The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-05-25
HIS WORK FINISHED.
Farewell Sermon of Rev. George
A. Tewksbury.
SALVATION AND PUolLIsM.
Pastor Burchett on the worlds Irre1ig-
ious OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Condi-
tions-Plea for Missions.

CONGREGATIONAL church, preached his farewell
sermon yesterday morning. He starts this morn
ing for Cambridge, Mass, by way OF the Cana
dian Pacific. The presidency of the new 0lym-
bic university, the establishment Of which at
OLYMPIA al collegiate institution OF the Con-
rrepatioual denomination Is now being talked
M. has been rendered to him, and he will give
this offer bis consideration after resting himself
in his Massachusetts, home. The congregation
here testified its appreciation OF Mr.. Tewks-
bury's work and personal qualifications In the
following resolutions:
WHEREAS, 1t has seemed best 70 our pastor,
Rev. George A. Tewksbury. to present to the
church his desire to close the present pastoral
relation as stated in his letter OF resignation OF
March g. and again restated April IL, for rea-
sons, which to .him, after praycrful considera-
ton, seem to justify this desire; and
WHEREAS. His services have been so accept
able, and his efforts in promoting the true In
terests OF the church have been SO able, patent
and conscientious, that the members OF Ply
mouth Congregational church desire to put on
record their deep and abiding respect for their
pastor as q man, and their full appreciation OF
his work as q minister and pastor in Seattle: be
II therefore
Resolved, That we sincerely regret the sever
ancs OF these pastoral relations which have been
90 acceptable and SO profitable to us as church
and congregation;
phasize the able and scholasi y preaching which
has ever characterized his pulpit utterances, the
courage TO speak his convictions, and the
tarnestness and fidelity In his Masters work
that has ever controlled him In all bis relations
70 Plymouth church and the community;
Rssolped, That his work as faithful pastor
among us, his deep and ready sympathy, mani
tested In all the cares and sorrows OF his people,
and bis sincere devotion to the highest spiritual
welfare OF all those connected in any way with
his passionate, have given him firm place In
the hearts and affections OF this people;
Resolved, That in view OF the work accom-
plished, the increased attendance at the public
services, and the marked improvement In the
financial condition of the church and the large
increase in the membership Of the church. we
believe his pastorate has been one OF the most
successful In the history of the church;
RESOLVED, That we have learned TO esteem our
pastor and his able and devoted wife during
their stay among us, because OF their mutually
helpful and consecrated lives, which have been
TO us as a people an example and an inspiration.
Resolved, That we extend to them as they go
from us our most earnest wish for Gods blessing
10 accompany them, and the assurance that our
prayers shall follow them wherever God may
call them 10 labor.
Resolved, That copy Of these resolutions be
placed in the hands OF our pastor, Rev. George
A. Tewksbury, and that they also be spread upon
the minutes OF this church.
Adopted by vote of the church May 81, 1891.
AUSTIN P. BURwELL,
O. A. WAREHOUSE,
MRS. w. II. REEVES,
Committee on Resolutions.
Mr.. Tewksbury chose as the text for his
appropriate theme, "God Glorified in a Finished
Work., yesterday morning, the savior's utter
ance In His prayer to the Father, as recorded by
John: 81 have glorified Thee on the earth;
have finished the work which Thou gavest me to
DO" An exceedingly large congregation listened
to him. Celebrating upon the proposition that
God has placed before every man work as He
did before the Savior. and that 1t is every mans
duty to glorify God in accomplishing the task of
goodness assigned to him, he applied the retro
spective nature OF Christs words to bis own case,
In conclusion, saying:
BY the unexpected course OF events / finish
today the work which God, in and through your
wholly unsought call, gave me to do among you
and for you, in this city two years ago, and
which in good faith came across the continent
10 assume. The result is one of which had no
thought three months ago. and for which feel
myself In no way responsible. The reasons of
my decision, fully understood, are simply ade-
quate. Ii has been accompanied with the disap-
pointment of many cherished hopes con-
eerning my personal relations of instru-
mentality to the progress of Christ's
sonal sacrifice, both in feeling and in the more
outward interests of my life. For the warm
and strong expressions of regret which have
been renewed from members of the congrega-
ton, and from many In the wider relations OF
the city, and for all kindly and Thoughtful acts,
tender, both for my wife and myself, the sim
cerest thanks.
renew the assurance OF earnest hope for the
highest welfare OF the church, and for the spir-
ftual salvation of every member of the congre-
CATION May you be prospered in building
May you soon succeed. May you soon succeed
IN securing another pastor, who shall be blessed
in leading You on in temporal and in spiritual
things; aud who shall be power for good good
in the city. May the pastoral relation, when
renewed among you, be felt more than ever to be
one OF divine ordination and sacredness-not
night or for slight cause to be disturbed or
Questioned. May your attitude, both as indi-
viduais and as church, TO the coming incum-
bent OF this high office among you be spiritual
more than critical, more than outward and Sec
ular; in warm cooperation with him in his en-
beavers, may II be active and administrative
more than receptive and formal. Provide
place for him to live Meet him with promnf-
ness at the prayer-meeting and at the Sunday
services. Sustain by your personal attend
ance the Sunday evening service, IL in
your Judgment or view, such a service should
be held-if in theory, IL would have your voice
and vote, and do not leave him TO secure a CON
gregation as best he may. Be considerable of his
feelings-for a minister has feelings-anticina-
tiveof his needs, appreclative of his work. Helm
him in every possible, personal and united
way. May he soon come. that you may fulfu
to him these conditions. In these and in every
required way may you fulfil the work God gives
you 20 do. In kindliest feeling I make these
suggestions for your sake as well as for him. I
pray that the Divine peace may be with you all.
May the Divine blessing be upon Won.
young and old. in heart life
and home. clarifying God on earth.