The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-11-02
Resolutions of St. James Congregation
Presented to Rev. Dr. Str~nge.

The Rev. Robert Strange, .. D., re-
turned last evening at 5:45 O'Clock from
Lawrenceville, Va. where he stopped
over with his family on his return from
Norfolk. Va, in which city he spent
last Sunday and preached for the con-
gregation of Christ's church from which
he recently received a call.
Last night at Sis o'clock. the COM
mittee appointed at the meeting of the
congregation of ST. James church on
Friday night. called on DIR. Strange at
the rectory or Market street between
Third and Fourth streets, to present the
resolutions adopted by DR.. Strange's
Pensioners concerning his call to Nor
folk. The committee was composed of
Mr.. j. H. Boatwright, chairman, Col
onel James G.. Burr, Captain John
Cowan, and Messrs. E. j. Powers and
Victor Granger.
Mr.. Boatwright presented the resolu-
tons heretofore mentioned in the Mes
senger, and called upon Colonel Burr
to explain the object of the congrega-
tional meeting and the purport of the
resolutions.
Colonel Burr then said:
DR.. Strange: / have been requested,
as the oldest active membe of St.
James parish, to say a few words on
this occasion which i do very willingly,
but l am quite sure that nothing / may
say can add to has been so forci-
bly, expressed in those resolutions.
They conve to o sir, the feelings
the wishes and desires, not Of the
parish only, but Of the whole commun-
ity and you viii see in them a reflection
of the sentiments of the people of Will
mington in regard to yourself, as the
minister of God and as the private cit
izen. Next to the approval Of ones con-
science, the good opinion of our friends
and neighborS is most precious, and
that you have to the fullest extent, for
l ave sat under the teachings of eight
rectorS of this parish and cannot recall
n who was nearer to the hearts Of
u people than your honored self.
And it is right hat it should be so,
right that they should be tenderly at
tached to you for in this parish you
were born and your kinfolk are all
around you and above all the ashes Of
your sacred dead mingle with those OF
friends n relations sleeping in our
beautiful cemetery of Oakdale.
You have so endeared yourself to our
people that the thought OF separation
cannot be entertained, our children are
growing up around you you have re-
ceived them into the Church in the
sacred rite Of baptism, have blessed
them when they entered upon the holy
estate of matrimony n in the hour
of aff1ictiOn when the angel of death
vad the Sanctity of our homes and
laid his icey touch upon the loved ones
in our nest, when the heart was heavy
and when the head was hot. you have
words Of sympathy Of encouragement
and hope. Such associations, sir, can
easily be severed nor can such ties
be broken without a pan
Il therefore on behalf Of the COM
mittee beg hat you will Civ these |
resolutions your prayerful considera-
ton and that your decision may be in !
accordance with the earnest desire not |
only Of your own people but Of the en-
tire community also"
DR.. Strange received the resolutions |
and thanked the committee and Colo |
Burr for his remarks. He talked |
with h committee in an informal way |
and informed them that he had not |
made up his decision with reference to |
his call to Norfolk and said he would |
the resolutions. |
The committee then took leave of the |
|