The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-02-07
TALMAGE WILL RESIGN.
He startles His Congregation by the
Unexpected Announcement.

The Rev. DR.. T. De Witt Talmage at the
close Of the Sunday services announced to
his congregation in the Brooklyn IN. ~
Tabernacle that he Intended to resign, and
that his resignation would 20 into effect on
the occasion OF the twenty-ffth anniversary
OF the day he took charge OF the church.
The church was crowded to the doors, and
when Mr.. Tslmage made the announcement
men and women were almost speechless with
surprise for several minutes.
There had been no intimstton OF such
thing. His text was from Revelations vii.,
17-"And He shall wipe away all tears from
their eyes," When the sermon was finished
DR.. Talmage said:
~ have an announcement to make which
may be OF some interest to this congrega-
tion."
He then leaned over and, picking up sev.
eral sheets OF paper, began reading as fol-
lows
"This coming spring I will have been pas
tor Of this church twenty-five years. A quar-
ter OF q century is long enough for any min
lister to preach in one place. At that ami.
versary will resign this pulpit, and 1t will
be occupied by such person as you may select.
Though the work has been arduous, be-
cause of the unparalleled necessity Of build
ing three great churches, two OF them de-
stroyed by fire, the field has been delightful
and blessed Of God.
"No other congregation has ever been
called upon to build three churches. and
hope no other pastor will be called to such
fearful and tremendous undertaking.
"My plans after resignation have not been
developed, but I shall preach, both by voice
and newspaper press, as long as my life and
health are continued by the grace OF God.
"From first to last we have been united
people, and my fervent thanks are to all the
Board OF Trustees and elders, whether ofthe
present or past. and to all the congregation
and to the people OF the city of Brooklyn.
have no vocabulary intense enough to ex-
press my gratitude to the newspaper press
of these cities for the generous manner in
which they have treated me and augmented
my work for this quarter Of a century.
CATER such long pastorate 1t Is a pain
hope our friendship will be renewed In
heaven"
As DR.. Talmage finished speaking he
seemed almost to break down. He nervously
clutcbed at glass of water which was be-
side him, and after taking long drink
seemed to regain his strength. he tried to
join the congregation In singing the closing
hymn. but could not do so.
After the hymn WAS sung he pronounced
the benediction, and then hurriedly left the
church for his home.
When DR.. Talmage was seen at his home
he refused to say anything about his cause
for resiguing from the church.
II have nothing further to say to the pub
lie now beyond what is contained In the an
nouncement that made at the church this
evening""
It is suggested that DR.. Talmage intendsto
resign because he is opposed to the Board OF
Trustees, who are anxious to charge an ad
mission fee OF ten cents to all visitors who at
tend the church. For several years DR.. Tai.
mage has beer greatly worried by the fnan.
cial condition OF the Tabernacle.
His salary Is S12, 900 year. but during the
past four years he has not received anything
for his preaching. DR.. Talmage, in his ser
mons. often made the announcement that he
dedicated his salary as pastor OF the church
to the cause of God.
He often went on lecturing tours, rs he
explained to get money to defray the ex-
penses OF the Tabernacle. One year ago he
announced from the pulpit in the Tabernacle
that the church was in such condition finan-
cially that unless $20, 900 OF the floating debt
were raised by April /. 1898, he would be
compelled to resign. This sum was raised
Russell Sage holds mortgage OF $125,0O0
on the Tabernacle, with interest which
amounts to $15,0 900. This interest Mr.. Sage
thinks ought to be paid. and recently he has
Oeen stirring up the trustees.