The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1912-07-26
A COMMUNICATION.


1t has been my privilege to at
tend the Congregational church
in Bradford several Sundays in
the present month of July. l had
heard warm praises of the preach
or who has occupied its pulpit for
the past two years, and yet was
not prepared for the display of
earnestness, sincerity, simplicity
and sweet reasonableness which
marked the sermons on each sep
crate occasion. 1t is seldom that
the rare treat is afforded of list
ening to a religious discourse de-
livered with such free, lucid ut
terance and giving evidence of
such wide reading, searching
thoughtfulness, striking Originate
ty, together with such fearless
and independent conviction. Here
is one, l said to myself, who
speaks the truth that in him is to
the hearts of those who hear him,
and with a clear Interpretation
which none can mistake who pos
sess an ordinary intelligence.
l had been told of the approach
ing separation of the speaker
from the charge he has so ably
held, and in my mind l question
ed the motive which a clergyman
once consecrated to a sacred SER
vice, can adequately urge for re-
signing, for any common reason,
the church to which he mas been
appointed. Can he not minister as
effectively to hungering souls
wherever gathered to partake of
the bread of life he has to dis
pense? We look for the denial of
self in him who takes up the
cross which was borne to the
death on Gethsemane, and are
fain by a decline of the task for
only gain Of mere material things,
of salary, of influence, of popu-
larity.
But as I looked about on the
scantily filled peWs on these Sun
day mornings, and noted especi-
ally the few men scattered among
the company of women worship
pers, my questioning was silenced.
How had the community of Brad
ford been willing to miss the OPP
er, of learning rich, fresh, illum-
mating lessons concerning the
real things of this life and of the
of his audience that they should
think as he thought, that they
should be converted to his sect
or Join his church. He asked only
that thew should give attention
for one little hour or half hour
at each time of appearing be-
fore him, to the ideals which he
found in the Scriptures after deep
from the wisest and lat
est readings, and which could not
but be suggestive and stimulating
to every serious minded man or
woman. mourn for Bradford
that it has permitted this man of
rare and varied gifts to 60 from
hem while there remains to them
The account Of one lost privilege
hey might have had OF garner
ng new, uplifting and energizing
ruths.
The Congregational church here
has an unfortunate repute for fire.
luently changing its ministers. II
yives rise to unfavorable reflec-
ions. Have they been tickle, fault
hiding, prone to look for short
'omings, which are but human.
md to magnify them until they
become sources of disaffection and
Ultimate Encouragement andsep-
.ration2
Let not the successor of the
Rev. Harry J. Newton find this
o be so Let him come to
apply united parish, resolute to
upport his every effort for their
'ood with cordial affection, with
Unaffected confidence, with never
ailing kindness of word and
manner. Give him the encourage
nent of full pews on Sunday, so
equisite to sustain the hope and
Ourage of the stoutest hearted
reacher. Let there be ever a lust
nd prompt payment Of every due
-hich man owes to man, a people
D their pastor, and there will be
o future vacancy Of the nulpit
or any reason that can occasion
cart burning or a sense Of wrong
/ any breast.
A CHUPCU COpp