The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1899-10-18
FAREWELL TO MR. WAY.
Representative Citizens Unite In
Farewell Reception.

Representative CltlZenS unite III
a Farewell Reception.
The gathering of some of the
friends of Rev. G.. H. Way, at the
M. E. church last Friday evening,
was all occasion very much out
of the ordinary run. While in
it's inception it was intended merely
to give the many friends of Mr.. Way
an opportunity to express their ap-
probation of his labors here during
the past two years, the evening re-
suited in an overflow of good feeling
not only to Mr.. Way and his sue
cessor, Rev. Chas. H. Stevenson,
but to the rest of mankind. Repre-
sentatives of all the evangelical
churches were present. More than
an hour was spent in introductions,
handshaking and general CONVEX
sation in the church parlors, which
were. tastefully decorated for the
occasion.
Shortly after nine clock the COM
pany was invited to occupy seats
in the main audience room of the
church, where a delightful program
of music and speechmaking awaited
them. Judge Bowers presided.
The exercises opened with "All
Hail the Power of Jesus Name" by
the congregation, followed by prayer
led by Mr.. Southwick. Judge
Bowers then made the Introductory
remarks on behalf of the member
ship of the church. He welcomed
the representatives of sister church
es and others who joined with Mr..
Ways late congregation in trying
to express how they honored and
revered the departing minister,
who had been promoted to wider
field of usefulness, by the action of
the last conference. In the name of
all the members of the church he
also welcomed the new pastor, and
pledged to him the united support
+of the congregations. He closed
with a tribute to Mr.. Way as pastor
and man, which touched a popular
cord in the hearts of all. A liberal
display of pocket handkerchiefs,
used more or less furtively, was
the visible effect of Judge Bowers
closing remarks. At this point
Mrs. A. ]. Jones sang an exquisite
solo, "Dafodils. This was the
first time that popular audience
here has had an opportunity to hear
Mrs. Jones as soloist, but we be-
lieve we voice the wish of all in
hoping it will not be the last.
Chairman Bowers then called upon
Rev. F. j. Barackman. who prefaced
his remarks by saying he had been
congratulating himself during the
evening that he was not the new
minister. He had been through
that experience and knew what it
was to feel that all eyes were turned
upon him as that important person
age, the new minister. With the
retirement of Mr.. Way he could now
complacently think of himself as the
old minister, the Nestor of the three
congregations most numerously
represented there, in point of SER
vice. Continuing, Mr.. Barackman
declared himself justified in exalt-
ing the high calling of the gospel
ministry, and called attention to the
lessons Of history from the time OF
the ancient Egyptians until now, as
showing that in all ages and in all
the nations, religion had been the
foundation of all that is true and
elevating in civilization. If this
claim be granted, it follows that the
religious leaders of every commun-
ity ought to be men not only of high
social Importance, but of high char
acter, and examples for young men
and young women to emulate. Such
a man he had found in Mr.. Way,
and he earnestly and affectionately
testified to the personal help the
after had been to him by his coun-
sci and cooperation. After pleasant
welcoming words for the new min
lister, Mr.. Barackman concluded
with the statement that Mr.. Way
had been more eloquent in his life
than in his pulpit, because nothing
could be so eloquent as life.
Rev. Henry Goodacre of the Chris
ton ob,,rob fo11orol ox~~o,,:o.,