The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1900-04-03
REV. ]. P. HOYT RESIGNS
Il THIRTY YEARS MINISTRY IND
TEN YEARS PASTORATE.
Much Regret In Cheshtrs-Letter to His
People Read April LIST.


Rev. J. 2. Hoyt, pastor of the Congre-
gatlonal church in Cheshire, has resign
ed his pastorate and his letter of resig-
nation was read last Sunday to his peo-
pie. His resignation creates great re-
gret and Mr.. Hoyt will be greatly miss
ed in Cheshire, where he has been a
pastor beloved. His letter of resigna-
ton is as follows:
To the First Congregational Church.
Cheshire, Conn.
Dear F'riends-Ten years ago the
unanimous call extended to me by the
society was unanimously confirmed by
you 1t is proper that / should commu-
nicate to you, as well as to the society,
my purpose to terminate the pastoral
relation on the approaching tenth an
niversary, July 2S, and state more fully
my reasons and plans. | presume this
announcement is a surprise to you all,
but have long contemplated it at this
time and on that date (Which is also the
anniversary of my ordination, gradua-
tion and birth) that / might be free
move my family to the south, where
some Of my children must reside and
where home and Christian work await
me. l have also felt that after ten years
it was due you that you should have
any advantage which might come from
change of pastors. l took the same
course at the end of a ten years pas
torate in former parish. The church
by a unanimous vote said NO" and l.
remained with them six years longer,
declining calls to larger churches. But
this cannot be the case here, although
I am thankful for the assurance by
l hope this is true, for can then trans
fer a united church to my successor.
God bless him, whoever he is.
l now give the formal notice required
by our contract, that this passionate will
cease July 2S. l thank the committee
for the kind invitation to supply the
pulpit after that cate, perhaps till Mo-
vember /, If l remain as long. While L
stay l know you will permit me to
speak the truth in faithfulness and love,
as in the past
Since l may preach no farewell SER
mon" let me say this: / am one who is
strongly attached toPersons and places,
and so to you and ybur homes and to
Cheshire. No one but pastor can I'M
derstand how I feel as l take this step,
knowing that it will soon separate me
from my loved home, work and people,
and perhaps, for a time, from the active
1t seems almost like laying down my
life for my friends (for the ministry is
as my life) that they may now be bet
ter served by another. I am grateful
for thirty years of continuous service in
my three pastorates and for the blessed
memories of those who have been par
ishioners and friends, which will abide
forever.
Particularly am / thankful for this
pastorate in this historic church and
place, and for acquaintance with those
living on earth and in heaven whom we
have known. For all the ties that have
united us, for our experiences together
of joy and sorrow, for the friendship
formed never to be broken, for the kind
ness shown, for the generous expression
of good will, for the harmony which to
an unusual degree has prevailed here,
and which, l believe, will attend this
pastorate to it's close, l am profoundly
grateful to God.
This is the longest pastorate in this
church that any of you remember. /
have given you the prime Of my life and
the best of myself. One-half the pres
emit members of this church have been
received by me, and nearly as many
have gone into eternity. You know how
[ have realized that woe is me If I
preach not the gospel" 50 that those 4,
who hear may be prepared for eternal
life with God as we'll as happy, useful
Christian life on earth.r We will never
forget these ten years, and in eternity
we may review them together. Has
all been as we shall wish it had been
chen?
God grant that, forgiving and forgiv-
an, purified and perfected and saved by
grace, we may all meet to part no more
God bless you all and always
Your affectionate pastor,
JAMES PHILLIPS HOYT.
Cheshire, Conn, April /, 1900.
A local paper says there We're many
of friendship, good will and
affection when the resignation was read
% the society, which were conveyed to
Mr. Hoyt by the committee. He was
invited to supply the pulpit after his
takes effect The Cheshire
church has had twenty-three pastors.
The terms of the first two covered q
period of nearly a century-Mr. Hoyts
)astorate Is the longest in this century.
Unless he accepts a call at the north,
lie is planning to move south in the
all, to Atlanta, Ca, and join his chill
lren there.
BOUGHT BY e. R. MARSH.