The Washington times., 1906-02-05
SENDS RESIGNATION
From DISTANT LAND
Dr. RainsfOrd Gives Up Pas
tOrate Of st. Georges.
SERVED CHURCH FOR YEARS
Congregation Is Deeply Moved at Los
ing Its Spiritual Adviser, Who
Was Beloved by All.

NEW YORK, Feb. 5.-To the deen
regret Of the parish. which he had
served so long. the resignation Of the
Rev. DR.. William :. Rainsford was
received Yesterday BIZ the congregat ton
of St. GEORGES Protestant Episcopal
Church in a letter from their pastor.
written at Cairo. EgyDt on January 7
last.
Il was announced by the vestrymen
that owing 10 the continued III health
OF the rector they had celuctautIv con-
sented 10 his resigning and had chosen
as his successor the Rev Hugh Birck-
head. who has for several years been
curate.
Although the church had for the last
six months looked upon the Withdrawal
OF the Rev. DIT. Rainsford as incyita Bile.
the formal announcement of Yesterday
came as shock. After the service
many fingered 10 express their ar,,r,.
citation Of the important work which
the distinguished clergyman had done
in New York. and 10 voice their regret
over the fact that he was unable to
carr on his labors.
his Work for Parish.
In acquiescing in the decision Of The
rector the vestry caused the following
miaute TO be inscribed on its records ex-
pressing deYout gratitude to God for
the glft OF such a pastorate:
The Rev William s. Ralnsford he
came rector OF St. Georges parish in
1853. He was then thirty-two wears ola
cf splendid physique and IN robust
health. When be assumed his charge
the church was practically without "A
congregation, with limited facilities for
parish wcrk, with small endowment
and with a reputation In the diocese
that was little more than a tribute to
a memorable past.
He lays down ais charge after twen-
ty-tWu years OF eNhauStlng labor inn
paired in health by the burden of a
care or seven thousand souls, with The
endowment fund increased by $500 900
with parish building complete in ae-
coInIno0atlOn and equipment and which
Is Il model of successful and useful
creration with deaconess house a
trade school and a seaside cottage. with
women, an army Of volunteer workers
unsurpassed IN numbers. Intelligence
ana devotion and with a reputation ac-
Iey,.oI9 JlIi gi Tot c- she parish as extended as
His name is written large in the an
,-tis ~ ~ our Iehgl us and civic life and
NJ ne vii Ee foHoWed in his retirement by
me auectionate solicitude for his vel
IaIe OF the congregation that he gath
cred and by the respect of the many
who pronted by his tesC hing and bV his
personal ministration +" Ms
Went Abroad Year Ago.
Fearing a nervous breakdown for he
was much worn by his labors the Rnv
DR. Rainsford. in December 1904. went
away on a leave OF absence. in the hona
Of restoring his impaired health. His
recovery, however. has been DELAYED
and he has found that he cannot take
up the active duties which the office of
rector imposes. He is at present trav-
cling. with Mrs. Rainsford. in the ORR
enJ
Born in Dublin, Ireland in 1851. the
Rev. Dr. Rainsford was graduated from
st. Johns College. University OF Cam
bridge. His first post was as curate of
81, Giles, in Norwich, England. He sub
sequcntly made tour OF the United
States and Canada, preaching 70 large
congregations, and accepted a pastor
ate in Toronto, from which he was
called to ST. Georges, a church which
includes in its membership many per-
sons OF wealth and social promir snce.
tnui his illness he was vigorous and
q tnletic, and he was often referred to as
an example OF muscular Christianity
His interest in hunting and other out
door sports is widely known