The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1919-10-13
PRAISE REV.
MIR. RANKIN FOR
His WORK ABROAD
CONTINUED from page II

to take up the work of God among
the people of this city.
Gle has worked untiringly and has
accomplished some wonderful results
"He has always labored for the
upbuilding of the young men of the
community and we all know full well
what his character and life has
meant to the young. men and boys OF
Newport.
"This beautiful edifce in which we
are gathered tonight testifies to Mr.
Rankin's efforts in behalf of the
church.
"When our pastor heard the call IA
months ago to serve his country and
the soldier boys in France we Won
dered if we could spare him. But
we all thought it proper he should go
as he had elected to serve God in
France instead of over here.
"a few months ago we welcomed
home our brave Newport boys who
fought for freedom on the blood
soaked fields of Flanders and France
and now to cap the climax we now
welcome our pastor who has returned
to take up the work where he left
off moro than a year ago. We all
heartily welcome his return to the
fold. l am real proud of the genuine
nf h1 lii 1,n
been given. know you will all give
Mr.. Rankin fine support as he takes
up his work in the church for the up
building of righteousness"
Rev. H. T. Coontz, pastor of the
Methodist Episcopal church spoke a
few words of welcome and told a
couple of real good jokes.
~ am very happy, indeed" Mr..
Coontz said, "to be able to express
to the people of the Baptist church
the gratitude of our own church for
the invitation to be present here to-
night.
eve have learned as you all have,
to have very deep feeling for your
pastor and it makes us glad of his re-
turn to the city and his church.
"The church has been loyal to him
during his absence and it has been
equally loyal to those who filled the
gap made by Mr.. Rankin's absence
from Newport"
Rev. A. W. Allen, pastor of the
East Side Baptist church was called
upon to say few words:
81 wish to express our gratitude
for the invitation to be present at
this reception and to express our
great joy at Mr.. Rankin's return to
our midst. We certainly do rejoice
in his return and in the bright pros
poets for his future"
Rev. l.. A. Edwards, pastor of the
Congregational church, a very close
friend of Mr. Rankin, was called
upon to say few words to the gath,
ering. He responded by saying some
very kind words about Newport's
popular Baptist minister
81 have always counted Mr.. Rankin
as one of my closest and
best friends" Mr.. Edwards began. 81
am not going to take tn etime to say
how glad | am that Mr.. Rankin is
back with us again. Everyone here
tonight knows of the close relations
and complete unity that exists
between Mr.. Rankin and myself. 1t is
known far beyond the borders of this
community. l honestly think that we
have demonstrated Enthusiastically to
the people of Newport and to the
people who live beyond the pale of
our city that it is possible for Chris
tan unity to exist in the community
and for ministers Of the Gospel, to
work together There never has been
any jealousy or rivalry between the
pastors of this city and never has
there been one iota of discord. And
all of this Christian unity is due in
no small measure to the efforts Of
Mr. Rankin.
81 am mighty glad he is back and
l will look forward to another splen-
did season Of faithful and successful
work"
Last but not least on the program
of speakers was Mr.. Rankin. He
said
81 thought that ] would slip into
Newport after all the. welcomes to
the soldier boys were over and that |
would escape this. / even went so far
as to come in on the early morning
train. But sure enough the Baptist
church was represented at the sta
ton. The Boy Scouts were also
there and | rode home in the automo-
bile of a Congregational deacon.
After knowing the wonderful work
that has been done in my absence |
realize the tremendous burden Of
responsibility on my shoulders.
appreciate the kind words which
have been said about me tonight. The
presence of all these folks here dem
onstrates the wonderful spirit of
unity that exists among the various
churches of the city.
"a spirit of unity is better than a
union. | am not for any union. A
mark Of distinction was placed on
everything God made. There is
enough unity among the members of
any one order SO that they won't get
mixed up.
each church has it's mission and