The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1909-12-23
A FAREWELL SERVICE"

A FAREWELL SERVICE"
Novel Proceedings at Congregational
Meeting in Central Church.
DR.. ]. w. Wolling, for the past two
years pastor of Central Methodist
church, preached his farewell sermon
and made his farewell talk to the
congregation on Sunday morning.
On account of the inclement weather,
the congregation was not so large as
it might have been, though there
was a pretty good attendance. At
the request of the pastor, the con-
gregation remained after the usual
service for congregational meeting;
and several members from other
churches, by his invitation, also re-
mained. Assuming the chair DR..
Wolling announced that there would
| be some resolutions read. Mr.. c. L.
Blease then read resolutions COM
mandatory of DR.. Wolling and of his
work as pastor Of Central church,
declaring that his removal to another
field was a source Of regret to the
church and that he would not have
been moved if the church had been
consulted. DR.. S. G. Welch and Mr..
R. D. Wright seconded the resolu-
tions. There was no discussion, and
Mr.. Blease put the resolutions to the
congregation and declared them
adopted unanimously.
Then DR.. Wolling made a talk, in
which he spoke of his pastorate here
and showed very plainly that he was
not at all pleased that he had not
been returned, winding up with the
statement that the church was not re-
sponsible for the change, nor was he,
nor the presiding elder nor the bish-
CD, but the board of stewards was.
"And, now," said he, 'let that soak
in"-and paused to give it chance
to soak in" While it was soaking
in" Mr.. Jno. H. Wicker, a member
of the board of stewards, rose and,
with suppressed feeling, made a
short statement concerning the ac-
ton of the board. He said that eight
of the ten members of the board
were present at the meeting at which
the question of his returning was
brought up, that the question was
fully considered, and that the board,
acting for the best interests OF the
church as they saw it, and in no un-
kindness to DR.. Wolling, adopted
unanimous resolution asking
change and instructing the chairman
of the board to communicate the
fact to the presiding elder.
DR.. G. w. Mayes also spoke. He
said that the members of the board OF
stewards were not filing that POSI-
ton because they had any desire to
do so, but because they were select
ed for the position by the pastor and
elected at the quarterly conferences:
that they had done their duty by the
church as they saw It and that they
had no apologies to make; but If the
church wanted their designations
they could get them.
Mr.. W. H. Wallace, chairman OF
the board for the past year, declared
that in his thirty-three' years as
member Of this church he had seen
many preachers come and go, but he
had never witnessed a spectacle like
this; that the board Of stewards,
In the interest of peace and order,
SuOmlLIGu luC AOASSt1SA4o SSHA
tanned In the resolutions, and would
have said nothing but for the doctors
remarks about them. He then told
of a recent meeting Of the board OF
stewards, when the question OF a
pastor for the incoming year came
up and a resolution was offered that
it was the sense of the board that q
change would be best for the church;
that, as chairman of the board, he
put the resolution, every member
present voting "aye;" that he was
Instructed as chairman of the board,
to inform the presiding elder of the
action of the board, and did so. That
every member of the board had the
kindest feelings for DR.. Wolling, as
he had good reasons to know, and
that as they had done the best they
could for him here they wished him
Godspeed in his new field.
Mr.. q. F. Wright, with an evident
desire to bring the unpleasant scene
to a close, moved adjournment; and
the congregation adjourned-with-
out the benediction.-Newberry OBJ