The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-04-15
WORDS OF REGRET
Resolutions Of Regret on Rs-
tifemsnl Of Rev. Or. Richards
Photo by autesunst, Philadelphia.

Al their last meeting the wardens and
vestry OF ST. Johns church adopted the
| following resolutions;
Whereas, The rector of St Johns
church, the Rev. c. A. L.. Richards, d.
D.. has sent to the corporation of the
church his resignation. presented on ac-
count OF continued i'll health, which resig-
nation has been referred by the corpora
tion 10 the yestry with full power To act,
aud has now been accepted by the vestry.
Now, Therefore, III is ordered that the
following minutes be placed upon the
church records:
Resolved. 1aat the cause which breaks
the relation OF pastor and people Is
sorrow which this yestry shares with Or.
Richards.
Resolved, That while we dlsclaim any
intention OF pronouncing a eulogy upon
Dr. Richards We feel that il is due TO
him that brief statement be made OF
facts pertaining 10 his personal relations
TO his people, TO his official labors, ana To
results that have been attained during
his administration in the physical condi-
tton auu activities or the church, and ia
its religious and spiritual work.
We recognize that during his long term
OF service, which began Dec g. 1859, no
shadow has obscured the reflection of "A
pure and honest life; that his ministra-
uons TO the poor, the sick and the afiiict-
ed have been faithful and untiring, i'm
season aud out OF season, and have won
their heartfelt gratitude: that he has uni
formly refrained from unkind criticism
OF any OF his people; that az a preache
OF the Word he has spoken with courage
and power; that, though holding his own
convictions without compromise. he mas
always respected the convictions of those
hn hf 10 i,i
people the same independence of thought
aud action that he claimed for himself;
that as an administrators he has been
singularly prompt, systematic and eff
cient.
We recall that the interior OF the
church when DR. Richards came 10 us
was cold and coiorless. and did not en-
courage the stranger TO enter. IL WAS
speedily, through his influence. beautified
by warm and attractive decorations
which served their purpose for more
than a quarter OF century. Then fol-
lowed the erection OF an ample and ad-
mira bile parish house, which at a cost of
So, 0J0. was turned over to the church
without a dollar Of Indebtedness and
with an endowment OF S15, 600 for it's main
tenancs. Subsequently the old organ,
whose unusual sweetness had delighted
a generation OF worshippers, was rebuilt
by general subscription, and the church,
through the generosity 90 one Of it's mem
bers, was made the possessor OF n fine
new organ that was placed IN the north
transept and electrically connected with
the gallery organ most important ae-
complishment under the rector's leader
ship WAS the extinguishment OF the
church debt, which had been an ever-re-
curing anxiety and burden.
The last two years Of the rector's In
cumbency have been signaized by alter
ations in the entrance OF the church and
changes in the interior, which have added
greatly TO the comfort of it's worshippers
as well as Go the comlness Of it's appear
ance. These changes were accompanied
by a successful and pleasing redecoration
and refurnishing OF the interior All OF
this work was completed and fully paid
for by the liberal and widely distributed
gifts Of ST. Johns people.
Since Or Richards took charge of ST.
Johns church there have been 432 mar
riaRes and 64 burials.
For the more important spiritual results
OF Dr. Richards pastoratc we can call at
tention 10 relations formed with the
church to the number OF S0o by baptism
and shi by confirmation There has also
been maintained a large Sunday school
whose marked success az n renoVsting
Influence iu the neighborhood aud " feed
er 20 the church is recognized by all.
To its superintendent. and 10 each In
Richards has offered a spirit OF hearty
appreciation. OF generous confidence, and
OF freedom of action that has unduestion-
ably contributed largely. not only 20 their
comfort. hut to their success.
Tho total receipts for parochial ex-
penses since Dr richards took charge Of
the parish amount 90 s402 ~ 2S.
The total amount contributed Ivy mem
hers ~ the parish for missionary and
charitable purposes. SO far as reported. II
Ni2. .tbl gs
But II is Dr. Richards quiet work In
1he church and in the community which
Is not represented by any equivalent IN
figures. that itself constitutes the best
tribute to his influence.
Resolved That this vestry coneratu-
hates Dr. Richards. that when the tlmc
coines for him 60 withdraw from active
connection with the parish he can carry
With him the consciousness that MS work
has been that of faithful servant. sud
The assurance that the respect and the
Affection nf bic VcStry and of his people
-l44 i..AsI btA~