The Newtown bee., 1908-02-14
The NeWtOWn Bee.
 NswtoWn. Friday, February li, lssN'
New Milford.
REV G. H. JOHNSON RESIGNS AT
 SWAMPSC0TT, MASS.

At the Sunday morning service at the First Church Congregational, swampscott, Rev c. Il. Williams of Trinity Congregational church of Glou' cester. read the announcement of Pas tor JOhnson's acceptance to be the leader of the First Congregational church at New Milford, Conn.,, and when the sad news was received there were many weeping eyes among friends of the beloved minister.
 Rev George Il. Johnson has been the shepherd at the Swampscott church for the past three and a half years, and during that time has built up the soci- ety wonderfully. He has many friends in the church, and the committees have plead the past few weeks to have MT Johnson remain here. The field is a broad one, but after considerable de- liberation he has announced his accept ance of the Connecticut parish. The salary is more than the Swampscott church could pay, being $2l5O the first year. Not only are the Swampscott friends sorry to have their pastor and associate depart from their midst, but also the family regrets much to leave behind them ties which have been bound in this section. In the following letter Mir Johnson's announcement was made public Sunday morning:
 To the church and the parish of the
 First Church in Swampscott, Congre-
 gational :-
 Dear Friends: It is no news to any of you that call has been extended to me from the First Congregational church and parish of New Milford, Ct., to settle over them in the gospel min istry. This church IS the strongest in membership and resources in Western Connecticut. and also offers a large field of usefulness for which. it is be- lieved, 1 am somewhat fitted. The church has had an unusually eminent ministry for nearly 200 years, and it is no small honor to enter into its sue cession. .t.
 On the other hand, you offer me here field of rare attractiveness, field full of promise, and the tried and tested loyalty and cooperation of a fine body of Christian men and women. Through your committee of the parish, and committee of the church docu- ment expressing the mind of every member of both committees has been transmitted to me requesting me to de- cline all overtures. from another field, and remain here as your pastor, and promising continued hearty support and substantial increase in salary.
 All this has made it difficult for me to decide what my duty is. For weeks the problem has been on my heart and mind, and l have honestly sought to de- eide this question on the principle, Where can Ibest invest my life dur ing the next few years, for the glory of the kingdom of God" To-day 1 give you my decision, and 1 sincerely believe it to be Gods will that l take up the work of this new field which has called me, and 1 therefore tender my resignation of this pastorate, that l may accept this other charge.
 In making this decision. 1 am not unmindful of the most pleasant rela- tions which have ever existed between us, of the friendship which not few of you have given to me lavishly. Neither am I unmindful that I leave a loving and loyal congregation for another, untested, untried and uncer- tain. For over three and a half years you have treated me and my family with princely favor and courtesy, you have been all that even most exact ing minister might reasonably expect. For all this l most heartily thank you, and because of it and my affection for this church and people, my going will occasion me and mine no little pain and grief. Therefore, that the pain be not needlessly prolonged, 1 ask that my resignation take effect on the last day of this month, subject to the ad- vice of the council, which shall be called at a time mutually agreeable to US.
 Trusting that the great head of the church shall speedily send to you His chosen under shepherd. who shall lead to still greater achievements in the future, and again thanking you for all your love and loyalty to me and to my family, I am.
 Most affectionately yours.
 George Herbert Johnson.
 Saturday, February 8, 1908.
 -[Lynn, (Mass.), Item.