The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-09-03
LAME FOR ST. JOHNS.
All the Praise for Calvary
Church People.
INVITATIONS OF REVELATIONS.
The Minister Says He Made Mis-
take and Took the Earliest OPP
portunity to Withdraw.

SAN JOSE, Sept. Rev John Hemp
hill, who is visiting friends at the Clark
mansion, on the Alameda, in this city, said
in an interview with a representative of
The CALL that the reported account of
his withdrawal from the passionate of st.
Johns Presbyterian Church in San Fran
cisco was full of historical Inaccuracies, to
say the least. He did not and could not
resign, for the reason that he had never
been installed as pastor. Under this con-
ditOn of affairs neither The members of
the church nor even the presby terry had
any authority as to the manner or time of
his withdrawal. He filed the call 8 little
less than four months.
From the first he realized that he had
made a mistake and that he was a misft,
so he took the earliest opportunity to with
draw. Re did SO, as he admits, rather
suddenly because he did not care to subject
himself or Others TO any long-drawn- out
agony IN the matter. He could not be ex-
pected to make long announcement of his
determination or TO preach a farewell ser
mon. from the fact that he was not the
regularly ordained pastor of the church.
He had cut loose from the pastorate of the
church permanently, ana he hoped that
out further unpleasantness.
DR.. Hem phil said his career as a min
lister proved that lie was not prone TO give
ND calls easily. Thus far he had had only
two Observation-Disclosures years at Calvary
Church at San Francis and subsequently
ten years at the Philadelphia church. His
letter If withdrawal written last Monday
was calm and temperate. The inspirer of
IL, 4 =
all The reasons that he had stated in his
letter OF Withdrawal. If the letter Itself
had been published he minated that an
entirely different phase would have been
put CD the matter. 1t is asserted that the
church YVES treated shabbily. but DR..
Hemphill declares empbatically that he is
willing 30 submit before any three honor
able men iull exposition of his treatment
OF the church in comparison with the treat
ment " Inch be has received from it.
Dr. Hempbill denied emphatically that be
was over-am bilious for q union of St. John
and Calvary churches. The recent over
tures for union we're not inspired bg him.
He would have been glad If such union
could have been effected in a harmonious
manner and ne intlmated that the men,
bers OF ST. johns Church were wholly 10
blame for the failure to consolidate. Cal
vary Church went more than half way in
the mater. 1t is also denied that ST.
Johns Church was prosperous and in
creasng. In the tour months the ccngre-
cation had not Increased. AS soon as he
realized that a uEi0n between tie two
churches c"uid not be accomplished on an
equitable basis he withdrew. He urged
that The fact that his continuance in the
VaStOTate would have caused a dismember-
meDt of his Old church-Caivary- a suf-
hclent justification OF his course in with
drawing. lie said be had labored for
thirteen years 10 build up Calvary Church,
and he could not conscentiously take
course that would empty his old church TO
I'LL up ST. Johns. II he could have built
up The latter indepe IDENTIFY he would have
been glad to 90 so.
The church has the best wishes of Dr..
Hemphill for its prosperity, aud he hopes
that the right man can be found for the
place, but Dr.. Minton, an able minister
from San Jose, had almost the same ex-
perence recently. He remained only
year in the pulpit at ST. Johns.
Il was also learned from friends of DR..
Hemphill in this city that Iart of the
shabby treatment that he speaks of, and
the portion Of the letter that was not pub
lished, was the fact that he did not receive
any salary for his labors during the four
months IN st. Johns Church. When
asked in regard to this, DR.. Hemphin
would not confirm nor deny the report,
but he intimated that If any more animus
were shown in certain quarters in San
francisco the whole affair would probably
have to be ventilated. He said he had no
especial plans for the future, as he WAS
very much disconnected by the humiliating
position in which lie is placed.
DIR. Hemphill refused an invitation to fill
the pulpit in the First Presbyterian Church
Tomorrow, for The reason he felt too tired
and worried bv tie ordeal to which he had
been subjected.