The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-05-15
An Extraordinary Case.

The doath OF the Rev. DR.. HOWARD
Crosby loft tho Fourth Avenue Presbyte-
riap Church without pastor. and in that
cotHiison 1t has now remained for about
fourteen months. Meantime brothcrly love
and Christian charity seem to have reached
a low ebb In the flock. and rancor. elander.
and lptk biting to have entered In to re-
markable extent.
During these many months a committee
Of the church has been OH tho lookout far q
pnstor. and has considered tho qualifica-
tions pf more than scoro Of Presbyterian
ministers. None OF these satisfied tho criti-
chi requirements OF the committee SO for as
to induce them to present him to tho con-
gregation as candidate for the place, OK
cept tho Row. DR.. JAMES MCLEOD OF
Albany. It seems that on recent Sun
day he occupied the pulpit Of the church
as temporary or occasional supply
and preached sermon which was
heard with great pleasure and profit
by the congregation. In the Judgment OF
tho committee and the majority OF the
church he came up moro nearly to tho
stature OF tho man they thought they
wanted than any other preacher who had
oHlciatcd thore since DR.. CRosBY's death.
Hence the call OF DR.. MCLEOD as tho por-
mancnt pastor was advised. and he was
presented to the congregation for their ap-
proval Us candidate. The question who
should DO tho successor OF DIR. CROSBY
seemed therefore 20 tie settled so far as the
decision Of tho church WAS concerned. Dr..
MCLEOD had captured tho hearts OF the
great majority.
He is. moreover. minister OF distinction
In the Presbyterian Church. Like the Rev.
DR.. HALL. sO successful In tho Fifth avenue,
no ID o native OF tho north Of Ireland.
though. unlike him. ho received his COL
leKiute and theological education In this
country, at Princeton and at tho Mccormick
Seminary In Chicago. He has been the
pastor OF important Presbyterian churches
at Buffalo and indianapolis. and Is now
settled ovor q Congregational church at
Albany, Presbyterian and Congregational
ministers passing frcoly and frequently
from the ono denomination 10 the other. For
instance. tho sensational DE-. PARKHuRsT
was Congregationaliss preacher at LeEox.
IN massachusetts,. before ho came TO the
previously staid and conservative Madison
Square Presbyterian Church. so long under
the pastorshlp and refining influence of tho
1oto cultivated and scholarly DR. WILLIAM
,ApAMs. DR.. McCLEoD has received many
evidences OF tho unusual respect and conf
dence Of the Presbyterlnns. Ho has boon
elected Moderator OF the New York Synod.
and has been selected as Commissioner to
the General Assembly and representative
u the Assembly to the Pan-Presbyte
Council. He Is thus ono OF the most dis
tinguished OF the denomination In this
country. He has also commanded much
attention as preacher OF unusual ability.
In the exercise OF his ministerial functions.
It may DO said incidentally. he baptized Mrs.
CLEVELAND. Theologically he Ia orthodox.
Tho majority Of tho Fourth Avenue Pres
byterian Church. therefore. thought that In
getting such man os pastor they would
secure prizo. But when the question OF
calling him came up last wcek 1t was dis
covered that small minority We're vlo-
ientlyhni bitterly opposed TO hun. and that
thcy went SD far as to assail even his moral
o'iaraetcr. For Instance. DR.. W. E. Bull
LARD rood TO tho church meeting a letter
he had received from an aunt OF his liy.
Ing at Indianapolis. In which she said
lm0pg Other things. that ,:"whea no