Evening Republican, Volume 19, Number 235, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 October 1915 — MINISTER DECIDES TO ANSWER CALL [ARTICLE]

MINISTER DECIDES TO ANSWER CALL

Rev. J. C. Parrett Asks Dissolution Of Pastoral Relations to Go To Hammond. Rev. J. C. Parrett decided after visiting the members of the board of elders of the Hammond First Presbyterian church last Saturday to accept the call made by that church and Sunday morning announced his intention to the congregation of the First Presbyterian church of this city. There was a large congregation at the church and when Rev.' Parrett stated his intention to accept the call from Hammond and asked a dissolution of his pastoral relations with the church there was a general breaking down, the pastor and many of the members of the church succumbing to their emotions. For some little time none were able to speak and there was Scarcely a dry eye in the audience. Rev. Parrett came to the local church Oct. Bth, 1905, and he announced that he would preach his farewell sermon next Sunday, Oct. 10th, just ten years and two days from the time he preached his first sermon as the pastor of the Rensselaer churdh.

Rev. Parrett has been very successful in his pastoral work here and as preacher, pastor and citizen he has fulfilled the highest ideals of the members of his church and of the Christian people of the community. His departure will, therefore, be regretted by all who know him and all will share in the affectionate wish of his congregation that his relations in Hammond are in every way as pleasant as they have been here. With the , exception of Elder Halstead, who was the pastor of the Church of God for so many years, it is believed that Rev. Parrett holds the record for tenure of pastoral service. It has been a decade of the most pleasant relations and there will be general regret that it is to close so abruptly. The wider field, however, will give Rev. Parrett increased opportunities for good and doubtless be the means of a still further recognition for him. The salary in Hammond will be SI,BOO per year, a substantial increase over the salary paid here. Following the resignation of Rev. Parrett the board of elders held a business meeting and appointed a vacancy committee composed of C. G. Spitler, C. E. Prior and D. E. Hollister. A special meeting of the Presbytery is to be held at Delphi Wednesday. The severance of the pastoral relations of Rev. Parrett and the local church will be approved at that time and the vacancy committee will be given the names of some ministers who will be considered for the local work. Rev. Parrett will move to Hammond next week.