The Washington herald., 1907-12-30
ACCEPTS new HONOR
Rev. Mr.. Nelms Soon to. Be
PrO-Cathedral Rector.
HAS HAD INTERESTING CAREER
Former Lawyer Had Three Calls 20
Pastoral Office Before Finishing
st. Matthew's, Philadelphia, Com
municants from 497 to I,O3O.

Rev. J. Henning NeIms. rector Of St
Matthews Church. Philadelphia, has
been elected rector Of the Pro-Cathedral
Church Of the Ascension. He has ac-
cepted the election, and VIII take charge
of his new parish in the near future.
Rev. Mr. Nelms, who is a man in the
prime of life, being about forty-five years
of age. has the reputation Of being one
OF the most successful rectors in the city
of Philadelphia. Like several other mem
bers OF or most successful clergy. Mr..
Nelms came into the ministry somewhat
late in life. He was ordained to the
priesthood as late as June 70. 1904 and
his present charge is the only one he has
ever had.
Born on James River.
His has been a somewhat remarkable
career. Born on a big plantation on the
James River. near Smithfeld. Isle Of
Wight County, he early discovered. in
common with many other Virginia boys.
that the war had made great differ
ence in his future prospects. and that the
doors OF opportunity. which might have
closed. But he proposed TO make his
own opportunity. Therefore IN due time.
he entered Richmond College. where he
graduated with the degree Of 3. l.. he
having decided 10 practice law in his
native town. This he did FOR eighteen
years. acquiring "A lucrative practice. In
the meantime. al the age OF twenty
three. he had been elected mayor OF the
town, and for four successive years was
reelected 10 that Office. Everything was
coming his way: but the young lawyer
sought honors on wider field. and In
1897 hr took the decisive step Of moving
70 Baltimore. with a view 10 establish
Ing himself in practice there.
Career fn Maryland.
In Maryland he was as successful as
he had been in Virginia. But then IL
so happened that he had located his
home in the immediate neighborhood OF
the Church OF St Michael and All
Angels, and there. hearing the preach
ing Of the rector OF that church and
Witnessing the strong, aggressive work
Of the church's organizations. particularly
OF its Chapter OF the Brotherhood Of
81. Andrew. the rising LAWYER was led "a
think OF other things than Of legal or
political honors and in a short time
| ne became one OF the most interested
members and active workers of that
/ church By and by his mind was made
/ up 10 take a yet more radical and de-
/ cisive step than any ne had ever taken
/ He. too. would enter the ministry anl
/ devote 10 il all the power of mind anG
body that God. in His goodness. had
/ given him
Conference with Rector.
/ After fun conference with his rector
/ he was received as a postulant for holy
! orders, and enrolled as such upon III,
/ strong recommendation of the rector
/ vestry, and brotherhood men. by th.
/ Bishop OF Delaware. the sanity BishoJ
/ Coleman, Just passed 10 his rest.
Il was soon found that the theological
studies necessary 10 the accomplishment
OF Mr. Nelms' desire TO enter the min
istry necessitated an uninterrupted cours.
I at a theological college. The divinity de
partmenu OF the University OF B.shops
/ College. LennoXville. Quebec. seemed Z,
supply the nesd exactly. and accordingl
Mr.. Neims was transferred 10 In,
! Diocese Of Quebec. While there. and no
at the time ordained. he received IN,
signal honor Of three calls to pastora
office so soon as he should be in a posi-
tion 10 accept any one OF them. One O
these was the exceedingly complimentary
offer OF the assistantship Of St. Paul
Church. Newport News. Va. near Iii
old home. where he had lived as a bo,
and young man; another was 10 be dear
OF the Cathedral Of Omaha, Nebr.. an,
the third was 90 be rector of St Mat
thew's, Philadelphia. his preaent charge
work at st. Matthew'S.
Coming 10 St Matthew's the Sunda,
following his ordination he found a parisl
with only 4g7 communicantS. To-day h
leaves L03o. His confirmation cIasse
have been the largest in the diocese, an,
from their composition have attracte,
much attention. While great improve
ments have been made 70 the church, no
tably a tower and a renovated chancel
the revenues have about doubled Alto
gether his has been a singularly success
ful ministry.
The Rev. Mr.. Nelms is married. hi
wife being one with him in the goo,
and higher life TO which he is dedicatini
himself. They have one son. Henning
bearing his fathers name, and alread,
showing much Of his parents energy.