Omaha daily bee., 1906-05-28
DIR. SMITH BREACHES FAREwELL
Pastor Of First Methodist BIDS His
Church Good-Hre.

Pastor of First Methodist BIDS His
Church Goodbye.
Rev e. Connbie Smith preached his fare
well sermon to the congregation Of the
First Methodist church yesterday. At the
close Of the morning sermon he spoke feel
ingly Of the relations he had sustained to
the Omaha church and expressed his ap-
probation OF the manner in which the
people Of the church had co-operated IN
the work OF the psstorate He asked for
his successor, Rev. Mr.. staufer. the same
cordial treatment that had been accorded
10 him. While the time OF parting had
long been expected he said it was hard
to say farewell to the people with whom
he had sustained such close and pleasant
relations.
The morning sermon was appropriately
based on the text, "And the glory Thou
Ravest to me 1 have given to them" He
said I'm part:
What is there for US to learn from
the history of the church, Simply this:
That there il one thing in the world that
Is the noblest Of all, that is higher than
any other. There is one institution that
aims at the very highest. at the Hottest.
That institution is the church OF Jesus
Christ.
Gathered together in the churches Of
the city are the people who are aiming
at the very best and highest in life. But
outside the churches are thousands to
whom we are as il we were not. am
not posing as a Pharisee in saying this.
am simply emphasizing that the church
Of God stands in every community for
that which Is lasting and enduring.
want to impress the dignity OF disciple
ship.
There are three sources from which
the church derives its Importance. First
in the church, the fact OF God and the
consciousness Of God is emphasized. In
every nation there is something reach
ing out after God and they will find Him
even If they have to make Him out Of
wood or stone. This is one of the things
the church of Jesus Christ stands for.
Again, the church stands for worship.
Man is called a worshiping being. We
all worship in one form or another. The
church also speaks to us because 1t tempts
US to holiness. Creeds and statements
of doctrine may change with the times,
but two elements in society never change.
One is right and the other is wrong and
when the church stands for holiness it
stands for superlative righteousness. These
things enter into the makeup Of the per-
feet man"
At the farewell reception given 10 DR.. z.
Combie Smith and his wife by members Of
the First Methodist church Saturday even
ing these resolutions were adopted:
Whereas. DR.. E. Combie Smith has been
our belived and honored pastor for nearly
four years past, during which his I'M
firing ministrations have been marked by
unusual success, the church debt reduced
from over $4,000 to less than $4,000, the
membership greatly augmented, the be-
nevolence largely Increased and all de-
partments of our church work permeated
and inspired by his energy and spirit Of
helpfulness;
And, Whereas, while his sermons have
been distinguished by their ability and
spiritual power, he has not permitted pull
pit preparation to interfere with his pas
Client, a personal blessing to many, es-
pecially to the poor, the inexperienced, the
sorrowing who sought his every-ready SYM
pathy, counsel or help;
And, Whereas. at his request he has been
relieved Of his duties here to assume i'm
portant work elsewhere; therefore
Be 1t resolved by the members OF the
| First Methodist church and friends here
assembled, that we do hereby unanimously
extend to DR.. Smith and his most estimable
| and beloved wife our sincere and heartfelt
| wishes for success and bid them Godspeed
| in their new field of usefulness and COM
| those so fortunate as to secure their serv-
! ices, deyoutly praying that the blessing of
| our Heavenly Father shall attend;
| And be II further resolved, that copies
| OF these resolutions be handed to the public
| press for publication.