The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-05-29

/
the Rev Theodore DuBose Bratton, D.
d., Rector of st. Mary's School, and
Bishop-Elect of Mississippi:
The Board of Trustees of st. Mary's
School, Raleigh, desire to give this formal,
though inadequate expression of their SEN
timents, as they comply with the necessi-
ties OF your and of their situation, in ac-
ccpting your resignation of the Rector
ship OF st. Marys School. The respect the
high sense of duty which leads you to
accept the call to more arduous and more
self-sacrificing labors; they recognize the
right of the Church to claim the best
Tor her highest ofices they submit to
the orderings of Gods providence, and
believe that it must be for the best but
to them it remains a hard and a sad ne
cessity.
When four years ago, with an unamini-
ty which seemed to imply divine guild
ance, they called you to become Rector
of st. Mary's, they were under the shadow
of loss which besides the sorrow car
ried with it a profound fear and per
plexity. They hardly knew themselves
the nature Of the. problems involved in
the carrying out of the work committed
TO them; and consequently they hardly
who should solve them. fThey saw pos
sibilities of success and of usefulness for
st. Marys: whether they would be able
to realize these possibilities-that gave
them fear. 1t is hardly too much to say
that they did not allow themselves to
hope that they would find man who
would at all points be prepared to meet
the demands of the case and to satisfy
| &c -I1nlo
Board of Trustees when l say that in
our judgment, happier selection for an
important work was never made; and
that not for one moment have we ever
been tempted to feel that we might have
lone better.
The first, though in some respects the
lowest, consideration in solving OUT diff
cult problem, was the financial question.
Both III the matter of internal economy
and management whereby money has been
wisely and judiciously expended IN the
improvement of the property and for the
comfort of the school family, and in the
wider field of administration, whereby
revenue has been created and increased,
the Board of Trustees desire to express
their appreciation of the intelligent, gen
erous and able manner in which these dit
ficult matters have been dealt with. The
financial success of your administration
las been most marked.
In your personal conduct to teachers
and pupils, and in the discipline OF the
school, in cultivation of that mutual at
lection, confidence, and cooperation,
which we are proud to claim as one OF
the characteristics of st. Mary's, we feel
hat you have shown yourself to possess
the qualities of an educator of the young
IN a very eminent degree.
In a wise craftsmanship, which appTe-
eiating overwhelming conditions adapts
itself to the new necessity, and modifies
the forms of old institutions without los
ing the sentiments, traditions and moral
power of the past, we believe that no
man could have bettered the work which
you have done. BY your endeavors st.
Marys today stands fairly facing the edu-
cation problems of the present, and re-
tains the power and prestige OF her noble
past.
We see you depart with unfeigned SOL
row. We do not speak much OF the per-
sonal feelings involved We feel sure that
these do not need to be proclaimed IN
public.
We thank God for the work you have
done for ST. Mary's. We bless God for
the hope that you have before you many
happy and useful years in your higher
office
On behalf of the Board of Trustees.
JOS. BLOUNT CHESHIRE,
President of the Board.
May 2Sth, 1908.
TRIBUTE OF THE ALUMNAE.
| The following resolutions were adopted
by the Alumnae Association of st. Mary's
with relation to Dr. Bratton's resignation:
THE Alumnae of st. Mary's, some
| trained under the administration OF the
wise and able founder and first rector OF
the school Rev. Albert Smedes, D. D..
and Others educated under that of his
faithful and devoted successor, Rev. Ben
aett Smedes, d. D., were deeply solicitous
four years ago when a vacancy was to be
filed after the death of the second rector
that the trustees should make no mistake
in their selection, and that the prestige
of the Institution should not suffer under
the guiding hand of the third rector They
were inspired with some confidence when
they learned that the choice had fallen
upon one whose natural gifts were great,
whose training at Suwanee and elsewhere
had MADE MIN Il ueNOtEu anu
whose experience in practical business,
and as teacher in a large and progress
sive female college, as well as a Parish
Priest in a neighboring State, would give
him a peculiar fitness for the place. After
an observation of four years, and from
the testimony of trustees and patron, as
well as of their younger suffers who have
been pupils under DR.. Bratton's admins
tration, they are satisfied that Providence
must have directed the trustees in their
choice They have seen the old reputation
of the institution fully sustained, It's cur
riculum enlarged, while the devotion OF
the pupils to the school has suffered nc
diminution Under these circumstances
they cannot but feel the resignation of DR.
Bratton, even to accept the highest office
in our church, as almost personal calam-
ity to them and their younger sisters.
Therefore, resolved First, That the
Alumnae of st. Mary's in common will
its friends throughout the South, deeply
regret that the school is to lose the ser
vice of DIR. T. d. Bratton its rector
Second, That they cannot complain thai
he resigns upon call to what he consid