St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-01-22
REV. DR.. FAIRBANKS RESIGNS.

Anniversary with a RegFettabIe End
ing.
After a devoted pastorate of more than
% years over the South Congregational
church, Rev. DR.. Edward 7. Fairbanks
has rendered his resignation, to take
effect July Is. The announcement. which
came as complete surprise to the church,
was made at the close of the 5Oth anni-
versary exercises Wednesday evening.
The occasion had been very enjoyable
one; more than 200 members of the
church and congregation had partaken
of supper, and listened to an exception
tionally interesting program, presided
over by Dr. Fairbanks, and relating di-
rectly to the important event that was
being celebrated. But the JOY of the occa-
sion was turned to sorrow when the be-
loved pastor read the following letter:
"This is double anniversary. Fifty
years of the South church, and, within a
few days, % years of my official minis
try in it-years of mutual trust and love
and helpiulness without a ripple to dis
turb the smooth flow OF our work and
| fellowship together. l am mindful, how
ever, that even under most favoring con-
ditions a relationship so happily pro-
longed may, by virtue OF its very smooth
ness, flow unconsciously on past the limit
Of most effective usefulness. / do not
raise the question whether that limit
has been arrived at yet, but in the ma
ture of things we are quietly working
up toward it. One thing that makes me
think so is the growing necessity feel
to be relieved OF responsibilities which l
cannot adequately carry much longer.
Your never falling considerateness has
made possible this continuous pull of
eight and twenty years, till of late I've
been looking forward toward this fifty
year hilltop as halting place for taking
new bearings. 1t seems clear to me that
the church needs now, and will incrcas-
ingly need, leadership of sort that
cannot possibly give.
Now, another thing. While these mat
ters were working disturbingly in my
thoughts, and had been for more than a
year, unwhispered to anybody, an unex-
pected thing came to me one day, a
proposition, which Il am rather glad
to be able to say had not once entered
my mind before, VIZ, that | would con-
slider the question of becoming Librarian
and director of the Athenaum. let that
thing rest quietly on the shelf for more
than two months with no intentional
advance toward decision but =
After some while the sky cleared off, the
question had seemed to settle ITSELF to-
ward a new turn to be taken at this fif-
tieth milestone. So, against all my de.
sire to the contrary, | am asking YOU
now to release me sOmewhie hence from
the pastoral Office, letting me down quiz
etly as may be from the pulpit into the
pew, allowing halt year, to July Is,
1902, for perfectiug arrangements look
ing toward the future.
Anticipating your consent to this l
want you also to congratulate me that
may hope for home still among the
people of my love, and keep my church
work going right along with yours in
the happy fellowship of the South church
where we would all be together, fully
trusting one another, and loyal to the
good OF the church"
The announcement cast gloom over
the entire company, and the sorrow that
was in the hearts of many found ex-
preston in tears. The relation of DR..
Fairbanks to the South church is in
many ways peculiar to itself The word
pastor, full of meaning as it is, does not
adequately describe it; for there is some
thing above and beyond this which even
those who feel it most deeply cannot
explain. When the church was organ
lzed half century ago, DR.. Fairbanks
came to it as boy of Is. Then ia the
prime of his young manhood he was
called to be its pastor, and in the %
years of this relation the church and
the man have become so much part of
each other, that the thought of separa-
tion brings sadness, not alone to the
people of the church, but to all who know
and love st. Johnsbury. 1t is gratifying,
however, to know that the termination
of his long pastorate does not mean a
change of residence, but a closer connec-
ton with the institutions OF this town
with which he has always been identified.
THE ANNIVERSARY EXERCISES.
The parlors of the church were we'll
filled Wednesday evening when DR.. Fair
banks called the company to order and
offered brief prayer. The ladies of the
church had provided bountiful supper,
and at its close the roll call of members
and the anniversary exercises began. Rev
Henry Fairbanks was called on and gave
the following interesting historical paper
PROF. FAIRBANKS HISTORICAL PAPER.
The little village of St. Iohnsbury
Plain in the years before 1850, had come
to be an almost ideal Christian com
munity. All the people knew each other
and all moved together in the strons
current OF righteous public sentiment
There was an intense sense'of the reality O
sin and salvation, DR.. Worcester, a might,
theologian, and Mr.. Bond, preaching
plain gospel laid the foundation; mel
were earnest in prayer, Deacon Bracket
and Others keeping up Saturday even
ing meeting in addition to the Wednes
day, Thaddeus Fairbanks, lanes K
2 Colby and Others meeting in each other
e houses to pray, and Deacon Erastu