Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-20
DR.. Bartlett Sunders His Long and
Able Passionate.
AN OCCASION OF DEEP SADNESS
Resolutions Expressing the Congre-
cations Regret and Sorrow.
ILL III E ALTH THE eau $ E

W. A. Bartlett mas been pastor OF the New
York Avenue Presbyterian Church there
| have been many gatherings of many kinds
in that historic edifice In addition to the
regular religious services there have been
weddings and funerals, occasions of joy and
of sadness, and in them all DR.. Bartlett has
taken an active part. He has shared in
the happiness OF his congregation and has
helped them in their hours of sadness SO
that he has grown to fill place in their
hearts that not every minister attains.
So it was that the meeting held at the
church last night was one that caused real
pain to the members of the church. 1t was
a congregational meeting called for the
purpose of considering DIR. Bartletts re-
quest that they join him in going before
presbytery to ask for a dissolution Of the
pastoral relations. He announced last Sun
day that this action on his part was OBJ
ligatory upon him on account of his fail
ing health. and so there was nothing for
the congregation to do but grant his re-
quest, although IT was with real regret tn At
they did so. 1t had been hoped that he
might continue at the head of the church
at least during the coming winter, but DR..
Bartlett soon found when he took up the
work again after his last summers vaca-
| ton that this was out of the question His
physicians had given him notice that II
he would preserve his health and keep from
a complete breakdown he must give up all
| active work without further delay.
At the meeting last evening there was a
large attendance of the congregation, and
the exercises, though brief, were of an i'm
press've character. There was very little
speechmakin, for, as one of the speakers
expressed IL, words would not adequately
express their feelings. The meeting was
called to order by Ex-Governor II. H. Wells,
and on his nominate Mr.. John w. Doug
lass was elected chairman and Mr., A. j.
Halford, secretary.
Ra he tx,itb
a brief prayer in which he referred to the
solemnity of the occasion that called them
together. In earnest terms he gave thanks
for all that, in the providence of God, the
church had cone, and prayed for stin
greater opportunities for usefulness in the
future. He asked for a blessing upon all
the people of the congregation and especial
~ upon the little children, and prayed that
God would keep them in His loving care
and bless the work done in His name.
His Health the Cause.
Then, in a few brief but earnest words,
DR.. Bartlett explained the status of this
meeting, and also went at some length into
the causes that had compelled him to take
this action 1t was at his urgent request
that the session had brought about this
meeting in order that they might consider
the matter of severing the pastoral relations
and also appoint a committee to go before
presbytery next Tuesday. 1t was only
proper, he said. that he should state the
reason why he had asked for this separa-
ton. Il can do it in a word" said DR..
Bartlett 1T Is on account of my health
and for no other reason. For some time
past j have had threats in my head and
ether ailments of the body growing out of
that. until the care and responsibility of a
church so large ard prominent this had
grown to be burden greater than / can
bear. 1t is great change for man who
has been an active worker ror more than
thirty years to lay down his charge and
quit all the most important interests of his
life. but this is the step that am compelled
against my wishes to take. l shall never
lose my feeling of close relationship to you,
and hope that I'm the coming years. If am
spared, 1 shall still have Washington for
my home and you for my friends
In conclusion, DR.. Bartlett spoke feelingly
of the cordial and delightful relations that
had always existed between him and his
congregation, and of the deep regret and
pain ii gave him to break them. At times
DIR. Bartletts voice was choked with emo
ton. and 1T was difficult matter for him to
continue his remarks. His people, he said,
had always done all that he had ever asked
OF them They had given all the money he
had ever asked. and they had always been
more than active in spiritual work. 1t was
also source of sadness to MIN to leave
Washington. where he had been built"
into the city and had become SO thoroughly
Identified with many of its interests.
High Praise.
marks Mr.. John Randolph moved that a
| committee of seven be appointed to draft a
! minute of the action of this meeting. and
Messrs. Randolph, Young, Emory, Larner,
Pilling, Francis and GoIham were named
on this committee. They retired to the Sun
day school below, and after a short absence
returned. and Mr.. Randolph read series
of resolutions which were drawn up appro-
pirate to the occasion.
The resolutions expressed 1t as the senti-
ment of the meeting that DR.. Bartlett's re-
quest should be granted for the reason
assigned, and that they join him in going
before presbytery. The resolutions ex-
pressed the unfegned regret of all, and
spoke of the loss which the church sus-
tanned in the retirement of its minister
from active work. For nearly twelve and
half years he had filed this pulpit with
eminent ability and success, 50 that 1t was
now all the more painful to sunder the
official tie which had long bound them
And we desire also" the resolutions con-
tinued, with gratitude to God, to record
| the fact that during all the years of his
important, harmonious and successful pas
| tCrate this church has had a remarkable
growth. not only In numbers, but in spirit
ual power as well-a growth all the more
marked because of the heavy drafts made
upon 1t, during this pastorate, by the or
ganiZation of two new churches out Of Its
membership: and for this additional reason
that at each recurring communion season
| upon profession of faith. Our pastor under
| the divine blessing, has also succeeded, with
| admirable tact, in utilizing. inspiring and
| guiding all the forces of this great church in
| their united and aggressive work for Christ. !"
The resolutions provided for the appoint
nent of a committee to go before the pres
| bytery of Washington. and the following
| gentlemen we're named for this duty: Mr.,
John Randolph. Mr.. John w. Foster Mr..
| II. II. Wells, Mr.. Justice Harlan, Mr. w.
| b. Gurley, Mr.. c. 4. Mott; Mr.. s. l.. Girls
| sey. Mr.. W. Il. Robson. Mr.. Charles f..
| Foster. Mr.. John w. Thompson and Mr..
George c. Gorham.
| Mr.. Randolph spoke briefly on behalf of
| the congregation to express their regret
| that the occasion had arisen when they
| must break the ties that bound their pas
tor to them. He paid an eloquent tribute to
| DIR. Bartletts ability and character, and
| spoke OF the more than kindly feelings
that had always held them together In their
| work for Gods kingdom. He had been
more a friend to them, he had shared their
| sorrows and their joys. He had baptized
! their children, married their young people,
| buried their dead, given words of consola-
| ton to the bereaved and blessed the en-
| blems of their faith In the holy communion
so that now that the time mad come for
| them to separate the occasion was one for
| sorrow in heart,