Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-25
TERN IN one PULPIT
John Williams Twenty-Fihh Anniversary
a. Rector Of St. BarnabaS.
BISHOP WILLIAMS COMPLIMENTS PRIEST
Points out Three characteristics
which Have Marked the Ministry
of Rector of st.
reception at Night.

The parishioners and friends Of Rev. John
Williams assisted yesterday in the cele-
bration Of his twenty-hfth anniversary as
rector Of st. Barnabas Episcopal church,
Nineteenth and California streets. lie has
received many substantial testimonials OF
the esteem in which he is held by the
people Of Omaha. Seven hundred dollars
in cash was sent to him yesterday by friends
who are not members of his parish and the
total contributions amount to 81, 200, a large
part Of which will be used toward liquidat-
ing the debt on st. Barnabas church.
Among the gifts were eight large boxes OF
cut flowers.
There was a reception at the parsonage
last night and Sunday morning Rev. Will
liams will preach an anniversary sermon.
Many friends Of the rector and family, ire
spective OF church Affiliations, were present
at the reception.
Bishops Tribute to Rector.
Yesterday C~oadjutor Bishop Williams
of1ciated at holy communion service at st.
Barnabas and prior to the service the
bishop delivered a brief address to the
people, in which he felicitated them upon
the long and harmonious pastorate OF their
rector.
There are three characteristics which
nave mdThbu tue ministry OIL the I6CIOG OI
st. Barnabas," said the bishop. First,
bis unhinching courage in declaring the
truth as a priest Of God, without for q
moment considering either its popularity
in the eyes of the world or its effect upon
himself. Secondly, he has realized that
the saving of souls does not consist OF a
fine church, a great parish house or in
fussy humanitarian, but in personal minis
~trations to sin-sick souls as a representative
Of our Blessed Lord. Lastly, he has ex-
emplihed in his long rectorship of twenty
FIVE years the church's intention that the
pastoral relation and the life of the priest
should be co-extensive, that what God has
Joined together let no man put asunder."
John williams Career.
John Williams was born In County Kerry,
Ireland, in 1885, and came to this country
when a young man, locating in Minnesota.
He was educated at Fairbault, Seabury
Hall, and shortly after finishing the course
there was called to Hastings, Mimi, to off,
ciate as a deacon in the church at that
place. A few months later, in 1868, he was
ordained a priest by Bishop Whipple Of
Minnesota, and at once took up the rector
ship Of the Hastings church, continuing In
this capacity for ten years. 1t was during
this time that he received the call to st.
barnaDaS' Al urst REV. "llllams was re-
~luctant to accept, deeming 1t his duty to
remain at Hastings, but two years later, the
summons having been insisted upon mean
while, he came to Omaha, and twenty-five
years ago entered upon his present pastor
ate. The parish was then s years old,
Father Belts having been the first priest.
During all this time Rev. Williams has
not raised a cent for the maintenance of
his church through the medium Of fairs, so
| cables or any sort Of entertainment, as he
was opposed to this method of defraying
church expenses, and has received only vol
untary contributions.