The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-05-25
DIR. PERSONS RESIGNATION.
At His Request, the Congregation Of the
Second Church Agree to Unite with
Him in Asking a Dissolution
from the Presbytery.

In response to a request from the pastor. made
In the pulpit last Sunday, that his congregation
meet him last night at prayer, for conference on
an important subject, the leeture-rOom of the
Second Presby terrain Church was filled to more
than its seating capacity. With no intimation
from DIR. Pierson as to the nature OF the comrnu-
nication he desired to make, it was the general
Impression that 1t pertained to his resignation,
first announced in the Journal several weeks
age, but what form it would take was not known.
When the lesson for the evening was read by
the pastor, John xvi, TIA, beginning, Newer
theless 1 tell you the truth; it is ex-
pedient for you that 1 go away" the
tenor of his statement was foretold. After a
season OF song and prayer, DR.. Pierson address
ed the meeting, freely and frankly stating at
some length the reasons for his action, ana
closed by requesting the church to unite with
him in asking the Presbytery to dissolve the re-
lations existing between them as pastor and
people. He stated that for seven years the con-
viction lad forced itself upon him that his mis-
sion was to reach and teach and preach to per-
sons not usually under the regular ministration
OF the Word; that since his coming to Indianapo-
lie he had found that the members of the
church were opposed to increasing Its
accommodations, and while respecting
these objections, he could not find
peace for himself by any compromise or ar
rangement that seemed to indicate a withdrawal
IN any degree from his mission. Hence, he felt
thai bis work in the Second Church WAS to be
but temporary.
A: the request of the session, after his return
from Detroit, he withdrew his resignation, with
the understanding, however, that he was to be
free to accept any ca. that God might make
upon him or to enter any door providentially
opening to him, by which he could enter uDOn a
larger field of labor. But this was an equivocal
position in which he could hot justly afford to
remain, inasmuch AS 1t prevented him from re-
ceiving the benefits of the proviso attaching to
The withdrawal of his resignation. Several
fields presented themselves TO him, but what his
future location would be was undetermined.
Like Abraham, he went out, not knowing
where the next step would take him.
He went without means as TINT patriarch of old.
Whatever he had saved during his previous
career had been donated to charitable and ben
evolent objects because he desired to exempllf
In his course, the belief that the God whom he
served would provide. As To the tabernacle pro
ject in this city, which has been mentioned in
the press, he said, IL was entirely without his
previous knowledge, and whether Indianapolis
would be the scene OF his further labors he
could not say. II no other fl cid presented itself
before next winter, he should engage in evan
gelical work, to which he has been called by the
united voice of the Presbyterian churches in
Rochester, N. Y.
should serve the Second Presbyterian Church
10 the full extent of his ability, with love and
fidelity until such time as they mutually agreed
TO sever the connection between them, and as
possibly a last service he begged that the meet
ing would afirmatively respond to his request
for a dissolution of the formal relations existing
between them, and send him out, low
ingly and with prayer for his success, as one OF
their own household.
Upon his retirement Rev. L. G. Hay took the
chair, when it became evident that DR.. Persons
remarks had made a deep impression. For some
time nothing was said, and then General Wright
and Judge Walker, both expressing sorrow and
regret at tho necessity that faced them, asked
that the meeting unite in granting the pas
ters prayer. On motion of James Buchanan.
the action of the meeting was to vote, as asked
by the pastor, and then request the session to
take such steps as are necessary TO carry il out,
there being some question as to the formallGy of
the proceedings. The vote upon the motion to
unite in asking a dissolution was unanimous.
General Wright was deputed to inform DIR.
Pierson OF the action of the meeting, aud in a
few minutes they reappeared. The latter en-
deavOred to express his feelings, but overcome
by emotion, he was able only TO say that a great
service had been done nim, for which he telt
deeply grateful