The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-03-03
INVESTED WITH HIS OFFICE.
JOHN LowRIE WILSON TAKES THE SOL
EmN VOWS AND IS DECLARED PASTOR.
The People Promise to Receive the
Word Of Truth from His Mouth
with MeeknesS and Love.

It belongs to the reverend brethren who are
to follow lie to make more pointed npplica
tlon Of the great truth have tried TO enforce
1t is my privilege TO administer the pdstora
the beloved servant OF God whom they have
ch6s9n. to be their guide in holy things. The
orderly procee dings leading up to this auspt
cious mement have been generally stated
there. Ttts congregation met IN 6,,o,, Sue form
the Presbytery OF Bethel to be pastor Of this
flock. 4 call for his services was duly made
out and signed by representatives Of the con
toned to do this. The call was submitted tc
Bethel Presbytery with the request thai
1t give It's assent and approval to the removal
Of Mr.. Wilson from the church he was pastor
of, to become pastor Of this church. The
presbytery, after much hesitation, caused BY
the unwiIlingneSs OF the flock the brother
was serving to give him up, and other consld
erations. did finally yield to the request Of
Abbeville church and dismiss Brother VII
son to the Presbytery Of South Carolina
This Presbytery was called to meet In refer
ence TO the matter. 1t met last night and re
ceiveu Brother Wilson into membership, anu
took order to install him this morning as pas
tor OF this church. now proceed TO ask o
each party the questions, respectively, by
answering which they acknowledge on earth
and assume before tho Presbytery the sacred
relation already recorded in heaven:
l. Are you now willing to take charge o.
to your declaration at accepting It's call?,
2. Do you conscien tiously believe and de-
clare, us fur As you know your own heart
influenced by !, sincere desire to Promote the
glory of God and the good of the Church?
8. Do you s0lemnly promise, that, by the u.s.
sistance Of the grace OF God, you Will endeav'
our faithfully to discharge all the duties OF q
Pastor to this congregation. and will be care
ful TO maintain Il department In nll respects
becoming minister Of the gospel Of Christ
agreeably to your ordination engagement?
Having asked the pastor these questions and
having received affirmative distinct answer
to each, the officiating minister, comtem
plating the minister who was being invested
with office, with great interest. said:
"I sympathze with you, my brother, have
stood in the same position you now stand IN
can imagine how you feel. Know now lelt
You are Il better man than 1 am, and ,yor
He who has sent his servants forth, has mo-
tailed TO give them ground of hope. He said
All power belongeth unto me; 10, am viii
you always, even to the end Of the world"
Mr.. Wilson stood during the time the ques
tions were being asked, and also during thu
time which the Doctor was addressing hin
directly. When the Doctor had concluded
his remarks to the new pastor, he addressed
himself to the people:
!. Do you, the people OF this congregation
continue to profess your readiness 10 receive
John Lowrie Wilson, whom you have called
to be your Pastor?
.. Do you promise to receive the word o
truth from his mouth with meekness ant
love, and to submit to him in the due exercise
of discipline?
8. Do you promise to encourage him In his
labours and to assist his endeaVours, for youl
instruction ard spiritual editcation?
4. And do you engage to continue to him
while he is your Pastor that. competent
worldly maintenance which you have prom
ised, aud to furnish him with whatever yor
may see needful for the honour OF religion
and for his comfort among you?
Having in like manner received the answer
of the congregation, DIR. Mutually said:
"Dear people, and you are an especially deal
people 10 me, may God give you grace 10 re.
ceive this precious ascension gift with true
and lasting thanKfnlness. and with all the n feel
lngs corresponding to the goodness of God IN
having thus answered your prayers for pas
tor"