The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1921-02-24
PASTOR RESIGNS


The Presbyterian congregation
was more than surprised last Sunday
morning when the pastor, Rev. Gerrit
Snyder, withdrew from the audience
saying he had placed a communica-
ton in the hands of the clerk of the
session, Prof. C. A. Shively, which
not only concerned the session but
the congregation. Prof. Shively then
read the pastors letter in which he
offered his resignation, at the same
future of the church. An informal
congregational meeting is called for
next Sunday morning at II a. m. to
consider the whole matter and get
the expression from the members and
friends of the church looking towards
a uniform action with reference to
the program suggested that should
be undertaken with decision and
steadfastness.
The following is the pastors letter
of resignation:
Hays, Kansas, Feb. Is, 1921
To the Session of the Presbyterian
Church.
My dear Brethren:
You will remember that in assum-
ing the pastorate of the Presbyterian
church in Hays, five years ago, a new
leadership meant much to the congre-
cation and received a hearty follow
ing. The program then submitted to
put the church on permanent
foundation for growth and useful
ness met with general favor. The re-
suits today are a self-supporting
church, a modern manse, additional
property for future use, all clear of
debt, and a congregation which has
doubled its membership and greatly
increased its contributions for self
support and benevolences; and all
this in years which can hardly be re-
garded as favorable for such ad-
yancement. These accomplishments
of the past, however, are only prelim-
inaries in plan for a continuously
larger and better work in the future,
which should be the goal of every
christian church. An equipment for
social and educational facilities is alb
solutely ESSENTIAL for further advance
and efficiency. No one would be dis
posed to rush into such an undertake
ing especially in these uncertain
times, and consequently there would
be no financial demands perhaps for
a year, but the church should get its
definite program and plan, just as
family plans its new home and then
at the opportune time begins to build.
Without such forward step and i'm
provement in due time the church
will remain hampered in its activities
and becomes stunted in its growth.
For this new enterprise all the church
forces need to be rallied to its sup
port No half-hearted following will
suffice in the undertaking. Our train
needs no brakesmen, but conductors,
fremen, an dengineers; and no en-
CINE can ever run ad pull up hill on
lukewarm water Our need is appar-
ent to the public Our aim is not
competition but cooperation with
every church that has similar aims of
ministering to the moral and spiritual
needs of the community. We have a
city with a growing normal school
and other educational institutions
which exert a potent and ever in
ern Kansas. Hays is the hub of this
section of the state No one church
or denomination should have the
whole responsibility for fostering the
religious life in so important a terri
tory.
The Presbyterian church, with its
favorable location and its foundation
laid, and its program formed for
many years to come, must now rally
| its members and friends for the next
step in its future equipment. 1 have
no doubt that this CAN and WILL be
done. But how and when? The past
suggests that forces will gather gen
orally around a new leader. It be-
| comes my duty, therefore, in the IN
terest of the church to clear the way
for such new leadership. herewith
tender my resignation as pastor ask
ing that the congregation join me in
the request that the Presbytery at its
spring meeting in April dissolve the
pastoral relationship to take effect
June 1st, 1921
shall be glad meanwhile, to CO.
operate with the session in securing
nv successor and new leader. It IS a
matter of satisfaction and gratitude
that the relationship which has exist
ed the past FIVE years has been most
cordial and harmonious, the memory
of which will be cherished for years
to come.
Praying for Gods richest blessing
upon you all. and the congregation