Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1894-02-02
TALMAGE WILL RESIGN.
He StartIes His Congregation by the
Unexpected Announcement.

The Rev DR. T. De Witt Talmage at tho
close OF the Sunday services announced to
his congregation I'm the Brooklyn (N "
Tabernacle that hs intended 10 resign and
that his resignation would O. into effect on
the occasion Of the tw"ntY-lith anniversary
OF the day he took charge of the church.
The church was crowded 10 tho doors, and
when Mr.. TalmugO made rhe announcement
men and women were almost spccchlc2s with
surprise for several minutes
There had been no intmation Of such a
thing. His text was from Revelations VII,
l7-"And He shall wipe away all tears from
their eyes" When the sermon was finished
DR.. Talmage said
81 have an announcement 10 make which
may be OF some interest 10 this congrega-
ton"
He then leaned over and, picking up sov-
eral sheets Of paper, began reading as io!-
lows
"This coming spring | will have been pas
tor oithis church twcnt y-flve years. A quar-
ter Of n century is long enough for any min
lister to preach in one place. At thnt ami
versary | will resign this pulpit, and IT will
be occupied bysuch person as you may select.
Though the work has been arduous, be
cause Of tho unparalleled necessity Of build
ing three great churches, two Of them de
stroycd by fire, the field has been delightful
and blessed oi God.
mo other congregation has ever been
called upon TO build three churches. nnl ]
hope no other pastor will be callod to such =
fearful and tremendous Undertaking.
"My plans after resignation havc not been
developed, but shall preach, both by voice
and newspaper press, IA long as my life uui
health are continued by the grace Of God.
From first TO last we have been united
people md my fcrvCnt thanks ARE to all tho
Board Of Trustees and elders, whether Oftho
present or past, and TO all the congregation
and to the people Of the city Of Brooklyn. /
have no vocabulary intcnso enough 30 eN-
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.
"After such long pastorate 1t Is pain
full thing to break the ties Of affection, tut
hope our friendship will DO renewed IN
heaven"
AS DR.. Talmage finished speaking ho
seemed almost to break down. He nerv"u-iy
clutched at glass Of water which was be-
side him, and after taking long drink
seemed TO regain his strength. He tried {"
join the congregation in singing the closing
hymn. but could not do so.
After the hymn was sung he pronounc"
the benedictiOn, and then hurr.ndiy l"It IA"
church for his HON"
When DR.. Talmage was seen at his hom'
he refused to say anything about his etus;
for reeigIing from the church.
Il have nothing further to say 10 the p1J.
lie now beyond what is contained in the an
nOuncement that l made at the church thia
evening"
1t is suggested that DR.. Talmage int"ndstn
resign because he is opposed to the Board ~
Trustees, who are anxious to charge an "a
mission fee Of ten cents TO all visitors who n
tend the church. For several years Dr. Tat
mage has beer greatly worried by the Imam
cial condition Of the Tabernacle.
His salary Is SI2, 900 year, but during the
past four years he has not received anythIn.
for his preaching. DIR. Talnage, In his ser
mons, often made the announcement that he
Dedicated his salary as pastor OF the churcE
to the cause Of God.
He often went on lecturing tours, as he
explained, to get money 10 defray the eK-
penses Of the tabernacle. One year ago he
announced from the pulpit in the Tabernacle
that the church was in such a condition Imam
cialIy that unless so, 900 Of tho floating debt
were raised by April /, 1893, he would bs
compelled to resign. This sum was raised.
Russell Sage holds mortgage OF sl25oOl
on the Tabernacle, with interest which
amounts to s15, 900. This interest Mr.. Sage
thinks ought to be paid, and recently he has
heen stirring up the trustees.