New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-04-03
A NEW PASTORS PLATFORM

NEW PASTORS PLATFORM
The Rev. H. W. Dondid at me church oJ ne Ascsnston
| The Church of the Ascension, at FIfth-ave
and feminist, yesterday welcomed s rector tho
Rev e. W. Donald. who several years the rector
OF the Church Of the IntercessiOn, al Washington
Heights. personal description Of Mr.. Donald and
brief sketch Of his life published in THE TRTBrvr
when he received the call by hs present church Iii.
text yesterday morning was from Luke XIX 81, IS:
And wlen lie was come NIGH even now at the descent
OF the Mount Of Olives the whole multitude Of the dis
cples began to rejoice and praise God with loud
voice for all the mighty works they had seem saying
Blessed be the King that cometh in the Of tie
Lord peace in Heaven and glory in the highest"
Jesus founded a Church, said the preacher and In
trusted its development and growth to who should
be perpetually under the guidance OF the Holy Spirit
II meant to be the place into which man could bring
all his and them to for the victory
OF goodness II individual lives full Of the helpful.
ness OF love, compassion and sympathy which make
communion Of saints benefit to the world. The English
Church to-day is furthur from disestablishment than
ever because in the last forty years there has been
vya Of Christian work, return to the original
ing Of the Church. This reviving spirit took the con-
servatve, dgnihed English parson to the place whore
tOiling, dreadng. cursing and drinking, and
asked him what he was doing for these souls And
the Church went TO work MORE not
striving now to absolve from a theological
ain, but to deliver them from the sin Of tho
the Episcopal Church In America is the strong ana
ing Church above all Others as so many signs denote It
is not because her liturgy has capacity to receive tie I'M
press Of the aesthetic spirit ~ the day. but because she
alive the wants and questionings Of modern e
Der chapes and her missions hospitals, homes Shelters
dispensares and workingmen's clubs-what are these
but the cries that up from the toiers
and the poor All these efforts to do good originate and
are carried on by mans love Of God
To-day various machinees, forces and material Of
This historic parish placed in my hands to be guided
and used by imnlicliion ! am asked to declare to
what I hold 10 be the meaning and purpose OF this
special parish OF the great Church OF Jesn' Jrs, ana
deayor to make this parish fountain OF spiritual bless
service to mankind aud to confer n benefit upon
souls. out Of what this church has been must
never fetter Its different powers It's history will inspire
blf handicap it, wish to DE 70 ms neghD0rhood
felt force It's long and loyal devotion TO venerated
methods and forms win not must not keep 1t from break
ing away from them when tho result they were meant
70 compass has been secured and they are no longer
fitted for tOiays men and mra assures It's glory Is not Ia
the mumifcence of its gifts its past record, not
lime Wv When the bold. wise and firm assertion Of
the principles it champloned was necessary to
rigid, sectaransm; IFS true glory Is It's promise
to consecraie rs present NE ana power To no
tasks which, growing out OF ne" condiilohr are crowd
ing doors. We are not an ecclesiastical curiosity
10 be preserved because tell the story of bygone
Zine IN vivid way. We are not monument 70 cotn-
momOrate completed act however splendid ana heroic
IN 4
Grated to whatever tasks ana duties me Master IA, Tor
Us do. We to live unto our own day a. our fathers
lived unto theirs We are to minister to the needs o. the
present New occasions teach new dulles; and II Is 10
meet them. render real service to man and TO confer
q real benefit npOn mans Hie-that Is the purpose IOr
which this parish exists go,
morning There meet here two generations one denti-
fed with the events and spirit OF twenty years ago,
which cherlshes the history Of those times and hnds t
hard to work with the methods OF la day;
just coming TO the iuluess OF young man
hood and cannot revere anu cnhg 10 Whal the 1her
lo1it is
influence That is the condition In which we fnd our.
selves and in which must work What does 1t meant
To me il seems strong aud beautiful condition, the
seryaism forever bringing out It's experiences,
its treasures of wisdom, aud the enthusiasm OF
youth illimitable hopefuness and courage. Wisdom
and enthusiasm! Wisdom kept from fatal allance
with stagnaton, and enthusiasm kept from ianateism
or radcaiisn These virtues make the strong man,
strong church But there must be spirit OF charity
and concession exercised by each OF these Two elements
in our parish life Let the younger eIehen, 'envrStg
and value the experience OF the elder ana Win al
humility say let the elders, remembering ther own en-.
YOUTH glad lOr al the Ifcsn, eager, young
life that Is ermentng here, waiting with proud shoui-
the burden OF responsibility ana WOIk.ASe tL7
complement of youth az youth The complement oI age
The request is that speak with reverence II
this parish Let us have only good words Tor her Ihere
parishes whose history covers only the eIOuno Oh
nlessIng have run out 70 water thirsty lands. fne
Church OF the Ascension Is known ana blessed by men
languages prayed God to bless and prosper her To ei
cation religion and polly she has made spItnnd coEir-
a noble work No longer let some Of rs speak OF her
doubungly Or dIsparag'ugly but rcYerenuy Lovingly,
I take this work to-day from the hand almost of one
who was to me father, brother ANA friend VI his
immense contribution 10 the work OF uniting in last-
mg union, let Us hope, the opposing paru's III the
church; of hi- believing and scholarly support VI ms
sons his IN eNtrcang from tue contloVeF.
and distinctive criticism Of our time historical and
sc.cutic, precious jewels or our faith, ana seng
them IN a new crown 10 burn and glow with unllml-
i.hed splcndOr; OF the ncart too tender ana Too lu
almost Tor the fral body; all this others have spoken
would my voice to speak hat heart AM head
would ur-e. But his great love for aud faith Ia tbs
parish aln proud TO bear my testimony.
= a a
estate GROUPED around plough whose share just lersce
the ,od The srringmc and The long toll from breaking
ground replng harvest Is TO begin keNcrcnty thry
uncover and bend the minister spreads out S haCs
ana SAWS In the Of God, Amen on THIS FIRST
morning OF our new relation, as our work together
begins let minister aud people, bow down anu say,
IN Inc nalne of God. Amen."