St. Paul daily globe., 1896-02-28
4, RECTOR OF ST. JOHNS, AR
RIVED.
REACHED ST. PAUL YESTERDAY
OF HIS POSITION IN THE
AFTERNOON.
Brief Address to His Congre-
cation.

Rev. Dudley w. Rhodes, D. D., the
newly chosen rector of the Church of
st. John the Evangelist, arrived in ST.
Paul yesterday. He was accompanied
by Mrs. Rhodes and their child; also
Mrs. Jethro Mitchell and Miss M. B.
Handy Thel party is temporarily at
the Aberdeen
Rev. DIR. Rhodes comes to st. Paul
from Cincinnati. He has been in
charge of prosperous and influential
church In that city for a good many
years. When he assumed charge of it.
however, 1T was only small congre-
cation, and his success is shown in
the practical results which were
brought about under his direction. He
is said to be an able and eloquent
speaker, and the people of st. John
the Evangelist's church have been
congratulating themselves that they
had succeeded in procuring a man of
DIR. Rhodes acknowledged ability to
take the rectorship made vacant by
the resignation of Rev. Y. Peyton
Morgan.
Rev. DR.. Rhodes did not wait long
before beginning his work in st. Paul
He conducted the Lenten service YES
terday afternoon, which dates the be-
ginning of his active connection with
the church. There was a large con-
gregation out to greet him. Dr.
Rhodes spoke very briefly. He said
substantially:
the faces of congregation of which | scarce
iy knew one. At the end of twenty years I
nave nave left that congregation, where every
heart seemed knit to mine Those whom 7
had not known had become dear to me by
virtue of the joys and sorrows through which
we passed together. l stand today looking
as l stand l think of how my life NAV enter
into yours and yours into mine. We are be-
ginning journey whose path, I trust, will
reveal no rough places: yet clouds may arise
at times but If they do, we will be sharers
alike in adversely joy. We cannot know
the tt 1gt9re Ijt nor do we desire knowledge of
IL. III HAD we such sue knowledge all would be
unhappiness. The richest joys of this world
are in anticipations fulfilled. With Infinite
trust in Almighty God; with no preconceived
ideas which will not be easily set aside. 7
come to you in Gods providence, with the
highest anticipation of what our relations are
10 De, ana to see my hopes and yours re-
aiized z,ai, shall be my strongest desire. l trust
may depend upon your belief that I shall
try to be true shepherd of Jesus Christ
and preacher of the word such as will be
pleasing in the sight of the Master
My one intense desire is to come near YOUR
hearts; to enter into and be part of your
lives If can only feel your confidence and
aifectlon, all else is as nothing. l bring with
me greetings from your former rector, Mr.
Morgan, who has met with the greatest sue
cess in Ohio. When / am as successful here
as as ne is there, shall be satisfied. 1 thank
been SO kindly considerate of me since first
issuing my call. have met on all sides in
my primary relations with you, only the most
thoughtful consideration and best wishes.
!! have not severed my former relations
with regret or reluctance but with Joy and
brightest hopes for the parish of st. Johns.
We should strive upward and onward but
ever conscious of our faults and ready to
correct them. There is in Gods providence
great future for this parish, and we should
be Jealous that its brightest hopes may be
realized. Once more 1 thank you for your
treatment of me thus early in our relations
Where l thought homesickness and loneliness
would come, there has taken hold upon me
feeling of. sweet companionship, which has
inspired and made me happy. Providence
leads us along enchanted paths and across
the beautiful green sward to a final blessed
state II sorrow come. we still go on to-
gether united in sympathy and love.
A reception will be rendered DR.. and
Mrs. Rhodes Saturday night to give
the strangers an opportunity of meet
ing the people of their congregation.