An Easter Surprise

At the close of an interesting sermón, appropriate to the day, last Sunday, Rev. Dr Steele, the greatly esteemed pastor of the Presbyterian church of this city, closed the portfolio that held his address, andsaid: "And now I have au important matter to which I wish to oall your attention." He then read the following paper, which almost took away the breath of tbe entire congregation, so sudden and unexpected did the announcement of his intentious come upon them. Mr. Steele has served well and faithfully this church for the biblical "seven" years, and now feels that his duty is done. It will be a great pleasure to his many friends toknow that he will make Ann Arbor his home for several years at least. The paper f srred to is as follows : The Presbytery of Detroit, holds its spring session in the First Presbyterian Church of Detroit, on Tuesday evening next, to be opened by a sermón by the last moderator. The session will continue Ihrough Wednesday and probably adjourn after the eveniDg session. In connection with this meeting I have this important announoement to make to which I ask your kindly attention. I came to this church by your invitation to labor as the pastor in September, 1880. Aly cali was dated August lOth of that year. On the first Sabbath of October I preaohed my first sermón from the text " I ask theretöre for what intent ye have sent for me," and was installed pastor by a committee of Presbytery on the 19 tb. of that month, Dr. Baker preaching the sermon, Dr. Sprole delivering the charge to the pastor, and Rev. Mr. Richmond to the people. From the beginning of my ministry until the present I have had ucbroken health, not having lost a single Sabbath from sicknes, and only olie prayer meeting from wbich 1 have been absent on this account. Since the summer of 1884 I have not had a vacation but have filled my pulpit each Sabbath, My ministry has continued nearly seven yeare. The time has heen short and passed rapidly, but is the lonest pastorale of this church within the past thirty-iwo yeare. They have not been all that we could desire. We seldom accomplish in life all that we have planned for the Ma8ter. s When I carne here you were burdened with a bonded debt of upwarda of $7,000, and a floating debt of about $1,000. Br your cheerful and liberal subscnptions this incumbrance was entirely removed at an early date. On the first of January of this year the small arrearage which had accumulated was promptly met and the treaaurer reported the society clear of all obligations. If arrearages of pew rents were now paid we would not owe a dollar to any who are now serying us. In the meanwhile the ladies have refitted and furnished our rooms below giving us the most commodious and attractiTe lecture and Sabbath school room iu the city. Our membership when I came here had been reported to the Presbytery at the spring session as 318. The roll on my coming here was completely revised by a committee of session when there was tound in attendance only 192 communicants, with about 25 absent members. At cur fir8t celeDration of the Lord's supper 116 partook of tbe Sacrament. Our remováis from our ohangeable population have been very great, aad yet our membership ig now 268 within the bounds of the eongregation, with about 55 who have not yet takan their certiöcates of dismismissioo. Tne time has now arrived when as your pastor I should cease my labors in this oongregatioa. No time seems more appropriate than this. To this decisión i have arrived after careful reflection and I trust gnidance trom the Master. I ara a I loyal Presbyterian, and it is my present =Sggg! intention to take the constitutional steps tor a dissolution of the pastoral relation existingbetweenus; and I shall therefore ask the Presbytery to be released from the charge of thig church at such a date as will be mutually satisfactory, and tor the best interests of the congregation ■ taking all things into sonsideration it may be well to have this arrangement comple.ed withio a few Sabbaths. Special meetings are not desirable. and my own understanding is- and we have precedente m ecclesiastical decisions that the delégate from thia seseion. Dr Prescott principal, and Mr. John Moore altérnate, will have authority to represent the society. Did not the application come rum myseir tne constitutional method would be different. Oae word additional. The very natural inquiry will be, where is Mr. Steele aolne and what will he do? To prevent all sohcitude on this subject, I will gay that I am not open immediately to another settlement m the ministry, and wül remain in Ann Arbor taking the position of an ordinary citizen. I have arranged to occupy the same residence which you have heretofore kindly furnished me as a parsonage- a very comfortable home. I do not inteud to h rfl Ki,t m;n _i some line of work in which I may still be uaeful. Let me assure you that for the few babbaths I am to occupy this pulpit I will make no allusion to this matter. This is thefirstand last statement I shall make from this desk. There will be no further reference to this day's transaction beyond what Presbytery by its representative hall affirm. I shall endeavor in the remaining messages you will bear from me o preach the plain, direct and practical trospel of Chriít. I have never used this pulpit or any other to say anything of a personal character or address individuals I want to so conduot myself before this congregation and in this oommunity, as to uo uie to gay wnen my work is done whicb is now near at hand, with blessed raul, ' I have not shunned to declare unto y ou the whole counsel of God." The Presbytery of Detroit, at ita session yesterday in acting upon Dr. Steele's request for a digeolution of the pastoral relation and the church, adopted the following action : Resohtdl That the congregation of Ann Arbor be cited to appear bef ore Presbytery by their commissioner t an adjourned meeting to be held in Detroit on Wednesday the 27th inst, at 2 p. m., that definite action may be taken upon this request of Dr. Steele. A meeting of the congregation will be announced from the pulpit next Sabbath morning.