The Press., 1888-01-26

In closing his last sermon as & Baptist minister Rev. l.. l.. Potter of Hartford stepped away from his desk, and said he desired to say a word, independently of the sermon. Looking out wonder, can see a country boy. He has fed the COWS this morning and comes in through the snow. I know just how he did it. I wish that l was back there, out of ife's seeming re- responsibilities : going forward and back as'I used to between the old country parsonage and the barn. I remember that I knew everybody in the village; how many COWS they owned how their houses were in side; and I could call them all by name. And it seemed to me sometimes that the robins and blue-birds used to say in their song as they passed along, That IS the minister's son, and know his name. But to come into crowded city, where men throng about you, it is difficult to realize that there is anybody who knows you by name. When was getting my education I have walked on the streets without see. ing single person knew, and felt that no one cared for me. Yet said that am and God Is, and there was link immedi. ately between God and my throbbinR heart. Aud many time has this thought begotten ahsEoisnn in the lives of men.
 "Aud ] stop here this morning because my heart is too full to speak, asking that wherever you go and whatever you do you may remember that you are responsible
 but also that God folds you to himself more tenderly than you do your child. ] suppose this is the last time shall speak to you in this place. I could not preach 8 farewell sermon. could not trust myself to speak to those who sit in this assembly. There are some of the noblest people m this church l ever met. When I go, the church will go right on, and to you who are not connected with it very closely l want to say that the services will be held just the same, at the same hours, with the same earnestness and loyalty, and God will be here. The church has had grand history and believe it will have a great future. go out without single thought of bitterness in my soul, only this is my way. God help you to take your way. I do not claim any special consideration for the step I have taken. Never in my life have I felt myself specially inspired, but simply with the faculties God has given me, often poor in their working, have come carefully to this decision, realizing my accountability to God. With all my soul I want you to hold by your consci- entious decisions in the same sense of &C., countability to God. But I may repeat the story have told before, here or at the Suffield Institute, of the little child who had been taken from the street, and had been taught the songs ol the gospel in a chapel in New York. When she was dy- ing, bright memories of the dear face of the woman who taught her of Christ came to her. They rang bell to arouse her and bring her mind back to earth, but she was too far gone, and she said No, no, do not hear any bell but Gods great bell, and it's ringing me up yonder to him. I do net wonuer you love the dear old Baptist bell. It rings up dear old faces, and my childhood. I love it but do believe that, by and by, in the greater revelation that will come to us, just as it did to the little child, of Baptist, Congre- gational aud Methodist bells, we shall say, No, no, I hear no bell but Gods great bell, and it's ringing me up yonder to him. Amen and amen"