Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-19
STRONG HOPES OF SUCCESS
Dr.. Talmage Will Probably Be DR.. sunder-
lands Oo-Pastor
Significant Statement Given Out by
Mr.. James L. Norris After Hur-
ried Trip to the North.

Local Presbyterians, and in fact church.
men Of all denominations, are still anxious
ly awaiting some definite statement from
the officials of the First Presbyterian
Church regarding the chances Of Rev
DR.. Talmage coming to Washington to
preach. 1t was confidently expected that a
decision would be reached by today, but
this was not Forthcoming. That deci-
sion is really the conclusion of DIR. Tai
mage upon the proposition submitted to
him by the pastor and trustees of the First
Church. which the Eoted divine was ex-
pected to answer day before yesterday.
That letter has not yet come, so far as all
indications go.
The officials preserve the mysterious at
titude toward the public that has charac-
terized them ever since the fact that ne
gotiations were pending between the
church and DIR. Talmage first leaked out.
DR.. Sunderland and Mr.. Norris.
Rev. DR.. Sunderland returned suddenly
to town this morning from Katskill. N. Y,
where he was expected to remain until
the end Of the month. 1t is probable that
his hurried return was caused by the pre-
mature publication of the possibility Of a
change In the pulpit of his church Mr..
James L. Norris who has been at the head
and front of the pending proposition, so
far as the public is concerned, it would
seem, ie1t town In a hurry night before
last and returned this morning. The fact
that he came back at the same time as
Dr. sunderland may mean that they came
together, and that may in turn signify
that they met while away, and 1t is not q
stretch of the imagination to suppose that
they met somewhere near Brooklyn, which
is fairly well in the route from Katskill
to Washington.
A Consult ation Not Improbable.
The inference, therefore, is not violent
that DR.. Sunderland and Mr.. Norris have
had consultation within few hours with
DR.. Talmage about the case. Yet it Is only
an inference, for Mr.. Norris is almost per-
fectly silent on the subject, and DIR. Sum-
derland has vanished, AS though into the air.
He was at Mr.. Norris offices this morning
Tor while, but when a Star reporter called
-there ne had gone, and he could not be
found. The house on c street occupied by
him during the greater part of the year
was closed, and the dust and cobwebs on
the front door told eloquently that no one
had passed into the residence for weeks
Ihere was no one at the church, the lower
doors Of which were opened, as usual.
Mr. Norris was not altogether silent, but
as far as definite news was concerned, he
might almost as well have been.
Will DC Speedily Settled.
He handed to the reporter a typewriter
statement, with the Introductory remark
that there was absolutely no need for his
visitor to ask any questions, as the docu-
ment contained all that he would say under
any circumstances
I'm fact" continued Mr. Norris, that is
all there is to say at present.. That is the
exact state Of the case at present. No one
else can tell you any more, SO, as 1t is a
hot day, you may as well save yourself the
more' 20
The statement was as follows: 1--WE have
strong hopes Of having the. eminent and
leaned divine, Rev. T. Dewitt Talmage,
come to this city at ah early day to preside
over the First Presbyterian Church as CO.
pastor with Rev. DR.: B. Sunderland, and
the matter will now be,speedly settled, DIR.
Sunderland coming here for the purpose"
DR.. Talmage /. Considering.
In this connection it is Interesting to note
that word comes from New York this
morning that shows that DR.. Talmage has
rot yet decided the question that Is so i'm
portant to the members OF the First
Church. He received second letter Tues
day night from the officers Of the church.
and answered that he would give it his
serious and prayerful consideration" He
said to q reporter that he would be at work
somewhere in q few weeks, and that he
had several other calls under Amusement.