Stories from the First Cathedral 14: The Rev George Brayton Whipple

Did you know that Bishop Whipple had a brother? Yes, he did! His name was George and he was younger by eight years.

"In a letter, the Bishop described his brother as 'a man of decidedly Evangelical views,' 'simple-hearted and earnest,' and 'opposed to ritualism is all its forms'." (The First Cathedral, by the Venerable Benjamin Ives Scott and Robert Neslund). George was an Episcopal priest who was ordained in 1862 and served on the Sandwich Islands for three years. He married Mary Mills (1829- 1911) and spent the majority of his ministry in Faribault. He was an instructor at Seabury Episcopal Seminary in Faribault and served doing priestly duties at the First Cathedral as well as being his brother's secretary.  George and Mary had two daughters, Emma (1864-1878) and Eva (1866-1897). George was a very compassionate man who was often described as having personal qualities that were Christ-like, and his heart was always full of giving to those in need. George died at the young age of 58 in Nantucket while recovering from a spinal disease. There are many stories I have enjoyed reading about George. The story that is my favorite has to do with his conversion and it was shared by Bishop Whipple after George's death while laying the cornerstone of the George Brayton Whipple Memorial Guild House (yes, the very one standing today) . 

"George had always loved the sea. In his youth he had read Dana's Two Years Before the Mast and longed to go whaling. After graduation from college he wanted 'to see the world' and signed on.

After they had been out for two years, they one day struck an enormous whale; the creature no sooner felt the harpoon than it turned upon the boat and with a stroke of its tail threw the craft in the air; and as the whale dove, George Whipple was caught in a coil of rope, which would have cut him in two, had it not been for a broad belt of heavy leather which he wore. When the whale rose, George was in some way disentangled, and found himself near the overturned boat, on which he climbed in company with others; and that night, in the midst of the stormy sea, he gave his heart to Christ and His service" (The First Cathedral a book by the Venerable Benjamin Ives Scott and Robert Neslund).