Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-02-11
LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE.
Rev. Samuel Knowles to Begin His
Iabors Here March I.

labors Here March ].
A letter from the Rev. Samuel knowle
~ Adams. Mass. accepting the call Y
become pastor OF the Baptist church II
Ithis village was read at the morning sery'
ice in that church last Sunday by the ON
lciating clergyman, Rev. George q. Howe
who. at Mr.. Knowles request, preiaced y
by the Scripture lesson ] Corinthians II
and closed with Romans y. The letter
40 the Baptist church, Randolph, VT.
greeting. c -,
| CHRIsr:-In accepting the call which you
have so unanimously and generously eX-
tended to me to become the pastor OF your
church. j wish to express my appreciation
OF the confidence you repose IN me by m
yiting me to so sacred a trust. ana
hope that our future experiences together
viii be a constant approval OF our mutual
attraction to each other in the Lore
work.
~ appreciate your endeayors TO LIT the
church to a higher standard OF efficiency
IN Christian work, and trust that end may
be satisfactorily attained. But ii can only
/ be attained by each individual seeking 70
enlarge his own views OF Christian lie
and service. The church cannot rise
above the character and efficiency OF her
individual members. The character OF the
church is a composite creation of the sep
arate and individual parts; and the more
beautiful the life and service OF each one,
the more beautiful and noble will be the
life Of the church. And since We have
given to us not only an ideal, but also a
practical example OF the Christian life in
the Master, whose love and life binds all
Christians together, we ought not 10 md
it difficult to discover our duty as indi-
vdual Christians, and as a church OF
Christ.
II appreciate many OF the difficulties
Characteristic Of Christian work generally,
and of which you have your share in COM
mon with all other churches. And / eX-
pect that you, as other churches, have
some difficulties peculiar to yourselves
which can only be met and mastered IN
the daily processes OF the work. But with
true Christian spirit and energy, directed
by Him who promises TO give literally OF
wisdom to those who ask, there are no
difficulties peculiar to the work as whole
or peculiar to you as an individual church
but what may be triumphantly overcome,
and in overcoming them our own Chris
tian graces will be strengthened and per-
fected thereby.
sand we must not leave out the Divine
element which in reality constitutes the
Christian life and church. Ever remem-
bering that the almightiness Of love end
as well as the almightiness Of
power, is pledged TO aid the church OF
Christ, we can rest assured that lives well
lived and the work OF the church faith
fully done will be abundantly rewarded by
God, whose church we are.
Il deeply appreciate the kind friends Of
he church, who, while not members, are
because OF family history and
.ies and because Of their personal interest
m the religious welfare Of the community
N which the church stands. And | pray
hat together we may be the glorious
,hurch which the sacred word describes as
being presented TO Christ, "A glorious
,hurch not having spot or wrinkle or any
ueh thing; but that il should be holy and |
Without blemish.
III hope to be with you to begin my
abors on March LIST.
"Your servant in Christ,
SAMUEL KNOWLES.