The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-01-30
FAREWELL TO A PASTOR.
Friends Pay Their Respects to Rev
and Mrs. George e. SOper.

Friends Pay Their Respects to Rev.
and Mrs. George e. SOper.
The ecclesiastical council representing
the different Congregational churches in
st. Paul met in the parlors of Plymouth
church yesterday afternoon at o'clock
Tor the purpose of reviewing the ministry
of the Rev. George E. Soper and taking
some action in regard to his departure
from st. Paul. DR.. S. G. Smith was
chosen moderator The council listened to
the reading of extracts from the Ply
mouth church records to resolutions
passed by the church and to statements
made by Deacon j. D. Humphrey. Mr..
Soper spoke briefly, stating the conditions
and circumstances which led to his res
ignation after receiving the call to Dan
bury, Conn. The following committee
was appointed by the moderator to pre-
sent the findings of the council Rev. c..
b. Moody, DR.. George r. Merrill and Rev.
E. S. Presley. The following report was
submitted by the committee and unan-
imously adopted by the council
The Rev. George Edmond Soper came to
this Oldest church of our order in ST. Paul
In a time Of hesitation encouragement
and doubt his ministry of two years has
peen marked by courageous faith, indomit-
able energy and a quiet persistence that
nave changed doubt to hope. discourage
ment to expectation and hesitation to a
firm purpose Of cheerful prosecution of the
work of>the church.
In all this endeavor Mrs Soper has been
the worthy helpmeet of her husband,
and the fruit of their work is apparent in
the present attitude of the church.
In the large interests of our work in the
state and in those forms of service in
which all Christians are united their con-
trtbution of counsel and effort have been
generous and most valuable
We commend Mr.. Soper to the churches
uhcr,a 1,oi . h.
soc1ated as a man to be trusted. whose
service and aid may be counted on In
every good work, as a faithful and sym
pathetic pastor, a wise and efficient adj
nlinistrator, and an earnest herald of the
good news Of Jesus Christ.
,Whe unite our prayer for Plymouth
church that gives thanks to God for the
spirit of cheer and hope that has come
into 1t through Mr. Soper's labors, it may
press on, under the new leadership that
shall be given it to the accomplishment
OF the work appointed it to do in this city.
The quarterly meeting of the ST. Paul
Christian Endeavor union was held last
evening at the House of Hope church.
Harry Pashley, president of the City
union, presided OF special moment was
the meeting from the fact that the Rev.
George e. Soper, who, during his eight
years residence in Minnesota, has been
closely connected with the work Of the
union, bade formal farewell last evening
".
dresses were prefaced by a song service
led by G. ]. Hunt. The audience, large
one, representing the various C. E. unions
In the city, Joined in the service A. T.
Goth spoke on what Endeavor Has
Accomplished" treating of the work both
locally and nationally. Miss Frances E.
Nicoll spoke on What the Missionary
Committee Can Do and Ernest Wright
gave brief but vigorous address ON
What the Prayer Meeting Committee
Can Do Rev. Carl w. Scovel told What
Endeavorers Can Do to Promote Religion
in the Home Though the home is the
place We all look back to- said Mr.
Scovel, parental training Is not every
thing. Parental Partially sometimes
spoils child, whereas buffeting with the
world often strengthens him. We need
strong young men and strong young wom-
en- to do Christian work. We are glad
to find the strongest types Of physical
manhood and womanhood in the Christian
Endeavor societies. j. F. Starkey sang
'fOne Sweetly Solemn Thought" after
which Mr.. Soper made a brief address,
speaking in a general way Of the Chris
tan Endeavor work and particularly of
the National Christian Endeavor union
meeting held recently in Philadelphia. "It
has been said that the chief charac-
teristics of the Christian Endeavor union
Is tndC II cOHCTeCeS rellSlOn, said Mr..
Soper. THE young people today are
ignoring denominational differences and
are forgetting abstract theories In prac-
tfcal work. They are not working to get
to heaven, but are working to get heaven
here" In conclusion Mr.. Soper thanked
tho society for the aid and friendship 1t
had given him In his work and wished it
as earnest "Godspeed.'
After the meeting there was an informal
reception in order that those present
might have chance to bid Mr. Soper
good bye.
Rev. George E. Soper and Mrs. soper
leave this morning for their future home
in Danbury, Conn.
The Christian Endeavorers of ST. Paul
are invited to attend in body a Chris
tan Endeavor rally to be held In Mime
apelis Monday evening, Feb. 8, a. the
Hennepin Avenue NJ E. church. DR..
Meldrum, of the Central Presbyterian
church,, will deliver the principal address.