Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1883-02-05

1nteli8enoe OF Rev. Joseph Wards,
1evstanos from the psstorate Of the Con-
Negstional church IN this city was given,
to the public in the letter Of resignation
published Saturday. together with the
resolutions adopted by the members of
the church in their formal acceptance of
il ii
The letter Of resignation was charac-
teristic Of its author. There was no waste
of words-brief plain, practical. The
resolutions Of his congregation were the
heartfelt utterances Of men and women
whose reverence and affection for their
pastor could but imperfectly and inade-
quately find expression in words. AL
though we seldom read an eulogium
couched in more fervent, pathetic. sin
cere and heartfelt phrases; expressing
deeper. truer, affection; exhibiting an
effort of the very heart itself to speak
its great sorrow. its perfect trust and con-
fdence. its exalted esteem; still, though
al this is declared with signal ability
and poetic beauty aud eloquence, it yet
falls far short Of conveying to the world
abroad the true and almost sacred char.
aoter of the friendship and affection
which form the bond between this pas.
tor and his people.
The act of the pastor in resigning and
the act Of the congregation in affirming
it were acts Of sacrifice, dictated and inn
posed by we'll considered conviction of
solemn and conscientious duty. -a
Rev. Joseph Ward is among the pio.
neers of Dakota. He settled in Yankton
in 1868. as the pastor of the church
which, ct that time, had little more than
. nominal existence. He was young
man then, recently graduated. His ef.
forts were at once given to building up
the sacred institution which has
since grown to such goodly pro.
portions and which wields 90
bene6cent an influence. In the most un.
ostentatious manner, with charity for all,
with sympathy for all. with encourage.
ment, and help. and cheer for all; with a
broad comprehensive plan not circum.
setibed by sectarisn limits or strictly
church interests. he began and has pur.
sued his labon here, working resolutely,
indefatigably and i6telligently. And
to-day, glanoing. back over Yankton's
oonmsndeble achievements Of whateve,
character. it will be readily aoknowl.
:sagad That Rev. Joseph Ward has been
ferspnost in promoting them. His life
ard hia interests have become interviewer
through his own sforts with all that ha.
eyinosd enterprise and public spirit, md
his idsntity i recognized in whatevs,
has tsnded 70 sleyats public morals, fos-
Ter and strengthen. educational institu.
tions and advance the cause Of christian.
ity in this community.
It il not alone the members Of hia
Church who hold him in high regard
who have Unlimited faith in his integri,
ty, and who esteem and honor him fol
his many eminent virtues. When il
comes 70 . question Of this kind his con
grsgation embraces the people not alon,
Of Yankton but throughout Dakota
The territory can present no man whs
holds . higher place in public confidence
moro secure placa and none who NOR,
truly merit it; for he hes made WISE MS
Of the ten talents with which the Maste
entrusted him.
That hs ID 10 remain . citizen Of Dakc
b and devote his efforts in Aeld g
Fander proportions and greater poss
Nliti0 than thas which he has. 20 lelu,
tsntly, bsen psemitasd 20 vithdlnw ftou
] + nattsr toe gsasrL eougratulasiol