New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-04-26
DIR. ARMITAGE RESIGNS.
WARNED BY AGE 10 LESSEN aIs WORK.

The Rev. DR. Thomas Armitage, who celebrated
.ha fo,tletb anniversary of his pastorate in the
fifth Avenue Baptist Church last Sunday, greatly
surprised his people yesterday by transmitting to
them letter resigning his pastorste Professionally
A meeting Of the church was held last night at
which DR.. Armitage's letter was read, and the
whole matter was referred 20 the joint committee
of deacons and trustees who will consider it fully
before the doctors return from Europe next fall
Following are DR.. Armitages letter and the reply
Of the church:
No. West Forty sxth-st,
New-York Aprl %. 1888
ro tho FIFTH Avenue Baptist Church:
Nv Beloved Brethren; On March % I asked you to
can, me an from pastoral work until October
sx Cor procuring rest which years Of unbroken labor
- demand This request you referred with power, 10
-. rn,t.d board OF Descons and Trustees who have
unanimously granted petition, and hope TO leave for
,urope on instant As the memorial services
the forteth anniversary of pastoral settle
ent are now happily closed Is but dutfu to you ana 70
myself 10 make urther ssecnene VI NY plans a"u p
ooses for tho future.
On returning home In October shall have entered upon
the seventeen my and although can discern
no physical nsnal weakness encroaehng upon me- YET
Indicating the approach OF disability for all labor,
-. thoroueh WEAKNESS that that It Is not
xase 10 remaining strength lest my
health should break down altogether and total prosaton
shsuld follow. With proper care and prudence few
sspd of God but nnatey shrink from state of com
n,r.tiye uselessness The love which / cherish for
robust toll dread the thought Of being kept In
STATE OF inactivity the hand OF being
permanently crippled the other because In either case
I should DO q burden 10 some one.
For several years cherished the fond hope that
q, the close Of my forsseth year with the tranquility
eh man commonly needs and at three score years
and tsn might be granted In the year 1889 shall
have been pastor Atty years, and would like TO
send the rest my days In the quiet and moderate p
suit Of such literary work as cannot now be well done
toesher with heavy duties which my pastoral respon'
abilities impose These views have for some time been
freely and fully expressed several officers Of the church
sa expedent has been suggested settling assistant
or associate PASTOR but under popular form OF church
government only slight possibly from this
quarter and that Is Offset by corresponding d-
entities which It Is not here necessary 10 discuss.
BY tudeious committee the deacons and trustees have
r,ndy consulted with concerning wishes In the
ease and the needs Of the church These KIND
brethren board have addressed 70 me these touching
words they say Beloved have been ana are, so
vou shall remain you revered as father brother
sopnsor and guide and believe that the sympathes
horn OF many years, and intertwned with so many
memories OF Joy and cannot be broken now but
vii become only the brighter the stronger ana the more
,ndurng We believe that as pastor you have done
hull and manly complete work We propose, there
nre 70 place you such continued relation 10 US as VIII
.ecure to you leisure for studies In which you nave
,hovn peculiar aptitude, and in other congena neldS OF
untramaelled by the eXactons OF weekly service
the pulpit and demands inseparably connected
,ih large and responsible metropolitan pastorate This
VIII separate you from your accustomed labor but not
hon us" ,..,,,-.-.
These sentiments expressed by this intelligent ana
noble body Christian gentlemen, VINO Know me peter
than any other body OF world stir all my being
70 respond inspired Apostle Ye are in my heart
10 live die with you" as 1t is clearly In yours 10
have dwell In so kind and pure homo. The oncers
OF the church freely expressed their unwngnes to
see me the pastor any other church. matter how long
I may live and this COMFORTS exactly with my own wish
They also say regard my support Pastor dismiss
ell on subject and leave yourself in the hands
Of your life friends" Not another word is needful from
them ON that point and anxiety my part in that
matter would be gratuitoua
I find deem consolation In the thought that in this
precious Christ there is not dseordan or Earring
eleman with proper v6or ana discretion It's pros
poets for very bright 1t has never been
so strong prosperous In all respects as 1t Is to-day
ana has never much for the Of Christ as Is
doing Remember therefore, how extremely as
tressing 1t would be you and to me, to see the
slightest dscordanee the result Of an overwhelmed
pastorate continued the dictate OF mere sentiment
Long pssorstes desirable for reasons but there
is proper them 10 cease lest feeoieness ana
reroeressiOn ensue; conviction is that true
farsghedness best demonstrated by allowing me TO
pursro the following course:
when accepted the oniee pastor in 1s4s 1t was
nm the condition that when either party desired dis
solution OF the pastoral relations three months notice
should be given other party therefore now ten
der to you my Of the oce Of active pastor 10
take enect on January 1880. This extended
notice viii give fair amount OF time TO make arrange
uents for future home and the placing Of the vacated
parsonage your hands also it will give you the neees
tsry opportunity for consultation and prayer for divine
direction, without leaving you suddenly pastoress'
trust also that guard against the sudden and abrupt
disruption Of the pastoral tie will all the holy
ympsthies and ardent affections which now subsist
Imong US in their wholesOmeness and perpetuity.
Q II then you wish 10 retain my name IN q merely
nominal sense without pastoral duties responsibilities
you may call your honorary pastor fer life, and Will
say with Ruth: Entreat leave thee, nor 10
return following after thee for whittier thou goest
will 90 and where thou lodgest viii lodge thy people
shall be people, and thy God my Cod the Lord 90 50
10 also, aught but death part me ana hee
2 This you liberty to proceed as deliber-
sey possible during absence to select some worthy
able OF God your full ana acuSe
pastor who lead you in coming years to further
enlargement and prosperity To him L should give my
blessing out Of heart and all the brotherly aid In
his spiritual tolls which L could yield, while should
deem my duty decline 70 counsel either him OF the
church in anything whatever related 70 its h'efn'A ~
sgement
II would be delightful take any desirable part In the
prayereetngs socsbe meetings Of the Church
to preach for pastor when he was absent OF SICK 70
aid in winning your children to Chris OF TO couhseI any
OF You as a personal friend in your soul adyersues
should also feel Just and happy In your families
as ever but my would IN sense be pastoral but
those Of old and friendship While absent from yOu
ana while present with you my W
wisdom ana love Of God may direct you in this ana all
other matters and my single aim wiz be to promote your
future prosperity in every way in my power.
Yours additionally,
fs,vnsd, THOMAS ARMITAGE.
MY Dear Pastor and Moderator; am requested py
the Board Of Trustees and Board OF Deaeons TO stas
10 such Of the Of the church and society as arc
present this evening the communication which has
hen presented by the pastor and which you have just
listened was prepared and has been delivered after most
Kindly conferences the pastor and the joint COM
mts and Is the result Of the most careful consideration
In every particular it has the unanimous Endorsement OF
the deacoas and the trustees They believe that the
reasons urged by Dr. Aftsge for his retirement the
passorste are wise proper and while it is painful to
any change which alters the relations Of
tor and people been cemsntee BY 50 many years
OF faithful labor loving service yet due regard for the
health and strength OF him who Is dear them all
and their appreciation OF the value OF his eminent abilities
In man q hln