The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-11-01
THE CITY'S TRIBUTE
Reception to DR.. Gun.
nison Largely
Attended.
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH FILLED
Testimonials To His Worth
By the Best Men Of
the City.

Rev. DIR. Almon Gunnison's decade as
pastor OF First Unlversalist church was
ended last night, when his congrega-
ton, the presidents of two Worcester
educational institutions, members OF
the clergy and Mayor Rufus B. Dodge,
Jr., speaking for the city's 10000 resi-
dents, gave expression to the deepest
feelings Of heart and soul, in eloquent
eulogisms.
Through three hours, DR.. Gunnison
sat upon the PLATFORM Of the pulpit
from which he has guided thousands
of souls, and calmly listened to the no.
blest tributes ever paid a retiring min-
lister of a Worcester church. When
Henry F. Harris, member of the
church, and DR.. Gunnisons friend in
boyhood, presented a purse Of gold and
watch, coupled with a speech couched
in terms of reverence DR.. Gunnison
responded with the same keen insight
into the affairs of heart and soul that
has characterized his pulpit service in
this city.
In the remembrances of his parish
toner's was love for his wife which
Dr. Gunnison heard voiced by Mr.. Har-
ris, and when a pearl brooch was placed
in his care for deliverance to Mrs. Gun
nison, there was a blot upon the pages
OF happiness that Mr.. Harris predicted,
and when Mrs. Gunnison's illness was
referred to, DR.. Gunnison's head was
bowed and his voice wavered under
the strain, as he said: MY wife's ina
bility to share this testimonial of
your good wishes is the one shadow
upon my presence here tonight"
At $50 o'clock the church parlors re-
ceived their influx of parishioners, and
until o'clock there was an informal
farewell to DR.. Gunnison. In the surg
ing crowds that pressed forward to
clasp DR.. Gunnisons hand and wish
him "godspeed," were men represent
ing every phase in the higher life Of
the city.
The opening of the formal farewell
in the auditorium Of the church began
at O'Clock. On the platform were the
speakers and DR.. Gunnison, whose pres
ence was his last in the pulpit of First
Universalist church as its pastor. After
the organ voluntary and selection by
the church quartet, Henry F.. Harris.
chairman Of the reception committee.
and the presiding officer, said:
During Dr. Gunnisons passionate, he
has proven broad enough to extend his
work outside the church, and today,
more than 100000 people lose him. The
church alone does not regret his de-
parture. was schoolmate Of DR..
GunniSon. He was the foremost
scholar, the most earnest temperance
worker, the most proficient athlete and
the best practical joker of the educa-
tional institution we attended. These
talents have combined and moulded a
man capable of filing the presidency
Of st. Lawrence university, and for this
the church extends congratulations aud
the city will be
PROUD OF IT'S FORMER PASTOR"
Mayor Dodge said: when DR.. Gun
nison hears of the good things we had
IN store for him, he may regret his de-
parture. We had intended to send DR..
Gunnison to congress.
IN speaking for Worcester, a tribute
to DR.. Gunnison, say of him. without
fattery that If there are people in this
city, who do not regret his departure
have yet to find them.
The universal opinion is that DR.
Gunnison's departure will mean loss
to the city, but in his new position,
there will be greater opportunities for
him, and his success will be CORE
spondingiy greater We who know the
sterling worth of DIR. Gunnison can
congratulate the people in whose midst
he is to co.
Rev. DR.. Archibald McCullagh,
pastor of Plymouth church, and a
former fellow pastor of a Brooklyn
church With DR.. Gunnison, said "Wor-
cester has been honored by the selec-
ton of one It's pastors for the presid-
ency OF his alma mater. Here he will
mould the faith and shape the life of
the student body, and there can be no
nobler work The pages of history
show that one man can accomplish
much. John Wesley, Martin Luther,
John Knox, William of Orange, Oliver
Cromwell, George Washington and
Abraham Lincoln are examples of this.
Take away from nation it's good
men and you have stripped it of its
surest safeguard. The glory of a city
is not in it's industries, but in the char
aeter Of its citizens. This city has had
in DR.. Gunnison a man who is through
and through a man. In the midst of
the great Brooklyn preachers DIR. Tai
mage. DR.. Schuyler and others, Dr.
Gunnison was not lost We have diff
fered in opinions, but not in feelings,
and no one is happier than myself in
witnessing the reward Of DR.. Gunni-
sons 81 years of public life, so mag
nificent in it's results"
PROF. G. STANLEY HALL,
president of Clark university, said: II
have been more and more impressed
with the weight falling upon the
shoulders of successful pastor. He is
a shepherd of souls, a. true mentor, tu-
dicious, sagacious, and must be able
in public TO unfold the work of others
"Dr. Gunnison is the living embodi-
ment Of all the perquisites of an ideal
minister. The level of this profession,
! believe, is higher in Worcester than
in any other city Of it's size in America
There are few cities in the country
where there is such standard Of elo-
quence. Only a few years ago, DR..
Conaty fulfilled expectations. 1t gives
us specific pride to know that others
look for leaders in our city. His min
istry will be larger outside the church
lllIuI.