The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-06-03
Church Passes Resolution Asking Severing of Rela-
 tions on Pastors Request
LARGER FIELD FOR
 HIGHLANDS PASTOR
Charlotte Church One of Largest Tn South and Due to Adjacent Army Cantonment Is Exceptional
 Field

pr. Albert Sidney Johnson, for two years pastor of the South Highlands Presbyterian church, whose resignation was read to the congregation week ago yesterday, delivered a sermon at the morning service yesterday on the sub ject, "We Are Co-Laborers of God.
 He stated that he had tendered his resignation to the local church. not pe- cause of any dissatisfaction on his part or of the congregation, but because ot the large opportunities offered in Char lotte, N C., where he goes to take charge Of the First Presbyterian church Of that city. The Charlotte church has mem bership of over 1000, was established over 80 years ago, and in addition to the mem bership attendance several hundred sol diers from the cantonment near there attend services every Sunday. pr. Johnson is vice chairman of the church war council, charged with the duty of raising fund to assist the churches in their work among the soldiers in camp He had been giving good deal of his time to this work since his ap- pointment to the vice chairmanship, and believes that he will be able to do more effective work in his field in the new field.
 RESIGNATION ANNOUNCED Iyr. Johnson, in formally announcing ms resigns ton, asked the congregation to join with him in request to the pres bytery to dissolve the relationship or pastor and congregation, in accordance of tIa preQhxtpriln church. and at the conclusion of his sermon the congregation passed a resolution Tn con forrnity with his request.
 The presbytery will probably hold a snecial session in Birmingham within the next ten days to pass upon the matter A committee, consisting of John W. Slp- ley and Judge s. D. Weakley, elders' | Henry J. Porter, Jr., and M. J. Gregg' deacons. and F. A. McElroy and Frank V. Evans of the congregation. was ap- pointed to select new pastor. several ministers of ability and prominence are under consideration, and it is the inten- | ton of the congregation to fill the va cancy caused by pr. Johnson's reslgna- 1 ton before his departure, which Will pc | in about three weeks.
 THE RESOLUTION
 The following resolution was adopted by the congregation:
 1 "Whereas, in the providence or Goo' | the Rev. Albert Sidney Johnson, U. D.' | ossunoed the pastorate of this church, after resigning an attractive and use- ful pastorate, and
 "Whereas. our beloved pastor has with unfailing fidelity upheld the doc trinal symbols of the church, preached with undiminished holiness the un- searchable riches of Christ through the atonement of his blood. and by his manly bearing, and his godly walk land conversation endeared himself to |us as A pastor, as a friend and coun- selor in spirited things, rejoicing with lus in our pleasure, lending his tendei lministrations in our sorrows ana ming ling his tears in our bereavements therefore,
 ..Be it. resolved by the congregation of the South Highlands Presbyterian church
 "That we are grieved in the prospect live severance of the relation of pastor land people, yet we recognize that the divine wisdom which calls him to 3 larger field of usefulness and service and bow to the divine will'
 "That we rejoice in the Knowledge
  itual gifts which enable him to as sume larger duties, to uphold the ma liestic essentials of the faith once de llivered unto the saints, the atone lment of Christ, the validity Of the Tn lspired word and the truths upon whicf the ransomed church must build ant tconquer,
 eResolved further, That in severinf Jour relations we do hereby testify t' t1t bor with which Wi have Iabored in the Lords vineyard Ito the unimpeachable courage and il ldelity with which he has declared th' iwhole truth, and that we invoke th' richest benediction of heaven to res lnpon his continued work for Christ ant lhis church and the cause of his fel
 .J. K. BROCKMAN,
 Chairman,
 "S D. WEAKLEY,
 BORDEN H. BURR,
 "Committee."