The Savannah morning news., 1902-12-15
HIS FAREWELL SERMON.
Rev. p. II. Duncan's Last Service rs
Pastor of Christian Church.

Rev. p. II. DuRcan's Last Service rs
Pastor of Christian Church.
Rev. P. H. Duncan. pastor of the
Christian Church. preached his fare
we'll sermon yesterday morning. He
took for his subject This One Thing
1 do" from Phil. 111:1S. This one
thing / do. forgetting those things
which are behind and reaching forth
unto those things which are before, L
press toward the mark"
Rev. Mr. Duncan said the principal
thing one should have in life is some
great aim. To reach that aim single
ness of purpose is necessary. and is
the secret of success. Whether 1t be
in business, in a profession or in any
undertaking. 1t was the secret Of
Franklins. Clay's, Edison's, Abra-
hams. and Paul's success, as 1t has
been the secret of all great men who
have achieved fame. So should 1t be
with Christians. They should keep
their one great aim in life in view and
adhere to it with that singleness of
purpose which Paul had in mind when
he said, This one thing / do" There
are so many purposeless people in the
world, Rev. Mr.. Duncan said, who
need earnestness of purpose in their
business, in their individual work and
in everything they do. In aiming at
some great mark, he said, it is well to
stop and contemplate the useful past,
balance our accounts, take bearings
and profit by our experience, but never
boast Take for a motto: Never sat
isfied; never discouraged" 1t is also
well. he said. to remember something
done; such as church work, finances,
new members, the activity Of the de-
partment. a.rp T.
Mr.. Duncan took the opportunity to
compliment the congregation, and to
thank it's members for their Kindness
and thoughtfulnesS toward him. He
said he had not done all he wanted
to, many things being left undone.
which he would have been glad to
have done. but the year had been
pleasant one to him: there had been
the greatest harmony existing between
tn pastor and congregation, and every
body had been kind to him.
1t is best to forget -1me things, he
said, In speaking of things to be for
gotten, as sorrows, disappointments
and failures and retrieve our losses in
future good work. Let us face the fu-
ture. II Is not what we have been, but
what we may be. We should face the
future with courage. God is for us
in all things" The church was never
more intelligent or benevolent, and is
DOuDQ 10 SuECtEQ, anu liidl 10 WnaA
God wants each one to do, II not to
raise others UP with us. There are
lots of new opportunities before us.
This is an era of applied Christianity,
practical; as the w. G. T. u. work, and
it is an era of simple Christianity. All
that is necessary is that our plea shall
be worthy, no matter how simple;
truth is not invalid.
I'VE need more spirituality, personal
nipfV a greater growth in grace and
a faithful attendance at church," he
said. (which helps the church and the
attendant, and a greater liberality in
giving.
What we do" said Rev. Duncan,
Eve must do now" Life is brief, and
the influence we WELD by earnest and
determined work is far-reaching." He
pleaded with his hearers to lose no
opportunities, but to I'D a better life,
and not leave God out
Rev. Mr.. Duncan leaves during the
week to accept a passionate In Louis
Vile, Ky. While glad to return to his
home state, from whence he came here
year ago, having filled a pastorate
In Ludlow, KY, for ten years previous
to his coming, II is with the greatest
regret to both himself and the congre-
CATION that he sewers his connection
here. He leaves many friends outside
of the congregation, and carries with
him their warmest admiration and re-
spect.
AS a token of their regard and affec-
ton, the children of the Sunday-school
presented Rev. Mr.. Duncan, at the
morning service handsome clock. and
their pastor, to whom they are so
much attached, cherishes this, prob
ably. more than any other expression
of good will his leave-taklng his
brought forth