The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-09-06

CHURCH CORRESPONDENCE Several
weeks ago we mentioned the fact that the
Rev. McDuff Simpson, the earnest and elo-
quent pastor Of the Second Presbyterian
Church, had accepted a call from Philadel-
phia, and would sever his connection at this
place
On Sunday last congregational meeting
of the church was held for the purpose Of
taking such action as the resignation of Mr..
Simpson made necessary.
The pastor addressed his flock as follows !:
My Dear Friends: This day, in the COM
pulsion of external circumstances, I am
driven to the painful task Of asking you to
unite with me in requesting Presbytery to
dissolve my pastoral connections with this
church.. But cannot do this without again
expressing the deep sorrow which l have
felt in coming to this conclusion, and the in
tenscr sorrow which must feel in tearing
myself away from the scene Of the labor 1
have enjoyed SO much, and the homes Of the
friends | love so we'll
Frequently when I have looked down on
these familiar faces, and there flashed into
my mind the thought of soon saying fare
well, found it difficult to suppress the tear
that should disclose the secrets Of my heart !;
and often too have shrunk back from the
very idea of severing the ties which have
afforded us such mutual pleasure, and which
have grown stronger as time passed on.
Yet the circumstances Of the whole case are
such that feel compelled to leave you and
one satisfaction which now feel is that my
labors here have not been in vain, and that
our forced separation can never break the
fioa n& off Hon Vntas y, n
And wherever / 20, friends, will still re-
member you; your kind words shall ever
echo in my ear and the memory of your
kinder deeds shall remain fresh and green
through all the changing scenes OF life.
And. though hundreds OF miles lie between
US, l trust our prayers for each others well
fare shall continue to meet and mingle on
the ear Of God.
take this opportunity of briefly express
ing my feelings, for these feelings are too
strong to admit of farewell sermon. Be-
sides, hope in the future to visit this noun
tain city. stand in your pulpit, and look into
those faces which shall call back the plea
sures of my pastorate here.
And now as l have labored hard for the
success OF our cause in this place, and have.
been privileged to see this church survive it $
greatest difficulties, even in the face Of the
most violent threats, which, alas I were buc
too faithfully fulfilled, shall depart from
your midst with the bright hope that aEothe
shall lit the standard which I now lay
down, and lead you onward to more glo-
rious triumphs.
At the conclusion of hi remarks the fol-
lowing preamble and resolutions offered by
Capt. Mccoy were adopted:
WHEREAS, Our beloved pastor, Rev. Me-
Duff Simpson, has this day asked us to unite
with him in request to Prcsbytery to dis
solve the pastoral relation which has existed
since the organization Of this church and
whereas, while we deplore the necessity
which compels him to take this step, yet we
feel the fullest assurance that he is acting
now, as he has invariably acted heretofore,
from conscientious conviction OF duty;
Therefore be it
Resolved lst, That this congregation re-
luctantly consents to unite in the request to
Presbytery to dissolve the pastoral relations.
Resolved End, 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 con tinue as
long as life.
ResozUed Bird, That we here, in congrega-
ton assembled, rcaffirm our undiminished
confidence in and affection for our able
preacher and devoted pastor; and that we
will not omit to bear record to his untiring,
unselfish, faithful and eminently successful
labors for the good of this church, collect
lively and Individually, and for the extension
of the Masters Kingdom among us.
Resoloed 4th, 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 from the other which have at
tended his work here and that he has now
and shall ever have the affectionate and ear
nest God-speed Of this people.