Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-04-07

The occasion for this step is found
in circumstances which have arisen
within the past few weeks. Mr.. Lesher
is from the West and, of course that
par. of the country has all the attrac-
lions to him which the place Of ones
nativity always holds. His relatives
live there and only recently he has
been at Baskerville, Iowa, upon a visit
to his mother. who is very ill. While
there he received a call to the pastor
ate of the local Free Baptist church.
Baskerville is town Of about 5000 pop
ulation and like all Western places is
growing fast. Mr.. Lesher believes the
opportunity there for doing good is
greater than in this city and that it
will be better for him to sever his re-
latiOnShip with the church in this city.
His resignation as read is as fol-
lows:
Dear brothers of the Free Baptist
church and parish:
Il can conceive Of no relations in life,
except those of home, more happy than
the relations of pastor and people.
Mutual faith and interest in a work
loved by God and all good men, bind
hearts together in sweetest fraternity
of spirit.
I'VE often sing:
'Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love:
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above
Sometimes for the best interests of
all it is essential that the outward
union be dissolved.
"This is not an easy thing to accom-
plish when relations are pleasant and
union is strong. But we should desire
most of all to rightly interpret Gods
will. believing that in harmony with
the Divine will true peace and useful
ness are found. In agreement with
the thought l feel it to be my duty to
make an announcement to you, this
morning, from which the affections of
my heart shrink.
Indeed. this is the most trying mo-
ment of my whole ministry. 1t is made
hard because of four years of service
with you during which the ties of
Christian love have grown strong and
rooted down deep in our hearts. 1t is
hard to approach this hour. because
the current of our lives which has
flowed on so peacefully must again di-
vide. each stream to go out into the
world in it's own direction, seeking to
fulfil its appointed mission. / am con-
sciOus as no other person or persons
can possibly Of the weakness and I'M
wOrthiness which have characterized
my work in this church and parish.
Your loyalty, your prayers, your words
nf and onnrocio he Nya
been a constant source of comfort and
appreciation to me.
How much we have accomplished
for the permanent good of the church
and humanity, no one can tell. We
now pass over to the Lord of the har-
vest these four earnest years, believing
that they have measurably met his APP
prevail and that when the angels shall
shout the glad harvest home we shall
rejoice at their fruitage.
Il fain would lnger over the heart
gladdening experiences of this pastor
ate. But I must not now. Its history
is written in my soul. l must forget
it. In memory's still hour 1 shall live
it again. Nothing but keen sense of
duty could induce me, now, to take the
step which will bring to a close this
happy pastorate. While, therefore, I
desire to do what / believe is my duty
to do. yet it is with sadness at the
thought of our parting. that l now
tender to this church and parish my
resignation as pastor, such resignation
to take effect on the date conveniently
arranged by the parish committee and
pastor.
Faithfully yours,
EVERETT LESHER."