The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-07-31

DuflnS His Absence Rev. Harvey
Officer Jr. VIII Omciate as Rector
of st. PauPs Altar AsIow With
Burning Tapers and Fragrant
With Flowers - Seating Capacity
of the Church Tested.
Yesterday was red letter day In the
history Of st. PauTs Episcopal church
In the morning the altar was aglow with
many burning tapers, and the sanctuary
fragrant with many flowers. In the even
Ing the vested choir gave a selected mu-
slcal programme, with vocal solos by sew
eral Of its members. The occasion was
the twelfth anniversary of the rector
snip OF the Rev. John Wright It was
also an occasion Of additional interest
that the mornings discourse was DR..
Wright's last sermon prior to his vaca-
ton Of year, which he will spend in
travelling in Europe.
Both services tested fully the seating
capacity of the church, and at the close
Of the services many of the church peo-
pie bid their rector goodbye.
The sermon was based upon the
eleventh verse Of the Sixty-fifth psalm:
Thou crowneth the year with Thy
goodness" The rector said:
THE twelfth milestone Of a pastorate
is in every way eventful. 1t was espe-
cially the case with ST. PauTs church,
which had seen in twelve years encour-
agements and discoura gements. For fully
nine years the parish declined because of
the exodus Of many families to Upper
no, oF
was changed, for the financial support
was not left to a few wealthy families,
but all, regardless of social standing
were called upon to contribute From
that hour the revival of the church could
be dated. This had become most substan-
tial, and st. PauPs church was now in
the full flush Of prosperity. The congre-
cation presented a united body Of work.
ers, and parish societies were bearing a
splendid fruitage. The young men and
lads of the parish were doing a heroic
work. This year that closes today is the
banner year Of the twelve. On it's folds
we can write the words Thou crowneth
the year with Thy goodness We have
lost by death and removals five persons
and we have received twenty-five by let
ter from other parishes. The number
during the year confirmed was siXty-fve
the largest in the history of the parish
from the beginning. We have added to
the communicants' roll eighty-five names,
the largest showing of all the years. The
treasurer has paid all the bills Of the
parish and has money to spare. The vari-
Gus societies of the church are in the
same condition; that is, free from debt
with a balance on hand The endoW-
ment fund is growing year by year and is
now nearly $4,000. Surely the parish IS
in a most gratifying condition, and we
can proudly say Of this: Thou hast
crowned the year with Thy goodness
81 have every reason to hope that this
prosperity will be continued. The dark
years are behind you, and it is for you
to expand and build up, realizing even
greater things. The young man who is
to take my place for a year IS a son
Of the church Here he was baptized,
confirmed and received here his first
communion He also was here or
dained to the holy ministry. AS all his
early associations attach him - his
church it is but natural to expect that
here he will do his very best work
Give him the same love and co-opera,
ton you have given me-"
At l:30 there was a musical service ten.
dered by many musical people as a fare
we'll to the rector Solos were sung bv
Messrs Boyd and Collins and also by
Miss Lawrence. Master Leo White
with his sweet and sympathetic voice
rendered Consider the Lilies" and
Master Cotton Emerson sang in ex.
quisite taste Now the Day Is Over"
The anthems by the vested choir were
IuIIy up to the high reputation that this
body OF singers has maintained for sew
efal years. The choral evening PRAYER
was rendered with delicate shading and
with much pathos and feeling. such as
the attendants Of st. Pauls church hear
every Sunday.
The music selected for tho a,,an,n,r
programme was very beautiful DR.
Wright spoke a few words of the work
OF some or the younger societies of the
church that he had neglected to men
ton at the morning service. The 81
PauI Cadets, an organization auxi1isrv
10 the church was commended bigb1v
by Dr. Wright, who spoke cordiaIIv o+
the offer of the company to escort him
10 the train on the evening Of his de-
parture He esteemed it highly and
many OF the loving associations of ST
Faul would be fresh in his mind dur
his Journey in the old world He smoke
highly OF the st. Andrews Brotherhood
ana announced that gold and silver
Watchcs would be given to the BOYS that
reCeIEeu the highest standing in depart
heht attendance during the wear
The choir chanted a number of 1,ay~,,
pretty pieces and solos were sung bv
Master Leo White, Miss Lawrence ana
cotton Emerson. Previous to the spe-
cal programme the evening prayer was
sald. The service closed with ''God be
with you till we meet again" bv the
choir and audience. '1o
Dr Wright leaves Tuesday night and
WI i2in Mrs. Wright, who is now in
New York, and proceed on his journey
early IN August. During his absence
rev. harvey Officer Jr. will officiate as