Los Angeles herald., 1908-04-27
MINISTER breaches
HIS FAREWELL SERMON
REV. ]. ]. WILKINS SPEAKS
PARTING WORDS
Leader of ST. Paul's Pro.Cathedrai
viii Go East to Raise Fund
of $5,ooo,ooo for Aged
CIeraymen

Very Rev. ]. ]. wilkins, who in the
last seven years has endeared himself
to his congregation and the citizens OF
Los Angeles alike, yesterday preached
his farewell sermon as dean ana rector
of ST. I'aul's pro-cathedral.
DR.. wilkins had announced that it
would not be regular farewell SER
mon, but his many friends who at
tended the service knew that it would
be the farewell Of DR.. Wilkins as their
rector for the latter part of the week
he leaves with Mrs. Wilkins for the
| east, there to take up one of the most
arduous tasks of the Episcopal church.
in this country, the raising of $4,000
900 fund for the aged clergymen of the
church.
In the pulpit where he has preached
over 800 sermons, DR.. Wilkins spoke
eloquently yesterday morning, and at
the close paid a feeling tribute to
Bishop Johnson and the officials and
members of the church.
| During the seven years rectorate of
| DR.. Wilkins extensive improvements
have been made in the church property
and entire harmonious relations have
! been maintained in every department
Of the parish.
Chosen Leader of Movement
When Bishop Johnson proposed the
establishment of fund for the aged
and infirm clergymen of the church at
a local convention, 1t was decided that
Dr. Wilkins should present the me-
mortal before the general convention
held last year in Richmond This was
carried unanimously and DR.. Wilkins
| was appointed secretary of the move
ment, with practically the entire work
of securing the $5.000000 After return
| ing he presented his resignation, which
was firmly refused, the vestry saying
| that st. Paul's church could not pos
sibly part with its rector. A second
resignation was, however, accepted
with regret, after DR.. Wilkins stated
that he felt it his duty to take up the
new work. He was made rector emeri-
tus of the parish.
During his long residence here DR..
wilkins has been recognized as a
broad-minded clergyman, ever ready to
help the needy and give counsel to the
helpless. He has made st, Paul's pro-
cathedral church of the. people, and
will be greatly missed. His friends,
however, are hoping that he viii visit
Los Angeles in his work of raising the
fund, when he would receive warm
welcome
Rev. William MacCormick, rector of
All Saints church, Pasadena. Will as
sumo the rectorate of st. PauPs pro-
cathedral May /, to preach his first
sermon next Sunday.
Speaks Words of Farewell
After closing his eloquent sermon,
DIR. wilkins in few words of farewell,
said;
"This, my dear people-always my
dear people---is my last sermon to you
as your rector and pastor, but not,
trust, as your servant and friend. IL
is an epitome, I believe, of the gospel
/ have preached for the seven years of
my ministry here. II
Never tire, l pray you, OF that gos-
pei by which all our triumphs have
been won, anGjn the strength. of which
you can go on to yet greater triumphs
that are before. l leave youl my peo-
pie, a goodly heritage. This parish is.
in actual numbers. in benevolence and
| in true Catholic and evangelical force
the leading parish of the diocese. Her
traditions are those of spiritual life
and aggressive work. She has long
stood for those principles and methods
which have made this American
church so great a power in the land.
Remember that with honest loyalty,
pride and service.
Must Meet Commerclalism
''You are facing new era in your
history. Conditions are changing.
Commerce bids fair to encfoach more
and more upon your domain. But you
will adjust yourselves, I am sure, to
any conditions that may arise with all
necessary wisdom and conservation.
You will be tempted to sell this valu-
able property and relocate your trust
In a more ample and beautiful struc-
ture and in a fairer portion of the city
1t is my profound conviction that you
ought to resist that temptation to the
end. The church of the poor, of the
stranger, of the homeless-no name of
greater dignity could be given you.
You have earned 1t, jealpusly guard
and keep it. Let st. Paufs ever be
constant witness here, in this very
spot, amid the din and 'moil of the
city's busy hum-drum life, to the God
who reigns on high and to Jesus Christ,
his son, who was the shepherd of the
poor, the companion of the poor: the
friend and brother of the poor, who in
deed, was the poor. To this great work
you are supremely called.
"And now we must part. 1 sorrow
to have 1t so, but 1t has been so ordered
in the providence of God and not one
of you this day would order it other
wise. For all that you have been to me
and all that you are to me am thank
full beyond compare. For my successor
bespeak your sympathy, confidence
and support. He is a Cody man, we'll
fitted in every way to be your leader.
MAY the God of peace, that brought
again from the dead our Lord Jesus.
that great shepherd or the sheep
through the blood of the everlasting
covenant, make you perfect In every