Worcester morning daily spy., 1898-03-31

ed to advance all the important inter
ests that surround you. But most
plainly are you needed by your own
dear parish of All Saints, whose most
serious concerns depend upon the fos-
tering care that, humanity speaking, has
made us truly fortunate among the
churches Of the land.
With this petition go forth our warm
est hopes for all the good things that
make for your happiness and fervent
prayers that the great work of your life
may be continued among US
Worcester, Mass, March 80, 1898.
The address of Mr.. Davis, the mod
orator, was as follows:
The people of All Saints Church, men
and women, old and young, have met
this evening to confer together and to
take such action as would seem appro-
pirate, touching caH which has. been
given to our good rector Rev. DR.. Vim
ton. This call is to leave his work in
All Saints parish here in Worcester, and
to take up similar and perhaps a lar
ger work in Christ Church parish, in
the city of Detroit
1t is well known to most of you that
last Sunday week two representatives
Of Christ Church attended service in
this church morning and evening. Sub
sequently they visited the rector and
extended to him the call. 1 am ac-
quainted with the two gentlemen who
came here. 1 know something of the
parish they represent; therefore a few
words by way of general Information,
may not be amisS. Detroit, as you
know, has more than twice the popula-
ton of Worcester. The Episcopal Church
is well established there, and the par
ish Of Christ Church, it may be truly
said, is as strong and influential as any
in the diocese of Michigan. Within my
own recollection, three bishops in our
church have been conSecrated who have
been rectors Of Christ Church, Detroit
Bishop Paddock of our diocese, Bishop
Brewster, so recently consecrated bish-
op co-adjutor of Connecticut, the do
church, and Bishop johnson of Southern
California, whose conservation l, my
self, witnessed in Christ Church, of
which he was rector at the time OF his
election to the bishopric
This call, therefore, is distinct COM
piiment to DR.. Vinton. 1t is an import
ant call, and will naturally receive his
most careful and conscientious conSid
Grafton. Speaking for myself. however,
I beg you to bear in mind that do not.
at this moment, presume to speak for
others. This call does not seem to me
to be a supreme one, that is, not one
Of such a nature as to silence the voice
of persuasion or close the lips Of ap-
peal. In other words, while our rector
will try to see clearly his duty in the
matter, and, seeing it, will most as
suredly do it, we, on our part, should
diligently inquire what is our duty in
the premises.
Now, in my humble opinion, that duty
of ours is something like this: Let us
all stand near our rector. Let us as
sure him of the love and affectionate
regard felt for him by all the people
of the parish, express our appreciation
of his self-sacrificing and efficient work
during the IA years of his rectorship;
point out that never in it's history has a
parish been more united, nor dominated
by better feeling than now, and that
his work here is not yet done. We need
his help and his mnistrations to pre-
serve and to increase the influence for
good which All Saints parish has upon
this immediate community, upon this
archdeaconry, upon this diocese, upon
the church at large.
In this direction, 1t seems to me, lies
the solution of the problem. Now while
we may not be justified in offering to
DR.. Vinton any special inducements of
a material nature, we can certainly do
what 1 have attempted to outline, and
then, in calmness and quiet hope, leave
the decision to himself.
Already have the wardens and vestry
considered the question, and I am au-
thorized and instructed to say that, af-
ter a conference Of two hours without
dissenting voice or a discordant note,
1t is their unanimous feeling that we
use all honorable means to keep our be-
loved rector where he is, in all Saints
parish, and that in doing SO we are do
ing the best for him as well as the best
for ourselves.
Although the wardens and vestry are
chosen representatives Of the parish,
they desired that there should be a
meeting of the parishioners in order
that adj may share in the opportunity
as well as in the responsibility of the
situation. 1t is hoped, therefore, that
there will be the greatest freedom of
expression on the part Of all, men and
women, and while no restriction is
thought of, it is suggested that few
words from many will be more express
sive Of the general feeling than many
words from few.
Here is Rev. Mr.. Hague's letter:
st. Matthew's Rectory,
March 29, 1898.
My Dear Mr.. Bent:-L regret that I
shall not be able TO accept the kind in
vitation of the committee to meet with
All Saints parish, tomorrow night.
feel however, that it will not be out OF
place to express to you by note, as /
have already done personally, my sense
Of the great loss which will come not
only to All Saints, but to the church in
this city, the archdeaconry and even to
the whole diocese, in case DR.. V1nton
should see 1t his duty to leave us. 1
hope this thought will come to him with
such power that it may clear up any
doubts as to going away, and that we
may have him with us to help us by his
wisdom, sympathy and goodness, for
years to come. Should have been able
to have been with you, this is the
thought / should have tried to give ut
terance to with all my powers. / am
sure that my brethren of the clergy
would miss him greatly and would join
most heartily in what | have written.