The morning journal-courier., 1908-12-07
ACCEPT PTANCE READ
Rev, MT. Maurer to Enter on Pastorate of Center Church
 on April 25.
RECEPTION IN JANUARY
Will Preach Here Then--Regrets to Leave Present Work, But Feels
 Call of Greater Duty.

After the morning service at Center church yesterday the letter of accept ance was read from Rev Mir. Maurer of Great Harrington, to whom a call to the pastorate of the church has been extended as announced in this paper some time ago In his acceptance MT Manrer expresses regret at leaving his present work, but feels that he should follow the greater opportunity.
 When the letter had been read, Pro- lessor Porter. chairman of the sub committee which had tho direct charge of the matter of extending the call to the new pastor, spoke few words in regard to the fitness of MT Maurel' for the position in spite Of hls youth, and the satisfaction at his acceptance of the call. He alsn said that he had been requested by MT Maurer to ex- press hls thanks to the members Of the congregation for the many letters he has received from them urging his coming. Being. of course, unable to re- ply to so many letters, he wished to send word of the inspiration he had re- celved from them and his joy and hope at the prospect of coming to the church.
 Mir. Porter also announced that on the third or fourth Sunday In Janu- arv, MT Maurer will preach al Center church and at that time reception will he given him go that he may have an opportunity of becoming acquainted with the members of tho parish.
 II will be seen from tho letter that instead of September ], as first planned Mir Maurer VII take ID his duties at the church on April 25 next, In the meantime the pulpit wilI bo filled by various prominent cergymor az has been done since the resignation Of Rev Newman Smyth The preacher next Sunday will he Rev. MT. Mcfarland of South Norwalk
 Tn addition to Professor Porter, the members of 'he subcommittee arc Prof Edward Curtias. Charles F. Mor- ris. Prof Philip Browning, Henry Fl Townshond and Levi T snow.
 Mir. Maurer's letter In full follows: My Dear Mir Rowland:
 Your letter of December is at hand. enclosing the records of the several meetings in which the First Church and Ecclesiastical society of New Haven extend to me a call to become their minister. Since Your committee approached me some weeks ago, I have had the matter under con stant consideration Ii has been an exceedingly difficult question to decide. On the one hand Is the appeal of 2 great opportunity which y<ir call presents On the other hand there are the claims and needs of the church which I have the honor Of serving at present My duty to the larger work has finally led me to a decision. Although I am exceedingly reluctant to leave unfinished a task which has grown dear to me, and am not at all convinced of my fitness for your work, I accept the invitation to become your minister, upon the terms given in the minutes of '. the church and society.
 In q separate communication l have informed your committee that it will be possible for me to begin work with you by April 29, 1902 instead of September 25, as l had planned. If 1t can be arranged that l can be free from duty during the months of July and August, l should prefer to begin my ministry on the earlier date. This I presume, can be arranged with the committee on nominations
 In addition to this formal accept ance of your call, permit me to say that have been deeply touched by the many letters which | have roc ceived from members of the First church expressing their faith in the church's future and their desire to welcome mo as Weir pastor. How ever may shrink from the respon- abilities of so great a task, | cannot lack courage when consider the spr- t which the letters reveal There are difficult problems ahead of US. My coming to you is q venture. Per haps that is what makes the appeal all the greater. But to the success of this venture ] am ready to give my self wholly. ] know that since this is not to be my work. but our work, you are ready to do the same. In the consciousness of noble past and the high hope of worthy future, the First church faces q great task. | anticipate engaging in it with you, toward the day of the larger Christ.
 Faithfully yours.
 OSCAR EDWARD MAuRER. Mr. AmorN E, Rowland,
 Clerk of the First Church of Christ
 New Haven, Conn.
 
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