The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-12-18
TO SUCCEED DIR. JACKSON,
NEW RECTOR OF GRACE EPlsco-
PAL CHURCH.


PAL CHURCH.
IL is Rumored that Rev. Mr.. white
Of Savannah. Ca, Has Been Called
Talk with the Assistant Bishop-Ele,t
OF klsbsms.
The new minister for the rectorship Of
Grace Episcopal church is still matter OF
conjecture. One has yet been decided
upon, but the call extended is still under
consideration. OF course the Grace church
vestry cannot say whether the clergyman
will accept or not. and q call was the only
way Of finding out. As some one has said.
preachers are like women: they do not ac-
cept until they are esked, and although the
new rector has been asked, he has not sig
n.ied his intention OF accepting.
All the yest-ymen seem sworn 20 secrecy.
aud n Is difficult 10 find out who Is their
choice. lie Is. however, said 10 be about
forty-hye years OF age, an eXtemp0re
speaker, and a pulpit orator; his sermons
are splendid efforts. swaying his auditors
in an extraordinary manner, and creating
profound impression whenever ne
breaches. He is not, though, a sensational
preacher In any sense of the word, but
line, holy exponent OF Christianity ana the
Gospel.
He is a near relative Of Bishop Randolph,
and is also connected with that noted divine
by marriage ties. He is not tall man, but
has that dignity Of carriage that really
seems 10 increase his height, and u thought
by many TO be an extremely handsome man.
He is OF one Of the best-known and largest
families Of Virginia, and has the address OF
highbred courtesy. He is ailable, pleasant
and extremely manly, and has an especial
knack Of making friends with men.
REV. MR.. WHITE.
This minister, il is believed, is Rev. Mr..
White, OF Christ Church, Savannah, Georgia.
One Of the vestrymen stated that the call
has EN- made 10 a married man. and that
IL he comes. 10 will mark a excellent era IN
Grace church's prosperity and usefulness.
Rev. DIR. II. Melville Jackson was seen
during the day by a repol ter of THE TINES.
He stated that he had been bound to Sc
crccy by the yestry, and such being the
case, did not feel at liberty to say anything
about the new minister.
When asked about his new position, DR..
jackson replied: Il do not know when the
conservation services creating me bishop
will take place. OF course the services for
the conservation are laid down I'm the
prayer-bo0k, but the date when they will be
carried out In my case has not yet been de-
cided upon.
The diocese Of Alabama is not very
strong one, but for the past two or three
years the Church in that State has been
growing rapidly, especially in the upper
part Of the State. There are about six thou
sand communicates, representing Church
attendance of about thirty thousand people.
"All the wealthy people of the state are
members Of the Church, ! don't know
great deal about the diocese, my informa-
ton having been rather meagre, and you
know have never been in Alabama. There
Is every reason 10 believe that the Church
will grow In that diocese, as II will grow IN
any State il properly presented"
HIGH OR low.
In answer to the question whether or not
the diocese of Alabama is high or low,
DIR. jackson said; "BishOp Wilbur is
very broad-mnded man, and has
large liberation Of minor differences. There
are. of course, different opinions as TO the
interpretations OF the ritual, but there is
no party Of high or low church peOpls."
"Will you preach farewell sermOnp
"No SIR" replied Mr.. jackson, with en-
phasis. ''In the first place, If ! would at
tempt thing Of that Kind, i do not know
where | would land; and In the second
place, l do not think that such personality
should be brought into the pulpit The ser
vice should be put upon higher plane
the man, the preacher, is nothing. lie
comes and he goes, and the service should
not be intermingled with HIM IN personal
sense"
"When do you 90 away, and In what con
diti0n do you leave Grace church y
III leave Richmond about the 10th Of jan
uary or later. Certainly not before that
oh ia in "a
GUS condition, but / think that a
new rector will increase its sphere
OF usefulness. That church is like flower
planted by a gardener. When il grew, its
roots expanded and il blOssOmed out into
all OF Its beauty. But II the gardener did
not transplant the flower into IA larger pot
ii would die. such Is the condition OF
Grace church. Ii has grown and eX-
banded 10 its utmost capacity, and its
systematic organization makes its useful
ness felt wherever its work is done. But
as regards communicates, Grace church
cannot take in any more. | think that IN
the past two years there has been fully fifty
families who have asked for pews. But
they cannot be given them, for the pews are
occupied.
Blk REMODELED.
at will be only question of a short time
before the church is remOdeled so as TO give
iuOre TOOms L 40 not DelleNe tndl new
church will be built shortly, for the city is
In that state OF progression that a site for a
new church would be a very hard place 20
find. IL thought, however, of building a
church within the nexttwenty years would
go out on Franklin street near the Lee mon
ument. That is vicinity in which an
Episcopal church will be needed, though 10
isn't needed at present. But the city Is very
rapidly moving westward, and in Just about
twenty years ! shall expect to see new
church built in the vicinity OF the monu-
ment"
DIR. jackson looks better than he has for
several months past, and stated that he was
in very good health. He has done an eX-
cellent work in Grace Episcopal church;
made many friends in all the churches, and
his leaving Richmond will be matter
OF sincere regret 10 persons not only Episco-
palians but in other denominations as well.
Grace church particularly gives up good
and holy man, a pulpit orator. and rul-