New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-01-06
PULPIT SKETCHES.
THE REV. DIR. MACARTHUR, OF CALVARY
BAPTIST CHURCH

persons aSScmbitu AT NO y IHllu- ST., ana organ
lied themselves into the Hope Chapel Baptist So
cicty. 1917 this action was formally contaminated in
public official recognition by the denomination. The
FIRST mectnghouse built in Broadway opposite the
New-Nork Hotel In 1852 the society Changedits title
20 the broadway Baptist Church. and again, in Ssh TO
tie name Il bears In 1854 there removal TO
Twenty thId-si., where slightly Gothic church was
erected between Fifth and sixth Bold as the ven
turc then seemed, the irresistible tide OF commerce. hote
enterprises and amusemens swept in and aboat this re
cOn Within few years, threatening to qucnch all re
ngou> activities and opportunities with the extinction OF
domestic life, with such TemOgseess devastation that
the society was once driven higher ground for
safety, and In 1881 a plot purchased in Fifty
seNenth-st. more than mile nud half further up
town. between sixth and seventh ayes with front Of
100 the street and depth Of 100 feet. On sun
day the 3oh Of December the congregation for the first
time occupied their and costly house Of worship.
Thus according 10 the chronology of this most remark
able congregation il takes Just thirtyseye years from
The first planting Of the acorn to develop perhaps the
strongest most influential most benevolent church III
tAe Baptist denomination Dr.. Belamy was the first
pastor Ills successors have been men of exceptional
ability and distmcuonDrs. Bowling, celebrated con-
ioyersais Gillette. auckland, and the subject Of this
sketch Dr.. Macarthur who was called to the pastoTae
in 1870 the last year Of his theological course
FAa-REACHING BENEvOLENCE.
In that year the membership numbered 2i3 and the
benevolent contributions amounted 10 Si752 In lSs2
the membership had grown to ll25, while the benevO-
tent contributions Of the preceding year, as gathered
from the rcaSuers reports reached the enormous sum
of more than 100000; besides Hich more than $4,000
was raised for church expenses. while 100000
was paid uto the building fund Of the new church.
making gross expenditure of more than 100000 con-
trbutcd witn the society in one ycVr AZ missionary
collection made in that year. more than $1,000 was
subscribed the meeting, result, so far as Is
known, without precedent. During the thirteen
years Of DR.. MacArthui's ministry the benevo-
lent contributions Of Calvary Church have amounted
10 nearly Sl,OOo.OO0. II should be borne IN
mind that the church is not made up of a wealthy
membership Many Baptist churches III TINS city rlr sur
pass it in this respect Yet in the year 1852 Calvary
Church contributed than three times as much as all
the other Bapsts churches in the city. Indeed Trinity
Parish itself with its multiplied chapcls and immense
resources OF landed wealth falls far below the measure
of this single society without dollar of endowment
In these thirteen years DR. Macarthur has baptized more
than $50 persons their profession OF faith II Is TO be
remembered that these acccssiOns drawn from the
irreligiOus world, and do not represent con
versions from other Christian bodies. There Is
perpetual activity in sunday schools Bible classes asso
Citations for young the of practical charities,
and for ministry among strangers The hum of industry
ILLS church an Its bustlng eemng house oil worship
with It's chapc, committee. and society rooms, until II
ike great hive of honey gtherers kept well free
dr1nes and other supernumeTares The central policy
of administration cOncmpa,es church neither for tie
rich nor yet the poor but where all men, rich and
poor together may find cheer and comfort and fruitful
fellowship in the toll and refreshmcnt OF Christian
service Enthusiasm sur the air but the vines and trees
are heavy with fruit.
The new church ground and furnishings represents
an outlay nearly 500OOO and the pastor and trustees
looking for its dedication at an early day without N
debtedness. The architect is J. r. Thomas, who has
already made reputation In Rochester al also III the
State Refornaory at Emira The material is Lockport
limestone, worked directly from the quarry with nothing
but the edge fittings. The design is an auditorium but
of rpIiVnus and
ural prophecies with hTu intelligent
spirit GOthic and while the ideal outlines aud group
ings of this school do not always take kindly TO the
sturdy utilities OF this great religious workshop yet the
lines from every point OF view fall into harmonious and
satisfactory relations The facade is remarkable for its
simplicity and freshness Of motive, giving beauty of in
cdent and at the time breadth and dignity Of eX
preston. The architect of himself and every par
rr--fl-n-A-r zis1s15 and sufficiently
The ehoh proper has bold frontage of 90 feet-Whch
Is Itself complete symmetrical and tel inmates III
beautiful spire in stone 900 feet in height The broad
and perfectly appointed chapel with ite many rooms,
however, TANKS the chmcn closely the cas-: and inter
upts the harmony Of the general outline, without
altogether dcstroyngit Nothing cO ~ suitabeor
sensible than the adaptation Of this part Of tue structure
10 its uses. Within the lights grateful, the air hos
pitablc, the arrangements novel ana attractive NS
restful place for men, and children who leave
simple homes spend an hour in religious or social re
treatment. The auditorium l. stIngly original In
gestion, nearly square, and approached nom deep YES
tibule reaching across the front, by four aialcs
descending grade slowly couycrsng toward the pulpit
platform. Above this is the choir, between the two
divisions of great organ. narrow gallery cugs 10
the sides, and broadcus across the southern front
great vaultcd lantern in excellent glass is overhead,
square and set in grandy panclled framing OF heavily
timborcd cherry. Tins is masterpiece OF costly clab-
Grafton and worth q separate study. great of
polished depends the middle OF each Of the
four sides OF this panccd setting The eject 10y day or
night Is reIelcut and impressive There are moro than
1900 sngs, and all rented before the church
opened
CONSERVATIVE PASTOR AND ELOQUENT PREACHER |
great congregation literally filed the pcws both
morning. and evening and might easily be conceived
pastor rather than the magnificent ehco focused
the interest Of tine hour Great executive and admins
trative ability at premium everywhere. So are
commanding oratory and eloQuence There are clergy
men who sure-footed, stcady-gong, conservative |
plodders who buuder and sure 10 hold their
own in pastoral relations without loss dctrimcnt
whose talent perhaps with usage or interest may he
always counted And there Others, phenomenal |
preachers who, under the fascination OF exceptional
gifts gather and hold great personal following lut in
Dr. Macarthur found both types Of pastoral powers
the wise sound far-seeing admins traitor and udiciuus
executive and at the same time the electric, cxhia-
rating, irresistible preacher Yet those who know and love
him insist that he is greatest and strongest ia the
hidden out OthCway inccSsant labOrs OF the personal
pastorato. lie Is fOrty-twO years old. lie If "a
Canadian by birth, but his parents Scotch High
anders ancient elan Macarthur, long since merged
in the clan Campbell. He is graduate OF Rochester
University and Theological Seminary, and gained such
unchallenged distinction While yet an undergraduate in
Theology that as has been remarked he rcceiy ell la. call
the pastOrate of Calvary Church Willie yet student
is a fine example Of sturdy, 1.-the Cache stock;
sprngy. enduring, elastic ia temperament; strongly but
very s.nsyoy hbTed; well modelled closely knit, |
symmetrical frame. rather sIcnderly fashiouol head
of marked intellectually, promising the sensitive, sound
conscience steady yet brilliant dcality tenacious mem