The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-03-05
Of
REV. KING WAS
READ YESTERDAY

The resigna tion Of Rev. Henry NJ. King
d. d, was read at the morning service
Of the First Baptist church yesterday.
The resignation came as a surprise TO
the members OF the church. as 1t was
wholly unexpected.
The letter was read at the close OF
tho communion service. Rev. George r.
Athn. until last November. the assistant
pastor Of tho church occupied the pulpit
and after the communion service. which
followed the public service. read the fol-
lowing letter:
Providence March !, 1906.
40 the Members OF the First Baptist
Church and the Charitable Baptist So
cety:
Dear Brethren-The tine has come
when l feel compelled to lay down tho
responsibilities OF the pastorate OF our
ancient church esteem Il a great
honor and privileges that l have been
permitted TO spend so many years in
labor with you as your minister In the
honor and privilege that | have been
But ! am persuaded that Il would be
unwise for me to undertake 10 carry
longer the increasing burdens Of our
large parish. l shall hope that another
minister TO whom God viii direct your
minds. will soon come TO you. and that
he, proclaiming the same unchanging
truth OF Christ, but with now voice and
with new methods OF work Will lead YOU
forward TO still larger successes.
"I thank God for the many. tokens OF
his favor which we have enjoyed as a
church and people during the nearly is
years OF my ministry IN Providence. and
I thank you all for the confidence. the
affection and the support which 1 have
received at your hands.
II herewith resign the pastoral care
of the church 20 which you Jointly called
me in the summer OF 1891 and desire
that, II agreeable TO YOU. my resigna-
tion may take effect on the 8th day OF
April, 1905 The sundering OF my Official
connection with the church VIII IN no
degree weaken the ties OF Christian af-
fection which have been ever strength
ening amid the joys and SORROWS OF the
passing years.
Il hope. II IL Is Gods will. 20 con-
tlnue my residence among you, and shall
give 10 the church and 10 my successor
my cordial sympathy and support
May God who has blessed the mother
church through all it's pastorstes during
all the years OF its long and honorable
bless It stLll more abundantly
in future days. and continually increase
is power. its influence and its renown
IN the community and in the world.
"Anectionately yours,
(signed) HENRY NJ KING"
The only action taken was 20 appoint
a committee 10 confer with Rev Mr.
King and 20 report to the church be-
fore the resignation becomes effective.
Tho committee consists Of Rev. Daniel w
Faunce, u. d, Professor Albert Hark-
ness William q. Burwell, David w. Hoyt
Clarence ~. Guild Charles NJ. Mumford
and william A. Gammell.
Mr.. King has been pastor OF the First
Baptist church since 1891 and has had
very successful pastorate When he came
TO the church tho membership was 473 and
since then u has increased 20 20
Rev. Mr.. King was born In 1893 at OK
ford. No. and graduated from Bowdoln
college in la9. He received the degree OF
A. NJ. I'm 1862 and was ordained 10 tho
Baptist ministry. Aug. % OF tho same
year For the next two years he taught
the Hebrew language I'm the Newton
institute. Later he was called
TO the Dudley Street Baptist church OF
Roxbury, Mass. and remained thero 20
years.
In 1882 he went 20 the Emmanuel Bap-
list church OF Albany remaining there
nearly ten years. In 1881 ne came 90 the
First Baptist church OF this city. where
he has remained ever since.
lie has written many books OF thcO-
logical nature and is n member OF the
Rhode Island Historical society and an
member of the NaSar Alumnae
Historical association. Among his works
are The Baptism or Roger Williams"
Early Baptists Defended. REV. John
Mylos aud the Founding OF the Baptist
Church IN Maesachusetts "Marv'a Ala
1aster Box" "'rhe Mother Church "The
Messiah IN tho Psalms" why We BE.
ieve the Bible" and Religious Liberty"