The morning call., 1890-10-19

lite note, asking if he would not like to take
charge of st. Bartholomew Church on
Madison avenue, New York, the church
where the Vanderbilts worship, and con-
cluded by saying that the church needed
Just such man, and that he could name his
own salary and have all the money he want
ed to aid the poor, in establishing missions,
etc.
The note was signed simply Cornelius
Vanderbilt. Finally the gentlemen met,
the preacher. DIR. David H. Greer, accepted
the offer; his salary was put at $1,000 a
year. and he came to New York. But it
was not on account of the pay, for DR..
Greer is himself a wealthy man, and his
yearly salary is always given over to the
Door. He accepts nothing Tor his services.
His preaching has made HIM very popular
here. The reason he came to New York
was that he could work in larger field, and
Mr.. Vanderbilt.wanted, besides, man to act
as the dispenser of the enormous sum that
each year he gives to those who need it ana
who are deserving. So. although DIR. Greer
breaches to one of the largest and wealthiest
congregations in New York. his main work
is to dispense the Vanderbilt charities.
He has just perfected plans for novel
purpose, mission somewhat like the Peo-
pies Palace in London called into lie by
Besant's "All Sorts and Conditions of
Men'-a mission, by the way, that is of
some use, for during the months from jan
uary to June this year 204. 647 persons used
1t, and the issue OF books amounted to sc, 600.
On Sundays nearly 10000 persons awaited
The widow of William ii. Vanderbilt and
all the other members of the great family
were pleased with the idea, and Cor
nelius Vanderbilt gave the preacher carte
blanche to go ahead with the work,
and now the plans are all drawn up and
adopted. and soon the great work will be
fully under way. 1t must not be understood
that this is the only missionary work DR..
Greer has taken up since he came TO New
York. Not only have the Vanderbilts con-
tributed largely to other needs, but scores
of other wealthy men and women have
aided DR.. Greer. Missions have been estab-
lisned in different parts of the city, and III
his tender Solctude for the safety of other
peoples souls and their bodily comfort even
the much despised 'heathen Chinee" has
not been neglected.
Mr. Vanderbilt has shown his high regard
for his minister in many ways. One of the
most magnificent receptions ever given at
the formers palatial residence on Fifth ave-
nue. was given in DR.. Greer's honor soon
after the latter had assumed charge of
st. Bartholomow's Church. Between the
younger generation of the family and DR..
Greer strong bond of sympathy is known
to exist. This will cause no surprise to any
one who Is at all acquainted with the men,
for the reason that in many ways their
tastes and habits are extremely alike. All
scarcely an exception, are deeply religious,
and their money is ever ready to help the
distressed or to further any gocd cause.
With DR.. Greer as their almoner it can hard
ly be doubted that poverty will receive such
a blow that it will not dare to raise its head
in the vicinity of st. Bartholomew's, at
least.
1t is estimated that the New York Peo-
pies Palace when completed and furnished
throughout will cost not less than S250,000,
and it may run up TO S1,000.000. The building
arrangements are in the hands of a commit
tee consisting of Cornelius Vanderbilt, W.
II. Appleton, G. A. Croker, w. II. Butter
worth and Rev. DR.. Greer, eX-otficio.
The exterior Of the building will be rs in
viting as light, pressed brick and white and
terra-cotta trimmings can make it. But
this is not all by any means. Elevators are
to be provided for the use of any one who
desires to avail himself or herself of this
way of going from one part Of the building