Wilmington daily commercial. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1866-1877, 1874-12-28
rev. Mr. Fol,yeIl,s ResIgna.lon.
IEAyE-TAKINd OF THE CONGREGATION OF TIN
DELAWARE AVENUE cHuRcH. LAST EvENINo.

LEAyE-rAKINd OF THE CONGREGATION OF THE
DELAWARE AVENUE CHURCH, LAST EVENING.
Rev. Geo. W. Folwcll, who for upwards of
eight years has been the pastor of the Delaware
Avenue church. took final leave OF his congrega-
ton and preached his parting discourse, last
evening. The church was crowded to its utmost
capacity. The sermon was hased on the 20lh
aud 21st verses of the 18th chapter of Hebrews.
Me- Folwel began his discourse by saying that
the relations between the church and the minis
try deserved the greatest sympathy, aud was en-
titled to that charity which sutfereth long, that
vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not
behave itself unseemly seeketh not her own Is
not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, rejoceth
not in inquty but rel oiceth in truth, believeth
all things, ,endureth al things. Paul recognized
these difficulties and obligations, and now he
prayed for them in the language of the text.
There are generally too many little Wills in
the church, each intent on carrying out its own
desires, forgetting that there must be one gem
eral will and entire unanimty Of purpose to
make the church prosper. One deacon indulg-
ing in some secret Fin one Judas in the church
does an incacnlable amount Of injury, and pre-
vents the members from joining together and
presenting united front. There is a stone
which, whole, will float upon the surface Of the
water, but when broken into Fragments each
atom will sink to the bottom. So it lis with the
church united whole it can Withstand
everything, but when broken by internal discord
ii totters and loses its power. Our characters
must undergo change before we can De recon-
ciled TO God, aud the prayer Of the apostle for
tho Hebrews is my prayer for you.
Mr.. +. then considered Christ as the good
shepherd, and showed how kindly he had cared
for them and had led them gently along. HIS
blood was the seal Of the covenant. He then
spoke Of his pastorate, saying
My pastorate with you is ended. my record is
written. What has been done cannot be un-
done. Each of us must be confronted by his
own record at that last great day when we must
all stand before the Judge l have no cTimina-
tons recriminations to make. l judge no
man. came to you in your infancy and weak
ness and leave you strong in numbers. You
Then had no house of worship now you have a
beautiful church in beautiful part of the city.
I have been with you in your griefs and sorrowsi
and have seen your smiles and heard your
cries. / have cOunseled, advised and tried to
encourage you, and l call God to witness that
have endeavored to do my whole duty
70 far as God has given me the ability. Peace
he within thy walls | am glad that God has al
ready provided an under shepherd who will CONT
10 lead you in about three months from thi'
time, 80 that you will not be long without an un
der shepherd.
Now you shall see my face no more youi
pastor, and call you to account that my skirt
are clear of the blood of souls. II there In one
here who has notyet heard my warning voice
let me say to that one, 80, soul, SOUL come to
the bleeding side OF Jesus and find redemption
through his blood"