The morning call., 1894-06-23
BY THE BISHOP.
Conservation of Grace
Church Organ.
A Larger Congregation Than the
Church Could Hold-The Letter
of Presentation.

The memorial organ. offered by Edward
f. SeaTles. in memory of the late Mrs,
Searles. TO Grace Episcopal Church. was
solemnly consecrated last evening by the
Bishop of the diocese, Right Rev. William
f. Nichols.
In addition to the leading Episcopal
clergy of San Francisco and the neigh bor-
hood. there was an immense congregation
present, that crowded even the steps of
the sacred edifce and spread out to the
sidewalk.
The chancel of the church was beauti-
fully decorated with white flowers, but the
central point of interest was the organ,
with its cleaning white metal pipes and
dark wood carving.
The service opened with a period of
silent prayer, after which Horace Plat, as
the representative of Edward f. Searles,
advanced toward the rector ana road the
following letter, which was addressed by the
donor of the organ TO the rector, warden
and vestry OF Grace Church, and expressed
the pleasure experienced by Mr.. Searles in
presenting the memorial to his late wife,
1t continues:
Mrs. Edward F. Searles. having passed
from this life by brief illness, left il as
her last wish that [ should bestow all her
special gifts according To her taste and
Judgment. 1t has occurred TO me that
Grace Church Is most sacred and fitting
depository for this gift. as therein her de-
vout soul worshiped during her residence
in your city,"
The letter concluded with wish that
the congregation would accept the gift in
the spirit that had prompted the donor TO
bestOw il.
After reading the communication from
Mr.. Searles horace Platt made an ad-
dress, declaring that the organ-buIder had
hraW D, a IL
cost and adding: "On behalf OF Mr..
Searles, and in memory of Mrs. Searles, l
present 10 Grace Church this organ. The
title 10 IL as personal possession vests in
you; but its music. bearing upon the
waves of melodious SOUND sOlace to the
old, hope 10 the young, impartng a
greater seriousness to prayer and more
earnestness to thanksgiving, will belong
to every saint and sinner alike who enters
this sacred edifce."
The response to this address and the
formal acceptance OF the organ were made
by the rector, Rev. Robert Z. Foute. who
said:
speaking in behalf of the wardens and
vestry of Grace church. l do hereby make
proclamation of our acceptance of this
muniticent gift from our friend, Edward
+. Searles, and wish to make acknowledg-
meDt of our profound appreciation of the
organ. Such gift is we'll worthy the
donor and more worthy her in whose
memory it is given.
1T was in this church that Mrs. Searles
received the holy rite of confirmation. 1t
was here that she always came to worship.
and 10 was here on her last visit to her
California home in March, 1891. that she
knelt only a few weeks before her gentle
spirit passed to its last home. And she.
though dead, yet speaketh in the soft,
sweet tones of the organ, for which we are
assembled here tonight TO voice our
thanks"
The speaker alluded to the Art Institute.
declaring that ''tbeSe twin gifts, the Hop
kins. mansion and the memorial organ.
standing as they do side by side, the one
appealing to the eye and the other minis
tering to the gift of hearing, will in com.
ing years be bnshri1ed IN the affections of
a grateful people"
At the conclusion of Mr.. Foute's speech
of acceptance the Bishop so!emnly conse-
Grated the organ by saying. 'Sanctify, we
beseech thee, this instrument, o Lord.
and may il be blessed and hallowed, in the
name OF the Father, the Son and the Holy
Ghost"
"Gloria in Excelsis," which was sung by
quartet consisting of Nine. Ida Y,
Seminario. Mrs Eunice Westwater,
Arthur Messmer and Walter Campbell
A few Of the evensong prayers were then
read and the ben eoiction WAS pronounced
by the Bishop.
A full description of the organ was given
in yesterdays CALL. At the conclusion
Of the service last evening a grand organ
recital was given, at which the following
programme was performed:
Grand Ofertoire de st. Cecile &C. Batista).
Henry Nj. BOdsworth; Fantasia III (Berthold
Tours; (dl Elevation In fiat, (L) Grand
Chorus. tc) Funeral March and Song of Seraphs
SalOme) (b) Aria from Orchestral Suite d. S,
Bach) (c) Finale Everett L. Truettel, Everett
L. Truetie; PRELUDE and Fugue in G o. S.
Bachl Henry NJ. Bosworth; (d) I'm Memoriam''
Oh. M. Dumb ann Composed in memory of Mrs.
(. Il. Searles, introducing her favorite hymn,
(b) Passionate, OPP, 1o3 (Gusiav MerkeD (cj
Andante In g (EdOuard Batste). Schiller Fes-
tyal March (GIacomo MeYerbeer), Everett L.
Truette.
Another recital will be given in Grace
Church at 2 80 o'clock this afternoon.
RED. white and blue. registered trademark E.
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