The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-03-26
REV. c. VOLFKIN RESIGNS
Desires to Sever His Connection
With the North Baptist
Church By May 1.

AS announced Saturday in The NEWS,
yesterday Pastor Wolfkin of the North Bap-
tist Church rendered his resignation to the
congregation, to take effect May !. At the
conclusion of the sermon the Rev. Mr.. Wolf
the benediction. Then Clerk Joseph II.
Hough read the following letter of resigna-
tion:-
THE LETTER.
DEAR BRETHREN Amid agonizing
thought and fervent prayer, have been
for many days under the great strain of de-
Gliding a duty freighted with vital issues
In communicating to you the result, l
am heavy with sorrow, because of its
disappointing nature to many of you. Dur
ing the two years of my ministry among you
/ have not been restive under what discour-
agements there may have been for
l found much compensation in the
patience and kindly words Of hopefulness
with which you greeted me, besides the
many features of growth which served as
stimulating encouragements. # my decision
occasions it IS you less a'sapqesmsfeII besrsfeIt
grief unto myself Two years since we
were strangers, yet many experiences and
circumstances have woven ties that shall bind
me to yonuso long as memory shall last. In
the public gatherings where we met for
the worship and service of God; at your
firesides, where we mingled in festive glad
ness, In your rooms or sickness, hallowed
by anxiety, watchfulness pain. suffer-
ing and prayer, and under the deep
shadows of bereavement, with hearts and
minds torn with grief, you have so gained my
hearts affections, that 1t makes this step of
my life a most painful one to take. Not least
among the great joys of my ministry among
you, is the strong attachment that has come
to exist between SO many of the young peo-
pie and myself have noted with increas
ing gladness your growth in grace;
your increase In the knowledge
of tht word of God, and your fidelity Of life
as you lived In uncompromising loyalty to
yeur conscience and conviction of
witty your many personal and
individual kindness, have had CRATE
full remembrance in my considera-
tion and drown me to an abiding here. But
my service being God-given ministry de-
mands that its decisions be made solely before
Him who has counted me among the stewards
of His manifold grace, and as one who
must render an account at the judgment
seat Of Christ, did not dare come
to auy conclusion actuated by any
individual interest or longing l was
compelled to delay until divested of every
personal consideration, when | could hon
estly pray for the wisdom that cometh from
above, from the Father of lights, and
wait patiently upon his will and
acquiesce in his leading. In
this condition and alone before God my duty
crystalizedin in the words which Jesus himself
once uttered: II must preach the Kingdom OF
God in other cities also. for therefore am
sent" From that presence. in the full convic-
tion of Gods leading, am constrained by
duty to send you this letter Of resignation,
and though this action occasions me
both sorrow and sacrifice it is not done in the
spirit of self-martyrdo but as one who real
ICES that to remain against conscientious
convictions could only render him weak,
fee the enjoyment Of Gods presence to
us both. I will not at this time at
tempt an expression of my appreciation
of the kindness and love which you
have SO freely manifested toward me-
In as far as ye have done it to one
of the least of Gods servants, I
can only pray that the Master whom I
serve viii not be unmindful of your good
ness and grant you an exceeding abundant
reward which is beyond my power to ex-
press or bestow.
''If it meets with your approval, I shall be
glad to continue among you until May i, un-
less for expedient or contingent reasons you
should deem it wise to relieve me sooner. In
that event will cheerfully yield to your de-
sires or preference. earnestly entreat that
you accept this resignation as soon as your
convenience will allow, as delaying such
action can only hold the congregation in
needless suspense, and involve me in embar-
raSsment.
SIS the earnest prayer for your further
guidance and future prosperity, with loving
remembrance of my tender associations with
you, and in the sure hope of meeting again
before His throne in glory, where sower and
reaper shall rejoice together.
believe me yours in the risen Christ
lGr,r,n ITTr,rar