The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-02-29
WITH MANY REGRETS.
Pastorate Of DIR. Levi Gilbert
Brought to a Close.
soMETHING OF HIS SUCCESSOR.
Bsny Bid the Pastor Good-Bye-New
Methodist Church in South Seattle
st. David's Day Celebration.

st. Dsvid's Dsy Celebration.
The First NJ. +. church was packed to
b doors last night to hear the last words
| Of DR.. Levi Gilbert, who leaves tonight for
bis new pastorate in Cleveland, o. Seldom
has such tribute of confidence and love
| been paid to any minister as DIR. Gilbert
] received from his church and congrega-
ton, and when the last words of his elo-
quent sermon had been spoken and the
last hymn had been sung, the great crowd
waited patiently and passed in front of the
pulpit to give him last clasp of the hand
and bid him Godspeed in his new field of
jabors. Upon his text taken from Romans
il5ls DR.. Gilbert spoke in part as follows:
am not ashamed to preach to Gospel of
Christ in any city. St. Paul might well have
hesitated before going to Rome. He met there
the mighty minds and all the learning and
philosophic research Of great nation. But he
I lid not hesitate. Rome needed this Gospel as
veil es Judea needed it. The world needs it tn
the same way everywhere in all
the intellectual centers of the earth
today. In this century, an in every
other, the Gospel of Christ is the power OF God
into salvation. l speak to you tonight about
our times. Some say none at all. 1t is contend
ed that Christianity is obsolete. or rather obso-
lescent-that the newspaper, the magazine and
the lecture platform have no place for the min
liter, and that, like Othello, his "occupation's
zone" Such is not the case. The principles
Of the Christian religion are divine and i'm
mortal, but Just as the palace car and the mag
nifeent ocean steamer have superseded the OK
team and the canoe and the dugout, so our
hnds Of hrip uin 81,
minds and hearts of men must keep pace with
the intelligence OF the age Our faith is rea-
sonable. The methods of presenting it to
others must be equally so.
The service OF the Master is spoken of as our
reasonable SERVICE and unless this service shows
and proves itself in the character and in the life
men will have mono of it. The needs of hu-
nanlty must be subserved, and men will hear
that which subserves those needs. What we
want is the preaching of the word In its sim
plicty.
Paul preached a grandly eloquent sermon in
Athens, but he made no converts by II, and SO
when he got to Corinth he said he determined to
preach naught else but Jesus Christ and Him
rrucifed. So 1t is with the world today. Men
|. will hear If the word is for them, If it meets
their wants.
The speaker then proceeded in striking
and beautiful imagery to compare the de-
fciences of scientific discovery with the
I necessities of practical life, and held up
wildly before his congregation the dis
tinction between preaching merely doc
trinal disquisitions upon experimental
theology and the real and practical wants
Of humanity.
He followed with the reasons why it was
the duty of the modern pastor to teach his
people not to follow them, but to lead
not to accept and reiterate their own opin-
ions but to tell them his own, and in the
light of an enlightened intellect and con-
science, filled and illumed with the love of
Christ, to mold and guide and direct the
hearts and minds of those who came to
feed upon the bread of life. He continued:
II Is not the minister who bears the stamp of
orthodoxy merely, that is orthodox. 1t is not
4 the man who sets himself up as judge OF the
opinions OF others who Ia necessarily right
The hypocrite and the heresy-hunter are abroad
In the land, but he only is orthodox who lives
the life of Christ He only is free whom the
truth has made free.
DR.. Gilbert concluded his sermon with a
most eloquent and touching allusion to
the faithful and devoted conduct of his
church and congregation, and the lasting
memories of Seattle which would remain
With him during the remainder of life.
He leaves for Cleveland tonight to enter
upon his work in his new charge, and 1t is
safe to say that the best wishes of all of
seattle's citizens go with him.
At the commencement of the service the
resolutions heretofore mentioned in this
paper, expressing the appreciation and
love of his church for DR.. Gilbert, were
read by Colonel J. w. Langley. DR.. Gill
bert was also presented with letter from
the Ladies' Aid Society of the church,
: signed by Mrs. A. II. Foote, president,
and Mrs. w. r. Brawley, secretary. The
letter was as follows:
Beioued Pastor and Friend: You are about to be
transferred from your church in this city to
one of the largest and best known churches in
The city of Cleveland, o., and our relations as
members of the Ladies' Aid Society of the First
Methodist Episcopal church OF Seattle, with
you as our pastor, are soon to be ended.
The fact that you have been called 10 the sec
oud largest city OF one of the greatest states of
the Union, which has succeeded its mother,
Virginia, in the proud distinction OF being the
birthplace of presidents, indicates to us clearly
that the circle OF your labors and influence is TO
be grestly widened In carrying forward the Cos
pei OF Christ.
Our parting with you, therefore, is filed with
sorrow at the loss of one who has verified to US
the threefold meaning always involved in tho
word pastor; YOU have been to us brother,
teacher, friend.
Our hearts are burdened with grief which may
not be uttered in words that one who has sus-
tanned this threefold Office in simplicity and en-
tirety should be taken from us.
Your wife, your children, have been with and
Of us and ours; ana the ties which have been
fnrma 1 hatyr rs mi them broken
without pang.
But this is earth All fits creatures are but
humble instruments in the hands OF our
Heavenly Father, by which the work OF Christ
Ia 10 be brought home TO the hearts OF men, and
In that work your duty, as il has been pointed
cut to you, lies elsewhere.
Be assured, dear friend and brother, you go to
The performance Of il not alone: the prayers OF
united church aud congregation are with you
aud for you. Think not that the noble work
you have done in our midst is overlooked or I'M
Appreciated. Ii is even now the thought OF
every one OF us, would that you might in Gods
Providence be permitted TO remain with us,
out as it is not TO be SO, we pray that you may
nave courage and strength and may press for
ward until you have realized IN the Master
service the position of eminent usefulness and
Distinction which We believe you will deserve
and obtain
To our brethren and sisters in the large ana
influential church TO which you are called we
send greetings the most cordial May they,
/. tofough your guidance, grow and prosper in all
christian graces. As we feel at this hour the
f'eh spiritual blessings that have been showered
epon US during your ministry (Which may IL
Please God TO enlarge and fructify in our
hearts, SO may they also with earnest faith ana
confidence greet and Join with you in all Christ
ian effort.
With sincere thankfulness that IL has been