The evening world., 1894-06-04
A RECT0R'S MIND Falls.
Rev. S. Gregory Lines, Of the Church
Of tho Beloved Disciple, Gives
Up His Pulpit
GRIEF AND WORK UNSEATED REASON.
Tho Clerayman's Physical Breakdown Fol-
lowed the Death of His Young Wife
Eore for His Recovery.
GRIEF AND WORK UNSEATED REASON.

Rev 6. Gregory Lines. for the past six
years rector of the Episcopal Church of
"a, Beloved Disciple. at Madison avenue
and Eighty-ninth street. has become
mentally irresponsible through nervous
prostratjon. and has been obliged to
give up his ministerial labors.
His congregation has known for some
time that hi health was broken, but
it was not until recently the members
realized that his mind was affected.
Three weeks ago his physicians told
him he must abandon all work. He
then rendered his resignation to the
vestry. Two weeks ago he left the
city with friend. and is now in the
country. 1t is expected that he will
soon start for Europe to be gone two
or three years.
Just before the sermon was preached
by the assistant pastor, Rev. John Ack-
worth, yesterday morning. Vestryman
c. Victor Twiss read the kindly resolu-
tions through which the vestry had
accepted the resignation of Mr.. Lines.
Rev. Mr. Lines lad an ambition in
his ministerial labors that no amount of
success seemed to satisfy. and he was a
great favorte of Bishop Potter. He Is
forty-seven years of age. Prior to as
suming the rectorship of the Church of
the Beloved Disciple he was assistant
rector at the Church OF the Redeemer.
He was graduated from AEnardale Theo-
logical Seminary, and did his first minis
terial work in Calf ornia. He came to
this city ten years ago; lie & was an eN-
When M Lines became rector of the
Church of the Beloved Disciple the church
was in very bad financial condition and
had a small congregation, In his rector
ship he succeeded in making the congre-
CATION powerful, In raising $1,000. and in
increasing the value of the church prop
in the young people. and built up large
church societies among them: The choir,
under the direction OF $. ". Ball. he
made one of the best in the city:
About eight years ago Mr. Lines mar
ried Miss Emily Bruce, the daughter OF
very wealthy citizen of Greenwich,
Conn. She was as, popular with tie
literally to the church work, as did he.
Three years ago, while visiting her father
In Greenwich, she was taken, Ill. Before
unconscious, and remained so until her
first broke his health
| In 1891 Mr., Lines was On the verge OF
keeping up his work until June. Of last
year. when his congregation insisted on
his taking a vacation. He went TO
Greenwich to stay with his father in
law, but instead of resting he busted
| himself with a home for girls which
Mr.. Bruce was building. He was then
in such state that his friends sue
ceeded in inducing him to go to Cali
fornia. Month after month his vacation
was extended, until January, 1872 Even
there he would not rest, for he found
struggling congregation without a
pastor ard gave his time and labor to 1t.
When he returned he was hardly bet,
ter than when he went away He had
never used notes, but began to find
them necessary, and finally had to read
his sermons altogether To his vestry-
men and to DR.. Henry Van Musits a
well-known insanity expert, he told his
fears that his mind was breaking down
He said there were times in the pulpit
when he did not know what he was
saying, but his mind must have worked
mechanically, for his hearers did not
notice anything wrong.
His physicians are hopeful OF his com.
plete mental recovery and partial
| return to physical health If he rests
| thoroughly for two or three years. II
he does recover, II is probable that
he viii be asked to resume the pastor.
ate OF the Church of the Beloved Dis
ciple. as he is much loved by his people