The Newtown bee., 1908-11-27
The 'NewtoWn Bee.
 Newtown, Friday. November 27, 1908.
FAREWELL SERMON OF REV ]. L.
 R WYCK0FF.
FOR 3S YEARS PASTOR OF THE NORTH CHURCH, WOODBURY.

Twelve years ago, when the S0th an- niversary of the organization of this church, and the 25th of my ministry among you occurred, I prepared and delivered an historical discourse, in which, at great pains, and from vari- ety of sources 1 had gathered whatever seemed to be worthy of note in the life of this church. Twenty-Five years ago there were living among us number of aged persons who distinctly remem- bered the organization of this church and whatever of interest was connect ed with it's history. From these per sons most of those facts were gathered. My ministry among you began at a period of your ecclesiastical life which made it possible for me to connect my self with a past which otherwise would have been dim and shadowy. Of the original charter members, it was my privilege to be personally acquaint- ed with two of them (Judson Minor and Mrs Nancy Sherman) and con ducted the services preparatory to their burial. Thus have l beeli per mitted to reach back my hand and grasp the hands of those who laid the foun- dation of this church. And of that long list who died before l came, 1 have heard many things pertaining to their christian lives and eminent services, 1 have regarded them as al. most personal acuuaintances and friends. From these sources and through years of inquiry 1 learned many facts which might seem trivial to us to-day, but century hence would be deemed of great value. 1 have no personal vanity to gratify, but I have often thought these facts ought to find more enduring form than my fading manuscript. 1 am very sure no one can ever again collect them.
 The history of a church like this presents epochs of peculiar interest and significance, just as the history of an old tree, in it's trunk, by it's twigs, reveals periods of special struggle, growth, or decline. The scientist, in those twigs very easily discovers years of vigorous growth, succeeded by years of apparent torpor, and these alternat- ing all through it's life reveal the fact that variation of climate, moisture, drouth, etc., have affected its life fa- vorably or otherwise. So this church has had it's periods of greater or less interest, it's periods of quickening and of apathy. from variety of causes within and without.
 It is not unusual to cut the history of mankind into convenient lengths, each century or fraction thereof, and assign to each its own character and flavor, to label each with name or formula, and then deliver over those parcels to the safe custody of memorial halls or church records for future ref erence. The only sense in which a cen tury. or any fraction of it has char acter or work of its own, is simply the sense in which any long period, as hu- man life goes, incloses some great movement, and therefore teaches us some profitable lessons. Having so recently collected and rehearsed the essential facts of our church life, it is unnecessary to go over that ground to- day. .....
 To efface one's self is one of the preachers first duties. The herald should be lost in the message. John, the Baptist's great words, when he was urged to declare himself some what, should ever be the preachers confession, "I am only voice. What the voice says is important, but the voice is only feeting noise. But there are times when it is more than permissible for the preacher to step forward, and when not to be personal would be affectation. Surely 1 stand at such time this morning. 1 close | to-day 37 years of a ministry to this congregation. Thank God l need not say that I close this day ministry of !! more than 45 years; for still hope, God helping me, to minister to the needs of my fellowman, and still in some way finish my life work here.
 The completion of the 37 and more years of my ministry among you, may have no special significance except that it may furnish convenient standpoint from which to remind you of the aims had in view during my ministry. And so 1 propose this morning to take you affectionately into my confidence and tell you what have been the underlying motives that have lmpelled me during these more than 37 years of blessed l. and joyous service of the Master. That the work has been very imperfectly done, no one knows so well as myself. |