Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1877-10-05
Pastors Farewells.

Sunday night the Lutheran cnufcn was
packed to its utmost capacity by al audi
ence to bid farewell to the pastor, Rev. M.
r. Minnlch, who has had charge OF it for
four years. The farewell sermon was
founded On the asth verse of l5,h chapter
of LIST Corinthians. In opening his sermon
the young pastor said that some deemed
his resignation hasty and i'll considered,
but he was conscious that he had acted in
good faith towards God and his congrega-
ton and were he to make public all the
facts connected, which were of too purely
IA personal character to interest others, his
hearers would agree with him; fer while
the congregation had only given the
occasion of his action, his motives were al
together disconnected from their act. Mr..
Minnich s sermon was one full of searching
yet loving admonition and advice to his
congregation, showing them the impor-
lance of holding up their pastors hands,
of testifyng to him their appreciation Of
his work, of remunerating him to the ex-
tent of their ability rather than to the ex-
tent of his demand, and liise good counsel
In conclusion he said: "And now beloved
farewell shall my parting words of coun
sci be in vain? God forbid! This people
and this congregation shall ever be associa-
ted with the most hallowed mem cries of
my life and shall never, never, forget
you. 1 shall remember you in my prayers
as | beg you to remember me in yours.
sometime We shall meet again. not, proba-
bly, on earth, but surely BELOVED around
the throne of God, if we here SO live as
fer of Richmond, who was present, took
occasion to express his deep regret at this
separation Of pastor and people. This con-
gregation, he SAID, had been so helpful to
him that he somehow felt that it belonged
to him, and he would take the liberty III it's
name of assuring the retiring pastor of it's
deepest sympathy and love and prayers.
The choir sung the beautiful hymn, BE
You'd the smiling and the weeping 1 will
be soon,'' and afte; the lynn ''Christians
AND brethren ere we part" and the bene-
dictioa by the pastor uttered. in a voice
full of emotion, the service ended.
Mr.. Minnich goes to Philadelphia for the
present. In the four years he has had
charge of the Lutheran church here the
congregation has been nearly doubled and
the Sabbath School more than doubled i'll
numbers, the parsonage has been nearly
paid for and che CHURCH thoroughly reno
waited. The Council OF the church have
decided on submitting the name of Rev,
Mr.. Haskell, Of South Carolina, to the con-
gregation for their next pastor.
or Sunday night large congregation
gathered at the q Presbyterian church to
hear the farewell sermon Of Rev, Nc Epuff
Simpson, who goes to take charge of
church in Philadelphia. His sermon was
bbaa,ssq an The !1e 18th and 18TH verses Of the
9Th chapter Of + holHlla M The }mllatteF of IT
but not spesliaaii to tthe pc
casion, the young pastor announcing that
his feelings forbade his delivering an aq=
dress having the characteristics of fare
we'll sermon. He could not, he said, say
farewell, but would look forward to re-
union in tits ''fsWeet by-and-bye (that
beautiful hymn had gust tesF sRng with
much feeling aud effect by the choir|, and
alluqed in most eloquent and touching
aaaef 70 ths pleasant relations y which had
existed hetwae has q !aspd hlgg bearers as pas
Tor and people, After the slafning ger
vices, at q congregational meeting sailed |
together for the purpose of taking steps to
secure successor to Mr.. Simpson, 1t was
that Rev. Mr.. Strider had ac-
;epted another call, and could not come
Several other names were mentioned,
laaoas ~i,oa41 vas that of Rev. 5. II. Ches-
,er, of Chastlnear 4sose eharch, y g.
rhis gentleman was recommended 10 the |
highest terms by the faculty Of Union
Seminary, and others who had written to
members of the session. The session was
accordingly instructed to inform Mr.. Chea-
o. Of the amount of salary the church
,oala pay I'D 70 invite him to visit the