To the New Baptist Church on Christie Street
It is indeed a day of true rejoicing when a church sends its first child into the world “to hold forth the word of life.” As the mother church was itself the child of another, –are not all churches, in fact, the offspring of the first body of faithful disciples?—so it is fitting that this new body should go out from among us, if by so doing, the cause of Christ may be served.
To those whom for this reason we so willingly grant letters of dismissal from our fellowship, we wish every joy in their new church home. We hope that their intercourse with each other in their new labors will be blessed of God to their increase in strength and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. We pray that the Spirit of power may be upon them so that much fruit will crown their earnest efforts to bring souls to our saviour’s feet. It is also our fervent prayer that the Holy Spirit will guide the pastor of this work, and make his influence a power for good in the community in which the new church is located. “Now to the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to so his will, working in you that wish is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
May God help us to never lose sight of the commission this church was given so that we might be faithful in the years to come:
- To hold forth the word of life as we labor for God (Philippians 2:15-16)
- To serve the cause of Christ wholeheartedly (Romans 12:11)
- To bear much fruit by earnestly bringing souls to the Saviour’s feet
- To follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit so that our influence may be a power for good to our community (1 Peter 2:12)