The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-06-21
Hat AW Us SUCCESSOR
Rev. A. N. Thu mpson Ac-
cepts the Call to West
minister I resby-
terian Ch nrch.
STIMULATES FOR LOYAL SUPPORT
First Sermon as Pastor Early in
September An Increase
in Salary.
STIMULATES FOR LOYAL SUPPORT

The Rev. Arthur Newton Thompson,
p. D., Of Tacoma, Washington, who was
unanimously called by the congregation
Of the Westminster Presbyterian Church,
at a meeting held last week for the choos-
ing Of a successor to the Rev. I. w.
Hathaway, preached in the church yes
terday at both the morning and evening
services. AT the conclusion Of the morn
ing service he said that 1T was his earnest
deslre that all the members of the church
and parish be present at the evening SER
vice, as he would then have something to
say concerning the pastorate which had
Keen offered lin. This had the effect of
bringing a large assemblsge out. DR..
thompson took for his text Rev. %: II.
Let him that heareth say, Come
pr. Thompson said in 2art:-"You have
ihonored me with a call to this church.. 1t
Is not a question of the number of SER
mons / will preach or how many will
near the words Of the blessed Gospel from
sonal friendship that confronts US. 1t
IS the cause of Christian warfare. Who
VIII follow in the train alt the expense of
personal sacrifice. l have been placed in
a similar position before and a thorough
understanding between the congregation
and pastor must exist. The danger to
pc averted do not arise SO much from in
as 1t does from the Indifference Of men,
bers who sit back in their seats unwilling
70 take the banner of Christ and go forth
70 Wage war in the enerny's camp. The
greatest danger that menaces a church
organization is the sublime Indifference
Of citizens of the spiritual kingdom to for
ward the work of Christ.
Il speak of these things because now
is the time for a little plain talk. We
must know whether or not we will fit
whether we can work for the Lord har-
moniously. / am a PLATA preacher-per-
haps too plain-but / preach the Gospel
as ] find it. The words of truth are
sometimes too straight for the needs of
the heart. and you may become tired of
my plain preaching.
@ your part there must be a unity
In the church work and d fidelity of pur-
pose. must know, your attitude il
up. but rot at the expense Of our sister
churches. Our parish must be thoroughly
fanyassed and a record made of every
family IN 1t. so that q new arrival, or one
without a church home, can be invited
here. The church must be built up; the
world and every member must be loyal to
it. Evening SeryieeS must be as well at
tended as the morning. 1t is very dis
t,ouraging for a pastor to see his church
half filed. while he knows that the mem
loers are at home snugly ensconced in
easy chairs, but not reading the Sunday
newspapers, / pray. God has made you
responsible for your own church and you
must not visit other churches at the ex-
nense of your own These are some things
to be understood between us before / ac-
cept the call.
Will you work and follow me in this
aggressive warfare, reaching out for souls
IN every direction? If you can't we must
know it now before it is too late. want
the amen of the entire congregation"
Elder Howell arose and said:=oI have
listened with profound interest to what
l9r- Thompson has said tonight regarding
cur duties and what he expects us to do,
and / say a loud Amen The Lord has
sent this man to us and our prayer have
heen answered. 1t is Gods desire that he
shall carry on his work in this vicinity
and ! believe the Lord has sent us the
very man. | pledge myself to aid him in
every possible way if he accepts his
Elder French said he was certainly i'm
pressed with the remarks of DR.. Thomp-
son and knew that a hearty co-operation
would exist between the people and
pastor.
Elder Banks voiced the entiment of
the members by pledging their spiritual
and support. The leaders and
Of the church, one ~ one, an
n their loyalty to the Organization
and it was noticeable that many Hath
supporters remained seated
5Dr. Thompson said he felt honored at
the loyalty evinced, but q he continued.
you must be loyal to God and His
church. His work must be done by YOU.
l will accept this call and preach nv
nnrst sermon as your pastor on the first
Sunday in September"
The services concluded with the singing
the Benediction the choir sang God he
with you till we meet again"
DE- ThoInpson's salary has been fixed
at S00Lwhich is $500 more than the
Rev. DR.. Hathaway received and 5000 less
tEan the new pastor asked.