The Republican journal., 1918-03-14
Rev. Ashley A. Smith of Bangor
Declines Call to Fitchburg, Mass.

Rev. Ashley A. Smith for seven years
pastor of the First Universallst church
of Bangor and for fourteen years pastor
of the Universalist church of Belfast has
declined an offer to become pastor of the
Fitchburg church Mr.. Smith brought
his bride to Belfast and it was here that
his family Of five children were born. He
often comes here and also to the surround
ING towns to officiate at marriages and
funerals and also to visit friends. II
would be welcomed oftener if his usual
activities would permit The following let
tiers will be of interest to his many ad-
mlrers:
Fitchburg, Mass, March /, 1918
Rev Ashley Smith, Bangor, Me-
Dear Mr. Smith-At a meeting OF the
advisory board of the First unlversallst
church of Fitchburg, which was attended
by several other men of the parish, held
last Sunday morning after service, to
hear the report of our mayor, MI FRANK
FoSs, who met you at your church In
Bangor the week before, it was voted
that we communicate with you, asking IL
YOU would accept a call from F1tchburg
on a salary of S270O and the parsonage,
we to pay all moving expenses.
If this meets with your approval OF
course it would have to be voted on at an
adjourned parish meeting which comes
March 18th, and without doubt would be
accepted on the recommendation OF the
committee. We would like something
definite to report. Hoping may receive
favorable reply from you, am
Yours sincerely,
THOMAS X. ROSS, Chairman.
To this invitation Mr.. Smith made the
following reply:
7. X. Ross, d. M. D., Chairman Advis-
DRY Board of the First Universallst
church, Fitchburg, Mass.
My dear Doctor Ross: In answer to
your letter of March first notifying me
of the action of the advisory board OF the
First Universalist church of Fltchburg,
asking me to accept the passionate OF the
church, on the liberal and generous terms
outlined by you, | would say, that after
mature deliberatiol and careful consider
alton, have decided that my clear and
imperative duty is to remain IN the pres
ent pastorate in Bangor. 1t has not been
easy to make this decision, and l have
been largely led thereto by what | am
convinced is very general desire on the
part of the people of this church and
parish that | remain as their minister.
Since building the church here, with
loyal and cooperative constituency
which has supported me in every detail
of rebuilding and having bulded seven
years of my life into the very materials
of the edifice, it plainly apears to me
| that it is my duty to remain and try to
! build another and invisible church with
/ the lives and souls of the children OF God
which have been given into my pastoral
charge.
Permit me to say, incidentally, that
know from the tenor of your letter, from
the action of your committee and from
my talk and association for few hours
with the mayor of your city, Mr.. FRANK
/ FoSS, that pastorate in Fltchburg would
have been pleasure and inspiration
| may say personally to you, II the
men of the Fitchburg church are like the
splendid representative which you sent
| to Bangor in the person of MIR Foss, you
must have constituency with which 1t
would have been a real delight to nave
labored and worshipped
Trusting that you will secure MN
| lister for your pastorate at an early date
and with best personal wishes Tor your
success and prosperity, | remain,
| Yours cordially and fraternally,
ASHLEY A. SMITH.
/