Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-02-10
A FAREWELL SERMON
PREACHED YESTERDAY MORNING By
REV. c. C. HAYS
At The Erkwood Presbyterian Church-A Large
Audience Hears Ii-Rsy hays Trip
Abroad Of Which BE
Speaks
A large audience assembled at the Kirk

A large audience assembled at the Kirk
wood Presby terrain Church, yesterday
morning, to listen TO the farewell sermon
of the pastor, Rev O. c. Hays. The ser
mon was an interesting one, and it WAS
listened to attentively. The text was !
Cor. XII: IL. FINALLY, brethren, farewell.
Be perfected, be cOmfOrted, be Of one
mind, live in peace, aud the Col Of love
and peace shall be with you"
He began by saying that be bad not e1-
pected TO preach farewell sermon, " and
had not so announced, bat this text had
been 60 forcibly presented TO his mind by
circumstances that he was constrained to
use it. Paul's farewell to the Corinthians.
This service should rather be OF the nature
Of an anniversary. It is I've years to-day
sircs began my work in the church, ard
this day one year ago was cur first Sabbath
in our new building. The years
have been eventful ones; not
many churches have passed through a
more checkered experience. Just six
years ego the congregation was driven
from the old church by the 0lio, which
completely filed The basement and over
flowed up stairs. Then followed trying
wear. The food marks made the church
dingy and gloomy snd unattraciive
Your new pastor wanted new building
but the embarrassed condition of the COM
muuity would not permit. The ladies
had Just put the old church in good order
ard made it cheerful when fire broke cut
and burned it down. Our cozy nest was
effectuslly stirred OPP that we might be
taught 10 fiy. The Y. NJ. Q. A. rooms
gave Us shelter. W. at once
encountered the psrplexiDg questions Il 3
to change of location and plan OF church
to be erected. The minority cheeifully
Welded to the majority; the location was
changed, and after eighteen months Of ex-
lie. we entered our present delightful
church home. We have building, not
excelled in the Ohio Valley, and indebt-
edness all provided for. After years
trial We like it better every day. Without
taking the credit of il II myself, cannot
but contrast your present condition with
what il was five years ago. Your coming
pastor will and very different
state OF Thugs from that which greeted
the one who now goes from you.
Every thing has changed. Instead OF the
elooming old building, with the flood
marks on it, this beautiful sanctuary.
The congregation doubled in size and
thoroughly organized for effective work.
By the favor of God and another leader
ship. You may still advance and attain I'M
urecedented success. The same provi-
dence that brought us together and that
has helped us, now leads me away. The
opportunity OF visiting the land Of the
Bible came without my seeking it. Hsv-
ing decided to 90, my next duty was clear
to resign my charge. Since ten
dering my resignation l have never
doubted that it was the proper
course and the wise way. II l know
INV own heart have consulted Your vel
fare full as much as my own. You are
now free to I'll my place at oroe, and a
new psstor will lnpirt new life and vigor
to YOUR church work. The future is hid
den, we know not what is in store for us,
but the Hand that has lead US thus far
will lead Us on Ia separating from you
can do no better than 10 emphasizes
Psul's parting counsel TO the Corinthians
Ia the latter part CT the sermon each
INJUNCTION of the text was taken up and
d Nelt upon.
The pastor urged that the delightful
peace and harmony Of the psst should be
continued. "There can hardly be found
anywhere more thoroughly united con-
sregatiou than this is to-day, which is al
most remarkable considering what you
have passed through The devil had a
good chance to stir up strife among us, but
utterly failed. rejoice with you that we
have passed through these trying expert
euces SO happily and successfully. A COM
mon way TO get up church disturbance
Indeed it is quite fashionable in some
piace.) is for the choir to get to quarreling
among themselves. or fighting the paet0r.
Sometimes the c5urch Ulcers have come
misunderstanding and there are differences
between them and the pastor. They
antsgonizs each other until one or
the other has TO leave and the
church is diagrsced. Blu we have not had
the slightest trouble in sny way, end can
not recall single unpleasant word with
ary member OF the congregation, Your
future prosperity largely depends upon
the perpetustion Of this spirit: BE OF
one mind; live in peace" And now one
of those great, whole hearted promises OF
God. Tine God Of love and peace shall
be with you" You already have the part
ipg courssl. Now for the parting bless
ing. Then followed earnest, tender words
commenting unto all, the God Of love and
of peace. as a companion, loving, wise,
constant and true
ave must now ks lsave of one another.
Here cor ways separate. We srs at the
parting Of the road BIT lust bevond the
town, IN. road is one sgaip. The same
deetinston Is before US both, and when
our Pill rimsge is ended we will meet-if
not here, up yonder.
At previous meeting Of the copgregs-
ton Mr. Hays made known his plans and
outlined his trip. The only reason given
for his resignation, WIS that he believed Il
to be best for himself aud for the church.
The congregation would have given him
six months vacation if he had allowed it.
The tour in persrect takes in Eoglspd,
France, Italy, Egypt, Palestine, Syria,
Asia Minor, Greece, Turkey, the Danube,
Austria, Germany, Belgium, Switzerland,
Spain, ending with tour OF Scotland and
Ireland. The party is a private one organ
led by Dr.. Geo. p Hays, OF Kansas City,
an uncle Of the Bridgeport pastor, and well
known in this city, is now composed OF
seventeen ladies and gentlemen. Eight Of
them are from Kansas City, and for that
reason the party will be known "a the
"Kansas City Tourists" Ii will be 3 jolly
Company. no grumblera or complainers
being allowed. They will 90 well pre-
pared for SEA sickness and Egyptian
dorkeys and csmels, and Palestinian
Arabs. The baggage is looked after and
the hotel bills paid. Carriages hired,
guides, mules, provisions, passports, afe
all arranged in advance by Henry Crsza u
Son. conductors of the party. The longest
time will be spent in Egypt and Palestine.
As there ara no railroads or even wagon
roads in Palestine, the trip there is on
horseback. There bsiug no coed hotels,
the party will camp at night in well-pro-
tected tents, the dragOman aud guides
standing guard. TIE chief danger in Pal
estiue is from Bedouin robbers, who iDfest
the country. A good surgeon goes with
the party and will bind mp their
wounds. While in Palestine the
party will be conducted by Salem
Hishme, q dragomsn, who WAS for two
wears with Stanley. the African explorer,
in his search for Livingstone. He is said
TO have reduced camp life to success