St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1873-08-08

tofal calls, of funerals attended, of ac-
cesslons to the church,-but no mans
influence is measured BY figures. and
you, my friends, know the results. Yet
of some phases of my labor | NAV prop
erly aud proftably speak.
l. The report. the work itself. 1t
has not been perfect. More personal
work with men might, perhaps. have
awaited more 10 win them to Christ
yet such winning has ever been my aim.
Some ministers would. doubtless. have
made sharper distinction between sin
ners and saints,-I have rather made
common application of a common Cos
pei to the common needs of men. since
the truth of God is addressed alike to
both classes.-but have always kept
III mind and never purpOsely Obscured
the distinction. Moreover nv coucep-
ton of Il minister's work has ever LARGE
ly been the building of Christians.
Three things at least | have tried TO do.
to greater % God. (2) Christ. and Oh
the possibilities of men through Christ.
ii. But how have you. my friends,
received the report. You certainly have
received me. AS far as | know YOU
have been united in me. You have
never dictated to me, nor interfered
with my plans OF labor. My relations
u hn of = L.
been exceedingly pleasant ; not a single
harsh or unkind word ever disturbing.
as far as can recall. our intercourse.
The church has been eminently at peace
within itself, it has been wisely guided
by the discreet counsels of its leading
men: it has. of late. been foremost
among the churches of the state in its
benevolent contributions it has, while
losing from its ranks many brave and
strong souls, been yet strengthened
during my ministry.
Many of you who are before me to-
day have needed the report and have
stood faithfully in the lot appointed to
y"u. Many have answered the call to
Christian labor and fellowship, and
have co-operated heartily with the pas
tor in his work. But. in frankness
am bound to say it, not all of you.
There are some of this church upon
whom the word of truth has seemed to
fall unheeded who have seldom been
seen in the place of PRAYER and have
often neglected public worship there
are those to whom Christ has been
protiered as the one who alone can save
from the ruin Of sin, cnnohle and eXalt.
VIII" have not yet received either him
or his truth as personal uplifting and
and corsccrating power. Such will lie
judged. yea, are judged. 10y the truth
uttered.
You vii! soon think of my successor.
Shun the hearing of many candidates
Rather charge some of Your isest men
with the responsibility of the selection
of Il pastor, let them make not 100 much
haste. trust their choice. and earnestly.
without reserve or condition. give YOUR
selves to his support
Mr.. Rrastow leaves st. .Johnsbtry
with the warm regard and hest wishes
of both his parish and all outside ot it.
Indeed, by his public spirit. and hy his
frequent services rs platform speaker
and lecturer. lac has strongly cntrenched
himself among this wh"lc community.
In the pulpit he is Il man of marx. His
fresh, original treatment of old and
common topics, his surprising opening
of new treasures of thought. his clean
cut, crystal analysis of difficult themes.
his direct address to hi. hearers. his
vigorous, imcisive rhetoric when reused
to more than ordinary interest IL his
topic, will long he remembered by his
congregation. Sound in doctrine. va
iied in his method Of presenting the
Truth. alive 10 every practical issue of
uath in public is we'll as private af-
far, he cai.I0i hut interest and instruct
Any people :" whom he ministers. We
greet his departure from among rs and
congratulate the White Street Church.
Burlington, to which Mr.. Brastow goes
the first of September, on their acquisi-
ton.