The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1911-10-20
DR.. J. 6, BARR WILL
STAY IN NEW ORLEANS.
The Call to Greenwood Church Hard
to Refuse.


church have ever served as pastor"
In these words DR.. J. c. Barr, pastor Of
The. Lafayette Presbyterian church, an
nounct d his decision at the IL o'clock
service yesterday morning. setting at
rest any question that he might go to
Greenwood, Miss, to which he had re-
ceived an urgent call.
The announcement came at the end of
the usual services, and there was the
smile of satisfaction on the faces of
many, and tears of jAy giistened in the
eyes of some of the older members, VIII,
lined with the younger generation in
hoping that the brilliant young minis
ter would see it his duty to stay here.
The decision was given at the con-
clu ion of recount Of his visit to
Greenwood and the open hearted man
ner in which he was received. He
mentioned the many obstacles which
presented themselves here, notably the
eumity incurred by his work against
the liquor interests, as we'll as the
"outspoken anger of the Roman hier-
archy and the condemnation of the
Pharisees within and without the de-
nomination." He said it was his inten
tion to work earnestly as ever, encour-
aged as he has been by the action of
! the congregation in urging him to stay,
as we'll as the sentiment expressed by
the various church societies and the
members of the mission-in fact, by
everyone concerned.
Dr. Barr's statement concerning the
call and his answer follows:
"The time has now come to tell you
! the answer that God has given me in
the matter of the call recently re
ceived from the first Presbyterian
some of you have realized something OF
| the heavy strain your pastor has, been
under during this season Of prayer and
labor, and know the mind of the Mas
ter.
"The call to Green wood came 80 IN
expectedly and SO heartily that l could
not lightly turn it aside. Another ele
! ment in the problem Of my decision was
that in the discharge of my duty as a
true minister of the Gospel l have re.
Gently evoked SO much enmity, bring.
ing down upon myself and upon my
congregation the wrath of the liquor
power, the outspoken anger of the
Roman hierarchy and the condemna.
5ion of the Pharisees within and with
out our own denomination. l have OF
late often wondered where it all wtu)d
end, and have time and again asked
myself whether I really had the loya
support of you, my people, in these con
1icts, and whether you had not grown
weary of my leadership.
! "On my visit to the church at Green
wood found much to delight and sat
isty. l found wonderful countr,
there, full of magnificent possibilities
peopIeu by progressive, Intelligent
refined Protestant race--said Dy i,
great traveller to be the purest strain
of Apgio-Saxon blood in America.
"The Christian people Of Greenwood
literally received me with open arms
l found magnificent congregation O
sbyterians there, sOrrowiDg fo
their late beloved pastor, DR.. William
Irvine. recently taken from them, an
yet full of courage aud of hope for tn
future of their church. They freel
offered all that is dear to every tru
minister's heart-no merely over flowin
, finaL cial support, but their persona
and united devotion to the Master
cause; their willingness to mingl
. prayer and sacrifice and service in tn
upbuilding of the Kingdom, and man
rare opportunities for deep study an
self-cultivat l tell you, my des
, people, they made me love them frol
the very first.
'And SO 1 struggled and prayed on
! know my duty, for God helping me, 9
q you all know, stood ready, regardles
r of personal cast, to do His will.
, "My return to New Orleans thoue
q has brought me to a decision, for
found here the beautiful and unanimor
action of the congregation Of last SUI
day, and added to it the touching res
~ buttons of the many mission schools ar
z societies Of our church, among tt
sweetest of these being letter fro
!, one daughter church at Gre.na and i
band of faithful, PrOtestants, and son
:" Of the tenIerest and most appealir
d personal messages ever received /
I, mortal mar.
Ir "And SO my decision has be.
reached. It is my duty, as l see it.
stay with you, my BELOVED people-tl
y only church have ever served as pa
a. tar. l recognize that this is the hard
es field, and that l shall continue to IA
u almost overwhelming obstacles n
. many heart-breakiDg disappointment
ls aud that together we will probably :,
s. throOgh many desperate battles, bu
IN not afraid, for you and serve {
II mphant Christ.
y, 70 my mind no congregation of I
~ lievers in New Orleans has bright
Of prospect than ours. United fai
o. prayer and loving service will swi
I'd vide Open to us future aglow wi
Of Gods preserve and love. Let us
be- this solemn hour rededicate ournoly
Of to Him who has promised to HE peo,
Of the fallness and Joy Of His own gr,
lpowee."