Evening star., 1909-06-07

NV. LIZ. E olIL1A6CA.
The resignation OF Rev. DR.. Bittinger
stated clerk of the Presbytery of Wash
ington City for thirtysix years, at the
intermediate meeting Of that organization
in the First Presbyterian Church this
morning occasioned much regret among
the clergy and laity in attendance. DR.
Bittin2er said that he felt that he had
kept at the work long enough and he
desired to lay aside some of the labors
which he had been shouldering for so
many years. A number of the ministers
and laymen paid tribute to his work.
DIR. Joseph T. Kelly of the Fourth Pres
byterian Church. DR.. Donald c. Macleod
OF the First Presbyterian Church and
Rev. DIR. Wallace Radcliffe Of the New
York Avenue Presbyterian Church made
short addresses in which they eulogized
DIR. Bittingers services to the presbytery.
DIR. Bittinger announced that he would
give up his work in October and the pres
bytery then elected Rev. I. +. Davis, pas
tor of the Westminster Memorial Church
and now permanent clerk of the presby-
terry. to the position made vacant by DR..
Bittinger Rev. George NJ. Cummings.
pastor of the Garden Memorial Presby-
teran Church. was chosen to succeed
Rev. Mr.. Davis as permanent clerk.
The presbytery sanctioned the calls of
the Metropolitan Presbyterian Church to
Rev. Paul r. Hickok Of Delaware. Ohio.
and of the Hyattsville Presbyterian
Church to Rev. James Kelly Argo Of
Marion, Ohio.
AS soon as this action was taken Rev.
DR.. Bittinger arose and began slowly
reading his resignation to the presbytery.
Organization of the Presbytery.
DR.. Bttinger prefaced his resignation
as stated clerk of the presbytery with a
reference to the organization of the body
June 20. 1870. by the merging of the Pres
bytery of the District and the Presbytery
of the Potomac. He continued: LAS thus
constituted 1t consisted of eighteen min
listers and sixteen ruling elders repre-
senting that number of churches. As
significant of change, wrought the pass
ing of even thrty-nine years. 1t is a note
worthy fact that all the ministers then
present-and all the ministers then re-
siding in the city, including both Pro-
testant and Roman Cathoics-there were
ter. your stated cerk, and Rev. ]. G. But
Ter of the Lutheran Church-while of the
same ministers who participated in the
services of organization. five are living.
ates-Rev. DIR. Samuel S. Mitchell. Rev.
DR.. David w. Moffat. Rev. John S.
French, now residing permanently in the
west, in addition to the two other firss
mentioned. DR.. Chester and myself"
DIR. Bittinger was chosen stated clerk
to succeed Rev. Thaddeus B. McFalls,
who died May q. 1873 and has continued
ever since in that position. He continued:
Tenders Resignation.
Having sustained that relation for
thirty-six years. now. after deliberate
consideration and a regard for the fitness
of things. I beg you to accept my resig-
of fl,n oH <oi~o
1st of October next. 1 ask that my resig-
nation take effect at that time in order
that l may have an opportunity to COM
plete some unfinished records, and also
that my successor may familiarize himself
with the detailed operations of the Office.
and thus be the better prepared to as
sumo its duties at the fall meeting of the
presbytery / have not. in advance,
formally announced my purpose to re-
sign. nor have I given it indecorous pub
licity, not deeming 1t to be necessary
but. especially. because courtesy seemed
to require that it should be first made
to you.
Now, possibly, some one. gifted with
superabundance of benevolent in
stincts, and reasoning from outward ap-
be an absolute necessity for my vacating
the Office at the present time seeing that
my eye is not dim, neither my natural
force abated Very kind. indeed. and
Qeeply appreciated, Uut tHlISS, MT. Mode
rator, are not always what they seem
And l fear, that, in the possibilities of
ministerial experience. If now wavering
in my purpose. at the present time, the
time may come when. looking back it
might be with that regret SO aptly ex-
pressed by Whittier slightly changed:
of all sad words of tongue or pen.
The saddest are ;hcsr-t ought To have hccn.'
And yet, speaking at the present time
and under existing conditions. both men
tai and physical. l must not be betrayed
into forgetfulness or under apprecia-
tion of things they really are. For,
let me say, this right hand has not yet
lost its cunning, but is as competent as
ever to record the dicta of your Pres
byterial proceeding; neither has it by
long continued use become incapacitated
to indite letters of commendation for
those aspiring brethren who. persuad-
always to be blest. long for more at
tracrive pastorates. where. under the
expanding influences of changed environ
ments. their gifts may have freer ex-
ercise and their labors be more fully
Notwithstanding. as some do. that
it is better to bear the ills we have
than to fly to others We know not of.
Nor has the traditional grasshopper
become a burden, under which. with un-
steady steps. l must thread my way
amid bicycles. automobiles and pay-as-
you-enter street cars But, taking you
into my confidence (Which l hope you
will respecD, I confess that from GER
tain wireless telegraphic messages. or
through other sources Of information no
grasshopper not only has a veritable
existence, but also that even now his
chirping. like the voice Of the turtle. is
heard in the land, thus giving warning