The morning times., 1897-02-15
THE SEVERANCE OF TIES
A Formal Announcement of Rec.
tor Williams Resignation.
HIS LETTER READ AT CHURCH
The Vestry Acceded to His Release
With Deep Regret and Voted Hin
S5OO-Dr. ChildS Advised Little
Talk and Much Prayer-Dr. Will
liams' Health.

The formal announcement of the sever
ance of the pastoral relations which have
existed fer ten years between the Rev
Gilbert F. Williams and the parish of
Christ Episcopal Church, in Southeast Wash
ington, was made yesterday morning In
advance of the pulpit service by Arch
deacon T. 5. Childs, the temporary rector.
DR.. Childs introduced the subject by
remarking that the severing OF such re
lations is not matter which can well
be passed over in silence. He had, he
said, hoped for different result, in which
hope he had no doubt the parish shared.
This hope had, however, been dispelled
by the final action of the clergyman and
the vestry. Mr.. Williams had been con-
strained by continued IiI-bealth TO tender
his resignation, and, under the existing
circumstances. the yestry had accepted it.
1t was expected, DR. ChiIds said, that
second letter from the rectors physician
would accompany the two papers he was
about to read, but it had not been received.
There was letter from the physician,
however, which the vestry had considered,
liams' health required that he take a
long rest, and have the benefit of an
entire change OF association, and that he
must absent himself from his home for a
period of not less than one year
The letter from DR.. Williams upon which
the vestry acted was then read. The
rector stated his regrets that almost at
the close 6f the vacation so generously
III rn no - 70
cure added rest. His health, he said, is
not sufficiently restored 10 admit OF
| resumption OF his parish duties. He has
| been since 1894 under the necessity OF
abandoning many duties, and lie cited
| that at times the attendance upon funeral
services was too much of a strain upon
his nervous system. He had been Obliged
| to ask that, where possible, funerals should
be held in the forenoon. In order, there
| fore, that he might be wholly freed from
| the cares incident to the rectorship he
was compelled to tender his resignation
DIR. Childs next read the resolutions
adopted by the yestry, expressive OF the
regret with which the resi- gnation Of the
rector was accepted. The sum OF $500
was appropriated to be paid to DR.. VII
liams and lie and Mrs. Williams were
I assured OF the deep sympathy Of the
parish and of the sincere hope for his
! complete RESTORATION 10 health.
BY way OF comment the acting rector said
that whatever may be the personal feelings
OF the congregation respecting the event,
the main thing to be considered is the
cause Of Christ He admonished his hear
ers 10 say little and pray much Nothing
would give the retiring rector more pain
IL
cause a loss OF interest in the church
Proceeding with the regular service Dr..
Childs selected as his text the fourteenth
verse OF the eighth chapter OF Romans,
| Christian duty being his main topic.
1t is not so much these changing scenes
which we are to consider he said, but
| the great question is, am | Child OF God.
| made so by adoption into His redeemed
family? 1t is not whether | am reputable
| citizen, or whether | am a member OF
church, but what are my personal rela-
tions to God which each is to consider"
There is q great deal Of active religion
in these days, ne continued. but the uiG
time determination is not so common
If a business man has perpleXities In his
affairs and is anxious about his next
payments, he gains nothing by closing
his books and refusing to consult them
Many persons lose by refusing to aCknOwl-
edge personal illness and by calling a
physician when it is too late. The ser
want of God often loses sight of his re-
sponsibilities.
What he needs is a religion and faith
that will stand and that viii survive when
all things else are dissolving and the
world is wrapped in flames. Very many
persons are Just now intensely interested
in the pageantry which we are so soon
to witness In this city, DR.. Childs said
but what will it all amount to when we
stand before the bar of God? The tran
scendent work of the Holy Ghost is to lead
men TO the Lamb OF God, to the service of
Christ. to prayer, to the ordinances Of the
church.