Friday, March 30, 1923

Overcast and cool. Arose 6 A.M. Finished packing trunk etc. B. and D. Classes 8:30 to 10:30 A.M. Good Friday service in chapel  at 10:30 A.M. H. H. Crane delivered sermon. Very good. H.H. and I took 1 P.M. train for Sch'dy. On time. Arrived in Albany 7:25 P.M. Marion met us. She & H.H. over on trolley. I waited hour for train. Father met me with Ford. Home. Talked, supper etc. To bed 12:45 P.M. Thankful for privilege of being home again.

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H.H. (Henry Hitt) Crane (1890-1977) was a Methodist minister and a 1916 graduate of Boston University School of Theology. He was an interesting fellow. His papers are archived at the University of Michigan Bentley Library. You can also read about him at University of Virginia's Social Networks website. Here is an excerpt from that article:

Crane's first pastorate in Gorham, Maine was interrupted by the First World War. In 1917, he took a leave from his church to serve with the Y.M.C.A. in front line duty. His exposure here to the brutalities of war transformed Crane into a pacifist, a position to which he would adhere for the remainder of his life. Crane returned to Gorham for a brief period of time, then moved on to a Newton, Massachusetts church for two years from 1918 to 1920. For nine years (1920-1928), he was pastor of the Centre Methodist Church in Malden, Massachusetts. In 1928, he was appointed pastor of the Elm Park Methodist Church in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Located in the heart of the anthracite coal region, Elm Park was ranked as one of the three greatest Methodist Episcopal churches in the nation. Here Crane bolstered his reputation for controversy, organizing meetings of the American League Against War and Fascism, which the American Legion had labeled as "communistic." While at Elm Park, Crane took a year-long (1936-1937) sabbatical to tour the world to study for himself world conditions and the political tumult then occurring in Europe and the Far East.

Interesting that he was able to stay such a long time in one place twice in his career. His next assignment, for instance, was to Detroit Central Methodist Church, where he stayed for 20 years (1938-1958), until he retired. Stanford was a Michigan minister for the whole of his career. So he and Stanford probably met again when they both belonged to the same conference. 

Thursday, March 29, 1923

Beautiful, bright and cool. Arose 6 A.M. Studied. B.& D. Classes 8:30-11:30 A.M. Dinner. Worked. Haircut. Talked. Packed trunk etc. Supper. To Public Library. To 31 Normory [Norway] St. To Unitarian Church with M.L.Y. to hear "The Passion." Very good. Walked and talked. To bed 12:30 P.M. Thankful for friends.

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Stanford is apparently heading home on Friday, so wanted to spend a little time with Mary Leah before he left. How nice!

Wednesday, March 28, 1923

Fair but a cold air and penetrating wind. Arose 7:30 A.M. B. & D. Classes 8:30-10:30 A.M. Read. Ernest & I swept out room. Dinner. Worked 12 M - 2 P.M. Class and chapel. Letter home. Played rook. Supper. Downstreet for Easter cards etc. Studied. To bed 10:45 P.M. Thankful for health.

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At last! Now I know that Ernest is Stanford's roommate!

Below is an Easter post card from around 1923. It is one in a collection of cards by Alice Ellison, on display at Laurel Cottage Genealogy website.

Tuesday, March 27, 1923

Fair, bright, cool and breezy. Arose 7 A.M. B and D. Classes 8:30 to 11:30 A.M. Dinner. Work. Class 2:15. Shower etc. Talked with Purdue. Supper. Read. Prayer meeting. To Public Library with H.H. Studied. To bed 11:30 P.M. Thankful for health.

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Another busy day!

Monday, March 26, 1923

Bright and cool. Arose 7:30 A.M. B. and D. Letter home. Class in Hebrews 10-11:30 A.M. Dinner. Worked 12-2 P.M. Class. Studied. Supper. Studied. Read. Talked. To bed 10:45 P.M. Thank God for friends.

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I guess Stanford didn't have much time to write in his diary today.

Sunday, March 25, 1923

Beautiful, bright, and mild. Arose 7:30 A.M. Breakfast and Devotions. Read. To Holy Cross Cathedral in A.M. with bunch from school. Dinner. Nap. Read etc. To 31 Norway. Out for walk around Fenway etc. To Tremont Temple with M.L.Y. Supper at Childs. Talked. To bed 11:45 P.M. Thankful.

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Holy Cross Cathedral is a Catholic church, the mother church for the Archdiocese of Boston. It's rather an impressive structure, built in 1875. Below are photos of the outside and the inside of the church as they look today. Both are taken from the Wikipedia article on the church.

Saturday, March 24, 1923

Beautiful, bright and cool. Arose 7:30 A.M. B. and D. Studied. Dinner. Worked. Down street. Nap. Letter to E.M.C. [Nellie?] Supper. To market with E.F.S. etc. Studied. To bed 10:30 P.M. Thank God for Christian parents.

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Friday, March 23, 1923

Dark and overcast. Some rain at nite. Arose 7:15 A.M. B and D. [Breakfast and Devotions] Classes 8:30 to 10:30 A.M. Letter home. Dinner. Worked 12 M to 2 P.M. Talked. Played volley ball. Shave, shower, etc. Supper. Studied and talked. To bed 12 P.M. Thankful for friends.

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Thursday, March 22, 1923

Overcast, mild and damp. Arose 7:30 A.M. Breakfast and devotions. Classes 8:30-10:30 A.M. SENIOR DAY. Communion Service at 10:30 A.M. Beebe, Buell & Butters in charge. Dinner. Worked. Short nap. Meeting at 3 P.M. Dr. Gordon gave address on "Success as a Human Being." Very good. Played volley ball. Supper. Studied. Gospel Team Meeting. Shower. To bed 12 P.M. Thank God for all good gifts.

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Wednesday, March 21, 1923

First Day of Spring. Beautiful, bright and mild. Arose 7:30 A.M. Breakfast. Devotions. Classes 8:30 to 10:30 A.M. Letter to Nellie Gallup. Helped sweep out room. Dinner. Worked. Class and chapel. Talked with H.H. and Lipsky. Shower, shave etc. Supper. To Library. Timmerman, Lois, M.L.Y., H.H. & I to see "Lightnin'." Pleasant evening. Talked. To bed 1 A.M. Thankful for association with students at B.U.S.T.

L.E.H.<--> <-->D.T.

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I think the above cryptic symbols mean that Timmerman and Lois were kissing.

"Lightnin'" was apparently a Broadway play that was made into a movie in 1925. Below is the plot (taken from Wikipedia):

The story takes place in the mythical town of Calivada where Lightnin' Bill Jones, or more correctly his wife, operates a rather seedy hotel that straddles the California-Nevada state line convenient for those looking for a quick Nevada divorce. He is nicknamed Lightnin’ because, as the local postmaster put it, “We call him Lightnin’ because he ain’t.” 

Lightnin’ Bill, a Civil War veteran known to brag that he advised General Ulysses S. Grant, also claims to be a jack of all trades, having been at one time or another, a judge, inventor, detective and bee keeper. Of the latter profession he spins the tale that he once drove a swarm across the prairie in the midst of winter without the loss of a single bee. When pressed Lightnin’ Bill concedes that during the drive he may have been stung once or twice. 

Lightnin’ Bill likes to spend his days and nights carousing with cronies rather than being at home with his wife and adopted daughter. When he refuses to go along with the sale of the hotel to group of out-of-town businessmen, his wife becomes furious and files for divorce. In court Lightnin’ Bill, with the help of young John Marvin, is able to prove that the buyers are unscrupulous scoundrels and wins back the love of his wife.

So it's likely that the two couples saw a stage play rather than a movie of the story. 

Tuesday, March 20, 1923

Beautiful, bright and cold. Arose 7:30 A.M. Breakfast. Devotions. Classes 8:30 to 11:30 A.M. Dinner. Worked. Class 2:15. Talked with Purdue. Chapel at 4:15. J. Stitt Wilson spoke again. Good address. Supper. Prayer meeting. "Daddy" Butters led. Senior Night. Very inspirational and good. Played rook. Studied.

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Monday, March 19, 1923

Overcast with some rain. Arose 7 A.M. Letter home. Studied Greek. To Hollis after tickets. Class 10-11:30. Dinner. Worked. Class 2:15. Shaved. J. Stitt Wilson spoke at 4:15. Supper. Studied.

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Wow, quite a brief entry today!

Sunday, March 18, 1923

Beautiful, bright and mild. Arose 7 A.M. Shower etc. Breakfast. Devotions. Read. Called for Nelson. To Malden to Church. Centre M.E. - Henry Crane Pastor. Dinner. To Boston. 1:45 P.M. train for Salem New Hampshire. Walked about. Made a few calls with Turrell and Cameron. Talked at parsonage. Supper. Gospel Team took charge of evening service. I, first speaker. To Boston. To be 12:30 P.M. Thankful.

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Saturday, March 17, 1923

Beautiful, bright and cool. Arose 7:15 A.M. Breakfast, Devotions etc. Talked. Read. Swept out room. Dressed. To Bellevue Hotel to see Wendell Nelson. Dinner. Worked. To Hotel again. Talked. Out for walk. To Bunker Hill etc. To "72". Shaved etc. To supper at Ambassador with H.H. and W.M.N. To see "Just Married" at Plymouth. Bad stuff. Ice cream. Talked etc. To "72". Talked with fellows. To bed 1 A.M. Thankful for Christian Training and friends.

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I'm assuming that Wendell Nelson is a fellow student. Not enough information to know for sure.

The Bellevue Hotel was pretty swanky. Here is a photo of it from 1905 as it appeared in a print ad.

taken from Wikimedia

Friday, March 16, 1923

Overcast. Quite a bit of rain. Arose 7:15 A.M. Washed. Breakfast. Devotions. Classes 8:30-10:30 A.M. Letter Home. Packed laundry. Dinner. Worked. To P.O. Talked with Alex. Stewart. Took nap. Supper. Read, studied etc. To bed 11:45 P.M. Thankful for health and God's temporal blessings.

Woodruff announced engagement.

Thursday, March 15, 1923

Au Revoir Kissel.

Overcast, cool and damp. Arose 7 A.M. Breakfast etc. Classes 8:30-10:30 A.M. Read. Dinner. Worked 12-2 P.M. Class, chapel. Shaved etc. Talked on dancing. Downstreet. Dressed. To 31 Norway Street for M.L.Y. To Junior Class Banquet at Ambassador Restaurant. Musical selections, speeches, reading, Main address by Dr. Vaughn. Very pleasant evening. Walked to and from "31." Talked with H.H. He called up Marion at Dobbs Ferry. Talked with Joseph Purdue. To bed 1:15 P.M. Thankful.

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Wednesday, March 14, 1923

Beautiful, bright and cool. Arose 6:30 A.M. Studied. Breakfast. Devotions. Classes 8:30 to 10:30 A.M. Studied. Cleaned room. Dinner. Worked 12-2 P.M. Class & chapel. Volley ball. Supper and walk with M.L.Y. Studied. Gospel team meeting. To bed 10:45 P.M. Thankful for good parents.

Father contracted for Jewett.

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Tuesday, March 13, 1923

Cloudy. Rain most of day. Wet and sloppy. Arose 7:30 A.M. Breakfast etc. Classes 8:30-11:30 A.M. Dinner. Work. Class & chapel. Haircut. Supper. Studied. Letter home. To P.O. Fire at Adams square. To bed 11:30 P.M. Thankful for friends.

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Monday, March 12, 1923

Overcast and wet. Rain and snow. Arose 7 A.M. Wrote letter home. Class 10-11:30 A.M. Dinner. Work. Class and chapel. Studied. Supper. Studied. To be 10:15 P.M. Thankful.

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The condensed version of Stanford's day.

Sunday, March 11, 1923

Beautiful, bright, and mild. Arose 7 A.M. Shower etc. Read. Breakfast. "D" to Tremont Temple to hear Bishop Hughes. Dinner. Cardwell, Turrell and I to Salem on 1:45 P.M Train. Walked .1 mile to Salem Center. At parsonage with Mr. & Mrs. Thompson. Lunch, talked etc. No E.L. Evening service at 7 P.M. Good congregation. 8:30 Car to Haverhill, 10 P.M. train to Boston. To bed 12 P.M. Thankful for opportunities of service.

**********

Saturday, March 10, 1923

Overcast and mild. Arose 8 A.M. Breakfast etc. Devotions. Studied. Dinner. Worked. H.H. & I to Auto Show 3-6:15 P.M. Great display. Supper. Talked. To 31 Norway. Pleasant call. Lunch. To bed 12:30 P.M. Thankful for good parents.

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Stanford certainly is intrigued by automobiles! Wonder what cars were on display there? Here is a notice that appeared in the 1922 Automobile Trade Journal:

And another evening spent with Mary Leah!

Friday, March 9, 1923

Bright, cool, Melted some. Arose 6:30 A.M. Studied. Breakfast etc. Classes 8:30-10:30 A.M. Letter home. Dinner. Worked. Studied. Walked to 31 Norway with M.L.Y. Supper. Talked, studied etc. Gospel Team meeting. Devotions. To bed 11:45 P.M. Thankful for privilege of prayer.

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Not very detailed today, but walking with Mary Leah is mentioned.

Thursday, March 8, 1923

Bright, cool and breezy. Arose 7 A.M. Breakfast etc. Classes 8:30-11:30 A.M. Dinner. Worked 12-2. Class. Chapel. To General Theological Library to study. Supper. Studied. Shower. To bed 11 P.M. Thankful for privilege of education.

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Wednesday, March 7, 1923

Cold and windy. About 1 foot of snow. A regular winters' blizzard. Arose 7 A.M. Washed, breakfast etc. Classes 8:30-10:30 A.M. Studied. Swept out room. Dinner. Worked. Snow prevented many professors from meeting classes. Studied. Supper. Took walk with H.H. Studied. To bed 10:30 P.M. Thankful for material blessings.

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So, a real snowstorm hits Boston! I guess his professors were not prevented from coming to work!

Tuesday, March 6, 1923

Colder. Snow at night. Arose 7:30 A.M. Washed and shaved. Breakfast with K.S.L. Classes 8:30 to 11:30 A.M. Dinner. Worked 12 M to 2 P.M. Class 2:15. Chapel in charge of Mount Vernon League. Annual reports. Studied. Supper. Played Rook. Studied. To bed 10:50 P.M. Thankful for friends.

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I'm not sure who K.S.L. is or what the Mount Vernon League is. But it seems Stanford had a routine day.

Monday, March 5, 1923

Beautiful and bright. Cooler towards night. Arose 6:15 A.M. Breakfast. Studied. Class 10-11:30 A.M. Dinner. Worked. Class and chapel. Studied. To Symphony Hall to meeting of The Church Peace Union. Irving Fisher of Yale and others spoke. Talked. To bed 11:15 P.M. Thankful.

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The Church Peace Union was founded by Andrew Carnegie in 1914 and still exist today under the name, The Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs. You can read about the organization in Wikipedia. Here is an excerpt from the article:

The Carnegie Council was founded in 1914 by Andrew Carnegie in New York City. Carnegie gathered together numerous religious leaders, scientists and politicians, and appointed them trustees of a new organization, the Church Peace Union (CPU). Carnegie hoped to create, with the religious and secular leaders, a new moral leadership to prevent armed conflict.

The organization is well known for the prominent people it engages to speak at its meetings. Irving Fisher was one such person. You can read about this prominent economist at Wikipedia, an article that also includes his photo, copied below.

Irving Fisher

Sunday, March 4, 1923

Overcast and mild. Thawed. Arose 7 A.M. Breakfast. Shave and shower. Read. Ernest and I to Community Church, Steinert Hall, 162 Boylston Street. Raymond Robins spoke on Russia. Very enlightening & instructive. Dinner at Childs. To "72." Took nap. Wrote letter home. H.H. & I to Park Street C.E. Supper. Talked. Not out on Gospel Team because of troublesome cold. Studied. To bed 11 P.M. Thankful for opportunities.

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Steinert Hall is an underground theater built in 1896 to be used as a concert hall. I presume this is where Stanford and Ernest went for Community Church. Below is a recent photo of the building.

from Wikipedia

Raymond Robins (1873-1954) was an economist, an expert on Russia and socialism and a good speaker, according to what was written at the time about him. See this essay for more information about that aspect of his life. Robins was also an ordained Congregational minister and a worker for social betterment, including advocating for prohibition. His obituary has much to say about his good works. You can find it here: Chicago Tribune. Below is an excerpt and his photo.

from Wikipedia

Saturday, March 3, 1923

Beautiful, bright and mild. Thawed quite a bit. Arose 7 A.M. Breakfast etc. Wrote letter to Ruth. Studied etc. Dinner. Worked. Down street. Took nap. Played rook. Supper. To market. Studied. To bed 11:15 P.M. Thankful for education.

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Pretty routine day. I wonder who he was playing rook with?

Friday, March 2, 1923

Beautiful, bright & mild. Wet under foot. Arose 7:45 A.M. Breakfast. Classes 8:30-10:30 A.M. Finished letter home. Dinner. Worked 12-2 P.M. Talked. Read. Nap. Supper. Studied. Out for walk with brother. Thankful for his company & inspiration. Talked with E.F.S. [Steinkraus] To bed 12:30 P.M.

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Not many details today!

Thursday, March 1, 1923

Bright and mild. Nasty under foot. Arose 7:30 A.M. Breakfast. Classes 8:30-11:30 A.M. Dinner. Worked 12 M - 2 P.M. Chapel 2:15. Dr. Beth of Theological School of Vienna spoke. Shaved etc. Supper. Started letter home. Spring party in evening. I accompanied M.L.Y. Prof Neil read, "An Ideal Husband." Very good. Refreshments. Very pleasant evening. To bed 1:15 A.M. Thankful for friends.

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Karl Beth
taken from University of Vienna

Dr. Beth was Karl Beth, a Professor of Theology at the University of Vienna. In 1927 he became Dean of Theology Faculty. He was one of the many members of the University of Vienna faculty who were expelled from the university in 1938 during the Nazi takeover of Austrian civil service. He was married to a Jewish woman who had converted to Christianity, which may have been one reason he was expelled. He was allowed to emigrate to the United States where he continued teaching, as did his wife, who was a lawyer. He is considered to be one of the founders of the Psychology of Religion.


Nice that Stanford and Mary Leah could go to a party, even if it was sponsored by the School of Theology. Stanford seems to be dating only Mary Leah, so that's a good sign.