The De Soto County news. [volume] (Arcadia, Fla.) 1898-1924, 1916-08-10

Win any THOUGHT u dlliNAl- az aug
definite standard as to when this ac-
tlon should be taken, yet many val
liable conclusions are reached that
can not fail t. be- Of value To the
thinking reader, and especially to the
church member. In this article the
Digest gives part II a letter written
by the Rev. George W. MrDanicl.
pastor Of a leading Baptist church in
Richmond. Va. a letter offering his
resignation that surprised ana star
tied his members, especially since 'thc
church was Harmonious united, pop
ular and wealthy" The following are
some uf the reasons given 10y Dr.. Nc
Daniel for his resignation:
"a good part Of my life has he"n
devoted to this paStorate. / SHOULD
like to spend the next decade in one
place as the past one has been spent
here. Looking at the church, the pros
poet for enlarged and permanent use.
fulncSs Is not bright. The arguments
that | remain as pastor confirm my
views that the church is coutcntcl, is
at ease in Zion. You are satisfied. hut
I am not. Goodness and Journalism
chill my heart. The Sunday school Is
the most important department " the
church, but ! have been unable TO en-
list many Of our most prominent
members in this phase Of the work.
The prayer meeting is the spiritual
thermometer of church life, and have
tried i'm vain TO secure the attendance
of many OF you. our great evangclis-
tie opportunity Is the evening service,
but many men and women whose pres
ence would be an inspiration 20 the
pastor. and a powerful example to
the unsayed, never attend this service.
In short, these, my good friends,
simply attend church Sunday morn
ings. That is only making religion re-
spectacle. My life Is too short to
spend it where | can secure no better
cooperation. This | say frankly, but
in love, for l do love every one Of
YOU. During the early years OF this
paStorate some were enthusiastic who
are now Indifferent. Another pastor
may awaken them. At first, when you
did not know me, | advanced cautious
ly; but now you ought to believe I'M
hesitatingly. on the contrary, some Of
you have been willing for me to
spend ana be spent, while you looked
on or touched the work lightly. Roig-
ion. with me, is serious. and service
is a sublime obligation. can not
wait upon your conservatism. Tie
kings business rcquiIcth haste. 1t
would he standing in my own light.
and in the way Of the kingdom If
God. for me to stay here simply be-
cause YOU want me to, and because it
is easy"
one can not read the above reasons
for his resignation without having a
high regard for the man who wrote
the words, and a feeling of pity for
the church members whose inactivi
ties and lack Of sponsiveness had
caused the heart-broken pastor to cry
out, you are satisfied, but l am not
Goodness and Journalism chill my
heart"
The writer Of this article has per.
sonally known Il number Of churches
where this condition was duplicated
where the pastors were cultured
learned and cons ecrated, and where
the membership were influential
wealthy and devoted to their pastors,
but wholly irresponslve along those
lines Of church activities and Chris.
tian conduct without which the
church becomes as Pastor Mcdaniel
said, "only respectable" The conclud-
ing words Of Rev. Mcdaniel are wor-
thy Of repetition, and should be burn
ed into the hearts Of all who are dis.
posed to look upon the ministry as al
ways Sordid in motives and seeking
the easy places. Read them again
1T would he standing in my own light
and in the way Of the kingdom of God
for me to stay here simply because
You want me to, and because it is
easy"