, 1879-06-22

EXODUS OF CHICAGO CLERGYMEN.
Considerable attention has been directed
to the fact that several prominent clergymen
of this city havs recently determined to seek
fresh woods and pastures new," and there
has been an effort to create the impression
that this ministerial exodus is reflection
upon the ability and willingness Of Chicago
churches to sustain their pastors.. AS mat
ter OF fact, the actual or projected departure
of so many Chicago divines is only new
evidence Of the metropolitan character of our
city, which educates men in all professions
up to tha highest point Of excellence and
renown, and causes them to be extensively
sought after by other communities While
this is true in general. it is especially true in
the case Of the clergy. Chicago has con-
tributed richly in the past to the dignitaries
Of the Church; to religious journalism, and
theological schools. Brief reflection recalls
many names that hold high places in the list
Of American clergymen- Among the Chi
cago ministers who have become Bishops are
Bishop C1ARKsoN. Of Nebraska; Bishop
TuTTLE, who became an Army Chap
lain, and is now Missionary Bishop in Mon
tana and Bishop CUAMNs, who was first
made Assistant Bishop of Kentucky. and then
the head Of the Reformed Episcopal Church.
Many other Chicago olargymen have taken
leading positions elsewhere in clerical, edu-
cational, and journalistic circles. DR.. EDDY
went from this city to New York to become
one Of the chief men in the Methodist mis-
sionary work. Dr.. FOWLER is now editor of
the New York Aduocate. Or. I,rpASr emf
grated from his peaceful home and gentle
flock in Chicago to tame portion of the
unruly population Of New York: DR.. CURTIS
and Dr.. BART1Er2, both Chicago men, are
now Co1lege Presidents, the former Of
Knox: College, and the 1atter~of Dartmouth
College. DR.. WV. PArros, formerly editor
Of the -Adcance, is now President Of the
Howard University in Washington City.
ROBERT LAIRD COLLIER, in Boston, and DR..
soHEScx, in Brooklyn, are now showering
the blessings Of their religious experience in
Chicago upon the heads Of psople who ara
more in need Of them And the catalogue
could be enlarged, no doubt, by an examine
ton of Church records, showing that, for
many years past, Chicago has been in con-
dhon to supply other cities Of the country
with eminent preachers, exhorterz, mission /
aries, theological professors, religious editors,
and Bishops
OF the recent exodus there are, Of course.
various individual indue uences that have e1er-
cised more or less weight in bringing about q
departure from Chicago conereea-
ion8~ Mr. BART1ErT set the example wear
or two ago, when be consented to sacrifics a
congregation for a rural flock
n Indianapolis it was said in his casa that
! very 1audable> matrimonial ambition had
something to do with the change, but it is
more likely that he became convinced that
he benighted Hoosiers were more in need
# his ministrations than the Chicago people,
Fhona he hsd already inducted into ssthe
traight and narrow way" It IVES some
1me before his example infected the other
'hicago minister's. Dr.: ErEars resigned his
osltlon as; pastor. Of. the First Baptist
'hurch, but without any immediate inten-
ion Of locating elsewhere Certain internal
roubles in the church, of which the debt
az the chief, induced him to make
'om for some younger man, better able
hyEea1ly to wrestls with the load. But no
t4N ~u}1a: has apa~ 1,a.r, ,ot. 4ho. had |