New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1901-06-30
HONOR FIVE AGED PRIESTS
THE FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF THEIR
ORDINATION CELEBRATED.


remarkable memorial celebration and din
ner were held at the General Theological Sem
| mary last night. They were in honor Of the
hftieth anniversary of the ordination to the
priesthood of the Rev Drs. Thomas Gallaudet,
P. K. Cady, William W. OLSEN. ]. Selden Spen-
Ger and William S. Coffey.
All Of these men except Dr. Cady were pres
emit He went to Europe several weeks ago.
All of the five clergymen are still preaching.
They were ordained by Bishop De Lancey
st. Peters Day. June % 1851 the ordination
taking place in Grace Church, Brooklyn Heights
Priestly orders were conferred at that time on
the largest class that had ever assembled in the
United States, ii is said /;
In the chapel of the seminary at o'clock III
the evening the memorial service took placei
Bishop Potter conducted 1t. The full vested
choir Of Trinity Church was present. Nearly ain
of the prominent Episcopal clergynen of the
city and surrounding country were present. The
exercises consisted of professional hymn sen
fences. the Lords prayer and versicles. psalter
lesson, Magnificent in D. lesson. ''Nunc DmittIs'
in D, creed and collects and anthem.
Then Bishop Potter made an address of seven
minutes. He spoke of a learned disbeGever who
admitted that the two professions in which some
real good done for humanity were those of
the doctor and the clergyman. 1T a
not night ike this, ne continued several years
ago, when a bishop stood in a great church in
this city. He preached on love and forgiveness
He saw woman leaning over the rail of the
gallery he was preaching. His attention was
called to this woman and to the pathOs in her
face. She soon disappeared Ten days after
ward. after nights lecture. this woman ap-
preached the bishop and said to him earnestly.
You do not remember me. but you saved my
life. This woman confessed that she had deter
mined TO end her life by plunging in the bay.
She had not lived life of righteousness. had
been sinned against, and thought that there was
trust to be placed in humanity. She entered
that church that hot night from sheer curiosity
Her soul awakened. Brethren this illus
trates the work of consolation and peace that
you are able to give mankind"
After the sermon Bishop Potter asked If
he was the bishop he referred to. He smiled
and shook his head.
The four aged clergymen sat in the chancel.
arrayed in their vestments. After the services
in the chapel the clergymen went to the SEM
mary dining hall. where dinner served
The Rev DIR. Henry Mottet. rector of the
Church of the Holy Communion, chairman
of the committee OF arrangements. Bishop Pot
ter acted as POSTMASTER In front of Bishop
Potter five large morocco covered boxes
containing the silver loving cups to be presented
TO the five clergymen in whose honor the dinner
was given. At the close of the dinner Bishop
Potter said
We are gathered here tonight. brethren: TO do
honor TO five men. all of whom ordained
the same time, in the place and by the
Bishop. It is well to say that these still
IN the service OF the Church. We will do honor
these worthy by presenting them with low
inS cups. We sure that they will not them
for any unworthy purpose, You have all seen how
they have strenuously adhered TO iced tea as a
solace and consolation this hot night.
Bishop Potter then presented the cups.