The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-10-01
MIR. POTEATs RESIGNATION
Accepted by Calvary Baptist Church
 Last Night

Accepted by Calvary Baptist Church
 Last Night. The regular covenant meeting of the Calvary Baptist church was held in the lecture room of the church last night. Three new members for baptism were taken in and three by letter. There were also two dismissed by letter, At the conclusion of the regular meeting 0 business meeting was held for the pur- pose of taking action upon the resigna- tion presented by the pastor, Rev. F. M. Poteat. The church moderator, Giles Potter, presided, while H. c. Warren acted as clerk The meeting was well attended and the room was crowded. w. H. Douglass moved that, since it was the sincere desire of the pastor that such action be taken, his resigna- tion be accepted. The motion was sec- onded by Robinson Thompson. Both men regretted that such duty should be necessary, but said that they felt it should be done since their pastor was evidently under the direction of God in accepting the call presented to him.
 The motion was passed by the members of the church.
 Dr. D. J. Walker then offered for adoption by the meeting an expression of the feeling of the church body to- wards their pastor. It was supported by W, H. Douglass and adopted unani- mously by rising vote. The express sion follows:
 Calvary Baptist church, in receiving and accepting the resignation of it's pastor, the Rev. F. M. Poteat, does so with the keenest regret, and we wish to express our sincere appreciation of his faithful, efficient and spiritual minis trations among us and our deep sorrow at his departure. The united service of pastor and people begun in the wisdom of God ten years ago, is now, we must believe, by that same divine wisdom brought to close by the leadings of the spirit. So we abide by Gods will.
 Tn the ten years of this united ser vice for the cause of Christ what hath God wrought?' Indeed this union of pastor and people has been conspicu- ously blessed. Discarding many means and methods of the world that are so frequently made available in church work, we have been led by our pastor into strong spiritual life, which has grounded us more solidly in a faith in a personal and ever present Christ. As some of the fruits of this united service, we can place tonight at the feet of our Master an increased and still increasing membership; a more conse- | crated and larger interest in the spread of the knowledge of God among all the peoples and nations of the world; an active and fruitful participation in the alleviation of human suffering and the elevation of the moral life in our com | munity; and, in our own church and individual hearts, spiritual awaken ing that has brought us more into the 1 likeness of our spiritual head, Christ Jesus.
 And should we think or say that these are all, we deceive ourselves, for future time and later eternity when the hearts of all men shall be revealed, will bring to our wondering gaze the rich gleanings of the harvest of fast ings prayers and labors of love which now lie in Gods great storehouse of hidden secrets.
 We pray that the blessings of God may rest upon him and his dear house. hold, and that all their lives may be tenderly watched and guarded from the evil of the world
 Our prayers shall follow him to the field of his labors, and we ask that the | prayers which he has offered without ceasing in the past may in the time to come be continued in our behalf" Julius Twiss moved that committee of three be appointed to assist the church in securing a new pastor The following committee was appointed: w. H. Douglass, w. A. Spalding and G. A. Mirick
 At the conclusion of the meeting Rev. MT. Poteat was called in and informed of the action of the church. The ex- precision of sentiment, which will be placed upon the books of the church. was also presented to him. MT. Poteat thanked the church heartily because it had kindly acceded to a request which he did not believe he should have made except under the divine guidance of heaven. He made a short, effective talk which brought tears to the eyes of many of the people present. After singing God be With You Till We Meet Again" the meeting was brought to a close with a prayer by the pastor.
 The resignation is to take effect Octo- Der 6, upon which night will be held a farewell reception. MT. Poteat will leave on the 7th for his college, Wake Forrest, in North Carolina, where he will deliver a series of sermons. He will begin his work in the Memorial Baptist church, Philadelphia, to which he has been called, October 21.