The Brattleboro reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1907-1912, 1908-12-11
RESIGNATION Is ACCEPTED.
Derby, Conn, Church Adopts Resolu
lions Regarding Rev. MIR. Houghton.

| The First Congregational church OF
| Derby, Conn.,, ana the Ecclesiastical So
ciety OF that church both held meetings
| last night, and took action on the resig
nation oil Rev. hoy Nj. Houghton, pastor
ol the church, winch was placed IN the
nanus oil the committee some time ago.
there was a good attendance at the
| meetings, and while the resignation was
accepted with regret, the church and the
society acted iavoraDly upon it,. feeling
| that the call that had come to the MN
| ister was one which was Tor the welfare
OF the calling church and OF the minister,
although a decided loss Tor the local
church.
The church society met first, and
Thomas b. Minor was elected moderator.
The letter OF resignation was read and
accepted, and the following resolution,
which had been prepared by Newell j..
Bailey, was read by Herbert b. Bridge
water, and was adopted by the meeting;
Our pastor, Rev. Roy M. Houghton,
having accepted call to the Centre Con
rendered his resignation to the church
and to the Ecclesiastical. society, to take
effect JAN To- 1909 We accept his res
ignation, realizing that he is called to a
larger field OF usefulness in the service of
Gods kingdom, but with feeling of
deep regret and sorrow that the pleas
ant and harmonious relation that has
united us as pastor and people is to be
officially severed, although we trust that
the relations of friendship and esteem eX-
isting between us will never be broken.
We wish to express our sincere apprecia-
ton of his service to our church and
community during the term of his pastor
ate with us. We realize that his interest
in the moral and spiritual welfare of the
people in our parish has been productive
of great good and his readiness to assist
us in every good work and his earnest ef-
fort for civic righteousness, has won him
the esteem and confidence of the Chris
tan people of our city regardless of de-
nomination. Largely through his instru-
mentality the interior of our church has
been beautifully re-decorated, our fnan-
cial standing has been improved and our
membership has been largely increased.
While, we reluctantly part with him we
to a larger field of influence, and pray
that God may bless and prosper him and
his people in the new relation he is soon
to assume"
After the church meeting adjourned,
the Ecclesiastical society was called to or
der and with Mr.. Minor presiding, the
same formalities were gone through with
and the following resolution, written by
Henry M. Bradley, jr., was adopted:
Whereas, our pastor, the Rev. Roy M.
Houghton, has received call to larger
field of service and has signifed his de.
sire to sever his connection with this
church and society, in order to accept
this call, be it, therefore,
Resolved, That we hereby express our
regret and sorrow at parting from one
who during the time he has labored earn
estly and faithfully among us has SO great
ly endeared himself to the people Of this
church and community. Realizing as we
do the splendid spirit of harmony that
has prevailed during his pastorate; the
excellent financial condition of the So
ciety; the great Improvements made to
the church building; the formation of a
large young mems club; the addition of
one hundred and twenty new members |
to the rolls of the church, and the conse
quent increase of over sixty per cent in |
the church membership in three years;
his splendid gifts, rare tact and insight, |
it is with the deepest regret that we &C
cept the resignation of the Rev. Roy M. |
'The people of this church and COM
munity will ever have for him feelings of
deep regard and warm affection, and we
hereby hope that his life may be long
and pleasant and his labors for the Mas
ter's kingdom abundantly blessed. An
sonia Sentinel, Dec. 4.