The New York herald., 1871-02-20
SERVICES In WASHINGTON.
Institution of the Rector of st.
Marks Episcopal Church.
ThrOngs Of Strangers at the Metropolitan
Methodist Church.
Eloquent Sermon by the Rev. DR.
Newman.
ST. MARKS EPISCOPAL CHURCa.

Institution of tho Rector, iev. A. r. Steele
Imposing Ceremonies by the Bishop Of
Maryland-Sermon by DIR. Starkey ON che
Institutions Of the Church.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10, 1871
For several weeks past the congregation Of st.
Marks Protestant Episcopal chapel have been de-
prived OF their usual place OF worship by the re-
moval OF the church building from South A,
between Secoud and Third Streets to the lot corner
of Third and streets. The former site was q por-
ton Of the Beale estate, and was sold to Colonel
Holden to be improved by two large houses like
those which already adorn that block. The church
was, therefore, removed to the present loca-
tioo, the grounds OF which were purchased by the
congregation. The building has been neatly re.
paired, and the minister, Mr.. A. F. Steele, to
whose labors the parish is Indebted for much OF its
prosperity, was this morning formally instituted at
the regular service according to the ritual OF the
Church.
The Right Rev. w. r. Nottingham, Bishop of
Maryland, performed the ceremony Of institution.
assisted by Rev. DR.. Starkey, OF the Church of The
Epiphany, and Rev. j. Vaughn Lewis, Of st. Johns.
The font and pulpit were beautifully decorated with
natural flowers. The Bishop presented Mr. Steele,
with his credentials after which the senior warden
gave the 'keys OF the church to the incumbent,
Book OF Common Prayer. The Bible, the ritual
OF the Episcopal service and the books OF canons OF
offered and accepted by the same ceremonial. The
sermon was delivered by the Rev. DR.. Starkey, and
was addressed more especially to the pastor, par
taking OF the character OF the rites. He said the
occasion was one OF significant interest and Illus
tratve or the practical
SUCCESSION OF APOSTOLIC AUTHORITY.
The Church has within 1t no schlsm. Its mIniste.
rial power Is unquestioned. The parish deacon
ceive5 his authority from the bishop, and
for the furtherance or the good work TO
which he Is today instituted, tine scosest
unity should exist between the people and the pas
tor In holy baptism we are made new; so each rite
OF the Church imposes fresh obligations. God en-
dowed the apostles with their power, the apostles
the ministers, ana the ministers the people, the
Great Head bestowing His grace individually The
pastor must feel II Is the divine law he Is called
upon to illustrate. ana ne should not be ntmuated
through the fear Of man. though truth should some
times make his sermons dstasteful to them, for
when the words were according to Gods teaching
they must prevail aud his congregation should sus-
tain him.
OUR DIVINE HEAD. JESUS CHRIST,
sends out His ministerial officers. A deacon is not
strictly PASTOR but his authority lies the grace
OF prlestly power. Our Lord calls Himself the good
shepherd, knowing His sheep and leading them; SO
the pastor Is the head Of his flock bidding them fol-
low him, Knowing he has the confidence OF his
peoples and so your pastor to-day bids you follow
has abored so manfully. The little church was the
gift of friend, and they would all press on IN the
same spirit OF iberality, according to their ability
they would all be victorious in the end, bOtn In the
accomplishment OF the material labors and the
cessful spiritual advancement which would receive
the greater reward at the Masters hands,