Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1908-10-29

0.0uSAS Hiin nome: and .nothfnF
Will save q vast multitude Of men un.
less their fellows, in love and faith.
nelp them to fight their battles
through to victory.
Abraham Lincoln was man :,
Doundless faith in Cod He once said:
1t Is not particular whether God Is
on our side, but it is all important
whether we are on Gods side" On
one occasion when his pastor desired
20 make call. the President fixed the
nour at O'Clock In the morning He
found Mr.. Lincoln reading the Bible.
and he learned that it was the great
emanc1pator's custom to spend the
early morning hour each day in Bible
reading and prayer.
My dear friends, If any substantial
victories have been won in this dear
church during my pastorate, which
ends with this sacred Sabbath, they
have been faith victories Nothing
we have endeavored to do together
during these 1--WE happy years has
been worth while unless it was what
God wanted done. am thankful for
the kindly providence which brought
me to this noble church with Its null
titude Of devoted and loyal people.
am deeply grateful to you all for your
love and patience. for your fidelity
and your prayers. I wish could
have serted you better. In the ardu-
Gus. though happy, labors of this
great parish I have been assured OF
your earnest and sympathetic sup
port. Without your constant cooper
alton should have utterly failed.
thank you tenderly for your generous
sympathy. for during these five years
my greatest sorrows have come to me.
There was happy tri-unionate OF us;
my sainted father, my only brother,
and myself. My father was COM
rade and congenial companlen to his
boys. All Unexpectedly, In the morn
ing of his brilliant career, my brother
was stricken. and in few hours the
eminent young lawyer stood before
the Great Judge.
1t was a deadenfng blow. My
father, advancing In years. bent un-
der the Christening. Though it whit
ened his locks, it divinely Frightened
his faith. It was your distinguished
honor to know my father and hear
him preach. His last sermon was
preached in this pulpit, his last public
prayer was offered at these holy al
tars. He used to sit beside me here.
casionally, when urged him to do so,
he would visit the other churches and
listen to my brilliant confreres, who
are widely known for their eminence
and eloQuence; and, then, with par
ent's fond indulgence and extrava-
gance, he would say, my son, none
of these men breaches better than
you smiled at the fiction, but
nevertheless my fathers opinion was
more to me than any others, and his
loving presence furnished tonic and
inspiration to my work; and when, in
that parsonage in the very shadow Of
the sanctuary, his soul ascended to
meet his Lord, the noblest and most
exquisite Christian gentleman whom
God ever made, ended his earthly pill
grimage. In my great sorrow you
sustained me with your tender pray
ers and sympathy. But the old world
has been pretty lonesome to me since
the going away of these two dear
men.
I leave you reluctantly, but I turn
my face again to the sunset shore
with happy expectations. Many
friends await our coming. Nine
years ago this very week laid the
Cornerstone of that beautiful church; !;
and piece OF my heart went into the
copper box. / want your prayers that
my ministry there may be faithful and
! fruitful.
A sincere and hearty welcome TO
my successor, DR.. Henderson and his
| and loyalty to me. He Is most wor-
tazm ttegm mqt zaqr fe Ibis ahadsgRs5t s8n9eafa ana es
| a man who has been tried and not
found wanting. He is stalwart: !:
| rugged in body, vigorous IN mind
and large OF heart He is capable,
| resourceful, victorious. God bless
! him and you, and make his coming
the most notable pastorate in the
eventful history OF this church.
| = And, now,~once more, thank you
| one and all-the trustees. the stew
ards, the class leaders, the Sunday
school, the presiding elders. the -dea-
| conesses. the sexton, the Epworth
league. the Mems 2-3-2 Club. the
i missionary societies, the organists
and chobrs. the ushers, the children
who have loved me, the young people
who have listened to me. the oldel
5 people VINO have PRAYED for. me: al
/ who have In any way he1red in These
] Eve memorable years Of my life,
thank you with all my heart and pra1
i for you. To the members Of othe1
1 churches, and those who have attend
] ed upon my ministry who were no
I members Of this church, would say
you have gladdened and encourages
/ my heart by your presence and kindl!
words; and thank you, one and all
again and again. Remember whe1
Won come to California Ishall be ther
4 to warmly welcome you to my churcl
and to my, home.
il Alfred Soderman OF Worceste
II Mass. has succeeded Ill growing p
Il tatoes aud tomatoes on the, san