The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1884-04-21
FREE STREET BAPTIST CHURCH
Letter of Rev. James McWhinnie Resign
ing \ % Passionate.

The fact that the honored pastor of the
Free Street Church had received call to
broad field of labor in Massachusetts, was made
public some weeks ago. Mr.. McWhinnie has
since had the matter under consideration and
decided to accept the CALL Yesterday, at the
close OF the regular morning service, he read
his letter of resignation, which was listened to
by the congregation in sorrowful silence, It
reads as follows:
To the Members Of the Free Street Baptist
Church and Society:
Beloved Brethren and Friends-The time
mas come when l am to ask that the relation
existing between us as pastor and people be
dissolved. am happy in being able to saw.
what is well known to you all, that this re-
quest Is due to no breach of the kindly inter-
course so long existing between us. You
called me here from small and distant field
OF LABOR; and L came with much fear and
trembling. But from the beginning when Won
30 heartily welcomed me, until this closing of
nearly ten years of fellowship, your kindness
and helpfulness to me and mine have been
constant and abundant. You encouraged me
when timid, you strengthened me when 1 was
weak, and each year unstinted words of cheer
made 1t an increasing joy and inspiration to
preach to you the word of life. Whatever I
am, whatever power Of usefulness may pos
sess, feel are due in great measure to the
neaithful impulses that have come back to me
in my endeavor to minister to you; and 1 can
never express the gratitude feel for YOUR for
bearance with my faults, for the strong arms
and loving hearts that have sustained me and
encouraged me through all these years.
But have had conviction growing upon
me for the past year that change in our rela-
lions was soon to come; and that when it came
however painful, it would be for the good of
Us all. 1 know all the arguments that can be
urged in favor OF longer passionate, and feel
their weight But it seems to me there comes
. time In the lives of most preachers when
their methods of thought and speech, even
though they are not stereotyped, yet become
80 familiar as in measure to lose freshness
and power, time when mans best work
seems to be completed in q particular field,
and when in duty to his Master he should not
consult his ease by remaining simply to hold
what may have been gained, when another.
with different ways of presenting the same
work may inspire by Gods blessing vigorous
advance.
have felt therefore, for some time past that
II Providence should open another field of la
Dor where apparently could be more useful
than in my present one, / should consider it
my duty to enter 1t. OF late, without solicita-
ton ON my part, such field has opened to me.
A large and growing church has invited me to
assume its pastoral charge: I have visited
this church, and am satisfied that it opens to
me door OF wide and abundant usefulness
that may not lightly close.
have carefully considered all the considera-
tions that my own and others minds have
brought against change. have hoped that
the clond that seemed to be rising to lead us on
would again rest down upon and bid us stay
with this beloved church. have listened to
every kind expression with q heart that most
eagerly responded to whatever has been said
have read and re-read the kind and earnest
resolutions, spontaneously passed by the
brethren, deprecating our removal; and have
ricdn hi1.Al
I might see the right path and walk therein
and yet against even the protestations of my
own heart, that would bid me stay and die
with SO kind people, think I see that the
cloud moves on, and my obligation to the
Master bids me follow it.
1t becomes my duty therefore to ask you to
accept my resignation of the pastoral charge
of the church; and having come to this deci-
sion, ask that it may be considered final, and
to take effect if suitable on the second Sunday
Of May, 1884.
Your servant in Christ Jesus,
j. MCWHINNIE,