The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-03-18
PASSED SUFFRAGE BEL
OVER CLEMENTS, VETO
BY BARE TWO THIRDS
REV. E. GRASSLAND
Is TO LEAVE BARRE
Resignation Was Accepted By Presby-
terian Society Last Night--He Has
Been Called to Malta
pan, Mass.

the FIRST Presbyterian church last even
ing, called for the purpose of acting on
the resignation of the pastor, Rev. Ed
gar Grassland A goodly number were
present when James Mackay called the
meeting to order. Mr. Grassland was
called upon to read his resignation, which
is as follows:
TO the Members of the Church and
Congregation of the First Presbyterian
Church, Barre
Dear Brethren and Friends -- My
task is a difficult one and ] face it with
great reluctance, 50 / will be brief. After
prolonged and earnest thought, with
much prayer for divine guidance, am
constrained to tonder to you my resig.
nation as your pastor and to ask you to
unite with me in requesting our presby-
terry to dissolve the pastoral relationship,
special meeting of Newburyport presby-
terry TO be held in South Ryegate the
18th inst, at 2:30 p. m.
TThe interests of the church have been
sacredly dear to me always and | can
honestly say that they have the first
place in my thought now.
For all that you have been to me,
and done for me, during the four years
and seven months of my pastorate, well
i can only thank you. Words cannot
express what / feel
"0ur relationship has been harmoni-
Gus, sympathetic and blessedly prosper
Gus. The happiest years of my ministry
have been spent among you, and though
the pastoral relationship may be sew
cred, the bond of friendship, l verify be
lieve, will never be severed. l have been
with you in sorrow and in JOY and / have
tried-God is my witness-to give you
the best that was in me, both from the
pulpit and in my more private and per
sonal ministrations.
u ask you to think of me and mine
kindly, forgive my failures and short
comings, remember me and mine when
you look up ] shall not fail to pray
that You may increase in numbers and
more and more in devotion to God and TO
His church. -.
Yours in Interchangeable affection,
tSignedl Edgar Grassland"
1t was some little time before action
on behalf of Mr.. Grassland could be TAX
en-, general feeling of regret that the
resignation must be accepted, holding
the people in suspense. 1t was finally
voted TO accede to the wish of the pas
tor .. .......--.s... ..-...-,
Rev. Mr.. Grassland came here from
Massachusetts in September of 1914 and
during his connection with the local
church has continually built it up both
in membership and materially. Obliga
tions have been met on time and a mort
ha
steadily reduced each year. Improve
ments have been made to the church
property and the mems club was insti-
tuted Mr.. Grassland has shown unusual
interest in the young people Of the con
gregation, both in his Bible class and
with the scouts, of which he was scout
master. His services as public speak
er have been continually sought and both
here and outside the city he has on sew
eral occasions delivered excellent ad-
dresses. He has also been called upon to
give a Labor day address. Mr.. Cross
lands early days spent in the diamond
and gold mines brought him in close
touch with labor and he has ever been
ready to champion its cause.
He is a ready speaker on practically
any subject of the day, having travelled
extensively, especially in the theatre of
the world war, and his intensive reading
keeps him in close touch with world
events Many times his predictions on
certain matters have been fulfilled.
He was bitter in his attacks on the
central powers all during the period of
the war. His services were ready to
serve adopted country and he cam
paigued for Liberty bonds and war saw
ings stamps besides visiting nearby
towns and aiding materially in recruit
ing Preparedness, so firmly rooted in
the convictions of the late eX-President
Roosevelt, also found expression by Mr..
Grassland and the Memorial Sunday OF
the year preceding the entrance of this
country into the struggle, a forceful ser
mon was delivered on its behalf.
On one other occasion the pastor gave
some intimation,that he was considering
ending his work here and the people raj
lied to his side, giving him a substantial
increase in salary and asking that he
stay. Although the past year has been
trying because of so many deaths and
removals to other communities, he has
not failed to put the same degree of
energy and study into his work and has
held the church together as many Others
could not have done When asked to eXr
press himself personally as to reasons
for leaving, Mr.. Grassland said that he
felt his work was done here, that he had
accomplished all that was possible by
him and that nothing that had been said
or done had prompted him to- take the
move.
His new field of labor demands a
strong, energetic man and he feels that
he is fitted to carry on the work there.
When the presbytery shall have endorsed
the action Of the local church he will
send his acceptance to st. Paul's church
at Mattapan, Mass, where he expects to
preach beginning the first Sunday in
April.
A committee was named to draft reso-
lutions to be given Mr.. Grassland and to
be placed on record, voicing the regrets
Of the people over his leaving and ex-
pressing their appreciation for the splen-
did work here,
After the meeting many Of those pres
ent personally expressed their regrets to
Mr.. Grassland and added best wishes for
continued success elsewhere.
New Minister La Lithuanis.
Torgar,e Sw,itzarIspd March lg Ae