Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1918-04-18
What We Think of Rev. Mr.. Knox.

A very unusual demonstration took
place in Shepherdstown the past week
in reference to Rev. Absalom Knox, for
the past three years the beloved pastor
of the Southern Methodist churches OF
this circuit, who had been transferred
from this place to Lewisburg, W. va,
by the Conference that adjourned in
Baltimore last week. Sunday evening
was the last service that Mr.. Knox was
to hold in his church here before leaV-
ing for his new field Of labor. The
people of the community, regardless OF
denomination, Hocked to the church to
show their interest in this good man,
and the audience room was so crowded
that even after the aisles had been
filled with chairs many persons were
unable to gain admittance. MT: hnoA
made a brief address, full OF feeling.
When he made the announcements LOT
the following week for his successor,
a layman from another church asked
permission to make an additional an.
nouncement. The congregation, all
except members of the Southern Meth
odist Church, were asked to remain
after the close of the service. A con-
siderable number of outsiders" COM
piled with the request, while the METH
odists were all gracefully ushered OUT:
S. o. Bond was named as chairman OF
the meeting of those who remained,
and the proposition was made that the
people OF the community not members
of Mr.. Knocks church make some ex-
preston of their appreciation OF MS
services as a minister and CITIZEN ana
their love for him personally. Inc
suggestion was at once very enthusiaS-
tically adopted, and plans were mace
TO carry it into effect. Ii was agreed
that a committee on resolutions should
be appointed to formulate such an ex-
preston, and that hundred dollars
in cash should be given him as a
practical testimony OF esteem. In a
short time the hundred dollars nad oeeh
subscribed and a committee was ap-
pointed to make such further contrl-
buttons as might be offered. The plans
for a public meeting to be held the
following night were left in the hanos
of a committee of those interested.
Monday night, at 8 O'Clock the plans
had been matured and public meeting
was held in the Sunday school room OF
the church, which was crowded with IN
terested friends, his own congregation
being admitted on this occasion. Inc
other ministers of the town had pre-
viously taken charge of the unsuspect-
ing Mr.. Knox, and had gone with MIN
on an automobile ride. They stopped
the car at the church and led him IN
before the waiting assembly, somewhat
TO his confusion and to his utter sur
prise. Mr.. Bond was presiding OF
ficer. Miss Julia Reinhart was organist
and Prof. ]. D. Muldoon led the sing
ing, which was spirited. After Mr..
Knox had been properly delivered by
the ministerial conSplrators, the eXer-
cises began. Prof. Thomas Z. Miller
read the following resolution, and
motion was made that it be adopted as
the expression of those present:
Resolved, That in general meeting as
sembled, we people of Shepherdstown
and vicinity desire to publicly express
our appreciation of the services OF
Rev. Absalom Knox, who for the past
three years has been preacher OF the
gospel here. His blamelesS and eX-
emplary personal life, his acceptable
work as pastor, his unSelflSh service
as a Christian minister, his public spirit
and patriotic devotion TO every good
cause, have endeared him to our people
generally and have been an uplift and
an inspiration to our entire community.
We recognize in him true man OF God
and a high type of Christian citizen
ship, worthy of emulation by all. We
regret his departure from this commu-
nifty, where he has labored so faithful
ly and acceptably, but our sincere pray.
ers and good wishes will follow him and
his loved family to their new home,
where we hope that his good work and
influence may be as helpful and salu-
tary as in our own community. we
wish for him continued success in his
ministry and commend him and his
family to the love and consideration OF
the people of his new charge. We will
remember his presence and his intiu-
ence here, and shall cherish the hope
that the friendship formed between
him and our people may be tie which
will not be severed, even though he
shall be far away. May Gods richest
blessings abide with him and his fami-
ly always.
When remarks were called for, Rev.
DR.. Charles Ghiselin, of the Presby-
terrain Church, led off with very happy
little speech, witty and humorous, but
filled with fine feeling and gracious
expressions of genuine regard for his
brother. Following him
further remarks along the same line
were made by Rev. |. D. Woman, OF
the Lutheran Church, Rev. S. L. Flick
niger, of the Reformed Church, and
Rev. William Rogers, of the M. Z.
Church, Prof. Thos. c. Miller, Prof. J.
ID. Muldoon and r. J. Hamrick. Then
the resolution was adopted by rising
vote that was unanimous. II. L. Sny-
der next took the floor and with appro-
pirate remarks presented to Mr., Knox
a handsome leather pocketbook, IN
which was the very acceptable sum OF
SIG in new bank bills which the
friends and admirers of the minister
outside of his own church had donated.
By this time Mr.. Knox, who was un-
prepared in the first place, was getting
pretty dizzy over all the nice things that
were being said and done to him, and
he was only just about able to ramole
around bit when he was called on to
express himself. But there was no
doubt that he fully appreciated the un-
mistakable evidences of affection and
regard which had been showered upon
him, and his family, even if he had been
taken off his feet thereby.
Then Mrs. |. F. P. Good, represent
ing the woman's missionary society OF
the church, presented Mrs. Knox with
a generous gold coin, and Miss Ethel
Hamrick, on behalf of her Sunday
school class, delivered to Miss Virginia
Knox a fine camera as remembrance
from her classmates.
The large audience that was present
fully enjoyed the proceedings, and after
the meeting had closed with singing
'Blest be the tie that binds" and pray
er and benediction by Rev. Mr.. Woman,
the people kept Mr.. Knox and his fami-
" busy for some time with congratula-
tons and good wishes and farewells. =.
We think that this event was one OF
the finest things that has happened IN