Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1879-10-04

.tAAN RA&AAA% W0A01 Va tAAC 4eN ~ . A@s AZ
Brown prior to his transference
another field of labor.
This excellent minister has no,
. spent four years among US, tn
longest period during which tn
rules of the Methodist Episcops
Church permit u minister to resid
continuously in one place, AM
during that time has succeeded il
making favorable impression
which has not only been deepl,
stamped in his own congregation
but has extended far beyond tn,
limits of any sectarian organization
Upon men of all classes and all sect
Mr.. Brown has exercised an infiu
ence only attainable by one who il
inspired by high aims and labor
with energy and singleness Of pur.
pose for their accomplishment. We
will add that his aims are not only
high but broad. Nothing narrower
in scope than the moral weII-being
of the whole community in which
he lives is the object of his efforts
to combat evil wherever he meets
it, to promote every enterprise for
good is the mission which occupies
his daily thoughts and actions.
In saying these things of our
esteemed friend we are inditing no
stereotyped encomium in compli-
ance with the observance customary
upon such occasions, but are stating
facts of which we are personally
cognizant. Mr.. Browns ministry
in this city has been nearly contem-
porary with our occupation of the
editorial chair of the GAINESVILLE
CHRONICLE, and though approach
ing them from different points of
view, we have frequently been
occupied with identical subjects re-
lating 10 the social and moral ques-
tons of the day, and it has been a
source of mnch encouragement to
us to find ourselves almost always
in accord with one whose opportu-
mites are so great for observation
and whose principles are so solidly
based on the foundations of an en-
lightened Christianity. A confer
ence with him has always been to
us an inspiration for the work of
cOntending for the right.
But we have yet the sermon of
last Sunday to speak of. We are
not generally attracted by farewell
there is generally too
much OF sentimental egotism in
them; the preacher being full of his
own feelings and eager to excite his
hearers to a similar frame of mind
is tempted to elaborate efforts to-
wards the pathetic, deeming him
self successful only if he can leave
his congregation dissolved in tears.
Mr.. Brown avoided this peril alto
gether; he announced from the first
that he was not going to make
farewell sermon; he was not going
to allude to his own feelings or to
the success, greater or less, of his
in the city. All that
he left first to the Almighty, who
knew what his efforts had been,
what his difficulties, and through
whose aid he had done what he had
done; and secondly, to the candid
of his people. The
subject of his sermon was to be an
as to the reception they
should give his successor, whoever
he might be.
He urged on them that they should |
accord him their sympathy, so need
Iul for the sustenance of his spirit in |
The arduous labors he will find be-
fore him. He impressed upon them
the duty of punctuality in furnish
ng his stipend, not enjoining any
hing extravaganza, but that the
should know what he has
10 depend on, so as not to have his |
thoughts distracted from his spirit
lal work by anxiety for the tempo
al needs of his family. He eau
TONED them against fastidiOusness
IN criticizing the selection made at |
he Conference, and finally demand
I'd their constant prayers for him
throughout his ministry among
hem. In urging these duties upon
hem he made frequent acknOwl-
edgments of the kindness and zeal
BUSINESS with which these conditions
lad been observed in his own
Instance, and, as the only allusiOn
With which he would trust himself
o his own feelings, desired that
kindly impulses they
night cherish towards himself
night take the form of love, good
will and sympathy accorded to his
successor,
The discourse was listened to
With wrapt attention by a very
arge congregation, consisting of
representatives from all other de-
as well as, the full quota
# his own people.
We have only now to record our
'wn deep respect for the estimable
clergyman now leaving us, our high
OF the privilege we have
njoyed of a friendly intercourse
With him of four years Though not
member of his congregation), our
regret at parting with him,
nd our earnest wishes for his sue
ess and happiness i'll the next field
# his pastoral duties.
sac EseadY.
During spells OF unseasonably
4, I