The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-12-23
MINISTER'S FAREWELL
TO REV.. Or M'CULLAGH
Continued from Page one.)

Continued from Page One)
a radical one. 1 was assisted and slim
ulated by his position on many matters.
lie has rendered a great service to the
church by adhering to the principles
Which have been long tested and found
good. Since coming to Worcester, he has
done much to develop a spirit of toll
erance among the people, and his atti-
tude has been an object to many men
Ill the ministry. l have to say that it
has bten a joy to me and an influence
on my life to have been acquainted with
Dr. McCullagh. There have never been
uncertain sounds In his words about
things which are crucial to Christian
life. 1t seems "a me that this expression,
this evening is out of the ordinary, that
the brethren who were closest connect
ed u come together in this way to eX-
press their sentiments. / desire per-
S1nally to say that ! shall, with the
greatest interest follow DR.. and Mrs.
MeCullagh and to say that in all mat
tiers which concern humanity l have
knoWn him 10 have been always true"
DIR. Scott made some amusing allus-
ion 10 the close proximity of Plymouth
and Union churches. and then called
upon DIR. futile to say few words for
his side Of the street. DR.. futile said
in part
Il am delighted with the spirit of this
occasion If there is one word which
ministers nee'i to remember, it is fell
lowship. There are some ministers who
may he able to keep in touch with the
things of the world, but from the nature
of it, there is Il certain lonesomeness in
a minister's life. When l came to Wor-
cester it was with a great desire for
that fellowship, and the first man who
spoke to me after my installation was
DIR. McCullagh. He extended to me the
freedom OF his home and his church,
and since then we have been in most
delightful communion with each other,
and do not believe that there have
been two churches in the city where
this spirit he's been so strong. Our re-
lationshipS have been most delightful,
and he las done much for me. As he
goes away from as feel much regret
at the breaking of these ties which have
been unique in Worcester l wish that
he may go away with the assurance
of our best wishes and our devotion.
We think of him going away from us,
but he still remains with us. His work
he may lay down, but he leaves him
self here in the hearts of his people and
his Congregational brethren"
Dr. Scott then alluded to the fact,
that while the dinner was given in
honor of Dr. McCullagh by the Congre-
gational ministers, yet they could not
forget the interest DR. Gunnison had
always felt in Dr. McCullagh, and he
had been invited, but was unable to be
present. A letter was read from him,
and then DR.. Scott said:
1T would be fitting to acknowledge
that MIR. Chapman is about to leave
us. also, and we ought at this time to
express our bereavement at his leaV
ing the city. Suppose we hear a few
words from him.
Rev. Mr.. Chapman expressed his
thanks at the expression of friendship,
and told of his regard for DR.. McCul-
lagh, alluding to his first trial in Wor-
cester, when DIR. McCulagh had said
he wasn't as bad as he had expected.
Dr. McCullagh was the last speaker,
and he said in substance;
my dear brethren-I feel tonight in
the position of the celebrated Father
Taylor, who got involved in a long sem
tence and couldn't get out of it
don't know how 1 got into this SEN
tence, and don't know how I'm going
to get out of it, but one thing I do
know is. that l am started for heaven
Language is a clumsy instrument to
express the finer feelings of the heart.
There is no honor that / can conceive
L
ly than this, and for the tender and
honest utterances which I have heard
from you, l cannot express my full
appreciation. l shall look back upon
this evening as a bright spot in my
life. l have never been anywhere
where 1 have enjoyed the society of
my brethren more than in the city of
Worcester. I have been acquainted
with DIR. Conrad for Is years, and for
l.
gether for so long time without fric-
tion is remarkable.
THE relations of the church to the
people has changed materially in the
last years. The church is ceasing to
be the exclusive holder of intellectual
power and has been made stronger by
the narrowing of her bounds. The
preacher now is to preach the gospel,
with such ardent faith that it will hold
up before the minds of the people the
divine certainties of Christianity. 1
apprehend the function of the preacher
is to take the unchanging principles of
the gospel and adapt them to the So
cial conditions of the time.
Il leave Worcester with the great
est regret. Since have been in the
city, my people have taken pains to
express in every way their kindness,
and since l have resigned, many some
not members of my parish, have eX-
pressed their regrets both by visits and
letters. but there is nothing that has
come to me that touches me more
deeply than this expression from you
this evening. Prosperity has come to
no pastor in the city that l have not
rejoiced. 1 am glad that Dr. Mix
is at the head of our missions and I
ask our pastors to rally to him and
help him.
II am going abroad for the purpose Of
refreshing my mind, and when l re-
turn. l shall be glad to assist any of
you by supplying in your pulpits. And
if any of you wish to know what DR..
Conrad is doing on his trip. l shall be
glad to keep you informed. 1 thank
you for this delightful occasion, and for
the grace and ability with which DIR.
Scott has presided"
At the suggestion of DR.. Scott, the
Mizpeh benedietion was repeated in
unison. and the table was vacated, each
man making point Of saying good
bye in person to DIR. McCullagh.
xufTIErI rn MANI arm