The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-03-29
FAREWELL SERMON
oI REv. 9. N. sHorT. As pAsToR
OF the First BaptSt Church of this Clty-Ths
Churuh Packed with People to Hear the
DIscourss-Ths Work Of Hls Two
Years PaStOrAts sunAAriIsd.

Rev. q. N. shott, pastor Of the First
Baptist Church Of this city for about
twenty months past, has decided TO sever
his connection with the church here and
seek change with lighter labor, on &C.
count principally Of his falling health,
He announced his purpose some time ago,
and last night preached his farewell ser
mon to a congregation which occupied not
only all the seating room in the psws, but
all the chairs the aisles and other open
spaces could conveniently accommodate,
and yet many were Obliged to stand,
Mr.. Shott took for his text Second
Corinthians, thirteenth chapter and eley-
enth verse; "Finslly, brethren, farewell,
Be perfect, be OF good comfort, be Of one
mind, live in peace; and the God OF love
and peace shall be with YOU"
Predatory to his formal remarks, he en-
tered iuto consideration Of the condition
OF the church now in comparison with its
condition when he entered upon its pas,
torate nearly two years ago. The changed
aspect OF the church ediaCe, inside AID
out, speaks Tor itself; the discharge OF the
debt which had hung over Il for 80 long
was referred to with much pleasure.
GROWTH OF THE CHURCH,
The church has received about seventy
sccessiOnB, but has lost two by death,
thirty.one by letters to other churches,
and over fifty by expulsion, so that nov
there are enrolled about eighteen mem.
bers less than when Mr., Shot entered
upon the pastorate, But he congratulated
himself and the church that Of the re-
duced number about fifty more than two
years ago attend services with some de-
gree Of regularity and are active In church
work, Referring to those who had been
expelled from fellowship, no said the worst
enemies OF the Church and Of Christ were
| the baptized enemies. ,,u
About $1,000 has been raised In dilter-
ent Ways by the Church, Sabbath School
Young Peoples Working Association and
Womsn's Christian Society, OF the con-
versions resulting in aCcesslons to the
church, thirty.Ave, or one'halt, we're from
the Sunday School,.
Mr.. Shot urged the congregation to
select a new pastor at as early q day as
possible, and meanwhile to strive to keep
up the church organization and church
ties, to maintain the interest In the Sab
bath School and the Attendance ut the
prayer meetings. He said he was author.
lied TO assure them that ministers would
be supplied for all their services, or near
ly all, and such ministers as would profit
the gatherings to which they miniStersd
LEAvRTAElN6.
Mr.. Shott then took up bis text clause
by clause, and babe farewell to tho church
the Sabbath school, the Young Poo
pies Working Association, the Wo,
mans Missionary Society, the public and
press Of the city, expressing bis gratitude
tor financial, moral and spiritual support
and asking It's continuance for his success
sor. The lessons OF the text were pressed
home on his hearers in feeling and i'm
presalye manner.
Alter the sermon, while hymn wat
sung, the congregation filed up one aisle
and down another, shaking hands witt
the departing pastor and bidding him
farewell. lie descended from thepulpi
for the purpose, and those present in the
large asselnblage very generously took ad
vantage OF the opportunity offered to CLASP
his hands and say farewell.
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