The Washington herald., 1909-03-08
ST. PAUL'S RECTOR
TAKES UP DUTIES
Rev. DR.. Talbot breaches First
Sermon as Pastor.
FIELD HERE FOR GREAT WORK
Preacher Tells Congregation He
Finds Opportunity in Capital for
Broader Scope of Religious ActIy-
ity-DeaIs with Need of Spiritual
and Intellectual Awakening.

Rev. Robert Talbot, d. D.. the new rec
tor of st. Pauls Episcopal Church.
preached his first sermon as pastor yes
terday morning. He was rector Of Trim
4 ity Church. Kansas City. No. for twenty
five years but several weeks ago accepted
the call extended by ST. PauTs.
There is an opportunity in this city
for great work. he said. and ii was
that fact that attracted me most I did
not like TO leave the church 1 had found
ed and seen TO grow TO one OF the most
prominent churches in the entire West
and my parishioners were 10th to see me
go.
1T seemed that had been with them
long enough, however. and that there
would be an opportunity for a greater ef-
Tort IN this, one Of the most beautiful
cities Of the country. Three weeks ago
1 preached to you. and at that time I
was firmly impressed by the conditions
which existed here and the excellent field
for great work. That is why I decided
TO remain with you
This city should undergo q great spirit
ual and intellectual awakening declared
Dr. Talbot In taking up the subject OF his
sermon. There are too many of US
everywhere who are spiritually and intel
lectually asleep.
More Enlightenment Needed.
1T is just like the sleep that possessed
and held the Middle Ages IN its rraSn
We must shake It of. Al that time the
agency Of the awakening was the re-
nalssance and the reformation. We need
similar agents TO enlighten us now.
The services Of a rector IN the cburob
are threefold. He should be priest. mas
Tor and preacher to the members OF
MS parish. IL shall be my endeavor al All
times to act in this threefold capacitv
and 1 ask YOU 20 aid me in doing so"
Rev William Richmond. OF this CITY
preached the evening sermon. in which be
ddInonlshed the members Of the parish
10 clean house during the Lenten sea-
son. IN order that they might start our
airesh under the pastOrship OF their new
rector.
mere VIII be many occasions on when
the new rector viii hurt your feelings
ne said. But YOU must put aside the
ldea that he hurts your feelings inten-
tionaly- He wouldn't do that. He would
be fool II he did. Let him do his work
that will bring the best results.
Comparisons Drawn.
our new rector Is inferior to our old
rector in many ways. He is also superior
to our late rector in many ways. This IS
not said in disparagement Of the efforts
Of either II IS but natural that some
men should excel others in some things
while they In their turn are excelled in
other ways They are but men.
i believe that the function OF the rec
tor is more than threefold- He IS more
than priest. pastor. and preacher He is
also ruler. and that is his most i'm
portant function. He Is the absolute
ruler in the parish IN all things spiritual
He should be looked up 10 as the spirit
ual leader Of all the members of his
church"
Dr.. Talbot succeeds Rev. DR.. Alfred
Harding, now Bishop Of Washington AS
a result OF the call that was extended 10
him. DR.. Talbot decided TO make a visit
to this city before giving an answer His
acceptance was the result. II was with
difficulty that his parishioners in Kansas /
City. with whom he had worked for a
quarter Of q century, were induced 70 con /
sent 20 his departure. but Il was pointed /
out that the local field offered greater |
opportunities for his ability.
When Mr. Talbot came, 10 say that he I
made A great impression upon the con- |
gregation but states II mildly" says the /
last number OF the Parish Record. He |
completely won every heart by the mere
sound OF hts voice"