Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-04-25
MEMORIAL SERVICES FOR
REV. W. MEADE CLARK
Anniversary of Death of
Its Rector.
WELL KNOWN AND MUCH LOVED
Had Taken Leading Part in Councils
OF Church and as Member OF
Board OF Observation-Disclosures ON
Thursday Night.

For next Thursday night. April 30.
the first anniversary OF tho death Of
Rev. William Meade Clark. -. D.. the
veStry and congregation of st. James
Episcopal Church have arranged spc-
cial service, to he held as memorial
to the distinguished churchman who
was for many years their wcll-bclovcd
rector.
RI. ROY. Robert \. Gibson. -. H..
Bishop OF the Diocese OF Virginia Will
preside aud short addresses will lie
delivered by Rev. T.. l.. Goodwin D. H.
VINO succeeded Or. Clark as editor Of
the southern Churchman. and by Rev
James w. Morris. y. -. rector OF Monu-
mental Church. both Of whom were
warm personal friends OF the late
clergyman and close 10 him in many
ways
Or Clark had had long. useful and
rf'iliant career as a pastor. preacher
ana churchman: yet at tho time OF
MS death. April "a. 1871. he was at
lhe height OF his intellectual and
spiritual powers. though weakened
physically by long and painful i'll
ness. Though an unswervirs upholder
Of the doctrines of his church. an earn
est and untirinr worker for the benc-
nj OF humanity. and mans man In
inc highest sense. he was a consistent
believer in the efficacy OF the Gospel,
and he preached only the Gospel. as Il
revealed itself I" him His sermons
were always brief. but they were
always filled with thought rha; was
not only helpful 10 his hearers hut
also productive Of thought in them
WAS MAN or SUNNY AND
CONTAGIOUS CHEERFII.NESS
Outside the pulpit. he was a man ot
engaging personality and Of a sunny
che erfulncss that spread it's bright
ness upon all those with whom no came
IN contact Times most trying found
MN unrufned and when others Of
Whatever creed or faith. were in trouble
or in sorrow. his kindly influence, In
spireh ny sublime and uuuucstioninc
'aifh. littcd them up and helped them
TO his Ncstry and his congregation
he was reritable tower of strength.
because Of the broadness OF his I'M
manity and OF his outlook Distinctly
low churchman. he W; had no
words of condemnation for those who's o
views differed from his. bu, his own
way and his own course he pursued
calmly and without hesitation. Always
n" loved simple things: he loved the
old church occupied by the st. lance
compensation: but when he found that
the inevitable trend Of popula,ion
westward was leaving tho old struc-
ture at Fifth and Marshall streets
almost isolated. he checrfully set him
self and his powers Of leadership IN
success in this. as in all things that
he undertook, is visible in tho new 81
James Church. which stands now as a
monument 10 him and to his rcctorate.
Or. Clark vas born In Halifax County.
ana a the time Of his death was in hi c
ffty-ninth year lie was tho son of
lter. John Clark and his wife Mary.
SURVIVING him are his widow who was
Miss Alice Pierce, of Lancaster County.
one daughter. Miss Emily Clark one
brother. George w. Clark. Of Bristol.
Tenn. and one sister Mrs Lemon
GRADUATED FROM
uNINERSIr, OF VIRGINIA
he received his education at a school
near his home: at the University or
virginia, from which he graduated. and
at the Virginia Theological Seminary. at
Alexandra, from which he also grad
natcd, and he was ordained a priest IN
lSsl. Later. the degree of doctor Of
divinity was conferred upon him by
Washington and Lee Cniversitv
his hrst charge was at Eoydton
"here he was rector OF an Episcopal
church. | Later he became rector of The
church at Amherst. and afterwards took
charge OF the Episcopal church at
Chapel Iill. y. C.. which he lcf, to
become rector OF the Church of the
Good Shepherd In Raleigh y &. For
number OF years he was rector Of
St Georges Church in Frederick shurC.
ana from that reCtoratc he was called
10 ST. James, where he remained until
his death. nearly eighteen years later.
While he was conspicuous as n
churchman for many reasons, one of
his most notable achievements as a
practical man was his handling of the
vast detail attendant upon his duties
as general chairman of committees AT
the time of the General Convention or
the Episcopal Church held i'm Richmond
IN 1907. he had frequently represented
Richmond i'm the general convention.
where he was highly regarded for his
executive. intellectual and spiritual
qualities. He was also for many years
member Of the general board of mis-
sions. and was examining CHAPLAIN OF
his diocese.
DR. Clark's breadth and nersonal
charm had endeared him to men and
women OF all denominations, SO that his
death not only caused deem grief To
his congregation and to his church. nut
spread feeling of profound regret
ana loss throughout tho comnunitv.
Because he loved simple things tho
service next Thursday night at S:I5
o'clock. will he Of tho simplest charac-
ter. few prayers, authorized by the
bishop Of the diocese. will no offered :.
few hymns which he loved will he
sung. and two rlerEymcn. whom he
also loved. will speak brichy-in me
moriam.