Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-10-02
EXPRESSIVE OF REGRET
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY 9TH
STREET CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Bid Farewell to Rev. Mr.. Bagby, Re-
firing Pastor-His Last
g Service Here.

Resolutions adopted by the Ninth Street
Christian Church in connection with the
resignation of Rev. Edward B. Bagby as
pastor, which took effect yesterday, ex-
press the extreme reluctance of the congre-
cation over the departure of the minister
to another field. He resigned September ~
to accept a call from the Franklin Circle
Christian Church. in Cleveland, Ohio, and
will depart for that city tomorrow.
1t Is declared that 1t was only at Mr..
Bagby's urgent request that the church &C
coded to his proposal to retire from the
local pastorate in order that he might ac-
cept a call which, to him, seems to offer
still larger opportunities for the exercise
and employment of his talents and expert
ence.
Furthermore, the resolutions convey to
Mr.. Bagby the assurance of the congrega-
ton of sincere appreciation OF his tireless
labors in the Lords work in our behalf,
which will be more and more appreciated
and understood as the coming years go by.
The retiring pastor is assured of the vener-
alton and love of those to whom he had
ministered in spiritual things.
Ever Welcome Here.
In conclusion 1t is stated that while we
are saying goodbye to our pastor and to his
good wife and family, and while we wish
for them health and happiness in their new
home. we wish him Godspeed in his new
work, and extend to him our best wishes
for the success that surely awaits, and
will crown, with the Lords aid, the same
efforts and zeal which he has displayed in
this, our field. And we also assure him
that whatever distance may separate or
whatever time may elapse, neither distance
nor time can divide him from those to
whom he has been so closely united, and
that wherever. under the guidance of the
Father, he may be led he may always feel
that here, in 9th street, is the old home
where he can always find a warm well
come"
Accompanying the resolutions, which
were prepared by a committee consisting
of James A. Tibbetts, A. G. Bishop and
Harry O'Donnell, was a statement show
ing the growth of the church under the
pastorate of Mr.. Bagby. and especially
commenting upon the spiritual development
OF the congregation.
The movement resulting in the creation
of the Ninth Street Christian Church had
its inception in cottage prayer meeting
held the evening of January -, 1888. The
movement gathered strength gradually,
and three years later the little chapel was
finished and the first service held therein
April ), 1891. The members. it is stated,
were not possessed Of worldly riches. and
the chapel. though plain and unpretentfous,
was burdened with an Indebtedness of ST.
Goo. But the congregation went to work
with a will to liquidate the debt Rev. Ed
ward B. Bagby called from his evan
gelistic work to take charge Of the field.
Coming as young man with an equip
ment of zeal and industry he soon led the
congregation to gratifying attachments.
Series of Successes.
Beginning with the first series of meet
ings, which commenced with tie dedication
of the chapel and resulted in nearly 100
accessons to the church, his pastorate, it
is declared, was an unbroken series of sue
cesses. Under his care the little church,
costing with its simple furnishings 81 50O
has been changed into a handsome. COM \
mcdious and well equipped house of wor-
ship. representing an outlay of more than
$4,000, while the congregation has grown
from CO to l, 100, and the Sunday school has
increased from handful to more than GOO,
one of the largest memberships in the city.
Mr.. Bagby preached his farewell sermon
here Sunday last. During that day his
ministry rewarded by seven accessions
to the membership of the church, three by
letter and four by confession of faith