New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-10
DIR. POWELL TO LEAVE THE MINISTRY

HE SURPRISES HIS CONGREGATIONS BY AN
NoUNCING THAT HE WILL PRACTICE LAW
The Rev. Dr. Henry 4. Powell pastor of the Lee Ave
nue. Congregational Church, will leave the pulpit to
practise law Dr. Powell made the announcement Of
his intention of retiring from the ministry to his con
gregatiOn on sunday night. The news fell Ike
thunderbolt among the members Of the church, who
were entirely unaware of the step their pastor was
about to take In making the announcement Dr. Powell
said
In all my thoughts the welfare OF this church has
always held prominent place. In its work have
spent some Of the best years and best efforts OF my
life but it has reached condition Of prosperity
which will enable il to continue its work after change
of pa,torate without any perceptibe loss For eight
wears We have toed together in the spirit OF love and
rnitv and now 1T tle spirit ask you TO release
4, from nv pastoral obligation. am confident tho
step which have taken is the right one. Instead oil
standing upon the platform shall st in pew OF this
church. and shall heartily cooperate Win So" III 'ic
work OF the congregation
\, the close Of his remarks he presented his rcsgna
ton to the of Trustees. Dr. Powell, when seen
ly reporter said yesterday that for three years ne hdd
been suffering from throat trouble. Each sunday ior
two wear, he had gone into the pulpit with trepdatioh
By the treatment of a specialist his voice had been
restored 70 is normal condition, but he understood that
there was danger of "a relapse. Dr. Powell s'd he was
educated for the law almost from his childhood lie
had for three had an inclination 10 step OUT Vi
pulpit and enter upon the legal pIoice>lVH
tbo last five year, Dr. Powell said he had had oppor
ities IN effect connection and assured position with
an able LAWYER lie expects to form partnership Win
lanes C. Foley one Of the well-kn0wn young members
OF the Newlork bar.
The step taken by DR.. Powell was almost the sole
topic of conversation Yesterday among the people Oh m
concregation lie had brought his church out OF
financial difficulties and made il prosperous IL i
,.eved by many that DR.. Powell did not give a fuIi
statement OF all hi, for retiring from the MN
istry 1t was said yesterday by one Of the members
of the church that DR.. Powell had expressed ueso
that the congregation eXPnd @loUy1 ia , Ie,o 1r !,
linz the church bu, the trustees Thought best niss
10 pay of the church lcbt OF S2o'ooo DciOic any
iur nr PoM~u was born in 1851 at Chatham Colum
ta County lie was GRADUATED i tn old pi Bmshwlc Re-
formed Church. in Brooklyn where ne remained i ,
when T he ~G be H 70 .S society," and was
graduated from the law department OF me SeW noK
University in 1888. lie IS chaplain OF the 4'th keel
ment.
HE CUT HIS THROAT AND JUMPED OVERHEARD
John Brann barber sixty-fve years old made
desperate attempt to commit suicide yesterday lie
first stabbed himself three times and then plunged
into the East River from the fcrryboat James VI.
Waterbury, OF the Houston street line brahh
boarded the boat on the 80 O'Clock trip from New
York and when il reached It's slip he drew a large
table knife grcsnd 10 point which he plunged twice
into his breast. He then drew the keen edge OF the
blade across his throat. nfiicting but slight wound
and iumped overheard. Tn: dcckhands heard the
splash and succeeded IN reScuing him. lie was taken
10 the Eastern District Hospital where little hope was
entertained Of his recovery.
TO PUSH THROUGH ANOTHER BIC CITY JOB.
The bill before the Legislature authorizing the extern
sion OF Sccondave. from Hamiton.aye. 10 Twenniuth
st. across Gowanus Ray. approved by the AID rmen
yesterday by vote OF 10 to o. 1t was opposed by the
four Republicans the Board and Aderman-st Large
Pickering Another Democrat Aldcru aI1rgc Hc2nev.
was excused from voting Alderman COHey (Dcm.) was
the sole spokesman for the resolution. and he IS the
OF property be benefited by the proposed Improvement
Aldermen Leach, Hess and Thomas (Rep) all spoke
against the job to steal the public
@ bad as works swndle.
Alderman Coney STAYED OF the question as TO whether