Preaching His Farewell.
Preaching His Farewell.

PREACHING HIS FAREWELL
_______

The Rev. Dr. Wynkoop Takes
Leave of His Congregation.
_______

A MISSIONARY TO INDIA
_______

After Fifteen Years' Service Dr. Wynkoop
Severs His Connection with the Western
Presbyterian Church--He Tells His Con-
gregation Never to Repine at Rebuffs, but
to Keep Steadily on Undaunted--A Fare-
well Address at the Evening Service.
_______

    The Rev. T. S. Wynkoop yesterday severed his fifteen years' pastorate at the Western Presbyterian Church, on H street, near Nineteenth, preaching informal farewell sermons morning and evening. Mr. Wynkoop has accepted the position of secretary of the North India Bible Society and will sail for London about October 1, proceeding at once to Allahabad. A large audience greeted the pastor at the morning service, the church being beautifully decorated with plants and flowers in honor of the farewell occasion.
    Mr. Wynkoop delivered an eloquent sermon, taking for his text the words "Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before." This divine injunction, the pastor said, did not mean that God's great mercies were to be forgotten, for such a thought was not in the mind of the Psalmist when he wrote: "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits." Attainments in piety ought to be forgotten for although one might make great advancement in the knowledge and life of godliness, a sense of the fullness and vastness of that life made it appear that but few attainments had been reached. The Christian ought to press forward rather than to dwell, with any degree of satisfaction, on the past. The victories of to-day would be valuable only as they opened the way for to-morrow's advance into the camp of the enemy, and the advantage gained to-day would be of service only as it might furnish standing ground for future endeavors. Self-confidence, self-esteem, and self-conceit should be parted with, and it should be learned that the best way to view one's true position in life was not to look backward at the things that had been attained, but to look forward and see how much yet remained to be accomplished. Discouragements and failures ought to be forgotten, because mourning over the past had never been known to be productive of strength for the future. A brave heart and persevering endeavor would ultimately win success, but lingering amid the tombs of disappointed hopes never accomplished anything.
    "The world is full of rebuffs. You have sometimes, perhaps, been reproved for being more earnest than others. You have been called a hypocrite, and have had the finger of scorn pointed at you. There are some people who ought to have their speech seasoned with the savor of piety, for they are too ready with a sneer which they will be sorry for some day. I have known more than one honestly meant endeavor to do good wholly extinguished by a bucket of water thrown by a fellow being's hand. Perhaps you have been spoken against unjustly, or your motives have been misinterpreted, but let it all pass. Why brood over these things? If you have a clear conscience and the approval of God, all else is of little consequence. Look resolutely forward, and do not look back! The present is in your hand, and with the blessing of God a glorious future awaits your endeavor. Press forward, reaching out after those things that are before."
    Mr. Wynkoop's evening text was "Finally, brethren, farewell." He spoke touchingly of the dissolution of the pastoral relation which had been so pleasant, and in closing commended the church and congregation to the blessings of God. Dr. Wynkoop leaves with the regret not only of his parishioners, but of a large circle of friends, especially among young men fond of outdoor life and recreation. He took an earnest interest in all healthful and innocent sports, and joined freely in them. The canoeists especially will miss him, for he was for years the commodore of the Washington Canoe Club, and actively participated in its campfires and other events.


Source:

Unknown, "Preaching His Farewell," Washington Post, Washington, D.C., Monday, 28 August, 1893, p. 7.

Created May 24, 2006; Revised May 24, 2006
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~wynkoop/index.htm
Comments to [email protected]

Copyright © 2006 by Christopher H. Wynkoop, All Rights Reserved

This site may be freely linked to but not duplicated in any fashion without my written consent.

Site map

The Wynkoop Family Research Library
Home