Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1892-02-26
Il Sad Day at the First Presbyterian
Church.
THE RESIGNATION OF DIR. NJ 'FARLAND


THE RESIGNATION OF DIR. NJ FARLAND
ACCEPTED.
Last Sunday morning was one Of the sad
dest seasons that the congregation OF the
First Presbyterian church has been called
on to go through. 1t was known in adj
vance that at the conclusion OF Dr.. IL. A.
Whites sermon, he filing the pulpit for
that day, letter would be read from the
beloved pastor, DR.. D. K. Mcfarland, an
nouncing irrevocably his resignation OF
the passionate on account OF i'll health AT
the close Of the regular service very few
left, and the congregational meeting which
followed was held with almost every pew IN
the church full. Dr. White was chosen as
Moderator Of the meeting and Mr.. Henry
A. Walker as Clerk. The following letter
was then read by DE-. White:
To the members Of the First Presbyterian Church,
Stanton, Va:
Again do feel under the necessity OF re-
questing that you will unite with me III a
petition to Lexington Presbytery for dlsso
luton of the pastoral relation existing pe-
tween myself and this church.
1t is only in obedience to the most painlul
conviction OF duty that now renew THIS
quest. But the recognition of the fact I'm
no longer have the physical healW ana
strength to do efficiently the WoYl OF the
pastorate, makes it obligatory upon ME to seek
release from it, not only for my own sake,
but for the sake of the church, whose inter
ests can only suffer through my continuance
as its pastor. the opinion of my physician
supports me in the conviction that nothing
less than entire cessation from the work OF
preaching gives me any good promise OF the
future recovery of my health
1t is needless for me to attempt any express
sion Of the pain and sorrow with which con-
template the severance of a relation in which
my best affections are bound up, and in when
l have been permitted to render the happlest
service of my life Neither spoken nor wait
ten words could express the keen sense OF
grief and of personal loss with which L real
ize that am no longer to hold my place
among you as pastor. l can only here record
my gratitude to God and to you for the uni
versal and underwriting kindness and SYM
pathy and support which [ have received
from you during the time OF my passionate
among you, from the first day even until now.
l. Praying that you may have the unerring
guidance of the Holy Ghost in all your affairs
as a church, am -.
Sincerely and affectonately yours,
d. X. MCF ARLAND, Pastor.
StGaeeton, Va., FEB. 5tt, 1892.
Elder Henry D. Peck then rose and sad
the following resolutions had been prepar-
ed and submitted to the Session of the
church, and were by them approved and
now submitted to the congregation:
The Rev. D. L. Mcfarland, d D., having
again rendered his resignation as pastor of
this church and requested our concurrence
therein, therefore
ResoEgeI 1st. That for the reason stated by
Dr.. Mcfarland we unite with him in the APP
pication to Lexington PreSbYtery to dissolve
the relation between us.
opJ Mot for of oo1
us poignant grief, and we can only strive to
submit to it as the dspensation Of our wise
and merciful God.
3rd That while we wish to testify our APP
prevail and admiration of DR.. Mcfarland as a
minister and as a man, we find no words
adequate to our purpose. For six years he
he has gone in and out amongst us, and both
in public services and private intercourse has
won our unbOunded confidence and affection.
As preacher and pastor he has been faith
full, efficient and universally acceptable; and
as a sympathizing friend he has endeared
himself to every member OF his flock.
Although he may no longer occupy an official
relation to us, we trust that he Will still abide
community benediction; and whether he
shall remain Oh depart, he shall have our
prayers for the rich blessing of God upon him
and his.
to communicate this, our action, to Lexington
Presbytery.
Elder J. A. Waddell moved the adoption
of the resolutions which was done unani-
mously.
On motion Of Elder Waddell the name of
Mr.. Henry D. Peck was inserted in the 4th
resolution as the Commissioner to Presby-
terry.
MI. J. N. Mcfarland moved that copy
of the resolutions be sent to Dr.. McFar-
land, which was adopted.
The meeting, which was conducted with
silent dignity OF grief befitting the great
loss the church is sustaining, and during
which no man seemed willing to trust his
feelings in any words about what was up
permost in every heart, then adjourned.
The Central Presbyterian of Tuesday last
has the following with reference to DR..
McFarland's resignation:
''By this resignation one of the most impor-
tant churches of the Synod of Virginia Will
be left vacant, and one Of our best preachers
is, for the present. retired. We sincerely hope
that entire rest for a While may bestore him
to health