The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1889-02-28
HIS PASTORS FAREWELL.

HIS PASTORS FAREWELL.
Impressive scene at Church ON General
Hsrrison's Last Sabbath In Indianapolis
Rev. DR.. Haines' Eloquent Tribute to
. the Presldent-Elect. e 81 .
INDIANAPOLIS, Feb. 25.-President-elec
Harrison spent his last Sunday In this city.
preparatory to his departure for Washing
ton, in quiet manner. With his family he
attended services at the church where he
has been worshtper for many years. The
edi6ce was crowded. At the conclusion of
his sermon, Rev. DR.. Haines, the pastor,
spoke as follows:
bear in m nd that which to-day is prominent
In the thoughts of US all-the fact that tn 6 is
the last service prior to the departure from
among US OF one who for more than 4
third OF century has been identified
with this Christian church as a
member and an officer. When new members
come to our communion we bid them welcome
in the name OF our God. Certainly it is not I'M
fitting when longtried and honored members
go out from US Tor season to places Of inf1u-
ence and Of respons blity elsewhere that we
should tender to them our heartfelt assurance
OF our godspeed.
II am sure II would be grief to the men,
VOID ~ UAo CuuICA "O1c " 1dll 10 UEcak
through the silence that has characterize this
pulpit in its relation to the peculiar excite
ment Of the last eight months and permit you,
sir, who have been SO long aud so
intimately associated with US here
in Christian life and work, to 60 out
without one word expressive OF our earnest.
atfectionate wish and prayer This is not the
place nor the time for words of mere congratu.
latior, however sincere. Our sense of personal
esteem and qualification over your elevation to
the Chief Magstracy OF the Nation is to-day
overshadowed by the necessity OF separation,
and especially OF the sense Of the serious, the
solemn, responsibilities that are to be laid
upon you-responsibilities which no man on
earth is qualified to meet in his own wisdom
and strength. For unto you in no small de-
gree Will 1t be given to influence for veal or
for woe the interests of 70 1000, 900 people.
You 60 forth to meet these responsibilities
carrying with you, as you we'll know, the I'M
waverlng confidence as we'll as the warm per.
sonal regard OF our fellow-Christ;ans We have
learned to believe in you-in your personal in
tegrity, IN your tested, established, Christian
| character Character is superior to achieve
ment. 1t is itself the highest achievement.
ONCE without character is nothing. We joy IN
the anticipation that you will exhibit to the
people OF this Nation that browning glory OF
magistrates and sovereigns, q genuine, broad
Christian manhood, pure in its purpose, cath
Ollie in its spirit, undertaking in its loyalty to
duty and to God.
1--WE remember that you are called not only
to be an example but a leader to the people of
this land. When Moses, who as an organizer
ana statesman stands without q peer in all his
tory, received his commission from Jehovah as
leader OF the chosen Nation he was overwhelmed
ny the sense OF his own weakness and defcien-
cies. Unto him Jehovah then spale and gave
this all-sufficient assurance: Certainly, will
be with thee The eternal God is the same
yesterday, to-day and forever. May you hear
His voice speaking unto you those very words
He spake unto the law-giver OF Israel, girding
you for the coming tasks guarding you from
threatening perils, and enabling you to lead this
great American Nation forward to higher con-
ditions OF freedom and righteousness.
I'm the stormy days Of our civil war we re-
call that in the charge on the field OF battle
once and again you led the ranks forward and
planted the flag Of our country upon the ram
parts gallantly won. Now, as the leader
and commander OF three-score millions OF
| people, we pray Almighty God to grant
unto you strength and courage and VS.
| dom to lead these hosts forward
| IN the paths OF justice and truth until our
| standard shall be planted on the height Of a
God-honorng and therefore enduring prosper
! lty. We know that you have set before you
| as the pole-star of your public life-to use
| your own wcrds-1 patriotic purpose to pro-
| mote the true glory Of sour country and
| the highest good OF our people, We
| are glad in the belief that the right
| eous hopes inspired by your words and by
| your own life among us will be just fled in days
| to come. We rejoice in the confident expecta-
| ton that the coming Quadrennium will be
marked by priceless blessings from the Father
! of Mercies conferred upon our beloved coua-
| try through your character and administra-
! ton.
IL speak for all the members OF this church
| when say that we will hold you and yours
| tenderly in our hearts and we will remember
| you at the throne OF grace in our prayers, ever
beSeechlng that God of nations unto whom our
| fathers looked and were lightened to guide you
by His counsels to shield you by H S Prov
| idence, to enrich you with heavenly wisdom
and to make you perfect in every good work to
! do His WILL"
DR.. Haines during the delivery of this
! farewell tribute spoke with much feeling
and had the close attention of his large
audience. General Harrison sat with head
slightly bowed as though greatly affected
by the solemnity of the occasion; as also
were Mrs. Harrison and Mrs. Mckee. At the
conclusion of his remarks the pastor closed
the service with this prayer:
! ''Almighty and everlasting God Heaven is
| Thy throne and the earth Thy footstool, and
| both Heaven and earth are full of Thy glory.
| Thou alone art the sovereign Ruler of all ma
tons. Thou givest the kingdoms OF the world
! to whomsoever Thou wilt. Thou worl1est
all things after the counsel of Thy
| will. We beseech Thee now to take into
| Thy holy care Thy servant whom Thou
| hast called to be the Chief Magistrate of this
people. Endow him plenteously with the gifts
| OF Thy spirit. Let Thy wisdom be his guide.
Let Thine arm be his strength. Direct him
| IN all his counseis and actions to Thy
glory and to the welfare OF this land,
| that through him justice and truth
and peace may abound, tnat from him,
and those associated with him in authority,
there may go out influences to develop the
| highest interests of our Nation and to build
! up in a yet nobler way CHRIS stan civilization
that shall be a bened ctlon to generations yet
unborn. And, together with thy servant, re-
| gard, we pray Thee, all the members of his
| household Keep them under the shadow OF
| Thy wings. Crown their lives with the bless
ings OF Thy Providence and Thy grace, AS
| they go forth from us, our Heavenly Father. We
| commit them into Thy care. We make this
| our prayer. Will Thou, Lord make Thy face
! to shine upon them and be gracious unto them.
Wilt Thou, Lord, lift up the light OF Thy
| countenance upon them and give them peace.
! And now, unto Him who is able to do exceed
| Ing abundantly above all that we ask or thiak,
be honor and glcry through Jesus Christ, for
| ever and ever, amen
AS the congregation arose from the
prayer-otfering many handkerchiefs were
visible and the older members OF the church
were particularly affected just before dis
missing his congregation Dr.. Haines asked
them all to rise and join in singing "Oul
Native Home to the tune OF America, " and
the words of the hymn were sung with sc
much pathos that hundreds of the audience
were affected to tears and both General and
Mrs. Harrison were visibly affected.
| THE Chinese SHUT OuI.