Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-09-15

To Atlanta Journal:
1t was my privilege to be in the great
congregation which assembled at the
Baptist church last Sunday night in a
farewell service. The pastors and con-
gregations of the other churches were
present, joining with the Baptist
church in their tokens and expressions
of love, confidence, and kindly feeling
towards Brother Bealer and his wife.
Rev. Mr.. White, pastor of the Pres
byterian church, was master of cere-
monies. After the song and prayer, he
read the Psalm beginning: How good
and how pleasant it is for brethren
to dwell together in unity" and that
verse furnished the keynote Of the
meeting, for fraternal love and kindly
feeling were never more manifest in
any audience in Gainesville.
Rev. Mr.. Yarbrough, pastor Of the
Methodist church, spoke first of Broth
er Bealer as a cO-pastor, saying many
things of his fidelity, Christian courte-
sy and unselfish devotion to duty.
Then the chairman of the meeting
called on me, and it gave me great
pleasure to speak of Brother and Sis
ter Bealer, first, as our neighbors.
We live right on the banks of Jordan
the Baptist church and pastorium be-
ing Immediately in front of our home.
Brother Bealer was our nearest neigh
Dor, and if there is a better neighbor
in the world than Alex Bealer it is
Alex Dealers wife, for Alex, like my
self. is web connected by marriage,
for no sweeter, kindlier, more conSecra-
ted Christian woman has ever lived
neighbor to us than Sister Bealer. We
look over now on the vacant pastorium
of the Baptist church and feel that we
have lost something we esteemed very
highly-the neighborly kindness and
bright faces of Brother and Sister
Bealer and their sweet little children.
1 spoke of Brother Dealers devotion to
work. A more laboriOus, unselfish pas
tor the Baptist church has never had.
Then Judge Foute, a deacon in his
church, arose and bore testimony, at
the call Of the chairman, to the love.
confidence, and esteem of the church
for Brother Bealer. Rev. Mr.. White,
chairman of the meeting, closing the
talks of the evening in a most pathetic
way, winding up his words C. cheer
and confidence, as he turned TO Brother
Bealer and said: Il will not say good
bye to you, Brother Bealer. 1 simply
say good evening" We viii meet over
yonder when we will say, good morn Z
ing"
Brother Bealer then arose, and in his
unique way, full Of pathos, said:
Brethren, / feel like one who has
arisen from the dead and attending his
own funeral. sitting in the audience
listening to the kindly words Of con-
fdence and love of my brethren who
came to attend my funeral. 1 thank
these brethren for all their kind words;
l thank my church for its expressions
of love and confidence. 1t is with
heart full of sadness that l bid you
good bye"
At the close of his talk I arose again,
and said. This is everybody's meet
ing, and 1 have some resolutions which
1 want to offer to the audience, as
follows:
Whereas, Rev. Alex Bealer, pastor
of the Baptist church, who has labored
so efficiently and laboriously in our
community for nearly four years, is
now about to sever his relations, not
only as pastor of the Baptist church.
but his relations to his friends ard
brethren of all the churches and Of
no churches,
"Be it resovIed, Therefore, first, That
we don't want him to go;
Secondly, We hope he will remain
pastor in our midst;
Thirdly, We will all rejoice If he
will continue his pastoral work among
us"
Then said, Now. not only Baptists,
but Methodists, Presbyterians. Episco-
palians, and plain old sinners, are
eligible to vote on these resolutions.
All in favor of the adoption of these
resolutions will rise to their feet"
There was then a spontaneous and
unanimous expression by the whole
audience rising to their feet. This was
but a testimony of an audience who
was sitting in tears. with a heart full
of love for a faithful minister who was
about to leave our midst
Brother Bealer arose again and
thanked the audience for their express
sion OF kindness and love, and said,
MY brethren, have tried to be faith
full, have been no trimmer, as l stood
to preach the Gospel to you. 1 expect
I have made enemies. but ii was
caused by the Gospel 1 have preached.
and wherever my ministry shall be,
whether 1 make enemies or not, 1 shall
ever be faithful to the truth and faith
full to the people who ought to have
the Gospel preached to them
Brother Bealer resigned his pastOrate
here some weeks ago, to take effect
September first, and his church ac-
cepted his resignation, but as the time
drew near for him to take his leave,
ana on last CdDDdLu .llOEllluBs dlHlOSl
unanimously called him to the pastor
ate of the church again, with greater
unanimity perhaps than any church
which calls their pastors ever called
a pastor. Wherever Brother Dealers
iabors may call him, should he not
accept the call back to his church in
Gainesville, we all commend him to
the love and confidence of the people
wherever he may go. His wife is
charming, consecrated Christian wom-
an, who is truly a helpmeet to her
husband in the work of the Gospel
Gainesville loves her for her real
worth. 1 have heard nothing but ex-
pressions of regret on the one side
that he goes from our midst, and ex-
pressions of hope and confidence that
he will reconsider and remain in
charge of the Baptist church for years
to come.
Our tabernacle meeting begins next
Sunday The w. and A. railroad viii
give half rates to the meeting every
day and Sunday cheaper rate Rev.
George Stuart and grand old DR.. Sui
lens, and Evangelist Ostram, with his
charming singer, Professor Hills, with
many other brothers Of note and pow