Farewell Discourse

How often have I partea with parishnors leaving us tor now bornes! How uiany have couio aud gone in ruy roctoruhip ! " Removed" ís thu frequent entry on niy Parish R;gister. And now it comes my turn to have the heart and speak the word of going away. I stand here to night formally to close up luy niiuistry and service among you for 13 yeftrs and 4 months. As it haa been ofteu hard to part with thoso - friends more tban pariahiouers, so my taak to night in one I shrink from. And because it is so, I sha.ll not deliver a parting sermón. I have not gone among you as going away, becausel wish to sparomyself mui you as far as possible, the goiug away, and I do not really regard myself as to be separatud froiu you iudividuaüy, socially, to the extent that commouly attends the relinquished pastorate. There is no need to present the Parochial Anaals of these years. The practice of an Annual Sermón has kept you informed in all the details of Paristi life. What progresa has been ntade is visible to those who should uaturally be most interested in it. What figures I have read froin the desk have boen given as an argument of encouiageuioiit, showing what the Parish in its steady eourso is aocoinplishing. I have hoped the work of the past would speak for energy and liberality in the future. For my ininistry among you, I say frankly I ask nobody to think or say, that my plans have always been the best, - that I have shown all the perseverance and industry I might have done, in meeting the various obligations of the work - that I have invariably aoted with a sound judgment, - that 1 have always been free frorn the weakness of the flesh in passion and prejudice - that another Rector in the same time, under the same eireutustances, might not have aooomplished more. God knows have no suoh thoughts. Let my record be, with no superlatives - " to you a faithful minister of Christ," and the matter rests where I would have ifc. In review of our long conneetion, I ain gratelully impressed with the peace and good will that havo prevailed. Mucb of the family has prevailed auiong us. We have passed through the most trying ordeal to which the good temper and charity oí' a Parish eau be subjected - the erection of a church, - yet the bond of peace, if it has been at times a little chaffed, has never been brokeu. You have been at peaoe among yourselves, and with your Bector. If there are those to welcoine this separation, I do not know who they are. We have found and lived by the great principie of concord in allsuoh relations - respect ing each other's rights. No doubt you have sometiuies thought that I was wrong, but you have said : the responsibility is bis, not ours, and as he is over us in the Lord, let us rather adopt than tb. wart his measjires. You may have thought at times that your Kector was too ready to advise in the temporal] ties under the charge of the Vestry, but you have let interest in the Parish explain it. In such a restless world as this, it is much tñat we have kept the bond ot pastor and people so long. The frequency of clerical changes makes the oase exceptional, and proves the strain upon the boad. Nor has our life together been only one of peace. We have been brought together in the most intímate relations of life, and under those circurnstances that necessarily unite heart to heart. I have been in your homes in their brightest and in their darkest hours. Aa God has led us in the sunshine or uuder the cloud, we have partaken of each other's joy, or tiied to comfort one another. Aud now when the bond of Pastor and people must be severed, there is the living frieiidship that space nor tiine can touch. I thank you for the generous words „1.1. rrtjiun num we very hour that the choice of my brethreu was announced, you have met me. You have spoken and acted, making my cause your own, gratified that I should fill a higherininistry. I have the heart to feel it. And now I go without the Parish. In so long a residence, I have becoine identified with the community. I have participated iu the common satisfaction when our city has been prosperous, and no one has feit more keenly - not wholly in self interest - the deprussion of the last few years. My active interest has been in the specialty of the improvement of our local pauper and prisoner institutions. Many kind expressions from my neighbors iu the last few weeks, have been very grateful, - especially as they show that "going softly," and sometimes holding back from mcasures which have been thought valuable, in moráis and religión, I have yet won their respect for right inteution and healthful influence. The work of a clergyman here is very intiinately related to the University. The opportunity for reaohing so large a body of young men, is the strong poi-nt of all the Parishes. I must state as my conviction, that the religious interests of the students will be best served by their intímate relation to the ch urehes to which they are drawn by past ties or preferences. And this ia the ideal to which my student ministry has been directed. A State Uuiversity inay ins'titute religious services, and have a certain Sunday observance within its own lines, but i't can recognize no chaplaincy beyond the informal christian interest of its faculty, and the whole dealing with Christianity must be with caution, demanded by the variety of creeds represented. The services of a College Chapel may supplement those of the Church, but they eer taiuly are not intended to be a substitute. Every youthful mind demands the inculcation of positive truth in its fullness, and the worship of the holy day with the appointmeuts of the Ministry and Sacrament. Tuere are many difficulties connected with the student ministry of the churches here. The pulpit must be maiuly relied on, acquaiutance is difficult, it is dimcult to give foroe to a temporary church relation, there are hiudrances to social Church ties which will only be appreciated by experience. 1 have by no ineans attained my own wishes, though I have had iiuich pleasant intercourse with young men, and must own God 's blessing in our relations. I should be singularly wanting in right feeling, were I not here to acknowledge the courte8ies extended to me by the authorities of the University, and the agreeable official and social relations which I have been allowed to hold with the present esteeined head. Au Episcopal clergymau and his Parish hold a position towards the other Clergy and Congregations of the place which may seein unsocial, or even uncharitable. That position is made by views conscientiously held, and it is consistent with the " rejoicing that Christ is preached," with the sincere prayer, " Grace be with all thera that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity." My own work has not been interfered with by others. I hope I have not interfered with their's. My relations with Ihose doing God's work here have been gentlemanly and aiuicable. Although I have Communications to make to the Diocese of Michigan iu reJinquishing the trusts I have held, and aevering my connection, I must sayhere, how far beyond my deserts have been my honors. Called to preach the Convention Sermón at the first Convention I attended, I was also placed on the Standing Committee, at the second I was made Seoretary of the ISody, and , Tor three Genera] Convontions 1 have , been seleoted as a Doput.y. Beyond these bonora, hun been weet interconrse ] with hrothron of the Clergy ind Laity, , whicli must iiver como up pleasantly to reoolleotion. So intímate havo boen uiy reUtlom with our " KtiTüroiid Futhor in God" - so oheerfully has he approved mid aided my plans,- so heartily has ho lont aio his sympathy in sorrow, his counsel in perplexity- that one trong argument for my decisión has been, that my work will bu oarried on by the side of his, and that we muy often mingle officially and socially. And now let mo turn from tha pust to the futuro, and utter counseU whioh experienee and afleotion suggest. Above all, oherish the pure procious (iosp;l. It is a day of serious BppVeheusion for the integrity of our holy religión. The cry for unity is uttered in a spirit that rnakes truth tremble. It is no vain boast of denial of the great central facte and truths of ühristianity, that so called orthotloxy has grown oonciliatory and indulgent. Bodies that have Tirided themselves on their strict Gospel law, are found in strange fellowship. Sonie ministers whose standards have alraost the anathema of St. Paul on the denier ot' the faith, sourn toestuem it better to be liboral than loyal. There íb some dieposition in parts of our own comuiunion to retrace the blessed pathway of reformation and take back dog mas and prácticos which au outraged Church once repelled. And this is an iusidious way of iuipairing Gospel truth and spirit, lt is the Gospel after man and nofc after God. Therefore I say, cleave to the Gospel as it is defined in our Articles and Liturgy. Be faithful to Christ in holding his word. Respect not the face of man whon truth must be compromised. Beur the reproach of bigotry, pt' illiberality, as rejoicing to suffer shame for His name. Be assured when a church in any forin proves unfaithful to such great leading doctrines as the Trinity, the essential Deity of Christ, the Personality and Deity of the Holy Ghost, the vicarious sacriflce of Christ, the fyiiig work ot the Spint, grace ïuiparieu througli worthy reception of the Sacra menta, justification by faith, a Church of Christ's own institution ; its candlestick is removing out of its place. It is no longer secure against the gates of Heil. Cherish the Church as the conservator of the Gospel, the chanuel through which its blessings flow and the fold of the faithful. The churchmanship I have advocated, is uot the noisy claim of pre-eminence, the ready harsh accusation of those of different sentimeuts, the flaunting of our excellencies without regard to time or eircunistanoes. But rather the earnest walking in the Church 's ways, the conimendation of her principies and practices by the beauty of holiness in her worship, and in the lives of her members, the intelligent appreciation of her polity, the readiness to stand forth boldly in her defeuce when assailed, - the liberal heart and hand towards all her enterprises. This is reasonable, religious, holy Churchmanship. The 8tatistica presentad show that by systematic offerings we have been able in the present Pastorate to bestow nearly $7,000 on objects without thp Parish. I trust the day will not come when this Parish in a selfisb, dishonest, mean spirit, will shut up its charities within its own palé. No policy could be more de trirnental to every interest of your household of faith. We have done nothiug to boast of- certainly nothing, couaiderïng the age of the Parish and its strength that may be decreased. I turn to a pleasanter theme and beg you to sustain the work we have been doing outside the Parish. While the place will not allow such work to have any grand proportions, steadily pursued for years, it has enabled us to do a generous work without, and given us the reputation. wanting -tiok. wo ot„ull soaroely be a Christian Parish, of " looking not on our own things only, but also on the things of otbers." I am sure any pastor wili be glad to employ the lay agencies that have been enlisted. Let poverty be sought out, the churchlfisn be made welcome to their Father's House, and the pauper and the prisoner know where to find those who will oare for their souls. I may Rpeak especially to thoss who have during my ministry taken the vows and promiees of Christiau profession. You will pardon the seeming egotism when I ask, that the memorial of my ministry may be in the godly sincerity of your Uves. I have had comfort in the Christian devotedness of many. Some have at times awakened my solicitude - the daily cross seemed to be forgotten, the world and its seductivo influences to plant itself upon the sacred soil of piety, and neglected services and duties to mark declension. Oh, Brethren, guard your pearl of great price ! Be faithful unto death, and Christ shall give you a crown of life. Shall we not meet on the right hand of the Son of man, a company of the redeemed ? I must speak to those whom I leave without the paleof Christian profession. I have preached to you in vain, so far as briuging you to the side of the Lord who died for you. I would not say but that it might have been otherwise had I laid open to you more fully, more forcibly, the whole counsel of God. I am willing to share in the blaine as I teel the sorrow. I now turn in hope and prayer to the ministry of another. It is a comfort in this Beparation, that where there have been lukewarmness and indifference, a new voice, with new arguments, may make the blessed impression. " I have sowed, may another reap, and he that soweth and he that reapeth shall rejoice htogeter." Oh, Brethren, it must not be, that you shali be neglecters of the great salvation until at last " having no hope" you descend to the grave. Why will ye die Y If I may no longer preach to you, yet I can pray for you, and the tidings that any of you have at last answered the winning cali of mercy, will senil gladness to my heart. A word for, and a word to, the children - my children, for surely Í have loved them, and the last heart-strings to give way are those that bind me to the children. No Parish is worthy of the Protestant Episcopal Church that does not enter heartily into the thought of churchly care of little children. I thank those who have been faithful as my aids in the Sunday School, they have lightened my anxiety, that the ohildren should be " nourished up in the wofds of faitli and good doctrine." And though I have spoken to the children, I cannot refrain here from adding, - my beloved, you will roinember him who has baptized you into Christ, you will remember our pleasant Christmas, Eastcr, Whitsunday, and our Misskmary Services, you will remember how you have grown up by my side. But above all, you will reuiember how we have talked and thought together of the Savior's love, of God our Pather, and of our need of the blessed Spirit's guidance and help. You will try to grow up into Christ. You will love the Church and follow in the good paths of her services and institutions. You will fix your hearts on conflrmation, and as from year to year I may ieturn, I shall rejoice to seeyouat theholytable where Jesus meets bis own. You are now to oall another to be over you in the Lord. 1 trust that your Vestry, with wise discernmeut, in godly sincerity, with constant prayer, will disoharge the most solumu responsibility that can devolve upon them. Whoever shall come to you, let him find a people ready to receive him in the iacrednoss of his office - rejoicingin him s their helper in Christ JesuB. And jhould he be romindod that ineinory liugors round a nnishod pastorate, let it only ho to Mm the incentive of proof, that here his labor will be ajipreoiatud, his soi-rows shall tind synipatliy, that here he may dweil in the beauty and happinens of the pastoral relatíon. A new Pastorate will bring some changcs in Paiochiul life. It is a Rector's privilege whcire therc is no Church law, to order the arrangoments of his Parish aoooiding to his own judgmeut, and it were an unchurchly and unkind gnirit that should deny this right or criticise its exercise. When 1 canio among yon, I frefly used this my prerogative, and our peuce and prosperity have b-en ruuch the result of yuur iicquibsoeuoe iu my plans. I charge you never to let any reference to my luinistry bo a source ot' discomfort to your Rector. Let me beg of you to cheer him by constant attendance on the services. The reiuissuess here of somn of you has been to me the chief cause of Pastoral uuhappiiiess. Oh, how often it has sent uio back to my work sad at heart. Bring home the case to yourselves. Place yonvselves in your Rcctor's position, - what would beyour wishes - your feelings, wheu they were thwarted 'i May God bluss him who is to stond in my place. May he have all uiy comforts unmingled with uiy disappointments, where my voice bas been weak unay his bü strong, where I have failed may he triumph. The good Lord of the Vineyard bless him in his going out and coming in before this people. The family feeling that belongs to this hour may allow me to speak of the circuin8tances that lead to my removal, and make some reference to my future. I never asked tor the office which has been contened upon me If I had a visión of the future, it was connected with a far different work - a mission to the pauper and the prisoner. Tuose of you who listened to a discourse delivered not niany months ago on the death of Bishop Whitehouse, will bear me witness, that I have no very high thoughts of the happmess of a Bishop's life, speaking after the manner of' men. It is no light thing to take one often from his home in all seasons, - to interrupt the duties of the study - to have to stand befure strange cougregations, - to assume a certain relation of authority - to make a decided departure from many habits of life. And 1 can easily see the avenues for auxiety, disappoiutment and pain, opening, in the wants I cannot relieve, - the needy clergy - the feeble toissions - the isolated little bands of Church people, - in the unreasonableness and penuriousness of Vestries, the peculiarities of oven worthy clorgyinen the strange thoughts of what a man can do because he is clothed with office and title. And I know that when one is placed in any prominence he is as likely to be misunderstood as to be charitably mttasured, - his caution is made timidity, his zeal rashness, his waiting indolence, lus firuiness obstinacy, his respect for his office, pride. Very likely I may often look back wistfully to the lite of a plodding pastor, tj íhe tunes when I went in and out among a trust ing, loving flock. And I am sure that I shall ever be comforted in the thought of those who know me too well to doubt me, who reineniber me too kiudly not to pray for me. I go for work - working in hope and faith my motto - for woik as God shall give me strength - wherever I oan ünd His work to do. The only mark can uiake is, as "the workman needing not to be ashamed.'1 And now I have no word of parting to utter. My residence here will not termínate irumediately. My friendships and sympathies will briug mn here in future years. I would go forth as one leaving the faniily abode, who though pained to turn bis back upon pleasing fiuiUitliiua, IU U doiiicd tlio slgnt 01 loved faces ; has no thought of severed hearts ; but as he carries with hini a love space nor time can touch, hopes to to dweil in constant reiuembrance, " though absent in the fleth, yet present in the spirit."