The Portland daily press., 1867-03-11
state street Churcs.

Rev. Mr.. Walker, pastor of State Street
Church, preached discourse to his people yes
terday morning, though he was obliged to oc
cupy chair during its delivery. In the after
noon he dispensed the Lords Supper to the
Church.
The Church was crowded in the morning
with anxious hearts, for it was understood that
Mr.. Walker would give his reply to the unani-
nous request of his people, that he should
withdraw his late letter of resignation, or con-
sent to postponement of present action upon
it. Prior to commencing his discourse in the
morning, he read the following letter:
TO the Members of State Street Church and
Parish My dear Friends: have received by
the hands OF your committee your request that
would either entirely withdraw my late letter
OF resignation OF my pastorate, or would con-
sent to postpOnement of present action upon
IL. Inns request was accompanied by such ex-
pressions of reluctance to sever our relation
snip, and desire for the continuance of my lab
ors among you, as have rarely been heard by a
new England pastor under similar circum-
stances.
Your committee represented it to be the
united sentiment of Church and Parish that
you deemed it better for you as a Society, to
wait a much longer and uncertain time if need
be, for my recovery, rather than to have the
connection broken, and that you were united
ly willing to wait.
For this new token of your kindness am at
loss for words to thank you. For the sake of
my brethren i'll the churches 1 am inexpressi-
Oily proud OF you, for my own sake / am equal
y grateful to you. There is comfort for every
Gospel minister in the State in the nobleness
OF your dealing with me- e}str f@'th
wish could honestly say that the earnest
ness of your assurance had entirely suffieed to
convince, me of the wisdom Tor Yourselves of
| the cOurSA L IN lac paalr
with conviction as l supposed unalteraby
made up. Nor can say that even the won
derful manifestations have here seen, have
entlrely availed to make me see that conviction
70 De wrong. was one, think can sim
cerely affirm, arrived at from a consideration,
primarily, OF what would be your interests
| three or five years to come.
do not know that 1 have inwardly wavered
much from that judgment.
But in questions of this character it is very
possible to err. l may be wrong. hope am.
ANA 1t certainly seems reasonable that you
VINO incur the risk and avow willingness to as
sumo the responsibility, should have the bene-
tit OF the doubt. therefore leave my letter of
| to your request for postponing immediate action
upon it, in hope that God may soon make His
| Will so plain as to unite our judgment, either
| in my removal from you or continuance here.
In saying SO l can, however, but express the
belief that if we unitedly seek Divine guild
ance on this point, no long period will be re-
| CURED to make His will known. Possibly the
lapse of a very few months may convince us all
Of the propriety of an indefinite postponement
! OF my letter, or OF your united and final action
| upon it.
Meantime let us together seek for direction
! IN our common interests from that Good Shep-
! nerd to whom shall ever be grateful for plac-
ing me among so generous and noble portion
| of Ills flock
The hesitation manifest in this communica-
ton is, If l know my heart, owing to my love
and solicitude for you. And if the kind provi-
dence of God shall seem to make it manifest
tinue with YOU. be assured that conviction will
| be most gladening and welcome one to the
heart OF your grateful pastor and friend,
ff-{4 GEORGE LEON WALKER.
| PNrt1oY,d Morob IN 1907