The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-01-29

The Services in NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. oy
Bishop Jackson.

There w.s n solemn and impressive,
and at the same time, beautiful service
at st. Johns church Sunday forenoon.
says the Montgomery (Ala.) Advertiser' OK
January 18th. ,
The occasion was the ordination, ac-
cording to the ritual Of the Episcopal
Church, Of Rev. DR.. Evans. late OF the
Methodist Church, and, until SIX months
ago. the pastor Of one OF the largest ana
most prominent churches OF tnat uenonh.
nation in Virginia Two weeks ago last
sunday DR.. Evans was ordained deacon in
In the Episcopal Church
The church on Sunday morning was
largely attended. 1t was pretty day.
though the weather was a bit colo ana
crisp. The chancel was brilliantly illu-
minated with a hundred lights. Above
the altar the gas cross surmounted with
crown of burning jets told the sweet
story of its significance. About the chan-
eel and. in fact, all about the church.
were flowers and evergreens In wreatns
and crosses and like sacred designs.
Morning prayer having been said at
A. NJ, at II o'clock the procession, headed
by the cross bearer, entererd the churcn.
Their coming had been previously an
notnced TO the large congregation by the
echoes OF tho hymn. 1--WE March to
Victory" that had reached them from
the chapel. First came the choir, all
vxested in cassock and Gotta, then the Kew.
Mr.. Whitaker. Of the Church OF the Holy
Comforter. in this city; Rev Or. String
fellow, and the candidate for the priest
| hood, DIR. Evans, all followed by the
venerable Bishop OF the Diocese OF Ala
bama, Bishop Wilmer, attended by MS
| coadjutor, Bishop Jackson.
After devotional services, Bishop jack
son assembled the pulpit and preached an
eloquent sermon. His text was taken
from 10th chapter of st. Paul's Epistles
| TO the Romans: How shall a man
preach except he be sent?"
The subject was What constitutes
valid ministerial commission" He show
ed the difference between call and
commission, explaining the theory OF in
ward feeling. He took up the subject OF
apostolic succession, showing by history
| how the House Of Bishops from the
| Apostles had been an unbroken chain In
| continuity and perpetuity The bishops
received their authority Of ordaining and
Of laying on hands from the Apostles
who had received their powers from God
through his Son. Jesus Christ. 1t was
| lengthy though logical and interesting
sermon. He treated the subject of church
| history, so far as the Episcopal Church
is concerned. in a manner that was in
structive to all who heard.
Whatever opinions may be entertained
| as to the correctness OF its claims, all
who heard 1t must have agreed that 1t
was a bold and mastery defense OF the
church's theory that no man can minister
the sacraments until he has been ordained
by a bishop The sermon, 1t is learned, Will
| in all probability be published at the
request Of the rector of st. Johns.
! In concluding his sermon the Bishop
spoke a few words of brotherly advice
to DR.. Evans, finally blessing him In the
name Of the Father, the Son and the
| Holy Ghost.
Bishop Wilmer then conducted the or
dination service, laying his hands upon
| DR.. Evans after his solemn declarations
| of his belief in the teachings OF the
| church and vows to carry out the same.
| The sacrament was then administered.
Sunday evening DR.. Evans preached
| his initial ssrmOn after his ordination 10
| a large congregation at st. Johns church
| He Is deep thinker, logical reasoner,
and a Christian gentleman.
This brought to a conclusion what may
| be called a red letter day" In st. John
church. The rector must have enjoyed
It. as is remembered here, that for eigh-
teen years he was the only clergyman OF
the Episcopal Church in this city. Now
the Church Of the Holy Comforter, built
by himself, and under the charge OF Mr.
Whitaker is rapidly coming TO the from
as one Of the most prominent churches
in the diocese, and including the bishop
there are five resident clerGYmen.
The newly ordained priest, DR.. Evans
has been called 10 st. MichaelS ana AL
| Angels church in Admission.