The Newtown bee., 1900-04-06

\ AAAAPAAgaE eF ~~~T-
 MFL LURNTIAL l. LAPAsToR.-soME OF THl ~I I-...G GOOD WORK HE HAS ACGoMPLTsHEI
 DURING AN ACTIVE PASTORS WORE
 DURING THIRTY YEARS IN THIS STATE
 HIS FUTURE PLANS. s.a. ..--- ss#a.s s ! Sunday, April |, Rev J. P. Hoyt re
 signed the pastorate of the CoDgre
 gational church of Cheshire. The res ig' nation was read as follows
 To the First Congregational Church,
 Ches hire, Conn.,,
 Dear Friends Ten years ago the unanimous call extended to me by the so- ciety was unanimously confirmed by you. I It is p-opsr that should communicate
 Q you, ss well as to the society, my pur- pose to terminate the pastoral reletion on the approaching 10;h anniversary, July 2s, and state more fully my reasons and plans. l presume this announcement Is surprise to you all. but have long ] c Intemplated it at this time, and on that ! date which is also the anniversary of my
 "dination, graduation and birth), that I ! night be free either to accept another call or to remove my family to the south where some of my children must resi idle gorwhere home and Christian work await me. I have also felt that after ten years 1t was due you that you should have any advantage which might come from change of pastors. 2
 took the same course at the end of a I ten years pastorate in g former parish: The church by 8 unanimous vote said ! ssNo," and I remained with them six years longer, declining calls to larger churches. But this cannot be the case here, although am thankful for the as- surances by those you and trust that all are my friends. hope this is true, for can then transfer 6 united church to ny successor. now give the forms notice required by our contract that this psstorate will cease July 2S. thar k the committee for the kind invitation to supply the pulpit after that date, perhapa till November l, if remain as long. While I stay know you will permit me to speak the truth in faithfulness and love ss in the past.
 Since may preach no flare well ser mon," let me say this: am one who i. strongly attached to persons and places, and 80 to you and your homes and to Cheshire.
 No one but pastor can understand how feel as I take this step, know ng that it will soon separate me from my loved home, work and people, and per. haps for time from the active ministry. It seems almost like laying down my life for my friends (for the ministry is ss my iife), that they may now be better served by another. God bless him, whoever he is.
 uous service in my three pastorates, and for the blessed memories of those who have been parishioners and friends which will abide forever. Particularly am I thankful for this pastorate in this histor- ie church and place, and for acq uaintsnce with those living on earth and In heaven. whom we have here known. For all the ties that have united us, for our expert ences together of joy and sorrow, for the friendships formed never to be broken, for the kindness shown, for the generous expressions Of good will, for the harmony which to an unusual degree has prevail ed here and which believe will attend this pastorate to it's close, I am pro- foundly grateful to God.
 This is the longest pastorate in this church that any of you remember. I have given you the prime of nay life and the best of myself. One half the present members of this church have been re- ceived by me and nearly as many have gone into eternity. You know how I have res lized that awoe is me if I preach not the gospel" so that those who hear may be prepared for eternal life with God az well as happy, useful Christ ian life here on earth. We will never forget these 10 years and in eternity we may review them together. Has all been as we shall wish 1t had been then?
 God grant that forgiving, and forgiven. purifiea perfected and saved by grace, we may meet to part no more. God bless you all and always. Your affeetionate pastor,-[James Phillips Hoyt, Cheshire, Conn.,, April l, 1900.
 The above resignation seems to us worthy of editorial comment. If pastor and people must part, it is pleasant to see the relations begun, continued and