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1994.Five Years
St. Peter’s Church,
Auburn, N. Y.
^ -	_ *1
Henry Dudley, Architect.
ST. PETER’S CHURCH, AUBURN, N.Y.
Consecrated Oct. 18, 1870.
Entire length within, 128 feet ; width, 60 feet ; height of nave, 60 feet.TWENTY-FIFTH ANNIVERSARY
OF THE
RECTORSHIP
REV. JOHN BRAINARD, D.D.
IN
ST. PETER’S CHURCH,
AUBURN, NEW YORK.
1863—1888.
AUBURN.KY,
*Kkqpp.Peck.^Thomson* Printers*
1889.gw fnktmsiott
FOR THE FAMILIES OF THE PARISH.
ALMIGHTY GOD, our heavenly Father, who settest the soli-
tary in families; We commend to thy continual care the
homes in which thy pebple dwell. Put far from them, we beseech
thee, every root of bitterness, the desire of vain-glory and the
pride of life. Fill them with faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance,
patience, godliness. Knit together in constant affection those
who, in holy wedlock, have been made one flesh ; turn the heart
of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to
the fathers ; and so kindle charity among us all, that we be ever-
more kindly affectioned with brotherly love ; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.PREFACE.
The call for the publication of the history of this parochial
event has been so general and earnest that it would seem dis-
courteous to disregard it. The preparation of these pages recalls
a very delightful occasion, many loving words, and generous
deeds, and it gives to the rector an opportunity which he gladly
embraces to express his sincere thanks to all who in any way
contributed to the joy and gladness of his quarter century
anniversary. To the press of the city and its representatives
elsewhere my grateful thanks are also extended.
JOHN BRAIN ARD.ANNIVERSARY SERMON.
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, for your fellowship in the gospel
from the first day until now,—Philippians I: 3, 5.
A prisoner at Rome, St. Paul writes his epistle to the Church
at Philippi. It has frequently been remarked that while so
many letters of St. Paul are occupied with reproofs, rebukes,
corrections, we have this one whose burden is love and grateful
remembrance. The text is the beginning of it, and it gives us
the distinctive character of his whole letter. There are single
expressions of the great apostle which I would not presume to
use on this occasion. But when he speaks as in the text, he
comes down to our level. His life touches ours in the common
sympathies that unite pastor and people.
Six years ago, in an address of congratulation which I had the
honor to make in the First Presbyterian church in this city, on
the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of the pastorate of
the Rev. Dr. Hawley, I was led to say that a ministry of five
and twenty years, had never occurred in Auburn before, and
probably would never happen again. But it has happened
again; and I am the recipient of such loving expressions of
affection that my tongue can scarce speak out the feelings of
my heart in suitable reply. Blessed be His Holy Name that
by putting me into the ministry, I have been permitted to share
in such an observance and enjoy such tokens of regard. If the
ministry has its trials, it has its blessings also, and not always
does affection reserve its outpouring to be uttered above the
grave of the departed herald of the cross. It was a blessed
guidance of my Heavenly Father which led me five and twenty
years ago, to these green pastures, and has permitted me to fold
this flock beside these still waters. While memory lasts, I can-6-
never forget what you have been to me in all these years, and
the tender and loving consideration with which you have
regarded me and my family. You that are here, constitute but
a portion of the beautiful flock which the Good Shepherd
entrusted to my care. My people are encamped upon each
side of the sweetly flowing river, and they who have reached
the other shore are full of rest and peace in gardens whose
verdure never withers and where the flowers do not fade.
Next to you, my dear people, my thoughts go out lovingly to
the Christian congregations and their pastors throughout this
city, for expressions of their respect and affection, which have
reached the depths of my heart. To the faculty of the hon-
ored Theological Seminary, I feel greatly indebted for their
testimony of esteem. May God reward them all, pastors, peo-
ple and distinguished teachers, and bless them in their work.
And here let me allude to one who, had he been permitted
longer to have dwelt among us, would have exhibited a loving
brother’s interest in this day’s observance. I seem to see dear
Dr. Hawley amid the saints in light, with face even more serene
from his nearness to the Mediator’s presence, than when he
walked on earth. To the citizens of this bright city, one and
all, I extend my thanks for unnumbered expressions of affec-
tion to me and my family, and for the tokens of their good
will which makes my walk upon these streets, a daily and
perpetual delight.
I found on coming to take the rectorship of this parish, a
vestry which, in its material and blessed unanimity, made it a
working body which could not be surpassed—Amos T. Car-
penter, John H. Chedell, Christopher Morgan, William Allen,
Joseph Osborn, Charles Richardson, George Humphrey, William
Lamey, Charles N. Tuttle. Changes growing out of death and
removal, affected this body of honorable men, but in 1868 we
started out upon our work of large hearted measures of church
extension, which God most abundantly blessed in vigorous
parochial growth, and in such unity and concord as assured us
of Divine favor. The wardens and vestry of the period of-7-
enlarged expenditure, not only for our new church, but also for
the establishment of St. John’s church, toward which more
than $20,000 was contributed, were as follows, and it will be
the only list of officers to which 1 shall allude today :	Amos
T. Carpenter, Joseph Osborn, wardens; John H. Chedell,
Christopher Morgan, Erastus G. Knight, William Allen, Emery
Osborn, James A. Suydam, Edward H. Groot, John N. Knapp.
Of this number but one remains today. I can never forget or
cease to venerate the memory of these men. Under their
guiding hands we embarked in parish enterprises, which called
for large expenditure, and their wise and prudent activity laid
the foundations of a prosperity in things temporal, which we
enjoy today. I shall only be doing what will meet with gen-
eral approval, if omitting all reference to such names as Hon.
Enos T. Throop, Hon. William H. Seward,* Hon. Christopher
Morgan, .William Allen, Joseph Osborn, Cyrus 0. Dennis,
Edward H. Groot, Erastus G. Knight and David M. Osborne, I
make special mention of General John H. Chedell, without
whose liberality we never should have attempted what we did.
His large subscriptions at the first, followed by upwards of
$20,000 for the building of the tower and spire, and the extin-
guishment of debt, with constant gifts from his family for the
adornment and embellishment of this church, constitute a
memorial which will speak of him and his family to the
remotest future of this parish, which he loved so well. He
was to me a father in his affectionate concern for my comfort
and my welfare, and without him many plans of parochial
activity and extension would have been unfulfilled.
During my rectorship I have read the service of the church
on 4,735 occasions, never without the hope that having gathered
together in His name, the dear Saviour was in our midst.'
* The mention of the name of W. H. Seward, recalls the fact which the early records
of the parish abundantly prove, that immediately upon his settlement here, as a rising
young attorney, he became interested in the parochial affairs of St. Peter’s Church.
He was active in the purchase of the rectory in 1826, circulated the subscription paper
to raise the money to make the first payment, was elected a vestryman in 1827, and
occupied that position for ten years, represented the parish in Diocesan Convention,
and more than once was requested by the wardens and vestry to “ address the congre-
gation on the financial situation ” of the parish. Without doubt he enforced the
“ Higher Law ” of Christian stewardship, and illustrated “ the irrepressible conflict ”
between the subscription paper and the pocket book.-8-
I have preached during my ministry here, 2,629 sermons, in
■all of which I trust there has been some word spoken in season
to him that is weary, which has been so blessed by Divine
grace that it has been the power of God unto salvation.
Twenty thousand pastoral visits have been made without
mentioning calls upon the sick, the sad and the sorrowing ; in
all of which, though conscious of great shortcomings, I have
still striven to point out the “ more excellent way,” and throw
light upon some darkened path.
In these years of ministerial service, I have baptized 1,115
persons, 902 infants and 263 adults; and it has been my
■earnest prayer that as they were made partakers of the death
oi God’s dear Son, they might also be partakers of His resur-
rection ; so that finally, with the residue of His Holy Church*
they might be inheritors of His everlasting kingdom, through
Christ our Lord.
The confirmations during this quarter of a century have been
789. Of these 180 were confirmed by Bishop Coxe, and 659
by Bishop Huntington. And the bishop’s prayer has filled my
•own heart also:	Let Thy fatherly hand, we beseech Thee, ever
be over them, let Thy Holy Spirit ever be with them, and so
lead them, in the knowledge and obedience of Thy word, that
in the end they might obtain everlasting life.
On taking charge of the parish, the list of communicants
^embraced 200 names. There have been added 718 new com-
municants ; 454 have been received by letter, 649 have been
lost by removal and 139 by death. The number upon our roll
today is 545. Of the 200 communicants of twenty-five years
ago, but two males and both are here this morning, and forty-
four females remain in the ranks of worshipers in these earthly
•courts. What affecting changes these figures suggest. How
full of comfort is the thought, that having duly received these
holy mysteries, this great company of the living and departed
have been fed with the spiritual food of the most precious body
and blood of God’s dear Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, and
are assured thereby of His favor and goodness and that we are- 9-
very members incorporate in the mystical body of His Son,
which is the blessed company of all faithful people, and are
also heirs through hope of His everlasting kingdom, by the
merits of the most precious death and passion of His dear Son.
And how humbly should we beseech our Heavenly Father, so
to assist us with His grace, that we may continue in*that holy
fellowship, and do all such good works as He has prepared for
us to walk in.
In the bonds of holy matrimony, I have united 888 couples;
and as we prayed that they might perform and keep the vow
and covenant betwixt them made, and ever remain in perfect
love and peace together, so in the benediction, I have invoked
the ever blessed Trinity,—Father, Son and Holy Ghost,—that
they might so live together in this life that in the world to come
they might have life everlasting. The order for the burial of
the dead has been used on 767 occasions. What a lesson of
mortality does this number enforce. How closely associated
with each one of that number has been the gathered group of
tearful mourners, who, as they saw the cherished form of father
or mother, husband or wife, brother or sister, child of winsome
ways or youthful promise, son or daughter, go down, with folded
hands and wearied eyelids, into the earth’s quiet resting place,
have felt that all brightness had gone from earth forever. We
have given hearty thanks for the good examples of all those
servants, who, having finished their course in faith, do rest from
their labors, and have besought the dear Father * that when we
shall depart this life, we may rest in Jesus, and that, at the
general resurrection in the last day, we may be found acceptable
in His sight, and receive that blessing which His w'ell-beloved
Son shall then pronounce to all who love and fear Him, saying,
u Come, ye blessed children of my Father, receive the kingdom
prepared for you from the beginning of the world.”
The offerings of St. Peter’s Church for the period under
review, as reported to our annual conventions, are for parochial
purposes, $221,854.84; for diocesan purposes, $19,753.14;
general church purposes, $17,253.30 ; total, $258,361.28. This10-
illustrates to what extent we have had faith to believe, that the
silver and the gold are God’s, and that we are stewards who
must give account of our stewardship, and that “God loveth a
cheerful giver; ” “ that there is that scattereth and still increas-
eth, and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it
tendeth to poverty.”
And here God has permitted me to dwell happy and con-
tented for these five and twenty years, and you, my dear people,
have honored this rounding out of a quarter of a century with
such happy tokens of esteem and affection towards me and my
family, with such princely gifts, as call out the deepest emo-
tions of my heart. To have such a protracted term of service
should awaken no feelings of pride or self-laudation, but rather
it is a call for humility, gratitude and praise. This quarter
century of service in dear St. Peter’s, and in sweet Auburn,
does not grow out of anything praiseworthy or commendable
in me. Other and better men here and elsewhere in whom the
Great Head of the Church is well pleased, have gone out, not
knowing whither they went, because the Divine ordering
seemed to forbid a prolonged stay. God has so favored me
that I have escaped many of the burdens which make life one
prolonged weariness to many of my brethren. I have always
had within my family such resources to meet my moderate
desires that I have been spared all financial anxieties. God
has blessed me with such health that I have hardly known a
day of sickness, and am a total stranger to the sense of bodily
fatigue which a night’s rest will not banish.
If today my faults and errors of administration recur to the
minds of any man or woman, I can only say no one can be
more conscious of these faults and failings, than I am myself.
My kindest and most loving thoughts are yours, my dear peo-
ple, on this blessed day. It has been a great privilege to point
you to the dear Saviour and to bring you closer to Him.
There is no refuge like that. His dear side is the home for
penitents, a shelter from the storm when heart and flesh are
failing. His teachings have lost no force or efficacy in our-11-
boasted nineteenth century progress. You cannot build for
eternity unless your foundation rests on Him. Pardon and
peace will elude your search and grasp till you seize the cross
and hold it with obedient faith. Till you so follow the loving
Saviour as to place your feet in His sacred footsteps, life will
not be worth living, because the future will be dark; but when
your will is lost in His, and you reward the prolonged and
patient search which He has been making for you in all these
years, you will find eternity too short to utter all your praise.
God grant, my dear people, that when our hands are folded in
restful and untroubled sleep, it may be to meet in the glorious
temple of the Great King, and in the day when He makes up
the jewels for His diadem, may each of my flock be there,
shining as the brightness of the firmament, and as the stars for
ever and ever.A QUARTER CENTURY RECTORSHIP.
A heartier or more joyous expression of parochial interest
and affection than that which marked the observance of the
twenty-fifth anniversary of the rectorship of Rev. Dr. BrainARD,
in St. Peter’s Church, Auburn, N. Y., could hardly be imagined.
The wardens and vestry gave it their fullest sanction and served
on the committee of arrangements, which was so constituted as
to represent various parish organizations, as well as the congre-
gation at large. The committee was as follows:
MR. NOAH P. CLARKE,
MR. HENRY D. NOBLE,
MR. JOHN N. KNAPP,
MR. NICHOLAS L. CASEY,
MR. ALFRED N. HOLLISTER,
MR. HENRY D. TITUS,
MR. CHARLES H. CARPENTER,
MR. FRED I. ALLEN,
MR. JOSEPH A. COOK,
MR. FRANK P. TABER,
MISS CELUTA COOK,
MRS. ANGELICA V. R. HURLBERT,
MRS. SARAH HARBOTTLE,
MRS. MARY S. WORDEN,
MRS. CLARA C. LONGSTREET,
MRS. MARY H. TITUS,
MISS JOSEPHINE B. MINER,
MRS. ALMA C. PECK,
MRS. JULIA P. CLARKE,
MRS. MARY F. NOBLE,
MRS. JANE E. KNAPP,
MRS. EMMA CASEY,
MRS. EVA P. HOLLISTER,
MRS. MARY W. TITUS,
MRS. CAROLINE A. CARPENTER,
MRS. NELLIE SEWARD ALLEN,
MRS. CAROLINE M. COOK,
MRS. MARY P. TABER,
MISS MARIA HISER,
MISS CAROLINE E. DENNIS,
MISS MARY M. TITUS,
MISS JULIA CARPENTER,
MISS SARAH J. RELAY,
MISS ELLA L. RICHARDSON.
MISS M. E. COAN,
MISS ALMIRA B. CLARY.
MRS. JULIA P. CLARKE, Chairman Testimonial Committee.
MISS CAROLINE E. DENNIS, Treasurer.
MISS SARAH B. HILLS, Secretary.
The committee met from time to time, as occasion required.
It was arranged that two days should be set apart for the
observance of the pastor’s quarter of a century rectorship.
All Saints’Day and the Sunday following; and that on the
evening of All Saints’ Day, at the reception at the rectory, a-13-
testimonial representing the gifts and good will of the parish,
be presented to the rector by Mrs. Julia P. Clarke, the testi-
monial to consist of a silver pitcher, a clock with cathedral
chime, and a purse of gold. The names of the donors for these
gifts have been preserved in a beautiful book prepared and
decorated by Mr. Charles E. Fay, Mrs. Charlotte L. Richardson
and Mrs. Grace K. Underwood. Amid the number appears
the names of several not connected with St. Peter’s Church,
and their participation in this testimonial is a mark of their
kindness and generosity.
The weather was all that could have been desired. Two
such serene autumnal days as the Feast of All Saints and the
Sunday following, were indeed a blessing. Kind friends and
neighbors outside the parish, seemed to vie with those within
in their graceful attentions to the rector and his family. Rich
and costly gifts from the parish and from individuals; words
of grateful recollection from former parishioners, testimonials
of affection from clerical brethren, pastors, churches, institutions,
professors and bishops, were pleasantly intermingled, while to
crown and complete it all, a letter from the bishop of the
diocese to the rector, through the wardens and vestry, gave an
added sacred ness and dignity to the occasion. A very pleasant
feature of the reception on Thursday evening, at the rectory,
was the presence of the city clergy in large numbers, and the
Rev. Professors of the Auburn Theological Seminary, in a
body.NOTABLE ANNIVERSARY,
THE REV. DR. BRAINARD’S TWENTY-FIFTH YEAR
AT ST. PETER’S.
[From the Auburn Daily Advertiser, of Nov. 2, 1838.]
It is by no means a common occurrence when a church and
its pastor are privileged to celebrate their silver wedding, but
such an event came to pass in this city Thursday, when the
twenty-fifth anniversary of the Rev. Dr. Brainard, as the rector
of St. Peter’s church, was impressively commemorated. It was
a perfect autumnal day, and the observance of this important
epoch in the history of the church began at 9 A. M., when ser-
vices appropriate to All Saints’ day were held in the stately
edifice, in the presence of a large congregation, the number of
communicants also being remarkably large.
At 10:40 the Rev. Dr. Brainard was called to Geneva, to take
part in the interesting services of the diocese of AVestern New
York, commemorating the fiftieth anniversary of the election
of the Rt. Rev. William Heathcote De Lancey as first bishop
of Western New York. He returned at 7:17 to find his house
brilliantly illuminated and in undisputed possession of his par-
ishioners. An hour later the parlors were thronged to repletion
and then the beloved rector was held captive for a moment
while Mrs. Noah P. Clarke, chairman of the testimonial com-
mittee read the presentation letter :
All Saints’ Day, 1863-1888.
Dear Dr. Brainard :—It is with mingled feelings of pleasure and pain
that we meet today to commemorate the twenty-fifth anniversary of )'Our suc-
cessful pastorate in St. Peter’s parish. The years have flown all too quickly,
and it is hard to realize that a quarter of a century has been told upon the dial
of time. You came to us in the full vigor of your young manhood, and the best
years of your life have been given to us, and St. Peter’s has enjoyed a prosperity
never known in the years before.
These years have not been without great strain upon brain and nerve, but
your record will be, when “ the master is come and calleth for thee,” and you
hear the welcome plaudit—“ Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou
into the joy of thy Lord.”
What you have been to us we can never express in words, but it is written
in letters of gold upon our hearts. You have rejoiced with us in our joys, and-15-
have spoken words of peace and comfort to us when our hearts were sur-
charged with deepest grief.
, This pitcher is a symbol of the Water of Life, which you have so freely
offered in “ His name” to many thirsty “ pilgrims through this barren land,”
and we now present it to you as an insufficient tribute of our loving, grateful
hearts, only giving to you what He has given to us ; “ For the silver and the
gold are mine, saith the Lord/’
With the pitcher we give you this book, wherein you will find the name of
every contributor, and when “ the Lamb’s Book of Life” is opened may you
find our names all written there, and may they be as stars in your crown of
rejoicing in the “ Great Day.”
Julia P. Clarke, Chairman Testimonial Committee.
A solid silver flagon was then unveiled amid exclamations
of delight from the assembled throng. It was from Tiffany’s,
and was a most ornate and graceful piece of workmanship,
an elegant clock, and a generous measure of double-eagles,
accompanied the anniversary gift, all coming from the noble
women of St. Peter’s parish. The rector was visibly affected
and had some difficulty in commanding the necessary rhetoric
for a response, but managed to express his grateful thanks and
gave cordial welcome to his callers. But his tribulations were
not yet over, for Miss Sarah Hills next read a congratulatory
letter from the Sisterhood of the Church, and Miss Mary M.
Carpenter followed with a similar one from the Guild of St.
Peter’s.
To these kind messages the rector responded feelingly, and
the assemblage then pressed forward with congratulations and
also improved the opportunity to examine the souvenirs of the
occasion. The flagon was of the Hebe design, and with one
accord it was pronounced exquisite. The inscription was as
follows:
The Rev. John Brainard, S. T. D.,
from
The Parishioners of St. Peter’s Church, Auburn, N. Y.
In Token of their Grateful Appreciation of
His Pastoral Care,
During Twenty-Five Years.
All Saints’ Day,
1863-1888.
The clock was a little gem, of superior workmanship, cathe-
dral chimes giving warning of the quarter hours, and is enclosed-16-
in a convenient case for use in traveling. There were also sev-
eral individual remembrances presented the Sector as tokens of
good will. Flowers in profusion were also sent in and added
their fragrance to the occasion.
The reception was from 7 until 10 and during this time the
coming and going guests formed an endless stream, the apart-
ments being densely crowded when the scene was at its height.
The callers were by no means confined to the Episcopal denom-
ination, and the congratulations tendered by the celebrant^
clerical brethren were among the heartiest of the evening.
The services in St. Peter’s Church on Sunday, November 4th,
were of a most impressive character. The congregation was
very large and the decorations of flowers and foliage were
abundant and most exquisite in design. Everything seemed to
speak the language of affection for the rector on this interesting
event in his ministerial life, and in the history of St. Peter’s
Parish.
After the sermon several of the letters which the rector had
received were read, including the letter of the Bishop of the
Diocese, the Minute of the Standing Committee, the Address of
the Wardens and Yestry of St. Peters Church, and the Pastors
of the City, with a few others of a local interest, by the Clerk
of the Parish, Mr. Fred I. Allen, and Mr. Frank W. Richardson.
The Rev. F. A. D. Launt, Rector of St. John’s Church, assisted
in the services. At the celebration of the Lord’s Supper the
number of communicants was very large. The musical portions
of the service were in charge of Mr. Edward E. Scovill, organist,
supported by a large chorus, and were highly appreciated for
their heartiness and simplicity. The chimes in the tower never
sounded more musically, than they did on this glad day in the
handling of Mr. Frank L. Scovill.
At evening prayer at 8 o’clock several infants were baptized,
and the children of the parish with the officers and teachers in
the Sunday School enjoyed their part in this demonstration.
At five o’clock services were over and the rector had his first
opportunity of retirement and rest. He had spent the whole
day in the Lord’s House, and in the midst of his people.Tiffany, New York.	Height, 20 inches ; Capacity, 1 gallon.
To the
REVEREND JOHN BRAINARD, S. T. D.\
from the Parishioners of
ST. PETER'S CHURCH, AUBURN, N. Y.,
in token of their gratef ul appreciation of
His Pastoral Care
During Twenty-five Years.
ALL SAINTS' DAY.THE REV. JOHN BRAINARD, D. D.
BY THE REV. R. M. DUFF, D. D.,
Rector of St. Paul's Church, Waterloo, Ar. Y.
At this time a notable event occurs in the history of St.
Peter’s church in this city. The people of that parish are
uniting with one accord to commemorate the twenty^fifth anni-
versary of the rectorship of their beloved pastor, Dr. Brainard.
As befitting the occasion we present today a brief sketch of
him whom not only his own people delight to honor, but who
also holds a warm place in the hearts of all the people of our
city.
John Brainard was born in Hartford, Conn., June 4, 1830.
His parents were Hezekiah and Rebecca Morgan Brainard.
Having passed the proper preparatory studies at the Hartford
grammar school and the Episcopal academy of Cheshire, Conn ,
he entered Trinity college, Hartford, in 1847, and was gradu-
ated from that institution with high honors in 1851. His
Theological studies were pursued at the Berkeley Divinity
school previous to its removal from Hartford to Middletown,
Conn., its present site.
On December 18, 1853, he was ordained to the diaconate in
Christ church, Hartford, by Bishop Brownell, his presenter being
the present bishop of Rhode Island, at that time rector of Christ
church. The Rt. Rev. John Williams, D. D,, then assistant
bishop of Connecticut, preached the ordination sermon.
Immediately after his ordination, Mr. Brainard was called
simultaneously to the rectorship of two churches, namely St.
Michael’s, Litchfield, Conn., and Christ’s church, New Haven.
He declined both of those calls in order to accept the position-18-
of assistant minister in Grace church, Baltimore, the present
bishop of western New York, being then rector of that church.
Having served as deacon for two years with great acceptabil-
ity, he was ordained priest, May 18, 1856, in St. Paul’s, Balti-
more, by the Rt. Rev. William R. Whittingham. He was called
immediately to the Rectorship of St. James’ church, Birming-
ham, Conn., where he remained for nearly eight years. On All
Saints’ day, November 1, 1863, he accepted a unanimous call
to the rectorship of St. Peter’s, Auburn; and here growing
continually in the love and esteem of his people, and doing
strong and enduring work for his church, he has gone in and
out among us, for twenty-five years. During his rectorship here
Dr. Brainard has received many flattering calls to other cures,
but could not be induced to accept any of them. He has been
thrice honored by his alma mater, having been elected Fellow
of Trinity college in 1863 and again in , 1879 and having
received the degree of S. T. D. in 1870. Nor has the diocese
of which he has been so long a member, failed to recognize and
make use of his varied and singular abilities. From its organ-
ization he has been a member of the standing committee of
the diocese of Central "New York, having filled the offices of
secretary and president of that body, and in 1883 and again in
1886 he was elected a delegate to the general convention.
Dr. Brainard is a man of marked ability and .broad views,
and held in high esteem by the clergy and members of all
denominations in this city. He was a particular friend of the
late Rev. Dr. Hawley, whose pastorate in this city commenced
only a short time prior to that of Dr. Brainard.LETTERS.
From the Wardens and Vestry of St. Peter's Church, Auburn :
At a meeting of the wardens and vestrymen of St. Peter’s church, held on
the 3rd day of November, 1888, the following minute was adopted and ordered
spread upon the parish record, the parish clerk was also directed to read the
same at the morning service of the church on Sunday, November 4th, 1888 :
The wardens and vestrymen of St. Peter’s church, Auburn, desiring to record
their appreciation of all that the Reverend John Brainard, D. D., rector of this
church, has been to the church and to them during the extended term of his
connection with this parish ; which period rounding out the full measure of a
quarter of a century of responsible and loving work, has found him at all times
engrossed in the care of his people, bearing consolation to the afflicted, hope to
the despondent, and the knowledge of the truth to all,—has bound us to him
with all the ties of love, gratitude and respect.
Amid the messages of respect and affection which have so plentifully flowed
in upon him at this anniversary time, it seems eminently proper that this vestry,
as the official body of this corporation, should recall and express their apprecia-
tion of his labors, inasmuch as they have been the constructive force which has
placed this church upon that basis of substantial prosperity which has distin-
guished it among the parishes of this diocese.
Twenty-five years ago, when Dr. Brainard came to this parish, it was to the
older edifice which has been replaced by the present one, and to a congregation
which has in large part passed away. In the building of the new church, in
the steady and large increase in the number of communicants, and in the unan-
imity of feeling of the various members, we trace the effective labors of our
rector, as they have been directed to our material prosperity as a parish. In
his unselfish devotion to this parish, no allurements from without could induce
him to labor in other or more attractive fields, but he chose ever to remain with
us and to share with us—as he has always so liberally done,—every burden
which the necessities of the parish rendered necessary to be borne.
And while we bear witness, with loving gratitude, to Dr. Brainard’s devotion
to the temporal welfare of this parish, we are not unmindful that we owe to
him a debt vastly greater, for all that he has been to us as a spiritual minister.
While this debt is a matter of personal and individual obligation on the part of
every member of this congregation, it is fitting that the vestry, as their repre-
sentatives, should acknowledge, in their behalf, the feelings of grateful affec-
tion which spring from a full consciousness of his ministrations, and of their
pbligations to him in that regard. It is the prayer of the people of St. Peter’s-20-
that their rector may be spared for a long continuance of his ministry among
them. Blessed by the memory of his faithful service through many years, they
would unite their recollection of a sacred past in the parish history, with a hope
that it may be joined to a future in which the same old blessed spirit of their
rector may long minister to the souls of his dear flock, until after the measure
of a long life he may lay down his burdens among the people of St. Peter's,
full of years and honors, and in that perfect peace with God and man that has
ever accompanied him to this point in the journey of life.
Noah P. Clarke,
John N. Knapp,
N. L. Casey,
A. N. Hollister,
H. D. Titus,
IIenry D. Noble,
Wardens*
C. H. Carpenter,
Fred I. Allen,
Joseph A. Cook,
Frank P. Taber,
Vestrymen.
Fred I. Allen,
Parish Clerk.
[From the Et. Rev. F. D. Huntington, D. D., LL. D., Bishop of Central New York],
Syracuse, Nov. i, 1888.
To the Wardens and Vestry of St. Peter's :
My Dear Friends :—There has been some uncertainty in my mind, looking
forward to the twenty-fifth anniversary of your rector’s settlement, wThether I
should address my greetings and congratulations to him, or to his people. In
your grateful thoughts and loving expressions, he will hold, I am sure, at that
time, as at all times, the chief place. And, for the very reason that it is of
him and his ministry, his life and service among you, his virtues and graces,
his wisdom and patience, his energy and gentleness, that I am moved to speak,
I find it easier to speak to you than to himself. Yet of these qualities in his
character, strong and beautiful, I feel that I can tell you nothing that you do
not already know. In almost every one of your houses, there is some vivid and
precious record of his faithfulness, his sympathy, his words of counsel or con-
solation. Your household festivals have been the brighter for his presence.
In the hard places of your lives, in sorrows that few human hearts could share,
in sickness, bereavements and disappointments, he has been so near to you that
the sorrow and the comforter can hardiy be separated in your recollections. So
far as the earthly shepherd can imitate the heavenly, he has followed the Perfect
Pattern, calling his own sheep by name, and leading them out, and folding them
in. You connect with your best purposes and noblest sacrifices and purest
aspirations, his voice, his face, his kind and clear persuasions. You have
known him as teacher, adviser, helper, giver of sacraments, interceder, master
of sacred ceremonies, as signing and sealing holy covenants, as companion and
as friend. How can I create in j'our hearts new impressions of his goodness to
you, or of your indebtedness to him ?-21-
That is not needful. The history of St. Peter’s during this quarter of a
century is the witness at once of his fidelity and of your orderly and harmonious
co-operation. In these days of restlessness and self-will, and the passion for
novelties, such a period of uniform prosperity is almost as rare as it is satisfac-
tory. You have not only been at peace, you have gone from strength to strength,
adding one feature of dignity and loveliness to another in your sanctuary, and
striving honorably for the truth of the Gospel. Thank God that in the midst
of needless religious changes, you have been content with “the old paths,”
and m spite of much irreverence and unbelief, “ steadfast in the Faith.” As
all the members in the One Body of Christ, whether parochial or personal,
suffer or rejoice together, a rectorship like this confers a substantial benefit on
the whole spiritual cause and commonwealth to which we are bound.
' In what terms of affection and confidence shall I join my own tribute of
thankful esteem and love with yours ? Ever since I first came to you, on my
first visitation journey, nineteen years ago, and worshipped with you, Dr.
Brainard has given to me a loyal support and filial cheer. He has presented to
me, year by year, confirmation classes of unexampled dimensions. He has
made me comfortable at the rectory with unfailing and genial hospitality. The
diocese, as was right, have manifested its sense of his sound judgment and
executive ability by committing to him most important trusts. Many of our
Clergy, I know, who cannot be present at your commemoration, have been
blessed by his generosity, and pray as you do, and as I do, that in all the time
to come the benediction and grace of God, the Father of all the families of the
earth, may be granted abundantly to him, to his home, and to his continued
service in the great household and kingdom of our Lord.
I am most affectionately and faithfully your Bishop,
F. D. Huntington.
[From the Rt. Rev. John Williams, D. D. LL. D., Bishop of Connecticut.]
Middletown, Ct., Oct., n, i883.
My Dear Brainard :—It seems impossible that the beginning of Novem-
ber will complete a quarter of a century since you went to Auburn ; and still
more impossible that it is more than thirty-five years since I preached your
ordination sermon, in dear old Christ church in Hartford, when my reverend
predecessor ordained you Deacon. But so it is, and the silent lapse of time
has brought us to this anniversary with all its memories and associations.
I congratulate you, my very dear friend, and I congratulate your parish, on
the work and the fruits of these twenty-five years, And while I offer you these
affectionate congratulations, I cannot but recall—what indeed I never forgot —
the years beginning with your college days, and going on long after your ordi-
nation, when I had you by my side, and found such comfort in it.
May God bless and keep you for many years to come, and grant you to see
the same good fruitage of your labors, that are around you now.
Always affectionately yours,
J. Williams.
The Rev. Dr. Brainard.-22~
[From the Bt. Bev. Thomas M. Clark, D. D., LL. Z>., Bishop of Rhode Island. 1
Providence, R. I., Oct. 18, 1888.
My Dear Doctor Brainard :—It does not seem possible that thirty-five
years have rolled away, since I presented you to Bishop Brownell for Deacon’s
orders, and twenty-five of those years you have passed in ministering to S*-.
Peter’s church in Auburn. There are not very many clergymen who can show
a record like this, and such a long, protracted ministry speaks very strongly in
favor of both minister and people. You must have been true and faithful in
serving them, and they must have appreciated your labors, while they have not
grown weary of you because your face and your words had become so familiar
to them.
It is a very solemn relation that exists between a pastor and his people. He
has a message from God to deliver to them, and it is a message that concerns
their highest, their eternal interests. He is responsible to them and to God
for what he preaches ; and they are responsible for the way in which they
receive his counsels. I trust that the seed which you have been sowing all this
while may yield a rich and abundant harvest ; and I hope that many more years
await you in your present parish, with still greater fruits to be reaped in the future.
May God bless you in all your labors, keep you ever true to the plain and
simple Gospel of Jesus, and when your work here is finished, may you find
everlasting rest and peace in a brighter and a holier world.
Very affectionately, your old friend and pastor,
Thomas M. Clark.
[From the Rt. Rev. A. Cleveland Coxe, D. D., LL. D., Bishop of Western New York.}'
Hobart College, Geneva, Nov. 1, 1888.
My Dear Dr. Brainard :—On my recent arrival at home from Europe, I
found a kind letter from you. I trust it may not be too late for me to offer you.
my congratulations on your completion of twenty-five years as rector of St.
Peter’s, Auburn, where your ministry has been so exceptionally long, so honor-
able to yourself, so useful, and I trust, so acceptable to our Master, Christ.
But can it be ? It seems but yesterday that you were working by my side in
~Grace church, Baltimore ; and received Priest’s orders from the apostolic hands
of my great instructor in Ecclesiastical History, Bishop Whittingham. I love
to recall your early ministry there, and to think of you as the successor of my
friend, the saintly Croswell, and of my own brother, Dr. Hanson Coxe, in the
parish where Hobart closed his grand career, and where DeLancey began his,
Episcopate. I do not forget that it was once in my diocese, and that there I
administered my first confirmation.
May your remaining labors be yet more abundant in fruits for Christ’s har-
vest, and may 1 be finally found with you, before Him, able to give account
with joy and not with grief.
Your old and loving friend and brother,
A. Cleveland Coxe,
Bishop of Western New York„
To Rev. John Brainard, D. D., Auburn, N. Y.-23-
{From the Rt. Rev. A. N. Littlejohn, D. D., ZL. 2)., Bishop of Long Island.]
See House, Long Island, Nov. 2, 1888.
My Dear Dr. Brainard -To all who have been familiar with your minis-
try, it will seem quite the natural and proper thing that your people, in St.
Peter’s, should mark with demonstrations of joy and thankfulness, as. well as
with suitable testimonials to yourself, the twenty-fifth anniversary of your rec-
torship of the parish. Your career in Auburn during a quarter of a century
has (according to the general verdict of those best entitled to know) been one
of honor and usefulness. Your abundant and devoted labors have been widely
blessed ; and in all that time no root of bitterness has sprung up to mar your
happy relations with your flock. As things go in this world, yours has been a
highly favored lot. Your ministry has had more of the sunshine and less of
the shadow of life’s experiences than that of most of your brethren—a fact
largely due to your own well-balanced character, prudent administration and
habitual cheerfulness of disposition. How fondly the memory returns to me
of the pleasant intercourse we enjoyed when you were in Birmingham, Conn.,
and I in New Haven. Many, many who companied with us then, rest from their
labors, and we shall see their faces here no more. For now over forty years I
have been bound to your present charge by a tie of special interest. It was in
St. Peter's in March, 1848, our now presiding bishop preaching the sermon,
that I received Holy Orders at the hands of the venerable and beloved Bishop
DeLancey ; and that in the evening of the same day, I preached my first ser-
mon, standing near enough to touch the marble which enshrined the greatness
of Bishop Hobart. My dear brother, be assured of my earnest prayer for your
usefulness and happiness, unto the end, in the ministry of our Lord Jesus
Christ.	Faithfully and affectionately yours,
A. N. Littlejohn.
Rev. John Brainard, D. D.
[From the Rt. Rev. William Oroswell Doane, JO. D., LL. I)., Bishop of Albany.]
Albany, N. Y., Nov. 23, 1888.
Dear Dr. Brainard :—May I claim a sort of inherited privilege to send my
greeting and God’s speed to you at this interesting time, because of my very
reverent associations with Auburn and its parsonage in the past; first, through
my dear friend and godfather, Dr. William Crosweli ; and then from the vivid
recollection of going there with my dear father, to stand in the room, sacred
almost as a shrine to him, in which his master and father, Bishop Hobart,
died. Of what is personal and present, my dear brother, I can only say that
in very deep and true sympathy, I send you my hearty God’s speed.
Ever your faithful brother,
W. C. Doane.-24-
[From the Rt. Rev. Benjamin H. Paddock, D. D.t Bishop of Massachusetts],
Venice, Oct. 27, 18S8.
My Rev. and Dear Brother :—I have just learned of your forthcoming-
twenty-fifth anniversary,—the jubilee, as it were, of your long and most useful
rectorship, in beautiful Auburn. I am a great way from your happy parish and
its honored rector, but not very far away from full and happy sympathy with
this anniversary and its signification. For such events are generally so blessed
in their suggestions, and so monumental in their records and tokens of growth,
prosperity, and mutual happiness, that we can hardly go astray, who heartily
rejoices over them. To have lived and wrought for God and for one’s fellow-
men, a quarter-century in one place, what does it not suggest of accomplished
good, of wise and godly methods, of great and continuous “patience of
hope," of manifold labors, of rich, Divine blessings ?
I heartily congratulate you, dear brother, on the auspicious anniversary. I
would go some distance, (but not from the Adriatic Sea), to be present at your
festival and to “ rejoice with them that do rejoice." I have known you from
boyhood ; and from the epoch of your complete self-consecration to your future
work, I have expected and seen good of you. I had the honor of being called
once, in my earlier ministry, to the parish which you served well before your
present work, and which still remembers you. God bless you and yours and
make your flock a “ beautiful flock" in the eyes of the Great Shepherd.
Believe me ever, yours sincerely,
Benjamin Ii. Paddock.
The Rev. John Brainard, Ds D., Rector of St. Peter’s Church, Auburn,
N. Y.. U. S. A.
[From the Rt. Rev. Henry C. Potter, D. DLL. D.t Bishop of New York.]
Diocesan House, 29 Lafayette Place,
New York, Nov. 30, 1888.
My Dear Dr. Brainard :—Accept my hearty congratulations on the twenty-
fifth anniversary of your rectorship. Such a ministry as yours is doubly mem-
orable,—for its continuity in connection with one parish, and for the steady
growth of the affection and respect of your people for their priest and pastor.
You have been content, in a restless age, to labor in one field for a quarter of a
century, and the exemplary value of such a ministry is greater than you can
guess. And, year by year, you have come to know, I am sure, how increas-
ingly strong is the tie that binds you to your people. Happy privilege—to
minister to one flock, and to grow—not old, for you are far from that !—but
older, among those whose love and friendship have deepened with the years !
I wish I could have kept the feast with you, but since this was not to be, let
me at least add my voice to the chorus of greetings which, I doubt not, is com-
ing in upon you with every east wind.
Faithfully and affectionately yours,
H. C. Potter,-25-
[From Christ Church, Hartford, Conn.]
Hartford, Oct. 24, 1888.
Rev. John Brainard, Z>. Z>., Auburn, A^. F..*
Rev. and Dear Sir :—Learning that the twenty-fifth anniversary of your
connection with St. Peter’s church, Auburn, as its pastor, is about to be cele-
brated, we, your old friends in Christ church, Hartford, beg leave to add our
congratulations to those cf your parishioners, on this joyous and memorable
occasion. It is truly a memorable occasion to you and your people, and one
much to be commended ; it shows that for a quarter of a century you have gone
in and out before them, ministering to their spiritual wants, and serving them
faithfully and acceptably in your holy calling.
Some of us remember you from your earliest youth, and have known you
well in the various duties of your life here, as a member of the Sunday school,
as a teacher, as its superintendent, as a graduate from Trinity college, and as
an ordained minister in the church of your baptism. It is with special satis-
faction that we remember you as one furnished by this parish for the ministry
of the word of God. We believe that you have been faithful in your calling.
It is no slight thing to be able to say, that a man has lived for twenty-five
consecutive years in such peace and happiness that both he and his flock are
willing to continue their fellowship still longer. It speaks well for them and
for you, and is an admirable example to be held up to all ministers and par-
ishes, as worthy to be followed, in these days of frequent changes.
To you, sir, personally, we extend our heartiest congratulations, and send
our kindly greetings to the members of St. Peter’s, wishing for a long continu-
ance of the happy relations so pleasantly existing between you.
We are, dear sir, very truly, your old friends and acquaintances in Christ
church,
Floyd W. Tompkins, Jr., Rector.
L. Walter Clarke,
John F. Tracy,
Geo. Ellis,
S. B. Curtis,
E. M. Bunce,
John D. Tucker,
Gurdon W. Russell,
Geo. Beach,
William F. Tuttle,
Mrs. Chester Adams,
Mrs. C. R. Fisher,
Lorenzo B. Goodman,
Wardens.
Chas. J. Hoadly,
W. H. Dodd,
H. H. Hollister,
Wii.liam L. Matson,
E. S. Bartlett,
Vestrymen.
James Bolter,
Walter Keney,
Mrs. Walter Keney,
Lucy M. Goodwin,
James J. Goodwin.-26-
[Z^'ojh the Rector, Wardens and Vestry of St. James'1 Church, Birmingham, Conn.}
Birmingham, Conn., Oct. 15, 1888.
Rev. John Brainard, D. D.:
Dear Sir :—We, the undersigned rector, wardens and vestry of St. James*'
Parish, Birmingham, wish to mingle our congratulations with others on this,
the twenty-fifth anniversary of your rectorship at St. Peter’s, Auburn.
A long time has elapsed since you left us for your present field of labor, and
many changes have taken place in our parish. Many of the older people have
passed away and their places have been filled by the members of your Sunday
school and others that have joined us. Still all retain pleasant remembrances,
of your rectorship here of nearly eight years, as being one of the most success-
ful eras in the history of our parish.
Although we have been so long separated, our interest in you has never
waned, and we are always happy to learn of your success and usefulness in
your present field. With many wishes for your continued health and happiness,,
we remain,	Yours faithfully,
Geo. H. Buck, Rector.
Geo. PI. Peck,
S. G. Wilcoxson,
A. B. Glover,
John Ii. Barlow,
Thos. L. Cornell,
Thos. S. Birdseye,
J. PI. Brewster,
Wm. Y. Bowman,
Edward N. Shelton,
Wardens.
Cyrus Brewster,
J. D. Howe,
Chas. E. Clark,
Charles S. Nettleton,.
Edward Lewis, Jr.,
A. B. Ruggles,
Vestrymen.
{From the Rev. George H. Buck.]
The Rectory, St. James* Parish,
Birmingham, Conn., Oct. 22, 1888.
My Dear Dr. Brainard :—I take great pleasure in enclosing to you a let-
ter from the rector, wardens and vestry of St. James’ church. I should have
sent it sooner, but that I was waiting to have a full meeting of the vestry.
Pi very member of the present vestry have signed the letter, drawn up by Mr.
Edward N. Shelton, at the request of the rector and vestry, he knowing you so
long and well. I congratulate you most heartily, and as a younger brother in
the ministry, hope that whenever I shall leave my present parish of St. James,,
that I shall be as kindly remembered as you are to this day.
Your brother in Christ and His church,
Geo. H. Buck.-27 -
[From the Rector, Wardens and Vestry of St. PauVs Church, Waterloo, F. Y.J
St. Paul’s Parish, Waterloo, N. Y., Oct., 1888.
Rev. Dr. John Brainard', Rector of St. Peters Church, Auburn :
Rev. and Dear Sir :—It is with feelings of sincere and unaffected pleasure
that we tender you our congratulations on the approaching twenty-fifth anni-
versary of your Rectorship of St. Peter’s church, Auburn. You are so widely
known in our Parish, so well beloved, and your relations with our successive
rectors during the past twenty-five years, have been so intimate and so cordial,
that our interest in this commemoration of your long and successful pastorate
can certainly be second only to that of your own people. We shall always hold
in grateful remembrance your wise counsels to us in times of perplexity ; your
unfailing sympathy in our sorrows—and in our joys, and the unvarying courtesy
and geniality which have characterized your intercourse with us, as individuals
and as a Parish. With these pleasant recollections crowding upon our memories,
we can only think of one loss, which we, as a Parish, have sustained through
you, and that is the loss of the lady who now brightens your household con-
tinually with her sweet and gracious presence. This, our loss, however, can
be forgiven you, because it is your great gain. That God’s “ mercy and loving
kindness may follow you both all the days of your lives,” and that the peace
and prosperity which have marked your pastorship of God’s people in years
past, may mark it unto the end, even to the appearing of the “ crown of glory,”
is the earnest prayer of your friends in the faith.
Robert Murray Duff, Rector.
Sidney Warner,	A. II. Terwilliger,
Wardens.
S. G. Hadley,
S. R. Welles,
Francis Bacon,
James E. Batsford,
George Cook,
Benjamin Bacon,
A. G Mercer,
George E. Crocker,
Vestrymen.
[From the Rector, Wardens and Vestry of Trinity Church, Seneca Falls, N. K]
Seneca Falls, N. Y., All Saints’ Day, A. D., 1888.
The Rev. John Brainard, D. D., Rector of Si. Peter's Church, Auburn, N. Y.:
Dear and Reverend Sir :—The rector, wardens and vestry of Trinity
church, Seneca Falls, desire the privilege of extending to you and to the parish
of St. Peter’s church, Auburn, their fraternal greetings and congratulations upon
the completion of twenty-five years of your loving labors together, as priest
and people, in the vineyard of Jesus Christ.
The example of such “ patient continuance in well-doing” for so many years
is rare and memorable, and it is as potent for the encouragement of others as
the memory of its varied experiences must be sweet and grateful to yourselves.-28-
We rejoice with you in the many tokens of material growth which testify
alike to your concord and your zeal, and in the assurance of the richer rewards
of righteousness, which crowns with multiplying blessings the lengthening
years of every faithful pastorate.
It is gratifying to us and, we trust, may be agreeable to you, to recall the
fact, that your friendly service, following, after more than fifty years, that of the
Rev. Dr. Rudd in 1833, laid the parish in Seneca Falls under obligation, for the
second time to the rector of St. Peter’s, Auburn, for the due laying of the cor-
ner stone of its church. Other instances of brotherly kindness, not less grate-
ful for being habitual, have brightened, with their frequent occurrence, the
passing years.
For the qualities, rare in such due proportion, of Christian courtesy, of gen-
erous sympathy, of varied learning and prudent leadership, in its rector, which
have contributed to make the ancient parish in Auburn a conspicuous example
of Christian success, we render humble and hearty thanks to God; rejoicing,
also, that the gracious history of the last quarter of a century enables us to
anticipate, with confidence, labors more abundant, and rewards yet more endur-
ing in coming years.
May the good hand of God still shed increase of blessing on the faithful pas-
tor and his favored flock !
Herbert M. Denslow, Rector.
L. S. Hoskins, Senior Warden.
W. B. Lathrop, Junior Warde?i.
Cyrus Garnsey,
J. Marshall Guion,
George Shandley,
D. S. Mickley,
Geo. M. Guion,
Stephen D. Mickley,
A. Seymour Pollard,
W. V. VanRensselaer,
Vestrymen.
[From St. John's Church, Auburn, N. Y.]
Auburn, Feast of All Saints, 1888.
To the Rev. John Brainard, D.D., Rector St. Peter's Church, Auburn, N. Y.:
The faithful at St. John’s, Auburn, send greeting : Grace be to you, and
peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Tesus Christ.
We most heartily and sincerely give you congratulation, that Almighty God
hath bestowed upon you, the joy of an honorable and successful ministry of
the Holy Gospel, in this city, for a quarter of a century. Such a record is
always and everywhere a mark of distinction. In this country and in this
church, it is a positive proof of goodness and of greatness. There are not
many such rectorships. In this diocese, we have about one hundred priests
canonically resident and but two or three have ruled one parish for that length
of time.
We also give you congratulation that your pastorate has been eminently suc-
cessful, as well as of extraordinary length. The Divine Head of the Church
has most richly blessed your ministry. The evidence is at hand : the beautiful-29-
and costly church edifice where you celebrate the sacraments of our holy religion
and teach the Faith, the large and loyal congregation of worshippers, the parish
register recording your work and its results, and the respect and confidence
with which you are regarded by this entire community.
During these years you have worn the armor of God against the imaginations
of evil men and the strife of tongues, and you have lived without reproach and
blameless.
And we do not forget that our own parish was founded, has grown and pros-
pered, accumulating valuable possessions in lands and buildings, during your
rectorship ; that we are indebted to you for services, financial assistance, and
counsel, and that at different times when there was no pastor at St. John’s, you
have visited and comforted our people who were in sickness or affliction.
We also rejoice with our brethren who worship with you at St. Peter’s. We
are all joined in one communion and fellowship in the Mystical Body of Christ
our Lord ; knit together with the strongest ties of kinship. We are not simply
brethren who give assent in common, to certain dogmas or creeds, who agree
only about certain arbitrary modes of administering one or more of the sacra-
ments, nor does our union consist chiefly in a church government or polity.
No ! we have more to bind us together, for we have the same history, the same
traditions and the same sublime liturgy.
Finally, we beseech Almighty God that He may grant you continued strength
of mind and body, and length of days, and the peace which passeth all under-
standing. We ask you to pray for us. And may the grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
F. A. D. Launt, Rector.
Nathaniel Holder,
John Horne,
George Booth,
John Giltrap,
Clarence U. Chedell,
Thomas Adams,
Wardens.
George Marland,
Lawrence C. White,
William A. Holmes,
Frank W. Richardson,
Vestrymen^
[From the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Central New York.]
Minute of the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Central New York, on
the twenty-fifth anniversary of the connection of the Rev. Dr. Brainard with the
diocese, and with the parish of St. Peter’s, Auburn, N. Y.:
Syracuse, N. Y., Feast of All Saints, 1888.
We, the members of the Standing Committee of the Diocese of Central New
York, desire to put on record our hearty congratulations to the Rev. Dr. Brain-
ard, rector of St. Peter’s church, Auburn, and president of the standing com-
mittee of this diocese, on the completion at this date of a quarter century con-
nection with the diocese, as rector of one of its most important and flourishing
parishes, conspicuous fc^r its venerable and sacred historical associations, as the
scene of the last services and death of the great Bishop Hobart, the consecra--80-
tion of the first bishop of Western New York, William Heathcote DeLancey,
the earliest Episcopal labors of the second, Arthur Cleveland Coxe, the pas-
torate of William Croswell, and the foundation by the Rev. Dr. Rudd, of a pub-
lication which attained wide reputation and usefulness throughout the church
at large, under the name of The Gospel Messenger.
Dr. Brainard’s rectorship of the past twenty-five years, has seen healthy and
vigorous growth in the parish ; a new church and chapel, with tower, spire and
chime of bells, and a beautiful series of stained glass windows ; successive
enlargements and improvements have brought the addition of greater depth of
chancel, with robing room, and organ chamber, with its Osborne memorial
organ, until St. Peter’s, Auburn, stands out among us, for grounds and build-
ings, church edifice, chapel and rectory, as one of the finest, if not the finest,
in its whole equipment, of the churches of this diocese.
Dr. Brainard has been a member of the standing committee from the forma-
tion of the diocese, its secretary since 1878, till his election as president in
1886, and we wrould express our grateful sense of that kindness, urbanity and
geniality of nature, by which he has made the stated meetings of the standing
committee, so apt to fall into a routine and perfunctory character, rather occa-
sions of most agreeable reunion.
William T. Gibson,	Thomas D. Green,
Henry R. Lockwood,	James W. Glover,
Theodore Babcock,	Azariah H. Sawyer.
Daniel O. Salmon.
Henry R. Lockwood, Secretary.
[From the Sisterhood of St. Peter's ChurcK\.
Auburn, N. Y., All Saints’ Day, 1888.
Rev. Dr. Brainard, Y.
To Our Beloved Rector :—It is seldom that a church organization has
the privilege the Sisterhood of St. Peter’s Church now enjoys of expressing
gratitude for the many years of tender ministrations of our rector.
During the entire existence of this organization, you have aided us with your
cheering words of comfort and advice, and have always been ready to assist us
in the way most acceptable to our aims. You have always been present at our
meetings, and many are the cheering, kind words of counsel and advice which
you have given us in our gatherings.
Life’s anniversaries bring many things to mind. The twenty-five years it
has pleased our Heavenly Father to spare you to this parish, have not been all
sunshine. Though you have rejoiced with the happy, it has also been yours
to sorrow with those in tribulations and sorrow. But in all your duties, where-
soever they have been, you have been the constant, ready and willing helper,
and how nobly have you borne your great part of the burdens of this parish.-31-
To you, do we, as a Sisterhood, extend our sincere love and esteem, and may
the blessings which you have brought to the many homes of your parishioners,
return to you sevenfold with long continuance of life and happiness.
Mrs. Samuel Titus, President.
Mrs. N. L. Casey, Vice-President.
.... Mrs. W. A. Worden, Treasurer.
Sarah B. Hills, Secretary.
[From the Faculty of the Auburn Theological Seminary.]
Auburn, N. Y., Nov. i, 1888.
The Rev. John Brainard, D. D., Rector of St. Peter's Church, Auburn, N. V.:
Rev. and Dear Sir :—Will )rou and the members of your congregation
accept the greetings and the congratulations of the Faculty of the Auburn
Theological Seminary, on the occasion of the twenty-fifth anniversary of your
present pastorate ? During the quarter of a century of your residence in
Auburn you have become well known to us, and you have our respect and
esteem, as you have that of our fellow citizens. We thank you for the friend-
liness you have shown to the Seminary. We call to mind, with deep tenderness
of feeling, the affectionate relation that existed between you and our friend, the
late Rev. Charles Hawley, by whose decease you became the senior pastor
among the Christian congregations of Auburn. We pray that, in the days to
come yet more than in the past, your ministry and the efforts of your people
may be blessed to the winning of men to faith in our common Savior, and obe-
dience to His teachings.	Yours fraternally,
Sam'l M. Hopkins, R. B. Welch,
E. A. Huntington, J. S. Riggs,
Willis J. Beecher, T. G. Darling.
[From the Officers and Members of St. Peter's Guild].
At a meeting of the Guild of St. Peter’s church, called October 19th, it was
resolved that the following testimonial be tendered to the Reverend John Brain-
ard, D. D., rector of this parish :
It becomes our duty, and our pleasure, to offer to our Rector, one of the
many tributes of grateful appreciation on this, the evening of the twenty-fifth
anniversary of his coming to do good among us.
As our president, ex-officio, we have been assured of his willing, cheerful
co-operation in all our work ; of his wise counsel and genial interest at all
times ; and of the example of his blameless, conseerated life.
As our Rector, on many of us he has placed the holy seal of Baptism in early
or in later years; fitted us for the solemn hour of Confirmation ; given to
us the Blessed Sacrament of the Body and Blood of our Lord ; and of two of
our number he has committed their dust to dust—their souls to God. No one
of us but feels that he has sorrow in her sorrow, gladness in her joy ; and thathe is not alone the faithful, untiring guardian of the Church, but always the-
trusted friend of each one of his people.
As a Guild, we unite to thank him ; to give him heartiest greeting ; and m
the name of God the Father, and God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost, to
pray that all may be well with him and his, now and forever.
Ella L. Richardson, President.
Josephine Casey, Vice-President.
Mary P. Benson, Cor. Sec.
Mary Burnett, Treas.
Mary M. Carpenter, Sec.
Mary Chedell Beardsley,
Margery Bostwicic,
Lida Burnett,
Bessie Bulkley,
Josephine Casey,
Emma Clark,
May Osborne Corning,
Clara Abbott Fosgate,
Marion Averill Gregory,
Evelyn Galbraith,
Katharine Burnett Harris,
Carrie Maria Moore,
Sarah McComb,
Maud Miner,
Lilian Osborne,
Lucy Cochran Pingree,
Elizabeth Rich,
Julia Shaw Robinson,
Mary Hills Sheldon,
Marion M. Smith,
Anne White Smith,
Augusta Hulbert Smith,
Mary Masten Stevens,
Mary Tallmadge,
Jeanie Lytle Titus,
Juliet Clapp Ward,
Alice Beardsley Woodruff,
Ella Moore Young,
Mary Pitney Benson,
Mary Burnett,
Florence May Brown,
Bessie Vivian Bray,
Almira Clary,
Mary Amelia Cock,
Mary Meriva Carpenter,
Lilla Bell Gould,
Mary Galbraith,
J. Ernestine Hills,
, Bessie Fuller Hills,
Clara Carpenter Longstreet*
Annie McComb,
Josephine Miner,
Emma Green Putnam,
Elizabeth Cornelia Pulsifer,.
Ella Richardson,
Corrinne Stowe,
Frank Sanders,
Laura Frances Smith,
Marion Halstead Sandwick,
Mary Stevens,
Mabel Stout,
Mary Pearl Titus,
Lilian Thayer.
Inez Warren.
Belle Groot Newton,
Nellie Barber Hulbert*
Auburn, Vigil of All Saints, 1888.-83-
[From the Pastors of the City.]
Auburn, N. Y., Nov. i, 1888.
To our Beloved Brother in the Lord, the Reverend John Brdinard, Doctor of
Divinity, and to the Congregation of St. Peter's Church :
“Grace, mercy, peace from God the Father, and Christ Jesus our Lord."
You are come, by the blessing of God, to the twenty-fifth anniversary of your
happy association together as pastor and people.
We, therefore, pastors of congregations in this city, rejoicing with you in.
the celebration of this remarkable occasion, desire to express our heartfelt
greetings and congratulations. We gratefully recognize the cordial relations,
which have always been maintained between us. We thankfully recall the effi-
cient service to Christ, which has characterized these many years of labor in
your parish. We willingly record the larger and wider work of this quarter of
a century, which has been a blessing to our city. We unite with you in grate-
ful thanks to God our Father, and His Son our Lord and Savior, for the pas-
toral office which the occasion so worthily honors. Accept our sincere wish and
earnest prayer, that you may long remain in the city and with your beloved peo-
ple, leading them into the green pastures of divine truth, and beside the still
waters of heavenly grace, accomplishing the ministry which you receive from
the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Yours in Christ our Lord,
Charles C. Hemenway,
Pastor Central Presbyterian Church.
Joseph K. Dixon,
Pastor First Baptist Church.
Frank Haven Hinman,
Pastor Calvary Presbyterian Church.
Albert S. Hughey,
Pastor Westminster Presbyterian Church„
Fremont V. Brown,
Pastor Church of Christ.
W. H. Hubbard,
Pastor First Presbyterian Church.
A. M. Walker,
Pastor A. M. E. Zion Church.
O. A. Houghton,
Pastor First Methodist Episcopal Church.
Edward P. Sprague,
Pastor Second Presbyterian Church.
W. Searls,
Chaplain.
F. A. D. Launt,
Rector of St. John's Church.
Thomas Sharpe,
Pastor Wall St. Methodist Church.
Arthur Copeland,
Pastor of Trinity Methodist Church.
Frank D. Penney,
Pastor of the Second Baptist Church.
J. M. Bartholomew,
Pastor of the Universalist Church.
H. C. Buchholz,
Pastor of the Immanuel Baptist Church«
George Feld,
Pastor $t. Lucas German Prot. Church.34-
[From the First Presbyterian Church, Auburn, iV. F ]
Auburn, N. Y., Nov. i, 1888.
The congregation of the First Presbyterian church of Auburn, represented
by their pastor and session, desire to present to the Reverend John Brainard,
Doctor of Divinity, and to the congregation of the parish of St. Peter’s, over
which he has charge, their hearty congratulations upon the duration of a resi-
dence of twenty-five years among them, all well spent in the sacred duties of
the Christian pastorate.
We devoutly give thanks to the great Head of the church that He has, for
so long a time, spared to you a very watchful shepherd, who during the gener-
ation past., by his tender sympathies, his godly and cheerful living, his loving
counsel and faithful teaching, has made known to his devoted people—nay, to
all the people of Auburn—-the living power there is in the gospel of Christ, our
Lord and Saviour.
We rejoice in the sincere and kindly intercourse that, for all these years, has
existed between our pastors and congregations, and we bless the benign Provi-
dence that has preserved, unbroken, these relations of harmony and good-will,
as well on the part of those that are gone, as of those that are now. We are
also happy in the thought, that through a common faith in one crucified Lord,
we have ever been of one mind and one heart, in our prayers and hopes and
work for the building up of His kingdom here.
We gratefully remember the cordial friendship that closely bound to your
pastor’s heart the heart of our own late and beloved pastor, Doctor Hawley ;
a precious type and example of what all earthly friendships may be, when kept
pure from the influence of earthly aims and ambitions ; and typical, also, we
must believe, of the endless fellowship of the redeemed, where the friends of
this life may meet again amid the glory, the holiness and peace of that unclouded
land, where “ God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.”
Good cheer and God speed we wish you, dear pastor and brethren of St.
Peter’s church, may God crown you, through all the years to come, with abun-
dant prosperity in all things, spiritual and temporal ; and may the beloved pas-
tor, as the days (many of them yet remaining, we trust) of his ripe and mellow
age shall pass, be greatly blessed in his labors “ more abundant” in the holy
ministry.
Wm. H. Hubbard, Pastor.
Jas. Seymour, Jr., Clerk.
Chas A. Lee,
Wm. E. Hughitt,
Edward C. Selover,
W. H. Meaker,
Chas. P. Mosher,
Richard H. Bloom,
Lewis Hunt,
Warren Crocker,
John H. Osborne,
Chas. W. Hughitt.-85-
{From Rev. Ezelciel W. Mundy.]
Syracuse, N. Y., Nov. 19, 1888.
My Dear Doctor :—Please accept my thanks for the paper containing a
-copy of your anniversary sermon, and my hearty congratulations upon so suc-
cessful completion of your twenty-five years of work in St. Peter’s. Time is
one of the most important elements in a successful pastorate ; indeed, it is the
sign of the presence of the other important elements. It is a great good fortune
to pastor and people alike, when such a pastorate can be attained.
Praying the Lord of the church will yet grant you many years of happy and
successful work, believe me,
Your brother in the Gospel,
Ezekiel W. Mundy,
St. Mark, Syracuse.
The Rev. John Brainard, D. D.
[From the Board of Managers of the Cayuga County Orphan Asylum.]
. Auburn, November 1, 1888.
~To the Rev. John Brainard, D. D.:
Dear and Reverend Friend:	In view of the fact that the flock over
which you have so long been the faithful shepherd, will celebrate the twenty-
-fifth anniversary of your settlement as rector of St. Peter’s church, we the
Board of Managers of the Cayuga Asylum for Destitute Children, desire to
unite with them in extending to you our warmest congratulations upon this
interesting occasion.
Through all the years of your residence in this city, your unfailing interest
in the institution under our care, renders this, your silver anniversary, of deep
significance to us.
The late James S. Seymour, the venerable President of our Board of Trus-
tees, was like yourself, a native of Hartford, Connecticut, and a friend of the
gifted authoress, Lydia Ii. Sigourney, whom he interested in our Asylum.
You have told us that the sweet mission she gave you when you were about to
become a resident of our city, was to visit these orphans and fatherless ones.
It is our pleasure to testify to your fidelity to her request, the record of
which is written on the hearts and in the lives of those who have been
instructed in godly living by your words of counsel and spiritual admonition.
These pioneers in this noble charity have passed through the gates into the
city. We thank God for their lives, and thank Him also that through them,
He has sent us such a friend as yourself.
Your solicitude for the charity we represent, has been manifested in many
ways, by generous deeds and kindly words ; not the least of which has been
your ministrations on Christmas day, for so many years ; the recollection of
which will keep your memory ever green in the hearts of the children. Your
presence at the “ feast of good things ” which the generous people of your
congregation never fail to provide for the Christmas dinner of our large family,-36-
is one of the events of the year to which the children look forward to with
pleasure. Your words of cheer on these occasions have also been so instructive
and suggestive of the true meaning of Christmas, that they have made the
day not only bright, but helpful to them. These visits at the holidays were
sometimes made at the sacrifice of your own comfort ; surely “ the King will
verily say unto you : ”	“ Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least
of these, ye have done it unto me."
As we send this greeting to you, we feel that it but feebly expresses our
gratitude and esteem for you.
May God’s blessing ever rest on you and yours, and may your useful life
long be spared to your family, the congregation to whom you are so dear, to*
us, and to this community of which you are so honored and valuable a member*
Mary L. Seymour, First Directress,
Jane B. Wheeler, Second Directress.
Phebe A. Schoonmaker, Third Directress.
Jane L. Bradley, Treasurer.
Altie H. Smith, Secretary.
Charlotte L. Smith, Corresponding Secretary*
Arietta M. Knapp, Phebe A. Schoonmaker,
Charlotte A. Rred, Elizabeth C. Porter,
Eliza D. Townsend, Eliza A. Smead,
Rhoda F. Smith,
The Executive Committee of the Board of Managers*
[From the Rev. William A. Hitchcock, D. D.]
Rectory Church of the Ascension, '
Buffalo, N. Y., Oct. 19, 1888.
My Dear John :—Although you have reached the dignity, so rare in these
restless days, of a Completed rectorship of a quarter of a century, I leave to
others the expressions so suggestive of that event,
I rather greet you on this memorable anniversary as the friend of more than
twenty-five years,—as the friend of my boyhood and of my manhood,—my
school friend, my college friend, my true, genial, unchanging friend of a. life-
time—as one who, since the day we first met as youngsters at the old “ Episco-
pal Academy of Connecticut,” has, amid all the changes and chances of life,
held a warm place in my memory and affection.
I congratulate you most heartily on your honorable record, and assure you,
my dear old fellow, that among all the congratulations and kindly wishes ten-
dered you, none can be more meaning and heartfelt than the ones conveyed in
these words.
May many years and much happiness yet be yours.
Very affectionately,
William A. Hitchcock.
The Rev. Dr. Brainard, Auburn, N. Y.-37-
[From Trinity College, Hartford, Conn.]
Trinity College, October, 1888.
To the Rev. John Brainafd, D. D.:
Dear Dr. Brainard :—We have heard at your Alma Mater of the approach-
ing twenty*fifth anniversary of your rectorship of St. Peter's church, Auburn,
and we are glad to offer you our congratulations. While the occasion must be
specially full of interest to yourself and your congregation, it gives us and your
many other friends a welcome opportunity of assuring you of our personal
■esteem, of our appreciation of the good work which you have done for the
church of Christ, and of our prayers that God’s blessing may be continued to
you for many years of active service yet to come.
We are, very truly yours,
Geo. Williamson Smith, Brest Trinity College.
John Brocklesby,	J. Y. Beckwith,
T. R. Pynchon,	Henry Ferguson,
Samuel Hart,	Jno. J. McCook.
IFrom the Rev. E. E. Beardsley, D. D., LL. D., St. Thomas'' Rectory.]
New Haven, Conn., All Saints’ Day, 1888.
My Dear Dr. Brainard :—How quickly the years roll by ! It is a long
time since you first appeared in Cheshire to enter the Episcopal Academy as a
student and prepare for college. I was the rector then of the church in that
place and remember well your sprightly boyhood and the promise which you
gave of future usefulness and distinction.
My ministry covers a period of fifty-three years, yours of thirty-five, and we
are both of Connecticut origin, born and educated in the church to which we
fiave devoted our lives and which we can never cease to venerate and love.
Long rectorships in these days are exceptional and few of our clergy now
hold their places and minister to the same parishes a quarter of a century. I
notice that you are approaching this limit and I hereby tender to you my warm-
est' congratulations, and bless God for the good which he has enabled you to
accomplish.
Having been here for more than forty years, I can testify to great advance-
ment in the church, great changes in the city, and parish as well. A flock rises
before me in the vanished past very different from the one which at this moment
claims my ministrations, and it must be so with you.
“ Sweet Auburn, loveliest village of the plain,” is not the place it was when
you first went to it, and St. Peter’s church has new life and prosperity. The
’rectorship of Dr. Rudd and the death of Bishop Hobart will always be asso-
ciated with its history, and your own name will be cherished as the builder up
of the outward temple and the watchman on its wall, for a quarter of a century.
1 am, my dear doctor, with all good wishes for the future,
Very truly and affectionately yours,
E. E. Beardsley.-38-
[From the Rev. Thomas F. Davies, D. D.J
St. Peter’s, Philadelphia, Oct. 22, 1888.
Dear Doctor Brainard :—I greatly wish that I could have the pleasure
of being present on the twenty-fifth anniversary of your rectorship of St. Peter’s
church, to offer you in person my loving congratulations and to join with you
in your prayers and thanksgivings. But as this may not be, let me take this
method of expressing the deep regard of a friendship of more than thirty years.
You have been greatly blessed in your work, and your flock has been as greatly
blessed in having you for its pastor. Your parish is dear to me from the mem-
ories of a pleasant summer in my boyhood when I worshipped at St. Peter’s.
It was there that I first saw and heard that grand bishop, Dr. DeLaneey, whose .
only parish, that of St. Peter’s, Philadelphia, I have had the honor of serving
for twenty years. In your churchyard repose the remains of kindred whose
memories are very dear to me, among them those of one of your early prede-
cessors, the Rev. Dr. McDonald.
Your rectory, if it be the same that I remember, is hallowed by the precious
memories of Bishop Hobart and Dr. William Croswell.
I pray that you may long be spared to continue in the important position you
so worthily fill, and that God’s blessing may rest both upon yourself and upon
the congregation entrusted to your care.
I am, dear Dr. Brainard, affectionately your friend and brother,
Thos. F. Davies.
The Rev. John Brainard, D. D., rector of St. Peter’s Church, Auburn, N. Yfc .
[From the Rev. William Payne, D. D.]
Schenectady, November 1, 1888, Festival of All Saints.
My Dear Dr. Brainard:
Can it be that a quarter of a century has gone by since you went to St..
Peter’s ? But we may go back still farther, to the time when our friendship
began at Hartford, and v/e took sweet counsel together among the shades of
Trinity.
How rapidly have all those years passed away ; but leaving many pleasant,
as well as many sad recollections ! Well do I remember the Sunday imme-
diately following Bishop Coxe’s consecration, at Geneva, (January 8, 1865, first
Sunday after Epiphany), which you invited me to spend with that dear friend
of ours, at your parsonage at Auburn. Dr. Jackson, of precious memory,
was with us, and Prof. Russell, and Rev. John Townsend. With how much
interest did we visit together the chamber in which Bishop Hobart died and the
good Mr. Lucas, who had been one of my predecessors at Litchfield, and wan-
der among the places made still more sacred as the pastoral home of Dr.
Croswell ; and I remember, too, how on that Sunday, in the early morning, we
all went with the new bishop, who wished to hold his first service at the State
prison, and who preached to more than five hundred unhappy souls, from the-39-
comforting words : “ Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of
the world.”
It has not been my privilege to visit you since that memorable day, but I
know how faithfully and successfully you have been laboring there ever since.
I have often heard of the enlargement and improvements of the parish church,
and of its spiritual, as well as temporal growth. How I should love to see it
all, and walk again with the parson on his round of work.
Well, dear brother, go on while God gives you strength, and when the time
comes, may you be gathered to the fathers, having the testimony of a good
conscience, and in the faith and communion of the church, in which we both
have lived and labored, and hope to depart in peace.
Your friend and brother,
William Payne,
Rector Emeritus, St. George's.
The Rev. Dr. Brainard.
[From the Rev. Qeorge Brinley Morgan.’]
45 Martin St., New Haven, Oct. 19, 1888.
Rev. John Brainard, D. D.:
My Dear Cousin:—My heartfelt congratulations to you, in view of the
anniversary you are soon to celebrate. It will be the occasion, I am sure, of
much quiet happiness to yourself, your family, and to the larger circle of the
parish of St. Peter’s, to whom you have been called to minister for twenty-five
years.
May God’s blessing continue to be abundantly vouchsafed you, as it has been
in the past, and may you enjoy for many a year, the fruits of the work which
He has permitted you to do in His vineyard.
Faithfully and affectionately, your kinsman,
G. Brinley Morgan.
[From the Rev. Louis French.]
St. Luke’s Rectory, Noroton, Ct., Oct. 31, 1888.
My Rev. and Dear Brother I take great pleasure in offering you my
heartfelt congratulations on the completion of your twenty-fifth year as rector
of St. Peter’s church, Auburn.
Our intimacy dates back to a time when our years were comparatively few,
and it has continued, without interruption, to the present, when we have each
of us reached the full meridian of life. My congratulations, therefore, are
expressive, in a pecnliar manner, of the respect and love which every added
year has deepened.
A long rectorship in a parish where peace and harmony have prevailed, is full
of satisfaction, in that it makes it possible to see somewhat of the fruit of the
labors which have been undergone for the good of souls and for the upbuilding
of the church. Your ministry in Auburn, through God’s blessing, has been-40
one of great success, and you have the privilege of seeing the fruits of your
work in spiritual as well as temporal things. The increase of the parish is a
witness of your fidelity to your spiritual interests. The beautiful temple for
the offering of holy worship is a witness of what God has enabled you to do
in advancing its temporal interests.
A past so fruitful may well be regarded as a prophecy of a future harvest far
more abundant ; and with my congratulations for the past, I beg you, my dear
brother, to accept my best wishes and sincere prayers for the future, that God
may give you many years of labor, and at the last, recompense you for your
work, with that full and blessed reward which leaves nothing to be desired.
With much and continued love, I am,
Your friend,
Louis French.
[From Rev. C.C. Tiffany, D. D.J
37 East 39th Street, New York, November 9, 1S88.
My Dear Brainand :—I am much obliged to you for sending me the
Auburn Daily Advertiser of November 5, containing an account of the twenty-
fifth anniversary of your rectorship of St. Peter’s. Ilad I known of this
beforehand, I should have myself sent you my congratulations on the occasion
and beg to do so now most heartily. Is it possible that twenty-five years since
we both left Derby, you a little ahead of me. Surely we must be getting on,
and yet, somehow, I do not realize it. I recollect what you told me of Mr.
Seward’s experience—how long he continued Young Seward* and then sud-
denly he became “the old man.” But I cannot think of you as an old man
and don’t believe I ever shall. I am glad to see the Birmingham vestry sent
you a note of congratulation. They ought, for they have never been in as good
care since.
Well, you and I have been in the same boat for twenty-two years now, and I
trust we shall, pull even oars to the very end. Can’t you get to Buffalo to the
Church Congress, November 20 ? I have a paper to read and you may tear it
all to pieces if you wish, if you will only give me the pleasure of hearing and
seeing you. Don’t forget us when you are in the city.
Mrs. Tiffany joins me in kind regards and congratulations to Mrs. Brainard
and yourself.	Yours faithfully,
_______	C. C. Tiffany.
* The allusion made by Rev. Dr. Tiffany to Governor Seward, recalls the story, as I had it
from Mr. Seward’s own lips, on the occasion of dining with him, for the last time, not long
before his lamented death. During his remarkable journey around the world, he received a
great popular oration, from the citizens of a town on our western frontier. Being wearied, he
gained the opportunity of a little rest on a sofa, in the room adjoining the office of his hotel,
when he was startled with the sounds of an angry tumult upon the streets. Shortly his host
entered the room, looking pale and excited. Mr. Seward inquired, “ What is the matter oil the
streets?” “ Matter enough,” was the reply, “the people are dealing with the only man who
has presumed to make the least disparaging remark about you, sir, today !” “ Well,” said
Mr. Seward, “ I hope they will not hurt him for I guess he is the only sensible man in the
place. But what did he say about me ?” “ Say about you, sir!” said the host, drawing him-
self up and looking furious ; he said. “ What has this old fellow ever done, that we should
make such a fuss about him ?” Mr. Seward added, in relating the incident to me, “ I was
drawn into some very solemn reflections: “What has that old fellow ever done, that they
should make such a fuss over him ?” Why, it seems but yesterday, the people were saying,
“What has this young fellow ever done, that he should be Gove.nor of the State of New
York.”—J. B.-41-
[From, the Rev. John Brdinard Morgan, D. D., Paris, France],
American Church of the Holy Trinity,
Avenue Del Alma, Paris, Oct. 14, 1888.
My Dear Cousin:—The three consecutive “eights” of the current year
admonish me that with the approaching first of November, you will complete a
quarter of a century in the rectorship of the historic parish of St. Peter’s.
In view of an epoch so marked and interesting, I send a word of hearty
congratulation and of earnest God speed. Specially significant and sacred such
an All Saints’ Day will be ! A pastorate so long and deservedly cumulative in
•efficiency and honored recognition, speaks much alike for priest and people.
In these days of too frequent change, it is a very suggestive object lesson to
the church. I pray that the twin gifts of the Spirit, gratitude and courage,
{Acts 28:15), may be yours on this bright anniversary. With much regard,
Faithfully yours in Christ and His church,
John Brainard Morgan.
[From Rev. W. H. Casey.]
Union Springs, November 2, 1888.
My Dear Brainard:
From every quarter, and from all sorts and conditions of men, such a tribute
of honor and affection is now being paid to you as but very few parish-priests
receive during their life-time. It is far more often offered over their graves.
It is being paid, moreover, with a unanimity which in the face of what has
been called the Beatitude of Malediction in the Sermon on the Mount, is
almost startling.
But the “ woe to those of whom all men speak well,” does not attach to you,
for I, who have had longer and closer opportunities of watching your life and
conversation than any other member of our diocesan family, do not believe—
no, not for an instant—that you have made the praises of men the object and
standard of your life.
It is because your life, as a whole, can only be explained in one way ; it is
because we who have known you best have seen you steadily trying to push
forward the limits of that Great Kingdom by which, if by any means what-
ever, the wilderness of modern life may be reclaimed, that we are today as one
man saying to you, “ Well done, good and faithful servant.”
If I have rightly interpreted it, this general and spontaneous movement is
■simply the true instinct of human nature asserting itself in the delight to
honor goodness, and especially that kind of goodness which, though often
found elsewhere, is nowhere so beautifully moulded as by the influence of the
Book of Common Prayer, and by the ethics and sober piety of the Church
Catechism.
If I am right in this interpretation, then in a very real sense you may regard
fhe vox populi as an echo of the vox Dei.-42-
Whether it is good for you to receive all this praise, well-earned though it
be, is, I fear, a very open question ; but that it is good, aye, very good, for the-
community which bestows it is a matter about which there is no room at all for
doubt. It is a proof—never more needed than it is today—that goodness;
stands higher than ability and determination among the forces which rule the
world; it is a protest none the less eloquent because undesigned and silent
against that idolatry of mere power into which all human society, and, if I may
be pardoned for saying it, especially American society, is only too apt to glide.
You have now been the pastor of one flock for twenty-five years, and during-
all that time you and they have found it possible to live happily- together. lit
this I congratulate you and them ; and I pray God that these relations may
continue to the end, for it is a condition of things of which you may well be
proud, and for which you ought to be very grateful ; and yet have I a far-
more excellent wish, even that these relations, as the years go by, may throw?
an ever-brightening light both for you and them, on the “ Mystical union that
is betwixt Christ and his Church."
This, my dear Brainard, is the earnest and constant prayer of your affection-
ate friend,	W. II. Casey.
[From the Rev William R. Huntington, D. D.]
Grace Church Rectory, New York, Tuesday, Oct. 23, 1888.
My Dear Brother :—And so you are on the point of rounding out your
quarter of a century of pastoral duty in one place. I heartily congratulate,—
and with difficulty keep my pen from adding, envy you—when I remember how
near I came to doing the same thing in my dear old parish of Worcester, I
marvel that I was ever persuaded not to try to accomplish it. One-and-twenty
years of happy service I was able to boast, but to five-and-twenty years* that
far more completed and dignified period, I failed to attain.
In this connection, I recall one of your anecdotes (and, by the way, who-
among the clergy has so many good ones in store as the genial rector of St.
Peter’s) which at the time of your telling it, sank deep into my heart, quite sis
much, I think, in virtue of its weight of pathos as by the keen, penetrative
force of its wit :	The story was of a condemned convict, who upon arriving,
under a long sentence, at your beautiful town, called out, as he alighted from,
the train and caught sight of the grim wails of the prison,—“ Auburn ! Fifteen
years for refreshments !”
Poor fellow, it was out of much bitterness of soul that his jest sprang. In
what a different spirit and at the dictate of what a contrasted experience you
are able to say in glad retrospect when you look back over the way you have-
been led, and recall the blessings, given and received, of which your ministry
has been full,—“Auburn ! Twenty-five years of refreshment !”
In brotherly love, I am ever faithfully yours,
William R. Huntington.
To the Reverend Doctor John Brainard.-43-
[From Hon. James W. GloverOxford, N. F.]
Oxford, November io, 1888.
My Dear Dr. Brainard:
Last evening I received the paper you were so good as to send me, and read
with great interest and satisfaction, the account of the observance of the
twenty-fifth anniversary of your rectorship of St. Peter’s church, Auburn. It
must be a source of regret to all your loving friends, that they were unable to
participate in the proceedings. But had all such attempted to join their
presence, congratulations, and good wishes, the painful fact would have been
forced upon them, that there is, at times, a limit even to space.
Twenty-five years in this age of steam movement, both in men and machines.
What a period of time ? Certainly equal to three score years of fifty years
ago. That you should have filled up and rounded out a rectorship covering
such a period of time, with its close marked by demonstrations of such sincere
love, admiration, respect and confidence towards yourself, not only by the
parishioners of St. Peter’s but by all the good people of your beautiful city, is
a source of profound gratification to all your absent friends, but must convey
to your mind and heart here, the declaration :	“ Well done, good and faithfu
servant,” while hereafter from the Blessed Master’s lips will be added, “ enter
thou into the joy of thy Lord.”
For me to attempt to add to what has been so well said, in commemoration
of so pregnant an event in these days of hurrying life, would be like a man
attempting to add to the “ Sermon on the Mount.”
Less ought not to have been said or done to convey to a faithful rector the
appreciation due him.
For myself, my dear Dr. Brainard, let me express the fervent, heartfelt
wish, that the remaining days of life, allotted to you here, may be as bright,
useful and peaceful as are given to men by Providence, and that when you
step upon the shore across the stream, you may be “ received into everlasting
habitations.”
Mrs. Glover joins me in kind regards to Mrs. Brainard.
Ever faithfully yours,
James W. Glover.
[From Rev. Morgan Dix, D. D.]
New York, Oct. 20, 1888.
My Dear Dr. Brainard :—I learn, with great pleasure and interest, that
you are about to keep the twenty-fifth anniversary of your rectorship in the
parish of St. Peter’s, in the city of Auburn. Permit me to be among the friends,
who will offer you their congratulations upon that happy occasion.
The completion of a quarter of a century of service of God in the priesthood
is always an event of deep import, but it is much more to one whose ministry
has been accomplished in one place, and in charge of one part of the flock of
Christ. With what warmth may his people be expected to gather around him-44-
with what earnestness to greet him ; with what appreciative regard to speak to
him of the joys, the trials and the toils of that protracted term of years !
I doubt not that your own congregation will rally about you on the approach-
ing anniversary with new instances of their affection and respect, and that it
will be to yourself a source of pleasure to reflect that by your fidelity to your
trust you have merited the general esteem and approval. Absent friends will
be with you in the spirit on that day, thanking God for the grace which has
tipheld you for so many years, and uniting their prayers with those which will
be offered in your own church, for many a blessing on your hereafter ; among
those friends you must count me, as now with assurances of highest respect, I
■salute you in the name of the Lord.
I am very sincerely yours,
Morgan Dix.
Rev. John Brainard, D. D.
[From the Rev. Walton W. Battershall, D. D.]
St. Peter’s Rectory, Albany, N. Y., Oct. 28, 1888.
My Dear Dr. Brainard :—I send you my cordial congratulations on the ‘
twenty-fifth anniversary of your rectorship. It is an epoch not to be passed
over in silence, and you will permit a word of greeting and God-speed from an
•old friend.
You of St. Peter's, Auburn, are a little ahead of me at St. Peter’s, Albany—
a matter of ten years,—but I, who know what fifteen years of rectorship mean,
can measure somewhat the pathos and hope, and toil and joy of twenty-five
years. What a web of friendships, of tender and hallowed interchanges, twen-
ty-five years knit into the life of a parish priest ! What forces of holy influ-
ence and ministry run along the strong threads ! One can begin to see the
•sacredness, the inestimable nobility and reward of his priestly calling.
May many years be before you, my dear friend, of consecrated work,
crowned as have been the past, with divine blessing and large fruition.
Always faithfully yours,
Walton W. Battershall.
To the Rev. Dr. John Brainard, Rector of St. Peter’s, Auburn.
[From the Rev. Edwin Harwood, D.'D.]
Trinity Rectory, New Haven, Oct. 29, 1888.
My Dear Dr. Brainard :—So you are about to celebrate the twenty-fifth
anniversary of your rectorship of St. Peter’s Auburn ! It seems but yesterday
since you used to delight the children of the Naugatuck Valley—I have Water-
foury in my mind—with your bright addresses, when Dr. Clark, with the clergy
of New Haven county around him, pointed with just pride to his great Sunday
school ; yet you went away so long ago ! long, really, for one life, short, indeed,
in the sum total of successive lives.-45-
In these days of change, there are but few of us whose rectorships are'so*
lengthened as yours. In this large diocese there are only four. The heavy
work of some of us will soon have been done. God grant you a beautiful and
tranquil afternoon and evening, with tender memories, with prolonged youths
fulness of feeling, and with the ever-growing affection and respect of your peo-.
pie and fellow citizens.
I congratulate you and St. Peter’s church, Auburn.
Very sincerely yours,
Edwin Harwood.
[From the Rev. Joseph M. Clarice, D. D.]
Nashotah, Wis., Oct. 30, 1888.
Dear Dr. Brainard :—I was about writing you, when I received the notice:
of your approaching anniversary. 1 was so sorry to have missed your call and
Dr. Gibson’s, when I was in Syracuse during my summer vacation. Since then
I have been called to mourn the death of my mother, and with the church in
Wisconsin, and many outside its limits, to grieve for the departure from earth
of the saintly Bishop of Milwaukee.
But I Can still, in Christian-wise, rejoice with you and your people, that you are
permitted to celebrate the twenty-fifth anniversary of your union with each other.
I have celebrated my silver wedding, both with my wife and with my Syracuse
parish, and as I could realize, at the first, “ How much the wife is dearer than
the bride,” so, at the second, I could understand how a long pastorate knits
together with “ the cords of a man,” the bonds of love, the heart of the pastor
and the hearts of his flock. Where the pastor’s relation has the happiness to
be thus long continued, there grows up a thorough and intimate knowledge of
each other. The people thoroughly know him, and he has intimate knowledge
of each of the families of his people. He has known their family joys and
their family sorrows. A generation has grown up under his observing eye and his.
forming hand. He is marrying the young people now that in infancy he baptized.
They have known no pastor’s voice but his. Neither parents nor children are
likely to misunderstand one whom they have known so well and so long. Only
the most undoubted call of Divine Providence or the hand of death, which also
is Providence, can sever such a relation. And when, as in my own case, the
unmistakable call* of duty does break up such union, the pain of the parting
proves the strength of the ties that have been so long twining themselves about
the Christian hearts.
The future is in the hands of God. But, if it be His will, I should be glad
that your silver should be transformed to gold, and that every year of your new
quarter century should bring in Jfruit like the harvests of the past, and even
more abundant.
I was going to congratulate you on your trusteeship of my Alma Mater*
Hobart College. There are many of her children among our bishops of the
clergy at the west, and I hope that you easterners, whose lot is cast in the-46-
pleasant places of our American land, will still contribute means and men for
the needs of our fast-forming western churchly life.
With the love of a long friendship for you and for your parish, hoping you
may for long years yet be a blessing to each other, I remain, affectionately,
Your friend and brother,
Joseph M. Clarke.
[From the Rev. Charles C. Hemenway.]
Auburn, N. Y., Nov. 3. 1888.
To the Rev. John Brainard D. D.:
My Dear Brother in the Lord :—Permit me a personal word of congrat-
ulation on this happy occasion of your twenty-fifth anniversary as rector of St.
Peter’s church.
Though so much younger in years and pastoral service, I am now, by the
providence of God, your oldest ministerial neighbor iri the work of Christ in
our city. Our cordial and happy associations, and my knowledge of your life
and work during ten of these twenty-five years, unite in an appreciation of your
pastoral faithfulness and catholicity of spirit, that seeks expression.
For a pastor to remain a quarter of a century with the same church, in these
restless times, is proof of the piety and wisdom of the clergyman, and the good
sense and true Christian spirit of the congregation. What a wealth of fidelity,
•of affection, of chastening, would appear in a truthful record of such a pastor-
ate. But I leave this, where God records it, in the hearts and lives of multi-
tudes of God’s children.
May the joys of this anniversary crown and complete all the joys of these
many years, and ever continue an abiding source of encouragement in all your
work, until you finish your course with joy.
Very truly yours,
Charles C. Hemenway.
[From the Rev. James Rankine, D. D.]
Geneva, N. Y., November 12, 1888.
Reverend and Dear Brother :
Thanks for the paper full of congratulations. I have had so much to distract
me of late that I have hardly had a moment to think of anything outside
immediate demands. But if my congratulations come to you a little late, they
are none less honest and hearty. You have, indeed, made a long and good
record in “ Sweet Auburn, loveliest village of the plain.” Beloved by old and
young—respected by all within and without the fold—the result of a quarter
century’s work. Good reason have you, indeed, to be proud, and as an old
friend, I feel proud of you.
Most sincerely yours,
The Rev. John Brainard, D. D., Auburn, N. Y.
James Rankine.-47-
[From the Rev. Edward P. Sprague, D. D., Ph. D.]
Auburn, N. Y., Nov. 3, 1888.
To the Rev. John Brainatd, S. T. D.:
Brother Beloved :—The Second Presbyterian church sends her Christian
greetings and sisterly congratulations to St. Peter’s church, and to you, their
pastor, invoking for you the blessing of our Lord.
The Westminster Confession answers responsively to the Thirty-nine Arti-
cles ; and to your prayer for “ all who profess and call themselves Christians,”
*adds a most devout and hearty “ amen.”
My own twenty years in the ministry do reverence to your longer service and
your twenty-five years in this present parish.
It was a real pleasure to place my name with those of the other pastors, in
subscription to the joint letter you have received ; but I crave, also, the added
satisfaction of this more personal note.
It is less than a year, I know, since you so cordially welcomed me to this,
■our city ; but so warmly did you greet me, and so delightful has the intercourse
been since then, that it seems as if I must have known you for years. Per-
haps this feeling of long acquaintance will be justified, it, to my congratulations
I add, as I know I may, those of one, who for thirteen years my elder in
•another church, told me recently of his intercourse with you in the Birmingham
you left for Auburn.
With joy for you and yours in this happy anniversary, with prayers that you
may long be continued to labor here among your people, and with personal
•expressions of warm affection and high esteem, I am, my dear brother,
Sincerely and fraternally yours,
Edward P. Sprague.
[From the Rev. A. B. Goodrich, D. Z>.]
Utica, Oct. 29, 1888.
My Dear Doctor Brainard :—I understand that you are about to cele-
brate the twenty-fifth anniversary of your rectorship in St. Peter’s parish,
Auburn. As an old college friend and a fellow-laborer with you in the same
diocese for so many years, I desire to tender you my sincere congratulations on
this happy event, in your ministerial life. Most heartily do I rejoice with you
and give thanks for what you have been enabled to accomplish in the venerable
parish where you have exercised your ministry so faithfully and wisely for a
quarter of a century, and in the diocese in which you have been honored with
the highest offices of trust and usefulness. I pray that you may be spared to
serve the church for many years to come, in the full ripeness of your gifts and
•experience. Your parish silver wedding surely will knit still closer the blessed
bonds which unite you and your people, and be an occasion of deep thankful-
ness and joy to you all.
Faithfully and affectionately your friend and brother,
A. B. Goodrich:
The Rev. John Brainard, D. D., Auburn, N. Y.-48-
[From the Rev. William I)'Orville Doty, D. D.]
Christ Church Rectory, Rochester, N. Y.,
All Saint’s Day, A. D., 1888.
My Very Dear Doctor :—This is a very important day in your individual
history, and a no less important point in the history of St. Peter’s, Auburn. As.
an old friend of all parties interested, I cannot withhold my unfeigned con-
gratulations to pastor and people.
The twenty-five years, last past, of faithful work in the ministry of the-
church at Auburn, has borne precious and most abundant fruits. Doubtless, in
looking over the past, you do not see what to others, is not denied, and in fact,,
each of us, who are in the work of the ministry, can often say :
“ With aching hands and bloody feet
We dig and heap, lay stone on stone;
We bear the burden and the heat
The livelong day, and wish ’twere done ;
But not till rays of light return
All we have built do we discern.”
Even so, dear Doctor, I believe the light of eternity will give, even you,
something of an idea of what has been accomplished in the quarter centurjr
just now so happily closed.
May God’s choicest blessings attend you in the future as in the past.
Devotedly your friend and brother,
Wm. D’Orville Doty.
Rev. John Brainard, D. D., St. Peter’s church. Auburn, N. Y.
[From the Rev. Russell A. Olin].
Trinity Place, Watertown, N. Y., Nov. 17, 1888.
My Dear Dr. Brainard:
You have had so many congratulations from your numerous friends, that,
mine may seem unimportant and perhaps, passees. Yet I must tell you that
the account of your twenty-fifth anniversary celebration, which you kindly
sent me, interested us to an unusual extent.
We rejoice with you upon the happy and very gratifying completion of your
quarter of a century pastorate. You are justly a happy man, enjoying relations
and doing a work the most truly gratifying of any upon this earth, content to
be a true rector, and unmolested by the buzzing of the Episcopal bee.
May the next twenty-five years yield you fruits equally blessed, is the hearty
wish of your friend and brother,
Russell A. Olin.
[From the Rev. Charles T. Olmsted],
Grace Church, Utica, November 11, 1888.
My Dear Dr. Brainard :	I was not aware that you had celebrated—nor
indeed that you were going to celebrate—your silver wedding with your parish,
until the paper came which you kindly sent me, containing the very interesting
account of it. My congratulations, therefore, are late, but they are none the-49-
less hearty on that account, and I am sure they will not be less acceptable.
You told me in confidence, last spring, that you were thinking of observing
some such jubilee in the autumn ; but I did not know the date, and hearing
nothing more of it, I imagined the time had not come, or that you had given
it up.
I am sure you must be very happy after such expressions from your people,
pf affection and good will, not to speak of the substantial proofs of it. I trust
that the close of another quarter century will find you still enjoying the same
fair pastures, and engaged in the same good work. With best wishes and
regards to Mrs. Brainard, I remain,
Very sincerely yours,
Charles T. Olmsted.
The Rev. John Brainard, D. D., Auburn, N. Y.
[From the Rev. Francis T. Russell].
St. Margaret's School,
Waterbury, Conn., Oct. 20, 1888.
My Dear Rev. Brother I congratulate you most cordially upon the com-
pletion of your quarter of a century of successful labor in Auburn,—more than
a third of the allotted space vouchsafed to man's life, according to the Psalmist.
You are entitled to a three-fold expression of respect, which Sydney Smith said
he was willing to pay any clergyman who had remained seven years in any one
parish. Please imagine, therefore, that I doff my hat to you three times over.
Like the other wit pf Sydney Smith, there is a lesson taught in this. He simply
intended to suggest that it was so rare a thing for a clergyman, in these days,
to remain at his work for seven consecutive years, that he deserved some special
token of respect.
There may be, in our country, good reasons for frequent change of place
among the clergy ; indeed, we know that in some of our new western settle-
ments, the pastor must follow his flock in their frequent migrations, if he is to
minister to them at all. I remember that Bishop Kip, in an early report of his
work, being called to visit a parish which involved three weeks' of journeying
to reach, arrived upon the spot only to find the entire population gone to some
other mining district. Disheartened by his fruitless journey, with nearly a
month of time before him to consume by his return, he wrote to the Missionary
Board, “ How can I establish the church in such a whirlwind?" But in the
well established cities of the east, the case is widely different, for, notwithstand-
ing the incessant ebb and flow of the tides of population, there is still a large
number left who can receive the benefit of pastoral ministrations, year after
year. To all such, the pastoral office becomes very sacred with its manifold
associations and constantly increasing and binding ties of what is sacred in
domestic life among the people.
I knew of your efficient and faithful work, and I am sure its history is recorded
in many grateful hearts receiving benefit. You have probably baptized numbers
of infants whose parents you baptized in their infancy, whom you have married,-50-
and some of whom, no doubt, you have buried. These are sacred ties and
rank next to the most sacred in home life. In these twenty-five years, the pub-
lic ministrations you have rendered, now number thousands,—the link upon
link, and the precept upon precept, in the pulpit and in private pastoral coun-
sels, children taught in the Sunday School, classes instructed for confirmation,
the word of comfort and of guidance, your plans and your prayers for the wel-
fare of your people,—all these vocal utterances in the aggregate, must give
some impression of the word fitly spoken ; and what volumes would they make,
could they all be gathered together and published, as words of life ! And not-
withstanding the labor and thought they reviewed, of how much more is the
pastoral heart the keeper of unuttered yearnings, of anxious thinking, of hin-
dersome care and unavoidable anxiety, all relating to the welfare of the people
evincing the sensitive heart filled to overflowing, with the best and kindliest and
intentions for the good of the people. And yet, all this looks simply outward
to the people. What would be the record of the pastor’s own inner life, in
self-examination and development spiritually, what self-accusation, what dis-
heartening consciousness of insufficiency for these things, and inconsistency
with his own ideal ? It is well, indeed, for every man, that he cannot remember
all that twenty-five years might record ! But he knows one thing which gives
him strength and hope : that he did not call himself to this ministry in sacred
things, nor did he call himself to the parish where he may labor. It is the
work of Christ’s church ;—done for Him, in His Name, and with his strength,
our insufficiency is of God, and our record is on high.
My work at the school here, is chiefly pastoral, so that I can sympathize with
you deeply in all the thoughts that come crowding in upon you, at this time.
May the recollections of the past be sweet to you, and may your hope and
purpose be strong and bright for the days to come, and may God be with you
to bless you in all your work.
I thank you for the opportunity of saying that the interest and affection of
your old student-mate is genuine and alive as ever.
Your affectionate brother, in the work of the church,
Francis T. Russell.
The Rev. John Brainard.
[From the Rev. Anson J. Upson, D. 2)., LL. D.]
“ The Waverly,” 372 Grace Street, Utica, Nov. 9, 1888.
My Dear Dr. Brainard :—Let me thank you sincerely and cordially for
remembering me by sending to me the printed record of the proceedings at
your twenty-fifth anniversary. It is very pleasant for me to know that my true
friendship for you is not forgotten, but is still acknowledged. I have read the
proceedings with real interest, and they impress me, among many other
thoughts, as another example of the truth that you and your people have done
all the more good in the name of our Lord, because you have done it in your
own way. You could not have done half as much good if you had tried to be
Presbyterians or Methodists. You have had your own way and yet you have-51-
recognized the methods and the good service of your fellow Christians. I
honor you and love you for it. I have no faith in the organic unity of the
Christian church. The common talk of the day is, I think, superficial senti-
ment and much of it, I believe, is insincere. In politics, we should call it
44 buncombe.” I thoroughly believe that neither the Scriptures nor history
teach any such doctrine. Our Lord in the oft quoted words in St. John xvii,
21, prays for that unity in diversity in his church which the Trinity exemplifies.
Organic unity, as commonly talked about, is, I think unscriptural, impractical,
unhistorical, and undesirable. The efforts of Roman Catholics to enforce it,
led legitimately to the inquisition. Let me say that I honor you, my friend,
because while zealously serving your own and thus serving Christ in your best
way, you have lovingly recognized the family likeness in those who worship
■devoutly one common Lord.
Mrs. Upson joins me in kind regards to Mrs. Brainard.
Affectionately yours,
Anson J. Upson.
[From the Rev. John H. Egar, D. D.]
Rome, N. Y., December 4, 1888.
Dear Dr. Brainard :	I am indebted to you for several interesting enclos-
ures during the past few weeks, the last of which is that of today, the history
of the Cathedral of Albany. For all these, please accept my thanks. I read
with great interest the account of your quarter of a century in St. Peter's,
Auburn, and the proceedings in commemoration of it. I can conceive of no
greater happiness to look back upon, than an honored and useful rectorship of
so long a period, and no greater to enjoy, than the respect and affection of a
generous and attached people.
I am very sorry now, that I neglected the opportunity to be present at the
services at Albany; but something prevented, and I am indebted to you for
the copy of the service calendar, which shows me what I lost.
May God bless you and give you many happy years to come, in the exercise
•of the ministry.
With much love, yours sincerely,
John H. Egar.
[From Rev. George G. PerrineJ.
Theresa, N. Y., November 19, 1888.
My Dear Doctor :—I have read with the deepest satisfaction and pleasure
the full account of your recent anniversary. Twenty-five years is a long rec-
torship in this generation—it is almost a generation in itself. It is something
to be thankful for and proud of, at least your friends may be permitted to be
proud of you, even if you should feel that there is but one thing for you to do.
I have just been reading, like every one else, Robert Elsmere. What a
dreary book it is. How little there is to be thankful for or proud of, in such a
record as that. I never read anything that left such a bad taste in the mouth.-52-
It was like water to one who is thirsty, to turn from such a book to the bright
and charming account of a twenty-five year’s ministry in St. Peter’s, Auburn.
Believe me, my dear doctor, it cost me no effort, but was a real comfort and
happiness to me to rejoice with you, and if I have little of my own success*
the pride and satisfaction which I felt in yours, is none the less sincere.
With kind regards and best wishes, believe me as ever yours,
G. G. Perrine.
[From the Rev. William L. Parker, a few days before his lamented deathj.
Oswego, N. Y., November 14, 1888.
Dear Dr. Brainard :	I am in receipt of the paper containing the account
of the celebration of your twenty-fifth anniversary as rector of St. Peter’s, and
I only regret that I had not known of this happy event before, that I might
have been one of those to remember you on the day itself. But if my con-
gratulations are tardy, they are, believe me, none the less heartfelt and sincere.
I do not wonder that men delight to honor you, when I recall all that you are
ever doing for the pleasure and happiness of others, to say nothing of your
ministerial work which has been so signally blessed. Will you accept this
assurance of my warm regard and good will, with the earnest prayer that you
may be given many more years of active and happy service, before the Master
calls you to your reward.
With kind remembrance to Mrs. Brainard, I beg you to believe me,
Your sincerely attached friend,
W. L. Parker.
LFrom Rev. W. D. Maxori].
Trinity Church Rectory,
Utica, Nov. 12, 1888.
My Dear Dr. Brainard:—Thank you for the Auburn Daily Advertiser
with the many kind and beautiful responses to your quarter-century anniversary.
I regret that my ignorance of your approaching anniversary has prevented me
from extending congratulations before the day. But here, surely, it is not too
late to do a good thing. Permit me, therefore, though we have known each
other for a little while, to reckon myself of the number of those who truly
rejoice with you at this time. Nowadays, a twenty-five years’ rectorship is
especially honorable, and I know of no rector in Central New York, upon whom
this honor could more gracefully and fitly rest. May this anniversary gather up
the lessons of the past twenty-five years of faithful service, in the dear Lord’s
vineyard, and all their inspiration, both of success and failure, and project them
into the future, guiding and enkindling you and your people in love and good
works, unto a well merited jubilee.
Believe me, dear Dr. Brainard, if you will permit me to subscribe myself such,
with kind regards,
Sincerely your friend and brother in Christ,
W. D. Maxon,-53-
[From Rev. Joseph Carey, D. 2?.]
Saratoga Springs, November 16th, 1888.
Dear Dr. Brainard :—Let me add my hearty congratulations to those of
other friends who have expressed their interest in you on the twenty-fifth anni-
versary of your pastoral work in Auburn. I was absent from home at the time
of the celebration and was not aware of it till I read of it in the paper which you
kindly sent me. I was deeply interested in the account. You must indeed be
happy in the consciousness that you have been loyal and true to Christ and His
Church, and also in the knowledge that your faithful labors have been so
blessed and so thoroughly appreciated, as they ought to be.
Wishing you long life and a thousandfold blessing still, in which sentiment
Mrs. Carey joins, I am sincerely and affectionately yours,
Joseph Carey.
[From Rev. George M. Hills, X>. D.]
Burlington, N. J., Nov. 8, 1888.
My Dear Doctor :—Thank you sincerely for the paper received today
containing those articles about your “ silver," pastoral wedding.
The duration of your rectorship of St. Peter’s is indeed notable for one in
this generation, and the tributes from so many and from such wide-spread
sources, must have been indeed affecting to you. Had I known from any hint
of any one, that such an occasion was anticipated, I should have added my
hearty congratulations also. Please accept them quietly now, and all by your-
self, from one who has known you longer, perhaps, than any, even in Auburn.
Your attached friend and brother in Christ,
George M. Hills.
The Rev. Dr. John Brainard, Auburn, N. Y.
Letters were also received from: Rev. John Muir, M. D., Pierrepont Manor,
N. Y.; Rev. George H. McKnight, D D., Elmira, N. Y.; Rev. Charles Seymour,
Nyack, N. Y.; Rev. J. H. Hobart, De Mill, Lowville, N. Y.; Rev. Albert
Danker, Ph. D., Pittsfield, Mass.; Rev. Robert Paul, Pulaski, N. Y.; Rev.
James A. Robinson, Cortland, N. Y.; Rev. A. H. Rogers, Greene, N. Y.; Rev.
E. W. Colloque, Oxford, N. Y.; Rev. W. T. Gibson, D. D., LL. D., Utica ;
Rev. George H. Kirkland, New Berlin, N. Y.; Rev. F. D. Penney and Rev.
Frank H. Hinman, Auburn, N. Y.; Rev. W. C. Richardson, Durham, Conn.,
Rev. Herbert M. Denslow, Seneca Falls, N. Y.; Rev. Robert M. Duff, D. D.;
Waterloo, N. Y.; Rev. J. Everist Cathell, Oneida, N. Y.; Rev. G. W. South-
well, Jordan, N. Y.; Rev. Charles W. MacNish, Ovid, N. Y.; Rev. Frank L.
Humphries, Mus. Doc., Garden City, N. Y.; Rev. Plenry R. Lockwood, D. D.,
Syracuse, N. Y.; Rev. S, W. Strouger, Cape Vincent, N. Y.; Rev. F. Windsor
Brathwaite, Stamford, Conn.; Rev. S. H. Synnott, Ithaca, N. Y.; Ex-Gov.
Charles C. VanZandt, Providence, R, I.; Mr. Justice Samuel Blatchford, United-54-
States Supreme Court, Washington ; Mr. Henry K. Morgan, Hartford, Conn.;
Mr. C. W. Fay, Chicago, 111.; Mr. W. D, Dunning, Syracuse ; Mr. Edward
Fabzinger, Waterloo ; Mr. George C. McWhorter, Oswego, N. Y.; Mr. Thomas
F. Patterson, Boston, Mass.; Mr. E. F. Palmer, Paris, France ; Mr. John R..
Van Wagenen, Oxford, N. Y.; Mr. Horace O. Moss, New Berlin, N. Y.; Mr.
Frederic Cossum, Auburn, N. Y.; Mrs. Cornelia W. Martin, Willowbrook*
N. Y.; Mrs. Ann W. Hadley, Waterloo, N. Y.; Mrs. M. H. Hawley, New York ;
Mrs. T. P. Chapman, Newark, N. J.; Mrs. Mary C. Warner, Wilmington, Del.;
Miss Susan M. VanAnden, Brooklyn, N. Y.; Mrs. A. C. Salkeld, Waterloo,.
N. Y.; Mrs. Emma R. Moses, Marcellus, N. Y.; Miss C. B. Davis, Buffalo,.
N.	Y.; Mrs. Mary E. D. Stoddard, Worcester, Mass.; Mrs. Robert Douglass,
Cambridge, Mass.; Miss Emily J. Burroughs, Long Hill, Conn.; Mrs. Georgie
O.	Letchworth, Chicago, 111.; Mrs. Cordelia B. Lyon, Grand Rapids, Mich.;-
Miss Ernestine Hills, New York; Miss Julia A. Lockwood, Norwalk, Conn.;
Mrs. Frances Kendig,Waterloo, N. Y.; Mrs. Augusta Perry Steele, Southport,
Conn.
Congratulatory telegrams were received from the following persons, regretting:
their unavoidable absence : John Morgan Brainard, Gen. John N. Knapp,,
Gorton W. Allen, New York.CHURCH OFFICERS FROM 1805 to 1888.
WARDENS.
1805	William J. Vredenburg,	Years. I	1839	James H. Bostwick,	Years. 3
1805	Hackaliah Burt,	34	1840	Charles B. Perry,	20
1807	William Bostwick,	17	1847	Stephen A. Goodwin,	1
1812	Joel Lake,	1	1854	John H. Chedell,	4
1826	Matthew F. Gregory,	5	i860	Samuel L. Bush,	4
1831	Abraham Gridley,	5	1864	Levi Johnson,	2
1833	James D. Wallace,	1	1866	Joseph Osborn,	13
1834	Amos T. Carpenter,	30	1878	Samuel Lyon,	8
1835	Edward E. Marvine,	1	1879	Noah P. Clarke,	10
1836	Augustus G. Bostwick,	1	1886	Henry D. Noble,	3
VESTRYMEN.
1805	Thomas Jeffries,	Years. 2	1814	Joseph Colt,	Years. 8
1805	Jonathan Booth,	4	1815	Sylvanus Noble,	3
1805	Timothy Hatch,	3	1815	John Richardson,	6
1805	William Bostwick,	2	1818	George B. Throop,	10
1805	Jeduthan Higby,	4	1818	Horace Hall,	X
1805	Joel Lake,	7	1819	Archie Kasson,	2
1805	John Pierson,	8	1819	Michael Parks,	I
1805	Ebenezer Phelps,	17	1819	Matthew F. Gregory,	5
1807	William J. Vredenburg,	1	1820	Abraham Gridley,	20
1807	Peter Hughes,	4	1820	Stephen W. Hughes,	4
1808	Egbert Bradt,	I	1821	Samuel Graves,	2
1808	John S. Burt,	2	1822	Ebenezer Hoskins,	l
1809	David Buck,	9	1822	Richard L. Smith,	4
1809	Benjamin Phelps,	3	1823	Roswell Hinman,	5
1810	Stephen Close,	2	1824	Robert Muir,	11
1810	Elijah Miller,	16	1824	Alvah Worden,	3
1811	Rufus Wells,	6	1825	Gershom Powers,	1
1811	Joseph L. Richardson,	7	1825	Charles Chapman,	6
1812	Daniel Storks,	2	1826	Amasa Curtice,	6
1813	Enos T. Throop,	9	1827	William H. Seward,	10
1813	Abel Terry,	4	1827	William Goodwin,	4
1813	Agur Wells,	1	1827	Obed Folger,	7
1813	Anselm S. Howland,	1	1828	Abraham V. E. Young,	3-56-
		Years.			Years.
1830	Hiram Bostwick,	9	1852	Levi Johnson,	2
1831	E. R. Vredenburgh,	3	1852	Benjamin F. Hall,	6
1831	Harvey Hinman,	3	1852*— Henry H. Bostwick,		6
1831	Harvey Wilson,	8	1854	Charles N. Tuttle,	IO
1831	James D. Wallace,	1	1854	J. R. How,	7
1832	John B. Dill,	5	1855	Christopher Morgan,	20
1833	William Swain,	6	1858	Samuel Bush,	2
1834	George H. Wood,	1	1858	George Casey,	4
1834	Edward E. Marvine,	6	1858	Joseph Osborn,	8
1834	Frederic Coffin,	1	1858	William Lamey,	10
1835	Augustus G. Bostwick,	r	1861	George Humphreys,	3
1835	Philo H. Perry,	2	1862	William Allen,	19
*836	A. C. Munger,	1	1864	Erastus G. Knight,	13
1836	Roderick C. Steel,	4	1865	Emery Osborn,	12
1837	Michael S. Myers,	14	1865	James A.. Suydam,	IS
1837	Lorenzo W. Nye,	4	1866	Edward H. Groot,	ii
1837	A. H. Burt,	10	1868	John N. Knapp,	20
1837	Warren T. Worden,	3	1876	D. M. Osborne,	11
1838	Stephen A. Goodwin,	13	1876	Noah P. Clarke,	3
1839	Charles Richardson,	11	1877	Samuel Lyon,	1
1840	Amos T. Carpenter,	5	1878	N. L. Casey,	11
1841	Gerrit V. Orton,	4	1879	Charles A. Noble,	8
1841	John H. Chedell,	26	1879	Alfred N. Hollister,	10
i842	Charles F. Coffin,	t	1879	Henry D. Titus,	10
1843	Roland F. Russell,	8	1881	Charles H. Carpenter,	8
1843	James H. Bostwick,	9	1883	A. T. H. Groot,	3
1845	A. V. M. Suydam,	2	1883	Fred I. Allen,	6
1847	Thomas Y. How,	7	1886	Joseph A. Cook,	3
1847	Samuel Blatchford,	7	1887	Franklin P. Taber,	2
1847	William C. Beardsley,	5			
	PARISH		CLERKS.		
1807	Hackaliah Burt,		1846	James H. Bostwick,	
1821	A. Gridley,		1851	Henry H. Bostwick,	
1822	Richard L. Smith,		1857	Levi Johnson,	
1825	A. Gridley,		1858	Joseph Osborn,	
1833	George H. Wood,		1866	Erastus G. Knight,	
1834	Pliram Bostwick,		1878	Charles A. Noble,	
1835	A. G. Bostwick,		1883	Fred I. Allen.	
1840	A. Gridley,				
While the date gives the year of first election, the years of continuance do
not always indicate consecutive election.ST. PETER'S CHURCH.
OFFICERS FOR 1888-89.
Eector—Rev. John Brainard, D. D.
Wardens—Noah P. Clarke, Henry D. Noble.
Vestrymen—John N. Knapp, Nicholas L. Casey, Alfred N.
Hollister, Henry D. Titus, Charles H. Carpenter, Frederick
I. Allen, Joseph A. Cook, Franklin P. Taber.
Parish Clerk—Frederick I. Allen.
Treasurer—Charles H. Carpenter.
Delegates to Diocesan Convention—Alfred N. Hollister, John N.
Knapp, George Underwood.
COMMITTEES OF THE VESTRY.
On Music—The Rector, A. N. Hollister, Joseph A. Cook.
On Pews—The Rector, Charles H. Carpenter, H. D. Noble.
On Repairs and Supplies— The Rector, H. D. Titus, N. L. Casey.
Organist—Edward E. Scovill.
Ohimers of the Bells—Frank L. Scovill, George S. Tallmadge.
Ushers—N. L. Casey, Charles H. Carpenter, Henry D. Noble.
Sexton—Henry Whipps.
ST. PETER’S CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Superintendent—H. D. Noble.
Librarian and Assistants—William Fosgate, Walter Moon, H.
Martin Vail, Charles E. Denman, Charles J. Ling.
Teachers, 28; scholars, 240.-58-
ST. PETER’S INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL.
[Established 1869].
President—Mrs. A. V. R Hulbert
Vice-President—Miss Caroline E. Dennis.
Treasurer—Miss Charlotte E. Noble.
Secretary—Miss Caroline M. Moore.
Since its establishment, 3,700 children have been enrolled^
Present state of the school, teachers, 30 ; children, 230. Meet-
ings, Saturday afternoon.
ST. PETER’S SISTERHOOD.
[Founded 1870].
President—Mrs. A. C. Miller.
Vice-President—Mrs. N. L. Casey.
Treasurer—Miss Charlotte E. Noble.
Secretary—Miss Sarah B. Hills.
COMMITTEES.
Advisory—Mrs. John Brainard, Chairman.
Sick and Destitute—Mrs. N. P. Clarke, Chairman.
Visiting Strangers—Mrs. N. L. Casey, Chairman.
Charitable Institutions—Mrs. Samuel Titus, Chairman.
Mothers Meetings—Mrs. N. P. Clarke, Chairman.
T. PETER’S WOMAN’S AUXILIARY.
[Founded 1872]/
Secretary and Treasurer—Mrs. A. V. R Hulbert
Since its establishment $4,700 in money, and boxes of gar-
ments have been distributed.-59-
ST. PETER’S GUILD.
[Founded 1884].
President ex-Officio—The Rector.
President—Miss Ella L. Richardson.
Vice-President—Miss Josephine Casey.
Recording Secretary—Miss Mary Carpenter.
Corresponding Secretary—Miss J. Ernestine Hills.
Treasurer—Miss Mary Burnett.
Committees—On Altar; Welcome; The Needy and Afflictedj
Preparatory Work.
Active members, 54; honorary members, 125.
ST. PETER'S MOTHERS' MEETINGS.
[Established 1888],
President—Mrs. N. P. Clarke.
ST. PETER'S LAST REPORT TO THE DIOCESAN
CONVENTION.
Statistical—Families, 350; baptisms, adult 9, infant 58—67 p
confirmed, 43; communicants, 545; marriages, 14; burials*
54; services, 335 ; Sunday school teachers and scholars,.
400 ; industrial school, teachers and scholars, 234.
Offerings—Parochial, $6,040.87 ; diocesan, $988.92 ; general*
$468; total, $7,497.79.
Church Property—-Church, chapel, rectory and organ and bells*
$100,000; insurance, $50,000.IMPORTANT EVENTS IN CHURCH HISTORY,
1805—July 1, Parish incorporated.
-i8iq—March 1, Gift of Church lot to the Parish, by William Bostwick, Esq.
1812—August 22, Bishop Hobart consecrated the first Parish Church.
1828—November 28, Rectory purchased.
1830—September 2, Last official act of Bishop Hobart.
1830—	September 12, Bishop Hobart died in the rectory.
1831—	August 7, First visit of Bishop Onderdonk.
1832—	February 5, Church destroyed by fire immediately after extensive repairs
and enlargement.
1833—	August 8, New Church consecrated by Bishop Onderdonk. (	)
1838—	Feast of All Saints. Diocese of Western New York established, and
Bishop DeLancy elected, in Trinity Church, Geneva.
1839—	May 9, Ascension Day. Special convention of Diocese in St. Peter’s,
Auburn. Consecration and first official acts of Bishop DeLancy.
1843—Diocesan Convention in St. Peter’s Church.
1847—	Diocesan Convention in St. Peter’s Church.
1848—	March 19, Present Bishop of Long Island, and Rev. Spencer M. Rice,
D. D., ordained Deacons by Bishop DeLancey ; the present Bishop
of Connecticut presenting candidates and preaching sermon.
1850—Extensive enlargement of church.
i864^-Enlargement of rectory*
1865—January 8, First official act of Bishop Coxe.
1868—March, Church taken down and material used in construction of present
chapel.
1868—April 13, St. John’s Church organized.
1868—All Saints’ Day, Diocese of Central New York established.
1868—	All Saints’ Day, St. Peter’s chapel first used for worship.
1869—	January 13, Bishop Huntington elected in St. Paul’s church, Syracuse.
1869—April 8, Bishop Huntington consecrated in Emmanuel church, Boston.
1869—	April 18, Bishop Huntington’s first visit to St. Peter’s.
1870—	Easter, New church first used for worship.
J870—St. Luke’s Day, Church consecrated by Bishop Huntington. Bishop
Coxe present. Sermon by Rev. Dr. Morgan, of St. Thomas’ Church,*
New York.-61-
1873—	July, Tower and spire completed through munificence of Gen. John H„
Chedell.
1874—	Diocesan Convention.
1875—	July 4, Chime of bells secured.
1876—	January I, Centennial Year. Through the bequest of Gen. John II.
Chedell, of ten thousand dollars, and the subscriptions of others, the
final indebtedness arising from building the present church, was.
discharged.
1879—February 18, Diocesan Conference.
1883—Chancel enlarged 26X32 feet with robing room and organ chamber.
1887—	Easter, D. M. Osborne memorial organ presented.
1387—June 14, Diocesan Convention.
1888—	November 1 and 4, Twenty-fifth anniversary of Dr. Brainard’s rectorship^.
LINES,
Written in the Chamber where Bishop Hobart Died, on the 12TK
of September, 1830.
Our house, whereon dark clouds have lowered,
Is once more desolate,
And hushed the solemn chamber where
The good man met his fate.
Pass lightly up the echoing stairs,
And look in silence round,
And take thy shoes from off thy feet,
For this is holy ground.
Here stood, erewhile, his dying couch;
Against this crimsoned wall,
Where, quivering through the locust leaves,
The setting sunbeams fall.	*
Here last he saw yon glorious orb,
Like his, descending low,
And through the casement pour, as now,
That rich, autumnal glow.
But dwell not on the painful scene,
Nor, rapt in vision, muse.
Till in the sadness of the past
The present good we lose.
No sun could make more golden set,
Nor leave a track more bright,
Than his, whose radiant memory still
Fills all our courts with light.-62-
Look earthward forth, and see, fast by
The oracle of God,
And mark the well-worn churchyard path,
The last his footsteps trod.
Pass through the Gothic porch, and view
The chancel’s choicest trust,
Where “ all but speaks,” in lifelike grace,
His monumental bust.
The pilgrim at Iona’s shrine
Forgets his journey’s toil,
As faith rekindles in his breast
On that inspiring soil ;
And those who trace in Heber’s steps
Carnatic wood and wave,
A portion of his spirit seek
By their apostle’s grave.
And here our prophet’s sons shall oft	*	■
Their father’s ear recall,
And here, on each successor’s head,
His reverend mantle fall.
“ Here may they hope to fill the breach,
Like him the plague to stay,
While in his thrilling tones they preach,
And with his fervor pray.”
Thus, Auburn, shall thy hallowed haunts
Be sought from age to age,
And hither sons of holy Church
Make pious pilgrimage.
And though some bitter memories
Must dash the past with pain,
Sweet village, thou shalt ever be
“ The loveliest of the plain ! ”
WILLIAM CROSWELL.
St. Peter’s Parsonage, Auburn, September 12, 1840.
Allusion to Bishop Hobart, by Rt. Rev. George Burgess, D. D., Bishop
of Maine, in his poAn, “ The Strife of Brothers :”
“ So bold the march of that outdazzling star,
Which poured its kindling beams so full and far,
That pilgrims come where still they latest rest,
And kiss thy sod, sweet Auburn of the West ! ”RECTORS
Davenport Phelps, -
William A. Clark, D. D.,
D.	McDonald, D. D., -
W. H. Northrop,	-
Lucius Smith, -	-
Samuel Sitgreaves,
John C. Budd, D. D.,
William Lucas, -
Charles W. Hackley, D. D., -
William Croswell, D. D., -
Samuel Hanson Coke, D. D., -
Walter Ayrault, D. D.,
E.	H. Cressey, D. D.,
Charles H. Platt,
Joseph W. Pierson, -
John Brainard, D. D., -
1805-1811
1811-1812
1813-1817
1818-
1819-1823
1824-1826
1826-1833
1833-1839
1839-	1840
1840-	1844
1844-1846
1847-1852
1853-1859
1860-1861
1862-	1863
1863-SERVICES IN ST, PETER'S CHURCH.
FIRST SUNDAY IN MONTH.
Morntng Service and Sermon, -
Holy Communion, -	-	-	-
Holy Baptism,.........................
Evening Prayer with Sunday School,
io: 30 A. ML.
12:00 M.
2: 30 p. m..
3: 00 p. m.
OTHER SUNDAYS.
Holy Communion,
Morning Service and Sermon,
Sunday School, -	-	-	- .
Evening Prayer and Sermon, -
8: 00 a. M..
10: 30 A. m..
12 : 00 M.
7:30 P. M-
WEEK-DAY SERVICES.
Fridays and Holy Days,	-	-	-	10:00 a. m.
During Lent, every day except Monday and Tuesday. During,
Holy Week, services twice every day.