Arizona republican., 1901-09-02

I 1tJOlCe DeCdust or the privilege l IlfiNt had of laboring with you. It has beep the Lords work and therefore joyful. May I not say now Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice? !? And that you may thus always rejoice l exhort you to aim high. Be perfect" Fill up what is lacking in your. Chris tian character. This is very express sive. It means be matured in spiritual knowledge and in spiritual character. If you lack anything in knowledge or life. attain it. Have perfect knowledge and holiness. aim high. no; low look above. The Greeks put midway on their race course a pillar marked Make haste" Paul sets a pillar in Christian knowledge and perfection - Forgetting the things behind I press towards the mark for the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus" Look forward, not backward; go forward, not backward. "Go on to perfection Then he continues by stating that this is a high privilege--"Be encouraged or of good comfort" Your association, your likeness of nature your common nature, the same aspirations make you of strength one to another Colaborers together you are in the service of God If alone you had to seek perfection it would be difficult, but together you are pillar one to the other. It Is neces- sary, however, that there be unity and unanimity. Mind the same things 70 Let there be no partisanship or faction. The pSalmist says, Behold how pleas ant 1t is. brethren. to dwell together in unity In one faith, one purpose. ona hope. You may differ as to things of this world You have a right tC do this. but not the divine. The standard os human law is imperfect-not so the divine. Not mnding the same things" There are things commanded in the bible to guard against that lead to en- mity, hence he adds Be at peace" Let this b. your relation to all mankind. Let there be no hostility. When mem bers are at outs, one or both are ct outs with Christ. Somebody is wrong, and God knows.
 The assurance is that "The God of love and peace will be with you" Fol low the text and there will be no doubt about this. and when done with earth we will all meet in heaven.
 Brothers, sisters, we have learned to love you in our short stay, and part with you leaving regrets. You have been kind and generous, and for all your ministrations of love We feel deep- ly grateful. And now in parting we can only say: Finally, brethren. fare II. The God of peace smile upon and bless you. and if we meet no more on earth may We meet in the city of God
 The members of the congregation were deeply affected by the reading of this message, and there were few dry yes in the room at the conclusion.
 Mir HauXhurst who conducted the communion service, made appropriate remarks for the occasion, after which the following resolutions were read and adopted by standing vote:
 Whereas, our beloved pastor, Bro. w. D, Rice has been admonished by fail ing health to cease from his labors in the Masters vineyard for a season, and in consequence has rendered his resig- nation as ,he pastor of this church. and V Whereas, he will soon take his de- parture for the old homestead in Ken lucky, seeking rest and recuperation Therefore be it
 Resolved, That it is with sincero sor- Tow and regret tha; the church grants his request for release from his dutc; as pastor.
 Resolved, That we hereby express to our dear brother our hearty apprec!a- ton of the faithful and lasting ser vice he has rendered to the church and to the cause of Christ in the community. We remember his zeal in preaching the gospel; his devotion to every movement instituted for the be;terment of man. kind; his loving sympathy and helpful ness in all our sorrows; his ideal pas toral habors; and we rejoice in the cor dial relations ever existing between pastor and people.
 In accepting the resignation of Bro. Rice we lose from the church and the community faithful pastor. a wise teacher and leader. and a loving, sym pathetic friend and brother the men- ory of whose life among us will con tnue to be an inspiration even during the succeeding years of our separation.
 " "'N WV NNNPiS iSSttt tue utpdllUit or our beloved pastor and his devoted wife, they have the assurance that our love and our prayers will go with them. and that We shall not cease to pray that Gods richest blessings may be poured out upon them.
 Dr. Rice ie ripe scholar and a nan of broad intellect and was at once rec ognized as among the abiest men who have ever held pulpits in the city, and his departure is loss to the entire community. and will be regretted by people of all creeds and beliefs While courageous and fearless in the defense of his faith, his heart is warm toward all mankind. and he easily wins the affSc;ionSof those with whom he comes in contact, by his affability and ten- derness.
 Dr. Rice has been considered one of the foremost preachers in his church tor many years, and has held pastor-