The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1910-11-21
Rev. ]. Dugald MacKenzie'S
Resignation Was a Surprise
AS PRESENTED YESTERDAY
He Gives, as His Two Main Reasons. His
Desire for Change of Climate AID the
Unresponsiveness Of the Congre-
CATION to His Efforts.

The resignation ot Rev J. Dugald Mac
Kenzie IS pastor OF the First Presby-
terian church, which was announced fol-
lowing the morning service yesterday,
oceasioned great surprise and regret
among his congregation, a. no inkling Of
the pastors purpose had been known.
However, at the request in the letter,
a meeting Of the congregation was called
for Wednesday evening, November 80,
to see what action will be taken.
The letter, as read by ]. S. Milne, clerk
of the session, after withdrawal Of Rev.
Mr.. Mackenzie, was as follows-
To the Session, the First Presbyterian
Church,
"Dear Fellow workers.
ut is with deep regret and only
after long deliberation that | herewith
tender my resignation as pastor Of this
church
"A statement of my reasons for TAX
ing such action might reasonably be ex-
peeted, and it is only in the belief that
sufficient grounds for so weighty and
serious a step exist that | am able to
take it.
Permit me, then, to state briefly two
main reasons for my action: First, az
pastor of this church l have been unable
to influence q large proportion of its
membership to attend its services of
public worship or to assume just share
in its support and work, without which
no church can be a moral force in the
community Therefore, it seems only
fos 70, Al, haA
man, better fitted to meet the needs
OF this congregation and its constituency,
should have an opportunity Of filling
this sacred Office.
Secondly, the climate Of Barre does
not agree with me- and have been labor
ing under serious physical disadvantages
II must seek change of climate.
"For all the loyal support given me
while | have tried to do my duty to
this cause and for every personal kind
ness shown me while / have been your
co-worker, will you and all the people,
accept my heartfelt thanks? II is hard,
indeed, for me to think of parting with
the people and work of this church, but
it seems as though it must be-
II ask, therefore, that a meeting of the
congregation be called to unite with me
in my request to the presbytery for a
dissolution of the pastoral relation at
present existing between me and this
church.
Praying that the blessing of God
may ever rest upon you as individuals
and upon all the people whom you rep
resent.
q am ever yours in the cause of
Christ,
"John Dilgald Mackenzie.
Barre, Vt, Nov. is, 1910"
Rev. Mr. Mackenzie came to Barre
as pastor Of the Presbyterian church two
years and two months ago, from the
Knox church at Lancaster, Ontario which
was his first charge following graduation
from Montreal Presbyterian college. Dur
ing the time the church, like all others
in the city, was called upon to weather
heavy financial storm because of the
long suspension of work in the granite
industry of last winter, yet the church
was able to clear off all its indebtedness
last July and to have a balance in the
treasury, the effort being due, in large
part to the pastor. At the present time
the church has only some small bills
outstanding If the presbytery shall
utSiNc " StfbI LAtG PdHloidi Att0tiJttf
there VIII be great regret in the church,
as we'll as in the community.
Rev Mr.. Mackenzie feels that the
change is absolutely necessary, because
of his health and he expects, in tho
event of the acceptance Of his resigna-
tion, to 60 to southern Alberta in Cam
ada He has had several pulpits offered
him during his pastorate in Barre most
of them at Canadian points, although
one was to large city in Illinois. He
has no particular field Of labor in view
at the present time.