The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-12-10
WILL SUCCEED SWING.
DIR. Hills. n Presbyterian, Accepts
the Cali 20 a Liberal Pulpit.

Chicago Post.
Central Church. David Swings greatest
gift to religion and the most important
living memorial of the distinguished d-
vine, is to have a new guide and pastor.
Rev. Newell ID. Hills, of the First Pres
byterian Church, of Evanston. was extend
ed a call by the trustees of Central Church
last night, and to-day he announced his in
tention of accepting the honor. Unless his
present congregation interposes obstacles,
DR.. Hills will shortly assume his new du-
ties and enter upon a great work that his
friends believe to be mapped out for him.
DR.. Hilliss selection as minister does not
mean that the Central Church is to be
brought over to the fold of orthodoxy. On
the contrary, his platform will be that of
liberation and liberality, and there will be
no endeavor on his part to draw the organ
ization into Presbyterianism.
The single possibility that may prevent
DR.. Hilliss acceptance of the offer is in his
withdrawal from the First Presbyterian
Church of Evanston. 1t is erecting a mag
nificent house of worship. and IL the con-
gregation believes it has any claims on
DIR. Hillis'sb time and will not release him
freely and with cordiality. he will stay In
Evanston. But as the funds for the new
church are neary all raised and the greater
part of the task of building Is already ac-
complished IL is thought there will be no
difficulties in that direction, so that the
plan agreed upon will be carried TO COM
pletion. DIR. Hills has almost finished his
work in his present field, and If he can
go to Central Church without impeaching
his honor as a man, he says. he shall
do SO.
In speaking of the call DIR. Hills said
to-day: X shall not act in the premises
In any way that can possibly be construed
as a violation Of agreement or implied
promise. The First PreSbYtprian Church
has engaged upon the enterprise of the new
church In a spirit that BELTS the COM
munity's high standard and the labor is
so near it's fruition that I feel ! can con-
sistently take up the charge offered me
Still, shall not accept. unless can dc
SO with the good will of the members of
my present congregation.
Il shall not endeavor-provided 1 go to
the church-to lead the Central Church
toward Presbyterianism. The congregation
is composed of Baptists. Methodists. Jews,
Episcopalians and representatives OF all
sects. SO that orthodoxy has no basis there.
/ shall try to keep my work along tbs lines
of extending the organizations influence
as a Christian church. Character construc-
ton, the betterment of humanity and the
ligion are the chief things an institution
like the Central Church ought to consider"
DR.. Hills is still a young man and has
had a wonderful career. He has been called
the new Beecher.' and those who have
listened to his teachings say he has many
of the world-famous Qualities Of the great
pItdtHcI VI IL fOuln HtISn
DIR. Hills is but thirty-six years of age,
yet in cleverness. logic and close analysis
he has powers usually produced only by
All his life DR.. Hills has been a thorough
student of man as well as OF books. His
associations have given him a clear insight
into nature and much knowledge Of the
common affairs. hopes, fears, anxieties, vir-
tues and weaknesses of humanity He has
so a GVe energy, both sSm pRysisal 'a and m inseiieet nsI,
that would be beyond the capacity of an
ordinary man. He has great earnestness of
purpose, an unbounded sympathy for every
thing that is human. a remarkable memory
and is a diligent student of literature.
He differs from the ordinary minister in
pulpit he conceived a plan for his develop
ment that has broadened him and given
him great lberality In view and speech. He
saw that groove that ministers fall into
by following a stated line of denominational
reading and literature. SO he sought to
give himself a pronounced breadth of ex-
perience and observance. Art, science, phi
losophy and history became his goals fa-
study. and he applied himself vigorously
to obtain an extended knowledge that
would endow him with ability for diverse
This has been the secret of his success.
His sermons are never stereotyped. From
given text one cannot tell what his dis
course will Zoe. as is the case with the ma
jority of preachers. His wide learning, ex-
perience and sympathy lend him a depth
of reasoning. logic and argument that
orator.
The early education of DR.. Hills was OBJ
tanned in the vicinity of his home in Iowa,
but, choosing theology as his special mis-
sion, the young man studied at Lake For
est University and the Mccormick Theo-
logical Seminary. His first call was to the
Presbyterian Church in Peoria, which he
left in 1890 to succeed DR.. Moves in Evans
ton. 1t is not strange that the congrega-
ton at Evanston lost no chance to express
their appreciation of mis- character. The
theory OF metaphysical research in books,
spiced With the genuine study of the peo-
pie, gave him no end of material for
his absorption of character study are mani
tested in his delivery. 1t is told of DIR.
Hills that he declined an opportunity to
listen to a rather celebrated minister in
London to be present in Trafalgar square
when John Burns, nov In Chicago. made
one of mis- famous speeches..
The University conferred
the degree OF doctor of divinity on DR.. Hill
lis in 1892. He has been honored in many
other ways by colleges. religious associa-
| lions and social organizations. His repu-
tation for liberalism comes largely from his
defense OF Prof. Henry Preserved Smith. of
Cincinnati, in the Presbyterian General As
sembly two years ago. Last year, too, he
took a position in favor of keeping the
seminaries free from the control of the as
sembly in opposition to the conservative
element in the church. He is not a radical,
but sensible, liberal, and a very popular
man.