date. Last evening we had the largest, most harmonious and enthusiastic church meeting ever held in our chapel. After a free and kindly interchange of opinions, the unanimous recommendation of our committee was accepted and adopted by a rising vote; we did not have to ask even a small minority to join with us and make the vote or call unanimous, for there was not one opposing vote. We believe that this result is in answer to our earnest prayers that God by His Holy Spirit would lead or guide us in the man of our choice. Sincerely yours,

E. T. Baldwin.

Writes one of the lady delegates to a friend:

I have been praying for nine months that we might be able to unite on some one whom we could call to be our pastor. . When the question was put and a rising vote taken, it seemed to me there must have been two hundred who voted yes and not one who opposed. Then, at a suggestion of some one, "Praise God from whom all blessings flow," was sung right heartily, while the meeting was closed by singing, "All hail the power of Jesus' name." If Dr. Lawrence could have looked into the happy faces of that audience and heard their conversation, as they gathered together in little groups, I think he would feel that the indications of providence pointed pretty strongly to Manchester as his next field of labor.

But I must tell you that another committee was present to hear Dr. Lawrence, and were ready to call him, but were told that we had the precedence, as the exchange was arranged on our account.

Another writes:-"I have been connected with the church more than twenty-five years, and never attended such a gathering where everyone seemed so happy at the prospect which seemed to open before us."

Tidings of the call from Manchester brought Edward those evidences of affection and loyalty from his people which are always grateful to a pastor. And the following appreciative words from Professor Griffin, of Johns Hopkins University, gave him much satisfaction:

I have sympathized strongly with you in your general views regarding theological and sociological questions. Your attitude before your people and in the community has been that of a public-spirited, largehearted man, whose conception of the Christian minister is broad enough to take in the whole of life, and to lead you to serve those to whom you minister in ways which some of your brethren overlook. I am sure that the church will suffer a very serious loss should you thing it best to go, and we hope that the way of duty may not lead you elsewhere.

The tearful entreaties of some, that he would not leave, made the thought of parting which had all along been hard

still more painful. "My main reason for going," he writes, "is that it would be easier for Lowry to begin work with me in a new field. But for that, I should hardly have allowed them to extend a call."

At the same time, he could not escape the conviction that there was opened to him an important field deserving the most prayerful consideration. The committee expressed their readiness to give him farther information as to the church either at Baltimore or Manchester, as he preferred. A clipping from a Manchester paper expresses Edward's views as to his call:

WORDS OF CHEER.

The following extract from a letter to the committee recently received from Dr. Lawrence will, at this time, be of special interest to the readers of Church Progress. Having referred with much feeling to the spirit of confidence and enthusiasm with which the call had been made, and to his thankfulness for the trust that had been shown, causing him at times to feel distrustful of his ability to realize such large hopes as seem to have been fixed on his coming, he adds, "I feel that my final decision can only be made after I have looked your people in the face, ministered to them, tested the acoustic properties of the church and learned whether the people make the same response to my presence as they have made to your report."

The committee feel that they can promise our people the pleasure of listening to Dr. Lawrence some Sunday in November.

The sketch by the parish visitor, sent to Edward's mother several months after he had passed from earth, is given here as a summary of the whole affair:

The First Congregational Church in Manchester, N. H., had been for eight or nine months without a pastor, when the attention of its committee, consisting of thirty members, chosen from church and society, was directed to the work and worth of Edward A. Lawrence, D. D., of Baltimore. The testimony of mutual friends and the published accounts of his success as a pastor and his beneficent social enterprises, led many to believe that he was the one for whom they were waiting, and a large delegation took advantage of an exchange which had been effected to hear him preach in Roxbury, Mass., Oct. 15, 1893. The favorable impression already received was heightened by the two sermons heard that day. Dr. Lawrence was approached by members of the committee that night, and the probability of his receiving a call from the Manchester church was there announced. An invitation to return with the party and see the church and city was accepted by him, and, on the following evening a little company of

interested people met him at an informal reception at the home of one of the committee.

Memories of Dr. Lawrence, of his genial courtesy, and the happy friendliness of his manner, of his enthusiastic and wise discussion of problems of the church and kingdom, will be treasured by all who were favored by intercourse with him on those two days.

At largely attended meetings of both church and society, the committee of thirty presented the name of Dr. Lawrence as their choice of a pastor, and their recommendation was enthusiastically and unanimously adopted.

The following is the formal call as sent to Dr. Lawrence, Oct. 26, 1893:

Manchester, N. H., Oct. 26, 1893.

Rev. Edward A. Lawrence, D. D.,

Dear Sir:

In presenting to you the action of the First Congregational Church and Society of this city in the matter of extending to you a call to become their pastor, we, the committee appointed, desire to make some statements which we trust will influence you to accept it. First, the great unanimity with which the call is given. After hearing all the evidence that the committee had gathered in relation to your adaptability to our church, together with the testimony of the large number who heard you preach at Roxbury on the 15th of this month, our people have accepted this accumulation of evidence in your favor as entirely satisfactory, and so voted to extend to you this call with enthusiastic unanimity, the meeting of the church being the largest held for years for the transaction of business.

Second, the situation of our church in the largest city of the state presents a field of usefulness for a Christian minister rarely found, giving such an one ample scope for his best efforts, and affording him a commanding position, if he puts himself in sympathy with the churches of the state. These churches are constantly sending their young men here, and they naturally look to the pastor of the church to exercise Christian care over them.

Third, the large number of young people in our congregation is of itself stimulating and gives grounds for large expectations to a minister.

These pastorless months of patient waiting and prayer have seemed to unify our hearts and desires for one to lead us to more efficient Christian service. We confidently trust that the same guiding hand which has led us to this conclusion will lead you to a decision in harmony with our action and desire. Therefore, we present to you the action of the church and society, and cordially invite you to accept this united call, on the terms indicated therein, to become our pastor. Should you do so, we are sure our people will respond heartily to your leadership in all efforts to build up the kingdom of Christ. Sincerely yours,

The Committee.

Dr. Lawrence had acknowledged the receipt of the above call and had promised to visit the city Nov. 17th to 20th inclusive, as it was his wish that the people should have an opportunity of hearing him before the business arrangements were consummated. Before that

time arrived, however, he was stricken with the disease which terminated his earthly career, dying on the very day on which he was expected in Manchester.

He had so lived in the minds and hearts of that people during the month of negotiation, that there was felt, not only a keen disappointment as a church, but also a deep sense of personal bereavement by many who had never even seen him.

His portrait still hangs among those of the pastors of the church, and he himself dwells in the affections of the people.

It may not be amiss to introduce here a letter from Rev. Dr. T. Eaton Clapp, which tells its own story:

Manchester, N. H., February 2nd, 1899.

My Dear Mrs. Lawrence:Will a note supplemented to Miss Dana's narrative of your dear son's call to the First Congregational Church at Manchester, N. H., with its pathetic and tragic termination, be out of place in his biography? Associated as fellow pastors in Syracuse, he quickly won my admiration for his manliness, scholarship, pulpit ability,, and evangelical zeal. One of the pleasing incidents of my departure for Portland, Oregon, was the discovery that I owed my call in part to his kindness.

About the time of his call to Manchester, circumstances personal led us to seek an Eastern residence. Whereupon I made inquiry of him concerning vacant churches to which I might secure an introduction. This inquiry was followed in a few weeks by an absolutely unexpected call to Manchester as the successor of my lamented friend, whose departure was such an extended and profound shock. As already said, my call to Manchester was an utter surprise, and it was months later before the cause came to my knowledge. Then it was known to be a sweet after-fruit of our friendship. My letter of inquiry, reaching Baltimore after his death, was forwarded to you, my dear Mrs. Lawrence; your tender thoughtfulness guided the church toward me and led to invitation and settlement. Your large heart adopted all the friends of your sainted son; and at a time when you had a special right to forget them, your generous purpose was at work to put one of these friends at the task which death compelled your dear son to lay down. Thus God has yoked our lives together and wrapped his consecrated mantle around me.

So my settlement at Manchester has always seemed specially sacred -like the water of Bethlehem's fountain to the thirsty shepherd king. It was the outcome of a hallowed friendship, seconded by a rare mother-love. It is impossible to pay this little tribute without intruding myself into the story, where it has no right to be. My simply plea is that only in such way could the offering be made.

Ever gratefully yours,

T. Eaton Clapp.

A few additional words from Dr. Clapp are given, which were written just after his settlement over the Manchester church:

"It will please you to know of the continued and most tender reference made daily to your son. The thought of the faithfulness and efficiency with which his work here would have been prosecuted is an inspiration to me. He may be following the life of the church, which is very unusual in its welcome to us. There is also a fine docility which promises easy leadership."