The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-03-07
ONE MORE YEAR.
At the First Methodist Church
Last Night
1000 People United in Adopt
ing a Memorial
TO THE CONFERENCE
Asking That DIR. Embree Be
Returned to Them.
Words Spoken in His Praise
Are Heartily Applauded.

If DR.. A. S. Embree needed further
vindication than the acquittaI recorded
by the official board of the First Meth
odist church Friday, the vast congre-
cation which assembled at the church
last night, furnished it,
The church has not held such a crowd
for years. The galleries were packed.
and men and women huddIed on
the stairs leading thereto. The aisles
and Railways were crowded and every
Dit of space in the large lecture room
was occupied. It was estimated that q.
900 people were present.
Every man, woman and child in the
audience stood up and voted for the
resolutions requesting the conference to
retain DR.. Embree in this passionate for
another year.
James A. Troutman made an eloquent
lions.
When Mr.. Troutman concluded his
it, he exclaimed:
IF DR.. Embree does leave Topeka.
he Will carry with him the condolences
and esteem of the 10000 people in this
city"
A solemn silence pervaded the church
Tor a moment, and then a burst of ap-
pause, emanating from timid hand
clap IN remote corner of the auditori-
IS the first time in the history of the
First church that the clapping of hands
interrupted the evening service.
AT the close of the sermon, Mr.. Trout
man walked to the pulpit from the au-
dience, and as he did so, the entire con-
gregatiOn futtered in expectancy. When
Mr.. TrOutman commenced speaking the
strictest attention was given him He
said:
Il would not change the plan of itin-
GRANGE of the Methodist church if I
could. believe that the most potential
force IN the policy of our church is the
systematic rotation of preachers. But
there are times and circumstances
winch justify modification of the
most rigid law. The end of DR.. EN-
bree'S career as pastor, under the rules
OF our church, has been reached. For
more than five years he has occupied
this pulpit and ministered to the peo-
pie of this church and congregation.
Without complaining of the rule which
legally terminates the relation of our
pastor and people, I cannot help but
regret that the prescribed period is so
short. I know that this regret is shar-
ed by the united membership of this
large church.
EARLY in DR.. Embree's ministerial
life, more than IS years ago, it was my
pleasure to form his acquaintance. I
have observed, with pride and SatiSfac-
ton, his development in all that per-
tainS to a strong, vigorous and influen-
tial public life. 1 have seen him emerge
from ObScurity to a position of COM
handing influence and power among
the ministry of this state. I have seen
him advance, by merited promotions,
from one of the humbleSt charges to the
pulpit of one of the largest and most in
tellectuaI congregations within the linn
it's of this commonwealth. In all of
these relations he has commanded the
respect and admiration of mankind by
the force of his intellect, the power of
his logic, the dignity of his demeanOr
and the purity of his life.
1.-The growing supremacy of this new
west of ours, the impetuOuS energy that
controls the people, the rapidly chang
ing conditions, offer an attractive field
to an ambitious preacher; but these
conditions impose commensurate bur
denS and responsibilities. DR.. Embree
has stated that more than 500 new
names have been added to the church
roll during his term of service. To
preach 100 sermons a year, attend so
prayer meetings and 50 Sunday schools,
Officiate at funerals and weddings and
keep up with the social duties of
constantly shifting membership of
great church, taxes the energy, the pa
thence and the grace of the most reso-
lutte and devOut Christian character.
And many of US have moved along in
our respective vOcatiOnS without offer
ing much aid or comfort to our pastor.
Il want to express my keen personal
regret that the disciplinary period of
DR.. Fmbree'S paStOrate has been reach
ed The official board is the proper
channel
the church ordinarily are conveyed, and
at the meeting tomorrow night no
doubt appropriate action will be taken,
but I am sure that this large congrega-
ton will gladly and gratefully en-
brace an opportunity for a more direct
expression of their feelings.
gully comprehending the signifi-
canoe of my words, realizing the import
of what 1 say, assert that when Dr.
Ennbree leaves this charge he will carry
with him the confidence and esteem of
all people of this city whose good will is
worth having
Mr. Troutman then presented the fol-
lowing memorial:
Under the governmental pol1cy or
the Methodist Episcopal church, Rev.
s Fnabree D. D., has served this
people the full pastoral limit, and, un-
less provision is made for his temporary
retention, he Will soon go TO announcer
1T is therefore deemed appropriate
by the congregation assembled to llsten
to his last official utterance as pastor,
that we give expression to our deep re-
great at the severance of the pleasant
and profitable relations which have ex-
listed for more than five years DIEM
bree'S lofty and simple CHRISTIAN char-
acter has furnished US an example
worthy of constant emulation; the lib
eraI and comprehensive learning, which
has marked his pulpit addresses, has
enlarged our store of useful knowledge,
and broadened our conception of the
duties of life; his earnest and devout
appeals have stimulated our purposes
to grow in Christian usefulness
IN all the difficult and exacting con-
ditions of his five years pastorate he
has maintained a high standard of
Christian manhood The benehcent in
fluence of his work has not been con-
fined to the limits of this church and
congregation, but the entire city has
been elevated by his absorbing interest
in the problems and perils of every day
life The high type of patriotism and