The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-04-27
FAREWELL TO HIS FLOCK.


nev. Clara Davis says Goodbye % tie
YIsse ~. r. church.
Rev. Clark Davis preached hi farewell
sermon ~ the First Methodist Protestant
church yesterday morning 10 a larxs cor
creation Of sympathetic frserds- He
chose for his theme. The Life and Work
ef the Minister Of Jesus Christ" and ais
chapter II First CorinzhsaaE.
The divine call 20 the ministry Vas the
Arss thought discussed The speaker sssd
no doube mistakes were made by some
God called and the wrong man heard -
hat man rightly understnacsux hsuse1s
would erfer upon this work Of his own
esotee without nrst feeling. knowing thar
God had commissioned him 20 preach.
The VEN claim Of being divineiy called
makes II diffscult work The charge
broueht aGainst Jesus was that He made
Himseif the Son Of God Others because
OF this claim viii expect perfection In char
acser. ability. the graces. successes This
leads 10 disappointment Paul ssyx. We
have this treasure In eArthen vessels
WY That the glory may Be Of God
and not Of me..'
The various classes With which =
preacher deals makes his work difsscuif:
TIE wise, the ignorant. the srronx. the
weak. the good. the bad: the active, the
lazy. men Of various opinions and men Of
no opfnsons- Grace does not make us all
equal In character. In intellect. not even h,
love Some people want sound preach
Ing. meaning by that docsrsnai preachinx.
Well little Of that - good now and
tnen. but too much OF II becomes a preach
Ing of sound Others want something SEN
sAsionAl They love 20 hear Dr. Glib
tongue. Who II wiling to tell the people
on Sunday evening when he met his wife,
how he courted her ard why he married
ne
helpful for every day life a very good
Kind OF preaching. and plenty OK II is 10
De found in the gospel. Then there Is
preaching to edifcation. eyanxellstse
preaching. and the gospel Of comfort It's
little difficult for one man TO cover the
needy soul. but true minister viii study
TO show himself approved unto God .
workman that needssh not TO be ashamed.
Lack OF sympathy and cooperation
causes many good man to fan. Some
times IL Is . lack OF adaptation. Again IL
may be incompeiency or Il may be iaxi-
ness- Beecher said, '-Tlsn't all laxiness,
but there's q good deal OF IT,
There are many announcements. It's
Gods way OF saving the world There IL
no higher calling. Go into ali the world
and preach my gospel to every creature
and with such . Co ringing In our ears,
who could turn back or grow dlscour-
asedg Here the pastor took up his per-
sopai relation 10 tho church for the last
eleven years and six months. He spoke In
the most touching way OF the loyal and un-
stinted support given TO him by the mem
bcrs OF the congregation. The children Of
the Sunday school had grown TO manhood
and womanhood Thousands had received
Inspiration 10 lead new and better lives.
some Of the older ones had been trans-
ferred TO glory. while few yet remained.
NJ <.P ~.
were mentioned by name. and as the
preacher recounted the victories. the
triumphs. the discouragements and hopes
OF the church there was scarcely q dry eye
IN the vast audience.
You have given me loyal and hearty
support" concluded the minister 81 have
never had 10 ask for money or think OF
my living. The church has never been IN
debt You have prayed for lie as a mother
for her child You have been patient with
my faults and SHORTCOMINGS. Mary Of
you are my spiritual fathers and mothers
Many more OF you are ms spiritual chill
dren- I was present when you were born
into the kingdom Of God. I have tried to
merit your confidence and your love.
may Be. a warm reception and q hearty
support Farewell"
The church has not yet decided upon
new minister. though several are being
considered. Until a regular pastor IL
called the pulpit viii be supplied and SER
vices maintained as usual
Mr.. Davis begins his work for the Good
Tefnpiars tonight at Morresxnc He ex-
poets 20 lecture for q time. but has no
Thought OF giving up regular ministerial
work permanently. He IL \ young man,
having celebrated HIS thirty-eighth birth
day this month. and has hopes to live 10
preach The good .idlngs Of salvation many
A - q
service was the baptism OF SIX little chill
dren by TIE retiring pastor