The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-09-19
DIR. ]. E. MITCHELL RESIGNS
OFFERS HIS RESIGNATION 4 4FTER
 SERMON YESTERDAY AK.
Greatly surprised-Pastor

Congregation Greatly Surprised-Pastor and People Connected for Thirteen
 Years-Need of Rest Has Caused His
 ture-Meeting of the Church To-nighs
 to Take Action.
 At Dwight Place church yesterday morning, after his sermon, the Rev. Dr. J. B. Twitchell surprised his congregation by presenting his resigna- ton, to take effect on or near Noyem- Der l. Dr. Twitchell feels that he needs rest after his laborious duties as the pastor of Dwight Place church, and this has caused him to present his res- lgnation. A meeting of the church is called for tonight, when the resigna- t1on will be acted upon. As to his fu- ture he has made no plans further than that he intends to complete some lit- erary work which has remained unfln- 1shed for a number of years During the summer, while spending vacation in Cleveland, an old congregation, over whom he had preached for thirteen years, were very eager that he should return to them. Dr. Twitchell says that he does not think of accepting, at least for the present. The evening ser vice, at which Dr. Twitchell spoke of the power of devotion, not in it's relig- 1rYt fN ryI.~ begun, was largely attended. This was the first evening service since the sum- mer. The resignation, which tells it's own story, is as follows:
 TN, . New Haven, Conn, Sept. 15, 1898. Dearly Beloved-In the month of April. 1885. it pleased you to call me from our pleasant home and prosperous work in Bos- jTs SSn to % assume the pastorate of this church; me to come to you nothing doubMng,'' and on the first Sabbath of June, that year, our mutual work for the Master began. have been linked so. closely together, God has given us to walk in ways of pleasant ness and paths of peace,"' Our. communion with one another and with Christ has been full of comfort and courage as we have seen the work of the Lord prosper in eyl- dence of answered prayer.
 cate the word of the Psalmist sBehold selb1 how good and pleasant 1t is for brethren to dwell together in unity" Thus 1t has been with us; and l would gratefully bear testi- officers of the church in all my suggestions as to church work or worship. '.Unani- nous has been our watchword; and prac- as to all its action. As result of these conditions, with scarce an interruption, we have hay had . a goodly measure, of prosperity,
 
 and blessing all human effort is vain We have sat together in the house of God and the marriage altar, where hope hangs her garlands, and in the house of mourning, where faith finds full expression; have la know not % christi that they might f thHsd nd M Mha as their personal Savior. Our theme has been The Fatherhood of God and Broth erhood of Man.
 1 ann conscious of many imperfectaons in my ministry among you, and for you; but can truly say that have sought to lead you into large and ever-enlarging expert In the end, when we find these years pass ing in review, we shall see that they have been somewhat of inspiration towards holy Ewing, and have wrought in us something of the Christ spirit-a spirit which makes men kind, charitable, sympathetic and helpful of one another-can also truly say Rat eave soS Sss nG gsar Dus home has made me glad, and that whatever sorrow has fallen to your lot has stirred my deepest sympathy, " and caused me to seek sympathizing Father and Friend. It is i'm possible but that it should be hard to end such services, and sever such relations for, of all the relations of earth, none is to be guarded with more unSelfsh solicitude or severed without cause which the Master can approve.
 been permitted to preach the glad tidings of the gospel of the grace of God; have never been a day in all these years with out pastorate; and I have had I am sure more joy and less sorrow than fall to the lot of most of my ministerial brethren. It would be an exceeding pleasure for me to spend as many more years in the same warns me of duty to rest, and probably for a, while seek change of climate, whore, though not forgetting the old, new scenes This change has been under prayerful con- sideration for more than three years; and my res resignation was as written a above e. i've i've various reasons, chiefly that, If possible, I might not mistake the will of God.
 Feeling now. that owe 1t to myself and and labors of this large parish, hereby resign my pastorate of this church, to take effect on, or near the first of November next; and l call q meeting of the church, to be held in the chapel tomorrow fMonday) evening, at quarter before o'clock, for the acceptance of this resignation; suggest Ting that the deacOns Of the church in con- nection with the pastor be appointed com. mttee to arrange for the dissolution of the pastoral relations in accordance with Con gregational usage.
 Assuring you now of my personal interest in every member of the church--young and old alike-and in all who are accustomed to worship here; also of my prayers and hopes for the continued prosperity of this Christian organization with which have spent thirteen and a half years of the best of D1y life-praying and hoping still further that you may be d dyinely led in the choice you will give him your united and hearty support, I shall ever remain,
 Your affectionate friend and brother in
 Christ,
 J. D. TwitchelI.