Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-06-07

Rev. Layerty Greer IL Made the Recipient
OF Handsome Testimonial from His

rev. Layerty Greer IL Made the Recipient
OF Handsome Testimonial from His
Flock.
The Rev. Laverty Greer. OF the Forks
OF Wheeling Presbyterian Church. hav-
ing reached his SEVENTEEN birthday, his
congregation decided to give him sur
prise. They accordingly met at the
church at 10 O'Clock yesterday morning.
The ladies came with baskets full OF the
good things of the land for social
feast. After disposing OF as many OF
the good things so amply provided as
possible, the congregation adjourned
from the dinner table to the interior OF
the church, where, after a Few pieces
being sung by the choir, Ny. j. W..
Brown, one OF the elders Of the church,
arose and in behalf OF the congregation
presented Rev. Greer with a beautiful
gold-headed ebony cane, saying In SUD-
stance:
We meet to-day, my friends, to cele-
brate the SEVENTEEN birthday OF our
pastor, who has served so faithfully
now for thirty.two years. As it is char
acteristic of the American people TO
celebrate, we think this day 10 an I'M
portant event in our history, and we
should celebrate it. ReY. Greer has
been the shepherd OF this flock for
generation.
After reciting at length the history
of the congregation for the last thirty
FIVE years, he concluded by saying that
the CONGREGATION In token OF their ap-
probation of the earnest, faithful zeal
Gus labors Of their pastor among them,
desired to present him this cane, hoping
that it would be a support and comfort
to him physically in his declining years.
while the rod and staff OF the Psaimlst
would support him spiritually.
Rev. Greer responded by saying: my
heart is too full to-day to give express
sions to my feelings. | have gone In
and out among you, until the children
have become the fathers and mothers in
the church. Those who were the OIL
GERS and mem bers Of the church at the
beginning OF my pastorate, have been
called to their reward, while /, through
Gods mercy, have been spared. After
thirty-two years Of labor l am now the
third stated pastor In this Pres.
bytery, the other two being
DR.. Bronson and Rev. w. II. Lester.
It will be- but a little while until / am
laid aside, but when / cease laboring
among you as your pastor, l hope to
still sit among you under the ministra-
tion of my successor. May God bless
you ALL"
Rev. Lester, of West Alexander. who
was present. made the opening prayer
at the beginning of the exercises, and
afterward spoke feelingly and at some
length OF the pleasant relations that
have always existed between himself
and Rev. Greer. they having labored to-
gether a great deal, and being drawn
into closer relationship with each other
than with other members or
the Presbytery. He also paid a
a high tribute to Mrs. Greer and his
own wife, ascribing much or their sue
cess as pastors to the cordial support
and cooperation OF their partners, add
ing that their matches were surely
made In heaven"
The cane was purchased from /. G..
Dillon g. Co. The head is handsomely
engraved with the words, "Rev. L.
Greer, from the Forks Of Wheeling Con-
gregation, June 4th, 1898, being his
roth birthday" After another piece
by the choir. the congregation proceed
ed one by one to offer their congratula-
lions and kind wishes to Mr.. and Mrs.
Greer and his sister, Miss Mary Greer,
who was present.