The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-03-30
REV. DIR. MACKENZIE
DOES NOT RESIGN.
PERFECTLY HARMONIOUS RELA-
TI0NS BETWEEN PASTOR
AND PEOPLE.
HIS DUTIES NOT TOO HEAVY.
The CHURCH OFFICERS SAY THE
STORY ORIGINATED FROM
A JOKE.

The Rev. DR.. Robert Mackenzie, pastor
of the First Presbyterian Church, on Van
Ness avenue and Sacramento street, said
yesterday that the story of his intended
resignation was a great piece of news to
him.
II left bright and early for the Theologi-
cal Seminary at San Anselmo, where oc-
cupy the chair of apologetics. My atten-
ton was attracted to the article published
in that mornings CALL by one of my pu-
pills, who was greatly surprised at the re-
port | was the most surprised of any
body, but having been in the newspaper
profession myself l can well understand
how once in while little inaccuracies will
come before the public eye.
personally 1 decided to let the matter
drop; in fact, to say nothing about it. and
not publicly deny it. Ny church officers,
however, were so taken aback that a meet
ing was held Monday noon, where it was
agreed upon to emphatically deny the-alle-
cations.
II should really be better pleased not to
have always gotten along so well with our
papers here, OF course | will not at this
time refuse an expression
DR.. Mackenzie continued by SAYING that
his relations with the church were most
pleasant and that no climax had resulted
from the fact OF his occupying two posi-
tons.
He said it was true that an assistant in
his pastoral duties had been given him,
but in all large churches it was necessary
to have aid.
The doctor said that the only disagreed
BILE phase to the report is the feeling that it
at first created among the church officers,
as zach one naturally thought that some
secret known to a few of the others had
been divulged, but as the entire story was
groundless of truth, which fact was soon
demonstrated, the very best spirit again
existed.
In concluding, DIR. Mackenzie said: GAS
to strained relations, the idea is absurd.
Good fellowship and combined Christian
endeayor was never more evident in my
church than now. | am not overworked
IN my duties, as systemic them. About
leaving California for a field in New York
City, must say that it is an entirely I'M
heard-of proposition to me. | expect to
live here many years if health is spared,
and will continue in the Christian work as
ardently as ever"
Robert Dickson, manager of the Queen s
Insurance Company, 401 Montgomery
street, said:
am trustee and also elder at the First Pres.
byterian Church, and have been since before
DR.. Mackenzie came to us. am also one of the
directors of the Theological Seminary at San
Anselmo. | can speak for everybody tina,
knows DR.. Mackenzie, and it is with a feeling
of the utmost affection and regard We were
absolutely dumfounded when informed
through the press that we were TO consider his
resignation. Everybody knows of the great
ability of Dr. Mackenzie and his high standing
as an organizer and in truth we cannot and
would not lose him. There is no truth in any
report relative to dissatisfaction or discord il
the church.
Lean probably tell you the way this resigna
ton alarm started. 1t was from remark DR.
Mackenzie made, jokingly, some time ago tc
the effect thatif We could lind any good, strong
man who would take his place, and who could
bear every responsibility, he would step down
and out. You see how huge joke this seemed
TO us.
Should Dr.. Mackenzie preach one sermon q
month at the First Presbyterian Church every.
thing would be as satisfactory with the 800
and odd members as it is now, so far as ques
ton OF complaint is concerned.
Cyrus S. Wright, prominent official Of
DR.. Mackenzie's church, said that the idea
of resignation of the pastor was non
sense. He said that the subject had never
been heard of by any officer or member Of
the congregation.