The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-14
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
A Call To Be Extended to Rev, l.. NJ. Colfelt,
Of Philadelphia, to Become the Pastor.

A meeting was held at the First Presby terrain
ChuIch last evening to receive the report of the
committee on securing pastor for the long va
cant pulpit of that church. James N. Greene
was chosen moderator and John H. Holiday, on
behalf of the committee, submitted the follow
ing report
To the Congregation of the First Presbyterian Church
of Indianapolis
Your committee securing a paster recommend
that you extend a call TO Rev. Lawrence NJ Cofelt,
Of Philadelphia to become your pastor, at salary of
John ii. HOLIDAY. WITH. MILLER,
GHAs. MARrINDALE, 9. g FOSTER.
F. NJ FINCH, H. j. MILIIGAN.
Mr.. Holiday stated, on presenting the report,
that Mr.. Colfelt is native of Pennsylvania,
thirty five years old, and graduate of Prince
ton. After his graduation he preached at Allen
town, Pa for two years. and after that for ten
years occupied the pulpit of the First
Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia, taking
that charge after DR.. Herrick johnson left, and
at time when the church was sadly run down,
owing to the shifting population in which it was
located, and when it was thought no one could
resurrect it. II is powerful church to-day,
large and influential Inquiries in regard to
Mr.. Colfelt had been made of many ministers
and prominent men of Philadelphia, and all
speak of him in the highest and most enthusiast
tic terms. As preacher he is eloquent and
powerful He has also been much among the
poor, to whom his pastoral work has greatly en-
deared him. Some time ago his health failed
from overwork and from injuries received in an
accident His congregation desired him to take
a vacation but he insisted upon severing the re-
lation. He retired to farm and in time his
health has become greatly improved He now
has temporary engagement at the Oxford
Presbyterian Church. of Philadelphia, but ex-
presses himself favorably to accepting loca-
ton, and said he thought he would prefer the
West. from what he had learned of it, and the
Western people. We were, said Mr. Hoi
day, charmed with his personal appear
ance and his easy atfability and in
quiries at Princeton of Drs. Hodge, Green.
Orrs, Raymond and others confirmed us in our
good opinion 1t seemed to all of these gentle
men absurd and preposterous that such man
should receive a call to leave Philadelphia for
indianapolis, and they spoke of him as the first
preacher of Philadelphia, city in which there
are more than seventy Presbyterian churches,
and that if we could get him Ghere was nothing
further to be said The same opinion was ad-
vanced by DR.. Patton. All put high estimate
upon HIM, both as preacher, pastor and as
man. He never uses notes or memories Ser
mon, but merely prepares rough draft 1t
may be considered provldentlal that we should
have found such man in position to accept
our call
Thomas Fl. Sharpe said that all concurred in
the belief that he is the man for the place. He
is man of eloquence, of fine delivery, an earn
est Christian man, an earnest worker among the
poor a strong preacher of the gospel, and who
will win souls.
Some one here inquired as to his personal ap-
pearance
Mr. Sharpe said he was six feet high, and if
he comes here it will be seen that the First
Presbyterian Church has the handsomest preach
er in the city He is easy in department and de-
hghtful in conversation. While not violent in
gesticulation he is earnest and fervent He is
married and has three children, the oldest eight
or nine years old.
W. H. H. Miller, of the committee. said the
enthusiastic terms in which Mr.. Colfelt was
spoken of at Philadelphia and Princeton indi-
Gated him as the very man needed.
1t was then unanimously voted to extend a
call to Mr.. Colfelt at SO, 600 year the call to be
signed by the members of the church, who will
meet for that purpose this morning at 10 o'clock,
at the Office of Senator Harrison. 1t di-
rected that telegram be sent to Mr.. Colfelt i'm
mediately notifying him of the action of the con-
gregation the formal call to be dispatched by
mail The meeting was then adjourned.