The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1908-04-06
DIR. HELMS IS RECTOR
Installed in Charge OfChurch
of the Ascension.
CANON HARDING oFFICIATES
Large Assembly Witnesses Unusual
CeremOnies-Approp Musis Is
Sung by ChOlr-Senior Warden De-
Iivers Keys-Vestry signifies APP
provaI-Dr. helms breaches.


obligation at the institution services at ths
Pro-Cathedral Church of the Ascension
yesterday morning. Rev. DR.. ] HenninG
helms was formally installed rector OF
that parish and duly authorized as a
minister of the Washington Diocese of the
Episcopal Church.
Rev Canon Harding. rector Of st
PauTs Church, acting as institutor under
appointment by the standing committee
conducted the ceremonies.
Large Assembly Present.
The institution, or installation. services
are Of rare occurrence. A large crowd
consisting not only OF members Of the
parish. but Episcopalians from the yari-
Gus congregations in the city. attended.
Besides the solemnity of the exercises a
special programme of appropriate music
was sung by the choir.
The services commenced at II o'clock
with the usual preliminary prayers and
Scripture reading Dr. Harding. acting
because Of the vacancy in the Office OF
bishop, caused by the death of Bishop
Satterlee. preached the institution SER
mon. His text was taken from the Cos
pei Of ST John, "Ye have called me, but
have chosen you"
Duties OF Rector.
In a brief discourse he outlined the re-
lations existing between rector and peo-
pie He also dealt with the obedience
due God by the pastor and his congrega-
ton.
After describing in detail the duties
dependent upon the new rector and the
corresponding obligations expected of the
parishioners Or. Harding closed by say
ing:
The ministry OF the church, and. IN this
case. Dr. Nelms. has received his com
mission not from the people. but from
God NY earnest desire is that. in &C
cepting the new rector. the Pro-Cathedral
Church Of the Ascension VIII enjoy a sue
cessful administration under his charge.
DR.. helms Invested.
Following the sermon Canon Harding
went 10 the center Of the altar and met
DR.. Nelms, surrounded by visiting clergy
men. He presented him a copy of the
Bible, the prayer book. the canons OF
the general council Of the Episcopal
Church. and the canons Of the diocese.
Mr. Koontz. senior warden Of the
church, approached Mr.. helms. and gave
into his hands the keys of The church,
Members OF the vestry OF the church,
headed by the junior warden, then arose
in a body and signiied their approval OF
the appointment
Rev. Mr.. Browning. curate Of the par
ish; Rev Mr. Niece and Rev. Dr. G.
Wellington Smith. read the prayers pre-
seribed, according 10 the rites of tbs
Episcopal Church, for such occasions.
Holy Communion was celebrated by the
newly elected rector. The services closed
with the reading of the Epistle by Canon
Harding
At the services held last evening in thS
Pro-Cathedral DIT. helms preached q ser
mon responding to the institution services
and sermon in the morning. He chose
as his text Forgetting those things
which are behind. and looking forth into
those things that are before. press to-
ward the mark for the prize"
Dir. NeImS' Address.
DR.. Nelms said in part
We cannot do Gods work alone Let
congregation and rector unite to accom-.
plish Gods mission. There IS power in
Capitalization. Let US centraIize our ef.
forts for the advancement of the Mas.
ters work.
He outlined a method by which tn,
Pro-Cathedral Church could be made not
only a strong church, locally, bat a great
power for the cause Of religion.
There are three ways to accomplish
this project said he. First forget tn,
past. Secondly. reach into the future
and catch a definite vision of that priz,
for which we are striving. Let us e
through life ever regarding salvation as
the prize to be attained. Thirdly, W,
must have action, we must press onward
and work for the prize as a unit. Unit,
all the forces in this parish. and wori
together with them. If you do it in thii
parish. We viii win the goal TO which
we look forward"
After the close Of the services. Dr
helms was congratulated by his congre
CATION, many members Of the parish eX
pressing the hope that he would enjoy
prosperous and happy administration.