Reminiscences of the life and work of Edward A. Lawrence, jr.

Front matter

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BX 7260 .L33 L3 1900 Lawrence, Margaret Oliver

CHAPTER I. Edward's Birthplace — His First Sorrow — Quaint Child Fancies

Lost in Boston— A Gift for Jesus Christ — His Father Abroad for a Year — Various Visits with His Mother — A Night at Whittier's —Early Preaching— Quick Sympathies— His First Letters— Self- Discipline— His Birthday Sister — Theological Perplexities A

Young Missionary — An Appeal to Congress. . . . i

CHAPTER H.

Removal to East Windsor Hill — His Father's Inauguration — His Books — Learning by Questions — His Music — Letter from Mrs. Watson — Familiarity with the Theological Students — Letter from Rev. Moses T. Runnells — His Journal — Letters to "Merry's Museum" — Letter from Miss Anable — Journal Extracts. . lo

CHAPTER HL

A Trip to the Old Bay State— Visit to Mt. Holyoke Seminary— Letter from Mrs. Helen M. Gulliver — Home Life and Amusements at East Windsor Hill — The Chest of Tools — Uncle Leonard — Santa Claus— Debates in the "Clio" — Visits New York City and Sees the "Great Eastern" — Goes Away to School at East Hampton—Homesickness— Joins the "Adelphi" — Spends a Year in Special Studies at Chandler Scientific School — Acquaintance with William North Rice, and Letter from Him — Letter from Mrs. Rice — Edward's Studies and Reading — Interest in National Affairs — Joins the Church 19

CHAPTER IV.

Serious Sickness — Goes to Phillips Academy — Debates and Studies — "Concerning Clothes" — Visit at Haverhill — Revival in the School — Silver Wedding at Dingle Side — Oratorical Honors — War Excitement — Desires to be a Volunteer — Tributes of Miss Russell, Mrs. Abbott, Mrs. Nichols, Dr. Taylor and Dr. Peabody. 30

CHAPTER V.

Sets Forth for Yale — Passes Examinations — The "Grand Rush" — Mission School Work — Trouble with his Eyes — Dr. Cheever's Tribute — Tribute from Prof. Wright — Freshmen and Sophoviii

CONTENTS.

mores— Visit to Washington— A Turning Point and Wise Decision—Dedicates Himself to the Ministry— Testimony of Prof Northrup— A Trip West— His Sister Meta's Marriage— Completion of College Course— Tributes from Yale Men. . . 41

CHAPTER VI.

Visit in Orford, N. H.-^-Tribute of Miss Martha Lawrence — Goes to Princeton for a Year — Inauguration of Pres. McCosh — Visits Home and New Haven — A Student Friend Attempts Suicide — Schoolhouse Preaching — Sermon before the Class — Visit from His Parents at Princeton — Letters from a Classmate and from Prof. Green — Receives a License to Preach — Visits His Sister Meta in Brooklyn — The Farewells 57

CHAPTER VII.

Sails by Steamship "India" — Impressions of the Sea — His Marine Mail — A Classmate's Letter — Lands at Glasgow — From Edinburgh to Rotterdam — Goes to Wurzburg to Study the German Language — Sad Tidings — Munich — Tramp through the Tyrols — Vienna and Leipzig — Thence to Halle — First Meeting with Tholuck — University Life at Halle — His Sister Meta's Failing Health — News of Her Death — "Asleep and Awake" — An Accident — Tholuck's Sympathy — His Letters Home — Growing Intimacy with Tholuck ' 66

CHAPTER VIII.

A Walking Tour — Accounts of the War — A Fortnight with Prof, and Frau Tholuck in the Hartz Mountains — Visits Dresden and Leipzig — Gewandhaus Concert — Earnest Work at Halle — The Tholuck Jubilee — Letter from Rev. Lysander Dickerman, the Egyptologist — Call on Tischendorff — Prefers the Ministry to a Professorship — Trip with Dr. Dickerman to Italy and thence through Pisa to Geneva — Edward Passes a Few Weeks in Geneva— The Passion Play at Oberammergau — Tribute from Father McSweeney — Baden Baden — Pastor Blumenhardt's and Fraulein Seckendorf's Establishments — The Tubingen Professors. . 83

CHAPTER IX.

Edward's Mother and Sister Visit Scotland— They Spend the Winter with Him in Berlin — A Call from U. S. Minister, George Bancroft— Letters from Wm. A. Smith and Rev. Alfred Myers— Amsterdam— Leyden — Prof. Kuenen — Brussels — Paris — Assembly at Versailles — From Paris to London — The Midnight Mission — An Evening with Rev. James Martineau — A Sermon from George MacDonald— An Evening at his House— At Oxford— Through the Lake Country— Long Walks in the Scotch Highlands— Glencoe — Fingal's Cave — lona 100

CONTENTS.

ix

CHAPTER X.

Mother and Son Sail for New York — At Home Again — Quiet Days of Home Work — Neighborhood Preaching — Mr. Richard Palmer Waters — Letter from Rev. James M. Whiton — Letter from Miss Tracy — Tutorship at Yale — Call to Church at Champlain, N. Y. — Declined — Call to Champlain Still Urged — Finally Accepted — ■ A Western Tour — His Father Supplies During Western Trip — Letter from Mr. Stetson — Edward Forms Acquaintance of Rev. and Mrs. Francis B. Hall of Plattsburg — Long Walks — Christmas Cheer — Union Meetings with the Methodists — Temperance Crusade — Meets Rev. Francis G. Peabody, now of Harvard Divinity School — Letter from Prof. Peabody. . . .113

CHAPTER XL

Edward's Father a Delegate to the Peace Congress at Geneva — On his Return Edward Visits Home — Gets Up a Musical Entertainment— Back in Champlain — Letter to His Sister — Fourth of July Address at Clinton Prison — Call from Malone — School for French People — Rothe's Ethics — A Call from Poughkeepsie — A Twelve Days' Trip among the Adirondacks — Acceptance of the Poughkeepsie Call — Good-byes in Champlain — Lawrence Stetson 124

CHAPTER Xn.

First Sunday in Poughkeepsie — Diverse Beliefs and Opinions in the Church— A Bad Fall — Call at Vassar — A Pleasant Christmas Surprise — Birthday Visit from His Sister — Sermon at Vassar — Attends the Beecher Advisory Council— Letter on His Mother's Birthday — Letter from Mr. John Wilkinson — Vacation at Marblehead, and Trip to White Mountains — Centennial Exposition 134

CHAPTER XHL

Sickness of Edward's Sister — A Visit Home — German Classes — Extracts from Journal and Letters — Trip to Vermont and Northern New York — Champlain — The Saguenay — Burlington — Letter from Prof. Moses Coit Tyler— Back at Poughkeepsie — American Board at Providence— Letter from Mr. Guilford Dudley — From Mrs. Dudley 144

CHAPTER XIV.

Indebtedness of the Church — A Church Fair — The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam — Temperance Labors — An Essay on Spinoza — Letter from Mrs. Mott — Visit to Mother and Sister, Heald's Hygeian Home — Edward Kimball, the Debt-Raiser— Debt Removed — Gives up His California Trip — Visits Princeton — Gift from German Class — Letter to the Clover Leaf — Mother and Sister Visit

X

CONTENTS.

Him — His Sister's Jubilee — Letter from His Father — Visit at Linden Home — Call on Whittier — At Cambridge Commencement— Adirondack Trip 157

CHAPTER XV.

Five Minutes Sermon — The Winter Home — Family with Edward — His Letters to His Father and Mother at Clifton Springs — Funeral Fees — The Sistine Madonna — Freedom from Debt — Jubilee — His Cabinet Organ — Charity Organization Society — Letters from Poughkeepsie Clergymen — Overture to Tannhauser — Bellevue — Letters from Poughkeepsie Friends — Letter from Irving Elting 171

CHAPTER XVL

Sermon on the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals — Call on John Burroughs— Description of a Storm — Open Air Service — The Adirondacks — The Nannie O — Thrilling Adventures — The Raquette River by Moonlight— Letter from Mrs. White of Brooks Seminary— Edward's Address at the C. O. S. Public Meeting — Sermons on Charily and Pauperism — Letter to His Birthday Mother — Edwards on Original Sin — Trip of the New York and Brooklyn Associations to the Catskills — Mohonk and the Smillie Brothers 179

CHAPTER XVn.

Illness of His Father — Edward takes Him to New York on His Way to Binghamton — Tower Thoughts — Second Open Air Service — Letter from a Bellevue Friend — Walking Club — Vacation in Marblehead — Walk Around Cape Ann — Bar Harbor — Visit and Letter from Mrs. A. D. T. Whitney — Return to Work — "Poor Bullen" — American Board and State Association — Progressive Revelation — Letter from Col. A. B. Lawrence — From Mr. James Phillips — Mr. Phillips' Work — Vassar Institute Meetings — His Family with Him Again — Sickness of the Family — Letter from Mr. Donald — Tribute to Mr. Donald — Letters Home from the Adirondacks — From Mrs. James 191

CHAPTER XVIII.

A Visit from His Sister — Union Thanksgiving Sermon — Letter from Mrs. Garfield — From James Phillips — From Benson Lossing — Prayer Meeting Topics — Easter— Vassar Institute Address — Adirondack Letters — Letter from Father McSweeny — From Mrs. Brainard — His Father and Mother go to Hamilton Magnetic Institute — Union Watch Night — Letter from Mrs. Banfield — From Mr. Henry V. Pelton — Wedding Anniversary and Letter — Home Missionary Convention — Proposal from Plymouth Church, Syracuse 208

CONTENTS.

xi

CHAPTER XIX.

Plattsburg — Champlain — Adirondacks — Summons Home — Funeral of His Father — Letter from Mrs. Byrnes — Comforting Words to His Mother 222

CHAPTER XX.

Edward Looks Over the Ground at Syracuse — Accepts Call — Sorrow at Poughkeepsie — Letters from Dr. and Mrs. Cate — Preaches Union Thanksgiving Sermon at Plymouth Church — Newspaper Comments — Letter from Mr. Ewers — Edward Secures House and Settles His Family There — Installation — Letter from Rev. Dr. Beard — Inaugural Sermon — Letters from Brother Clergymen in Syracuse— Congregational Club of Central New York — Tribute from Prof. Tyler of Cornell — Edward's Mother Returns Home — Letters from Miss Dalton — From Rev. Ezekiel Mundy — Pompey Hill — Bi-Centennial Address at Marblehead — Trip into Maine — Letter from Mrs. Crosby — Salvation Army — Fraternity with Jewish Church — Letter from Rabbi Guttman — From Rev. A. E. Winship — Interest in Children 230

CHAPTER XXI.

The Bachelors' Club — A Bachelor's Tribute — Letter from Prof. J. Scott Clark — Tributes from Church Members — Frank Luckey — Off for the Adirondacks — Free Sittings — Temperance and City Missions — His Sister's Wedding — Letter from Miss Aria Huntington— Address on Browning by Archdeacon Farrar — Criticism of Drummond — His Mother's Correspondence with Louisa Payson — Elizur Wright — Announcement of Resignation — Letter from Rev. Dr. Packard — Edward's Desire to Study the Mission Field — Letter from Mr. Chas. D. B. Mills — Introductions to Catholic Missions — Letters from Rev. and Mrs. Eastman — His Mother's Preparation for His Voyage 246

CHAPTER XXII.

The Parting — Chicago — Polygamy — Scene of Helen Hunt's "Ramona" — Chinese Emigrants — Letter to Miss Leyden — Passages from the Marine Mail — Life on Shipboard — At a Japanese Club —Letter to Mr. Ewers — Inland Sea of Japan — Letter from Shanghai — Among the Chinese — In Cairo — Ceylon — Letter from Calcutta— High Caste Sweetmeats — Visit to Col. Olcott — Meets Representative Theosophists — Hospitality of Dr. and Mrs. Dennis at Beirut — Letter from Mrs. Dennis — from Rev. Lyman Bartlett 267

CHAPTER XXIIL

En route for Palestine — Meets George Constantine and His Cousin Clara Lawrence — With Mr. and Mrs. Crawford at Brousa — Let-

CONTENTS.

ter from Mrs. Crawford — May Meetings in Constantinople — Mission Station Reports — To Jaffa and Jerusalem — Letter from Rev. S. F. Wright — Mother and Son Meet in Hamburg — Visits to Old Friends — Letter from Fran Louise Kloer — Passages from Dutch Letters — Berlin — Letter from Rev. E. G. Porter — Switzerland and Mt. Rigi — Paris — Scotland — Letter from Rev. Mr. Young — Scotch Friends — Church Congress at Wolverhampton — In London — Letter from Miss Reynolds — Sociological and Missionary Investigations — Homeward Bound — Accounts of Missionary Tour — The Rupee Story — From Rev. Dr. Ecob — Letters Concerning Modern Missions in the East 284

CHAPTER XXIV.

Supplj'ing at Sing Sing — Makes His Summer Home at Ossinning Institute— Birth of His Nephew — Commencement and Class Reunion at Yale — Letter from Mrs. Louisa Seymour Houghton — Thoughts of Future Work — The Emerson Summer .Schoo] at Martha's Vineyard — From Principal Greenough — From Prof. Dwight — Preaches in Poughkeepsie — Letter from Pres. Emerson — Baptizes His Nephew — Visit to Prison Warden — Mrs. Marcus Spring and Her Letters — Talk on Theosophists at Vassar Institute—President Harrison's Inauguration — Mother and Son in Brooklyn — Dines with Prof. Prentiss and Daughter — Letter from the Professor — Centennial of British Evacuation. . . 299

CHAPTER XXV.

Correspondence with Arethusa Hall — Concerning a Mutual Basis of Faith 31S

CHAPTER XXVI.

A Call from Baltimore — He Decides to Look Over the Field — Letter from Mr. D. M. Henderson — Minute Adopted by the Session — Letters from Sing Sing Friends — From Rev. Edwin Fairley — A Baltimore Excursion — Begins Work in Baltimore — Acquaintance with the Nunns — Special Work of Miss Elizabeth Lowry Nunn —He Announces Acceptance of Call — Vacation in the Adirondacks — Theodore Weld — Returns to Work — Harvest Home Service— American Board at New York — Edward's Installation — The Reception — Speech from Judge Brown — Letter from Mr. W. H. Morris — Thanksgiving Subject. Civil Service Reform — Christmas Festival— Dedication of W. C. T. U. Building, and Letters from W. C. T. U. Workers 326

CHAPTER XXVII.

Busy Days — Johns Hopkins University Friends — Letter from Mrs. Metcalf — Deacon Cressy and His Letter— Letters from Johns Flopkins Students — From Dr. F. E. Clark — Edward's Work in Socialism — A Nationalist's Letter— Letter from Mr. Hoadley —

CONTENTS.

xiii

Church Anniversary — Conference of Charities and Corrections — Letters from John Glenn and Miss Richmond — Editorial from the Charitirs Record — Letter from Mrs. Dean Griffin — Resolution Relating to Dr. Parkhurst — Letter by Mr. J. M. Casanowiez, a Russian — Letter from Dr. De Forest 345

CHAPTER XXVIIL

Edward Preaches in Old South Church, Boston — Address at Concord Reformatory — Visit at Dr. Hamlin's and Letter from Him — The Adirondacks, z'ia Burlington — Among Pennsylvania Hills — Letter from H. M. Alden — Memorial Service for Whittier — Board Meetings at Minneapolis — Letter from Mr. Hammond — From John Adams — Dakota and Nebraska — Letters from His Young Men — His Feeling About a Degree — "Snare" Sermons — Dedication Sermon at Syracuse — Letter from Mr. George P. Morris — From Rev. H. A. Bridgman — Paper on "Reading" before Washington Conference of Churches 365

CHAPTER XXIX.

Christianity and Culture — The Labor Problem — The Gospel Wagon —The Old Clock for Linden Home — Adirondacks — Chattolane Springs — His Mother at Lakewood — Yale Lectures on Missions — Bulletins and Illustrated Sermons — Readings from Sidney Lanier — Birthday Letter to His Sister — Letter from His Mother — Papers before the New Jersey Association — Edward's Connection with Changes in the American Board — Meeting of the Board in Minneapolis — Memorial Presented at New Jersey Association— Resolution Adopted at Worcester — Testimonies of Rev. Drs. Creegan, C. H. Richards, Patton, and Amory Bradford. 387

CHAPTER XXX.

Convention of Maryland Christian Endeavor Union — Address on Missions at Union Theological Seminary — Letter from Edwin Fairley — From Dr. Dennis — From Rev. Mr. Bliss — Edward Preaches at the Penitentiary — Lectures at Beloit College — Letter from Prof. Blaisdell — From Pres. Eaton — At New Jersey Association— Organizes Hawley Memorial Church — Arrows — Poem by R. W. Gilder — Christian Endeavor Convention — Miss Nunn Visits Linden Home — Edward's North Carolina Tramp. . 406

I

CHAPTER XXXI.

Preaches at Worcester — Letter from Rev. Mr. Hosmer — Letter from Dr. Dwight W. Clapp — A Few Days at Marblehead — Addresses on Systematic Giving and Systematic Bible Study — A Sixty Miles Walk — Episcopal Convention — "Philanthropic Baltimore" — "How the Other Half Lives" — Tribute from the Editor of the CnViV— Letter from a Nationalist— From E. W. Blatchford — Bible Institute — Letter from Pres. Harper — Letters from Brothxiv

CONTENTS.

er Clergymen— The Eclectic Club— Letter from Rev. Dr. Scholl —Bu letins— Passage from "Our Paper"— From the Congregational Index Why I am a Congregationalist"— Moody and bankey- Mr. Stickney— "A Loyal Congregationalist." . 426.

CHAPTER XXXIL

The Winans Tenements— Edward's Betrothal to Miss Nunn— The "Deestnck Skule"— Edward Makes His Residence in the Tenements—Commencem.ent of the Winans Tenement Work— Letter from Mr. Thomson— The Art Loan Exhibition— Appointed Member of Advisory Committee of Congress of Missions— Trip to World's Fair— Returns and Preaches on Fair— Letter from- Rev. Maltbie D. Babcock— Last Adirondack Trip— Letter from Rev. Mr. Davis

CHAPTER XXXHL

Preaches at Beverly— Letter from Miss Tracy— Preaches for Two- Sundays at Marblehead Neck— Free Talks at Crocker Park- Letter from Mr. Frank Broughton— From Mrs. Whitcomb— From Mrs. Caroline E. Tyler— From Rev. J. M. Marston— From Mrs. Shannon— From Mrs. Helen M. Gulliver— From James Buckham— From Miss Julia E. Ward— From Nathan Haskell Dole— Edward's Mother and Sister and Miss Nunn Visit the World's Fair— Plans for Miss Nunn— Emerson College. . 454

CHAPTER XXXIV.

Sermons on Employers and the Employed— Letter from Mr. Henderson— From Dr. Steiner — Address before Johns Hopkins University Y. M. C. A.— Reports by a Student and by Dean Griffin— Edward Attends American Board Meeting at Worcester — Letter from Mrs. Prof. Cutler— From Prof. E. P. Sanford— From Rev. George W. Wood 461

CHAPTER XXXV.

Edward Reaches Linden Home— The Exchange at Roxbury—Committee from Manchester, N. H., Church Present — Edward Called to Manchester — He Visits the Ground — Letter from Manchester — Letters from Delegates — Letter from Prof. Griffin — From a Manchester Paper — Sketch by the Parish Visitor — Letters from Rev. Dr. Clapp 467

CHAPTER XXXVI.

First Symptons of Illness — Note from Miss Tyson — Letter from Deacon Cressy — Pulpit Supplies Secured for the Next Sunday — Mrs. Nunn's Visit— Letter from Edward Nunn— From Mrs. Smith — John Hopkins Surgeon Called in Consultation — Removal to Hospital and Operation — Arrival of Dear Ones — Letters and

CONTENTS.

XV

Telegrams — Letters from Rev. Dr. Spalding — Words of Edward's Nurse — Letter from a Friend — From a Johns Hopkins Student — Through Conflict to Resignation — Dr. Halsted's Testimony— Dr. Bloodgood's. 476-

CHAPTER XXXVIL

Words of Sympathy from a Catholic Priest, Father Starr — Letters

from Manchester — Question of Burial Place Baltimore

Chosen — Body Embalmed and Placed in Church Parlor — Letter from Miss Amelia Knipp — The Funeral — The Flowers — Clergymen's Addresses — At the Grave — Extract from Sermon of Rev. Hiram Vrooman — Tribute from James Buckham. . 487

CHAPTER XXXVin.

List of Resolutions Received — Manchester Church to Baltimore Church — Personal Tributes — From Rev. Edward T. Root — ^John Haynes, a Johns Hopkins Student — Memorial Service of Y. P. S. C. E. of Baltimore Church — From Junior Endeavor Society — From Primary Department — From Plymouth Y. P. S. C. E., Syracuse — Poughkeepsie Memorial Service — Memorial of Syracuse Browning Club — Remarks at Sing Sing Memorial Service. 497

CHAPTER XXXIX.

The Bereaved Mother Finds Relief in Work of Hand and Heart — Edward's Interpretation of Graciousness — Birthday Song — Letter from Mr. Miiller of Berlin — Crumbs of Comfort — The Postman's Sympathy — Letter from Prof. Adams — His Remarks to the Seminary — Remarks of Rev. Dr. Creegan at Manchester Church — Tribute from Rev. Mr. Bacon S06

CHAPTER XL -

Severe Sickness of Edward's Mother — Revision of His Missionary Lectures — Tablet in Baltimore Church — Letters from Rev. Joseph B. Stitt, Rev. Dr. S. M. Newman and Rev. D. M. Beach — Edward's Sermon Case — Erection of Tablet in Poughkeepsie Church — Lawrence Memorial Association and Lawrence House — Letter from Rev. Thomas Young — The New Lawrence House — Union of the First Congregational and Associate Reformed Churches, Baltimore — Gifts to the New Lawrence House — "He Never Comes." 512

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Frontispiece. Edward and His Mother.

No. 2. Eddie on a Festal Occasion.

No. 3. Edward in His Boyhood.

No. 4. Linden Home.

No. 5. Edward's Sister Meta.

No. 6. Edward as a Student Abroad.

No. 7. Edward A. Lawrence, D. D.

No. 8. A Class in the Lawrence House.

No. 9. Edward in His Ministry.

No. 10. The Lawrence House.

Introduction

No one, I am sure, who was privileged to witness the peculiarly close and tender relationship subsisting between Edward A. Lawrence and his mother can read these pages without thankful recognition of the fitness of the hand that was chosen, in the providence of God, to record the earthly life of his beloved servant. The graciousness, the chivalry, the protecting gentleness of this strong man's affection for her to whom he owed his being, and, on the other side, the tender pride, the trustful dependence, the utter loyalty of mother-love, were a constant joy and benediction to all who knew Mrs. Lawrence and her son — an object lesson in the ideal parental and filial love. And now that, in God's inscrutable wisdom, the son has been called away from earth, it is no small compensation to their wide circle of friends that his venerable mother has been enabled to prepare this Memorial.

None other could have been more truly commissioned for the work; none other could have performed it with such loving fidelity, or enriched it with a personal enthusiasm so abounding and so winning.

This book, then, besides being a faithful and vivid record of a peculiarly noble and fruitful life, is a mother's sacred tribute to her son. It is a record full of interest not only to the hundreds who were personally acquainted v/ith Dr. Lawrence, but to all who appreciate the charm of vital biography. I confidently believe that this book is destined to take its place among the enduring books in its class — the biographies of men and women who have abounded in life and helpfulness ; and I unhesitatingly commend it to the general reader as a book rich in interest and stimulus.

From his boyhood, Edward Lawrence was an embodiment of defined purpose, of consecrated energy, and an eager desire for serviceableness. How he grew and blossomed and ripened into the fruit of his strong, earnest manhood, is simply and lovingly told in the following chapters. The story ought to be an inspiration to every young man and woman. It is the record of that rare and yet xviii

INTRODUCTION.

ever possible thing in human nature, the full and utmost use of opportunity. Here was a cup of life brimful in every way — brimful of developed native power; of earnest, consecrated purpose; of evident appreciation of and joy in all the good of existence, of all manner of affection and truth and sincerity and graciousness. In a word, Edward Lawrence was one of the few Christlike men; and the lesson of his life, as I read it, is the beauty of that rounded, all-embracing and all-appropriating life that was in our Master. It has been said of some men that whatever they touched became beautiful. Of Mr. Lawrence, I think, it might be even more pertinently said that whatever touched him became beautified. He had a wonderful power of taking all sorts and conditions of men and things into that great, brotherly, appreciative heart of his, and so transforming them that one might behold their divine pattern or ideal, — the good that is at the heart of everything God has made. This was Christ's way of redeeming the world — by revealing to it its own innate but obscured goodness and beauty. Those who knew Dr. Lawrence in his pastoral relation will recognize, in retrospect, how like his Master he was in his conception of humanity, and his method of seeking its re- -demption.

Along with this broad humanity, this catholicity of sympathy and taste, Mr. Lawrence had a most joyous love of nature, and a keen ^est in life itself, physical as well as mental and spiritual. His breadth of interest and appreciation goes far to prove that the proioundest love of man and the sincerest love of nature not only may co-exist but ought to co-exist. What vigor he brought to his human ministrations out of that abounding nature-love, out of his communion with the woods and the hills and the streams, out of his strength-giving and brain-clearing tramps, out of his Adirondack vacations, which were such a lease of joy and inspiration ! And how he loved nature in its lowliest forms! — just as he loved chil- -dren and sin-weakened men and women. Some of his thoughts about nature are almost mystical in their depth of sympathy, their insight, their emotional tenderness.

And yet with all his broad humanity, with all his virile zest in life and abounding love of nature, this most catholic man was distinctively a scholar. He came of a race of scholars on both sides of the -family, a race of famous theologians, preachers and teachers. His -maternal grandfather, Leonard Woods, of Andover, was one of the -most distinguished of the older school of American theologians. His -uncle, also Leonard Woods, was a learned president of Bowdoin College. His father was a theological professor and a preacher of

INTRODUCTION.

xix

.•great power and sweetness. His mother has taken high rank among American writers and reformers, being the author of such well-known books as The Broken Bud, Light on the Dark River, Marion ■Graham, and The Tobacco Problem. She was the originator, and, in conjunction with the Rev. Washington Gladden and others, the writer of Parish Problems, and has also contributed widely to the press. These literary and scholarly gifts naturally descended to Dr. Lawrence; while his philosophical and linguistic attainments, and his remarkable powers as a public speaker, have been remarked by many. He was considered a student of rare promise while studying theology in Germany. The distinguished Tholuck conceived a warm personal friendship for him, and prophesied a career of brilliant achievement for the young American. Everywhere, even as a young man, he was the acknowledged peer and fit associate of scholars. His information, his culture, his philosophical depth and ■keenness, were a constant source of pride and delight to his friends and companions. The carefully arranged and labelled contents of his sermon-case, now at "Linden Home," show the wideness and thoroughness of his investigations and the richness of his working ■material.

The personal tributes scattered through this Memorial evince how intimately and broadly Dr. Lawrence appealed to all classes and all ages. He was verily "all things to all men" — not in the negative, <;onforming sense, but positively and formatively. He appealed to the best in every one, and with such effectiveness that rarely did he fail to elicit that response which leads to the quickening and upbuilding of character. There was in him a moral and spiritual magnetism that both attracted others and imbued them with its own vital quality. How unanimously those with whom he came in con- ■tact, even for the briefest periods of time, testify that his personality was an inspiration and help to them ! He had some large gift of inward life for all, from childhood to age. To be near him was to share his strength and the courage and hope of his splendid manhood.

With all these rare qualities and brilliant gifts, Edward Lawrence ■ conceived that his mission in life lay chiefly among the neglected "other half;" and during his later years he more and more gave his time and his rich resources of mind and heart to the practical solution of the problem of the poor in our large cities. His tenement-house work in Baltimore was just reaching the point where his heart could be cheered by the prospect of practical success when he ■was called away, leaving his plans to be matured by others. One

XX

INTRODUCTION.

cannot help feeling that the science of Sociology has suffered a great loss by his removal. And that he is sincerely missed and mourned by the poor of more than one American city, is proved by many expressions of sympathy received by his mother after his call to the higher life.

Perhaps, to the general reader, the tributes with which this Memorial is crowded may seem overdrawn, and the compiler may be accused of selecting only those whose tone is distinctly laudatory. But the writer of this Introduction wishes to assume responsibility for the insertion of every tribute ; and he can assure the reader that it would have been difficult to find any less eulogistic in character. It was by the writer's solicitation, also, that Mrs. Lawrence was prevailed upon to admit the references to herself either in her son's correspondence, or in letters from others, which have seemed necessary to the completeness of this Memorial. And further, for all personal references that might involve a feeling of delicacy on the part of the relatives or intimate friends of Mr. Lawrence, I desire to be held responsible.

By urgent request of friends, and those who have assisted in preparing this Memorial, Mrs. Lawrence has consented to the use of the photograph in which she appears with her son, — a fitting testimony, it would seem, to her close and vital relation both with her son's life and his biography.