The Columbus weekly dispatch., 1908-11-26
PASTOR DELIVERS &
FAREWELL SER MON
REV. j.. w. SHOAFF, PASTOR OF
FIRST METHODIST CHURCH,
DELIVERED FAREWELL
ADDRESS SUNDAY.
Rabbi Joseph Herr, of Congregation
B'Nai Israel, Was Present. and
Spoke EIoquently of DIR.
Shoaff's Work Here.

call to Los Angeles, Cal, delivered
his farewell sermon TO his congrega-
tion last Sunday night. Notwith-
standing the fact that visiting ora
tors occupied the pulpits at various
other churches, there was fairly
i large congregation present, and DR..
Shoaff, as usual, made polished
and erudite address, expressing in
graceful language his regret at leav-
ing the church and it's people.
DR.. Shoaff declared that during
his pastorate of two years his rela-
tions not only with the congregation
and officials of the church, but with
the people of Columbus generally,
had been most cordial and that his
residence here had been exceedingly
pleasant. The work of DR.. Shoaff
as pastor of the First Methodist
church has been most successful. To
serve a congregation as large as the
one to which Dr. Shoaff has minis
| tered for the past two years cler-
gyman must not only be possessed
of eloquence as pulpit orator, but
must have a considerable amount of
| business ability This ability DR..
Shoaff possesses to a marked degree,
and during his incumbency the ma
teriaI as well as the spiritual welfare
of the church has been admirably
looked after.
Rev. Joseph Herr, rabbi of Con
gregation B'Nai Israel, was present
at the service Sunday night, and at
the close of the pastors sermon de-
| livered a short address, in which he
expressed the regret Of the people of
| Columbus, and especially of the Jew
| ish people, at DIR. Shoaff's departure.
| DR.. Herr said that his relations with
| DR.. Shoaff had been most cordial and
that in his policy toward the Jews
the retiring pastor had exhibited un-
usual observation-disclosures. 1t will be
remembered that DR.. Shoaff repre-
sented the Protestant ministers of
the city at the dedication of Temple
B Mai Israel last February, and on
that occasion delivered a very learn
ed discourse in which it was shown
that the Jews occupied a prominent
and dignified place in American his
tory, several Israelites having been
with Christopher Columbus when the
country was discovered, and mem
bers of the Jewish faith having been
prominent in politics, commerce and
literature from that time until now.
As stated above, DR.. Shoaff goes
to Los Angeles, Cal, having accepted
call to succeed DIR. J. J. Pritchett
as pastor of Trinity church in that
city. He leaves for his new home
Thursday, and while the sermon Sun
day night was his farewell address
to his congregation it will not be the
last time that he will be heard in a
local pulpit, as the Thanksgiving ser
mon at the First Baptist church next
Thursday morning will be delivered
by him. The services will begin
promptly at ten o'clock, and will be
concluded in time for DR.. Shoaff to |
catch the noon train for Los Angeles. |
The appointment of minister to
succeed DIR. j. w. Shoaff sas pastor |
of the First Methodist church will +
be left entirely to Bishop Morrison, T
and the congregation will make no
request or suggestion regarding the
matter. This course was decided /
upon at a laymen's meeting held last I
Monday night. There were about /
twenty-five of the most influential
members of the congregation pres
ent, and it was the sense of the meet
ing that the appointment be left to
the bishop, the people of the church
feeling confident that his judgment
and wisdom will lead him to appoint
the best man available.
The first Methodist church in this
city is one of the largest and most
influential in the North Mississippi
conference, and in cases of this kind
the suggestions Of church officials
regarding the appointment of pas
tors always receives consideration at
the hands of the bishops, but, as
stated above, the church officials have
decided to take no hand in the mat
ter, leaving the appointment entirely
10 the discretion of the bishop. The
North Mississippi conference meets
1t Water Valley on December End,
and at the close of the session the
will be announced.
Dr. Shoaff leaves tomorrow for
Los Angeles to assume his duties as
pastor of Trinity church. He will
,onduct the union Thanksgiving SER
ices at the First Baptist church at 6
en- o'clock tomorrow morning, and {