The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-11-18
SMITH ID BECOME
 PASTOR EMERITUS
Continued from First Page.l


 problems which this church has to face. But I should not now make full proof of my ministry if I should be content merely to seek relief from my own responsibilities for tie direction of this church without making plain the one course which in my judgment 1t should pursue. In my opinion no course at present could be more short sighted than that which naturally may first be thought of, viz, the appoint ment of committee to nominate an other pastor. Nothing could be more fatuous for this church than to search for pastor in a forlorn hope that somewhere some man may be discov- cred who possibly may fill impossible expectations. Undoubtedly there are many clergymen of promise, and some of achieved eminence. from among whom a man might be found to con- tinue under existing conditions the ministry of this church with happily some large measure of personal pop ularity; but not thus in my judgment, nor by the service of any one man, can the opportunity created by the very difficulties of your position be fully met. The working position should be made for the man before the man should be called to the work. It is my mature conviction that this first church, in combination with other down town churches, which have sim liar problems to face, and with such a mergerAof powers and properties as a sagacious. business policy in any other enterprise would accomplish, might do vastly greater work for the kingdom of God in this community than has ever been realized before. Nor will I conceaLmy own feeling that if my re- tirement migh peradventure become the occasion of bringing such an issue to pass, should hail it with joy as the largest possible consummation of my ministry. On the other hand the close of my ministry may prove to be to this people what an apostle calls a savor from death unto death to them that are perishing, If must leave you without broad plan and far purpose, and with half-hearted and confused devotion, to enter upon nem compe- l titions, however successful they may be, other church, while you miss the opportunity of a varied, thoroughly supported and endowed institute and ministry of religion-not for a limited number of native-born New England families only, but for all classes and conditions of people, and in all Ian guages now spoken in New Haven.
 How, then, I shall be asked, would you have us hit, and not miss the op- portunity? I answer, by taking now the first step and let other steps I follow. But you will not take the first step forward in this direction-you may come only to cross purposes--ii you begin merely by starting in a hunt l for a new pastor. For this church as 1t is at present constituted, is moi ready to offer to any man of power and leading the conditions which he should require for a great work. But to say that this cannot be done, thai at this central point new position oi commanding influence for all right l eousness and for true religion cannot be gained, would be to follow the counsels of littleness, and not to gc forward to meet the larger providence before you.
 I would therefore recommend and urge you to take the initial step ir
 a new departure by adopting resolu. tion of the following tenor, viz; Ina a committee of five persons, member; of the church and congregation, bt appointed for the purpose of matur ing a plan for the thorough reorgan' l ization of the church, and for sucf consolidation of Congregational forces in the central portion of the city a may become feasible,s and that thi'
 committee take all needed time fol
 conference and endeavor for this pur
 pose before reporting to the church.
 I would further suggest as an alto
 gether advisable and hopeful mean
 to end that such committee. if yoi
 should see fit to appoint it, be com
 posed of new, or younger men, ant
 not of any of us who have for lonl
 time had the administration of th
 church in our charge; as the older of
 ficers of the church, together Witl
 myself. will discern the gracious wis
 dom of committing to coming men tn
 greater work of faith for the future
 I believe that the time for such actiol
 is now come.
 The details of this plan, which
 have thus lifted up in It's general pro portions, must of course be wreugh
 out in the private workshop of tn / committee. I will only add that il
 the hope of such larger realization o the life of this first church of Chris in New Haven, I have waited at m,
 post of duty, and in the vision of 1
 I shall wish to lay my commission
 down.
 A. MeC. Mathewson was chairman o last nights meeting. The committe
 appointed to take action in regard [ Dr. Smyth's request for retlremen
 brought in the following resolution:
 In appreciation of Dr. Smyth's lon
 and successful duties as pastor the fol : lowing resolutions were offered D Charles Morris and adopted by tn meeting: ., Resolved, That Rev. pr. Snyth al th expiration of his twenty-hft year 2 pastor having expressed the desire t retire from the active pastorate of tn church, in accordance with his desif we hereby accept his retirement frol the active pastorate.
 Further resolutions requested ths Dr. Smyth perform the duties of paste until next July.
 AS there wifi be no further bushes meeting of this cureh to take action o 2 Qr. Smyth's retirement 1t is proper place upon the records of this meetin some testimonial, of the churehs al preciation of the long anh splendid SCI vice rendered us by him,
 For twenty-five years this ancter church has rejoieed in the we'll wo fame of it's pastor. He has been, dul ing that time, one of the most promir \ oJ oh,