The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1881-04-28

think it a matter of far less importance
than the other, whether it viii be or not.
/ know il i difficult to act without having
some selfish motive Tor tn action, and l
know We sometimes pcrs:@is ourselves we
are acting from DISTINGUISHED m1tivos and
are blind 10 TIE real condition of our hearts.
But will say that do not think l am
acting f.on selfish mo ives. have besoug
the Lord most earnestly that he would lead
me in this matter as believe lie has led
me in the past and 10 point out the way
plainly to me. whether / sho.ld go or stay.
hHnbly trtst Heis leading me in the step
/ ann now taking. / am seeking no easy
place. To human vision it seems difficult
one. know not what awaits me. l would
not put on an air Of superior holiness and
indifference to the events Of this world. 1
would not assume the tone OF sanctity and
self-consecration, and 1 abhor all cant, bat
I am talking very frankly to you now,
speaking face to face and heart to hear.
And l do try to say with St. Paul in this
chapter, that whatever may happen 10 me,
None of these things move me, neither
count my life dear unto myself, 50 that
might finish my course with Joy and the
mis- istry which have received OF the Lord
Jesus to testify the gospel Of the grace Of
God" + desire to have more and more
while live that feeling expressed by st.
Paul to the Philippians, that with bold
ness, as always, so now also, Christ shall be
magnifed in my body, whether it be By life
or by death / want to live more and more
in the light Of Jhat world 10 which l am
hastening. I desire, with Gods help, to
work while it Is day, knowing that the
night cometlr, in which no man can work.
This is what I wish; this Is what l aim al,
and do not claim to h'ye already attained.
l do not claim to be free from lower mo
tIves. | know too well how often they in
iluence me when they should not, but al
though count not myself to have appre-
hended, this one thing do; forgetting those
things which are behind, and reaching forth
unto those things which are before.
It will be very grateful recollection to
me that, although two or three persons have
remarked to me, "you are going to better
place." not one, believe, Of all my people
has ntimated any such motive as influencing
me. You give me credit for sincerity, and
conscientious desire to 10 the thing which is
right THANK you from my heart, and bless
God for the testimony.
Let this suffice as 10 motives.
Another thought as to this separation il
my mind is, it is only temporary. We shall
meet again; it may be in this life; certainly
ere very long in another. Are wenot menl-
bers of one spiritual family? Are we not
united in the best Of bonds? ! feel as if
would never be so intimately, and in every
way onewith another people as 1 am with
you. Very many OF you have grown up
under my care. know you all b. your
names. call most OF you by your Christian
names. have baptized the little child in
the baptismal basin used in the old church,
and seen that child grow up to womanhood,
! have joined her TO the man to whom she was
willing to plight her troth, in holy natri>
mony, have presented her TO the Bishop to
ratify her baptismal VOWS in the apostolic
rite of confirmation, have received her at the
holy feast of Christ's body and blood, and
then at this font received her child into the
congregation of Christ's Rock in holy bap-
tism. Does not luch simple narration as
this speak of life, of ties, OF associations,
| of relations, of affections which it would
take volumes to record? There are very
| few families that have lived here within the
last tw,Hty years that I have not in some
way, and at some time, been brought, as a
minister Of Christ, into very tender and sacred
relations with, if not so much in times OF Joy
and gladness, almost surely in times OF sOr-
| row, sickness and death. Could bear it if
thought all these ties were sundcred forever?
| have always endeavored to hold up before
| you crucitied Savior, not only As a sacrifice
for our sins, but as our great example of a
holy life. have tried, myself, to take the
lead in following that example. 1t may be,
if it so please God, that my feeble words, and
nay feeble efforts, may I've called to mind and
even yet have more influence in my absence
than while am present with you. At all
events, rejoice to look forward to that day
when we shall meet again; when each has
run his course, each has filed his niche in
this life, has gotten through with all his
mistakes, perplexities and imperfections
and in Our Heavenly Fathers house, in the
light of His countenance, we shall see face
to face and know even as we are known. One
word as To my successCr-rally 10 him
Hold up his hands, work with him. Do not
let him become discouraged from sheer
carelessness and neglect on your part. He
&ill be human. Speak a cheering word tc
him now and then. a word spoken IN sea
son-aye, an encouraging word-how gooc
it is! l ask your prayers for myself. Pray
that may work faithfully and diligently
unto the end. will always pray for you
and in prayer we will be one. Absent il
the body, but present in abe spirit. I be
lieve in the communion Of Saints.
And now, brethren, L commend YOU f,
God, and to she word of His grace, which i
able to build you up, and to give you an in
heritance among all them that are sancti
fed. 0, that l might impress these word
upon your minds-the word Of His grace
His gracious word, His holy word, the pre-
cious gospel of His son, which is able I,
build you up. Yes, build you Up to per
; lection, bring you to the stature OF perfcc
| manhood-the thing really most desirabl
in this life. And for the rest, to give yol
an inheritance among all them that ar
, sanctifed. What Is ii to be sanctifed? Sim
ply to be made free from sin. What a glo