The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1914-01-29
Re,Ianatien o. Dr.. Niiiilams Not Voted
on unNl People Pass Rsso.
luton lndorsino
Hin.
EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY Z
Church Passes Resolutions In Which
the Regret Of the city Is Ex-
pressed In Action
Tal<sn.

Members Of the Congregational
church at . called meeting last night
lndorsed the work Of the Rev. DR..
George G. Williams, and, before voting
on his resignation passed resolution,
unanimously. that the church was In
favor Of hts continuing as pastor Of
the First Congregational church. A
copy OF this resolution was ordered
sent to the retiring pastor along with
the other minutes OF the meeting. In
the vote on accepting the resignation
not all Of the people present voted, and
although 4 question was raised as to
the vote and the method Of voting,
the chair decided that the vote had
carried.
The request Of the pastor that let
ters for himself and wife and daughter,
Miss Dorothy, be granted to the New
ton church, was carried out, and as the
last order OF business resolutions
prepared by Judge A. L. Parsons,
Miss Mary C. Collins and Mrs. Mary
s, Hepler were read and the members
Of the church asked to sign the mem
orial to the departing pastor.
H. G. Brown, as senior deacon, pre-
sided last night. He asked the church
clerk, Harry M. Phillips, to read the
resignation Of DR.. Williams, and then
asked what action should be taken.
j A. M. Collins moved the acceptance.
1t was some time before second
could be gotten. This In itself was a
silent tribute and showed the depth
of the peoples feelings. After secur-
ing a second Mr.. Collins made a talk,
his emotions several times causing
him to halt in his remarks. He urged
the people to remember they were
following church, not man, and
while he regretted the occurance
could see but one thing to do, espsc
Tally as he understood the pastor had
already accepted another charge
Judge Parsons thought the only thing
the church could do was to accept the
resignation. Some others wanted te
know why resignation had been
presented by the pastor.
E
Pastor 10 Endorsed.
II was here that DR.. Cochrane pro
posed an amendmeneswhich was .stha,
the church is. and has been in favol
OF DR.. George G. Williams remaininf
as pastor of the First Congregations
church" The first motion was with
ried. !:
Inc motion on the resignation wa.
tnen declared in order. When 1t came
to the vote, many In. the assemblagt
did not vote as was evident from thu
snow OF hands. When the vote wa,
Questioned. Chairman Brown ruled
that It passed.
Resolutions Are Read.
The following resolutions were reac
and adopted:
we. the undersigned members
OF the Congregational church, feel
that we wish to give an expression
VI our rove and loyalty to our
pastor, DR.. williams.
It is with very great regret and
unspeakable sorrow that we are
compelled to consider a separa-
lion And sorrow that will not
De confined to the Congregational
church. but to large per cent
OF the people Of Keokuk, outside
OF the church, to many Of whom
ne Is as well known as to his
own church. And to all OF us
irreparable loss.
He has always been the polish.
ga scholar and orator, at the same
time a comfort in our times OF
trouble. never knowing any dis
JUNCTION to the rich and poor, to
the unfortunate lowly as well as
70 the great and good alike vel
come In the homes OF all. AL