The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-10-04
LOSES ITS PASTOR.
DR.. Gunnison's Letter
Of Resignation
Presented.
he WILL LEAVE NOVEMBER |.
Resolutions Adopted and
Arrangements Made For
a Reception.
.HE WILL LEAVE NOVEMBER /.

AT a meeting OF the FIRST UNIVERSAL
list church parish, last night, it was
voted to accept the resignation of Rev
DIR. Almon Gunnison, given to the
church several days ago. A large num-
Der of the people of the parish were
at the meeting, and all expressed their
sorrow at losing man and pastor
who has endeared himself to the people
of the church and of the city.
Following Is the letter given to the
trustees Of the church by DR.. Gunnison;
Dear Brethren-I return to your
hands the pastoral charge of the First
Untversalist church, and resign the pas
torate which have held for nearly ten
years. / do this because / am called
to another field Of work. one which
has special claims upon me, and in
which l am perhaps Of greater service
than in the pastorate which 1 now hold.
will be pleased If the parish will ac-
cept my resignation, that / may be free
to enter upon my new duties Nov. l.
Il cannot close the very pleasant re-
lations l have held with the board of
trustees without expressing my graft
tude for it's great kindness to me. 1t
has always given me the most tender
anticipating, my every wish. In the
very close association l have had with
the present and past members of the
board l have found them not only
Jealous for the interests of the church
they represented, but high minded and
honorable in all their deliberations. ]
shall ever hold them among my most
valued and esteemed friends.
The parish in all the departments of
its work has been more than kind to
ME; generous in it's provisions for my
welfare, charitable to my shortcomings,
ever solicitous for the happiness of my
self and family. 1t has co-operated with
me in my work and has made my pas
torate delightful to me. / have never
received any unkind word or act from
any member of the parish, and in many
ways have been made to feel that my
labors have not been without appre-
citation.
II have loved Worcester and the
courtesy which 1 have had from my
parish l have also received from the
citizens at large. 1 have enjoyed the
personal friendship Of the clergy and
have received generous welcome in all
the churches. 1t is with great sadness
of heart that l give up associations
which have been precious and close my
work as pastor. l shall miss greatly
the love which a pastor has and shall
be very sad because there will be none
that l can call my own people | have
no doubt you will wisely select my sue
cessor. trust that he will be catholic
in spirit, a man of ability and repute
who will have sympathy and help for
every good cause. You are united
strong and hopeful and your largest
triumphs are before you. / shall es-
( TEEN it a great happiness If l shall
have a place for little time in the re-
membrane of the parish and city
where / have toiled through, / trust,
not unfruitful years, and their success
and happiness will ever be my great
joy.
With gratitude and love I am very
truly your, pastor and friend
Almon Gunnison
After rho reading of the letter from
DR.. Gunnison, different members of the
church made short speeches on the
work of the pastor in the church ard
community during his labors in this
city, and the resignation was accepted
and the following resolutions were
passed.
In receiving the resignation of Rev.
DR.. Gunnison, the pastor of this church.
which we do with profound regret, we
wish to place on our records our appra-
citation oil his Christian character, his
worth as d citizen of Worcester and his
work as q pastor of t . church. There.
fore, resolved, that his daily walk in
this parish and in this community has
been that OF a Christian gentleman, and
Resolved, that he has taken a position
on all moral questions before the public
that has secured for him the confidence
and the respect of all classes of citi-
zens Of whatever sect or creed, and
Resolved, that as pastor and frieua
he has been sympathetic, wise and Judi
cious ard has won the hearts of all the
people, and
Resolved, that we congratulate the
trustees OF the st. Lawrence university
upon their choice of a president, and as
sure them that we give him up to this
broader field of work for our beloved
church, with confidence that his ability
and devotion will bring increased sue
cess to that institution.
Signed by the trustees of the church.
Edward j. Commings, Charles L. Gates,
G. Fl Plnkhanl, Robert w. Clifford d.
J. Rugg, r. M. Clark and A. E. Newton.
A committee was also appointed to
make arrangements for a reception tn
Dr. Gunnison before he leaves. After
the business meeting a supper and en-
tertainment was given in the vestry of
the church.
DR.. Gunnison came to this city apout
10 years ago and has in that time quilt
the First Universalist church up to
what 1t IL today. Since coming to this
city lie has taken an active part in ey-
cry and all labors for the right, and it
is with genuine regret that the people
of Worcester see him leave for his new
neld Of labor as president of the ST
Lawrence university