Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-22
REV. W. F. HARPER's DEPARTURE.

as has p6cu duuOuuc6Q III
these columns, Rev. W. F. Harper, resign
ed the passionate of the First Baptist church
of Wichita several weeks ago to take effect
the first Of the present month, but has re-
manned in charge of the work and congre-
CATION, at the solicitation of the church,
until last Sunday, when he finally closed
labors here, and with his family, win leave
for San Diego, Cal. this evening where he
expects to reside, having been called there
by the first church of that place. In view
of the position he occupied in this COM
munity, both as a minister, pastor and
citizen, brief resume of his work here
will not be amiss in this connection.
Early in the year 1882 Rev. Harper was
called by the First Baptist church
of Wichita as its pastor. At
that time the church numbered about fifty
members and occupied small chapel at
the present site and which constitutes the
l. portion of the present church house to-
day, at the corner of Market and First
streets. Mr.. Harper had but recently fin
ished his studies in the theological semi
nary where he graduated with distinction,
and this was his first pastorate; so that be-
ginning his work here the first of April,
1882, he and the interest that ne took
charge of may be said to have grown up
together. The first sermon he preached in
'.the little church around the corner" as
it then might aptly have been called, was
to congregation of thirty persons Pass
ing over the interim between that first
sermon and service conducted by him six
years ago to the last one, last Sunday
evening, and what a contrast. The church
house increased to three times its capacity
filled as long as there was room and scores
turned away This statements attests
more forcibly and eloquently to the hold
Mr.. Harper has upon the confidence and
affections. not only of his own people, but
of the entire community as well. 1t is not
too much to say that no minister of the
gospel in this city, or the state as for that
is esteemed more highly by the people who
know them best than has been and is Rev.
w. f. Harper.
Identifying himself heartily and fully
with the community when he first came
into it Mr.. Harper has ever
manifested the keenest interest in all
matters pertaining to the betterment of
the community spiritually, morally in
tellectually, materially-in every way it
was his province to assist. His offices and
what he has been instrumental, in part, in
accomplishing in the community may be
estimated, to some extent at least, by
what has been done in and by his own
church.
AS has been mentioned, the First Bap-
fist church, when Mr.. Harper assumed
pastoral charge of the congregation, num-
bered about fifty members. Up to and
including the two candidates who were
immersed Sunday evening, there have
been received into the church by baptism
three hundred and two by letter, relation
and otherwise three hundred and seven, a
total of six hundred and nine accessions.
The present membership of the church is
four hundred and eighty-nine.
During the six years the church has
raised and disbursed thirty thousand
follows: For church expenses, Sl0,2S on
buildings, repairs and debts, SIS, 400; for
benevolent purposes, S5,05l.
Under his pastoral care and ministra-
tons four mission stations have been es-
tablished in the city and suburbs. Nor
has Mr.. Harper's labOrs been confined ex-
clusively TO Wichita and vicinity, but has
been felt in church work of his denomina-
ton throughout the state, being at the
time of his resignation as pastor here,
president Of the board of the Kansas state
Baptist convention, and has been identi-
fed with the denomination work in the
state ever since he came to it.
Never of robust physique, Mr..
Harpers assiduous labors here were
too severe for him and his health gave in
dicatlons of giving way several months
ago, and this is the cause that led him to
quit this field. He goes to southern Cali
fornia with the hope that the change may
be beneficial to him, and the prayers and
wishes of this community attend him to
that end, and further, that his residence
in San Diego may be mutually as pleasant
and us profitable to the cause of his life
work as it has been in Wichita
A deep, profound student, a painstaking,
minister, an honorable, up
right Christian gentleman in all the walks
of life, Rev. w. f. Harper will be missed
by the citizens of Wichita.