The St. Louis Republic., 1904-12-19
DOCTOR bURNHAN
RESIGNS PASTORATE
TO End Duties as Minister Of Pill
grim Congregational Church
on March /.
IN CHARGE FOR TEN YEARS.
Does Not Feel Strong Enough to
Undertake Burden of Duties
Attending Building OF
New Editice.

Tho Reveraad Doctor Michael Durham
resigned from the pas;orate Of the Pill
grim Congregational Church yesterday
morning. after being in charge OF that
congregation for more than ten years.
Though known to some OF the officers,
the action OF their pastor came as q Sur
prise to ;he congregation
The resignation will take effect March
l. The cause given by Doctor Burnlam IS
that the committee to whom the matter
was intrusted will soon report the advis-
ability OF building a new church in the
western part OF the city. and that he does
not feel strong enough TO undertake the
burden that Will necessarily be imposed
upon him.
The annual meeting Of the church vii! be
held next Thursday. at which formal ac-
ton relative to the resignation will be
| taken.
Doctor Burnham was called to the pas
torate In this city from a charge in
Springfield. Mass. where he had Iabored
for nine years. Previous TO that he was
pastor at Central Church. Fall River,
Mass, for twelve years. during which
time lie built Il new church at n cost of
500 60. Later he went TO Boston. He
received his education at Phillips Acad-
envy. Anl0ver. and at Amherst College OF
which he Is still one Of the trustees. His
theological studies were made at the An
dover Seminary.
Doctor Buraham's resignation. which
WAS read at the service. follows:
DOCTOR BURNIIAM'S RESIGNATION.
have n message which am reluctant 20
give 10 you thls morning. but which I an after
! h-! consttaintf! 10 give. Pilgrim Church has
iet for I long time, as pastor and people. tHat
ore u TWO things in The interest OK our church
AID denomination in the city must he done.
Either Pilgrim church must he funded and
Slulpped for a continuous work wn"Is It Is, and
| secure or 1t must follow with the .iie to
tins west. hu!d anew retain its legitimate con
stitueucy and increase. II possible. its oIt-time
power.
Your committee. appoint;ed some time since,
10 consider the matter In all it, sh's, have done
their work and given their report IN two sec
tons. Previous TO the Worlds Fair they ma lie
first and partia! report. and counselei wait
perfectly clear to ali wFn haG to do with all
:ha interests involved in building a new church
critical 4 jUnCturc in our citys welfare.
Since the Worlds Fair has closed, they have
azain tastn Up the matter ana unanimously
cannot fan TO understand the perp!exitics
they have me: and may possibly vet meet and
much Of what is involved In 20 g-cat an under
taxing az the removal Of this church. Tho last
haif OF the hrst decade OF Hly ministry was de
under different Circumstance. winch were y ars
in ripenIrg. but similar work and less
trying. Thus. l know Uf-at a work is involved.
You and viii do that work IL YOU stand
togc Their. but i Is one differing from that to
which you called me and by council committed
20 M hand more than ten years since. Your
reiGge at that time. IN these words. went
straight 10 my heart: We pledge to them che
pastor and his wifal our sympathy. our
prayers ana our best efforts TO make their LIE
among coutentad and happy. and their work
successful in tho highest degree
We have labored together for ten years and
more. l felt that tine II was a work To
which God called me ~c!l YOU " rt
in which I have libored unceas nSly u1ti now
I am much morn and not able without rest or
change DO you or the cause justice. Other
hand. must take part in such = work and some
other heart must bear the increased burden
After much PRAYER. therefore. and counsel. /
am constrained to resi-n nv present relations
pa your pastor and spiritual leader. And irsv
Gods blessing rest uT-n vDC IN seeking to
find the man who will lead Won into 4 new and
perhaps larger field Of usefulness
This resignation in accord " IN our usage. Is
to come before a council for consideration anI
advice. and TO take effect March !. 1895
During his pastOrate in s.. Louis Doctor
Burnham has taken an active part in va
riouS religious matters. and especially dur
ing the Worlds Fair has Doctor Burnham
been a moving spirit in exercises Of q re-
ligious character held there