The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1908-10-23
to make A call, the President f,xed the

to make a call, the President fixed the
hour at o'clock in the morning. He
found MIR. Lincoln reading the Bible,
and he learned that IL was the great
emancipator's custom TO spend the
early morning hour each day in Bible
reading and prayer.
My dear friends, IL 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 10 do together
during these five happy years has
been worth while unless IL was what
God wanted done. | am thankful for
the kindly providence which brought
me 10 this noble church with its mul.
titude of devoted and loyal people. ]
am deeply grateful 10 you all for your
love and patience, for your fidelity
and your prayers. l wish | could
have served you better. In the ardu-
Gus, though happy, labors OF this
great parish l 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
There was a happy tri-unionate of us;
my sainted father. my only brother.
and myself. My father was a com.
rade and congepial companion 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 deadening blow. My
father, advancing in years, bent un-
der the chastening. Though IL 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.
and love me into better service. Oc-
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
ana eloQuence, and, then, with a par
ent's fond indulgence and extrava.
gance, he would say. my son, none
of these men breaches better than
you" I 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 &c
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.
leave you reluctantly, but I turn
EaeA face again to the sunset shore
with happy expectations. MsNy
friends await our coming. Nine
years ago this very week l 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
family, will be token OF true love
and loyalty to me. He is most wor-
thy of your highest confidence and es.
TEEN. He has won many trophies, is
d Iudu WHO has Uttu tTIeu anu Uot
found wanting. He Is a 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, I 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
missionary societies, the organists
and choirs, the ushers, the children
who have loved me, the young people
who have listened TO me, the older
people who have prayed for me; all
who have in any way helped In these
five memorable years OF my life, ]
thank you with all my heart and pray
for you. To the members OF other
churches, and those who have attend.
ed upon my ministry who were not
members of this church, 1 would say.
you have gladdened and encouraged
my heart by your presence and kindly
words; and / thank you, one and all.
again and again. Remember when
you come to California I shall be there
TO warmly welcome you to my church
and to my home.