The morning call., 1891-02-22
REV. ROBERT c. FOUTE

Is the weli-known and popular rector
of Grace Church, who succeeded the
Rev. Dr.. William Platt to the. pastor
ate. Mr.. Foute, as his name would in
dicate IS OF g cd, distinguished Dutch an
cestTy. He himself is a citizen of the United
States. lie came to San Francisco from a
Southern charge. At once lie was received
into the hearts and lives Of his parishiOners;
who hold hiM in aiectionate esteem. In APP
pearance he is a large, heavily built man,
with large, round head firmly set upon his
massive shoulders without the Intervention
of much neck. His motions are all quick,
nervous, betTaying the active brain and the
excitabe temperament OF the man. When
he walks he fairly throws himself. along
hurls himself into car and TuShes through
doors and portals. Even in the chancel this
peculiar characteristic of the man is to be OBJ
served. There Is no chance for any one to in
Gulge in quiet, comfortable, ecclesiastical
nap while hr. tQute Is conducting the service
or preaching the sermon. There has been
some adverse criticism concerning his read
ing Of the prayers from those who prefer a
dTOning style OF petition to an earnest, Wig
orOuS entreaty for divine aid and encourage
Uent. But certain it is, that whatever
prejudice one may entertain concerning the
preachers manneTlsmS, they soon vanish
before his earnestnesS and his intellectual
ability. No preacher in San Francisco can
preach more eloquently, more logically, nor
with more inSghtinto The spiritual condition
of his people than can the Rev. r. c. Feute.
His sermons are models of their kind
and from the moment of his impress
sive delivery of his text, which, by the way,
he always repeats with even more impress
sivenesS that at the first reading, until the
final ascrptiol with which he closes the
sermon, he enchans the attention and the
interest of all MS hearers.
The attendance at Grace Church is con-
stanlly increasing, drawn thither either by
the reports OF Mr.. Foute's eloquence or
once having heard him the desire to hear
him again.
In his pastoral relations to his people, Mr..
FGute is all that could be desired. Those
who have had occasion tG,call in his services
during times of great affection speak of him
with love and gratitude. OF a deeply sym-
pathetic nature, his heart always responds
TO cry Of distress or to tie evidence of
suffering. No one could be more constant
in his attendance upon the sick. And TO
this credit be it said that to those stranger
In this city who may need him in
mis- capacity of God'S minister, he is
equally attention and helpful. Not only Is
Rev. X. c. Foute man of great intellect
uaIity and devoted to his holy calling, but in
the social life Of his churclrhe- is recognized
Is an eleyating and helpful character. He
believes IN mlnGllEg with his people on all
Their planes OF existence. Consequently it
IA a usual and.a welcome sight to meet Mr.,
F9nte and his charming wife at receptions
and teas. No society man can be more
agreeable and courteous than is the rector
oil Grace Church IN his social capacity. Be
fore his adoption Of The. ministry as his life
work he was naval officer, and, as every
ncdy knows, an officer. in Tie navy soon be-
comes proficient in the art of making him
self perfectly indispensable at ali social
affairs.
Besides being a favorite pulpit orator
and a popular man, Nj. Foute fills posi-
ton in the diocese OF California which will
entitle hiln to more than ordinary mention as
time goes on. II was through his. persuasive
force and logical argument thal DR.. Nichols
yielded and decided TO accept the post of
Assistant Bishop of California. The noted
Philadell.hian had refused to ALLOW his
zane TO be placed in nomination before the
Episcopal Convention, which had met. to
select an assistant TO the 'RightRev. Will
lam l. Kip in accordance with his expressed
desire 20 share the responsibilities of his
holy cffice. Mr.. George C. Gibbs, the senior
warden of GRACE Church, recognizing the
needs Of the diocese, aud being 10th 10 lose
The opportunity of securing the services of
Dr.. Nichols, decided that the. best interests
of the cause demanded that they should not
be entrusted 10 letter. no matter how elo-
quently worded, but that they should
be presented in person by q man