The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-03-07
DR.. EAGER NOT COMING.
He Accepts the Passionate Of a Mont
gomery Church.

He Accepts the Passionate OF a Mont
gomery Church.
DR.. George B. Eager has declined the cal
extended him some time ago by the First
Baptist church TO become its pastor, aud
has accepted a call TO the pastorats of the
First Baptist church of Montgomery,
Ala.
DR.. Eager's letter of decliuation was read
to the congregation Of the Savannah church
at the morning service yesterday by Mr..
Z. w. West, chairman OF the committee ap-
pointed to select successor to the late DR..
Holmes.
There is general regret that DR.. Eager
could not see his way to accept the call to
Savannah. His letter to the church is as
follows:
ADMISSION, ALA, March 3, 1892.
Mr.. c.. W. West, ChdfrD,an Committee
First Baptist Church, Savannah, Ga.
DEAR BRoTHER-I regret that it has been i'm
possible Tor me TO come to final decision in re-
earo 10 the call TO savannah until now. The cir
cumstances have been unusual and more trying
imam can tell. No sooner had the call been
made public than my devoted end generous
people here began doing their utmost to retain
me as their pastor In Difference TO their re-
| quest, as wrote you postponed my decision
| Brethren over the state Joined in the effort to
ell
the meantime the First Baptist church at Mont
| gomery renewed the effort Of year ago to
secure me as their pastor, and gave me
| unanimous and hearty call A committee
waited on me and insisted on my visiting them
| before decided the question. I felt that
| might be slamminR the door in the face OF
| providence If l refused, and went l have just
+. returned from th re- having spent three days
| in looking over the field and trying to put my
self in possession of all the facts necessary to
decision The result is that feel It my duty to
oeeiine The call to Savannah and accept the
call TO Montgomery. 1t Is unnecessary TO give
| you fuu history of the ordeal through which
have passed. 1t is enough to say that the one
controlling influence which has been brought to
bear upon me more and more of late is the con-
vlctlon that would be recreant to duty il / left
| the state where my ministerial life has been so
largely spent and where have been so long
Identified with our UNCONVENTIONAL institutions
and interests, without the unmistakable aud
| imperative ordering Of divine providence.
The invitation to visit Savannah was a most
there, with the beautiful hospitality received,
| followed by the singuarly spontaneous and
united action of the church In calling me to be
the successor to my cherished friend, DR..
to think at the first that the hand Of the
| Lord was certainly in it, reckoning me TO your
beautiful city as my future home and field. 1t
| Is only after the most painful and prayerful
consideration of all the providential indications
pro and con, that have decided otherwise.
| regret that have been compelled to keep
| you so long IN suspense, and that there have
oeen any circumstances liable to make my long
silence misunderstood; but trust that the sole
consideration determining my action will be
appreciated by you and by the church
| IL certainly has cost me personally, and my
wife as well, no little pain to decide against
| going to Savannah.
| With heartfelt appreciation for the kindness
and honor shown me by yourself and the noble
| church you represent and praying earnestly
that the Great Shepherd and Bishop of Souls
| viii send you true and faithful under
| shepherd. am cordially yours
GEORGE B. EAGER.
A meeting of the committee was held
last night, but no action was taken further
than to receive DR.. Eager's letter. Steps
| will be taken at once toward extending a
call in another direction.