The Newtown bee., 1901-05-31

popular rector should appear at this time in THE BEE. So on the earnest solicitation of the editor, Mir Wright graciously consented, and we doubt not but that his parishioners, as well as many friends in the town at large, will be gratified by his decision.
 The Rev Otis Olney Wright is a native of Rhode Island, where he spent the first p years of his life. He is a lineal descendant of one of the earliest colonial settlers of New England, Henry Wright, who came to Dorchester, Mass, in 1884, and was a member of the First Church of that place; and in 1643 removed to PrOvi- dence, R. l., where he purchased one of the original "hOme lots" of that plantation, and was the near neighbor and personal friend of Roger Will Hams. He was man of strong re- liglous convictions and had the cour- age to stand by his principles in the times which tried the souls of men: and he lost his life in the King Philips war.
 Rev MT WrightS father and grand father were followers of the peaceful pursuits of agriculture, in the "Prov- idence plantations.
 His maternal first ancestor in this country was Peter Wells, a resident of Jamestown, R. l., in 1867; who, ac- cOrding to tradition, was born in England in 1850; whose great-grandson, Lieut. James Wells, of Revolutionary record, citizen of Scituate, R. l., was MT Wright's great-grandfather. The rector of St Johns church is therefore a Son of the American Revolution.
 MT Wright worked his way to get his education; attended Normal school and High school, and pursued his studies alone, and under private in- structors. He taught in the public schools of Rhode Island several years, after which he took course in theOl ogy at the Christian Biblical Institute, from which he graduated in 1873.
 The following year he was ordained a minister of the Christian Connec- tion," that being the denomination in which he was brought up, and in which he labored for the next five years. He was married in his first parish, soon after his ordination, to Miss Annie Klngsbury, niece and adopted daughter of Capt Henry Kingsbury of Amesbury, Mass, a de- scendant of Henry Kingsbury of Haver- hill, Mass, 1615-l6S7.
 In 1879 he entered the Protestant Episcopal church, in which he soon took orders. The change was made to meet his convictions and preferences. He was ordained by Bishop Clark of Rhode Island. He has been rector of three parishes in these last 20 years in the church of his choice: Christ church, Swansea, Mass, seven years; St Marks, Riverside, R. l., three years; and St Johns, Sandy Hook 10 years
 Mir Wright's excellent work in St Johns parish is almost too well known to be commented on in these columns. But the fact remains that under cer- l tain rather discouraging conditions, as the result of Rector Wright's effective work, the parish became self-support- ing, and continues so to-day. This | fact speaks volumes for the harmony and good feeling which exists in the parish, and is doubtless the true secret of their success. This phase of the relations between rector ans people was finely brought out at the Hme of the recent visit of Bishop Brewster. As is well known, this parish has lost d number of valued supporters in the closing of the Rubber industry, neces- Sitating the removal of several families from town who had attended St John's
 A meeting of tine wardens, the rector and bishop was held to talk over affairs Rev MT Wright stated he had no com plaint to make against the parish that they had been generous in thei1 support and treatment of him. Ilt then said he would withdraw from the room that the Bishop and wardens might talk the matter over more frankly, should they desire. He alst offered to hand in his resignation if il seemed for the best interests of thu parish. The wardens at once protest