New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-16

church had worked so quietly ana taken SUI" So
care that its intentions should not become n "
that the report from Philadelphia when sa'u '"a'
DR. Mcconnell had handed In his resignation d.
meeting Of the vestry OF st. Stephens Ch"rc"' anu
that the resignation had been accepted gave 10
nrook,vpitos the first knowledge that the commit
tee had made choice
Dr. Mcconnell ordained in 1872 by the p''"op
OF Pittsburg For two years he did missionary WI"
in Erie County and in the oil regions OF re'',''S'
vania and then became rector OF Holy i'''
Church. in Mddletown. Conn. the cathenrai Pa'''"
Of the diocese. In 1852 he went from Middie'o"" u
Philadelphia as rector OF ST. Stephens where nc
soon became extremely popular. His congregation
steadily grew in size. and his church was frequently
unable to contain the crowds that sought aom's-
sion.
DR.. Mcconnell is influential member OF inc
Council OF the Municipal League OF Philade'phia'
and is interested In several other organizations not
connected with his church. lie Is the president OF
the Contemporary Club. a member OF the Pennsyi-
vania Historical Society and OF the Sons or the
Revolution dean OF the Northwestern Convocauoh
OF Philadelphia and chaplain OF the LIST Regiment
of the Pennsylvania National Guard
DR.. Mcconnell has written several wcll-known
church works including "A History Of the American
Episcopal Church." Sermon STUFF and Sons OF
God" 1t is said that his call to Brooklyn was
especially attractive. because he believes that
Brooklyn offers better opportunities for evangelistic
He will stay with his Philadelphia church through
Lent, and viii come Brooklyn about May J. lie
will receive from Holy Trinity $500 year ana the
free OF the rectOry .
Dr. Mcconnell Was recently brought prominently
before the church people OF this city ~ one OF tho
preachers OF n series Of sermons AZ the Fiith Ave
nue. Baptist Church arranged with view 10 pro-
noting the cause Of church unity. At the time The
Tribune called attention TO the fact that rule OF
clerical courtesy In the Episcopal body required that
any clergyman intending 10 preach In church OF
another denomination must obtain tho consent OF
the rector OF the parish within whose terrific ial
limits the church whose pulpit he was 10 occupy
was situated The rector who. under a strict IN
depreciation of the law houis have been consulted
was the Rev. DR.. Charles X. Treat. OF 81 Stephens
In West Forty-sixth-st, and when II became known
that DR. Mcconnell had not asked Dr. Treats sane
ton II thought that the Philadelphia rector had
overlooked the rule, which has been 30 constantly
observed to become an unwritten law Upon
DR. McConnells arrival In this city. however u was
learned that he had obtained the permission OF Dr
Greer OF st Bartholomew. under tho impression
that that the nearest Episcopal church 10 the
Fifth Avenue Baptist. lnasmuch as the territorial
limits OF parishes are only vaguely outlined. the
consensus OF opinion among clergymen was that
DR. Mcconnell had fulfilled all the requirements In
securing Dr Grecr's consent.
81 stephens Church is OF tho largest and
wcalthles, OF Philadelphia. Or Mcconnell is a
conservative churchman with 4 tendency toward
the broad school.