The Washington times., 1902-04-28
Seventy-flve Years Since
the Episcopal Parish
Was Organized.
FESTAL WEEK INAUGURATED
Services Held at the Church Yesterday
Rev. H. Fields Saumenig Delivers An
niversary Sermon-Reviews Progress
of the Parish.

To quote the Rev. II. Fields Saumenig,
the eminent divine who preached the an
niversary sermon, .'Old Trinity celebrates
a birthday Trinity has arrived at a ripe
old age; three score years and ten and five
have rolled around since Trinity parish
OF the Protestant Episcopal Diocese of
Washington had its inception.
The bishop, clergy, vestry. and parish
toner's of Trinity parish, and many Epis-
eopalians from divers parts of the diocese.
will unite during the ensuing week in the
celebration of the three-quarter centen-
inial of the organization of old Trinity.
The principal feature OF the anniversary
services. however, will occur next Sun
day. when the church will be consecrated
by the Right Rev. Henry Yates Satterlee
ID. D.. IL. D., bishop of the Protestant
Episcopal Diocese of Washington.
Festal Week Inaugurated.
The festal week in old Trinity was in
augurated at 80 O'Clock yesterday morn
ing by the administration of the rites of
holy communion by the Rev. H. Fields
Saumenig. This was followed by the
regular morning service at IL o'clock.
which was attended by congregation
that taxed the seating capacity Of the
church.
An elaborate musical program was
rendered by the full vested choir of the
church The holy communion was cele-
brated by the rector, Rev. DR.. Williams.
hi 10 fho
ed by the Rev. Mr.. Saumenig. The Scrip
ture lessons were read by Mr.. Henry C.
Amos, the lay reader of the church.
Significance attaches to the fact that
Rev. Mr.. saumenig preached the ami
versary sermon, in that he celebrated his
first Holy Communion. after his ordina-
tion into the priesthood, at Trinity
Church. and was also the first priest to
celebrate the Holy Communion at the
new altar in Trinity Church.
"The Communion of Saints"
Mr.. Sanmenig's sermon was an eloquent
discourse on the theme, The Communion
of Saints based on that portion of the
Scriptures to be found in Ephesians, Tvs:
''one Lord. one faith, one baptism" He
Sdiu IN part.
''old Trinity celebrates a birthday. The
history of the past will be reviewed by
those who are qualified to recall the
scenes OF other days. in this Capital City
OF great nation this old parish has
stood as a witness of the faith Sacred
memories crowd upon US Sacred associa-
tions bind US together, but as one looks
at this beautiful building. as one tries to
think of the past years, as one notes this
all but completely finished interior. then
comes to one sense of righteous pride,
and one needs to pause moment and ask:
What does IL all mean? This finished
work This beautiful house OF God All
this progress. All this advancement. All
this past history. What does IL all mean?
What Is the Church of the Past?
And the answer is: Nothing. absolutely
nothing. unless We as individuals. as
members Of the church OF the living God,
as lively stones are built up a spiritual
house. What is the church OF the past.
those quarters OF a century in Trinity
parish? Is ii this building? These acces-
sorfes Of worship? II seems the answer
comes as an echo from the past: OF
whom the greater part remain until this
present. but some are fallen asleep.
Would TO God We might all realize this |
morning that this anniversary celebration
is not ours alone, but theirs also In that /
great company in paradise are many of |
those whom God In his infinite wisdom |
transferred to the register of the church |
expectant, who must rejoice today be- 1
cause this Witnessing TO the faith goes /
on, because this old parish passes another /
milestone. goes on, conquering and TO |
conquer in the name of the king in the
work OF the king Oh. what this all means.
Meaning of the Profession of Faith.
And SO we are to. try to think this
morning OF the practical meaning of our
profession of faith. when we say IN the
Church's creed: believe in the COM
of saints II is the fellowship
OF the members OF the body of Christ one
with another, communion or fellowship
the reality OF which neither time nor
space can overthrow.
I'm the consideration OF so important a
doctrine IL is exceedingly necessary that
Dne guard against the influence OF mere
sentimentality. Some thoughtful consid-
grafton of the subject is forced upon US.
Il is part of the common 10; of life a
witness to the universality OF suffering
and the mystery of life, that scarcely a
'amiiy in this world OF ours but there is
he witnessing OF sorrowlHg hearts and
ne eager, dnhlous questioning, w nat,
ifter all, is my relation 10 those who have [
passed beyond, who have gone Defore?' d,
SURELY such questioning is honest. II is q
lot the rawlings of mind full of doubt. t
,ut sincere, real seeking after the truth c
Conditions That Confront Us. !
ut is not alone, however. poetry fiction. i
md art, or the want OF something definite.
tanding in the way of fuller and more a
omplete consciousness OF the teaching
nd meaning of the communion of saints. /,
'hese conditions confront US: First, the D
rant of a fuller Official declaration by our I
wn branch OF the Church. Second. the S
alse and extreme teachings of Rome-but
o more extreme than the third condition
'hird. the unscriptural and sentimental
osition of Professionalism. n
''As one pausee, as at some time or q
ther one must-panses to think and 10
hink seriously OF this whole matter-one X
J led TO inquire: What is the cause. or L
hat the causes of this apparent disre- IA
ard of the faith as expressed in the /
hurch, when we say 1 believe in the n
of saints Why is 1t that SEN r
ment alone rules supreme? And the an
wer is. two causes at least-ignorance