Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-05-04
PASTORAL SERVICES.
The Ministers Farewell to Rev. III. III.
observation-disclosures etc

VINO has severed his connection with the
Presbyterian Church in this city, and who
leaves for Oakland tomorrow, where for
time ne will assume pastoral charge of the
Second Presbyterian Church of that city.
The church was well filled, every congre-
CATION of the Protestant churches in the
city being well represented Rev. A. C.
Herrick pastor of Calvary Baptist Church.
President Of the Ministerial Association,
presided.
He introduced Rev. W. c. Merrill, of the
Congregational Church, who read as a
scriptural lesson Acts Xxx, commencing at
the 18th verse, "Paurs charge TO the elders
at Ephesus.'
Rev. E. B. Ware, pastor of the Christian
Church, led in prayer.
The choir of the church sang at intervals.
as did also an excellent male quartet.
Rev. Mr.. Herrick was the first speaker.
lie said it was pleasant to participate in
such meeting and on such an occasion
to breathe the atmosphere of Christians
love. The retiring pastor-the one they
rad assembled to bid farewell and God
speed-was the first to welcome him toi
this city. He was a Christian gentleman
respected and loved by all the ministers OIL
Sacramento. He referred feelingly to the
eleven years service in the pulpit in this
city Of the retiring minister, of the chill
dren he had christened of the older people
he had led to Christ, of the marriages
he had solemniZed, of his visits
and words of comfort TO the sick
and distressed, of his kind words
and Christian advice and assurance of
eternal life to the dying of the last sad
rites he had performed when our neigh
borS' friends ard relations had been laid
away IN the tomb. During the years he
had so faithfully labored with the people
IN the Lords vineyard, he had established
character for integrity, courage and
manliness, of which any man might well
feel proud. He and his wife, by their
pure and holy lives, had endeared them
selves to this people, and the testimonials
of the past few days are indicative of how
deeply they were enshrined in the hearts OF
the community. The words of praise and
costly presents so literally bestowed will
serve as an inspiration to them wherever
they go.
Rev. Thomas Filben, of the Central NJ /
E Church, said that Mr.. Rice and his wife
were the first to call at the parsonage and
welcome himself and Mrs. Filben when
they came to this city. Mr. Rice always
had words of courage, hope and assurance
for those who, like himself, were working
for the salvation of souls. The saddest
thought in connection with his departure
was that II would in q measure break up
the harmony, affection and love that bind
the pastors of this city together. He
dweit at length on the many Christian vir-
tues Of the retiring minister.
Rev. Mr.. Allen, like the preceding mill
listers, stated that he was welcomed to the
city by Mr.. Rice who also presented the
Speakers name to the Ministerial Associa-
t. Il.
ing, and felt assured that it must bring sor-
row and sadness to the PRESBYTERIAN con
gregation of which for so many years Mr..
Rice had been pastor. He hoped Mr.
Rice's name, his acts, his deeds and his
many Christian virtues would be cherished
IN their memories as everlasting instruc-
tons.
Rev. A. J. Frost, pastor of the First Ban
list Church, said Mr. Rice had been bayinq
about week of ovations, public and pri
vate. From the many testimonials. the
expressions of approval, and love and re-
grets at parting, no doubt but that Brother
Rice was now sorry he had resigned. The
speaker said he had resigned four times
during his ministerial life, and each time
there were such manifestations of regret
that he regretted his action. The truth of
the whole matter was there was notenough
approval among the church people. This
Is true among pastors, and especially is it
true between congregations and their min
listers. He said Mr.. Rice admitted to me
that he was sorry he had resigned and
who would not be. in face of all these ex-
presSions of love? However when Brother
Rice showed me the numerous presents of
gold and silver he had received asked
him if he was not sorry he had not re-
signed before, and he positively refused to
Lon l..
to see the q, Christian people united.
especially should the bond Of union
between the pastor and congregation be
strong. One was of but little value with
out the support of the other. He Illus
trated by an example. A minister one
night had a dream. He imagined himself
drawing hack. He had hold of the pole
and directed while the congregation were
behind the vehicle pushing it along. His
task was easy; he had SIMPLY to direct the
force OF their action. However, he soon
found that he must do some pulling. 1t
became heavier and heavier, until finally
he made no progress. He laid down the
pole, walked around the hack, and to his
surprise he found that he was deserted
His congregation had fed He heard
voices, however, and opening the door
of the hack TO his utter establishment
he found that they were all riding. |
The minister is paid less salary than |
any other professional man. The aver
age of Presbyterian minister was |
less than 800 per annum-less than |
81 per day. The salary of the Baptist |
ministers are still smaller. Their com |
pensation is not measured by the gold they |
receive, but by the good they do. His re-
ward is IN his own heart; in the souls he
saves; in the treasures he laws I'D in |
heaven; his endeavors to hold up the
standard of God. There was but little DIFF |
ference between Christian Churches. He
knew Baptist ministers who would NOT
stand in and speak from the pulpit he now
but he was not so small as that
be had broader views. Henry Ward |
Beecher once thus described the difference
between a Presbyterian and q Baptist. He
said: "A Presbyterian is very dry Ban
list, and a Baptist is a very wet Presbv-
terrain" Laughter.]
Rev. E. r. Ollie, of the Sixth-street NJ.
E. Church, spoke at length of his acouaint-
ance with and ministerial relations to Mr.
Rice. They had occupied pulpits on oppo-
site sides OF the street, and always had
their relations been of the most agreeable
character. Mr.. Rice had been laboring in
Sacramento for eleven years he was the
Nestor of the Ministerial Union he had a
better knowledge of Sacramento and the
wants of the community than any of the
Ministerial Association. He was fearless
md outspoken on all public questions a
ower of strength, fearless and bold, on the
side of the right. In his removal, they had
ost brave soldier. He praised God for
he record their brother had made and
he reward that awaits him.
Rev. II. c. Christian, pastor of the NJ. Z.
church South. being absent from the city,
'ent letter of regrets, which was read BY /
he President.
The following resolutions, offered by
Rev, Thos- Filben and seconded by Rev. L.
g. Ollie, were unanimously adopted
WHEREAS, In the providence of God onr
lear brother aud beloved associate in the min
stry, Rev. h IL Rice, is about to 20 ont from
Imong us and TO another field of labor and IIse
illness.
Resoircd That in the departure ofour brother
he Pastors Union of Sacramento loses one az
IS most valued members. and the CITY one of its
most devoted and unselfish pastors
ResoIued. That We have ever recognized in our
brother a true minister of the Lord Jesus Christ
pure Christian man, and a fearless defender of
he truth.
Resolred. That he has endeared himself to us
~ his manly sympathy, his broad manhood his
1ure character, and his strong conviction. and
hat we shall greatly miss his words and wisdom
rom our coureils.