Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1901-10-31
REV. DIR. ROBERTS, RESIGNATION.
Pastor Finds no Reasons For withdraw
ing 1t and 1t Is ACcepted.


An adjourned meeting of the First Bap-
tist church was held last evening to lar
the report of the ommitte which wa
appointed at a previous meeting to ask
the pastor, Rev. DR.. w. S. Roberts, to
withdraw his resignation The follow
ing letter from DR.. Roberts was read:
Burlington. VT. Oct 30. 1901.
To the First Baptist Church.
Dear Brethren:-The action of the
church asking me to reconsider my rc.Ig-
nation was duly reported to me by your
committee.
At your request I have carefully gone
over the facts affecting the case, and TO
not find any new light such as would jus
tify a change of purpose.
Your love and esteem, so plainly mani
fest, / highly prize and fully reciprocate.
My belief is firm that in years to come
you Will look upon my action In retiring
at this juncture as timely and wise.
May heaven S richest Blessing abide with
the church. and rest upon the pastor WHO
shall take up the work that / lay down.
Most sincerely yours,
WILLIAM SHIELDS ROBERTS.
The following resolutions were proposed
and unanimously adopted:
Burlington, VT, oct. 30, 1901,
Whereas, our pastor, Rev. w. S. Rob
erts, D.. D., after ten years of faithful
and efficient service as pastor OF TINS
church, and upon deliberate and prayer
full consideration, and, as he believes. .he
direction OF the Holy Spirit, mas rendered
his resignation. therefore,
Resolved. That 1t IL witn deep regret
that we learn of his decision to take this
step; but, remembering that the hanN cc
God may be in this. w yieiu 20 Tim VINO
guides all events, and with reluctance ac-
cede to the wishes Of our pastor.
Resolved, That We highly appreciate hi-
great ability as a preacher of sound doc
trine. For ten years he has declared unto
us the counsel of God. His clear, fearless
and forcible presentation OF the truI.:.
his sympathy and love ~ q pastor, and
his manifestation at all times, not only
of a deep concern for the spiritual wei
fare of the members of the church, but
also for the salvation of the impt nite:-
in our community, has endeared him ia
our hearts.
Resolved, That we commend his strong
ana fearless championship of temperanc ,
and that We heartily endorse the attitude
that he has taken in this great cause.
Resolved, That, in parting, our kindcst
wishes and most earnest prayers attend
him and his beloved wife; that they MAY
be abundantly blessed in all temporal and
spiritual things; and that. In the field o.
which he may be called, he may be EN-.
nently successful in winning souls t
Christ, and the upbuilding of Gods kin.
dom in the community.
Resolved. That a copy of these resolu
tons be presented to our pastor. and thai
they be also spread upon the re or
Of the church, and that copies he sent t.
the local press, and to u denominations
journals for publication.
DIR. Roberts action in this important
matter will indeed be regretted. not only
by the members of his church, but by b,
community at large, for his influence wi /
the people, and his steadfast labor to lca
all classes to more righteous living haV,
been keenly felt and appreciated.
n pulpit committee, consisting of II a.
con w. Crane, d. G.. Crane, G.. J. Fcrgu.
son, Mrs. b. j. Andrews, Mrs. \. B. ii.
monds, Thomas Rose, and Deacon ID. j
Honi, was chosen to supply the pulp
and to the church IA success r
to the retiring pastor. The meeting the,
adjourned Indefinitely.