Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1904-10-11
FATHER VAN ROOS-
MALEN GAINED

Two weeks ago ldSt sunday, 1G came
as great surprise to ST. Peter and
PaulS' congregation when Rev. Father
Van Roosmalen announced to them
that he was called by his Bishop to
DePere.
oAt first it was thought by many that
something might occur to prevent bis
going. but week ago Sunday last,
when ne announced that it might be
his last Sunday, and he addressed to
them few farewell words expressive
of his regret In parting with them, a
cloud of sadness passed over the faces
of the congregation, and the silent
use of white handkerchiefs was
noticeable.
On Tuesday last the children of the
parochial school gave him a farewell
entertainment at their rooms and
made him a present of rugs and some
other small articles.
On Wednesday afternoon the Altar
society presented him with a silver
table service, and on Wednesday
evening the Young Ladies' Sodality
presented him very handsome um-
brella.
The last gift, and ebony gold
headed cane, from the men Of the
congregation. was presented to him
last Thursday evening. They met at
the Foresters' hall and marched in a
body to his residence. They evidently
took him by surprise. He showed
them to the parlor where they had
standing room, but they were too
numerous to be seated. When they
were all fairly in, j. A. Gaynor, in
behalf of the men Of the congregation,
delivered the following address:
REV. Father, you are about to oleave
US, and we have come to bid you
goodbye. Parting with those who
are near and dear to us is always pain
full but such is life on earth, and we
must at last even part with the earth
itself.
For seven years you have been our
pastor. In holy writ there is a
mysterious, potent significance in
this number seven. 1t covers many
an epoch in the history of the
Israelites and In the lives Of many
men, and we trust it has covered not
the happiest and most useful epoch in
your life, but we hope it is one that
you can look back on with pleasure
and profit.
l often think we are too stingy in
the distribution OF Geserved compli-
ments, and some of US feel especially
guilty in this respect in your case,
and we shall not now let you go
without telling you what we have
felt and that Of you all the time but
which we have heretofore failed to
express in words.
You came to US mot as the scribes
and pharisees" anxious to please and
entertain us, but you ''came as one
who was sent" to preach the gospel of
Jesus Christ. You 'came and spoke
as one having authority" to denounce
sin and preach to US the way of
salvation. You always spoke with
charity of those outside your own
church, but you did not hesitate to
denounce sin with firm severity when
you found it in members of your own
congregation. This perhaps was not
pleasant for some of US, and however
lax we may have been in following
your instructions, we know you did
your duty and We honor and respect
you for it.
And, as small token Of our appre-
citation and affection. we present you
this cane. AS time rolls on, and your
locks turn gray, and your physical
frame becomes less vigorous, may it
be support to your faltering steps.
AS the rod Of Moses touched the
rock and refreshing fountains gusEed
forth, SO we hope when your hand
touches this cane it may touch the
rock Of memory, and sweet fountains
of recollection may gush forth to
cheer you and to give you moral sup
port IN every good work that you may
undertake.
We ask you to remember u.s."
At the close Of the address Father
Van Roosmalen started in to express
his gratitude and appreciation of the
gift, but he was evidently 'too full
for utterance;" his voice failed him
and he had to give up. After shaking
hands with him and bidding him
goodbye, the men retired in a body
feeling very much as if they had been
at the funeral of dear friend.
We understand he went to his new
charge yesterday and our citizens, as
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