscien- 
tiously, and earnestly obeyed, cannot fail to secure the 
end that is desired. 

I suppose that there is no power wielded like that of 
a judicious, humble, tender, heartfelt, and believing 
prayer, especially in times of great tribulation. 

I do not now speak of eloquent harangues to God, 
nor of the information that so many give to the 
Almighty of how he ought to treat the children of 
men, nor of anything in invocation by which man is 
made prominent and God really set aside ; but I refer 
to that opening of the heart to God, — that is, without 
any questioning, the true wrestling of need for a grand 
supply, where the human pleads with a trembling en- 
treaty for the blessed aid of the Divine, and where the 
grateful heart, weighed down by a sense of undeserved 
favors, pours forth its jubilant thanksgivings before 
the altar of the Almighty. Such prayer, in church or 
in conference meeting or in a private chamber, always 



THE ECHOES OF GOODNESS. 223 

helps those who hear it, and leads the wearied mortal 
very near to the celestial city. Yet this duty of 
prayer is most delicate, since intercourse with God, 
from its very nature, seems to be something sacred, 
solitary, and hardly a matter for any witnesses save for 
angels, unless the occasion be one of public necessity, 
where the call is immediate and peremptory. I hum- 
bly confess that there is no part of my special work as 
a minister that seems to me more sacred than this, so 
gently must it be handled, so unostentatiously must it 
be managed, and so trustingly must it be met. 

I know that there are some clergymen, who say or 
who want to say, when they enter our homes, almost 
the first thing, " Let us pray " ; but I confess that it is 
a very hard thing for me to say that, unless I feel that 
those I visit are in the mood for such a service, and 
really crave the presence of God, haply feeling after 
him that they may find him. And then, too, I feel that 
such should ask me rather than I ask them ; for the 
matter is between them and God. 

How often a sick one will exclaim, or a troubled one, 
Oh, I wish that my minister would only pray with me ! 
Why, then, my friend, do you not ask him } and how 
does he know but that he intrudes upon your own 
sacred intercourse with God, unless you signify to him 
that you desire his pleadings also. I am truly sorry 
that in many churches the praying is so often left to 
the minister, to be offered in the pulpit or in the 
study, as if he were the vicarious atonement for the 
whole parish, being expected to do all the religious 
work of all the souls under his charge. 



224 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

If we will only be sincere, it is no disgrace to us that 
we are called praying men and praying women; and 
nobody will really like us and esteem us any the less 
because we have an altar in the household, and because 
each week we are always seen with the little band of 
worshippers who meet together that they may talk with 
God. 

The example, too, upon the young, of devout prayer 
is very great. None of us forget our praying mothers, 
and many of us carry around with us all the time the 
perpetual fragrance of invocations that we heard in the 
days of our youth ; and those prayers were a certain 
kind of celestial roses dropped in profusion upon the 
soul, the perfume of which can never cease, but will be 
distilled in all its sweetness throughout eternal ages. 
Let us pray, then, that we may help others, which we 
certainly cannot fail to do if we pray from the sacred 
depths of the heart. By teaching and by preaching 
the world is helped. I do not mean by any one ser- 
mon that is uttered by any one man, but by all the dis- 
courses that have been preached by the millions of men 
since the first Christian year; nor do I mean so much 
what is said as the spirit in which it is spoken. Of 
course there are tons of poor sermons that are poured 
out from the pulpits of the land every Sunday in the 
year ; and in Saint Paul's day there was probably the 
same difficulty, since he speaks, perhaps with a little 
sarcasm, of the " foolishness of preaching." But every 
word that is spoken from the sacred desk, out of a 
believing heart, has wings, and will find a cordial wel- 
come somewhere ; and one cannot utter the words 
"God,'' "Jesus," "the Holy Spirit," "eternity," "duty," 



THE ECHOES OF GOODNESS. 225 

and "retribution," without, if the speaker be sincere, 
doing vast and everlasting good. 

We make altogether too much of the human in our 
discourses ; for we say sometimes, What a great sermon ! 
What an interesting preacher ! and such words as those. 
But this is all wrong ; for the service is between us and 
God, and not between us and man, whilst the speaker 
is but the humble instrument of the Almighty. And, if 
he would do well, all glory be to the Father ; but, if he 
would fail to do well, ask the Father to give him more 
power and to shed upon him a more transfiguring, 
uplifting, and comforting grace. 

The very fact that so little is remembered of a ser- 
mon is a proof of how little consequence human rhet- 
oric becomes, only as God's spirit tingles through it, 
uplifts it, and glorifies it. 

" You gave us a splendid discourse yesterday/' said, 
one Monday morning, a parishioner to his pastor. 

" Did I ? " was the reply. " Tell me the text, if you 
can." 

'* Text ! text ! Well, I declare, I have forgotten all 
about that ! " 

"Why, then, tell, if you please, the subject." 

"Subject! subject! did you say? Well, I must con- 
fess I do not remember exactly what it was. I only 
know I enjoyed the sermon at the time, and it has 
helped me very much." 

Here, friends, is just my point. The power is with 
God ; and the effect is nothing that can be definitely 
stated, but something that is forming a splendid founda- 
tion in the human soul. 

Once more we help each other through speech and 



226 IN MEMORIAM: C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

by advice. Now it is one of the most difficult duties 
in the world to give advice so that it will be well 
taken ; for the one to whom we speak may honestly 
think that we claim superiority or are playing the 
Pharisee or are fond of dictation. In fact, the one 
addressed may say, does often say : You tell me what 
to do ? Well, who are you that tell me } Who gave 
you this authority ; and are you a saint, whilst I am a 
sinner ? Perhaps you had better attend to your own 
affairs, and let me alone to take care of myself, for 
which I am abundantly able without your aid. Here 
is the spirit that the one advised may naturally pos- 
sess, while oftentimes such a person is excited enough 
to speak out just what is thought with something em- 
phatic added between each word that shows how very 
disturbed are the channels of the heart. And yet we 
must give advice ; for, if rightly given, it will in time 
win many souls to God. I suppose that the only way 
to proceed in this direction is to be gentle, modest, 
conscientious, acknowledging no personal deserts ; and 
then, too, we should be very careful to choose the 
right time for our words, for we had better never speak 
than to speak at an inauspicious moment. Sometimes I 
think that a rebuke that is given indirectly is much bet- 
ter than a direct attack, — a treatment something like 
that which the prophet gave to David, so that the ac- 
cused party, without knowing that he was the guilty 
one, passed judgment upon himself, bringing out those 
forcible words that have echoed through all the centu- 
ries, "Thou art the man." 

Then, too, oftentimes, if we will only speak in sea- 
son, we may prevent a wrong, since some may only 




THE ECHOES OF GOODNESS. 227 

wait for our stern disapprobation in order to make up 
their decision about some weak or wicked act. How 
often one says, Well, if he or she chooses to go to de- 
struction, I am not inclined to interfere ; for it is none 
of my concern ! Now this is utterly wrong ; for, if we 
can lead any one into the light, it is our bounden duty 
so to do, for thus we shall turn many to righteousness, 
and a great number of our own sins will thus, by the 
grace of Almighty God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 
be thoroughly blotted out. 

Run and stop that young man or that young woman 
while there may be time, before he or she or both fall 
into the precipice toward which they are daily hasten- 
ing ; and then your life will be beautiful, while in God's 
city you will find fresh stars added to your crown. 

Finally, by deeds we turn many to righteousness ; and 
they will shine as the stars. Good deeds are always 
repeating themselves through their fruitful echoes in 
the admiring heart; for we applaud, and in time we 
copy that which we like, and this is the law of human 
nature. 

One Peabody will, in due season, have a hundred 
successors, who each will try to overdo the other in 
some grand benefit to the race, so that the millions 
that are given will, by a due spiritual growth, bring 
their splendid interest, simple and compound. Pea- 
body, then a Stewart, then a Lenox, then a Kidder, 
then a Hemenway, and so on the givers rise up in a 
glorious succession; and thus the hard human heart 
gets thoroughly melted. I was profoundly struck with 
an anecdote which I read, that probably is familiar to 
you all, — how, after a very powerful sermon upon giv- 



228 IN MEMORIAM: C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

ing, a man, whose liberal feelings had not received a 
very generous culture, first resolved to give a very 
little, and then a little more, and then a great deal 
more, till at last, the box reaching him, he thought a 
little less would do, and then a little less, till, his bet- 
ter feelings coming up once more, he threw into the 
box his whole purse, saying aloud, ^^ There y writhe^ old 
nature!^ 

Now all the good deeds that we witness make the 
old nature in us writhe till we get on better ground, 
and so all our good deeds help others in the same 
glorious way. But, after all, there is no solid help 
outside of Christ, and only as we get near to him 
shall we find peace and spread abroad righteousness ; 
and, oh, let us " seek him then, while he may be found, 
and call upon him while he is near," and let us never 
forget that he says, ** Lo ! I am with you always, even 
unto the end of the world," and, in the words of the 
unknown poet, let us cry out, — 

" Helped by thy grace, no more we'll stray, 
No more resist thy voice : 
Where thou, Good Shepherd, lead'st the way, 
That way shall be our choice. 

"Too long, alas ! our wandering feet 
The crooked paths have trod : 
Henceforth we'll follow, as is meet, 
The sure, unerring road. 

" All praise, O Lord, to thee alone 
Below, as 'tis above ; 
And may thy joys, Eternal One, 
Both draw and crown our love." 



TRUE LABOR REFORM. 



** Renew a right spirit within me." 

Ps. li. lo. 



TRUE LABOR REFORM. 

" Renew a right spirit within me." — Ps. li. lo. 

I PROPOSE to speak to-day of the right spirit, what 
it is and what it is not, what is mistaken for it, 
and its real power, grace, and benediction. 

We may mean a great many things when we say of 
a man or of a woman that he or she has a right spirit ; 
and yet, according to the New Testament, such a spirit 
can only have one decided interpretation. Let us look 
at the matter in the assertion of right, in the progress 
of labor, in the study of Christianity, in the endurance 
of suffering, and in the hour of death. 

That is, let us examine the proper and the improper 
spirit, as we claim what is our own, as we make our 
living, as we find out and obey our religion, as we 
suffer trial, and as we pass to God ; for these points 
will cover the salient parts of each one's life. Prob- 
ably in no one thing do we make more mistakes than 
in the claiming and the maintenance of our own 
possessions. 

Forgetting that, under the right gospel interpreta- 
tion, nothing is our own, but all that we have is under 
trust, a loan on time, we hold, guard, and increase our 
wealth, very often with but little conscience, and 
always as if the right of domain in the whole world 
rested at our own door. What would Almighty God 
probably say about the matter? and what are the ques- 



332 IN MEMORIAM: C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

tions of justice, honor, holiness, mercy, and love, that 
must be weighed by our own decision? Certainly, 
everything that each one of us may possess is on 
mortgage; and God holds the bond, so that all of us 
are simply trustees, having nothing, save on a loan, 
and on a loan that may be recalled at any instant with- 
out a moment's notice. 

Again, everything that is held unjustly is not our 
own, and must be given up. Of course, in the many 
complicated relations of society there will arise ques- 
tions as to duties, which seem almost inexplicable, 
where money taken or given seems a wrong to the 
stability of mercantile laws and an outrage on honor 
and righteousness. What, then, in such cases shall a 
man do ? 

Compromise the matter fairly, divide the loss, and 
stand square before God and man. But what if one 
party should demand all or none, and will listen to 
no fair and equitable decision ? 

Wait, then, till that other party gains a better spirit ; 
and if, after a while, the better spirit should not come, 
give what you are advantaged thereby to God's poor, 
and call the account settled. In all cases we had 
better suffer than do wrong or even bear a loss, rather 
than any one should have just grounds for supposing 
that we have done any wrong. But these are side 
issues. 

Nothing is our own ; and we are acting all of us for 
a Master, who will some day want to examine our 
accounts. And to him shall we stand or fall, according 
to the intents of our souls. 



TRUE LABOR REFORM. 233 

In the progress of labor there is a right and a wrong 
side. For what are we daily working? Is it merely 
for personal gain ? Is it only that we and ours may 
stand high in the community, and wield a large finan- 
cial power ? Have we no thought for others in all our 
plans ? And have we forgotten the poor that are to be 
clothed and fed, and the sick that are to be tended, 
and all sufferers that are to be helped ? and is the eter- 
nal /, our only creed, and are we bowing down at our 
own altar continually ? 

O God, can it be that thy children thus pursue 
shadows, and build their hopes on mere foam ? and can 
it be that we are all of us so blind, deaf, and demented 
that we expect to rule the world by our own right arm, 
and gather its treasures into our own storehouses? 
And are we so far away from humanity, so deluged 
with selfishness, and so overcome by success, that we 
must steer to our own port, and pick up no ship- 
wrecked passengers on the way ? 

Forbid it just Heaven, and show to us how each and 
all are interlocked in one common interest, and how 
the heart-beats of one should echo the eternal throbs 
of all. 

My friends, we have forgotten the glory of labor 
until we understand that every person that God has 
made is our brother or our sister, until we know that 
the rounding of a head of a pin by a patient worker in 
a factory is as high, as just, as true a work as the con- 
signing of a fleet of ships to sea, whose harvest shall 
be a million. 

The successful merchant, counting his tons of gold, 



234 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

and the honest sweeper of our streets, are both children 
of God. I honor them both ; and to each should we 
bow with the deepest respect and confidence, for both 
are doing their part, and as such are worthy of a high, 
an earnest, and a holy regard. 

We hear to-day of the working of the people's party, 
or of the socialists, or of those human pests, the anar- 
chists ; and all these people are to-day claiming a large 
share of our attention. Such ask us to consider and to 
redress the great injustice which society now inflicts 
upon labor. 

I am willing to grant that sometimes great wrong is 
done to those who bear our burdens ; but the cure, my 
friends, is not to be found, as we are told, in the giving 
up of wages, in the destruction of banks, in the crush- 
ing of railroads, in the throwing of deadly missiles, or 
in any way by the upsetting of the great financial sys- 
tem of the world. For these things, instead of making 
the poor better off, would add to their burdens, increase 
their distress, and throw the whole world into the rank- 
est poverty and shame; for thus ambition would be 
clipped, effort paralyzed, and all the comforts of life 
rapidly disappear, and, like Arabs, we should wander 
in the desert, and civilization would depart. 

Jesus said, you remember, that the laborer was 
worthy of his hire ; and he must have meant, by hire, 
wages. And, therefore, instead of no wages, let us cry. 
More wages and less hours of work, and after a certain 
probation the right of every honest workman to a pro- 
portionate share of the profits, and then neither wealth 
nor poverty could ever attain an undue excess, and 



TRUE LABOR REFORM. 235 

every one born into the world would have a right to 
reach any position desired. There must be capitalists 
or else none of our great institutions of learning and 
charity could be sustained, and those whom sickness or 
bodily disability rendered useless would perish without 
help. Let there be capitalists ; but let the road to capi- 
tal be so wide, so beautiful, and so easy that the beg- 
gar-boy to-day who walks your streets may ten years 
from now, by simple, honest effort, be one of your mer- 
chant princes. Let us put down all gambling, and let 
money anywhere and everywhere represent past labor, 
and honor every man because he is a man, and every 
woman because she is a woman, without regard to 
clothes or dividends or power, and the main difficulty 
will be reached. 

I honor the laborers who supply our wants to-day. I 
feel that they have wrongs. I recognize them as my 
brothers and my sisters in the Lord, and they have a 
right to scan every dollar that is owned and spent by 
their more fortunate brethren. But revolution will 
not effect a cure, and it can only hasten destruction 
and death. Let there be a right spirit created in the 
hearts of the people, and trouble will depart. For the 
nearly forty-five years that I have preached in or near 
Boston, I have stood up for the claims of what are 
falsely called the lower classes, and have pleaded ear- 
nestly for them in the presence of those who wielded 
large revenues ; but I would earnestly urge all parties 
to meet each other on just grounds, and on neither 
side must temper crush reason, nor suffering obscure 
justice, nor hate cause murder. I would say to the 



236 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

rich, Put down your ambition, crush your undue love of 
gain, abstain from so much excessive show, give away 
more freely and gladly, put an end to every spark of 
pride lurking in your bosoms, and live only to do good. 
And I would say to the poor, Give up your jealousy, 
your irritable temper, everything that may be unjust, 
untrue, and ungenerous, and be sure that the way will 
be opened for better days and for a larger success. 

You are just as good as anybody else, just as noble, 
just as true, just as useful, and your one or two rooms 
are just as honorable as the palaces that other people 
use; and, just as long as you keep on the right side of 
God, you are the peers of kings and queens, — nay, 
higher up than that poor royalty. 

Nay, more, it is you that really are our princely ones ; 
for you have built our palaces, banks, ships. From 
your hands has arisen all our prosperity ; and, although 
you do not hold the earthly title-deed of the same, it is 
all recorded in the resister of deeds in heaven, and 
none of your rights will be lost. 

But, my friends, it is ever to be remembered that all 
the large monetary establishments in the world, such 
as banks, railroads, steamships, and the like, are for the 
ultimate benefit of the poor. And here I do not refer 
to the tame statement, however true and strong, that, 
by all this financial aid, locomotion is made more easy, 
and the producer brought into closer and more friendly 
contact with the consumer; but I refer to the fact that 
a large proportion of the stocks of these prosperous 
concerns are owned by the poor directly or indirectly. 

Do not start at such a statement as this. I know 



TRUE LABOR REFORM. 237 

that the opinion is very generally the other way. But 
examine, if you please, the list of owners in the various 
corporations now existing, and you will find, besides 
the names of widows and orphans who each hold a 
little, — and these littles added together make a large 
sum of money, — a large quantity of property that is 
held for the poor in the savings-banks and the life 
insurance offices all over the country; and hundreds 
of millions of dollars would be but a small estimate 
of the amount thus held to-day. Now nearly all this 
immense wealth is held in trust for the poorer classes, 
and belongs wholly and solely to them, principal and 
interest. So that, if we should make a wreck of the 
financial centre, the circumference itself would all go to 
pieces ; and widows, orphans, and hard-working la- 
borers who have saved up a little would sink into con- 
fusion and death. 

I appeal, then, earnestly for the benefit of the work- 
ing classes that no such wholesale revolution as this 
be contemplated for an instant. Because one part of 
our house is defective, there certainly is no good rea- 
son why we should destroy the whole building and 
bury ourselves in the ruins. 

I once wrote these words : — 



The rich and poor must join as one, 

The work of life to do ; 
And every angry passion shun, 

That breaks the heart in two. 

The rich without the poor would die, 
And pass away unknown. 



238 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

The wings of wealth itself would fly, 
And nothing could we own. 

The poor without the rich would sigh 
For comforts and for peace ; 

And in the deepest want would cry 
That human life might cease. 

Both poor and rich with hand in hand, 
Must meet lifers burdens sure, 

And make the days of earth all grand, 
And all things sent endure. 

God gives us all what he deems best, 
To each a special cross ; 

And he will make our trials blest 
And hallow every loss. 



Again, my friends, there must be a right spirit in 
the study of Christianity. A great many people look 
at some of the doings and sayings of those who are 
called Christian, and exclaim. If such be Christianity, 
God save us from being Christians ! 

But, my friends, the whole argument is weak ; for in 
nine cases out of ten what they condemn is not, never 
was, and never will be Christianity, although ten thou- 
sand Christians may stand up for and approve it. 
True Christianity stands by that which is right. It 
never compromises with wrong in any of its myriad 
shapes. It never scoffs at nor abuses nor shames in 
any way the poor wayfarer in the street. It never 
strikes hands with anything low or base or unfair or 
in any way questionable ; and it has not anything mean 
or small or contemptible about it. 



TRUE LABOR REFORM. 239 

I would say to all who deny its power or forfeit its 
grace or maltreat its claims, It is really just what you 
want, and just what you in your heart of hearts ap- 
plaud ; and I think that you are only ridiculing the 
masquerade of it that false professors are attempting 
to bolster up. The grand desire of Christianity is the 
lifting up of the people. It calls every one a child of 
God. It would reconcile us to the will of Heaven ; and 
it knows no rich nor poor, nor high nor low, but labels 
all one in Christ and all one in God. I know that the 
rich turned away from it at first, the learned sneered 
at it, and the powerful abused it. But, thanks be to Al- 
mighty God, the fishermen gathered around it, and the 
mechanics and artisans of that day rallied to the sup- 
port of its sacred flag. And so now all who will study 
its claims, obey its laws, and be inspired by its pre- 
cepts, will find the grace, the power, and the help 
that all of us so much need. In the endurance of suf- 
fering, my friends, we need the right spirit. 

All of us are ordained to be sufferers, and there are 
no exempts in this army of God that is ever filling up. 
If it is your turn to-day, it must inevitably be my turn 
to-morrow, or perhaps in one day, by a great calamity, 
we shall all take our turn together. 

But we must bear our blows in patience and in holy 
hope; and let there be no murmur at the heart, no 
peevishness in the brain, no despair, and no savage 
remonstrance, but submission the most perfect, holy, 
and splendid, for saints are made by passing through 
fire and water, and it is by passing through great 
tribulation that we arrive at the throne of God. 



240 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

But let US be still, whatever our lot. As one has 
beautifully said : — 

** Be still in God ! Who rests on him 
Enduring peace shall know, 
And with a spirit fresh and free 
Through life shall calmly go. 
Be still in faith ! Forbear to seek 
Where seeking nought avails. 
Unfold thy soul to that pure light 
From heaven which never fails. 

" Be still in sorrow ! As God wills, — 
Let that thy motto be : 
Submissive 'neath his strokes receive 
His image stamped on thee. 
Be still in God ! Who rests on him 
Enduring peace shall know, 
And, with a spirit glad and free, 
Through night and grief shall go." 

Yes, let us be still, and wait at the time of discipline ; 
for the blows are all for our healing, and the daylight 
will come once more, with renewed glory, grace, and 
splendor. 

So, too, as we die, let us die aright ; for the time 
must come to all of us, sooner or later, when the 
mortal sinks into the immortal, and time is labelled 
eternity by the ascending soul. So let us meet that 
hour, not stoically, not in tears, not in rebellion, and 
not with any vain regrets and trembling anticipations, 
but with a calm, a delightful, a holy, and a serene joy 
that shall fill the room where we are placed with a 
radiant glory, not of earth. So may it be Almighty 
God. " Renew a right spirit within me." 



TRUE LABOR REFORM. 241 

This must be a spirit of trust, love, aspiration, devo- 
tion, and holiness, such as may be found in a thorough 
completeness in the Son of God. Our prayer, then, 
should be : O Father, make us more like him, more 
humble, more gentle, more thankful, more honest, 
more pure, and more sacred. And may he, as we rise 
to the eternal kingdom, take us by the hand, own us as 
disciples, and lead us to his God and our God, to his 
Father and our Father. 



NEW YEAR'S SERMON. 



" Look not behind thee." — Gen. xix. 17. 



NEW YEAR'S SERMON. 

"Look not behind thee." — Gen. xix. 17. 

SO the angel spoke to Lot and his family, so Jesus 
spoke to his disciples, and so Almighty God says 
to us, at certain seasons, in peculiar emergencies, and 
when the hour comes for unencumbered action. Then 
he tells us, through the conscience, not to look back, 
not to brood over the past, and not to disturb a fin- 
ished history. Curiosity, regret, timidity, and fool- 
hardiness induced Lot's wife to look back, and so she 
perished ; and, no matter whether the story be literally 
given to us as it occurred or not, the principle remains 
the same, and the lesson which it would set forth is 
equally good for all time, being especially applicable 
on this first Sunday of the new year, when perhaps 
many of us are inclined to dwell too long upon the 
past, when we do not feel prepared to "go forward," 
and when we are reeling under the weight of our 
weaknesses, doubts, and sorrows. 

If we be tempted to gaze falsely backward, with 
vain regrets, with unholy apologies, with unsanctified 
curiosity, with vitiated pride, with terrible impatience, 
with hardened obstinacy, and with a weak sentimen- 
talism, as we are thus tempted, let us "remember 
Lot's wife.'* Some persons are very apt to shut the 
future entirely out of vision. Instead of living on hope, 



246 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

they try to nourish themselves by memories. Instead 
of saying what they will do, they keep talking about 
what they have done. Instead of looking for better 
things, they count up lost opportunities. And all this 
is to a great extent without profit, unsuggestive, chill- 
ing, and deadly ; and, if all were to fall into this way 
of thinking or acting or dreaming, the world would be 
set back at once into a dreary, chilling, and deadly 
past. Let us each search our hearts, and see whether 
we are guilty of this great mistake of brooding over 
the inevitable. 

Do we stand at this fresh season of trial, oppor- 
tunity, and grandeur, and, instead of bodly turning 
over our "new leaf," do we keep reading over the 
" old leaf,** with storms of tears, with crushed hearts, 
and with a sort of mental and soul paralysis } If so, we 
shamefully abuse the noble chances that God so 
lavishly offers for our true restoration to his glorious 
favor. Of course, all must repent ; and repentance is 
one of the urgent calls of Christianity, one of its 
noblest duties, and one of its inevitable demands. But 
we are never asked to carry the pack of our sins upon 
our backs forever, finding ourselves so thoroughly 
crippled that every step forward is fearfully clogged, 
bewildered, and checked ; for in this way only dwarfs 
and drones are made, and, if we so do every year, the 
weight becomes heavier, neglected opportunities are 
fearfully increased, and all is dark, sad, and unpromis- 
ing. 

Or, to look another way, perhaps some persons on 
this New Year's Sunday are counting up their virtues ; 



NEW year's sermon. 247 

and perhaps they are boasting of them, fondling them 
closely and lovingly to their hearts, and feeling very 
happy, satisfied, and proud because they have reached 
to such a great height in holiness. Perhaps they 
are thinking how good they have grown, and are con- 
gratulating themselves upon their increased spiritual 
stature. Well, this is arrant folly, the worst kind of 
spiritual pride, the worm in the bud, and the canker at 
the soul. 

Of course, it is well occasionally for us to have a 
sort of schedule of our soul's advance laid sacredly, 
secretly, and gloriously away in the chambers of the 
brain. We ought to know how much of a mansion in 
our heart we have given up to God, and we ought to 
have some idea how near to Jesus we have travelled ; 
for thus are our hardships sweetened, our tears re- 
strained, duty made easy, and thus does a light from 
the window of heaven shine upon all our efforts. 

Let such measurements, however, be exceptional, far 
between, and never too much fondled. Just look at 
the answers that are constantly given to us when we 
question people as to the cause of their heavy depres- 
sion. Several who are sad to-day would thus speak if 
they were truly honest : — 

I spoke thoughtlessly a word one day during the past 
year that I would now give worlds to recall. I meant 
no harm, and I thought no harm ; but that which I said 
may be misinterpreted, or twisted, or misrepresented, 
and thus I may have caused a heart to suffer. I 
uttered a fearful oath, or I spoke an untruth, or I de- 
frauded when I could easily have been honest, or I 



248 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

was impure where I might have been holy, or I have 
at times forgotten the Bible, prayer, God, and Christ, 
when I had every reason to be devout; and a great 
part of my life the past year has been a waste, and I 
am very, very wretched as I think of all these slips, 
crimes, and blots. 

Well, this record is bad, very bad ; and I have no 
wish to excuse or cover or wipe out the guilt which a 
candid avowal makes so prominent. But I do wish to 
accuse the wrong-doers of one more sin that they have 
not mentioned, and of a sin of which they are, it may 
be, totally unconscious. I charge them as guilty for 
brooding over what cannot be helped, and in standing 
guard so persistently over that which nothing now can 
wash out, and in looking backward all the time. Do 
not stop there, my friends ; but run away from that 
dark spot, hasten to a better place. Let all the previous 
experience, after a suitable penitence, be dropped, and 
march to a nobler stand, to loftier visions, to more 
fertile ground, to a richer work, and enter now at once 
upon a spiritual life. 

The apostle Paul did not continually moan over the 
days when he was a persecutor. No, he preached, 
prayed, and travelled in Asia, Greece, Spain, and, 
some say, in England ; and he marched on, and looked 
up, whilst in his closing days he made himself alto- 
gether a new man. And so let us all go and do likewise. 
We must not keep saying what we might have done ; 
but let us say what we will do, God helping us. 

What we might have done is all a vision, a dream, 
and a castle in the air; but what we are determined 



/ 



NEW year's sermon. 249 

that we will do this coming year may be changed from 
an idea to a fact, from imagination to reality, from the 
splendid chart that is woven in the brain and soul to 
the magnificent performance the fragrance of which 
will be felt in the celestial kingdom. 

Just here let me mention a fault very common 
among writers of history. I do not undervalue his- 
tory, and I conceive that the study of it is vastly use- 
ful to man ; for such a study invigorates the mind, en- 
courages philosophical thought, ripens, enriches, and 
glorifies judgment, uplifts imagination, and leads one 
to detect the beautiful unity of the races, and shows 
how the nations are really all bound to each other and 
all connected with Almighty God. 

But the fault that I would mention is this : that in a 
large majority of the histories that are written the 
authors state what might have been. After recording 
facts, they tell us how the whole affair ought to have 
been different ; but what right have they or any one 
to say what ought to have been ? They should rever- 
ently let all supposition alone. Let them confine 
themselves entirely to the reality or to the philosophy 
imbedded in it, and give us facts just as they are. 
My friends, let us consider a little the duties that fall 
to us as we stand at the opening of this new year, 
whose coming days no angel has approached to un- 
fold, whose unblotted pages are left unsketched and 
undetermined. We should start upon the untried jour- 
ney before us with spirits unabashed. I know how 
common it is for all minds to dread the unseen ; for 
superstition wraps its fascinating coils about the future. 



250 IN memoriam: c. d. bradlee, d.d. 

a poisoned and a wicked imagination lends its officious 
and troublesome aid as we take our view of coming 
days. And we sometimes, we know not why, stand 
pale, trembling, and piteously cast down before the 
unknown, and tremble at the idea of what may come 
to us in the days that are to be mastered. 

Oh, let us, then, if we wish to be noble, straight- 
forward, and earnest Christians ; let us, if we have 
any wish to become victors in the coming battle, if 
we desire to make the approaching year jubilant, 
fruitful, and glorious, — let us enter the labyrinth with 
great, stalwart, and holy fortitude, not admitting that 
danger is possible, not in the mood to be afraid of 
any enemy that is able to come against us, and deter- 
mined, whether we live or die, or enjoy or suffer, 
that we will at least stand upright, holding fast our 
integrity, and holding it with a good, honest, and con- 
secrated will. 

Let us remember also that not only are we to start 
upon this grand march without fear, but with a true, an 
earnest, and a splendid conception concerning its holy, 
electric, and everlasting importance. We may be as 
fearless as a lion ; and yet, if we feel not the dignity of 
life, if we consider not the solemnity of events, if we 
estimate not the affiliation of heaven and earth, and if 
all our deeds be not shaken by the vibrations of eter- 
nity, then our strength is but weakness, our bravery is 
in vain, we can never be heroes, and nobility of char- 
acter will never fall to our lot. 

Let us be humble ; and, with all our vigor, reality, and 
earnestness, let us be fully assured that of ourselves we 



NEW year's sermon. 25 1 

are nothing. Let us think of the old saying, so true 
and so often verified, that "the race is not to the 
swift, nor the battle to the strong," Let us not forget 
that sometimes seeming loss is real gain, and let us be 
willing quietly to wait for God's grand revelations ; and 
then, if the storm should come, let us sweetly draw 
around us the mantle of faith, feeling perfectly safe 
because our Father is at the helm. 

Above all, let us take with us on this coming journey 
independence of character, that we may not be carried 
away by the popular voice, but may think, speak, and 
act for ourselves. Of course, as we are all brothers 
and sisters in the Lord, there must be a mutual sym- 
pathy, a hearty co-operation, and a holy fellowship. 
But with all this interchange of good will there must 
be sacredly maintained a separate, an individual, and 
an independent character. 

We must each act out our own convictions, and none 
of us become the mimic or the photograph of anybody 
else; and, just as we all of us have different looks, so 
must we all have varying characters. And, whilst we 
aim at perfection, each one should display a peculiar 
shade of it ; for we have each our own part to weave in 
the mighty fabric of God's ordinance. 

Let us go forth, then, without leaning upon our 
neighbor. Let us fill out the full measure of our call- 
ing ; and let us complete, adorn, and consecrate our own 
special history. 

Again, whilst we are to be to a great extent our- 
selves, it is equally true that we cannot go forth alone ; 
for we must have a guide, as the labyrinth into which 



252 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

we are entering is full of intricate paths, and they all 
diverge into varied roads. And there are on many of 
these roads no way-marks to designate where they end, 
and we must take a guide. 

It is my duty, my privilege, and my pleasure to 
speak his name, even the Lord Jesus Christ, the Sav- 
iour and the Redeemer of mankind. He has sifted 
life, and understands all its remarkable phases, the 
mystery of its birth, the complexity of its growth, and 
the wonder of its finish. He has seen its Bethlehem, 
its wilderness, its transfiguration, its Calvary, its 
ascension. 

Let us take this Head of the Church, this appointed 
Judge of the world, and this holy Redeemer, as we 
enter upon the fresh days that are before us ; for then, 
come what will, we shall go through everything trium- 
phantly, and we can be sure not only of peace in this 
world, but of life everlasting. 

As these years rapidly begin and end, as their events 
quickly come or go, just like the shifting scenes in 
your magic lantern, we are reminded not only of our 
own insignificance and frailty, but also of the eternity 
of God ; for he is the same yesterday, to-day, and for- 
ever, and with him " there is no variableness nor shadow 
of change." There is an ancient legend quite signifi- 
cant, something like this, as translated by one of our 
ripe scholars : — 

"God took a man into the vestibule of his house, 
and displayed to him the glory of heaven. He took off 
from him the robes of flesh, and soon he was in the 
spirit world. To the right hand and to the left towered 



NEW YEAR S SERMON. 253 

mighty constellations that by self-repetitions and an- 
swers from afar, that by counter-positions, built up 
triumphal gates, whose architraves, whose archways, 
horizontal, upright, rested, rose at altitudes by spans 
that seemed ghostly from infinitude. Suddenly, as he 
rode from Infinite to Infinite, as thus he tilted over 
abysmal worlds, a mighty cry arose that systems more 
mysterious, that worlds more billowy, other heights, 
other depths, were coming, were nearing, were at hand. 
Then the man sighed and stopped, shuddered and 
wept. His overladen heart uttered itself in tears. * I 
will go no further,* he said : 'insufferable is the glory of 
God.* Then there was a voice that uttered, *End is 
there none to the universe of God ; and so, also, there 
is no beginning.* *' This legend is full of rich meaning, 
and it is peculiarly fragrant this New Year*s Sunday ; 
for it foreshadows what our state is to be above, for all 
our years will be very new, bright, and holy there. 
There will be nothing old ; and glory will rise upon 
glory, and splendor will leap upon splendor, until we 
are thoroughly entranced. I offer you, dear friends, 
my sincere congratulations at this time when all are 
wishing each other well; and may it, indeed, be a 
happy New Year to you all in your homes, business, 
church, and souls! May your spiritual life be thor- 
oughly increased ! may holy angels attend you on the 
right hand and on the left ! and, whether you live or 
die, may you be the acknowledged disciples of the Re- 
deemer, and have your names written in God's Book of 
Life ! God Almighty through our Lord Jesus Christ 
bless you one and all. 



254 IN MEMORIAM: CD. BRADLEE, D.D. 

The poet Gill said, and with some of his words we 
will close : — 

" O time ! ne'er resteth thy swift wing, 

Thy minutes make no stay ; 
Yet what vast treasure do they bring, 

What treasure bear away ! 
O richly laden hours, ye fly ; 

Yet ye lay down your load. 
O minutes freighted awfully, 

Your freight is all bestowed. 

** Ye bring the world's consuming care, 

Ye bring the tempter's wile. 
Ye bring the glorious strife of prayer, 

Ye bring the Father's smile. 
Yes, Lord, our days may be divine, 

Our hours may golden be ; 
The brightness of their light may shine 

Through all eternity." 



SOLID GOODNESS. 



" Let not then your good be evil spoken of." — Rom. xiv. i6. 



SOLID GOODNESS. 

" Let not then your good be evil spoken of." — Rom. xiv. i6. 

IT is not enough for us that we are good ; but our 
goodness must be so well defined, so clearly 
shaped, and so full of holy, splendid, and beautiful 
echoes that nobody can speak of it with disparage- 
ment, doubt, and denial, — that is, our characters must 
be clear as crystal, bright as a sunbeam, and pure as 
ice. We must seem good to our neighbors, friends, 
and everybody ; and we must, to use the terse, pungent, 
and glorious Scripture words, " Let our light shine 
before men." I am not asking you or myself or any 
one to seem good, without being so, I do not wish you 
nor any one to play continually a double game, to wear 
paint upon the soul, and to go through the world 
marked saint by man, but marked Satan by God, — no, 
never ! 

Let us stand for just what we are worth; and, if 
people would estimate us at a higher rate than we 
deserve, let no deception of ours start the rumor, 
build up the glory, and enhance the delusion. 

What I wish to advance is this : namely, it is not 
enough for you, for me, and for all to be good, and 
yet never to show any signs of it that can be clearly 
detected by those who are watching our movements 
all the time ; for we ought not to keep our convictions, 
virtues, and worship so chilled, so smothered, and so 
deeply hid that no one can exactly make out whether 



258 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

we are soldiers of the cross or fighting under a very 
difiFerent standard. It is not enough for us to be good, 
ever so good, ever so pure, and ever so holy ; but we 
must also appear so, and our whole manner, voice, and 
everything about us must show that we are so. Yes, 
we must not only be soldiers of the cross, but we must 
wear the uniform, carry the weapons, display the flag, 
rush into the battle, and prove our title sound, sweet, 
clear, beautiful, and grand. You may say that a man 
who never shows what he is can never be what he 
pretends; and perhaps, as a general statement, your 
remark is correct. But there are exceptions to the rule ; 
for many a man is really religious, but naturally so 
timid or proud or sensitive that he will, when in pri- 
vate, give indubitable proofs of goodness, but all the 
time, in public, will seek to cover up natural impulses, 
and by bravado, or by reserve, or by complete silence, 
will conceal the real disposition. And §uch persons say 
it is no one's concern what we believe, what thoughts 
we cherish, and what affections nestle in our hearts ; 
and they maintain that whether they are religious or 
not is a matter that must be settled between them 
and their God. A young man once said to an aged 
person, "Have you got religion.?*' and the instant 
reply was given, ** None to speak of." Such people say, 
God knows what we are, and that is enough ; and, even 
if we are called infidels, knaves, and all kinds of hard 
names, it does not concern us in the least, for we have 
no religion of which to speak. I wish, however, to say 
to such that they make a great mistake. I admit that 
they may be truly good men or women, and perhaps 
better men or women than many of the talkers and 



SOLID GOODNESS. 259 

performers ; but they are not so good as they should 
be, can be, and must be. 

If they were hermits, their argument might be 
honest, true, and solid; but, living as they do in the 
centre of a crowd, in the presence of gazing eyes, 
right before waiting souls, and in God's world of many 
people, they must remember that their example tells. 
For our life is not a unit, but it is a universality ; and 
every man or woman, as long as he or she dwells upon 
the earth, is not only building himself or herself up, 
but is ever furnishing materials for the upbuilding of 
many other souls. And it is the law of God that we 
must live for others as well as for ourselves, and that 
every man, woman, and child, by a decided, unques- 
tioned, and stalwart moral and religious example, 
should help every being within possible reach. 

It is said that, if one stamps upon the earth, the 
reverberation of the sound can be detected in the most 
distant planets ; and how much more true it is, and how 
deeply solemn the fact, that all our thoughts, words, 
and deeds keep reverberating for years in the hearts 
and characters of our fellow-beings ! 

" Let not your good be evil spoken of." 

There is a time ih our experience when it is no 
matter whether our good be evil spoken of or not ; and 
this is the case when we have done all in our power, 
not only to be good, but also to seem so, and, if we do 
the best that we can, no more can be asked of us. I 
do not doubt that often our noblest deeds are marked, 
on some human tablet, as very bad, are ascribed to 
selfish motives, and are every week misunderstood, 
twisted, and slandered; but we cannot help that, nor 



26o IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

need we care for that, nor need we think about that. 
For it is good for us sometimes — ay, often — to stem 
the tide of public opinion ; and there would be no merit, 
courage, and virtue in constantly swimming along with 
the current Nay, we should have but very little 
originality of character if we bent our wills, ways, and 
thoughts exclusively under the direction of any one 
mere human leader. 

There are those in the world who have the wonder- 
ful faculty of attributing every deed of man to a low 
motive ; and, if a man would give a princely donation, 
in order to aid a noble charity, such say he did it 
merely to increase his popularity, not that he cared in 
the least for the poor that he helped. And, if one would 
advocate strongly any charitable movement, such say 
they wonder who has paid him for his eloquence, and 
what office he is seeking ; and, whatever one does that 
is praiseworthy or honest or holy, such are always 
gazing for by-ends^ as if it were impossible for any one 
to be good for goodness' sake, for Christ's sake, and 
for God's sake. Whenever you hear such people talk, 
never pay any attention to what they say, but pray 
God, when you are alone, that their hearts may be 
changed, and that they may be made more charitable, 
holy, and Christ-like. I thoroughly pity any one who 
can never detect anything noble in humanity; for, of 
course, he must form his judgment after scanning the 
vacant depths in his own soul. And what a pitiable 
world such a one inhabits; for all around him are 
pirates and knaves, all joy and honesty are gone, and 
might, not right, is the motto. 

Sin is let loose and becomes triumphant, and death 



SOLID GOODNESS. 26 1 

in such a case must be an inexpressible relief ; for who 
would care to stay a moment in so much danger, con- 
fusion, and despair ? Do you find, however, that these 
critics are any more ready to die than anybody else ? 
And do they not rather seek to stay just as long as 
they possibly can in this deceitful world ? 

You may be very sure that it is a very safe rule for 
you to distrust those who are always distrusting others ; 
and, whilst they speak harshly of the race, they are 
simply furnishing you a photograph of their own spirit- 
ual domain. 

I suppose that the words of our text will apply to 
every experience of our life ; for the question often arises 
in the heart of the one who strives to be a Christian, 
Can I continue to do this or that, and yet be religiously 
consistent, keep my character untarnished, and stand 
well before my own soul ? That is, how will my con- 
duct in any particular case appear to my neighbors, 
friends, the community at large, and to Almighty God ; 
and shall I be universally condemned or universally 
approved ? 

Perhaps I may be legally right ; but do I not lessen 
the dignity of goodness, if I violate the sanctity of the 
consciences of those around me, and ought I not to 
abridge a great many comforts, cut o£E a great many 
gains, and suffer considerably rather than create a sus- 
picion of my honor, purity, and holiness in the hearts 
of the weak? And did not Saint Paul mean a great 
deal when he said, " If meat make my brother to offend, 
I will eat no meat while the world lasts " ? Many per- 
sons, who really desire to be holy, true, and sound in 
the very depths of the soul, ask how many of the 



262 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

world's pleasures they can conscientiously retain, 
enjoy, and advocate; and the answer is very plain, 
eloquent, and easy. Any of them, all of them, and as 
many as possible that are innocent are at your disposal ; 
for religion does not intend to make you a hermit, and 
to bar you out from the world. It is no monk's cell 
where you are to be cloistered forever, but it is meant 
for the liberalizing and the enlarging of the mind, for 
the unfolding, the enrichment, and the glorifying of the 
soul ; and it wants to pull down all false restraints, 
smother all hypocritical isolation, and crush all pitiable 
austerity. And yet, before you enter upon any of the 
world's delights, you must see to it that your judgment 
is wide-awake, your reason clear, your imagination 
bridled, your affections purified, and your souls lighted 
up by celestial fire. You must avoid many things that 
in themselves may be right, but that in you, as an 
example, would be wrong ; for perhaps you can bear a 
great deal, but your neighbor who is looking at you is 
easily upset, pulled down, and destroyed. It is well 
enough to leave what one can or cannot do to each 
one's purified heart, as it is strengthened, sanctified, 
elevated, and uplifted by the grace of Almighty God ; 
and it would be foolish for any one to draw up for any- 
body else a code of laws which must be obeyed, since 
such a code would not in many cases apply, and would 
in all cases be somewhat out of order, one-sided, and 
severe. If we wish to live in this world with any sort 
of power, we must constantly study the consciences of 
other people, and must shape our conduct accordingly ; 
for we show our true bravery when we are willing to 
give up a good many privileges rather than to throw a 



SOLID GOODNESS. 263 

Stumbling-block in any one's way, and we can do better 
without our luxury than our weak neighbor can without 
his virtue. And life, in order to become in any way 
sublime, must be full of constant self-denials. 

Nay, are not these self-denials, these givings-up, and 
these holy sacrifices made blessings, when by their 
aid a brother or a sister is led closer and closer to 
goodness and nearer to God ? and shall we ever be 
ashamed, as we stand before Almighty God, that we 
have often given up our gains, pleasures, and comforts, 
that through our abstinence some soul might be saved, 
lighted up, and blessed ? 

Then, oh, then, in that great day, when all hearts are 
laid open, when all secrets are exposed, and the life 
record stands clear before Almighty God, if we have 
been "good Samaritans" in the flesh, a holy peace 
will be ours, which will abundantly compensate us for 
any earthly toils that we may have endured. Whilst 
we are living here with those of all kinds of characters, 
whose spiritual discipline so vastly, strangely, and 
terribly differs, let us think, as we speak and act, of 
the great hereafter; and let us so manage our ways 
that the echoes of our deeds shall be truly fragrant, 
beautiful, and eloquent in heaven. 

There are a great many in this world who think that 
it is a rich delight to spend their time in ridiculing the 
convictions of all with whom they come in contact. 
Such never admit that anybody save themselves has a 
conscience. They are too thoughtless to make any 
allowances for differences of education, peculiar tem- 
peraments, and varying circumstances ; and they insist 
that they have the sole power of judging what is right 



264 IN MEMORIAM : C. D. BRADLEE, D.D. 

and what is wrong, and of forcing others to think as 
they do. 

But, my friends, what right has any one to say that 
God has given to him or to her the whole truth, 
clothed him or her with the clearest reason, and affixed 
to him or to her the largest heart ? 

What right has any one, save Jesus Christ, to say 
that he or she is the criterion by which all others are 
to be judged? and how dare feeble, misguided, and 
sinful children of God assert so high a claim ? 

Allow that you do not think as I do, my brother. 
Very well, this does not prove that you are wrong or 
that I am wrong or that we are both wrong, for it 
proves nothing ; and, if you should be sincere in your 
convictions, and if I should be equally so in mine, we 
have a ground on which we both can stand, and where 
we can proffer our congratulations,— namely, the 
ground of our mutual sincerity. Here we may form a 
close fellowship, and here we may be bound by a holy 
alliance, although our opinions may be as wide apart 
as the east is from the west or the north from the 
south. Let a truly good man go where he will, into 
any church or country, and he will at once be recog- 
nized ; for the odor of his sanctity will so cling to him 
that even a Hottentot will hold him in respect, and, no 
matter if not a single soul would agree with his creed, 
all will commend and admire his heart. "Let not 
your good be evil spoken of.'* 

Turn to Jesus Christ as the true example of what we 
have endeavored to teach ; for he not only was good, 
but he always appeared to be so, was not ashamed to 
let his light shine before men, thought it a duty ever 



SOLID GOODNESS. 265 

to be himself in private and in public, and was willing 
to sacrifice everything except virtue, and to that he 
ever stood faithful. He would give up his life, but not 
truth ; and let us learn gladly of him how to make our 
lives attractive, strong, and sublime. And then all will 
know, feel, and confess that we are truly good. The 
thoughts which I would to-day call forth I have thrown, 
in my own rough way, in a form like this : — 

Oh, let us all seem what we are, 

And be that which we seem, 
That all our deeds be not afar 

From that which each should dream. 

May thought and act forever blend, 

And work and speech unite ! 
And let us each and all defend 

That which is wholly right. 

To seem, and not to be, is wrong ; 

For then the heart is weak. 
Will any peace to those belong 

Who goodness never seek ? 

To be, and never make it known, 

To hide the grace we love. 
Will stand against us at the throne. 

When we are called above. 

Help us, O God, through Christ, the Son, 

True in all ways to be ; 
And, when our work below is done. 

Thy glory may we see !