Letter to the Vestry. 163 



He suggested two plans by which his pulpit might 

 be supplied during his absence, and closes thus: 



" From my Vestry and Congregation I have expe- 

 rienced unceasing acts of kindness from the day of 

 my arrival among you ; and now, in the time of de- 

 bility and declining health, your sympathy renders 

 you dearer to me than ever. 



" I came to you a young man ; I have dwelt in 

 your midst for more than twenty-three years. * * * 



' That Being who for so many years gave me 

 strength to perform, almost unremittingly, the 

 duties of my calling, now has seen fit to visit me 

 with pain and debility. In whatever manner God 

 shall order my lot, I shall bear with me to foreign 

 lands and through life the remembrance of a people 

 who have aided me in gratifying my desire for knowl- 

 edge, and in the promotion of benevolence and 

 religion. 



I remain, with sentiments of respect and affection, 



Your Pastor, JOHN BACHMAN. 



A favorable response was promptly accorded by 

 the Vestry and Congregation. They united in urg- 

 ing him to hasten the preparations necessary for so 

 long an absence from his home, and assisted him, 

 wherever possible, in arranging for a speedy depart- 

 ure. As no Lutheran minister was available, many 

 of the ministers of other Protestant denominations, 

 with great kindness and unanimity, consented to 

 occupy the pulpit of St. John's alternately, during 

 the absence of the Pastor. 



On the 3rd of June, 1838, he preached his fare- 

 well sermon, from 1st Thessalonians, v. Chapter, 



