Mexico weekly ledger., 1902-05-01
Pastor POrter's Resignation.

Dear Brethren and Sisters OF the First Baptist
Church. Mexico, Mo
| beg to assure you that II is no fault
OF yours that has led me 20 say what /
am about 10 utter. For more than
one month and a half | have had a
hard struggle going on in my heart
and mind, l have spent no little time
in thought and prayer, seeking as far
as possible, TO know the mind Of our
Master. In all the years OF my minis
try | have sought TO please Him and
do His will regardless of consequences.
Some time during the month of Feb
ruary | received a communication
from the First Baptist Church at
Joplin, Mo-, asking me If / would con
slider a call TO that field. My answer
was that l was not prepared to do so.
Then l was asked If l would visit the
city and then consider the wisdom Of
hearing a call to the work Of the
the church. This request l could not
honorably refuse. l went to Joplin
and spent five days. | vas eve
more impressed with the possibilities
Of a field Of labor. A city of more than
1900, and at least 20, 900 Of this num-
Der in no way connected with any OF
the churches. The church being i'm
pressed that ! was the Lords servant
for that placeat once extended me a
most hearty call to become pastor.
After four weeks Of meditation | had
about reached the conclusion to de-
cline the pressing invitation given, but
the church renewed its efforts and pre-
sented the matter in such a way that |
soon became convinced that their
mind was the mind Of the Lord. So,
with the understanding that this
church would release me from my
obligations here, | have accepted the
call. IL is only the interests Of the
Masters kingdom at that end Of the
line leads me to believe that / can be
more useful for good there than 1 can
at this end Of the line. Therefore, /
ask that you will release me on or
about the first Of June, next, that |
may enter upon the labors Of that
field at that time. | beg 10 assure
you, dear brethren, that | have the
highest appreciation for this church,
and shall ever thank God that ! have
known you and have worked with you
for the salvation OF the lost during
these years. The church has nobly
stood by me In all my feeble efforts TO
build up the Redeemer's Kingdom. /
have been conscious OF my many Inn
projections, but my one aim has been
to honor God and 10 preach Christ for
the salvation Of the fallen. 1t would
be the keenest pleasure for me to stay
with you. | have only made two
changes in my PASTORAL ministry.
Personally II Is the hardest thing for
me to do. IL is no little trial for one
TO break away from true and tried
soldiers Of the Lords army and go out
into the ranks Of strangers. But sim
we are all one in Christ aud every one
members one Of another. The cause
Of our Lord is one. Apart OF my life
will necessarily remain with sou. /
pray Gods richest favors to ever abide
upon you. ] have an undying love and
anxiety for the almost two hundred
and fifty that ] have baptized into the
fellowship Of Christ during our ser.
vice together. II it were necessary I
would love to make personal mention
Of the many tokens Of appreciation
that members have given to me and
my family. But they know aud God
knows that We are grateful for them
and they will not be missing In the
great day when lie comes 10 reward
His servants Tor their good deeds. The
Lord willing, my last sermon will be
preached the fourth sunday IN Mayor
the hrst Sunday in June. Believe me
70 he your humble servant, for "tbe
faith that was once for ali delivered
unto the salnts.n !. j. Pogrgn
Mexico Mo, Aufff Il. I2na