Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1884-03-24
Dwight place Church.


A Surprise to Most OF the Congregation |
ut the Afternoon Servfcs-The Pastor,
Rev. MIR. Bacon, Resigns His PASTOR
ate-Hts Letter of Resignation.
Rev. Mr.. T. r. Bacon, pastor of Dwight
Place Congregational church, has rendered
his resignation of the pastorate, the same to
take effect the first of May. The announce
ment was made by Mr.. Bacon at the afternoon
preaching service yesterday. The news will
cause surprise and sorrow and general hope
is expressed that arrangements may be made
by which he can be retained, as his loss, it is
felt, would be q decided loss in the ranks of
the ministry in this city. His connection
with Dwight Place church has now continued
since three years ago last December and it is
said of him that in few pulpits of the State
have there been more thoughtful and able
sermons than those of this. one of the young
est and most gifted of the Congregational
pastors of the State. The announcement
caused much surprise to most of the congre-
cation and much regret was expressed after
service as the matter was discussed. The
discourse in measure led up to the event
and bespoke what was to follow. The SUBJ
ject was ''Church Unity and the Duty of
Avoiding Schisms and Heresies," and was
based upon Ephesians, 4th chapter, LIST to 9Th
verses inclusive. Below is given the letter.
In an interview with the pastor last evening
he said the letter expressed about ali he
wished to say at present. The church would
probably consider the matter at church
meeting to be held either next Sunday even
ing or soon afterward. In accordance with
So; L
resigning he would leave to-day for a short
rest of ten days. His destination was Hamp-
ton, Va, near Fortress Monroe, where he has
sister, who IS a teacher in the Normal
school. The pastor said in answer to en-
qairies that Dwight Place church was pros
pering. The result of its financial move
some years ago was to place its head above
water. There was good degree of religious
interest in the church and among the young
people there was great interest The pas
tors letter is as follows:
To the Church of Christ in the Dwight Place
society,-greeting:
Dearly Beloved have learned from some
among you that my ministry Is not accept
able or edifying to you all. How widespread
this feeling may be have no means of iudg-
ing, but the kno wledge has come to me in
L Ignore
path of duty has been made very plain
to me.
therefore hereby resign my Office, the
resignation to take effect May LIST, 1884, and
L ask you to unite with me in calling an &C.
clesiastical at the earliest convenient date to
dissolve the pastoral relation
1t would be vain for me to try to express
the grief feel in thus sundering the ties
which have bound us for more than three
years. 1t is very sad for me, but I have NO
option in the matter. 1 only ask you to
believe that any failure upon my part has
not been due to faithlessness
And beseech you all let not my departure
be the occasion of any ill-feeling or GOODNESS
among you. Remember that you are pledged
to further by all means in your power the
prosperity of the gospel in this place and in
| this church, and that the obligation
to seek this end should far outweigh
any individual feeling or interest. Re
member, too, that nothing hinders the
progress of the gospel as the visible quarreIs
and divisions in the church, and that If YOU
bite and devour one another you wound and
| make schism in the body of Christ, crucifyine
| him afresh and putting him to an open
shame. Therefore if any of YOU are nv
| friends feel grieved or even wronged by my
| departure, adjure you by the God of peace
| the eyes of man aad set your
| selves cheerfully and with courage to the
great duty which lies before you There
will often be hindrances to your work in the
weakness of the sinful flesh; it must needs
be that otfense come, but woe unto that
man by whom the offense cometh Take
heed that it come not by you.
You occupy one of the most important
points IN the city; take care that you hold it
to the best advantage and you shall win sig
nal victories for the cause of Christ. And /
pray that one may be speedily given to you
who shall be thoroughly furnished to lead
You in the good fight
And 1 pray also that your prosperity and
usefulness may be continually increased, and
that you may in peace and goodness do the
great work which is set before you. s'And
my God shall fulfill every need of yours ac-
eording to sriches in glory in Christ Jesus. -
Inc LORD bless you and keep you; the Lord
make his face to shine upon you; the Lord
lift the light of his countensnce upon Won
| and give ) on peace. Amen
Your servant in the gospel,
THOMAS RUTHERFORD Bacon
March %, 1884.