Smyrna times., 1898-06-15
TENTH ANNIVERSARY.
Rev. G. W. Dames's Sermon on His Ten
Years Passionate at ST. Peters
Episcopal Church.

There was a large congregation at
the Episcopal church last Sunday
morning to hear the special sermon
given by the Rev. Geo. W. Dame upon
the occasion of the 10th anniversary
of his rectOrship of st. Peters Parish
of this town. While there was no
special preparation made in the way of
decorations and music, the occasion
was a notable one in many respects.
There was however a very sweet solo
given bv Miss Bessie COunselman, but
the chief feature of the whole service
was the sermon given by the rector.
Rev. Dame took as his text: "They
declared all thing that God had done
with them," Acts Is, 4. The sermon
was one of thought and interest all the
way through, not any more from It's
concise language, than for the splendid
review of the history of the parish dur
ing his ten years of ministry with It,
In showing what the church had done
he said that during the ten years there
had been 90 persons baptlsed, and
$50, ,527. II raised, S117.39 more than the
previous ten years. When he came
| to the confirmation figures there was
| a still better showing. In the last ten
years there were 10 confirmed, while
| id the thirty years previous only III
are recorded. OF the COMMITMENTS
of the parish, forty names were sturck
| off the registry to become the nucleus
of q congregation at Clayton, now an
independent Parish with church. In
noting the losses the church has sus-
tanned, he spoke of the beloved dead
and paid a passing tribute to their
memory.
He gave a history of the improve
ments TO the church, and compared its
Appearance to the first Sunday he took
hold of the rectOrship. Then there
were two memorial windows, now there
are nine. more possibly than any
church in the diocese. He commend
ed the rented pew system as the very
best for churches, as it puts the parisl
finances upOn a business basis, en-
couraging the idea that the cOntribu
tions of a congregation to the sup
port of a church are a duty and not
| charity, besides doing away with th
> necessity of the clergyman each Sunda.
, appealing from the chancel for money
| He spoke in praise of the parochia
t work and workers as being elevatini
r TO the church. In contributions the,
3 had been very liberal, so that the Par
1
n rectiOn where claims have been yer
. on her christian charity.
: The spiritual work of the Parish wa
S a feature that he dwelt upon particJ
: larlv. After reviewing the past, an
g the work which had been done, h
r took up the present condition of thing
the tendencies that interfere with tn
:, church's advancement. He beautiful
,r-ho loa f1k1 hoH 1toc CT
}. st. Peters Parish. In conclusion b
t. spoke a word for himself and his rel
IS tiOns to the congregation. "Ten years
} he said, sis long rectOrship if v
" compare it with the changes we s.
l. going on around us. Congregation
st sometimes grow weary of one admin
s, tration and imagine a change will ha
u good results. When you reach til
ne state of mind in regard to myself,
u trust YOU will indicate it to me in t
Sc one dignifed way and place, which t
church has set forth, when the congl
lg CATION is privileged to speak its mi
OF freely, namely at the Easter MOnd
Meeting. If 1 have remained with Y
ed so long, it is because [ have believ
'e- that YOU desired me to continue
your Rector and consequently becaU
n, I imagined that l had not outlived l
on time of usefulness among you. VIII
ISIS I am convinced, or when you EXPIRE
no to me the opinion that this time has
a rived, ! shall act for the highest 60
ay of ali without regard to any persor
considerations. For 1 stand here
in to live upon you, but to serve you,
lead you, to :hel p uplift you, to re
for sent the great church which you 10
ia, In order to do this with good resu
ed it is necessary for you to trust me-
love me, to cooperate with me, to
ing loyal to me, not by reason of any /
sonal merits or perfections, but
OF cause there must be head, there m
.cll be oneness of purpose in a uni
RS. breast for any organization to do
on work effectively.