The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-04-08
AT THE BAPTIST CHURCH

all the cnureneS yesterday. aside from
the eloquent sermons delivered By
each of the pastors TIE first attrac-
ton was the regular Easter display of
millinery. and in that display the Bap-
fist church was very nearly in the lead
as there was an unusual number OF
people in the congregation and every
daughter of Eve seemed 10 have made
the most strenuous effort TO out do her
| dear sister, with the result that the
aggregation of feathers, ribbons. flow
ers, straw and velvets would have
stocked up any wholesale house in the
state devoted to that line Of business.
The second attraction at all the
churches was the high church music
which each choir attempted. and IN
this the double quartet and chorus OF
/ the Baptist church rendered several
anthems in fine style, Mrs. A L. Izlar
presiding at the organ in her usual
artistic manner.
Pastor Chapman got away from the
generally accepted Easter topic and in
stead of preaching resurrection SER
! mon elected to speak on the subject of
/ missions and a the time is nearly out
/ in which the churches must make their
annual subscription TO the Southern
Baptist Board, and the said board be-
| ing very much behind in its receipts,
he begged the people to make a special
effort to help meet the threatened def
| cit, even tho that effort entailed some
sacrifice on their part, but at the same
time he emphasized the fact that there
/ is no case on record where man de-
voted a tenth of his income as a 1.-THE
to Gods work, that it didn't come back
to him, and he recalled men who gave
iseven-tenths and one who gave nine
tenths and yet each received temporal
| blessings and were never any poorer
for their generous gifts
/ He said that he always tried to be
sincere in every act pertaining to mis-
sionary work, and while he preached
that all should give a tenth of their
income TO Gods work, he tried to make
mo exception in his own case, and when
he preached and urged on others to
give of their sons and daughters to
the work on the foreign field he made
no exception in behalf Of his own child
rem, and would count it the greatest
honor that could be conferred him
to have one of them elect to do the
Masters work in some heather land;
and told of a preacher who made a
soul stirring appeal to some Of his
congregation to take up this work, and
his own daughter rising in her seat,
saying she could not resist that appeal,
and was ready and willing to go, and
the poor preacher not being sincere in
his professions, was almost heart
broken but was finally brought to see
that it was as much a work for his
child as for the child of any other
member of his congregation.
At the close Of the sermon the COM
munion of the Lords Supper was cele-
brated and there a larger number
of participants than was ever present
at one time since the church was insti-
tuted. Five new members were also
received into the church.
At this point of the services Mr.
chapman announced that Deacon w. D.
earn had a letter to read to the con-
gregation and he himself would retire
Mr. earn with a voice tremulous with
emotion then read the following let
ter:
Ocala, Fla, April 6, 1912.
To the Members Of the First Baptist
Church, Ocala, Fla, My dear Brethren
and Sisters: 1 hereby tender my resfg-
nation as pastor of your church to take
effect the last of the present month.
do this is the fear of God and with
the tenderest affection for the church.
leading of Gods spirit. I have never
tsought any work in my life and what
ever opens to me [ have tried to con-
slider it in the light of opportunity for
usefulness. My purpose is to accept
work in Greenville, S. G. In going
away my sorrow is in leaving so soon
after suspicious beginning of our
work together. God has led me step
by step. He has graciously granted us
progress in spiritual life. We have
made the first step toward a new
church building and parsonage. There
is no reason why that work should not
continue. My prayer is that you may
speedily complete this work and go on
in spiritual growth looking for the
coming Of our Lord Jesus Christ. Pas
tors come and go but the Lord the
shepherd of the sheep abides with us
forever. Let your faith be in him and
he will send you the man of his choice
to feed the flock which Christ pur-
chased with his own blood. Be united
be strong and Gods best blessings
shall be yours With the sincerest
Christian affection for all
J. d. Chapman.
1t was with sad hearts that the con-
gregation voted to grant the request of
the pastor and grant him a letter OF
dismissal. Mr.. Chapman and his de-
voted wife have endeared themselves
to the hearts Of the congregation dur
ing the six months they have been
here as very few could have believed
to be possible. Sincere, Jealous, indie
fatigable workers, wonderfully gifted
in all Biblical knowledge and splendid
" equipped to impart that knowledge
to others, they have left impression
on the hearts of the congregation
Especially the younger members-that
will remain with and influence their
lives so long strength is given them
to think and to do.
Mr.. Chapman has been elected a
member of the faculty of Greenville
Female Baptist College, located at
Greenville, S. c. The college now has
an enrolment of $50 scholars, includ-
ing all grades from kindergarten up.
Improvements and additions are being
constructed that will make ample ac-
Ieommodati for $50 which number
they expect to enroll when school opens
for the fall term.
MILO DEYO WILL, PLAY