The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-02-16
Former Pastor Writes
toHoUlt ethodists

Rev. D. 81 Groves. who for three
years was pastor Of the Methodist
church az Hoult, is now going to col
ieee at Evanston, III. He has written
the following reply to a letter adj
dressed TO him by the Epworth league
OF his former West Virginia charge:
no the EpWorth League Of the Hoult
II. ID. church. Hoult, w. IVA.
NY Dear Friends and Brethren in
Ghfist:-Gree tings and blessings from
cod be with you and ever attend you
IN ali your doings in the work OF the
master. May your beacon lights ev-
er shine out over the stormy sea Of life
to iight the belated mariner who has
Iost his chart and compass into the
haTbor Of peace with Christ; may
the generations rise up to call you
blessed because you did not wear the
motto on your sleeves but put It into
nctuaI operation and that you did
first look up, and then reaching down
into the turbulent waters and grasp
hand that sinking and lift them to
"a 81 rock ofk ages. Look up; lit up,
is good theory but it becomes as
the balm OF Gileads to a wounded soul
when one feels the touch of Broth
ef's hand upon his.
WfenlIs thinks OF how for three years
you fitted sup the hands of your par
tor and IN go doing the work OF the
Lord prevailed. When the hands OF
Moses were fitted up Israel prevailed
but when they hung down the enemy
prevailed. So; if I may make the ap-
plfeation, when you held up the hands
81 the preacher and he did his best
the work progressed:
am indeed very proud of you and
Seel highly honored that I was permit
Ted 10 beEyour pastor for three years,
aud when you tell me that you are
Eoing to dojfyour best this year to
help your present pastor to make this
ysar d most successful year, am
blessed. In this you promise to me
your true Friendship which prize
very highly ind ed: Your good let
Ter has lifted greatly my burdens. 1t
vas Ike 10 bright ray of sunshine COM
ine through the mists. 1t was like
theoii Of lgiadness poured into the wa
tets % afglonging, aching heart. l
say 10 you TO know that there are hui
man friends that gsympathize with you
makes one feel as though there are
soneoasss In the desert plains. II
could but repay you your kindnesk
and Sympathy, lam quite sure would
Sc GLAD to do SO; but If I am not per.
faitted TO do so he who notes the spar
rows tall he who clothes the lilies,
he viii add to your Joys of Heaven
according as you have added to the
Joys 81 this life Won't that be bless
edf Tome that will be Heaven.
i thank the good Lord for allowing
me To iaborswiths you, he was good to
us IN those three years. l feel those
three yearsSwerei not in vain. We have
laughed togeth her Your Joys were my
10y. We have wept together. Your
sofr6ws were my sorrow; your loss
was my loss; your burdens were my
burdens; your battles were my bat.
ties. 90 itiIsmaySfn5 conclusion say that
your Heavenly Joys will be my joys
too. Bretherne pray for me that my
faith tan not when I am crossing the
bridge spanning Jordan's swelling tide.
And when you pray Just leave, a word
or two with God for my wife and baby,
MS Groves sfmore attached TO the
PEOPLE at Hoult than she thought she
was, and OF course Geraldine loves
ron all Ihopei hersl life will be bless
ing TO the world !. II thank you all for
your good letter and assure you that
am tindar9a great debt of gratitude
70 YOU a5
May the blessings OF God be with
you and abonE you SIS my prayer, from
Jour brother u the masters work
D.B. GROVES,
1915 Maple Ave-,
Z . =. ~ a..