The Lexington advertiser. [volume] (Lexington, Miss.) 1904-1985, 1948-07-15
Presbyterian Minister
Resigns Local Church,
For Haz|ehurst Call
Rev. R. 9. Valentine
Will Leave Sept. lst
After Four Years Here

The Rev. Robert G.. Valentine,
pastor of the Presbyterian church
here for the past four years, has
accepted a call to Hazlehurst where
he will be pastor Of the Presby-
terrain church there, effective Sep
TENDER /. The resignation was an
nounced Sunday afternoon at a
meeting of church officials held at
the church following a supper gil
ven by the pastor and his wife at
the Manse.
In giving his reasons for resign
ing, the Rev. Mr.. Valentine said
he is very reluctant" to leave, but
feels that a frequent change Is good
for the church as well as the pastor,
and that he "feels it is the Lords
wilr' that he "move on to another
work" During the time that he
has been in Lexington he has given
good community leadership and
service. and has increased member
ship and attendance In the church
and Sunday school substantially.
Other undertakings accomplished
by the Rev. Valentine are the en-
largement of classroom facilities in
the Sunday school, the purchase
and installation of a new Hammond
electric organ, and the securing of
several important church meetings
at the local church. Last spring a
gathering of the Central Presbytery
of Mississippi was in session there.
He has given outstandingly good
services as the reorganizer and lead
Ell Of the Cub Scouts of Lexing,
ton. He is a member of the Rotary
club and was elected to the Board
of Directors for this year. He has
rendered good, general community
service.
The Rev. Mr.. Valentine has also
worked actively for the building of
a youth center for teen-agers here
which project was recently approved
by the coordinating council. The
Sunday school attendance is twice
what it was at the time he anne here
upon his first assignment as Q be-
ginner preacher. Church contribu-
tions have tripled during this time.
Twenty-seven adult members have
been added to his congregation, and
10 children have been baptised and
received as infant members. Sunday
school attendance has increased 100
per cent An active mems group has
also been organized.
The Rev. Mr.. Valentine, a native of
Huntington Park, California, came
here frnpo UUae,,,,efa en,,,ra,xr
Philadelphia, Pa, on July Is, 1914,
During the time that has followed,
he has made made many friends
within the community and area and
it is with regret that the congrega-
ton and townsmen learn of his re-
s~ignation. The Valentines expect to
leave here for their new home Sep
TENDER l..
Officers of the church have call
ed a congregational meeting for
Sunday at IL o'clock to concur
with the pastor in his request
to the Presbytery of Central Missis-
sippi that his resignation and accep-
tance of the call of the Hazlehurst
church be effected, and to appoint
a pulpit committee, as well as to
transact business which may come
before the group.
Evening worship at the church
will be held at 7:30 with the Rev.
Valentine preaching on the book
of First John. His topic will be
@'The Love Life" as taken from the
third chapter.
In a written message to the con-
gregation, the pastor expressed APP
probation "to every member for
four happy years-(and for their)
every kindness. friendship and faith
fulness."