The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-11-11
me- IN this noble church with it's null

me 10 IQlS HODl6 CuuICu Will llS uui-
titude of devoted and loyal people. 1
am deeply grateful to you all for your
love and patience, for your fidelity
and your prayers. I wish l could
have served you better. In the ardu-
Gus, though happy, labors OF his
great parish I have been assured OF
your earnest and sympathetic sup
port. Without your constant cooper
alton I should have utterly failed. l
thank you tenderly for your generous
sympathy, for during these five years
my greatest sorrows have come to me.
There was a happy tri-unionate OF us;
my sainted father, my only brother,
and myself. My father was q com-
rade and c%ongenial companion to MS
boys. All Unexpectedly, in n morn
ing of his brilliant career, my brother
was stricken, and in a few hours the
eminent young lawyer stood before
the Great Judge.
It was a deadening blow. MY
father, advancing In years, bent un-
der the Christening. Though it whit,
ened his locks, it divinely frightened
his faith. 1t 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 I 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 el%oquence; 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" 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 assembled 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 I laid the
cornerstone of that beautiful church;
and a piece of my heart went into the
copper box. I 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 a 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
a man who has been tried and not
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, I
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, I would say.
you have %gladdened and encouraged
my heart by your presence and kindly
words; and I thank you, n and all,
again and again. Remember when
you come to California Ishall be there
to warmly welcome you to my church
and to my home. g..