The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-03-17
WINTERS GOES OUT
HE RESIGNS FROM Passionate OF
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
Accepted Call From Charleston, W. Va
Great for Doing the Work of the Mas
ter-He Trusts the Mystic Bond of Love
Connecting Him With the People of
Wichita VIII Never be Severed-Has No
Real Grievance as q Pastor-Reference
to Free Expressions.

| neal GficSdnce as q OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
| to Free Expressions.
Rev. David Winters has rendered his
resignation from the pastorate of the
First Presbyterian church and will go
to Charleston, W. Va, to take charge
| of church there The following is
his letter of resignation as read in the
church Sunday.
Dearly Beloved in the Lord-During
almost seven years we have, as church
| and pastor. been united in the service OF
| the Master. To me these years have
been the happiest in happy ministry.
To date am without a real grievance
IN my relations as your pastor. 1 trust
the mystic bond Of love which has
bound us together during seven years
| Shall never be dissolved. But there Is
now every likelihood that in the near
future the pastoral relation between US
shall be severed. A unanimous call 10
the pastorate of another church has
been extended to me. In the long sue
cession of events which led up to this
call 1 did not take the initiative step.
Until the session of that church enter
ed into correspondence with me I did
not know the church was pastorless.
During several weeks 1 waited for
the needed light to enable me to reach
right decision in relation TO the
disposition 1 should make OF the call
l am now fully convinced that to ac-
cept 1t is my solemn duty. I believe
that call is the Masters message to me
TO remove to another field of labor. I
d0Ilhf q In ha M r.
nected with the call 1 can see the finger
Of Providence pointing to Charleston
West Virginia, as the sphere OF my fu-
ture labors in the service of the Lord.
L fully appreciate the circumstances
of the members of this church and con-
gregatfon against my removal from
Wichita, as they have come to me in so
many different ways and especially do
feel the force of the unanimous action
Of the entire session of the church rela-
ton, transmitted TO me in a written
document to which is appended the sig
nature Of each of the nine elders. But,
in the circumstances, could not with a
good conscience do otherwise than as I
have decided to do. / therefore ex-
pect my pastorate with this church to
terminate with the Second Sabbath in
April, or, at the latest.on the 18th of the
month l trust you will unite with me
in my request to- the Presbytery of EN-
poria to dissolve the pastoral bond be-
tween us.
1 have said that in my rela lions as a
pastor L am without a grievance. II
must also add that as a citizen / have
neither grievance nor grudge. Almost
since that day came to reside amongst
you lively interest has been kept up
relative TO the enforcement and non-en-
forcement of certain laws constitution |
al and statutory. At times this inter- |
est has developed into pretty sharp |
skirmish. Great moral issues have !
been involved in this condition of war |
fare. AS public Christian teacher 1 |
have felt resting upon me the most SOL |
emn moral obligations to bring Gods !
word to bear upon the moral aspects |
and bearings of almost every question
affecting the highest interests OF our
people for two worlds. In relation to
moral as well as doctrinal questions, 1 /
have not Stunned 10 declare the whole |
counsel of God, as understand ii.
In the use Of liberty of speech to
which, as mana citizen and a minis
ter of the gospel of Christ, l feel enti-
tied. have sometimes provoked con-
troversy, opposition and even fierce at
tacks from those who do not see things
AADili lily olaAAOpp4IlN MS lu4lE tA-
pected. but in the defense Of the right
and the true I have never resorted to
the use of slanderous or abusive Ian
guage as substitute for fact, reason or
logic. And hot though the battle has
sometimes been l have never been
wounded by any missil hurled from the
ranks Of the opposing forces for have
constantly stood within the impregna-
bic Gibraltar of patriotism and moral
principle.
AS long IS l shall live I will cherish a
tender interest in the church and in
this city,in which have spent so many
happy years. 1 trust the Master will
soon lend you another pastor. You
may take the matter of finding one
INTO your own hands, regardless of his
will. In such an event disaster will be
the penalty you must endure. IF you
Will look to Him and trust Him. He will
send you a man after his own heart,
and prosperity will be the reward OF
your faith. Don't urge your session
to throw open the pulpit TO competing
candidates for the pastorate Such
course could hardly fail of dividing the
church and would result in compromi-
'es which would give you a weak minis
ry. There are methods which YOU |
an employ which can hardly fail OF
securing for You the services of strong
| .