Norwich bulletin., 1912-12-16
FIFTEEN YEARS IN PASTORATE
Rev. C. H. Rcetts Has Been With Greenevle Congregation al Church For Decade and Half-Preaches Anniversary Sermon- But Two Other of Present Pastors Here as Long.

Browning After him was taken Will
 liam P. Potter and Henry M. Durfey.
 The church has lost many more rare
 spirits during these years Such as
 Mrs. Sibyl Avery, Abbie and Annie
 Smith. Mary D. Houston and hosts of
 others | cannot mention. They all
 loved the church and have entered the
 Church Triumphant. 1
 To this number we must connect
 those who have left us by removal,
 and many of them were men and
 women, of fine character. To this cat.
 alogue of men and women who have
 meant much to the development of
 true religion here there is one splendid
 man of God to whom I want to make
 special reference, and that is the late
 Rev. Dr. John D. Herr, pastor of the
 Central Baptist church when 1 came.
 I shall never forget how kindly he in
 troduced me to the first downtown au-
 dience I ever faced. It was a memo
 rial service held in honor of Frances
 E. Willard which completely filled the
 Central Baptist church. These were
 his words This is our new brother beloved, and may God bless himi" I shall never forget John D. Herr It is in my heart also to acknowledge my indebtedness to the sterling worth and genial companionship of pr. Lewellyn Pratt during these years. Dr. Pratt s wide acquaintance with the things of the kingdom. within and without de-
 nominational lines, has been of great value to me. May his remaining days | here be his best! . During these fifteen years we have lived peacefully together. We have had no church Quarrels. no bitter wrangling, no serious differences. We nf nl ,tn nd thank God that we haven't, for never 1 want to preach to a set of dummies who would follow me like 6 flock of sheep without the ability of thinking ] for themselves. We have learned to I love and respect one another, and even to respect our differences of l opinion. I think we have always giv- en each other the credit of honesty and sincerity of purpose.
 Advantage of a Long Pastorate. | I cannot close this sermon without l saying word as to one advantage o1 | a long pastorate. To a man like my | self of strong social instincts 1t means l a. great deal to have at least every | third person whom he meets on the l street call him by name If a minister l has the least weight Of Christian per | sonality and for fifteen years has tried to make that personality count fol l righteousness, God will surely work l through that man in carrying out his 1 purposes on larger scale than with l in the limits on any single parish. This | is something to which a man mus l grow, and growth must be long anC constant to make strength.
 As to the future, none of us can tell It is possible that have been here tot long. If I supposed that you though | so I would immediately resign. Year ago I put myself absolutely into God hands. and I believe He has led me If God makes it clear for me to go
 shall go. If on the other hand H. indicates that I remain then my plact
 is here.- But let us make the most 0 our present opportunity In working fo
 Him. This Greeneville Congregations church will be here when you and l are dead and forgotten. but let us SC
 to it that the heritage we\ receive, from the Father shall be handed dow to the children stronger and better flo
 passing through our hands