The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-02-08
RECTOR INSTITUTE
Ed AT ST. PAUL'S
CEREMONY OF INSTITUTION
CONDUCTED BY BISHOP NELSON BE
FORE LARGE CONGREGATION

Keys of Church Formally Presented
to Rev. Gilbert A. Ottmann by
Senior Warden Howard-The BIZ
BILE, Prayer Book and CanOns Pre-
scented by the BisbOp-Practical
sermon on Significance of Insti-
tuition by Bishop NeIsOn--The New
Rector Formally welcomed by the
Congregation.
With the ceremonies of the office of
institution of ministers. Rev. Gilbert
A. Ottmann was yesterday in
stituted priest and rector of St.
Pauis Episcopal Church. The service
was conducted by the Rt. Rev. Clel
land X. Nelson, Bishop of Georgia,
who preached the institution. sermon.
The communion was administered by
Rev. Mr.. Ottmann.
The service began with the morn
ing prayer. Every seat in the church
was filled and even after chairs had
been placed along the aisles, many
stood in the rear. owing to the near
approach of the Lenten season there
were no decorations in the church, ex-
cept the flowers on the altar.
Bishop Nelson and Rev. Mr.. OFT
mann, attended by the wardens and
vested choir, entered the chancel. All
but the bishop remained without the
altar rails. The senior warden, Mr..
C. Wallace Howard, holding the keys
of the church in view of the congrega-
ton, stood at the right of the altar,
and Mr.. A. B. Moore, junior warden,
at the left.
After the address, announcing the
purpose of his visit, by Bishop Nelson,
Mr.. Howard presented Rev. Mr.. Ott-
mann the keys of the church in tok
en- of his authority and in behalf of
the congregation, formally recognized
him as rector and priest. Bishop Mel
| son. called the rector within the altar
rails and presented him the Bible, the
Book of Common Prayer, and the
Books of Canons of the General and
Diocesan conventions. Prayer was Of
fered, the institution hymn was sung,
and the benediction was pronounced.
Sermon by Bishop Nelson.
Bishop Nelson delivered the institu-
ton sermon. 1t was a plain prac-
tical talk. dealing with the rites and
| ceremonies of institution. their signiti-
canoe, and their necessity in order to
protect both rector, and congregation,
and to sustain the dignity and order OF
the church. The text was taken from
Acts. XIX :2S: Feed the church of
God, which he has purchased with his
own blood"
From the words of the text the
Bishop called attention to the fact
that the minister must he bidden and
called to the parish in which ne is
| to minister. This, means that he
must have a superior in office. In the
days of the Apostles they were direct
| ly called by Christ to the work. Those
days are past, and now the minister
must be sent forth by one higher in
authority. 1t is not a question of
superiority of mind. ability. or in vir-
tue. but one of superiority in office.
mo parish" said the Bishop. ZAP
| points anyone to act as it's priest and
rector. The church iS church of
law and order, and does not tolerate
| ecclesiastical tramps. The bishop holds
| the keys of the diocese, and shall say
who shall or shall not enter a church.
Passing clergy are often men of great
repute," he said. land we'll fitted to
occupy the pulpit of any church, but
the practice, of admitting strangers is
dangerous, and is to be discouraged.
Reasons for Institution.
The Bishop gave the reasons for the
| institution service. I'm the first place"
he said. "it is a public announcement
of the fact that the one instituted has
| been chosen for the office; that he has
| been deemed worthy by the Bishop of
| the diocese, and that he has proven ac-
oeptable to the congregation; it es-
| tablishes him as rector in the eyes OF
| the public, and it is in accordance with
the law and order of the church.
1.-The delivery of the keys" said the
| Bishop, lis only just and right. When
| a minister becomes rector of the par
| ish, the priest becomes supreme. To
him it is given to say when the church
| shall be opened and when it shall not.
He may enter and leave the church
when he pleases and need consult no
one, not even the wardens.
THE books, which are presented, are
eloquent in meaning. The Bible shows
| by what rule the rector is to be guild
| ed in his conduct. The Book of Com
mon Prayer shows him in accordance
with the rulers of the church. The
Books of Canons show him subject to
law, subject to the rules and regula-
tons of the church.
A Minister'S Rights.
1.-The rector cannot be starved out
by the parish. A contract is made
with him when he comes as rector,
ana THIS must De- nlleu 10 the letter.
II not, the bishop of the diocese may
intervene and sell any of the church
property and pay the rector what is
due him.
IAN things must be done in accord
ance with the dignity, the law, and
order of the church." said the Bishop
THE solemnity of the institution of
ministers shows the seriousness of the
entire proceeding, the weight which
the church attaches to it, the sacred
ness in which it should be held"
Immediately following the sermon
the holy communion was celebrated
by Rev. Mr.. Ottmann. 1t is only dur
ing the service of the institution of
ministers that rector may admins
ter communion when a bishop is pres
ent. In this case, however, the Bishop
valves the right which is his by rea-
son of his superior authority. At the
conclusion of the services Rev. Mr.
| Ottmann was formally welcomed by