New-York tribune., 1879-04-14
LOCAL MISCELLANY.
MR.. HEpwoRTHs CLOSING SERVICES.

REVIEWING HIS SEVEN YEARS OF SERVICE FOR The
CHURCH or THE DIsCIPLEs-WORDs oF coUN-
Sci FOR THE CONGREGATION.
The Rev. George II. Hepworth yesterday closed
his connection with the Church of the Disclpies
after n service Of seven years. In the morning
every sitting in the church was occupied, while
progress through tine aises was mpedcd by the
crowd Hundreds turned away from the church
unable to gain admission. II was natural to ex-
pect n display of flowers on Easter Sunday, but the
floral offerings yesterday were unnsnal in richness
and number The day was marked by the celebra-
tion of the baptlsmal and communion services. No
less than forty-twO children were baptized, and az
the communion celebration ten adults joined the
church.
At the morning service the Rev. Mr.. Hepworth
preached from the text. found in Mark " Who shall
roll us away the stone from the door Of the s"pu-
chre !" The sermon was descriptive Of the resur-
rection. He pointed out that Christ had opened
the door to Heaven, and that Christians should
show their gratitude at finding the way open. He
then alluded to the number of years he had been
connected with the church, and drew attention TO
the fact that during bis ministry there had been no
unpleasant dissenSions either in the congregation
or the various boards Of management He referred
TO his departure from the Unitarian Church to take
charge of the Church of the Disciples at the time
the Orthodox Church Nevertheless he respected
the scholarship of the denomination which he
had abandoned. He still entertained very kindly
feeling toward the Unitarans Reference was
then made to the struggle he had gone through IN
organizing the present congregation how the nu-
cleus had been formed in Stenway Hail. and how
il had since grown and prOspered. His reason for
seyering his connection with the church was a
simple one and was imperative. The strain Of at
tending to the duties Of his position had Oyertaxed
hIm physically, and he was compelled 10 seek rest
and rccuperatOn. In speaking of the incoming
pastor, the Rev. w. r. Davis, he solicited the con-
gregatiOn earnestly To continue wOrShIpping with
the new pastor as they had with the old. The con-
gregation could do him no greater service or pay
him no higher compliment than by assisting the
new pastor to carry to completion the work which
he had begun.
Not one of the least pleasing features of the day
was the meeting of the Sunday-school children IN
the church in the afternoon The church was filled
with the members of the congregation. Tho prizes
awarded for regular attendance during the year
were presented to the successful scholars and at
the conclusion of the ceremony the Rev. Mr.. Hep
worth inadca farewell address to the Sunday
To the prize-WinnerS he spoke a few words, espe-
cially expressive of the qualification II gave hlm 10
see that they had begun so well. In saying good
bye he remarked that he would always look back
on the years spent with the Sunday y-SchOOl as
most pleasant recollection. In conclusion he said
" The time has come when must say goodbye
| thank God | have been your pastor, and / hope
you able to say too. Goodbye, aud God bless
you ALL"
The church was scarcely less crowded at the
evening service than at the morning. Mt. Hep-
worth preached from the words: " And so the star
winch they SAW in the East went before them tli
II came and stood over where the yOung child was
" Ii has seemed well to me" sad the preacher
"inst ad Of shaking hands with my friends, To III
ssr with all the possible emphasis OF last words ON
those Gospel truths which are the same to-day. TO-
morrow and forever ! would that an angel might
touch my lips that you might hear my words IN
yOur business tomorrow ard IN the future When
my Iace is called to your minds. The voice which
Ia, To SAY farewell may be exceedingly tender ana
have fears in II, | know II TOuld 4 /, standing
here tonight, shOuid attempt to say my last fare
well to my people, | think il better to refer
the Lord Jesus Christ" In conclusion he said,
And now must say my last word. | have been
with you for seven years. and my ministry has been
exceedingly pleasant to me and hope not without
profit To YOU. Many of you here tins evening are
strangers TO From time to time l have seen
your faces, and we have gwen yOu welcome. Dlu
you Gud-spred. | may have failed on occasions 10
impress yOl. but do me the justice 10 say have
honestly tried To meet your uOuDts, and that yOu
have heard me urge nothing that ! have not
believed myself. Ii III my power would give you
some of the faith IN me. But another Il TO fOlOW
me, ami am more than happy in being able to COM
mend HIM as % good brother, true, loyal, far
sighted and determined man. thank God he - to
stand IN this place and as YOU give ne yonr hands
toni ght and say goodbye, hope Won VIII extend
them TO INN and wish hlm GOd-speed."