The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-11-10
MICHIGAN LETTER.
DR. CHARLES FLUHRER.

IT. ia Of course we'll known now that
DIR. Charles Fluhrer has resigned his
nastorate at Grand Rapids and accepted
a call to the Pullman Memorial Church
of Albion. NY. 1t is, however, lifting
that further word should be said con
corning one who has been so long identl'
fed with Michigan Universalism. The
reasons for the resignation are given IN
DIR. Fluhrer's letter which, without in
troductory remarks, he read at the close
Of his morning sermon, October list:
To the First Universalist Society," hereby
tender my resignation as your pastor' inc SANS
to take effect not later than the last sunday In
November. In explanation of this action IL IS
nroper to state that for the last three years or
more have contemplated the change which is
now so near. During that period, however, our
united effort seemed required to rear our ne"
and beautiful house of worship; ana ieit that
I could not well leave my post without some
neril to an enterprise, which. in no small meas
ure, is the fruitage of many years OF consecfaIeo
toll. The time however. has arrived for me 10
speak the word that has long been in my heart.
but has often faltered on my lips and the nrm
ntterance of which deem essential to eur mu-
mal well being am fully aware of the cost OF
this determination is the sundering OF many
strong and tender ties established during pas
toral relation of nearly nineteen years But
considerations of vaster moment than those OF
n purely personal nature should ever transcend
the feelings of the individual. am clearly and
immovably of the opinion that my work among
YOU is DONE or. if still unfinished in some OF It's
lines, is destined I'd find completion at other
hands equal to awaiting tasks and splendid OPP
portunities So, THE old order changeth
yielding place to the new"
And in the full belief that in retiring from
my charge / am serving a cause when nave
ever tried to love before myself. am, frater-
nally your pastor, CHARLES fLoHhEh'
DR.. Fluhrer came to Grand Rapids
from Harlem. New York. in 1875, and
has been there ever since. with the ex-
ception of nine months in 1882 spent in
foreign travel. Then the church was the
old frame building on Pearl Street,, and
the society was disorganized by dissen-
sion and strife and deeply in debt. Now
the church has a membership OF TO
families and Sunday school of $50
members and worships in the most beau
tiful edifice in the city. The dedication
OF the new church year ago was tri-
umph for DIR. Fluhrer, for it was by his
indefatigable efforts that the new build
ing of Lake Superior sand stone, cost
ing $4,000, was made possible. His work
in Grand Rapids has not been confined
to the church alone. He has been presi-
dent Of the Humane Society for many
years, and has taken deep interest in
it's work and that of other charities.
Nor was his work confined to Grand
Rapids alone. He has always been &C
tive in the Universalist State work. For
many years he has been President of the
State Convention, and in charge Of the
missionary interests of the State. The
State also owes much to his champion
ship and that of his parish, of the Resort
Association in the establishment of the
Ne-Ah Ia Wanta Resort.
In announcing the resignation all of
the Grand Rapids papers gave lengthy
editorials of regret in addition to extend
ed statements of the facts Says one
paper:
The announcement that the Rev. DR.. Fluhrer
has resigned his pastorate in this city will be
at once, a surprise and shock to this COM
munity. DR.. Fluhrer is a preacher whose
scholarship. tloquence, influence. and per-
sonal character make him worthy of pulpit in
the largest and most important parish of his de-
nomination and place in the esteem and pop
ularty of any community. SO long has he been
center of religious and literary thought in this
city and state that he has come to be an acknowl-
edged power for good. an integral factor in our
religious and social life. He will be missed in
this community as would be few men in any
walk of life. With him will go the warmest
universal good wishes for that increased USE
fulness and success which surely await him.
Michigan Universalists. also, join in
regrets that DIR. Fluhrer is to drop out
of the corps of State workers, but they
as we'll speed him to his new field of OPP
portunity and labor with wishes of sue
cess and happiness.
CHARLOTTE AND REV. W. f. DICKER-
MAN.
Just as we have exhausted our store
of regrets and good wishes upon one de-
parting minister word comes that an
other of our State workers is to leave US.
Rev. w. +. Dickerman. of Charlotte, has
accepted unanimous call to become
pastor of the Universalist church of the
Messiah, New Haven. Conn. We are
heartily sorry for Charlotte. With Bro.
Dickerman at the head we had held
great hopes for the prosperity Of this
parish. Though he leaves we do not
despair, for we hope soon to hear that it
has another good man settled. We have
to add that while Charlotte is unfortun-
ate, New Haven is fortunate, and we
half believe that Bro. Dickerman needs