The Oskaloosa herald., 1909-11-11
AMONG THE CHURCHES
Items of Interest Cleaned From
Pulpit and Sactuary.

The resignation of Rev. S. H. Zendt
as pastor of the Christian church OF.
Oskaloosa was accepted Sunday. morn
ing by the expressed vote Of the con
'gregation present for the morning
service. Mr., Zendt made an explana.
tory address at the opening of the SER
vice, placing the matter before the
congregation, and supplementing the
that have been made
to the church by the board He ask
ed that the acceptance of his resigna-
ton or the. granting Of his release
from the Oskaloosa passionate be
made unanimous. The vote of the
membership, however, was not unani-
nous. The church had practically
agreed to release the minister and the
loutcome of the formal vote was an
Iticipated, but there were many whose
regard and appreciation OF the min
lister and his work and the knowledge
of what he has been to the local
church would not permit them to vote
for the severing of the formal ties
that held him as pastor of the church.
Rev. Zendt will in all likelihood re-
main in Oskaloosa about two weeks
and the farewell sermon will be de-
Ilivered on the morning of November
i21, that is, If plans now under consid-
Grafton are. fmatured Rev. Zendt
some weeks ago received a call to a
larger field at Bloomington, Ill. The
Second Christian church of that place,
which is recognized as one of the
largest and most active congregations
and churches of the entire state of
Illinois, extended Mr.. Zendt call
some time ago. The conditions sur
rounding the new field are such that
make the place particularly desirable
to Mr.. Zendt. 1t is a larger field in
all ways and gives ample opportunity
for the extension of lines of work in
which the minister is employed and
interested. The matter was taken up
with the official board of the church,
which was advised of the opportuni-
ties presented to the minister. The
board voted that they would not stand
going meant inconvenience and per-
sonal loss to the members of the
church. The boardhhas held the min.
lister in highest esteem and the mem.
Ibers felt that they had no right to
place obstacles in the path Of his ad-
ivancement. The matter was explain
ed to the members OF the church in
this light and the vote of Sunday
morning was vote of good will fur
lthering the minister on his way to a
greater work rather than an express
sion of willingnesslIto part with him.
And it was, so regarded both by min
lister and congregation. The loss of
Rev. Zendt as pastor of the Christian
church will be OF more far reaching
extent than is generally known. The
minister for a number of years has
been at the head ofithe Iowa Board of
Missions of the Christian church,
where as president he has done a
wonderful work and where his pecul.
lar adaptability for. the field had am.
pie opportunity for the display of his
powers. He has been the best and
the strongest man in the place that
the State Board has known in years,
and the influence of his example has
welded a great power for good. The
acceptance Of the resignation. which
is in fact the formal notification OF
the acceptance Of the Bloomington
pastorate, is received with regret by
church members and citizens alike.
Mr.. Zendt has been a favOrite minis.
ter during the term of his residence
in OskalOosa.