Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1918-05-03
OPEN LETTER
The Rev. J. A. Wharton Expresses
His Appreciation of Friends in
This Community in Farewell Mes
sage-Five Years Of Serviee-JOys
and Sorrows Mingled.
To the People of Wauseon
and Vicinity.


and Vicinity.
My Dear Friends:
Most five years ago first came to
your town, which since has been our
town. But if my present plans carry,
by May IL your town will no longer
be my town, except in memory -
my bed and board will be elsewhere.
While l have often thought of
leaving, now that the time of my de-
parture has almost come, it seems I
cannot go without expressing in this
public way my appreciation of
community whose people have meant
so much to me. have so many
friends in the Christian church here,
and at Tedrow, Winameg, and Ches-
terfeld-so many friends outside the
churches in all these places, and in
all the churches, that to leave is to
cut many a tender tie that binds.
To have been an Associate member
of the C. A. R. while here, was no
small privilege. The "Old Boys" have
done me good. l could call the names
of many fine men and friends, for
whom "taps" have sounded in the few
years I have been with them. And
what a fine bunch, for big bunch,
are the K. of P.'s! To be cautious,
one might at least say with all con-
fdence, "These are tried friends,
whose friendship is helpful"
No doubt, some day in the future,
I shall think of the rabbit-pie suppers
of the Lodge, and long for them as
did the Israelites for the garlic, the
leeks and the onions of Egypt.
Then there was the Mems Bible
class of the Christian church. What
an Inspiration it was to me to be
careful teacher as well as a man! So
while thinking of going, many things
of the past come to me, and while
memory lasts shall forget thee, oh,
Wauseon? How could 1? Here have
| been some of life's sweetest joys, and
some Of its bftterest sorrows and
heaviest burdens. Here the Trans
| fguration glories and the Gethsemne
shadows have mingled. Here, as I
have entered into the homes of sor-
row, officiating at 81 funerals, and
assisting at others, I have "wept with
those that have wept" Here as
have married 107 couples, have "re-
joiced with those that have rejoiced." !"
Here, as I have baptized into Christ
12O persons, l have joyed with them
in their new found faith.
And now l go from all these asso-
. Citations and work, to a new home,
not knowing what may await me
there any more than I knew what
was before me when I first came to
. Wauseon. But this I know, that ev-
, erywhere will be found men good
and men bad, and world from which
, one must receive good as he gives
good to others.
To Wauseon, and the people of this
7 community, l wish the highest pros
, perity. My friends in the church
, here can show no greater loyalty to
me than in continuing their loyalty,
with even greater zeal, if possible,
to, him who is my successor, and to
, Christ, our Lord and Master. And
from all my friends outside of the
, church, / trust may go to my success
sor and to all others coming among
you, something of the confidence and
helpfulness you have given to me.
1t is my wish to make no farewell
calls" or to say any "good-byes.
Having done my work, which must
speak for itself, may I pass quietly
on, trusting that out of my life there
may some lasting good abide with
: you all. Hoping also that the few
!. miles that separate US may not sever
F: the ties that bind our hearts and
thoughts. And may our paths cross
: now and then for at least a short
: time in the days to come, is my
v wish.
e Sincerely your friend,
r J. A. WHARTON.
! After May 18th, Perryopolis, Pa.