The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-01-19
BREACHES FAREWELL SERMON Rev. Or. A. B. Curry Addresses
 Large Congregation GOES TO MEMPHIS FRIDAY A Reception to Dr. and Mrs. Curry Will be Given at the First
 Presbyterian Church on
 Thursday Night
GOES TO MEMPHIS FRIDAY


 pastor of the Second Presbyterian church In that city preached his farewell ser mon to the congregation of the First Pres byterian church yesterday morning. All the seats were filled and fully TOO people heard the discourse of Dr. Curry.
 On Thursday night the ladies of the First Presbyterian church will give farewell reception to Dr. and Mrs. Curry in the lecture room. They extend a cor dial invitation to the friends of the min ister and his wife, not only In the Pres byterian church, but in other denomina- tions, to attend.
 Dr. Curry will go this morning to Cli- max, Ga, to visit his mother. He will return to Birmingham Thursday. His family will remain in Birmingham until next week, and will then join Dr. Curry in Memphis.
 In the Weekly Calendar of the First church. issued for yesterdays services, Dr. Curry writes the following:
 Tn leaving his pastorate there is ground this morning on which the pastor dares not enter; its associations and recollec- tions are too sacred and tender, and will be treasured in his heart and mind as long as life shall last, and then carried with him to the homeland He desires simply to express his sincere apprecia- tion of every kindness shown, of the es- teem and love manifested, and of the faithful cooperation given Tn the work of the church and it's missions. Meas ured by the standard of his ideals, the pastor feels that he has failed; but he has tried. His work here is ended but not finished. Only One could say, It is finished The record of the eight years pastorate for people and pastor is made up, and will be kept against that day, when the books will be opened Then we shall meet it again-let us trust-with rejoicing.
 The following resolutions were presented by a committee, of which Capt. James E. Webb was chairman, and adopted at congregational meeting held recently:
 Resolutions Presented.
 "Whereas, In October, 1894, Dr. A. B. Curry became pastor of this church, and for eight years has faithfully preached to us the Word of God In great simplc-
  ability to our entire membership and con- gregaton; and has so ministered to the wants of the people. as it's pastor in sickness and in health, In joy and sor- row. as that we cannot hope to fill the vacancy which his resignation will ere- ate; and whilst we cannot see the Divine hand which transfers the labors of Dr. Curry to another part of the Master vineyard yet we feel sure that pr. Curry flo h naf Of us. except In obedience to a clear call to a higher duty from his and our Divine Master therefore, be 1t
 sResolyed That the members of the First Presbyterian church in Birmingham unite with Dr. Curry in asking the Pres bvtery of North Alabama to sever the pastoral relation between him and this church in order that he may accept the call to the pastorate of the Memphis church.
 Resolved, That we do this simply be- cause the faith we have in, and love for Dr. Curry constrains us to believe he Is acting in obedience to the call of our Divine Master, whose servants we are, and whose highest honor and glory we would serve.
 Resolved, further, That not only Dr. Curry, but also his beloved wife, have entwined themselves about the hearts Of this people by cords which cannot be severed. and that their family will carry with them, one and all our tenderest love and sympathy in their new field Of work; and that the best wish we send along with them is that the members of their new church and it's congregation may love them as much as we do, and that in Gods providence, Dr. Curry in Memphis, may as we feel sure he will, win many. many, souls to Christ as stars, which in that day shall be for a crown of glory and diadem of beauty
 Farewell Sermon.
 The sermon of Dr. Curry yesterday morning was based on the text, Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong; let all your things be done in love-" found in First Corinthians 16, 13-14 The discourse was one of ex- hortation to the members of the church and congregation which Dr. Curry has served for many years, lle parting words of minister to the Christians to whom he had so long preached. The preacher described the apostolic idea of a Christ ian, and asked that his hearers would stand fast in the faith, and be true and valiant soldiers of Christ.
 He said the words of the text were the closing words of the apostle to the church at Corinth, and may be regarded as set ting forth the ideas which he had of a perfect church, or a perfect Christian, and just what Paul wished for the Cor inthians to be he wished his hearers to be- watchful, steadfast, courageous strong and loving. He painted a word picture of the perfect Christians, using as d background a sketch the Christian soldier on the battlefield. The first fea- ture noticed in this Christian soldier Is watchful Watch ye.' This is a prime duty of a soldier. If a soldier on the battlefield does not watch he is doomed to defeat It is equally so of a Christian soldier He must watch. for the issue at stake is momentous.
 This conflict is not against earthly tyr amy only. but against the bonds of per- dition and the darkness of the pit. It is not for an earthly country although the fairest the sun ever shone upon; not for the life of the body. but for the immortal soul The issue, 'Dr. Curry said. was in- deed momentous, and the Christian sol- dier should ever be watchful in the midst of the campaign and the battle. In this Christian warfare there is no discharge, or armistlce or going into winter quar- ters.
 pr. Curry pointed out the enemies to be watched against. false teachers and teachings, and the bad examples of many in high places; unholy influences, and the assaults of the devil. He illustrated this by saying that Sislea was asleep when Jael drove a nail through his temple and slew him, and that David penetrated the