The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-07-13
BEGAN Is YEARS AGO
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
LAST NIGHT.
TESTIM )NlaL FROM HIS CONGREGATION
A Letter # Congra.uI ,,ion from The vesry
Read and Gift of Silver Bowl and
Waiter Presented by the
Congregation,


Just twenty-five years ago yesterda,
Rev. DIR. Nj. Nj. Marshall became recto
of Christ church.
1t has been Il quarter of Il century o
loving service and of gracious results.
And last night itw as tttingly cele
brated by a service as beautiful an
touching as it was simple and heartfelt
The church was crowded with people
In the congregation We're not only :Df
Marshall's own parishioncrs, but mem
bers of nearly every other congregation
in the city. All were friends of the con
secrated man whose twenty-fifth year o.
labor here the service was intended Il
commemorate.
J. Rev. DIR. Pittinger, rector OF tn
Church of the Good Shepherd, assisted
DIR Marshall in the service. Special ma
sic was rendered by the choir.
DIR. Marshall said that on July 18th.
1884, just twenty-eight years ago. he
first had the privilege of officiating as
rector of Christ church PARISH. lie
succeeded, he said, that consecrated Ii
vine and learned theologian. Dr. Rich
ard Sharpe Mason.
II remember distinctly what a sra-
cious reception was accorded me, what
wslrnrhearted welcome and what open
handed hospitality met me. That same
spirit of love and forbearance mas char
acterized the conduct of this congrcga-
ton toward me ever since.
Il thought of this day Sunday. when
/ announced the regular service Tor
this evening, but to be perfectly frank
with you had nothing 10 do with this
service tonight: it has been arranged
by my congregation. IS
This has been an ,yentful day TO me.
Even under ordinary circumstances II
would have been so. But added to The
fact that it is the twenty-hfrll annver-
sary of my rectorate here, there have
today been three full congregations IN
this church; and the services at each
have been symbolical of the checkered
career of human life.
This morning the friends of young
couple gathered here TO see them pledge
their love to each other for fife, 70 IN
woke upon them the divine blessing ana
to sympathize with them as /.
forth to the duties of life. And let
me say that in that large congregation
pathized with those young people than
did the officiating minister, for just
exactly thirty-three years ago / stood
in the same position.
.sThen, this afternoon, we met here in
sorrow to pay our last tribute to one
most dear-one who by her Christian
life and gentle and lovely characteristics
made friends innulnerable. Her death
fsH hon. f,.in A.- 1.,rt
have every reason to believe that the
loss they sustain is her everlasting
gain.
Then tonight there is assembled here
a representative congregation, composed
not only of my own flock, but of mem
bers of other congregations, to join
in celebrating this anniversary occasion.
This morning the occasion was a
joyous one; this afternoon it WAS one
of sorrow. Tonight's service combines
JOY and SORROW. Each service, as /
have said, was symbolical. They rerr.-
sent the checkered career of life--sul-
shine chasing shadow But marriage
bells, funeral knells and anniversary
bells all lead to the house of the Lord
point to the one abiding thing of
earth, the love of the Son OF God.
the old metrical hymn, thar through all
the changes Of life in troubles and in
joy, the praises OF God should our hearts
and thoughts employ"
In closing DR.. Marshall thanked his
congregation and his friends from other
congregations for their interest ana
their presence.
Referring to the fact that his Presby-
had
"Wednesday night service that they
might be able to attend this anniver-
sary celebration, Dr. Marshall sail:
Il thank God that they mad t IN
their hearts to come here and join with
my people in the solemnitles Of this CO.
casion'
At the conclusion of evening service
and while the officiating ministers had
repaired to the vcstry to remove their
sacred vestiments DIR. Lewis, the senior
warden of IT,. parrish. arose and said:
I'VE are gathered here to do honor
TO one who as rector of this parish, ha..
ministered to us in loving service for
q quarter of a century. For This we
desire to express to him our gratitude
and appreciation and | appoint DIR. Y.
r. Turner and Mr.. c. NJ. Busbee to re-
before the congregations
when these gentlemen had entered,
DIR. Lewis, in behalf of the yestry. read
the following letter of congratulations
which was suitably engrossed.
Raleigh, y. c., July II. 1899.
Rev. NJ. M. Marshall, ID. d., Rector OF
Christ Church:
Reverend and Dear Doctor: The war
dens and vestry beg to offer you their
heartfelt congratulations upon the o.
currence of the twenty-ffth anniversary
of your assumption of the rectorship Of
Christ church Parish and to express the
hope that there lie befor, lis many more
years IF the same cordial relations h.
tween yourself and your people thai:
GAST6RlA fS lmsrSs ard eAs1ss