The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1910-02-28
OVER 1000 PEOPLE
ATTENDED THE
FAREWELL
Splendid Tribute Is Given to
Work of Rev. F. E. R. Miller
in Grand Forks
FIELD OF CHRISTIAN
LABOR IS EXPOUNDED
Retiring Pastor Gives Views
of What Is Expected of the
Minister

AVA4444SUV4
Fully 1000 persons gathered at the
flrst Baptist church OH Sunday even
ing to hear Rev. F. E. r. Miller preach
his final sermon in this city. to en-
tend their good will and wishes for
his success in the new field and to
express their deep regret that he has
deemed 1t advisable to sever his con-
nection with the local institution to
assume greater responsibilities else
where.
AS usual his sermon carried with
1t message that appealed strongly
to those who heard. and at its con-
elusion a feeling of regret was en-
perienced by the members of the con-
gregatfon to think that the good work
that has been carried on by Rev. Mil
Ter in Grand Forks was at an end. so
far as his personal efforts We're con-
cerned.
As Rev. Miller retired from the pull.
pit a delegation of citizens represent
ing various social bodies of the city
were called upon and in turn en-
pressed their appreciation of the
services rendered by the retiring
minister during his pastorate in
Grand Forks.
Mayor First Speaker.
Mayor j. d. Taylor, representing the
citizens at large, was the first to en-
press himself in their behalf. and was
very enthusiastic in paying his COM
pliments to Rev. Miller. The mayor
explained that under the circum-
stances it might be somewhat en-
barrassing to the pastor should he
attempt to say all the good things
about him that he might. and he re-
Elected upon the fact that many great
men who have been held in high es-
TEEN in this community have gradu-
ated from Grand Forks to national
prominence. and intimated that it is
not unlikely Rev. Miller shall be
classed among these. He concluded
his remarks by extending large meas
ures of good wishes to the pastor.
President F. L. McVey of the uni
versity remarked that when thou
sand fellow citizens gather to say
goodbye it indicates one of two things:
they are either very glad to get rid
of him, or are very much interested
in his future. And We are going to
take the charitable view of the mat
ter" he said. turning to Rev. Miller.
President McVeE dwelt at considera-
BILE length upon the excellent record
the retiring pastor has attained in the
five years he has been a resident OF
this city. and complimented him high
ly for the interest he has taken in
the students of the university, to
whom he has carried many a message
thok ,,.s1 Loo L, &C. ;v, 1o<n
In behalf of the university he ex-
success.
Clergymen Praise Him.
Rev. J. K. Burleson was prevented
from speaking in behalf of the minis
ters of the city. owing to severe vocal
annoyance resulting from cold con-
tracted a few days ago, and the honor
fell to Rev. VIM. H. Matthews of the
Presbyterian church, whose. praise
for Rev. Miller's work proved to be
unlimited. and capably expressed the
feeling of every minister in the city.
Rev. Matthews commended the spirit
ed. fearless manner in which Rev.
Miller has gone about his work, and
termed his principles as being free
from fanaticism. He also reflected
upon the fact that Rev. Miller's work
has always been in harmony with the
ideas being worked out by the other
local ministers.
From His Own Congregation
Speaking for the congregation of
the Baptist church Sidney Clarke
gave the retiring pastor a splendid
eulogy of the work done. Mr.. Clerke's
remarks follow:
II have noticed that the circle rep
resented by the different speakers has
steadily narrowed-the city-the uni
versity-the churches-this church,
but as the circle has narrowed, the
relationships have steadily deepen
ed for no public relationship is SO
close and SO dear as that between
the pastor and his church. Speaking
in behalf of this church l may be
pardoned for being perhaps somewhat
personal.
Pastor Miller's ministry with this
church has spelled progress. When
he came here five years ago our men,
bership was about 305. Today 1t is
about 400. Our budget for that year
was $4,000; last year it was $4,000.
or the largest of any budget outside
Of year involving building enter
prises. The figures that are most elo-
quent of ali are those relating to
benevolences and missions. Five
years ago this church gave about
$500. last year it was nearly $1.40O.
More than material progress how
ever.
4 Gospel Ministry
"His ministry has been a gospel
ministry. Tonight civics and sociolo.
gy has been represented by the mayor
of our city; intellectual culture by
the university through President Nc
Vey. fraternal dcnominationalism ia
here in the presence of all these
pastors. This In itself is an evidence
that the ministry Of our pastor has
ever been alive to all these subjects
and their value to the community
but sociology and intellect and de.
nominationalism has never with him
been the end. They have always been
only the hand maidens of the glo.
rious gospel Of Jesus Christ. VERY