Greenwood daily commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1919-1926, 1920-02-10
8 YEARS SERVICE
AS PASTOR HERE
DIR. Joseph Rennie Tells OF Labors
With The Presbyterian Church OF
Greenwood.

compilation of facts and the setting
forth of the work undertaken and ac-
compllshed by the Presbyterian
Church during this period, was told
by DR.. Joseph Rennie Sunday morn
ing, when he spoke to a large congre-
cation.
Dr.. Rennie took the following text:
Wherefore watch and remember,
that by the space of three years
ceased not to warn every one night
and day with tears"-Acts 2O-31.
Briefly he told of Paul Fastening
to Jerusalem, returning from his last
missionary journey. Time is short
and He has not time to go by Ephe-
sus, where he has spent three years
of earnest and fruitful labor. In lieu
thereof, he sends a message to the
Elders there to meet him at the sea-
coast town, Miletus. He reminds
these Elders of the nature of that
three years service he had rendered
them; serving the Lord with humility
and in tears; in the face of opposi-
tions and prosecutions. He had prea-
ched publicly and privately repent
ance toward God and faith toward our
Lord Jesus Christ. He then, with the
words of a master, in one sentence
points to the bonds and afflictions:
that awaited him in Jerusalem
The heart of this faithful Apostle
yearns for the safety and spiritual life
of this important church. He warns
these Elders to protect their flock
over which God has made them Bish-
ops, from the grievous wolves and
traitors that would seek to destroy
them.
therefore watch!"
my purpose today is not to preach
a farewell sermon; said Dr. Rennie.
but to take this text and change but
one word in it and apply the text to
this anniversary of my eight years
of service in Greenwood and in this
church in particular. The only word
to be changed is The word three" to
"eight". Our subject is: Eight year.;
of service" What has come to us in
that time? What does the future
hold?
"In making the following state
ments of fact, l wish to disclaim any
credit to myself, beyond the fact, that
l have tried, like Paul, to faithfully
and humbly warn every one night and
day, with tears. No call for service,
night or day, from rich or poor, has
ever been unheeded. Others might
have done the work far better than l,
but l give place to none in sincerity
of purpose and in desire to serve
faithfully.
"A brief comparison between Feb
ruary, 1912 and Feb 8, 1920, will give
some idea of what has been accom-
plished. Eight years ago the mem
bership of the church was 4O3, today
it is 562 In that time there has been
added to the roll 255.
1.-THE benevolence of the churcl
shows the following growth: In 1911
to Foreign Missions $461, in 1919
1898. To Home Missions ,$255; las:
year $3.50. To Schools and College,
there has been given during these
eight years about $4,000. Our Sun
day School has grown from 245 t.
1893. During these years we have
bought and paid for the splendid
Manse property, which includes 6
home for your Pastor as we'll as 9
home for Mrs. Irvine, widow of oul
lamented friend and former pastor oi
this church.
"Three things worthy Of note just
here. Our lights outside the church
were the gift of the Earnest Worker
and in making this gift they not only
lighted our path into the church and
out; but were pioneers in this kind o!
lighting in Greenwood.
"The beautiful individual Commun
ion Service, memorial to DR.. William
Irvine, presented by General S. R
Keesler, has been a source of JOY
and satisfaction to all. Then this
Pulpit Bible together with two hun
dred and fifty copies of the blesse
Book, for the individual worshipper
presented to the church by Mrs. Sal
lie Humphrey in memory of her hus-
band, Major NJ. c.. Humphrey, has
proved its value in interesting the
people in the reading of the Bible ane
helping them to understand same.
"These years have brought us sew
ere losses in deaths and removals am
by detection; but God has more thar
supplied their going by the adding O
many, whose purpose it is to take
their place and carry on the work laie
upon them as precious legacy. These
years have seen our body of Elder:
added to and strengthened until they
too have made Session Of which any
pastor might well be proud. Oul
board Of Deacons are now coming t.
their own and seem to have realized
the vast importance and opportunit.
of service for them Right royalty
they are doing their work.
s<rA.rr Qohhn&h Qelnr,l f,ssA Of tn