20 A HALF CENTURY. 



years and two months^ two hundred and thirty-eight members 

 were added to the Church, one hundred and ninety on confes- 

 sion of faith, and forty-eight by letter. Sixty received letters 

 to other churches, thirty-two were removed by death, and three 

 by discipline ; the gain in membership for the four years being 

 one hundred and forty- three, or a little more than twenty-six per 

 cent. On Sept. 23, 1877, Mr. Griffin read a communication to 

 the Church, in which he said : " For the purpose of seeking 

 rest by a prolonged season of travel abroad and study in a for- 

 eign university, in accordance with a plan formed last 5^ear, I 

 herewith tender my resignation as your pastor, and ask you to 

 unite with me in calling a council to advise in regard to the dis- 

 solution of the pastoral relation." The Church did not at once 

 comply with his request, but at a meeting held Oct. 10, 1873, 

 almost unanimously adopted the following preamble and reso- 

 lutions : 



" Whereas, our beloved pastor has, to our very great regret, and as 



we believe, contrary to our best interests as a Church, felt it his 



duty to offer his resignation, therefore 



''Resolved, That by his earnest, acceptable, and successful labors 

 among us the past four years, by his manifest love for and self-sacri- 

 ficing devotion to his chosen work, his constant and unremitting zeal 

 for the spiritual welfare and edification of his people — his warm and 

 ready sympathy and co-operation in every benevolent and charitable 

 enterprise — his kind encouragement and willing aid to the poor, the 

 unfortunate, and the afflicted, thereby following in the steps and imi 

 tatiug the example of his divine Master, not less than by the beauty 

 and growing power of his public discourses, he has so endeared him- 

 self to us, that we cannot willingly consent to the severance of ties so 

 pleasant and tender, nor give up our claim to his maturer and, as we 

 trust, still more profitable labors in the future among us. 



''Resolved, That in view of the above, and pledging him our hearty 

 sympathy, encouragement, and support, we hereby request him to 

 reconsider, and, if possible, withdraw his resignation, believing such 

 a course to be for the permanent good and prosperity of this church 

 and people." 



After due consideration, Mr. Griffin returned answer that 

 he did not think it his duty to withdraw his resignation, and he 

 was consequently dismissed by council, Dec. 20, 1877. After a 



