The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-02-19
BIC SURPRISE FOR
CONGREGATION
PREsRyTeRiAN MINISTER Al
GRAFTON RENDERED REsic-
NATION VERY unEx.
PEcrEpLv.

GRAFTON. Feb, lsr-At a congre
rational meeting following the mora
ing service at the First Presbyterian
church. this city Sunday morning
the pastor. Rev. Z. w. syers, ten
dered his resignation: Coming as i,
aid. in so sudden and unexpected i
manner. the congregauon was rem
dered almost speeches. with sur
prise. Rev, Byers stated that he aad
been with this church for two years:
that he had failed in accomplishing
the spiritual work that he. desired;
that he did not nave the support OF
his members that he should have
and thst he had become so dihcour:
atcf with the progress of the work
that he thought 1t best to seek a new
field for his iabors. He closed his. re,
Iaarks by stating that he would like
for the congregation to act upon hts
re isnation at the meeting then In
session. Several Of the church OH
cials responded to Rev. Byers, re.
marks, stating their regret at his con.
templated action. A motion was
made that the resignation be accept.
ed, but there were no ayes and a
storm Of noes. Rev. Byers then tool.
the floor and stated that he had. al.
ready accepted another call, and that
It was his ardent desire that his con.
gregation vote favorable to his wish.
es In the matter. After some further
remarks from members Of the on.
cial family a motion to reconsider
was put, and as a result the resigaa.
ton was finally accepted. Mr.. Thos.
Nuzum was appointed by Moderator
Leamon to arrange for a special meet.
ing OF Presbytery. and steps will be
at once set afoot for the gathering
Of that body and the necessary action
taken by It to make Official the pro.
ceedings. Rev. Byers will go from
Grafton to Burgettstown, Pa, about
twenty miles from Pittsburg, and to
the church Known as Westminster
church. Burgettstown is a city OF
about two thousand Inhabitants. nice.
ly located, and the church is a pros.
porous and important one.
During the two years that Rev.
Byers has been In Grafton. both he
and his estimable Wife have made
an army of friends, and all@win deep.
Fly regret to see them leave. The
Presbyterian congregation had hoped
that this earnest and progressive
young preacher would make this city
his permanent home. at least for
many years, and his decision 10 20
elsewhere will be received in a very
regretful spirit. Although Rev. Byers
claims that he has not been accord.
ed the spiritual aid that should have
been mis- from his people, the church
has nevertheless made very encour.
aging progress unier his administra-
ton. The membership has increased,
the financial condition has improved.
there has been a marked interest in
the several departments of the work,
and church property mas been i'm
proved in various ways and a hand
some and comfortable new parsonage
erected, and when -<'v. Byers de-
parts from his congregation It will be
with the knowledge that his two
years passionate has not ben without
reward Of labor. Rev. Byers and fam.
fly expect to leave here for their new
location about the middle Of March.
The Wesleyan Concert Company
will render the best musical and lit.
erary programme ever given at pla.
mond Street NJ. E. Church, Tuesday
evening, February 10th. u
Read the Daily West vfrginian.