The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-26
DIR. GUNSAULUS RESIGNS.
Ill Health Causes "a Popular Pastor to
Give Up Preaching.

CHICAGO Nov. 25.-Rev. DIR. Frank w.
Gunsaulus has peremptoriy resigned the
pastorate of Plymouth Congregational
Church. The resignation was considered
last night by the trustees and the prudential
committee of the church in joint session.
and the universal sentiment was that it
would necessarily have to be accepted. DR..
Gunsauluss letter is q long and touching
one 1t refers to the fact that il is the third
letter of resignation he has sent the church
within as many moufhs, and says that
though the church in it's loving partiality
has disregarded the first two, the third is
final and irrevocableI The sole reasons for
this step, he says, are the condition of his
health and the advice of Dr. Pettijohn, the
physician of the Alma Sanatorium. DIR.
Gunsaulus does not feel the same necessity
for severing his connection with Armour
Institute as with the church. His under
standing with Mr.. Armour is that he is to
remain president of the institution until his
health is restored, no matter how long that
may be.
DIR. Gunsaulus's malady is malarial rheu-
matism, brought on by years of overWork
He was stricken down with it suddenly and
almost mySteriouSly. He had been to New
York to preach for the Broadway Taber-
nacle congregation, which was resolved to
secure him tor its pastor if possible. He
preached there the first Sunday after
Easter, and then returned to Chicago, ex-
pectng to preach in his own church the fol-
lowing Sunday. But on the preceding Sat
urday he was taken violently i'll, and has
never preached since Several months ago
it became evident that his surroundings in
Chicago were not favorable to his recovery
He was under a constant temptation to re-
ceiVe visitors, and when he did so con-
versed until he had worked himself up into
a fever. 1t was determined therefore, to
remove him to the Sanatorium at Alma,
Mich, where he would enjoy absolute quiet,
and have the benefit of many other reStora-
tiveS which were denied him here. His re-
moval was accomplished secretly and skill
fully. and the wisdom of it has been amply
justified by his progress toward recovery.
Dr. GunsauluS was born in CheSterville,
o., in 1856. AS he was a Methodist he was
educated al the Wesleyan University, from
which he was graduated in 1875. After
preaching among the MethodiStS for four
years he became a Congregationalist and
was the pastor successfully of the East
wood Church and North High-street Church
Newtonville, Mass, and the Memorial
Church in Baltimore, from which, in 1887, he
came to the Plymouth Church in Chicago.
He has frequently expressed the opinion
that no pastor should remain with one
church more than ten years. DR.. Gun
saulus's success as a preacher has been
largely due to powerful memory and
omnivOrOus reading. He has not been near
~ so distinguished as a logician he was
for his wide and accurate information, his
poeIical temperament and his warm and
vehement oratory Like Beecher. he thinks
in pictures, and this style of thought and
composition. being easy as well as delight
full for ones hearers, was sure to give him
a large and admiring following From the
intricacieS of orthodox theology DIR. Gun
saulus has always stood wisely aloof Be
lieying himself capable of any possible
amount of work and worry. he has added
the institute TO the church. and the lecture
field to the institute, and private care and
anxieties and labors unnumbered to all
three, until at last the harp of a thousand
strings has become unStrung.