Mr. Ryder's Farewell

Rev. Win. H. Ryder, who resigned his pastorate in Ann Arbor to go to Andover Theological Seminary, preached his farewell sermón last Sanday mcrning, taking 8 his text Phillippians I, 6: "Being confident of this very thing, that he which began a good work in you will perfect it until the dy of Jesus Christ." THE OHUBOH 0ODH0IL. There was á sad time in the Congregational church Mouday afternoon. The law of the church requires a church council upon the reBignation of any pastor to review the action and, if thore be no objection, to give a good word ar.d advice to the flock and retiring shepherd. Ann Arbor is in what is known as the Jackson conference. The First Congregational church of Jackson sent Rev. D. M. Fiek and Melville McGee; Grasa Lake, Rev. F. E. Carter and W. K. CrafU ; Chelsea, Rev. Thomas Holmes ; Dexter, Rev. John Clafiin and Daniel Lyon; the Webster church had no delégate; First Salem church, Rev. M. B. Gelston and W. R. Hamilton; YpBÜanli, Rev. M. W. Fairfield and Andrew Campbell; Detroi', Trumbull avenue church, Rev. A. P. Swing. These gentlemen were entitled to votes in the council. Ann Arbor people swelled the number preeent to about 75, one-half of whnm were ladies. Rev. Thomas Holmee, f Chelsea, was made moderator, and Rev. D. M. Fiek, scribe. Dr. Eddy prayed. Ru'us Waples, the clerk of the church, read the minutes of the meeting at which Mr. Rder's resignation was accepted, and he and J. Austin Scott, who represented the church in the council, spoke of the deep regret they feit at parting with their pastor. Dr. Eddv said that he thought Dr. der bad done well in deciditu? to go to Andover. His record here 01 11 years shows him to be a man of peace, and tbey need a peace-maker at Andover. But all here will fee! nfflicted when he goes. Dr. Ryder spoke at lengthin regard tohis relations with the charch and his feeiings upon leaving. There was hardly a dry eye in the house. He had known of no root of bitterness that had sprang up during hig work here. He feit that he was in the line of duty in going. Rubert and Andrew Campbell and Rev. M. W. Fairfield spoke, and then the following was adopted : This council view with deep regret the severanee of the relation of pastor and people. whlch seemsto be regarded by Kev. W. H. Kyderand the Congregatioiial church of Ann Arboras called for in the Providence of God. We feel a great personal loss in the departure of our beloved brother to anotber part of the country. We are not disappointed to fmd that the relatione between the pastor and the church during the whole period of this pastorate of eleven years, have been of the most cordial charactor- ihat only confi aenee ana love ana narmony ana co-operallon have prevailed. We are greatly gratified at the expresslons of pastor ana people, made tothis councll, of luch mutual confldence and love. We commend our brother to all with whom hls lot may bc cast as an earnest, faithful, able, courteous devoted minibter of the gospel, and as a thorough Chrtetian gentleman. May üod be wlth him and blees him in hls new and large and important ñeld. We extend to this church and congregation our deep sympathies in thls bereavement and pray that the Qreat Head of the church may speedily send them another pastor as worthy of thelr confidence and support. Not only does thi council feel great regret at the departure of Bro. Ryder from our state, but we feel sure that the pastors and churches of Jack son Conference and of our state ausociation will joln us in this regret and sorrow. DR. RYDER's WOKK IM ANN ARBOR. Mr. Ryder's pastorate in Ann Arbor began May 1, 1887, and closed May 1, 1888. At the beginniog of this period the church reported a memberehip of 175, to which 53 should bave been added, representing the names of persons who had removed from the city but whostill retain membership in the church. The church now num bers 360 members, of whom 28 are sent. During the pastorate of eleven years, 308 have been received into the church, 128 of whom have united upen confession of faith. The church has contributed $63,573.23, or nearly $0,000 per annum. Of this sum $48,0G0.79 have been expended in the support of the church, aud $15,512.44 have been given to various benevolent öbjects. niSTOBY OF THE CHÜRCH. The First Congregational church of Ann Arbor was organized March 23, 1847. Services were held tor about two years in the old court house, while the society waa buildiDg their first house of worship. This building, situated at the corner of Fidh aiid Washington 8t, now owned and occupied by Zion's Lutheran church, was dedicated June 21st, 1847. Their present beeutiful house of worship was dedicated May 10, 1876. The church has had 7 pastors, viï: Rev. L. Smi'h Hobart, from Nov. 1848 till Nov. 1854; Rev. William L Mather from Nov. 1855 till March 1857 ; Rev. Samuel D. Cochran from April, 1858 till July 1861; R"V. A bram E. BaMwin from the spring of 18G2 till Sept. 1S67 ; Rev. William A. Smith from March 1868 till Mwch 18G9; Rv. Henry L. Hubbell from June 1869 till Outober 1876; and Rev. Wm. H. Ryder frjm May 1877 till Mav 1888. The church has received 109G members, of whom 396 have united upon contession of faith and 700 have been reoeived from other churches.