The evening times., 1898-07-25
WILL ENTER THE MINISTRY.
Auson Phelps stokes, Jr.. to BE
Ordained in 1900.

New York. July 25.-Anson Phelps
Stokes. jr., has set his heart upon becom-
ing a minister of the gospel. The young
millionaire entered the Episcopal Theolog-
icaI Seminary. in Cambridge. Mass. sbou,
two years ago. To those not intimately
acquainted with him this step was not
considered serious-he was known 10 oe
of a studious mind, and it was thought
he desired to take the theological course
merely to add to his stock of general
knowledge.
But he is very much in earnest. and mis-
purpose was to study for the ministry
and to be ordained. -,4
He was always inclined that way. said
his brother, Isaac Newton Stokes, who is
an architect Yes. of course he has the
approval of his family. He went to Eu-
rope a month ago. He graduated from
Yale in 1896 and will graduate from the
Theological Seminary in 1907
The Stokes family worship in the
Church of the Incarnation, Thirty-tiftE
Street and Madison Avenue. They have a
pew in St. Bartholomew Church
Young Stokes's mother, one of the most
Christian women In New York, is pleased
at her sons choice. 1t is well known that
the whole family have been devoted to
church work.
After his srauation from Yale Univer-
sity, Arson spent a year travelling
abroad. But he did not take the beaten
track-he had something etse in mind.
He was accompanied by two of his un-
married sisters and they joined the wild
ow of the Rev. DR.. A. Tw.ng. Mrs living.
whose husband was former Chicago di-
vine, was honorary secretary of the Wo-
mems Auxiliary Board of Missions Of
the Protestant Episcopal Church The
party went on a tour of visitation to the
missions of the Orient.
Among the distant lands they visited
were the Sandwich Islands, China. ia
pan and India. The young graduate was
impressed with all he saw. The MISSION
AIRY work, of which he was now getting a
practical knowledge, confirmed him in his
resolution, and he determined that when
he returned he would lose no time in en-
tering the Theological Seminary.
While at Yale he developed a talent for
oratory. Hence on two important col
lege ceremonials his classmates assigned
him the duty of making the speech of the
occasion. Therefore. he has one impo--
tant qualification for the ministry, ready
speech and correct diction.
Oue OF MS tTiuhpHS Was tue winning OF
the Thacker prize of $75 for the best
speech in debate by a member of the
academic department.. He also exhibited
a talent for argument. In the annual
competitive debate in Osborne Hall he
was selected over a host Of competitors
to lead Yale's representatives in its Yale
Harvard debate, and he acquitted him
self with great honor.
With his wealth. present and prospect
i've, he might lead an easy life. But that
is not his characteristic any more than 1t
is his elder brothers.
He is the youngest son of Anson Phelps
Stokes and a grandson of James Stokes
and Isaac Newton Phelps. He is related to
the William E. Dodge family. The city
northeast corner of Madison Avenue and
nificent Summer residence, Shadowbrook
Farm, Lenox. in the Berkshire Hills.
This million dollar mansion lies in the
midst Of 200 acres. noted for their pict-
uresqueness, and through which is wind
ing driveway of ten miles. There are 100
guest chambers in the house, which would
cover a block and half of ground in this
city.
Mrs. Stokes and her daughters opened
an Italian free library and reading room
at Five Points, in which Mrs. Stokes took
much interest. The Italians in that quar-
ter have had many examples of the fami-
ly's charity and liberality. rr
In the Presidential campaign of 1896 the
young mans father wrote many clever
articles on the great issue. and although
bimetallist. was strongly opposed to
Mr.. Bryan. . ~ ..sa-