The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-10-21
DIR. MATHEws's FAREWELL.
Large Congregations Hear Sermon
and Address.


and Address.
The following from The Nashville
American OF Monday will be read with
great interest here where DR.. Mathews
once lived and has a host Of admiring
friends
with an eloquent sermon at the morn
ing service and a farewell address In the
evening. Rev. John Mathews, the vener-
able pastor Of McKendree Church. bads
goodbye to his large congregation of
members and to active work in the min
istry at the same time yesterday. There
were special musical programs at both
services and congregations were present
that filled the handsome church to the
doors.
There were few eyes that did not giis-
ten long before DR.. Mathews reached the
peroration OF his eloquent sermon in the
morning and the scenes while he deliv-
cred his farewell address In the evening
were even more impressive and affecting
DR.. Mathews will go to his future home
in st. Louis in few days.
THE farewell address OF the venerable
divine was short and was couohed in thai
simple but well-knit language which has
helped to make DIR. Mathews both IA.
nous and beloved. In part, he said:
Ion this occasion and at this hour
come to close not only my pastorate a
McKendree Church. but my active min
istry also. do so with regret ana sad
ness. 1t Is no small thing to retire from
| active service.
at might be well to glance over one.
shoulder and take a glimpse of the past
The few moments allotted me may bt
made profitable in considering a few Of
| the principles governing my ministry Of
more than Afty years"
DR. Mathews said he had come to Nc.
| Kendree as minister four years ago. II
was for his church members to say as tC
| the character OF the services he had rem
| dered during that time. He certainly ha6
been no laggard. During his pastorate
about 675 new members had been taker
into the church, and be left with every
department we'll organized. Some of the
| new members were among the most &C
tive workers Of the church During the
| last year the church had raised 81, 567 81
and often he had preached to congrega.
tons in which the men outnumbered the
| women three to one. Dr. Lambeth haC
| once told DR.. Mathews that he was great
ly struck with the prsponderence of mer
in the McKendree congregations.
Believing every man to be lovable.
| continued DIR. Mathews, 1t has been one
| great aim of my life to lead those under
my influence TO see that GOD mas some
gigantic intention for the race. There
| fore, this inscription has been painted or
my banner: PLUS ultra"-more beyod.
Believing fully In a future state.
| have taught, as fundamental truth, tha
| men are here on earth not mere to ex
| press physical being, but moral force and
power. The word of God has led me t.
see that the most important thing to do
as a minister, was to see that the spiri
was made first"
During the first twenty-five years o
| his ministry, DR.. Mathews said. 1t wa
| his boast that no one ever heard hin
| use an uncommon word in the pulpit
Some had said that he could not preacl
because they could not understand every
thing he said.
In closing his address the venerable
| divine said:
| Methodism has had more gifted sons
but none more loyal. I now pass int
oblivion, a dependent mana silent spec
| tator in the battle in which l can NJ
longer engage. had hoped to die will
| the ring of my harness heard when
should fall. This is denied me. Fare
| WELL"