The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-12-06

the degree of \. b. in 1902, and from the
Yale School of Religion with the degree of
b. d. IN 1905. He was ordained in Beth
lehem, Conn, in 1865 and became pastor
Of the First Congregational church in
Derby, Conn, in 1896, continuing there
4 through 1908 He became pastor of the
Centre Congregational church here Jan.
/, 1909
! During his pastorate here he has re-
ceived 324 members into the church and
| baptized 12S children. Under his leader
ship $22 600 was raised for the enlarge
ment of the church plant, the Brother
hood and Christian Endeavor society were
organized, the church was incorporated,
adopting constitution and bylaws 10y
which the double organization o. church
and society we've done away with, and he
had done special work in the development
of the church and Sunday school and held
Sunday evening evangelistic meetings He
has ministered in a helpful way to other
Congregational churches in some Of the
smaller towns in the county
Rev. Mr. Houghton is a corporate MON
Der of the American Board of Commission
ers for Foreign Missions and has served as
chairman OF the advisory committee o the
Vermont conference. He is a member 81
the Graduates club of New Haven and OF
I tltc lpIdttltDOlO AOGItlN clilD. Y t.ul'hiiL
Wheel club and Columbian lodge OF Ma
sons OF Brattleboro. In the summer Of
1912 he made an extended trip through
Bible lands, including Greece, Egypt, Pal
estine, Asia Minor, the Balkans, Austria
, Hungary, Italy, France and England
Following IS the text OF Mr. Houghton
resignation:
To the Members and Congregation o
the Centre Conversational Church
My dear Friends -
The time has come, in the providence
r of God, for IT'S to sever our relations a
pastor and people This is not an cas5
/ thing for me to say. If the will of Gcc
l were not plainly revealed to me it uoult
d be impossible tor me TO read my rcsigna
: ton today. From the day | first Learned
that the Church of the Rcdeemer. in New
Haven, Conn, was considering me serious
{ " for their pastor | have offered a dali,
prayer to God that the church might b
t led. and that | might be led. to see clea
: ~ Gods will before it became reccssal.
d for me to make decision God has let
\ me and | know 1t IS His win that | shoui,
t go.
l. L cannot explain to you the details q
e the call. The members Of the Prudent ia
d Committee know, and they undcrstan
g that 1t is an exceptional opportunity 10
+ service. | know of no greater within tia
a bounds of our denomination. / shall nee
tyour prayers that | may be able to so liv
and speak that Christ, dwelling in me, ma
= be able TO accomplish this work to whic
He has called me
The seven years / have been your pa
tor have been delightful years and rich
blessings. No pastor ever had a MOI
sympathetic people or more loyal worker
TbaSa hayra
sonally. l shall go to the new field of Sc
vice better equipped and much strong,
in every way because of my experient
here and because of your prayers and =
thence and sympathetic support. My on
regret Is that have not been more fait
D. full servant OF my Lord and Master al
accomplished all the work He sent n
here to do. My concern for this chur,
shall continue after | have gone, and
| pray that the ties OF friendship and mutu
interest which have been formed here M
never be severed. -.
III 1t Is my desire to remain with you un
| February !. 1916, and to give to you
| these two months the best that is in I
for deepening The spiritual life of t
church. God has great things in store
Us II we will give ourselves unreserveC
to Him. 1t Is my desire that my success
be chosen so as to take up the work
soon as possible after | have laid it dow
May God help you to find the man so
who viii lead you on to victory
Il pray that your loyalty to your chu
and to your new pastor may continue
even larger measure for the building
OF the church of Christ in the world
May God bless YOU always.
ROY NJ. HOUGHTON
"Brattleboro, Vermont.
|