Evening journal., 1891-03-16
LAST EDITION
PASTORS SAY FARE WELL
Changes in Scott, Union,
Grace and Epworth.
REV DIR TODD's CLOSING SERMON
He Believes In the Itinerancy Method
of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
Revs. Messrs. stengIe, Collins aud
Co... .,,

N~N9- -oeeAS. St0hAtV, A~aAiaS ANU
Corkran's Farewell Addresses.
Rev. Jacob Todd, D. b.. who has filed
his i've years limit as pastor of Grace
M +, Church Ninth and West streets.
preached his farewell sermon to an Inn
mense congregation yesterday morning
table filled with beautiful flowers, in
front Of tbs pulpit was a slight testi-
monisl OF the peoples dsep love for their
pastor Special singing by the choir pre-
ceded the sermon. He Shall Feed His
Flock being the leading selection.
DIR. Todds text was; ''lt is expedient
for you that go away" st. John xvi, 7.
He said in part: "Christ told his de-
ciples that it was best for them that he
should go away. The reason of this was
that while he was with them they saw
only the human with its frailties ard
weaknesses. 1t was necessary for him TO
show his divine nature to have their true
confidence. When he went away his
weakness failed from their remember
ance, while his words were indelibiiy
impressed upon them. He accomplished
his highest mission by Withdrawing from
them.
1t is not q saerilege to sacrifice the
human with the divine ministry. Tie
difference Is that Of degree not of kind
We have come to the separation time in
the relationship between pastor ami
people. There are many who feel sad at
the severing of these bonds as do, but |
think 1t is expedient for you that 90
away. | am q firm, believer inithe itineracy
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In
this connection | will relate an anecdote
Twenty-Five years ago when the limit
of Passionate was two years. Rev. Joseph
Mason as pastor Of st. Paul's Church At
the last quarterly conference before his
change he said to the presiding elder:
"If it was not for this abominable intin-
eracy system ! would not have to move
next spring "'Yes, said the presiding
elder, and If it had not been for this
aboaimable itinersncy system, as you call
it, you would not have been here 10 nave
had ia move next springl7
The principle of the itinersney system
is that the whole church has ministers
with all attachments. Some have this
and some have that By rotating the
ministers all classes are ministered into
When man displays many attachments
1t is not fair that one church should have
the benefit of them all his life When a
maH is poor in attainments and unsue
cessful it Is not fair that one church
should be afflicted with him all his life
No preacher pleases everybody, and there
are none so poor that somebody will think
he is the best
While l believe in the itinersncy 1t is
not pleasant experience to the minister
to sever the bands of pastoral relations
These relations are of such peculiar
relation that it is hard for the outside
world to understand In cases Of extreme
sickness and death these ties are 50
strongly formed that they will ever be
remembered. After paying a Tribute of
love and hope for future prosperity on
the several branches of the church, Dr.
Todd referred to his desire of always
carrying sunshine There are enough
shadows in life. Two years ago while
was trying to bring light to others.
the light was fading out of
my own eyes kept it to
myself for time, but the church
heard Of it. l mArvelsd at the forbear
ance of the church during the past year
and am not unappreciative of the kind
ness You have shown me 1t Is not easy
to sever these chords, and do not pro-
pose to sever personal friendships. But
my pastoral relations must end No man
can be more conscious of his failures and
short comings than | am. There is one
point in which have not failed have
tried to preach the gospel properly,
always setting up Christ as the example
to be followed. l have been asked to
advocate public reforms from the pulpit,
but | never have and l never will While
never hesltating to express my opinion
on popular questions | have never done
so fron the pulpit.
Now speaking my last words to you
my faults, failures and short comings
will be forgotten. but the truths which
have uttered are Gods words and will
not fail In my Ave years pRstorate here
159 have been added to the church. 80 by
certificates and 81 on probation, "a per-
sons have died. 3 withdrawn; / have at
tended 60 funerals, officlated at 50 mar
risges and performed 65 baptisms, be-
sides making $500 pastoral visits In
few days my successor will be here |
hope for him the same kindness which
has been accorded to me. Give him your
confidence, take him by the hand and
God bless both him and you
Many persons wept at DR.. Tedi's
words Of farewell and he was also
moved to tears. He will go to the Will
mington Conference on Wednesday and
Mrs Todd VIII spend several days in
Baltimore They will go to Philadelphia
on Saturday and DR.. Tcdd will presch
his opening sermon in the new Trinity
Church on Sunday morning. He will
succeed Rev DR. Baoy The parsonage
of Trinity Church is No 1928 Paramount
avenue