Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-02-28
GEORGETOWN CORRESPONDENTS.
GEORGETOWN, Feb. %, 1855,

oEok6EToWN, req. rs, 1890.
The magnificent silver pitcher, manufac-
tured by Gait 4 Bro. of your city, as pre-
sent from the male members Of the Presbyte-
rian congregation of our city to their retiring
pastor, the Rev. J. NJ P Atkinson, was for
mally presented in the lecture-room of the
Bridge street church last night. Mr.. W. L..
Dunlop presented the gift, in the following
very appropriate and handsome address:
Reverend and respected sir On behalf of
the male members Of the Bridge street Pres
byterian congregation, l present you this sill
yer pitcher, as testimonial of their high re-
gard for you personally and officially And
in doing this permit me to say that few events
carry with them q deeper or more lasting
feeling of regret than the present,-the de-
parture Of admired worth from the midst of a
people who have 30 long and so fully enjoyed
it, 1t would be needless for me to recall the
occasion or recite the sc snes when that worth
shone most conspicuOusly, and when the heart
OF this people gave to it in tears Q parting
testimony, much less to touch the wounds or
make fresh the sorrows its heavenly councils
soothed. i leave for the widow and father.
less, the chamber Of sickness, and the bed of
death, TO tell for it their humble story, and
to the emulators Of its holy example to speak
the praises which christian fortitude and faith
inspire. Your labo-s among US, sir, have been
great and encouraging. You have in the
significant language OF our late COngreRa-
tional meeting commended yourself emil
nently to our confidence and affections" you
have promoted the cause Of piety and religion
in the church, have enlarged its numbers, in
creased its resources, and strengthened and
consolidated its peace and harmony. Many
are the hearts whose gratitude and love your
residence with US has commanded MANY
are the griefs, many the signs with which that
residence is now seemed to be resigned by you,
and by which this people are called to part
with pastor so dearly beloved, SO usefal and
so true to duty and to God
Sir, among those on whose behalf pre-
sent their tribute, are some who, though not
protesting or speaking much, have, by their
recent conduct, borne ample testimony to
their pure affection for one, whose Christian
profession and usefulness strengthens the
strong ties which binds them together But
why say more of the regard entertained by
these donors and this people for your high
personal and Christian worth? You, sir, must
be assured that acts speak louder than words;
and that the affection Of the people, who now
offer you this testimonial, Will 60 with you
wherever your lot shall be cast, and that
their prayer will ever be that beautiful one
engraven upon this memorial, "Mizpah, :"
q" The Lord watch between me and thee when
we are absent from one another"
The Rev Mr. Atkinson responded to the
above in a brief, but appropriate and touching
manner.
The occasion was one of peculiar interest,
and the multitude of heaving bosoms, and
tear. bedimmed eyes, gave the very strongest
evidence of the warm Christian attachment
of the congrega alton to their former faithful
pastor. SfkcfAFoh'