The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-03-30
WASHINGTON, March Is, 1871

WASHINGTON, March %, 1917.
The Req. Mr. Sprote-Resgxotion of his chorg, of
the Executive Church ~ Washington-His DIP.
pointment as Chaplain ana Professor at West
Point-His reasons for accepting this commits
sion.
For three years past the Rev Mr.. Sprolc, OF
Pa, has been the pastor Of the First Presbyterian
Church of this city. He is one of the very ablest
preachers OF the country, one of the boldest and
the bravest in the denunciation OF sin, in all its
qualifications, that we have ever heard He has
secured many strong friends, and has made many
.nveterate enemies. Before he was fully aware
Ct the power of the press, he fell upon the letter.
writers Of Washington in one OF his expositons
of wicked men but finding this most profit
all e ariare. he soon suspended hostili'es, and
alb andoned the hopeless task OF restricting that
freedom OF criticism which the letter. writers hold
as an imprescriptihle right We should not have
nentone d this mater at all, were il not that your
correspondent in tie premises IN his defence OF
J.hn Tyler was particularly interested in the
o The co0test betWc en- Mr.. Sprole ana tho
Washington ssubblers.
Well, since the advent Of p e'ident Polk, the
church Of Gr Sprols has been tie church OF the
Al uinistIsiion, and sulee the An March, 1916,
,he Pfesident and his family have been among
thc~inost regular attendants AT he morning
mon--oitcn, nnes q. present also IA the afternoon
Mr. Benon and hls family, MI Bagby and his
aud often Mr.. Buchanan AID olher members oi
the cabinet have been anoug the cOngreg alton.
From these cons dsrations, AS wsii as from tho
superiorny OF III sermons of MIR. Sproie, Tor
bCltness, vlgDr, Cl-arutss snd strength of arKg-
meni, his chul CD has been since he inaugura
the great c, IL re Of uttTactcn, and especially TO
strangers III tie city, desirous OF seeing for them
selves the Pn,s.Gent and ihe gseat men OF the cab
met and Senate u be- iouna near him, at their
Sabbath devotions.
Mr. Sproe was elected chaplain 10 the House
Of Repre- sentatives at the last session, and did
the duties of the Office with propriety and ability.
A month ago, according TO his statement OF to-
day, the President appointed him Chaplain ard
Professor of Ethics for the West Point Academy
Mr.. Sproe asked for Time TO consider upon the
acceptance OF the trust, aad took = journey to
West Point, to aid him in arriving at n Just con-
clusion. He returned satisfied thar the post ard
the place would suit him, aud accepted il, and
was unanimously confirmed by the Senate. OF
course he resigned the church and his flock in
Washington And this morning he preached Ina
farewell sermon; and this afternoon, aided by
the Rev. Henry Sheer, Cha plain 10 the Senate, no
performed his last manifestations TO his people
here from the pulpit OF the Executive chapel
After ordaining an elder, Mr. Sprole gave his
reasons for accepting the appointment ~ West
Point; and briefly, they arc ihsse-
/. That he had not been successful here in add
log 10 the number OF his flock.
2. That his duties were arduous for his physi
cal StIeI IN.
3 Thai his salary oil $500 was insufficient, for
toe support o. II MINISTER'S family in Washing
ton suIIounded 10y the responsibilities Of his STU
| dtisn.
! He explained .resc frasous TO our entire salts
! factor ; and We sn0uia .hlnk to the satisfaction
| If his uock 80, you see, he goes TO the post OF
| Pfoies7Oi Oi Eta c.. aid Chaplain for the Vest
| Point Military AGsdoIEy, at Il salary OF 81 OOO n
! year, ani IL tho moo! delightful situation IN tne
world And we wish innl God speed, and long
an uselu. administration OF his important oihc'd
.utigs w.