Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-09-07

The service at 1880 on Sunday
morning last, in st. Marks church
was rendered especially interest
ing. it being the occasion of the
dedication of the Rood Screen just
completed in memory of Miss Ann NJ.
Williams, daughter of the late Hon.
Reuel Williams, once United States
senator from this State. and in his
| time a foremost promoter of the inter-
ests and welfare of the city of Angus
ia At the second celebration of the
Holy Eucharist, after the singing of
the hymn, In the Cross of Christ
| Glory" following the Nicene Creed. the
office of dedication was read by the
rector, the Rev. Brian c. Roberts.
The service was one of special i'm
pressiveness and not least 50 from the
memory this deepened of one who had
lived a long life of usefulness in this
community, honored and beloved for
her sterling qualities of character and
for her attractive personality.
A Rood Screen is not an unusual
feature of church furnishings and
adornment, though there are not many
specimens in the diocese of Maine, the
only other one being that in st. Mark
Cathedral, Portland.
1T may seem a far cry says one,
from the Battle of Hastings to this
year of our Lord. but students of his
tory will remember that at that bat
tie our English ancestors took for their
battle cry, Holy Rood! Holy Rood"
Holy Cross, Holy Cross they using
the old Saxon term for the cross. Per-
haps nothing can better illustrate the
great change of language than this
very word But the terminalogy of
our forefathers has remained in the
use of the Rood Screen. or cross
screen. Heretofore. the only chancel
screen used at St. Marks church has
been a temporary structure erected at
Christmas tide. Now after quarter
of a centurys use, it's place is taken by
permanent and artistic memorial,
appropriate in its place and for ITS
purpose which is the exaltation of the
cross as the instrument of mans re-
demptiOn.'
This memorial has been given by
members of the family of the late Miss
Williams. The screen has been made
from drawings of the American Seat
ing Company, Chicago and New YORK.
supervised by George T. Pearson,
architect of Philadelphia. In style it
is of Perpendicular English Gothic. IL
is of lofty. massive and graceful pro-
portions. and while not obScuring the
view of the choir and sanctuary WITH
in, it adds to the perspective erect OF
the chancel 1t is a decided addition
to the interior of the church, and goes
far towards completing structure OF
acknowledged excellence of design.
The sermon on this occasion was
nreached by the Rev. Samuel Upjohn,
D. D.. rector of ST. Luke's church. Ger
mantown, Philadelphia, and from 1868
to 1888 rector of ST. Marks.
DR. Upjohn preached from the text
Hebrews 1924: For Christ is not en-
tered into the Holy places made with
hands. which are the figures of the
true: but into the Heaven itself. now
to appear in the presence OF God 1or
us He said in part:
"a chief thought which fills our
minds today is to be found in the maj
sentence of the creed, Il believe Iii
the Communion of Saints and in the
life of the world to come
eve are here to render high praise
and hearty thanks to the Giver of all
good and perfect gifts, for the good
example and sweet memory of one OF
Gods faithful children who not SO
long ago went out and in among US
here, whom many of Us dearly loved
and honored. whom some of US knew
SO well that we could call what we
knew the knowledge of established con-
fidence and love, with whom few
here could claim the still closer bond
of family and kindred. bond which
binds one generation to another with
links inseparable of long hereditary
likeness and attachment
THUS Ann Matilda Williams, of
honored lineage, identified with the
notable names and with the fortunes
of this community, had been called
by the good Providence of God to find
her place and fill Ter mission in this
portion of Gods heritage. And we.
remembering her with gratitude and
affection for the goodness that she
possessed, and for the good which she
accomplished, pause for lines to give
expression to our gratitude for this
life Of Christian faith and ferVour.
"And now the name of Ann Will
liams, which ranks with the honored
of this community, we would bring
forward today, as one of this House
hold of Faith. Her memory it is our
privilege on this occasion to link in
distinct and appreciate form with this
Holy place and its worship.
For 90 wears in this house and for
an equal time in the house which pre-
ceded this one she had been a member
of this household OF faith and in the
erection of this church she had been
a most interested and liberal particl-
pant. 1t is only fitting therefore that
her name should find sacred associa-
ton here. to stand engraven with 9TH
err honored names, reminder Of those
who follow on. of the lively stones
which have gone to build up tins
spiritual house, a Holy temple unto
the Lord.
I'VE are come then to do definite
thing today, to place memorial here
to the honor OF God with a particular