Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-04-17
REV. HENRY J. VAN DYKE, ID. d.


REV. HENRY J. VAN DYKE, ID. ID.
A Meeting of his COngregatIOn-The
Pastors Letter and the Resolutions
Adopted.
The Brooklyn On. y Eagle of the 18th
inst, contains the proceedings of a cOngre-
gational meeting of the First Presbyterian
Church of that place, to consider the ques-
ton Of uniting with the pastor, Rev. DR..
Van Dyke, in a request to the Presbytery
Of Brooklyn to dissolve his pastoral relation
TO that Church. The Clerk Of the Session
read the following paper:
REV. DIR. VAN DYKES LETTER OF RESIG-
NATION.
BROOKLYN, April 10, 1S72.-To the Con-
gregation Of the First Presbyterian Church,
Remsen street, Brooklyn-My Dear People:
l must crave your indulgence to present in
writing a statement which, if were sure
Of being able TO control myself in your
presence, would be made to you face to
face.
You are already aware that after prayer
full and anxious consideration of the ques-
ton, my mind rests in the conclusion that
1t is my duty to resign my pastoral charge
over this church, with a view to accept the
call recently rendered TO me by the First
Presbyterian Church Of Nashville.
MY CONFIDENCE IN MY OWN JUDGMENT
IS not so strong as it once was, and | am
painfully conscious of liability to err in this
crisis. But having sought direction from
Him who is the source Of all wisdom, en-
deavoring 70 lay my soul without bias in
the light of His providence and spirit, feel
bound to act promptly upon the clear con-
cluSion to viii Oh have been brought.
1t is therefore my purpose to apply to the
PresbyteIy of Brooklyn at an adjourned
meeting, to be held on the 22d of April, for
a dissolution Of my pastoral relations with
yOu,and do earnestly request you to unite
with NE in this application.
1t would not be possible to state intelligi-
bly, all the considerations which have COM
biued TO bring me to this conclusion
Every mans Judgment, at the critical pc.
RODS of his life, is more or less influenced
by reasons which are too intangible to be
appreciated by others, or too delicate to adj
init of public exposition. You need
hardly be assured that my decision has not
been consciously influenced by the desire Of
personal ease. 1t is true that the proposed
change will release me from the pressing
necessity Of some forms of ministerial la
Dor, but such release is anticipated only as
an opportunity for new diligence in other
directions.
WHEREVER NY FIELD MAY BE, EXPECT
TO WORK TILL I DIE,
TO the full measure Of my strength. Nor
is it necessary for me to assure you that my
decision has not been influenced by pecu-
mary considerations. The supply Of my
temporal wants can be entrusted with equal
safety TO the Church whose generosity l
have so long experienced, or to the noble
body Of Christians who desire me to be-
come their pastor. The sum and substance
of all the reasons that have weighed upon
my mind is the persuasion that my useful
ness as a minister of Christ will be enlarged
and prolonged by the proposed change.
Transplanting often promotes fruitfulness in
men as well as in trees. New circumstan-
ces develop new powers. The same mode
Of presenting truth, which is stale or IN
congeniaI 70 the moral atmosphere in one
place, is fresh, and adapted to produce large
results in another. The record Of many a
mans life-work is made noble and more
complete by the opportunity to wipe the
slate clean and begin over again.
THESE CONSIDERATIONS APPLY To Ny
CASE WITH PECULIAR FORCE.
Though the conflicts of the past have
left no feelings of resentment in my heart
toward any human being, as they certainly
have left no regrets for having defended
these convictions Of truth and right which
, are still as dear TO me as they ever were,
Tand though my personal and ecclesiastical
relations outside Of my own church are
marked by a kindness and courtesy which
will be a sweet remembrance Ill the end of
life; still l have not suffered myself to be
deceived by the hope that such prejutices
as have been eXerted against me and my
ministry in this community viii die cut in
one generation.
The time has come when can retire hon
orably to myself and safely 10 you. l be-
lieve hat it is expedient for you as well as
for myself that l should embrace the oppor-
tunity. The same labor expended on the
field to which am called viii yield, us l
honestly believe, larger results than can
reasonably be expected here; while another
man, holding the same ecclesiastical Opin-
ions and preaching the same doctrines, could
fill my present position free from the disad-
vanta ges under which labor. InTegard to
the church to which | am called, it is su1fi-
Gent TO say that it offers in itself and in its
ecclesiastical relations wide and conCenial
field oflabOr. l do not know ofany church
in the land which seems to possess so many
elements ofstrength and commanding inhu-
ence in the community where it is placed.
NV only doubts in reference 10 the position
relate to my own ability to fill it. There is
reason to hope that my translation from
BROOKLYN to Nashville may do something,
however small, toward promoting kintli-
er feeling between the Christian people Of
the two great sections Of our country, and
especially between the Northern and South
ern Presbyterian Churches.
You may be sure that will preach there
as have preached here, nothing but ''the
gospel Of peace" There is also reason to
hope that change Of climate may con-
duce TO my health, and still more to the
health Of those whose welfare is dearer to
me than my own.
And now, dear Christian friends, my
brethren and sisters IN the kingdom and
natience Of our Lord Jesus Christ, my Joy
and crown in thos Jreat day Of revelation,
WHAT MORE SHALL SAY TO YOU?
DO YOU need to be told that have written
these words in ineXpressible sorrow? You
know VERY well that love you tenderly;
Won know my confidence in your affection
for me: YOU remember wildly the scenes /
of sorrow and Of joy, Of instruction and of
fellowship in which our mutual attachment
has rooted itself year by year. You have
been my friends through good and through
evil report; you have borne with my in
drnities, you have literally supplied my