The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-04-13
ST. LuKE's PARISH.
Dean Stills Speaks of Its Work and Pres
emit Conditions.

large congregation was present at St.
Lukes' Cathedral yesterday morning.
In place of regular sermon, DR.. Stills
made very earnest talk upon the pres
ent status of ST. Luke's and the condi-
tions existing in the church today. The
Dean held tho closest attention of the
audience. He said in part:
Any reference to the existing oondi-
tion OF this parish from this place would
De at this time unnecessary if the mem
GERS would ever meet together on any
oGher day to listen to what might be said
about 1t, but for myself, ! feel the I'M
portanoe OF laying before you as con-
gfegatlon certain matters which ought
TO claim your attention early considera-
tlon. You will pardon me If speak
plainly.
First-Now as regards the position /
| lnyser hold. L would at first remove
misunderstanding which fear exists
and which considers me in the light of
the head of the parish corporation and
therefore responsible for the management
OF the parish as its rector. As was stated
In leaiiet sent by me to all the parish
oners two years ago the position of the
Cathedral is peculiar, in that it recog-
nlzes two corporations. The parish OF
| w. Auho . Is Oliy dubICFlZ6u according
| 20 law. Ii has rector, wardens and ves-
| try, but it has no church building of it's
own. Years ago, by deed Of gift, it gave
Its property over to the other corporation
| the Cathedral Chapter, reserving to itself
| the rights. of full and controlling repre- D.
sentation in the Chapter. of worsh1ping
In the Cathedral, and of approving Of
the Bishops nomination of the clergy
who should work therein. In the Cathe-
| oral, the parish has no other rights than
these The rector, whoever he may be,
Is the head OF the paroch1al corporation
but his position as rector gives him no
rectorial rights in the Cathedral, for that
building is the Bishops church, and in it
ne 1.-THE Bishop, )is supreme, having there
forever the rights of rector Of a par
| ish.o
The vestry OF the parish is responsible
under the deed Of gift for ths temporal
needs of the Cathedral.
| The Dean and Canons having no posit-
ion on the vestry and receiving no salary
directly from the paroohial corporation
are therefore responsible to the Bishop
alone. The Bishop is rector of the par
ish and the Dean Is simply responsible
under the Bishop for the paroohial well
| fare
| He is under the constitution after
each one to whom the Bishop delegates
his superintendence of all sermons and
passionate duty, and whose authority in
the cathedral is exercised in every par
ticular directly under the Bishop
1t can scarcely be possible however,
that one to whom such superintendent
has been committed should consider his
| duty discharged when those merely of
oversight have been fulfilled. He must
enter heartily into everything which
concerns the welfare of the parish in
which he serves. He is necessarily
| brOnphf into nlneQct
1 with those to whom he ministers, and
in the organization and vigorous mainte-
nance of the work he must ever be ready
to take the lead, especially during the
absence of the Bishop.
| The intimate knowledge of the needs
and ability of the Cathedral parish
gained by a residence of nearly sixteen
years, enables the present incumbent in
the Deans Office to speak with some au-
thority of the present condition of its
| affairs and of the prospects for increased
usefulness in the future.
| 10 allude at first to that which is of
the highest Importance, viz, the spirit
ual condition OF the parish; The test of
| the church'S strength in any part of the
land is to be. found in the mum Der of it's
| actual communicates.
The frequency with which the Holy
Communion is celebrated and the great
er reliance placed upon the Holy Saora-
ment as the chief of the means Of grace,
Is fair indication of the spiritual
have no fear for the future when as on
last Sunday 70 out Of the whole number
of our communicates knelt at the altar
to adore the risen Lord. The greater
appreciation of the Lenten season and
the growing interest in the devotional
service on Guod Friday, as well as the
more devout and reverent participation
| in tho nthpp kljn in, ho fy,t
dral, are very encouraging signs of the
better understanding of the church's
ways, and in consequence, of spiritual
progress. With the brightly appreciated
assistance of the reverend brothers who
for the last year had been loyal CO.
workers. the work in the parish must
| look forward to further developments in
many directions. 1t must not stop where
it is, nor can it afford to cease its efforts
| with the Easter season. Lent will have
been of little profit If the self denial
| which it has taught is not to affect the
life during the rest of the year. There
is danger that the soul, oleansed from
the evil which defiled 1t, may not after
wards be careful enough to use every
effort to maintain itself, pure and true,
ana that it may return some day to CO.
oupy It's former quarters accompanied by
evil spirits and be worse in it's last sta tie
than it was before. There are many peo-
PIE VINO spend Lent with careful regard
TO Its outward observances who fall to
| gain the holy inner spirit
| Mere attendance upon occasional SER
vices, untouch the desire of his heart to
enter into the spirit of worship has neith-
er reality of purpose, nor sincerity OF de-
yotion to commend it to God AS co n
gregation they are well aware what duty
| TO God requires. Let US be careful to
avoid the temptation to make our relig-
ious duties independent of those of q
Christians daily life. The soul needs
as much care during Easter tide as it
does during Lent and the church has as
strong claims upon her ministry and
| upon her children during the other sea-
sons of her years as during that which
is especially set apart for penitent ial
exercises. Love for the church and ap-
probation of the blessings she can give
| in her services will not confine itself to
| loyal service in her cause fNr 40 days in
| the year, but for the whole $685.
Loyalty to the Divine Lord and Master
will show itself in ready compliance
with His will in oil things and con-
gregation loyal to His church will never
allow His work to flag. Its Nom bers
| realize their obligations and knowing
the influence of their example, they live
4 - Ii