New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-07-04
THE REV. DIR. w. s. LANGFORD.

The Rev Dr. William S. Langford. general secre-
tary of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary So
oiety Of the Protestant Episcopal Church died
suddenly late on Friday night at Haines Falls, IN
the Catskis where he had gone with his FAMILY
to spend the summer. The news or his death
was received by private telegram at the Church
Missions House. Fourth-ave. and East twenty
second-st, yesterday morning, and came as great
shock to his friends in the building. who saw MIN
in apparently perfect health when he left his once
there last Wednesday for the mountains.
For ten years DR. Langford had been general
secretary Of the Board Of Missions and had full
filed the onerous duties OF that office TO the salts
faction OF his associates In the Board ana 10 the
Church at large. Upon his shoulders. practically.
fell the administration of the vast interests or the
society whose missionaries are scattered over all
parts OF the world. IN Of the great gatherings
OF the Episcopal Church. one or the bishops char-
acterized Dr. Iangford as 'our Incompatible Sec
rotary" and the assembled preates and others APP
pauded the sentiment.
DIR. Langford was brought up to business life
and for number Of years was engaged as a book
nublisher in Boston. His inclinations were, how
ever toward the Christian ministry. and he deter
mined to study for holy orders. with that op-
ject in view. he entered Kenyon College Gambler
Ohio and after his graduation there look the
Al After having Rad charge of several parishes he
was called to the office OF general secretary or the
Mission Board, which he held 10 the time OF his ~
death. being annually reelected oy the b3ard ot
meeting for he had expressed the desire to resign
his burdens In the Mission Board to accept a
church pastorate. His associates. however. would
not listen to his withdrawal especially IN these
times when the society needed his valuable as
sistance in securing funds for Its maintenance
on several occasions DIR. Langford declined me ne
nomination for missionary bshopric in foreign
lands After the death Of Bishop Arthur CIe eNsj
land Coke of Western New-York. Dr. l,angioru
was put forth by his friends as one OF the iore-
most candidates for the vacant diocese What.
DR. Iangford was formerly rector of ST. John
Church in Elizabeth, y. j., whittier ne went s IN
1915 succeeding the Rev. DR.. 5. A. clark. lie re-
signed in 1855 TO accept the place which he held at
the time of his death It was mostly through ms
efforts that the public library and reading groom
were established in Elizabeth.
Personally. DR.. Langford was one OF the mos! most
engaging Of men He Of fine physical
development and in robust health No indications nd
OF heart disease, which finally caused MS death.
were apparent In hts makeup, and those VINO
learned that ne had died from that affection IN me
brief telegram announcing his death could scarcely
believe 1t to be true lie was about hfty-nVc years
old widow. five sons and three daugnters survive
him two of his sons having recently been gradu-
nted from Trinity College, Hartford. Conn. ~ Ills
BODY arrived at his home in Bergen Point. ~ D.
last evening