The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-12-15
H0NORS DR. RICE
RETIRING MINISTER PRESENTED
 WITH CHEST or SILVER.
At Interesting Reception Held in the Parsonage, Dr. Thomas M. Owen Expresses Love of SHeth0dIst
 CongregatiOm.

COMKRe&Ht1O1s
 The women of ehe Court Street ,Meth- odist Church gave a farewell reception Ito Dr. J. "A. Rice last evening at the parsonage on Church Street. when large numbers of the congregation, of which he has been heard for four years, called to pay their respects and to say good bye to this splendid man, whom they have come to know 90 well. to honor 50 highly, and to value so greatly.
 Dr. Rice will leave today for New Orleans, to which city he has been transferred. He will be succeeded by Dr. o. c. McGehee, who comes from Mobile.
 The first part of the evening was spent in greeting and in the exchange of mutual declarations of love and es- teem between pastor and people. Later the speaker selected for the occasion. Dr. ThomasN M Owen, iu an address, dwelt on the valuable service done by Dr. Rice during his four years as pas tor of the church, and presented him with a chest of silver, a gift from the members of the church. which has pros pered so well under his administra- tion.
 Dr. owen went in hls discourse be- yond the boundaries of the usual pre- sentation speech. and brought to the minds of the members of the church all the strong points of work in the career of pr. Rice and as 1t were, threw @sfaash~atgift yspon tiSem that tissy' might all realize the benefits accruing through Dr. Rice's four years life here in the service of Methodist. He touch ed upon all of the high and noble aims for which Dr. Rice has stood. He ut- lined the conditions in the church at the time of Dr. Rice's coming and upon Af ferred to the membership having reach- cd 300 now. a net increase of 100 menl- bers, and called attention to the fact that he had stood for all that the church discipline requires. and for more.
 He said Dr. Rice's service has gone beyond the chureh's requirements and has embraced measures that tend to breadth in the fleid of action for pastor and people. He spoke of his standing for adequate methods and conditions for carrying on the work of the church.
 Especially dids Or. owen dwell on the invaluable work of Dr. Rice in in- ereaslng educational opportunities. He spoke of this work accomplished as of inestimable value to the State of Ala bama.
 "It was. pr. Rice" he said. "who took the initiative in. what 1t seems, has now
 
 of the educational interests of the North Alabama Conference and the Alabama Conference. 1t was he who pointed out 10 the Methodists of Ala barna that the educational forces ef the church in the State were scattered and thereby weakened. and 1t was he whb first suggested that these forces be focused and thereby bring about the strength, that comes from combined ef- fort"
 "Dr. Rice" he continued, has stoed stronger for broad scholarship in the clergy as we'll ae for the people. He has bent his influence toward cultivat- Ing among his people aiPher methods of thinking. He has preached the gos- pei of breadth. Hiz teachings have led toward aspiration. He has stood on the heights and has bsckoned his people to follow"
 The debt of this church to Dr. Rice said I1r. Owen. is that in hls leader ship the ideal has predominated rathef than the material.
 The speaker reminded the members of the Court street church Of the work of pr. Rice for increased missionary effort
 "so earnest" he saia. 'tlas his inilu- ence been here as to induce his church to support missionary in Chiaa Rev.
 
 He pointed out with pride the fact that thls was the first church in Ala bama to support a foreign missionary and that this good done by Dr. Rice had not ended in his own church. but that the example set through his in- fuence had been followed by several other chufches in the State
 In conclusion Dr. Owen said that the s.oF. SHf fhfaVRh wished to show theft loving esteem to their departing pastor in some other way than by mere words and for them he presented q. magnificent chest of silver 2 *
 Dr, Owen then turned to Mrs. Ri e. and alluding to her as "a sweet bene- diction. a noble influence" he presen- ted to her as gift from the Young woman's Society of the Court strece spoke of her wonderful help to her husband in his work, of her rare wom- anly qualities which have eudeared her to her fellow church members and Of the great toss the two will be to the church. to Montgomery to Alabama He spoke ot them as splendid leader and splendid companion"
 Dr. Rice. almost chokea with emo- tIon. made q short speech of thanks anu appreciation VI bHg AAAAh anu hANf kind things said of him in its presen- tation. He said that all that had been accomplished during his four ysars' pastorata was due to the loyalty of people to pastor who has enjoyed their support and cooperation. and that the result Of good work Is not due to him but to Methodism.
 With deep feeling pr. RicA spoke of the severance of ties In Montgomery that are dear to him and bespoke fo' his successor. pr. McGehee, She same cordial support that had crowned his labors here with success.
 After the presentation of the gifts to pr. and Mrs. Rice, an hour or more was devoted to an informal reception, during which farewells between pas- tor and his people were spoken,
 pr. Rice will leave today for New Orleans. where he goes to take up his new charge, one of the most important to Methodism in the Crescent City
 
 Transportation for AdvertIsiBg.
 WashinRton. Dec. IA l4.--Representa %