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press the sentiment of the vestry when they say, that if there should be any consideration which renders it imperative, or necessary that there be some interval between the acceptance of the call, and the entrance upon duty, we feel quite disposed to accord it.

Hoping for an early reply, we remain your friends,
Very sincerely,

Senior Warden S. M. Valentine
Clerk of the Vestry W. B. Clerke
Treasurer, Henry A. Oakley.

CHAPTER IV

THE BROOKS PERIOD

1875-1895

HE call to become rector of the Incarnation was

TH

delivered to the Rev. Arthur Brooks, at his

residence in Chicago, by a vestryman of the church. Mr. Brooks had set his heart on spending his life in the west, and in this call to leave there he could not at once recognize that "Divinity which shapes our ends." At this time he was considering an election to the rectorship of St. Luke's Church, Philadelphia. Before deciding between the two calls he visited New York, and found every condition in the parish attractive. Having given due consideration to the matter, and after advising with his brother Phillips, Mr. Brooks declined the call to Philadelphia, and accepted that to the parish of the Incarnation, New York.

The letter of acceptance received from the Rev. Mr. Brooks was dated Chicago, February 15th, 1875.

To the Vestry of the Church of the Incarnation,

Gentlemen:

New York.

At a meeting of the vestry of St. James' Church, Chicago, held a few days since, my resignation as rector was accepted. This leaves me free to accept your call to take charge of the Church which you represent. I do so, with a full sense of the importance of the position, and of the responsibilities which I

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assume in its acceptance. I take that position rely-
ing on that support which you have so fully promised,
in the work which we are to undertake for the cause
of Christ. The past history of your parish makes
me trust that the earnest assistance which was so
fully given to your late lamented rector for so many
years will be continued to his successor in his endeav-
ors, however unworthy, to carry on the work of your
Church. Together, however, our labors must ever
look for success to His blessing, in Whose name alone
we undertake them. I accept your call therefore with
the prayer that we may receive God's blessing in all
its fullness, uniting us, strengthening us, and guiding
us in all that we are called upon to do for Him. The
Lenten season has already opened, and in your parish
as well as my own here, arrangements have been
made for its observance. It also does not seem ad-
visable to interrupt these arrangements, by a change
during this season; I therefore avail myself of your
willingness to wait some weeks, for my actual en-
trance upon the duties of your parish, and will name
the second or third Sunday in April as the day for
assuming my new charge, if that time shall prove ac-
ceptable to you.

With warmest feelings of esteem,

I remain, Yours very truly,

Arthin Brooks.

When the Rev. Arthur Brooks came to New York he found a well-equipped and active parish to welcome him. Like a ship under full sail, whose captain had been suddenly stricken, the parish was forging ahead, and in line with the older and richer ones of the city. Under the late rector the congregation had largely increased, and had been educated to systematic giving, and to take interest in the home and foreign missionary work of the

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