The Republican journal., 1900-02-01
I,a!.!Q!,||I+!l!|'EI1i3 4

Stephenson, George Cochran. Robert Coch-
ran, Peter Cochran, John Cochran, John
Young, Job Young, John Osborn, Josiah
Dillingham;, 1chabod Clark, Elisha Clark,
Nathaniel Eels, Robert Miller, James
Cannon, Robert Steel and Jonathan
White
The following is a copy of the Letter
of the Committee appointed by the town
to wait on Mr.. Ebenezer Price and notify
him of his call to the ministry dated Bel
fast Sept. 10th, 1896.
To Ebenezer Price A. B.
Preacher of the Gospel.
The People of the Town of Belfast wish
health, grace and peace
We being fully sensible of our discon
while destitute of a spiritual guide, feel
ing ourselves and offspring deprived of
rich and peculiar blessings so long as we
are destitute of a regular church of
Christ, the stated dispensation of the
word and the administration of the ordi
nanees of the gospel, and viewing our
selves candidates for Immortality, duty
calls on us to use our ability and exert
our most jealous endeavors to obtain
those spiritual blessing and privileges
which Christ our Saviour hath provided
in the gospel We, therefore, make known
! to you, dear sir, our situation.
tIat
have laboured with us in word and doc
trine and We view it the smiles of provi
dence that YOU have been led to this part
of the viney ard of our Lord to us who are
scattered like sheep upon the mountains
without shepherd You have by your
public labours, private walk, doctrine,
J example and by the testimonials of others
recommended yourself to us as a faithful
ambassador of Christ which demand our
, affection. respect and reverence. Ever
since our first acquaintance the eyes of
the people have been upon you that you
! should be set over them in the Lord; and
, It's the general voice and united desire
and prayer that should there be church
gathered here according to the rules of
, Christ you should take the pastoral care
of this church and people, to be ordained
! over them and spend your days for their
? spiritual interest in the high and holy
calling of a gospel minister, that we may
no longer be as sheep going astray sub
, ject to be devoured by wolves, but that
Gv,l fa;+ f,1 -
, spiritual guide, one who will naturally
care for us, who will deliver to us the
doctrines of the gospel with plainness
, and simplicity, whose talents may be i'm
proved for our editication, whose words
balm for the wounded in spirit, whose
, example our pattern and whose season
able admonitions our preservation from
, error, that we may walk together while
: nances of the gospel and be prepared to
sit in Christ's kingdom forever.
: That you, dear sir, may your way
clear 10 manifest your acceptance of this
when gathered and congregation in the
town of Belfast is our general, ferve t,
and humble prayer TO Almighty God But
as we expect of you spiritual things we
=, would i'll like manner minister to your
a wants in carnal things. (Then follows
the offer of the town in respect to settle
ment and salary.)
We submit this call and these propos-
, ais to your serious and solemn considera-
ton, beseeching God to direct you in.the
p path of duty particularly in this most i'm
. portant matter and that be would grant
that whatever be your determination we
r. may acquiesce in the dispensations of his
o providence.
s Signed by Samuel McKeen, John Coch.
. ran, Tolford Durham and Alexander
q Mcmillan.
Mr.. Prices answer.
To THE SOCIETY AND PEOPLE OF BEL.
FAST
!, DEAR AND BELOVED:
'Tis now considerable time since re-
:, ceived by the hand of your committee q
call and proposals to settle with you ir
tie gospel ministry. Sensible of youl
situation l feel myself under obligation
as soon as possible to make known to you
9 the result of my reflections on this SOL
emn and important subject. 1t is sub
;, ject of the greatest moment both to you
and me because in it each of our souls
- eternal interest is materially concerned =
On the decision am called to give, mucl
e is depending, as it must be attended with
;, endless consequences and because from il
), the glory and honor of Christ's kingdom
are inseparable. Therefore, with what
i reverence, caution and assurance of duty
- ought | to decide, lest | wrong my owr
soul and mar the divine glory--Accord-
ing to the clearest light and helps | have
y been able to obtain from a prayerfu en-
!, quiry and the most mature deliberatior
= providence directs to receive the call OF
= the Society of Belfast as the call of God
n i do therefore, relying on God in ODE.