The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-11-29
REV. H. C. CHRISTIANS
REASONS FOR LEAVING
Goes to Florida Hoping to Better
His Health.

His Health.
There have been many inquiries as
to the reason for Rev. H. c. Christian
being transferred from the South Geor-
gia to the Florida Conference. Rev.
Mr. Christian had been stationed at
Wesley Monumental Church for one
year and his congregation was conf
dent that he would return for another
year. The announcement in the Morn
ing News that Rev. Mr.. Christian had
been transferred to the Florida Con-
ference occasioned great surprise and
universal regret among the members
of Wesley church.
Rev. Mr.. Christian returned to Sa-
vannah from the sessions of confer
ence at Sandersville yesterday morn
ing. When seen by a Morning News
reporter and asked for the reasons for
making the change, Mr.. Christian
said:
The change is made solely on ac-
count of i'll health, and is one which
l make only with the greatest regret.
Two years ago, while stationed at Au-
| gusta, 1 suffered from an attack of
acute bronchitis and my throat and
the bronchial tubes have never recov-
cred. While 1 am by no means an
invalid, yet the strain of the work at
so important a pastorate was wearing
| must be made.
Wesley Church has a membership
OF more than 700, and this makes the
pastoral work more than usually heavy.
| Two sermons must be delivered every
Sunday, and there is the weekly prayer
meeting to be prepared for. In addi-
ton there are the many marriages and
funerals to conduct The constant
strain was telling upon me, and l felt
that l must make the change.
Bishop Wilson. who visited me last
week, advised me to make the change.
| There is great need of pastors in the
Florida conference. and this also had
its effect in making up my mind to
make the change. Taken in all re-
| spects, l felt that it was the best move
for me to make. both for my personal
| health and my duty as a pastor and
Christian. l spoke to Judge Adams,
| chairman of my board, before leaving
| for conference. and notified him that
IL the CnanSe COuIQ De eIIeCleQ, tndC
| | should make it.
1T is with feelings of deepest regret
that 1 leave Savannah and Wesley
Church. 1 like the city very very
much, and to me only the most open
hearted cordiality has been extended
by all. My people at Wesley have
stood loyalty by me and have done
much to make my stay in the city un-
usually pleasant. 1 leave with the pro-
| foundest regret and sincerely hope,
when my health is improved, to return
to Wesley Church and Savannah"
Rev. Mr.. Christian will leave for
Florida Dec. Z, and will attend the ses-
sions of the Florida conference. He
will be assigned to a charge by Bishop
Wilson. who will preside over the con-
ference, and at this time it is not
known where he will go. That the
| change is made for no selfish motive
| is shown by the fact that in the Flor
| ida conference there is no charge pay
| ing more than 81, 200 per year, while at
Wesley the pastors salary was $4,000.
There is nothing but universal re-
gret among the members of Wesley
Church over the change in plans made
by Rev. Mr.. Christian. During his
short pastorate he has built up the
church wonderfully in all lines. in
creasing it's membership and its finan-
cial standing. The farewell sermon to
the members of Wesley Church and
Rev. Mr.. Christians friends outside
the church. will be delivered on next
Sunday night. The services at Wesley
Church to-day will be conducted by
Rev. DR.. bowman. presiding elder OF
the Atlanta district.