New-York tribune., 1880-06-21
ROBERT COLLYER AFFROyTED.

WHY HE DID NOT PREACH LAST NIGHT.
HIS INVITATION To DELIVER THE BAcCALAUREArE
SERMON TO THE STUDENTS OF THE COLLEGE OF
THE CITY OF NEw-YORH.
There was a small crowd collected near the Church
of the Messiah at rry-fourthst. and Park-ave.,
last evening which now and again expressed sur-
prise that the bHIldiHg not OPEN These persons
hai expected that the Rev. Robert CoIyer, the pas
tor would deliver therein the baccalaurcac sermon
to tho graduating class Of the College of the
City of New-York. and this had been form
ally announced in the newspapers. At about
o'clock, however, one of the pew-openers saun-
tered np and stated that there was no serycc to be
held Mr. Cpllyrr had announced this fact at the
morning service he said. and the crowd which evil
IDENTIFY had not attended the morning service, but
had hcen attracted by the advertisement OF q
special sermon to the undergraduates then dis
pcrSrd.
The TRIBUNE reporter who had attended to take
notes of the sermon called upon Mr.. Collycr to in
qure why the advertised sermon was not delivered.
Mr.. C0llyer appeared ayrrSr To making any public
communication on the subject. but Sald that he had
hcrn invited 10 deliver it. and had indeed prepared
L suitable discourse. but the college authorities had
found some difficulty. or said they had. in arranging
about choir and ths music for he occasion. This
was all ne would venture to say abou; the matter
The reporter afterwards endeavorcd 10 ascertain
whether This change in thc programme for the con
vcuIrIcc of the college had been dictated by any
scctaran feeling it having been limited 10 him by
pr0mIn, NJ member of the CONGREGATION of the
Church If the Messiah that thcre had been an OBJ
lection To thc Rev. Robert Collyrr Oh the ground of
hrtero !oxy. and that Mr.. Col.yrr much at
frontcd. President Webb was ont of the city; 80
also were his secretary and tn" secretary of the
college. At that late hour none of the ~rnloIS hav-
ing cOntrnl of the commencement could be found,
and David Wctm0re and TWO o;hrr trustees stated
that they had nOdeinitr knowledge of the arrange
mrnts that had been made.
Stephen A. Walker. President Of the Board of
Trlstcrs of the College, stated to TRIBUNE re-
porter. last evening. that he did not know whv il
WAS that the BIccalaurcatr sermon by Mr.. COllyrr
had been abandoned. d" As far H. | know" he said
" there is no Law requiring the delivery Of such n
sermon There * certainly no rn" or bylaw crcat-
ing anv alliance between the COllcg' Of the City of
Nrw-Yurk and any sect or denomination. The ouly
thing can state positively about the mrtter IL my
own belize thar no one could better have spoken
straight 10 the hearts and mind, of thc young men
Than MIR. Collyer. hal it been decided To hay"
BlrCalaurrato Sermon
Oilr of the tutors Of thc College. when asked last
evening whether tlP cause Of the ron-icllVrIy OF
vt r"h non. Sarl: Something OF that KIND Il IN
the bur an rOt certain wat II ~. IL has not
been an IuyariIbr custom in the College for th"
rraduating class TO listen IN n barcIaurratr. Ouc
Delivered IN $50, and agan. such sermons
were pr'lcbrd N 1877 lnG 1879: | am nnt Snrc
ABOUT 1876 aud 1870. In 1877 m" R"v: l)r.
B,.van prr;r.hr . sermon thai VA strongly Chris
tian. and IN lN7S the fh'v ID. Ilcpworth aD-
p-a.rj 10 thc GladuatIng class to lead
Christian lives. There were many Hebrews
these r,lSs''.. and otfrurr gwen by the ser
mors IN the class of 1>S0 there arr also many
Hebrews. and II WIS thr understanding that Pc
btr,3laurratr Ia br made negative far ~ n
tuurrd upnn religion. and thar II To br rather
~ an rthica raiurc. There was some sort of un-
d"r,tludiuV that II was - have b"rn ii 'Ncrcd by
DR.. { lltrr ami an not informed ~ the feI~nnS
why ~ w'S lecilrd to do witnouf ~
y student of the colleg' said: "Onr of the Com
nlt'.' oi Arrangrn'nts saw Mr.. tply"r aud >,ut
word 10 the pre- d'Et of the Alumn A~s1.i iatIuu |
thar be- would dcliy-r tue ttrcaIluird,r. Postal
cards sent ont with notices ia that rtrrt and
nolcrs a.So puhllSllcd cII.tOt tel why the !
sermon was ablu,onrI hut have been t,id thar |
,sart 'ry cement rpnd rOt De- made lnout
music. Mr.. COllycr wished thr cnmuItt,.' tn max"
certain arrangements S"rlltIng u;isIr tor
sirl. and IN agrr.rirrt c"uid mo- b. r.rhri."
H,th thr -fu'rlt aud the tutor -ar. they od lOt !
think Mr. CoNri'~ rel giuI> views had anything 10 |
tlu with the nuu-d-hyrr If he hac,alAnr.ttc.