The herald., 1897-07-20
HIS FINAL RESIGNATION
DIR. THoMSoN'S LAST SERMON
NEXT SUNDAY
His Absence May Be for Two Years,
and It May Be Forever.
Why He Resigned

DIR. j. S. Thomson; the scholarly pas
tor of the Unity church will next Sunday
preach his farewell sermon to the Gull
tured flock which has sat under him for
the past four years.
There is to be no hitch in the dissolu-
ton of the ties which have bound pas
tor and people in such strong bonds of
affection this time. But although the
time given DIR. Thomson to recreate was
stated to be for two months, it is an open
but sorrowful secret to many in the con-
gregation that it is the doctors inten
ton to go to Europe and remain for two
years or longer if the inclination to do so
seizes him.
When the pastor rendered his resigna
| ton several weeks ago the congregation
as a whole voted mo- SO emphatically
that DR.. Thomson was constrained to re-
main, but the elements which caused him
to announce his desire to leave were ac
tive, it seems, and Dr. Thomson again
sought door through which he might
escape. The idea of asking leave of alb
sence for two years possessed him, and
as the end of the fiscal year drew nigh
the opportune time seemed apparent to
| all concerned.
| DR.. Thomson states that there is some
slight differences among the members,
merely as to details, however, he admits
that there are about twenty of the
membership who are not in accord
| with him in all of his methods. Some,
according to the doctor, wanted more
of what they term ethical culture and
others were dissatisfied on the subject of
| those popular relaXations, frequently so
popular with congregations, such as ice
cream socials, etc.
| DIR. Thomson claims to believe in
amusements, but thinks that they have
their place, just as the church has her
| place. On doctrinal matters DIR. Thorn
son says that he has been criticised for
preaching "too much Christ" and then
blandly referred the questioner to the
members of the board of trustees.
| S. A. Butler, agent of the Wells-Fargo
company's express, who is member of
the board of trusees, was also seen by
The Herald yesterday, and frankly adj
mitted the fact of the resigna ton. Said
he:
"Dr. Thomson has frequently ex-
pressed a desire to go east to look after
some business interests there which de-
| mand his attention. He is not going
away from us on account of salary, for
we have always paid him more, even,
than he has asked. His going, there
fore, is not a question of dollars and
cents, but from desire TO rest and re-
cuperate while experimenting other in.
terests. .. fs
There is no trouble in the church
not to speak of, at least-and Los AN
geles is losing one of the brightest minds,
ever in her midst. AS a pulpit orator, ir
my humble opinion, he was easily the
superior of all the ministers in this To-
cality, and as a pure, honorable, high
minded citizen he was without peer.
ct consider that the city's loss is great
and the education interests will keen
ly feel his absence"
Thomas Pascoe, secretary of the board
of trustees. was also interviewed on the
subject last night. Mr.. Pascoe stated
that DR.. Thomson had not resigned.
why, he is just going off on a little
vacation" said he, when asked for the
facts concerning DIR. Thomson's leaving.
THAT vacation may extend to two
years, more or less; I do not know.
You see, DIR. Thomson's resignation,
presented few weeks ago, was not ac-
cepted. 1t was voted down by fully so
per cent of the congregation, but he
finally decided to take a vacation. DR..
Thomson is too broad, or, rather too
advanced for many of our old fashioned
Unitarians, and he has been critised by
several. Those who wanted certain
amusements did not believe in some of
his doctrinal ideas; but those who were
fault-finding along the amusement line
became reconciled after awhile, and
peace prevailed"
DIR. Thomson has been pastor of the
congregation almost seven years, and
his friends are as loyal as his opponents
are bitter. The church will be supplied
with another pastor Immediately, as the
American Unitarian association at Bos-
ton viii be appealed to at once, If it hasI
not been apprised Of the need ere this.