The record-union., 1894-01-30
LOSES A PASTOR
Rev. Mr.. Merrill Resigns His San
Diego Passionate.

Rev. Mr.. Merrill Resigns His San
Diego Passionate.
7. r. Earl publishes a letter in The
Pacific from which the following is an
extract Rev Mr. Merrill made host of
friends in Sacramento during his stay
here: Last Saturday morning, after a
sermon of much excellence and power
and full of tenderness, Mr.. Merrill stated
that instead of the closing hymn he had a
few words TO say to the audience, and
proceeded to read his resignation as their
pastor. He briefly rehearsed the leading
features of the pastorate and stated the
causes leading up to his resignation.
He left a large, wealthy, prosperous and
united church to come TO congregation
disorganized and oppressed financially
by the legacy of a BOOM" He had hoped
yearly for better times opening the way
for increased activity and larger work.
Instead, this poor city had been so
beaten and buf1eted that all prospect of
advance is put several years away" lie
| besOught his people to stand trInly to-
gether, and call a meeting at once TO ao-
cept his designations; "and, he SAID, III
anyone should seek at that time to show
any special friendship, let me say now
and here that you could not do me a
l
not honest in my decision, and that
demonstration might induce recon
sideratlon. Moreover, you could not 90
the cause of Christ greater injury than
to lead a party to mar the perfect haT-
mony that now prevails. In three short
years we have learned 10 love each other,
and cOnIide in one another, so that | can
stand before you this morning and say TO
you no truer, warmer, heartler souls
a QN-iG OF
yourselves to be to me and NINE"
Mr. Merrill seems To possess the rare
faculty OF not only uniting church al
ready disturbed, but also of leaving it
united when duty calls him to another
field. The church is lett well organized,
with membership OF 500. about 800 be-
ing on the ground, great many of them
! young people, speaking well for the
future OF the church, but not adding
much to its present financial strength.
There is a strong Sunday-schOOl under
an unusually active superintendent, a
large Y PsS. c. e., with junior society
numbering over 200, said to be the largest
in existence.
Mr. MerrilPs first work was as DR..
DWineiFs successor at Sacramento,
where be enjoyed a pastOrate Of nearly
seven years. He was born and educated
in Massachusetts, and will go there to
! seek further service. After listening for
few Sundays to the regular average
work of MIR. Merrill, i'll which is dis
! played a deep insight into spiritual
/ things, a profound thoughtfulness and
wealth of illustration. combined with
rare beauty of diction. we have found it
not difficult to see how he could have
followed so successfully in a first pastor
ate one of the abiest men of the denOmi-
nation.
The kindest wishes and heartiest God.
speed will go with Mr.. Merrill, not only
from the members of The Congregational
Church, but the people of san Diego. The
local press, professional men, who have
been interested in his strong, manly
sermons, and very many members of
other churches are all outspoken in their
regrets at this separation. EminentIy
fitted for New England work, carrying
with him his Eastern culture and West
ern experience, vigor and enterprise, he
Will not need to be a seeker, but rather
will be sought for in his chosen field.