USA > Arkansas > Pulaski County > Little Rock > The annals of Christ church parish of Little Rock, Arkansas, from A. D. 1839 to A. D. 1899 > Part 26
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Following is a synopsis of the address :
The words were spoken by the Savior at the Last Supper -words freighted with the spiritual character of Christ. The speaker reviewed the inner meaning of the words in their objective relations. It was to secure the incarnation of the divine nature that it was expedient for Him to go away. It is in this manner we contemplate the death of all men, such as the late Brother Gass. He had given sixteen years of his life to the militant service of God, but its effects cannot be measured within the bounds of years-rather by the flight of an unending eternity. God created humanity because he needed humanity. He needs our love and He needs our ser-
vice. There is a continuity of existence not bounded by this life. In tender words he referred to the loving ministra- tions and the noble service of the deceased Rector, and laid upon his tomb a chaplet of eloquence that touched all hearts. The kingdom of God is the atmosphere enveloping the divine personality. Service is to open the eyes of the world to see celestial visions, to open the ears to hear celestial music -- this was the mission which filled to the full the life of dear Brother Gass. Great qualities of mind and intellect do not make up the sum of a good life-its complement being great and tender heart qualities. Where there is such a union the convictions of man are thoroughly saturated with divine love. Another quality much needed in this life is manly strength and earn- estness of purpose. Dr. Gass was so well rounded in all the quantities of tenderness and strength that all men could look upon his life and say, "He was a good man."
The sermon was followed by the Eucharist, of which a large number partook.
WOMAN'S AUXILIARY.
The tribute by the Woman's Auxiliary was presented by Mr. Fay Hempstead as follows :
Whereas, The Woman's Auxiliary of Christ Church, Little Rock, realize a sorrow that words can poorly express
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in the loss of their beloved Rector, Rev. John Gass; even though he was not with them they felt that they could rely on his valuable advice and guidance, and that his interest in this organization which he founded would always be maintained. But God, in His wisdom, has ordained otherwise, and called him to his reward in the heavenly mansions and left them to go on alone. We all know how deeply interested he was in this work, therefore let us do honor to his blessed memory by working more earnestly and follow closely in the path he laid out for us; therefore be it
Resolved, That our deepest sympathy be extended to our lamented Rector's most estimable wife and children, and our own prayer is that God will have them in His tender care, and comfort them in His mercy.
Resolved, That these resolutions be placed upon the minutes and a copy sent to the bereaved family.
MRS. CAROLINE COHEN, MRS. SUSAN PEAY, Committee.
TO THE LATE REV. JOHN GASS.
BEAUTIFUL SENTIMENT ADOPTED BY THE MINISTERS ALLIANCE
OF LITTLE ROCK.
Tribute to the memory of Rev. John Gass by the Minis- ters Alliance, of the city of Little Rock :
The Ministerial Alliance of this city, at its first meeting this fall was by the vacant chair again reminded that since their last meeting the Rev. John Gass, late Rector of Christ Church, had been called home. The shadows of sadness passed over the faces of all present as if they had fallen from a real cloud when his name was mentioned. Hearts were touched with sweetest memories-his most genial disposition, his sym- pathetic voice, his benign face, his words of wisdom, and his fraternal, Christ-like spirit. In the vision of our faith he is not dead, but glorified. We know that as his congregation
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left behind poured out tears of lamentation that his parish- ioners who had passed on before waited for him in delight.
The beautiful words of Bickersteth were fully realized by this sainted pastor when he entered Heaven :
"In amaze
I asked what meant such gratulations there, And one of many answered, 'From thy mouth We heard of Jesus' love, and thine the hand That led us to His feet.' It was enough; For all the Parent and the Pastor woke Within me; all the holy memories Of bygone days flowed in a refluent tide Over my soul once more. Some I had known From rosy dawn of childhood ; Some I had shepherded-Yea, many. And Some in after years had poured the burden Of a wounded spirit into mine. And others, dying, heard me read of Him Who on the cross for mercy cried to Christ, Heard, and themselves believed. All these I knew, And quick as light their story flashed on me. But in that group of filial spirits came many I knew not-part of that great store Of unsuspected treasure Heaven conceals. And they, too, poured on mne beatitudes."
We express to the bereaved companion of our dear brother our deepest sympathy and most fervent love. We commend her and the precious children into the hands of our most merciful Heavenly Father. He in this great habita- tion is a Husband to the widow and a Father of the fatherless.
The committee was ordered to furnish a copy to be spread on the minutes of this alliance, to forward a copy to Mrs. Gass, and to give copies to our city papers.
S. G. MILLER,
Chairman.
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A. D. 1898. The Rev. C. C. Kramer, who officiated on this occasion, and whose profound and touching discourse was but inadequately reported, is Rector of the Church of the Epiphany, New Iberia, La., where, for ten years, he had been the constant officiate. He had just been granted a three months' leave of absence, when he accepted the invitation of Rev. John Gass to fill his vacated pulpit for one month. While per- forming the duties of the parish Mr. Kramer won the respect and regard of the congregation, by his scholarly and helpful sermons as well as by his winning personality. On Sunday, July 3, 1898, he preached at Christ Church and administered the Holy Communion.
On September 7, after a brief visit to Hot Springs, he left for Washington, D. C., via the Lakes, having kindly furnished the annalist with an abstract of his life, which he pencilled down during his farewell visit.
REV. C. C. KRAMER.
A. D. 1886-1894. The Rev. Charles Coleman Kramer was born in Baltimore, Md., January 8, 1858; attended the Episcopal Institute, Washington, D. C., where he graduated in 1876; entered the same year St. Stephen's College, Annan- dale, N. Y., and graduated in arts, 1880, taking his class prize for natural sciences ; was educated in Divinity at the General Theological Seminary, New York City ; was ordained Deacon April 10, 1883, by the Rt. Rev. J. N. Galleher in Christ Church, New Orleans, La., and Priest by the same Bishop in Christ Church, Napoleonville, La. He was a missionary in the Diocese of Louisiana from his ordination as Deacon, until his acceptance of the Rectorship of the Church of the Epiphany, New Iberia, in 1886, serving for one vear as Archdeacon. He was Acting Rector of Trinity Church, New
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Orleans, from 1892 to 1895. 9 He returned to the Church of the Epiphany, New Iberia, as Rector in 1894, which position he still holds.
REV. JAMES NOBLE.
A. D. 1886-1897. Rev. James Noble, a young Deacon at Oklahoma, previously from New York, was called to assist Rev. John Gass, Rector of Christ Church, and made his first appearance in the Chancel at Friday afternoon service, June 12, 1886. He was admitted to the holy order of Priesthood by the Rt. Rev. H. N. Pierce and attending Priests, at Trinity Cathedral, May 11, 1897, during the session of the twenty- fifth annual Council of the Diocese of Arkansas, Rev. John Gass presenting the candidate. On the 15th of September, Rev. Mr. Gass officiated at the marriage of Rev. James Noble to Miss Mabel Hedges Simpson at El Reno, O. T. Mr. Noble left the parish October 1, 1897, for Marianna and Forrest City to take charge of the two Episcopal Churches in the two towns. On December 17, 1897, he accepted a call to the Episcopal Church at Tyler, Texas.
Mr. and Mrs. Noble have had one son, who died soon after birth.
Mr. J. J. Huntley, Missionary Superintendent and licensed Lay Reader of the Christ Church Missions, has kindly supplied the data of his mission work, which is here subjoined :
ST. PAUL'S.
A. D. 1890-1894. St. Paul's Sunday School and Mis- sion was organized in 1890 by Rev. John E. H. Galbraith, under whose ministry it prospered for some time. After
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his ministry ended it began to decline, so that in January, 1894, there were but six attendants. At the urgent request of Rev. Wallace Carnahan Mr. J. Huntley, as Lay Mission- ary Superintendent, took charge of it. The attendance began to increase, and continued to do so until eighty members were enrolled. Much of its success was due to the faithful attend- ance for a year or more of Miss Bessie Cantrell, whose ability as organist and teacher was so willingly given. Monthly entertainments of a Churchly character were given in this, as in all the other missions. The Rev. John Gass, as Rector of Christ Church, and its missions, by his loving oversight, did much to help this, as well as the other missions.
ST. JOHN'S MISSION.
A. D. 1892-1894. St. John's Mission was organized in the summer of 1892, as a Union Sunday School. In the spring of 1894 the superintendent, teachers, and scholars requested the Rev. Wallace Carnahan to receive in his charge as Rector of Christ Church, the mission, which was duly so received. The roll of membership was at this time seventy. Twelve baptisms and two confirmations was only a small part of the good done in this mission.
ST. LUKE'S.
A. D. 1894. St. Luke's was organized in North Little Rock in June, 1894, in a private parlor, with twenty scholars and four teachers. The attendance soon averaged thirty scholars, and the communicants twenty. In this mission there have been a large number of baptisms and six confirma- tions.
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ST. BARNABAS'S-BARING CROSS.
A. D. 1894. St. Barnabas's Mission was organized in a private house on the 30th of December, 1894, with six scholars and two teachers. The attendance continued to increase until there was an average attendance of thirty scholars. After two years' successful operation, and during the ministry of Rev. James Noble, Assistant Minister of Rev. John Gass, of Christ Church, the Sunday School was closed for nearly two years. In May, 1898, it was reopened with the ultimate intention of making it a Diocesan Mission. The Bishop officiated the fifth Sunday after Easter and baptized three children. The Bishop again officiated, baptizing five children of different ages, and confirming two adults. St. Barnabas's has now twenty-three baptized children and eleven communicants.
ST. PAUL'S.
A. D. 1896. St. Paul's Mission-house and lot on Eleventh and Pulaski streets-which had been the investment of the Ladies' Aid Society ($1,100), was sold for half that amount by the Vestry of Christ Church, in whom the title of the property was vested, and in December, 1896, a lot was bought for St. Paul's Parish by the Rev. James Noble, As- sistant Minister of Christ Church, situated on Fifth and Victory streets, which location was then adjudged to be more favorable for the growth of a congregation. A neat brick chapel now stands on that corner, which was formerly occu- pied by a saloon, and several devout and active members of the Church have collected together the Sunday School, which had been scattered after the sale of the original mission chapel. The present Rector holds service there on Sunday afternoons.
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In 1896 Mr. Gass assumed the editorial charge of The Arkansas Missionary, published quarterly in the months of February, May, August, and November, in behalf of the Diocese, with the subjoined list of the Clergy of the Diocese :
LIST OF THE CLERGY OF THE DIOCESE.
BISHOP.
Rt. Rev. Henry Niles Pierce, D. D., LL. D .. . . Little Rock.
PRIESTS.
Rev. W. T. Allen Fort Smith.
Rev. C. E. Cabaniss Pine Bluff.
Rev. D. I. Hobbs Little Rock.
Rev. G. W. Flowers Van Buren.
Rev. John Gass. . Little Rock.
Rev. R. S. James, D. D. Eureka Springs.
Rev. J. W. Keeble
Batesville.
Rev. C. H. Lockwood
Helena.
Rev. W. J. Miller
Hot Springs.
Rev. A. W. Pierce
. Hope.
Rev. D. S. C. M. Potter, D. D. Morrilton.
Rev. D. B. Ramsay Camden.
Rev. D. L. Trimble . Pine Bluff.
Rev. J. J. Vaulx Fayetteville.
Rev. E. J. Williams Forrest City.
Rev. I. P. Daniels Little Rock.
This had been edited for the two years previous by Rev. John Davis, whose resignation as Dean of Trinity Cathedral took effect in September, 1895, and who, not long after, went to Tokio, Japan, to take a professorship in the Theological Seminary there.
A powerful factor in the hands of the Clergy of Christ Church has been and continues to be the Chapter of "The
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Daughters of the King," an order which originated with the Episcopal Church. The Christ Church Chapter is here briefly described in its origin and progress by Miss Emma Kramer, one of the members, at the request of the annalist:
A. D. 1894. Rev. Wallace Carnahan, in 1894, asked the young ladies and young married ladies to meet and form a Chapter of the Daughters of the King. At the first meet- ing in January there were present Carrie and Lina Carnahan, Nonnie and Queen Lawson, Misses Georgie Woodruff, Mary Hennigan, Zoe Scull, Susie Martin (Mrs. Mayfield, of Ala- bama), Mrs. Sample, Mrs. Pope, Emma Kramer.
Mrs. Pope was our first directress. She then went to Alabama, after serving two months, and Miss Churchill took her place. Misses Maggie Dennison, May Wright (Mrs. French Hoge, of Kentucky), Carolyn Peay, Rosa Vickers (Mrs. John McClintock, of Kentucky), Hattie Bell, Leila Field, Jennie Clements, Juliette Churchill (Mrs. R. L. Good- rich), Annie Belding (the only member we have lost by death), Mary O'Connell, Rosa Miller. We were on proba- tion until October, when Mr. Gass came here. We then were initiated and formed the Advent Chapter. Some who were
at the first few meetings withdrew. Mrs. Gass was elected directress and it was through her influence the girls began taking interest in the work. Mrs. Goodrich, Misses Peay, Miller, Bell, Woodruff, and Kramer are the only original members that now belong to the order, though others have joined, and we have forty members now who are doing good work. The work, or sewing committee, alone made seventy- four (74) dollars during Lent, and the two months pre- ceding.
A. D. 1898. At a meeting of the Vestry of Christ Church on the evening of June 7, after the resignation of the
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Rev. John Gass had been tendered and accepted and he had departed for Atlanta, Ga., it was decided to call the Rev. Geo. Gordon Smeade, Rector of Trinity Church, Pine Bluff, Ark., to fill the vacancy. On the 29th of June following, the Rev. Mr. Smeade signified his acceptance of the office of Rector of Christ Church, to assume the charge on 1st of October.
Professor W. W. Lathurn, of New York City, had been secured several weeks previously as organist.
On September 29, 1898, Rev. Mr. Smeade arrived in Little Rock and became the spiritual head of Christ Church Parish.
REV. GEORGE GORDON SMEADE.
A. D. 1887-1899. Rev. George Gordon Smeade gradu- ated with degree M. A. at Roanoke College, Salem, Va., entered the Theological Seminary of Virginia, completed the three years' course, was ordained to the Diaconate June 24, 1887, by Bishop F. M. Whittle, of Virginia, and to the Priesthood, June 29, 1888, by Bishop A. M. Ran- dolph, of Southern Virginia, then Assistant Bishop of Vir- ginia. He was sent to Pulaski City, Va., as a Deacon, and remained there until he accepted a call to Trinity Church, Pine Bluff, Ark., having declined several previous calls. He was Rector of that Church nearly two years, which he re- organized-it having long been dismembered and without a Rector-repaired and beautified the Church building, and largely increased the congregation, which reluctantly resigned him on his acceptance of the call to Christ Church, Little Rock. Mr. Smeade is a young man and unmarried and might well hesitate to assume control where such an illustrious line of leaders had preceded him, but he was well equipped for the arena, and, resting on the arm of the Almighty he
REV. GEORGE GORDON SMEADE.
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entered upon his work with a divine courage, which found him at the end of a year, victorious and undismayed. Suc- ceeding to a well organized and flourishing parish, with one incumbrance and one drawback, he set himself to remove that incumbrance-the remainder of the Church debt-and to restore peace, which had lately been disturbed in Episcopal waters. By way of numerical proof, showing the result of his labor in the first and second years of his Rectorship, the number of candidates presented by him to Bishop H. N. Pierce for confirmation on Palm Sunday, 1899, was nine, and those presented on the First Sunday after Easter to Bishop Wm. Montgomery Brown numbered forty-four-the largest class that has ever been presented for confirmation in Christ Church. The financial ability of the Rector has also been fully demonstrated by his plan of canceling the Church debt. The Easter collection for this object was $2,529.70, of which the Ladies' Aid Society of the Church contributed $743.58. With pledges for $700, which Mr. Smeade still holds, augmented by $1,000 from the Ladies' Aid Society, which will fall due from the Building and Loan Association next Easter, the incumbrance will be removed and the Church be consecrated. The Vestry gave a vote of thanks to their indefatigable Rector, in which the congregation heartily con- curred. As a preacher, Mr. Smeade is logical, profound and persuasive and holds full congregations. His sermons have been blessed to his parishioners. Socially he is highly esteemed for his modest integrity.
At the request of the annalist, Mr. Smeade procured from a cousin the appended lineage, which is reproduced from the letter of Captain W. Gordon McCabe, one of the most bril- liant and accomplished scholars in the country, and is now principal of the University School, Richmond, Va.
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LINEAGE.
A. D. 1781. Rev. George Gordon Smeade, who was born at Old Point Comfort, Va., "is the son of Lieutenant Abner Smeade, United States Army, who resigned, entered the Con- federate army and rose to be colonel and inspector-general on 'Stonewall' Jackson's staff, and Amanda Wentworth Gor- don, his wife. She was the daughter of Alexander George Gordon, Commodore, United States Navy, and granddaughter of George Taylor, who was one of the Wardens of Christ Church, Alexandria, Va., during George Washington's attend- ance at that Church, and was a member of the standing com- mittee of the Episcopal Church of Virginia. Said Alexan- der George Gordon, Commodore United States Navy, was the son of George Alexander Gordon, of Alexandria, Va., and Mary Morris, his wife. Mary. Morris, born in Dutchess County, New York, was the daughter of John Morris, brother of Robert Morris, financier of the American Revolution. Said George Alexander Gordon was the son of Lewis Gordon, of Easton, Penn., and his wife, Mary Jenkins, of Philadel- plria, brother of Elizabeth Gordon, who married James Tay- lor, son of George Taylor, signer of the Declaration of Inde- pendence. Lewis Gordon, your (Rev. G. G. Smcade's) great great-grandfather, was a most accomplished and cultured man. He was a lawyer of eminence in Northampton County, Penn., and of direct descent from the Gordons, of Kenmuir, Kirkcudbright, Scotland-
*"Kenmuir's up and awa' Willie !"
*William of Gordon, Sixth Viscount of Kenmure, is the hero of the Jacobite song referred to. In a letter to his daughter Sophia, Mrs. John Gibson Lockhart, dated London, April 3, 1820, Walter Scott writes:
"We had a very merry day yesterday at Lord Melville's where we found Lord Huntley (the late Duke of Gordon) and other friends, and had a bumper to the new Baronet whose name was gazetted that evening (Sir Walter himself). Lady Hunt- ley plays Scotch tunes like a Highland angel. She ran a set of variations on 'Ken- mure's on and awa'!' which I told her were enough to raise a whole Country side. I never in my life heard such fire thrown into that sort of music." See Lockhart's Life of Sir Walter scott, Bart, Vol. VI, page 20.
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"Your Taylor relatives were people of character and high position. Through them you are closely related to Mrs. General Fitzhugh Lee and Governor Holiday, of Virginia ; you are the great nephew of Rear Admiral Taylor ; also great nephew of Colonel Frank Taylor, United States army, of Mexican War fame, who married the daughter of Chief Jus- tice Taney; and you are connected with the Daingerfield's, Fowle's, and other distinguished folk."
On his father's side Mr. Smeade is related to Justice Lamar and the famous Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert.
The choir of Easter, 1899, with Professor Lanthurn, organist, was composed of the following members :
Boys-Oscar Schadd, Clem Schaer, Jack Mitchell, Frank Mitchell, Sam Cochran, Hal Cochran, John Foulkes, Percy Skirving, Melchoir Eberts, Robt. Bogardt, Willie Feeders, Gordon Blackwood.
Sopranos-Miss Heath, Mrs. Benj. Harnwell, Miss Edna Bragg, Miss Ernest Field, Miss Hudspeth, Mrs. McGee, Miss Fannie Bell, Miss Hattie Bell, Miss Nonnic Lawson, Miss Rena Smith.
Altos-Miss Nannie Field, Miss Imogene Brack, Miss De Neler.
Tenors-Mr. Tate Robertson, Mr. Chas. P. Harnwell.
Bassos-Mr. Talbot Field, Mr. Jesse Dill, Mr. Terry Field, Mr. Chas. A. Magee, Mr. Geo. Lescher, Mr. Chas. Lawson.
PAROCHIAL REPORT FOR THE CONCILIAR YEAR 1899-1900, TWENTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL COUNCIL.
CHRIST CHURCHI, LITTLE ROCK. PULASKI COUNTY.
The Rev. G. Gordon Smeadc, M. A., Rector; residence, 509 Scott street ; the Rev. James Dickinson Simmons, As-
-25-
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sistant ; Major Parham, Lay Reader; Dr. Wm. A. Cantrell and John W. Goodwin, Wardens; Frank M. Jefferson, Clerk; Gordon N. Peay, Treasurer.
Number of registered Parishioners, 1,000. Number of families, 350. Baptisms, infants, 20; adults, 11; total 31. Confirmations, 44. Marriages, 14. Burials, 18. Number of confirmed persons, 650. Communicants-Admitted, 44; received, 10; died, 3 ; removed, 2 ; present number, 538. Sun- day School-Teachers and officers, 46; pupils, 318; total, 364. Public Services-On Sunday, 100; on other days, 100; Holy Communions, 50. Sittings in Church, free and rented, 650.
Services are supported by pew rents, by weekly envelope system and by voluntary contributions.
Offerings. Parochial-Communion alms, $238.47; current expenses, $4,825.25; payment of debts, $3,200; Ladies' Aid Society, $968.68; Daughters of the King, $497.84; St. Cecilia's Guild, $323; Chancel Guild, $255; Christ Church Sunday School, $260.96; St. Paul's Chapel Sunday School, $378.60; total, $10,947.70. Diocesan-Dio- cesan assessment, $115 ; Diocesan Missions, $210.25 ; Bishop's salary, $113 ; total, $11,385.95. Missions-General, $82.67; Foreign, $25; Domestic, $25; University of the South, $30.11; total, $162.78. Total for all objects, $11,548.73.
Value of all Parish land (exclusive of buildings), $14,- 500; value of Church building, $51,500; value of Rectory, $6,000; other Parish property, $1,000; total value of all Parish property, $73,000. Total indebtedness of the Parish, $1,200.
This has been the most successful year in the history of Christ Church. Every department of the Church is alive with activity.
The Assistant Rector (Rev. Mr. Simmons) will enter upon his duties this week.
The Easter offering amounted to $2,554.70. After the pledges are collected, including $1,000 in the Building and Loan Association, the indebtedness on the Church will only be $200.
.
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I cannot close this report without speaking of the won- derful work being done by Mr. Fay Hempstead at St. Paul's Chapel, a Mission of this Church. In a very short while I believe the work will be self-supporting.
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON STATE OF THE CHURCH.
The Committee on State of the Church beg leave to re- port, and they are highly gratified and greatly encouraged by the improved condition in which they find the Church in Arkansas, and the signal progress made by the Diocese within the brief period of a few short months; that they have to record the grandest year in the history of the Church in this State. It is truly remarkable. The labors of the Bishop in the field, and outside of it, for its advantage, have both been untiring and eminently fruitful. The remarkable fund thus accumulated in aid of missionary work in the Diocese is far beyond all precedent. The Church in Arkansas has been placed in full touch with the American Church, thus auguring the brightest prospects for future years of co-operation and advancement.
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