The New York herald., 1879-02-15
DIR. HEPWORTH'S FAREWELL.


cIPLEs TAKES AN AFFECTING LEAVE OF HIS
PARIsHIoNERs-REv. WILLIAM r. DAVIS HIS
SUCCESSOR.
In response to call for general meeting of the
congregation of DR.. Hepworths church the chapel
in the basement of the ediice last evening
filled to its utmost capacity by large assembage.
attracted thither by the announcement that business
of importance was to be transacted. Punctually at
eight o'clock the pastor called the meeting to order.
the exercises being opened by the singing Of the
every hour" was sung
Dr. Hepworth then offered fervent prayer. after
which, the congregation having Joined in chanting.
'what friend we have in Jesus the reverend gen.
tleman announced the object Of their being brought
together The clerk then read the following letter of
resignation
MR. HEpwoRTH's LETTER OF REsIcSArIoS.
NEw YORK. Feb IA, 1879.
my, %posd sy
""S st az IN to %
However dear may be tho ties between pastor and
Pc G"s to- stand tho way OF the pro
an n m. which @sn the he tssy
vneed that his best work has been done his people
as to endanger his future usefulness he ought TO face the
ss sy the Sacrifice
the church into the hands Of SOM. one ThS is
heart This has always been my theory and should
%;s my sF f 70 T1"
snrdsned may seem % strange to some Of you w" have only
oSr pas, viii show that there is good why my
0s M AND % this
another am performing solemn and very duty
'a aa
's As W" ss AS
together; When we began in Steinway Hall
rd aods s eight a"n "s%ss saSssaon
s s % s
financial crisis through which the whole has
:$s
Ing before Us but financial ruin '' Death came into
deeend. Business ddiculties compelled large number
sHRRF
TO ss Ss S aST scs !" do 'y
sIrxslSe rnm 1ipk ,is.9r. or TROUBLE % STA. :. .,,.
We
we rrIgTlsd but in vain n to make headway livery one
weared with the constant labor my own heart was well
Rs % sa
into other hands As last resource IL was bought back IN
s the Keeping the
thai the price was paying for was than
% the
sood ana mSnf1y BY me- , aph"dps me me In possible
which followed our united Efforts At the present
as %s TSs
and enters "a h.ps There So
70 each s r. Psr S the wSs work
stand Win and
predict anything less than large degree of usefulness
in SiTsc.iSn IN which siisd tor am only too
tration of church of this kind under whose guidance
IS
81, fss .as' h1ys not holy
of as past xoo beg to asc,s tender x
that unanimi.y with which you have, always
ss sS IN" ss Es ~ Ds a
RsysI h"ss o s hon0 Es g
THE RESIGNATION ACCEPTED.
Mr.. +. I. Hopkins being requested to take the
chair pending the question Of the pastors resigna-
effect that the resignation of DR.. Hepworth be
cepted, which being put by the chairman was car
ried by a unanimous standing vote. DR.. J. W.
Ranney then offered Q set of resolutions deporing
the circumstances which rendered necessary q
separation from their beloved pastor, expressing
their gratitude for the ardent zeal self sacrificing
spirit manifested by him in the performance of his
arduous duties, and especially commencing him to
any field Of labor to which he might in the future be
Hepworth then and addressed his parishioners,
informing them that he had particular plans for the
future but that he must Of necessity have the rest
which he had been seeking After assuring them
that in going ont from the Church he acting in
the interest of Him in whom he placed ali confidence
he concluded his remarks with fervent God bless
YOU" DIR. kanney then explained the action taken
by the committee appointed to select successor,
and announced that they had unanimously agreed to
extend call to the Rev. William Il. Davis, the pres
ent pastor of the st. James Methodist Episcopal
Church, Madison avenue, corner Of 126th street.
The reverend gentleman in question had been edu-
Gated at the Dickerson College. Maryland had been
pastor of the Independent Methodist Church in Bal
timore for three years, subsequently, served three
years in charge of the Simpson Church, Brooklyn,
and was finally called to the of the church in
Harlem. where he now is The incumbent is young
man, very energetic and considered very able
preacher The report was adopted and committee
appointed to wait the Rev. W. r. Davis and extend
him call. The leave taking between the pastor and
his parishoners was very affecting.