EXCEPTIONAL VINTAGE 1885 AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED BISHOP/AUTHOR PHILLIPS BROOKS for Sale

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EXCEPTIONAL VINTAGE 1885 AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED BISHOP/AUTHOR PHILLIPS BROOKS For Sale

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EXCEPTIONAL VINTAGE 1885 AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED BISHOP/AUTHOR PHILLIPS BROOKS :
$279.99

EXCEPTIONAL VINTAGE 1885 AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED BISHOP/AUTHOR PHILLIPS BROOKSOffered is an outstanding lengthy (over 200 words in his hand) letter, dated September 26, 1885, by PHILLIPS BROOKS, clergyman and author of the popular Christmas Hymn: "O Little Town of Bethlehem".
Letter is accompanied by a 4"x 6" photo of Reverend Brooks as well as a certified "Certificate of Authenticity" from Todd Mueller Autographs.

Handwritten, 2-page adjoining paper, dated Sept. 26, 1885. The letter is to Horace Russell, Esq. and reads in part "I shall not seem to do them dishonor if I find myself once more unable to escape from their Festival. I am afraid that it will always be so. But I am sure you will believe that I am very grateful for the invitation which I am compelled to decline and that if it were possible to come with out neglecting duties here I surely shant be with you. I am Your most Sincerely Phillips Brooks." Comes with a vintage book photo of Phillips Brooks. Folding crease, otherwise, excellent.

(1835-1893) Phillips Brooks was anAmerican Episcopalclergyman and author, long theRectorof Boston'sTrinity Churchand brieflyBishop of Massachusetts. He wrote the lyrics of the Christmas hymn, "O Little Town of Bethlehem".

He is honored on theEpiscopal Church liturgical calendaronJanuary 23.

During theAmerican Civil Warhe upheld the cause of the North and opposed slavery, and his sermon on the death ofAbraham Lincolnwas an eloquent expression of the character of both men. His sermon at Harvard's commemoration of the Civil War dead in 1865 likewise attracted attention nationwide.In 1869 he became rector ofTrinity Church, Boston; today, his statue is located on the left exterior of the church.

Brooks wrote that his only ambition was "to be a parish priest and, though not much of one, [I] would as a college president be still less". Under his inspiration, architectHenry Hobson Richardson, muralistJohn LaFarge, and stained glass artistsWilliam MorrisandEdward Burne-Jonescreated an architectural masterpiece in Trinity Church, Boston.

He was for many years an overseer and preacher ofHarvard University. In 1881, he declined an invitation to be the sole preacher to the university and professor of Christian ethics. On April 30, 1891, he was elected sixth Bishop of Massachusetts, and on October 14 was consecrated to that office in Trinity Church.

He died unmarried in 1893, after an episcopate of only 15 months. His death was a major event in the history of Boston. One observer reported: "They buried him like a king. Harvard students carried his body on their shoulders. All barriers of denomination were down. Roman Catholics and Unitarians felt that a great man had fallen in Israel."