The Washington herald., 1907-03-11
Influenced By Three Things

luGuenC2d By InFee lnlHEH.
after long and prayerful dcliberation,
I have been led TO accept your call, be
Heving it to be the call of God and Sust-
ing that future events may prove that ]
have not been mistaken. Three things
have influenced me in coming TO this deci-
sion:
''First-Your call was unsOught, uhani-
nous, and enthusiastic. This I hold 10 be
OF vital Importance. No minister can do
the work Of the Lord successfully in a
modern church unless he is sure OF the
united and hearty cooperation Of the
people in every wise undertaking. The
minister is a leader, but he must have
people who viii follow. No commander
can win battles if il takes all his time 10
suppress incIpient riot In the ranks, and
all his strength searching for deserters.
1t IS because l understand your unani-
nous call 10 mean that you VIII lOyally
support me in an aggressive and progress
sive work for the Master that 1 have de-
cided 10 cast my lot among you. It is
not 10 be a pastor working alone, bat a
pastor plus the energy and enthusiasm
OF a thousand Christians-Old and young
all working for the glory Of God.
''SeCond-It has seemed that your par
ism offers ample opportunity for the work
love. 4 large and thoughtful congre-
cation, ready 10 listen with open minds
and receptive hearts to the truth as il
is In Christ Jesus; above all, a large num-
Der of young people who are 70 be nurtur-
ed in righteousness and trained foi
service.
Third have been led to this decision
need. have not interpreted the path
Of duty 20 lie alons the line Of least
resistance. The immediate need and the
future opportunity both seemed great
This I have Interpreted as the call OF
God. ], therefore, accept your call, and
God willing. shall commence my labors
among you May !, 1907.
No HaIf-hearted Acceptance.
This is no haIf-hearted acceptance
Whatever strength Of body. mind, or sou
I I possess are all given to the Master. e
be used for your good and the advance.
ment Of His kingdom. 1t is my earnes
prayer that the Fathers blessing upor
our united efforts may make my ministry
among you fruitful in leading many soul,
to the Saviour and in building all IN,
Z DtDll4E Lb III righteousness dtLu true lUl
ness"
An extract from private letter. which
/ is as follows, was also read: After tn,
/ demonstration on Sunday I felt that &
would be impossible for me to leav,
/ Springfield, and wrote a declnation
| Later I felt that perhaps the path Of ny
/ duty was not the easy path. and tha
/ perhaps I had allowed my feelings TO,
/ large place in my decision"
I without Pastor Some Time.
The First Congregational Church ha.
been without a pastor some time. Aftel
/ the work Of securing the services Of Dr
/ Woodrow was taken up it seemed for
/ time as though the people Of Springfiel,
would be victorious in inducing the pas
/ tor to remain. Every inducement wa
offered. and the Massachusetts peopl
gave DIT. woodrow severai fatterinI
/ demonstrations 10 show their apprecia
ton Of his work
The new pastor Of the First COngrega
tional Church is one Of the foremost min
listers of the church and the news of hi
/ acceptance of the call was received wit
/ general satisfaction
/ A reception will be rendered Dr. Wood
row when he arrives in this city som
time in the latter part OF April