The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1914-10-08
REV. VIM. W. SHEARER ORDAINED
At the Episcopal Church In Oakland
Friday forming.

By concurrent opinion the elevation
of the Rev. William Welton Shearer to
the order of priesthood, in st. Matthews
Protestant Episcopal Church, Oakland,
Friday, October End, 1914, marks an
epoch in the services of that congrega
ton exceeding in magnitude and solem-
nifty of interest any event in its history.
A serene autumn day of unobstructed
sunshine lent its sober glories and brac-
ing breezes to the fitness of perfect
day.
Ensconsed in a grove of shapely oaks
browning lofty eminence OF natural
beauty, the sacred edifice has the quiet
charm and restful seclusion most happy
tor a peaceful meditation and a sweet
communion with better things. This
churchly structure came into being soon
after the storm and stress of the Civil
War, and under its shadows are the
graves and tombs OF many known among
It's friends and founders.
A popular affection cherished in more
than one diocese, attracted to the pro-
ceedings relatives and friends from
Cumberland, Keyser, Piedmont and
other towns and rural points. Close to
the hour named a procession of sur
pliced priests, followed by the Bishop of
Maryland the Ri. Rev. John Gardner
Murray, IN his eccleastical robes, moved
slowly down the main aisle to places
arranged within the chancel rail- In
| addition to the Bishop, seated over the
chancel, were the Rev. William Welton
! Shearer, nominated for priestly orders,
Rev. William Cleveland Hicks of Cum
berland; Rev. Robert Benedict, of
Pennsylvania; Rev George A. Gibbons
of w. Va. Rev. r. E. L. Shredder of
w. Va; Rev. Jacob Birmingham of w.
! Va; Rev. A H Beaver Of W. Va. !;
Rev J . l.. Martin of Maryland and the
Rev Frederick Lange of Maryland. At
morning prayer the Epistle was read by
| the Rev Mr. Benedict, and the Gospel
was read by the Rev Mr. Gibbons. At
1890 O'Clock A M the ordination ser
mon was delivered by the Rev Jacob
Birmingham of Wheeling, W Va. Ba-
sed upon selection from the 1st chap
ter of the Gospel of Luke, SIT, this
sermon Of force and thought held the
strict attention of the large c0ngrega-
ton during it's delivery of forty min
utes. In his impassioned peroration
Mr. Birmingham charged the Young
candidate that if he hoped to bring per-
lection he must seek to find perfection,
and to let alone the brilliant preaching
of master minds, but serve the Lord
and care for his fiocks with singleness
of mind and purity of purpose that will
enable him along the path of duty to
keep the beacons of spiritual service
supplied and burning.
The presentation of the candidate was
made by the Rev. William Cleveland
Hicks, and the ordination services with
the Laying on of hands, was perform
ed by Bishop Murray with even more
than the usual earnest fervor and classic
grace exceptional IN the style of that
famous churchman.
In the evening the sacred and solemn
ceremony of the Apostolic Right of
Confirmation was administered to a
class of eleven by Bishop Murray.
IL
of this occasion were the affectionate
words of the Bishop to those whom he
had just taken into the church.
Following Confirmation. Bishop
Murray preached on Christian Ideals. u
the distinguished speaker inspiring his
|. audience and holding their close at.
tention to the close Of his sermon.
The music and decorations were most