Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1905-06-30
TWENTY-FIVE ANNIVERSARY
OF the Rev. (. p. Lees Ordina-
ton TO the Priesthood.
Presented with Portable Altar BY his
Present and Former Parishes.

inthians, xii, Is, And now abideth
Faith, Hope, Charity, these three, but
the greatest of these is Charity"
After speaking briefly OF his early
religious education in the Congregation
al Church at East St. Johnsbury, and his
first attendance at a service of the Epis-
copal Church, while preparing for the
Congregational ministry in the St
Johnsbury Academy, the breaking up Of
that plan 10y the civil war, during which,
being stationed near 5. Paul's Church,
Rock Creek, near the Maryland line, in
the District of Columbia, he became so
much interested in the prayer book that
when subsequently his regiment was
ordered to the front to reinforce Grant
at Spotsylyania, his longing for one
seemed to be provideutially supplied by
finding book of common prayer on the
bank after fording the Potomac river,
and his diligent study of that book, he
spoke of Christian unity.
1t seems a strange thing, said he, that
the religious influence OF Christianity
should be weakened 10y 50 many unhappy
divisions, when in reality the three great
essentials of our religion we're cordially
accepted 10y nearly all Christians at the
present day. These are the three Chris
tan virtues mentioned in the text
Faith, Hope and Charity, and they cor
respond to what Christian ought to
believe, know and do for his souls
health. The whole faith required before
aGy person will be admitted into the
Church or made a Christian, is stated
in the Apostles Greed, The hope of the
Christian is in prayer, the model for
which is the Lords Prayer. The re-
quirement of the Christian is love, which
he gradually learns by obedieutly keep
ing the ten commandments. which teach
us our duty to God and to our ueighbor.
If we always do our duty to our neigh
bors, We thereby learn to love them as
ourselves, and 10y loving our neighbors
we also learn to love God, as 5. John
says, If a man love not his brother
whom he hath seen, how can he love
God Whom he hath not seen ?" "And
the greatest OF these is Charity" because.
"our faith may be lost in sight, but
hope ends in fruition, but Charity, or
Love endures beyond the grave to the
boundless realms of eternity"
Following the sermon the rector then
proceeded to the celebration OF the Holy
Eucharist, inviting all present to join
with him in the service. After the pro-
nouncing of the benedictiou, and as
the rector left the chancel. W. II. Bishop
addressed him substantially as follows
The Rer. Edrard PaySon Lee.
The Vestry of Christ Church have en-
trusted me with a pleasant duty, namely,
to extend to You in behalf of the Parish
its earnest fluctuations in that by Gods
mercy you have been permitted to reach
the silver jubilee of your ordination to
the Priesthood. We do rejoice with you
on this happy occasion, and pray that
you may be spared in the continuance
of your good work for many, many
years to come, Your Nestry have
deemed it best to recognize this anni-
versary by presenting you with some
token of regard and esteem from the
Parish. In my intimate relations with
YOU. Reverend sir. have known that
YOU have long desired portable Altar
with appropriate furnishings for the
different seasons of the Church year, tC
assist YOU in the private celebration o.
the Hoy Eucharist to the sick and tn,
| imfrm. aud after discussion the Vestr,
unanimously agreed that your wishes il
this respect should be grat;tied The
Vestry also agreed that your forme
parishes should be invited to have
share in this matter, that it might be
Gift from all. The parishes of Yves
Rutland, Fair Haven and Casteton 0
Vermont. aud West Somerville, o
Massachusetts, have most generousl
responded, their contributions beiu
accompanied by exceedingly kind e>
pressions of love and esteem for YOU
self. also for Mrs. Lee am sure vo
will prize the Altar, aud you will priz
alike the spirit that prompted the gi
and the love which accompanies it. W
srust that it will afford you as gre;
pleasure in accepting it as we take
presenting it, and that 1t may he to yC
constantreminder of the amicable an
pleasant relations existing betwee
priest aud people i'll those PARISH
. where you have labored during yo,
t twenty-five years service in the ministr
And may Gods blessing rest abundant
; upon your work in His vineyard
: MR.. LEES RESPONSE.
t Mn dear Mr.. Bishop, and .triendS:-
5 thank you all most sincerely for til
n manifestation of your kindness and go'