The Newtown bee., 1889-12-13
Rev Mir Wilkins Resigns.

After nearly nine years of faithful ser vice, Rev G. M. Wilkins surprised the attendants at Trinity church, last Sun day, by the announcement that he had accepted call to parOchal work in New ork city and that his resignation would at once be handed to the vestry. After the sermon and collection, he said: 'I would like the vestry to meet in the rob ing room at the end of the morning ser vice. 1 have had under serious and prayerful consideration call to under take important parOchial work in the | city of New York. have finally decid- ed, guided, as l believe, by the Holy Ghost, to undertake this work; l have, therefore, prepared my resignation, which, at the close of this service, 1 eX- pect to hand to the vestry. The sever ing of pastoral relation like this, extend ing, as it does, over nearly nine years, brings up very many tender recollectiOns l realize the fact that of all the many things, great and small, that l have ask cd you to do, during the time that it has been my privilege to minister to you, you have acquiesccd in my desire. By your hearty cooperation, 1 have been able to accomplish whatever l have had at heart for the welfare of the parish; not only in the parish, but for the mission ary work abroad. For this hearty CO., operation, my heart is full of gratitude and can say but q word to you. For all this, as well as for the numberlcss in- stances of personal kindness, you have my sincere thanks and deep and lasting gratitude
 At the conclusion of the service, the vestry met as directed and listened to the secretary's reading of the rector's resignation. AS his resignation takes eff feet December 30 and his work at New York begins January l, nothing was left for the parish but to accept the resigna- tion. It was then voted that the secTeta- ry be instructed to write to Bishop Will Hams, notifying him of Mir Wilkins ac. tion and asking his counsel in the choice of successor. 1t was further voted that the secretary should warn special parish meeting for Monday, December lG, at l 30 p m in the Sunday school room for the purpose of accepting the resignation and taking such steps as may be thought necessary. The meet ing adjourned until Thursday evening at 30, at the rcctory, to take such action as might seem desirable after consider ing the Bishops reply.
 The call received by Rev Mir Wilkins is from St. Luke's, New York, one of the oldest in the city. It's edifice on Hud- son street, down town, has been purchas- ed by old Trinity, which will use it for mission purposes. Eleven lots, on one of which stands the historic mansion of Gen Hamilton, have been purchased at Hist street and Convent avenue and here a new St. Lukc's church, to cost from Sl0O, 900 to $lj0, GOO, will be built. Un- til completed, the services are held in the Hamilton mansion, in the center of which three rooms have been thrown in to n temporary chapel and can be en- larged to hold 250 persons. In his work at St. Lullc'S, Rev Mir Wilkins will be as- | sociated with Rev Dr Isaac Futile, one of the most venerable and greatly below ed clergymen of New York City, who has for many years been rector of St. l I.ukc's. He will devote himself to build ing up a new and strong church in that | part of the city.
 When Rev MT Wilkins was called to | Newtown nine years ago next Easter, he | found the parish some $l0,000 in debt and unabl0 to meet current expenses. 1 By judiciOus and persistent effort, he not only raised money enough to liquidate the indebtedness, but about Sl700 addit- ional for decorating the church for it's consecration, which took place June s, 1882. Of this, but $200 was devoted to | the memorial tablets which adorn the church, the remaining $950 being raised | by the rector as an additional sum. All this was accomplished in little more than a year and is work of which any parish and any rector might we'll be proud. Sixteen years had elapsed since the rec tory had been painted and the grounds about both church and rectory were sadly neglected. The grounds were soon graded and the rectory painted 1 on both exterior and interior. Besides the minor Improvements constantly being undertaken, about $2000 has been eX- pended in the effort to locate and stop the leak in the tower of the church. Finan- cially and otherwise, the church is in ad- mirable condition.
 In educational matters as well, MT Will kins has been active, always taking a deep interest in the Newtown Academy, by means of which the youth of this com munity have at their command excellent educational advantages. About five years
 ago, when the old academy building was
 removed and the present one built, some
 S3OO0 was raised for the purpose. Mir
 Wilkins has taken an active interest in procuring teachers and scholars for the
 Academy, which is left on firm founda-
 tion for his successor. Such an institu-
 ton deserves the hearty support of all in-
 terested in educational work.
 But it is by the poor of the entire town,
 not only among his own parishioners,
 that Mir Wilkins will be sadly missed
 The amount of quiet benevolence dis persed by him, kindly and thoughtfully,
 Is known to few but the grateful recipi- lents.