The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-10-29
DIR. STRANGE AT NORFOLK
He Preached n Christ's Church on Sunday.
A Sketch Of the Rector Of ST. Jam.
He Accept the Call to Christs' Church?
The Norfolk Landmark of Sunday

says:
The Rev. DR.. Robert Strange, rector
of ST. James church, Wilmington. n.
c., who has been called to Christ p. E.
Church, this city, arrived here yester-
day morning at IL o'clock via the Nor
folk and Southern railroad, and is the
guest of Mr.. Robert NJ. Hughes, Colo
mia avenue, Client. He was met at the
depot by several members of the
church here, including many of the
vestry, and yesterday and last night
was visited by numerous embers of
the congregation, which he will very
likely serve.
DR.. Strange is giving the most earn
est consideration to his call, and while
as yet he has not determined to accept
it, there is strong probability that he
will do so. By invitation of Christ
Church vestry, he will preach his initial
sermon there this morning at IL o'clock.
DR.. Strange is here for the purpose OF
looking over the field and seems to be
impressed very favorably. From The
Landmarks special correspondent at
Wilmington, N. c., the following sketch
of the divine is obtained:
DR.. Strange is the son of the late
Colonel Robert Strange, a distinguish
Gu ISiIIb OI tuc llIIllflS lOH DdI,
and grandson Of the eminent Robert
Strange, who served North Carolina in
the United States senate.
THE subject of his sketch was born
in Wilmington on December s, 1857,
and consequently will reach IT, 10th
year of his age OF the 9Th Of next De-
cember. He received his early educa-
ton at General Colston's military
school, Wilmington and at Homer &
Croy rni1itory ooo6npou Ii11cl,nrn
N. G. Subsequently he tool a course
at the university of North Carolina
and graduated there with first hOnors
in June, 1879, and also Won the de-
bater's medal of the Dialectic Society
of the university. From the UNIVERSE
ty he entered the divinity school of
Bishop Williams, of Connecticut, where
he pursued his studies for several
years.
He was ordained a deacon in 1882
and a priest in 1883. In the interim be-
tween his ordination as deacon and
priest, he spent the time in Bruns-
wick county, Va, assisting Mrs. Blu
ford in her mission work among the
negroes of Virginia. Upon being or
dained to the priesthood he was called
to the Church of the Good Shepherd,
Raleigh, N. c., which church he served
about five years. In 1887 he married
Miss Elizabeth Stone Buford, daugh-
ter of Judge Buford, of Lawrence
vile, Brunswick county, Va, and they
have two interesting children-a
daughter, Helen, aged II years, and a
son, Robert, aged z years.
I'm 1888, Mr.. Strange was called to
old st. James church, Wilmington, and
up to the present time he has served
that congregation with great fidelity
and distinguished ability, winning, as
the years go by, a deeper love and
increasing admiration from the people
Of his native city. During his rector
ship of st. James he has declined calls
from several churches in some of the
largest cities in the south.
I'm 1884, the degree of doctor of di-
vinity was conferred upon him by the
university Of North Carolina, and
wherever DR.. Strange is known, it is
acknowledged that he easily wear and
honors the title. He is a man Of small
staue, has clear cut, benevolent fea-
lures, and is a man Of preposssessing
and charming dignity. He is
a clear thinker, is a builder of lucid
and refreshing sermons, is logical in
his reasoning, and is graceful and flu
ent in delivery. His ability is of a
marked nature, and his going to Nor
folk will indeed be an acquisition to
the clerical circles Of vOlr citvn