Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-09-04
Iction OF Second Presbyterian Church Congregation

Action OF Second Presbyterian Church Congregation
On Sunday congregational meeting of thi,
church was held which was presided over b,
VIM. Jordan, Esq. The object of the meeting
was to take such action as was deemed neces-
sary in view of their pastor, Rev. MacDuffSimp.
son, accepting a call recently made on him from,
from Philadelphia. and which he has decided
to accept. For the past two years he has been
Identified with the Second Presbyterian Church
of this place, and his labors have been eminent
~ successful, and in severing the connection
heretofore existing. he is accompanied by the
good wishes of his congregation. "
On Sunday he addressed the meeting as fol-
lows:
My Dear Friends This day, in the cempul-
sion of external circumstances, I am driven to
to the painful task of asking you to unite with
me IN reanesting Prssbytery to dissolve my
not do this without again expressing the deep
sorrow which have felt in coming to this con-
feel In tearing myself away from the scene of
| the labor have enjoyed much, and the
homes of the friends love SO well.
| Frequently when 1 have looked down on
| these familiar faces, and there flashed into my
mind the thought of soon saying farewell, I
found 1t difficult to suppress the tear that
should disclose the secrets Of my heart; and
| often too have l shrunk back from the very
! idea of severing the ties, which have afforded
US sueh ~, mutual pleasure, and which have
grown stronger as time passed on. Yet the cir
cumsGances of the whole case ere such that
| feel compelled to leave you; and one satisfac-
ton which now feel is that my labors here
have not been in vain, and that our forced sep
aratfon can never break the ties of affection
which bind us together
And wherever go, friends, Twill still remem-
Der you; your kind words shall ever echo in
my ear and the memory of your kinder deeds
snail remain fresh and green through all the
OF miles lie between us, I trust our prayers for
each others welfare, shall continue to meet
ana mingie on the ear of God.
take this opportunity of briefly expressing
my feelings. for these feelings are too strong to
admit of a farewell sermon. BESIDES hope in
Inc lutufe 10 visit this mountain city, stand in
your pulpit, and look into those faces which
snait cal back the pleasures of my pastorate
And now as have labored hard for the sue
cess OF our cause in this place, and have been
privileged to see this church survive its great
est trials, and surmount its greatest difficulties.
even In the face of the most violent threats,
which, alas were but too faithfully fulfilled;
| shall depart from your midst with the bright
nope that another shall lift the standard which
| now lay down, and lead you onward to more
glorious triumphs.
At the conclusion of his remarks the follow
ing preamble and resolutions offered by Capt
Mccoy were adopted:
WHEREAS, Cur beloved pastor, Rev. MacDuff
Simpson, has this day asked us to unite with
MN IN request to Pfesbytery to dissolve the
pastoral relation which has existed since the
organization of this church; and whereas,
whilewe deplore the necessity which compels
him to take this step, we yet feel the fullest as
surance that he is acting now, as he has invari
ably acted heretofore. from a conscientious
conviction of duty; Therefore be it
Resolped lst That this congregation reluctant
~ consents to unite in the request to Presby-
terry to dissolve the pastoral relations
G. Resotued md, That in thus parting with Mr..
simpson we are sundering ties which have
grown stronger day by day, and which we had
ardently hoped would continue as long as life.
ReSO[gPG 2rd That W here in, cOY,U fiop
assembled, reatfirm our undiminished conf
dence in and affection for our able preacher
and devoted pastor; and that we will not omit
to bear record to his untiring, unselfish, faith
fnl and elninently successful labors for the
good OF this church, collectively and individu-
ally. and for the extension Of the Masters King
dom among us. e
RESOLVED eth, That we cannot do more than
wish for Mr.. Simpson, in his new field and
among the people whom he goes to serve, the
same measure of success in the one and love
rom the other which have attended his work
mere; ana thai he has now and shall ever have
the affectionate and earnest God-spoed of this
people. ~ liz