The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1910-03-05
MINISTER'S ANNUAL REPORT

MINISTER'S ANNUAL REPORT
Dear Bret ren and Sisters and Friends
of the Central Christian Churci.
Greeting: - IS
By the gracious care OF the Good
Father. time has brought to me. the
privilege of entering upon another year
as your minister. Words soon vanish
into thin air. but hte speech of the
heart Is immortal. Therefore would
have this immortal language of the
heart to assure you OF our full apprc-
citation OF the many klndnesses yoa
naxe shown us throughout the year.
whose door has Just closed.
Because or my inability to form nc.
quaintances rapidly. there may be
some members of the congregation
whom do not know. whose friendship
and confidence j have mot yet enjoyed.
But whether know you or not. before
giving. the items OF my annual report
| covet the opportunity for brief talk
with You on some OF the vital things
OF life,
II this year is to be a'better, bright.
err and happier year. than the. puBt. II
will be SO because you have resolved
10 make 1t thus. During this year
Christ may be enthroned or He may
De dethroned. which snail 1t be? 1t Is
true that We can not begin life rs min.
ister and congregation In this second
year much different from what we
were ut the close of the first, but We
can end 1t differently. i am wondering
what has been the chief influence, the
controlling motive In our lives during
he past year. Do the faculties of our
minds shine with II more splendid
illumination because they are shot
through and through with the Truth
Ut the lncarnate Word? DO our hearts
thrill with more helpful and sympa.
.hetlc emotions because of closer
lcquaintnnce with the. Christ OF Cal.
iary? Is 1t ensier aud Joy 10 pnt our
wills beneath the Divine scepter OF the
immortal King? II in our thinking,
and loving, and choosing. and doing. Ii
DUR minds and hearts and willis and
1onscIences have not been kept
through tarist Jesus: II We have
lot made the Improvement we should: ;
II We have, not lived mp TO the concep.
lion oil character and duty us we
ought; IL We have come short OF our
ideals; IL we have not realized. our
-oul visions, then let lis In this year
make another trial. IL In the days
hat have dropped into sunset We, have
.ried and failed. let us not be discour.
sd but try agnin; W can do better
Ills. year. There. never was time
when We. had SO. many. tools and so
much material before Us out OF which
% build OUR soul mansions. Never did
more kingly ideals beseach us to look
lpward and move forward.
J. Brethren. ours is.st golden opportun.
~. All doors now swing wide open
20 plant u Reunited Church OF! Jesus
~hrist IN Our. home city. Where drunk.
enness and social vices hold high car.
nlval shall flourish the Kingdom o!
christ. The shafts of Gospel light
shall pierce all through the darkness
that mas SO long enveloped the homes
OF sin. A rainbow OF hope spans our
cause in Fairmont. Light Is breaking
lorth from unexpected quarters. The
ttems expressed in tgGres in this re.
port are only the '.jot" and little" OF
what has been achieved during the
PAST year. The best OF our accom-.
rlishments can not be measured BY
material units. True values can NOT
be computed in dollars and cents. The
things of worth In the Kingdom OF God
tan not be weighed In pounds or tons.
The magnificent reaches that some OF
you are catching OF this little conEre,
cation or Disciples of Christ are longer
than miles. The ronderous weight OF
the determinations that some OF you
nave made are heavier than all the
rocks In these hills; and your holy
purpose and righteous living shall gen
crate more light and heat than all the
coal beneath the soil OF Marion county
The very first consideration for us
as body of people is the church.
want you to know that as your minis,
ter this Is my first Interest. 1t Is my
earnest desire to be 4 help 10 the
members and friends OF this congrega
ton; to be with you In your Joys and
sorrows. Because OF my many duties
as IL minister have not been In your