The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1894-07-21
A PARISHES sEMI-CENrENNIAL.
Celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of the
Organization of Ascension Parish.

Celebration of the Fiftieth Anniversary of tn
Organization Of Ascension Parish.
Thursday, May Sd, Ascension Day, wa
the fftieth anniversary of the organization o
Ascension parish, Westminster, and on thai
day, in the morning, the Rev. Jesse Higgins
the recter, preached a sermon commemora
tive of the event, taking for his text 20tl
verse of the 10Th chapter of St. Mark-''Tht
Lord working with them, and confirming the
word with signs following" Bishop Pare
preached at night and confirmed class o
ten. The collections on that day were laiC
side for church enlargement.
The intention was to have held jubilee a
Ascension, and to have some, if not all the
former rectors present. Responses to invi.
tations showed that not more than one or two
could be here, and it was determined to post
pone further celebration until July l5-l7,
time, usually, when all rectors can have
little holiday. So far as the presence of rec
tors was concerned, the postponement awaited
nothing. The Bishop had sailed for Europe
one former rector was on the ocean bounC
for the same destination, and from one cause
or another none could come except Rev. S
b. Pond, whose presence was highly appre,
ciated and who was given most cordial re
ception.
Bishop Grafton of Fond du Lac presided al
the congregational meeting, in the absence oil
Bishop Paret. This parish claims Bishop
Grafton, for he was COMMUNICATE here be
fore he entered holy orders, and resided in
the parish. He received his letters for ordi-
nation from the Yestry here. The Bishop
ancestors came to this country in 1910 from
England, settling at Salem, Massachusetts.
In early manhood he prepared himself for the
legal profession. Before entering upon prac.
lice, he decided to enter the ministry, and
came here from Boston to study under Rev.
Oliver Sherman Prescott, personal friend,
who was the fourth rector of Ascension
Church. One of Bishop Grafton's ancestors
was the Kings printer, in the time of Henry
VIII and Edward, and printed the first
prayer.b book of the Anglican Church. Be-
sides the Bishop of Fond du Lac and Mr..
Pond, there were present at the jubilee this
week the Holy Cross Fathers, and many
priest from various parts of the country, who
were attending the Summer School for Priests,
and these assisted in the services.
The Jubilee Services began on Sunday,
July 18TH with celebration of the Holy
Communion at a. M by Rev. S. B. Pond.
AT 1890 a. m. there was choral celebration
of the Holy Eucharist by the Rector. The
Bishop of Fond du Lac, who had consented
to preach, being prevented by sudden sick
ness, Rev. Mr.. Pond, who had been an
nounced to preach at night, delivered the
morning sermon, and most acceptably, to a
large congregation of old friends and psrish.
toner's. His text was Acts, xvii, Is, and the
sermon showed that Catholic religion is the
only substitute for worldly philosophy and
life. At the Children's Service in the after
noon Rev. Maurice L. Cowl, of Philadelphia,
gave an Instruction and distributed memorial
cards to all the children present. At the
choral Evensong at night Rev. Fir. Hunting
ton, of the Order ofthe Holy Cross, preached
unto me-" He described visitor from
another planet coming to earth and asking a
man, who is the one greatest and best of
men, and what has he done for you men ~
and gave the answer of Christ's life and death
and resurrection, and the abiding witness OF
that life in the lives of Christians. The call
for the next fifty years is to be witnesses in
life to the life Of Jesus Christ. At both morn
ing and evening services there was process
sion of vested clergymen, preceded by a
cross-bearer. The music on the occasions
was under the direction of Mrs. Higgins, the
rector's wife, and was bright and appropriate.
Tuesday was kept as Reunion Day. At
five o'clock Evensong was sung by Rev. tr.
Sargent, Superior of the Order of the Holy
Cross, after which the meeting was called TO
order by the Bishop of Fond du Lac, who
presided in the absence of the Bishop of the
Diocese. Bishop Grafton in taking the chair
made a brief exhortation to the people TO
realize the strength of the communion OF
saints, as binding us together as Gods family
He also referred feelingly TO his own personal
association with the parish in his early man
hood. The Rector then read u letter OF re-
greet from Bishop Paret. now on the ocean,
who sent his blessing and prayer for "a con
stantly growing peace and usefulness for the
parish and its rector.
Hon. VIM. P. Maulsby, historian of the
occasion, was then introduced us vigorous
representative of the early days, to speak of
the founding of the parish. Judge Maulsby 5
Grafton, printed on the fourth page OF this
issue, was finished literary production, and
was delivered with chastened eloquence,
which elected the deepest sympathy from his
audience, most of whom came into the world
since the events described by him. Judge
Maulsby closed his address with the first
verse Of the hymn;
Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove,
With all Thy qnickening powers,
and the congregation rose and sang the re-
manning verses.
The Rector then read letters of regret from
former rectors and others. Rev. Clarence
Buel, brother of the founder Of the parish,
said:
knowing as l do the deep interest which my
brother had in the parish, and the warm affection
which he cherished towards 1t until the day of his
death. it would give me very great pleasure to at
tend the Jubilee"
Rev. o. S. Prescott said:
THE Ascension was my first parish, and has al
ways been agreeably remembered. | suppose that
l am the oldest living Rector who resided during
his rectorship in thai town, and had II as his sole
charge. T. J. Wyatt was missionary there. but re-
sided elsewhere and served other places.
Rev. Mr.. Goodwin sent congratulations
on what has been done, and best wishes and
prayers for your continued prosperity and
Rey. DIR. Reese said:
ITO no one on earth can Ascension Church have
more hallowed or more tender associations than to
myself AT its chancel rail | was confirmed by
Bishop Whittingham-clGTum ct venerable 1onlen-
and there J. for the first time partook OF the Holy
Communion. Within its walls and parochial limits
have performed most OF my ministerial work as a
Deacon, and formed ties, personal and official,
was married, from 1t my dear wife was buried and
now rests in the little grave yard with my father
my mother, my brother and others who belong TO
facts need say that the prosperity of this Parish
lies very close TO my heart? or that tonight on the
eve of my departure for Europe my heart is very
full of solemn, sad. joyful tender and sacred memo
ries evoked by the penning of these poor words? l
trust that the Parish has before II future of great
and prosperity. and for your own
Rectorship heartily wish the large measure of
success so amply deserved by your faithfulness'
ability and zeal"
Rev. j. Fl. Converse, writing from Lucerne,
Switzerland, said:
Were l anywhere il America l should most
certainly be on hand for your Jubilee" and ended
with prayer that the traditions of the parish now
of so many years so nobly sustained may yet re-
dound to increased spiritual fruit in the future"
Rey. Julian Ingle said;
my interest in your parish is as lively as ever
. The church, whose picture has ALWAYS adorn-
ed my study wall was just % years old when was
called to the iectorship."
The Bishop of Milwaukee wrote
How should love to come 10 dear Westminster
and see those people, all of whom love as of DID,
and shall ever continue The Ascension
Parish and myself are exactly the same age. born
the same year. 1874. And while you keeping
your sem-centennial, pray for me and rember
mine"
Rev. J. Stewart Smith wrote:
surely you have much to be tn ankful for. Assem-
sion Parish was among the earliest of the country
parishes 10 worship the Lord in the beauty of holt
noes wifi, raYarent Catholic ritnal 7 WAS fha