The weekly miner., 1881-01-04
ITO THE CLERGY AND PEOPLE OF Mon

''To THE CLERGY AND PEOPLE OF Mon
TANA:
"Dearly-loved Friends:-In an hour or |
two the Rev. L. r. Brewer is to be con-
secrated your Bishop. Then is made
over to him the name have always been
proud of and have loved-the Bishop of
Montana. 1t becomes me to say my
Goodbye. My heart, torn with sorrow
fulness at this rupture, tells how you are
imbedded in it. Precious memories,
crowding themselves upon this hour,
witness how lovingly good you have
been to me.
Let me say out my sadness. Theval-
leys and hillsides, the very hooks and
crannies of your territory are dear to me
from association. Your clergy, and men,
and women, and children and homes
more dear from ties of fond affec-
ton. I were stone statue could speak
this farewell unmoved. Sad indeed sit
1 now to write it. Sadder settles the
feeling at this hour, when my oversight
of you ends, that 1 have not done for
you, and among you, as well as ought
and might. Things have been done that
ought not to have done, and left un-
done that ought to have done. You
have once and again said kind words to
me about my diligence, and, as you were
pleased to see and call it, my faithful
ness. Love prompted these words, and
my heart is touched at recalling them.
But God knows how to Him and me, this
your picture, is marred by selfishness
and earthiness. The book of my pasto-
raj stewardship of your souls closes it.
self now unto the one only opening of
the last Great Day. l am praying, God
forgive the debts and lacks, the wastes
and losses, and sins of unfaithfulness in
that record, for the merciful Savior's
sake!
"But saddest crowds the thought that
many of you whom I dearly love, and
who have been tenderly kind to me, have
not placed yourselves fully on the Lord g
side, as earnest, communing christians.
Dear, dear friends, I beg you, turn to
God in faith, and prayer, and obedience,
and holy baptism and holy communism
Seek ye the kingdom of God and His
righteousness. Be grateful to your Sa
vior, and kind to your own souls. Wan
ing life has no real happiness in it fol
you and me, and coming death no wei
founded peace, without Christ.
"But be my closing word one of glad
ness. Montana has bishop of its own
'Tis the right thing for Montana to have
'Tis high time for her to have him. LIE
us thank God and take courage-yol
with me and with you. beg you low
him and help him, as you have loved an,
helped me. Give him your full conf
dence and stay up his hands. Cheer hi
heart. Under him prayerfully max
you the Masters cause grow, and tn
church's life strong. Brethren beloved
!. goodbye! That means, God be with you
He will helpfully bide with you if yo
trustfully lean on Him. My love ant
prayers are yours. With an almost burst
ing heart lay down my pastoral stal
as Bishop of Montana. God help me
Amen"
Bishop Brewer comes to the territor
in February. What will he find to Civ
him hope and encouragement in his ne,
field of labor? First of all, trust, lovin
hearts-true men and women, whereve
among these mountains there is tow1
mining camp or ranch. He will fin
= seven Or eight clergymen in as man
= centres of work, supplying, with occs
. sional services, three or four times 8
many places. He will find church {
Deer Lodge, one at Helena, one at Vii
y ginia City, one at Bozeman, and anothe
y nearly completed at Benton, and stron
= hopes of one in Butte.
This will answer some of the question
=. of our eastern friends. And in conclu
sion let me say to them: Do not CON
to Montana with the idea that there al
= no christians and no christian privileg,
. to be found here. Do not leave you
religious character at home with yol
;, penates. Bring all your christian ze
- and earnestness, and every strong II
. solve. You will need them all. In yol
y search for gold and silver and comfort;
BILE homes, do not forget your spirtu
treasures.
l