Morning journal and courier., 1889-08-31
TRINITY M. R.,s NEW PASTOR.

lev. pr. mcChesney-A sketch of HIS Career-His Various Fields of Labor
 Honors Conferred Upon Him-His
 First Sermon Here To-Morrow.
 Rev. s. McChesney, D. D., the new pastor # Trinity Methodist Episcopal, is over nifty i years of age, having been in the itinerant min- | Istry above thirty years. He was born near Troy, N. Y. His father conducted farm, general store and saw mill. During his youth, when not at school, his time was di- yided In assisting his father in the various kinds of business in which he was engaged. When eleven years old he would analyze any part of Paradise Lost, and when twelve years old he mastered elementary geometry. At seventeen he Is teaching school and study ing for the ministry. At eighteen he went to the noted Fort Edward Institute to continue his studies and prepare for future work. At that early age he was licensed to preach, and began by preaching his first sermon before the students in the village church. For a year while in the institute he exhorted the students nearly every Sunday evening, and joined in the revival services that resulted in the conversion of not Q few. He took the classical course at the insti- tute, and entered the itinerant ministry when but twenty years of age. His first charge was Ut North Granville, N. Y., where an extensive revival under his ministry, re- suited in the building of new church. Sev- eral who were converted in this revival en- tered the ministry. Securing the services of a graduate of Yale as tutor, he was able to continus his classical studies to good advan- tage. These were continued at his next charge, at North Bennington, Vt., where, in adH n nauaI "a made good progress in the study of Affords Greek Testament. His next field of labor was at the Broadway Methodist Episcopal church, Albany, N. Y., where many were added by conversion, and the church strengthened. From thence he went to Keese- vile, N. Y., where from the fruits of a revival several young men entered the min istry. Then when but 27 years of age he was appointed to the Saratoga Springs Methodist church where over four hundred were con- verted and joined the church. His next field of labor was at Ash Grove church, Albany, where he had very successful ministry. In accordance with previous invitation he was then tranferred to the Rock River confer ence and stationed at Wabash avenue church, Chicago, arriving there four weeks before the great fire, which burned out the houses and business of many of the members. The church was on fire for three hours, but was saved from total destruction by the heroic efforts of the pastor and two of the official members. The disastrous results of the fire rendered necessary the temporary un- ion of the Wabash avenue and the Trinity Methodist churches, meeting in the fine new edihce of the latter. An extensive revival followed, which was marked by the unusual number of young men, who in connection with others joined the church. Impaired health seeming to make change necessary he was transferred to the Minnesota confer ence and appointed to the Centinary church, Minneapolis, where he had successful min istry, returning at it's close to his former con ference and was stationed at the Park avenue church, Chicago, laboring during his full term with good results. He was then by special request sent to Burlington, Iowa, to take charge of new enterprise, two churches being united to build large central ediice. The society greatly prospered, resulting in a large number of conversions and additions to the church. The severe strain of several years labor of revival services and protracted meetings had so impaired the voice of Dr. McChesney that it was considered prudent to desist from all public effort for more than a year. Having through rest and cessation of labor recovered his voice, he was then appointed to the First M. E. church, Topeka, Kansas. Here the most wonderful results of his min- istry were accomplished, leaving at the close of his pastoral term more than eleven hun dren members, including probationers. From Topeka he was transferred to the Ohio Conference, at the new Broad street M. k. church, Columbus. This in some respects is the representative church of Ohio Methodism,
 and stands very high in social and religious
 influence, including many men of prominence in political and business circles. At the be-
 ginning of Dr. McChesney's labors there was . membership of about four hundred, and there has been about the same number of additions by conversion and letter, leaving af-
 ter losses by death and removal, seven hun- dred and fifty members. Eleven years ago the Illinois Wesleyan university conferred upon Dr. McC. the degree of A. M. pro-mer- ito: Eight years since the Iowa Wesleyan university conferred the degree of Doctor of Divinity. The Trinity Methodist Episcopal church of this city not being able to secure a suitable pastor at the meeting of the confer ence last April, the appointment was left by bishop for future supply. Since that time the pastoral work of the church has been under the charge of Rev. John Morse, who mas served with great acceptability to the people. The pulpit has been supplied for the last five months by some of the most noted preachers of Methodism, so there has been no dimunition of interest in attendance. few weeks ago the official board of his new appointment extended to Dr. MeChes. ney an unanimous call to the pastorate of their church.
 This was accepted and the transfer made
 by the Bishops having charge of the respeo- tive conferences. He will enter upon his
 public labors here tomorrow, preaching his first sermon in the evening. He will be 6 suitable man to follow the able men that have served this church since its present or- ganization; Bishop D. A. Goodsell; Dr. J. O. Peck, and Dr. Reed now president of Dickin- son College Or. McChesney comes here with the pTestage of great success in the past, and we congratulate the people he is to serve, and the ministry of all denominations of this city, on such a valuable addition to their
 number. He Is e man of large stature, be-
 ing over six feet in height, and we'll propor.
 tioned. He has strong voice, speaking
 usually from notes, with an earnest and effective delivery. A man of strong con-
 victions, and in his preaching, and modes of church work, reminds one of Dr. J. O. Peck, a former pastor of his present church. He had calls from other places, where the salary was larger than here, but chose New Haven, believing that the field of labor here would be pleasant one, with opportunities of usefulness equal, it not better, to any
 other.
 Dr. McChesney is a brother of Dr. Ensign
 McChesney of the New York conference, now at Madison avenue M. E. church, one of the strongest churches of the denomination in New York city. The following from the Ohio State Journal of last Monday thus speaks of Dr. McChes- nsy'a pastorate at Columbus:
 Dr. McChesney has had unprecedented success During the summer months his audiences have
 been beyond the capacity of the large auditorium, and he has attracted the largest audiences ever here at the close of his pastorate. There have been 417 new members taken into this church since Dr. McChesney came here three years ago, and 1t has become . powerful factor in the tempering of
 ss y The ossnSs sHs5Sr at tes
 men whom he has addressed, but wheth. CT they agree with him or not, all concsde his power in tho pulpit. and he will be missed very much. He has taken aggressive part in municipal matters and all reforms here, and will
 be felt wherever he goes. The highest compliment drawn and held, and the fact that the membership of his church has doubled during his pastorate He will be succeeded by Rev. Dr. Williams of Mead- vile, Pa., and tho best wishes of success gre ex- pressed for both the going and the coming pastor.
 A Slight Blaze.
 About ten o'clock yesterday morning fire broke out in the picture frame shop @ A. 8. Lum & Co.,, $40 Grand avenue. A still alarm was responded to by Steamers 9 and 4 and the flames were extinguished with slight damage to the stock. A kerosene lamp caused the fire.
 A MYSTERY.
 A Case Which Puzzles tho Doctor.