Perth Amboy evening news., 1908-05-21

At the prayer meeting of the Bap-
tist church, last night, letter was
read from Rev. William H. Bawden,
of Bridgeton, accepting the call Of
the local church to become its pas
tor. He will assume charge here
June 1.
A call was extended to Mr.. Baw-
den several weeks ago after numer-
GUS candidates had been heard. He
had preached twice before the local
congregation and made an excellent
impression both times. Mr.. Bawden
also had under consideration a call
from a church in Connecticut. His
letter Of acceptance was received
with much enthusiasm last night.
1t is as follows:
The Members of the First Baptist
Church. Perth Amboy, New Jer-
sey:
Dear Brethren.
1t is with much qualification that
/ learn of the practical expression
that you have given to your desire
to have me become your pastor. 1t
speaks volumes for the zeal with
which future problems will be met
and solved.
Since your call first came, / have
been seeking to discover whether or
not 1t was also the Lords call. /
have asked Him to make His will
very clear, by removing obstacles
and shutting up every other door.
This he has done SO signally that I
can no longer hesitate to follow what
seems to be plainly the leadings of
the Spirit.
AS we assume the mutual relation
ship, with It's reciprocal obligations,
may be both look to the Heavenly
Father for wisdom and strength, de-
pending upon him rather than upon
one another; for while one may plant
and another water, 1t is God who
gives the increase. / trust with you
all that the church will enjoy an
exceedingly prosperous future, both
spiritually and temporarily. Let us
take for our motto. Perth Amboy
for Jesus Christ" ourselves working
as an individual church, as well as
cooperating with the other churches
of the city to that end.
Agreeable to your request, you
may expect to have me commence
work as your pastor by the first of
June
Believe me, yours, for service, in
Christ's name,
VIM. H. BAWDEN.
May 1S, 1908.
Mr.. Bawden was born in New York
city, where he received his early
school training and where his par
ents still live. After going through
the public schools he entered Column
bia University and studied mining
engineering in the School of Mines.
For three years following he was
associated with his father in business
as a merchant tailor in New York.
He then went back to Columbia, en-
tering the School of Arts and was
graduated in 1893. He entered I'M
ion Seminary and graduated in 1896.
During his studies there he took
post graduate course at Columbia.
The first pastorate of Mr.. Bawden
was at Port Chester, N. T., where he
remained four years. He then enter
ed the Anti-Saloon League work in
New York state, in which he contin-
ued for nearly year, giving 1t up to
accept the pastorate of the Olivet
Baptist church at New Haven, Conn.
There he stayed for four years, re-
signing to go to Bridgeton, where he
has been pastor of the First Baptist
church for the past three years. He
resigned there January l., the resig-
nation to take effect at time to be
set later. Last Sunday he announced
that the time would be May 81.
Mr.. Bawden is married and has
two children. He has spent some
time In this city and already has
many friends outside his congrega-
ton. He is much pleased with the
field here presented. He will be In
this city next Sunday to preach to
the Grand Army veterans, who will
attend the Baptist church in a body.