The semi-weekly messenger., 1900-11-13
Or. STRANGE'S RESIGNATION
HE ADHERES TO HIS DECISION TO GO
TO RICHMOND

rangements to Leave Wilmington.
Beautiful and Touching Resolutions
Adopted by the vestry OF st. James.
try of ST. James Episcopal church to
urge upon DR.. Strange to remain as
rector Of the parish and If he could
consistently do so, not to go to Rich
mond in response to the call OF St
Paups church, made it's report at a
meeting of ST. James Vestry on Friday
night. After comforting with DR..
Strange, he thought it was his duty
to accept the call to the Richmond
church and the report Of the commit
tee was to that effect.
The vestry therefore adopted the fol-
lowing:
With a reluctance. springing from
their knowledge of the loss to the con-
gregation of ST. James, and with
deep sense of personal deprivation, the
Vestry feels it incumbent upon them
to accept the resignation Of our rector.
the Rev. Robert Strange, d. D., ten
dered to take effect on the 18th day Of
December, ensuing.
After thirteen years of service. con-
Secrated, we believe, to great good to
this Parish, our parting with him will
be marked by heartfelt regret, but.
believing that workers in the church
of God should consult the necessities of
His vineyard at large rather than
their preferences for labor in any par
ticular portion of 1T, and feeling that
our rector has come to the conclusion
to change his field of usefulness only
after long and prayerful study, we
recognize the necessity of setting aside
our own wishes and desires. and con-
cur in a decision which proceeds, we
are sure, from the highest and most
conscientious motives, and which is.
on his part, a surrender of personal
feelings to the demands of duty.
1--WE hope and believe that in a wider
sphere the talents with which God has
endowed him will find larger opportu-
mites for service in Christ's kingdom,
and trust that he and those to be un-
der his care will increase and prosper
in all good work.
''Of his labors in this parish there is
little need to speak and yet We must
bear testimony to their value. A wise
rector, a devoted pastor, tender and
untiring friend, loving in his ministra-
tions, judicious in his counsels, he has
so endeavored himself to this cOngre-
cation that the bonds which unite US
will be broken in sorrow and distress.
The services of the church have been
conducted with dignity and decorum.
his sermons have been wholesome and
true, his conduct as minister and as
a man has been without blemish, and
las commanded respect, and brought
him love and admiration, in and out
of his parish.
1--WE commend him to the love and
care of those whom he now goes to
serve, and to the grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ"
DR. STRANGE LOOKING FOR A
HOUSE.
DR. Strange returned yesterday from
Richmond whittier he went on We'd
nesday night. Of his visit the Rich
mond Dispatch of yesterday says:
Rev. Robert Strange, D D., the newly
elected rector of ST. PauPs church
spent the day in Richmond yesterday,
looking for house and making ar
rangements for his coming here next
month. The fact that the vestry Of st.
PauPs church is leased until October,
1901 and that vacant houses are very
scarce in Richmond just now, was COM
municated to DR.. Strange by Mr.. Bent
ley, the register of st. PaufS, and he
came at once to make the necessary
arrangements to bring his family here
next month.
1.-The purpose of his coming was not
in any way connected with matters
before the vestry, and his visit was
kept as secret as possible, in order that
he might be left free to attend to the
business in hand. DR.. Strange left for
Wilmington last night, and will not
return to Richmond until the week of
the 22d of December. He will preach
his last sermon at Wilmington on the
10th, and will resign his charge direct
ly afterwards, and come to Richmond
in time to preach his first sermon on
the 23rd.
A VOICE FROM WILMINGTON.
Mr.. Iredell Meares, a prominent
lawyer of Wilmington, who is in the
city to argue a case before the United
states circuit court of appeals, is a
member Of DR.. Strange's church.
The people of my city, without re-
gard to denominational ties, regard
DR.. Strange's resignation, in order to
accept a call to st. Pauls church, in
Richmond. as a public calamity" said
Mr.. MeareS.
II don't suppose a preacher ever had
a stronger hold upon the affections of
the people than has DR.. Strange upon
the citizens of Wilmington. He was
born and reared among them. 1 was
his schoolmate. 1 have never known a
purer or a better man. There are
preachers who are greater orators, but
none who are better.
He is a man of very broad and lib
eral views. He Is not 'straight-laced'
Episcopalian by any means. I predict
that he will not have been long in
Richmond before people of all religious
faiths will know and love him, as do
the people of Wilmington
Wilson Notes.