Asheville daily citizen. [volume] (Asheville, N.C.) 1890-1900, 1892-01-04

l tnlnk Cne DeLLeT way. ne COntT1Du-
tions of the church have kept abreast
with her other progress until her last
letter to the association showed collec-
tion for all purposes including her two
mission Sunday schools OF oyer $13, 900.
The church supports city missionary.
Too much cannot be said of this meek
man of God, Brother w. p. Southern.
Consecrated and earnest he has done a
great work for his Master. | desire to
give public testimony to my apprecia-
tion of his consecrated lite and his worth
and piety as Christian minister. God
has put the seal of his approval upon his
ministry and he has been instrumental
in the salvation OF many souls.
"Since May l, 1891, we have also been
supporting missionary to China. Breth-
rem, | beg you never let your in
terest in foreign missions decrease.
Support your missionary until your
new house is completed and then
add another to your work. dur
ing the first two years of my pastorate
here preached in the afternoon on Sun
days at Biltmore and as result we
have hourishing church there selfsup-
porting and active. God has blessed our
work there also.
AT Academy Hill, in northwest Ashe-
vile we have flourishing Sunday school
with Brother Burnham as superinten-
dent. Our weekly prayer meeting and
school has been greatly blessed Of God
and many souls have been saved.
West End mission has been greatly
honored by the Lord. 1t has house
nearly completed worth SIS 900. This is a
very active missionary and Sunday
school point and will soon develop into
a body of strong Christian workers.
"We have heightened our cords in
every direction until it has become nee
essary for the mother church to enlarge
her dwelling and we began our new
house on the corner of College and Spruce
streets and when completed will cost
nearly $4,000. We love the memory OF
dear Brother Meke for his beautiful
christian life but in nothing was it more
beautiful than in his intense zeal in rails
ing funds and originating plans
for this house of the Lord. Breth-
rem, confess had a desire to lead
you into that beautiful church, but just
before we are ready to enter the Lord
has laid the hand of affliction upon me
and the privilege will fall to one more
worthy, trust. 1t is Gods will and
bow Eumbly. AS to my successor, let
him come of the Lord. seek counsel OF
God and his direction will be wise.
Finally, brethren, in our relation as
pastor and people we have much to
cause rejoicing, recognize every men,
Der of this church as my personal friend.
During my pastorate there has not been
a dscordant jar within the pale of our
church. Harmony, good will, co-opera-
ton and brotherly love have character
ized our relations. These have been five
years of the most active labor of my life,
but they have been the happiest. These
nave been years of pleasure and vet years
raught with the greatest atfliction OF my
life, but when He has made vacancy in
my heart by calling away my loved one
{ has filled the vacancy with love for
Christ. Beside my love for the church
had steadily increased as the years have
gone by until today she is dearer to my
heart than ever before. want Asheville
to always remain my home. God bless
her people and churches; love them all
of whatever name or denomination, but
of the First Baptist church can truth
fully say fit was Gods will would
rather continue as your pastor than be
the pastor of any other church on earth.
You have done me WE'LL, the world has
done me well, and therefore owe my
best efforts in trying to lead the world
to my Savior. May we do all for His
honor and glory. Amen"
DR.. and Mrs, Nelson will leave Ashe.
vile tomorrow for Aiken, S. c., where
they will spend month or so, if DR.
Nelson's health permits.