The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-11-26
A PASTOR RESIGNS.
Rev. DR.. Withrow to Go to Chicago-The Park
Street People Apprieed of the Decision.

| Rev Dr. Withrosv to Go to Chicago-The Park
Street People Apprieed of the Decision.
! Boston Advertiser.
The service at the Park street Church. yes
terday forenoon. was conducted by Rev Addi-
| son 2. Foster, d. D., who, after the sermon.
read the following letter of RESIGNATION of the
| pastor, Rev j. L. Wthrow D. D., 10 take eff
feet on the first Sunday in January:
To the Fark-street Church and Society:
! Ny Dear Frends-In the last of June last the Third
Presbyterian Church of Chicago extended me a call
Between then and the middle of September more
than once offered negative answer, The session
not willing to receive il for the church. Sept
| Is sent them message. which | read to you.
much thought that dispatch would close all further
negotiations that they had been begun. There was
| no more reason, from ANYTHING that had passed be-
| tween them and me-, to believe would be further
sought for than there is that will be the uext
| President However soon afterwards received
| word follows: AT full meeting it was unani-
mousy resolved to still prosecute the call" Later
they received several letters from me, to which
ceived official reply that reads $50 far you
| concerned, you stand i'll your church and denomina
have declined it absolutely and unqualfedy." few
days later still the sessions kindly requested me- on
my way out to Des Mones, to preach for the Third
Church as had not done so before. This | declined
to do as ALSO to preach elsewhere in Chicago, when
twice invited lest it might be thought of purpose to
reopen the call Since then have continued to
| come that another effort would be made.
| But after the dispatch III September have had
| nothing before me until fortnight ago. Then the
|
| earnestness and intensity" At the same time the
newspaper account, which by authority from the
| committee, declared that Or Withrow has had no
hand in reopening negotiations. If we believe that
Providence answers prayer and influences the choice
of Christian people, it does not seem improbable
that it has had part in what these disciples have
! DONE since they say so much prayer has been
| offered for guidance. It is anomalous that great
church like theirs should patiently seek the services
| of minister unless urgently influenced from on
! high. When, in September, gave them the public
reply. it not without some msgvings, in view of
what the future might develop. And hence you will
recall said in my communication My hope is that
have got at the will of The Lord do not say that
1 have, but only that hope have"
| From its beginning in A erica the Orthodox Con-
| gregational denomination has in rich measure en-
joyed the blessing of God and the consent of
| Grated minds to its massive beliefs. And when, in
the opening of the present century. its noble
believers published new testament of sold faiths,
| the body rose as giant and went by strides
sea and land giving the gospel to the worlds and led
therein by our best American board whose original
| banner of beliefs may the blessed Lord keep ever
| afoat. Our cid theology has recorded imperish-
and % here re mo as
| spiritual results reported than where it is most
cordially accepted and preached Having. served
we'll In the vicissudes of the past and suiting so
we'll the vital needs of the present it does not appear
needful to strive over altering or amending it.
In a Passionate of over twenty years have never
known within my church even the beginning of
strife which the wise advises us to leave Off.
/ And during all the months since June, 1876, when
accepted the call to Park street there have been not
| only dissensions-the loving harmony has grown
more complete unto the end. During this period it
has been delight to serve you and our denomination
| for Christs sake to the best of my ability BY an
pointment and election my brethren have honored
| with MANY high places of trust and service. and
wherever go in the Masters field, which is all one,
| will ever cherish grateful memory for these
idences only wishing could have brought to them
| larger fitness.
Of the Sharpness of pain which this separation from
you is to cost me, may not speak dare not allow
emotions the adectves which they seek to express
it.. have been very slow to decide as do, supreme
| ~ because of you The years of fellowship
embalmed in only bright memories. Their events
set in types which will hold their sacred history long
after earthly abors exchanged for heavenly lfe
| For your generous and unwavering support
l thank you. For your gentle ministries
| to and mine | thank you. And
when, after what you have done. l am fully
assured that, remaining your pastor ready to
release ne for year of rest and travel in Europe
without loss to it certainly would fix my choice.
| course. My brethren know how | crave such
respite Remaining should have it to enjoy; while
entering ON my new work may not think of it for
/ how long What the unrevealed future may have
| for me only He knows. but never may expect
happier residence earth than the home in your
hearts which have had all these years. Under
great weight oil gratitude to and to God give up
| my office here But never can be loosed OF q deep
and affectionate solictude for you. Ever will pray
as / do now, that the Good Shepherd may bring YOU
under-shepherd who will keep the hock in close
fold and feed nothing but fruits OF the tree of
| life and green pastures of the word of God.
| The sermon. as the preacher remarked before
reading the letter, had reference to the sunder-
| ing of the relations OF pastor and people, and
| was designed to prepare their minds therefor
| The text was Peter XII. 81 For even here
unto We were called; because Christ also suffered
for us, leaving US an example, that ye should fol-
| low in His steps"
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