Year: 1871

DIR. TLOmpson,5 Farewell SermOn-Iits Ac-
Acknowledgements To His CONGREGATION.
at the Broadway Tabernacle church yesterday
morning DR.. Thompson made the following
acknowledgment OF the gift OF $4,000 by his
people,


81 VIII paw my VOWS unto the Lord now, In the
presence OF oil HIS people, IN the courts OF Ihe
Lords house. In the m0st OF thee 0 jerusalem"
For feel ~ to be RELIGIOUS duty as Wen az per,
Lord's house. and as in the face OF all the world,
with devout thanksgiving TO Almighty God, and
with overwhelming gratitude to you my people, TO
testify OF the muaincence-tne magnfcence-
OF the provision which yoa have made for my
support and comfort to the end OF my days.
What am l. wnat is my work, that you should
love and cherish me after this s0rt2 receive your
bounty with humility as deep as the gratitude with
which acknowledge 1t. cannot appropriate 1t to
myself as a personal favor, though your generosity
has been pleased to convey II under that iorm MOI
honored and illustrated by this gift. Your
loving consideration Tor the Office OF pastor
tion of the ministry which Christ nath ordained,
your loyal conservation TO Christ himself as the
have found expression IN gift beyond precedent
at once IN its noDleness and In its tenderness. Not
ratlun but because have been your pastor; not
that may live without temporal anxiety IN the fu-
ture, but that may be enabled TO devote such
strength God shall preserve to me unto His glory;
for these highest best OF Christian motives IL IL that
You have so honored yourselves IN honorng your
now disabled and retiring servant


Already has the report OF your action been road
in all the churches OF the land, showing that you
estimate the office OF pastor by wealth OF alfec-
ment Of honor that years cannot exhaust;
mas as II n al Geses yoana ana
men that the love and esteem OF the Church viii
more than compensate for whatever worldly pros
the ministry; 1t has been read IN all busi-
ness circies reminding the world Of the dig
nifty and grace OF Christian hberalty; 1t has gone
beyond the sea to furnish new argument to those
who there contending that the voluntary affec.
richer than the endowments OF q State establish
ment bless God IN you, 1or you, through you,
generosity towards Your pastor, the pledse Of your
nnanlmity and heartness OF purpose IN your future
work.


Personally l am greatly comtorted that the
is at last shared by you and is re.
siderate SO aboundng. 1t was no small part of the
burden that, for your sakes ieit bound TO carry 1t
roofing OF mis- whole lie the sunderlng OF the fond
est ties the imperllling Of most cherished interests
ne osT %
ever his secret grtes, before the ord he ought to
show a CHRISTIAN faith and cheerfuness-
hidden fires Under such a visitation i 0ose no one
can advise, no one can help him. He must make
Father. 1t was great trial to me to feel that
must not reveal my purpose to my brethren until
the air would hava heen filled with rumoIs and sur.
misses, and snoutd have been overwhelmed with





was the counsel OF the Psaimist-"Commune
with your own heart upon your bed and be
still" But when the Judgment OF physicians
peremptorly confirmed my own forebodInRs
l threw myself upon the confidence and
magnanmity OF a people whom l have never
disseminated and never could discriminate in my
relation the pastor OF each and all alike and the
ralying OF your anectionate sympathy under this
impartial trust Is the expression and the pledge of
Your ueep hearty ana abiding unity ia the work Of
Christ. II. A-.-ss 49,. .a-- ss.S.y1E


And now, dear brethren and friends, have to





tempting to tell you how l thank you,
and how / love you, l should appear too
weak before sou. Eenceforth, whatever work
j do, whatever comfort / have, whatever
memory cherish whatever joy l feel Will be in.
dlssoubly linked TO you. My very life for Chrlsts
work Will be your gift. And II for the illustration
OF God's providence and Word shall go down into
Egypt 1t will be because my brethren have lifted me
out OF the pit and put me in bonds and sent me
there But these VIII be bonds OF love and OF graft
tude that shall hold me 10 you while life shall last
and shall draw me TO you as my home circle IN the
Fathers house. May God supply all your needs ac-
cording HIS riches in glory, by Christ Jesus and
unto God and our Father be glory forever. Amen.