New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-01-10
PRICE THREE CENTS.
REV. DIR. JOHN HALL RESIGNS
ANNOUNCEMENT MADE TO HIS CONGRE-
CATION YESTERDAY
THE STEP TAKEN AFTER THIRTY YEARS AS PAS
TOR OF THE FIFTH AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN
cHURcH-soME TALK or THE REV.
MR.. BLACK. OF EDlNBURGH.

MIR BLACK OF EDINBURGH.
AS HIS SUCCESSOR
The Rev Dr. John Hall announced his resig-
nation Of the pastorate of the Fifth Avenue
PreJbyterlar Church yesterday. He made
known during the morning service his intention
TO leave the pulpit which he has filed for .
period Of thirty years. To the great number Of
his congregation DR. Halls comylunication was
entirely unexpected. and when. after few
moments interval. is full import had impressed
itself upon the members OF the church. women
were heard to sob in many parts Of the building.
Outside Of the trustees and elders OF the
church it is undoubtcd that Dr. Halls an
nounccment came with painful suddenness and
surprise. Although It is said that Or. Hall has
contemplated this step for than year
past. the congregation generally appeared to
have had no inklins OF 1t until yesterday. While
DR. Halls resignation entirely voluntary
inquiries made among the officials of the church
seem TO show that his determination the
outcome Of a desire, felt rather than expressed.
on the part Of some OF the congregation that
DR. Hall after so many years OF service was
justly entitled 70 retirement 10 private life, and
10 i've freed Of the arduous cares and persistent
labors which his important ministry brought
upon him. Something Ike year ago DR.. Hall
suggested 20 Robert Bonner. the president Of
the trustees and John Sloane. that the interests
OF the church might best be served. and his
comfort best considered. by vacatlng his
pulpit. Both M Bonner and Mr. Sloane, who
have for years been the warmest friends OF Dr.
Hall In the church dissIaded him for the mo-
ment from taking any decisive resolution. He
consented, but last summer his desire 10 re-
linquish his charge at the completion OF his
thirty-year term. which ended in November last
was made known to other trustees and officials.
CONFERENCES WITH DIR. HALL
With a view to ascertaining concusivcly his
wishes in this direction, and to take as a conse-
quence what action was necessary 10 carry h.s
purpose into effect, a committee comprising
members Of the Session and of the Board OF
Trustees was appointed in November last This
committee has ned numerous conferences with
DR.. Hall, and the outcome OF the Joint delibera-
tions was the announcement made yesterday
morning.
1t is understood that the members OF the COM
rlittee were not altogether 5 one man in their
opinions. There has been determined resolve
on the part OF the committee to make nothing
public regarding their proceedings. but II was
learned yesterday rom one Of the body that
while one element was anxious 10 urge upon DR..
Hall the necessity OF retaining his charge. there
was another equally earnest in advising that
the venerable pastor should be allowed TO resign
and give way 10 a minister younger in years,
and with more vitality to cope with the active
and responsible work of the church The COM
mittee met for the last time about week ago.
Dr. Hall present at the meeting and he
finally decided that his letter OF resignation
should be prepared and handed 10 the session at
its regular meeting, which was held last Thurs
day. The formal resignation was so received,
and following its reading the session adopted
set Of resolutions lnstanclng the blessings that
had attended DR.. Halls pastorate. and recon-
mending that he should be appointed pastor
emeritus, and have an appropriate retiring al
lowance
READING HIS RESIGNATION.
In a voice full of emotion Or. Hall read yes
terday morning, stated, his letter OF reslgns-
ton to those to whon he has for so long min
istered. The letter follows
Dear Brethren OF the Session: Having been priv
ileged to preach the Gospel for more than forty
eight years, ana having 5een pastor OF the Filth
Avenue Congregation for thirty years, have de-
cid,d, after heightened and praycriu consideration
Of the matter to resign the pasorae OF the church.
ana so 10 give opportunity 10 the congregation to
choose a successor Of requisite energy and vigor
for the work. and pray God guide the congresa-
tion-ln which / nave iely the deepest interest and
for the spiritual good OF whose members have
Whatever appears to the Session to be best in the
circums ances-whether 70 give Up pastoral work
and preaching at once or to 20 on until successor
brethren. fraterra.ly yours. j. HALL.
RESOLUTIONS OF THE SESSION
In the deep silence which followed. Dr. Hall.
in obedience to the wishes ot the Session. also
read the resolutions adopted by that body. These
resolutions recorded
Whereas. Our pastor. the Rev DR.. John Hail.
fees constrained 70 seek reef from tne burdens
and r rc,ppnsibltics OF the pastOrate. ard has ad
10 S'ssove The pastoral relations existing between
him and this church. therefore.
Resolved. That this session desires 10 place on
record It's very deep serse OF Or. Halls untrins
and unselhsh labors and the great blessings which
have attended mis- ministry. Coming to this coun-
in and out among FOR thirty years. preaching
the word visiting cur sick burying our dead and
sorrowful The prosperity and usefulness Of our
ings which have attended his iabors Nor have
these lanors been confined TO this church alone.
s1Se S2 ss sIs ,sryas. gst
Indeed no form Of religious or philanthropc labor
d can De sa been fe and recognized Throughout the
Whole Christian world. not merely in MS own but
in every other evangelical denoniration;
sr"gstion be called 70 take action the pastors
res gnaiion Wednesday evening January ls.
isss. at O'Clock in tie lecturc-room ana ths, due
notice OF the same be given from the pulpit at
the morning service on the preceding Sabbaths.
as REQUIRED by the laws o. this State.
Resolved That we will recommend 10 the church
and congregation "a. the meeting 80 10 be called
that they accede TO ne pastors request. and for
the Pres6ytery unite with him In seeking a dis
solution OF the pastoral relation.
And, further. That We VII recommend them 70
appoint DR.. Hall pastor emeritus, and vote him an
Appropriate retiring allowance.
And, That We VIII also recommend that they sp-
pon, 4 committee cooperate with a similar
committee 10 be appointed BY the session. 10 take
steps looking 10 the choosing Of suitable successor
TO the pas,orate.
Resolved Tha, We unite with pastor in
qucsiing the Rev. Or. Howard Dufhed, OF the
Presbytery of New-York. 20 act as moderator at
the said meeting ot the church and congregation.
HIS SERMON.
In his sermon which prefaced the reading Of
the foregoing communication. DR.. Hall uttered
many words which Te Of the character Of
parting admonitlons. He urged his flock to