Smyrna times., 1889-12-11
Dr.. Robinson's Last Sunday.

DR.. RObinson's Last Sunday.
Rev. VIM. S. Robinson closed the
asst service in the pastorate of the M. /
.. Church of Smyrna on Sunday, and d
caves with his family tomorrow for t
MS distant home in Watertown, Dako- t
Ia. The morning and evening services
we're naturally characterized by large
and that peculiar interest
that tinges and shadows the departure
of a loved friend in embarking on
long and indefinite vOyage-posslbly to
many the last greeting.
He took his text for the morning
without any reference to the
occasion uppermost in the minds of all,
his text being from Ecclesiastes vii, lO:
''Say not thou what is the cause that
the former days were better than these,
for thou dost not inquire wisely con-
cerning this" The preacher was at
his best, and in earnestness of manner,
in analysis of thought and eloquence OF |
utterance, it was discourse that will |
not soon be forgotten. The trend OF
thought was to show that those who
reasoned that the "former days were
better than these" reasoned not wisely,
but on the contrary the condition OF
the human race in civilization and
religion was steadily and in many
cases RAPIDLY on the advance. he
stated that the minds of great thinkers
were turned more to the subjects grow
ing out of the life and teachings OF
| Christ and more books were published
| bearing on Christian ethics now than
in any other period of the Christian
! era, and that its influence was manifest
! in controlling the outer lives of those
even who opposed it. There were
numerous attacks on it by individuals
and schools of thought, but they never
get below the surface-the leaven of
Christianity was all the time at work
down deep in the hearts of humanity.
An irruption of infdelity was always
followed by much stronger advance
of the Christian faith. The speaker
believed that the rapid development in
physics, the discoveries in science and
the arts, the growing freedom in civil
and religious life and the great onward
movement in evangelizing the world
were fast preparing the people of the
earth for a wonderful manifestation
,, of the spirit and reign of Christ.
EVENING.
A large audience was in attendance
upon the evening service. Presiding
Elder France was in charge, but thu
y usual half hour of praise service insti
: tuted by the Society of Christian En-
deavor was enjoyed by the audience
: the orchestra forming the usual accom-
paniment to the singing. Eight pro
3 batiOners after the usual form wer
d received into full membership. MI
J. France as a preliminary to the eXel
h Gises proper, announced to the cOngrC
q CATION that after due consideration {
II their wants and with the unanimOu
d consent of the Official Board of tn
rs Church, he had appointed Rev. w. "
w. Wilson, of EastOn, to succeed d
Robinson as pastor, commenting him 1
the same time to their cordial an
hearty support.
pa At this point John B. Cooper steppe
"a to the front and asked to read a pap
e. which he said he had been authorize
or to present on behalf of the Offici
1e Board. 1t was read distinctly, fOllOwt
n. closely by the audience, aud at a lat
period on motion of Rev. ]. V. Smi
~. adopted by a rising vote, the who
a. congregation rising to their feet. II
49, following was the paper:
WHEREAS, our pastor, Rev. VIM.
y. Robinson, d. D., has severed his relati
We to this charge as its pastor and is about
Z. leave us to take pastoral charge Of
church ut WatertOwn in Dakota Conf
=. ence, to which place he has been tral
piC ferred; and Whereas his relations to t
gn Official Board and to the people of t
charge have been uniformly cordial a
l. . ho,r ,e,
- a character as to endeaT him to us a
o' society and as individuals, therefore,
&c solved,
at First That we recognize in Bro. Rob
his son a Christian minister faithful in all
spects to the work to which he has b,
-. called, a teacher who though absent '
lse leave the impress of his spirit on the he,
81 and lives of those who have shared in
w. ministratiOns, and friend always ready
Fri comfort the boreaved and afflicted in ev
hour of darkness and depression.
Second, That we hereby express to
OH the very high reward in which he has
go, held by US, both as a Christian mini
} at and as a brother in Christ, and the rel
linn we feel at being obliged to give him
an parting hand.
Third, That we assure Bro. Robinson
his family that our friendship will
BOX cease with out separation, but that
arl- kind wishes and our earnest prayers
the 60 with them to their distant home,
rain that warm place will always be cheris
tor them In our affections.
Fourth, That we hereby commend Il
ing to the kindly consideration of the CHI
and congregation to whom they are
orn- and pray that the largest success
Ia attend their labors in that field, and
Oll- many stars may be added to the crow
Bro. Robinson's rejoicing among
people.
DR.. Robinson rose and responded
an address of between fifteen
Re- twenty minutes, acknowledging
IS it kindly expressions that had Just
se OF conveyed to him and which he
y to had greatly impressed him. He
y to to these brethren and in fact to all
ng." departments of the church the war;
the and most kindly feelings, and said
orr was like Paul in coming to ore of
ustv citiesin his travels where their work
CON been such as to command from him
with expression, II praise you" He
ower named one by one wherein they (
manded his praise; the official be
the Sunday school, the society
jlerk Christian Endeavor, and lastly
ny Ladies' Mite society, which he
IS 5O had supplied every want of the pal
yer age on the slightest lntlmatlOn,
after mostly anticipated them. In cor
52.OO. sion he spoke of Rev. Mr.. Wilson
like successor, in the most commend
+ for terms, and looked to see the ch
what greatly prosper under his ministry
Presiding Elder France follow
an address of ten or more minute
run ferring to the plans of the church
ry IN its method in meeting such a diff
onse- as that through which they had
owed passed in having their pastor rem,
favor and said in the economy of the NJ
dist Church every preacher was
,t bv nished church and every chu
,rtise pastor, and while in some denol
tiOns they are months without p
the loss of one with them 10 gu
yainst supplied by another, and thus the
Sse is is kept effectively moving on. A
close of the service Rev. Mr.. Rob
was kept busy in shaking the hal
y set those who did not expect to hav
any OF opportunity of seeing him again.