Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-03-01

have been larger But as you are leaving
Just as the Oil has been discovered, you will
iall to reap any portion of the harvest
we have no doubt, however that wherev-
er your lot may be east, you will always re
Joice IN the prosperity of your friends in
Ciearfeld.
Though the intrinsic value of the gift
which now place IN your hands is not large,
we trust it will be heightened in appreciation
by the circumstances and ASSOCIATION which
surround It,. Receive it, sir, with the as
surance, that your sojourn among us will al
ways be remembered with kindly and CRATE
ful emotions.
Mr.. GARDNER, replied as follows:
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: / can hardly
find language to express the sense of graft
tude which | feel for this testimonial of
your regard and esteem It deserves, and
shall have the lasting thankfulness of my
heart. | cannot too highly apr reciate such a
substantial evidence Of yourrespect and con-
fdence. Itgives me pleasure to say, that du-
ring my residence among you, have always
found You kind, indulgent, and liberal; and
now, that the relation of pastor and people
Is about TO be dissolved, in the order of the
Church, this agreeable surprise will only ce-
ment more strongly the bonds of affection
that bind me TO you. The ministerial office
Is not exempt from perplexities and trials.
1t has its seasons Of trouble and affiiction,
but; 1t has, also its green spots" in the
pathway OF experience, upon which the
sunshine Of JOY beams Nth undimmed radi-
-ence. The smiling faces around me. and,
your handsome donation make this to me,
indeed, green spot IN the path of life. In
after years, when far away, mingIing with
other friends and surrounded by other cir
instances glaH 4hi..
1t shall live in memory till life latest hour,
and be thought of only with emotions of
pleasure.
You have been pleased, sir, to allude to the
position L have sustained among you, in ref
erence to the cause of our common country
with me, that position has been maintain.
ed, not only as the conviction Of my best
Judgment, but Of my conscience. From that
hour when Sumpter tell, and our glorious
flag was insulted by rebel hordes at Charles
ton, where tonight it waves again in tri-
umph | felt it to be my solemn duty, as a
Christian minister, to give whatever of in
huence / possessed IN favor of the Union
and the Government. | have sincerely re-
garded the cause Of the Republic as the
cause OF COP, and have contemplated its
destruction as The most appalling calamity
that could befa mankind Hence, in the
pulpit and out OF it, in public and in private,
| have endeayored to inculcate a spirit OF
loyalty and patriotism
With your permission, | was absent on
two occasions from the charge, for the
purpose Of assisting to alleviate the suffer
ings Of our brave soldiers who were wound
ed in defence Of the flag. On the field Of
Gettysburg it was my privilege to bind up
the wounds OF many noble men who had
fallen in the strife, and to point the dying
heroes to the Lamb Of God And never,
till [ witnessed the sufferings Of those brave
and glorious soldiers, did [ comprehend the
magnitude Of the sacrifice that was being |
made to save. the life of the nation Last |
summer 1t was my privilege again to minis |
ter to the suffering in the hospitals at Fred |
ericksbUrg, and on the march to the Chick
ahQmiDy and as [ saw those gallant men
passing into eternity, many Of them with q
smile OF Christian triumph upon their brows,
resolved that while had voice to speak |
it should plead in behalf of the cause for |
which they died-and that so far as my in
fuence would go their lives should never be |
spent in vain. For what [ have done in this |
respect, | do not claim any thanks. / have !
simply performed sacred duty which |
owed to God, to my country, and to mankind. |
While / have been among you, the ma
ton has seen dark days. We have wept |
and prayed together, as clouds gathered O.
yer The national hopes; but, thank God,
ere we separate the skies have frightened |
up again, and the conquering legions of free
dom are marching on TO sure and certain vic
tory. Ny earnest prayer is, that God may
Hasten the day when we can congratulate
each other upon the salvation of the Union, |
and the return of peace.
And now. my dear friends, once more
thank you from my heart for this liberal
gift; and my sincere prayeris is, that God may
bless you all with health and prosperity in
this life and should it not be our privilege
to meet again on earth, trust that we shall
meet IN that better world above where the |
chain Of friendship is never broken, and e.
ternal joy is the lot of the blest.
As an eloquent and gifted preacher, de-
voted patriot, and good citizen, Mr.. GARD
NER has few equals, and no superiors. He
leaves his Charge with the respect and esteem,
not only of his own immediate people, but
of the community at large.