The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1873-05-16
Paw Paw, Apnl 80, 1873.

T. ne Ic,e1y' 'iaa Church amt Congregation
al Far Por:
RESPECTED FRIENDS: ! have accepted un-
animous cal to another church in view to
permanent settlement and have consented to
begin to serve them Immediately. THIS an
nounceneut requires from me some words Of
expiaua,ion. And will say that do not leave
you because am dissatisfied with your treat
ment Of me. I have not an unpleasant thought
OF one Of you. But. 10 speak directly. In the
first place. 70 one has ever intimated that /
was expected to remain longer than the coming
fall, and though there is an ostensble agree
merit % that effect, yet it is, as in all such
cases, vita the implied understanding that
either party may, for reasonable cause, with
draw Md this is reasonable privilege, and
is as Necessary TO protect one party as the
other Nso. nearly three months since I call
I'd jolE, meeting OF the Trustees and Session
OF the churih. and plainly notified them that
should withdraw the first OF May, unless they
repaired and enlarged their church. because l
could 10 them 10 permanent good b. simply
holding service on Sabbaths with those who
could occupy seats IN he church, with no mean
OF charging their attendance. for when ! left
they would be just where ] found them. Also,
that they could not expect me to remain any
length q time shut up 10 their present means
while could receive elsewhere a much larger
salary. Also, that could be OF little service
TO than. While both church and preacher regar-
ded M stay as temporary. And in their
present condition il could be only temporary
A permanent settlement is essential TO the use
fulness CT a minister, and prosperity OF a
church. The church IN Paw Paw needs an ac-
tive srgighty. good young man, who Will take
the responsibility OF continued service to gather
for himself permanent congregation.
have not sought another church it has
sought me. / lad no knowledge Of it at oil.
Not one Of the congregation knew me person
ally. II s a desirable and much desired con-
grsgation It has probably had fifty applicants
Tor its vacant pulpit. 1t had heard numerous
candidate from numerous parts Of the country
all Of which knew nothing Of. All those can
didates were almost unanimously refused A
few days since / received unanimous invita-
ton to take their pulpit in view Of perma-
nent settlement, and to begin the first Sabbath
ever preached but once IN the place, and then
IN an invitation to crafty some old acquaint-
ances who are members Of another church.
replied to their invitation by proposing
terms on my part, which had no thought they
would accept. But they accepted have asked
them to release me, and they Decline and hold
me to my proposal. / think it my duty to ac-
cept.
You may ask why did not inform you SOON
or? Simply because did not know 1t myself.
Also, ~ have SAID, three months ago gave
the offciary of the church notice OF my
opinion as TO what was best for both Of us.
Also, IL l DID not accept their offer now, I
could not have it. As have sal d, it is desi-
rable situation, they have crowd OF applicants
and are much in need Of a pastor. have in
tended to do right think have done right.
think any one OF you would have done just 30
il in my place. am still ready TO serve you in
any way that is possible.
| have wetten this lengthy explanation be-
cause II is best for both parties that full I'M
Outstanding OF the facts should be had. Neither
church nor q minister can afferd to think Ill
% scsh other. unless through great pruvoea-
tion . hurts Sleir reputation. IL had con-
ssne5 goa aoou: removing, you wssld not
hevs osos0tel, presume, ana I conclade
Dat tis least SAID the better.
ysvrs aa'ee.ienately.
CoLEs L. WILKES.