Consecration Of St. Andrew's Episcopal Church Chancel

The chancel of St. Andrew's church was consecrated last Sunday morning. Bishop Davies acted as consecrator and the sermón was preached by Geo. D. Gillespie. The services were very impressive and were joined in by a large audience. The evening services were choral and were also well attended, Bishop Davies preaching the sermón. Besides the two bishops, Rev. Mr. Tatlock, Rev. Mr. Waters, and Rev. Mr. Duffy took part in the services. The music was excellent, the vested choir showing vast improvement in its work. The sermón of Bishop Gillespie at the morning service was on the Charge of the Sanctuary, Numbers III, 31. As it contained references to those whose memorials find places in the chancel, extracts from it, relating to this parish in particular, are given below, as follows: "The benedictionacquires interest when as today the furniture of the sanctuary is the offering of homes and hearts, the in memoriam of those who knew this parish as their sacred household, whom this church knew as wonted worshipers. Is it not natural to link such precious memories with the church. Is it not of the church's teaching of the communion of saints and her constant reference in her service to those "who have departed this life in God's faith and fear" and her bidding us "to follow their good examples," that she should give place to their memorials? While the community welcome in the court house thffportraits of men of official rank and public service, and the University covers her walls with countenances of her custodians and of living and departed men of letters, who in their chairs have helped to make her fame, may not the church in her simple more sacred way record the names of those who have been in her more intimate fellowship." "You will not forbid me the passing thought of my beloved physician, who carne so kindly to my home in sickness and when all that watching skill could do had failed, in his gentle way told how he feit for the lonely home and heart. Of the daughter, the child of my care and teaching and after the bright, pleasant companion and true daughter of the church. Of him the university brought us, as it has brought others who have been pillars, who knew the best of all philosophies, 'the truth and grace that came by Jesus Christ.' Of him who, when the parishioner ceased was yet so true the friend, who with his dear ones made for me the home, when my own among you had ceased, the home that opened as only the truest friendship will bid the welcome. Of him and his dear wife who, when the erection of this church was painfully dubious, as such enterprises are wont to be, by a gift as munificent for him as gifts of men whose names are now heralded through the land, turned doubt and difficulty to possibility and prospect, and gave his rector what he had so long prayed for. I can but recall others, some of whom have their memorials here, all of whom have blessed memories with those who went in and out with them in past days. St. Andrew's, as I knew it in the fourteen years of my charge had its men 'true yokê fellows" of their rector, ts women "servants of thechurch." These in their intelligence, their arudent energy, their unwearying zeal doing good were "a comfort unto me." In my wider pastorate, in the years that have intervened, wearied, worned by the volunteers in Christian profession that yet must be coerced to any service; by the constant "have me excused" even when the cali was loudest, the help most needed; by the tone of parish life, "all keeping their own not the things that are Jesus Christ's" and pitying from my heart the poor pastor compelled to have his ministry in an atmosphere of lukewarmness and indifference, I have thanked God that in my dear St. Andrews, such "fellow laborers" were with me. I fear I did not always know their worth, but their works do follow them in the stability and strength in which you rejoice today. If this parish shall be true to its lineage, perpetúate its traditions the earnest guardianship of estáte, the holding up of hands of the rector leader, the hearty work of the spiritual household, the busy Samaritan round the neighborhood and in the town will not be wanting here. This chancel is the realization of what was contemplated when November 10, 1869, the church was consecrated. Very wisely it has been delayed till the rectory so identified with the pastorate and the chapel, without which no parish is equal to its proper work, had been secured. The completeness of this parish is exceptional, bevond our large cities. To him who knew it when only a humble service room was added to this church, it is as striking as it is grateful.