The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-04-28
DR.. Gayley's Resignation.

|
ton of Rev. S. A. Gay1ey, D. D., of his
pastorate of West Nottingham Church
appears in the minutes of the proceedings
of New Castle Presbytery at its last ses-
sion held i'll Elkton, on last week
Rev. S. A. Gayley, D. D., asked for the
dissolution of his pastoral relations with
the West Nottingham Church. In max
ing the request DR.. Gayley said he had no
grievance whatever and thought his
pastorate as pleasant as any man ever had.
On behalf of the church Mr.. Duyckinck
read the following resolutions
To tile Congregation Of Losoer Vest Not
hRgham Presbyterian Church..
The Committee appointed at your meet
ing held on the 9th inst. for the purpose
of submitting appropriate resolutions for
your consideration in respect to the early
dissolution of the Pastoral relations that
have for so many years existed between
you and your Pastor, ask leave to respect
fully submit the following:
The Congregation of Lower West Not
tingham Presbyterian Church-recogniz-
ing that i'll the march of time-which,
with steady and unwavering step-brings
forth the new day to succeed the old
| hIlt+, HulNh ouSNCoSlOn, IduStS OlIG year
to supercede another-likewise carries
out that immutable law of nature-that
all things are subject to change-and
WHEREAS Iii the natural course of
events under this immutable 1aw-the
time has come to this church, that comes
to all churches sooner or later-when we
must accept the stern reality, that the
Passionate of the same must experience a
change. That the relations covering an
uninterrupted term of thirty seven years,
between Rev. S. A. Gayley, D. D., and
!. this congregation are to be suspended.
That the ties between the shepherd and
| this flock, las it were), are to be broken.
That the charge he took up almost two
score years ago-is now to be laid down.
That the places that have known him so
| long, will know him no more in that
relation, therefore
| ReSol7Td, That this congregation de-
slres to place on record its testimony, as to
| the valuable labors, and efficient work of
their beloved pastor DIR. Gayley, who
came to the sacred and historic precincts
of Nottingham in eighteen hundred and
f!ftty-six, just thirty seven years ago. In
spired by the vigor aud energy of youth,
and finely developed manhood, men,
tally and physically, he entered upon a
mission which has proven truly remark
| able and highly commendable. Of the
membership of I4o found upon the open
ing of his career us are not here to see
its close. 4 very large proportion OF that
IFS have gone to join that great majority
on the other side of the river. Thirty
seven years in the same church, with the
same congregation, amidst the same peo-
pie, represents heighth and BREADTH
and depth of meaning-too great to be
easily realized-too voluminous to he
fully conprehended. The fruit Of such a
continuous toiling in the vineyard has
blessomed, ripened and gone down to the
dust, scores of times, but its influence
will never end, and Hike the clear and
sparkling brook-that while
"Men may come and men may go,''
1t rolls "on forever
He has entered into the joys and sor-
rows of hundreds of households, officiat-
ing at their wedding ceremonies, and
participating at their marriage teasts- for
thirty seFen years performing the rites
of baptisln-and going the rounds of
pastoral visits-ih seasons of pleasure, and
seasons of sadness thirty seven years;
sympathizing with the bereaved and
assisting his people over the rough roads
of difficulty and trouble-for thirty seven
years administering words of divine
comfort to the sick and dying, and psi
banning tAe last sad rites at the house of
mourning and around the open grave
for thirty-seven years; presiding with
dignity and reverence over the commun-
ion table, dispensing the symbols of
Christ cruclted' for thirty-seven years
and last but not least it means to stand
before this congregation for all thai time,
Sasbb.ath attef Sabbath, and week after
week, numbering away up i'll the thous-
ands, exhorting, appealing, beseeching
his people, by line upon line, precept
upon precept, prayer upon prayer, sermon
upon sermon, to commit their destinies
entirely into the hands of "a covenant
keeping Lord
| koSsQbaeQ, That this congregation bear
testimony that DIR. Gayley closes his pas
torate career with this church under such
circumstances as to enable the pastor and
congregation to join with each other in
praise and thanksgiving that during all
the years of said relationship, all has been
peace, harmony and prosperity IN church
affairs, end SO It ends: Much, if not all
Of this condition of things are attributed
to the superior judgement, discretion and
christian fortitude of him who goes from
us, and may it be our divine portion to
foster and preserve that same peace and
harmony, prosperity, and solidity in
church affairs that he leaves with Us as
our inheritance, froln his uiaster hand
NtfsSSoksSA, 1hAt tins congregation wish
10 further bear testimony of our love, and
esteem for him who is about to transfer
to other hands the work that has been
committed to his care and as he goes from
us, he will be followed by the earnest,
sincere and devoted prayers of his peopse.
That his remaining 4eafs MAY be many
ard .4at he may be crowned by health.
Happiness and prosperity. His life work
with us has been labor for the good of
the people and having performed that
labor we'll, may it be vouchsafed to him
to never know of those heartaches and
sorrows that come with the mornmg and
thicken to the eyei,ins-
IL. H. HAINES,
JOHN w. MCCULLOUGH,
JOHN G. CONNER,
COMMITTEES,
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