A Heartifelt Good Bye

The M. E. Church was filled to over flowing last Sunday night, to listen to the kind words of those who were there to say farewell to Rev. Dr. Cobern, as that was the last public religious ser vice in which he was to particípate in Ann Arbor. It is known to all that he has been called to the lst M. E. Church at Denver, Colo., one of the largest and mos' important pastorates of the M. E. denomination in the West, and [for whicl place he was to leave the following day Dr. Cobern delivered his f are wel; sermón at the 10:30 service haring for a textthe passage of scripture from which he preached his first sermón in this city "For Jesus' sake." It can conscientiously be said that Dr. Cobern came here for Jesus' sake, that he has remained for flve busy, active years in the same cause, and now, that he is called upon to go to other fiejds, am among other people, he goes for the Same -blessed sako. He is consecratec to the work laid out by the Savioui when He said "Go unto all the world and preach the Gospel," and his earnest life has drawn about hitn here friends, as close as the ties of friendship can bind human beings to each other upon this earth. The sermón he preached touched the hearts of the people in his audience, and many a tear trickled down cheeks that were unaccustomed to them. What he said seemed to well up frorn his very soul overflowing witli love for the parishoners with whoin he had associated so long and yet so short a time, and his every word struck a responsive chord. In the evening the services per program were as follows : Organ Prelude, Prof. Stanley. Magníficat (B Tours), Chorus. Scripture (Acts xx :17-38), Rev. W. L. Tedrow, pastor of the English Lutheran Church. Hymn and Prayer, Rev. W. M. Forest, "pastor of the Disciples Church. Offertory, Solo by Miss Emma McAllaster. Remarks, Rev. Dr. L. P. Davis, Presiding Eider of the Adrián District. Address, Mr. J. E. Beal, speaking for the First M. E. church and congregation. Address, Ex-Mayor C. G. Darling, M. D., speaking for tlie City and University. Words of Fraternity from Rev. T. W. Young, pastor of the First Baptist Church, and Rev. J. M. Gelston, pasof the First Presbyterian Church, representing the sister churches of the city. Remarks, Dr. C. M. Cobern. Anthem - Nunc Dimitís - (B Tours.) Prayer, Rev. J. W. Crippen, assistant pastor. Hymn- "Biest be the tie that binds." Benediction, Dr. Cobern. Postlude, Prof. Stanley. Rev. Mr. Tedrow was unavoidably called away from the city, otherwise he aboye program was entirely carried out. Rev. Dr. L. P. Davis, presiding eider of this district, presided, and made a 'ew pleasing introductory remarks, givng some reminiscences that were apjropriate, and brought out, if such a thing were possible- more of the earnest, conscientious life of the man who they were that night bidding farewell. On behalf. of the official board Junius 3. Beal gave a paper upon the life and services of Dr. Cobern since he carne among us five years ago, and voiced the unanimous sentiment, not only of the official board, but of the entire congregation as well. He spoke of the temptng offers which Dr. Cobern had pushed aside since coming hare, preferring to abor in a field so possible of grand sults. In closing the speaker said : "He leaves us vvitli the good will of all with the love of the congregation, the appreciation of the officers of the churol and the regard of our citizens." Ex-Mayor C. G. Darling. M. D., spoke for the University and the City. His words were words of praise, they coulc be nothing else. He told how the Dr had taken an interest in University affairs and in city affaire ; how he hac always an encouraging word for those who were laboring in the public service (Continued on 8th page.) A HEARTFELT GOOD BYE (Continuedfrom lst page) especially for the public officials to wliom is entrusted the enforcement of our lans and the keeping of the public peace. He but reiterated what was in the inind of everyone, that this hard worker in the Lord's vineyard had not only earned but had secured the gratitude of all the people of whatever creed, nationality or station. He was indeed a beloved servant of the Master. For the sister churches of the city Eey. T. W. Young of the Baptist Church and Rev. J. M. Gelston, of the Presbyterian church, eulogized this retiring pastor and spoke feelingly of the brotherly affection that existed amoug all the clergy of the city, without exception, for him. They had pleasant words to say, and witty thoughts to express, but woven in and through it all, was the sad thought of parting. Rev. Mr. Young criticised the law of the church which said to a pastor, "You have remained here long enough, you must go away," even when he had proven himself the very man the place needed and the people he was serving needed. Probably no pastor ever left this field so loaded with good words and loving thoughts, and so deserving of thein all, as Dr. Cobern. When he aróse to say a few farewell words, he modestly cast all these eulogies and praises upon the Saviour, whose servant he was. He said if he should take them to himself he would not be able to rise from his seat, but they all belonged to the One who had been working through him, and had been received not personally out for Him. The meeting was a reinarkable one, and gave greater evidence than has ever before been given of the harmony that exists between all sects of Christian people here in Ann Arbor. The congregation was cornposed of all denomiations and they all shared the sentiments expressed by the speakers of the evenng- In going to his western field, Dr. Cobern will be fortified with the earnest irayers of thousands of Christians who believe in him and have faith in his works. ACTIOX OP THE BOARD. At a meeting of the official board, ïeld on Monday evening, the following action was taken : Wheeeab: This churcli is about to ose its beloved pastor, Rev. Camden. M. Cobern, through the termination of ïis allowed time at Ann Arbor, and- Whereas: It is with great regret hat we part with him because of the ignal benefit received from his labors ïere- spiritual, pastoral and execuive - Therefore, Resolved, that the Quarerly Conference express on behalf of a united church their thorough appreciaion of his faithfulness in performance f duty ; his piety of life. word and act ; is scholarship and learning in the ulpit; his tactful administration of church affairs ; and his high Christian character. Resolved further, That we most heartily commend him to the great field of usefulness opening to him in the West, and to the grand church to which he is called. AN EDITOR S TRIBUTE. IFrom the Daily Times.] Next Sunday morning Rev. Dr. Camben M. Cobern wiH preach nis iarewell sermón as pastor of the First Methodist Episcopal church of this city. Dr. Cobern soon leaves for Denver, Colo., to engage in a larger field of work. It is said that his new congregation, one of the largest congregations in the country, is so choice in the selection of a pastor that it generally succeeds in securing the fittest. In their selection of a divine the Denver Methodists have made no mistake. They will soon recognize in Dr. Cobern a learned biblicist, a diligent student of the arts and histories of the ancients, especially of the Egyptians, a student of Nature, in short- a profound scholar. Dr. Cobern's talents as a public orator, coupled with his great learning, has given him fame. The sincerity of his preaching and demonstration of re Hgious truths by the scriptures, have demanded the respect of men. He not onlypreaches Christianity, he discusses it and attempts to explain it by anologies taken from every phase of life. Dr. Cobern's happy faculty of portrayal gives his sermons their beauty; his fondness of illustration, drawing his material to paint his pictures from every sphere of human life and thought, eive his sermons their charm, while his argument, polished by eloquent passages, iutensified by exhortation, which is oftentimes dramatic, give his sermons their power. Br. Cobern is thoronghly devoted to his chosen work. While h is discourses are usually extemporaneous, he devotes careful tliought to their preparatíon. The itinerant church-goer is attracted to Dr. Cobern's pews for the reasou that lie never hesitatcs to discuss the social and political abuses of the day when occasion demauds their attention b)' the pulpit. His zeal as a worker in the vineyard of the Master, his courage and eloquence as a preacher of the Wórd, his scliolarly learning, his great personal magnetism, have placed Dr. Cobern in the front rank of Methodist divines in our land. Tliese virtues and attainments have secured for hini the position of pastor of the large congregation at Denver. His congregation, whom he has served so faithfully and well ; the children of his Sabbath school, who love him ; kis fellow citizens, who respect and admire him, and the editor of the Times, who has been greatlyjbenefited by his masterly Bermons and bis genial companionship, will miss him much. So we all join in wishing you, Dr. Cobern, and the noble woman at your side, much joy and success in your new field of labor arnong the people in the great city at the foot of the distant Rockies. Your earnest work for the kingdom of your God has borne much good fruit, and your influence will be feit for many years to come. The Times, supported by our citizens, gives you the assurance that Ann Arbor is better for your having lived in it. You have succeeded in convincing many of us that reason and moráis live most in Christian comfort, that Christian character is the very acme of life, and that Duty is its first cali.