The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-08-21
THE PEOPLES CHURCH.
DR.. HarcOurt Transfers His Lease
of the Temple.
BE Accepts a Passionate in Baltimore-The
Church Of the Advent to Open in the
Temple-A Religious Event

he Accepts a Pastorats in Baltimore-The
Church of the Advent to Opsn in the
Temple-A Religious Event.
Rev. DR.. Harcourt of the Hcward-street
Methodist Episcopal Church has deter
mined to leave San Francisco. He has not
vet made the announcement of his inten-
ton to his congregation, and says that he
breads to do So Many of his congregation
labor under the impression that all differ
ences between him and the Board Of Trus-
tees have been healed, and that he in con-
sequence would remain as their pastor.
His present determination will cause no
small feeling of surprise among his fol-
lowers, who have stood by him in his con-
test with the faction which opposed him on
account of what they considered his too
sensational style of preaching. Not only
has he decided to leave his present PASTOR
ate, but he has also Internationally aban-
doned his plan of converting the Metropol-
itan Temple into peoples Church" DR..
Harcourt during the last year had devoted
so much time and thought TO this PROJECT,
and had even gone so far as to secure
long lease for the temple, that his abandon
ment of the enterprise will be received by
many of his flock, especially the younger
element. who were his principal hackers,
with no small degree OF GstonlShment.
That this is true, however, will be believed
when it is mentioned that DR.. Harcourt has
already transferred his lease of the Temple
to the Rev. John Gray of the Church of the
Advent.
DR.. Harcourt was interviewed last even
ing on the subject of his departure for
othar faldS and his giving nm of his cher
ished scheme.
THE TEMPLE SCHEME ABANDONED.
1T is true that | am about to leave San
Francisco" said DR.. Harcourt Il had
prayer-meeting tonight, but l dared not
tell them. 1t is hard to part with ones
constituency
"Then you have given up your Metropoli-
tar Temple projectP'
Yes. My idea was to have Peoples
Church there. The temple was only to be
transient quarters, as we would afterward
build church on Van Ness avenue. There
was to be library attached to the church,
reading-room, mushroom and gymna-
stun. 1t was to be conducted on thor
oughly organized plan"
"Why did you give it up?"
Acting through the earnest persuasion
of Bishop Fowler have given up the new
| church movement The draft upon the old
church would have broken its back, for
most of its members would have gone with
me. There was another reason. The
| Bishop could not indorse the temple service,
| even as the beginning of a new enterprise,
| because of its close proximity to Central
| Church. If | remained in the temple L
would have to give up my denomination,
| and that | would not do. If the new move
| ment went on it would disOrganize the
other churches.
FOR THE SAKE OF PEACE.
I'm the interests of peace and harmony in
| the church l yielded to the persuasions of
| Bishop Fowler and gave up the enterprise.
l have transferred my lease to the Rev.
| JOHN Gray uf the Church of the Advent,
| who will endeavOr to carry on Peoples
Church and show that Episcopalianism
| is not alone for the upper classes. l wish
him all success in his new move"
did the difference between the trustees
| of your church and yourself have anything
| to do with the abandonment?
None whatever. | resigned some time
| ago, but | was soon after unanimously
| called back. My Bishop also told me to
! stay. l could remain here as long as
wished, as l have splendid congregation,
| and one | love dearly"
Then it is true thatyou are going away"
WILL GO TO BALTIMORE.
eyes. Some time ago | was offered the
pastorate of the Simpson Church of Los
| Angeles, which seats $500 people, but re-
| fused the call, as l would not preside over
| any other church on the Coast but in San
! Francisco on account of the constituency
which | have here. l also refused a call to
church in Albany. Lately | had call
| from Grace Methodist Church, Baltimore.
| the largest in that city, and you may say
! mat in all probability will accept. l also
| nave a call from the Metropolitan Methodist
| Newman's old church, where General Grant
| used to go for religious service, and where
| Senator Stanford also was accustomed TO go
| during Newman's pastorate. | will accept
| one of the two. and probably the former"
A TRIP TO THE HOLY LAND.
"When do you leave?"
| "The California Conference does not close
| until September, and the Baltimore Con fer
| ence does not open until March. If leave
| now this Will give me a vacation of six
months. l will occupy this time in trip to
the Holy Land and Egypt, which l have
long been anxious to see. Next Sunday l
may probably deliver my last sermon, if
determine to Ito the Holy Land. as at
| present intend"
DIR. Harcourt secuted the idea that his re-
tirement was caused by any factional DIFF
ferences. Some of his friends told him
that he was making the mistake of his life.
as he had large popular following here,
and 1t would take him some time to get the
same in another city. He thought, how
| ever, that his best interests called him
away, and having two splendid offers, had
determined to accept one of them.
| INDUCEMENTS TO REMAIN.
1t was also learned that strong pressure
| was being brought to bear on DR.. Harcourt
in order to induce him to remain here.
When he resigned some time ago, it was
stated that he was offered call outside of
| his congregation. DIR. Harcourt himself
| does not deny that recently he was offered
| the pastOrate of DR.. BarroWS' church, the
| First Congregational. 1t is also said that a
| Presbyterian church was offered to DR..
| HYcourt. If he would leave his denomina-
ton. Neither does Dr. Harcourt deny that
there has been considerable jealousy be-
| tween himself and the pastors of other
| Methodist churches and that this friction
| has been very unpleasant, ana has had
some influence in his making up his mind
| to leave.
THE PEOPLES CHURCH.
In the meanwhile the Metropolitan Tenn
| pie scheme of Peoples Church" will
| still 90 on under the auspices of the Church
| of the Advent. This congregation will take
| possession of the temple on Sunday even
| ing. September 14th, and make it "Peo-
| pies Church." Bishop Nichols heartily
| approves of the movement and will open
| the temple with an address and sermon on
that evening. Prominent Episcopaian lay
men are in hearty sympathy with the under
| taking.
The fact that the EpiScopalians, who are
| generally considered to furnish church
services for the wealthy, and that a congre-
| CATION with an ornate service like that of
| the Advent, generally denominated as
"hgh," should take such step as this will
excite no little comment.
A PROBLEM To BE TESTED.
1t is said, however, that pending the set
Element of the parochial bounds of the
above-named parish and the building of
new church, Bishop Nichols, together with
the rector and vestry of the Advent believe
the present opportunity of securing Metro
poltan Temple to be most favorable one
Tor testing the problem of the adaptation of
the service of the Episcopal Church to the
great masses of the people. 1t is designed,
by this plan. to have church where the
rich and the poor can meet together in COM
mon worship.
Among tie prominent men who favor
and support the plan may be mentioned the